A Professor of Industrial and Technology Education at the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Emmanuel Raymond, has warned that Nigeria’s obsession with paper certificates over practical skills is fueling the nation`s unemployment crisis and worsening insecurity. Delivering the university’s 131st Inaugural Lecture, titled “The Marriage Between TVET and Job Creation: Let No One Put Asunder,” at the Gidan-Kwano campus, Professor Raymond declared Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as the country`s most potent weapon against poverty. He lamented that the current educational system has become overly theoretical, pumping out millions of graduates who possess high academic qualifications but lack the technical competencies required by modern industries. According to the university don, the national fixation on white-collar jobs has led to a dangerous neglect of blue-collar, wealth-creating vocational careers. "Today, Nigeria has over 10 million unemployed youths, while more than 700,000 university graduates remain jobless," Raymond revealed. "At the same time, about 80 per cent of the nation’s workforce operates in the informal sector without formal certification." He argued that theory alone cannot feed citizens or grow an economy, stressing that meaningful youth engagement through skills acquisition will naturally cause insecurity to decline. The professor criticized the current trend where higher institution graduates rely heavily on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme to learn basic vocational skills. He argued that universities and polytechnics should have fully equipped students with employable skills long before graduation. To fix the structural decay, the academic called on all tiers of government to establish a National Skills Development Fund, upgrade training facilities, implement curriculum reforms, and make vocational education compulsory in secondary schools. He also urged the private sector to expand apprenticeship slots and collaborate on curriculum design to match emerging technologies. Endorsing the presentation, the Vice-Chancellor of FUT Minna, Professor Faruk Adamu Kuta, described the lecture as a timely intervention for one of Nigeria`s most pressing socio-economic challenges. Professor Kuta reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to driving entrepreneurship, adding that the university will continue fostering academic frameworks that transform graduates into employers of labour rather than job seekers.

President Bola Tinubu has linked the rising wave of insecurity in Nigeria to the ongoing political and social instability in the Sahel region, specifically naming Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali as major contributors to the country`s security challenges. Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the President disclosed that many of the terrorists operating within Nigeria’s borders are non-Nigerians exploiting the porous regional boundaries. . Reflecting on the recent abduction of the Oriire schoolchildren and teachers, President Tinubu revealed that the kidnappers attempted to blackmail the Federal Government. Aside from demanding a ransom, the terrorists sought the release of their detained colleagues. "We said no deal, and we won’t negotiate with criminals," Tinubu declared, affirming his administration’s hardline stance against banditry. He added that because the criminals murdered a teacher during the standoff, the government was prepared to take the toughest possible measures against them and their collaborators. The President emphasized that the structural collapse and active conflicts in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are "adding more fuel" to Nigeria`s internal security struggles. To counter this cross-border infiltration, Tinubu announced immediate plans to overhaul local security architectures. The Federal Government will focus heavily on enhancing the operational capacity of forest guards to secure vast, unpoliced terrains. Furthermore, the President re-emphasized his commitment to establishing state police forces across the federation to ensure a more localized and swift response to criminal elements.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has barred lawyers and court officials from using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names during official engagements at the apex court. The directive, aimed at upholding professional standards, was conveyed in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026. Signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, the circular explicitly states that the restriction takes immediate effect. THENEWSCREDIT reports that the memo, addressed to legal practitioners, litigation staff, and court registrars, describes the prefix as inappropriate and inconsistent with the professional standards of the nation`s highest court. “I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” the document read. THENEWSCREDIT further gathered the apex court ordered all affected individuals to strip the title from official records, identity materials, and correspondence. To ensure total adherence, the CJN instructed all Heads of Departments and Unit Heads to strictly enforce compliance among their subordinates. This regulatory tightening follows a recent warning from the Council of Legal Education. The council previously cautioned prospective lawyers against wearing legal regalia or presenting themselves as fully qualified advocates before their formal Call to the Bar, noting that premature use of wigs and gowns undermines the profession`s dignity.

