Nigeria

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has concluded the first batch of textbook assessments for the 2026 National Book Assessment and Ranking Exercise, a key initiative aimed at improving the quality of instructional materials used in schools across Nigeria.

The Daily Reality reports that the development was announced in a statement by NERDC following the completion of the exercise, which forms part of the Federal Government’s quality assurance measures for educational resources.

The assessment, conducted from July 23 to 27, brought together panels of subject specialists, curriculum experts, language professionals and other education stakeholders to evaluate textbooks submitted for Primary One, Primary Four, Junior Secondary School One (JSS I) and Senior Secondary School One (SSS I).

The exercise aligns with the phased implementation of the new national curriculum.

According to NERDC, the assessment is a key component of the Federal Ministry of Education’s quality assurance framework, which requires all textbooks to undergo a rigorous evaluation before being ranked for possible recommendation and use in schools.

The Council said the initiative is designed to ensure that teachers and learners have access to instructional materials that are curriculum-compliant, academically sound, inclusive and pedagogically appropriate.

Speaking on the successful completion of the first phase, the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Prof. Salisu Shehu, commended the assessors for their professionalism, dedication and commitment throughout the exercise.

He described the assessment as a critical step toward strengthening quality assurance in educational publishing and improving learning outcomes nationwide.

According to Shehu, the introduction of the national book ranking system represents a major reform in the assessment and approval of textbooks, as it is intended to promote excellence, transparency and healthy competition among publishers while ensuring that only quality instructional materials are recommended for use in Nigerian schools.

“The integrity of the assessment process remains paramount. Every textbook was assessed using approved assessment guidelines and established quality benchmarks to ensure fairness, objectivity and consistency.

“Our goal is to provide Nigerian learners and teachers with textbooks that effectively support the implementation of the national curriculum and contribute to improved educational outcomes,” he said.

The NERDC boss also expressed appreciation to members of the assessment panels for dedicating their expertise and time to the exercise, describing their contributions as invaluable to improving the quality of educational resources in the country.

He disclosed that assessment reports from the first batch would proceed to the next stage of the ranking process in line with the approved Book Quality Guidelines and Ranking Framework.

Shehu reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, credible and evidence-based evaluation process that reflects international best practices in textbook assessment.

Also speaking, the Director of the Book Development Centre (BDC), Dr. Judith Kanu, praised the commitment of the assessment panels and reiterated the Council’s resolve to uphold the integrity of the ranking process.

She said every submitted textbook underwent a comprehensive evaluation using established criteria to ensure that only books meeting the required quality standards would be recommended for use in schools.

Kanu added that the completion of the first batch marks another important milestone in NERDC’s efforts to institutionalise a transparent and credible textbook assessment system capable of strengthening curriculum delivery and enhancing learning outcomes across the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North, has said he will leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ever shows disrespect to opposition parties or the Catholic Church.

The former governor of Abia State made the remark during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he also defended the President’s approach to political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kalu argued that no politician would be expected to make the political environment easier for opponents, although he maintained that President Tinubu has treated members of the opposition fairly.

He said: “Will you just lay red carpet for the opposition to come and be dancing around if you are a politician?

“Tinubu is fair to them, he has not touched any of them unknowingly.

“The law of the land is very straightforward and if you respect the law of the land you will be well in the country.

“What he said is that he can’t give the opposition red carpet. If I’m your enemy will you give me a red carpet? If I’m fighting with you, will you give me red carpet?

“I’m a very fair minded man who speaks the truth, if I heard what he said that we are going to have a fair contest and he won’t touch anybody.

“Any day Tinubu disrespect the opposition or Catholic church I will resign from the APC.”

Kalu also advised Nigerians not to expect President Tinubu to offer political advantages to opposition parties as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum. He insisted that electoral competition should take place within the provisions of the law and expressed confidence that the President would ensure a level playing field.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Presidency has attributed the robust financial results posted by companies on the Nigerian Exchange in the first half of 2026 to the sweeping economic reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration since mid-2023.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the government highlighted the unification of the foreign exchange market as a cornerstone reform that has improved price discovery and enabled companies with significant foreign currency exposure to more accurately value their dollar-denominated revenues.

