The Senate has approved a ₦100 million donation to Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, in recognition of their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the donation during plenary on Tuesday while presiding over a motion moved by Senator Abdul Ningi (ADC, Bauchi Central), seeking to congratulate the team on its remarkable achievement.
Moving the motion, Ningi described the Flamingos’ victory as a historic milestone, noting that the young players had accomplished what several other Nigerian national teams had struggled to achieve. He said the triumph was particularly remarkable given the relatively low expectations surrounding the team before the tournament.
The senator, however, expressed concern that the players had not received adequate publicity and national recognition for their achievement, despite bringing honour to Nigeria and the African continent. He also lamented the apparent lack of sufficient official recognition accorded the team upon its return to the country.
Seconding the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) praised the players for defeating Japan in the final, describing their performance as a testament to the talent, determination and potential of Nigerian youths.
Oshiomhole urged Nigerians to celebrate the country’s achievements rather than concentrate exclusively on its challenges.
He also appealed to the Senate leadership to support the players financially, particularly to enable them to pursue their education alongside their sporting careers.
The Senate subsequently adopted the motion, congratulating President Bola Tinubu on his support for sports development, Nigerians on the historic victory and the leadership of the National Sports Commission, particularly its Chairman, Shehu Dikko.
It also called on the Federal Government to adequately reward the players in recognition of their outstanding performance.
In his remarks, Akpabio described the Flamingos’ victory as a major achievement for Nigeria and Africa, particularly their impressive run against established football nations, including Brazil and Japan.
He urged the Federal Government to ensure that the players received appropriate rewards, while calling on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to keep the team together and invest in their further development.
The Senate President also appealed to wealthy Nigerians and sports enthusiasts to support the players and encourage more young people to embrace sporting activities.
He said the ₦100 million donation by the National Assembly was intended to appreciate the players’ achievement and motivate them to continue bringing honour to the country.
“I want to commend the Flamingos, the Under-17 youth team of Nigeria, for defeating major countries such as Brazil and Japan to win the Under-17 World Cup for Africa for the first time and for Nigeria.
“We also urged, and we pray that the Federal Government will recognise these children accordingly and give them adequate rewards.
“The Nigerian Football Federation, under its leadership, should see the need to keep these children together and develop them further,” Akpabio said.
He congratulated the players, the Senate Committee on Sports and Nigerians on the historic accomplishment, describing the victory as a source of national pride.
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has accused governors of oil-producing states in the Niger Delta of mismanaging the 13.5 per cent derivation funds, alleging that their failure to channel the resources into the development of oil-bearing communities has perpetuated poverty and underdevelopment in the region.
The organisation has consequently called for an amendment to the law establishing the derivation funds to ensure that the benefits of oil production are directly channelled to communities from which the resources are extracted rather than being left at the discretion of state governors.
MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke, made the call while delivering his address at the 31st memorial of the execution of environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders by the military government of the late General Sani Abacha.
Nsuke lamented that decades after the sacrifices of Saro-Wiwa and other Niger Delta activists, the region remained trapped in poverty despite the enormous revenues accruing to oil-producing states.
He argued that the governors had failed to justify the huge resources allocated to their states through the derivation principle, insisting that the money had not translated into meaningful development in the communities bearing the environmental and social costs of oil exploration.
According to him, the original intention of the derivation fund was to address the peculiar developmental challenges of oil-producing areas, but the present administrative arrangement has made it susceptible to abuse and diversion from its intended purpose.
“The idea of derivation funds was to address the underdevelopment in the Niger Delta region. However, the structure of administration of the funds makes it vulnerable to abuse and has left the funds at the discretion of state governors. This needs to be addressed,” he said.
The MOSOP president maintained that the struggles of Saro-Wiwa and other martyrs would amount to little if the people of the oil-producing communities continued to suffer deprivation while the revenues generated from their land were controlled and spent according to the priorities of state governments.
