Category: Daily Trust

The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government another 14-day ultimatum to resolve lingering issues affecting its members.

The union threatened to embark on an industrial action if its demands were not met at the end of the fresh ultimatum.

It explained that the notice, starting from Sunday, September 28, 2025, will first herald a two-week warning strike before embarking on a total and indefinite strike over the federal government’s attitude towards resolving pending issues.

The union made the decision on Monday following a National Executive Council meeting that was held on Sunday at its headquarters in the University of Abuja. President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, who made this known in a strike notice he signed, a copy of which was obtained by Daily Trust, said the union was tired of the government’s lackadaisical attitude towards education.

Daily Trust reports ASUU’s demands include renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, adequate revitalisation funds for universities, settlement of outstanding salary arrears, sustainable funding mechanisms, among others.

‘At the National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on the 28th of September, 2025, the Union decried the neglect of the University system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands.

‘Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an Ultimatum of fourteen (14) days within which to address these issues.

‘If at the end of the fourteen-day ultimatum, the Federal Government fails to address these issues, the Union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike,’ the notice partly read.

The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru is designed to be a crucible for Nigeria’s future leaders. Its flagship programme, the Senior Executive Course, pushes participants to engage directly with the complex realities of the nation we were trained to lead. For our Course 24, Integrated Research Group (IRG) 2 embarked on a prescribed study tour with the theme: ‘Governance and the Nigerian Public, with special focus on Education, Health, Electricity, Water, and Roads.’ Our assignment was to move beyond theoretical models and assess the ground-level functionality of these essential services.

Our tour took us to two states for a week each: Niger State from April 7th to 14th, 2002, and Ogun State from April 14th to 19th, 2002. The contrast between the two experiences presented a stark portrait of two very different Nigerias.

Our first leg in Niger State was a lesson in institutional decay. From a shoddy reception and inadequate accommodation to a hurried meeting with the Governor, the experience was disheartening. Our single audience with the State Governor was brief and left little room for meaningful dialogue. His address to our group was memorable for its dissonance with the realities we were witnessing. While acknowledging national challenges, he dismissed the pervasive hunger in the country as a ‘lie,’ an assertion that struck a discordant note. His primary policy focus was the establishment of a ‘HYPERDEC’ (Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission), modelled after the OMPADEC (Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission) in the Niger Delta. He argued that while hydroelectric dams like the one we visited at Shiroro provided power for the nation, they deprived local farmers of water for irrigation. Though the concept had merit, its presentation felt more like a political talking point than a well-considered solution offered for robust discussion, especially as the tangible sectors of education and health we were there to study languished in neglect.

Our fieldwork at the Local Government level was even more revealing. The decay was palpable. At the Primary Healthcare Centres we inspected, the triple challenges of substandard infrastructure, a crippling lack of essential drugs, and acute staff shortages were the norm. Our visits to several Local Government secretariats were equally disheartening; we often failed to meet the elected chairmen, instead being received by junior staff who were clearly unaware of our scheduled visit. Community members lamented that the only time they saw their local government chairman was at the end of the month. The state of primary education was perhaps the most distressing, with schools in an advanced state of physical decay and pupils struggling to communicate in English. It was a week of profound disillusionment, leaving us with a heavy cache of evidence pointing to systemic failure.

We arrived in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on April 14th with our expectations firmly managed. Yet, from the moment we stepped into the Gateway Hotel, a different reality unfolded. State officials received us with genuine warmth and efficiency. The accommodation was comfortable, reflecting a clear intention to ensure our stay was productive. This welcome was not just polite; it was a statement of administrative competence that immediately began to restore our faith.

The following morning, we were scheduled to meet Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba. To understand the calibre of man we were meeting, one must appreciate his unique place in Nigerian history. He was, and remains, a quintessential blend of two powerful professions: a veteran journalist of immense repute and a seasoned politician. This background forged a leader who was both articulate and politically astute.

