FG

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a National Housing Finance Authority (NHFA) as part of efforts to improve access to affordable housing finance across Nigeria.

The proposal was unveiled by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, during a stakeholders’ validation workshop held in Abuja on Tuesday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Darma said the proposed authority would be created under a new national mortgage industry policy. He explained that the initiative would strengthen mortgage financing, reposition the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and widen participation in the National Housing Fund (NHF).

He said the planned reforms would allow traders, artisans and other workers in the informal sector to participate in the NHF. The minister added that contributors would be able to join the scheme with monthly payments starting from ₦5,000.

According to him, the initiative is expected to promote financial inclusion and create more opportunities for Nigerians to own affordable homes.

The minister also highlighted the growing importance of the real estate sector to the country’s economy. He said the sector now contributes about 13.4 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with an estimated value of about ₦41 trillion. He noted that it has become the country’s third-largest sector following the rebasing of the national accounts.

He further stated that the combined value of the real estate and construction sectors exceeded ₦77 trillion in 2025.

“After the rebasing of our accounts, real estate services alone account for about 13.4 percent of Nigeria’s GDP, roughly N41 trillion,” the minister said.

“It is our third-largest sector, ahead of telecommunications and crude oil. With construction added, the two crossed N77 trillion in 2025.

“Dubai is smaller than Kano. The difference is not money. The difference is trust, and trust is manufactured by regulation.”

Darma said improved regulation and stronger housing finance would increase investor confidence and encourage greater private sector investment in the housing industry.

He added that the government is proposing the establishment of a National Housing Industry Regulatory Commission to improve oversight of property developers and mortgage operators.

According to the minister, the planned reforms form part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to reduce the country’s housing deficit, improve affordability and support sustainable urban development.

Earlier, on January 19, the Federal Government announced a new national housing strategy that focuses on land reforms, urban renewal and public-private partnerships (PPPs) as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s housing shortage.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has approved a 35% increase in hazard allowances for junior and senior members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) working in federal universities.

The new allowance package will take effect from January 1, 2026. The approval followed an agreement reached between the Federal Government and NASU on June 29, 2026.

The decision was conveyed in a circular dated July 20, 2026. Adighiogu Chiadi, Acting Secretary of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), signed the circular. It was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, ministers and heads of government agencies.

The circular stated: “Following the agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions dated 29th June 2026, the Federal Government has approved the payment of the following allowances to non-teaching staff members of NASU in Federal Universities.”

Under the revised package, laboratory hazard allowance for workers on CONTISS 1–5 increased from N180,000 to N243,000 annually. Employees on CONTISS 6–15 will now receive N486,000 each year instead of N360,000. The increases represent 35% for both categories. NASU had requested annual payments of N360,000 and N720,000 respectively.

The government also reviewed responsibility allowances for senior non-teaching staff. Registrars and bursars will now receive N840,000 annually instead of N750,000. The union had demanded N1.5 million.

Deputy registrars, deputy bursars and deputy directors will receive N480,000 annually, although NASU sought N600,000.

Directors will receive an annual responsibility allowance of N600,000 for the first time. The amount meets the union’s request. Heads of sections, who previously had no responsibility allowance, will now earn N150,000 annually. NASU had proposed N900,000 for the category.

The government also approved higher allowances for field trips, teaching practice and industrial supervision. Workers on CONTISS 1–5 will receive N81,000 annually instead of N60,000, while those on CONTISS 6–12 will receive N108,000 instead of N80,000. Staff on CONTISS 13–15 will now earn N135,000 annually, up from N100,000.

For the Students’ Work Experience Programme (SWEP), workers on CONTISS 1–5 will receive N81,000 annually, while those on CONTISS 6–12 will earn N108,000. Employees on CONTISS 13–15 will now receive a harmonised annual allowance of N135,000, replacing the previous range of N60,000 to N100,000. NASU had proposed N200,000 for the category.

The circular further stated that the Provision Tools Allowance (PTA) has been merged into the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CATA). It also noted that laboratory student-to-staff ratio supplementation will now be covered under excess workload arrangements.

The review followed months of discussions between the Federal Government and NASU. The union had argued that the allowances approved under the 2009 agreement were no longer adequate because of inflation and the rising cost of living.

By Uzair Adam

The Federal Government has arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as terrorism-related offences.

The defendants — Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid, Yunusa Musa (also known as Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (also known as Abu Itisar) — were charged on Friday in a 10-count charge filed by the Federal Government.

The charges stem from the May 15, 2026 attack in which gunmen invaded three schools in Oyo State and abducted several pupils and teachers.

One of the victims, teacher Michael Oyedokun, was killed while in captivity, while the remaining hostages regained their freedom after spending 56 days in the forest during a security operation.

