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The federal government has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to shelve its planned strike which is expected to start next week.

The government said there was no need for the union to embark on strike as it was committed to addressing all outstanding demands raised by the union.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa made the appeal in Abuja on Wednesday while briefing journalists on the progress of ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and university-based unions.

ASUU has threatened to go on strike at the end of its 14-day ultimatum which it issued on September 28.

The ultimatum will end on Oct 12.

Alausa highlighted several steps already taken by the government to demonstrate commitment, including the release of N50 billion for earned academic allowances and the provision of N150 billion in the 2025 budget for the revitalisation of tertiary institutions.

He said, ‘The President has kept his promises. We have addressed promotional arrears, and the issues of wage awards and allowances have been resolved. By next year, all arrears will be fully cleared, including the 2025 wage award. The government is sincere and committed.’

Alausa said that the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee had been reconstituted and inaugurated to fast-track talks with both academic and non-academic unions in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

He stated, ‘We are finalising the components of the condition of service that ASUU has proposed. Our counterpart committee is also working to conclude its response, and hopefully, by the end of today or tomorrow, the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Committee will present the Federal Government’s counter-offer to ASUU.’

He explained that President Bola Tinubu had given clear directives that all efforts must be made to avoid another disruption in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

Alausa said, ‘The President has mandated us to do everything humanly possible to avoid a strike. People at the highest level of government have been working several hours behind the scenes to come up with a robust but affordable response to the unions’ demands. These issues have dragged on for over 10 to 15 years, but this administration is determined to resolve them once and for all.’

The minister stated that, unlike in the past where separate committees handled negotiations for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, the government had now adopted a unified approach to ensure efficiency and coherence in the process.

The minister added, ‘In the past, we had three different committees working, one for universities, one for polytechnics, and one for colleges of education. But that was not an efficient way to negotiate.

‘Now, we have one expanded negotiating committee that engages all tertiary institutions and all unions, both academic and non-academic, to ensure a holistic understanding of their needs.’

According to Alausa, about 80 per cent of the unions’ requests are similar across the tertiary subsectors, while the remaining 20 per cent relate to peculiar career and institutional needs.

‘We have seen all the requests, and we understand their peculiarities. The new committee has started work already and will continue to engage the unions expeditiously to reach a mutually beneficial agreement,’ he said.

The minister also urged ASUU and other unions to embrace dialogue as a first option rather than resorting to industrial action.

He said, ‘We know you have been patient, but please don’t use strike as your first resort. These are issues that have lingered for decades. President Tinubu has shown genuine political will and benevolence towards education. We will resolve this matter comprehensively, respectfully, and in a way the government can afford.’

He assured that discussions on the new conditions of service would soon be concluded, noting that this was the final component of the ongoing negotiation process.

The minister said, ‘We have resolved most of the concerns raised by the unions, and we are now at the final stage of the conditions of service.

‘We are pleading for patience. The government is truthful and genuinely interested in resolving this crisis once and for all.’

ASUU has already begun full mobilisation of its members in preparation for a possible nationwide warning strike ahead of its 14-day ultimatum, which is set to expire on Sunday this week.

Veteran Nollywood actor Dele Odule has sparked concern and reflection among fans after sharing a series of cryptic posts about personal pain, emotional resilience, and self-worth on Instagram.

In his post, Odule revealed that while he has grown used to being left behind, the deeper pain lies in being made to feel special one day and unwanted the next.

He reflected on relationships, writing that ‘the wrong person finds you at peace and leaves you shattered, while the right one finds you broken and leads you to peace.’

Addressing those who say hurtful things and later claim they didn’t mean them, the actor described such behaviour as cruel and declared that he would respond with silence rather than anger.

Odule reaffirmed his resolve not to allow anyone to make him feel inadequate and ended his message on a positive note, wishing his followers a wonderful weekend.

‘Leaving me is okay, people leave all the time, I’m used to it. What hurts is, when you made me so special one day, and the next day I was so unwanted. The wrong one will find you in peace and leave you in pieces, the right one will find you in pieces and lead you to peace.

‘After you’ve said the meanest things, you now come back to tell me you never meant it, you’re MEAN, but I’ll crush your ego with silence. I will never allow anyone to make me feel I’m not enough’, he wrote.

