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Students of the University of Jos (UniJos) have described as timely the planned industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

According to the students, the academic staff have done all they could, including issuing several warnings and ultimatums, to ensure their demands are met, but to no avail, hence their support for the strike.

The leadership of ASUU had already begun mobilising its members across all the universities in the country, premising the latest development upon the government’s silence after a notice was served to all relevant authorities, including the minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi.

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However, the federal government on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to resolving all outstanding issues with university-based unions. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that every effort must be made to prevent further disruptions in the nation’s academic calendar.

But speaking on Friday during an interactive session of the ASUU-Students Committee, held at the ASUU secretariat of the University of Jos, the Pesident of the Student Union Government (SUG), UniJos, Pwajok Kangyang, lamented the poor state of the education system in the country.

She faulted the federal government for not doing enough in averting the planned industrial action by the lecturers.

The interactive session was convened to inform students about the ongoing development between ASUU and the federal government.

She said, ‘As students, we are the primary beneficiaries of the education system in the country. It is certain that we are the ones that would suffer. I think that stance like this helps to further buttress why ASUU is doing what they are doing. It is very easy for us to go to the street or social media talking about what we think without interacting with them.

‘Looking at the education system generally in Nigeria, it is not difficult to understand that the system is very poor. As SUG president, I have been to faculties where there are no seats. Sometimes, there is no water in the hostels. There is no light in the couple of days. There are numerous challenges. Government is not doing enough in funding the Universities.

‘I believe this action is justified, especially since ASUU has followed due process, engaging in consultation, consolidation, and confrontation. Having seen their efforts over the past six months, including attempts to discuss with the Federal Government, arrange meetings, and submit documents, it’s clear that strike action is indeed their last resort. This suggests that the Federal Government hasn’t done its part.’ the SUG President added.

She also called on students to reduce pressure on ASUU and instead channel their energy towards the Federal Government, urging them to release funds for universities, settle outstanding lecturers’ salaries, and improve the education system.

She further urged the federal government to engage in a roundtable discussion and listen to each other’s perspectives.

Speaking earlier, the Chairperson of UniJos ASUU, Prof. Jurbe Molwus, assured the students that they have explored all avenues to meet their demands, hence the need to keep students informed, given their stake in the process.

He said, ‘Perhaps, some of you are wondering what has been happening in the engagement between ASUU and the FGN over the past years that these issues are still in contention. Our union believes that it is lack of genuine engagement on the side of the FGN that is responsible for the lingering dispute.

‘Agents of government have asked us to give them time on several occasions and they mostly never keep to the time, neither do they revert to us until they perceive that we are mobilizing, then they will begin to engage us again. Sadly, we still do not have any positive development to report to date.’

The chairperson, however, called on students to utilize all available connections to persuade the government to listen to their plight before it is too late.

First Bank of Nigeria has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Digital Experience Centre at Bayero University Kano (BUK) aimed at assisting students experience firsthand innovation through technology.

The newly launched centre, which operates round the clock, offers a wide range of automated banking services, including cash deposits, withdrawals through advanced Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and various payment transactions all without direct human assistance.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mrs. Abimbola Kulle Ajayi, Group Head of Branch Operations and Services, Lagos, said the centre, the second of its kind in Northern Nigeria, is designed to showcase the bank’s digital transformation and make banking more convenient and interactive for customers.

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‘Beyond traditional banking services, the Digital Experience Centre provides a friendly environment where customers can explore and perform transactions independently,’ she explained.

Ajayi revealed that during the commissioning, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university successfully carried out a transfer using the machines, while the Students’ Union President instantly created an ATM card, highlighting the efficiency of the new facility.

Addressing concerns about occasional network disruptions, Mrs. Ajayi assured customers of improved connectivity, emphasizing that the BUK centre reflects First Bank’s commitment to reliable digital service delivery.

According to her, the location of the centre within Bayero University was strategic, given the tech-savvy nature of the academic community, whose feedback will help the bank refine its digital offerings.

Mrs. Ajayi further dismissed the notion that First Bank is an ‘old-fashioned’ institution, stressing that it remains a digitally driven and customer-focused brand committed to providing convenient and innovative banking solutions around the clock.

The Pipeline Professionals’ Association of Nigeria (PLAN) is set to host the Nigeria International Pipeline Technology and Security Conference and Exhibition (NIPITECS) from November 11-12, 2025 in Abuja.

The event will bring together between 1,000 and 1,500 participants including engineers, regulators, investors, and indigenous service providers.

