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The Universal Basic Education program which aims to provide free, compulsory, and Universal education to children from primary up to junior Secondary level in Nigeria has experienced a steady decline in infrastructure and manpower, beginning from the last quarter of the twentieth century till now.

Public basic schools in Benue State have gone through long years of inattention and neglect causing significant decay in infrastructure thus infringing on the fundamental right to quality education and creating an unsafe, unhealthy, and unengaging environment for learning and teaching.

Poor infrastructure, unavailability of clean water, and lack of sanitary facilities like toilets increased the risk of illness among pupils and led to high teacher absenteeism. Other inciting causes for the decline included poor policy implementation and corruption, shortage of qualified teachers, inefficient management and supervision.

The Poor infrastructure and lack of qualified teachers crippled basic education in Benue State. This development which lasted for many years, impacted negatively on the state overall productivity and economic growth. Some of the schools have no active population till now, since parents refused to enroll their children in schools with no qualified teachers, dilapidated structures, and bushy environment.

The system witnessed deliberate inclusion of fake employees (ghost workers) on the payroll. The existence of this category of workers in the basic education sector led to significant financial loss for the state through corruption and payroll fraud. The practice also impeded hiring of qualified teachers thus undermining the integrity and efficiency of basic education in the State.

Paying phantom employees contributed significantly in pushing Benue State to the higher rung of debt. It created a culture of corruption and compensated for idleness which goes against the principle of paying for productive work.The whole system was left in comatose lying helplessly in a state of prolonged unconsciousness.

Governor Alia, after taking over the reigns of the state, quickly fashioned out policies aimed at ensuring quality education for all citizens. His choice of the Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) was borne out of necessity to revive the sector and provide quality basic education for Benue citizens. Dr. Grace Adagba, a seasoned academic with a sound wealth of experience in management and teaching has displayed relentlessness in her pursuit of excellence ensuring that every child in Benue State has access to quality basic education.

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Through the mandate given to her by the Governor, the SUBEB Chairman, Dr. Grace Adagba has fostered a culture of transparency by conducting regular audits and multiple reviews using biometric systems and other verification methods to ensure staff are real and present thus putting to rest the issue of ghost workers which has bedevilled the system for many years.

In prompt response to lack of qualified teachers, Governor Alia has recruited about nine thousand, seven hundred (9,700) teachers with sound knowledge and expertise to effectively manage classroom, keep students focused, deliver quality lessons, and provide constructive feedback.

With their wide range of knowledge and skills, the newly recruited teachers have already created an engaging learning environment, set high expectations aimed at promoting students’ achievements, and encouraging social – emotional growth among them.

Except where the population is displaced by insecurity and the schools are non-functional, all the public primary schools in Benue State now have enough teachers who are well trained to effectively teach and cater for individual student needs.

Additionally, the Governor has decided to invest heavily into school infrastructure by building standard storey buildings in over 250 public primary schools across the 23 local government areas of the state. This became necessary because, Governor Alia understands that high-quality infrastructure facilitates better teaching, improves students outcomes, and reduces dropout rates.

Who could have thought that public schools in Benue State will have storey buildings? With this quality of infrastructure in public primary schools in Benue State now, Governor Alia is not only building the schools, he is creating a homely and welcoming atmosphere that will make the schools a desirable place for students to learn.

To promote critical and creative thinking in children, Governor Alia is also building and equipping ICT centres in primary schools across Benue State. This will help to develop foundation for 21st century skills, enhance learning through technology, bridge the digital divide, and prepare pupils for the future workforce. Primary schools pupils in Benue State now have access to tools that improve creativity, problem solving, collaboration, and digital literacy, making learning more engaging and relevant.

Governor Alia’s commitment to long-term development and improvement of quality of life for the people of Benue State should attract commendations from all, especially advocates of positive change and supporters of social reforms and societal improvement.

Reviving public primary schools in the state will lessen the burden of high tuition fee imposed on parents by proprietors of private schools. In his attempt to ease this burden on parents, the Governor has put a stop to the growing trend of unlawful levies imposed on parents by proprietors of elementary schools in Benue State.

He expressed strong disapproval for the compulsory provision of sanitary items such as brooms, soaps, tissues, and napkins, which are often demanded from parents as part of school requirements. According to him, these are unjustifiable financial burdens, especially for families already struggling to provide basic education for their children.

