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Tag: Fed Govt

  • Fed Govt okays policy for selection of vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts

    Fed Govt okays policy for selection of vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts

    The federal government has approved the implementation of a guiding policy on eligibility for the appointment of Vice – Chancellors (VCs), rectors and provosts.

    The government said that the new guideline, approved by Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, is in line with the commitment of the Ministry of Education to promote equity, transparency and integrity in the appointment process of Federal Tertiary Institutions.

    This was convened in a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Folasade Boriowo on Thursday in Abuja.

    It noted that the policy became necessary “following a pattern of undue advantage observed over the years, where officers serving in acting capacities often leverage their positions to influence appointment outcomes, thereby compromising the fairness and transparency of the selection process.”

    The statement read: “To eliminate this practice, ensure a level playing field for all qualified candidates and strengthen institutional governance, the policy stipulates that any officer serving in an acting capacity as Vice Chancellor, Rector or Provost shall not be eligible to apply for the substantive position while still holding the acting appointment.

    “However, in the interest of fairness, such officers may choose to recuse themselves from their acting positions before the expiration of their non-renewable six-month tenure, thereby becoming eligible to apply for the substantive roles.

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    “This policy is designed to complement the existing Federal Ministry of Education Guidelines for the Appointment of Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts (2013), along with all other extant regulations governing appointments in federal tertiary institutions.

    “Governing Councils, Managements, and relevant stakeholders are hereby requested to ensure strict compliance with the new directive. For clarity and ease of implementation, the policy document is enclosed as Annex I, while the 2013 Guidelines are enclosed as Annex II.

    The Ministry appreciates the continued dedication and cooperation of stakeholders in upholding good governance and maintaining the integrity of leadership appointment processes within the education sector. It is our belief that this policy will bring about the desired reforms and enhance public confidence in the selection of principal officers in our institutions.”

  • AfDB, Fed Govt begin $538m agro-industrial project

    AfDB, Fed Govt begin $538m agro-industrial project

    The Federal Government, African Development Bank (AfDB) and the state government of Kaduna kick-started the construction of Phase 1 of the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme.

    The ceremony started in Kaduna yesterday, where the chief guest, AfDB President Dr Akinwumi Adesina,  Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and the Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani participated. From Kaduna, Dr Adesina  headed to Cross River State, where, together with the Federal Government and the State Governor, Bassey Edet Otu, a second groundbreaking ceremony will take place.

    The $538 million first phase of the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones program project includes eight states: Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Cross River, Imo, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory.

    The programme launched in 2022 with $210 million from the African Development Bank and support from the Islamic Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms.

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    The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones program will boost Nigeria’s food production and reduction importation, generate jobs for youth, safeguard the country’s foreign exchange, and transform rural areas from areas of misery into zones of prosperity.

    Last year, Nigeria spent $4.7 billion importing food.  The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme is designed to reverse this trend by unlocking local production potential and strengthening agro-industrial value chains nationwide.

    The initiative will increase agricultural productivity by over 60 per cent , reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen value chains from farm to market. The cities of Kaduna and Cross River will host the Agro-Industrial Hubs, Agricultural Transformation Centers, and Aggregation Centers in the production zones, which are the foundational building blocks of the SAPZ programme.

    The programme has the potential to create more than 60,000 jobs in each of the pioneering states.  The sites were strategically selected for their agricultural potential, infrastructure readiness, and prime geographical location, ensuring they drive Nigeria’s agro-industrial growth.

     For Kaduna, the focus will be on maize, soybeans, ginger, and tomatoes.  Cross River will leverage its cocoa, cassava, and rice.  Additionally, for both states, the SAPZ sites are located near major universities, such as Ahmadu Bello University in Kaduna and the University of Calabar in Cross River. Proximity to universities will provide access to research, innovation, and skilled human capital, further strengthening the agro-industrial transformation.

    Several other state governors, federal government officials, and development partners will attend the two groundbreaking ceremonies.

    With 37 per cent of the AfDB Group’s $5.1 billion Nigeria portfolio dedicated to private sector initiatives, Nigeria presents substantial opportunities for partnership in its ongoing development.

  • Fed Govt shares N2.035bn to 1,147 SMC c’tees 

    Fed Govt shares N2.035bn to 1,147 SMC c’tees 

    The federal government has disbursed N2.035 billion to 1,147 School-based Management Committees across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. 

