The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday paid an unannounced visit to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) passport office in Gwagwalada, Abuja, following persistent complaints over delays in passport processing. The surprise inspection was aimed at assessing service delivery and identifying bottlenecks affecting applicants.
During the visit, the minister openly expressed displeasure at the long waiting times faced by Nigerians, describing the situation as unacceptable. He questioned officials on why applicants were made to wait far beyond stipulated timelines, despite ongoing reforms within the passport issuance system.
Tunji-Ojo also issued a stern warning against extortion and unofficial charges, cautioning applicants not to make extra payments to fast-track their applications. He stressed that passport processing fees are fixed and that anyone demanding or paying illegal charges undermines government efforts to sanitise the system.
The minister’s visit drew attention from applicants at the office, many of whom expressed hope that the intervention would lead to improved efficiency and accountability. The inspection is expected to prompt internal reviews within the NIS as the Interior Ministry intensifies efforts to ensure transparent and timely passport services nationwide.
The Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Onaolapo Sanjo Adedoyin, on Tuesday accused a fellow lawmaker, Hon. Ibrahim Shittu, representing Saki West State Constituency, of making defamatory and malicious allegations against him and the leadership of the Assembly.
Adedoyin, who represents Ogbomoso South, raised the matter as a personal explanation on the floor of the House during the first resumed plenary sitting of the House on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Visibly angered by the development, Majority Leader described the allegations as a grave infringement on his legislative privileges and a direct attack on his integrity and the institution of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
Addressing the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, and other lawmakers, Adedoyin said the controversy arose from a speech delivered by Shittu during a public programme in Saki Town, which was subsequently circulated widely across social media platforms, including Facebook, X, YouTube and several news blogs.
“In that speech, I was falsely accused of offering and receiving bribes from the Chairman of Saki West Local Government to influence or alter the course of an investigation into allegations against him,” Adedoyin said.
Speaking further, he said, “I categorically and unequivocally state that these allegations are baseless, malicious and entirely untrue.”
He explained that he merely acted on the directive of the Speaker to look into petitions submitted against the local government chairman, insisting that due process was strictly followed.
“For the record, Mr. Speaker directed me to look into the petitions submitted against the Chairman, and I dutifully carried out that responsibility,” he said, adding that claims of bribery involving the House leadership were “mischievously fabricated to mislead the public for political gains.”
The Majority Leader further alleged that Shittu extended his accusations to the office of the Speaker, alleging that the Speaker was altering the course of justice due to political party considerations.
“Such insinuations are not only false but dangerous, as they attempt to portray this House as partisan and unjust.
“Let it be firmly stated that the Oyo State House of Assembly has never been involved in political favouritism,” Adedoyin stated.
He also accused the Saki West lawmaker of ridiculing the House Special Ad-hoc Committee that carried out oversight functions in Oyo North, noting that Shittu allegedly absented himself from the committee’s assignment.
“His deliberate absence from critical legislative duties speaks volumes about his commitment to the responsibilities entrusted to him by his constituents,” Adedoyin said.
Describing the comments as calculated attempts to embarrass and discredit the Assembly, the Majority Leader noted that the incident was not an isolated one.
“This is not the first time Hon. Shittu has embarked on character assassination, spreading falsehoods and calculated lies against the leadership and institution of this Assembly,” he added.
Adedoyin said the allegations had caused him and his family severe distress.
“My image has been gravely damaged. I have received several disturbing calls from friends and colleagues, while my entire family is presently suffering psychological and emotional trauma as a result of these false allegations,” he said.
He therefore appealed to the Speaker to invoke the powers of the House to investigate the matter in line with the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act, 2017, and Order VII of the Assembly’s rules.
“This intervention is necessary not only to protect my personal integrity but also to safeguard the dignity of this Honourable House and deter future occurrences of such misconduct,” Adedoyin added.
