Category: Top News

West Africa Gathers In Abidjan To Chart New Path On Water Governance

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The 13th Ordinary Session of the Technical Experts Committee of the Permanent Framework for Coordination and Monitoring of Integrated Water Resources Management opened in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, bringing together representatives of all ECOWAS member states, regional institutions and civil society. The session was convened to assess progress in regional water governance and formulate recommendations for the 6th Ordinary Session of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee, ahead of the First West Africa Regional Water Forum scheduled for later in the week. The forum, themed Valuing Water To Transform West Africa, is designed to strengthen transboundary water cooperation, accelerate implementation of regional water policies and mobilise sustainable financing across the region. The session was opened by Conservateur Général Elvire Joëlle Zouzou épouse Mailly on behalf of Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Water and Forests, Jacques Assahoré Konan, marking the formal start of the preparatory engagements in Abidjan. Speaking for ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS, Director of the ECOWAS Water Resources Management Centre, Kouassi Kouakou Alexis, underscored the strategic importance of integrated water resources management for regional integration and resilience. The meeting is being chaired by Senegal through Dr Bacary Fatty, while President of the Sub Regional Consultative Council on Water Resources, Dr Boluwaji Onobolu, called for stronger participation of civil society, women and youth in the process. The recommendations adopted by the experts will be submitted to the Ministerial Monitoring Committee and subsequently discussed during the regional forum, the first of its kind for West Africa. The forum is expected to bring together ministers, technical experts and development partners to define the next phase of West Africa’s water governance agenda in the coming years. Officials say the outcome of the Abidjan talks will be central to shaping how the region tackles shared water resource challenges going forward. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Power Minister Seals TBEA Deal In Beijing To Build Equipment Park In Nigeria

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During a working visit to Beijing to engage original equipment manufacturers and technical partners of the Presidential Power Initiative, the Minister of Power met with TBEA, one of China’s leading power and energy equipment manufacturers, at their headquarters. The outcome of the engagement is a commitment to establish a power and energy equipment industrial park in Nigeria, a move officials say changes the country’s long standing status as a net importer of power sector equipment. Officials described the park as positioning Nigeria as a manufacturing and export hub, building indigenous supplier capacity and creating jobs, with TBEA regarded as a long term strategic development partner rather than a mere contractor. The Ministry said its investment thesis is clear, seeking capital that comes with technology transfer and local capacity building attached, rather than short term contracting arrangements. Alongside the new park, TBEA renewed its commitment to accelerate delivery of ongoing transmission and distribution projects across Nigeria, work expected to unlock over 2,000 megawatts of stranded capacity and strengthen bulk power supply to the Federal Capital Territory. The Minister used the engagement to press for faster completion of Presidential Power Initiative works and to advocate for extending planned grid infrastructure to the East West corridor. Discussions were also opened on the feasibility of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, a new investment frontier as Nigeria’s grid modernises around renewable energy and storage. Officials said the outcomes reflect a broader shift underway in Nigeria’s power sector, from importing equipment to building it, and from stranded capacity to power that reaches homes and industries. The goal, officials stressed, is a power sector capable of supporting Nigeria’s industrialisation and sustained economic growth in the years ahead. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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FME Disowns Group Claiming To Speak For All Federal Unity College Parents

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The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that the association operating under the name National Parent Teacher Association of the Federal Unity Colleges is not recognised or authorised by the Ministry and does not represent the individual PTAs in the 118 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide. The Ministry stated that the association has no mandate to speak on behalf of the colleges, their PTAs, parents or guardians, and that any statement, directive, appeal or communication issued by the group has no official standing. Consequently, the Ministry said such communications should be disregarded by the public, as they do not reflect the official position of the Federal Ministry of Education or the management of any Federal Unity College. Parents and guardians have been advised to rely exclusively on official communications from the Ministry and the management of their respective colleges on matters concerning schools, students and academic activities. The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children and wards are present in their respective Federal Unity Colleges, as the 2026/2027 academic session has commenced nationwide. The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to the effective administration of the Federal Unity Colleges and to providing students with a safe and supportive environment for learning throughout the academic session. The clarification comes amid growing concern within the Ministry over unauthorised bodies issuing statements that could mislead parents and disrupt the smooth running of the colleges. Officials say the Ministry will continue to monitor communications purportedly issued on behalf of the colleges and take further steps where necessary to protect the integrity of official channels. The Ministry reiterated its call for cooperation between parents, school management and government as the new academic session progresses across the country. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Olukoyede Tells Council Chairmen, Anti Corruption Fight Must Reach The Grassroots

