Nigerian Senator Godiya Akwashiki Dies at 52 in Indian Hospital, Family Mourns Loss of Nasarawa North Lawmaker

Senator Godiya Akwashiki, who represented Nasarawa North Senatorial District, has died at the age of 52 while receiving medical treatment in an Indian hospital. His death was confirmed by a family source on Wednesday and reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The source described Akwashiki’s passing as a major loss to Nasarawa North and the entire state, citing his strong commitment to grassroots development and empowerment initiatives.

According to the family, Akwashiki created a lasting impact across the constituency through projects spread across nearly all communities, making him widely regarded as one of the most effective senators the zone had produced. He was notably the only senator from Nasarawa North to win re-election for a second term.

Before his election to the Nigerian Senate in 2019, Akwashiki had a long political career in Nasarawa State, serving multiple terms in the House of Assembly where he rose to Majority Leader and later Deputy Speaker. Born on August 3, 1973, in Angba Iggah, Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area, he was considered a key political figure whose death has left a significant vacuum in the state’s political landscape.

Breaking News: Top Nigerian Senator Godiya Akwashiki Dies at 52 in India After Prolonged Illness, Family Confirms

Godiya Akwashiki, the senator representing Nasarawa North Senatorial District, has died at the age of 52. Family sources confirmed that the lawmaker passed away on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at a hospital in India, where he had been receiving treatment for a long-term illness.

Akwashiki was first elected to the Nigerian Senate in 2019 and made history in 2023 by becoming the only senator from Nasarawa North to secure two consecutive terms since the state’s creation. He was a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and was widely regarded for his strong grassroots support and emphasis on constituency-focused development projects.

Before joining the National Assembly, Akwashiki served multiple terms in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, rising to the positions of Majority Leader and later Deputy Speaker. Born on August 3, 1973, in Angba Iggah, Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area, his death marks a significant loss to Nasarawa politics and Nigeria’s legislative community.

Inside Hot Sun”: Isaac Fayose Slams Senate Leaders for Airport Reception of Seyi Tinubu, Questions Sycophancy and Nigeria’s Democratic Values

Isaac Fayose, entrepreneur and political commentator, has criticised Nigerian Senate leaders for lining up under the sun at the airport to welcome Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a viral Instagram video, Fayose questioned why an unelected individual with no constitutional office received such attention from elected officials. While acknowledging Seyi Tinubu’s philanthropy, he described the gesture as sycophantic and inappropriate, stressing that Nigeria practises democracy, not monarchy. His comments sparked mixed reactions online, with netizens divided over whether the senators’ actions were justified or embarrassing.

#IsaacFayose
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NCAA Investigates Three Nigerian Airlines Over Passenger Welfare and Delays

Regulatory Action: The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) intervened at the Abuja operations of Xejet, Rano Air, and United Nigeria Airline due to concerns over poor passenger care during flight disruptions.

Reason for Action: The NCAA cited failure to comply with regulations, including providing timely updates and light refreshments after two hours of delay, as required under Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.

Public Statement: Michael Achimugu, NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, stressed that airlines must meet their obligations, especially during the end-of-year travel rush, warning of regulatory sanctions for non-compliance.

Context: Airfares have surged by about 150%, reaching over ₦300,000 on some domestic routes (especially South-South and South-East) due to high passenger demand and aircraft shortages. The Nigerian Senate recently summoned aviation officials over these steep increases.


Key Takeaway: NCAA is actively monitoring airline operations to protect passengers’ rights and ensure compliance during high-traffic periods. Airlines failing to meet standards risk penalties.

Full List: Senate Confirms Mahmood Yakubu, Reno Omokri And 65 Other Ambassadorial Nominees Appointed By President Tinubu

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of 67 career and non-career ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, clearing the way for their deployment to diplomatic missions in 2026. The confirmation followed the adoption of a report presented by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello, which stated that all screened nominees were found qualified with no adverse security reports. The list features prominent political figures and former office holders, including Reno Omokri, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, former governors, ex-ministers, and retired military officers, while one nominee from Yobe State was excluded for failing to appear before the committee.

Tinubu Declares Bandits as Terrorists, Pledges No Mercy for Violent Criminals

President Bola Tinubu has officially classified bandits and other armed non-state actors as terrorists, promising that his administration will adopt a zero-tolerance approach toward violent crimes. Announcing the policy while presenting the 2026 budget to the National Assembly, Tinubu said acts such as banditry, kidnapping, militancy, and armed gang activities will now be treated as terrorism. The new national security framework emphasizes unified command, intelligence gathering, community stability, and counter-insurgency, with increased funding tied to measurable outcomes. The Nigerian Senate has also backed similar measures, including a maximum death penalty for kidnapping-related offences and the establishment of a new Joint Task Force to secure high-risk areas.

