The Minister of Education, Mr. Tunji Alausa has raised an alarm.

He lamented that 85 per cent of Nigerian students sent abroad on government scholarships never returned to contribute to national development.

This came as he announced that tertiary institutions with fewer than 2,000 students will no longer be eligible for funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

Speaking on Friday at a one-day engagement with heads of institutions, bursars, and procurement directors in Lagos, Alausa said the Federal Government was repositioning the funding framework to ensure public resources are used efficiently.

On foreign scholarships, Alausa revealed a shift in policy, explaining that more funds would now be invested in building local capacity.

He continued, “Our evidence-based analysis showed that 85 per cent of Nigerian students sent abroad on government scholarships never returned to contribute to national development. Many of the programmes they studied could have been handled effectively within our own institutions.”

To address this, he said 28 Centres of Excellence have been established across public and private institutions to offer postgraduate programmes, enhance research and create jobs.

“We are re-evaluating how institutions benefit from TETFund. We can no longer incentivise poor performance or underutilisation,” the minister said. He noted the inefficiency of allocating equal resources to underpopulated schools as those with significantly higher student numbers.

He stated, “Several polytechnics established as far back as 2019 have only between 350 to 550 students enrolled yet receive the same level of funding as institutions with over 18,000 students.

“This is inefficient and unsustainable. Therefore, we have set a new benchmark: any institution that, after five years of operation, still has fewer than 2,000 students may be deemed ineligible for TETFund support until they scale up their capacity.”

Alausa said the engagement with institutions from the southern zone was aimed at reviewing the 2024/2025 intervention guidelines and fostering transparency. “There’s no doubt that TETFund has greatly benefited our tertiary institutions through numerous interventions and improvements.

“However, under the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our focus now is to ensure maximum value from every naira spent in our institutions,” he further stated.

He also raised concerns about the unchecked proliferation of satellite campuses, calling it “unsustainable and counterproductive.”

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said the agency is moving towards a more sustainable and performance-driven funding model.

Echono stated, “The Fund has been moving toward a more sustainable model of funding. This is in line with the broader objective to reduce institutions’ reliance on government subvention and to encourage Public-Private Partnerships, particularly in areas such as hostel development, innovation parks and service facilities.”

Echono warned that underperforming institutions risk being removed from the list of TETFund beneficiaries.

“Institutional expansion must be checked, and we must avoid unnecessary duplication of mandates. Institutions that consistently fail to access, utilise, or retire funds appropriately, or that fall short of enrolment and academic performance thresholds, risk being delisted,” he warned.

He added that the goal of these new measures was not to punish, but to enhance the credibility and impact of TETFund.

He declared, “This policy is not meant to punish but to safeguard the credibility and impact of TETFund interventions. We want to ensure that the Fund’s resources are directed toward institutions committed to high standards of governance, transparency and accountability.”

He concluded by calling for deeper accountability and reform across the tertiary education sector.

“This engagement is a call to action. It is a platform to learn, reflect and commit to best practices in governance, project management and compliance,” he concluded

The Oyo State Police Command has stated that it cannot finalize a comprehensive report on the killing of 14-year-old WAEC candidate Kehinde Alade without the testimony of his father, Odunayo Alade.

Kehinde was fatally shot last Tuesday by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police corporal at the Gbagi-Alakia area in Egbeda Local Government Area of Ibadan.

The officer involved is currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Iyaganku.

At a joint press conference held with the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Dotun Oyelade, and the Chairman of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Agency (OYTMA), Major Adekoya Adesagba (rtd), the Commissioner of Police, Johnson Adenola, revealed that an interim report on the incident has been prepared.

However, he stressed that a full, detailed report will only be finalised after the father of the deceased provides his account of the events.

During the briefing, a minute of silence was observed in honour of the slain teenager, whose death has sparked widespread outrage and demands for justice.

He said, “The Inspector General of Police has directed that the Command should be thorough in its investigation, hence the need to obtain the testimonies of the father of the deceased.

“The Police officer and one of the passengers inside the car when the incident happened have assisted the investigative team with useful information.

