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Tag: FG

  • FG bans creation of new universities, polytechnics

    FG bans creation of new universities, polytechnics

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new federal tertiary institutions.

    ‎Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, announced the approval after Wednesday’s FEC meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    ‎He explained the ban applies to all federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. According to Alausa, the decision aims to address systemic decay caused by unregulated expansion.

    “What we are witnessing today is duplication of new federal tertiary institutions, a significant reduction in the current capacity of each institution, and degradation of both physical infrastructure and manpower.

    ‎“If we do not act decisively, it will lead to marked declines in educational quality and undermine the international respect that Nigerian graduates command.

    ‎“We are doing this to further halt decays in tertiary institutions, which may in future affect the quality of education and consequently cause unemployment of graduates from some of these institutions,” he said.‎

    Alausa noted Nigeria currently has 72 federal universities, 108 state universities, and 159 private universities, with similar trends in polytechnics and colleges of education.

    ‎He pointed to a growing mismatch between the number of institutions and available student enrollment. ‎He cited a northern university with fewer than 800 students but over 1,200 staff, calling it unsustainable.

    ‎The Minister described the moratorium as a bold corrective measure by the Tinubu administration. ‎He said the government would now focus on upgrading existing institutions, improving infrastructure, boosting manpower, and increasing capacity.

    ‎“We need to improve the quality of our education system and increase the carrying capacity of our current institutions so that Nigerian graduates can maintain and enhance the respect they enjoy globally,” he said.

    ‎The Minister, however, announced that the Council approved 9 new private universities out of the 79 active requests pending applications.

    “Several of these applications have been in the pipeline for over six years, with investors having already built campuses and invested billions of Naira.

    ‎“Due to inefficiencies within the NUC, approvals were delayed. We have since introduced reforms to streamline these processes, and today’s approvals are a result of clearing this backlog,” he explained.

  • FG’s N68.7bn solar project for 8 universities excites UNIBEN

    FG’s N68.7bn solar project for 8 universities excites UNIBEN

    The University of Benin has lauded the Federal Government for approving N68.7 billion for solar minigrid electricity project in eight universities across the country.

    Prof. Edoba Omoregie, the Vice-Chancellor of the university (SAN), said this on Wednesday in Benin through a statement by the institution’s Spokesman, Dr Benedicta Ehanire.

    Omoregie described the approval as a decisive step towards strengthening research and learning in Nigeria’s higher institutions.

    The vice-chancellor noted that President Bola Tinubu had “fulfilled his promise of upscaling tertiary education in the country through targeted funding of pressing needs.

    “The President’s gesture confirms his commitment to the provision of stable electricity supply in higher institutions to boost research and learning as part of efforts to reposition public tertiary institutions for national development.”

    Recall that Mr Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power had announced the approval of the funds on July 31 at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.

    The benefiting institutions in the current phase are the University of Benin, University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

    Others include the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Federal University, Dutse and Federal University, Wukari.

    The project tagged: Energising Education is the 4th Phase of the Federal Government’s strategic plan to provide stable and affordable electricity for federal public tertiary institutions across the country.

    The minister said that the project, being facilitated through the Rural Electrification Agency of the Federal Government, was expected to be completed in less than nine months.

  • FG clarifies new national industrial policy

    FG clarifies new national industrial policy

    The Federal Government has reaffirmed that the new National Industrial Relations Policy (NIRP) does not criminalise workers’ embarking on strikes to press home their demands.

    Mr Muhammad Dingyadi, the Minister of Labour and Employment, said this during a media chat with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Recall the new NIRP 2025, was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    Organised labour and its affiliates have continued to express their dissatisfaction and rejection of the new policy.

    Dingyadi, however, said that, contrary to the position of labour, the NIRP will facilitate uninterrupted workflow, foster effective social dialogue, and promote tripartite cooperation among  government, employers, and workers.

    The minister said it was not true that the federal government was bringing up a policy that would criminalise strikes in the country.

    “Some people are just misconstruing or misunderstanding this policy. There is no intention to use that policy to prevent workers from going on strike.

    “In fact, it is there to ensure that there is peace and cordial relationship among  partners, government and employees.

    “The policy is emphasising on dialogue and there is no way we can prevent workers from going on strike,” he said

    The minister recalled that some workers embarked on a warning strike the previous week, without encumbrance from the government.