    The government also launched the Universal Basic Education (UBE) School-Based Management Committee-School Improvement Programme and the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) activities. 

    The federal government said these initiatives would improve the basic education sector, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. 

    Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa stated this on Monday in Abuja at the national flag-off of the UBE School based management – School improvement programme (SBMC-SIP), public presentation of the implementation guidelines and commencement of teacher professional development programmes. 

    He listed pillars that would drive education sector renewal initiatives to include: increasing enrollment, reducing out-of-school children, enhancing technical and vocational education, advancing girl-child education and strengthening quality assurance. 

    In order to implement these initiatives, the Minister said the Federal Ministry of Education plans to construct 7,200 new UBE facilities, provide 1,680,000 furniture pieces, renovate 195,000 classrooms, install 22,900 water boreholes and 28,000 toilets and provide perimeter fencing for 14,000 schools. 

    He called on states and local governments to inject indigenous funds into the SBMC-SIP programme for greater impact.

    He said: “While the Federal Ministry of Education intensifies its efforts in mobilising resources to actualise the above ideals, it also recognises the importance of improved partnerships and collaborations with all stakeholders in all aspects of education service delivery. 

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    “It therefore gladdens my heart to note the giant strides recorded by UBEC in the implementation of the UBE School Based Management Committee-School Improvement Programme. I am delighted to also note that the initiative will foster community partnership and engagement which can effectively address the issue of out – of – school and also expand access to school age children while improving the teaching and learning environment.

    “The Teacher Professional Development programme aligns with the Ministry’s vision of improving learning outcomes through the strengthening of teacher quality in the sector to meet global standards.” 

    Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba said despite a seven per cent increase in enrollment between 2016 and 2021, around 17 million children, mostly from rural and low-income communities, are still out-of-school. 

    She said: “Our basic education sector has made progress, but serious gaps persist. While enrolment rose by 7 percentage points between 2016 and 2021, access to education has not expanded to all; about 17 million children remain out of school — especially in rural and low-income communities. Only 9 percent of children aged 7–14 in rural areas demonstrated age-appropriate reading skills. These numbers are more than statistics—they are a call to action for urgent, targeted investments in infrastructure, teacher development, to expand equitable access to all parts of Nigeria.

    “A total of N2.035 billion to be disbursed to 1,147 schools-based management committees across all 36 States and the FCT under the SBMC-SIP. These funds will support 15,155 improvement projects, such as classroom renovations to make learning conducive, furniture provision, WASH facilities, measures to improve security.”

  • Nigeria’s prisons still in terrible conditions – Fed Govt panel

    Nigeria’s prisons still in terrible conditions – Fed Govt panel

    A visitation panel set up by the federal government on prisons in the country has found that the conditions of the correctional centres and their inmates are appalling and unbearable. 

    The panel, headed by a former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in Ekiti State, Olawale Fapohunda (SAN) equally found that most inmates are languishing in prisons due to lack of legal representation and the inability of the Legal Aid Council (LAC) to cope with the huge number of cases.

    The findings are contained in the panel’s report submitted on Wednesday in Abuja to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

    Fapohunda noted that in the course of the panel’s assignment of auditing prisons, members interfaced with categories of inmates and found their conditions unpalatable.

    He said besides the challenge of lack of legal representation, most of the inmates are suffering ailments that the prison authorities could not bear the cost of medication.

    Fapohunda appealed to the AGF and the Fed Govt to come to the rescue of the Nigerian prisons and their inmates with a view to alleviating their poor conditions.

    He urged the AGF to convene an emergency meeting of Body of Attorneys-General to debate the issue of the deplorable conditions of prisons and inmates and come out with concrete remedy that will make life bearable for the inmates.

    “It would have been odd in the extreme if the working group had simply focused on the status of Section 35 inmates and ignored the plight of other inmates deserving urgent attention. 

    “This category of inmates includes those without legal representation. Indeed, several inmates continue to be kept in detention for periods longer than the maximum period of imprisonment prescribed for the offence because they do not have legal representation. 

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    “The working group found that an alarming high number of inmates in the custodial centres under review were without legal representation. The AGF is invited to note that although the legal aid council of Nigeria is mandated to provide free legal services to inmates without legal representation, it is presently under resourced and thus barely able to make a significant difference,” Fapohunda said. 

    Responing, the AGF said the panel was constituted as part of efforts to ensure access to justice and ensure that persons are not unduly detained In our custodial centres.

