• 11 poets for 2026 NLNG prize

The Advisory Board of The Nigeria Prize For Literature, on Thursday, July 23, 2026, announced a longlist of eleven poets for the 2026 edition of the prize.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by NLNG, carries a cash award of $100,000 for the author of the winning book.

The eleven outstanding poetry collections which emerged on the longlist were selected from 223 entries received earlier for the competition.

The chairman of the Advisory Board for the Prize, Prof Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, said that the entries mark a significant milestone in this year’s competition and reflects the exceptional quality, creativity and diversity of contemporary poetry.

The longlisted titles, arranged alphabetically are: Adult Love by Tanure Ojaide, Bakandimiyaby Saddiq Dzukogi, Black Passport by Paul Akpomuje, 2000 Blacks by Ajibola Tolase, Ceremony for The Nameless by Theresa Lola, and Corpus: Animistic Verses by Ayo Oyeku.

Others are: Floral’s Love Colonyby Tares Oburumu, The Origin of Wounds by Malik Gbolahan, The Years of Blood by Adebayo Agarau, Unbind Me Nowby James Ugwu Eze and Why Does God Need a Gunby Ogaga Ifowodo.

The announcement of the 11-title longlist formally opens the next phase of the shortlist of three in August and possible announcement of the winner in October.

Google has introduced a new selfie video sign-in feature that allows users to access their accounts using facial verification.

The company announced on Thursday that the feature is designed to provide users with an alternative way to regain access to their accounts if they are locked out or unable to use their regular device, marking another step in the technology industry’s shift away from traditional passwords toward biometric authentication.

To activate the feature, users will record a short selfie video by following on-screen prompts that require simple head movements, such as turning left, turning right, or nodding. The video captures different angles of the user’s face and is securely saved to their account.

When users later need to verify their identity, they can record another selfie video. Google will compare the new recording with the original one created during setup to confirm the person’s identity before granting access.According to Google, the feature is designed to distinguish real users from cybercriminals attempting to use fake images or AI-generated videos to bypass security measures.

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to 12 divisions.

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said that the approval underscores the president’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.

According to Onanuga, the expansion builds on the Administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation.

He explained that under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions, strategically positioned across the country .

“The establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide,” said the statement.