FG overhauls agric education to drive food security, youth employment

The Federal Government has overhauled agricultural education curricula in line with the ongoing transformation in the education sector and efforts of the government to tackle youth unemployment and food security challenges.

Director, Press and Public Relations, Mrs Folasade Boriowo, who made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja, disclosed that the Federal Ministries of Education and Agriculture and Food Security announced the reforms to modernise agricultural curricula, attract young people, and align training with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda for a technology-driven agricultural sector.

Speaking during the official presentation of the new Agricultural Curriculum Framework in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, described the initiative as a pivotal step in repositioning agriculture as a pillar of national development.

Alausa expressed concern over the persistent decline in enrolment into agricultural degree programmes across tertiary institutions despite the nation’s heavy investment in the sector.

He noted that in the 2024 United Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) statistics on applications and admissions, 47.92 per cent of the allocated admissions were not utilised. While there are thousands of open slots in agricultural courses annually, only a fraction are filled, posing a serious challenge to Nigeria’s long-term food security and economic growth.

‘Agriculture is a major national priority, but enrolment in agriculture in higher institutions is dropping,’ he said.

‘In the last three years, there have been thousands of open slots in agriculture, but only a fraction have been taken. This is a serious gap, especially in an area that should ensure food security for Nigeria and make the country an export hub for agricultural products.’

He contrasted this with the growing enthusiasm for vocational and technical agricultural training. ‘Out of over 900,000 TVET applications received recently, more than 210,000 were for livestock farming alone, while agriculture overall ranked close to garment making, which recorded over 260,000 applicants,’ the Minister noted.

‘This shows that young Nigerians are eager to gain practical agricultural skills, but the outdated tertiary curriculum has not kept pace with modern realities.’

Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to modernising agricultural education to meet industry needs and align with emerging opportunities. ‘That’s why the Ministry of Education and state governments have agreed to modernise the curriculum to meet the needs of modern agricultural education,’ he said. ‘Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the government has already begun creating Special Agricultural Processing and Production Zones to add value and create new value chains that will employ hundreds of thousands of Nigerians.’

He cited the Republic of Benin’s cotton processing model bordering Borgu, Niger State, as an example of value addition and youth empowerment. ‘Benin moved from earning $500 million in raw cotton exports to $12 billion in processed cotton products, employing over 25,000 young people. Nigeria will replicate this success through curriculum reform and practical agricultural education that supports our production zones and export diversification goals.’

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, echoed Dr. Alausa’s position, emphasising that Nigeria’s food sovereignty agenda demands a comprehensive overhaul of agricultural education.

‘As Nigeria seeks to diversify, we need more people engaged in agricultural enterprise,’ Senator Abdullahi said. ‘Food security cannot be achieved without aligning our education and training systems with national priorities. Our curriculum must equip graduates not just with theoretical knowledge but with the practical skills and innovation needed to drive agricultural transformation.’

The newly developed Agricultural Curriculum Framework, jointly prepared by the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, provides a roadmap for modernising agricultural education, strengthening technical and vocational training, and aligning Nigeria’s education system with global best practices to support the nation’s food security, youth employment, and economic diversification agenda.

‘The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure the revised curriculum delivers modern, inclusive, and industry-relevant agricultural training across all levels of education,’ the statement added.

Anambra govt declares Tuesday school-free day to celebrate teachers

Anambra State Government has declared Tuesday a public holiday for school children to celebrate and honor teachers in the state.

In a statement issued in Awka on Monday, the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, explained that the school-free day on Tuesday is designed to celebrate teachers who have contributed significantly to shaping the future of the state.

According to the statement, the Solution Parents League will hold a mega endorsement march to express appreciation for Governor Soludo’s revolution in the education sector.

The statement further noted that the Association of Private School Owners will join the Solution Parents League in the endorsement march to show their support for Soludo’s educational reforms.

