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National Assembly to unveil authentic ministerial list today – Akpabio’s aide

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A media aide to the Senate President, Jackson Akpabio, has stated that the authentic ministerial list of President Bola Tinubu will be unveiled today.

He further urged Nigerians to stop speculating and wait for the unveiling of the nominees.

Commenting on the list, he said, “I saw the list too just like every other person did, let’s wait till tomorrow (today). Don’t speculate, tomorrow (today), you’ll see the list.”

Also, there were speculations over the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau’s early departure from the Senate building on Wednesday.

But Jackson clarified that Akpabio was within the National Assembly complex on an inspection of a building site.

He said, “The Senate president’s outing this evening has nothing to do with the ministerial list, he went to inspect a church site within the complex.”

The long wait for the ministerial nominees will end on Thursday (today) as the Senate is expected to unveil the list of ministers during today’s plenary which is the constitutional deadline for the nomination.

This is as a viral list of ministers which surfaced on social media on Wednesday generated confusion across the country.

There has been anxiety over the delay in the release of the ministerial list by President Bola Tinubu.

Many Nigerians have expressed concerns over the delayed formation of the president’s cabinet, particularly given Tinubu’s promise that he would hit the ground running.

In a statement on March 16, Tinubu pledged to set up a “government of national competence.’’

The Fifth Amendment to the 1999 Constitution mandates the president and governors to submit the names of their ministerial and commissioner-nominees within 60 days of taking the oath of office for confirmation by the Senate or state House of Assembly.

 Tinubu, who was sworn in as president on May 29, has to submit his ministerial list to the Senate on July 28 (today) as stipulated by law.

Section 42 of the constitution states that “(a) the nomination of any person to the office of a minister for confirmation by the Senate shall be done within 60 days after the date the President has taken the oath of office; (b) not less than 10 per cent of persons appointed as Ministers shall be women:

“Provided that the President may appoint a minister at any other time during his tenure and such appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.”

The constitution further said that the president shall appoint at least a minister from each of the 36 states of the federation.

In the past weeks, there had been speculations about those who would make the ministerial list with several names popping up on social media.

The viral list which circulated on Wednesday included the names of popular politicians, including former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; Sen. Aishatu Dahiru popularly known as Binani (Adamawa State); Sen. Andy Uba (Anambra); Alhaji Isa Yuguda (Bauchi State); Sen. Abubakar Kyari ( Borno State) and former Cross River governor Sen. Ben Ayade.

Other names on the controversial list are Peter Godsday Orubebe (Delta State); Dayo Adeyeye (Ekiti State); Ifeanyi Ugwanyi ( Enugu State) Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso( Kano State);  Atiku Bagudu ( Kebbi State); James Faleke (Kogi State); Gbemisola Saraki ( Kwara State); Sen. Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa State).

Also on the list are former Speaker, of the House of Representatives, Oladimeji Bankole (Ogun State); ex-Osun Governor Gboyega Oyetola and former Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong.

Those in the assumed list include:

Pate, a Harvard professor of medicine, is a former Minister of State (Health) in the defunct Jonathan Administration. A source said he is likely to hold the Health portfolio.

Wike, lawyer, former Minister of State for Education, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, was the leader of the aggrieved G-5, which opposed the presidential ambition of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

El-Rufai, a former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), headed the APC Panel on Restructuring. According to the source, he may be assigned to the Power Ministry.

Fagbemi, who hails from Ijagbo, Kwara State, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Edun, one-time Lagos Finance Commissioner, is currently Special Adviser to the President on Monetary Policy.

Oyetola, a financial expert, was governor of Osun State between 2018 and 2022.

The APC Women Leader, Dr. Edu, is a former Health Commissioner in Cross Rivers State.

Ayade, a professor of microbiology, has served as Senator before he became governor.

The nominee from Oyo State, Adelabu, retired as Central Bank Deputy Governor. In the last general election, he contested for governor on the platform of the Accord Party.

During his 60th birthday in Abuja two days ago, Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele hinted that the President would forward the list to the Senate in the next 48 hours.

He told dignitaries at the occasion that President Tinubu, who was expected as the father of the day, could not attend the ceremony because he was busy drawing up the list.

Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central District in the Senate, also said President Tinubu has not attended any public event since Monday because he was putting the finishing touches to the list.

The Senate Leader urged Nigerians to pray for the President over the task.