Senate Confirms Eyesan and Aliyu as CEOs of Nigeria’s Petroleum Regulators Amid Dangote’s Corruption Allegations

The Nigerian Senate has swiftly confirmed Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as CEO of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The confirmation came within 24 hours of receiving President Bola Tinubu’s letter. The appointments follow the resignations of the former heads and coincide with billionaire Aliko Dangote’s petition against the former NMDPRA chief, Farouk Ahmed, accusing him of corruption, abuse of office, and illicit enrichment, including spending over $7 million on his children’s education abroad. The confirmations allow Eyesan and Aliyu to immediately assume office, overseeing licensing, regulation, and revenue in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

Senate Set to Confirm Tinubu’s Nominees for NMDPRA and NUPRC as Urgency Provisions of Petroleum Industry Act Are Invoked

The Nigerian Senate is expected to confirm President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for the leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) following their screening by the Committee of the Whole. Engineer Saidu Muhammad was nominated to head the NMDPRA, while Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan was named as Chief Executive of the NUPRC, after the resignation of the agencies’ former heads. Tinubu urged expedited confirmation, citing the urgency provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act and warning against a leadership vacuum in Nigeria’s sensitive oil and gas regulatory sector. The nominations come amid heightened scrutiny of the petroleum regulators, including corruption allegations against the immediate past NMDPRA chief.

Senate Confirms Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Ibas, Mahmood Yakubu and 61 Other Ambassadorial Nominees

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed all 64 ambassadorial nominees, including high-profile figures such as Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, and Mahmood Yakubu. The confirmations followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello. President Bola Tinubu had forwarded the list, urging swift confirmation to fill critical diplomatic positions. The nominations, particularly of former INEC Chairman Yakubu, sparked nationwide debate, with opposition party ADC criticizing the list as politically motivated and underwhelming, calling for more professionalism and credibility in Nigeria’s diplomatic corps.

IPOB Lawyer Ejiofor Urges Senate to Reject Reno Omokri’s Ambassadorial Nomination Over ‘Ethnic Bigotry’

IPOB lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor has called on the Nigerian Senate to reject the appointment of Reno Omokri as Ambassador-Designate, describing the nomination as a “profoundly unwise decision” and a threat to Nigeria’s diplomatic image. In a strongly worded statement, Ejiofor accused Omokri of ethnic bigotry, reckless social media conduct, and years of attacks against the Igbo people. He argued that Omokri’s controversial commentaries, past insults against national leaders, and divisive online behaviour make him unfit for diplomatic service. Ejiofor urged senators—especially of Igbo origin—to oppose the confirmation, warning that approving Omokri would be a “national embarrassment.”

Tinubu Hails Senate for Swift Confirmation of Gen. Christopher Musa as Defence Minister

President Bola Tinubu has praised the Nigerian Senate for quickly confirming retired General Christopher Musa as the new Minister of Defence. Musa, a former Chief of Defence Staff, was nominated to replace the former minister who resigned due to health issues. After an intensive screening session, the Senate approved his appointment.
Tinubu described Musa’s confirmation as timely, noting that Nigeria is at a critical moment in its fight against insecurity. During his screening, Musa vowed to confront criminal groups threatening the country and strengthen national security efforts.

NEWS FLASH

SENATE TO SCREEN MINISTER OF DEFENCE NOMINEE WEDNESDAY

The Nigerian Senate will screen President Bola Tinubu's nominee as Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa this Wednesday at plenary.

A statement from the office of the majority leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele explains that the Senate is in possession of the request of President Tinubu to confirm the defence minister nominee.

The statement adds that the letter will be read on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, after which, the screening of the nominee will proceed immediately.

Opeyemi explained that Senate cannot delay such a request at this crucial time, because it touches the core interest of our nation.

Nigerian Senate Asked To Reject Ex-NIA DG Ayodele Oke As Ambassador Over Corruption Probe By EFCC

Senates proposes death penalty for kidnappers.

The Nigerian Senate has adopted a resolution categorizing kidnapping as a form of terrorism and calling for amendments to the Terrorism Act to ensure the strictest punishment is applied.

During Wednesday’s plenary session, senators agreed that any individual convicted of kidnapping should automatically face the death penalty once the law is revised.

The decision reflects growing concerns over the rising rate of abductions in the country and the urgent need for stronger deterrent measures.

“The resolution mandates that, upon conviction for kidnapping, the death penalty must be enforced,” the Senate stated.

