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Wike
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FCT doctors begin 3-day strike

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) has announced the commencement of a three-day warning strike, starting from Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

The doctors concluded to embark on the strike after their emergency congress meeting held on Monday in Abuja.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, president of the association, Dr. George Ebong, said the strike became necessary as 127 health workers were sacked by the FCT Civil Service Commission last Friday without due diligence.

He described the sack as inhumane and illegal, demanding their immediate reinstatement and onward payment of their April salaries.

Also, he demanded the immediate resignation of the chairman of FCT-CSC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh.

Dr. Ebong, on behalf of the doctors, threatened that if their demands are not met by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration within three days, they would embark on an indefinite strike and shut down the nation’s capital hospitals.

We are embarking on a three-day warning strike because most of the members were disengaged from service on Friday without due diligence. They were labelled as ghost workers, ex-employees, and absconders when, in fact, these colleagues of ours are still in the system working even until now. We are livid that the FCTA service commission will carry out such an inhuman decision without talking to the health management board, permanent secretary of health, association of resident doctors, or Medical & Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria, MDCAN. It is not just doctors that are affected—nurses, pharmacists, and lab scientists, including non-clinical workers are affected too.

“The managing directors of these hospitals are not aware. In fact, three MDs are affected.

“127 health workers are affected. If these numbers are ghost workers, so how do these hospitals operate? The hospitals would have collapsed. What is the staff strength of FCT hospitals?

“The affected health workers salaries were stopped without any prior notice. The salaries for last month. This is a clear act of insensitivity and injustice to health workers.

“We demand immediate salary payment for all the affected health workers.

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Tinubu
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Tinubu bans procurement of foreign goods produced locally

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

IN a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic economy and promote local content, President Bola Tinubu has initiated a policy that bars the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, from procuring foreign goods or services already available locally without a written waiver from the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP.

This is as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Monday, gave its approval to the new policy framework that places the country at the center of all public procurement and business activity, with a strong emphasis on empowering local industries and reducing dependency on foreign imports.

The new policy tagged the Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy, seeks to foster a new business culture that is bold, confident, and very Nigeria.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the fifth cabinet meeting in 2025, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained that the new policy is to ensure that the country promote the home grown products.

The Minister described the policy as a bold shift in the country’s economic approach.

It mirrors U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” doctrine.

He said: “This policy seeks to foster a new business culture that is bold, confident, and very Nigerian. It aims at making government investment directly benefit our people and industries by changing how we spend, how we procure, and how we build our economy.”

Idris said that the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, has been directed to draft an Executive Order to give full legal effect to the new framework.

According to him: “The Nigeria First policy is expected to become the cornerstone of the administration’s economic strategy, especially as the government pushes forward with its industrialisation agenda and import-substitution goals.”

He enumerated the decisions that were approved by the Council which will be enforced immediately

“The Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP is to revise and enforce procurement rules that prioritise Nigerian-made goods and homegrown solutions across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“The BPP will create a comprehensive compliance mechanism to ensure all government procurements adhere to local content requirements.

“A regularly updated database of high-quality Nigerian suppliers will be maintained by the BPP and used as a reference for all procurement decisions.

Procurement officers currently deployed to various MDAs will be reverted to the BPP to ensure compliance and reduce undue influence or corruption.

“No MDA will be allowed to procure foreign goods or services already available locally without a written waiver from the BPP.

“Where foreign contracts are unavoidable, they must include provisions for technology transfer, local production, or capacity development in Nigeria.

“All MDAs are to immediately review and resubmit their procurement plans to align with the new policy directives. Breaches will result in disciplinary action and possible cancellation of the procurement process.”

The minister cited Nigeria’s sugar industry as an example of local capacity being neglected.

He said: “We continue to import sugar despite the existence of the Nigerian Sugar Council and several local producers. This policy will change that.”

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Farotimi and Obi
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Dele Farotimi Reaffirms Support for Peter Obi Ahead of 2027 Presidential Election

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Human rights lawyer and former spokesperson of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Farotimi, has restated his support for Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Farotimi, who was a vocal supporter of the former Anambra State governor during the 2023 polls, said he remains committed to backing Obi if he decides to contest again.

