The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Federal Government

  • IG Disu Proposes 200% Gratuity for Retired Police Officers

    IG Disu Proposes 200% Gratuity for Retired Police Officers

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has proposed a 200 per cent gratuity for retired police officers as part of efforts to reform the Nigeria Police Force’s pension system and improve retirement benefits.

    The proposal is before a presidential committee set up to examine pension-related concerns among police personnel and recommend lasting solutions to the challenges affecting serving and retired officers.

    The committee includes representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Budget Office of the Federation and the National Pension Commission.

    Under the proposed arrangement, eligible officers would receive an enhanced gratuity, with pension benefits linked to their last salaries.

    The initiative is also expected to address repeated protests by serving police officers demanding withdrawal from the Contributory Pension Scheme, an issue that has generated persistent controversy within the force.

    The proposed reforms seek to resolve outstanding pension liabilities, improve payments to retirees and establish a more effective system for administering police pensions.

    The plan could also cover officers who retired before a new pension framework is introduced, with provisions to review their benefits in line with any revised terms.

    The proposal comes amid renewed efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to address complaints from retired officers over inadequate pension benefits, delayed payments and administrative bottlenecks.

    The Federal Government has reportedly cleared outstanding pension arrears that previously left some retirees waiting for up to two years. Pension increases have also been introduced, with some beneficiaries receiving almost twice their previous payments.

    Disu’s engagements with the Presidency, PenCom and other relevant institutions are expected to support efforts to resolve outstanding funding issues, pension liabilities and administrative challenges.

    However, the proposed 200 per cent gratuity has not been approved. Its implementation will depend on the presidential committee’s recommendations, government approval, funding arrangements and the guidelines eventually adopted.

    The final decision is expected to clarify who will qualify for the enhanced benefits and whether the reforms will cover serving officers nearing retirement as well as existing pensioners.

  • FG Plans Ebola Treatment Centres as Contacts Rise to 53

    FG Plans Ebola Treatment Centres as Contacts Rise to 53

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal Government is working to establish and strengthen Ebola treatment centres in states with designated ports of entry as the number of identified contacts linked to Nigeria’s confirmed case rises to 53.

    The measures are aimed at improving the country’s readiness to contain a possible spread of the virus, including expanding isolation capacity, strengthening surveillance at entry points and establishing referral systems for suspected cases.

    According to an Ebola situation report obtained on Sunday, the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital has undergone a needs assessment and optimisation to prepare it for isolation and treatment, while an infection prevention and control assessment is planned for Karu General Hospital in Abuja.

    The report said authorities were also working to identify and upgrade treatment facilities in states with designated ports of entry to ensure suspected cases could be transferred quickly from detection points to appropriate centres.

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has also approved an emergency payment of N100,000 per person weekly for individuals placed under isolation or quarantine to ease the financial burden of complying with public health monitoring.

    The NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed the intervention during a press briefing on Sunday, explaining that some contacts had raised concerns about the cost of feeding, accommodation and supporting their families while under monitoring.

    “We are providing N100,000 per person per week just to maintain their comfort and feeding, because they were complaining,” Idris said.

    He explained that the payment was not part of the initial response plan but became necessary because of the emergency.

    The NCDC chief added that the government was covering accommodation and feeding expenses, stressing that similar support might be required in other states if the outbreak response expanded beyond the Federal Capital Territory.

    “This is not the responsibility of the FCT alone. What we have to do for the FCT, we have to do for any other state, just in case,” he said, urging state governments to prepare adequate financial and logistical resources for emergencies.

    The situation report confirmed that 53 contacts had been identified, listed and categorised, up from the initial 44 recorded after the case was confirmed in the FCT.

    Idris said 44 of the contacts were linked to the health facility where the patient received treatment, while the remaining nine included household members and people who attended to her during an earlier emergency room visit.

    Health officials are also investigating possible secondary contacts to establish whether any of the people already identified may have exposed others.

