Naija Times

Bernardo Silva joins Real Madrid on free transfer BERNARDO Silva has agreed to become a Real Madrid playee on a two-year deal, teaming up with manager Jose Mourinho, the club confirmed today. Portugal midfielder Silva, 31, left Manchester City at the end of last season, bringing an end to a successful nine-year spell. “Real Madrid C. F. and Bernardo Silva have reached an… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/bernardo-silva-joins-real-madrid-on-free-transfer/

FUOYE suspends two officials, SUG president over alleged student extortion THE management of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has suspended two senior university officials and the president of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) following allegations of unauthorised collection of money from students. The university announced the decision in a statement issued by its registrar, Mufutau Ibrahim, who said the action stemmed from allegations that some… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/fuoye-suspends-two-officials-sug-president-over-alleged-student-extortion/

CBN mandates banks, fintechs to reveal beneficial owners, localize payment data THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced new regulations requiring banks, fintech companies, and other payment service providers to disclose their ultimate beneficial owners, localise payment transaction data, and comply with fresh market share restrictions aimed at strengthening competition within the financial ecosystem. The directives were contained in a circular dated June 15, 2026,… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/cbn-mandates-banks-fintechs-to-reveal-beneficial-owners-localize-payment-data/

FG denies plans to introduce new taxes on telecom services, fuel THE federal government has refuted claims that it is considering the introduction of new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products following recommendations contained in the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest Article IV Consultation Report on Nigeria. The clarification came after reports suggested that the IMF had advised Nigeria to expand Value Added Tax (VAT)… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/fg-denies-plans-to-introduce-new-taxes-on-telecom-services-fuel/

Peter Obi declares readiness to sacrifice for Nigeria amid security challenges THE 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has said he is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for Nigeria, arguing that effective leadership requires courage and commitment in confronting the nation’s security challenges. Obi made the remarks during a recent interview on Black Box, a programme hosted by journalist Rufai Oseni,… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/peter-obi-declares-readiness-to-sacrifice-for-nigeria-amid-security-challenges/

Yul Edochie didn’t break my marriage — Judy Austin Nollywood actress Judy Austin has addressed longstanding allegations surrounding her relationship with actor Yul Edochie, insisting that she had no involvement in the collapse of her previous marriage. In a video shared on Instagram, Austin stated that she first met Edochie on a movie set in 2016, dismissing claims that their relationship contributed to the… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/yul-edochie-didnt-break-my-marriage-judy-austin/

US: Illinois-based theatre artist, Ojewuyi makes Cambridge Encyclopedia of Stage Directors The encyclopedia documents Ojewuyi’s professional record and artistic style as a means of social development and consciousness-raising, creating awareness of the gap between government, governance, and society. His theatrical productions are platforms-advocates for the concept of “culture-in-action,” perceiving theatre as an active agent of culture that grows within us like a new organ capable of… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/us-illinois-based-theatre-artist-ojewuyi-makes-cambridge-encyclopedia-of-stage-directors/

From prison to fatherhood: Baba Ijesha announces birth of son Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has announced the birth of his son. The actor shared the joyful news on his newly created Instagram page, posting maternity photographs featuring himself and his wife. Expressing gratitude to God for the latest addition to his family, Baba Ijesha also revealed his son’s name as… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/from-prison-to-fatherhood-baba-ijesha-announces-birth-of-son/

Insecurity: Oyo’ll never be another Chibok — Makinde Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that Oyo State “is not Chibok and will never be Chibok”, vowing that the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area will be rescued safely, as social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), led a protest over rising insecurity and kidnappings in the state.… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/insecurity-oyoll-never-be-another-chibok-makinde/

Troops rescue 398 kidnap victims, arrest 31 terrorists — DHQ Troops fighting to rid the nation of terrorists and other criminal elements have rescued 388 kidnapped victims, arrested 31 terrorists and neutralised 10 terrorists in various encounters in the theatres of Operation in the last one week. Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations made this known on Tuesday while giving an update… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/troops-rescue-398-kidnap-victims-arrest-31-terrorists-dhq/

