Nigerian university lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government for a planned nationwide strike.
The notice is part of the resolutions reached at the national executive council meeting of the union, which was held at the University of Ibadan at the weekend.
Although the union is yet to make its position public, a senior member of the union told our correspondent in Abuja that the lecturers agreed to put the Federal Government on a 21-day notice before embarking on the planned industrial action.
ASUU in July this year threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of the renegotiated 2009 agreement with the Federal Government.
The Chairman of the ASUU Gashua branch in Yobe State, Melemi Abatcha, in a press briefing at Damaturu, the state capital in July, outlined funding for the revitalisation of Nigerian public universities, and the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement as the major issues plaguing the educational sector.
“Funding for the revitalisation of Nigeria public universities i.e. improved infrastructure, conducive teaching/learning environments, students and staff accommodation, equipping of laboratories and libraries. Consequently, the Academic Staff of Nigerian Universities have remained on the same salary structure since 2009.
“Even with the directive of Federal Executive Council (FEC) for removal of ASUU from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform since December 2023 till now, ASUU members are still being paid via the obnoxious platform (IPPIS),” he said in a statement.
Among other issues highlighted include university autonomy, the proliferation of public universities, the backlog of earning academic allowances amounting to N50bn, and the withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries of its members across the country.
Prior to that threat, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had on June 26, invited the union for a meeting to deliberate on the lingering issues affecting the universities. However, ASUU members say nothing substantial has since been done about their demands.
The Nigeria Police Force has invited the National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero for questioning over an alleged link to terrorism financing and other allegations.
This was contained in a letter issued from the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police Intelligence Response Team, Department of Force Intelligence.
The letter, which was signed by Adamu S. Muazu, threatened that failure to honour the invitation would lead to arrest.
According to the letter, the IRT is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrimes.
Reacting to the letter, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, in a post on his office X handle, called for action against President Bola Tinubu’s government.
He wrote: “The Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime is going completely fascist, and we must all together and stop him now! See a letter from @PoliceNG summoning @NLCHeadquarters President @JoeAjaero94024 practically accusing him of treason, terrorism financing and all sorts of heinous crimes. #FearlessInOctober #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #RevolutionNow”.
Fuel Subsidy: Inconsistency Between Your Words, Actions Erode The Credibility Of Your Govt – Atiku Knocks Tinubu
AFOLABI
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of continuing the fuel subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit despite previous claims that it has ended.
Naija News reports that Atiku, in a statement via X on Monday, berated Tinubu’s administration for lack of transparency on fuel subsidy, especially with recent reports suggesting otherwise.
The former Vice President opined that such inconsistency between Tinubu’s words and actions significantly eroded his administration’s credibility.
Atiku also pointed to the ongoing fuel scarcity and rising energy costs as evidence of the administration’s failure, describing the delays in the re-operation of the Port Harcourt refinery as a national disgrace.
Atiku further condemned the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited for its denials of the ongoing subsidy payments, arguing that these denials only worsen the hardships faced by Nigerians.
He called on Tinubu’s administration to urgently clarify its stance on the subsidy policy and address the ongoing issues in the downstream petroleum sector.
The statement reads, “The latest revelations circulating through credible media outlets regarding the federal government’s covert continuation of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) represent another chapter in the opaque governance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. This development starkly contrasts with the President’s firm assertions in a national broadcast, which followed closely on the heels of public protests decrying poor governance, where he declared the subsidy regime concluded. However, disclosures prior to his announcement have consistently indicated a resurgence of subsidy payments, albeit through less transparent means.
“This dissonance between the President’s words and his actions not only undermines the moral fabric of his leadership but also significantly erodes the credibility of his administration. At a time when the nation grapples with severe fuel scarcity and escalating energy costs, the continued delays in the re-operation of the Port Harcourt refinery stand as a national disgrace — a failure that rests firmly on the shoulders of President Tinubu, who also holds the office of the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
“Moreover, the persistent denials by NNPC Limited only exacerbate the plight of Nigerians, who endure severe difficulties due to fuel shortages and resultant price inflations. Amidst a contentious dispute between local investors favouring refinery operations and those advocating for imported PMS, the President’s silence is profoundly disconcerting.
“It is paramount that the President, who is intrinsically responsible for overseeing and intervening in such critical disputes to safeguard national interests, steps up to fulfil these expectations. The veil of secrecy shrouding the downstream petroleum sector, coupled with alarming reports of NNPC Limited diverting funds intended for other purposes to cover subsidy payments, adds layers of confusion that are unbearably unsettling.
“If these reports hold true, they portend grave implications for the integrity of our fiscal federalism. It is imperative, therefore, that the Tinubu administration urgently clarifies the entanglements surrounding the subsidy policy and the refining of PMS. Only through transparent governance can Nigerians hope to find relief from the current debilitating conditions of fuel scarcity and the spiralling inflation affecting petroleum products.”
President Bola Tinubu-led administration, on Monday, unveiled the new Airbus A330 purchased under his leadership.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who released the pictures, said it replaced the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) bought under the Presidency of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Onanuga, however, did not reveal the amount spent by the Nigeria Goverment to acquire the new presidential jet.
He said it saved Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.
