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Former presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, has refuted claims by former President Goodluck Jonathan that his successor, late President Muhammadu Buhari, was once nominated by the Boko Haram terrorist group to negotiate on their behalf.

Reacting to Jonathan’s comments at the public presentation of a book by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (Rtd), in Abuja on Friday, Shehu described the statement as misleading.

He said if Jonathan’s remarks were intended as a campaign message for a possible 2027 presidential run, then ‘he is making a false start.’

According to Shehu, neither Boko Haram’s founding leader, Muhammed Yusuf, nor his successor, Abubakar Shekau, ever nominated Buhari for mediation.

Instead, he noted, Shekau consistently denounced and threatened Buhari, given their opposing ideologies.

He recalled that in 2014, Buhari narrowly escaped a bomb attack by Boko Haram in Kaduna, which left some of his aides injured.

‘Buhari’s campaigns focused on fighting Boko Haram and restoring security to Nigeria whenever he became president, putting him in direct opposition to the terrorist group’s leaders,’ Shehu said.

Shehu further explained that Buhari himself had denied knowledge of any such nomination when the issue surfaced in 2011.

Citing a statement at the time by then Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) secretary, Buba Galadima, he recalled that Buhari dismissed the report as ‘just speculation’ since nobody had contacted him directly.

Buhari, Shehu said, maintained then that as a patriotic Nigerian, he would only continue to pray for peace in the country.

The former spokesman clarified that the confusion arose after a Boko Haram faction, possibly sponsored by Buhari’s political opponents, staged a press conference in Maiduguri through one Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, who claimed the sect preferred Buhari and other northern elders, including the late Shettima Ali Monguno and Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, to mediate.

Abdulaziz’s claims, Shehu stressed, were swiftly disowned by Shekau’s loyalists, who said he had no mandate to speak for the group.

At the time, CPC’s publicity secretary, the late Rotimi Fashekun, had also lambasted the Jonathan administration and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for exploiting the alleged nomination for political gain.

Fashekun described it as ‘the latest gambit in the desire of the corrupt PDP-led government to divert attention from the massive looting of the people’s common patrimony.’

Fashekun insisted that Buhari had never been linked to any insurgency, portraying him as a ‘quintessential patriot’ while accusing the PDP government itself of complicity in Nigeria’s insecurity.

He cited Jonathan’s own admission that Boko Haram had infiltrated his government, a point echoed by then National Security Adviser, the late General Andrew Azazi, as well as revelations by the State Security Service (SSS).

‘Jonathan’s latest comments revive a long-debunked narrative and fail to recognize the true record of Buhari’s opposition to Boko Haram. To win in 2027, Dr. Jonathan should look for a better story to tell Nigerians,’ he concluded.

Nigeria spent $2.86 billion on external debt servicing in the first eight months of 2025, new figures from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have shown. This accounted for 69.1 per cent of total foreign payments of $4.14 billion during the period.

Comparatively, the country spent $3.06 billion on debt in the same period of 2024, representing 70.7 per cent of total foreign payments of $4.33 billion. The data revealed that although Nigeria reduced its absolute debt service bill by about $198 million (6.49%) year-on-year, debt repayments still dominate its external obligations.

Essentially, for every $10 that left Nigeria between January and August 2025, nearly $7 went towards servicing debt. Monthly data showed significant fluctuations, reflecting the structure of Nigeria’s loan obligations. In January 2025, the country paid $540.67 million on debt, slightly lower than $560.52 million in January 2024.

By February, payments dropped further to $276.73 million, before surging to $632.36 million in March, more than double the $276.17 million recorded in March 2024. April remained high at $557.79 million compared with $215.20 million a year earlier, while May recorded a sharp fall to $230.92 million, down by $623.45 million from the $854.37 million in May 2024.

In June, the figure climbed modestly to $143.39 million, almost triple the $50.82 million recorded a year earlier. July slipped again to $179.95 million, representing a two-thirds decline compared with the $542.5 million of July 2024. By August, payments recovered to $302.3 million, slightly higher than the $279.95 million recorded a year earlier.

The month-on-month changes in 2025 underline the erratic nature of Nigeria’s debt service obligations. From January to February, payments fell by nearly 49 per cent , then spiked by 129 per cent in March before dropping by 12 per cent in April. May saw a steep decline of 59 per cent relative to April, June fell further by 38 per cent before mild rebounds in July and August.

