Month: December 2025

By Anas Abbas

When Professor Salisu Shehu assumed office as Secretary-General of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) twelve months ago, expectations were naturally high. His background spanning academia, public service, and university administration suggested a leader well-versed in both theory and practice. One year on, those expectations are steadily taking shape in policy actions and institutional reforms.

Born in Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi State, Professor Shehu’s career journey reflects a deep and consistent engagement with education. From advising former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda on education matters to serving as Vice Chancellor of Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, his professional life has been shaped by classrooms, policy chambers, and research institutions. That experience would soon inform his approach at NERDC.

Upon assuming office, one of his first priorities was the internal part. Professor Shehu believed that effective national reform could not emerge from a divided institution. He therefore placed strong emphasis on building harmony and mutual understanding among staff members. In his view, a research and development council can only thrive when its workforce operates as a cohesive unit, driven by shared purpose rather than fragmented interests.

Yet, beyond institutional culture, curriculum reform remains the centerpiece of his leadership. For years, the national Teacher’s Guide had been limited to junior secondary schools, leaving a noticeable gap at the senior secondary level. Under Professor Shehu’s stewardship, the guide underwent a comprehensive review by subject experts and was subsequently expanded to cover senior secondary education a landmark achievement for the Council. With the support of the Minister of Education, the updated Teacher’s Guide has now been implemented nationwide, marking one of NERDC’s most significant interventions in recent times.

Professor Shehu’s vision, however, extends beyond a single reform. He argues that education systems must evolve in step with a rapidly changing world. To this end, he has proposed a quarterly review and update of Nigeria’s national curriculum an ambitious but strategic move aimed at ensuring Nigerian students remain competitive with their counterparts in developed economies.

In the same forward-looking spirit, the Secretary-General has drawn attention to the growing influence of artificial intelligence in global education. As AI increasingly shapes teaching methods, learning content, and assessment models, he maintains that Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind. NERDC, he says, has begun exploring ways to integrate artificial intelligence into curriculum planning and design, signaling a decisive shift toward future-ready education.

Another critical area under his watch is the long-standing debate on mother-tongue instruction in early education. While Professor Shehu supports the policy in principle, he is equally clear about the need for caution. According to him, successful implementation requires proper groundwork, particularly through structured “train-the-trainer” programmes to equip teachers with the necessary skills before nationwide rollout.

Despite the technical demands of policy reform and institutional leadership, Professor Shehu consistently returns to a simple but powerful message especially for young Nigerians. Education, he believes, remains the most reliable pathway to personal growth and national development. His call to the youth is direct and unwavering: embrace learning, build capacity, and prepare for a future shaped by knowledge and innovation.

As he enters his second year at the helm of NERDC, the direction of his leadership is becoming increasingly clear. Reform the tools, update the knowledge base, embrace emerging technologies, and equip the next generation for a world already in motion. For Professor Salisu Shehu, the task of shaping Nigeria’s educational future has only just begun.

Anas Abbas is a final year student of mass communication, Bayero University, Kano.

By Abdulsalam Mahmud

Across the world today, governments are recalibrating their economies to fit a green and sustainable future. From Brazil’s vast reforestation drive in the Amazon to Morocco’s solar revolution in Ouarzazate, nations are realising that the path to prosperity now runs through the low-carbon economy. 

The green transition has become more than an environmental necessity; it is the new global economy in the making — one that rewards innovation, resilience and foresight. For Africa, this transition is both an urgent challenge and a rare opportunity. 

As the continent most vulnerable to climate change, Africa stands to lose the most from inaction. Yet, it also possesses immense natural capital — sunlight, land, biodiversity and youthful human potential — that can power a sustainable transformation. Countries that act early and boldly will not only build resilience but also attract the finance, partnerships and technologies shaping the next century.

In this global context, Niger State, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, has chosen to define its future differently. Over the last two years, the state has pursued one of the most ambitious subnational green economy transformations in Nigeria’s history. 

By linking local realities to global climate ambitions, Niger is steadily positioning itself as a hub for climate-smart agriculture, clean energy, and green industrial development. Governor Bago’s administration began by recognising an undeniable truth: climate change is not just an environmental issue but an economic one. 