Onanuga said, “The recommendation to replace the B737-700(BBJ) followed an investigative hearing by Nigeria’s parliament that questioned the plane’s safety record and cost efficiency, especially after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia.
“The Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee recommended replacing the ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet to reduce downtime and operational expenses.”
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has departed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for France.
The Airbus A330 business jet conveying the President and some of his key aides lifted off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 04:08 pm.
Tinubu’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, on Sunday, announced that the President will embark on his fourth trip to the European country on Monday, August 19, departing from Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Below are pictures of the aircraft:
The Federal Government has announced that the sale of Crude Oil to Dangote refinery in naira will commence on October 1.
Federal Ministry of Finance made this known in a statement via its X handle on Monday.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, emphasised the need for transparency and directed the Technical Sub-Committee to finalize details and prepare a report for the President, noting that his directives are on track for implementation from September.
The latest development comes amidst controversies on the sale of crude oil to the Dangote refinery, with claims of sabotaging the refinery operations.
The statement reads, “The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, today led the Implementation Committee meeting on the transition to Crude Oil Sales in Naira. The meeting reviewed progress on key initiatives, including the upcoming commencement of Naira payments for crude oil sales to the Dangote Refinery starting October 1, 2024.
“Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service @FIRSNigeria and Chairman of the Technical Sub Committee, reported that the first PMS delivery from Dangote is expected next month under existing agreements.
“Key roles were outlined for stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority @NMDPRA_Official Central Bank of Nigeria @cenbank Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission @NUPRCofficial
and the African Export-Import Bank @afreximbank to ensure smooth implementation. Updates on the Port Harcourt and Dangote Refineries were also provided, with significant production increases expected from November 2024.
“The Honourable Minister emphasized the need for transparency and directed the Technical Sub-Committee to finalize details and prepare a report for the President, confirming that his directives are on track for implementation from September.”
Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, is set to resume his legal proceedings against the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) judgment that led to his removal from office in 2019.
This action will take place on Tuesday, 20th August 2024, at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
Naija News reports that the legal action was initiated in April 2019.
Justice Onnoghen is seeking the Court of Appeal’s intervention to nullify and annul the CCT’s decision issued against him on April 18, 2019, on several grounds.
In his appeal, which is designated CA/ABJ/375 & 376 & 377/2019, Justice Onnoghen, represented by his lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, is petitioning the appellate court to overturn his conviction, primarily on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction, bias, and absence of a fair hearing.
A notice for hearing of the appeal just sighted by newsmen on Monday is entitled, “CA/ABJ/375 & 376 & 377/2019 BTW: Justice Onnoghen and FRN”.
It read, “Please take notice that the above matter is listed for hearing on Tuesday the 20th day of August 2024 at 9 o clock in Court Appeal, Abuja Division.
“Please take note that this serves as a hearing notice”.
In 2019, the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) convicted Onnoghen on all six counts of breaching the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, which were brought against him by the federal government during his tenure as the head of the judiciary in the country.
In the preliminary ruling delivered by the Chairman of the CCT, Danladi Yakubu Umar, it was mandated that Onnoghen be immediately removed from his position as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Furthermore, the Tribunal revoked his previous positions, including Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and Chairman of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).
Additionally, the Tribunal ordered the forfeiture of his five bank accounts and the assets within those accounts that Onnoghen failed to disclose in his asset declaration form submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), an agency of the Federal Government.
Despite being on suspension since January 25, 2019, and having resigned on April 4, the Tribunal still mandated his removal from office as Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of both the National Judicial Council and the Federal Judicial Service Commission.
However, in response to the decision of the CCT, Onnoghen approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja in 2019, presenting 16 grounds for seeking the quashing of his conviction by the Tribunal.
He argued that the Danladi Umar-led CCT panel committed errors in law and caused a miscarriage of justice against him by failing to decline jurisdiction over the six-count charges against him. He contended that the Chairman of the CCT should have recused himself from presiding over his trial.
In his application for relief, Onnoghen sought an order to set aside his conviction, quash the order for the forfeiture of his assets, and discharge and acquit him of all the charges levelled against him.
Onnoghen also highlighted specific errors in the verdict of the CCT, arguing that as a judicial officer at the time the charges were filed on January 11, 2019, he could not be subjected to the jurisdiction of the lower tribunal.
The former CJN’s application reads: “On the authority of Nganiiwa v. FRN (2018) 4 NWLR (Pt. 1609) 30: at 340. 341, only the National Judicial Council (NJC) has the power to discipline the Appellant for misconduct and not the lower tribunal.
“The lower tribunal had in the case of FRN V. Sylvester Nwali Nguta in charge No: CCT/ABJ/01/2017 delivered on 9th January 2018, affirmed the position of the Court in FRN Nganjiwa v. FRN and dismissed the charges and acquitted and discharged Justice Ngwuta being a Judicial Officer subject only to the discipline of the National Judicial C0uncil.
“The lower tribunal has no jurisdiction over serving judicial officers such as the appellant, save the National Judicial Council.
“The Motion on Notice dated 14th January 2019, challenging jurisdiction, ought to be granted in all material particular as it purports to save the lower tribunal of a needless futile exercise.
“The lower tribunal erred In law when it dismissed the Appellant’s Application seeking the chairman to recuse himself from further proceedings on the ground of real likelihood of bias and thus occasioned a miscarriage of justice.