In 2025, 69.1 per cent of all foreign outflows in the first eight months were used to service debt. In the same period of 2024, the share was even higher at 70.7 per cent . This showed that debt service obligations consistently consume at least seven out of every ten dollars Nigeria spends on international payments.

This trend raises important concerns. First, it places pressure on the country’s foreign reserves, especially in months of heavy outflows such as March 2025, when $632.36 million went to debt servicing. Second, it reduces Nigeria’s ability to allocate scarce foreign exchange to essential imports and capital goods that could support domestic production. Third, it exposes fiscal vulnerability because debt obligations are non-discretionary, meaning the government cannot defer or avoid them without severe consequences.

Genre-bending singer and songwriter Nissi has released a powerful new track titled ‘Motivate’, featuring Nigerian rap heavyweight Olamide. The single dropped today, October 3, 2025, on all major streaming platforms.

Blending Afrobeats and hip-hop, Motivate carries a strong message of ambition, resilience, and determination. Nissi’s soulful vocals uplift and inspire, while Olamide delivers his signature lyrical energy, reminding listeners that setbacks are only stepping stones to greater comebacks.

With its infectious rhythm and empowering lyrics, the track is crafted to energize both the dancefloor and everyday hustles. The collaboration marks a milestone in Nissi’s artistic journey, bridging musical styles and fanbases for a record that feels both timely and motivational.

Motivate by Nissi featuring Olamide is available now for streaming and sharing worldwide.

The incentives awarded to companies under the NNPCL’s Tax Credit Scheme for road construction were terminated due to delays and poor delivery, Works Minister David Umahi said yesterday.

The minister said this while inspecting the Benin-Warri dual carriageway bypass in Edo State.

Umahi, who was accompanied by Governor Monday Okpebholo, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the continuation of all road projects under the scheme, despite the stoppage.

Acknowledging funding challenges following the termination, the minister recounted how Okpebholo was contacted to take over the first 23 kilometres of the road.

‘The contract was terminated after months of delay and poor work. We appealed to Governor Okpebholo to take over the first 23 kilometres, which he promptly awarded to CBC. The quality of their work is commendable,’ Umahi said.

The minister urged the governor to extend his intervention to an additional nine kilometres, applauding his willingness to collaborate with the Federal Government.

In 2021, the NNPCL launched the first phase of funding road projects with N621.24 billion for 21 roads across the six geopolitical zones.

The affected roads included Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa/Bokani Junction Road (sections I and II) in Kwara and Niger states; the Suleja-Minna Road, and emergency repairs on the Mokwa-Makera-Tegina toward the Kaduna state boundary.

The Nation recalls that in 2023, the NNPCL got approval to invest N1.9 trillion in the reconstruction of 44 federal roads, including the East-West Road, the Port Harcourt-Onne Junction upgrade, the Eket bypass, and the construction of the Nembe-Brass Road in Bayelsa State.

Commenting on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, Umahi said President Tinubu had approved that 100-kilometre stretch of the highway should pass through Edo State.

The minister said Edo was not originally included in the highway’s alignment.

Other states benefiting from the project include Lagos (100 km), Ogun and Ondo (82 km), Akwa Ibom (65 km), and Cross River (27 km).

He said: ‘Mr. President has directed that 100 kilometres by two lanes of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway must now pass through Edo. This is a special gift to the people of Edo.

‘The President, impressed by your governor’s commitment to infrastructure, insisted that the state must benefit.’

Umahi said the President was focused on delivering durable roads designed with reinforced concrete technology to last between 50 and 100 years, despite criticism from some quarters.

The minister decried the appalling condition of federal roads in Edo State inherited by the Tinubu administration, describing them as tragic and unacceptable.

He hailed President Tinubu for his swift intervention and commitment to reversing decades of infrastructural decay across the country.

According to him, no motorist could travel 100 kilometres on federal roads nationwide without encountering major challenges.

‘President Tinubu met an overwhelming situation in terms of roads and bridges. You can’t travel 100 kilometres on federal roads without encountering serious difficulties. But the President is showing resolve, and Nigerians are already commending his efforts,’ said Umahi.

Okpebholo said he intervened because he was disturbed by the sight of multiple accidents and stranded motorists.

‘I almost wept when I saw the number of vehicles, including trailers, that had broken down or fallen on this road. The situation demands urgent action, and I am glad the Minister has joined us to push for solutions.

‘We are determined to fix this road. If I do my part and the Federal Government does its part, nobody will criticise the President. For our people to trust us, we must act. With more contractors on site, this project can be delivered on schedule,’ he said.

