Unemployment on the Run as Shettima Announces $220m Plan to Empower Nigerian Youths.

The Federal Government has announced plans to invest $220 million in creating employment opportunities for young Nigerians through the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0.

Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this on Wednesday during the official inauguration of the programme at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is designed to equip graduates with hands-on work experience, mentorship, and professional training.

Shettima said the new phase of the NJFP seeks to bridge the gap between learning and earning for thousands of qualified but unemployed graduates. According to him, the Tinubu administration aims to turn Nigeria’s youthful population into an engine of economic growth by integrating the programme into the national planning and budgeting system.

“Our goal is to raise $220 million not as charity, but as an investment in our most valuable asset: our young people,” Shettima stated.

The Vice President further emphasized that inclusivity would be central to the implementation of NJFP 2.0, ensuring participation across all regions and socio-economic backgrounds. Priority sectors include agriculture, renewable energy, digital technology, manufacturing, and the creative industries.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, noted that since its inception in 2021, the NJFP has empowered over 13,000 youths with skills and placements, with the new phase targeting 100,000 job opportunities within five years.

UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, and EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gauthier Mignot, both reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the initiative and ensuring its sustainability through government integration and long-term funding mechanisms.

No Going Back On Strike, ASUU Tells FG.

YENAGOA – The President of the Academ­ic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Chris Piwuna, has re­stated that there is no going back on its planned two weeks nation­wide warning strike over some lingering issues, if the Federal Government fails to respond on or before October 13 expiry date.

The planned strike follows a two-week ultimatum issued by the union, last week, asking the Federal Government to address its unresolved issues, including the signing and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.

Speaking with newsmen during the Orientation/Lead­ership Training for Academic Staff Union, Niger Delta Univer­sity branch, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Piwuna insisted that the union has agreed on their position on a warning strike which will not change except their demands with the Federal Government are met.

He said, “The warning strike has been issued and we are not meeting to discuss that again as a union because our position has been taken, and by midnight of Monday we will embark on two weeks warning strike, after which we will meet after the ex­piration to decide when to begin an indefinite and comprehensive strike action.

“The issues still remain the same, re-negotiation of our 2009 documents is still lingering over the years, and we want Nigerians to know that we have been talking and the strike action is coming after several years of negotiations and we are not just jumping on a strike.

“We have given government enough time on this particular issue, just imagine they gave us three weeks to get back to us and never did till this moment. Ni­gerians must always look at the actions of government that has al­ways pushed us to such actions”.

On the issue of NELFUND, Pi­wuna said, “We have told govern­ment that we do not support loan in such a depressed economy. An economy where unemployment rate is high, families can’t feed, so where from where do they want them to repay the loan.

“If they truly want to give them monies, they should come out clean; where are the jobs that will enable them repay the loans, if the monies are meant to make the universities run better it should be given as a grant, not a loan.

Asian Stocks Mixed After Fed Cuts Rates by 25 Points

Asian markets were choppy on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points but left investors uncertain about the pace of future easing.

The move, the Fed’s first reduction since December, came in response to weakening labor market data despite inflation remaining above the 2% target. Chair Jerome Powell said “labour demand has softened” and job creation is running below levels needed to stabilize unemployment.

The Fed’s forecast showed a split outlook: a slim majority of policymakers anticipate two more cuts, while others see no further action this year. Powell stressed decisions would be made “meeting by meeting.”

U.S. markets ended mixed, with the Dow edging higher while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped. In Asia, Tokyo gained as a stronger dollar boosted exporters, while Hong Kong and Shanghai fluctuated. Seoul, Taipei, and Jakarta advanced, but Sydney, Singapore, Wellington, and Manila retreated.

Gold held near $3,660 an ounce after hitting a record above $3,707 on Wednesday. Oil prices slipped, with Brent crude down 0.4% to $67.66.

In corporate news, Australian energy firm Santos tumbled nearly 12% after a consortium led by Abu Dhabi’s state oil company withdrew a takeover bid.

