The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Fed govt convenes NEC conference to drive inclusive growth, strengthen economic coordination

    Fed govt convenes NEC conference to drive inclusive growth, strengthen economic coordination

    The Federal Government will on Monday convene a two-day National Economic Council (NEC) Conference in Abuja as part of efforts to strengthen economic coordination and accelerate inclusive growth across Nigeria’s 36 states.

    According to a statement issued on Sunday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, the conference, scheduled for February 9 and 10, 2026, will hold at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, with Vice President Kashim Shettima presiding in his capacity as Chairman of the National Economic Council.

    Governors of the 36 states and other key national stakeholders are expected to attend the summit, which is being convened by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

    According to the organisers, the conference will provide a platform for federal and state actors to align priorities and deepen collaboration around Nigeria’s long-term development agenda under the Renewed Hope framework.

    The theme of the conference is: “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan.”

    Officials said the summit is expected to produce far-reaching policy direction for states as they synchronise their programmes with the Federal Government’s national economic plan.

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    The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Secretary of the NEC, Dr. Deborah Oko Odo, said the gathering would focus on pressing macroeconomic priorities.

    “The conference will focus on national economic issues aimed at encouraging economic growth and development across the country,” she said.

    She added that discussions will centre on fiscal coordination, investment mobilisation and shared development strategies between the Federal Government and state governments, with a view to improving policy consistency and accelerating development outcomes nationwide.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will attend the event as the Special Guest of Honour.

    Other top government officials, development partners and private-sector leaders are also expected to participate, as the Federal Government continues to deepen reforms and strengthen partnerships for sustainable national growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

  • NBA urges National Assembly to approve mandatory electronic transmission of election results

    NBA urges National Assembly to approve mandatory electronic transmission of election results

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the National Assembly to reconsider and approve a proposed amendment to the Electoral Amendment Bill that would mandate the electronic transmission of election results from polling units.

    The call was made following the adoption of a report presented by NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Maiduguri, Borno State, on February 5, 2026.

    The report expressed concern over the Senate’s recent rejection of an amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3 of the Electoral Act. The amendment sought to require presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results in real time to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal immediately after Form EC8A was signed, stamped, and countersigned by party agents.

    The NEC observed that the current discretionary language in the law, which allows presiding officers to “transfer the results in a manner as prescribed by the Commission,” weakens the legal foundation for transparent, real-time reporting.

    “The ambiguity leaves room for manipulation, misinterpretation, and post-election disputes,” the council noted in its resolution.

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    In adopting Osigwe’s report, the NEC resolved that the National Assembly should urgently pass the proposed amendment to Clause 60(3) to clearly compel electronic transmission of results.

    The council emphasized that explicit statutory requirements, rather than discretionary wording, are essential to safeguard electoral transparency, protect the integrity of votes, and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

    Highlighting the importance of credible elections, the NBA stated that continued resistance to enforceable electronic transmission measures undermines democratic accountability.

    “Technology-backed transparency is no longer optional in a modern democracy,” the NEC stressed, urging lawmakers to align Nigeria’s electoral framework with global best practices.

    The NBA reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing engagement and advocacy to ensure that Nigeria’s electoral laws clearly reflect the will of the people as expressed at the ballot box.

  • Delta communities’ students get educational boost from works commissioner

    Delta communities’ students get educational boost from works commissioner

    Hundreds of secondary school students in Oginibo, Imode and Agbaghare communities of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, have received a major educational boost following a series of interventions by the Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze.

    The support aimed at securing the learners academic future, covers free National Identification Number (NIN) registration, restoration of a National Examination Council (NECO) centre, and full sponsorship of NECO fees, has removed barriers that threatened to shut many students out of the 2026 West Africa Examinations Council, NECO and Joint Admission Matriculation Board examinations.

    The intervention began after it was discovered that several students lacked NIN, now a mandatory requirement for national examinations.

    Izeze promptly sponsored the registration of affected candidates, later expanding the exercise to accommodate more eligible students across the three communities.

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    Further relief came with the reactivation of the NECO examination centre at Oginibo Secondary School, which had earlier been deactivated, a development that would have forced students to travel long distances to write their exams.

