Category: Daily Trust

The federal government is set to try seven of the detained suspects linked to an alleged plot to overthrow the President Bola Tinubu-led administration for concealment of treason, terrorism and money laundering.

The suspects are former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timpre Sylva; Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd); a retired Navy Captain, Erasmus Ochegobia Victor and Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim. Others are Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani. A 13-count charge was filed against them on Tuesday.

It was gathered that six of the alleged coup plotters, who were investigated by both the Nigerian military and the Department of State Services, were accused of terrorising the citizens, and plotting to sack a democratic government.

The charges filed against them border on treasonable felony, conspiracy to overthrow the government, conspiracy to commit terrorism and other offences related to security threats.

Daily Trust reports that the military high command, through its former Director, Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, had on October 4, 2025, revealed that 16 officers were arrested and detained over undisclosed offences.

Gusau, a retired Brigadier-General, had simply said they were arrested and detained over issues that border on ‘indiscipline and breach of service regulations’.

The retired senior military officer also said, ‘Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues.’

However, several weeks after the denial, reports uncovered that those detained were allegedly involved in a plot to overthrow the present government led by Tinubu.

It was also uncovered that the detainees were attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Suspects charged after 6 months

Amid outcry by the family members of the detainees, the process to arraign seven of them, already charged before a Federal High Court in Abuja, has commenced.

The families of the detained officers had protested at the National Assembly on Wednesday, April 1, demanding that justice be served. The protesters, comprising children, wives and relatives of the detainees, sought a speedy trial of the accused officials.

The wife of one of the detainees, who gave her name simply as Nana, said they were calling for fairness in their trial.

‘We are here to plead with the government to please charge our husbands to court. We are not saying they should just be released like that. Necessary action should be done. But since the government said it has evidence against them, they should be charged to court. This is because they are innocent until proven guilty. If there is any evidence, let there be an open and free trial, please,’ she said.

In the suit filed on behalf of the federal government by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the seventh person, former Governor Sylva, is said to be on the run. He is being tried in absentia.

Sources confided in Daily Trust last night that the government has activated the International Police (INTERPOL) to go after the former Bayelsa governor and extradite him back to Nigeria to face the full wrath of law.

The charges read, ‘That you, Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (Ap776373), Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, Abdulkadir Sani, Timpre Sylva (still at large) and others, sometime in the year 2025, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overtake the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 37(2) of the code cap 38 LFN 2004.

‘That you, Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (Rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (Ap776373), Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, Abdulkadir Sani, Timpre Sylva (still at large) and others, sometime in the year 2025, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowing that Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji (N/10668) and others intended to commit treason, did not give the information thereof with all reasonable dispatch to either the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, or a Peace Officer and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 40(b) of the Criminal Code Cap C38 LFN 2004’.

‘That you Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (Ap776373), Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni Abdulkadir Sani, Timipre Sylva (still at large) and others, sometime in the year 2025 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honorable court conspired with one another to commit an act of terrorism against Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

‘That you, Abdulkadir Sani, on or about the 23rd day of September, 2025, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, indirectly retained the sum of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) only in your Jaiz Bank Account Number 0005620270 from A and A Express Link Concept, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: terrorism financing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 1 8 (3) of the same Act.

‘That you, Bukar Kashim Goni, in September, 2025, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, indirectly retained the aggregate sum of N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) only in your First Bank Account Number 3021511166 from A and A Express Link Concept, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of un unlawful act to wit: terrorism financing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act.

Why other detainees are yet to be charged – Officials

Giving an insight into why some of the detainees are still in detention, officials within the DSS and the military told Daily Trust that joint investigations are ongoing.

They submitted that they are yet to get to the root of the matter involving other detainees, saying they would also be charged when the investigation on them is concluded.

‘Joint investigations are still ongoing. We can’t just charge the ones we have not finished investigating. We’ve concluded an investigation on those seven people we charged,’ an official within the DSS explained.

When asked when they would conclude investigations, the source said he could not say because of the complexity of the matter.

He added, ‘This is an issue that borders on national security, so thorough investigations have to be conducted. It is important that the investigators take their time.’

Identities of those charged

Sylva, a holder of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), was born on July 7, 1964 in Brass, Bayelsa State (formerly Rivers State, from which Bayelsa was created in 1996). He had his education in Bayelsa and Lagos, the former capital of Nigeria.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, he graduated from the University of Port Harcourt in 1986. He was a member of the Old Rivers State House of Assembly in the early 1990s and became governor of Bayelsa State in 2007.