“By establishing a single, market-determined exchange rate, the reform improved price discovery and enabled companies with substantial foreign currency exposure to more accurately reflect the value of their dollar-denominated revenues in their financial statements,” said Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

The reform has particularly benefited export-oriented businesses such as Aradel Holdings and Seplat Energy, whose revenues are largely linked to international oil prices and settled in foreign currency.

The administration’s commitment to strengthening investor confidence in the energy sector was further demonstrated through the timely approval of several landmark upstream transactions, including the Renaissance Africa Energy consortium’s acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company assets and Seplat Energy’s acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited’s assets.

“These strategic approvals significantly expanded the reserve base, production capacity, and long-term growth prospects of both companies while removing regulatory uncertainty,” Onanuga stated.

Manufacturing and industrial companies, including Dangote Cement, BUA Cement, and HBM (formerly Lafarge Africa), have similarly benefited from improved access to foreign exchange and a more predictable currency market, enabling better production planning and more efficient procurement of imported inputs.

The removal of the petrol subsidy has significantly strengthened the government’s fiscal position, increasing capacity for infrastructure investment and reinforcing broader macroeconomic stability, according to the statement.

Onanuga noted that tighter monetary management, ongoing financial sector reforms, and banking sector recapitalisation have strengthened the financial system’s capacity to support large-scale corporate financing.

“Rather than reflecting isolated firm-level developments, these results illustrate how comprehensive structural reforms can translate into measurable improvements in corporate financial performance through stronger market fundamentals and a more predictable business environment,” the statement concluded.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has firmly denied claims that he endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential polls, stating that he has no preferred candidate among those vying for the nation’s top seat.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Prince Bashir Adefaka, the revered traditional ruler dismissed social media reports suggesting he had called on Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s second-term bid as “false and misleading.”

“Our simple response to the report is that it is not possible for the Sultan, as the father of all, to make such a statement, either publicly or in any other forum,” the statement read in part.

The monarch emphasized that his position as a traditional and religious leader demands impartiality, making it inappropriate for him to endorse any political candidate ahead of a national election. He stressed that the office he occupies requires neutrality and that he remains accessible to all Nigerians irrespective of their political affiliations.

The statement further described the reports linking him to President Tinubu’s 2027 campaign as malicious and an attempt by individuals with selfish interests to drag the Sultan into partisan politics.

“The Sultan’s doors cannot be shut against anyone who comes to him, regardless of political affiliation or persuasion. His Eminence has consistently demonstrated that he is the father of all and will continue to relate with all Nigerians without discrimination,” the statement added.

The clarification comes amid rising political activities and speculations ahead of the 2027 general election, with prominent national figures and traditional rulers often becoming subjects of political claims and endorsements on social media platforms.

By rejecting the reports, the Sultan reaffirmed his commitment to remaining above partisan politics while continuing to promote peace, national cohesion and equal treatment for all Nigerians, regardless of their political preferences.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A police inspector and a Nigerian Air Force lance corporal have lost their lives after gunmen ambushed a joint security patrol in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to information published by counter-insurgency platform Zagazola Makama, the attackers also escaped with the slain officers’ service rifles after the attack.

The report stated that the incident occurred at about 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday. It said four security personnel from two guard locations had mounted a snap roadblock along the Ganawuri–Sabon Gida road before the attack.

“The sources said that while the team was returning to their respective duty posts, two of the personnel failed to return, prompting troops to immediately launch a clearance operation,” Makama reported.

“During the search, security forces discovered the bodies of an Inspector of the Nigeria Police Force and Lance Corporal of the Nigerian Air Force.

“Their service weapons had been taken by the attackers.”

