News Agency of Nigeria
FG targets 24-hour internet, power supply to special institutions
Science & Tech

FG targets 24-hour internet, power supply to special institutions

By Jessica Dogo

The Federal Government has inaugurated fibre-to-home to hostels at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) as part of plans to ensure 24- hour internet supply to special institutions nationwide before the end of 2026.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, said at an event in Abuja that the Federal Government was determined to provide the enabling environment for teaching and learning to thrive.

Alausa said that UniAbuja was a special institution, now enjoying 24-hour internet supply, adding that other special institutions would enjoy the same before the end of 2026.

“President Bola Tinubu is energising institutions. We have special institutions in the country today enjoying 24-hour electricity via the presidential renewable mini-grid project, the solarisation project.

“University of Abuja is one of the beneficiaries. You have a 3.3 megahertz mini-grid here and everybody can attest to it now that you have 24-hour electricity supply.

“The president is not stopping there. Before the end of next year, literally all the special institutions will have mini-grid. You will all enjoy 24-hour electricity supply,” he said.

It is expected that the regular power supply would support the internet facility.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani said that UniAbuja was the first of the seven universities in the first phase of the pilot scheme.

Tijani said that by the end of July the seven institutions  would have been connected.

“This initiative we are launching here today is the first of the seven in a pilot scheme, and by the end of July we would have connected the seven universities.

“Galaxy Backbone has the infrastructure in place already; all we are doing is to take the fibre to hostels.

“We have taught it to be important that Nigerian university students cannot continue to learn without access to meaningful connectivity.

“When we give you this access that not only are you going to be better in what you are learning, but you are actually going to create the future that our president is asking that we create as a nation,” he said.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Patricia Lar, in her welcome address, lauded the project, adding that it will benefit the school community.

“It is a special initiative that is going to create opportunities for students of all economic status to access data to be able to use for knowledge and education and to feed their creativity with ease.

“We are grateful for deploying fibre to our hostels. This also works with the solar power backup that has been installed in our campus.

The President, Medical Students Association of the institution, Faith David, who spoke on behalf of the students expressed delight with what the government had done by connecting their hostels to fibre for Internet access.

“We appreciate both ministers for this initiative, we are enjoying 24 hour power and now our hostels have been connected to the internet to make learning easier for us,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne

FG completes 565 water projects in 2 years — Minister
Agriculture

FG completes 565 water projects in 2 years — Minister

Projects

By Tosin Kolade
The Federal Government says it has completed and inaugurated 565 water supply schemes, three multipurpose dams, four major irrigation projects, and several sanitation facilities within the last two years.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

Utsev explained that these achievements were part of efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).

He noted that the ministry’s interventions aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially in boosting agriculture and ensuring food and water security.

According to him, the government has inaugurated the Rafin Yashin Dam in Niger State, Odo-Ape Hydropower Dam in Kogi, and Amla Dam in Benue.

”These projects are expected to support irrigation, enhance electricity generation, and promote agro-industrial development”.

He also announced the successful concessioning of the 40MW Kashimbila Hydropower Plant in Taraba, and the integrated Agro-Allied Cargo Airport, which generated more than N7.1 billion as commencement fee for the first five years into the federal concession account.

On irrigation, the minister disclosed that four projects which include the Bakalori and Dadin-Kowa schemes in Zamfara and Gombe States, respectively, providing thousands of hectares of irrigated farmlands for dry-season farming have been completed.

”Two micro-irrigation projects have also been completed in Oyo and Jigawa to support smallholder farmers,” he said.

Utsev also disclosed that four major water projects have been completed in Jigawa, Yobe, and the FCT, while three others in Gombe and Yobe were already 90 per cent completed.

”Through collaboration with states and partners, 565 water supply schemes were constructed under PEWASH, SURWASH, and the AfDB programmes, serving over 450,000 people,” he added.

He also announced that 40 additional Local Government Areas (LGAs) have attained Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, bringing the total to 142 across the country.

”We have constructed 159 sanitation facilities in 23 states and developed advocacy jingles in five languages, reaching more than 25 million Nigerians,” he said.

The minister further revealed that 14 dams and several irrigation projects were near completion across Plateau, Enugu, Ekiti, Oyo, and Kwara States, while more than 100 new water supply projects were awarded in 2024.

”The ministry has also commenced the Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) Project in 20 states to modernise existing infrastructure and explore hydropower generation,” he added.

He emphasised efforts to revitalise River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) by partnering with the private sector and state governments.

