Category: PM News

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate development of a five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan and a comprehensive National Threat Assessment to give Nigeria a unified response to its evolving security challenges.

The directive was issued on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja, with the President stressing the need for tighter coordination among the military, intelligence and other security agencies.

Tinubu appointed his Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa, to coordinate and provide secretariat support for an 11-member committee responsible for producing the strategic documents.

The committee comprises the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa; Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Muhammad Matawalle; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.

Also serving on the committee are the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Ajayi, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed.

Tinubu said the framework would establish a common assessment of the threats confronting the country, define operational objectives and identify the capabilities required to tackle them.

He cited recent security successes, including the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as evidence of what could be achieved through effective coordination.

‘The operation demonstrated what can be achieved when our agencies work together with a clear objective and the necessary intelligence,’ the President said.

He noted that security requirements were often addressed individually without sufficient reference to a shared national threat assessment or a unified medium-term strategy.

According to Tinubu, this approach complicates coordination and can result in inefficient deployment of resources.

The National Threat Assessment will identify Nigeria’s principal security threats, rank them according to urgency and establish operational objectives for addressing them.

The five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan will then translate those findings into specific priorities, including the forces and capabilities required in different theatres, existing gaps, equipment and logistical needs, and a timetable for implementation.

The committee may consult or co-opt officials from other ministries, departments and agencies where necessary.

Tinubu directed the committee to begin work immediately and submit both documents for his consideration and approval within 90 days.

Once approved, the Strategic Defence Operations Plan will become the principal framework for coordinating military and defence operations over the medium term.

It will also provide the basis for a corresponding multi-year defence expenditure and procurement plan, with resources aligned to clearly established operational priorities and national security requirements.

The President directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser to take all necessary steps to implement the directive without delay.

The Hope Alive Initiative (HAI), an organization committed to promoting good governance and civic engagement, has unveiled the first phase of its grassroots campaign in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 presidential election.

This was announced in a statement on Wednesday signed by HAI Director of Press and Communications, Ernest Omoarelojie.

According to the statement, the initiative, which coincided with the commencement of the 2027 election campaign season, will combine street-level mobilisation with traditional and digital media platforms, including human mascots, a city-wide SMS campaign, a weekly Pidgin-language radio programme and an original campaign jingle.

HAI said its support for Tinubu’s re-election was anchored on the administration’s ‘bold reforms and initiatives’ which, according to the organisation, are laying the foundation for Nigeria’s long-term economic and institutional development.

The group cited reforms in the petroleum sector, which it said had helped end perennial fuel scarcity and encouraged the expansion of private refineries; greater stability in the foreign exchange market; increased government revenue and foreign reserves; efforts to strengthen Local Government autonomy; police and internal security reforms; the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND); tax reforms; and extensive road infrastructure projects in the Federal Capital Territory and across the country.

‘While these reforms have come with short-term challenges, we believe they are difficult but necessary steps towards a more sustainable, prosperous and better governed Nigeria,’ HAI said.

According to the organisation, the campaign’s opening phase will feature four major initiatives that deliver the message directly to citizens and expand its reach across different segments of the population.

As part of its opening-day activation on August 19, HAI will deploy approximately 40 colourfully dressed human mascots at strategic, high-traffic locations across Abuja.

The mascots will be stationed at selected major roundabouts, markets, motor parks and busy intersections, carrying banners with messages supporting President Tinubu’s bid for a second term, alongside HAI’s name, logo and web address.

HAI said the street-level activation was designed to create a highly visible public presence and complement its broader media and mobilisation campaign.

The initiative, it added, would take the campaign beyond conventional political advertising by bringing its message directly into public spaces where residents live, work and conduct their daily activities.

HAI will also commence a city-wide SMS mobilisation campaign as part of its grassroots strategy.

The campaign will use mobile communication to disseminate its messages to residents across Abuja, marking the beginning of what the organisation described as a sustained digital mobilisation programme leading to the 2027 election.

The SMS initiative is expected to expand progressively as the electoral cycle advances, complementing the organisation’s physical activations and media engagements.

Another major component is ‘Wetin Tinubu Don Do Sef,’ a weekly Pidgin-language radio programme that explains government policies, programmes and projects in a simple, accessible manner.

