Category: Nigerian Tribune

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), expansion often brings a difficult administrative burden: a rising number of clients and sales without a matching increase in staff to handle the paperwork.

Staff members frequently spend hours moving data from forms into sheets, sending basic confirmation emails, drafting invoices, or tracking stock levels. While these tasks do not require expert judgment, they consume a large portion of the workday when performed manually.

Simple automation platforms now allow businesses to manage these tasks without a team of programmers. Tools like Google Workspace, Zapier, and Make enable operators to link different apps together using simple triggers. For those using spreadsheets, Google Apps Script offers a way to add more specific logic to their existing files.

The goal is not to automate every single movement within a company. Rather, it is to find repetitive chores where software can provide speed and accuracy. This allows employees to focus on more important tasks that require human thinking and care.

Spotting the best tasks to automate

Effective automation starts by looking at current habits rather than the technology itself. Business leaders should first map out how work currently flows from start to finish. A task is usually a good candidate for automation if it has the following traits:

High Frequency:The job is done often and follows the same steps every time.Typical examples include logging new leads, sending receipts, or pulling weekly data reports.

Fixed Logic: The next step is always clear based on what just happened. For instance:

A user fills out a web form ? a new contact record is created ? a welcome email is sent ? a staff member gets a reminder.

Manual Data Handling: Personnel spend time copying text from one window to another. Moving customer names from an email into a sales database is a major waste of time that software can handle easily. Activities that require nuanced thought, emotional intelligence, or handling complex problems should remain under human control.

Setting up basic automation system

A standard automated process generally consists of three parts.

The first is the Entry Point, where data enters the firm. This could be through Google Forms, online sales, or client emails. The accuracy of this data is vital because it affects every subsequent step.

Next is the Connection Layer, which acts as the bridge between apps. Services like Zapier allow users to set up paths where an event in one app causes a reaction in another. Make offers a similar way to visualize and build these connections without needing to write code.

Finally, the Storage Layer is where the records live. For smaller firms, Google Sheets is often a great place to store data. For larger needs, a professional database might be required. Tools like Google Apps Script can help by connecting these records to other business services automatically.

Planning for errors, not just success

A common error in DIY automation is only planning for when things go perfectly. Problems arise when a user enters a wrong phone number, the internet goes down, or an app updates its settings. A robust system must handle these hiccups.

Every workflow needs an ‘if this fails’ plan. The system should define: who gets the error message, can the task be restarted, is there a record of what happened, and can an employee step in manually if needed?

Tools like Zapier and Make provide history logs that help owners see exactly where a process stopped so they can fix it quickly.

Organising data before starting

Automation cannot fix messy records. If different employees write phone numbers in different styles (some with country codes, some with spaces), software might treat the same customer as two different people.

Clear standards must be set before deploying software. This includes using one way to write dates, products, and locations. Clean data makes the entire automated system much more reliable. A clean data structure makes automation considerably more reliable.

Creating a map for every process

Automation can be a risk if only one person knows how it works. Every workflow should have a simple guide that explains what it does, which apps it uses, who owns it, and what to do if it breaks. Security is also vital. Passwords should be kept in a safe manager tool, not in a simple text document. Access to these systems should only be given to the staff who truly need it.

Knowing the limits of simple tools

No-code tools are very useful, but they have limits. A small business can easily automate emails and basic reports. However, very complex needs, like processing thousands of sales at once or high-level security, may eventually require professional programmers or specialized software.

The choice to hire an expert should be based on how hard the task is, not just on a desire to save money.

Organising the work, not the mess

Automation cannot replace good management. A messy manual process will just become a messy automated one if the rules are not clear. The best path is:

Map the job ? make it simpler ? clean the data ? automate the boring parts ? watch for errors ? check results.

For small firms, this makes automation a practical way to handle routine work. The goal is to give staff more time for tasks that require real skill, like talking to clients and helping the company grow.

