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Former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has looked back on his life and marriage, calling his late wife, Maryam Babangida, the cornerstone of both his personal and professional life.
He credited her unwavering support, intelligence, and vision for shaping both his career and her own transformative role as Nigeria’s First Lady.
IBB shared these reflections in his memoir, A Journey in Service, which was released to the public in Abuja. In the book, he detailed how his relationship with Maryam began before the Nigerian Civil War and evolved into a lifelong partnership that played a crucial role in his leadership and governance.
IBB’s journey with Maryam began long before his rise to power, tracing back to their early days in Bida, where they first met. However, it was after surviving a near-death experience during the Nigerian Civil War that he realized the need for stability and companionship.
“THE ARMY DID not issue me a wife, but it made clear that having one would assist in career advancement. A stable family is a criterion for judging officers. After my first close encounter with death in the Civil War, I prioritized establishing a stable family life.
“My relationship with Maryam, born Maria in Asaba on November 1, 1948, was connected to my youth in Bida. Garba Duba, my friend from secondary school, and I entered Course Six at the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) in Kaduna on December 10, 1962.
“The initiation at NMTC was harsh. Duba left after a few days, telling his father he wasn’t suited for army life. His father gathered us for a pep talk, which prepared us for our future as officers.
“I first met Maria at Duba’s house. Duba’s aunt, Asabe, was Maria’s mother. We shared digs in Kaduna, and I saw more of her. Duba was like a brother to her, which allowed me to spend time with Maria.
“Young military officers often had short-lived liaisons, myself included. Despite this, I was fond of Maria, and she grew fond of me. Our relationship felt predestined. At NMTC, I became more aware of her. We remained friends through my early army years, including training abroad.
“In April 1967, I left for a four-month course in the UK, but I was recalled in July due to political turmoil. By the time I returned, the nation was at war,” he wrote.
His near-fatal injury in 1969, during combat near Umuahia, forced him into deep reflection. Lying in a hospital bed, he resolved to build a stable family, and Maryam became the natural choice. He admired her reserved nature and upbringing, and despite his reputation as a ladies’ man, he was determined to convince her.
IBB stated, “Upon my return, I was posted to the war front and saw action. In April 1969, during our advance towards Umuahia, I was shot, and shrapnel lodged in my chest. I was evacuated to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). While convalescing, I reflected on my fortune in surviving and the future ahead. As the only male child, I was troubled that my death would end my family name.
“This was the first time I seriously considered finding a wife. At 28, it felt like time to settle down. The marriage of General Gowon to Victoria further focused my thoughts on marriage. Lying in bed, I recalled past relationships, often thinking of Maria Okogwu and her beauty.
“Maria’s father, Leonard Okogwu, worked in the Survey department and traveled widely. He married Hajiya Asabe Halima Mohammed from Kontagora. After his retirement, Maria and her siblings lived with their mother in Kaduna.
“Maria attended Queen Amina College and the Federal Training Centre in Kaduna. During the crisis before the Civil War, her uncle adopted her and her siblings, leading to the surname King on our marriage certificate.
“I had chosen Maria before leaving the hospital. After my discharge, I went to Kaduna to share my intentions. I admired her reserved nature and upbringing, and I was determined not to accept No. Fortune favored me, and I felt lucky.”
Maryam was initially skeptical of IBB’s sincerity, wary of his reputation. Despite this, he enlisted the support of her family, particularly her uncle, to win her over. He also assured her that he would remain faithful and avoid polygamy, a promise he upheld throughout their marriage.
IBB reminisced, “Initially, Maria was sceptical of me as marriage material due to my past. She doubted my seriousness, and others echoed her concerns. However, her family had no objections, and I enlisted help from Garba Duba’s father to strengthen my proposal.
“Once I showed my seriousness, Maria considered becoming Mrs. Babangida. I explained my faith and asked her to convert to Islam, which was not difficult for her given her background. She adapted easily to married life as a Muslim.
“In my proposal, I assured her I would not take multiple wives, understanding that avoiding polygamy would lead to a stable family life. I wanted a true partner, and she exceeded my expectations.
“After securing her promise, I returned to the war front, then we married on September 6, 1969, in Kaduna, following Islamic rites after her conversion.
“Many, including friends, doubted my ability to stay faithful, but I promised to uphold my marriage vows, which I did.
“After marriage, I was deployed to the Nigerian Defence Academy for two years, allowing us to settle as newlyweds. Maryam proved to be an excellent housewife, actively involved in my meals and our relationship. We handled disagreements independently and rarely quarreled.
“Maryam wanted to be more than a housewife; she recognized the importance of the home front in our mutual success. Throughout my career, she stood beside me.
“Observers may find it surprising that a focused woman could also be a devoted wife and mother. For me, her commitment to our family and country was the foundation of her success.”
As IBB’s career progressed, Maryam became more than just a supportive wife—she actively reshaped the role of First Lady. She led initiatives to improve the lives of military families and, later, Nigerian women at large, pioneering projects that elevated her to an iconic status in governance.
“After I became Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in 1983, Maryam began to show the country her remarkable qualities and clear vision. As President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), she was proactive, launching schools, clinics, women’s training centers, and child day-care centers to improve the lives of army officers’ families. Her activism as President of NAOWA inadvertently brought us into the limelight as a power couple,” the former military leader recalled.
Through the Better Life for Rural Women Programme, Maryam championed women’s empowerment, education, and economic development, leaving a legacy that outlived her. Her influence extended beyond Nigeria, inspiring other African First Ladies to take active roles in societal development.
IBB stated, “As I look back on those activities during my time as COAS, I see the seeds of Maryam’s activist interpretation of the first lady’s role. Evidence of Maryam as a go-getter came when I attended a military course in the United States. Maryam accompanied me and took a course at La Salle University in Chicago.
“During that time in the U.S., she showed particular interest in Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She read and inquired about her, clearly admiring her supportive role. I suspect she wanted to model herself on FDR’s wife, learning about the role of a supportive wife and wanting to work alongside me to help achieve my goals. Like Eleanor Roosevelt, the ‘pet project’ became a means of doing good. I appreciated her immeasurably for this.
“I admired her clarity of mind in knowing the extraordinary demands on senior military officers at that time. The Home Front was a concept she embraced. Maryam knew from the outset that I made and kept numerous friends. Since I became Chief of Army Staff, the traffic through our home increased, and she was charming and gracious to our guests.
