Author: CSNews

FG Rebrands University Ranking Body, Sets Sights on Building Africa’s Own Oxford

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The Federal Government is strengthening Nigeria’s national university ranking system with support from expanding its scope to include polytechnics and colleges of education under a rebranded body now known as the Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee, replacing NURAC. Officials said the new committee, NTERAC, will go beyond producing rankings to institutionalise the process, helping institutions and their leadership understand the data, methodology and standards required for credible rankings, with the ambition of building a framework not just for Nigeria but for Africa. The national ranking system will sit on the Nigeria Education Data Initiative platform, consolidating education data in one place to give Nigerians a clearer picture of institutional performance, with participation made mandatory for all public and private tertiary institutions. Officials said strengthening the domestic system would help Nigerian universities compete better on global platforms such as Times Higher Education, thanking the NTERAC team led by Prof Peter Okebukola and TETFund for their support. The Federal Government framed the initiative as part of a broader ambition to build Africa’s own version of Oxford and Cambridge, urging Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts to work with the new committee to raise standards across the sector. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Nineteen Million and Counting: Al-Rawda Al-Sharif Sees Surge in Visitors Over Two Years

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More than 19 million visitors have visited Al-Rawda Al-Sharif in Madinah over the past two years, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, disclosed during the opening of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in the holy city. The three day forum brings together officials, experts and stakeholders to discuss ways of improving the experience of Umrah performers and visitors to the holy sites, featuring dialogue sessions, specialised workshops, an artificial intelligence competition focused on Umrah services and a hackathon dedicated to historical sites linked to the life of Prophet Muhammad. Al-Rabiah said the focus on artificial intelligence and innovation reflects Saudi Arabia’s continued effort to use modern technology to improve religious tourism and manage the growing number of visitors to Madinah. Al-Rawda Al-Sharif, located within the Prophet’s Mosque, remains one of the most significant sites visited by Muslims performing Umrah and those visiting the holy city, with the latest figures underscoring the scale of religious visitation and the importance of continued investment in infrastructure and visitor services. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Nigeria’s Economy Picks Up Pace, Grows 4.43% in Q2 as Push for $1 Trillion GDP Continues

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Nigeria’s economy expanded by 4.43 per cent year on year in the second quarter of 2026, up from 4.23 per cent in Q2 2025 and 3.89 per cent in Q1 2026, according to the Federal Ministry of Finance, lifting first half real GDP growth to 4.16 per cent, up from 3.68 per cent over the same period last year. The Ministry said growth is becoming more broad based, with 27 economic subsectors recording real growth above 3.0 per cent in Q2 2026, up from 23 subsectors a year earlier, showing expansion is no longer concentrated in a handful of industries. Productive sectors led the way, with manufacturing growing 3.24 per cent, more than double the 1.60 per cent recorded in Q2 2025, agriculture expanding 4.39 per cent, up from 2.82 per cent, and services, the largest driver of growth, expanding 4.60 per cent, up from 3.94 per cent. The Ministry said steady appreciation of the naira, up more than 12 per cent between H1 2025 and H1 2026, amplified these gains in dollar terms, expanding the economy by roughly 17 per cent in US dollar terms over the period, a pace it said could meaningfully lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty if sustained alongside government’s social programmes. Citing IMF data ranking Nigeria among the top 10 contributors to global real GDP growth in 2026, the Ministry said continued stability and investor confidence would accelerate the country’s progression toward becoming Africa’s largest economy by 2028 and reaching its target of a $1 trillion economy by 2030. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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EFCC Docks Abuja Man Over N1 Billion Suspicious Bank Deposits

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Mahmud A Abubakar before Justice N C Nwabulu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a two count charge bordering on retention of proceeds of crime totalling N1,098,976,008. Prosecutors allege that between January and December 2024, Abubakar retained N795,360,000 in criminal proceeds in his Access Bank account, knowing the funds were derived from criminal conduct, and separately transferred N303,616,008 from the same account to one Suleiman Umar under similar circumstances. Abubakar pleaded not guilty to both counts, prompting prosecuting counsel Y Y Tarfa to request a trial date and his remand, while defence counsel A M Aliyu filed a bail application that went unopposed by the prosecution. Justice Nwabulu granted the defendant bail with two sureties, both required to be Level 15 civil servants, with one required to own landed property in the FCT, ordering that he be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending fulfilment of the bail conditions. The matter was adjourned to September 30, 2026, for commencement of trial. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Customs Sets Date at Gwagwalada as Successful Recruits Prepare for Screening

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The Nigeria Customs Service has announced that the physical screening and documentation exercise for successful candidates enlisted into the Service will hold at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja. Shortlisted candidates are required to appear with original and photocopied documents, including their National Identification Number, original Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age, and educational certificates covering O’Level, ND, HND, Degree or other applicable qualifications. Candidates must also present a Certificate of State of Origin, two recent passport photographs, a completed Guarantor’s Form and an NYSC Certificate where applicable, while dressing in a white T-shirt, shorts and canvas shoes for the exercise. The Service stressed that candidates must report only on the date allocated to their respective states and cadres, warning that attendance is compulsory and failure to appear as scheduled may lead to disqualification from the recruitment process. Successful candidates will receive further instructions from NCS regarding subsequent stages of the recruitment process upon completion of the screening exercise. Under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Service assured candidates and the public of a transparent, fair and merit based recruitment process, urging applicants to rely solely on official NCS communication channels for authentic information. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Nigeria’s Economy Roars to 4.43% Growth, Government Eyes $1 Trillion by 2030

