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Why Filipinos are looking beyond busog in their everyday meal choices

As the cost of everyday living continues to rise, many Filipinos are becoming more intentional about how they spend their money, including the meals they choose throughout the day.

A meal being simply affordable or filling just isn’t enough. Increasingly, consumers are looking for food experiences that feel worth their hard-earned money: meals that satisfy cravings, deliver on taste and leave them feeling like they made the right choice.

While affordability and busog remain important considerations, consumers are increasingly looking for meals that deliver more than fullness alone.

Research conducted by Chowking found that satisfaction comes from a combination of taste, completeness and budget-creating what the brand calls a “full-feeling” experience.

Elements such as flavorful ingredients, generous portions, a satisfying toppings-to-rice ratio and the overall feeling of getting good value all contribute to making a meal feel truly sulit.

One example is Chowking’s Siomai Chao Fan, a longstanding favorite that combines flavorful fried rice with meaty ingredients in one hearty meal. At only P99, it offers what many consumers increasingly seek today: a balance of value, flavor and satisfaction in a single order.

The meal’s signature wok flavor, generous servings, and combination of ingredients create what Chowking describes as its “full-feeling wok-sarap” experience-a meal designed to satisfy hunger and deliver the kind of taste people continue to crave and return to.

“We know consumers today are becoming more thoughtful about the choices they make because every purchase matters,” said Jia Du, VP for Marketing at Chowking.

“People want meals that feel sulit, that feel satisfying, flavorful and worth enjoying again. That’s what Chowking Chao Fan has always been about. Flavorful fried rice, generous toppings, and satisfying portions that come together in a ‘full-feeling wok-sarap’ experience.’

While Siomai Chao Fan remains a favorite among customers, Chowking’s Chao Fan lineup offers something for every craving.

Those looking for the perfect balance of spice and sarap can enjoy Spicy Chao Fan, while Beef Chao Fan delivers a rich and savory option for those seeking a more indulgent meal.

For seafood lovers, the new Seafood Chao Fan serves a delicious and accessible way to satisfy seafood cravings.

As Filipino consumers become more discerning with their spending, simply being busog is no longer enough. Fullness may be the expectation, but providing taste, completeness and satisfaction that make a meal feel truly sulit is what sets great meals apart.

While many meals can fill people up, crafting meals that go beyond busog-to taste delicious while still delivering value is what transforms an everyday meal into a full-feeling experience.

Serving ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ energy: SM Supermalls, TikTok Live empower next fashion icons

High fashion has never been just about labels. It’s about confidence, creativity and making a look your own. At SM Supermalls, in partnership with TikTok Live, fashion becomes more accessible and participatory, giving everyday mallgoers a chance to be part of the moment, not just watch it.

Inspired by the enduring influence of The Devil Wears Prada, the collaboration brings online style inspiration into the mall experience.

Fashion inspiration may begin with a scroll, but consumers still crave the experience of discovering pieces in-store and trying on looks for themselves. SM Supermalls and TikTok Live are bringing those worlds together.

More than a campaign, it reflects how people discover trends online, then make them their own in real life.

A first-of-its-kind collaboration

In one of the first collaborations between SM Supermalls and TikTok Live, a new kind of malling emerges-where livestreaming and shopping happen simultaneously.

At the center of this movement are creators Joy Barcoma and Johan Kyle, each bringing a distinct fashion perspective shaped by their personalities.

Set across SM Supermalls’ mix of shopping, entertainment and everyday experiences, these journeys become more than showcases, they turn into immersive moments shaped by the crowd.

Joy Barcoma styled by the audience

Joy Barcoma’s fashion journey unfolded like a live style challenge shaped entirely by audience decisions.

At Ever New on Level 1, Main Mall of SM Mall of Asia, viewers helped narrow down silhouettes, colors and styling directions for a fashion-editor-inspired look. The livestream felt less like a broadcast and more like friends shopping together.

The experience continued at LOOK on Level 2, where audiences weighed in on makeup choices-from soft glam finishes to statement lip colors-helping define the final aesthetic.

At Coach on Level 2, viewers selected the final accessory that tied the entire outfit together, showing how one accessory can shift an entire look.

Joy’s journey concluded at the Devil Wears Prada-themed fashion installation inside SM Supermalls, featuring the towering red stilettos centerpiece and exclusive merchandise.

Johan Kyle: The runway-ready outfit hunt

While Joy’s livestream centered on collaborative styling, Johan Kyle’s journey at SM Aura took on a more high-fashion direction: building a look worthy of a Vogue crowd.

