Afternoon recap: Nigeria tops Africa’s food waste chart, Trump yet to sign Iran ceasefire deal, other top headlines
- +Nigeria named Africa’s top food waster with 38 million tonnes lost
- +FULL LIST: Top 10 most dangerous countries in 2026
- +Soldiers buy uniforms, bulletproof gear with salary – Dismissed officer
- +FULL LIST: 16 teams confirmed for 2026 U-17 AFCON in Morocco
- +VIDEO: Fire Service chief’s convoy to Kogi sparks public debate
- +Woman receives millions after viral uncompleted new home tour
A mix of economic, security and sports developments dominates today’s headlines as Nigeria emerges as Africa’s highest food-wasting nation, losing an estimated 38 million tonnes of food annually, according to a new global report highlighting the scale of post-harvest losses and consumption waste across the continent.
A mix of economic, security and sports developments dominates today’s headlines as Nigeria emerges as Africa’s highest food-wasting nation, losing an estimated 38 million tonnes of food annually, according to a new global report highlighting the scale of post-harvest losses and consumption waste across the continent.
In international politics, the White House says US President Donald Trump has not yet signed off on a proposed ceasefire deal with Iran, despite ongoing diplomatic talks aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, a dismissed Nigerian soldier has alleged that many personnel are forced to purchase their own uniforms and bulletproof gear from their salaries, raising fresh concerns about welfare and operational support within the armed forces.
In sports, 16 teams have secured qualification for the 2026 U‑17 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to be held in Morocco, as preparations begin for the youth football tournament.
Back home, a video showing the convoy of a Fire Service chief travelling to Kogi State has triggered widespread public debate online over the scale of the entourage and the use of official resources.
On social media trends, a woman who shared a viral tour of her unfinished new home has reportedly received millions in donations and support.
Another global report ranking the most dangerous countries in 2026 has also drawn attention to growing security concerns across several regions of the world.
Nigeria named Africa’s top food waster with 38 million tonnes lost
The European Union, the Federal Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation have jointly called for immediate action to tackle food waste and advance sustainable consumption and production practices.
The organisations emphasised that food waste carries consequences far beyond the dinner table. When food is discarded, the water, energy and labour invested in producing it are also lost.
They warned that this not only accelerates climate change but also undermines global efforts toward building a zero-waste circular economy.
The call was made in a statement issued by the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS on Monday, on the occasion of this year’s International Zero Waste Day, themed “Food Waste Reduction — Minimisation and Valorisation.”
The Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, revealed that Nigeria discards approximately 38 million tonnes of food annually, the highest on the African continent.
FULL LIST: Top 10 most dangerous countries in 2026
Around the world, safety remains a pressing concern as nations continue to wrestle with varying degrees of crime and insecurity.
While some countries have made notable strides in strengthening their security infrastructure, many others remain burdened by deep-rooted challenges, from political instability and economic hardship to organised crime and underfunded law enforcement.
According to the 2026 Numbeo Crime Index, countries are ranked by how unsafe residents and visitors perceive them to be.
The findings paint a sobering picture of persistent violence and insecurity in several regions, with Papua New Guinea, Venezuela, and Haiti topping the list as the most dangerous countries in the world.
Soldiers buy uniforms, bulletproof gear with salary – Dismissed officer
A dismissed Nigerian soldier, Rotimi Olamilekan, popularly known as Soja Boi and formerly serving as a Lance Corporal (service number 18NA/77/1009) with the 81 Division Task Force Battalion in Borno State, has made a striking allegation: that Nigerian Army personnel are forced to purchase their own uniforms and protective gear out of pocket, despite earning modest monthly salaries.
Olamilekan, a military content creator who built a following through his humorous videos, made the claims in an interview recorded for the Honest Brunch Podcast alongside human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, which is yet to be officially released.
During the interview, he gave a candid account of his earnings while in uniform, noting that his pay had only recently seen an increase.
“As a soldier, like presently now, them dey pay me, the last salary wey I collect for army, N109,000 or N111,000. But before that, it was just last year, February, that they increase the salary. Before now, N51,000,” he said, speaking prior to his dismissal in March.
FULL LIST: 16 teams confirmed for 2026 U-17 AFCON in Morocco
The Confederation of African Football has officially unveiled the complete lineup of 16 nations set to compete at the 2026 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
The final list was confirmed on CAF’s official website on Sunday, after Algeria secured the last available spot with a narrow 1-0 victory over Egypt at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, booking their ticket to the continental showpiece.
Morocco, the host nation, will welcome the continent’s best young talents from April 25 to May 15, 2026, when the tournament gets underway. Beyond continental glory, the stakes are particularly high — the competition also doubles as the primary qualification pathway for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
With the global youth championship expanding to a record 48 teams and scheduled for November 2026, the top 10 finishers from the AFCON will earn automatic berths at the worldwide stage.
VIDEO: Fire Service chief’s convoy to Kogi sparks public debate
A lavish motorcade organised in honour of the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Adeyemi, during a visit to his home state of Kogi, has sparked a heated debate online about how resources are prioritised within the country’s emergency services.
Video footage that began circulating on social media on Monday captures an impressive convoy of FFS-red emergency vehicles, including Toyota pickups, SUVs, outrider motorcycles, support vans, and black SUVs, rolling through a mix of highways and local roads.
In one scene, stern-faced security operatives dressed in dark suits and red ties are seen flanking a red SUV as the procession slows on approach to a packed event venue.
Another clip shows Adeyemi stepping out of the vehicle to a rousing reception from a crowd of enthusiastic locals.
The display has drawn sharp reactions from Nigerians online, many of whom have questioned whether such a show of pageantry is appropriate for the head of a service that routinely battles underfunding and inadequate equipment.
Woman receives millions after viral uncompleted new home tour
A Nigerian woman, Joy Asiwaju, has been overwhelmed with financial support from strangers after a video of her joyfully celebrating her family’s uncompleted home went viral on social media last Saturday.
