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A Nigerian corrections officer serving with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Olukemi Ibikunle, has been named the recipient of the 2025 UN Trailblazer Award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers.

The award, now in its third year, recognises the exceptional contributions of women in justice and corrections roles within UN peace operations.

According to the statement from the UN House in Abuja, Ibikunle, who serves as the MONUSCO Corrections Unit Engineer, has led transformative prison infrastructure and rehabilitation projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Her work focuses on aligning prison conditions with international standards and strengthening national institutions, especially in traditionally male-dominated technical roles.

‘Peace begins behind prison walls,’ Ibikunle has often said – a reflection of her belief that safety, dignity and rehabilitation within detention settings are critical to broader peacebuilding efforts.

Reacting to the announcement, she said, ‘More than an award, this moment represents visibility and recognition of the countless women and girls whose voices are often silenced and whose dreams are constrained by societal expectations.’

Ibikunle’s tenure with MONUSCO began in 2020, continuing through 2022, and she returned to the mission in 2023. Among her key achievements is the construction of an advanced security prison block in Kabare designed to house high-risk detainees, including members of armed groups.

She also developed a model prison blueprint for the country, intended to guide efforts in standardising prison design and improving overall detention conditions, the statement added.

In addition, she spearheaded the Biogas initiative at Uvira Prison, a sustainability-focused project that converts waste into clean energy. The initiative not only improved environmental conditions and prison hygiene but also offered vocational training to inmates, enhancing their prospects for rehabilitation and reintegration.

The Trailblazer Award was established in 2022 by the Justice and Corrections Service of the Office for the Rule of Law and Security Institutions under the Department of Peace Operations.

The name, Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed (Dangaladiman Gwandu), is one I have long been accustomed to hearing within the family circles as a growing up kid in the then modest town of Birnin Kebbi of the early 1970s.

A direct descendant of the renowned Islamic reformist scholar and first Emir of Gwandu, Sheikh Abdullahi Bin Fodio, and scion of the Ubandoman Gwandu and Magajin Rafin Gwandu families of Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Dr Bello Mohammed is an accomplished individual by any definition of the term. Back then as children, however, we used to refer to him D’an Baba, which I later got to realise was on account of his being named after his maternal grandfather and respected uncle of mine, the late Magajin Rafin Gwandu, Muhammadu Bello, of blessed memory.

Magajin Rafi Bello was an elder brother of my late father, Alhaji Usman Malami Bunza, who would go on to inherit and hold the same title for 30 years following the passing of the former in 1973. He was also a childhood friend of my maternal grandfather and namesake, Magatakardan Gwandu, Mallam Abdullahi Kakale, dating back to the period they both attended the Birnin Kebbi Elementary School in the early 1900s.

Mallam Abdullahi Kakale would subsequently assume the title of Magatakarda, following the appointment of his bosom friend as the Magajin Rafi on March 26, 1940. Ubandoma Sa’ad Haliru Abdu, Dangaladima Bello Haliru’s paternal grandfather was also a longstanding friend of both Magajin Rafi Bello and Magatakarda Kakale, resulting in several intermarriages amongst the three families. I have always held Dr Bello, as he came to be addressed following his graduation with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1973, in reverence and awe anytime I got the chance to set eyes on him as a kid. He has always been a mentor to me from my childhood, even though he may not have been aware of it; so much so that I subconsciously modelled after him, down to adopting his style of dressing. Such that even the way I wear my cap today was copied directly from him, with the only difference being that while he pushes down the top of his own cap on the left side, I push mine down on the right, so it wouldn’t be so obvious that I copied him.

I was also influenced to apply for the same course he studied after my IJMB at the then School of Basic Studies, ABU, Zaria. Although I managed to secure admission at the same University, my name somehow miraculously disappeared from the faculty list upon resumption, after I had earlier confirmed that I was listed among the newly admitted students. Such was the level of influence he has always had on me, and I am happy to seize the occasion of his 80th birthday on Thursday, October 9th, 2025, to finally make this open confession.

Dr Bello would later go on to marry my beloved elder sister, Hajiya Aisha, back when I was still in primary school. That further increased our level of interaction when I regularly visited them during my traditional exeat days on Fridays and Sundays, as a boarding student at the then Government College Sokoto in the early 1980s; the same secondary school he attended several years previously.