“If elections where our votes will count were held today, I would vote for Peter Gregory Obi, unless someone else comes into the race that I believe can do better,” he said.

He added that if the candidate lineup remains unchanged from the last election, Obi would remain his preferred choice.

“I hope he will be a little bolder with his policy platforms, but frankly speaking, in terms of capacity and integrity, there’s nobody else I will be supporting,” Farotimi stated.

He, however, noted that his support could change if Obi aligns with individuals he finds objectionable.

“Something drastic has to happen for me to decide I’m not supporting Peter Obi. He might team up with some objectionable persons that I cannot stomach, and that’s a real possibility. However, outside of that, there’s nobody else.”

Farotimi also expressed concern about the current state of Nigeria’s electoral process, saying discussions about future elections might be premature.

“I actually think our discussions of elections today are a disservice to ourselves because we really cannot speak in terms of an election in our current circumstances,” he said.

Farotimi attributed his continued support for Obi to a desire to see meaningful change in Nigeria’s leadership and governance.

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Jamb
Headlines

UTME 2025: Over 1.5 Million Candidates Score Below 200

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released a detailed statistical breakdown of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results.

According to the figures published by the board, a total of 1,955,069 candidates sat for the examination conducted across the country.

Of this number, over 1.5 million candidates scored below 200. Meanwhile, 4,756 candidates scored above 320, while 7,658 candidates scored between 300 and 319.

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Headlines

Youths Protest in Abuja, Demand Release of ‘VeryDarkMan’

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

A group of youths on Monday staged a protest in Abuja, calling for the immediate release of activist and social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

According to Leading Reporters, Otse was arrested in the Federal Capital Territory following his recent visit to and public criticism of Guaranty Trust Bank.

The protesters, who gathered in large numbers, carried placards with various inscriptions and chanted slogans including, “He’s not a thief, Now VDM has blocked the road, Release VDM.”

The demonstration took place at the junction leading to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the Jabi area of Abuja.

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Adebayo Adelabu
Headlines

Power Minister Warns of Imminent Hike in Electricity Tariffs

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has warned that Nigerians should brace for electricity tariffs that reflect the actual cost of supply, citing the unsustainability of current subsidy levels.

Speaking during a meeting with the chairmen of Nigeria’s power generating companies (Gencos) in Abuja, Adelabu said the economy could no longer support the financial burden of electricity subsidies.

“We have to understand that our economy cannot sustain subsidies indefinitely,” the minister said.

The Federal Government currently owes over N4 trillion to Gencos in unpaid subsidy-related debts.

According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the average actual cost of electricity as of February stood at N116.18 per kilowatt-hour, while consumers were charged N88.2 per kilowatt-hour. The subsidy gap amounted to N27.97 per kilowatt-hour.

Currently, all customers under the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), except the 15 percent categorized as Band A, receive some form of subsidy.

Adelabu’s spokesperson, Bolaji Tunji, said the minister emphasized the need for citizens to pay appropriate rates for electricity consumed, while assuring that the government would continue to provide targeted subsidies for vulnerable groups.

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Kidnappers
Headlines

Gunmen Kill Driver, Abduct All Passengers in Benue Road Attack

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen on Sunday night ambushed a commercial vehicle along the Otukpo-Adoka Road in Benue State, killing the driver and abducting all passengers on board.

The attack occurred at about 11 p.m. as the vehicle was travelling from Abuja to Otukpo.

According to eyewitnesses, the assailants opened fire upon sighting the vehicle, fatally hitting the driver, who lost control and veered into nearby bushes. The attackers then abducted all passengers and left the vehicle at the scene.

The body of the driver, identified as a native of Adoka, has been recovered and taken to his hometown.

Military personnel have since arrived at the scene and launched a manhunt for the attackers.