Key Figures (as of 0230 GMT):

Tokyo (Nikkei 225): +1.1% at 45,277.43

Hong Kong (Hang Seng): –0.4% at 26,813.58

Shanghai Composite: +0.2% at 3,882.18

Euro/dollar: $1.1816 (+0.0005)

Pound/dollar: $1.3622 (–0.0004)

Dollar/yen: ¥147.04 (+0.04)

WTI Crude: –0.5% at $63.73

Brent Crude: –0.4% at $67.66

New York (Dow): +0.6% at 46,018.32 (close)

London (FTSE 100): +0.1% at 9,208.37 (close)

Source: Channels Television

Shettima Hails Tinubu’s Bold Economic Reforms, Urges Africa to Embrace Structural Transformation

Vice President Kashim Shettima has praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for demonstrating “uncommon political will” in implementing bold reforms to tackle Nigeria’s economic challenges.

Speaking at the 66th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) in Abuja, Shettima described Tinubu as a leader with a listening ear whose approach continues to inspire hope amid economic hardship.

“Nigeria is not exempt from Africa’s economic tragedies. But our silver lining is the listening ear of President Tinubu. Under his leadership, this administration has embarked on bold and inevitable reforms to address structural weaknesses that others only paid lip service to.
These reforms are painful but necessary—like surgery that cures a malignant disease. The wounds are temporary, but the recovery is permanent,” Shettima said.

The Vice President acknowledged the hardship accompanying the reforms, alongside global economic pressures, but stressed that the government has introduced investment-friendly policies and social protection programmes in key sectors like transportation, healthcare, and education to cushion vulnerable citizens.

He further emphasized the need for Africa to embrace the knowledge economy and structural transformation to combat poverty and unemployment:

“We live in a world where a citizen in Daura can offer services to a corporation in Dallas without leaving his bedroom. To catch up, Africa must reinvent its human capital and reverse unemployment. Poverty must be confronted head-on if this continent’s promise is to be realized.”



Shettima also noted that global challenges such as supply chain disruptions, energy transition, and artificial intelligence, though often seen as threats, present opportunities for Africa’s economic renewal.

Other Highlights from the Conference

Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, pledged to integrate NES into government programmes like the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme.

Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, described the livestock sector as “Nigeria’s next crude oil” and promised collaboration with NES on diversification.

Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, NES President, reaffirmed the society’s commitment to bridging research and policy.

Dr. Eric Kehinde Ogunleye of the African Development Bank urged greater investment in people alongside reforms.


The event was attended by senior government officials, academics, lawmakers, and representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

APC Lagos Dismisses Speculations on Jonathan’s Possible 2027 Comeback

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to growing speculation that former President Goodluck Jonathan may contest the 2027 presidential election, describing his political relevance as uncertain in today’s Nigeria.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Jonathan — who lost his re-election bid in 2015 to the late President Muhammadu Buhari — is being urged by some of his supporters to return to the race.

In a statement on Friday, the APC Lagos spokesperson, Mr. Seye Oladejo, said while Jonathan’s peaceful handover of power in 2015 earned him widespread respect, Nigeria has since moved beyond the politics of “sentiment, nostalgia, and symbolism.”

“The challenges of today and tomorrow require bold, capable, and forward-thinking leadership — not a return to the comfort of a past that was far from perfect. Let it be clear: good luck alone is not a governance strategy,” Oladejo stated.


He argued that Jonathan’s administration (2010–2015) left behind deep structural problems, including corruption, insecurity, and economic stagnation. He cautioned Nigerians against viewing the period through “rose-tinted glasses,” stressing that emotion cannot drive economic reform, and sentimentality will not fix insecurity, unemployment, or the power sector.

Oladejo also pointed out the constitutional and political complications of a possible Jonathan candidacy, noting that having already served more than one term, any attempt to return could spark legal battles and political instability.

He further highlighted Jonathan’s “flirtation with the APC” and absence from the PDP’s rebuilding process, saying such moves raise doubts about his political clarity and loyalty.

The Lagos APC insisted that the party is committed to progressive reforms and fresh leadership that reflects the aspirations of Nigeria’s youthful population.

“The future of Nigeria does not lie in recycled leadership but in visionary governance rooted in integrity, innovation, and resilience,” Oladejo said.


While acknowledging Jonathan as a respected elder statesman whose legacy of peaceful democratic transition is secure, the APC urged Nigerians to prioritize capable and transformative leadership over “emotional shortcuts” as the 2027 elections approach.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced new passport fees effective September 1, 2025. A 32-page, 5-year passport will now cost ₦100,000, while a 64-page, 10-year passport will cost ₦200,000—a 100% increase from the old rates.

