Latest News In Nigeria, Nigeria News Today, Your Online Nigerian Newspaper

2027 election security depends on adequate funding – INEC Chairman

2026-09-23T19:00:03.968+01:00

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Joash Amupitan, has emphasised that sufficient financial resources are essential for securing the necessary security measures and logistical support required to successfully execute the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan conveyed this message on Wednesday in Owerri, Imo State, during a goodwill address at the sixth edition of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, which focused on the theme: “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections.”

The INEC chairman noted that while the commission’s funding is constitutionally designated as a first-line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the breadth of its mandates necessitates continuous financial investment to facilitate effective electoral administration.

He elaborated that INEC bears responsibility for conducting not only presidential and National Assembly elections, but also governorship and state House of Assembly elections, managing voter registration, and overseeing the registration of political parties.

According to him, the commission additionally possesses statutory authority to direct the deployment of security agencies for electoral activities and voter registration processes, thereby establishing security as a fundamental component of the electoral framework.

He said, “Sometimes, it is not what you would like to do that you are able to do because of financial constraints. The system does make allocations of what is available and what is affordable at a particular time for the expenses and appropriation of the agencies, including the police and also including INEC.”

Amupitan emphasised that voter registration constitutes the cornerstone of legitimate elections, asserting that an inaccurate or obsolete voters’ register could compromise the electoral process’s inclusiveness.

He contended that because INEC administers elections affecting all three governmental tiers, election-related expenditures, encompassing security-related outlays, ought to be regarded as a shared national obligation.

The chairman noted that sufficient funding was essential for deploying personnel and electoral materials to local government areas, wards, registration areas, and polling units.

In his assessment, even when security agencies successfully maintain peace, insufficient logistical support could still jeopardise election administration.

Amupitan noted that INEC had prioritised both security and logistics under his tenure, emphasising that the commission was collaborating with governmental and security entities to prevent operational impediments from compromising the 2027 elections.

He further emphasised the significance of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, saying it is a collaborative forum that combines INEC and security and governmental agencies to facilitate election security coordination.

He explained that the committee, which originated as a coordinating framework following the 2011 general elections in response to post-election violence concerns, has matured into a formalised election security coordination mechanism.

According to him, ICCES now operates at federal, state and local government levels, with the Inspector-General of Police participating at the national level, commissioners of police at the state level and divisional police leadership represented at the local level.

The INEC chairman said stronger coordination among the agencies would be necessary ahead of 2027, noting that the police remained the lead agency when it came to election security.

He also cited recent off-cycle elections as evidence of the importance of adequate security and coordination, recalling that security agencies had helped to resolve incidents that could otherwise have disrupted the electoral process.

Amupitan said the experience of recent elections should be used to strengthen preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly in intelligence gathering, logistics and inter-agency coordination.

He added that Nigerians expected a highly effective electoral system but must also recognise that achieving such standards requires adequate resources.

“In Nigeria, we want the best. We want our electoral system to be 100 per cent. But sometimes we don’t ask ourselves the question: if we want the nation to be perfect, there must be a cost for it,” he said.

He urged the relevant authorities to provide the resources required by security agencies and INEC to perform their respective responsibilities effectively.

Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to deepening operational synergy through ICCES, the Chairman expressed optimism that the Owerri retreat would produce an actionable, forward-looking roadmap ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

He charged senior police managers to sustain absolute professional neutrality, proactive intelligence gathering, and seamless inter-agency coordination to continuously protect the integrity of the ballot.

EFCC declares ex-pension board boss, Maina wanted

2026-09-23T18:59:57.200+01:00

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, wanted.

The EFCC made the declaration in a post on its verified X handle, signed by its Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Wednesday.

Maina is reportedly involved in a multi-billion-naira pension fraud scandal, spent subsequent years as a fugitive, and has faced recent high-profile legal battles.

Maina was freed from the Kuje Correctional Centre after serving a jail sentence stemming from his conviction over pension-related fraud.

In November 2021, a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted him of money laundering offences involving over N2 billion.

He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in October 2019 but pleaded not guilty to the 12-count charge.

‘States will do better’ — Makinde demands removal of mining from exclusive list after deaths of 37 ‘illegal miners’

2026-09-23T18:59:00.000+01:00

Dolly Parton’s estate has been plunged into a legal dispute less than a month after the death of the legendary American singer.

Parton passed away in August at the age of 80.

She’s Alive, the corporation managing Parton’s business ventures, filed a restraining order on Tuesday against Bryan Seaver, the singer’s nephew and former head of her security team.

The case was filed in the Davidson County Chancery Court in Nashville, Tennessee, amid allegations that Seaver launched an escalating campaign of threats to obtain money from the country star’s $450m (£335m) estate.

According to The Telegraph, the court filing described Seaver’s security operation as “a heavily armed, paramilitary-style force” rather than a conventional office-security operation.

The filing alleged that the operation, run through Seaver’s company Squadron Augmented Protection Services, LLC (SAPS), possessed military-grade weapons and employed dozens of people.

Text messages included in the court documents reportedly showed that someone identified as Seaver threatened a business partner of Dollywood and said he would become “the hand of retribution for my entire family”.

The complaint also alleged that Seaver described himself as a “killer” in a September 3 message to one of Parton’s attorneys.

Seaver was also accused of threatening to launch a podcast aimed at damaging Parton’s business relationships.

According to the complaint, he told Danny Nozell, manager of She’s Alive, that he would create a podcast “dedicated to ruining Dolly’s brand partnerships” and exposing alleged violations committed against his family.

Nozell reportedly fired Seaver on September 15.

The lawsuit further claimed that a lawyer representing Parton’s estate and trust resigned after Seaver allegedly made “harassing and ominous threats” during a phone call.

Some employees have also reportedly left their positions, while others have hired private security because of concerns arising from the dispute.

The filing said Parton had valued employing family members when they possessed skills that matched her business needs.

She’s Alive alleged that Seaver subsequently threatened the corporation’s personnel, lawyers and business partners, including vowing to “destroy the entire brand” and threatening to “ratfuck every (business party) entity”.

Seaver, however, denied that his messages amounted to threats.

In a statement to TMZ on Tuesday, he described himself as a career soldier, military contractor and security professional. He also maintained that the comments cited in the lawsuit had been taken out of context.

“I am a career soldier and military contractor and do conduct arms deals for foreign governments. I am a security professional, and I am a killer. However, nothing in this lawsuit were threats and most of the comments I stand by,” he said.

He said his messages to Nozell were private conversations between two people who were grieving.

“I was talking frankly in a private way with Danny, who I thought was my friend and he fancies himself a gangster. A lot of these messages are two guys having rage talk and crying on the phone together while we were grieving,” he added.

