The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially launched the Credit for Laptops, Internet, Connectivity and Knowledge Digital Devices (C.L.I.C.K.D.) Programme. This landmark initiative is designed to provide citizens with affordable, structured consumer credit to acquire laptops, internet-enabled devices, and essential digital tools. The scheme marks a significant step forward in the national strategy to eliminate barriers to technology ownership for everyday Nigerians. The Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) is executing the programme in direct partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. By integrating consumer credit with technological empowerment, the collaborating agencies aim to drastically deepen digital inclusion. This framework will allow eligible beneficiaries to purchase high-quality devices through flexible, manageable repayment plans. This initiative directly supports the government`s broader objective to democratize access to credit while fostering economic opportunities nationwide. By promoting responsible borrowing, the scheme aims to improve the overall quality of life and boost individual productivity. It also operates in alignment with the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme to ensure tech trainees have the hardware needed to succeed. To stimulate the domestic tech ecosystem, the C.L.I.C.K.D. programme is prioritizing locally assembled laptops during its initial rollout phase. This strategic focus is designed to inject vital capital into the local manufacturing sector, preserve foreign exchange, and create jobs. As the financing scheme expands, it will continue to incentivize local production lines to build a self-sustaining tech assembly industry. Speaking at the launch event in Abuja, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasized that a reliable credit system is foundational to modern societal progress. He commended President Bola Tinubu for championing the structural reforms necessary to build a robust credit ecosystem. The Minister stated that expanding access to asset financing is a critical pillar in driving Nigeria toward a $1 trillion economy. The rollout has officially commenced in the Federal Capital Territory, marked by a symbolic presentation of laptop devices to the first batch of beneficiaries. CREDICORP has committed to deploying an initial 1,000 locally assembled laptops to qualified tech fellows spread across the country. This first phase will serve as a blueprint for a larger, nationwide distribution network. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CREDICORP, Uzoma Nwagba, confirmed that 77 beneficiaries received their laptops during the Abuja launch, with subsequent phases structured to hit remaining states immediately. He explained that the intervention equips young Nigerians with the physical infrastructure required to master high-income digital skills. The long-term goal is to position beneficiaries for lucrative remote work and global digital commerce. Through this phased distribution, CREDICORP and the Ministry intend to systematically bridge the digital divide partitioning rural and urban communities. By combining innovative financing with indigenous manufacturing, the C.L.I.C.K.D. programme establishes a scalable model for national development. The government maintains that equipping the youth with digital assets is the most direct path to sustainable economic growth.

In a stunning political development that has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political landscape, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, as the Chairman of the Board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The announcement, which signifies a major realignment of political forces, was made public on Monday evening through an official state capital release. The high-profile appointment was confirmed in a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the presidency, Fayose’s new role is part of a broader federal clean-up involving 26 fresh appointments across 10 strategic government agencies and commissions, aimed at repositioning the administration`s driving machinery. However, this sudden development represents a dramatic U-turn for the fiery Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, who had previously vowed never to serve under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Observers are already pointing out the sharp contradiction between Fayose`s new federal assignment and his emphatic public declarations made just months prior. Specifically, on October 15, 2025, during a widely watched live appearance on Channels Television’s flagship programme Politics Today, Fayose explicitly disclosed that he had rejected an appointment directly offered by President Tinubu. He insisted at the time that he had no desire to return to public office after completing two terms as governor. "Have you seen me taking an appointment from the APC? Asiwaju asked me, ‘What would we give you?’ I said, ‘Nothing, sir.’ At 65, I’d rather be at home, being more responsible, doing other things that I need to do," Fayose had boldly declared during the television broadcast, maintaining that his public service chapter was closed. During that same media outing, the former governor took great pains to separate his long-standing personal relationship with Tinubu from party politics. He told the public that while he shared a deep, brotherly bond with the President, it would never translate into cross-carpet political allegiance or employment under an APC banner. With Monday`s development, those words have been put to the test as Fayose prepares to take control of the REA, a critical federal agency tasked with providing electricity to rural communities nationwide. Critics are already accusing the veteran politician of capitulating to the allure of federal patronage despite his previous high-minded stance. As the news continues to generate intense debate across the country, all eyes are now on the PDP leadership to see how they will react to one of their most vocal members taking up an appointment under the rival administration. Fayose has yet to issue an official statement addressing his sudden change of heart regarding the APC job.

