Nigeria

Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has apologised to Nigeria’s security and enforcement agencies over comments he made at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The activist tendered the apology in a video posted on his Facebook page on Friday after reflecting on his remarks during a panel session at the conference.

During the session, VDM referred to personnel of the Nigerian military, police, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Customs Service as “unknown gunmen.”

He also alleged that some police officers stationed at checkpoints provide information about travellers to kidnappers and terrorists. The police subsequently invited him to present evidence to support the allegation.

In his latest video, however, VDM admitted that his remarks were unfair to many security personnel, particularly those who risk their lives to protect Nigerians.

“I don’t think I was fair to a lot of people, particularly the speech where I said that the military are the unknown gunmen, the police are the unknown gunmen, you know, the immigration, the customs.

“I know exactly what I was trying to say because, I mean, I have evidence to back up my claim, but I wasn’t fair to a lot of people in that speech,” he said.

He said his comments were especially unfair to soldiers deployed to areas affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

“That speech was not fair, especially to the soldiers that are in the bushes fighting Boko Haram to protect our lands, to protect our lives, and to protect our families.

“I don’t think it’s fair to say they are also the unknown gunmen, to be very honest, because these people have laid down their lives,” he said.

According to the activist, his intention was to draw attention to alleged corruption, information leaks and sabotage by some individuals within the security agencies, rather than accuse every officer of wrongdoing.

“My speech was not to discourage you. My speech was entirely to talk about the bad eggs in our security operative, our security forces, is to put attention on the bad eggs, so that the leaders in these security settings will look inward and to see that sometimes information are being leaked and their own people are sabotaging them,” he said.

VDM acknowledged that although he stood by the concerns raised in his speech, the manner in which he presented them amounted to an unfair generalisation.

“But by passing that speech, like I said, it seems like I was generalising and it’s not fair to the fallen soldiers,” he said.

He added: “(There’s) a lot of corrupt generals, a lot of high-ranking police officers are corrupt, a lot of junior officers are corrupt, a lot of them are there.

“But there’s still a lot of more good people, a lot of more good people, and I know a lot of them.”

Apology To Defence Chief

VDM also directed a specific apology to the Chief of Defence Staff and the leadership of the country’s security agencies.

“So I will go further to say to the Chief of Defence Staff. Sir, I really want to apologise for that speech, and I don’t want to discourage your boys.

“Please extend my apologies to your boys, to the ones that are in the bush protecting our lands,” he said.

The activist said he was concerned that soldiers and other security personnel who were genuinely committed to protecting the country could feel discouraged after watching his comments from the NBA conference.

He also disclosed that he has maintained contact with the police and sometimes passes information to officers.

“Me and the police, we work steadily. I give, sometimes I share police information, tell them, ‘Oh, this is what is happening here, please, can you intercept,” he said.

He appealed to security personnel who are committed to protecting Nigerians not to be discouraged by his comments.

“We’re there behind you now, and we’ll always support you. You know, and we are part of this thing, security is for all of us,” he said.

Warning To ‘Bad Eggs’

Despite his apology, VDM maintained his criticism of security personnel whom he accused of undermining their colleagues through sabotage, arms supply and the leakage of information to terrorists.

“But then again, to the bad eggs, your days are numbered. To all of you in the military that are sabotaging and causing deaths to your officers, your days are numbered,” he stated.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Concern over the circulation of fake and substandard products has intensified across Nigeria, with consumers, medical experts, lawyers and public affairs commentators demanding tougher action from regulatory authorities.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have faced renewed scrutiny after Nigerians used social media platforms to share reports of suspected counterfeit food, medicines, cosmetics and other household products.

Although some of the claims circulating online have not been independently verified, the reports have heightened fears about the safety of products available in Nigerian markets and raised questions about the effectiveness of existing regulatory measures.

Social media users on X, TikTok and Instagram have recently posted videos comparing suspected fake products with original ones. The posts have covered toothpaste, yoghurt, palm oil, drinks, medicines and other commonly used items.

Doctors, content creators and other members of the public have also shared tips on how consumers can identify suspected counterfeit goods.