Three common workflows for small firms

Workflow 1: Lead capture and response

Imagine a firm receiving website inquiries. Without automation, an employee must check the inbox, copy details into a list, and reply manually. A simple automated path looks like this:

New Request ? Record Created ? Instant Acknowledgment ? Staff Member Notified

A form ensures the right info is gathered, while an integration tool moves that data to a database. An automated reply confirms receipt instantly without misleading the client into thinking a human has already finished the review.

Honesty in communication is key. Automation should make a business more responsive, not create fake or confusing interactions.

Workflow 2: Billing and invoicing

Handling invoices is another great task for automation. A business can link a payment or a new order to an invoicing tool. This allows customer details to be placed into a template automatically. For example:

Sale Made ? Pull Sales Data ? Fill Invoice Template ? Create PDF ? Send to Customer

Google Apps Script can help automate these steps within Google Workspace. However, financial work needs strict rules. Automation should only trigger once a real payment system confirms a sale. A firm should never rely on a customer’s screenshot for payment proof. If a transaction fails, the system should not accidentally send a ‘success’ message.

Workflow 3: Stock and inventory alerts

Keeping track of stock does not require advanced AI. A business can simply set a low-point for items and have the system send an alert when stock hits that number. For instance:

Stock Hits Low Limit ? Alert Sent ? Manager Notified ? Order Task Opened

These limits should be based on real demand and shipping times. A fast-selling item needs a higher alert point than one that sells slowly. The automation should support the company’s rules rather than making its own decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which tasks should a small firm automate first?

The best tasks are repetitive ones that follow clear rules. Examples include logging new leads, sending billing reminders, or tracking stock. Tasks that involve serious legal or financial risk should always be checked by a human.

Can small businesses automate without hiring an expert?

Yes. Many simple tasks can be set up using ‘no-code’ tools like Zapier or Make. These provide visual ways to connect apps without needing to write software from scratch. However, very complex tasks might still need a professional programmer.

Is Google Sheets a good database for a small firm?

Google Sheets works well for basic needs. As the amount of data and the number of people using it grows, a firm might eventually need a more professional database to keep everything secure and organized.

Does automation stop all human error?

No. While software can stop simple typing errors, a poorly set-up system can repeat a mistake many times very quickly. Regular checks and error planning are always necessary.

How much can a small firm save with automation?

Savings vary. It depends on the number of tasks, the staff time saved, and the cost of the software. Businesses should compare the cost of manual work against the cost of the new automated tools to see if it makes sense.

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, on Tuesday witnessed the swearing-in of his son, Osborn Nweze Umahi, as Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Osborn formally assumed office after taking the oath of office at a ceremony attended by political leaders, government officials and other dignitaries.

His inauguration followed his victory in the local government election, marking the official commencement of his tenure as chairman.

At 28, Umahi Osborn is among the younger political office holders attracting attention in Ebonyi.

His emergence has also drawn interest because of his relationship with the former Ebonyi State governor and serving Minister of Works.

Beyond the family connection, attention is now expected to focus on how the new council chairman will tackle development challenges in Ohaozara, particularly in the areas of youth empowerment, infrastructure and public services.

The family of Enejoh Faith, an aviation student whose training was funded by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has expressed gratitude to him after she completed her programme.

Faith and her family visited Bello on Monday to appreciate the former governor for supporting her aviation education after she struggled to raise the funds required to continue her studies.

According to a statement by Onogwu Muhammed, Bello’s spokesperson, the former governor first met Faith and her father on July 17, 2025, when they visited his residence to seek financial assistance.

Faith, who was dressed in an aviation uniform, had secured admission for aviation training, but her family could not afford the cost of completing her registration.

Her father presented her admission letter and other relevant documents to Bello and explained the family’s financial difficulties.

Bello subsequently decided to take full responsibility for Faith’s aviation training.

The statement said the cost of the programme was in the region of N30m, adding that Bello provided more than the amount initially requested because he anticipated that Faith could face other financial challenges during her studies.

It said the intervention was not publicly announced at the time, with no press conference or media coverage organised around it.

During Monday’s visit, Faith and her family updated Bello on her progress and expressed appreciation for the support.

