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Magnified Influencer Awards 2026 set to take centre stage in Lagos

The Magnified Influencer Awards (MIA) is set to return to Lagos for its highly anticipated third edition, continuing a journey that began in the United Kingdom in 2022 before expanding to Nigeria in 2024.

The Magnified Influencer Awards 2026, themed: ‘The Royal Experience – 3rd Edition,’ will take place on Sunday, 8 November 2026, at The Podium, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

Founded by Magdalene Jumbo, the Magnified Influencer Awards is a UK x Nigeria international platform dedicated to recognising, celebrating and magnifying individuals making an impact through creativity, consistency, innovation, entrepreneurship, entertainment, fashion, media and digital influence.

Since its inception, MIA has focused on creating a platform where both established and emerging talents can be recognised for the value they bring to their industries and communities.

The journey of the Magnified Influencer Awards began in the United Kingdom in 2022, where the first edition was held in London. That inaugural edition established the foundation of the brand and introduced MIA as a platform committed to celebrating influencers, creatives, entertainers and personalities making meaningful contributions within their fields.

In 2024, the Magnified Influencer Awards expanded to Nigeria for its second edition in Lagos.

This marked an important stage in the growth of the organisation and strengthened its UK Nigeria identity.

The second edition brought together a wider mix of influencers, entertainers, creatives, entrepreneurs, fashion personalities and media professionals, while placing a stronger spotlight on Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital and creative industries.

Now, after the United Kingdom in 2022 and Nigeria in 2024, the journey continues with the third edition in 2026.

This year’s event is themed ‘The Royal Experience’ and is designed to go beyond the traditional concept of an awards ceremony by creating a full entertainment, fashion, media and networking experience.

Guests can expect a combination of awards, fashion, entertainment, red-carpet experiences, interviews, content creation, networking and opportunities for personalities from different parts of the creative economy to connect.

The aim is to create an environment where nominees, celebrities, creators, entrepreneurs, fashion personalities, brands and media professionals can celebrate achievement while building meaningful connections.

Fashion will form an important part of The Royal Experience. With the official dress code being

‘Royalty,’ guests, nominees and invited personalities will have the opportunity to express themselves through fashion while enjoying a glamorous red-carpet experience and fashion-focused conversations. The event will also create opportunities for interviews, media appearances and content creation throughout the evening.

The Magnified Influencer Awards believes influence should not be measured by follower numbers alone. Creativity, consistency, originality, growth, audience engagement, professional development and the value an individual brings to their community or industry are also important factors. This approach allows MIA to recognise established personalities while also creating visibility for emerging talents who are building meaningful careers and audiences.

The 2026 nominees represent different areas of today’s creative economy. Award categories include Best Influencer Male Musician, Best Influencer Female Musician, Best Influencer Actress, Best Influencer Actor, Best Influencer Film Director, Best Influencer Male Model, Best Influencer Female Model, Best Influencer Male Makeup Artist, Best Influencer Designer, Best Influencer Crochet Designer, Best Influencer Female Content Creator, Best Influencer Male Content Creator, Best Influencer Comedian, Best Influencer Podcaster, Best Influencer Entrepreneur and Best International Influencer.

The nominees currently being promoted by the Magnified Influencer Awards are competing for recognition, and winners have not yet been announced.

Public voting forms part of the journey towards the ceremony, giving supporters the opportunity to support their preferred nominees before the final honours are presented in November.

The evolution of the Magnified Influencer Awards tells an international story: from its first edition in the United Kingdom in 2022, to its second edition in Nigeria in 2024, and now to its third edition in 2026. Each edition represents another stage in MIA’s ambition to build a respected platform where influence, creativity, talent and achievement can be recognised across borders.

As the digital landscape continues to transform entertainment, business, fashion, media and popular culture, influencers and content creators are becoming increasingly important voices within society. Many are building businesses, creating employment, developing brands, entertaining audiences, influencing consumer behaviour and opening doors for the next generation of creatives.

The Magnified Influencer Awards aims to recognise this evolution while providing a platform where both established and emerging personalities can be seen and celebrated. Its wider mission is centred on giving recognition to people whose talent, consistency and impact deserve to be magnified.