“After my teaching assignment at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), I rose through the military hierarchy, primarily due to the excellently marshalled home front. Many of my assignments straddled military and government functions because the military was in power for an extended period.
“In 1985, after the coup that removed General Buhari, I served as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief. Maryam and I were a team. Leading the government meant I had even less time for domestic duties. I was grateful to her for ensuring our children did not feel my absence too much.
“Maryam always left a place positively impacting it and those around her. Nowhere was this better demonstrated than during my time as head of state. It would not be hyperbole to describe her as Nigeria’s most effective First Lady. She reshaped the position as she conceived it.
“Let me clarify. There have been other worthy wives of Nigerian heads of state, each performing their role to the best of their ability. Our constitution does not recognize the role of a First Lady, so each occupant must define the role. Maryam took things to another level.
“She knew I intended to alter our nation’s evolution across various social and economic indices and saw an opportunity to positively affect the lives of women, specifically rural women. Her thinking aligned with our desire to transform the social ecosphere, so I had no difficulty allowing her the leeway she required.
“I would not have contemplated this were it not for my confidence in her. We shared our thoughts, and I was satisfied with her plans as they evolved. Her years as President of NAOWA presaged what lay ahead. Her clarity of thinking enabled her to reshape the role of First Lady in Nigeria and beyond, synchronizing the women’s agenda with our development agenda. She contributed to greater participation of women in society and government.
“I recognized that women were significantly underrepresented in national development, although rural women were a mainstay in agriculture. My contributions included appointing female state commissioners and Deputy Governors. This backdrop enabled Maryam to create her outstanding work for alleviating women’s poverty—the Better Life for Rural Women programme.
“Her approach was systematic. She gathered a team of like-minded women, many academics, and assessed the plight of rural women by traveling around the country. This culminated in a Women in Rural Development workshop in Abuja in 1987.
“Maryam and her team devised a clear plan. Key touch points included adult education, co-operatives, improved agricultural practices, food processing, preservation, marketing, and healthcare. As Chairperson of the Programme, she was supported by a National Organisation Committee, replicated at state and local levels.
“The extensive survey ensured a connection between the programme’s goals and what was required to achieve them. Mass participation was its mantra, which proved vital to its success.
“Many erroneously believed I made special funding provisions; I did no such thing. The programme’s worthiness ensured funding through self-help and voluntary donations. I gave Maryam a relatively free hand because I believed in her and the good she aimed to achieve.
“By 1991, four years after its commencement, rural women’s income-generating capacity improved as they embraced self-help. The emphasis on agricultural produce and rural arts and crafts brought appreciable benefits. Rural women were generating more income and contributing to better lives for their families.
“Maryam’s efforts dovetailed with ongoing government programmes in primary healthcare and family planning. Adult literacy campaigns ramped up, and a National Centre for Women’s Development was established in Abuja.
“The overall impact of the Better Life for Rural Women Programme was incredible. By its fourth anniversary, the Programme had registered 7,635 corporations, 997 cottage industries, 1,751 new farms, 487 Better Life shops, 419 women’s centres, and 163 social welfare programmes.
“Rather than merely being a First Lady’s pet project, the Programme mobilized rural women for self-development and political participation.
“Maryam championed the plight and welfare of children everywhere, and her efforts did not go unnoticed. In 1991, the US-based Hunger Project recognized her contributions.”
IBB credits Maryam’s strength, devotion, and intelligence for making him a better leader and a better man. Even after her passing in 2009, he admits that his life remains divided into two—before and after Maryam.
“I never imagined Maryam would pass before me, but life is in Allah’s hands. My life is divided into before and after December 2009 (when she was here & since she’s been gone).
“I’m often asked why I fully supported the Better Life for Rural Women Programme. The answer is simple: Maryam and her team researched thoroughly and followed the evidence. It aligned with our socio-economic goals. She ran a tight ship at home—strict and disciplined—so I knew she’d approach this with the same dedication.
“She was resourceful and worked hard to establish an office for the First Lady, converting the old squash court at Dodan Barracks. My Political Adviser, Dr. Tunji Olagunju, assisted with logistics.
“Maryam was confident, intentional, and comfortable with people. She had native intelligence and made the most of every day as a wife, mother, advocate, and partner. We shielded our children from public scrutiny and decided together what was best for them.
“I’m grateful for our life together and our children. Coping without her is hard, but her memories and lasting impact make it easier,” IBB concluded
Your Confession On June 12 Election Does Not Erase Injustice Suffered By My Family, Nigerians – Hafsat Abiola Replies IBB
AFOLABI
Hafsat Abiola-Costello, daughter of the late Chief MKO Abiola, has asserted that former military ruler Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s acknowledgment of her father’s victory in the June 12, 1993, presidential election does not undo the pain and injustice endured by her family and the Nigerian people.
Former Nigerian military ruler Gen. Ibrahim Babangida had, for the first time, expressed deep regret over the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll.
Speaking at the launch of his autobiography, "A Journey in Service" in Abuja on Thursday, the 83-year-old former leader acknowledged the turmoil caused by the decision, which derailed Nigeria’s transition to democracy.
The election, held on June 12, 1993, was meant to end a decade of military rule.
However, the Babangida government annulled the results, triggering nationwide protests and political instability.
The widely acclaimed winner, Chief MKO Abiola, was later imprisoned, and his wife, Kudirat Abiola, was assassinated during the struggle for democracy.
However, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, in a statement on Friday, noted that whenever June 12 is mentioned, she thinks of her parents, MKO and Kudirat Abiola, who both played key roles in the struggle for democracy.
She emphasized that the significance of the date goes beyond her family, as it represents the collective hope of Nigerians for a better and more united country.
The statement reads, “When anyone mentions June 12, my mind always goes to MKO and Kudi. But June 12’s staying power was because the vote that Nigerians expressed that day was a vote for a better future and for unity.
“MKO may have been the symbol of the Hope ‘93 campaign but June 12 was about more than one man, it was about the promise of Nigeria that would deliver for Nigerians.
“For those that kept expressing doubt that Nigerians had spoken so decisively on that day, I’m glad that General IBB’s admission that MKO won the election can now lay the matter to rest.
“It’s sad that such a galvanising statement as the breakthrough vote for MKO should have been truncated by an unjust annulment. But I will be forever grateful to both MKO and Kudi for not allowing their fears for their personal safety to stand in the way of the people’s desire for a better Nigeria. May such commitment endure.”
Operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit of the Ogun State Police Command, on Thursday, foiled a kidnapped attempt along the Warewa axis of the long bridge on the Lagos -Ibadan highway.
The incident, according to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Omolola Odutola, happened at about 20:30 hours, as the operatives responded swiftly to a distress call by members of the public.
The statement revealed that a white paragon commercial vehicle marked BDG 735 YH, driven by one Morufu Adedeji inwards Lagos, was ambushed by armed men on a section of the road.
The suspected kidnappers were reported to have wielded dangerous weapons at the passengers of the vehicle and halted its movement further.
The driver of the vehicle was said to have made a way for some passengers to escape by opening a rear door, a development that enraged the kidnappers.
They were reported to have pounced on the driver aggressively and dispossessed their victims of their belongings.
The alarm raised by some motorists made the anti-kidnapping patrol team to engage the hoodlums, leaving four dead, while others escaped with bullet injuries.
Items recovered from the scene were one locally made pistol with two cartridges; two daggers; ca ash sum of N20,000; one techno android phone; one solar power Bank and three USB lights(suspected to be stolen property).
The bodies of the neutralized kidnappers have been deposited at the State Hospital Morgue, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, for autopsy and further investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ridding the area of criminal activities, and further strengthening security in that area he has reinforced tactical operatives to remain stationed at strategic flashpoints, in Arepo and heightened routine patrols to ensure the security of residents and commuters.
The Command urged members of the public, especially medical practitioners, to report any individuals seeking treatment for gunshot wounds. Citizens are also advised to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station
Ether
price has slipped by over 5% within the last 24 hours toward $2,700 on Feb. 22.
ETH/USD hourly price chart. Source: TradingView
Key catalysts driving ETH price lower today include:
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A Bybit hack involving over $1 billion in ETH.
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Growing rumors that the Ethereum Foundation may roll back the chain.
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A prevailing bearish continuation setup.
Bybit hack pushes Ether’s price down
A major contributing factor behind Ether’s declines today is the $1.5 billion exploit of cryptocurrency exchange Bybit.
As it happened:
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On Feb. 21, Hackers compromised one of Bybit’s Ethereum cold wallets, which are typically secure due to offline storage.
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Stolen assets included over 401,000 ETH and large amounts of staked ETH tokens (stETH, mETH, cmETH).
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Investigators, including ZachXBT, linked the attack to Lazarus Group through onchain transaction tracing and test transactions conducted before the exploit.
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Analyst “andxt” suggests that the North Korean group will eventually sell the stolen ETH.
Source: X
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Bybit CEO Ben Zhou assured customers that the exchange remains solvent, with all client assets backed 1:1.
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Bybit secured a bridge loan covering 80% of the stolen funds to ensure withdrawals continue.
Ethereum Foundation in a pickle after Bybit hack
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Voices are growing inside the crypto industry discussing Ethereum Foundation’s potential to “roll back” their blockchain to undo the effects of the Bybit hack.
Some of the leading crypto influencers teasing a “hard fork” include:
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Analyst Matthew R. Kratter claims the Ethereum Foundation should be “held responsible for aiding and abetting global terrorism” if they don’t hard fork to defund Lazarus Group.
Source: Matthew R. Kratter
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Arthur Hayes (BitMEX co-founder) publicly asked Vitalik Buterin if he would roll back the blockchain to help Bybit recover stolen funds.
Source: Arthur Hayes
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Will Reeves (Fold App CEO) argues Ethereum’s ability to reverse transactions is a “critical feature” to maintain faith in the ecosystem.
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This echoes the 2016 DAO hack, where Ethereum split into ETH and ETC after a rollback decision.
The Ethereum Foundation and Vitalik Buterin have not addressed these requests, even though some rumors suggest a potential community vote on a hard fork decision.
Related: Ethereum Foundation wants a social media guru to help it ‘yap better’
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A 2016-like rollback would undermine Ethereum’s credibility and may set a concerning precedent for future hacks.
Source: Sina
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Uncertainties like these can cause market panic, leading to price declines such as the one witnessed in the last 24 hours.
Ethereum could drop another 28%
Ether’s price drop today appears after failing to break decisively above what appears to be a bear pennant pattern.
Key points:
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A bear pennant consists of a sharp decline (flagpole) followed by sideways consolidation within converging trendlines.
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If the pattern plays out, the expected target is derived by measuring the height of the flagpole and projecting it downward.
ETH/USD four-hour price chart. Source: TradingView
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This calculation places a potential ETH price target near $1,953, suggesting a 28% drop by March if the breakdown is confirmed.
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The price rejection at the upper boundary suggests ETH sellers remain in control, increasing downside risk.
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The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 48.06 suggests neutral-to-bearish momentum, with room for further downside if it drops below 40.
[cointelegraph]
XRP may have a new catalyst that could push its price higher following the ongoing consolidation phase.
Ripple 
XRP-3.08%XRP was trading at $2.67 on Friday, where it has remained for the past few days. This price is approximately 50% above its lowest level this month.
XRP could stage a strong bullish breakout after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong made a major announcement regarding the SEC lawsuit.
Coinbase has reached an agreement with SEC staff to dismiss the litigation against the company. If approved by the commission next week, the decision will lead to the dismissal of charges against the exchange.
The SEC had accused Coinbase of offering unregistered securities, operating as an unregistered broker-dealer, and providing staking solutions. The agency considers staking an unregistered security, subject to its regulation.
Ending the Coinbase lawsuit is a positive development for Ripple Labs and XRP’s price. This outcome increases the likelihood that the SEC may drop its appeal against Ripple, especially as the agency is expected to adopt a more crypto-friendly stance under the Trump administration.
Ripple and the SEC have been embroiled in a legal battle since 2020 when the regulator accused Ripple Labs of selling unregistered securities. Judge Analisa Torres ruled that XRP was not a security when sold to exchanges but determined that its institutional sales violated securities laws. She ordered Ripple to pay $125 million, significantly lower than the SEC’s initial $2 billion demand.
Both parties filed appeals, but the SEC may withdraw its case. Trump has nominated Paul Atkins, a crypto-friendly official, as the next SEC chair. Most analysts expect him to drop the appeal against Ripple.
XRP price analysis
The weekly chart shows that XRP has lacked clear direction over the past two months. This price movement aligns with most altcoins, which have also experienced pullbacks during this period.
On the positive side, XRP has remained above the crucial support level at $1.9855, the highest swing in April 2021. This price also marked the upper boundary of the cup-and-handle pattern, a well-known bullish indicator.
