News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the 2026 National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act into law, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria's efforts to modernise identity management, enhance national security, improve public service delivery, and deepen the nation's digital economy. The signing took place on Friday at the State House, Abuja, in the presence of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere. Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; representative of the World Bank, Taimur Samad; and Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, witnessed the signing. The Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo described the signing of the Act as a landmark achievement amid ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening inter...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Abdulrazak Sa'ad Namdas as the new Director General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA). Namdas replaces Dr Dakorinama Alabo George, who resigned to contest for an elective post in his home state. A former member of the House of Representatives representing Ganye/Jada/Mayo Belwa/Toungo Federal constituency of Adamawa State, Namdas was the spokesperson of the 8th House of Representatives, and an aspirant in the just-concluded governorship primary election in Adamawa State. As a seasoned journalist and public relations practitioner, he also served as Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Boni Haruna of Adamawa State. Also, President Tinubu has appointed Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, as the Executive Director, Strategy & Commercial, of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC. President Tinubu reappointed Mr Chukwuma Umeoji as Executive Director, Corporate Services o...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Prof Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe as chairman of the governing board of the National Universities Commission (NUC).   He succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned his appointment after less than one year in office.    President Tinubu had last year July, appointed Professor Aina and the board members were inaugurated in November 2025.   Prof. Ogundipe, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (2017–2022), is a professor of Botany with expertise in molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany, and ecological conservation.   He holds a PhD in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and an MBA from the University of Lagos.   Currently, Professor Ogundipe, 66, serves as Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.   He is a fellow of several professi...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that the teeming youth population remains the nation's greatest asset, assuring foreign investors that the ready-to-learn and tech-savvy workforce can easily integrate into the global market.    President Tinubu, who received a delegation from Mastercard led by the Global Chief Executive Officer, Michael Miebach, at the State House on Tuesday in Abuja, welcomed the company's proposal to train five million businesses and equip them with digital skills.    He said that the Nigerian economy had been repositioned and stabilised to fully participate in the global economy, with a focus on empowering youths and small businesses with digital skills and tools.   The President noted that the ongoing formalisation of Nigeria's largely informal small-business sector will create more opportunities for digital transitions, investments, employment, and growth.    "I am glad that you ar...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Prof Innocent Barikor Committed to promoting green jobs, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, has issued a deadline for compliance to 25 percent recycled PET content for the plastics sector. This followed a recent publication attributed to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, expressing concerns over the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations, 2026. With the deadline, the PET content requirement takes effect from 1 January 2028 and increases to 50 percent from 1 January 2030. The timeline is expected to provide an opportunity for the manufacturers, recyclers, brand owners and Producer Responsibility Organisations, PRO, with sufficient time to plan investments, upgrade systems, build supply chains, develop local recycled-material capacity and engage regulators on practical implementation. Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor noted that the Nat...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, has shared a total of N2.300 trillion among the Federal Government, State Governments and Local Government Councils as revenue accrued for May 2026. This was confirmed at the June 2026 meeting of FAAC following the consideration of revenue receipts for the month of May. The total distributable revenue of N2.300 trillion comprised N1.611 trillion from Statutory Revenue and N688.785 billion from Value Added Tax, VAT. From the distributable revenue, the Federal Government received N818.680 billion, while State Governments received N759.141 billion. This was even as the Local Government Councils received N534.277 billion, while the oil-producing states received N188.132 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue. The gross statutory revenue available for the month stood at N2.652 trillion, representing an increase of N273.623 billion over the N2.378 trillion recorded in April 2026. In addition, FAAC reporte...

BY CHIKA OKEKE Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele The Federal Government has countered the reports of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, suggesting that it has adopted or is considering new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products. Specifically, the government hinted that the reports misrepresented the content of the IMF publication and do not reflect its policy direction. The IMF had on June 9, 2026, released Article IV Consultation Report on Nigeria, which assessed the country’s economic reform programme and recommendations for consideration by the authorities. In the report, the IMF Executive Board praised Nigeria’s recent tax reforms, but added that additional tax policy measures may be needed over the medium term, including to fund a scaled-up cash transfer program to provide relief to the most vulnerable. But the Federal Ministry of Finance noted that IMF recommendations do not amount to government poli...