Her father said Faith scored 89 per cent in her public pilot licence examination and also performed excellently in her computer-based test.

He said she had completed her training and was preparing for the next stage of her aviation career.

According to him, his daughter had nurtured the ambition of becoming a pilot since her secondary school days.

He said Bello did not know either him or his daughter before their encounter.

‘And Oga did not know me before. He didn’t know my daughter,’ he said.

Expressing gratitude to Bello, Faith’s father said the former governor had become a highly valued member of their family.

He said, ‘God will bless you, sir. I have nothing to reciprocate. In this family, after God, you are the next person to us. Our family will continue to remember you. Even at death, our spirit will continue to appreciate you.’

He also recalled the anxiety he experienced before the family received Bello’s intervention.

‘Before we came to your place, my BP rose to 180. When we left, and I checked the next day, it came back to 130. If I had died that very day, I would have still died a happy and fulfilled man on earth,’ he said.

The father also prayed for Bello, asking God to support him in his personal and political battles.

‘I pray from the depth of my heart, the heart of my children, my wife, everybody here, that God will fight your battle. Whatever battle that is ahead of you, God will fight for you. God Almighty will fight for you,’ he said.

Muhammed said the intervention was part of the former governor’s private scholarship initiatives.

According to him, at least four people have been trained as pilots through Bello’s private scholarship scheme, while others have received assistance to study at universities in Nigeria and abroad.

He said Faith’s family requested that her story be made public to highlight the intervention that enabled her to pursue and complete her aviation training.

The family’s visit, he added, was not to request further assistance but to thank Bello and share the outcome of his intervention.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has stepped up its grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections with the inauguration of the state chapter of the Tinubu Torch Bearers (TTB), a women-led support group backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid and the party’s candidates.

The Oyo chapter was inaugurated on Monday at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, with APC leaders, women leaders, political stakeholders and supporters from across the state in attendance.

The event had the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as Special Guest of Honour and was represented by the Minshe ister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

Speaking at the event, Sulaiman-Ibrahim charged women and APC supporters in Oyo State to move beyond rallies and ceremonies by taking the mobilisation for Tinubu and other APC candidates directly to wards, communities and polling units.

She said women remained critical to grassroots political mobilisation, urging members of the newly inaugurated structure to ensure that the support being expressed for the President translated into votes at the 2027 elections.

According to her, the strength of the Tinubu Torch Bearers would depend largely on its ability to maintain sustained contact with voters at the grassroots.

The minister also urged APC members in the state to support the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, his running mate, Adesoji Adedeji, and other candidates contesting elective positions under the party.

Also speaking, Alli commended the First Lady and organisers of the initiative for establishing the TTB structure in Oyo, describing the inauguration as an important step towards strengthening the APC’s grassroots machinery ahead of the elections.

He said the party was ready to work with the women-led structure to mobilise support for Tinubu while also seeking victory for the APC in Oyo State.

‘We are grateful for this initiative and for the confidence reposed in us. We are committed to working together with our women and other party members to deliver victory for the APC in 2027,’ Alli said.

The APC governorship candidate also assured party members that the party would remain focused on good governance, unity and the welfare of the people of the state.

‘Our commitment is to good governance and to the people of Oyo State. We will continue to engage our people, mobilise them and ensure that the APC is united and ready for the elections,’ he added.

The deputy governorship candidate, Adedeji, similarly urged members of the TTB to remain united and committed to the party’s objectives, saying the new structure must extend its activities to every ward and community.

Earlier, the Oyo State Coordinator of the Tinubu Torch Bearers, Alhaja Zulfah Adeyemi Adetunji, said the inauguration marked the beginning of a fresh phase of grassroots mobilisation for the group in the state.

Adetunji said the women were prepared to deploy their grassroots network to mobilise support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election while strengthening the electoral fortunes of the APC and its candidates in Oyo.

‘We are here today not merely to inaugurate a structure, but to activate a formidable grassroots movement that will take the message of Mr President directly to our people. The women of Oyo State are ready, organised and committed to this assignment,’ she said.