Additionally, XRP continues to trade above the 50-week moving average and the overshoot point of the Murrey Math Lines tool.
As a result, Ripple may stage a strong comeback, with an initial target of $3.40, the highest swing from November. This target represents a 27% increase from the current level. A breakout above this level could signal further upside, potentially pushing the price toward $5.
[https://crypto.news/]
The crypto industry started its Friday in a jubilant mood, with Coinbase Global Inc.’s announcement that US securities regulators were poised to dismiss a legal case against the nation’s largest digital-asset exchange.
The happy vibe didn’t last long, however: Less than three hours later and halfway around the world, the exchange Bybit disclosed that it had been hacked in what analysts say was the biggest-ever theft in the industry with almost $1.5 billion worth of tokens looted.
The ensuing whiplash in market prices — not to mention the moods in the crypto trading trenches – served as yet another stark reminder of the unique and ever-present risks lurking in this market. And it also emboldened critics of President Donald Trump’s fervent efforts to reverse his predecessor’s regulatory scrutiny of an industry that’s become more and more entwined with the traditional financial system.
“Deregulated markets sound good until you have this type of attack,” said Hilary Allen, a professor at American University’s Washington College of Law who studies crypto markets. “In the short term, we are seeing a lot of cheering for the peeling away of a lot of regulations. But be careful what you wish for.”
Traders booting up their computers on Friday morning were greeted by news that the Trump-era Securities and Exchange Commission, pending commissioner approval, was poised to permanently dismiss its lawsuit against Coinbase for running an unregistered exchange, brokerage and clearing agency.
Shares of the largest US crypto exchange shot up on the news, surging almost 6% in premarket trading. The crypto market went along for the ride, pushing Bitcoin toward the $100,000 level for the first time in more than two weeks. Ether, the second largest token, jumped more than 4%.
The gains proved to be fleeting.
Vigilant crypto market observers soon began noticing huge, suspicious withdrawals of Ether from another, Dubai-based exchange called Bybit, one of the largest in the world with more than $36 billion in daily average trading volume.
Bybit quickly confirmed that it had been robbed. CEO Ben Zhou explained the caper in crypto jargon undecipherable to most of the world, but all too clear to digital-asset enthusiasts: “Hacker took control of the specific ETH cold wallet we signed and transfered all ETH in the cold wallet to this unidentified address.”
Zhou then went on a livestream on X in an effort to alleviate concerns. Clad in a black T-shirt with the exchange’s logo, and taking gulps from a can of sugar-free Red Bull energy drink, he told more than 200,000 viewers that “your money is safe and our withdrawals are still open.” Bybit was lining up bridge lending to cover what he described as a “massive bank run” on the exchange, using Bybit’s own tokens as collateral.
Such deluges of withdrawal requests have proven disastrous to crypto companies in the past, most famously with the implosion of Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX exchange in 2022.
These days, they are somewhat less concerning due to proof-of-reserves data available online. Bybit, which is not available in the US, had roughly $16.2 billion in assets on its exchange prior to being hacked, according to reserves data from CoinMarketCap, making the stolen Ether and Ether derivatives equivalent to roughly 9% of its total assets.
Still, the incident pulled the rug out from under an early rally in the sector amid what Alexis Sirkia, chairman of Yellow Network, described as “panic selling and liquidity disruptions.”
Bitcoin slid almost 5% from its highs of the day, trading below $95,000 as stock markets closed in New York. Ether, the token targeted in the Bybit hack, lost more than 8% from its high of the day. Smaller altcoins and so-called memecoins fared even worse, with Dogecoin tumbling 10% from its day’s high.
“Today’s events just demonstrate crypto and memes are not just highly volatile, and not just susceptible to scams and frauds, but susceptible to these types of hacking incidents where investors’ money can just simply be stolen,” said Benjamin Schiffrin, director of securities policy at the advocacy group Better Markets. “We hear now Congress talking explicitly about providing a light-touch regulation for the crypto industry. And I think light-touch regulation is not going to prevent people from losing money in incidents like today’s.”
As the tokens traded on its exchange gave up their gains, so did the stock of Coinbase. The shares wiped out all of the early rally to close down more than 8%, the worst drop of the year that took the stock to its lowest price since November.
The market had moved on from the victory lap the company had taken following its SEC announcement, highlighted by an almost 1,000-word post on X by Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong. That tweet included a watercolor-like image of a Wild West gunslinger with the Coinbase logo on the back of his black vest; he’s squaring off against a white-hatted opponent with the SEC’s logo on his chest.
“I think the scale of both together on the same day is a big hit, and reminder that crypto has major systematic risks,” Shuyao Kong, cofounder of blockchain startup MegaETH, said of the Coinbase and Bybit news.
Reflecting on the day’s events, Coinbase’s chief legal officer Paul Grewal said: Former SEC Chair “Gary Gensler spent four years attacking a lawful industry instead of creating regulation that protects consumers. Thankfully the new SEC administration understands why rulemaking — led by comprehensive digital assets legislation from Congress — is the only way forward.”
Meanwhile, one line from Armstrong’s tweet still resonated loud and clear, even after the events that followed it: “As Bain in The Dark Knight says,” he wrote, “you merely adopted the dark; I was born in it.”
[Bloomberg]
Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban shrugged off concerns over the $1.4 billion Bybit hack, saying it has "no implications" for the broader crypto market.
However, Cuban raised one key question: "Only question is whether they have insurance,” he tells TheStreet Crypto.
Crypto insurance protects exchanges, businesses, and investors from financial losses due to hacks, fraud, or operational failures. Unlike traditional finance, coverage options remain limited, and many exchanges self-insure or rely on emergency funds. Major policies often cover theft, custodial losses, and cyberattacks, but not all platforms are insured.
The massive exploit on Feb. 21, confirmed by Bybit CEO Ben Zhou, marks the largest crypto hack in history, surpassing the $625 million Ronin Network attack in 2022. Researchers suspect North Korean hackers may have been involved.
A hacker gained control of Bybit’s Ethereum cold wallet, manipulating a transaction that led to the loss of nearly $1.4 billion in ETH and stETH.
"The hacker took control of the specific ETH cold wallet we signed and transferred all ETH in the cold wallet to this unidentified address," Zhou said in a post on X.
Blockchain analytics firms ZachXBT and Arkham Intelligence confirmed the massive outflows, with Arkham reporting that the stolen funds are now being moved and sold across different addresses.
