Nigeria

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) is participating in the ongoing development and validation workshop for the African Continental Curriculum Framework (ACCF) in Windhoek, Namibia.

The Daily Reality reports that the development was disclosed by the Council on its verified Facebook post on Tuesday, noting that the workshop is being held from August 11 to 13, 2026, as part of efforts to develop and validate the continental curriculum framework.

The workshop provides a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and technical engagement on the development of the ACCF, covering education from Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) through secondary education.

According to NERDC, the meeting is part of broader continental efforts to strengthen collaboration among African member states towards the harmonisation and advancement of curriculum frameworks across the continent.

The initiative is aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA), with participants expected to deliberate on key issues that could shape the future of education and curriculum development across Africa.

The Council said participants would identify priority competencies, values and learning areas for African learners, while exploring mechanisms for curriculum harmonisation that would preserve national and regional contexts.

The three-day workshop is organised by the African Union (AU) in collaboration with Namibia’s Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC).

Directors of Curriculum and curriculum experts from AU member states are attending the workshop to discuss and chart the way forward on the roadmap for the African Continental Curriculum Framework.

NERDC is represented at the event by its Executive Secretary, Prof. Salisu Shehu, and the Head of its Curriculum Development Centre, Dr. Chima Egbujuo.

Dr. Egbujuo is also scheduled to make a paper presentation at the workshop as participants deliberate on strategies for developing a common continental curriculum framework that responds to Africa’s educational priorities while taking into account the diversity of individual countries and regions.

By Sulaiman Maijama’a

He served a single tenure and was chased out of the corridors of power, and later had the fortune of being smuggled by a cabal after waiting for a good 8 years. When he was announced as the flagbearer of their party, he doubted himself, woke up in the middle of the night and sat on a sofa, talking to himself. Let us peer into his mind and bring out what he is saying to the world.

What is the motive behind bringing me back? When I served my first tenure as a governor, these people ganged up against my reelection and chased me away and ever since I left, I distanced myself from anything to do with the state. I jettisoned party affairs, didn’t honour wedding invitations, didn’t pay homage or send goodwill messages during festivities,  refused to ever pay condolences, refused to make donations for public and private projects. I created both social and physical distancing by relocating to Abuja and abandoning all my people in Bakesu State. Why would these people nominate me? Do they really mean well?

But I am said to be the luckiest politician this country ever produced. I was born in Alfawa State, attended primary school in Babaldu State, and did my secondary school in Dadin Kowa State. When my father was posted to Bakeso State, we lived comfortably enough that I claimed indigene status, rose through the ranks in the civil service, ventured into politics, and miraculously became the state governor. But what did I do when I had the chance?

According to what people are saying on social media, I did not execute physical projects which I can now show to convince people to elect me. But when I was rounding up my first term, I gathered a lot of money, which I intended to use to execute the projects in my second tenure, but they unfortunately elected me out. I left the state treasury with billions of naira, and I suspect it is the money this governor has used to achieve all this development people applaud him for in the state. Why don’t I say I’m the one who gathered the money for him and claim a share of the credit?

My social media handles keep popping up with posts from haters of my return, reminding people of the verification exercises we did when we were in power. I even saw one post saying that in the cemetery there is a section of pensioners who died of hunger during our verifications. But we did that in good faith, and who will die before their appointed time? I think this can be a question of faith!

But wait, how many people did I fight with when I was in power whom I am still at loggerheads with? Traditional title holders accused me of not giving them the respect and resources they deserve. Now, this wicked governor fueled our estranged relationship with them because he built them beautiful palaces and pooled resources they never requested. But why would a lawyer of my standing, who knows very well that these people don’t have any constitutional role, deviate from due process?

My relationship with clergymen of both faiths was—and still is—not cordial. I thought their duty was only to preach to people to be righteous and serve God in order to go to paradise. But when I was in power, they asked to see me during every religious festivity, sent requests or proposals for donations or sponsorship of every religious activity. During fasting period, Sallah, Christmas and Maulud, they requested thousands of textiles, thousands of rams and cows and trailers of foodstuff to distribute to orphans. Whenever I turned down their request, they would quote me a verse in the Qur’an and the Bible, and accuse me of not helping religion. But I’m fasting every Monday and Thursday. Can this not take me to paradise?

Now, the poor say I have zero projects to show; traditional institutions throw questions of disrespect, and clergymen challenge my disregard for their institution. Despite all this, I want to return to this seat. 

What should I do?

Maijama’a wrote via sulaimanmaija@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Coordination Office of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has commenced a 10-day residential training for 23 community artificial insemination (AI) technicians as part of efforts to improve livestock productivity and increase milk and meat production across the state.