Parton’s estate has not publicly disclosed further details about the financial dispute with Seaver.

Nigeria’s FX Reserves Cross $55bn, Highest in Over 18 Years – Cardoso

2026-09-23T18:59:00.000+01:00

Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), says Nigeria’s gross foreign exchange (FX) reserves have crossed $55 billion, describing the milestone as the highest in more than 18 years.

Cardoso spoke on Tuesday after the monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja.

“We have been able to rebuild our reserves. And the whole conversation around rebuilding the reserves, we know that today — and it was mentioned in my communique — that we are in excess of $55 billion, the highest number in over 18 years,” he said.

“That’s a big thing. It has come through consistency and discipline in approach.”

The disclosure comes after the reserves hit to $54.8 billion as of September 22, according to recent data from the CBN.

Cardoso attributed the strengthening external position partly to increased diaspora remittances, saying the CBN’s efforts to raise monthly inflows towards $1 billion had yielded results.

“As of July, it was almost there. It was almost at $1 billion,” he said.

The governor said the improved reserve position, alongside improved FX liquidity and exchange-rate stability, has helped to strengthen Nigeria’s resilience.

He said the CBN is confident that remittances would continue to grow, while acknowledging that external shocks could affect the flows.

“We will continue to grow these numbers. It will continue to be important for Nigeria,” Cardoso said.

“But we also accept that it can go up, it can go down.”

The economist said the CBN would continue to engage Nigerians in the diaspora and encourage them to invest in the domestic economy.

“We are not going to relent. And we believe that the future is bright for us to continue to improve on those remittances,” he said.

On September 22, the MPC cut the monetary policy rate by 350 basis points to 23 percent at its 307th meeting, noting that the decision would enhance the effectiveness of monetary policy and support the transition to an inflation targeting framework.

Wike Rejects Election Rigging Allegations, Says G5 Strategy Outsmarted Atiku

2026-09-23T18:49:40.260+01:00

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has dismissed claims that he rigged the 2023 presidential election in the South-South in favour of President Bola Tinubu against Labour Party candidate Peter Obi.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike described the allegations as a “baseless narrative propagated primarily on social media.”

The comments followed widespread criticism after he revealed in a TVC Journalists’ Hangout interview that the G5 governors had strategically allowed Obi to win in parts of the South-South.

Critics and opposition figures interpreted his earlier remarks as an admission of voter manipulation.

Wike rejected this, insisting the outcome resulted from a calculated electoral strategy aimed at neutralising major political threats rather than illegal interference.

Responding to accusations that he altered result sheets for Tinubu, Wike questioned how one person could control results across thousands of polling units.

“People who don’t understand, how can they say I rigged the election? How would I have done it? So, I just took the result sheets, wrote it, and gave it to INEC?” he asked.

He stressed that social media projections often ignore the reality of Nigeria’s electoral system. “I’ve always said social media does not win elections. You have about 176,000 polling units, and probably you have seen 300 polling units and then you rush to the conclusion that so-and-so has won. Election outcomes are not predicted this way,” he said.

Wike also noted that opposition parties failed to prove rigging claims in court after the election. “You remember that when they went to the tribunal, did anybody tender any result from Rivers to say, ‘look, this is the result, we won’?” he added.

Detailing the G5 approach in the traditionally PDP-dominated South-South, Wike said the group identified then-PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar as the primary threat.

Their strategy was to direct votes towards Obi in certain areas to split the opposition and limit Atiku’s margin.“We felt that Atiku was more of a factor in that election than Obi. So our strategy was that, make sure that you vote for Obi to win in order to deny Atiku the votes. South-South was purely a PDP state and so if we had voted for PDP all through, then Atiku would have won. That was a threat,” he explained.

Wike downplayed Obi’s national impact, describing it largely as a social media phenomenon. “Obi wasn’t a threat. Obi was merely a threat by social media. Even if Obi had secured Rivers outright, it would not have altered the outcome of the presidential race. Assuming Obi won Rivers, add it for him. Would he have won the election?” he asked.

He maintained that genuine popularity is essential and that attempts to rig without it would face resistance. “When you talk about rigging, you cannot rig an election where you are not popular. You cannot. If you try that, then you see what will happen to you. People will resist it,” he said.

Wike concluded that the G5 strategy succeeded against its main target. “We had our strategy, and that strategy worked well for us. Our major opponent was Atiku Abubakar and if we didn’t do that, something would have happened.”

Opposition Disunity: ‘We’re Repeating 2023 Mistakes’ — Donald Duke

2026-09-23T18:43:10.608+01:00

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has cautioned that Nigeria’s opposition parties are repeating the same errors that cost them the presidency in 2023 by failing to unite ahead of the 2027 general election.

Duke argued that the opposition’s inability to consolidate its forces remains a major concern.

He noted that the combined votes of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso in 2023 could have changed the outcome if they had contested as a single bloc.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm while explaining his decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the PRP, Duke said:

“In 2023, the PDP produced three presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso and we saw what happened. Put their votes together, Bola Tinubu didn’t stand a chance.”

He expressed disappointment that the lessons of that election appear not to have been fully learnt. “So, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. We are now in a situation where we’re repeating the mistakes of 2023. We haven’t learned,” he stated.

Duke urged opposition politicians to first agree on the direction they want to take the country before deciding who should lead the effort.

“I would like to be the voice of reason. Say, hey guys, look, let’s first of all agree where are we taking the country to, and if we can agree on that, who is best to articulate it?” he said.

The former Cross River State governor added that while he remains interested in the presidency, his priority is contributing to a team capable of fixing Nigeria.

“I don’t have to be president. Of course, I would like to be president, but I don’t have to be president. I’d like to be part of a team that gets this country right because it’s not about me. It’s about getting the country to work,” Duke said.

Tunji Disu to politicians: Don’t hire thugs for elections, compete with ideas

2026-09-23T18:36:08.918+01:00

Tunji Disu, the inspector-general of police (IGP), says the police will not condone politicians who hire thugs or engage in vote-buying during the 2027 elections.

Speaking at the sixth conference and retreat for senior police officers held in Owerri, the Imo state capital, on Monday, Disu said “impunity is the greatest encouragement of electoral crimes”.

The opening ceremony of the conference was attended by Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo; George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF); representatives from other security agencies; and other government officials.

The IGP urged politicians and their supporters to compete with ideas, not thugs.

He said the police would collaborate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate vote-buying and inducement during the forthcoming general election.

Disu said anyone arrested over electoral crimes would be prosecuted irrespective of their status.

“To politicians and their supporters, my message is simple. Compete with ideas, not with thugs,” he said.

