By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Popular TikToker Murja Ibrahim Kunya has been sentenced to six months in prison for abusing the Naira, following her conviction by the Federal High Court in Kano.

Justice Simone Amobeda handed down the verdict after Kunya pleaded guilty to spraying and stepping on Naira notes during a hotel celebration in December 2023, violating the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.

Initially arrested in January 2025, Kunya fled after being granted bail but was later re-arrested in March. The court gave her an option to pay a ₦50,000 fine instead of imprisonment.

In a unique twist, Justice Amobeda also appointed Kunya as an EFCC and CBN ambassador, tasking her with using her social media influence to campaign against Naira abuse.

She must now educate her followers on the legal consequences of currency misuse.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) hailed the judgment as a deterrent against Naira abuse while promoting public awareness.

By Anwar Usman

The Federal Government has announced a monthly stipend of N45,000 for students in technical colleges across states in Nigeria.

This move was to be part of a plan to bring new life to Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

Idris Bugaje, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, revealed this in an interview in Abuja while speaking on the second year of President Bola Tinubu’s administration on Wednesday.

He said the plan was part of a bigger effort to improve the TVET system and make it more appealing than regular university education.

Bugaje explained that the main ai was to grow the TVET sector fast and get more students to enrol in technical colleges.

He added that the government will not only pay the monthly stipend but will also cater for other costs.

Bugaje said, “The government will pay school fees, give money to industry-based supervisors (called master class instructors), and cover the cost of skill certification.

“With this, young people will find it more attractive to come to a technical college, obtain the relevant skills and qualifications, get jobs locally and even beyond the borders of Nigeria.

“This way, the whole sector is being repositioned. We are at the moment facing what you may call either a resurrection or a rebirth of TVET.”

He noted that TVET used to be well-supported in Nigeria in the past.He further revealed that Tinubu’s government has set aside N120 billion to support students under this new TVET plan.

“This money will be given through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).He further clarified that “The N45,000 is not a loan, but a grant. Students who enjoy this are not going to pay back. We want to encourage more people to enrol in technical education”.

To keep the programme running, Bugaje said the Minister of Education was working on a bill.The bill aims to create a National Skills Fund under the new Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his two years in office, calling for continued support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

In a statement, Buhari emphasized that leadership is a continuous journey and urged Nigerians to remain patient as reforms take time to yield results.

Buhari warned against allowing necessary policy changes to be derailed by political disputes, stressing the importance of unity in achieving progress.

He also expressed support for the administration’s efforts to tackle poverty and inflation but noted that the responsibility should not rest on the government alone.

“The private sector and all citizens must contribute in any way they can,” he said.

Encouraging optimism, Buhari advised Nigerians to manage their expectations while remaining confident in the country’s future.

He concluded by wishing Tinubu success, saying, “May you keep leading with wisdom and care.”

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government, in collaboration with Womanhood Africa Initiative, has commemorated this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day with a major outreach campaign targeting female students in secondary schools.

Speaking during the event, Abdulkarim Ibrahim Abubakar, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Government House, said the initiative was designed to ease the financial burden many students face due to the rising cost of sanitary products.

“Most of our girls are struggling with managing their menstrual periods due to the current economic situation. This effort will reduce that burden and allow them to focus more on their education,” he said.

Abubakar stated that the program would be expanded to cover more schools in the state. He also revealed that plans were underway to empower students with the skills to produce reusable sanitary pads.

“This will not only help them manage their hygiene needs but could also become a source of income for them after school,” he explained.

Representing Womanhood Africa Initiative, Mr. Edidiong Etefia said the campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of menstrual hygiene and equip students with practical tools.

“We believe the future is female. If young girls don’t take menstrual hygiene seriously, it could lead to long-term health issues that may affect future generations,” he said.

As part of the outreach, reusable sanitary pads certified by NAFDAC were distributed to students.

The organization also donated a fully stocked first aid box to the school clinic to help manage health emergencies.

