President Bola Tinubu has recounted how he worked as a taxi driver and took up other jobs in the United States to finance his university education, saying the experience has strengthened his commitment to expanding access to education in Nigeria.
Tinubu disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, recalling that he had to delay his admission for several months after arriving in the United States to save enough money to begin his studies.
He said he eventually moved to Chicago, where he combined different jobs with his academic pursuits to meet the cost of tuition, accommodation and other expenses.
“When I first arrived in the United States as a young man, I drove a taxi to earn money for my education. I even had to postpone starting school for several months to save enough,” he said.
“When I eventually got to Chicago, I worked different jobs to support myself and pay my way through university. I know what it means to worry about tuition, accommodation and how to make ends meet while pursuing an education.”
The President said his personal experience had reinforced his belief that every Nigerian child should have access to quality education, irrespective of family background or financial circumstances.
Highlighting his administration’s education reforms, Tinubu said more than N372 billion had been disbursed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to support students with institutional fees and upkeep.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government’s technical and vocational education programme had received more than 2.8 million applications, while 38 technical colleges had been rehabilitated.
According to him, students in federal and selected state technical colleges now enjoy free tuition, boarding, textbooks and uniforms.
On university education, Tinubu said his administration had reached a new agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which provides for a 40 per cent increase in academic staff remuneration and measures to promote stability in the university system.
He stressed that the government was determined to address disruptions to the academic calendar, insisting that students should complete their programmes within the stipulated period.
“A four-year course must take four years. Our young people deserve to complete their education on time and get on with their lives,” he said.
The President further disclosed that the Federal Government was investing N110 billion in the rehabilitation of 24 medical schools, while annual nursing enrolment had increased fromOf 28,000 to 115,000.
He said enrolment in medical and dental programmes had also risen from 5,000 to 12,000 as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to train healthcare professionals locally.
Tinubu added that more than one million children who were previously out of school had returned to the classroom, while his administration was investing in teacher development, promoting girls’ education and implementing a revised national curriculum that restores Nigerian history to classrooms.
He commended the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa; Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad; and other members of the education team for their contributions to the reforms.
Tinubu also urged Nigerians to explore the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative through an interactive A–Z platform developed by the Federal Ministry of Education to provide information on government programmes and opportunities for parents, students and teachers.
He encouraged citizens to report challenges affecting schools and educational facilities in their communities, saying public feedback would help the government identify gaps and improve service delivery.
The President described education as central to his administration’s development agenda, insisting that a child’s background should not determine the limits of their aspirations.
“Our journey from reform to opportunities and shared prosperity must begin with education.
“The circumstances of a child’s birth should never determine the limits of their ambition. Our responsibility is to give every Nigerian child a fair chance to fulfil their potential.
“We have more work to do, and I am determined to see it through,” he added.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has dissociated itself from a cleric allegedly linked to the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, declaring that it has not authorised any political campaign or endorsement in its name ahead of the 2027 general elections.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said Archbishop Chivir Chianson, who allegedly presented himself as the association’s General Secretary, had no official mandate to speak or act on behalf of the Christian body.
In a statement, Okoh also disowned a group reportedly using CAN’s name to mobilise support for a political candidate, insisting that neither Chianson nor the organisation had any institutional affiliation with the association.
The clarification followed public reactions to the endorsement of Tinubu’s second-term ambition by the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), whose Secretary-General is Chianson.
The conference had reportedly declared its support for the President’s re-election during its 2026 synod held in September.
However, CAN stressed that the endorsement was entirely the position of the conference and should not be interpreted as the official stance of the association or an authorised political decision.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Archbishop Chivir Chianson is not the General Secretary of CAN and has no authority or mandate to speak or act on its behalf,” the statement said.
The association urged Christians, members of the public and media organisations to disregard any claims suggesting that Chianson or his group officially represented CAN, reaffirming its position that it had not endorsed any political candidate for the 2027 elections.
National President, Election Committee members, former Chairman of the Board, Secretary of the Branch and newly inaugurated executive of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Rivers State Branch after the election at the Branch office in Port Harcourt last Saturday.
