Governor Seyi Makinde has revealed that no fewer than 65,000 out-of-school children have been reintegrated into classrooms across Oyo State, marking a major boost for the education sector.
Makinde made the disclosure while receiving a delegation of the BESDA-AF Implementation Support Mission from the World Bank and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) at the Executive Council Chamber, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
The governor said Oyo State has significantly benefitted from the Better Education Service Delivery for Additional Financing (BESDA-AF) programme, noting that the intervention has strengthened access to basic education and improved learning outcomes.
He commended the World Bank and UBEC for their structural and financial backing, assuring that his administration would continue to commit resources to maximise the benefits of the new funding cycle.
“The government and the people of Oyo State thank the World Bank and UBEC for counting Oyo State worthy to be part of this programme,” Makinde said.
He urged the visiting team to provide constructive feedback after their field inspections, pledging that the state would act promptly on recommendations aimed at further improving the education system.
Earlier, the UBEC team lead and National Programme Coordinator, Mayowa Aleshin, said the delegation was in the state to assess project implementation, identify challenges and make recommendations for improvement. He praised the state government’s support for the programme.
Also speaking, the World Bank team lead, Shinsaku Nomura, commended Makinde’s reforms in the education sector and efforts to expand access to quality learning at all levels.
Top government officials, including the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, and Commissioner for Education, Segun Olayiwola, were among those present at the meeting.
Makinde: 65,000 Oyo Out-of-School Children Return to Classrooms
State Police: Kogi Backs Tinubu, Hails Move as Game-Changer for Security
The Kogi State Government has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s push for the establishment of State Police, describing it as a bold, generational reform capable of transforming Nigeria’s security architecture.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the state government commended the President for reaffirming his commitment to decentralised policing during a high-level meeting with governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the statement, Tinubu stressed that State Police has become imperative in tackling the country’s evolving security challenges, noting that decentralised law enforcement would strengthen intelligence gathering, boost community-based responses and enhance internal security nationwide.
The Kogi government said the President’s stance aligns with ongoing deliberations at the National Assembly on the constitutional and legislative amendments required to actualise State Police, describing the move as strategic and forward-looking.
Fanwo stated that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo fully supports the initiative and is ready to collaborate with federal authorities to ensure its successful implementation.
He described the State Police proposal as a decisive intervention that could significantly curb insecurity, adding that it complements the administration’s broader economic and institutional reforms.
“As a government, we fully align with Mr President’s position and assure him, as well as the leadership of the National Assembly, of our readiness to cooperate with all relevant authorities to make State Police a reality,” the statement read.
The state government maintained that sustained synergy between federal and state governments would not only address immediate security threats but also lay a solid foundation for lasting peace, stability and development across the federation.
Reps Explode Over ‘Zero Capital Releases’, Grill Tinubu’s Economic Team
Tempers flared at the National Assembly as the House of Representatives blasted key members of President Bola Tinubu’s economic team over what lawmakers described as shocking zero releases for capital projects in the 2025 budget.
The House Committee on Appropriation summoned Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, and Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), Zach Adedeji, to explain the non-performance of the budget despite improved revenue figures.
Lawmakers queried why no capital funds had been released to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), grounding projects and crippling economic activities across sectors.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abubakar Bichi, said the interface was necessary to probe the non-release of funds for capital projects, even after the National Assembly approved a N1.15 trillion request from the executive to fund parts of the 2025 capital budget.
“In 2025 we achieved about N28 trillion revenue from a target of N25 trillion. Nigerians deserve to know why projects are not being funded despite this performance,” Bichi said.
But the session turned rowdy when lawmakers, apparently dissatisfied with the explanations offered, openly called on Edun and other members of the economic team to resign over alleged incompetence.
Defending the government’s position, Edun said the administration halted what he described as an “unsustainable” practice of printing money to service debts and meet obligations, noting that the government was transitioning to a more transparent fiscal system.
He explained that Nigeria’s debt profile rose significantly due to adjustments, including exchange rate reforms that moved the country from an opaque forex regime to a market-driven system.
