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SSANU, NASU To Stage Nationwide Protest Thursday Over Unmet Demands

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SSANU, NASU To Stage Nationwide Protest Thursday Over Unmet Demands

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have announced plans to stage a one-day nationwide protest on Thursday over the Federal Government’s alleged failure to meet their longstanding demands.

Operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), both unions have directed their branches to hold emergency congresses on Wednesday to mobilise members for what they described as a “massive protest.”

The protest, according to a circular jointly signed by SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, will feature campus marches, placard demonstrations, and press briefings across universities and inter-university centres nationwide.

“The National JAC hereby directs Branch leadership in the Universities and Inter-University Centres throughout the country to convene a Joint Congress on Wednesday, 8th October, 2025 to mobilize and prepare for a massive and effective one-day protest on Thursday, 9th October, 2025,” the memo read in part.

The unions said the protest follows the government’s continued silence after multiple meetings and expired ultimatums.

Key grievances include the alleged unfair distribution of ₦50 billion in earned allowances, the delay in renegotiating the 2009 FGN/NASU/SSANU agreements, and the non-payment of two months’ outstanding salaries. They also cited unpaid arrears from the 25% and 35% salary increases and the non-remittance of third-party deductions for May and June 2022.

The JAC had issued a seven-day ultimatum on September 15, later extended by 14 days, which expired on October 6 without resolution.

“Despite the inauguration of a Joint Consultative Committee by the Minister of Education, and two meetings held with little progress, our demands remain unresolved,” the unions stated.

Both SSANU and NASU urged their members in federal and state universities to ensure full compliance, stressing that solidarity and strict participation were essential to the success of the protest.

Akpabio Promises Open, Accountable, and Responsive 10th Senate

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Akpabio Promises Open, Accountable, and Responsive 10th Senate

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has reaffirmed that the 10th Senate under his leadership will remain open, accountable, and responsive to the needs of Nigerians.

Addressing lawmakers on Tuesday as the Senate resumed plenary after a ten-week recess, Akpabio pledged renewed dedication to transparency and public trust in the legislative process.

In his address titled “Steady Hands for a Great Nation,” the Senate President said the chamber “will not shrink from scrutiny but welcome it,” describing accountability as the “lifeblood of democracy.”

“The foundation of every democracy lies in its legislature, and those who seek to weaken it aim to destroy the very structure of democracy itself,” Akpabio stated.

He urged senators to return to work with determination and a focus on tangible results, saying Nigerians expect “action, not excuses.”

Akpabio outlined key priorities for the 10th Senate, including bold legislative reforms to stabilize the economy, attract investments, strengthen education and healthcare, and create opportunities for the youth.

He also advocated for a constitutional review to deepen federalism, enhance governance efficiency, and make democracy more inclusive.

On the Senate’s relationship with the Executive, Akpabio said it would remain “frank and firm,” stressing that the chamber would support policies that benefit Nigerians but speak out against those that do not.

“Let this Senate be remembered as an instrument of national transformation, a citadel of democracy, and a beacon of hope,” he said, emphasizing the need to uphold the Senate’s independence, dignity, and commitment to the Constitution.

The Senate President also extended sympathy to Nigerians affected by floods, insecurity, hunger, and other hardships, offering prayers and support to victims across the country.

Nnaji: My Resignation Not Admission Of Guilt

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Nnaji: My Resignation Not Admission Of Guilt

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has clarified that his resignation from office was not an admission of guilt amid allegations surrounding his academic and NYSC certificates.

Nnaji stepped down on Tuesday following controversy over claims that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) could not verify his academic records and questions about his NYSC discharge certificate.

In a statement issued Tuesday night, the former minister said his decision was made out of principle rather than culpability.

“My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice — not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court,” he stated. “In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just.”

Nnaji described the controversy as politically motivated, alleging that his opponents orchestrated a “sustained campaign of falsehood and malicious attacks” against him.

“Over the past week, an orchestrated and politically motivated campaign of falsehood has been waged against my person, integrity, and office across print, electronic, and social media platforms,” he said, noting that the allegations had begun to distract from the ministry’s work and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, pledging his continued loyalty and support for the administration’s vision of a technologically driven Nigeria.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has accepted Nnaji’s resignation, according to a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, who thanked the former minister for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.

Nnaji was appointed Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology in August 2023.