Dr Tina Uhuenkpeoma Irimoren has emerged as the first female chairman of the Rivers State Branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), following the inauguration of a new executive committee for a four-year tenure.
Irimoren’s emergence marks a historic milestone for the humanitarian organisation, which has elected an executive committee to steer its affairs and strengthen its interventions across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
The election and inauguration, held on October 31, 2026, at their office along Station Road in Port Harcourt, were supervised by officials from the NRCS National Headquarters in Abuja.
The electoral process was conducted by a committee led by the branch’s Sole Administrator, Mr. Sydney Osawaro,with the Chairman of the Cross River State Branch, Professor Chris -Valentine Eneji and the Secretary of the Bayelsa State Branch, Uzobo Emmanuel Job serving as members.
The National President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, with Professor. Uche Dike, a former Chairman of the Rivers Branch and current member of the National Headquarters’ Risk and Audit Committee, and the Rivers Branch Secretary, Chief Roland Ayotamuno observed the exercise.
The National President inaugurating members of the newly elected Board members of the Nigerian Red Cross, Rivers State Branch.
The new executive committee was elected by an electoral college comprising 18 divisional coordinators, bringing together members with varying levels of experience and expertise to advance the organisation’s humanitarian mandate. Speaking at the inauguration, the National President commended the electoral committee for conducting what he described as a transparent, peaceful and credible election.
He urged the new leadership to promote unity among members and expand the branch’s humanitarian activities across the state’s 23 local government areas.
In her acceptance speech, Irimoren expressed gratitude to members for the confidence reposed in her, describing her election as a responsibility to serve rather than merely an opportunity to occupy an office.
Cross section of members of Nigerian Red Cross, Rivers State Branch during the election of new Board members at the Branch office in Port Harcourt.
“I am deeply grateful for your trust and confidence. This is not just a position; it is a sacred trust to serve. Every voice matters, every volunteer counts, and everyone has a role to play,” she said.
She called for collective commitment to building a stronger and more united organisation, stressing the need for inclusiveness and active participation by members.
“There is room for all of us at the table. You have brought in capable people that will work.Together, let us build a stronger, more united and impactful Rivers State Red Cross. One Branch. One Family. One Mission. Together, we will thrive a powerful discuss for Rivers State and go by the tenets of Red Cross,” she added.
National President of Nigerian Red Cross, Oluyemisi Adeaga addressing members after the inauguration.
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive committee are Dr. Kareem Akanbi Kasim, Vice Chairman; Mrs Jumbo Gladys Fubara, Division Development Adviser; Dr. (Mrs.) Ibinabo Ogolo, Information and Advocacy Adviser; and Eze Ahiakwo, Legal Adviser.
Others are Mrs Baaba Rosemary Lekawa, Youth and Gender Adviser; Mr Caisy Gidson, Programme Planning Adviser; Mr ThankGod Sunday Muangah, Disaster Management Adviser; Mr Nathaniel Aniekan Moses, Resource Mobilisation Adviser; Dr. Mrs Lucy Nwigo Mama, Health and Care Adviser; Mr Gilbert Egop, Finance and Property Adviser; and Mr Moses Limejuice, Divisional Development Adviser.
The new leadership is expected to build on the organisation’s humanitarian work while strengthening volunteer participation, disaster preparedness, health interventions and community support throughout Rivers State.
The Nigerian Red Cross Society is a voluntary humanitarian organisation and part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Its mandate is to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it occurs, without discrimination.
The Northern Group for Peace and Development has called on Northerners to reject and expose individuals and groups involved in terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities, insisting that such elements must not be allowed to define the identity and image of the region.
The Group warned that the activities of terrorists, bandits and kidnappers were damaging the reputation of the North, threatening livelihoods, undermining economic activities and subjecting innocent residents to fear and hardship.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its National Coordinator, Gidado Muktar, the Group stressed that the North belongs to millions of peace-loving, hardworking and law-abiding citizens who must not allow a handful of criminal elements to destroy the region’s image and development prospects.
“The North belongs to millions of peace-loving, hardworking and law-abiding citizens. We cannot allow a handful of criminal elements to destroy our communities, undermine our economy and give our region a bad name. Northerners must reject, expose and refuse to protect those involved in these criminal activities,” Muktar said.
