Category: Nigerian Tribune

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has appointed grassroots politician and legal practitioner, Asiwaju (Barrister) Yemi Aderibigbe, as the Director-General of his campaign council.

The appointment was announced in a statement personally signed by Senator Alli and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday.

According to Alli, Aderibigbe’s appointment was informed by his sterling reputation as a selfless political leader with a long-standing record of people-centred leadership and grassroots mobilisation.

The APC governorship candidate described Aderibigbe as a politician who has remained firmly connected to the grassroots since serving as Chairman of Akinyele Local Government Area, noting that his commitment to the welfare of ordinary people has remained unwavering.

Alli, who currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate, urged the new campaign Director-General to deploy his vast experience, proven leadership credentials, and deep understanding of Oyo State politics in coordinating the party’s campaign activities.

‘Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe is one of the pillars of progressive politics in our dear state. He has made immense contributions to the political, social, and economic development of Oyo State.

‘He is a loyal party leader and bridge-builder whose unwavering commitment to party development and the mentoring of younger politicians remain exemplary.

‘We have chosen him to lead, organise, and mobilise members of our great party and the people of the state to work for the success of the APC at the polls.

‘As an experienced administrator with an impeccable record of public service and a committed progressive, I am confident Aderibigbe’s leadership qualities will strengthen our party’s campaign.

‘As a team player, I have no doubt that he will excel in this assignment by effectively coordinating the campaign council alongside other distinguished leaders and members of our great party,’ Alli said.

Aderibigbe previously served as Chairman of Akinyele Local Government Area and later as Special Adviser on Transport during the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Nathan Thomas, an 18-year-old American academic, has made history after being recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s youngest male professor.

Here are five quick facts about his remarkable achievement:

1. He is the world’s youngest male professor

Nathan Thomas was officially recognised by Guinness World Records on July 27, 2026, as the youngest male professor after joining the faculty of Miami Dade College at the age of 18 years and 346 days.

2. He broke a 306-year-old record

Thomas surpassed the long-standing record held by Colin Maclaurin, who became a professor at Marischal College in Aberdeen, Scotland, at the age of 19 in 1717. Maclaurin’s record had stood for more than three centuries.

3. He began college at just 10 years old

Thomas started his academic journey unusually early, enrolling at Miami Dade College as a dual-enrolled student at the age of 10. At 14, he transferred to Florida International University to continue his studies.

4. He earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees before turning 19

By the age of 18, Thomas had completed both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, graduating with honours in both programmes-an achievement far ahead of the typical academic timeline.

5. He also surpassed the youngest female professor’s record

Thomas’s appointment came 16 days earlier than the age at which Alia Sabur became the world’s youngest female professor in 2008. Sabur was 18 years and 362 days old when she set her record.

In addition to teaching, Thomas is already involved in academic research. He is listed as a co-author on a research project at Miami Dade College’s Kendall Campus, highlighting his contributions to engineering research alongside his faculty responsibilities.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has described his appointment as ‘a call to service’, saying the responsibility of managing Nigeria’s electoral process requires commitment, integrity and impartiality.

He spoke when the President-General of the Okun Development Association (ODA), Amb. Akenson Rotimi, led a delegation of the association on a courtesy visit to him at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

He thanked the Okun community for its prayers and encouragement, saying they had remained a source of strength throughout his national assignment.

Prof. Amupitan also acknowledged the challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation in the digital age, stressing that INEC remains committed to discharging its constitutional mandate professionally and in accordance with the law.

Prof. Amupitan expressed appreciation to the association for the visit and their unwavering support since his appointment.

He explained that the demands of his office had prevented him from receiving the delegation earlier, noting that he had not visited his hometown since assuming office because of the enormous responsibilities of leading the nation’s electoral body.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Amb. Rotimi congratulated Prof. Amupitan on his appointment as INEC Chairman, describing it as a well-deserved recognition of his integrity, competence and distinguished record of service.

He said the appointment had brought pride to the Okun people, whom he described as a community renowned for producing men and women of exceptional character and excellence.

