The Presidency has dismissed claims by Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew that he was appointed to head a presidential agency, describing him as an impostor who allegedly operated a fictitious government body using forged documents and false representations. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said investigations by security agencies established that the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, had no legal existence. According to the Presidency, concerns about the alleged fake agency first emerged after officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion…
Author: Akanji Michael
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Wednesday presented his Certificate of Return to President Bola Tinubu during a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following his re-election for a second term in office. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the governor attributed his victory to the grace of God and the support of President Tinubu, saying both factors enabled his administration to fulfill its promises to the people. “It is not about what I have done differently. It is about two factors: the grace of God and the support of the President that enabled us to deliver on our promises…
The public reaction to First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s remarks encouraging small-scale businesses such as akara frying, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli production has generated intense debate across social media. While critics dismissed the comments as disconnected from Nigeria’s economic realities, a closer examination suggests that the First Lady’s message was less about romanticizing poverty and more about highlighting the transformative power of grassroots enterprise. Across Nigeria, countless families have built dignified lives through small informal businesses. These are not abstract theories; they are real stories of resilience and determination. A very close friend of mine, Doctor Abdullahi, grew up knowing…
The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, has announced a landmark reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing it as the first comprehensive restructuring of the scheme since its establishment 53 years ago. Briefing State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Usman said the far-reaching reform is designed to reposition the NYSC from a traditional service programme into a civilian-led, skills-oriented, productivity-driven and youth-empowering national institution that aligns with the administration’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy. She explained that the reforms followed a comprehensive review…
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved infrastructure projects worth N2.078 trillion, covering 23 road projects across 10 states, alongside a N1.8325 trillion tax credit-backed highway project in Niger State, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced after Monday’s FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Briefing journalists, Umahi said the Council also ratified several presidential approvals relating to ongoing road projects, contract augmentations and public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements aimed at improving the country’s transport infrastructure. Among the approvals was a N15 billion contract augmentation for the 32.2-kilometre Gashua–Garam Guri Road in Yobe State. The project, originally awarded in 2022…
The Federal Government has approved sweeping reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marking what could become the biggest transformation of the scheme since its establishment in 1973. The approval was disclosed by the Minister of Youth Development, Olawande Ayodele Wisdom, while briefing State House correspondents shortly after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to the minister, the reforms, approved by President Tinubu and presented to the Council for ratification, are designed to reposition the NYSC from a mobilisation programme into a platform focused on skills…
The recent backlash against Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, over her remarks encouraging Nigerians to consider businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli has once again demonstrated how easily public comments can be misunderstood in today’s social media era. While many critics interpreted her statement as insensitive to the country’s economic hardship, others believe her message has been taken out of context. When she was speaking about the Renewed Hope Initiative, the First Lady explained that the program provides grants—not loans—to help vulnerable Nigerians establish small businesses. Her emphasis was that entrepreneurship does not always require huge…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026 into law, ushering in a new legal framework aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital identity system, improving cybersecurity and accelerating the country’s digital transformation. The new legislation repeals and replaces the NIMC Act of 2007, providing a modern framework designed to align Nigeria’s identity management system with global best practices, emerging technologies and the demands of a rapidly expanding digital economy. A major highlight of the Act is the designation of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as Nigeria’s Root Certification Authority for the National Public Key…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured global investors that Nigeria’s youthful population remains the country’s greatest asset, describing Nigerian youths as tech-savvy, adaptable, and ready to integrate into the global economy. The President gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from Mastercard, led by its Global Chief Executive Officer, Michael Miebach, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Tinubu welcomed Mastercard’s proposal to train five million Nigerian businesses and equip them with digital skills, describing the initiative as timely and consistent with his administration’s efforts to modernise the economy and empower young people and small businesses. According to the…
First Lady of Nigeria and National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged girls and young women to dream big, pointing out that vision, discipline and preparation remain vital to success. She made the call at the commemoration of three years of impact of Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI in the Federal Capital Territory. The First Lady encouraged young people, especially girls, to develop a clear sense of purpose. “Dreaming is what keeps any human being going. If you sit and don’t have a dream, a vision of what you want to become, it becomes very…