• Photo: Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd), and Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence, Mr Joseph Assomo, after signing the MoU. Credit: MOD

Nigeria and Cameroon on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defence cooperation, in Yaoundé .

The defence pact focuses on securing their shared southern border and strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), and Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Mr Joseph Assomo, following two days of deliberations by defence and security experts from both countries

According to a statement on Wednesday by Musa’s media aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the MoU establishes a framework for cooperation across terrestrial and maritime domains and covers intelligence sharing, operational coordination, logistics support, joint military training, personnel exchange programmes, and collective response mechanisms to emerging security threats.

Key areas highlighted during the engagements included enhanced operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support, joint military training, personnel exchange programmes, and strengthened mechanisms for collective response to emerging security challenges.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced that candidates can now print their 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination original result slips within two hours of issuance.

This was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement issued by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin.

According to the statement, the original result slips contain candidates’ photographs, national ranking, and other security features required for post-UTME screening and admission processes in tertiary institutions.

“The 2026 UTME Original Result Slip will be available for printing within the next two hours today, Wednesday, 17th June, 2026,” the statement read.

“Candidates can conveniently print their Original Result Slip from any internet-enabled device, whether at home, in the office, or at accredited business centres.”

JAMB urged candidates to ensure they carefully review their details after printing and keep copies for future admission-related use.

The Federal Government has firmly rejected recent media reports and public speculation suggesting that new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products are being planned or have been adopted following the release of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Article IV Consultation Report on Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the government described the claims as inaccurate and misleading, stressing that they do not reflect its official position.

“The Federal Government is not considering the introduction of any new taxes on telecommunications services or petroleum products,” the statement read.

The government clarified that the IMF report contains only the Fund’s assessments and policy recommendations, which are not binding on Nigeria. Policy decisions, it emphasised, are made through Nigeria’s constitutional, legislative, and institutional processes, guided by national priorities and economic realities.

On petroleum products, the statement confirmed that the current Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver on fuel remains fully in effect and has not been withdrawn. It added that implementing the fuel surcharge provided for in existing law would require a specific ministerial order and publication in the Official Gazette — steps that are not being contemplated at this time.

The suspended taxes, according to the government, have helped keep domestic fuel prices below international averages and those in neighbouring countries, providing relief to Nigerian households and businesses amid global energy market volatility.

Regarding telecommunications, the government noted that the excise duty introduced before 2023 has already been repealed under the new tax laws and is no longer applicable.

The public, media organisations, businesses, and other stakeholders have been advised to disregard any reports claiming the government intends to introduce these new taxes.

The statement reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a transparent, growth-oriented tax policy framework focused on improving revenue administration, expanding economic activity, eliminating inefficiencies, and fostering a competitive environment for investment and job creation.

“Any future tax policy changes, where necessary, will be communicated through official channels and implemented strictly in accordance with the law and due process,” it added.

The statement was signed by Maryann Duke, Senior Special Assistant on Communications & Press Secretary to the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.