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NLC Gives FG Four Week Ultimatum to Suspend ASUU Strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress has given an ultimatum to the federal government to end the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
NLC gave Tinubu’s government a four-week ultimatum to conclude negotiations with all unions representing tertiary institutions, warning of nationwide industrial action if talks fail.
NLC President Joe Ajaero, speaking during an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja, condemned the government’s “no-work-no-pay” policy, describing it as punitive against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who embarked on a nationwide strike.
 
“We are giving the federal government four weeks to conclude all negotiations in this sector. Talks have started with ASUU, but the issues go beyond them,” Ajaero said.
“If no resolution is reached within four weeks, the NEC will convene, and all unions in the country will mobilise to address this comprehensively. The era of threatening unions is over.”
He further stressed a principle of “No Pay, No Work,” asserting that workers should not bear the brunt of failed agreements. “Most strike actions in this country stem from the government’s failure to honour agreements,”Ajaero added.
The warning comes amid the ongoing ASUU strike, announced by its National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, citing unresolved issues including staff welfare, infrastructure, salary arrears, and the full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.
Despite the government releasing N50bn for earned academic allowances and allocating N150bn in the 2025 budget for a needs assessment, ASUU deemed the measures insufficient. The union demands full implementation of the 2009 agreement, payment of withheld salaries, arrears, and cooperative deductions, as well as sustainable funding for universities.
The NLC reaffirmed its solidarity with ASUU and other tertiary education unions, calling for collective action to protect workers’ rights and ensure the continuity and quality of public tertiary education in Nigeria.
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Sanae Takaichi Makes History as First Female PM of Japan

Sanae Takaichi has made history after being elected by lawmakers as the first female prime minister of Japan.
The hardline conservative was elected on Tuesday, Oct. 21, making her the first woman in modern times to lead the county.
Takaichi, 64, the new leader of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was elected by lawmakers in the lower house of parliament by a vote of 237-149 over her closest rival, Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the liberal opposition Constitutional Democratic Party. She was also elected by upper house lawmakers in a second vote of 125-46 after falling one vote shy of a majority in the first round.
Her election is a milestone in a country where women are severely underrepresented in government.
Takaichi enters office with a fragile coalition and facing a number of pressing challenges, including a visit next week by President Donald Trump.
A protege of assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi advocates a stronger military, tougher immigration policies and the revision of Japan’s pacifist constitution. She is a veteran politician who has served as minister of economic security, internal affairs and gender equality.
Earlier this month Takaichi was elected leader of the LDP, which has governed Japan almost uninterrupted since World War II, after running unsuccessfully in 2021 and 2024. Her ascension to prime minister was thrown into doubt, however, after a crucial partner, the centrist party Komeito, left the LDP coalition.
To ensure her victory, the LDP signed a deal on Monday with the Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party, or Ishin, that will pull its coalition further to the right.
Even with the alliance, Takaichi faces an uphill battle in parliament, where she falls short of a majority in both houses after the LDP suffered major losses in recent elections amid voter anger over party corruption scandals and the rising cost of living.
“She emerges from this a diminished leader from the get-go,” said Jeff Kingston, a professor of Asian studies and history at Temple University’s Japan campus.
Takaichi also faces an early test next week with the arrival of Trump, who is making his first trip to Asia since returning to office. He is expected to visit Malaysia and Japan before continuing on to South Korea, which is hosting a major summit of Asia-Pacific economies.
“She doesn’t have a whole lot of time to get ready for a slew of diplomatic activity,”Kingston said. “But I think job one is the Japanese economy.”
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Tinubu’s Presidential Pardon Can Damage Investors’ Confidence – CPPE

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has warned that President Bola Tinubu’s recent presidential pardon could undermine investors’ confidence in Nigeria.

The Centre noted that a situation whereby persons convicted of economic and financial crimes benefit from the presidential pardon raises questions about policy consistency, contract sanctity, and investment security, thereby discouraging both domestic and foreign investors.

CPPE Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muda Yusuf, raised the concern in a statement on Sunday.

According to the economic think-tank, while the prerogative of mercy is a legitimate constitutional instrument, its application to serious economic and financial offences and other criminal acts demands utmost discretion, transparency, and alignment with Nigeria’s commitments to anti-corruption campaign, drug control and the sanctity of human life.