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Nigeria’s economy expanded by 4.43 per cent year on year in the second quarter of 2026, up from 4.23 per cent in Q2 2025 and 3.89 per cent in Q1 2026, lifting first half real GDP growth to 4.16 per cent, up from 3.68 per cent over the same period last year, according to the Federal Ministry of Finance. The Ministry said growth is becoming more broad based, with 27 economic subsectors recording real growth above 3.0 per cent in Q2 2026, up from 23 subsectors in the same quarter last year, showing expansion is no longer concentrated in a handful of industries. Productive sectors led the way, with manufacturing growing by 3.24 per cent, more than double the 1.60 per cent recorded in Q2 2025, while agriculture expanded by 4.39 per cent, up from 2.82 per cent, and services, the largest driver of growth, expanded by 4.60 per cent, up from 3.94 per cent. The Ministry said steady appreciation of the naira, which strengthened by more than 12 per cent between H1 2025 and H1 2026, amplified these gains in dollar terms, expanding the economy by roughly 17 per cent in US dollar terms over the period, a pace it said could meaningfully strengthen dollar incomes and lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty if sustained. Citing IMF data ranking Nigeria among the top 10 contributors to global real GDP growth in 2026, projected to account for roughly 1.5 per cent of world growth this year, the Ministry said continued macroeconomic stability and investor confidence would accelerate Nigeria’s progression toward becoming Africa’s largest economy by 2028 and reaching the government’s target of a $1 trillion economy by 2030. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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NITDA, UNIPORT Wrap Up Tech Stars Training, Arm Students With AI and Coding Skills

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The National Information Technology Development Agency, in partnership with the Centre for Information and Telecommunication Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt, has concluded the CITE Tech Stars 2026 programme in Port Harcourt, adding to four other training sessions completed in Kwara, Jigawa, Gombe and Kano States. The one month intensive ICT training was designed to equip primary, junior and senior secondary school students with foundational skills in artificial intelligence, robotics, coding and data science, preparing them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy as future innovators. Participants in Port Harcourt received certificates recognising their successful completion of the training, with outstanding performers across different categories rewarded with laptop computers and tablets. Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Chike Princewill Chike, congratulated the participants at the closing ceremony and encouraged them to apply their newly acquired skills to develop practical solutions to real world socio-economic challenges, urging them to keep exploring technology and contributing to Nigeria’s digital transformation. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Air Force, Police Deepen Security Ties Ahead of 2027 Polls

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The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, paid a courtesy visit to Inspector General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, reaffirming the longstanding partnership between the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigeria Police Force in advancing national security. Ahead of the 2027 General Elections, Aneke emphasised the need for closer coordination, timely information sharing and strengthened institutional cooperation to support a secure and peaceful electoral environment, identifying opportunities for NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets to support police operations. The IGP welcomed the engagement and reaffirmed the Police Force’s commitment to continued partnership with the Air Force and other security agencies in support of national security and peaceful elections. Both sides explored opportunities for joint capacity development, including knowledge exchange in intelligence, forensics, crime scene management and criminal investigations, with Aneke noting that stronger cooperation in training would enhance the capabilities of personnel across both services. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Distance Should Not Kill: FG Rolls Out Ambulances to Nigeria’s Hardest to Reach Communities

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The Federal Government has commenced nationwide distribution of Advanced Trauma Life Support ambulances and tricycle ambulances to strengthen emergency medical response and extend timely care to rural and hard to reach communities, flagged off at the National Trauma Centre, Riyom, Plateau State. Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, said the intervention addresses transportation and last mile access challenges in areas where difficult terrain can delay lifesaving care, stressing that distance should not determine whether a life is saved, particularly in maternal emergencies, road crashes and other trauma cases. She explained the initiative forms part of a coordinated national emergency medical service anchored on the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System, which in Plateau State will complement the State Ambulance System, the Jos University Teaching Hospital emergency care pathway and the Rural Emergency Service and Maternal Transport initiative. Kachollom announced that Riyom General Hospital has been approved as an outpost of JUTH following collaboration with the Plateau State Government, urging beneficiaries to ensure proper deployment and maintenance of the emergency assets while calling on the state government to complement the investment through budgetary support. She also visited the Snakebite Treatment Centre in Zamko, a rural JUTH outpost, announcing a donation of antivenoms and disclosing plans to incorporate snakebite management into NEMSAS and the social health insurance scheme to ease the financial burden on affected families. Plateau State Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo, representing Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, commended the Federal Government for the intervention, while the JUTH Chief Medical Director reported that approximately 1,115 patients had been transported in Jos East and over 900 in Riyom under the emergency transport initiative. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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INEC Unveils AI Defence Plan to Guard 2027 Elections From Digital Disinformation

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has outlined far reaching measures to safeguard the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 General Election against digital disruption and artificial intelligence, speaking at the 13th Annual International Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria. Delivering the keynote on behalf of INEC Chairman Prof Joash Amupitan, National Commissioner Prof Sani Muhammad Adam disclosed that the Commission has commenced comprehensive preparations for 2027, including a full audit of its electoral technology infrastructure, penetration testing, disaster recovery planning and the possibility of a mock presidential election to stress test its systems. Adam said lessons from the 2023 election showed that innovations like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the IReV Portal improved transparency but cannot guarantee public trust unless backed by timely and honest communication, announcing that INEC is developing a rapid response digital strategy to detect and counter misinformation in real time. ACSPN National President Prof Rotimi Williams Olatunji called for an integrated electoral information integrity framework involving INEC, political parties, media and civil society, stressing the need for stronger fact checking and AI content detection ahead of the polls. National Orientation Agency Director General Lanre Issa Onilu warned that AI generated misinformation could significantly undermine public confidence in 2027 if left unchecked, urging stakeholders to promote responsible digital citizenship, as the conference honoured Amupitan with a Plaque of Honour for his contributions to strengthening electoral integrity in Nigeria. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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