The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has proposed a policy making drug-free certificates a mandatory requirement for all intending couples across Nigeria. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), advocated for this measure on Tuesday, stating that drug screening must be elevated to the same level of importance as pre-marital HIV and genotype tests to protect the sanctity of new homes. Marwa made the call during the official launch of the Campaign Against Drug Abuse at the Government House in Dutse, Jigawa State. The high-profile event also featured the signing of strategic Executive Orders by the state government, establishing the Jigawa State Task Force on Drug Abuse Control and the Mass Mobilisation for Social Reorientation initiative. According to the NDLEA boss, the proposed mandatory test is a preventive measure designed to shield families from the devastating socio-economic and emotional impacts of substance abuse. He noted that many modern families routinely demand medical fitness, HIV, and genetic compatibility results before approving marriages, arguing that adding a certified clean drug record to the list is a logical step toward national health security. The anti-narcotics chief revealed that the agency routinely handles distressing, near-daily cases of marriages collapsing or being abruptly cancelled just days before the wedding ceremonies. These heartbreaks, he explained, occur when one partner unexpectedly tests positive for illicit substances, a recurring crisis that could easily be averted through early, institutionalized pre-marital screenings. Marwa emphasized that no responsible parent would willingly marry off their child to a known drug addict, stressing that early screening empowers families to make informed decisions. He urged the Jigawa State Government and other sub-national entities across Nigeria to adopt the initiative, calling on religious leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society organizations to institutionalize the practice within their domains. Responding to the advocacy, the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, commended Marwa’s leadership and urged the newly inaugurated task force members to discharge their duties with utmost integrity and patience. Governor Namadi described the war against substance abuse as a complex, long-term assignment that requires sustained structural interventions rather than temporary, short-term solutions. Highlighting the state`s enforcement milestones, Governor Namadi disclosed that the Jigawa State Command of the NDLEA has intercepted nearly 2,000 kilograms of illicit drugs valued at over ₦2.8 billion, while successfully securing 136 convictions. The governor subsequently appealed to the national headquarters of the NDLEA for additional operational assets and logistics to ensure the seamless enforcement of the newly signed Executive Orders.

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly opposed the decision by Northern governors to contribute N1 billion monthly each toward the establishment of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund (NNSTF). In a statement issued in Kaduna, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat argued that instead of creating another regional fund, individual governors should use their state’s resources to directly strengthen security within their own domains. While the forum expressed support for state policing and sincere counter-terrorism efforts, it condemned the huge monthly financial commitment to a centralized fund. The MBF highlighted that the Middle Belt has suffered the highest human and material losses from years of violence, yet the Northern States Governors’ Forum has rarely spoken with one voice to condemn the repeated massacres of its communities. THENEWSCREDIT reports that the group further alleged that the NNSTF is a designed initiative by core northern interests, specifically the Sokoto Caliphate and Borno Sultanate, to promote sectional agendas. The MBF expressed deep concern that the pooled resources could eventually be used to rehabilitate "repentant" terrorists and bandits, leaving the actual victims of violence to suffer without any state support. Rejecting the geopolitical concept of a unified "Northern region," the MBF described it as an exploitative colonial creation that legally died with the abolition of regional government in 1966. The forum declared that the continued membership of Middle Belt governors in the Northern governors` body is unpopular, lacks legal backing, and is unacceptable to the majority of its people. The MBF announced plans to challenge the legality of the monthly N1 billion withdrawals in court, insisting that such massive funds belong to local development. The forum advised that if states can afford N1 billion monthly, the money should be invested in local intelligence, communication equipment, and community-led first lines of defense. Additionally, the forum urged that these resources be directed toward rebuilding destroyed villages, rehabilitating schools and hospitals, and permanently resettling thousands of displaced families living in IDP camps. The statement emphasized that lasting peace requires justice, accountability, and the prosecution of criminals rather than financial pooling. Concluding the statement, the MBF called on all Middle Belt governors to stay out of the security fund and urged citizens within the region to raise their voices in protest. The forum maintained that every state must invest its resources directly in protecting its own people and restoring hope to communities that have paid the highest price for insecurity.

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.

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.

