- Trump suggests renaming New Mexico ‘New America’
- Shehu Buba rejects banditry claims and blames the ‘disinformation campaign’
- Former Sierra Leonean president returns home after two years in Nigeria
- BBNaija Sultex reveals why he thinks he was evicted early
- ABU carnival queen accuses Hannatu Musawa of ignoring Northern culture
Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the top five Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.
Trump suggests renaming New Mexico ‘New America’
US President Donald Trump has sparked a fresh debate after suggesting that the state of New Mexico should be renamed “New America”. Trump made the proposal on Sunday, saying the new name would be more prestigious and better suited to what he described as the state’s potential.
The president shared the idea on social media and the White House later reposted an image showing “Mexico” crossed out and replaced with “America”. Some US media reports suggested the proposal may have originated as an internet hoax. It comes days after Trump signed an order seeking to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” amid tensions with Canada.
However, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham quickly rejected the idea, saying the state’s name was not open to discussion and that it predated the United States. She also accused Trump of trying to distract Americans from pressing issues such as rising petrol prices.
Shehu Buba rejects banditry claims and blames the ‘disinformation campaign’
Senator Shehu Buba has rejected recent allegations linking him to banditry, describing the viral videos and claims on social media as attempts to damage his reputation. The senator, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District, has faced similar accusations since 2024 but has repeatedly denied having any links to suspected bandits.
The latest claims followed videos shared by a content creator known as ‘D English Alhaji’, who alleged that suspected bandit leaders had visited Buba’s residence. A resident identified as Hassan also accused the senator of being among politicians allegedly supporting bandits and claimed that associates of notorious bandit leader Dogo Gide were taken to Abuja for specialised training with the alleged help of one of Buba’s aides.
In a statement on Sunday, Buba dismissed the allegations as false and said he had initially avoided responding because of the sensitive nature of his former role as chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence. He currently chairs the Senate Committee on Livestock and Animal Husbandry and is seeking the Bauchi governorship ticket on the Peoples Redemption Party platform.
Former Sierra Leonean president returns home after two years in Nigeria
Ernest Bai Koroma has returned home after spending more than two years in Nigeria following the withdrawal of treason charges against him. Koroma left Nigeria on Sunday and was accompanied by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Koroma, who led Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, was charged with treason over an alleged failed coup in November 2023. The charges were later reportedly dropped as part of an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) arrangement that led to the former president leaving Sierra Leone for Nigeria in January 2024.
The Sierra Leonean government announced in July that it had discontinued the criminal case against Koroma. The Attorney-General’s office said the proceedings were no longer before the court, clearing the way for the former president to return to his country.
BBNaija Sultex reveals why he thinks he was evicted early
Former BBNaija Show Ya Sef housemate Sultan ‘Sultex’ Aregbe believes his frequent arguments and fights contributed to his early exit from the reality show. The 24-year-old dancer was evicted alongside Goddessa last Sunday after receiving the fewest votes from viewers.
In a recent interview, Sultex admitted that while he believes he handled some situations well, he often failed to recognise when to walk away from disagreements. He said allowing some arguments to continue for too long may have affected how viewers perceived him.
Following his eviction, Sultex said he plans to continue pursuing dance, with a greater focus on choreography. He also hopes to explore opportunities in other industries. The 2026 season premiered on July 26 with 24 housemates, while this year’s winner is set to receive a record N160 million prize.
ABU carnival queen accuses Hannatu Musawa of ignoring Northern culture
Suwaiba Abdulkarim, who went viral for her traditional outfits at the Ahmadu Bello University cultural carnival, has criticised Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa over what she described as a lack of attention to cultural activities in Northern Nigeria. The 400-level Archaeology student said she was disappointed that the minister allegedly ignored three invitations to the ABU event while attending the Lagos Carnival.
Abdulkarim said the ABU cultural carnival was much more than a fashion event, describing it as a platform for young Nigerians to preserve and celebrate Northern Nigeria’s rich heritage. Her traditional outfits made her the viral queen of the carnival, with pictures and videos of her looks attracting widespread attention online.
Her comments have added to growing concerns about regional representation in Nigeria’s cultural sector. Cultural promoters in the North have questioned whether government-backed initiatives pay sufficient attention to the country’s diverse traditions and adequately support cultural activities beyond major events in Southern Nigeria.