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a newlywed woman, Saudat Jibril, to death by hanging for the murder of her husband, Salisu Idris, just nine days after their wedding. The presiding judge, Justice Maryam Sabo, delivered the verdict following the conclusion of a trial that weighed evidence from both the prosecution and the defence teams. The tragic incident occurred in May 2025 in the Farawa community, located within the Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, where the couple had recently established their home. During the trial, the prosecution team—led by Barrister Lamido Abba Soron Dinki on behalf of the Kano State Government—called three witnesses to solidify its case against the accused. Conversely, the defence counsel, Barrister Abdulfatah Muhammad, presented the defendant, Saudat Jibril, as the sole witness to testify in her own defence. In her final judgment, Justice Sabo ruled that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt. The judge affirmed that the court accepted the testimonies presented by the state while rejecting the claims made by the defendant. “The court finds the defendant guilty as charged and hereby sentences her to death by hanging,” Justice Sabo declared. Immediately following the ruling, officials from the Nigerian Correctional Service escorted Jibril out of the courtroom to begin her detention on death row, pending any potential legal appeal by her defence team.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has officially inaugurated an eight-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the horrific kidnapping of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, declaring that the assault was an affront to the collective safety of the entire nation. Speaking on Friday during the panel’s inauguration at the Executive Council Chamber in Ibadan, Makinde fiercely condemned the incident. He noted that targeting vulnerable classrooms strikes at the heart of the right of every Nigerian child to learn in a safe environment. The high-powered panel is chaired by a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Professor Mojeed Owoade. It features prominent figures including the former General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, retired Major General Sanusi Nasir Muazu, and retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ngozi Onadeko. Human rights advocate Mrs. Ayo Obe, along with Professor Jibril Ibrahim, Dr. Abimbola Orogade, and Mr. Folorunsho Osunrayi, will also serve on the panel, while Mrs. Olamide Sandra Tella will act as the secretary. The inauguration comes on the heels of intense political friction, as Governor Makinde used the platform to vehemently deny malicious rumors suggesting his administration orchestrated the security breach. Skepticism has shadowed the saga since Makinde noted that the mass abduction occurred hours after he announced his 2027 presidential ambitions. By setting up this independent judicial body, the governor stated he aims to completely dispel political conspiracies, unearth raw facts, and establish definitive accountability. The roots of the inquiry trace back to May 15, 2026, when heavily armed bandits riding motorcycles stormed three academic institutions within the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire. The invaders breached Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, opening fire indiscriminately on defenseless pupils and educators. The broad-daylight raid resulted in the mass abduction of 46 victims, including a fragile two-year-old toddler and school principal Folawe Alamu. Tragedy heavily marred the 56-day captivity period, sending shockwaves of grief across the country. One school teacher, Mr. Joel Adesian, was brutally killed on-site during the initial raid, while Deacon John Ola tragically perished while being held in the forest. Public outrage reached a boiling point following the circulation of a horrifying video depicting the execution of Michael Oyedokun, a respected mathematics teacher, which triggered heavy protests and a temporary school strike by the Nigerian Union of Teachers. A coordinated, technology-driven rescue operation involving the military, Department of State Services, police, and local Amotekun Corps eventually secured the release of all surviving captives on July 10. The breakthrough required fierce gun battles inside the dense Old Oyo National Park, during which security forces neutralized several bandits and arrested eight key suspects. Regrettably, the mission also claimed the lives of multiple heroes, including Lieutenant F.A. Isaac and several local vigilantes. Despite the successful rescue, deep institutional doubts prompted Governor Makinde to initially demand an independent international probe by the United Nations. While the Nigerian Senate subsequently rejected that foreign intervention proposal, this domestic Judicial Commission represents the state`s definitive mechanism to evaluate the crisis. The panel is legally mandated to trace the operational timeline, expose institutional negligence or collusion, and dissect the precise systemic lapses that allowed such an audacious security breach. Moving forward, the commission is expected to deliver swift, actionable recommendations to fortify educational facilities statewide. Governor Makinde reaffirmed his absolute commitment to building an ironclad security network around all public and private schools in Oyo State. He charged the newly sworn-in panel to execute an uncompromising, evidence-based investigation to restore parental confidence and permanently shield Nigerian children from the horrors of banditry.