The training began on Monday, August 10, 2026, at the Artificial Insemination Centre and Farmer Field School, Kadawa, Kano State, and is scheduled to end on August 19.

The training, titled “Artificial Insemination Techniques for 23 Key Community Artificial Insemination Technicians,” is designed to equip participants with practical skills needed to support the project’s planned 5,000 artificial insemination exercises across the 44 local government areas and wards of Kano State.

The programme is expected to improve the genetic quality of livestock through crossbreeding, increase milk and meat production, and make artificial insemination services more accessible to livestock farmers and pastoral communities.

Speaking on the objectives of the training, Abubakar Muhammad Kabiru, an Animal Husbandry Officer with Kano L-PRES, said the 23 technicians were being prepared to participate in the planned artificial insemination programme across the state.

He said the technicians would play a key role in ensuring the successful implementation of the project’s target of 5,000 artificial insemination exercises.

“We are here today to train 23 key community artificial insemination technicians in order to enable them to participate in the forthcoming 5,000 artificial inseminations to be carried out across Kano State, covering the 44 local governments and all the wards,” Kabiru said.

According to him, the programme is aimed at achieving a high success rate while producing about 5,000 crossbred animals capable of increasing milk and meat production.

Kabiru added that the trainees would subsequently provide artificial insemination services to L-PRES beneficiaries across the state in accordance with approved technical standards.

He explained that 22 of the trained technicians would each be assigned to cover two local government areas, while he would supervise their activities.

He further said the technicians would work alongside a consultant who would visit communities to identify suitable animals based on factors such as age, health condition and pregnancy diagnosis before the insemination process.

Also speaking, Gambo Isa Garko, an Extension Officer with the L-PRES Project, described the training as a critical component of efforts to increase the number of cattle benefiting from artificial insemination.

Garko said the specialised nature of artificial insemination services made it necessary to have adequately trained personnel capable of providing the service at the community level.

“Training these 23 artificial insemination technicians will increase the number of targeted cows to be inseminated by the L-PRES Project and help us achieve our targets,” he said.

He explained that artificial insemination offered livestock farmers a relatively affordable method of improving the genetic quality of their animals compared with purchasing high-quality breeding animals, which can be costly.

“Instead of buying breeding cows, which are very costly, getting semen is relatively cheaper. With the semen and highly trained technicians, we can now carry out insemination,” Garko said.

He expressed optimism that the initiative would record a high success rate and contribute significantly to improved livestock productivity in Kano State.

The Director of Public Enlightenment at the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Abba Dalha Soron-Dinki, also described the training as an important intervention capable of strengthening agricultural and livestock activities in the state.

Soron-Dinki said increased livestock production would improve the availability of milk and meat while contributing to economic growth and better livelihoods for residents.

“It is very important because it will increase and boost agricultural activities in the state. The milk and meat we are getting will become more available and will increase tremendously to the society,” he said.

He added that the Kano State Government was implementing various measures aimed at strengthening agriculture and livestock production.

Meanwhile, Auwalu Musa, a director at the Kano State Ministry of Livestock Development, said artificial insemination was essential to improving the genetic performance of livestock.

He noted that Kano’s large population made it necessary to increase livestock productivity to ensure adequate supplies of milk and meat for residents.

“With artificial insemination, the performance of our animals will be upgraded. Kano is a populated state, whereby there is a need to improve the genetic performance of the animals so that we get more milk and more meat for consumption,” Musa said.

Musa further noted that the training would help address challenges faced by livestock farmers in accessing artificial insemination services, particularly those living in pastoral communities.

He said the community-based technicians would be able to travel to various local government areas and communities to provide AI services, enabling pastoralists and other livestock farmers to access the service closer to their homes.

Musa added that the training would also equip the participants with specialised skills that could create livelihood opportunities for them while contributing to the development of Kano State’s livestock sector.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Flight operations at the Lagos airport were disrupted on Tuesday after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) commenced a protest at the facility.

The protest reportedly began around 5am, with the Zulu terminal gate locked, which affected passengers scheduled to travel from Lagos.

An Air Peace flight expected to leave Lagos at 6:30am was unable to depart as passengers remained at the airport amid the disruption.

The development caused frustration among travellers, with some passengers expressing concern over the uncertainty surrounding their journeys.

A passenger told Daily Trust that “the delay had disrupted his schedule, expressing concern that he could not tell when the flight would eventually depart.”

Another passenger said she arrived at the airport early for the 6:30am flight but became stranded without definite information on when flight operations would resume.