The publication said security operatives later evacuated the bodies of the deceased personnel from the scene. It added that their motorcycle was also recovered.

Preliminary findings reportedly showed that the ambush took place near an area previously occupied by herders, who were said to have fled with their cattle before reinforcements reached the location. The report also noted that the attack occurred close to a Berom community.

“Security forces have since commenced cordon-and-search operations around nearby communities, while clearance operations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen weapons,” Makama said.

“Authorities said investigations into the incident are continuing, with additional details expected as operations progress.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Hackers have breached the database of Zenith Bank, exposing limited customer information in a cyberattack that forms part of a wider global campaign targeting organisations across different sectors.

The bank confirmed the incident in an email sent to customers on Tuesday. It said the attackers gained access to a limited amount of customer data, which included email addresses and phone numbers.

Zenith Bank, however, assured customers that the breach did not affect its banking services or digital platforms. The lender said all its services remain secure and fully operational despite the incident.

The bank also disclosed that it has commenced an investigation into the attack. It said its incident response procedures and other cybersecurity measures were activated immediately after the breach came to light.

“As a precaution, we encourage our customers to remain vigilant against phishing emails, text messages, or phone calls, and to never disclose their password, PIN, One-Time Password (OTP), or other security credentials to anyone,” the bank said.

Zenith Bank reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding customers’ information. It also appreciated customers for their continued confidence in the institution. The bank added that investigations into the cyberattack are still underway.

The latest incident comes about two years after Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) reported an attempted cyberattack on its website domain. At the time, the bank said the attempt did not compromise customers’ data.

The development also follows an earlier warning from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which alerted the public to cybercriminals attempting to gain access to Nigerians’ personal accounts through fraudulent messages and emails.

According to the apex bank, the scammers circulated deceptive emails and online messages that falsely claimed to originate from the CBN. The regulator said the messages were designed to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information.

The CBN also warned that the fake communications often urged recipients to click suspicious links. It added that the messages spread false claims about the bank’s leadership, licensing activities, and policy decisions in an attempt to mislead the public.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State House of Assembly has suspended the chairmen of Bagwai, Bebeji and Rogo Local Government Areas for three months over allegations bordering on financial misappropriation, abuse of office and other acts of misconduct.

The decision followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during Tuesday’s plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore.

Presenting the report, the committee chairman, Aliyu Muhammad, said the panel investigated separate petitions submitted against the three council chairmen after the Assembly referred the complaints for legislative scrutiny.

Muhammad explained that the committee reviewed documentary evidence obtained from the affected local governments and held interactive sessions with members of their legislative councils before reaching its conclusions.

According to the committee, its findings revealed alleged misappropriation of public funds earmarked for developmental projects in Bagwai Local Government Area.

In Bebeji, the committee said it uncovered allegations of abuse of office, repeated violations of due process in the award and execution of contracts, improper sale of council land, diversion of public funds, unlawful deductions from contract payments and other procurement irregularities.

The report further alleged that contractors were compelled to pay contract funds into bank accounts allegedly nominated by the council chairman, contrary to existing financial and procurement regulations.

For Rogo Local Government, the committee accused the chairman of undermining government policies, violating administrative procedures, abusing his office and misappropriating funds allocated for feeder road construction and electrification projects in Unguwar Dawa and Hausawa Fulani communities.

Based on its findings, the committee recommended the immediate suspension of the three chairmen pending the conclusion of a full investigation, citing the Assembly’s oversight powers under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Contributing to the debate, the Chief Whip, Mudassir Ibrahim, said public officials facing allegations of financial misconduct should be thoroughly investigated in the interest of accountability and good governance.

The House unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations through a voice vote.

Announcing the resolution, Speaker Falgore suspended the three local government chairmen for three months and directed the vice chairmen of the affected councils to assume office in acting capacities pending the outcome of the investigation.

