The Historica Nigeria

2025

National, News

FEC Approves ₦493bn for Kano–Katsina Road Upgrade, New Carter Bridge

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved ₦493 billion for two major infrastructure projects, the upgrade of the Kano–Katsina Road and the construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos State. Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, announced this while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Umahi explained that the 152-kilometre Kano–Katsina Road, earlier split into two sections under the previous administration, has undergone significant cost adjustments due to economic realities. Read Also: FEC Bans Creation of New Federal Tertiary Institutions for Five Years The first section, spanning 74.1 kilometres, was initially awarded in 2013 for ₦14 billion, later revised to ₦24 billion, and is now updated to ₦68 billion. The second section, covering 79.5 kilometres, was awarded in 2019 for ₦29 billion, increased to ₦46 billion, and has now been revised to ₦66.115 billion. This brings the total cost to about ₦134 billion. Section One is allocated ₦6 billion in the 2024 budget and ₦34 billion in 2025, while Section Two will receive ₦80 billion over the same period. On the Carter Bridge, Umahi revealed that underwater inspections in 2013 and 2019 found severe structural damage caused by illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion. Julius Berger, the contractor handling repairs, advised that the bridge was beyond repair and should be replaced. The new bridge is estimated to cost ₦359 billion, with funding discussions ongoing with Deutsche Bank. Umahi also disclosed that the 3rd Mainland Bridge has similar underwater structural issues, with rehabilitation estimated at ₦3.8 trillion and new construction at ₦3.6 trillion. FEC has approved the engagement of at least seven specialist contractors under an EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing) model to carry out investigations, design, and bidding on both rehabilitation and replacement options for the Carter and 3rd Mainland Bridges. Public-private partnership (PPP) bids will also be considered. The Council also endorsed emergency interventions for several other bridges, including Jalingo Bridge in Taraba State, Ido Bridge with fire damage, Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State, Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, a damaged bridge on the Abuja–Kogi road, bridges along the Lagos–Ibadan corridor affected by vehicle collisions, Jebba Bridge in Kwara State, and the Itokin–Ikorodu Bridge in Lagos. “These emergency works will be detailed and forwarded to Mr. President for approval through the Minister of Finance,” Umahi said.

Business, National, News

NNPC Wins Appeal as Court Overturns Araraume Judgement

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has upheld the appeal filed by NNPC Ltd. against the April 2023 judgement of the Federal High Court, which had annulled the removal of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume as Non-Executive Chairman of the company’s Board and awarded him ₦5 billion in damages. In its ruling on Friday, August 8, 2025, the appellate court set aside the lower court’s decision, sparing NNPC Ltd. from a massive financial payout and removing a legal risk that could have invalidated all Board decisions taken since 2021. Read Also: NNPCL Drills Four Oil Wells in Kolmani, Constructs Gas Plants in Kogi The court agreed with NNPC Ltd.’s position that the earlier judgement was delivered in error, noting, among other points, that the claim was statute-barred. Legal analysts say the ruling not only secures governance stability for NNPC Ltd. but also sets an important corporate governance precedent in Nigerian law. It further upholds the validity of Board resolutions seen as critical to investment confidence and policy direction in the nation’s oil and gas sector. Signed NNPC Ltd. Abuja 13th August, 2025

National, News

Tinubu to Embark on Two-Nation Tour of Japan, Brazil, With Brief Stop in Dubai

President Bola Tinubu will on Thursday, August 14, embark on a two-nation tour of Japan and Brazil, with a brief stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. According to Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President will attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama from August 20 to 22. The meeting, themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa”, will focus on economic growth, private investment, innovation, and building a stable and secure continent. Read Also: FEC Bans Creation of New Federal Tertiary Institutions for Five Years During the summit, Tinubu will hold bilateral talks and meet with top executives of Japanese companies with investments in Nigeria. TICAD, launched in 1993, is organised by the Government of Japan in partnership with the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Union Commission, and the World Bank. From Japan, the President will proceed to Brasilia for a two-day state visit from August 24 to 25 at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. While in Brazil, Tinubu is expected to meet President Lula, attend a business forum, and witness the signing of agreements aimed at boosting trade and cooperation between the two nations.

