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  The House of Representatives Committee  on Land Transport has given the Minister of Transportation, Said Ahmed Alkali, 48 hours to appear before it and explain the circumstances surrounding the recent derailment of a Kaduna-bound train carrying about 618 passengers. The committee expressed displeasure over the minister’s absence at its investigative hearing on the incident. Chairman of the committee, Blessing Onuh, said members were shocked that the minister chose to ignore the parliament at a time Nigerians deserved answers. Quoting a proverb, she said, “There is the saying that a toad does not run in the day time for nothing. You all know that we are on break. It is because of this issue that some of us came from Lagos just to be in this meeting. Here we are, and the Minister is not here.” “We seriously frown at this because it is one issue that we must take seriously. We are here to investigate the recent rail derailment and the Minister is not here. This is a serious iss...

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has explained that it is embarking on strike action on Monday, September 8, 2025, because Dangote Refinery and its management want to bring back slavery into Nigeria’s workforce. The union made its position known in a statement released on Sunday, signed by Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olufemi, President and General Secretary. NUPENG had last week asked members to down tools  over anti-labour activities by Dangote Refinery. However, stakeholders including the Petrol Tanker Drivers and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association, DTCDA, have  kicked against NUPENG’s planned strike. But in update on Sunday, NUPENG insisted that Dangote-sponsored groups cannot stop its planned strike action. According to NUPENG, DTCDA is the recruiting company that was formed by Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata and Alhaji Aliko Dangote for the 10,000 CNG trucks they are importing.

Nigeria’s health sector is set for another major crisis, as both the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA , and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, have issued strike notices over longstanding grievances against the Federal Government, raising fears of a total collapse of public healthcare services. While the NMA, has handed the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to meet its demands or face a total and indefinite nationwide strike by medical doctors, nurses under the aegis of NANNM, yesterday began a seven-day warning strike following the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum, shutting down nursing services in federal hospitals across the country. NMA issues ultimatum Rising from its Emergency Delegates Meeting, EDM, held on July 26, 2025, in Abuja, the NMA expressed disappointment over the lingering negotiations with the Federal Government on issues affecting doctors’ welfare, especially the controversial circular from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Co...

Deputy Speaker   Benjamin Kalu   has withdrawn the cm indigeneship bill before the National Assembly, which has generated some controversies in recent days.  In a statement on Tuesday night, Kalu said that the withdrawal has become necessary in view of the concerns and constructive feedback received from various stakeholders regarding the bill.  He added that the bill analysis report, forwarded by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) , also made it imperative for him to step down the bill at this time.  Although the intention of the bill was to promote national unity, equity and inclusiveness among all Nigerians, regardless of where they reside, part of the report stated that the State Houses of Assembly should make laws that will make settlers in different states enjoy the same rights and privileges by the indigenes. “States should make laws that would allow settlers to benefit same rights and privileges enjoyed by indigenes wit...

The Senate Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday gave the   Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited   (NNPCL) three weeks to explain queries raised against it by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation in alleging that the sum of N210 trillion remains unaccounted for. The committee chaired by Senator Ahmed Wadada (Nasarawa West) said that the amount in question was neither stolen nor missing but yet to be accounted for. The  three-week window for explanations was given to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Engineer Bayo Ojulari after accepting his apology for his failure to appear before the committee on four consecutive occasions after being duly summoned. Ojulari had after his apology to the committee, explained that for satisfactory response from him on the 19 queries raised, he needed more time to study the issues raised. “I’m just over 100 days in the office as the GCEO of NNPCL. I still need time to do further digging, given the perspectives...

The naira began the week with a gain against the dollar at the official foreign exchange market. The Central Bank of Nigeria’s foreign exchange data showed that the  naira appreciated slightly to N1,534.21 per dollar  on Monday from N1,534.72 traded on Friday last week. This means that the naira strengthened marginally by N0.51 against the dollar compared to the N1,534.72 recorded at last Friday’s close. Meanwhile, in the black market, the naira depreciated further by N1 to N1,538 per dollar on Monday from N1,537 on Friday. The development comes as Nigeria’s external reserves rose to $38.77 billion as of Friday, July 25, 2025, up from $38.63 billion on Thursday.

