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The Federal Government has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all students sitting for their O’Level examinations.
This clarification was made in a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade.
According to the statement, the ministry emphasized that the recently introduced policy on tertiary admission requirements does not exempt any student from registering or sitting for the two core subjects.
It reads: “The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that all students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations. The new policy does not exempt any candidate from these core subjects but rather introduces a more inclusive and flexible approach to tertiary admission requirements.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, explained that the reform promotes fairness and inclusiveness in tertiary education by ensuring that capable students are not denied admission due to deficiencies in non-core subjects.
“The streamlining of O-Level admission guidelines aims to modernize Nigeria’s education system and align it with global best practices. It allows institutions to admit candidates into specific programmes where credit passes in either English or Mathematics may not be compulsory, while still mandating that all students register and sit for both subjects.
“This reform supports the Federal Government’s vision of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, broadening academic pathways and recognizing diverse strengths among learners.
“English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning. The adjustment affects only admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects.
“The Ministry urges students, parents, and stakeholders to rely solely on official communication channels for verified policy updates.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, has returned to the country after reports last week indicated that he was indisposed.
Edun was sighted on Sunday afternoon at Fraser Suites in Abuja, where he attended an official meeting with a delegation from Qatar.
The United States Embassy in Abuja has issued a security alert to its citizens ahead of the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled to hold on Monday, October 20, 2025, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement released on its official website on Friday, the Embassy warned that the demonstration could lead to traffic disruptions, roadblocks, and potential violence in parts of the city.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja informs U.S. citizens that the Free Nnamdi Kanu Now protest has called for peaceful demonstrations on Monday, October 20th, 2025, in Abuja,” the statement read.
“There may be roadblocks, traffic congestion, and confrontations between police and protestors that could turn violent around Eagle Square and the Central Business District. The Embassy advises all U.S. citizens to avoid this area and to severely limit all movement throughout the city on Monday, October 20th,” it added.
The Embassy further advised that children remain at home and that domestic staff commuting from outside Abuja should also stay away from work on the protest day.
“The Embassy recommends children in Abuja stay home from school and domestic staff who travel from outside of Abuja to stay home as well,” the statement emphasized.
It also urged all American citizens in Nigeria to exercise heightened security precautions and remain vigilant.
The planned protest was announced earlier by activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who revealed on his X (formerly Twitter) account that the demonstration would take place on October 20 and be directed toward the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
Sowore described the protest as a “historic and peaceful” action aimed at demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu, who is currently facing terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja, has been in detention since June 2021 following his controversial extradition from Kenya.
Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has described Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as the “biggest threat” to the growth of the Naira, accusing him of undermining local production through large-scale importation.
Omokri made the claim in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, alleging that Obi’s business activities contradict Nigeria’s economic agenda of promoting local manufacturing.
“As the single biggest individual importer, Peter Obi is the biggest threat to #GrowNairaBuyNaija,” Omokri wrote. “We cannot move from consumption to production and become a prosumer nation if people like Peter Obi, through his Next stores, do not stop their massive importation of goods that can be easily manufactured locally.”
He further claimed that Obi’s continued importation of consumables such as tomato paste, evaporated milk, cereals, toiletries, and other household products was harmful to Nigerian industries.
“As long as people like Peter Obi keep dumping cheap imported goods on the Nigerian market, domestic manufacturers will strive and not thrive,” he added.
Omokri also suggested that such practices could undermine the 4.3% GDP growth recorded under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, noting that excessive imports hinder the nation’s goal of self-reliance.
“Some of these guys even import toothpicks and toilet paper!” Omokri wrote. “I challenge Peter Obi to move from importing to manufacturing to show that he is fully committed to the economic growth of Nigeria.”
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has released new guidelines outlining the correct protocol for the rendition and recitation of Nigeria’s National Anthem and Pledge during official and public events.
In a public notice titled “Correct Application of the National Anthem,” the agency urged government institutions, organizations, and citizens to adhere strictly to the updated standards to preserve the dignity and sanctity of national symbols.
According to the NOA, only the first stanza of the National Anthem should be sung or recited at all official events, while the third stanza should be rendered as the National Prayer at the beginning of such events.
