The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has issued a strong warning to Nigerians over the circulation of fraudulent contract offers allegedly linked to the Service, describing the development as a coordinated scam aimed at defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.
In a statement released in Abuja, the NCoS said it had uncovered fake documents, particularly one titled “Payment/Mobilisation Request Form,” being distributed by individuals posing as government officials and representatives of the Service.
The agency stressed that it does not engage contractors or award projects through unofficial channels, urging citizens to disregard such documents and avoid making any payments to individuals or groups claiming to act on its behalf.
According to the statement, the fraudulent scheme involves requests for advance payments under the guise of facilitating contract approvals, mobilisation fees, or administrative processing—practices the Service described as “entirely alien” to its operational procedures.
“The general public is advised to verify all contract-related communications directly with the Service through official channels. The NCoS does not request or receive payments from contractors outside established government processes,” it stated.
The Service reaffirmed that all its procurement activities are conducted in strict compliance with extant public procurement laws and are duly advertised through recognised government platforms.
It further warned that those found perpetrating the scam would be tracked and prosecuted in accordance with the law, adding that security agencies had been notified to investigate the matter.
The NCoS also called on victims and members of the public who encounter such fraudulent offers to report promptly to law enforcement authorities.
Security has been heightened across the country following recent explosions in Borno, as authorities intensify efforts to safeguard lives and property ahead of the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
The Federal Government on Wednesday directed all security agencies to maintain maximum vigilance, particularly in vulnerable locations, including worship centres, markets, motor parks and other public spaces expected to witness large gatherings during the festive period.
This development follows reported bomb blasts in parts of Borno State, which have heightened concerns over public safety and the potential threat of renewed insurgent activities in the North-East.
Security agencies, including the police, military and paramilitary organisations, have since deployed additional personnel and surveillance resources to strategic areas nationwide.
The Nigeria Police Force, in a statement issued in Abuja, assured citizens of adequate protection before, during and after the celebrations. It urged members of the public to remain calm but vigilant, and to report any suspicious movements or objects to the nearest security formation.
Similarly, the military high command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining ongoing counter-insurgency operations, particularly in the North-East theatre, to prevent further attacks and ensure a peaceful festive season.
Authorities in Borno have also imposed tighter security measures in Maiduguri and surrounding communities, with increased patrols, checkpoints and restrictions in certain high-risk zones.
Eyewitness accounts from affected areas indicated that emergency responders were swiftly mobilised to the scene of the blasts, while injured victims were evacuated to nearby medical facilities for treatment. However, official casualty figures were yet to be confirmed at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, religious leaders and community stakeholders have called for calm and unity, urging citizens not to allow fear disrupt the spirit of the Eid celebration.
A cleric in Maiduguri emphasised the importance of prayers and collective responsibility in ensuring peace, noting that security is a shared duty between authorities and the public.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) also announced plans to intensify patrol operations on major highways to ensure safe travel during the holiday period, as increased vehicular movement is anticipated.
Analysts say the proactive measures by security agencies are aimed at preventing any spillover of violence and reassuring citizens across the country.
As preparations for Eid-el-Fitr gather momentum, residents in various parts of the country expressed mixed feelings, with some commending the visible security presence, while others called for sustained intelligence efforts to address underlying security challenges.
The government has reiterated its resolve to protect citizens and maintain law and order, urging Nigerians to celebrate responsibly and cooperate with security agencies.
The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Thursday as rival factions led by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, locked horns over the legality and conduct of the party’s scheduled national convention in late March.
The Wike-aligned Peoples Democratic Party National Caretaker Committee, headed by Acting National Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, has reaffirmed that the national convention slated for March 29–30, 2026 in Abuja will proceed as planned despite ongoing legal challenges. The committee confirmed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been formally notified of the convention.
In an exclusive interview with The Sources, PDP National Publicity Secretary Jungudo Mohammed and committee member Okechukwu Osuoha said party structures across the country were being mobilised for a “fully inclusive convention” aligned with the party constitution and the Electoral Act. “Our party is determined to elect a new set of leaders who will pilot the affairs of the party. We are not distracted by the ongoing litigation,” Mr. Mohammed said.
Divergent Claims from Makinde-Led Camp
Contrastingly, the Makinde-backed faction, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has rejected the Wike-aligned group’s authority to organise the convention, describing it as illegitimate. The faction’s spokesman, Ini Ememobong, criticised the planned exercise as “an exercise in futility,” adding that Mr. Wike’s bloc “lacks the capacity and locus” to conduct party business, asserting that those involved “have been expelled from the PDP.”
Legal Backdrop and Heightened Tensions
The political feud dates back to January 30, when a Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, annulled the party’s November 15, 2025 national convention in the city and restrained Mr. Turaki and others from acting as PDP national officers. Prior to that ruling, a cohort of PDP governors — including Governor Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed — had endorsed the Ibadan convention outcome, which elected Turaki and his National Working Committee for a four-year term.