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has signed two strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM) to enhance data-driven decision-making and improve service quality across Nigeria’s health insurance system.

The agency explained that the partnerships were necessary because it cannot function in isolation and must work closely with institutions that have complementary mandates.

‘This is the beginning of a long journey toward a more accountable and citizen-focused health insurance system. Our goal is to transform how health insurance works, using evidence, technology, and accountability to deliver the quality of care Nigerians deserve, the Director General (DG) of NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, stressed.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, Dr. Ohiri said the partnerships reflect the government’s determination to make healthcare delivery more evidence-based, accountable, and responsive to citizens’ needs.

‘These are not just documents; they represent real commitments to improving the way we deliver healthcare. Our programmes must be guided by accurate data, clear accountability, and the lived experiences of Nigerians.’ Dr. Ohiri noted.

He explained that the partnership with the NBS would strengthen the national health data ecosystem by ensuring that reliable indicators, particularly those affecting the poor and vulnerable, are captured in national statistics.

Noting that it would also support capacity building and locally relevant research to shape sound policies and evaluate the impact of interventions, the DG said, ‘People often ask how we measure the impact of what we do.

‘This collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics ensures that we’re measuring the right things, especially those that truly matter to ordinary Nigerians.’

Dr. Ohiri added that the agreement reflects a shared commitment between NHIA and NBS to utilize credible data for informed decision-making, track outcomes, and identify areas requiring improvement in the nation’s healthcare system.

He further emphasized that the partnership with SERVICOM, which coincided with this year’s Customer Service Week, would focus on improving the quality of care for over 20 million Nigerians currently enrolled in various NHIA programmes.

‘For us, health insurance is not only about numbers, it’s about people’s experiences. Partnering with SERVICOM aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for Universal Health Coverage’, he noted, adding that access alone is not enough; quality and accountability must go hand in hand.

According to him, the collaboration with SERVICOM will strengthen feedback mechanisms, ensure that enrollees are aware of their rights, and make it easier for them to report and resolve complaints at healthcare facilities.

Explaining that NHIA will deploy an Enrollee Charter, complete with QR codes to hospitals nationwide to guide users on service standards and complaint channels, Dr. Ohiri stressed, ‘When people go to a facility, if there are complaints, we want to hear them and resolve them.

‘We’ve already managed and resolved about 90 percent of over 2,000 complaints received in the past year.

‘Silence gives the impression that everything is fine when it’s not. Nigerians deserve to be heard, and we will make sure they are heard.’

He, however, affirmed that NHIA’s enforcement unit would continue to investigate complaints, impose sanctions where necessary, and reward facilities that deliver quality services.

‘Feedback should not only be about punishment; it should also recognize excellence. Those who perform well deserve encouragement, just as those who fail to meet standards must be held accountable,’ he said.

Ohiri added that the SERVICOM partnership would also involve training frontline health workers to improve empathy and responsiveness at the point of service.

‘When people are sick, they are at their most vulnerable. That’s when they need compassion and dignity. Working with SERVICOM helps us build that culture,’ he said.

Reacting, the acting National Coordinator of SERVICOM, Anthony Oshin, commended NHIA for initiating the collaboration and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that public institutions uphold the highest standards of service delivery.

‘The partnership we are entering into today will be a lasting one. It will help us achieve greater heights in promoting excellence and ensure that Nigerians enjoy the quality of care they deserve,’ Oshin said.

He emphasized that SERVICOM’s role would be to strengthen feedback culture, monitor service delivery, and support NHIA in building a system that puts citizens first.

‘When patients visit hospitals, they should know what services to expect and have a voice when things go wrong. Our job is to ensure that complaints lead to corrections, and that quality service becomes the norm, not the exception,’ he said.

Similarly, the Statistician-General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, described the partnership as a timely step toward integrating health data into national planning and ensuring evidence-based decision-making.

He said the collaboration would help measure the impact of health insurance on poverty reduction, equity, and access to care, while both agencies will jointly produce research and surveys to track the sector’s role in improving health outcomes and economic growth.

