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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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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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Tinubu and Chief Olu
Headlines

President Tinubu’s Birthday Tribute To Chief Pius Olu Akinyelure

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

My dear brother, friend and former boss, I congratulate you warmly on your birthday, May 2.

You have lived a remarkable and impactful life as a husband, father, and accomplished administrator. Today, you stand out not just as a fine politician and respectable community leader but also as an eminent figure in our country.

As a professional with extensive experience in finance and management, you had a rewarding career at ExxonMobil, where our paths first crossed.

Our relationship blossomed at Mobil, where you were my Executive Director. From a professional work environment where we developed a special bond, we have become brothers, confidantes, associates, and trusted allies for over 40 years.

I cherish our enduring friendship and brotherhood, which has enriched my life through your wisdom, forthrightness, and steadfast counsel.

Your love for Nigeria is boundless. As a patriot deeply committed to national development, you have embraced the ideals of progressive politics and played pivotal roles in shaping our nation’s future.

You were the National Vice Chairman of our party, the All Progressives Congress, for the South-West at a critical and defining moment in its evolution. You later served on the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, first as a director and as Chairman.

Thank you for your leadership at NNPC Limited, which led to some achievements the state-owned oil company recorded in the last ten years.

On behalf of a grateful nation, I thank you immensely.

Your wisdom and example as an octogenarian will continue to benefit our country, community, and family.

I pray that Almighty God will continue to grant you good health, happiness, and many more years of fulfilment.

Happy birthday and many happy returns, my dear friend and brother!

Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
May 1, 2025

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FBI
Headlines

FBI, DEA Seek 90-Day Extension to Release Tinubu Drug Case Records

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have requested an additional 90 days from a United States District Court to release investigative documents related to an alleged drug case involving Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

This request was disclosed in a Joint Status Report filed on Thursday with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The case involves allegations linking Tinubu to a drug trafficking network in Chicago during the 1990s. The plaintiff, Aaron Greenspan—an American legal transparency advocate and founder of the platform PlainSite—opposed the extension and proposed a 14-day deadline for the agencies to produce the requested records.

Judge Beryl Howell of the District Court had previously directed the FBI and DEA to provide an update on the search and release of non-exempt documents by May 2, 2025.

Between 2022 and 2023, Greenspan filed 12 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking information related to the Chicago-based drug ring, which allegedly involved four individuals, including Tinubu.

The FBI and DEA had earlier issued “Glomar responses,” declining to confirm or deny the existence of the requested documents. However, the court ruled such responses inappropriate in this case.

In the latest filing dated May 1, 2025, the FBI and DEA cited the need for additional time to complete their searches and process the relevant records.

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Headlines

Tinubu Government Lacks Clear Strategy to Tackle Banditry, Says Amnesty International

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Amnesty International has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of lacking a clear and effective strategy to tackle the growing wave of violence by armed groups.

The criticism follows the brutal killing of the Chief Imam of Maru Jumma’a Mosque in Zamfara State, Alkali Salihu Suleiman, along with his three children.

The human rights organization said the killing, which occurred after the bandits received N11 million of the N20 million ransom they demanded, shows the Nigerian government’s lack of any effective plan to curb mass atrocities that have plagued the country for years.

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According to the organisation, the horrific killing of the 79-year-old Chief Imam and his children serves as another grim reminder that President Bola Tinubu’s administration lacks an effective strategy to end the reign of terror by armed groups.

“Alkali Salihu Suleiman and his children were abducted in March during the holy month of Ramadan. While in the custody of the bandits, they were subjected to almost daily rounds of torture and other ill-treatment. Apart from beatings, they were also made to go long hours without food or water,” Amnesty International said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

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The group also criticized the Nigerian government’s silence and inaction over repeated attacks, saying bandits now act with growing impunity across Zamfara and other states.

Almost daily attacks across Zamfara and other states clearly show that President Bola Tinubu and his government have no effective plan for ending years of atrocities by armed groups and gunmen that are increasingly having free reign across many parts of Nigeria,” the group added.

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Headlines

Tinubu to Security Chiefs: End the Bloodshed Now

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has issued marching order to security agencies to tackle insecurity within the country.

Tinubu, while ordering a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s security strategy, said “enough is enough.”

He issued the directive during a meeting with security chiefs on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and was contained in a statement signed by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

There have been killings in Borno, Benue, Plateau and Kwara states.

However, the statement said the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu while addressing State House Correspondents after the meeting, said Tinubu directed a new approach to tackling insecurity across the country.

Ribadu said, “Mr President gave us the chance to come and brief him again. It lasted very long. We gave him an update on what was going on.”

He explained that while the President was on official visits to Paris and London, he remained actively involved and continued to issue instructions to security agencies.

“Today, we had the opportunity to come and brief him again, and it lasted hours. It was a very detailed briefing, and it was exhaustive.

“The issue of insecurity often is not just at the higher levels. It involves the subunits. They are the ones who are directly with the people, especially when some of the challenges border on community problems.

“We need to work with the communities. We need to work with the local governments, and we need to work with the governors.

“The President directed that we work more with governors,” he said.

Ribadu noted that the President was “very worried and concerned” at the meeting.

“He said, ‘Enough is enough’. We are working to ensure that we restore peace and security.”

“We were all at the meeting with the President, armed forces, police, and intelligence community,” Ribadu added.

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Tinubu
Headlines

Tinubu to meet service chiefs over rising killings

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu is planning to meet with the service chiefs to discuss the rising killings in Plateau, Benue and other parts of the country on his return to Abuja from his two-week working visit to Paris, the French capital.

Tinubu returned to Abuja on Monday night after spending 18 days on a working visit and retreat in Paris and London.