The agency further stated that all three stanzas of the anthem are to be sung only on special national occasions, such as:
Independence Day
Presidential Inauguration (Swearing-in)
Armed Forces Remembrance Day
Democracy Day (June 12)
Inauguration of the National Assembly, among others.
Additionally, the National Pledge should be recited at the end of an event, marking the official close of proceedings.
The NOA emphasized that these measures are designed to promote respect, unity, and national pride, aligning with its mandate of “building a people of positive values and national pride.”
Chelsea handed Nottingham Forest a crushing 3–0 defeat at the City Ground on Saturday, a result that cost manager Ange Postecoglou his job just 19 minutes after the final whistle.
Postecoglou, 60, was dismissed only 39 days into his tenure, having failed to win any of his eight matches since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo last month. His brief and turbulent spell now stands as one of the shortest managerial reigns in Premier League history.
Despite Forest dominating the first half, the home side squandered several clear chances. Striker Taiwo Awoniyi — making his first start since recovering from a serious abdominal injury last season — missed an early opportunity, while Morgan Gibbs-White also failed to convert two good chances.
Chelsea, who were without injured midfielders Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández, struggled in the opening half but turned the game around after three decisive substitutions by manager Enzo Maresca, including the introduction of Moisés Caicedo.
Nineteen-year-old defender Josh Acheampong opened the scoring four minutes after the break, heading home Pedro Neto’s cross from close range. Neto doubled Chelsea’s lead moments later with a curling free-kick that beat Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, before captain Reece James sealed the win with a powerful volley following a poor clearance.
Frustration boiled over among home supporters, with chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” echoing around the ground after Postecoglou’s substitution of Callum Hudson-Odoi. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was seen leaving the directors’ box after 66 minutes, signaling growing discontent.
Chelsea defender Malo Gusto was sent off late on for a second yellow card, but the damage was already done. Forest’s missed chances — including efforts from Neco Williams and substitute Igor Jesus, who struck both the post and bar — summed up a disappointing night for the hosts.
Postecoglou departs with a record of six defeats and two draws in eight matches, leaving Forest hovering just above the relegation zone.
Troops of the Nigerian Army 2 Division/Sector 3 Operation FANSAN YAMA, have successfully rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Kwara and Kogi States.
Lt.-Col.Polcarp Okoye, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations,2 Division Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Saturday.
Okoye said the troops have sustained efforts to eliminate bandits and other criminal elements operating in Kwara and neighboring states.
He said that the coordinated operations by troops of 12 Brigade Lokoja and 22 Armoured Brigade Ilorin, led to the rescue of the kidnapped persons on Friday.
According to Okoye, the victims stated that they were abducted from different locations across Kwara and Kogi States.
He said the bandits were forced to release their captives as a result of troops’ intensified offensive against them, noting that some of the victims have been with the kidnappers for over four months,
“The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), and Commander Sector 3 Operation FANSAN YAMA, Major General CR Nnebeife, who has been coordinating the operations ensured they were provided with necessary first aid and other relief items to assist them recover from the torture they had gone through in the hands of their abductors.
“Major General Nnebeife, further sympathized with the victims, reassuring that the Division remained committed to sustaining the ongoing onslaught against all criminal elements,” he said.
Nnebeife assured the public that there would be no hiding place for bandits and other criminals within the division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
Okoye said that the rescued victims have been swiftly evacuated to a military medical facility for medical attention.
He said that most of them were physically weak and could not walk unaided due to extreme exhaustion.
Okoye, however, said the rescued victims were responding to treatment, and would be reunited with their families upon full recovery.
The GOC further appreciated the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for its continuous air support throughout the operations and as well thanked other security agencies for the synergy in tackling the myriad of security challenges in the areas of operations.
The GOC commended efforts of the troops and directed the Brigades to maintain the tempo of the operations towards restoring peace and security across Kwara, Kogi, and adjoining states within 2 Division AOR.(NAN)
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, says the country’s economic reforms are yielding visible results.
Cardoso said this on Friday in Washington DC at the end of the Annual Meetings of the IMF/World Bank.
He said that the reforms were placing the country on the path to stability, inclusiveness, and innovation-driven growth. . According to him, the country’s active participation in the week-long sessions demonstrated the country’s renewed credibility, fiscal discipline, and reform momentum on the global stage.
