The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to intensify cadet battle -hardened training with a view to bridging gaps in military operations.

Shaibu gave the charge during a courtesy visit by the Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, to Army Headquarters, Abuja.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

The COAS said that cadet training at the NDA must be driven by purposeful leadership, discipline, character, courage and strategic thinking.

He stressed the need to strengthen research centres, particularly the NDA Department of Military Science, as a strategic step towards boosting the National Defence Industry and enhancing indigenous capacity for military innovation and self-reliance.

He underscored that a robust research framework would provide the intellectual backbone required for a modern, responsive and technologically advanced fighting force.

The COAS further advocated for a curriculum overhaul that reflects contemporary security challenges, with emphasis on night training, physical fitness, artificial intelligence and other emerging warfare domains.

According to him, these measures would ensure that young officers are fully attuned to the realities of modern battlefields and equipped with the warrior ethos and battle-oriented leadership skills required to drive his Command Philosophy.

The philosophy according to him, is, “To Advance the Transformation of the Nigerian Army into a More Professional, Adaptable, Combat Ready and Resilient Force Capable of Decisively Discharging its Constitutional Responsibilities Within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment.”

The army chief also pledged full support to the commandant in achieving those objectives.

He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the Nigerian Defence Academy produces officers who are strategically sound, operationally competent and fully prepared to meet the evolving security demands of the nation.

In his remarks, the Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. Olatoye expressed profound gratitude to the leadership of the military for the confidence reposed in him to lead the nation’s premier military training institution.

He described the NDA as the “training factory” for future officers of the Armed Forces.

The commandant assured that he would build on the legacies and structures established by his predecessors.

He solicited sustained support from the COAS to effectively realise the vision and mission of producing competent, disciplined and professional officers capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s security interests.

Nigeria is “a nation under siege”, the Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) has warned, as escalating attacks on schools plunge the country into a deepening education and security crisis.

In a blistering statement signed by Emeritus Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, FNAE, President, and Prof. Chris Chukwurah, MNAE, Secretary General of the Academy, following the abduction of students from St Mary’s School in Niger State, the academy said 92 school invasions, 2,500 abducted learners, over 180 children killed, and 1 million too afraid to attend school paint a portrait of a nation failing its young.

“These figures represent shattered dreams and grieving families,” the NAE said. “Classrooms have become battlegrounds.”

‘Government efforts amount to lip service’

While the government has unveiled several initiatives—including the Safe Schools Declaration and a multibillion-naira safety plan, the academy said these measures have failed to halt mass abductions or restore confidence. Large parts of the North East and Middle Belt remain exposed, and schools continue to shut down.

The NAE accused authorities of neglecting their constitutional duty to protect lives, warning that abandoned policies and weak implementation have created a “false sense of security”.

With trauma, economic ruin and a fading future that accompany killings and kidnappings, children and teachers are battling severe trauma, nightmares, anxiety, and fear that cripples learning. Teachers, described as “unsung victims”, face daily threats that push many out of the profession.

The economic fallout is severe: more than 11,500 schools in the north have closed since 2020, placing 3 million children at risk of dropping out and eroding Nigeria’s human capital.

“When education collapses, national development collapses with it,” the academy warned.

NAE demands decisive action as it called for immediate and coordinated security measures, accountability for perpetrators, community-level protection, medical and psychological support for victims, and an overhaul of all existing safety frameworks.

“If Nigeria fails to protect its schools, it fails to protect its future,” the NAE said. “The time for rhetoric is over—the time for results is now.”

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an opioids cartel in an intelligence-led operation during which a baron and five members of his gang were arrested.

The NDLEA operatives recovered illicit substances worth over N6.7 billion from their secret warehouse in a residential estate in Lagos.

A statement by the agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi on Wednesday in Abuja said that the operatives had continued their offensive action against drug syndicates in a nationwide crackdown.

Babafemi said that the arrest followed credible intelligence that the drug trafficking organisation (DTO) was distributing over 7.2 million pills of tramadol 225mg and 526,200 bottles (52.6 million mls) of codeine syrup.

He said that the drugs were warehoused in a residential compound located at 23 Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor, Isheri area of Isolo, Lagos state, ahead of the Christmas festive season.

