A foremost sports stakeholder, Aderonke Atoyebi, has called for technocrats to be appointed to lead Nigeria’s sports sector. In a statement on Thursday in Lagos, Atoyebi noted that professional expertise, rather than political appointments, is essential if the country hopes to revive its declining sports fortunes. Atoyebi, who recently won a sports role model award in Denmark, said she shared her views during the maiden edition of the Big Sports Dialogue 0.1, held recently in Lagos.

A number of Nigerian footballers delivered eye-catching performances across the Europa League and Conference League on Thursday night, Soccernet.ng reports. In Belgium, Basel winger Philip Otele ended his eight-game goal drought but could not prevent his side from slipping to a 2-1 defeat to Genk. The hosts flew out of the blocks, taking the lead in the 14th minute through Hyun-Gyu Oh before teenage midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas made it 2-0 on the stroke of halftime.

Former Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum, has questioned the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) management of the monies that the world football governing body, FIFA, gave the federation for the team’s preparation for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, reports allnigeriasoccer.com. Waldrum’s team was eliminated from the championship in the second round by England through a penalty shootout.

Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek has delivered an update on Victor Osimhen that will be welcome news for Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle. The Galatasaray striker sustained a hamstring injury during the first half of Nigeria’s agonising penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African final of the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs. Subsequent tests carried out upon his return to Istanbul revealed a moderate strain with intramuscular bleeding in the back of his left thigh.

Former Senegal coach and Teranga Lions legend Aliou Cissé has named Nigeria’s Super Eagles among the top contenders for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco. Cissé shared his thoughts following Libya’s elimination in the Arab Cup playoffs on Tuesday. When asked about Senegal’s prospects of reclaiming the continental crown, the former defender expressed optimism but acknowledged the fierce competition expected at the tournament.

Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has confirmed the withdrawal of 11,566 police officers previously attached to VIPs across the country. He said the action followed a direct presidential order mandating the removal of police protection from individuals considered non-essential. Egbetokun explained that with this instruction coming from the President himself, no VIP can challenge the recall of their assigned officers.

Senator Shehu Sani has stated that the terrorists and bandits responsible for widespread violence in Nigeria’s North-East and North-West are not foreigners, but local individuals from the region. Speaking during a public discussion on insecurity, the former Kaduna Central lawmaker said claims that these armed groups come from other African countries are false. He stressed that the root of the crisis must be acknowledged honestly before any real solution can emerge.

Gunmen attacked the convoy of former Anambra State Governor Chris Ngige along the Nkpor–Nnobi Road in Idemili North. Ngige was not in the convoy when the attack happened. The assailants, reportedly dressed in police and army uniforms, opened fire on the pilot vehicle. A policeman in the car was shot, and the attackers took his rifle and uniform. The vehicle was heavily damaged by bullets.

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He completed his registration and received his membership card at the party’s Ungwar Sarki Ward office in Kaduna. El-Rufai, once a prominent founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), left the ruling party in March 2025. In his resignation letter at the time, he said the APC had abandoned the ideals on which it was built, adding that internal concerns he raised for two years—both privately and publicly—were ignored.

Manchester United are reportedly monitoring the former Manchester City and Real Madrid star Robinho's son and are "not ruling out" a transfer for the Santos teenager in January. Although a deal mid-season is considered unlikely, United are refusing to shut the door on a move and are prepared to revisit negotiations at the end of 2025 if they feel the timing is right.

Portugal secured their first-ever Under-17 World Cup title courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Austria in the final in Qatar on Thursday and Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably the greatest Portuguese player of all time was first in line to offer his congratulations with a simple but very effective message to his huge audience of 668 million followers on Instagram. The decisive goal came in the 32nd minute when Benfica forward Anisio Cabral found the back of the net from close range, with his seventh goal of the tournament.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asked the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop worrying about his political decisions and instead address the true age and identity of its own leaders. The statement came after the Lagos APC mocked Atiku for officially joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Responding through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Atiku accused the party of hypocrisy, selective amnesia, and intellectual laziness.

U.S. Congressman Riley Moore has warned that the United States will hold the Nigerian government fully responsible if anything happens to Plateau-based clergyman, Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo. The warning follows the preacher’s recent claims that he has been receiving serious threats over his outspoken campaign against what he calls the “genocide of Christians” in Plateau State. Moore issued the caution in a post on his X account after Rev.