The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and five other suspects following a raid linked to alleged vote-buying and the concealment of a wanted criminal. The state police spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the development on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, noting that the operation yielded significant financial and electoral exhibits. The raid was executed after the command received credible and actionable intelligence regarding a criminal gang operating around the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo. Security operatives targeted a residential property linked to the SSG, where they were tracking a suspect identified as Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as ‘Ashipa’. Arowomole remains on the police watch list for serious criminal offences, including murder. During the operation, police officers recovered a cash sum of N4,810,500, alongside one Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, and one printer. More critically, operatives seized two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and a comprehensive voter register covering Wards 1 to 15. All recovered items have been secured for forensic examination and further investigation. Alongside the 57-year-old SSG, five other individuals found within the premises were taken into lawful custody. The police identified the other suspects as Akande Taiwo, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40. The simultaneous recovery of millions in cash and a detailed voter register has raised serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences. Investigators have consequently broadened the scope of their enquiries to determine the source and intended use of the recovered funds. The command disclosed that it is currently examining potential offences under the Electoral Act 2022. This includes the alleged bribery of voters through the distribution of money or inducements intended to influence voting decisions. Additionally, investigators are reviewing allegations of criminal conspiracy and the illegal harboring or concealment of a wanted suspect. Police authorities emphasized that these are severe allegations with far-reaching implications for public security, the administration of justice, and the credibility of the democratic process. They noted that additional charges could still emerge as forensic examinations and evidence-gathering progress. Reassuring residents, CP Ibrahim Gotan asserted that the Nigeria Police Force will enforce the law without fear or favor, regardless of political affiliation. "No individual, irrespective of social status or public office, is above the law," Gotan stated, confirming that any person found culpable will face full prosecution under the law.

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four individuals in connection with two separate weekend killings, including a deadly jungle justice assault triggered by witchcraft allegations. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, confirmed the incidents in an official statement released on Wednesday. The first incident occurred in the Dandango area on July 20 at approximately 11:30 pm. A mob violently attacked 51-year-old Monday Chiroma and another resident, Yelwa Bango, after accusing them of using witchcraft to bewitch a 20-year-old local woman, Jamila Anthony. Both victims were rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi. Chiroma later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital facility in Gudun Hausawa, while Bango survived and was discharged after receiving medical care. Police operatives have arrested three key suspects linked to the lynching: Danjuma Anthony, 25. Ayuba Anthony (alias Babaru), 22. Christopher Adamu, 34. During police interrogation, the three suspects confessed to the crime. Law enforcement officials are currently tracking additional accomplices who remain at large. In an unrelated development on July 25, a 25-year-old man identified as Zahradeen Dan’Azumi Tanko was stabbed to death in the Unguwan Kur neighborhood of Bauchi. The police arrested 21-year-old Al-Amin Hamisu Gidado for allegedly stabbing Tanko in the back. A second suspect, Yahaya Mu’azu, fled the scene and remains at large. Tanko was rushed to ATBUTH, where medical personnel confirmed him dead on arrival. Both homicide cases have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for comprehensive investigation and subsequent prosecution. The Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, strongly condemned the resort to self-help and jungle justice. He urged residents to remain law-abiding and report all suspicious activities or grievances directly to the nearest police formation rather than taking the law into their own hands.

The drama unfolded at a Lagos marriage registry where the couple gathered with family members and close associates to officialise their union under the Matrimonial Causes Act. Adhering to standard legal protocols, the presiding marriage registrar paused the proceedings to explicitly detail the strict statutory obligations binding the couple. The registrar firmly cautioned both parties that entering into any other simultaneous marriage constitutes the criminal offense of bigamy. A wave of visible panic washed over Peller the moment the registrar announced that bigamy carries a minimum penalty of five years` imprisonment with absolutely no option of a fine. Stunned by the severity of the law, the content creator abruptly halted the administrative process to voice his confusion. In a moment caught entirely on camera, a bewildered Peller demanded to know why criminal incarceration was being mentioned in a matter completely rooted in love. "This is marriage, love. What concerns love with imprisonment?" Peller loudly questioned, prompting immediate laughter from guests and micro-interactions from his bride, Jarvis, who tried to calm him down. The registrar calmly offered the young couple a moment to rethink their decision before proceeding with the heavy legal vows. Despite his initial shock and vocal resistance to the concept of jail time, Peller eventually composed himself to save the day. THENEWSCREDIT reports that the ceremony successfully continued as Peller and Jarvis took turns reciting the formal legal requirements, strictly pledging to cling only to each other until death parts them. Footage of the encounter immediately flooded social media networks like TikTok and Instagram, drawing massive engagement from millions of Nigerian fans. While many viewers found the streamer’s raw, comedic reaction entirely on-brand, the clip sparked a broader public discourse regarding legal literacy in civil unions. Legal experts reacting to the viral video across digital platforms noted that Peller’s shock highlights a widespread lack of public awareness regarding federal marriage laws. Legal practitioners clarified that statutory marriages in Nigeria are strictly monogamous, meaning any secondary traditional or civil marriage while the first subsists violates federal code. The law is intentionally stringent to protect marital frameworks, rendering the five-year jail sentence a real statutory threat, rather than mere formality. With the legal paperwork officially completed, the newlywed couple has shifted their full attention toward their highly anticipated white wedding reception slated for August 1, 2026. Peller has already warned uninvited fans and gatecrashers to stay away from the venue, noting that security agencies will strictly enforce attendance protocols. The grand ceremony is expected to shut down the entertainment landscape as top digital influencers gather to celebrate the couple’s legal milestone.