According to the charge sheet, the three suspects, all residents of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, allegedly conspired with three other suspects — Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab — between January and May 2026 to carry out the kidnapping.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants aided the abduction by supporting those responsible for the attack and deliberately withheld information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds despite having prior knowledge of the plot.

They were also accused of failing to alert security agencies about both the planned kidnapping and those behind it, an offence said to contravene the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In another count, the Federal Government alleged that the three men professed membership of Darul Salam, described in the charge as an affiliate of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.

The charge further singled out Abdulrazak Umar, accusing him of operating a WhatsApp group titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace,” through which he allegedly provided training and instructions to terrorists and incited members to commit acts of terrorism.

Umar was also accused of engaging in illegal gold mining activities in streams located in Chaza area of Suleja Local Government Area between 2024 and 2026 without lawful authority.

The offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has asked the federal government to make public the identities of beneficiaries of the N501 billion bond issued to offset debts owed to electricity generation companies, also known as GenCos.

Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), made the demand after the Association of Power Generation Companies claimed that the funds had not been fully released despite several assurances from the government.

Earlier in the year, the federal government announced the successful issuance of the N501 billion inaugural bond under the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme.

In February, the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Joy Ogaji, disclosed that the federal government owed GenCos about N6.5 trillion.

President Bola Tinubu later approved a payment arrangement in April to clear debts in the sector through the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reform Programme.

Reacting in a statement released on Wednesday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the comments made by Ogaji had raised questions about how the government was handling debts in the power sector.

He said the call by the APGC chief for details of the disbursement to be made public had exposed concerns about accountability and transparency.

“Dr. Ogaji’s vivid description of the government’s token payment as ‘like rubbing oil on a crying child’s mouth to imply that he had eaten’ perfectly captures the Tinubu administration’s approach to governance: grand announcements, impressive figures, glossy headlines, and very little substance,” the statement reads.

The former vice-president said repeated announcements by the government on settling electricity sector debts had failed to end the crisis.

“This is no longer a policy failure. It is a crisis of credibility,” he said.

“The question is no longer whether the government is borrowing. The question is why Nigerians are repeatedly being asked to applaud fresh borrowing to solve a problem that government insists it solved only yesterday.”

Atiku also challenged the federal government to publish the names of the power generation companies that benefited from the bond, the amounts paid to each company, the dates the payments were made and the balances yet to be settled.

“Public money cannot disappear into official press statements. Every naira borrowed in the name of Nigerians must be traceable to its destination,” he said.

He accused the Tinubu administration of depending on fresh borrowing instead of tackling the root causes of the problems in the electricity sector.

“Every challenge is met with another ceremony. Every crisis is greeted with another headline. Every unresolved debt is answered with another borrowing plan,” he said.

“Yet electricity generation remains constrained, investors remain uncertain, businesses continue to spend fortunes powering themselves, and ordinary Nigerians still pay exorbitantly for darkness.”

Atiku further called on the National Assembly, the Auditor-General of the Federation and other oversight agencies to conduct a public audit of intervention funds released to the power sector under the current administration.

“Nigerians deserve to know precisely how much has been borrowed, how much has been disbursed, who received the money, and why the debts continue to rise despite repeated claims of settlement,” he said.

The former vice-president added that “darkness has become one of the most expensive commodities in Nigeria” and urged the government to explain how previous loans were spent before seeking additional borrowing.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government says it has released about N13 billion in interest-free loans to no fewer than 7,450 academic and non-academic staff members in 153 public tertiary institutions across the country.

The disbursement was carried out under the 2025/2026 cycle of the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF).

Boriowo Folashade, Director of Press and Publications at the Federal Ministry of Education, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the ministry, the initiative reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare, financial stability and productivity of workers in the education sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The ministry explained that the scheme was established by the Federal Ministry of Education and is being managed by the Bank of Industry (BOI).

It added that the programme offers interest-free loans of up to N10 million to qualified staff members in public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

The statement noted that the facility was introduced to assist beneficiaries in meeting personal and professional needs while improving their wellbeing.

The ministry also stated that Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting personnel responsible for teaching, learning, research and innovation in higher institutions.

It added that the intervention is helping workers cope with financial challenges, improve their living conditions and strengthen the workforce in the education sector.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as an important aspect of the ministry’s education reform programme. He encouraged eligible workers to participate in the next application phase.

According to him, “no education system can outperform the people who sustain it”.

Alausa said efforts to improve infrastructure, technology, skills acquisition, research and institutional reforms must also include practical policies that support workers’ welfare and living standards.

He further stated that the successful completion of the 2025/2026 phase highlights the growing demand for the programme and its positive impact on beneficiaries.

The minister added that the intervention aligns with ongoing efforts to improve teaching and learning, encourage research and innovation, strengthen institutional governance and build a more competitive education system.