The programme will adopt a conversational format, with each episode focusing on a specific policy area, examining its implications and explaining how citizens may benefit from relevant government initiatives.

It will feature a host and regular guest or co-host, with expert perspectives, citizen voices and practical examples incorporated where appropriate.

HAI said the programme would be syndicated across selected radio stations nationwide to broaden its reach and make its messages accessible to Nigerians across different social and linguistic backgrounds.

The initiative will also feature an original campaign jingle professionally produced to reinforce the campaign’s identity and messaging.

Drawing inspiration from the tradition of memorable Nigerian political campaign anthems, including the widely remembered Hope ’93 campaign associated with the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the jingle will communicate the themes of the 2027 campaign through an engaging musical format.

It will be deployed across radio and other appropriate platforms, with emphasis on prime-time programming to maximise audience reach and recall.

According to HAI, the four initiatives constituted only the first phase of a broader campaign that would combine grassroots mobilisation, traditional media, digital communication and public engagement.

Subsequent phases, it said, would focus on increasing public awareness of the administration’s policies, programmes and projects across critical sectors, including the economy, education, security, infrastructure and other areas of national development.

The organisation said particular attention would be given to initiatives such as NELFUND, economic reforms, security sector interventions, road infrastructure and other programmes which it believes deserve greater public awareness and informed public discussion.

HAI said the August 19 activation would mark the beginning of an intensive and sustained grassroots campaign aimed at establishing a strong public presence from the outset of the 2027 electoral cycle.

The Federal Government on Wednesday urged Nigerians to dial 112 during emergencies requiring urgent medical assistance, while releasing state emergency call centre numbers.

The National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), in an update on Wednesday, said 112 serves as a central contact for emergency medical assistance.

It said several states also had dedicated emergency call centre numbers to support faster responses to medical emergencies.

According to NEMSAS, the emergency response system provides fast response, professional care and life-saving services, with first responders available 24 hours daily.

The agency released emergency call centre numbers covering 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with most states using 112 alongside dedicated numbers.

For Abia, the listed emergency numbers are 112 and 08000000800, while Adamawa residents can call 112, 1755 or 07011111443.

Akwa Ibom residents can call 112, 08000022322 or 08000022422, while Anambra residents can use 112, 5111, 0800 220 0008 or 112.

For Bauchi, the listed numbers are 112 and 07038636433, while Bayelsa residents can call 112 or 0800 220 0223.

NEMSAS listed Benue’s emergency call centre as ‘Not Operational,’ while Borno residents can call 112 or 08000000033.

Cross River has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Delta residents can call 112, 07041008130 or 07041008131.

For Ebonyi, the listed numbers are 112, 08086446891 and 08086445736, while Edo residents can call 112, 739 or 09037999871.

Ekiti residents can call 112, 08000606606, 08111111-22, -33, -44 or -55, while Enugu residents can use 112, 09074996090 or 07066466429.

Gombe residents can call 112 or 07033825646, while NEMSAS listed Imo’s emergency call centre as ‘Not Operational.’

Jigawa has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Kaduna residents can call 112 or 08064111599.

For Kano, the listed numbers are 112, 09019999920 and 09049999914, while Katsina and Kebbi each have 112 listed.

Kogi also has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Kwara residents can call 112, 09062010001 or 09062010002.

Lagos residents can call 112 or 767, while Nasarawa residents can use 112 or 08144911269 for emergency assistance.

For Niger, the listed numbers are 112, 0802 242 2953 and 0815 557 7513, while Osun residents can call 112, 08111110532 or 08111110561.

Ogun residents can call 112 or 08112000033, while Ondo residents can use 112 or 08055300300.

For Oyo, the listed emergency numbers are 112 and 615, while Plateau residents can call 112 or 09136982496.

Rivers residents can call 112, 09040222281, 09040222283 or 09040222285, while Sokoto residents can use 112, 07045963318 or 07071765080.

For Taraba, the listed numbers are 112, 07041122777 and 07041100777, while Yobe residents can call 112, 09169981792 or 08000090009.