    Idris said contacts would be monitored daily, with anyone developing symptoms assessed promptly. He disclosed that one contact who reported feeling unwell had tested negative, although monitoring was continuing.

    The NCDC has revised its case definition to help health workers and surveillance teams identify suspected Ebola infections. The criteria include people with compatible symptoms and relevant exposure histories, unexplained bleeding, or symptoms following contact with a confirmed or probable case.

    The agency has also urged communities to report unexplained deaths and suspected cases, particularly where there may have been exposure to the virus.

     Genomic sequencing completed

    The report stated that genomic sequencing of the confirmed case had been completed by the NCDC National Reference Laboratory and the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases.

    Further steps include sharing the sequencing report, continuing diagnostic testing and maintaining laboratory records. Additional testing reagents and supplies are also expected to be distributed across the national laboratory network.

    Authorities are strengthening infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities to minimise the risk of transmission to health workers, patients and other people.

    The planned measures include assessments of isolation capacity, implementation of screening and isolation strategies, and additional training for healthcare workers, particularly at the subnational level.

    Idris acknowledged that infection prevention and control capacity in some states needed improvement, adding that training remained a priority for the agency.

    The government has also increased its stockpile of personal protective equipment and other essential supplies. The report said 500 donated laboratory testing kits had been added to available stocks, while additional protective equipment and commodities would be distributed to high-risk states.

    Surveillance at airports and other ports of entry is also being strengthened, with Port Health Services working alongside aviation stakeholders to support the response.

    Other priorities include preparing high-risk states, establishing referral arrangements for suspected cases and improving communication with communities to counter misinformation about Ebola.

    The NCDC urged Nigerians to rely on official information, avoid spreading rumours and cooperate with health officials conducting contact tracing. It also warned against stigmatising people placed under monitoring.

    How the confirmed case was detected

    The confirmed case involves a woman who travelled to Nigeria after visiting Uganda, following a trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    According to information previously provided by health authorities, she developed symptoms on October 7, sought medical attention in Abuja on October 11 and tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus on October 20.

    The World Health Organisation has said investigations are ongoing to establish the likely source of the infection.

    Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood, body fluids or tissues of infected people or animals, as well as contaminated materials. Health authorities have urged Nigerians to practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the bodily fluids of anyone suspected of having the disease.

    Nigeria successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 through rapid case identification, isolation, contact tracing and coordinated public health measures.

    The current response includes coordination among federal and state authorities, healthcare facilities and response partners to improve preparedness and ensure suspected cases are detected and managed promptly.

  • Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to Be Completed in Three Years, Umahi Says

    Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to Be Completed in Three Years, Umahi Says

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the Federal Government is targeting the completion of the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway within three years.

    Umahi disclosed this during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, expressing confidence that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would deliver the project within the projected timeframe.

    “We have four years plus by God’s special grace. So we are looking at three years,” the minister said.

    Asked whether the entire highway would be completed within that period, Umahi attributed his confidence to his faith and trust in the President’s leadership.

    He said the timeline was a projection, but did not provide a detailed construction schedule or specific completion dates for the different sections of the road.

    The coastal highway is one of the Federal Government’s major infrastructure projects, designed to improve connectivity along Nigeria’s southern coastline. Its construction has attracted public debate over procurement procedures, project costs and government spending priorities amid concerns about the condition of existing federal roads.

    Addressing the controversy surrounding the contract award, Umahi acknowledged that the project was not subjected to public bidding but maintained that the government used direct procurement, which he said was lawful.

    “There was no public bidding, but there was direct procurement. It’s within the law. That’s all I’ve just said,” he stated.

    The minister also defended the administration’s broader road construction programme, saying his ministry was currently handling about 17,000 kilometres of road construction and rehabilitation.

    “Out of about 35,000 kilometres of our federal roads, the one that is before me in the Ministry of Works, if you remove the few legacy projects we are constructing, we are constructing 17,000 kilometres of roads presently,” he said.