The Osun State chapters of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party have traded words over the aborted defection plan of Governor Ademola Adeleke. The APC said Adeleke was rejected because he would be a liability and would hurt the integrity of the party. But the PDP, which insisted it would not join issues with the opposition party, said Osun people would decide and defend their votes in 2026. The spokesperson for Osun APC, Kola Olabisi, in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Wednesday, recalled that a caucus in the Osun PDP, in a communique signed by Adeleke and 27 other chieftains of the party, decried the resistance against the planned defection of the governor to the national ruling party. “We state first of all that the highly informed Osun State public, who are aware that it was the fear of the impending 2026 election defeat that motivated the governor to desperately seek in our party an asylum for his political survival in 2026, are excited about the measur...

As part of efforts to mitigate traffic congestion on Lagos roads and further promote a model parking culture,  the Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) , has concluded arrangements to commence enforcement on event centres, hotels and night clubs across the State without valid parking permit.  The General Manager, LASPA, Mrs. Adebisi Adelabu, gave the hint on Monday, stressing that it is mandatory for all event centres, hotels and night clubs operating in Lagos State to ensure compliance with the State Parking Regulations and obtain the necessary parking permit. Adelabu noted that part of the provisions of the Lagos State Parking Authority laws is that all business/service providers and operators in the hospitality industry should register with LASPA and obtain a valid parking permit for effective parking control and management of traffic. She informed that the importance of effective parking management in curbing traffic congestion and maintaining safety and order on the Stat...

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy ,   Bayo Onanuga , has described as false the claim by the Leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, that she cannot pass her Nigerian citizenship to her children because she is a woman. Onanuga, in a post on his X handle today, said Badenoch owed her fatherland an apology for the misleading statement. The President’s Special Adviser urged Britain to send the Conservative Party leader, whom he described as “our lost daughter”, back to Nigeria for a proper re-education. “Britain should send our lost daughter Kemi Badenoch home for a proper re-education. Thanks to Shola Shogbamimu for enlightening the Tory politician. Section 25 of our constitution defines who has the right to Nigerian citizenship. “Kemi Badenoch lied. She owes her fatherland some apology.” Quoting Section 25 of the Nigerian Constitution, Onanuga emphasised that every person born outside Nigeria is a citizen by birth if either o...

The leader of the Conservative Party in the UK, Kemi Badenoch , has claimed that she cannot confer her Nigerian citizenship on her children because she is a woman. Badenoch was speaking on Sunday with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria. She made the comments while comparing the immigration policies of Nigeria and Britain. According to Badenoch, immigrants often exploit the British system in ways they would not dare attempt in their home countries. To further buttress her point, Badenoch referenced her children’s inability to obtain Nigerian citizenship. “It’s virtually impossible, for example, to get Nigerian citizenship. I have that citizenship by virtue of my parents, I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman,” she said.

The three-day Fidau for the late former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari , was held on Wednesday at his residence in Daura, Katsina State. The prayer drew prominent national leaders, Islamic scholars, and dignitaries from across the country, led by the Sarkin Malamai of Daura, Mallam Naziru Daura, who offered prayers seeking Allah’s forgiveness for the deceased. At the event were Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, among others. The event also attracted former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Babagana Kingibe, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, former Katsina State Governor, Bello Masari, former Deputy Governor, Mannir Yakubu, Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Health, Prof A...

Bitcoin surged past the $120,000 mark for the first time on Monday, reaching a record high of $123,153.22 before easing to around $122,000 — still up 2.4% for the day. The rally underscores renewed investor optimism as key U.S. legislative discussions around cryptocurrency regulation get underway this week. Later today, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to debate a set of bills aimed at establishing a long-awaited regulatory framework for the digital asset industry. Those efforts have found a vocal ally in U.S. President Donald Trump, who has declared himself the “crypto president” and urged lawmakers to overhaul existing rules in favor of the industry. “It’s riding a number of tailwinds at the moment,” said IG market analyst Tony Sycamore, pointing to strong institutional demand, bullish momentum, and Trump’s backing as key drivers. “It’s been a very, very strong move over the past six or seven days and it’s hard to see where it stops now. It looks like it can easily hav...