With the theme ‘Building Robust Pipeline Systems for the Decade of Gas and Beyond.’, Engr. Geoff Onuoha FNSE, Chairman of the PLAN Board of Trustees, said NIPITECS 2025 will spotlight innovation, investment, and security challenges in Nigeria’s midstream oil and gas sector.

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The two-day program will include peer-reviewed technical papers, a technology exhibition, policy panel discussions, and a high-level networking dinner and awards ceremony.

Confirmed speakers include Engr.Adeche Omotosho-Oboro,MD,

Umugini Pipeline Infrastructure Limited; Engr.Ngozi Adeleke-Pipeline Manager, Renaissance Africa Energy Company; Sir Emeka Okwuosa, Group GMD, Oilserv

Group of Companies, Engr. Eloho Amagada, CEO, Amelin Projects Ltd, Engr Usman Yusuf, NNPC Board member, Engr Saidu Mohammed (Energy Veteran and

Consultant), among other technical committee leaders and international experts.

‘NIPITECS stands apart as Nigeria’s only midstream-focused pipeline conference, offering practical solutions rooted in local expertise alongside global best practices,’ Onuoha said.

Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has reaffirmed her commitment to advancing opportunities for Nigerian girls, emphasizing that ‘every girl deserves the chance to dream, grow, and lead.’

Sulaiman-Ibrahim made the reaffirmation during a courtesy visit to the APC Youth House, Office of the National Youth Leader in Abuja.

The visit brought together members of the APC Youth Wing, women leaders, and young progressives, highlighting the importance of collaboration in promoting education, empowerment, and leadership development for the Nigerian girl child.

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In his welcome address, the APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, expressed appreciation to the Minister for her advocacy towards improving the welfare of women and girls across the country.

He reiterated the Youth Wing’s commitment to promoting gender inclusion, equal opportunity, and social advancement within the APC and the wider society. ‘Empowering the girl child is empowering the next generation. At the APC Youth Wing, we remain committed to creating platforms that enable every young woman to find her voice and shape her future.’

Delivering her keynote address, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim commended the APC Youth Wing for its growing efforts to enhance youth and women participation in party leadership.

She called on young Nigerians to remain champions of advocacy, mentorship, and progressive leadership anchored on the principles of equality, dignity, and empowerment.

‘Every girl deserves the chance to dream, grow, and lead. The Ministry of Women Affairs will continue to strengthen partnerships that ensure girls are protected, educated, and supported to reach their full potential. We must also treat the issue of rape with utmost seriousness – it is not the responsibility of one entity alone; it requires a multi-sectoral approach.’

The event featured an engaging fireside chat and interactive session, where the Minister shared her experiences in leadership and public service, inspiring young attendees to pursue purpose-driven paths and contribute meaningfully to national development.

A key highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the Progressive Young Ladies Network, a youth-led platform dedicated to fostering mentorship, leadership training, and active participation of young women within and beyond the APC.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria face a must-win situation as they take on Lesotho this evening in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in South Africa.

Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the tournament – to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico – appeared dim after a 1-1 draw against South Africa in their previous match.

However, a recent decision by FIFA to deduct three points from South Africa for misconduct has reopened the qualification race.

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Following the deduction, both Benin Republic and South Africa sit on 14 points ahead of today’s fixtures, giving Nigeria a renewed chance to fight for top spot in Group C.

The Super Eagles must defeat Lesotho to keep their hopes alive, while also relying on favourable results from other fixtures – particularly Zimbabwe vs South Africa and Rwanda vs Benin. The outcome of these matches will determine whether Nigeria’s final group game against Benin on October 14 becomes a decisive one.

There remains a narrow alternative route through the playoff stage. Under CAF’s format, only the nine group winners qualify automatically for the World Cup. The four best runners-up across all groups will then contest a playoff for a possible spot.

However, that route looks difficult for Nigeria. The current fourth-best runner-up, Burkina Faso, have 15 points, with Cameroon, Namibia, and Uganda also on 15 – four points ahead of Nigeria, who have two games remaining.

To stand any realistic chance, the Super Eagles must win both remaining matches and hope results elsewhere work in their favour. Otherwise, Nigeria risk missing out on football’s biggest stage for the second consecutive time.

The Gambia will hold its next presidential election on December 5, 2026, officials announced on Thursday, as President Adama Barrow’s bid for a third term elicits mounting criticism.

Barrow surprised Gambians earlier this year when he said he would seek a third term in office.

The move is allowed under the tiny West African country’s 1997 constitution, but had not originally been expected of him.