One widely circulated case involved Oral-B toothpaste. A Nigerian doctor, Somto Okonkwo, posted a comparison of genuine and suspected counterfeit tubes, pointing to differences in packaging, seals, texture, transparency and taste.

Okonkwo said he visited between five and seven shops where counterfeit versions were available, with some sellers unaware that the products were fake.

He also explained that genuine toothpaste commonly uses safe glycerine, while some counterfeit products could contain diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical.

The video received further attention after it was shared by UK-based Nigerian physician, Dr Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya.

Similar concerns emerged over Hollandia yoghurt after videos circulated online that purportedly showed the product being packaged in unhygienic conditions.

Other social media users also compared genuine and suspected fake yoghurt by examining differences in thickness, creaminess and barcodes.

On September 4, Ogunsanya shared photographs of two paracetamol tablets allegedly produced by the same company but showing noticeable differences in colour.

He warned that consumers might only identify the difference when the tablets were placed side by side, stating that “one is fake, or both are fake”.

He also criticised NAFDAC, alleging that the agency “has killed thousands of people by failing to do their job.”

Other complaints circulating online have included allegations of dyed palm oil, painted apples, fake soy sauce and olive oil, substandard chicken and fish, fake water and soft drinks, counterfeit alcoholic beverages and suspected fake toothpaste.

An X user, Oluwole Olofintuyi, @OluOlofin1, described the reported scale of counterfeit products as disturbing.

“Wherever you go: fake milk, fake yoghurt, fake bread, fake palm oil, fake/plastic rice, fake medicines, fake toothpaste, fake baby formulas, fake beverages, fake toothbrushes, fake bottled and sachet water, fake vehicle parts, fake tyres,” he wrote.

Olofintuyi alleged that some regulatory officials, distributors and importers could be involved in the circulation of counterfeit goods. He also accused NAFDAC and SON of failing Nigerians.

Another X user, Chinedu Samuel, @Chimextech, questioned the effectiveness of NAFDAC.

“Where is NAFDAC in all of this? What they are concerned about is sachet alcohol, no focus. That’s the result of nepotistic appointments,” he wrote.

Uche Samuel said reports about counterfeit toothpaste had increased his concerns about the safety of ordinary consumer products.

Mac Araga also alleged that regulatory agencies were placing greater emphasis on revenue generation than their primary responsibilities.

Another contributor, Abou Opeyemi, called for cooperation among relevant government agencies.

“We blame only NAFDAC, what is SON doing? What about CPC? Let them collaborate, even with NDLEA and the police. They should declare a state of emergency on fake drugs,” Abou Opeyemi wrote.

NAFDAC’S RECENT SEIZURES

NAFDAC has carried out several operations against counterfeit and unregistered products.

In February 2026, the agency said it confiscated more than 10 million doses of fake malaria medicines and other pharmaceutical products at the Lagos Trade Fair Market.

The agency also discovered warehouses inside an uncompleted building in Apapa, Lagos, where banned, counterfeit and unregistered medicines valued at more than N3bn were stored.

Among the items reportedly discovered were prohibited injectable anti-malaria drugs, antibiotics, sachet medicines and blister-packed drugs, alongside perfumes, body oils and cooking oils.

NAFDAC had also stated in 2025 that about 30 per cent of medicines sold in open markets were fake or substandard.

In March 2025, the agency seized and destroyed confiscated medicines estimated at N1tn during operations in major drug markets, including Onitsha, Ogbo-Ogwu and Aba, Ekumi/Tenant Road.

‘COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS CAN DAMAGE ORGANS’

The Director of Medical Services at the Medical Centre of the Federal College of Education, Akoka, Lagos, Dr Rotimi Adesanya, warned that fake medicines, food and drinks could contain harmful substances capable of damaging vital organs.

He said, “Some of the health hazards, such as liver failure, kidney failure, heart problems and even infertility and low sperm count, that are endemic in our society now are as a result of the usage of counterfeit products because of the chemicals in them.”

Adesanya attributed part of the problem to economic hardship, saying poverty could push consumers towards cheaper products.

He also explained the difference between an expiry date and a “best before” date.

