Inaugurating the Ministerial Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation Committee, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, CON, described the intervention as a strategic investment to strengthen practical training, innovation, and global competitiveness in Nigerian universities.

He emphasised that the allocation, dedicated strictly to engineering and technology upgrades, is separate from regular 2026 TETFund disbursements. Success, he noted, will be measured by functional facilities, improved hands-on competencies, and job-ready graduates.

The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to infrastructure renewal in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Beneficiary institutions include the Federal University of Technology Minna, Federal University of Technology Akure, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, and others.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, strict procurement compliance, and measurable outcomes in delivering the intervention.

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The Official Unveiling Ceremony for the Signed Agreement is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, 14th January, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. prompt, at the Conference Hall, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), No. 6 Zambezi Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.

The ceremony will be presided over by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, FAmeds, alongside the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad.

The event represents a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to foster a stable, productive, and globally competitive higher education sector.

The agreement underscores the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to constructive engagement with critical stakeholders and the resolution of industrial issues through sustained dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation. It is expected to further enhance industrial peace across Nigerian universities, create a more conducive academic environment, and reinforce confidence among students, staff, and the wider public.

This development aligns squarely with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which recognises education as a strategic driver of national development, human capital growth, and socio-economic transformation.

The ceremony will bring together senior government officials, representatives of ASUU, heads of tertiary institutions, development partners, and members of the media, reflecting a broad-based commitment to the advancement of Nigeria’s education sector.

The Federal Government reiterates its dedication to sustaining reforms that will strengthen the university system and ensure the delivery of quality, accessible, and globally relevant education for all Nigerians. Members of the public are encouraged to follow the Ministry’s official communication channels for updates and highlights from the ceremony.

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The Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, who made this disclosure through a statement issued late on Wednesday evening, detailed the breakdown of the funds shared across all tiers of government.

The statement read, “A total sum of N2.094tn, being October 2025 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared to the Federal Government, States, and the Local Government Councils.”
According to the communiqué, the N2.094tn distributed comprised N1.376tn statutory revenue, N670.303bn from Value Added Tax, and N47.870bn from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy.
It added that total gross revenue for October stood at N2.934tn, from which N115.278bn was deducted for the cost of collection, while N724.603bn went to transfers, interventions, refunds, and savings.
Statutory revenue performed slightly better in October. Gross statutory inflow rose to N2.164tn, higher than the N2.128tn recorded in September by N36.832bn. VAT, however, declined sharply. Gross VAT collection dropped to N719.827bn, down by N152.803bn compared with the N872.630bn generated in September.
From the N2.094tn distributable pool, the Federal Government received N758.405bn, states received N689.120bn, and local government councils got N505.803bn. A total of N141.359bn, representing 13 per cent of mineral revenue, was shared among oil-producing states as derivation.
On the statutory revenue component of N1.376tn, the Federal Government received N650.680bn, states got N330.033bn, while local governments received N254.442bn. The derivation allocation of N141.359bn also came from this component.
From the N670.303bn VAT revenue, the Federal Government took N100.545bn. States shared N335.152bn, while local governments received N234.606bn. The EMTL distribution showed that out of the N47.870bn collected, the Federal Government received N7.180bn. States got N23.935bn, and local governments received N16.755bn.
The communiqué noted improvements in petroleum profit tax, hydrocarbon tax, companies’ income tax on upstream activities, capital gains tax, stamp duties, oil and gas royalty, import duty, excise duty, and common external tariff levies. It also confirmed declines in VAT, EMTL, and fees.

The October allocation continues a trend of high monthly FAAC distributions above N2tn driven by elevated oil receipts, strong tax collections, and improved remittances from key revenue-generating agencies. Yet the slight decline from September’s N2.103tn shows volatility in VAT and EMTL inflows, which remain sensitive to consumption patterns and transaction volumes.

The 10th edition of the BudgIT State of States Report earlier revealed that over 30 states in Nigeria rely on Federal Account Allocation Committee allocations for their revenue, leading to fiscal pressures. In total, 31 states depended on FAAC for at least 80 per cent of their current revenue, indicating just how challenging the fiscal situation has become for many of them.

“For example, Lagos’s FAAC allocation rose from N4.24bn to N11.38bn, a massive increase that highlights how significant federation account transfers have become within a single fiscal year. Still, credit should go to the states that recorded strong year-on-year growth, as well as those that grew consistently over the ten-year period we reviewed.

