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  • FG Declares May 27, 28 Public Holidays For Eid-ul-Adha Celebration

    The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28, 2026, as public holidays to celebrate this year’s Eid-ul-Adha festival.

    The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, on Monday in Abuja.

    FG Felicitates Muslims

    According to the statement, the declaration reflects the Federal Government’s recognition of the spiritual significance of the Islamic celebration observed by millions of Muslims in Nigeria and around the world.

    Tunji-Ojo extended warm greetings to Muslim faithful both within Nigeria and in the diaspora, describing Eid-ul-Adha as a period that symbolises sacrifice, obedience to God, compassion, and faith.

    Call For Prayers, Unity

    The Federal Government also urged Nigerians to use the holiday period to pray for the country and reflect on the need for peace, unity, and national progress.

    “It is in the spirit of brotherhood, shared humanity, and national unity that the Federal Government wishes all Muslims a peaceful, blessed, and joyous celebration,” the statement read.

    The government further expressed hope that the values associated with Eid-ul-Adha would strengthen harmony and peaceful coexistence across the country.

  • Sunday Igboho Awaits FG Approval To Launch Iru Ekun Security Network In South-West

    Yoruba nation activist Sunday Adeyemo has revealed that he is still awaiting approval from the Federal Government to formally begin operations of the Iru Ekun Security Network across the South-West.

    The activist stated that the security outfit was created to support efforts aimed at flushing out kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements from forests and rural communities in the region.

    Igboho Speaks On Security Outfit

    In a statement made available to journalists on Monday, Igboho disclosed that all necessary documentation and procedural requirements had already been submitted to the Federal Government.

    “We have submitted all the required documents for our registered security firm, Iru Ekun Security Network, and are only waiting for the Federal Government approval which will be granted soon,” he stated.

    He added that the outfit is prepared to collaborate with security agencies, including the police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    Backs Makinde’s Executive Order

    The activist also declared his readiness to comply with Executive Order 001 of 2026 recently signed by Seyi Makinde regulating the activities of private security organisations in Oyo State.

    Makinde signed the order on May 20, saying it became necessary due to rising security challenges and the increasing activities of unregulated security groups across communities.

    According to the governor, the directive is aimed at ensuring that vigilante groups and private security outfits operate within a legal and coordinated framework.

    Commends Tinubu’s Security Efforts

    Igboho further praised Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as the administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity across the country.

    “It is obvious that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is resolutely committed to tackle criminalities not only in the South-West but also in all other regions plagued by insecurity,” he said.

    Focus On Rural Security

    The activist stressed that peace and security are necessary for economic development, especially in rural communities where farming activities remain critical to food production and livelihoods.

    He maintained that Iru Ekun Security Network is ready to support all lawful efforts aimed at restoring peace across Yorubaland.

  • Borno Indigene Alleges ₦3m Payments, Monthly Salaries for “Repentant Boko Haram” After Rehabilitation

    A Borno State indigene, Enoch Yohanna, has sparked fresh controversy after alleging that repentant Boko Haram members are being paid up to ₦3 million after rehabilitation and placed on monthly stipends by the Federal Government.

    Yohanna made the claims during a public event, expressing anger over what he described as the use of taxpayers’ money to compensate individuals linked to violent insurgency in the North-East.

    Allegations Against Rehabilitation Programme

    According to him, individuals who pass through rehabilitation under the government’s deradicalisation framework are reportedly given financial support and monthly allowances after completion of the programme.

    He linked his claims to the Operation Safe Corridor initiative introduced in 2016 under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, which focuses on deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of former insurgents.

    Yohanna also alleged that different categories of ex-combatants are processed based on their level of involvement in the insurgency.

    Claims On Payments And Reintegration

    In a viral video, he further claimed that rehabilitated individuals receive about ₦50,000 monthly and are integrated into civilian structures, including security-support roles in some communities.

    He also alleged that some of them are deployed to various locations across the country under government supervision after rehabilitation.

    However, these claims remain unverified, and there has been no official confirmation from the Federal Government or security agencies regarding the specific figures mentioned.

    Operation Safe Corridor Background

    Operation Safe Corridor is a federal deradicalisation programme aimed at reintegrating low-risk ex-combatants back into society through education, counselling, and vocational training.

    Authorities have previously maintained that the programme is designed to support peace-building efforts and reduce the cycle of insurgency in the North-East.

    Growing Debate Over Rehabilitation Policy

    The allegations have reignited public debate around Nigeria’s approach to insurgency rehabilitation, with many citizens questioning transparency, accountability, and the long-term impact of reintegration programmes.

    The video of Yohanna’s comments has continued to circulate online, drawing mixed reactions from Nigerians.

