Nelson Ugwuagbo

Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2025 Hajj are set to begin their return journey as Saudi Arabia on Monday officially declared the successful and peaceful completion of this year’s pilgrimage for the Islamic year 1446.

According to Saudi authorities, over 1.67 million pilgrims took part in the sacred rites, including thousands of Nigerians.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that return flights for Nigerian pilgrims will commence on June 9. The Commission confirmed that all pilgrimage activities had concluded smoothly.

While many pilgrims expressed gratitude for the opportunity to fulfill the religious obligation, NAHCON reported that seven Nigerian pilgrims died during the exercise. The deceased, who were from Oyo, Abia, Edo, Plateau, and Kano States, were said to have suffered cardiac arrest and heart failure. They were buried in Saudi Arabia in accordance with Islamic rites.

Despite the loss, the number of recorded deaths in 2025 is significantly lower than that of the previous year, when no fewer than 30 Nigerian pilgrims died during the Hajj.

A 16-year-old student, Oyindamola Apampa, has recorded an impressive aggregate score of 351 in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), following a resit prompted by technical issues during her initial attempt.

Apampa, a student of Lagoon Secondary School in Lagos, scored 65 in English Language, 98 in Mathematics, 98 in Physics, and 90 in Chemistry.

In a statement on Tuesday, Apampa attributed her success to determination, strategic preparation, and divine favour. She explained that her first UTME attempt yielded a score of 158, but the result was later invalidated by the examination body due to technical disruptions at her centre.

“In my first UTME attempt, I scored 158. However, the results were widely criticised and later acknowledged by the authorities as inaccurate due to technical glitches affecting several examination centres, including mine,” she said.

Apampa noted that a resit was authorised to address the irregularities, during which she secured the score of 351.

She also acknowledged the role of her parents in creating a supportive academic environment at home, which she said contributed significantly to her performance.

“My parents made our home a positive place for studying. We have a full library in the family living room, in addition to a separate multimedia study room where the whole family often gets together to talk about different topics and help each other learn,” she said.

Apampa further credited a learning centre in Lekki, Lagos, for providing her with additional academic support through UTME preparation classes and regular mock examinations.

The Federal Government is set to forfeit $4 million from a World Bank loan due to its inability to meet auditing standards tied to a key revenue reform involving the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The forfeited fund is part of the $103 million Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project, a public financial management initiative financed through a credit facility from the International Development Association (IDA).

According to a World Bank restructuring paper dated June 2025, the revenue assurance audit for the FIRS and Customs, covering the 2018 to 2021 financial years, was deemed unsatisfactory. The report submitted by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation failed to meet international auditing standards and was therefore assessed as “not achieved” by the Independent Verification Agent.

“These Intermediate Results to be implemented by the Office of Auditor-General of the Federation were assessed as not achieved by the Independent Verification Agent because the reports submitted for verification did not meet the requisite international auditing standards,” the document stated.

The failed audit is one of ten performance-based conditions that the Federal Government was required to meet under the project. However, with the project scheduled to close on June 30, 2025, those conditions remain unmet.

As a result, the Federal Ministry of Finance has formally requested the cancellation of $10.4 million in project funds—$0.9 million in unused technical assistance funds and $9.5 million allocated to the unfulfilled performance-based conditions.

Eminent stakeholders and concerned leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reaffirmed Senator Sam Anyanwu as the duly elected and substantive National Secretary of the party.

The resolution was part of a communiqué issued on Monday in Abuja following a closed-door meeting aimed at resolving the lingering crisis within the party. Participants at the meeting were drawn from across various states of the federation.

Reading the communiqué, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, said the reaffirmation of Anyanwu’s position was based on the stakeholders’ consensus and in accordance with a judgment of the Supreme Court.

Wike stated that the meeting reviewed the current state of the party and emphasized the need to uphold internal democracy, equity, and justice within its ranks.

He attributed the ongoing crisis in the PDP to the refusal of some individuals to adhere to the party’s constitution. He specifically cited provisions in Section 36(1)(a)(b)(c), Sections 47(3)(5), and Section 48(1)(i), along with the Supreme Court’s definitive ruling on the office of the National Secretary.

The minister expressed concern that the party risked collapse if urgent action was not taken to address what he described as divisive, desperate, and selfish tendencies that undermined the PDP ahead of the 2023 general elections.

President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, his deputy Senator Barau Jibrin, and several state governors have joined millions of Muslim faithful across the country in celebrating this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

In separate messages, the leaders emphasised the importance of unity, sacrifice, and compassion, calling on Nigerians to remain hopeful and committed to national progress.

Eid-el-Kabir, also known as Eid al-Adha, is a major Islamic festival commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, in obedience to Allah. The occasion is marked by prayers and the slaughter of rams and other animals as a symbol of devotion and generosity.

President Tinubu, in his statement, described the celebration as “a time for gratitude to Almighty Allah for His countless mercies upon us as individuals and a nation.”

He urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of sacrifice, devotion, and selflessness that define the season, while also embracing resilience, tolerance, and a shared commitment to national development.

“Though the journey has not been easy, and some doubted our direction, the resilience of public and private sector leaders, along with the steadfast support of most Nigerians, is yielding results. I assure you that the toughest days are behind us,” he said.

The president added that recent reforms are beginning to show positive outcomes, and called on citizens to remain patient and hopeful.

“We may not yet be where we aspire to be, but I urge all Nigerians not to lose hope. Let us hold on to our faith and persevere. Our reforms are gaining traction, with key economic indicators now moving in a positive direction. Soon, all will feel the benefits,” Tinubu said.

He also called for prayers for Nigeria’s frontline security personnel, who he said continue to make sacrifices for the safety of the nation.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in her goodwill message, congratulated Muslims on the occasion and encouraged acts of kindness and charity.

“This is a time of deep reflection on the values of sacrifice, obedience, compassion, and faith,” she said. “It is also a time to show kindness and generosity. I urge you to remember your neighbours and extend a hand of love and support, especially to the less privileged.”

Other political leaders echoed similar sentiments, urging Nigerians to use the festive period to promote peace, love, and national unity.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed growing speculation that President Bola Tinubu may sideline Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Reacting to the rumours, the APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu, described the claims as baseless and a distraction from ongoing governance efforts.

“I’m hearing that for the first time. There’s a solid working relationship between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima,” Arodiogbu said. “Shettima is a key asset—intelligent, focused, and deeply involved in this administration. These rumours are likely just political noise meant to create division.”

He noted that such speculation is common as election cycles approach but emphasised that both Tinubu and Shettima remain united and fully supported by the party.

Also responding, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, said simply, “I am not aware, Sir,” when contacted.

The rumours surfaced shortly after President Tinubu received widespread endorsements from party leaders and elected officials as the APC’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The endorsement was initiated by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, and seconded by Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, during the APC National Summit held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

Subsequently, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, speaking on behalf of the National Assembly, backed the endorsement, citing the President’s performance.

APC National Chairman, Dr Umar Ganduje, also affirmed the party’s position, declaring Tinubu as its sole candidate for the next presidential race.

While the endorsement was welcomed in some quarters, it also drew criticism from opposition parties and segments within the APC.