He won a fresh governorship election in the state in May 2008 after an Appeal Court nullified his victory. However, his tenure was terminated in January 2012 by the Supreme Court, with an acting governor appointed to oversee the state until another election was held in February 2012.

Sylva served as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources of Nigeria from 2019 to 2023. He was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in November 2025 over alleged money laundering.

Retired Major-General Gana is from Niger State. He holds the traditional title; Danmagayaki of Nupe. Daily Trust gathered that his son is currently serving as a Colonel in the military and being held over his alleged involvement in the plot.

Also, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, who was arrested in the alleged coup plot is a serving officer of the Nigeria Police Force from Taraba State.

‘Suspects deserve fair hearing’

Reacting to the development, a human rights activist and former National Chairman of Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Mr. Malachy Ugwummadu, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said it is imperative that the federal government factors in the rights of those charged.

He ‘The charge of treason or treasonable felony, including conspiracy to commit the same offence are largely very weighty charges. You can do that with the punishment ascribed to those categories of offence – essentially, they are capital punishment. That will indicate the gravity of the offence.

‘However, it is gratifying that the country has not condescended into extra-judicial activities like murder. The country has decided to subject the alleged criminal activities of the suspects to the crucible of trials, requiring that they be afforded a fair hearing, in particular.

‘In the determination of rights of every Nigerian, whether an alleged criminal or an innocent person, such a person must be given fair hearing by a competent court of law, constituted in such a way as to guarantee its independence and impartiality.

‘That is what Sections 36 and 46 are all about. So, if the government has decided to treat these people, recognising that their presumption of innocence still lies in their favour, that’s the right way to go in a civilized society.’

A notary public and former chairman of the NBA in Bauchi State, Jibrin S. Jibrin Esq, said there is nothing legally wrong with the arraignment of the coup suspects before the Federal High Court.

‘One of the reasons for holding this view is that the offences with which they are alleged to have committed goes beyond mere military disobedience. It has to do with an attempt to topple and change the system of government known to law in the country.

‘Another factor to consider as to why the Federal High Court is the most appropriate forum to try the coup suspects is the fact that the various decrees enacted under the General Babangida and Sani Abacha juntas under which persons suspected of plotting coup plot were tried have been abrogated or repealed by the extant grundnorm which is the 1999 Constitution.

‘So looking at the circumstances and the nature of allegations involved, I hold the view that the federal government is right to have filed the charges against the suspects at the Federal High Court.’

Bandits have reportedly shot dead two persons while abducting seven people during a raid in Awon community in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State.

A source from the area who preferred anonymity confirmed the incident while speaking to our reporter through the telephone on Tuesday.

He said the incident happened on Monday, around 6.12am when the bandits in their numbers invaded the community amid sporadic shooting.

He said the bandits shot two villagers that were attempting to escape, while seven people including two women were whisked away into the bush.

A community leader from the area also told our reporter that some of the bandits who came on motorcycle broke into some shops and carted away food items and provisions.

He said the sporadic shooting forced some of the villagers to flee into the bush, even as he said three people sustained bullet injuries and were later rushed to a clinic in Kachia town.

He also disclosed that ‘When the bandits raided the community and started shooting, some villagers out of fear fled their homes. Some of them later returned back home in the evening, while three women are yet to be seen; raising the suspicion that they are either missing or were abducted,’ he said.

A security source also confirmed the incident, saying troops from Katari are combing forests around the area to track down the bandits in order to rescue the victims.

‘As I am talking to you, the troops are still in the forest around Azara community which borders Hayin -Dam in an effort to rescue the victims,’he said.

The spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Hassan Mansur, did not pick calls or respond to text messages sent to him over the latest kidnap incident as at the time of filling the report.

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has granted an interim forfeiture order to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for 17 containers laden with illicit opioids worth over N33.6 billion in street value.

The containers, which were intercepted at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, on 4th September; 14th August; 13th August; 29th July; 13th June; 30th May; 29th May; 28th May; 20th May; 19th May; 14th May and 29th April, all in 2025, contain a staggering haul of 19.6 million pills of Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, as well as 2.4 million bottles of Codeine Syrup.

The combined street value of the seizures is estimated at Thirty-Three Billion, Six Hundred and Ninety-One Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N33,691,200,000).

A statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the forfeiture order was issued by Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, following a motion ex parte filed by the NDLEA on 10th February 2026 in suit number FHC/PH/MISC/25/2026.

Ruling on the application, Justice Adamu said ‘An order is hereby made forfeiting in the interim to the Federal Government of Nigeria seventeen (17) shipping containers containing a total, of three hundred and sixty-five thousand, six hundred and seventy-five (365,657kg) of various types of psychotropic substances, as well as other items as stated in the schedule to this application, illegally imported into Nigeria through the Onne Sea Port, Onne, Eleme, Rivers State by unknown persons.’

He further ruled that ‘An order is hereby made vesting custody and possession of the said containers and their respective contents to the Applicant/Complainant until the final determination of this suit.’

Reacting to the court’s order, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the forfeiture as a death knell for the financial nerves of the criminal syndicates involved.

According to him, ‘This is not just a seizure, it is a total dispossession of the resources the drug cartels intended to use in destroying the lives of our youths and funding further criminality. By stripping the criminal syndicates of assets worth over N33.6 billion, we have struck at the heart of their operations. This sends a clear message: the Nigerian state will not allow the proceeds of death to circulate to fund terrorism and other forms of criminality in our country.’

While commending the Nigerian judiciary for its steadfast support and timely intervention in granting the interim forfeiture, Marwa noted that the partnership between the temple of justice and the agency is critical to winning the war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

He further lauded the officers, men and women of NDLEA, particularly those attached to the Onne Port Command, for their vigilance, professional integrity, and eagle-eyed scrutiny that led to the discovery of the concealed drugs.

Hours before the official commencement of the 2026 Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) in Kaduna, what might ordinarily pass for a routine professional gathering has already assumed a deeper national significance. The conversations preceding the event point to something more profound-an emerging platform where policy, governance, and communication converge, with even traditional institutions now actively woven into the discourse.

Convened by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), this year’s NPRW is anchored on a theme that goes beyond industry reflection to national urgency: ‘Nigeria’s Food Security: From Policy Paper to Public Plate – The Imperative of Public Relations.’ At its core lies a compelling question: can communication move beyond messaging to shape governance outcomes meaningfully?

Set against the backdrop of rising concerns over food security, social cohesion, and governance effectiveness, the Kaduna edition situates public communication within the broader architecture of development. It challenges the traditional notion of public relations as a peripheral tool and instead positions it as a central pillar in policy design, implementation, and citizen engagement.

Kaduna State provides a fitting, if complex, backdrop for this discussion. In recent years, it has navigated a delicate balance between security challenges, governance reforms, and economic restructuring. Hosting NPRW in such a context is therefore not merely administrative-it reflects a growing recognition that communication is increasingly embedded in governance outcomes.

What distinguishes this year’s event is the deliberate expansion of scope by the NIPR. The NPRW is no longer confined to media relations and corporate communication; it now encompasses policy communication, institutional trust-building, and citizen engagement. This shift was evident in the pre-event engagements.

The week began with a strategic interface involving traditional rulers at the General Hassan Usman Katsina House, followed by a high-level workshop for principal government officers, including the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service, commissioners, special advisers, and permanent secretaries. The focus was clear: aligning governance delivery with strategic communication under the Renewed Hope framework.

The opening session, themed ‘The Kaduna Peace Model: Traditional Leadership and National Stability,’ underscored the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in peacebuilding and governance. The conversation was led by the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, who also chairs the Kaduna State Council of Emirs and Chiefs. Alongside him was the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Jibril Maigwari II, and other respected traditional leaders.

The Emir of Zazzau advocated a constitutional recognition of traditional rulers, arguing that their role in governance-particularly in conflict mediation and peacebuilding-remains underutilised. He noted that these institutions predate colonial administration and continue to serve as stabilising forces within communities. Crucially, he linked peace directly to productivity, stressing that insecurity remains a major constraint on agricultural output.

Building on this, the Emir of Birnin Gwari emphasised the communicative role of traditional leaders in sustaining peace. Drawing from local experience, he described them as critical intermediaries who rebuild trust, facilitate dialogue, and counter misinformation in times of crisis. In his words, their interventions are ‘fundamentally communicative before they become administrative’-a powerful reframing of leadership within fragile environments.