I have countless childhood memories of my interactions with him during that period and can vividly recall one funny incident he may probably have long forgotten. It happened during one of those exeats visits to their home on Anka Road, Sokoto, as a 12- to 13-year-old junior student in my early years. I was so tired on a particular Sunday afternoon that I fell asleep in one of the rooms immediately after lunch, only to be discovered by the maid around 9pm, long after I should have returned to school at 6pm. On recognising how late it was, I broke down crying, knowing the fate that awaited me in the hands of my seniors back at school.

Dr Bello requested that I should proceed to have my dinner as he watched the day’s NTA Network News broadcast, following which he would drop me off at school. When it dawned on him that I wouldn’t stop crying, he promptly cut short his daily NTA News viewing routine and drove me straight to school. Along the way, he sought to understand why I was still crying, and amidst intermittent sobs, I explained how our seniors typically punished us for any such, or even far lesser infractions on our part.

He offered to personally hand me over to our House Captain to explain why I was late, but I pleaded that he dropped off me at a safe distance, instead, from where I would then sneak into the hostel unnoticed. At one point, Dr Bello then proposed meeting the School Principal to report on how junior students were being maltreated in that manner. That idea elicited even more sobs and pleas from me, knowing full well that it would fetch me even more punishment, as the seniors did not take such reports and the resulting reprimand they elicit lightly. They would likely target you once they noticed that you had people of influence that could intervene on your behalf. In the end, he reluctantly dropped me off some distance away from the hostel as I had pleaded and left.

Dangalidama has no airs about him and would freely discuss with you despite your obvious age difference. I particularly enjoy my personal interactions with him, which always leave me better informed about the issues, regardless of the nature of the topic we may be discussing. At close quarters, it is also surprising to discover that he likes to joke a lot despite any previous assumptions to the contrary.

Just over three and a half years ago, our already sufficiently close interactions became even more frequent when I visited his house daily over an extended period of well over three months, following an unfortunate sad incident that befell my brother at the time. We hurriedly converted his house into an emergency Command and Control Centre of sorts where we gathered daily, and I have nothing but abiding respect and appreciation for the way he expertly handled and calmed that delicate situation.

A onetime Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria Students Union Government President (1970 – 1971); former lecturer at ABU; two-time Commissioner (Agriculture and Education) in the old Sokoto State; Deputy General Manager, National Livestock Production Company, Kaduna; General Manager, Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA); former Director and later Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (1988 – 1993); member, Board of Directors of the now defunct NAL Merchant Bank (1999 – 2001); Federal Commissioner in the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission; Chairman, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company (2005); Federal Government delegate at the 2005 National Political Reform Conference (2005); National Vice – Chairman (North West), of the People’s Democratic Party (2004 – 2008); Deputy National Chairman, PDP (2008 – 2011) and PDP National Chairman (2011); Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Railway Corporation; Minister of Communications and Minister of Defence during the Obasanjo and Jonathan administrations, respectively, amongst many others, Dangaladima, or Sabbene, as we fondly call him, has been there, done that and seen it all.

I would like to use the occasion of his 80th birthday on Thursday, October 9, 2025 to express my profound gratitude to the Almighty Allah SWT for the gift of his eventful and impactful life. I beseech Allah to grant him good health and many more years of positive contribution and impact to his immediate and extended family, our state, and the nation at large.

Happy birthday and many more happy returns, Sabbene!

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved closer to achieving a two-thirds majority in the Senate as its membership rose to 72 following the defection of Senator Kelvin Chukwu (Enugu East) from the Labour Party (LP) and the swearing-in of Senator Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central).

Senator Kelvin Chukwu, representing Enugu East, formally defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the APC on Wednesday. His defection letter was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.

Also, Senator Joseph Ikpea was sworn in as senator for Edo Central after winning the recent by-election held to fill the seat vacated by Senator Monday Okpebholo, who became governor of Edo State in 2024.

