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Tag: FG

  • FG didn’t give directive for CNG pump price increase – P-CNGI

    FG didn’t give directive for CNG pump price increase – P-CNGI

    The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (P-CNGI) says no directive or policy has been issued by the Federal Government to alter CNG pump prices nationwide.

    Matilda Johnson, Brands and Corporate Communications Manager, P-CNGI, said this on Thursday in a statement made available in Abuja.

    Johnson re-echoed Federal Government’s assurance that CNG will always remain significantly cheaper, cleaner and more affordable than Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel.

    The P-CNGI emphasised that the recent pump price adjustments announced by certain operators were purely private-sector decisions and not the outcome of any government directive or policy.

    “The P-CNGI wishes to address recent misleading and outright false reports suggesting that the Federal Government has removed subsidies or increased the price of CNG.

    “This is incorrect.

    “For absolute clarity: while pricing matters fall under the purview of the appropriate regulatory agencies, no directive or policy has been issued by the Federal Government to alter CNG pump prices.

    “The mandate of P-CNGI, as directed by President Bola Tinubu, is to catalyse the development of the CNG mobility market and ensure the adoption of a cheaper, cleaner and more sustainable alternative fuel and diesel nationwide.

    “So far, through the collaboration and commitment of relevant government agencies, the sector has witnessed monumental
    enthusiasm and growth,” she said.

    According to Johnson, the progress has already attracted close to one billion dollars in private sector investment, underscoring confidence in the market’s potential.

    “Our focus remains on deepening CNG penetration nationwide and encouraging broader private sector participation to ensure availability and affordability for all.”

    NAN gathered that some private marketers currently dispense CNG at N380 per Standard Cubic Metre (SCM) against the earlier N230 it was sold.

  • ASUP threatens strike, alleges neglect by FG, states

    ASUP threatens strike, alleges neglect by FG, states

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Zone C (South-West) has expressed concern over unresolved issues negatively affecting polytechnic education and staff welfare.

    The union also expressed dissatisfaction at alleged  government insincerity in honouring agreements with it.

    Thr Coordinator of the zone, Mr Masopa Nurudeen, raised the concern at a news conference at the Gate Way (ICT) Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun, on Wednesday.

    He described the situation as unacceptable.

    The coordinator highlighted 13 major grievances of the union. including non-payment of  lecturers’ allowances, stalled promotions and poor infrastructure funding.

    He also listed failure to implement reforms contained in the Federal Ministry of Education’s approved roadmap.

    According to him, ASUP members will not want to continue working under such conditions.

    “Central to the demands is the unresolved Peculiar Academic Allowance, a product of the 2010 ASUP/FGN agreement. Continuity of the payment cannot be guaranteed without proper documentation from relevant agencies,” he said.

    He also expressed dissatisfaction that the Federal Ministry of Education allegedly permitted outsourcing of accreditation personnel.

    Nurudeen said that it compromised quality assurance, bred corruption, and imposed unnecessary financial burdens on institutions.

    “Another major concern is the failure to pay 12 months arrears of consequential salary adjustment.

    “We are not pleased with the situation. many staff have been unfairly deprived despite existing government pronouncements.

    “We equally condemn the delay in releasing the 2023 NEEDS Assessment Intervention Fund. Poor facilities remain a stumbling block for learning and research; yet, funds for redress remain locked.

    “Our members also frown at failure to implement the 2019 Federal Polytechnic Act across state-owned polytechnics. This has left staff vulnerable to forced retirement and other administrative injustices in several states,” he said.

    On Higher National Diploma/Bachelor’s Degree dichotomy, he noted that President Bola Tinubu had yet to sign a bill  passed by the National Assembly to end the dichotomy.

    He also raised concerns over non-payment of CONTISS 15 arrears for over a decade,  accusing some state governments of delaying payment of promotion arrears for years.

    The coordinator also alleged that Oyo State Government failed to appoint substantive principal officers fir Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa.

    “ASUP insists that four years of acting leadership is detrimental to growth.”

    He decried alleged militarisation of some campuses with armed operatives to intimidate ASUP members.

    “Equally worrisome to ASUP is the stalled renegotiation of the 2010 agreement with the Federal Government.

    “The union emphasises that 15 years without review shows government’s disregard for collective bargaining.

    “The union criticises the Federal Ministry of Education for abandoning the Rapid Response Committee mechanism.