He commended the Chairman on his appointment to the nation’s top electoral office and assured him of the continued prayers and support of the Okun people as he leads the Commission in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

Facts have emerged on the attack on the Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to the Governor of Delta State, Mr Simon Temple Mudi, at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, where the Delta Central stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress took place on Sunday.

Nigerian Tribune reports that the attack on the governor’s aide and the violence that followed did not take place at the conference hall of the institute, venue of the meeting, but at another location within the expansive PTI complex.

The attack, it was gathered, may not be unconnected with unresolved issues, as aggrieved persons hurled stones, chairs and available objects at him, but he managed to escape with injuries.

Meanwhile, the state government has strongly condemned the violent attack.

According to the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, in a statement on Tuesday, ‘the state government was deeply disturbed by videos of the incident circulating on social media and other online platforms.’

Aniagwu, however, noted that the reported acts of violence that occurred, particularly the gruesome attack on Simon Mudi, were unacceptable.

While maintaining that such unruly behaviour would not be tolerated in the state, he said the government has directed security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the violence.

Aniagwu reaffirmed the Governor Oborevwori administration’s commitment to maintaining peace, law and order, adding that the government would not condone acts of violence regardless of the status or identity of those involved.

On its part, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has debunked media reports that the stakeholders’ meeting was characterised by violence.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the state Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, the party rejected a newspaper’s (not Nigerian Tribune) report titled ‘Violence Rocks Delta APC Leaders’ Meeting,’ insisting that the stakeholders’ meeting was peaceful and concluded without any disruption.

The APC maintained that the meeting was well attended by party leaders and stakeholders and was broadcast live by television stations, arguing that the proceedings were open to public scrutiny and could easily be verified.

The party further contended that the video reportedly relied upon by the newspaper did not originate from the conference hall where the meeting took place but from another location within the expansive PTI complex.

‘It is misleading and irresponsible to associate those unrelated scenes with the APC stakeholders’ meeting,’ the statement said, adding that such reporting fell short of the ethical standards expected of a reputable media organisation.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has declared that Nigeria’s education reforms can only succeed through stronger collaboration between the Federal and State Governments and a deliberate shift to data-driven decision-making, insisting that education remains the country’s most strategic investment for economic growth, national security and sustainable development.

Alausa made the declaration while opening the five-day Executive Retreat for the Commissioners of Education, organised by the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education (COSCEN), where he also urged states to meet the requirements needed to access the World Bank-supported US$552 million HOPE Education Programme.

The Minister said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed education at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda by providing the political leadership and support required to implement bold reforms capable of transforming the nation’s education sector.

According to him, while the Federal Government provides policy direction and strategic interventions, the responsibility for delivering quality education rests largely with state governments, making closer collaboration essential for achieving lasting reforms.

He commended COSCEN, under the leadership of its Chairman, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, for convening the retreat, describing it as a timely platform for strengthening strategic leadership, encouraging peer learning and deepening cooperation among education stakeholders across the federation.

The Minister, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Mr Ikharo Attah, identified the transition from assumption-based planning to evidence-based governance as one of the most significant reforms currently underway in the education sector.

He announced the deployment of the National Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI) and the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS), explaining that the integrated digital platforms would provide real-time information on learner enrolment, teacher deployment, school infrastructure, learning outcomes and other key indicators required for effective planning, budgeting, monitoring and resource allocation.

The Minister explained that the new digital ecosystem would integrate education data from schools, local governments, states and federal institutions into a single interoperable platform, thereby improving accountability, transparency and service delivery across the sector.

He urged all states to complete their Annual School Census using the digitised platform, while commending Kaduna and Borno States for their progress and encouraging other states to accelerate implementation.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Education has already deployed digital dashboards and smart boards to support evidence-based planning, with the National Bureau of Statistics providing analytical support to strengthen education planning nationwide.

Alausa also called on Commissioners of Education to take full advantage of the World Bank-supported HOPE Education Programme, which provides US$552 million in performance-based financing to eligible states.

