Senator representing Kano South, Kawu Samaila, on Wednesday officially defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Kawu’s letter of defection on the floor of the Senate.
After, reading the letter, Senators on the platform of the APC moved enmass to welcome Kawu into the APC.
They thereafter led him to his new seat on the side of the party with majority members
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has said that the party will welcome Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former Kano Governor if he decides to join.
Speaking to news reporters after receiving Alhaji Yusuf Ata, Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, Ganduje said:” The APC is deepening and widening democracy in the country.
”Kwankwaso is a fish out of water, trying to find its way back into the waters.
“We cannot say we can’t accommodate him, because a friend in need is a friend indeed.
“We don’t want to leave him completely abandoned, we can still have him in, if he wants to join us”.
“When you see your son running to where he would get shelter and you are a big brother in a big home, I think it is morally right to accommodate him.
“So, we cannot say we cannot accommodate him,” Ganduje stressed.
In 2023, Kwankwaso ran for the Presidency under the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) receiving 6.23% of the vote.
Ata, who is a former Kano Speaker, stated that his reason for visiting Ganduje was to appreciate him and give his support for what the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is doing in Kano State.
“We are strongly behind Tinubu, and we are working round the clock to ensure we deliver Kano State in 2027,” he said.
Speaking on the ‘Kwankwasiyya movement”, Ata said the Kwankwasiyya red cap era was becoming a thing of the past in the state.
”For me, I will not want the former Kano State governor to be welcomed into the APC fold. But I have no choice if our national chairman decides to have him on board,” Ata said.
The Organised Private Sector (OPS) yesterday threw its weight behind the Federal Government’s ‘Nigeria First’ policy.
It described the policy aimed at prioritising domestic products in government procurement and contracts as a move capable of stimulating the domestic economy.
Experts and other key stakeholders also continued to commend the initiative by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration, sustaining a train of popular positive review that has followed the policy since announcement on Monday.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday approved the ‘Nigeria First’ economic policy. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained that with the policy, Nigeria comes first in all procurement processes; no foreign goods or devices that are already being produced locally will be procured without a clear and justified reason.
He said the policy aligns with President Tinubu’s objective of driving industrialisation, insulating the economy from global disruptions, and boosting local production in the country.
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), yesterday commended the ‘Nigeria First’ policy directive as a move capable of boosting local production and stimulating the economy.
Director General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir described the initiative as “a welcome development in the right direction”.
He described the policy as a cheering news and long-awaited relief to resilient Nigerian manufacturers, who, despite the tough economic environment, have demonstrated enduring faith in the potential greatness of the Nigerian economy.
According to him, MAN sees the initiative as a true and definite demonstration of the government’s commitment to promoting local industries, boosting economic growth, and creating jobs for Nigerians.
He said by giving preference to locally produced goods and services, the country can stimulate demand, increase capacity utilization, and attract investments into the manufacturing sector.
Director-General and Chief Executive, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, described the policy as “a great move, a strategic economic imperative that the OPS has been clamouring for”.
According to him, over the past few years, NECA has urged the government to prioritise the patronage of made in Nigeria goods, as this will not only promote local production but will fundamentally reduce the pressure on foreign exchange (forex) demands.
He said the policy would stimulate local industrial growth and facilitate job creation and preservation among many others.
Former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume also commended President Tinubu for the ‘Nigeria First’ policy, describing it as a courageous and landmark decision.
In a statement yesterday, Ndume said the bold initiative by President Tinubu would go a long way in promoting indigenous entrepreneurs, boost the local economy and generate employment for Nigerians.
He said: “It is heartwarming to hear that President Tinubu has taken this bold decision to ban imported goods that can be produced locally. This will be a major boost for indigenous businesses amid the slipping Nigerian economy.
“If implemented faithfully, it will shield our local producers striving to find their feet from being choked out of existence by established foreign investors who flood our market, unhindered, with goods that are cheaper and even substandard.
“With protection of local industries, there will be employment for our employable youths, the measure will also boost our Gross Domestic Product, (GDP) and the value of Naira will appreciate as their will be less strain on our foreign reserves, since the demand for foreign exchange by importers of such foreign goods would drastically reduce”.
Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs, Ademola Oshodi, said the ‘Nigeria First’ policy is not only necessary but long overdue, stressing that the country must reduce its over-reliance on imported goods.
