Nigeria’s public universities are once again on the brink of paralysis as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a two-week total strike, accusing the Federal Government of insensitivity and failure to honour previous agreements. The industrial action takes effect from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, following the expiration of a two-week ultimatum issued to the government to resolve long-standing issues affecting the education sector. ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, announced the decision on Sunday at a press conference in Abuja, describing it as a reluctant but unavoidable move after “years of unfulfilled promises.” “Government has…
Author: National Update
By: Lamara Garba Azare Tinubu’s mass pardon blurs the line between compassion and compromise, raising a haunting question: when mercy favors the powerful, what becomes of justice? In the cold chambers of justice where verdicts echo louder than repentance, mercy often walks barefoot; uncertain, delicate, and controversial. Yet on a quiet Thursday, 9th October 2025 in Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chose to give mercy its moment in the sun. One hundred and seventy-five names, men and women once chained by law, judged by society, and forgotten by time found themselves reborn under the presidential prerogative of mercy. Among them,…
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately dismiss the nation’s Service Chiefs, warning that Nigeria is sliding deeper into chaos amid unabated killings, banditry, and insurgent attacks. In a statement issued in Abuja, Frank lamented the latest killing of soldiers in Borno State by suspected Boko Haram insurgents, describing it as another tragic reminder of the government’s failure to protect its citizens. “Nigerians are being killed like chickens across the North, South, East, and West. The security architecture has completely collapsed under this leadership,” he…
The Federal Government has taken another major step toward advancing Nigeria’s digital economy with a planned strategic partnership between the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), and Flutterwave Technology Solutions Limited, Africa’s leading financial technology company. At a meeting held on Friday in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, commended Flutterwave for its transformative role in expanding financial access and enabling seamless cross-border payments across Africa. Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga quoted Mr. Edun to have noted that the proposed collaboration aligns with President…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted a presidential pardon to Maryam Sanda, the woman convicted in 2020 for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, son of former PDP National Chairman, Haliru Bello. Sanda, who had spent more than six years behind bars, was among 175 inmates and former convicts who received clemency under the President’s exercise of prerogative of mercy, announced by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday evening. According to Onanuga, the decision followed careful consideration of reports indicating that many of the beneficiaries had demonstrated genuine remorse, good conduct, and efforts at personal reform while in custody.…
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja The Olu of Apata, Oba Frederick Balogun, has commended the Federal Government for completing the fortification of the Oyi River Bridge (Gada-Biu) in Apata, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, describing the work as “expertly done and timely.” Oba Balogun, who gave the commendation on Saturday during an inspection of the project, said the construction of concrete side walls on the bridge would drastically reduce the frequent road crashes along the Lokoja–Obajana highway. He lauded the Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi, for giving priority to the project, noting that the intervention had brought relief…
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse Tension is rising among cleaners and security staff contracted to the Jigawa State House of Assembly, as they cry out over 10 months of unpaid wages — a situation they say has plunged their families into hardship and uncertainty. Speaking with National Update in Dutse, several of the affected workers — numbering over 70 — said they have not received any salary since January 2025, despite working continuously until mid-year. “Since January, we haven’t been paid a single kobo. We still go to work, but we can’t feed our families anymore. Nobody is telling us what’s…
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Miller Gajere Dantawaye, has described the Community Policing approach as the most effective strategy for crime prevention and control in contemporary society. He stated this during a strategic engagement with critical stakeholders held at the Command Headquarters in Lokoja, as part of activities marking the 2025 Customer Service Week. Participants drawn from various trade unions, professional bodies, and community groups attended the event aimed at evaluating police service delivery and strengthening collaboration between the Police and the public. According to CP Dantawaye, the engagement provided an opportunity for…
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja The Olu of Apata, Oba Frederick Balogun, has congratulated Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) on his appointment as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a statement issued in Lokoja on Tuesday during activities marking his 11th anniversary on the throne, the traditional ruler described Prof. Amupitan as “a patriotic Nigerian, legal luminary, and man of proven integrity” whose appointment was both “well-deserved and timely.” Oba Balogun noted that the choice of Prof. Amupitan came as no surprise, given his track record of excellence, impartiality, and intellectual…
***Announce ‘100 Heroes of Democracy Awards’ It was a moment of reflection, unity, and bold declaration on Friday as hundreds of young leaders from across Nigeria gathered for the 1st All Ethnic Nationalities Youth Conference, hosted by the Nigeria Youth Coalition (NYC) in Abuja. The conference, themed “Emboldening a New Nigeria of Our Dream,” celebrated the enduring legacy of environmentalist and human rights icon Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa, GCON, whose death 30 years ago remains a symbol of courage and conviction in Nigeria’s democratic journey. Held at the Federal Ministry of Environment Auditorium, Maitama, the event drew representatives of over 700…