The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Judicial integrity test

    Judicial integrity test

    •Transparency is paramount

    As reports went viral that 34 applicants had failed the judicial integrity test, the Secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Ahmed Gambo Saleh, sought to dismiss the story, on the premise that the referenced test was handled solely by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) and that NJC is yet to take any decision or action concerning the candidates mentioned. The secretary’s intervention appeared more concerned about who released the test result than about its veracity.

    The media had claimed that the NJC disclosed that 34 applicants, including a Chief Superintendent of Police, failed the integrity test conducted by the FJSC. Reports said while 62 applicants passed the computer-based test conducted for the applicants, only 28 were successful after the integrity test was conducted.

    The public was told that the integrity test was introduced by the current Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, in furtherance of her public-feedback-based integrity test for judicial appointments, allowing members of the public to submit petitions or comments on the shortlisted nominees.

    The NJC was reported to have released a statement, saying that “Sixty-two applicants passed the CBT conducted by the Federal High Court. Their names were forwarded to the FJSC. In line with the policy introduced by the CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the FJSC published the names of the 62 nominees to invite public feedback on their integrity, reputation and suitability for judicial appointment. The publication was made on September 17, 2025.”

    A statement from the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, confirmed that the NJC would meet on January 13 and 14 to deliberate on issues arising from the selection process.

    The rebuttal by the NJC’s secretary said:  “The Council states categorically that the report is inaccurate and unauthorised, and therefore does not reflect the true position of events as they transpired at the level of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).” It went further: “For the avoidance of doubt, the processes referenced in the report were conducted entirely at the FJSC level, and no decision or action has yet been taken by the National Judicial Council in respect of the candidates concerned.”

    The statement further said: “The Council further clarifies that while a few candidates were indeed discontinued from the process at the FJSC level based on adverse findings arising from petitions received by the Commission, several others did not progress further simply because they failed to meet the required qualifying score to advance to the interview stage before the NJC.”

    Read Also: JUST IN: FG secures release of Nigerian pastor jailed in Benin

     While we understand the need to be factual in order not to unduly smear the integrity of the applicants, the NJC must not compromise the benefits of the public feedback integrity test.

    We commend the process, which would help reduce the embarrassing incidents of corruption in the judiciary. Over the years, we have seen incidents of corruption among judicial officers, especially those exposed to adjudicating political cases.

    Many Election Petition Tribunals have been fraught with incidents of miscarriage of justice arising from corruption among the judicial officers.  It is essential to sieve the wheat from the chaff at the entry point by preventing those with a propensity for corruption from being elevated to the bench.

    The NJC must not buckle under pressure, and throw the door open for those who have proven cases of corrupt tendencies, even though we agree that “the publication of inaccurate and speculative details has the potential to mislead the public and unjustly impugn the reputation of candidates.”

    In jurisdictions where judicial officers are elected, candidates face exhaustive public scrutiny. The NJC must realise that even in an appointive system, Nigerians demand no less transparency regarding the progress of the selection process.

  • Biodun Jeyifo at 80

    Biodun Jeyifo at 80

    •Intellectual, activist, and patriot

    Fittingly, the theme of the symposium celebrating Prof. Biodun Jeyifo’s 80th birthday on January 5 captured his abiding concerns: “Pedagogy, Curriculum and Decolonisation: Then and Now.” Held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, it was organised by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism in honour of the distinguished Nigerian academic, critic, public intellectual, cultural theorist, and specialist in world Anglophone literature and culture.

    Born in Ibadan, Jeyifo earned a first-class bachelor’s in English from the University of Ibadan in 1970, followed by a master’s from the same institution in 1973, and a doctorate from New York University in 1975.

    He also holds a DLitt (honoris causa) from Obafemi Awolowo University—formerly the University of Ife—where he taught for several years. Reflecting on that period, Jeyifo noted that it was at Ife he became “the kind of teacher and person I had always tried to become.”

