Two weeks after suspected terrorists attacked communities in Niger State, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has demanded answers from the Federal Government over the fate of hundreds of abducted residents. National Coordinator lof the Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko in a statement on Saturday said families of victims taken from Dekera, Gidan-Zana and Sabon Gida communities were being left in uncertainty, with little information about efforts to secure the release of their loved ones. The group indicated that the reported abduction of about 600 residents, alongside reports of killings and destruction of property, should be treated as a national…
Author: National Update
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results for underage candidates, according to a statement from Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser. This exciting news allows candidates and their families to check their performance. However, Dr. Benjamin cautioned that the release of these results does not guarantee admission for all underage candidates. Only those who meet specific criteria for exceptional consideration will be eligible for admission. Underage candidates are defined as individuals who will be under 16 years old by September 30, 2026. To find out their results, candidates…
By Frank Tietie Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been trending recently in the Nigerian media for good reasons, and even die-hard critics of President Bola Tinubu and opposition figures have been unable to fault the Commission’s unprecedented achievements in just 3 and a half years. Under the Bola Tinubu administration, between October 2023 and June 2026, the EFCC, led by its Chairman, Ola Olukayode, a lawyer, has recovered stolen public funds and criminal assets totalling ₦1.23 trillion, US$684.48 million, and substantial sums in other foreign currencies. It also secured forfeiture orders covering more than 10,000 assets, including…
The legal battle over the dismissal of former Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Deputy Director, Yisa Usman, has moved to the Court of Appeal in Abuja. JAMB was formally served on September 1 with court papers challenging the June 2, 2026 judgment of the National Industrial Court, which ruled against Usman in his suit over the dismissal. Usman filed an application for leave to appeal on August 27. His proposed Notice of Appeal contains eight grounds challenging different aspects of the judgment delivered by Justice O.A. Obaseki-Osaghae. The appeal places fair hearing and due process at the centre of the…
Senator Adenigba Francis Fadahunsi has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election for a second term in office. Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, described Adeleke’s victory as a renewed mandate from the people of the state. In a congratulatory message issued on Friday, the senator said the governor’s re-election reflected the confidence and electoral support of the people. He urged Adeleke to build on the achievements of his first term and deliver more dividends of democracy to the people, particularly residents of Osun East Senatorial District. Fadahunsi also prayed for wisdom, strength and grace for Adeleke…
On Thursday, the Naira strengthened to N1,315 against the US dollar in the official segment of the foreign exchange (FX) market, marking one of its most significant recoveries in recent years. Data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) reveals a gain of 0.84% from the N1,326 per dollar rate recorded on September 2. According to the latest figures, which align with reporting from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the current exchange rate of N1,315.67 per dollar indicates the return of the Naira to the N1,300 threshold, previously last seen in April 2024. This recent appreciation signifies the currency’s…
In a landmark move for Nigeria’s financial landscape, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has greenlighted the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE. Expected to be one of the largest transactions in Nigerian capital market history, the IPO is set to open in just 10 to 12 days. Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited, shared the news during a recent investor meeting in Botswana. SEC Director Abdulkadir Abbas confirmed the approval via an official letter sent to Vetiva Advisory Services Limited, the Lead Issuing House for the offering. The IPO will feature 4.1 billion…
Alarmed by the growing number of children staying out of school in Niger State, the Kontagora Emirate has unveiled a five-year blueprint to reverse the trend and improve access to education. The initiative, Mu Koma Makaranta, is targeting children who have been left outside the formal education system. The blueprint covers the period 2026 to 2031 and was developed after consultations involving traditional rulers, government officials, education stakeholders, parents, youths, community leaders and development partners. The programme is anchored on the theme, “Bringing Children Back, Helping Them Learn, Keeping Them in School, and Building Communities that Value Education.” The initiative…
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has been honoured in London for his contributions to public service and humanitarian development. Tunji-Ojo received the Nigeria Universal Keystone Sport Awards (NUKSA) Humanitarian Contribution Award (Service to Nigeria) at a ceremony held at the prestigious Ham Polo Club in Richmond, London. The recognition brought together an array of Nigerian and British dignitaries, business leaders, sports personalities and members of the Nigerian diaspora to celebrate individuals making notable contributions to Nigeria. The award was presented by Henry Ojo, Chief Executive Officer of The Rehab Borough, who said the honour was in recognition of Tunji-Ojo’s…
By Lamara Garba Agricultural transformation rarely begins with a seed. It begins with an idea, an invitation, or the decision to place ordinary people in extraordinary rooms. That is what the Women Farmers Advancement Network, WOFAN, did this week in Kigali. As policymakers, investors, researchers and development leaders gathered for the 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum under the theme, “Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience,” WOFAN brought a substantial delegation of the very people those conversations are meant to serve: rural women, young people and grassroots practitioners. In a continent where smallholder farmers still produce…