Similarly, Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was sworn in to represent Anambra South. He replaces Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who died in 2024. With the Senate comprising 109 members, two-thirds mathematically equals 72.66. However, legislative practice dictates rounding up to 73 because constitutional provisions requiring ‘not less than two-thirds’ must meet the next whole number. This interpretation aligns with Sections 143 and 188 of the 1999 Constitution, which set the same voting threshold for presidential and gubernatorial impeachments.

The APC’s new strength of 72 senators now puts it a single seat away from that constitutional majority. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 28 senators, the Labour Party 4, APGA 2, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) 2, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 1.

Analysts warn of democratic imbalance as Akpabio mocks opposition

Meanwhile, analysts have warned that if the APC secures a two-thirds majority, it could pass executive bills and requests without opposition support, undermining the legislature’s independence.

Political scientist Professor Gbade Ojo described the development as ‘deeply concerning,’ saying it could lead to ‘a subtle dictatorship.’

‘When a ruling party controls the parliament to the extent of holding a two-thirds majority, it erodes the principle of checks and balances,’ he said. ‘The National Assembly risks becoming a rubber stamp for the executive, compromising its oversight role.’

He also criticised the weakness of opposition parties, saying internal disunity and ideological vacuum had worsened their decline. ‘The opposition has failed to put its house in order. Everyone is fighting for survival, not principles,’ he added.

Moments after Chukwu’s defection letter was read, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) hailed the move, saying more lawmakers were joining the APC ‘because the APC-led government is working.’

He argued that the Labour Party’s internal disarray forced Chukwu’s defection, while Senate President Akpabio mocked opposition parties, describing them as ‘tattered’ and urging them to ‘put their houses in order.’

‘I want a vibrant opposition. But the opposition is tattered. Please, put your houses in order, ‘he said.

After mocking the opposition, Akpabio asked Senator Moro, the Minority Leader to speak. In his remarks, Moro said the remaining opposition senators would remain strong till 2027.

He said, it was sad that Senator Chukwu defected to the APC. Moro said despite claiming in his letter that he had consulted widely before his defection, he (Moro) was not consulted.

He said, ‘He (Senator Chukwu) came here on sympathy vote’ after his brother was killed before the 2023 election.

To Akpabio, Senator Moro said, ‘The house (APC) is becoming too full, it should worry you.’

In his letter to the Senate, Chukwu blamed his decision on ‘internal wrangling, leadership crisis, and lack of focus’ within the Labour Party.

‘Recent developments within the Labour Party, including lack of cohesion and direction, have made it increasingly difficult for me to effectively discharge my duties,’ he said.

Chukwu added that the APC, under President Bola Tinubu, offered ‘a more stable, progressive, and inclusive platform’ for achieving national unity and good governance.

The Federal Government lost a total of 13.5 million barrels of crude oil worth $3.3 billion to theft and pipeline sabotage between 2023 and 2024, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), has disclosed.

Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Ogbonanya Orji, disclosed this in Lagos at the 2025 Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) conference in Lagos on Thursday.

He decried the lack of transparency and accountability that had bedeviled the oil and gas industry, saying there was the need for openness, transparency and innovation in driving the oil and gas value chain.

He spoke on the theme, ‘Nigeria’s Energy Future: Exploring Opportunities and Addressing Risks for Sustainable Growth.’ Orji noted that the lost revenue could have supported a full year of the federal health budget or provided energy access to millions of households.

He further disclosed that its 2021-2022 Oil and Gas Industry Reports indicated that Nigeria earned $23.04 billion in 2021 and $23.05 billion in 2022 from the sector.

In addition, it stated that N1.5 trillion were owed to the Federation by some companies and government agencies, saying the funds could have supported the provision of energy infrastructure and healthcare to the people.

This is why transparency and accountability are not optional but necessary conditions to guarantee a more sustainable energy future for Nigeria, he stated.

The ES stated that NEITI is committed to ensuring that every barrel of crude produced is duly accounted for, noting that the secrecy in the value chain remains a matter of concern.

According to him, there is the need for reliable data in the industry as ‘data build trust, trust drives investment, investment generates revenues and revenues deliver impact.

He said, ‘Over the past decade, NEITI has evolved from an auditing agency to a governance reform institution.

