The Federal Ministry of Education has officially dismissed reports circulating on social media that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is no longer mandatory for admission into tertiary institutions. The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the reports as "malicious," "baseless," and "entirely fabricated". JAMB remains the only legally recognized body empowered to conduct entrance examinations and coordinate admissions into all universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Nigeria. The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) continues to be a prerequisite for undergraduate admissions. The misinformation appears to have misinterpreted the "Renewed Hope in Action" initiative, which focuses on streamlining O`Level entry requirements to expand access to education, but does not eliminate JAMB’s role. As of February 21, 2026, JAMB registration is ongoing and is scheduled to close on February 28, 2026. The 2026 UTME examinations are slated to hold from April 15 to April 25, 2026. The Ministry has urged prospective students and parents to disregard any information not from official channels.

A bitter dispute has erupted between the widow of late Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun “Success” Olanrewaju and his family over donations and assets following his tragic death in Ghana last year, with accusations from the family hinting that the widow, Adebusola, is to blame for his demise, THENEWSCREDIT reports. Adebusola told our correspondent that funds paid by the Ghana Boxing Authority were completely withheld from her and their two children by her late partner’s relatives. “All the money the NBBofC helped me recover from the GBA, Segun’s family took everything,” Adebusola said. “We didn’t get anything that would help us with our basic needs, and my parents have been the ones helping me. I can’t work a serious job since my children are still very young.” She revealed that when Ghana paid $3,000 following the incident, $1,000 (approximately N1.5m) was taken by the family, while the children got $2,000 (approximately N3m), but with severe restrictions. “Initially, when the accident happened, they paid $3,000 from Ghana, so $1,000 was given to the family, but the $2,000 was given to me with the condition that there will be no access to it until my children turn 18 years, which is in 16 years,” she told THENEWSCREDIT. “I don’t understand where and how they want me to feed the children and raise them till they turn 18.” Adebusola also alleged that the family sold her late partner’s commercial bus without giving her any proceeds. “They sold Segun’s bus, and they did not give me any money from it,” she told THENEWSCREDIT. However, Olanrewaju’s family has vehemently denied the allegations. Our correspondent’s attempts to reach them via calls and text messages proved abortive, but two videos posted on the boxer’s sister’s TikTok account (@queenimoleaj) presented a starkly different account. In one video, the boxer’s mother, Mrs Agnes Olanrewaju, speaking in Yoruba, accused Adebusola of cursing her son before his fatal trip to Ghana. “She cursed her husband after he went to Ghana. She said, ‘Segun, the way he went to Ghana and didn’t tell me, he won’t come back.’ And truly, my child did not come back,” Mrs Olanrewaju said. “Help me beg her not to destroy the life of my family. And they should not let her kill my children.” On the financial allegations, the mother insisted she rejected the money from Ghana, saying, “I didn’t take the $3,000 they brought. It would be sad for me to take money from my child’s death. How much is the money? It can’t become my child. Nothing they can do can become my son, that I would now say I want to take the money.” The boxer’s sister, Anuoluwapo Olanrewaju, challenged Adebusola’s status as a wife, claiming no traditional or legal marriage took place. “My aunty wanted to make passports for Adebusola and my brother so they can travel out of the country. Adebusola said she cannot use ‘Olanrewaju’, but her father’s surname,” Anuoluwapo said. “Secondly, we wanted to pay her bride price. Her father said we shouldn’t pay, that she’s still in university, and the family was wondering how paying her bride price would hinder her studies. “You know that we didn’t pay your bride price, how do you want us to recognise you as a wife? We have learned people in Nigeria here. You are not married legally, so you are not a wife, you are a baby mama.” Regarding the bus, Anuoluwapo questioned Adebusola’s claim to it. “In one video I saw, she said we sold the bus. Who are you to make a decision for the family? You are not married legally, so you have no say on my brother’s remains. If you were friendly with the family from day one, we would give you many entitlements without paying your bride price.” She also accused Adebusola of not loving her brother while he was alive. “You also did tattoo after my brother died. If the love was there, you would have done it when he was alive. Someone you did not give rest of mind, and you are calling yourself Olanrewaju and saying that because we called you baby mama is why you dropped the surname. Stop lying. Stop painting the family black,” she added. Anuoluwapo insisted the family treated Adebusola with respect. “My younger siblings, who are older than you, don’t call you by name. We call you ‘sugar’, address you with respect because we love you, but the bad attitude in you makes you who you are, and you are out there painting my family black,” she said. Adebusola confirmed they were not legally married, explaining, “We are not legally married yet, just living together as one family because my parents said when I finish my education, we can get married.” She alleged the family’s treatment went beyond financial disputes. “I had to block Anuoluwapo on TikTok because she was threatening me and insulting my dad and mum. What they did to me is very painful. They even called my children bastards. They said I’m the one who killed my husband, that they don’t want the Ghanaians to know that I’m responsible for his death. That is why they did not say it out at first. They made me suffer and cry every day,” she told THENEWSCREDIT. “They said I had left his house before he died, which is a lie. I only went to my dad’s place to read for my JAMB exam, and before I left, I took permission from my husband, which he agreed to.” Olanrewaju, popularly known as “Success,” collapsed in the ring during a fight with Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu on March 29, 2025, at the Trust Sports Emporium Boxing Arena in Bukoum, Accra. He was later pronounced dead at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. His remains were repatriated to Nigeria after 81 days, with the burial taking place on June 18, 2025, at Atan Cemetery, Ogun State. The dispute leaves Olanrewaju’s two children, three-year-old Irenitemi Success and two-year-old Oluwatobiloba, caught in the crossfire between their mother and paternal family. With Adebusola unable to access the bulk of the funds donated for their upkeep until Irenitemi turns 18, the children’s immediate welfare remains uncertain as the family feud intensifies, leaving them without the financial security their father had hoped to provide through his final fight in Ghana.

