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The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed all its branches across Nigeria to commence a two-week warning strike from Monday.

President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced this at an ongoing press briefing at the headquarters of the union located in University of Abuja.

Piwuna said the decision to begin total warning strike became imperative after the government failed to do the needful regarding its demands.

‘Compatriots of the press, it goes without saying that there is nothing sufficient on ground to stop the implementation of the ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike at the expiry of the 14-day notice given on the 28th September 2025.’

‘Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, the 13th October, 2025.

‘The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive as agreed at the last NEC meeting,’ Piwuna said.

Last week when he appeared on Channels Television, Piwuna had called on the Federal Government to expedite the resolution of lingering issues affecting university lecturers.

He had commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for facilitating the release of ?50 billion as part of the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) owed to its members.

‘I commend Dr. Alausa for fighting within government circles to ensure that the money comes out,’ Piwuna said. ‘We’ve seen his personal effort to get that done.’

He clarified, however, that the ?50 billion payment only addressed a small portion of ASUU’s claims.

‘The full amount owed in earned academic allowances stands at about ?103 billion. We had agreed with the government under Dr. Ngige to forfeit 50%, provided the remaining 50% would be paid and mainstreamed into our salaries. But even that payment was delayed until recently,’ he explained.

Piwuna further disclosed that the government deducted 20% from ASUU’s ?50 billion share to settle other campus unions, such as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) – a decision ASUU accepted in good faith.

‘We did not argue over it. We’ve continued to make sacrifices,’ he said. ‘Dr. Alausa himself has acknowledged and appreciated us for that sacrifice.’

The ASUU president stressed that while the union recognized efforts made by the current administration, Nigerians must understand that ASUU, too, has made significant concessions in the national interest.

‘When people say President Tinubu or Dr. Alausa has done something, yes, we’re not disputing that. But we too have made great sacrifices,’ he added.

According to Piwuna, ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) held an emergency meeting last week to deliberate on a letter from Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, CFR, who chairs the Federal Government’s team handling the union’s unresolved issues.

‘The letter from Alhaji Yayale Ahmed was considered by our union as a delay tactic by the government,’ Piwuna said. ‘They had asked for two weeks about two weeks ago, and in the new letter, they are asking for another three weeks to get back to us. NEC considered that as an attempt at delaying the resolution of this crisis.’

He emphasized that all of ASUU’s branches were represented at the NEC meeting, with over 70 chartered chapters in attendance.

‘We all met and looked at the state of our struggle, where we are, and what next steps to take,’ he stated.

Piwuna lamented that despite several meetings and promises, the Federal Government had yet to address key issues, including unpaid salary arrears, earned academic allowances, and the withheld salaries from the union’s 2022 industrial action.

‘We’re still being owed 12 months of the 25-35% salary increase awarded by this current government. We also have three and a half months of salary that was withheld from the 2022 action. We think that that action by government to withhold our salary is punitive,’ he said.

On the contentious ‘no work, no pay’ policy, Piwuna noted that the industrial court’s ruling on the matter was inconclusive.

‘The court said it was okay if government paid us our salaries, and it was also okay if they decided not to pay. Basically, it was left to the government’s discretion,’ he explained.

The ASUU president warned that the union’s patience is wearing thin, cautioning that unless genuine progress is made, ASUU would have no choice but to proceed with its planned warning strike.

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) scheduled to begin on Monday, October 13, in Washington, D.C.

The announcement of was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

Cardoso, who serves as Nigeria’s Alternate Governor at the Bretton Woods institutions, is representing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who is currently indisposed.

The delegation will also include the Minister of State for Finance, Mrs. Doris Uzoka-Anite, alongside other senior government officials and representatives of key financial institutions.

According to the World Bank, the Annual Meetings will feature the Development Committee Plenary on October 16 and the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) meeting on October 17.

The week-long sessions will also include regional briefings, press conferences, and high-level fora on global economic trends, international development, and financial stability.

The meetings, which bring together finance ministers, central bank governors, and development partners from around the world, provide a platform for policy discussions on global growth, debt sustainability, inflation management, and fiscal reforms.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has rewarded a pilgrim, Zainab Idris, with One Million Naira (N1,000,000) for returning missing $5000 to the rightful owner, a Tajikistan citizen.

Idris, a pilgrim from Plateau State, found the money in Saudi Arabia during the recently concluded 2025 Hajj exercise, searched for the owner and returned it to him.

Presenting the N1m to Zainab Idris at the Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board, the Governor, through the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Dayyabu Dauda, said they invited her to show appreciation for her good conduct and character during the pilgrimage, and to support her business with a token.