Diezani Alison-Madueke  London’s Southwark Crown Court has acquitted the former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke of six bribery charges after years of corruption trial in the United Kingdom. Alison-Madueke, 65, was found not guilty on five counts of accepting bribes from persons connected to energy firms and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery while serving as the minister. Prosecutors alleged that Alison-Madueke was given preferential treatment in London by oil and gas industry figures seeking lucrative contracts in Nigeria, a country that has long struggled with corruption and mismanagement. Alison-Madueke, who served as minister from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, was also a former President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC. During the trials, Alison-Madueke denied the charges, saying that she never received any bribes and had no real influence over the award of government contracts. Analysts fr...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Committed to social change, a Non-governmental Organisation, Step Up Nigeria in partnership with the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF) has honoured young creatives at World Whistleblower Day Art and Media Competition 2026. Executive Director of PPLAAF, Jimmy Kande presented cash and a plaque to each winner of the competition that cut across 31 states. The competition drew 172 entries from young people, with 111 male and 61 female participants showcasing exceptional talent in skits, music, poetry, art, and writing. This was even as the entries creatively highlighted vital themes of whistleblowing, integrity, citizen responsibility, and the need to strengthen legal protection for whistleblowers in Nigeria. The winners are Gilbert Owan in the Skit Category, titled, ‘The Pledge’; Akinfolarin Jeremiah Damilola (Music Category) ‘Voice Against Silence’; Anita Chigbomkpa Nwokoji (Poetry and Spoken Word) ‘On The 7th Floor’; Moses Idowu Sodip...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The World Health Organization (WHO) has mandated the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) to regulate sea and air vessels cleaning services, food hygiene and safety,  and 22 other practice areas. Others are cleaning services, solid waste collection services, sewage collection services, public health pest control services, air quality management/noise pollution control services, sanitary inspection of premise; resource recovery services; health, safety and environment services, and environmental health laboratory. This is in addition to waste disposal facility management, health care waste management, health impact assessment, motor vehicle cleaning; and sales of public health chemicals and radiation control, waste recycling services, and laundry services. The services are regulated by EHCON in pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 11 of 2002 (as Amended) and the National Environmental Health Practice Regulations, 2024. Registrar and Chie...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja At least four persons have been arrested as the Federal Government uncovered wildlife trafficking cartel terrorising Lagos and Ogun States. The feat was recorded through a joint intelligence-led operation by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and Wildlife Justice Commission, WJC, over the weekend. But following several days of diligent surveillance by the tactical team in Ofada, Mowe, and Lagos, the criminals were arrested on Saturday. The operation also led to the interception of 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg and the seizure of a vehicle. The Director General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor described the operation as a major victory in the ongoing war against wildlife crime, adding that it is a further proof of Nigeria’s zero-tolerance stance on wildlife crimes. “Nigeria will not be used as a hub for wildlife trafficking. NESREA and our partners are resolute ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE Dr Philip Njemanze As Nigeria marks 27 years of democratic journey, the Chairman International Institutes of Advanced Research and Training at Chidicon Medical Center Owerri, Imo State, Prof Philip Njemanze has demanded constructive dialogue on reforms needed to strengthen healthcare regulation and safeguard human dignity. He specifically called on the citizen, lawmakers, healthcare professionals, religious leaders, and civil society organisations to engage in the reforms, adding that democracy day should be more than a celebration of political freedom but a call to civic responsibility. “If democracy is truly government of the people, by the people, and for the people, then every Nigerian has a duty to participate in shaping laws that protect life, uphold justice, and secure the future of the nation. “Nevertheless, democracy remains worth defending because its ultimate purpose is the protection of human freedom, dignity, and the common good,” he added. In a ...

As Nigeria celebrates long walk to democracy, CHIKA OKEKE writes that 27 years after the civilian administration, strategic sectors of the economy remained at wobbly stage despite huge borrowings from the global community and annual budgetary allocations.   But no nation can base its survival and development on luck and prayers alone while its leadership fritters away every available opportunity for success and concrete achievement . ~~ Ibrahim Babangida   ‘The land flowing with milk and honey, laced with abundant human and natural resources, the giant of Africa; 5th best English-speaking country in Africa, 29th in world-these were the some of the performance index linked to Nigeria’. However, the uncertainties revolving around the country seem to diminish the hard-earned reputation.    But on May 29, 1999, Nigeria transitioned from military to democratic governance, an event that was widely celebrated as the advent of good tidings in both human and mate...

BY CHIKA OKEKE Abuja Dr Luke Okojie The Chief Executive Officer of Accolade Communications Limited, Dr Luke Okojie has concluded plans to deliver a lecture on, “Personal Brand Management: Building Legacy Beyond Your Name.” The 19th African Role Models Award and Leadership Summit is a gathering of Africa’s foremost leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, expected to spotlight the critical role of intentional reputation-building in today’s global landscape. Okojie, one of Africa’s most celebrated biographers and a leading authority on legacy documentation will address how individuals and executives can strategically craft, protect, and monetise their personal brands for generational impact. Scheduled to hold next week in Lagos, Okojie dedicated his career to documenting the stories of Africa’s trailblazers that shaped the public legacies of presidents, industry titans, and cultural icons. As a speaker and brand strategist, the biographer combines deep historical insight wit...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo The Federal Government has declared Friday, June 12, 2026, a public holiday in commemoration of Democracy Day. The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani in Abuja. June 12 remains a significant day in Nigeria’s history in honour of the courage, resilience and sacrifices of Nigerians whose efforts made democratic governance possible in Nigeria. Their legacy continues to inform the values and responsibilities of the Nigerian state. The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the preservation of democratic ideals, including the rule of law, transparency, accountability and inclusive governance. He noted that the APC-led administration has pledged to uphold the principles of democracy without compromise. Tunji-Ojo assured that the ministry of interior in coordination with rele...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Worried by the slow pace of projects, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has warned contractors that no section of the Federal highway should remain closed for more than 14 days during construction.  This was even as he compelled the affected contractors to complete the required section within the stipulated period or risk termination of the contract. At the continuation of inspection tour of ongoing road and bridge projects in Kogi and Edo States, the minister expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work on some sections of the Abuja-Lokoja dual carriageway and the dualisation of Obajana Junction -Benin Road.  To this end, Umahi read the riot act to contractors handling Federal Government road projects, urging them to fulfil their contractual obligations and eliminate the factors that attract undue criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.  He disclosed that due to funding constraints, the scope of one of the Se...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has united the media, civil society organisations, and security agencies on the need to strengthen collaboration in the fight against terrorism and other forms of violent extremism threatening national peace and security. At a National Press Briefing in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said that defeating terrorism requires a united national response that transcends political, ethnic, religious, and regional differences. "The Federal Government is rallying citizens, the media, and security agencies in a united front against terrorism because an attack against one Nigerian is an attack against all Nigerians. Terrorism has no tribe, no religion, and no political affiliation. Its only purpose is destruction," said Idris, urging all Nigerians to stand together against violent extremism and criminality. He assured Nigerians that President Bola  Tinubu remains fully committed to secu...