From the United Kingdom in 2022, to Nigeria in 2024, and now The Royal Experience in 2026, MIA continues to develop its identity as an international celebration of influence, creativity, fashion, entertainment and achievement.

With its signature message, ‘Where Excellence Reigns,’ the Magnified Influencer Awards 2026 is preparing to bring together another generation of influential personalities for an evening of recognition, fashion, entertainment, networking and celebration.

ASUU condemns two-year extension of UNIOSUN VC’s tenure

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.

IATA faults Ruto over extra aviation charges

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has criticised President William Ruto’s government for supporting Kenya Airways while simultaneously imposing charges and policies that increase the cost of air travel and undermine the national carrier’s growth.

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, said Kenya is among several African countries imposing excessive taxes, levies and charges on aviation, with the recently introduced mandatory travel insurance for international visitors adding to the burden.

Kenya Airways, he said, cannot thrive when it is being squeezed by taxes and charges in Kenya and across the continent, which push up fares and erode airlines’ already thin profit margins amid rising fuel costs and other industry pressures.

‘What bothers me is that the entities within the African governments are squeezing more and more out of their airlines,’ Mr Al-Awadhi said in a press briefing on the sidelines of the Aviation Africa Conference in Nairobi on Thursday.

‘You hear the same guy say, ‘I want to create a national carrier, the pride of Africa,’ and I agree with him. That same guy, ‘we’re going to charge $5 API-PNR.’ Why are you charging something that passengers have nothing to do with?’

Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record (API-PNR) are separate datasets that airlines transmit to border control authorities before passengers arrive. Kenya charges airlines $4.95 (Sh640) per passenger for processing the data, a fee that has drawn criticism from the aviation industry.

The API-PNR fee comes on top of the $50 (Sh6,470) Air Passenger Service Charge (APSC) imposed on international travellers, while domestic passengers pay Sh600. The international charge was increased from $40 and the domestic charge from Sh500 in 2018.

Mr Al-Awadhi also criticised Kenya’s introduction of mandatory health insurance for international visitors, saying the additional $44 cost will ultimately increase the price of travelling to the country and could suppress demand.

‘Kenya has just added $44 for medical insurance to the ticket. Don’t you think there’s gonna be an impact on the number of passengers travelling?’ he said.

He attributed the proliferation of aviation charges partly to poor coordination among government agencies and a failure to appreciate the wider economic contribution of aviation.

The criticism comes as the government supports Kenya Airways’ turnaround efforts, including helping guarantee the airline’s debt and seeking a strategic investor to inject fresh capital into the carrier.

But IATA argues that such support is undermined if government agencies continue extracting more revenue from the airline and the wider aviation sector through taxes, levies and fees.

According to IATA, African airlines, including Kenya Airways, are expected to make an average net profit of only $0.40 (Sh52) per passenger seat this year, down from $1.50 (Sh194) last year.

‘This is because of the ridiculous prices of fuel today in Africa specifically, and the crazy, illogical, down-to-theft charges, levies, and fees on aviation,’ Mr Al-Awadhi said.

In June, African states, including Kenya, committed through the Lomé Ministerial Declaration to reduce excessive taxes, levies and fees on aviation as part of efforts to lower operating costs and improve the competitiveness of African airlines.

However, IATA says governments have yet to take meaningful steps to reduce the charges.

President Ruto this week signed the Air Passenger Service Charge Amendment Act into law, expanding the purposes for which APSC proceeds can be used to include the Kenya Meteorological Department, alongside the Kenya Airports Authority and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

The development increases the number of government agencies relying on the passenger charge, even as the aviation industry calls for lower costs to support the growth of air connectivity and airlines such as Kenya Airways.

Que keeps Chan at bay to conquer Summit Point

Angelo Que was tested from the opening stretch, pressured by a blistering early charge from Aidric Chan and a spirited mid-round assault from Justin Quiban. But through it all, the veteran campaigner never blinked.

At 47, with two decades of professional golf behind him and a career forged through countless battles here and abroad, Que once again showed that experience, composure and sheer resolve can still trump youth and momentum.

