News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government has approved a new uniform registration fee of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000) for the Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) conducted by both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).

The approval was conveyed in a letter dated March 31, 2026, from the Office of the Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, addressed to the National Examinations Council.

According to the letter signed by Mr. Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education, the decision followed a meeting of Examination Bodies held with the Honourable Minister of Education, where the need for an upward review of examination fees was extensively discussed.

During that meeting, the Minister directed that both WAEC and NECO should adopt a uniform fee structure for the conduct of their SSCE examinations. The newly approved fee of N50,000 applies to both examination bodies.

The directive, which takes immediate effect, mandates that all relevant stakeholders be informed of the new fee regime. The letter concluded with warm regards from the Honourable Minister to all parties concerned.

This development comes amid growing concerns over the rising cost of education in Nigeria, with stakeholders expected to weigh in on the implications of the new fee structure for students and parents nationwide.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Senegal captain Sadio Mane has announced his retirement from international football following his country’s dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat to Belgium in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 34-year-old ends a remarkable 14-year international career with 132 appearances and 55 goals for the Lions of Teranga. Widely regarded as one of Senegal’s greatest footballers, Mane played a key role in transforming the national team into one of Africa’s strongest sides.

His greatest achievement came when he inspired Senegal to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title, cementing his place in the country’s football history. Throughout his international career, Mane was known for his leadership, consistency, and match-winning performances.

His retirement marks the end of an era for Senegal, with fans paying tribute to a player whose contributions helped elevate the nation’s status on the world stage.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and security agencies following the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers who were abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The victims regained their freedom on Friday after spending 56 days in captivity. Security operatives from the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police carried out the rescue operation.

Speaking during a telephone interview with Channels Television shortly after the victims were freed, Makinde described the development as a great relief for the state.

He said, “It is such a big relief for all of us. Just right now, I am overjoyed and can hardly say much.

“I use this opportunity to say a big thank you to all the service commands, the police, DSS, military and, of course, the president for pushing for their release.”

The abduction occurred on May 15 when armed men attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Esiele, and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all located in Oriire Local Government Area.

The incident forced the Oyo State Government to close schools in four local government areas as security agencies intensified efforts to secure the victims’ release. The kidnapping also sparked protests in different parts of the country, where citizens demanded the safe return of the pupils and teachers.

Three days after the attack, Makinde disclosed that one of the abducted teachers had been killed while in captivity.

President Tinubu also welcomed the successful rescue and praised the military, the DSS, and the police for their efforts. He said the operation brought an end to more than 50 days of uncertainty for the victims and their families. He also commended the security agencies for rescuing the victims without collateral damage.

The president further praised the Oyo State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government throughout the operation. He directed emergency response agencies to work with the state government to provide medical treatment and other forms of assistance to the rescued pupils and teachers.

Tinubu also pledged that his administration would ensure justice for the victims and for the family of the teacher, Oyedokun, who lost his life during the abduction.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and security agencies following the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers who were abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The victims regained their freedom on Friday after spending 56 days in captivity. Security operatives from the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police carried out the rescue operation.

Speaking during a telephone interview with Channels Television shortly after the victims were freed, Makinde described the development as a great relief for the state.

He said, “It is such a big relief for all of us. Just right now, I am overjoyed and can hardly say much.

“I use this opportunity to say a big thank you to all the service commands, the police, DSS, military and, of course, the president for pushing for their release.”

The abduction occurred on May 15 when armed men attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Esiele, and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all located in Oriire Local Government Area.

The incident forced the Oyo State Government to close schools in four local government areas as security agencies intensified efforts to secure the victims’ release. The kidnapping also sparked protests in different parts of the country, where citizens demanded the safe return of the pupils and teachers.

Three days after the attack, Makinde disclosed that one of the abducted teachers had been killed while in captivity.

President Tinubu also welcomed the successful rescue and praised the military, the DSS, and the police for their efforts. He said the operation brought an end to more than 50 days of uncertainty for the victims and their families. He also commended the security agencies for rescuing the victims without collateral damage.

The president further praised the Oyo State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government throughout the operation. He directed emergency response agencies to work with the state government to provide medical treatment and other forms of assistance to the rescued pupils and teachers.

Tinubu also pledged that his administration would ensure justice for the victims and for the family of the teacher, Oyedokun, who lost his life during the abduction.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Zamfara State Government has launched the distribution of 72,000 bags of fertiliser and other agricultural inputs to farmers across the state to support food production during the 2026 wet farming season.

The distribution exercise was inaugurated by Governor Dauda Lawal on Friday at the Trade Fair Complex in Gusau, the state capital.

The governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, said the programme involves the distribution of more than 120 truckloads of fertiliser and other farming materials.

