Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday administered the oath of office to two newly elected senators.

They are Barrister Joseph Ikpea, representing Edo Central under the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Emmanuel Nwachukwu Chibuzor, representing Anambra South on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Both lawmakers emerged victorious in the recent by-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill existing vacancies in their respective districts.

Ikpea replaced Senator Monday Okpebholo, who is now the Governor of Edo State, while Chibuzor took the seat left vacant following the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the former representative of Anambra South.

The acting Clerk to the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, administered the oath of office and oath of allegiance on both Ikpea and Chibuzor after which both of them proceeded to shake hands with the Presiding Officer, Akpabio, and submitted their certificates of return issued to them by the INEC.

Dignitaries who witnessed the swearing-in session included the former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, former Deputy Governor of Edo State and present Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Philip Shuaibu, an elder brother to the Edo Central Senator, Dr. Lee Ikpea and the Commissioner for Justice in Edo State, Hon Samson Osaigie.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State is facing a deepening internal crisis as some aggrieved members have rejected the recently concluded state congress that produced Barrister Victor Modupe Aisida as the new state chairman.

Aisida emerged at the congress held last month, succeeding Rt. (Hon.) Bakitta Bello, who completed the tenure of the late Hon. Fatai Adams.

Other newly elected executives include Akin Oyewole (Deputy Chairman), Oluseye Olujimi (Secretary), Jolade Aladetan (Publicity Secretary), and Woke Akindiose (Legal Adviser).

Although the congress was described as peaceful, the party’s 2024 governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, was conspicuously absent from the exercise.

However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, a group within the party known as Kick Against Deceit alleged that the congress was deliberately manipulated to favour certain leaders within the PDP.

In the statement signed by Hon. Bamidele Ojo, the group’s Protem Director of Public Communications, the members described the entire process as a ‘charade.’

‘We, as members of a group within the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, Kick Against Deceit, hereby condemn and totally reject the just concluded state congress of the PDP in Ondo State. We insist that the process was wilfully manipulated to serve the interests of a few leaders,’ the statement read.

Rising from a meeting held in Akure and chaired by Hon. Olaniyi Ogungbuji, the group expressed disappointment in the party’s leadership, accusing it of hypocrisy and lack of transparency despite its public posturing as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The aggrieved members alleged that, contrary to earlier assurances that existing senatorial district arrangements and officeholders who had not completed eight years would be retained, the congress outcome defied that understanding.

‘We realised that what was preached was not followed in any way. The positions were not only swapped from one senatorial district to another, but those who had not spent up to eight years were removed without any justifiable reasons,’ the statement continued.

‘At the end of the scam, some local governments enjoyed both national and state positions, while others were left out entirely, depending on the presence of any member of the leadership cartel in such local governments. The positions were not given based on competence, equity, or fairness but on a ‘chop-make-I-chop’ basis.’

The group vowed to challenge the outcome of the congress before higher authorities within the party, insisting that allowing the ‘charade’ to stand would set a dangerous precedent ahead of the 2027 polls.

The statement added, ‘Having thoroughly deliberated on the process and the conduct of the exercise, we concluded that the outcome must not be allowed to stand. We have therefore resolved to challenge the result in the interest of our great party.’

Those present at the meeting included Olaniyi Ogungbuji, Charles Adeduro, B.J. Lawal, Pat Ojo, Adebayo Adeyemi Adedipe, Bamidele Ojo, and Caroline Olubitan.

Others were Olowokanga Ayininuola, Dagbatan Anjorin Peter, Comrade Olawale Ijanusi, Oyinlusi Yemisi, and Eyiyemi Oluwatuyi.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has assured students, parents, and schools that the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) will be conducted smoothly and efficiently.

Speaking during a sensitisation campaign in Lagos on Wednesday, the Head of the WAEC National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, said every candidate who registers for the CB-WASSCE 2026 will be able to write the examination seamlessly, whether in Nigeria or abroad.

The awareness campaign was held across several locations in Lagos, including Yaba, Ojo, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Maryland, and Surulere.

Dr. Dangut explained that the sensitisation exercise was designed to prepare candidates and schools for the new system and to give them an opportunity to practise ahead of the examination.

He added that WAEC remains committed to ensuring timely, credible, and transparent examinations, noting that the introduction of the computer-based mode will help curb examination malpractice and enhance overall integrity.

‘Some people are still doubting, some people are still wondering whether this CB-WASSCE is a reality or not. Even though we have started, we have done five examinations.