    The centre was restored following an assessment visit by officials of the NECO Zonal Office, with the process fully funded by the commissioner.

    In a further demonstration of support, Izeze also pledged to pay the NECO examination fees for all candidates registering at the Oginibo centre this year, significantly easing the financial burden on parents and guardians.

    The initiative has been widely welcomed by community members, who said it has renewed hope and safeguarded the educational aspirations of students, reinforcing a leadership approach that places education and human capital development at the heart of sustainable growth.

  • Muslim group urges Tinubu, N’Assembly to review appointment of INEC boss

    Muslim group urges Tinubu, N’Assembly to review appointment of INEC boss

    The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and the Council of State to review the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    In a statement signed by its National President, Alhaji Sani Suleiman Maigoro, and National Secretary, Alhaji Mas’ud Akintola, and made available to journalists on Saturday, the group expressed concerns over the appointment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    NACOMYO said it considered the leadership of the electoral body a sensitive national responsibility that requires broad public confidence and trust across all segments of the country.

    It noted that any issue capable of generating apprehension among stakeholders should be addressed early to preserve the integrity of the democratic process.

    The organisation said its appeal was driven by what it described as the need to ensure national unity, electoral credibility and public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions. 

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    It urged the relevant authorities to take proactive steps that would strengthen the legitimacy of the electoral process before the next general elections.

    According to the group, reviewing the appointment would demonstrate the commitment of the Presidency and other key institutions to transparency, fairness and inclusiveness in the management of the nation’s elections.

    NACOMYO added that the electoral management body must be led by individuals who enjoy broad-based acceptance and whose leadership would not generate avoidable controversies or concerns among political actors and the general public.

    The organisation maintained that the credibility of the electoral process remains central to the stability of the country’s democracy, noting that public perception of neutrality and fairness in the leadership of INEC is essential for peaceful and credible elections.

  • LASTMA averts midnight fire as PMS tanker overturns on Lekki–Epe expressway

    LASTMA averts midnight fire as PMS tanker overturns on Lekki–Epe expressway

    A major disaster was narrowly avoided in the early hours of Sunday when a fully laden Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tanker overturned along the inward carriageway of the Lekki–Epe Expressway at Awoyaya.

    In a statement, LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq said the incident, occurred around 2:00 a.m., involved a lone articulated tanker conveying a significant volume of PMS that reportedly lost vehicular equilibrium and upturned while navigating the inward-bound corridor of the high-traffic Lekki–Epe Expressway

    According to him, “Considering the volatile and highly combustible nature of its cargo, coupled with the strategic importance of the transport corridor, the occurrence constituted an imminent and grave danger to human lives, public and private property, as well as the immediate environment.”

    LASTMA noted that its officials were promptly dispatched to the scene, where operatives swiftly established a secure perimeter, enforced traffic control, and began preliminary recovery operations. Their quick response prevented fuel scooping, secondary collisions, and what could have escalated into a devastating fire.

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    In coordination with LASTMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service activated fire prevention protocols, maintaining close surveillance to avert any risk of ignition. The tanker’s contents were later transloaded into an empty 33,000-litre tanker under meticulous supervision, ensuring a safe resolution without any casualties.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, praised the professional response and seamless collaboration between LASTMA and the Fire and Rescue Service, describing the outcome as a testament to the authorities’ operational vigilance.

    LASTMA has once again urged tanker and articulated vehicle operators to adhere strictly to safety regulations, conduct regular maintenance, and exercise caution during nocturnal operations to protect lives and public infrastructure.

  • Lagos seals Ladipo spare parts market over environmental violations

    Lagos seals Ladipo spare parts market over environmental violations

    The Lagos State Government on Sunday sealed the Ladipo Spare Parts Market along the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road (Apapa–Oshodi Expressway) over alleged repeated environmental infractions.

    The closure was announced by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, in a post shared on X.

     According to him, the action followed persistent violations, including indiscriminate disposal of refuse on road medians and highways, as well as illegal street trading.

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    “Lagos State government, this morning, sealed Ladipo Spare Parts Market along Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road (Apapa–Oshodi Expressway) over repeated environmental infractions; indiscriminate refuse disposal on the median/highway and illegal street trading,” he said.