She added that the group would take its mobilisation campaign to communities across the state.

‘Our responsibility is to engage our communities, listen to our people, communicate the achievements of the administration and mobilise them to support continuity in 2027. We will take this movement to every ward, community and polling unit across Oyo State,’ Adetunji said.

She called on members to remain united, disciplined and consistent, stressing that sustained grassroots engagement would be critical to the group’s efforts to deliver electoral support for Tinubu and the APC in the state.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has disclosed how public funds were moved from a local government account to a private company and later transferred into cryptocurrency wallets.

The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this on Monday while addressing media executives and journalists in Abuja.

Olukoyede said the commission could not ignore the movement of the funds, which it considered suspicious. However, he did not disclose the local government, company or state involved.

He said the commission’s Fraud Risk Assessment and Control Department detected the transactions and froze the funds for 72 hours to determine where they were going and why.

Olukoyede expressed displeasure over calls for his removal following the action taken by the commission.

He said, ‘When we see money moving suspiciously, we move in and freeze it in the interim. I know some of you are calling for my head. The account was frozen for 72 hours. Okay, come and show where this money is going? Why are you moving money? We saw money being moved from the local government account to a company. Apart from that phase, we discovered that the money has gone into cryptocurrency wallets.

‘Is that the road to build? Is that the power to generate cryptocurrency wallets for your people? Are you asking me to close my eyes and not do something like that? Then you don’t need me in this office.’

The EFCC chairman said the development showed the need for law enforcement agencies to act on suspicious transactions before public funds were stolen or moved.

‘Why must we be waiting for money to be stolen? Why can’t we change the narrative? And that’s the main thing we need to bring to the office,’ he said.

The disclosure came after the EFCC froze an account belonging to the Osun State Government earlier in the month, days before the August 15 governorship election.

However, Olukoyede did not link the transaction he cited to Osun State or any other state.

He also said cybercrime had moved beyond the traditional description of ‘Yahoo Yahoo’, saying some young people were being used by public officials to move allegedly stolen funds through cryptocurrency wallets.

He said, ‘We have gotten to a stage in Nigeria now that public officials steal money and they put it in cryptocurrency wallets.

‘Most of the directors we are investigating now, you can’t trace tangible assets to them. They steal this money, give it to students, give it to young people. They open cryptocurrency wallets all over the world. They plunder the money there within 24 hours.

‘The money moves abroad. They buy a house anywhere in the world, buy luxury items. Those are the recent trends.’

The EFCC boss said the commission could now trace cryptocurrency wallets, particularly those linked to virtual asset platforms registered in Nigeria.

According to him, about 40 virtual asset platforms had been licensed as part of measures to regulate the sector.

‘Now we also have the capacity to trace cryptocurrency wallets now, at least with those that are registered in Nigeria, and we are doing that,’ he said.

Speaking on the commission’s activities in the last three years, Olukoyede said the EFCC had recovered virtual assets linked to the CBEX fraud.

However, he said managing confiscated cryptocurrency had been a challenge because of concerns about accountability.

‘When you recover virtual assets, where do you put them? No accountability. That’s why we can’t continue like this,’ he said.

He said the Federal Government had approved the creation of a national confiscation wallet where virtual assets recovered by law enforcement agencies would be kept.

‘Today, now we have a national confiscation wallet. So if I confiscate virtual assets now, it’s a national wallet that we put into those,’ he said.

Olukoyede also called for stronger technology to tackle the use of cryptocurrency in moving illicit funds.

He said, ‘When we are talking about cybercrime, please cooperate with us, understand the scope. Not just Yahoo. Some of the people you are calling Yahoo, see your young children; they are stealing on behalf of London, on behalf of public servants.’

Olukoyede said the commission’s anti-corruption activities had also contributed to revenue mobilisation, with federal and state tax recoveries totalling about N288.1bn during the period under review.

He said the figure included about N173.2bn in federal tax recoveries and N114.9bn recovered through State Internal Revenue Services.

Olukoyede also said more than 40 EFCC personnel had been dismissed for alleged corruption and financial malpractice in the past two and a half to three years.

