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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas on Monday said Nigeria is playing a leading role in the race to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a $1bn financing initiative for the Rural Electrification Agency in December 2024.
The Speaker stated this while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the First Legislative Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy, chaired by Anambra lawmaker, Afam Ogene, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in Lagos.
“On the continental stage, Nigeria has assumed a leadership role. Through our participation in the Mission 300 Initiative with the World Bank and the African Development Bank, we are working to provide electricity to three hundred million Africans by 2030.
“While progress has been made, the road ahead requires sustained effort. The success of this transition depends on coherent actions across all institutions. Legislators must establish sound legal foundations. The executive must implement it with integrity and urgency. The private sector must invest in innovation and scale. Civil society must foster awareness, inclusion, and accountability. This conference, therefore, provides an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment.
“Our legislative agenda recognises energy reform as central to our national priorities. Strategic Objective 8.5 aims to promote renewable energy development while ensuring access, efficiency, and environmental responsibility,” he said.
Among recent legislative interventions, he cited the House’s passage of new tax reform bills that eliminate Value Added Tax on renewable energy components and Compressed Natural Gas technologies. These reforms, he said, are designed to stimulate private investment and enhance affordability in the clean energy sector.
The Speaker hinted that the House is working to provide legal backing foar Nigeria’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy of 2015, “A framework that seeks to boost renewable energy adoption, curb greenhouse gas emissions, and improve energy efficiency nationwide.”
Speaker Abbas noted that the urgency to transition to clean energy is no longer optional, citing global energy trends that show a decisive shift toward renewables. He argued that in 2024, renewable energy accounted for over 92 per cent of new global power generation capacity, driven primarily by solar and wind, bringing the world’s total installed capacity to over 4,448 gigawatts, a 15 per cent year-on-year increase.
He also referenced international investment figures from 2023, where $1.7tn of the $2.8tn total global energy investment was directed toward renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electric mobility.
“This is a structural reorientation of the global energy economy,” Abbas said. “Nigeria must align with this reality to stay relevant, competitive, and environmentally responsible.”
He said that of the $1bn approved by President Tinubu, $750m is earmarked for expanding solar access in underserved areas, resulting in the deployment of 124 mini-grids and over 25,000 solar home systems, benefiting more than 200,000 Nigerians.
“Such bold investments are game-changers,” the Speaker said. “They show what is possible when policy, financing, and legislation align.”
The Speaker reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to its Energy Transition Plan, which lays out a path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. This is just as he welcomed the launch of the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Policy in March 2025, aimed at unlocking climate finance and enhancing project viability.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, Afam Ogene, called for urgent action.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s continued reliance on fossil fuels, despite its vast reserves, has failed to provide reliable electricity, stifling economic growth and productivity.
“The persistent power supply challenges we face are not just a technical issue, they are a barrier to our national development. To move forward, we must embrace renewable energy as a critical component of our energy strategy,” he said.
“The transition to renewable energy is not just about power generation; it’s about creating economic opportunities, especially for our youth. Every solar panel and clean energy initiative represents potential jobs and skills development,” Ogene added.
Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, said the Conference was not just a testimony to the increasing urgency to address energy challenges, but also a call to policymakers, legislators, investors, community and innovators to take action towards shaping a sustainable energy future.
A 22-year-old lady, Joy Tale, has been reportedly killed by her landlord’s son, Odunayo Olomolatan, 41, in Ode-Irele, Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State.
NAN reports that the tenant was hacked to death on Monday during an argument.
DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the spokesman for the Police Command in Ondo State, confirmed the incident to NAN.
Ayanlade said that the suspect has been arrested and in the custody of the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ode-Irele.
According to the police spokesman, an investigation has begun to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of the lady.
“Yes, I can confirm to you that the lady was allegedly hacked to death during an argument between her and her landlord son.
“The suspect has been arrested and investigation is ongoing to unravel circumstances surround the lady’s death,” Ayanlade said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the local government, Olajide Akinfe, has urged residents not to take laws into their hands over the incident.