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Headlines

NJC suspends Wike’s judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, 2 others over judicial misconduct

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The National Judicial Council has slammed a one-year suspension without pay on three serving judicial officers, including a Justice of the Court of Appeal, for various acts of judicial misconduct.

The disciplinary actions were among several key resolutions reached at the Council’s 108th meeting held on April 29 and 30, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

In a statement released Wednesday night by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, the Council said Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, was found guilty of breaching Rule 3 (5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.

The statement said, “Justice Jane E. Inyang was found to have abused his office by issuing inappropriate Ex parte Orders for the sale ofUdeme Esset’s petrol station and other businesses at the interlocutory stage of the case.

The act of judicial misconduct occurred while His Lordship presided over Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023, at the Federal High Court, Uyo Judicial Division, before his elevation to Court of Appeal.”

Similarly, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, was also suspended for one year without pay. In addition, he was placed on the Council’s Watch List and barred from elevation for five years.

“The complaints against Hon. Justice Ekwo arose from Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021, wherein His Lordship delivered a ruling in a pending application without hearing the parties,” the statement said.

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“His Lordship ignored an application to set aside the proceedings of the Court conducted in the absence of the parties. Subsequently, His Lordship proceeded to deliver a ruling dismissing the charge against the Defendants. Consequently, His Lordship was found to have violated Rule 3.1 and 3.3 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” it added.

Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division, was also suspended for one year without pay for judicial misconduct.

Meanwhile, the Council has directed the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, to reverse the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as Acting Chief Judge of the state.

The NJC stated that the governor must appoint the most senior judicial officer in the Imo State High Court’s hierarchy as the acting Chief Judge, in line with Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The statement stressed that the constitutional provision does not grant the governor any discretion in such appointments.

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Headlines

BREAKING: Federal Colleges of Education in Nigeria to award Bachelor’s degrees

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government has officially begun the implementation of the Dual Mandate Policy across all Federal Colleges of Education (FCOEs).

This follows the enactment of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023.

This was confirmed in a statement signed by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo.

The legislation, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, empowers FCOEs to concurrently award the Nigeria Certificate in Education and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education.

This marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s teacher education reform.

Announcing the commencement of implementation of the policy in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa described it as a bold and progressive step.

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The Dual Mandate Policy represents not just a reform but a revolution in teacher preparation — enabling FCOEs to offer both NCE and Bachelor’s degrees.

“This initiative empowers institutions, broadens access, and enhances the quality of classroom instruction across Nigeria,” he said.

According to the Act, all FCOEs that meet the National Universities Commission standards are now eligible to operate under the Dual Mandate.

This inclusive policy ensures that institutions, regardless of their establishment date, can participate once the stipulated requirements are met.

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Bolt
Headlines

Nigerian Ride-Hailing Drivers Protest ‘Exploitation,’, Petitions National Assembly

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has petitioned the National Assembly and the Lagos State House of Assembly over what it described as the continued exploitation of ride-hailing drivers by digital transport companies.

The union made its position known during a protest held on Thursday in commemoration of International Workers’ Day (May Day), which also resulted in a 24-hour suspension of ride-hailing services nationwide.

In a statement, Steven Iwindoye, spokesperson for AUATON Lagos, said the petition underscores the “poor treatment” of app-based transport workers operating under platforms such as Uber, Bolt, inDrive, Lagride, and Rida.

“For too long, we have been subjected to exploitation, insecurity, and a lack of recognition,” the statement read. “We have been paid below the cost price of premium services and forced to endure modern-day slavery in the form of technological manipulation.”

The union’s demands include the imposition of a 5 percent cap on commission rates, pricing autonomy for drivers, and formal recognition as key stakeholders in Nigeria’s transport sector.

Iwindoye warned that failure by the companies to meet these demands would lead to further action, including picketing the offices of the app operators.

“If app companies (App sharks) fail to comply, we shall massively move to new indigenous app companies that are ready and willing to comply with drivers’ demands,” he said.

He also revealed that AUATON is collaborating with other stakeholders to develop a driver-led ride-hailing platform that promotes fairer industry practices.

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