The Petroleum Products and Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) however warned that the policy must be implemented in a way that will not affect energy security.
Managing Director, HighCap Securities, Mr David Adonri, said the prioritization policy is a game changer and right step in the right direction.
“Government is the largest spender or consumer in the economy. This drives demand and if channeled to domestic businesses, will stimulate local supply and curtail import dependency. If seriously implemented, it could immediately serve as stimulus for full employment of the economy’s idle factors of production. It is a praiseworthy inward looking strategy if backed up further with policies to close the economy’s supply gap.
“There is a law in the US that any public work for which Congress appropriate funds, must be executed by American companies utilizing domestic labor and material resources. FEC should institutionalize this policy by forwarding it to the National Assembly for enactment into law,” Adonri said.
Ajayi-Kadir expressed belief that the policy will have a multiplier effect on the economy, leading to increased economic activity, improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, and enhanced competitiveness of Nigerian industries.
Furthermore, he said, from earlier survey, the effective implementation of such an initiative (as should be stipulated in the consequential executive order) would scale investments and potentially boost GDP by 56 per cent, reduce unemployment by 37 per cent and increase firms’ willingness to employ from 1.5 per cent to 22.6 per cent.
While commending the Federal Government for this move, MAN and NECA, however, urged the government to ensure thorough and effective implementation of the policy.
“Without implementation across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the policy could suffer the fate of many like it,” Oyerinde said, for instance.
Ajayi-Kadir stressed the need for all tiers of government, private sector entities, and individuals to support this initiative by patronising made-in-Nigeria goods and services.
He said: “This is with a special focus on uniformed government agencies and institutions (including the military and police), the legislature and quite importantly, the Presidency.
“All government contracts should prioritise the patronage of made in Nigeria materials. So, the government needs to consult with manufacturers on the way forward to achieve effective and efficient implementation”.
Ajayi-Kadir said as the umbrella organisation for manufacturers in Nigeria, MAN earnestly look forward to working with the Federal Government and other tiers of government, their agencies and private sector organisations and businesses to actualise the Nigeria First project.
Cardinals will today move into the Conclave at the Vatican to elect a new Pope in succession to Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday.
One hundred and thirty-three cardinal electors will perform the sacred assignment of picking the leader of the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide and the head of state of the Vatican.
Nigeria’s Peter Okpaleke, the Bishop of Ekwulobia, Anambra State is the only one of the four Nigerian candidates qualified to participate in the process.
The 133 elector-cardinals are spread across 71 countries.
Eighty per cent of them were appointed cardinals by Pope Francis.
What will confront the electors is whether the new Pope should be a progressive, who will continue the way Pope Francis ran the church or a conservative who will reverse the order.
They may also choose a centrist.
The countries with the most electors are: Italy (17), the United States (10), Brazil (seven), France and Spain (five each), Argentina, Canada, India, Poland and Portugal (four apiece).
How the Pope will be elected
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in a conclave.
For the conclave, the cardinal electors proceed to the Sistine Chapel and take an oath of absolute secrecy. Thereafter the doors are sealed.
The cardinals vote by secret ballot, processing one by one up to Michelangelo’s fresco of the Last judgment, saying a prayer and dropping the twice-folded ballot in a large chalice.
Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. The result of each ballot are counted aloud and recorded by three cardinals designated as recorders.
If no one receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the ballots are burned in a stove near the chapel with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke.
When a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds vote, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he accepts his election. If he accepts, he chooses a papal name and is dressed in papal vestments before processing out to the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The ballots of the final round are burned with chemicals producing white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope.
The senior cardinal deacon, currently French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, announces from the balcony of St. Peter’s “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”) before the new pope processes out and imparts his blessing on the city of Rome and the entire world.
On Monday, workers installed curtains on the balcony where the new Pontiff will appear. A temporary chimney is in place on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals will cast secret ballots. White smoke will eventually signal the election of the next leader for the world’s Catholics.
Over 179 cardinals are in Rome, participating in the 10th general congregation.
The Nigerian connection
Okpaleke was appointed a cardinal by the late Pope Francis in 2022 and will participate in the election of the new leader of the Catholic Church.
His appointment as Bishop of Ahiara Diocese was met with resistance, but was eventually installed as Bishop of Ekwulobia.