“Since disbursements commenced on 28 October 2025, the programme has processed over 42,000 applications through its digital platform, providing support to beneficiaries across all six geopolitical zones of the country,” the statement reads.

“Universities accounted for 52 per cent of disbursements, while colleges of education and polytechnics represented 25 per cent and 23 per cent, respectively.”

The ministry said the programme has improved access to financial support nationwide, although more work is needed to increase participation among female staff members and some regions.

According to the statement, female beneficiaries made up 19 per cent of recipients during the 2025/2026 cycle.

It added that the next phase of implementation would include targeted awareness campaigns and sensitisation programmes.

The ministry also said steps are being taken to simplify the application process and improve communication with participating institutions to ensure a faster and more convenient experience for applicants.

It further announced that applications for the 2026/2027 phase of the TISSF will open at the end of June 2026.

Eligible staff members were advised to liaise with their institutions’ bursary departments and follow official communication channels of the ministry for further information.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness as part of efforts to prevent a possible outbreak in the country.

Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, inaugurated the committee on Thursday in Abuja. He said the initiative was designed to ensure Nigeria takes preventive action early and avoids a repeat of the Ebola outbreak recorded in 2014.

“We did the inauguration today on the preparedness of Nigeria for the Ebola virus disease. We’ve covered a lot of ground.

“Right now, there’s no reported case, which is good news, and that’s why all hands have to be on deck to make sure the measures we are taking are preventive, not curative,” he said.

Gbajabiamila explained that the government intends to act ahead of any emergency instead of waiting until the virus enters the country.

“We don’t want to be in the situation we were last time, where we had a carrier in the country and we’re all running helter-skelter,” he added.

According to him, the task force has already created teams that will focus on disease surveillance, border monitoring and emergency coordination.

He stated that the new strategy extends beyond airport checks and now includes stronger monitoring at land borders and informal travel routes.

Gbajabiamila noted that authorities are expanding surveillance because of the high level of movement across land borders. He said agencies such as Immigration, the Border Control Development Agency and border communities are involved in the operation.

Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, also confirmed that health screening measures have been strengthened at major entry points across the country.

He added that the preparedness plan connects federal ministries and state governments to ensure coordinated action against any possible Ebola outbreak.

By Anwar Usman

The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Finance has debunked reports suggesting it plans to introduce new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products, saying the claims are false and misleading.

This was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement signed by Maryann Duke, senior special assistant on communications and press secretary to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele.

The statement stated that, the reports, which linked the proposed taxes to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation on Nigeria, do not reflect its position.

The ministry reiterate that, the recommendations contained in the IMF report are advisory and do not constitute policy decisions or binding actions for Nigeria.

The statement in parts reads “the Federal Government is not considering the introduction of any new taxes on telecommunications services or petroleum products,”

The statement further clarified that existing tax arrangements on petroleum products remain in place.

It said the Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver on fuel has not been removed and is still active.

It also explained that any fuel surcharge can only take effect through a ministerial order published in the Official Gazette, adding that no such action is being considered.

On telecommunications, the government said the excise duty introduced before 2023 has already been cancelled under the new tax laws.

It added that the tax is, therefore, no longer in force.

The ministry urged Nigerians, media organisations and businesses to disregard claims about new telecoms and fuel taxes.

It said Nigeria’s tax policy remains focused on improving revenue collection, supporting economic growth, and attracting investment, rather than increasing the tax burden on citizens.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government has announced Wednesday, 27th and Thursday, 28th May, 2026 as public holidays to commemorate this year’s Eid ul Adha.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

The minister conveyed the Federal Government’s warm felicitations to Muslim faithful in Nigeria and across the Diaspora, noting that Eid ul Adha is a festival of deep spiritual significance rooted in the values of sacrifice, obedience to God, and compassion for fellow human beings.

According to the statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the declaration affirms the Federal Government’s profound respect for the faith and spiritual heritage of millions of Nigerian Muslims who join the global Islamic community in observing this sacred occasion.

The Federal Government urged all Nigerians to use the period for prayer and sober reflection, seeking divine guidance for the country as it continues its pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity for every citizen.

“In the spirit of brotherhood, shared humanity, and national unity, the Federal Government wishes all Muslims a peaceful, blessed, and joyous celebration,” the statement read.

The holidays are expected to allow Muslims across the country to join their counterparts worldwide in performing the symbolic sacrifices and prayers associated with the festival.

By Aliu Loveth Boluwatife

In recent years, loan applications have flooded Nigeria’s financial space, offering quick access to credit with just a few clicks. At first glance, these apps appear to be a lifeline for individuals and small businesses struggling to meet urgent financial needs. However, beneath this surface of convenience lies a troubling reality: loan apps are causing more harm than good to Nigerians.