The SUBEB Chairman, Dr. Grace Adagba has been visiting public primary schools and UBE centres in the state conducting regular supervisions to ensure that educational standards are maintained and that the schools are functioning effectively. Her regular visit to these schools will also help identify problems, provides guidance to teachers, and ultimately contribute to better pupils learning outcomes.

Governor Alia has been calling on parents to take advantage of this opportunity and enroll their children/wards into public schools where there is free tuition and a wide range of specialized services, and where their children/wards will be exposed to a broader spectrum of cultures and perspectives, preparing them for a diverse world.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS), a homegrown digital platform that allows Nigerians to verify the clearance and duty payment status of imported vehicles in real time.

The move is aimed at eliminating fraud, curbing the influence of middlemen, and deepening transparency across Nigeria’s vehicle import value chain.

Speaking during the official launch at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, described the initiative as a major leap in the Service’s ongoing modernisation drive, aligning with the Federal Government’s broader digital transformation agenda.

He said: ‘Today marks an important milestone as we head into our ongoing drive to modernise the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service. We are hoping to build our progress on collaboration with the private sector, consolidation of our previous gains, and the delivery of innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.’

Developed in partnership with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and indigenous technology firm Afripoint Consult, the CVMS introduces a unified, automated process for verifying imported vehicle records, an area long plagued by forgery, misinformation, and duty evasion.

Vehicle clearance in the country has for years relied on fragmented, manual systems that left room for document falsification and revenue leakages. Buyers and dealers often struggled to confirm the authenticity of duty payments, a situation that sometimes led to vehicle seizures or double payments. Adeniyi said the new platform directly addresses those long-standing inefficiencies.

‘For years, verification of imported vehicles relied on fragmented and outdated methods – systems that left room for misinformation, for fraud, leakage, costing the country significantly, and leading to a lot of frustration. Recognising the urgency for change, the Nigeria Customs Service, in partnership with our indigenous technical partners, has developed an innovative homegrown solution to this challenge,’ he explained.

After two months of successful trial runs, the CVMS is now fully operational and globally accessible. Nigerians can verify any imported vehicle by entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and paying a N15,000 verification fee using any local or international debit or credit card.

According to Adeniyi, the new verification system was built to serve both the public and Customs personnel.

‘This platform democratises access to verified information, enabling the public to make informed purchase decisions. For our officers, it eliminates inconsistencies and provides real-time validated data that improves decision-making,’ he noted.

The system, the CGC noted, provides a centralised database where every verified vehicle record can be traced and authenticated within minutes. It also standardises operations across commands, closes loopholes exploited by document forgers, and supports Customs’ enforcement and intelligence units.

Adeniyi said the launch aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s digital economy agenda and the Service’s goal of building a modern, data-driven Customs system.

‘This new system empowers the public and strengthens the integrity of our service by promoting transparency, accountability, and trust. It provides a centralised digital system where vehicle records can be traced, verified, and confirmed within minutes, improving the efficiency of our enforcement units and every relevant arm of the Customs,’ he stated.

He added that by digitising the vehicle verification process, the Service would strengthen revenue assurance, reduce disputes, and simplify compliance, ultimately improving Nigeria’s ease of doing business ranking.

He assured that with the CVMS, importers, dealers, and ordinary citizens can now verify vehicle clearance directly through the Customs portal without intermediaries or delays.

‘For the first time, Nigerians can verify the clearance and duty status of any imported vehicle directly from the Nigeria Customs Service – without intermediaries, without delays, and without doubt. This gives citizens, importers, and dealers the confidence to transact with clarity and certainty, reducing the risk of fraud, and ensuring that every vehicle purchased is backed by verifiable customs data and papers,’ the Customs boss said.

The system, according to him, also equips Customs officers with analytics and reporting tools to detect anomalies and improve enforcement.

‘Simply put, this system makes Customs work smarter, faster, and more transparent,’ the CGC concluded.

Kenya’s women’s marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for three years after she admitted to anti-doping rule violations but her 2:09:56 mark will remain on the books as it was set before her positive test.

Chepngetich, who smashed the record in Chicago last October, was provisionally suspended in July this year by the Athletics Integrity Unit after Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) was detected in a sample collected from the athlete on March 14.

The sample revealed an HCTZ concentration of 3,800ng/mL, far above the World Anti-Doping Agency’s minimum reporting limit of 20ng/mL.

Chepngetich, 31, initially denied any wrongdoing and could not explain the positive result despite an AIU investigation, which included analysis of her medications, supplements and phone data.

However, on July 31, two weeks after Chepngetich was suspended, she changed her explanation, saying she had unknowingly taken her housemaid’s medication, which contained HCTZ, while ill.

