The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved four new full-time undergraduate programmes for the Lagos State University within its Faculty of Computing and Information Technology.

This is contained in a statement issued and signed by the Deputy Registrar and Coordinator, Centre for Information and Public Relations, LASU, Mrs Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile on Tuesday.

The Atlantic Bell reports that this development would further strengthen LASU’s position as a leader in technology-driven education.

“The approval was conveyed in a letter dated November 3, and signed by the Acting Director of Academic Planning, Mr Abubakar Girei, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the NUC.

“This approval follows a recent rigorous resource verification visit to the university by panels of experts tasked with assessing the availability of human and material resources for the proposed programmes.

“The four programmes were approved, effective from the 2025-2026 academic session.

“The programmes are B.Sc. Cyber Security, B.Sc. Software Engineering, B.Sc. Information and Communication Technology, and B.Sc. Data Science,” she said.

Thomas-Onashile added that the development also emphasised LASU’s commitment to providing cutting-edge education aligned with global technological advancements.

“However, it should be noted that the approval currently applies only to full-time study modes.

“By expanding its academic offerings, LASU reaffirms its dedication to nurturing expertise in computing disciplines and equipping graduates with the skills required to excel in Nigeria’s digital economy and beyond.

The Rivers State Government has encouraged International Breweries PLC to bring its flagship “Empowering Nigeria’s Future Leaders” programme to Port Harcourt, so that Rivers youth can fully benefit from the training, mentorship and entrepreneurial opportunities it offers.

The charge was given by the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, when he received a delegation from the company in his office. He emphasized that hosting the next edition in Rivers State aligns with the Gov. Sim Fubara’s commitment to youth development and economic empowerment.

Reaffirming the state’s support for investors, Johnson also appealed to International Breweries PLC to revive the much-loved Grand Lager Beer, a heritage brand from the old Pabod Breweries, describing it as a cultural asset cherished by Rivers people.

The Commissioner further invited the company to participate in the government’s Rivers State Christmas Discount Market, scheduled to run from December 5–15 at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, an initiative designed to provide residents with affordable shopping during the festive season.

The IBL team led by Public Affairs Manager, Dr. Helen Chimezie, was on a courtesy visit to formally invite the Commissioner to their 10th anniversary edition of “Empowering Nigeria’s Future Leaders,” scheduled for November 17, 2025.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Defence College (NDC) are to partner on overhauling the College’s curriculum to reflect Nigeria’s rapidly evolving security and governance landscape.

EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Oyewale said the agreement was made when the NDC Commandant, Rear Admiral Ahmed, led senior officers of the college on a courtesy visit to EFCC’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in Abuja.

He quoted Ahmed as saying that the curriculum of the College needed a rejig in line with the present-day realities.

He lauded the EFCC’s expertise in tackling financial and economic crimes and solicited for the infusion of the skills in reviewing NDC’s curriculum.

“In taking over the college. I have discovered that the curriculum has not been reviewed for quite some time, and I feel that it should be reviewed in relation to our current realities.

”I feel that this agency would be of help. So, I want us to work closely in terms of what we put in the new curriculum.

”We cannot do it better than the master. We will need some insights on how to manage public funds. We want participants to learn about managing public funds.

”This is the input we want from this place and we want experts to come and talk to participants by the next course on things like that, so that any office they happen to go and take over they know exactly what to do,” he said.

Ahmed also commended Olukoyede and his team for the wonderful job they are doing for the country in terms of asset recovery and in terms of earning trust for the country.

”I also advise that you should please not rest on your oars. You should continue to do your best as much as you can.

”If there’s any research that you want us to carry out for you as an agency, we have a center for strategic research,” he said.

Olukoyede, in his response, expressed the appreciation of the commission for the visit and the proposal.

He assured the delegation of EFCC’s preparedness to work with the College to enable it achieve greater heights.

“Collaboration is a factor that brings about effectiveness and results. It’s important for us as government agencies to work together.

”We know we have a long history of collaboration with the National Defence College. We have been sending students for its programmes.

”Right now, we also have a student. That is a testament of our working together. We’ll continue to do that.

”We have a very good working relationship with the Navy, particularly in maritime investigation, arrest and prosecution of fraudsters.

”We are ready to take this to the next level, particularly with National Defence College in whatever area we need to work together in sanitizing the economy and the country,” he said.

Olukoyede explained that the commission’s mandate was to fight financial crimes, but there’s always a relationship between the work you do and what we do as well.

He said there were areas of collaboration where we can find synergy and work together in the interest of the nation.

”What you do is to train people, prepare their minds, policy areas and strategies, which are also key to our own mandate as well. In the nature of the crimes we fight, new trends are evolving.

”As a matter of fact, there’s an aspect of cryptocurrency fraud that the world is just waking up to. The world lost over $2 trillion to it last year.”

According these are emerging things, so we need to look at strategy, points of view and review your curriculum along those areas you need to look at.

”We are ready to collaborate with you in that particular area. We will love you to incorporate the development in financial crimes and corruption into your curriculum.

“We can also help you to sanitize your processes. When you are able to guarantee the sanctity of your processes, things will work right.

”It is not many people that come up with this kind of proposal for which you are inviting us over. Not very many people have that confidence.

”I believe that’s what has brought you to where you are today. Continue with that,” he said.

