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US President Donald Trump has warned Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or risk “hell reigning down” on the Arabian nation. Trump’s comments, contained in a Truth Social post on Saturday, are a resumption of his threats to Iran last month over the closure of the waterway. “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!” the US president wrote. Earlier in March, Tehran said the strait, one of the world’s busiest oil shipping channels, would be opened to all except the US and its allies. On March 22, Trump said he would “hit and obliterate” Iranian power plants – “starting with the biggest one first” – if the strait was not fully reopened within 48 hours. In response, Iran warned it would completely close the Strait of Hormuz if Trump carried out his threats. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also said ⁠companies with ⁠US shares would be “completely destroyed”, along with the “power plants of regional countries hosting US bases” if Iranian energy facilities were targeted.

The United Nations (UN) Security Council will vote on the resolution to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This comes as there have been increased calls to de-escalate the US-Israel war on Iran as soon as possible. However, China has opposed the authorisation of the use of force to resolve this impasse. The vote is aimed at protecting commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices have surged since the US and Israel struck Iran at the end of February, kicking off a war that has now exceeded a month and effectively closed the strait to shipping traffic. Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani, says that the country created a draft resolution to the Council over the closure of the shipping passage. “We are confident that this draft resolution is consistent with international law and the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees the right of transit passage through straits without obstruction, contrary to what Iran is doing today. We look forward to a unified position from this esteemed council during the vote that will take place on the draft resolution tomorrow, God willing,” he says. However, China’s U.N Ambassador, Fu Cong, has made the country’s opposition clear, opposing any authorisation of the use of force. The China-Pakistan five-point initiative is open, and we welcome the response and participation of all countries and international organisations to help the international community build broader consensus and stronger synergy, contributing to the early de-escalation and restoration of peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East,” says Cong. Meanwhile, the war has not only affected the Iranians but also families living in the occupied West Bank, who are also bearing the brunt of the constant exchange of missiles. “We don’t have shelters. The space where we stay is the same space we hide in. There are no shelters and no place to run to. They kicked us out of the refugee camp, so they may kick us out of the West Bank,” says Cong.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the deployment of 5,000 artificial intelligence-enabled cameras to help combat insecurity in Plateau state. The security intelligence move follows Sunday’s attack, which left about 28 people dead and several others injured in Angwan Rukuba, Jos north LGA of the state. Speaking during his visit to Jos on Thursday, Tinubu sympathised with the victims’ families, saying no amount of compensation can make up for their loss. In a statement issued after the visit, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu directed Christopher Musa, minister of defence, Waidi Shaibu, the chief of army staff and Olatunji Disu, the inspector-general of police (IGP), to “unearth and find the killers” of innocent Nigerians. According to Onanuga, the president also said Bosun Tijani, minister of communications and digital economy, will oversee the immediate installation of the security cameras in close coordination with the Plateau state government and security agencies. “The installation will start in Jos and expand across Plateau state, building on systems already successfully deployed in Lagos and Enugu states,” the statement reads. Lamenting the pain caused by the latest violence, Tinubu expressed dismay at videos from Jos depicting the attacks. “It is only God that can give you joy and comfort,” Tinubu told families affected by the attacks at a meeting held at the arrival lounge of Yakubu Gowon Airport.

The court of appeal in Abuja has dismissed the appeal filed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) against the judgement barring it from imposing fines on broadcast stations. Oyejoju Oyewumi, who led the three-member panel, on Thursday ruled that the NBC’s appeal lacked merit. Other justices on the panel are Abba Bello Mohammed and Donatus Uwaezuoke Okorowo. In a unanimous verdict, Oyewumi held that the NBC cannot challenge the judgement at the court of appeal, having failed to contest the suit at the federal high court. On March 1, 2019, NBC sanctioned 45 broadcast stations over alleged ethical infractions during the general election. Is’haq Kawu, then director-general of the commission, said the affected media houses were fined N500,000 each for flouting the provisions of the Nigerian broadcasting code. Displeased with the fines, the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) sued NBC, citing that NBC’s action violated the right to a fair hearing under section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act. The MRA asked the court to declare the fines unconstitutional and null. In May 2023, the federal high court in Abuja ruled that NBC did not have judicial powers to impose penalties on broadcast stations. James Omotosho, the presiding judge, set aside fines imposed by NBC on 45 broadcast stations. Omotosho said the commission acted as the complainant, court, and judge in handling the alleged infractions.