Bybit’s other wallets remain secure, and the exchange has not halted withdrawals, Zhou reassured users.
Handling the aftermath
Zhou took to a live stream on X to calm customer concerns. He revealed that Bybit had secured a "bridge loan" covering 80% of the stolen funds and insisted that all withdrawals would be honored.
"Your money is safe, and our withdrawals are still open," he said. Bybit has already processed 99% of withdrawal requests following the breach.
Despite the scale of the attack, Bybit executives maintain that the exchange remains solvent. "Even today, if all the Bybit clients withdraw, we can give you withdrawals," Zhou said.
However, the exchange does not have enough Ethereum to cover the stolen funds immediately and will not buy ETH to replenish reserves.
"Even if we want to buy, it is too big of an amount to be moving around," he added.
Crypto industry responds
Bitget CEO Gracy Chen announced that her exchange has blacklisted the hacker’s wallets and is blocking transactions from illicit addresses.
"At Bitget, we strongly believe in supporting the community," Chen said, adding that Bitget transferred 40,000 ETH (worth $105 million) to Bybit to help cover losses. "These are Bitget’s own funds, sent for the goodwill of the crypto space.”
Bybit’s $1.4 billion exploit now ranks as the biggest hack in crypto history, surpassing the $625 million Ronin Network breach in 2022 and the $611 million Poly Network hack later that year.
Zhou confirmed that Bybit has filed a police report, but the hacker’s identity remains unknown.
[TheStreet]
The total value of all cryptocurrencies in circulation hit a new record high of $3.9 trillion in December, led by surging gains in some of the industry's most popular coins and tokens, like XRP (CRYPTO: XRP), Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE), and Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC).
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As you can see in the above chart, most of the recent gains were realized following President Trump's U.S. election win on Nov. 5. He promised to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the world on the campaign trail, and his administration is already making moves that could drive value across the industry.
XRP, Dogecoin, and Bitcoin could each benefit from Trump's crypto-friendly policies for different reasons, but which one is the best buy in 2025?
The case for XRP: A new regulatory regime
Ripple is the creator of the Ripple Payments network, which allows banks to settle transactions with each other directly even if they use different infrastructure. It eliminates the need for intermediaries, which means global payments can be processed within seconds instead of days.
Ripple created the XRP token to standardize transactions within Ripple Payments. For example, two banks located in different countries can transact in XRP instead of using fiat money, because it allows them to bypass currency exchange fees and other transaction costs. This sets XRP apart from other cryptocurrencies, because it has a legitimate use case which could drive sustainable long-term value.
However, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Ripple in 2020, alleging it violated the law because of the way it distributes XRP. Since Ripple controls 42.2 billion tokens and releases them gradually each month to meet demand, the SEC argued that XRP should be a registered financial security (like a stock or a bond). If the SEC were to win the case, Ripple (as the issuer) would have to operate under a strict regulatory framework.
A judge partially resolved the matter last year, ruling that XRP is only a financial security in specific circumstances. Ripple was hit with a $125 million fine, and investors mostly viewed the outcome as a win. However, the SEC has appealed the verdict, which could drag the case out for several more years.
That's why Trump's election win sent XRP soaring. The acting SEC chairman he appointed (Mark Uyeda) has already started pausing active lawsuits against crypto companies like Binance, and there is speculation Ripple's case could be next. Resolving these legal proceedings could pave the way for more upside in XRP, because it would give Ripple more freedom to drive adoption.
The case for Dogecoin: Elon Musk -- but there's a catch
Dogecoin is a meme token, so it doesn't really have a use case underpinning its value. Instead, its price moves at the whims of speculative investors. That shouldn't come as a surprise, since its two founders created it in 2013 as a joke (their words, not mine).
Elon Musk has frequently promoted Dogecoin on social media since 2021, sharing memes and engaging in friendly banter with other enthusiasts. He even participated in a Dogecoin-themed skit on Saturday Night Live (SNL) in May of that year. Ironically, the token peaked at a price of $0.73 during his appearance, and it was down by more than 90% less than a year later.
Many investors pinned their hopes on the idea that Musk would create tangible value for Dogecoin. His electric vehicle company, Tesla, did start accepting it as payment for some items of merchandise, but that didn't really move the needle. Ultimately, Musk didn't have a concrete long-term plan to back up his social media banter.
But investors' hopes were reignited last year. Musk was a big financial backer of Trump's campaign, and following the election, the President appointed him to run a group to help the U.S. government reduce costs. It's called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE for short, which is a reference to Dogecoin.
Here's the catch: There is no indication Dogecoin will have any involvement with the DOGE group, so its powerful rally since Nov. 5 is based entirely on speculation. It's possible that some of Trump's crypto-friendly policies could help Dogecoin enthusiasts create new use cases to drive value, but it's unclear how that will shake out.
The case for Bitcoin: Multiple sources of demand
Bitcoin is the world's largest cryptocurrency, with a market capitalization of $1.9 trillion. While XRP and Dogecoin are still trading below their all-time highs from a few years ago, Bitcoin continues to set new records on the back of growing demand from individuals and institutions.
Bitcoin is a truly decentralized asset, meaning there is no individual or company capable of altering its supply or its mechanics. As a result, it doesn't fit the SEC's definition of a financial security, so it hasn't faced the same regulatory scrutiny as Ripple and XRP. In fact, the SEC approved dozens of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) last year, which allow financial advisors and institutional investors to buy the cryptocurrency in a regulated manner.
Many investors consider Bitcoin to be a legitimate store of value, kind of like a digital version of gold. That's one of eight reasons that Cathie Wood's Ark Investment Management says the cryptocurrency could soar to $1.48 million per coin by 2030, representing a potential upside of 1,438%. The company also believes many businesses and governments will eventually hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets to hedge against economic headwinds like inflation, but also because, like gold, it consistently appreciates in value.
President Trump has already thrown his support behind creating a strategic Bitcoin reserve within the U.S. government, so it's possible many other governments will follow.
Michael Saylor, the co-founder of MicroStrategy, is even more bullish. He thinks over $500 trillion worth of physical assets will be "tokenized" on the blockchain by the year 2045, and Bitcoin will be the official reserve currency. If that scenario plays out, he believes Bitcoin could trade at a whopping $13 million per coin, implying an upside of 13,413% from its current price as of this writing.
Image source: Getty Images.
