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COVID-19: China bars Nigerians, others from entering its country

- NCDC confirms 180 new cases, total now 63,508
No Nigerians and other non-Chinese citizens can travel to China from Nigeria, the Chinese authorities have said.
China said on Thursday that it had temporarily suspended entry of Nigerians and non-Chinese nationals into its country over the COVID-19 pandemic.
The authorities said in a notice on Thursday that its embassy would no longer issue certified health declaration form for non-Chinese nationals in the country.
It, however, said holders of diplomatic passports, service, courtesy or C visas would not be affected by the regulation, adding that the measures would be reviewed in accordance with “evolving situation”.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, China has decided to temporarily suspend entry into China by non-Chinese nationals in Nigeria holding visa or residence permits still valid at the time of this announcement,” the notice read.
“The Chinese embassy and consulate in Nigeria will no longer issue Certified Health Declaration Form for the above-mentioned personnel.
“Entry by holders of diplomatic, service, courtesy or C visas will not be affected. Foreign nationals visitingChina for emergency needs may apply for visas at Chinese embassy or consulate. Entry by non-Chinese nationals in Nigeria with visas issued after 3 November 2020 will not be affected.
“The suspension is a temporary response necessitated by the current situation of COVID-19. The above-mentioned measures will be assessed in accordance with the evolving situation and any adjustment will be announced accordingly.”
The COVID-19 broke out in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.
The city was put on a strict lockdown to curb the spread of the disease but since the outbreak, it has spread across 218 countries with 48,868,008 cases confirmed globally.
Not less than 1,236,650 deaths have also been recorded with China having 86,115 cases, 4,634 deaths and 81,081 recoveries.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced that the country has recorded 180 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in Nigeria to 63,508.
The NCDC disclosed this on its verified Twitter handle on Thursday night.
“On the 5th of November 2020, 180 new confirmed cases were recorded in Nigeria.
“Till date, 63508 cases have been confirmed, 59748 cases have been discharged and 1155 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The 180 new cases are reported from 14 states- Lagos (87), Oyo (51), FCT (12), Plateau (10), Edo (4), Ekiti (3), Ogun (3), Bauchi (2), Kaduna (2), Niger (2), Kano (1), Ondo (1), Osun (1), Rivers (1),” the NCDC said.
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Tinubu’s economic reforms making Nigeria more investible — UK Envoy

Tinubu’s economic reforms making Nigeria more investible — UK Envoy
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing them as “big and bold” initiatives that have transformed Nigeria into a more attractive destination for investors.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Montgomery acknowledged that the UK’s interest in Nigeria is growing, citing the positive impact of recent economic policies.
“I’ve been very public previously about commending the big and bold economic reforms being taken by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Montgomery stated.
Highlighting key policy changes, he pointed to the abolition of fuel subsidies and the unification of the exchange rate system as crucial steps toward economic stability.
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According to him, these measures are already yielding results, positioning Nigeria as a more “investible” nation.
“My headline this morning is that these economic reforms are paying off, and they are now making Nigeria more investible,” he added.
Montgomery, however, acknowledged the economic strain on Nigerians due to rising inflation, currently hovering in the mid-20 percent range. He noted that while the reforms are transformative, their benefits might take time to materialize fully.
“I realise that some of these reforms for ordinary people are painful. Inflation is still high, it’s in the 20 percent territory, the mid-20s. And it’s going to take time to bring that rate down,” he remarked.
Despite the current economic challenges, the High Commissioner expressed optimism, predicting that inflation rates would begin to ease over the coming months and years, further solidifying Nigeria’s position as an attractive investment hub.
Tinubu’s economic reforms making Nigeria more investible — UK Envoy
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Tinubu presents N1.78tn FCT budget to Senate, seeks speedy approval

Tinubu presents N1.78tn FCT budget to Senate, seeks speedy approval
President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a proposed N1.783 trillion budget for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the Senate, seeking speedy approval for the 2025 fiscal year.
In a formal message to the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday, the President called for urgent consideration of the bill, emphasizing its importance in delivering a functional and responsive administration for FCT residents.
To expedite the legislative process, the Senate activated Order 78, which allowed the appropriation bill to pass its second reading on the same day it was introduced.
Despite the swift movement, the procedure was met with resistance. Senator Abdul Ningi, a member of the opposition, objected under Order 77 (3 and 4), arguing that lawmakers had not received copies of the bill before the discussion commenced.
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The Senate subsequently proceeded with a debate on the bill’s general principles.
Presenting the proposal, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele stated that the bill aims to permit the release of ₦1,783,823,708,392.00 from the FCT Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund. These funds are intended to cover personnel, overhead, and capital expenses from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
According to Bamidele, the budget allocates ₦150.35 billion for personnel expenses, ₦343.78 billion for overhead costs, and ₦1.29 trillion for capital development.
He stressed that the core goal of the budget is to sustain a results-driven administration with the continuation of existing projects in the FCT and the introduction of new ones deemed crucial.
Tinubu presents N1.78tn FCT budget to Senate, seeks speedy approval
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Constitution: Reps reject proposal for rotational presidency

Constitution: Reps reject proposal for rotational presidency
The House of Representatives on Tuesday voted down a bill that proposed rotating the office of the president among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
During the session presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, lawmakers also rejected six additional constitutional amendment bills. All seven proposals failed to pass the crucial second reading stage.
Among the bills was one seeking to transfer the authority to register and regulate political parties from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to a newly proposed Office of the Registrar General of Political Parties. This legislation was sponsored by Hon. Abbas Tajudeen and Hon. Francis E. Waive.
Another notable bill—tabled by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu—sought to institutionalize rotational leadership at the federal level, specifically between the six zones: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West.
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Also defeated was a proposal by Hon. Julius O. Ihonvbere aimed at establishing and empowering independent Offices of the Auditors-General at the local government level and in the Federal Capital Territory. According to the bill, the initiative was designed to enhance fiscal responsibility and governance at the grassroots.
Hon. Ihonvbere also fronted a bill advocating for the increase in the number of judges in the Federal High Court to a minimum of 100, a measure that did not survive the House vote.
In a related effort, lawmakers rejected a constitutional amendment expanding the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction to include admiralty matters such as shipping, inland waterways—including the River Niger and River Benue—and federal ports.
Additionally, the chamber turned down a bill granting the National Judicial Council (NJC) authority to determine and review, in collaboration with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the remuneration of judicial officers and judiciary staff.
Finally, a motion to create Ughelli East Local Government Area in Delta State, brought forward by Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, also failed to gain the necessary support.
Initially, all seven proposals were bundled and voted on as a group but were rejected outright. Subsequent efforts to conduct separate votes also failed, despite intervention from the House Committee on Rules and Business, which suggested revisiting the motions on Wednesday.
Constitution: Reps reject proposal for rotational presidency
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