Zamfara has 112 as its listed emergency number, while residents of the FCT can call 112, 09157892931 or 09157892932.

NEMSAS advised members of the public to save the emergency numbers and use them whenever urgent medical assistance was required.

The agency said its first responders were ready to provide quick response and professional care to help save lives during emergencies.

It urged Nigerians to dial 112 during emergencies, describing the service as available 24 hours daily, seven days weekly.

The Federal Government spent N9.39 trillion on wage adjustments, minimum wage increases and other allowances for public sector workers, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele has disclosed.

The disclosure comes as the Federal Government prepares for fresh negotiations with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) next year over a new minimum wage for civil servants.

Speaking during a briefing, the minister said the government had mobilised N20.4 trillion in additional resources during the period under review through savings from fuel subsidy reforms, increased independent revenue and additional borrowing.

He explained, however, that the funds were quickly absorbed by rising government expenditure and were not retained as surplus resources.

According to him, the Federal Government’s incremental expenditure during the period stood at N30.64 trillion, significantly exceeding the additional resources generated.

Oyedele said personnel-related expenses accounted for N9.39 trillion of the spending, covering wage adjustments, increases in the national minimum wage and various allowances paid to public workers.

He stressed that the amount spent on higher wages exceeded the savings the Federal Government realised from the removal of the fuel subsidy.

‘The incremental amount that the Federal Government spends paying higher wages is more than the entire savings that the Federal Government earned from subsidy removal,’ he said.

The minister’s disclosure highlights the growing pressure that personnel costs are placing on government finances as workers’ earnings rise amid the country’s broader economic reforms.

Oyedele also revealed that N9.37 trillion was spent on servicing the government’s external debt during the period.

He attributed the sharp increase in the naira cost of debt servicing largely to the depreciation of the currency, noting that dollar-denominated obligations become significantly more expensive when converted into naira.

Using an illustration, he said a $1 billion debt obligation that previously cost about N460 billion to service would require roughly N1.415 trillion at the exchange rate of N1,415 to the dollar.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, effective August 27, 2026.

Enitan succeeds Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is due to retire from the Federal Civil Service upon attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.

The new Head of Service, who hails from Osun State, is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.

He has served as a Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months, with postings to the Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President. He currently serves as Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education.

According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Enitan brings extensive institutional experience and a deep understanding of the workings of the Federal Civil Service to the new position.

President Tinubu expressed appreciation to Walson-Jack for her service to the country, particularly the reforms, innovations and other developments recorded in the Civil Service during her tenure.

The President also wished her a fulfilling post-retirement life and commended her years of dedicated public service.

Tinubu charged Enitan to consolidate ongoing reforms and innovations in the Civil Service while strengthening professionalism, efficiency and accountability across government ministries, departments and agencies.

He further urged the incoming Head of Service to build a merit-driven, innovative and responsive Civil Service capable of effectively delivering the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and meeting the needs of Nigerians.

Born on December 12, 1966, Enitan began his education at Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, and later attended the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife.

He proceeded to the University of Lagos, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking in 1988.

In 2015, he earned a Master of Science degree in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

The appointment takes effect on August 27, when Walson-Jack formally retires from service.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the commitment of federal government to strengthening security and information environment needed to ensure peaceful, credible and transparent elections in the 2027.

Idris stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the 8th Public Lecture, Impact Series and Awards of Excellence organised by Blueprint Newspapers Limited, with the theme, ‘Security Challenges and Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections.’

Rabiu Ibrahim, the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister quoted him as saying that the integrity of elections was shaped not only on election day but also by the prevailing security environment, the credibility of institutions, the conduct of political actors, the professionalism of the media and the quality of information available to citizens.

‘For the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the security and welfare of Nigerians remain fundamental responsibilities of government,’ Idris said.

He assured that the Federal Government would continue to mobilise the resources, personnel and technology required to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other threats to the safety of Nigerians.

The Minister also raised concerns over the growing threat posed by misinformation and disinformation, particularly amid the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which he said had made it increasingly possible to create convincing but fabricated audio, video and images.

‘Democracy cannot thrive where citizens are deliberately misled,’ Idris said.

He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in partnership with UNESCO and other stakeholders, had established the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) in Abuja to strengthen media and information literacy.