The verdict
Which of these three cryptocurrencies is the best buy in 2025? I'm going to rule out Dogecoin immediately because there are no fundamentals supporting its value, so further upside is unlikely without another speculative frenzy.
This might come as a surprise, but I think XRP will also struggle to deliver further gains, even if Ripple's regulatory woes are resolved. Simply put, banks don't necessarily have to use XRP in order to use Ripple Payments. They can transact using fiat currencies instead, while still benefiting from rapid transfers. As a result, further upside in XRP might depend more on speculation than organic demand.
That leaves Bitcoin. With ETFs consistently attracting inflows, and the possibility of a U.S. government reserve on the horizon, I think it will comfortably outperform XRP and Dogecoin this year (and beyond).
[aol]
Former military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has addressed the long-standing controversy surrounding the assassination of a journalist, Dele Giwa, describing it as part of “booby traps and acts of destabilisation” targeted at his administration.
Dele Giwa, the Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of Newswatch magazine, was killed by a parcel bomb delivered to his Ikeja residence by still-unidentified couriers on October 19, 1986, during Babangida’s military regime.
The murder remains unsolved to this day and is considered one of the darkest moments in Nigeria’s media history. Many pointed accusing fingers at Babangida and his government.
However, in his newly launched autobiography, A Journey in Service, Babangida denied any involvement in the assassination. He questioned the logic behind claims that the parcel bomb bore the presidency’s logo, arguing that a supposed killer would not identify themselves so blatantly.
In Chapter 10 of the 420-page book, Babangida recounted the challenges of his administration, listing Giwa’s assassination alongside other major crises, including the Vatsa coup, the Gideon Orkar coup, the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) controversy, the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) riots, and the C-140 air crash.
‘I felt a personal loss’
Babangida said Giwa’s death left him with a deep sense of personal loss and shock.
“Mr Giwa was a good friend, like a few other senior journalists in the country. We spoke often on the phone and met a few times. I valued his deep insight on national issues and respected his views and reach as a media leader,” he wrote.
However, he said his grief was overshadowed by the public outcry and the introduction of a new and gruesome method of assassination in Nigeria.
Recounting the incident, Babangida noted that Giwa was at his breakfast table with Newswatch’s London Bureau Chief, Kayode Soyinka, when the parcel bomb exploded, fatally wounding him.
He observed that the killing came less than a year after he overthrew General Muhammadu Buhari and just weeks after the OIC controversy, which led to the retirement of his deputy, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe.
“I saw Giwa’s wicked and cruel murder as part of a series of booby traps and acts of destabilisation being hatched against the administration. Undoubtedly, our choice of the path of rigorous reform had earned us unintended adversaries,” he wrote.
Babangida argued that whoever masterminded the attack knew of his relationship with Giwa and targeted the journalist to hurt him emotionally.
“Secondly, Giwa was a very popular and colourful journalist, a person of great public interest for anyone wanting to inflict a mischievous political blow on the young military administration.
“Giwa was loved by his audience and the rest of the public. Targeting him would shock the public and paint the administration in a feeble light,” he added.
Denial of involvement
Babangida dismissed allegations that his government was behind the murder, calling such claims “cheap and foolish.”
“The insinuation that the parcel may have come from the headquarters of the administration was cheap and foolish. Why would an officially planned high-level assassination carry an apparent forwarding address of the killer? Why would a government-planned and executed crime point directly at the suspect?
“All this did not make sense to me,” he wrote, adding that he viewed the accusations as part of the challenges of leading a military regime.
He said he relied on the police and intelligence services to investigate the murder, directing the Inspector-General of Police to assign a top investigative team to the case with daily reports.
Why the murder was never solved
Reflecting on why the case remained unsolved nearly four decades later, Babangida blamed the media and certain political figures for distorting the investigation.
He argued that the Newswatch management’s legal approach, led by their lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, turned the case into a media spectacle rather than a thorough criminal investigation.
“The involvement of high-profile lawyer Gani Fawehinmi and the populist slant given to the case by the media poisoned the investigation with political overtones,” he wrote.
Babangida suggested that by focusing solely on his administration as the prime suspect, the investigation failed to explore other possible leads.
“The legal drama and political grandstanding combined to muddle the work of the police and intelligence investigators towards getting a factual report on this cruel and criminal act.
“What the campaigners failed to realise was that even under a military regime, crimes will be committed by persons and agencies that may not be directly related to either the military establishment or the government. The best way to cover up for heinous crimes would be to craft them in a manner that includes the government among the suspects so that what should ordinarily be a criminal investigation is drowned by political actions and populist sentiments,” he added.
He criticised the adversarial stance of the Nigerian media, claiming it had a history of positioning itself against the government, making unbiased investigations difficult.
“It was an attitude of ‘we versus the government’ that has remained today. It is a situation in which the government is adjudged guilty even before the evidence in a case is adduced,” he wrote.
Babangida noted that even when President Olusegun Obasanjo reopened the case through the Oputa Panel on Human Rights, no new evidence emerged.
“The Giwa, like all mysterious murders, has remained unsolved after so many years. I keep hoping the truth will be uncovered in our lifetime or after us,” he wrote.
‘Vatsa was always envious of me’
Babangida also revisited the 1985 coup attempt led by his childhood friend and colleague, General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, describing it as one of the most destabilising events of his administration.
He said he initially dismissed reports of a plot against him as rumours. However, when concerns grew, he confronted Vatsa, then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who denied the allegations.
“Once substantial incontrovertible evidence was established, the arrests began,” he wrote, revealing that Vatsa had paid several officers, including Lt-Col. Musa Bitiyong, ₦50,000 for their roles in the planned coup.
Babangida said he found it difficult to believe the extent of Vatsa’s involvement until intelligence reports detailed plans to bomb Eko Bridge and hijack the presidential jet.
He recounted a briefing session where he expressed disbelief, only for investigators to reveal that Vatsa had even attempted to escape through an air conditioner vent in his detention cell.
“As the details kept coming in, it became harder not to believe the integrity of the disclosures. I felt a deep personal sense of betrayal. There were details of conversations, funding, travel itinerary and recruitment of troops to support the operation.
“Each time I had to be briefed on aspects of the coup plot, I insisted on having a senior officer with integrity present as a witness. I invited Garba Duba to listen in on one occasion as the investigating team briefed me. When I shrugged in disbelief, the briefing officer then revealed that Vatsa had even tried to escape through the wall air conditioner hole in his detention room but was stopped by vigilant guards,” he wrote.