Peter Obi Faults Nigeria’s Education System As Over 1.5 Million Candidates ‘Fails’ 2025 UTME
AFOLABI
Former Governor of Anambra State and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has voiced significant concern regarding the recently published results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), characterising the outcomes as a disheartening indication of Nigeria’s deteriorating education system.
Naija News reports that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) officially released a comprehensive statistical report of the 2025 UTME results on Monday, revealing that more than 1.5 million candidates scored below the 200-mark threshold widely used by Nigerian universities for admission consideration.
According to the breakdown of the 1,955,069 results processed and released on Monday, only 420,415 candidates scored above 200.
Even more striking, only 12,414 candidates—or just 0.63%—achieved a score of 300 and above, placing them in the high-performance bracket.
Out of this top-tier group, just 4,756 candidates scored 320 and above, while another 7,658 candidates earned scores between 300 and 319.
The statement from JAMB also highlighted the performance of underage candidates permitted to take the exam under special consideration.
“40,247 underage candidates were permitted to demonstrate their exceptional abilities.
“However, only 467 of these candidates (1.16%) achieved scores that meet the threshold for exceptional ability as defined for the UTME, with their performance in the subsequent three stages still pending,” JAMB noted.
Reacting, via a statement posted on his official ? page, Peter Obi condemned the situation, attributing it to ‘the repercussions of years of insufficient investment in education.’
The politician underscored that the unsatisfactory results reveal profound structural issues within Nigeria’s educational framework.
He said: “The latest JAMB results once again highlight the consequences of decades of underinvestment in education, a sector that should be central to our national development strategy.”
In comparing Nigeria to other nations, Obi highlighted that the country’s total university enrollment is around 2 million students, a number significantly lower than that of other developing countries.
He emphasised that the National University of Bangladesh alone boasts over 3.4 million students, despite Bangladesh having only about 75% of Nigeria’s population.
Furthermore, he noted that Bangladesh, which previously trailed Nigeria in nearly all development metrics, now excels in all major development areas and in the Human Development Index (HDI).
Obi also mentioned Turkey, which has a population of approximately 87.7 million and currently has over 7 million university students, more than three times Nigeria’s total enrollment.
He reiterated his long-held belief that education should not merely be regarded as a social service, but rather as a vital strategic investment.
“Education is the most critical driver of national development and the most powerful tool for lifting people out of poverty.
“We must now invest aggressively in education at all levels if we are serious about building a prosperous, secure, and equitable Nigeria,” he stated.
Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has accepted additional evidence against the former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika.
Naija News reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is pursuing legal action against Sirika, his daughter Fatima Sirika, son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited on an amended six-count charge related to abuse of office amounting to ₦2.7 billion.
According to a statement from EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, during the proceedings on Monday, May 5, 2025, prosecution counsel A.O. Atolagbe introduced the Ninth Prosecution Witness, PW9. During his testimony, the witness, who is a retired General Manager of Administration and Human Resources at the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), revealed that he had received a letter from the EFCC concerning the investigation of the third defendant, Hamma, in his role as GM of Administration and Human Resources, requesting that the NNRA provide information regarding Hamma.
In his response, he indicated that he had sent a letter to the Commission confirming that Hamma was employed by the Authority in November 2021 but had resigned after two years before his confirmation.
He also mentioned that a few months later, the Authority received another letter from the midstream and downstream oil sector, requesting information about Hamma, to which he also responded.
The information regarding Hamma that he submitted to the Commission comprised his appointment letter, a request for withdrawal of service, approval for the withdrawal, confirmation that Hamma paid one month in lieu of notice for disengagement, and a list of the Authority’s properties in his possession, which he subsequently returned.
He further clarified that these documents were printed on the letterhead of the NNRA and were signed by him. Atolagbe’s request to present these documents as evidence was opposed by Hamma’s attorney, Sanusi Musa, SAN, as well as the attorney for the fourth defendant, M.J. Numa, SAN.