‘MY pastor-husband deserted home, refused to call, visit me, our child, who has sickle cell (SS), when in town’ Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has ruled on a divorce suit brought before it by a woman, Ifeoluwa, against her husband, Gabriel, whom she accused of lack of love, irresponsibility and abandonment. Ifeoluwa stated that Gabriel, a prophet, left home for Lagos when their child was two months old with the excuse that he wanted to carry out his ministerial work there. According to Ifeoluwa, Gabriel was initially shuttling between Lagos and Ibadan, but that he later stopped coming home or getting in touch with her. The plaintiff added that the defendant refused to pay her and their child, who is a sickle cell (SS) patient visits whenever he travelled to town for their church programme. She added that he snubbed her when they once met at a function. Ifeoluwa further said that Gabriel sent only N2,000 to their child since he deserted home four years ago. She stated that she wanted to put her marriage to Gabriel behind and start life afresh. She, therefore, entreated the court to rule that they are no longer husband and wife. The plaintiff pleaded for custody of their child and begged the court to mandate her husband to be responsible for his welfare, giving priority to his feeding, education, and health care. Gabriel refused to make an appearance in court even though he was served court summonses. Ifeoluwa, in her evidence said: “My husband is a prophet. We met, courted, and got married in April 2022. “Our child was just two months old when he announced to me that he was relocating to Lagos for his ministerial work. “Although I was not happy with his decision, he still left. My husband was initially shuttling between Lagos and Ibadan, but he suddenly stopped coming home. “He abandoned me and our child, who is sickle cell patient and stopped communicating with me. “He cared less about how our child and I were surviving. “Even though he sometimes travelled down to Ibadan to attend programmes in his church, he never checked on us. “I once met my husband at a function and he snubbed me. “He was not bothered about our child’s welfare despite being aware of his health challenge. “My husband sent N2, 000 only for our child’s upkeep since he left home four years ago. “My lord, it is glaring that my husband no longer loves me. Neither is he still interested in our marriage. I can see that he is no longer interested in our marriage. “I, therefore, pray that this honourable court put an end to our relationship. “I plead for our child’s custody so that I can give him adequate attention. “I further plead that the court orders my husband to be responsible for his upkeep, giving feeding, education, and health care a priority. “I, hereby, demand for the sum of N100,000 for the maintenance of our child being a sickle cell patient.” The president of the court, Mrs O. E. Owoseni, gave her judgment, stating that there was no subsisting marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage was contracted, and the bride price was not paid. Owoseni further said that since Gabriel deserted home, and refused to communicate with her even when he saw her at a function, this according to her indicates that he is also no longer interested in their marriage. She consequently ordered both parties to go their different ways. Owoseni mandated the defendant to give their child N50,000 per month for his upkeep, considering the state of his health which requires utmost care. She directed the defendant to pay adequate attention to their child’s feeding and education also

An Abuja-based church, Holiness Revival Movement Worldwide, has expelled a newly married woman, Oyiza, from its congregation for allegedly refusing to consummate her marriage with her husband, Isaac. The couple, who were based in Ibadan, Oyo State, were joined in matrimony on September 6, 2025, after completing their traditional rites in Okene, Kogi State, and a court wedding in Ibadan, Oyo State. Oyiza is from Kogi State. However, shortly after the ceremony, the marriage ran into crisis as the bride resisted her husband’s attempts at intimacy, insisting that she did not love him. She reportedly accused her mother of coercing her into the marriage. THENEWSCREDIT gathered that repeated efforts by both families and church leaders to mediate in the matter failed, as the bride allegedly remained adamant. In a video posted on the church’s YouTube channel in February, the International Director of the movement, Pastor Paul Rika, announced the expulsion of Oyiza after five months of failed mediation. During the announcement, he described her as a “demon” and declared that she must be punished. While accusing her of spiritism, he urged members to pray for her “destruction,” alleging that she had brought shame to the assembly. “So, we have delivered her to Satan. We have expelled, excommunicated her. You want to bring shame, what do you mean that you don’t love Isaac?” he queried. The cleric referenced cultural practices of earlier times when weeping new brides were compelled to go to their husbands’ homes. “Even the harlots, do they sleep with those that love them? It’s business. So, how do you say you don’t love Isaac after accepting him, and you say you don’t love? Demon!” he added. Isaac, the husband, explained that Oyiza consented when he expressed his intention to marry her. Based on this, the church’s marriage committee gave a nod to proceed with wedding preparations. He, however, said some months before the ceremony, Oyiza began expressing doubts and indicated that she was no longer interested because she had lost feelings for him. “(I) thought this could be spiritual and we should pray. The marriage committee also counselled her to go and pray. She returned and said she was convinced and that was how we proceeded,” he added. According to him, the marriage was formalised after the completion of traditional rites and the court wedding. THENEWSCREDIT saw Facebook photos of the couple as Oyiza seemed happy while surrounded by some friends and church members. But Isaac said the situation deteriorated almost immediately after the wedding. “After the wedding, she started complaining again that she no longer had feelings for me. She had also started misbehaving, but because of the fervent love I had for her, I accommodated her deficiencies and lapses, thinking that things will change. “After the marriage, in the hotel where we lodged, I touched her, but she said we should wait for a brief period of time. I asked for her reasons; she did not give me any cogent reason. She had also said she did not like sex all the time. I was also a virgin and was not involved in such things. I agreed we won’t make love in the hotel. So, we said when we get to Ibadan. “We accompanied her, myself and her mother, to the park. She started crying at the park, saying, ‘Mummy, can you see now, when I said I don’t love this man, can you see it now. See the condition you pushed me into now’.” Isaac said his in-laws pleaded with him to exercise patience and keep the matter private. When the problem persisted, he said he reported to a church leader in Lokoja before escalating it to his pastor in Ibadan. He said despite the intervention of his pastor and the wife, who reportedly broke down in tears during one of the counselling sessions, Oyiza remained resolute. “She would tell me almost every time, ‘No love, no joy, no peace,’” he stated, adding that he became more confused and distressed as he had great love for her. He further alleged that she accused him of attempted rape whenever he sought intimacy or initiated moves. “It was a battle. Sometimes, she would just open up herself and say, ‘Do whatever you want to do.’ But I did not also know all these things.” Isaac said counselling sessions organised by the church, including sexual guidance and support, yielded no positive result. “It’s not just about sex. Even bathing. She said she loved me to bath at night. I bath virtually all night. But sometimes, if I don’t bath, she would hold my neck, telling me to go and bath. She would force me. Our leaders would intervene, asking her to release herself, but she refused. “One day, she called some little children into our room to discourage me from touching her. But I ignored the children and continued touching her. A Muslim woman, who is our neighbour, saw us arguing as she was saying, ‘Do you want to rape me?’ She queried her for saying that. But she said, ‘No, I don’t love him. I have told him before. My mother forced me.’” He described the marriage as suffocating. “If I came back from work, to sit on the dining table, she would say no. I was not even free until I bathed and changed my clothes. It was a struggle. “In the kitchen, if she was cooking and I returned home tired, she would ask me to come and join her because I promised to assist her in the kitchen. Everything was like I was in a cage.” Isaac said he made series of efforts to show love and affection, but claimed that his wife did not reciprocate. Oyiza was not in church to respond to the claims and allegations levelled against her by Isaac. Efforts by our correspondent to contact her were also abortive. Before the decision was announced, the church’s leader, Pastor Rika, said his wife had a revelation. He said his wife discovered that Oyiza was “a marine girl who is married to a marine demon and they have children together.” The cleric further stated that “this demon is a harsh type, highly jealous type that will never allow her marry another, and the covenant with the demon is that the day you allow a man enter into you, you will die, or that man will die.” However, mental health professionals who spoke with Saturday PUNCH on the matter pointed to possible psychological and medical factors. Discover more Nigerian art prints Financial planning services Breaking news alerts Business news reports Columns and opinion A clinical psychologist, Oluwakemi Akintoyese, said a range of issues could explain the woman’s behaviour. She said, “Maybe she was forced into the marriage though parental pressure. So, she’s saying, ‘Oh, yes, you guys can force me to get married, but you cannot force me to have anything to do with him’. That could also be another explanation. “And again, we also have some medical conditions or reasons why people will not want to have sex. But at least, the most common one that I know of is vaginismus. So, that is one. But for me, as I have said, if all of these are the reasons, I feel she should have opened up to her husband to talk about it. There is a need to explore more. There is a need to speak to her. There is a need to understand her perspective before conclusions can be made.” Another psychologist, Afolabi Aroyehun, attributed the situation to gametophobia — the fear of sex. “Gametophobia: those who are afraid of sex. A lot of things can make people afraid of sex. Upbringing is one of such issues. Past experience is another thing. Some of them have very terrible childhood traumatic experiences. They have been abused; sexual and psychological abuse. “Then the society does not let them to be free. It is time for you to get married. Some people would rather not touch the concept called marriage at all. But society will not let you be. Society forces people to get into marriage, even when they are not prepared for the responsibilities and challenges of marriage. “A lot have been abused sexually and traumatised. A lot of them must have had the complete sexual experience while they were growing up. For example, sadomasochism, where you see husband and wife, they would not enjoy sex unless they inflict injury on each other. And if they tried such sex while growing up, they will be afraid of sex. Well, apart from the fact that some of them have had near-rape experiences, some of them have actually had a real rape experience, and they do not discuss it with people because any attempt to discuss it, their parents will shut them off.” A marriage counselor, Sunday Anani, said love is a critical foundation of any union. He said, “Sex is an emotional thing. It’s physical, but before the physical comes to bear, there’s first of all an emotional, heart connection. When there is no heart connection between two people, it is difficult, especially in the confines of marriage; difficult, probably impossible, for both of them to agree that sex should happen. If you are pressured to get married to someone that you really do not want to get married to, it would be difficult for you to open up yourself to that person. “Second thing that I can think of is probably that this person in question may have had some ugly sexual encounters in the past. For example, if this person had been raped or was almost raped or was sexually assaulted, it can make her close up her mind entirely to men. And, in fact, it even starts with she not being open to loving men. But, of course, because of family members, they say, you have to marry, you have to marry. “Until she heals from that trauma, she will find it difficult because she will always remember the picture of when something similar happened to her. And when that remains in her mind, it will be difficult for her to even relax at all.” Anani also wondered why Isaac went ahead with the marriage after the lady said she did not like sex. “She already said she won’t want sex. If a woman already told you she would not like sex or she doesn’t want it, why are you going ahead to marry such a person?” he added.