‘She stated that she had forgotten to disclose this incident to the AIU investigators,’ the AIU said in a statement.

HCTZ is used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension, with the AIU adding that diuretics may be abused to mask the presence in urine of other prohibited substances.

The AIU said Chepngetich’s actions were reckless and indirectly intentional rather than accidental, initially applying a four-year sanction.

However, Chepngetich’s early admission earned her a one-year reduction, resulting in a three-year ban issued on September 10.

‘The case regarding the positive test for HCTZ has been resolved but the AIU will continue to investigate the suspicious material recovered from Chepngetich’s phone to determine if any other violations have occurred,’ AIU head Brett Clothier said.

‘In the meantime, all Chepngetich’s achievements and records pre-dating the 14 March 2025 sample stand.’

SIR: Across Nigeria, the signs of a deep infrastructure crisis are impossible to ignore. From pothole-ridden highways and epileptic power supply to congested ports and inadequate rail networks, the country’s physical backbone is crumbling. While citizens struggle daily with the consequences, promises of massive infrastructure renewal have remained more rhetoric than reality. For a nation seeking to attract investment, create jobs, and lift millions out of poverty, the failure to provide reliable infrastructure is a heavy weight dragging progress backward.

Perhaps the most visible symbol of this crisis is Nigeria’s road network. Federal and state highways are riddled with potholes, many barely passable during the rainy season. Road accidents claim thousands of lives annually, many of them avoidable if proper maintenance were carried out. Truck drivers spend days stranded on roads leading to Lagos ports, creating bottlenecks that drive up the cost of goods. Rural communities remain cut off because feeder roads are either non-existent or in terrible condition, preventing farmers from bringing produce to markets and worsening food insecurity.

The power sector tells a similarly grim story. Despite billions of dollars spent on reforms, Nigeria continues to generate far below the electricity its citizens need. Frequent blackouts cripple industries, forcing businesses to rely on expensive generators. For small businesses and households, the cost of fuelling these generators eats deep into income. Meanwhile, renewable energy opportunities remain largely untapped, even though solar and wind could help close the gap. Without reliable power, the dream of industrial growth will remain a mirage.

Water and sanitation infrastructure are equally inadequate. Millions of Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water, relying instead on boreholes, wells, or unsafe streams. Urban centres face recurring water shortages, while sewage systems are either broken or non-existent. The result is frequent outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, which claim lives that could easily be saved with proper investment in sanitation. In rural areas, women and children walk long distances daily to fetch water, reducing time that could be spent on education or productive work.

The state of Nigeria’s rail system further highlights the neglect. Although some progress has been made with the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan lines, the network remains grossly inadequate for a country of over 200 million people. Cargo transport by rail, which could ease pressure on the roads and reduce accidents, is minimal. Instead, trucks dominate long-distance haulage, worsening road degradation and increasing costs for businesses. A modern, expansive rail system would not only transform trade but also integrate regions and boost national unity.

Airports and seaports, gateways to international commerce, also suffer from inefficiency. Delays, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and outdated facilities discourage foreign investors and frustrate local businesses. The high cost of moving goods through Nigerian ports has driven many importers to neighbouring countries such as Benin and Ghana. The result is a loss of revenue, jobs, and prestige. A country with Nigeria’s resources should be a regional hub for trade, but poor infrastructure ensures otherwise.

The consequences of this infrastructure deficit are profound. Without reliable roads, power, water, and transport systems, businesses cannot thrive, jobs cannot be created, and citizens cannot enjoy a decent quality of life. Investors, both local and foreign, are discouraged, choosing instead to take their capital to environments where infrastructure supports productivity. The gap between Nigeria’s potential and its reality continues to widen, leaving citizens frustrated and disillusioned.

Addressing this challenge requires not just more funding, but better planning and accountability. Infrastructure projects are often announced with fanfare but abandoned midway due to corruption or political changes.

To break this cycle, government must prioritize continuity, ensuring that projects are completed regardless of political transitions. Public-private partnerships should be encouraged, allowing private capital and expertise to complement government efforts. In addition, maintenance culture must be institutionalized, as infrastructure is not just about building new projects but sustaining existing ones.

Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit is not insurmountable. With the right policies, transparent governance, and sustained investment, the country can transform its roads, power, water, and transport systems. The benefits would be far-reaching: lower business costs, increased trade, job creation, and improved living standards. But unless bold steps are taken, Nigeria will remain a nation stuck on the road to development-moving, but never arriving.

