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.

In a startling revelation that contradicts official accounts, Zacchaeus Olatunde, one of the schoolteachers recently rescued in Oyo State, has disclosed that their abductors released them voluntarily before security forces arrived to escort them home. Olatunde, who spent 56 grueling days in captivity alongside other teachers and pupils abducted from Oriire Local Government Area, shared his ordeal during a telephone interview with Nigeria Info FM on Friday. According to the rescued teacher, the victims were kept in complete isolation and permanently blindfolded, leaving them entirely disoriented about their location. "It is difficult to say everything on air," Olatunde recounted. "When we were there, we were blind—and not with an ordinary blindfold. We didn’t even know if we were still in Nigeria or another country. We were just there, thinking the government had forgotten us." He noted that the kidnappers were multilingual, communicating fluently in Hausa, Nupe, English, and Yoruba. Crucially, they explicitly identified themselves as insurgents belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). "They said they are not Boko Haram; they insisted they are ISWAP," Olatunde stated, adding that he was both the last person captured at the school and the last to be set free. 56 Days Without a Bath While describing the harsh conditions of their two-month captivity, Olatunde revealed that the terrorists maintained a strict but calculated regime. "In terms of feeding, those people really tried for us, to be sincere," he admitted. "From the day we were abducted, they told us on the way that if we and the government cooperated, there would be no problem." The captives were fed twice daily, strictly on a diet of rice, minimal beans, onions, margarine, and salt. "Throughout our 56-day stay there, we did not taste pepper. We also never bathed or washed our clothes," he added. Banned from Mentioning `Jesus` The terrorists also heavily policed the religious practices of their captives. "When we first arrived, they strictly prohibited us from praying," Olatunde revealed. "After about a month, they allowed us to pray again, but with a stern warning: we must not mention the name of Jesus, and we must never pray aloud." Despite the psychological warfare, Olatunde credited divine intervention and public prayers for their survival and ultimate release. A Near-Fatal Release The end of their captivity came unexpectedly when the insurgent commander approached them laughing, announced their freedom, and ordered them to untie their eyes. However, Olatunde’s release almost took a horrific turn due to a broken handcuff key. Because the key had snapped earlier in their captivity, he was left behind as the other hostages departed. "They told me I couldn`t go home with the handcuffs. One of the terrorists actually suggested they should cut off my hand to get it off," Olatunde revealed. "Thankfully, another one refused. They eventually managed to use a small piece of rope to manipulate and remove the cuffs." The military and state security apparatus have yet to officially respond to Olatunde`s claims regarding the sequence of their rescue.

Major Christian organizations have strongly opposed a proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act, which seeks to criminalize preaching and hawking inside commercial vehicles. The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) warned that the bill violates constitutionally guaranteed rights and punishes vulnerable citizens struggling under economic hardship. The backlash follows the Senate`s passage of the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The legislation proposes a ₦50,000 fine, a six-month jail term, or both for anyone caught preaching, trading, or hawking in commercial transit. While lawmakers argue the ban will prevent driver distraction and boost road safety, the bill now awaits presidential assent to become law. In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Rev. Evans Onyemara, the CCN expressed deep concern over grouping Christian evangelism with commercial ventures. While affirming its support for road safety initiatives, the council maintained that traffic regulations must not override religious freedoms. "The inclusion of preaching alongside hawking and trading raises legitimate concerns about freedom of religion and expression as guaranteed by the Constitution," Onyemara stated, noting that commercial buses have served as spaces for spiritual encouragement for decades. The CCN also criticized the ₦50,000 fine targeted at transit hawkers. The group argued that aggressive penalties address the symptoms of Nigeria`s economic crisis rather than its root causes, such as systemic poverty and unemployment. "Poverty should not be criminalised," the statement read, urging the government to create designated trading zones and empowerment programs instead of punitive sanctions. The council urged President Bola Tinubu to subject the bill to broader public consultation. Echoing these concerns, the OAIC explicitly called on President Tinubu to withhold his assent from the legislation. OAIC President, Israel Akinadewo, described the decision to equate peaceful religious expression with commercial trading as "insensitive." "Preaching is a constitutionally protected exercise," Akinadewo said. "We respectfully call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to assent to the Bill in its present form." The OAIC urged the National Assembly to review the provisions alongside religious bodies and civil society groups to balance public safety with democratic freedoms.