Desertification, flooding and deforestation have long undermined livelihoods across the state. To confront these threats, Niger launched its “Green Economy Blueprint”, an integrated strategy designed to build resilience while creating green jobs and sustainable prosperity. From that moment, the state’s engagement with the world deepened. 

At COP28 in Dubai, Niger presented its blueprint before international partners, and by COP29 in Baku, it had become a recognisable name in subnational climate leadership. These appearances were not symbolic. They yielded partnerships that have since defined the core of Niger’s transition agenda.

One of the most transformative was the Memorandum of Understanding with Blue Carbon, a UAE-based company committed to developing sustainable climate solutions. The agreement to plant one billion economic trees across one million hectares in Niger State is among the largest private–public reforestation programmes on the African continent. 

Beyond ecological restoration, the initiative promises rural employment, carbon credit generation and long-term economic dividends from timber, fruit and non-timber forest products. Equally significant was the partnership with FutureCamp Germany, a globally renowned firm in carbon markets. This collaboration aims to unlock over ₦1 trillion in climate investments and build the technical framework for Niger’s carbon market activation.

For a subnational entity, this is pioneering work — one that could see Niger emerge as the first Nigerian state to fully participate in voluntary carbon trading, attracting new revenue streams while promoting transparency in climate finance. The MoU with the NNPC Limited extends Niger’s climate action to the energy frontier. 

It covers a suite of renewable and low-carbon projects, including a Greenfield hydroelectric power plant, mega solar parks for institutions and home solar systems targeting 250,000 households. The agreement also envisions an ethanol plant capable of producing 500 million litres annually, powered by crops cultivated across 100,000 hectares — a project that will create value chains, empower farmers and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Meanwhile, the collaboration with ECOWAS Bank for Development and the Environment for an $11 million Madalla Green Economic Market promises to turn commerce itself into a model of sustainability—blending trade, recycling, and renewable energy into a single modern ecosystem. Similarly, Niger’s partnership with the Turkish firm Direkci Camp is reshaping agribusiness through smart agriculture, irrigated soya cultivation and export-oriented value chains.

These developments are not isolated. They are coordinated through the Niger State Agency for Green Initiatives (NG-SAGI), the institutional anchor established two years ago and now led by Dr Habila Daniel Galadima. Beyond a doubt, NG-SAGI is more than a bureaucracy; it is a policy engine designed to harmonise the state’s environmental, agricultural, and energy programmes into a coherent climate-resilience framework.

Under this framework, Niger hosted Nigeria’s first-ever subnational Green Economy Summit in 2023, attracting investors and development partners from across the globe. The summit’s outcomes validated the Governor’s approach: local action can be globally relevant if guided by a clear vision and credible governance. The pledges and partnerships secured there continue to serve as foundations for current projects — from afforestation to renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.

Another milestone was the creation of the Niger State Agriculture Development Fund, with ₦3.5 billion in startup capital from the state and local governments. The fund is enabling 1,000 young farmers to access ₦1 million in grants, along with hectares of land for nurseries across all 25 local governments. This initiative has quietly triggered an agricultural mechanisation revolution, empowering a new generation to view farming as a business —and sustainability as a strategy.

Partnerships with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Energy Commission of Nigeria, and the Global World Energy Council are driving new frontiers in wind energy and industrial decarbonization. Niger’s growing alignment with UNIDO is already yielding plans for circular-economy models within the agro-processing free trade zone, blending job creation with environmental responsibility.

And while some of these projects are at different stages of implementation, the direction is unmistakable: Niger State is building a green identity anchored on innovation, inclusion and international collaboration. Even modest steps, like installing solar-powered streetlights across Minna, tell a larger story — one of a government deliberately moving toward a future powered by clean energy and driven by public safety and climate consciousness.

As the world prepares for COP30 in Brazil next month, Niger State’s delegation is expected to present these achievements not as isolated efforts, but as part of a coherent subnational climate narrative. It will highlight how a state, once challenged by deforestation and poverty, is now leading a structured march toward carbon neutrality and green prosperity. 