Reacting to the personal explanation, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, cautioned lawmakers against making unnecessary, unfounded and exaggerated comments capable of igniting tension, misleading the public and undermining the integrity of the legislative institution.
He stressed that members must exercise restraint, uphold decorum and remain guided by the rules of the House in all their public engagements, noting that the legislature must always be seen as a responsible and disciplined institution.
To safeguard the dignity of the House and ensure that due process is followed, the Speaker consequently referred the matter to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for further legislative action.
He however, directed the committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations and report its findings back to the House within one week.
Consequently, the House thereafter, resolved to await the committee’s report before taking further action on the matter.
Residents and business owners in Ado Awaye, Oyo State, have continued to lament a prolonged power outage that has thrown the community into darkness for more than a month following the destruction of key electricity infrastructure.
It was gathered that no fewer than 35 electric poles along the Iseyin–Ado Awaye road, which supply power to the town, were destroyed, cutting off electricity to the entire community. Since the incident, residents have been without power, relying on alternative and often costly sources of energy.
The blackout has severely affected economic activities in the area, with many small and medium-scale businesses forced to shut down or operate at minimal capacity. Traders, artisans, and service providers say the lack of electricity has led to financial losses and increased hardship for households.
Residents disclosed that several appeals and reports have been made to relevant stakeholders, including electricity distribution authorities and government officials, urging urgent intervention to restore power supply. However, they noted that these efforts have so far yielded no result.
Members of the community are now calling on the appropriate authorities to urgently replace the damaged poles and restore electricity, warning that continued inaction could further worsen the economic and social conditions of Ado Awaye.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has signed the ₦4.444 trillion 2026 Budget of Shared Prosperity into law, following its passage by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The governor said the 2026 appropriation is designed to strengthen governance, keep Lagos competitive, and ensure inclusive development across the state, noting that residents should feel the impact of government policies regardless of their location or occupation.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the budget prioritises education, healthcare, security, and infrastructure, with significant investments earmarked for the construction and upgrading of schools, improvement of healthcare facilities, and enhanced security architecture. He added that the spending plan also focuses on practical interventions aimed at improving the overall quality of life of Lagosians.
The governor acknowledged that the state is entering the year amid serious challenges, citing the Balogun Market fire incident and the ongoing but necessary works along the Ebute Metta coastline. He said these developments underscore the urgent need for continuous improvement in infrastructure and service delivery.
“This budget gives us the capacity to respond better to emergencies and to prepare Lagos for sustainable growth,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
He explained that the 2026 fiscal plan will focus on renewing infrastructure, expanding transportation networks, supporting agriculture, empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), creating jobs, and driving economic growth that benefits a wider segment of the population.
The governor assured residents that the state government remains committed to responsible spending and value for money, stressing that accountability and efficiency will guide the implementation of the budget.
Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage has openly shared how her preference for having a girl child affected her emotional connection with her son, Jamil Balogun, after his birth in 2015.
In a heartfelt conversation on the FlowWithKorty podcast, the 45-year-old singer revealed that she was deeply disappointed when she discovered she was expecting a boy — a moment that brought her to tears.
Savage explained that this disappointment, along with the physical and career challenges she faced after childbirth, made bonding with Jamil difficult during his early years. She recalled that her body didn’t “snap back” quickly, which impacted her confidence and even led to losing a major endorsement deal. At the time, she admitted she felt like her son “destroyed” her career.
“Honestly, I didn’t bond with my son for the first year or two. I always wanted a girl,” she said, adding that her son used to cry a lot, compounding her struggle.
However, Tiwa emphasized that with time, their relationship transformed. Today, she describes Jamil as her best friend and is intentional about raising him to be kind and respectful, especially toward women — a lesson shaped by her own life experiences.
She also reflected on her past relationships, noting that aside from one late partner, her romantic life has been challenging.
The Ogun State Police Command has filed a six-count charge against a social media blogger, Adetoun Onajobi, popularly known as @justadetoun, over alleged cyberbullying and the publication of false information against the Ogun State Government and the state governor.