Flutterwave Inc., an African payments technology company, says it has secured a Nigerian banking licence. Olugbenga Agboola, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Flutterwave, announced the development in a post on Thursday. According to the statement, the licence enables Flutterwave to hold funds and deposits directly, marking a significant milestone in its transition toward becoming a more comprehensive financial infrastructure platform. “By operating with direct infrastructure, we can streamline our operations and accelerate payment flows for everyone,” the statement reads. “Businesses can soon hold balances within Flutterwave, access improved treasury, and data-driven lending.” Commenting, Agboola said the milestone allows “us to make our infrastructure more efficient and deliver faster, more reliable financial services”. By operating directly within the financial system, he said the fintech can simplify money transfers, speed up merchant settlements, and develop products that support sustainable long-term growth. Agboola described the approval as a pivotal milestone in the company’s 10-year journey to build the financial infrastructure that will power Africa’s future. “A decade ago, we started with a simple belief: better infrastructure changes everything. Payments failed too often, settlement was slow, and expanding meant rebuilding from scratch. So we focused on connecting what was fragmented,” he said. “With the acquisition of @mono_hq earlier this year, we deepened that connectivity. “Now we are going further by building a unified platform where businesses can open accounts, accept and send payments, manage payouts, run payroll, and operate across currencies in one place, with access to lending and working capital powered by real transaction data.”

The Artemis II space mission has blasted off from the US state of Florida, sending four astronauts on a historic journey around the moon and marking the first time humans have travelled beyond low-Earth orbit in more than 50 years. The mission, which launched on Wednesday, is a major step in the United States space agency NASA’s plan to return humans to the moon and eventually send astronauts to Mars. The 32-storey rocket rose from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, where tens of thousands gathered to witness the liftoff. The Artemis II crew – NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen – are set for a nearly 10-day journey around the moon and back, taking them farther into space than humans have travelled in decades. “On this historic mission, you take with you the heart of this Artemis team, the daring spirit of the American people and our partners across the globe, and the hopes and dreams of a new generation,” said Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, the launch director. “Good luck, Godspeed Artemis II. Let’s go.” Five minutes into the flight, Wiseman, the commander, saw the team’s target: “We have a beautiful moonrise, we’re headed right at it,” he said from the capsule.

The federal government has declared Friday, April 3, and Monday, April 6, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebrations. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, announced the holidays in a statement issued on Wednesday. April 3 is Good Friday, while April 6 is Easter Monday. The minister congratulated Christians in the country and the diaspora on the occasion, urging them to reflect on the values associated with the season. Tunji-Ojo said Easter serves as a reminder of the importance of tolerance, unity, and peaceful coexistence among citizens. “I congratulate all Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter. I urge Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ,” the statement reads. “Easter is a period that reminds us of the values of tolerance and community that keep us together as a nation. Nigerians should remain committed to these ideals for the progress of our country.” He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to policies aimed at national development, economic growth, and shared prosperity. “The goal of the government remains taking decisions that would bring about national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity for all Nigerians,” he added. The minister wished Christians a peaceful and joyous Easter celebration.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says 33 banks out of 38 met the revised minimum capital requirements under its recapitalisation programme aimed at strengthening the resilience of the financial system. In a statement on Wednesday, CBN said the programme, which commenced in March 2024, has now been concluded after a 24-month implementation period. According to the statement jointly signed by Hakama Sidi-Ali, acting director of corporate communications and Olubukola Akinwunmi, director banking supervision, the CBN said banks raised a total of N4.65 trillion under its recapitalisation programme. “The programme recorded strong participation from both domestic and international investors, with 72.55% of capital sourced locally and 27.45% from international markets, reflecting sustained confidence in the Nigerian banking sector,” CBN said. Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN, said the programme has reinforced the capital base of Nigerian banks and positioned the sector to better support economic growth. “The recapitalisation programme has strengthened the capital base of Nigerian banks, reinforcing the resilience of the financial system and ensuring it is well-positioned to support economic growth and withstand domestic and external shocks,” Cardoso said. The apex bank said some banks are still undergoing regulatory and judicial processes. “The CBN confirms that 33 banks have met the revised minimum capital requirements established under the programme. A limited number of institutions remain subject to ongoing regulatory and judicial processes, which are being addressed through established supervisory and legal frameworks,” the financial regulator said. CBN also assured that “all banks remain fully operational, with no disruption to banking services”. According to the regulator, the recapitalisation has strengthened capital adequacy ratios (CAR) across the banking sector, with levels remaining above international benchmarks under the Bank for International Settlements (Basel standards). “Minimum CAR thresholds remain at 10% for regional and national banks and 15% for banks with international authorization,” the apex bank said.

