Outrage as Maitama Remains in Darkness, Isaac Fayose Laments Power Failure …….

Social commentator Isaac Fayose has raised concerns over persistent power outage in Maitama, Abuja’s most expensive and prestigious district. Fayose expressed frustration that despite the area’s elite status and high cost of living, residents have been left without electricity. He described the situation as unacceptable and reflective of deeper problems in Nigeria’s power sector. The complaint has sparked reactions online, with many Nigerians questioning how a top government and diplomatic area can suffer prolonged blackout while authorities remain silent.

Why Is Bayelsa Government House Budgeting ₦1.2 Billion for Foreign Trips, ₦500 Million for VIP Hosting, and ₦100 Million for Christmas Decorations in 2026 While Hospitals Remain Underfunded?

Fresh scrutiny has been placed on the Bayelsa State Government following revelations from the 2026 budget estimates showing massive allocations for luxury and administrative spending at the Government House, even as critical public institutions, particularly the healthcare sector, remain severely underfunded.

A review of the budget by SaharaReporters indicates that ₦100 million has been earmarked for Christmas decorations at the Government House alone. In addition, ₦500 million is allocated for hosting VIPs throughout the year, while an even more staggering ₦1.2 billion is budgeted for international travel by the Governor’s office in 2026.

These figures have triggered public debate over priorities, especially in a state facing infrastructure gaps, rising cost of living, and fragile healthcare services.

The spending plan appears even more controversial when placed beside Bayelsa’s health-sector allocations. Budget performance documents reveal that between January and September 2025, ₦401 million was spent on international medical trips, yet only ₦5.5 million was allocated to capital expenditure for the state-owned Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) within the same period.

A similar pattern was recorded in previous years. In 2024, the state reportedly spent ₦306 million on foreign medical treatment between January and September, while just ₦71 million went into capital projects at NDUTH, despite a total annual budget of ₦780 million for the hospital. In 2023 alone, Bayelsa reportedly spent ₦872.8 million on overseas medical care, reinforcing concerns that public funds are being channelled abroad instead of strengthening local health infrastructure.

Critics argue that the 2026 allocations for foreign travel, VIP hospitality, and festive décor reflect a continued culture of elite comfort over public welfare. They say the government’s financial choices raise serious questions about governance priorities in a state where public hospitals struggle with outdated equipment, limited facilities, and underfunding.

The controversy also revives earlier national debates on medical tourism by public officials. In 2022, lawmakers at the federal level attempted to amend the National Health Act 2014 with a bill proposing a ₦500 million fine or seven years’ imprisonment for public officers who fund overseas medical treatment with public resources. Although the bill failed after intense debate, its intent was clear: to force leaders to invest in Nigeria’s healthcare system rather than abandoning it.

With Bayelsa’s 2026 budget now in focus, many citizens are asking whether the state government is prioritising public service or political comfort. Should billions be spent on foreign trips, VIP entertainment, and decorations while hospitals lack basic equipment and capital funding? And at what point does official spending become a symbol of misplaced priorities?

As economic pressures mount and calls for fiscal responsibility grow louder, the Bayelsa budget has become a test case for accountability, transparency, and the true meaning of governance in a democracy.

TUC Urges Nigerian Government to Review Workers’ Salaries and Allowances Amid Rising Inflation and Cost of Living in 2026

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on all levels of government to urgently review and increase workers’ salaries and allowances in response to the rising cost of living and persistent inflation affecting Nigerian workers.

In a statement issued on Monday by President Festus Osifo and General Secretary Nuhu Toro, the TUC expressed concern that workers’ purchasing power has been significantly eroded, emphasizing that the review of allowances should serve as an immediate relief measure ahead of the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage in 2027.

The union warned that workers should not bear the brunt of economic reforms without safeguards and urged them to remain united and vigilant in defending their rights and welfare. The TUC reaffirmed its commitment to building a strong, solidarity-based labour movement capable of advocating for workers and protecting their interests across Nigeria.