Every candidate that registers for CB-WASSCE 2026 will write his exam. Whether he is offshore or he is onshore, whether he is in the UK or anywhere, as long as you register for our exam, you will write this exam. And CB-WASSCE is the way to go. It’s the future of exams. And we are here today,’ he said.

According to him, the full deployment of the Computer-Based Examination will not only reduce fraud and malpractice, but prevent any form of logistical challenge.

‘We have done it. Records are there. All the five examinations were conducted using computer-based examinations. There is a low rate of examination malpractice and there is higher performance of candidates. So what are we to be afraid about? So let us take the message to our stakeholders,’ he added.

Dangut also dispelled rumours that the examination body had removed some subjects on its Continuous Assessment (CASS) Portal.

He noted that WAEC does not act arbitrarily, adding that various stakeholders mandated the council to do away with some trade subjects.

‘For example, auto merchandising. If you leave it in the CASS portal, of what use is it going to be? Because those trade subjects that the government has removed have ceased to be. So if you leave them in the CASS portal and they put scores, what is it going to serve? No effect at all.

He added the names of some of the subjects have been modified, but the content remains the same.

‘WAEC is responsible, law-abiding and prompt to take action. We are ready to place Nigeria among the comity of people that are promptly utilising technology, in this case computer technology for education and an advanced assessment,’ he added.

The Gateway International Airport at Iperu Remo in Ogun State yesterday began scheduled commercial flights

Governor Dapo Abiodun, who inaugurated the ValueJet Airlines flight to Abuja on its Bombardier CRJ jet, lauded the vision of his predecessors in facilitating the construction of the fastest-built airport terminal in the country.

Abiodun described the choice of the location of the airport as strategic and essential in driving the economic development of the Gateway State.

The governor lauded the efforts of the team that delivered the facility, saying such a project would boost the socio-economic development of the state.

He praised aviation authorities, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), for ensuring the regulatory requirements were complied with.Abiodun also hailed the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, and his team, as well as other aviation regulatory bodies, for ensuring that the best was put together to accomplish the objective.

The governor applauded the efforts of the ValueJet Airlines boss and other members of the project implementation committee for their hard work in completing the project.

He said: ‘Our vision for Ogun State, which we have encapsulated, is to provide a focused and cohesive governance, while creating an enabling environment for public-private sector partnership, which we believe is fundamental to the economic growth of the state and the individual prosperity of every citizen of Ogun State.

‘In short, that vision clearly aims to bring more people to live, work, and play in Ogun State. So, in helping us to actualise that vision, we were advised on how we must ensure that our multi-modal transportation connects road, rail, air, and water.

‘This location had been chosen by my predecessors. But, they again confirmed, because they wanted to be passionate about the location of the airport. They again confirmed and validated the fact that this is indeed the location for an airport in the state.

‘Being almost at the centre point of the state, we came back here and noticed that the land had been encroached on and become a dump site. It was a forest. Today, the journey that started in 2021, and that evolved into the first plane that landed here after the construction of our runway, sometime in February 2023, two years afterwards. It has made us one of the fastest-constructed airports.’

Also, the Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, hailed the Ogun State government for the project.

He noted that the airport would add value to the aviation ecosystem.

Najomo said: ‘He started this thing in 2021. Now, this is the fastest one we have seen in the creation of airports. As a regulator, we made sure that everything was done according to regulations. As such, we did not leave any stone unturned.

‘If other states want to do the same, they must make sure they take value from what Ogun State has done. It is one thing to start a project, but it is another to see it through and ensure that regulations are followed.’

Also, the Federal Government has given Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport approval to start scheduled flight operations or commercial flights, effective October 4.

This followed the expiration of the initial approval for a non-scheduled flight approval for the airport by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in December 2024 and compliance with regulatory requirements.

The NCAA, in the letter dated October 3, 2025, addressed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, confirmed the new approval for scheduled flights. The approval will be for an initial period of six months.

According to the letter signed by the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards in the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Godwin Balang, the validation inspection was conducted on the airport from June 16 to 19.

‘The outcome revealed that the basic operational requirements for scheduled flight operations to Ado-Ekiti Airport have been significantly complied with and the instrument flight check validation report conducted by NAMA indicates satisfactory compliance with regulatory requirements.

‘In view of the above and in line with the provisions of Nig CARs Part 12 Vol. 1, 2023, I have been directed to convey the Authority’s Interim Operational Permit subject to the limitations of VFR or daylight (sunrise to sunset) operations.

‘Furthermore, Your Excellency is respectfully invited to note that this interim Operational Permit is to enable Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport to implement outstanding gaps and commence the certification process, which will allow for issuance of Aerodrome Operational Permit with a year’s validity in accordance with the Nig.CARS Part 12 Vol. 1.’