    The Ladipo spare parts market, a major hub for automobile spare parts in Mushin, was shut as part of the state’s ongoing enforcement drive aimed at ensuring compliance with environmental laws and maintaining public order.

    Officials said the move underscores the government’s zero-tolerance stance on environmental degradation, improper waste management and activities that obstruct traffic and endanger public safety.

    The state government has repeatedly warned traders and residents against street trading and unlawful waste disposal, stressing that enforcement actions would continue against defaulters across the metropolis.

  • Southeast receiving unprecedented federal attention under Tinubu, says Umahi

    Southeast receiving unprecedented federal attention under Tinubu, says Umahi

    The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the Southeast is receiving more federal attention under the administration of President Bola Tinubu than at any time since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

    According to him, the region is witnessing significant progress, particularly in infrastructure development and other critical sectors.

    Umahi spoke at his residence in Abakaliki while receiving people from the old Ezeagu zone, led by Senator Julius Ucha, who paid him a thank-you visit.

    He said the current administration had created opportunities for greater inclusion of the Southeast in national development and urged the region to focus on progress.

    The minister encouraged residents of the region to support the president, expressing confidence that Tinubu would secure a second term in office.

    He added that although the Southeast might not yet be leading in infrastructure development, it had recorded notable improvement compared to previous years.

    “The share we are getting from the administration of President Tinubu is huge, we may not be the first but we are not the last, in the past, we were the last, we were forgotten, we were nothing, we had nothing.”

    Umahi emphasized that supporting both the President and South-East governors aligns with the region’s long-term interests.

    He noted that the President assumed office at a challenging time and has remained focused on stabilizing and growing the nation.

    Highlighting the broader economic outlook, the Minister said Nigeria is gaining global recognition for economic growth, with international institutions like the World Bank pointing to the country as an example of rapid development.

    He also spoke against the sit-at-home actions in parts of the South-East, stating that they negatively affect the people of the South East.

    He commended the approach taken by Prof. Charles Soludo in Anambra State to fight twb exercise.

    “The Biafra we are looking for is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because the issue was marginalization, all those things we did not get before, and we are getting it now.”

    Umahi further said meaningful development, rather than agitation, remains the pathway to integration and progress for the region.

    On governance and infrastructure, the Minister praised the President’s commitment to continuity, noting that ongoing projects inherited from previous administrations have been sustained.

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    “No president has ever inherited and continued all the projects safe from this president.”

    He also described his working relationship with the President as transparent and shared that he enjoyed working with the president.

    “He has never asked me to give a contract to anybody or to put any money for anybody. Never.”

    Earlier, Senator Julius Ucha thanked the Minister for facilitating key road projects that are already impacting his community and others.

    “It’s a difficult thing to construct roads, but we are eternally grateful to you for your love for us.”

    Ucha recalled requesting the construction of the Ezillo–Ezeagu Road during the campaign period when the Minister was Governor and now, the project has been awarded and speedily progressing.

    He said the project received further backing from the Ebonyi State Government led by Governor Francis Nwifuru, who confirmed it as one of the administration’s early priorities.

    The senator also mentioned the Enugu–Ozara–Nkanu–Agbani–Nkomoru–Isu Road via Ojiegbe, which he said has equally been awarded.

    “We are eternally grateful to you for these consecutive roads… without those two roads, it will be difficult for us to move.”

    According to Ucha, road construction remains one of the most demanding responsibilities of the government, and we do not take the projects for granted. 

  • Ganduje’s wife commends minister over Kano mega empowerment programme

    Ganduje’s wife commends minister over Kano mega empowerment programme

    Former First Lady of Kano State, Prof. Hafsat Abdullahi Ganduje, has commended the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mariya Mahmoud, for launching the Kano Mega Empowerment Programme.

    She described the initiative as a practical and sustainable effort aimed at addressing the economic needs of women and vulnerable citizens.

    Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the unveiling of the programme, Prof. Ganduje praised Mahmoud’s foresight, noting that the initiative reflected the empowerment ideals of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “The programme exemplifies empowerment that is people-focused and designed to combat poverty, strengthen families and promote social stability,” she said.