Tinubu Urged to Sack Finance Minister Wale Edun Over Alleged Poor Economic Management

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been called upon to immediately remove the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, over allegations of poor handling of Nigeria’s economy. The call was made by political activist Theophilus Abu Agada, who publicly criticised Edun’s performance since assuming office in 2023.
In a social media post, Agada described Edun as a “terrible manager of the economy,” arguing that Nigeria’s economic challenges have been poorly addressed under his leadership. He claimed that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, has been shielding the finance minister through what he termed a more competent and proactive performance at the apex bank.
Agada further accused President Tinubu of making a grave mistake by entrusting the nation’s economic management to someone he described as having “stale and outdated” knowledge of economic realities. He insisted that Edun’s continued stay in office is detrimental to Nigeria’s economic recovery and urged the president to act swiftly by relieving him of his duties.
The statement has added to ongoing public debates and criticisms surrounding the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, reforms, and appointments, especially amid rising inflation, currency pressures, and cost-of-living concerns across the country.

Tinubu Will Lose 2027 Election, He Never Truly Won In 2023 — Senator Abaribe Claims Amid Hardship, Insecurity

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South Senatorial District, has predicted that President Bola Tinubu will lose the 2027 general election, insisting that the President never genuinely won the 2023 polls. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Abaribe said widespread hardship, economic collapse and worsening insecurity have eroded public support for the Tinubu administration. He claimed that many APC supporters are afraid to openly declare support for the President in their hometowns due to fear of backlash. The lawmaker argued that rising cost of living and insecurity have made it impossible for Tinubu to secure grassroots backing ahead of 2027, despite court rulings upholding his 2023 election victory.

JAPA: If you’re earning a good salary in Nigeria, it’s better to stay than move the U.K for a job you’ll despise — DJ DSF

On a recent episode of Jay On Air Podcast, media personality Ms DSF shed light on the realities of working abroad, cautioning that not all opportunities overseas are as lucrative as they appear.

“People think you’re abroad and you’re making pounds. They could be abroad doing a cleaner job, making however much per hour. You probably have better opportunities here in Nigeria,” she said, stressing that a good salary at home may outweigh taking a job abroad that one dislikes.

Ms DSF highlighted the high cost of living in the UK, noting, “Do you know how much rent is in the UK? Do you know how much public transport is there? Before you even make your salary, let’s say you’re doing cleaner work or driving a taxi.”

Sharing a personal example, she recounted her father’s experience: “When my dad first went, he was a taxi driver. Imagine what he was making while trying to take care of his whole family me, my brother, all my siblings, my mum. He was working 9 to 5, then 5 to 9… taxi driver, security, accountant just to make a little money.”

Ms DSF concluded by acknowledging that earning abroad can be appealing but comes with challenges: “I get it, like if you make it in the UK it’s great because pounds are stronger and it’s nice to make pounds, but it’s not like that you really have to hustle to build your way up.”

UK Doctors Begin Five-Day Strike Over Pay and Training Posts.

Thousands of doctors in England began a five-day strike on Friday, marking the 13th walkout by medics since March 2023. 

The action started at 0700 GMT and involves resident doctors—those below consultant level—who make up half of the hospital medical workforce.

The Labour government’s health minister, Wes Streeting, criticised the strike, accusing the British Medical Association (BMA) of “choosing confrontation over care.” 

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said, “This strike isn’t about fairness any more. It’s about political posturing.” He insisted the government would not shift on pay, noting “a 28.9 per cent pay rise over the last three years and the highest pay award across the entire public sector in the last two.”

But the BMA maintains that doctors still need a 26 percent pay increase to restore earnings to their real value from two decades ago. 

The union is also calling for more training posts, warning that demand wildly exceeds supply. In some cases, more than 30,000 doctors are competing for only 10,000 training places required to progress toward consultant roles.

The shortage is leaving many doctors without permanent positions despite years of training. 

The strike comes as the UK continues to face a prolonged cost-of-living crisis that has triggered widespread industrial action. Over the past three and a half years, teachers, nurses, ambulance workers, lawyers, train workers, and border staff have all staged walkouts.

Nigerian Federal Workers Demand Payment Of Wage Arrears, Salary Harmonisation.

The forum noted that the ₦35,000 wage award was introduced as a cost of living allowance after the removal of fuel subsidy and the devaluation of the naira.