The focus this time will be on climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy expansion, youth inclusion, and green finance innovation—key pillars aligned with the global call for just and equitable transitions. At COP30, Niger’s voice will also speak for Nigeria’s broader subnational climate movement — demonstrating how state-level leadership can accelerate the nation’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. 

The lessons from Niger are clear: climate action must be localised, data-driven and economically beneficial. Beyond the conference halls of Brazil, Niger’s agenda carries deep human meaning. Every hectare reforested, every solar panel installed, every youth trained in sustainable agriculture is a statement of faith in a livable future. 

Climate action here is not an abstract ambition; it is a lived policy that transforms communities, restores hope and redefines governance as stewardship. If properly amplified, Niger’s story could inspire other states to view climate change not as a threat but as an opportunity—a chance to create industries, attract green finance, and protect generations unborn. 

That is the broader promise Governor Bago’s vision now represents: that sustainability is not an aspiration for rich nations alone, but a shared moral and developmental duty for all. As COP30 draws near, Niger’s turn to shine on climate action is not just about showcasing progress; it is about reinforcing possibility. 

For a state once defined by its rivers and farmlands, the journey toward a green economy may well become its most enduring legacy — one that proves that in Africa’s heartland, the seeds of a sustainable future are already being sown

Mahmud, Deputy Editor of PRNigeria and a rapporteur at the maiden Niger State Green Economy Summit, writes via  babasalam1989@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Coalition of Ulama and Islamic Organizations in Kano State has strongly rejected comments credited to an American Congressman who reportedly urged the Nigerian government to abolish Shariah laws and dismantle the Hisbah institution.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, and titled LEAVE OUR SHARIAH ALONE!, the coalition described the remarks as unwarranted and provocative. It accused the lawmaker of portraying himself as a “savior” of Nigerian Christians while calling for actions the group said undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and peaceful coexistence.

According to the coalition, such calls amount to interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs and pose a threat to the fragile harmony between Muslims and Christians across the country. The group stated that residents of Kano understand and appreciate the benefits of Shariah, both for Muslims and for non-Muslims living in the state.

The scholars recalled past incidents when religious tensions in other parts of the world led to reprisals in Kano, during which Christians were attacked and lives were lost. They noted that such incidents no longer occur and attributed the improvement to the implementation of Shariah, which they said some outsiders now seek to discredit by inviting foreign intervention.

The coalition further stated that peace in Kano resulted from deliberate efforts by religious leaders and institutions. It cited the role of the Hisbah Corps in protecting churches during periods of tension and joint media programmes that brought Christian and Muslim clerics together to promote peaceful coexistence. The group added that similar efforts remain in place despite what it described as a renewed push of a Christian genocide narrative.

The ulama stressed that they would continue to safeguard lives and property in Kano without discrimination. They said this commitment covers Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

In a series of resolutions, the coalition declared that Muslims in Kano and across Nigeria would not abandon their constitutional and God-given rights to implement Shariah among the Muslim population. It maintained that the Hisbah would continue to operate as an institution of Shariah enforcement, regardless of formal government recognition, while affirming respect for democratic processes.

The group also urged the American government to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and allow elected Nigerian leaders to manage domestic affairs. It called on the Federal and State Governments not to succumb to intimidation from any foreign country and to remain accountable to the citizens who elected them. The coalition pledged its support for efforts aimed at ending violence nationwide.

In addition, the scholars appealed to ulama and imams to observe alqunut, described as special prayers, seeking Allah’s intervention against enemies of Muslims and Nigeria. They said the prayers should hold daily for at least thirty days. The statement also urged Muslims to repent from wrongdoing, uphold Islamic teachings, and cooperate fully with the Hisbah and other Islamic institutions.

The coalition called on Nigerians to ignore threats from foreigners whom it said misunderstand Nigeria’s social and religious fabric. It encouraged citizens to continue living together peacefully and to resolve grievances through dialogue.

The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of faith in the sovereign authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It called on the government to instruct foreign powers to refrain from intimidation and to channel any assistance through duly constituted Nigerian authorities.