The International Human Rights Commission – Relief Fund Trust (IHRC-RFT), Nigeria Chapter, has warned that history will judge Nigeria’s democratic institutions by how they respond to the country’s worsening security crisis. In a statement signed by its Country Director, Amb. Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu on Saturday, the Commission commended Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa for what it described as a courageous intervention on the floor of the House of Representatives in November 2025. Doguwa had declared that Nigeria was running in blood and tears, a statement the IHRC said reflected the painful reality facing millions of citizens across the country. According to the Commission, farmers have abandoned their lands, communities have been displaced, worship centres attacked, and innocent citizens killed in different parts of the country. The group praised Doguwa’s call for urgent and decisive legislative action, noting that his intervention showed leadership rooted in responsibility rather than partisanship. However, the IHRC expressed concern that nearly four months after that appeal, Nigerians are yet to see substantial or measurable improvement in the security situation. “The frequency of violent incidents across multiple regions continues to raise grave concern,” the statement said. The Commission respectfully directed questions to the leadership of the National Assembly. “Mr. Rt. Hon. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Distinguished President of the Senate; where does this matter currently stand?” the statement asked. “Why has decisive and visible legislative action not followed the passionate appeal made on the floor by Hon. Ado Doguwa?” The IHRC argued that when a member of the House raises such a fundamental issue, one that touches on the constitutional responsibility of protecting life and property, it should trigger immediate institutional response, strategic oversight, and measurable accountability. The Commission warned that prolonged inaction in the face of widespread violence could normalize criminality, weaken public trust in democratic institutions, encourage impunity, expand the operational space of armed and organized criminal networks, and undermine national cohesion. “Security challenges of this magnitude require more than debate; they require coordinated legislative oversight, emergency frameworks, intelligence reform, and strict accountability mechanisms,” the group stated. It stressed that the crisis is not sectional, not partisan, and not religious, but national. The IHRC clarified that it is not a political organization and does not align with any political party. “We align with principles, the protection of human life, dignity, and fundamental rights,” the statement said. “Whoever speaks courageously in defense of citizens must be commended. That is why we commend Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa. But commendation alone is not enough.” The Commission called on all members of the National Assembly, both in the House of Representatives and the Senate, to rise collectively and convert words into enforceable action. “Nigerians deserve to see outcomes, not only expressions of concern,” it added. Concluding, the IHRC said the security crisis has gone beyond commentary and now demands urgency, courage, and measurable intervention. “History will judge institutions not by the intensity of their debates, but by the effectiveness of their response. The time to act is now.”

