The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has directed vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts across Nigeria to dismiss any student found culpable, after due investigation, of involvement in kidnapping or other related crimes. A statement signed by the minister’s Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, said Alausa also ordered the heads of tertiary institutions to strengthen internal intelligence systems and deepen collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies in their respective states as part of a nationwide strategy to safeguard campuses and protect students. He gave the directive during a meeting with the pro-chancellor, members of…
Author: Ini Sam
A fire incident occurred on Sunday at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, triggering an immediate emergency response by aviation authorities. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the incident in a statement, saying its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service (ARFFS) was swiftly deployed to the scene to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the terminal. According to the agency, emergency responders were actively working to extinguish the fire while ensuring the safety of passengers, airport personnel, and facilities within the terminal. FAAN assured the public that no…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended political style, saying his faith does not require him to operate like a cleric. Speaking during a special media chat in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike said politics and religion are governed by different principles, insisting that his critics fail to appreciate the realities of political engagement. The former Rivers State governor dismissed suggestions that he should model his political conduct after his father, who was a gospel preacher. “Politics is not like church. I’m a Christian but not a pastor. That my father is a pastor does not…
Nigerian Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, who is standing trial as a principal suspect in an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has told investigators that repeated denial of promotion to the rank of brigadier general pushed him toward supporting a military takeover. According to his statement, Ma’aji said his efforts to rally support for a coup began in 2023, motivated by frustration over being repeatedly overlooked for promotion, worsening insecurity across the country, and what he described as the declining welfare of serving and retired military personnel. Documents obtained by Premium Times indicate that the Niger State-born officer’s…
The ministry of foreign affairs says 65 of the 69 Nigerian ambassadors appointed by President Bola Tinubu have been accepted by their host countries. In a statement on Saturday, Kimiebi Ebienfa, ministry spokesperson, said the 65 accepted ambassadors represented a 97 percent acceptance rate. Ebienfa attributed the two outstanding appointments to Grace Bent, ambassador-designate nominee for Togo declining the offer, and Mohammed Mahmud Lele, ambassador-designate for Algeria dying in April. Lele died on April 19 in Ankara, Turkey, after a protracted illness. Ebienfa said the replacement process is ongoing. Though the spokesperson did not disclose the other two countries where…
By Iniubong Sam Stakeholders from Nigeria’s oil-producing communities, government agencies, regulatory bodies and civil society organisations have renewed calls for accountability, environmental justice and sustainable development in the Niger Delta. The call was made during the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Natural Resource Governance, Just Transition, Environmental Justice and Community Accountability, convened by the Akwa Ibom Extractive Justice Alliance (AKEJA) in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria and the Clement Isong Foundation (CIF) under the Strategic Partnership Agreement II (SPA II) Programme, with support from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). The dialogue, held at D’Angelo Hotel, Uyo, with the theme “Advancing Community-Centred Natural…
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers, court registrars, and litigation staff to stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in all official dealings with the Supreme Court, describing the practice as inconsistent with the professional standards expected at the nation’s apex court. The directive, which takes immediate effect, was conveyed in a circular dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi. According to the circular, the order applies to all legal practitioners, litigation staff, court registrars, and lawyers engaged in official business…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed a total of ₦430 million in penalties on financial institutions for failing to promptly resolve customer complaints and for violating the apex bank’s consumer protection directives. The sanctions, contained in the CBN’s 2025 Annual Report, revealed that 21 penalties were issued against various financial institutions over infractions related to complaints management. According to the report, the affected institutions were sanctioned for delays in addressing customers’ complaints as well as non-compliance with regulatory directives issued by the apex bank. “The Bank imposed 21 penalties on financial institutions to the tune of ₦430.00 million…
Nigeria’s Super Falcons suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening Group C match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Rabat on Tuesday. After a goalless first half, Malawi broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute through Temwa Chawinga before Tabitha Chawinga doubled the lead six minutes later. Nigeria pulled one back in stoppage time when captain Rasheedat Ajibade converted a penalty to make it 2-1. Malawi restored their two-goal advantage moments later as Temwa Chawinga scored her second of the match. The Super Falcons continued to press and Uchenna Kanu reduced…
The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has announced with deep regret the death of one of its senior officers, Colonel AA Ude, who was killed following an attack by unidentified assailants at his residence in Phase 5, Army Housing Estate, Kurudu, Abuja. The incident occurred at about 10:45 p.m. on Monday, 27 July 2026. In a statement, the Acting Assistant Director of Protocol at the Defence Intelligence Agency, Captain JE Oti, said the Agency was deeply saddened by the tragic loss. “The late senior officer served the nation with exceptional dedication, professionalism and unwavering commitment to the defence and security of…