The Kaduna State Government echoed this perspective. Represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadeeq Maman-Lagos, the administration reaffirmed its commitment to deeper collaboration with traditional institutions. His remarks reflected a broader governance trend in Nigeria: the increasing reliance on informal structures to complement formal systems, especially where state reach is limited.

Further articulating this framework, the Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, presented the Kaduna Peace Model as a template for conflict-sensitive governance. He highlighted the need for early warning systems, inclusive dialogue, and community-based conflict prevention mechanisms. His assertion that ‘security without humanity is insecurity in disguise’ captured the essence of a governance philosophy rooted in empathy and inclusion.

From the perspective of the NIPR, the message was equally clear. The Institute’s President, Ike Neliaku, stressed that governance outcomes are inseparable from how policies are communicated and understood. Implementation, he argued, is not merely administrative-it is communicative. Without trust, clarity, and engagement, even the most well-designed policies risk failure.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the area of food security. For Kaduna, agriculture is not just an economic sector-it is a lifeline. A significant portion of the population depends on farming and agro-based activities. Yet, insecurity across parts of the state and the wider northern region has disrupted farming cycles, weakened productivity, and destabilised markets.

Within this context, NPRW 2026 highlights a critical governance challenge: bridging the gap between policy intent and public response. Agricultural programmes often falter not because of flawed design, but due to weak communication, limited community engagement, and poor integration with local structures. This is where the synergy between government, traditional institutions, and communication platforms becomes indispensable.

A key takeaway from the Kaduna edition is the evolving understanding of communication as governance infrastructure. It is no longer just about visibility-it is about building trust, shaping behaviour, and enabling participation. Yet, this evolution also introduces an important caution.

Communication, no matter how strategic, cannot substitute for performance. Citizens ultimately judge governance by tangible outcomes-security, food availability, infrastructure, and service delivery. Effective communication can amplify success, but it cannot mask failure.

Beyond the formal sessions, the convergence of delegates in Kaduna offers the state an opportunity to project its governance narrative, showcase its economic potential, and test the power of strategic communication in shaping perception.

But perhaps the most enduring significance of NPRW 2026 lies in the question it raises for Nigeria as a whole: can communication move from being a tool of persuasion to an instrument of transformation?

As Kaduna hosts this pivotal gathering, the answer will not be found in speeches alone, but in the ability of leaders to align words with action-ensuring that policies do not merely exist on paper, but reach the plates of the people they are meant to serve.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen electronic payment platforms and improve data sharing mechanisms between both parties.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Abuja on Monday, the Central Bank governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso stated that through the MoU, both parties will strengthen coordination on approvals, technical standards, and innovation trials, including sandbox testing that supports market-led solutions while safeguarding stability.

He said, ‘Under this MoU, we will support measures such as strengthened authentication for higher-risk transactions, effective transaction monitoring, functional fraud reporting channels, and a harmonised consumer sensitisation programme-particularly for underserved segments and MSMEs who are often most exposed to these risks.

‘Also, the MoU supports the implementation of the Telecom Identity Risk Management Portal (TIRMP)-a secure, regulatory-backed data-sharing platform designed to help prevent fraud linked to churned, swapped, or blacklisted mobile numbers.

‘The ability to verify mobile number status in real time across banks, fintechs, and other digital platforms is a critical layer of protection for consumers and for the financial system. Importantly, we will ensure that the use of this capability is governed by clear standard operating guidelines and strict compliance with Nigeria’s data protection requirements, including appropriate safeguards, encryption, and consent protocols.’

The MoU also established two Joint Committees namely the Joint Committee on Payment System and Consumer Protection; and the Joint Committee on Telecom Identity Risk Management System (TIRMP) to provide structured coordination, resolve operational frictions, recommend improvements, and report progress.

Also in his remarks, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida acknowledged that the MoU speaks directly to one of the critical pillars of the NCC which is leveraging cross-sectoral innovation to deliver a safe, resilient, inclusive and trusted digital ecosystem.

‘As mobile numbers increasingly underpin identity, authentication, and financial access, collaboration with the CBN is essential to ensuring that innovation is matched with strong governance, system stability, and consumer safeguards.

‘The MoU is designed to first act in the prevention of electronic fraud, which has become increasingly pervasive, with significant implications for the integrity of our digital economy. Through the Telecom Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) Portal-which aggregates data on churned (recycled) phone numbers, as well as numbers flagged within your sector-the Financial Services Industry will now have enhanced visibility into the status of phone numbers, one of the most widely utilized resources in your sector, although regulated by the NCC.