Lagos-based public relations consultant and former head of Corporate Communications of defunct Skye Bank (Polaris Bank), Kayode Akinyemi, will bury his mother, Mrs Victoria Akinyemi, tomorrow at Afao-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Mrs Akinyemi died on June 13, at 85. She is survived by children, grandchildren, sisters and brothers.

Akinyemi, former director general of Ekiti State Bureau of Strategic Communications, said the programme begins with lying-in-state and service of songs at 10, Olorunfemi Esan Lane in Afao-Ekiti, under Ifelodun/Irepodun council, tomorrow, from 11am to 4pm.

Church service will hold at Christ Apostolic Church, Ifelodun, Oke-Iyanu in Odo-Oode, Afao Ekiti on Saturday by 9am.

Interment holds at her home and reception follows at CAC Primary School Playing Ground, starting from 2 pm.

Speaking during a recent episode of the Culli Podcast, the rapper said his girlfriend means everything to him and plays a crucial role in his life decisions.

He said, ‘My girlfriend is my everything. You know when the Bible says if you find a good woman, you’ve found a good thing. She’s my everything oh. Every single thing. She’s literally my life, bro. If you tell me something now that I need to make a decision, I’ll go and meet her first. That’s how much I trust what she’s saying.’

Odumodublvck went on to share how much he values her advice and friendship despite occasional disagreements.

‘I might not lean into everything she’s saying -we can have disagreements which is normal, you get. There are some things I’ll say, she’ll be like, ‘Ah no oh Odi, I don’t support this one oh,’ but I’ll still go ahead with it because that’s what I feel. Most times it works for me, sometimes it might not, and I’ll come back and say, ‘Omo, that thing that you told me,’ and she’ll be like, ‘Shebi I told you,” he said.

‘She’s my friend mehn, even apart from say we love each other, she’s my person.’

The rapper further described her as a blessing from God, saying, ‘God blessed me with that one. He gave me that one as a gift -like, ‘Despite everything in this world, if you don’t have anything, take this one.”

He added that he met her before fame and wealth came into his life.

‘I was lucky I met her before I had money. She’s the last girl that I met before I had money,’ he said.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday continued to attract major political figures and grassroots supporters across Nigeria.

Several opposition leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) formally defected to the party in Zamfara, Kano, and Cross River states.

In Zamfara, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, yesterday received 15 top PDP leaders into the APC, describing their decision as ‘bold, timely, and patriotic.’

The defectors, comprising state and zonal PDP executives, were presented to the Minister in Abuja by Zamfara APC Chairman, Tukur Umar Danfulani, alongside Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura and Lawal M. Liman.

Matawalle, a former governor of the state, assured the new members of equal treatment, noting that their defection reflected the growing acceptance of the APC nationwide.

‘Our party is more popular and united than ever before,’ he said.

‘The APC will continue to strengthen its base with strategies and welfare programmes that directly impact the people.’

The Zamfara APC Chairman, Danfulani, said the defectors included PDP Youth Leader Isiyaka M. Dabo, Zonal Treasurer (Zamfara West) Nasiru Mohammed Anka, Organising Secretary (Zamfara North) Junaidu Magaji Kiyawa, and Assistant Organising Secretary (Zamfara West) Hon. Musa Halilu Faru. Others were PDP Zonal Secretary (Zamfara North) Alhaji Lawali Aliyu Shinkafi, and ex-officio members Hajiya Rabi Bakura and Hajiya Amina Duniya.

Senator Kaura said a grand reception would soon be organised by Senator Abdulaziz Yari and Matawalle to celebrate the defectors.

‘Their coming strengthens our structure ahead of the 2027 elections,’ he noted.

In her remarks, Amina Duniya, who said she spent 25 years in the PDP, urged APC leaders to ensure fairness and justice, pledging to mobilise more women into the party.

Another defector, Bashar Mohammed Dogon Kade, a former PDP aspirant, said he left because ‘the party only favours the rich.’

Danfulani expressed optimism that the APC would reclaim Zamfara in the next general elections. ‘With our recent by-election victory and the calibre of leaders joining us, 2027 looks very promising for our party,’ he said.

500 NNPP supporters join APC in Kano

Similarly, in Kano, no fewer than 500 supporters of the NNPP from Fagge and Ungogo local government areas dumped their party for the APC.

The Managing Director of Hadejia received the defectors-Jam’are River Basin Development Authority, Engr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, who said their move reflected growing confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and APC’s progressive vision.