The Ebedaowei, HRH (Engr) Hope Aserifa Torru and members of the Kabowei Clan Traditional Council (Bayelsa) have expressed gratitude to the governor of Bayelsa State, Governor Douye Diri, for the approval of an 18.7 kilometer road linking eight communities in Sagbama LGA.

A statement signed by High Chief John Daria
Ekiopre-owei (Adviser), High Chief Freston Akpor
Ozitua-owei (Spokesman), and High Chief Stephen Kpodoh Fungei-owei (Secretary) Kabuowei Traditional Council, Bayelsa State, on behalf of the Traditional Council notes that the initiative will significantly enhance connectivity, as it will link Odoni-Agbere-Abuetor-Osifo-Osekwenike-Asamabiri-Ekperiwari and Elemebiri and have a sustainable impact on three Kabowei communities to be linked to the road.

The statement commends and salutes Governor Douye Diri for his foresight in extending and expanding the frontiers of infrastructural development to Kabowei and sister communities in Sagbama Constituency Three

It says the approval of the road project which is a counterpart funding scheme with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC would no doubt promote and stimulate the much needed economic development which will positively affect the overall quality of life in the beneficiary communities.

The statement also acknowledged the importance the government attached to the immediate take off of the project and early completion.

“We recognize the significance of reliable infrastructure and how crucial it is in fostering growth. This project is a testament to Governor Diri’s commitment to the welfare of our people”

The statement by the Kabowei Traditional Council also lauded the Governor for what it described as his people-centric leadership style and dedication to addressing the infrastructural gaps in communities across the state.

“While we anticipate the timely completion of the project and its positive impact be felt on our local economy and social cohesion, we are in a state of readiness to support and participate in the process of the flag-off to the completion of the project”.

The statement restated the Ebedaowei, Kabowei Traditional Council and the people’s continued commitment to collaborate with the state government in ensuring peace, progress and prosperity of communities in line with the aspirations of the “Prosperity Government” which has brought governance closer to the people, more than ever before.

The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zumach and Associates Limited, to begin local manufacturing of armoured vehicles, weapons and other military hardware.

Speaking at the signing ceremony on Monday in Abuja, the Director-General of DICON, Maj.-Gen. Babatunde Alaya, said the agreement would elevate Nigeria’s defence-industrial capacity.

Alaya added that the MoU would also fast-track the production of critical systems such as tanks, Mines Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP), armoured vehicles and a range of armaments.

He said the breakthrough became possible following the signing of the DICON Act 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, which opened new opportunities for collaboration between DICON and both local and international defence manufacturers.

“This partnership marks a defining moment for us. The DICON Act signed by Mr President has given us the mandate and the freedom to collaborate, innovate and produce military equipment here in Nigeria.

“We deeply appreciate the President, the Minister of Defence, Minister of State for Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs for their constant support.

“Today’s success is a product of their belief that this vision will work,” he said.

Alaya added that DICON and its partners intend to “hit the ground running” with no delays, stressing that joint teams would immediately begin work from raw-material processing to final assembly and testing.

The Managing Director of Zumach and Associates, Mr Chris Ezumah, said the partnership would boost Nigeria’s defence autonomy and unlock large-scale production capabilities.

Ezumah described the agreement as “a call to higher responsibility” and pledged total commitment to operational excellence, innovation and accountability.

In her remarks, Zumach’s Director of Operations, Mrs Chrital Ezumah, said the company had already supplied over 600 armoured capsules under similar programmes globally, adding that all vehicles in the new partnership were designed for full local manufacturing.

“This is a proven solution. These designs are already in use in several countries. We are ready to begin local production immediately,” she said.

Ezumah described the signing as the beginning of “shared work, strategic discipline and purposeful implementation,” aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s defence manufacturing base and reducing reliance on foreign imports.

She reaffirmed commitment to work closely with DICON to deliver high-grade military equipment capable of meeting national and regional security needs.

The Kano Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised concerns over the slow pace of negotiations with the Federal Government.

The union has also cautioned that the country may face another round of industrial action if pending issues are not urgently resolved.

The Zonal Coordinator, Dr Abdulkadir Muhammad, stated this on Monday in Kano during a press briefing on the outcome of the Union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held from Nov. 8 to Nov. 9 at Taraba State University.

He said ASUU was disappointed that weeks after suspending its two-week warning strike of Oct. 13, the government had not shown the level of commitment required to resolve long-standing issues affecting the university system.

Muhammad said the warning strike was suspended on Oct. 21 to provide room for meaningful engagement and in response to appeals from stakeholders including the National Assembly, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), parents, students and the wider public.

“Unfortunately, the hope for a holistic, amicable and timely resolution is being dashed,” he said.

Muhammad added that some government officials were “peddling false narratives” to create the impression that ASUU’s demands had been largely met.

The coordinator said although the government had cleared some promotion arrears dating back to 2017 and released parts of withheld third-party deductions, the payments had been significantly eroded by inflation and did not translate into improved welfare for academics.

Muhammad described the continued neglect of the education sector as alarming, noting that the trend was contributing to the massive brain drain in public universities.

He also criticised the proliferation of universities without adequate funding, warning that the practice was reducing the quality of tertiary education nationwide.

The zonal coordinator welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of a seven-year moratorium on establishing new federal tertiary institutions and urged that the policy be extended to state governments.

“Many state governments establish universities as political projects without a sustainable funding plan.

“With ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government nearing expiration, we appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, parents, students to prevail on the government to address the outstanding issues and avert a fresh nationwide strike,” he said.