Yakubu Hands Over To Agbamuche As INEC Acting Chairman

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Yakubu Hands Over To Agbamuche As INEC Acting Chairman

Professor Mahmood Yakubu has formally handed over leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to May Agbamuche, who will serve as the Acting National Chairman of the electoral body.

Agbamuche, the oldest serving National Commissioner at INEC, assumes the role pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.

Professor Yakubu made the announcement on Tuesday during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

He urged the commissioners and directors of the commission to extend their full support to Agbamuche as she oversees the commission’s activities in the interim.

More details to follow…

CBN Caps PoS Agents’ Daily Transactions At ₦1.2 Million, Tightens Licensing Rules

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CBN Caps PoS Agents’ Daily Transactions At ₦1.2 Million, Tightens Licensing Rules

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has limited Point of Sale (PoS) agents to a maximum daily transaction value of ₦1.2 million, while individual customers can withdraw or deposit up to ₦100,000 per day under a new regulatory framework for agent banking operations.

The directive, signed by Musa Jimoh, Director of the Payments System Policy Department, was issued to all banks, financial institutions, and payment service providers. The policy takes immediate effect, while provisions related to agent location and exclusivity will be enforced from April 1, 2026.

“POS agents are restricted to a maximum of ₦1.2 million per day. Individual customers are limited to ₦100,000 in daily transactions. These limits are intended to curb misuse, enhance financial integrity, and protect consumers,” the circular stated.

The CBN added that transaction limits could be reviewed periodically in line with the Guide to Charges for Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria.

Geo-Tagging and Operational Restrictions

All agent transactions must now be conducted through dedicated accounts or wallets maintained by their parent financial institutions. The CBN prohibited the use of non-designated accounts for agent operations, warning that violations will attract sanctions.

Agents must also operate strictly from registered, geo-fenced locations. The bank has directed that all PoS devices be geo-tagged — a process of embedding geographic data such as latitude and longitude — to enable transaction traceability and reduce fraud.

This follows an earlier directive issued on August 25, 2025, mandating all PoS terminals to be geo-tagged within 60 days, with a compliance deadline of October 20, 2025.

The apex bank noted that the move was necessary due to the surge in fraudulent PoS activities across the country.

Eligibility and Integrity Checks

The CBN has also introduced stricter eligibility requirements for PoS operators. Individuals or companies with non-performing loans in the past 12 months, blacklisted BVNs, or those convicted of financial crimes are now barred from operating as agents.

Agents found guilty of misconduct or fraud will be personally liable and may face termination or placement on an industry watchlist. Persons declared bankrupt or companies under insolvency proceedings are also disqualified.

Operational Standards and Transparency

Super agents — entities licensed to oversee multiple PoS agents — must now operate with a minimum of 50 agents across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to ensure wider access to financial services.

Financial institutions are required to publish and regularly update the list of their registered agents on their websites and display them in their branches.

Agents are prohibited from relocating, transferring, or closing business premises without written approval from their principal or super agent. Any planned relocation must be publicly displayed at least 30 days in advance to inform customers.

The CBN said the revised framework aims to strengthen oversight, promote transparency, and safeguard consumer trust in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital payments ecosystem.

France’s Prime Minister in Final Push to Save Government Amid Political Deadlock

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France’s Prime Minister in Final Push to Save Government Amid Political Deadlock

France’s Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has begun a last-ditch effort to rescue his government, seeking cross-party support to end the country’s deepening political stalemate.

President Emmanuel Macron had appointed Lecornu, 39, in early September to form a new administration after parliament ousted his predecessor over a controversial austerity budget.

Lecornu unveiled his cabinet on Sunday, but it was swiftly met with criticism for retaining many members of the previous government, prompting his resignation on Monday morning. However, by that evening, he had agreed to Macron’s request to attempt a two-day salvage mission.

According to a presidential aide, Macron tasked Lecornu with “conducting final negotiations by Wednesday evening to define a platform of action and stability for the country.” The aide added that the president was prepared to “assume his responsibilities” if talks failed — a veiled reference to the possibility of dissolving parliament and calling fresh elections.

The crisis follows the 2024 snap parliamentary elections that left France with a hung assembly, paralyzing decision-making as the country grapples with record debt levels and mounting political tension ahead of the 2027 presidential polls.