He added that some of the dismissed officials were already facing prosecution, while case files involving others were being prepared for prosecution.

A large-scale analysis involving more than 100 million people has found strong links between recreational drug use and an increased risk of stroke, including among younger adults.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge, found that cocaine use was associated with a 96 percent increase in stroke risk, while amphetamine use was linked to a 122 percent increase.

Cannabis use was associated with a 37 percent higher risk.

The findings, published in the International Journal of Stroke, add to growing evidence that recreational drug use may be an important and potentially preventable risk factor for stroke.

Stroke remains one of the world’s leading causes of death and disability. While established risk factors include: high blood pressure, poor diet and physical inactivity, the researchers say substance use may also contribute significantly to the disease burden.

The researchers separately examined people under 55 and found particularly strong associations between some recreational drugs and stroke.

Among younger adults, amphetamine use was associated with a 174 percent increase in stroke risk, while cocaine use was linked to a 97percent increase. Cannabis was associated with a more modest 14percent increase.

The study drew on data from multiple cohort studies and combined their findings through a meta-analysis, enabling researchers to examine evidence involving more than 100 million participants.

The researchers also used Mendelian randomisation, a genetic analysis technique, to investigate whether the observed relationships could indicate a causal connection rather than simply an association.

The genetic evidence provided further support for a link between cocaine use and certain types of stroke, particularly brain haemorrhage and cardioembolic stroke. Cannabis use disorders were associated with stroke overall and, in particular with large-artery stroke.

Scientists say several biological mechanisms could explain the increased risk.

Recreational drugs may trigger sudden spikes in blood pressure, blood-vessel spasms, abnormal heart rhythms, increased blood clotting and inflammation, all of which can contribute to stroke.

The genetic analysis further suggested that cocaine and cannabis may have a causal relationship with certain types of stroke, rather than merely being associated with them.

The study also found links between problematic alcohol use and certain types of stroke, although alcohol was analysed separately from the recreational drugs examined.

Dr Megan Ritson of the University of Cambridge Stroke Research Group said the findings represented the most comprehensive analysis to date of recreational drug use and stroke risk.

Dr Eric Harshfield, an Alzheimer’s Society Research Fellow at Cambridge’s Department of Clinical Neurosciences, said the results suggested that the drugs themselves, rather than only other lifestyle factors associated with drug use, could be contributing to the increased risk.

The researchers said the findings could help guide future research and inform public health strategies aimed at reducing substance use and, consequently, the risk of stroke.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has empowered 100 women and youths in Adamawa State with livestock starter assets and inputs as part of the government as efforts to promote inclusive participation, enterprise development and sustainable livelihoods in the livestock sector.

Speaking at the programme in Adamawa, Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the initiative was designed to bring more women and young people into the livestock value chain and equip them with the means to establish and grow sustainable livestock enterprises.

The minister explained that each of the 100 beneficiaries received a heifer or young bull, in addition to starter inputs comprising bags of concentrate feed, mineral salt lick and dewormers.

According to him, the intervention is part of the government’s livestock transformation agenda under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, with a focus on engaging young people in productive ventures and creating opportunities for them to become small and medium-scale livestock producers.

He stressed that the ministry’s intervention would go beyond the initial distribution of livestock, noting that all beneficiaries had been properly documented, while their locations and registration details were captured to facilitate effective monitoring, extension support and access to animal health services.

Maiha explained that continuous follow-up would ensure that the animals are properly managed, adequately protected and allowed to attain reproductive age rather than being sold prematurely.

He said, the ministry plans to introduce artificial insemination for the beneficiary animals, particularly the heifers, to improve their genetic quality, reproductive performance and overall productivity.

The minister added that the intervention would support various livestock enterprises, including cattle rearing, fattening and dairy production, while providing beneficiaries with the opportunity to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods over time.

He also announced that, the programme would promote the concept of ‘Passing the Gift,’ under which offspring produced by beneficiary animals would subsequently be transferred to other members of the community. He said the approach would extend the benefits of the intervention, increase community participation and create a sustainable cycle of empowerment.