    On job creation, he said that the ministry is doing a lot to shift from old generation skills development to modern technology, encouraging training in the ICT, AI, to enhance skills..

    Dingyadi said that the ministry is also making effort to sign Memorandum of Understanding with different countries such as Saudi Arabia, UK, United States on jobs creation for the youths.

  • Prof. Akinyemi denies authoring anti-govt publications

    Prof. Akinyemi denies authoring anti-govt publications

    Professor Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi has denied authoring several online publications critical of the government, which have been falsely attributed to him.

    In a statement dated 11th August 2025 and signed by his counsel, Sir Chief Felix Fagbohungbe, SAN, Akinyemi said the publications, authored by one Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi, were circulated on various online platforms with his photographs, causing confusion among members of the public.

    “Our client states that these publications were attributed to him maliciously and/or mischievously with a view to deliberately mislead members of the public,” the statement said.

    He clarified that he is not related to the said Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi and was not the author of any of the articles bearing his photograph or semblance with that of Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi.

    According to the statement, the misattribution was aimed at tarnishing his personal and professional reputation as a renowned elder statesman, nationalist and patriot who has contributed to Nigeria’s development.

    Akinyemi disowned the publications and reiterated his loyalty and patriotism to Nigeria, stating that he would not embark on any project that would tarnish the image of the country or that of the present federal government headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

  • Rivers indigenes drag FG, RSIEC to court over LG election

    Rivers indigenes drag FG, RSIEC to court over LG election

    Five indigenes of Rivers  have sued the Federal Government,  Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas , and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to court over plans to conduct local government elections on Aug. 30.

    They said that the  state government under the leadership of Ibas has fixed August 30 to conduct local government elections in the state.

    The plaintiffs, Fredrick Ededeh, Benita Samuel, Jane Madubuike, Boma Aggo and Comfort Agbom, all indigenes of Rivers dragged the defendants’ to the Federal High Court, Abuja  asking the court to stop the planned council elections.

    They cited the continued existence of a state of emergency in the state as a major ground for their suit.

    In the suit marked  FHC/ABJ/CS/1144/2025, filed through their counsel, Mr Sunday Ezema, the plaintiffs are seeking a judicial interpretation on whether local government elections can be lawfully conducted during a state of emergency.

    According to them, the President, in the State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation, 2025, stated that there existed clear and present danger or imminent breakdown of public order and public safety.

    “He also said there is a clear and present danger of the looming crises which has affected good governance, peace, security and order in Rivers.”

    They argued that the emergency situation had not ceased, and that the president had not revoked or suspended the proclamation, thereby making the planned conduct of local government elections unlawful.

    The plaintiffs further submitted that elections should not take place under such emergency conditions, where there was no guarantee of public order and safety.

    They also contended that voters could not be expected to participate in elections amid a breakdown of governance, peace, and security.

    The suit, filed on Aug. 11 also asked for  an order of the court to stop the conduct of the elections on Aug. 30 or any other date during the period of the state of emergency, which they insisted was still in force.

    In the event that the elections proceed, the plaintiffs  asked the court to declare the outcome null and void.

    The plaintiffs recalled that the previous local government elections conducted under the administration of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara were later nullified by the court due to irregularities.

    They argues that the current case appeared to raise similar legal concerns.

    The plaintiffs also prayed the court to declare that there was a clear and present danger and looking crises in Rivers which led to the state of emergency.

    “A declaration that the clear and present danger or imminent breakdown of public order and public safety and looming crises in Rivers which led to the proclamation of a state of emergency on March 18,  has not abated, and that the proclamation remains in effect until at least six months after that date.

    “A declaration that the Rivers  government, the sole administrator, and RSIEC cannot lawfully conduct local government council elections during the subsistence or pendency of the state of emergency.

    “A declaration that any local government council elections conducted on Aug. 30 or any date within the emergency period, are illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

    The case, has however, not been assigned to a judge for hearing.

  • Just in: FG closes recruitment portal, after 1.9M applications

    Just in: FG closes recruitment portal, after 1.9M applications

    The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has officially closed its recruitment portal after attracting over 1.9 million applications.

    It was revealed that a total of 1,909,995 candidates submitted applications for the 30,000 available positions across the four agencies under the board.

    Although the recruitment exercise was scheduled to close on August 11, 2025, the portal stopped accepting applications on August 10.

    Authorities confirmed that shortlisted candidates will be contacted in the coming weeks via email and text message for the next stage of the process.

