By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has mandated all Point-of-Sale (PoS) operators nationwide to register with the Commission by 1 January 2026, announcing that any unregistered operator will be prohibited from conducting business after that date.

In a public notice issued on Saturday, the CAC cited a significant increase in the number of unregistered PoS businesses across the country.

The Commission emphasized that operating an unregistered PoS enterprise is a violation of both the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Agent Banking Regulations.

The CAC also faulted some fintech firms for onboarding unregistered agents, describing the practice as reckless and harmful to the stability of Nigeria’s financial system.

It warned that the trend exposes millions of Nigerians, including small business owners and rural users, to economic and investment risks.

“Fintechs enabling illegal operations will be placed on the watchlist and reported to the CBN. All operators are advised to regularise immediately. Compliance is mandatory

“Beginning from 1st January 2026, no PoS operator will be allowed to conduct business in Nigeria without completing full registration,” the CAC said

Nigerian Tracker News gathered that this is not the first time the call regarding enforced regulatory monitoring of the PoS has been made.

There have been several calls on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to take urgent steps toward curbing worsening cases of fraud affecting PoS businesses across the nation.

Kano State Government Congratulates Senior Military Officers of Kano Origin on their Promotion.

This was contained in a statement signed by Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the State Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. Waiya explained that the governor was delighted to celebrate the achievements of Kano indigenes who have risen to senior ranks in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Among them is Rear Admiral Chindo Usman Yahaya, who was elevated to the rank of Rear Admiral. According to Waiya, Governor Yusuf described Yahaya’s promotion as a reflection of his professionalism and commitment to national service.

Rear Admiral Chindo Yahya Usman middle after his decoration

REAR ADMIRAL CHINDO USMAN YAHAYA DSS psc+ nwc+ usnwc MNIM IIPS FCPM BSc MSc

Commodore Chindo Usman Yahaya hails from Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State. He attended ‘Yansanda Primary School Tudun Wada, Government Secondary School Kawaji and Science Secondary School Dawakin Kudu, Kano State. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna in 1992 as a member of 44 Regular Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy as Sub-Lieutenant in 1997.

The senior officer has attended several academic and military courses. Some of the military courses attended by the senior officer include Royal Navy Young Officers Course at the Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth United Kingdom (UK) and Sea time on board Her Majesty Ships CAMPBELTOWN and SANDOWN in the UK, Specialization Course in Communications and Information Technology (CIT) at Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) QUORRA Apapa Lagos as well as Basic and Advance Military Police Courses at the Nigerian Army School of Military Police Basawa Zaria. Other courses were Junior and Senior Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Nigeria, Anti-Piracy/Anti-Terrorism Course in Pensacola Florida USA as well as Naval Command Course at the United States Naval War College, Newport Rhode Island USA.

Rear Admiral Yahaya has held several appointments both ashore and afloat. Some of the appointments are Ships Communication and Information Technology Officer NNS LANA, Instructor NNS QUORRA, and Military Coordinator/Camp Commandant in charge of Delta State in the Disarmament Phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme for Niger Delta militants. He served as a Directing Staff at the AFCSC Jaji, Commanding Officer (CO) NNS YOLA and MV AMARYA in addition, Maritime Component Commander Operation AWATSE Lagos/Ogun States, CO Communication and Information Technology (CIT) School NNS QUORRA, CO Forward Operating Base IGBOKODA, Chief Instructor C Division Department of Maritime Warfare AFCSC Jaji Nigeria, CO NNS THUNDER and Directing Staff/Member of Faculty at the Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN), Calabar. Rear Admiral CU Yahaya was the Commandant Nigerian Navy Provost and Regulating School, Makurdi, Commander NNS DELTA, the Director Personnel Release, Navy Secretary Branch Naval Headquarters Abuja and Deputy Commandant/Director of Studies at the NWCN Calabar. Rear Admiral CU Yahaya is presently the Commander, Command Naval Drafting Lokoja.

Rear Admiral CU Yahayas academic qualifications are Masters of Science in Innovation and Strategic Management from Salve Regina University Newport Rhode Island USA, Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics from the Nigerian Defence Academy and Post Graduate Diploma in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife. The senior officer has attended several seminars, workshops and conferences both locally and internationally within the military, academia and others.