Education, National, News

FEC Bans Creation of New Federal Tertiary Institutions for Five Years

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved a five-year moratorium on the creation of new federal tertiary educational institutions across Nigeria. The decision, reached during Wednesday’s FEC meeting, means no new federal universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education will be established until at least 2030. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the measure is aimed at addressing systemic inefficiencies in the sector, noting that the challenge is no longer access but the duplication of institutions, which has weakened infrastructure and manpower. Read Also: Sa’adatu Rimi College Holds 2023/2024 Matriculation for BUK-Affiliated Students “In our country, access to quality tertiary education is no longer the main issue,” he stated. “What we are facing is an over-proliferation of new institutions, which reduces the capacity of existing ones and degrades both infrastructure and staffing. If we do not act decisively, the quality of education will suffer and erode the global respect our graduates currently enjoy.” Alausa highlighted that Nigeria already has 72 federal universities, 108 state universities, and 159 private universities, alongside numerous polytechnics, colleges of education, monotechnics, and specialized schools. However, many of these operate far below capacity. For example, he revealed that in the 2024–2026 admission cycles, 199 universities had fewer than 99 applicants, while 34 had no applicants at all. Similarly, 295 polytechnics and 219 colleges of education recorded fewer than 99 applicants, with dozens attracting zero candidates. “This is a waste of resources,” Alausa said, citing one federal university in the North with fewer than 800 students but over 1,200 staff members. “Such situations are not sustainable.” He explained that the moratorium will allow the government to redirect resources toward upgrading facilities, expanding the capacity of existing institutions, and strengthening manpower. “Our goal is to improve quality, not quantity,” he stressed. “We want Nigerian graduates to continue to command respect anywhere in the world.” Alausa commended President Tinubu for his commitment to education reform, noting that his political will has been instrumental in advancing the policy. Nine New Private Universities Approved Despite the moratorium, the minister confirmed that nine new private universities have been approved by the council. He clarified that these approvals were part of a longstanding backlog at the National Universities Commission (NUC), with some applications pending for over six years. “Investors had already built campuses and committed billions of naira,” he said. “We cleared over 350 inactive applications and streamlined the process, leaving 79 active applications, nine of which have now been approved.” The moratorium will also cover new applications for private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, with only proposals that meet the new rigorous standards being considered in the future. Alausa warned that without such reforms, graduate unemployment could worsen and Nigeria’s human capital index could decline due to the increasing number of graduates lacking employable skills. “This policy is necessary to safeguard educational quality and ensure our graduates can meaningfully contribute to the economy,” he reiterated.

Kano, News

Kano Assembly Suspends Rano Local Government Chairman Over Alleged Misconduct

The Kano State House of Assembly (KNHA) has suspended the Chairman of Rano Local Government Council, Alhaji Muhammad Naziru Ya’u, for three months over allegations of misconduct. The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday, presided over by Speaker Alhaji Jibril Isma’il Falgore, following the presentation of an investigative report by the House Committee on Public Petition. Read Also: Kano Government Approves ₦14.8 Billion for Major Developmental Projects Presenting the report, the Committee Chairman and Majority Leader, Alhaji Lawan Hussaini Dala, said the probe was prompted by a petition signed by nine out of the ten councillors in Rano. The petition accused the chairman of financial recklessness, sale of shops, and diversion of fertilizer meant for the local government, among other allegations. Lawan explained that although the chairman denied the accusations, the lawmakers, acting under Section 128 of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 55 (1–6) of the Kano State Local Government Law 2006, recommended his suspension for three months to allow for a thorough investigation. Other recommendations included the immediate submission of Rano LGA’s 2025 financial statement and the appointment of the vice chairman to serve in an acting capacity during the suspension period. After deliberations, the House unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations, thereby suspending the chairman and placing the local government council under temporary oversight.

Education, Kano, News

Sa’adatu Rimi College Holds 2023/2024 Matriculation for BUK-Affiliated Students

Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education Kumbotso, on Tuesday held its 2023/2024 matriculation ceremony for over 400 new undergraduate students admitted through its affiliation with Bayero University, Kano (BUK). The event marked the beginning of their academic journey in various degree programmes, according to a statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Shamsudden Ahmad, on behalf of the Director, Public Relations. In his address, the Provost of the College, Dr. Kabiru Ahmed Gwarzo, welcomed the new students and underscored the importance of academic excellence, discipline, and integrity. He noted that the large number of matriculating students reflects the passion and commitment of Kano’s youth towards teacher education. Read Also: Progress Over Propaganda: How Dr. Gwaram is Redefining Leadership at FCAPT Dr. Gwarzo commended the Kano State Government under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for its timely interventions in uplifting the education sector. He urged the students to attend lectures regularly, complete all assignments, and avoid deviant behaviour or other vices that could jeopardise their safety and academic progress. Representing the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Salihu Lawan Malumfashi congratulated the students on gaining admission into what he described as “one of the greatest citadels of learning in Nigeria.” He encouraged them to take full advantage of modern academic facilities and resources to excel in their studies. He also stressed the importance of commitment, attendance, and seriousness in Continuous Assessment (CA) to justify their selection from among many who were not fortunate to secure admission. The Registrar of the College, Dr. Atika Bala Maiyafe, mni, administered the matriculation oath to the students, formally welcoming them into the academic community.