Nigeria is set to push for a 25 per cent increase in her oil production quota by 2027. The push for the new quota by the   Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC)   cited growth in refinery capacity and improved production. According to Argus Media, a London-based independent provider of market intelligence and price benchmarks for global commodity and energy markets, NNPC limited, led by Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, aims to raise its crude oil production quota from the current 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) to two million bpd. Ojulari stated that Nigeria’s current production is slightly below the quota at around 1.4 million bpd, with condensate production adding another 250,000 bpd, bringing the total output to approximately 1.65 million bpd. The NNPC is targeting a capacity of 2.4 million bpd and production of two million bpd by 2027, with 1.7 million bpd being crude and 300,000 bpd being condensate. The push for a higher quota comes as the O...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu   will today in Daura,   Katsina State , receive the body of former   President Muhammadu Buhari . The remains are due to arrive from London, the United Kingdom, where he died on Sunday. Vice President  Kashim Shettima  and family members are expected to fly the body to the Katsina Airport in the Katsina capital at noon, from where it will be taken by chopper to Daura. Daura is Buhari’s hometown, where he retired to after stepping down from office on May 29, 2023. His burial is due to take place inside his modest house in the town at 2 pm. President Tinubu will be joined at the solemn funeral ceremony in line with Islamic rites by former Niger Republic President Mahamadou Issoufou, and other present and former African leaders. As of last night, many leaders who indicated interest in attending the Janaza prayers were expected to confirm their attendance, according to sources close to the funeral committee. No fewer than 25 ministers wi...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced seven days of mourning to honour former President Muhammadu Buhari , who died on Sunday. Tinubu disclosed this in a condolence message on Sunday. According to him, as a mark of respect to the former leader, he has directed that all national flags fly at half-mast across the country for seven days from Sunday. “I have directed that all national flags fly at half-staff across the country for seven days from today,” he stated. He said he has summoned an emergency Federal Executive Council session on Tuesday, dedicated to honouring the late Buhari. Tinubu added that the federal government will honour the late Buhari with a state funeral. “As a mark of respect to our former leader, I have directed that all national flags fly at half-staff across the country for seven days from today. I have also summoned an emergency Federal Executive Council session on Tuesday, dedicated to his honour. The federal government will accord President Buhari full state ...

The Senate has called on the Federal Government to rethink its approach to the power sector by ending the indirect enrichment of private electricity distribution companies with public funds. The Chairman, Senate Committee on the Environment, Senator Yunus Abiodun Akintunde (APC – Oyo Central) disclosed this at the plenary on Thursday. Speaking on the floor of the Senate, the lawmaker decried the current practice where government funds are being used to purchase electricity transformers for communities, only for the assets to be taken over by Discos. “When you buy a transformer with government funds and hand it over to a community, the DisCos demand payment for installation,” Akintunde lamented. “But the moment it is energised, it becomes their asset. That’s how public money ends up enriching private monopolies.” The lawmaker, Nigeria’s first PhD holder in Energy and Environmental Studies, described the trend as unsustainable and unjust, adding that the government must develop a struct...

The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has doubted the possibility of the state-owned Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries functioning again. Dangote also stated that the refineries, which are under the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, had gulped up to $18bn, yet have refused to work. The billionaire businessman spoke on Thursday while hosting members of the Global CEO Africa from the Lagos Business School, after a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos. According to Dangote, the 650,000-capacity Dangote refinery, which he built after the government of late President Umar Yar’adua aborted his acquisition of the government refineries now has over 50 per cent of its output dedicated to Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), saying that even government refineries committed just 22 per cent of their production to petrol. Dangote recalled how he and his team had to return the refineries to Yar’adua, a few months after former P...

Vice President Kashim Shettima has raised alarm that malnutrition is depriving about 40 percent of Nigerian children under the age of five of their full physical and cognitive potential. Speaking on Tuesday at the National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security, Shettima said the federal government has launched the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a grassroots-focused programme aimed at addressing malnutrition in the country’s most neglected communities. The summit, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, was part of the House’s Open Week activities. Represented by Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Shettima said President Bola Tinubu’s administration has repositioned nutrition as a core pillar of Nigeria’s national development agenda. He noted that the Nutrition 774 Initiative has been approved by the National Council on Nutrition, which he chairs, and commended both the National Assembly...

  Vice Chancellors of Universities in the country have adopted 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for 2025/2026 admission. The decision was reached in a voice vote supervised by the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB ), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, on Tuesday at the ongoing policy meeting on admission in Abuja. At the meeting, the minimum cut-off point for admission into polytechnics was pegged at 100, while the colleges of education and agriculture adopted 100 as the entry point. Colleges of nursing adopted 140 as the entry point for admission.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation , SGF, Babachir Lawal has resigned his membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. This was contained in a statement he personally signed. He tendered his resignation through the chairman of the the party in Bangshika Ward, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa state. He said he would make public his current political affiliation in due course. “I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the the All Progressives Congress, APC. “In due course, I will make public my current political affiliation, where I plan to join compatriots to work towards making Nigeria a better living place for all citizens. This resignation takes immediate effect. “Please remain blessed and extend my warm regards to members of your party,” he said.