Relying on precise ball-striking and crisp iron play, the amiable shotmaker stayed patient in mild conditions at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club here, closing out with a 70 to outgun Chan by two and secure the ICTSI Summit Point Championship crown on Friday.

A final-round two-under card left him four strokes short of a four-day streak of 66s, but it was more than enough to secure the championship. Finishing at 20-under 268, the reigning Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion claimed his 21st career title along with the P440,000 top prize.

‘There was really no pressure today. It was nice playing with Adric and Justin because we’ve known each other for a long time, so it felt just like a practice round. We were talking the whole round and weren’t really trying to compete – we were actually just pushing each other,’ said Que, whose latest triumph further underscored the depth and longevity of a career that has produced multiple victories, including three on the Asian Tour and one on the Japan Golf Tour.

The two-stroke winning margin hardly reflected how effectively Que kept the threats at bay, as he never allowed Chan to come within three strokes until No. 17. Four up with two holes to play, Que gave back two shots on the par-3 penultimate hole.

The late stumble from the bunker and missed putts added a touch of drama to what had otherwise been a victory lap, but they barely unsettled the veteran shotmaker’s resolve or poise. Que calmly matched Chan’s par on the par-4 18th to secure the win.

‘I was trying to make two more birdies so that I could shoot another 66, but unfortunately, I missed it on the wrong side on the 17th,’ he recalled.

Chan closed with a 66 to finish runner-up at 270, while Quiban missed a chance to force a tie for second after bogeys on Nos. 16 and 17. He settled for third at 272 after a 69.

Keanu Jahns shot a 68 to tie Reymon Jaraula, who carded a 70, for fourth at 278. Kristoffer Arevalo took solo sixth at 279 after a 70, while Fidel Concepcion fired a 66 to join Jeffren Lumbo, who a 68, and Sean Ramos, who turned in a 70, in a three-way tie for seventh at 280.

Asked about his thoughts when Chan repeatedly closed the gap to within three strokes, Que downplayed the threat, saying: ‘That’s still a big gap coming down the stretch, meaning he still needs to make three more birdies to tie me. If I can just match his birdies, then it won’t be a big concern.’

But the final 18 holes did unfold as a thrilling, high-voltage shootout, with Chan blazing to a front-nine 30, Que matching him with a 32 and Quiban staying firmly in the hunt with a 33. All three navigated the opening stretch without a single misstep, setting the stage for a tense duel that seemed destined to go down to the wire.

Only Que had begun the final round with a commanding five-shot advantage over Quiban and six over Chan, who, however, was in no mood to let the leader breathe.

But every time he clawed his way to within three shots, Que seemed to have an answer. Just as the pressure began to mount, the leader would respond with a birdie on the very next hole, restoring his four-shot cushion and keeping Chan at arm’s length.

Still, Chan kept coming.

After 14 holes, he had put together a blistering eight-under performance, including two more birdies on the back nine, and was making a furious bid to turn the tournament on its head. Another birdie or two could have changed everything. But the elusive breakthrough never came.

Instead, Chan finally blinked on the long, bunker-riddled par-5 16th, where he made his first bogey of the round. Que, displaying the composure that had carried him all week, calmly made par. The four-shot gap was restored, and with only two holes remaining, the pressure that had been building for much of the afternoon suddenly began to ease.

Chan’s sizzling eight-under effort with four holes remaining had threatened to put him right on Que’s heels – perhaps even ahead – but Que remained remarkably unfazed.

He absorbed every challenge and answered with the kind of steady, controlled golf that champions produce under fire, closing out the front nine with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 8 and 9.

Then came the back nine, and the tournament turned into a theater of pressure – a pressure cooker where every shot, every putt and every mistake suddenly carried enormous weight.

Chan refused to surrender. He snapped a three-par stretch with a clutch birdie on No. 13, pulling within three strokes as Que had finally shown a crack with his first bogey on No. 10. But once again, Que had an immediate response, answering with a birdie on the 12th to push the margin back to four.

Quiban, meanwhile, was lurking.

Birdies on Nos. 10 and 12 lifted him to 18-under and level with Chan, four shots off the lead. For a brief moment, the chase appeared to be tightening. But the pressure exacted its price on No. 13, where Quiban surrendered a stroke and slipped back to five behind as the finish line loomed ever closer.