‘This means that the Financial Institutions will be able to determine when a line is active, when it has been swapped, when it has been disconnected due to inactivity and reassigned to a new subscriber, and when it has been flagged for suspicious or fraudulent activity,’ he added.

The International Caribbean Women Alliance for Empowerment (I.C.W.A.E.), and Community Participation and Empowerment for Sustainable Development (COPESA) initiatives held advocacy Walk and stakeholders’ interactive sessions to launch the ICWAE – COPESA blueprints 2026 – 2030.

The event took place in three selected states in Nigeria; Nasarawa, Anambra and Ekiti states.

The presentation which connected the three venues via live zoom coverage for global participation was coordinated and moderated by Attorney Yveline Dalmacy Esq., the President and Founder of the International Caribbean Women Alliances for Empowerment (ICWAE U.S.A).

The event featured motivational lecture and discussion on SDGs goals, gender rights and empowerment opportunities, and the importance of grassroots participation.

Also in attendance was Dr. Jean Paleme Mathurin, Co-Founder of the ICWAE U.S.A., and Dr. Irene Figaro. ICWAE Board Secretary.

According to organisers, the historic presentation officially declare the proposed 5 years blueprints on United Nations Global goals localization for Africans and Afro-Caribbeans, a unified action and documentation that will implement visible and most reality projects for Mothers, Widows, Children and People living with disability.

‘An event organised to advance the United Nations global goals for local households participation and to advocate the creation of gender based empowerment opportunities, mostly for women, children and other venerable categories,’ they said.

The ICWAE – COPESA initiatives Global launch 2026 declaration events in Nigeria was anchored by Amb. Olufemi J.S Oladejo.

They hosted over 2, 000 community household mothers, widows, People Living with disability.

Various nonprofits stakeholders were invited to participate, which include Unity Rise Foundation for Youths and Widows Empowerment initiatives, Omo Ekiti ni mi Foundation, Foundation for Excellent Living and Development for Youths and Women – FELAD, Ayoideraoluwa Charity Foundation, Islami relief foundation, 6keys Tabitha Wellness Foundation, Islam is Good Foundation.

Other dignitaries that featured include Hajia Halima Hudu Abubakar state coordinator for FIDA International Nasarawa state chapter, Mr. Itrus Bitrus, National Youth Service Corps SDGs officer (NYSC) Nasarawa state chapter, Mr. Olatunji Amondi, Senior special assistant to EKiti state Governor on Investment and Commerce, Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperative, Ekiti state, Nigeria among others

The ICWAE President and board of directors, and the COPESA initiatives signatories appreciate Her Excellency, Prof. Doreen Z. Yusuf, Canadian Country representative and Member of the Global Advisory Council for the World Sustainable Development Goals Organisations WSDG International for her distinguished participation as one of the international theme discussants and guest speaker.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has arrested 14 suspected vandals at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The suspects were apprehended on April 20, 2026, at the Terminal One construction site following a coordinated operation involving FAAN security personnel, the Joint Military Task Force (JMTF) and other security agencies deployed at the airport.

According to FAAN in a statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, the individuals allegedly gained access to the site by impersonating authorised construction workers.

They were caught with vandalised materials, including copper wires and iron components removed from the project site.

All suspects have been handed over to the Airport Police Command at Beesam for investigation and prosecution.

FAAN reiterated its commitment to protecting critical airport infrastructure and maintaining strict security across all its facilities.

Agbebire said, ‘This successful operation underscores FAAN’s robust and proactive security framework, as well as the high level of coordination among security stakeholders within the airport environment. It also reflects the Authority’s zero-tolerance stance on any form of criminal activity targeting critical aviation infrastructure.

‘FAAN remains resolute in its mandate to protect all airport assets and ensure the safety and integrity of ongoing development projects nationwide. The Authority continues to enhance surveillance, access control systems, and inter-agency collaboration to deter and respond decisively to security threats.’

The National Universities Commission (NUC) on Monday conducted a comprehensive resource verification exercise at the University of Offa (UNIOFFA) as part of efforts to assess the institution’s readiness to expand its academic offerings, particularly in the health sciences.

The exercise, a mandatory quality assurance process for universities seeking to establish new programmes or faculties, involved expert panels evaluating facilities, manpower, and overall academic preparedness.