The Minister said efforts to protect the integrity of the electoral process must therefore extend beyond physical security to include measures that safeguard the information environment and public confidence in democratic institutions.

Idris commended Blueprint Newspapers for sustaining the annual platform, describing it as an important avenue for policymakers, professionals, academics, the media and other stakeholders to engage on issues of national importance.

Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director/CEO of Blueprint Newspapers Limited, Salisu Umar, said the annual lecture, which began in 2018, was established to provide a platform for discussing issues of national interest beyond the traditional newspaper space.

He added that the platform also recognises Nigerians who had demonstrated exemplary leadership and impact.

The Chairman of the Occasion, former Governor of Zamfara State and Senator representing Zamfara West Senatorial District, Senator Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar, said insecurity should not be treated as the sole responsibility of security agencies.

Senator Yari stressed that political leaders, communities, citizens and other stakeholders must play their part in addressing insecurity.

Drawing from his experience in government, he said the challenge of insecurity had persisted across successive administrations and electoral cycles, warning against politicising the issue.

‘The issue of insecurity is not something to be traded with for the purpose of winning the hearts of the citizens,’ Senator Yari said, urging Nigerians to collectively confront the challenge and work towards making the country safer for present and future generations.

The Guest Speaker, Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), who was represented by Major General O.T. Akinjobi, said the changing security environment required a broader approach to election security ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

He explained that election security could no longer be limited to protecting polling units and electoral materials, as emerging threats now include cyber interference, misinformation, disinformation and attempts to undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.

‘Election security can no longer be viewed simply as protecting polling stations. It is fundamentally the protection of democratic legitimacy,’ he said.

General Musa called for intelligence-led security planning, stronger cybersecurity, inter-agency coordination, strategic communication and greater citizen participation to safeguard the 2027 electoral process.

The information minister congratulated Blueprint Newspapers, the speakers and recipients of the Awards of Excellence, expressed optimism that Nigeria’s democratic institutions would continue to grow stronger, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to peace, stability, national unity and sustainable development.

Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu has appealed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to call his supporters to order amid growing tensions between opposition camps ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Yesufu accused supporters of Atiku, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, of launching sustained social media attacks against supporters of Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, candidate Peter Obi.

She made the allegation in a post on her verified X account on Tuesday evening.

‘An appeal to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to call his supporters to order. They have been on a rampage on social media attacking supporters of Mr Peter Obi. I have been one of their targets,’ Yesufu wrote.

She said she expected greater political restraint, particularly because she and Atiku had previously operated within the same political platform.

Yesufu urged opposition supporters to avoid internal hostilities as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.

Her intervention highlights the growing rivalry between supporters of Atiku and Obi despite both camps presenting themselves as alternatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Yesufu argued that opposition figures and their supporters should instead concentrate on their campaign to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

The activist has remained one of Obi’s prominent political supporters and backed his presidential bid during the 2023 election.

The latest exchange comes as opposition parties intensify preparations for 2027, with disagreements over candidates, alliances and electoral strategy increasingly playing out in public and on social media.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has urged candidates and political parties to make their campaigns for 2027 general elections ‘a marketplace of ideas, not a theatre of war’.

Amupitan said this while urging political actors to embrace peaceful campaigns on Tuesday in Abuja during the signing of the Peace Accord by candidates contesting the 2027 general elections.

The accord involved presidential, governorship and National Assembly candidates ahead of public campaigns and rallies scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

Amupitan said Nigerians and the international community expected ‘a process that is credible and a campaign that respects their intelligence’.

He urged political parties to conduct issue-based campaigns in accordance with the Constitution, Electoral Act, party constitutions and published manifestos.

The INEC chairman said the 2027 elections required rigorous intellectual debates focusing on Nigeria’s economic, security and developmental challenges.

‘Nigerians do not want insults; they want solutions,’ Amupitan said, stressing the need for clear and measurable policy proposals.

He said voters wanted to know how political parties intended to drive economic growth, strengthen national security and expand infrastructure.

He also urged candidates to explain their plans for improving healthcare, modernising education and promoting teacher inclusion.