He also announced that NHIA will join the Integrated System of Administrative Statistics (ISAS), a platform that enables real-time data exchange across more than 15 ministries, departments, and agencies for national planning.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday urged the Senate to approve the implementation of the new external borrowing plan in the 2025 Appropriation Act, to refinance maturing Eurobonds.

Tinubu in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary, said the action has become necessary to cover part of the budget deficit and ensure Nigeria meets its debt obligations.

The President’s request is titled: ‘Request for the resolution of the National Assembly to implement new external borrowing in the 2025 Appropriation Act, refinance maturing Eurobonds and issue debt sovereign sukuk in the international capital market.’

Tinubu said the purpose of the letter was to seek a resolution of the Senate pursuant to the provisions of Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office (Establishment, Etc.) Act, 2003 to implement the New External Borrowing of ?1,843,669,786,987.16 (equivalent of USD1,229,113,000.00 at the budget exchange rate of USD1.00/N1,500.00) in the 2025 Appropriation Act for the part-financing of the Budget Deficit.

He also sought a resolution to refinance the USD1,118,352,000.00 Eurobonds (7.625% USD1.118BN NOV 2025) maturing on November 21, 2025; access aggregate external capital of USD2,347,465,000.00 (USD1.229bn and USD1.118bn).

He said that the facility would be accessed through any of the following channels in the International Capital Market (ICM): Issuance of Eurobonds, Loan Syndications, Bridge Finance Facility from Bookrunners and Direct Borrowing from International Financial Institutions.

He also requested a resolution to issue a stand-alone debt Sovereign Sukuk of up to USD500million in the ICM with or without credit enhancement (Guarantee).

The letter reads in part: ‘The Senate may wish to note that the 2025 Appropriation Act provides for N9,276,348,934,935.79 as New Borrowings to part-finance the 2025 Budget Deficit, of which ?1,843,669,786,987.16 (equivalent of about USD1,229,113,000.00 at the Budget Exchange Rate of USD1.00/N1,500.00) is specified as New External Borrowing.

‘The Senate is kindly invited to issue its resolution allowing the Government to raise the amount through any of the following options: Issuance of Eurobonds, Bridge Finance Facility from Bookrunners, Loan Syndication and Direct Borrowing from International Financial Institutions.’

On refinancing of maturing Eurobonds of USD1.118 billion, the President said: ‘The Senate may wish to note that Eurobonds of USD1,118,352,000.00 (7.625% US$1.118BN NOV 2025) issued in the ICM on November 21, 2018, with an original tenor of 7 years, will mature on November 21, 2025.

‘The plan is to refinance the maturing Eurobonds through issuance of Eurobonds, Bridge Finance Facility from Bookrunners, Loan Syndication, or Direct Borrowing from International Financial Institutions, if necessary to avoid default.

‘This is a standard practice in debt capital markets, including the ICM. The proposal is for the House of Representatives to issue its Resolution authorising the FGN to refinance the Eurobonds, accordingly.

‘Based on the presentations in Paragraphs 2 and 3, the aggregate amount proposed to be raised in the ICM either through Issuance of Eurobonds, Bridge Finance Facility from Bookrunners, Loan Syndication and Direct Borrowing from International Financial Institutions or combination of the options for which resolution of the Senate is being sought is USD2,347,465,000.00.

‘Whilst exploring all the options, the plan is to focus on the issuance of Eurobonds, and we believe that Nigeria, being a regular issuer of Eurobonds in the ICM could raise the proposed amount, subject to market conditions.

‘The Senate may wish to note that because Eurobonds Issuance is a market-based transaction, the terms and conditions can only be determined at the time of the transactions, and they will be subject to prevailing market conditions.

‘The Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) and the Debt Management Office (DMO) will work with the Transaction Advisers to secure the most favourable terms and conditions.

‘Meanwhile, it is expected that the pricing of the new Eurobonds will reflect the Yields on Nigeria’s Eurobonds trading in the ICM at the time of Issuance, while Tenors will be guided by investors’ preferences, price and the DMO’s liability management strategy.’

He equally invited the Senate resolution authorising the issuance of a stand-alone debut Sovereign Sukuk of up to USD500million in the ICM.

‘The FGN has recorded considerable success in the Issuance of Sukuk in the domestic capital market for the development of critical infrastructure projects across the country. Between September 2017 and May 2025, the DMO has raised N1,392.557 trillion through Sukuk in the domestic capital market to fund critical road infrastructure projects.

