Category: News

JAMB announces registration Dates, Fees, Exam Schedule for 2026 UTME, Direct Entry

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the commencement of the sale of application documents for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) admissions for the 2026/2027 academic session. The announcement was contained in a photostatement signed by JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and shared on the Board’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday night. According to JAMB, applications are now open to suitably qualified candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria for the 2026/27 academic year. Age Requirement, Underage Candidates The…

FG sets up Technical committee to drive reliable power in health facilities

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 24-member Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) to spearhead the implementation of the Nigeria Power for Health Initiative (NPHI), a flagship programme designed to guarantee reliable and sustainable electricity supply to health facilities across the country. The initiative target achieving at least 30 per cent renewable-powered healthcare delivery nationwide by the end of 2027, as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s health system and improve service delivery. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare,…

TDF accuses Atiku of peddling falsehood over BEA scholarships, defends Tinubu’s education policy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Democratic Front (TDF) has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of spreading falsehoods in a bid to discredit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the Federal Government’s decision on Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) foreign scholarship awards. In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Danjuma Muhammadu, and Secretary, Wale Adedayo, the group alleged that Atiku relied on what it described as “unverified and misleading content” circulated by social media influencers to accuse the Tinubu administration of abandoning Nigerian students studying abroad, particularly in Morocco. According to TDF, its findings showed…

Nigeria’s Trade with UAE: Jumoke Oduwole highlights gains from historic CEPA Agreement

Emporium Reporters

Nigeria has achieved a historic milestone in its trade relations with the United Arab Emirates with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a landmark deal expected to transform economic ties between the two nations. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Nigeria’s Chief Negotiator, detailed what the agreement will mean for Nigerian businesses, investors, and professionals. Dr. Oduwole described the CEPA as a transformative instrument for Nigeria’s economic diversification under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. She explained that…

Niger Police arrests Pickpocket, Gold fraud suspects, human traffickers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Police Command has made significant strides in combating crime with the arrest of several suspects involved in theft, fraud, and human trafficking across the state. In Minna, detectives attached to the Area Command apprehended Usman Umar (35) of Dala, Kano State, at a hotel on January 6, 2026, following intelligence about suspicious activity. Items recovered from the suspect included 22 SIM cards, a Redmi phone, an Infinix phone, and an Itel button phone. Umar confessed to snatching mobile phones from unsuspecting victims, particularly in Lagos markets, and…

SSAP-SDGs mourns Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has described the death of the Akran of Badagry, His Majesty De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, as a monumental loss to Badagry, Lagos State, and the nation at large. The revered monarch passed away at the age of 89. In a condolence statement issued on Tuesday by her Special Assistant on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Desmond Utomwen, Princess Orelope-Adefulire said the late Akran was a distinguished traditional ruler whose reign was defined by peace,…

MURIC urges Army to pay entitlements of 54 pardoned soldiers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government to release the gratuities and other entitlements of the 54 soldiers who were tried over a decade ago for demanding better weapons to confront Boko Haram. In a statement issued on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, MURIC recalled that the soldiers were initially sentenced to death by a military court, a punishment later commuted to 10 years’ imprisonment. They were eventually granted a presidential pardon in 2022 and formally discharged in 2025. According to the organisation,…

US AFRICOM pledges stronger support as delegation meets NDLEA Boss Marwa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A delegation of senior officials from the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM) has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of enhanced collaboration and sustained support in the fight against illicit drugs. The delegation, which visited NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, met with the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and commended the strong and productive partnership between NDLEA and US law enforcement agencies. Leader of the delegation, Mr. Philip Esch, US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Liaison to…

Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo, Turkish Envoy seek expanded visa access, boost business mobility

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Turkey, with a focus on visa facilitation, business mobility and consular cooperation. Tunji-Ojo stated this on Tuesday while receiving the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, on a courtesy visit at the Ministry of Interior headquarters in Abuja. He described the engagement as timely and substantive, noted that the long-standing historical and cultural ties between both countries provide a strong platform for deeper collaboration. The minister said Nigeria is pursuing a smart, structured and…

CDS assures Troops of improved welfare, unveils new support schemes at AFCRD 2026 social night

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has assured officers and men of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) that concrete and far-reaching welfare reforms are underway, with strong backing from the highest level of government. General Oluyede gave the assurance while addressing personnel at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) Social Night, organised by the Defence Headquarters as part of activities to honour serving personnel and veterans, and to remember fallen heroes. The Defence Chief urged troops to remain resolute, hopeful and steadfast, noting…