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Billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has explained why his first grandson is not ready to join the family business, saying the young electrical engineer wants to gain work experience elsewhere before joining the Dangote Group.

Dangote disclosed this on Tuesday, September 29, while speaking at an investor engagement in Nairobi, Kenya.

The event brought together institutional investors from Kenya and other parts of East Africa as part of engagements around the planned initial public offering of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Speaking about the future of his businesses and the involvement of his family, Dangote said his grandson was not interested in working directly with him for now.

‘And my first grandson, he’s not finding it interesting to work with me for now. He wants to go and get experience with KPMG or PWC. Then after he’ll come and join us. He’s an electrical engineer, but he wants to go and learn about money first,’ Dangote said.

The businessman also spoke about other members of his family who are already involved in the conglomerate.

His eldest daughter, Mariya, and her husband, Alassane, were present at the Nairobi event, where Dangote introduced them to the audience.

Mariya is one of Dangote’s three daughters, alongside Halima and Fatima, who have responsibilities within the family’s business interests.

Dangote also spoke about the group’s plans for the future, saying the company works with five-year targets rather than a 10-year vision.

According to him, setting goals too far into the future could encourage complacency. He said senior officials across the group are involved in developing and implementing the company’s shorter-term plans.

The Dangote Group has interests in sectors including cement, sugar, fertiliser, petroleum refining and manufacturing.

Dangote has previously said the future of the business does not depend on having a male heir, expressing confidence in his daughters’ ability to take leadership responsibilities within the conglomerate.

Residents of Sokoto State have expressed concern over the reported deaths of children suspected to have contracted diphtheria amid the ongoing outbreak in the state.

The development has heightened fears among residents, particularly parents, who are calling for urgent measures to contain the spread of the disease and prevent further deaths.

The concerns followed an earlier alert by the state government, which urged residents and school authorities to take precautionary measures against the spread of diphtheria.

However, some residents who spoke with our correspondent said they were worried that the response to the outbreak was not enough to address the situation.

In Kwalkwalawa community, a resident, who requested anonymity, said his six-year-old son died after developing symptoms which he suspected were linked to diphtheria.

He said the boy’s condition suddenly worsened on a Sunday morning, prompting the family to take him to a hospital.

‘It was on Sunday morning that his condition deteriorated. We quickly took him to the hospital, but unfortunately, we were told that there was no provision to adequately manage his condition,’ he said.

The grieving father said the family subsequently turned to traditional medicine after being informed that the required treatment was unavailable.

‘We did not just give up. We resorted to herbal medicine in an attempt to save him, but unfortunately, he lost his life,’ he added.

Similarly, residents of Rikina village reportedly said two children had died after developing symptoms suspected to be associated with the disease.

The reported cases have sparked calls for increased surveillance and immediate intervention by health authorities to prevent further transmission, particularly among children.

A medical doctor in the state, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that children were reportedly dying amid the outbreak and called for a stronger response from the relevant authorities.

‘The increasing number of suspected cases should prompt immediate intervention by the relevant authorities,’ the doctor said.

He said early detection and prompt treatment remained critical in reducing complications and deaths associated with the disease.

The doctor also called for intensified disease surveillance, public awareness campaigns, early referral and treatment of suspected cases, as well as closer coordination among health authorities, schools and communities.

Residents are also demanding regular updates from the state government on the outbreak, including the number of confirmed and suspected cases, reported deaths, treatment facilities and measures being implemented to contain the disease.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the state Ministry of Health were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Sifawa, when contacted, directed our correspondent to the Director of Disease Control in the ministry.

The director said he was attending a meeting when contacted. Subsequent messages sent to him seeking clarification on the reported deaths and the government’s response to the outbreak had not been answered as of press time.

The Borno State Police Command has said five men arrested in Maiduguri were prosecuted over allegations including inciting disturbance, breach of public peace, thuggery and possession of suspected drug substances, rather than simply for wearing ‘Tinubu Must Go’ T-shirts.

The clarification followed public controversy over the arrest of the suspects, who were apprehended during a police patrol in Maiduguri on September 25, 2026.

According to the command, police officers conducting a routine township patrol around the West End Roundabout area at about 6pm arrested the five men after allegedly finding them with suspected Indian hemp, tablets and other items, alongside two T-shirts bearing the political inscription.

‘The suspects were found in possession of: 1. 15 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp; 2. 100 tablets suspected to be D5; 3. One shisha pot; 4. One Scissors; 5. Two T-shirts bearing the inscription ‘Tinubu Must Go.”

The suspects were subsequently subjected to preliminary investigation, during which the police said statements were obtained from them before the case was taken to court.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, issued the clarification on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, saying the command had taken note of viral reports and widespread discussions about the case.

The command also rejected any suggestion that the arrests were based on the suspects’ political views.

