
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has extended the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration CVR exercise by two weeks, moving the deadline to Friday, July 24, 2026. This decision follows a review of the exercise and feedback from state offices, political parties, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. The CVR, which began on August 18, 2025, was originally set to conclude on July 10, 2026. This extension aims to provide more eligible Nigerians with the opportunity to register for future elections, including the 2027 general elections. Additionally, INEC has launched an online self-service portal, enabling eligible first-time voters to initiate and complete their registration, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without needing to visit an INEC office. The commission stated that the system includes robust identity verification, biometric validation, and backend integrity checks to maintain the credibility and accuracy of the National Register of Voters. Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, signed the statement announcing these developments.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadThe Confederation of African Football CAF has invited its 54 member associations to submit bids to host the 2028, 2032, and 2036 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON. CAF announced this bidding process on its website, stating that the framework is designed to ensure a transparent, credible, and ethical selection process, aligning with global best practices. The continental football body highlighted that AFCON is Africa's largest sporting event and one of the biggest globally, attracting over 3.2 billion television viewers and six billion digital views worldwide. While specific details like submission deadlines and technical requirements were not disclosed, CAF mentioned that the framework was developed with support from independent expert adviser PwC, along with its technical, financial, and external legal advisers. This framework will establish the criteria for evaluating and selecting host countries. CAF also noted that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027. The football governing body plans to stage a senior men's national team competition every year, except during FIFA World Cup years.
Must ReadLagos, Nigeria's commercial hub, documented the highest number of HIV diagnoses in the country in 2025, with 10,430 cases identified through testing, according to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare's State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025. This high number is attributed to the city's large population and the fact that many individuals delay HIV and STI screening due to inconvenience, privacy concerns, or fear of stigma. Consequently, more people are opting for private STI screening. The report emphasizes the importance of early screening and knowing one's status, recommending testing before new intimate relationships, before discontinuing protection with a partner, after potential exposure following recommended timelines, as part of routine sexual health check-ups, or for a more private screening experience.

The National Association of Nigerian Students NANS has urged President Bola Tinubu not to take action against his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, amid allegations related to Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi. NANS, in a statement signed by its President Akinteye Babatunde, emphasized that no public official should be sanctioned based on unproven claims. The student body stressed the importance of due process, fairness, and the rule of law over public pressure, calling for restraint until investigations by competent authorities are concluded. NANS noted that the Federal Government has clarified that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council PFIPC, which Adeyemi allegedly claimed to head, is not an agency under the current administration, and criminal charges have been filed against Adeyemi. The association defended Gbajabiamila's public service record, highlighting his role in resolving the 2022 ASUU strike and his support for education. While supporting transparency, NANS warned against "trial by media" and politically motivated campaigns, urging Nigerians to avoid prejudging the matter and allow security agencies to conduct thorough investigations.