• 3,690 Nigerians estimated to be deported among immigrants in US
• Subscribers escalate the matter to court as telecoms refuse to reduce the 50% tariff hike
• USAID temporarily halts HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis funding to Nigeria
• NCS reveals it generated ₦180 billion from Lagos Airport in 2024
• Donald Trump reveals that Microsoft may buy TikTok

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

3,690 Nigerians estimated to be deported among immigrants in US

The United States is preparing to deport nearly two million individuals classified as “illegal immigrants,” according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

This wave of deportations is part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to strengthen measures against illegal immigration.

A document obtained by Fox News from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) reveals that as of November 24, 2024, there were 1,445,549 non-citizens with final removal orders on ICE’s non-detained docket. Of these, 3,690 individuals are listed explicitly for deportation. Among African countries, Nigeria ranks second in the number of listed citizens, following Somalia, which has 4,090 individuals included.

Subscribers escalate the matter to court as telecoms refuse to reduce the 50% tariff hike

The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers is set to file a lawsuit against the telecommunications regulator on Wednesday, citing the NCC’s inability to meet their request to limit the recent tariff increase to a more reasonable 10%.

This tariff increase, announced last week and the first in 13 years, has sparked significant concern among critics such as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigeria Labour Congress.

These organisations and NATCOMS argue that the hike worsens the already challenging economic situation, hitting low-income families and small businesses the hardest as they cope with rising inflation and an unstable economy.

USAID temporarily halts HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis funding to Nigeria

Nigerians are worried about Donald Trump’s latest law which suspends the funding of the fight against HIV, malaria and tuberculosis in Nigeria.

Dr. Chinonso Egemba, also known as Aproko Doctor on social media, has expressed concerns regarding Nigeria’s healthcare system in light of the recent suspension of funding to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief by the United States. 

“If Nigeria doesn’t rise to the occasion and take charge, infections will rise—currently close to 200,000 new infections yearly. People will die from AIDS because drugs are not available,” he warned.

NCS reveals it generated ₦180 billion from Lagos Airport in 2024

The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service reported a total revenue of ₦180.75 billion from cargo imported through the airport in 2024.

The command intercepted contraband valued at ₦10.51 billion during the same year.

The Command Area Controller, Micheal Awe, stated that the revenue generated was 99.89% higher than the ₦90.43 billion collected in 2023.

Donald Trump reveals that Microsoft may buy TikTok

President Donald Trump of the United States announced that Microsoft is in negotiations to purchase TikTok, according to a report released on January 28.

While the president did not provide a detailed list of American companies interested in the acquisition, he mentioned significant interest in TikTok.

On January 19, TikTok was temporarily taken offline in the United States due to a federal ban over national security issues related to its ownership by a Chinese company. This ban affected more than 170 million US users, severing their access to the platform and resulting in TikTok being removed from Apple and Google’s app stores as part of compliance with federal guidelines.

However, on his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order that postponed the ban’s enforcement by 75 days, which allowed TikTok to continue its operations.