Amupitan particularly challenged presidential candidates and party leaders to lead by example by promoting policy solutions and respecting the rule of law.

He said: ‘Your supporters look to you for cues. If you speak the language of peace, they will act with peace.

‘If you incite them, they will ignite. Tell the voters what you will do for the economy, security and education.’

He urged politicians to explain how they intended to achieve their proposed policies, reiterating his appeal for peaceful and issue-based campaigns.

‘Let the 2027 campaign be a marketplace of ideas, not a theatre of war,’ the INEC chairman said.

Amupitan also warned against digital misinformation, fake news, premature declarations of results and foreign information manipulation capable of triggering public panic.

He urged parties to restrain their digital media teams and spokespersons from weaponising falsehoods during the electioneering period.

According to him, recent data indicates an alarming resurgence of hate speech, toxic polarisation and coordinated misinformation.

He also expressed concern over personally driven political discourse and the increasing shift away from substantive policy engagement.

‘As preparations for the 2027 general election intensify, we are witnessing a disturbing shift from policy-driven engagement,’ he said.

He identified character assassination, identity-based provocation and inflammatory rhetoric as growing threats to peaceful political engagement.

‘If left unchecked, this trend threatens to poison the public square, erode civil trust and ignite avoidable conflict across our societies,’ he warned.

Amupitan urged political parties and candidates to internalise every provision of the signed accord and uphold its commitments throughout the electoral process.

He said doing so would help make the 2027 elections ‘a shining example of African democracy’.

The INEC chairman also stressed the importance of neutrality by state institutions, describing it as the bedrock of credible elections.

Reaffirming INEC’s neutrality, Amupitan declared: ‘INEC has no interest in who wins or loses any election.’

He said the commission was solely committed to ensuring a lawful, transparent, credible and inclusive electoral process.

Amupitan said INEC had spent the past eight months refining its technologies, improving logistics and training personnel ahead of the elections.

He added that the preparations were informed by operational lessons learnt from recent off-cycle elections conducted across the country.

He said: ‘As an electoral umpire, I make an unwavering commitment to you and the people of Nigeria.

‘Our responsibility is to ensure the ballot is protected and the will of the voters is reflected in the final results.’

Amupitan, however, acknowledged that INEC could not deliver a perfect election without the cooperation of other stakeholders.

‘INEC cannot deliver a perfect election alone. An election is a multi-stakeholder venture.

‘We provide the pitch and the referee, but the quality of the game depends on the players,’ the chairman said.

Also speaking, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, cautioned politicians against inflammatory rhetoric, hate speech and disinformation.

Disu also warned against deliberately manipulating ethnic or religious sentiments for political advantage during the 2027 electoral process.

‘A political campaign should be a contest of ideas, policies, programmes and competing visions for the future of our country.

‘It should not be a contest of hatred, intimidation, ethnic mobilisation or violence,’ the I-G said.

Disu, represented by Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Umar Shehu, warned against deploying political thugs.

He said armed groups and criminal elements must not be used to intimidate opponents or disrupt electoral activities.

The I-G warned that acquiring, distributing or illegally using firearms and weapons for political purposes would be treated as a major security threat.

He urged politicians and their supporters to recognise that Nigeria’s interests remained greater than electoral contests.

‘While elections are contested for political leadership, Nigeria itself must remain greater than any election, political party or individual ambition.

‘Political power is temporary, but Nigeria is permanent,’ he added, warning against sacrificing lives for political victories.

‘No political victory is worth the loss of any Nigerian life, no political ambition is worth the destruction of our communities,’ Disu said.

He further warned that no election was worth compromising Nigeria’s peace and national unity.

The I-G reaffirmed the police commitment to providing a peaceful, credible and inclusive environment for the 2027 general elections.

He pledged that the police would remain professional, impartial and strictly guided by the rule of law.

Disu also promised closer collaboration between the police, INEC, military, intelligence agencies and other law enforcement bodies.

He said the collaboration would focus on safeguarding the electoral process and protecting Nigerians throughout the election period.

Senator Adenigba Fadahunsi, OFR, has apologised for the tension caused by remarks he made during his campaign visit to the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III.

