By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian government has issued a strong statement dismissing recent accusations made by Tigran Gambaryan, an American official at Binance, following his trial in Nigeria for financial crimes.

The government describes Gambaryan’s claims as outrageous, defamatory, and misleading, urging the public to disregard his statements.

In a press release, the Federal Government clarified that Gambaryan and his colleagues visited Nigeria voluntarily, with no official involvement from the government.

However, when an alleged bribery demand surfaced during the visit, the Nigerian authorities swiftly launched an investigation, despite the absence of a formal complaint.

Gambaryan’s second trip to Nigeria, according to the government, was part of a broader investigation into criminal activities related to the manipulation of the Nigerian currency through platforms like Binance.

The statement alleges that Gambaryan and his team used tactics to obstruct the investigation, which frustrated Nigerian officials.

In October 2024, Gambaryan was released from custody on humanitarian grounds following high-level diplomatic intervention, which the Nigerian government claims resulted in tangible benefits for the country.

The statement revealed that Nigeria rejected a $5 million offer from Binance for Gambaryan’s release, instead choosing a more advantageous agreement with the U.S. government.

The government categorically denied Gambaryan’s retaliatory accusations against Nigerian officials, stating that his claims are baseless and motivated by a desire to discredit those who ensured he faced legal consequences.

They also expressed confidence that both Nigerian and American courts would provide Gambaryan with a fair chance to present evidence supporting his claims.

Until then, the Nigerian government urged the public to exercise caution and dismiss the unsubstantiated allegations made by Gambaryan.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The European Parliament has passed a resolution condemning the continued detention and possible execution of Nigerian singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu on blasphemy charges. The resolution, adopted on Thursday, urges the Nigerian government to immediately release Sharif-Aminu and abolish blasphemy laws that violate human rights.

Sharif-Aminu was sentenced to death by an Upper Sharia Court in Kano State on August 10, 2020, for allegedly composing a song with lyrics deemed derogatory to the Prophet Muhammad. His trial was conducted without legal representation, and his family has reportedly faced harassment and persecution since his arrest. 

Although the Kano State High Court ordered a retrial in January 2021 and later upheld by the Court of Appeal in August 2022, the constitutionality of Sharia-based blasphemy laws was affirmed, raising fears that the death sentence might still be enforced. His appeal to the Supreme Court, filed in November 2022, remains pending.

The European Parliament highlighted that Sharif-Aminu’s health is deteriorating due to inadequate access to food, clothing, and medical care while in detention. The resolution calls for his unconditional release, guarantees for his safety, and an expedited and fair appeals process at the Supreme Court.

The Parliament further criticised Nigeria’s blasphemy laws, stating that they contravene international human rights commitments, the African Charter, and Nigeria’s own constitution, which upholds freedom of expression and religion. It also highlighted that blasphemy accusations frequently lead to mob violence and extrajudicial killings, putting religious minorities at risk.

In addition to demanding Sharif-Aminu’s release, the European Parliament urged the Nigerian government to abolish blasphemy laws, impose a nationwide moratorium on executions, and take concrete steps to prevent impunity for those inciting or perpetrating violence over alleged blasphemy cases. It also called on the European Union and its member states to raise human rights concerns with Nigerian authorities and observe future legal proceedings related to blasphemy cases.

The resolution commended the recent acquittal of Rhoda Jatau and the release of Mubarak Bala, both previously detained on blasphemy-related charges. It reaffirmed that blasphemy laws should be abolished to protect fundamental freedoms in Nigeria.

The European Parliament’s President has been instructed to forward the resolution to the European Commission, the European Council, the European External Action Service, and the Nigerian government and parliament for immediate action.

By Maryam Ahmad

A groundbreaking congressional investigation has forced lawmakers to acknowledge a long history of U.S. government involvement in financing extremist organisations, including Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, the Taliban, and ISIS.

The findings, revealed in a classified report leaked to the press, outline decades of covert operations, indirect funding, and intelligence blunders that have inadvertently empowered terrorist groups worldwide.

The report details how U.S. aid, weapons, and financial resources intended for allied forces or opposition groups often ended up in the hands of militants.

It cites instances where American-made arms supplied to anti-Soviet fighters in the 1980s ultimately bolstered the Taliban and where funding to Syrian opposition forces found its way to ISIS affiliates.

Lawmakers from both parties have responded with shock and calls for greater oversight. “This is a sobering moment,” said Senator James Holloway (R-TX). “We must rethink our foreign policy strategy to ensure that American resources are never again used to fuel extremism.”

The White House has yet to issue a formal response, but officials insist that past mistakes should not overshadow ongoing counterterrorism efforts. Meanwhile, critics argue that these revelations confirm long-held suspicions about U.S. interventionist policies and their unintended consequences.

The investigation’s full findings are expected to be declassified in the coming months, raising further questions about accountability and the future of American foreign aid.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

The Nnamdi Azikwe University has expelled the female student that allegedly assaulted a lecturer from department of Theatre an Film Studies, which was found to be a gross misconduct and violation of the Students Disciplinary Regulations.