“Most of them put ‘best before’ on the products, which is different from an expiry date. The expiry date means that once it is expired, it cannot fully perform the purpose for which it was produced. Whereas, best before means you get the best part of that product before the particular day.

“The reason for this is that some products disintegrate if they are left for some time. Some of them may lose moisture or the chemicals in them, depending on how they are stored.

“While expired drugs may not actually kill a person, they will not do the work they were intended to do because the potency of the drug will have reduced with time.”

He urged NAFDAC to increase surveillance and conduct regular checks on products displayed for sale.

“As a result of counterfeiting that is happening in the public, including local products like palm oil, the chemicals used for them are destroying organs. Some of them cause renal failure, which is shutting down the kidneys. They can shut down the liver, and that’s why NAFDAC has to be on top of its game.

“NAFDAC should do routine checks and analyses of these products, which they normally do in their industry. They must go on surveillance from time to time. They must check all the products on the shelves randomly. They must continue to see if they have expired or are still effective.

“Also, counterfeiting usually happens with expensive products because they are not affordable to people. The public should look for products from different brands,” Adesanya said.

A former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State, Dr Saheed Babajide, blamed weak enforcement for the continued circulation of fake medicines.

He said, “It is unfortunate that governments have allowed this issue to go on for a very long time. You will recall that NAFDAC recently went to Idumota in Lagos and Aba in Abia State to close some shops. Despite that, it still continues because there is no regulatory body whatsoever and the law enforcement agencies are not doing what they are supposed to do.”

Babajide said counterfeit medicines could result in renal damage, kidney and heart complications and mental health problems.

He added that ineffective medicines could worsen pressure on Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system because patients might not respond to treatment.

“The use of ineffective or partially effective antimalarial drugs, for instance, can prolong illness and increase the likelihood of hospital admission. This ultimately places an additional financial burden on patients, who may end up spending more on treatment than they would have if they had initially obtained effective medicines. The problem is largely driven by greed and the quest for financial gain by unscrupulous individuals,” Babajide added.

He urged lawmakers to introduce tougher measures against those involved in the distribution of counterfeit medicines.

“What the government should do is to ensure the relevant government agencies and regulatory bodies like NAFDAC and SON carry out their duties. There should be no bail and fine because anybody can be a victim of these counterfeit drugs. This should be treated as a matter of urgency,” he added.

CALLS FOR REFORM OF REGULATORY AGENCIES

A Lagos-based commentator, Segun Odunewu, called for a major reform of NAFDAC, alleging that the agency was no longer doing enough to protect consumers.

“We have not had it this bad until inefficiency crept into NAFDAC. The agency needs a complete overhaul for effectiveness. If not, we will all die of cancer and kidney disease.

“NAFDAC is not the NAFDAC of Dora Akunyili’s era. Her efforts are being wasted,” Odunewu said.

He also demanded greater accountability from the agency’s leadership.

“The NAFDAC Director-General should resign. NAFDAC is now becoming a money-generating agency while neglecting its primary responsibility,” Odunewu alleged.

However, public affairs analyst Adebayo Abubakar argued that abolishing NAFDAC or SON would not address the problem.

“We have NAFDAC to protect us from fake and dangerous food, drugs and other regulated products, and SON to enforce standards and protect consumers from substandard and counterfeit goods.

“These are not ornamental agencies; the law gives them precisely the powers required to police the marketplace,” Abubakar said.

He said counterfeit products remained widespread across Nigerian markets.

“Walk through Nigerian markets and the uncomfortable truth stares you in the face: counterfeit medicines, adulterated foods, fake electrical products, substandard building materials and imitation consumer goods are everywhere.

“NAFDAC itself has identified counterfeit and falsified products as a continuing problem, while the National Assembly has had to call on NAFDAC and SON to intensify surveillance and enforcement,” Abubakar said.

Another public affairs analyst, Musa Aliyu, advocated a review of the National Policy on the Contamination of Drugs and Unwholesome Practices of Pharmaceuticals.

He said the issue was not limited to medicines and required cooperation among government institutions and communities.

“The National Policy on the Contamination of Drugs and Unwholesome Practices of Pharmaceuticals is quite overdue for review because the issue extends beyond that.