The Nigeria Police Force has barred the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, local vigilantes, and other unauthorized security outfits from participating in the upcoming 2026 Osun State governorship election. The decisive move aims to streamline security operations and ensure a seamless, violence-free electoral process across the state. The directive was officially announced by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone XI. The order was conveyed to journalists on Wednesday through a statement signed by the zonal Public Relations Officer, SP Ojedele Olanrewaju, underscoring the federal government`s stance on election security. According to the statement, the Nigeria Police Force will work exclusively with constitutionally recognized statutory security agencies to maintain law and order. The command emphasized that no parallel security structures would be permitted to operate near polling units or collation centers before, during, and after the governorship polls. The police high command explicitly stated that the provision of security remains the sole responsibility of conventional federal forces. This collaborative network will oversee crowd control, border surveillance, and the general protection of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials throughout the state. To prevent impersonation and maintain accountability, the AIG ordered that all personnel deployed for election duties must be properly documented. Every authorized officer must wear their approved official uniforms with visible identification tags at all times during the deployment. The statement strictly warned quasi-security bodies, neighborhood watch organizations, and political security guards to stay away from the electoral process. The police reiterated that these groups have no legal backing to perform security functions, manage crowds, or interfere with voters. The zonal command issued a stern warning to individuals or groups intending to violate the directive or intimidate voters and electoral officials. The police declared that anyone found carrying out unauthorized security duties would face immediate arrest and severe legal consequences. Finally, the police appealed to political parties, candidates, and residents of Osun State to remain law-abiding and report suspicious movements to authorized forces. The command reaffirmed its total commitment to safeguarding the democratic process and ensuring a secure environment for eligible voters to exercise their franchise without fear.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that the protection of students and teachers across the state remains non-negotiable, vowing that his administration will heavily invest in security to ensure no educational institution becomes a soft target for criminals. The Governor made this declaration during a one-day seminar themed “Building Resilient Schools: Strengthening Operational Capacity for Safety, Security and Child Protection in Oyo State Educational Institutions.” Speaking through the Head of Operations, Oyo State Security Trust Fund, Akin Oyedele, the Governor noted that nationwide security concerns demand a total overhaul of existing campus safety strategies. "Recent security challenges across Nigeria have made it imperative for stakeholders to rethink and restrategise how to safeguard children and their learning spaces," Makinde said. He pledged full logistics and policy support to execute actionable safety frameworks. The Governor challenged security agencies, community leaders, and school administrators to move beyond rhetoric. He demanded rapid response mechanisms and seamless collaboration with the state government to turn the seminar`s resolutions into tangible results. Reinforcing this message, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola—represented by the Ministry`s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bamidele Oyinloye—stressed that school safety must be tackled holistically. "Every stakeholder must be actively involved," Olayiwola stated. "Safety is an all-encompassing duty that must be aggressively addressed both outside and inside the school gates." Providing a tactical assessment at the event, the Oyo State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Augustine Padonu, outlined critical security loopholes currently plaguing schools. Represented by Deputy Commandant Timothy Patunola, the NSCDC boss listed major institutional vulnerabilities, including:Inadequate perimeter fencing and unrestricted entry points.Low security awareness among staff and students.Insufficient emergency preparedness and a lack of surveillance technology.Weak communication channels with formal security agencies. The high-level seminar drew key stakeholders from across the state, including NSCDC Area Commanders, regional officers, school administrators, and various development partners, all uniting to forge a frontline defense for Oyo`s educational sector.