We expected a brief greeting, but what we received was a masterclass in hands-on leadership. After shaking our hands and enquiring sincerely about our welfare, the elderly Governor did the unexpected: he climbed into our coaster bus and, for the entire journey, remained standing, expertly navigating the moving vehicle as he pointed out landmarks and detailed his administration’s strides in education, health, and infrastructure. His humility was disarming. He engaged us with questions, answering ours with a clarity that made governance tangible.

Emboldened by his demeanour, I ventured a question that had long intrigued me. I noted that many Yoruba leaders, from the era of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, often shunned official residences, preferring their private homes. I mentioned I had heard he did the same. The atmosphere shifted palpably. My colleagues were aghast at my directness, for the unspoken implication of my question was clear: this practice allowed leaders to collect hefty accommodation allowances from the public purse while simultaneously using state resources to maintain and upgrade their private properties, a controversial benefit not available to those who resided in official quarters. But the wisdom of Aremo soon surfaced; he offered a measured response and gracefully steered the conversation forward.

The difference at the local government level was staggering, directly addressing our study theme. The chairmen, councillors and the Staff of the local Government,and were young, vibrant, and clearly understood their mandates. They presented achievements in our sectors of focus: functional primary healthcare centres, schools in good condition with educational support programs, and newly sunk boreholes ensuring water supply. When I asked about the source of this commitment, the answer was starkly honest: the consequences of failure were dire. Community accountability was immediate and non-negotiable.

The day’s most profound lesson came that evening, entirely unplanned. On our way back at the end of our tour, Governor Osoba, without any prior notice, directed our coaster bus to make a detour to his private residence. It was not a formal invitation but a spontaneous decision. We arrived at a home that was not a policed edifice, but a modest, welcoming building. After serving simple refreshments-Coke, Fanta, and water-he gestured for me to follow him. He led me into his simple bedroom, a silent, powerful answer to my provocative query hours earlier. He was showing me, not just telling me, that his home was just that-a home, not a symbol of ill-acquired power, and certainly not a property lavishly maintained by public funds.

The next day, we toured other local governments on our own, but the scenario was the same everywhere: visible progress in the core sectors of education, health, water, and roads. The picture we got from these visits was one of healthy competition among the Local Governments to provide the best services in the areas covered by the theme of our visit.

The following day, we were invited to participate in the State Executive Council meeting, where we featured alongside the Local Government Chairmen. This integrated meeting was not only unique but a true reflection of new and effective ways of governance. It included not only the state commissioners but also all the chairmen of the Local Government Areas of the state. The nature of the discussions and the quality of the contributions from each local government area was legendary. Everyone participated freely in what can only be described as a collaborative atmosphere filled with a spirit of comradeship. I have simply not seen anything near this level of integrated governance before or since. There, we witnessed governance as it should be: strategic, accountable, and focused on the public good.

Watching this exemplary display of participatory governance, I was moved. When it was my turn to comment, I could not help but declare to Governor Osoba, ‘If this is the Alliance for Democracy (AD), then from today, please consider me a member.’

At the conclusion of our visit, His Excellency’s generosity was as profound as his leadership. He presented each member of our group with a specially prepared native Adire fabric and a cash gift. This gesture, so thoughtful and personal, remains indelible in our hearts.

A telling epilogue to our study was the respective states’ response to our findings. Following our return to Kuru, all states visited were invited to send delegations to receive our reports for possible implementation. In a clear demonstration of commitment to good governance, Ogun State sent a high-powered delegation to formally receive our findings. In stark contrast, Niger State sent no representative-a final act of lukewarm indifference that sadly confirmed our on-the-ground observations about their approach to governance and development.

Reflecting on that transformative experience, it becomes clear that Governor Osoba’s model of governance was a direct inheritor of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s legacy of progressive governance, a legacy fundamentally built on the cornerstone of free education. This model was being successfully replicated in Osun State under Chief Bisi Akande. It is one of the great tragedies of our recent political history that this standard was brutally truncated in the 2003 elections. The inability of these progressive governors to secure a second term was not a rejection by their people but the direct result of a calculated political betrayal by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo. After securing support from the South-West leaders based on promises of restructuring, Obasanjo orchestrated a federal electoral onslaught that targeted the Alliance for Democracy governors. This betrayal led to the defeat of the AD governors in all South-Western states except Lagos, where Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu retained his seat, ostensibly because he was not a part of the initial pact with President Obasanjo. This event, which later prompted Muhammadu Buhari to describe Chief Akande as a victim of a ‘diabolical double-cross,’ marked a pivotal setback from which the quality of progressive leadership in the region has never fully recovered.

