News

Nigerians Challenge Briton To English Proficiency Test After Controversial Tweet

Published

4 months ago

May 14, 2025

In response, Angantýr agreed, saying, “Okay, I’ll do it.” However, Ifedayo raised the stakes by proposing a second phase of the challenge to compare both parties’ economic contributions and benefit usage in the UK.

The Nigerian wrote, “I suggest it be on a Twitter space so everyone can have real time update. We will start by tendering the highest level of university education we both have. Then straight to the test proper.

“After this first phase is done and dusted, I’ll challenge you once again on behalf of every Nigerians to show what you contribute into the country and economy in terms of taxes etc. and what you take from it in terms of benefits and other public funds. I will also do same.”

He added, “If I take from this country more than I contribute, I’ll pack my bags and leave within 24 hours. If my contribution is higher than yours and I what I take back is lower than yours, you’ll keep mute and never drag Nigerians into any of your agenda again! Please, let me know whenever you’re ready as I’m ready anytime you are.”

The Briton however replied by clarifying that he agreed only to the English proficiency tests, adding that he will “happily do an IELTS and we can compare scores. I’ll get back to you.”

Further criticising the initial comment made by the Briton, Ifedayo wrote, “If no be condition wey make crayfish bend, How many English una sabi. Despite stereotypes, Nigerians consistently rank among the most proficient English speakers in the United Kingdom. Like I said, these guys just need to be put where they belong. Imagine saying Nigerians can barely speak English.”

In a separate challenge, another user, #agodliveshere, offered a £3,000 prize for a test involving 50 objective questions and two 1000-word essays, which Angantýr also accepted.

#agodliveshere added, “An examiner(s), questions, and method are needed; then location, time, and date should follow. You will need to take some responsibility too. You are the one who needs to prove Nigerians barely speak English. Drop your email address in my inbox, and I will reach out for the planning. I can’t sort out venue, examiners, logistics, time, date and judges all alone. WDYS?

Angantýr however has not responded to the call for the arrangement.

When another Nigerian, Sam Omezia (#SOmezia1) also challenged the Briton to an English language test, Angantýr declined saying, “Sorry man I’m fully booked.”

As the exchange continued, some Nigerians on X.com corrected Angantýr’s grammar, with some pointing out that his phrase “each bring” was grammatically incorrect and should be “each brings.”

Nyakno Abbasi, tweeting as #YNyakno, wrote, “Mr Speaker, Shouldn’t it be “each brings” instead of “each bring” for subject-verb agreement? Just a Nigerian correcting a Brit who barely writes well.”

Some others continued to defend Nigerians’ command of the English language.

Aina Orosun tweeting as #seyfunmi argued that although English is a foreign language which Nigerians are forced to learn in school, many of them can outperform native English speakers in grammar and vocabulary.

“We learnt it forcefully and we will beat you the colonizers silly. When you hear Nigerians, you will run,” he wrote.

Damidiya tweeting as #ogunlola23 commented under the Briton’s post saying,” There is no Nigerian here that does not speak good English and has a minimum of BSC, I have both BSC and MSC and I speak English better than you bro. Thank you!”

Akinwunmi, tweeting as #Dieux_oint, also commented, “You will be shocked that we speak and write better English than a lot of “yous”. You are highly misinformed. We speak English, and got educated in English. You have an ageing population and your benefits system already made a lot of people lazy.

Christian, who tweets as #omorogiec, wrote “Nigerians who barely speak English? Nigeria is an English-speaking country, right from Kindergarten up to University. Also, nothing less than 95% of Nigerians in UK care sectors are all degree holders. Immigrants aren’t your problem; quit scapegoating them.”

Yemi, who tweets as #yemitula, also commented, “English is Nigeria’s official language. You might not like our accent, but saying this about Nigerians makes you look ignorant.”

The trending debate comes amid intensifying scrutiny of the UK’s immigration policies.

The PUNCH reports that the UK’s Immigration White Paper released on May 12, 2025, introduced a series of sweeping reforms aimed at tightening border controls and reducing immigration.

The new measures outlined restrictions on overseas care worker recruitment, higher skill and salary thresholds, and tougher rules on study, family, and asylum visas.

The major policy changes include the end of overseas social care recruitment, a post-study work visa period shortened from two years to 18 months, and broader English language requirements among others.

News

JUST IN: Finnish Court Jails Simon Ekpa Six Years For Terrorism Offences

Published

16 minutes ago

September 1, 2025

Editor

The Päijät-Häme District Court on Monday sentenced Nigerian-born Finnish, Simon Ekpa, to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes and other offences, according to official court documents seen by BBC News Pidgin on Monday.

The 40-year-old former municipal politician from Lahti was convicted on multiple charges, including participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act.

The court ordered that Ekpa remain in custody.

According to the judgment, between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa attempted to promote the independence of the so-called Biafra region in southeastern Nigeria through illegal means.

“He used social media to gain a politically influential position and took advantage of the confusion within a key separatist movement in Nigeria to play a significant role in it,” the court statement stated as reported by BBC News pidgin.

Ekpa denied all the charges against him.

The court also found that Ekpa was instrumental in founding and developing the separatist movement into a more organised structure, working alongside others.

It was revealed during the trial that armed groups were established under the movement, which the court classified as terrorist organisations.

“Ekpa equipped the groups with weapons, explosives and ammunition through his contact network. He also urged and enticed his followers on X (formerly Twitter) to commit crimes in Nigeria,” the court said.