A severe humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Kwara State as relentless banditry has forced an estimated 95 per cent of residents in Lata Nna, Patigi Local Government Area, to abandon their ancestral homes. In a desperate open letter and a viral video addressed to President Bola Tinubu, community leaders warned that the once-thriving farming hub is on the verge of being completely wiped off the map. The residents` cry for help paints a horrific picture of a two-year silent siege that has rapidly degenerated into daily terror, governance failure, and mass displacement. The crisis reached a bloody tipping point following a fierce confrontation in the surrounding forest between local hunters and heavily armed bandits, which reportedly left 65 hunters dead. Traumatised residents revealed that only 40 bodies were recovered for burial, while the remaining victims were carried away by the bandits. The attackers completely overwhelmed the locals using superior firepower, including AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons, proving that local vigilantes can no longer defend the territory alone. The bloodshed has escalated sharply through a succession of targeted daylight attacks and robberies throughout the year. On April 15, a hardworking farmer named Allassan Ndaba was ambushed and killed while traveling to his farm. Months later, on June 13, four heavily armed bandits on motorcycles invaded the village in broad daylight, casually moving across the settlement to loot petrol, recharge cards, and other essential supplies. The security situation deteriorated further when gunmen blocked the only road linking the community to neighbouring towns, transforming it into a "death trap." [1] This roadblock effectively trapped the remaining residents, cutting them off from hospitals, markets, and external aid. Two residents returning home encountered the gunmen at the roadblock and were shot dead, while villagers fetching leaves the following day were robbed of their money and mobile phones at gunpoint. In July, bandits launched house-to-house raids in broad daylight, stealing food items, cash, and four motorcycles valued at ₦1.6 million each. Days later, a local Point-of-Sale (PoS) operator was robbed at gunpoint shortly after withdrawing cash from a bank to run his daily business. These continuous economic disruptions have forced total financial collapse upon the agrarian community, leaving residents without means of survival. "We can no longer go to our farms. We can no longer go to the market. Our community is bleeding," lamented the open letter signed by Tauheed Desco, Secretary of the Lata Nna Youth Association. In a viral video, the Village Head, Alhaji Mohammed Lata, confirmed that the remaining five per cent of the population no longer sleep in their homes. Instead, they choose to hide in the bush or retreat to neighbouring villages at night out of extreme fear. The traditional ruler identified critical structural vulnerabilities compounding their misery, including a total communications blackout and zero security presence. The complete absence of mobile telecommunications networks prevents residents from calling for emergency help during active raids. Furthermore, the lack of a functional healthcare facility leaves wounded victims of bandit attacks to bleed out without immediate medical attention. Breaking down in tears, local women and religious leaders, including the Chief Imam, joined the village head in appealing for urgent federal intervention. They are demanding the immediate deployment of security forces, a permanent military post, and emergency relief materials for thousands of displaced families. As of press time, the Kwara State Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, did not respond to phone calls or messages regarding government intervention plans.

A fierce war of words has broken out between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Allied People’s Movement (APM) over the 2027 presidential election, with both parties trading punches over the electoral viability of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. The political fireworks followed the formal emergence of Governor Makinde as the APM’s presidential standard-bearer, following a strategic alliance forged in Ibadan. Speaking on the development, APM National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, expressed absolute confidence that Makinde possesses the nationwide appeal, youthful energy, and administrative competence required to unseat President Bola Tinubu. Yusuf noted that the party has intensified its grassroots mobilization and is witnessing a massive influx of prominent politicians dissatisfied with the current administration. “The APM presidential candidate has the leadership capacity, commitment, and competence to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges, revive the economy, and deliver the dividends of good governance,” Yusuf stated. He argued that widespread public dissatisfaction with the rising cost of living, unemployment, and insecurity has positioned the APM as the most credible alternative for Nigerians. However, the APC swiftly dismissed the APM`s optimism, describing the opposition’s calculations as completely detached from political reality. APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, countered that Makinde poses zero electoral threat to President Tinubu’s re-election bid. Ibrahim argued that a governor who has only won an election in one state out of 36 cannot realistically threaten a president with vast, deeply entrenched national political influence. “Our presidential candidate cannot lose sleep over Makinde," Ibrahim fired back. "For him to be a threat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there has to be a proper understanding of what constitutes a political threat.” The ruling party spokesman further challenged aspiring opposition governors to be ready to account for their stewardship in their respective states before eyeing the presidency. He maintained that despite early criticisms, President Tinubu’s courageous economic reforms are already yielding positive results that will comfortably secure him a second term in 2027.