The president also signed a bill extending the implementation period of the capital component of the 2025 budget from March 31 to June 30.

This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Friday in Abuja.

According to Onanuga, the 2026 budget provides N4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and N15.8 trillion for debt servicing obligations.

lIt also allocates N15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and N32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for capital projects.

With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent of total spending, the budget reflects priority for infrastructure and productivity growth.

Onanuga said the fiscal plan underscored the administration’s commitment to economic stability, national security and inclusive development.

He added that the allocations balanced statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent spending and strategic investments.

Tinubu also assented to the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, extending the lifespan of the 2025 capital vote.

The extension, according to the Presidency, will ensure full utilisation of appropriated funds for critical projects already at advanced stages nationwide.

It said that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) would use the extra period to consolidate ongoing works and improve project completion rates.

With the 2026 Appropriation Act taking effect from April 1, the Federal Government is expected to begin full implementation immediately.

Tinubu directed MDAs to ensure disciplined, transparent and efficient use of public resources, stressing the need for value for money and timely delivery of projects across sectors.

The president commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for the speedy consideration and passage of the budget.

He reaffirmed the importance of sustained cooperation between the executive and legislative arms in advancing development goals.

Tinubu also assured Nigerians of continued fiscal reforms, stronger revenue generation and investments to create jobs and expand social protection.

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In a statement on Thursday, NNPP National Secretary, Mr Ogini Olaposi, clarified that the party has no intention of joining or collapsing into the ADC.

“We are so surprised that Abubakar, a frontline presidential aspirant of the ADC could make such an assertion, that NNPP is now in ADC,” he said.

Our correspondent reports that Abubakar, on a live television interview with Mr Charles Aniagolu of Arise television, listed and included NNPP as a member of the coalition group in ADC.

Olaposi stated that membership of Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, Dr Ahmed Ajuji, Elder Buba Galadima and the Kwankwasiya Movement in the ADC had nothing to do with NNPP as a political party.

“Kwankwaso and his kwankwasiya movement are members of the coalition group and there are verifiable evidence that some members of the group followed Kwankwaso to the new party.

“NNPP is not after anyone or group but merely a political party seeking to contest elections in Nigeria like other political parties.

“We have nothing against the ADC but we also do not want to be part of it.
“The Memorandum of Association we had with the Kwankwasiya movement expired after the 2023 general elections. Kwankwaso and others were equally expelled from the NNPP.

“We can also say that some members of the Kwankwasiya movement joined the APC with their leader,” he said.

Olaposi said the kwankwasiya members who followed Kwankwaso were in the minority and it’s their hope that ADC was not deceived by the rented crowd seen in Kano when former Kano State governor joined them.
He said majority of the Kwankwasiya Movement group were now in APC.

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The examination, organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple sessions scheduled daily.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, charged examination officials to demonstrate maximum commitment and professionalism, stressing that the success of the UTME largely depends on their performance and dedication to duty.

Oloyede gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination.

He commended staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers and technical advisers for their contributions to the successful conduct of the mock examination.

According to him, most challenges recorded during the mock exercise were linked to inadequate assessment of centres by some technical officials.

Oloyede added that incentive packages would be provided for teams that demonstrate exceptional performance, including prompt handling of examination materials and timely submission of reports.

He reiterated JAMB’s zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice and warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.

According to him, advanced technology, including biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems, has been deployed to safeguard the credibility of the examination.

The registrar also disclosed that candidates whose biometric details could not be verified would be rescheduled to sit the examination at designated centres approved by the board.

Our correspondent reports that the UTME remains one of Nigeria’s largest coordinated educational exercises, involving extensive logistics, technology deployment and personnel coordination nationwide.

Each examination day is divided into four sessions to reduce congestion at Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres and enhance biometric verification processes.

For the 2026 UTME, about 966 CBT centres are participating, each required to meet operational standards, including functional computer systems, stable connectivity and trained personnel.

Our correspondent who monitored one of the centres at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reports that the first session scheduled to commence at 8:30 a.m. started at about 8:40 a.m.

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The body said in a notice signed by its President, Dr Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, on Wednesday in Lagos.

Sarina said the price of Jet A1 had increased to N3,300 per litre from about N900 per litre in February, representing a 300 per cent rise.

According to him, the increase, driven by marketers, has significantly raised airlines’ operational costs.

He noted that the rise was not in line with global crude oil price trends, which reflect about a 30 per cent increase.

Sarina said airlines had, in the past four weeks, continued operations despite the rising costs out of a sense of responsibility to the nation.

He, however, said the situation had become unsustainable.

“Currently, airline revenues are insufficient to cover the cost of fuel alone, which is only one of many operational expenses incurred daily.