Citing the Ogba/Egbema communities of Rivers State, particularly Ndoni, Nsuke said the area contributes significantly to the state’s oil revenue but receives little corresponding investment in infrastructure and other basic amenities.
He regretted that communities responsible for generating substantial revenue were often neglected because governors retained control over the allocation of derivation funds without any effective mechanism compelling them to prioritise the needs of the producing areas.
Nsuke said the situation was a clear contradiction of the principle of derivation, which was introduced to ensure that communities and states bearing the consequences of resource extraction benefited meaningfully from the wealth generated.
He insisted that the law should be amended to guarantee direct and proportionate investment of derivation revenues in the areas where the resources originate.
The MOSOP leader also blamed the persistent poverty, poor infrastructure and lack of basic amenities in the Niger Delta on the failure of successive state governments to account adequately for the enormous revenues received over the years.
He noted that the cumulative 13.5 per cent derivation allocations to oil-producing states since the introduction of the policy should have been sufficient to make significant improvements in water supply, security, roads and other essential infrastructure across the region. “It is important for the people to be united and hold their governments to account. We think what comes to the oil-producing states is significant enough to deal with basic issues such as water provision, security and infrastructure, and it is sad that the revenues are being largely mismanaged by the governors because the people are not holding them to account,” he added.
Nsuke, however, commended the current management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for what he described as its visible interventions in the region, urging the commission to sustain and expand its development efforts.
He described the NDDC as one of the institutions that emerged from the struggles of Saro-Wiwa and other Niger Delta activists, expressing satisfaction that the commission was beginning to make a difference under its present leadership.
“It is important that the areas from where resources are extracted should get their due rewards and a proportionate injection of the derivation funds. The structure for the administration of the derivation funds needs to change if we must achieve that.
“We are pleased that the NDDC under its present management is making some impressive impacts. MOSOP will encourage them to do more,” he said.
He called for greater solidarity among Niger Delta communities, stressing that regional unity was necessary to compel governors to account for the resources allocated to their states and ensure that oil-producing communities were no longer denied the benefits of their natural wealth.
Nsuke maintained that the people of the Niger Delta must move beyond commemorating the sacrifices of their heroes to demanding concrete accountability from those entrusted with managing the region’s resources.
The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has acknowledged the economic hardship confronting Nigerians, admitting that life is currently difficult for many households following the Federal Government’s economic reforms.
Gbajabiamila, however, defended the policies of the Tinubu administration, arguing that the President took difficult decisions in the long-term interest of the country rather than prioritising immediate political gains.
He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the unveiling of the administration’s 2027–2031 electoral roadmap, titled From Reforms to Prosperity Agenda.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives said the removal of petrol subsidy and unification of the foreign exchange market were necessary measures to address longstanding structural weaknesses in the economy and safeguard Nigeria’s economic future.
While acknowledging the impact of the policies on households, he maintained that postponing difficult economic decisions would have worsened the country’s challenges. “Now, those decisions have placed real pressure on households. We must speak honestly about that experience because the people living through it deserve to be heard. And nobody should have to pretend that life is easy at the moment,” he said.
Gbajabiamila said Tinubu had chosen to govern as a statesman rather than a politician, noting that the President could have maintained the existing economic arrangements to avoid public discontent but opted instead to confront the country’s economic distortions. “If he came in as a politician and decided to govern as a politician, he would have continued on the cruise, on the path that we were taking. “But instead, knowing full well the immediate consequences, he decided he would govern as a leader,” he added.
He stressed that the success of the reforms would ultimately be measured by their ability to improve the living conditions of Nigerians and translate economic gains into tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.
Describing the new electoral roadmap as a reflection of Tinubu’s political philosophy and development vision, Gbajabiamila said the administration was committed to building an economy where hard work guarantees a decent livelihood and every Nigerian has a fair opportunity to succeed. “At the heart of this manifesto is my abiding conviction that every Nigerian should be able to share. Your country should give your best efforts a fair chance. “A manifesto, in its strictest sense, is simply a contract between the people and the leader,” he said.