Beyond the immediate contrasts in infrastructure and administrative efficiency, this NIPSS study tour revealed a more fundamental divergence: the critical role of an educated populace and political class. The stark difference in the quality of governance and community engagement between Ogun and Niger States appears to be deeply rooted in the educational landscape. This was not an isolated finding; during our final course presentations, other groups that visited different states reported similar patterns, confirming that the correlation between educational attainment and effective governance was a national phenomenon. In Ogun, an environment that valued education had, in turn, cultivated a cadre of leaders at both state and local levels who were not only qualified but also acutely aware of their responsibilities to an equally aware electorate. The situation in Niger State suggested a cyclical challenge: a deficit in educational quality and access impedes the emergence of a sufficiently critical mass of enlightened leadership. Fundamentally, an uneducated leader cannot be expected to genuinely respect education or prioritize its advancement; consequently, education itself becomes the primary victim of such leadership. This creates a self-perpetuating cycle where the electorate’s capacity to discern and elect competent leaders is compromised. This is not a reflection of a lack of qualified human capital, but rather a symptom of a political ecosystem where the recruitment process for leaders, particularly at the local government level, is often impacted by these educational disparities. Ultimately, the quality of governance in any democracy is inextricably linked to the educational attainment of both its leaders and its citizens.

That encounter was not just a study tour; it was a lifelong lesson in service from a true master. If in the 23 years since that April of 2002, Nigeria had been blessed with more leaders of Aremo Osoba’s character and competence, our nation would undoubtedly be a better place today.

(Hassan Husaini is a member of the National Institute (mni), having participated in 2002.)

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The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin, has urged Nigerians to remain united and see beyond the current challenges facing the country, saying they are temporary.

In his message to Nigerians on the occasion of the 65th independence anniversary, Barau said what is uppermost now is for all to accord President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the needed support to propel the nation to prosperity.

Barau appealed to citizens to remain resolute in promoting national unity, offering support and prayers for the government to succeed in its efforts to turn the country’s fortunes around positively. ‘As we celebrate the 65th Independence Anniversary of our beloved country, we must remember the enormous sacrifices made by our founding fathers: Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, among others, and recommit ourselves to the ideals they stood for, including the promotion of national unity, peace, justice, and tolerance.

‘Yes, at 65, we have some challenges facing us as a country, but we will overcome them. Our country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will emerge stronger from its present challenges, by God’s grace.

‘Let us continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to actualise his policies and programmes as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda. He has good intentions for the country. We will get it right,’ he said in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir,

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu have condemned the tragic passing of Ms Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, a news anchor with ARISE News Television.

Daily Trust reports that she was killed during an attack by robbers at her residence in Katampe, Abuja, on Monday.

President Tinubu in a statement by Bayo Onanuga his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, charged security and law enforcement agencies to ‘conduct a quick and thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice’.

The President also assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of citizens, and will continue to strengthen measures aimed at combating crime in all its forms.

The President who said he received the news with deep sorrow, also extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms Maduagwu, the management and staff of Arise News Television, and the entire Nigerian media fraternity over this painful loss. Tinubu said, ‘Ms Maduagwu was a promising professional journalist whose life was cut short in a cruel and condemnable manner.

‘Security and law enforcement agencies should conduct a quick and thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice without delay.’

In the same vein, the First Lady said she woke up to the sad news of the ‘unfortunate and untimely death of one of our young and brilliant minds in the journalism profession, Somtochukwu Maduagwu’.

Senator Tinubu who described her death as ‘painful and unfortunate’, noted that she has been cut down in her prime.