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has called on the President Bola Tinubu-led government to immediately pay the outstanding three months wage award owed to federal workers, harmonise salaries across the public service, and improve welfare conditions.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Comrade Andrew Emelieze, the National Coordinator, the workers group said the government’s failure to fulfill its wage obligations had caused severe hardship among its workforce.

“The refusal of the federal government to pay up the balance of the outstanding three months wage award as promised by the Accountant General of the Federation has shown clearly how our government has been treating her workers. Same also has been the case for so many backlog of arrears owed the federal workers especially promotion arrears, in some cases over ten years backlog owed the federal workers in Nigeria,” the statement read.

The forum noted that the ₦35,000 wage award was introduced as a cost of living allowance after the removal of fuel subsidy and the devaluation of the naira. However, the group accused the government of inconsistent and delayed payments.

“Our government eventually decided to give a paltry sum of ₦35,000 to all federal workers irrespective of their grade levels."

"The payment since it's implementation has been inconsistent and staggering, most times it has taken the Federal Workers Forum to cry out before payments are made. As a matter of facts , the federal government has been very unfaithful in the payment of the wage award, thus the purpose of setting up the wage award to cushion the horrible effects of fuel subsidy removal has been defeated.”

According to the forum, the payment of wage awards stopped in February 2024 following the implementation of the new national minimum wage in August 2024. At that time, the government owed workers five months of wage awards covering March to July 2024.

Benin varsities, Nigerian polys in NYSC fraud;Many pensioners earn N5,000 monthly, NUP laments.

Some blacklisted universities in the Benin Republic have devised means of sneaking their graduates into the National Youth Service Corps in collaboration with certain private polytechnics in Nigeria, findings by Saturday PUNCH have shown.

Our correspondent gathered that the universities now obtain Higher National Diploma and National Diploma certificates for their graduates and students due for graduation through the private polytechnics.

After issuing the HND certificates, the polytechnics would then mobilise the affected students for the mandatory NYSC.

Saturday PUNCH also learnt that the students were asked to pay about N400,000 to obtain the HND certificates from the polytechnics, mostly located in South-West and South-East states.

Many pensioners earn N5,000 monthly, NUP laments

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners has decried the worsening plight of its members, lamenting that many pensioners, especially those at the state level, still earn as little as N5,000 monthly despite the rising cost of living.

Speaking in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Actor Zal, said most state governments had failed to prioritise the welfare of their retirees, disclosing that only 13 states were currently paying pensions and gratuities regularly.

"We hear you, we know your expectations" — Akpabio Promises Open, Accountable and Responsive 10th Senate.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the 10th Senate remains open, accountable, and responsive to Nigerians.

Akpabio made the pledge on Tuesday while addressing lawmakers at the resumption of plenary after a 10-week recess. In his welcome address titled “Steady Hands for a Great Nation.

He said, “To the citizens of Nigeria, we say this: we hear you. We know your expectations. You ask not for excuses but for results; not for noise but for substance.
This Senate will remain open, accountable, and responsive. We will not shrink from scrutiny, indeed, we welcome it, for accountability is the lifeblood of democracy.
But it must be clearly understood: the foundation of every democracy is its legislature. Those who seek to weaken the legislature, in truth, seek to wreck the substructure of democracy itself.”

Akpabio expressed sympathy to Nigerians affected by floods, insecurity, hunger, and other hardships, assuring them of the Senate’s solidarity.

Charging lawmakers to resume with renewed energy, he said:

“Our people do not look to us for lamentations; they look to us for action. The banners of terrorism and banditry still threaten the countryside. The cost of living weighs upon the family table like an iron chain. The flickering of our national grid leaves cities in darkness and commerce in paralysis. These trials summon us to service of uncommon urgency — and to partnership with the Executive Arm, that together we rewrite the story of our nation.”

He urged senators to pursue reforms that will strengthen the economy, education, healthcare, and the Constitution while maintaining oversight integrity.

“Our relations with the Executive shall remain frank and firm — neither obsequious nor obstructive. Where policies raise our people, we shall lend our strength; where they imperil them, we shall speak on their behalf.
Let this Senate be remembered as an instrument of national transformation, a citadel of democracy, and a beacon of hope.”