The Minister further explained that , the programme would establish an ecosystem around livestock production by encouraging young people to venture into commercial pasture cultivation.

He noted that ,this would enable livestock owners to purchase pasture from young pasture farmers, thereby creating additional employment and business opportunities while reducing overdependence on open grazing.

Maiha disclosed that, the Adamawa intervention represented the first tranche of a programme that would be replicated in other parts of the country. He noted that a similar intervention had already been undertaken in Jigawa State, with plans to extend the initiative to Jos and other locations.

He said the ultimate objective was to develop the beneficiaries into viable livestock entrepreneurs capable of contributing significantly to food security, employment generation, economic growth and the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector.

A total of 100 beneficiaries, comprising 50 females and 50 males, benefited from the empowerment programme.

In his welcome remarks, the Adamawa State Coordinator, Dr. Hassan W. Danbaki, who was represented by Mr. Sunday, Senior Animal Health and Husbandry Technology, welcomed the Honourable Minister, government officials, participants, beneficiaries and other guests to the programme.

He said the empowerment programme was a Federal Government initiative implemented through the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Department of Livestock Extension to provide women and youths with livestock startup assets and the necessary inputs to establish sustainable enterprises.

He expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister for his presence and support and invited him to deliver his remarks and flag off the distribution of the livestock and accompanying inputs.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mohammed Ibrahim expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, noting that the intervention had provided beneficiaries with an opportunity to own cattle and improve their economic wellbeing.

Another beneficiary, Muhammad Mudi Bogirado, described the intervention as a significant opportunity to address unemployment among young people in the Northeast.

He assured that the beneficiaries would put the livestock to productive use through cattle rearing and other related activities to improve their livelihoods.

Also speaking, Mrs. Naliba Iframu Jp, a female beneficiary, expressed excitement over the intervention, saying livestock rearing had always been her aspiration. She said the support had provided her with an opportunity to turn her interest in animal husbandry into a productive enterprise that would benefit her family and community.

Among the dignitaries at the event were the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Livestock and Agricultural Development, Adamawa State, Hon. Usman H. Lamorde; National Coordinator, L-PRES, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar; technical officials from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development; officials of L-PRES at the national and Adamawa State levels; beneficiaries, participants and members of the press.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development reaffirmed its commitment to expanding opportunities for women and youths to participate meaningfully in the livestock value chain while providing beneficiaries with sustained extension, animal health and technical support to ensure the success and sustainability of the programme.

The President of the Idoma Area Traditional Council and Vice Chairman of the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Agaba-Idu Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo John, has nullified the chieftaincy title conferred by the ward head of Akpoge/Ogbilolo community.

This was contained in the statement issued by the Secretary, Idoma Area Traditional Council, Mr. Adegbe Uloko and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday.

The paramount ruler, who frowned at the conferment of chieftaincy titles by the Ward Head of Akpoge/Ogbilolo on 29th August, 2026, in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, said that the move contradicted the state chieftaincy law of 2016.

According to the statement, ‘That any title holder in Idoma Land of the esteemed Idoma Area Traditional Council who participated in the pseudo conferment at Agila and elsewhere on 29th August, 2026 is to note that the titles issued by the Idoma Area Traditional Council to them are hereby withdrawn with immediate effect.

‘That the general public, government institutions, and traditional stakeholders are hereby notified and directed to disregard the said conferments and accord them no recognition henceforth whatsoever,

‘That the Idoma Area Traditional Council remains the only legally constituted and government-recognised traditional authority within the Idoma nation, and any acts contrary to its directives constitute a breach of extant law.

The paramount ruler explained that the pronouncement was made to safeguard the integrity of traditional institutions in Benue State and to uphold due process, and to maintain peace, unity, and order within the Idoma Area Traditional Council.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, has announced the expansion of Nigeria’s national tertiary education ranking framework to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, with participation now compulsory for all tertiary institutions across the country.

Alausa made this known in Abuja during a meeting with the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC), which is now to be known as the Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee.