“What we need is partnership in ensuring that communities are aware of the effects of contamination of drugs and unwholesome practices, and that people take the issue of drugs seriously because it is a very big challenge in Nigeria,” Aliyu said.

Aliyu also called for greater decentralisation of NAFDAC’s operations to improve monitoring at the community level.

LAWYERS SEEK TOUGHER PENALTIES

A Lagos-based dispute resolution lawyer, Muhammed Adam, urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on counterfeit and substandard products.

He described the situation as an organised threat to the economy and public health.

“A group of greedy, organised criminals cannot keep poisoning this country while they smile to the bank. What is happening in our markets is not petty trading. It is organised economic and public-health sabotage.

“It should be treated with the seriousness we reserve for terrorism because the outcome is the same: Nigerians are being killed slowly, quietly and profitably,” Adam said.

He said counterfeiters were targeting products that Nigerians depend on for their health and daily needs.

“That means the things we put on our skin, put in our children’s mouths and swallow when we are sick are among the products being most heavily faked,” he said.

Adam referred to seizures by the Nigeria Customs Service involving expired medicines and products with allegedly fake NAFDAC labels. He also cited a reported N53.4bn seizure in the Apapa area and an interception of fake anti-malaria medicines worth N1.2bn.

“People die from malaria that the ‘treatment’ never treated, from antibiotics that never fought infection, from cosmetics loaded with mercury and steroids, and from electrical and auto parts that fail when lives depend on them,” he said.

He warned that the problem could undermine public confidence in essential goods.

“When citizens cannot trust medicine, food or water, the social contract itself is damaged,” he said.

Another lawyer, Ibrahim Adebayo, accused regulatory agencies of losing some of the momentum that characterised earlier campaigns against counterfeit products.

He recalled a period when NAFDAC conducted what he described as a “total war” against counterfeiters, with raids, seizures, arrests and prosecutions.

“What we have now is an alleged collusion between some NAFDAC officials and these criminals. They only issue directives, bark sometimes, and nothing is done afterwards,” Adebayo alleged.

He said Nigerians should see greater results from the public funds allocated to regulatory agencies.

“This is an agency that receives billions of naira yearly through the Federal budget. Nigerians deserve to see the impact of that funding in terms of enforcement, prosecution and the protection of public health,” he said.

Adebayo called for closer cooperation among NAFDAC, SON, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and security agencies.

He also urged the government to strengthen surveillance at ports, warehouses, markets and online platforms, while improving intelligence-sharing among agencies.

According to him, counterfeiters were exploiting gaps between regulatory institutions and increasingly using digital platforms to reach consumers.

NAFDAC, SON YET TO RESPOND

Efforts to obtain NAFDAC’s response to the allegations were unsuccessful.

The agency’s Head of Enforcement, Dr Martin Iluyomade, reportedly declined to comment. Calls to his mobile lines were not answered or returned, while WhatsApp messages seeking his reaction had not received a response as of press time.

Attempts to obtain a response from SON were also unsuccessful. A senior official of the organisation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, directed enquiries elsewhere.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigerian-born legal scholar, Dr. Ibironke Odumosu-Ayanu, has been appointed dean of the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada.

She will serve a five-year term that begins on October 1, 2026.

Odumosu-Ayanu currently serves as the college’s associate dean of research and graduate studies. She joined the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Law in 2008.

The university announced her appointment on September 1 in a statement issued by Patti McDougall, interim provost and vice-president, academic, who also chaired the search committee for the new dean.

McDougall praised Odumosu-Ayanu’s academic record and leadership qualities.

“Dr. Odumosu-Ayanu’s appointment as dean reflects a distinguished record of academic excellence, collaborative leadership, and dedication to advancing research and graduate education,” McDougall stated.

“Her work as dean will continue to build on the College of Law’s strong reputation for excellence in legal education and research, while strengthening its leadership in Indigenous legal scholarship and engagement with local and global communities.”

Odumosu-Ayanu will take over from Martin Phillipson, who served two five-year terms as dean before proceeding on administrative leave on July 1.