He noted that although all 36 states qualify to benefit from the programme, several have yet to complete critical requirements, including signing Subsidiary Loan Agreements (SLAs), opening designated programme accounts and fulfilling mandatory data reporting obligations.

The Minister urged states to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education and the World Bank to meet the Programme-for-Results conditions and unlock additional resources to improve access to education, learning outcomes and education governance.

To sustain the ongoing reforms, Alausa proposed that the Council of State Commissioners of Education institutionalise quarterly review meetings to promote peer learning, monitor implementation progress, share best practices and strengthen collective accountability.

Highlighting priorities under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), he disclosed that the Federal Government is expanding access to affordable digital learning technologies, including offline instructional platforms, comprehensive digital learning resources from Primary One to Senior Secondary School and teacher support tools aimed at improving classroom instruction.

The Minister, however, cautioned against investing exclusively in expensive smart school infrastructure without adequate provisions for maintenance and sustainability, stressing that quality instructional materials, effective teacher support and conducive learning environments remain the most important drivers of improved learning outcomes.

He reaffirmed that education is a shared national responsibility that transcends political affiliations and urged stakeholders to institutionalise reliable education data, strengthen accountability, invest in human capital and sustain collaborative reforms capable of delivering measurable improvements in learning outcomes.

Declaring the retreat open, Alausa challenged Commissioners to embrace evidence over assumptions, collaboration over isolation and continuity over fragmented reforms, maintaining that Nigeria’s future prosperity and global competitiveness would depend largely on the quality of education provided to today’s learners.

Delivering the keynote address titled ‘Beyond the Tenure of Commissioners: Sustaining Education Reforms in the Era of Digital Disruption,’ former Minister of Aviation and Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, Mr Osita Chidoka, urged Commissioners to build reforms that outlive political administrations.

He argued that sustainable improvements in education require policy continuity, reliable data, stronger teacher development, accountability and consistent investment in learning outcomes rather than short-term interventions.

Also speaking, the World Bank’s Senior Economist and Task Team Leader for the HOPE Education Programme, Mr Shin Nomura, who represented the Country Director, Mr Matthew Verghis, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s education reform agenda.

Nomura disclosed that the HOPE Education Programme became effective in March 2026 and is designed to strengthen education governance, financing, teacher development, learning outcomes and data systems through a performance-based financing model.

He encouraged all states to complete the necessary preparatory requirements to enable timely access to the programme’s funding.

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), on Monday recounted how he facilitated the increase in the salaries of Nigerian soldiers from N49,000 to N100,000 during his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff, revealing that fresh efforts are underway to secure another pay raise for troops.

Speaking on Monday at a one-day training and financial empowerment programme for widows and wives of military personnel at Lungi Barracks in Abuja, Musa said the salary adjustment was part of efforts to improve the welfare of troops who continue to risk their lives in service to the nation.

Reflecting on the review, the minister said he initiated the process about two years ago while serving as Chief of Defence Staff.

‘When I was Chief of Defence, the soldiers were collecting N49,000. I made an effort two years ago for it to be increased to N100,000, and that was achieved,’ Musa said.

Musa disclosed that the government is not stopping there, revealing that discussions are ongoing with President Bola Tinubu on the possibility of another salary increase for military personnel.

According to him, the President understands the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces and is committed to ensuring they receive better financial rewards for their service.

‘We are, however, still making more efforts for it to be increased further. And we know our President is a father, a listening father, who will make sure that our troops are collecting good money because they are sacrificing so much.

‘So, for all of us here, I’m sure very soon, Mr. President is going to announce an increase in salaries for our men,’ he added.

Beyond salary improvements, the Defence Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the families of military personnel.

He explained that the empowerment programme was designed to help widows and wives of service members acquire practical skills and build sustainable businesses, thereby improving their financial stability.

Musa noted that strengthening the economic well-being of military families would allow serving personnel to concentrate on their operational responsibilities without unnecessary distractions while also contributing to broader economic growth.

