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Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, was yesterday conferred with a Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, by his alma mater, the University of East London, UEL, in the United Kingdom.

Presenting Mbah’s citation during the graduation ceremony at the Docklands Campus of UEL, Vice-Provost (Business) and Executive Dean, Royal Docks School of Business and Law, Prof. Fatima Ana-Diab, recalled his academic and leadership excellence as a student, which, she said, he had also translated into resounding success as an entrepreneur and governor of Enugu State, Nigeria.

‘More than two decades ago, Peter Mbah walked these halls as a law student, developing the knowledge, determination and leadership that would take him from UEL to the Nigerian Bar, the world of business and ultimately to public office as Governor of Enugu State.

‘Peter’s leadership was already evident during his time at UEL. As President of the Students’ Law Society, he helped transform the society into one recognised as the University’s Most Productive Society of the Year.

‘He represented his fellow students on the Students’ Representative Council and School of Law Board, won UEL’s Mooting Competition and went on to represent the University at the International Negotiation Competition.

‘After graduating with his Bachelor of Laws in 2000, Peter returned to Nigeria, where he attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar.

‘His pursuit of knowledge continued through a Master’s degree in Maritime and Commercial Law from Lagos State University, an MBA from IESE Business School in Spain, executive education at Lagos Business School and postgraduate study in Strategy and Innovation at the University of Oxford.

‘Peter went on to build a distinguished career spanning law, entrepreneurship and public service. As the founder of Pinnacle Oil and Gas, he demonstrated how ambition, innovation and enterprise can transform an organisation and contribute to economic development. His career in government has included service as Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development in Enugu State.

‘In May 2023, Peter Mbah took office as Governor of Enugu State, bringing his experience across law, business and public administration to the leadership of millions of people,’ Prof. Ana-Diab stated.

‘At the heart of his approach is a belief in the transformative power of education. His administration has made significant investment in education and skills, seeking to move learning beyond traditional models and equip young people with the knowledge, competencies and confidence to participate in a changing global economy,’ the citation added.

The university hailed Mbah’s investment in education and his philosophy that education is fundamentally the cornerstone of human progress, the bedrock upon which the future stands, which resonates strongly with the institution.

‘Peter’s journey from UEL law student to lawyer, entrepreneur and Governor demonstrates the possibilities that education can unlock and the responsibility that comes with using those opportunities to create change for others.

‘His commitment to development extends beyond education. Through public service, business and philanthropy, Peter has championed investment, innovation, infrastructure, healthcare and community development, bringing together the disciplines that have shaped his own career to pursue a wider vision for economic and social progress.

‘For our graduates today, his journey offers a powerful example of where a UEL education can lead. It reminds us that leadership is not defined simply by the positions we hold, but by what we choose to do with the knowledge, opportunities and influence entrusted to us,’ Ana-Diab concluded.

Meanwhile, in his acceptance speech, Mbah reiterated his firm belief in disruptive innovation, the power of education, service and dreaming beyond one’s inherited circumstances.

‘One quality has always mattered to me: the willingness to disrupt. I have never been particularly interested in accepting the limits of my inherited circumstances.

‘But imagination is not enough. There must be purpose. For me, that purpose is service, because there will always be mornings when ambition alone will not get you out of bed; and moments when the road becomes difficult, and the rewards seem far away. At those moments, it matters to have something that transcends self.

‘Education enlarges our capacity to transform the world. I believe that deeply. What we are given must somehow enlarge the possibilities available to others.

‘That is why, today, we invest 33 per cent of our state budget in education. We are building schools, tech hubs and opportunities for young people to participate in an economy that is increasingly driven by knowledge, innovation and technology,’ he stated.

He thanked his alma mater profoundly for the honour and its immense contributions to the man he is today.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to resume its suspended nationwide strike if the Federal Government and state governments fail to address outstanding issues affecting university lecturers urgently.

The union said the proposed strike would follow the resolution of its National Executive Council at an emergency meeting held on September 5, 2026, in Abuja.

In a statement issued on Friday by the ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, the union accused the Federal Government and several state governments of failing to fully implement the December 2025 agreement reached with the union after years of negotiations.