The Principal of First Ladies College, Atine Mohammad, welcomed the initiative and described it as a critical intervention.

“Every day, we try to teach the children about hygiene, but it has a greater impact when people from outside come in to educate them. It reinforces the importance of the message,” she said.

Mohammad also appealed to the state government to sustain the effort.

“Most of our students can’t afford sanitary pads, and we often step in to provide them. This support reduces the burden on us significantly,” she noted.

Expressing her appreciation on behalf of the students, Faiza Yusuf, an SS3 student and prefect at the college, described the program as life-changing.

“We are grateful for this heartfelt support. As girls, menstrual hygiene is central to our well-being. Without it, we feel helpless. We hope to see more of such programs in the future,” she said.

The event marks the beginning of a broader campaign to promote menstrual hygiene and empower young girls in Kano State.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria joined other West African leaders in Lagos on Wednesday to celebrate the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Golden Jubilee. The event marked 50 years of regional cooperation and integration.

Among the dignitaries present were Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Togolese President Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové, and Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Emalo. Also in attendance were former Nigerian Head of State Yakubu Gowon and ECOWAS Commission President Umar Alieu Touray.

The gathering highlighted ECOWAS’ achievements in promoting peace, economic development, and solidarity across the region since its founding in 1975. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deeper integration amid current challenges.

President Tinubu, in his remarks, praised ECOWAS’ resilience and called for stronger collaboration to address security and economic issues. The ceremony featured cultural displays and discussions on the bloc’s future.

The event concluded with a renewed pledge to advance the ECOWAS vision of a prosperous and united West Africa.

By Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu

They are both young boys, although one seems slightly older. From March to May 2025, they captured the attention and interests of Hausaphone social media with their radically different approaches to digital media visibility. In the process, they provided a template or script for the future of youth engagement in public culture and demonstrated the power of agency. 

Taranding in an open cesspool (Kabiru Isma’il, Kano).

The first was Kabiru Isma’il, better known as Kabeer2pac (apparently a fan of the late American rapper 2Pac Shakur).He had 1.8m followers and 15.1m likes on his TikTok account, which prominently displays his phone number (or that of his agent) for advertising purposes. His early videos clocked in millions of views. His most famous video, in which he shakes the dust off his body and jacket, has earned 51 million views. He devised two strategies to achieve this fame. 

His first videos were posted during the 2025 Ramadhan on 19 and 20th March 2025. In the videos, he was recorded immersed in a stagnant open cesspool of household wastewater (kwatami), dunking himself in it and smearing the sediments on his face. The videographer asked for his motives, and he replied he was doing so to “tarand” (trend) because he yearns for fame (ɗaukaka). He affirms he was not a lunatic. The video had 2.6 million views. He further explained that he resorted to this because his earlier attempts at trending were unsuccessful.

On 3rd April 2025, he switched from cesspool contents smearing to getting a sack of charcoal dust dumped on his head,which earned the video 14.8 million views. By then, his fame spread because the CoalDust video he posted two days later earned him 51 million views. His videos attracted Gwanki Travels and Tours International Ltd in Kaduna, who invited him and offered him a free ticket to perform the lesser Hajj, Umrah. Beaming with happiness, Kabeer2pac declared his gratitude that he had achieved the fame he had sought and had “taranded” very well. Of course, Gwanki also trended because they were riding on his coat-tail, as it were, to advertise their services.

Reactions to Kabeer2pac’s fame and fortune were varied but predictable. Most commentators were happy for him and took umbrage at any view that condemned his behaviour as unhealthy and unbecoming. Some Muslim clerics condemned him. Others were against the money spent on his Umrah, arguing that he was young and the money should be invested in either a trade or his education. His behaviour led to copycat copying. 

Quite soon after it started trending, copycats appeared in various guises, including a cesspool girl, from dousing themselves with petrol to set fire on themselves, to having cement blocks banged on their head, to immersing themselves in a stagnant pool of waste water. In one case, a young boy entered a soak away— all in their desire to “tarand” and possibly get a free Umrah ticket.