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After Barrow was elected in 2016, it was widely believed that The Gambia would finally get a new constitution with presidential term limits. However, lawmakers allied to Barrow rejected a draft constitution in 2020 over a retroactive clause imposing two-term presidential limits that would have prevented Barrow from running again.

Four years later, the government drew up a second draft removing the retroactive clause.

But that bill was rejected by lawmakers in July.

Barrow’s decision to run for a third term under the banner of his National People’s Party has caused criticism inside and outside the country.

The Gambia’s largest political party, the United Democratic Party, last month unveiled veteran politician Ousainou Darboe as its flagbearer for the presidential election.

Barrow, however, is widely expected to win the 2026 vote at this stage, as the opposition has yet to pull together a winning coalition.

Joseph Colley, chairman of The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), announced on Thursday that the presidential vote would take place on December 5, 2026, and parliamentary elections on April 10, 2027.

The December 5 date is standard for the country’s electoral calendar under its current constitution.

Chapter 5 of the Abuja Master plan discussed the Plan Organization and Land Requirements of the City. Out of the 25,498 hectares earmarked for the city, a whopping 8,300 hectares equivalent to 33 percent was allotted for open space and recreation. Thus, among the major objectives of the master planning process which shaped the capital city program is the provision of a citywide open space structure.

Others are the retention of the stream valleys and water-course network for both aesthetic and drainage purposes. It also aimed at the preservation of the surrounding escarpment of hills and the inselbergs which form major focal points within the city. As we have stated previously, ornamental parks and open spaces with indigenous and exotic species were meant to be visible everywhere in the city. Hence, Abuja was conceived of, in the tradition of the ‘city beautiful’, or the ‘garden city’ concept.

Protecting the principles and concept require institutional arrangements and policies, and these were embedded in the framework that forms the Federal Capital Development Authority, the FCDA that is building, and the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, AMMC that was later established to manage the city.

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Specifically, the Park and Recreations Department was created to ensure the protection and management of the land budgeted for open spaces and recreation by the Abuja Master plan for the purpose of actualizing the garden city concept. There is every reason why regulations would be made by the responsible FCT Administrations to strengthen the ‘city beautiful’ essence, for the overall benefit of our dear capital city.

The creation of the Parks and Recreation Department in 2004 was immediately preceded with the promulgation and gazette of the FCT Parks Regulations in 2005. The regulations aim to protect the aesthetic appeal and biodiversity of the FCT’s green spaces and ensure they are used for healthy recreations. Despite their importance, the regulations have faced challenges. In order to address the challenges, a subsequent FCT Parks Policy was gazetted in 2019, which built upon the foundation of the 2005 regulations to further promote the ‘Green Concept’ and the preservation of natural features within the city.

Considering the effect of climate change on the FCT environment, all layout plans of the FCT shall provide not less than 33 percent land for parks, green areas and open spaces for carbon sequestration. Also, as provided by the park policy, all designated parks, green areas, open spaces and other recreational sites captured in the 33 percent land use budgeted, and which have been distorted, shall be recovered and reverted to parks and recreation department.

It also made provision for the lost green resources of the FCT due to physical developments to be recovered vertically on walls, horizontally on building tops. As germane as this provision is, this aspect is still not being propagated and promoted by the concerned department to inform developers for compliance. This will be a subject for future discussion.

Furthermore, the 2019 FCT Park Policy provided for different hierarchies in parks. They are regional, above 50 hectares, citywide, 20-50 hectares, district, 9-20 hectares, neighbourhood, 1-8 hectares, and parkettes, below 1 hectare. The violation of any of these structures negates the provisions not only of the park policy, but the parent document which is the Abuja Master Plan and the accompanying tools provided for the implementation and protection.

Nobody can boldly commence removal of trees in a designated neighbourhood park, with the intention of development, if he doesn’t have the land allocation from the FCT Administration. Also, any of such allocations must have been preceded by a report from the relevant department, which would be backed by a policy document to support the land use change.

With all the arrayed documents we are at a lost as to the one relied on, by the present FCT Administration to allocate the Zone 6 Neighbouhood Park and many others across the Federal Capital City for a contrary use. We are hereby categorically demanding for the report that ‘guided’ the FCT Administration to violate the green area provisions in the Abuja Master plan in the manner now perpetrated.

One fundamental principle in urban planning is transforming constrains on one development to advantages on others. Thus, lands that have constrains of physical development due to availability of streams or being susceptible to flooding become advantageous to use for greening for aesthetics and recreations. At the same time, are used as district storm drainage waterways and underground sewer lines.