“The Appellant has alleged that the chairman of the lower tribunal is biased towards him as a result of open remarks in the tribunal as well as the manner in which the proceedings were being conducted.”
Contrary to the CCT finding, Onnoghen, said he did not admit the fact of non-declaration of Assets from 2005 as the Justice of the Supreme Court, adding that he only stated that he did not declare in 2009 as required because he forgot.
Onnoghen challenged the order for the confiscation of his assets on the grounds that the assets were legitimately acquired, as against the provisions of paragraph three of section 23 of the CCB Act, which only permits the seizure of such assets “if they were acquired by fraud.”
He faulted the failure of the prosecution to present the petitioner, Denis Aghanya, before the tribunal whose petition led to the charges against him.
Onnoghen maintained that all the allegations brought against him “constitute no offence and should therefore not have formed the basis for his conviction”.
The former CJN asked the Court of Appeal to issue some orders against the CCT judgment among which are that the tribunal lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the case and that its Chairman ought to have recused itself from the proceedings.
Onnoghen therefore applied for an order setting aside his conviction and another one setting aside the order for forfeiture of his assets made by the Tribunal as well as to discharge and acquit him from the charges.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana has accused the National Assembly of contempt and illegality over the revelation that Nigerian Senators are receiving a monthly “running cost” of ₦21 million.
Recall that Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila of Kano State had disclosed that he receives ₦21 million every month.
Reacting, Falana threatened legal actions if the payments are not halted.
Speaking via a press statement, the human rights activist condemned the National Assembly’s decision to increase the monthly allowances of Senators from ₦14 million to ₦21 million, describing the move as “illegal and contemptuous.
He referenced a 2021 Federal High Court ruling by Justice Chuka Obiozor which stated that only the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) is authorised to determine the salaries and allowances of federal legislators.
“The Senate, the House of Representatives, and the National Assembly Service Commission have no power, close or semblance of power, and cannot determine, direct, command, and/or instruct the RMAFC or any person howsoever to make, determine, and/or fix the salaries, wages, remuneration, running cost, or allowances of the National Assembly,” Falana stated, quoting the court judgment.
Speaking further, the legal practitioner said that despite the court order, the current leadership of the National Assembly disregarded the ruling by further inflating Senators’ running costs, saying that this is not only illegal but a blatant contempt of court.
“In utter contempt of the orders of the Federal High Court, the current leadership of the National Assembly increased the salaries and allowances of a Senator from ₦14 million to ₦21 million per month,” he stated.
He highlighted the inconsistencies between the 2024 Appropriation Act and the alleged payments, stressing that there is “no provision whatsoever for monthly payment of ₦21 million running costs to every Senator.”
He added, “Since the running cost was not fixed by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, it is unconstitutional and contemptuous of the valid and subsisting order of the Federal High Court.”
Falana’s statement also drew attention to the contrast between the legislators’ jumbo pay and the newly enacted Minimum Wage Act, which sets the minimum wage for workers at ₦70,000.
“Having just enacted the Minimum Wage Act that stipulates N70,000 for workers, the jumbo emolument of N21 million for federal legislators will compound the crisis of inequality in the country,” he warned.
Falana then called on the National Assembly to immediately comply with the court’s ruling and adjust the Senators’ remuneration to reflect the country’s economic realities.
“The lawmakers should comply with the law of the land. Otherwise, we shall soon embark on contempt proceedings as the legislators are not above the law of the land,” he added.
The executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has disclosed the Federal Government’s intentions to enact a new law aimed at transforming the revenue administration framework in Nigeria by the forthcoming month.
Naija News reports that Adedeji revealed this development in his address at the 2024 stakeholders’ engagement, a forum organized by the Intergovernmental Relations Department of the FIRS, under the auspices of the Senate and House Committees on Finance, with the theme “Repositioning The FIRS To Achieve Its Mandate”.
Speaking at the event, the FIRS boss expressed dissatisfaction regarding the absence of a legal framework governing the digital market, particularly in the realm of cryptocurrency within Nigeria.
Adedeji elaborated on the government’s strategy to regulate cryptocurrency in a manner that would not hinder the country’s economic growth, emphasizing the objectives of revenue harmonization, simplification, and modernization of the tax laws currently in place.
He highlighted the irony of Nigeria’s continued reliance on the Stamp Duty Act of 1939 in the absence of internet connectivity, attributing this to the rationale behind President Bola Tinubu‘s establishment of the tax and fiscal reform committee to review and amend the existing laws.
Adedeji said: “We are on the path of making sure the target of N19.4 trillion target we were given is achieved. We commend the recent windfall levy passed to increase FIRS’ ability to meet targets and get more revenue and redistribute the wealth.
“By September, we are bringing the law that would overhaul all the process of revenue administration in Nigeria, harmonising the revenue, recording and simplifying the tax law that we have. For instance, the Stamp Duty Act of 1939, when there was no internet or connection, is what is still in use.
“Today, we cannot run away from cryptocurrency, but as we stand currently, there is no law anywhere in Nigeria that regulates cryptocurrency, and it is a new thing that is happening, and we cannot run away from it.
“The law we are using today is the 1939 law. At that time, there was no state or local government. That is the reason the President set up the tax and fiscal reform committee to check and change all these laws.’’
