10 Top Stories You Need to Read Today

Good morning! Here are some of the top stories you should know about today.

1. Naira Rebound: One month after launching the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS), Nigerian naira appreciated by N125 against the dollar. The naira now stands at N1,535 compared to N1,660 last month, marking an 8% increase. This system, aimed at reducing speculation and increasing transparency, was introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria and appears to be successfully stabilising the naira.

2. Nigerian Passport Ranking: The Nigerian passport remains one of the least powerful globally, ranked 183 out of 200 in the 2025 Henley Passport Index. It continues to provide visa-free access to fewer countries than most other passports.

3. Meta Platforms Policy Changes: Meta Platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Threads) has ended its U.S. fact-checking program and loosened restrictions on discussions concerning topics like immigration and gender identity. This change, aligning with criticisms from conservative groups, comes as Donald Trump prepares to assume the presidency again.

4. Visa Challenges for Africans: A recent report highlights that Africans are twice as likely to face rejection for Schengen visas compared to other regions. Countries like Comoros and Guinea-Bissau see rejection rates above 50%. This indicates a persistent, worsening trend of visa accessibility for Africans.

5. Health Alert on Sugary Drinks: A new study links sugary drinks to 340,000 annual deaths from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases globally. The consumption of these drinks also correlates with millions of new cases of these diseases each year, particularly impacting Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Read more here

6. Sports Update: Eric Chelle has been appointed as the new head coach of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles. His selection was confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation after a recommendation from their technical sub-committee. Read more here.

7. Cybercrime Recoveries in Nigeria: The Nigeria Police Force’s cybercrime unit successfully recovered over N8 billion and $115,000 in 2024, returning these funds to the victims of cyber fraud. The unit also seized hundreds of devices used in cybercrime activities.

8. 2027 Election: High-profile Nigerian politicians, including Nasir el-Rufai and Hamza Al-Mustapha, recently convened in Abuja to strategize for the 2027 elections under the auspices of the Social Democratic Party.

9. Infrastructure Funding: The China Development Bank has approved a $254.76 million loan to support the ongoing construction of the Kano-Kaduna railway project in Nigeria, aiming to enhance transportation infrastructure.

10. Terrorism: The Nigerian military reported an encounter with terrorists in Borno State, where six soldiers died and 34 terrorists were killed. This confrontation followed recent terrorist activities in the region.