Musa contended that the witness did not indicate receiving a letter from the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), but rather from the midstream and downstream sector, asserting that no foundation was established for that document during his testimony. Citing Section 104 of the Evidence Act, Musa argued that the documents were irrelevant to the trial, and noted that, aside from the first two pages, the remaining pages were not certified true copies, and that the prosecution had not made any payments for certified true copies. Numa, SAN, concurred with this perspective.
In his reply, Atolagbe noted that where a document has attachments, such documents must be admitted with the attachments and that even when the attachments have been omitted, the court has the power to demand that such documents be made available and to be admitted.
He referenced Textile Applied Products Ltd vs H Stephens Ltd. He also argued that the witness mentioned ‘upstream’ in his evidence-in-chief, noting that his adding ‘midstream’ did not invalidate the fact that he received such a letter.
“He does not work there; moreover, the witness also identified the documents,” he said.
After reviewing the submission, Justice Oriji determined that the documents should be accepted as evidence, stating that ‘the witness’s examination and identification of the documents addresses the objections raised.’
Regarding the payment for certified true copies, the judge ruled that the documents cannot be dismissed solely on that ground and mandated the payment of fees for the certified true copies.
The case has been postponed until May 6, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.
The Kano State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 20-year-old man in connection with an armed robbery and homicide that occurred in Danbare Quarters, Kano, on Monday, May 5, 2025.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the police received a distress call at about 6:40 am from a resident in the area, reporting that two suspected armed robbers had invaded the home of one Shehu Muhammad, aged 30, and attacked him with a sharp cutlass, inflicting multiple injuries.
Responding swiftly to the call, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, dispatched operational teams and detectives to the scene.
The victim was immediately rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital for treatment but was later pronounced dead by a medical doctor.
One of the suspects, identified as Aliyu Umar, was arrested at the scene of the crime. The police recovered the weapon allegedly used in the attack from him.
The suspect is currently in custody and assisting with the ongoing investigation. Police say he will be charged in court upon the investigation’s completion.
“We will not rest until every criminal element is brought to justice,” CP Bakori said in the statement. “This arrest is a strong signal to others who think they can terrorize innocent citizens.”
SP Kiyawa also praised the public for their quick action, stating, “The community’s timely report was critical in apprehending the suspect. We urge residents to continue working with us to ensure a safer Kano.”
The police command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to report any suspicious activity.
A federal appeals court on Monday declined a request by United States President Donald Trump’s administration to permit it to revoke the temporary legal status of hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, Haitians and Cubans living in the country.
The Boston-based 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals refused to put on hold a judge’s order stopping the Department of Homeland Security’s move to cut short a 2-year “parole” given to the migrants under former president, Joe Biden’s administration.
The action of the last administration, marked an expansion of the Trump’s hardline crackdown on United States’ immigration and push to increase the level of deportations.
The administration argued that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had discretion to categorically end the migrants’ status and that the judge’s order was forcing the US government to “retain hundreds of thousands of aliens in the country against its will.”
However, a three-judge panel comprised entirely of appointees of Democratic presidents said Noem “has not at this point made a ‘strong showing’ that her categorical termination of plaintiffs’ parole is likely to be sustained on appeal.”
Karen Tumlin, a lawyer whose immigrant rights group Justice Action Center pursued the case, welcomed the court’s decision.
She called the administration’s actions “reckless and illegal.”
“The Trump administration is committed to restoring the rule of law to our immigration system,” Tricia McLaughlin, the Homeland Security Department spokesperson, said in a statement.
“No lawsuit, not this one or any other, is going to stop us from doing that.”
A lawsuit by immigrant rights advocates representing migrants challenged the agency decision to pause various Biden-era programs that have allowed Ukrainian, Afghan, Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan migrants to enter the country.
The Homeland Security Department had on March 25 announced in a Federal Register notice that it had decided to terminate the two-year parole granted to about 400,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelan migrants while the case was pending.
US District Judge Indira Talwani, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, on April 25 halted the agency’s action, which she said revoked previously granted parole and work authorisations for migrants on a categorical basis and without a necessary case-by-case review.
The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has ordered the demolition of 24 two-storey buildings illegally constructed on a waterway in Guzape District, Abuja.
