Nigeria Records Highest Multidimensional Poverty Rate Under Tinubu, UNDP Report Shows Nigeria recorded the highest multidimensional poverty rate among countries assessed in 2026, with the figure rising from 33 per cent in 2021 to 38.7 per cent in 2024, according to a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). The report identified Nigeria, Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Kyrgyzstan and Guinea as countries where multidimensional poverty increased. Nigeria recorded the highest rise among the five nations. The findings indicate that the country’s poverty situation worsened between 2021, during the administration…
Author: Ibom Focus
Akwa Ibom Govt Threatens Legal Action Against Newspaper Over Alleged False Report The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed a report by The Guide Newspaper alleging that Governor Umo Eno suspended his daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, as Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and locked her out of the office building. The government described the report as false and misleading, insisting that Mrs. Obareki remains in her position as Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, the government explained that the building housing the…
Nigeria Records 20-Fold Increase in Private Capital Inflows as Oyedele Meets World Bank President The President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, has commended Nigeria’s economic reform progress, citing a significant increase in private capital inflows from about $300 million in 2023 to nearly $6 billion in 2026. Banga made the commendation during a meeting with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting was held on Monday, October 12, on the sidelines of the 2026 IMF and World…
Ezeilo Urges Nigeria To Criminalise Marriages With 20–25-Year Age Gaps A former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Prof. Joy Ezeilo (SAN), has called on the Nigerian government to introduce laws criminalising marriages involving extreme age differences of 20 to 25 years where exploitation is evident, even when the girl is above 18. Ezeilo made the call as Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, warning that some marriages involving young women and significantly older men could conceal sexual exploitation and unequal power relationships. In a statement made available…
A lesson for Everyone to learn: The Story of Justice Walter Onnoghen: How Time Changed the Fortunes of Those Involved The story of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, offers a powerful lesson about life, power and the consequences of our decisions. Sometimes, the people who appear to have the upper hand today may find themselves facing unexpected challenges tomorrow. History has a way of reminding us that power is temporary and that our actions can have consequences beyond what we imagine. In 2019, during the build-up to Nigeria’s general elections, the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari…
US Accuses Nigerian Government of Complicity in Human Trafficking, Lists Country Among Child Soldier Recruiters The United States government has raised concerns over alleged official complicity in human trafficking in Nigeria, accusing authorities of failing to adequately investigate and prosecute public officials suspected of involvement in trafficking-related crimes. Nigeria was also listed among 14 countries identified for the recruitment and use of child soldiers in the 2026 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report released by the US Department of State. The report covers the period from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, and retains Nigeria on Tier 2, a classification…
Terrorists Attack Traders Travelling Under Nigerian Army Escort, Dozens Feared Dead No fewer than 22 people have reportedly been killed after suspected terrorists ambushed traders travelling under Nigerian Army escort to a weekly market in Zamfara State. The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday, October 11, 2026, along the road linking Gurusu and Gwashi in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of the state. The traders were reportedly travelling to Nasarawa Market when the assailants attacked the convoy, killing several civilians and security personnel. A resident, Malam Aminu Gwashi, confirmed the incident, stating that several people lost their lives…
‘Promises Are Easy to Make’ — Don’t Make The One You Cannot Fund; Tinubu Tells Aspirants President Bola Tinubu has challenged politicians seeking to lead Nigeria to explain how they intend to finance their campaign promises, implement them and ensure their sustainability. The President stressed that government commitments must be supported by credible plans and sustainable funding to prevent Nigerians and future generations from bearing the consequences of poorly planned policies. Tinubu stated this in a post on his X platform on Sunday, noting that leaders must provide immediate relief to citizens without jeopardising the future of the country’s children.…
Legal Action: A man has expressed anger after a single mother allegedly collected ₦2,100 from him for transport but failed to show up as promised. In the viral video, the man questioned the woman over her decision to stop answering his calls after receiving the money, despite allegedly telling him that she was on her way. He expressed further frustration when she reportedly explained that her child was vomiting, questioning why she had not informed him about the situation before or immediately after receiving the money. The visibly upset man also threatened legal action, insisting that he would not let…
Police Arrest Four Suspects, Recover Three Stolen Vehicles The Kano State Police Command has arrested four suspects and recovered three stolen vehicles in separate intelligence-led operations conducted between October 8 and 9, 2026. The operations, carried out under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, followed sustained efforts to combat motor vehicle theft and strengthen security across the state. According to a press release issued by the Command, the operations align with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which prioritises intelligence-led policing, technical support and community partnership. In the…