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JUST IN: Tinubu seeks NASS approval to borrow fresh $21.5m, other external borrowing plans

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested the National Assembly’s approval to secure external loans of $21.5 million and ¥15 billion as part of the federal government’s proposed 2025–2026 external borrowing plan.

Also, the request consists of a grant of €65 million to be included in the federal government’s external borrowing plan.

The president’s request was contained in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during the plenary on Tuesday.

In the letter, Mr Tinubu said that the funds will be used to create employment, promote skill acquisition, enhance entrepreneurship, reduce poverty, and boost food security.

He emphasised that the proposed projects and programmes are designed to have a nationwide impact, spanning all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This fresh loan comes as Nigeria’s total public debt stood at N144.7 trillion (approximately $94.2 billion), according to Debt Management Office December 2024 data.

A breakdown of the existing public debt showed that about 51.4 percent of the total (N74.4 trillion) is domestic debt, while 48.6 percent (N70.3 trillion) is external debt

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U.S. Updates Visa Reciprocity Policy For Nigeria

You can view the latest information on visa reciprocity schedules for all countries at travel.state.gov.U.S.

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• Donald Trump

The United States Department of State has announced updates to its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, impacting several countries, including Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, United States Embassy, Abuja, said that effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.

Said the statement: ” Those U.S. non-immigrant visas issued prior to July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity.

We wish to underscore, that as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity.

You can view the latest information on visa reciprocity schedules for all countries at travel.state.gov.U.S.

Visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of U.S. immigration systems.

These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks.

The U.S. Mission is working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria can meet the criteria.

Examples of standard criteria include:Secure

Travel Documents: Ensuring countries issue secure travel documents with verified traveler identities.

Visa Overstay Management: Implementing measures to limit overstays by travelers on U.S. visas.Information Sharing:

Sharing relevant security and/or criminal record information to protect public safety.

The United States values its longstanding relationship with Nigeria and remains committed to expanding our partnership based on mutual respect, shared security priorities, and economic opportunity, keeping both our countries safer and stronger.

We commend the ongoing efforts by the Government of Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies to meet standards of international best practices.

We continue to engage with Nigerian government officials to address the remaining challenges.

Nigerian travelers are encouraged to respect and adhere to the terms of their visas, and ensure travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date.

The United States remains a committed partner in deepening people-to-people ties with Nigeria via business, educational, and cultural exchanges.

We look forward to continued cooperation at all levels with the Nigerian public and government officials to ensure safe and lawful travel between the United States and all countries.”

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Kogi State: Kabba Residents Recount Flood Devastation (Photos)

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The people of Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State are still counting their looses over the flash flood that ravaged their communities recently.

Many houses were submerged by the flood and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in Aiyeteju, Iyah, Ben Thomas, Kajola, Fehinti all in Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Residents of the communities are appealing to the government to immediately come to their aide as many occupants have deserted their homes.

They also attributed the flash flood to the incomplete canal linking the various community in the Local Government.

See photos below:

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FG Approves 16 as Minimum Admission Age into University

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said this on Tuesday when he declared open the ongoing Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, in Abuja.

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The Federal Government has mandated 16 as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said this on Tuesday when he declared open the ongoing Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, in Abuja.

Alausa declared that the official age of 16 set by the government is not negotiable.

He warned that the heads of institutions found to be engaged in admission fraud would face prosecution.Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa warned that any admissions outside JAMB’s CAPS platform are illegal. Institutions involved in admission fraud will face prosecution, as the government moves to enforce transparency and integrity in the process.

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