“15 states grew their internally generated revenue by more than 50 per cent, with Enugu recording the highest increase, while only two states had negative IGR growth. Kebbi is one of those, unfortunately, and it’s a reminder that both the government and citizens there need to take revenue generation more seriously.”

The report added that 29 states relied on FAAC receipts for at least half of their total revenue, 28 states relied on FAAC for at least 55 per cent of their total revenue, and 21 relied on it for over 70 per cent.

The BudgIT executives expressed concern that the more FAAC allocations go to states, the more disincentivised they appear to boost their internally generated revenue.

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This development follows a meeting held between the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite today in her office in Abuja with the representatives from the King Salman Foundation

The discussions focused on exploring areas of collaboration that would yield tangible benefits for Nigeria’s socio-economic development, such as Human Development, promoting education,  health and poverty alleviation, Agricultural Development and Food Security

The Minister emphasised the importance of collaboration in achieving the shared vision of improving the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians, particularly in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration

She commended the Foundation for showing interest in partnering with Nigeria to drive projects in key sectors such as agriculture and health, with a focus on malaria eradication, malnutrition, conflict resolution between herders and farmers, and borderline sanitation.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr Ali Alghamdi, assured of the Foundation’s commitment to working closely with the Ministry with a view to ensuring the realization of the policy objectives of the present administration.

The King Salman Foundation, with partnerships in over 100 countries, has assured the Ministry of its commitment to working closely to realise the policy objectives of the present administration.

The Foundation is one of the donors to Live and Livelihood Funds (LLF) which offers a special grant aims at supporting the member countries to execute projects with humanitarian concerns under the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

This historic partnership marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s development journey, poised to improve millions of Nigerians’ lives through fruitful collaboration

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The communiqué issued at the end of the FAAC meeting, chaired by the Accountant General of the Federation, Shamsudeen B. Ogunjimi, showed that the Federal Government received N711.31 billion, the States received N727.17 billion, and the Local Government Councils got N529.95 billion. The Oil-Producing States received N134.96 billion as 13% derivation revenue.

A total of N116.15 billion was set aside for the cost of collection, while N835.01 billion was allocated for transfers, interventions, and refunds.

The communiqué revealed that revenue from Value Added Tax (VAT) rose to N872.63 billion in September, an increase of N150 billion compared to the previous month. From this amount, N812.59 billion was distributed among the three tiers of government, with the Federal Government receiving N121.89 billion, States N406.30 billion, and LGs N284.41 billion.

Gross statutory revenue, however, declined to N2.128 trillion, down by N710.13 billion from August’s figure. From this, N1.239 trillion was shared after statutory deductions.

Revenue from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) totaled N53.84 billion, distributed as follows: N7.75 billion to the Federal Government, N25.84 billion to States, and N18.09 billion to Local Governments.

FAAC noted that while VAT, Import Duty, and EMTL increased significantly, CET Levies and Company Income Tax (CIT) declined during the month.

The total distributable revenue for September comprised Statutory Revenue (N2.239 trillion), VAT (N812.59 billion), and EMTL (N51.68 billion), bringing the total to N2.103 trillion.

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On Tuesday, 7 October 2025, in Abuja, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, the Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, and the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen, met with senior executives of Nigeria’s electricity generation companies (GenCos) to review settlement modalities for the outstanding debt.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the way forward, which includes conducting bilateral negotiations to finalize full and final settlement agreements that balance fiscal realities with the financial constraints of the GenCos.

Approved by President Tinubu and endorsed by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in August 2025, the plan authorizes the issuance of up to ₦4 trillion in government-backed bonds to settle verified arrears owed to generation companies and gas suppliers.

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This intervention, the largest in over a decade, addresses a legacy debt overhang that has constrained investment, weakened utility balance sheets, and hindered reliable power delivery across the country.

“For the first time in years, we are seeing a credible and systematic effort by government to tackle the root liquidity challenges in the power sector,” said Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and Transcorp Power. “We commend President Tinubu and his economic team for this bold and transformative step.”

Mr. Kola Adesina, Group Managing Director of @iamsaharagroup, echoed this sentiment: “This initiative is significant in every respect. It gives us renewed confidence in the reform process and a clear signal that the government is serious about building a sustainable power sector.”