Lawmakers emphasized that this move is aimed at curbing the menace and sending a strong warning to criminals

Senate Directs NAFDAC to Enforce Sachet Alcohol Ban Starting December 2025, Rejects Further Extensions.

The Nigerian Senate has mandated the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory agencies to begin strict enforcement of the ban on high-strength alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets from December 2025, with lawmakers explicitly ruling out any additional extensions beyond the existing moratorium.

The directive came after the upper chamber adopted a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, who highlighted the urgent need to end the phase-out of sachet-packaged alcohol without further delays.

During plenary, Ekpeyong recounted how NAFDAC, aligning with global standards and following broad consultations with stakeholders, first announced a gradual ban on the importation, production, and sale of these products.

In 2018, key players—including the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), NAFDAC, the Association of Food, Beverage & Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN)—signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to voluntarily eliminate the packaging format.

The agreement was driven by growing concerns over the sachets’ low cost, easy portability, and appeal to vulnerable populations such as children, teenagers, commercial drivers, and low-income groups.

Despite the original timeline, the Federal Government in 2024 granted manufacturers a one-year grace period to clear inventories and shift to alternative packaging, pushing the final deadline to December 2025.

Ekpeyong, however, warned that some producers are now pressing for yet another postponement—a tactic he argued erodes regulatory credibility, endangers public health, and skews market competition.

He pointed to mounting evidence linking sachet alcohol to youth addiction, traffic accidents, school attrition, domestic abuse, and broader societal problems.

Senate moves to phase out petrol cars, advances electric vehicle bill.

The Nigerian Senate has moved closer to adopting clean energy transportation after a bill seeking to phase out petrol-powered cars and promote electric vehicles (EVs) scaled second reading on Tuesday.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, aims to provide the legal and policy framework for Nigeria’s transition from fossil fuel dependence to electric mobility. Kalu explained that the bill would help reduce carbon emissions, encourage local vehicle production, and align the country with global efforts toward sustainable transport.

According to him, the transport sector contributes between 20 and 30 percent of Nigeria’s greenhouse gas emissions. “This bill seeks to establish a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to guide Nigeria’s gradual move from petrol-powered vehicles to cleaner, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly alternatives,” he said.

The bill also proposes creating a National Electric Vehicle Development and Promotion Council to coordinate policy implementation at all levels of government.

In support of the proposal, Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) described it as timely, noting that countries like Kenya and South Africa are already progressing in electric mobility. He said adopting EVs would reduce emissions in cities such as Lagos and Kano, improve public health, and create new jobs.

Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West) added that Nigeria’s population gives it a critical role in global climate action, while Senator Titus Zam (Benue North-West) highlighted the environmental and health gains of the transition.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the initiative, calling it a “very good innovation,” and expressed confidence in its potential impact. The bill has been forwarded to the Senate Committee on Industries for further consideration, with a report expected in four weeks.

Abuja resident doctors to join NARD indefinite strike Saturday.

Resident doctors employed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration have issued a notice to join the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors in an indefinite industrial action expected to begin on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

This was contained in a notice letter dated 30th October, 2025, addressed to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and signed by ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, and the Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong.

The decision was unanimously approved by the ARD-FCTA Congress at an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

ARD-FCTA stressed that it would continue the indefinite strike until its demands are met.

“The Congress unanimously votes to fully join the NARD-declared strike in its entirety.

“It is, however, important to note:
Even if NARD suspends or calls off its strike, ARD-FCTA will continue its own indefinite strike action until all demands peculiar to our centre have been satisfactorily met,” the notice partly read.

NARD had earlier announced a plan to begin an indefinite strike on November 1st, 2025.

Recall that ARD-FCTA said it is considering a decisive response against the non-implementation of FCT minister Nyesom Wike’s approval of their demands.

The association had suspended its strike in September 2025 after a pledge by the Nigerian Senate Committee on Federal Territory Area Councils & Ancillary Matters to intervene on the issue.

Who Swear For Us - Farotimi Slams Senate Bill That Repentant Terrorists To Enjoy Foreign Education.

Human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi has expressed outrage over a resurfaced front-page newspaper report indicating that the Nigerian Senate once considered a bill to sponsor “repentant terrorists” for foreign education.

Reacting via his X account (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, October 26, 2025, Farotimi questioned the country’s moral and political direction, writing, “Who swears for us? How do you say it is well with such a country?”

His post came after renewed public debate over the controversial headline, which first appeared on the front page of Punch Newspaper, reading, “Repentant terrorists to enjoy foreign education — Senate Bill.”

Farotimi continued, “How do you as an individual justify this to your own conscience? How did a society become so acculturated to insanity and abominations that this was the front page of a national newspaper, and there was nary a bleat?”