  • ASUU Rejects FG’s Plan To Scrap ‘Irrelevant’ University Courses

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the Federal Government’s reported plan to phase out certain university courses considered “irrelevant” to current labour market demands.

    The union described the proposed move as dangerous and a direct threat to academic freedom and university autonomy in Nigeria.

    ASUU, in a statement issued by its Benin Zone, insisted that all academic programmes remain important to national development and warned against government interference in university curriculum decisions.

    ASUU faults proposed course review

    The controversy follows recent comments credited to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who reportedly said the government intended to align university programmes with modern economic realities and global trends.

    Reports indicated that some humanities and social science-related courses were being considered for review or possible discontinuation over concerns about employability and labour market relevance.

    Reacting to the development, ASUU maintained that universities should retain the exclusive right to determine their academic programmes through their governing structures and senates.

    “Universities are not technical colleges. They are centres of knowledge creation and dissemination. Every discipline has its place in national development,” a source within the union stated.

    Union warns against interference

    ASUU also warned that any attempt by the Federal Government to dictate courses offered in universities could weaken the country’s higher education system.

    The union vowed to resist what it described as efforts to commercialise and vocationalise university education at the expense of critical thinking and broader intellectual development.

    The disagreement further adds to the strained relationship between ASUU and the Federal Government following unresolved issues surrounding previous agreements reached with the union.

    Concerns over another crisis

    Stakeholders within the education sector have continued to call for dialogue between both parties to avoid another industrial crisis in public universities.

    As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Ministry of Education had not officially responded to ASUU’s latest position on the matter.

  • FG Begins Payment of BEA Scholars’ Allowances, Says 50% Outstanding Funds Released

    The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of outstanding allowances owed to beneficiaries of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Programme studying in partner countries.

    The announcement was made in a press statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education on 19 May 2026.

    FG confirms release of funds

    According to the Ministry, the Central Bank of Nigeria has successfully remitted approved funds to Nigerian embassies and missions abroad for immediate disbursement to eligible scholars.

    The statement explained that the payment covers 50 percent of the outstanding 2025 obligations, while efforts are ongoing to clear the remaining balance.

    Minister assures students abroad

    The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the released funds have already been sent to embassy accounts, adding that affected missions are expected to begin immediate payments.

    He urged students under the BEA programme to monitor their accounts as disbursement begins.

    Tinubu administration restates commitment

    The Ministry said the development reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the welfare of Nigerian students abroad under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to the statement, remains focused on improving education support systems and fulfilling obligations to scholars under government scholarship schemes.

    FG reiterates education support

    The Federal Government also reaffirmed its commitment to honouring legitimate obligations to Nigerian students abroad and sustaining policies aimed at strengthening education and human capital development.

    Officials added that the BEA programme remains a key component of Nigeria’s international education partnerships.

  • FG Unveils New Education Policy For Out-Of-School Children, Adults

    The Federal Government has unveiled a new National Policy on Alternative Learning Pathways aimed at expanding access to education for out-of-school children, youths and adults across Nigeria.

    The development was disclosed in Abuja by John Edeh, Director of Literacy and Development at the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC).

    FG Targets Out-Of-School Crisis

    According to Edeh, the policy was recently unveiled by Tunji Alausa as part of efforts to address long-standing gaps within Nigeria’s non-formal education system.

    He explained that the initiative is designed to improve certification processes and create flexible learning pathways that would allow beneficiaries to transition into higher education or vocational opportunities.

    “The whole vision is to address the large number of out-of-school youth and children significantly,” he said.

    Faster Learning Structure Introduced

    Edeh noted that the policy would compress learning duration for beneficiaries who missed formal education.

    According to him, individuals can now complete equivalent educational programmes within three to four years instead of spending more than a decade in the conventional school system.

    He added that the programme is expected to help mainstream learners into formal educational structures more easily.

    FG Links Education To Security

    The NMEC official further stated that the policy would not only provide access to education but also help tackle unemployment, insecurity, banditry and other social problems linked to illiteracy.

    “It will also ensure that the people are not only provided with education, but also empower them to reduce unemployment, insecurity, banditry and all forms of vices in the country,” he said.

    Edeh disclosed that the policy is already operational and urged stakeholders in the literacy and non-formal education sector to ensure strict compliance with its provisions.

  • Tinubu Government Spends N4.24bn On Presidential Air Fleet In Six Months

    The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spent about N4.24bn on the Presidential Air Fleet within six months, according to spending records obtained from Govspend, a civic technology platform tracking public expenditures.

    The records showed that the payments were made between June and December 2025 for the operational and logistical maintenance of the Presidential Air Fleet amid increasing public concern over government spending and calls for cost-cutting measures.