The rise of loan apps coincided with a period of economic hardship, rising inflation, and shrinking employment opportunities. Many citizens turned to these platforms out of desperation, hoping to find short-term relief. Instead, they found themselves trapped in cycles of debt, harassment, and public humiliation.

Most loan apps in Nigeria operate without proper regulation, taking advantage of weak financial oversight. They charge exorbitant interest rates, often hidden behind glossy advertisements promising “instant loans with no collateral.” By the time unsuspecting borrowers realise the true cost, they are already buried in unpayable debt.

Beyond high interest rates, loan apps are notorious for violating privacy rights. Many of them gain access to users’ contacts and personal data. When borrowers miss repayments, these companies resort to shaming tactics by sending defamatory messages to friends, family members, and colleagues. This invasion of privacy is not only unethical but also illegal.

The psychological toll of these practices cannot be overstated. Countless Nigerians have suffered depression, anxiety, and even contemplated suicide because of the harassment from loan app operators. What started as a financial service has become a weapon of intimidation and abuse.

Another critical issue is the lack of accountability. While banks and licensed financial institutions are regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), many loan apps operate outside official frameworks. This leaves victims with little recourse when they face exploitation. Law enforcement agencies are often slow to act, giving these apps more room to exploit the public.

The culture of quick loans also discourages financial discipline. Easy access to cash tempts many to borrow beyond their means. Instead of solving problems, they accumulate more debt, deepening financial instability both at the household and national levels.

Some loan apps even engage in money laundering and other fraudulent practices. Without strong monitoring, these platforms could become breeding grounds for criminal activities disguised as financial services. This poses a wider risk to Nigeria’s economic and security environment.

For Nigeria to protect its citizens, urgent action is needed. The government should consider an outright ban on unlicensed loan apps. Any financial service provider must be properly registered, monitored, and bound by clear rules that protect borrowers from exploitation.

In addition to banning predatory platforms, regulators should strengthen microfinance institutions and licensed banks to provide accessible and affordable credit. Nigerians need genuine solutions, not traps. If regulated institutions are empowered, citizens can get loans at fair interest rates without fear of harassment.

Public awareness campaigns are also crucial. Many Nigerians fall victim to loan apps because they do not fully understand the terms and risks. Educating the public on financial literacy will help reduce the demand for exploitative services.

The judiciary, too, has a role to play. Cases of harassment, defamation, and privacy breaches should be prosecuted swiftly to set a strong precedent. Victims must know that the law is on their side, and perpetrators must understand that Nigeria will not tolerate such abuse.

International cooperation is equally important. Many of these loan apps are backed by foreign companies that exploit Nigeria’s weak regulatory environment. Stronger cross-border partnerships can help track, sanction, or block such platforms from operating in the country.

Civil society organisations and the media should also remain vigilant. By exposing the harmful practices of loan apps, they can pressure policymakers to take decisive action. Stories of victims must not remain hidden—they should be amplified to drive reform.

Still, Nigeria must balance the need for financial inclusion with the protection of citizens’ rights. Quick loans may appear to solve short-term problems, but if left unchecked, they create long-term damage.

The time has come for Nigeria to act boldly. Predatory loan apps are not a symbol of progress but of exploitation. By banning them and strengthening legitimate financial institutions, Nigeria can protect its people, restore dignity to its financial system, and lay the foundation for a more secure and inclusive economy.

Aliu Loveth Boluwatife, Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government has announced that approximately 10 million Nigerians are set to benefit from its newly unveiled Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, a poverty-reduction initiative targeting all 8,809 wards across the country.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, disclosed this while accepting his appointment as the Grand Patron of the National Councillors’ Forum of Nigeria.

Speaking after the honour, Bagudu said the recognition would inspire him to intensify efforts aimed at revitalising grassroots economies for the benefit of the majority. He reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving living standards through extensive local governance reforms embedded in the programme.

The initiative, he explained, will map dominant commercial activities in each ward to identify beneficiaries eligible for government support. This strategy, according to the minister, is expected to give a significant boost to the Tinubu administration’s poverty-reduction objectives.

Bagudu thanked the Forum for their continued support, noting that the councillors’ endorsement of the President’s second term reflects a broad appreciation of ongoing reforms that are steadily improving the nation’s economy.

The Forum, which comprises all 8,809 serving councillors, stated that the appointment recognises Bagudu’s remarkable contributions to national development. “Your dedication to public service and to the development of our country makes you a perfect fit for this prestigious position,” the appointment letter dated April 23, 2026 read.

During a weekend visit, Forum President Hon. AbdulRazak Sama’ila presented the letter to Bagudu, expressing hope that the minister would play a crucial role in promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability at the grassroots level. “We hope to work with him and benefit from his insights and expertise,” Sama’ila added.