Month: August 2026

UNIBEN Confirms N145.9m Student Loan Windfall for 1,454 Beneficiaries

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The University of Benin has acknowledged receiving N145.98 million from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund for 1,454 students under the 2025/2026 academic session. In a letter dated July 7, 2026, signed by Registrar Bimpe Omoyiwola and addressed to NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr, the university confirmed the funds arrived in three tranches, an initial N92.75 million paid to 910 students on April 15, 2026, followed by N35.18 million on May 7 for 358 students, and a final N18.04 million on June 9 for 186 more beneficiaries. The three payments brought the total received under the additional tranches to N145,975,250, benefiting 1,454 students in all. Omoyiwola described the initiative as invaluable in widening access to affordable tertiary education for Nigerian students, expressing the university’s appreciation to both NELFUND and the beneficiaries. She assured the agency of UNIBEN’s continued commitment to transparency, accountability and strict compliance with the guidelines governing the student loan scheme. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Nigeria Pitches Africa’s Youth as China’s Next Big Manufacturing Partner

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A senior Nigerian government representative used a keynote address at the 2026 First Working Meeting of the China Africa TVET Cooperation Programme and China Africa MOOC Platform Quality Development to press for deeper skills partnerships between the two regions. The Nigerian delegate told the gathering that the country’s national development plan and Renewed Hope Agenda place technical and vocational education at the centre of economic transformation across manufacturing, agriculture, construction, renewable energy, ICT and the creative industries, stressing that Nigeria needs welders, coders, agro processors and engineers to build its future workforce. Citing Sustainable Development Goal Four, which calls for a sharp increase in youth with skills for employment and entrepreneurship, the representative called for joint TVET institutions, shared curriculum development, teacher exchanges and apprenticeship programmes tailored to Nigeria’s and Africa’s industrial needs rather than classroom theory alone. The delegate said future cooperation under the Forum on China Africa Cooperation must be guided by three principles, relevance, scale and sustainability, arguing that while China brings technology, investment and experience, Africa’s young population brings energy, innovation and a workforce ready to build. The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts to align skills training programmes across the continent with the demands of industry rather than academic theory. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Sanwo Olu’s Last Bow at LASU: N20m Gifts, Honorary Doctorates and a Tearful Goodbye

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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu has announced a cash gift of N20 million each for the best graduating students of the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 sessions at the Lagos State University’s Combined Convocation, held at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Ojo. The beneficiaries are Ayilara Lawal Olawale, who graduated with a First Class in Project Management Technology with a CGPA of 4.96, and Adebanjo Samuel Oluolamide, who graduated with a First Class in Aerospace Engineering with 4.97 CGPA. The ceremony also saw honorary doctorate degrees conferred on Aliko Dangote, Akin Kekere Ekun and Bola Adesola. Addressing 20,604 graduands, Sanwo Olu urged them to be good ambassadors of LASU, Lagos State and Nigeria, deploying their knowledge and character to solve problems in society. He described the event as his sixth and final convocation as Visitor to the university, doubling as a farewell to the institution he has led as Visitor throughout his tenure. The Governor reflected on LASU’s growth from its founding over 40 years ago under Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, highlighting his own administration’s investments, including the Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu Library Complex, a student union building and additional lecture halls, alongside expanding the number of state-owned universities from one to three. He commended outgoing Vice Chancellor Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji Bello, noting that both their tenures were ending at the same ceremony, and called on alumni and philanthropists to support LASU through scholarships and endowments. Chancellor Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, presiding over his first convocation, praised the state’s investment in education and urged graduates to become creators of solutions rather than mere consumers of knowledge. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Nigeria’s Qur’an Stars Shine in Makkah, Bring Home N208 Million in Prizes