“The Police officer has been arrested. He is in custody now. After the conclusion of the investigation, the next step will be taken.

“We are keeping the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, abreast of the development daily.

“The tragic incident would have been avoided had it been the father of the deceased who complied with the traffic rules.

“Alade, based on the information made available to us, is a serial offender. He was arrested for breaking traffic rules some weeks back.

“I am assuring the public that the Police will do a thorough investigation by ensuring that culprits are brought to book.”

In his remark, the State Commissioner of Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, assured the public that the matter would not be swept under the carpet.

“What Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration stands for is justice. On this matter, we will ensure that Justice is served.

“The state government also encouraged the Police to regularly train and engage its officers on gun handling and civil public relations with a promise to placate the grieving family, loved ones and siblings of the deceased while frowning against disinformation and distortion of facts.”

Also speaking, the chairman of OYRTMA, Major Adesagba, decried the alarming rise in traffic offences and constant harassment and assaults on its officers.

He said the development necessitated the agency’s request for security backup for its operations.

He disclosed that eight cases of assault on his officials have been recorded this year.

According to him, “Our officers have suffered various degrees of injuries which include broken arms and legs. This informed the decision to have a joint patrol operation with the police to secure the lives of our men while on duty.”

While describing the incident as unfortunate, he hinted that the father of the deceased on the 15th of this month parked in a no-parking zone and paid a fine to the Oyo State government, and he further appealed to the residents of the state to abide by the traffic laws.

“The state government also encouraged the Police to regularly train and engage its officers on gun handling and civil public relations with a promise to placate the grieving family, loved ones and siblings of the deceased while frowning against disinformation and distortion of facts.”

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has applauded Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State for his recent revelation that Boko Haram informants and collaborators exist within Nigeria’s political class and armed forces.

Obi described the disclosure as a “devastating indictment” of the Nigerian state and warned that silence or inaction in the face of such explosive claims would amount to complicity.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Obi said the existence of terrorist sympathisers within the highest levels of governance and security architecture, if proven, confirms what many Nigerians have long feared.

“The recent outcry by Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State that Boko Haram informants and terrorists exist among our politicians and within our armed forces is a damning indictment of the state of our nation,” Obi declared. “It is not just shocking; it is devastating.”

He emphasised that Nigeria is not just under attack from insurgents but is also being betrayed by those entrusted with its protection.

“If true, it confirms that our country is bleeding not only from external attacks but from betrayal at the highest levels,” Obi stated.

Calling for swift and decisive action, Obi said individuals, regardless of status, who collaborate with terrorists must be held accountable.

“Let me say without hesitation: anyone who aids, abets, protects, or collaborates with terrorists, no matter their rank, title, or political office, is a traitor to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

“Such individuals have no place in our institutions and must be identified, exposed, and prosecuted without delay.”

Obi warned that the war against terrorism cannot be won while the nation’s security is undermined from within, saying it is not just a failure of intelligence but of conscience.

“We cannot win the war against terrorism while traitors sit in the corridors of power, feeding off the blood of innocent Nigerians,” he said.

“We cannot continue to bury our citizens while those responsible hide behind the veil of politics and impunity. This is not just a security failure; it is a moral collapse.”

The former governor called on the federal government to act with urgency and transparency, insisting that words alone are insufficient.

“The federal government must treat this revelation with the utmost urgency. Words are not enough. The silence and inaction that often greet such explosive disclosures only serve to embolden the enemies within,” he warned.

“The Nigerian people demand answers. More importantly, we demand action.”

Obi praised Governor Zulum for his candour and bravery, describing him as one of the few voices in power willing to speak uncomfortable truths.

“Governor Zulum has done what few in power dare to do: he has spoken the truth. That truth must not die in the news cycle. It must be pursued, investigated, and confronted with courage and justice,” Obi said.

He added, “Nigeria cannot afford to be held hostage by the very people entrusted to defend her,” Obi asserted.

“Let us rise to it with courage, with clarity, and with a commitment to reclaim our country from the shadows. A new Nigeria is POssible.”