”We have leased 4,429 hectares of farmland to commercial farmers and developed irrigation infrastructure for 154,000 hectares, creating jobs for more than 1.6 million farmers.

”Other notable agency activities include issuing 24 water use licenses by the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission, training of 1,377 youths in plumbing and drilling by the National Water Resources Institute.

”We also have the publication of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency,” the minister revealed.

Utsev said the ministry plans to complete 11 new projects in 2025, roll out school and public sanitation initiatives, and develop a National Framework for Flood Insurance.

”We will continue to work towards food security, job creation, and economic growth through sustainable water management,” he added.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu, development partners, state governments, and the media for their support and reiterated the ministry’s commitment to delivering on its mandate. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nick Nicholas/Deborah Coker

FG, ICRC partner on water, sanitation infrastructure
Environment

FG, ICRC partner on water, sanitation infrastructure

By Akpan Glory

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting Public-Private Partnerships in the water and sanitation sector in collaboration with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

This collaboration is aimed at advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Utsev made this known during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the ICRC, Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, and his delegation to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

He stressed that strengthening ties with the ICRC is essential for expanding access to water and sanitation infrastructure across Nigeria.

According to the minister, PPPs remain a vital strategy for mobilising private sector involvement and investment in critical sectors.

“Our collaboration must be sustained to fast-track access to safe water, improve sanitation, and boost food production. We are particularly focused on advancing PPP models through the River Basin Development Authorities,” he stated.

Utsev also outlined the ongoing National Campaign to End Open Defecation, adding that a clean and healthy environment is crucial for attracting investment and improving public health outcomes.

He further disclosed that President Tinubu has directed the ministry to assess the status and structural integrity of all dams across the country to determine their suitability for water supply, irrigation, flood control, and hydropower generation.

According to him, these integrity assessments will help unlock the economic potential of the dams and support the country’s broader development objectives.

In his remarks, Ewalefoh, commended the ministry for its leadership in advancing key infrastructure projects that align with both national priorities and global targets, including Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).

He underlined the role of PPPs in delivering impactful, transparent, and bankable initiatives.

He cited landmark projects such as the Dasin-Hausa Dam, Farin Ruwa, Manya, Bawarku, Grand Katsina-Ala, Kashimbila Airport, and Gurara II Dam.

Ewalefoh proposed deeper collaboration in expanding rural water infrastructure, rehabilitating dams, enhancing sanitation facilities, and scaling up hydropower initiatives.

He also recommended exploring innovative PPP models such as a National Sanitation Framework, desalination projects, bulk water supply schemes, and smart water utilities under PPP arrangements.

He urged the management of the River Basin Development Authorities to participate in the PPP National Summit scheduled for June 14, 2025, to strengthen partnerships and attract greater investment in the water and sanitation sectors.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

FG pledges youth-centered policies to end irregular migration
Metro

FG pledges youth-centered policies to end irregular migration

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Federal Government has pledged to implement   sustained youth-centered policies to end irregular migration and its attendant dangers.

Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction made the pledge at the closing of the  first thematic meeting of the Rabat Process in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports  the Rabat Process is a key Euro-African dialogue on migration and development.

NAN also reports that Nigeria, the incumbent chairman of the Rabat Process hosted its thematic.meeting themed, Youth, Education and Innovation – Driving the Future of Migration, with over 100 delegates from 57 partner countries in attendance.

Yilwatda assured that the government would prioritise skills, mobility, and dignity, advancing innovation in migration governance, to nip irregular migration in the bud.

He described the exploration of youth innovation and education as drivers of sustainable migration systems.

The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to lead the Rabat process with empathy, data, and integrity, emphasising the need for effective partnerships to achieve the desired migration governance.

“The meeting has addressed the influence of conflict, climate change, and economic disparity on migration, emphasising the need for a more just and humane future for migration in Europe and Africa.

“In the meeting I acknowledged the hard truths about migration, including the global narrative that casts migration in the language of fear and the limited opportunities for young people,” he added.

He said that migration should be seen as legal, dignified, and voluntary, with skills shared and youths running towards purpose, rather than from lack.

While appreciating the Kingdom of Spain for its support and partnership, the minister urged the development partners and the private sector to support skills programmes that link education with employability, especially in fragile and climate-affected regions.

He, therefore, called for shared frameworks that recognised qualifications, return talents, and open safe pathways for migration.

According to the minister, migration should be seen as the expression of choice, ability, and vision, not the consequence of despair.

Yilwatda said there was a need to give youths more than sympathy as they need structures and access.