‘There is the need to pool resources from external sources to complement domestic issuance to help bridge infrastructure funding gaps; and,

‘It is imperative to open new sources of funding for the FGN, and thereby diversify investor base, as well as deepen the FGN Securities market.

‘The proposal is for the House of Representatives to approve the issuance of a stand-alone debut Sovereign Sukuk with or without credit enhancement (Guarantee) from the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group.

‘The Policy Premium for the Guarantee proposed by ICIEC is 3.5% of Issue Amount per annum. If the credit enhancement from ICIEC is taken for the proposed Sukuk Issuance, 25% of the Issue Proceeds may be used to repay relatively more expensive debt obligations of the FGN, and the balance will be used to finance the development of pre-identified infrastructure projects,’ the President said.

The President stated further that ‘based on the foregoing, I respectfully request the House of Representatives to pass a resolution to raise external capital in the sum of USD2,347,465,000.00 comprised of New External Borrowing in the 2025 Appropriation Act (USD1,229,113,000.00) and refinancing of maturing Eurobonds (USD1,118,352,000.00), through any of the following option(s): Issuance of Eurobonds, Bridge Finance Facility from Bookrunners, Loan Syndication and Direct Borrowing from International Financial Institutions.

‘To issue a debt stand-alone Sovereign Sukuk of up to USD500 million, with or without credit enhancement from the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit.’

A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of ex-governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others has claimed that the transactions carried out in accounts belonging to the state government violated no known banking regulations.

The witness, Mrs. Abimbola Williams, who is a Compliance Officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), featured as the third prosecution witness.

Bello is being prosecuted before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He is being prosecuted with Umar Oricha (Director General, Kogi State Government House) and Abdulsalami Hudu (an Accountant with the state government).

The EFCC is, in the 16-count charge, alleging criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110.4 billion.

Under cross-examination by the lawyer to Bello, Joseph Daudu, Williams said she was not the relationship or account manager of the Kogi Government House account.

She added that the account is domiciled in Lokoja (the capital of Kogi State), while she works in Abuja.

The witness said the banks do not enquire from customers the purpose for which they were making cash withdrawals, but that such a question could be asked when making transfers, and the relationship with the beneficiary in cases of high-volume transactions.

Mrs. Williams said that as a compliance officer, her duties involve protecting the integrity of her employer from legal penalties, reputational damage, and financial losses.

She said no withdrawal went beyond N10 million in all the transactions presented before the court, adding that she has worked with UBA for 19 years.

The witness, who said she was familiar with the duties of a cashier, which she said included paying cash and receiving cash, added that a customer could withdraw his/her money as much as he/she prefer as long as the mandate is correct.

The witness told the court that she had not met Bello in person before and that she had equally not met or had business dealings with Oricha.

Under cross-examination by lawyer to Hudu, A. M. Aliyu (SAN), the witness was handed a bank statement which reflected the various withdrawals made.

She stated that the narration on the credit entry in the statement was the governor’s security fund, adding that it was a credit entry of N100 million, in two tranches of N50 million each.

On whether she could state that the funds were not used for security purposes, the witness said: ‘My Lord, I am not privy to the details of the transaction and cannot categorically answer that question.’

Earlier, while being led in evidence by the lawyer for the prosecution, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Mrs. Williams was handed documents relating to the account of the Kogi State Government House.

The lawyer took the witness through the documents from which she narrated how withdrawals were allegedly made by Hudu.

She said cheque transactions totalling 64 at N10million per transaction, amounting to N640 million, were allegedly made within six days (between 31st July and 6th August, 2019) by Hudu.

She added that she was not in a position to know why the withdrawals were made.

She also confirmed transfers, in tranches, by one Bello Abdullateef, on July 5, 2019, but noted, on cross-examination, that her bank did not breach any regulations in allowing the withdrawals or transfers.

The prosecution also called in its fourth witness, Jesutomi Akanni, a Compliance Officer with Ecobank.

The prosecution tendered a 13-page statement of accounts from 2016 to 2024 and some other documents through the witness.

The witness gave details of some transactions in the account, following which the defence lawyers cross-examined the witness.