The federal, state, and local governments may receive additional revenue allocations of about N14.57tn following the recent Executive Order signed by President Bola Tinubu, directing that royalty oil, tax oil, profit oil, profit gas, and other revenues due to the Federation under production sharing, profit sharing, and risk service contracts be paid directly into the Federation Account This is based on an analysis of revenue inflows in 2025, drawing on monthly earnings submitted to the Federation Account Allocation Committee and obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday. Based on estimates from 2025 remittances to the Federation Allocation Accounts Committee, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company is projected remit about N906.91bn in management fees and frontier exploration funds, while oil and gas royalties totalling N7.55tn and gas flaring penalties of N611.42bn collected by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission will now be remitted directly to the Federation Account. The Nigeria Revenue Service will also lose the authority to collect Petroleum Profits Tax and Hydrocarbon Tax, which generated N4.905tn in 2025, while the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund recorded N596.61bn in the same period, bringing the total affected revenue streams to about N14.57tn. It was reported on Wednesday that the President signed the executive order directing that royalty oil, tax oil, profit oil, profit gas, and other revenues due to the Federation under production sharing, profit sharing, and risk service contracts be paid directly into the Federation Account. The order also scrapped the 30 per cent Frontier Exploration Fund under the PIA and stopped the 30 per cent management fee on profit oil and profit gas retained by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. The order, which took effect from February 13, 2026, is aimed at safeguarding oil and gas revenues due to the Federation and improving remittances into the Federation Account. According to details of the directive, the President invoked Section 5 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), while the policy was anchored on Section 44(3), which vests ownership and control of all minerals, mineral oils, and natural gas in the Government of the Federation. THENEWSCREDIT also gathered exclusively that the implementation of the directive commenced in January, and its impact is expected to reflect in the revenue allocations at the FAAC meeting scheduled for next week. Since the implementation of the PIA in 2021, the Federation Account, shared by the federal, state, and local governments, received only 40 per cent of proceeds from Production Sharing Contracts. The remaining 60 per cent was retained by the NNPC, split between a 30 per cent Frontier Exploration Fund and a 30 per cent management fee. Under the new directive, NNPC will no longer collect and manage the statutory 30 per cent Frontier Exploration Fund, a development expected to significantly alter the revenue landscape of the oil and gas sector. The frontier exploration fund is designed to finance hydrocarbon exploration activities in Nigeria’s frontier basins, areas outside the traditional Niger Delta producing belt, where commercial discoveries have yet to be fully established. These include: the Chad Basin in the North-East, the Sokoto Basin in the North-West, the Bida Basin in North-Central Nigeria, the Benue Trough, and parts of the Dahomey basin. Exploration in these locations is aimed at expanding Nigeria’s reserve base, reducing regional concentration of oil production, and enhancing long-term energy security. Activities typically involve seismic data acquisition, exploratory drilling, geological studies, and appraisal campaigns. The fund was floated under the Petroleum Industry Act because frontier basins are generally high-risk and capital-intensive, and therefore would require sustained funding considered critical to maintaining exploration momentum. In addition, the national oil company will no longer be entitled to the 30 per cent management fee on profit oil and profit gas revenues. The order further directed that all operators and contractors of oil and gas assets under Production Sharing Contracts must now pay Royalty Oil, Tax Oil, Profit Oil, Profit Gas, and any other government interest directly into the Federation Account. The directive also suspended payments of gas flare penalties into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, instructing the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to remit all proceeds from penalties imposed on operators directly into the Federation Account. It further directed that all expenditure from the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund must now comply with extant public procurement laws and regulations. Tinubu said excessive deductions, overlapping funds, and structural distortions in the oil and gas sector have weakened remittances to the Federation Account, warning that the practice must end to protect national revenue. In a post on his verified X handle, the President stated that for too long, revenues meant for federal, state, and local governments had been trapped in layers of charges and retention mechanisms, thereby slowing development across the country. He said, “For too long, excessive deductions, overlapping funds, and structural distortions in the oil and gas sector have weakened remittances to the Federation Account. When revenues meant for federal, state, and local governments are trapped in layers of charges and retention mechanisms, development suffers. That must end.” Tinubu emphasised that oil and gas revenues must serve Nigerians first, noting that the ongoing reforms in the sector are aimed at promoting fairness and fiscal responsibility. He added, “Oil and gas revenues must serve the Nigerian people first, and this reform is about fairness and fiscal responsibility.” The President explained that as the government strengthens national security, invests in education, expands healthcare, stabilises the economy, and advances the country’s energy transition, every legitimate revenue due to the Federation must be protected. According to him, NNPC will now operate strictly as a commercial enterprise in line with the law, stressing that the era of duplicative deductions and fragmented oversight in the sector is over. Tinubu also disclosed that his administration would undertake a comprehensive review of the Petroleum Industry Act to address structural and fiscal anomalies weakening national revenue. He further announced the approval of an implementation committee to oversee and ensure effective and coordinated execution of the executive order on the matter. The President said, “Nigeria can no longer afford leakage where there should be leadership. We are safeguarding the Federation Account. We are strengthening our budget. We are acting in the national interest.” He reiterated that the reforms are part of