The Group called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, community associations, youth organisations and residents to support security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence that could assist in identifying criminal elements, preventing attacks and dismantling criminal networks.
It also urged the Federal Government to strengthen the capacity of security agencies through adequate equipment, logistics, intelligence support and improved personnel welfare, while advocating stronger inter-agency collaboration and sustained operations against terrorist hideouts and kidnapping networks.
Muktar further stressed the need for perpetrators of insecurity and their collaborators to be identified, apprehended and prosecuted, insisting that communities must refuse to provide protection, information or logistical support to criminal groups.
Against this backdrop, the Group commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria, under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, for recent operational successes against terrorists and kidnappers in Borno, Kogi and Kebbi States, describing the achievements as evidence of the military’s determination to restore peace and security across the country.
It particularly applauded troops of Operation HADIN KAI for repelling an ISWAP attack on their positions in Kukawa, Borno State, on October 31, during which several terrorists, including high-profile members of the group’s Shura Council and commanders, were reportedly neutralised. The Group also commended troops for discovering and detonating an improvised explosive device along the Baga–Cross Road in Borno State and the arrest of seven suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers in Damasak.
In Kogi State, the Group praised troops of the Nigerian Army’s 21 Battalion Quick Reaction Force for destroying a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, where 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, motorcycles and other items were reportedly recovered. It also acknowledged troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE and operatives of the Department of State Services for arresting a suspected kidnapper who allegedly demanded N200,000 from a female resident under the threat of abduction. In a separate intelligence-led operation, troops reportedly neutralised two suspected bandits during an ambush along the Adankolo–Apata Road.
Similarly, the Group applauded troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA for rescuing 11 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Ribah town and the Wasagu-Falfala general area of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. It described the operations as a demonstration of the importance of timely intelligence, rapid response and sustained military presence in vulnerable communities.
The Northern Group for Peace and Development reaffirmed its support for the Armed Forces and other security agencies, urging them to sustain the operational momentum and intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the country. It maintained that restoring peace and security in the North required a collective commitment by government, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and citizens.
The Northern Group for Peace and Development has called on Northerners to reject and expose individuals and groups involved in terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities, insisting that such elements must not be allowed to define the identity and image of the region.
The Group warned that the activities of terrorists, bandits and kidnappers were damaging the reputation of the North, threatening livelihoods, undermining economic activities and subjecting innocent residents to fear and hardship.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its National Coordinator, Gidado Muktar, the Group stressed that the North belongs to millions of peace-loving, hardworking and law-abiding citizens who must not allow a handful of criminal elements to destroy the region’s image and development prospects.
“The North belongs to millions of peace-loving, hardworking and law-abiding citizens. We cannot allow a handful of criminal elements to destroy our communities, undermine our economy and give our region a bad name. Northerners must reject, expose and refuse to protect those involved in these criminal activities,” Muktar said.
The Group called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, community associations, youth organisations and residents to support security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence that could assist in identifying criminal elements, preventing attacks and dismantling criminal networks.
It also urged the Federal Government to strengthen the capacity of security agencies through adequate equipment, logistics, intelligence support and improved personnel welfare, while advocating stronger inter-agency collaboration and sustained operations against terrorist hideouts and kidnapping networks.
Muktar further stressed the need for perpetrators of insecurity and their collaborators to be identified, apprehended and prosecuted, insisting that communities must refuse to provide protection, information or logistical support to criminal groups.
Against this backdrop, the Group commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria, under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, for recent operational successes against terrorists and kidnappers in Borno, Kogi and Kebbi States, describing the achievements as evidence of the military’s determination to restore peace and security across the country.
It particularly applauded troops of Operation HADIN KAI for repelling an ISWAP attack on their positions in Kukawa, Borno State, on October 31, during which several terrorists, including high-profile members of the group’s Shura Council and commanders, were reportedly neutralised. The Group also commended troops for discovering and detonating an improvised explosive device along the Baga–Cross Road in Borno State and the arrest of seven suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers in Damasak.