ASUU said other unresolved issues included the three-and-a-half months’ salaries withheld from lecturers, unremitted third-party deductions, alleged violations of university laws and autonomy, and the deteriorating condition of the academic profession.

The union said that apart from recent efforts by the Federal Ministry of Education to clear outstanding salaries owed lecturers in Federal Universities of Agriculture, there had been no sustained action to resolve the problems.

It added that lecturers were being forced to engage in monthly disputes with university authorities over uncertainty about when and how much of their salaries would be paid.

‘Unless immediate and concrete steps are taken to fully and comprehensively address issues bordering the welfare and well-being of Nigerian academics, ASUU-NEC will not accept any blame for calling out its members on a nationwide strike action within the shortest time possible,’ the statement said.

The union, however, commended governors who had commenced implementation of the 2025 agreement in their state-owned universities.

It specifically praised the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for publicly announcing the full adoption of the agreement and apologising to the union over bureaucratic bottlenecks that caused delays and distortions in its implementation.

ASUU also listed Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Benue, Yobe, Adamawa, Kebbi, Katsina and Borno among states where implementation had commenced.

It said Kano, Edo, Plateau, Taraba, Gombe and Bayelsa had pledged to commence implementation in September or October.

The union urged other governors to follow suit, warning that failure to do so could plunge state-owned universities into industrial crises.

ASUU said authorities of affected universities had been notified of the planned commencement of strike actions in their respective institutions, with the backing of the union’s national leadership, unless satisfactory progress was recorded.

The union also condemned the decision by the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to extend the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Prof. Clement Adebooye, by two years.

Adeleke had announced the extension on September 1 during the inauguration of the university’s reconstituted Governing Council.

According to ASUU, Adebooye’s tenure, which should end in January 2027, would now run until January 2029.

The union argued that the Osun State University Law, under which the Vice-Chancellor was appointed, provides for a single five-year tenure and does not allow for an extension.

ASUU described the move as a bad precedent that could undermine the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2012, which was introduced partly to prevent controversies associated with tenure extensions and renewals for vice-chancellors.

The union also criticised Adebooye for accepting the extension, noting that he had previously served as a branch secretary of ASUU at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

It urged him to reconsider the decision before the expiration of his legally recognised tenure in January 2027.

The union warned that it would challenge the decision if the matter was not resolved, saying the development could set a precedent for other governors to place political considerations above legal and ethical standards.

On withheld salaries, ASUU said nothing had changed regarding the outstanding three-and-a-half months owed lecturers out of the seven-and-a-half months withheld by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The union acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s payment of four months’ salaries but said the unpaid balance remained a source of financial and psychological hardship for its members.

ASUU said the value of the outstanding salaries had also been eroded by more than 50 per cent following the devaluation of the naira since 2022.

It urged the Federal Government to release the outstanding salaries to restore lecturers’ confidence in the university system.

The union also raised concerns over billions of naira deducted from lecturers’ salaries for pension contributions, cooperative societies and union check-off dues but allegedly not remitted appropriately for several months.

It accused the government of failing to resolve the issue of third-party deductions despite several engagements.

ASUU alleged that the withholding of the funds could be connected to its rejection of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System.

The union warned that it was prepared to mobilise its members for industrial action if the deductions were not addressed.

The union also expressed concern that the commencement of political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections could shift government attention away from workers’ welfare and other governance issues.

It supported the call by the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero, for an immediate review of the national minimum wage, arguing that workers’ purchasing power had been severely weakened by rising inflation.

ASUU also advocated the indexing of the minimum wage to inflation to provide workers with predictable adjustments in response to rising living costs.

The union said the poor or inconsistent implementation of the 2025 agreement, unpaid salaries and unremitted deductions could trigger another crisis in Nigeria’s public universities.

It appealed to students, parents, labour leaders, media practitioners and other Nigerians to intervene before the situation deteriorated.

ASUU said it could not guarantee an uninterrupted academic calendar at the expense of the welfare and survival of its members.

The union said its NEC had resolved to notify all stakeholders that it could activate its suspended strike without further notice if the issues were not urgently resolved.