his administration’s commitment to Nigerians, adding that the policy direction aligns with his “Nigeria First” promise. Based on the latest Federation Allocation Accounts Committee revenue data for 2025, the reallocation could have far-reaching implications for government earnings and sector institutions. While many Nigerians and energy experts have expressed concerns over the potential impact of the policy on the oil and gas industry, a review of potential revenue reallocation suggests that the NNPC may be the least affected among the key players. Other relevant government agencies operating within the sector could bear a heavier burden, particularly in terms of revenue losses, operational adjustments, and institutional restructuring. Findings indicated that NNPC may lose about N906.91bn in management fees and Frontier Exploration Fund deductions. Each of the funds accounted for N453.455bn in 2025. A breakdown showed that the N453.455bn realised for frontier exploration fell short of the N710.520bn budgeted for the year, leaving a deficit of N257.066bn. The monthly trend reveals the volatility of the fund. In January, N31.77bn was deducted from the frontier line, when PSC profits came in at N105.91bn. The February deduction rose to N38.30bn from a profit of N127.67bn, representing a 20.6 per cent increase on the January inflow. March provided the first big surge, with N61.49bn allocated to frontier exploration from profits of N204.96bn, a jump of 60.5 per cent on February’s figure. April, however, saw deductions ease back to N36.58bn as profits slid to N121.93bn, a 40.5 per cent drop compared with March. In May, the fund received N38.8bn, only slightly higher than April’s contribution, reflecting profit of N129.33bn. June delivered the lowest allocation so far this year, just N6.83bn, after profits collapsed to N22.77bn. That represented an 82.4 per cent fall from May. The flow recovered somewhat in July, with N25.34bn transferred into the fund from profits of N84.48bn. In August, the trend rose sharply to its highest level so far this year, as Profit Sharing Contract earnings surged to N263.13bn. This translated to N78.94bn remitted to the Frontier Exploration Fund, more than three times the July contribution and about twelve times the amount recorded in June. The momentum was sustained in subsequent months. In September, PSC profit stood at N275.38bn, with N82.61bn deducted for frontier exploration. October recorded a sharp decline, as profit dropped to N36.82bn, while deductions amounted to N11.05bn. In November, profit rebounded to N112.32bn, with N33.70bn transferred to the fund. However, by December, PSC earnings moderated again to N26.82bn, resulting in frontier exploration deductions of N8.05bn. The same 30 per cent rule also applied to NNPC’s management fees, which mirrored the frontier deductions exactly. In January, NNPC booked N31.77bn; in February, N38.30bn; in March, N61.49bn; in April, N36.58bn; in May, N38.8bn; in June, N6.83bn; in July, N25.34bn; in August, N78.94bn; N82.614bn in September; N11.046bn in October; N33.695bn in November and N8.046bn in December. The NUPRC is also expected to lose oversight of oil and gas royalty collections, a development that could significantly reduce its revenue from cost-of-collection fees, which are intended to fund its operational activities. Based on 2025 figures, the commission is projected to forgo approximately N7.55tn, while gas flaring penalties during the same period totaled N611.42bn. Under the Petroleum Profits Tax, Hydrocarbon Tax, and other levies administered by the NRS, a total of N4.905tn was collected in 2025. This revenue will now be channelled directly to the Federation Account. The earnings, however, exclude company income tax on upstream activities and other revenue streams. Similarly, the MDGIF, which was established to finance strategic gas infrastructure projects and improve domestic gas utilisation, recorded total collections of N596.61bn in 2025. With the recent directive, these funds will now be subject to the same public finance rules governing statutory allocations, signalling a shift in oversight. Monthly inflows into the MDGIF in 2025 were highly variable: N35.07bn in January, N31.82bn in February, N52.99bn in March, N29.19bn in April, N41.27bn in May, N66.18bn in June, N50.98bn in July, N57.04bn in August, N66.32bn in September, N66.32bn in October, N59.42bn in November, and N46.90bn in December. The highest single-month collection of N66.32bn in both September and October accounted for about 11.1 per cent of the annual total each, while the lowest in April (N29.19bn) represented just under 4.9 per cent of the year’s total. Cumulatively, these revenue streams would amount to a total of N14.72tn, although the actual inflows could rise or fall depending on fluctuations in crude oil production and exploration activities, which directly determine the amount of revenue generated. The anticipated upsurge in oil and gas revenue remittances is expected to deliver a significant boost to sub-national earnings, providing state and local governments with much-needed fiscal resources. This inflow could sharply reduce budget deficits, easing financial pressures across the federation and enabling more consistent funding for critical infrastructure and social services. Over the years, concerns have been raised by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and the National Assembly of Nigeria over revenue leakages, delayed remittances, and opaque deductions in the oil and gas sector. With the new directive, Nigeria may be entering a new phase of fiscal discipline and transparency in its most critical revenue-generating industry. Experts react Commenting, the Chair of the Oil, Gas, and Energy Policy Forum, Professor Wumi Iledare, urged careful consideration of the recent Executive Order by President Bola Tinubu directing the direct remittance of oil and gas revenues to the Federation Account. The order, described by Iledare as a “significant fiscal intervention,” aims to strengthen revenue transparency, curb discretionary retention, and ensure statutory remittances flow efficiently to the three tiers of government. In a statement obtained by The THENEWSCREDIT on Thursday, titled “PEWI Responds to Presidential Executive Order on Direct Remittance of Oil and Gas Revenues”, Iledare acknowledged the government’s stated objectives. “Safeguarding public revenues, curbing inefficiencies, and enhancing fiscal discipline are legitimate public finance priorities, particularly in a period of budgetary strain and debt sustainability concerns,” he said. However, Iledare warned that parts of the Executive Order may intersect with statutory provisions under the PIA 2021, including the Frontier Exploration Fund, the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, and existing Production Sharing Contract fiscal arrangements. “While Section 5 of the Constitution empowers the President to implement and enforce laws, substantive changes to