    “We believe that reconvening such meetings could help to avert industrial disputes and create a platform for dialogue.”

    The coordinator warned that failure to resolve the issues would compel  the union to embark on a nationwide strike.

  • FG confirms Nigerian foreign missions struggle with unpaid rent, salaries

    FG confirms Nigerian foreign missions struggle with unpaid rent, salaries

    The Federal Government has confirmed several Nigerian diplomatic and consular missions abroad are facing financial and operational challenges, ranging from unpaid staff salaries to mounting debts owed to landlords and service providers.

    Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

    He acknowledged that the difficulties have hindered the smooth running of embassies and consulates in different countries.

    “The ministry is not unaware of the restrictions that financial limitations have placed on the smooth running of the missions, including the inability to pay salaries of locally recruited staff, financial obligations to service providers, rent to landlords, and the foreign service allowance to home-based officers,” the statement read.

    “It is pertinent to state, however, that the Nigerian diplomatic missions are not immune to the economic situation at home and its attendant challenges to government operations.

    “The financial situation in our missions stems from budgetary limitations over the years, resulting in shortfalls in allocations.”

    Ebienfa assured Nigerians at home and in the diaspora that the welfare of diplomatic staff and their families remains a top priority for the President Bola Tinubu administration.

    He highlighted recent measures, including the approval and release of special intervention funds to ease the hardship faced by some missions.

    The government stated that it has established a committee to assess the debt profiles of affected missions, adding that over 80 per cent of available funds have been cleared for payments, prioritising service providers, locally recruited staff salaries, and arrears owed to officers.

    While noting that these missions are not exempt from the broader economic realities affecting Nigeria, the ministry emphasised that the budgetary shortfalls over the years have significantly hampered the effective functioning of missions and their ability to fulfil core diplomatic responsibilities.

    See the full statement below:

    STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, NIGERIA, ON THE FINANCIAL STATE OF NIGERIAN MISSIONS ABROAD

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to acknowledge the financial and operational constraints recently being experienced by several of our Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad. The Ministry is not unaware of the restrictions that financial limitations have placed on the smooth running of the Missions, including the inability to pay salaries of locally recruited staff, financial obligations to service providers, rent to landlords, and the foreign service allowance to home-based officers.

    It is pertinent to state, however, that the Nigerian Diplomatic Missions are not immune to the economic situation at home and its attendant challenges to government operations. The financial situation in our Missions stems from budgetary limitations over the years, resulting in shortfalls in allocations, which in turn have significantly impacted the optimal functioning of many of our Missions abroad, and the ability to deliver on their core diplomatic and consular mandates effectively.

    The Ministry wishes to assure all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, and the international community, that the welfare of its staff and their families in the diaspora is of paramount importance to the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The government is taking decisive and concrete steps to address the issues of fund allocation to all its Missions abroad.
    One such remedial measure was the approval and release of special intervention funds to cushion the effects of the hardship faced by some of the Missions.

    To ensure that the monies remitted to the Missions are utilised judiciously and managed prudently in line with this Administration’s financial discipline policy, the Ministry set up a committee to assess and confirm the debt profile of the affected Missions with a view to ensuring that payments are justifiable and carried out based on equity and fairness to all those affected. Based on responses from Missions and documentary evidence provided, more than 80 per cent of the available funds have been cleared for payments, with priority given to service providers, salaries of locally recruited staff and arrears of claims due to officers, respectively.

    The Ministry has also engaged the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation in obtaining refunds for the shortfall in Missions’ allocations in the 2024 fiscal year due to foreign exchange differentials associated with the new monetary policy and the harmonisation of exchange rates. To mitigate its impact, the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has graciously approved the settlement of the shortfall. Consequently, the first tranche has already been remitted to all Missions, with some having confirmed receipt.

    Similarly, the Second Semester Allocations have also been approved. The Ministry is engaging with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria to facilitate the prompt release of Personnel and Overhead Cost Allocations to all Missions, starting this week, to clear outstanding Allowances and further alleviate the financial situation of the Missions. With these efforts, Missions have begun to stabilise.

    In the same vein, the Ministry is also working diligently to develop a sustainable financial model for funding our missions abroad, which includes exploring innovative solutions and efficiency measures to ensure long-term operational stability. These efforts are integral to the broader public sector financial reforms being implemented by the Federal Government, aimed at enhancing fiscal governance and ensuring the effective allocation of resources.

