Foreign

Tinubu Backs Gulf States Amid Iran/Israel War

Published

3 hours ago

April 24, 2026

Tinubu: All Nigerians Desire Development

President Bola Tinubu has declared Nigeria’s support for countries in the Gulf region following rising tension linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Naija News reports that he made this known in Abuja during a formal ceremony where he received letters of credence from several foreign diplomats. The event had representatives from countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, alongside envoys from Lebanon, Sudan, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, Argentina, and Congo.

During the meeting, the president assured the visiting diplomats that Nigeria stands with nations in the Gulf, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Jordan. He praised their calm approach in handling the situation and stressed the need for peace across the region.

Tinubu described the diplomatic gathering as an important step in strengthening Nigeria’s relationship with other countries. He encouraged the envoys to build stronger partnerships with Nigeria that would benefit both sides.

He also spoke about his government’s economic direction, saying efforts are being made to position Nigeria as an attractive destination for investors. He pointed out opportunities in areas like infrastructure, economic growth, and diaspora involvement, inviting the diplomats to explore these sectors.

On regional matters, the president restated Nigeria’s role in the Economic Community of West African States, especially in maintaining democratic order, improving trade among member states, and addressing instability in the Sahel region.

Tinubu further noted that global issues such as climate change, energy challenges, terrorism, and unfair financial systems require countries to work together.

He said Nigeria is ready to cooperate with other nations both directly and through international platforms to promote a safer and fairer global system.

Foreign

BREAKING: Explosions Rock Tehran, Israel Denies Any Role in Mysterious Blasts

Published

4 hours ago

April 24, 2026

The Daily Voice

According to a report by Telegraph, on Thursday April 23, 2026, Israel’s defence minister has declared the country stands prepared to resume military operations against Iran, but only upon receiving authorisation from the Trump administration, as tensions between the two nations continue to simmer beneath a fragile ceasefire.

The statement came amid fresh alarm in the Iranian capital on [date], after Iranian state media reported that explosions were heard above Tehran and air defence systems were activated across the city. The developments immediately triggered speculation of a new Israeli strike, drawing swift attention from regional observers and international monitors tracking the volatile situation.

However, a source within the Israeli military moved quickly to dismiss those claims. Speaking to Israeli outlet Ynet, the source firmly stated that Israel had not carried out any attacks on Iran, offering a direct contradiction to the wave of concern that had swept through diplomatic circles following the reports from Tehran.

A ceasefire between the two countries has been in effect since April 8, and Israeli officials have so far indicated no public breach of that agreement. Despite this, the defence minister’s earlier remarks have raised serious questions about how durable that truce remains, particularly given its apparent dependency on political decisions emanating from Washington.

The reference to a required “green light” from the Trump administration underscores the degree to which Israeli military calculations are now intertwined with American foreign policy direction. Analysts note that this framing places significant weight on Washington’s posture toward Tehran, effectively making U.S. political will a trigger mechanism for potential renewed hostilities in the region.

Iran has not officially responded to the Israeli defence minister’s statement at the time of reporting. The sounds heard over Tehran, while alarming to residents and regional watchers, remain unexplained by Iranian authorities beyond initial media reports of activated air defences.

The situation reflects the precarious nature of the current ceasefire, with both nations maintaining high military readiness even as formal hostilities remain paused. Observers warn that the combination of unexplained aerial activity and bellicose ministerial language represents a dangerous mix that could rapidly destabilise the existing arrangement.

Foreign

PICTORIAL: Tinubu, First Lady Meet Royals On ‘Historic’ UK State Visit

Published

1 month ago

March 18, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

King Charles III ceremonially welcomed Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at Windsor Castle on Wednesday in the first state visit by the leader of Africa’s most populous nation in nearly four decades.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu arrives for a formal welcome at Datchet Road, ahead of a carriage procession to Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on March 18, 2026, on the first day of a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom by Nigeria’s President. (Photo by Isabel Infantes / POOL / AFP)

Tinubu has made less formal visits to Britain several times in his tenure, and the two countries remain major partners in trade, aid and defence. London is also home to a massive Nigerian diaspora.