On his part, Bagudu revealed that the National Assembly had earlier approved the rollover of 70 per cent of the 2025 capital budget into 2026, forming part of the current budget proposal before lawmakers. He also distanced his ministry from direct responsibility for budget implementation data, saying it relies on figures from the Office of the Accountant-General and the Ministry of Finance.
Meanwhile, NRS boss Adedeji insisted the agency exceeded its 2025 revenue target, generating N28.23 trillion against the N25.2 trillion projection.
The uproar followed earlier revelations by the Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, who disclosed that his ministry received only N38 million out of the N286 billion allocated for 2025 — a situation many lawmakers described as alarming.
The crisis deepened in January when the Association of Indigenous Contractors in Nigeria barricaded the Finance Ministry, protesting the non-payment of over N4 trillion for contracts executed under the 2024 budget.
Bichi eventually restored calm, adjourning the sitting till Thursday and summoning the Minister of State for Finance to appear before the committee.
For many observers, the heated session underscored growing concerns over budget implementation and its impact on the nation’s struggling economy.
Visitor Nabbed With Hard Drugs Hidden in Rice at Ibadan Prison
A visitor to the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Agodi, Ibadan, has been arrested for allegedly concealing hard drugs inside food meant for an inmate.
The suspect was apprehended on Wednesday at the Medium Security Custodial Centre during routine security screening of visitors and their belongings.
Confirming the incident on Thursday, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Command, O.O. Anjorin, said the man, who claimed he came to visit an inmate, was caught with substances suspected to be Colorado and hemp hidden inside a portion of cooked rice.
“At approximately 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, 25th February 2026, a male visitor was apprehended during routine security checks conducted at the facility entrance,” Anjorin said.
“The suspect was found to have concealed substances suspected to be Colorado and hemp inside cooked rice.”
He disclosed that the suspect was immediately handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The handover was carried out by the Officer-in-Charge of the facility, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Sunday Adekunmbi.
Meanwhile, the Controller of Corrections in Oyo State, Osogun C. Olusegun, commended officers for their vigilance, reiterating the Service’s commitment to safeguarding custodial centres across the state.
Edo Shooting: APC Fires Back at ADC, Says Party Is ‘Crippling Itself’
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a blistering attack on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over allegations linking it to the reported shooting of ADC leaders in Benin, Edo State.
In a statement issued Thursday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party dismissed the accusation as “utterly delusional,” insisting that the ADC was “doing a good job crippling itself even before it has time to stand on its feet.”
The APC said the opposition party had declared itself “accuser, investigator, prosecutor and judge” by blaming it before law enforcement agencies could conduct any probe.
Berating the ADC, the APC described the party as “its own nemesis,” accusing its leaders of weaponising dark humour to deceive the public and attract sympathy.
“The ADC and its leaders are insufferable jesters. They weaponize dark humour as a strategy to deceive, distract and disrupt in desperation for public sympathy,” the statement read.
The party also faulted the ADC’s reference to alleged “acts of terrorism by the ruling APC,” calling the claim reckless and insensitive to the country’s ongoing anti-terror fight and the sacrifices of security forces.
While condemning violence in the political space, the APC called on the police and other security agencies to conduct a thorough and expeditious investigation into the Edo incident and bring perpetrators to justice.
However, it insisted that investigators should scrutinise the ADC, its leaders and members as “prime suspects,” citing what it described as internal leadership tussles and reported clashes within the party.
“The ADC cannot smear our great party with a violent incident of its own exclusive making,” the APC stated.
The ruling party maintained it had no involvement in the shooting, adding that it was focused on consolidating what it described as recent electoral victories in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) municipal polls and constituency elections in Rivers and Kano states.
The APC thanked Nigerians for their support and reaffirmed its commitment to backing the administration of President Bola Tinubu, pledging continued focus on governance and national development.
Only NAFDAC Can Enforce Sachet Alcohol Ban, Health Ministry
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has told the Federal High Court that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has the sole statutory authority to enforce the ban on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets, PET bottles, and glass containers below 200 millilitres.