In a dramatic courtroom twist that has sparked national outrage, the Department of State Services (DSS) has fiercely rejected a life imprisonment sentence handed down to two ruthless Ansaru terror commanders. The secret police have vowed to fight for a stiffer penalty at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the court was too lenient on masterminds whose network orchestrated the brutal execution of innocent citizens. The bombshell declaration came immediately after Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and Abubakar Abba, also known as Mahmud al-Nigeri. The self-styled Emir of Ansaru and his co-commander suddenly buckled under pressure at the commencement of their trial, changing their pleas from not guilty to guilty on a horrific 32-count charge. The extensive charges filed by the DSS on behalf of the Federal Government bordered on terrorism, terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, and the fabrication of improvised explosive devices. The prosecution also exposed the convicts for running illegal mining operations to fund their network, coordinating active sleeper cells, and maintaining operational links with global terrorist groups across the Sahel and Maghreb regions. The secret police pulled back the curtain on a chilling underworld plot, revealing that the convicts’ blood-soaked network orchestrated the nightmarish 60-day abduction of school pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. In a desperate bid to force the federal government into releasing these exact commanders from custody, the heavily armed abductors gave their unconditional release as a top condition. To escalate the pressure on the state, the terrorist network brutally beheaded two innocent teachers who were among the Oyo captives. Reacting to the judgment, a senior DSS official slammed the life sentence as "too light," stating that it wouldn`t be fair to see two educators slaughtered and their families made to live with the devastating loss without maximum punishment for the culprits. In a startling turn of events before the sentencing, the defense lawyer, Bala Dakum, attempted to paint the hardened terrorists as victims, begging the court to temper justice with mercy. He presented affidavits claiming the masterminds were drawn into terrorism by extreme coercion and that their lives and families were being actively threatened by other high-ranking terrorists who remain at large. The defense further tried to humanise the convicts by highlighting their health and domestic situations, stating that both men suffer from severe arthritis. The court heard that the 50-year-old Usman is a father of 19 children who now desires to go back to school to reform, while the 34-year-old Abba is the sole breadwinner for his wife and three children. Though the defense offered a deal for the convicts to provide critical intelligence on their funding channels and regional networks, the DSS remains completely unmoved by the remorse. The secret police are officially marching to the Court of Appeal, determined to overturn the life sentence and secure a punishment that fits the slaughter of the Oyo teachers.

Renowned communication expert and founder of PRNigeria, Malam Yushau Shuaib, has vowed to challenge his controversial expulsion from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) at the Court of Appeal. The veteran public relations strategist made the declaration at a media briefing where he strongly canvassed for an end to what he termed the persistent "institutional bullying" of innocent Nigerians. Shuaib contended that the fundamental rights of citizens to free speech, movement, and association must be strictly protected by corporate bodies and state institutions. He argued that the actions taken against him by the leadership of NIPSS directly violated the provisions of Nigeria’s Constitution. The publisher maintained that justice and fairness must remain the bedrock of national leadership training grounds. The legal battle stems from Shuaib`s sudden withdrawal from the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47) at the apex institute. According to the communication expert, the management ousted him over a controversial media publication carried out by his media outfit. He vehemently denied authoring or approving the article, noting that he had already resigned from the organisation`s active editorial management. Reflecting on his experience, Shuaib described his harrowing ordeal as a sad commentary on leadership institutions in the 21st century. He accused NIPSS authorities of gross abuse of freedom of expression, complete disregard for due process, and severe violations of digital privacy. He insisted that he broke no rules to warrant such disciplinary measures. The PR chief further alleged that the institute visited vicarious liability on him for an external publication that had absolutely nothing to do with NIPSS or its core objectives. Worse still, Shuaib claimed that the administration fraudulently obtained compulsory written apologies from him during the internal investigation. He alleged this was a calculated ploy to secure an undeserved advantage during the subsequent court proceedings. Unveiling a comprehensive memoir detailing the entire saga, Shuaib revealed that his private emails were unlawfully intercepted. He stated that confidential correspondences belonging to his media organisation were illegally accessed and weaponised during the disciplinary proceedings. He added that his initial expressions of institutional regret were later twisted by the panel to mean formal admissions of misconduct. The publisher expressed deep disappointment with national regulatory bodies, revealing that formal petitions had yielded zero results. Despite petitioning both the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) over the alleged cybercrime and email hacking, no action has been taken against the named suspects more than a year after the complaints were lodged. Shuaib noted that his ongoing battle with NIPSS reflects a broader, deeply worrying pattern of institutional unaccountability across the country. He cited two other unresolved legal matters he has pursued through the courts for over three years. These include a defamation suit against a writer who falsely linked him to terrorism, and a lawsuit against Access Bank for allegedly freezing his firm`s corporate accounts. Although a high court recently ruled against his suit challenging the unlawful withdrawal, Shuaib affirmed that the legal battle is far from over. He emphasized that he will pursue the matter to the apex court if necessary, to ensure public confidence in the rule of law is restored. He concluded that delayed justice only serves to embolden institutional oppressors.