The prosecution called its fifth witness, Victoria Oluwafemi, who, like Akanni, was a subpoenaed witness from Polaris Bank.

Earlier, Daudu informed the court about his client’s pending application, challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

He urged the court to hear the application, a request Pinheiro objected to, arguing that it was not ripe for hearing.

Hearing in the case, before Justice Maryanne Anenih resumes on Thursday.

The West Africa Action Network Against Small Arms Proliferation (WAANSA) has urged northern governors to suspend their growing fixation on the 2027 general elections and focus instead on tackling the escalating insecurity and poverty ravaging their states.

Regional First Vice President of WAANSA, Martin Igwe, made the call during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, on Wednesday, warning that the North is bleeding from unchecked violence, arms inflow, and leadership neglect.

Igwe, who represents Nigeria in the regional body’s executive, lamented that while farmers and rural dwellers live in constant fear of bandits, kidnappers, and cross-border criminals, politicians are already consumed by the race for 2027.

‘Election is about the living, not the dead. Our people are dying daily, yet leaders appear more interested in political permutations than in saving lives or rebuilding devastated communities,’ he said.

He listed states such as Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kwara as hotbeds of insecurity due to their porous borders, warning that arms smuggling and bandit infiltration from neighbouring countries had turned them into theatres of violence.

Igwe said WAANSA, which operates across all 15 ECOWAS member states, was deeply concerned about the regional dimension of Nigeria’s security crisis, stressing the need for stronger cross-border collaboration under the ECOWAS framework.

He appealed to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who also serves as the second deputy speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, to rally his counterparts across the sub-region to adopt a joint security strategy to combat arms proliferation and transnational crimes.

‘Nigerians are almost speaking in a war situation,’ Igwe warned. ‘Those of us in towns may not feel it, but people in local communities are suffering unimaginable hardship. This is the time for ECOWAS to rise and protect its citizens.’

He also decried the worsening food insecurity in the North, attributing it to farmers’ inability to access their farmlands due to incessant attacks. ‘When people cannot farm, hunger follows, and when hunger strikes, criminality grows,’ he said.

The WAANSA vice president alleged that drug use remains a major enabler of banditry and violent crimes, and accused some political actors of indirectly funding the drug trade that fuels insecurity. ‘It’s a network that thrives because it serves political interests,’ he said, calling for media collaboration to expose such syndicates.

Responding, Chairman of the NUJ Kaduna Council, Alhaji AbdulGafar Alabelewe, commended WAANSA for its advocacy and pledged the union’s readiness to partner with the group in driving peace-oriented public discourse across Nigeria.

He said the visit offered renewed hope that patriotic citizens were still committed to peace and nation-building, noting that journalists would continue to spotlight issues affecting community security and development.

Alabelewe also urged state governments to adopt Kaduna’s non-kinetic approach to conflict management, which he said had helped to reduce violence, while calling for stronger ECOWAS cooperation to secure the region’s borders and stabilize the sub-region.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has arrested a 47-year-old man, Adetayo Adewodun, for impersonating a LASTMA officer and extorting money from a motorist at Itire Junction in Lagos State.

According to a statement issued by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, the incident occurred on Tuesday.

Preliminary investigations showed that Adewodun stopped one Mr. Ayano Stephen, driver of a white Hilux vehicle (registration number GME 259 TE) belonging to a construction firm, accusing him of making an unlawful turn.

Pretending to be a LASTMA operative, the suspect demanded ?80,000 as a penalty for the alleged offence. Unable to pay the full amount, Stephen pleaded and eventually handed over ?7,800-the only cash he had on him-to the fake officer.

Stephen later became suspicious of the man’s conduct and contacted LASTMA through its toll-free hotline to verify his identity. Acting promptly on the report, the agency’s Surveillance and Intelligence Unit, under the directive of General Manager Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, mobilised to the location.

On sighting the enforcement team, Adewodun attempted to flee but was pursued, arrested, and taken to LASTMA’s headquarters in Oshodi for interrogation.

During questioning, Adewodun confessed to being part of a three-man syndicate that frequently poses as LASTMA officials to extort unsuspecting motorists around the Itire area and other parts of Lagos. He revealed that the group makes an average of ?65,000 daily from such fraudulent activities.