‘However, Nigerians should not blame ASUU if we are forced to resume the suspended action on account of no satisfactory response from government,’ the union said.

The Federal Ministry of Works has dismissed reports alleging structural defects on the Oju-Ore Bridge in Ota, Ogun State, saying the bridge passed required integrity tests and remains structurally sound.

The ministry gave the assurance following an inspection of the ongoing project by a delegation led by the Director of Bridges, Highways and Road Designs, Engr. Musa Saidu, on the directive of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi.

The inspection followed concerns raised on social media over the quality and structural integrity of the bridge.

Addressing journalists after the inspection, Saidu said the assessment showed that the project complied with required engineering standards, describing reports of structural failure as unsubstantiated.

‘The bridge has undergone integrity tests and passed. It is structurally stable,’ he said.

He cautioned against relying on photographs or videos posted on social media to determine the structural integrity of major infrastructure projects, stressing that such assessments must be based on scientific and engineering tests.

‘Engineering decisions are based on scientific tests, not assumptions,’ Saidu said.

He said the ministry would not compromise the quality of federal infrastructure projects, adding that the Oju-Ore Bridge was being constructed in line with approved designs and specifications under the supervision of relevant authorities.

Saidu described the quality of work by the contractor, Laralek Construction Company, as satisfactory, noting that some minor finishing works identified during the inspection would be addressed before completion.

He said the movement of heavy-duty vehicles across the bridge was further evidence of its structural capacity, although construction was yet to be completed.

‘The structural stability of the bridge is guaranteed. Heavy trucks are already moving across it, even though construction has not been fully completed,’ he said.

The director urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information capable of undermining confidence in public infrastructure.

He also warned traders and other members of the public against operating or loitering beneath the bridge while construction activities continued, describing the practice as unsafe.

‘Construction sites are restricted areas across the world. People should not be trading or loitering beneath an active bridge project. It poses serious safety risks,’ he said.

The ministry expressed confidence that the contractor had overcome earlier challenges affecting the pace of construction and would complete the project within the stipulated timeframe.

Representing Laralek Construction Company, Mr Tope Ojo said the bridge was being constructed in accordance with approved engineering designs, drawings and government specifications.

He said the major structural components, including the spans, bearings, beams and piers, had been executed according to the approved designs, with some components exceeding minimum design requirements.

‘There is absolutely no cause for alarm. Every integrity test required for the bridge has been conducted, and all results confirmed compliance with engineering standards,’ Ojo said.

He added that the integrity tests were conducted by independent consultants rather than the contractor, with the results subsequently submitted to the relevant authorities.

Ojo also disclosed that officials of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) had conducted an on-site technical assessment of the project.

According to him, the assessment covered the critical structural elements of the bridge and confirmed compliance with applicable engineering requirements.

A member of the Oju-Ore Stakeholders Council, Comrade Akomolafe Zubair, welcomed the ministry’s intervention, saying the technical assessment would help restore public confidence in the project.

Zubair said the inspection had reassured residents and motorists who had become concerned by reports circulating on social media.

He appealed to residents of Ota and motorists using the corridor to remain patient as the contractor completes the outstanding works.

He expressed optimism that the bridge would soon be completed and opened to full public use, easing movement along the busy Ota corridor.

The Oju-Ore Bridge project remains under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works, with the contractor expected to complete the remaining works in line with the approved project schedule.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has returned to the court’s Registry a fundamental rights suit by the detained self-styled Director-General of a ‘fake’ agency, the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.

Justice Egwuatu declined to proceed with the hearing earlier scheduled for yesterday upon realising that the 72-hour period he gave respondents in the case to show cause had not expired.

At the mention of the case yesterday, Adeyemi’s lawyer, Muhammad Abdulaziz, told the court that the respondents had been duly served and that he was ready to proceed with the hearing.

‘As ordered yesterday, all the respondents have been duly served, and we are ready to proceed,’ Abdulaziz said.

Upon a directive by the judge, the court’s Registrar went through the case file and confirmed that the order was served on the respondents on Tuesday, while the hearing notice was served on Wednesday.

