Tag: FG

Categories
News

FG Confirms US Airstrikes On Terrorists, Cites Intelligence Cooperation

The Federal Government has confirmed that Nigeria and the United States are engaged in ongoing security and intelligence cooperation following airstrikes on terrorist targets in the North West.

“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”

In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed by spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Nigerian authorities remain engaged in “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” to address terrorism and violent extremism in the country.

The ministry said the collaboration, which led to precision airstrikes on terrorist targets, involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of support in line with international law, respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and shared security commitments.

“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity,”the statement said.

It added that terrorist violence, “whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.”

The statement followed comments by United States President Donald Trump, who said on Thursday that US forces had carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

He added, “The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.”

Trump warned that further attacks would follow if the killing of Christians continued, saying, “If they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.”

In a separate social media post, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington acted with Nigeria’s cooperation.

“Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation,” Hegseth wrote, adding that the Department of War was “always ready.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria would continue to work with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats.

The airstrikes came a day after a bomb attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killed five people and injured dozens in what authorities suspect was a suicide bombing.

Categories
News

BREAKING: Nigerian Govt, ASUU Finally Seal New Deal

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government have successfully concluded the long-awaited renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement, bringing an end to years of prolonged discussions and disputes over academic welfare and the funding of public universities.

The development was disclosed by ASUU in a statement shared on its official Facebook page on Wednesday.

The agreement is scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026, and will be reviewed after three years.

ASUU announced that the new agreement was reached on December 23, 2025, following extensive negotiations between both parties.

“After years of delays, negotiations, and struggles, ASUU has officially reached a new agreement with the Federal Government on December 23, 2025, concluding the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement,” ASUU said.

Under the agreement, academic staff in Nigerian public universities will receive a 40 per cent salary increase, while pension benefits have been significantly improved.

Professors are to earn pension equivalent to their annual salary upon retirement at the age of 70.

The agreement also introduces a new university funding model with dedicated allocations for research, libraries, laboratories, equipment and staff development.

In addition, a National Research Council is proposed to fund research activities with at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

Other provisions include stronger university autonomy and academic freedom, the election of academic leaders such as Deans and Provosts, with eligibility restricted to professors, and a commitment that no individual will be victimised for participating in past industrial actions.

Categories
News

FG Declares Kidnappers And Bandits As Terrorists

The Federal Government has officially classified kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists, signaling a major escalation in Nigeria’s response to abductions, attacks on farmers, and community violence.

The announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, during the end-of-year press briefing in Abuja.

This move signals a shift from treating mass kidnappings and rural attacks as ordinary crimes to confronting them under full counterterrorism measures.

“Henceforth, any armed group or individual that kidnaps our children, attacks our farmers, and terrorises our communities is officially classified and will be dealt with as a terrorist.

“Now, the era of ambiguous nomenclature is over. If you terrorise our people, whether you are a group or you are an individual, you are a terrorist and will be classified as such. There is no name hiding under this again,” the minister said.

He added that the policy would strengthen intelligence sharing and operational coordination across security agencies, allowing for faster and more decisive action.

The minister highlighted that improved inter-agency collaboration has already produced results, noting that in 2025, two of the most internationally wanted criminals were captured through coordinated operations.

In a bid to secure vulnerable rural areas, Idris also announced the deployment of trained and equipped forest guards, saying that these personnel will combine surveillance, local intelligence, and rapid-response capabilities to secure forests and remote locations often used as hideouts by criminal groups.

 

By classifying kidnappers as terrorists, the government is signalling zero tolerance for abductions and rural violence, while expanding the powers of security forces.

The forest guard initiative is expected to disrupt criminal supply routes, dismantle camps, and provide reassurance to farming communities affected by insecurity.

He noted the arrest of the ISWAP head residing in Nigeria, described as one of the most wanted terrorists on the African continent, who had a substantial bounty placed on him by the United States.

“The most internationally wanted criminals, the ISWAP head residing in Nigeria, has been captured through the coordination of all the security agencies and those also in the intelligence community.

“Don’t forget that Abu Barra was captured a few months ago, and he was also presented to the public by the National Security Advisor and other security chiefs.

“This is one of the most wanted terrorists on the African continent, and he was captured through the coordination of our security forces.

“Remember also, this was someone who had a large sum of money put on his head by even the Americans to capture him and bring him to justice.

“As we speak today, this gentleman, together with his chief of staff, is undergoing and having their day in court, and he is going to get justice that befits them,” he said.

