The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has stated that the high failure rate in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is proof that anti-malpractice measures are working effectively, particularly within the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) system.

His comments come in the wake of widespread concerns following JAMB’s release of data showing that out of 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the exam, only about 420,000 scored above 200. More than 78% failed to meet the 200-mark threshold.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday, Alausa attributed the poor performance to reduced cheating due to JAMB’s stringent security protocols.

His words: “That’s a big concern, and it’s a reflection of exams being done the proper way.

“JAMB conducts its exam using a computer-based testing system. They’ve implemented strong security measures, and as a result, fraud or cheating has been completely eliminated. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for WAEC and NECO.”

Alausa revealed that shortly after taking office, the government carried out a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s examination systems, and as part of reforms, he announced that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will begin transitioning to computer-based testing (CBT) starting November 2025 with objective papers, followed by full CBT adoption, including essay sections, by May/June 2026.

His words: “We have to use technology to fight this fraud. There are so many ‘miracle centres’, and that is simply unacceptable. People cheat during WAEC and NECO exams and then face JAMB, where cheating is nearly impossible. That’s the disparity we’re seeing now. It’s sad.

“The worst part of cheating is that it disincentivises the hard-working ones. If I’m preparing for WAEC or NECO and I know some classmates already have access to the questions, do you think I’ll still study hard?

“No, I’ll be tempted to join them. That’s how good students are corrupted, and that’s exactly what we must stop.” 

Addressing whether the poor results were due to weak enforcement or a genuine drop in academic standards, the minister admitted both played a role but stressed that widespread malpractice was the root issue.

“We’re addressing the quality of teaching and using technology, including online classes, to support learning from primary to secondary levels. But the pervasive cheating in our high school exams, especially WAEC and NECO, is the core problem,” he said.

“JAMB is now almost 100 per cent fraud-free, but WAEC and NECO still have major lapses. Our youths are intelligent, capable, and energetic. It’s the environment that corrupts them, and we’re determined to fix that.”

The leadership of the 10th Senate has postponed the passage of President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills to Wednesday for proper scrutiny and debate.

The four bills, Nigerian Tax Bill, Tax Administration Bill, Revenue Tax Board Bill, and Nigerian Revenue Service Establishment Bill were forwarded by the President six months ago as part of efforts to reform the country’s fiscal policies and boost revenue generation.

The delay in the passage of the bills had raised concerns, especially after the House of Representatives approved them two weeks ago, putting pressure on the Red Chamber.

In a related development, the Senate leadership resolved to hold a two-day national security summit to brainstorm a solution to the rising wave of killings and other forms of insecurity in the country.

The decision followed a motion sponsored by Jimoh Ibrahim, senator representing Ondo south, at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday.

While on a working visit to France, bandits in a senseless campaign of violence killed innocent Nigerians in Plateau, Benue and Zamfara States, culminating in calls for President Bola Tinubu to cut short his vacation to return home to lead the fight against insecurity from the front.

Leading the debate, Ibrahim said the “high level” of global insecurity is driven by events in Russia and Ukraine and compounded by tensions between the global north and global south.

According to him, the issues have continuously worsened food insecurity and affected the attainment of the sustainable development goals.

The former Ondo governorship aspirant emphasised that the ongoing trade tariff war in America and the growing emphasis on balance of power in global affairs are gradually giving way to a new world order.

“This new order reflects in immigration policies, visa cancellations by new regimes, and countries raising funds by selling citizenship — all of which fuel economic conflict and undermine globalisation pursued over the last sixty years,” he said.

Continuing, Ibrahim said Nigeria must clarify its strategic engagement in international affairs, noting that the Senate has a role in advising the executive to maximise national interest

“The next world war may not even require the fanfare of militarism. The incredible growing economic war is gaining ground with destructive innovation in security globally

“There is a need for alternative language in military engagement as well as enhanced funding to advance the professional practices and respected tradition of the future military,” he stated.

He therefore called for an “empirical fact-finding national security summit” to help develop far-reaching solutions.

The senator representing Katsina South, Mohammed Dandutse, seconded the motion, saying the lack of intelligence sharing among security agencies was a major setback.

He said, “Nigeria is blessed, we have no other country except Nigeria. We have to face these criminals squarely. No country succeeds except with peace and security.

“The security agencies are given funding. So there is a need for the judicious spending of these resources.”

The senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe and the senator representing Kebbi Central, Adamu Aliero, however, disagreed with the move.

  Both lawmakers argued that a security summit may not be the solution

The senator representing Benue North-West, Titus Zam and the senate minority leader, Abba Moro,, countered their view by backing the motion.

