• U.S. reduces visa validity for Nigerians to 3 months
• FG sets minimum admission age at 16, new cut-off marks for 2025/2026 session
• Akpoti-Uduaghan fails to resume Senate duties despite court ruling
• Customs, EFCC, others partner to tackle money laundering at Lagos Airport
• FCT teachers call off three-month strike after ₦16bn salary intervention

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

U.S. reduces visa validity for Nigerians to 3 months

Effective today, Nigerians granted U.S. non-immigrant visitor visas will receive a maximum of three-month, single-entry permits.

The U.S. embassy in Abuja, which announced the change, said the new policy is based on the principle of reciprocity and affects several other countries as well.

Previously, eligible Nigerian applicants could be issued visas valid for up to five years. The embassy noted that the new measure aligns with how Nigeria treats U.S. citizens under similar visa categories.

FG sets minimum admission age at 16, new cut-off marks for 2025/2026 session

The Federal Government has fixed 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria, effective from the 2025/2026 academic session.

Tertiary institutions have been directed to enforce the new age requirement, while new cut-off marks were also approved. Universities will adopt a minimum score of 150, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education 100, and Colleges of Nursing 140.

The decisions were announced during the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) policy meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.

Akpoti-Uduaghan fails to resume Senate duties despite court ruling

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central failed to return to the Senate on Tuesday, despite a court ruling last Friday that nullified her six-month suspension.

She also did not issue a public apology in two national newspapers or on social media, as directed by the court. The senator had earlier told supporters in a viral video that she would resume legislative duties.

Akpoti-Uduaghan thanked her constituents for their support after the judgment reaffirmed her Senate position.

Customs, EFCC, others partner to tackle money laundering at Lagos Airport

The Nigeria Customs Service at Murtala Muhammed International Airport has partnered with key stakeholders—including the EFCC and the National Financial Intelligence Unit—to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.

During the forum, Customs Area Comptroller Effiong Harrison said the initiative focuses on proper declaration of foreign currencies, negotiable instruments, and precious stones at the Anti-Money Laundering Unit desk.

He noted that since the last sensitisation, the command has made significant progress through collaboration with government agencies and the travelling public.

FCT teachers call off three-month strike after ₦16bn salary intervention

Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory have ended their three-month strike following the intervention of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) announced the suspension on Tuesday, July 8, stating that primary school teachers are expected to resume on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

According to the union, the minister approved the release of ₦16 billion to settle part of the outstanding salaries that triggered the industrial action.