“Do not hire mobs, buy votes, move arms or threaten voters and electoral officials. The police will act against anyone who does that, whatever their status.

“Arrest is not enough; we will work with INEC, EFCC, and ICPC to investigate vote buying and inducement. We will also work with prosecutors so that those arrested will face trial, not just headlines.

“Impunity is the greatest encouragement of electoral crimes. To the people of Nigeria, go out, vote peacefully and report wrongdoing.”

The IGP also unveiled a six-pillar framework that would guide police activities during the election.

The framework includes strengthened intelligence and early-warning systems; intensive training and preparedness; joint command and inter-agency coordination; effective communication and deployment of technology; sustained community partnership; and absolute neutrality.

Why Nigeria, Ghana-trained teachers were removed from UK qualification list

2026-09-23T18:35:12.873+01:00

The UK education department says it removed Nigeria and Ghana-trained teachers from the list of countries eligible for its direct qualified teacher status (QTS) service, due to the use of public email addresses for work history references in applications, rather than official domains.

The department disclosed this in a statement on its website, where it said teachers from the two African countries will no longer be eligible to apply for the United Kingdom’s QTS, a legal requirement to teach in several schools in England.

“Our data shows that more than 70% of applications from teachers in Ghana and Nigeria include work history references that use public email addresses, such as Gmail or Hotmail, rather than a school’s official email domain,” it stated.

“This means assessors spend additional time and resources trying to verify information provided in applications.”

The exemption took effect on September 9.

The UK government previously expanded QTS eligibility to countries including Nigeria and Ghana in 2023, according to an annual report by the UK teaching agency.

According to the UK education department, teaching qualifications and experience are assessed against strict requirements to ensure that they confirm QTS for teachers who meet the requirements.

To remain eligible, a country must have a national regulator that can confirm a teacher’s professional standing and provide authenticated references.

About 90 percent of applications are assessed within 12 months.

India was also removed from the list for not having a national regulator that can confirm professional standing.

South Africa is now the only African country on the list of eligible countries.

“We must be confident that the information applicants provide is genuine. This helps ensure that overseas teachers awarded qualified teacher status have the skills and experience needed to teach in schools in England,” the department said.

It added that teachers who are not eligible to use the “Apply for QTS in England” service can explore other routes.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for QTS, teachers must have a valid passport, an undergraduate degree equal to a UK bachelor’s degree, recognition as a professional teacher in the country where they completed teacher training, and completion of all mandatory induction processes to gain full teacher registration in the country where they qualified.

Teachers must also provide evidence that they can teach children aged 5 to 16 years, have at least one school year (nine months) of experience employed as a teacher in any country.

However, the experience must be from after they first became qualified to teach, and they must provide references that can confirm their work history and have an email address that uses the school’s domain.

Crisis rocks Dolly Parton’s estate as nephew is fired over ‘threat to extort’ her $450m fortune

2026-09-23T18:33:15.261+01:00

Dolly Parton’s estate has been plunged into a legal dispute less than a month after the death of the legendary American singer.

Parton passed away in August at the age of 80.

She’s Alive, the corporation managing Parton’s business ventures, filed a restraining order on Tuesday against Bryan Seaver, the singer’s nephew and former head of her security team.

According to The Telegraph, the court filing described Seaver’s security operation as “a heavily armed, paramilitary-style force” rather than a conventional office-security operation.

The filing alleged that the operation, run through Seaver’s company Squadron Augmented Protection Services, LLC (SAPS), possessed military-grade weapons and employed dozens of people.

The complaint also alleged that Seaver described himself as a “killer” in a September 3 message to one of Parton’s attorneys.

Seaver was also accused of threatening to launch a podcast aimed at damaging Parton’s business relationships.

Nozell reportedly fired Seaver on September 15.

The lawsuit further claimed that a lawyer representing Parton’s estate and trust resigned after Seaver allegedly made “harassing and ominous threats” during a phone call.

Some employees have also reportedly left their positions, while others have hired private security because of concerns arising from the dispute.

The filing said Parton had valued employing family members when they possessed skills that matched her business needs.

Seaver, however, denied that his messages amounted to threats.

He said his messages to Nozell were private conversations between two people who were grieving.

Parton’s estate has not publicly disclosed further details about the financial dispute with Seaver.

Unity Colleges Staff Suspend Strike Over King’s College Concession

2026-09-23T17:47:29.637+01:00

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has suspended its industrial action over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, clearing the way for the reopening of the 115 Federal Unity Colleges across the country.

In a communiqué released on Wednesday, the decision followed a meeting on Tuesday in Kano between leaders of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), the ASCSN, and zonal coordinators of the Unity Schools.

The leaders agreed to halt the strike to allow a seven-member committee to review the King’s College concession document.

The action comes about two weeks after the ASCSN, working with the Parent Teacher Association, shut down all Unity Colleges.

Staff had demanded that the Federal Government reverse the planned concession of the 117-year-old institution to its Old Boys Association.

Schools were due to resume on September 13, but workers ordered a boycott, arguing the deal threatened the future of the Federal Unity College system.

The communiqué noted that the TUC, ASCSN leadership and zonal coordinators reviewed the earlier agreement with the Federal Ministry of Education and the concession papers.

They resolved “to suspend the ongoing strike action in the Unity Colleges to enable the seven (7) man Committee to review the Concession document.”

Union leaders also cited the fact that the concession itself has been put on hold pending the committee’s report, on which the ASCSN has two representatives.

“Considering the above, the Zonal Coordinators of the Unity Schools agreed with the National Leadership of the ASCSN that the strike be suspended immediately while awaiting the report of the committee,” the document stated.

It was signed by the zonal coordinators: Omidiji Kunle (Lagos), Abubakar Muhammad (North-West), Yusuf S.A. (South-West), Tanko Augustine (North-East), Udop Ogbodim (South-South), Nosike F.O. (South-East), and Amodu Isiaka (North-Central).

Following the suspension, the Parent Teacher Association of the colleges has proposed Sunday, September 27, as the date for students to return.

In a statement signed by Farmer Ayopo Somefun, South-West Zonal Coordinator of the PTA Chairmen Association, parents welcomed the move as an opportunity for dialogue.

They said they were ready to support the immediate restoration of academic activities but stressed that the date remains subject to confirmation by the Federal Ministry of Education.

The parents called on the ministry to urgently communicate its position so families can prepare.

They also urged all parties to sustain dialogue, allow the seven-member committee to complete its work without pressure, and address the situation of any PTA staff affected by earlier government actions before full resumption.

The dispute intensified after a September 4 ministry letter directed the handover of King’s College to the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA).

The government has maintained that the arrangement is not a sale or privatisation and that it retains legal ownership, with KCOBA handling financing, rehabilitation and operations.

