Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Government has formally set the minimum age for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions at 16 years.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the policy on Tuesday while declaring open the ongoing Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja.

Dr. Alausa emphasized that the 16-year minimum age requirement is final and non-negotiable.

He also warned that any admission conducted outside the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) would be considered illegal, and those involved would face prosecution.

“Let me be clear—admissions carried out outside CAPS are null and void. Heads of institutions found culpable of such malpractice will be prosecuted,” the Minister said.

The meeting was convened to determine the 2024/2025 admission guidelines and cut-off marks for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

At least 70 members of a vigilante group were killed on Monday after bandits ambushed them in Kukawa and Bunyun communities in the Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Chairman of the vigilante group in Kukawa, Aliyu Baffa, confirmed the incident, stating that the attack occurred when a combined team of vigilantes from different formations in Wase LGA was on its way to locate suspected bandit hideouts.

According to Baffa, the vigilantes walked into an ambush set up by the armed bandits near Kukawa town, where they came under heavy gunfire. He said over 70 of the men were killed on the spot.

“The clash occurred just a kilometre from Kukawa, as our team headed to a known hideout inside the government reserve forest, popularly called Madam Forest, which borders Bauchi and Taraba States,” Baffa said.

He added that a mass burial was conducted for the deceased by evening, but many members remain missing and could still be in the bush.

“We have buried more than 70 in Kukawa alone, but more bodies may still be found. Our men were overwhelmed by the bandits who carried superior weapons,” he said.

In a related development, a resident of Bunyun village, Musa Ibrahim, confirmed that 10 other vigilante members were also killed in his community during the attack. He said the bandits destroyed several houses while terrorizing residents.

Nigeria’s already struggling economy may face fresh challenges following threats by former United States President Donald Trump to impose additional trade tariffs on countries aligning with the BRICS bloc.

BRICS, an informal group of emerging economies originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include six more countries: Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia.

Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, lashed out at the now 11-member group, warning of a 10 per cent tariff on all BRICS-aligned nations.

“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump stated.

Nigeria was officially admitted as the ninth BRICS partner country in January 2025, under a new membership category introduced during the 16th BRICS Summit held in October 2024.

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday to attend the 17th BRICS Summit. He is participating at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, based on Nigeria’s partner status — a level just below full membership.

Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, has died at the age of 90. Reports confirm that the monarch passed away in the early hours of Monday.

His death comes during the ongoing celebrations marking his 90th birthday and the first anniversary of his coronation. Oba Olakulehin ascended the throne on July 12, 2024, after receiving the staff of office from Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

Further details regarding his burial and succession plans are expected to be announced by the traditional council.

Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has announced plans to resume legislative duties at the Senate on Tuesday, following a court judgment declaring her suspension unlawful.

Akpoti-Uduaghan made the disclosure in a video posted on social media, which began trending on Sunday. In the video, she expressed gratitude to her supporters, saying:
“I thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious today. We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God.”

Her statement came after a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, ruled that her six-month suspension was unconstitutional, excessive, and amounted to a violation of her constituents’ right to representation.

Delivering judgment, Justice Binta Nyako held that the suspension had no basis in law and ordered the senator’s immediate reinstatement.

However, the court also found Akpoti-Uduaghan in contempt for a Facebook post described as a satirical apology directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The court ruled that the post violated an interim injunction issued on March 4, 2025, which barred all parties from making public or social media comments on the matter.

Justice Nyako subsequently imposed a ₦5 million fine on the senator for breaching the court order.

Portuguese footballer and Liverpool forward, Diogo Jota, has died in a car crash alongside his younger brother, André Silva, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) confirmed on Wednesday.

The fatal accident occurred near Zamora in northwestern Spain at approximately 12:30 a.m. local time. Spanish authorities said the crash resulted from a burst tire while the vehicle was overtaking. The car, reportedly a Lamborghini, caught fire shortly after the crash.

Jota, 28, had recently won the Premier League title with Liverpool and was a key player for Portugal’s national team, earning 49 international caps. He had also helped Portugal to UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.

His brother, André Silva, 26, was also killed in the crash. Silva played for Penafiel, a club in Portugal’s second-tier football league.

The FPF expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss in a statement released Wednesday morning.

