The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, over an ongoing probe into alleged certificate forgery.
DSS operatives picked up Nnaji on Tuesday as he arrived at the airport. While the agency has not issued an official statement, sources familiar with the matter said the arrest is linked to investigations into discrepancies in academic credentials submitted during his public service.
Nnaji, a prominent All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Enugu State, served as minister under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He was also the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections.
The DSS has yet to confirm charges or provide details of the allegations. Efforts to reach Nnaji’s media team for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.
The arrest comes amid renewed scrutiny of public officials’ academic records. If confirmed, this would mark one of the most high-profile certificate forgery cases involving a former cabinet member.
This is a developing story. The DSS is expected to release a formal statement in the coming hours.
The Federal Government is considering a new uniform for National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members to replace the scheme’s iconic khaki, as part of sweeping reforms approved by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Monday.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed the plan on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he cited Adire fabric as a possible replacement.
“It’s Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun; we have them in Kwara; we have textile industries. Let’s put our money back into the country,” Olawande said.
The minister explained that the move is intended to promote local textile production and ensure government spending supports the Nigerian economy.
Clarification After Backlash
Hours after the interview, Olawande clarified that no fabric has been approved. In a statement on his official social media account, he said his remarks were misunderstood and that both Adire and Ankara were cited as examples of proposals being considered.
“No final decision has been taken on the fabric or design. Options are being evaluated for professional outlook, national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and promotion of local industry,” he said.
Part of Wider NYSC Overhaul
The proposed uniform change forms part of the most extensive reforms to the NYSC since its establishment in 1973. Other approved changes include:
Civilian leadership – NYSC to be headed by a civilian Director-General
Extended orientation – Camp duration increased from 3 to 6 weeks
Skills-based posting – Corps members to be deployed according to academic background
Scrapping of POP – Passing Out Parade to be replaced with a graduation ceremony
New training footwear – Crocs and light training shoes to replace heavy boots
Mixed Reactions
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions. Critics on social media argued that Adire is Yoruba cultural heritage and not a national fabric. Others called for a design that reflects Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa cultures collectively.
The FEC has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to prepare amendments to the NYSC Act to give legal backing to the reforms.
The minister urged Nigerians not to allow the debate over the uniform to overshadow broader objectives of the reforms, which aim to improve employability, promote entrepreneurship, and strengthen national integration.
ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has ordered a fresh evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa following a surge in xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
The directive comes after reports of renewed violence against Nigerian businesses and residents in parts of Johannesburg and Pretoria. Several shops owned by Nigerians were looted and set ablaze over the weekend, with community leaders confirming injuries but no deaths as of press time.
The Federal Government said the evacuation will be coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM. Air Peace has been contacted to provide aircraft for the operation, similar to previous evacuations carried out in 2019 and 2023.
In a statement, the Presidency condemned the attacks and called on South African authorities to protect all Africans living within its borders. The government also urged calm among Nigerians at home and abroad, warning against retaliatory actions.
This is the latest in a series of xenophobic flare-ups that have strained Nigeria–South Africa relations over the past decade. Thousands of Nigerians have been evacuated in past operations, while diplomatic efforts have focused on early warning systems and compensation for victims.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a register is being opened at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria for Nigerians who wish to return. It advised citizens in South Africa to avoid volatile areas and remain in contact with the mission.
South African police say arrests have been made, but local groups blame foreign nationals for unemployment and crime — claims the Nigerian government has consistently rejected.
ABUJA — The National Assembly has emerged as the least trusted institution of government in Nigeria, overtaking the Nigeria Police Force, according to a new independent report on social cohesion.
The 2026 Social Cohesion Report by the Africa Polling Institute, API, shows that 77% of Nigerians have “no trust” in the National Assembly. The legislature ranked below the Police, which had long held the bottom spot in public trust surveys. API described itself as an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan opinion research think-tank. The report was released at the weekend.
