JAMB Opens 2025 UTME Registration From January 26

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that registration for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will take place from January 26 to February 28 at all approved Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Nigeria. JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this on Saturday in Lagos during a meeting with Commissioners for Education ahead of the 2025 UTME and Direct Entry exercises. He explained that the sale of UTME application documents, known as ePINs, will start earlier than the registration period, running from January 19 to February 26. “The actual UTME registration will take place from January 26 to February 28 at all approved CBT centres,” Oloyede said, adding that the mock examination selection will close on February 16. The sale of Direct Entry application documents and ePIN vending will commence on March 2 and close on April 25. Unlike previous years, UTME results for underage candidates will only be released after completing a thorough evaluation process to assess their eligibility for age waivers. The registrar stressed that all CBT centres will be monitored live from JAMB headquarters during the registration process. He warned that centres whose activities cannot be monitored centrally will not be paid, and any registrations conducted at such centres may be invalidated. Oloyede revealed that 924 centres have been screened and provisionally listed for the exercise. They will undergo a final test before receiving full accreditation to participate in the registration and examination. He also clarified that candidates are not required to pay any service charges to CBT centres, emphasising that only the registration fees approved by JAMB are payable. Addressing concerns about postings to distant towns, Oloyede explained that candidates will only be posted to towns they select during registration. He advised early registration to avoid being posted to less-preferred locations. “The choice of a group of towns implies that candidates can be posted to any of the towns in the selected group,” he added. The registrar warned candidates to declare their previous registration and admission history, noting that running more than one undergraduate programme concurrently is a criminal offence. Failure to disclose prior admissions will be sanctioned. On age requirements, Oloyede stated that candidates must be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, to be eligible for UTME. Underage candidates will undergo a rigorous evaluation and must score at least 80 per cent in UTME/A’LEVEL, PUTME, SSCE, and the exceptional candidate assessment to qualify for consideration.

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Nnamdi Kanu Granted Honorary Citizenship Of Georgia In United States

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been bestowed with an honorary citizenship of Georgia, a state in the United States, in a development that has drawn international attention. Kanu, who is presently serving a life sentence at the Sokoto Prison after being convicted on terrorism-related charges by the Nigerian government, received the recognition through an official proclamation issued by Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger. The proclamation, dated January 16, 2026, also named the IPOB leader as a Goodwill Ambassador from the State of Georgia. A former Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Uche Ajulu, accepted the proclamation on Kanu’s behalf during an event held in Georgia on Friday. “I, Brad Raffensperger, Secretary of State of the State of Georgia, do hereby proclaim Nnamdi Okwu Kanu as an Honorary Georgia Citizen. “May this Outstanding Citizen be accorded every courtesy as a Goodwill Ambassador from Georgia in his travels to other states, to nations beyond the borders of the United States of America, or wherever he may hereafter travel or reside. Thank you for your service to our state. “In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office, at the State Capitol, in the City of Atlanta, this 16th day of January, A.D. 2026.”

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Ganduje Celebrates Daughter Fatima’s Graduation At King’s College London

Abdullahi Ganduje has shared a proud family moment after his daughter, Fatima, completed her studies at King’s College London. Fatima, who is married to Idris Ajimobi — son of the late former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi — graduated from the UK institution on Thursday. The former APC national chairman and ex-governor of Kano State announced the milestone on Friday through his official X page, expressing deep pride in her achievement and describing the day as a memorable one for their family. “Yesterday in London, I had the honour of celebrating my daughter Fatima’s graduation from King’s College London. Her journey has been marked by diligence, grace, and quiet strength,” he wrote. He also offered prayers for her future, adding, “As she steps into a new chapter, may Allah guide her path always. Congratulations, Fatima.” The development follows other recent graduations among children of top political figures, with Trendbrio previously reporting that Joaquin, son of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, earned a master’s degree in Management and Technology Change from the same London institution.

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Youths Protest At APC Secretariat, Demand Removal Of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike

On Friday, youths gathered at the All Progressives Congress (APC) national secretariat to demand the removal of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, accusing him of showing disrespect to party leaders. The protesters carried placards with slogans such as “President Tinubu, sack Wike now,” “Stop disrespecting APC members,” “No minister is above APC,” “APC no be Wike property,” “APC must restore order,” “Wike, APC leadership is not your mate,” and “Wike, no more political threats.” The demonstration followed a public clash between Wike and APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru over political issues in Rivers State. Basiru had urged Wike to resign from his ministerial role, criticizing what he described as the minister’s “obsession” with Rivers politics. He emphasized that all members of the APC National Working Committee must respect sitting governors as party leaders in their states. 'Sack Wike now' — protesters besiege APC headquarters, ask Tinubu to dismiss FCT minister pic.twitter.com/A7yU0tK2DU — TheCable (@thecableng) January 23, 2026

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President Tinubu Hosts Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja At Presidential Villa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, January 23, 2026. The meeting was shared on X by Bayo Onanuga, who posted photos of the president and the traditional ruler together, captioned: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu meets with Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday 23/01/2026, Photo State House.” No details of the discussions have been made public. Oba Ladoja, the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, maintains a longstanding relationship with President Tinubu, who attended his coronation in Ibadan last year.