On September 16, the Federal Government and organised labour agreed to pause implementation for two weeks and form the review committee.

FG to engage 4,000 influencers to showcase Tinubu’s projects, says Umahi

2026-09-23T17:02:53.494+01:00

The federal government has announced plans to engage 4,000 social media influencers to showcase infrastructure projects delivered under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

David Umahi, minister of works, spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a report from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on its inspection of federal road projects in Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto.

Umahi said the proposed influencer network would help communicate the government’s achievements directly to Nigerians, particularly young people ahead of the 2027 general election.

“We have to fight this social media war. We have to launch 4,000 social media influencers to tell our stories,” he said.

The minister said Nigerians needed to hear about the gains recorded under Tinubu’s administration.

He also said the government would consider constructing pedestrian bridges around university campuses following concerns raised by NANS during its inspection.

Umahi commended the students’ association for independently inspecting federal projects and assessing their impact.

The minister also said the 105-kilometre pavement under construction on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would be completed by November.

He also raised concerns over vandalism along the highway, saying some people were destroying infrastructure and removing safety installations.

The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway has been the subject of controversy over its environmental impact assessment (EIA), alignment and potential implications for flooding in Lagos.

The federal ministry of environment had conducted public-display exercises for the environmental and social impact assessment reports for sections one and two of the project, covering the first 104 kilometres of the highway.

The project came under renewed scrutiny following flooding in parts of Lagos, with some stakeholders calling for an independent assessment of whether the highway’s alignment, construction and drainage system contributed to the flooding.

The federal government has rejected claims that the coastal highway caused flooding in Lagos.

Umahi said the road was designed to mitigate flooding, adding that drainage infrastructure was incorporated into the project to evacuate water from surrounding areas.

The minister, however, urged Nigerians to protect public infrastructure and said the government would continue to engage citizens in monitoring its projects.

I’m returning to Nigeria after UN tenure but won’t seek political office - Amina Mohammed

2026-09-23T17:02:39.613+01:00

Amina Mohammed, deputy secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), says she plans to return to Nigeria but has no interest in running for political office after completing her tenure at the global body.

Mohammed spoke on Monday during an interview with Arise News.

Asked about her plans after leaving the UN and whether she would consider returning to public service or seeking political office, Mohammed said: “No”.

She said her decade at the UN had given her networks and visibility that she hopes to use to contribute to Nigeria and Africa.

“I’m coming home, and I’m very happy to do that. Ten years here, I think, has been a privilege. It has created networks, it has created a visibility for women and for my country and for the continent, and I want to use that to go back home,” she said.

“And Nigeria is a pretty big country, and it’s a leader in Africa, and so to say that Africa, Nigeria is where I sit, but Africa is my oyster, and I’d like to think that that’s what I could go back and contribute to it. It’s never easy but it’s the right thing to do, so that’s what I hope I do.”

Speaking about women balancing careers and family life, Mohammed said women often have to make difficult choices and rely on support systems.

“My advise to women is to use your support systems, never try to do this alone, it’s never about just you,” she said.

“Women have won the battle, not the war. We’re still fighting for a space, we’re still way off track with the targets that we’ve set for women’s rights and leadership in the workplace, at home, and gender based violence, all these things are still a struggle for us.”

Mohammed took office as UN deputy secretary-general in February 2017 after first joining the organisation in 2012 as special adviser to former secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on post-2015 development planning.

She played a key role in the development of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Before joining the UN, she served as Nigeria’s minister of environment from November 2015 to early 2017 and previously worked as senior special assistant to the president on Millennium Development Goals.

Her tenure as deputy secretary-general is due to end on December 31, alongside that of António Guterres, the UN secretary-general.

‘Nigeria governed remotely’ – Hakeem Baba-Ahmed on Tinubu extending Europe vacation

2026-09-23T17:02:15.375+01:00

The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, on Wednesday hinted that Nigeria would be governed remotely until President Bola Tinubu returns to the country.

Baba-Ahmed said Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were absent from Nigeria at a time when the country wanted a change of leadership.

The former presidential aide spoke while reacting to Tinubu’s extension of his leave while holidaying in Paris, France.

Tinubu extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is now expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.

He departed Nigeria on August 30 for London and later moved to Paris, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.

Despite the extension, he has continued to keep in touch with officials in Nigeria and has directed the affairs of the government while abroad.

While he was absent, Shettima departed Nigeria for New York, United States, US, for the ongoing 81st United Nations General Assembly, UNGA.

However, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, insisted that the President can govern Nigeria from anywhere in the world.

Reacting, Baba-Ahmed, in a post on X wrote: “PBAT, C-in-C has extended his leave at a time VP is out of the country. We will be governed remotely until the President returns. At a time Nigerians are preparing to say we want more of this type of leadership or a major change. PBAT must know something we don’t.”

‘You made juju music go global’ — Tinubu celebrates Sunny Ade at 80

2026-09-23T17:01:51.906+01:00

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the veteran juju musician Sunny Ade on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

In a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu commended the octogenarian for his remarkable influence on the entertainment industry, noting that he helped transform juju music into an internationally recognized symbol of Nigerian culture.

The president also praised the legendary artiste for elevating Nigerian music to global prominence.

The president described Sunny Ade as a shining example of musical excellence and cultural diplomacy, whose work has enriched the nation and brought joy to audiences across multiple generations.Tinubu noted that the celebrated entertainer ranks among Africa’s most acclaimed performers, having showcased the depth and richness of Nigerian culture to listeners worldwide.

He highlighted the musician’s signature sound and his innovative integration of guitar, talking drums, and other traditional instruments as qualities that distinguished him throughout his career.

Beyond his artistic achievements, the president said Sunny Ade has served as a proud ambassador for Nigeria, using his platform to project the country’s cultural heritage positively.

Tinubu also acknowledged the singer’s far-reaching contributions to Nigeria’s creative sector, which he said have inspired countless musicians and industry practitioners.

According to the president, the milestone offers an opportunity to recognize the immense value that Nigeria’s cultural icons bring to the nation.

“For eight decades, you have exemplified musical excellence and cultural ambassadorship, enriching our nation and bringing joy to millions across generations,” the statement reads in part.

“Through your extraordinary talent, creativity, discipline and enduring passion, you transformed juju music into a globally recognised Nigerian cultural treasure.

“As one of Africa’s most celebrated entertainers, you have brought the richness of our culture to audiences worldwide.

“Your distinctive sound, masterful blend of guitar, talking drums and other traditional instruments, mesmerising dance steps, and innovative approach to music have earned you a distinguished place in the history of African arts and entertainment.

“Beyond your musical accomplishments, you have remained a proud ambassador of Nigeria, demonstrating through your career that our cultural heritage can transcend borders and speak powerfully to people everywhere.