Three other Nigerian cardinals, Francis Arinze (92), Anthony Olubunmi Okogie (88) and John Onaiyekan (81), have no vote been more than 80 years old.
Born on March 1, 1963, in Amesi, Anambra State, Bishop Okpaleke has had a distinguished career in the church, serving in various capacities, including as a priest, bishop, and cardinal.
His educational background includes studying philosophy and theology at the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Ikot-Ekpene and Enugu.
He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Awka on August 22, 1990.
Despite the controversy, he has continued to serve the church and has held various positions, including Chairman of the Canon Law Commission of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
More defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a flurry of activities to seal last week’s “transplant” of PDP into APC in Delta State are highlights of events that transpired yesterday in Benin City, Asaba and Abuja.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Aso Villa for the first time after he defected along with the structure of PDP into the APC.
He declined to speak with reporters.
Also in Abuja, six Delta State House of Representatives PDP members formalised their exit on the floor of the Green Chamber.
In Asaba, House of Assembly Speaker Emomotimi Guwor and 21 other members exchanged the PDP flag with that of the APC on the floor of the assembly.
The Delta House is now made up of only APC members.
In Benin, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku, two other state lawmakers, 18 local government chairmen, 192 councillors and other party chieftains dumped PDP for the APC.
They were received into the ruling party by the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, who represented National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; Governor Monday Okpebholo, his deputy, Denis Idahosa, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
The defections occurred less than a week after Oborevwori, his deputy, Monday Onyeme, House of Assembly Speaker Emomotimi Guwor and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the entire PDP structure moved to the APC.
Ganduje, in a speech delivered on his behalf at Urhokpota Hall, near the palace of the Oba of Benin, described the defection as a milestone for Edo APC.
Those who defected along with the Speaker are Sunny Ifada, Yekini Idiaye, a former Deputy Speaker, Roland Asoro; ex-Majority Leader Nosa Nosayaba, and a former Edo PDP Secretary, Gabriel Oloruntoba.
Ganduje hailed Okpebholo for reclaiming the state and attracting more members into the APC.
He noted that APC had moved from minority to majority party, adding that the party would continue to wax stronger ahead of the 2027 polls.
The national chairman said the country can only be salvaged through the continuity of good governance and the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Ganduje praised the governor for his leadership in infrastructural renewal, particularly the road projects.
Okpebholo said Edo was on the path to accelerated growth, with the full backing of President Tinubu.
He said: “Edo is witnessing unprecedented development because we have a President who believes in our people.
“From roads to flyovers, education, youth employment, and agriculture, we are investing massively to ensure food security and economic stability.
“Edo State will play a leading role in ensuring President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. We will lead the Southsouth geo-political zone in supporting Mr. President.
“We have the structure and the momentum, and we will launch this mission from Edo State.”
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North District in the Senate, described the defection as a homecoming for Agbebaku, who is one of the original builders of the party in Edo.
He said: “This defection is a testament to the Edo governor’s impressive performance. Out of 24 Assembly members, APC now holds 18 seats, providing the needed legislative support to move the state forward.”
Oshiomhole urged the remaining six PDP lawmakers to defect to the APC to complement Okpebholo’s effort.
Edo APC Chairman Jarret Tenebe attributed the wave of defections to Okpebholo’s visible developmental strides.
Agbebaku praised Okpebholo’s developmental focus, citing the construction of Uhonmora Secondary School and three major roads in his Owan West Council as signs of inclusive governance.
He said: “We are here to support Edo Governor and President Tinubu to move the state forward. If I fail to join the APC, isn’t that witchcraft?”
The APC Women Leader, Betty Okoebor, described the PDP as a sinking ship, adding that the mass defection proved that the APC was now the dominant force in the state.
The Youth Coordinator of Asiwaju 2027, Lucky Ohimia, thanked the governor for fostering peace and development in the state, pledging to mobilise support for the APC in the 2027 general elections and beyond.
In their letters of defection read on the floor of the House of Representatives, defectors from PDP and LP attributed their decision to the crisis in the parties.
The PDP defectors from Delta were led by the Leader of the Southern Regional Caucus of the House of Representatives and the longest-serving legislator, Nicholas Mutu (Bomad Patani), who has been in the House since 1999.
Others include Nnamdi Ezechi (Ndokwa/Nkwuani), Jonathan Okodhiko (Isoko North and South), Thomas Eriyetomi (Warri), Julius Pondi (Burutu), and Victor Nwokolo (Ika North and South).