‘The Command wishes to categorically state that the Nigeria Police Force is a professional, non-partisan institution and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of political affiliation or viewpoint,’ the statement read.

‘The Command remains committed to the protection of fundamental human rights, the rule of law, due process, accountability and transparency in the discharge of its responsibilities.’

Police said the decision to prosecute the matter was made to enable a competent court to determine the case through the judicial process.

The command urged members of the public to depend on verified information and allow the court to assess the facts and evidence presented before it.

Earlier reports had identified the five suspects as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abbacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed.

They were accused of conspiring to print and wear the ‘Tinubu Must Go’ T-shirts allegedly with the intention of causing a breach of public peace around the West End Roundabout community.

The suspects were charged with offences including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery under relevant sections of the Borno State Penal Code.

They were subsequently arraigned and remanded.

Content creator Hilary Tochukwu has apologized to business mogul Sir Linus Williams, popularly known as B’Lord, over alleged impersonation.

In a statement issued to newsmen in Owerri on Wednesday, Tochukwu said he sincerely apologized to Sir Linus Williams and the entire B’Lord Group team.

He said, ‘I sincerely apologize to him. Sir, Linus Williams popularly known as B’Lord and the entire B’Lord group team.’

Tochukwu also expressed regret over his actions, saying they may have caused confusion, inconvenience, and damage.

He said impersonating another person was wrong and disrespectful, particularly when it involved an individual and a brand.

According to him, he took full responsibility for his actions and regretted misusing Sir Linus Williams’ name and identity.

He said, ‘I know that words cannot undo what happened. But I hope you will accept this apology as a genuine expression of my remorse’.

Tochukwu said he had learned an important lesson from the experience and reiterated that he was sorry for his actions.

He said, ‘Once again, I sincerely apologize to you. Mr. B’ Lord and everyone at the Belord group.’

The unfolding debate over the establishment of state police in Nigeria will take centre stage in Abuja on Tuesday, October 6, as the House of Representatives’ Press Corps brings together leading voices in politics, legislation, security and governance for its second annual Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture and Awards.

The gathering will feature Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago; Founder and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd., High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo; former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu; and Secretary of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Mr. Nnabudum Moghalu.

The event comes at a significant point in Nigeria’s security and constitutional reform process, with the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police Services now before the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration.

The proposed reform is aimed at strengthening security by creating a more decentralised policing system capable of responding more effectively to security threats and challenges peculiar to individual communities.

The Press Corps has therefore chosen ‘The Imperative for State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism’ as the theme of the lecture.

Moghalu, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research, will deliver the lecture titled: State Police, Community Security and the Future of Federalism in Nigeria ‘.

His presentation is expected to examine the proposed policing framework and its implications for community security, federalism and the relationship between state and federal security institutions.

The discussion will also touch on critical implementation issues, including funding, recruitment, training, operational independence, accountability, oversight and safeguards against abuse.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, will serve as Chief Host and is expected to speak on the position of the 10th House on state police and other security-related legislation before the National Assembly.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is also expected to attend the event.

The lecture is expected to attract lawmakers, policymakers, security professionals, civil society organisations, academics, development partners, media executives and other stakeholders, providing an opportunity for a broad exchange of views on the proposed reform.

Governor Bago and Tompolo are expected to bring practical perspectives to the conversation, particularly on state-level governance, community security and the protection of critical national assets.

Other dignitaries expected to participate include: the Clerk to the National Assembly, Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana; Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi; Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike; and representatives of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and development partners.

The event will also feature the presentation of the House of Representatives Press Corps Distinguished Parliamentarian Awards to two prominent Nigerians for their contributions to national development, security and public service.

Governor Bago will be honoured for his contributions to rural development and public leadership, while Tompolo will receive the Award of Excellence in National Assets Protection in recognition of his contribution to the protection of Nigeria’s critical national assets.

Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Press Corps, Mr. Gboyega Onadiran, said the annual lecture was designed to provide a platform for informed and constructive discussion on issues of national importance.

He said the choice of state police for this year’s edition was informed by the significance of the issue to Nigeria’s security and the ongoing debate over the future of policing and federalism.

Onadiran said the Press Corps also seeks to promote meaningful engagement among the legislature, security stakeholders, the media and the wider public on major national issues.

The event is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at the National Assembly Library Auditorium, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

The political camp of former lawmaker, Rt. Hon. Dr Saubana Ajibola Muraina, has dismissed his purported expulsion from the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the action came after he had already left the party and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Muraina’s Press Secretary, Engr. Laolu Adeyemo, stated this in a statement on Wednesday, reacting to a report that the APC Ward 09, Oke-Iserin, Igboora, had expelled the former lawmaker over alleged defection and anti-party activities.