The governor also awarded one Malam Ayuku with a new phone for returning lost iPhone in Saudi Arabia during pilgrimage.

According to the secretary, ‘We are proud of these pilgrims because they have proved to the world that they are of good character. Before we traveled to the Holy land, the governor in his message asked pilgrims to be good and ambassadors and they justified that. We are proud of them indeed.

‘Governor Mutfwang has advised that we should always be good people wherever we find ourselves. He also called on other citizens of the state and the country at large to emulate them,’ he added.

Responding, Idris appreciated the reward extended to her by the Governor, describing him as a father. She added that the money would go along way in supporting her business.

The Ajadi Rescue Movement, a fast-growing socio-political and humanitarian initiative founded by Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has launched its Gombe State Chapter in a colourful ceremony that brought together political figures, community leaders, and youth groups from across the state.

The inauguration, held in the Gombe State capital on Saturday, was a vibrant display of culture, unity, and purpose.

The Fasaha Cultural Troupe opened the event with a lively Hausa traditional performance, symbolising the movement’s deep respect for Nigeria’s diverse heritage and its commitment to inclusivity.

The programme began at 11:00 a.m. with prayers from both Islamic and Christian clerics – Imam Adamu Usman Manzo and Reverend Nuhu Nadabo – reinforcing the organisation’s message of religious harmony and peace. Attendees also rendered the national anthem and the Ajadi Anthem, led by the Zonal Coordinator of Gombe South, Mr. Amatiga N. Yila.

In his welcome address, the Zonal Coordinator of Gombe Central, Mr. Mahmud Usman, praised Ambassador Ajadi’s ‘visionary leadership and unwavering dedication’ to social justice, youth empowerment, and national rebirth. He also acknowledged Northern Coordinator Comrade Shuaibu Ibrahim for his ‘unrelenting grassroots mobilisation’ across the region.

Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Shuaibu Ibrahim described the Ajadi Rescue Movement as a people-oriented platform devoted to empowering the underprivileged.

‘Ajadi Rescue Movement is not a political family business – it is a national service platform,’ he declared. ‘Ambassador Ajadi’s mission is not driven by politics, ethnicity, or religion, but by a genuine desire to rescue humanity from poverty, ignorance, and neglect.’

He urged the people of Gombe to identify with the vision of the movement, assuring them that its positive impact will soon be felt nationwide.

The highlight of the event was the formal unveiling of the Gombe State Chapter, led by State Coordinator Comrade Abubakar Kalagar Muhammad. He lauded Ambassador Ajadi as ‘a God-sent reformer whose compassion and patriotism have birthed a movement of hope across Nigeria.’

‘Leadership is not about power but purpose – the purpose of serving others,’ Kalagar stated, while unveiling the newly appointed state executives and local government coordinators.

Goodwill messages followed from dignitaries, including CSP Muhammed Baba Ali and Prince Zaidu, who represented His Highness, the Hakimin Shengete. Both commended the movement’s leadership and prayed for Ambassador Ajadi’s continued strength and success.

During an interactive session, participants discussed the movement’s goals, structure, and long-term sustainability.

Their concerns were addressed by Hon. Ibrahim and Comrade Kalagar, who reaffirmed the movement’s transparency and commitment to grassroots empowerment.

In her closing remarks, Gombe State Women Leader Hajiya Mairo Adamu, alongside Youth Leader Engr. Aeron Maidoma and Secretary General, expressed appreciation to all attendees. They pledged to take the ‘message of hope, unity, and empowerment’ to every corner of Gombe State.

The event ended with closing prayers from Reverend Nadabo and Imam Manzo Adamu, followed by a group photograph led by Hon. Ibrahim. Participants dispersed joyfully at about 1:45 p.m.

The inauguration of the Gombe Chapter marks another milestone in the expansion of the Ajadi Rescue Movement across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. Since its inception, the movement – under the leadership of Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi – has inspired Nigerians with its vision of social inclusion, youth development, and national renewal.

A business reporter with Daily Trust Newspaper, Faruk Shuaibu, was among the journalists honoured at the West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA) 2025.

Shuaibu, who emerged as a winner, was nominated among 26 finalists for the award ceremony with an entry ‘Why Nigerians Ditched the eNaira’ under the Digital Public Infrastructure/Digital Public Goods Reporting category.

The category highlights how governments in Africa are using digital infrastructures to better the lives of their citizens.

Catherine Gicheru, a grand jury for WAMECA, said the story was selected as ‘the team at the Daily Trust exposed how Nigeria’s bold experiment with digital currency stumbled. Through sharp reporting and human stories, they revealed the disparate between innovation and reality, showing how poor communication, technical failures, and lost confidence turned a national milestone into a cautionary tale.’