A petrol tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) overturned and went up in flames along the Abeokuta-Sagamu expressway, destroying three vehicles, including a truck and a towing van parked by the roadside.

The incident, which occurred around 1 a.m. on Friday at the PMB expressway corridor of the Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun-Sagamu interchange, also damaged a solar power light panel and an electricity cable supplying Mowe town and its environs.

Fire service operatives from Nestlé, Ogun State Fire Service, FRSC, police, NSCDC, TRACE, and Amotekun were deployed to battle the blaze, carry out rescue operations, and redirect traffic.

TRACE spokesperson Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the accident, said casualty details were not yet available as operations were ongoing. He attributed the crash to excessive speeding.

He said, ‘The case of an inferno caused by a 33,000 fuel-laden tanker which fell on its side, dispensing its content in the wee hours of today, around 0100hrs (1 am), Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun-Sagam/Interchange stretch of the PMB Expressway due to excessive speed and loss of control has been reported.

‘The effect of the unfortunate incident also extended to the burning of a truck and a tow vehicle along the roadside, as well as the destruction of a solar power light panel and a PHCN cable supplying electricity to Mowe and environs.

‘Though the casualty figures cannot be ascertained presently, rescue/emergency services made up of TRACE, Ogun State and Nestle PLC Fire Service, FRSC, and the Police are still on the ground to restore normalcy and orderliness after quenching the fire and decantation process.’

Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku and the Majority Leader in the House of Assembly, Olatunji Oshati, have appealed to the protesting youths of Ireakari Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to remain calm and hopeful. They assured them that government had not neglected them.

The commissioner said Ireakari axis was mentioned at the last State Executive Council meeting under the Operation Emergency Road Construction programme, and expressed confidence that the roads in Idoani, Idogun, Imeri and Afo communities would soon be attended to as a matter of urgency.

Ajanaku said the state and federal roads serving the communities, including Ipele-Idoani-Isua Road and Oba-Ikun-Afo Road had been brought to government’s attention.

He said remedial works and major interventions would begin as soon as the rainy season subsided.

He said the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would never abandon any part of the state in its developmental agenda, adding that ‘Our Ease Agenda’ remained a guiding principle to ensure every citizen enjoyed the dividends of democracy. ‘The government of Dr. Aiyedatiwa is responsive and people-oriented. I want to assure our people in Ireakari that they have not been forgotten. Their concerns are already on the table, and as soon as weather permits, the road rehabilitation programme will extend to their axis,’ Ajanaku said.

On behalf of the state government, he urged youths to remain peaceful and continue to engage constructively with government, stressing that their sacrifices and patience would soon yield positive result.

The federal government has renewed its calls for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to advance tourism as a key driver of sustainable national growth and development.

The government said tourism, if properly harnessed, has the potential to serve as a catalyst for economic growth, attract local and foreign investors, and stimulate entrepreneurship across communities.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti during the official launch of the Visit Ekiti Project, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, noted that tourism development plays a vital role in preserving cultural heritage and legacies, projecting Nigeria’s image on the global map, and promoting national pride.

He also underscored the importance of youth empowerment within the tourism value chain, noting that young Nigerians must be placed at the centre of the process to unleash their creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit.

The minister reaffirmed the readiness of the federal government to collaborate with the visit Ekiti project to ensure that its core objectives translate into opportunities for the people, particularly the youth.

He described the project as a visionary platform to showcase the Ekiti natural endowments, festivals, and cultural heritage to the world.

Olawande added that the ministry would collaborate with the Visit Ekiti Project on programmes such as cultural exchange opportunities, training in hospitality and tour management, support for youth-led startups in eco-tourism, among other areas.

In his remarks, the Lead Creative Director of Visit Ekiti Project, Mr. Ayo Ogunro, said the initiative was primarily designed to project the state’s tourism potential to both local and international audiences.

He noted that the project would serve as a platform to reintroduce Ekiti state to the world as a destination of choice for culture, heritage, and leisure.

He described Visit Ekiti as a strategic blueprint for economic transformation, saying it would not only attract investors but also harness Ekiti’s abundant natural resources and unique cultural assets for growth.

He said that the project has the capacity to create jobs, empower communities, and inspire entrepreneurship, particularly among the youth who are expected to play a central role in its execution.

Ogunro, therefore, called on investors, partners, and residents to support the initiative, stressing that the dream of positioning Ekiti as a leading tourism hub in Nigeria could only be achieved through collective commitment and shared responsibility.

