Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike The National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review has moved closer to its December 2025 deadline as members met in Abuja on Monday to finalise the draft of proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution Lawmakers will vote in the coming weeks on critical issues identified during earlier public consultations, including power devolution, fiscal federalism, state policing, electoral reforms, and reserved seats for women Senate Deputy President and Committee Chairman, Senator Barau Jibrin, said the meeting marked the final phase of the committee’s work and will focus on ratification and technical adjustmentsDeputy Speaker and House Committee Chairman, Benjamin…

By Atoyebi Nike NNPC Limited posted a Profit After Tax of ₦5.4 trillion on ₦45.1 trillion revenue for 2024, marking strong growth from the previous year, with earnings per share rising to ₦27.07, up 64 percent year-on-year The company announced a strategic roadmap to 2030 to increase oil and gas production, expand gas infrastructure, and support Nigeria’s energy transition, including raising crude oil production to 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and 3 million by 2030 and growing natural gas production to 10 bcf/d by 2027 and 12 bcf/d by 2030 NNPC plans to complete major pipelines such as…

By Atoyebi Nike Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Monday presented a ₦891.99 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly, setting out an ambitious economic plan he described as a bold step toward global market integration and long-term growth. Tagged the “Budget of Economic Expansion,” the proposal allocates ₦502.8 billion (56.7%) to capital projects and ₦389.1 billion (43.3%) to recurrent spending. Infrastructure receives the highest allocation at ₦210.02 billion, followed by education with ₦155.2 billion (17.4%). The health sector is earmarked ₦70.8 billion (7.94%), while agriculture gets ₦19.9 billion (2.24%). Makinde outlined several signature projects expected…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on cybercrime charges to February 4, 2025, after Monday’s proceedings failed to hold due to the absence of Justice Mohammed Umar. The case had earlier stalled on October 21 following a protest in court by activist Omoyele Sowore over the detention of Nnamdi Kanu. Justice Umar had originally scheduled the hearing after a previous delay caused by a defense objection. Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, accusing her of transmitting false and…

By Atoyebi Nike The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, says Nigeria’s worsening security and governance challenges stem from the country’s long-standing failure to build a shared national identity. Speaking at the inauguration of an NOA-NUC committee to embed national values in university curricula, Issa-Onilu said Nigeria still operates as competing ethnic and religious groups rather than a unified nation. He warned that recent debates in the U.S. Congress underscore the consequences of neglecting national cohesion for decades. He highlighted the National Values Charter part of the Nigerian Identity Project as a major step toward restoring civic values,…

By Atoyebi Nike The United States and Nigeria have agreed to form a Joint Working Group to oversee a renewed phase of defense and security collaboration after a series of high-level meetings in Washington, D.C., last week. The announcement was made in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the talks strengthened “a constructive and solution-driven partnership” and addressed what Nigeria called damaging misconceptions about its security landscape. Led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the Nigerian delegation used the engagements to firmly dismiss claims of state-sanctioned or religiously targeted…

By Atoyebi Nike Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun on Monday met with security chiefs to review the state’s security situation and reinforce its preparedness amid escalating violence in parts of Nigeria. In a message posted on X, Abiodun said the state must remain proactive to safeguard its reputation as “one of the most peaceful” in the country. He stressed that regular coordination with security agencies is necessary to prevent threats from spilling into the state. “To maintain this position, we must stay proactive, strengthen our preparedness, and put in place the right measures to mitigate anything that could threaten our…

By Atoyebi Nike Amnesty International Nigeria says rising school kidnappings are pushing thousands of children out of classrooms across Northern Nigeria. Country Director Isa Sanusi warned that fear alone is stopping many families from allowing their children to attend school, especially in rural communities already struggling with poverty. He said the growing insecurity could rob a generation of education, adding to the country’s more than 12 million out-of-school children. The warning follows fresh attacks. In Kebbi State, armed men abducted at least 24 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, killing the vice principal. In Niger State, gunmen raided…

By Atoyebi Nike The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has faulted the Federal High Court judgment that sentenced him to life imprisonment, insisting the ruling contradicts constitutional provisions and earlier judicial decisions. In a statement signed by Emmanuel Kanu on Monday, the Okwu Kanu family said it received the verdict of Justice James Omotosho “with heavy hearts,” arguing that the court ignored vital legal issues raised during the hearings. They referenced Section 36(12) of the Constitution and previous Supreme Court pronouncements on repealed laws, stressing that “no person shall be convicted unless…

By Atoyebi Nike The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says it is confident of becoming a major contender in the 2027 general elections, even though it has no sitting governor. National Vice Chairman Senator Nazif Gamawa made the declaration during a media interaction in Bauchi on Monday. Gamawa argued that political strength does not depend on incumbency, recalling how former President Muhammadu Buhari once defeated an incumbent without governors backing him. He said Nigerians are already embracing the idea of a fresh political movement, describing the ADC as “the savior” offering voters “one blow” against failed leadership. He dismissed suggestions of…