‘In view of the fact that the 2025 World Teachers’ Day falls on a Sunday, the State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has approved Tuesday as a school-free day to celebrate and honor teachers in the state.

‘Furthermore, the Solution Parents League will organize a mega endorsement march in appreciation of Soludo’s revolution in the education sector.

‘The Association of Private School Owners will join the Solution Parents League for the endorsement march.

‘Accordingly, all teachers, parents, and proprietors/proprietresses are expected to assemble at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, by 8:00 a.m. prompt to give honor where honor is due.’ the statement concluded.

NGX extends winning streak as market cap adds N786bn

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) opened the week on a bullish note, sustaining positive momentum from the previous session as investors’ appetite for blue-chip stocks drove the benchmark index higher.

The All-Share Index (ASI) gained 0.86 percent to close at 144,822.77 basis points, while market capitalisation rose by N786.24 billion to N91.92 trillion. This performance lifted the year-to-date return to 40.71 percent, underscoring renewed investor confidence in the equities market.

The rally was primarily fueled by gains in Seplat Energy, MTN Nigeria and Guaranty Trust Holding Company, as they appreciated by 10 percent, 3.53 percent and 3.29 percent, respectively; which offset declines in UBA down by 1.4 percent, Access Holdings by 1.89 percent and Cadbury by 1.99 percent.

Market sentiment remained firmly positive, as 47 stocks advanced against 23 decliners. On the performance board, Axa Mansard Insurance ld he gainers chart having appreciated by 10 percent, followed by Seplat Energy also with 10 percent increase; SFS Real Estate Investment Trust added 9.91 percent, Ellah Lakes went up by 9.95 percent, and Chams added 9.76 percent.

Meanwhile, International Energy Insurance went down by 8.42 percent, McNichols down by 8.33 percent, Thomas Wyatt declined by 6.90 percent, Berger Paints dipped by 6.25 percent, and Associate Bus Company depreciated by 5 percent.

Sectoral performance was broadly positive, with all major indices closing in the green. The Oil and Gas index led with a 3.35 percent gain, followed by Insurance by 3.13 percent, Commodities up by 1.72 percent, Banking by 0.64 percent, and Consumer Goods by 0.12 percent, while the Industrial Goods index closed flat at zero point zero one percent.

However, trading activity declined as investors adopted a cautious stance. Total trading volume fell 4.56 percent to 519.92 million units, while transaction value dropped 25.89 percent to N14.55 billion. Despite the pullback, trading frequency surged 31.13 percent to 35,490 deals, reflecting a rise in smaller transactions.

Ellah Lakes emerged as the most traded stock by volume, accounting for 80.07 million units, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company led by value with N1.97 billion worth of shares exchanged.

Police kill kidnap gang in fierce firefight inside Delta forest

A coordinated police operation has resulted in the death of several suspected kidnappers following a dramatic ambush and firefight in a forest in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident occurred after operatives from the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), acting on intelligence, arrested two suspects, Abubakar Musa, 28, and Yusuf Sale, 25 in separate operations across Rivers and Imo States.

The suspects subsequently led officers to a secluded bush between Upper Agbarho and Oviri-Ogor communities to recover a cache of weapons.

According to SP Bright Edafe, as the team exited the bush, they were ambushed by other gang members attempting to free the arrested suspects. A fierce gun battle ensued.

‘The operatives engaged the suspects in a fierce gun duel, where the suspects and some members of their gang who came to rescue them sustained gunshot injuries,’ the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command added.

Two police officers were also wounded in the exchange and are currently receiving treatment.

The injured suspects, he disclosed, were taken to hospital but were pronounced dead while receiving treatment.

Recovered exhibits included one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 43 rounds of live ammunition, one pump-action gun, and a locally made pistol.

A manhunt for the remaining fleeing suspects is ongoing.

In a related development, the Delta State Police have apprehended 12 suspected cultists and recovered a Beretta pistol in a raid on a suspected gang hideout in Jesse town.