His remarks reflected deep frustration over what he described as widespread public silence on issues threatening national integrity.

The post that triggered his reaction had been made by a social media user who wrote, “The sort of front page news we see in Nigeria. This was around February of 2020 — a Nigerian Senate bill proposed granting foreign education to ‘repentant terrorists.’ If something like this was presented to the legislative arm of the Nigerian government in 2020, imagine what must have been executed without going through the legislature in 2025.”

Farotimi, in his response, further condemned the lack of accountability, adding, “How did a country’s senate get away with such an act of national security compromise? How do you divorce the APC and its supporters from charges of terrorism and subversion of national security interests? Ask questions.”

Nigerian Senate passes bill imposing life imprisonment for child defilement no option if fine.

In a landmark move to curb rising cases of sexual violence, lawmakers push for harsher penalties — as a Lagos court simultaneously hands life sentence to a man for raping a 7-year-old girl.

Senate President
The Nigerian Senate is currently trending after passing a tougher bill prescribing life imprisonment for anyone convicted of defiling a minor, with no option of fine, in a bid to combat the alarming rise in child sexual abuse across the country.

The new amendment, which replaces the existing provisions of the Criminal Code Act and the Penal Code, was strongly championed by Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), who insisted that offenders deserve nothing less than life imprisonment — and even hinted that capital punishment would have been more fitting.

Initially, the bill proposed a 20-year jail term for paedophiles. However, Senator Aliero called for a stiffer sentence, arguing that lenient laws have failed to deter offenders.

Under the new proposal Defilement of a minor now carries life imprisonment — without an option of fine. Rape now carries a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment. The law updates the Criminal Code Act (Section 218), which previously prescribed 13 years to life imprisonment, and Section 221, which allowed 2 years for unlawful carnal knowledge of minors. The Penal Code (Section 283), applicable in Northern Nigeria, which carried 14 years to life imprisonment or fine, will also be updated.

In Sharia-compliant states, penalties remain even more severe — extending to death or life imprisonment, depending on interpretation and local enforcement.

Coincidentally, on the same day as the Senate’s deliberation, a Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) Court in Oshodi, Lagos, sentenced a 25-year-old graphic designer to life imprisonment for raping a 7-year-old girl in 2020.

According to court records, the convict — a neighbour of the victim’s family in a “face-me-I-face-you” compound — repeatedly assaulted the minor when her parents were away, forcing himself on her in the kitchen and bathroom.
The judgement has been widely commended, though some Nigerians believe that life imprisonment is still not harsh enough, with growing calls for chemical castration or death penalty for child rapists.
Others are also urging lawmakers to criminalise false rape accusations, warning that misuse of the law could undermine justice for real victims.

This moves by the Nigerian Senate marks one of the strongest legislative actions yet in the fight against sexual violence and child exploitation.
If fully enacted and enforced, it could reshape how rape and child defilement cases are prosecuted nationwide — potentially closing loopholes that have long allowed offenders to escape justice.

FG, Senate Leaders Head to Washington to Stop US Sanctions Over Christian Genocide.

Top officials of the Federal Government and the National Assembly are set to travel to Washington D.C. in a diplomatic move to stop possible United States sanctions over alleged persecution and genocide of Christians in Nigeria.

The high-powered delegation, which includes federal lawmakers, senior military officers, and heads of security agencies, will meet with members of the U.S. Congress to clarify Nigeria’s position and counter the growing narrative of “Christian genocide.”

The trip follows an urgent resolution by the 10th Senate, sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume, who urged the government to “put the record straight” and prevent sanctions against the country.

According to sources, the delegation will present evidence to prove that the security crisis in Nigeria is not religiously motivated but rather a result of terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts. The team is expected to depart Abuja early next week.

In recent months, U.S. lawmakers and advocacy groups have increased pressure on Nigeria over rising attacks on Christian communities. Senator Ted Cruz recently accused Nigeria of “mass murder” of Christians and introduced the “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025” (S.2747).

The proposed bill seeks to list Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a move that could trigger travel bans, arms restrictions, and other economic sanctions.

The Nigerian Senate had earlier dismissed the genocide allegations as “false and dangerous,” warning that such claims could damage the country’s image and inflame religious tensions.

Lawmakers maintained that the ongoing violence is complex and tied to criminality and resource struggles, not state-backed religious persecution.

Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) shows that between January 2020 and September 2025, over 11,800 civilian attacks were recorded in Nigeria. Among them, 385 incidents involved Christian victims, while 196 targeted Muslims, reflecting the widespread nature of insecurity across regions.