Categories
News

No Changes To Tax Laws, Only One Version Exists – FG Insists

The Federal Government has maintained that there is only one genuine version of the newly enacted tax reform laws.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Monday in Abuja at the end-of-year news conference.

Idris dismissed claims that the tax laws had been altered after being passed by the National Assembly, stressing that the version assented to by President Bola Tinubu remains intact.

He said the laws followed due legislative process, including consultations and debates at the National Assembly, before receiving presidential assent.

“The Federal Government is going ahead with the commencement of implementation, noting as changed,” Idris said.

The minister explained that concerns over alleged discrepancies between the version passed by lawmakers and the one gazetted had been raised at the National Assembly, adding that the executive would rely on the outcome of the legislature’s review.

“I think it is important for us to wait for the National Assembly to look at this again to tell us whether there were discrepancies or not,”he said.

“This is, at this point, an affair of the National Assembly to which I have no jurisdiction, and I have no authority to speak about. As far as the government of Nigeria is concerned, there’s only one version of that tax document.”

The controversy followed claims by a lawmaker representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in Sokoto State, Abdussamad Dasuki, who raised the alarm in the House of Representatives over alleged alterations to the tax reform laws.

Dasuki alleged that the version of the laws passed by the National Assembly differed from the one later gazetted and circulated by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Information.

PUNCH Online reports that the tax reform laws, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, were recently signed into law by President Tinubu.

The bills, however, faced stiff opposition during legislative consideration, particularly from some northern lawmakers, amid concerns over their economic and regional implications.

The controversy deepened after Dasuki claimed that some provisions contained in the gazetted laws were neither debated nor approved by lawmakers.

The tax laws have also attracted criticism from prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, both of whom have called for the suspension of their implementation pending clarification of the disputed provisions.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has also dismissed claims of secret alterations, warning of the consequences Nigerians could face if the new tax laws are not implemented from January 1.

Categories
Sport News

FG Finally Delivers Housing Promise To AFCON Silver-Winning Super Eagles In Morocco (Video)

The Federal Government has fulfilled its promise to reward members of the Super Eagles squad that finished runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, awarding each player a house nearly two years after the pledge was made.

The presentation was carried out on Monday in Fez, Morocco, through the National Sports Commission (NSC), coming barely 24 hours before Nigeria’s opening match at the 2025 AFCON.

The Super Eagles, then led by Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, finished second at the 2023 tournament held between January and February 2024 after a 2-1 defeat to hosts Côte d’Ivoire in the final.

Following the team’s return to Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu honoured players and officials with national awards under the Member of the Order of the Niger, alongside pledges of housing and land gifts for members of the squad and backroom staff.

That housing commitment was formally fulfilled at the team’s Moroccan base on Monday as the Super Eagles prepare to begin their quest for a fourth continental crown with a Group C clash against Tanzania on Tuesday.

“The Federal Government, through the NSC, has fulfilled its 2024 pledge on housing rewards to the Super Eagles,” the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, confirmed via a WhatsApp group dedicated to media updates.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, alongside Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi, also confirmed that the national honours were issued as MON or OON in line with existing awards already held by players.

They added that the housing and land grants approved by President Tinubu have been fully processed, with Certificates of Occupancy issued.

Now under Franco-Malian coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles are back on continental duty in Morocco, carrying the burden of expectation after narrowly missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The three-time African champions are drawn in Group C and will face Tunisia on Saturday after their opener against Tanzania, before rounding off the group stage against Uganda next Tuesday.

Categories
News

FG Declares Holidays For Christmas, New Year Celebrations

The Federal Government has announced that Wednesday, December 25, and Thursday, December 26, 2025, will be public holidays in observance of Christmas and Boxing Day.

The government also declared Wednesday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.

The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the statement, the minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.

He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

More to come…

Categories
News

FG Bans Admission, Transfer Of Students Into SS3 Nationwide

The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) across both public and private secondary schools, effective from the 2026/2027 academic session.

The directive is part of renewed efforts by the Federal Ministry of Education to address the growing issue of examination malpractice and restore credibility to Nigeria’s education system.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the ministry, Boriowo Folasade, the government said the prohibition would apply to all secondary schools across the country.

“The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has announced a nationwide prohibition on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in all public and private secondary schools,” the statement read.

Under the new policy, students will only be eligible for admission or transfer into Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2).

“Admission or transfer into SS3 will no longer be permitted under any circumstance,” the ministry added.

According to the ministry, the prohibition follows growing concerns over malpractice in public examinations, including the controversial use of so‑called special centres designed to give some candidates unfair advantages.

