ABUJA — The camps of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso have dismissed reports of a rift between them over the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, campaign council ahead of 2027.
Both sides said the claims are “not true” and that consultations between the Obi and Kwankwaso teams are still ongoing.
The speculation started after reports emerged of disagreements on appointments and structure for the NDC campaign team.
Spokespeople from both camps said they remain committed to working together and that no final decisions on the campaign council have been made yet.
The NDC, formed as a coalition platform, is positioning itself as a major opposition force ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political analysts say unity between Obi and Kwankwaso will be key to the party’s chances, given their strong support bases in the South-East and North.
OSOGBO — The Osun State Police Command has summoned Senator Francis Fadahunsi of the APC, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over a viral threat to “kill Accord members”.
The invitation comes amid rising political tension in Osun ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Senator Fadahunsi has since clarified the remark, saying he was referring to “defeating” Accord members politically, not violence.
Meanwhile, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has raised an alarm over an alleged plot to arrest leaders of the Accord party and has demanded the Senator’s arrest.
Police have not released details of the charges, but confirmed the Senator was invited to explain the statement made in the viral video.
The incident has sparked reactions across the state as parties gear up for 2026.
ABUJA — Millions of Nigerians say living standards have worsened over the past three years as inflation and government reforms continue to bite.
A Reuters report released today highlights the struggles of workers like Abuja NGO staff Grace Adama, who earns ₦135,000 monthly. She says her salary “stays for just one week” due to rising costs of housing, electricity and food.
Data shows the price of making staple jollof rice has more than doubled since President Tinubu took office. Petrol prices are now *6 times higher* following the removal of fuel subsidy and naira devaluation.
The World Bank estimates that just over *50% of Nigerians lived in poverty last year*, up from 42% in 2022.
Despite the hardship, government officials and investors defend the reforms as “tough medicine” needed to prevent a fiscal crisis. The policies have earned Tinubu the nickname *”T-Pain”* among citizens frustrated by the rising costs.
The presidency maintains that the economy is improving and the benefits of reforms will be felt in the long run.
ABUJA — Nigeria’s upstream regulator says the country is set for a massive energy push, with plans to attract *up to $50 billion* in offshore oil and gas investment by 2030.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, announced that at least *22 offshore projects* are expected to start production before 2030. Officials say reforms, new licensing rounds, and improved security have made Nigeria more attractive to investors.
NUPRC Chief Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan confirmed the commission has cleared over *$57 billion* in field development plans since 2024. In the 2025 licensing round alone, *37 oil blocks* were awarded to 31 companies.
The government says the investments will help nearly *double oil production to 3 million barrels per day* by 2030 and boost infrastructure across the sector.
Investors have responded positively, calling it one of the most optimistic outlooks for Nigeria in two decades, even as citizens continue to grapple with high costs of living.
Open Letter to the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR
On the Use of Textbooks and the Prohibition of Graduation Ceremonies in Nursery and Primary Schools.
Your Excellency,
The circular dated 16th July 2026, signed by Dr. Ekene Ogugua of the Ministry of Education, came rather late, although its contents serve the public good. As always, I write in the public interest because this directive has the potential to save hundreds of thousands of middle-class parents from exploitation by some public, private, and mission schools across Anambra State.
Unknown to Your Excellency, before the issuance of the circular, thousands of parents had already paid between ₦2,000 and ₦200,000 each in the name of graduation ceremonies. Most schools had completed all the necessary arrangements for these elaborate celebrations before a single government memo brought the unnecessary and wasteful events to a halt.
Regrettably, many parents have not received refunds of the money already paid, although I understand that the Government has subsequently directed some identified schools to refund such payments. This directive should be enforced across all affected schools to ensure fairness.
Your administration deserves commendation for taking a bold step to end the growing commercialization of graduation ceremonies. The policy has undoubtedly saved many families from recurring financial pressure.
Many parents paid these fees not because they could comfortably afford them, but because they feared that their children would feel excluded or embarrassed among their classmates. This “neighbourhood effect” has become a powerful psychological force that compels unnecessary spending. Sadly, many schools now view graduation ceremonies more as revenue-generating ventures than as modest celebrations of academic achievement.
However, while the intervention is commendable, it came rather late and offered no practical alternatives. Government should have issued clear guidelines at the beginning of the academic session on how schools should organize end-of-session academic awards and recognition ceremonies for outstanding pupils.
Regulation should not simply prohibit excesses; it should also provide a workable framework that encourages excellence while protecting parents.
More importantly, if one government circular can successfully stop exploitative graduation ceremonies, another should be issued to promote functional education.
Our educational system must move beyond being merely certificate-driven. It should become a problem-solving system that equips learners with practical skills from primary school through secondary school. Education should prepare children to contribute meaningfully to society by addressing real-life challenges such as food production, housing, road construction, electricity management, urban and rural planning, environmental sustainability, healthcare, and technology.