‘It is more than a technology story. It is a story about trust, about governance, and inclusion. This story reminded us that true digital transformation isn’t about apps or platforms. It’s about people. Congratulations to the Daily Trust team, and especially the journalists who were involved in this story because of their work, they made the winners of the Digital Public Infrastructure category.’

In a statement earlier, MFWA said it received 793 entries this year and were submitted by journalists from over 600 media outlets across 15 West African countries.

It said Nigeria emerged as the country with the highest number of submissions (335 entries), comprising 42% of the total.

Ghana followed with 101 entries, while Burkina Faso submitted 92 entries. 21 entries were received from Mali, while Niger recorded 4 entries. The remaining 10 countries in the subregion recorded a total of 230 entries.

‘This overwhelming response marks a strong return for West Africa’s biggest and most prestigious journalism event after a break in 2024. The call for entries, which opened on April 15, invited submissions of journalistic works published between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Entries were received across nine award categories, including Human Rights Reporting, Environmental Reporting, Investigative Journalism, Women Empowerment Reporting, and Digital Public Infrastructure/Digital Public Goods Reporting. Others include Anti-Corruption, Extractive sector, Telecoms and ICT, and Illicit Financial Flows.’

As part of this year’s Green Diplomacy Week, the European Union and the German Embassy in Abuja launched the German-Nigerian Flare4Value project, a landmark initiative aimed at tackling gas flaring in Nigeria while unlocking new economic opportunities through gas optimisation and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation.

Declaring the event open on Thursday in Abuja, Kristina Fuerst, Head of the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office, said the initiative ‘marks a significant milestone in the German-Nigerian partnership and our joint commitment to transforming environmental challenges into economic opportunities.’

She added that ‘gas flaring reduction is not only a climate priority but a gateway to energy access, industrial growth, and sustainable development for Nigeria.’

Reiterating the significance of emission reduction, Johannes Lehne, Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Germany in Nigeria, said, ‘The strategic significance of gas flaring reduction represents both an environmental imperative and an economic opportunity.’ He added that, ‘By capturing and utilising flare gas, we not only cut emissions but also create value for power generation and industry.’

Speaking further, he emphasised that Flare4Value ‘reflects the strength of the German-Nigerian partnership and the EU’s wider commitment to supporting Nigeria’s leadership in climate action.’

Dr Vitalis Obi mni, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, noted that the Flare4Value initiative underscores Nigeria’s shared commitment to reducing emissions and unlocking the full potential of its gas resources. He emphasised that, through partnerships such as this, Nigeria can transform flare gas into an engine for cleaner energy, industrial growth, and sustainable development.

The project is implemented under H2-diplo, a GIZ programme commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office and financed by the International Climate Initiative (IKI). H2-diplo supports Germany’s international energy and climate diplomacy, partnering with countries to advance the use of green hydrogen in diversifying and decarbonising their economies.

Nigeria is one of the world’s top seven gas-flaring countries, losing billions in potential revenue each year while contributing significantly to GHG emissions. In 2022 alone, the country flared around 275 billion standard cubic feet of gas, emitting over 16 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This not only exacerbates climate change but also contravenes Nigeria’s Climate Change Act (2021), which mandates strict carbon budgeting and emissions reduction.

The German-Nigerian Flare4Value initiative is designed to address this challenge head-on. It focuses on reducing flare-gas emissions, improving gas utilisation, and aligning Nigeria’s oil and gas sector with its Energy Transition Plan. A key innovation of the project is its exploration of flare gas-to-hydrogen pathways, turning waste into clean energy carriers while creating space for industrial growth.

Representing the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Godfrey Ogbemudia, Programme Manager for Energy, Circular Economy and Climate Change, said, ‘Reducing what goes into the atmosphere today is a responsibility we all share. It’s encouraging to see Nigeria’s flare-reduction efforts already yielding results; this project takes those gains even further.’

Ogbemudia added that the initiative ‘isn’t only about environmental protection; it’s about creating new business opportunities through gas commercialisation and cleaner energy solutions that benefit people and the planet.’

Through structured dialogue, technical collaboration, and private-sector engagement, the project provides a high-level bilateral platform for Germany and Nigeria to deepen cooperation on climate action. With its launch under the EU Green Diplomacy Week, it showcases the EU’s commitment to forging strong partnerships in multilateral decarbonisation efforts. Nigerian partners include the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gas Aggregator Company of Nigeria (GACN), the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).