According to him, the intervention includes 72,000 bags of fertiliser, 200,000 litres of herbicides, 100 crop residue crushers, 100 grass choppers, and 100 feed milling machines. The government also distributed improved pasture seeds, 20 motorcycles, and 20 mobile phones to agricultural extension workers.

Speaking at the event, Lawal described agriculture as the foundation of Zamfara’s economy. He also reaffirmed his administration’s determination to strengthen the sector.

He said, “Today’s event marks another significant milestone in our commitment to revitalising agriculture, strengthening food security, creating sustainable livelihoods, supporting our farmers, and repositioning Zamfara State as a major contributor to Nigeria’s agricultural economy.”

The governor noted that Zamfara has extensive arable land and a large population that depends on farming, livestock production, and trade for their livelihoods.

He said his administration is working to move the state’s agricultural sector beyond subsistence farming through the adoption of technology and improved market access.

Lawal said, “Our goal is to restore and expand Zamfara’s farming legacy by shifting from subsistence to productive, tech-driven, market-orientated agriculture.

“We aim to unlock farmers’ potential through improved inputs, mechanisation, irrigation, extension services, climate-smart methods, and market linkages. This will make Zamfara a leading Nigerian agricultural hub.”

The governor also stated that improved security in parts of the state has enabled many farming communities to return to their fields. He added that the government will continue to provide the support and infrastructure required to sustain agricultural activities.

Lawal further said the state has strengthened collaboration with the Federal Government, development partners, and international organisations through programmes such as FADAMA III, NG-CARES, SPIN, ZACADEP, the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, and projects supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

According to him, these initiatives have provided thousands of farmers with improved seeds, fertilisers, agrochemicals, irrigation facilities, farm equipment, and modern agricultural practices.

He added that the fertilisers and other farming inputs will be shared across Zamfara’s 147 political wards in its 14 local government areas. Each ward will receive 340 bags of fertiliser, while every local government area will receive 8,000 litres of herbicides.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu has called on Nigerian authorities to release CCTV footage that could identify those responsible for the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

Yesufu made the demand in a post on her verified X account on Saturday. Her comments came after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, over an alleged violation of parking regulations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Keyamo had asked Obi to apologise to airport authorities and pay a ₦25,000 fine for the alleged breach.

The exchange followed recent remarks by Obi, who claimed in an interview that the Federal Government, led by the All Progressives Congress (APC), was targeting him. He also alleged that he has continued to face intimidation and harassment.

Reacting to the development, Yesufu questioned the government’s priorities and urged security agencies to focus on more pressing security concerns.

She wrote, “Pathetic cowards! Let them bring out the CCTV of the kidnappers that took away children in Oyo or of the ones that have been terrorising citizens.

“Majoring in the minor is all they are freaking good at.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Ms. Zainab Sadiq has been released from detention following sustained public pressure and high-level legal interventions, her supporters confirmed Saturday.

The journalist’s freedom came after weeks of advocacy by Nigerian civil society organizations, legal practitioners, and international human rights groups. Key figures in the campaign included prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN; Musikilu Mojeed of the International Press Institute (IPI); Barrister Marshal D. F. Abubakar; and rights activist Adeyanju Deji.

Amnesty International Nigeria, the Takeitback Movement, and coalitions of journalists and civil society organizations also played pivotal roles in securing her release.

“This victory demonstrates the power of collective action,” said a statement from the coalition that campaigned for her freedom. “When people of conscience unite against repression, justice prevails.”

Supporters have hailed the development as a significant moment for press freedom in Nigeria. Sadiq’s case had drawn international attention to concerns over media intimidation and arbitrary detention in the country.

Further details about the terms of her release were not immediately available.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election after submitting the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination forms.

The development formally confirms that Tinubu and Shettima will once again fly the APC’s presidential ticket in the next general election.

The president’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, announced the development and submitted the nomination forms on behalf of Tinubu during a brief event held at the Continental Hotel in Abuja.

The event attracted several senior figures of the ruling party, including Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, who led APC governors to the occasion.

Members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), the party’s caucus in the National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), as well as other party leaders and stakeholders, also attended the event.

Tinubu had initially nominated Masari as a placeholder running mate in June 2022 while the party concluded consultations on its vice-presidential candidate. He later selected Shettima as his substantive running mate ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

The submission of the nomination forms officially marks the beginning of Tinubu’s campaign for a second term in office on the platform of the APC, with Shettima remaining his running mate.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has inaugurated a committee chaired by Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba to draft the blueprint for his 2027 governorship campaign, with the mandate of reviewing the implementation of the administration’s 2023 manifesto, My Commitment for Kano, and producing a new policy document, Blueprint 2.0, to guide a possible second term.

The Daily Reality reports that the announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Friday.

He said the committee would work under the close supervision of Governor Yusuf and his deputy, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, to develop a comprehensive policy framework for the administration’s next phase.