With the defection, members of the House of Representatives from Delta State, except the two LP members, now belong to the APC.
The LP defectors to PDP in Enugu State are Mark Obetta (Nsukka/Igboeze South) and Dennis Agbo (Igboeze North/Udenu).
Agbo said apart from the leadership crisis, the performance of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has given him the confidence that the PDP is the best platform to continue his political journey.
The Minority Whip, Ali Isa, did not object to the defections.
Delta Assembly Speaker Guwor presided over the Assembly, made up of only APC members, saying that the composition reflected the wishes of the constituents and political leaders throughout the state.
He also said the defections aligned with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Thanking the lawmakers for the bond of unity, Guwor urged them to ensure the passage of pending bills.
Guwor said: “The mass defection of PDP members, led by Governor Oborevwori, to the APC, was made in the overall interest of Deltans and the state.
“We are fully committed to partnering with the Federal Government to deliver greater development to Deltans. On behalf of the House, I commend the courage and visionary leadership of our governor, Oborevwori, in making this strategic and timely decision.
“As a legislative body, we stand with His Excellency in this endeavour. This renewed partnership between the state and Federal Government must be supported and allowed to flourish, so that we can begin to enjoy its benefits in the shortest possible time.”
The Speaker informed the House that he had received 22 letters (including his), notifying the lawmakers about the change of party affiliation from the PDP to the APC.
He attributed the defections to the instability in the PDP national leadership and factional division within the Southsouth Zonal Executive Committee, leading to internal conflicts and disunity.
Citing Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Speaker affirmed the constitutional basis for the defections.
Guwor said: “With this action, the Delta State House of Assembly is now composed entirely of APC members. We thank our constituents for endorsing this progressive course of action.”
A motion to adopt the letters was moved by the Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by Ferguson Onwo, who represents Isoko South II.
Sule dismissed the speculation that Nigeria may become a one-party state due to the gale of defections to the ruling party.
He told reporters in Abuja after meeting with President Tinubu that the dominance by a single political party does not amount to the death of political pluralism.
Sule said: “There is no way we can be a one-party state. No matter what happens, there are people who are going to be in another party. Actually, we don’t even want Nigeria to be a one-party state. We just want to be the dominant party.”
Sule acknowledged the APC’s increasing appeal across the country, attributing it to tangible reforms implemented by President Tinubu in various sectors, particularly the economy and agriculture.
He said the defections were not due to political pressure, adding that the defectors were inspired by the administration’s direction and achievements.
Senator Kawu Sumaila (Kano South) attributed his defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the APC to misunderstandings and mistrust in the NNPP.
Kawu, who spoke on television, said his decision was driven by the need to better serve his constituents, dismissing ideology as a factor.
He said: “There is a misunderstanding, misperception on the way things are going. Definitely, there are some misunderstandings, mistrust among our ranks, and later on, we decided to join forces with the APC to realise the interest of our people.”
Kawu stressed that his defection was not motivated by personal gain, but to secure opportunities for his constituency, which he believes the APC, as the ruling party, is better positioned to deliver.
Noting the lack of ideological politics in the country, he said: “Our political parties are not ideological parties. They belong to mass political parties. All the political parties are more interested in quantity, number, to win elections, not a particular ideology.”
Kawu described defection as a common feature of Nigeria’s political landscape, citing historical examples from the First and Second Republics.
He said: “It is the interest of our people that drives my interest,” noting that aligning with the APC offers advantages such as access to federal programmes and policies that benefit his constituents.
Kawu dismissed speculations about his move being solely for political survival, asserting that his primary concern remains the welfare of Kano South.
President Bola Tinubu is currently holding a closed-door meeting with Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, at the State House, Abuja.
Governor Oborevwori arrived at the State House at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
The meeting marks his first official engagement with the President since his high-profile defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) recently.
The Delta governor, who until recently was a key figure in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made headlines on April 23 when he led a dramatic political shift in the state.
Alongside his predecessor, former PDP vice presidential candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, Oborevwori formally joined the APC after a strategic meeting held in Asaba.
Also defecting with the governor were members of his cabinet, local government chairmen, and influential grassroots figures, making him the first sitting Delta governor to exit the PDP since the return to democracy in 1999.
After the governor’s defection, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Emomotimi Guwor, has also crossed over to the APC along with 21 members of the House.