‘People are aligning with APC’s policies on development and economic renewal,’ Bichi said, citing recent defections of governors and top opposition figures as proof of the party’s appeal.

He assured the new members of fair treatment and integration into the party, adding that APC’s economic and agricultural policies were resonating at the grassroots.

Representing the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Kano APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, commended the defectors for joining the ‘party of progress,’ while the Kano Central APC Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Ungogo, said Tinubu’s reforms had ‘restored public confidence in governance.’

The new entrants said they were impressed by the administration’s developmental strides, especially in infrastructure and economic growth, and pledged to mobilise more NNPP members to the APC ahead of 2027.

Cross River PDP Senator, Jarigbe defects to APC

In a separate development, the last remaining PDP senator from Cross River State, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, officially defected to the APC following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Jarigbe, who represents Cross River North Senatorial District, was accompanied to the closed-door meeting by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and was received by the President alongside Senator Kaila Dahuwa.

The defection marks another major blow to the PDP in Cross River, coming barely four months after Hon. Peter Akpanke, member representing Obanliku/Bekwarra/Obudu Federal Constituency, also joined the ruling party.

Jarigbe praised President Tinubu’s performance, saying, ‘Mr President is doing very well. His leadership inspires confidence, and I’m happy to align with his Renewed Hope vision.’

Senate President Akpabio described the defection as ‘another testimony that the President’s leadership is uniting Nigerians,’ adding that the new APC members ‘are Mr President’s children, committed to building a better nation.’

Political analysts said Jarigbe’s defection further consolidates APC’s dominance in Cross River State, where most former PDP figures-including Governor Bassey Otu’s predecessors-have switched allegiance to the ruling party.

The series of defections across regions signals renewed momentum for the APC as the country inches closer to the 2027 general elections.

Party sources said the leadership plans to hold a national reception for recent defectors in the coming weeks.

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to remain resolute in protecting the rights of women and the girl-child.

Abubakar made the call yesterday during a high-level town hall meeting on promoting peace and security through women’s inclusion and access to justice, in Sokoto.

The meeting, organised by Global Rights in collaboration with UK International Development and The Kukah Centre, served as a platform for inclusive dialogue on the interlinking issues of peace, justice, and women’s participation in conflict response and recovery.

Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar, emphasised that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has become a growing phenomenon that requires an all-inclusive approach, describing it as a grave offense against humanity.

‘We must stand for women. They are our mothers, wives, and daughters. Violating their rights is a violation of humanity, and protecting them is non-negotiable.

‘ It is evidently clear that ending GBV in Sokoto and Nigeria is possible, and the path is clear for all of us.

‘Moreover, women are peacebuilders and community-oriented; they remain the foundation of our brighter future,’ he said.

Abubakar commended the state government for its sustained efforts in including more women in decision-making processes, noting that such initiatives have continued to yield positive results.

He also appreciated Global Rights and its partners for organising the meeting and urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to strengthen the initiative’s success.

In her remarks, Mrs Abiodun Baiyewu, Executive Director of Global Rights, expressed concern that the North-West region continues to face persistent security challenges.

‘In the face of insecurity and violence, women continue to demonstrate resilience, sustaining families and building communities.

‘Their experiences and leadership are of immense value, yet they continue to suffer various forms of violence.

‘ Women’s participation in peace and security processes, as well as their access to justice, remain very limited,’ she said.

Baiyewu stressed the need to change societal perceptions about women, urging communities to recognise women as agents of peace, security, and justice.

She called on the participants to use the dialogue as a platform to promote inclusion, equity, and justice for sustainable peace in the North-West and across Nigeria.

Also speaking, Mr Cliff Gai, Senior Programme Manager, UK Integrated Security Fund (UK ISF), described the meeting as a strong demonstration of commitment to promoting access to justice in Sokoto and across the country.

‘This gathering is not just a meeting but a strong commitment to promoting community participation in ensuring justice and addressing all forms of violence in our society,’ he said.

The Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asien has commended the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (MCSN) and the Broadcast Organization of Nigeria (BON) for signing an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen copyright compliance in Nigeria’s broadcast industry.

The recently signed MOU marks a new era of cooperation, transparency, and compliance in the use of musical works and sound recordings across broadcast platforms in the country.

The landmark agreement establishes a framework for mutual understanding, efficient licensing, and equitable royalty payments, ensuring that creators are fairly rewarded for their works, while broadcasters operate within the ambit of the Copyright Act 2022.