At LOOK on the Upper Ground Level, Johan started with grooming essentials-fragrance, skincare and haircare-focusing on the kind of preparation that sets the tone before stepping into an event.

Inside RAJO on Level 2, the livestream shifted into full outfit mode, with Johan trying on sharper silhouettes and structured tailoring fit for a fashion-event arrival. Rather than directing the styling, viewers reacted to each look-rating pieces, picking favorites, and deciding which felt most runway-ready.

The final stop at Atelier 818 on Level 3 focused on finishing details, where layered accessories elevated the look from styled to editorial.

Beyond the livestream, Johan stepped directly into the Vogue pre-event crowd at SM Aura, putting the final look into its real setting while engaging guests about their own event-ready fashion choices.

Everyone has a runway now

What once felt exclusive is now far more collaborative.

Through TikTok Live and SM Supermalls, fashion feels more accessible and community-driven.. More importantly, the collaboration reflects how malls continue to evolve alongside today’s consumers. Shopping is no longer only about transactions, but about discovery, entertainment, and community.

Always evolving, always for you

A livestream may spark inspiration, but the experience comes to life when people step into the mall, explore stores firsthand, and make those style ideas their own.

Through its partnership with TikTok Live, SM Supermalls turns each livestream into an invitation to discover brands, connect with culture, and experience fashion beyond the screen-continuing to redefine malling for today’s consumers, All For You.

PNP deploys for Inday relief operations

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has mobilized to assist in ongoing rehabilitation and recovery operations following Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi), having previously been placed on heightened alert for immediate deployment.

‘Your PNP has been present as early as in the preparation stage and will continue to remain active as the focus shifts to search and rescue, road-clearing, relief distribution and other disaster response,’ PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Sunday.

As communities recover from the typhoon and heavy monsoon rains, Nartatez said the PNP has pivoted to humanitarian assistance, directing all units to maximize ground personnel and resources for immediate disaster response in hard-hit areas.

Nartatez ordered police units to assist local government units in clearing roads blocked by floods, landslides and debris, ensuring the unhampered and swift delivery of relief goods.

Road-clearing operations are crucial to reopening major roads, reconnecting isolated areas and allowing emergency responders to reach affected residents without delay, he added.

Lacson’s reminder: Marcos’ OK needed to open BIR box of VP’s tax records

Sen. Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson reiterated on Sunday that the law requires a written authority from President Marcos before the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) ‘green box’ containing the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband Manases Carpio can be opened.

‘If it is ‘forcibly’ unsealed without the written authority of the President, I will vote against it. That will be my personal vote, because I do not want to be blamed in the future for taking part in violating the law,’ Lacson said in a radio interview on dzBB.

‘My position is clear. Without the written authority of the President, I cannot support the unsealing. I am not favoring the defense. I am invoking the law and that is clear,’ he added.

According to Lacson, he will not participate in any action that will violate Sections 71 and 270 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) as well as established Supreme Court jurisprudence, stressing that the impeachment court is not above the law.

Section 71 states that income tax returns (ITRs) ‘shall constitute public records and be open to inspection as such upon the order of the President of the Philippines, under rules and regulations to be presented by the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the [BIR] Commissioner.’

Section 270, on the other hand, provides penalties for BIR personnel who divulge information collected from taxpayers, including trade secrets and confidential information.

Another option

In a previous radio interview on July 4, Lacson said the records could also be unsealed through a written waiver from the respondent.

He warned that if the impeachment court decides to open the BIR box without complying with the law, it may expose itself to charges of grave abuse of discretion.

According to Lacson, the disposition of Duterte’s ITR records must be governed solely by the law and existing jurisprudence.

He stressed that the impeachment court should only allow the unsealing of the records if the legal requirements, including the President’s written authority under Sec. 71 of the NIRC, are met.

‘Even if we are an Impeachment Court, we cannot be above the law,’ Lacson said.

In April, the BIR submitted the sealed green box in response to a subpoena from the House justice committee which was then deliberating on the impeachment complaints against Duterte, particularly the allegations that she had amassed unexplained wealth while in office.

The committee, however, decided not to open the box, citing privacy provisions under the NIRC.

Return to sender

On July 7, the impeachment court ordered the return of the box to the BIR, saying there was no directive for its turnover to the Senate.

Sen. Francis Escudero, the impeachment court’s presiding officer, noted at the time that the box had been turned over as part of the documents for the trial, including the Articles of Impeachment.

