Author: Lawrence Idoko

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, is seeking partnerships with American Universities to expand practical training in fields including robotics, biotechnology, data science and advanced manufacturing, as the country works to align higher education with the demands of a digital economy. The Minister, who led a delegation to Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Pennsylvania, held discussions with university President Christopher M.o Reber and other senior officials on developing transnational education partnerships while promoting Science , Technology, Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) in Nigerian universities. The visit took place ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA)…

Nigeria and Spain have agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture, focusing on technology transfer, investment promotion and joint efforts in food production, livestock development and post-harvest preservation. The understanding was reached during a meeting in Madrid between Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas Puchades, at the Palacio de Fomento. Planas congratulated Ambassador Ikpeazu on his appointment and on presenting his Letters of Credence to King Felipe VI, saying the ambassador’s arrival would help strengthen bilateral relations, especially in agro-food production, animal health and irrigation. He pointed to Spain’s experience in…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is treating this weekend’s bye-elections in four states as a critical dry run for the 2027 general elections, using the contests to stress-test logistics, technology and field operations ahead of the nationwide polls. Prof. Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Commission said the exercises in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta offered “indispensable operational lessons” as the commission maps its roadmap to 2027. Speaking from INEC’s National Situation Room at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Saturday, Amupitan said bye-elections must not be dismissed as routine, but viewed as essential audits of the commission’s readiness. The…

A faction of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Benue South Senatorial District has broken ranks with its party’s 2027 ticket, endorsing President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for president and Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Benue South senate seat. The group, calling itself the NDC Integrity Group, said the move aligns with a broader “strategic alliance” being promoted in Benue State by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. The endorsement, declared Friday during a courtesy visit to Moro at the National Assembly, puts the…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that his private dinner with French President, Emmanuel Macron, in Paris reaffirmed the strong friendship between Nigeria and France and their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries. Tinubu, who is rounding off his working vacation in Europe, was hosted by Macron to a private dinner at the Élysée Palace. Giving an update on the engagement yesterday morning through his verified X handle, @officialABAT, the President said his conversation with the French leader centred on the relationship between the two countries and the need to further strengthen their partnership.…

An International Chamber of Commerce arbitration tribunal in Paris ruled in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria on September 17, dismissing a multi-billion-dollar claim by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited over the stalled Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State. The three-member tribunal rejected Sunrise’s demands for $680 million in settlement sums and interest, as well as additional claims tied to a separate arbitration seeking more than $2.7 billion in compensation, according to a statement from President Bola Tinubu. The combined value of dismissed claims was about $3.38 billion. President Tinubu called the award a “major victory” that…

Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake has dispatched a high-powered team to Niger State to investigate the deaths of scores of suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Dele Alake said Friday that the team would determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and establish the facts. His ministry’s inquiry will work alongside investigations already ordered by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Niger State government. The detainees were arrested during enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas on September, 15 and 16 as authorities…

The National Assembly has sent the proposed constitutional amendment bill to the 36 state legislatures, beginning the next stage of a process that requires approval from at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly. Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana said Wednesday said that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, was transmitted following a directive from the Assembly’s leadership. The transmission was made under Section 9 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which requires constitutional amendment bills to secure the approval of at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before the National Assembly can…

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia has donated three buses to branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo, expanding his administration’s support for the state’s justice sector. The governor presented the vehicles shortly after inaugurating a remodeled and furnished Ministry of Justice complex at the state Judiciary Headquarters in Makurdi. The upgraded facility is intended to improve working conditions for judicial officers and other professionals in the justice system, while supporting the administration of justice, according to the state government. Alia also said his administration had reduced the number of local government areas severely affected by…

A stalwart of the governing All Progressives Congress(APC) in Rivers state, Princewill Dike has advised that Nyesom Wike’s electoral influence should be viewed as an asset to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, rather than as a threat to the party. The APC chieftain was responding to comments attributed to Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, after a meeting of the group. Uzodinma reportedly said APC Governors would oppose political alliances that could weaken the party or jeopardize President Tinubu’s re-election bid. In a post on his official Facebook handle, Princewill Dike…