AMMC Coordinator, Felix Obuah, issued the directive during an inspection tour of various parts of Abuja on Monday, alongside other council officials.
Obuah stated that the affected buildings were developed by Cityscape Estate on Plot 4851 without necessary approvals.
He described the construction as a flagrant violation of planning regulations and vowed that the structures would be removed to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We have mobilised equipment, materials, and machines on-site. These illegal buildings erected without approval will go down,” Obuah said.
“Any other building without proper approval, especially those constructed on waterways or road corridors, will be demolished. It is no longer business as usual; we are committed to restoring Abuja to its original master plan.”
He warned that AMMC officers found complicit in the approval or oversight of the illegal structures would face disciplinary action, stressing that the council would no longer tolerate negligence or sabotage.
“They are receiving salaries and are expected to do their jobs. The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, is working tirelessly to change the narrative, and we will not allow any disgruntled elements to sabotage those efforts,” Obuah said.
Though the demolition of one structure was carried out on-site, the council granted a two-week grace period, at the developer’s request—for the voluntary removal of all contraventions.
“Failure to comply will result in full-scale demolition,” Obuah warned.
Director of Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, explained that the developer had originally been allocated a plot near the Federal Housing Authority Estate in the area.
However, after part of the land was affected by the proposed S20 road project, additional land was allocated as compensation.
“That compensation does not give the developer the right to build without obtaining proper approval,” Galadima noted.
He said the infractions were discovered two weeks ago during a routine inspection.
“A committee was subsequently set up to investigate the situation, which revealed that construction was ongoing in a valley area—an unacceptable practice under FCTA regulations.
“Our preliminary findings show that the number of buildings on site exceeds the approved number.
“This is a complete violation of the terms of approval,” Galadima added.
Chairman of the FCT Building Contravention Taskforce, Mr Gabriel Musa, revealed that while only 18 buildings were approved, the developer constructed 42, more than double the permitted number.
In response, the developer, Mr Kadiri Obaidi, admitted the infractions and accepted responsibility, attributing some of the unauthorised development to subscribers.
“We have approval for the estate, but many infractions occurred—mostly by our subscribers, for whom we are responsible,” he said.
“We acknowledge the violations and are willing to pull down the illegal structures ourselves within two weeks to salvage some of the materials.”
The council granted his request on the condition that all unauthorised structures are removed at no cost to the government.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have apprehended 35 individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud in Auchi, Edo State.
The arrests took place in multiple locations across the town, specifically in Vigilante Street, off Sabo Ibenafo Road, and the Back of Yak areas.
According to a statement posted on the verified Twitter handle of the EFCC on Tuesday, the operation was driven by “credible intelligence that linked [the suspects] to fraudulent internet activities.”
The agency emphasised its commitment to combating cybercrime, stating, “We remain resolute in our mandate to rid Nigeria of economic and financial crimes.”
The EFCC recovered several items from the suspects at the time of their arrest, including nine cars, eleven laptop computers, 46 mobile phones, and two smart watches. These items are believed to have been used in the perpetration of the alleged fraudulent activities.
The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing investigation. The EFCC has confirmed that they will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the probe.
This operation marks another milestone in the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to curb the rising tide of internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo,” in Nigeria.
Auchi, a major town in Edo State, has been identified as a hotspot for such activities, prompting increased surveillance and enforcement actions by the anti-graft agency.
The EFCC continues to urge members of the public to report suspicious activities and provide credible information to aid in the fight against economic and financial crimes.
President, Republic of Gabon, His Excellency Brice Oligui Nguema and Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Tony Elumelu, during the conferment of the Gabonese Highest National Honour, Commander in the National Order of Gabonese Merit’ on Mr Elumelu for his contributions to the Gabonese and African economies, by President Nguema in Libreville on Monday
The President of the Republic of Gabon, His Excellency, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, has conferred the nation’s honours – the Commander in the National Order of Gabonese Merit – on the Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu.
The distinguished award recognises Elumelu’s enduring contribution to Africa’s economic development, particularly his impact on youth entrepreneurship and infrastructure growth in Gabon and across the continent.