The acting Vice Chancellor of the varsity approved the recommendation of the Students Disciplinary Committee that recommends the expulsion of Goddy-Mbakwe Chimamaka Precious of Department of History and International Studies who brazenly assaulted the lecturer for being passing on her front when she was making Tiktok video and this caused the video disrupted.

The announcement of her expulsion comes from the office of the acting Registrar of the university and it says the expulsion takes immediate effect.

“You are expected to vacate the university premises immediately and return any university property in your possession”, the statement added.

By Garba Sidi 

On Monday night, 27th January 2025, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Sports and Information announced to journalists that the State Executive Council approved the sum of ₦4.8 billion for the 2025 Ramadan Feeding Program.  

An estimated 2022 population survey indicated that Jigawa State has approximately 7,499,100 people, making it the eighth-largest state by population. Of this population, 45.2% are below the age of 15, while 49% are between 15 and 59. Females constitute the majority at 50.4%, compared to 49.6% males. Understanding these demographic trends is critical for addressing the state’s challenges.  

I oppose the State Council’s move because the state has many pressing issues that require far greater government attention than a Ramadan feeding program. These funds would be better spent addressing healthcare and education problems.  

According to the National Mass Education Programme Initiative (NMPI 2022), over half of the children (51.1%) aged 6–15 in Jigawa State do not attend school. Additionally, Jigawa is one of the poorest states in Nigeria, with a poverty rate of 87.02%, reflecting severe challenges across economic, health, and education sectors.  

To clarify the situation for Jigawa residents, we must examine how last year’s Ramadan feeding program was conducted. As the Commissioner for Sports and Information stated, the state government contributed 55% of the program’s funding, while local governments covered 45%.  

Jigawa has 27 local governments, each grappling with dozens of unresolved issues. Their grants are insufficient to address even a quarter of these problems, and their chairpersons have done little tangible work for the people’s well-being. If 45% of local government funds are diverted to Ramadan feeding, I doubt they will even have enough to pay workers’ salaries.  

Last year, 609 centres distributed food (Kosai [bean cake], Kunu [porridge], and Kolo rice) during Ramadan. This year, the government intends to increase the number of centres to 630, with each centre providing meals for 300 people daily. Multiplying 300 by 630 results in a total of 189,000 people fed each day. Over 20 days, this programme would reach 3,780,000 people.  

Let us compare this to the approximate population of each local government and the number of beneficiaries:  

Dutse 400,000  

Hadejia 350,000  

Kazaure  300,000  

Ringim 280,000  

Gumel  270,000  

Birnin Kudu 250,000  

Kafin Hausa 240,000  

Gwaram  230,000  

Jahun 220,000  

Gagarawa 210,000  

Maigatari 200,000  

Babura 190,000  

Guri 180,000  

Kiri Kasama 170,000  

Auyo 160,000  

Malam Madori 150,000  

Gwiwa 140,000  

Yankwashi 130,000  

Taura 120,000  

Roni 110,000  

Sule Tankarkar 100,000  

Garki 90,000  

Buji 80,000  

Kaugama 70,000  

Birniwa 60,000  

Kiri Kasamma 50,000  

Miga 40,000  

If this huge amount of money were budgeted for healthcare or education, all Jigawa residents would benefit. Everyone falls ill at some point, and education is essential for ensuring our children live as dignified humans—not animals.  

Garba Sidi wrote via sidihadejia@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian National Assembly has approved the 2025 budget of N54.99 trillion, the largest ever in February, contrary to the usual approval time between January and December in previous years.

The budget includes additional revenue that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu announced from various sectors following the presentation of the national budget in December.

On February 5, President Bola Tinubu increased the 2025 budget presented earlier from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion, justifying the increase with the additional revenue generated by key government agencies.

The President sent a message about the budget revision in various letters directed to the Senate and the House of Representatives, which were read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in the session today.

The additional budget is a result of increased revenues, including N1.4 trillion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), N1.2 trillion from the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), and N1.8 trillion from other government agencies.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has stated that Nigeria cannot achieve significant progress unless its tax systems are reformed.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), the Speaker noted the country’s struggles with revenue generation, adding that Nigeria ranks among the lowest in Africa in terms of tax collection.

Abbas stated that for businesses to thrive and the country to develop, there was an urgent need to overhaul the current tax system.

He explained that the House had recently passed the second reading of four tax reform bills submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which he described as a historic move.

Abbas assured the CITN delegation that all relevant stakeholders, including the institute, would be engaged during public hearings on the proposed legislation by the end of February.

“I am one of those who believe that this country can never move forward if our tax systems remain the way they are,” Abbas said, stressing the importance of reforming the system to generate sufficient revenue.

He further pointed out that Nigeria’s tax system has not been restructured to meet the country’s development needs, particularly in terms of sectoral growth.

The Speaker also noted that the CITN’s goals align with the House’s 10th Legislative Agenda, and pledged collaboration with the institute to move Nigeria forward.