No fewer than 15 people have been killed by suspected herdsmen in an early-hour attack on the Efeyi community in Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to a local who identified himself as Okpe, who told newsmen in a telephone conversation that the attackers stormed the community around 5 am on Tuesday and shot sporadically.

He said, ‘The current situation in Efeyi Ugboju is pathetic. An attack that started since 5am this (Tuesday) morning till around 7 am; there was no response from security agents.

‘The attackers are herdsmen; they were shooting sporadically when they came into our community, as am talking to you now, 15 corpses have been recovered, while a search is ongoing because some people are still missing.

The chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, who confirmed the attack, said that 14 dead bodies had been recovered while several people had sustained injuries.

Ogiri said that the attack was unprovoked, and he identified the attackers to be herdsmen.

‘Yes, there was an attack on Efeyi in Ogboju district, Otukpo LGA; 14 dead bodies have been recovered, many wounded.

‘There was no provocation at all; the attack was carried out by the same herdsmen. I think they just came to shed blood and kill people. Our people are afraid. There is a great apprehension; people from neighbouring communities are fleeing,’ Ogiri said.

Speaking on the presence of security personnel in the council, Ogiri said, ‘There are many security agencies, including Mopol, Agro-rangers, military, and police, but I do not know if they are not enough.’

He suggested that the government should try to enforce the anti-open grazing law of the state, stating that everything is tied to it. ‘Even the eviction notice given cannot hold because there is nobody to enforce it, and so, we will continue to lament.

‘Mine is to give them (security agents) a comfortable place to stay and other logistics, but I don’t determine their operation,’ he added.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said she would respond when she gets the report.

She said, ‘I’ll respond to this when I get the report and details, please.’

Otukpo Nobi, a community in Otukpo LGA, was attacked about three weeks ago, with eight people reportedly killed by suspected herdsmen.

Florence Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy and daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola, and Afrobeats star Rema have sparked dating speculation after sharing photos from a dinner outing in London.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that DJ Cuppy shared the photos on her verified X page on Monday describing the meeting as a ‘cheeky London link up’.

The photos showed the pair seated together at a London restaurant, smiling and posing for the camera during the outing.

The post reads, ‘Cheeky London link up with @heisrema before life gets busy again. Dinner on him…he makes more money than me’.

Their appearance together in London has continued to generate widespread discussion among fans, with many speculating that the two entertainers may be romantically involved.

Neither DJ Cuppy nor Rema described the outing as a date or commented on the nature of their relationship beyond the social media post.

NAN reports that the development has continued to attract reactions from netizens , with many describing the pair as an unexpected combination, while others cautioned against drawing conclusions from a public appearance.

Some social media users also revisited Rema’s 2023 song ‘Charm’, particularly the lyric, ‘I know you senior me, I get money pass your papa’, with some speculating that it could have referred to businessman Femi Otedola.

However, the singer has never publicly identified anyone as the subject of the lyric.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has launched what appears to be its strongest political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election, urging Nigerian workers to unite and actively shape the outcome of the presidential poll, rather than remain ‘mere objects of political manipulation.’

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 NLC Rain School, at the Workers Solidarity Centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, declared that the nation’s workforce possesses the collective strength to influence the country’s political direction if it remains united and organised.

He said the theme of this year’s Rain School, ‘The Working Class and the Politics of 2027,’ was deliberately chosen to prepare workers for a more active role in determining Nigeria’s future.

‘If we make up our minds and act unitedly, we will be in a position to define outcomes in the 2027 general elections,’ Ajaero said.

He stressed that workers would no longer accept being reduced to passive spectators in the nation’s political process, insisting that they remain the true producers of the country’s wealth and deserve a decisive voice in governance.

‘The theme of this year’s school is deliberately chosen and profoundly strategic. It is a direct challenge to the political and economic establishment in this country. It declares that we, the producers of the nation’s wealth, refuse to be passive observers in the political process. We are the engine of the economy, the hands that build this nation, and we will not be treated as mere objects of political manipulation,’ he said.