The Air Force 001 aircraft conveying the President landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 09:50pm on Monday, the State House media office announced.

Since April 2, when he travelled, more than 120 locals have been killed by armed assailants.

Several homes have been burnt and 3,000 persons displaced despite the deployment of security forces.

On Monday, a top functionary privy to the development confirmed to The PUNCH that the security meeting would review the rising violence and the measures to contain it.

“The President will certainly meet the service chiefs to review the security situation across the country and the flash point of Plateau, Benue and Borno. He has been getting security briefings while away and giving directives to the security chiefs. So, he will meet his security chiefs and ministers too,’’ he affirmed.

This came as the Presidency blamed state governors for the mounting cases of killings nationwide, especially the recent incidences in Plateau, Benue and Enugu States.

It cited the governors’ poor funding of security outfits in their states despite receiving humongous security votes.

Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, stated this when he appeared on TVC’s Beyond the Headlines show with Nifemi Oguntoye Monday evening.

Bwala said, “What we are finding, very sadly, is that there are some states where the governors give N20m to the SSS, N20m to the police, and N20m to the army as monthly allocation for fighting insecurity. And you hear their security vote is between N1bn, N2bn and N3bn. Where are we going?”

A cross-section of stakeholders in Plateau agreed that self-defence is a necessary measure given the current security situation.

A security officer, Jackson Dauda, stated, “I believe that self-defence is a legitimate means of protecting lives and property. There is no better time to apply this than now in Plateau State, given the number of lives we have lost through attacks.

“This is important, especially given the rise of terrorist groups like Mahmuda, which has been terrorising rural communities in the North Central region. So, what is left is for the government to give the needed support to the local communities to enable them to defend themselves against any form of terrorism.”

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Headlines

Tinubu arrives in Abuja after visit to France

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria following his visit to France.

He was received at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja around 9pm, by some top government functionaries.

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga had earlier announced in a brief post on his official X handle, that “President Bola Tinubu will return home today.”

The presidency had earlier said the President will return home after the Easter festivities, following concerns raised by section of Nigerians on the continued absence of Tinubu in the wake of renewed attacks by bandits in Plateau and Benue states.

Onanuga had also explained that Tinubu was in touch with realities on ground in Nigeria and was in close touch with his appointed officials back home.

Tinubu departed Nigeria for France on April 2, 2025 on a short working visit.

It would be recalled that President Tinubu during his two weeks retreat in Paris held a high-level meeting with the United States Department of State’s Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos.

Boulos had revealed the interest of the United States government to strengthen trade ties with Nigeria, which Tinubu took as a welcomed development, especially in view of the Trump’s tariff policies.

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Tinubu
Headlines

Tinubu working from abroad, to return after Easter – Presidency

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Presidency on Thursday said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fully engaged in Nigeria’s governance even though he is away in Europe.

It said Tinubu’s absence remains temporary and in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks.

Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, said the President will return after the Easter holiday.

A statement he signed reads: “The President left Paris for London at the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.

“His return to Abuja and the resumption of duties at Aso Villa will follow the conclusion of the Easter holiday.

“The President’s commitment to his duties remains unwavering, and his administration continues to function effectively under his leadership.

“We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance proceeds without interruption.”

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Headlines

2027: Edo Governor, Okpebholo begins Tinubu re-election campaign

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo said this yesterday while kick-starting President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign in the state.

Another member of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 24-member House of Assembly, Kaycee Osamwonyi, the representative of Uhunmwonde Constituency, who is a member of House Committee on Budget and Appropriation, yesterday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

With Osamwonyi’s defection, APC now has 14 members, while PDP is left with 10 members in the House of Assembly.

Okpebholo spoke at the Government House, Benin, when he received the defecting lawmaker (Osamwonyi), who was earlier received into the APC by the state Chairman of the party, Jarrett Tenebe, who later presented him to the governor.

Okpebholo hailed Osamwonyi and his colleagues, who decided to join APC. He assured them that his administration would create a conducive atmosphere for all of them to operate and collaborate to develop Edo.

The governor said his administration had embarked on developmental strides to transform all sectors of Edo economy, thereby making life better for residents.

He said: “We congratulate you (Osamwonyi) on your returning home. Your coming is a plus for the party (APC), as we have five of you who have joined. You have made our party stronger.

“A lot of people from other parties are ready to join our party, and soon there will be a carnival. I seek your help to drive development, and together, we will develop Edo State, and make life better for our people.

“Uhunmwonde Local Government is very special to me, and together we can develop the area and open it for growth and development.

Edo chairman of APC, presenting Osamwonyi to Okpebholo, said: ‘’APC is now in full control of the House of Assembly, in view of having the majority of the lawmakers.’’

Tenebe said: “Osamwonyi joined the party (APC), following the developmental strides your (Okpebholo’s) administration has achieved in the few months you have led Edo State.”

Osamwonyi said his decision to join APC was as a result of the disunity in the PDP from the national to unit level, as well as the achievements of Okpebholo in a very short time in office.

He said: “The division in my party, the PDP, made me to join the APC. For me, it is a homecoming, as I was once in the APC. Your (Okpebholo’s) developmental strides attracted me back home, as I want the best for my people.

“The many projects captured in the budget for Uhunmwonde people are impressive. I have no choice but to join the party (APC), for the development of my people.”

Edo Chairman of PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, however, declared that Okpebholo was overwhelmed by insecurity across the state’s 18 local governments.

He hoped the party’s governorship candidate during the September 21, 2024 election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, would emerge victorious at the Court of Appeal, having lost at the Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja, to ensure good governance.

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