    His distinguished career further includes senior professorships at Cornell University and Harvard University, where he currently serves as Professor Emeritus of African and African American Studies and of Comparative Literature.

    The range of his scholarly and professional interests demonstrates his purposeful pursuit of knowledge that can bring about social change: African and Caribbean ‘Anglophone’ literatures; theatrical theory and dramatic literature, Western and non-Western; comparative African and Afro-American critical thought; Marxist literary and cultural theory; colonial and postcolonial studies; and twentieth-century revolutionary social philosophy and literature.

    His internationally recognised scholarship and contribution to learning were strikingly captured in a description of his work by Cornell University, where he taught for almost 20 years. The citation noted: “Professor Jeyifo is a leading literary critic and cultural theorist who has attained great prominence in African intellectual circles for his analysis of modernity and its attendant social and cultural crises.”

    Importantly, he is regarded as perhaps the leading authority on the work of Wole Soyinka, Nigeria’s literary legend and 1986 Nobel Laureate. His seminal study, Wole Soyinka: Politics, Poetics, Postcolonialism (Cambridge University Press, 2004), has been described as “arguably the most sophisticated analysis of any single author in African literature.”  He won the Outstanding Academic Texts (OATS) award of the American Library Association for the book.

    Equally remarkable is his work on the illustrious Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe. Through a series of influential essays in the 1990s, he was credited with placing Achebe’s work, including Things Fall Apart, “in an ideological and theoretical perspective not previously considered by other critics.”

    Read Also: Tinubu’s painful reforms prevented Nigeria’s economic collapse — Tunde Lemo

    Impressively, Jeyifo has continued to demonstrate the vital meeting point between theory and praxis. Of particular note is his Marxism-inspired involvement in the formation of a commune in Southwest Nigeria in the 1970s. Furthermore, as National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) from 1980 to 1982, he emerged as a pivotal mobilising figure during an era of intensifying socio-political complications. 

    While the global influence of Marxism as a transformative ideology may have shifted, it has not weakened his commitment to social reform—especially within his home country, where he remains a vocal critic of its disturbing manifestations of underdevelopment.

    His ideologically driven, pro-people activism has never been muted. Parallel to his rich academic life, he has been a consistent columnist for the country’s major newspapers, using his platform to champion the liberation of the Talakawa. His intentional employment of this Hausa term for the poor and downtrodden offers a profound insight into his objective struggle for social justice across Nigeria’s multi-cultural landscape.

    In Jeyifo, we find the inspiring confluence of the intellectual, the activist, and the patriot. His life’s work serves as a reminder that intellectual depth must be matched by social urgency. According to him: “The demand for a better life for our people is urgent and we must not simplify what it takes. Change will come to our country, lives will be better, poverty will reduce and we will truly have a united federal nation only if we pay attention to its complexity.”

    We congratulate him as he enters his octogenarian years.

  • Key global determinants in 2026

    Key global determinants in 2026

    Trump 2.0:

    I project that President Donald Trump will continue to disrupt global dynamics in 2026. Love him or hate him, President Trump is a force to reckon with (for good or bad reasons). Importantly he follows his rhetoric with actions. Therefore any individual or Country that ignore him, do so at their own peril. President Trump will sustain and upscale his trajectory in terms of his foreign, and economic policies for the United States of America.

    The removal and arrest of President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela is a demonstration of President Trump’s resolve to follow his rhetoric with actions. His threat to  the President of Columbia and his sustained intention to annex Greenland and threats to the EU, NATO, etc are indications of days to come in 2026.

    Global Economy:

    The World Bank projects a global average economic growth of 6.2% in 2026-27. In addition, the World Trade Organization (WTO) projects a declining global trade volume growth at 0.5%, having downgraded it from a previous expectation of 1.8%. According to the WTO, “Trade growth is expected to slow in 2026 as the global economy cools and as the full impact of higher tariffs is finally felt for a full year,”.