‘I condole with the chairman arise news media, Chief Nduka Obaigbena, her family, friends colleagues, and loved ones. It is my hope and prayer that the perpetrators will be apprehended as soon as possible and brought to book,’ Senator Oluremi Tinubu said.

Hon Oyetunde Ojo, Chairman Board of Directors, FHA Mortgage bank Ltd, and the Managing Director; Federal Housing Authority, on Tuesday 30th September, 2025, commissioned the head office complex of the bank, located at at plot 52, 3rd Avenue, Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja.

In his address during the ceremony, the Managing Director of the bank, Dr. Hayatudeen Atiku Awwal, described the building as not just a structure, but a symbol of what FHAMB has become.

In his words ‘This purpose – built edifice provides everything a modern mortgage bank requires’. According to the MD, the bank complied with all FHA Development Control Checklist and secured approval, and comprises of a contemporary banking hall and service center, Executive suites and Boardroom, cutting – edge IT infrastructure, Staff welfare facilities and self-sufficient energy – dependent Hybrid Solar Powered System.’

Speaking further, Dr. Hayatudeen described the complex not only comprising of concrete glass and still but represents hope and stability.

He said, ‘This building is not solely comprised of concrete, glass, and steel. It also represents concepts such as hope, stability and trust. It is a tangible expression of FHAMB’s journey from humble beginnings to a strong, credible and impactful mortgage institutions.’

He asserted more that the structure is a foundation for operational efficiency, customer confidence, and future expansion.

According to him, ‘most importantly, it is a statement that FHAMB is here to stay, to serve, and to build’.

Enumerating some of the achievements of the bank, the MD noted that its customer base has grown exponentially, with thousands of families reached through mortgage financing, with loan approvals running into billions of Naira.

Through the National Housing Fund (NHF) window, the Bank the MD stated was able to secure approval N27 Billion on behalf of 3427 eligible Nigerians who are contributors to the sheme to own their own houses across the 36 states of the Federation, including the FCT, Abuja.

He noted also that through PENCOM RSA Window, the bank facilitated access to mortgages for over 6000 Nigerians within 24 months of its commencement, and through collaboration with Family Homes Funds (FHF) have assisted Nigerians to own houses in Asaba; Delta State, Gandun Sarki in Kano State, Gidan Iyali Millenium City in Kaduna State, Makun City in Ogun State, and Coal City View Estate; Enugu, in Enugu State.

For the bank’s future outlook, Dr. Hayatudeen stated FHAMB is targeting to be a National Licensed Primary Mortgage Bank, expand to at least 20 branches nationwide in the next two years, grow an active customer base of 100,000 families, scale loan portfolio to N100 billion in the medium term, launch diaspora mortgage products; giving Nigerians abroad the opportunity to own homes, back home.

In his remarks, The Chairman Board of Directors of the bank, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Federal Housing Authority, Hon Oyetunde Ojo commended the MD of the bank. Hon Ojo declared that Dr.Hayatudeen has lived up to all expectations.

In the words of Hon. Ojo, ‘he has not disappointed Mr. President, he has not disappointed the Minister and he has not disappointed me. He described Hayatudeen as a workaholic, ready and passionate to work, likening him as his twin brother.

Hon Ojo noted that the complex he was about to commission was one of the stalled projects he inherited as the MD of FHA and Chairman of the bank. He recalled that few weeks on assumption of duties, he directed the bank’s MD that he would be commissioning the building in the next one and half year, and today, that optimism has become a reality.

The Chairman stated that his coming as the Chair of the Board of the bank is not to take away its resources but to inject funds and leave a legacy for posterity.

Part of the bank’s success story. he said is freedom to operate, noting that he does not interfere with the running and operations of the bank to only act as a check and to provide help and direction when needed.

Hon Ojo stated that all efforts are been made to secure a national license for that bank and with FHA planning to commence nation wide housing construction, the bank would have branches in all the states the Authority have estates.

The Chairman also commended the efforts and dedication to duty of all the staff of the bank.

