Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The World Bank has stated that about 79% of Nigerians are either living in poverty or remain at risk of falling into poverty despite the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the past three years.

The assessment appears in the World Bank’s newly approved Country Partnership Framework for Nigeria (2026–2032) and the accompanying Streamlined Country Diagnostic, which examined the country’s economic performance and development challenges.

According to the report, 61% of Nigerians currently live below the poverty line, while 33% are classified as ultra-poor and unable to meet their minimum food needs.

The World Bank acknowledged that the Federal Government’s reforms have improved several macroeconomic indicators. It said economic growth rose from 3.5% in the first half of 2024 to 3.9% during the same period in 2025. It also noted that foreign reserves have exceeded $42 billion, fiscal deficits have declined, and investor confidence has improved.

Despite those gains, the institution said the benefits have not yet translated into better living conditions for many Nigerians because major structural challenges remain.

The report stated: “Thirty-three per cent of its population is ultra-poor (food insecure by age-weighted caloric intake), 61 per cent is below the poverty line, and 79 per cent is near poor (below the poverty line or vulnerable to falling back into poverty).

“Despite recent bold reforms stabilising the economy and laying the groundwork for the Renewed Hope Agenda, significant structural challenges remain,” it said.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The House of Representatives has withdrawn its own constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, opting instead to consider a similar proposal transmitted by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The decision came during Tuesday’s plenary session, where lawmakers swiftly gave the Executive-sponsored bill its first and second readings before referring it to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative action.

The move effectively suspends the House’s earlier initiative as legislators pivot to the Executive-backed amendment, which is expected to undergo detailed scrutiny at the committee stage before returning to the floor for final consideration.

The development marks a significant shift in the ongoing debate over state policing, which has gained renewed momentum amid growing concerns about rising insecurity across the country. While the House had previously pursued its own constitutional amendment on the matter, the adoption of the Executive’s proposal signals a unified approach between both arms of government.

Lawmakers are expected to examine the bill’s key provisions thoroughly, including funding mechanisms, operational frameworks, and safeguards against potential abuse, before the amendment can proceed to the Senate for concurrence.

The passage of the state police bill would require amending the 1999 Constitution to remove policing from the Exclusive Legislative List, allowing states to establish their own law enforcement agencies.

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

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 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

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major global technology companies and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unauthorised use of content produced by Nigerian media organisations.

The directive followed a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), which comprises the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).

The directive was conveyed to the FCCPC through a letter signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

According to the government, the investigation will address concerns raised by the Nigerian media industry over the growing influence of digital platforms on the country’s news ecosystem and their impact on the sustainability of local media organisations.

The petition names major technology companies, including Meta, Alphabet, and X, alongside some Generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria.

The organisations are accused of engaging in practices that could undermine fair competition, weaken the commercial viability of Nigerian media outlets, and infringe on the rights of publishers and content creators.

Reacting to the directive, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said the commission would carry out an independent, transparent and evidence-based investigation.

“We recognise the strategic importance of the media to Nigeria’s democracy and the equally significant role of technology in driving innovation and economic growth.

Our responsibility is to objectively determine the facts and ensure that competition within the digital ecosystem remains fair, transparent and consistent with Nigerian law,” Bello said.

He stressed that the investigation should not be interpreted as an indication that any organisation had already been found guilty of wrongdoing.

“This inquiry is not directed at any entity by presumption of wrongdoing. Rather, it is an opportunity to carefully examine the facts, hear from all affected parties, and determine whether any conduct has resulted in anti-competitive outcomes or unfair business practices.

Every party will be accorded a fair opportunity to present relevant information before any conclusions are reached,” he added.

The FCCPC said the investigation would determine whether the alleged conduct violates the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 or any other applicable law.

Among the issues to be examined are allegations of market dominance and anti-competitive behaviour, as well as the unauthorised extraction, scraping, ingestion or commercial use of copyrighted news articles, broadcast materials and other original journalistic content for the development and training of Generative AI models.

The commission will also examine claims that Nigerian media organisations have been denied fair commercial arrangements and adequate compensation for the use of their content by global technology companies.

The FCCPC recalled that it previously investigated Meta and secured a court judgment against the company in 2025 over violations of the FCCPA, including data privacy breaches, which resulted in a $220 million fine. The company has appealed the ruling.

The commission further referenced developments in South Africa, where, following an investigation by the South African Competition Commission, Google agreed to compensate South African news organisations with R688 million (about $40 million) annually for a period of three to five years.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre has posted an AI-generated image of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, selling akara amid ongoing reactions to her recent remarks about small-scale businesses.

The image appeared on the Presidency’s official social media platforms on Friday. It showed the First Lady at a roadside akara stand wearing an apron with the inscription, “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love.”

The post came days after Oluremi Tinubu spoke about low-capital businesses during an interview. She had explained that ventures such as akara frying, corn roasting and kuli kuli production could help Nigerians improve their livelihoods.