    In my view, the aforementioned outlooks will be driven by President Trump’s Tariff Policies, and the consequent global trade barriers, geopolitics, climate change as it impacts agriculture and environment, etc.

    Artificial Intelligence (AI):

    AI will continue to evolve and dominate global growth across all sectors. 2025 closed with a major buy – a $2.2 billion purchase of an AI company – Manus by Meta, as indication of consistent growth of AI amid concerns of control and what the future holds in terms of regulations of AI. For African Countries, how proactive they are in terms of the development of infrastructure, human capital development, political stability and good governance will be a critical success factor for us to catch up with the AI evolution.

    The increasing use of autonomous systems for electric vehicles and AI in our movements and travel systems, health care systems, agriculture, education, warfare, etc will be dominated by China. China will continue to dominate the AI space.

    The United States of America is also very dominant and visible in the AI space with investments of Trillions of US Dollars and ownership of AI companies and infrastructure. However Europe needs to up its game in 2026.

    BRICS:

    I reckon that BRICS will continue to grow cautiously, consistently, as it is becoming a likely alternative platform to the US dollar.

    I am very confident as an advocate of BRICS,  that BRICS will definitely make an impact in the global socio-economics and politics as the body becomes stronger and more relevant.

    China’s Resilience:

    In terms of global trade, China is reasserting itself as the global trade super network and supply chain hegemony – a production superpower. In 2025, President Xi Jinping steered China on the trajectory of continuous utilization of special economic zones/ free trade zones to provide the incentives required to continue catalizing,  and promoting  trade and investment within China, and between China and the global trade ecosystem. In addition to that, we also witnessed how China’s focus on producing high-quality development and high-quality products to the world. China will sustain those trajectories in 2026.

    Significantly for Africa, in 2026, African nations will take advantage of the zero tariff provided by China on almost all import products for 53 countries in Africa, as against the tariff war by President Trump rates on. That is a major shift by China, considering the fact that there are major producers of electronics, industrial materials, and other highly demanded products around the world. This is critical success factor for China, and why China will remain ahead of the game with regard to technology, and trade, and with regards to economy.

    Furthermore, China is also creating digital hub around Huizhou, Guangzhou, Hanai provinces, building massive data centers for AI, which are the bedrock of the AI revolution. This level of investment, and commitment by the Chinese leadership will ensure that China remains o resilient and on a positive trajectory in terms of economy, and geopolitics.

    Another important point to note is China’s internal growth strategy and and focus on that a they call “the small beautiful things”, i.e the continuing support of the small medium scale enterprises within China, to ensure that  the people of China are happy and the general well-being of Chinese is upgraded, while closing of the gap between the rich and the poor.

    Basically, China’s key drivers for growth in 2026 will be innovation, resilience, diversification, and global re-alliances, consolidation.

    Bad Governance and Insecurity as Opportunities for Imperialism:

    Interestingly, President Trump’s disdain for Africa has changed in perspective and a new purpose of economic imperialism. I am of the view that this change is because President Trump now realizes the fact that Africa has abundance of critical minerals. Critical minerals/ Rare earth metals are crucial to 4th and 5th industrial revolution. Developed Countries are scrambling for the critical minerals which are cheaply available in Africa more that anywhere else in the world.

    For instance, in 2025, President Trump weighed in on the protracted war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and struck a deal to mediate between the warring parties in the DRC, i.e the M23 Rebel forces (backed by Rwanda) and the Incumbent Government of DRC.

    The DRC has the world’s largest reserves of cobalt, along with significant quantities of coltan, lithium, and uranium, all of which are overwhelmingly mined and processed by Chinese firms.

    On December 5, 2025 (last month), President of the DRC Félix Tshisekedi, and Rwandan President Paul Kagame visited Washington to formalize the peace deal. Consequently, the United States and DRC signed a new strategic partnership on critical minerals and security cooperation. The terms offer U.S. firms preferential access to Congolese mineral reserves when doing business with state-owned mining companies.