CPPE urged the Federal Government to urgently review and rationalise the list of beneficiaries of the presidential pardon.

“Reaffirm Nigeria’s zero-tolerance position on corruption, drug trafficking, illegal mining, and financial crimes; uphold institutional integrity and ensure that justice is never compromised for convenience or political expediency; and strengthen transparency and accountability in the exercise of executive clemency to safeguard public confidence and investor trust.

“Nigeria’s aspiration to build a competitive, diversified, and globally respected economy rests on the credibility of its institutions and integrity of its governance. The perception of weak sanction regimes towards economic and financial crimes is incompatible with this goal.

“To preserve investor confidence and social stability, government must demonstrate unwavering commitment to accountability, effective consequence management and the rule of law. The credibility of Nigeria’s economic reform and investment promotion drive depends largely on it,” CPPE stated.

Recall that on October 11, 2025, the Presidency released the names of 175 persons granted clemency, including illegal miners, drug traffickers and kidnappers.

Tinubu’s decision had triggered public outrage and condemnation.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, clarified that the list of those pardoned is subject to review.

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Maths And English Remain Compulsory For O’Level Students – FG Clarifies

The Federal Government has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain mandatory for all students registering for their O’Level examinations, despite the recent changes to tertiary institution admission requirements.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government said the new policy on streamlined admission criteria does not exempt any candidate from registering or sitting for the two core subjects.

According to the statement signed by Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the clarification became necessary following misinterpretations of the new O’Level admission framework.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, explained that the reform was introduced to promote flexibility, inclusiveness, and fairness in tertiary education admissions, ensuring that capable students are not denied access because of deficiencies in subjects unrelated to their chosen courses.

“The streamlining ensures that deserving students are not denied access to higher education due to credit deficiencies in subjects that are not directly relevant to their chosen fields of study,” Alausa said.

He added that the new framework aligns with global best practices and corrects imbalances in the previous admission system by allowing institutions to admit candidates into certain programmes where credit passes in either subject are not compulsory, but all students must still register and sit for both.

The ministry stressed that the adjustment only affects admission criteria for specific programmes, not the requirement to study or take the subjects.

“All students must continue to take both subjects as part of their Senior School Certificate Examinations, as they remain vital components of a sound educational foundation,” the statement partly read.

The ministry said the policy supports the Federal Government’s broader goal of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, while upholding education quality and integrity.

It also urged students, parents, and education stakeholders to rely solely on the ministry’s official communication channels and verified social media platforms for accurate updates on reforms and policies.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to building a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system anchored on integrity, excellence, and equal opportunity for all learners.

It had earlier been reported that Nigerian senior secondary school students in arts and humanities will no longer be required to present a credit in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination, organised by the West African Examination Council and National Examination Council, as a condition for admission to universities and polytechnics, the Federal Ministry of Education.

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Regina Daniels vs Ned Nwoko: There Is No Perfect Husband Or Wife – Shehu Sani Says

Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has stated that no husband or wife is perfect, emphasizing that couples grow by learning to manage each other’s imperfections.

Sani said marriages and relationships are periodically tested by those imperfections.

His remark comes amid the alleged marital crisis between Delta North Senator, Ned Nwoko and popular actress, Regina Daniels.

Regina Daniels alleged she was subjected to domestic violence, noting that she can no longer take it.

However, Sani posted on X: “There is no perfect husband.There is no perfect wife. There is no perfect couple. There is no perfect family.

“Those who learn or master the art of handling their imperfections stay longer on the matrimonial track.

“Marriage or relationships are periodically tested by those imperfections and rescued by restraint.

“Every beauty has its ugly side; we spend most of our time embracing the beautiful side, and when it rotates to the ugly side, we lose our balance, we fail to accept the fact that it’s in the package of the other soul we subscribed to.

“We think of the person we love as Angels and Saints until the wheel of time reminds us and open our eyes to those imperfections of the one we love.”

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2027: I’m Not Afraid Of Losing ADC Ticket To Atiku – Peter Obi Declares

The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said he is not worried about losing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the upcoming 2027 elections.

Obi, during his recent visit to LEA Primary School, Kapwa, Abuja, also dismissed growing speculation that Atiku may hijack the party’s presidential ticket, describing him instead as a dear elder brother and respected leader.