In Kogi State, the Group praised troops of the Nigerian Army’s 21 Battalion Quick Reaction Force for destroying a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Edimogbo Forest, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, where 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, motorcycles and other items were reportedly recovered. It also acknowledged troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE and operatives of the Department of State Services for arresting a suspected kidnapper who allegedly demanded N200,000 from a female resident under the threat of abduction. In a separate intelligence-led operation, troops reportedly neutralised two suspected bandits during an ambush along the Adankolo–Apata Road.
Similarly, the Group applauded troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA for rescuing 11 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Ribah town and the Wasagu-Falfala general area of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. It described the operations as a demonstration of the importance of timely intelligence, rapid response and sustained military presence in vulnerable communities.
The Northern Group for Peace and Development reaffirmed its support for the Armed Forces and other security agencies, urging them to sustain the operational momentum and intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the country. It maintained that restoring peace and security in the North required a collective commitment by government, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and citizens.
Researchers from Rivers State University (RSU) have emerged among the top six finalists in the maiden Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Tech-Innovation Challenge (TIC) 2026 with an indigenous technology designed to test the durability of protective coatings used in marine, offshore and industrial facilities.
The innovation, known as Marine Thermal Simulator (MATSI), officially designated Automated Coated Coupon Testing Unit (ACCTU-001), is an automated platform developed to assess how protective coatings withstand harsh environmental and operating conditions, particularly in the oil and gas industry.
The achievement places the RSU research team among six finalists selected from more than 100 applications submitted for the competition, which seeks to identify promising technologies developed by Nigerian universities and start-ups for possible adoption by the country’s oil and gas industry.
MATSI was developed by Engr. Dr Vincent Onuegbu Izionworu of the Department of Chemical/Petrochemical Engineering and Engr. Dr Charles C. Orji of the Department of Marine Engineering, both in the Faculty of Engineering, in collaboration with Engr. Dr Watimiyo Charles James of Dikaioo Engineering & Energy Limited.
The competition, a flagship initiative of NCDMB’s Planning, Research and Statistics Directorate, was implemented by Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre Limited (EICL), led by its Chief Executive Officer, Chika Chinwah. RSU’s participation followed an internal memorandum dated January 12, 2026, on a call for entries published in The Guardian on December 17, 2025.
Of the more than 100 applications received, 30 innovations were shortlisted for the second stage. Following an online pitching exercise, 15 successful teams advanced to a five-day boot camp at NCDMB Towers in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The boot camp exposed participants to intensive mentorship and capacity-building sessions covering technology development, commercialisation, market readiness, business management, intellectual property protection and engagement with industry operators.
At the end of the programme, the teams participated in an in-person pitching exercise, from which six innovations, including MATSI, emerged as finalists.
The final assessment considered technical readiness, commercial traction, business viability, intellectual property protection, Nigerian content and sustainability.
Although MATSI did not win any of the three major prizes, its emergence among the six finalists represents a significant achievement for the university’s research and innovation community.
GeoPredict AI clinched the first prize with an artificial intelligence platform for interpreting well logs for Nigerian independent operators.
FrassPlus came second with a bio-augmented crude oil spill remediation solution, while Organic Battery, developed under the project name Metallocene, took third position with an energy-storage technology designed for oil and gas infrastructure.
Explaining the technology, the researchers said MATSI was designed to provide a controlled environment for testing protective coatings under simulated marine, offshore and industrial conditions.
The platform integrates independently controlled electrolyte tanks with programmable temperature, salinity and pH settings, as well as automated tidal and immersion cycles. This enables researchers to simulate different environmental conditions and assess the ability of protective coatings to withstand prolonged exposure to corrosive environments.
The system also features infrared radiant heating, simulated flare-stack airflow and continuous monitoring of coated test specimens, commonly known as coupons. Its programmable logic controller (PLC), integrated with a human-machine interface (HMI), supports automated operation, data acquisition and real-time monitoring of environmental and coating performance parameters.
According to the researchers, the technology combines immersion and drying cycles, thermal and radiant heating, chemical exposure, salinity variations, pH control and simulated airflow to provide a repeatable testing environment.