Furthermore, during the discussion, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Mohammed Musa, expressed that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the legislative bodies are collaborating to develop legislation aimed at maximizing revenue collection to effectively tackle the myriad challenges confronting Nigeria, including infrastructure development and the enhancement of human capital.
Musa said: “When you are talking of revenue, in every clime, you need the right legislation, and there cannot be right legislation until there is a synergy between the agency collecting this revenue and the people making these laws.
‘’We, the Senate and the House of Representatives, work with the FIRS to give this country the proper legislation for tax collection.
“Those laws are so old that they have been before the independence of this country; they would be modified. I am sure by the time we resume from our recess; the executive will submit the executive bill for us to amend the Act, repeal it and re-enact the one that would go with the current system in the environment.
“Cryptocurrency has become the largest way to make money today, and in Nigeria, we do not have a law to guide them. The FIRS and the legislators are synergising to come up with legislation that would give Nigeria the best in getting revenue to address all the changes that we have, both in infrastructure and human capital development.
“As soon as we resume, we will work on it, and we expect the cooperation of Nigerians, corporate Nigerians and individuals. This is a country of over 250 million people, and less than 15 per cent are paying tax.
“This engagement is both timely and crucial as we continue our collective efforts to strengthen Nigerians’ physical framework.
“The collaboration between the Senate and the House committees on finance underscores the importance of a unified approach in addressing the challenges and opportunities before us.
“The FIRS, as the bedrock of our revenue generation, has a mandate that is vital to the financial health and sustainability of our nation.”
“Ensuring that the agency is not only effective but also agile in responding to the dynamic demands of our economy is a responsibility that we all share.
“As the global economy evolves and as our own economic landscape undergoes transformation, there is a pressing need to assess, to reassess, realign and reposition to meet these new realities.
“This means not only adopting best practices but also fostering an environment where transparency, accountability and innovation are at the forefront of revenue generation efforts,” the lawmaker added.
In his separate remark, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, James Faleke, said everybody wants improvement and development in the nation but noted that nobody wants to contribute to that purse.
“We are much more interested in sharing; nobody wants to contribute, forgetting that the developed world we always make reference to are developed, based on the resources that every citizen put into the box,” Faleke said.
How Senate Deputy President, Principal Officers Got Multi-Billion Naira Constituency Projects In 2024 Budget
AFOLABI
Principal officers of Nigeria’s Senate have allocated billions of naira in constituency projects to themselves in the 2024 budget, according to Premium Times.
The projects, known as Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIP), are intended for development initiatives across the 109 senatorial districts in the country.
The report revealed that Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, representing the North-West Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State, allocated ₦4.142 billion worth of projects to his constituency alone.
These projects, along with others, are part of the ZIP program, which aims to bring federal projects to local communities through lawmakers’ initiatives.
Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin’s Kano North Senatorial District also saw significant allocations, along with other key Senate officers.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, Deputy Senate Leader, Oyelola Ashiru, ex-Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, Minority Leader, Abba Moro, and Deputy Minority Leader, Oyewunmi Olalere were among the top beneficiaries.
However, the platform raised concerns about the transparency and clarity of the budget allocations.
Many of the projects were found to have vague descriptions and locations, with some listed under suspicious sub-heads.
The budget document did not indicate whether the lawmakers nominated these projects, despite them being located in their respective constituencies.
Barau Jibrin (Kano North)
PREMIUM TIMES identified several projects worth billions of naira whose specific locations are unclear.
For instance, ₦250 million was allocated for the “Construction of rural roads in some selected communities in Kano State”.
The local government areas and specific communities where the project will be sited were not stated. Several others were not credited to any communities.
The projects and their costs are:
-₦190 million for “Human Capital Development and Strategic Empowerment with Capital and Motorcycles in Kano State.
Audience Survey
-₦250 million for “Provision of Solar Borehole in various wards in Dala LGA, Kano State.”
-₦60 million for construction of classrooms in Kadawa Ungogo LGA, Kano State.
– ₦20 million for “Training and employment of youth and women and supply of sewing machines in Gwarzo/Kabo LGAs of Kano State”.
Mr Jibrin is from Kano State and the deputy senate president.
Barau’s clear project
The review showed that only one project was clearly allocated to Mr Jibirin’s Kano North. The project is:
-₦190 million for “Provision of empowerment items to farmers to boost dry season farming, traders and other artisans (LOT 1&2) in Kano North Senatorial District”. The project is listed under NBRRI.
Bamidele Opeyemi (Ekiti Central)
Six projects worth ₦1.472 billion were allocated to the Ekiti Central Senatorial District, which Mr Opeyemi represents.
However, the only difference here is that the projects have locations, even though some are under irrelevant government agencies.
Projects listed for Mr Opeyemi’s constituency are:
-₦200 million for “Supply of education materials to students in selected schools in Ekiti Central Senatorial District.” The project is listed under Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan.
-₦150 million for “Grants for unemployed youths and women in selected areas of Ekiti Central Senatorial District.”
-₦200 million for “Procurement of agric inputs and employment of farmers in Ekiti Central Senatorial District.”
-₦232 million for “Provision of agric food farm inputs and empowerment for youths and women in Ekiti Central Senatorial District.”