“The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the death of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva this morning in Spain,” the statement read.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has formally parted ways with the party and aligned with a newly unveiled political coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The coalition, launched on Wednesday, appointed former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and ex-Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. The move is seen as a strategic attempt to unify major opposition figures and challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement announcing his defection, Obi said his decision followed deep reflection and was anchored on a shared vision for Nigeria’s transformation.

“This decision was not made lightly. It comes from deep reflection on where we are as a country and what must be done to move forward,” Obi stated.

He emphasized the importance of unity in addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, noting that no single group can change the country alone.

“To dismantle the structures that keep our people in poverty and insecurity, we must build bridges, not walls—even when those bridges are uneasy,” he said.

Obi reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to sacrifice, national unity, and effective governance, adding that the ultimate goal is to deliver competent and compassionate leadership that prioritizes the welfare of all Nigerians.

“A New Nigeria is possible,” he concluded, reaffirming his long-standing campaign message.

In a bold move to bridge the financial knowledge gap among young people, the Convener of She Support Her Rise, Suratu Nagada-Pamah, has unveiled a mentorship-driven initiative under the Empower the Next programme aimed at educating youths between the ages of 15 and 25 on money management, entrepreneurship, and the importance of formal education.

Speaking at a mentorship summit in Abuja on Tuesday, Nagada-Pamah shared her personal struggles with financial literacy, revealing how the absence of proper mentorship in her early years led to repeated business failures.

“I’ve started over ten businesses, and I failed at all of them. Nobody mentored me on finance or how to run a business. I had to learn through painful experiences,” she said.

She stressed that the younger generation faces new distractions—chiefly social media—and is often bombarded with unfiltered content that shapes their perception of success and money. “If you don’t teach your children, the world will teach them,” she warned, adding that filtering what they consume online is no longer enough without real-life guidance.

The initiative seeks to correct these trends by bringing together seasoned financial experts and mentors who can equip the youth with practical tools for financial success. “I am not a financial expert, but I know people who are. I brought them together because these young ones need to hear from those who understand how money works,” she explained.

Nagada-Pamah also emphasized the continued relevance of education, noting that while many people succeed without formal degrees, they often rely on educated professionals to manage their finances. “School is still important. You can’t build a sustainable business without understanding how to manage your expenses,” she said.

She noted that the theme of the summit: Empowering the Next Chapter: Building Wealth, Skills and Vision aims to ensure that the younger generation does not repeat the financial mistakes of their predecessors. By offering mentorship and practical financial knowledge, Nagada-Pamah hopes to help young people discover their potential early and build a more financially literate and self-reliant generation.

Financial literacy advocate and keynote speaker, Theodora Otu, on her part urged Nigerians to embrace a culture of savings, planning, and delayed gratification to avoid financial instability and dependency.

Otu recounted her personal journey in life during which she developed key financial strategies such as saving, investing, and budgeting. According to her, these principles transformed her finances and helped her meet obligations like school fees and rent without relying on external support.

“I realized that no bill should ever take you unaware. Every major financial obligation comes with advance notice—rent, school fees, even pregnancy gives you nine months,” she said. “So why do we still get caught off guard? It’s simply due to a lack of financial planning.”

Otu, who now runs a financial literacy company, said her experiences inspired her to spread the message of responsible money management. Her organisation also runs the Giselle Kid Vesto Club, which teaches children about savings, investments, assets, and liabilities—an effort she says is aimed at catching the next generation young and setting them on a sound financial path.

“We want children to understand from an early age that financial discipline can help them make smarter choices later in life,” she explained. “Too many of us made mistakes with money because no one taught us better.”

She emphasized the importance of saving before spending, not the other way around. “Even if it’s just 5% or 10% of your monthly income, consistent savings can make a huge difference over time. It also serves as a financial cushion in emergencies, so you’re not completely dependent on others,” she said.

Otu also highlighted the changing dynamics of gender and financial habits. While women were once known for their cautious money management—saving even from small trades—she noted that growing consumerism is eroding that culture, with many prioritizing luxury items over financial security. At the same time, she acknowledged that men are beginning to adopt better financial practices.

“We are now in an era where neither men nor women can be singled out. Everyone needs financial literacy. We must all unlearn bad habits and relearn how to manage our resources wisely,” she concluded.

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Party (ADC) in the 2023 election, Dumebi Kachikwu, has reacted to the adoption of the party by the opposition coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and others.

The coalition members in meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, announced the ADC as the platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. The group has also announced former Senate President David Mark as interim national chairman of the ADC, with former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola appointed as the party’s interim national secretary.