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House Minority Committee Confirms Illegal Alterations In Tax Laws

The House of Representatives Minority Caucus Ad-hoc Committee has confirmed that some recently passed tax reform laws were illegally altered, with the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, identified as the most affected. The committee’s interim report, released on Friday, compared the versions of the tax laws passed by the National Assembly with those published in the official gazette, confirming discrepancies raised by House member Abdulsamad Dasuki over altered documents circulating publicly. The Minority Caucus had previously warned on December 28, 2025, that any attempt to impose fake laws on Nigerians would violate the constitutional role of the National Assembly and pledged to defend legislative independence. To investigate, the caucus, led by Kingsley Chinda, set up a seven-member fact-finding committee on January 2, 2026, chaired by Victor Ogene. The team includes Aliyu Garu (Bauchi), Stanley Adedeji (Oyo), Ibe Osonwa (Abia), Marie Ebikake (Bayelsa), Shehu Fagge (Kano), and Gaza Gbefwi Jonathan (Nasarawa). On January 3, 2026, the House, through spokesman Akin Rotimi, announced that Speaker Tajudeen Abbas had ordered the release of four tax reform Acts signed by President Bola Tinubu for public verification. These are: Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025; and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, 2025. According to the committee’s preliminary findings, comparisons between the certified copies and the gazetted versions revealed multiple alterations. “There were some alterations as alleged, especially in the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025. There were three different versions of the documents in circulation, particularly the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025,” the report said. The report highlighted several irregularities: Section 29(1) on reporting thresholds lowered individual thresholds from N50m to N25m, contrary to the approved law. New subsections 41(8) and 41(9) imposed a mandatory 20% deposit for tax disputes to be heard in the High Court, which were not in the authentic law. Section 64 expanded enforcement powers for tax authorities, including arrests and asset seizures without court approval. Section 3(1)(b) excluded petroleum income tax and VAT from federal taxes. Section 39(3) mandated tax computation for petroleum operations in US dollars, replacing the original provision to use the currency of the transaction. The committee also flagged changes to the Nigerian Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, noting the removal of Sections 30(1)(d) and 30(3), which had provided for National Assembly oversight through reports, summons, and accountability mechanisms. Describing the alterations as “anomalies, illegalities, and impunity” that undermine constitutional powers, the committee called for a deeper investigation and requested an extension to continue its work. The committee expressed gratitude to the caucus leadership for entrusting them with the assignment.

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Distillers, Labour Unions Protest Sachet Alcohol Ban At NAFDAC Office In Lagos

Members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria staged a protest on Friday at the Lagos State office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets. The demonstration saw distillers joined by workers from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), who marched to the agency’s office holding placards and chanting solidarity songs. Placards carried by the protesters included messages such as “Stop destroying local manufacturers,” “N2 trillion investment deserves protection,” “5.5 million Nigerians cannot be pushed to the streets,” and “The Renewed Hope Agenda must work for all Nigerians.” At the time of reporting, neither the protesters nor NAFDAC officials had addressed the media. The protest is tied to ongoing disputes surrounding the enforcement of the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks, which industry players say threatens local businesses and employment.

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Nigeria’s Power Grid Collapses Again, First Major Blackout Of 2026

Nigeria’s national electricity grid has collapsed again, throwing many parts of the country into darkness and cutting off power supply to millions of households and businesses. Checks revealed that electricity generation plunged dramatically from more than 4,500 megawatts to just about 24 megawatts as of 1:30 pm. All 23 power generation plants connected to the grid reportedly shut down during the incident, resulting in zero electricity allocation to the 11 distribution companies nationwide. As of the time of reporting, the cause of the collapse had not been confirmed, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria was yet to issue an official statement explaining the incident. The outage is the first recorded grid collapse in 2026 and comes only weeks after a similar nationwide blackout on December 29, 2025, which also disrupted electricity supply across the country.

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