-₦218 million for “Provision of agric and farm inputs for cooperatives in Irepodun/Ifelodun and Ijero LGAs of Ekiti Central Senatorial District.”
-₦250 million for “Provision of agric and farm inputs for cooperatives in Ado, Efon, and Ekiti-west LGAs of Ekiti Central Senatorial District.”
-₦222 million for “Capacity building training and supply of sewing machines, block moulding machines, cassava grinding machines and pepper grinding machines for artisans in selected areas of Ekiti Central Senatorial District.”
Oyelola Ashiru (Kwara South)
Eleven projects worth ₦1.8 billion were allocated to Kwara South Senatorial District, which Mr Ashiru represents.
Like Mr Bamidele, some projects here are listed under irrelevant organisations for execution.
They are:
-₦250 million for “Construction of community road in Ayaba area of Essa Ward in Kwara South, Kwara South Senatorial District”. The project is listed under the main ministry.
-₦250 million for “Construction and equipping of ICT centres in selected communities of Kwara South Senatorial District”. The project is listed under the National Productivity Centre.
-₦100 million for “Construction and rehabilitation of rural road and pavement in Popo Market, Offa, Kwara South (PHASE 2)”. The project is listed under the National Productivity Centre.
-₦100 million for “Renovation and equipping of Esie/Iludun Secondary School in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara South”. The project is listed under the National Productivity Centre.
-₦100 million for “Renovation of Oro Ago, Omupo, Erinle-Ile, Omu-Aran and Ajasse Kinship’s palace in Kwara South.” The project is listed under the National Productivity Centre.
-₦200 million for “Medical outreach for disabled and elderly people in selected areas of Kwara South Senatorial District”. The project is listed under Aquatictic Bio-Resources Training Centre Tunari, Taraba State.
-₦100 million for “Provision of medical supplies to Primary Health Care and Maternity Centres in Kwara South Senatorial District”. The project is listed under Aquatictic Bio-Resources Training Centre Tunari, Taraba State.
-₦100 million for “Construction of motorised boreholes across communities in Isin Local Government area of Kwara South Senatorial District”. The project is listed under Niger RBDA.
Ali Ndume (Borno South)
Three projects worth ₦722 million were allocated to the Borno South Senatorial District, which Mr Ndume represents.
The controversial senator has lost his Senate Whip position to Tahir Monguno (Borno North) after he fiercely criticised President Bola Tinubu’s policies.
The projects his constituency benefitted from are:
-₦500 million for “Construction of roads, drainages and culverts in Borno South Senatorial District. The project is listed under Housing.
-₦122 million for “Provision of tricycle pick up vans in Borno South Senatorial District, Borno State. The project is listed under the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology Zaria (NARICT)
-₦100 million for “Provision of tricycle (Keke NAPEP) in Borno South Senatorial District, Borno State. The project is listed under the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria. (NARICT)
Abba Moro (Benue South)
Eight projects worth N1.180 billion were allocated to Benue South Senatorial District, which Mr Moro represents.
Mr Moro became the minority leader a few months after the Court of Appeal sacked its former occupant, Simon Mwadkwon.
Like Mr Bamidele, some projects here are listed under irrelevant organisations.
They are:
-₦200 million for “Electrification of Uwokwu, Benue South Senatorial District”. The project is listed under Bio-Resources Development Centre, Makurdi.
-₦50 million for “Completion of Ublegbe-Odebe-Otto electrification Ogbadigbo, Benue South Senatorial District”. The project is under the Bio-Resources Development Centre, Makurdi.
-₦20 million for “Completion of Ago electrification of Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue South Senatorial District “. The project is under the Bio-Resource Development Centre, Makurdi.
-₦500 million for “Training of Youths in Agricultural value chain skills acquisition in Benue South Senatorial District”. The project is under SHEDA.
-₦200 million for the “Construction of internal road in Ugbokolo using Interlocking blocks Okpokwu LGA, Benue South Senatorial District”. This project is listed under BCDA.
-₦20 million for “Completion of Ekpemgbe electrification, Ado LGA Benue South Senatorial District “. The project is under BCDA.
-₦140 million for “Purchase of drugs for various health care centres in Benue South Senatorial District”. The project is under BCDA.
-₦50 million for “Emergency repairs on a 12KM road Aikpla-Ihilikpa, Benue South Senatorial District”. The project is under BCDA.
Oyewunmi Olalere (Osun West)
Six projects worth ₦1.130 billion were allocated to the Osun West Senatorial District, which Mr Oyeunmi represents.
They are:
-₦200 million for “Provision of solar street lights in Iwo, Ede and Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun West Senatorial District.”
The project is listed under NBRRI.
-₦200 million for “Grants to vulnerable people, widows, and aged-people and physically challenged in Osun West Senatorial District, Osun State”. The project is listed under the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Ilorin (NSPRI).
-₦100 million for “Purchase and distribution of motorcycles to youths in Ola-Oluwa, Isokan and Ejigbo local government areas of Osun West Senatorial District, Osun State”. The project is listed under the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Ilorin (NSPRI).
-₦230 million for “Solar powered street lights in selected communities in Osun West Senatorial District”. The project is listed under the National Institute for Construction Technology and Management, Uromi.
