FG Suspends All NIHOTOUR Enforcement Activities Nationwide.

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy has announced the immediate suspension of all enforcement activities carried out by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) across the country.

This decision, approved by the Honourable Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa, follows a comprehensive review of recent enforcement operations by NIHOTOUR and growing concerns expressed by stakeholders within the hospitality and tourism sectors.

According to the Minister, the suspension is necessary to restore order, protect the rights of operators, and ensure that regulatory activities are conducted within the limits of the law and in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

"Ponmo consumption costs Nigeria’s leather industry $5bn" — FG cries out, warns citizens against consumption.

The Federal Government has raised fresh concerns over the widespread consumption of hides and skins, popularly known as ponmo, warning that the practice is harming Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar leather industry.

Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ikemounso, issued the warning on Thursday during the National Campaign Against the Consumption of Ponmo in Abuja.

He explained that diverting hides and skins for food deprives local manufacturers of essential raw materials needed to sustain and grow the leather sector. 

According to him, the Nigerian leather goods market was valued at $2.79 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $4.96 billion by 2033, but this growth could be derailed if ponmo consumption continues unchecked.

“From an economic and industrial standpoint, cowhides are one of Nigeria’s most valuable raw materials.

Our nation possesses a vibrant leather industry with enormous potential for job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and contributions to GDP,” he said.

Prof. Ikemounso added: “Sadly, the continuous diversion of hides for ponmo consumption denies our industries access to quality raw materials, weakens our tanning and leather manufacturing sector, and diminishes Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global leather market.”

He noted that the global leather value chain is valued between $420 billion and $1 trillion, stressing that with the right policies, infrastructure, and access to raw materials, Nigeria can significantly expand its share.

Ikemounso clarified that the campaign is not targeted at cultural or dietary practices but aims to ensure hides and skins are channelled into more productive industrial use for national economic benefit.

FG intensifies efforts to track remote workers & undeclared foreign assets; Signs Data-Sharing Deal with 100+ Countries.

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy & Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele has revealed that Nigeria has entered into agreements with more than 100 countries to track the income of remote workers & citizens with undeclared assets abroad.

Speaking at a webinar hosted by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Wednesday, themed “Simplifying Nigeria’s Tax System,” Oyedele said the initiative aims to enforce compliance in the growing digital economy.

“Whether you earn from Google or a company in the Bahamas, you must declare your income yourself,” he said. “If you fail, the system will gather intelligence once the money hits your account.”

He added that Nigeria already receives financial data from countries including the U.S., U.K., Canada & UAE under the Common Reporting Standards (CRS). This allows authorities to monitor citizens holding foreign bank accounts or properties.

Oyedele also discussed Nigeria’s engagement with global tech companies to ensure they remit Value Added Tax (VAT) on services provided in the country.

“If a local shop selling phones charges VAT, online platforms shouldn’t get a free pass. We engaged them collaboratively, and today Nigeria earns billions from digital taxes without confrontation,” he said.

Addressing public concerns about the new Capital Gains Tax (CGT) framework, Oyedele clarified that the law, which takes effect January 1, 2026, will not be applied retroactively. A cost basis reset and grandfathering clause ensure that only profits made after 2026 will be taxed.

He further acknowledged minor errors in the recently gazetted tax legislation regarding turnover thresholds, clarifying that the correct exemption threshold is ₦100 million.

“The regulations will reflect this correction,” Oyedele said, urging Nigerians to comply voluntarily to avoid presumptive assessments.

FG Bans Teaching in Indigenous Languages, Declares English-Only Policy in Nigerian Schools.

The Federal Government has abolished the use of indigenous languages as a medium of instruction in Nigerian schools, making English the sole language of teaching from early childhood to tertiary level.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the new directive on Wednesday at the Language in Education International Conference 2025 organised by the British Council in Abuja.

The two-day conference, themed “Language, Education and Inclusion: Empowering Every Learner,” brought together policymakers, educators, and experts from across Africa, South Asia, and the UK to discuss strategies for improving learning outcomes through language.

Dr. Alausa explained that while preserving Nigeria’s local languages remains important for cultural identity, English offers a more effective and globally competitive medium for learning.

“The English language should be used to teach our students at all levels as a means of instruction,” he said. “Over the years, the use of mother tongues in schools has contributed to poor performance in national examinations. The national policy on language has therefore been cancelled.”

He described English as a “unifying tool” for Nigeria’s diverse population, noting that research showed students taught primarily in English perform better in exams like WAEC, NECO, and JAMB.