He identified the administration’s interventions in human capital development, social protection, taxation and electricity as some of the measures aimed at expanding economic opportunities.
Among these, he cited the N-Power programme and the student loan scheme, which he said were designed to improve access to opportunities and reduce the financial burden on young Nigerians. He also defended the administration’s tax reforms, saying they were intended to promote fairness by easing the tax burden on low-income earners and qualifying small businesses.
On electricity, Gbajabiamila highlighted the Electricity Act, which empowers state governments to establish and regulate their electricity markets, describing it as a major step towards attracting investment and improving power supply.
He said the administration was working towards creating an environment where young Nigerians could pursue their ambitions without relying on political connections or patronage.
The President’s Chief of Staff urged members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take responsibility for defending the administration’s record and engaging Nigerians on its policies.
He said the ruling party must be prepared to account for its performance and convince voters through measurable achievements rather than political rhetoric. “The party asking to continue in government must be prepared to answer the people whose mandate it seeks. “We must earn support through the quality of work, through the quality of our case and the seriousness of our conduct,” he said.
Gbajabiamila said the 2027 general election would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to determine whether to sustain the administration’s reform agenda or return to what he described as short-term political approaches.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why it is yet to take any action on the court judgment involving the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that it will not rely on reports circulating on social media without first obtaining and examining the actual judgment.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the Commission must formally receive the judgment, study its contents and obtain expert legal advice before determining the appropriate action, stressing that acting on unverified reports could lead to avoidable mistakes.
Amupitan spoke on Monday, November 9, 2026, while responding to questions at a press conference at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. “We don’t just act on the basis of what is on the social media,” he said.
Explaining the Commission’s procedure for handling court decisions, the chairman said judgments of such significance were first referred to his office before being forwarded to the relevant department for professional assessment and advice.
“Normally, when we receive judgment like that, it comes to the Commission, it comes first to the chairman who asks for the expertise advice from the relevant department before it’s taken to the Commission,” he said.
He stressed that INEC had yet to receive the ADC judgment and would therefore not act on information about its purported contents. “In this case, we are yet to receive the judgment. So the judgment is to be received and studied. I know I’m also a lawyer,” he said, adding that he would personally examine the processes filed in the matter.
The INEC chairman recalled an earlier incident involving a purported Supreme Court judgment which went viral on social media but was subsequently disowned by the apex court. “The Supreme Court disowned itself from it, and even some people have been investigated,” he said.
His position underscores the Commission’s insistence that official decisions on the ADC leadership dispute must be based on an authenticated court document and proper legal interpretation rather than social media reports or public speculation.
On allegations of artificial intelligence-generated photographs infiltrating the voters’ register, Amupitan disclosed that INEC had traced some of the access points through which the images were introduced into its registration system.
He said the Commission had discovered that certain security access points were compromised, with some access credentials allegedly used to facilitate the irregularities.
“We have found the number that were used through AI to infiltrate. You see, it takes just one person to compromise the password,” he said. He added that some access privileges had been granted by authorised personnel, creating opportunities for the misuse of the system.
In response, Amupitan said he had directed the Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to discontinue the use of web cameras for voter registration and replace them with an application-based camera system.
“We have just directed the director of ICT now that our IVFs, this web camera, should not be allowed again. Instead, we should have an app camera. It is what is on the app that will take picture,” he said.
According to him, the new arrangement would prevent registration personnel from importing photographs from external sources through web links or URLs, thereby strengthening the authenticity of images captured during registration.
“Don’t go and use any URL and begin to import pictures here and there. When things happen like that, you don’t want to fall into the same error,” he added.
The chairman said the Commission had also thoroughly investigated complaints received through its offices, online platforms and social media, clearing several allegations after due examination.
He maintained that the investigations were intended to ensure fairness and transparency and dispel suspicions of a hidden agenda in the handling of the complaints.