-₦300 million for “Purchase and distribution of korope buses, and motorcycles to transport workers in selected communities of Osun West Senatorial District, Osun State”. The project is listed under the Nigerian Institute of Construction Technology and Management, Uromi.
-₦200 million for “Supply and installation of transformers at Ejigbo, Owode, Gbogan, Apomu and other critical areas in Osun West Senatorial District, Osun State”. The project is listed under the National Centre for Energy and Environment.
Economist, Pat Utomi has lashed out at Ibikunle Amosun over the allegation that he was blacklisted by the Ogun State House of Assembly before he took over office as the governor of the state.
Utomi while featuring as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, denied having any business transactions with the Ogun State government that could have warranted him to be blacklisted.
He said, “Why would I have been blacklisted? I have never had any business with Ogun that would have led them to whitelist not to talk of blacklisting me.
“As a matter of policy, I don’t do business at all with state governments. The only time it would become necessary is when it comes to land matters because the government is the sole authority over land matters in Nigeria.
“Why would the House of Assembly blacklist me? For what? I have never had any business transactions with Ogun State until that time. That is what frightens me why public officials can make such preposterous accusations against me I heard that statement for the first time in my life. If I was blacklisted, for what?”
While responding to Utomi over his statement that he had violated the contract agreement regarding the cancelled deal with Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, Amosun had described the professor as “entitled”.
Amosun was responding to Utomi’s allegation on a cancelled agriculture-related project in Ogun before he assumed office.
However, responding on Monday, Utomi said he never transacted any business with the Ogun State government.
Utomi then spoke on the seizure of the presidential jets, saying Nigeria should not have acquired such a jet fleet, as it was “Unnecessary”.
“To be quite frank, when I first heard of the seizure, I had no clue of what led to it.
“I just felt “we have done it again”. I was not happy and I thought of the idea of a presidential fleet, and why Nigeria maintains such a huge fleet, which I consider unnecessary.
“Many countries much better off than Nigeria do not have presidential fleets. The British who we learnt the art of statecraft from in the modern era, typically don’t have a prime ministerial jet. The prime minister leases jets to go for assignments.
“So that was my first reaction to why we would bring ourselves to this state of embarrassment.
I have been warning about this for a long time. There are many sub-nationals in which the governors act so much irresponsibly in the way they get in and out of contracts with foreign organisations bringing great embarrassment to Nigeria.
“A lot of businesses will not come to Nigeria because they think Nigeria’s institutions are not reliable. They think because Nigeria can’t give them justice, and boundaries are not clear.
“Many state governments- a governor leaves, a new one comes, and they riff off everything the governor before him has done without thoughts for the consequences for his state and the country in terms of how seriously the world takes them.
“So when I realised that was what is prevalent, I decided to highlight my personal experience that happened as exactly as the one that led to the seizure of the presidential jets.
“This has happened to a lot of businessmen but because they don’t have the resources to approach the international court for arbitration, they just lick their wounds and let it go.
“It is not just Ogun State. I pointed out that I have a book that was published a few months ago. I published several case studies in the book. One of the cases was exactly what was done in another state in Nigeria that led to a foreign company in South Africa, leaving the country which led to so much loss because the governor decided to play games after he left office.
After I made the remarks, I was told that the former Ogun State governor came out with thoughts against me.
“And I then thought that this is another big problem with Nigeria, where people who have held public office do not have the discipline to speak basic simple truths in conversations.
“The only time I have ever been in business with Ogun State was when we were trying to develop an agricultural value chain project.
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Organizers of the just concluded EndBadGovernance protests that recently crippled economic activities nationwide are currently planning to stage more demonstrations across the nation in October.
A former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore confirmed the plan to DAILY POST on Saturday.
DAILY POST recalls that Nigerian youths had staged nationwide protests from August 1 to 10 over the prevailing economic situation in the country.
The supposed 10 days peaceful demonstration was, however, hijacked by non-state actors, leading to the unfortunate death of some protesters.
According to reports, 17 persons were reportedly killed in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna and Jigawa, while several others were seriously injured after the Nigerian security forces clamped down on the protesters.
No fewer than 1,135 persons were arrested across the country following the violence that erupted during the protest.
In Kano State, hoodlums disguised as protesters reportedly vandalized government assets, including essential documents and looted properties belonging to individuals.
Some of them were also caught flying Russian flags while clamoring for military rule in Nigeria.
In Kano alone, about 873 suspects were arrested by the police and other security agencies.
No fewer than 76 of them, including a foreigner, arrested for flying the Russian flags, were on Monday last week, transferred to the Force Headquarters, Abuja for discreet investigation on charges of sedition.
When contacted by DAILY POST on Saturday, an activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju said they were currently working towards securing the release of some of the protesters.
Asked to disclose the fate of the detained protesters, the popular activist simply said, “we are currently on their matter”.
However, Sowore confirmed to DAILY POST that some of the protesters have been released, while efforts were ongoing to secure the freedom of others.
He said, “We are working to get all detained persons released and have, in fact, succeeded in getting some released.
“To this, we owe some gratitude to several human rights attorneys who have dedicated their time and resources to ensure these latest victims of rights abuses are released from unjust detention.
“The federal govt would soon face an ultimatum to release all arrested protesters if they continue to be reckless and intransigent.”