The speculation is coming amid reports that Atiku’s loyalists from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have been defecting to the ADC coalition.

Atiku had in a recent BBC Hausa interview, declared that he would not step aside for any aspirant unless defeated at the ADC primaries.

This was said to have sent anxiety through political circles and prompted fresh debate on his 2027 ambitions.

Reacting, Obi allayed the fears, stressing that the emerging coalition was about national rescue, not rivalry.

“Let me tell you. Atiku is a very dear elder brother and leader that I have a lot of respect for. I’m not afraid of losing ADC’s presidential ticket to him. I’m a member of the Labour Party and I belong to the coalition forming the ADC for the presidential election in 2027.

“I can tell you, other parties and people are going to be part of it. All of us are going to come together as a people. That’s my belief.

“For us to do the right thing for the country, all well-meaning people will have to come together to rescue the country,” he said.

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2027: Why Tinubu Will Lose – Aregbesola

Rauf Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has explained why President Bola Tinubu is likely to lose the 2027 general elections.

He stated that regardless the grandstanding of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, will take over the mantle of leadership in Nigeria and in most of the states.

Aregbesola said this on Saturday in Ilorin while fielding questions in an interview with newsmen after the commissioning of the state secretariat of the party along Basin Road, Ilorin.

“If APC is confident of its strength, it won’t be so hyped and charged as to be hounding and hunting opposition all over the place.

“How can we interpret what APC is doing all over Nigeria to us? They are harassing and intimidating everyone of our members, not just our leaders but nationwide, be it Lagos, Kebbi, Kaduna.

“If indeed they are confident of the strength they are showcasing, one would expect that they will be so calm but reverse is the case, so what does that tell you?

“They themselves know that they are not popular and the party that will harvest their unpopularity is ADC.

“Regardless of the grandstanding, by the grace of God, ADC will take over the mantle of leadership in Nigeria and in most of the state,” he said.

Weighing in on governors joining the ruling APC, the former Interior Minister said that those going to the APC were the enemies of the people.

In the same vein, the immediate past governor of Kwara State, who dumped PDP to join ADC, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, told journalists that his party is prepared to take over mantle of leadership in the country.

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2027: How To Defeat Tinubu – Dele Momodu

Ovation Magazine publisher, Dele Momodu, has stated that the only viable path for the opposition to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election is to zone the presidency to the Muslim North and the vice presidency to the Christian South.

Momodu stated this on Friday while responding to questions in an interview on Arise Television.

He said President Tinubu had already locked down the South, making it almost impossible for any southern presidential candidate to compete effectively against him.

“It’s obvious that the ruling government has already turned this into an ethnic battle, and it’s going to be a battle of North versus South.

“That is why you saw PDP and APC apparatchiks all struggling to insist that a candidate must come from the South. They know that President Tinubu has already locked down the South, and nobody — not Peter Obi, not Goodluck Jonathan, will be able to catch up with him where he is right now,” he said.

According to him, President Tinubu’s immense financial resources and control of state structures give him a major advantage, adding that only a strategic counterbalance from the North could tilt the balance in favour of the opposition.

The former presidential candidate also dismissed the notion that such zoning would undermine fairness or the principle of power rotation, arguing that the idea of an eight-year turn for the North and South was not enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

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Peter Obi Has Better Chances In 2027 Than 2023 – Aisha Yesufu

Prominent social activist Aisha Yesufu has expressed confidence in Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi’s prospects, stating that the 2027 elections offer him a stronger chance than in 2023.

Yesufu made the statement on Friday in Umuahia, Abia State, during an interactive session with newsmen at the Girls’ Summit organised by Protect The Precious Foundation, where she was a guest speaker.

According to Yesufu, many Nigerians who were sceptical about Peter Obi’s message in 2023 have now come to support his vision, giving him more momentum for the 2027 race.

“Peter Obi has more hope in 2027 than there was in 2023. When he started running in 2023, people said only four persons were tweeting for him. Despite the rigging that took place, he still got over six million votes. He won the 2023 election, even without having a single councillor,” Yesufu stated.

She further emphasised that the growing awareness of Obi’s message had resulted in a larger following for the Labour Party candidate.

