News
Rep Fulata Denies Allegations of Financial Inducement for 2025 Education Budget Approval
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on University Education, Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata has dismissed an allegation by an online medium that the lawmakers demanded for certain amount of money as condition for passage of 2025 budget of education sector.
Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata who is also the Lead Chairman, House Committees on Education said the allegation was designed to undermine the efforts of the lawmakers, particularly his committee to improve the standard of education in the country.
In an interview with journalists, Fulata said ordinarily he wouldn’t have said anything about an online medium, not Nigerian Tracker ‘ allegation but he decided to respond in order to avoid misleading the general public about the activities of the committee and the 10th House of Representatives.
Fulata said due to the advocacy of the legislators against inclusion of tertiary institutions of learning in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), President Bola Tinubu graciously removed universities and all tertiary institutions from IPPIS. According to him, IPPIS is “anti-intellectual, anti-academics and retrogressive.”
He said following the absence of councils for universities and other tertiary institutions nearly a year after the inauguration of the present government, the House of Representatives considered the effect of it and adopted his motion urging Mr President to constitute the councils. He said shortly after the House’s resolution, Mr President constituted the councils.
Fulata noted that the House Committee on University Education had in 2024 carried out oversight visit to all federal universities under his committee’s supervision except Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State whose vice chancellor did not only block the legislators from accessing the school but also failed to provide documents regarding budget performance of previous years (2022 to 2024) and 2025 budget proposal. He said the oversight visit was aimed at getting clearer pictures of the progress and challenges of the universities.
According, to him, the management of almost all the universities visited complained seriously against the hike in electricity tariff.
“Some of the universities were paying about N100 million as electricity tariff every month and we thought this cannot help our tertiary institutions. I moved a motion on this issue and the House came up with the resolution urging for downward review of electricity tariff or removal of these institutions from Band A group of electricity tariff. Mr President again listened to our appeal and approved 50 percent subsidy on electricity tariff for universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and all tertiary institutions and hospitals,” Fulata said.
He appealed to media practitioners to always cross-check the pieces of information at their disposal before disseminating them.
On allegation by an online medium, Premium Times that the meeting “Initially scheduled for 10 a.m. that day, the meeting was delayed until 3 p.m. due to behind-the-scenes discussions between lawmakers and some vice-chancellors,” Fulata said the committee had budget defence meeting for National University Commission and vice chancellors of universities on January 15th, 2025, the Armed Forces Remembrance Day and not the date and time mischievously stated by the medium
He said the budget defence which took place at the House temporary chamber was open to the general public and media as there was no executive session or closed door meeting during the meeting which was brought to a close before another committee, House Committee on Water Resources commenced its budget defence meeting in the same venue by 2pm.
Fulata who was the Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business in the 9th National Assembly said it is ridiculous for anyone or group to say he is demanding for a kobo as condition to approve budget proposal.
He said if Mr. President despite his tight schedule, will appear before joint session of National Assembly to present Appropriation bill, he sees no reason why heads of MDAs will find it difficult to defend their budget proposal.
“Similarly, if the Ministers of Education, the Executive Secretary of NUC and other Parastatals under the Ministry as well as over 50 Universities could come and defend their Budget proposal before the Committee, there is no reason why the Vice-Chancellors of University of Lagos, Federal University Gusau and Army University Bi’u will refuse to come and defend their budget proposal. Instead, they have resorted to blackmail and smear campaign and sponsorship of public outcry against the Committee.
“Interestingly, University of Lagos and University of Ibadan are part of the Universities indicted by the Auditor-General of the Federation for financial malfeasance and refused to appear before the House Committee on Public Accounts to answer to the audit queries . The Committee has placed the matter before the Leadership of House insisting that the House should not approve the Budgets of all institutions whose Chief Executives refused to come and defend their Budgets,” Fulata said.
He said the House Committee on University Education, the various House Committees on Education and entire House of Representatives under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen Ph.D are determined and committed in ensuring uninterrupted academic activities in tertiary institutions as well as improve on the standard of education in Nigeria.
News
Report: Nigeria Records N166trn Public Debt
By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The Debt Management Office (DMO) says Nigeria’s total public debt rose to N166.79 trillion as of June 30, 2026.
The DMO published the latest public debt portfolio report on Friday.