Beyond clearing arrears, the debt reduction plan signals a strategic reset of Nigeria’s electricity market. By restoring the financial health of power companies, it will enable new investment in generation capacity, modernize grid infrastructure, and deliver more reliable electricity to homes and businesses, creating a stronger foundation for industrialization, job creation, and inclusive economic growth.

“Our focus is on creating the right conditions for investment, from modernizing the grid and improving distribution to scaling embedded generation,” said Mrs. OluVerheijen, Special Adviser to the President on Energy. “By closing metering gaps, aligning tariffs with efficient costs, improving subsidy targeting to support the poor and vulnerable, and restoring regulatory trust, we are shifting from crisis response to sustained delivery and building the confidence needed to attract large-scale private capital.”

“These reforms go beyond liquidity,” said Mr. Edun. “They are about rebuilding the fundamentals so that Nigeria’s power sector works for investors, for citizens, and for the next generation. This is how we create the enabling conditions for sustained private investment and transform reliable power into a catalyst for economic growth.”

Complementary efforts to scale renewable energy, leverage domestic gas as a transition fuel, and build local technical and institutional capacity will position Nigeria not just for energy security, but for energy sovereignty, creating one of Africa’s most attractive power markets.

The Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Plan is being jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Power, and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, in collaboration with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc and other key stakeholders.

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This came as officials of NUPENG paralysed fuel loading activities across petroleum depots nationwide on Monday as they kicked against Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s alleged ban on workers’ unionism.
The meeting, involving all the parties, which was held at the conference room of the Ministry of Labour, lasted for several hours despite plans for both parties to immediately sign a Memorandum of Understanding to put an immediate end to the ongoing conflict.
The meeting had in attendance the national executives of NUPENG and officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress. Also present was the Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Ogbugo Ukoha, as well as representatives of the Dangote Group and MRS Petroleum.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Minister of Labour, Muhammed Dingyadi, and the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiru Onyejeocha. The meeting, which was earlier scheduled to start by 10:00 am on Monday, suffered a setback and did not start until some minutes past 5 pm due to the late arrival of union officials.
It gathered that following the intermediary role played by the labour ministry, resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding were read for all parties to agree upon and sign.
However, disagreements with some of the resolutions by officials of the Dangote Group led to further talks. As of 10:15 pm on Monday, parties continued talks in a bid to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
Recall that petroleum tanker drivers on Monday made real their threat to shun fuel loading due to the crisis between them and the Dangote refinery as a result of the unionisation of tanker drivers. This was despite an appeal by the Federal Government that they shelve the plan.
In some parts of the country, filling stations were also closed by NUPENG members. The Aradel refinery in Obele, Port Harcourt, was shut. The Kwale Hydrocarbon facility in Delta State was shut.
NUPENG had on Friday declared its intention to stop loading fuel this week over allegations that the Dangote refinery planned to ban the drivers recruited for its 4,000 trucks from joining the union. NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, on Sunday confirmed that the Federal Government had reached out to the union on the need to avert the strike. He, however, insisted that the industrial action would go ahead.
It was gathered as of Monday morning, there was full compliance with the directive that no driver should lift fuel. Checks by one of our correspondents confirmed that activities at petroleum depots were paralysed across the country. NUPENG officials visited the depots to enforce compliance.
In various depots across the country, especially those in Lagos and Warri, Delta State, drivers parked their trucks to wait for the next directive as far as fuel lifting was concerned. Our correspondent reports that NUPENG officials shut down some depots to prevent the movement of trucks. The National President of NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, told our correspondent that there was “100 per cent compliance across the nation.”
Some members of the union accused Dangote and MRS of having plans to take over their jobs with the recruitment of new drivers.

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The Minister, who made this known during a joint press conference with the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills Jr., in Abuja on Friday, stated that the sensitization was necessary as the United States remains one of the most frequently visited destinations for Nigerians.

He said for decades, Nigerians have been visiting the United States for various reasons, including tourism, business, education, and medical care, among others.

“Nigeria is globally recognised as a country whose citizens are active travelers, engaging with the world across business, education, tourism, and other vital sectors. The United States remains one of the most frequented destinations for Nigerians, reflecting the deep and long-standing ties between our two nations.