Also, the Ekiti State government has reached an advanced stage of installing the Instrument Landing System (ILS) to position the airport for night and all-weather operations.

Governor Oyebanji has hailed the development as a major boost to the economic development of the state.

He noted that the commencement of commercial operations at the airport would boost agribusiness, tourism development, commercial activities, and medical tourism.

These activities, the governor said, would further position the state as a destination of choice for people looking for where to live, work, invest, and relax.

Oyebanji thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the enabling environment for socioeconomic development at the national and subnational levels. He also thanked his immediate predecessor in office, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who laid the foundation of the airport project in 2019.

The governor also thanked the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), for his remarkable contributions to the airport project as well as members of the Airport Committee.

Julius and Eunice Adegoroye Foundation has urged wealthy Nigerians to support the less privileged with scholarships.

It spoke when it presented N3 million to a Pharmacy undergraduate of University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, David Akinwale, as part of its 2025 Education Scholarship.

At the ceremony in Adetola International Schools, Akure, Executive Secretary, Dr Aderinsola Adegoroye, said the scholarship was in fulfilment of one of its mandates, to promote academic excellence.

She urged students to commit to their studies, stressing education is the platform on which developed society rests.

Dr Adegoroye said the scholarship will be spread over the six years of Akinwale’s programme at UniMed, Ondo, as he will get N500,000 every session.

He urged him not to relent in his drive for excellence.

Appealing to Nigerians to lend a hand to those in need, she said the foundation earlier this year sponsored surgery for a woman with an inflamed jaw (Ameloblastoma).

It donated a vicarage for Anglican Church last year to support God’s work.

Dr Adegoroye said God repays those who support people and appealed with capacity to help should do good.

Represented by Director of Adetola International Schools, Sir Ademola Adegoroye, the secretary said she recommended the recipient, a graduate of Adetola International College in 2023/2024, because he did well in his studies, athletics, cultural dance and others, despite his physical challenge.

Dr Adegoroye congratulated Akinwale for making himself, his family and school proud, recalling he was Punctuality prefect at Adetola college.

Administrator and Deputy Director of Adetola, Mrs. Vera Agbetuyi and Mr Tola Olowe, hoped Akinwale will live by the legacy ingrained in him.

Akinwale said he would fly the Adetola flag high and enjoined students of the school to be diligent in their studies.

His mother thanked the foundation and prayed for its progress and Adetola school’.

The foundation was set up to immortalise the philanthropy of the late Julius and late Eunice Adegoroye, and to continue their love and selflessness.

Parthian Pensions Limited has advocated increase in financial literacy to enhance and deepen adoption of pension scheme in the country.

This is even as the newly approved Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) is focusing on the micro pension market to gain fresh Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders into its customer base.

The Head of Operations, Parthian Pensions Limited, Mr. Adetunbi Ashaye while speaking at a Journalists Conference in Lagos called on stakeholders in Nigeria’s pension sector to educate Nigerians on the importance of subscribing to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

While highlighting some of the developments in the industry that demonstrate its potential for growth, he said, people that are clamouring to exit the scheme, have forgotten so soon the past bad experiences is the reason the new scheme came on board.

He said: ‘The previous pension system was unfunded. Now that it is funded through the contributions of the employees and the employers, it is highly regulated. What really needs to happen is the need to drive financial literacy because people in Nigeria see pension as insignificant, something that is not important,’ he advised.

‘The impact of the scheme to the economy is ensuring that people have good retirement; people have good life after they have stopped working. In other words, what we need to do in the industry as operators is to ensure financial literacy. We need to let people know what is going on and why they should continually support the contributory pension scheme,’ he added.

Saying most Nigerians see insurance and pensions as unnecessary, he noted that, ‘their concern is that, if they cannot provide for their immediate needs, which is food, shelter and clothing, why should they save? And it still boils down to a Micro Pension Plan.

‘What should be happening in the industry now is to simplify, digitise micro pension plans, and ensure diversification in different ways so that we can reach out to everybody.’

With pension assets projected to reach N29 trillion at the end of the year, he said, ‘the pension industry performance in the first quarter, 2025 shows N79 billion was paid for Programme Withdrawal and N54 billion for Annuity.

‘There is also the certification of asset classifications, and what we need is transparency, which is what PenCom is doing, people are looking and seeing how the funds are growing.’

Meanwhile, he said, his PFA will leverage on the opportunities provided by micro pension plan to enrich its customer base and bring more people who are not currently covered under the regular scheme into the pension safety net.