“Your remarkable contributions to the Nigerian creative industry have inspired generations of musicians and practitioners.

“Your music has not only entertained, but it has also preserved our cultural identity, celebrated our traditions and projected the beauty and diversity of our country to the world.

“As President, I deeply recognise and celebrate the immense contributions of our cultural icons. On this important milestone, I am especially grateful to God for the grace He has given you.

“At 80, you embody excellence, perseverance and service to the arts. Your achievements remind us that talent, when combined with dedication and commitment to one’s heritage, can become an enduring national legacy.

“On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Nigeria, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. May Almighty God bless you with good health, wisdom and many more fulfilling years.”

Don’t Sponsor Pilgrims With Stolen Funds, Sultan Tells Politicians

2026-09-23T16:46:25.550+01:00

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has cautioned politicians and public office holders against sponsoring pilgrimages to the holy lands of Mecca and Jerusalem with stolen public funds.

The Sultan gave the charge at the opening ceremony of a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Addressing participants, the traditional and religious leader emphasised that religious leaders should actively collaborate with anti-corruption agencies to curb systemic graft.

“We, as religious leaders, must fight corruption because God Almighty doesn’t like corruption. You cannot steal money and send people to Jerusalem or Mecca with corrupt funds and think God will accept your deeds. God is not corrupt, so you cannot use corrupt money for Hajj or anything else,” he said.

The Sultan urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to deal decisively with corrupt individuals, regardless of their political or religious affiliations.“

Whoever is involved, our brothers, sisters, fathers, or friends, should face the law. When someone is facing the law, do not tell me he is the pastor of so-and-so church or the chief imam of so-and-so mosque. We do not want to hear that,” he said.

He also called on the EFCC to discharge its duties without political interference.

Highlighting the importance of national unity, Abubakar praised NIREC as a unique platform for fostering dialogue between Christians and Muslims.

He said such regular interactions were essential for peace, stability and national development.He further urged religious leaders to prioritise genuine mutual understanding over mere tolerance.

“I keep telling people that I don’t want you to just tolerate me, because tolerance means enduring something you have no choice about. But if you understand me, we can work together because we know who we are to each other,” he said.

The Sultan also cautioned clerics to mind their utterances from the pulpit, especially during election periods, and urged them to pray for national leaders rather than use religious platforms to incite division or attack public officers.

He paid tribute to the outgoing Executive Secretary of NIREC, Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua, commending his eight-year tenure for transforming the council into a vibrant national platform.

Abubakar urged participants to discuss national issues openly and avoid spreading rumours upon returning to their communities.

In an overview of the Interfaith Anti-Corruption Manuals Project, Prof. Adedibu Ojerinde, Chairman of the Interfaith Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee (IAAC), described the manuals as a joint strategic initiative between the EFCC and Nigeria’s religious leadership to address the nation’s moral crisis.

Ojerinde said the project, which grew out of the 2007 National Interfaith Forum on Corruption, aims to mobilise the pulpit and minbar to transform public morality through dedicated preaching manuals anchored in biblical and Qur’anic texts.

He noted that the manuals, originally inaugurated in 2014 and re-inaugurated in January 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, had been expanded to address contemporary challenges, including youth involvement, cybercrime and money-laundering vulnerabilities within religious institutions.

Ojerinde said the formal handover of the manuals to NIREC marked a shift from publication to practical execution. He urged the integration of anti-corruption themes into Friday sermons and Sunday messages.

The opening ceremony was attended by Christian and Muslim leaders, government officials, security representatives and the media.

Yakasai Accuses Kano Govt of Blocking ADC Campaign Billboards

2026-09-23T16:26:38.409+01:00

Prominent African Democratic Congress (ADC) member Salihu Tanko Yakasai has accused the Kano State Government of preventing the opposition party from erecting campaign billboards across the state.

Yakasai made the allegation in a statement shared on his Facebook page on Wednesday. He claimed that the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had restricted the ADC from using billboards to promote its political activities in Kano.

The state government has previously introduced rules governing outdoor advertising and the display of political posters.

In June 2023, it announced restrictions on indiscriminate outdoor advertising and poster pasting, directing individuals and organisations to use approved billboards and electronic platforms.

It was not immediately clear whether the situation raised by Yakasai related to the general advertising regulations or a specific restriction targeted at the ADC.

Reacting to the alleged development, Yakasai said: “I never imagined that the kind of oppression the APC is accused of carrying out in some states could happen in Kano.”

“The administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has prevented our party, the ADC, from erecting campaign billboards across Kano State,” he alleged.

He added: “Governor Abba, remember that power belongs to Allah. Remember where you came from before occupying this office.”

Yakasai further warned that political positions can change, noting that those in power today may find themselves in a different situation in the future.

Lagos APC Expels Obasa’s Allies, Egunjobi, Yusuf Over ‘Betrayal’

2026-09-23T16:22:13.527+01:00

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expelled former Agege Local Government chairman Ganiyu Egunjobi and Azeez Yusuf over alleged anti-party activities, disloyalty and conduct considered inimical to the integrity and discipline of the party.

The two former members contested the APC primary elections for Agege Constituency I and Agege Constituency II respectively in the 2026 Lagos State House of Assembly nomination process but failed to secure the party’s tickets.

Rather than accept the outcome of the internal democratic process or pursue redress through the party’s established channels, they obtained tickets from another political party, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

In a statement on Wednesday, Lagos APC Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi described their action as a clear repudiation of the obligations of party membership and an unacceptable act of anti-party activity and disloyalty.

He said their purported resignations from the APC amounted to a belated, face-saving attempt to pre-empt the consequences of their actions.

“The Party’s position is that membership of the APC cannot be treated as a convenient political garment to be worn during a primary and discarded immediately after an unsuccessful outcome,” Ojelabi stated.

“The APC is a political organisation governed by rules, regulations and constitutional obligations. While members are free to aspire to elective office, such aspirations must be pursued within the framework of the Party’s constitution and the applicable electoral laws.

“A member who loses an internal contest is expected to accept the outcome or pursue legitimate avenues of redress provided by the Party and the law, not to undermine the Party by seeking an alternative platform within the same electoral cycle.”

He said the party invoked the relevant provisions of Article 9(5)(II) of the APC Constitution (as amended in 2022) in taking disciplinary action against the two.

Ojelabi declared that Egunjobi and Yusuf are no longer members of the APC and therefore have no authority to speak for, represent, negotiate on behalf of, or transact any business in the name of the Lagos State APC or the national party.