The findings point to deepening public disillusionment with lawmakers amid economic hardship, security concerns, and perceptions of weak oversight. Trust in key institutions is a core indicator of social cohesion, and analysts warn that low confidence in parliament could affect legislative legitimacy and citizen participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The trust deficit comes as the Senate pushes the 2026 State Police Bill, which it says reflects “national consensus”. Other institutions have also faced scrutiny: INEC and political parties recently clashed over access codes to upload candidates’ particulars, while over ₦53.3 trillion was shared to the three tiers of government from FAAC in three years.
The report is expected to spark fresh debate on legislative accountability, constituency projects, and the cost of governance. Civil society groups have repeatedly called for more transparency in National Assembly spending and voting records. API did not release trust figures for the executive or judiciary in the excerpts available, but said the full report covers multiple governance indicators.
ABUJA — The Federal Government has warned petroleum marketers against profiteering and called for an immediate reduction in pump prices, amid growing public frustration over fuel costs.
What the FG said
The government said current margins being charged by some marketers are “unjustifiable” given recent developments in supply and distribution. It urged depot owners and filling stations to reflect market realities and avoid actions that worsen hardship for Nigerians.
Officials stressed that government is working to stabilize supply and improve distribution networks. They warned that regulatory agencies will step up monitoring and sanctions against any operator found hoarding or arbitrarily hiking prices.
Market context
The warning comes as transport and food costs remain high, with many Nigerians still adjusting to deregulated fuel pricing. Last week, the Nigerian stock market saw heavy selloffs, with investors losing over ₦2.4 trillion amid broader economic concerns.
The three tiers of government received about ₦53.3 trillion from FAAC over the past three years, but states and citizens continue to feel pressure from inflation and cost of living.
What happens next
The FG said it will engage with the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, to ensure compliance. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, is expected to begin market surveillance this week.
Marketers have not formally responded as of press time. Analysts say any price reduction would depend on forex stability, landing costs, and distribution margins.
ABUJA — The Senate says the 2026 State Police Bill represents a broad national consensus and not political expediency, as debate over decentralized policing intensifies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
What the Senate said
Speaking at the weekend, the Senate maintained that the bill, which seeks to establish state police across the federation, is driven by the need to address Nigeria’s security challenges. Lawmakers argued that the legislation has the backing of most stakeholders and should not be dismissed as a political move.
Obi questions the speed
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has questioned the pace at which the bill is moving through the National Assembly. He called for wider consultations, warning against rushing a constitutional amendment of such magnitude without deep public engagement.
Why it’s trending now
The bill has resurfaced as a major talking point amid persistent security issues — from insurgency in the northeast to armed banditry in the northwest and separatist unrest in the southeast. Proponents argue that state police would bring security closer to communities and improve response times.
Critics, however, cite fears of abuse by state governors and the financial burden on states already struggling with allocations.
What’s next
The bill is part of ongoing constitutional amendment efforts. For it to become law, it must pass both chambers of the National Assembly and secure approval from at least 24 state Houses of Assembly.
The debate comes as parties gear up for 2027, with security and restructuring expected to be key campaign issues.
President Bola Tinubu has approved a comprehensive overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps, with the Federal Government saying the 52-year-old scheme must be redesigned to address unemployment, funding gaps, and manpower needs.
The reform plan moves away from the 1993 framework.
Key changes in the draft reforms include a three-tier system at national, state, and local levels, with decentralized funding to reduce reliance on federal allocations described as fragile and unsustainable. Corps members will be posted to priority areas including teaching, health, agriculture, the digital economy, climate resilience, and public infrastructure to match national manpower needs.
The plan also includes post-service credit access for entrepreneurs and skill acquisition programs, with the goal of producing job creators rather than only job seekers. A proposed ₦2 billion fund will finance digital systems, seed grants, and governance reforms.
An additional 50,000 graduates have been approved for 2026, bringing planned mobilisation to 418,000. The scheme now mobilizes about 400,000 corps members yearly, compared to 2,364 in 1973. The ₦77,000 monthly allowance is already in place, and the reforms will also tackle corps member rejection and welfare gaps.