Operatives of the Department of States Services (DSS) have arrested Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, at the federal high court in Kaduna. El-Rufai was brought to the court on Wednesday by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for his bail application. DSS operatives, however, took custody of the former governor after the court reserved judgment on his bail application to April 14. On March 24, el-Rufai and Joel Adoga were arraigned by the ICPC on charges bordering on alleged fraud and money laundering. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Speaking with journalists after the court proceedings, Oluwole Iyamu, lead counsel to the former governor, said the defense team is hopeful on the judgment of the court pertaining to the bail application. “The bail application was argued and responded to, and the ruling has been fixed for April 14. We look forward to that day. We are hopeful,” he said. “We have put our arguments before the court, and this is a court of justice. We await the decision of the court.” Speaking on the DSS case against el-Rufai scheduled for April 10 at the federal high court in Abuja, Iyamu said all necessary processes have been filed. “That is a separate matter. As lawyers, we are ready. We have filed all necessary processes and will be in court. That is the DSS matter,” he said. In February, DSS filed a three-count charge against el-Rufai over alleged unlawful interception of a telephone conversation, following comments he made during a television interview.

US President Donald Trump says he is considering pulling his country out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) after the alliance refused to join the war against Iran. In an interview with The Telegraph published Wednesday, Trump described NATO as a “paper tiger”. “Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration. I was never swayed by NATO,” the president said when asked if he would reconsider US membership of the alliance after the conflict. “I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way.” Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, a critical sea passage for about 20 percent of the world’s oil, which is now considered closed due to the war. Trump has demanded that allies send warships to reopen the strait — a request that has been largely baulked at. The president named the UK in his criticism of European countries, while tackling British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for Britain’s refusal to back the US. “You don’t even have a navy. You’re too old and had aircraft carriers that didn’t work,” Trump said. This is not Trump’s first public rebuke of NATO. In January, he said the US had “never needed” its NATO allies, and dismissed the sacrifices of allied nations in the 20-year Afghanistan war. His comments drew criticism from European leaders including Starmer.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will commence a nationwide voter revalidation drive on April 13, 2026, as part of efforts to update the voter register ahead of the 2027 general election. In a letter signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, secretary to the commission, all resident electoral commissioners (RECs) were asked to commence necessary preparations for the exercise, including sourcing of personnel and preparation of INEC voter enrolment devices (IVED). The letter also listed the timeline for the exercise. The timeline shows that the exercise will begin at the LGA level from April 13 to May 2, before moving to the registration area (RA) level from May 5 to May 11, and subsequently to polling units (PUs) from May 13 to May 19. The exercise will then return to the LGA level for a second phase from May 20 to May 29. Ahead of the nationwide rollout, the commission on March 30 held a training-of-trainers (ToT) workshop at The Electoral Institute (TEI) to prepare officials for the exercise. Kunle Ajayi, chairman of the institute’s board, emphasised the importance of the exercise, adding that “a credible election starts with a credible voter register”. He said it is “critical to ensure the integrity of the register ahead of the 2027 general election”. Ajayi urged participants who were drawn from TEI master trainers and staff of the voter registry and ICT departments to stay committed, noting that “the success of the revalidation exercise rests on their shoulders”. Announcing plans for the revalidation in February, Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, said the exercise was necessary to address persistent challenges associated with the national voters’ register, including duplicate registrations, underage registrations, registration by non-citizens, inclusion of deceased persons and incomplete or inaccurate voter records, which collectively undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

The Nigerian high commission in South Africa has apologised for the controversy caused by the alleged coronation of an “Igbo king” in the Eastern Cape Province. Solomon Eziko was reportedly crowned “Igwe” of Kugompo, South London, a city in the Eastern Cape Province. The celebration triggered major outrage that turned into violent protests on Monday where demonstrators torched vehicles and buildings reportedly owned by foreign nationals. Angry South Africans marched through parts of the province, demanding immediate government intervention, warning that failure to act could trigger further unrest. One protester said residents were prepared to take up arms if the matter remained unresolved, while others called for the deportation of Nigerians linked to the coronation. In a statement dated March 26 seen by TheCable, the high commission said the Igbo East London festival was merely a cultural event and not a coronation. Explaining the context of the event, the high commission said cultural expressions among the Igbo people are often misunderstood outside Nigeria, stressing that such gatherings are largely symbolic and not political. It cited cultural practices such as the new yam festival (Iri Ji), masquerade displays (Mmanwu), traditional marriage rites (Igba Nkwu), and chieftaincy title ceremonies as key aspects of Igbo heritage.