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has ordered members of his cabinet and other political appointees to either defect with him to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or resign their appointments immediately.

The governor gave the directive during a State Executive Council meeting on Thursday in Uyo, where he officially declared his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling APC.

According to sources present at the meeting, Governor Eno expressed no regrets over his political switch, saying his decision was motivated by a desire to align more closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration at the federal level.

“Anybody who claims he is not aware of my intention to leave the PDP is still living in the 18th century,” he reportedly said.

The governor, who was elected on the PDP platform, warned that he would not tolerate divided loyalties within his government, stressing that there would be no negotiations with appointees unwilling to move with him.

“Apart from elected officials like House of Assembly members and Local Government Chairmen, I have nothing to negotiate with you,” Eno declared.

He also dismissed the notion that the PDP structure in the state could be used against him by those who might refuse to defect.

“Let me tell you, anybody who believes that when I leave the PDP he will use the party structure to fight me is lying, because I will still control the PDP structure,” he said.

Eno’s defection comes amid a growing wave of political realignments in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.

The move is expected to cause ripples within the PDP in the state, where the party has maintained dominance since 1999.

Governor Eno endorsed for second term as he doubles ward PAs’ salary to N500,000

The All Progressives Congress (APC) North West Zone has risen from its stakeholders meeting in Kaduna in Saturday, endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its Presidential Candidate for the 2027 general elections. 

The meeting had attendance the National Chairman of the Party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, APC Governors from the zone, including, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Nasir Idris of Kebbi and Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Speaker House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, Ministers from the Zone and other stakeholders,

Others in attendance were; Chairmen of State Chapters of APC, state and federal legislators, as well as, heads of Federal Agencies, and senior political appointees.

The foundation for the endorsement of the President was laid when the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, asked the gathering comprising the who is who in the APC North West geopolitical zone, ” Aso Rock” ?, the crowd responded by saying” no vacancy.”

After the gathering responded, Senator Barau said, “So it is clear in 2027, we are going to have a landslide victory, inshallah.So let us continue on the way we are going. Let us continue to cooperate with one another, work with the president, work with everybody, cooperate amongst ourselves so that we have the desired victory.”

He said the defection of stalwarts of the opposition political parties to the APC was as a result of the performance of President Tinubu in addressing the challenges bedeviling the country.

“This is not happening just for nothing. There are reasons for this. What are the reasons? Number one is the performance of our dear president. The president, of course, inherited a lot of challenges, bedeviling our country. But he has come up with programs and policies to surmount these challenges.

“Security challenges, economic challenges, name them. We’ve seen how he has dealt with our problem, our security problem—the security we’ve been facing in the North West. Several areas were not accessible before now. You could not go to some areas before now. But now you can go to some places, you can travel from Abuja to Kaduna.This was quite impossible before he came to power.

“Similarly, before this administration, you could not go to Birnin Gwari, but life has returned to the area. The people have returned to their farmlands

“Several areas that were not accessible are now accessible. We know we are not where we want to be. We are not there yet. We are not finally there yet. But it’s a work in progress. Mr President is working hard, day in and day out, to surmount this country’s insecurity problem, particularly in the North West. It is a work in progress. It is easy to have problems, but it’s not easy to solve the problems.

“And of course, that is not alone. That is not the only reason why we are having these influxes to our party. The performance of our governors. Our governors are doing well, working day in, day out,” he said.

He added that, “The chairman, the national chairman of our party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, is leading all the party leaders in the country to bring about these improvements we are witnessing in APC. We are all here as brothers and sisters.

“So let us continue to cooperate amongst ourselves, work amongst ourselves, do all that is humanly possible to bring about the needed development to our people so that our party can grow stronger and stronger.

“So that by 2027, we will not have any problem in making sure that we have the expected victory that we are beginning to see. Because as we speak, it looks as if you don’t have any other political party in the country, or even in the northwest. So it is always said.”

National Chairman of the Party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje emphasized that, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to the development of the North West, the entire northern region and Nigeria by extension.