‘However, the court is not yet in custodial legis of this box, given that there’s no lawful order issued by the court for this box to be turned over to the Senate,’ he said.

‘The chair, therefore, orders that the BIR box-closed, sealed and as it is received-be sent back to the BIR without prejudice to any action that the court may take if a motion will be filed by either parties for the issuance of a subpoena, and we shall await action, if any, by the BIR commissioner should that time come,’ Escudero added.

The impeachment court is set to hear on July 15 the oral arguments on the requested subpoena for the BIR box.

Both the prosecution and defense were earlier ordered by the court to submit by July 13 their respective memoranda on the matter.

Entrepreneurship in 2D: Resourcefulness and Risk-taking

Entrepreneurship is a responsibility and a recipe for personal, organisational and national maximum productivity.

Entrepreneurship is often misunderstood as merely starting a business or pursuing profit. In reality, it is much deeper than commercial activities; it is a mindset, a responsibility, and a commitment to creating value wherever opportunities exist. It is the intentional process of transforming ideas into solutions, challenges into opportunities, and possibilities into realities.

One of the best ways to understand entrepreneurship is through two indispensable dimensions: resourcefulness and risk-taking. These dimensions define the entrepreneurial journey and determine whether an individual merely dreams about possibilities or courageously transforms them into achievements. While resourcefulness empowers entrepreneurs to maximise available opportunities, risk-taking enables them to pursue worthwhile opportunities despite uncertainty.

A fundamental principle of entrepreneurship is that possibilities are responsibilities. Every opportunity identified creates a responsibility to act, innovate, and create value. Consequently, the two fundamental entrepreneurial responsibilities are resourcefulness and risk-taking. Entrepreneurs are responsible for creatively maximising available resources and courageously pursuing worthwhile opportunities through calculated risks. Together, these twin responsibilities transform possibilities into realities, ideas into innovations, and entrepreneurship into a powerful force for personal, organisational, and national transformation.

Resourcefulness: The Responsibility of Creating Value

Resourcefulness is the ability to find quick, creative, and effective ways to solve problems and make the best use of available resources, even when resources are limited. In entrepreneurship, it is the capacity to identify opportunities, adapt to challenges, and maximize available people, finances, materials, technology, and information to achieve business goals. Simply put, resourcefulness is the ability to creatively and effectively use available resources to overcome challenges and achieve desired objectives. For example, a startup founder who builds a successful business by using free digital tools, networking with mentors, and wisely managing a limited budget demonstrates resourcefulness.

Resourcefulness is the discipline of seeing abundance where others perceive scarcity. Entrepreneurs do not wait for perfect conditions before taking action. Instead, they creatively utilise what they have to produce meaningful outcomes. History repeatedly demonstrates that many successful enterprises did not begin with abundant capital but with abundant creativity. The greatest entrepreneurs are distinguished not by the size of their initial investments but by the size of their imagination and determination to solve problems.

Resourcefulness involves identifying hidden opportunities, mobilising available resources, building productive relationships, acquiring relevant knowledge, and continuously adapting to changing circumstances. It is the ability to ask, ‘What can I do with what I have?’ rather than complaining about what is unavailable. Every environment contains untapped opportunities, every challenge conceals potential solutions, and every limitation presents an invitation for innovation.

In today’s knowledge-driven economy, resourcefulness extends beyond financial resources. Intellectual capital, digital technology, strategic partnerships, professional networks, emotional intelligence, and continuous learning have become valuable entrepreneurial assets. Resourceful entrepreneurs recognise these often invisible resources and leverage them for sustainable competitive advantage.

Resourcefulness also requires resilience. Entrepreneurial journeys are filled with uncertainties and setbacks, yet resourceful entrepreneurs adjust strategies, redefine priorities, and persevere. They understand that obstacles are not roadblocks but stepping stones toward greater accomplishments. Ultimately, resourcefulness reflects responsible stewardship of ideas, talents, opportunities, time, finances, and relationships for the benefit of individuals, organisations, and society.

Risk-taking: The Responsibility of Pursuing Opportunities

Risk-taking is the willingness to make decisions or take actions despite uncertainty and the possibility of loss, failure, or negative consequences in the hope of achieving a desired goal or reward. In entrepreneurship, it means deliberately pursuing opportunities by investing time, money, or resources into new ideas or ventures while recognising that success is never guaranteed. Simply put, risk-taking is accepting uncertainty and potential loss in order to achieve a valuable objective or gain. An entrepreneur who invests personal savings to establish a new business despite the possibility of financial loss demonstrates entrepreneurial risk-taking.