He also instructed the committee to conclude its investigation and submit its report within 10 weeks, while directing the Clerk of the Assembly to communicate the House’s resolution to the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The suspended chairmen are Bello Abdullahi Gadanya of Bagwai, Alhassan Salisu of Bebeji and Abubakar Mustapha of Rogo Local Government Areas.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Presidency has fixed September 3, 2026, as the date for presenting the proposed executive bill on state policing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for consideration.

The timeline was disclosed on Monday by Femi Gbajabiamila, chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, after the committee’s inaugural meeting at the State House in Abuja.

President Tinubu had inaugurated the committee in July to prepare the legal framework required for the implementation of state police across Nigeria.

Gbajabiamila explained that the committee had adopted a seven-week work plan that runs from July 27 to September 14, 2026. He said administrative and technical work on the proposed legislation had already begun.

He said, “The approved work programme is a seven-week, milestone-driven exercise running from July 27 to September 14, 2026.

“The resulting Executive Bill package is scheduled for presentation to the President on September 3.

“Subject to his approval, a national consultation on the completed draft will follow, after which the text and supporting materials will be revised and prepared for formal transmission to the National Assembly.

“The timetable is demanding, but it is not a shortcut.”

Gbajabiamila also addressed questions on the financial implications of establishing state police. He said it would be premature to provide any estimate because the assessment would depend on detailed research rather than assumptions.

“There is no cost to securing life and property. That is the first fundamental reason for being in government,” he said.

“At this stage, giving you a cost will be pulling something out of thin air. So we’re not going to be doing guesswork here or guesstimating as to what the cost is.

“The cost will be evidence-based. It will be based on thorough research and on a state-by-state basis because one state differs from another in terms of personnel, architecture, infrastructure and local security needs.”

He added that members of the public would have the opportunity to contribute to the drafting process by submitting memoranda through the dedicated website, nationalpolicingbill.com.

“I talked about memoranda that will be open to the public from today—hopefully for about ten days. If there’s a need for an extension, we’ll extend that.

“The public is included. No matter your station in life, you have an opportunity to contribute meaningfully, because the whole idea behind state policing is for you and I and everybody sitting here and everybody out there to take ownership.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Tinubu administration’s defence of its economic policies, insisting that government statements cannot hide the hardship many Nigerians continue to face.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remarks in a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu. The statement followed recent exchanges between the Presidency and the former vice president over the government’s economic reforms, borrowing, tax policies and the impact of the removal of petrol subsidy.

The Presidency, through Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, had defended the administration’s policies. Onanuga argued that one of the major gains of fuel subsidy removal was the significant increase in allocations to states and local governments through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

Responding, Atiku accused the administration of focusing on what he described as public relations and “statistical manipulation” instead of addressing the country’s economic challenges.

He questioned the government’s positive assessment of the economy.

“If the economy is doing so well, why are Nigerians getting poorer?” he asked.

According to him, the government’s emphasis on favourable economic indicators does not reflect the realities facing ordinary citizens.

“The State House celebrates macroeconomic indicators while ordinary Nigerians struggle with microeconomic realities,” he said.

“It speaks glowingly about GDP growth while families skip meals. It boasts of debt ratios while businesses shut their doors. It trumpets reforms while millions of citizens slide deeper into poverty.”

Atiku maintained that the true measure of any government should be the welfare of its people rather than economic figures.

“Governments are not elected to improve spreadsheets. They are elected to improve the lives of their people,” he said.

“Nigerians cannot eat GDP. They cannot cook with debt-to-GDP ratios. They cannot pay school fees with statistical projections.”

The former vice president also rejected the Presidency’s position that critics rely on outdated information. He argued that the effects of the administration’s policies remain evident across the country.

“The Tinubu administration is asking Nigerians to forget the very policies whose consequences they continue to endure every day,” he said.

“Economic policy is not a light switch. The consequences of reckless decisions linger long after the announcements have faded.”

Atiku further questioned why the government continues to borrow despite its claims of improved revenue generation and stronger tax collections.

