Tag: Federal Government

Northern Christians demand FG’s explanation over ₦6.1bn mosque, ₦1.9bn church budget allocations

Aminu Imam
Northern Christians demand FG’s explanation

The Northern Christians Association (NCA) has called on the Federal Government to account for what it described as an uneven allocation of funds for religious projects in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, arguing that the disparity raises serious concerns about fairness and equal treatment. The association said while it supports government engagement with faith-based organisations, such interventions should reflect constitutional principles of justice, transparency and equity rather than create the impression of preferential treatment. In a statement issued on Monday by its Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, the NCA referenced budget provisions…

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FG moves to scrap tuition, other fees in Fed. Technical Colleges

Aminu Imam
FG on Fed. Technical Colleges

The Federal Government has announced plans to review the fee structure in Federal Technical Colleges, to ensure that students no longer pay tuition or other institutional charges that could hinder access to technical and vocational education. Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the T-31 student selection exercise for admission into Federal Technical Colleges, describing the move as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across the country. Alausa said the proposed review would ensure that…

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M’Belt Forum accuses FG of neglecting abducted Northern students, teachers

Aminu Imam
M'Belt Forum accuses FG

The Middle-Belt Forum (MBF) has accused the Federal Government of failing to give equal attention to schoolchildren, teachers and other citizens abducted by terrorists in parts of Northern Nigeria, urging authorities to intensify efforts to secure their release. In a statement issued yesterday by its National Spokesman, Luka Binniyat, the forum acknowledged the successful rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State, but argued that victims in communities across Borno and Kaduna states have largely been neglected. “The rescue of the Oyo victims has demonstrated that determined action can…

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FG grants Shell $11.5/barrel tax credit to unlock $20bn investment

Aminu Imam
FG grants Shell tax credit

The Federal Government has approved a special production-linked tax credit for Shell Plc’s Bonga Southwest Aparo deepwater oil project in a fresh move aimed at unlocking billions of dollars in investment and accelerating Nigeria’s crude oil production. According to a Bloomberg report on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu approved fiscal terms granting Shell and its partners a tax rebate of $11.50 for every barrel of crude oil produced from the project, more than double the standard incentive currently available under Nigeria’s fiscal framework. The report, citing people familiar with the matter…

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FG suspends proposed WAEC, NECO fee hike

Aminu Imam
FG suspends WAEC, NECO fee

The Federal Government has suspended the proposed review of registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination, pending wider consultations with stakeholders. In a statement issued yesterday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the ministry said the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, had been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review before any final decision is taken. The ministry, in the release signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo…

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FG revives digital postcode after 20yrs, begins link with NIN

Aminu Imam
FG revives digital postcode

The Federal Government has relaunched Nigeria’s long-delayed digital postcode project, more than two decades after it was first conceived, and is now integrating it with the National Identification Number (NIN). The initiative was formalised on Friday in Abuja, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).  The agreement, signed by NIMC Director-General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote and NIPOST Postmaster-General, Tola Odeyemi, brings NIPOST into Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem. Coker-Odusote explained that postcode retrieval has already been integrated into the NIN platform,…

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FG unveils new anti-kidnap strategy, expands intelligence network

Aminu Imam
FG unveils new anti kidnap strategy

…Adopts 112 as national emergency number The Federal Government has intensified efforts to combat kidnapping and improve emergency response across the country by expanding its Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell to more states, and moving to adopt 112 as Nigeria’s single national emergency number. The anti-kidnapping initiative was unveiled by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), with support from the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, during the inauguration of the second edition of the ‘Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell State Expansion Programme and…

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Ex-Israeli PM backs state police, urges FG to create Federal Rapid Response Force

Aminu Imam
Ehud Barak on state police

Former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, has thrown his weight behind Nigeria’s proposed state police system, saying it can strengthen security if backed by strong legal safeguards, effective federal oversight and a centrally controlled rapid response police force. Speaking yesterday during a town hall meeting on state police and in a televised interview, Barak said decentralised policing would enable security agencies to respond more effectively to local threats while allowing the Federal Government to intervene whenever state police face challenges beyond their capacity. He proposed the establishment of a federally…

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Outrage in Senate, as lawmakers demand end to ex-B’Haram fighters rehabilitation

Aminu Imam
Outrage in Senate

The 10th Senate has asked the Federal Government to discontinue the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members, insisting that suspected terrorists and other violent criminals should be arrested, prosecuted and brought to justice. The resolution was adopted yesterday during deliberations on the worsening security situation across the country, following a Motion sponsored by Senator AbdulAziz Musa Yar’Adua, the senator representing Katsina-Central federal constituency and chairman of the Senate Committee on Army. The Motion, titled: ‘Escalating Attacks, Abductions and Killings of Serving and Retired Military Personnel: A Growing Threat…

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FG denies spending ₦8tr outside approved budget

Aminu Imam
FG denies spending

…Rejects IMF report  The Federal Government has denied spending more than ₦8 trillion beyond the 2026 Budget, citing false information and misinterpretation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s 2026 Article IV Consultation Report. According to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, who made this announcement in an issued press statement yesterday, said the claims, based on comments attributed to the IMF representative in Nigeria and the Fund’s report, incorrectly stated that approximately 2% of Nigeria’s GDP was spent outside of the approved budget. The…

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