    According to Umahi, the ministry has completed approximately 1,700 kilometres of roads since the administration took office, in addition to more than six kilometres of flyovers, bridges and underpasses.

    He argued that the government’s major infrastructure projects were not limited to building entirely new roads, explaining that existing routes within the project corridors were also being reconstructed.

    Umahi further said the projects were designed to attract investment, with 30 per cent of the funding expected from Federal Government companies and 70 per cent through loans.

    Defending the coastal highway, he cited growing traffic congestion along the Lagos corridor, particularly between Victoria Island and Lekki, warning that the situation could worsen without additional transport infrastructure.

    The minister also addressed criticism over plans to engage 4,000 social media influencers to promote the administration’s projects. He said he would personally finance the initiative rather than use funds from the Ministry of Works.

    “Dave Umahi is funding, not Minister of Works, is funding influencers to advertise what I’m doing because I believe in what I’m doing. I believe in what the president is doing,” he said.

    He acknowledged that the initiative would also help promote Tinubu politically ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

    Umahi dismissed suggestions that his criticism of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi was motivated by his own presidential ambition, describing such speculation as disrespectful to Tinubu.

    “I cannot wish the position of my boss. It is disloyalty and it’s unspiritual and disrespectful,” he said.

    The minister said he hoped to be remembered for infrastructure development, helping people and supporting the integration of the South-East into national politics.

    “My legacy will be the people I have made to laugh. The roads I have constructed, the people I have lifted up. And the region of South-East that I support being totally integrated,” he added.

  • Nigeria To Introduce Fuel Taxes When Economy Stabilises – Oyedele

    Nigeria To Introduce Fuel Taxes When Economy Stabilises – Oyedele

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Nigeria will introduce taxes on petroleum products when the economy stabilises and household incomes improve enough to accommodate the additional costs, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has said.

    Oyedele explained that the Federal Government would prioritise the completion of ongoing economic reforms, stabilisation and the restoration of economic growth before implementing the proposed taxes.

    He disclosed this during an interview with ARISE News on the sidelines of the 2026 International Monetary Fund and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.

    The minister said introducing fuel taxes immediately after the removal of petrol subsidies would place an additional burden on Nigerians already grappling with rising living costs.

    According to him, the government must first improve economic conditions and strengthen household purchasing power before considering additional taxes on petroleum products.

    Oyedele noted that several countries around the world impose taxes on fuel, with the tax component accounting for between 20 and 80 per cent of pump prices in some markets. He added that many African countries have between six and 10 different taxes on petroleum products.

    He, however, maintained that Nigeria must consider its current economic realities before adopting similar measures.

    The minister argued that improving citizens’ incomes was more important than attempting to keep prices artificially low, noting that efforts to suppress prices had not proved sustainable.

    He said the government’s priority was to ensure that incomes grew faster than prices, expand the middle class and improve the general standard of living.

    Oyedele added that revenue generated from the proposed fuel taxes would be earmarked for road infrastructure and the development of strategic fuel reserves to help cushion the impact of future price shocks.

    He explained that the reserves could provide a buffer against disruptions in the petroleum market, allowing the government to temporarily reduce or suspend the taxes when necessary to ease pressure on consumers.

    The minister said more than 50 countries had used tax reductions to respond to fuel market disruptions, but Nigeria lacked a similar option because it did not previously have the proposed taxes in place.

    Oyedele also assured Nigerians that the government would not introduce the taxes secretly, stressing that the law requires the relevant order to be published in the Federal Government’s official gazette before it can take effect.

    He said the government would ensure that Nigerians understood the reasons for introducing the taxes and the benefits they were expected to deliver.

    The minister reiterated that the proposed measures would only be implemented when economic conditions improved sufficiently to enable households to bear the additional costs.