He also said that officers of a Special Operations Unit of NDLEA led a well coordinated operation between Wednesday, Nov. 19 and Thursday, Nov. 20 to round up members of the syndicate and dismantle their criminal network.

He added that two members of the DTO were trailed and arrested at Apple Junction, Festac area of Lagos on Wednesday, Nov. 19 while conveying 300 cartons of opioids in a truck.

He also added that a follow up operation to the syndicate’s warehouse at Sunny Billa East Street, Bucknor the following day Thursday, Nov. 20 led to the arrest of other members of the syndicate.

“In all, a total of 7,272,000 pills of tramadol 225mg worth N3.9billion and 53 million mills of codeine syrup valued at over N2.8 billion bringing the combined value of the seized drugs to N6.7 billion only in street value were recovered.

“They were all moved out of the estate in eleven trucks to NDLEA’s central exhibit complex in Lagos,” he maintained.

The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa has commended the Commander and operatives of the Special Operations Unit as well as those of Strike Force Unit involved in the dismantling of the syndicate.

Marwa praised the officers’ professionalism and dedication, describing the breakthrough as a major blow to the cartels preying on Nigeria’s youth.

“This is not just an arrest; it is a clear and unambiguous statement.

“The seizure of this colossal volume of illicit drugs, could have fueled addiction, crime, and insecurity across our nation.

“This represents a victory for the Nigerian people and a confirmation of our unwavering commitment to the mandate given to us by President Bola Tinubu,” Marwa stated.

The NDLEA boss emphasised that the agency’s focus remains squarely on the kingpins and financiers of the illicit drug trade.

According to him, the days when drug barons thought they were untouchable are over.

“The arrest of this drug baron and his criminal cohorts, following an intensive intelligence operation, serves as a stark reminder that the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with every merchant of death.

“No matter how high or deeply concealed they think they are,” he emphasised.

The House of Representatives has bemoaned the non-implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 that provided for environmental remediation funds by relevant organisations.

The Chairman, House Committee on South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Rep. Julius Pondi said this during an interactive session with stakeholders in Abuja.

“As you know, these two essential funds were created under the PIA to make sure oil and gas companies are fully responsible to properly decommissioning outdated facilities and restoring environments degraded by decades of exploration and production activities,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that most companies had not been implementing the Abandonment and Decommissioning Fund and the Environmental Remediation Fund as provided under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 by companies.

Pondi said that the law is intended to prevent the ongoing shifting of environmental liabilities to local communities by multi-national firms and to establish a clear, transparent and well-funded system for repairing affected ecosystems.

The SSDC committee chairman regretted that after four years of the enactment of the PIA, there has been non-implementation of these provisions.

“Available data before this committee indicates that, had the provisions been operationalized as required since 2021, the Abandonment and Decommissioning Fund should have accrued an estimated N850 billion to N1.1 trillion since the enactment.”

“The Environmental Remediation Fund alone should have accrued no less than N420 billion to N550 billion within the same period.”

Pondi explained that these figures represent lost opportunities to restore damaged lands, protect the livelihoods of millions through provision of potable water, rehabilitating of polluted ecosystems and secure community safety.

He reeled out the consequences of the non-implementation which includes polluted farmlands, contaminated rivers, abandoned installations posing safety hazards and declining fisheries.

According to him, other consequences are health challenges and devastated livelihoods in communities whose resources continue to power our national economy.

Pondi, therefore, described the continuous non-implementation as contraventions of both the PIA 2021 and the SSDC Act, 2025.

“Lack of visibility and operational progress on these funds have raised serious concerns regarding the institutional capacity and readiness of the responsible agencies, particularly the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Mid-Stream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).’’

Pondi said that such brazen lack of capacity has informed the ongoing contemplation on the necessity of establishing a new agency and operational structure to administer these funds effectively and transparently.

He said that the session is aimed at creating a platform that fosters constructive dialogue among the NUPRC, NMDPRA, NOSDRA and SSDC.

Pondi reaffirmed the resolve of the lawmakers in ensuring that the goals of these legislative instruments translate into tangible outcomes.

He expressed confidence that, with sincerity of purpose, these funds can become transformative instruments for environmental justice and sustainable development.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. have strengthened collaboration to boost the security of the nation’s critical oil and gas infrastructure.