“The actions of fuel marketers are putting the aviation industry and the nation’s economy, safety and security at risk, as airlines are being forced to consider suspending operations.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this increase has already affected one airline, forcing it to suspend operations since March 13,” he said.

Sarina said the situation could worsen if urgent action was not taken.

According to him, adjusting ticket prices to reflect current fuel costs could lead to reduced passenger traffic, while a shutdown of operations would affect jobs, financial institutions and national security.

“We urge marketers to adjust jet fuel prices in line with international market realities, as airlines can no longer sustain purchases at the current rates,” he said.

The notice was addressed to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, with copies sent to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, among others.

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He gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen after a closed-door meeting with the party’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) stakeholders on Tuesday in Abuja.

He drew a clear distinction between those who were in the party from the beginning and those who just joined it, saying the interest of both would be protected without allowing one to subsume the other.

“It is a home that we built. if the house was not built, nobody will come, so nobody should come as a warrior and take over,”he said.

He added that the solution however was in a deliberate power-sharing formula that guaranteed inclusion across both blocs.

“We must have everybody included, there will be a sharing formula that will ensure that all members of the legacy group and defectors are properly carried along”, Yilwatda said.

On the APC FCT party structure, Yilwatda outlined a five dimensional sharing formula which included gender inclusion, with women in substantive executive positions and not merely as women leaders.

Others he said, are geo-political representation across all six zones of the country, inclusion of FCT’s indigenous tribes and youth engagement among others.

The APC national chairman confirmed a committee chaired by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Zephaniah Jisalo, describing its members as bona fide APC member.

He noted that the committee had conducted zoning for the FCT APC and that its work had been followed to the letter.

He further noted that so far, no APC member had complained of being cheated or deprived in any way, adding that the party’s Constitution would be strictly enforced in its coming congresses.

He added that defectors seeking executive positions must produce resignation letters accepted by their former party chairmen.

“If you are in opposition, you must give resignation letter and show evidence of resignation and acceptance of your resignation by your former party chairman”, he said.

He reiterated the constitutional rule on tenure, saying if a member had spent consecutively eight years in one office, he must step down or at best, change office.

The APC chairman used the occasion to articulate what he described as his core political philosophy, saying inclusion was a non-negotiable organisational principle.
“We must accommodate all tribes, including the geopolitical resource.I am chairing this party because of inclusion.

“If there is no inclusion, I can’t be here because my tribe is only found in two local governments of this country. I am a minority”, he said.

He noted that women were great mobilisers that should not be used only at election periods to win elections, saying they should be seen on the list of the experts.(

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The faction is seeking to overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision invalidating the Ibadan National Convention held on November 15-16, 2025.
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‎A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Lawal Garba, granted the Turaki faction’s application for accelerated hearing and departure from the rules to abridge the time for filing briefs of argument.
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‎In the first appeal, filed by the Turaki-led group against the PDP faction loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the court ordered that hearing notices be served on Mohammed Abdulrahman, the seventh respondent, who was not represented when the matter came up on Tuesday.
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‎At the proceedings, Chris Uche (SAN), counsel to the Turaki faction, informed the court of the pending applications, stressing the need for urgency to align with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable ahead of the 2027 general elections. He also filed an affidavit of extreme urgency.
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‎Counsel to Austin Nwachukwu and two others, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), requested 15 days to file his reply, citing the need to obtain all relevant court records from the Court of Appeal’s decision nullifying the Ibadan Convention.
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‎The supreme court, however, directed all nine respondents to file their replies within five days each and fixed April 22, 2026, for the hearing of the appeal.
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‎In the second appeal, involving the Turaki-led faction against former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido and others, the apex court also granted accelerated hearing and abridgement of time, and fixed April 22 for hearing.
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‎Lamido had sued over his exclusion from the national chairmanship contest, which led to Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court issuing orders halting the convention.
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‎Lower courts (Federal High Court and Court of Appeal) have largely ruled against the Turaki faction, nullifying the Ibadan Convention, barring INEC from recognising its outcomes, and restricting access to the national secretariat in some rulings.
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The Turaki group has appealed to the apex court, arguing that the matter borders on internal party affairs, which are not justiciable, and that due procedures were followed.

Our correspondent reports that in October 2025, the federal high court in Abuja stopped the PDP faction led by Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo; and Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi; from going ahead with its national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan.

Justice James Omotosho, the presiding judge, ruled that the evidence before the court showed that the party failed to hold valid state congresses before the planned convention as stipulated in the 1999 constitution and INEC guidelines, as well as its own constitution.

Lamido had sued the party for allegedly denying him the opportunity to purchase the chairmanship nomination form to enable him participate in the convention.

On Nov. 11, Peter Lifu, another federal high court judge, issued a temporary order restraining the party from proceeding with the planned convention pending the determination of a substantive suit filed by Lamido.