The innovation is expected to have applications in marine and offshore operations, oil and gas facilities, petrochemical installations and other industrial environments where protective coatings play a critical role in preventing corrosion and preserving equipment.
Its testing and monitoring capabilities could provide useful data for coating manufacturers, research institutions and industrial operators in comparing coating systems and assessing their suitability before deployment in demanding operating environments.
The technology could also support improved material selection, corrosion management and maintenance planning, thereby helping operators minimise equipment deterioration and the risks associated with corrosion in industrial facilities.
Speaking at the competition, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at NCDMB, Silas Omomehin Ajimijaye, underscored the need to move indigenous innovations beyond academic research into practical industrial applications.
Similarly, the Director of Corporate Services and Chairman of the TIC 2026 Steering Committee, Abdulmalik Halilu, who represented the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, called on oil and gas operators to support locally developed technologies by providing opportunities for field trials, validation and commercial adoption.
The board has also established a three-month post-competition incubation programme for selected innovations to strengthen their technological capacity, improve commercial readiness and prepare them for possible industry deployment.
The emergence of MATSI among the six finalists highlights the research capacity of RSU’s Faculty of Engineering and the potential of Nigerian universities to develop indigenous solutions to challenges confronting the country’s industrial sector.
It also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research and collaboration between academic institutions and private-sector engineering firms in translating research ideas into practical technologies.
For RSU, the achievement provides an opportunity to deepen its engagement with industry operators and explore further development and commercialisation of the technology, particularly in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, where corrosion control remains a major operational concern.
President Bola Tinubu has finally fulfilled his $100,000 reward promise to each member of the Super Falcons, months after the Nigerian women’s national team clinched a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in July 2025.
The players have begun receiving payments totalling about ₦140 million, representing the naira equivalent of the President’s pledge, according to the National Sports Commission (NSC).
Tinubu had announced the cash reward following the Super Falcons’ dramatic 3-2 victory over hosts Morocco in the final of the 2025 WAFCON, after the Nigerian side recovered from a two-goal deficit to reclaim the continental crown.
The payment, coming several months after the team’s historic triumph, has raised attention to the time it took for the Federal Government to translate its public reward promise into actual payments to the players.
Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, expressed appreciation to the President for fulfilling the pledge, describing the gesture as recognition of the team’s achievement and contribution to Nigerian sports.
The Super Falcons’ victory in Morocco further consolidated Nigeria’s position as Africa’s most successful women’s national football team, having extended its record to 10 continental titles.
Tinubu had also promised and subsequently delivered $100,000 rewards to members of D’Tigress following their triumph at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, where the Nigerian women’s basketball team secured an unprecedented fifth consecutive continental title.
The National Sports Commission commended the President for his support for Nigerian athletes, saying the fulfilment of the pledge demonstrated that sporting excellence deserved tangible recognition.
The commission added that the gesture would boost athletes’ confidence, strengthen sports administration and encourage a culture of reward, accountability and national pride.
More than 2,000 Nigerians are competing for the prestigious 2027/2028 Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, as the Federal Government begins nomination interviews to select outstanding candidates for postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom.
The competitive selection exercise, which commenced in Abuja on Monday, November 2, is aimed at identifying academically exceptional Nigerians whose proposed areas of study, research interests and acquired expertise would contribute meaningfully to national development.
In a statement posted on the X account of the Ministry by Boriowo Folasade, Director, Press and Public Relations, the Federal Government said academic excellence, quality research and the potential impact of candidates’ proposed programmes on Nigeria’s development would be the major considerations in determining successful applicants.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Folake Olatunji-David, described the Commonwealth Scholarship as a strategic investment in human capital development and an opportunity to equip Nigerians with the expertise needed to address critical national challenges.
She identified academic merit, the quality of proposed study plans and their potential developmental impact as the three major criteria for selecting nominees.
Olatunji-David stressed that beyond possessing outstanding academic records, applicants must demonstrate how the knowledge and skills they intend to acquire would translate into practical solutions and contribute to the country’s growth. She charged members of the interview panel, comprising distinguished professors, accomplished scholars and retired directors in the education sector, to ensure fairness, objectivity and professionalism throughout the exercise.