In an RFI video interview posted on 16th April 2025, Kabeer 2pac admitted that the possibility of his social media celebrity status is likely to be short-lived, as he understands that people will soon get bored with his antics and switch to something else. But for the period he was trending, he was happy with the endorsements he received and his branching out into comedies and short dancing skits in his trademark winter jacket. 

He has accurately anticipated the ephemeral nature of his antics. About two years ago, others who trended and quickly faded away were even more famous and established what I call “celebrification culture”. The first was Ale Rufa’i Bullgates, who devised his own currency, “Gangalion”. He was followed by Ale Umar Bush, whose speciality was foul-mouthing everyone around him. Each was given a social media celebrity status – private jets, fancy meals, endorsement deals by fancy local merchants. Ale Umar Bush seemed to have a Middle-Eastern “girlfriend”. People mocked their mental health and turned them into the theatre. That was probably why Kabeer2pac prefaced his first video by proclaiming that he was not mad. 

What motivates people to watch grisly events as lookie-loos, whether on screen or in physical spaces? Kabeer2pac’s audience can be called voyeuristic or spectator audiences. Odd or outlandish behaviour fascinates them because it provides novelty, entertainment, and sometimes a sense of shock or disbelief. Due to its unconventional nature, such content often triggers curiosity, amusement, or even a desire to share with others. 

Trending Young Dangote (Sadiq Usman Ahmed, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna)

In contrast to Kabeer2pac, Sadiq was a street hawker in Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna, whom someone tagged Young Dangote. His nickname refers to the Hausa business mogul Aliko Dangote, the richest Black man in the world at the time. Anwar Textiles Ltd discovered him at a traffic stop in Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna, on 18th May 2025, when the young lad, who looks about 13 years old, was hawking car fresheners. 

Intrigued, the videographer asked how he started the business. Beaming an incredibly infectious smile (alone enough to make you buy his ware, even if you had no intention of doing so), he said he started with ₦300 with which he used to purchase cotton buds for ₦50 and sold for ₦70-₦100, before moving to products he bought for ₦350, selling at ₦500, happy with whatever profit he made. Gradually, his capital reached ₦5,000, then ₦1000, “har jari ya kai dubu hamsin cifi cif”/up to ₦50,000 neat. He said he prefers schooling to hawking, but poverty forced him into hawking. He relates this with a devastating, charming smile and enthusiasm for his current station in life, clearly with a business goal in mind. 

Touched by his resolve to improve his business, the video was posted on Anwar Textiles’ personal account and went viral. This impressed so many people (including the Pop Cola company in Kano) that they sent their widow’s mite to Anwar Textiles to improve the boy’s capital. Some asked for an account. In a very honourable way, Anwar Textiles traced the boy’s father. They recorded a video in which the father explained their happiness about the crowdsourcedfunding efforts made by Anwar Textiles. He emphasised that they were not begging for assistance as such (they were well off, but had a bad patch in life), but are grateful to those who contribute to the boy’s entrepreneurial ambitions. An account number was given. 

By 16th May 2025, Sadiq had over ₦300,000 capital and a larger basket to hold more products, which Anwar Textiles helped to purchase for him. The balance of the money was handed over to the father. He thanked Anwar Textiles for making it possible for people to know him. He displayed his new “mobile shop” and declared, “daga nan sai ƙasar waje, inshaa Allahu”/next, overseas, by God’s grace. He also stated his intention to go back to school soon. 

I find Anwar Textiles honourable. He located the boy, helped him, and supported his family. Importantly, he did not engage the boy in a gaudy marketing gimmick for his company, as done with Kabeer2pac. The boys’ marketing strategy was brilliant, as seen in a video posted a few days later in which he persuaded a motorist to buy more car fresheners than the customer actually intended to buy!