Despite their close friendship from childhood, Babangida said Vatsa had always been envious of him.
“With the benefit of hindsight now, I recall that a constant part of our relationship as teenagers and young men was a continuous and recurrent peer jealousy on his part towards me. He was always envious of my achievements, especially when he thought I was progressing better than him, either in school or our military career path.
“For instance, when I became Head Boy at Bida Secondary School, Vatsa often made it a duty to put obstacles in my way as a leader. He frequently disregarded my instructions, insisting that there was nothing so special about being the Head Boy.
“That trend continued through our military career but tended to diminish as we both progressed in our respective military careers. Still, he was envious of my career path and postings up to when I was chosen as a member of the Supreme Military Council under General Murtala Muhammed,” he wrote.
‘C-130 air crash conspiracy a wicked rumour’
Babangida also addressed the 1992 C-130 military plane crash, which killed 159 officers, including nine foreigners.
The aircraft crashed into a swamp near Lagos, just three minutes after takeoff.
Given the number of military officers on board, rumours spread that the government had orchestrated the crash to eliminate potential coup plotters.
“Mischief makers and rumour mongers were colouring the public perception of this accident. Some speculated that regime opponents in the armed forces had sabotaged the aircraft to vent their anger at the direction of the administration.
“A more wicked version of the rumour was that the administration had somehow plotted to assemble these officers in one consignment for elimination for fear that they might be planning a coup against the military administration’s leadership based on the failed Gideon Orkar coup that had taken place earlier,” Babangida wrote.
He dismissed such theories, insisting that an independent investigation found the crash was caused by technical faults and lapses in aircraft maintenance.
“It was, however, an indication of the level of decay to which our public perception and discourse had descended,” he added, lamenting how political opponents weaponised tragedies against his administration.
Babangida said his government focused on ensuring the welfare and entitlements of the deceased officers’ families while taking measures to prevent a similar tragedy.
[DailyTrust]
The founder of the Light Nation Global church, Pastor Femi Lazarus, has revealed where he met his wife.
The pastor made the revelation while addressing his congregation about the different settings and scenarios one can meet their God-given partners.
Speaking in a viral video on social media, Lazarus disclosed that they met during a prayer session on Telegram.
Recalling her first visit to his church, the cleric said she was the first woman that would confidently look straight to his eyes.
Admiring her confidence and boldness, he said, “I met my wife on Telegram, I’m telling you. We will be praying and she would just comment ‘Amen’.
“When you are patient about the subject of love and marriage you will see things for what they are. She was the first lady to ever sit down in my front and look into my eyes.”
He further advised the singles that one can find their ideal partner in unexpected places, including online platforms.
[DailyPost]
More...
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, said on Friday that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to providing adequate and qualitative healthcare delivery for all Nigerians.
The minister disclosed that part of the Federal Government’s plan to tackle the challenge of brain drain in the health sector is to recruit more health professionals to aid qualitative healthcare delivery to Nigerians.
Salako also said that the government is engaging with Nigerian health workers abroad to leverage their expertise and rich exposure to improve the health sector development in the country.
The minister disclosed this on Friday during his tour of the FG health facilities in Ogun State.
During the tour, the minister was at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta as well as the Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba, Abeokuta among others.
Addressing a town hall meeting at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Salako disclosed that the FG is “harvesting” the contributions of Nigerian doctors in the UK, US, and Ireland amongst others to support the country’s healthcare system.
He noted that to mitigate the japa syndrome, the government is expanding its capacity to train more health workers and has been given the green light by Tinubu to recruit more health workers to address the shortage of manpower in the health sector.
“We are expanding our capacity to train health workers, we are also harvesting the Nigerian health workers in the diaspora – we are having a robust diasporan engagement with Nigerian health workers in the UK, US, and Ireland, they may not be physically present but we can still harvest their contributions to the health sector in Nigeria.
“Mr President has given us a waiver to recruit more health workers than any other sector. These are the mechanisms we are putting in place to make sure that we address the challenges in the health sector”, Salako stated.
Salako also appealed to the state government to domesticate the Mental Health Act at the state level to expand access to mental health care for the residents of the state.
Speaking with the journalists, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, said that the state will domesticate the Mental Health Act, adding that it is part of the commitment of the state to the people.
Coker stated, “We are going to domesticate the act because it’s one of our commitments to the people. With the pressure of society, more people suffer from mental health challenges. It is our job to ensure that our citizens are kept safe.
“Collaboration with the federal government is continuous daily. We collaborate on the primary health level. We have facilities that the federal government is helping us to upgrade. We will continue to partner with the federal government in every area possible to serve the good people of our dear state”.
Earlier in his address, the Provost and Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Paul Agboola, disclosed that the hospital is ready to partner with the state government to domesticate the Mental Health Act.
“It’s quite a great joy for us that the Minister is visiting the hospital. We are looking for collaboration from the Ministry of Health on the implementation of the Mental Health Act.
“We want to collaborate with the state government to domesticate the Mental Health Act in the state. I have spoken with the Commissioner for Health and she is ready for the domestication”, Agboola stated.
[Punch]
...As Bauchi Speaker insists on collaboration
Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, has commended Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, Non-Government Organisations, NGOs and other stakeholders on their unwavering dedication to the ideals of fairness, justice and social progress in Nigeria.
Speaking during a two-day co-creation workshop on the State Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Bill organised by the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, Meranda, in her address to other State Assembly Speakers and deputy speakers present, insisted that the presence of CSOs at the workshop is a testament to the shared commitment they have towards building a more just and inclusive society.
She said, “Gender inequality remains a pressing issue. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024, Nigeria ranks 125th out of 146 countries in gender parity, particularly in economic participation and political empowerment. These statistics underscore the urgency for legislative intervention and policy transformation.
“The importance of a co-created bill cannot be overstated. We are not here to impose generic solutions but to co-create a context-specific bill tailored to the realities of Nigeria and our respective states. This means listening to the voices of marginalized communities, understanding their challenges, and integrating their perspectives into the legislative process.
“We must ensure that this bill does not remain a mere document but becomes a dynamic tool for change—one that establishes clear implementation mechanisms, enforcement strategies and monitoring frameworks.”