    The Ministry recognises the resilience and dedication of its diplomatic staff who continue to discharge their duties with commendable patriotism under these difficult circumstances. We also thank the host governments, service providers and our international partners for their understanding and continued cooperation. The Nigerian government remains unwavering in its commitment to providing the necessary support to all its Missions abroad with a view to enabling them to function at their full capacity.

    We are confident that the current challenges are temporary and will be overcome through the concerted efforts of this administration.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to robust and dynamic international diplomacy, as well as the unwavering protection and welfare of every Nigerian citizen worldwide.

  • FG vows to disconnect GenCos over refusal to implement free govt control on units

    FG vows to disconnect GenCos over refusal to implement free govt control on units

    The Federal government has vowed to disconnect generation companies connected to the national grid in the country over their refusal to implement free government control across their generating units.

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, disclosed this under an Order No. NERC/2025/094, which takes effect on 1 September, 2025.

    The order signed in August by the Commission’s Vice-Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, and the Commissioner, Legal, Licencing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye, indicated that the move was to prevent national grid collapses.

    According to the order, units that remain non-compliant for 90 consecutive days risk being disconnected from the grid entirely.

    It further stated that FGC allows a turbine or generator’s governor to automatically adjust output in response to changes in grid frequency.

  • REVEALED! Northwest, not Lagos, gets lion’s share of federal projects — Budget Office DG

    REVEALED! Northwest, not Lagos, gets lion’s share of federal projects — Budget Office DG

    The Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu, has clarified the controversy surrounding the citing and distribution of federal government projects across the country, following claims that Lagos State alone had cornered a disproportionate share of President Bola Tinubu’s approvals.

    Yakubu, in a statement titled “Northwest: The Lion’s Share of Tinubu’s Projects”, dismissed the narrative that Lagos received N3.9 trillion worth of projects, describing it as misleading and politically motivated.

    According to him, a breakdown of the figures shows that only N1.2 trillion were Lagos-specific projects, such as airport fencing, Carter Bridge rehabilitation, and other localized upgrades.

    The remaining N2.7 trillion, he explained, are national infrastructure projects, particularly highways and transport corridors that pass through Lagos but serve the entire federation.

    “By that logic, the Kano–Maiduguri expressway could just as easily be called a Maiduguri-only project. Such sleight of hand ignores a central truth: these are not local trophies. They are the arteries of a national economy,” Yakubu said.

    Contrary to the viral claims, Yakubu disclosed that the North West region is the single largest beneficiary of President Tinubu’s federal project approvals.

    He provided the regional distribution of projects as follows: North West: N5.97 trillion (over 40% of all approvals); South South: N2.41 trillion; North Central: N1.13 trillion; South East: N407 billion; North East: N400 billion; South West (excluding Lagos): N604 billion and Lagos (exclusive projects): N1.2 trillion.

    Yakubu noted that the figures leave no doubt that the North West, and not Lagos, holds the lion’s share of projects under the Tinubu administration.

    The Budget Office DG urged Nigerians to stop viewing infrastructure as sectional “trophies” or “rewards” for regions, insisting that roads, railways, and power plants are national assets designed to connect Nigeria’s economy and people.

    “The farmer in Katsina needs a market in Lagos. The trader in Aba depends on goods flowing through Kano. The student in Sokoto requires the national grid as much as her counterpart in Port Harcourt. Federal projects must be understood as national investments designed to connect Nigeria to itself, and ultimately to the world,” he explained.

    Yakubu noted that the president has not forgotten the pivotal role of the North West in his election and has responded with deliberate investments in the region.

    He pointed to the revival of the long-abandoned Kaduna Power Plant (255MW), the ongoing Kaduna–Kano expressway, the Kano–Maiduguri highway, the Sokoto–Illela corridor, and new investments in education and security infrastructure as evidence of the administration’s commitment to the region.

    “These are not footnotes,” Yakubu said. “They are the backbone of a deliberate Northwest-first investment strategy—kilometre by kilometre, megawatt by megawatt.”

    Looking ahead, he disclosed plans for the ambitious Tinubu National Beltway Project, an L-shaped corridor that will link Calabar in the South South to Maiduguri in the North East, and then across to Sokoto in the North West.

