Twenty-five of Nigeria’s 36 state assemblies approved a constitutional amendment allowing states to establish their own police forces. Supporters say the reform could improve local security and response times, while critics warn of potential political interference and concerns over funding, human rights and accountability.
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Video - Nigeria moves closer to decentralised policing
Twenty-five of Nigeria’s 36 state assemblies approved a constitutional amendment allowing states to establish their own police forces. Supporters say the reform could improve local security and response times, while critics warn of potential political interference and concerns over funding, human rights and accountability.
Burna Boy makes history at Ballon d’Or awards
Nigerian singer Burna Boy became the first Nigerian artist to present an award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, handing the 2026 Sócrates Award to Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka at the London Palladium on Monday night.
The Grammy-award-winning singer presented the award to Saka, an England international of Nigerian heritage, during the 70th edition of football’s prestigious individual awards ceremony.
The honour recognises footballers who make significant contributions to humanitarian causes and social development beyond the pitch.
Burna Boy used his appearance to talk about his football academy in Nigeria, explaining that he established the initiative to support the sport’s development in his home country.
“Something I started a few years ago, just to support the football culture back home. Hopefully, inshallah, one day I’ll come back here to see one of my people getting an award in the Ballon d’Or,” he said.
The Grammy-winning singer was introduced on stage by the ceremony’s hosts, Kate Scott and former France international Thierry Henry, before presenting the trophy to Saka.
The appearance adds to Burna Boy’s growing association with major international football events. He previously performed at the 2023 UEFA Champions League final kick-off show in Istanbul, Turkey.
Meanwhile, Burna Boy and Wizkid have also explored the connection between music and football in their 2021 collaboration, “Ballon d’Or,” using the prestigious award as a symbol of excellence and success. His appearance at Monday’s ceremony amplifies his association with football’s biggest stages.
Saka honoured for humanitarian work
Saka received the Sócrates Award for his charitable work with BigShoe, an organisation that provides medical assistance to children in need.
Through the initiative, the Arsenal forward supported life-changing surgical procedures for about 120 children in Kano State, Nigeria, in 2022.
He undertook the effort in recognition of his Nigerian heritage and helped children access treatment for conditions requiring medical intervention. He subsequently supported procedures for another 100 children in Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania in 2023.
During his acceptance speech, Saka thanked France Football and highlighted the importance of giving children opportunities to live healthy lives and pursue their ambitions.
He also read a letter from Biringiro, a 14-year-old boy from Rwanda whose eyesight began deteriorating when he was 12. BigShoe provided the child with eye care after his condition made everyday activities, including moving around his home and reading in school, increasingly difficult.
In the letter, Biringiro described how the treatment had changed his life.
“Then thanks to BigShoe, I received the eye care that I needed. Today, I can read the blackboard even from the back of the classroom,” he was quoted as saying.
Reflecting on the initiative, Saka said helping children regain opportunities they might otherwise lose was important to him.
“We know how it feels to be a child and have a ball at your feet and how much joy you have. Every time I have the opportunity to help another kid have that feeling again, that’s important to me,” the striker said.
The 25-year-old footballer added that he worked with his family and BigShoe to support children who lacked access to opportunities others had.
“It’s an honour to be here, and it’s an honour to receive this award. On behalf of all the children we’ve been able to help, thank you,” he said.
France Football established the Sócrates Award in 2022 in collaboration with Peace and Sport. Named after the late Brazilian footballer Sócrates, the honour recognises humanitarian and social initiatives supported by players and their foundations.
Previous recipients include Senegalese forward Sadio Mané, Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior and Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso.
Saka received the Sócrates Award for his charitable work with BigShoe, an organisation that provides medical assistance to children in need.
Through the initiative, the Arsenal forward supported life-changing surgical procedures for about 120 children in Kano State, Nigeria, in 2022.
He undertook the effort in recognition of his Nigerian heritage and helped children access treatment for conditions requiring medical intervention. He subsequently supported procedures for another 100 children in Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania in 2023.
During his acceptance speech, Saka thanked France Football and highlighted the importance of giving children opportunities to live healthy lives and pursue their ambitions.
He also read a letter from Biringiro, a 14-year-old boy from Rwanda whose eyesight began deteriorating when he was 12. BigShoe provided the child with eye care after his condition made everyday activities, including moving around his home and reading in school, increasingly difficult.
In the letter, Biringiro described how the treatment had changed his life.
“Then thanks to BigShoe, I received the eye care that I needed. Today, I can read the blackboard even from the back of the classroom,” he was quoted as saying.
Reflecting on the initiative, Saka said helping children regain opportunities they might otherwise lose was important to him.
“We know how it feels to be a child and have a ball at your feet and how much joy you have. Every time I have the opportunity to help another kid have that feeling again, that’s important to me,” the striker said.
The 25-year-old footballer added that he worked with his family and BigShoe to support children who lacked access to opportunities others had.
“It’s an honour to be here, and it’s an honour to receive this award. On behalf of all the children we’ve been able to help, thank you,” he said.