The figure represents a 9.4 percent or N14.39 trillion increase from the N152.4 trillion recorded at the end of June 2025.
It also represents an increase of N7.44 trillion or 4.7 percent compared with the N159.35 trillion recorded at the end of the first quarter (Q1) of 2026.
According to the latest report, the debt stock comprises N91.59 trillion in domestic debt, which accounts for 54.91 percent of the total debt stock, and N75.2 trillion in external debt, representing 45.09 percent.
The debt office said domestic debt increased by N11.04 trillion (13.7 percent) from N80.55 trillion recorded in June 2025.
The office said external debt also rose by N3.35 trillion (4.7 percent) from N71.85 trillion in the same period.
According to the DMO, the federal government accounted for N152.77 trillion of the total debt stock, comprising N86.99 trillion in domestic debt and N65.77 trillion in external debt.
On the other hand, states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) accounted for the remaining N14.01 trillion — N4.59 trillion in domestic debt and N9.42 trillion in external debt.
In dollar terms, the agency said Nigeria’s total public debt stood at $120.93 billion as of June 30, 2026 — up from $99.66 billion recorded in June 2025.
The DMO said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official exchange rate of N1,379 per dollar as of June 30 was used to convert the external debt to naira.
News
NNPC Ltd Welcomes $800m Ima Gas Final Investment Decision
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has welcomed the $800 million Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ima Gas Project, describing it as a landmark development that affirms the growing viability of Nigeria’s upstream gas sector.
The project, located offshore in OMLs 112 and 117 and developed by AMNI International in partnership with TotalEnergies, will produce about 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day at peak. The output will supply critical feedgas to Nigeria LNG Limited in support of its Train 7 expansion, which will increase capacity at the Bonny Island plant from 22 million tons per annum to 30 Mtpa.
The FID was enabled by the Presidential Directives of 2024, which provided fiscal incentives for non-associated gas, streamlined contracting and lowered development costs. Ima is the fourth major gas project to reach FID under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after Iseni, Ubeta and HI.
Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari described it as “a decisive vote of confidence in Nigeria’s gas sector and in the bold reforms” that have created competitive terms and a predictable investment environment.
NNPC Ltd. also commends the collaboration between AMNI, TotalEnergies and the Nigerian financial sector, saying the model of indigenous operator, international partner and domestic capital is a template for future developments.
In a statement signed by Andy Odeh Chief corporate communications officer of NNPC Ltd. reaffirms its commitment to work with government, regulators and industry partners to sustain investment momentum and deploy Nigeria’s gas resources for industrialisation, job creation and long-term prosperity.
News
At MAN AGM In Kano, Manufacturers Throng Dangote Pavilion Over ‘Peoples IPO’
Manufacturers under the aegis of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) thronged the Dangote Group’s pavilion at the exhibition to seek information and clarification on the ongoing Public Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP).
The three-day Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Kano-Jigawa Branch of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the 54th in the series, ended on Thursday, with the Dangote Group’s representative hosting participants and engaging manufacturers who expressed keen interest in the ongoing Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the Dangote Refinery.
The Dangote Refinery Peoples’ IPO offers Nigerians and other eligible investors an opportunity to buy shares in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, thereby becoming part-owners of one of Africa’s largest industrial projects and participating in its future growth.
The Dangote Refinery IPO runs from 14 September to 13 October 2026.
Dangote Industries Limited is one of the sponsors of the 54th MAN AGM.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Sharada/Challawa Branch, Alhaji Nura S. Madugu, highlighted the mounting burden of multiple taxes, levies and charges on manufacturers, warning that the situation is increasing the cost of doing business and undermining the competitiveness of local industries.
Madugu urged the Kano State and Federal Governments to ease the tax burden on manufacturers and accelerate efforts to harmonise taxes and levies imposed on businesses.
He particularly decried the practice of double and multiple taxation, which he said continued to place additional financial pressure on manufacturers already grappling with high energy costs, inadequate infrastructure, expensive financing, insecurity, foreign exchange challenges and unfair competition from imported goods.
“We are especially concerned about instances of double and even multiple taxation, where the three tiers of government impose what is essentially the same levy under different names and different guises. This practice places our products at a serious disadvantage in their constant competition with imported goods, a disadvantage made worse by the high cost of alternative power supply and the volatility of the foreign exchange rate.