FROM LAGOS TO CANADA

Odumosu-Ayanu was raised in Lagos, where she developed an interest in reading and writing from an early age.

She initially considered a career in communications. However, encouragement from her teachers and support from her parents influenced her decision to study law.

She subsequently enrolled at the University of Lagos, where she obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree.

Her academic career later took her to Canada, where she pursued a master’s degree at the University of Calgary. Her choice was influenced by the university’s research strengths in natural resources, energy and environmental law.

“Since I started law school, I always knew that I wanted to do a master’s and to do one abroad. But I always thought I would go to England.”

Odumosu-Ayanu initially intended to return to Nigeria after completing her master’s degree and practise as a lawyer. However, she continued her education with a PhD programme at the University of British Columbia.

She said a doctorate was not part of her original plan.

After obtaining her PhD, she began to consider a career in academia and applied for academic positions.

Her academic journey eventually took her to Saskatchewan in 2008, where she joined the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Law.

Before her move, a mentor at the University of British Columbia, who was raised in Saskatoon, had advised her to prepare for the harsh Canadian winter.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed concern over reports that some young Nigerians are resorting to kidney sales because of worsening economic difficulties.

Atiku made the remarks in a post on X on Thursday, where he linked the reported development to the rising cost of living under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The former Vice President said he had received what he described as “disturbing stories” about young Nigerians who were considering the sale of parts of their bodies as a means of raising money.

“I have heard disturbing stories about the extent to which young Nigerians are being driven simply to survive. Perhaps the most horrifying are the growing reports of young people selling parts of their bodies: kidneys in particular, in desperate attempts to raise money,” Atiku wrote.

He maintained that young Nigerians should have opportunities to develop their talents and pursue their ambitions instead of considering the sale of their organs.

According to him, they should be “selling dreams, ideas and innovation, not their body organs,” and described the reported situation as something that should “offend the conscience of every Nigerian.”

Atiku further alleged that some young Nigerians were being pushed to sell their kidneys for as little as ₦1.7m. However, the figure was not linked to a specific report or government agency.

The reported amount could not be independently verified.

Atiku attributed the alleged trend to the pressure caused by the increasing prices of basic necessities, including food, transportation, accommodation, education, healthcare and electricity.

He said, “In Tinubu’s Nigeria, almost everything required to live with dignity is becoming more expensive by the day: food, transport, rent, school fees, medicine and electricity.

“Yet young Nigerians are reportedly being driven to sell their kidneys for as little as ₦1.7 million.

“That should break the heart of a nation.

“Young Nigerians should be building careers, starting businesses, raising families and pursuing their dreams, not calculating how much parts of their bodies can fetch simply to stay alive.

“When young Nigerians begin to see their kidneys as emergency savings, we are no longer talking about ordinary economic hardship. We are talking about desperation at its most frightening.”

The ADC presidential candidate acknowledged that Nigerian laws prohibit the commercial sale of human organs and organ trafficking.

He, however, argued that “laws alone cannot cure the poverty and desperation that make vulnerable young people easy prey for criminal networks.”

Atiku called for economic measures that would address the difficulties faced by ordinary Nigerians. He listed affordable food, lower transportation costs, accessible healthcare, decent employment opportunities and “renewed hope for the next generation” among the measures he said were needed.

He concluded with a criticism of the President, saying, “Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again.”

His comments came amid recent reports of alleged organ trafficking activities in some parts of Nigeria.

The Nigeria Police Force recently paraded four suspects, including two nephrologists, over an alleged organ-trafficking operation.

The police alleged that one of the suspects, Emmanuel Ode, admitted to recruiting victims. Investigators also alleged that a 22-year-old man was taken to a hospital in Abuja in April, where his kidney was allegedly removed for $1,250, said to be about ₦1.7m.

According to investigators, the suspected syndicate targeted vulnerable young people facing financial difficulties in Nasarawa and surrounding areas.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Adamawa State Police Command has confirmed the death of six people in a road accident along the Yola-Girei Road on Friday.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the preliminary report, six victims were involved in the fatal crash and were taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

“The victims were rushed to a hospital where they were confirmed dead.