France Football established the Sócrates Award in 2022 in collaboration with Peace and Sport. Named after the late Brazilian footballer Sócrates, the honour recognises humanitarian and social initiatives supported by players and their foundations.
Previous recipients include Senegalese forward Sadio Mané, Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior and Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso.
Historic 70th edition
The 2026 ceremony marked the first time the Ballon d’Or awards were held in London. The venue was chosen to commemorate the award’s 70th anniversary.
England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman to claim the award since Michael Owen in 2001. Spain’s Alexia Putellas won the women’s prize for the third time.
Other winners included Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who received the men’s young talent award, while Unai Simón and Cata Coll won the men’s and women’s goalkeeper honours, respectively. Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona were named men’s and women’s clubs of the year.
Meanwhile, Nigerian footballers have featured in the Ballon d’Or rankings, with Nwankwo Kanu, Finidi George and Victor Ikpeba among the early nominees. Victor Osimhen recorded Nigeria’s highest finish, placing eighth in 2023, while Ademola Lookman finished 14th in 2024.
However, no Nigerian has won the award. Liberia’s George Weah remains the first and only African to win the men’s Ballon d’Or in 1995.
The 2026 ceremony marked the first time the Ballon d’Or awards were held in London. The venue was chosen to commemorate the award’s 70th anniversary.
England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman to claim the award since Michael Owen in 2001. Spain’s Alexia Putellas won the women’s prize for the third time.
Other winners included Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who received the men’s young talent award, while Unai Simón and Cata Coll won the men’s and women’s goalkeeper honours, respectively. Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona were named men’s and women’s clubs of the year.
Meanwhile, Nigerian footballers have featured in the Ballon d’Or rankings, with Nwankwo Kanu, Finidi George and Victor Ikpeba among the early nominees. Victor Osimhen recorded Nigeria’s highest finish, placing eighth in 2023, while Ademola Lookman finished 14th in 2024.
However, no Nigerian has won the award. Liberia’s George Weah remains the first and only African to win the men’s Ballon d’Or in 1995.
Adekunle Gold joins Afrobeats representation
Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold also attended the ceremony’s red carpet, joining Burna Boy in representing the country’s music industry at the event.
The singer, popularly known as AG Baby, shared his excitement, saying, “Another year that I’ll be invited for the Ballon d’Or, and this time, I’ll be performing at the after-party”.
Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold also attended the ceremony’s red carpet, joining Burna Boy in representing the country’s music industry at the event.
The singer, popularly known as AG Baby, shared his excitement, saying, “Another year that I’ll be invited for the Ballon d’Or, and this time, I’ll be performing at the after-party”.
Afrobeats on football stages
Their appearances follow other occasions when Nigerian artistes have featured at major international football events.
In 2023, Rema became the first African artiste to perform at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, delivering his hit song Calm Down in Paris. He also performed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Burna Boy also performed at the 2023 UEFA Champions League final, while Davido performed at the closing ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Recently, Ayra Starr also made history as the first African artist to headline a halftime show at the NFL International Games. The latest appearances highlight the growing presence of Nigerian music stars at major international sporting events.
Their appearances follow other occasions when Nigerian artistes have featured at major international football events.
In 2023, Rema became the first African artiste to perform at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, delivering his hit song Calm Down in Paris. He also performed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Burna Boy also performed at the 2023 UEFA Champions League final, while Davido performed at the closing ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Recently, Ayra Starr also made history as the first African artist to headline a halftime show at the NFL International Games. The latest appearances highlight the growing presence of Nigerian music stars at major international sporting events.
Monday, October 26, 2026
Video - Nigeria tightens Ebola measures as patient recovers
Nigerian health authorities have intensified screening and surveillance measures following a confirmed Ebola case in Abuja, as the patient shows signs of recovery. Contacts have been traced and quarantined, while investigations continue into the source of the infection amid efforts to prevent further transmission.
Honeywell Technologies launches new AI platform at Dangote's Nigeria refinery
Honeywell Technologies said on Monday it was launching a new industrial AI platform, "Forge Plant Cognition", at Nigeria's Dangote refinery to boost the plant's productivity.
The platform, being launched at Dangote's Lekki refinery in Lagos, will use NVIDIA and Dell Technologies' capabilities in a bid to drive up productivity and profitability in complex industrial settings, a statement said.
Based on preliminary data and not guaranteed, Honeywell said its AI platform could deliver operational benefits of more than 29 cents a barrel at Lekki, or around $60 million a year in gross benefits at full-capacity throughput.
Honeywell has also been selected to help Dangote build a new mega-refinery in Kenya's Lamu County.
The platform, being launched at Dangote's Lekki refinery in Lagos, will use NVIDIA and Dell Technologies' capabilities in a bid to drive up productivity and profitability in complex industrial settings, a statement said.
Honeywell is already helping the refinery more than double its nameplate capacity from 650,000 million barrels per day (bpd) to 1.4 million bpd by 2028.
Based on preliminary data and not guaranteed, Honeywell said its AI platform could deliver operational benefits of more than 29 cents a barrel at Lekki, or around $60 million a year in gross benefits at full-capacity throughput.