Speaking in the same vein, Pilar Jimenez, Ambassador-at-Large- for Migration Affairs of Spain, promised to keep exploring ways to make more sustainable youths’ participation in the Rabat process.

Jimenez noted that there was a need to move from inclusion to the co-creation of a space of dialogue in migration governance.

“The representatives of the Nigerian youth said that they are a part of a solution. I think that youths are the solution.

“Youth is the driver of the future, and the future just started here in Abuja within the Rabat process,” she added.(NAN)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

FG proffers solutions to irregular migration to Europe
Metro

FG proffers solutions to irregular migration to Europe

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Federal Government on Tuesday identified three key steps to take in addressing the menace of irregular migration from Africa to Europe.

Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction gave the solutions at the opening of the  first thematic meeting of the Rabat Process in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria assumed chairmanship of the Rabat Process, a key Euro-African dialogue on migration and development in January 2025 to pilot the process for the next year.

The maiden meeting themed, “Youth, Innovation and Education- Driving the Future of Migration”, has in attendance over 100 delegates from 57 partner countries.

Yilwatda, reiterated the need to address irregular migration –  movement of people across borders that does not comply with the legal frameworks- and it’s attendant danger and  effects.

In tackling the challenge, the minister said there was a need to create spaces for digital skills, ownership, and migration literacy across Africa and Europe.

“The second priority is developing a harmonised migration policy framework to ensure qualification and reduce irregular migration.

“The third priority is to establish youth innovation funds to support enterprises and returnees,” he said.

The minister sought the collaboration of partners on migration governance to co-create youth innovation hubs, harmonised migration policies, and establish youth innovation funds to reduce irregular migration.

While noting that over 80 per cent of migrations were regular, especially for Nigerians, the minister stressed on the importance of focusing on the 20 per cent of irregular migrations that needed attention.

He described migration as a strategy for peace, prosperity, and survival, not just for Nigeria but for the entire world,

According to him,  migration, when governed, can contribute to development, knowledge exchange, and cultural resilience.

He emphasised the need for education and training for better opportunities in changing the lives of many young people.

For her part, Pilar Jimenez, Ambassador -at Large- for Migration Affairs of Spain, said that Spain’s migration policies were designed with active listening to the needs and concerns of African foreigners, their governments, and societies.

She recalled that the Spanish Prime Minister launched the new Spain-Africa strategy in December 2024.

The agreement, according to her,  seeks equal partnership between Spain and Africa, and inspires the entire Europe-Africa relationship.

“The strategy includes promoting regular migration, sustainable development, and shared prosperity,” Jimenez said.

She added that Nigeria’s leadership in the Rabat process, focusing on youth education, innovation, and regular pathways to prevent irregular migration was apt.

Also speaking, Gautier Mignot, Head of European Delegation to Nigeria, said that the EU supports awareness-raising campaigns and community-based programmes to inform young Nigerians about the risks of irregular migration.

“The EU promotes a comprehensive approach to migration, working with partner countries like Nigeria.

“Also EU is committed to supporting Nigeria in migration management and legal migration processes,” Mignot said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was organised  through the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons under its Chairmanship of the Rabat Process. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

FG to spend 73.9 bn on Maraba-Keffi road
Metro

FG to spend 73.9 bn on Maraba-Keffi road

By Angela Atabo

The Federal Government is to spend N73.9 billion to complete the reconstruction and expansion of the Maraba-Keffi road project.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the government also set a 13-month completion date of June 2026 for the project awarded to MS. China Harbour Engineering Company(CHEC) Nigeria Limited.

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, made these known while inspecting the ongoing expansion of the Abuja-Keffi expressway on Saturday.

Goronyo commended President Bola Tinubu for making the project a reality.

He said that the completion of the road would in no small measure reduce the transportation problems on the corridor.

“This road is very critical because it is crisscrossing a lot of states.

“We have completed the road from Keffi to Makurdi and the one from Mararaba up to Keffi is now ongoing.

”Makurdi to Enugu is ongoing and achievable progress has been recorde by the contractor.

“What we are expecting is that by June next year, the entire stretch of this road from Abuja up to Port Harcourt will be completed,” he said.

Goronyo said that the government had opened a corridor for movement of goods and services, adding that this had translated to reduction in travel time and other economic benefits.

He said from the assessment so far,appreciable progress had been made.

“This contract was awarded in June 2023 with a completion period of 30 months.

”Work started here in December last year and now you can see that they have gotten up to 42 per cent completion,” he said.