A staff member of Air Peace confirmed the disruption when contacted by Daily Trust.

“Yes, it’s true,” the staff member said, but declined to provide the reason for the protest.

However, an operator familiar with the matter said the “protest was intended to enforce Air Peace employees right to join the union”

Attempts to contact Air Peace through its customer care line were unsuccessful, as calls to the number could not be connected at the time of filing this report.

The protest consequently affected movement at the airport, while passengers on the affected flight awaited further information on the situation.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigerian Army troops have recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition from a forest in Enugu State.

The weapons were reportedly linked to a kidnapping syndicate that has been operating across Enugu, Abia, Anambra and neighbouring states.

The recovery was carried out on Monday, August 10, at Umuchingu Ujenike Forest by personnel from the 82 Division Garrison and 103 Battalion of the Nigerian Army.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the troops located the weapons after some suspected members of the kidnapping group who had earlier been arrested provided information about the location of the hideout.

The operation followed the rescue of two kidnap victims as well as the arrest of a logistics supplier and two suspected leaders of the criminal network.

The recovered items included four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

The latest operation forms part of ongoing efforts by security forces to dismantle criminal networks operating in forests and communities across the region.

On July 31, a joint military operation rescued Ofor Amobi, a senior army officer, and Ikechukwu Onwuanra, a civilian, after a 10-day search for them across forests and communities in Enugu State.

During that operation, troops searched Inyi, Awlaw and Akpugo-Eze forests as well as surrounding communities in Oji River Local Government Area of the state.

Earlier in June, soldiers, in partnership with operatives of the Department of State Services, also raided suspected armouries linked to the Eastern Security Network in Enugu State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been eliminated from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon on Sunday.

The result at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium ended Nigeria’s defence of the continental title and left the nine-time African champions facing a tougher route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Cameroon secured the victory through Myriam Nyadjou, who scored the decisive goal in the 20th minute.

The encounter was closely fought, with both teams engaging in physical challenges and intense battles in midfield.

Nigeria struggled to create clear opportunities after falling behind. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade attempted to control the game and organise the Super Falcons’ attacks, but the team relied largely on efforts from distance during the first half.

Cameroon returned from the break with greater intensity and applied pressure higher up the pitch. The approach disrupted Nigeria’s attempts to build attacks and limited the Super Falcons’ ability to find openings.

Nigeria increased the pressure as the match progressed and continued its search for an equaliser into stoppage time. Cameroon, however, maintained its defensive shape until the final whistle.

The victory gave Cameroon its first WAFCON knockout-stage win over Nigeria since the 2012 third-place play-off.

Cameroon will now advance to the semi-finals, which guarantees the team a top-four finish and an automatic qualification spot for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria, by contrast, will have to go through a playoff tournament to secure a place at the 2027 World Cup.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Chad has announced plans to allow citizens of all African countries to enter the country without visas from January 1, 2027.

Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby announced the decision as part of efforts to promote closer integration among African countries.

According to Déby, removing visa restrictions will support easier movement of people and goods across the continent and advance the goal of greater African unity.

The policy will place Chad among a growing number of African countries that have adopted visa-free entry for citizens from across the continent.

Chad will become the eighth African country to introduce a blanket visa-free arrangement for African nationals.

The countries that have already adopted similar policies include Benin Republic, The Gambia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Ghana, Kenya and Togo.

Togo introduced its policy in May, allowing African travellers with valid passports to enter the country without obtaining visas.

The Chadian government’s decision is expected to further ease cross-border travel for Africans and strengthen regional integration across the continent.

By Usman Abdullahi Koli

While much of the world’s attention remains fixed on wars, economic uncertainty and geopolitical rivalries, a profound recalibration of the global energy order is underway. It is a shift defined not by headlines, but by the urgent competition to secure supply chains, attract long-term capital, deploy cleaner technologies, and craft the regulatory frameworks that will underpin economic growth for decades.

Increasingly, these decisions are not made within national borders alone. They are forged on international platforms where governments, industry leaders, investors, and researchers exchange ideas, build partnerships, and seek practical solutions to shared existential challenges.

That is why Nigeria’s return to the World Energy Council (WEC) deserves more than a passing mention. This is not merely another diplomatic affiliation. It is the country’s re-entry into one of the world’s oldest and most influential energy leadership forums at a moment when energy security, affordability, sustainability, and investment have become defining issues for every major economy. For Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and one of its premier energy producers, the significance extends well beyond representation. It offers a strategic aperture to shape global policy discourse while vigorously advancing national and regional interests.

