The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger State Government

  • Niger Govt reopens additional 2,451 schools in 24 LGAs

    Niger Govt reopens additional 2,451 schools in 24 LGAs

    The Niger State Government has approved the reopening of 2,451 public and private primary and secondary schools for the second phase of academic resumption, effective Monday, January 26, 2026.

    This is coming two weeks after the state government reopened schools in some local government areas after closing down the schools in November following the abduction of students of St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri in Agwara local government area of the state.

    This directive follows a comprehensive security assessment by relevant agencies and was announced in a statement released Saturday, January 24, 2026, by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

    The reopening approval covers schools across 24 of the state’s 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs), as the Ministry noted that schools in Paikoro Local Government Area remain closed, as security assessments in the area are still ongoing.

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    A list of cleared schools for Paikoro will be released at a later date.

    According to the circular signed by the Director of Schools and Educational Services, Hassan Mohammed, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, the resumption applies strictly to the schools listed in the “Phase Two” schedule.

    The approved list details a total of 2,451 schools cleared for resumption.

    The breakdown of the schools includes 478 schools in Chanchaga, Suleja has 363 schools, Bida has 226 schools, Bosso has 215 schools, Kontagora has 172 schools, Borgu has 124 schools, Mokwa has 101 schools, Lapai has 87 schools, Lavun has 84 schools, Shiroro has 77 schools, Agaie has 71 schools, and Gurara has 71 schools.

    Others include 56 schools in Katcha, 52 schools in Tafa, 49 schools in Gbako, 45 schools in Rafi, 37 schools in Munya, 31 schools in Mashegu, 24 schools in Wushishi, 23 schools in Edati, 19 schools in Agwara, 19 schools in Magama, 14 schools in Mariga, and 13 schools in Rijau.

    The Ministry advised parents and guardians to check the approved list to confirm their children’s schools are among those cleared, emphasizing that the decision prioritizes the safety of students and staff, as security agencies have been directed to ensure a safe learning environment as academic activities resume.

  • Niger govt receives 2000 agricultural equipment

    Niger govt receives 2000 agricultural equipment

    The bid of Niger State Government to scale up agricultural production and ensure food security has gotten a boost as the state government has received 2000 agricultural equipment.

    The development is a result of the partnership with Origin Group, a diversified agriculture value chain conglomerate, which is set to begin a specialized agro support program in Niger State using its proprietary themed support system —Total Agricultural Support Program (TASP) in partnership with Campo of Brazil.

    The equipment the Niger State Government received includes 500 large-capacity tractors, 500 Harvesters of varying capacities, 1000 various agricultural and Irrigation equipment and farm implements.

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    This initiative is expected to eradicate drudgery, 50 percent post-harvest losses and revenue losses by farmers.

    The programme will support 50,000 hectares of fully irrigated food production hubs in Niger State.

    This is expected to help the state scale up its desire to deepen food production, wealth creation, and employment opportunities for the teeming population of the state.

  • Quit Notice: You’re on your own – Niger Govt to Northern Group

    Quit Notice: You’re on your own – Niger Govt to Northern Group

    Niger State government has declared that the directive issued by the group of northern youths directing all Ibos in the 19 Northern states to move out of the region before 1st October will not stand in the state stating that the youths are on their own.

    The government has also directed security agencies within the state to effect the immediate arrest and prosecution of anyone or group of individuals who may want to enforce the directive of the Arewa youth group in the state.

    Assuring all residents in the state, irrespective of their state of origin of their safety, the Commissioner for Information, Honorable Jonathan Tsado Vatsa yesterday in Minna  stated that the state is a safe place for all Nigerians.

    He said that the youths have no mandate over the state government.

    “We wish to categorically state that the people and government of Niger State have nothing to do with the purported statement by some elements under the aiges of ArewaYouth directing all Igbos in the 19 states of the northern region to move out of the region on or before October 1st this year.

    “We condemn in clear terms the directive by these elements and view it as not only been provocative but capable of creating unwarranted tension. The directive was a threat to the concerted efforts at ensuring the continued unity of the country.

    “The group has no mandate of the people and government of Niger State and we hereby dissociate the state from the quit order handed down to our Igbo brothers and Sisters. Niger State is not only safe for all Nigerians but a home to all law abiding citizens irrespective of tribe, race, creed or religion.

    “We fully endorsed the position of the Northern States Governors’ Forum as stated by the Chairman of the forum and governor of Bornu State, Alhaji Kashem Shettima. Nigerians should be allowed to determine where they will reside without any let or hindrance,” the Commissioner stated.