Also, last week, the Senate postponed its recess to enable senators to receive the list and screen the nominees.

According to the source, the screening of nominees is likely to be held next week.

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NAFDAC : Fake Cowbell Milk in circulation

Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) advises Nigerians to be vigilant and avoid purchasing counterfeit 12g Cowbell “Our Milk” sachets circulating across the country.

In a statement issued on Friday, the agency explained that the counterfeit product imitates the discontinued Cowbell “Our Milk” packaging, which Promasidor Nigeria Ltd stopped producing in September 2023.

The legitimate product was replaced with Cowbell “Our Creamy Goodness.”

The fake sachets unlawfully bear the Cowbell brand name, NAFDAC registration number and packaging design, despite not being manufactured or distributed by Promasidor.

The counterfeit products currently in circulation are imitations of the discontinued ‘Our Milk’ packaging and are not manufactured or distributed by Promasidor,” the agency stated.

“They bear unauthorised use of the brand name, NAFDAC Registration Number, and packaging design.”

The regulator raised concerns over the health risks posed by the counterfeit product.

“Risk Statement: Consumption of counterfeit milk poses serious health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, unapproved additives, or diluted ingredients.

Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.

Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable,” NAFDAC warned.

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Japan designates the city of Kisarazu for Nigerians to live and work

Through this arrangement, we aim to strengthen exchanges and create a foundation for manpower development that will contribute to economic growth in both Japan and Nigeria,” said Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan.

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The Japanese government has designated the city of Kisarazu as the official “hometown” for Nigerians seeking to live and work in Japan

Japan also unveiled similar hometown designations for Tanzania, Ghana, and Mozambique in Nagai, Sanjo, and Imabari, respectively.

The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9), a move aimed at deepening cultural diplomacy, promoting economic growth, and enhancing workforce productivity.

Under the new arrangement, the Japanese government will introduce a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented Nigerian youth. Artisans and other blue-collar workers willing to upskill will also be eligible to live and work in Kisarazu under the special visa dispensation.

“Through this arrangement, we aim to strengthen exchanges and create a foundation for manpower development that will contribute to economic growth in both Japan and Nigeria,” said Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan.

The designation of Kisarazu builds on historical ties between Nigeria and the city.

The Nigerian Olympic contingent trained in Kisarazu during preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where athletes acclimatised before moving to the Olympic Village.

Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe of Kisarazu, who received the certificate from the Japanese government alongside Mrs. Adeseke, expressed optimism that the initiative would boost the city’s population and contribute to regional revitalisation efforts.

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BREAKING: FG, state, local governments share N2.001trn July revenue

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The three tiers of government—federal, state, and local—shared a total of N2.001 trillion from the Federation Account as revenue for the month of July 2025, according to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The allocation was made during the FAAC meeting held in August 2025 in Abuja, with details released in an official communiqué.

The distributable revenue included:

  • N1.282 trillion in statutory revenue
  • N640.610 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT)
  • N37.601 billion from Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL)
  • N39.745 billion from exchange rate difference

Out of the total distributed funds:

  • The Federal Government received N735.081 billion
  • State Governments received N660.349 billion
  • Local Government Councils received N485.039 billion
  • N120.359 billion was shared to oil-producing states as 13% derivation revenue

Revenue Breakdown:

Statutory Revenue (N1.282 trillion):

  • FG: N613.805 billion
  • States: N311.330 billion
  • LGs: N240.023 billion
  • 13% Derivation: N117.714 billion

VAT (N640.610 billion):

  • FG: N96.092 billion
  • States: N320.305 billion
  • LGs: N224.214 billion

EMTL (N37.601 billion):

  • FG: N5.640 billion
  • States: N18.801 billion
  • LGs: N13.160 billion

Exchange Gains (N39.745 billion):

  • FG: N19.544 billion
  • States: N9.913 billion
  • LGs: N7.643 billion
  • 13% Derivation: N2.643 billion

The total gross revenue for July was N3.836 trillion, down from N3.485 trillion in June. Cost of collection deductions amounted to N152.681 billion, while N1.683 trillion was allocated for transfers, refunds, savings, and interventions.

FAAC noted improved collections from Petroleum Profit Tax, Oil and Gas Royalties, EMTL, and Excise Duties, while Companies Income Tax and CET Levies declined slightly. VAT and Import Duties saw marginal growth.

The committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency in the allocation of national revenues across all levels of government.

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