• LG elections begin today as police enforce no movement across Lagos State
• US Embassy urges Americans in Nigeria to regularise expired visas
• NNPC CEO hints at possible sale of non-functional refineries
• Tinubu endorses AFRIMA 2025, Lagos set to host prestigious music awards
• NSITF threatens legal action as land dispute with NLC escalates

Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the top five Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.

LG elections begin today as police enforce no movement across Lagos State

The Local Government (LG) elections begin today, July 12, from 8 am to 3 pm and the police force has advised that Nigerians exercise patience while voting and not move around the state till the LG elections are over.

There are 13,325 polling units across Lagos State and security will be provided at each unit to ensure that citizens are safe and votes remain free and fair.

The LG elections will result in the seating of new local government chairmen, councillors and more, for the next four years.

US Embassy urges Americans in Nigeria to regularise expired visas

The United States Embassy in Abuja has urged American citizens residing in Nigeria with expired visas to take advantage of the ongoing amnesty programme introduced by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

The embassy warned that failure to regularise one’s immigration status could result in strict penalties after the amnesty window closes. The initiative, launched by the NIS, allows foreigners with expired visas or immigration violations to legalise their stay without facing fines.

Originally set to end on August 1, the amnesty period has been extended until September 30, 2025. Affected individuals are advised to complete their status update through the official immigration portal within the stipulated timeframe.

NNPC CEO hints at possible sale of non-functional refineries

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has admitted that the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries may never resume operations, confirming earlier doubts raised by industrialist Aliko Dangote.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg on Thursday in Vienna, Ojulari said the company is now considering selling the refineries due to the failure of ongoing rehabilitation efforts. He attributed the challenges to the obsolete state of the facilities, which have remained unproductive despite heavy investments.

Dangote had recently criticised the NNPC’s handling of the refineries, revealing that over $18 billion had been spent with no results. Ojulari echoed this sentiment, saying the continued lack of progress raises serious questions about the viability of further investment.

Tinubu endorses AFRIMA 2025, Lagos set to host prestigious music awards

President Bola Tinubu has officially endorsed the 2025 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), which is set to take place in Lagos from November 25 to 30.

The endorsement followed a request from the African Union Commission seeking Nigeria’s partnership for the continental music event. In response, the president approved Nigeria’s hosting of the ceremony.

To ensure smooth planning and execution, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, inaugurated an inter-ministerial Local Organising Committee on Wednesday. The committee will collaborate with the host city, the African Union, and the International Committee of AFRIMA to deliver a memorable edition of the awards.

NSITF threatens legal action as land dispute with NLC escalates

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has threatened legal action against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the ownership of two disputed plots of land in Abuja.

In a statement issued on Friday, NSITF’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Alexandra Mede, said the Fund is prepared to involve the appropriate legal authorities to resolve the matter, insisting that due process will be followed.

The reaction came in response to comments by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, who maintained that the congress rightfully owns the contested plots and holds valid documentation to support its claim.