statutory fiscal frameworks may require legislative amendments to ensure constitutional alignment and institutional certainty,” he noted. The energy expert highlighted the importance of distinguishing between contractual entitlements, corporate retained earnings, and statutory earmarked funds under the PIA. “Clarity in these distinctions is critical to avoid conflating contractual entitlements with discretionary fiscal practices,” Iledare explained. On the issue of direct remittance of royalty oil, tax oil, and profit oil to the Federation Account, PEWI recognised potential benefits in enhancing transparency and reducing intermediation. Yet, the statement stressed that reforms must be carefully sequenced to maintain contractual stability and safeguard investor confidence. “NNPC Limited’s dual role as both commercial operator and concessionaire under certain arrangements has long presented institutional tensions within the post-PIA framework.” Iledare said. “Any reform aimed at reinforcing NNPC’s commercial identity must be anchored in legal clarity and predictable governance mechanisms.” The policy forum therefore recommended a three-pronged approach: prompt legislative consultation to ensure statutory coherence, transparent engagement with operators and investors, and a sequenced reform rollout that balances fiscal urgency with institutional stability. “Reforms that improve transparency and fiscal integrity are welcome,” the statement concluded, “but sustainable reform must align with constitutional processes, statutory frameworks, and investor predictability. PEWI will continue to monitor developments and provide objective, technically grounded analysis in the public interest.” Meanwhile, the Capital Market Academics of Nigeria has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu following his recent signing of Executive Order 9 of 2026, which mandates the direct remittance of 60 per cent of oil and gas profits back to the Federation Account. In a statement released on Thursday, the President of CMAN, Prof Uche Uwaleke, described the move as a “bold and historic” decision that corrects a long-standing fiscal imbalance created by the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021. “This marks one of the most courageous reforms of his administration and a decisive step toward strengthening fiscal transparency and equity in revenue distribution,” Uwaleke stated. Uwaleke noted that this structure undermined the principle of collective ownership of national resources. “By correcting this anomaly, the President has ensured that all tiers of government benefit equitably from the nation’s oil and gas wealth. NNPCL, as a limited liability company, must operate independently on its own revenues rather than relying on public funds,” he added. While praising the reform, CMAN emphasised the need for institutional safeguards to ensure the new policy achieves its intended goals. Specifically, the institute called for the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to be included in the committee overseeing the implementation of the Executive Order. “CMAN underscores the importance of including the RMAFC Chairman to ensure transparency and accountability. This development is a victory for the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee and for fiscal justice in Nigeria.” The group also urged the administration to extend these reforms to Joint Venture assets, arguing they should also be returned to the Federation Account to maximise national revenue. According to the statement, the anticipated surge in revenue will enhance the capacity of all government tiers to deliver essential services and stimulate the capital markets.

OGBOMOSO – The ancient city of Ogbomoso is celebrating a major academic milestone as one of its daughters, Nasirat Adetunji, has graduated with a First Class degree in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. The news of her stellar performance was broken by her father, who reached out to the Board of Six Stars Remedial Classes—the institution where Nasirat honed her academic skills years ago. In an emotional "Thank You" message, Mr. Adetunji credited the foundational training she received at the center, located at St. David’s Primary School in the Abegan-Sabo area of Ogbomoso. "I congratulate you on your effort on my daughter," Mr. Adetunji wrote. "We thank Allah, the Merciful and Benevolent. Congratulations to Six Stars and all the families... Awon omo yoku yoo soriire o (the children coming after will also be successful)." The Board of Six Stars, represented by Solomon Ogundola, Ladipo Fola Lowo, Ayo Ishola, and Matthew Olojede, expressed immense pride in their former student. They described Nasirat as a "well-behaved, focused, and academically brilliant" individual who has become a beacon of excellence for the community. "She is a pride to us at Six Stars," the board stated in a joint congratulatory message. "We rejoice with you on the glorious attainment of these academic heights. We are waiting to receive you as promised to celebrate this success together." Adetunji’s achievement is being hailed as an inspiration to local students, proving that with focus and the right foundational support, international standards of academic excellence are within reach.

President Bola Tinubu has called on all Nigerians to ensure good neighbourliness, promote peace, unity and stability, and pray for the progress and security of the nation. Tinubu made this call in his message to Christians and Muslims as they embark on Lenten and Ramadan fast observance, respectively. THENEWSCREDIT reports that the Christians’ Lenten season and Muslims’ Ramadan, both period of fasting and prayer began on Wednesday (today). The President charged Nigerians to live by the good precepts of their faiths and be honourable in their duty to God and fellow humans. “With profound reverence to God Almighty, I greet the Christian and Muslim faithful on the solemn occasions of Lent and Ramadan. “This year, Lent and Ramadan begin on the same day. This is not a common occurrence, and it reminds us that as a people of faith, we share a lot in common and are one people under God. “For Christians, the Lenten season is a time for fasting, abstinence, and penitence, following Jesus Christ’s example in the wilderness before His crucifixion, which brought salvation to mankind. “For Muslims, Ramadan is a hallowed season that reflects total submission to God Almighty and His command of sacrifice, devotion, service, and communal love and giving. It marks one of the five pillars of Islam. Beyond the obligatory fasting, Ramadan calls for deep spiritual reflection in obedience to Islam’s injunctions. “As a nation and as a people, I urge us, as we embark on these important observances, to ensure good neighbourliness, promote peace, unity, and stability, and pray for the progress and security of our nation. “I pray that the lessons, blessings, and joys of these sacred seasons abide with us always,” he said.

