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.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded full disclosure of the funding, implementation and administration of the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), warning that it could institute legal action if the authorities fail to provide the requested information.
SERAP specifically urged the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, to disclose details of the programme’s funding, beneficiary selection and payment arrangements, including contracts with digital financial service providers and safeguards against political interference ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a Freedom of Information request dated November 7, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation gave the minister seven days to provide the information and implement measures to ensure transparency and accountability in the programme.
The demand follows the ministry’s October 30 announcement of NERSI, which is designed to provide ₦50,000 financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerians.
However, SERAP said critical details about the intervention remained unclear, including its total funding, geographical coverage, number of beneficiaries, duration and criteria for selecting recipients from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
The organisation also expressed concern over conflicting information about the frequency of payments, noting that while the ministry’s public statement described the assistance as a monthly payment, its subsequent frequently asked questions (FAQ) document did not clearly establish how often beneficiaries would receive the money or how long the intervention would last.
SERAP urged the ministry to publish details of budgetary allocations, funds released and expenditure, eligibility requirements, verification procedures and the geographical distribution of beneficiaries. It also demanded an anonymised breakdown of beneficiaries and payments by state and local government area, including ward-level figures where available.
The organisation further called on the minister to invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to independently monitor the programme, investigate allegations of corruption and ensure that public funds reach their intended recipients.
“Nigerians have a right to know how public funds allocated to NERSI are being spent, who is receiving the assistance, how beneficiaries are selected and whether the programme is reaching those most in need,” SERAP said.
It warned against the use of the intervention to reward political supporters, secure partisan loyalty or influence the electoral choices of vulnerable Nigerians.
According to the organisation, beneficiaries must not be required or encouraged to attend political rallies, support political parties or candidates, display political materials or demonstrate political allegiance as a condition for receiving the assistance.
SERAP stressed that NERSI was a government programme funded with public resources and should not be presented as a personal gift or political benefit from any public office-holder or political party.
“Publicly funded social assistance must be allocated strictly on the basis of genuine need and objective eligibility criteria,” it said.
The organisation also raised concerns over reports that some Nigerians who received notifications of the ₦50,000 assistance had been unable to access or withdraw the funds, while others were reportedly informed that they were ineligible.
It said the complaints raised questions about the accuracy of beneficiary verification, the reliability of payment arrangements and the effectiveness of mechanisms for resolving failed transactions and disputed eligibility.
SERAP called on the ministry to investigate the complaints, publish its findings and ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive the assistance.
It also demanded disclosure of agreements with the digital financial service providers engaged to administer the payments, including ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.
The ministry was asked to explain the respective roles of the companies, the fees payable to them, their performance obligations and the procedures for independently verifying payments.
On data protection, SERAP said the use of the National Social Register and national identity records to identify beneficiaries must be governed by clear rules and adequate safeguards.
It urged the government to explain how the databases were being accessed and used, protect beneficiaries’ personal information and make anonymised and aggregated data available for public scrutiny.
The organisation said the information gaps surrounding NERSI made it difficult for Nigerians to determine whether the intervention was being implemented fairly, whether public funds were properly accounted for and whether assistance was reaching those most in need.
It cited concerns raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation in the 2024 Annual Report over more than ₦78.8 billion allegedly diverted or unaccounted for in the administration of social intervention and cash transfer programmes. SERAP particularly referred to an alleged ₦33.751 billion in cash transfers made in 2023 for which relevant REMITA records and other supporting documents were reportedly not made available for audit.
It said the findings reinforced the need for strong financial controls, proper record-keeping, independent verification and effective oversight from the outset of NERSI.
The organisation acknowledged the importance of providing financial assistance to Nigerians facing poverty and economic hardship but insisted that programmes involving public funds and the personal information of vulnerable households must operate under transparent and publicly accessible rules.
It also cited Sections 13, 15(5), 16(2)(b) and 17(3)(d) of the Nigerian Constitution, which address the responsibilities of government in combating corruption, ensuring the equitable distribution of public resources and promoting citizens’ welfare.
SERAP further noted that Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption required integrity, accountability and transparency in the management of public affairs and public funds.
The organisation warned that failure to provide the requested information and take appropriate measures within seven days of receiving or publishing the letter would compel it to consider legal action against the ministry and other relevant authorities.
It said such action would seek to enforce their constitutional and statutory obligations and ensure the transparent, accountable and impartial implementation of NERSI in the public interest.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has promised President Bola Tinubu three million votes in the 2027 general elections, declaring the state’s support for his re-election bid.
Fubara gave the assurance on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, where he said Rivers had made its political choice and would not turn back. “Rivers will give you three million votes. We will stand by you. We will work for you. We will deliver for you,” the governor declared.
He also announced an end to political divisions in the state, saying leaders had put their differences aside and were now united behind a common political position in support of Tinubu.
According to him, the President had demonstrated commitment to Rivers State, adding that the people were prepared to reciprocate through their votes in the next general elections.
“We are not just talking. We will show it with our votes. Rivers people know how to keep their word,” he said.
Fubara urged APC supporters and political stakeholders to return to their respective wards and polling units to commence grassroots mobilisation, stressing that delivering the promised three million votes would require collective commitment and active participation.
The governor, however, clarified that despite his membership of the APC, Rivers State was operating a Rainbow Coalition involving political stakeholders from different parties.
“Let me also place it on record that, although I am an APC member, Rivers State operates under a Rainbow Coalition. Under this coalition, we have a shared slate that spans across the APC and the PDP. We assure you that our combined slate will be delivered come January 2027,” he said.
Fubara’s declaration comes amid intensified political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Tinubu’s supporters seeking to consolidate the President’s support base in Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
The Federal Ministry of Education has cancelled all admissions into the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programmes of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, for the 2026 academic session over alleged violations of regulatory guidelines.