She urged other speakers to recognise the critical role of legislation in shaping an equitable society, saying: “The need for a comprehensive bill addressing inclusivity and diversity in Nigeria cannot be overstated. Such a bill will dismantle systemic inequalities, ensuring equal access to opportunities and resources, promote gender equality, creating a fairer society for women and girls, empower persons with disabilities, ensuring their full participation in social and economic life, bridge the economic divide, supporting low-income individuals through inclusive policies, foster social cohesion, promoting unity amidst Nigeria’s rich diversity, and align Nigeria with global development goals, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Beyond legislation, we must commit to effective implementation, adequate funding, and continuous monitoring to ensure that the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion are fully realised.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly remains committed to supporting this cause and ensuring that our legislative frameworks align with the principles of equity and inclusion. We will continue to provide the necessary backing to ensure that the objectives of the workshop translate into tangible policy actions that impact lives across the nation.”
On his part, the Speaker of Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, posited that collaboration by all stakeholders is key in having it signed into law. He said, “It has to be a shared responsibility. No single entity, especially the government, can solely carry the burden of enacting and enforcing the State Equity Bill. We all have a part to play.
“In particular, my fellow members of the House of Assembly, I ask you to view this bill as not just a legal instrument, but a stepping stone toward a better society. Let us urge for its swift acceptance and execution.
“To civil society organisations, your participation in policy making, advocacy work, research and bottom-up activism is very important. Let us work together to facilitate acceptance from the general public and guarantee its effective utilisation.
“To development partners, your relevance to the topic is your experience and support in the embedding of best practices towards equity and inclusion in Nigeria.
“To the citizens the bill is for you. I encourage you to engage, offer feedback and actively integrate yourself in the creation of a society where everyone is given a fair shot at success.
“The passage of the bill will mark a new era of governance in our various states—one that prioritises justice, fairness and inclusion. Let us seize this moment to rewrite the narrative and build a state where every individual, regardless of background or status, is empowered to contribute to our collective progress.”
[Vanguard]
Bello Turji, the notorious bandit leader, has allegedly imposed a N22 million levy on four villages in Sokoto state following the killing of one of his men during a military operation in the area.
According to Daily Trust, locals said the levy is also meant to compensate for missing firearms during the raid.
The report noted that Aminu Boza, a lawmaker representing Sabon Birni west in the Sokoto house of assembly, identified one of the affected villages as Garin Idi, the hometown of Idris Gobir, the state’s deputy governor.
Boza also noted that Turji had relocated his base to the eastern part of Isa LGA of Sokoto.
“He is just like a businessman who has multiple shops and is going around to supervise them. He is currently in the eastern part of Isa,” Daily Trust quoted the lawmaker as saying.
“That was where the villagers met him for negotiation, and he reduced the money from N25 million to N22 million.”
The lawmaker berated the military for failing to sustain operations in the area, saying their withdrawal leaves villages vulnerable to attacks.
“I have always criticised the military for not sustaining their operation in the eastern part of Sokoto because anytime they withdraw, it is the villages that bear the brunt,” he added.
“Because the bandits always vent their anger on the villagers.
“The ministers of defence have visited Sokoto about four times and assured our people that banditry would soon be a thing of the past.
“But look at it, the bandits are still attacking our people. A few days ago, they killed six operatives of the Sokoto community guards.
“I am appealing to the military to intensify and sustain their operation in the eastern part of Sokoto. This is the only way to restore total peace in the area.”
Boza added that Turji is demanding N250,000 from each family of the 13 worshippers abducted in Sabon Birni LGA about two weeks ago.
“They have so far released five captives after their families paid the money,” he said.
[TheCable]
The Federal Government has announced plans to discontinue its Visa-on-Arrival policy, citing inefficiencies in the current system. In its place, the government will introduce landing and exit cards, which prospective visitors will be required to complete before entering the country.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Friday during the closing ceremony of a week-long capacity-building training on Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data for national security and law enforcement. The event was held at the headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Abuja.
Tunji-Ojo revealed that individuals of interest have been attempting to bypass the new systems implemented at Nigeria’s five international airports. Intelligence reports indicate that some of these individuals are now traveling to neighboring countries to enter Nigeria through its extensive land borders. In response, the minister stated that the ministry will collaborate with relevant partners to deploy the API/PNR system across land borders, emphasizing that Nigeria cannot become a haven for criminals.
At the event, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (CGIS), Kemi Nandap, noted that the initiative stemmed from discussions with the United Nations Office on Counter-Terrorism during a meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, last year. Nandap praised the NIS for its well-trained and patriotic personnel, who are committed to serving the nation.
Objective Profiling and Automation
The Interior Minister stressed that the API/PNR system is mandatory and marks a shift from subjective to objective profiling in immigration decisions. He explained that the current visa system is largely subjective, lacking the necessary rigor for effective migration management and security.
“The visa is not just an entry approval; it is a migration management and security tool,” Tunji-Ojo said. “The current system is too subjective, which is why we are automating the entire process end-to-end. We are working towards launching the e-visa solution by March 1, or at the latest, April 1. This system will integrate with Interpol and criminal records databases to ensure thorough background checks before visas are issued.”
He added that the new system will eliminate the practice of foreign attachés approving and issuing visas, ensuring that all applicants are thoroughly screened. “Nigeria cannot be a destination for wanted criminals. We are committed to making sure our country is not a safe haven for any criminal,” he stated.
Integrated Immigration Solutions
The minister also highlighted plans to integrate various immigration solutions into a centralized data center. This will enable seamless communication between different systems, ensuring that all immigration decisions are made with real-time input from Interpol, criminal records systems, and other background-checking agencies.
“We want to harmonize our databases and ensure that all solutions work together, rather than operating in silos,” Tunji-Ojo said. “For any immigration-related decision, it will be impossible to grant approvals without clearance from relevant security agencies. Security is not an area where you can afford to be 99.9% correct.”
Landing and Exit Cards
Under the new system, visitors will be required to fill out landing cards, which will be integrated with the visa and passport systems, as well as global background-checking databases. This data will be shared with other agencies worldwide to enhance security and streamline the immigration process.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the need for accountability in immigration management. “It is unacceptable that the NIS cannot instantly provide the number of foreigners in Nigeria. It is unacceptable for someone to enter the country, disappear, and become untraceable. It is unacceptable for immigration policies to be abused, or for individuals to wait six months to regularize their residency. These practices are not tolerated anywhere in the world,” he said.
Reforms for National and International Security
The minister outlined that the reforms, set to take effect between March 1 and April 1, aim to safeguard Nigerians, uphold the country’s responsibilities in the international community, and contribute to global peace. “These reforms are necessary to protect our people, maintain our reputation among nations, and fulfill our role in promoting international security,” he concluded.