The Director General of the copyright regulator, Dr. John Asien, commended MCSN and BON for reaching the agreement, describing the historic event of signing the MOU as a strong assurance to Nigeria’s music and creative industry. He further opined that it sets the

foundation for a more vibrant and harmonious entertainment ecosystem, in line with the Federal Government’s policy to harness the creative sector as a major hub of the nation’s economy.

Transparency, integrity and credibility as hallmarks of credible elections were on the agenda at yesterday’s inauguration of Prof. Joash Amupitan as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who administered the oath on Amupitan, highlighted the expectations, which Amupitan himself emphasised when he resumed at the INEC headquarters.

President Tinubu said the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system must be ‘beyond reproach’.

He noted that consistent improvement is vital to addressing past shortcomings and adapting to emerging realities.

‘It is important that our elections are free, fair, and credible.

‘We must continue improving our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today,’ the President said.

He affirmed that protecting the sanctity of the ballot was essential to citizens’ right to choose their leaders and shape their collective destiny.

According to him, transparency, non-violence, and credibility must define every stage of the electoral process-from voter registration to campaigning, voting, and results collation.

While acknowledging that no electoral system is flawless, President Tinubu underscored the need for continuous institutional strengthening and reforms to sustain public confidence.

‘To maintain trust in elections, electoral integrity must be protected,’ he added.

He urged INEC to ensure resilience and guard its systems against ‘artificial setbacks.’

The President described Amupitan’s emergence as ‘a testament to your competence and the confidence reposed in you by both the Executive and Legislative arms of government.’

He reminded the new INEC Chairman that his first test would come with the November 8 Anambra governorship election, which he described as a benchmark for public confidence in INEC’s new leadership.

‘I, therefore, charge you, Prof. Amupitan, as you take on this important assignment, to preserve the integrity of our elections and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC,’ President Tinubu said.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic progress since 1999, the President noted that sustaining those gains demands ‘unrelenting commitment to the principles of transparency, inclusivity, and fairness that define democratic governance.’

The President nominated Amupitan on October 10.

He was screened and cleared by the Senate on October 17 before taking the oath of office yesterday.

Amupitan moved straight from the Presidential Villa to the Maitama office of INEC, where he received the handover notes from Acting Chairperson Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu.

He arrived at the office in a white coaster bus accompanied by senior INEC officials, top officials of the University of Jos, his last place of work, where he was Deputy Vice Chancellor, and headed straight for the conference room.

Welcoming him, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu said Amupitan was assuming office at a critical period in the electoral calendar.

‘Elections are the lifeblood of democracy, and expectations have never been higher,’ she said.

‘You are stepping onto a firm foundation laid by your predecessor, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure witnessed major innovations such as BVAS and IReV.

‘The path is defined-what lies ahead is consolidation and forward march.’

Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu received the handover notes from Prof. Yakubu when he stepped down on October 7 after ten years in office.

Amupitan pledged to uphold the highest standards of transparency and professionalism in managing the nation’s electoral process.

Addressing staff, he promised to defend the Constitution and strengthen public confidence in the electoral system, describing electoral integrity as ‘not negotiable.’

‘I want to assure you of my commitment to uphold integrity, transparency, and discipline in all our operations.

‘INEC has a clear constitutional mandate-to deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people,’ he said.

Calling for teamwork and unity of purpose, the new Chairman said the forthcoming Anambra governorship poll would be an opportunity to demonstrate INEC’s readiness to deliver credible elections.

‘The Anambra election is not just another election; it is a chance to prove that votes count,’ he said.

He urged staff members not to compromise their values and promised to prioritise welfare and capacity development.

Amupitan added: ‘The eyes of the nation are upon us. Let us restore public confidence so that voter apathy can be reduced.

‘We must show Nigerians that every vote matters.’

NBA: restore public confidence,

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) urged Prof. Amupitan to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system and lead the commission with integrity and fairness.

In a statement by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), the NBA congratulated him on his appointment and Senate confirmation, describing it as timely and significant for Nigeria’s democratic development.

‘Prof. Amupitan’s appointment comes at a defining moment in our democratic journey-one that demands integrity, courage, and a firm commitment to the rule of law,’ the NBA stated.

The association praised his record as a Senior Advocate, former Dean of Law, and respected legal scholar, noting that his experience in advocacy and public service would help strengthen INEC’s transparency and credibility.

The NBA urged the new chairman to address challenges such as electoral credibility, technological reliability, and institutional independence, while assuring him of the association’s readiness to partner with the commission on electoral reforms and civic participation.