By Uzair Adam

Journalists have been urged to treat emergency reporting as a life-saving public service, given the powerful role of the media in shaping public understanding and behaviour during health crises.

The call was made at a two-day Emergency Risk Communication workshop for journalists organised by the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) with support from the FCDO–Lafiya Programme, aimed at strengthening ethical and responsible health reporting during public health emergencies.

Delivering a session on Emergency Reporting and Ethical Guidelines for Public Safety during Health Crises, media expert and editor with The Daily Reality Newspaper, Malam Aisar Salihu Musa, said information often spreads faster than disease during outbreaks, stressing that the way journalists report emergencies can either reduce harm or fuel fear and panic.

“Where trust is strong, public health succeeds. Where trust is weak, fear becomes the real outbreak,” he said, noting that trust remains the most valuable currency during health emergencies.

He explained that journalists serve as information gatekeepers, with a responsibility to verify reports that could affect public health outcomes and to collaborate closely with health authorities in sharing credible information.

According to him, emergency reporting presents ethical challenges, including balancing urgency with accuracy, avoiding sensational headlines, and protecting the dignity and privacy of patients and their families.

Musa urged journalists to communicate risk clearly and proportionately, translate medical terms into simple language, and always include practical steps the public can take to protect themselves.

“Words can either save lives or cause harm,” he said, adding that responsible, transparent and empathetic journalism strengthens public trust and supports effective public health response.

He concluded by calling on journalists to see themselves as partners in public health, committed to countering misinformation, promoting preventive behaviours and reporting emergencies in ways that protect lives and strengthen society.

By Uzair Adam

The Director General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, has urged journalists to prioritise responsible and ethical reporting during public health emergencies to prevent the spread of misinformation and public panic.

Prof. Abbas made the call during a two-day Emergency Risk Communication workshop organised to strengthen media engagement and information management during disease outbreaks and other health emergencies.

He stated that the workshop followed the identification of critical gaps in Risk Communication and Community Engagement during recent Joint External Evaluation and multi-hazard preparedness assessments conducted in the state.

“This workshop was designed to address the gaps identified during the Joint External Evaluation and multi-hazard preparedness assessment,” Prof. Abbas said, adding that the media remains a key partner in managing public health emergencies.

The Daily Reality reports that the workshop, with support from the FCDO–Lafiya Programme, revolved around improving media engagement during outbreaks, ethical emergency reporting, managing misinformation, strengthening collaboration between journalists and health authorities, and developing a media-focused Emergency Risk Communication plan for Kano State.

The DG further stated that journalists have a responsibility to prevent the spread of false information, correct myths and harmful practices, and promote evidence-based decision-making that strengthens public trust in official health guidance.

He added that responsible media engagement should also encourage preventive behaviours such as hand hygiene, vaccination, safe food practices and environmental sanitation, while reinforcing official public health advisories.

The workshop was attended by journalists from print, broadcast and online media organisations, alongside public health officials and communication experts.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has urged journalists to handle information carefully during public health emergencies, warning that panic can sometimes be more harmful than the disease itself.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, stated this in Kaduna during a two-day Emergency Risk Communication workshop organised by the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), with support from the FCDO–Lafiya Programme.

“Sometimes causing panic in a community can be more destructive than the disease itself,” Dr. Yusuf said, stressing that emergencies are often measured in hours or days, and careless communication could cost lives.

He noted the time-sensitive nature of outbreaks, explaining that early and accurate reporting can save lives, while rushed or misleading information can worsen the situation.

Drawing a comparison to medical practice, Dr. Yusuf said suspected disease cases must be carefully investigated, isolated, and confirmed before public disclosure, just as health workers consider worst-case scenarios during diagnosis.

He further highlighted the importance of verification before reporting, cautioning that while journalists often have access to early signals, not all information should be immediately released to the public.

The commissioner also emphasised the ethical dimension of reporting, warning against publishing identifiable details of patients without consent, which could have legal consequences and undermine public trust in health authorities.

Dr. Yusuf stressed that responsible media engagement is crucial in promoting preventive health behaviours such as vaccination, hand hygiene, safe food practices, and environmental sanitation, which are essential to reducing the spread of diseases in communities.