King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted the president and his wife in Windsor, west of London, on a sunny afternoon as artillery fired Salutes

Britain’s Queen Camilla walks with Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu as they leave following a ceremonial welcome in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on March 18, 2026, on the first day of a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom by Nigeria’s President. (Photo by Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP)

The Nigerian president and his wife earlier chatted with heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine at a hotel in Windsor.

The party then rode in carriages to the historic Windsor Castle, followed by cavalry in red and gold livery.

Later in the afternoon, the king and queen were to show the president and first lady items from the Royal Collection reflecting the ties with Britain as the colonial power in charge of Nigeria until 1960.

These include a Yoruba beaded throne presented to Queen Elizabeth II during an official visit in 1965.

They were also to view photographs of a Yoruba woman known as Sarah Forbes Bonetta, who became a protegee of Queen Victoria after being captured as a slave and taken to Britain by a naval captain.

In the evening, Charles and Tinubu were set to give speeches at a lavish state banquet.

‘Renewed chapter’

Nigeria’s presidency said the visit signalled a “renewed chapter” and reflected a shared commitment to “advancing trade and strengthening diplomatic ties”.

Foreign

Mining dispute: FG Alleges Plot To Embarrass Tinubu During UK Visit

Published

1 month ago

March 15, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

The Federal Government has alleged that an embattled mining company, Jupiter Ltd, is planning what it described as a “campaign of calumny” against Nigeria during the planned state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom.

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said the alleged move was aimed at discrediting ongoing reforms in the mining sector and misleading the international community about the circumstances surrounding the revocation of certain mineral licences.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, the ministry dismissed claims that Nigeria seized a British lithium project under armed guard, describing the allegation as false and misleading.

Tomori said the Federal Government had no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as Jupiter Lithium, stressing that Nigerian mining laws prohibit foreign companies from directly holding mineral titles.

The statement read, “It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development that an embattled mining firm, Jupiter Ltd, plans to orchestrate a campaign of calumny against the Federal Government of Nigeria during the state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom.

“Earlier in the week, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kehinde Bamigbetan, authored a response to what we described as a tissue of falsehoods sponsored by Jupiter Ltd in a publication titled ‘Nigeria Seizes British Lithium Project Under Armed Guard.’

“Our response, titled ‘In Nigeria’s Mining Sector, The Law Is No Respecter of Persons,’ exposed the activities of one Steve Davis and Hamish MacDonald, whose enterprise in the mining sector eventually met the full weight of the law.”

According to the ministry, the controversy stemmed from the revocation of mineral titles belonging to Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company linked to an Australian national, Steve Davis.

The government said the revocation followed the company’s failure to meet statutory financial obligations under Nigeria’s mining regulations.

Tomori stated that Basin Mining Ltd lost its mineral titles after failing to pay statutory annual service fees amounting to N2.494bn for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.

The unpaid fees covered mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML and 40533ML, which were revoked after due notice was served on the company in line with existing regulations.

The ministry also dismissed claims that the titles were reassigned to a Chinese firm, describing the allegation as a fabrication intended to mislead the public and the international community.

It further alleged that Davis had interests in several mining companies operating in Nigeria, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Basin Mining Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.

According to the government, such arrangements are often used by speculators to acquire mineral titles without undertaking actual mining operations.

The ministry said the practice had contributed to the problem of dormant mining licences and illegal mining activities in the country.

It noted that the Federal Government was determined to end such practices as part of ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the mining sector as a key driver of economic growth.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria cannot and will not be intimidated or blackmailed into abandoning reforms by the antics of any individual or company,” Tomori added.

“Our commitment to transforming the mining sector into a major contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product is unwavering.”

The ministry urged Nigerians and international stakeholders to disregard what it described as attempts by “discredited individuals” to undermine the country’s reform agenda.

Nigeria has intensified efforts in recent years to develop its solid mineral resources, including lithium, gold, iron ore and rare earth elements, as part of a broader strategy to diversify the economy away from crude oil.

PUNCH Online reports that Tinubu is scheduled to embark on a state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, following an invitation from King Charles III, who will host the Nigerian leader at Windsor Castle.

The visit is expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between both countries, including cooperation in trade, investment, security and migration.