    Applicants have been advised to monitor their communication channels and regularly check the official portal for further updates.

    “Recruitment Applications Closed
    The official recruitment portal for the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board is now closed. We thank all applicants for their interest and commitment to serving with honour, integrity, and national pride.

    “Next Steps: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted shortly with further instructions. Please monitor your email and text messages over the coming weeks for notifications. We also encourage you to regularly check this portal for important updates.”

  • Years later, FG set to arraign Owo Catholic church attack suspects

    Years later, FG set to arraign Owo Catholic church attack suspects

    The federal government is to arraign five suspected terrorists who attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, in Ondo State on June 5, 2022, where scores of worshippers were killed.

    They will be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    The five suspects, who were escorted into the courtroom by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at approximately 9:05 a.m., include Idris Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.

    The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) is prosecuting the case on behalf of the federal government.

    The AGF, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025, preferred nine counts against the defendants.

    In the charge filed and signed by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions in the Federal Ministry of Justice, the suspects, and others who are at large, were alleged to have, sometime in 2021, joined and became members of the Al-Shabaab Terrorist Group.

    They were alleged to have their “cell in Kogi and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022”.

    In count two, they were alleged to have on May 30, 2022; June 3, 2022 and June 4, 2022, at Government Secondary School, Ogamirana, Adavi LGA in Kogi and behind Omialafa Central Mosque, Ose LGA, Ondo State, respectively, attended and held meetings, where they agreed to and planned for the terrorist attack, which they carried out on June 5, 2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

    The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

    At the time of this report, the suspects are yet to be arraigned.

  • BREAKING: FG again appoints Acting VC for UNIABUJA

    BREAKING: FG again appoints Acting VC for UNIABUJA

    The Federal Government has again appointed an Acting Vice Chancellor (VC), Professor Mathew Adamu, for the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Professor Adamu succeeds Professor Patricia Manko Lar, who was appointed Acting Vice Chancellor for a six-month tenure in February.

    According to a statement by Mrs Roseline O. Adakayi, UNIABUJA’s Acting Registrar and Secretary to the university’s Council, Adamu will serve for a period of three months, effective Monday 11 August 2025.

    “During her stewardship, Professor Lar provided purposeful leadership, fostered academic and administrative stability and, in concert with the relevant organs of the University, successfully initiated the selection process for the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor,” the statement reads.

    Adakayi noted that the new Acting Vice-Chancellor is tasked with supporting the Governing Council, led by Senator Dr Olanrewaju Tejuoso, to conclude the ongoing process for appointing a substantive Vice Chancellor in line with statutory provisions and guidelines.

    She expressed the University community’s “sincere gratitude to Professor Lar for her dedicated service, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence and institutional progress”.

    The Acting Registrar wished Professor Adamu a  successful tenure as he “steers the University forward during this transition period.”

    What we know about UNIABUJA’s new Acting VC, Prof. Adamu

    Professor Mathew  Adamu is a renowned veterinary scholar whose academic journey began with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1998, followed by a Master of Science in 2006, both from the University of Maiduguri.

    He later obtained his  PhD in Veterinary Surgery from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, in 2012.

    Recognised for his outstanding contributions to the field of veterinary medicine, he became a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria and was promoted in 2019 to full professorship with specialisation in Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology (Helminthology).

    With twenty-seven years of experience as a registered veterinarian, Professor Adamu has developed  a rich career spanning teaching, research, extension services, and both undergraduate and postgraduate supervision.

    Having served as a Youth Corps Veterinarian and Corps Liaison Officer in Dan Musa, Katsina State, immediately after graduation, he practiced privately in Minna, Niger State.

    In early 2006, he moved to the Nigeria Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research in Kaduna before joining the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University) as a Lecturer II.

    There, he rose through the ranks to  become a full Professor in 2019.

    His tenure at Makurdi was defined by purposeful  leadership in both academic and administrative realms.

    Between 2014 and 2018, he oversaw the Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, while concurrently serving as Deputy Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine from 2014 to 2016.

    He also served  as Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 2018 to 2023, and subsequently as Dean of the College from March 2023 to the present.

    Professor Adamu has supervised countless postgraduate students through substantial research initiatives culminating in master’s and doctoral degrees.

    He is a member of several professional bodies including the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, the Nigerian Society of Parasitologists, and,  President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, where he previously served as Vice President until March 2025.