Both of these teenage boys demonstrate what personal resolve can achieve. Through social media, each person has attained something they wanted at the beginning of their lives. Kabeer2pac’s social media platform, which thrives on trends and viral content, where the unusual or unexpected can quickly gain traction through likes, shares, and comments, further amplifying its reach, worked perfectly well. He has the fame (ɗaukaka) he strives for. 

For Young Dangote, who has no social media presence (I even doubt if he has a phone, for he would probably plough the money into his business), we see what the power of crowdfunding and simple determination can do spontaneously. Comments from those who knew the family indicated that they were stable (as indeed even the father stated), but went through a bad patch. Instead of mourning their turbulent period, Sadiq dropped out of school, picked up a basket, got some money, bought car fresheners, and started hawking them at traffic stops. The rest, as they say, is a viral history. 

Social media can be a space for what Bala Muhammad (Adaidaita Sahu) at the DEEDS Book vs Screen May 2025 KHAIRUN Dialogue refers to as “digital iskanci”—or something else. Your judgment of each is, of course, personal.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of new governing council members for the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU).

This move comes months after the dissolution of UniAbuja’s governing council and the removal of its former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, over eligibility concerns.

The newly appointed council members for UniAbuja include Prof. Rosemary Iriowen Egonmwan (South-South), Dr. Adedeji Adefuye (South-West), Prof. Sarki Abba Abdulkadir (North-West), and Prof. Aminu Mohammed Dukku (North-East). For the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), the appointees are Rt. Hon. Barr. Ogbonna Eugene Odo (South-East) and Muhammad Inuwa Tahir, mni (North-West).

Similarly, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) will now have Dr. Nkem Okeke (South-East), Ofoke Chukwuma Charles Ugbala (South-East), Dame Amina Patrick Yakowa (North-West), and Nojeeb Oriola Agunbiade (South-West) on its governing council.

The appointments are expected to bring renewed leadership to the institutions as they work towards academic excellence and administrative stability.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A civic coalition under the umbrella of “Bagwai/Shanono Together for Progress” has issued a petition against their member, Federal House of Representatives. The petition called for an investigation into Hon. Yusuf Ahmad Badau, the member representing Bagwai/Shanono Federal Constituency, over alleged misappropriation of public funds and fraudulent execution of constituency projects.

The petition, signed by concerned constituents and stakeholders, accuses the lawmaker of diverting funds, inflating budgets and failing to execute or properly complete multiple projects between 2019 and 2025. The group alleges that millions of naira allocated for road construction, youth empowerment, flood relief and other initiatives were either mismanaged or left abandoned.

Some of their key allegations, as contained in the petition Include:

2019: N20 million allocated for road construction from Kiyawa to Romo allegedly not executed.

2020: N53 million meant for flood victims, teachers’ training, and youth empowerment reportedly unaccounted for.

2021: N290 million allocated for motorcycles, youth empowerment and provision of fridges/computers for traders allegedly mismanaged.

2022 to 2025: Over N700 million budgeted for tricycles, fishing materials, football programs, sewing machines, and road construction, with constituents claiming little or no implementation.

The petitioners are urging the House Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, as well as anti-graft agencies (EFCC and ICPC), to launch a full-scale probe into the allegations. They also demand the recovery of diverted funds and prosecution if misconduct is established.

“We believe these projects were either abandoned, poorly executed or the funds were diverted,” the petition read. “We call for justice to ensure public resources are accounted for.”

No official response has been issued by Hon. Badau at the time of filing this report.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Nigeria Police Force has taken swift action against six officers caught in a viral video engaging in extortion along the Benin bypass.

The officers, including a Chief Superintendent of Police who supervised the team, were brought before the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters. The IGP described their conduct as “shameful, distasteful, and utterly unacceptable ” and ordered immediate disciplinary action.

According to a police statement, the officers have been queried, and orderly room trials for the Inspectors involved are underway.

The Force said this move underscores its commitment to professionalism, integrity, and accountability. The public was assured that such misconduct would not be tolerated and that appropriate sanctions would follow.