He added that building public trust through careful, evidence-based reporting ensures that citizens follow official health guidance during outbreaks, strengthening the overall effectiveness of emergency response efforts.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has confirmed the receipt of a petition filed by the Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, against the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed.

In a media release issued on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, by the Commission’s spokesperson, John Okor Odey, the anti-graft agency disclosed that the petition was formally submitted through Dangote’s legal representative.

The Commission stated, “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to confirm that it received a formal petition today Tuesday 16th December, 2025 from Alhaji Aliko Dangote through his lawyer. The petition is against the CEO of the NMDPRA, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed.”

The ICPC assured the public that the allegations contained in the petition would be subjected to due process.

According to the statement, “The ICPC wishes to state that the petition will be duly investigated.”

The confirmation follows recent public attention generated by allegations made by Dangote against the leadership of the NMDPRA, which have sparked debates and reactions across the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has filed a petition against the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Ahmed Farouk, before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The petition, dated December 16 and submitted through Dangote’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, urged the ICPC to arrest, investigate and prosecute the NMDPRA chief over allegations of corruption and living far above his lawful income as a public officer.

The document, which was received by the office of the ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, SAN, alleged that Farouk spent more than seven million dollars on the education of his four children in Switzerland. The petition claimed that the fees were allegedly paid upfront for a six-month period without any legitimate source of income to justify such spending.

“That Engr Farouk Ahmed has grossly abused his office contrary to the extant provisions of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and, in doing enmeshed himself in monumental corruption and unlawful spending of Public funds running into millions of dollars.

“That Engr Farouk Ahmed spent without evidence of lawful means of income humongous amount of money of over 7million dollars of Public funds, for the education of his four children in different schools in Switzerland for a period of six years upfront,” the petition read.

Dangote listed the names of the four children, the Swiss schools they attend and the amounts allegedly paid on their behalf, stating that the details would enable the ICPC to verify the claims.

He further accused Farouk of using the NMDPRA as a tool to divert and embezzle public funds for personal benefit and private interests. Dangote said such actions had triggered public outrage and led to recent protests by different groups.

According to the businessman, Farouk has spent his entire adult working life in public service and could not, based on his legitimate earnings, have amassed funds close to the alleged seven million dollars used to sponsor his children’s education abroad.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (retd.), has died at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

“Ex-CJN Tanko Muhammad is dead. He passed away this morning at a Saudi Arabian Hospital,” a source said.

His death was later confirmed in a condolence message released by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), National Headquarters, Abuja, dated December 16, 2025.

The statement, titled “NAMLAS Condolence Message on the Passing of Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria,” described the former CJN’s death as a significant loss to Nigeria.

“Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return,” the statement read.

“The Nigeria Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), National Headquarters, Abuja, receives with profound sorrow the news of the passing of Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, former Chief Justice of Nigeria. His demise is a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim Ummah, and the nation at large.”

According to NAMLAS, Justice Muhammad earned respect during his time on the Bench and was known as “a towering figure of integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to justice.”

The association stated that throughout his judicial career, the former CJN “exemplified the highest ideals of the Bench—fairness, courage, and fidelity to the rule of law.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A serious allegation has been made against Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

He is accused of spending over $5 million on the foreign secondary and tertiary education of his four children in Switzerland.

According to the allegation, the estimated cost for each child’s secondary education—covering annual tuition, air tickets, and upkeep—is $200,000. Over six years, this amounts to $1,200,000 per child.

For all four children, the total secondary education expense is estimated at $4,800,000.

Furthermore, an additional $210,000 was reportedly spent in 2025 for the MBA education of one of his children, Faisal. This brings the approximate total for tuition and upkeep across all children to around $5,000,000.

The statement, signed by Alliko Dangote, emphasizes that “facts don’t lie” and raises critical questions about the source of these funds.

It contrasts the enormous expenditure with the plight of many parents in Engr. Ahmed’s home state of Sokoto, who are said to struggle to afford school fees as low as ₦10,000 for their own children and wards.

The core demand of the allegation is transparency: “Nigerians deserve to know the source(s) of these sums of money paid by a public officer.”