Nigeria has recorded a notable improvement in global higher education standings, with 24 of its universities making the prestigious 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.

According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the increased representation underscores early positive outcomes from the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI). Public universities particularly drove the country’s gains across key performance areas, including teaching, research, innovation, and governance.

The University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos continue to rank among the nation’s top performers, while Bayero University Kano has emerged as one of the country’s strongest institutions in the latest global assessment.

The ministry noted that Nigeria’s presence on the list grew from 21 universities in both 2024 and 2025 to 24 in 2026. This positions Nigeria as the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa on the THE World University Rankings.

The development is being viewed as a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its tertiary education system and enhance its competitiveness on the global stage.

The Lagos State Government has announced the immediate demolition of all buildings marked as distressed in the vicinity of the collapsed three-storey building at Alakija, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed.

The Governor’s position was made known on Friday during an on-site assessment of the tragic incident. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, who represented Governor Sanwo-Olu at the scene, expressed deep sympathy to the families of the victims and commended emergency responders for their swift and professional intervention.

According to the Commissioner, 27 people were rescued alive from the rubble while nine persons lost their lives. The search and rescue operation continued throughout the night, involving multiple agencies including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Police, and other security and emergency units.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu is deeply saddened by this incident and has sent his heartfelt condolences to the affected families,” Omotoso said.

He added that the collapsed building had earlier been marked as structurally distressed, with occupants directed to vacate the premises, but the directive was allegedly ignored.

“All other buildings already marked as unsafe within the area will be demolished to prevent similar tragedies and safeguard the lives of residents,” the Commissioner stated.

Omotoso further disclosed that the owner of the collapsed building will be prosecuted, while anyone found to have violated building regulations or frustrated enforcement efforts will face appropriate legal action.

The Commissioner strongly condemned the construction of buildings under high-tension electricity lines, describing the practice as “dangerous” and “suicidal.”

“You cannot build under high-tension power lines. It is dangerous and unacceptable in any civilized society. It shows disregard for the law, and the government will not tolerate that,” he said.

The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, while survivors are receiving treatment in various hospitals. The government urged residents living in buildings around the scene to relocate immediately for their safety.

LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, and Special Duties Commissioner, Gbenga Oyerinde, who were also at the scene, joined in commending all first responders and security personnel for their tireless efforts in evacuating survivors.

The state government reiterated that the protection of lives remains its topmost priority and called on residents to always comply with safety directives and building regulations.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment delivered on December 10, 2025, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Isah Dashen held that all parties with a direct interest in the matter must be given a fair hearing before any substantive decision is reached, in line with the principles of natural justice.

The judge ruled that the application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), an interested party in the suit, had merit, noting that the party successfully established its legal interest in the case.

Justice Dashen held that the earlier proceedings were constitutionally defective because the interested party was not heard.

He declared the previous judgment a nullity and ordered that the status quo be restored pending the hearing of the substantive suit.

The court further observed that material facts were suppressed during the proceedings that led to the December 2025 judgment, making it necessary to set aside the earlier ruling.

Justice Dashen consequently ordered that the substantive suit commence afresh, with INEC, the Peace Movement Party (PMP), and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) joined as parties in the case.