Every worthwhile opportunity carries some degree of uncertainty. Entrepreneurship therefore demands courage because opportunities rarely come with guarantees. However, risk-taking should never be confused with recklessness. Genuine entrepreneurs do not gamble with resources; rather, they make calculated decisions based on research, informed judgment, strategic planning, and disciplined execution.

Entrepreneurs understand that avoiding all risks often becomes the greatest risk of all. Markets evolve, technologies advance, customer preferences change, and industries are continually disrupted. Those who refuse to embrace calculated risks eventually become victims of change rather than beneficiaries of it.

Successful entrepreneurs do not eliminate risk; they manage it. They seek expert advice, gather relevant information, test assumptions, diversify investments, and prepare contingency plans. They understand that courage without wisdom becomes carelessness, while wisdom without courage leads to stagnation.

Risk-taking also demands personal sacrifice. Entrepreneurs invest their time, energy, finances, reputation, and emotional commitment into ventures with uncertain outcomes. Even failure should not be viewed as the opposite of success. Rather, it is often an essential component of entrepreneurial growth, providing lessons that strengthen future decisions and build resilience.

Possibilities Are Responsibilities

One profound truth in entrepreneurship is that possibilities are responsibilities. Every identified opportunity imposes an obligation to act. Ideas possess little value until they are implemented. Since possibilities are responsibilities, entrepreneurs respond to opportunities through resourcefulness and risk-taking. These two responsibilities distinguish entrepreneurs from those who merely recognise opportunities without acting on them.

Many individuals identify problems within their communities but never attempt to solve them. Others discover business opportunities but postpone action while waiting for perfect conditions. Entrepreneurs distinguish themselves by accepting responsibility for transforming possibilities into practical solutions.

When entrepreneurs discover unmet needs, they develop products and services that improve lives. When they identify inefficiencies, they create innovations that increase productivity. When they observe unemployment, they establish enterprises that generate jobs. Every entrepreneurial opportunity therefore carries the potential to create economic value, social impact, and national transformation.

Responsibility and National Productivity

The influence of entrepreneurship extends far beyond individual success. Resourceful and responsible entrepreneurs become catalysts for organisational excellence and national development. Through innovation, employment creation, wealth generation, technological advancement, and increased competitiveness, entrepreneurial ventures strengthen economies and improve living standards.

Countries with vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems consistently experience greater resilience because entrepreneurs continuously identify emerging opportunities and develop solutions to evolving challenges. National productivity flourishes when citizens embrace entrepreneurship as a responsibility rather than merely a career option.

Organisations also benefit from entrepreneurial thinking. Employees who demonstrate resourcefulness and calculated risk-taking become intrapreneurs who improve processes, develop new products, reduce operational costs, and increase organisational effectiveness. Entrepreneurship should therefore not be confined to business ownership alone. Every professional, educator, public servant, student, and community leader can demonstrate entrepreneurial responsibility within their respective spheres of influence.

Conclusion

Entrepreneurship is fundamentally two-dimensional, built on the twin responsibilities of resourcefulness and risk-taking. Resourcefulness empowers entrepreneurs to maximize available opportunities through creativity, innovation, resilience, and disciplined stewardship. Risk-taking enables them to pursue worthwhile opportunities despite uncertainty through courage, preparation, and calculated decision-making.

Together, these dimensions transform possibilities into realities, challenges into opportunities, and ideas into sustainable value. They contribute meaningfully to personal fulfilment, organizational excellence, and national prosperity.

The future belongs not to those who merely identify opportunities but to those who accept responsibility for pursuing them. Every possibility demands action. Every challenge invites innovation.

Entrepreneurship is not simply about owning a business; it is about owning the responsibility to make a difference. Possibilities are responsibilities, and the two fundamental entrepreneurial responsibilities are resourcefulness and risk-taking. Through these twin responsibilities, entrepreneurs become architects of progress, builders of prosperity, and agents of lasting transformation.

H1, 2026: Manufacturing remains uncompetitive, despite N1.17trn VAT contribution in 2025

Despite contributing a total of N1.17 trillion in Value Added Tax (VAT) in 2025, marking an increase of 45.61 percent over the N803.53billion in 2024, the nation’s manufacturing sector still remained largely uncompetitive in the first half of the year.

For instance, while the sector’s Company Income Tax (CIT) also rose to N881.29billion, marking a 32.83 percent increase from N663.46billion recorded in 2024, operators and business analysts still believed the sector, just like Agriculture and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), underperformed in the period under review.