It was the blatant refusal of the Wike administration to listen to professional advice from the professional bodies not to violate the areas designated as green in the land use plans of the city, which has now culminated in a clearly avoidable environmental jeopardy of burst water pipes, blocked water and sewer lines and environmental contamination, that is now threatening the health, welfare and overall survival of Wuse Zone 6 Neighbouhood community. It was an indescribable embarrassment to the Federal Capital City.

In a world that is ever changing, opportunities often emerge in unexpected places. While some chase volatile businesses or fleeting trends, others quietly leverage opportunities that have powered the internet since its inception: premium domain names.

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Kogi State State Government has absorbed over 2,500 vigilante members into the state civil service as part of efforts to combat criminal activities.

The Executive Chairman, Kogi State Civil Service Commission, Barr. Tanko Muhammed, disclosed this while addressing members of the Kogi State Vigilante Service (KSVS) in Lokoja on Thursday.

The Chairman emphasized that their absorption into the state civil service has further subjected them to the Public Service Rules (PSR), Scheme of Service and Regulation with their appointment duly gazetted.

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While congratulating them for their successful engagement into civil service, Barrister Mohammed urged them to remain committed and dedicated to their duties, describing their new position in the society as ‘very important.’ In his remarks, the Director General of KSVS, Alhaji Ibrahim Omeiza Sani, said the absorption is a testimony of their good service and implicit trust of Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo in their ability to assist in combating criminal activities in the State.

He urged the vigilante members to remain committed to their duties and justify the trust reposed in them.

The Director General, represented by his Deputy, Mr. Ibrahim Taiwo, enjoined the members to observe the necessary documentation associated with their new position in the civil service sector.

Established by the Kogi State House of Assemble Law of 2013, the KSVS became operational during the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello, with members drawn from different communities across the 21 local Government areas.

Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), on Thursday, staged a protest in some states across the country over withheld salaries and allowances.

NASU and SSANU, Bayero University Kano (BUK) chapter, held a protest within the university premises, following a directive from the national leadership of the two unions after the expiration of a one-week ultimatum and an additional two-week grace period issued to the federal government.

Addressing journalists during the protest, the National Vice President of SSANU (North West), Sabo Balarabe Wudil, said the action was necessitated by the federal government’s failure to meet longstanding demands.

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‘We are on the streets because our demands have been ignored for too long. The federal government has withheld our two months’ salaries from the 2022 strike, failed to implement the 2009 agreement, and neglected the payment of salary arrears from January to December 2023,’ he said. Wudil also lamented the non-release of N40 billion in Earned Allowances, noting that only N10 billion was paid out of the N50 billion approved in 2022.

He added that despite several Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed with the government, none had been honoured.

‘We are peaceful unions. We want peace to reign, but we also want justice. This protest is just the beginning. If the government fails to act, our national bodies will decide the next line of action,’ he said.

Receiving the protest letter on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development), Professor Amina Mustapha, assured the unions of the university’s support.

‘I want to assure you that the Vice-Chancellor is with you in this struggle. We will forward your grievances to the appropriate authorities,’ she said.

Daily Trust reports that the protesters were carrying placards with various inscriptions, including ‘Treat non-teaching staff with dignity’, ‘We worked, you withheld. Release our two months salary’, ‘25%/35% salary arrears are our right’ and ‘No more promises, action now’, among others.

Protest at ABU Zaria, FULAFIA

Also, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the NASU and SSANU staged a peaceful protest over unmet demands at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Samaru campus, on Thursday.

Addressing newsmen during the protest, Mohammed Yunusa, JAC Chairman ABU Zaria branch, said the protest followed a directive from the National JAC headquarters in Abuja for a one-day nationwide protest.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘Enough is Enough, pay our withheld salaries’, ‘FG honour our 2009 agreement’, ‘Justice delayed is Justice denied’, among others.

The members marched peacefully within the campus from the Senate Building to the main gate of the university.

The JAC Chairman said once the national body directs an indefinite closure of the universities, the ABU chapter will comply.

Similarly, NASU and SSANU at the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA) joined their counterparts across the country in the protest.

The branch chairman of SSANU, Comrade Daniel Dajen, led the protesting members on the university premises.

In his address, Dajen stated that the Federal Government and the Association are supposed to renegotiate every five years.

‘Our issue is the non-renegotiation of the 2009 agreement. Based on the agreement, we are expected to renegotiate our salaries and allowances every five years, but from 2009 to date, nothing has been done,’ he said.

He added that the failure of the Federal Government to fulfil its promise led to the association’s strike in 2022, and members’ salaries were withheld.

Dajen said that the public should blame the Federal Government if the association takes any decision that the public might not be happy with.