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JUST IN: FG opposes N/Assembly’s proposals for 200 new varsities
The federal government has expressed opposition to the proposals by the National Assembly for creation of nearly 200 new universities in the country.
It said with almost 200 bills in the National Assembly for establishment of new universities, there is a growing concern that the system is becoming overwhelmed.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, stated this in Abuja yesterday during the third edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing.
The country currently has 278 universities, 64 of which are federal; 67, state; and 147, private.
The government had, last month, announced a one-year moratorium on the establishment of new private universities “to enhance the quality and sustainability of private universities, ensuring that only institutions with the necessary financial and academic capacity are granted licenses.”
The minister yesterday emphasised that strengthening the capacities of the existing universities is more important than establishing new ones.
He said: “They (lawmakers) are passing a lot of bills. Today, I can tell you that there are almost 200 bills in the National Assembly. We can’t continue like this.
Even though we have a lot of them, the capacity for a university to admit is not there. What we need to do now is to rebuild the capacities so that we can offer more viable courses to our citizens.
“We need to stop this (the 200 bills for new universities) from happening. There is so much pressure on the president. We have to, at least, be sensitive to it as well.
“I understand the sentiment of our legislators. They want to show that they are working. We know they are working. But then, we have enough assets, we have enough opportunities out there for students to go to universities.
“What we now need to do is to begin to mobilise more resources to develop infrastructures, build engineering workshops, build laboratories in these universities, recruit international standard teachers, so that we can begin to get these universities to develop, to deliver high quality of education that will be known for as a country.
“Today, if you care to know, we have 64 federal universities, 67 state universities and 147 private universities.
If you look at the entire enrolment together, the private universities account for just 7.5% of total undergraduate enrolment.
I will tell you the meaning of the number. The total number of undergraduate enrolments today is just about 875,000, which is, at least, fairly low.
“We have universities with less than 1,000 undergraduate students, and there is this intense demand for more universities to be opened. We have to stop that.”
however, it is not only the legislators that are obsessed with pushing for the establishing of universities as constituency project or for status symbol.
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JUST IN: Nigeria Police Force Removes Benjamin Hundeyin as Force PRO
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has relieved Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Hundeyin of his duties as Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), effective Thursday, March 5, 2026.
The removal comes exactly six months after Hundeyin assumed the high-profile national spokesperson role in September 2025.
He was appointed by then-Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun as a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), succeeding DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and was later promoted to ACP during his tenure in recognition of his performance in police communications and public engagement.
The decision, approved by the current Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, follows closely on the heels of Disu’s recent assumption of leadership.
Multiple reports indicate the move is part of a broader administrative shake-up and routine restructuring common during transitions to new IGP leadership, aimed at aligning key positions with the incoming administration’s priorities.
A senior police source confirmed the development, stating, “The Force Public Relations Officer has been removed this morning.” Details surrounding the exact reasons remain unclear, with no official statement from the NPF headquarters specifying whether the change is punitive or purely administrative.
Sources familiar with police protocols note that such redeployments often occur to refresh communications strategies and ensure alignment with new leadership directives focused on professionalism, accountability, and public trust.
Hundeyin, previously the Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Police Command, was widely regarded for his effective media handling and efforts to enhance the police’s public image. His short but impactful stint as FPRO included handling national security communications during various incidents.
As of now, the identity of Hundeyin’s successor has not been officially announced, though speculation points to an imminent appointment to maintain continuity in the force’s public-facing operations amid heightened national security demands.
This development aligns with recent senior-level adjustments in the NPF, including retirements and promotions tied to the leadership change. The force continues its transition under Acting IGP Disu, emphasizing operational stability and reforms in policing.
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JUST IN: DIG Frank Mba Retires from Nigeria Police Force
Mba’s retirement comes after 34 Years of Service, alongside other Senior Officers; seven AIGs Poised for Promotion
Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Frank Mba, a prominent figure in the Nigeria Police Force known for his roles as a three-time national spokesman and his contributions to training and public engagement, has retired after a distinguished 34-year career.
The retirement follows the recent appointment of Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Olatunji (Tunji) Disu as the new Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In line with longstanding traditions and protocols within the Nigeria Police Force, the elevation of a junior officer to the top position typically necessitates the retirement of senior officers, including DIGs, to maintain the force’s strict hierarchy, seniority structure, and operational stability.
DIG Mba, who joined the force on May 18, 1992—the same enlistment date as the new Acting IGP Disu—had served with notable professionalism, integrity, and reform-minded dedication. Civil society groups, including the Civic Alliance for Security Accountability (CASA), have lauded him as a “scholar-practitioner” whose career set a benchmark for ethical policing and effective communication.
Mba’s service included a UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia (2006–2007), where he earned a UN Medal, and various strategic roles across investigations, operations, and administration.
His statutory retirement was originally projected for April 2027 after completing 35 years of service, but the leadership transition accelerated his exit.
Tributes from colleagues and observers highlight his charisma, composure, exceptional public relations skills, and ability to humanize the police image, inspiring many young Nigerians to view the profession positively.
The transition has broader implications for the force’s senior ranks. Reports indicate that multiple DIGs (potentially up to eight, including Mba) have been affected by the customary retirements tied to the new IGP’s appointment.
Meanwhile, the shake-up is expected to open opportunities for promotions, with at least seven Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs) set to advance to fill the resulting vacancies at the DIG level and support the restructuring of the force’s leadership.
This development comes amid discussions on police hierarchy conventions, federal character considerations in promotions, and the need to preserve institutional knowledge during transitions.
President Tinubu’s administration has reportedly intervened to moderate the scale of retirements, avoiding a mass exit of around 30 senior officers as initially anticipated in some internal projections.
The Nigeria Police Force continues its leadership transition under Acting IGP Disu, with focus on maintaining stability and effectiveness in national security duties.
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BREAKING: Kano House of Assembly Commences Impeachment Process Against Deputy Governor
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo (also referred to as Abdulsalam Aminu Gwarzo).
The move, announced during plenary on Thursday, March 5, 2026, follows allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, breach of public trust, and financial impropriety.
These reportedly include claims of receiving kickbacks from the state’s 44 local government councils during his earlier tenure as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs between 2023 and 2024, with some reports citing sums exceeding ₦1.6 billion.
Majority Leader Lawan Hussaini Dala presented and read the impeachment notice on the floor of the House, in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which governs the removal of a governor or deputy governor for gross misconduct.
The Speaker, Ismail Falgore, confirmed that the notice has been formally served on the deputy governor, granting him a two-week period to respond to the allegations before further steps are taken.
This development comes amid political tensions in the state, where the deputy governor has remained in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and has not aligned with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s recent move to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reports indicate he has been absent from government house activities and interactions with the governor.
The Assembly has emphasized that the process will follow constitutional procedures, and the deputy governor has the opportunity to defend himself against the charges.
BELOW ARE THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE KANO STATE DEPUTY GOVERNOR:
The petition lists the following allegations:Breach of Public Trust: Abdulsalam is accused of diverting funds meant for local government administrations for personal gain. Between June 2023 and January 2024, he allegedly received kickbacks totaling ₦462 million over seven months.
Diversion of Funds and Misuse of Official Capacity: From February 2024 to July 2024, he reportedly received ₦726 million from local government councils under the guise of executing special assignments.
Abuse of Office: Abdulsalam allegedly facilitated the improper release of ₦440 million to North Med Pharmaceutical Limited, in violation of public procurement laws and state fiscal regulations.
Gross Misconduct: These actions are said to constitute gross misconduct under Section 188(2) of the Constitution, representing serious breaches of constitutional norms and ethical standards for public office holders.
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