US firms spent N3bn on permits for Nigerian workers – Report
However, Nigerian recipients represented just 0.4 per cent of the 219,813 H-1B visas issued globally in FY 2024. Only 1.5 per cent of all H-1B visas were issued to Africans for the Fiscal Year under review. The H-1B visa programme was established under the Immigration Act of 1990, signed into law by President George H.W. The US Congress initially set an annual cap of 65,000 H-1B visas, with an additional 20,000 reserved for applicants holding master’s degrees or higher from US institutions. The fee applies to employers sponsoring workers who are outside the United States and do not hold valid H-1B visas.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 11:00 UTC
NNPP Denies Kwankwaso Defection Talks with APC
The New Nigeria Peoples Party has dismissed reports suggesting that the National Leader of the party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, overreached himself in a purported negotiation for his defection to the All Progressives Congress. According to the NNPP, Kwankwaso never held any discussion with President Bola Tinubu on joining the APC, contrary to claims in some quarters. “I will agree with the second outcome you mentioned — that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso overreached,” Yusuf said. Ladipo, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, stated that Kwankwaso never contemplated defecting to the APC. “It is a blatant lie that Kwankwaso made demands or entered into negotiations with the APC or Tinubu for his defection to the party.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 10:58 UTC
Tata clocks highest-ever monthly sales in January 2026, Nexon, Punch hit record highs
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd (TMPV) has started 2026 with its strongest-ever monthly performance, recording total sales of 71,066 units in January, its highest monthly volume to date. advertisementNexon sets new benchmarksThe Tata Nexon emerged as a standout performer, delivering its highest-ever monthly sales of over 23,000 units in January. Punch continues rapid growth trajectoryThe Tata Punch maintained its stellar run, posting best-ever monthly sales of over 19,000 units. The EV numbers include sales from Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited, a subsidiary of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. Momentum builds into 2026With record monthly sales, multiple model-level milestones, and rising demand for both ICE and electric vehicles, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles enters 2026 with strong momentum.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 10:35 UTC
Fire service recovers body of missing three-year-old in Kano
The Kano State Fire Service has recovered the body of a three-year-old boy, Abdura’uf Badamasi, who was reported missing in Wangara Village, Tofa Local Government Area of the state. The Director of the service, Alhaji Sani Anas, disclosed this in a statement signed and released by its Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi, on Saturday in Kano. He said, “We received a distress call from one Dan Asabe Rabiu on Friday morning at about 7:50 am, reporting the disappearance of Badamasi. The victim was handed over to the Ward Head of Wangara Village for burial. He said, *The Kano State Fire Service expresses deep condolences to the bereaved family and urges the residents to cover open wells and take adequate measures around other hazardous areas, particularly to safeguard children.”(NAN)
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 10:27 UTC
Kogi PDP targets full sweep in 2027 Senate, Reps races
Gambo made the disclosure at meeting organised by Natasha Avabe Group, Zango Citi, Adavi LGA on Saturday“Our plan is to produce three Senators and seven Representative members in the next general election. PDP has the answers to all the challenges being faced in Nigeria and Kogi state in particular” he said. Gambo appealed to undecided individuals to join the PDP, citing the party’s people-centric approach. He assured all that the PDP would do things differently, prioritising women and youths, and making provisions for their empowerment. Following the 2023 election cycle where the party made significant inroads in Kogi Central, the state leadership is now looking to scale that success across the entire state.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 10:05 UTC
3,500 Farmers May Quit Rice Cultivation Over N93bn Losses
The National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism, a presidential policy committee, has revealed that about 3,500 rice farmers are set to abandon cultivation following losses estimated at N93bn across the sector during the 2025 wet season. Applied to the survey sample, this translates to approximately 3,500 farmers planning to exit or reduce rice cultivation. According to the committee, rice farmers recorded losses of N20,220 per hectare during the 2025 wet season. The committee noted that 23 per cent of rice farmers planned to switch to soybeans or sesame due to declining rice prices driven by import pressure. Rice farmers had earlier raised the alarm over the collapse of Nigeria’s rice industry, attributing the shutdown of local mills and mass job losses to cheap imports, insecurity, and lack of government support.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 07:02 UTC
‘It’s not just about surviving’: the Ukrainian frontline city where life goes on under cover
Her own house in the city, she says, was hit by Russian shelling in 2024, injuring her in the leg and stomach. This basement is a safe space in a dangerous city. “It is important to give them choices to make them feel that it is not just about surviving,” she says. Anti-drone nets are installed in Kherson Anti-drone nets being installed in Kherson. The “red zone” – a 1km-deep strip along the Dnipro waterfront facing the Russian positions – is the most dangerous area in the city.
