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FG to Abolish Hnd-Degree Dichotomy, Allow Polytechnics to...
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Nelson Ugwuagbo

Nelson Ugwuagbo

FCTA workers
Headlines

FCTA Workers, NLC Storm Industrial Court, Demand Wike Sack

by Nelson Ugwuagbo January 26, 2026
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday besieged the National Industrial Court in Abuja in continuation of an ongoing total and indefinite strike over unresolved labour disputes.

The protest followed a directive by the NLC endorsing the industrial action, which it described as justified in the face of what it called persistent violations of workers’ rights by the FCTA management and political leadership.

The demonstrators, who carried placards with inscriptions such as “Wike must go”, “Abuja no be Rivers”, “Pay promotion arrears”, “Enough is Enough” and “No working tools”, accused the authorities of failing to address longstanding grievances, including unpaid promotion arrears and poor working conditions.

January 26, 2026 0 comments
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National Grid
Headlines

National Grid Collapse For First Time in 2026

by Nelson Ugwuagbo January 23, 2026
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Nigeria’s national electricity grid collapsed on Friday, plunging large parts of the country into blackout in the first such incident recorded in 2026.

Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) showed that power generation dropped to zero megawatts at about 1 p.m., while electricity supply to all 11 distribution companies fell completely.

The affected distribution companies include Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Abuja and Yola, each of which recorded zero load allocation at the time of the collapse.

The latest incident comes months after a series of nationwide grid failures in 2025, with the most recent occurring on December 29, underscoring persistent challenges in the country’s power sector.

January 23, 2026 0 comments
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Polytechnic and Degrees
Headlines

FG to Abolish Hnd-Degree Dichotomy, Allow Polytechnics to Offer Degree

by Nelson Ugwuagbo January 22, 2026
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Government has announced plans to abolish the long-standing Higher National Diploma (HND) dichotomy by granting polytechnics the authority to award degrees, in a major reform aimed at strengthening technical and vocational education in Nigeria.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the disclosure in Abuja on Tuesday while addressing a high-level retreat of council chairmen, commissioners of education, rectors, registrars and bursars.

Describing the initiative as a landmark policy shift, Alausa said the move would end decades of discrimination against polytechnic graduates and reposition polytechnics as centres of excellence within the nation’s higher education system.

He explained that the reform would place polytechnic education on a stronger footing while preserving its core focus on hands-on, industry-driven training, noting that Nigeria’s future competitiveness depended on a workforce capable of creating, building and solving real-world problems.

According to the minister, the policy aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, industrial growth and human capital development.

With degree-awarding status, Alausa said polytechnics would be better positioned to attract stronger industry partnerships, improved funding opportunities and greater public confidence.

He assured stakeholders that the transition would be guided by clear standards, strict regulation and robust quality-assurance mechanisms to ensure global competitiveness.

Speaking on the theme, “Transforming Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National Development,” the minister emphasised that polytechnics were critical to building a skills-driven economy and achieving sustainable national development.

January 22, 2026 0 comments
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Non-oil Exports
Headlines

Nigeria’s Non-oil exports hit record $6.1bn – NEPC

by Nelson Ugwuagbo January 19, 2026
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Nigeria’s non-oil exports rose to a record high of $6.1bn in 2025, marking the strongest performance in the sector since the establishment of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) nearly five decades ago.

The figure represents an 11.5 per cent increase over the $5.4bn recorded in 2024, highlighting growing momentum in the country’s drive to diversify its economy away from crude oil dependence.

The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during her annual progress report and the 2026 non-oil export outlook briefing.

Ayeni said data obtained from pre-shipment inspection agencies showed that Nigeria had surpassed its previous best performance, describing the 2025 outcome as a historic milestone for formal, documented trade.

January 19, 2026 0 comments
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Tincan Bridge
Headlines

Fuel Tanker Overturns at Tincan Bridge Lagos

by Nelson Ugwuagbo January 19, 2026
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

A fuel tanker conveying petroleum motor spirit (PMS) has overturned at the Tincan Liverpool Bridge in Apapa, Lagos.

A video of the incident shared by Channels Television on Monday morning showed residents scooping fuel from the fallen tanker beneath the bridge.

“Happening now at Tincan Liverpool Bridge, Apapa: A tanker overturned, with people scooping its contents from underneath the bridge,” Channels TV reported.

As of the time of filing this report, details surrounding the cause of the accident and possible casualties remain unclear.

More details later.

January 19, 2026 0 comments
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gianni infantino
Headlines

Fifa President Condemns Senegal Over Unprofessional Conduct in Afcon Final

by Nelson Ugwuagbo January 19, 2026
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has condemned the conduct of some Senegal players, officials and supporters following chaotic scenes that overshadowed Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.

In a statement sent to AFP, Infantino described the behaviour as “unacceptable” after several Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest at a late penalty awarded to Morocco.

“We strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members. It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner,” Infantino said. “Violence cannot be tolerated in our sport; it is simply not right.”

The incident occurred deep into injury time with the final locked at 0–0, when Morocco were awarded a spot-kick following a VAR review for a challenge on Brahim Diaz. Most of the Senegal team left the field in protest, delaying the match for almost 20 minutes.

Senegal captain and former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane stayed on the pitch and was seen urging his teammates to return so the match could resume.

The Senegal players were already angered after having a goal disallowed moments earlier for what appeared to be a soft foul.

Meanwhile, disorder also broke out in the stands as some Senegalese fans attempted to enter the pitch and clashed with security personnel.

After play eventually resumed, Diaz’s attempted panenka penalty was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Despite the dramatic finish, the controversy has now drawn sharp criticism from world football’s governing body, with Infantino insisting such conduct has no place in the game.