Bauchi Begins Payment of Gratuity Backlog, Releases N10bn

2026-09-23T16:15:06.088+01:00

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has directed the commencement of payment of outstanding gratuity to retired civil servants for the period 2012 to 2016.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Auwal Jatau, made the announcement during a symbolic handover of the cheque on Wednesday.

He said the exercise would begin with the first batch of beneficiaries, with subsequent payments continuing until all eligible retirees receive their entitlements.

Mohammed stated that the state government has committed N10 billion towards clearing the accumulated gratuity obligations. Validated historical records put the total outstanding liabilities for the period at N11.71 billion, covering both state and local government retirees.

The state component involves 3,570 beneficiaries with obligations of N6.13 billion, while the local government component covers 2,262 beneficiaries with outstanding obligations of N5.58 billion.

The governor explained that payments would be implemented progressively, based on the chronology of outstanding obligations, completeness of supporting records, validation and reconciliation processes, and the resources approved for each phase.

“No eligible pensioner should interpret this first phase as an exclusion. We are beginning from defined historical brackets so that government can process systematically and transparently. We are starting here, but we are not stopping here. The validated historical records before government cover the accumulated obligations,” he said.

Mohammed noted that many retired workers had waited more than a decade for their gratuity, describing the backlog as one of the most challenging issues inherited by his administration.

He added: “Today, we say to you, your wait is finally coming to an end. Acknowledging the plight of our senior citizens, when we talk about monthly living, there should be dignity. It is a systemic injustice when, after finishing years of service, you are unable to receive your hard-earned entitlement.

"Sadly, we have lost some of our colleagues along the way without them tasting the fruit of their labour.”

The governor said the government recognises the contributions of retirees who spent decades building the state’s infrastructure, schools, healthcare system and administrative machinery.

He noted that the Bauchi State Contributory Pension Scheme had been established to strengthen the management of pension-related matters, including data validation, verification and reconciliation.

Mohammed directed the relevant committee and officials to ensure transparency, speed and fairness in the disbursement, with no bureaucratic bottlenecks, and that senior citizens should be given priority and treated with dignity.

He urged beneficiaries to provide the necessary documentation, cooperate with the verification process and use the payments prudently to support themselves and their families.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Sulaiman, said the legislature unanimously approved the release of funds for the payment of the outstanding gratuity.

Air Peace Offers 25% Discount as Compensation for Delayed Lagos-Enugu Flight

2026-09-23T16:08:44.079+01:00

Air Peace has offered lawyer and human rights activist Inibehe Effiong a 25 per cent discount on a one-way ticket on any of its domestic routes as compensation for a delayed Lagos-Enugu flight.

The offer was made in compliance with a directive from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).Effiong disclosed the compensation in a post on his X account on Wednesday, sharing a copy of an email he received from the airline’s call centre.

In the email, Air Peace apologised for the disruption of flight P47100 from Lagos to Enugu on September 21, 2026, and confirmed it had approved a discounted ticket (excluding tax) as compensation for the inconvenience.

To claim the ticket, passengers must email the airline with their old booking reference, a scanned copy of their travel passport, and details of their new flight itinerary (route, date and time).

The offer is valid for six months from the date of the email, excluding the period between December 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.

Recall that the NCAA directed Air Peace to compensate Effiong and other affected passengers after a preliminary investigation found the airline had sent them an incorrect notification about the flight.

The service was originally scheduled to depart Lagos for Enugu at 6:45am on Monday.Effiong had accused the airline of irresponsibility.

He said he arrived at Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed Airport at about 5:50am for the flight, only to be told, along with other passengers, to wait.

The flight was eventually delayed until 4:50pm, causing him to miss a scheduled court appearance in Enugu State.The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, confirmed that the delay was a ripple effect of an earlier disruption on Sunday night.

He directed the airline to compensate affected passengers in line with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.Reacting to the compensation offer, Effiong said the gesture did not address what he described as the airline’s recurring poor service culture.

“This modest effort by Air Peace to assuage me and other aggrieved passengers should not detract from the fundamental issue, namely: the perennial lacklustre, arrogant and frustrating attitude of the company,” he stated.

While commending the swift response of Achimugu and the NCAA, Effiong insisted that a stronger regulatory framework is needed to protect air passengers’ rights.

NNPCL Must Explain To Nigerians Why Refineries Aren’t Producing – Petroleum Minister

2026-09-23T15:59:52.588+01:00

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, should account for and explain to Nigerians why its Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries are not producing petroleum products.

He made this disclosure on Tuesday in an interview with Channels Television.

According to him, a brief from the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, showed that the state-owned refineries are not producing refined petroleum products after gulping between N23.84 trillion and N33.11 trillion on turnaround maintenance over the past two decades.

“The last brief I got from the GCEO [Bayo Ojulari] is that it’s very unfortunate that the Port Harcourt refinery, Warri refinery and Kaduna refinery are not producing today.

“But new partnerships are being negotiated with some Chinese companies to come and invest their money and see how they can rehabilitate.”

When asked if those who deceived Nigerians into believing that the refineries were working should be punished, Lokpobiri said, “Call NNPC, tell them to come and account for it. I will tell them to come. Let them come and explain.”

His comments came as Nigerians buy petrol for between N1,395 and N1,450 per litre in Abuja and its environs, worsening the cost of living.

Recall that the NNPCL, under its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, announced the restart of operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery on November 26, 2024. However, on May 24, 2025, the plant was shut down.

‘For Allah’s sake’ — Matawalle asks Muslim women to back Tinubu-Shettima ticket

2026-09-23T14:46:40.738+01:00

Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence and former governor of Zamfara, has urged Muslim women across the country to back the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima in 2027.

Matawalle spoke in a viral video published on Tuesday via Facebook by HM Arewa, a media group which relays news in Hausa.

In the video, he was seen addressing a group of women at a recent public function said to have held in Kaduna, which was also attended by Aminu Masari, former speaker of the house of representatives.

“This is a political gathering centered around the politics of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and everyone here is working towards the actualisation of the Muslim-Muslim ticket,” Matawalle said in Hausa.

“As a Muslim, when you support a Muslim-Muslim ticket and achieve it, your heart will be at peace because you know the reason behind your actions.

“You are doing it for your religion and for Allah’s sake, because Allah commands Muslims to love their fellow Muslims.”

He said Muslim women must not be deterred by criticism of their support for the ticket, since their decision is not motivated by money or politics but by their religious convictions.

“Whoever criticises your stance, you already have the answer to give them. You are doing this not because of money or politics, but out of devotion to your religion and in fulfilment of what Allah expects of you,” the minister said.

“Therefore, you are on the path of voting for Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, a Muslim-Muslim ticket, as a Muslim, a child of Muslims, and a grandchild of Muslims.