Adeyemo said Muraina had already defected to the PDP and emerged as the party’s candidate for the Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election before the reported expulsion.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, Rt. Hon. Muraina is no longer a member of the APC. He left the APC, joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and has since emerged as the PDP Candidate for the Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election,’ he said.

According to him, Muraina’s defection and emergence as the PDP candidate had been publicly reported for months, before the APC’s reported expulsion announcement of September 29, 2026.

Adeyemo said the APC’s own statement on the matter acknowledged that Muraina had already defected to the PDP and secured the party’s ticket.

He questioned the reason for expelling someone who was no longer a member of the party.

‘An expulsion is ordinarily a disciplinary action against a member of an organisation. In this case, however, the chronology is important. Rt. Hon. Muraina had already made his political choice, joined the PDP and secured the PDP ticket before the APC Ward announced its purported expulsion,’ he said.

The aide also rejected any suggestion that Muraina was still presenting himself as an APC member, insisting that his current political affiliation and candidature were publicly known.

‘He is a PDP member and the PDP candidate for Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency for the 2027 election,’ Adeyemo said.

He urged the public, political stakeholders and the media to consider the reported expulsion in the context of the chronology of Muraina’s defection and not allow it to create confusion over his current party affiliation.

‘Rt. Hon. Muraina has moved on. He is in the PDP, he is the PDP flag bearer for Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, and his focus is now firmly on the 2027 election and the people of the constituency,’ he concluded.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed into law the Appropriation (Amendment) (No.4) Bill, 2025, extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget from September 30, 2026 to December 31, 2026.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

According to him, the assent followed the amendment’s swift passage by both the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

His statement further read:’

The extension gives Ministries, Departments and Agencies more time to complete ongoing capital projects. It ensures that funds already appropriated are fully put to work for Nigerians, without disrupting critical programmes.

‘The President commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for their prompt consideration of the bill, a further sign of the cooperation between the Executive and the Legislature in the service of the nation.’

Ahead of the 2027 general election, some concerned stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ise-Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti have called on the party’s national leadership to disqualify and review the eligibility of its candidate for the Ekiti South-West/Ikere/Ise-Orun Federal Constituency, Engr Toyin Okoro.

The stakeholders said their demand followed alleged concerns over the candidate’s reported employment status as a former Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, alleged private business interests while in public service, and the ongoing investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Speaking at the protest in Ise-Orun on behalf of the stakeholders, Stephen Ogunjemilua said their position was that the party should establish the facts surrounding Okoro’s employment, resignation from public service, and business interests through official documentation before proceeding with his nomination.

The stakeholders said one of the issues previously brought before the state leadership of the APC was the reported employment of Okoro as a Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abass Tajudeen.

The stakeholders therefore urged the APC leadership to obtain and examine the relevant employment and resignation records rather than rely on hearsay.

He said, ‘One of the issues we brought to the attention of the State Executive of the party was the reported employment of Engr. Okoro as a Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

‘We specifically requested clarification regarding his employment status, the date and validity of any resignation or withdrawal from public service, and whether all applicable constitutional and administrative requirements had been satisfied before his participation in the electoral process.

‘This was not an accusation of wrongdoing. It was a request for verification. Section 66(1) (f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), provides that a person employed in the public service of the Federation or of a State who seeks election to the Senate or House of Representatives must have resigned, withdrawn or retired from such employment at least 30 days before the date of the election. Section 318 of the Constitution also expressly includes the Clerk and other staff of the National Assembly within the definition of the ‘public service of the Federation.

‘Our position, therefore, was that the party should establish the relevant facts from official records before proceeding. We did not ask the party to act on hearsay. We asked that the necessary documents be examined and the candidate’s eligibility be properly established.

‘We also drew attention to reports and concerns regarding alleged private business interests associated with Engr. Okoro during the period in which he reportedly served as a Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly.

‘Specifically, concerns were raised about the reported relationship between a private company allegedly associated with him and government-related transactions.

‘Again, our position was not that allegations should automatically be treated as established facts. Rather, we considered the matter sufficiently important to warrant proper verification because, if established, questions could potentially arise concerning conflict of interest, public-service obligations, the propriety of transactions and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

‘We therefore appealed to the party leadership to examine relevant records, including employment records, resignation documents, Corporate Affairs Commission records, public procurement records and other appropriate documentation.

‘Despite the concerns raised before the primary, Toyin Zacchaeus Okoro subsequently emerged as the APC candidate for the House of Representatives seat covering Ekiti South-West/Ikere/Ise-Orun Federal Constituency. Our concern has never been about preventing any individual from participating in politics.

‘ It has been about ensuring that the APC does not inadvertently expose itself to avoidable legal, administrative or electoral complications.’

However, in his reaction, the APC candidate, through the campaign council, described Okoro as a law-abiding Nigerian with zero record of criminal activity or fraud, calling on the people to disregard the allegations allegedly sponsored by the incumbent lawmaker.