He noted that all what the bank had achieved were without Federal Government funding, but 100% funding by itself and FHA.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion include Representative of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders, President Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria and many others.

FHA Mortgage Bank was incorporated in 1997 as a wholly subsidiary of Federal Housing Authority.

It has branches in Wuse; Zone 5, Lugbe, Gwarinpa and Asokoro, all in Abuja

Amidst initial challenges envisaged in its implementation, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has officially launched the contactless and cashless payment system beginning with the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The system unveiled during a press conference at the MMIA on Monday was described as a comprehensive cashless and contactless payment solution which effectively eradicates payment of physical cash at all strata of the airports.

These include all airports, airport access gates, car parks and VIP lounges.

The authority is projecting a 75 per cent increase in revenue from the deployment of the initiative, starting with 50 per cent from the pilot implementation and 75 per cent as the system extends to other airports across the country. ‘We project a 50 percent increase in revenue collection at this pilot stage, rising to 75 percent as we integrate more points, with the goal of tripling revenue within the first year of full implementation,’ said the Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku during the unveiling and demonstration of the payment solution at the MMIA, Lagos.ing Years of opaque revenue management

Over the decades, there have been complaints from stakeholders over what they called ‘opaque’ management system especially from non-aeronautical revenues.

The non-aeronautical revenues are revenues generated outside airline operations. FAAN has an enlarged revenue stream, generating money from different sources outside landing and parking, passenger services classified as the aeronautical revenues.

Some of the sources include access control (toll gates) at various airports especially Lagos and Abuja where over 300,000 vehicular movements are recorded monthly.

Move to ramp up revenue

Daily Trust reports that no fewer than 20 airports generated N382,149,252,045 from January to December 2024, in the country.

Out of these airports, Lagos alone accounted for 67% followed by the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport which accounted for 21.3 per cent.

The figure on percentage contribution on generation and collection by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) between January and December 2024 showed that MMA generated N256,067,290,722.42 followed by Abuja which generated N81,219,777,298.42.

With a projected 75 per cent increase in revenue with the deployment of the new automation system, the revenue could increase to over N500bn from both airports, according to analysts.

Represented by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of FAAN, Henry Agbebire at the unveiling, the Managing Director of FAAN disclosed that the authority’s brand Ambassadors would be deployed at all airport access gates to assist customers in onboarding on the automated payment system.

She disclosed that the transition to cashless and contactless system was in response to the demand of customers for a modern and more transparent payment system.

With the system, she said, ‘We are building a system that is more transparent,’ adding this highlights the commitment of FAAN to national development through increased revenue generation.

Kuku added that the authority would systematically expand to other airports in a phased manner.

The MD said, ‘Let me be clear: by significantly reducing our reliance on physical cash, we are building a system that is inherently more transparent. Every transaction will be electronic, traceable, and secure.

‘This directly enhances our revenue assurance capabilities, ensuring that every Naira due to the Authority is duly collected and accounted for. This is not just good for FAAN; it is a testament to our commitment to national development and fiscal responsibility.

‘Furthermore, embracing these digital trends ensures that our airports remain competitive and aligned with global best practices. We are sending a clear message to the world that Nigeria is open for business, with infrastructure that meets international standards.’

Kuku further explained that the cashless card would be available at all airport access gates in Lagos and Abuja.

‘I encourage you to collect yours, and to activate and fund it immediately. This launch is a critical milestone, but it is not the final destination. FAAN remains steadfast in its commitment to continuous improvement. Following the successful implementation in Lagos and Abuja, we will systematically expand this cashless policy to all other airports nationwide in a phased manner,’ she added.

Director of Commercial and Business Development of FAAN, Adebola Agunbiade, disclosed that FAAN had set a target of the first quarter of 2026 for a complete phase out of cash transactions across all airports.

She stated that the new system is built on four pillars ‘to significantly enhance operational efficiency; to reduce congestion and delays for a smoother passenger experience; to improve revenue collection and accountability and to firmly align FAAN with global best practices for seamless airport access and service delivery.