The charges, which are now pending before the Federal High Court, Abeokuta Division, are said to be brought under provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.
According to a press release issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the suspect allegedly used various internet-enabled platforms to publish what the police described as false accusations and bullying content targeting the Ogun State Governor.
The police stated that Onajobi was invited on January 2, 2026, to respond to allegations arising from her online activities.
However, she reportedly failed to honour the invitation. Instead, her lawyer wrote to the police, claiming that she was medically indisposed and unable to attend the interview.
A medical report was attached to the letter, detailing health challenges allegedly suffered by the blogger.
The Command disclosed that discreet investigations later revealed that the medical report was falsified.
The doctor who purportedly issued the report was arrested and, during interrogation, allegedly admitted that the document was fabricated at the instruction of Adetoun Onajobi during a phone conversation facilitated by her lawyer.
Following the confession, the doctor was arraigned before an Ogun State Magistrates’ Court on charges of conspiracy, uttering a false document, and obstructing the course of justice.
The police further stated that Onajobi has since remained evasive, rebuffing subsequent invitations, and that her current whereabouts are unknown.
“The Ogun State Police Command remains resolute in its duty to tackle all forms of crime, whether violent, white-collar, or digital, while ensuring full respect for the constitutional rights of all persons,” the statement read.
It added “While free speech is constitutionally protected, it does not extend to criminal conduct.
The Command also disclosed that it is trailing other suspects allegedly connected to the dissemination of false information aimed at obstructing police investigations.
DSP Babaseyi noted that having failed to honour her earlier undertaking to appear before the police, the Command would “exhaust all lawful means” to apprehend Adetoun Onajobi and produce her before the court to answer the charges filed against her.
Presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be removed from power in the 2027 general elections, insisting that no legal or administrative maneuvers can derail Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
Hashim, a long-standing figure in Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement, alleged that the ruling APC is engaging in legal and institutional actions aimed at weakening opposition participation ahead of the next election cycle. He described the situation as part of a broader pattern that raises serious concerns about the future of democratic competition in the country.
According to him, such developments mirror past attempts to undermine political pluralism in Nigeria, efforts he said were ultimately defeated by the collective will of the people. “We have travelled this road before under Abacha’s dictatorship, and it ended in victory for the forces of genuine democracy, while the plotters of one-man rule were disgraced,” Hashim stated.
The PDP chieftain reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multiparty democracy, noting that the nation’s founding fathers deliberately chose political pluralism at independence and embedded it in the country’s constitutional framework.
“Our founding fathers opted for multiparty democracy, and by the grace of God, that legacy will be preserved. No group, no matter how clever or determined, will succeed in destroying Nigeria’s democratic system by the Grace of God ” he said.
Hashim warned against any drift toward authoritarianism, drawing parallels with the political history of Zaire under the late Mobutu Sese Seko, where prolonged one-man rule eroded democratic institutions. “One-man rule or one-party rule will not happen here. This is Nigeria. We will not allow anyone to reduce our democracy to a tragic parody, as was the case with Zaire under Mobutu Sese Seko,” he added.
He also expressed concern over what he described as selective administrative decisions in the political party registration process. Hashim alleged that while some qualified political associations have reportedly stalled in the process, others perceived to be aligned with the ruling party have received interim recognition. Describing these trends as warning signs of democratic backsliding, he called on Nigerians and the international community to remain vigilant in defending democratic norms.
Hashim urged “lovers of democracy across the world” to consider lawful and targeted accountability measures against individuals allegedly working to undermine Nigeria’s multiparty system. He noted that such measures, where supported by credible evidence and due process, could include travel restrictions and the freezing of assets.
He emphasized that his concerns extend to the conduct of political actors and institutions, stressing that democracy can only be safeguarded through transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to constitutional principles.