They also believed the situation might not change for some time to come until some of the challenges facing the sectors, especially manufacturing, were urgently addressed.

They argued that several factors such as: insecurity, inflation, hostile operating environment, high cost of lending, erratic power supply, poor transport infrastructure, and logistics inefficiency, among others, would continue to undermine the sectors and deprive them of their much-needed growth.

For instance, in its half-year review, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) noted that though there were encouraging developments, the real economy remained under considerable pressure in the first half of 2026.

According to the centre, high interest rates continued to constrain private-sector investment and access to credit, while elevated energy costs, inadequate electricity supply, logistics inefficiencies and weak transport infrastructure sustained a high-cost operating environment.

It noted that the macroeconomic stabilisation recorded during the period failed to lead to significant, broad-based improvements in productivity, competitiveness, employment and household welfare.

‘Businesses continue to grapple with elevated production costs and structural bottlenecks. Overall, H1 2026 was characterised by stronger macroeconomic stability, but only modest improvements in real-sector performance and household welfare, underscoring the need for deeper structural reforms,’ it added.

The centre, therefore, called for a deeper reform that would convert the macroeconomic gains into inclusive, investment-driven growth.

Also speaking on the development, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) noted that the sector would remain uncompetitive without sustainable and growing financial foundations.

It argued that the reduction in credit access, as being presently experienced in the sector, would further limit capacity utilization, stall technological upgrades and hinder job creation in the sector.

The association described the N1.92 trillion, from N8.53 trillion in December 2024 to N6.61 trillion in December 2025, a 22.5 percent drop, of commercial bank lending to the sector as rooted in a toxic combination of prohibitive interest rates, structural bureaucracy, and policy misalignment.

It therefore warned that long-term capital investments would remain unviable, with commercial costs remaining actively hostile.

The association also warned that starving factories of affordable credit would continue to block technology upgrades and prevent operators from maintaining optimal capacity utilisation or expanding local manufacturing plants.

Also speaking on the development, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) identified the poor state of power supply as one of the greatest impediments to the nation’s manufacturing.

The chamber argued that frequent outages, high generator costs, and unreliable distribution networks have continued to cripple productivity and raise the costs of doing business in the sector.

He noted that the country’s dream of being one of the highly industrialised countries in the world would always remain a mirage if some critical challenges facing the sector were not fully dealt with.

‘Without urgent reforms in the power sector, Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful industrialisation. We recommend accelerated investment in renewable energy, improved grid management, and greater private-sector participation to unlock greater efficiency and reliability,’ it stated.

Christians will vote massively for President’s second term, says APC forum

The National APC Christian Leaders’ Forum of Nigeria (NACLFON) has said that Christians all over the country will vote massively for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in next year’s general election.

The Rivers State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, gave the assurance during an interdenominational prayer summit in Oyigbo.

Speaking on the theme: ‘In due Season,’ the coordinator listed the numerous achievements of the Tinubu administration, saying the government had done very well.

He urged fellow Nigerians to mount pressure on their governors to deliver on good governance, especially as President Tinubu’s administration has empowered them to do so.

Aroh explained that most states have failed to deliver infrastructure and economic growth that is commensurate with the huge monthly federal allocations accruing to them. He said: ‘We cannot continue to focus on public complaints without holding our governors to account.

‘Yes, Nigerians are complaining about President Tinubu’s administration, but they have failed to hold the governors accountable.

‘The fuel subsidy removal of the Tinubu-led administration, no doubt, affected the cost of living. But let’s look at the brighter side.’

Also, Oyigbo Local Government Area APC Chairman, Mr. Acho Elechi, hailed the group for supporting President Tinubu’s re-election and pledged to strengthen collaborations with the church.

‘I’m here to tell the people of Oyigbo to work with this group because they mean well for our country.

‘Here in Oyigbo, APC has recorded an alarming increase in voter registration and PVCs collection.

‘My people are ready with their PVCs. In my ward, Oyigbo Ward 9 alone, we have more than 20,000 registered voters,’ he said.

Elechi emphasised the need for governors to deliver democratic dividends to ameliorate the sufferings caused by subsidy removal.

‘President Tinubu has delivered more funds to the states and local governments. It is left for them to deliver development to the grassroots.

This is the only way to complement federal government’s efforts,’ he stated.

The Oyigbo Coordinator of the forum, Mr. Elias Chidume, said the group had so far massively mobilised Christians for the APC ahead of the general election.

He noted that praying for the success of the APC was part the forum’s collective commitment.

