The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC announced that 1,565,873 Nigerians have completed their voter registration as of June 26, marking the end of the seventh week of Phase III of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise. This figure includes 620,933 online pre-registrations and 944,940 physical registrations. These statistics are preliminary and will undergo data clean-up and an Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS deployment. Kano State recorded the highest number of registrants with 118,207, followed by Lagos with 78,360, and Delta with 76,395. Voter registration was temporarily suspended in Ekiti and Osun states due to gubernatorial elections. Female registrants accounted for 52.45% 821,276 of the total, while male registrants made up 47.55% 744,597. Youths aged 18 to 34 constituted the largest age group, with 1,082,985 registrants 69.16%. Students formed the largest occupational group among new registrants, with 384,093, followed by business owners 333,539 and those in farming or fishing 273,627. Additionally, 18,919 Persons with Disabilities PWDs registered during this period. INEC encouraged eligible citizens to register via its online portal or designated physical centers.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU, Ibadan Zone, has called on Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Abdulrahaman Abdulrazak of Kwara State to fully implement the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement starting July 2026. The union, representing academic staff from Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, and Kwara State University, stated that the non-implementation endangers its members' ability to meet personal and family needs amid Nigeria's economic challenges. ASUU, through its zonal coordinator Professor Biodun Olaniran, criticized the governors for failing to provide the necessary financial backing for the agreement, describing it as "provocative and unjust." The union commended the efforts of the universities' Governing Councils but warned that its patience has run out. ASUU has begun mobilizing for a "total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike" if the state governments do not honor the agreement. They demand that the next salary reflect the CATA component and all other stipulated allowances, and that all accrued arrears from January 2026 be paid in full without delay. ASUU appealed to the governors to act promptly to prevent university shutdowns, emphasizing that immediate and full implementation is the only way to achieve lasting harmony. The union also expressed sympathy for those affected by insecurity and called for improved security systems, noting that education thrives in peace.

Canada, Paraguay, Morocco, and Brazil have advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Canada secured its place with a 1-0 win against South Africa. Paraguay and Morocco both progressed after penalty shootout victories, with Paraguay defeating Germany 4-3 after a 1-1 draw, and Morocco beating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw. Brazil completed the quartet by overcoming Japan 2-1. Looking ahead, Canada will play Morocco on July 4. Paraguay is set to face the winner of the match between France and Sweden, while Brazil will play the winner of the C么te d'Ivoire versus Norway game. The Round of 32 continues with upcoming matches including France against Sweden, C么te d'Ivoire against Norway, and co-hosts Mexico playing Ecuador. Other fixtures include England versus Congo DR, the United States against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Belgium taking on Senegal. Spain will meet Austria, Portugal will face Croatia, and Switzerland will play Algeria. Argentina will face Cabo Verde, Colombia will take on Ghana, and Australia will play Egypt as teams vie for the remaining Round of 16 spots. The World Cup final is scheduled for July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Must ReadThousands of anti-immigration protesters marched across South Africa on Tuesday, demanding the removal of undocumented foreigners. These demonstrations, which occurred under a heavy police presence, have heightened concerns among foreign nationals, including Nigerians. The protests followed an unofficial June 30 deadline issued by anti-migration campaigners for undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa urged demonstrators to avoid intimidation and threats, emphasizing the need for peaceful protests while acknowledging the government's focus on immigration reforms. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, with isolated incidents of looting and attempted looting. In Johannesburg, the city center was quiet, with businesses closed and a strong police presence. Some protesters threw bricks, smashing windows in Yeoville, a suburb with a large African migrant population. Police arrested five people in Soweto for allegedly looting a foreign-owned shop and another five in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, for an alleged tuck shop break-in. Many foreign nationals have reportedly fled due to violence and intimidation, with 25,000 people, mostly from other African countries, repatriated. Nigerians in South Africa sought refuge at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria due to fears of xenophobic attacks. The Federal Government continues its voluntary evacuation program, with 271 Nigerians arriving in Lagos from Johannesburg on Tuesday. This ongoing effort assis