Today’s meeting is seen as a signal of the APC’s growing consolidation in the South-South region, where it has been making steady gains.
Sources within the APC suggest that additional defections are on the horizon, with Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Abba Yusuf of Kano, and the embattled Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, reportedly being courted by the ruling party.
The wave of defections is deepening internal crises within the PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP, as all three opposition parties struggle to maintain cohesion amid growing pressure from the APC’s expanding political influence.
Details shortly…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has presented a budget of N1, 783,823,708,309 as the 2025 budget of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the National Assembly for consideration and passage.
In a letter from the President read on the floor by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, the President said the budget presentation to the National Assembly was in line with the provisions of section 299 of the Constitution, which vests the legislative function of the FCT on the National Assembly.
He said the budget will prioritise investment in health, job creation, social welfare, increase agricultural production and capital development.
According to him, 85 percent of the capital component of the budget will be dedicated to completing ongoing projects, while the remaining 15 percent will go for new projects.
He appealed to the lawmakers to expedite action in the passage of the budget.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Mrs. Favour Kanu, a sister in-law to the self acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to vacate the courtroom.
Justice Omotosho made the order barring Favour from witnessing further proceedings open finding out that she recorded the court’s proceedings and published it on her social media platform.
The judge, who barred her from three subsequent sittings of the court, said he would have cited her for contempt of court, but for the appeals from the defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi.
Before handing out his decision, the judge invited Favour, said to be the wife of Nnamdi Kanu ‘s brother, to the front of the court and asked her what informed her action.
Favour said she was streaming what was happening in the court live, but did not know that the judge was still sitting.
She apologised and promised not to do same again.
Details shortly…
Seventy-five per cent of the 1,955,069 candidates who wrote this year’s University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scored less than 200 out of the 400 maximum marks.
Statistical analysis of the results released yesterday by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) indicated that 420,415 candidates scored above 200 marks while 7,658 had between 300 and 319.
Those who recorded above 320 marks in the examination written between April 25 and last Friday are only 4,756.
Individuals’ results will be made public by the board this week.
In last year’s UTME, 1,402,490 candidates scored below 200, representing 76 per cent of the 1,842,464 results released
Those who scored above 300 marks were 8,401. About 77,070 had 250 or above. A total of 1,904,189 candidates wrote the examination then.
JAMB also said that 97 candidates were involved in examination infractions during the 2025 examination, while 2,157 others are undergoing investigations for suspected malpractices.
It added that “40,247 underage candidates were permitted to participate in the 2025 examination out of which 1.16 per cent achieved scores that meet the threshold for exceptional ability.’’
“However, only 467 of these candidates (1.16 per cent ) achieved scores that meet the threshold for exceptional ability as defined for the UTME, with their performance in the subsequent three stages still pending,” the board wrote on its X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The post added: “Additionally, 71,701 candidates were absent. Those facing biometric challenges are also under investigation, and those who are cleared will be rescheduled for examination at designated centres.
“Furthermore, a few of the results, including those of blind candidates and others in the JEOG(JAMB Equal Opportunity Group)candidates group, are still being processed.’’
President of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) Prof Emmanuel Osodeke called on government at all levels to take proactive action to revive education.
According to him, the government should take a second look at the primary and secondary education to ensure there are no lapses at the developmental stage.
Referencing the statistics of the just released JAMB result, Osodeke described the performance as terrible.
He said: “If 75% of the students who sat for the examination scored less than 200; that means it’s a terrible result.
“We are not saying that there is a fall in excellence on how our students perform in examination. I urge the government at all levels to take a second look at our educational system, especially the primary and secondary.
“We hardly hear of governors establishing new secondary schools, but you hear them saying they want to establish new universities.
“You would be surprised that the students who failed this JAMB, scored As in their West African Examinations Council (WAEC). There is a gap.
“This JAMB performance should serve as a wakeup call for us to take a look at our educational system again, because, it has fallen apart.”
The ASUU boss lamented that the performance would have a bad effect on the requirement for admission into tertiary institutions.
“From this result, the cut off mark into higher institutions might come down to 100, which is 25% of performance,” Osodeke noted.
Reflecting on the dismal performance by admission seekers, Vice Chancellor African School of Economics, Abuja, Prof Mahfouz Adedimeji, called for the overhaul of the education system.