That's according to UFC commentator and combat sports enthusiast Joe Rogan, who has described Joshua as a fighter with 'one-punch, nuclear power' in a warning to Paul of the dangers he faces on December 19. Paul announced in November that he would be fighting Joshua live on Netflix in Miami next month after his originally scheduled bout with Gervonta Davis collapsed.

Two undefeated heavyweights collide at the Players Era Festival championship final in Las Vegas tonight as No. 7 Michigan (6-0) hosts No. 12 Gonzaga (7-0). Both teams have been the most dominant at the Players Era Festival, largely because of their ability to dominate the paint. Sandy Cheeks announces Myles Garrett as NVP of Week 12 'NFL Slimetime' Gonzaga’s Graham Ike and Braden Huff have been instrumental in the success of the Zags this season.

Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe (R) celebrates with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinicius Junior (L) after scoring Real Madrid's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League, league phase - matchday 5, football match between Olympiakos (GRE) and Real Madrid (ESP) at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus on November 26, 2025. Kylian Mbappe scored all four goals as Real Madrid hung on to beat Olympiacos 4-3 in the Champions League on Wednesday and end a three-match winless run in all competitions.

Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder #11 Gabriel Martinelli (R) celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League league phase football match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium in north London on November 26, 2025. Arsenal thumped Bayern Munich 3-1 in a clash of the English and German league leaders on Wednesday to maintain their perfect record in the Champions League this season.

The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation has petitioned the International Table Tennis Federation after its players were denied visas for the World Youth Championships in Romania. The refusal has alarmed Nigeria’s table tennis community, with officials warning on Wednesday that it threatens the country’s place in a major global youth competition. NTTF President, Adesoji Tayo, condemned the decision, calling it “a violation of international sportsmanship, inclusivity and fair participation”.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency in response to escalating insecurity across the country, directing an unprecedented expansion of Nigeria’s security personnel. In a statement released on Wednesday, the President ordered the Nigerian Police Force to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, raising the total planned intake to 50,000 new personnel. The move is part of a broader strategy to reinforce national security architecture and respond more effectively to widespread threats.

Nigerian music producer and Mavin Records boss, Don Jazzy, has explained why reconciling with his former wife, Michelle Jackson, is no longer possible. During an interactive session with fans on X, a user encouraged him to get back with his ex since he is still single, but Don Jazzy replied simply, “She don remarry.” Don Jazzy first revealed in 2021 that he had once been married.

Controversial Nigerian singer Portable has stirred fresh drama after accusing Olamide of abandoning him and failing to invite him to his London concert. In a recent conversation with a media personality, Portable insisted that his music contributed to Olamide’s international recognition, especially after many people had “forgotten him.” Portable, who gained fame through their hit collaboration Zazoo, said Olamide pushed him aside despite benefiting from their work together.

The National Executive Council of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will meet on Wednesday to decide the union’s next steps after concluding renegotiation talks with the Federal Government’s committee led by Yayale Ahmed. The PUNCH reports that the meeting is aimed at determining whether a fresh strike will be carried out or suspended. In a final push to prevent another ASUU strike, the government’s renegotiation team resumed discussions with the union on Monday.

Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has revealed that marijuana was once planted in his car in an attempt to frame him. He shared the story in a viral video, recalling the incident which happened in 1987 while he was in Kaduna. Oyedepo explained that the discovery was made by his former driver, Clifford, who had returned from Katsina and insisted on washing the car that morning.

Omowunmi Cynthia Aloba, widow of late Afrobeats star Ilerioluwa Aloba (Mohbad), has taken legal steps to prevent any unauthorized individuals from seeking control over her husband’s estate. She filed a formal notice at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, asking the Probate Registry to reject any application for Letters of Administration that does not come from the rightful beneficiaries.

Super Eagles and Galatasaray forward, Victor Osimhen, has revealed the lasting effects of the facial injury he suffered in 2021, explaining why he continues to wear his protective mask four years after the incident. In a video shared on X on Tuesday by user 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍, the 26-year-old told Turkish outlet Fanatik that nerve damage from the injury still affects his ability to eat.