‘Though, we are one of the late entrants into the industry, that doesn’t mean that we don’t have what it takes to excel. So, we are technology driven as we leverage technology for effective service delivery to our contributors. This is effective and it’s going to drive people and companies towards us.

‘In another instance, we are going to flood micro pension space which still remains untapped. About 70 to 80 million people are in that space. So, we are not just coming into the business, to cannibalise RSA holders, we are coming to bring on board new RSAs and chart a new course,’ he assured.

Saying its prospective contributors should expect simplicity, and less complexity in onboarding, he added that, ‘they can onboard from the comfort of their homes. We care about you (our customers) and we will always check on you. There is human face to every service we render. We will drive towards financial literacy. We are the pension manager of choice, trust and we will get that actualised.’

An Abuja High Court yesterday adjourned the trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), till October 21 to enable the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to list a witness to testify in the case.

Dasuki is standing trial on an amended 32-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, dishonest release and receiving various sums of money to the tune of N33.2 billion.

He was accused of misappropriation of security funds in the accounts of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) alongside a former General Manager with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba-Kusa.

The others are two firms: Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.

The EFCC arraigned the four defendants afresh on March 25 and accused Dasuki, among others, of releasing the equivalent of N10 billion in foreign currencies from the NSA’s account.

The account was with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the 2014 presidential primary election of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Dasuki and his co-defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At the resumed hearing of the case, the prosecution witness and a detective with the EFCC, Adariku Michael, informed the court that the anti-corruption commission received an intelligence report on September 21, bordering on abuse of office and money laundering.

He alleged the NSA moved huge sums of money between October 2014 and April 2015 to accounts of various companies.

The witness said the report was assigned to a special task force team headed by ACE 1 Halimah Kazeem, of which he was a member, to carry out investigations on the report.

‘I got to know about this case when the commission (EFCC) received an intelligence report on September 21, bordering on abuse of office and money laundering.

The witness recalled that on receiving the report, the special task force promptly swung into action and wrote a letter of investigation activities to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

It was at this point the counsel to Baba-Kusa, Solomon Umoh (SAN), told the court that the witness was not listed by the prosecution among the witnesses in the paper the EFCC served the defence team.

‘This is against the provisions of Section 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA),’ he said.

But the prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, told the court that the witness had given evidence before the Chief Judge in the case.

He submitted that several documents were tendered by the prosecution as exhibits through the witness.

‘This case had lasted almost 10 years,’ he said.

Atolagbe sought an adjournment for the prosecution to do the needful.

This was not opposed by the defence team.

Based on this, the presiding judge, Justice Charles Agbaza, adjourned the case until October 31 for continuation of the hearing.

Spain and Barcelona defender Jordi Alba will retire from football at the end of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season, the Inter Miami player has said.

Alba began his youth career at Barcelona, who released him for being too small, but was re-signed in 2012 from Valencia for 14 million euros ($16.34 million) and went on to spend 11 seasons at the Catalan club.

He joined Inter Miami in 2023, linking up with former teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez, while another former Barca colleague, Javier Mascherano, is the current head coach.

‘The time has come to close a truly meaningful chapter in my life,’ Alba said in a video posted on Instagram.

‘I’ve decided to bring my professional football career to an end at the conclusion to this season. I do so with complete conviction, with peace, and with happiness.

The 36-year-old retired from international football in 2023 after making 93 appearances for Spain and was part of the Euro 2012 winning team where he scored in the 4-0 victory over Italy in the final.

Alba won six LaLiga titles at Barcelona, and the Champions League along with the Club World Cup and five Copa del Rey. In the U.S. he won the Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield, and will bow out in November after the MLS playoffs.

The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and Heads of Missions for questioning over the utilisation of appropriated funds by the foreign missions in 2025.

The Committee, in a letter dated July 24, 2025 and signed by its Chairman, Oluwole Oke, said its powers were based on Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (As amended) to demand detailed records of utilisations of the funds by the various agencies.

The letter inviting Tuggar and Heads of Missions read in part, ‘The Missions are required to furnish the following documents: approved budget of the missions from 2024-2025; budget performance of the missions for the above years; record of special interventions released to the missions and their applications between 2018-2025 and staff nominal roll for both home and local staff.

‘The Honourable Minister is kindly requested to bring the content of this letter to all Heads of Missions.’

Another letter, dated July 3, 2025, signed by the Director of Funds on behalf of the Accountant General of the Federation, revealed that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration released a total of $54 million to cater to the needs of the nation’s 103 Embassies and High Commissions.