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Two young Nigerians have brought glory to the country and the Muslim community after emerging among the winners of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorisation, Recitation and Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an, held at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Maryam Dan’azumi Ibrahim clinched first place in the women’s second category, earning 300,000 Saudi Riyals, equivalent to about N120 million, while Muhammad Marafa Abdullah placed fifth in the men’s second category, taking home 220,000 Saudi Riyals, roughly N88 million. Together their wins put Nigeria’s total haul at around N208 million. The competition, running from August 6 to August 19, 2026, and corresponding to 23 Safar to 6 Rabi’ul Awwal 1448 AH, drew 334 contestants from 133 countries, with 50 winners emerging across five categories testing memorisation, recitation style and interpretation of Qur’anic vocabulary. This year’s edition marked a historic first, with female contestants officially competing internationally for the first time since the event began in 1979, complete with a dedicated closing ceremony for the women. Saudi Arabia also raised the stakes significantly this year, pushing total prize money to 10.26 million Saudi Riyals, about N4.104 billion, the highest in the competition’s history. Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, said the number of winners had grown from 12 in earlier editions to 50, reflecting the Kingdom’s deepening commitment to honouring Qur’an memorizers worldwide. Winners were celebrated at the Grand Mosque under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, representing the King at the main ceremony, while Princess Fahda bint Falah Al Hathleen honoured the female winners at a separate event. Sheikh Al Alsheikh reminded the contestants that true honour lies not just in winning but in living out the Qur’an’s teachings and serving as ambassadors of good conduct for their countries. Nigeria’s dual placement, one female and one male winner in the same category, puts the country among a select group of nations, alongside Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt and others, whose representatives reached the top five on the global stage. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Idris to North Central: Let TETFund Turn Your Classrooms Into Economic Engines

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The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the Federal Government’s investment in tertiary education through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund will help unlock the North Central region’s vast agricultural, mineral and energy potential, speaking at the 2026 TETFund North Central Zonal Town Hall Meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State. Idris said universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in the zone must be tied directly to its development needs, producing scientists, engineers, agricultural experts, technicians and entrepreneurs capable of unlocking the region’s opportunities. He pointed to the 2026 TETFund intervention as proof of that commitment, with roughly N2.53 billion allocated to each public university, N1.87 billion to each polytechnic and N2.06 billion to each college of education. He described the figures as more than budget lines, representing laboratories that can be equipped, lecture halls that can be built and research that can be supported, while pressing institutions to focus not only on churning out graduates but on research, innovation and job creation. He also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, technical education and digital skills programmes as tools widening opportunity for young Nigerians, calling education both an economic and a national security investment. Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo said tertiary institutions must move beyond producing graduates to becoming centres of practical solutions, calling for research that tackles real problems in agriculture, mining, healthcare, manufacturing and renewable energy rather than staying confined to theory. Idris urged TETFund to keep its intervention funds transparent and closely monitored and called on stakeholders to ensure the town hall’s recommendations translate into measurable action. The meeting drew the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, represented by Prof Babatunde Bernard, former Kogi Governor Captain Idris Wada, and TETFund Board of Trustees Chairman Rt Hon Aminu Bello Masari, among other dignitaries. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Fake Canadian Visas, Real Millions Lost: Trio Docked in Ibadan Travel Scam

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The Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Emmanuel Serah Motunrayo, Awotunde Olugbenga and Idowu Olugbemi Sunday before the Oyo State High Court over an alleged Canadian visa scam that swindled victims of tens of millions of naira. Motunrayo and Olugbenga face a forty-seven-count charge covering forgery, uttering false documents and obtaining money by false pretense, tied to N23,404,600 taken from their victims. Prosecutors allege the pair posed as Abuja based travel and immigration agents, promising to secure Canadian visas and flight arrangements, then collected N12,368,100 from one victim, Oluwatobi Adeoluwa Iyanda, and N11,036,500 from another, Oyewale Tunji Bello, before reneging on the deal. Investigators say the duo went as far as forging a Canadian visa in Iyanda’s name and uttering a second forged visa in Bello’s name to keep the scheme convincing. Both defendants pleaded not guilty, prompting prosecuting counsel Mohammed Abideen to ask for a trial date and their remand, while defense counsel Jimoh Wasiu told the court bail applications had already been filed. Justice Adetujoye adjourned the matter to August 26, 2026, for the bail hearing and ordered both men held at Agodi Correctional Centre in the meantime. In a related case, the same EFCC directorate had earlier arraigned Idowu Olugbemi Sunday before the same court on August 17 for defrauding victim Okanlawon Tunji Ajao of N6,650,000 under a similar promise of securing Canadian visas for him and his family. The cases add to a growing list of visa scam prosecutions out of Ibadan, as fraudsters continue to exploit Nigerians’ desperation to travel abroad. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Thirty Years On, Sanwo Olu Honours 506 Local Government Foot Soldiers