She said, ‘For FAAN, we project a 50% increase in revenue collection at this pilot stage, rising to 75% as we integrate more points, with the goal of tripling revenue within the first year of full implementation. These additional funds will be strategically reinvested into further infrastructural development across our airports.

‘For Airport Users, you will enjoy greater convenience, faster transactions, and reduced risk of theft. This policy also promotes financial inclusion, extending services to those with limited access to traditional banking.’

She explained that for businesses, the authority had ensured that transaction costs are kept low to protect the profit margins of our business partners, and reliable internet services will be available to support seamless operations.

‘An initiative of this magnitude does not succeed without a comprehensive awareness campaign. We have already begun engaging stakeholders through forums, such as the one held at the Sheraton Hotel, and will intensify efforts with billboards, social media assets, radio jingles, and posters at access gates to drive adoption,’ she added.

She reiterated that there would be full implementation across all FAAN-operated airports by the first quarter of 2026.

‘Furthermore, following the success at the access gates, we intend to expand this cashless policy to other areas, including casual flights, VIP lounges, car parks, and car hire operations.

‘Every month, our access gates in Lagos and Abuja recorded over three hundred thousand vehicular entrances respectively. Our VIP and Protocol lounges serve thousands yearly and we believe we can improve the quality of service to our customers when we can receive payments conveniently and transparently,’ she added.

What experts are saying?

As the implementation begins, experts say there is the need for the authorities to ensure a seamless transition without hitches.

Also, some passengers who spoke with our correspondent expressed fear over network glitches which might cause unnecessary delay and long queues especially at access gates.

Speaking with our correspondent, General Secretary of the Aviation Roundtable, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo said it is long overdue.

‘This is long overdue and expected with the rate at which the minister and his team are moving, right from the regulator to all agencies, they are moving from manual to IT and infotech and this is to improve service delivery.

‘And the beauty is that they are even looking at the regulations again to see how it can be fine-tuned. I am happy that FAAN has taken up this position regarding the toll, and I think it will be the most effective.

‘It is ridiculous when you drive past those toll booths and you see officers and senior staff of FAAN sitting in the booths when they are supposed to be in the office developing policies and working out how to improve revenue generation, they are there struggling to collect N500. Even at a stage I began to wonder, because that’s about the only tolling booth I have seen in the world whereby the person sitting in there is stretching his hands and asking cars to start coming.’

Another aviation analyst, Group Capt. John Ojikutu said, ‘If you don’t know what you are looking for, you may not or cannot get it. There was Avitech before now doing cashless services from FAAN allied services and operators to FAAN. How has that been?

‘When you sell eggs daily for a price but don’t know the number sold, you cannot know how much to expect. Check the passengers’ traffic figures from the NCAA, NAMA and FAAN to know if they are the same or corresponding to one another.’

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared unconstitutional the shadow government proposed by the Prof. Pat Utomi-led Big Tent Movement.

Justice James Omotosho, delivering judgement on Monday, ruled that the initiative was alien to Nigeria’s presidential system of government and void under the 1999 Constitution.

‘The Nigerian Constitution makes no room for a shadow government. Therefore, any participation in any government which is unknown to law will be struck down by this court. I hereby declare the formation as void,’ the judge held.

The judge also restrained members of the movement’s Good Governance portfolio and council of economic advisers, including Dele Farotimi, Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo and Obi Ajuga, from operating the structure. Efforts by Daily Trust to obtain a reaction from Nana Kazaure, the group’s Shadow Minister for Communication and Public Orientation, proved unsuccessful as she did not respond to calls or messages.

The Department of State Services (DSS), which initiated the suit, argued that sections 1(1), 1(2) and 14(2)(a) of the Constitution uphold the supremacy of the constitution and sovereignty of the people, and that all governmental authority must derive from law.

The DSS had sought, among other reliefs, ‘an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, his agents and associates from taking any steps towards establishing or operating a ‘shadow government’, ‘shadow cabinet’, or any similar entity not recognised by the Constitution.’