While overhead cost got an allocation of $46.14m, personal cost accounted for $9.58m, with overhead allocated $282,829.

Speaking with some journalists in Abuja, Hon Oke commended President Tinubu for the intervention, even as he charged Mr Tuggar and Heads of the various missions to provide the Committee with detailed records of the disbursement of the funds.

‘We commend the President for intervening, and we are thankful for his commitment to revive the missions. His intervention in 2025 will go a long way in projecting a great image for our country.

‘We urge the missions to come forth and inform Nigerians through their representatives in parliament how the intervention funds have been utilised. This will ensure transparency and accountability, which are two basic requirements for good governance,’ Oke said.

A breakdown of the disbursement showed that the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs was allocated $5.89m, while the Embassy of Nigeria in Moscow got $1.96m. The nation’s Embassy in Rome, Italy, got $2.82m, while Vienna and Athens got $1.09m and $1.04m respectively.

Others include Embassy of Nigeria in Tel Aviv-$1.8m; Addis Ababa $1.92m; Consulate General of Nigeria, Jeddah $1.48m; Consulate General of Nigeria, Dubai $1.26m and Embassy of Nigeria, Madrid, Spain $1.23m; Embassies of Nigeria in Tehran/Abu Dhabi $1.18m, among others.

Oke said the Committee is not on a witch-hunt mission but ‘Is merely responding to the need to make governance count for Nigeria and Nigerians.’

The nation’s foreign missions have, in the past few years, been poorly funded, leading to poor consular services to Nigerians abroad. This is in addition to allegations of corruption by officials of the missions abroad.

Earlier in 2025, the Oke-led Committee commenced an investigation into allegations of a contract scandal involving the alleged mismanagement of $2m for the renovation of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has said the country’s foreign policy must directly serve its economic ambitions by unlocking trade corridors, attracting investment, and forging partnerships that strengthen the domestic economy.

Speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #31) in Abuja, Ambassador Tuggar said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now fully oriented toward economic diplomacy, guided by Nigeria’s ‘4D Foreign Policy Doctrine’ – Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.

‘Under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria’s foreign policy is defined by strategic autonomy,’ he said. ‘We pursue partnerships of purpose, not alliances of obligation. Nigeria must reject binary ideological alignments and instead embrace issue-based relationships that advance national interest. We are too significant a nation to engage in bandwagon diplomacy.’

Tuggar said Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts are being shaped to advance trade, regional development, and industrial competitiveness.

He pointed to the recently launched West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) as a major platform for advancing cross-border industrialization, trade, and infrastructure integration within the subregion.

‘Nigeria’s prosperity is tied to West Africa’s progress,’ he stated. ‘The more we invest in regional value chains and policy harmonization, the more resilient and competitive we become as a bloc.’

The minister noted that Nigeria’s development strategy must align with successful global models, drawing lessons from emerging middle-power economies such as MIKTA – Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkiye, and Australia – as well as the East Asian ‘Flying Geese Paradigm,’ where nations industrialized through coordinated progression.

‘With our demographic weight, market size, and strategic geography, Nigeria has the scale and capacity to lead Africa’s own ‘flying geese’ formation,’ Tuggar said. ‘But leadership must be earned – through sound policies, productive investment, regional coordination, and institutional credibility.’

He also called for deeper collaboration between Nigeria’s policy and research institutions to ensure that the country’s domestic reforms and international engagements are guided by evidence-based strategies.

‘We must invest in policy intelligence,’ he said. ‘That means building a pipeline of ideas, innovation, and informed foresight through collaboration between government, academia, civil society, and research institutions. Geopolitics today is the realm of weaponized interdependence – we must be smarter, faster, and more strategic.’

Tuggar commended the work of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and other think tanks, noting their vital role in shaping research-driven policy that strengthens Nigeria’s global standing.

He said the Foreign Ministry remains committed to a results-driven approach, ensuring that Nigeria’s diplomacy delivers tangible benefits to its citizens.

‘Whether through advancing trade under AfCFTA, facilitating investment flows, supporting climate finance, or championing Africa’s voice in global fora, our diplomacy must deliver concrete benefits to Nigerians,’ he said.

Ambassador Tuggar expressed confidence that the deliberations at the summit would translate into actionable outcomes and renewed commitment among stakeholders to drive national progress.

‘Our challenge is to turn dialogue into delivery,’ he said. ‘If we align our ambition with implementation, Nigeria will not only reform but lead – regionally, globally, and in the hearts of our people.’