    The project, when completed, will redraw Nigeria’s infrastructural map, connecting four regions through modern highways, economic corridors, and logistics hubs. It is expected to reduce logistics costs, improve connectivity, boost market access, and stimulate wealth creation across the country.

    Yakubu warned against what he called attempts to use “viral infographics” to create regional division. He said such tactics amount to political blackmail and ignore the national vision behind the projects.

    “Lagos remains Nigeria’s commercial hub, rightly upgraded. The Northwest is Nigeria’s electoral fortress, richly rewarded. Every region receives its due, because Tinubu budgets for one economy, one country, one people,” he said.

    The DG concluded that history will judge the Tinubu administration not by controversial graphics but by tangible results such as power plants restored, new schools and hospitals constructed, and farmers and traders gaining wider access to markets.

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not marginalized the North. He has trusted it, invested in it, and rewarded it. That is the record. That is the fact. That is the truth. And no infographic, however deceptive, can bury it,” Yakubu insisted.

  • FG reacts over Simon Ekpa’s 6 years prison sentence

    FG reacts over Simon Ekpa’s 6 years prison sentence

    The Federal Government welcomes the landmark judgment of the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, which on Monday sentenced Simon Ekpa, a self-styled pro-Biafra agitator, to six years’ imprisonment for terrorism offences.

    This ruling stands as a watershed moment – not only for the countless innocent Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods have been brutally disrupted by the reign of terror incited and financed by Ekpa and his collaborators—but also for the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Finland.

    For years, Ekpa’s reckless incitement and orchestration of violence through IPOB terror activities unleashed unspeakable pain: families shattered, businesses destroyed, children orphaned, and entire communities forced to live under fear. Hundreds of lives were lost, and many more maimed, in pursuit of a destructive and unlawful agenda that sought to undermine the peace, unity, and sovereignty of our nation.

    By upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served, the Finnish judiciary has not only vindicated Nigeria’s consistent position on this matter but also sent a clear signal to extremists everywhere that the world is watching, and justice will catch up with those who seek to destabilize societies through terror.

    The Tinubu administration remains unshakable in its resolve to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and protect the dignity of every citizen. We will continue to mobilize every resource, diplomatic, military, and judicial, to preserve the peace, unity, and territorial integrity of our country.

    We urge all those who, under the misguidance of Simon Ekpa and others, have taken up arms against their fatherland to immediately lay them down and embrace the path of peace. Nigeria is big enough for all its people, but there can be no progress where violence and division prevail.

    The Federal Government also extends its profound gratitude to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the security and intelligence agencies, and the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigeria Police, whose sacrifices, courage, and commitment continue to secure our homeland in the face of daunting challenges. Their service and the resilience of the Nigerian people remain the backbone of our enduring unity.

    As we mark this turning point, the Federal Government enjoins all Nigerians, at home and abroad, to work together for national unity, peace, and security of the country.

  • FG unveils reviewed curricula for basic, secondary, technical education

    FG unveils reviewed curricula for basic, secondary, technical education

    The Federal Government has announced the completion of a comprehensive review of curricula across basic, senior secondary, and technical education.

    Minister of State for Education Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad,  made the announcement on behalf of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.

    A statement on the announcement was made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday by, Mrs Folasade Boriowo,  Director Press and Public Relations. Federal Ministry of Education.

    In the statement, the minister recalled that the review was conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), UBEC, NSSEC, NBTE, and other key stakeholders.

    He disclosed that the  reviewed frameworks balance subject offerings with deeper, more practical learning, reduce overload and enhance quality learning outcomes.

    According to the minister, the revised curricula  reduce content overload, allow more time for learning, and ensure that education remain relevant to the realities of today’s world.

    “At the primary level, pupils in Primary 1–3 will offer 9–10 subjects, while those in Primary 4–6 will take 10–12.

    “For Junior Secondary School, the range is 12–14 subjects; Senior Secondary students will take 8–9; and technical schools will offer 9–11 subjects,” he said.

    The Minister commended stakeholders for their commitment and assured that the new curricula would be implemented with strict monitoring to guarantee effective adoption and a smooth transition in schools nationwide.

  • Strike: 2009 remains only binding agreement with ASUU -FG

    Strike: 2009 remains only binding agreement with ASUU -FG

    Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, says the most recent signed and binding agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) remains the 2009 agreement.

    The minister’s clarification was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Mrs Folasade Boriowo.