On the broader application of artificial intelligence in electoral administration, Amupitan disclosed that INEC had approved a comprehensive AI Governance Framework to regulate the responsible deployment of the technology in its operations.
He said although the Commission had an AI policy approved in 2025, before his appointment as chairman, the rapid evolution of the technology made it necessary to develop a more detailed framework.
“We decided as a Commission to have a comprehensive, well-laid out AI governance framework that will govern responsible deployment of AI,” he said.
Amupitan explained that the framework was developed in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the British High Commission before being subjected to peer review.
He added that the Commission also considered the ECOWAS protocol on the subject before approving the document.
“Just today, the Commission also approved the AI governance framework that will improve on what we used to have,” he said, noting that the guidelines contained safeguards to ensure artificial intelligence was deployed for legitimate and appropriate purposes.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed more than 1.6 million invalid records from the national register of voters following a clean-up of the 2025/2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, while identifying 54 registration personnel in 10 states for alleged complicity in the irregularities.
The Commission also disclosed plans to tackle longstanding duplications in the voters’ register dating back to 2011, warning that cleaning up the latest registration exercise alone would not resolve the integrity challenges confronting the national register ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made the disclosures on Monday, November 9, 2026, at a press conference at the Commission’s headquarters on the display and publication of the Preliminary Register of Voters.
He said the 1,609,553 records removed comprised 1,608,660 confirmed invalid registrations and 873 records of verified deceased persons, which were treated as a separate category.
According to him, the Commission harvested 11,088,238 records from the three phases of the 2025/2026 CVR exercise, with its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) initially flagging 1,545,052 records for further examination.
Amupitan, however, cautioned that being flagged by the automated system did not automatically render a registration invalid, explaining that each case required proper review and adjudication.
“A flagged record is not necessarily an invalid registration: automated screening identifies matters requiring review, while authorised adjudication determines the outcome,” he said.
The INEC chairman disclosed that 1,277,052 registrations had been confirmed invalid and excluded before the publication of the Preliminary Register.
He said another 268,000 cases were subjected to adjudication following claims, objections and complaints received during the public display of the register. Of these, 217,722 were confirmed invalid and removed, while 50,278 were cleared as valid and retained. A further screening exercise uncovered 113,886 additional invalid registrations, bringing the post-display removals to 331,608.
“The Commission confirms that the current register-cleaning exercise for the 2025/2026 Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) has been concluded,” Amupitan said.
On the alleged involvement of registration personnel, he said a technical assessment examined suspected multiple registrations, unusual registration patterns, substituted photographs and irregularities in registration transactions.
The assessment, he said, revealed instances in which some personnel deliberately circumvented established procedures and abused provisions intended to accommodate exceptional registration circumstances, including persons with disabilities.
He said the affected records had been identified and subjected to review and remediation, while the personnel involved had been listed for further administrative investigation.
“Fifty-four persons cutting across ten States have been identified as complicit and necessary disciplinary action will be taken against them, including possible prosecution,” he stated.
To prevent a recurrence, the Commission is strengthening its registration controls through enhanced biometric capture, authentication and verification safeguards. Amupitan explained that INEC waited for the expiration of the 14-day statutory period provided under Section 19(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, before making the latest announcement.
He said the Final Register of Voters would be published on December 15, 2026, adding that final reconciliation, quality assurance and publication checks were ongoing to ensure that all approved changes were properly reflected.
However, the chairman warned that the exercise had not addressed the wider problem of questionable entries in the national register, particularly duplications inherited from previous registration exercises between 2011 and 2023.
He said most of the duplicate names and photographs circulating on social media related to the old register rather than the recently concluded CVR exercise.
“Cleaning the register of only the 2025/2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise alone will not solve the problem identified,” he said.
According to him, the national register had evolved through successive registration and voter registration update exercises since 2011, using different technologies, operational arrangements and quality standards.
He noted that significant historical integrity concerns remained and required a systematic nationwide response.