According to him, the decision marks a shift from emotional attachment to local language identity toward evidence-based education policy.

Meanwhile, the British Council reaffirmed its support for inclusive and equitable learning across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Julian Parry, Director of English Programmes for the region, said language can serve as “a bridge to inclusion, identity, and opportunity.”

Also speaking, Chikodi Onyemerela, the British Council’s Director of Programmes in Nigeria, highlighted the organisation’s Pan-Ethnic Classrooms Programme, launched in 2015, which helps teachers apply inclusive and language-responsive teaching practices.

World Cup Qualifiers: Peter Obi slams FG over unpaid Super Eagles allowances.

Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the federal government over the reported boycott of training by the Super Eagles ahead of Thursday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon.

Obi, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, expressed disappointment that players representing Nigeria were being owed allowances despite their consistent service to the nation.

“It is truly unfortunate that our Super Eagles who consistently give their best in representing our dear nation, are being owed their allowances,” he wrote.

“We always seem to find money to waste on needless lavish spending and political patronage, yet we cannot pay those who patriotically raise our flag, bring us pride, and serve with dedication. That is what is found in a now disgraced country.”

ASUU blames FG’s neglect for deepening education crisis.

The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, has accused the Federal Government of neglecting the education sector, warning that such indifference is at the root of Nigeria’s prolonged academic and development crisis.

Speaking during The Toyin Falola Interviews on Sunday, in a virtual session titled “A Conversation with the ASUU President,” Piwuna said federal officials do not view the challenges facing the education system as national problems requiring collective responsibility. Instead, he said, ministers and government executives often dismiss education-related matters as “the Education Minister’s problem.”

“Members of the government, the ministers, and chief executives do not see the problem of education as a problem that affects them.
When ASUU declares a strike, the Minister of Finance sees it as the Minister of Education’s problem; the Minister of Science and Technology sees it the same way,” Piwuna said.

“But if the Minister of Finance understood that the country’s economic growth depends on a knowledgeable workforce, he would take the Minister of Education’s problem as his own.”

Piwuna argued that the Federal Government’s inconsistent policy direction, corruption, and capitalist ideology continue to weaken public education. He lamented that while ASUU views education as a public good, many government officials treat it as a profit-driven enterprise.

“We in ASUU see education as a public good, but those in government treat it as a capitalist venture. Many of them now suggest that TETFund should begin funding private universities… Self-interest and contract inflation have replaced public service. That is why TETFund has become a marketplace,” he added.

The ASUU leader further revealed that discussions between the union and the government are ongoing at the National Executive Council meeting in Taraba State, but warned that the salary offers currently on the table remain “unacceptable.”

“The terms of the agreement are shaping up, and in the next week or two, we’ll make a definite statement. But what the government is offering us as salaries is unacceptable, and we are ready to go to any length to fight it,” he said.

Nigeria not Iraq, our mosquitoes waiting for your soldiers – Ex-security expert tells Trump.

An ex-security expert, Comrade Mohammed Ali, has warned the US President Donald Trump against invading Nigeria with his military.

Mohammed, in a viral video, could be heard saying that there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria as claimed by the US President and some of his lawmakers.

Recall that Trump recently designated Nigeria as Country of Particular Concerns over alleged killing of unsuspecting Christians.

Trump also said that the US department of war has been informed to prepare for possible action in Nigeria if the federal government fails to address the highly disputed claim.

But in the viral video, the ex-Security expert said Nigerians have been living together in peace despite their religious differences.

He warned that mosquitoes in Nigeria will infect the US soldiers and kill them instantly if they try invading Nigeria.

He said, “Trump should be aware that we are not suffering from regionalism, tribalism, we are not persecuting Christians, we are all living together as with the Christians and other religions. We are only suffering from humanitarianism.

“Mr Donald Trump, be aware that Nigeria is not Afghanistan, Nigeria is not Iraq. if you try to enter Nigeria with your armed forces, our mosquitos are waiting for your soldiers to bite and infect them with malaria fever and they will die instantly”.

FG to Attempt Guinness World Record for Longest Dining Table.

The Federal Government has announced plans to attempt a Guinness World Record for the world’s longest dining table during this year’s Mega Renewed Hope NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival taking place in December in Abuja.

The initiative was revealed on Thursday at a joint world press briefing featuring the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, and the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa.

This year’s festival, themed “Oriki: Taste of Culture,” will spotlight Nigeria’s rich culinary traditions while creating visibility for opportunities in hospitality and the broader creative sector, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Dr. Fagade disclosed that the centrepiece of the event will be a 3.6-kilometre dining table, designed to accommodate between 2,000 and 3,000 guests.