Officials said the scheme cannot run on a 1993 framework in a 2025 economy and must be redesigned to be modern, fiscally sustainable, digitally enabled, and aligned with sectoral manpower needs.
ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu on Friday announced a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria’s military leadership, appointing new service chiefs in a bid to strengthen the country’s security architecture amid persistent threats.
New Service Chiefs Named
The Presidency said all appointments take immediate effect. The changes are:
Chief of Defence Staff: General Olufemi Oluyede replaces General Christopher Musa
Chief of Army Staff: Major-General W. Shaibu
Chief of Air Staff: Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke
Chief of Naval Staff: Rear Admiral I. Abbas replaces Emmanuel Ogalla
Chief of Defence Intelligence: Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position
Presidency: Move Aimed at ‘New Direction’
President Tinubu said the reshuffle was necessary to “further strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture” in the face of evolving challenges. He thanked the outgoing chiefs for their “selfless service and dedicated leadership” and charged the new team to deepen professionalism, vigilance, and unity.
Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the action was to “inject new direction, energy, and focus” into the security sector, and dismissed claims that it was linked to coup rumours.
Security Context
The shake-up comes as Nigeria continues to battle Islamist insurgencies in the northeast, armed banditry in the northwest, and separatist unrest in the southeast. It is Tinubu’s second major security leadership overhaul since taking office in 2023.
Analysts say the changes reflect Tinubu’s push for intelligence-driven operations, better inter-agency coordination, and modernization of defence infrastructure. Retired officers described the timing as “timely” and consistent with two-year tenure rotations.
ABUJA — The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and political parties are at odds over the issuance of access codes for the commission’s candidate nomination portal, raising concerns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party officials said yesterday that the process of obtaining the codes has been “not smooth,” and warned that delays could affect their ability to upload candidates’ particulars before INEC’s deadline.
The access codes are required for recognized political parties to log into INEC’s portal and submit the names, credentials, photographs, and affidavits of their candidates. Without the codes, parties cannot make any uploads.
Parties are urging INEC to open the process to all political parties without interference, saying every party must be allowed to participate fully in the nomination process.
INEC has not issued a detailed public response to the latest complaints as of press time. In previous election cycles, the commission said the portal and code system are designed to secure uploads and prevent duplicate or fraudulent entries.
Electoral analysts note that timely candidate uploads are a critical first step before primaries and final nominations. Delays or technical hitches at this stage have in the past led to disqualifications, court challenges, and last-minute substitutions.
The dispute comes as parties begin early preparations for 2027, with INEC expected to release the full election timetable in the coming months.
ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu on Friday signed the National Identity Management Commission Act 2026 into law at the State House, Abuja, marking a major overhaul of Nigeria’s digital identity system.
President Tinubu said the legislation replaces a nearly 20-year-old framework with a modern, fully digital identity infrastructure. The Act makes NIMC Nigeria’s Root Certification Authority for the National Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure. According to the President, this means NIMC “holds the keys to trust in our digital economy: every digital signature, every secure transaction, and every verified identity”.
The law also aligns the country’s identity management system with the Nigerian Data Protection Act. Tinubu said personal information “cannot be accessed without your consent… cannot be used beyond the purpose for which you gave it”. The Act introduces a five-year jail term and other penalties for identity-related offences, and it reinforces the National Identification Number as the cornerstone of identity verification and the “One Person, One Identity” principle.
Tinubu said the law will position Nigeria’s identity system to support the $1 trillion economy ambition. Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said NIMC’s integrated database helped arrest 7 suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders at Katsina Airport last week, and noted that passport and driver’s licence processing are now linked to NIMC data.
The signing was witnessed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, AGF Lateef Fagbemi, and NIMC DG Abisoye Coker-Odusote. NIMC described it as a “landmark reform” to strengthen cybersecurity, data protection, financial inclusion, and digital transformation.