Consequently, the Commission, at its meeting on Monday, resolved to address the duplications in the older register, with cases already flagged through public complaints, as well as obvious cases identified internally, to be removed after proper verification.
INEC had announced a nationwide voter revalidation exercise in February 2026 but subsequently postponed it until after the 2027 general elections following concerns from stakeholders about its proximity to the polls and the potential impact on voter participation.
Amupitan, however, maintained that the postponement did not suspend the Commission’s responsibility to protect the integrity of the register, noting that existing mechanisms, including biometric screening, adjudication and statutory claims and objections, remained operational.
On complaints by some voters that their names were missing from the register, the chairman explained that most of the affected persons had registered between 2011 and 2023 but subsequently registered afresh instead of applying for a transfer to their new locations.
He said ABIS invalidated the subsequent registrations, while their original records remained at their previous registration locations. He therefore advised affected voters to check their former polling locations to establish whether their names were still on the register.
On the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), Amupitan said distribution of cards from Phases One and Two, as well as transferred PVCs, was ongoing at local government area offices nationwide.
He disclosed that some cards produced under the third and final phase were being delivered and would be dispatched to states by the following week.
According to him, distribution would return to Registration Areas from December 1, 2026, while appealing to third-phase registrants to exercise patience because the cards were produced outside Nigeria.
The INEC chairman also assured Nigerians that the Commission had adequate safeguards against multiple voting on election day.
He explained that under the Standard Operating Procedures for Presiding Officers, supported by the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), every voter must be physically present at the designated polling unit and undergo biometric authentication through fingerprint or facial recognition before being accredited.
“The Commission remains committed both to removing confirmed invalid entries and to protecting eligible Nigerians from wrongful exclusion,” he said.
He added that INEC would continue to publish verifiable aggregate information on the clean-up exercise while safeguarding personal data and the integrity of ongoing investigations.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on media organisations, journalists and social media analysts to strengthen their professional and ethical standards in election reporting ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that misinformation and inflammatory political narratives could undermine public confidence and threaten peaceful polls.
The commission made the call at a media engagement forum organised for the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Institute of Social Media Analysts (NISMA), Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and media executives in Enugu State.
The forum, held at Hotel Sylvia, had as its theme, “Ethical and Professional Standards in Election Reporting Ahead of the 2027 General Elections.”
Speaking at the event, the Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Chukwuemeka J. Chukwu, who represented the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, described the media as a critical partner in ensuring credible elections and sustaining public confidence in the democratic process.
He said the media played a strategic role in the electoral process by serving as a link between the commission and the electorate through information dissemination, voter education, public enlightenment and accountability.
Chukwu urged journalists to exercise caution in their reportage, particularly on election results, incidents at polling units, electoral materials and technological processes, warning against publishing unverified information or presenting speculation as established facts.
He stressed that inaccurate reports and the spread of disinformation could erode public trust in the electoral process and create tensions capable of threatening peaceful elections.
The REC also urged media organisations to intensify voter education, particularly on the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), voter accreditation, voting procedures, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), electronic transmission of results and the need for peaceful participation.
He further called for inclusive election coverage, urging journalists to ensure that women, young people and persons with disabilities received adequate representation in electoral discussions and reportage.
In his opening remarks, Haruna, represented by the REC, underscored the media’s influence in shaping public understanding of the electoral process. He noted that public confidence in elections depended largely on the accuracy, credibility and reliability of information available to citizens.
The commission’s engagement with media stakeholders is part of efforts to promote responsible election reporting, counter the spread of fake news and strengthen public confidence as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday inaugurated 375 judges nominated to serve on Election Petition Tribunals ahead of the 2027 general elections, charging them to uphold the rule of law and dispense justice without fear or favour.
The inauguration, held at the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja, came 68 days before the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and 89 days before the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027.
The ceremony also featured the unveiling of the second edition of the Judicial Electoral Manual and a specialised capacity-building workshop for the tribunal judges.