The drama, however, never reached the boiling point many had anticipated.

Chan was the first to waver.

His late bogey proved the decisive blow. Though Que also sputtered late, he simply stayed the course. No heroics were needed, no risks required. He had absorbed every surge, answered every challenge and finally wrestled control of the finish.

The chase had been fierce. The pressure had been relentless. But when the decisive moment arrived, it was Que who held his nerve, keeping the challengers at bay and cruising home with the title firmly in his grasp.

For Que, however, the championship was never truly his until the final putt dropped.

Asked when he finally felt the tournament was his to win, he gave the answer that perhaps best summed up his approach to the entire week.

He never did.

“I don’t really think too far ahead. Yes, there is a feeling that you can win, but I usually brush it off and tell myself, ‘it’s still early.’ You haven’t really won a tournament until you finish the last hole. So I just stick to the game plan, play, and don’t think too far ahead. I think that’s the key to winning tournaments – not thinking that you’re going to win, but knowing you’re still trying to win,’ he said.

That mindset has become as important to Que’s enduring game.

Twenty-three years after turning professional in 2003 – and more than two decades after winning the Philippine Amateur Open in back-to-back fashion in 2000 and 2001 – he continues to find ways to stay relevant in a sport increasingly dominated by younger players.

The victory was his 21st career title, coming just three months after his previous triumph at Caliraya Springs, where he survived a chaotic and wild final-round finish.

This time, there was no drama, no collapse and no frantic escape.

‘I think if I start holing putts, that’s what happens. I’ve been hitting it well like this for the past few years. The control is still there. The only difference between my tournaments is really just the putting,’ said Que, who did just what he has done for years: trusting his game, embracing the pressure and refusing to let the moment become bigger than the task.

At an age when many campaigners are already looking toward the next chapter, Que continues to write new ones of his own – and at Summit Point, he once again showed that experience is not merely something earned with age, but a weapon sharpened by years of competing, winning and learning how to stay steady when everything around him starts to move.

‘Yes, I think I proved it last year, and I’m still proving it this year. Hopefully, I won’t get injured – knock on wood – that’s the only thing that’s going to hold me back from playing. But I love competing. I love competing against the other pros; it pushes me. I like the challenge, so yeah, I think I’ll still contend against them,’ said Que.

At 47, Que proved once more that while the game keeps getting younger, championship resolve never goes out of style.

N41m For Grab As UBA Opens 2026 Essay Contest

UBA Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has opened entries for the 2026 edition of its annual National Essay Competition (NEC), with a total of N41 million in educational grants and prizes to be awarded to the top five winners.

In a statement, the bank said the competition in its 16th consecutive year continues to provide senior secondary school students in Nigeria and Africa, with a platform to showcase their creativity, writing skills and critical thinking while earning financial support towards their university education.

A major highlight of this year’s competition is the expansion of educational grants to the fourth- and fifth-place winners for the first time. The first-place winner will receive a N15 million university grant, representing a 50 per cent increase from the N10 million awarded in 2025, while the second- and third-place winners will receive N10.5 million and N7.5 million respectively.

The fourth and fifth-place winners will receive N5 million and N3.5 million each in grants towards their university education at any African university of the winners’ choice.

This year’s competition challenges students to examine one of Nigeria’s most pressing issues as they will tackle the topic: ‘No nation can develop without food security. How can Nigeria deal with this problem?’ where participants will be expected to propose practical and sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s food security challenges.

Commenting on the initiative, the Managing Director/CEO of UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, said the competition reflects the Foundation’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national development.

‘For well over a decade, the National Essay Competition has provided a vital platform for our secondary school students to express their ideas and showcase their intellectual prowess. This year’s topic is particularly crucial, as it tasks them to confront one of the defining questions of our time, which is how we feed our nation and secure its future. We believe the young minds of today hold the key to a more prosperous and self-sufficient Nigeria,’ she said.

Eligible students are required to submit handwritten essays of no more than 750 words through the competition’s digital portal on or before Friday, October 23, 2026. Applicants must be Nigerian senior secondary school students and are required to complete the online application form and upload their handwritten essay, a recent passport photograph and a valid birth certificate, National ID card or international passport.

