States hold N264bn UBEC funds as schools struggle

State governments across Nigeria have left N264.12bn in Universal Basic Education Commission matching grants unspent, even as public schools grapple with dilapidated classrooms, overcrowding and shortages of learning materials, raising concerns about the utilisation of funds meant to improve basic education. The 2025 UBEC Annual Report, exclusively obtained by The PUNCH, showed that the funds […]

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FG’s $21.7 billion loan request sparks borrowing, debt servicing concerns

Only N374.6b saved for maturing debt liquidation in five years Public debt rose by N79.41tr between June 2023 and June 2026 Atiku urges N’Assembly to suspend approval pending full project disclosures Power, transport, security, healthcare top proposed loan-tied projects Nigeria’s mounting debt burden has come under heightened scrutiny as President Bola Tinubu seeks legislative approval […]

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Family petitions IGP over engineer’s missing corpse in Anambra hospital

Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu File Photo: Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu. The family of Chukwunweike Okammelu, an engineer whose corpse allegedly disappeared from the mortuary of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, Anambra State, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, seeking further investigation into the incident. The family’s lawyer, Joseph Offor, requested in […]

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APC releases supplementary list for Tinubu’s 2027 campaign council

The All Progressives Congress on Wednesday released a supplementary list expanding the leadership and membership of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu/APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council (PCC). In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, the party said the additional appointments cut across various directorates, sectoral groups, mobilisation structures and operational units of the […]

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PeacePro raises alarm over disease outbreaks, humanitarian crisis in North-West IDP camps

By John Dike Osogbo lists over 30 camps in Sokoto seeks urgent relief for displaced families in Zamfara, Katsina The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has raised the alarm over the risk of preventable disease outbreaks and a worsening humanitarian crisis in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across Nigeria’s North-West, urging the Federal Government, state […]

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Osun NUJ to honour head of service, NLC Chair, Elerinmo, Accord chairman others at 35thanniversary, 2026 press week

By John Dike Osogbo The Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) will on Thursday, October 29, honour the Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina; Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo; and other distinguished personalities for their contributions to public service, leadership, labour relations, […]

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Afenifere raises committee for Fasoranti’s burial

The pan-Yoruba sociocultural organisation, Afenifere, has constituted a 32-member burial committee to oversee arrangements for the funeral of its late leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti. The decision was announced at a meeting held at Fasoranti’s residence in Akure on Tuesday by the Chairman of Afenifere’s National Executive Committee, Oba Olu Falae, who presided over the […]

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UK universities face £925 annual fevy for each foreign student from 2028

Universities in England are expected to pay an annual £925 levy for every international student they enrol from August 2028 under a proposed British government policy aimed at funding financial support for disadvantaged domestic undergraduates. The measure could affect institutions enrolling students from Nigeria, India, China and other countries, with universities potentially facing additional costs […]

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Tinubu seeks Reps’ approval for $20.52bn, €1.045bn foreign loans

President Bola Tinubu has approached the House of Representatives for approval to secure external loans worth $20.52bn and €1.045bn to finance development projects under the Federal Government’s 2026–2027 Supplementary External Borrowing Rolling Plan. The request was conveyed in a letter read by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, during Wednesday’s plenary. Tinubu urged lawmakers […]

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2027: Adelami lists key factors to ensure credible elections

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami has identified holistic alignment and unbiased participation by all stakeholders as crucial to having credible elections. Speaking on Wednesday at a virtual public discourse on Strengthening Democratic Institutions for Credible Elections in Nigeria: 2027 and Beyond, organized by the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) Ondo/Ekiti States […]

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