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  The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for alleging that both the PDP and APC are responsible for the insecurity and economic hardship in the country. In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday by its spokesman, Hon. Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC dismissed Atiku’s remarks as a delusional outburst, accusing the former vice president of contributing significantly to the challenges Nigeria faces. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar  The party alleged that Atiku played a central role in the economic difficulties associated with the privatisation exercise carried out during the Obasanjo administration, which it described as a scandalous auction of national assets.  It further blamed him, along with the PDP, for policy failures which it said created the foundation for present-day insecurity and economic strain. The statement also criticised Atiku’s long political career, describing him as a serial...

  President Bola Tinubu has strengthened his push for a more inclusive diplomatic corps with the submission of 32 additional ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, featuring increased female representation and broad regional balance. The new list comprises 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees, with 10 women included across both categories, four among career nominees and six among non-career nominees.  This marks one of the administration’s most gender-diverse batches of diplomatic nominations so far. Notable female nominees include former Oyo First Lady, Florence Ajimobi; former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo; former Lagos Commissioner, Lola Akande; former Senator Grace Bent; Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa); Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia); and Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo). The list also reflects broad geographic inclusion, with nominees drawn from all six geopolitical zones, covering states such as Abia, Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Lagos, Ondo,...

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday received former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following Jonathan’s return from Guinea-Bissau. Jonathan had travelled to the West African country on an election monitoring mission. His visit had raised concerns after a military takeover occurred during his stay in the country. The former president was received by Tinubu upon his arrival, after which both men held a brief meeting behind closed doors.

  The Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof Ali Pate, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders working in public health have rallied the Senate for an upward review and restructuring of the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) Tax.  They also called for a shift from the current specific excise of N10 imposed on each litre of sugary drink to a stronger ad valorem, percentage-based system that raises the overall rate and secures dedicated revenue for strengthening Nigeria’s health sector. Speaking during a public hearing in Abuja on Thursday, organised by the Senate Joint Committee on Finance, Customs and Excise, they said Nigeria was experiencing a surge in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) linked to excessive consumption of sugary drinks and unhealthy diets, and that formerly rare diseases such as diabetes, stroke, obesity and heart diseases are now some of the leading causes of premature death. The public hearing was on a bill, sponsored by Senator Ipalibo Harry...

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency and the approval of an additional 20,000 new police recruits to reinforce security operations across the country. The party described the move as a “bold and historic step” toward strengthening national security, noting that the new approval brings the total number of police personnel cleared for recruitment under the Tinubu administration to 50,000, following an earlier approval for 30,000 officers. In a statement on Thursday, the Lagos APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, said the President’s directive demonstrated “decisive and courageous leadership” aimed at restoring peace and stability nationwide. Oladejo also welcomed the President’s call on the National Assembly to review existing laws to enable states that require it to establish state police.  He said the proposal represented a major shift in Nigeria’s policing structure and co...

President Bola Tinubu President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and authorised an immediate expansion of personnel across the Armed Forces, as part of new measures to tackle rising insecurity in several parts of the country. In a statement issued from the State House, the President directed the Nigeria Police Force to recruit an additional 20,000 personnel, raising the total number of new police intakes earlier approved to 50,000.  The Nigerian Army was also authorised to embark on further recruitment to boost manpower in conflict-prone areas. The President said the new directive was necessitated by the evolving security situation across the country and the need to deploy more personnel to “security-challenged areas.” He also ordered the police to convert National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps into temporary training depots, complementing the ongoing upgrade of police training facilities nationwide. Additionally, police officers being withdra...

  The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s decision to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is further proof that he lacks the ideological discipline, emotional stability, and political consistency required to lead a complex nation like Nigeria. In a statement issued by its spokesman, Hon. Seye Oladejo, the party said Atiku’s political record, spanning over two decades of crisscrossing five major political parties,shows a pattern of personal ambition overriding national interest. “Atiku’s latest move is not about governance, service, or reform,” Oladejo said. “It is an unending search for a political platform that can accommodate his desperate ambition. Unfortunately, Nigerians have moved past that era.” The APC noted that while other leaders are consolidating democratic institutions and contributing to national development, Atiku’s political trajectory remains marked by instability. “He has built no p...

  Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Nigerians living in Qatar to support the Federal Government’s efforts to restore the nation’s global standing through innovation and collaboration. She made the appeal during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community in Doha on the sidelines of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), where she is participating as a keynote speaker. Senator Tinubu said Nigerians abroad must see themselves as “agents of change” who can help drive development through knowledge transfer, partnerships and mentoring young people at home. “The Nigeria that gave us the opportunity to be what we are today—our youth also deserve it,” she said. “We need to hold on to the optimism that our dear nation will be great again. See all the wonderful things you are all doing. I thank you for making Nigeria proud.” The First Lady encouraged the innovators and startup founders present to collaborate with local institutions, adding t...