  • FG Disputes World Bank’s N7.7tn Interest Payments Figure

    FG Disputes World Bank’s N7.7tn Interest Payments Figure

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal Government has challenged the World Bank’s assessment of Nigeria’s debt burden, arguing that reports suggesting interest payments exceeded government revenue in the first half of 2026 were based on an incomplete fiscal picture.

    The Federal Ministry of Finance said the reported N7.7tn interest payments, equivalent to about 124 per cent of the N6.2tn revenue recorded during the period, did not accurately reflect the government’s debt position.

    The ministry stated its position in a statement issued on Sunday and shared on X by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele.

    The response followed public discussions surrounding the World Bank’s October 2026 Nigeria Development Update, which reported Federal Government revenue of N6.2tn and interest payments of N7.7tn between January and June 2026.

    An analysis of the published figures showed that interest payments exceeded revenue by N1.5tn, representing approximately 124.2 per cent of revenue. The ratio was calculated from the figures in the report rather than expressly stated by the World Bank.

    However, the ministry argued that the calculation was misleading for three reasons, including the inclusion of debt obligations serviced on behalf of state governments, incomplete revenue figures and the timing of revenue collections.

    According to the ministry, the interest-payment figure included external loans serviced by the Federal Government on behalf of other tiers of government.

    It maintained that comparing such obligations exclusively with federal revenue inflated the ratio because debt and revenue figures should cover the same level of government.

    The ministry also argued that the revenue figure excluded income generated by government agencies and enterprises but not yet remitted to the Treasury.

    It added that statutory payment schedules meant some taxes were collected predominantly in the second half of the year, making the first six months an incomplete basis for evaluating annual debt obligations.

    To support its position, the ministry compared the figures for the first half of 2025 with those for the corresponding period in 2026.

    It said Federal Government revenue increased by 72 per cent, from N3.6tn to N6.2tn, while interest payments rose by 38 per cent, from N5.6tn to N7.7tn.

    The ministry said the interest-to-revenue ratio consequently declined from 156 per cent in the first half of 2025 to approximately 124 per cent in the first half of 2026.

    It also stated that the full-year debt-service-to-revenue ratio had fallen below 60 per cent, compared with 97 per cent before the current administration’s reforms.

    The ministry described the figures as evidence of improved fiscal management, arguing that the gap between interest payments and revenue had narrowed from N2tn to N1.5tn.

    “This is the result of reforms working, not a sign of fiscal distress,” the ministry stated.

    It further rejected the use of a six-month fiscal snapshot as a definitive measure of debt sustainability, pointing instead to the World Bank’s full-year projection.

    “The same World Bank report projects Nigeria’s full-year 2026 debt service, covering both interest and principal, at 46 per cent of revenue. This is the appropriate benchmark, and a guide to avoid the invalid conclusions being drawn,” the statement read.

    The ministry also defended the administration’s borrowing programme, insisting that all loans obtained by the government were lawful and had received the necessary approvals.

    It said borrowing complied with the limits authorised by the National Assembly under the 2026 Appropriation Act and the approved borrowing plan.

    The ministry added that the government’s borrowing activities were guided by the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Debt Management Office (Establishment) Act 2003, while details of public debt were regularly published by the Debt Management Office.

    However, the ministry did not provide revised revenue and interest-payment figures or an alternative ratio to support its challenge to the World Bank’s assessment.

     FG to Begin Repaying $1.25bn World Bank Loan in 2031

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government is scheduled to begin repaying the principal on a $1.25bn World Bank loan in December 2031, with the final instalment on one of the facilities due in June 2060.

    The financing, obtained under the Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration Development Policy Financing programme, is designed to support reforms targeting access to credit, electricity supply, trade competitiveness and government revenue.

    The facility comprises a $750m concessional credit from the International Development Association and a $500m loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, both members of the World Bank Group.

    The loan was approved in 2026 amid concerns about Nigeria’s rising debt burden and calls for the government to limit external borrowing.