“No one can rightfully say that what you are doing is incorrect, nor can they claim you are wrong for following the teachings of your religion just because it is Nigeria. You must stand by your faith.”

He urged the women to remain committed to their convictions, saying they could have good hope even if they died while working towards the actualisation of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket.

“Let us stand by what we agreed upon. Even if Allah takes your life while you are working toward the actualisation of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket, you can have good hope because you acted out of your true beliefs and convictions,” he said.

At the same event, Masari said in almost 40 years of his involvement in politics, he has not seen a president with better plans for Nigeria than Tinubu.

Masari and Matawalle are in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council for Tinubu’s re-election bid. The list was unveiled in August.

The minister was appointed deputy director, security and intelligence I of the council.

How to change phone number, email on JAMB portal

2026-09-23T14:46:35.760+01:00

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has introduced a procedure for candidates who have lost access to the phone numbers or email addresses linked to their JAMB profiles.

The board announced the development in a video shared on its X handle on Wednesday, outlining the process candidates must follow to update their details.

The new arrangement is expected to assist candidates who can no longer access their registered SIM cards or email accounts and have consequently been unable to receive examination-related notifications or access their JAMB profiles.

“Candidates who lost their SIM card can now swap it with a new one. And those who also lost access to their email addresses on the JAMB portal can now change to a new one,” JAMB said.

How to change your phone number or email on JAMB portal

Candidates seeking to use the service are required to complete the following steps:

1. Obtain a court affidavit

Candidates must first visit a High Court and obtain an affidavit supporting their request to change their registered phone number or email address.

2. Access the JAMB e-Facility

After obtaining the affidavit, candidates should log into their JAMB e-Facility account.

3. Select ‘Penalties’

On the e-Facility dashboard, candidates should select the ‘Penalties’ option.

4. Choose SIM Swap/Email Change

Under the Penalties section, select ‘SIM Swap/Email Change Penalty Payment.’

5. Pay the required fee

Candidates should make the prescribed payment through the JAMB portal.

6. Visit a JAMB office

After payment, candidates are required to visit a designated JAMB office to complete the process.

JAMB said the service is available only at designated JAMB PTC/PRC Centres.

7. Provide profile details

At the centre, candidates will be required to provide their profile code and existing GSM number.

8. Complete biometric verification

The candidate will undergo biometric verification as part of the process.

9. Upload the affidavit

The scanned copy of the court affidavit obtained earlier must also be uploaded to complete the request.

Who is eligible?

JAMB said the service is intended for candidates with genuine cases of lost access to their registered GSM numbers or email addresses.

The board also stated that the service can only be used once, urging candidates to ensure that the new details supplied during the process are accurate.

Shettima will take over from Tinubu before 2031 – Primate Ayodele

2026-09-23T14:46:29.989+01:00

The founder of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, says President Bola Tinubu may be unable to complete a second term if he wins the 2027 presidential election.

In a video released on Tuesday, the cleric suggested that Vice-President Kashim Shettima could succeed Tinubu before the end of his tenure.

The cleric stated that Tinubu’s health would require prayers if he were to complete his current tenure and secure another four years in office.

He described the statement as a warning based on what he described as divine revelation, rather than a curse against the President.

Ayodele referred to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who died in office in 2010 after a prolonged illness, as a possible precedent.

“If Tinubu wins the second time, he will not finish it. I stand by my word, he will not finish it. What happened to Yar’Adua or whatever that will make him not to finish it will lead to an emergency government, making Shettima take over from him, might happen.

“Tinubu will not finish his second term, thus says the Lord of hosts,” Ayodele declared.

He further alleged that individuals around the President were shielding him from opinions and messages that could challenge his decisions.

You Are No Match for Peter Obi, Leave Him Alone, Awuzie tells Umahi, Soludo

2026-09-23T14:28:43.111+01:00

Former National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, has called on Igbo leaders and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to speak out against what he described as continued attacks on the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, by some Igbo politicians.

Awuzie made the call while speaking with journalists in Owerri. He specifically urged Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to concentrate on their official duties rather than attacking Obi’s record.

He expressed concern over the apparent silence or indifference of Igbo leaders to the exchanges involving the politicians.

“The patriotic Igbo man is known for speaking out. So, what are our Elders-in-Council in the South-East doing? What about those in Ohanaeze Ndigbo and those in Imeobi of Ohanaeze? Why can’t they call Governor Soludo and Engr. Umahi to order? They should tell the duo to leave Obi alone,” Awuzie said.

He advised Soludo and Umahi to focus on governance, stating that attempts to discredit Obi’s record as former Anambra governor would not succeed.

“There should be a limit to greed, envy and jealousy. They should face governance; govern well and minister well. They can’t be a match to Obi, no matter how they try to rubbish his credibility. Igbo elders should rise and show leadership,” he added.

Awuzie described Obi as the kind of leader Nigeria needs at this time and a different breed of politician. He said that if Nigerians know what is good for them, they should support him.

He also dismissed suggestions that comments by President Bola Tinubu and his supporters could damage Obi’s reputation, insisting that such efforts would fail to dent Obi’s integrity, character and personality.

Awuzie further described Obi as a model of whom Ndigbo and many other Nigerians are proud, noting that people troop out to welcome him wherever he goes across the country.

Sanwo-Olu, UN, global partners to Fight Climate Threats in Lagos

2026-09-23T14:21:45.979+01:00

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has convened a high-level strategic roundtable with the Lagos State Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Global Compact Networks, and regional partners from across Africa and the Caribbean to tackle growing climate threats facing coastal communities and critical infrastructure.

The executive session focused on accelerating practical, immediate solutions and securing sustainable climate financing frameworks to protect coastal areas before future extreme weather events.

In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu stressed the urgency of the effort. As a low-lying coastal megacity, Lagos faces direct and ongoing threats from rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and recurrent urban flooding.

“Lagos is a coastal city, so climate change is not a distant concern for us. We see its effects in the flooding that affects our communities and the pressure it puts on our roads, homes, and businesses,” the governor stated.

He noted that the physical and economic impact on municipal infrastructure requires moving beyond traditional policy discussions to immediate structural protections and proactive financial planning.

A key focus of the roundtable was bridging the funding gap for large-scale resilience projects by mobilising private-sector capital alongside international development frameworks.

Sanwo-Olu emphasised that municipal funding alone is insufficient to build long-term defences against severe environmental pressures.

“By working directly with the private sector, we are putting measures in place and building a stronger, more prepared Lagos,” he added.

“Government cannot do this alone. We need strong partnerships and practical solutions that will help secure our economic future.”

The collaborative framework with the UN Global Compact Networks and transatlantic partners aims to develop scalable models for coastal defence, infrastructure reinforcement, and climate-resilient urban development across Lagos State.