“If revenue has improved so dramatically, if subsidy has been removed, if tax collection has increased, and if debt servicing has supposedly become more manageable, why does this administration continue to borrow at record levels?” he asked.

He also argued that Nigerians have yet to enjoy the promised benefits of fuel subsidy removal.

“Three years later, Nigerians are entitled to ask: where are those dividends?” he said.

“Instead of relief, they have experienced the highest fuel prices in history, unprecedented transport costs, soaring food inflation, collapsing purchasing power and an economy where millions now struggle to afford even one decent meal a day.”

The ADC presidential candidate criticised the administration’s tax reforms. He said businesses are under pressure because of rising production and operating costs. He added that the government’s performance should be judged by improvements in education, healthcare and living standards.

Citing figures from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Atiku said 767 manufacturing firms have shut down, while another 335 are operating under distress. He also said manufacturers are holding about ₦2.14 trillion worth of unsold finished goods. He noted that multinational firms such as Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi and Kimberly-Clark have exited local manufacturing operations.

According to him, those developments provide a clearer picture of the economy than official government claims.

“The true verdict on this administration’s economic policies is not written by government spokespersons,” he said.

“It is written in the silent factories, the abandoned production lines, the shuttered warehouses, the unemployed workers and the empty pockets of millions of Nigerians. No amount of propaganda can erase that reality.”

He urged the Presidency to focus on improving the living conditions of Nigerians instead of defending its economic record through public statements.

“Governments are not judged by the elegance of their press statements or the sophistication of their economic theories,” he said.

“They are judged by whether families can afford food, whether businesses can survive, whether young people can find jobs, whether communities are secure, and whether citizens have hope for tomorrow.”

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has reclaimed all lands belonging to schools, hospitals and other public institutions across the state, announcing an immediate ban on the subdivision, allocation and conversion of such properties for private use in a move aimed at curbing illegal encroachment and restoring order to land administration.

The Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar, announced the decision during an inspection of Government Girls Secondary School, Goron Dutse, formerly known as Women Teachers College (WTC), following reports that a large portion of the institution’s land had been encroached upon.

The commissioner said the inspection was carried out on the directive of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf after reports indicated that some individuals had illegally entered the school premises and begun demarcating plots for private residential development.

He said the governor immediately directed the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to halt all activities on the site and investigate how the alleged occupants acquired the plots.

According to him, preliminary findings revealed that nearly 100 plots had already been carved out within the school’s premises with the intention of developing private residential houses.

Describing the development as a serious threat to the education sector, Muhammad Umar said the government would not tolerate any attempt to appropriate public property designated for educational and other public purposes.

He warned that individuals or developers who disregard government directives would face legal sanctions, adding that the ministry would strictly enforce all relevant laws to deter further encroachment.

The commissioner announced that, with effect from August 3, 2026, all lands belonging to schools, hospitals and other government institutions across Kano State had reverted to the control and management of the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning on behalf of the state government.

He said the government had consequently placed a total ban on the subdivision, allocation or conversion of lands belonging to schools, hospitals and other state-owned properties anywhere in Kano State.

Muhammad Umar called on residents across the state’s 44 local government areas to support the government’s efforts by reporting cases of illegal encroachment, land grabbing or unauthorized development through the appropriate government authorities and media channels.

Speaking during the inspection, the Principal of Government Girls Secondary School, Goron Dutse, Uwani Ahmad Balarabe, commended Governor Yusuf and the commissioner for their swift intervention.

She described the encroachment as painful and unprecedented, recalling that throughout her more than three decades of service at the college, the institution had always enjoyed a peaceful and conducive learning environment.

Balarabe lamented that illegal encroachment had gradually consumed a significant portion of the school’s land, threatening its future expansion and development.

She expressed confidence that the state government would take all necessary measures to recover the institution’s original land and preserve its educational heritage for future generations.

The latest action forms part of the Kano State Government’s broader efforts to protect public institutions, recover government assets and restore transparency and accountability in land administration across the state.