Author: Lawrence Idoko

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has described Abuja as the “ultimate symbol” of Nigeria’s national unity, saying the capital brings together people from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds to live and work in peace. Wike made the remarks in an Independence Day message to FCT residents as Nigeria marked 66 years of independence. He said Abuja’s importance extends beyond its role as the nation’s capital, describing the city as a reflection of the country’s diversity and shared identity. “The Federal Capital Territory stands as the ultimate symbol of our national unity—a place where Nigerians from every…

President Bola Tinubu has signed the bill extending the implementation period for amended 2025 capital budget by three months, giving government agencies until December 31, 2026, to spend funds already approved for projects. The extension moves the deadline from September 30 and marks the fourth time lawmakers have postponed the expiration of the capital budget, according to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on information and strategy, said the president signed the measure after the Senate and House of Representatives passed it in what he described as a swift legislative process. The extension is intended to…

President Bola Tinubu will deliver a nationwide broadcast Thursday morning as Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, with the address scheduled for 7 a.m. local time, according to a statement issued Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on information and strategy. The presidency has directed all television and radio stations, along with other electronic media outlets, to carry the address by linking to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria. The advisory is standard for major presidential broadcasts in Nigeria, ensuring uniform transmission across public and private broadcasters. The country…

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, October 1, 2026, a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, with Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo urging citizens to embrace unity and patriotism as the country advances under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. In a statement signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Dr. Tunji-Ojo announced the holiday on behalf of the federal government and extended congratulations to Nigerians at home and abroad. He described Nigeria’s “warmth, welcoming spirit and love,” alongside its abundant human capital and natural wealth, as evidence that the country remains “the most prosperous Black nation…

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has said the impressive 2025 financial performance of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) shows why Nigeria should not return to the fuel subsidy regime. Onanuga, in a post on his X handle, said NNPC Ltd. recorded significant growth across key financial and operational indicators after operating without fuel subsidy in 2025. According to him, the company’s Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 22 per cent to ₦18 trillion, while earnings per share increased by 32 per cent to ₦35.9. He added that operating cash flow grew by 16 per…

The Federal Ministry of Education has released the final list of ranked and approved textbooks for primary and secondary schools nationwide for the 2026–2028 academic sessions. In a statement, Boriowo Folasade, Director of press and public relations at the ministry, said the release follows the completion of the first phase of the national textbook ranking exercise. According to the statement, the approved list covers textbooks for Primary 1, Primary 4, Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS 1) and Senior Secondary School 1 (SS 1). “Each approved title carries a unique Ranking/QR Tracking Code, alongside key details including the title, author(s), publisher…

The Federal Government has begun a nationwide registration drive for Nigerians aged 15 to 35, seeking to build a database that can help identify young people’s skills, needs and locations and connect them with opportunities in the public and private sectors. The National Youth Data Bank, launched in Abuja by the Ministry of Youth Development, will cover young Nigerians in both the formal and informal sectors, including agriculture, sports, creative industries and technology. Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande said reliable data would help the government improve the design and delivery of youth-focused programmes and close the information gap between…

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted seven nominees to the Senate for confirmation as Chairman and Board Members of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), while also seeking legislative approval for amendments to the National Postgraduate Medical College’s mandate. In a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary, Tinubu nominated Dr. Abdullahi Maikano Saidu as Executive Chairman of the FRC, alongside six board members including: Mohammed Asmau, Mohammed Makama, Dr. Suleiman Gidado, Louis Ndukwe, Amaechi Ugwele and Olaniyi Onikola. The President invoked Section 5(3) of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission Act, 2007, in seeking the Senate’s confirmation of the nominees, a…

Senators reconvened and adjourned quickly again on Tuesday for another two weeks after extending the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 budget till December 31, 2026. The lawmakers, who proceeded on their annual recess on July 23, reconvened on Tuesday only to adjourn to October 13 again. However, before the adjournment, they extended the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 to December 31. The step, the Senate explained, was taken to give room for the execution of ongoing projects already captured in the budget. Tuesday’s extension, which was done after an executive session presided over by…

President Bola Tinubu has urged the House of Representatives to expedite consideration and approval of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s 2026 statutory budget, outlining a spending plan focused on youth empowerment, electricity, education, health care, security and agriculture. In a letter dated August 20, 2026, addressed to House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Tinubu transmitted the NDDC’s 2026 statutory budget proposal for legislative consideration, saying it was prepared by the Minister of Niger Delta Development in line with Section 121 of Nigeria’s Constitution. The president said the proposal reflects the commission’s projected revenue and expenditure and aligns with the federal government’s fiscal…