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The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has assured local government council chairmen and traditional rulers across the country that anti corruption enforcement would penetrate the grassroots to bring development closer to the people. Speaking at the maiden Annual National Conference of Local Government Council Chairmen and Traditional Rulers Councils in Abuja, represented by Director of Public Affairs, Commander Wilson Uwujaren, Olukoyede said the Commission’s commitment to accountability does not stop at the federal level. He highlighted the conversion of recovered proceeds of crime into public investment, noting that the Federal Government had directed N50 billion each from recovered funds to NELFUND and CREDICORP, alongside the transformation of a forfeited university in Kaduna into the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia. On national security, Olukoyede said economic crime and security threats could no longer be treated separately, disclosing that the Commission’s specialised enforcement portfolio had recorded 920 cases and 212 convictions across money laundering, terrorist financing and illegal mining. He recalled that between October 2023 and the period covered by the Commission’s recent stewardship account, the EFCC recorded recoveries exceeding N1.233 trillion, alongside significant sums in foreign currencies, with roughly two thirds of the naira recovered returned to affected institutions. Olukoyede stressed that recovery should not end with seizure, noting that approximately N661.32 billion and $492.37 million had been released to beneficiaries during the period under review, including individuals and government institutions. He said the Commission was strengthening its own internal standards, including new arrest and bail guidelines, urging that accountability become a living principle rather than a slogan across all tiers of government. Olukoyede linked Nigeria’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force grey list in October 2025 to sustained inter agency reforms in which the EFCC played a central role, describing the anti corruption fight as an instrument for economic growth and investor confidence. President Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, told the chairmen that his administration has pursued national development with a belief that Nigeria cannot develop from the centre alone, stressing that development must take root from the bottom up. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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No Life Should Be Lost In State Custody, Says Minister As NSCDC Death Probe Begins

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On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, has inaugurated a 10 member Independent Investigative Committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State. Extending condolences to the families of the deceased and the government and people of Niger State, the Minister said no life should be lost in the custody of the state, insisting that this is not what the Tinubu administration stands for. He disclosed that upon receiving the report, he took two immediate actions, ordering the suspension of the Niger State Commandant and all officers on duty between September 15 and 17, and inaugurating the Independent Investigative Committee to establish the full truth of what happened. The committee, chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director General of the Department of State Services, with Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma as Secretary, has been given a mandate the Minister described as thorough and non negotiable. Its tasks include identifying the deceased and determining the causes of their deaths, investigating the circumstances of their arrest and detention, examining the legality of the detention facility, and establishing whether the deceased were subjected to torture or denied medical care. The Minister said the committee has been granted full authority to co opt experts, access all facilities and documents, conduct forensic examinations and request memoranda from the public, with an interim report expected within two weeks. He directed NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully and preserve all evidence without delay, warning that any attempt to destroy evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence. To Nigerians, the Minister said the government owes them the truth and that no officer, however highly placed, would be shielded if found culpable, while appealing to the affected families for calm and patience. He stressed that leadership is not a popularity contest, and that the Commission’s responsibility is to uphold the trust of the President and Nigerians through a thorough, impartial and transformative investigative process. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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RMAFC Sets Up Planning Committee To Drive China Oil And Gas Investment Push

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The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission has inaugurated a Planning Committee to coordinate preparations for the forthcoming Oil and Gas Investment Forum scheduled to hold in China later this year. The Chairman of the Commission, Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu, represented by the Investment Monitoring Committee and Federal Commissioner representing Anambra State, Hon Ekene Enefe, chaired the inaugural meeting held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. In his remarks, Dr Shehu underscored the importance of strategic planning, effective coordination and strong institutional collaboration in ensuring the successful implementation of the programme, noting that the forum would provide a credible platform for showcasing Nigeria’s investment opportunities across the oil and gas value chain. He charged the Planning Committee to develop a comprehensive framework for the event, identify priority investment opportunities, coordinate stakeholder participation and facilitate strategic engagements with prospective investors and partners in China. According to him, the investment forum would feature business to business engagements, investment matchmaking, technical presentations and policy dialogue aimed at promoting sustainable partnerships between Nigeria and China in the oil and gas sector. The Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to collaborating with relevant institutions and stakeholders within its constitutional mandate, to support initiatives that strengthen investment and improve revenue generation. The inauguration of the Planning Committee marks an important step toward the coordinated preparation for the China oil and gas Investment Forum, aimed at promoting Nigeria’s investment opportunities in the international oil and gas market. The Planning Committee comprises representatives of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority and the Nigeria China Business Council. Also in attendance was the Federal Commissioner representing Kogi State, Hon Abdulaziz Idris King, alongside other members of the Investment Monitoring Committee. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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JAMB Strikes Deal With NECO, NABTEB And NBAIS To Speed Up O Level Verification

