Ibadan – The Federal Government and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday signed the renegotiated 2009 agreement that will usher in permanent industrial peace and harmony for unfettered development of university education in Nigeria.
The agreement unveiling and signing ceremony, which seems like a ‘Long Walk to Freedom, ‘ took place at the auditorium of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), filled with top government functionaries, Vice-chancellors, former Presidents of ASUU led by the current President, Prof. Chris Piwuna and other stakeholders.
ASUU reached an agreement with the Federal Government in December 2025, 16 years after the last agreement was signed in 2009.
The agreement, whose component includes the upward review of emoluments of University Academic by 40% to enhance morale, improve the quality of service delivery and global competitiveness of Nigerian Tertiary Educational institutions, while reversing brain drain, takes effect from January 1, 2025.
Speaking at the landmark event, the Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to faithful implementation of the agreement, continuous engagement, and sustained reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He commended Yayale Ahmed, chairman of the renegotiation committee and his team for the great work and commitment to the advancement of tertiary education in the country.
“This agreement ushers in a new era of stability, dignity, and excellence for Nigeria’s tertiary education system. It restores confidence to our lecturers, predictability to academic calendars, and hope to millions of students and parents across the country,” he said.
Education reforms aimed at moving Nigeria to knowledge-based economy — Alausa
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, says the Federal Government’s latest reforms in the tertiary education sector are designed to reposition the country towards a knowledge-based economy driven by research, innovation, and a stable academic calendar.
Speaking on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Wednesday, Alausa said Nigeria’s large youth population could only become an economic asset if supported with quality education and properly incentivised lecturers.
“Our goal is to move Nigeria towards a knowledge-based economy,” the minister said. “We have a huge young population that is creative; it is in their DNA. What we need to do is give them the best education to unleash their capabilities and help transform the economy.”
He linked the new agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to this broader vision, noting that prolonged strikes in the past had undermined learning and innovation.
According to him, since the inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May 2023, public universities have recorded two academic sessions without industrial action, a development he attributed to deliberate policy choices.
Alausa said the reforms include a 40 percent salary increase for lecturers, enhanced academic allowances, and the introduction of a new monthly “professor cadre allowance,” which he described as unprecedented in Nigeria’s university system.
US suspends Visa processing for 75 countries, Nigeria, Russia affected
The United States has suspended visa processing for applicants from Nigeria, Russia and a dozen other countries as part of a sweeping review of its immigration screening system, according to an internal directive from the US Department of State.
The suspension applies to several visa categories and has no defined end date, as officials have not indicated when the reassessment will be concluded.
Countries affected by the measure cut across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Among them are Nigeria, Somalia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Russia, Brazil and Thailand.
US officials link the move to stricter enforcement of the “public charge” provision in immigration law, which permits visa denial for applicants deemed likely to depend on government assistance.
In November 2025, the State Department instructed diplomatic missions worldwide to apply tighter standards when evaluating such risks.
Under the updated guidance, consular officers are required to weigh additional factors, including applicants’ age, health condition, English language ability, financial resources, employment prospects and possible need for long-term medical care.
NJC okays appointment of 35 judges, Oyewole for Supreme Court
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the appointment of 35 judges for courts across the country and the elevation of Justice Joseph Oyewole of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court.
The NJC took the decision, among others, at its 110th Meeting held on 13 January 2026, and presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
A statement by the NJC’s Deputy Director (DD) Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, said besides Justice Oyewole, who currently presides at the Enugu division of the Court of Appeal, the NJC approved 27 candidates for appointment as judges of various High Courts.
They include six for Borno State High Court, four for Niger High Court, one for Benue, one for Taraba, six for Plateau, four Delta and five for Ekiti HIgh Court.
The NJC also recommended the appointment of six kadis for appointment to the Sharia Courts of Appeal in Niger, Taraba, and Katsina states.
It recommended the appointment of three kadis for Niger, two for Taraba and one for Katsina. The NJC also recommended the appointment of two judges to the customary Court of Appeal in Delta State.
AFCON 2025: Morocco beat Nigeria on penalties to book final date with Senegal
Hosts Morocco sealed their place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging Nigeria 4–2 in a dramatic penalty shootout in the semi-finals.
The high-stakes encounter ended level after regulation time, with both sides locked in a tense and physical battle that produced few clear-cut chances. Nigeria pressed aggressively in search of a breakthrough, while Morocco remained composed, drawing strength from a vocal home crowd to stay in contention.