‘We have institutionalised regular audits of oil, gas, and solid mineral sectors, tracking production, payments, and remediation; developed Nigeria’s Beneficial Ownership Register, unmasking the true owners of over 4,800 extractive assets, and helping the government combat corruption and illicit financial flows; and launched the NEITI Data Centre-a national open-data infrastructure that provides real-time public access to industry information.

‘We have also strengthened partnerships with NUPRC, NMDPRA, and NCDMB to promote transparency in licensing, metering, and host community trust management and introduced the Just Energy Transition and Climate Accountability Framework to ensure that Nigeria’s shift to cleaner energy is transparent, inclusive, and fair.’

The National Council of State has unanimously approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan’s nomination to the Council on Wednesday to fill the vacancy created by the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 until October 2025.

The President described Amupitan as ‘a distinguished scholar and an apolitical figure from Kogi State,’ noting that he is the first person from the North-Central state to be nominated for the position.

In line with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu is expected to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

Below are things to know about Professor Amupitan

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Professor Amupitan attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin (1982-1984), before proceeding to the University of Jos, where he earned his LL.B degree in 1987. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.

He obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Jos in 1993 and later completed a Ph.D. in Law at the same institution in 2007.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL CAREER

After his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation (1988-1989), Amupitan joined the University of Jos as a lecturer in 1989, marking the beginning of a distinguished academic career.

Over the years, he has served in several key positions at the university, including:

Head, Department of Public Law (2006-2008)

Dean, Faculty of Law (2008-2014)

Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) – a position he currently holds.

In addition to his university duties, he is the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.

Amupitan became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014.

PUBLIC SERVICE AND BOARD MEMBERSHIPS

Outside academia, Amupitan has held several national and corporate leadership roles. He served on the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014) and is a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

He has also served as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom, and Riss Oil Limited, Abuja (1996-2004).

PUBLICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Professor Amupitan is widely published, with several influential works in Nigerian legal scholarship. His books include:

Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008)

Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008)

Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013)

Principles of Company Law (2013)

An Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014)

His areas of expertise span Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.

PERSONAL LIFE

Professor Amupitan is married and blessed with four children.

Distinguished Senator Barau I. Jibrin, Deputy Senate President and First Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, infused political maturity and democratic realities into his primary constituency, his local root, Kano North Senatorial District. While his impact goes beyond original expectations. It is felt at both national and regional spaces.

Only blind observers can fault DSP’s efforts across the spectrum of our existence. Yes, as a legislator, his primary responsibility starts and ends with legislation process in the hallowed chamber of the Senate. Yet, he believes that influencing infrastructural development, among other efforts should also be encapsulated as part of his shopping list.

Believe it or not, road construction, building schools, clearing farmlands, etc, are responsibilities place on the shoulders of the executive arm of government. But still Senator Barau intervenes in these areas where he deems fit, with all visibility. You remember infrastructures he initiated and put on the soil of the newly established University of Science and Technology, Kabo. An institution he initiated, followed-up, lobbied, smoothened legislative process and gave birth to.

As governance generally is continuum, legislation follows suit in many respects. In his past days in the Senate, many infrastructures were lobbied to be revisited by the federal government. Gwarzo federal road, for example. In the ninth (9th) Assembly, DSP put almost all the structures of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) satellite campuses across all local governments of his constituency, Kano North. It was him who lobbied and influenced the establishment of those campuses in his constituency, local root. His attachment to knowledge, knowledge and knowledge, always sets him at the centrestage among most visible politicians across Northern Nigeria. So also his impact, cuts across states. National fruit.

DSP’s specific and special interest in human development places him above many politicians, legislators and non-legislators. While he believes in local and humble beginning, his yardstick is placed above his constituency. Why? Because, he understands what hegemony means to national development. Hence, his careful selection of intervention areas. He is an apt, genuine and high profile interventionist. Humility and patience in the face of any political ploys, fix him above many of his contemporaries.

Without any fear of mincing words, or acrobatic expression of realities, Deputy Senate President has become a Divine Sign (Ayah) divinely projected and protected against all political odds, ploys and unimaginables. Come to think of it, a Distinguished Senator of his caliber, who suffered political persecution, unjust marginalization and intended humiliation, is now one of the most respected politicians in the eyes of Nigeria’s political development. This signifies another stage of human existence.