“Many Nigerians travel to the U.S. for study, work, medical care, family visits, tourism, and investment opportunities. This robust exchange continues to enrich both societies. The new developments announced by the U.S. Embassy regarding changes in its consular responsibilities and visa application procedures have been in the news recently.

“These changes, as explained by the U.S. Mission, are part of efforts to enhance service delivery, improve efficiency, and respond to evolving consular demands,” he said.

Idris appreciated the U.S. Government’s efforts to engage Nigerian citizens directly through the briefing and ensure that accurate, up-to-date information is made widely accessible.

He also underscored the mutual respect and partnership between Nigeria and the United States and the commitment of the Embassy to keeping Nigerian travelers well-informed

In his remarks, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills Jr, said compliance with visa laws and regulations by Nigerian citizens is a vital aspect in deepening the relationship between the US and Nigeria.

“Compliance with US visa laws is not just an obligation but the cornerstone of mutual trust and respect between the two countries,” said Ambassador Millis, adding, “As the Minister just indicated, he and I had useful discussion about US visa laws and how to message to the Nigerian people the importance of compliance with US visa laws.

“Let me be clear, the US values its strong relationship with Nigeria and the many kinds of connections that exist between our two countries. US visas play a vital role in keeping these ties going and strengthening, whether that’s enabling travels for education, for business, for tourism, for cultural exchange,” he said.

The Ambassador stressed that the US government considers it essential that visas are appropriately used in accordance with US laws and regulations.

“We, of course, welcome Nigerian visitors to the United States just as Nigeria welcomes Americans to this country. Both governments want visitors to respect our national laws and regulations,” he stated.

The US Envoy emphasized that misuse of a visa or the provision of inaccurate information when applying for a visa undermines the trust between the two countries.

“We encourage all applicants to provide truthful information and abide by the terms of their visas, as I know, a great majority of Nigerians do. By doing that, we are going to strengthen the bonds between our countries,” he said.

Ambassador Mills also hailed the Information Minister for championing freedom of expression in Nigeria, saying these are values that align with the US Policy.

He also commended the cooperation of Nigerian institutions, including the National Orientation Agency, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Customs Service, and the Presidency, in promoting public awareness on visa regulations, even as he encouraged Nigerians to access accurate information directly from the US Embassy’s consular portal, assuring prompt responses to any inquiries.

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While the Ministry called for “calm” from all parties, NBA President Afam Osigwe emphasized that the governor “must withdraw the unconstitutional order shutting down Badeggi FM immediately.”

Recall that the governor issued the shutdown directive during an expanded Niger State APC Caucus Meeting held in Minna on August 1, 2025, which was attended by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed.

The governor cited allegations of “unethical broadcasting and incitement against the government” by the radio station.

In a statement on Saturday,2 July,  Osigwe condemned the directive, just as he also highlighted that the action, executed through instructions to the state Commissioner of Police and Commissioner of Homeland Security, “includes profiling the station’s owner and marking the premises for demolition.”

According to Osigwe, this constitutes alleged executive rascality of the highest order.

“The governor lacks the constitutional or legal authority to revoke broadcast licenses or shut down any media establishment,” he added.

“In Nigeria, only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has the statutory mandate to regulate broadcasting, including the suspension or revocation of licenses, subject to due process.”  NBA president said, just as he also  warned the Commissioner of Police or any security agency against acting on alleged unlawful executive directives.

“Security agencies are bound by law to act within constitutional limits, and not as instruments for political intimidation or media suppression.

“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression under Section 39, including the right to own, operate, and access media.

“No person, regardless of office, has the right to arbitrarily restrict or shut down a media house without due process of law,” he added.

Osigwe affirmed that Governor Bago’s directive is entirely unlawful and without legal effect, urging him to immediately withdraw the directive and refrain from further unconstitutional acts.

The Minister explained that the ministry has taken note of concerns raised by stakeholders in the media industry regarding the recent directive by the Niger State Government.

“While acknowledging the concerns raised, the Ministry notes that the suspension of broadcasting licenses falls within the purview of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as stipulated by law,” he added.

He said his ministry welcomed the decision of the Niger State Government to formally report the perceived “unethical behavior” of Badeggi FM to the NBC for resolution.

The Minister appealed to all parties to remain calm, assuring that the NBC has the necessary mechanisms to resolve the issue in a fair and impartial manner.

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