‘Aside prayers, we have widely interfaced with residents of Oyigbo. We are doing this to ensure that the residents, including women, vote massively for President Tinubu and all APC candidates,’ he said.

President’s renomination of Shettima signals stability, continuity, says BCDA boss Namdas

The newly appointed Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), Abdulrazak Namdas, has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to renominate Senator Kashim Shettima as the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 presidential election.

From Nicholas Kalu, Abuja, From David Adenuga, Bauchi and Abdullahi Abdulrahaman, Gusau

Namdas said it signalled stability and continuity of the administration.

In Zamfara State, the lawmaker representing Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Aminu Sani Jaji, described the decision as a major boost to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a clear pathway to victory.

In Bauchi State, the Chairman of the APC Youth Parliament, Kabiru Garba Kobi, described the move as a strategic decision that demonstrates President Tinubu’s confidence in Shettima’s leadership and contributions to the administration.

Namdas described the development as a bold affirmation of competence, loyalty, and results.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the BCDA boss expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for retaining the Vice President, who has stood firmly with him in steering the affairs of this country through challenging times.

He noted that since assuming office in 2023, the Tinubu-Shettima administration has provided purposeful leadership anchored on the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Namdas said the President’s choice to retain Senator Shettima sends a clear message to Nigerians and to the world that this administration values continuity, experience, and teamwork.

He said though the road ahead will demand more sacrifice, greater unity, and stronger belief in the Nigerian project, with the ticket, he was confident that the APC will not only retain power in 2027 but will do so with an even stronger mandate.

Namdas said: ‘As a proud member of the APC and a stakeholder committed to the unity and progress of our nation, I heartily congratulate His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, on this well-deserved renomination.

‘I also extend my profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the wisdom and foresight demonstrated in retaining a Vice President who has stood firmly with him in steering the affairs of this country through challenging times.

‘Since assuming office in 2023, the Tinubu/Shettima administration has provided purposeful leadership anchored on the Renewed Hope Agenda. Senator Shettima has not been a spare tyre. He has been an active partner in governance. From driving economic reforms to deepening engagement with the private sector, representing Nigeria with dignity on the global stage, and providing calm, thoughtful leadership in the Northeast and across the country, he has shown capacity, humility, and dedication.’

‘Mr. President’s choice to retain Senator Shettima sends a clear message to Nigerians and to the world that this administration values continuity, experience, and teamwork. It tells our citizens that performance will be rewarded and that the job of nation-building is not for grandstanding but for steady hands.

‘I also congratulate our great party, the APC, for presenting what is, without doubt, the most formidable presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election. With President Tinubu at the helm and Senator Shettima as his deputy, the APC is offering Nigerians a tested team that understands the assignment and dares to take the hard decisions required to reposition our economy, secure every part of Nigeria, and create opportunities for our young people.

‘The road ahead will demand more sacrifice, greater unity, and stronger belief in the Nigerian project. But with this ticket, I am confident that the APC will not only retain power in 2027 but will do so with an even stronger mandate because Nigerians can see that the foundation being laid today will deliver the prosperity we all seek tomorrow.

‘Once again, congratulations to Senator Kashim Shettima. Thank you, Mr. President, for your confidence and for putting Nigeria first. Congratulations also to the APC family. The work continues, and victory, by the grace of God and the will of the people, is assured.’

Also, in a statement on his behalf by his media aide, Jamilu Iliyasu Birnin Magaji, Dr. Jaji said President Tinubu’s decision reflected the confidence he has in Vice President Shettima’s loyalty, competence, experience and strategic contributions to the success of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA).

The federal lawmaker, who also leads the Jajiya Political Movement, noted that his political movement had already endorsed the Tinubu-Shettima ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that Nigerians would once again renew the mandate of the APC.

‘The re-nomination of His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, as the running mate to His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the 2027 presidential election is a milestone that signals victory for the All Progressives Congress at all levels,’ Jaji stated.

He described the President’s choice as a deliberate recognition of Shettima’s unwavering support, proven leadership, loyalty and invaluable contributions to governance since the administration assumed office in 2023.

According to him, retaining the Tinubu/Shettima ticket will ensure continuity in the implementation of ongoing economic reforms, security initiatives and social intervention programmes aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.

‘On behalf of myself, the good people of Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency and the entire Jajiya Political Movement across Nigeria, I sincerely appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the confidence reposed in Vice President Kashim Shettima through this re-nomination,’ he said.