Apart from thousands and thousands of students this gentleman, is sponsoring for undergraduate and post graduate studies across Nigerian universities and beyond, his clear understanding of approach and framework for national cohesion, peaceful entity and overall national development, opens more doors for him to be visible and relevant in the political development of West African states. Regional fruits.

Only daft and undeserving minds can begin to think that, DSP Barau has since left his lofty interventions in recent years. In less than ten days, his presence was in Bayero University, Kano, when one thousand (1,000) undergraduate students from his constituency were celebrated for being selected under his scholarship scheme. As the total sum of Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N800,000) was spend on each student.

In less than a week, another round of one thousand undergraduate students from Kano North, were gathered at Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, when the Senator assured them of his total and absolute support for their scholarship up to their graduation.

Similar events are coming up across all tertiary institutions in Kano, where young, promising and enterprising people coming from his constituency, would be addressed and provided with their scholarship interventions. Producing promising minds for national development. National fruits.

Those opening both sides of their mouth, blaming the Senator for being elusive and invisible towards the development of the state, recently, are either blind or lack proper sense to understand their utterances. Their reading between lines, is dwarfed by sentiment. It is also defeatist in nature, approach and expression.

In less than one week, he was in Kano and empowered ten thousand people across the state. As he spent over two hundred million Naira (N200m).

To cap it all, Distinguished Senator Barau, spent over Two Hundred Billion Naira (N200b) in his years as an examplary legislator from Kano North, on human development interventions. Across his constituency and the state in general. Local roots preparing for national fruition.

His firm belief in welfare state philosophy, informs his effort towards electrifying rural communities in his primary constituency. Hence his support for lighting up his people has been unwavering and genuine. No two ways about it.

Some of the milestones proving the confidence repose in the Senator by his Distinguished colleagues in the Senate, was the Committees he led. He was Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation ; the similar Committee he chaired in the House of Representatives, during the late Speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba, of blessed memory. He was also Chairman Senate Committee on Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

National fruition at its best. Now he is the Deputy Senate President. He was assessed severally by observers from many professional angles and other respected association. For example, he was carefully and genuinely selected to get an award from the Senate Press Corps, tagged ‘2024 Highest Development – Driven Bills Award.’ A rare gem, reserved gentleman, peace loving legislator and focused political leader.

Few inches back before he became Deputy Senate President, he refused to be disillusioned due to all manner of humiliation he was subjected to. A political leader who clearly understands what harmless engagement brings to table.

Yes he started locally from his constituency, but his actions, efforts, visibility, contributions, know – how, impeccable character, noise-less engagements, proper public relations with colleagues and clear focus in official responsibilities, place him above many pretenders.

Part of the national fruits, different Committees he chaired in the Senate and the current position of Deputy Senate President, place him above local champions. Left to me, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should fix him for national assignment, come 2027. Elected position at best!

In the configuration of political power, Kano is his local constituency, as his name rings bell in the national scheme of things. His legislative intervention cuts across many states of the federation. Let my reader go and search the number of Bills he initiated and toiled to see their passage and get Presidential assent across states. National fruits.

At the regional level, I mean ECOWAS affairs, DSP gives his best to the continued survival of the regional body. From the administrative to resource – based intervention, Distinguished Senator becomes a strong bridge and pillar between Nigerian government and ECOWAS. His smooth facilitation of the ECOWAS protocols and Nigeria’s proper assistance places him high in the eyes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

His unwavering faith in the development of Africa, presents him to be an expert in foreign policy. He looks like a career Diplomat. All I know is, it is his commitment in Pan Africanism that opens these chances for him. He has been a progressive element since from his university days. Who was shaped by one of the dogged and leading stars of progressive politics in Kano. The former Governor of the old Kano state, late Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi, of blessed memory.

The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) is set to bring back one of Nigeria’s most beloved television classics, Cock Crow at Dawn, in a grand remake slated for 2026.

The national broadcaster announced that it has entered a co-production deal with Natives Filmworks and Innovative Television Kontent (ITK) to produce 104 new episodes of the iconic series.

According to NTA’s Director-General, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, the revival of Cock Crow at Dawn comes at a time when themes of agriculture and community development, central to the original series, are once again at the forefront of national discourse.