The project was formally introduced at a virtual kick-off meeting on 29 September, followed by Thursday’s high-level event in Abuja. A study tour to Germany is planned for October, bringing Nigerian public and private-sector actors together with German stakeholders. The initiative will culminate in a multistakeholder conference in Abuja on 4 December 2025, where a discussion paper on flare-gas reduction will be launched alongside a B2B exchange platform for Nigerian and German businesses.

By linking flare-gas reduction with hydrogen development, the Flare4Value project bridges climate action and economic opportunity. It supports Germany’s and the EU’s broader energy diplomacy while advancing Nigeria’s national priorities, reducing emissions through targeted gas recovery, creating new industrial and economic value, and strengthening Nigeria’s energy transition for a more resilient and diversified economy.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent decision to grant presidential pardon to some Nigerians including ‘drug traffickers and smugglers.’

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, in a statement, described the action as ‘pathetic and a national disgrace,’ warning that the move undermines Nigeria’s anti-drug efforts, encourages crime, and further tarnishes Nigeria’s image in the eyes of the world.

He said the ADC finds it ‘pathetic and an act of immense national disgrace’ saying that the the recent presidential pardon and clemency granted to ‘several convicted criminals’ amounts to a most ‘irresponsible abuse of the presidential power of prerogative of mercy to grant express pardon to dozens of convicts held for drug trafficking, smuggling, and related offences, especially when most of these convicts have barely served two years in jail for offences that carry a penalty of life imprisonment.’

Abdullahi said pardons and clemency are granted for their social utility and to correct perceived miscarriages of justice, and to convicts who have paid their debts to society. ‘But we wonder what Nigeria stands to benefit from this act of clemency to convicts serving life sentences who have barely served two years.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, Nigeria is still regarded as a major transit point for illicit drugs while we face a serious national pandemic of drug use, especially among our youths. Several reports have it that Nigeria’s drug use stands at an estimated 14.4%, almost three times the global average of 5.5%.’

ADC said the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies have risked life and limb to combat this problem, dismantle illicit drug networks, intercept consignments, prosecute offenders, and secure convictions.

‘The men and women in these agencies have laboured under enormous risk and pressure to protect the public from the scourge of addiction, trafficking, and related crimes that carry some of the harshest penalties in Nigerian law, precisely because of their devastating impact on public health, youth development, and national security.

‘Granting clemency to individuals convicted under such laws therefore strikes at the very foundation of Nigeria’s legal and moral stance against narcotics and makes a mockery of the gallant efforts of officers fighting the battle against narcotics and illicit drugs.’

‘These pardons also send reverberations beyond Nigeria’s borders. They undercut our standing among global partners in the fight against drug trafficking and give the unfortunate impression to the rest of the world that our country, under President Tinubu, has particular sympathy for drug dealers and that Nigeria is a risk-free jurisdiction for traffickers in narcotics.’

The opposition party said with this mass clemency for drug dealers, ‘President Tinubu and the APC are redefining the standard of morality in our country. They are gradually transforming Nigeria into a country where anything goes, where even the worst of crimes attract no punishment beyond a few months of inconvenience for the criminal to, by their assessment, ‘show remorse.’

The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), threatening to invoke the ‘no work, no pay’ policy if academic activities are disrupted due to the union’s action.

In a joint statement released on Sunday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolving ASUU’s grievances through dialogue.

‘The Federal Government has demonstrated demonstrable sincerity, patience, and goodwill in its dialogue with the Union,’ the statement read.

The ministers noted that most of ASUU’s concerns, such as increased teaching allowances and improved conditions of service, have been addressed. Other issues, they said, fall under the jurisdiction of university governing councils, which have been reconstituted to handle them.

‘Despite these efforts, ASUU has opted for strike action. This action does not reflect a spirit of cooperation or fairness to the students and the public,’ the ministers stated, adding that the government had met its deadline for presenting its position.

They added that under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the government emphasised its priority to maintain academic stability.

However, they warned, ‘The ‘no work, no pay’ policy remains an extant labour law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the government will be guided by this law should academic activities be disrupted.’

The statement urged ASUU to reconsider its stance and return to dialogue, stressing that ‘government remains open to engagement at any level to prevent unnecessary disruption in the education sector.’

Governor Uba Sani’s decision to meet the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, in order to fast-track the completion of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway has been described as hands-on people-centred leadership.

In a statement issued by the Kaduna State Chairman of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria(RTEAN), Hon Adamu Zubairu Jalaludeen, the association commended the Governor’s visit.

Hon Jalaludeen who is also the North West Vice President of the association, noted that the expressway is the major gateway to both the North West and North East geopolitical zones.

