Top 5 Stories Of The Day | Nigerian Passport Gains Visa-free Access to 45 Countries in Global Ranking, Rises to 92nd

National Assembly approves of emergency rule, Tinubu applauds their efforts Ibok-Ete Ibas assumes the role of sole administrator in Rivers State, demands civility Nigerian passport rises in global ranks, secures 91st position Atiku announces coalition of parties against 2027 general election Minister of Interior reveals that FG pardoned 4,000 prisoners, saving ₦1 billion on feeding Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the five top Nigerian news stories you shouldn't miss. National Assembly approves of emergency rule, Tinubu applauds their efforts The National Assembly has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to impose emergency rule in Rivers State, leading to the dissolution of the state government and the appointment of a sole administrator for a six-month period. In response, President Tinubu expressed appreciation to the National Assembly for what he described as a “patriotic decision.” His comments were shared in a statement released by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga. “The situation in Rivers State had reached a critical point, posing a serious threat to essential oil and gas infrastructure security. This instability risked undermining the national economy and jeopardising the progress achieved through the reforms implemented since our administration began in May 2023,” Tinubu stated. Ibok-Ete Ibas assumes the role of sole administrator in Rivers State, demands civility Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers State, has warned that his administration will not allow anyone to disrupt the peace and stability of the state. Speaking in a state-wide address from Port Harcourt, the state capital, Ibas said there would be no place for disorder under his leadership. He explained that his main goal is to bring back law and order while creating the right conditions for democracy to return to the state. “Let me be clear, under my leadership, people’s rights and freedoms will be respected and protected. The rule of law will be strictly followed,” Ibas said. Nigerian passport rises in global ranks, secures 91st position Nigeria has climbed one spot to 91st place in the latest global passport ranking out of 199 countries. While this marks a small improvement in the country’s global standing, travel remains challenging for Nigerian citizens, as visa-free access is still limited to 45 countries, the same as last year. According to the Henley Passport Index for 2025, Nigeria shares the 91st position with Ethiopia and Myanmar, both of which are dealing with conflicts involving armed groups. Atiku announces coalition of parties against 2027 general election Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has announced forming a coalition to remove President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from office in the 2027 elections. Speaking at a meeting of key opposition leaders in Abuja, Atiku made the declaration during a press conference attended by several opposition figures, including former APC members who have defected. When asked if this new coalition would serve as the main opposition against the APC in 2027, Atiku responded, “Yes, this marks the beginning of the opposition coalition ahead of 2027.” Minister of Interior reveals that FG pardoned 4,000 prisoners, saving ₦1 billion on feeding The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that the Federal Government released over 4,000 inmates from correctional facilities as part of efforts to reduce overcrowding, saving ₦1 billion in feeding costs. Tunji-Ojo explained that many of those released had been jailed over minor fines, and the initiative ensured their swift freedom. “Last year, just over 4,000 inmates were released in one day. We conducted a detailed analysis and found that many inmates were there due to petty fines. This project allowed us to release over 4,082 inmates, saving the government ₦1 billion in feeding costs,” he stated.

Nigerian passport gains visa-free access to 45 countries in global ranking, rises to 92nd
NCS suspends import duties and tax on critical food items
Nigeria requests for $500m from World Bank for Dam safety
TETFund to connect potential employers with students
Bobrisky is set to be released from prison on August 5

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

Nigerian passport gains visa-free access to 45 countries in global ranking, rises to 92nd

The Nigerian passport has slightly improved globally, rising to 92nd among nations with visa-free access to other countries.

According to a report released by Henley and Partners based on the data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Nigeria has risen to 92nd position and now has access to 45 countries visa-free, after falling to 97th position a year ago.

The list of countries Nigeria has Visa-free access to are as follows: Barbados, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Chad, Comoro Islands, Cook Islands, Côte d’Ivoire, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Togo, Timor-Leste, The Gambia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Samoa, Rwanda, Palau Islands, Niue, Niger, Mozambique, Montserrat, Micronesia, Mauritius, Mauritania, Mali, Maldives, Madagascar, Liberia, Lebanon, Kiribati, Kenya, Iran, Haiti, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Fiji, Dominica, and Djibouti.

Nigeria is ranked the sixth lowest African country with visa-free travel access and only above countries like South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, and Eritrea.

NCS suspends import duties and tax on critical food items

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has temporarily suspended all import duties and taxes on essential food items.

The information was shared with the public via X (formerly Twitter) by the Customs Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who stated that he was committed to ensuring the affordability of food items for Nigerians.

“We’re committed to implementing this measure seamlessly to address the hunger problem in our nation. We have streamlined export processes to ensure Nigerian goods reach international markets efficiently.”

Nigeria requests for $500m from World Bank for Dam safety

The Nigerian government has yet again asked for a $500 million loan from the World Bank to combat the water security issues and enhance agriculture.

The loan is expected to improve dam safety and water resource management and address challenges like incomplete dams and absence of maintenance through the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project.

“Nigeria faces water security challenges, which impact water availability for drinking water, energy and food production, and are increasingly exacerbated by climate change, putting livelihoods and economic development at risk,” the World Bank loan document reads.

TETFund to connect potential employers with students

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced an initiative which will be focused on connecting qualified students with global industries as a way of guaranteeing employment for the students once they graduate from their tertiary institutions.

TETFund aims to create a “learn to work” initiative across all Nigerian tertiary institutions as it collaborates with worldwide industries to offer outsourcing employment opportunities for all eligible Nigerian students.

“This programme will ensure that while you are doing your academic programmes in various subject areas, you would be allowed to be trained in multiple areas of ICT and technology, and also be attached to global companies, so that you can get outsourcing work while you are in school and you will earn significant income,” Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of TETFund affirmed.

Bobrisky is set to be released from prison on August 5

Nigerian social media personality Bobrisky is set to be released from Kirikiri Correctional Centre on August 5 for her admittance of Naira abuse, for which she was sentenced to 6 months in prison.

The influencer was sentenced to jail without an option of fine on April 12, 2024, after being found guilty of her crimes against the country’s currency.

Although Bobrisky appealed to challenge her conviction, it was nearly impossible that the appeal would be heard before the expiration of her sentence on August 5, 2024.

Tags: Bobrisky, economy, information, loan, NCS, News, nigerian passport, Politics, TETFund, Visa-free countries

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