Rear Admiral CU Yahaya is a recipient of the Command at Sea Badge and his decorations are Distinguish Service Star (DSS), passed staff course Dagger (psc+), Distinguished fellow of the naval war college (nwc+), fellow of the US Naval War College and Eminent fellow of the Naval War College Nigeria. Also, he is a member of the International Institute of Professional Security, Member Nigerian Institute of Management and Fellow Chartered Public Manager. He is married and blessed with children. His hobbies are reading, jogging and watching documentaries.

The Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, joyfully congratulates the distinguished sons of Kano State who have been recently elevated to the prestigious ranks of Major General, Rear Admiral, and Air Vice Marshal in the Nigerian Armed Forces. Waiya emphasized that the governor sees these promotions as a source of pride for the state.

The State Government welcomes the promotions as well-deserved recognitions of the officers’ professionalism, dedication, and patriotic service to Nigeria. Waiya noted that Governor Yusuf expressed profound happiness that Kano continues to produce individuals who excel at the highest levels of national security leadership.

The newly promoted officers include:

Nigerian Army:
– Major General Sadisu Yahaya Yakasai
– Major General Sani Sulaiman
– Major General Samaila Musa Uba

Nigerian Navy:
– Rear Admiral Chindo Usman Yahaya

Nigerian Air Force:
– Air Vice Marshal Mukhtar Umar

As we celebrate and commend the officers for bringing honour to Kano State, we encourage them to continue to uphold the values of ethical standards, integrity, courage, and loyalty as they assume greater responsibilities. Waiya quoted Governor Yusuf as urging the officers to serve as role models and inspiration for younger generations aspiring to pursue a career in the military service.

His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, prays for their continuous success and guidance from the Almighty as they carry out their duties in safeguarding the nation. Waiya concluded that the governor remains confident in their ability to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and renowned academic, Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, has called on the Federal Government to entrench merit, competence, and integrity as the guiding principles in the appointment of leadership across Nigerian universities.

He warned that the increasing politicisation of such appointments poses a serious threat to academic standards, institutional autonomy, and the future of higher education in the country.

Professor Jega made this call on Thursday while delivering the 3rd Abdullahi Mahadi Annual Memorial Lecture at Gombe state University, Gombe State. The lecture, titled “Challenges and Prospects of Improving University Governance in Nigeria,” examined the structural, administrative, and policy-related obstacles confronting university governance in Nigeria.

The distinguished Professor of Political Science and a one time Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, described universities as specialised intellectual institutions that require visionary, experienced, and academically grounded leadership to fulfil their mandates of teaching, research, and community service.

“A university is not a political platform. It is a centre for knowledge creation and human capital development. It cannot achieve its core objectives when leadership appointments are driven by political considerations rather than academic merit,” he stated.

Professor Jega expressed deep concern over persistent political interference in the appointment of vice-chancellors, governing council members, and other principal officers. He observed that this trend has weakened governance structures, encouraged poor administrative decisions, undermined staff morale, and contributed significantly to the gradual decline in the quality of higher education in the country.

He stressed the urgent need for transparent, competitive, and merit-driven selection processes, anchored on clear criteria, academic record, leadership experience, and professional credibility. According to him, insulating universities from undue political influence is essential for restoring confidence in the system and positioning Nigerian universities to compete favourably at the global level.

Professor Jega further warned that failure to reform university governance would continue to erode the capacity of tertiary institutions to produce graduates who are innovative, globally competitive, and capable of driving sustainable national development.

The memorial lecture was delivered in honour of the late Professor Abdullahi Mahadi, a pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Gombe State University, whose contributions to scholarship, leadership, and the growth of the institution were widely acknowledged during the event.

Speaking earlier as Chairman of the Occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere, Professor Umaru Pate, commended Gombe State University for sustaining the Abdullahi Mahadi Annual Memorial Lecture, describing it as a worthy tribute to the late pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

Professor Pate expressed appreciation to the GSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aliyu Yauta, and the university management for sustaining the initiative, noting that maintaining such academic traditions in Nigerian universities is often challenging.

He also described the Guest Lecturer, Professor Jega, as eminently qualified to speak on the theme, noting his deep experience in university governance and his long-standing professional relationship with the late Professor Abdullahi Mahadi.

Reflecting on Mahadi’s life, Professor Pate said the late scholar left behind an enduring legacy of service, scholarship, and institutional development at Gombe State University and beyond.

The lecture attracted a wide audience of academics, policymakers, students, and education stakeholders, including the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau. Participants described the event as timely and impactful in shaping the future of university governance in Nigeria.