To ensure a serene atmosphere for the holy month, the Kano State Censorship Board has announced the immediate suspension of all entertainment activities across the state. This includes event centres (gala houses) and Disc Jockey (DJ) services. The directive effective take from Wednesday, 18 February 2026, starting at 10:00 p.m." the statement said. The closure remains in force throughout the entire fasting period of Ramadan. According to Board PRO Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, the move aims to minimize distractions and allow residents to focus on their religious obligations in a peaceful environment. The Board emphasized that this measure is consistent with its legal mandate to regulate entertainment. While the venues are currently locked, a reopening date—specifically for the Eid celebrations—will be communicated as the month concludes. Officials have called on all stakeholders to comply strictly with the order, offering prayers for a blessed and healthy Ramadan for all citizens.

In the past, the teaching profession was seen as one of the most noble professions anyone could find themselves in. Teachers were seen as the moulders of society because every professional went through the tutelage of a teacher. However, teachers have become the dregs of society, especially those in private schools. Private school teachers, especially those in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, have been reduced to mere tools by school proprietors to be used and dumped at will. They face severe low-income and poor working conditions, highlighting their silent struggles but with a resilience that goes to show that if given the right conditions to work, they will excel. Though private schools have become the largest employer of labour in Jos with many of them springing up in almost every street, the teachers they employ have been the ones at the receiving end as their salaries and remuneration are nothing to write home about. Findings by THENEWSCREDIT show that some private schools pay NCE, HND, BSc, and Master’s degree holders between N10,000 and N25,000 monthly and the teacher may not have a salary increase for the next five to ten years of teaching. Even when the salary is increased, it may not be more than 10% of the basic salary. Teaching in a private school, therefore, has become a means to an end with the teachers just hanging in there waiting for an opportunity to come up, and off they go. Some teachers who spoke to THENEWSCREDIT their silent struggles while trying to build the lives of their pupils, say they get ‘imprisoned’ almost all day between 7am and 3pm and at the end of the month, they are paid paltry sums that do not last up to a week. Most of them are made to take classes from JSS1 to SS3 and as to be expected, these overworked and underpaid teachers cannot give their best, thereby contributing to the falling standard of education in the state. The school proprietors too do not help matters in any form or shade. As soon as a teacher starts to grumble and ask questions, they are relieved and replaced almost immediately. It has become a regular sight to see teachers engaging in manual labour at construction sites, farms, and even illegal mining sites to augment their poor income. Some private school teachers revealed that they had no option but to endure the hardship while looking forward to better days ahead. First to speak was Ezekiel Atangs who has been a private school teacher for over 15 years. He said, “I have been teaching in private schools for the past 15 years and I can say that my experiences have never been palatable. Where I am currently working is my third but the story has been the same. “I have been here for the past four years on a N15,000 salary. There has never been an increment and anytime we approach the proprietor for an increase, she will tell us that anyone who is not happy with the salary can leave. “I have a wife and three children, so I have to engage in menial labour to augment the stipend I get from my teaching job. When I close and during weekends, I go to construction sites to work. If not, my family will starve.” Another private school teacher, Ishaya Bitson, also shared his bitter experience. “I can tell you in all honesty that private school teachers in Plateau State are really suffering. “I have a degree in education but all efforts to get a job with either the state or federal governments have proved abortive, I had to pick a job with a popular private school in Jos. “On the surface, the school is one of the most prestigious in Jos with the school fees running into hundreds of thousands of naira. But it will interest you to know that the teachers are poorly paid. “When I was employed five years ago, my salary was N20,000 with the promise of a review after one year but since then, I have been stuck on the same salary. “Whenever I approach the principal to talk about the increase, he will tell me to be patient or if I can’t cope any longer, I should put in my resignation letter. We are really suffering in silence,” he lamented. For Leonard Bagudu, the story is the same. “I have an NCE and I’ve been teaching in a private school for the past eight years on a salary of N12,000 with no hope of a change in the near future. “I teach JSS3 to SS3, yet I am not happy. Imagine resuming work at 7am and teaching all round till 3pm, yet you are paid a paltry sum. I can tell you that no private school teacher in Jos is happy due to the poor salaries we get,” he disclosed. A school proprietor, who spoke on the poor salary package for teachers however, claimed there was nothing they could do than pay whatever they can afford. “Yes, there is no doubt the salary of private school teachers is poor but there is nothing much we can do about it. Everyone knows the current economic situation in the country and we barely survive or break even after paying levies to the state ministry of education and other relevant authorities. “Some parents also do not help matters as they don’t pay their children’s fees on time and this too affects what we manage to pay our teachers. “Many people think we proprietors are the ones enjoying it, but I can tell you that we barely break even,” he narrated. However, an assistant director in the Plateau State Ministry of Education, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that there is little or nothing the ministry can do as the salaries of the private schools are not regulated by the government. According to him, “We have had complaints of poor salaries paid by private schools but there is nothing the ministry can do because they are regulated by the government. “Private schools, just like other private organizations, are at liberty to negotiate their salary structure with their staff but all we have been telling them is to be fair to their employees. “We have heard of private school teachers being paid as low as N10,000 or N15,000 and we have been talking with them to find a balance and raise these salaries.”