Delta Assembly raises High Court judges to 50, passes judicial amendment bills

The Delta State House of Assembly has passed two amendment bills seeking to strengthen the state judiciary, including a proposal to increase the statutory number of High Court judges from 46 to 50.

The bills, the Delta State High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (HB. 48), and the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (HB. 49), were passed at plenary following their Third Reading.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, commended lawmakers for the speedy passage of the bills.

He said the move indicated the 8th Assembly’s commitment to strengthening the judicial arm of government and ensuring timely access to justice for Deltans.

Guwor, who spoke immediately after the passage of the bills, said the increase in the number of High Court judges was necessary to address rising case loads and reduce pressure on the existing judges.

The Speaker said: ‘Distinguished colleagues, I thank all of you for the successful passage of the Delta State High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (HB. 48).

‘It is my strong belief that this increase will reduce the pressure of case loads on our Judges and ultimately enhance the effective administration of Justice in our dear State.’

On the Customary Court of Appeal Amendment Bill, he said the amendment would strengthen the structure and operations of the court and facilitate faster and more efficient justice delivery.

‘I am indeed grateful to all of you for the successful passage of the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (HB. 49).

‘This amendment will enhance justice delivery in the Customary Court of Appeal system. Thank you for the quick passage of this Bill,’ Guwor said.

The Speaker also commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for forwarding the two Executive Bills to the House, describing the initiative as timely and necessary to reposition the state’s justice sector.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, Guwor said the bills reflected the government’s commitment to providing the courts with adequate manpower and a stronger institutional framework to meet the growing demand for justice.

He also praised the synergy between the executive and legislative arms of government, saying it had continued to produce people-oriented legislation.

Guwor assured the people that the 8th Assembly would remain committed to enacting laws aimed at decongesting court dockets and ensuring speedy dispensation of cases across the state.

The two bills will now be transmitted to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for assent.

Former New York mayor Giuliani designated as an anti-Muslim extremist

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has designated former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani as an ‘anti-Muslim extremist’ following remarks the Muslim advocacy organization described as ‘bigoted.’

CAIR announced the designation on Wednesday, citing comments Giuliani made during a Newsmax interview earlier this week in which he criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and questioned his attendance at a September 11 memorial ceremony.

‘It offends me that he’s coming,’ Giuliani said of Mamdani’s planned participation in Friday’s 9/11 memorial service.

During the interview, Giuliani also claimed that Muslims were taking over parts of the United States and Europe.

‘They (Muslims) want to dominate us. That’s what they’re taught the day they begin their extremist religious education. Mamdani is a clear supporter of that. All of the Muslims he supports are murderers,’ Giuliani said.

CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor said the organization’s designation was based on what it described as Giuliani’s long-standing criticism of Muslims.

‘Mr Giuliani has a decades-long record of targeting our community simply because of our faith, and we are designating him an anti-Muslim extremist as a result of his hateful views,’ Saylor said in a statement.

Giuliani, who previously served as an adviser to US President Donald Trump during his first administration, has been among the critics of Mamdani’s attendance at the 9/11 memorial.

Asked about Giuliani’s comments on Monday, Mamdani declined to directly respond to the former mayor’s criticism. Instead, he said the week should remain focused on those affected by the September 11 attacks.

‘I want this week to be focused on the families whose loved ones were stolen from them 25 years ago in the horrific act of terror of September 11, and a focus also on the first responders who did everything they could,’ Mamdani said.

Meanwhile, a petition calling for Mamdani not to attend the memorial has attracted more than 100,000 signatures. Organizers argue that his past statements, political associations and political views are incompatible with what they regard as the solemn purpose of the ceremony.

New York City Councilwoman Vicky Paladino, who is promoting the petition alongside Queens Republican Councilwoman Joann Ariola, held a press conference on the steps of City Hall on Tuesday.

Paladino said she was demanding that Mamdani stay away from the memorial, arguing that ‘he does not belong there.’