    Furthermore, I expect that President Trump will ride on the momentum, and leverage the intervention the USA is currently providing to contain insecurity in Nigeria, to secure a deal for the USA to gain significant access to the critical minerals that are abundant in northeastern, northwestern and north central Nigeria. After all there is no “free lunch” in foreign policy.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s painful reforms prevented Nigeria’s economic collapse — Tunde Lemo

    Accordingly, I also reckon, that President Trump will maximize the new Presley he has if Africa and use the opportunities to secure more deals for critical minerals. I also expect that more African countries will have to sign these deals with the USA under the guise of interventions. As to whether or not the deals will benefit the African Countries – your guesses are as good as mine.

    Indeed, bad governance and heightened insecurity are the new opportunities for President Donald Trump. Africans should blame themselves and their leaders for opening the opportunities not just for President Trump but for China, and any other serious Country that is ready to partake.

    For example, Sudan is currently experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crisis in human history. According to the latest figures from the UN, at least 21.2 million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, 9.5 million people are displaced internally, 4.35 million people have fled the country, and 10 million children are out of school with classrooms destroyed, occupied, or unsafe to reach. The worst affected in the war are women and children.

    Yet the African Union is aloof as the imperialists position to take over the critical minerals abound in northwestern Sudan.

    Russia-Ukraine Imbroglio

    With regard to the Russia-Ukraine war, I do not see any end in sight in 2026. This is due to the sustained hardline positions taken by Russia, Ukraine and the EU/NATO. While the war rages on, complications of the war with heavy social and economic impacts are more on  Ukraine that they are on Russia. Currently, as the winter chills on, there are over 1million people in urgent need of heating and water. In my view, so far, President Putin’s strategy has been working more for him than the US and EU/NATO strategy for Ukraine. If the Russia-Ukraine imbroglio continues unabated without a change in the political strategy disposition, it will continue to impact negatively on global and national economies.

    Israel-Palestine Conflict – The War in Gaza

    With regard to the Israeli-Palestinian war in Gaza, I don’t expect much to change, because the successive US Presidencies and administrations have maintained a consistent strategic position and actions with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Therefore, the position of the United States of America in this regard will not really change the fortunes of the Palestinians.

  • A hollow plea

    A hollow plea

    A stakeholder group, the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), lately canvassed criminalisation of ransom payment to abductors to discourage the menace of kidnappings in Nigeria. The group called on authorities to strictly implement existing statute prohibiting payment of ransom in the country.

    Agency reports cited an open letter in which the group’s National President Isah Abubakar lamented the trend by which despite efforts by gallant security forces, kidnapping remains a profitable venture for criminal actors owing to ransom payments by desperate citizens. His plea, according to reports, was by an open letter addressed to National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu. Dated January 3, 2026, the letter was copied to the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, military Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police.

    Abubakar said he was writing on behalf of not just NYCN, but millions of northern youths bearing the brunt of insecurity ravaging different communities. He called on authorities to take a strong stand by enforcing the law against ransom payment because, according to him, such payments have been the “oxygen of banditry”. Every ransom paid, he argued, enables bandits to buy weapons, fund logistics and recruit soldiers; hence, paying ransom inadvertently subsidises terrorism.

    Read Also: Tinubu applauds NGX N100 trillion milestone, urges Nigerians to invest more at home

    The youth leader urged immediate gazetting and publicisation of existing law criminalising ransom payment. He said such law must not be merely on paper but should be forcefully applied, as that is the only way to break the demand-and-supply chain. He also canvassed intelligence-driven rescue operations using technological tools in place of negotiating ransom payment for release of kidnapped victims. While he acknowledged the emotional trauma families face when loved ones get abducted, he argued that ransom payment create a bigger public challenge and called for criminal liability against families or societal groups that negotiate with kidnappers.