Officials explained that the measure is intended to discourage last‑minute student movements aimed at improving exam performance, enhance academic monitoring, and promote continuity in teaching and learning.

School proprietors, principals, and administrators have been directed to comply fully with the new policy.

The ministry warned that any violation of the directive would result in sanctions in accordance with existing educational regulations and guidelines.

Reaffirming the government’s stance on educational integrity, the statement added,“The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining academic standards, promoting fairness, and restoring credibility to public examinations across the country.”

Categories
News

TIN: Nigerians Must Have Tax ID For Operating Bank Account – FG Declares

The federal government has announced that, starting January 1, 2026, all taxable Nigerians will be required to have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) or Taxpayer Identification Number to operate bank accounts in the country, as part of new tax reforms.

The chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms in Nigeria, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this in an interview he posted on his X account on Thursday.

He explained that Section 4 of the Nigerian Tax Administration Act, to be implemented on January 1, 2026, makes it mandatory for taxable persons to have a tax ID.

He, however, said that students and dependents are exempt from having a tax ID for an operating bank account.

Oyedele stressed that the policy has been in place since the Finance Act of 2020, but the NTAA provides a legal framework for its implementation.

He added that income earners, including businesses with existing TINs, do not need a new tax ID.

“Yes, but with some exemptions. A section of the NTAA requires a taxable person to register and obtain a tax ID.

“A taxable person is anyone who earns income through trade, business, or any economic activity. So banks must request a tax ID from taxable persons. This means that individuals who do not earn an income, such as students and dependents, do not need to obtain a tax ID.

“Any taxable entity without a tax ID may have difficulty running their bank account in the near future,” he said in the interview.

This comes amid fears from Nigerians that their bank accounts without a tax ID may be restricted.

Recall that in June 2025 President Bola Ahmed signed into law new tax laws to be implemented in January 2026.

Categories
News

BREAKING: Nigerian Govt Secures Release Of 100 Kidnapped Schoolchildren In Niger State

Reports indicate that the Federal Government has successfully facilitated the release of 100 pupils kidnapped from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State.

626Blaze reports that bandits attacked the school on November 21, 2025, in the remote community of Papiri.

The gunmen, arriving around 2 am on motorbikes, reportedly stormed the school dormitories over a three-hour period, abducting 315 people—303 students and 12 teachers.

Security forces and community hunters were deployed to comb nearby forests for the abductees.

Recall that, in the immediate aftermath, 50 pupils escaped within the first day and were reunited with their families. However, 265 individuals—including 253 children and all 12 teachers—remained in captivity.

Categories
News

FG, ASUU Enter Talks On 40% Pay Rise

Sources familiar with the development have revealed that the Federal Government has reportedly proposed a 40% salary increase for lecturers in the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The proposal comes as ASUU leadership prepares to return to the negotiation table with the Federal Government delegation headed by Yayale Ahmed.

The union’s decision follows a consensus reached at the National Executive Council  meeting held in Abuja on Sunday.

Branch leaders who attended the meeting are expected to communicate the development to their members nationwide.

Speaking at the end of the NEC meeting, a member who preferred anonymity due to restrictions on media engagement during negotiations, said the union would continue discussions with the government.

“They made a proposal of a 40% salary increment. Branch leaders will go back and update members on the situation. As it stands, negotiations continue with the government next week,” the source said.

ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government ended last Saturday, heightening tension within the academic community of Nigerian public universities.

In a last-minute move to avert a potential strike, the government had summoned ASUU leadership to a meeting in Abuja on Monday, which lasted until Tuesday.

 

Both parties declined to make the discussions public due to strict rules governing the negotiation process.

 

The union had threatened a full-scale strike, citing the government’s “nonchalant” attitude toward its demands.

Key issues include the review of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and the disbursement of the university revitalisation fund.

The Minister of Edication, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who is currently out of the country, insisted that the government had met the union’s demands.

Speaking to State House correspondents two weeks ago, Alausa reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that there should be no strike in public universities, emphasizing ongoing negotiations to keep students in school.

“As I told you, the President has mandated us that he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike, and we’re doing everything humanly possible to ensure that our students stay in school. The last strike they went on for about six days was not really needed. We’ve met literally all their requirements and are back at the negotiation table. We will resolve this,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the umbrella body of labour unions in the country, has expressed support for ASUU and vowed to advocate for the academic community if the government fails to meet its demands.

About Us

626blaze is an entertainment and lifestyle website that brings you latest gist and scoops from the world of music, fashion, movies, sports and social commentary.

Categories

Subscribe to our Newsletters