The new charges apply only to applications within Nigeria, while diaspora fees remain unchanged at $150 (32-page, 5 years) and $230 (64-page, 10 years).

The NIS said the review balances service delivery with accessibility. The hike comes amid Nigeria’s worsening unemployment and the growing “Japa” migration trend, as more youths and professionals seek opportunities abroad.

Civil Society Groups Reject Politicians’ Pay Rise, Call For Mass Resistance

Two civil society groups — the Revolutionary Socialist Movement (RSM) and the Workers and Youth Solidarity Network (WYSN) — have condemned the federal government’s proposal to raise the salaries and allowances of political office holders, describing it as “immoral, anti-poor, and a betrayal of public trust.”

The groups argued that while millions struggle with unemployment, inflation, and poverty, politicians already enjoy bloated pay and luxury.

They urged the NLC, TUC, students, and civil society to resist the plan through protests, strikes, and campaigns, stressing that funds should instead go to education, healthcare, housing, transport, and a living wage for workers.

#WorkersFirst #StopTheGreed #Nigeria

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

Shettima to Lead Conversations at CRMI’s Annual Conference

Vice President Kashim Shettima will headline discussions at the 24th Annual International Conference of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), scheduled to hold in Lagos next week.

Themed “Global Risks, Local Solutions,” the two-day summit will bring together senior policymakers, regulators, CEOs, and risk experts to tackle challenges such as climate change, financial volatility, artificial intelligence, food security, and public health threats.

The conference also marks the first major outing of Kevin Ugwuoke as President and Chairman of CRMI’s Governing Council. Ugwuoke described the event as a “strategic gathering” focused on domestic risk mapping, AI-driven disruptions, investor protection, and sustainability.

CRMI noted the summit’s importance for Nigeria and Africa amid mounting pressures from unemployment, infrastructure gaps, and institutional weaknesses. The programme will feature high-level panels, interactive masterclasses, and the unveiling of new research tools designed to adapt global risk frameworks to local realities.

#CRMIConference #RiskManagement #Nigeria

Angola has big problems like high unemployment and poor public services. Still, the U.S. and Europe continue to support the current regime in Angola . The West ignores protests and cares more about making money than bringing stability in the country! Wake up Africa !

FEC Approves 5-Year Ban on Establishing New Federal Tertiary Institutions.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Bola Tinubu, has approved a five-year moratorium on establishing new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to curb duplication and inefficiencies in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

Minister of Education Tunji Alausa said access is no longer the main challenge but rather the proliferation of institutions with low enrolment and inadequate resources. “What we are witnessing today is duplication… degradation of both physical infrastructure and manpower,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria has 72 federal, 108 state, and 159 private universities, alongside hundreds of polytechnics and colleges, yet many operate far below capacity. Between 2024 and 2026, 199 universities had fewer than 99 applicants, 34 had none, while similar patterns emerged in 295 polytechnics and 219 colleges of education.

Alausa cited a case where a federal university had under 800 students but over 1,200 staff. “This is simply not sustainable,” he stressed. The ban will allow government to redirect resources toward upgrading existing institutions’ infrastructure, manpower, and capacity.

He added that the moratorium also applies to new private tertiary institutions, except those meeting updated standards. This week, nine long-pending private university applications were approved after clearing a backlog and deactivating over 350 inactive requests.

“If we do not act now, graduate unemployment will rise… This policy is vital if we want to maintain the global respect for Nigerian education and graduates,” Alausa warned.

Nigerians, Tinubu's policies have plunged us into deeper hardship, skyrocketing fuel prices, crippling inflation, and unfulfilled promises. His reforms enrich the elite while we starve. Youth unemployment soars, yet he ignores our cries.

#EndBadGovernance went viral for a reason; our pain is real! Share this truth, amplify our voices, and demand accountability. Let’s expose this failure and push for change. Nigeria deserves better! #TinubuMustGo.

Ghanaian President John Mahama has assured Nigerians that there is no place for X+n@phobia in Ghana, reaffirming the country’s commitment to ECOWAS protocols on the free movement of people & goods.

Mahama gave the assurance while receiving a special envoy from President Bola Tinubu led by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Presidential Palace in Accra.

In a statement released by Dr. Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication & New Media to the Minister, Mahama dismissed concerns over recent protests targeting Nigerians in Ghana. He urged President Tinubu not to worry, emphasizing the strong historic ties between both nations.