Founded in 1923, the World Energy Council has spent over a century connecting governments, businesses, and researchers across the energy landscape. With national member committees spanning more than ninety countries, it serves as a respected neutral forum for dialogue on the future of energy rather than a regulatory body. Its influence derives from its ability to unite diverse voices to address common challenges, encourage innovation, and promote practical approaches to what it terms the “energy trilemma”: balancing energy security, environmental sustainability, and equitable access. Through flagship initiatives like the World Energy Congress and its authoritative research on global trends, the Council has become an indispensable reference point for policymakers and industry leaders alike.

Nigeria’s renewed membership arrives at a pivotal inflection point. Globally, nations are reassessing their energy strategies in response to climate commitments, geopolitical fractures, and technological disruption. The conversation has moved beyond the traditional metric of production capacity. Today, equal weight is given to resilience, competitiveness, regulatory certainty, and the ability to attract stable, long-term investment. Nations are increasingly judged not only by the resources they possess, but by the institutional strength they build and the policies they pursue.

Few countries illustrate this challenge more vividly than Nigeria. The nation holds some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, remains a major oil producer, and possesses immense renewable energy potential, particularly in solar and hydroelectric resources. Yet it continues to grapple with persistent deficits in electricity access, transmission infrastructure, financing, and energy poverty. These realities render international engagement a strategic necessity rather than a diplomatic exercise. Participation in the WEC provides Nigeria with a vital conduit to exchange technical knowledge, strengthen institutional cooperation, learn from global best practices, and project African perspectives in conversations that increasingly dictate investment and policy outcomes.

The opportunities created by this renewed engagement are substantial. Membership unlocks access to comparative research, executive-level dialogue, policy networks, and collaborative initiatives that can directly support national reforms. For instance, Nigeria could leverage the WEC’s scenario-building tools to chart optimal pathways for gas monetisation alongside solar expansion, or utilise the Council’s “Energy Trilemma Index” to benchmark its regulatory reforms against peer economies, translating global frameworks into actionable domestic strategy. Backing this strategic push with the full authority of the state, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu offered an unequivocal endorsement of the newly constituted Member Committee. The President, in formally welcoming Nigeria’s admission, reframed the development as a decisive assertion of continental leadership rather than a mere diplomatic courtesy. Capturing the administration’s highest aspirations for the platform, he declared: “Nigeria has joined the World Energy Council to lead, not just participate – to ensure Africa’s voice shapes global energy decisions.”

Steering this strategic re-engagement is a newly constituted Member Committee, featuring representatives from the government, the private sector, academia, and international energy institutions. At its helm, Dr. Bala Maijama’a Wunti has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Member Committee, and he is very much the man in the picture. Upon his appointment, Wunti captured the essence of this moment with characteristic clarity: “I am honoured to lead WEC Nigeria at a time of profound economic crosscurrents. We will navigate the energy trilemma with pragmatism, mobilising private capital to ensure Nigeria’s energy future is defined not by ideology, but by investability—delivering prosperity that is bankable, just and secure.”

These words are more than a statement of intent; they are a strategic compass. They affirm that Nigeria’s approach to the global energy transition will be grounded in realism, fiscal discipline, and a clear-eyed understanding of what attracts capital and sustains development. Wunti’s emphasis on “investability” rather than ideology signals a mature departure from abstract commitments toward measurable, bankable outcomes—a philosophy that resonates deeply with Nigeria’s immediate needs and long-term aspirations. Wunti is no peripheral figure. He brings a formidable depth of operational and strategic experience from Nigeria’s petroleum industry, having served in senior technical and executive roles, most recently as Chief Health, Safety, and Environment Officer of NNPC Ltd. His professional DNA, forged in operational management, institutional leadership, corporate governance, and multi-stakeholder engagement, positions him uniquely to navigate the complex currents of the global energy transition.

In his new capacity, Wunti’s mandate extends far beyond administration. He is tasked with architecting Nigeria’s engagement strategy: fortifying ties with international partners, driving substantive policy dialogue, and ensuring that Nigerian perspectives are not merely heard, but actively shape global energy governance. His leadership will be critical in translating the Council’s global frameworks into tangible reforms that address Nigeria’s domestic energy paradox: abundant resources coexisting with acute access deficits.

The broader significance of this development, however, transcends any single appointment. Nigeria’s return to the World Energy Council signals a mature recognition that influence in today’s energy landscape is determined as much by ideas, partnerships, and institutional credibility as by natural resource endowments. The countries that will define the future of energy are those that combine resource wealth with sound policy, technological innovation, and sustained international collaboration.