Hashim concluded by expressing confidence that, despite current challenges, Nigerians would rise to defend democracy and remove the APC from power peacefully, constitutionally, and through the ballot in 2027.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have finally apprehended a long-wanted drug kingpin, Lekan Jimoh, also known as “Kanmo-Kanmo,” twelve years after he allegedly orchestrated the brutal killing of three NDLEA officers in Ogun State.
Jimoh was tracked down and arrested on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Owode town, Ogun State, following credible intelligence and a tactical operation by NDLEA units.
During the operation, officers recovered 69 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, from his hideout. Jimoh had been on the NDLEA’s most-wanted list since June 15, 2014, after he allegedly mobilised armed thugs to resist arrest and killed three officers—including Rabiu Usman Kazaure and two others—who were attempting to detain him at his base.
Despite previous encounters with NDLEA teams—such as an August 2023 raid on his Ado-Odo residence where 1,922 kilograms of skunk were seized and Jimoh escaped—law enforcement maintained the pursuit.
The arrest is being hailed as a major breakthrough for the agency’s commitment to justice and its long-running effort to ensure that no fugitive remains beyond the reach of the law, regardless of how long they evade capture.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi reaffirmed that the agency would sustain its war against drug crime and fugitive kingpins, while also continuing nationwide operations to disrupt illicit drug distribution networks.
Popular Oyo State-based broadcaster and media personality, Oriyomi Hamzat, has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 Oyo State governorship election under the platform of the Accord Party.
Hamzat made the declaration in a widely circulated video on social media, where he confirmed his readiness to enter the political arena after years of active engagement in humanitarian work, media advocacy, and grassroots mobilization across the state. His announcement has since generated widespread reactions among residents, political stakeholders, and his large followership.
According to him, the decision to run for governor was driven by a strong desire to reposition Oyo State through people-oriented governance, transparency, and inclusive development. He emphasized that his years of interaction with ordinary citizens through broadcasting have exposed him to the real challenges facing the state, including unemployment, insecurity, poverty, and inadequate social services.
Hamzat stated that he chose the Accord Party because it aligns with his vision of providing an alternative platform outside the dominant political parties. He described the party as one that offers room for fresh ideas, credible leadership, and genuine service to the people, particularly at the grassroots level.
The broadcaster, who is widely known for his influence in Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State, assured supporters that his campaign would focus on youth empowerment, improved healthcare, education reform, and economic opportunities for small businesses. He also called on the electorate to actively participate in shaping the future of the state through peaceful and issue-based politics.
With this declaration, Oriyomi Hamzat becomes one of the early entrants into the 2027 Oyo governorship race, a contest expected to attract significant attention as political activities gradually intensify across the state.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved a compensation of ₦5 million each for the families of forest guards recently killed at the Old Oyo National Park. He also announced full scholarships up to the university level for the children of the deceased officers.
The governor made the announcements on Friday during an on-the-spot assessment visit to Oloka Village in Oriire Local Government Area of Ogbomoso, where the incident occurred. He commiserated with the affected families and residents, assuring them of the state government’s commitment to justice, welfare, and improved security.
Governor Makinde further promised the rehabilitation of the Ikoyi-Ile–Oloka road under the Rural Access and Agricultural Market Project (RAAMP) to ease movement and boost economic activities. He also pledged to improve telecommunication services by facilitating the installation of telecom masts, alongside the provision of boreholes and solar-powered street lights in the community.
The governor said the state would sustain a joint security operation in the area and disclosed plans to write to military authorities in Abuja to request the establishment of a military base in Oloka to further strengthen security.
Describing security as a collective responsibility, Makinde urged residents to support government efforts by providing timely information to security agencies whenever they notice suspicious activities. He also commended service commanders for their dedication and commitment to protecting lives and property.
“I decided to come here personally to assess the environment and understand the challenges facing our security agencies, especially communication,” the governor said. “Whatever is expected of government to ensure your safety, we will do it. We pray such a tragic incident will not happen again, and we ask God to uphold the families left behind.”