On Nov. 14, he made a final order restraining the PDP from conducting its national convention.

In his judgment, Lifu held that the evidence before the court established that Lamido was “unjustly denied” the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest the position of national chairman of the party, in violation of the PDP constitution and its internal regulations.

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Our correspondent reports that 3,000 delegates are expected to participate in the election of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years

Our correspondent also reports that the personnel of Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS) manned the main entrance to the venue, conducting thorough security checks on delegates before allowing them access.

Security patrol vehicles were also stationed at strategic locations, manned by security operatives.

Journalists were also subjected to serious and thorough security checks before being allowed access to the venue.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ADC had been embroiled in leadership crisis as two factions lay claims to its leadership.

NAN also reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had suspended the recognition of all leadership factions, following the Court of Appeal ruling and the ongoing litigation over party leadership.

Speaking at the venue of the convention, Sen. Dino Melaye said that the convention would go on as planned, in spite of efforts to stop the exercise.

“Yesterday (Monday), there were deliberate efforts to stop us from holding this convention. All the venues we applied for were not approved.

“As at 11 p.m. last night, the owners of this venue attempted to cancel this programme but we stood our ground, and we will proceed with the convention today,” Melaye said.

Also, Mr Kabiru Saje, a member of the New Media committee, said the convention was expected to either produce new leadership or reaffirm the current leadership.

“Despite attempts by authorities to stop the programme yesterday evening, we stood our ground because it is our right to hold this convention.

“Although we faced challenges with securing a venue and had to change locations multiple times, preparations are now in place, and the event will go on as planned.

“The convention is expected to start by 11 a.m., and the atmosphere is positive, with delegates arriving and everything properly arranged,” he said.

Saje stated that the party remained confident in its leadership which, he said, was experienced, strategic and committed to progress.

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Shettima gave the warning on Monday in Abuja during the Abuja Dialogue 2026, organised by the Office of the Vice-President and Lagos State’s Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy.

Shettima said the country’s demographic profile must no longer be treated as a rhetorical point in public discourse, but as a strategic reality requiring policy attention at the highest levels of governance.

“We are one of the youngest nations on earth. That fact should not be treated as a line for conferences or a statistic for brochures.

” It is a national condition with profound consequences,” he said.

According to him, the nation’s growing youth population risks becoming a liability without urgent investment in education, skills, and opportunities to drive sustainable national development.

He, therefore advocated a deliberate and forward-looking framework for youth leadership development.

Shettima said the future of Nigeria would depend not merely on the abundance of its natural resources or the ambition of government programmes.

He said the nation’s future would depend on the systems built to sustain leadership continuity and national development.

The vice president described the Abuja Dialogue as an important national platform for reflection at a time when governments around the world are being forced to respond to rapid changes in technology, economy and public expectations.

According to him, leadership in the present age cannot be casual or accidental, but must be cultivated through structured pathways that prepare young people for responsibility.

“Youth leadership must be understood with clarity. It is not a ceremonial handover waiting for age to perform its arithmetic.

” It is a structured process through which young men and women are prepared, trusted, integrated, and supported within the institutions that shape our future.

“This new framework must go beyond slogans and applause to reshape the design of education, public service, enterprise and civic institutions,” he said
Shettima emphasised the need for gradual pathways through which young Nigerians can assume responsibility.

The vice president commended the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for convening the dialogue.

Earlier, Sanwo-Olu said the dialogue sent a signal to every state government, development partner, and young Nigerians that the federal government recognised the strategic importance of youth leadership development.

He explained that at the heart of the Lagos leadership ecosystem was the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy
Sanwo-Olu said the academy was not merely a fellowship but a talent incubator where young Nigerians received real public sector immersion.

The governor called for commitment, policy frameworks, budgetary allocations, and the kind of political will that turns good intentions for young people into functioning institutions.

The Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, said the significance of the dialogue was in its focus on youth development, preparing them for leadership with knowledge, discipline and enthusiasm.

” Youth leadership cannot be approached as a symbolic gesture but a deliberate idea that recognises leadership as infrastructure that determines the strength of institutions,” he said.

The Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, said the timing of the dialogue was apt.

Olawande noted that Nigerian youths are prepared, ready and committed to playing their roles in the advancement and development of the country.

He said President Bola Tinubu remained committed to providing the necessary platforms and enabling environment for the youths to fulfil their destinies.

The Executive Secretary of the academy, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, said the partnership between the federal government and the Lagos state government placed the youth at the centre of national conversation.

She added that the dialogue presented the opportunity to build national consensus, align institutions and move youth leadership from the margins of policy to the centre of development.

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Our correspondent, who monitored developments at the PDP national secretariat at Zone 5 on Monday, observed that the renovation work was still ongoing, ahead of workers’ resumption.