According to him, the record attempt will be conducted on the morning of December 6, after which the same table will be transformed into a communal dining area for evening festivities.

He explained that the event will blend food, music, culture, and comedy, adding that the initiative aims to showcase Abuja as a capable host for major December cultural events. He also emphasized that the festival forms part of NIHOTOUR’s mission to strengthen Nigeria’s tourism value chain through capacity building, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment.

The DG noted that the project is expected to attract investments and unlock opportunities in hospitality, food, and agribusiness.

Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa described the festival as a strong avenue for economic inclusion and youth engagement in the creative economy. She highlighted the increasing global recognition of Nigerian cuisine and praised the innovation Nigerians bring to promoting local dishes abroad.

The festival along with the Guinness World Record attempt will be officially launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja.

Strike: ASUU disputes FG’s claim of N50bn payment.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities says it has not received the N50bn revitalisation fund the Federal Government recently claimed to have released, insisting that none of the union’s demands has been met ahead of its National Executive Council meeting slated for November 8 and 9, 2025.
ASUU stated this in a Wednesday statement signed by Prof. Jurbe Molwus, who recalled that the union suspended its two-week warning strike in good faith after assurances from senior government officials that concrete proposals would be brought to the table.

“As ASUU mobilises for its National Executive Council meeting scheduled to hold on the 8th and 9th November, 2025, we expect that some of the outstanding entitlements such as 3.5 months withheld salaries, 25/35% wage award arrears, promotion arrears, unpaid salaries of some members etc. would have been paid to university workers by now. But all we get is press releases by the Honourable Minister of Education. What we need is credit alerts and not misleading releases.”

He noted that the Federal Government’s recent announcement of a N50bn disbursement had not translated into payment to universities.

“It is sad to further note that even the N50bn revitalisation fund the FGN claimed to have released some weeks ago is yet to reach the universities. We do not know why the Minister of Education is still keeping it.”

Molwus also faulted comments by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, claiming that N2.3bn had been released to settle salary and promotion arrears.

“Again, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Maruf Alausa, was quoted to have said in a recent release that ‘The FG has released N2.3bn to clear salary and promotion arrears in all federal universities’.

“But, as we speak right now, the university workers have yet to receive any such alerts. So, the minister’s claim of clearing backlog may be in the fiction of his imagination. He also claimed to have strengthened academic staff welfare, and we ask how?”

Molwus argued that the funds cited by the minister were insufficient.

FG Should Take Trump Seriously’ – Ex-DSS Director.

A former director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, has advised the Federal Government to take United States President, Donald Trump’s Christian genocide claims and threat of military action seriously.

Trump, barely a day after declaring Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), threatened military action in Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians.

In the explosive post on his Truth Social Platform, Trump said, “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.

“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet.”

However, Ejiofor, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, urged the Nigerian government to explore diplomatic means to resolve the issue.

While the Federal Government has dismissed the allegations and restated its commitment to religious freedom, the former DSS director said Trump’s comment should not be dismissed as mere play.

He said, “I think the Federal Government should take Donald Trump seriously. I’m calling on the Nigerian government to explore all diplomatic channels.

“You see, it is a very serious matter when you talk of Donald Trump. I take a very serious exception to the statement credited to Donald Trump because he says what he wants to do, and he will go ahead to do it,” Ejiofor said. “So, it is not a play that we can gloss over. It is a threat.”

"FG Set to Ban Foreign Airlines from Selling Tickets in Dollars" — NANTA President.

The Federal Government is set to put an end to the sale of airline tickets in foreign currency by international carriers, according to Yinka Folami, President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA).

Speaking during a cultural and tourism programme in Lagos over the weekend, Folami described the practice of cross-border foreign currency trading as “a crime against the economy.”

“Those of us in the aviation sector know that until Nigeria has a strong national carrier to fill the gap, these issues will continue. I am pleased to inform Nigerians that the government is actively addressing the sale of tickets in foreign currency, and this is the latest update,” he said.

He emphasized that foreign airlines selling tickets in dollars violates regulations and adds pressure on the naira and the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Folami noted that the government is responding to concerns raised by travel agencies over this persistent challenge.

The NANTA president further stated that there is no longer any justification for selling tickets in foreign currency in Nigeria, calling the practice outdated and predicting that it will soon be phased out from the country’s aviation industry.

He also highlighted the importance of a strong domestic airline, urging Nigerians to support Air Peace. “The airline has taken bold steps by launching London routes from Lagos and Abuja. It is both a patriotic duty and a responsibility for Nigerians to support and pray for the airline’s continued success and sustainability,” Folami added.