The minister said the expanded ranking framework was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s education reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, being implemented through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), to strengthen quality, accountability, institutional performance, and global competitiveness across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Mr. Ikharo Attah, Alausa said the ranking would provide institutions with clear benchmarks for assessing their performance, identifying areas requiring improvement, and measuring progress, while promoting competition and continuous institutional advancement.

Dr. Alausa announced that the 2026/2027 ranking exercise for universities would commence in September, while the committee would determine the timeline for extending the exercise to polytechnics and colleges of education.

He added that the Federal Government would provide funding through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), develop guidelines to institutionalize the exercise, and formally communicate to vice-chancellors and heads of other tertiary institutions that participation in the ranking process is compulsory.

Speaking earlier, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the initiative as a step towards strengthening accountability and quality across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

She said competition was essential to encouraging institutions to assess their performance, address identified gaps, and improve the quality of education they provide.

Professor Suwaiba stressed that the ranking exercise should cover both public and private institutions, noting that it would provide a mechanism for establishing and maintaining minimum standards across the sector.

She assured the committee of the Ministry’s full support, adding that the exercise would help institutions understand their strengths and weaknesses while driving measurable improvements as Nigeria’s tertiary education system continues to expand.

Also speaking, Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, Chairman of the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC) and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), said the committee’s engagement with the Minister followed a memorandum congratulating the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the increasing number of Nigerian universities gaining global recognition and urging greater investment in university education to accelerate the progress.

Okebukola said the Minister’s response went beyond the committee’s initial proposal, resulting in the expansion of NURAC’s mandate to cover polytechnics and colleges of education and its subsequent transformation into the Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee, NURAC.

He expressed optimism that sustained investment, stronger institutional capacity and the new national ranking framework would enable more Nigerian institutions to make progress in international rankings and compete with leading institutions globally.

Reassuring the committee and the nation of the Ministry’s commitment, Dr. Alausa pledged that the Federal Ministry of Education would provide the policy direction, funding and capacity-building support required to make the ranking exercise credible, sustainable and impactful.

He said the Ministry would work with the committee to facilitate in-service training and institutional capacity-building programmes across tertiary institutions, with the expectation that more Nigerian institutions would achieve greater global recognition in subsequent international ranking exercises.

MARKETERS across Lagos and Ogun States have implemented fresh increases in the pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), or diesel, following a upward adjustment in wholesale gantry prices by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. As of Monday, petrol prices at major filling stations- including outlets operated by Mrs, Mobil, AP, Rain, Total, and ConOil-ranged between N1,285 and N1,330 per litre, depending on the location.

The new rates represent a sharp climb from the N1,200 to N1,220 per litre recorded over the previous weekend.

Diesel experienced a steeper surge, jumping to N1,800 per litre on Monday, up from N1,600 per litre just days earlier.

The market shock follows an announcement from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery raising its diesel gantry price from N1,670 to N1,750 per litre-an N80-per-litre increase taking effect on September 1.

The refinery also reviewed petrol pump prices three times in August within eight days, linking it to crude procurement costs and the time between purchasing crude and processing it into finished products.

The latest increase in diesel price has prompted several Lagos depot operators to suspend diesel sales as the market responds to the new wholesale price.

Some of the petrol stations in Lagos and some parts in Ogun State have adjusted their pump to reflect the new prices.

One of the motorists, Chidilim Jackson, said he was surprise that the petrol he bought at N2, 600 per litre has become N1, 300 per litre.

The price adjustment quickly reverberated across the Lagos depot market, where diesel was selling at an average of about A1,700 per litre before the refinery announced the new rate.

A source said that operators have been reassessing their selling prices and replacement costs in response to the higher refinery benchmark.

The development means Dangote’s new gantry price is now #50 per litre above the prevailing average depot price in Lagos, putting pressure on depot operators to review their rates if they are to replenish stocks at the new wholesale cost.

In a customer communication issued on Monday, Dangote Refinery announced the revised AGO price and directed customers to return all Authority to Collect (ATC) documents for repricing.

