Niger Republic, a poor West African country, has repatriated 2,429 citizens of Nigeria, a supposed big brother neighbour.

According to data from the Mixed Migration Centre, the repatriation took place in May this year.

Niger is a major route for young African desperate to embark on dangerous journey to Europe through Libya and Algeria.

The figures are contained in the Quarterly Mixed Migration Update for West Africa, Quarter 2 2026.

The latest data come as Nigeria continues to grapple with a wider japa wave, driven largely by economic hardship that has also pushed hundreds of thousands of citizens toward the UK, the United States, Canada, and other destinations through both regular and irregular channels in recent years.

The Nigeria Immigration Service had in May this year, confirmed the arrival of at least 1,100 Nigerians who travelled by road from Niger Republic on May 22, 2026.

Two days later, the National Emergency Management Agency received an additional 329 returnees from Agadez, Niger’s main desert transit hub, bringing the total to more than 1,400.

The Mixed Migration Centre, a Geneva-headquartered research body affiliated with the Danish Refugee Council, stated that the mass return “highlight the continued presence of stranded migrants in Niger, many of whom face prolonged stays in IOM (International Organization for Migration) centres or urban areas with limited resources.”

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress, ADC, has hit back at former president Olusegun Obasanjo, saying 2027 politics is behind Obasanjo’s lies against him

Obasanjo had recently that Atiku who served as vice president while Obasanjo was president, sponsored impeachment plot to take him out of power.

Obasanjo alleged that Atiku bribed Ghali Na’Abba, then Speaker of House of Representatives, to impeach him.

But reacting to the allegation, Atiku said Obasanjo came out with the accusations this time, to tarnish his image and give advantage to political opponents ahead of 2027 presidential election.

Atiku expressed shock that Obasanjo would reignite such serious allegation at a time Ghali Na’Abba is not alive to defend himself and urged Obasanjo to be bold enough to openly declare support to his preferred candidate rather than telling lies to tarnish his image.

Atiku’s response was made Friday through a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

“If former President Obasanjo has chosen to take a political position ahead of 2027, he should simply declare it and allow Nigerians to judge it on its merits”, Atiku said, insisting that political differences should not be fought through what he described as unsubstantiated claims.

He further maintained that if there had been credible evidence of any wrongdoing at the time, Obasanjo’s administration possessed the Constitutional power to investigate and prosecute the matter.

Atiku stated: “If there was indeed evidence of any criminal conduct as alleged, Nigerians are entitled to ask why no action was taken at the time, by a government that wielded the full powers of the Nigerian State.”

The ADC Presidential Candidate further suggested that the former President’s criticism of him, stems from the political fallout surrounding his opposition to Obasanjo’s controversial third-term agenda, while serving as Vice President.

According to Atiku, his decision to resist any attempt to alter Nigeria’s Constitutional order, remains one of the defining moments of the country’s democratic history.

While dismissing the renewed allegations, Atiku said that Nigerians are more concerned about the nation’s pressing economic and security challenges, than political disputes from the past.

He therefore, pledged that his focus would remain on offering solutions to the country’s economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and governance challenges, rather than engaging in historical political battles.

Prof. Charles Anosike, Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has been recognized once again for his outstanding transformation of climate and weather services in Nigeria through various reforms, including operational digitalization and others.

Dr. Nasiru Sani who represented Prof. Anosike at the event flanked by the Institute’s officials after receiving the Award on behalf of the DG

The latest recognition came on Thursday, July 23, 2026 by the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (Chartered) which conferred Life Membership on the NiMet DG during their Annual Conference/General Meeting in Ikeja, Lagos. The Theme of the 2-day event was- “Igniting Africa’s Renaissance: Strategic Leadership, Innovation and Enterprise for Sustainable Growth.”

In his remark, Mr. Alex Ndudi Enebeli, President/Chairman-In-Council of the Institute, said Prof. Anosike was conferred with the prestigious elite award in recognition of his distinguished leadership, and contribution to institutional and professional development.

He praised Anosike for the ongoing transformation in NiMet, saying it was a privilege for the Institute to be associated with a trailblazer that is fast becoming a leading name in leadership across the country and globally due to the commitment with which he said Anosike carries out the mandate of the agency, while at the same time thanking him for supporting the institute.

Enebeli particularly acknowledged the commitment of Prof. Anosike to training and retraining of thousands of NiMet staff, saying that several management and middle cadre workers of the agency have undergone strategic management training organized by the Institute and have therefore become chattered members.

Responding, Dr. Nasiru Sani, Director, Human Resources Management and Administration, who represented Prof. Anosike at the event, thanked the Institute for the recognition, saying the gesture was more of a challenge for him to serve the nation better.

Appointed by President Bola Tinubu in December 2026, Anosike has, in just two years and six months, transformed NiMet into a digital giant, leading to enhancement of climate and weather services as well as advancement in early warning systems, thereby repositioning the agency as a strategic institution for national Development.

Leading a team of management staffers made up of mainly topnotch professionals and meteorology experts, alongside a committed, dedicated and patriotic workforce, Anosike has taken NiMet out of relative obscurity, to become one of best performing federal government agencies in Nigeria. The agency is now a household name in the country while at the same time, receiving accolades and laurels from several international publics and stakeholders, especially organizations that are concerned with weather and climate related matters.

These achievements are coming, in addition to unprecedented welfare initiatives of the current management for staff of the agency, who hitherto, were denied training opportunities and other benefits.

For example, the federal government has in the past four months, approved three key welfare packages for the workers, following. The approvals came after due requests by Anosike’s management and support by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus Keyamo, SAN.

The approvals include the Reviewed Scheme of Service, described as a landmark and progressive move that would further amplify momentum to the ongoing rebirth and secure fair wages, with the overall aim of empowering Nigeria achieve its target on climate and weather; the Unified Salary Structure which was approved alongside an Updated Condition of Service that took effect June 1st marking a formal adjustment to the remuneration framework for the agency’s personnel.

Prof. Anosike’s management has prioritized strengthening early warning systems to help Nigerians adapt to a changing climate. The agency actively works with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other partners to improve the communication of climate information to the public.

The agency has also been playing crucial role in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing essential data to combat desertification and restore land affected by drought, thereby establishing itself as an organization with clear understanding that its responsibilities go beyond daily weather reports, but include long-term climate and environmental protection.