Jaji expressed optimism that the Vice President would continue to serve with dedication, commitment and patriotism in supporting President Tinubu’s administration to deliver greater progress, peace and prosperity for the country.

He also joined other APC leaders and supporters in congratulating Shettima on his re-nomination, praying for divine wisdom, sound health and strength for both leaders as they prepare for the 2027 elections.

The lawmaker reaffirmed that the Jajiya Political Movement remains fully mobilised and committed to delivering massive support for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket and ensuring the APC records overwhelming victories in the 2027 general elections.

Also, addressing reporters yesterday in Bauchi, Kobi said the President’s decision had been warmly received by many people in the Northeast, stressing that it would further consolidate the APC’s support base ahead of the 2027 polls.

‘The Tinubu/Shettima ticket is now better positioned for re-election. People across the Northeast and the North had eagerly awaited the President’s decision, and retaining Shettima has renewed confidence in the party,’ he said.

The youth leader attributed Shettima’s retention to what he called his loyalty, competence, patience and unwavering commitment to national development, adding that the Vice President has remained a dependable partner in implementing the administration’s programmes.

Kobi urged APC members, support groups and party stakeholders to intensify grassroots mobilisation and campaign efforts to secure victory for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket in 2027.

FG’s exam fee hike raises dropout fears

The federal government has been criticized for its decision to increase the registration fees for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) to N50,000.

The new fee, approved by the Federal Ministry of Education, represents an 82 per cent increase over the current registration fee of N27,500, making it one of the sharpest increases in examination charges in recent years.

Education experts and other stakeholders, however, warned that the upward review could place additional financial pressure on millions of struggling families and worsen the out-of-school crisis.

The approval for the increment was conveyed in a letter dated June 18, 2026, signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, following a request by WAEC for an upward review of examination fees for candidates sitting the Senior School Certificate Examination from 2027.

According to the ministry, the decision followed a meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies on March 31, 2026, where the rising cost of conducting public examinations was discussed. At the meeting, the minister directed both WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform registration fee for their Senior School Certificate Examinations.

The ministry said: ‘You may recall that at a meeting of examination bodies held with the honourable minister of education on 31 March, 2026, where the need for upward review of examination fees was discussed, the honourable minister directed that WAEC and NECO should adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of WAEC and NECO SSCE.

‘Consequently, I am directed to convey the honourable minister of education’s approval of the sum of fifty thousand naira (N50,000.00) only, as the new examination fee per candidate, with effect from NECO SSCE (Internal), 2027.’

The ministry also directed the Registrar of NECO to notify all relevant stakeholders ahead of the implementation of the new fee.

Confirming the development, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, said the approval had been granted.

‘I can confirm the approval of an upward review of the examination fees. I spoke with the director in charge a few minutes ago and he said the approval was done,’ Folashade said.

Although the ministry did not provide a detailed breakdown of the factors that informed the increase, examination bodies have consistently cited rising operational costs, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, supervision and general administration, as reasons why examination charges require periodic review.

Education stakeholders, however, expressed concern that rising education costs from tuition and transportation to uniforms, textbooks and examination fees are gradually pushing vulnerable families out of the formal education system.

There are also concerns about the implications for state governments that currently sponsor candidates for examinations.

States that fully or partially fund WAEC and NECO registration may now require significantly larger budgetary allocations to maintain existing support programmes.

Those already struggling to settle examination registration obligations could face even greater financial pressure under the new fee regime.

While the Federal Government maintains that the increase is necessary to sustain the quality and administration of national examinations, education stakeholders insist that affordability must remain central to any reform affecting millions of schoolchildren.

Fee hike will worsen out-of-school crisis – Educationists

The National Mobilisation Officer of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Adaramoye Micheal Lenin, described the decision as counterproductive, arguing that it runs contrary to the government’s stated commitment to making education more accessible.

‘This increase is not going to help curb the out-of-school crisis the government is trying to stop; rather, it will increase it. How does this help make education attractive to an already group of Nigerians who don’t fancy education?

‘With this increase, it seems education has been commercialised and it’s now a danger, looking at the existing poor infrastructure and learning environment.

‘We have Nigerians facing economic challenges and adding this extra burden will see parents who can’t afford the fees withdraw their kids to come and join them in the farm, markets or wherever they make a living. Students will be discouraged.

‘As a group, we demand an immediate reversal of the fees. We condemn it in totality,’ he said.

Lenin argued that at a time when many families are struggling with rising inflation and declining purchasing power, making secondary school certification more expensive could discourage school enrolment rather than improve educational outcomes.