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Lagos State Government has honoured 506 officers of the Unified Local Government Service for their years of dedication at the 2026 Long Service Merit Award Ceremony, pledging continued investment in workforce development across the grassroots civil service. Speaking at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, praised the awardees for their perseverance and professionalism, describing their service as part of Lagos State’s institutional history. He said the Unified Local Government Service remains the point where most residents interact directly with government, spanning the state’s 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas. The Governor called for a stronger, more professionally equipped public service to match Lagos’ fast growing population and rising demand for services, urging younger officers to draw lessons from the careers of those honoured. He said the government would deepen investment in training and a planned e library to keep public servants equipped for citizens increasingly demanding faster, digitally capable government. Head of Service Bode Agoro commended the state for sustaining the award and urged officers to keep upskilling in response to changing policies and technology, while also reminding them to prioritise their health and make use of the Ilera Eko health policy that government co funds monthly. Permanent Secretary Toyin Ogunlana, in her welcome address, described the ceremony as a chance to celebrate officers who had served the state for over three decades with diligence and resilience. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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N540bn Bet on Better Healthcare: FEC Greenlights National Hospital Overhaul, New Cancer Centre

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The Federal Executive Council has approved infrastructure projects worth roughly N540 billion to transform the National Hospital, Abuja into a quaternary healthcare institution and to build a new national cancer treatment centre. Health Minister Ali Pate announced the breakdown, which includes N18.74 million to refit the hospital’s administrative block, N64.92 billion for modular clinics and a theatre complex, and N103 billion for a new hospital wing expected to be completed within 24 months. A further N69 billion has been earmarked for a Neuroscience Institute covering neurosurgery, radiology and rehabilitation, while the largest chunk, N302.3 billion, will fund a new National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment facility over 36 months. Pate said the National Hospital, established about 25 years ago, had fallen short of its original vision due to years of underinvestment, and framed the new projects as part of President Tinubu’s directive to strengthen healthcare infrastructure nationwide. He clarified that funding for the projects comes through National Assembly appropriations already reflected in the 2025 and 2026 budgets rather than direct allocation from the ministry. Pate described quality healthcare as requiring sustained investment, saying the administration’s goal is visible transformation at both the National Hospital and the new cancer centre. The approval marks one of the biggest single healthcare infrastructure commitments announced by the Federal Government this year. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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N990m Forex Deal Gone Wrong Lands Brookfield Boss in Court

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 has arraigned Olatunji Oluwaseun Adebola, Chief Executive Officer of Brookfield Group Holdings and known by the alias Whitelion, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama over an alleged N990 million fraud. Adebola, alongside his company Brookfield Mining Limited, faces a four-count charge covering conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and dishonest misappropriation of funds. The case followed a petition filed through BB Dan Habu and Co Solicitors, alleging that the defendants collected the funds from a client under the guise of facilitating a foreign exchange transaction worth $750,000. Adebola pleaded not guilty when the charges were read. Prosecuting counsel Oluwakemi Yemi Makinde asked the court for a trial date and his remand, while defence counsel informed the court of a pending bail application. Ruling on the application, Justice Ngozi ordered Adebola to produce two sureties, one a civil servant on Grade Level 15 and the other a civil servant who owns landed property in Abuja. The matter was adjourned to September 15, 2026 for further proceedings. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Uniform Off, Gratitude Never Fades: CDS Takes Welfare Message to Northeast Veterans

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The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the Defence Headquarters’ commitment to the welfare and dignity of Nigeria’s veterans during an interactive session with retired personnel from the Northeast Zone in Yola, Adamawa State, the second in a series of planned zonal consultations. Addressing concerns over salary increments, Oluyede assured veterans the exercise is fully inclusive, explaining that implementation is ongoing and that adjustments to serving personnel’s pay carry a consequential increase to veterans’ pensions under existing policy. He outlined ongoing welfare initiatives, including a partnership with the Bank of Industry to give serving and retired personnel and their families access to low interest business loans, alongside the construction of a Defence Hospital that will reserve a share of its capacity for veterans. He said both initiatives carry the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Commander in Chief. Veterans used the session to raise other welfare concerns, which the CDS addressed directly, promising continued attention going forward. The engagement drew veteran leaders including RANAO President Major General HA Salihu (rtd), Major General LP Ngubane (rtd) and Air Vice Marshal NE Nzokala (rtd), with the RANAO President thanking the CDS and urging fellow veterans to support the leadership’s welfare efforts. Closing the session, Oluyede paid tribute to the veterans’ sacrifices, saying the nation’s gratitude for those who served will never fade. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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