- Bill Gates calls for ‘human-reserved’ jobs as AI threatens employment
- US pauses immigrant visa processing worldwide, affecting Nigerians
- Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo launches ₦700,000 Christian matchmaking platform
- Meta agrees to $18bn settlement over alleged harm to children
- Traveller rejects ₦30,000 airport taxi fare imposed by FAANTaxi
Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the top five Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.
Bill Gates calls for ‘human-reserved’ jobs as AI threatens employment
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has proposed reserving certain jobs exclusively for humans and introducing taxes on AI and robots as technology reshapes the labour market.
Gates made the proposals in a 6,000-word essay published on his Gates Notes website. He said some roles should be designated “Human Reserved” as AI and robots become capable of performing more tasks currently handled by people.
Gates said the idea was partly inspired by caring for his father, who died of Alzheimer’s disease in 2020. He argued that some forms of human care and work should remain protected, comparing the concept to nature reserves where development is deliberately restricted.
US pauses immigrant visa processing worldwide, affecting Nigerians
The US government has paused immigrant visa applications worldwide as President Donald Trump’s administration tightens checks on applicants who may depend on public assistance. The move could further delay visa processing for Nigerians and other foreign nationals.
The State Department said the pause would allow consular officers to receive “in-depth training” to improve screening. Some applicants have reportedly had scheduled interviews cancelled as the administration strengthens its immigration policies.
Nigeria already faces partial visa restrictions, including a suspension affecting immigrant visas. The US also introduced a public-charge bond process in August, allowing selected applicants to provide financial guarantees before receiving visas.
Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo launches ₦700,000 Christian matchmaking platform
Relationship coach and lead pastor of David’s Christian Centre, Kingsley Okonkwo, has launched a matchmaking platform for Christian singles seeking marriage. He said modern relationships have become commercialised, making it harder for singles to find genuine connections.
Called Mentor To Marry, the platform describes itself as a guided marriage preparation and matching community for serious Christians seeking intentional, faith-based marriages. It offers regular, premium and VIP membership options.
Regular membership costs ₦70,000, while premium and VIP packages cost ₦350,000 and ₦700,000 respectively. Benefits include mentoring classes, access to profiles, private groups and, for VIP members, global profiles.
Meta agrees to $18bn settlement over alleged harm to children
Meta has agreed to an $18 billion settlement with 52 US attorneys general over claims that Facebook and Instagram harmed children. The lawsuit was filed by 29 US states, and the agreement is still awaiting court approval.
Under the deal, Meta said it would introduce stricter rules for teenage users, including limits on screen time, overnight access and school-hour notifications. New parental controls will also be introduced.
The company said the measures would apply automatically to users under 18 in participating US states and territories. Teenagers would need parental permission to disable the restrictions.
Traveller rejects ₦30,000 airport taxi fare imposed by FAANTaxi
A travel creator, Chris, has sparked online reactions after sharing his experience with transport fares at a Nigerian airport. He said an Uber trip to Ikeja, which previously cost him about ₦6,000 to ₦8,000, was unavailable.
Chris said FAANTaxi quoted him ₦30,000 for the same journey, prompting him to leave the airport in search of a cheaper option. He eventually found an inDrive taxi outside the airport for ₦6,100 to Ikeja.
His experience has renewed concerns over airport transport fares and access to ride-hailing services. FAAN said commercial transport operators must meet safety, security and operational requirements.