Speaking at the presidential palace while presenting the recognition in Libreville on Monday, Nguema, who was on Saturday sworn in as the newly elected President of the oil-rich country, praised Elumelu’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in Africa, adding that ‘Tony Elumelu is not only a visionary entrepreneur but also a committed friend of our nation Gabon. Through his Foundation and the UBA Group, he has consistently shown that investing in Africa is not just good business – it is the key to our shared future. Today, we honour a man whose actions continue to empower young Africans and inspire nations.”
While acknowledging the recognition, Elumelu, who has made several high-level visits to Gabon in recent months, expressed deep gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the country’s development agenda:
“I am truly humbled by this honour. It is a reflection not just of my personal journey, but of a shared belief – that African-led solutions, African entrepreneurs, and African institutions will shape the future of this continent. Gabon holds enormous potential, and I am proud that the Tony Elumelu Foundation and UBA Group can play a role in unlocking it,” Elumelu said.
“This is more than a medal – it is a reminder of what we can achieve together as Africans,” Elumelu stated adding that, “At UBA and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we remain committed to building bridges, not just between nations, but between ambition and opportunity.”
The recognition comes at a crucial time for Gabon, as the country accelerates its economic recovery and prioritises inclusive growth under the new leadership.
Elumelu’s engagement focuses on two key pillars of Infrastructure financing which is essential for long-term economic transformation and Youth entrepreneurship, championed through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which offers training, mentorship, and $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital to young Gabonese and African entrepreneurs each year.
The award also highlights the strengthening of financial partnership between Gabon and the UBA, which has a strong presence across the continent and is a key driver of financial inclusion and development.
Elumelu is the Founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, his family owned investment company committed to improving lives and transforming Africa, through long-term investments in strategic sectors of the African economy, including financial services, hospitality, power, energy, technology and healthcare.
He is the Chairman of pan-African financial services group, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), which operates in 20 countries across Africa, the United Kingdom, France, the UAE and is the only African bank with a commercial deposit taking presence in the United States. UBA provides corporate, commercial, SME and consumer banking services to more than 35 million customers globally. He also chairs Nigeria’s largest quoted conglomerate, Transcorp whose subsidiaries include Transcorp Power, one of the leading producers of electricity in Nigeria and Transcorp Hotels Plc, Nigeria’s foremost hospitality brand.
Tony is the most prominent champion of entrepreneurship in Africa. In 2010, he created The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the leading philanthropy, empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, catalysing economic growth, driving poverty eradication and driving job creation across all 54 African countries. Since inception, the Foundation’s flagship programme has identified and catalysed 18,500 entrepreneurs and created a digital ecosystem of over one million Africans, as part of a ten-year US$100m commitment to fund, mentor and train young Africans.
Tony’s businesses and the Foundation are inspired by his economic philosophy of Africapitalism, which positions the private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the African continent.
In 2020, in recognition of his business leadership and economic empowerment of young African entrepreneurs, Tony was named in the TIME100 Most Influential People in the World, and recognised with Belgium’s oldest royal order.
The Kano State government has allegedly directed each of the 44 local government areas in the state to contribute N15,227,272.72, totalling N670m to the Kano Emirate Council.
The amount is for the repairs and purchase of vehicles for the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.
The directive, contained in a memo from the Ministry of Local Government, with reference number MLG/INSP/LGD/166T/6, dated March 25, 2025, was addressed to all the local government chairmen.
A palace official, who spoke to The PUNCH on conditiion of anonymity for lack of authorisation, confirmed the authenticity of the memo.
“The company has already been contacted, and plans are in motion to bring in the vehicles and begin the restoration of the vintage ones,” the source disclosed.
According to the memo signed by the Director of Local Government Inspection, Abubakar S. Dabo, on behalf of the Commissioner for Local Government, the approved amount would be deducted from the State/Local Government Joint Account to repair two vehicles and supply four new vehicles to the Emirate Council.