He said the commitment has been demonstrated through his several intervention projects ranging from infrastructure, agriculture and social development across the Northern region, emphasizing that, establishment of North West Development Commission was a clear indication that, the President loves the North West Region.

While assuring that, “we have started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel”, Ganduje stated categorically that, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock Villa come 2027.

Earlier, while speaking, the Speaker who moved the motion for the endorsement of the President, said the defection of stalwarts of the opposition to the APC was an indication of the growing confidence of Nigerians on the party and President Tinubu.

“To enhance our election efforts, it is crucial to strengthen grassroots mobilization at the local level.Furthermore, as we look to the future, we must continue to integrate and involve more young people and women in the party, as they comprise a significant portion of the population. Their involvement is crucial for achieving future political success

President Bola Tinubu has justified the ongoing mass defection of high-profile opposition figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying they are bailing out of a sinking ship.

Speaking on Thursday at the Presidential Villa during the APC national summit, Tinubu shrugged off opposition’s complaints about the APC plotting a one-party system. 

“You cannot blame people for their choice of association. It is only one party that is ruling.

“For those still contemplating bailing out of their ship, the country is yours; hold on to it. For those talking about a one-party system. It is one party ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians. You don’t blame people bailing out of a sinking ship when they have no life jackets.

“I am glad of what we have, and I am expecting more. That is the game. We are in a constitutional democracy,” Tinubu said.

Continuing, the president said nobody can force anyone to stay where they don’t want, stressing further that the APC is ready to receive more opposition figures who are willing to join the ruling party.

Addressing the gathering of APC leaders, Tinubu said, “They think this political party is a failure, but with your perseverance, we never gave up. We are the progressives. We will soldier on. Continue to work hard. I listen to you, not them.

“We have an opportunity to make Africa great, but I urge you to stay the course. To those I cannot offer political positions, be patient. You will be happy to belong to this party.”

Governors elected on the platform of the party and APC members in the two chambers of the National Assembly endorsed President Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate in the 2027 election

Odunayo Alade, father of Kehinde, the teenager killed by a police officer’s stray bullet, says one of his sons was running late for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) on the day tragedy struck.

He added that the route he was driving on when his son was shot serves as a short-cut to the main lane.

Kehinde was killed on Tuesday in the Gbagi area of Ibadan after a police officer shot at his father’s car.

The Oyo police command had said Alade tried to evade arrest after he was caught driving against traffic.

In a video, Alade was seen manoeuvring his car in an attempt to resist being stopped by a joint team of police officers and officials of the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA).

A police corporal then fired live rounds to immobilise the vehicle. However, Kehinde, who was seated behind the car with his twin brother, was hit in the abdomen.

‘I DIDN’T BREAK THE LAW’

Explaining what transpired in an interview with News Central TV, Alade said he was not violating the one-way traffic rule because the route he was plying was a stone’s throw from his intended lane.

“I was taking the children to school yesterday morning and at the entrance of my junction, there is maybe a stone’s throw, not up to one pole or two poles, to where we just follow and then branch to normal way,” Alade said.

“To my surprise, I saw OYTMA. They came and blocked me, even hit my vehicle and I had to reverse to bypass them.

“I don’t know. I won’t say one-way because the place is a very short distance. To them, they said I followed one-way and I let them know that this is the road all the neighbourhood use. It’s a very short distance to the main junction.”

Asked why he did not stop when he was cornered by the security officials, Alade said he did not want his son to be late for the WASSCE test.

“You know how Nigerian government works. If you’re on your own, once you fall into their traps… and moreover, the elder brother of the deceased was supposed to be writing WASSCE yesterday,” he added.

“He was having 8:30am WAEC paper yesterday and if I should stop, they would have delayed the boy. That was why I had to maneuvere my way.”

Alade added that he heard the gunshot but did not stop until his deceased son began screaming in pains.

Afterwards, the deceased’s twin brother relayed that Kehinde had been hit.

“I can’t really say, it’s only God that knows the situation of things,” Alade said when asked if he thought the situation could have been averted.

He said his late son wanted to become a lawyer and had quit the science class at the beginning of the second term.