The director also urged the panel to align the selection process with Nigeria’s development priorities, particularly the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), being driven by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to her, the scholarship programme should produce highly skilled professionals capable of advancing education reforms, strengthening institutions, promoting innovation and accelerating national development.
She recalled that the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, established in 1959, had produced more than 30,000 beneficiaries worldwide, including Nigerians who had made significant contributions to national development, particularly in the tertiary education sector.
While acknowledging the limited number of available awards compared with the large number of applicants, she urged candidates to approach the interviews with confidence, discipline and focus.
Earlier, the Director of the Department of Scholarship Awards, Mrs Khadijat Liman, disclosed that the ministry received more than 2,000 applications through its Electronic Application System, reflecting growing interest among Nigerians in international postgraduate education.
She explained that the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom had invited the department to nominate qualified Nigerian candidates, assuring that the ministry was committed to presenting only outstanding scholars capable of sustaining the country’s reputation within the Commonwealth scholarship framework.
Liman urged the interview panel to adhere strictly to the commission’s selection guidelines, noting that the quality of nominees was critical to maintaining Nigeria’s credibility and competitiveness in the programme.
She also commended State Scholarship Boards and the department’s zonal officers for creating awareness about the opportunities and extending information about the scholarship across the country.
In a goodwill message, the representative of the British High Commission, Ms Sarah Amu, reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening educational ties with Nigeria through scholarship programmes, leadership development and capacity building.
She disclosed that 56 Nigerian Commonwealth Master’s and PhD scholars commenced their academic programmes in the United Kingdom in September 2026, describing the development as evidence of the enduring educational partnership between both countries.
Amu commended Nigeria for conducting nomination interviews across the six geopolitical zones, saying the arrangement would promote fairness, inclusiveness and equal opportunities for applicants.
She encouraged candidates to remain confident and authentic during the interviews while clearly articulating their academic ambitions, leadership experiences and commitment to contributing to Nigeria’s development.
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan provides opportunities for international academic exchange, advanced research, leadership development and knowledge transfer among member countries.
The Federal Ministry of Education maintained that the benefits of the programme should extend beyond the acquisition of foreign qualifications to the practical application of knowledge in solving societal problems, strengthening institutions, advancing research and driving innovation.
The ministry said the ongoing exercise was part of efforts to nurture a new generation of skilled professionals, researchers and leaders who would contribute to building a competitive, knowledge-driven and prosperous Nigeria.
Access to economic opportunities remains a major concern for many Nigerians, even as commercial activities expand across different sectors of the economy.
From agriculture and renewable energy to transportation, commercial infrastructure and technology-driven businesses, new projects and markets continue to emerge. However, knowing about these opportunities does not necessarily mean having the means or a structured pathway to participate in them.
This gap between awareness and participation is the idea behind the CAPIS Commonwealth Card, popularly known as 3C. In the second episode of the CAPIS 3C Education Series, the focus is on explaining what the Commonwealth Card is, how it is designed to work and the opportunities it seeks to make accessible to eligible clients.
What Exactly Is 3C?
The CAPIS Commonwealth Card (3C) Service is described as a non-deposit platform access service that provides eligible clients with access to CAPIS financing capacity and structured opportunities for economic participation. In simple terms, 3C is designed to provide clients with a platform through which they can explore qualifying commercial opportunities and, subject to the applicable requirements, participate in selected economic activities facilitated through CAPIS.
The service begins with a one-time platform access fee of ₦35,000 under the Individual Plan. Upon registration, clients receive a Financing Capital Voucher with a stated value of up to ₦30 million.
However, understanding what this means is important. The voucher represents access to stated financing capacity; it should not automatically be interpreted as cash paid directly to the client or as a guarantee that financing will be approved for every project. Participation and financing remain subject to the relevant terms, eligibility criteria and requirements.
Beyond the Card: Creating a Pathway to Participation
The idea behind 3C goes beyond the virtual card itself. Its central proposition is to create a structured pathway through which eligible clients can explore commercial opportunities and seek to participate in qualifying projects.