‘ He has never been arrested, charged or convicted of any criminal offence in his life. He is a respected professional Engineer and public servant who served meritoriously, ‘ the council said.

The Director, Media, Strategy and Publicity of the council, Yomi Abegunde, said, ‘Engr. Toyin Okoro was invited by the ICPC to respond to a petition before it, which he has done as a law-abiding citizen.

‘Okoro allegedly operated as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of a private company while serving as a Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly.

‘We state categorically that Engr Toyin Okoro never broke any law as he duly resigned as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of a private company when he was appointed as Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly.’

Abia State recorded the highest performance rate in the 2026 National Examinations Council (NECO) results, leading a list of the 10 states with the strongest reported performances.

Figures from the NECO 2026 results show Abia at 81.78 per cent, followed by Ebonyi State with 81.03 per cent and Ekiti State with 77.68 per cent.

Delta State ranked fourth with a performance rate of 75.17 per cent, while Osun occupied fifth position with 74.31 per cent.

Lagos State came sixth with 74.15 per cent, narrowly ahead of Oyo, which recorded 74.12 per cent.

Imo State followed in eighth position with 74.10 per cent, while Bayelsa and Ogun completed the top 10 with 73.92 per cent and 73.34 per cent, respectively.

University of Ibadan (UI), Covenant University, and the University of Lagos (UNILAG), have emerged as Nigeria’s highest-ranked universities in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.

The three universities were jointly placed in the 801-1000 band globally in the rankings published on THE’s website on Wednesday.

Nigeria recorded 29 ranked universities in the 2027 edition, representing an increase from the 24 institutions ranked in the 2026 edition.

Five institutions – Osun State University, University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike – were newly ranked.

Covenant University returned to the top position among Nigerian universities after it was ranked third in the 2026 edition, when UI and UNILAG jointly occupied the highest Nigerian position.

The latest ranking now places the three South-West universities in the same 801-1000 global band.

They are followed by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and Bayero University (BUK), which occupy the fourth and fifth positions among Nigerian institutions, respectively, with both placed in the 1001-1200 global band.

The THE rankings assess research-intensive universities based on five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.

According to THE, the 2027 rankings cover 2,297 institutions across 118 countries and territories, using 17 performance indicators across the five pillars.

Globally, the University of Oxford retained the number one position for an 11th consecutive year.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the University of Cape Town was the highest-ranked institution, rising to joint 147th position from joint 164th in the previous edition.

‘The number of ranked institutions in sub-Saharan increased from 55 last year to 69 this year. Nigeria has the most universities ranked, with 29 in total,’ THE said.

The rankings also highlighted individual strengths among Nigerian universities.

UNILAG recorded the highest score for research quality among Nigerian institutions, with 67.8, while BUK ranked highest in international outlook.

Covenant University recorded the highest industry score among Nigerian universities, reflecting its performance in the industry pillar of the ranking.

Full list of ranked Nigerian universities

Covenant University – 801-1000

University of Ibadan – 801-1000

University of Lagos – 801-1000

Ahmadu Bello University – 1001-1200

Bayero University – 1001-1200

Landmark University – 1001-1200

University of Ilorin – 1001-1200

Babcock University – 1201-1400

Osun State University – 1201-1400

University of Nigeria, Nsukka – 1201-1400

Federal University of Technology, Minna – 1401-1600

Nnamdi Azikiwe University – 1401-1600

Obafemi Awolowo University – 1401-1600

University of Benin – 1401-1600

University of Jos – 1401-1600

University of Maiduguri – 1401-1600

Federal University of Technology, Akure – 1601-1800

Federal University of Technology, Owerri – 1801-2000

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology – 1801-2000

Lagos State University – 1801-2000

Olabisi Onabanjo University – 1801-2000

University of Calabar – 1801-2000

Delta State University, Abraka – 2001+

Ekiti State University – 2001+

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta – 2001+

Federal University Oye-Ekiti – 2001+

Kwara State University – 2001+

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike – 2001+

University of Port Harcourt – 2001+

33 Nigerian institutions listed as reporter institutions

THE also listed 33 Nigerian institutions as ‘reporter’ institutions.

According to the ranking body, reporter institutions submitted data but did not meet the eligibility criteria required to receive a ranking.

The institutions include Abia State University; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University; Adamawa State University; Ajayi Crowther University; Akwa Ibom State University; Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye; Al-Hikmah University; Ambrose Alli University; Augustine University; Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti; Bayelsa Medical University; Baze University; Bells University of Technology; Bingham University; Bowen University; Evangel University, Akaeze; Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun; Federal University Otuoke; Fountain University; Godfrey Okoye University; Igbinedion University Okada; Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University; Lagos State University of Education; Lagos State University of Science and Technology; and Maryam Abacha American University, amongst others.