Underscoring the importance of the road, the RTEAN chieftain noted that Governor Uba Sani’s decision to meet the Minister of Works on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway has endeared him to all stakeholders in the transport value chain.

According to him, both transport owners and employees have been expressing optimism that the road project will be completed soon, following Governor Uba Sani’s intervention.

It will be recalled that the Governor had met with Engr Umahi last Friday, to conduct a comprehensive review of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway project, in line with inter-governmental collaboration.

Discussions at the meeting centered on expediting the completion of the Abuja-Jere-Kaduna segment, which serves as a lifeline for millions of Nigerians who rely on it daily for mobility, trade, and social connectivity.

The Governor emphasized that the expressway transcends regional relevance, describing it as a ‘national artery’ central to the socio-economic integration of the entire northern region.

Governor Uba Sani reiterated that the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway represents a flagship component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aligning with the administration’s vision of modernizing infrastructure and stimulating economic competitiveness.

‘This expressway is not just a road – it is an economic corridor that connects people, markets, and opportunities across northern Nigeria and beyond,’ he argued.

In his response, Engr Umahi commended Governor Uba Sani for his constructive engagement and consistent advocacy for the people of Kaduna State.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering the project within record time, disclosing that contractors have been directed to adopt double shifts to accelerate progress without compromising on quality.

The Minister further assured that the innovative use of durable concrete pavement technology would guarantee long-term sustainability and reduced maintenance costs.

The Federal Government has been advised to recruit personnel from voluntary paramilitary organizations such as the Boys Scouts, Boys Brigade, and Man O’ War among others to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.

The Deputy Commandant of Training, Operations and Rescue, Man O’ War, Kwara State Command, Nasiru Yusuf Ali, made the call at the Kwara State Security Summit held in Ilorin at the weekend.

The event was under the auspices of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), to address the growing insecurity in the state and seek stronger collaboration among security agencies, government institutions, and local stakeholders.

Ali who is also the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in the state, said proper recruitment was key to solving the country’s security challenges.

He stressed that many people currently serving in security agencies joined not out of passion or commitment but the need for employment.

‘Most people who are employed into security agencies are not driven by interest in that particular service but because they need a job after graduation. Proper recruitment is one of the basic solutions to the security challenges we are facing,’ he said.

He said the federal government should consider drawing from voluntary uniformed organizations whose members already possess discipline, community service experience, and dedication to national duty.

‘About four weeks ago, we lost one of our Man O’ War members to bandits in Isin Local Government Area. He volunteered to assist local hunters in confronting the criminals inside the forest. His corpse was discovered two days later. That shows the level of sacrifice our members are willing to make,’ he said.

In his remarks, the state Commander of the NFSS, Oyewole Nasirudeen, appealed to both the federal and state governments for full legal recognition and logistical support to boost its operations in protecting forests and combating criminal activities across the state.

He said the organization is mandated to secure forested regions across the country and assist formal agencies in intelligence gathering.

‘You will agree with me that at this moment, there is no comfort space or safety zone for anyone in the state. That is why we are calling on the Governor of Kwara State to be more proactive in supporting local intelligence and surveillance efforts,’ he said.

The NFSS Commander noted that the agency had yet to benefit from state security interventions despite its significant role in forest surveillance and intelligence work.

He appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to provide working tools and logistics to improve the organization’s efficiency, adding that foresters are more familiar with the terrain and can easily identify criminal hideouts.

The Commander disclosed that the NFSS has operational units across all 16 local government areas of the state, with more than 3,200 personnel working closely with other security agencies to monitor forest routes and prevent criminal infiltration.

For his part, the service Assistant Commander General, North Central, Abdulhakeem Adeyemi Ibrahim, explained that NFSS was not competing with existing security agencies but complementing their efforts.

‘Police cannot do without us, and we cannot do without the police. Our operatives are risking their lives to assist formal agencies’, he said.

He further sought collaboration with traditional rulers, urging them to provide office spaces and logistical support for NFSS personnel at the grassroots to enhance coordination with the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps among others.

Representing the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, ACP Onyeabor Oseloka, thanked the NFSS for its dedication but advised the organization to prioritise professional training and capacity building.

‘As a paramilitary organization, you must understand security architecture, weapon handling, and local intelligence gathering to work effectively with communities,’ Oseloka said.

The summit was attended by immigration, traditional rulers, youth groups, and other stakeholders.

President Bola Tinubu, in May, approved the establishment of forest guards coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Federal Ministry of Environment.

The initiative is to protect forests and ungoverned spaces in the country which had turned to hideouts for bandits and other criminal groups.