Justice Egwuatu queried the timing of the service, noting that the 72-hour period given the respondents to show cause has not expired.

He questioned the competence of the proof of service exhibited by Abdulaziz in relation to the hearing notice.

The judge noted that the respondents were still within time to comply with the court’s order for them to show cause.

He said: ‘Well, in any case, the 72 hours have not expired. And yesterday, you told me it would expire today, and that was why I fixed today for hearing.

‘You know the urgency of your matter; you are the one to do the needful.’

Justice Egwuatu, who is sitting as a vacation judge, said he would return the case file to the court’s Registry for reassignment.

He directed the applicant to return when the time allocated to the respondents expires for further proceedings in the case.

The judge had, in a ruling on an ex-parte application by Adeyemi on September 3 ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tunji Disu and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi(SAN) to grant Adeyemi access to his lawyers.

He also ordered Disu, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Fagbemi to show cause, within 72 hours, why the other reliefs sought by Adeyemi, including being granted bail, should not be granted.

Adeyemi, who is being held by the police, had sought six reliefs, including an order for his release , bail pending the determination of the case, and access to medical practitioners of his choice.

He also sought an order restraining the police from interrogating him or obtaining a statement from him without his lawyer being present.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned the two-year extension granted to the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Prof. Clement Adegbooye, by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The Nation reports that Adeleke, the university’s Visitor, announced the extension on September 1, 2026, during the inauguration of UNIOSUN’s reconstituted Governing Council.

ASUU described the decision as a bad precedent that could undermine the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.

The union also criticised the reported amendment of the UNIOSUN Law to accommodate the extension, accusing the governor of placing political considerations above legal and ethical standards.

ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said this in a statement on Friday on the controversy surrounding the tenure extension, expressing the union’s ‘serious disappointment’ with both Adeleke and Adegbooye.

The extension means Adegbooye, whose tenure was due to end in January 2027, will remain in office until January 2029.

Piwuna said the UNIOSUN Law under which Adegbooye was appointed was a domesticated version of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2012, which provides for a single five-year tenure for vice-chancellors without provision for extension.

He said introducing a two-year extension through an amendment to the state university law could undermine the gains made by the 2012 legislation.

‘The enactment of the Principal Act was part of efforts to curtail the pervading atmosphere of rancour and bitterness thrown up by tenure extension or renewal for vice-chancellors in Nigerian universities,’ he said.

Piwuna warned that the development could heighten tension in the university system, including what he described as ‘pent-up anger, sycophancy, and administrative witch-hunt’, which he said could adversely affect the growth and development of the institution.

He said the decision could also make Osun State an example for other governors who might seek to alter the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous) Act for political considerations.

The ASUU president also criticised Adegbooye for accepting the extension, recalling that the Vice-Chancellor had previously served as a branch secretary of the union at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Piwuna said accepting the extension was inconsistent with ASUU’s principles and core values.

He urged Adegbooye to reconsider his position before January 2027, which he said marked the end of the Vice-Chancellor’s legally valid tenure.

Piwuna also criticised Adeleke’s decision to amend the law as the incumbent’s tenure approached its end, describing the action as ‘antithetical to democratic norms’.

The ASUU president said the action raised questions about the governor’s commitment to the rule of law and democratic credentials.

‘This is not good enough for a governor whose recent re-election against all odds drew a nationwide applause,’ he said.

Piwuna, however, warned that ASUU would not hesitate to challenge the development further if the matter was not resolved.

‘Should reasons fail to prevail, ASUU shall not hesitate to further challenge the absurdity at UNIOSUN before it gains a notorious national currency,’ he said.

The union also appealed to the reconstituted Governing Council to discharge its responsibilities without what it described as disruptive interference and intrigues.

‘UNIOSUN was established under an approved licence from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the common good and should be allowed to fulfil its mandate of producing future leaders.’

He warned that the governor’s action could, knowingly or unknowingly, establish a precedent of disrespect for national standards in the administration of universities.

‘The reconstituted Governing Council must be allowed to carry out its mandate without disruptive interference and intrigues,’ he said.