    The World Bank said the financing would support Nigeria’s transition towards more inclusive economic growth, improve competitiveness and create jobs.

    The reforms cover capital markets, digital services, electricity access, trade barriers, agricultural inputs and domestic revenue mobilisation.

    According to the financing agreements reviewed by *The PUNCH*, principal repayments on both facilities will begin on December 15, 2031, although their repayment periods differ.

    The $750m IDA credit is scheduled to be fully repaid by June 15, 2051, while the $500m IBRD loan will run until June 15, 2060.

    Under the IDA agreement, Nigeria will repay 2.5 per cent of the credit every six months, amounting to $18.75m per instalment, or $37.5m annually during full repayment years.

    For the IBRD facility, the government will make semi-annual principal payments of 1.72 per cent from December 2031 through December 2059, followed by a final instalment of 1.96 per cent in June 2060.

    The regular IBRD instalments amount to approximately $8.6m every six months, while the final payment is about $9.8m.

    Combined, the two facilities will require principal repayments of approximately $27.35m every six months between December 2031 and June 2051, equivalent to about $54.7m annually during full repayment years.

    The repayment schedules will extend across several administrations, with the final principal payment on the IBRD facility due nearly 34 years after the agreements were signed.

    The figures cover principal repayments only and exclude interest and other applicable charges.

    Under the IBRD agreement, the interest rate is based on a reference rate plus a variable spread. The IDA credit’s interest charge is calculated using the reference rate and variable spread, less 250 basis points, subject to applicable conditions.

    The IBRD loan also carries a front-end fee of 0.25 per cent, equivalent to $1.25m, and an annual commitment charge of 0.25 per cent on the undisbursed balance.

    The IDA agreement provides for a maximum annual commitment charge of 0.5 per cent on the undisbursed financing balance.

    The agreements do not specify a fixed dollar amount for total interest payments over the repayment period, meaning the eventual borrowing cost will depend on applicable rates and other contractual provisions.

    The IDA credit is structured for disbursement in a single tranche, subject to the World Bank’s assessment of Nigeria’s economic policies and implementation of agreed reforms.

    The IBRD facility is divided into two withdrawal tranches of $249.375m each, with the remaining $1.25m allocated to the front-end fee.

    Release of the second tranche depends on satisfactory progress in implementing the programme, maintaining an adequate macroeconomic framework and completing agreed policy actions.

    The IBRD agreement also allows the lender to cancel part or all of the undisbursed balance if the government fails to take satisfactory corrective measures within 90 days of receiving notice.

    Both agreements have a closing date of December 31, 2027.

    Loan Tied to Tax, Electricity and Trade Reforms

    The financing agreements outline two broad reform areas: improving access to credit, digital services and electricity, and strengthening economic competitiveness through trade, taxation and agricultural measures.

    Among the recognised measures are the Investment and Securities Act 2025, the National Integrated Electricity Policy, electricity metering reforms and regulations designed to encourage private investment in interconnected mini-grids.

    The government also committed to implementing trade reforms under the African Continental Free Trade Area, including the gradual liberalisation of 90 per cent of tariffs on goods from African countries over 10 years.

    Other measures include removing import bans on specified essential food products and inputs, reducing import adjustment taxes on selected commodities by at least 25 per cent in 2026, and progressively eliminating applicable adjustment taxes between 2027 and 2036.

    In taxation, the agreements recognise the introduction of mandatory electronic invoicing for Value Added Tax, a 15 per cent minimum effective tax rate for large companies and multinational enterprises, and an increase in the maximum personal income tax rate from 24 to 25 per cent.

    The financing arrangements also impose reporting and accountability requirements on Nigeria.

    The government is required to maintain dedicated dollar accounts for receiving loan proceeds and ensure that equivalent amounts are reflected in its budget management system.

    The Federal Ministry of Finance must report amounts received, relevant account details and transaction records to the World Bank within 30 days of each withdrawal.