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate appointment of 26 Nigerians into the boards and executive leadership of 10 critical federal government agencies and commissions. The sweeping restructuring, which targets key sectors including energy, finance, housing, and education, aims to inject fresh drive into the administration’s economic renewal agenda. The announcement was made public on Monday in an official statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the presidency, all 26 appointments take immediate effect, signaling an urgent push by the administration to fortify the governance frameworks of these strategic national institutions. In the most prominent political placement of this round, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). Fayose will steer the board alongside newly appointed non-executive directors Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar and Engineer Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta, working in tandem with the agency`s incumbent Director-General, Abba Abubakar Aliyu. The President also completely reconstituted the leadership of the National Salary and Wages Commission, naming Major General Junaid Bindawa as its new Chairman. Former federal lawmaker representing Lagos, Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, was appointed as the Secretary of the commission, alongside seven newly deployed state commissioners representing various geopolitical zones. In a strategic executive redeployment, Tosin Johnson Adeyanju was moved from his position as the Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund to serve as the new Secretary of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). This key move coincides with the appointment of Dr. Akinola Odeyemi, who takes over as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET). Furthermore, the national security, infrastructure, and research sectors received new chiefs to drive critical reforms. Dr. Anthony Inalegwu Godwin was appointed Chairman and CEO of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Dr. Abuh Mohammed assumed office as the Director-General of the National Population Commission (NPC), and Dr. Abdullahi Maikano Saidu was picked to chair the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC). The educational and agricultural intervention sectors also saw important leadership transitions. Shuni Muhammad Dahiru was named the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, replacing Professor Shu’aibu Shehu Aliyu, who was reassigned to the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) earlier this year. Rounding off the executive orders, Engineer Julius Oloro was appointed CEO of the Kwara-based National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM), filling a vacancy left by the late Dr. A.R. Kamal. Concurrently, Gisaor Vincent Iorja was named Executive Director of Finance at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), replacing Mathias Byuan, who resigned to pursue political ambitions.

An Assistant Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Remmy Hazzan, has defended the All Progressives Congress (APC) for retaining its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections. Dismissing concerns of bias, he stated that the arrangement does not threaten Nigeria’s religious balance. Speaking during an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese Ijebu, monitored by THENEWSCREDIT,Hazzan argued that President Bola Tinubu’s long-standing marriage to Senator Oluremi Tinubu—an ordained pastor in the RCCG—is proof of his disposition toward religious inclusivity. "If such a man could live with his Christian wife, an ordained pastor, for as long as they’ve been married, that shows his religious tolerance level," Hazzan, a former Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, asserted. Addressing criticisms from the Christian electorate, the cleric maintained that the party`s strategic decision was driven by political realities rather than a disregard for Christian interests. He noted that because this is the first time a Southern Muslim has emerged as the presidential candidate of a major political party, unusual political dynamics dictated the choice of a running mate to secure crucial Northern support. Hazzan emphasized that political strategy should not be equated with bigotry, urging that competence should always be the ultimate metric in public office. "The best of us should rule the rest of us," he stated. "Christians, throw up your best. Muslims, throw up your best. When we have a congregation of the best of the best, then we are sure that only the best will be good enough for the citizenry." He also challenged the notion that faith and governance are mutually exclusive, encouraging Christians to actively participate in politics without compromising their core principles.

A violent windstorm accompanied by torrential rainfall has left four people dead, dozens injured, and hundreds of families homeless across several communities in the Kwara Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The disaster, which struck on Saturday, caused widespread destruction in Mallamawa, Mai Mushe, Kaura, Sabon Gari, and Rungin Tsamiya. Beyond flattening residential homes, the storm ripped through critical public infrastructure, severely damaging a local primary school and a hospital. Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sokoto Operations Office, have visited the ravaged settlements to assess the scale of the destruction. The agency confirmed that the assessment is critical to coordinating a swift emergency intervention and deploying essential relief materials to the displaced victims. In a statement following the inspection, NEMA underscored its commitment to the victims, stating: "We will continue to work with relevant state and local authorities to ensure appropriate humanitarian assistance reaches the victims as efforts continue to determine the full impact of the disaster." Emergency workers and local authorities remain on the ground to manage the unfolding humanitarian crisis and finalize the casualty index.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a landmark mobile learning initiative to revolutionize professional development for educators, with a strategic focus on empowering female teachers and school leaders across the country. The project is driven by a high-level partnership between the Federal Ministry of Education, the UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (UNESCO-IICBA), and the Pan-African University (PAU). To kickstart the continent-wide deployment, a intensive three-day Master Training Programme commenced on Monday in Abuja, drawing together key stakeholders and educational leaders. Running from July 21 to July 23, 2026, the workshop is designed to equip participants with modern digital tools to drastically elevate the standard of classroom instruction. Formally titled “Empowering Female Teachers and School Leaders through Integrating Mobile-based Learning in the Pan-African Virtual and Electronic University (PAVEU) Initiative,” the project is fully funded by the Government of Japan. Nigeria serves as a primary hub for the rollout, which simultaneously targets four other African nations: Algeria, Cameroon, Kenya, and South Sudan. According to an official statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, the initiative solves critical systemic bottlenecks in African education. The digital platform is engineered to bypass traditional obstacles such as deficient school infrastructure, geographical isolation, and severe time constraints for working mothers. Technologically, the PAVEU platform utilizes a low-data, offline-friendly architecture tailored for rural and underserved environments. This enables female educators to access high-quality training modules, pedagogical research, and leadership certifications on standard mobile devices without requiring expensive, continuous internet connectivity. The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing tech-driven educational reforms aimed at reversing falling learning outcomes. By prioritizing women, who form the backbone of primary and secondary education, the government seeks to create a sustainable multiplier effect that directly improves student performance nationwide. Reaffirming its long-term vision, the Ministry of Education emphasized that digital inclusion is no longer optional for the teaching workforce. The government reiterated its commitment to continuous international collaborations to build a resilient, flexible, and future-ready educational system capable of thriving in the digital age.