Planned October protest
The protest scheduled for October may not be unconnected to what they described as President Bola Tinubu’s alleged failure to address the demands of the protesters.
DAILY POST reports that the EndBadGovernance protesters, who were majorly asking the FG to reverse some policies that led to the high cost of living, including the controversial fuel subsidy, made at least 15 demands.
Among other things, the protesters asked the government to “Toss the Senate arm, keep the House of Representatives and make lawmaking a part-time endeavour.
“Pay Nigerian workers a minimum wage of nothing less than N250,000 monthly.
“Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally and demilitarize the South East. All ENDSARS and political detainees must also be released and compensated.
“End banditry, terrorism and violent crimes. Reform security agencies to stop continuous human rights violations.
“Massive shake-ups in the Nigerian judiciary to remove cabals of corrupt generations of judges and judicial officers that continue denying citizens access to real justice.
“Diaspora voting”.
But according to the organizers, President Tinubu, who addressed the nation on the 6th day of the protest, failed to address the demands.
This has compelled the Nigerian youths to stage more protests.
Sowore told DAILY POST that unlike the August protest, the planned October demonstration tagged #FearlessInOctober would be prolonged.
On the rumoured ongoing dialogue with the FG, Sowore said, “I am not part of any negotiations. We are all working on our next set of prolonged protests tagged #fearlessinOctober”.
Fake Graduates: FG Orders Varsities To Submit Admission Lists, Threatens Sanctions Against Defaulters
AFOLABI
The Federal Government has threatened to sanction higher institutions that fail to submit lists of students admitted immediately after matriculation.
This was revealed in a memo ‘CLARIFICATION ON DISCLOSURE OF ADMITTED CANDIDATES OUTSIDE CAPS( 2017-DATE)’ by the Jamb Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) obtained by Channels Television.
The initiative, according to JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, is one of the recommendations made by a committee set up by the Federal Government to combat fake degree racketeering in the country.
According to the memo, institutions are to “regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education not later than three months after matriculation ceremonies.”
The list is expected to be submitted through the dedicated channel of JAMB.
“The Board has observed a large number of candidates thronging its offices to resolve issues related to the disclosure of candidates admitted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) from 2017 to date. While we appreciate the enthusiasm, we must correct the misconception that the focus is on candidates’ actions. The true emphasis lies with the institutions, which must disclose all candidates admitted outside CAPS before the August 31st, 2024 deadline.
“This directive requires immediate attention and compliance. We urge institutions to carefully review our initial letter and ensure full compliance, as failure to disclose will result in severe consequences. Candidates are also reminded not to accept admissions outside CAPS.
“The Board reiterate that candidates not disclosed by institutions would not be entertained. The Board will not tolerate any condonement of undisclosed admissions moving forward.”
The development comes after the Federal Government set up an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling, to probe the activities of certificate racketeers following an investigative report published by Daily Nigerian which exposed the activities of fake degree mills in the Benin Republic.
In a similar development, a memo addressed to the JAMB on July 15, 2024, the education ministry said, “You may recall that following the publication of allegations of certificate racketeering involving some foreign institutions, especially in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and other countries, the ministry constituted an inter-ministerial committee to investigate the allegations to find lasting solutions.
“The committee has submitted its report and the Honourable Minister of Education has approved its recommendations for implementation.
“In that regard, I hereby convey the request of the honourable minister for the implementation of the following recommendations of the committee:
“Enforce the mandatory requirement for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to exclusively conduct their admissions processes through the Central Admissions Processing System under the auspices of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board; mandate all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education not later than three months after matriculation ceremonies through the dedicated channel of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
“You are kindly requested to implement the above recommendations and furnish the ministry with implementation updates.”
Channels had on Thursday, reported how the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), said a total of 54 corps members who were illegally mobilised by the University of Calabar, had been demobilised.
This is in addition to the earlier 101 certificates that were recently voided by the scheme, making a total of 178.
An investigation by a Daily Nigerian reporter Umar Audu revealed how he obtained a degree within six weeks, after which returned to Nigeria and embarked on the mandatory one-year NYSC service.
The investigation led to FG placing a ban on the accreditation and evaluation of degrees from Benin Republic and Togo.
The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman then vowed to flush out holders of fake degrees from the Nigerian educational system.
Story highlights
- The deregulation of meter pricing has led to a significant increase in meter costs, with some three-phase meters now selling almost at N250,000.
- This has raised concerns not only about availability but also affordability, especially for consumers still subjected to estimated billing.
- While energy experts agree that this move may help address the metering gap in the country, they caution that it does little to tackle the broader challenges posed by high inflation and the rising cost of living.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) move to deregulate Meter Asset Providers (MAP) was hailed as the much-needed solution to the country’s persistent metering gap crisis.
However, this silver bullet has come with a price, and not just figuratively. The soaring cost of prepaid meters has added a new layer of burden for the average Nigerian household, making the dream of escaping the trap of estimated billing feel like an increasingly distant hope.
For millions of Nigerians, the sharp rise in metering costs from about N80,000 to over N200,000 in just one year has become as burdensome as the problem it was meant to solve: eliminating estimated billing.
