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FG Allocates N19bn For N-Power Training And Additional Programs
The Nigerian Federal Government has approved a whopping sum of N19.24bn to cover several projects across the country, including the training of 50,000 non-graduate N-power beneficiaries, and the installation of taxiway lighting systems at the airports in Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Abuja.
The announcement was made by the Ministers of Humanitarian Affairs, Aviation, Education, and Water Resources Sadiya Umar Farouq, during an extraordinary meeting of the Federal Executive Council chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House, Abuja.
The sum also includes consultancy services for the Dadin Kowa 40MW power project in Gombe State and the furnishing of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s 10-storey headquarters in Lagos.
Prior to this, the FG had in March 2023 approved the engagement of four of its agencies to train 50,000 Non-Graduate N-Power beneficiaries for nine months. They include the National Institute of Transport Technology, Industrial Training Fund, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism and the Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute.
Farouk said “The other memo is submitted, which is to seek Council’s approval for the engagement of four federal agencies for the training of the non-graduates N-Power beneficiaries. This is in the total sum of N14.21bn with 7.5% as VAT.”
She added that the life skills acquisition programme had been on since the inception of the N-Power programme in 2016 as the third batch begin training soon.
“We’re now in Batch C of that programme. And we have received a report from these agencies of what we have done thus far and we are very satisfied with them. We have engaged them again and this is what we brought to the Council for approval and it graciously approved,” said the Minister.
Farouk added that the council approved a policy on the homegrown school feeding programme. An initiative she said has reduced the number out-of-school children nationwide.
Although silent about the actual figures, she expressed hope that Nigeria’s out-of-school population would be drastically reduced by 2030.
“One memo we presented today is a policy on the national home-grown school feeding programme which is a food-based and cost effective programme widely used around the world.
“This is under the national social investment programme. It is an important aspect of that programme because it seeks to address issues of education, health, social protection and agriculture.
“It also seeks to address the issue of out-of-school children. Recall that this programme feeds primary one, two and three pupils in schools daily and in fact, we have witnessed significant school enrollment nationwide,” Farouk explained.
She said the programme has provided significant socio-economic relief to poor and vulnerable households, encouraging them to allow their children to attend school.
‘So this policy is the guiding document that is supposed to guide the activities and enhance this program delivery for a period of time. Hopefully, between now and 2030 we should be able to get all our children that are out of school back to school,” she said.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, revealed that the council approved the full business case for the establishment of an aviation leasing company and the sum of N3.05bn for taxiway lighting and other equipment for airports nationwide.
Sirika said, “So today in council, something very significant has happened in the world of civil aviation, part of our roadmap. The Aviation Leasing Company has been established and approved by council.
“Therefore, entrepreneurs and civil aviation will have access to lease equipment at affordable rates and within Nigeria.
“A second memo was for the award of contract for the procurement and installation of taxi lighting system and photometric pattern for Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja airports and some other equipment all over the country.”
He explained that the contract sum for the photometric and taxi lighting system for the airports amounts to N3.05bn with seven and half per cent VAT and to be completed by MSSRS KSR3 Global Nigeria Limited within 12 months.
On his part, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, said the FG approved the sum of N605m as a five-year consultancy fee to supervise the concession of the Dadinkowa 40MW hydropower project.
The independent consultant is appointed to supervise the facility’s operations and income generation.
“It is for the first five years, renewable every five years for a total of 25 years. The amount is N605m for the first five years and then subsequently, based on performance of the consultant, it can be renewed.”
The council also approved another memo to regularise an ongoing lease arrangement with a concessionaire under the auspices of the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority.
The approval extends the initial 10-year lease period of lands to farmers in the River Basin and Gurara, Niger State, to 25 years.
The Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye, revealed that the council approved N1.3bn as furniture costs for the newly-acquired 10-storey building to house the headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency in Victoria Island, Lagos.
It also approved Nigeria’s implementation of six international maritime organizations’ conventions, treaties and protocols. Adegoroye said although Nigeria had been a signatory to the six treaties, it was yet to fully implement them.
“The FEC approved that memo and also directed the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to present the treaties conventions, all six of them before Mr. President for eventual execution,” he explained.
Also speaking was the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who revealed that the FG approved the establishment 37 new private universities nationwide.
Monday’s approval brings the total number of universities approved for establishment under the Buhari-led government to 72. They include, 14 Federal Universities, 21State Universities and 37 Private Universities from 2015 to date.
Adamu who declined mentioning the names of the newly-approved higher institutions of learning only revealed that one of the 37 was an online university operated by a female Chancellor from Bauchi State.
“One of the universities is an online university by a woman from Bauchi State and this is significant in the sense that we always want to have our women coming forward in education,” he said.
When questioned about the FG’s move to establish more universities despite the ailing public university structure nationwide, Adamu argued that the country needs more universities to school its swelling youth population.
Adamu argued, “As far as I’m concerned, we need more universities. We are still under-University. And if there are universities that are underfunded, they should be funded. It shouldn’t affect new universities that are been established.
“In any case, this one is by the private sector. And I assure you that the regulatory process is such that they will not be established unless they are fully ready for it.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for an upward review of the national minimum wage, declaring that the current ₦70,000 salary can no longer meet the needs of Nigerian workers due to rising inflation and the increasing cost of living.
The demand was made on Friday at the Nigeria Rights of Workers Summit 2026 in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, where labour leaders, government officials, employers, civil society organisations and workers gathered to commemorate 88 years of legally recognised trade unionism in Nigeria.