Former prime minister Edouard Philippe criticized what he described as a “distressing political game,” urging Macron to call early presidential elections once the 2026 budget is approved. Within Macron’s centrist camp, party leader Gabriel Attal expressed frustration, saying it was “time to try something else.”

Opposition leader Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally (RN) said it would be “wise” for Macron to resign but also pressed for immediate legislative elections. RN leader Jordan Bardella declared his party “ready to govern.”

On the left, Socialist leader Olivier Faure called for “a change of course” with a government rooted in progressive policies, while conservative Bruno Retailleau of the Republicans signaled conditional openness to working with Macron’s centrists.

Lecornu’s challenge mirrors that of his two predecessors — François Bayrou and Michel Barnier — both toppled in parliamentary standoffs over budget cuts.

With France’s debt-to-GDP ratio now among the highest in the European Union, analysts warn that political instability could further undermine the government’s credibility at a critical economic moment.

Macron has ruled out resigning and continues to resist calls for snap polls, though a new prime minister — the eighth under his presidency — could still emerge if Lecornu’s efforts collapse.

Lagos Leads as NBS Reports ₦3.6 Trillion IGR for States, FCT in 2024

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Lagos Leads as NBS Reports ₦3.6 Trillion IGR for States, FCT in 2024

Lagos State has once again emerged as Nigeria’s top revenue-generating state, according to the 2024 Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday.

The report revealed that the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) collectively generated ₦3.6 trillion in 2024, marking a 49.7% increase from the ₦2.43 trillion recorded in 2023.

According to the data, Lagos led the list with ₦1.26 trillion, followed by Rivers with ₦317.3 billion, FCT with ₦282.3 billion, Ogun with ₦194.9 billion, and Enugu with ₦180.5 billion completing the top five.

At the bottom of the chart were Adamawa (₦20.3 billion), Taraba (₦17.46 billion), Kebbi (₦16.97 billion), Ebonyi (₦13.18 billion), and Yobe (₦11.08 billion) — the lowest revenue earners for the year.

The NBS noted that the sharp rise in IGR reflects improved fiscal efficiency and tax compliance across several states, driven by renewed economic activities and digital revenue collection systems.

The report, shared on the bureau’s official X handle, also showed that Delta (₦157.78 billion), Edo (₦91.15 billion), Akwa Ibom (₦75.77 billion), Kano (₦74.77 billion), and Kaduna (₦71.57 billion) ranked within the top ten.

Economists say the figures indicate growing subnational fiscal capacity but warn that disparities between high and low-earning states could widen if structural reforms and economic diversification efforts are not accelerated.

UNESCO Elects Egyptian Khaled El-Enany As Next Director-General Amid U.S. Exit Row

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UNESCO Elects Egyptian Khaled El-Enany As Next Director-General Amid U.S. Exit Row

UNESCO’s executive board on Monday elected Egypt’s former antiquities and tourism minister, Khaled El-Enany, as the next director-general of the United Nations’ cultural agency, amid tensions over U.S. plans to withdraw from the organisation.

El-Enany, 54, will succeed French director-general Audrey Azoulay, who is stepping down after two four-year terms. He won 55 out of 57 votes cast by the board, defeating the Republic of Congo’s Firmin Edouard Matoko, UNESCO’s former assistant director-general.

The United States abstained from the vote after announcing its intention to leave UNESCO by the end of 2026, citing alleged anti-Israel bias and the agency’s “divisive” policies — a move expected to significantly impact funding, as Washington provides about eight percent of UNESCO’s budget.

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on October 02, 2025 shows the two candidates to become the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): Congolese diplomat, development economist, and specialist international relations specialist, Firmin Edouard Matoko (L) posing during a photo session in Paris, on September 26, 2025 and Khaled El-Enany, former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt and candidate to become the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) poses during a photo session in Paris on October 1, 2025. An Egyptian ex-minister is the favourite to become head of the UN’s culture agency, but his Congolese rival says bets are still off before a key decision next week. (Photo by Joël SAGET and Julien DE ROSA / AFP)

Speaking after the vote, El-Enany pledged to prioritise stabilising UNESCO’s finances and depoliticising its activities.

“The current challenge is the budget. That is going to be the priority of all of us,” he said, adding that he aimed to promote “technical deliberations” rather than political divisions within the organisation.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hailed the appointment as a “historic success” for Egypt and wished El-Enany success in his “noble mission.”