At the end, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the motion to a voice vote, and the majority of senators voted in favour of the summit.

Akpabio, however, proposed that the summit should last for two days instead of the three days proposed by Ibrahim.

The senate subsequently resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to organise the two-day national security summit in Abuja

The event will include delegates from all levels of government, as well as traditional institutions.

The red chamber also urged the federal government to review and rejig the country’s security policies based on outcomes from the summit.

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded its investigation into the helicopter crash that killed Herbert Wigwe and his family last year.

In the final aviation investigation report seen by TheCable, the NTSB said the probable cause of the crash was the pilot’s decision to continue the flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

On February 9, 2024, Wigwe, the former group chief executive officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc, died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife, Doreen; their first son, Chizi; and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group).

The crash which occurred in California, near the Nevada border, involved the helicopter with registration N130CZ and claimed the lives of all six passengers on board.

Over a year after the incident, the NTSB report revealed that the “pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation while maneuvering the helicopter in IMC, which led to his loss of helicopter control and the resulting collision with terrain”.

The report added that the helicopter company’s inadequate oversight of its safety management processes was a contributing cause of the crash.

The NTSB found that the company failed to ensure that pilots accurately completed and updated the flight risk analysis, logged maintenance discrepancies, and adhered to Part 135 regulations before departure.

The investigation report revealed that during the return flight, the pilot had texted the director of maintenance (DOM) about an issue with the radar altimeter.

“The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determines the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control,” a part of the report reads.

“Contributing to the accident was the company’s inadequate oversight of its safety management processes, including ensuring the pilots were accurately completing and updating the flight risk analysis, logging maintenance discrepancies, and ensuring the helicopter met Part 135 regulations before departure.

“During the return flight, the pilot texted the director of maintenance (DOM) about the issue. After arriving at the company’s flight operations base, the pilot discussed the issue with the company flight follower (who was also the company’s president).

“A company mechanic performed some troubleshooting on the radar altimeter; however, he was unable to rectify the issue, and the radar altimeter remained non-functional.

“The mechanic reported that the pilot and the DOM were aware that the radar altimeter was not functioning, yet they departed at 1822 on the positioning flight to pick up the passengers.

“About 40 minutes later, the positioning flight landed at the airport to pick up the charter passengers. After arrival, the pilot and flight follower had a phone conversation and exchanged text messages, but they did not discuss the status of the radar altimeter or weather conditions.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed his belief in the indigenous capability of Nigerian talent.

He insisted that Nigeria has the ability to chart its own path to success, declaring that the country possesses all the resources, both human and material, needed for greatness.

Obasanjo stated this on Monday at the inauguration of new substations of the Geometric Power Plant in Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State.

He disclosed that he decided to issue a licence to Prof. Barth Nnaji to operate the power company due to his faith in Nigeria’s indigenous capabilities.

He praised the progress recorded by Geometric Power, describing it as proof that Nigerians can deliver on complex projects if given the opportunity.

“When I was giving you the encouragement, two people came to me to ask why I was giving Nigerians such responsibility, that they would disappoint me. You have not disappointed me and you did not disappoint all those, including everyone that supported you to realise this project,” Obasanjo said.

He stressed that the success of Geometric Power was a lesson in self-belief and self-reliance.

“The lesson to learn again here, within ourselves, among ourselves, and by ourselves, is that we have what it takes to develop,” Obasanjo added.

The former President also called on Nnaji to extend the reach of Geometric Power’s distribution services to other parts of the state to enhance development and industrialization.

Kano State Police Command has arrested an 18-year-old woman, Saudat Jibril, for allegedly killing her husband, Salisu Idris, in the early hours of Tuesday.

The incident, which happened in Farawa Quarters, reportedly involved the use of a sharp knife, with the victim sustaining fatal injuries to the throat.

The police confirmed the incident in a press release issued on Tuesday afternoon, stating that the suspect is now in custody and will face charges of culpable homicide.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 12:35 a.m. on May 6, 2025.

The police statement added that the victim, 30-year-old Salisu Idris, was rushed to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital following the attack but was declared dead by medical personnel.

“Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, swiftly deployed a team of detectives to the scene.

“The suspect has been apprehended and is currently in custody at the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department, CID, Homicide Section,” the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, said in a statement.

Kiyawa further stated that investigations are ongoing and that the suspect will be charged in court upon conclusion of preliminary inquiries.

The State Commissioner of Police, while reacting to the incident, condemned the act and reiterated the Command’s resolve to clamp down on all forms of criminality.