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Speaking on behalf of NLC President Joe Ajaero, the Deputy President of the Congress, Adewale Adeyanju (Amba), said the purchasing power of the current minimum wage has been severely eroded by prevailing economic realities.
“The current ₦70,000 minimum wage can no longer adequately respond to the realities confronting Nigerian workers, particularly with the rising cost of living,” Adeyanju said.
He noted that the existing wage arrangement has expired, making fresh negotiations with the Federal Government and state governments necessary.
According to him, labour expects a new wage structure that reflects current economic conditions and enables workers to meet their basic needs.
The summit, themed “The Rights of Workers: Decent Work and a Just Economy in Nigeria,” focused on workers’ remuneration, workplace safety, job security, discrimination, and the protection of casual and other non-traditional workers across the country.
Convener of the summit and Executive Director of Call a Lawyer, Ekpa Stanley, said the gathering was aimed at assessing the progress made in advancing workers’ rights while identifying areas requiring urgent attention.
“This summit is not only about celebrating 88 years of trade unionism; it is also an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved, the challenges that remain, and what must be done to guarantee decent work for Nigerian workers,” he said.
Former NLC President Ayuba Wabba stressed that improving workers’ welfare should go beyond increasing salaries.
“Decent work is not only about wages. It is also about workers’ rights, social protection and meaningful social dialogue between workers, employers and government,” Wabba stated.
He urged policymakers to implement measures that guarantee workers’ dignity, strengthen social protection and improve job security amid the nation’s economic challenges.
Meanwhile, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris assured workers that his administration would implement any new national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
“Whatever is agreed upon at the national level on the minimum wage, Kebbi State will implement it,” the governor said.
He also pledged to advocate improved remuneration for workers during deliberations at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
Participants at the summit further called for stricter enforcement of labour laws, improved workplace safety, stronger protection against discrimination and greater support for workers in the informal sector.
The event concluded with goodwill messages from labour leaders, affiliate unions and representatives of the National Industrial Court, while awards were presented to individuals, including Governor Idris, in recognition of their contributions to workers’ welfare.
Anambra State First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has emerged as the winner of the Health Activism category at the 2026 BudgIT Active Citizens Awards, beating other leading health advocates to clinch the prestigious national recognition.
The award, now in its third edition, celebrates individuals and organisations making exceptional contributions to civic engagement, social development, accountability and sustainable development across Nigeria.
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Dr. Soludo earned the honour for her outstanding work in promoting preventive healthcare, community wellness and public health advocacy through her Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving the health of communities across Anambra State.
She was selected ahead of renowned Nigerian health and gender rights advocate Ramatu Ada Ochekliye and public health and social impact professional Sidney Sampson following a rigorous evaluation process.
Nominees were assessed on innovation, impact, sustainability, inclusion, leadership and measurable community outcomes.
Receiving the award, the First Lady described the recognition as both humbling and a renewed call to deepen her commitment to public service.
“Like a family driven by one common goal, we have shown that when communities take ownership of their health, lasting transformation becomes very possible,” she said.
She dedicated the award to members of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, healthcare workers, volunteers, community leaders, development partners and residents of Anambra State for embracing the vision of healthier living.
Dr. Soludo also expressed gratitude to BudgIT, Civic Hive and the Ford Foundation for the recognition, noting that it would inspire the initiative to expand its programmes and continue promoting healthier communities across the state.
In a statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor’s Wife, Daniel Ezeigwe, said the award reflects growing national recognition of the impact of Dr. Soludo’s healthy living campaign, describing it as a model for advancing preventive healthcare and healthy lifestyles.
According to Ezeigwe, the First Lady has championed several people-centred initiatives since assuming office.
These include statewide fitness campaigns, maternal and child health advocacy, nutrition education, environmental sanitation, the Healthy Living Pad Bank for schoolgirls, free seed distribution to households and the Nonye’s Healthy Living Pap Initiative, which is aimed at tackling childhood malnutrition.
“These programmes have touched thousands of lives while reinforcing the importance of prevention as the foundation of a healthier society,” Ezeigwe said.
He added that the latest recognition underscores Dr. Soludo’s unwavering commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Anambra residents while contributing to Nigeria’s broader public health development.
Four people were injured after a petrol tanker carrying approximately 60,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) burst into flames while offloading fuel at AYM Shafa Filling Station in Area 3, Garki, Abuja, on Thursday night.
The filling station, located beside the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) office along Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti Way, witnessed panic as the fire spread to part of the adjoining three-storey FCT-IRS building before emergency responders brought the situation under control.
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The Federal Fire Service (FFS), in a statement issued on Friday by its National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services, DCF Paul Abraham, confirmed that the blaze was successfully extinguished through a coordinated emergency response involving multiple firefighting appliances, medium water jets and foam compound.
According to the statement, the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, personally led the operation as Incident Commander and remained at the scene until the early hours of Friday to ensure the fire had been completely extinguished.
The Fire Service disclosed that the four injured victims, all adult males, were evacuated by a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) ambulance to a nearby hospital, where they received treatment and were later discharged.
Following a thorough inspection of the site, officials confirmed there were no further fire outbreaks or additional casualties, while all emergency personnel and equipment safely returned to their respective stations after the operation.
The FFS commended residents, motorists and members of the public for cooperating with safety directives throughout the emergency.
It also acknowledged the support of sister agencies, including the FCT Fire Service, NEMA, the Nigeria Police Force, and other emergency responders for their swift intervention.
The agency further announced that an investigation has commenced to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of the incident in a bid to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“The Federal Fire Service remains committed to safeguarding lives, property and critical national assets through prompt, professional and coordinated emergency response,” the statement added.
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