The University of Ibadan has offered qualified candidates an alternative pathway to earn its degree without being limited by the shortage of on-campus spaces through the institution’s special admission window for its Open, Distance and eLearning programme. The institution said the initiative was designed to give hope to candidates who participated in the Post-UTME screening but could not secure admission through the conventional face-to-face mode due to quota limitations and physical space constraints on campus. A statement issued by the Director of the UI Distance Learning Centre, Prof. Olufade Onifade, in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday, said the special application window for the 2025/2026 academic session would close on August 15, 2026, with commencement of the special cohort classes scheduled for August 17, 2026. Onifade said, “Candidates who sat for the UI Post-UTME examination can now switch to the ODeL mode of study at no cost. “The UI-ODeL programme provides...

British-Nigerian heavyweight sensation Moses Itauma has declared that his motivation to beat Filip Hrgovic remains unchanged by news that the vacant IBF world title now hangs on the outcome of their fight, insisting the added prize means little to how seriously he takes the Croatian, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The 21-year-old will become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in history behind Mike Tyson, who was 20 when he won the title, should he defeat Hrgovic at the O2 Arena on August 29. Speaking to DAZN Boxing, Itauma was asked whether having a belt on the line added extra pressure to the contest. “Not really, the belts just come with the performance. With boxing Hrgovic, I was taking him serious, and now the belt is on the line, I still take him serious. “I want to beat him as much as I did before the belt was on the line,” he...

As political activities intensify ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, farmers and butchers have endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term, while the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service has declared support for the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. Farmers’ groups on Saturday endorsed Adeleke, describing him as “farmers’ friendly.” A statement signed by the spokesperson to the State Governor, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo stated that the event was held at the Osun Government House in Osogbo. The farmers appreciated the governor for his pro-farmers policies, which include the purchase of new tractors, completion of the farmers’ secretariat, distribution of farm inputs and distribution of thousands of cocoa, cashew and palm oil seedlings. Speaking on behalf of the Osun State All Farmers of Nigeria, Moshood Adepoju said farmers in Osun had never had it so good, accusing the state APC of arresting their...

Operatives of the Department of State Services have arrested three more persons linked to the kidnapping of the Dean of Agriculture at Nasarawa State University, Professor Samuel Avengbe Okunsebor. The three suspects were arrested on Friday night at a local brothel around Mararraban Akunza, along the Lafia-Makurdi highway, according to a security source involved in investigation into the matter . The development comes after DSS operatives rescued Okunsebor two days after he was abducted by gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Mile Uku, a border community between Lafia and Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Areas. Two suspects, including a woman, were also arrested by the DSS at the time of the rescue. Giving details of the latest arrests, the security source said the three suspects were identified as 25-year-old Yakubu Abubakar, also known as Black/Starboy; 37-year-old Usman Abubakar Mairiga; and 27-year-old Sale Babauro Abubakar. He said, “The...

Singer, Ladé, has said she is more interested in creating relatable music than chasing viral trends. In an interview with Saturday Beats, the ‘Adulthood Na Scam’ crooner said, “For me, the pressure definitely exists because we’re in a time where everything moves so fast, and it’s easy to feel like every song has to go viral. But I have learnt that virality is a moment, while a career is built over time.” Ladé added that she would rather focus on making authentic songs that listeners can connect with over the years than constantly pursue trends. “I’d rather focus on making honest music that people can keep coming back to than chase trends all the time. Virality can bring people to one’s music, but it’s the structure one builds around one’s career, the consistency, authenticity and the community one nurtures that gives them a reason to stay,” she said. The singer...

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has accepted his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Rural Electrification Agency and has been formally inaugurated into the position. The former governor was inaugurated alongside other members of the REA governing board by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, in Abuja on Friday. The development was disclosed in a Friday statement shared by FCT Minister, Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka. Also inaugurated were Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar, Mr Ilyasu Makinta and three other members and non-executive directors, while Mr Abba Aliyu assumed office as the Managing Director of the agency. Speaking after his inauguration, Fayose thanked President Tinubu for considering him and the other appointees worthy of serving on the board. Fayose inaugurated as REA Chairman…Photo Credit: Lere Olayinka He said his immediate focus would be to help move the agency forward by providing the necessary political...

The Confederation of African Football has unanimously endorsed FIFA’s joint statement acknowledging mistakes in the handling of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, while reaffirming its commitment to governance, transparency and due process. The resolution was reached at a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee, which also unanimously reaffirmed its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. PUNCH Online reports that FIFA unveiled the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise on July 28, 2026, as a new FIFA-owned commercial subsidiary to manage its commercial and event operations, including the World Cup, and to raise $4.2 billion by selling minority stakes to investors. FIFA said the initiative was designed to increase funding for football development for its 211 member associations, but it was later withdrawn after criticism of the consultation process. It drew criticism after concerns that FIFA’s Council and member associations were not adequately consulted during its development. Meanwhile, FIFA apologised on August 6,...

Nigeria’s economy appears to be showing signs of recovery. Government officials frequently point to rising Gross Domestic Product, stronger foreign exchange reserves, improved tax revenues, renewed investor confidence, and far-reaching fiscal reforms as evidence that the country is on the path to sustainable growth. These indicators are important and suggest that difficult policy decisions may be yielding results. However, for millions of Nigerians, this recovery remains largely invisible. Across the country, households continue to grapple with rising food prices, expensive transportation, high electricity tariffs, increasing healthcare costs, and unaffordable school fees. This disconnect between encouraging macroeconomic indicators and the daily realities of citizens raises a critical question: Can an economy truly be said to be growing when the majority of its people are becoming poorer? The answer lies in understanding that economic growth does not automatically translate into shared prosperity. GDP measures the size of an economy but does not...

The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Thursday confirmed that 163 residents abducted during the February 3, 2026 terrorist invasion of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area regained their freedom following a coordinated security operation deep inside the Kainji Lake National Park forest. The governor, who announced the development in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, said the operation also led to the rescue of about 145 kidnap victims from neighbouring Niger State, describing the mission as a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism and kidnapping. AbdulRazaq credited the success of the operation to the combined efforts of security agencies and acknowledged the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, whom he said played a significant role in ensuring the victims were freed. “I am pleased to announce the freedom of 163 kidnap victims abducted during the unfortunate terrorist attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area...

Chelsea have reportedly placed 11 players on the transfer list as the club continues its squad overhaul during the ongoing summer transfer window. The Blues are said to be looking to reduce the size of their squad after spending more than £300 million on new signings this summer. The club has strengthened its ranks with the arrivals of Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Geovany Quenda, Valentin Barco, Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha. As reported by the Athletic on Thursday, the players available for transfer include Enzo Fernández, Pedro Neto, Malo Gusto, Benoît Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guiu, David Datro Fofana, Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson. Chalobah has reportedly agreed a £31 million move to Serie A side Como, while Pedro Neto has been linked with a possible reunion with Enzo Maresca at Manchester City. Chelsea are expected to sanction further departures before the summer transfer window closes...