“Police operatives from Girei Divisional Headquarters, Federal Housing and the Central Motor Traffic Division were immediately mobilised to the scene to evacuate the victims and restore the normal flow of traffic.”

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Kabir Hassan, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of their souls.

Hassan also urged motorists to remain calm and exercise caution on the road. He advised drivers to obey traffic regulations and avoid excessive speed to reduce the risk of further accidents.

The latest crash has raised concerns over the safety of the Yola-Girei Road. Four accidents have reportedly occurred on the route within less than a month, with more than 10 people killed in the incidents.

By Uzair Adam

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has urged state governors and lawmakers to stop distributing motorcycles as palliatives, warning that some of the motorcycles eventually find their way into the hands of terrorists and bandits.

Musa gave the warning on Thursday while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed ongoing efforts to tackle terrorism and other security challenges confronting the country.

According to him, motorcycles provided to vulnerable Nigerians sometimes end up being used by terrorists to facilitate their movements and carry out attacks.

“We try to appeal to even governors to stop giving motorcycles out as palliatives. Because these motorcycles are the same ones that still end up with these terrorists,” he said.

The minister advised that where motorcycles must be distributed, authorities should consider smaller-capacity models that would be less useful to terrorists operating in difficult terrains.

“Even if you have to give, don’t give them the big capacity motorcycles; give them the small capacity ones that they won’t be able to use to run around, because that gives them leverage. They can easily enter and then disappear,” Musa said.

He also warned that motorcycles distributed by lawmakers under constituency projects and other intervention programmes could eventually be diverted to bandits and terrorists.

“Those bikes… before you know it, they’re already back to the bandits, and that’s what they’re using. So we must stop that,” he added.

Musa further disclosed that security agencies had identified illegal markets and motor parks as major channels through which terrorists transport arms and ammunition to their areas of operation.

“What we realise from experience is they establish illegal markets or illicit motor parks. They go to those motor parks; that’s where they move arms and ammunition into those areas,” he said.

The defence minister also called for greater involvement of local governments in the fight against insecurity, arguing that local authorities are better positioned to identify criminal activities within their communities.

“We must allow our local governments to work. Failure of local government is what is aggravating what we’re dealing with, and if we want a better solution, a quick fix, our local governments must work,” he said.

According to Musa, local government chairmen should regularly convene security meetings and monitor developments within their respective areas.

He also urged state and local authorities to strengthen surveillance around markets, motor parks and other locations that could be exploited to transport drugs, weapons and ammunition.

“If we’re able to make sure that we man all the markets, all the motor parks, all these areas where drugs, weapons, ammunition move, it will make it difficult for them,” the minister added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has disclosed that National Examinations Council examination questions were previously sold for as little as N3,000 before candidates sat for the examinations.

Alausa described the scale of examination malpractice in Nigeria as “mind-boggling” and warned that the practice was capable of destroying confidence in the country’s education system.

The minister spoke on Thursday during a meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools and other education stakeholders. He called on parents, teachers, school proprietors, principals, invigilators and students to support efforts to protect the integrity of public examinations.

According to Alausa, examination malpractice had become deeply entrenched over the years, creating an unfair environment for students who prepared honestly for their examinations.

He said the situation could also encourage hardworking students to engage in malpractice because of the pressure to compete with candidates who obtained examination materials in advance.

Alausa said, “It’s sad. Before she (Minister of State for Education) and I came, the acceptance of examination malpractice, cheating and examination leakages in this country was mind-boggling, and the country accepted it. It was a nightmare,” adding that the “danger was that the good students would also become bad.”

Recalling his experience in efforts to tackle examination malpractice, the minister alleged that some examination questions were openly obtained before the scheduled examination dates.

He said, “The Registrar of NECO at the time had a name. His name was (Ibrahim) Wushishi. You would go to Wushishi… I didn’t know that Wushishi meant going to the dark website.

“They bought his question for N3,000. That was it. Before the examination. They called him Wushishi and bought the questions for N3,000 before the examination.”

The minister also recounted what he described as a difficult experience during the 2025 examination period, when he allegedly received examination questions before candidates were due to sit for the papers.