Goronyo also said that the ministry was waiting for a certificate from the contractor so that more funds would be released for the project.

He said the ministry would work out modalities to expand the lanes on the road for the benefit of Nigerians.

Speaking on behalf of the contractor, Mr Ronald Liao, CHEC Commercial Manager, said the road would achieve a 56 per cent benchmark by month end.

Liao explained that the company was unable to reach the benchmark on time due to the heavy traffic on the corridor.

“The traffic flow from Masaka to Mararaba daily is very heavy.

“So, we have no other choice but to work at night.

“That is a big task and a challenge to our work progress.

“However, with the help of the ministry and with the help of the controller and also the help of the FRSC, we will complete the work within the right time,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Mufutau Ojo

FG inaugurates governing board to strengthen sugar council
Economy/Business

FG inaugurates governing board to strengthen sugar council

By Vivian Emoni

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Governing Board for the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), to strengthen and enhance its activities.

Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Owan Enoh, while inaugurating the Governing Board of the NSDC in Abuja on Thursday, said that the council should intensify efforts in its activities, to achieve its mandates and goals.

The minister said that the inauguration of the board would help to strengthen the council and enhance its activities.

He urged the board to work assiduously to ensure that within the next three months, they would be able to achieve good results.

“I mean urgent work needs to be done.

“We need to be committed and work together to ensure we strengthen the growth of the council.

“As the reporting minister, I must be ready to brief the President on the level of steps that have been taken to make sure that we are able to achieve the goals and mandates of the council.

“We must ensure that we make progress and ensure that the purpose of the inaugurating the board is achieved respectively,” he said.

The minister also urged the board to be committed to ensuring effective implementation of the brownfield backward integration projects.

“We must ensure that the sites are being worked upon. We should identify if there are sites that are fertile enough for the growing of sugarcane.

“If they are not, the council will provide guidance to know the land that is available.

“We must all be committed to doing the work, to make sure that we progress,’’ he said.

The minister reminded the council of how competitive the market was.

“We are competing with countries like Brazil that have been in this business for upwards of several years.

“So, our competitors are our seedlings that we are planting.

“We are not just talking about producing in-country, but the cost effectiveness of that production is important because of the competition that we are all involved in,’’ he said.

Responding, Chairman of the board, Sen. Surajudeen Basiru, thanked the minister and the President for the opportunity given to him and other members of the board.

Basiru said that the board would work hard to offer good performance and ensure the council’s achieve its goals and mandates.

“We have been given three months to make sure we deliver and bring a positive result.

“We will try our best to ensure that we don’t disappoint the minister and Nigerians at large,’’ he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

FG to repatriate 15,000 Nigerians stranded abroad
Metro

FG to repatriate 15,000 Nigerians stranded abroad

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Federal Government says discussions are ongoing on how 15,000 Nigerians stranded in Cameroon, Niger, Chad and other parts of the world will be returned to Nigeria in safety and dignity.

Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), disclosed this at a media briefing on Friday in Abuja.

Ahmed revealed that no fewer than six million people are displaced in Nigeria while thousands of refugees are living elsewhere across the world.

“We have 15,000 Nigerians that want to return to the country voluntarily and we also have not less than 100,000 foreigners living in this country as refugees.

“All these are the responsibilities of the commission, to give them support,” he said.

While reiterating government’s tireless efforts to ensure safe return of the displaced persons, Ahmed thanked President Bola Tinubu for the support given to the commission and the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry.

The  NCFRMI boss also disclosed that Nigeria would be hosting the first thematic meeting under its chairmanship of the Rabat Process with more than 100 delegates from the 57 partner countries in attendance.

It would be recalled that Nigeria assumed chairmanship of the Rabat Process – a Euro-African dialogue on migration and development – in January, 2025.

Ahmed said that the meeting, scheduled for May 13 and May 14, themed, “Youth, Innovation and Education: Driving the Future of Migration”, would pave the way for bilateral discussions between Nigeria and other countries, leading to better migration governance

“Membership in these platforms provides opportunities for knowledge transfer and better migration management.

“Nigeria’s leadership in the Rabat Process is seen as an advantage, despite its being a one-year term,” he added.

The federal commissioner also outlined the challenges in managing migration, including the need for adequate advocacy to inform younger generations about legal migration pathways.

“There is a need to educate migrants about the consequences of irregular migration, including negative outcomes.

“The focus should be on advocating for legal migration pathways to reduce the number of irregular migrants.