According to the statement, Dr. Magashi will serve as chairman of the committee, while the Executive Chairman of Strategic Governance and Policy Coordination, Dr. Yusuf Ya’u Gambo, will serve as secretary.

Other members of the committee are Dr. Ibrahim Musa, Special Adviser on Health Services and Personal Physician to the Governor; Mallam Haladu Muhammad, Technical Adviser on Education Reform; Muhammad Nazir Halliru, Director General of the Kano State Investment Promotion Agency (Kan-Invest); Nana Asma’u Jibrin, Director General of Research and Documentation; Dr. Bashir Abdu Muzakkar, Director General of the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA); Dr. Farouk Kurawa, Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA); Kabiru Sani Yakubu, Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO); Dr. Abdulhadi Zubairu Chula, Executive Chairman of Ajingi Local Government Council; Engr. Yesmin Mukhtar, Senior Special Assistant on Women Education; Dr. Halima Umar Sani of Bayero University; Dr. Kabiru Shehu; Barr. Musa Lawan Abdullahi; Dr. Nasiru Alasan Kabo; and Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso.

Dawakin Tofa said the committee had been tasked with reviewing the implementation of the 2023 blueprint, identifying areas that had yet to be fully executed and incorporating them into Blueprint 2.0.

“The committee is mandated to review the implementation of the 2023 blueprint, My Commitment for Kano, identify areas yet to be fully implemented and incorporate them into Blueprint 2.0,” he said.

He added that the committee would also articulate Governor Yusuf’s priorities and strategic vision for a second term spanning 2027 to 2031.

According to the statement, the committee is expected to engage stakeholders from both state and non-state sectors to generate innovative ideas and policy recommendations for a comprehensive and inclusive blueprint.

“The blueprint will consolidate the gains of the present administration and accelerate Kano State’s development through a people-driven policy framework,” Dawakin Tofa said.

By Uzair Adam 

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has disclosed that he rejected a N300 million ransom demand made by kidnappers who abducted his brothers in 2019, insisting that paying criminals would only encourage further kidnappings.

The governor made the revelation on Thursday while speaking at the ARISE News and THISDAY Town Hall Conference in Abuja, where he also reiterated his support for the establishment of state police as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s growing security challenges.

Recounting the incident, Lawal said the abductors demanded N300 million for the release of his brothers, but he refused to negotiate or pay any ransom.

“My own brothers were kidnapped in 2019, and these criminals were demanding about N300 million. I said, ‘I’m not going to pay a dime. If you like, go and kill them.'”

He explained that despite his refusal to meet the kidnappers’ demand, his brothers were eventually freed after spending about three months in captivity.

The governor said the experience strengthened his belief that ransom payments only empower criminal groups and encourage more abductions.

“By the time we continue to pay ransom to these people, we are encouraging them to keep kidnapping more and more people,” he said.

Lawal maintained that he would never negotiate with criminals or reward them financially, regardless of the circumstances.

“I will not negotiate, and I will not pay ransom to any criminal, no matter what happens.”

The governor made the remarks while advocating the creation of state police, arguing that governors cannot be held fully accountable for security when they lack operational control over security agencies in their states.

He noted that although governors are regarded as chief security officers of their states, they have no constitutional authority to direct the operations of the police and other security agencies.

“In as much as I am being called the chief security officer of the state, I don’t have the command and control structure to determine what happens or give instructions to some of these security officers,” he said.

According to Lawal, the current arrangement places governors in a difficult position because they are blamed for insecurity despite lacking the authority to coordinate security operations.

He stressed that protecting lives and property remains the primary responsibility of every government, adding that meaningful development cannot be achieved without adequate security.

“Why is it difficult for people to understand that my primary responsibility is the protection of lives and property, and I don’t have that control? How do you hold me accountable?” he asked.

Lawal argued that establishing state police would improve accountability, as governors would have direct oversight of security operations and could be judged by residents based on their performance.

He added that state governments would also be better positioned to recruit, equip, train and fund security personnel according to their unique security needs.

The governor further observed that the Nigeria Police Force continues to face challenges such as inadequate funding, poor welfare and insufficient training, which have affected its effectiveness.

Highlighting his administration’s investment in security, Lawal disclosed that the Zamfara State Government currently finances more than 30 per cent of security operations within the state.

He said the government has procured over 500 operational vehicles for security agencies in the past three years and recently handed over 35 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to strengthen the fight against banditry.

Lawal also revealed that the state has acquired both surveillance and combat drones to support security operations.

“We bought drones, both surveillance drones and attack drones, to aid the security forces in fighting these criminals in their respective areas,” he said.

The governor maintained that Nigeria’s insecurity can only be effectively addressed through improved funding, better welfare, enhanced training and the deployment of modern technology, rather than negotiating or paying ransom to criminal groups.

His comments come amid renewed national debate over the establishment of state police and broader reforms aimed at improving security across the country.