Aviation Ministry Spent N522m On Guns, Ammunition – Audit Report

The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development used the sum of N522,490,349 to purchase guns and ammunition that were not delivered.

The accusation was contained in the Auditor-General for the Federation’s 2024 Annual Report on Non-Compliance and Internal Control Weaknesses in Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

According to the report, the ministry paid N270,020,066.80 to purchase AK Rifles, Red Dots and AK Ammunition to enhance aviation security operations of the Nation’s Airports on 10th January, 2023, and 23rd May, 2023.

It noted that the ministry claimed to make the purchase without approval from the National Security Adviser (NSA) and was not able to provide documents for all due process documents (CAC, NSITF, ITF, FIRS etc) to the paid vouchers. Also, the report said another sum of N252,470,282.20 was paid on 10th February, 2023, and FMA/ABJ/CAP/1441/21 dated 23rd May, 2023 respectively, for the procurement of Sub-Machine Guns, Pistols and Ammunition for the enhancement of aviation security at Nation’s Airports.

The report read: ‘The sum of N270,020,066.80 (Two hundred and seventy million, twenty thousand, sixty six naira, eighty kobo) was paid as IPC 1 and IPC 2 to a company through two (2) paid vouchers with Ref. No. FMA/ABJ/CAP/1047/22 and FMA/ABJ/CAP/1445/21 dated 10th January, 2023, and 23rd May, 2023, respectively, for the procurement of AK Rifles, Red Dots and AK Ammunition to enhance aviation security operations of the Nation’s Airports.

‘There was no approval from the National Security Adviser (NSA) to procure the ammunition. The company’s quotation for the procurement of AK Rifles, Red Dots and AK ammunition was not attached. All due process documents (CAC, NSITF, ITF, FIRS etc) were not attached to the paid vouchers. Store Receipt Voucher (SRV) to serve as evidence that the items received by the Ministry were not attached to the paid vouchers.’

It added that in the request for Payment Certificate No, FAAN confirmed that the firearms were executed and supplied to the Armory of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Headquarters, Abuja for safe keeping pending the completion of the Authority’s Armory.

But the report said there was no evidence/document to support that the firearms were in the custody of NSCDC Headquarters for safe keeping.

‘The above anomalies could be attributed to weaknesses in the internal control system at the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Abuja and risks diversion of public funds, loss of public funds.’

It added in its defense, the ministry responded that the contract for procurement of firearms to enhance aviation security operations at the nation’s airports can be verified because it passes through all the procurement processes, procedures and all necessary documents obtained.

‘The necessary procurement documents and approvals were duly obtained. The procurement processes and procedures were duly followed before payments were made (See attached Award and Acceptance letters, BPP, Due Process Review Reports, FEC, Contract Agreement, and Letter of clearance form Office of the National Security Adviser, Payment Vouchers and other documents required for payment). The letter from the Office of the National Security Adviser conveying the Security Clearance for the company is hereby attached for your information. The payment vouchers with the supporting documents are hereby attached for your information.’

But the audit said the management’s response to the issue has been noted; however, it is deemed unsatisfactory. Consequently, the findings remain valid until the recommendations are implemented.

It recommended the permanent secretary should be requested to account to the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly on the money, recover and remit the sum of N270,020,066.80 to the Treasury.

On the second purchase, it said the sum of N252,470,282.20 was paid to the company through two (2) paid vouchers No. FMA/ABJ/CAP/1042/22 dated 10th February, 2023, and FMA/ABJ/CAP/1441/21 dated 23rd May, 2023 respectively, for the procurement of Sub-Machine Guns, Pistols and Ammunition for the enhancement of aviation security at Nation’s Airports.

It explained that the anomalies could be attributed to weaknesses in the internal control system at the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Abuja.

But the ministry responded that the necessary procurement documents and approvals were duly obtained.

‘The Procurement processes and procedures were duly followed before payments were made (See attached Award and Acceptance letters, BPP, Due Process Review Reports, FEC, Contract Agreement, and Letter of clearance form Office of the National Security Adviser, Payment Vouchers and other documents required for payment). The Ministry did not violate the provision of the financial regulations and extant circulars, as all necessary procurement documents were obtained.’