    Abubakar’s plea is persuasive but hollow. It is likely the legal framework he had in mind was a legislation processed in 2022 by the National Assembly, which prescribed a 15-year jail term for paying ransom to free abductees. Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, then chairman of the Senate’s judiciary, human rights and legal committee, told the red chamber that making ransom payment punishable with lengthy jail sentences should “discourage the rising spate of kidnapping and abduction for ransom in Nigeria.” The bill also prescribed the death penalty for convicted kidnappers where the abduction leads to loss of life, and life imprisonment in other cases. The House of Representatives, later same year, passed the legislation prohibiting ransom payment to free kidnap victims.

    The fatal flaw of the legislation, which it is doubtful ever became a law, is that it is double jeopardy for abductees and their families. You could not stop innocent citizens from being kidnapped, and now you want to hamstring relatives from securing their release from abductors. You could well go tell it to the birds.

  • Repeal, re-enactment of 2024, 2025 budgets remain constitutional — Budget Office

    Repeal, re-enactment of 2024, 2025 budgets remain constitutional — Budget Office

    The Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) has affirmed the repeal and re-enactment of the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts remain a valid constitutional and legislative instrument for budgetary oversight and fiscal alignment, having duly passed through the National Assembly and received presidential assent.

    Reacting to some recent criticisms of the budgeting process, the BOF, in a statement on Tuesday by the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, stated that where macroeconomic conditions and implementation realities require adjustments, lawful legislative action, not informal fiscal practice, is the appropriate response under Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

    In the detailed press statement, the office said claims describing the repeal and re-enactment of the two Appropriation Acts as unconstitutional, illegal, or fiscally improper were based on misunderstandings of constitutional provisions and established legislative practice.

    According to the BOF, Sections 80 to 84 of the Constitution clearly establish a sequenced framework for public expenditure, under which the President lays estimates before the legislature, the National Assembly authorises spending through appropriation laws, and the Executive implements expenditure strictly within that authority.

    “The Constitution does not prohibit the National Assembly from repealing and re-enacting an Appropriation Act where fiscal circumstances, implementation realities, or reconciliation of fiscal instruments make such legislative action necessary in the public interest,” the statement said.

    It added that once a repeal and re-enactment bill is passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President, “the resulting Act becomes valid law,” stressing that it is therefore incorrect to describe the process as a “constitutional impossibility.”

    Read Also: Nigerian Tax Acts: Benefits beyond the rhetoric

    On the lifespan of appropriation laws, the BOF clarified that while budgets are typically framed around a fiscal year, the Constitution does not impose an immutable expiry rule that forbids legislative extensions to allow for orderly completion of obligations, settlement of certified claims, or alignment of overlapping fiscal instruments.

    “Where the National Assembly, in exercise of its legislative powers, extends the operational window of an Appropriation Act, such extension is an expression of legislative authority, not an illegality,” the office said.

    Responding to allegations of expenditure without appropriation, the BOF said such claims often conflate distinct public finance concepts, including contractual obligations, statutory transfers, debt service, cash releases, and multi-year project commitments.

    “The legal test is whether expenditure is supported by lawful appropriation or other constitutional or statutory charge, and whether any required legislative oversight is sought through recognised instruments such as supplementary appropriation, virement where permitted, or repeal and re-enactment,” it explained.

    The office emphasised that the repeal and re-enactment process actually reinforces constitutional control of public funds by consolidating and regularising fiscal authority through an Act of the National Assembly.

    On transparency, the BOF reaffirmed its obligations under the Fiscal Responsibility Act to ensure timely disclosure and wide publication of fiscal information, while noting that such transparency must respect document integrity and legislative authentication processes to avoid circulation of conflicting drafts.

    Yakubu however said the office remained committed to fiscal discipline, transparency, and constructive engagement with stakeholders.

    “Where macroeconomic conditions and implementation realities require legislative adjustment, the proper response is lawful legislative action, not informal fiscal practice,” Yakubu said.