     

  • Herdsmen: Five die in another clash in Niger

    Herdsmen: Five die in another clash in Niger

    As Niger State government grapples with the reality of the attack of herdsmen that claimed the lives of 21 people in Mokwa, another clash have claimed the lives of five people in Tunga Mallam Community in Paikoro local government area of the state.

    The clash was said to be between herdsmen and the Gbagyis who live in Tunga Mallam community, however, the clash is said not to be in any way connected to the attack in the community in Mokwa.

    The Nation learnt that the clash began in the community market and spread to the main road preventing motorists from plying the road. Students going to other towns to write JAMB examination were stranded.

    It was learnt that a Fulani youth stabbed a native during a heated argument in the market, other youths seeing the attack retaliated by killing four fulanis, however, the youth stabbed by the Fulani died on Monday morning in a private clinic where he was rushed to for treatment.

    Confirming that there was an altercation in Paikoro which led to loss of lives, the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), DSP Bala Elkana said the incident occurred at a drinking joint and not in the market.

    He also said that only four people have been confirmed dead, “As at Monday morning, four people were confirmed dead; I am not aware if anyone died in the hospital.”

    Elkana further disclosed that three persons have been arrested in connection with the disturbance that led to loss of lives adding that peace have returned to the community as mobile policemen have been posted to the area to forestall any future disturbance.

     

  • Breaking: Court grants Ex-Governor Aliyu, Nasko bail

    Breaking: Court grants Ex-Governor Aliyu, Nasko bail

    Former Niger state Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and his Chief of Staff, Umar Nasko has been granted bail by a Minna High Court Judge, Justice Aliyu Mayaki.

    Aliyu and Nasko were arraigned last week by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a five count charge bothering on the misappropriation of over N4.5 billion belonging to the Niger state government.

    The duo were remanded in the Minna Medium Security Prisons in Tunga last week Monday.

    The bail conditions for Aliyu include a N150 million and a surety with properties valued at N200 million while Nasko is bail of N100 million and a surety with landed properties worth N150 million.

    Commending the Judge for the judgement, the Counsel to Umar Nasko, Mamman Mike Usman said that the bail conditions for his client was too harsh but the bail conditions would be met.

    The duo have met with the bail conditions and have been allowed to go to their various homes amidst jubilation from supporters.

     

  • N869m to be spent on school equipment – Niger state

    Over N869 million will be spent by the Niger government on the procurement of science equipment in nine schools.

    This was announced  by Hajiya Fatima Madugu, Commissioner for Education announced this at the end of the state Executive Council meeting on Thursday in Minna.

    She said that N214 million would be used for procurement of science equipment and solar plant while N655 million is for the provision of furniture, instructional materials and electronics in the schools.

    Madugu added that the effort is to provide qualitative education for students and conducive teaching environment for teachers.

    She said that the schools are; Government Girls Secondary School Bida, Justice Legbo Kutigi Science School in Kutigi, Maryam Babangida Girls School Minna, Government Science College Izom.

    Others are, Government Girls School Kotangora, Government Secondary School Rijau, Government Girls College Tegina, Government Day Secondary Schools Baro and Mu’azu Ibrahim Commercial School Kotangora.

  • Niger places restriction on motorcycles

    Niger places restriction on motorcycles

    Niger State Government has placed a dawn to dusk restriction on commercial and private motorcycles from operating in Minna, the state capital and other major towns in the state.

    The state government, through this development, have reneged on its earlier free movement for commercial and private motorcycles in the state.

    This development is coming exactly a year after the government removed the ban placed on motorcycles by Babangida Aliyu led administration.

    Former Governor Babangida Aliyu had banned motorcycles because of the incessant accidents and deaths caused by their careless driving but when Governor Sani Bello came into office last year, he immediately removed the ban giving the motorcyclists free hand to move at any time of the day.

    In a public announcement signed by the state Commissioner of Information, Jonathan Vatsa yesterday, the state government stated that the order will be strictly enforced between 6 pm and 6 am each day.

    He urged the executive members of the Association of Commercial Motorcycle Riders of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) to take note of the development and caution their members against violation.

    Vatsa stated that any person or group of persons caught contravening  the order will be dealt with stressing that law enforcement agents have been put on the alert to deal with offenders.

    In another development, people living by the river banks are hereby warned to relocate to the uplands in their neighboring communities in view of the impending overflow of River Niger.

    This reminder has become necessary in view of the early warning signal issued by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on the dangers of the overflow of River Niger to the people living in the following communities.