Earlier, the President of CITN, Mr. Samuel Olushola Agbeluyi, FCTI, mentioned that the institute would be celebrating its 42nd anniversary in February.

He highlighted CITN’s extensive reach, with 48 district societies worldwide, including in the U.S. and the U.K. Agbeluyi also praised the institute’s contributions to tax reforms, including the introduction of the Finance Act under the leadership of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He further addressed the need for a strong attitude towards taxation, citing how the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) failed to remit adequate revenue to the Federation Account, leaving the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to intervene.

In his closing remarks, Agbeluyi stated that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen the relationship between CITN and the House of Representatives, ensuring that both entities work together for the nation’s collective progress.

The CITN delegation included senior members such as Prof. Salihu Mukailu, Prof. Mohammed Okara Mainoma, and Dr. J.K. Naiyeju, a former president of the institute, along with several other council members and aides.

By Uzair Adam

MTN Nigeria has apologized for raising the price of its 15-gigabyte (GB) weekly data bundle by 200 percent but has further increased the cost despite the public outcry.

The telecom provider initially hiked the plan’s price from N2,000 to N6,000 as part of a broader tariff adjustment but later admitted the increase was a mistake.

“To our 15GB digital bundle lovers, you dey vex. We know,” MTN said in a statement. “We know how upsetting it must have been to suddenly wake up to a 200% increase on your favorite digital bundle.

“We could share several reasons and provide explanations, but omo, all that one na story. We don cast. We get it and admit it. Let’s just say na mistake.

“In this love season, don’t stay angry with us. Please forgive and forget. You matter die, and we will never stop showing you how much. Let’s continue our relationship. Thank you for your understanding.”

However, checks revealed that MTN not only raised the price further to N6,500 but also reclassified the 15GB bundle from a weekly to a monthly plan.

The tariff adjustments followed the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval of a request from telecom operators to increase prices, marking the first official review since 2013.

MTN’s price hike came despite the House of Representatives directing the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to suspend the 50 percent tariff hike approval.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Bayero University, Kano, celebrated its 39th Convocation Ceremony, during which Kudirat Oyiza Abdulkarim from the Faculty of Agriculture was honoured as the Overall Best Graduating Student. 

With a remarkable Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.92, Kudirat’s exemplary academic performance has made her a standout figure at the institution.

In her remarks, Kudirat shared insights into her journey, emphasising the dedication that fueled her success. “From my very first year, I was resolute in my goal to graduate with distinction. It was never an easy road, but I remained focused, dedicated, and consistent. Today, my dream has become a reality,” she stated.

Kudirat expressed heartfelt appreciation to Almighty Allah, her lecturers, and her parents, acknowledging their crucial support. “Their encouragement played a vital role in my success,” she added.

Looking ahead, Kudirat aspires to become a researcher, aiming to make significant contributions to agricultural development. She believes that Bayero University has been a life-changing institution for her and vows to represent it proudly.

Kudirat Abdulkarim inspires her peers, proving that excellence is always attainable with determination and hard work. As she embarks on her next chapter, her story serves as a motivational beacon for aspiring students everywhere.

By Muhammad Umar Shehu

Nigeria is arguably the only country where the impoverished masses are forced to manage the situation as it is while those in power enjoy life to the fullest. People endure abject poverty, yet our leaders show no sympathy for humanity.  

Nigerian politicians lack compassion, empathy, and conscience for the populace. In this country, the poor must bear the suffering their leaders impose while so-called politicians revel in its intensification. Hunger is a condition no human can survive, yet our leaders compel us to endure it. 

The Nigerian economy is in a dire state because the government is being run by the incompetent, corrupt, unscrupulous, and among the least qualified. One thing I’m sure of is that Nigerian politicians would rather sell their country for power and wealth than pave the way for the poor.

Nigeria’s leaders have turned governance into a tool for personal enrichment. Public healthcare, education, and infrastructure funds vanish into private accounts, leaving citizens to endure crumbling hospitals, overcrowded schools, and impassable roads. While politicians flaunt luxury cars and foreign estates, millions struggle to afford one meal daily. This intentional neglect ensures the masses remain too desperate to challenge their oppressors. 

Coming back to the basics, in the past, before the 2023 general election, the nation’s current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had been weaponizing hope with the slogan “Let the poor breathe”. Do the poor people actually breathe? And when are they going to breathe in this country of plenty?  

Nigerian politicians are used to using fake campaign promises to lobby votes from the poor masses. Still, they cannot be found once the election ends, and those campaign promises become unfulfilled. All my life, I’ve never seen people as shameless as Nigerian politicians. After all the fake promises, they still return during another election cycle with more fake promises. Are you not ashamed of yourselves at all?

Nigerian politicians hoard resources for themselves, raise their own salaries and silence dissent with violence. Meanwhile, families starve, workers go unpaid, pensioners are left starving, and youth lose hope. Until Nigerians unite to reject this cycle of greed, suffering will remain our nation’s legacy.

Muhammad Umar Shehu wrote from Gombe State and can be reached via Muhammadumarshehu2@gmail.com.