    He added that the repeal and re-enactment process, having gone through the National Assembly and presidential assent, “remains a constitutional and legislative instrument for budgetary oversight and alignment.”

  • ‘Tinubu’s tax reforms not against poor Nigerians’

    ‘Tinubu’s tax reforms not against poor Nigerians’

    The Oyo State leader of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Senator Teslim Folarin,  has said the new tax law were not designed to impose additional hardship on Nigerians.

    He urged Nigerians to remain calm, informed, and supportive of the tax reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Speaking during continuation of the 14 Federal Constituency tour across the Irepo/Olorunsogo/Orelope Federal Constituency and the Atisbo/Saki West/Saki East Federal Constituencies, Folarin described the new laws as critical measures aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s revenue base and ensuring sustainable national development.

    According to him, the reforms were focused on improving efficiency, blocking revenue leakages, and reducing Nigeria’s long-standing overdependence on oil revenue. 

    He noted that Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains among the lowest globally, limiting government capacity to adequately fund critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security without excessive borrowing.

    He stressed that the emphasis of the reforms is on broadening the tax base rather than increasing tax rates across the board, adding that low-income earners remained protected through existing income thresholds and statutory exemptions. 

    Folarin assured that greater tax responsibility would rest on higher-income earners, large corporations, and sectors with weak compliance records.

    Read Also: Nigerian sculptor emerges best painter in Qatar

    Beyond the tax reforms, the Renewed Hope Ambassador conveyed Tinubu’s appreciation to party members and the people of for their support during the 2023 presidential election. 

    He further disclosed that the Oyo State chapter of the (APC) is targeting at least a 35 per cent improvement on its 2023 electoral performance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Calling for continued public support, Folarin said institutional reforms are taking firm root, outcomes are beginning to manifest, the economy is stabilising, and confidence is steadily being restored.

    Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Senator Ayo Adeseun, Senator Hosea Agboola, and Pharm. Olayide Abass charged APC members to uphold discipline and strengthen internal cohesion.

    Also speaking were former deputy governors in Oyo State, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, Chief Moses Alake, and Engr. Rauf Olaniyan; as well as Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Engr. Idris Adeoye, Mrs. Hanna Ogunesan, Prof. Adeolu Akande, Hon. Tajudeen Kareem, Hon. Olaide Muhammedah, Hon. Olamiju Alao-Akala, Hon. Remi Oseni, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, Rt. Hon. Muraina Ajibola, Hon. Bolaji Repete, Hon. Akeem Akogun, and Hon. Bosun Oladele.

    The leaders called on APC members to remain disciplined and united, stressing that success in the 2027 elections would depend on cooperation, cohesion, and collective commitment rather than internal rivalry within the party.

  • Algeria dispatch DRC to set up ‘derby’ against Nigeria

    Algeria dispatch DRC to set up ‘derby’ against Nigeria

    · Super Eagles begin training  for Saturday’s Q-Finals

    Perennial campaigner, Fennecs of Algeria, has setup  a dream quarter-final fixture against three-time champions, the Super Eagles, after a late winner last night put  the North African side into the last eight of the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).  

    Algeria substitute Adil Boulbina slammed home the  last-gasp winner a minute from the end of extra time to see his side overcome the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0  in their Round of 16th  encounter at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

    Just as the round-of-16 tie was headed to a penalty shootout, Boulbina cut in off the left wing before unleashing a dipping shot that flew in, clipping the underside of the crossbar on the way in for a well-deserved  win  for  Algeria  who are seeking a third continental title  following  previous  success at home in 1990  and  in 2019 in Egypt.

     Victory for Algeria means the  highly expected ‘grudge match’ between Nigeria  and Democratic Republic of Congo  following the outcome of their  last clash in the 2026  World Cup CAF Play-offs last November,  has been put into the cooler.

    Algeria will now be up against Nigeria in their quarter-final tie in Marrakesh on Saturday.