“Tell President Tinubu not to lose sleep. Nigeria & Ghana are brothers. We won’t let anything come between us,” Mahama said. He explained that a viral protest video circulating online was actually an old clip recorded over 10 years ago by a Nigerian resident in Ghana.

Though it briefly stirred tensions, Mahama clarified that fewer than 50 people were involved and the matter was promptly addressed.

The president guaranteed the safety of Nigerians and their businesses in Ghana, stressing that both countries must continue to foster unity and cooperation. Amb. Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on her part, appreciated President Mahama’s hospitality and reassurances.

She said the Nigerian government was deeply concerned about the safety of its citizens in Ghana following the video’s resurgence. She also revealed that the visit aimed to push for the establishment of a permanent Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission.

According to her, the commission would tackle youth migration issues linked to unemployment, while also promoting responsible migration. “We encourage our youth to stay in Nigeria, and if they must migrate, to be good ambassadors,” she added.

Mahama: No Room for Xenophobia in Ghana

Accra, August 1, 2025 – Ghanaian President John Mahama has reassured the Nigerian government that xenophobia has no place in Ghana, following recent protests targeting Nigerian nationals.

During a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Mahama emphasized Ghana’s commitment to ECOWAS protocols and the free movement of people and goods in West Africa. He urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu not to worry about the unrest, attributing it to an old, recirculated video that sparked temporary tension.

Mahama affirmed that the safety of Nigerians and their businesses in Ghana remains a priority.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on a fact-finding mission, said the visit aimed to ease tensions and proposed the creation of a permanent Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission to address migration and youth unemployment. She also urged Nigerians in Ghana to abide by local laws.

She described the meeting with Mahama as “engaging” and praised the president’s dedication to peaceful coexistence.

Brief: Obi Accuses Tinubu of Using False Statistics to Mask Economic Hardship

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has accused President Bola Tinubu of manipulating economic data to misrepresent the country’s worsening economic reality.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Obi recalled that Tinubu once mocked his focus on statistics during the 2023 campaign, yet now relies on questionable data to defend his administration’s economic record.

He criticised the president for allegedly presenting misleading figures on unemployment, inflation, and GDP rebasing to create a false sense of progress, despite rising hunger and hardship in the country.

Obi’s remarks came shortly after billionaire Aliko Dangote praised Tinubu’s economic reforms for reviving private sector confidence.#PeterObi, #Tinubu, #NigeriaEconomy, #Unemployment, #Inflation,

JUST IN: Nigerians Are Hungry, Stop Feeding Them Wrong Statistics Peter Obi Tells Tinubu.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the state of the economy.

The former governor of Anambra State has accused the administration of relying on manipulated data to mask the worsening hardship in the country.

Obi, in a statement posted via his X handle on Monday, recalled a 2022 campaign remark by Tinubu, who dismissed his (Obi’s) focus on data and statistics.

According to Obi, at the time, Tinubu had said, “Na statistics we go chop? All I want is to put food on the table of Nigerians.”

Nearly two years into President Tinubu’s four-year term, Obi said that the promise remains unfulfilled, as hunger and hardship have worsened under his watch.

“Today, Nigeria is classified as one of the hungriest nations in the world. Millions of Nigerians do not know where their next meal will come from,” Obi stated.

The former governor accused the Tinubu administration of using “wrong statistics” to paint a misleading picture of the economy. He cited questionable unemployment figures, inaccurate inflation reports, and what he described as the recent “GDP debasing,” claiming they were all part of efforts to downplay the country’s deteriorating economic and household conditions.

The statement reads in full:

In November 2022, while campaigning in Delta State, the then APC Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu, now the President, berated the other Presidential Candidate (Peter Obi), he was ashamed to call his name, saying “Na statistics we go chop all I want is to put food on the table of Nigerians”.

Now, 2 years into his 4-year tenure, Nigeria is classified as one of the hungriest nations in the world, with millions of Nigerians not knowing where their next meal will come from.

President Tinubu is now overfeeding Nigerians with wrong Statistics from wrong unemployment figures, wrong inflation figures, and now GDP debasing, all to put a positive spin on our deteriorating economic and household conditions.

Governance is not a rock science, it’s not a gamble, like I have always reiterated, it requires sincerity of purpose, character, competence, capacity and compassion.

A new Nigeria is POssible.