For example, commercial activities in agriculture may create opportunities across production, processing, storage and distribution. Renewable energy projects may require services, equipment and supporting infrastructure, while transportation and commercial developments may generate opportunities for qualified businesses and service providers. Technology-enabled enterprises can also open up opportunities for innovation, service delivery and business expansion.
These sectors illustrate the range of commercial activities through which economic value can be created. The 3C platform is designed to connect eligible clients to qualifying opportunities within this broader commercial ecosystem, subject to the conditions governing each project.
The underlying proposition is straightforward: more people should have a structured route to explore economic participation rather than remain limited to observing commercial developments from the sidelines.
The actual opportunities available to individual clients, however, will depend on the projects listed, the applicable participation requirements and the terms of the platform. Two Pathways to Explore The 3C service features two principal pathways: Commercial Project Bidding and Contract Financing.
The Commercial Project Bidding pathway, which is the focus of the current education series, centres on opportunities for eligible clients to bid to participate in qualifying commercial projects. The Contract Financing pathway addresses a different commercial need and is designed around financing requirements associated with contracts.
Although both pathways fall under the 3C framework, they serve different purposes. Understanding how each works is therefore essential for anyone seeking to explore the service.
Rather than present both pathways at once, the CAPIS 3C Education Series will examine them separately, using straightforward explanations and practical examples to help readers understand their features, requirements and potential applications.
The aim is to make the information accessible to people who may be unfamiliar with commercial project participation and structured financing arrangements.
What Comes Next? The next episode will examine the Commercial Project Bidding pathway in greater detail, beginning with a fundamental question: What does it actually mean to participate in a commercial project through 3C?
The discussion will explore the meaning of project participation and explain the process in practical terms.
For anyone interested in understanding how the CAPIS Commonwealth Card is structured, the next episode will provide a closer look at the first of the service’s two principal pathways.
Petrol prices at filling stations across Nigeria are expected to decline in the coming days following a reduction in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The refinery has reduced its gantry price of petrol to N1,215 per litre, a development expected to influence pump prices across the downstream petroleum sector.
Managers of filling stations operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and MRS Oil Nigeria have indicated that they would adjust their prices following the latest reduction.
An NNPCL filling station manager in Abuja, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the outlet expected to reduce its pump price this week.
“Our fuel price is expected to drop from this week following Dangote Refinery’s petrol price cut,” the manager said.
A manager at an MRS filling station also confirmed that a reduction was likely in the coming days.
The President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Abubakar Maigandi, similarly said members of the association would lower their prices once they received supplies reflecting the refinery’s latest pricing.
“Our members would cut fuel prices as soon as we receive Dangote Refinery’s petrol from this week,” he said.
The anticipated reduction comes amid a decline in international crude oil prices, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude reportedly falling by three and four per cent to $99 and $104 per barrel, respectively.
The movement in crude oil prices is an important development for the petroleum market, although domestic petrol prices are also influenced by factors such as exchange rates, distribution costs, transportation expenses and marketers’ margins.
Meanwhile, motorists in Abuja and surrounding areas are currently paying between N1,370 and N1,429 per litre for petrol at filling stations.
The expected adjustment could provide some relief to consumers facing rising transportation costs and other economic pressures, although the extent of any reduction will depend on the prices at which marketers obtain supplies and their individual operating costs.
With Dangote Refinery playing a significant role in domestic petrol supply, changes in its gantry price are closely watched by marketers and consumers for their potential impact on retail fuel prices.
However, the actual pump prices and timing of the anticipated reductions will depend on when filling stations receive the lower-priced product and implement corresponding adjustments.
The leadership crisis rocking Nigeria’s organised labour movement deepened on Monday as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, launched a scathing attack on his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Festus Osifo, accusing him of being an absentee leader who resides in the United States and only returns to Nigeria for labour meetings.
The accusation, which came amid a disagreement over the authority of the NLC to negotiate workers’ salaries and allowances without the participation of the TUC, has exposed a growing rift between the two major labour centres.
While Ajaero questioned Osifo’s commitment to Nigerian workers, arguing that a leader who lives abroad could hardly understand their economic hardship, the TUC president insisted that his union could not be excluded from negotiations affecting its members.