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has signed an agreement with the National Examinations Council, the National Business and Technical Examinations Board and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies on the upload and verification of candidates’ O Level results. The agreement is aimed at further streamlining the process of accessing and verifying O Level results during the admission process for prospective university students nationwide. Under the new arrangement, JAMB is set to onboard the three examination bodies onto its O Level verification system, allowing candidates’ results to be accessed and verified more efficiently than before. The development is expected to improve coordination between JAMB and the examination bodies, reducing difficulties candidates may encounter during O Level verification going forward. Officials say the streamlined system will particularly benefit candidates whose results are currently scattered across multiple examination bodies during the admission process. The partnership reflects JAMB’s ongoing efforts to digitise and simplify the broader Nigerian university admissions process for candidates and institutions alike. Candidates have been advised to follow verified updates as JAMB continues to expand its O Level verification system ahead of the next admission cycle. The Board said further details on the practical implementation of the new system would be communicated to candidates and institutions in due course. The agreement marks another step in JAMB’s continued push toward a more coordinated and transparent national examinations ecosystem. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Tinubu Sends Shettima To Lead Nigeria’s Delegation At 81st UN General Assembly

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Shettima will lead a high level delegation comprising Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, ministers and other senior government officials to the General Debate holding from September 22 to 28. At the debate, themed Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation, A United Nations That Delivers For All, Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement outlining the country’s position on major global issues with implications for peace, security and economic growth. The Vice President will also participate in high level meetings during UNGA week, including engagements on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and the continent. Shettima is expected to join other world leaders at the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and hold a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries and international organisations on the sidelines. The engagements will provide Nigeria an opportunity to advance economic diplomacy and deepen strategic partnerships with global partners across various sectors. Officials say the trip will also allow Nigeria to strengthen its voice on reform of the global financial architecture and sustainable development priorities. The delegation’s participation forms part of broader efforts to position Nigeria favourably within multilateral cooperation frameworks at the United Nations. Shettima will return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his engagements in New York. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Defence Minister Tells AWC Graduates To Turn Knowledge Into Real Battlefield Results

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The Air Force War College Nigeria graduated 45 senior officers of Air War Course 12/2026 after nine months of intensive professional military education, strategic analysis and operational engagements, with graduands drawn from Nigeria and four allied countries, Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana and Morocco. Delivering the keynote address at the Tenth Anniversary Special Graduation Ceremony, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, represented by Major General C Ofoche, charged the graduates to regard their graduation as an assumption of greater responsibility. He urged them to transform knowledge into sound planning, decision making and leadership, while championing jointness and unity of effort and harnessing emerging technologies alongside sound doctrine and resilient logistics. Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, represented by Air Vice Marshal AY Abdullahi, reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to professional training and mission focused capability development. The CAS, who noted that the graduation coincided with the College’s Tenth Anniversary, commended AFWCN for its contribution to professional military education and growing participation by Nigerian and allied officers. He disclosed that construction of the College’s permanent site in Abuja is ongoing, with the next Air War Course expected to commence there, while also highlighting ongoing NAF fleet modernisation efforts. Commandant of the College, Air Vice Marshal GA Mbaka, described the graduation as a significant milestone in the College’s decade long contribution to operational level military education, stressing the need for leaders to understand the wider dimensions of contemporary security challenges. Highlights of the ceremony included the conferment of Fellowship on the graduands and past Commandants, presentation of certificates and awards, and the inauguration of the AFWCN Alumni Association. The event also featured the launch of the Second Edition of the Airpower Magazine and the Tenth Anniversary Year Book, marking a decade of professional military education at the institution established in Makurdi in 2016. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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NELFUND Pays Out N164 Million To Over 3,000 Students At Federal University Zaria

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The Federal University of Education, Zaria, has received a total of N163,991,400 in education loan support from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund for the 2025/2026 academic session, benefiting 3,215 students. The institution confirmed receipt of the funds in a letter dated September 3, signed by Vice Chancellor Professor Yahaya Isa Bunkure and addressed to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND. According to the confirmation, the funds were disbursed in eight tranches between December 2025 and February 2026 to support students with the payment of their registration fees for the academic session. The largest tranche, amounting to N49,126,900, benefited 980 students, while another N39,906,900 was disbursed to 766 students, with further tranches of N20,877,150 for 393 students and N17,203,150 for 318 students. An additional tranche of N13,660,500 supported 214 students, rounding out the eight disbursements that reached students across the institution during the period under review. Professor Bunkure expressed appreciation to NELFUND on behalf of the university, students and wider community, describing the support as a major contribution to students and their families amid prevailing economic challenges. The university confirmed that beneficiary students were issued receipts to promote accountability, transparency and proper documentation of the funds received throughout the disbursement process. Bunkure further commended NELFUND’s contribution to supporting students, noting that the initiative could have broader social benefits by helping young Nigerians remain engaged in education. He said the scheme’s continued support would help reduce the pressures associated with economic hardship on students and their families across the country. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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