The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has called on All Progressives Congress (APC) members to remain united, strengthen grassroots mobilization, and increase youth and women participation to ensure the party’s continued success.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, Mahmoud praised APC’s leadership for solidifying its dominance and commended the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly in the FCT.
Special Adviser on Media to Austine Elemue quoted the minister to have also commended the achievements of the party, particularly in the FCT, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Mahmoud stressed that unity remains APC’s greatest strength, urging party members to put aside personal interests and resolve internal disputes through dialogue and respect for party supremacy.
“In the FCT, our party has made remarkable strides in governance. We have witnessed notable achievements in infrastructure development, security, education, healthcare, and youth empowerment, among others.
“These achievements are a testament to the effectiveness of our party’s policies and the hard work of our elected representatives and Area Council chairmen,” she emphasized.
Mahmoud also highlighted the importance of strengthening grassroots mobilization, encouraging more active participation of youths and women in party activities.
She called for transparency and fairness in all party affairs to sustain the party’s dominance and credibility.
She reaffirmed her belief in APC’s ability to continue delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians, stressing that the party’s collective resolve would determine its future success.
“Our collective resolve is key to sustaining the dominance of APC as the ruling party. We can continue to deliver dividends of democracy to our people and build a stronger, more prosperous nation,” she declared.
Speaking in the same vein, FCT Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Abdulmalik Usman noted that the meeting served as a platform for party stakeholders to assess progress, review strategies, and strengthen internal democracy as APC looks ahead to future electoral challenges and governance responsibilities.
While acknowledging the tireless efforts of all members, he also harps on unity among party leadership at all levels-national, state, local governmen, and ward levels.
He said, “The dedication of all members has continued to solidify APC’s position as the ruling party and the preferred choice of the people.

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Durumi IDP Camp in Abuja have been left in shock and frustration after government officials uncovered hoarded relief materials meant for their survival, exposing a disturbing case of neglect and mismanagement.

The Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Aliyu Ahmed, made the startling discovery during a visit to inaugurate a computer training center donated by the Brand Life Vision Foundation.
Instead of reaching the vulnerable IDPs, food and non-food relief items were found locked away inside classrooms, unused and out of reach of those who need them most.

For thousands of displaced persons struggling with hunger, poor healthcare, and harsh living conditions, the revelation has only deepened their sense of abandonment.

“We have been going to bed hungry, begging for food, not knowing that supplies meant for us were right here, hidden away,” lamented Aisha Musa, a mother of four living in the camp.

Another IDP, Mallam Sani, questioned the accountability of aid distribution: “If these materials were donated for us, why are they locked up? Who is benefiting from our suffering?”
Fuming over the discovery, Commissioner Ahmed condemned the act, describing it as “unacceptable and inhumane.” He vowed to launch a full-scale investigation into the incident and extend the probe to other IDP camps across the country.

“This is deeply disturbing. Aid is meant to alleviate suffering, not be stockpiled in locked classrooms. We will investigate, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure that this does not happen again,” he declared.

He also assured IDPs that the federal government remains committed to their welfare and will strengthen oversight mechanisms to prevent the diversion or hoarding of relief supplies.

While the discovery of hoarded aid has sparked outrage, experts say the issue goes beyond food and relief supplies. The long-term neglect of IDPs in Nigeria highlights the urgent need for structural reforms in humanitarian aid distribution.

Founder of the Brightlife Vision Foundation, Hajia Binta Sidi, called for better accountability and sustainable interventions, noting that IDPs need education and skills training to rebuild their lives rather than just short-term relief.

“Giving food is important, but what happens after that? IDPs need opportunities for education, skill-building, and employment. This is the only way to give them a future,” she said while announcing her foundation’s plans to train 1,000 IDPs nationwide.

The discovery at the Durumi camp is a wake-up call for both the government and humanitarian agencies to ensure that aid reaches its intended recipients without delay or obstruction.

With IDPs still living in harsh conditions despite millions of naira allocated for their welfare, activists are demanding an urgent audit of all IDP camps to identify similar cases of mismanagement.

As investigations unfold, the question remains: Who is hoarding relief meant for Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens, and when will they be held accountable?

In a bold move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s academic circles, President Bola Tinubu has sacked Aisha Maikudi as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja—recently renamed Yakubu Gowon University—and dissolved the institution’s governing council. This sweeping decision is part of a larger shake-up targeting several federal universities, signaling Tinubu’s intent to overhaul leadership in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
The announcement, delivered by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, comes on the heels of a storm of controversies surrounding Maikudi’s appointment and growing unrest within academic ranks over allegations of favoritism and flawed selection processes.
Maikudi, who officially took office as Vice-Chancellor on January 1, 2025, after serving as acting VC from July 2024, faced immediate scrutiny. Her appointment, greenlit by a governing council chaired by Retired Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita, was marred by allegations of manipulation and disregard for due process.

In December 2024, a coalition of professors filed a formal protest with the Federal Ministry of Education, accusing the council of rejecting over 87 qualified candidates to fast-track Maikudi’s appointment.
The petition pointed out that Maikudi had only two years of professorial experience, falling far short of the ten-year minimum requirement for the role. Critics argued that this was a deliberate attempt to sidestep the established criteria and favor the then-acting VC.
Adding fuel to the fire, the professors claimed that the council itself was improperly constituted, with members allegedly handpicked by the previous Vice-Chancellor to secure a predetermined outcome.
The University of Abuja isn’t the only institution to feel the heat of Tinubu’s academic house-cleaning. Leadership changes were also announced in several other federal universities:

Lanre Tejuoso, previously Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been reassigned to Yakubu Gowon University.
Joy Emordi, now Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, will replace Tejuoso in Makurdi.
At the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Polycarp Emeka Chigbu was removed from his post as acting VC ahead of his term’s expiration on February 14. Oguejiofu Ujam has been appointed as his interim replacement for a six-month term, with a stipulation barring him from applying for the permanent role.
UNN also saw a reshuffle in its pro-chancellorship, with Ike Nwachukwu reassigned to the University of Uyo. Olubunmi Kayode Ojo, who previously served as Pro-Chancellor at the Federal University, Lokoja and Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, will now lead the UNN council.
While the presidency insists these leadership changes are part of a broader strategy to revitalize Nigeria’s higher education system, critics argue the moves could signal a dangerous precedent of executive overreach into academia.
“These sweeping changes are essential to restoring integrity and accountability in our universities,” said a source within the Federal Ministry of Education. “But there’s also a fine line between reform and interference.”

Proponents of the shake-up argue that it’s a long-overdue correction of entrenched corruption and favoritism, while skeptics worry that such top-down decisions could undermine university autonomy and invite political influence into academic governance.
With Maikudi out, Lar Patricia Manko has been appointed as the acting VC of Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term. Like other interim appointees, Manko will be ineligible to contest for the substantive VC role when the selection process reopens.
The presidency has promised a transparent and merit-based process in the search for a new Vice-Chancellor, adhering strictly to the criteria that were allegedly bypassed in Maikudi’s controversial appointment.
This sweeping leadership overhaul represents one of the most dramatic interventions in Nigeria’s academic landscape in recent history. Whether these changes will lead to genuine reforms or further entrench political influence in university administration remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: the eyes of the nation—and the academic world—are now firmly fixed on the corridors of Yakubu Gowon University and beyond.