The ministry also directed the institute to discontinue all university affiliations and degree-awarding arrangements, insisting that NTI lacks the statutory authority to award NCE and university degrees.
In a press release dated November 7, 2026, and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry warned prospective students, parents and the general public against seeking admission into the affected programmes.
It said no further admissions into the programmes, whether full-time, part-time or through Distance Learning Studies (DLS), would be permitted, urging members of the public not to apply, accept admission offers or make payments.
The directive followed alleged violations of the Ministerial Operational Guidelines issued on September 12, 2025. The ministry explained that admissions into NCE programmes must comply with the requirements of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the accreditation standards of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
It also directed the National Universities Commission (NUC) to notify affected universities and ensure compliance with the decision to discontinue NTI’s degree-awarding arrangements.
However, in a move to protect students already enrolled in the affected programmes, the ministry said the NCCE would undertake a comprehensive accreditation exercise covering existing NCE II–IV Distance Learning programmes and study centres across the six geopolitical zones.
It added that eligible students would be allowed to complete their programmes, subject to the outcome of the accreditation exercise and other applicable regulatory requirements. The ministry clarified that NTI’s statutory mandate remained focused on teacher training, retraining, in-service development and continuous professional development.
According to the statement, the institute is also mandated to provide pedagogical capacity-building and administer the three-to-six-month Special Abridged Programme for serving teachers with non-Education degrees to acquire the professional competencies required for registration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), subject to applicable regulations.
It stressed that the intervention was designed to protect students, safeguard academic standards and prevent prospective applicants from falling victim to unapproved academic programmes.
The ministry therefore urged members of the public to verify the accreditation and admission status of programmes through relevant regulatory agencies and official government channels before making enrolment or payment decisions.
Nigeria’s public relations institute becomes the first in the world to win the prestigious international award in consecutive years.
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has emerged the 2026 Global Public Relations Association of the Year, becoming the first professional institute in the world to win the prestigious international award for two consecutive years.
The award, regarded as the highest international recognition for public relations associations, was announced on Friday in Abuja by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Prof. Justin Green.
A statement signed by Stanley Ogadigo, Director, Public Relations of the NIPR, dated 6th of November, 2026, and sighted by The Atlantic Bell, stated that Green made the announcement at the launch of the Youth Digital Campaign for the forthcoming 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), organised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the Forum’s Local Organising Committee.
He described NIPR’s consecutive victories as a significant achievement for Nigeria, noting that the competition attracted entries from public relations associations across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and India.
“It is truly a great honour for NIPR to have won this award for a second time running, which shows the calibre, experience and expertise within Nigeria. It is a true credit that couldn’t have come at a better time,” he said.
The Global Alliance said the award followed a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an international panel of distinguished judges. It added that the 2026 edition attracted 92 entries from different countries, underscoring the global reach and competitiveness of the awards.
Reacting to the recognition, NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku, said the achievement demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity to excel and provide global leadership across different fields of human endeavour.
He called on Nigerian leaders to harness the country’s enormous potentials to strengthen its international reputation and reposition its image before the global community.
“As an Institute charged with the responsibility of regulating the practice of public relations and manning the reputation gates of the nation, we understand the value of reputation and we are deliberate in telling the Nigerian story of excellence before the global community,” Neliaku said.
He added that the institute had continued to distinguish itself through initiatives, innovations and developmental projects aimed at advancing the public relations profession.
The NIPR president also expressed confidence that Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum would further consolidate the country’s standing in the global public relations community.
The forum, scheduled for November 15 to 22, 2026, is expected to attract international professionals and stakeholders in public relations and communication management.
Neliaku described the event as a national reputation project that would redefine global perceptions of Nigeria, expressing optimism that its impact would establish a standard difficult to surpass for decades.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the party, warning the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against taking any action that could prejudice the pending appeal.
The party said it had filed a notice of appeal against the judgment delivered on November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, alongside an application seeking a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal.
The development was disclosed on Friday in a statement by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, who said INEC had been formally notified of the legal proceedings.
Shaibu said the application for a stay of execution was yet to be determined, urging the electoral commission not to proceed as though the pending legal challenge did not exist.
“The Commission must respect the judicial process and allow the appellate court to hear the case,” he said.
He warned that any consequential action by INEC before the appeal was heard could pre-empt the Court of Appeal and undermine the judicial resolution of the leadership dispute. In a related development, the party’s solicitors, S. E. Aruwa, SAN & Co., wrote to the INEC chairman on November 6, formally notifying the commission of the appeal and the application for a stay of execution.
The lawyers urged INEC to suspend further action on the subject matter of the suit pending the determination of the appeal.
Despite the legal challenge, the ADC said its political activities and preparations for the 2027 general election would continue without interruption.
“This is not the end of the road. The ADC is taking every lawful step to defend its rights, and we will not be intimidated or distracted from that responsibility,” Shaibu said.
He called on party members and supporters to remain calm and confident, assuring them that the party would sustain its political mobilisation and engagement with Nigerians.
“Our campaigns continue without interruption. There is no stopping the affordability train or our mission to make life better for Nigerians,” he added.
Justice Lifu’s judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman for the North-East, who challenged the emergence of Mark and other members of the caretaker committee after the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu. Bala had argued that he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership following Nwosu’s resignation.
The court ruled against the Mark-led leadership, nullifying the caretaker committee and its decisions, including those relating to the party’s process for selecting its 2027 presidential candidate. The judgment also cast a shadow over the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.
Reacting to the ruling, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described it as an attempt to cripple the opposition and deny Nigerians the right to choose their leaders.