Jesse is in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The operation, conducted on Sunday 5th October 2025 by a combined team of the State Anti-Cult Unit, targeted a location believed to be used for stockpiling weapons and planning attacks on rival groups.

Acting on intelligence following recent cult-related violence in the area, officers stormed a property on Sylvester Street, Ethiope West LGA.

During the raid, one Mudiaga Obey, aged 20, and eleven other individuals were taken into custody.

‘The operatives stormed a hideout where stockpiling of firearms, ammunition, and meetings is usually held before attacks on rival cult groups,’ confirmed SP Bright Edafe in a press release.

The police successfully recovered one Beretta pistol and one live round of ammunition during the operation.

All 12 suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue.

Akwa Ibom govt denies withdrawal of Udom’s security detail

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has dismissed as false, mischievous and politically motivated reports alleging that he ordered the withdrawal of security detail attached to his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniekan Umanah, the government described the claim as a ‘false alarm’ designed to create unnecessary tension and distrust among leaders in the state.

The rebuttal followed viral reports alleging that policemen attached to the two residences of the former governor in Akwa Ibom had been recalled, sparking mixed reactions and political speculations within the state.

While some commentators accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government of attempting to arm-twist the former governor, others interpreted the development as evidence of a possible rift between Governor Eno and his predecessor.

Umanah, however, dismissed the insinuations as baseless. ‘The Governor did not issue any directive to withdraw security operatives from the immediate past Governor.

‘There has been no complaint or report from any former Governor or their media aides about the withdrawal of security personnel. The rumour exists only in the imagination of those peddling it,’ he clarified.

The Information Commissioner described the publication as a deliberate act by mischief-makers to distract from the administration’s development agenda and strain the cordial relationship between the two leaders.

He reaffirmed that Governor Eno remains focused on peace, unity, and stability across Akwa Ibom and would not be drawn into divisive or sensational politics.

‘Governor Eno will continue to ensure that all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, enjoy the full protection and benefits of the law,’ Umanah added.

He also urged journalists and media houses always to verify reports before publication to avoid spreading misinformation capable of heating up the polity.

2027: Soludo, Lawal, Aregbesola challenge INEC to build credible electoral systems

At a high-level panel session convened by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership during the launch of the Athena Election Observatory in Abuja, leading political figures, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), called for deep reforms, stronger institutions, and improved transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Themed ‘Innovation in Electoral Technology 2015-2025: Gains, Gaps and the Road Ahead,’ the forum brought together policymakers, academics, and civil society actors to assess the impact of technology on Nigeria’s elections, especially the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal systems by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Governor Chukwuma Soludo commended the progress made by INEC under Professor Mahmood Yakubu, describing the agency’s technological advancements as transformational.

He recalled that Anambra was the first state where INEC deployed the BVAS and IREV on a statewide basis and will likely be the last state to conduct an election under Yakubu’s tenure.

‘I believe in technology, and I believe INEC has done greatly well. We must give INEC some credit. There are a few bad eggs, but a lot of good people there have delivered credible results’, Soludo said.

The governor noted that the transition from manual to electronic processes represented a remarkable leap from past elections, particularly when compared to the 2007 polls.

‘If the experience in Anambra since 2019 is anything to go by, we can score INEC’s performance at 90 percent, clear, transparent, open, and accountable,’ he added.

Soludo, however, stressed the need for better staff training and strict enforcement of penalties for officials who violate INEC regulations. ‘Those who collate and falsify results must be prosecuted and jailed. INEC must train its officers properly, and political parties must do the same for their agents’, he noted.

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State commended Athena for organizing the dialogue, describing it as a timely intervention ahead of upcoming elections.

He applauded INEC’s introduction of the BVAS system as a very good innovation but called for deeper integration between BVAS and the IREV portal to ensure real-time transparency.

‘For me, going forward, let there be proper integration of BVAS and IREV. As accreditation is happening, voting results should reflect online in real time. Infrastructure is key to solving this problem because technology depends on connectivity’, Gov Lawal said.