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ýFadahunsi, while speaking after the conclusion of the Osun State governorship election, said his visit to the palace was mainly to seek justice and express his pain over the killing of some members of his political party.

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ýHe said it was painful that his emotional appeal was later presented by his critics as a call for violence. The senator maintained that he never called for chaos or violence, describing the criticism against him as unfair.

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ýAccording to him, his words were made at a difficult moment when he was deeply affected by the deaths of party members.

ýFadahunsi also expressed special appreciation to the Owa of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, for the way he handled the situation.

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ýHe praised the monarch for showing wisdom and remaining calm despite claims by some people that his remarks were disrespectful to the traditional institution.

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ýThe senator said the Owa demonstrated the qualities of a true father to all people, regardless of their political party. ýHe said the monarch’s calm and balanced response helped to prevent the situation from becoming worse.

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ýFadahunsi said leaders must learn to place the interest of the people above personal feelings and political differences. He added that the peace of Osun State and Ijesaland is more important than any political victory, defeat or disagreement.

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ý’Because the peace of Osun State and Ijesaland in particular is far more important than any political dispute, victory, or defeat, I sincerely apologise for the tension that resulted from this misunderstanding,’ the senator said.

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ýHe also called on his supporters and other residents of the state to embrace peace and work towards healing after the election.

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ýFadahunsi urged the people to respect the role of traditional institutions in promoting peace and unity in Ijesaland. ýHe, however, said his call for justice over the deaths of his party members remained unchanged.

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ýThe senator called on the Osun State Government and security agencies to properly investigate the killings and ensure that justice is achieved through lawful and peaceful means.

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ýHe urged all sides to put political differences aside and work together for peace and unity in the state. Fadahunsi said he would continue to seek justice for the victims while encouraging supporters and citizens to avoid actions that could create further tension.

Lagos State Governor and Visitor to Lagos State University (LASU), Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has announced a cash reward of N20 million each for the best graduating students of the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions.

The beneficiaries are Ayilara Lawal Olawale, who emerged overall best graduating student for the 2024/2025 session, and Adebanjo Samuel Oluolamide, who achieved the same feat for the 2025/2026 session.

Olawale, a graduate of Project Management, finished with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.96, earning First Class Honours.

Oluolamide, an Aerospace Engineering graduate, recorded a CGPA of 4.97, also graduating with First Class Honours.

Sanwo-Olu made the announcement on Wednesday at LASU’s 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremonies held at the Buba Marwa Auditorium on the university’s main campus in Ojo.

The governor described the graduating cohort as a historic one, noting that 20,604 students graduated across the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions, the largest graduating cohort in the university’s history.

He said the cohort included 494 First Class graduates, while 3,383 postgraduate students also graduated, including 238 Doctors of Philosophy.

Sanwo-Olu congratulated the graduates, their parents, guardians, sponsors and lecturers, acknowledging the sacrifices and commitment that contributed to their academic achievements.

He particularly highlighted the performances of Olawale and Oluolamide, whose results placed them at the top of their respective graduating cohorts.

The governor also used the occasion to highlight the university’s recent academic and infrastructural achievements, saying LASU had continued to strengthen its position as one of Nigeria’s leading institutions.

According to him, LASU has been the most subscribed university in Nigeria for two consecutive years, 2025 and 2026, with more than 84,000 prospective students selecting it as their first choice.

He also noted the university’s recognition by Times Higher Education as the best state university and fourth-best university overall in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu said LASU had also been ranked the best university in West Africa for four consecutive years, from 2022 to 2025, in the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking.

He further disclosed that LASU had been selected as the sole South-West host of the N3 billion TETFund Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences.

The governor said his administration had prioritised education and technology under its THEMES+ agenda, citing investments in infrastructure and the expansion of tertiary education across Lagos State.

He said the administration had established the Lagos State University of Education and the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, while a bill for a university dedicated to medicine and health sciences was before the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Sanwo-Olu also charged the graduating students to deploy their knowledge and skills in the service of society.

‘Go, and be the proof,’ he told the graduates, urging them to distinguish themselves through competence, character and courage.

The governor said the graduates should become worthy ambassadors of LASU, Lagos State and Nigeria wherever their careers take them.