Aiyedatiwa Okays N400m Bursary, Scholarship for 13,360 Ondo Students

2026-09-23T14:11:13.593+01:00

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved and flagged off the 2026 bursary, scholarship and financial assistance programme for 13,360 students of Ondo State origin studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

A total of N400 million has been allocated for the scheme.The beneficiaries include 11,907 bursary recipients, 614 scholarship awardees, 239 Law School students, 500 medical students undergoing clinical training, and 100 physically challenged students receiving financial assistance.

The launch event took place on Tuesday at the Cocoa Conference Centre of the Governor’s Office in Akure, the state capital.

Aiyedatiwa described education as the foundation of sustainable development and a key pillar of his administration’s “OUR EASE” agenda.

He noted that the 2026 Budget of Economic Consolidation includes funding for the construction and rehabilitation of 500 basic schools, alongside the start of a Digital Literacy Programme that will distribute digital tablets to students in 50 public schools.

The governor also highlighted ongoing investments in teachers and recent recognition of outstanding students, teachers and NYSC award recipients.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, praised the governor’s commitment to students’ welfare and educational development.

He confirmed the timely release of the N400 million and disclosed that Aiyedatiwa had also approved N633.918 million for the payment of 2026 WASSCE registration fees for students in public secondary schools across the state.

Ajibefun further stated that the governor had directed the immediate implementation of the Federal Government’s agreement with unions on the new salary structure for tertiary institutions in the state, along with increased subvention to support its rollout.

Defence Minister proposes compulsory military training for Nigerians

2026-09-23T14:07:34.357+01:00

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, rtd, has proposed that every Nigerian citizen should undergo military training.

Musa made the call while speaking on the African Leadership Podcast with Ken Giami, stating that the experience of hunger, exhaustion and physical strain that comes with military training gives people a perspective on life they cannot get anywhere else.

He was explaining why he believes ordinary citizens should have a better understanding of the work carried out by members of the Armed Forces.

According to him, the experience would give Nigerians a different perspective about life and the responsibilities associated with protecting the country.

The former Chief of Defence Staff noted that citizens who go through such training would understand what it means to continue moving even when physically exhausted, hungry or deprived of normal comfort.

“Every Nigerian should be able to go through military training. I can tell you for free, it will give you a different perspective about life. You will now understand what it means to stay hungry, what it means to walk in days without sleep.

“It will show you what endurance means, when you walk kilometers and you are tired but you still need to keep on going. You have not eaten, you have not taken one because of the nature of the thing and because you are doing it to protect.

“Just like what the Bible says that there’s no greater friend than he who will give his life for his friend.

“And that’s exactly what the military men are doing, putting their lives at stake for their country to move around. And so that’s why sometimes it’s very painful when you see people insulting the military and telling them they don’t need it or we don’t want this to end. Nobody’s dying now, and they don’t want it to end,” he said.

PHOTO: Anambra Govt releases fresh evidence of unpaid salaries under Peter Obi

2026-09-23T14:06:05.847+01:00

The Anambra State Government has released a 2024 out-of-court settlement document amid its dispute with Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over unpaid salaries and financial obligations left behind by his administration.

The Anambra government made the fresh release in a post on its official X account on Wednesday, describing it as evidence that contradicted Obi’s position.

According to the state government, the document titled, “Terms of Settlement,” was signed on February 6, 2024, between the Anambra State Government and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE, over issues involving the defunct Anambra State Water Corporation and the Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency, ANSEPA.

While sharing the document as evidence against Obi, the government accused the former governor of lying in his earlier claim that he left office without outstanding salaries, pensions, gratuities or other financial obligations.

“The Water Corporation Arrears — The Evidence: Peter Obi Lied. 14 years later, Soludo entered an out-of-court settlement with the Water Corporation over salaries Obi refused to pay for 8 years. Soludo is now clearing the backlog. Obi knows; we know he lied,” the government wrote.

The latest disclosure came amid a political disagreement between the Anambra government and Obi over his record as governor.

Recall that the state government had previously challenged Obi over his claim that he left Anambra without debt or unpaid obligations.

In its earlier statement, it referred to Obi’s reported pledge to withdraw from the presidential race if anyone could establish that he left the state in debt.

Meanwhile, Obi has rejected the allegations and maintained that his administration inherited substantial arrears from previous governments and worked to clear them.

“We systematically liquidated historical gratuities and arrears dating back several years, amounting to over N35 billion,” Obi said.

2027: ‘Wike Lied, G5 Govs Couldn’t Even Deliver Senate Seats’ — Aisha Yesuf

2026-09-23T14:04:13.552+01:00

Aisha Yesufu, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has accused Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike of lying about the political influence of the G5 governors during the 2023 presidential election.

Wike had claimed that the G5 group (comprising himself and four other then-PDP governors) deliberately allowed Peter Obi to win votes in South-South states.

He said this was done because the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was stronger in the region and they viewed Atiku Abubakar as a threat.

According to Wike, Rivers State was deliberately excluded from the arrangement so that Obi would not win there.In a post on X on Wednesday, Yesufu rejected the claim and questioned Wike’s supposed political clout.

She pointed to the 2023 senatorial elections, in which three of the G5 governors contested and lost.“Wike LIED!!!!! 3 of the G5 Governors ran for Senate. They all lost!” she wrote.

“If Wike was that powerful how come he couldn’t give them a win on an election that was on the same day and time! Wike is petrified of life outside of government!!!! E don dey clear for I’m eye!”

Wike has maintained that the G5 strategy contributed to Obi’s performance in the South-South while Rivers was kept out of the plan.

I was mocked for getting pregnant out of wedlock as pastor’s daughter – Davido’s baby mama, Sophia

2026-09-23T13:14:47.980+01:00

Nigerian influencer and entrepreneur, Sophia Momodu, has revealed that she was subjected to emotional and psychological abuses after she got pregnant out of wedlock for singer Davido.

Speaking at a United Nations General Assembly event in New York on Monday, Sophia said she was mocked for getting pregnant out of wedlock because she was a pastor’s daughter.

She explained that the trauma of the abuse she was subjected to made her lose her voice even as a famous person.

“I am a pastor’s daughter who got pregnant out of wedlock by a global superstar. And I was mocked. It was crazy. I had to find myself in the midst of all that.

“For a long time, I didn’t have a voice despite being famous. I was worried and getting drained by the negative criticisms. If you are a Nigerian, you will know that it is almost a taboo for a pastor’s daughter to have a child out of wedlock,” she said.

She added that she eventually found her voice after being repeatedly asked to remain silent because of how supposedly shameful her story was.

Sophia Momodu is the mother of Davido’s first daughter, Imade Adeleke.