Children should not spend years memorizing theories and reading books that have little relevance to solving the problems around them. In countries like China, pupils are introduced early to practical skills such as animal husbandry, cooking, hairdressing, painting, and other vocational activities. Such exposure prepares them for productive living and self-reliance.
Your Excellency, Anambra State should establish industrial and vocational villages across the state’s senatorial zones to promote production, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Such centres would provide school leavers with practical opportunities to acquire employable skills and begin earning a livelihood while continuing their education.
Is Your Excellency not concerned that our current educational curriculum is increasingly outdated and poorly aligned with the realities of the 21st-century Artificial Intelligence era?
Last week, Your Excellency travelled to the United Kingdom to celebrate your daughter’s academic achievement. Like many privileged Nigerian parents, you sought quality education abroad. This raises an important question: are you genuinely satisfied with the standard of education available in Anambra State?
There is an urgent need for comprehensive educational reform. Stopping the exploitation of parents through unnecessary graduation ceremonies is commendable, but it is only the first step. The greater challenge is to redesign our educational system so that it produces innovators, entrepreneurs, skilled workers, and problem-solvers rather than graduates armed only with certificates.
Our education system must have a direct correlation with solving society’s problems and driving economic development.
Yours faithfully,
Ndubuisi Anaenugwu
Ambassador-General
Good Governance Ministry (GGM)
ggovernanceministry@gmail.com
The responsibilities of a State Governor are enormous. Time is often insufficient to accomplish the huge workload placed before every chief executive. Although many citizens are not fully aware of the constitutional responsibilities of a governor—particularly the provision of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”—a governor who is genuinely committed to good governance will have little time for politics that does not translate into development.
The level of income inequality across the South-East is alarming. While a privileged few continue to accumulate enormous wealth, millions remain trapped in cycles of poverty that are both persistent and generational.
Good governance must therefore go beyond infrastructure and deliberately address inclusive economic growth.
Road construction is important, but in many states, projects are often driven more by political considerations than by strategic planning. What the region requires is a well-defined development roadmap that prioritises economic impact, connectivity, and the long-term welfare of the people.
Our people have endured years of poor governance, so even modest improvements are greeted with overwhelming celebration. That appears to be the situation in Abia State under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti. Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, many Abians experienced years of infrastructural decay and declining public services. With the emergence of Governor Otti, many residents believe a new chapter has begun.
The last time I visited Aba, several residents described Governor Alex Otti as a “miracle worker.” That perception stems largely from his administration’s rehabilitation of key roads and the prompt evacuation of the mountains of refuse that had become a defining feature of Enyimba City within the first eight months of his administration.
These achievements restored public confidence and demonstrated that responsive governance is possible.
However, good governance must extend beyond roads and sanitation. Affordable food, decent housing, quality jobs, reliable public water supply, accessible healthcare, and policies that reduce income inequality remain essential pillars of sustainable development. It is difficult to achieve lasting security when millions of young people remain unemployed/ underemployed.
To his credit, Governor Otti appears to appreciate this reality. His administration’s partnerships with private sector initiatives such as Geometric Power and Chinese solar energy investors are encouraging steps towards stimulating economic activity. Nevertheless, equal attention should be paid to the affordability of these services, considering the limited purchasing power of the average citizen.
As an economist and accomplished banker, Governor Otti understands the importance of deploying competent human resources and creating an enabling environment for investment and productivity. The effective mobilisation of Abians and residents towards improving education, agriculture, road infrastructure, affordable housing, healthcare, organised transportation, law and order, and industrial development will ultimately determine the long-term success of his administration.
I also attempted to assess the quality of Abia State Government’s public communication and service delivery. Through an online search, I obtained the government’s toll-free number: 08000000232. I tried to obtain the contact details of the Governor’s spokesperson, Mr. Kazie Uko, but could not find a publicly available telephone number.
When I called the toll-free line, I was requested to indicate the particular department i would wish to talk to .And when i indicated , i was asked to hold because all officers were reportedly busy. I remained on hold for about nine minutes without any response. I called repeatedly and experienced the same outcome. This represents a service delivery gap that deserves the Governor’s attention.
The state’s public communication architecture requires urgent reform if government intends to remain accessible and responsive to citizens.
In the era of Artificial Intelligence, effective call centre management requires professionalism, technology, and well-trained personnel with competitive reward system. It should no longer be viewed merely as an administrative function but as a critical component of public service delivery and government accountability.
Governor Alex Otti’s background as an economist and successful banker suggests that he understands the importance of attracting, motivating, and retaining competent professionals in sensitive public positions. Effective governance depends not only on visionary leadership but also on the quality of the institutions and personnel that implement government policies.
The South-East needs visionary, accountable, and results-driven leadership now more than ever. We do not need leaders who demand unquestioning loyalty or personality cults. Constructive criticism strengthens democracy, improves governance, and ultimately serves the public interest.