The refinery said new volume contracts would subsequently be issued to enable loading to resume at the revised price.

The immediate response from depot operators underscores the speed at which changes in refinery-level pricing can influence wholesale diesel transactions.

Meanwhile, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has threatened to restrict sales of petrol to major marketers that continue to import petrol into Nigeria, amid concerns over product quality, market transparency and the integrity of products supplied under its brand.

According to the statement by the company on Sunday, the proposed measure, which could take effect as early as this week, subject to further consultations and any last-minute intervention, reflects growing concerns over the continued entry of imported PMS into a market where substantial domestic refining capacity is now available.

Sources familiar with the refinery’s position said the immediate concern related to the fact that some marketers are blending substandard imported PMS with products purchased from Dangote Refinery before distributing the blended product to the market.

The refinery, the source said expressed concerned that such practices could make it difficult to distinguish between products supplied directly by the refinery and products subsequently blended or handled by third parties.

‘It is difficult to understand why we would invest heavily in producing high-quality petroleum products for Nigerians, only for those products to be mixed with imported products of uncertain quality and the resulting product to be associated with the refinery,’ a source familiar with the refinery’s position said.

The refinery has also raised concerns about the lack of a standard laboratory by the regulator and quality control infrastructure for imported petroleum products, particularly the capacity to independently verify and certify the specifications of products entering the Nigerian market.

The concerns come as Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector undergoes a structural transition from longstanding import dependence towards greater domestic refining.

With a capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, Dangote Petroleum Refinery said it has emerged as a major supplier of refined petroleum products to both the Nigerian and international markets, supplying products that meet internationally recognised quality specifications.

The United States Energy Information Administration recently identified the Dangote refinery as a major factor behind the sharp increase in Nigeria’s seaborne petroleum product exports.

Nigeria’s seaborne petroleum product shipments averaged 561,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of 2026, compared with an annual average of 79,000 barrels per day in 2023.

Meanwhile, the price of petrol has increased to N1,350 per litre in Kaduna.

A fuel attendant in one of the filling stations (AA Rano) who craved anonymity told the Nigerian Tribune that the pump price was N1,290 last week, noting that a directive came on Saturday to adjust the meter.

However, a motorist condemned the increment because according to him, apart from the crisis between Iran and United States, he blamed the federal government over it’s inability to restore order in the petroleum industry.

He lamented that:

‘there are many vessels in water uploading the petroleum products across the country but the marketers are just wicked and the government don’t care about our plight. We will continue to pray to Allah to intervene.

Also, Petrol price has gone up to N1,300 per litre at some filling stations in Akure, the Ondo State capital, as motorists grappled with another round of price adjustment.

Checks in the metropolis on Monday showed that petrol, which sold for about N1,250 per litre at some stations in the morning, was being dispensed at N1,300 per litre at MRS filling station in the evening.

The development sparked concerns among motorists and commercial transport operators, who expressed worry that the latest increase could further push up transportation fares and the prices of goods and services.

In Abuja, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), on Monday, sold petrol at N1,345 per litre from N1,270, it previously sold, with an increase of N75 as petrol sells between N1300 and N1,370 in the nation’s capital.

The national oil company’s retail stations in Wuse, Berger, Zone 1 and those along the ever busy Zuba-Kubwa Expressway visited by Nigerian Tribune on Monday evening, have adjusted their pumps to the new price.

However, ( independent marketers such as Shema, Zamson, AYM Shafa and others were selling between N1350 and N1,370.

Meanwhile, Dangote partner, MRS was selling between N1,300 and N1310 per litre in New Nyanya in Mararaba and AYA inside Abuja respectively.

Petrol sold between N1, 280 to N1,380 in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Apart from the major stations, there are others who increased their pump price to N1,400 while few others closed their stations.

The price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, In Kano the price ranges between N1,650 and N1,800 per litre across filling stations, while some sold between N1,650 and N1,750 per litre.

Other stations visited sold petrol between N1,700 and N1,730 per litre, while black-market sellers offered four litres for about N6,800, equivalent to N1,700 per litre.