    Fagbemi the mndate of the panel was crucial to achieving the standards we have set for ourselves in our effort to reform our criminal justice system. 

    He added: “The vision of Mr. President is for a criminal justice system that maintains law and order, deters crime, punish Offenders, while at the same time strives to rehabilitate those offenders in order to facilitate their recovery and reintegration to society.”

  • Fed govt moves to fast-track SDGs implementation

    Fed govt moves to fast-track SDGs implementation

    …urges stakeholders to intensify efforts

    The federal government has called for accelerated action toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, urging stakeholders to redouble their efforts.

    Speaking at the North-East Regional Consultation in Gombe, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, emphasised the need for collaboration and innovative strategies to overcome existing challenges.

    Her keynote address was delivered on her behalf by Dr. Bala Yunusa, Senior Technical Adviser, as part of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR).

    The VNR, a global review mechanism under the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), assesses progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    Nigeria, currently conducting its third VNR, is engaging stakeholders across all six geopolitical zones to evaluate progress, identify challenges, and explore opportunities for achieving the SDGs.

    In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communication, Desmond Utomwen, Orelope-Adefulire highlighted that global progress on the SDGs has been uneven, with Nigeria facing significant hurdles.

    Citing the 2024 United Nations SDG Report, she noted that only 17% of SDG targets are on track worldwide, while nearly half show minimal or moderate progress and over a third have stalled or regressed.

    She attributed Nigeria’s slow progress to factors such as dwindling financial resources, the COVID-19 pandemic, and persistent insecurity.

    Stressing the need for stronger policy integration, she said SDGs must be embedded into national and sub-national development plans rather than pursued through isolated programs.

    “The SDGs cannot be achieved in silos. We must ensure robust monitoring, evaluation, and reporting mechanisms such as the VNR process to track progress effectively,” she said.

    She called for increased collaboration between the public and private sectors, the UN Development System, donor agencies, academia, and civil society.

    Referencing the “Pact for the Future,” adopted during the 79th UN General Assembly session, she reiterated global leaders’ commitment to “bold, ambitious, accelerated, just, and transformative actions” to fast-track SDG implementation.

    She also quoted UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who stressed the need for massive investment and effective partnerships in key sectors such as food, energy, and digital connectivity.

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    Orelope-Adefulire commended members of the Multi-Stakeholder Core Working Group for their dedication to Nigeria’s 2025 VNR process.

    She acknowledged the contributions of representatives from ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), the UN Development System, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

    In his presentation on Nigeria’s SDG implementation and the 2025 VNR process, Dr. Yunusa cited the 2024 UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) report, which warned that without accelerated efforts, about 590 million people globally could still be living in extreme poverty by 2030.

    The report also projected that nearly one in ten people worldwide would face hunger, while 2.4 billion people could experience moderate to severe food insecurity.

    The North-East Regional Consultation brought together about 150 participants from the six states in the region.

    Discussions focused on institutional frameworks, progress on the 17 SDGs, key challenges, and lessons learned.

    Participants provided recommendations and strategies tailored to the region’s unique needs to fast-track SDG implementation.

    Gombe State’s SDGs Project Support Unit Focal Person, Engr. Sulaiman Turaki, described the consultation as a crucial platform for shaping Nigeria’s next VNR and ensuring an inclusive development process.

    “This gathering is a testament to our collective commitment to advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda,” he said, calling on stakeholders to actively engage in shaping policies that will drive meaningful change.”

  • Foundation cautions Fed Govt on subsidised foreign agric commodities import

    Foundation cautions Fed Govt on subsidised foreign agric commodities import

    The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has cautioned the Federal Government over continued importation of subsidised foreign agricultural commodities.

    The organisation warned that the policy is crippling Nigeria’s agro-industry, discouraging investment, and pushing the country toward food insecurity.

    While the government celebrates the decline in food prices, PeacePro argues that this trend is artificial and dangerous, driven by cheap foreign imports subsidised by other nations, a move that undermines Nigerian farmers and threatens national economic stability.

    In a statement by PeacePro’s Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, on Monday in Abuja, the organisation condemned the government’s approach, stating: “It is shocking that while other nations subsidise their agricultural industries to create jobs and sustain food production, Nigeria is doing the opposite, importing cheap food to destroy its own agriculture. This is a suicidal economic policy that must stop immediately.