“The Command will not tolerate any form of violence or criminal behaviour in Kano State. We are committed to ensuring justice is served, and we urge members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with investigators,” the commissioner said.

Meanwhile, residents of Farawa Quarters, where the couple reportedly lived, expressed shock at the development, describing the incident as both tragic and disturbing.

The motive behind the killing is still unknown as police continue their investigation.

The Senate is planning a security summit that would proffer lasting solutions to the growing insecurity in the country, typified by unprovoked killings and abductions for ransom.

A resolution to that effect was adopted following a motion on the escalating security threats in many parts of the country.

While Northeastern Nigeria has remained the epicentre of the Boko Haram terrorists, the Northwest has become a haven for armed bandits and marauders.

Senators who contributed to the debate lamented the deteriorating security situation in the country and how the capacity of the security agencies is being overstretched.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who sponsored the motion, attributed the growing insecurity in Nigeria partly to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

According to him, the insecurity has become daunting due to the new order in some of the advanced countries.

He cited the biting effects of the tariff war in America and other industrial economies, raising tensions over the balance of power among various countries.

“The recent events in our region have led to feelings of discomfort and insecurity, which have placed the past accomplishments of our security forces at risk, even though our military and its partners are striving to address these challenges.

“They do not have solutions to the global economic conflict or the effects of new American tariffs and tensions with China.

“As a result, insecurity across Nigeria has become pervasive, impacting both urban and rural areas, where banditry, kidnappings and terrorism are pressing issues across the country, as well as other violent crimes,” Ibrahim said.

Bauchi central senator Abdul Ningi lamented how security operatives are being lost to bandit attacks across the country.

According to him, bandits have taken over many communities in Zamfara, Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi and Sokoto states.

Ningi also drew attention to the presence of bandits in many of the forests surrounding the satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Senator Ennyinaya Abaribe, in his contribution, said there is hardly any member of the National Assembly who did not know the nature of security challenges in their constituencies.

Abaribe said nothing would come out of the planned security summit without genuine commitment by all concerned.

On his part, Minority Leader Abba Moro decried the incessant killings and kidnappings in his native Benue State. He expressed the hope that the envisaged security summit would allow experts to suggest solutions.

“Mr President, I want to say that what is before us now is whether we want to convene a national security summit or not, and if you ask me, I will say yes. Security is everyone’s business, and in proffering solutions, all must be carried along,” he said.

Similarly, Benue North West senator Titus Zam told the Senate that bandits had taken over many communities in his senatorial district.

Zam added that the invading bandits have been hosting strange flags in many communities in Benue State, saying that drastic action must be taken to recover the affected areas.

After listening to the contributions, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, agreed to the idea of holding the summit.

Akpabio expressed optimism that the planned summit would proffer solutions to the nation’s security challenges.

According to him, governors, traditional rulers, service chiefs, security experts and other key stakeholders are expected to participate in the summit.

The Senate, however, has not fixed a definite date for the planned summit.

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has confirmed she was invited for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following viral videos from her daughter Priscilla Ojo’s lavish wedding, where guests were seen spraying naira and foreign currencies.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Ojo addressed the widespread media reports and public speculation about her encounter with the anti-graft agency.

The 47-year-old actress revealed that she received the EFCC invitation while she was in the United Kingdom. Upon her return to Nigeria, she honoured the invitation on 5 May 2025.

“I was asked several questions relating to my personal bio data, career, work experience, and companies, amongst others,” she explained.

Unaware of an Offence

The actress stated that officials showed her videos from her daughter’s wedding, where guests, including friends and colleagues, were seen spraying naira and foreign currencies.

“I was asked if I knew this was illegal, and I explained that I thought only abuse or mutilation of the naira was an offence.

“The EFCC officials clarified that spraying money, including on people’s bodies, is prohibited. I was surprised to learn that spraying any currency, including dollars, is also not allowed,” she said.

Iyabo Ojo stated that she was allowed to leave the same day, while her lawyer stood in for her in case she is called upon again.

“Given this experience, I strongly advise against spraying any currency in Nigeria to avoid issues with the EFCC,” she urged. “Perhaps, it’s time to reconsider this long-standing tradition. Let’s prioritise caution and avoid any potential problems.”

Priscilla’s wedding to Tanzanian singer Juma Jux was one of the most talked-about celebrity events this year.

The festivities began in February with a traditional ceremony in Tanzania, followed by a Nigerian wedding on 17 April and subsequently a grand white wedding at a seaside location in Lagos on 19 April.