Commending the motorist for his vigilance, Mr. Bakare-Oki described the report as an act of civic responsibility. He reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to integrity, professionalism, and transparency, emphasizing that the agency maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward impersonation and extortion.

‘All authentic LASTMA officers can be easily identified by their official uniforms, personalized name tags, and service identification numbers,’ Bakare-Oki stated.

He urged motorists to remain alert and report suspicious activities through the agency’s verified communication channels, including its toll-free emergency line (080000527862).

Mr. Bakare-Oki assured that the suspect would be arraigned before a Mobile Court to serve as a deterrent to others engaging in similar criminal acts.

He reiterated that LASTMA remains resolute in ensuring order, discipline, and sanity on Lagos roads while protecting law-abiding motorists from fraudulent exploitation.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has condemned what it described as another disturbing act of vandalism on the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge rail corridor.

The incident occurred between Agege and Agbado stations, where unidentified persons allegedly tampered with critical signalling components used in coordinating train movements.

According to a statement by the Corporation’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, the vandalized items include the removal of signal machine cap protectors and the cutting of connection cables on Switch Point Machine No. 2. The damage was discovered during a routine inspection on Monday, October 6, 2025.

The Corporation expressed strong disapproval of the act, warning that such sabotage poses grave safety risks to passengers and staff while threatening the efficiency of train operations.

‘NRC strongly condemns these acts of sabotage against national infrastructure. Such actions not only disrupt smooth train operations but also endanger lives,’ the statement read.

Unyimadu, however, assured that train movement on the Lagos-Ibadan corridor was not affected by the incident, as operations have continued without interruption.

He added that security agencies have been notified and tasked with investigating and apprehending those behind the act.

Reiterating its commitment to safe and reliable rail services nationwide, the NRC urged members of the public, especially communities located along railway corridors to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities around railway infrastructure.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his belief in equality and empathy, declaring that he would never look down on any Nigerian regardless of their social or economic status.

Obi made the statement on Wednesday on X (formerly Twitter) while responding to remarks that described some of his supporters as ‘street urchins’ and ‘low-class Nigerians.’

The 64-year-old politician and businessman said such comments reveal a troubling disregard for ordinary citizens.

Obi said that his politics has always been rooted in humanity and compassion, not elitism or class segregation, and his political philosophy centres on inclusion and empowerment.

In his statement titled: ‘Humanity is paramount in my politics, no street urchins,’ he said: ‘Lately, I have heard a few people say that those who follow Peter Obi are low-class Nigerians, and some have even gone as far as calling them ‘street urchins’ and people of no value. It is deeply unfortunate that in today’s Nigeria, citizens now look down on fellow citizens in such a degrading manner.

‘I have never and will never look down on anyone, except to lift them up. After all, we can only rise by lifting others. My involvement in politics has never been about associating with the so-called high and mighty, but about standing with the ordinary Nigerians whose voices have been silenced and whose resources have been stolen by the same ‘big names’ who now parade themselves with all sorts of titles and names.

‘No Nigerian is of no value. No Nigerian is a street urchin. It speaks volumes about the state of our nation that everyday Nigerians, are now battered by poverty and hardship, to the point their leaders refer to them as of no value, and urchins.

‘Every Nigerian deserves dignity, opportunity, and care. That is why I will continue to do my part to ensure that the ordinary Nigerians enjoy a better life, one built on access to education, quality healthcare, and genuine efforts to lift them out of poverty.

‘True leadership is not about mocking the weak, it is about lifting them up.’

As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu continues to consolidate his political base and strengthen his administration’s national appeal, strategic inclusivity remains essential for deepening his support across all regions of Nigeria.

One critical region that deserves presidential attention in this regard is the Nsukka Zone of Enugu State, a region with about 60 percent of the state voting population that has not produced a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999.

Nsukka zone is also the host of University of Nigeria with a huge student and staff population.

Replacing Chief Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji from Enugu East Senatorial District who resigned as a Minister following the allegations of certificate forgery, with someone from Nsukka Zone in Enugu North Senatorial District would change the 2027 voting dynamics in favour of President Tinubu.