    At the university level, he has held senior governance positions, including serving on the Senate, Chairing the University Security Committee, and contributing to the Senate Business Committee and Deans and Directors’ forum.

    He has also served as an external examiner at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels across several Nigerian institutions, such as the Universities of Abuja, Nigeria Nsukka, and Ibadan, as well as internationally at the University of Limpopo in South Africa.

    The new Acting Vice Chancellor  has also taken part in  accreditation work of the  NUC evaluations at the University of Benin and NBTE assessments at the Federal College of Animal Health in Plateau State, along with contributing to the curriculum development for the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Agriculture in Zuru, Kebbi State.

    Professor Adamu’s research output is extensive, with more than fifty scholarly publications in well-regarded journals and conference proceedings.

    He also holds a patented invention (South African Patent No. 2014/0547) for an “Anthelmintic Medicament,” recognised by South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology.

    In 2015, his doctoral research earned him the Bronze Medal for Best Thesis from the South African Association of Botanists.

    His academic collaborations has led him to multiple countries including the United States, Spain, South Africa, Lesotho, The Gambia, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire.

    Professor Adamu’s  service has been recognised locally through letters of commendation from the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, and he has twice served as Acting Vice-Chancellor at the university  during transitional periods.

  • FG urges U.S. to engage Nigerians on reviews of visa rules

    FG urges U.S. to engage Nigerians on reviews of visa rules

    The Federal Government on Friday urged the U.S. to directly and adequately engage Nigerians anytime there is a review of its visa laws, rules, and regulations to enhance better understanding and compliance.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, made the call when the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Richard Mills paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

    Idris called on the envoy to ensure constant engagement with Nigerians on any new changes considering that Nigerians travel to almost all parts of the world, inluding the U.S.

    Idris recalled that Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) had put out information cautioning Nigerians against the misuse of the U.S. visa.

    “And because, we, Nigerians travel a lot, it is good that information is shared with us, because these travels are done for tourism, education, businesses, medicals, and so on.

    “U.S. is a country where a lot of Nigerians travel to. This shows that the two countries share a lot, and we need to keep such relationship because it has positive impact on the two countries.

    “There have been some changes announced by the U.S. Mission. This is to ensure efficiency and effective service delivery. The Ambassador told me that the changes were not punitive.

    “We, therefore, call on the United States to engage Nigerians directly, to let them know about any change. Also, my Ministry will continue to partner with the U.S. to ensure proper dissemination of information to our people,” Idris said.

    Responding, Mills affirmed that the U.S. values the relationship it has with Nigeria and will not take it for granted.

    According to him, U.S. visa rules play an important role in keeping the ties between the two countries strong whether in business, education, tourism or cultural exchange.

    “However, the U.S. considers it essential that visas are appropriately used in conformity with U.S. regulations and laws.

    “We welcome Nigerian visitors to the United States, just as Nigerians welcome Amercans here.

    “I am sure that both governments want visitors to respect our national laws and regulations.

    “We are very thankful that we were able to engage with the Nigerian government to make the point that visa compliance is not just a legal obligation but a cornerstone of mutual trust and respect for the two nations.

    “So, the misuse of visas, inaccurate or dishonest application procedure, and overstaying could sometimes undermine the trust between countries and cause serious consequences for those who misuse their visas.

    “That is why both governments want to make sure we send out the  message about visa laws and how to respect and honour them.

    “The minister and I, reaffirm and share a commitment to getting the message to the Nigerian people so that they can understand the importance of complying with U.S. visa processes.

    He said it is very important always provide truthful information in the course of visa processing.

    “By doing that, we will strengthen the bond between our countries and we will ensure that opportunities to travel for business and cultural exchange remain available for all of us,” he added.

  • GOOD NEWS! FG pays second tranche of wage arrears

    GOOD NEWS! FG pays second tranche of wage arrears

    The Federal Government has paid the second tranche of the outstanding ₦35,000 wage award arrears to federal workers.

    The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations, in Abuja.

    According to the OAGF, the Federal Government had earlier paid one month out of the initial five months of outstanding arrears. With the payment of the second tranche, three tranches remain to fully clear the wage award arrears.

    The OAGF stated that, contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the Federal Government has not reneged on the payment of the wage award arrears. It emphasised that the government will continue to pay the wage award in monthly instalments of ₦35,000 until the arrears are fully settled.