    Boriowo explained that the minister’s remark during an interaction with journalists on Thursday, had been misinterpreted, hence the need to set the record straight.

    She recalled that in 2017, the then Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, inaugurated a renegotiation committee to review the 2009 agreement. The process led to the drafting of the Nimi Briggs agreement in May 2021.

    “However, it is important to stress that this 2021 draft agreement was not signed by the Federal Government,” she added.

    “When the minister stated yesterday that there had been “no new signed agreement” with ASUU, he was referring specifically to the 2021 draft Nimi Briggs document, which has not been formally executed.

    “The ministry, therefore, reaffirms that the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement remains the last formally signed agreement.

    “The 2021 Nimi Briggs draft agreement was not signed but serves as the latest framework for discussions,” she said.

    Boriowo added that the federal government remained committed to ending the 16-year stalemate with ASUU in a sustainable and constitutionally backed manner, ensuring universities remained open for teaching and research.

    “The Ministry of Education urges the public and all stakeholders to disregard any misinterpretations and to note that the federal government’s commitment to resolving issues with ASUU remains firm under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said.

  • FG raises scholarship grants by 50% for undergraduates, Master’s students, others

    FG raises scholarship grants by 50% for undergraduates, Master’s students, others

    The Federal Ministry of Education has announced a 50 percent increase in scholarship grants under the reformed National Scholarship Programme.

    The ministry said it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Under the new rates, PhD students will now receive ₦750,000 per year, up from ₦500,000; Master’s students will get ₦600,000 annually, up from ₦400,000; and undergraduate, HND, and NCE students will receive ₦450,000 per year, up from ₦300,000.

    The programme also introduces new funds aimed at specialised fields: ₦1 billion has been earmarked for STEMM and vocational students in polytechnics, while another ₦1 billion will support medical and allied health students in public universities.
    Scholarship allocations will be distributed with 50 percent for undergraduates, 25 percent for Master’s students, and 25 percent for PhD candidates, with 70 percent of the funds reserved for STEMM fields and 30 percent for social sciences.

    Additionally, five percent of the scholarships will be reserved for students with disabilities.

    Over 15,000 students are expected to benefit from the 2025–2026 awards, with a ₦6 billion budget overseen by the Federal Scholarship Board and an Inter-Ministerial Committee.

    The reforms aim to promote inclusivity, merit-based access, and human capital development across Nigeria’s education sector.

  • FG denies signing agreement with ASUU, describes document as draft

    FG denies signing agreement with ASUU, describes document as draft

    The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, says there is no binding agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    Alausa disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday when fielding questions from journalists on the ongoing ASUU protest across the country.

    The Minister clarified that contrary to the impression by some Nigerians, government had never signed any binding agreement with ASUU, describing the document as a draft.

    He reiterated government’s commitment to resolve issues raised by the union, saying President Bola Tinubu had mandated the  ministry to find a lasting solution that would keep Nigerian children in school.

    He emphasised that the administration was not interested in “bogus or unsustainable agreements” but in reaching an accord that was implementable and constitutionally backed.

    He stressed that ASUU’s recent protests would not degenerate into strike action, as government had engaged the union “continuously and meticulously.”

    “We are committed to solving this problem once and for all. What has lingered since the 2009 and 2021 agreements will now be addressed in a sustainable way.

    “The President has made it clear that every promise made to ASUU and Nigerians will be fulfilled truthfully and honestly,”he said .

    Alausa also said that the ministry  held a high level meeting with stakeholders today (Aug. 28) to find lasting solution to the lingering problems.

    He said the meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Education, Minister of Labour and Productivity,  and Solicitor-General of the Federation.

    Others in attendance are Permanent Secretaries in the ministries of Education, Labour and Justice; as well as heads of key agencies, including the National Universities Commission (NUC), Salaries and Wages Commission, and the Budget Office.

    He added that the meeting reviewed ASUU proposals line by line which would be fine-tuned by the committee technical team.

    According to him, the team would submit a “clean report” that would be forwarded to the Yayale Ahmed-led Committee to renegotiate the 2009 ASUU/FG Agreement.

    “We want an agreement where every component is actionable and feasible. Nigerians can be assured that this government will keep our schools open and ensure our children remain in classrooms,” he stated.

    He added that unlike in the past, the Ministry of Justice would be fully involved in the process to ensure agreements comply with constitutional provisions.