The celebration, which held the internet for days, attracted some of Nollywood’s biggest stars, including Mercy Aigbe, Destiny Etiko, and Toyin Abraham, among others. The couple’s union drew widespread admiration and generated considerable buzz online.

EFCC’s Crackdown 

Meanwhile, Ojo’s EFCC interrogation places her among a growing list of celebrities swept up in the agency’s crackdown on currency abuse.

Musician Terry Apala was recently remanded by a Lagos court for allegedly mutilating naira notes at a social event.

Controversial socialite Bobrisky faced a six-month prison sentence without the option of a fine for spraying and abusing naira at parties.

Cubana Chief Priest was arraigned for Naira abuse but reached a ₦10 million settlement with the EFCC alongside a public awareness campaign.

Socialite E-Money also made headlines with the agency recently after being spotted at a public event allegedly spraying the naira and some US dollar bills, although no formal charges have been filed.

While TikTok influencer Murja Kunya was arrested for spraying naira at a hotel event.

The EFCC has repeatedly warned that spraying or mishandling naira or foreign currencies at social gatherings contravenes the Central Bank Act and is punishable by law. The agency has intensified its efforts to curb the practice, which it views as a threat to the integrity of Nigeria’s currency

Operatives of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps have arrested one Godwin, allegedly disguised as mentally unstable, in possession of 27 SIM cards.

The agency, in a statement seen by PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, stated that the suspect, who identified himself as a native of Ughelli Local Government Area in Delta State, had been under surveillance for over a month.

This arrest followed the receipt of reports from some residents of the Epe area of Lagos about the suspicious behaviour of Godwin.

The LNSC disclosed that Godwin reportedly took shelter in an abandoned security post located near the T-junction in Epe.

He was reported to be seen discreetly changing his clothes each morning and frequently engaging in late-night phone conversations.

Acting on the tip-off, the operatives of the Epe command, during a routine patrol on Monday, found the suspect temporarily absent from his usual spot and decided to search the security post where the SIM cards were discovered.

“On May 5, during a routine patrol, officers were informed by residents that the suspect was temporarily absent from the area. Acting swiftly, the patrol team searched the structure and discovered 27 registered SIM cards concealed within a section of a block wall.

“Officers were immediately dispatched, and Mr Godwin was arrested shortly after his return to the location. During interrogation, he confirmed his identity and background but declined to reveal the location of any mobile phones linked to the SIM cards,” the statement partly read.

The statement added that a local food vendor corroborated reports of the suspect’s strange behaviour, noting that he often appeared mentally sound despite his erratic lifestyle.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the agency, Oloruntoba Runsewe, said the suspect had been handed over to the police.

She said, “He is no longer in our custody. He has been handed over to the police for further investigation.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest.
He however said, “Our preliminary investigation so far shows that he is a bit mentally unstable and he is homeless and there is no evidence to point to the fact that he is a kidnapper. The claim is for now baseless.”

The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, 17 local government area chairpersons, councilors, and others have officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). 

Agbebaku and other defectors were received into the APC by the party’s national secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, Governor Monday Okpebholo, and other chieftains of the leading party in a ceremony in Benin City, Edo State.

At the event, Okpebholo hailed the decamping politicians for their move, and said Edo State is on the path of progress with President Bola Tinubu’s support. 

See photos from the event below: 

The Oyo State Judiciary on Tuesday denied claims of salary deductions affecting magistrates and presidents of Grade A Customary Courts in the state.

The state judiciary labelled the allegations as false and misleading.

Reacting to concerns raised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan Branch, the state judiciary, through its Chief Registrar, Mrs Olumide Ogunrin, insisted that no such deductions occurred.

The NBA had earlier issued a statement signed by its chairman, Ibrahim Lawal, alleging that the judiciary had tampered with the salaries of judicial officers, sparking concerns about the welfare of key players in the justice delivery system.

In its statement, the NBA emphasised the key role of magistrates and customary court presidents in grassroots justice, warning that any disruption to their duties could have far-reaching consequences.

The NBA also lamented the difficult working conditions faced by judicial officers, including a lack of transportation and poor infrastructure, calling on the governor to prioritise their welfare.

The association urged the state government to address the matter and provide clarity, especially in light of increased federal allocations.

However, the judiciary dismissed the claims as baseless, stating, “The allegation was misconstrued and misrepresented. It is hereby debunked in its entirety.”

The Oyo State Judiciary reiterated its commitment to supporting its workforce and ensuring the smooth dispensation of justice across the state.