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, blaming them for the country`s worsening financial hardship. In a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the administration`s reliance on borrowing, importation, and heavy taxation has crippled the nation`s economy instead of driving production. The former Vice President stated that Nigeria`s economic recovery depends heavily on boosting local food production, expanding manufacturing, and increasing exports. He noted that the current economic model has severely weakened local industries, reduced employment opportunities, and caused inflation to rise rapidly across the country, leaving ordinary citizens to bear the brunt of the fiscal strain. "Nigeria cannot borrow, import, and tax its way to prosperity," Atiku declared. He emphasized that the country`s economic salvation lies in producing what it eats, manufacturing what it uses, and exporting what it makes, warning that no nation has ever achieved prosperity by exporting jobs and importing poverty. To back his claims, Atiku pointed to skyrocketing food prices, stating that national food inflation has hit 17.52 per cent, with states like Kogi and Niger recording extreme rates of 53.02 per cent and 43.83 per cent respectively. He also revealed that Nigerian manufacturers spent N3.53 trillion importing raw materials within just six months, a trend he warned is rapidly weakening the naira. Outlining his alternative plan, Atiku promised that an ADC administration would prioritize agriculture, solid minerals, technology, and local manufacturing. He pledged to restore security in farming communities, stabilize the currency, lower import duties on industrial machinery, and reform the tax system to support local businesses, drawing comparisons to the successful economic reforms during his time as Vice President under the Obasanjo administration.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has accused all Nigerian state governors, regardless of political affiliation, of systematically misappropriating local government financial allocations. Adebutu made the sweeping allegations at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta during a strategic consultative meeting with the Egba Traditional Council to seek the blessings of the monarchs ahead of the 2027 governorship election. He was accompanied by his running mate, Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo; the PDP senatorial candidate for Ogun Central, Iyabo Obasanjo; Ogun State PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella; and several other party stakeholders. Addressing the traditional rulers, Adebutu declared that granting complete financial autonomy to local governments would serve as a foundational policy of his administration if elected. “I will do something that will stun this nation and put us in the right direction. Local governments shall get their own money,” Adebutu vowed. He challenged the integrity of the political class, pointing to his own track record. “We must make sure we get local government autonomy. I have been reiterating to you that I, Oladipupo Olatunde, son of Adebutu, was at the National Assembly twice, and I can boast that I didn’t embezzle public funds. How many politicians can say this?” He emphasized that the diversion of council funds cuts across party lines. “It’s not a party thing. Both APC and PDP, all the governors are embezzling local government allocations. It’s not a secret,” he alleged, maintaining that grassroots development is only achievable when local councils directly control their finances. On economic management, Adebutu argued against conventional debt reliance, stating, “You don’t borrow money for infrastructure anymore.” He instead promised to deploy innovative asset-financing methods to build critical networks, including roads connecting Ogun State directly to Lagos. Lending weight to the advocacy, the Ogun State PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, lamented what he described as the total collapse of the local government system in the state. Drawing from personal experience as a former council chairman, Tella recalled utilizing a N200 million allocation to construct four impactful roads. He voiced concern that current council chairmen cannot execute similar projects due to strict financial strangulation by state authorities. The campaign received a major boost from former administration officials and the traditional institution. The PDP candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District, Iyabo Obasanjo, noted that after leaving the APC following her unsuccessful governorship bid, she became convinced of Adebutu’s distinct political will to actualise grassroots manifestos. She asserted that the PDP holds the most formidable team in Egbaland and urged the monarchs to support the movement. In his response, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, described Adebutu as “trustworthy and reliable,” formally declaring his support for the PDP flag bearer`s 2027 ambitions. Recalling a long-standing relationship with the candidate`s father, the Alake expressed absolute confidence in Adebutu’s leadership capabilities. “The son of a lion must resemble the lion. In fact, he is an even better version of his father,” Oba Gbadebo concluded.