    The agreements further require the accounts to be audited by auditors of the Central Bank of Nigeria acceptable to the World Bank. Certified audit reports must be submitted within four months of withdrawal and made publicly available.

    The World Bank’s financing is intended to support Nigeria’s economic reform programme, with disbursement subject to satisfactory implementation of the agreed measures and maintenance of an adequate macroeconomic policy framework.

  • FG Warns Fuel Subsidy Return Could Trigger Capital Flight

    FG Warns Fuel Subsidy Return Could Trigger Capital Flight

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal Government has warned that restoring petrol subsidies could trigger capital flight, weaken the naira and reverse gains made through its economic reforms.

    The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, gave the warning during a briefing in Bangkok, Thailand, following the 2026 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings.

    Oyedele said investors had repeatedly sought assurances that the government would not reverse the removal of fuel subsidies or the unification of exchange rates, particularly as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.

    He warned that any indication of a return to subsidies could undermine investor confidence, prompt capital withdrawals and increase pressure on the foreign exchange market.

    The briefing was also attended by the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu.

    The delegation clarified that the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol price reduction did not amount to a reinstatement of fuel subsidies.

    Bagudu stressed the need for closer coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities to sustain the gains of ongoing reforms. The government also announced a seven per cent economic growth target.

    At the meetings, Nigeria called for reforms of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to strengthen the representation of developing economies in global financial decisions and improve their access to funding.

    Presenting the Group of 24 communiqué, Oyedele said geopolitical conflicts, trade uncertainties, volatile commodity prices and climate-related shocks were threatening global growth, with emerging and developing economies bearing a disproportionate share of the impact.

  • FG Reopens First Niger Bridge After 38-Day Closure

    FG Reopens First Niger Bridge After 38-Day Closure

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal Government has reopened the First Niger Bridge linking Onitsha, Anambra State, with Asaba, Delta State, following about 38 days of closure for emergency rehabilitation.

    The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced the reopening on Thursday at the Onitsha end of the bridge, in the presence of federal and state representatives as well as traditional rulers from both states.

    The bridge was shut on September 7 after vandalised structural components, including steelwork around the expansion joints, were discovered and required repairs.

    The closure was initially expected to end on September 21 but was extended because of persistent rainfall and other delays.

    Speaking at the reopening ceremony, Umahi called on residents of the South-East and South-South to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects in the two regions.

    “We have no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu. Let me declare, in opening this bridge, that I have no regret supporting Mr President,” the minister said.

    He described Tinubu as qualified to lead the country and said the reopening reflected the government’s efforts to improve infrastructure for residents of the regions.

    Umahi also thanked the governors of Anambra and Delta states and the contractor, SKCC, for their contributions to the rehabilitation work.

    “We must commend the contractors, SKCC, very, very highly; they have worked very well,” he said.

    The minister said the repairs were aimed at improving traffic movement and protecting road users, while acknowledging that some work remained unfinished.

    Completed in 1965, the First Niger Bridge is a major transport link connecting Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions. Its closure had disrupted movement between Onitsha and Asaba, making the reopening significant for commuters and other road users.

  • FG Approves Eastern-Western Grid To Tackle Power Collapses

    FG Approves Eastern-Western Grid To Tackle Power Collapses

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal Government has approved plans to develop new eastern and western electricity grids as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s persistent power grid collapses.

    The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed this at a recent HBSAN energy conference in Lagos, saying the government was preparing to begin procurement for the projects.

    He said Nigerians could begin to experience the benefits of the planned infrastructure within two to three years.

    According to Tegbe, the government has divided the country into three energy zones to help prioritise interventions, with particular attention to major demand centres such as Lagos and the Abuja corridor.

    The minister explained that improving electricity supply in these areas would address a significant portion of the country’s power challenges, but stressed that stronger transmission infrastructure was also necessary.

    He said President Bola Tinubu had approved the grid expansion plans, while procurement procedures were being pursued.

