US Lawmaker Raises Alarm Over ‘Convert or Die’ Threat Against Christians in Nigeria

A United States lawmaker has raised fresh concerns over the killing of Christians by terrorists linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in northeastern Nigeria, warning that extremist threats against religious minorities in the region are worsening.

The lawmaker, Riley M. Moore, reacted after reports emerged that ISWAP fighters carried out a deadly attack in Adamawa State in February that reportedly left at least 27 Christians dead and several homes destroyed.

Security analyst Brant Philip had earlier shared details of the incident online, noting that the terrorists later admitted responsibility for the assault and issued a chilling ultimatum to Christian communities in the area.

According to a message circulating on social media platform X, the militants allegedly warned that Christians must “either pay the jizyah tax, convert to Islam, or be killed.” The statement described the ultimatum as a “fair deal,” sparking outrage among international observers.

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Reacting in a post on X, Moore condemned the threat and described the development as a clear case of religious persecution in Nigeria.

“Christians continue to be explicitly targeted for their faith in Nigeria,” Moore said.

“ISIS-West Africa is slaughtering Christians and telling other Christians they must convert or die. In our report to the White House, we made it clear that increased American support is contingent on the Nigerian government doing more to defend Christians. Now is the time for Abuja to step up.”

The comments highlight growing international concern about terrorist attacks in Nigeria’s northeast, where insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP have continued to target communities, places of worship and security forces.

Nigeria has been battling a prolonged insurgency for more than a decade, particularly in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, where thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced by extremist violence.

Human rights organisations and religious freedom advocates have repeatedly warned that Christian minorities in rural communities remain vulnerable to targeted attacks, especially in remote areas with limited security presence.

Although the Nigerian military has intensified operations against insurgent groups in recent years, attacks, kidnappings and raids by militants still occur across several parts of the northeast.

Moore’s latest remarks add to increasing international calls for stronger efforts to protect vulnerable communities and improve security in Nigeria’s conflict-affected regions.

US Lawmaker Raises Alarm Over ‘Convert or Die’ Threat Against Christians in Nigeria

Google Expands AI Search to Include Yorùbá, Hausa Languages in Nigeria

Google has expanded its AI‑powered Search features to support Nigeria’s Yorùbá and Hausa languages, enabling millions of users to interact with AI Search in their mother tongues. The update allows Nigerians to ask complex questions, either by typing or using voice input, and receive AI-generated summaries, insights, and conversational responses in their preferred language.

Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa at Google, said the rollout is part of the company’s broader effort to make AI more inclusive across Africa. He explained that the system goes beyond simple translation, using advanced language understanding to provide contextually relevant and culturally grounded answers.

“This development ensures Nigerians can converse with search in their local languages, making information more useful and accessible to everyone,” Kola-Ogunlade said. He highlighted that a student in Kano can ask questions in Hausa, while a trader in Ibadan can seek business insights in Yorùbá, demonstrating the practical impact of the update.

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The expansion brings the total number of African languages supported by Google’s AI Search features to 13, including Kiswahili, Wolof, Amharic, isiZulu, and Afrikaans, among others. Users can access the feature via the Google app on Android or iOS or through the web version of Search by selecting AI Mode and entering queries in Yorùbá or Hausa.

Experts say the update addresses the digital language divide in Nigeria and across Africa, helping users who are more comfortable in their native languages access AI tools for learning, research, business, and daily problem-solving. It also supports digital inclusion, empowering more people to participate in the AI-driven online economy.

The initiative aligns with Google’s global mission to make information universally accessible and useful, reflecting a growing emphasis on local language AI technologies in Africa.

Google Expands AI Search to Include Yorùbá, Hausa Languages in Nigeria

FG Approves Medical Fellowships as PhD Equivalent in Nigerian Universities

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a landmark policy recognising medical fellowship qualifications as equivalent to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree for medical professionals pursuing academic careers in universities. The decision, taken by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was announced by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, following a Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

This policy means that medical doctors with recognised fellowships from accredited institutions such as the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) and the West African College of Physicians (WACP) can now advance in academia without needing a separate PhD. The move aims to align Nigeria’s academic system with global standards, recognising the rigorous clinical practice, research, and academic work involved in fellowship training.

For years, Nigerian universities and professional bodies debated whether fellowship qualifications should substitute for a PhD in attaining senior academic ranks such as senior lecturer, associate professor, or professor. Many institutions, guided by National Universities Commission (NUC) regulations, required a PhD for promotion, even for experienced clinicians. The new policy resolves this long-standing issue, allowing medical specialists to focus on teaching, research, and clinical service without additional academic barriers.

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Benefits for Medical Education and Career Progression

Experts believe the policy will significantly improve the career prospects of clinician-lecturers, many of whom previously struggled to pursue PhD programmes due to the demanding nature of residency and fellowship training. Recognising fellowships as equivalent to a PhD will encourage more specialists to engage in academic research, enhance medical education quality, and ensure experienced clinicians can occupy senior academic positions while contributing to healthcare delivery.

The policy also forms part of broader federal education reforms, including a six-year moratorium on new tertiary institutions and revitalisation of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC). These measures aim to improve academic standards, address workforce gaps in universities, and ensure professional training systems in Nigeria meet international best practices.

Education stakeholders have welcomed the development, describing it as a major step toward resolving structural challenges in medical education and supporting the growth of a performance-driven, quality-focused university system.

FG Approves Medical Fellowships as PhD Equivalent in Nigerian Universities