The trial was conducted over 12 sessions between May 30 and June 25, 2025, with a panel of three judges unanimously delivering the verdict.

Finnish authorities arrested Ekpa in December 2024 on charges linked to terrorism.

He was held on probable cause and suspicion of publicly inciting people to commit crimes with terrorist intent.

The alleged offences were said to have occurred between August 23, 2021, and November 2024, primarily in the city of Lahti.

The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation also initially arrested four other men in connection with the case. However, charges against them were later dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Ekpa, who previously served as a municipal councillor in Lahti, is widely known for his controversial role in the Biafran separatist movement.

His online broadcasts and social media activity have drawn both support and condemnation within and outside Nigeria.

News

JUST IN: Doctors Issue 10-day Ultimatum, Threaten Strike

Published

1 hour ago

September 1, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors issued a 10-day ultimatum to all relevant government agencies on Monday, warning that its members would embark on a nationwide strike if the demands were not met.

NARD disclosed this in a communiqué signed by its President, Dr. Tope Osundara; the General Secretary, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku; and Publicity and the Social Secretary, Omoha Amobi, issued after its Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, which was held virtually on Sunday.

In July, NARD had issued a three-week ultimatum, but in the interest of industrial harmony, the NEC granted the National Officers’ Committee an additional three weeks to engage with all relevant stakeholders, after which it would reconvene to reassess the extent of implementation of its demands.

In Sunday’s meeting, the E-NEC condemned the failure of the Federal Government to fulfil its promises, noting with dismay that a substantial number of resident doctors remain unpaid for their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and the refusal to pay the outstanding five months’ arrears arising from the 25 per cent/35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, as well as other longstanding salary arrears.

It also condemned the government’s failure to pay the arrears of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance.

“The E-NEC expressed displeasure over the unjust downgrading of the membership certificates of the West African Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, as well as the persistent non-issuance of membership certificates by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

“The E-NEC condemned in strong terms the failure of the Kaduna State Government to honour its commitments to members under ARD Kaduna and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, despite earlier agreements and signed Memoranda of Understanding. The E-NEC condemned the failure of the Oyo State Government to address the challenges faced by members of ARD LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, despite an ongoing indefinite strike action in the hospital,” it noted.

It, however, commended state governors who have demonstrated commitment to the welfare of doctors by paying the 2025 MRTF.

Meanwhile, the doctors said that if their demands are not met by September 10, 2025, they would embark on a nationwide strike.

E-NEC, however, demands the immediate payment of the outstanding 2025 MRTF to all eligible resident doctors by the Federal Government, as well as the settlement of the outstanding five months’ arrears of CONMESS, alongside other longstanding salary arrears.

The Council also demands, “The immediate payment of the arrears of the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance. The E-NEC demands the commencement of payment of specialist allowances to all doctors without further delay, given their indispensable role in delivering specialist medical care across the nation. The E-NEC demands that the MDCN immediately restore the recognition of the West African postgraduate membership certificates to their rightful status and calls on the NPMCN to commence without delay the issuance of membership certificates to all deserving candidates, in line with international best practices.

“The E-NEC demands the immediate implementation of the 2024 CONMESS and resolution of all outstanding welfare concerns in Kaduna State, noting that the indefinite strike by our members has already resumed and will continue until these demands are met. The E-NEC demands that the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde, immediately resolve the welfare concerns of resident doctors under the employment of the state government, particularly those at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho.

“The E-NEC urges all State Governors to prioritise the welfare of doctors in their state-owned hospitals and training institutions, ensure the timely payment of MRTF to their resident doctors, and take proactive steps to curb emigration while maintaining industrial harmony.

“The E-NEC extends the ultimatum by a final 10 days to all relevant government agencies to meet these demands. Failure to do so within this period (expiring on Wednesday, 10th September 2025) will leave the NEC with no other option than to embark on a nationwide strike action.”

News

FG Unveils Revised Curriculum For Basic, Secondary, Technical Education

Published

17 hours ago

August 31, 2025

Editor

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad

The Federal Government said it completed a comprehensive review of school curricula for basic, senior secondary and technical education aimed to make Nigerian learners “future-ready.”

The Ministry of Education disclosed this in a statement signed on Friday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, and made available to newsmen on Sunday.

Folasade said the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad announced the curriculum on behalf of the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, while speaking in Abuja.

According to the minister, the review was carried out in collaboration with key education stakeholders, including the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, the Universal Basic Education Commission, the National Senior Secondary Education Commission and the National Board for Technical Education.

The new framework is designed to reduce content overload, improve learning outcomes, and ensure Nigerian students are equipped with skills relevant to today’s global demands.

Prof. Ahmad said the exercise went beyond merely trimming subjects, stressing it focused on improving content to promote deeper learning and reduce overload for pupils and students.

“Under the revised structure, pupils in Primary 1–3 will study a minimum of nine and a maximum of 10 subjects; pupils in Primary 4–6 will take 10 to 12 subjects. Junior secondary students may offer 12 to 14 subjects, senior secondary students will take eight to nine subjects, and technical schools will offer nine to 11 subjects,” the statement read.

“The revised curricula will reduce content overload and create more learning time for students,” Prof. Ahmad said, adding that the changes reflect the government’s commitment to delivering quality, practical and relevant education in a rapidly changing world.

The Ministry of Education commended stakeholders for their role in the review and said implementation will be accompanied by strict monitoring to ensure a smooth transition across schools nationwide.

The ministry did not give an exact date for rollout, but said the new curricula will be phased in with oversight from relevant agencies to guarantee effective adoption.