To guide the court, eminent legal scholars were invited as amici curiae, including Prof. Ademola Popoola of Obafemi Awolowo University; Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze, Vice Chancellor of Imo State University; former NBA president Yakubu Maikyau (SAN); Joseph Daudu (SAN); Joe Gadzama (SAN); Prof. Dakas Dakas (SAN); and Miannaya Essien (SAN).

The shadow government, formally launched by Utomi on May 5, was designed to function like a shadow cabinet common in parliamentary systems. It assigned portfolios to opposition figures, professionals and activists to scrutinise government policies and propose alternatives.

At its unveiling, Utomi described the project as a ‘national emergency response’ aimed at deepening democracy beyond periodic elections. He argued it would serve as an alternative think-tank to highlight policy failures and mobilise citizens to demand accountability.

Lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi was named to head the Ombudsman and Good Governance desk, while Cheta Nwanze, Halima Ahmed, Daniel Ikuonobe and others were given shadow roles. Kazaure, who also serves as Director of Strategic Communication for the Obidient Movement, was appointed Shadow Minister for Communication.

The initiative immediately sparked controversy. Critics maintained that Nigeria’s presidential system does not recognise such arrangements. The DSS warned that the body could confuse citizens, undermine state authority and embolden separatist groups.

On May 13, 2025, the DSS filed suit FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025 at the Federal High Court, urging the court to declare the Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government (BTCSG) unconstitutional.

In June, Utomi, through his lawyers, opposed the suit, arguing that the shadow government was merely an exercise of citizens’ rights to free speech, free association and political participation. He accused the DSS of attempting to criminalise civic activism and silence dissent.

The newly elected President of the Nigerian Association of Orthodontists (NAO), Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, has reaffirmed the association’s commitment to tackling the shortage of specialists in order to improve orthodontic care in Nigeria.

Orthodontics, a specialized branch of dentistry, focuses on correcting misaligned teeth and jaws (malocclusion) using devices such as braces and clear aligners to improve bite, function, and facial aesthetics.

Prof. Ize-Iyamu, who is also the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), made this known in Benin during her acceptance speech after emerging as the association’s 10th national president.

She pledged to prioritise initiatives that would enhance members’ skills, promote best practices, and ultimately improve patient care. ‘We will strive to address the challenge of the shortage of orthodontic services in underserved areas, especially considering that only 74 orthodontists currently serve a population of over 237.5 million,’ she said.

According to her, the association will also focus on promoting excellence in research, technology, and innovation, while exploring new frontiers in orthodontics for the benefit of members and patients.

On her part, the immediate past president of NAO, Dr. Olayinka Adeyinka, expressed confidence that her successor would build on past achievements and take the association to greater heights.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has stated that electricity generation on the National Grid has dropped to 3,200 megawatts (MW) due to the industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

A statement by NISO said the disruptions by PENGASSAN triggered widespread gas shortages, reducing available generation from over 4,300 MW.

It, however, said it has deployed contingency measures to preserve the stability, security, and reliability of the National Grid through strategic ramp-ups from major hydro stations, contributing over 400 MW of additional output to cushion the shortfall from gas-fired plants.

The statement reads, ‘There are now real-time load adjustments to match available generation with system demand, while preventing a system frequency collapse. While continuous deployment of reactive power compensation and reserve monitoring to safeguard system integrity is strengthened. ‘There is selective load shedding, applied as a last resort, to avert a system-wide collapse and ensure fair power distribution. These timely actions enabled the NISO NCC to minimize the impact of the labour-induced gas shortages, sustain operational security, and maintain supply to critical loads, thereby averting a nationwide blackout.’

The agency assured its commitment to proactive grid management, operational excellence, and the application of best-in-class practices to guarantee a secure and reliable electricity supply for the nation.

Reports of escalating attacks, intimidation and harassment of citizens by governors are becoming too frequent and discomfiting. This is becoming a grave threat to media freedom, freedom of expression, and citizens’ right of access and circulation of information about things around them.

Earlier in September, Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa was arrested and handcuffed allegedly on the orders of Governor Nasiru Idris for releasing a viral video showing the deplorable healthcare conditions including patients lying on bare metal beds without mattresses at Kangiwa General Hospital in Kebbi State.