    “The real victory is achieving food sufficiency through strong local production, not artificially low prices from foreign imports. If this policy continues, Nigerian agriculture will be permanently crippled, and the country will become entirely dependent on foreign nations for survival.”

    Hamzat noted that foreign countries exporting food to Nigeria heavily subsidise their farmers, allowing them to sell at artificially low prices.

    “Meanwhile, Nigerian farmers receive little or no support, making it impossible for them to compete. This has led to declining investments in agriculture and a loss of confidence in the sector. Farmers cannot expand their production when they are constantly undercut by imported food that costs less than their production expenses,” Hamzat stated.

    He warned that while Nigerians may enjoy cheaper food now, the long-term consequences will be disastrous.

    “If these imports slow down or become expensive, Nigeria will be left vulnerable with no strong local production to fall back on, leading to a severe food crisis,” he said.

    With local farmers struggling, Hamzat noted that millions of jobs in the agricultural value chain, from production to processing and marketing are at risk.

    According to him, instead of building local food processing industries, Nigeria is becoming a dumping ground for foreign produce, making the country overly dependent on imports and weakening its agro-industry.

    He said: “The continuous importation of food eliminates employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas where farming is the primary economic activity.

    “This also reduces incentives for farmers to expand production, worsening the cycle of dependency and food insecurity.”

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    He called on the government to “immediately reverse the import-driven approach and instead focus on policies that empower local farmers.”

    He urged the government to implement stricter import regulations to protect local farmers from unfair competition.

    “Introduce meaningful subsidies for Nigerian farmers to enhance their productivity and global competitiveness; invest in local food processing industries to reduce dependence on imported goods and prioritise agricultural self-sufficiency over imports to secure Nigeria’s food future.

    “PeacePro is urging farmers, policymakers, civil society groups, and economic experts to unite against the destructive impact of import-driven agricultural policies before irreversible damage is done.

    “Nigeria cannot afford to sacrifice its agricultural industry for short-term economic convenience. We must act now to protect our farmers, secure our economy, and build a self-sufficient nation,” Hamzat added.

  • Fed Govt terminates payment of states’ liabilities

    Fed Govt terminates payment of states’ liabilities

    The era of playing Father Christmas to states by the Federal Government is over.

    This is because the government will no longer take responsibility for their unpaid liabilities.

    An example of a liability is a situation in which a state that has difficulty paying its workers’ salaries gets a bailout from the Federal Government to meet its obligation.

    Other forms of unpaid liabilities include pension arrears and debt obligations, such as contractor payments and the controversial Paris Club bailout.

     Notably, 31 states were said to owe the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) N339.9 billion in salary bailout loans taken between 2015 and 2023.

    Accountant General of the Federation (AGoF), Dr Oluwatoyin Madein, announced the new posture during her visit to the Federal Pay Office in Kano,  Kano State yesterday.

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    Madein enjoined states to  block  revenue leakages and improve on their enhanced revenue generation  since  the Federal Government would no longer allow itself to be overburdened by ‘’unpaid liabilities.’’   

      “This will ensure that state governments receive their revenues as and when due, and the Federal Government will not be burdened by unpaid liabilities,” she said in a statement by Bawa Mokwa, director of Press and Public Relations Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.  

      Madein also stressed the need for financial discipline and directed  Federal Pay Officers (FPOs) to ensure that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) complied with the government’s public financial management reform initiatives.

     She urged FPOs to embrace financial prudence and adopt new financial reforms in their daily operations.

    “The use of manual processes in carrying out financial activities will soon be over. The use of modern technology in the accounting profession is key and vital,” Madein said.

     The AGoF revealed that her office has commenced the implementation of an enterprise concept management system to fully digitise financial activities, including those of FPOs.

     She further encouraged FPOs to embrace the performance management system, which will replace the traditional Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER).

    “This system will involve all staff members and serve as a tool for measuring management performance,” Madein explained, urging FPOs to be digitally ready and proficient in computer use.

     Aminu Umar, chairman of the Committee of FPOs, expressed gratitude to the AGoF for the visit.

    “It (visit) will go a long way as a pace-setter for the incoming Accountant General after you leave,” he remarked.

  • Fed Govt working to correct January salary shortfalls, says council NC

    Fed Govt working to correct January salary shortfalls, says council NC

    The Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) has assured federal workers that the government is addressing discrepancies in their January salaries.