Madugu reminded the meeting of MAN’s enormous contribution to the society and provide employment to thousands of Nigerians, as well as participating actively in tax revenue generation for the country.
“We provide employment to thousands of Nigerians. We participate actively in tax revenue generation for the states and the federation through the deduction of Value Added Tax on our products, the remittance of Pay-As-You-Earn on behalf of our staff, and the payment of Withholding Tax, Education Tax, Tertiary Education Tax, Company Income Tax, and a whole host of other levies too numerous to mention individually. Beyond taxation, we also discharge our Corporate Social Responsibility diligently to the communities in which we operate.
“Even though what we receive in return remains modest, we continue, in strength and in good faith, to serve this nation and to hold up its economy. We do this because we believe in Nigeria and in Kano State. But it must be said plainly,” Madugu added.
In his remarks also, MAN Chairman, Bompai/Jigawa Branch, Mohammed Bello I. Umar, appreciated the association’s members for their resilience, commitment and continued investment in the Nigerian economy despite the difficult operating environment.
He pointed out that the meeting provides the members of the association with an opportunity to reflect on its activities, review the challenges confronting their businesses, acknowledge the progress they have made, and chart a stronger course for the future of manufacturing in the country.
However, he said, the members must acknowledge that manufacturing remains under serious pressure.
He highlighted that the high cost of energy, multiple taxes and levies, inadequate infrastructure, high financing costs, insecurity, foreign exchange challenges and unfair competition from imported goods continue to affect our competitiveness.
“One issue that requires our collective attention is the importation of contraband and substandard goods. These products undermine local manufacturers who invest heavily
“Reliable and affordable electricity remains one of the most important requirements for industrial development.
He however welcomed the ongoing electricity reforms and efforts by the Kano State Government and the State House of Assembly towards establishing a more effective electricity framework for the State.
He called for the swift implementation of reforms that will create a more reliable, competitive and affordable electricity market for industries.
He noted that manufacturers continue to provide employment, generate wealth, support local communities and contribute significantly to government revenue in production, employ Nigerians and comply with government regulations.
“We must therefore stand together and call for stronger enforcement at our borders and markets.
He urged the relevant government agencies to intensify the fight against smuggling, counterfeiting and the importation of goods that compete unfairly with locally
Report: Nigeria Records N166trn Public Debt
NNPC Ltd Welcomes $800m Ima Gas Final Investment Decision
At MAN AGM In Kano, Manufacturers Throng Dangote Pavilion Over ‘Peoples IPO’
NLC President Ajaero: It Is Wrong to Negotiate Minimum Wage Without Minimum Pension
Prof Yusuf Adamu Delivers BUK’s 63rd Professorial Inaugural Lecture, Reflects on Medical Geography and Academic Legacy
Zamfara Varsity ASUU Threatens Warning Strike Over FG-ASUU Agreement, Promotion Arrears
Bello Sharada: A Great Writer, A Bookish Soul, Gone Too Soon
Kano Chemists Threaten Warning Strike Over Alleged PCN Pressure
Per Ishaq Samaila: “Waziri” for Strategy. “Mai Jama’a” for Service. One Man. One Mission. Ibrahim Kabir Masari
Court Ultimatum Forces FBI to Hand Over Tinubu’s Fraud Records to Judge—But Keeps Them Hidden from Public
Report: Nigeria Records N166trn Public Debt
NNPC Ltd Welcomes $800m Ima Gas Final Investment Decision
At MAN AGM In Kano, Manufacturers Throng Dangote Pavilion Over ‘Peoples IPO’
NLC President Ajaero: It Is Wrong to Negotiate Minimum Wage Without Minimum Pension
Prof Yusuf Adamu Delivers BUK’s 63rd Professorial Inaugural Lecture, Reflects on Medical Geography and Academic Legacy
Zamfara Varsity ASUU Threatens Warning Strike Over FG-ASUU Agreement, Promotion Arrears
Bello Sharada: A Great Writer, A Bookish Soul, Gone Too Soon
Kano Chemists Threaten Warning Strike Over Alleged PCN Pressure
Per Ishaq Samaila: “Waziri” for Strategy. “Mai Jama’a” for Service. One Man. One Mission. Ibrahim Kabir Masari
Court Ultimatum Forces FBI to Hand Over Tinubu’s Fraud Records to Judge—But Keeps Them Hidden from Public
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