Of the 375 judges inaugurated, 138 are returning members with previous election tribunal experience, while 237 are newly nominated from various courts and judicial institutions across the country.
Addressing the judges, Justice Kekere-Ekun urged them to remain faithful to their judicial oaths, resist political and other external pressures, and ensure that electoral disputes were determined strictly in accordance with the law and evidence.
She stressed that the constitutional and statutory timelines governing election petition cases required strict adherence, leaving no room for unnecessary delays or poor case management.
The CJN also cautioned legal practitioners, political parties, media organisations and members of the public against unethical practices, including the abuse of ex parte applications and media campaigns designed to prejudge cases or intimidate judicial officers.
Emphasising that the credibility of democracy depended on collective responsibility, she said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the legal profession must discharge their respective statutory responsibilities conscientiously.
She, however, maintained that the Judiciary’s responsibility was to resolve electoral disputes impartially, based strictly on the law and evidence presented before it.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, described the inauguration as a significant institutional preparation for one of the most consequential responsibilities entrusted to the Judiciary.
She said the credibility of democracy depended not only on the conduct of elections but also on the existence of impartial, effective and timely mechanisms for resolving disputes arising from the electoral process.
According to her, through the fair determination of election petitions, the Judiciary safeguards the people’s mandate, upholds constitutional supremacy and sustains public confidence in democratic governance.
Justice Dongban-Mensem urged the tribunal judges to appreciate the enormous responsibility placed on them, noting that their conduct and decisions would attract considerable public scrutiny.
The inauguration is pursuant to the constitutional framework governing the establishment of Election Petition Tribunals.
Section 285(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, provides for the constitution of tribunals to adjudicate disputes arising from National and State Houses of Assembly and governorship elections. Similarly, Section 134(3)(a) and (b) of the Electoral Act, 2026, stipulates timelines for the constitution of the tribunals and the opening of their registries.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the inauguration of the 375 judges is aimed at strengthening the Judiciary’s preparedness to handle post-election disputes within the strict timelines prescribed by law.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has denied negotiating the N40,000 consequential salary adjustment granted to Federal Government workers following the implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage, insisting that the agreement was reached by public sector unions.
The congress said its involvement in the minimum wage process was limited to negotiating the national wage through a tripartite arrangement involving organised labour, the Federal Government and employers, while consequential adjustments were handled separately by unions in their respective sectors.
Consequential adjustment refers to the review of existing salary structures following an increase in the national minimum wage to ensure that workers across different grade levels benefit from the new wage regime while maintaining appropriate salary differentials.
In a statement on Sunday, signed by its Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, the NLC described claims that it negotiated the N40,000 across-the-board addition for federal workers as false and a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s collective bargaining framework.
“The claim that the NLC was responsible for negotiating the N40,000 across-the-board addition as consequential adjustment for federal workers is not only false but is a deliberate distortion of the collective bargaining framework in Nigeria,” Upah said.
The congress explained that negotiations on consequential adjustments were the responsibility of unions representing workers in the affected sectors, particularly those engaged in discussions with the Federal Government.
It identified the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, comprising government representatives and about eight trade unions with their national leadership, as the body responsible for negotiating the implementation of minimum wage agreements and consequential adjustments for federal workers.
According to the NLC, similar bargaining arrangements operate at the state level, where unions negotiate with their respective governments, while industrial unions in the private sector engage directly with employers’ associations based on the peculiarities of their industries.
The congress cited the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers and the National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees as an example of sector-specific collective bargaining.
It maintained that although the NLC represents workers across the public and private sectors, it does not directly negotiate consequential salary adjustments for individual sectors.
“Throughout the history of the national minimum wage setting exercise, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress has never sat down to negotiate consequential adjustment with neither the government nor the organised private sector employers,” the statement added.
The clarification comes amid renewed attention to the implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage, approved by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024 after negotiations involving the Federal Government, organised labour and employers.