Lawal urged Nigeria to emulate countries like India, Brazil, and Ghana, where technology has greatly reduced manipulation in elections. He emphasized that the success of any electoral innovation rests on the rule of law, institutional strength, and security integrity. ‘Let us build institutions, not individuals. Without rule of law, no matter what we do here, it amounts to nothing. Politicians must stop using security to intimidate voters for selfish interests’, he stated.

Rauf Aregbesola, former Minister of Interior and now ADC National Secretary, argued that the credibility of elections begins with how INEC officials are appointed.

‘The issues in Nigerian elections are not as simple as we make them. The way the INEC Chairman and Commissioners are appointed does not inspire confidence. We must review it’, Aregbesola said.

He proposed a system where political parties with at least five members in the National Assembly would nominate candidates for INEC leadership positions to ensure fairness and inclusivity.

‘It may require constitutional amendment, but it can be done. The principal beneficiary of manipulation cannot be the one appointing the umpire’, he noted.

Aregbesola also urged INEC to publicly demonstrate any technology it intends to deploy before elections, emphasizing transparency and stakeholder confidence. ‘Don’t tell us you are using BVAS only for us to discover a different system on election day,’ he cautioned.

He further recommended linking voter registration to the National Identification Number (NIN) to eliminate inflated voter registers and multiple registrations.

‘It does not speak well that we register 93 million voters and get less than 20 million votes. A credible register is the foundation of credible elections’, he said.

The panelists agreed that while electoral technology such as BVAS and IREV have improved transparency, institutional weaknesses, poor training, lack of accountability, and political interference remain major obstacles.

They called for continuous innovation, stakeholder engagement, and legal reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and restore citizens’ confidence in the ballot.

VIDEO: Tinubu gifts Chief Imam of Ibadanland brand new SUV

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has presented a new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado to the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdul-Ganiyy Agbotomokekere, in recognition of his role in promoting peace and religious harmony in Oyo State.

According reports, the vehicle was delivered to the Chief Imam on 5th October 2025 by Dr Yunus Akintunde, senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, drawing attention and varied reactions from the public.

Photos and videos shared on the Imam’s official Facebook page show him receiving the SUV, surrounded by members of the Muslim community and well-wishers.

The post was captioned, ‘Brand new Toyota Landcruiser Jeep 2025 Gift to His Eminence Sheikh Abd Ganiyy Abubakry Agbotomokekere (The Chief Imam of Ibadanland, The Grand Imam of Oyo State and The Grand Patron League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland Edo and Delta State) by His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR (President Federal Republic of Nigeria) today Sunday 5th of October 2025.’

Mimiko denies leading Jonathan’s 2027 presidential consultation in South-West

Former Governor of Ondo, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, on Monday, dismissed a media report claiming he was appointed to lead former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2027 presidential consultation team in the Southwest.

The report, published by a national daily (not Nigerian Tribune) alleged that Mimiko was chosen to head the consultations ahead of Jonathan’s possible political comeback.

The report also claimed that former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, recommended Mimiko for the role.

Although former President Jonathan has yet to declare interest in the 2027 presidential race, speculation has intensified that he may seek a return to Aso Rock.

The former president, who lost his re-election bid to the late Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, is reportedly engaged in quiet consultations over the possibility.

However, in a statement issued on Monday through his spokesperson, Mr. Eniola Akinsola, Mimiko described the report as ‘falsehood’ and ‘a concocted rumour dressed in news.’

‘The falsehood in the report is obvious from the get-go. It is just the work of a journalist flying with concocted rumour dressed as news,’ the statement read.

‘The Mimiko that I know respects former President Jonathan but has neither been reached nor appointed for a campaign that is still the subject – and may well end as a subject – of fanciful speculation. I am sure he is also not job-hunting,’ it added.

