Nigeria's current trending news
1. Nigeria Receives \\$747 Million Loan for Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway
Nigeria's Finance Ministry unveiled a record $747 million syndicated loan, facilitated by Deutsche Bank and backed by global financiers, to fund the initial 47 km section of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway—a transformative 700 km highway between Lagos and Calabar, to be completed within eight years (Trending News, Reuters). This is Nigeria's largest ever infrastructure financing for any road project.
2. Devastating Floods: Over 500 Deaths, Thousands Displaced
Extended floods—triggered by torrential rains—have flooded Niger, Rivers, Kwara, and other states' cities and towns. The Mokwa flood alone has to date killed at least 500 people, displaced over 3,500, and destroyed homes, farmland, and infrastructure (Reuters, Wikipedia). Authorities say that 15 million Nigerians remain vulnerable as water continues to rise (Wikipedia).
3. U.S. Imposes Stricter Visa Rules on Nigerians
The U.S. Embassy in Abuja has introduced a three-month single-entry non-immigrant visa limit for Nigerians, from the previous five-year multiple-entry arrangement. The visa limit is part of broader U.S. government immigration and security reforms (Reuters).
4. Security Forces Neutralize 30 Bandits in Northwest
In response to increasing bandit attacks, joint security and police operations resulted in the neutralization of 30 gunnen in Nigeria's northwest region. The operation was initiated by a string of bandit attacks in rural communities, even though it reportedly killed two soldiers and three police officers (AP News).
5. Growing Sextortion Rings in Nigeria Exposed
A Channel 4 documentary, presented by UK personality Jordan Stephens, reveals Nigerian-based sextortion rings where scammers exploit young men via social media, coercing them into inappropriate interactions and extortion. The rings that net as little as £1/day highlight inadequacies in online security and the necessity for better sex education, social care, and online protection (The Times).
6. IMF Calls for Budget Realignment As Oil Prices Fall
IMF has warned Nigeria to reconsider its 2025 budget, originally conceived with a \\$75/barrel oil price assumption. Now that prices are around \\$68, the fund sees fiscal strain, persistent inflation, and deep poverty—urging raising reserves, higher cash transfers, and tighter monetary policy (Reuters).
Fast Facts You Need to Know:
- Mohbad inquest continues: Illicit medical treatment surfaces in shocking revelations (Trending News).
- Lagos LG elections conclude: Recounts and close results expected (thepointng.com).
- Senate focuses on procurement law reforms to favor Nigerian contractors (firstpost.com).
- Flood response escalates: Emergency responders deployed in Abuja and Ondo as heavy rain and washouts hit (Wikipedia).
Why It Matters
Nigeria, the biggest country in Africa by population, is facing a cluster of related crises: climate-related extreme weather events, infrastructure investment, geopolitical transformation affecting mobility, and cybercrime. These are the threads of the struggle towards economic growth, security, climate resilience, and world integration.
What to Watch
- Development of roads: Follow the status of the Lagos–Calabar project.
- Flood relief: Over the coming weeks, monitor reconstruction and relief efforts.
- Visa policy fallout: Find out how Nigeria deals with US pressure on mobility.
- Security operations: Continuing government action against bandits and insurgents.
Do you want a Nigeria infrastructure projects or flood response plans dive?
IMF Nigeria budget Lagos-Calabar highway loan Nigeria bandit crackdown Nigeria floods 2025 Nigeria News Today Nigeria sextortion U.S. visa Nigeria