Sultan, Catholic bishops demand urgent action against insecurity The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) said insecurity in parts of the country appears to be deteriorating despite ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping, banditry, insurgency and other criminal activities. Speaking separately, the religious leaders urged the federal government… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/sultan-catholic-bishops-demand-urgent-action-against-insecurity/

LAGOS: FESTAC residents protest alleged sale of estate facilities Residents of Festac Town in the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos State, under the aegis of the Take Back Festac Movement, have raised the alarm over the alleged sale of critical public infrastructure in the estate. The residents, during a peaceful protest in the estate on Saturday, identified some of the facilities as including sewage treatment… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/lagos-festac-residents-protest-alleged-sale-of-estate-facilities/

Labour to engage FG on minimum wage review The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress said they will restart negotiations with the Federal Government over a new national minimum wage, warning that workers can no longer cope with rising living costs as inflation continues to erode real incomes. The unions are pushing for what they described as a “genuine living wage”… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/labour-to-engage-fg-on-minimum-wage-review/

Messi equals World Cup scoring record with first hat-trick as Argentina outclass Algeria LIONEL Messi became the FIFA World Cup’s joint-top all-time scorer by netting a hat-trick as reigning champions Argentina began their title defence with a 3-0 victory over Algeria in Kansas City, United States of America in the early hours of today. Making his 200th appearance for his country, Messi scored his first-ever treble at a… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/messi-equals-world-cup-scoring-record-with-first-hat-trick-as-argentina-outclass-algeria/

150 terrorists convicted in 48 hours – AGF The Federal Government has secured approximately 150 convictions within the first two days of its latest phase of mass terrorism trials, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), disclosed on Tuesday. Fagbemi made the disclosure while speaking with journalists at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the trials are being… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/150-terrorists-convicted-in-48-hours-agf/

Senate recalls members from recess over rising insecurity The Senate has suspended its ongoing legislative recess and summoned lawmakers for an emergency plenary session to address pressing national issues, particularly the rising insecurity across the country. In a notice dated June 15 and signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, senators were directed to reconvene at the National Assembly Complex in… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/senate-recalls-members-from-recess-over-rising-insecurity/

HEAVYLIFTING… KEWA was an easygoing leader, but never absent. He listened, asked the right questions, and intervened with quiet, practical clarity. Not long after the public announcement, the administrator faced the first true test of what would become an eight-year journey. The Academy of Science submitted a list of five judges, led by Emeritus Professor Umaru… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/heavylifting-3/

Tinubu’s supporters’ overdrive making him unpopular – ZLP chairman The National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Dan Nwanyanwu, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against what he described as excessive political activities by some of the President’s supporters, warning that their actions could dent the Nigerian leader’s public image ahead of the 2027 general election. Nwanyanwu said some individuals who claim to support… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/tinubus-supporters-overdrive-making-him-unpopular-zlp-chairman/

KATSINA: Radda bans jerrycan fuel sales, shuts POS centres Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has announced a raft of new security measures aimed at disrupting the activities and support networks of bandits and kidnappers operating across the state. The measures, contained in a new Executive Order, were unveiled following an emergency security meeting involving security agencies, traditional rulers and other key stakeholders to… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/katsina-radda-bans-jerrycan-fuel-sales-shuts-pos-centres/

PLATEAU: Gunmen attack NIPSS, institute says situation under control Gunmen attacked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos, in the early hours of Tuesday, breaching the institute’s perimeter fence and exchanging gunfire with security personnel guarding the facility. The incident reportedly occurred between midnight and 1:00 a.m. at the institute, which is widely regarded as Nigeria’s foremost policy and… https://ntm.ng/2026/06/17/plateau-gunmen-attack-nipss-institute-says-situation-under-control/