Akinsola further noted that as politics heats up, more ‘cooked stories’ would likely emerge, especially about prominent figures like Mimiko, who has chosen to stay out of the spotlight for now.

Last week, former Minister of Information and stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Jerry Gana, claimed that Jonathan would contest the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking with journalists after a PDP congress in Minna, Niger State, Gana said Nigerians had experienced two other leaders since Jonathan and were now yearning for his return.

‘I can confirm that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will contest the presidential election in 2027 as PDP candidate, and we should be prepared to vote for him to return as president again,’ Gana declared.

But in a swift reaction, Presidential aide Mr. Bayo Onanuga dismissed Gana’s claim as ‘an absurdity.’

‘However, we should caution former president Jonathan to be wary of the PDP sugar-coated cheerleaders.

‘Politicians of Jerry Gana’s ilk merely want to lure him into the race to satisfy their personal, political, religious, and ethnic interests. They will abandon him midstream, as they did in 2015, and leave Gentleman Jonathan in the lurch,’ Onanuga warned.

Why we created N200bn MSME, manufacturing intervention fund – Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that his administration recently established a N200 billion intervention fund for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and manufacturers to enhance competitiveness, address structural challenges, and unlock Nigeria’s productive potential.

Tinubu spoke on Monday while declaring open the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja. He was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The President explained that the fund reflects his government’s commitment to inclusive growth, particularly for young entrepreneurs and vulnerable groups.

He affirmed the commitment of his administration to uplifting the poor, vulnerable, and unemployed groups in the country, saying that as a people-oriented government, his priority remains restoring hope to the unemployed, the poor, the excluded, and the vulnerable.

Accordingly, Tinubu revealed that his administration has created pathways for young Nigerians to access grants, loans, and equity investments of up to $100,000 to scale their enterprises, innovate, and build sustainable livelihoods.

He added that the reforms introduced since he assumed office are delivering tangible results across multiple sectors, with Nigeria recording a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 4.23 per cent in September 2025, surpassing projections by both multilateral institutions and local economic experts.

‘All our decisions have been guided by the pursuit of balance between economic logic and public expectation,’ he said. ‘As a people-oriented government, our priority remains restoring hope to the unemployed, the poor, the excluded, and the vulnerable.

‘We have created pathways for young Nigerians to access grants, loans, and equity investments of up to $100,000 to scale their enterprises, innovate, and build sustainable livelihoods.

‘We established a N200 billion intervention fund to support MSMEs and manufacturers, helping them overcome structural challenges and enhance competitiveness. Our expansion of digital micro-loan access has improved financial inclusion, empowered small businesses, and stimulated community-level productivity.’

The President attributed the progress recorded so far in stabilising the economy and rescuing public finances to the patience and sacrifices of Nigerians.

‘As experts in the economy, you know that the stability in our foreign exchange market is not accidental. It reflects deliberate choices guided by the same economic wisdom that gatherings such as this embody.

‘Along with subsidy removal, these decisions have rescued our public finances, stabilised the economy, and reassured investors at home and abroad. We owe this progress to the sacrifices of Nigerians, whose patience and understanding have been the bedrock of our endurance. To them, I say: the better days we promised are already within sight,’ he stated.

President Tinubu pointed to a ‘resounding consensus’ that ongoing reforms have stabilised the macroeconomic environment, with the economy expanding from N309.5 trillion in 2023 to N372.8 trillion in 2024.

He said total revenue collection rose from N19.9 trillion in 2023 to N25.2 trillion in 2024 and had already reached N27.8 trillion as of August 2025, surpassing the target of N18.32 trillion.

‘These triumphs and projections are guided by the promise we made to the nation, to reduce Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio from 97 per cent, where we met it, to a sustainable level,’ he said.

‘Aside from the good news that this ratio has now reduced to less than 50 per cent, Fitch has upgraded Nigeria’s sovereign rating to B with a stable outlook, while Moody’s raised our issuer rating to B3. Both cited improved economic foresight and clearer policy direction.’