The two minority Senatorial Districts in Enugu State (Enugu East and Enugu West Senatorial Districts) have been rotating the Ministerial slots of the state to themselves since 1999 to date, leaving out the zone whose voting strength outwaigh votes from the two senatorial districts put together.

Here is a compiled chronological list of Nigerians from Enugu State who have served as federal ministers since 1999, with each person’s ministerial portfolio(s), years in office and source citations.

Ministers from Enugu State (1999 – 2025):

Dubem (Gideon) Onyia

Enugu East Senatorial District Minister of State, Foreign Affairs 1999-2003

Frank Nweke Jr.;

Enugu East Senatorial District :

Minister (Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Duties; Information and National Orientation; Information and Communications)

2003-2007 (various portfolios)

Fidelia Akuabata Njeze;

Enugu West Senatorial District: Minister of State (Defence); Minister of State (Agriculture and Water Resources); Minister of Aviation (full minister) 2007-2011 (moved between roles; Aviation 2010-2011)

Bartholomew (Barth) Nnaji; Enugu East Senatorial District Minister of Power July 2011 – Aug 2012

Prof. Ositadimma (Osita) Nebo;

Enugu West Senatorial District: Minister of Power Feb 2013-2015.

Geoffrey Onyeama;

Enugu West Senatorial District: Minister of Foreign Affairs 2015 – 2023

Uche (Geoffrey) Nnaji;

Enugu East Senatorial District:

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology (Minister) – resigned Oct 2025 Aug 16, 2023 – Oct 2025 (resigned Oct 7-8, 2025).

This anomaly and injustice if corrected by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration, will pose a great goodwill for him in the next 2027 presidential election in the zone thereby making him to enjoy an overwhelming 60 percent of the total vote cast in Enugu State.

Nsukka Zone; The Political Stronghold of Enugu State:

The Nsukka Zone (Enugu North Senatorial District), comprising key local government areas such as Nsukka, Igbo-Eze North, Igbo-Eze South, Udenu, Igbo-Etiti, and Uzo-Uwani, with a sister Isi Uzo Local Government Area carved into Enugu East senatorial district, holds the highest voting population in Enugu State.

It has long been the political nerve center of the Enugu North Senatorial District and a strategic determinant of electoral outcomes in the state. By nominating a minister from this zone, President Tinubu would be acknowledging a region that will not only show confidence in his candidacy but also has the political weight to influence the broader Southeast electorate.

Strengthening Political Partnership:

Politics thrives on reciprocity. The Nsukka Zone’s increasing dominance in the APC, despite being in a traditionally opposition-dominated region, demonstrates political courage and loyalty. Rewarding such commitment with a ministerial position would send a clear message that President Tinubu values loyalty, fairness, and regional balance. This move would further energize APC supporters in Enugu State and attract undecided voters across the Southeast ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Balancing Regional Representation and National Integration:

In line with the federal character principle, equitable representation from all parts of the federation enhances national unity. The Southeast region, though still building a stronger presence in the APC, deserves inclusive participation at the highest level of governance. A ministerial appointment from the Nsukka Zone would not only balance the power equation in Enugu State but also promote inclusivity and give the people of the zone a sense of belonging in the Tinubu administration.

Economic and Developmental Justification:

The Nsukka Zone has vast agricultural potential, abundant human capital, and a growing youth population yearning for federal presence and economic opportunities. With the right ministerial representation, the zone could serve as a launchpad for federal agricultural initiatives, educational reform, and infrastructural development in the Southeast. Such visible impact would translate into greater political goodwill for President Tinubu’s government.

Strategic Political Gains Ahead of 2027:

Looking toward the 2027 presidential election, appointing a minister from Nsukka would be a masterstroke for consolidating APC’s foothold in Enugu and the wider Southeast. It would demonstrate that Tinubu’s government rewards and strengthens alliances, and builds trust beyond partisan lines.

Conclusion

President Tinubu’s administration stands at a pivotal point where strategic political decisions can define its long-term success. Recognizing and empowering the Nsukka Zone through a ministerial appointment would not strengthen alliances but also broaden the APC’s appeal in the Southeast.

It is a move that aligns with the President’s vision of inclusivity, equity, and national unity- and one that would significantly strengthen his victory prospects in Enugu State come 2027.