The renovation followed the unsealing of the party secretariat by the police, granting access to the Wike-backed faction.

Our correspondent who reports that while the barricades around the office main building had been removed, there were still few police vehicles stationed around the premises, with personnel manning the facility.

A party member, who did not want his identity to be disclosed, told NAN that the renovation works started on Sunday.

“The staff members of the party’s national secretariat are yet to resume, but the renovation works started since yesterday (Sunday).

“The renovation ongoing works include panting, change of air conditioners, locks and keys to the offices as well as their allocation to the new National Working Committee (NWC) members.

“However, I think the challenge now is that some of the staff members loyal to the Tanimu Turaki–led NWC may find it difficult to come and resume here,’’ the party member said.

As at the time of writing the report, none of the party officials had reported at the secretariat.

Our correspondent reports that the faction’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, had, on Saturday in Abuja, announced the reopening of the PDP national secretariat and the presidential campaign office, Legacy House, Maitama.

Mohammed, in a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, said that the facilities were being unsealed in compliance with ‘duly-issued court orders’.

He said that the property had been handed to the Mohammed-led NWC, with Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary.

While commending the police for professionalism and adherence to the rule of law, Mohammed, however, warned that the party would not tolerate obstruction, disruption or breach of peace at the secretariat.

Meanwhile, the Turaki-led faction has described the unsealing of the property as contemptuous.

Its Spokesman, Ini Ememobong, said that the judgment cited by the police had been appealed and that all parties were duly informed.

“By this action, they have tampered with the res, which could render the Court of Appeal judgment nugatory,” he said.

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This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser to the Minister of Power on Strategic Communications and Media Relations in Abuja

The gradual rise in generation output within the period, Tunji said, was in tandem with the assurance given by the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, at the Power Sector Working Group, where he pledged that electricity supply would improve within two weeks.

He explained that this improvement closely aligns with the steady increase in gas supply to thermal power plants, which rose from approximately 605 million standard cubic feet (mmscfd) to over 704 mmscfd within the same timeframe.

Tunji further stated that mechanical availability remained stable and even improved, peaking at over 7,796 Megawatts (MW) in early April, while operational availability rose from about 4,208MW to a peak of over 4,694MW, indicating enhanced efficiency in converting available gas into electricity.

“Inspite of minor fluctuations recorded on some days, the overall trajectory points to a gradual recovery in the power sector, driven largely by improved gas supply and better coordination among critical stakeholders,” he said.

Tunji also said that the strong correlation between gas availability and generation output underscores the importance of sustained interventions in the gas-to-power value chain, given Nigeria’s heavy reliance on thermal power plants.

”To consolidate the gains recorded so far, the minister recently inaugurated a Gas-to-Power Monitoring Committee to ensure improved coordination, real-time monitoring, and sustained gas supply to generating companies.

“The committee is expected to address bottlenecks in gas delivery, enhance synergy between gas producers and power generation companies, and ultimately guarantee a more stable and reliable electricity supply across the country,”he said.

“The minister remains committed to ensuring that the modest gains recorded are not only sustained but significantly improved upon in the coming weeks,” he said.

Tunji assured Nigerians that ongoing reforms and targeted interventions in the sector would continue to yield measurable improvements in power generation and supply, in line with the administration’s broader objective of stabilising the nation’s electricity sector.

“ We are not there yet, but we will continue to ensure measurable improvements,”he said.

Tunji also said that the minister urged the new management of the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) to focus on improving its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The minister spoke during the visit of the newly appointed Managing Director of the agency, Mr Olusegun Adesayo and the chairman of the Board, Ikechi Nwosu to his office at the weekend.

Adelabu said that the agency should focus on improving IGR while reducing dependence on appropriation especially in funding their operational cost.

.He also urged the management to look into establishing more meter testing centres across the country in order to enhance and improve on their role.

While expressing confidence in the new management, he assured that the full board would be inaugurated soon.

“I have no doubt about your ability and I can also say that with your appointment by the president, you will do well. The President knows what he is doing by appointing you and any appointee of the president will have my full cooperation,”he said.

Decrying the dearth of manpower especially meter installers, the minister again reiterated his call for collaboration between the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) and NEMSA to tackle the issue.

“ We need to ensure more installers are trained in order to accelerate the government’s plan to bridge the meter gap in the country,”he said.

On meter testing stations, he said that there should be plan towards having them in each of the geo-political zones.

He urged Adesayo to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis of the agency and list the challenges in order to know where to start from.

Earlier, the Managing Director my informed the minister of his visit to the other agencies to get their support.

He also spoke on the required support from the ministry in order to ensure the successful discharge of the agency ‘s responsibilities.

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