The dispute centres on the N70,000 transport allowance recently approved by President Bola Tinubu following discussions between labour representatives and the Federal Government.
Osifo described the agreement as an aberration, insisting that the NLC lacked the authority to negotiate on behalf of workers represented by the TUC without consulting the union or securing its participation.
The two labour leaders aired their grievances on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, turning what had been a disagreement over labour representation into a public exchange of accusations over leadership credibility and workers’ welfare.
In a particularly damaging intervention, Ajaero accused Osifo of abandoning the workers he claims to represent, arguing that his alleged residence in the United States disconnected him from the economic realities confronting Nigerian employees. “He is an absentee president of the TUC. He doesn’t live in Nigeria. He comes in from the United States to attend meetings and rush back,” Ajaero declared.
The NLC president questioned how Osifo could effectively lead Nigerian workers and negotiate their welfare while allegedly living outside the country.
He argued that a leader who did not experience the daily realities of the Nigerian economy could hardly appreciate the hardship workers faced in paying rent, school fees, buying fuel and providing food for their families.
Ajaero also contrasted the economic conditions he attributed to Osifo’s alleged life in America with the challenges confronting Nigerian workers, including high petrol prices, poor living standards and rising household expenses. “How can you lead workers you don’t live with? How can you negotiate for people whose suffering you don’t feel? He has abandoned workers,” he added.
The NLC president further argued that his organisation, which has more than 60 affiliate unions, could not be expected to wait for the TUC’s participation before negotiating improved wages and allowances for workers. However, Osifo countered that the size of the NLC’s membership did not confer on it the authority to negotiate on behalf of another independent labour centre.
Expressing disappointment with Ajaero’s position, the TUC president said the dispute raised fundamental questions about representation and consultation in organised labour.
“Listening to Ajaero again today, I really pity the labour movement and the quality of leaders that have been inflated on the NLC,” Osifo said. He maintained that neither the NLC nor the TUC could unilaterally negotiate on behalf of the other where their respective affiliates and members were concerned.
According to him, the International Labour Organisation’s tripartite framework, involving labour, government and employers, does not establish that one labour centre can negotiate for another without its involvement.
Osifo acknowledged that the NLC had more affiliates than the TUC but insisted that this numerical advantage did not justify excluding the latter from negotiations affecting its members. “We are not contesting the fact that NLC has more affiliates,” he said, adding that the two organisations should sit together and reach an agreement on matters affecting their respective constituencies.
He challenged Ajaero to produce any International Labour Organisation regulation that expressly authorised one labour centre to negotiate on behalf of the other without consultation.
The TUC president also disputed the suggestion that the meeting at which the N70,000 transport allowance was agreed upon constituted a valid meeting of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JNC).
Osifo argued that the meeting did not satisfy the requirements for a properly constituted council meeting, insisting that the council’s membership and quorum provisions had to be observed before decisions could be regarded as binding. He further accused Ajaero of mishandling the consequential salary adjustments arising from the increase in the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.
According to Osifo, the difference between the previous and new minimum wages was treated as a flat N40,000 adjustment across the board, rather than being subjected to the appropriate consequential adjustments through the established negotiating framework. He argued that this approach had contributed to what he described as the poor earnings of federal workers.
Osifo said he had confronted Ajaero privately over the matter, insisting that the process adopted was fundamentally flawed. He also dismissed Ajaero’s invocation of the JNC, arguing that the NLC president needed a better understanding of the council’s constitution and mandate.
The public confrontation has raised fresh concerns about the unity of Nigeria’s organised labour movement at a time when workers are grappling with rising living costs and pressing for improved welfare.
Beyond the personal accusations, the disagreement exposes unresolved questions about the representation of workers by the two labour centres, the procedures for negotiating allowances and the extent to which agreements reached by one organisation can affect members of another.
With Ajaero questioning Osifo’s physical presence in the country and commitment to workers, and Osifo challenging the NLC’s authority to negotiate without the TUC, the dispute threatens to shift attention away from the welfare issues both organisations are expected to champion.
Whether the two leaders can resolve their differences through consultation or allow the public exchange to deepen the division within organised labour remains to be seen.