By Haroon Aremu Abiodun

April is traditionally a month of pranks and laughter. But in Nigeria, the joke was on no one except, perhaps, on a nation whose security architecture is under siege from terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers.

Far from fearing our security operatives, criminal elements across the country displayed shocking audacity, reminding us that the battle for Nigeria’s soul remains bloody and unresolved.

In a horrific display of lawlessness, notorious bandit leader Bello Turji celebrated Eid in Sokoto by executing kidnapped victims, recording and broadcasting the gruesome act without fear of consequences. Across parts of Katsina, Kaduna, and Zamfara, bandits not only continued their reign of terror but have begun levying taxes and operating parallel governments in areas still supposedly under state control.

Compounding public anxiety, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu made headlines when he advised families of kidnapped victims to “stop paying ransom.” While theoretically sound, the reality is far more brutal. Without swift and credible government intervention, desperate families have no option but to finance their tragedies. Until state forces can decisively rescue captives, this vicious cycle will continue.

In just one month, attacks escalated across Plateau, Kwara, and Benue States, leaving communities in mourning. Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents resurfaced with deadly ambushes, signalling their continued relevance in Nigeria’s security equation.

April’s bloodshed has revealed operational lapses and a deep strategic and moral crisis. The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) must urgently intensify efforts, especially by working discreetly with rescued victims to extract intelligence, boost surveillance systems, and dismantle criminal networks worldwide.

While commendable successes by security operatives, such as rescuing hostages and recovering illegal arms, were recorded, they were dwarfed by the scale of atrocities witnessed within just 30 days.

The Department of State Services (DSS), often criticised and even facing calls for disbandment, must seize this moment to redeem itself. Encouragingly, recent commendations from the Plateau State Government and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna for the DSS’s contributions to curbing insecurity suggest a glimmer of institutional reliability. Their successful arrests of gunrunners and dismantling of kidnapping syndicates are steps in the right direction.

Notably, the DSS also intercepted a British Army Major in Delta State attempting to smuggle 50 AK-47 rifles and ammunition—a major bust, and a signal that the service can perform under pressure. Their ability to withstand calls for the suspect’s release further strengthens public confidence.

Going forward, DSS and ONSA must strengthen collaboration through real-time joint operations, intelligence sharing, and visible outcomes. The Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) also must integrate its overseas capabilities with ONSA’s domestic strategies. Today’s criminals are sophisticated—our response must be smarter.

Beyond the battlefield, Nigeria’s fight against corruption also demands attention. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must intensify efforts with ongoing arrests of internet fraudsters and by pursuing justice in high-profile cases involving figures like Betta Edu and Sadiya Umar Farouq.

Regarding Aisha Achimugu’s case, the EFCC must adhere to due process and uphold its promise to act with diligence and integrity. Recent arrests, including that of Bauchi State Accountant General Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, show the commission is active, but visibility and transparency are critical.

Despite receiving accolades, such as the Government Spokesperson Award and the Courage in Justice and Transparency Award from the Nigerian Human Rights Community, EFCC must do more to recover funds stolen through schemes like CBEX. Collaborating with Interpol to dismantle international fraud networks and prevent future scams using forged EFCC certificates will reinforce the commission’s credibility locally and abroad.

Transparency is the only antidote to growing public cynicism about the Commission’s integrity.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), though laudably organising programs like its stakeholders’ meeting on accountability in local government, must now transition from talk to action. Corruption within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) remains rampant. A recent ICPC report showed that over 60% of corruption cases involved diverting healthcare funds—a scandal demanding decisive intervention.

April has ended, but the wounds it inflicted are still fresh. If we’ve learned anything, it is that the fear of the Nigerian state must be restored—not with hollow rhetoric, but through coordinated, courageous, and relentless action.

The enemies of Nigeria no longer fear our uniforms, our institutions, or the name “government.”

The time to act was yesterday. Today is already a dangerous gamble. Tomorrow may be too late.

Haroon Aremu Abiodun is a PRNigeria Fellow and author. He can be reached via exponentumera@gmail.com.