On Wednesday September 24, the Imo State Police Command moved to arraign Chinedu Agu, a lawyer and known critic of Governor Hope Uzodimma. Agu, who was arrested by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police’s X-Squad Unit following a petition by a pro-Uzodinma group, Imo Democratic Alliance.

Imo state Police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, said Agu’s charges bordered on cyberstalking, defamation of character, incitement of civil disturbances, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace and it is being ‘carried out in accordance with the rule of law and with due respect for his fundamental human rights.’ Others cases include the harassment of Blessing Okonkwo, a freelance broadcast journalist in Anambra State, in July 2025 and the hours-long detention of Ibrahim Garba, a Daily Trust photojournalist in Kano, in August 2025.

In September 2024, Samuel Samuel II was arrested in Plateau State for making a statement that involved the criticism of the governor.

On November 9, 2024, 18-year-old Hamdiyya Sidi was arrested by the Sokoto State Police after she posted a video criticising the state governor, Ahmad Aliyu, over the rampant banditry and neglect of people displaced by insecurity. Though the police said she was not arrested for criticizing the governor but for another incident on November 3, where she allegedly incited some women in a village in Wurno Local Government Area of the state against the governor. Released later, Sidi was on November 13, 2024 kidnapped by gunmen, beaten and pushed out of a moving tricycle and left for dead. She sustained serious injuries.

She was rearrested again and charged in a Sharia court ‘for the use of abusive language and criticisms against constituted authority in the state.’ In addition to this, Sidi also faces charges in regular court for incitement. During a hearing in January, her lawyer, Abba Hikima, said they were stalked, accosted, and intimidated. Sidi last appeared in court in February 2025. Though her case was adjourned to March 13 and 14, 2025, nothing has been heard since then.

In August 2022, Agba Jalingo, a journalist and publisher of Cross River Watch was arrested on allegation of defamation against the sister-in-law of the then Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade. He was later transferred to the Police Criminal Instigation Department in Abuja. Earlier in August 2019, he was arrested on the orders of the Cross River State government and charged with treasonable felony, terrorism and cybercrime for accusing the governor of diverting public funds. He was later discharged and acquitted in March 2022.

In a similar development, a blogger on the Eagles Foresight platform, Bashiru Hammed Adewale Olamilekan was arrested on May 13, 2022 and detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Ogun State for publishing a story relating to purported criminal records of the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun in the United States. He spent over 100 days in detention despite deleting the said publication and tendering an apology to the governor.

What some of the governors are doing are direct attacks on citizens’ right to be part of the vital check on power. They’ve also become a symptom of broader systemic disease that prioritises image over integrity and suppression over solution.

They are direct assaults on Sections 22 and 39 of the Nigerian constitution which mandates the media to uphold the fundamental objectives of the government and ensure the accountability of the government to the people while Section 39 guarantees the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom of the press to hold opinions and impart information and ideas without interference, though there are exceptions for national security and specific professions.

Daily Trust calls on political leaders to end the disconcerting use of state instruments to violate the rights of journalists and other citizens. They should rather challenge such media publications or journalists or citizens with libel or defamation in a court of law instead of criminalizing the Cybercrime Act.

Democracy is not for the benefit of politicians or the connected alone but for all Nigerians. Therefore, we call on the National Assembly to ensure that its Acts are not being used to trample on the rights of the citizens they ought to protect. We also call on the Nigeria Police to note that it is not in their interest to be used against the citizens.

The governors should also note that regional and international human rights organisations are taking notes and using their actions to gauge how the tenets of democratic values are being practiced by our leaders.

There should be no threat to media freedom and democracy, which are anchored on accountability and good governance.

However, while calling on media houses, their reporters and activists to always approach their investigations and advocacies with utmost sense of responsibility, the federal government should order immediate investigations into all such arrests and hold those behind them to account. No attempt should be made to criminalise free speech or shut down any criticisms or circulation of any information not favourable to any political leader or the elite, provided they are true.