He said that the Nigerian delegation’s message of policy consistency and macroeconomic reform had been well received by global investors, development partners, and financial institutions.
“This has been an active and forward-looking week for Nigeria.
“Amidst global uncertainty marked by slowing growth and volatile markets, our engagements here reaffirmed that Nigeria is moving in the right direction, towards macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline, and inclusive growth,” he said
The CBN governor said that the engagements reflected a new tone of confidence and constructive partnership.
He said that there was a broad recognition that Nigeria’s reforms were delivering results, adding that Inflation was moderating.
“The exchange rate stabilized, and investor confidence is returning,” he said.
He said that headline inflation fell for the sixth consecutive month in September to 18.02 per cent from 20.12 per cent in August, the lowest in three years.
According to him, core and food inflation also eased during the same period, reflecting the combined effects of disciplined monetary tightening, exchange rate unification, and improved market transparency.
He said that Nigeria’s foreign reserves now exceeded 43bn dollars, providing for 11 months of import cover.
“The naira has continued to strengthen with the gap between official and parallel market exchange rates narrowing to less than two per cent.
“These outcomes have been supported by sustained capital inflows, increased diaspora remittances and renewed investor participation across multiple asset classes,’” he said.
Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), says the security situation in the region has improved significantly following sustained counter-terrorism operations and renewed synergy among security agencies.
He said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Saturday in Maiduguri.
Abubakar said the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) maintained the operational initiative across the theatre, denying terrorists the freedom of movements and access to logistics that once fueled their campaigns of terror.
He said the lingering insecurity in North-East was not an isolated phenomenon rather closely linked to broader regional and global developments, including instability in the Sahel, the Middle East, and the Russia–Ukraine war.
“Since November last year, we have observed an increase in the use of armed drones and radio-controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by the terrorists. These trends are direct consequences of global technological proliferation linked to conflicts elsewhere.
“However, our forces continue to retain the initiative. The goal of the armed forces remains to flush out the terrorists from their remaining strongholds in Sambisa Forest, the Mandara Mountains, the Tumbuns and the Lake Chad Islands (LCI),” he said.
Abubakar highlighted that coordinated operations aimed at achieving this strategic objective was yielding remarkable results.
He said, “in the last two months alone, about 26 key terrorist commanders have been neutralised, with substantial recoveries of arms, ammunition and vehicles. Many insurgent camps have been cleared and destroyed, forcing remnants of the groups into isolated pockets.
“Socio-economic activities have resumed in most areas previously under terrorist influence. Markets have reopened, schools are functioning, and roads that were once unsafe now experience daily movement of goods and people. That is a major milestone for us as a nation.”
The commander said sustained pressure by the Nigerian Army troops had restored confidence among the citizens, leading to increased voluntary returns to ancestral homes under the Borno State Government’s resettlement framework.
While highlighting some of the key achievements of the operations, Abubakar described the strangulation of the terrorists’ logistics strategy as a turning point in the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP.
“By cutting off their supply chains, we have effectively crippled their capacity to sustain prolonged engagements. Several IED-making factories have been discovered and destroyed, and we have recorded tremendous successes in intercepting their logistics convoys,” he said.
Abubakar cited the July 2025 operation in Dikwa, where troops recovered over 50 lethal Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), as an example of how intelligence-led missions disrupted enemy capabilities.
He said the troops neutralised more than 257 terrorists in coordinated ground and air offensives, with many others surrendered along with their families between July and September, 2025.
“The terrorists’ employment of drones has also been curtailed through the deployment of advanced anti-drone technology and improved air dominance made possible by the unwavering support of the Military High Command.
“Recoveries of weapons have increased significantly, and our sustained offensive operations have continued to shrink the battle space for the terrorists,” he said.
Reacting to reports of renewed attacks in some border communities around Kirawa, Abubakar said the incidents were desperate attempts by the terrorists to create fear and attract attention.
“Most of these attacks are confined to remote border settlements, reflecting desperation rather than strength. Kirawa was previously under the security framework of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), but we have now made adequate deployments to strengthen control and forestall further incursions,” Abubakar said.