FG Condemns Abduction of Consultant Neurosurgeon In Anambra.

The federal Ministry of Health has expressed deep concern over the kidnapping of one of its brilliant minds, Dr Tochukwu Mbanugo, a Consultant Neurosurgeon with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, who was abducted by unknown armed men on Thursday.

According to a Sunday statement signed Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, he stated that reports from the hospital indicated that Dr Mbanugo was attacked around the Omatha Junction, Uruagu, Nnewi, while on his way home after an intensive day in the operating theatre.

“Earlier that same day, he had performed multiple critical neurosurgical procedures, including the resection of a complex brain tumour, saving lives and delivering highly specialised care to Nigerians in need.

FG begins payment of arrears to health workers as resident doctors begin strike.

The federal government says it has approved and commenced the payment of over ₦33.3billion in arrears owed health workers across the country, in a bid to address the ongoing strike declared by resident doctors who constitute the bulk of the country’s health workforce.

The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Saturday morning commenced a total and indefinite strike action, citing the “repeated failure” of the federal government to honor its promises and implement the agreements reached with members after several rounds of dialogue and appeals.

Responding, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in a statement on Saturday said payments had commenced as part of wider efforts to restore stability and industrial peace in the sector especially with regards to the welfare, motivation, and stability of the nation’s health workforce.

The ministry confirmed that the payment process began following a high-level meeting with NARD leadership, led by Iziaq Salako, minister of State for Health which aimed to address the pressing issues raised by health workers, including resident doctors, and to explore solutions to the ongoing industrial dispute.

According to Alaba Balogun, the deputy director /head of information & public relations, who signed the ministry’s statement, ₦21.3 billion have been approved by President Bola Tinubu and moved into the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) account as of October 30, 2025, with payments already underway.

The government said it is in the final stages of processing an additional ₦11.995 billion within the next 72 hours which will cover outstanding allowances such as accoutrement payments.

The ministry also noted a ₦10 billion paid in August 2025 to cover seven months of arrears related to the 25% and 35% upward revision of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

“All these payments are being enjoyed by members of NARD in accordance with the salary structure in the health sector”, the statement read.

FG refutes Trump’s claim of christian persecution.

The Federal Government has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” following his claim that Christianity is facing an existential threat in the country.

Trump, in a statement on Friday, alleged that thousands of Christians were being killed by radical Islamists in Nigeria and directed U.S. lawmakers to investigate the situation. “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter… something must be done!” he said.

Reacting in a statement issued in Abuja by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian government said Trump’s remarks do not reflect the reality on the ground.

The statement emphasized that Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully.

It further noted that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and safeguarding the rights and lives of all citizens. The government added that it will continue to engage constructively with the United States to deepen understanding and cooperation on peace and security issues.

FG Slams Trump Over “Country of Concern” Designation on Nigeria.

The Federal Government has rejected US President Donald Trump’s decision to classify Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” dismissing his claims of widespread persecution of Christians as inaccurate and misleading.

In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump alleged that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed,” blaming radical Islamists for what he described as “mass slaughter.”

Responding in a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the allegations do not represent the true situation in Nigeria.

According to ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, Nigerians of all religious backgrounds have historically lived, worked, and worshipped together in peace.

He noted that while the Nigerian government welcomes international concern for human rights and religious freedom, the claims are “misleading and contrary to the government’s sustained efforts to promote peace and unity.”

Oyo Allocates 90 Hectares of Land To FG For Dry Port Construction

The Oyo State Government has handed over the Certificate of Occupancy for 90 hectares of land to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy for the construction of a dry port.

The land, which is located at Moniya in Ibadan, was handed over by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Lawal, to a delegation led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Olorunfemi Oloruntola.

Speaking earlier at the Office of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, Adebayo Lawal, expressed optimism that the project, when completed, would boost the economy of the state, emphasising that party differences would not hinder development in Oyo State.

He urged the Federal Government to quickly put the land into use and commence the project on time, noting that several lands previously allocated to the Federal Government had been left abandoned.

In his response, the leader of the delegation commended the state government for releasing such a massive parcel of land for developmental purposes and promised that work would commence as soon as possible.

FG, EU, ECOWAS Sign Health Agreements to Boost Local Manufacturing, Reproductive Health in West Africa.

The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has signed three major agreements aimed at advancing local pharmaceutical production, attracting investments in the health sector, and improving reproductive health outcomes across West Africa.

