In a bold and transformative move that could redefine Nigeria’s economic future, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a sweeping ban on the importation of foreign goods that can be produced locally—signaling the beginning of a historic shift from dependency to self-reliance. Announced after Monday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the directive is the cornerstone of a new policy dubbed the Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy. At its heart lies one message: Nigeria will no longer outsource its growth. “This is not just a procurement policy—it’s an economic revolution,” declared Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation. “We are…
Author: National Update
The Federal Ministry of Finance has strongly denied allegations that it awarded contracts amounting to N13 billion without due process, describing the claims as “false, malicious, and designed to distract from critical economic reforms.” The rebuttal followed an online publication not in the National Update, which alleged that the Ministry, under the leadership of Minister Wale Edun and Permanent Secretary Lydia Shehu Jafiya, approved multiple high-value contracts between February and June 2024 in violation of procurement laws. In an official statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry stated that all contracts within the specified timeframe—including those linked to the high-profile Presidential…
President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio has allegedly withdrawn from the presidential panel set up to investigate sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The development was revealed on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme hosted by Seun Okinbaloye. The panel, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was constituted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to probe the claims brought forward by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate. While no official reason has been given for Akpabio’s withdrawal, the move has sparked public speculation. Many observers saw the panel as an opportunity for transparency, as well…
The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy has announced the launch of the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF)—a groundbreaking initiative to provide financial support to creatives, entrepreneurs, and organizations across Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries. The CEDF is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at driving job creation, economic diversification, and elevating Nigeria’s global cultural presence. Speaking at the official launch, the Honourable Minister, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, described the fund as a strategic investment in unlocking the vast potential of the creative sector. “This is not just a financial intervention,” the Minister…
The Nigerian Presidency has pushed back against recent comments by African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, over the country’s economic trajectory and GDP performance since independence. Speaking at an event hosted by investment firm Chapel Hill Denham in Lagos, Adesina lamented Nigeria’s economic stagnation, comparing it unfavorably with Asian countries like South Korea. He claimed Nigeria’s GDP per capita stood at $1,847 in 1960, but has declined to $824 today, suggesting that citizens were economically better off at independence. In a swift rebuttal, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Strategy and Communication, Bayo Onanuga, challenged the accuracy of Adesina’s…
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the release of results for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), revealing a significant dip in performance among candidates. According to official statistics, out of 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the exam, over 1.5 million scored below 200. Only 420,415 candidates scored above the 200 mark, while less than 1% crossed the 300 score threshold. JAMB further disclosed that 2,157 candidates are under investigation for suspected examination malpractice. Additionally, 71,701 candidates were absent, and others faced biometric verification issues—some of whom may be rescheduled once investigations are concluded. Of the…
A civic organization, Peoples Assembly of Nigeria (PAN), has condemned the factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Atiku Abubakar Isah, for what it described as a politically motivated smear campaign against Mr. Seyi Tinubu. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Usman Nagadi, PAN said it conducted an independent inquiry into the recent claims made by Isah and found them to be entirely false and without any factual basis. “The allegations against Mr. Seyi Tinubu are nothing but a fabrication driven by greed and political manipulation,” Nagadi stated. He alleged that Isah had attempted to extort…
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the performance data for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), revealing that a significant majority of candidates scored below 200. Out of the 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the exam nationwide, more than 1.5 million failed to reach the 200 mark. The Board also disclosed that 4,756 candidates scored above 320, while 7,658 scored between 300 and 319. In a related development, JAMB revealed that 40,247 underage candidates were allowed to sit for the exam under a special provision for gifted students. However, only 467 (1.16%) met the benchmark for…
By Muhammad Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia The ongoing construction of the Lafia Flyover and Underpass in the Nasarawa State capital, Lafia is setting a new benchmark for infrastructure development in Nigeria and beyond. Our correspondent, who visited the project site, reports that the development is now at its final stages. Although initially scheduled for completion in 18 months, the project is already nearing completion in just 13 months—demonstrating a remarkable blend of speed, quality, and efficient project management. Mr. Adamus Bisallah-Yahaya, Director of Public Relations at Triacta’s Area Office in Lafia, shared this during an interview on Monday. He credited the…
Dr Abubakar Yahaya The long-awaited text of the Jagora Talakawa is coming to fruition May 13th 2025 at Abuja. The autobiography “Being True to Myself” will no doubt present revelations, historical facts, political intrigues, power politics, and a political sojourn spanning over three decades. A close encounter with Alh Dr Sule Lamido will reveal to you his statesmanship, leadership wisdom, selfless sacrifice and service to humanity embedded in his personality. There is never a dull moment with Sule Lamido. There are a number of issues that I look forward to in his autobiography: 1. How was he able to navigate…