To stem the attacks, Abubakar said the military command had deployed additional troops and logistics assets to the Kirawa axis, including quick response teams, armoured vehicles and surveillance units to ensure rapid response to any threat.
“OPHK covers about 130,000 square kilometres, so the terrain is vast. But we have improved our deployment posture and enhanced coordination with the MNJTF and local security volunteers to ensure that no area remains vulnerable. Kirawa is now fully secured with boots on ground,” he assured.
Abubakar reiterated the commitment of the Armed Forces to achieve lasting peace in the region, stressing that the troops remain motivated and focused in their missions.
He urged the residents to continue cooperating with the military by providing credible intelligence as well as deny logistics support to the terrorists.
“Citizens must collaborate with the military in fishing out bad elements. This is a whole-of-society approach to asymmetric warfare. Denial of logistics and timely passage of information by communities remain crucial for our collective success.”
The commander also commended the gallantry of officers and men of the OPHK, who demonstrated courage, resilience and sacrifice in defence of the nation.
“Our troops are highly motivated and determined. The North-East is steadily regaining its stability, and we remain fully committed to consolidating these gains until peace is completely restored,” the commander said.
Some of the community leaders in the affected areas commended the Nigerian military for its swift response and decisive actions to protect the citizens.
Alhaji Bukar Modu, a community elder in Gwoza, said the increased military presence in Kirawa and adjourning communities had restored public confidence.
“Before now, we used to hear gunshots almost every week. But since the troops came in numbers, the situation changed. We now sleep peacefully and even attend markets in Pulka and Gwoza without fear,” he said.
Also, Mrs Falmata Bakura, who recently returned from an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Maiduguri, described the soldiers’ conduct as professional and reassuring.
“Their presence alone gives us hope. We can see the soldiers patrolling day and night. Our children have resumed school and we now farm without fear,” she said.
The Senate, on Friday, waded into the ongoing crisis between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government which had resulted in a two-week warning strike.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Sen. Muntari Dandutse, made this known after a meeting with the union at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Dandutse, while acknowledging “the concerns and frustrations” that had led to the action, assured that the committee would take the issues raised by ASUU seriously.
“This is because we recognise the critical role that our universities play in shaping the future of our nation and we are committed to ensuring that they receive the support they need to thrive.
“We are not in support of any academic strike; we are not in support of any threat by the executives.
“We are here as those who are elected to oversight you and ensure that you work effectively and efficiently.
“If you look at the situation in Nigeria, it has been a long issue and a prolonged issue of ASUU strike.
“We need to address it holistically and it will do us well at the end of the process. So we want you to understand that we are all here to be accountable,” the senator said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that after a closed-door session, Dandutse said that the committee resolved to convey its position to the Ministry of Education and National Universities Commission (NUC).
“This is for a negotiation as soon as possible so that we can resolve this lingering problem.
“The senate committee also agreed to interface with the Minister of FCT to resolve the issue of University of Abuja’s land which was not taken from them.
“Also, other needs will be studied and appropriate steps will be taken to ensure amicable resolution,” he said.
Earlier, the ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said that the union was currently on a two-week warning strike.
“Unfortunately, the journey that led us to where we are today did not start with this executive,” he said.
The ASUU president said that the key issue in the draft agreement was that of sustainable funding for tertiary institutions.
“Others are: condition of service, autonomy and academic freedom in Nigerian universities as well as other issues that concern the governance of the institutions,” he said
Piwuna also called on the senate to intervene in the land belonging to University of Abuja but which the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had allegedly revoked.
“We need to deal with this problem. In spite of the several calls and releases by our union, our branch in University of Abuja, the minister is still determined to go ahead and take the land of the university,” he said.
The ASUU president urged the senate to pay more attention to the budgetary allocation to the education sector to better the lot of the institutions.
In an interview with newsmen. Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, said that the upper chamber would do everything possible to resolve the lingering crisis as soon as possible.
“Education, as I always said, is the bedrock of every society. And we cannot afford to leave our children, who are mostly in the public universities, to stay at home,” he stated.
Barau noted that President Bola Tinubu, at all times, was willing to make sure that whatever constitute an impediment to the country’s education system, was resolved as soon as possible.
“The president, I’m sure, is working round the clock to make sure that this matter is resolved,” he said.