    Last month’s salaries were reportedly lower than those of the previous months.

    The council’s National Chairman, Mr. Benjamin Anthony, announced this while addressing reporters yesterday in Abuja.

    Anthony was reacting to concerns raised by some federal civil service workers about shortfalls in their January salaries.

    He said the shortfalls were traced to a “systematic error” in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

    “We received complaints, though not in writing, from workers about reductions in their January salaries, compared to what they received in October to December 2024.

    “Following the complaints, we issued a memo to all industrial unions to gather details from their members and revert to us, to enable the council escalate it to the Federal Government for correction.

    “Some sources, though unconfirmed from IPPIS, told us that there was a problem.

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    “They said it was a systematic mistake from the computers and that they were working to correct it.

    “I believed that they are working on it and it will be corrected,” he said.

    Anthony urged the affected workers to formally report the discrepancies through their industrial unions to aid a resolution.

    “We have already written to the Head of Service of the Federation and she has promised to forward the complaint to the Accountant General’s office to know what the issue is all about.

    “She also assured us that, if there are issues, every worker will be paid their correct salaries,” he said.

    Anthony enjoined the affected workers to check their salary structures to verify their expected earnings before raising concerns.

    The JPSNC national chairman noted that part of the problems might be linked to the peculiar allowance negotiated by the council, which the government had agreed to continue paying, but appeared to have been omitted by the IPPIS system.

    “The Federal Government has agreed to continue paying the peculiar allowance, and I believe that is what the system mistakenly removed.

    “It will be reinstated, and the affected workers will receive their full entitlements,” Anthony said.

    He expressed confidence in the Head of Service’s commitment to resolving the issue promptly.

  • Fed Govt sets February 17 deadline for civil servants’ payroll verification

    Fed Govt sets February 17 deadline for civil servants’ payroll verification

    The Federal Government has set February 17 as the final deadline for its civil servants to verify their details on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

    The directive was issued through a memorandum from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), granting a one-week extension from the previous deadline of February 10.

    According to the memo, employees who missed the initial deadline can now access the OAGF-IPPIS payroll validation portal via www.oagf.gov.ng to update their payroll information. The verification is to be completed by midnight on February 17.

    The government warned that failure to comply with the deadline could lead to suspension from the payroll.

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    It also urged Accounting Officers, Directors of Finance and Accounts, and Internal Audit Units in its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure full compliance.

    The IPPIS verification is part of the government’s effort to eliminate ghost workers and curb payroll fraud in the civil service.

    In June 2024, the former Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, announced that some civil servants who had relocated abroad were still receiving salaries. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the practice, telling those involved to return the funds and that their supervisors would face consequences.

  • Fed Govt reaffirms commitment to peace, security

    Fed Govt reaffirms commitment to peace, security

    To ensure lasting peace and stability across the country, the Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthen the nation’s security framework.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, gave the assurance while receiving the leadership of the Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria, also known as Tarayyar Ekklesiyoyin Kristi A Nigeria (TEKAN), led by its President, Rev. Joel Stephen Billi, in Abuja.

    Senator Akume emphasised the current administration’s resolve to revamp and reinforce the security architecture of the Armed Forces to address existing security challenges.

    He acknowledged the contributions of former President Muhammadu Buhari but noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration had identified and tackled critical security gaps.

    In a statement  by Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen, Akume said: “There is no way a government can function effectively, maximally, and efficiently without peace.

    “That is why we put emphasis on peace. Since we took over, you know President Buhari has done a lot too, but there were areas left untouched.

    “So it was the responsibility of the new Tinubu-led administration to move in headlong by increasing the firepower of the armed forces to ensure that peace is restored,” he said.

    The SGF also highlighted recent improvements in national security under President Tinubu’s leadership, citing the reclamation of local government areas previously occupied by Boko Haram insurgents as a testament to the administration’s proactive measures.

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    Senator Akume  hailed the role of religious institutions in fostering national development, particularly in education, healthcare, and peacebuilding.

    He assured TEKAN of the government’s readiness to collaborate with religious organisations in promoting peaceful co-existence and national development.

    In his remarks, TEKAN President Rev. Joel Stephen Billi expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for signing the bill establishing the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) into law.

    He also acknowledged the government’s distribution of palliatives to alleviate the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal.

    However, he urged the administration to intensify efforts in improving security and expanding social welfare programs to mitigate economic hardship.