In a counter-affidavit filed on February 23, 2026, the ministry, through its counsel, Jumoke Motilayo Falaye, stated that it does not interfere in NAFDAC’s enforcement decisions and is not an enforcement arm of the Federal Government.
The ministry explained that NAFDAC, established under the NAFDAC Act, possesses clearly defined regulatory and enforcement powers over food, drugs and related products, including alcoholic beverages. It maintained that it lacks the legal authority to direct, restrain or suspend the agency from carrying out its statutory mandate.
According to the affidavit, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare has not approved any further extension of the moratorium on the enforcement of the sachet alcohol ban. The ministry added that NAFDAC’s powers, derived from Sections 5 and 30 of its enabling Act, place all enforcement decisions squarely within the agency’s jurisdiction.
It also dismissed allegations of ministerial interference as speculative and unsupported by evidence.
The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/2568/25, was filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against the Minister of Health and Social Welfare and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
SERAP is seeking a court declaration affirming that the sachet alcohol ban is a valid regulation under the NAFDAC Act and that the minister lacks the authority to grant or extend any moratorium on its enforcement. The group is also asking for injunctions restraining federal authorities from interfering with NAFDAC’s statutory responsibilities.
In its originating summons dated December 15, 2025, SERAP argued that delays in enforcing the ban undermine public health protections and existing regulatory laws.
The organisation maintained that sachet alcohol, often cheap and easily accessible, has fueled rising abuse, particularly among youths and low-income communities.
The matter is pending before the Federal High Court.
Festive Fare Rip-Off? FCCPC Indicts Local Airlines for Price Fixing, Turns Heat on Foreign Carriers
Protection Commission (FCCPC) has uncovered what it described as patterns of price manipulation by some domestic airlines during the December 2025 festive season, raising fresh concerns over possible price fixing in the aviation sector.
The findings are contained in an interim report released by the Commission’s Surveillance and Investigations Department following an industry-wide probe launched in January.
In a statement signed by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the Commission said its forensic review compared airfare data from the December peak period with post-peak January 2026 fares across multiple domestic routes.
According to the report, fares during the festive rush were “materially higher” than post-peak levels despite relative stability in key operating costs such as aviation fuel prices, government taxes and foreign exchange rates.
The Commission noted that the sharp increases appeared to stem from airlines’ pricing decisions — including yield management strategies and seat capacity allocation — rather than changes in regulatory charges.
On some high-density routes, especially the Abuja–Port Harcourt corridor, ticket prices during peak travel periods were several times higher than January fares. In certain instances, the difference for a single ticket was as much as ₦405,000.
The report also observed that peak fares among several operators were clustered within narrow price bands, particularly at periods of reduced seat availability during predictable seasonal demand surges.
While acknowledging that seasonal demand pressures, scheduling constraints and fleet utilisation could influence pricing, the FCCPC said these factors remain under review as investigations continue.
Commenting on the development, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said the probe aligns with the Commission’s mandate to promote competitive markets and protect consumers.
“This assessment is intended to provide clarity on pricing behaviour during predictable peak travel periods. The Commission’s role is not to disrupt legitimate commercial activity, but to ensure that market outcomes remain consistent with competition and consumer protection principles under the law,” Bello said.
He stressed that the report is interim, adding that further structural and route-level analyses are ongoing before final conclusions are reached.
“Our next action will be dictated by the full facts established at the end of the review. The Commission will determine whether regulatory guidance, engagement or enforcement steps are necessary, strictly in accordance with the law,” he added.
The report referenced relevant provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, including sections dealing with restraint of competition, abuse of dominant position, price fixing, conspiracy and unfair contract terms.
Meanwhile, Bello disclosed that foreign airlines would soon come under the Commission’s radar over allegations of charging Nigerians higher fares on certain international routes compared to neighbouring countries covering similar distances.
The move signals a broader crackdown as the regulator seeks to curb exploitative pricing practices in Nigeria’s aviation market.