He said: “It is revealing that according to JAMB‘s data, only 12,414 candidates, representing a mere 0.63% of the total 1,955,069 candidates, who sat for the 2025 UTME examination, scored 300 and above. As many as 983,187 candidates or 50.29% are within the 160–199 score range.
“Though JAMB has often emphasized that its results are just for ranking, and that O’level results actually determine the academic performance of the students, the situation points to the need to rejig education to achieve better results. The scores are a reflection of the quality of students we have now.
“The newly released results point to the need for reform. Teaching has to be incentivised to make teachers face their job squarely and not to be seeking alternative means of making ends meet. It speaks to the need to retool education to make it have high quality.”
“I want to commend JAMB on putting in place a system that guarantees the quality and integrity of examinations. The scores should serve as the basis of national awakening.
“Governments have to create conducive environments for learning, teachers have to be motivated with improved welfare packages and students have to be orientated to see education as a ticket to the future, and not consider school as a scam.”
Deputy National President of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo expressed sadness
He said: “It is sad and unfortunate that over one million pupils scored below 200. It is a serious matter. Parents of course are culpable in this.
Experts last night expressed optimism about the major policy shift prioritising Nigerian businesses, goods, and services in all government-related economic activities.
The new approach, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), was announced yesterday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Speaking to reporters at Aso Villa after the FEC meeting, Idris said: “This new direction places Nigeria, not foreign companies or imports, at the centre of our national development strategy.
“It seeks to foster a new business culture that is bold, confident, and unapologetically Nigerian.”
He quoted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as saying: “We must start producing what we consume and end importation of what we have.”
They experts said the new policy would have considerable multiplier effects on several facets of the economy, including employment creation, foreign exchange accretion and stability, general economic growth and social stability, among others. (See box)
According to Idris, the Nigeria First policy will be implemented through an executive order being prepared by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The policy is designed to overhaul how the Federal Government spends public funds, especially in procurement and contract awards.
Under the new policy, all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) must prioritise locally-made goods and services in their procurement processes.
“Non-compliance will attract sanctions, including the cancellation of procurement processes and disciplinary actions against responsible officers,” Idris said.
Sourcing foreign alternatives for products or services already available in Nigeria will now require written justification and a formal waiver from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
Idris outlined decisions approved by the Council to give immediate effect to the policy. These include:
• Revision of procurement guidelines: The BPP has been directed to urgently revise and enforce procurement rules to prioritise local content, including the creation of a local content compliance framework.
• Register of Nigerian providers: The BPP will maintain a register of high-quality Nigerian manufacturers and service providers who are regularly engaged by the federal government.
• Centralisation of procurement officers: All procurement officers posted to MDAs will be recalled and redeployed under the direct control of the BPP to ensure strict adherence to the new policy, without compromising efficiency.
• Mandatory audits: MDAs must immediately audit all current procurement plans and submit revised versions in line with the new directives.
• Sanctions for non-compliance: Breaches of the new policy will attract serious sanctions, including cancellation of procurement processes and disciplinary action against officers responsible for such.
Idris added that where viable local options do not exist, the policy requires that contracts must include provisions for technology transfer, local production, or skills development.
The minister cited the sugar industry, where, despite local capacity, Nigeria continues to import vast quantities.
Under the new directive, such practices would no longer be acceptable.
“The provision of quota allocations under the National Sugar Master Plan will now take into consideration each participant’s investment in backward integration and local production capacity,” Idris explained.
The ultimate goal of the policy, according to the minister, is to build capacity in domestic industries by ensuring that Nigerian firms are no longer sidelined in favour of foreign suppliers, especially in sectors where local alternatives are available.
“This is not just a policy shift, it is a reorientation of national priorities,” Idris said.
“Going forward, Nigerian industries will take precedence in all procurement processes.
“Where local supply falls short, contracts will be structured to build capacity domestically.
“The days when contractors acted merely as intermediaries importing foreign goods while local factories shut down are over.
“President Tinubu wants Nigeria to stop sitting on the sidelines and start producing what we consume.”
The move is part of the broader Renewed Hope Agenda championed by the Tinubu Administration, which emphasises economic resilience, job creation, and inclusive growth driven by local innovation and industrialisation.
The minister said the FEC would closely monitor the implementation of the new directive.
He believes it marks a turning point in how the government engages with the private sector and develops the economy.