Honeywell has also been selected to help Dangote build a new mega-refinery in Kenya's Lamu County.
Death toll in Nigeria village raided by gunmen rises to 48
The death toll from Friday's attack on a remote village in the north-eastern Nigerian state of Taraba has risen to at least 48, police have told the BBC.
The police had initially reported 10 deaths after unidentified gunmen on motorcycles raided the village of Binnari, looting shops and setting houses ablaze.
More bodies were discovered on Sunday, according to state police spokesperson Victor Mshelizah, who said some of the victims had drowned while trying to escape the attackers while others were killed in nearby bushes.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International's director for Nigeria said his organisation had confirmed 52 deaths, citing sources on the ground and members of the local community.
The attack happened just after midday Muslim prayers, and the rampage went on for up to four hours.
State police had initially recovered 10 bodies with gunshot wounds after officers responded to a distress call.
The attackers had fled by the time officers arrived - but they continued to patrol the area to restore calm, Taraba's police told the BBC on Saturday.
"We were able to disperse the unknown gunmen though there was no casualty on their side and ours because the terrain is difficult and they're used to the terrain," Assistant Superintendent of Police Victor Mshelizah said.
Community leader Malam Abubakar Saifullahi told news agency AFP that the attackers had arrived on about 50 motorcycles, two men apiece.
"They looted shops and took cash, foodstuffs and other provisions," he said. "They also took motorcycles abandoned by people fleeing the attack."
Isiyaku Musa, who survived the attack, told AFP: "People were running in different directions to escape the attack. Nobody knew where it was safe to go."
Amnesty's Nigeria director Isa Sanusi has called for an impartial investigation into the killings, accusing the authorities of leaving rural communities "at the mercy of gunmen that are repeatedly commit atrocities with impunity".
Parts of north-eastern Nigeria have been affected by years of violence involving jihadist groups and armed gangs, which raid communities, abduct residents and demand ransoms.
Similar armed groups operate in the country's north-west and central regions.
The latest attack comes as Nigeria prepares for elections next year, with insecurity expected to feature prominently in political debates.
Survivors who spoke to AFP said they had counted at least 20 dead.
"People were running in different directions to escape the attack," Binnari resident Isiyaku Musa said. "Nobody knew where it was safe to go."
Another survivor, Sa'idu Nuhu, said that some people were still missing.
Amnesty's Nigeria director, Isa Sanusi, told BBC News on Saturday that the NGO had spoken to some of the bereaved families who said up to 50 people had died.
"The initial funeral had 37 people," he said.
Sanusi called for an impartial investigation into the killings, accusing the authorities of leaving rural communities "at the mercy of gunmen that are repeatedly commit atrocities with impunity".
The police had initially reported 10 deaths after unidentified gunmen on motorcycles raided the village of Binnari, looting shops and setting houses ablaze.
More bodies were discovered on Sunday, according to state police spokesperson Victor Mshelizah, who said some of the victims had drowned while trying to escape the attackers while others were killed in nearby bushes.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International's director for Nigeria said his organisation had confirmed 52 deaths, citing sources on the ground and members of the local community.
The attack happened just after midday Muslim prayers, and the rampage went on for up to four hours.
State police had initially recovered 10 bodies with gunshot wounds after officers responded to a distress call.
The attackers had fled by the time officers arrived - but they continued to patrol the area to restore calm, Taraba's police told the BBC on Saturday.
"We were able to disperse the unknown gunmen though there was no casualty on their side and ours because the terrain is difficult and they're used to the terrain," Assistant Superintendent of Police Victor Mshelizah said.
Community leader Malam Abubakar Saifullahi told news agency AFP that the attackers had arrived on about 50 motorcycles, two men apiece.
"They looted shops and took cash, foodstuffs and other provisions," he said. "They also took motorcycles abandoned by people fleeing the attack."
Isiyaku Musa, who survived the attack, told AFP: "People were running in different directions to escape the attack. Nobody knew where it was safe to go."
Amnesty's Nigeria director Isa Sanusi has called for an impartial investigation into the killings, accusing the authorities of leaving rural communities "at the mercy of gunmen that are repeatedly commit atrocities with impunity".
Parts of north-eastern Nigeria have been affected by years of violence involving jihadist groups and armed gangs, which raid communities, abduct residents and demand ransoms.
Similar armed groups operate in the country's north-west and central regions.
The latest attack comes as Nigeria prepares for elections next year, with insecurity expected to feature prominently in political debates.
Survivors who spoke to AFP said they had counted at least 20 dead.
"People were running in different directions to escape the attack," Binnari resident Isiyaku Musa said. "Nobody knew where it was safe to go."
Another survivor, Sa'idu Nuhu, said that some people were still missing.
Amnesty's Nigeria director, Isa Sanusi, told BBC News on Saturday that the NGO had spoken to some of the bereaved families who said up to 50 people had died.
"The initial funeral had 37 people," he said.
Sanusi called for an impartial investigation into the killings, accusing the authorities of leaving rural communities "at the mercy of gunmen that are repeatedly commit atrocities with impunity".
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