The letter, with the caption, “Conveyance of Approval for the Release of Funds,” sighted by The PUNCH read: “I am directed to convey government’s approval for the release of the aggregate sum of N670,000,000.00 at the rate of N15,227,272.72 per LGA from the State/Local Government Joint Account to repair 2 No. vehicles and supply 4 No. vehicles to the Kano Emirate Council through Sottom Snergy Resources Ltd as per below:
“Complete refurbishing of engine, body and interior of 1993 Fleetwood Cadillac limousine at N25 million and complete refurbishing and rebuilding of both engine, interior and complete body for Daimler D5 420 1998 at N25m.”
The new vehicles to be purchased are one Toyota Hilux pickup 2024 model at N98 million, one Toyota Hiace Bus at N98 million, one Toyota Land Cruiser VXR full option 2024 model at N268 million and one Prado 2024 model at N156m.”
The letter, which was also copied to the Auditor General, Local Government Audit, Kano State and all Zonal Inspectors, Ministry for Local Government, Kano State, directed them to ensure that all due procedures were strictly adhered to.
Reacting, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Alhassan Yaryasa, slammed the government for approving the money.
He said, “How can the state government approve this huge amount of money while the residents of the state capital and some other major towns in the state are grappling with water scarcity?
“This is a complete misplacement of priority. How can you spend this money on repairs and purchase of new vehicles for the Emir while other sectors need government attention, especially education and health sectors that have suffered neglect?”
Yaryasa, who was the former coordinator of Tinubu Campaign Organisation for Kano South, called on Governor Abba Yusuf to reconsider the decision and channel the funds to areas where they would be needed most.
“Emir Sanusi does not need new posh cars. Where are the ones he has been using since returning? This is a wasteful expenditure and Kano masses will not forgive them,” he said.
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In a dramatic courtroom decision, four men-Nafi’u Isah, Haruna Ya’u, Nadabo Mohammed, and Sa’adu Musa-were each slammed with 40 years and six months behind bars for a vicious armed robbery and attempted murder spree that rocked Kunkurawa Village in Kano.
Justice Usman Na’abba of the Kano High Court declared the men guilty on all four counts: criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, attempted murder, and causing grievous harm—delivering a stinging sentence after the prosecution left no doubt of their guilt.
The convicts, who carried out the 1 a.m. attack on May 1, 2022, reportedly stormed the home of Haruna Shehu wielding guns, cutlasses, and sticks.
They beat Shehu and his family, leaving his son badly injured, before carting away ₦650,000 in cash.
For their crimes, the court handed down 20 years each for armed robbery, 10 years for attempted murder, five years for grievous hurt, and six months for conspiracy—with all sentences to run concurrently.
However, failure to repay the stolen ₦650,000 will earn them an extra five years in prison.
Despite denying the charges, the convicts were nailed by damning testimony from six prosecution witnesses and solid evidence.
The court’s verdict sends a strong warning to criminal gangs terrorising communities in Kano and beyond.
CBN's alarming cost explosion: Personnel expenses skyrocket in questionable financial report
AFOLABI
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed a disturbing surge in personnel costs, with expenses ballooning by a staggering 104% compared to 2023, according to the bank's recently released audited financial report.
In a concerning development for Nigerian taxpayers, the bank burned through an astronomical N595.9 billion on personnel expenses—more than double the N291 billion spent the previous year. At the group level, this personnel cost explosion was even more pronounced, jumping from N295.4 billion to a massive N608.5 billion.
The financial report exposes an equally troubling increase in total operating costs, which soared by 78% to reach N1.2 trillion, up from N673.4 trillion in 2023. Personnel costs alone devoured nearly half (49.7%) of the bank's entire operating budget, raising serious questions about fiscal responsibility and management priorities.
Despite claims of a "bullish performance," the CBN's deepening relationship with the International Monetary Fund raises red flags about Nigeria's growing financial dependence on external institutions. The bank's debt to the IMF has doubled to a concerning N5.07 trillion, while IMF's allocation of special drawing rights ballooned to N8.07 trillion.
More worrying still is the 37% increase in deposits, climbing from N38.23 trillion to N52.4 trillion—a jump that financial experts warn could severely crowd out private sector activity and stifle economic growth.