The national assembly has passed N68.3 trillion as the budget for the 2026 fiscal year. The senate and house of representatives passed the money bill during Tuesday’s plenary. In December 2025, President Bola Tinubu presented N58.47 trillion as the 2026 appropriation bill to both chambers of the national assembly. The president subsequently asked the national assembly to increase the budget estimates by N9.81 trillion on Tuesday. Tinubu said the request was aimed at strengthening fiscal transparency and ensuring effective implementation of priority national programmes. The president said the proposed adjustments are intended to regularise outstanding legacy capital commitments carried forward from previous appropriation cycles, and ensure that unresolved obligations from earlier budgets do not burden the 2026 fiscal programme. The president also proposed consolidating outstanding government indebtedness from previous fiscal cycles into the 2026 appropriation framework, noting that the adjustment would allow the government to fund a limited number of strategic additions in sectors such as transport, health, and institutional preparedness. The president said the request had become necessary because the outstanding obligations are unlikely to be implemented before the expiration of the 2025 capital budget implementation window. Tinubu said the proposed adjustments also include strategic interventions of national importance, including a federal government equity provision of N478.6 billion under the ministry of finance to support presidential legacy light rail projects in Lagos and Kano, alongside feasibility studies for urban light rail projects in Enugu and Maiduguri. He said the proposal also includes N8.6 billion for feasibility studies on the Calabar–Maiduguri corridor and the Maiduguri–Sokoto superhighway under the Renewed Hope National Beltway initiative.

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has extended the deadline for the filing of individual annual income tax returns by one month, shifting the due date from March 31 to April 30, 2026. In a statement on Tuesday, Michael Ango, the acting executive chairman of the FCT-IRS, said while the statutory deadline remains March 31 every year, the extension is intended to give taxpayers additional time to file accurate returns and improve overall compliance in the Federal Capital Territory. Ango said voluntary tax compliance remains a civic duty and a key contribution to national development, urging individuals to prioritise the timely filing of their annual income tax returns. He also reiterated that electronic filing through the FCT-IRS tax portal remains the approved channel for submitting annual returns, as the agency continues to strengthen its digital tax administration system. “Individuals are therefore encouraged to file their returns promptly through the designated FCT-IRS tax portal at taxporta.fctirs.gov.ng,” Ango said. The FCT-IRS boss advised taxpayers to ensure that personal details — including national identification number (NIN), phone numbers and addresses — are correctly captured during onboarding on the portal to avoid processing delays. He added that individuals requiring further assistance or enquires could visit any FCT-IRS office or reach the agency through its official contact channels.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened to target United States tech companies operating in the Middle East. A statement issued by the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency on Tuesday listed around 20 companies that would be considered “legitimate military targets”, including Boeing, Tesla, Meta, HP, Microsoft, Google, and Apple. “Since the main element in designing and tracking terrorist targets are American and ICT and AI companies … from now on, [these] main institutions will be our legitimate targets,” the statement reads. The IRGC urged employees and people living nearby to evacuate immediately. The attacks are scheduled from 8pm local time on Wednesday if more Iranian leaders are killed in “targeted assassinations”, the Iranian military said. Earlier, Israel’s army said it has conducted more than 230 strikes across Iran in the last 24 hours, in what it described as a systematic campaign to degrade Iranian military capacity. Iran has repeatedly accused Israel and the US of targeting civilian infrastructure. The Islamic Republic had previously threatened to target US and Israeli academic institutions in the region after recent air strikes against the Isfahan University of Technology and Tehran’s Iran University of Science and Technology.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by FIFA World Cup-bound Jordan in an eventful international friendly in Antalya on Tuesday night, with the contest overshadowed by a late red card to Alex Iwobi. Iwobi, making his 98th appearance for the national team, was sent off in the closing stages, capping a dramatic encounter in which Nigeria surrendered a first-half lead and finished the game with ten men. The match, played at the Mardan Sports Complex, brought Nigeria’s March international window to a close, but it proved anything but routine as both sides delivered a fiercely contested and entertaining clash. Jordan, ranked 64th in the world and enjoying strong recent form, struck first in the 17th minute through Mousa Tamari. A well-worked free-kick routine caught the Nigerian defence napping, allowing the forward to fire home the opener. Nigeria responded quickly and thought they had equalised six minutes later when Raphael Onyedika finished from a Moses Simon cut-back, but the goal was controversially ruled out. The Super Eagles eventually drew level in the 30th minute. Stand-in captain Moses Simon, earning his 97th cap, reacted fastest after Ademola Lookman’s effort was blocked, slotting home with a composed left-footed finish for his second goal in as many matches. Nigeria went ahead four minutes before halftime when Bright Osayi-Samuel’s pinpoint cross found debutant Emmanuel Fernandez, who showed great composure to control and finish, giving the three-time African champions a 2-1 lead at the interval. The second half took on a more physical tone, with goalkeeper Francis Uzoho forced off in the 57th minute after sustaining an injury while clearing the ball. Adebayo Adeleye replaced him between the posts. Head coach Eric Chelle introduced Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi to shore up the midfield, but Jordan continued to press and were rewarded with an equaliser in the 77th minute. Nigeria pushed for a winner late on, handing a senior debut to Philip Otele, while Samuel Chukwueze came on for Moses Simon. However, the closing moments were marred by Iwobi’s dismissal, leaving the Super Eagles to see out the match with ten men.