    Tegbe also disclosed that a nationwide technical audit of electricity infrastructure was underway to identify faults and determine which facilities required urgent repairs or replacement.

    He said the exercise would help the government direct resources towards the actual causes of transmission failures rather than spending money on equipment that did not require immediate intervention.

    “We have started a technical audit across the entire country to say where do we have issues, and what issues specifically do we have,” the minister said.

    He added that the audit would be completed within a few weeks, after which the government would focus on priority areas.

    Tegbe attributed some of the persistent challenges to ageing infrastructure, noting that several transmission facilities had been in use for decades.

    He said some transmission towers and lines dated back to the period when the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria operated before the establishment of the National Electric Power Authority.

    “This government has inherited a problem of 50 years,” he said, recounting that he had seen transmission facilities bearing the ECN logo during a visit to an infrastructure site.

    The minister maintained that the age and deteriorating condition of some facilities underscored the need for a comprehensive assessment and targeted investment to strengthen the national transmission network.

  • Alausa Directs Universities To Complete Four-Year Courses Within Four Years

    Alausa Directs Universities To Complete Four-Year Courses Within Four Years

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal Government has directed tertiary institutions to ensure that four-year degree programmes are completed within the stipulated period, as it moves to strengthen monitoring of agreements with staff unions to prevent strikes.

    The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, gave the directive on Tuesday in Abuja during the unveiling of the 2026 agreements between the Federal Government and unions in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

    Alausa said the agreements were designed to fulfil President Bola Tinubu’s promise that students should complete four-year courses within four years.

    “Today, through his leadership, these agreements give practical expression to that pledge: A promise made, a promise kept, and trust restored,” the minister said.

    He said the government was determined to address recurring disputes over the implementation of agreements with unions, which have disrupted academic calendars and delayed students’ graduation.

    As part of the measures, Alausa announced plans to expand the existing Implementation and Monitoring Committee, initially established to oversee the agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, to cover academic and non-academic unions across tertiary institutions.

    The proposed expanded committee will monitor implementation, track agreed milestones, identify challenges and issue periodic reports to promote accountability.

    According to the minister, the arrangement will help resolve disagreements at an early stage before they escalate into industrial disputes capable of disrupting academic activities.

    He urged union leaders to use the committee to address complaints rather than resort to public confrontations or threats of strikes.

    “We must strengthen early consultation and resolve differences through constructive dialogue, mutual respect and good-faith engagement,” he said, adding that students and their families must remain central to the process.

    Alausa also disclosed that the agreements provide for reviews every three years, allowing the government and unions to revisit emerging issues and consider mutually agreed adjustments.

    Meanwhile, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Shammah Kpanja, described the negotiation process as the fastest in the union’s history.

    Kpanja said negotiations began in December 2025 and resulted in the signing of the agreement in April 2026.

    He disclosed that implementation had started, with members receiving outstanding arrears between July and September, but called on the government to fulfil the remaining provisions.

    The ASUP president also welcomed plans to inaugurate a joint implementation committee, expressing hope that it would speed up the process before the end of the year.

    Similarly, the President of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, Lawal Bazza, said more than 70 per cent of the agreement for the subsector had been implemented.

    Bazza expressed confidence that the monitoring committee would help resolve outstanding issues and ensure the full implementation of the agreement.

    The Chairman of the Federal Government Negotiation Team, Yayale Ahmed, had also stressed the need for both parties to honour their commitments, warning against threats of indefinite strikes over unpaid entitlements.

    Ahmed said the success of the agreements would depend on the government’s commitment to implementation and the unions’ willingness to exercise patience.

    He further disclosed that discrepancies had been identified in some parts of the agreements and would be addressed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

  • Falana Demands Accountability Over ₦15tn Coastal Highway, Warns Against Voter Intimidation

    Falana Demands Accountability Over ₦15tn Coastal Highway, Warns Against Voter Intimidation

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on Nigerians to demand explanations from the Federal Government over the estimated ₦15tn cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, raising concerns about reported changes to the project’s route.