‘We are excited to bring what was a much-loved series back to our screens,’ Dembos said.

‘The timing couldn’t be better, given the Federal Government’s renewed interest in agriculture. It feels almost like a full circle moment.’

Executive Director of Programmes, Tari Taylaur, described the remake as part of NTA’s plan to reintroduce timeless classics to new audiences.

‘This marks the beginning of our effort to revive shows that defined generations. We believe today’s viewers will find new meaning in these stories,’ Taylaur said.

For producers Steve Gukas of Natives Filmworks and Dimbo Atiya of ITK, the project represents a significant step forward for Nigeria’s film and television industry.

‘Our remake of Cock Crow at Dawn will be a game-changer for series production in Nigeria,’ Atiya said.

Gukas added: ‘It’s a wonderful opportunity to show how far the industry has come since the original aired.’

Filming for the remake will begin in the second quarter of 2026 in Jos, Plateau State, with the producers promising to blend nostalgia with modern storytelling and cutting-edge film technology

President Bola Tinubu presented Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) before the National Council of State at Aso Rock, on Thursday.

Daily Trust had reported how Amupitan, a Professor of law, was Tinubu’s preferred candidate for the position of INEC Chairman.

A presidential source had told Daily Trust that Amupitan was leading the list of the likely people to replace Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

During the Council of State meeting, Tinubu had told the former Presidents and those in attendance about his choice of Amupitan.

According to Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, ‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit.

‘President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical.’

The council was said to have approved the nomination.

‘Council members unanimously supported the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as a man of integrity.

‘In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu will now send Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening,’ Onanuga said in a statement.

Amupitan, 58, from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA in Kogi State, is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau. He is also an alumnus of the university.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Bayo Onanuga, Presidential spokesman announce this in a statement, on Thursday.

Onanuga said the National Council of State has approved Amupitan’s nomination.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit.’

‘Yakubu served from 2015 till October 2025. President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical.

‘Council members unanimously supported the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as a man of integrity.

‘In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu will now send Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening.’

Amupitan, 58, from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA in Kogi State, is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau. He is also an alumnus of the university.

He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.

Amupitan was born on April 25, 1967.

After completing primary and secondary education, he attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the bar in 1988.

He earned an LLM at UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, amid an academic career that began in 1989, following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in Bauchi from 1988 to 1989.

Currently, he serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, a position he holds in conjunction with being the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.

Among the academic positions he has held at UNIJOS are: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008).

Outside of academics, Amupitan serves as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014), among other roles. He was a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja(1996-2004).

Amupitan is the author of many books on law, such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles(2008); Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008); Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria(2013), Principles of Company Law(2013) and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).

The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving all outstanding issues with university-based unions, assuring that the reconstituted Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Expanded Negotiation Committee will reach a sustainable agreement beneficial to all stakeholders.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press conference in Abuja, saying that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that every effort must be made to prevent further disruptions in the nation’s academic calendar.

‘The president’s directive is clear – we must avoid strikes and ensure that our children remain in school,’ Alausa said, urging the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend its planned industrial action.

The minister explained that the government is finalising its counter-offer to ASUU and other university unions, adding that the current administration has the political will to end disputes that have persisted for over a decade. He confirmed that the Expanded Negotiation Committee, inaugurated on Monday, has already begun engaging union leaders to achieve a fair and lasting settlement.

Alausa revealed that President Tinubu has approved N150 billion in the 2025 budget to be released in three tranches to enhance teachers’ welfare and address part of the unions’ long-standing demands. He also assured that by 2026, all outstanding arrears, including the 25 percent wage award, would be fully paid.

‘While we may not meet every demand at once, the government is committed to providing substantial improvements and handling the process with sincerity and trust,’ he said.

ASUU recently issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government following its National Executive Council meeting at the University of Abuja on September 28. The union’s seven-point demands include re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, revitalization of universities, payment of outstanding salary arrears, and resolution of third-party deductions.

Dr. Alausa noted that 80 percent of ASUU’s demands have already been met, appealing for patience and cooperation. He reaffirmed that the government’s priority remains keeping students in school and ensuring lasting peace and stability in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.