According to him, the situation led officials to repeatedly verify the circulated questions with examination authorities, with some of the materials later confirmed as the actual questions scheduled for the examinations.

He said, “During that examination period, during the hardest time of my life, I was always worried, waking up. I would wake up to her text. She would send questions to me… She would say, ‘I just got this question.’

“It could be English or Chemistry. I was always waking up with trepidation every morning, doing work. I would send it to the HNO and ask, ‘HNO, is this correct?’ And the answer I got was, ‘Unfortunately, that’s the question we’re doing today.’

“So, that was a more aggressive intervention because we were seeing the question and confirming from the other side.”

Alausa said the problem could not be blamed on students alone, stressing that examination malpractice involved several actors within the education system.

He maintained that parents, school authorities, teachers, invigilators and principals must all take responsibility for preventing examination fraud.

Alausa said, “You might be in that isolated school, but the school system is also involved. In fact, I don’t blame the students that much. Any child can be bad.

“But when we have an ecosystem where parents, schools, teachers, invigilators and principals are in full connivance, the students are the smallest players. The people who should put the deterrents in place are the ones involved.”

The minister said the Federal Government would intensify measures aimed at preventing examination malpractice and ensuring that academic certificates reflected students’ actual knowledge and abilities.

He linked the reforms to President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to improve standards across the Nigerian education sector.

Alausa said, “This is a country with the rule of law. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is transforming this country in a way that’s never been transformed before. This is Nigeria’s renaissance that we’re building to be sustainable into the future.”

He said the country could no longer continue to tolerate practices that undermine its educational standards.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Ahmad, urged private school proprietors and other stakeholders to support the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen examination standards.

Ahmad said tighter examination controls could initially reveal gaps in the academic preparation of some students who had become accustomed to gaining access to examination questions before the actual tests.

She explained that the introduction of serialised examination questions would make it more difficult for candidates to benefit from leaked materials and encourage students to prepare adequately.

The minister also urged schools to complete their curricula within the required timeframe and encourage students to maintain regular study habits.

She assured private education stakeholders that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to engage them as the reforms are implemented.

The Federal Government’s renewed campaign against examination malpractice comes amid persistent concerns over question-paper leakages, impersonation, collusion and other forms of unauthorised assistance during public examinations.

The government says its efforts are aimed at restoring credibility to public examinations and ensuring that students who prepare and compete honestly are not disadvantaged.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The presidential ambition of President Bola Tinubu cannot be guaranteed by the All Progressives Congress’ control of more than 30 states, according to Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

Kwankwaso made the remark on Thursday in Port Harcourt at a town hall meeting with voters, where he and the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, responded to questions about the 2027 general elections.

The former Kano State governor cited the 2015 presidential election as evidence that control of several states does not automatically translate into victory at the federal level.

He recalled that the Peoples Democratic Party, under which former President Goodluck Jonathan contested the 2015 election, controlled about 20 states before the poll. Jonathan, however, lost his re-election bid to the APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

According to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Jonathan secured victory in 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory, while Buhari won 21 states. Eleven of the states won by Buhari were under PDP control at the time.

Tinubu, who defeated Peter Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election, is seeking another term on the APC platform. The party currently controls about 31 states.

Kwankwaso therefore dismissed the argument that the APC’s control of numerous states would secure Tinubu’s re-election.

“Jonathan was the sitting president and he lost the election. Those who think that because they have over 30 governors they cannot lose are making a very big mistake,” he said.

‘This Is The Time To Get It Right’

Kwankwaso also criticised the performance of some state governors, particularly those in the northern part of the country.

“The trend is that those governors and their parties have performed woefully. It is difficult for many of them to even come out and campaign because, from top to bottom, they did absolutely nothing,” he stated.

The NDC vice-presidential candidate further argued that some of the individuals seeking the presidency lacked the experience required to effectively govern Nigeria.

He said the country needed “a committed, strong and vibrant president” who could confront its challenges.

Kwankwaso also warned voters against making another political decision that could have serious consequences for the country in 2027.

“This is the time to get it right. Anything to the contrary, if people make a mistake, they will regret making that mistake because it will be too costly for the people and the country,” he said.

The NDC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, also addressed the gathering.