President Bola Tinubu has asked the national assembly to approve external loans totalling $6 billion. The request was contained in two separate letters addressed to Godswill Akpabio, senate president, and read during plenary on Tuesday. In the first letter, Tinubu sought approval to secure a $5 billion loan from First Abu Dhabi Bank. In another letter, the president sought approval to obtain a $1 billion UK export finance loan facility from Citibank in London.

The United States (US) national average retail price of petrol crossed $4 a gallon ($1 per litre) for the first time in more than three years on Tuesday. According to a Reuters report, data ‌from GasBuddy, a price tracking services, showed the price surged to the current amount for the first time since August 2022. The development comes as the US-Israel war with Iran continued to roil global energy markets. “The $4 per gallon milestone was last reached in August 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and represents what some analysts have called a psychological barrier for consumers,” the publication said. “Prices for many goods are climbing, including oil used to make gasoline, following Iran’s essential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key trade chokepoint. “Surging fuel prices have started to weigh on U.S. household finances, which were already grappling with rising costs.” Reuters said US national average retail petrol prices have climbed about $1.06 a gallon ($0.26 per litre), or 36 percent since the US and Israel attacked Iran at the end of February. On March 30, US President Donald Trump said his preference would be to take the oil in Iran as the Islamic Republic continues to engage in strikes and counter strikes against Israel and the United States.

The Plateau State Police Command confirmed on Monday that 12 people—10 men and two women—were initially killed in a deadly attack, while the injured were evacuated to nearby medical facilities for treatment. The attack sparked outrage on social media, prompting the state government to impose a 48-hour curfew in the affected local government area. Gyang Bere, director of press and public relations to the governor, said Mutfwang visited the Angwan Rukuba community on Monday and assured residents that the government would provide a befitting burial for each victim. In a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, Caleb Mutfwang confirmed that 28 “law-abiding citizens” ultimately died in the attack. He vowed that the state would not succumb to fear or intimidation. “This tragic event resulted in the loss of 28 innocent lives and left many others injured. I feel deeply the weight of the pain inflicted on our people,” he said. “The victims were going about their normal activities when enemies of peace carried out this senseless attack at around 7:30 pm. As a government, we share in the grief of the bereaved families and pray for strength and comfort to bear this loss.” The governor added that security agencies have apprehended a suspect in connection with the attack and promised that all those involved would be brought to justice. “This time, we will pursue justice to its logical conclusion to ensure closure for the victims, their families, and the peace-loving people of Plateau State,” he said. Mutfwang also announced that a state security council meeting has been convened to review and strengthen the state’s security architecture, making it more proactive and responsive to emerging threats.

Caleb Mutfwang has ordered the strict enforcement of a statewide ban on commercial motorcycle operators (okada) as part of new security measures, directing the Commissioner of Police to issue detailed implementation guidelines. The governor expressed confidence that Plateau State will emerge stronger and more united, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to peace and security. “We must deploy every available resource to defend our people, protect lives and property, and safeguard the territorial integrity of our state. Plateau shall remain strong and peaceful,” he said. Following the recent attack, the government imposed a 48-hour curfew in Jos North, effective from midnight on Sunday, March 29, to April 1, 2026. The measure, taken in collaboration with security agencies, is aimed at restoring order and preventing further violence. Mutfwang explained that the curfew will allow security operatives to conduct thorough operations and will be reviewed periodically until normalcy is restored. He added that his visit to the affected community with security chiefs provided key insights into strengthening preventive measures against future incidents. He also visited victims at the University Teaching Hospital, noting that most of the injured are in stable condition. The governor assured that the state government will cover the medical expenses of those injured and continue to support affected families. He also pledged to work closely with families of the deceased, community leaders, and stakeholders to ensure dignified burials and assistance for dependents. Extending his condolences, Mutfwang said, “On behalf of the government and the peace-loving people of Plateau State, I extend my deepest sympathies to all affected families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we wish the injured a full and speedy recovery.” He called on community leaders, youth groups, and religious figures to collaborate with the government in promoting dialogue, tolerance, and unity.