The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a seven-year ban on creating new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, saying the focus must now shift to improving the quality of existing institutions. The decision was reached at the council’s meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja. Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, explained that Nigeria’s challenge is no longer about having enough federal tertiary institutions, but about the quality and efficiency of those already in place. According to him, the proliferation of new schools in recent years has stretched resources thin, leaving many campuses with inadequate facilities and…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The Gombe State Government has submitted a bill to the State House of Assembly seeking the creation of 13 new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) from the state’s existing 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs). A statement issued on Wednesday by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Uba Misilli, said Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya took the step to strengthen grassroots governance. He said the decision reflects the governor’s commitment to bringing governance closer to the people, enhancing service delivery, and promoting inclusive and participatory democracy across the state. Misilli explained that the LCDAs, designed as administrative sub-divisions of existing…
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the Federal Government to wrap up its decade-long prosecution of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), by September 26, 2025. The judge fixed September 24, 25, and 26 for the prosecution to call its remaining witnesses, tender all outstanding exhibits, and close its case against Dasuki, who faces charges of unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering. The retired military officer, who has been on trial since 2015 under the defunct Muhammadu Buhari administration, is expected to open his defence immediately after the prosecution rests its…
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of security, poor road infrastructure, and rising incidents of media censorship across the country, urging urgent intervention from both Federal and State Governments. In a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting in Kano on Tuesday, presided over by the NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahya, the Council reviewed the state of the nation and critical issues affecting journalists’ welfare. Commitment to press freedom Reaffirming its commitment to defending press freedom and democratic ideals, the NUJ called for stronger collaboration…
The war against illicit drugs in Nigeria received a major boost on Wednesday as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) commissioned 46 new vehicles for deployment to strategic commands and formations nationwide. This comes on the back of sweeping achievements under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, including the arrest of 40,887 drug offenders — 45 of them drug barons — and the seizure of over 5.5 million kilograms of illicit substances in just two years. The commissioning ceremony, held at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, saw high-profile endorsements from National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Attorney General…
Russian engineers have just tested a hypersonic passenger aircraft prototype that can fly from Moscow to New York in under two hours — without producing a deafening sonic boom. Built by the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) in partnership with several aerospace startups, the aircraft, nicknamed Strizh (“Swift”), uses a revolutionary “shockwave-canceling” fuselage design that manipulates airflow to muffle the sound normally generated when breaking the speed of sound. The plane’s body is shaped like an elongated diamond with a hollow central channel that redirects and diffuses pressure waves before they hit the ground. Combined with an active plasma field generator…
The Federal Government says it will revive grazing reserves across the country as part of efforts to end cattle wandering and boost livestock production. Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, announced the plan on Tuesday during the National Pasture Planting Day at Kawu Grazing Reserve, Bwari, FCT. Maiha said the initiative aims to promote sustainable livestock development, improve animal nutrition, and empower millions of Nigerians who depend on livestock for their livelihoods. He described the move as a step towards climate-smart livestock systems and a future where herders no longer travel hundreds of kilometres in search of pasture and water.…
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has announced a $3 million investment over the next two years to strengthen routine immunisation and primary health care in Kaduna State, aiming to accelerate progress towards universal vaccine coverage. Jessica Crawford, Gavi’s Senior Country Manager for Nigeria, disclosed this during a high-level field mission to the state, which included engagements with top officials, health facility tours, and strategy meetings with partners. Crawford commended Kaduna for its strong leadership, coordination, and results in immunisation. She said the funding would build on these successes, address hard-to-reach areas, and ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines. She explained that…
The African Union’s Information and Communication Directorate (ICD) has issued a final call for submissions to the third cycle of its prestigious AU Media Fellowship Programme, urging journalists, digital creators, and storytellers across the continent to seize the opportunity before applications close on August 14, 2025. Launched under the umbrella of Agenda 2063—Africa’s blueprint for inclusive and sustainable development—the fellowship is designed to amplify authentic African narratives, empower media professionals, and strengthen storytelling that reflects the continent’s dynamism and diversity. Fellowship overview and application details Enter the third cohort of the AU Media Fellowship — a 12-month programme running from…
The Ekiti State Government has partnered with Community Energy Social Enterprise Limited (CESEL) to deploy solar-powered irrigation systems across cluster farms. The state has backed this partnership with a ₦200 million investment to construct modular solar irrigation systems at strategic locations under the “Bring Back Our Youths to Agriculture (BBYA)” programme. These systems will tap into perennial water sources to enable year-round farming—essential for mitigating the risks posed by unpredictable rainfall. The project will pilot deployment at targeted farm hubs in Ose Centre (Emure LGA), Ado-Ekiti, Ikere, and Aramoko. Speaking on the programme, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security,…