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for a global approach to technological innovation that prioritises human values, warning that the world must not allow technology to overshadow humanity. She made the remark while speaking at the “Education Above All” plenary of the 12th World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in Doha, Qatar, where she appeared alongside First Ladies of Lebanon and Syria. Senator Tinubu said the world’s rapid shift into the digital era requires a careful balance, insisting that “technology must lead, but humanity must guide.” She noted that Nigeria is committed to building a future where education remains the foundation of national development. L-R First Lady of Syria , Latifa Al-Droubi, First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Founder of Qatar Foundation,Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser in a warm handshake at the 12th World Innovation Summit for Education, WISE The First Lady praised Qatar’s investments in education and reaffir...

  L-R: Osagie Aghedo, Human Resources Manager, Savannah Energy, Nigeria; Michael Thomas, Founder and Partner, Partners in Africa, presenting the “Best in Promoting People Leadership Practices (Medium Category)” award won by Savannah Energy, Nigeria; Francesca Enase, Senior HR Business Partner, Savannah Energy, Nigeria, and Okwudili Onyia, Communications Manager, Savannah Energy, Nigeria during the 2025 Best Practices Awards in Nigeria organised by the Great Place to Work Institute in Lagos recently. Savannah Energy PLC, the British independent energy company, has been named the Best in Promoting People Leadership Practices (Medium Category) at the 2025 Great Place to Work Institute’s Best Practices Awards held in Lagos. In addition to the award, Savannah Energy Nigeria also received the Great Place to Work certification for 2025-2026, recognising its commitment to fostering an inclusive, high-performing work environment. The awards, organised annually by the Great Place to Work Ins...

  The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed accusations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that President Bola Tinubu has “surrendered” to terrorists, describing the opposition’s remarks as irresponsible and unfounded. In a statement on Monday, the party’s spokesman, Hon. Seye Oladejo, said the President’s recent security decisions, including the temporary closure of schools in some states and the cancellation of a foreign trip, were strategic measures aimed at protecting citizens and strengthening ongoing rescue operations. Oladejo said the successful rescue of 38 abducted persons in Eruku, Kwara State, demonstrated the effectiveness of the administration’s approach to tackling insecurity.  He noted that efforts were ongoing to free other victims held in captivity. According to him, the PDP’s criticism reflected frustration, insisting that the opposition lacked the moral authority to speak on national security, given its past record in ha...

  CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the national chapter of Transparency International Nigeria, has expressed serious concern over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, particularly the increasing attacks on schoolchildren and the strain on the country’s security institutions. In a statement signed by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation warned that an “uncoordinated and politicised” security strategy is leaving millions of citizens, especially children, vulnerable to preventable danger. Rafsanjani noted that the Nigerian Army remains heavily deployed across most states despite constitutional provisions placing primary responsibility for internal security on the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS).  He cited corruption, inadequate equipment, poor welfare systems, and weak inter-agency cooperation as factors ...

Civil society organisations working in tobacco control have commended the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and the Nigerian delegation for what they described as “outstanding leadership” at the 11th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) in Geneva. In a joint statement, the groups praised Nigeria’s firm stance against tobacco industry interference and its consistent support for public health measures throughout the global conference, which held from 17 to 22 November and drew more than 1,400 delegates from 162 Parties. The statement was signed by Corporate Accountability & Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), the Centre for Youth Inclusion & Development (CYID), and the Civic Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC). The organisations said Nigeria played a prominent role at COP11, especially through strong interventions supporting stric...

President Bola Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of police officers assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, ordering that they be redeployed to strengthen core policing duties nationwide. The directive was issued during a security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja with service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS). A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said under the new arrangement, VIPs requiring security escorts will now obtain armed protection from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The statement said the move is aimed at boosting police presence in communities, particularly in remote areas where stations are understaffed and security gaps remain significant. In response to the ongoing security challenges, President Tinubu has also approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel.  The Federal Government is also collaborating...

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh The Lagos State Police Command has denied reports claiming that the Commissioner of Police defied a court order relating to the Nestoil premises, describing the allegations as untrue, unfounded and mischievous. In a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebesi, the police said the publication and a related television interview misrepresented facts and attempted to cast aspersions on the neutrality of the Commissioner of Police. According to the statement, the Command received the court order concerning the Nestoil property at about 5:50 p.m. on November 20, 2025. The order was immediately forwarded to the Police Legal Department for verification and confirmation from the issuing court. “The response to the confirmation was received on the evening of November 21, 2025. Subsequent to this, all police personnel in the premises were withdrawn immediately in compliance with the court order,” the Command sa...