The consequential adjustment was designed to realign existing salary structures with the new wage floor, with negotiations undertaken by the relevant unions across different categories of public and private sector employment.
The NLC said clarifying the distinction between national minimum wage negotiations and consequential adjustments was particularly important as discussions over a new national minimum wage approached.
It warned that misinformation could create unnecessary divisions within the labour movement and divert attention from the institutions directly responsible for negotiating workers’ salary adjustments.
The congress urged workers to hold the relevant unions and negotiating bodies accountable for the outcomes of consequential adjustment agreements, reaffirming its commitment to pushing for a new national minimum wage that approximates a living wage.
CAPIS 3C Education Series – Episode 3 Project Participation: What Does it Actually Mean?
You’ve probably heard us mention Project Participation before, but what does it actually mean? Here’s a simple explanation.
Say CAPIS Limited is developing a commercial project — it could be an automated car-washing system, a Dutch agro-farming project, a solar energy project, a shopping mall, or even a large-scale inter-city transportation system. These aren’t just ideas; they’re commercial projects that need capital, planning, execution, and participation.
This is where it gets interesting. Rather than just watching these projects unfold, eligible 3C clients can bid to participate in qualifying projects advertised on the CAPIS platform. That’s what Project Participation means: a structured way for you to identify a qualifying commercial opportunity, assess it, and submit a bid to take part in it.
You’re not being asked to build the project yourself, and you’re not being asked to find the project yourself either. You’re also not simply being handed money to spend however you like. The opportunity is tied to an actual commercial project — CAPIS handles the financing for qualifying participation, while you take part through the structured process the platform provides.
So the process generally works like this: a project is identified, published on the CAPIS platform, you explore the opportunity, submit your bid to participate, and if your participation meets the requirements, you move forward through the project’s structured process.
This is a key part of the 3C idea: participation isn’t just about having money — it’s about having access to an opportunity, plus a structured way to pursue it. That’s why Project Participation sits at the center of this series, because economic activity shouldn’t be something people only watch from the outside.
When a new agricultural project comes up, people can join the agricultural value chain. When an energy project is developed, it creates commercial opportunities around it. When a transportation system is created, businesses and individuals can become part of the ecosystem it generates. So the question isn’t just “what’s happening?” anymore — it becomes “how can I take part?” That’s the conversation 3C is trying to start.
There’s still one question we haven’t answered: if you want to participate in a project, what actually gives you the financial capacity to bid? That’s where the ₦30 million financing entitlement comes in — we’ll explain that in the next episode.
Next Episode: The ₦30 Million Entitlement: What Does It Really Mean?
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has congratulated Nigeria’s Flamingos on their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, describing their victory over Japan as “well deserved”.
The Nigerian side defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Rabat, Morocco, to become the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The victory also made Nigeria the first African country to claim a FIFA Women’s World Cup title at any level, ending the continent’s long wait for a global women’s football crown.
Infantino, who congratulated the team shortly after the trophy presentation, described the achievement as a landmark moment for Nigeria and African football.
“Congratulations to Nigeria, world champion U-17 Women’s World Cup of FIFA here in Rabat. First African team to ever win a (FIFA) Women’s U-17 World Cup — so many congratulations to Nigeria. Well deserved in the final,” he said.
The Flamingos’ triumph was particularly remarkable given their difficult start to the competition, having lost their opening match to Poland.
However, the Nigerian youngsters recovered impressively, winning six consecutive matches to lift the trophy. Their impressive run included a crucial victory over defending champions North Korea in the group stage, which revived their campaign.
In the final, Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the advantage shortly after the restart.
Umejiaku’s 47th-minute strike, her fourth goal of the tournament, proved decisive and further underlined her outstanding performance, earning her the Golden Ball award as the competition’s best player.
Japan reduced the deficit in the 80th minute but the Flamingos held firm in the closing stages to secure a historic victory.
The triumph represents a major milestone for Nigerian football and establishes the Flamingos as pioneers of African women’s football on the global stage.