Nigerians Are Hungry, and Hungry People Are Angry People. I feel the Pain too,” Comedian Seyi Law Says.

Nigerian comedian, Seyi Aletile, popularly known as Seyi Law, has spoken about the economic hardship confronting citizens, urging leaders to admit the reality of people’s suffeing rather than gloss over it.

Speaking in an interview on Inside the Box, the comedian said frustration among Nigerians is directly tied to hunger and the soaring cost of living.

“Nigerians are hungry and hungry people are angry people. I hate when we try to switch such things under the carpet, which is what politicians do. I don’t like it. Let us acknowledge the people’s pain and let them know that this reform is coming with this pain but at the end of the day we will be happy,” Seyi Law said.

He explained that while he anticipated the government’s reforms would come with difficulties, he also shares in the burden. “I said something that my experience, my understanding does not invalidate your experience. It doesn’t. Did I know that those policies were going to come with pain? I knew. I feel the pain too.”

Citing his own financial strain, Aletile noted how the depreciation of the naira has deepened expenses for his family. “My family has been in the UK since 2019. For every Naira that I change to pounds, it costs me N2000. It wasn’t what it was costing me before. It means if I was spending N2M before, I have to spend N5M, so it comes with pain,” he said.

Seyi Law’s comments echo the frustration of millions of Nigerians grappling with the impact of recent economic policies, even as the government maintains that reforms will bring long-term relief.

10 Reasons Not to Vote Tinubu
1. Economic hardship
2. Naira collapse
3. High cost of living
4. Corruption allegations
5. Godfather politics
6. Insecurity persists
7. Flawed election win
8. No real social safety nets
9. Power for loyalists only
10. Health & age concerns

#Nigeria #Tinubu

Femi Falana: “No Country Has Removed Subsidies Completely”

Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has argued that no nation in the world has ever completely abolished subsidies.

Falana made this remark in a video shared on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of Channels TV on Sunday, September 14, 2025. He was responding to questions on whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidy was the right move.

According to him, even developed nations like the United States, United Kingdom, and France still subsidize critical sectors such as electricity, agriculture, and essential services.

“There is no way you can remove subsidy. There is no country in the world that has abolished subsidies completely. Even leading western countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and France still subsidize electricity, agriculture, and many aspects of their people’s lives. As a matter of fact, it’s the IMF and World Bank that insisted government must remove all subsidies,” Falana said.

He further stressed that the removal has placed an immense burden on Nigerians, worsening the cost of living.

The legal luminary maintained that instead of bowing to pressure from international financial institutions, the government should prioritize policies that safeguard the welfare of its citizens.

Cost of Living: Drama unfolds Between a Nigeria-based man and his Europe-based compatriot.

From Renewed Hope to Renewed Hardship: Life Under Tinubu
Many Nigerians describe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s regime as “the worst” because of the following issues that have hit people hard:

1. Economic Hardship
• Fuel Subsidy Removal: The sudden removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023 caused fuel prices to triple, leading to skyrocketing transport and food costs.
• Naira Depreciation: The naira lost much of its value after Tinubu floated the currency. This made imports more expensive, driving inflation.
• High Inflation: Inflation has reached record highs, with food inflation especially severe, pushing millions deeper into poverty.

2. Cost of Living Crisis
• Rising electricity tariffs, fuel prices, and basic commodity costs have made life extremely difficult for ordinary Nigerians.
• The middle class is shrinking, and many families can no longer afford essentials like education, healthcare, and even food.

3. Poor Governance & Corruption Concerns
• Critics argue Tinubu’s appointments are heavily tilted towards loyalists rather than competence.
• Perceived lack of transparency in government contracts, loans, and policies has fueled distrust.

4. Insecurity
• Banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency continue despite promises of improved security.
• Many communities in the North and Middle Belt still face regular attacks.

5. Public Outrage & Protests
• Widespread protests (like #EndBadGovernance in 2024–2025) have erupted over hardship.
• Tinubu’s administration has been accused of using excessive force and intimidation against protesters.

6. Erosion of Trust
• Many Nigerians feel Tinubu came to power through a controversial election with allegations of rigging and manipulation.
• Promises of “renewed hope” have turned into what many call “renewed hardship.”