A shareholder-rights battle has erupted over the 2023 acquisition of Pan African Towers (PAT), with former Chief Executive Officer, Azeez Amida, suing private equity giants, Development Partners International (DPI), Verod Capital, and their limited partners at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

At the heart of the suit, FHC/L/MISC/608/2025, is Amida’s claim that the investors reneged on a binding agreement to allocate him a five per cent equity stake under a management buy-out arrangement that facilitated the takeover of PAT.

Justice Akintayo Aluko ordered parties to maintain the status quo pending applications-including an interlocutory injunction motion aimed at blocking potential sale or transfer of DPI and Verod’s stake in PAT until the matter is resolved.

Amida’s legal team, led by Prof. ‘Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), alerted the court to a ‘deliberate plan’ by the defendants to offload equity in PAT Holding Limited, the vehicle through which the acquisition was structured.

The defendants, including DPI, Verod Capital Management Limited, Verod Capital Growth Fund III LP, African Development Partners III LP, and PAT Holding Limited, were absent and unrepresented in court.

While the plaintiff is seeking orders to safeguard his alleged stake, the defendants filed an objection challenging competence of the suit.

The judge declined to preemptively freeze the shareholding structure, stressing such relief will be determined when the motion is argued.

The matter has been adjourned to January 15, 2026, for the court to consolidate and hear the pending applications.

Amida, who became chief executive of PAT in 2022 amid financial distress, spearheaded a turnaround that saw revenue climb from N10 billion to N15 billion and EBITDA rise from N4 billion to N6.5 billion.

The company’s liabilities were also reduced, and key telco contracts renewed.

With the company’s original shareholders seeking an exit, Amida proposed a local management buy-out to keep the company Nigerian-owned.

He introduced DPI and Verod as funding partners, and the trio successfully closed a full acquisition of PAT.

According to Amida, a term sheet-now before the court clearly documented his entitlement to a 5% equity stake as part of the MBO.

He claimed that despite multiple post-closing meetings, the allocation was never finalised, and in November 2024 he was ousted as CEO.

By then, PAT’s financial performance had reportedly quadrupled under his leadership. Amida insists the investors are unjustly withholding the equity promised to him, effectively breaching both shareholder and contractual rights.

Further hearing has been adjourned till January 5, 2026

The management of disqualified Big Brother Naija housemate, Faith, has expressed disappointment over his sudden exit from the show, describing the development as distressing.

In a statement, the team commended Faith’s dedication and hard work while in the house, insisting that he was unfairly punished without prior warning or a strike.

Faith was disqualified on Thursday evening after a violent altercation with fellow housemate, Sultana.

Assuring fans of his well-being, the team said Faith will rise above the setback while appreciating supporters for their loyalty and encouragement.

The statement reads, ‘To our ever Supportive Faithfuls, as we all know, Faith has been disqualified from the Big Brother Naija house. This decision has left us deeply distraught, especially as it came without any prior public warning or even a strike, as is customary with other housemates to at least caution them. All his work and efforts were gone without a warning.

‘Through it all, we choose to walk with grace, comforted by the strength of you – FAITHFULS. You are the ones who looked beyond Faith’s flaws and embraced the amazing human he is. You followed his journey, admired his discipline, and celebrated his resilience.

‘As for Faith, we would like to assure you that he is now with us and we will protect him at all costs. Seeing the world turn blind to everything positive you have done and only condemn you is not something easy to handle. Faith is a happy child, and we will ensure he rises from this. Does he need self-evaluation? Yes, he does, like every flawed human.

‘For 9 weeks, Faith worked hard and gave us a show, stood firm when he was shut down, and backed his words with actions. He has worked so hard to be where he is at 25, and this is only the beginning of greatness for him.

‘Thank you, FAITHFULS. Together we stand. Chaos or no chaos, we always win’.

Nigeria’s Under 17 Girls, the Flamingos have rounded off their preparation for FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup with a 14-0 victory over Lestar FA yesterday at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja.

Queen Joseph scored four goals while Shakirat Moshood and Praise Agba weighed in three goals each while Tabitha Terlumu notched two goals as the Flamingos went goals crazy.

The team will leave for Morocco on Wednesday to conclude their build up to the World Cup where they will slug it out with Canada, France and Samoa in Group D.

Nigeria is still seeking the first final appearance in the cadet competition and the current crop of the Golden Eaglets under the tutelage of Bankole Olowookere has played nine friendly games winning all.