But reacting to the development in a statement, Kachikwu said that he is watching the announced takeover of the ADC leadership by the coalition with amusement.

He claimed that the coalition is dealing with the former leadership of the party led by Ralph Nwosu. According to him, the tenure of the Nwosu-led executive of the ADC ended on August 21, 2022.

Kachikwu berated the coalition group, saying that they represent a bad chapter in Nigeria’s past. He, however, said that if they want to join the party, they should do so through the front door.

The statement reads: “It is with the greatest amusement that I watched the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar-led group announce their takeover of the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress. As is expected, I have been inundated with a lot of calls and messages seeking my reaction to the unfolding dramedy.

“The facts of the matter are as follows: The Atiku-led group is in some form of alliance with the former leadership of the party led by Ralph Nwosu. The tenure of the Nwosu-led executive lapsed on August 21, 2022, and his continued parade of himself as the chairman of the party was the subject of various litigations in different courts across the country.

“From the foregoing, I want to then pose the following questions: Can you build something on nothing? Can you shave a man’s hair in his absence? Can you enter a man’s house through the back door and declare yourself the landlord? These yesterday’s men who represent a bad chapter in Nigeria’s past have bought bad market from a man who represents a bad chapter in ADC’s past.

“Nigerians have watched in amazement as this group of mostly geriatrics shopped around for a party to prosecute their ‘chopping must continue’ ambition.

“This further cements the opinion most hold that political parties in Nigeria stand for nothing and will fall for anything. They have told us that they are fighting for the rights of ordinary Nigerians and that they are on a rescue mission but what is confusing to the Nigerians they want to rescue is that these men made up of a former vice president, former governors, ministers and political office holders are the same people who have presided over the affairs of this nation for the past four decades.

“We have nothing to show for their decades of leadership other than being seen as a nation divided by tribe and religion and thriving in mediocrity. We are a nation lacking in the basics, whose majority are poor, but here we are watching those who set our nation on fire saying they are the fire brigade.

“No, you are not; you are a bunch of greedy and selfish old men who believe that political power is your birthright. You stand for nothing other than your interests and will pay any price to hold political office.

“Nigerians are tired of your generation and reject everything you have to offer, which is nothing. Nigerians yearn for new names, new faces, fresh ideas, and progressive ideals.

“We yearn for a new Nigeria that thrives on meritocracy and deemphasises tribe and religion. We dream of a nation that works for all Nigerians irrespective of region or religion. We want a nation whose laws and opportunities are equal to all men. We desire inclusiveness for all and social protections for the weak amongst us. Nigerians have never asked for much other than a leadership that truly cares. You have failed us and stand rejected by us.

“If you seek to be a part of the ADC, do the proper thing and come through the front door. We are a party of decent and well-behaved people. Our brand of opposition is one that not only opposes but also proposes, something that your group is not conversant with.

“I strongly suspect that you will be shopping for another party very soon, and as you do that, we, the members of the African Democratic Congress, wish you Bon Voyage. Thank you and God bless.”

Founder and pioneer Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has announced that former Senate President David Mark has been selected to lead the newly formed opposition coalition in its quest to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Nwosu made the declaration on Tuesday during the official unveiling of the coalition at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. He confirmed that both he and other top ADC officials had voluntarily stepped down to allow new leadership steer the party’s presidential campaign.

“We all decided to resign so that Mark can paddle this canoe and get us to the Villa,” Nwosu said.

He also revealed that former Osun State Governor and former Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, has been appointed as Secretary of the coalition. Aregbesola, a former ally of President Tinubu, was praised by Nwosu as a public servant with a remarkable record of dedication and impact.

“Nigerians are yearning for change. They are yearning for the coalition,” Nwosu said. “I congratulate you both and assure you that working with the NWC and NEC members you will meet, you have no problem.”

Describing Nigeria’s current state as critical, Nwosu added, “Nigeria has been in ICU. Lives are being lost every day. My appeal to the emerging political leaders is to take Nigeria from the ICU to global reckoning, because we can.”

He urged members of the coalition to remain focused and resist distractions, warning that anyone opposing the day’s developments could no longer be considered a true member of the ADC.

Among the high-profile figures in attendance were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai; former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi; and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha.

The coalition is expected to serve as a unified political front ahead of the 2027 elections, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its adopted platform.