Pointblank News is an independent, Nigeria‑focused online news magazine founded in 2007 and published by journalist Jackson Ude. The outlet reports on politics, governance, corruption, security and the economy, with an emphasis on investigations and first‑hand sourcing. It operates as a diaspora‑run newsroom with editors in the United States and reporters in Nigeria, reflecting a mission it describes as developmental journalism and a commitment to free expression and human rights. Pointblank News publishes breaking news, exclusives and opinion columns aimed at readers interested in Nigerian and West African public affairs, including the diaspora.
Under Ude’s leadership, the publication has built a reputation for combative, anti‑corruption reporting that has prompted pushback from powerful figures. Its work has triggered multiple legal challenges, including suits by then–Information Minister Lai Mohammed (2022) and executives in the oil sector; courts in Lagos (2022) and Abuja (2023) issued judgments in favour of Sahara Group over a disputed corruption story, while a U.S. court compelled disclosure about editorial operations in a defamation case brought by a federal agency head (2022). Recognition has also followed: Ude received the Centre for Peace Studies (Sri Lanka) Peace Ambassador award in 2019 for his advocacy for good governance.
Pointblank News occupies a distinct niche in Nigeria’s media by pairing diaspora independence with on‑the‑ground reporting. Its coverage blends quick political updates with investigations into public finance, law enforcement and institutional accountability, sustaining a watchdog role that frequently challenges the country’s most influential actors.