“Regular migration involves moving through legal channels, while irregular migration often involves dangerous and illegal methods.

“Irregular migration can lead to hardship and danger, with many migrants unable to return to their home country,” he said

Ahmed, therefore, called for better coordination and support from various stakeholders, including the media to enhance migration governance. (NAN)

Edited by Bukola Adeoye/ Rotimi Ijikanmi

FG advocates legal framework for MSME support system
Economy/Business

FG advocates legal framework for MSME support system

By Lucy Ogalue

The Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, has called for the establishment of a legal framework to back the operations of Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) across Nigeria.

Enoh said this at the induction ceremony of the newly certified BDSPs organised by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) on Monday in Abuja.

According to the minister, the absence of a binding law is a major gap that must be urgently addressed to ensure service accountability and sustainability.

“There has to be a law that supports and backs BDSPs because of the importance of the job they are expected to do,” the minister said.

He said that while many systems exist within Nigeria’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises

MSME support structure, the main challenge remained functionality and regulation.

“Our problem is not the absence of systems; it is the failure of those systems to work.

“Regulation is weak, and we tend to create new structures instead of strengthening existing ones,” he added.

The minister stressed that certified BDSPs must not only meet performance standards but be monitored regularly, with the possibility of license withdrawal if expectations were not met.

“Licenses must not be permanent. They must be performance-based,” he said.

Enoh also commended SMEDAN’s effort in standardising MSME support services across the country.

He called on stakeholders including development partners and financial institutions to engage certified BDSPs.

In his remarks, SMEDAN Director-General, Mr Charles Odii, reiterated the agency’s focus on deepening support for small businesses across the country.

Odii said this would be done by ensuring only qualified and credible professionals provide development servicesUp 2nd left.

He urged the newly inducted BDSPs to take their role seriously.

The National Steering Committee on BDSPs disclosed that about 331 service providers were inducted following rigorous training and assessment.

The event marked a significant step in the government’s efforts to strengthen enterprise support structures and boost economic inclusion across the country. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

FG unveils revised National Migration Policy
Metro

FG unveils revised National Migration Policy

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), in collaboration with other development partners, has unveiled the revised 2025 National Migration Policy to address the evolving migration challenges in the country.

During the unveiling on Tuesday in Abuja, the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Mr Tijani Ahmed, emphasised that the policy aimed to strike a balance between the opportunities and risks associated with migration.

Ahmed explained that the revised policy would ensure Nigerian migration practices aligned with global standards, such as the UN’s Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, reflecting the country’s commitment to international migration frameworks.

“This update marks a significant step toward modernising Nigeria’s migration governance, especially with the validation of the 2025 National Migration Policy.

“The policy, first adopted in 2015, has now been updated to address emerging migration realities, including economic shifts, conflict-driven displacement, and human trafficking.

“The review process was led by the NCFRMI and involved a 19-member Policy Review Committee, representing government agencies, civil society, academia, and international partners.

“The updated policy also responds to new challenges and is designed to offer practical solutions, ensuring its effectiveness in managing migration,” Ahmed stated.

Ahmed noted the importance of the integrated approach, which ensured that Nigeria’s policy was not only locally relevant but also aligned with global migration governance standards.

In his remarks, Dr Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, highlighted the policy’s focus on addressing the loss of skilled professionals, especially in healthcare.

Sununu stated that the policy would encourage “brain circulation” through partnerships between Nigerian and international universities.

“More than 1.4 million Nigerians have emigrated in recent years, with 51 per cent of them holding tertiary education credentials.

“Initiatives like transnational education agreements aim to retain academic and medical talent while fostering knowledge exchange,” he said.

Sununu further noted that the revised policy reflected Nigeria’s commitment to proactive migration management amid a rapidly changing global landscape.

“Once approved by the Federal Executive Council, the policy will see state governments, civil society, and international partners working together under a coordinated strategy.

“Education on the risks of irregular migration is crucial, as this has contributed to insecurity within the country.

“The document provides a holistic approach to addressing these issues and, when fully implemented, should significantly reduce irregular migration,” Sununu emphasised.

Sununu also touched on ongoing agricultural empowerment initiatives for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and partnerships aimed at delivering essential services such as healthcare and education.

He commended the NCFRMI’s leadership and the contributions of all stakeholders, stressing the government’s readiness to present the revised policy for adoption by the Federal Executive Council.

He underscored the importance of collaboration at all levels to ensure a coordinated, rights-based approach to migration, reintegration, and poverty reduction in Nigeria. (NAN)

Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Abiemwense Moru

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