    Incidentally,  Nigeria and Algeria  are ‘old customers’ as  far as the AFCON  is concerned and  their upcoming quarter-final duel  in Marrakech is undoubtedly a  continental derby.

    While Nigeria  beat Algeria 3-0  to win their maiden title in 1980 , the North Africans  also took their  first title  in 1990  with a 1-0  winner over their  West African arch-rivals. Altogether both  sides have met 22 times in the past  with Algeria notching 10 wins to Nigeria’s 9 while they  drew the three other encounters.  

    Read Also: NFF  urges  Super Eagles to shine  at Morocco 2025

    Meanwhile, the Super Eagles began their preparations for  the eagerly awaited duel against Algeria  with all the 26 available players including young defender Ryan Alebiosu who continues on his recovery path,  reportedly involved in yesterday’s session at the Sardienne Complex.

    The Super Eagles are expected to move  tomorrow to the city of Marrakech for the Saturday’s quarter-final duel scheduled to kick off at 5pm. 

    AFCON 2025:  QUARTER-FINALS  PAIRINGS

    9 January 2026

    Tangier: Mali vs. Senegal

    Rabat: Cameroon vs. Morocco

    10 January 2026

    Marrakesh: Algeria vs. Nigeria

    Agadir :Egypt vs. Cote d’Ivoire

  • Osimhen-Lookman Row: NFF  dismisses ruckus in Super  Eagles’ camp

    Osimhen-Lookman Row: NFF  dismisses ruckus in Super  Eagles’ camp

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) through its  Team Administrator at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Dayo Enebi Achor,  has dismissed reports claiming that the duo of Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams have left the Super Eagles’ AFCON camp.

    The NFF in an official statement shot down insinuations and dark innuendoes of a rumpus in the team following Monday night’s 4-0 thrashing of Mozambique’s Mambas, which progressed the three-time champions to the last-8 of the 35th   AFCON  in Morocco.

    In a tense scene in the  encounter against Mozambique, striker Victor Osimhen was seen making gestures to fellow forward Ademola Lookman just before a corner kick which according to the NFF , had been

    ‘conjectures of various complexions in the legacy and digital media’.

    But according to Achor the issue has  been resolved:  “There is no problem whatsoever in our camp. Whatever people saw as a crisis between two brothers was easily resolved a couple of hours later. All is good and we are presently at training.”

    Read Also: Victor Osimhen not leaving AFCON camp — NFF official

    He  also dismissed reports that striker Jerome Akor Adams – who scored his first ever AFCON goal on the night – abandoned the team camp. “He took permission to go and see his mother who was hospitalized here in Fès, and returned in less than an hour.”

    Incidentally,  Lookman has  equally played down reports of a rift between and Victor Osimhen, insisting there is no issue between the pair.

     “I haven’t talked to Victor Osimhen since the game, but what matters is that we won,” Lookman said in his post-match interview. “He is a top player and very important to the team. For me, there is no big issue.”

    The winger also addressed Nigeria’s recent failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, urging the team to remain focused on their AFCON objective.

    “The disappointment of not qualifying for the World Cup won’t disappear,” he admitted. “But we are at AFCON now, and in five days we have a big game to prepare for, either against Algeria or DR Congo.”

    Nigeria will face  Algeria in the quarterfinals on Saturday  as the Super Eagles continue their quest for continental glory at AFCON 2025.

  • Adams dedicates first AFCON goal to sick mum Akordinly

    Adams dedicates first AFCON goal to sick mum Akordinly

    Striker Akor Adams has dedicated his third Super Eagles’ goal and his first at the on-going 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco to his mum, who was hospitalized as Nigeria thrashed Mozambique 4-0 at the Complexe Sportif de Fès on Monday night.

    In a dominant  display with a brace from Victor Osimhen as well as a goal each from Ademola Lookman and Adams, victory earned the Super Eagles a quarter final berth much to the delight of the Sevilla striker.