Four months ago, NERC introduced a promising policy to deregulate both meter prices and providers, embracing a willing-buyer, willing-seller system aimed at opening up the market. This move was intended to empower customers, allowing them to obtain meters from any approved vendor without relying on the DisCos.
While this policy appeared commendable on paper, it has brought new challenges.
The most pressing of these is the increase in meter prices, exacerbated by the prevailing economic conditions and rising inflation.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the number of customers on estimated billing has surged from 5.83 million in Q4 2023 to 6.43 million in Q1 2024, marking a significant 10% rise.
These figures represent millions of households striving to escape the cycle of overbilling and other abuses by their distribution companies, only to find that the path to obtaining a prepaid meter has become even more difficult.
Latest Meter Prices
Following the announcement by NERC, DisCos and their meter providers partners have declared new meter prices, pointing to the deregulation policy and ailing economic conditions.
None of the new prices is below N100,000, a very sharp increase from the former price announced by NERC in September 2023.
According to the new prices by DisCos, the cost of a single phase meter rose from N81,975 to about N125,000, depending on the DisCo and the vendor the customer is purchasing from.
Different DisCos announced different prices from N120,00 for a single-phase meter to about N240,00 for a three-phase meter, a sharp increase that has made struggling Nigerians question their choices in obtaining meter and estimated billing.
The average prices announced by distribution companies across the country are as follows.
Abuja DisCo:
Single Phase Meter — Between N105,000 to N131,000
Three Phase Meter — N198,000 to N220,000
Kaduna DisCo:
Single Phase Meter — Between N120,000 to N132,000
Three Phase Meter — Between N206,000 to N215,000
Ikeja DisCo:
Single Phase Meter — Between N120,000 to N125,000
Three Phase Meter — N213,000 to N225,000
Eko DisCo:
Single Phase Meter — Between N117,000 to N135,000
Three Phase Meter — Between 145,000 to N247,000
This increase in price is true for all the eleven DisCos across the country.
How Nigerians are responding to the new meter prices
For Nigerians already grappling with soaring inflation, skyrocketing living costs, and the recent hike in electricity tariffs for Band A customers, the sharp increase in meter prices feels like an added weight to their already overwhelming burdens.
Beyond the persistent challenge of availability, there’s a pressing concern about the purchasing power of consumers—many of whom are struggling to make ends meet in today’s harsh economic climate.
A lingering question is the stability of these meter prices, especially with the deregulation of the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.
Ifeoma Ugbe, a Lagos-based energy expert, said NERC typically announces price hikes at regular intervals, sometimes within a year. But with deregulation, the situation becomes even more uncertain.
“Deregulation means prices will fluctuate based on market realities, so we can’t expect them to stay the same for long,” she said.
For customers who spoke to Nairametrics, the recent price increase has been met with frustration and concern.
Mr. Adetunji, a resident of Isolo, Lagos, expressed his disappointment, explaining that his household had been attempting to secure a prepaid meter for over a year before the price hike. “Now, we have to pay the new price. We don’t have a choice. And it’s not even as if the meter is readily available,” he lamented.
Usman Johnson, a landlord in Wuse, Abuja, shared a similar sentiment, noting that the increased cost of meters would only discourage customers like himself from obtaining one.
“Where do they expect us to find the money? First, you have to wait endlessly to get the meter, and now we’re expected to pay more. It feels like this government just enjoys raising prices on everything—tariffs have gone up, everything has gone up. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for the common man,” Johnson said.
In Maryland, along Ikorodu Road, Mrs. Elizabeth Okiro, a store owner, shared her experience. She and other shop owners had been pooling funds to purchase five meters from their distribution company, only to discover that prices had increased significantly.
“Imagine spending over N1 million just to buy meters in this tough economy. We decided we’ll have to wait because after paying, you still have to cover installation costs. The economy is simply harsh. Our landlord eventually advised us to stop contributing—the cost is just too high,” Okiro explained.
Her store is one of about 20 in the plaza, meaning most tenants are forced to remain on estimated billing.
Deregulation of MAP won’t ease the burden of the Masses
Energy expert Ifeoma Ugbe argues that deregulating the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme alone may fall short of solving the challenges in the power sector.
“While the government aims to bring in more liquidity and investment, it is crucial that this is done with the interest of the masses in mind,” she says.
Ugbe emphasized that for any reform to truly benefit the public, it must strike a balance between attracting investors and ensuring affordability for everyday consumers.
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has set an ambitious target: to eliminate estimated billing by the end of the year.
But this goal appears increasingly out of reach. Recent data from Q1 2024 indicates that estimated billing rose by 10%, affecting over six million households.
The federal government plans to address this with the move to purchase 3.5 million meters this year to bridge the metering gap.
However, with around seven million customers still unmetered, significant challenges remain.
This has raised concerns that the government may resort to tariff hikes and a stronger emphasis on cost-reflective pricing.
Lawyer and energy expert Nonso Ikechukwu warns that such a strategy could place a further strain on consumers. “For most Nigerians, higher tariffs are simply unaffordable,” Ikechukwu states.
He also highlights that rising inflation and currency instability will likely push meter prices even higher, potentially undermining the government’s plans.
“If meter prices continue to climb, it’s hard to see how this policy will succeed,” Ikechukwu adds, questioning whether the measures will actually ease the burden on ordinary citizens.
[Nairametrics]