Kano, National, News

Kano Welcomes NUJ NEC, Renews Commitment to Press Freedom

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State on Tuesday pledged to create an enabling environment for media practitioners to operate without interference, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to a free, credible, and responsible press. Yusuf, represented by his Deputy, Aminu Gwarzo, made the pledge while receiving Alhassan Yahaya, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and members of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) at the Government House. He commended the NUJ for selecting Kano as the venue for its NEC meeting, describing the choice as a testament to the cordial working relationship between the state government and the media. Read Also: Kano Online Media Chapel Invites Digital Journalists to Join as Membership Drive Begins The governor highlighted his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, youth and women empowerment, stressing that the government remains committed to delivering more impactful projects to improve citizens’ lives. NUJ President, Alhassan Yahaya, expressed appreciation to the Kano State Government for hosting the meeting and lauded the developmental progress witnessed in the state. He noted that during an inspection tour of the metropolis, the delegation was impressed by the state’s strides in infrastructure development. “We are overwhelmed by the progress made in terms of infrastructural transformation taking place in Kano,” Yahaya said, urging the government to sustain its support for the media. Earlier, Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, welcomed the NUJ executives and emphasised the importance of strong collaboration between the government and the media. The NUJ NEC meeting is expected to deliberate on key issues affecting journalism in Nigeria, including media welfare, journalist safety, and strategies for safeguarding press freedom.

National, News, Sokoto

EFCC Releases Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal After Interrogation

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released former Sokoto State Governor and serving Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. Tambuwal was reportedly freed on Tuesday evening after hours of questioning at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. Read Also: EFCC Grills Former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal Over Alleged N189bn Withdrawals Although the EFCC has yet to officially disclose details of the interrogation, sources said it was connected to investigations into alleged financial mismanagement during his tenure as governor.

Kano, News

Kano Launches Safe Corridor Project to Rehabilitate Political Thugs

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has flagged off the Kano Safe Corridor Project, a peace and rehabilitation initiative targeting young political agitators in the state. The project conceived by former Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Usaini Gumel seeks to reform and reintegrate youths involved in political violence. So far, 718 repentant agitators have pledged to abandon thuggery and embrace productive ventures. The governor’s announcement came during a strategic interface meeting at the Ministry of Transport Conference Hall, Goron Dutse, which brought together cluster leaders of the repentant youth. Read Also: Kano Government Approves ₦14.8 Billion for Major Developmental Projects State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ibrahim Garba Waiya, stressed that the initiative was non-political and urged participants to seize the opportunity for reform. “You are all sons of Kano,” Waiya said. “Some of you may have been drawn into thuggery unintentionally, but now you have the chance to start small businesses or seek rehabilitation support from agencies like the NDLEA. Time is not on your side. You must reform and repent.” He also cautioned against renewed violence, warning that Kano’s reputation as home to Nigeria’s richest man must not be tarnished. A defining moment of the meeting came when Waiya asked the youths if they had resolved to abandon violence. Their unified response of “yes” drew applause from attendees. Sarkin Shanun Kano, Shehu Muhammad, described the gathering as significant for both Kano and Nigeria, lamenting the persistence of thuggery while noting that youths from other regions were making global strides. Elder statesman, Alhaji Gidado Mukhtar, praised Governor Yusuf’s approach, likening it to the inclusive leadership style of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero. “You are all our sons and daughters,” Mukhtar said, reaffirming the communal spirit behind the initiative. The Safe Corridor Project will provide mentorship, economic support, and rehabilitation services to participants, with backing from traditional leaders, government officials, and community elders. Officials say the programme could become a model for other states struggling with youth unrest and political manipulation, sending a clear message: reconciliation, reform, and reintegration are achievable and already in motion in Kano.

National, News

EFCC Grills Former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal Over Alleged N189bn Withdrawals

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently interrogating former Sokoto State Governor and serving senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals amounting to N189 billion. Sources within the anti-graft agency disclosed that the withdrawals are in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Read Also: Tinubu Names Nasir Bala Ja’oji Senior Special Assistant on Citizenship and Leadership Tambuwal, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023 and was Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015, reportedly arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja around 11:30 a.m. on Monday. He was said to have faced a panel of investigators over the alleged financial infractions. When contacted, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined to comment on the development.

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