For Nigeria, this renewed membership is a strategic instrument to deepen its contribution to global energy conversations while advancing its own developmental priorities. The platform is now active, and the leadership is in place. The hope ahead, under Wunti’s stewardship, is to convert participation into tangible outcomes: stronger cross-border partnerships, more informed domestic policies, enhanced investment flows, and a more resilient, inclusive energy sector. If that objective is achieved, Nigeria’s return to the World Energy Council will be remembered not simply as an institutional milestone, but as a decisive step in strengthening the nation’s role within an increasingly interconnected global energy system, with Dr. Bala Wunti standing firmly at the centre of that transformation.

Usman Abdullahi Koli wrote via mernoukoli@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam


Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has disclosed that his administration spent more than N1.5 billion on the 2026 mass wedding programme organised for 1,500 couples across the state.

The governor said the expenditure was aimed at fulfilling a campaign promise while providing the beneficiaries with financial, household and social support to help them establish their marriages.

Yusuf disclosed this on Saturday while speaking at the wedding ceremony for the 1,500 couples under the state’s mass wedding initiative, popularly known as Auren Gata.

He explained that the programme was designed not merely to facilitate the marriages but also to support the couples as they begin their lives together.

According to him, the mass wedding was among the promises he made to the people of Kano during his campaign across the state’s 44 local government areas ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“Alhamdulillah, to the glory of Allah, today we have continued to fulfil that promise,” he said.

The governor noted that all prospective beneficiaries underwent comprehensive screening before being admitted into the programme.

He said the process included medical examinations, marriage counselling, workshops and seminars aimed at preparing the couples for the responsibilities of married life.

Yusuf stressed that the medical screening was particularly important in safeguarding the health of the couples and their future children.

He further disclosed that each bride received N100,000 as dowry and an additional N100,000 capital grant to enable her start a small-scale business and achieve economic independence.

The beneficiaries, he added, were also provided with household furniture and essential items, including beds and mattresses, as well as foodstuffs and other materials intended to reduce the financial burden of setting up new homes.

The governor urged the couples to regard marriage as an act of worship and to build their homes in accordance with the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

He advised them to demonstrate patience, fairness and mutual respect, while resolving disagreements peacefully and maintaining understanding in their homes.

“Always remember that marriage is an act of Ibada. Therefore, strive to conduct your matrimonial life in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of our noble Prophet Muhammad,” Yusuf said.

He prayed for Allah’s blessings upon the marriages and for the couples to be blessed with righteous children who would contribute positively to their families, society and humanity.

Yusuf also expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, Islamic scholars and other guests who attended the ceremony and contributed to the success of the programme.

He specifically acknowledged members of the Kano State Council of Emirs, including the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the emirs of Rano, Karaye and Gaya, for their guidance, prayers and support.

The governor equally thanked Islamic scholars and clerics who travelled from different parts of the country to participate in the programme and counsel the newly married couples.

The 2026 mass wedding programme was implemented across Kano State’s 44 local government areas and was designed to provide selected couples with financial, household and social assistance as they begin their marital lives.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigeria’s total public debt has increased to N159.35 trillion as of March 31, 2026, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO).

The latest debt portfolio report released by the agency showed that the figure represents an increase of N9.96 trillion, or 6.7 per cent, from the N149.39 trillion recorded at the end of the first quarter of 2025.

Despite the yearly increase, the country’s debt stock remained almost unchanged from the N159.28 trillion recorded at the end of December 2025.

On a quarterly basis, the debt rose by N75.51 billion, which represents a 0.05 per cent increase.

The DMO report showed that domestic debt accounted for N87.4 trillion, representing 54.85 per cent of the total debt, while external debt stood at N71.95 trillion, or 45.15 per cent.

Domestic debt increased by N8.64 trillion, or 11 per cent, compared with the N78.76 trillion recorded in March 2025.

External debt also recorded a year-on-year increase of N1.32 trillion, representing 1.9 per cent, from N70.63 trillion in the first quarter of 2025.

A comparison with the December 2025 figures showed that domestic debt rose by N2.55 trillion, or three per cent, from N84.85 trillion.

External debt, however, dropped by N2.48 trillion, or 3.3 per cent, from N74.43 trillion recorded at the end of December 2025.

The DMO said the Federal Government accounted for N82.88 trillion of the domestic debt, while state governments and the Federal Capital Territory contributed N4.52 trillion.

In dollar terms, the country’s total public debt stood at $114.95 billion as of March 31, 2026. This compares with $97.24 billion recorded in March 2025.

According to the DMO, the external debt was converted to naira based on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official exchange rate of N1,386.2156 to the dollar as of March 31, 2026.

The development came after the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to obtain $6 billion in external borrowing on March 31.