    Falana also urged political parties and candidates in Lagos State to work together to prevent electoral violence and voter suppression ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    He made the remarks at a public event in a video shared by News Central TV on Monday.

    Questioning the reported route changes, the lawyer argued that the project, initially planned as a coastal highway, appeared to be extending inland in some sections.

    “The road, coastal road has now become land road, I’m sure you are aware,” Falana said.

    He questioned the rationale behind the reported realignment and called on the government to explain how the funds allocated to the project would be spent.

    “What I’m saying is that, after Ogun State, they now said they are going from Edo to go by land, because they can’t fund it. Again, we must now ask questions: What are the 15 trillion naira earmarked for that road?” he asked.

    Falana said public scrutiny was necessary to ensure that government officials accounted for the use of public funds.

    The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a major infrastructure project of the President Bola Tinubu administration, designed to link Lagos with Calabar, Cross River State, along Nigeria’s southern corridor. Its estimated cost, funding and route have generated public debate.

    Beyond the highway project, Falana expressed concern about the possibility of violence and intimidation during the 2027 elections, particularly in Lagos State.

    He urged candidates across political parties to establish a common platform to protect voters and ensure eligible citizens could exercise their constitutional rights.

    “Let me now warn the candidates: Going by what happened during the last election, violence will be introduced. Many people will not be allowed to vote, unless you guys are ready to form, regardless of your political parties, to form a group that will defend the vote of everybody in Lagos,” he said.

    The lawyer warned against using ethnicity or perceived place of origin to deny people the opportunity to vote.

    “We didn’t fight for this rickety democracy, that somebody will look at your face: ‘Oh, you should not vote in this country,’” he said.

    Falana alleged that politicians unable to win elections could resort to thuggery and violence, urging candidates to defend the voting rights of all eligible residents regardless of their ethnic background.

    “And I want to beg you, if you are ready to defend the vote of everybody, and it’s very important, because those who cannot win elections, resort to violence, thuggery, where you come from, that you don’t look like a Yoruba man, therefore you must not vote. In Lagos, in Nigeria, that must not be allowed,” he added.

  • FG Approves Increase In NYSC Corps Members’ Feeding Budget

    FG Approves Increase In NYSC Corps Members’ Feeding Budget

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal Government has approved an increase in the feeding allocation for members of the National Youth Service Corps during their orientation course, with implementation expected to begin in 2027.

    The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this while interacting with members of the 2026 Batch C Stream One at the Cross River State Orientation Camp in Obubra.

    Nafiu said the Budget Office had been notified of the upward review, adding that the new allocation was expected to take effect next year.

    He also urged corps members to manage their finances responsibly, avoid unnecessary spending and develop a habit of saving.

    The NYSC chief commended Nigerian youths for their resilience and commitment to the national service programme.

    On safety, Nafiu advised corps members to avoid travelling after 6pm, recommending that those who cannot complete their journeys before then should find a safe place to stay overnight and continue the following day.

    He warned them against sleeping in public places or gathering at filling stations, noting that such practices could expose them to security risks.

    The director-general advised corps members facing security concerns while travelling to seek assistance at military installations, police stations or Department of State Services offices and contact the NYSC hotline.

    Nafiu also pledged to intensify engagement with relevant stakeholders to improve infrastructure at the Obubra Orientation Camp.

    He encouraged corps members to acquire practical skills that could improve their employment prospects and provide opportunities for self-employment after completing their service.

    He specifically mentioned cosmetology, traditional hairstyling and other vocational skills as areas they could explore.

    Earlier, the NYSC Cross River State Coordinator, Mrs Adejoke Oyenuga, described the director-general’s visit as evidence of the scheme’s commitment to the welfare of corps members.

    Oyenuga disclosed that 1,064 corps members had registered at the camp, adding that they had adapted successfully to the structured orientation programme.