    “First, glory to God for the privilege to have my first AFCON  goal like all of you have been waiting for,” Adams who would be 30 on January 28, said ‘Akordinly’ after Monday’s well-deserved win with the Super Eagles. “ But the goal is dedicated to my mum.

     “She’s supposed to be here, but she’s in the hospital right now. She was admitted this morning, but she’s much better now. I’m happy for the team.”

    Read Also: Morocco 2025:  NFF launches NAIJA 4 THE WIN campaign for Super Eagles

    Regarded as one  of the emerging Nigerian striking power after scoring on his international  debut in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-off  against Gabon last November , Adams has featured  in all the Super Eagles first four matches and with a goal under his belt at  Morocco 2025  

    On the  widely reported  alleged altercations between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Akor  took a  diplomatic course, saying: “Victor had a fantastic game. Lookman had a fantastic game. So, we came out with the victory, and we’re happy.”

  • Goldberg rallies Fourmidable Super  Eagles  for Quarter-finals

    Goldberg rallies Fourmidable Super  Eagles  for Quarter-finals

    Goldberg Lager Beer has hailed the Super Eagles’ emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique, describing the performance as ‘fourmidable’ and a clear statement of Nigeria’s intent at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

    The commanding win sealed Nigeria’s place in the quarter-finals and extended the Super Eagles’ perfect run at the tournament, further raising hopes of a fourth AFCON title.

    For Goldberg, the result also highlighted the growing connection between the team and its passionate supporters across the country.

    Reacting to the victory, the Senior Brand Manager, Goldberg, Kunle Aroyehun, said the performance captured the spirit of belief and togetherness that has defined Nigeria’s AFCON journey so far.

     “The Super Eagles were simply “fourmidable,” Aroyehun said. “It was a confident, disciplined and exciting performance. As the team pushes deeper into the tournament and chases a fourth AFCON title, the support of Nigerian fans becomes even more important.”

    As the Official Beer and Sponsor of the Super Eagles, Goldberg has remained at the centre of fan engagement throughout AFCON 2025. Through its ‘Our Beat, Our Gold’ campaign, the brand has created viewing centres and fan experiences across Lagos and beyond, giving supporters spaces to come together, watch matches and share in the emotions of the tournament.

    From large viewing hubs to community-centred locations, fans have gathered with ice-cold Goldberg Lager Beer in hand, celebrating wins and standing firmly behind the team. According to the brand, these moments reflect how football is lived in Nigeria — as a shared cultural experience.

    “Our Beat, Our Gold is about recognising the rhythm of Nigerian football,” Aroyehun said. “It’s in the cheers, the conversations, the jokes and the belief. When the Super Eagles win like this, you can feel that rhythm everywhere.”

    Goldberg’s involvement in Nigerian football is backed by its long-standing partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation. Since Nigerian Breweries Plc signed the sponsorship deal in 2018, the brand has been one of the longest-serving corporate partners of the Super Eagles, helping to grow national team followership to levels comparable with top European club sides.

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    With Nigeria now in the quarter-finals and confidence rising, Goldberg is already preparing to once again bring fans together for the next decisive fixture. Nigeria will play its next qualifying match on Saturday, 10 January, and Goldberg will host another fan experience at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development, (PAKO FIELD) Awe Close, Dopemu, Lagos. The activation will open at 3:00 p.m., ahead of the 5:00 p.m. kick-off.

    Following the success recorded during the Mozambique match, Goldberg will also be bringing back its ‘Festival of Light & Drums’ on the same day, adding colour, rhythm and cultural flair to the match-day experience as fans rally behind the Super Eagles.

    “The journey is not over,” Aroyehun said. “The team is gunning for a fourth AFCON title, and the fans have a big role to play. Every cheer, every gathering and every moment of belief counts.”

    As the Super Eagles prepare for their quarter-final challenge, Goldberg says it will continue to stand with the team and the fans, celebrating every step of the journey and keeping the ‘Our Beat, Our Gold’ rhythm alive.