This followed a courtesy visit by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Bayo Ojulari, in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Aneke said that securing pipelines, flow stations, offshore platforms and other key assets was vital to Nigeria’s economic stability and central to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said the NAF remained committed to supporting NNPC to curb oil theft, protect investments and enhance national revenue.

The CAS said improved synergy among security agencies had already reduced oil theft, adding that the Air Force was scaling up its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations to detect and counter emerging threats.

He also highlighted NAF’s strengthened maritime security posture, noting that aligning operations with NNPC’s priorities would ensure uninterrupted energy supply and increased production.

Aneke reaffirmed the NAF’s resolve to support NNPC in protecting national resources and tackling criminal networks undermining the country’s energy sector.

Responding, Ojulari commended the NAF for its sustained support, saying the renewed partnership was crucial to boosting energy security, stabilising production and improving the safety of industry operations.

He assured that NNPC would expand cooperation with the Air Force in intelligence sharing, joint planning and the deployment of modern security technology across vulnerable assets.

Nigeria will have to realign its democracy, education, and federalism to be able to tackle its challenges adequately, Prof. Adewumi Falode of the History and International Studies Department, Lagos State University (LASU), has said.

Falode said this while delivering LASU’s 115th Inaugural Lecture Series at its Ojo Campus.

The lecture entitled, “Bespoke Solutions: Reimagining, Reifying and Realigning the Wheels of the Nigerian State’’.

Falode is a Professor of International Relations, History, and Strategic Studies.

According to him, Nigeria’s version of democracy is alien and expensive.

“Since its introduction, the form of democracy practised in the country has not been able to fulfil the basic desire of the citizens for full and inclusive participation in governance.

“It failed to deliver dividends to the people.

“I am not in any way advocating a militocracy or plutocracy or oligarchy.

“What I am simply advocating is that Nigeria’s democracy should be domesticated to meet local realities,” he said.

Falode said that the last general elections gulped much money, adding that 2027 elections might cost more.

“Democracy has always been expensive in Nigeria.

“That of 1983 federal elections frittered away two billon Naira, and at the end of the day, the military derailed the whole process.

“Nigeria budgeted N1.5 billion for elections in 1999, N42 billion in 2011, N108.8 billion in 2015.

“The monies for post-elections litigations and other incidentals are not factored into these.

“The shocking thing was that at the end of such elections, it will still take the intervention of the judiciary for the wheel of democracy to be realigned and readjusted,” he said.

On federalism, Falode said that it was the lost ideal wheel to govern a multi-ethnic country such as Nigeria.

“ Countries such as Switzerland and United Kingdom have used this system to govern themselves effectively.

“The problem with Nigeria is that the leaders adopted textbook federalism hook, line and sinker.

“Nigeria must customise or domesticate its federalism to correct fractures.

“ I call this competitive federalism. This means a weak or decentralized centre with strong states,” he said.

He, however, said that such federalism was not regionalism, adding that he was against anything that would fracture Nigeria into different parts.

“I am also against anything that champions the idea that states should be developed in silos and independently with minimal interactions with other units in the federation.

“States in the country should be allowed to coexist but based on clearly spelt out and agreed terms.

“Historically, the different constitutional conferences and constituent assemblies had done the job of creating a white paper on those things that can promote unity, peace and equitable development among the disparate groups in Nigeria.

“ The Nigerian Constitution is the best wheel to correct all the punctures, wear and tear Nigeria is experiencing.

“Nigeria is a beautiful country, and I would want it to be kept the way it is,” he said.

The professor said fiscal federalism was an important sub-wheel that must be attached to the axle of the Nigerian state.

“I am glad President Bola Tinubu is tackling that frontally with the 2025 Tax Reforms Bill.

“This will promote equitable competitive distribution of revenue and allow states to think outside the box on revenue generation, deepen taxation and allow states to have funds for construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of public facilities,”he said.

Falode said that education was the most important wheel and the key to national integration and political development.

“It is not just education but tailored or domesticated education. This is the way to go for Nigeria to realign its economy, reduce unemployment, promote unity and peace and spur development.

“Nigeria must make universal primary and secondary education free. Sending children to school must be made compulsory up to the secondary level.

“This will allow the state to shape the students into responsible citizens that will contribute to development

“Importantly, it will be difficult for religious and ethnic extremism to flourish in a society that has deployed adequate resources to combating ignorance through quality education,”he said.