January 19, 2026 0 comments
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VP Shettima
Headlines

VP Shettima leads Armed Forces Remembrance Day tribute in Abuja

by Nelson Ugwuagbo January 15, 2026
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday attended the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) ceremony at the cenotaph of the Unknown Soldier in Eagle Square, Abuja, representing President Bola Tinubu.

President Tinubu is currently in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

The annual AFCRD, organised by the Ministry of Defence, is held to honour fallen Nigerian service personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. The event pays tribute to officers and men who died during the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, various peacekeeping missions, and internal security operations, including the ongoing fight against terrorism.

The ceremony also recognises living veterans and serves as a platform to mobilise financial and moral support for wounded service members, as well as the families of fallen heroes.

The Federal Government reaffirmed its appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s armed forces and urged individuals, organisations and the private sector to continue supporting service personnel, particularly injured veterans and bereaved families, during the remembrance period and beyond.

January 15, 2026 0 comments
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Refinery
Business

FG Petroleum Imports Crashes 54% to $6.7bn After Improved Local Refining

by Nelson Ugwuagbo January 13, 2026
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Nigeria’s spending on the importation of petroleum products has fallen sharply by 54 per cent over the past two years, dropping from $14.58bn in the first nine months of 2023 to $6.71bn in the corresponding period of 2025, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

A review of the CBN’s Balance of Payments reports for 2023, 2024 and the third quarter of 2025 shows a steady year-on-year decline in fuel import bills, reflecting reduced foreign exchange outflows linked to petroleum product imports.

The figures indicate that fuel import costs declined from $14.58bn between January and September 2023 to $11.38bn in the same period of 2024, representing a reduction of $3.20bn or 21.9 per cent. The downward trend intensified in 2025, with imports falling further by $4.67bn, or 41 per cent, to $6.71bn within the first nine months of the year.

Overall, Nigeria spent $7.87bn less on refined petroleum product imports in the first nine months of 2025 compared with the corresponding period of 2023, highlighting a significant easing of pressure on foreign exchange outflows.

CBN data also showed a 41 per cent year-on-year decline in refined fuel imports by the third quarter of 2025, signaling early signs of import substitution as new and rehabilitated refineries begin to scale up operations.

The reduction in foreign exchange spending comes amid broader structural reforms and market adjustments aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s external reserves and stabilizing the naira.

For decades, Nigeria depended heavily on imports, particularly refined petroleum products due to limited domestic refining capacity, weak industrial output and underinvestment in critical infrastructure. This reliance made fuel imports one of the largest drains on the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

The removal of petrol subsidies in 2023 marked a major turning point, as higher pump prices reduced consumption and curtailed arbitrage-driven demand. Combined with tighter foreign exchange management by the CBN, the policy shift helped moderate import volumes and speculative FX demand linked to fuel imports.

Analysts also attribute the decline to the gradual expansion of domestic refining capacity in the downstream oil sector. Industry experts note that increased competition, particularly from the $20bn Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, has intensified pressure on fuel importers and reduced Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined products.

January 13, 2026 0 comments
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Chimamanda Adiche
Headlines

Lagos Government Suspends Doctor as Probe Begins Into Death of Chimamanda Adichie’s Son

by Nelson Ugwuagbo January 12, 2026
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Lagos State Government has suspended the anaesthesiologist involved in the treatment of 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi, the son of acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, following the child’s death at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos.

The toddler died on January 7, 2026, after reportedly suffering cardiac arrest during routine medical procedures carried out a day earlier. These included sedation for an MRI scan and the insertion of a central line.

Announcing the suspension, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, said the action would remain in force pending the outcome of a comprehensive and independent investigation into allegations of medical negligence. She reiterated the state government’s zero-tolerance stance on any lapses in patient care, particularly in paediatric cases.

According to the family, Nkanu was stable prior to the procedures and was scheduled for medical evacuation to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States the following day. They have alleged that excessive administration of the sedative propofol, poor patient monitoring, and delayed resuscitation efforts contributed to the child’s death.

In response, solicitors representing Adichie and Dr. Esege issued a legal notice to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital on January 10, demanding the preservation and release of all relevant medical records, including drug administration logs and patient monitoring data.

Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital has confirmed that it has commenced an internal review of the incident and is cooperating fully with regulatory authorities.

Meanwhile, investigations by the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria are ongoing.

January 12, 2026 0 comments
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Tinubu and Senate
Headlines

Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation of 21 Nominees for NUPRC, NMDPRA Boards

by Nelson Ugwuagbo January 5, 2026
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded letters to the Senate seeking confirmation of 21 nominees for the boards of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The disclosure was made on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

In one of the letters, Tinubu nominated former senator Magnus Abe as chairman of the NUPRC board. Abe, who represented Rivers South-East in the Senate for two terms, previously served on the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and currently chairs the National Agency for the Great Green Wall.

Also nominated as non-executive commissioners for the NUPRC board are Engineer Paul Yaro Jezhi, a former chairman of the Trade Union Congress in Kaduna State, and Mr Sunday Adebayo Babalola, a former deputy director at the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

The President further proposed a list of executive commissioners, including Muhammed Sabo Lamido (Finance), Edu Inyang (Exploration and Acreage), Justin Ezeala (Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning), Henry Darlington Oki (Development and Production), Indabawa Bashari Alka (Corporate Services and Administration), and Mahmood Tijani (Health, Safety and Environment).

Ms Olayemi Adeboyejo was also nominated to serve as Secretary and Legal Adviser to the commission.

According to the Presidency, some of the nominees, including Lamido and Adeboyejo, were initially appointed under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, while Alka was appointed by President Tinubu in 2023. Others on the list are fresh nominees by the current administration.

The nominations are subject to confirmation by the Senate.

January 5, 2026 0 comments
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