“We’re trying to give hope, and to start akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn, or somebody even said kuli kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant,” she had said.

Her comments generated widespread reactions online. While some Nigerians said the remarks failed to reflect the country’s economic challenges, others defended her position and described the businesses as accessible opportunities for many citizens.

The AI-generated image also triggered fresh debate on social media.

Reacting on X, a user identified as @Top_GunM wrote, “Warra country. It’s so unfortunate. This is meant to be the wife of the president of the most populous black nation in the world and this is what she’s being reduced to.”

Another user, #mizmuchstella, criticised the Presidency’s media team. “Whoever is the handler of this account should be sacked. Your job is to position this government as good, but it is obvious you have no basic knowledge of your job.”

Also reacting, #WilverZaddy said, “I hope Nigerians are seeing the man they voted for using them to catch cruise? Is this what a president is supposed to say? A president directly mocking the masses while the economy bites harder with high level of insecurity in the country. Such a big pity and mess.”

Another X user, #ChimaAmako82045, described the post as disrespectful to Nigerians. “Keep enjoying this mediocrity n insult you are giving Nigerians, e just remain months to vote the idiotic family out of aso rock, and na that time when una wan rig am na him una go know Nigerians pain. Enjoy it while it last but remember it won’t last forever.”

A user identified as #outtahighbee also faulted the development, saying the Presidency was damaging its public image. “lol You guys are not helping this president of ours at all. You think you are but you keep dragging the old man down and further down with this cruise. Everybody can’t sell akara and kuli kuli now Abi iru wahala wo leleyi gan sef? Oro yin su mi o.”

Another commentator, #gentrytee22, argued that the image portrayed citizens in a poor light. “This is to show how small the government of the day rates its citizens. You advocate for mediocrity and call it innovation , people who wants better for themselves complain now it has to turn to a nationwide meme being used by the government media team lol. It’s a shame.”

Highlighting rising living costs, #AminJaman wrote, “Even akara has becomes more expensive because beans, oil, and transport costs keep rising. The smile is beautiful, but behind it is the reality of soaring food prices, expensive cooking gas, and declining purchasing power.”

However, some Nigerians defended the post.

A user identified as #SirTimeyin argued that social media users had earlier turned the First Lady’s remarks into jokes and memes. “I find it interesting that so many people are suddenly outraged. When the First Lady’s “Akara” comment became content, Nigerians turned it into skits, memes, and endless cruise. We laughed, and moved on. Now the President has added his own quota to thesame joke, and everyone is wailing. Why the surprise? Once a national issue becomes entertainment, don’t be shocked when those in power start treating it like one too. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”

Another supporter, #sto0511M, welcomed the image and encouraged the Presidency to continue with such posts. “Thank you for this image we want more of these kind images to dish out to them so that theh can continue roaming in 1 roundabout,abeg pepper 🌶 dem more for us our body sey sweet us with that PBAT statement.”

President Tinubu had earlier referred to the First Lady as “Iya Alakara” during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja on Thursday. The remark came while he acknowledged guests during his speech at the event.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has alleged that certain enemies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are responsible for financing the country’s deteriorating security situation, with the aim of undermining the success of Nigeria’s democracy.

Akpabio made the remarks in Abuja during the launch of three books honouring former military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, as part of celebrations marking his 84th birthday. One of the books is a biography of the former leader.

The Senate President praised Abdulsalami for his role in transitioning power to a civilian administration in 1999, a move that laid the foundation for the democracy Nigeria continues to enjoy to this day.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity across the country, declaring that Nigeria will not bow to terrorism, banditry, or criminal threats.

The President made the pledge through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, during the National Inter-Denominational Church Service held on Sunday at the National Christian Centre in Abuja. The event formed part of activities commemorating the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.

The service, which carried the theme, “God of Hope, Actualise Our Dreams,” attracted several top government officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack.

In the President’s message, Akume congratulated Nigerians on 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance since 1999. He described the achievement as a reflection of the determination and sacrifices of citizens who fought for the return of democratic rule.

He also paid tribute to the heroes of the June 12 struggle, noting that many suffered persecution, sustained injuries, and even lost their lives in the campaign for democracy.

Addressing the nation’s challenges, the SGF said the Federal Government understands the difficulties many Nigerians face, including economic hardship, insecurity, kidnappings, and displacement in several communities.

“The government is sensitive to all these pains, shares in these pains and has heard your cries,” he said.

Akume added that the administration is confronting these issues with compassion and a strong sense of responsibility.

On security, the President acknowledged that recent attacks and abductions underscore the need for greater efforts. He, however, assured Nigerians that securing the release of those still in captivity remains a key national objective.

He further stated that security agencies are receiving the support and resources required to safeguard lives, protect communities, and defend the country’s territorial integrity.

“The government of Nigeria shall never succumb to terror, banditry or any form of criminal intimidation,” he declared.