The United Kingdom has advised its citizens against all travel to parts of 11 Nigerian states, citing security concerns, while urging travellers to undertake only essential trips to several other states and the Federal Capital Territory.   The latest advisory was issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Thursday, August 20, 2026, as part of its updated travel advice for Nigeria. The advisory confirms that the UK’s strongest warning applies to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina and Zamfara states, as well as specified riverine areas in five southern states. In the North-East, the FCDO advised against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe. Bauchi was placed under the less severe category of all but essential travel. In the North-West, Katsina and Zamfara were listed under the advice against all travel, while Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa and Sokoto were classified as areas where only essential travel was recommended. The advisory also covers several North-Central states. Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, Kwara and Benue were placed under the all-but-essential travel category. In the South-East, the UK advised against all but essential travel to Abia, Anambra and Imo. The warning also applies to riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. The FCDO defines these areas as river and swamp locations accessible by boat but not by road. Non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers are classified under the all-but-essential travel category. The Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja, is also listed among areas where the UK advises against all but essential travel. The FCDO cautioned that no travel can be guaranteed safe and advised travellers to research their destinations and obtain appropriate travel insurance before visiting Nigeria. It also warned that travel insurance could be invalidated if travellers go against FCDO advice, while urging them to ensure their policies cover their full itinerary, planned activities and possible emergency expenses. The latest guidance covers entry requirements, safety and security, regional risks, health concerns and assistance available to British nationals in Nigeria. Originating source: PUNCH Newspapers, reporting on the updated UK FCDO travel advisory. The FCDO’s official Nigeria travel advice confirms the travel-risk classifications.

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, August 25, 2026, a public holiday to mark this year’s Eid ul Mawlid, commemorating the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.   The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holiday on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement issued on Friday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani. Tunji-Ojo congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and across the diaspora, urging Nigerians to reflect on the values of compassion, humility and service associated with the life of Prophet Muhammad. The minister said the occasion should provide an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on values that are important to the country, including compassion, humility and service to others. He also called on citizens to use the celebration to pray for peace and national cohesion, stressing that maintaining Nigeria’s unity was a collective responsibility. Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to celebrate the occasion with restraint and mutual respect while wishing the Muslim community a peaceful and joyous Eid. He further reaffirmed the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu administration to protecting lives and property and sustaining peace across the country.

Brazil legend Ronaldinho is set to make a sensational return to football at the age of 46 after joining Italian third-tier club Ravenna FC, 11 years after his last professional appearance.   The former Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan star confirmed his return on Thursday during Ravenna’s team presentation in Marina di Ravenna. Ronaldinho retired from professional football in 2015 after playing his final official match for Brazilian side Fluminense. He now hopes to help Ravenna while potentially chasing the 300th goal of his career. “I’m very happy to be here with friends, we have a team that can do something good,” Ronaldinho said, according to AFP. The 2002 World Cup winner also left open the possibility of returning to competitive action. “Will you see me play? I don’t know, only the coach knows that,” he said. “Coming back to Italy is wonderful, I’m here to help my teammates win.” Ronaldinho added that he feels fit and would be delighted to score what he considers his 300th career goal. Ravenna president Ignazio Cipriani said Ronaldinho’s involvement was not intended simply as a publicity stunt. The former Brazil international is also expected to become a shareholder in the club. However, Ronaldinho will not feature when Ravenna open their Serie C campaign against Reggiana on Monday. Cipriani said the Brazilian’s main objective was to help the club and potentially score one final goal. Ronaldinho scored 33 goals in 97 appearances for Brazil and won the Ballon d’Or in 2005. His decorated club career included spells with Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan. Ravenna finished third in Group B of Italy’s third division last season and are targeting promotion to Serie B, where they have not played since 2008. The club’s move for Ronaldinho was announced in June during the World Cup in Miami. Reuters also reported that the 46-year-old had joined Ravenna as both an investor and potential player, although his exact playing role remains undecided.

Imo State is set to commence robotic-assisted surgery in Owerri as the government expands access to advanced specialist healthcare.   The first procedure is scheduled for Friday at the Imo Robotics and Oncology Centre (IROC), located within the reconstructed Imo Specialist Hospital in Umuguma, Owerri West Local Government Area. Governor Hope Uzodimma announced the development while addressing journalists at the Government House in Owerri, describing it as a major milestone in the state’s healthcare development. According to the governor, the robotic surgical system has been installed and the theatre prepared for clinical use. The initiative is being supported by specialist expertise and knowledge transfer to local medical professionals. The first procedure will be led by Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, a United Kingdom-based Consultant Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgeon, alongside other medical professionals. Uzodimma said the partnership would expose local healthcare workers to advanced surgical techniques while enabling the state to build specialist capacity. Robotic-assisted surgery can give surgeons greater precision and control in appropriate procedures. It can also support minimally invasive surgery, which may reduce blood loss and shorten recovery time for some patients. The governor said the development was particularly important for residents who previously had to travel to Lagos or outside Nigeria for complex specialist treatment. He said the reconstructed Imo Specialist Hospital now includes an accident and emergency section, intensive care and neonatal intensive care facilities, dedicated theatres, medical oxygen infrastructure, diagnostic services, maternity and paediatric facilities, physiotherapy, mental health services and specialist wards. The IROC is also being developed alongside oncology services, with the cancer facility expected to strengthen cancer diagnosis and treatment in the state. Uzodimma disclosed that the hospital was being equipped with MRI, CT scan, mammography and X-ray services to provide an integrated specialist healthcare environment covering diagnosis, treatment, surgery and follow-up care. The facility is also expected to have an internal medical oxygen production and distribution system, while a hybrid power solution will support its operations. On affordability, the governor said the government was working through the Imo State Health Insurance Scheme to help residents access quality healthcare without being overwhelmed by treatment costs. Uzodimma said the broader objective was to reduce the financial, logistical and emotional burden faced by patients who travel outside the state for specialised medical care. He stressed that the launch of robotic-assisted surgery was only the beginning of a wider healthcare transformation, with the success of the initiative to be measured by patients treated, skills transferred, specialists developed and lives improved.