    Breakdown Of Transactions

    Findings revealed that the funds were paid into the Presidential Air Fleet naira transit account operated by the State House through eight separate transactions across June, July and December 2025.

    The largest portion of the spending was recorded in July 2025, when four transactions amounting to N2.43bn were made within one week.

    According to the records, N1.285bn was disbursed on June 12, while N430m was paid on July 24. Another N1.28bn followed on July 25, alongside N92m on July 29 and N626m on July 31.

    Further payments were made in December, including N9m on December 18, described as “Presidential Air Fleet forex transit funds,” while N343.9m and N90.9m were disbursed on December 30 and 31 respectively.

    Questions Over Spending Details

    The report also revealed that four of the eight transactions were listed without descriptions and simply marked as “None” in the Govspend database.

    Most of the transfers were, however, labelled as “Forex Transit Funds,” usually linked to foreign exchange requirements for international operations such as aircraft maintenance, fuel purchases and payments for overseas services.

    The latest figures add to the rising cost of maintaining the Presidential Air Fleet since President Tinubu assumed office in 2023.

    Presidential Fleet Costs Continue Rising

    Data showed that at least N26.38bn was spent on Presidential Air Fleet operations between July 2023 and December 2024 alone.

    Out of the figure, N14.15bn was reportedly spent in 2024.

    Budget allocations for the fleet also showed a steady rise over the years. The fleet received N17.32bn allocation in the 2025 budget before it dropped to N14.70bn in the 2026 budget.

    The reduction was largely attributed to lower capital expenditure projections.

    Records further indicated that engine overhaul projects across the fleet consumed N4.58bn in 2024, N8.65bn in 2025 and N6.05bn in 2026, bringing the total spending on engine maintenance to N19.27bn within three years.

    Concerns Amid Economic Hardship

    The development comes at a time many Nigerians continue to raise concerns over economic hardship, rising inflation and austerity measures introduced by the Federal Government following fuel subsidy removal and ongoing economic reforms.

    Budget data also showed that allocations to the Presidential Air Fleet have risen significantly over the years, increasing from N4.37bn in 2017 under the Buhari administration to N20.52bn in 2024.

  • FG dismisses ‘Japa’ education crisis claims, says fewer Nigerians now study abroad

    The Federal Government has dismissed claims that Nigeria currently ranks among countries with the highest number of students studying abroad, insisting that reforms in the education sector are beginning to reverse the trend.

    Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, stated this during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday while reacting to reports about Nigeria’s outbound student migration.

    Minister rejects 2023 data

    The programme presenter had referenced 2023 data showing that Nigeria ranked third globally in outbound student mobility, accounting for about five per cent of students studying outside their home countries.

    However, Alausa dismissed the figures as outdated and no longer reflective of the current reality in Nigeria’s education sector.

    “That’s not Japa. And please, qualify your data. Thank God you told me it was 2023 figure,” he said.

    According to the minister, 2023 represented a difficult period for Nigerian universities due to prolonged academic disruptions and underinvestment in tertiary education.

    ‘Things have changed’

    Alausa said conditions in Nigerian universities have improved significantly under the current administration.

    “2023 was when we came in. There was no academic continuity. They had the kind of extensive investment you’ve made in a tertiary education that wasn’t there,” he stated.

    The minister revealed that the Ministry of Education had been monitoring outbound student movement through its educational support services department.

    According to him, the government has observed what he described as a “precipitous drop” in the number of Nigerian students leaving the country for studies abroad.

    “We’ve seen precipitous drop in those number of student going out. Our tertiary institutions are better now. We have academic continuity, academic session continuity,” he said.

    FG cites rising confidence in local institutions

    Alausa pointed to programmes like the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB), Nigeria’s equivalent of British A-levels, as evidence of growing confidence in local education.

    He explained that many students who previously travelled abroad for similar programmes are now enrolling within Nigeria instead.

    The minister also referenced institutions like the University of Lagos law programme, claiming that some schools now receive more applications than available admission slots.

    “Kids are staying there. The quality of education is significantly better. If you now compare the 2023 data with 2024 and 2025 and see the precipitous drop of Nigeria going out,” he added.

  • FG Moves Closer to Fresh $1.25bn World Bank Loan for Reforms, Job Creation

    The Federal Government has intensified discussions with the World Bank over a fresh $1.25 billion loan facility targeted at supporting economic reforms, job creation, and business competitiveness in Nigeria.

    According to a World Bank document titled Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration, the proposed loan has reached an advanced stage and is expected to be presented for approval on June 26, 2026.

    The facility has reportedly moved beyond the concept and appraisal phases within the World Bank’s project cycle.

    Loan targets reforms, digital access, competitiveness

    If approved, the proposed facility will become one of Nigeria’s largest recent World Bank loans, second only to the $1.5 billion Reforms for Economic Stabilisation to Enable Transformation Development Policy Financing approved in June 2024.