Ndubuisi Anaenugwu
Ambassador-General, Good Governance Ministry (GGM)
ggovernanceministry@gmail.com
A sharp rise in fuel prices this year is being blamed for a surge in malnutrition cases in parts of Nigeria, as families struggle to afford food and basic necessities.
According to a World Bank technical report released this week, petrol pump prices climbed from ₦800 per liter in February to ₦1,400 per liter in April. The jump followed disruptions to global oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz amid the war in the Middle East. The higher transport and production costs have since pushed up prices of food, fertilizer and other essentials.
The impact is already visible in hospitals. In Sokoto, northwestern Nigeria, health workers say they are treating more children who had recovered from malnutrition but have now relapsed.
At one hospital in Sokoto, records show nearly 40 children previously treated for malnutrition since February are currently back under treatment, in addition to new cases that are not documented. “I am worried and sometimes angry about the increasing numbers we are seeing,” said health worker Halimah Muhammad.
For many households like that of Maryam Aminu, the combination of higher food prices and low income has made it harder to keep children properly fed. Aminu was photographed this month caring for her daughter Farisa, who has relapsed into malnutrition.
UNICEF also warned this week that the global fallout from the Middle East conflict could push up to 23.4 million more children into poverty by year end, with at least 80% in Africa and Asia.
Economists say if fuel and food prices remain high, more families risk slipping deeper into poverty in the coming months, worsening nutrition outcomes especially in the North-West and North-East. Humanitarian agencies are calling for urgent support to food programs and health facilities to cushion the effect.
A new World Bank technical report released this week says 139 million Nigerians are now classified as poor or vulnerable to poverty. The report links the rise to the ongoing war in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which triggered a global fuel shock and pushed up prices of petrol, food, fertilizer and transport across Nigeria.
According to the report, fuel pump prices jumped from ₦800 per litre in February to ₦1,400 per litre in April. The increase has forced many households to cut spending on food and health, with the hardest impact felt in the North-West and North-East.
In Sokoto, health workers say they are seeing more children returning to hospitals with malnutrition. At one hospital, records show nearly 40 children previously treated for malnutrition since February are currently under treatment again. “I am worried and sometimes angry about the increasing numbers we are seeing,” said health worker Halimah Muhammad.
The United Nations children’s agency UNICEF also warned this week that if the Middle East conflict continues, up to 23.4 million more children globally could fall into monetary poverty by the end of the year, with at least 80% in Africa and Asia. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said children far beyond the region are paying the price for the escalating conflict and that the longer it continues, the worse the consequences will be.
Economists say urgent social protection and targeted support for food and health will be needed to prevent more households from slipping deeper into poverty in the coming months.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has increased the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, to *₦1,215 per litre* and resumed the sale of petrol in naira.
The refinery announced the adjustment this week as part of its renewed naira-for-crude arrangement with the federal government.
*What this means*
– *Ex-depot price*: Petrol from the refinery now sells at ₦1,215 per litre, up from the previous rate.
– *Naira sales resume*: Marketers can now lift products directly from Dangote Refinery and pay in naira, ending the period of dollar-denominated transactions.
– *Retail impact*: The increase is expected to push pump prices higher nationwide, depending on logistics, marketers’ margins and location.
Industry sources say the price adjustment reflects crude oil costs, foreign exchange rates and operating expenses.
The Dangote Refinery, with 650,000 barrels per day capacity in Lekki, remains central to the government’s plan to reduce fuel importation and stabilize domestic supply.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has not yet issued a directive on pump price caps following the new ex-depot rate.
At least *16.99 million Nigerians* are projected to face acute hunger by January 2027, according to the latest Food Assistance Outlook Brief from the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, FEWS NET.
The report, obtained by Sunday PUNCH on Thursday, shows that between *16.0 million and 16.99 million Nigerians* will need urgent food assistance by early next year.
The January 2027 projection is down from the current estimate of *20.0 million to 20.99 million* people in need in July 2026. Despite the decline, the figure remains higher than January 2025 levels and above Nigeria’s five-year average.
Nigeria ranks *4th globally* with the highest number of hungry people, behind Sudan, Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and ahead of Yemen and Afghanistan.
FEWS NET, a U.S. government-funded early warning body, named Nigeria among just four countries expected to contribute more than 10% of the total *145 million to 155 million* people projected to need food assistance across 30 countries monitored by January 2027.
The report linked the hunger crisis to “conflict that disrupts livelihoods, restricts cultivation, and constrains household income” across northern Nigeria.
“Despite the completion of the main harvest in December, staple food prices are expected to remain high as production and supply disruptions coincide with high market reliance among conflict-affected households who are unable to cultivate,” the document stated.
Analysts say insecurity in the North-East, North-West and parts of the North-Central continues to limit farming, while inflation keeps food prices out of reach for many households.
The December harvest is expected to offer only partial relief. Humanitarian agencies are urging the federal and state governments to scale up food assistance, agricultural inputs, and security for farming communities ahead of the lean season.
FEWS NET said it will continue to monitor conditions and issue updates as the harvest progresses.