Separate teams of senior academics were constituted for key departments under the proposed Faculty of Health Sciences, including Nursing Science, Physiotherapy, and Community Health.

The Nursing Science panel was led by Professor Adekemi Eunice Olowokere of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, supported by Mrs. Egwumba Immaculata and Abubakar Ibrahim.

For Physiotherapy, the team was headed by Professor Bashir Kaka of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), alongside Adeyemi Adeleke.

The Community Health panel was led by Professor Oluwasogo Adewole Olalubi of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, with Ogba Gabriel and Idris D. Ibrahim as members.

UNIOFFA’s Faculty of Health Sciences currently comprises Nursing Science, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Science, and Community Health, all undergoing assessment as part of the university’s expansion drive.

Speaking during the visit, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kazeem Alagbe Gbolagade, described the exercise as a significant milestone in the institution’s growth and reaffirmed management’s commitment to quality and global best practices.

‘University of Offa commenced academic activities in 2022, following its approval by the Federal Government in 2021 as a private university, and today, we are steadily expanding our academic frontiers,’ he said.

Gbolagade noted that the university began with programmes in the Faculty of Science and Computing, including Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Microbiology, and Physics with Electronics. He added that the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences offers courses such as Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Mass Communication, and Political Science.

The Vice-Chancellor, who assumed office on September 15, 2025, outlined a five-point agenda focused on financial sustainability, digital transformation, staff and student welfare, a conducive learning environment, and research-driven collaborations.

He disclosed that the university is strengthening its internally generated revenue while advancing towards a paperless system driven by robust Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure.

‘Our ICT capacity is one of our major strengths. We have partnered with New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, and we ensure that every student, regardless of discipline, is well-grounded in ICT,’ he said.

According to him, students are already demonstrating innovation, with some developing artificial intelligence-based applications, while aspects of the university’s digital portal were built by its students.

On student welfare, Gbolagade emphasised the institution’s focus on entrepreneurship, noting plans to register companies for students before graduation and provide startup support.

‘We want our graduates to leave this university empowered, not dependent. Our entrepreneurship model is designed to make them employers of labour,’ he added.

He also highlighted ongoing collaborations with local and international institutions, including partnerships with universities in Malaysia and the United States, as well as engagement with the Association of African Universities (AAU) and the Kwara State KU8+ Consortium.

‘We are not claiming to be perfect, but we are committed to continuous improvement. Quality is something we do not compromise,’ he said.

As part of the exercise, the NUC team inspected key infrastructure across the campus, including the library, ICT centre, health centre, administrative offices, and laboratories covering Physics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy, and Physiology, as well as nursing demonstration facilities.

Other principal officers present included the Registrar, Mr. Salahudeen Ajibola Oyewale; Director of Academic Planning and Dean, College of Science and Computing, Dr. Abdulrasaq Bello; and the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Ade Stephen Alabi, alongside heads of departments and other senior officials.

The outcome of the verification exercise is expected to determine the approval status of the proposed programmes, as UNIOFFA continues its drive to strengthen its academic profile.

Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder, Frank Onyeka, has won the English Championship with Coventry City.

The title win was confirmed after Coventry smashed Portsmouth 5-1 at the Coventry Building Society Arena, with Onyeka lasting over an hour during which he ensured Coventry was three goals up before he was rested by Coach Frank Lampard.

The Sky Blues had confirmed their promotion and return to the English Premier League last week, ending 25 years of absence.

Coventry scored once in the first half through Haji Wright, before exploding in the second half with four goals to begin the title party with over 32,000 fans.

Ephron Mason-Clark tapped into an empty net to double the lead, Regan Poole’s own goal made it 3-0, Mason-Clark scored the fourth, substitute Kaine Kesler-Hayden rounded off the goal with a cool strike for 5-1.

They sealed a first-ever Championship title, and a second league title in the lower tiers of English football.

Onyeka, on-loan midfielder from Brentford in the EPL, wins his first title in England, and his fourth title in his career. He is the fifth Nigerian to win the Championship, following in the footsteps of Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Nathan Tella, and Sone Aluko.

Also in the Championship, Leicester City has been relegated from the Championship into League One. The relegation comes 10 years after they lifted the EPL title in 2015/16 season.

The 2021 FA Cup winners are 23rd on the table with 42 points, seven points from safety with just two matches to the end of the season, and will play in League One 17 years after escaping the EFL.