The labour leader challenged workers not to underestimate their influence, despite the prevailing economic hardship, poor wages and rising cost of living.

‘We want to tell you the most important truth you will hear today; you are not insignificant. You are the lifeblood of this nation. You are the critical force that can force change,’ he said.

‘The industrial and political power of a nation does not reside in its treasury or its political party offices; it resides in the palms of your hands and in the collective strength of your solidarity.’

Addressing union organisers, Ajaero said they possess enormous economic and political leverage capable of influencing national affairs.

‘Do you know that you can contract or expand the national economy with a single decisive action? This cannot happen if you do not realise the immense power resident in you and use it to mobilise at all levels of the trade union movement for a positive change in our nation,’ he said.

He also charged labour leaders and gender activists to intensify mobilisation within their unions ahead of the 2027 elections, urging them to promote greater participation of women in elective positions and provide courageous leadership throughout the electoral process.

‘It is the duty of every leader here to guide our unions with courage and foresight. We ask, are you prepared to provide leadership as we move into the 2027 general elections or do you believe that we do not have any role to play? Of course, we do.’

Ajaero maintained that workers were not seeking political favours but demanding accountable leadership.

‘We are not supplicants begging for favours. We are the sovereign power from which all legitimate authority must derive. Our duty is to compel the politicians to work for the benefit of the greater majority, not just a privileged minority.’

He said the struggle for political change must go hand in hand with the fight for improved workers’ welfare, announcing that organised labour was already preparing for negotiations on a new national minimum wage.

‘The battle for a living wage will soon begin in earnest. The paltry sum that currently passes for a wage can no longer be sustainable. It is a poverty wage.

‘We must not go to the negotiation table with a begging bowl. We must demand a wage that can truly approximate a living wage; one that enables workers to feed, shelter, educate and provide for their families with dignity.’

The NLC president further lamented that Nigeria remains among the countries with the worst records on workers’ rights, accusing authorities of delaying the transmission of long-awaited tripartite-reviewed labour law reforms to the National Assembly.

He described the six-year delay as unacceptable and urged workers, lawmakers, civil society organisations and the media to intensify pressure on the Federal Government to ensure the reforms become law.

Ajaero also blamed corruption and what he described as ‘kleptocracy’ for Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, insisting that the country’s resources were being diverted for the benefit of a privileged few while ordinary workers continue to bear the burden of hardship.

‘Nigeria is not broke; the political class is saving it in their bank accounts. The only thing missing is not the money. It is our collective anger,’ he declared.

He urged participants to return to their states as agents of change, saying the Rain School should serve as a launching pad for greater worker mobilisation ahead of the challenges that lie ahead.

‘Be brave. Be bold. Be committed. Be united. Go back to your workplaces and your states not as a defeated class, but as the vanguard of a new Nigeria. Organise, mobilise and prepare for the struggles ahead. Nigeria is ours and it needs all of us.’

Nigerian media personality, Nedu Wazobia has claimed that Abuja is the centre of Nigeria’s sugar mummy industry.

Speaking during a conversation with content creator, Ludahydrate, Nedu said the Federal Capital Territory has the highest concentration of sugar mummy relationships in the country.

‘The Sugar Mummy industry is one of the biggest industries in Nigeria. The headquarters as far as I am concerned is here in Abuja,’ he stated.

Ludahydrate supported the claim, arguing that the trend is linked to the presence of Northern politicians and political appointees in the city.

According to him, some wealthy divorced women who received assets as part of divorce settlements may choose to have younger partners instead of remarrying.

‘Why is a lot in Abuja is because Northern men are here and they have more wives. You will see one minister wey get like nine wives. Inside that nine e fit just divorce three when he divorce that three now, maybe e fit just give one an estate and give another one a supermarket as settlement.

‘Imagine a woman wey get a supermarket and maybe she get another water company. She has kids but doesn’t have any man in her life. That kind of woman might not want to get married again. She will prefer to just have a Sugar Boy’, Ludahydrate stated.