He also questioned how the fee increase aligns with government policies aimed at improving school enrolment and reducing learning poverty.

Similar concerns were raised by the President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), FCT chapter, Mrs Dorothy Okwuenu, who described the increase as unfortunate and warned that it could frustrate efforts to retain children in school.

Okwuenu said: ‘It is a terrible move from the government. It is quite unfortunate that the government will be increasing the fees now and unfortunately, we are stuck. The increase has a multiplier effect as it will discourage students from going to school, thus increasing the out-of-school children.

‘We have struggling parents who can’t afford this increase. Will the government pay for the public school students? I understand the other policy on the JSS and SSS, which is a good one for students to have 12 years straight education but this increase can derail that policy.’

According to Okwuenu, while the Federal Government’s proposed 12-year uninterrupted basic education model is designed to improve retention and reduce dropout rates, increasing examination fees without corresponding support mechanisms could undermine those objectives.

She noted that many parents whose children attend both public and private schools are already under immense financial pressure and may struggle to absorb another significant increase in education-related expenses.

Dr Mary Chinwuba, Executive Director of Chalcedony Prime School, Abuja, said the increase raises broader concerns about equity, affordability and access to education.

She warned that thousands of students from low-income households may be unable to complete their secondary education simply because they cannot afford the examination fees.

She said: ‘Many Nigerian families are already struggling with inflation and the rising cost of living. A sharp increase in examination fees could prevent thousands of qualified students from sitting for WAEC or NECO exams, especially those from low-income homes.

‘Some students who cannot afford the examination fees may become discouraged and leave school altogether, increasing the number of out-of-school youths.

‘Parents are already paying tuition, textbooks, uniforms, transportation, and feeding costs. An additional N50,000 per candidate will place significant pressure on household finances.

‘Children from wealthier families will continue their education with little difficulty, while those from poorer homes may be left behind, widening the gap in educational opportunity.

‘My position as an educationist is that quality education should remain accessible, affordable, and inclusive.

The Proprietress of The Winners Joy International Academy, Kubwa, Abuja, Mrs Rosemary Onyenagubo, also believes the increase could make quality education increasingly inaccessible for many families.

‘Gradually, education is becoming only for the rich. The increase will cause so many students to drop out, especially those who can’t afford it. The increase is also coming at a time when many families are struggling to feed and this may push them to abandon education totally,’ she said.

It’s economically insensitive – Atiku

Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has described the recent increase in fees for Federal Unity Colleges and the approval of a uniform N50,000 examination fee for WAEC and NECO candidates from 2027 as cruel and economically insensitive.

Atiku, in a statement by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, said it is unconscionable that at a time when Nigerian families are battling record inflation, soaring food prices, rising transportation costs, crippling electricity tariffs, stagnant incomes and widespread unemployment, the Tinubu administration chose to make education even more expensive.

He said the upward review was fundamentally incompatible with the government’s constitutional responsibility to make education accessible to every Nigerian child.

He noted that education remains the greatest instrument of social mobility and the surest pathway out of poverty for millions of children from humble backgrounds.

According to him, every additional financial burden imposed on parents translates into another child being denied the opportunity to learn, dream and contribute meaningfully to society.

Old video: I paid students’ WAEC fees because many parents couldn’t afford them – Tinubu

Amidst knocks generated by the increament, an old video of President Tinubu, while serving as governor of Lagos State, has emerged.

In the 2001 video currently circulating on social media, Tinubu, who spoke in Yoruba, said he approved the payment of West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for students because many parents could not afford the cost.

He said the examination fees ranged between N1,000 and N2,000, but many families still found them unaffordable.

Tinubu served as governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.

He said: ‘Before we came into office, students were asked to pay WAEC fees of between N1,000 and N2,000. But during the campaign, about 17 people told me they could not afford the fees and had asked their children to stay at home.

‘At that point, I said never again. We decided that the government would pay the examination fees for the students.

‘When we started paying over N100 million, they introduced separate fees for science practicals, but I said I would not pay that one.’

Tinubu also recounted an encounter that influenced his decision.

‘I had left office around 5 p.m. In Mile 12, I saw women selling bread and sachet water with children still in their school uniforms. One of the children was carrying a tray of groundnuts on the head.

‘I asked myself, if we don’t pay these fees, how can these children become pharmacists, doctors or engineers?

‘I went back to the office and approved the payment. But paying examination fees alone is not enough. If we don’t provide laboratories in schools, it won’t make sense because the students also need practical training and the necessary learning materials.’