The agreements, Enabling Local Manufacturing of Health, Immunisation and Nutrition Commodities in Nigeria (ELM-N), Quality Uplift for Advancing Local Industry in Medicine Standards (Qualimeds Nigeria), and Strengthening Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in West Africa, were formaliSed on Thursday during the Nigeria-EU Health Investment Forum in Abuja.

The initiatives are part of the EU’s Global Gateway Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines, and Health Technologies (MAV+) Programme, a global effort designed to enhance regional health resilience and reduce dependency on imported medical products.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vice-President Kashim Shettima said the agreements reaffirm the government’s commitment to building a “sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven health economy.”

Represented by Uju Rochas, his Senior Special Assistant on Public Health, Shettima said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Executive Order promoting local production of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

“Through the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) and complementary frameworks such as the sector-wide approach (SWAp), this administration has taken concrete steps to strengthen health governance, stimulate investment, and promote local manufacturing,” he said.

“Our message is clear: Nigeria is open for health investment, innovation, and impact. The President has declared that Nigeria’s health transformation will not be driven by aid and dependency alone, but by ownership, accountability, and innovation made in Nigeria, for Nigerians, and by Nigerians.”

Shettima also commended the EU, PVAC, and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) for their collaboration, describing the partnership as “a new chapter defined by shared prosperity, local innovation, and global collaboration.”

FG Releases ₦2.3BN to Clear Salary, Promotion Arrears In Federal Universities.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s tertiary education sector through decisive fiscal interventions, policy reforms, and sustained dialogue with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university-based unions.

The Honourable Minister of Education, Chief (Dr.) Maruf Olatunji Alausa, FAMedS, CON, disclosed this while providing updates on ongoing engagements with ASUU and other tertiary institution unions.

He stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains resolute in his determination to resolve all lingering welfare and funding issues in a transparent, fair, and sustainable manner.

Dr. Alausa announced that the Federal Government has released N2.3 billion, representing Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears to universities across the country.

The disbursements, processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), reflect the Tinubu Administration’s resolve to clear inherited backlogs and enhance the welfare of academic and non-academic staff in the tertiary education sector.

According to him, “A total of N2.311 billion, representing Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears, has been released through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to universities. Benefiting institutions should begin to receive payment alerts anytime from now.”

He further disclosed that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, is finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to NUPEMCO, expected to be completed in the coming days.

Dr. Alausa added that the government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university staff salaries beginning from 2026, noting that this will ensure prompt, predictable, and sustainable payments going forward.

Nigerians wear renewed smiles as FG reveals plan to Build roads that’ll last for 100 years.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, says the Tinubu administration is pioneering a new generation of highways designed to last 50 to 100 years, moving away from Nigeria’s history of short-lived roads.

During an inspection of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway, he explained that the ministry is adopting innovative designs prioritising durability, cost-effectiveness and the recycling of existing asphalt layers reinforced with concrete to withstand heavy traffic and harsh weather.

“The goal is to build roads that last, save funds and boost growth,” Umahi said, stressing the shift from flexible asphalt to rigid concrete pavements to cut long-term maintenance costs. He warned contractors against removing structurally sound asphalt, describing it as wasteful and technically unsound.

The Abuja–Kaduna section, handled by Infiouest International Limited, is one of Nigeria’s most advanced road projects, with over 300 heavy-duty machines deployed, and Umahi praised the contractor for meeting international standards.

Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, highlighted Tinubu’s focus on durable infrastructure and commended Umahi’s mentorship of engineers on quality standards.

The 375-kilometre expressway linking Abuja to northern trade hubs, awarded in 2018, faced delays due to funding gaps and insecurity, but the redesigned project using concrete pavement is expected to cut travel time, reduce vehicle costs, and strengthen trade and security across the North-West corridor.

Former CBN governor & 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II has criticized the FG for continued borrowing despite removing fuel subsidy.

Speaking at the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference in Abuja, Sanusi said the subsidy removal had already increased revenue & questioned why the Bola Tinubu administration was still taking loans.

He praised the removal of fuel subsidy & exchange rate unification as “painful but necessary,” but warned that reckless spending could erase the gains. “If you stop paying subsidies but continue borrowing, it means you’ve filled one hole only to dig another,” he said.

Sanusi blamed the nation’s economic woes on years of poor fiscal management & populist policies. He urged the government to cut waste, asking, “Why do we need 48 ministers & long convoys?”

He also condemned the culture of praise-singing in governance, noting that sycophancy prevents leaders from hearing the truth. According to him, leaders must seek honest advisers rather than those who flatter them.