US court sentences Nigerian to 11 years for $1.3m scam.

A Nigerian man, Abiola Quadri, has been sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison in the United States for orchestrating a $1.3 million fraud scheme involving stolen identities to claim COVID-19 pandemic unemployment and disability benefits.

The 43-year-old, a permanent resident of Pasadena, California, used the illicit funds to construct a nightclub, shopping mall, and a lavish 120-room resort hotel in Nigeria, authorities revealed.

According to a statement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on its Instagram page on Wednesday, Quadri submitted hundreds of fraudulent applications using stolen identities, siphoning off taxpayer money.

“We’re proud that our special agents’ hard work paid off and Quadri will face justice for his crimes,” ICE declared, highlighting the scale of the operation that raked in $1.3 million.

Details from ICE’s website, dated July 16, 2025, paint a fuller picture of the crime.

The fraudster withdrew the stolen funds from ATMs between 2021 and his arrest in September 2024 at Los Angeles International Airport, where he was en route to Nigeria.

Investigations revealed he sent at least $500,000 abroad, funding the construction of the Oyins International resort in Nigeria, complete with a nightclub, mall, and high-end amenities. Shockingly, Quadri failed to disclose his ownership of the hotel in his court financial disclosures.

Authorities uncovered 17 counterfeit checks worth over $3.3 million on Quadri’s phone, alongside messages negotiating these fraudulent transactions.

Some checks were linked to shell businesses under his aliases. Quadri also exploited his Altadena-based company, Rock of Peace, which was paid to provide daycare for developmentally disabled children in California, misappropriating food-aid debit cards found during a search of his residence.

BREAKING: A Nigerian man, Abiola Quadri, has been sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison in the United States for orchestrating a $1.3 million fraud scheme involving stolen identities to claim COVID-19 pandemic unemployment and disability benefits.

US court sentences Nigerian socialite to 11 years imprisonment for fraudulently obtaining $1.3m in COVID-19 jobless and disability benefits.

A Nigerian man was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for defrauding California and Nevada out of $1.3 million in COVID-19 pandemic unemployment and disability insurance benefits by submitting more than 100 fraudulent applications using stolen identities and using the money to build a nightclub and mall in Nigeria.

Abiola Femi Quadri, 43, of Pasadena, was sentenced by United States District Judge George H. Wu, on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

The judge also ordered him to pay $1,356,229 in restitution and a $35,000 fine.

Quadri is a Nigerian citizen who acquired permanent residency in the United States through what he described – according to court documents – as a “fake wedding” in messages to a woman who was not his wife, pleaded guilty on January 2 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

Quadri, who lives in the San Gabriel Valley withdrew the fraudulent unemployment and disability benefits at ATMs from 2021 until his arrest in September 2024 at Los Angeles International Airport, where he was scheduled to fly to Nigeria.

Quadri sent at least $500,000 abroad during the scheme. He also paid for the construction of a 120-room resort hotel in Nigeria, the Oyins International, that includes a nightclub, a mall, and additional high-end amenities. Quadri failed to disclose his ownership of the hotel as required when completing his financial disclosure to the court.

Investigators found on Quadri’s phone images of 17 counterfeit checks totaling more than $3.3 million, along with messages about negotiating the checks. Some of the checks were made payable to shell businesses held in the names of Quadri’s aliases.

California paid Quadri to provide daycare services to developmentally disabled children through his Altadena-based business, Rock of Peace. When agents searched Quadri’s residence, they found the children’s misappropriated food-aid debit cards.

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The United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the California Employment Development Department Investigation Division investigated this matter.

Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Brown of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted this case.

Survey Reveals 83% of Nigerians Have Little or No Trust in Tinubu Administration

A newly released national survey has revealed that 83% of Nigerians express little to no trust in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The findings highlight growing public dissatisfaction with the government's handling of critical issues such as the economy, insecurity, unemployment, and cost of living.

The survey, conducted by a reputable research body, indicates a widening trust gap between the government and the citizens, especially amid rising inflation, fuel subsidy removal, and currency devaluation. Respondents cited unmet campaign promises, lack of transparency, and perceived insensitivity to the plight of ordinary Nigerians as key reasons for their disillusionment.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, analysts say the Tinubu government will need to rebuild public confidence through concrete actions, reforms, and visible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.

Do you think the government can regain public trust?
A. Yes
B. No