Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The Federal Government has announced the commencement of a comprehensive verification exercise for all civil servants across the country and in federal establishments abroad, starting from October 16 to November 14, 2025. The exercise, which will be conducted in partnership with Philips Consulting and other human resource firms, is aimed at updating personnel records, identifying skills gaps, and supporting strategic workforce reforms within the federal civil service. This was disclosed in an internal memo titled “Verification Exercise” and signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Dr Didi Walson-Jack. The memo, obtained by our correspondent on…

The management of the National Assembly has issued a stern warning to parliamentary staff against proceeding with a planned protest and picketing of the complex, as lawmakers resume plenary today (Tuesday). The warning follows threats by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) to embark on industrial action over unresolved welfare and constitutional concerns. In an internal circular signed by Essien Eyo Essien, Secretary of Human Resources and Staff Development, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, staff were cautioned that any attempt to disrupt legislative proceedings would attract severe disciplinary consequences. “Any staff member, whether…

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has pushed back against comments by Vice President Kashim Shettima criticising the union’s recent industrial action against the Dangote refinery, following the alleged dismissal of unionised workers. Speaking on Monday, PENGASSAN said it would not hesitate to take similar action in the future should its members be dismissed under similar circumstances. The union accused the Dangote refinery of sacking over 800 workers for joining the association — an allegation the company has denied, stating that only a small number were dismissed for sabotage as part of a broader reorganisation…

The Federal Government has announced a $538.05 million investment in Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen food security and transform the country’s agricultural sector. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this on Monday during the Community of Practice Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), held in Abuja. According to Kyari, the government has already launched SAPZ projects in Kaduna, Cross River, and Ogun States, with plans to expand to additional states. The initiative, which leverages private sector participation, is expected to attract a further $1 billion…

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has declared that the people of Kano, the North, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) will repay President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s gestures of goodwill and support come 2027. Senator Barau made this statement on Monday during the distribution of scholarships at his annual undergraduate scholarship scheme, held at the recently renamed Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano. Addressing a gathering that included key stakeholders from the political and academic communities, Barau praised President Tinubu for his decisive role in approving the institution’s upgrade to a federal university, a move that…

Political tension has gripped Akwa Ibom State following the sudden withdrawal of police security details attached to the immediate past governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, over the weekend. Reports confirmed that all security personnel stationed at Mr Emmanuel’s residences within the state have been recalled, sparking speculation and political backlash. While the reasons behind the move remain unclear, the development has prompted mixed reactions. Some political observers have accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led state government of using the withdrawal as a coercive tactic to pressure Emmanuel into defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he remains a prominent figure.…

Signs of a renewed reconciliation between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political mentor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, are beginning to emerge following a high-level meeting of political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Saturday night. The closed-door session, reportedly convened by the Chairman of the Rivers Elders and Leaders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and key political figures, many of them known loyalists of the FCT Minister. Notable attendees included Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule, Senate caucus leader Barry Mpigi, former NBA…

Supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, have clarified that their recent criticism of the widespread monetisation of primary elections was not targeted at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as some reports have suggested. Speaking in an exclusive interview, Dr Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, said their statement was a general commentary on the state of Nigeria’s democracy and not a personal attack on Atiku. “We are being misrepresented on this issue. Our position was not a response or attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his BBC Hausa interview,” Tanko said.…

Former Edo State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Adams Oshiomhole, has dismissed the chances of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi winning the 2027 presidential election, even if they run on a joint ticket. Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Oshiomhole responded to growing speculation that Atiku and Obi may form a political alliance under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the next general election. He criticised what he described as a “recycling of history,” referring to their previous joint presidential bid in 2019, which ended in defeat to the…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has declared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to wrest control of Abia State from the Labour Party in the 2027 general elections. Speaking on Sunday at a gathering of supporters and APC members held at Abia Hotels in Umuahia, Kalu expressed confidence in the party’s growing influence in the state and reiterated the need for Abia to align with the federal government for greater developmental gains. “We are going to take over Abia in 2027; we want to work with the President to move our state…