If confirmed by UNESCO’s General Assembly in Uzbekistan on November 6, El-Enany will officially assume office on November 14, becoming the first Arab and second African to head the organisation since Senegal’s Amadou-Mahtar Mbow (1974–1987).

Israel Marks Two Years Since Hamas Attack As Peace Talks Resume Over Gaza War

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Israel Marks Two Years Since Hamas Attack As Peace Talks Resume Over Gaza War

Israel on Tuesday marked the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault — the deadliest day in the nation’s history — as indirect peace talks with the Palestinian group resumed under a U.S.-brokered plan to end the two-year Gaza war.

The coordinated attack by Hamas-led militants at the close of the Jewish festival of Sukkot left 1,219 people dead in Israel and 251 others taken hostage, according to official figures. Memorial ceremonies were held nationwide, including at the site of the Nova music festival where more than 370 people were killed.

“It was a very difficult and enormous incident that happened here,” said teacher Elad Gancz. “But we want to live — and despite everything, continue with our lives, remembering those who were here and are no longer with us.”

In Gaza, the Hamas-run health ministry reported at least 67,160 deaths from Israel’s retaliatory campaign, which has devastated much of the territory’s infrastructure and displaced hundreds of thousands.

Participants march during a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians in Barcelona on October 4, 2025. The Global Sumud Flotilla, with around 45 vessels carrying politicians and activists, departed Barcelona last month to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, where the United Nations reports famine conditions after nearly two years of war. The Israeli navy intercepted several vessels at sea on October 1, 2025, after warning activists against entering waters it says fall under its blockade. (Photo by Lluis GENE / AFP)

As Israel faces growing international scrutiny — including a recent UN probe accusing it of genocide and rights groups alleging Hamas committed war crimes — negotiations have intensified in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh resort. Mediators are seeking progress on a U.S. 20-point plan calling for a ceasefire, hostage release, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that Washington was “very close” to securing a peace deal, urging both sides to “move fast.”

Despite cautious optimism, Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir warned that the army would “return to fighting” if the talks fail.

Public discontent also remains high, with a recent survey showing 72 percent of Israelis dissatisfied with the government’s handling of the conflict.

California Enacts Law Banning Loud TV Commercials

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California Enacts Law Banning Loud TV Commercials

California has officially banned noisy television commercials under a new law signed on Monday, requiring advertisers to match the volume of their ads with that of the programs they interrupt.

For years, viewers across the United States have complained that commercials often blast at much higher volumes than the shows they are watching — forcing many to reach for their remotes during breaks.

Governor Gavin Newsom, who signed the bill into law, said the measure responds directly to widespread public frustration.

“We heard Californians loud and clear, and what’s clear is that they don’t want commercials at a volume any louder than the level at which they were previously enjoying a program,” Newsom stated.

The new legislation updates older regulations that applied only to broadcast and cable networks, expanding the rules to cover digital and streaming platforms as well.

Nnaji’s Aide Accuses UNN of Manipulating Minister’s Academic Records Amid Forgery Case

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Nnaji’s Aide Accuses UNN of Manipulating Minister’s Academic Records Amid Forgery Case

Robert Ngwu, spokesperson for the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has accused the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), of tampering with and manipulating the minister’s academic records.

Ngwu made the allegation during an interview on The Morning Brief on Tuesday, amid ongoing accusations that Nnaji forged his certificate following his 2023 political appointment.

The minister, who is currently in court over the matter, told Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court that UNN had refused to release his academic transcript despite his formal request.

Nnaji, who said he earned a BSc in Microbiology/Biochemistry with second-class honours (lower division) in 1985, argued that the institution had no justification to withhold his records.

“He didn’t ask the institution not to touch his academic records. He said they should not tamper with or manipulate them because information from a student’s personal file was leaked online. That means somebody is deliberately doing that,” Ngwu said.

He alleged that political bias within the university leadership was influencing the issue. “You have an Acting VC who is a card-carrying member of the PDP… The minister was jittery because it is a legal politics, and you know how legal politics are,” he added.

Ngwu further claimed that despite Nnaji’s payment for his transcript in May, the document had yet to be released.

During Monday’s court session, the minister reportedly sought judicial protection, asking the court to prevent the university from further tampering with his files and to compel the release of his transcript.

“The injunctions were granted,” Ngwu said, adding that the court also directed the supervising authority to ensure proper oversight of the university.

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