Wike Leads Rivers Bigwigs to London, Pays Emotional Tribute to ‘Loyal Friend’ Mpigi
It was a moment of grief and glowing tributes in London as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, led top Rivers political heavyweights on a condolence visit to the family of late Senator Barinada Mpigi, describing him as a loyal friend who stood firm through thick and thin.
Mpigi, who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District, died last Thursday at 64 after a brief illness.
An emotional Wike told the widow, Mrs. Patricia Obiageri Mpigi, and her children that the late senator was not just a political ally but a dependable pillar in Rivers politics.
“When Bari says he is your friend, he is your friend. He stands with his friends through thick and thin. He was a strong pillar in the politics of Rivers State,” Wike declared.
The FCT minister recalled their long political journey, noting that both men once served as council chairmen and built a bond that endured over the years. He said Mpigi fought bravely during his illness and praised his wife for standing solidly by him.
Wike assured the grieving family that Rivers leaders would not abandon them and promised that the late lawmaker would be given a befitting burial.
“We will not forget Bari. This is our loss. We will be there with you and ensure he is honoured properly,” he pledged.
Among those on the trip were Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule; Senators Magnus Abe, Allwell Onyesoh and Olaka Nwogu; Rivers PDP Chairman, Aaron Chukwuemeka, and other prominent stakeholders.
Responding, Mrs. Mpigi thanked Wike and the delegation for their show of love and solidarity in their moment of sorrow.
US Congress Submits Nigeria ‘Christian Persecution’ Report, Recommends Sanctions
The United States House of Representatives Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs have formally submitted a report to the White House detailing findings on alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, with recommendations that include sanctions and possible funding restrictions.
US Congressman Riley Moore confirmed the submission on Monday, stating that the document outlines “concrete actions to end the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and counter growing extremist violence in the region.”
The report follows President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and his directive mandating Moore and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole to lead a detailed congressional investigation.
Months of Investigation
According to Moore, the report was the product of months of hearings, consultations with religious leaders, expert testimonies and bipartisan fact-finding visits to Nigeria.
During one of the visits, the delegation toured Internally Displaced Persons camps in Benue State, met victims of terrorism and held discussions with senior Nigerian officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Moore said the investigative team gained deeper insight into Nigeria’s security challenges and threats facing Christian communities.
Sanctions, Security Pact Proposed
The report recommends a bilateral US–Nigeria security agreement aimed at protecting vulnerable Christian communities and dismantling jihadist networks.
It also proposes withholding certain US funds pending measurable steps by the Nigerian government to curb violence.
Other recommendations include imposing sanctions and visa restrictions on individuals and groups allegedly responsible for religious persecution, providing technical support to address violence linked to armed Fulani militias, demanding repeal of Sharia and blasphemy laws, and strengthening collaboration with international partners such as France, Hungary and the United Kingdom.
Moore urged Nigerian authorities to view the recommendations as an opportunity to deepen ties with the United States, describing enhanced cooperation as mutually beneficial.
He thanked President Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a CPC and acknowledged the roles played by congressional leaders, including Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, Vice Chair Mario Diaz-Balart, and Congressman Chris Smith, in producing the report.
The Nigerian government has yet to issue an official response to the submission at the time of filing this report.
Tinubu Directs IGP Egbetokun to Resign, Appoints Tunji Disu as Successor
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, paving the way for the appointment of Tunji Disu as his replacement.
A Presidency source disclosed on Tuesday that Egbetokun was asked to step down during a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.
Disu, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Annex, Lagos, is expected to take over leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.
Egbetokun was appointed as the 22nd indigenous Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023, with his position later confirmed by the Police Council on October 31, 2023.
Though he was due for retirement on September 4, 2024, upon attaining the mandatory age of 60, the National Assembly amended the Police Act, enabling him to complete a four-year tenure unless removed by the President.
Following the amendment, Egbetokun was projected to remain in office until October 31, 2027, before the latest development cut short his tenure.
As of press time, there was no official statement from the Presidency detailing the reasons for the change in leadership at the nation’s police hierarchy.