Governors elected under the banner of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have officially adopted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the sole candidate for the party in the 2027 presidential election.

At the APC National Summit held at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who is also the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, announced the decision.

He emphasised that the governors had collectively agreed that President Tinubu should be the APC’s candidate for the 2027 elections.

The motion for Tinubu’s endorsement was moved by Governor Uzodimma and seconded by Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani. After the motion was proposed, the question was put to the gathering and was met with an overwhelming “yes” vote.

Although President Tinubu is currently in the middle of his first term, discussions regarding his potential reelection have been dominating the political landscape.

The governors’ endorsement signals early support for his bid to continue leading the country beyond 2027.

In a related development, governors and key political figures from the North Central region of Nigeria have also voiced their support for President Tinubu’s reelection.

A meeting was held on Wednesday evening in Abuja, where five APC governors from the region, along with other prominent party leaders, gathered to express their commitment to ensuring Tinubu’s return for a second term.

The political heavyweights in the region stressed the importance of re-electing Tinubu to ensure the continuity of the successful policies and initiatives he has put in place.

The motion for the endorsement of President Tinubu for a second term in 2027 was formally moved by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.

Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group, says the Nigerian government gets 52 kobo revenue from every N1 generated from the production and sale of Dangote Cement.

Dangote spoke on Wednesday at the 2025 Taraba International Investment Summit on May 21.

“I’m sure it might be shocking to you to know that the federal government of Nigeria, not even the state, makes more money from, for example, our cement business. For every N1 we turn around, 52 kobo goes to the federal government of Nigeria,” the entrepreneur said.

He said governments benefit from investments, whether private or public, when they create conducive environments for businesses to operate and pay taxes.

“We always say that the government has no business in business. If it’s true, they don’t have business in business. Though, how are they going to make money, educate people, you know, do the hospital, road, infrastructure? It’s through what? Taxes,” Dangote said.

“Have you ever heard of the American government owning an oil block? No, the American government doesn’t own an oil block. And they are the biggest producers of oil today in the world. But they make their money through taxes.”

He added that foreign investors are unlikely to invest in a country unless local investors thrive.

Dangote said the group would continue to invest in Nigeria to create jobs and support local communities.

Deyemi Okanlawon, the Nollywood actor, has shared his thoughts on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s recent clampdown on naira abuse.

In a recent interview on the Nollywood On Radio show, Deyemi criticised the EFCC for “disproportionately focusing on entertainers” while larger issues of corruption and crime persist.

The actor also acknowledged that some cultural norms, like the disregard for maintenance, need reevaluation.

He suggested that promoting respect for national symbols, such as the naira, could help reshape public attitudes.

“Two things, I think that because something is cultural does not make it right. We have a culture that does not really emphasise on maintenance of things,” he said.

“We have seen how things are built and we do not maintain it so we continue in that light…

“They are saying have respect for the naira, have respect for your country, maybe that is the way to do it. But the second thing is that I also think there are so many issues with corruption and crime going on in the country across different segments of people.

“So this move by the agency to come against entertainers is a bit too much in the light of everything else that we are trying to deal with.

“If every day we hear about corrupt officials, politicians, or organisations being brought down by the agency, we’d be more likely to trust that they’re acting in our best interest. Then, if they ask us to stop something like spraying money, we’d likely obey without question because we’d trust that the agency has the moral right to make such requests.”

TikTokers TobiNation and TDollar were recently sentenced to six months’ imprisonment over the abuse of naira notes.

On April 29, businessman E-Money was also arrested for reportedly abusing the dollar. He was, however, released a day later.

The socialite’s case with the anti-graft agency comes a few days after Terry Apala, the singer, was remanded at the Ikoyi correctional centre over alleged abuse of naira notes.

Iyabo Ojo and AY Makun also revealed that they were recently invited by the commission over money spraying.

In March, Murja Ibrahim Kunya, a TikToker, was rearrested in Kano for allegedly abusing the naira.

In 2024, the EFCC intensified its crackdown on naira abuse, citing section 21 of the CBN Act.