The federal government’s approval of the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures (FPM), with sweeping reductions in import tariffs on a range of items, has predictably generated both optimism and unease. While the policy is framed as a response to inflationary pressures and a stimulus for economic growth, it also raises fundamental questions about policy consistency, long-term planning, and the future of domestic production.

At the heart of the measures is a revised tariff regime covering 127 items, many of them central to household consumption and industrial activity. The import duty on rice, for instance, has been reduced from 70 per cent to 47.5 per cent, with broken rice now attracting 30 per cent. Tariffs on fully built vehicles have also dropped significantly, from 70 percent to 40 per cent, while refined salt, stationery items, and other goods have seen similar cuts.

On the surface, the rationale is compelling. With food inflation still biting hard and the cost of living crisis deepening, lowering import duties could ease prices, improve access, and provide immediate relief to consumers. The zero-duty policy on agricultural and industrial machinery, alongside exemptions for electric vehicles and mass transit buses under the new green tax regime, also signals an attempt to align fiscal policy with industrial growth and environmental considerations.

Yet, beneath these intentions lies a troubling policy tension.

For years, successive administrations, including the current one, have championed local production, particularly in agriculture. The push for rice self-sufficiency, backed by high import tariffs and border controls, was a cornerstone of that agenda. The sudden reduction in tariffs on rice and other essential food items now appears to contradict that position.

This raises a legitimate question: is the government responding pragmatically to economic realities, or is it conceding that its earlier policies have fallen short?

At Daily Trust, we recognise that economic management often requires flexibility. However, such flexibility must not come at the expense of coherence. Frequent shifts in policy direction risk undermining investor confidence and eroding the gains, however modest, that were recorded in local production.

The concern is particularly acute for Nigerian farmers. For years, they have operated under a protectionist regime designed to shield them from cheaper imports. With tariffs now lowered, imported rice may become more competitive, potentially undercutting local producers. Without significant improvements in productivity, access to finance, and security, many farmers could struggle to remain viable.

A similar dilemma confronts the automotive sector. Reduced tariffs on fully built vehicles may make cars more affordable in the short term, but they could also weaken incentives for local assembly and manufacturing. This is especially worrying for an industry that has yet to fully find its footing, despite years of policy support.

The broader issue, therefore, is not whether tariff reductions are desirable, but whether they are being implemented within a coherent and sustainable policy framework.

If the objective is to stimulate growth and ease inflation, then complementary measures are essential. Lower tariffs alone cannot address the structural challenges facing Nigeria’s economy. Farmers still grapple with insecurity that limits access to farmlands. Manufacturers contend with unreliable power supply, poor infrastructure, and high operating costs. Without addressing these constraints, the benefits of cheaper imports may prove short-lived, while the damage to local industries could be lasting.

Moreover, the timing of the policy invites scrutiny. Coming at a period of heightened economic strain, the tariff cuts could be interpreted as a politically expedient move aimed at easing public discontent. If so, it underscores the delicate balance between economic policy and political considerations, one that must be managed carefully to avoid unintended consequences.

Perhaps the most critical question is whether this approach is sustainable. Nigeria’s economic history is replete with policy reversals that have hindered long-term planning and development. What is needed now is not another short-term fix, but a well-articulated strategy that aligns trade policy with industrial and agricultural objectives.

Encouragingly, some elements of the FPM point in the right direction. The zero-duty policy on machinery could lower the cost of production, while the green tax framework may discourage the importation of environmentally harmful goods. However, these measures must be part of a broader, integrated plan that prioritises domestic capacity building.

Ultimately, the risk is that Nigeria may end up subsidising foreign farmers and producers while its own languish. If local farmers and manufacturers cannot compete due to structural disadvantages, then cheaper imports will merely shift dependence outward rather than build resilience at home.

We, therefore, propose that the federal government should clarify its intentions. What is the long-term vision for agriculture and manufacturing? How do these tariff adjustments fit into that vision? And what safeguards are in place to ensure that local producers are not sacrificed in the process?

These are not abstract questions. They go to the heart of Nigeria’s economic future.

Tariff reductions can provide immediate relief, and, in the current climate, that relief is not insignificant. But without policy consistency, institutional support, and a clear strategic direction, they risk becoming yet another episode in a cycle of short-lived interventions. Nigeria cannot afford that.