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for rejecting the proposed life sentence for detained  leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, accusing him of politicising issues of national security. In a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesman, Hon. Seye Oladejo, the party said Obi’s comments on the ongoing judicial process were “reckless” and aimed at gaining political relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections. Oladejo said Obi had “shamelessly inserted himself” into a legal matter before the courts, describing his intervention as an attempt “to harvest sympathy” after losing political influence. “Obi’s misguided attempt to tackle the Federal Government and reject a valid court ruling is nothing more than the cry of a man whose political career is in its last throes,” the APC spokesman said. Peter Obi  The party accused the former Anambra State governor of doub...

  The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged that recent security breaches across parts of the country may be linked to internal sabotage and collaboration between terrorist groups and what it described as enemies within the nation’s security and political systems. In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its spokesperson, Mogaji (Hon.) Seye Oladejo, the party said the pattern of recent attacks suggests coordinated insider involvement, claiming that certain individuals were aiding violent groups in undermining national security. According to the APC, the precision of some attacks, the timing of security breaches, and what it described as deliberate weakening of security posts point to “internal compromise rather than operational lapses.” The party further alleged that some actors within the political space were amplifying the narratives of criminal groups for partisan advantage. While the statement linked the surge in attacks to external provo...

Late Inspector Vincent Tolulope A former Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Abiodun Alabi (Rtd), has expressed deep sorrow over the death of his long-serving Orderly, Inspector Vincent Tolulope, who died in a fatal motor accident on Wednesday, November 20, 2025. In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Joshua Uloko, the retired police chief described the loss as deeply personal and painfully irreparable, noting that Inspector Tolulope was more than just a security aide. The late officer died after his vehicle was involved in a lone crash, leaving colleagues and senior officers within the Nigeria Police Force shocked and devastated. DIG Alabi said Inspector Tolulope served with rare loyalty, discipline, and commitment, describing him as “my right-hand man, my brother in uniform, and a friend whose loyalty knew no bounds.” “Every officer dreams of having someone so dependable and selfless by their side. Losing him is like losing a part of my own family,” he said. Colleagues of the l...

By Opeyemi Ibitoye The global health landscape is undergoing a silent yet profound transformation. Where infectious diseases once reigned supreme, a new wave of chronic conditions, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, are taking their place, driven largely by what we choose to eat. The price of convenience and the ubiquity of cheap, ultra-processed foods are creating a dual public health crisis, and Nigeria must now address not just hunger, but the quality of every meal. Nigeria faces a significant and escalating diabetes burden. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the national prevalence of diabetes among adults aged 20–79 was estimated at 3% in 2024, translating to approximately 3 million adults living with the condition. This gives Nigeria the highest absolute number of adults with diabetes in the African region. However, recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggest that the true burden may be considerab...

Vice President Kashim Shettima and Governor Muhammed Nasir Idris Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s deep concern over the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, assuring families that the Federal Government will deploy every instrument of the state to secure their release and bring the perpetrators to justice. Speaking in Birnin Kebbi during a sympathy visit to the state on the President’s directive, Shettima described the abduction of the students of the Government Girls’ Boarding School, Maga, as “an assault on the nation’s collective conscience.” “President Tinubu is deeply troubled by this tragedy. He shares your anguish,” the Vice President said. “Our priority is clear: our daughters must return home safely. The government will not relent. Every instrument of the state will be used to ensure the perpetrators face the full weight of justice.” The Vice President also extended the President’s condolences to the families of the late Brigadie...

  President Bola Tinubu President Bola Tinubu has postponed his planned trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, to receive further security briefings following recent attacks in Kebbi and Kwara states. The President had been scheduled to depart Abuja on Wednesday for the 20th G20 Summit of Leaders in South Africa and later attend the 7th AU–EU Summit in Angola.  However, the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and Monday’s attack on worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, prompted the suspension of his travel plans. According to the Presidency, the decision follows fresh requests from the Governor of Kwara State for enhanced security presence in Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area.  President Tinubu has consequently directed the military and police to deploy additional personnel to the area and to pursue the attackers involved in the church incident. The President is also awaiting detailed reports from Vice Pre...

  Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris The Federal Government has activated what it describes as the highest level of national security alert following renewed terrorist attacks and violent crimes in parts of the country. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this on Wednesday at a press briefing in Abuja, stating that President Bola Tinubu has ordered an intensified nationwide security operation to track, neutralise, and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks. Idris conveyed the President’s condolences to families affected by recent incidents, including the killing of a senior Army General, the abduction of students in Kebbi State, and an attack on a church in Kwara State, describing them as “painful reminders of the threats confronting the nation.” He said President Tinubu has suspended his scheduled international engagements, including attendance at the G20 Summit in South Africa, to focus on domestic security ...