“Many didn’t believe in him then, but today, people have seen the truth he stands for. His followership has grown, and all we ask for is a free, fair, and credible election, though we know they lack the capacity to give that,”Yesufu further stated.

Yesufu also urged Nigerians to ensure that their votes count in future elections, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability.

“When you vote, make sure your vote is counted and entered for your candidate. Otherwise, all you did was paper painting,”she advised.

When asked about her expectations for the INEC Chairman-designate, Yesufu expressed disappointment, saying she had no specific expectations from him.

“I don’t have any task for him because even the President that appointed him, I don’t believe is supposed to be there. For me, the focus is on the Nigerian people. INEC is not the problem; the people working there are. They are our brothers, sisters, spouses, and relatives. We must ensure they don’t take bribes or rig elections. If we do that, nobody will dare to rig,” she stated.

Yesufu lamented the lack of necessary electoral reforms as the 2027 elections approach, highlighting the need for immediate changes to ensure free and fair elections.

“Nothing has been put in place. Nigerians must realise that the 2027 election is a fight for our lives,” she said.

On the challenges facing Nigeria, Yesufu dismissed the notion that they were spiritual in nature. She pointed to bad governance as the root cause of Nigeria’s problems.

“People are dying from bad governance, corruption, and wrong policies. It’s not village people or enemies, it’s bad leaders. To have good governance, we must elect people with competence, character, and capacity, not looters or selfish individuals,” she explained.

Yesufu also expressed deep concern over the ongoing neglect of the rights and welfare of girls in Nigeria. She condemned the government and society for turning a blind eye to abuses such as r*pe, child labour, and political exclusion.

“We must criminalize r*pe, punish offenders, and give victims a voice,” she stressed, calling for stiffer punishment for perpetrators.

“R*pe can be stopped if it is treated as a serious crime. Right now, it’s not. Offenders are often excused, and victims are shamed,”she added.

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I’m For Tinubu Till 2031, Not Running for Presidency in 2027 – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has revealed he has no plan to contest in the 2027 election.
Speaking on Friday, he denied report that a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is “pushing” him to run for the presidency in 2027.
Wike described the report as “another lie from idle minds who have nothing to contribute to the development of the country.”
A statement by his spokesman, Lere Olayinka, said “as far as Wike is concerned, it is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu till 2031”.
He said it was shameful that the “pull Wike down” elements could not reason beyond such kindergarten tactics, adding that it was clear that they need better brains to think for them.
According to the statement: “Report circulated by an online platform that is notorious for falsehood and blackmail that a meeting was held by some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to “push” the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to run for President in 2027, has been described as “another lie from idle minds who have nothing to contribute to the development of the country.

“Wike does not function in hiding. He does what he says, and says what he does.

“The Minister has made it clear where he stands as long as the 2027 Presidential election is concerned, he is with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

 
Olayinka stated that the only meeting that took place on August 20, 2025, was that of PDP stakeholders from Southern part of Nigeria, and the purpose was the meeting scheduled for Lagos on August 21, 2025, by some elements to rubberstamp a decision to micro-zone party positions zoned to the South.
“Outcome of the meeting was made public via a press statement titled; ‘Re: Purported Meeting Of PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit,’ signed by State Party Chairmen of Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, Barr. Venatuis Ikem, Rt. Hon Aniekan Akpan and Aaron Chukwuemeka respectively, as well as the National Vice Chairman (South-East), Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon O. K. Chinda.
 
“Others who signed the press statement were Senators Igwe Nwagu, Mao Ohuabunwa, George Sekibo, Mike Ama Nnachi, former National Secretary, Rt. Hon. Onwe S. Onwe, Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, former Ebonyi State Legal Adviser, Barr. Mudi Erhenede and others.
 
“Obviously, the above names were picked from the press statement published in all major newspapers and aired on national television stations, to advance the latest mischief.
 
“We know their intention though. But unfortunately for them, and the platform they are using to propagate their idle plots, the person and character of the FCT Minister is known to everyone – he does not do anything in hiding.
 
“He has said it clearly that from now till 2031, it is on the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he will stand.
 
“To ensure the success of the President’s reelection, Wike will continue to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT by actualising the visions of the President for a federal capital city that can compete with other capital cities in the world in terms of infrastructural development.”

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