On fiscal performance, the President said non-oil revenues grew by 411 per cent year-on-year in August, with the tax-to-GDP ratio now at 13.5 per cent, up from 7 a few years ago. He also noted that the debt-to-GDP ratio stands at 38.8 per cent, well below statutory and international thresholds.

Explaining the rationale for increased monthly allocations to states, President Tinubu said: ‘I came to office fully aware that the secret to a successful federation lies in empowering each federating unit with the resources and autonomy to pursue development peculiar to its needs.’

He thanked economic experts and policy stakeholders for their support, stressing that every reform was guided by deep reflection and courage to act in the national interest.

The President assured that the four Tax Reform Acts he recently signed into law will strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation, reduce dependence on oil, and simplify compliance, while protecting low-income earners and fostering fairness in corporate taxation.

Earlier, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, commended the long-standing partnership between the ministry and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), noting that reforms introduced since May 2023 are gradually easing the cost of living and boosting domestic production.

NESG Chairman, Mr Olaniyi Yusuf, urged government and stakeholders to prioritise security as a critical enabler of reforms, while Vice Chairman Mr Boye Olusanya praised the administration’s bold economic steps, including forex market stabilisation, tax reforms, and fuel subsidy removal, as essential for achieving the trillion-dollar economy target by 2030.

Dignitaries at the summit included Coordinating Minister of Finance and the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijjani.

Senate moves to counter ‘Christian genocide’ narrative

The Senate is set to address growing claims of a ‘Christian genocide’ in Nigeria, which have been circulated both locally and internationally by some media outlets, advocacy groups, and religious organizations.

Lawmakers say the narrative misrepresents the country’s complex security challenges as purely religious.

A motion titled ‘Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria and the International Communities’ will be debated on Tuesday.

The motion, sponsored by former Senate Leader Ali Ndume, has Senators Sani Musa (Niger East), Magatakarda Wamako (Sokoto North), and Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South) as co-sponsors.

According to a copy of the motion seen by Tribune Online, the senators said the aim is to correct what they described as a distorted narrative in some international media reports portraying Christians as the sole victims of Nigeria’s violence.

They noted that ‘serious security challenges including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, communal conflicts, and targeted attacks which have affected citizens across various religious, ethnic, and regional backgrounds, resulting in loss of lives and property among both Christian and Muslim communities’ are being wrongly presented in religious terms, a development they warned could further divide the country.

The move follows the Presidency’s recent response to United States Senator Ted Cruz, who alleged that Nigerian officials were ignoring or supporting mass killings of Christians by Islamist militants.

Cruz, in a post on his X handle, claimed that Christians in Nigeria were facing systematic persecution.

Responding, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dismissed the claims as false and misleading. He said Nigeria’s security problems are caused by terrorism, banditry, and criminality-not religious persecution-adding that the country enjoys religious harmony.

Ndume and his co-sponsors expressed concern that the US Senate and Congress may have been influenced by such claims and could move to label Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’ a designation typically reserved for nations accused of human rights or religious freedom violations.

They urged the Senate to reject the characterization of Nigeria’s security crisis as a ‘Christian genocide’ and to reaffirm that the ongoing conflicts stem from socio-economic, ethnic, and criminal factors that cut across religious lines.

The lawmakers also called on the Federal Government to ‘encourage diplomatic missions especially US Embassy, International organisations, and foreign media to rely on verified, balanced, and credible sources-including security agencies, local communities, and independent observers-when reporting on religiously sensitive issues in Nigeria.’

They further advised the government, through the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, to ‘engage US Senate and Congress; international partners and diaspora networks through official briefings and fact-based publications to correct misconceptions.’

They also proposed that Nigeria ‘support interfaith peacebuilding programmes that emphasise shared victimhood and national unity’ and ‘ensure justice and accountability for all victims of violent attacks-whether Christian, Muslim, or otherwise-to address impunity and rebuild public confidence in state institutions.’