‘The letter from the Office of the National Security Adviser conveying the Security Clearance for the company is hereby attached for your information. The letter from Director, Finance and Accounts (FAAN), Ref. No. FAAN/HQ/DFA/1/Vol.XI/16 dated 7th August, 2025, forwarding the delivery note is hereby attached. This is not applicable as the contract was duly executed.’

But the auditor’s said the response was deemed unsatisfactory and its findings remain valid until the recommendations are implemented.

Engagement of foreign company by proxy

The report also accused the ministry of paying the sum of 163,918,943.69 to six contractors for building of control towers in six different airports in the country.

It said five of the contractors were paid the sum of N30,947,309.22 each on 1st June, 2023, while the remaining one contractor was paid the sum of N9,182,397.59.

‘These contracts were awarded on 24th May, 2018 at the contract sum of N4,459,075,994.19 and were yet to be completed (especially the technical part), six years after the award. The agreement dated 18th November, 2021, in respect of the five contracts were executed by proxy between the Ministry and the representative contractors on behalf of the foreign United Kingdom based companies, with the sum in (i) above also received by proxy.’

‘There was no evidence of work done for the sum paid by proxy to the representative contractors, and the execution of contract agreement by proxy made the clauses therein to be difficult to enforce, thereby exposing government to the risk of financial loss in the case of default.’

In response, the ministry said the ‘FGN/Ministry had no engagement/agreement whatsoever with the foreign company. The agreement between the two contractors, establishes the commitment of the six contractors with the foreign company. Your recommendation that we take proactive steps and make sure that the projects are completed to fore-stall unnecessary inflation is well noted. You are aware that the completion of the projects is subject to prompt release of funds by the FGN. We have and will always ensure that we comply with Procurement Regulations just as we followed all the procurement stages in the award of the instant contracts.’

US congressman says Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal could be signed during Trump’s term

The peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia is advancing faster than many had expected, and a final peace agreement could be signed well before the end of US President Donald Trump’s current term, US Congressman Abraham Hamadeh said.

Hamadeh, a Republican representative from Arizona, made the remarks in an interview with RFE/RL Washington correspondent Alex Raufoglu on September 9.

The congressman visited Azerbaijan in June and Armenia in August, where he held meetings with the leadership of both countries. Speaking about the prospects for a final settlement, Hamadeh said the process was moving at a faster pace than anticipated and expressed confidence that an agreement could be reached during Trump’s presidency.

Hamadeh also discussed the ‘Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity’ (TRIPP), saying the initiative should be viewed as more than an economic project.

According to the congressman, the route could help establish stronger political and economic links between Azerbaijan and Armenia while encouraging increased trade and investment from Western countries in the South Caucasus.

Hamadeh rejected Russian statements about the potential security implications of TRIPP, describing Moscow’s claims as ‘classic Russian disinformation.’

Alexei Shevtsov, Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, has claimed that implementation of the project could create conditions for the United States to establish military forces and intelligence bases on Armenian territory.

‘This is classic Russian disinformation. They are trying to destabilize Armenia, a democratic country. Armenia is one of the most stable democracies in the region. Moscow is currently attempting to discredit Pashinyan among certain segments of Armenian society,’ Hamadeh said.

He argued that Russia’s influence in Armenia remains stronger than in other South Caucasus countries and questioned Moscow’s reliability as a regional partner.

‘Russia’s influence in Armenia is stronger compared to other Caucasus countries. The Russians cannot be trusted. Their attention is currently focused primarily on the war in Ukraine. They realize that a major vacuum has emerged, and the US is now filling that void,’ the congressman said.

Hamadeh added that Azerbaijanis and Armenians increasingly see cooperation with Washington as preferable to cooperation with Moscow.

‘Azerbaijanis and Armenians prefer cooperating with the US rather than Russia. We are more reliable. We are the party making peace possible. Russia has held sway in these countries but has failed to live up to the expectations of either,’ he said.

The congressman also said he expects the US presence in the South Caucasus to extend beyond the current Trump administration.

Hamadeh believes Washington’s engagement with the region will be long-term rather than limited to Trump’s current term in office.

ASUU threatens nationwide strike over unpaid salaries, agreement

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.