    The Federal Republic of Nigeria is listed as the borrower, while the Federal Ministry of Finance will serve as the implementing agency.

    According to the World Bank, the funding is expected to support Nigeria’s reform efforts in key sectors.

    “The loan is designed to support the government’s efforts to expand access to finance, digital, and electricity services, and strengthen competitiveness through tax, trade, and agriculture reforms,” the document stated.

    Nigeria’s debt profile under focus

    Nigeria’s external debt stood at $51.86 billion as of December 31, 2025, while the country’s total public debt is currently estimated at $110.97 billion.

    The proposed loan is presently at the “decision meeting” stage within the World Bank approval process.

    This stage comes after appraisal and negotiations have been concluded, with financing terms, policy commitments, and reform conditions reportedly agreed in principle.

    The World Bank explained that the project had already passed important internal reviews and is moving toward final consideration by the Board of Executive Directors.

    “The review did authorise the team to appraise and negotiate,” the document noted.

    World Bank approved over $9bn for Nigeria since 2023

    Between June 2023 and May 2026, the World Bank approved about $9.35 billion in loans and credits for Nigeria across different sectors.

    The approvals covered power, healthcare, agriculture, education, renewable energy, MSME financing, social protection, and economic reform programmes.

    Among the major approvals were the $2.25 billion RESET and ARMOR reform financing package approved in June 2024, alongside $1.57 billion for HOPE and SPIN programmes in September 2024.

    Another $1.08 billion was approved in March 2025 for education and resilience projects.

    FG warns against delays in loan approvals

    The development comes shortly after the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, warned that Nigeria could reject World Bank loan arrangements if approval and disbursement delays continue.

    Speaking during a recent meeting with a World Bank delegation in Abuja, Ogunjimi stressed that Nigeria expects faster processing timelines because the facilities are loans and not grants.

    “If approvals take more than six months, the Nigerian Government may no longer honour such arrangements,” he stated.

    He added that prolonged delays could affect project implementation and broader development goals.

    The Accountant-General also urged the World Bank to speed up approval and disbursement processes to support Nigeria’s economic priorities and reform programmes.

  • FG Introduces Compulsory Drug Tests for Secondary School Students

    The Federal Government has announced compulsory drug tests for newly admitted and returning students in secondary schools across Nigeria.

    The policy was contained in the newly released National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria for secondary schools.

    FG Targets Rising Drug Abuse Among Students

    According to the government, the policy is aimed at reducing the growing cases of drug and substance abuse among adolescents in the country.

    Officials said the initiative would help create a safer and healthier learning environment while improving students’ academic performance and mental health.

    The compulsory drug test policy Nigeria has already sparked conversations in latest Nigerian education news and public health discussions.

    New Students to Undergo Mandatory Drug Screening

    Under the new guidelines, all newly admitted secondary school students will be required to undergo drug tests before gaining full admission into schools.

    “All new students/learners shall be subjected to drug tests and other measures approved by the schools/learning centres at the point of entry,” the document stated.

    The policy also directed schools to conduct periodic drug screenings for returning students at least once every academic session.

    Students Barred From Possessing Illegal Substances

    The government further warned students against possession or use of narcotic drugs and other controlled substances without approval from school authorities.

    “All students/learners are prohibited from using or being in possession of narcotic drugs, controlled drugs or substances of abuse without approval from the school authority,” the guideline added.

    The Nigeria school drug test policy has continued trending in breaking news Nigeria today amid growing concerns over youth substance abuse.

    FG Introduces Three-Stage Intervention Process

    The policy established a three-stage testing, counselling, and rehabilitation process for students who test positive to drug use.

    According to the guidelines, students who test positive during the first screening will undergo counselling and treatment approved by school authorities.

    If a student tests positive again, the school will refer the individual to professionals for further treatment and support.

    After a third positive result, the student may be temporarily suspended from school to undergo rehabilitation and professional care.

    Counselling Now Mandatory Before, After Tests

    The Federal Government also introduced compulsory pre-test and post-test counselling for students undergoing drug screening.

    The guidelines explained that pre-test counselling is meant to reduce anxiety, clarify expectations, and encourage cooperation among students.

    Meanwhile, post-test counselling is expected to help students understand their results and access appropriate support where necessary.

    Schools Directed to Set Up Disciplinary Committees

    The policy mandates every secondary school to establish disciplinary committees to enforce compliance with the guidelines.

    It also directed schools to report violent incidents linked to substance abuse to law enforcement agencies where necessary.

    Students who refuse treatment or rehabilitation procedures may also face temporary suspension until they are considered stable enough to return to school.