Source:The Guardian
February 01, 2026 06:23 UTC
Kwankwaso's ADC Move Stalled Over Peter Obi Ticket Doubts
There is currently a proposed alliance between Obi and Kwankwaso for a joint 2027 presidential ticket under the ADC. The loyalist added that the leaders specifically warned Kwankwaso not to defect until there was an assurance that Obi would receive the presidential ticket. As it is, it seems Kwankwaso is the bargaining strength for Peter Obi to get the presidential ticket in the ADC, and the card must be carefully played. The game ahead is that Obi will participate in the ADC presidential primary, and after losing to Atiku, he will be persuaded to take the VP slot. As it stands, Kwankwaso is Obi’s only strong bargaining chip for the ADC presidential ticket.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 05:43 UTC
FG Engages US Over Visa Ban on Nigerians
The Federal Government has said it is engaging the United States through diplomatic channels to ensure Nigeria is removed from the list of countries affected by Washington’s recent immigrant visa restrictions. On January 14, the US announced an immigrant visa pause affecting 75 countries, including Nigeria, a move that has raised concerns among Nigerians seeking to live and work permanently in America. He noted that Nigeria was not the only country affected by the US action and urged Nigerians to remain calm as diplomatic engagements continue. “Moreover, Nigeria is not the only country affected by the visa restrictions. The media director stressed that the Federal Government was committed to protecting the interests of Nigerians abroad and strengthening bilateral relations with the United States.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 05:13 UTC
Hosting firm refunds clients after PUNCH report
A Nigerian-based website hosting firm, HostNowNow Limited, has refunded two clients following a report by Sunday PUNCH on alleged failure to provide hosting services and refusal to refund money paid. The refund came weeks after a Sunday PUNCH special report titled ‘How local web hosting services ruin businesses, withhold refunds,’ published on December 28, 2025, which detailed complaints against the firm. Eventually, Giwa said he was forced to register with another hosting company using a different domain name, a move he said negatively affected the business. Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Odekola confirmed the refund, saying, “Yes, we have received the refund from them. The firm said it had provided domain registration and web hosting services for nearly 10 years but recently experienced an unexpected incident that affected its internal systems, including renewals, support requests, and backup operations.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 04:32 UTC
Wilder on Joshua: 'I hope he heals' after fatal crash
Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has sent a heartfelt message to Anthony Joshua following the car crash in Nigeria that killed two of the British boxer’s close friends, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Last month, Joshua was a passenger in a crash that claimed the lives of his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele while on holiday in Nigeria. Earlier this week, Joshua spoke out for the first time after the accident, describing the loss as devastating. We went back home, went to see our families, and everything just got flipped upside down,” Joshua said. While Joshua has not said whether he will fight again, promoter Eddie Hearn believes he will return to boxing when the time is right.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 02:38 UTC
Minister Urges Public Cooperation for Ending Insecurity
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd), has called on Nigerians to deny bandits, kidnappers and terrorists any form of safe haven, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to ending insecurity in the country. Asymmetric warfare is not easy; it is not like conventional warfare, where you are fighting another country. In asymmetric warfare, the enemy is within, and that is why it is the most dangerous. Musa disclosed that Nigeria recently signed security-related agreements in Turkey aimed at improving peace and stability. We recently returned from Turkey, where we signed some agreements aimed at improving security and peace in Nigeria”.
Source:Punch
February 01, 2026 00:58 UTC
Matawalle: Tinubu set for convincing 2027 victory
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has expressed strong confidence that President Bola Tinubu will secure a convincing victory in the 2027 Presidential election, urging Nigerians and political stakeholders to rally behind the President’s reform agenda. Speaking at his residence in Abuja on Saturday, Dr. Matawalle said President Tinubu’s leadership and policy direction have positioned the country on the path of economic stabilisation, institutional strengthening and national cohesion. He said, “President Tinubu has taken bold steps to stabilise the economy and strengthen national institutions. The minister also appealed to Nigerians to support government policies aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth, improving security and strengthening national unity. “Rather than engaging in rancour and short-term political calculations, we should focus on solutions that deliver jobs, security and stronger institutions for Nigerians,” he said.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 22:34 UTC
Ikere Gorge Dam Concession to Create 10,000 Jobs
The Federal Government has announced that the concession of the Ikere hydropower plant in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State will generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, while boosting power supply by six megawatts to the state and neighbouring states. He said the development aligns with the policies of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to revitalise the energy sector and create employment opportunities for Nigerians. The PUNCH reports that Ikere Gorge Dam is a major earth-fill dam located on the Ogun River near Iseyin in Oyo State. Adelabu said the project would stimulate electricity market development and enhance economic growth in the host community. He said the success recorded at the Ikere Gorge hydropower plant was a product of collaboration between the two ministries to strengthen Nigeria’s hydropower infrastructure.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 20:24 UTC
‘Backing down isn’t an option’: Minnesota ICE shootings mobilize Americans to join ICE observer groups
View image in fullscreen A community member films federal agents conducting an immigration enforcement action in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on 27 January 2026. That just isn’t an option.”Navigating ‘shifting’ legal risks and unpredictable agentsAdding to the threat of ICE agents escalating violence against observers is the federal government’s threat of legal ramifications. Still, White House officials have claimed that it is “illegal” and an act of “violence” to record ICE agents, equivalent to “doxing”. After the deaths of Good and Pretti, federal officials called both residents “violent” and “terrorists”, even though video evidence showed otherwise. View image in fullscreen People use their phones to record federal agents at an intersection in the Cicero neighborhood during an immigration raid in Chicago, Illinois, on 22 October 2025.
Source:The Guardian
January 31, 2026 20:02 UTC