Lulu-Briggs praised party members in the state for their patience, resilience and commitment to the political movement.

He expressed confidence that the NDC would build “a Nigeria that works” and assured the party’s national leadership of the continued support of its members in Rivers State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged inability of Corporal Yusuf Aliyu to access his salary for two years.

Aliyu, identified as F/No. 524180, had reportedly announced his resignation from the Nigeria Police Force on social media while alleging that he had been unable to access his salary during the period.

In a statement issued on September 3, 2026, the Command said Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu had directed a discreet and comprehensive investigation into the matter.

The police said the investigation was ordered to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged restriction placed on the officer’s bank account.

“Furthermore, preliminary findings indicate that the officer’s salary has been paid promptly and consistently by the Police authorities. The observed difficulty is attributable to a discrepancy in his Bank Verification Number (BVN), as the name linked to the BVN differs entirely from the name on his salary account, thereby resulting in the restriction.”

The Command also faulted the officer for taking his grievance to social media instead of using the internal channels available to police personnel to seek redress.

According to the statement, the action violated the Nigeria Police Force Social Media Policy and was viewed as an attempt to discredit the Command and the Force.

“The Command notes with concern that the officer resorted to the use of social media to ventilate his grievance and announce a purported resignation, rather than exploiting the established internal mechanisms for redress. This conduct constitutes a clear violation of the Nigeria Police Force Social Media Policy and amounts to an attempt to discredit the Command and the Force at large.”

The police, however, assured personnel that complaints concerning their welfare would receive attention under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police.

“The Commissioner of Police wishes to reassure all officers and men that their welfare remains a topmost priority of the Command under his leadership and the Force, and no genuine complaint will be left unattended.”

The Command further directed its personnel to comply with the Force’s social media rules and use the appropriate administrative channels whenever they have complaints or grievances.

“In addition, the CP enjoins all personnel to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Force Social Media Policy and to channel all complaints or grievances through the appropriate administrative procedures for prompt attention.”

The Bauchi Police Command said it remained committed to discipline, professionalism and the welfare of its personnel while carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Presidency has issued a statement clarifying the nature of an ongoing Freedom of Information Act case before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, emphasizing that it is a civil records dispute and not a criminal case against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement released Thursday by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency addressed what it termed “speculative reports” concerning the legal proceedings.

The case originated in 2022 when Aaron Greenspan, described by the Presidency as someone who “works with Nigerian opposition figures including David Hundeyin and Atiku Abubakar,” submitted FOIA requests to several US government agencies seeking records relating to President Tinubu. After agencies withheld certain records or declined to confirm their existence, Greenspan commenced Civil Action No. 23-1816 in 2023.

President Tinubu was subsequently permitted to participate in the proceedings as an intervenor.

The statement provided background to the case, noting that 23 years ago, on February 4, 2003, the American Consulate in Lagos informed then-Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun that an FBI records check found no criminal arrest records, wants, or warrants for then-Governor Tinubu.

During the proceedings, US government agencies invoked the “Glomar defense,” a standard position where agencies neither confirm nor deny the existence of records. The court granted summary judgment in favour of several agencies including the CIA, Department of State, and IRS, removing them from proceedings.

The FBI and DEA subsequently produced 399 pages of records with redactions, which the plaintiff challenged. The agencies defended their redactions citing exemptions including grand jury proceeding protections, attorney-client privileges, law enforcement purposes, personal privacy, and protection of confidential sources and investigative techniques.

President Tinubu has also asserted his rights under FOIA Exemption 7(C), according to his legal team.

The plaintiff has until September 11, 2026, to file opposition, with responses due by September 18, 2026.

The Presidency stressed that “the release or withholding of records under FOIA does not, by itself, establish criminal liability,” and that the case concerns “access to government records and the proper application of statutory exemptions.”

“Recent public commentary by Mr Karl von Batten has inaccurately portrayed him and his client as central to the proceedings. Neither is a party to the case,” the statement added.

The Presidency urged media and the public to “distinguish verified court proceedings from partisan speculation,” noting the case remains exclusively within the jurisdiction of Judge Beryl A. Howell.