    Prof. Ganduje also used the occasion to call for peace among political leaders in the state. She urged former governors Abdullahi Ganduje and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to set aside their differences in the interest of Kano.

    She appealed to both leaders to support the incumbent governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, in the overall interest of the state.

    She expressed satisfaction that the programme targeted APC women leaders alongside other vulnerable groups, noting that it would improve livelihoods and strengthen grassroots engagement.

    Prof. Ganduje congratulated the minister and other partners involved in the initiative, stating that responsive leadership combined with empathy could positively impact lives.

    Also speaking, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, said the FCT Minister of State had demonstrated commitment to people-focused policies, in line with the human capital development priorities of President Bola Tinubu.

    She urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the items provided to enhance their self-reliance and support their families.

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    On behalf of the beneficiaries, the APC women leader in the state, Hajiya Fatima Dala, thanked the minister for the initiative, commending what she described as a transparent process that ensured the support reached the intended recipients.

    “We have had ministers from Kano State, but we have never seen such an empowerment programme in the history of Kano State.

    “The Minister has demonstrated concern for women and the vulnerable by ensuring that only those who deserve these items actually benefit from it.

    “I urge other beneficiaries to please make good use of these items to be self-reliant. Let me also use this opportunity to call on other politicians to emulate the minister by empowering more women because we have the bulk vote”.

    Empowerment items distributed include cars, motorcycles, fertilizers, rice, and sewing machines.

    Others include tricycles, wheel chairs, spaghetti making machines, grinding machines, and financial empowerment.

  • Defence Minister Musa commissions renovated quarters for corporals in Sokoto

    Defence Minister Musa commissions renovated quarters for corporals in Sokoto

    The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.) has commissioned two newly renovated and remodelled Corporal and Below Quarters at Giginya Cantonment, Sokoto State.

    The project is aimed at improving the welfare and living conditions of Nigerian Army personnel, particularly non-commissioned officers.

    Speaking at the inauguration, Musa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of troops, describing non-commissioned officers as the backbone of the Armed Forces.

    “These men and women deserve a living environment that reflects their daily sacrifices in their professional duties and family lives,” he said.

    He also commended the leadership of the Nigerian Army for driving infrastructure development across formations and cantonments nationwide, noting that such efforts are essential for enhancing professionalism and combat readiness.

    The newly remodelled quarters, designed for corporals and lower ranks and their families, feature modern amenities, including well-ventilated residential units intended to provide improved comfort and security.

    The upgrades are expected to ease accommodation pressures within the cantonment and improve the overall quality of life for service personnel.

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    In his vote of thanks, Commander of the 8 Division Garrison, Brigadier General Abdumalik Muhammed, expressed appreciation to the minister for his support and presence at the event.

    He described the project as a significant boost to troop welfare and a demonstration of the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of soldiers at all levels.

    The commissioning came as the Nigerian Army intensified operations against banditry and insurgency in the North-West region. Giginya Cantonment, which houses the 8 Division, plays a key role in these operations, making the welfare of its personnel a priority.

    Highlights of the ceremony included the official unveiling of the facility, a guided tour of the accommodation blocks led by the minister and senior officers, the symbolic handover of keys to beneficiaries and a group photograph to mark the occasion.

  • APC chieftain hails Tunji-Ojo’s role as Ondo marks 50th anniversary

    APC chieftain hails Tunji-Ojo’s role as Ondo marks 50th anniversary

    As Ondo State celebrates its golden jubilee, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Otunba Agboola Kelly, has highlighted what he described as the contributions of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to the state’s growing national and international profile.

    Kelly, who is the Coordinator of the Ondo APC Elders Movement for Tinubu 2027, in a statement, described Tunji-Ojo as an illustrious son of the state whose performance in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet has drawn attention within and outside the country.

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    Kelly said the minister has distinguished himself in the Renewed Hope administration, particularly through reforms in the Ministry of Interior.

    According to him, Tunji-Ojo has introduced innovations, digital reforms and improved efficiency in key services, including passport processing.

    He added that the minister’s approach to leadership has attracted recognition and reflected positively on the state.

    Kelly urged the people of Ondo State and Nigerians generally to continue supporting the minister, expressing confidence that his leadership would deliver further benefits.