⸻

In short: Nigerians see Tinubu’s government as “the worst” because it combined sharp economic decline, high living costs, insecurity, and governance concerns—with little visible relief for the suffering majority.

With the rising cost of living in the country and the adverse impact on Nigerians, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has said that state governments have no excuse not to pay civil servants above the ₦70,000 minimum wage.

NLC Demands ₦150,000 Minimum Wage For Lagos Workers

The Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for a new minimum wage of ₦150,000, citing the high cost of living in the state.

Chairperson Funmi Sesi said Lagos workers, who currently earn ₦85,000, deserve higher pay in line with increases recently implemented in Imo and Ebonyi states.

She argued that the state’s high cost of accommodation, transport, feeding, and utilities makes the demand necessary, expressing optimism that other states would follow suit.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo recently raised the minimum wage for state workers to ₦104,000, while Ebonyi increased its own to ₦90,000.

BREAKING: PDP Slams Proposal to Increase Salaries of Politicians Amid Economic Hardship

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized the proposal by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to increase the salaries of political office holders.

The opposition party described the move as “insensitive and unjustifiable”, especially at a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with the harsh realities of inflation, unemployment, and rising cost of living.

According to the PDP, the government should be more focused on providing relief to ordinary citizens, creating jobs, and stabilizing the economy rather than prioritizing pay raises for politicians.

The party further warned that such a decision could deepen public distrust in leadership and widen the gap between leaders and the masses.


#BreakingNews #PDP #RMAFC #Nigeria #Economy #SalaryIncrease #CostOfLiving #Leadership #Politics

News Brief: Middle Class Reduced to Beggars – Chimamanda Decries Hardship in Nigeria.

Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has expressed deep concern over the worsening economic hardship in Nigeria, saying it has pushed many formerly middle-class citizens into poverty and desperation.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Amazing Africans, Adichie said the suffering of everyday Nigerians is her biggest worry, not economic indices like the stock market. “People who were formerly kind of securely middle class… are now people who beg and are in need,” she said.

The author emphasized that economic strain could lead individuals to take desperate actions they would ordinarily avoid, posing a danger to society. “It’s not to excuse crime,” she noted, “but when life gets very hard, even people who before would not have considered certain things suddenly are willing to.”

Adichie also reflected on her journey as a writer, revealing she faced 25 rejections for her debut novel Purple Hibiscus but never considered quitting. “Writing is really what I believe I am here to do… it’s a bit spiritual,” she said.

Her remarks come amid ongoing public frustration with Nigeria’s cost of living crisis, worsened by recent economic reforms.

#ChimamandaAdichie #NigerianEconomy #CostOfLivingCrisis #MiddleClassStruggles #EconomicHardship

"Tinubu's government is the worst Nigeria has ever had"- Apostle Suleman.

The Senior Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing it as the worst government Nigeria has ever experienced.

Naija News reports that he made the remark during a recent church service, where he poured out his frustration over the current state of the country.

According to him, life has become unbearable for many Nigerians, with hunger and hardship now a daily struggle for the common man.

The fiery preacher said the cost of living has risen sharply, and electricity has remained unreliable.

He accused those in power of being disconnected from the suffering masses because they can afford basic needs while others cannot.

Apostle Suleman pointed out that many citizens are in distress and desperate for help.

He revealed that the majority of the messages he receives are people begging for food, stressing that hunger is something no one can pretend about.

Using Ghana as an example, he said the country is supporting its citizens better than Nigeria.

He urged Nigerians not to give up but to turn to prayer, saying it is the only instrument left to seek change.

He said: “This is the worst government in the history of nigeria. you can’t do anything to me this is the worst electricity worst you see if you feel because you can afford things you don’t care about people who can’t afford then you have a problem ghana is supporting a citizen ghana ghana listen to me the only instrument we have is prayer pray people are hungry people are hungry people are hungry sometimes i’m afraid to read my text message i’m afraid i’m afraid if i get one thousand message 900 are about food will somebody lie with hunger somebody can’t lie with hunger you can lie with car you can lie with house you can’t lie with food we are praying that God will remember us.”