The CBN's attempts to paint a rosy picture by highlighting "improvements" in external reserves and cost efficiency ring hollow against the backdrop of these runaway expenses. While the bank touts its "strategic financial management," the numbers tell a different story—one of unchecked spending and questionable priorities during a period of economic hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
Even as the bank celebrates its exit from last year's N1.27 trillion loss to a surplus of N165.7 trillion, taxpayers are left wondering: at what cost? With personnel expenses more than doubling and operating costs spiraling upward, the CBN's financial management appears anything but "strategic" or "efficient."
[NewsScroll Ngr]
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that Nigeria currently has the highest number of malnourished children in Africa and ranks second globally.
Nemat Hajeebhoy, Chief of Nutrition at UNICEF, shared this information on Monday during a media briefing on the 2025 lean season multisectoral response plan targeting Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. The briefing was organized by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
According to Hajeebhoy, an estimated 600,000 children in Nigeria are suffering from acute malnutrition, with about half at risk of progressing to severe acute malnutrition—a condition that makes children nine to eleven times more likely to die.
Also speaking at the event, Serigne Loum, Head of Programme at the World Food Programme (WFP), stated that Nigeria has the highest number of food-insecure people on the African continent.
Their remarks came as OCHA launched an appeal for $300 million in humanitarian funding to respond to the growing food and nutrition crisis in Nigeria’s northeast.
Trond Jensen, Head of OCHA’s Office in Nigeria, said that of the total amount required, $160 million is urgently needed to address issues including food insecurity, nutrition, water and sanitation, health, protection, and logistics during the lean season.
“This is the absolute bare minimum that we need,” Jensen said. “It’s a paradox that while cases of severe acute malnutrition have doubled this year, our ability to respond has been halved due to the freeze in U.S. funding and cuts from other donors.”
As a result of the funding shortfall, OCHA has scaled back its humanitarian target to two million people—half the number supported last year. Jensen called on state governments and international partners to step in and help fill the funding gap.
This appeal comes just weeks after OCHA announced it would begin gradually reducing its presence in Nigeria due to financial constraints.
Dangote thanks President Tinubu for the revolutionary change in the Oil and Gas sector to save Nigeria
Admin
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assembling a capable leadership team at the NNPC, highlighting the appointments of Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari as Group Chief Executive Officer and Mr Ahmadu Musa Kida as Non-Executive Chairman.
Dangote said he visited the President to commend him for putting together such a formidable and professionally competent team, that is eminently qualified to take NNPCL to a greater height.
According to Dangote, the new management team brings a wealth of technical expertise, and all have managerial experiences that are essential for revitalising Nigeria’s most strategic public enterprise.
The new team, according to Dangote, under the leadership of Bashir Bayo Ojulari and Ahmadu Musa Kida, reflects the President’s strategic intent to drive reform and innovation across the energy sector,” Dangote said. “We are confident that this team will address systemic challenges, align with the President's vision of a $1 trillion economy, and reposition NNPC Limited for operational excellence and long-term sustainability.”
Reacting to questions from the select media over the weekend on his statement that he is still fighting for the survival of his $20bn refinery, and that he is determined to fight the cabals in the oil sector to a standstill. Dangote said his statement was not in any way connected to the new leadership of the NNPC, noting that the new leadership in the NNPCL, has been so far supportive in terms of meeting the company’s needs.
He revealed that the cabals he was referring to are some major oil marketers and traders who were bent on frustrating the efforts on President Tinubu in revamping the nation’s economy.
He noted that the recent activities and structural reforms introduced by NNPC Limited serve as strong indicators of the organisation’s renewed focus on transparency, efficiency, and accountability. “The calibre of individuals at the helm, and their deliberate, reform-driven agenda, demonstrate a commitment to fostering a culture of performance and professionalism,” he added.
With optimism, Dangote expressed confidence that the new leadership of NNPC Limited will propel the country’s energy industry to new heights and reaffirmed his group's commitment to supporting the collective vision of a prosperous, energy-secure Nigeria.