With neither team able to find a decisive goal, the match was settled from the penalty spot. Morocco showed greater composure, converting four penalties, while Nigeria missed twice to hand the hosts a crucial advantage and send them into the final.
The shootout victory sets up a blockbuster final between Morocco and Senegal, who earlier secured their place in the showpiece match by defeating Egypt in the other semi-final.
Nigeria, meanwhile, will face Egypt in the third-place playoff as both sides look to finish the tournament on a high after falling short of the final.
Kwankwaso sets tough conditions for possible defection
Former Kano State Governor and National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has made it clear that any potential move to the All Progressives Congress (APC) will depend entirely on firm political guarantees, particularly concerning the control of Kano State and the protection of his supporters.
He stated this on Wednesday at his Miller Road residence in Kano while receiving party leaders and members from Rano and Dawakin Tofa Local Government Areas.
Kwankwaso said he remains open to political realignment but will not risk repeating past mistakes.
According to him, discussions about joining the APC cannot progress without clear commitments on the fate of NNPP lawmakers, party officials, and grassroots supporters who form the backbone of the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Kwankwaso recalled that his political bloc had previously played a decisive role in helping to form governments at the federal level, only to be marginalized once power was secured.
PDP to Tinubu: Alleged $9m contract with US lobbying firm shameful, disturbing
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over reports that the Nigerian government contracted a United States-based lobbying firm with an alleged $9 million agreement, describing the move as “disturbing” and “shameful.”
In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said it was concerned that the federal government, through Aster Legal, engaged DCI Group, a public affairs and lobbying firm in the United States, to “assist the Nigerian government in communicating its actions to protect Nigerian Christian communities.”
The party noted that the contract is reportedly for six months, with an automatic renewal for another six months, and questioned the necessity of engaging a foreign firm for image management.
“This revelation is as disturbing as it is shameful that a government with a full Ministry of Information and a litany of media aides will be paying a foreign firm to launder its image,” the PDP said.
The party added that the decision raises questions about the administration’s confidence in its own communication structures. According to the statement, “This is a clear indication that the President does not have confidence in the Ministry of Information and his media aides, whereas the Ministry of Information is manned by a seasoned professionals led by a Public Relations expert-who has in the last few years exhibited maturity and responsibility in the management of government information.”
Court dismisses defamation suit against Anglican Archbishop
The National Industrial Court sitting in Ibadan has dismissed a defamation law suit brought by a former Priest of the Ibadan North Anglican Diocese, Reverend Oluwadamilola Ebenezer Kosemani against the Archbishop of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, the Most Rev. Williams Aladekugbe.
Rev. Kosemani had asked the Court for diverse reliefs which included judicial quashing of the letter dated the 11th of November, 2024 written by Bishop Aladekugbe to the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, a retraction of the letter and an order for apology from Bishop Aladekugbe to the Priest.
The Reverend also asked for the sum of N100million as general and aggravated damages for defamation.
However, in a judgment delivered by Hon Justice J. D. Peters, the judge after examining the reliefs held that the National Industrial Court, being a specialised Court cannot expand its jurisdiction beyond that given it by law.
The Judge upheld the submission of Counsel to the Archbishop, Otunba Kunle Kalejaye, SAN, who led Sir Oyewale Akinrinade, Chief Olusola Orobode, Oyewale Oyegoke, Esq and Miss Toluwani Ogunbanjo that the National Industrial Court has no jurisdiction to entertain actions in defamation at all.
The trial judge after an extensive review of all the current legal authorities on the matter, threw out the entire action and dismissed same.
Kano court adjourns hearing in case of 9-year-old girl’s death
A Kano State High Court on Wednesday continued hearing the case of Mannir Ibrahim, who is accused of raping and causing the death of a nine-year-old girl, allegations he has denied in court.
Mannir Ibrahim is accused of raping Rumaisa Sadik when she was taken to a chemist to receive malaria treatment, an incident that allegedly led to her death.
The incident reportedly occurred on August 1, 2024, in Jaba town, Ungogo Local Government Area.
During the session, the prosecuting counsel, Barrister Lamido Abba Soran Dinki, presented the police officer who led the investigation, Inspector Ijibtil Mbambu, who gave a detailed account of the investigation to the court.
The defence counsel, Barrister Ahmad Sani Bawa, cross-examined the officer during the hearing.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to February 5, 2026, for the testimony of the medical expert who confirmed the girl’s death.