In response to the annulment, the Wike-allied faction constituted a 13-member caretaker committee in December 2025, with a 60-day mandate to lead the party, a development that has fuelled factionalisation. Efforts to reconcile the factions at Wadata Plaza in November 2025 reportedly ended in chaos and physical clashes, prompting the police to seal the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, where it remains closed.
The dispute is currently before the Court of Appeal, with both camps seeking recognition from INEC. However, the electoral body has so far declined to officially recognise either faction, compounding uncertainties as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Outlook Ahead of Convention
Despite the legal uncertainty, the Wike-aligned leadership insists the March 29–30 convention will go ahead, emphasising that preparations are underway nationwide and that eligible party members remain committed to the process. “It is going to be an all-inclusive exercise,” Mr. Osuoha stated, underscoring the party’s organisational reach across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
Nigeria’s Correctional Service crisis has evolved into a multifaceted test for the nation’s justice system, as new data reveals that more than 50,000 detainees are languishing in custody without trial, underscoring deep-seated delays in the legal process and growing pressure on custodial facilities nationwide.
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) disclosed on Wednesday that of the 80,812 inmates held across correctional centres as of February 9, 2026, 51,955 — equal to 64 per cent — are awaiting trial, while only 24,913 have been convicted. An additional 3,850 inmates fall under other detention categories.
Presenting the agency’s 2025 budget performance report and 2026 estimates before the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions in Abuja, Controller-General Sylvester Nwakuche said these figures paint a stark picture of Nigeria’s criminal justice bottlenecks.
“The high proportion of awaiting trial inmates highlights persistent systemic delays in investigation, prosecution and adjudication,” Mr. Nwakuche told lawmakers, emphasising that the current situation places intense strain on custodial centres often built decades ago and now operating far beyond their intended capacity.
Implications for Justice and Human Rights
Legal experts and human-rights advocates argue that the preponderance of detainees without convictions raises serious questions about the right to fair and speedy trials, a fundamental tenet of Nigeria’s criminal justice system. Critics note that prolonged pre-trial detention not only infringes on detainees’ rights but also worsens overcrowding, feeding, healthcare, and rehabilitation challenges in prisons.
Human-rights reports have previously documented how overcrowding, driven principally by awaiting-trial populations, forces prisons to operate well above capacity, with inmates enduring cramped spaces and compromised living conditions.
Budgetary Strains and Operational Demands
According to Mr. Nwakuche, the NCoS received a total budget appropriation of ₦184.63 billion in 2025, covering personnel, overhead, and capital expenditure, with much of the allocation directed toward salaries and inmate feeding. For 2026, the Service has proposed a total budget of ₦198.85 billion, underscoring the need for expanded capital funding to address infrastructure deficits and support non-custodial programmes.
Among key needs is funding to feed an estimated 91,100 inmates in 2026, for which ₦14.83 billion has been earmarked at a daily rate of ₦1,125 per inmate. The high cost reflects both the growing prison population and the logistical challenge of provisioning meals across multiple custodial centres.
Lawmakers on the reformatory institutions committee, led by Chairman Chinedu Ogah, reiterated the urgency of institutional reforms, improved infrastructure, and legislative backing for measures such as the Correctional Service Trust Fund Bill, which has been passed by the National Assembly but is awaiting presidential assent.
Calls for Systemic Reform
Mr. Ogah noted that many correctional facilities were constructed more than a century ago and are now dilapidated, contributing to security breaches and undermining rehabilitation efforts. He highlighted initiatives such as expanding educational opportunities — with 10 National Open University of Nigeria study centres now operating in custodial facilities — as critical to reintegrating inmates into society.
Advocates argue that reducing pre-trial detention through accelerated legal procedures, enhanced access to legal representation, and broader use of non-custodial alternatives could significantly ease overcrowding, cut systemic costs, and uphold human-rights standards.
The Nigerian Senate has sparked a political stir after adopting a new stance on the electronic transmission of election results, a move that could reshape the nation’s electoral processes ahead of upcoming polls. Lawmakers say the decision aims to strengthen transparency, but critics argue it risks delaying results and undermining public confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Senate’s Revised Position
In a plenary session yesterday, the Senate reaffirmed its authority to oversee the modalities of transmitting election results, proposing that the transmission process include dual verification measures before final collation at INEC. This position represents a departure from earlier resolutions that fully endorsed direct electronic transmission from polling units to the commission’s central server.
Senate leaders insist the new approach is intended to prevent manipulation and technological failures, citing concerns over previous glitches during pilot electronic voting exercises.
Opposition and Concerns
Political parties and civil society groups have expressed caution. Critics argue that additional layers of verification could slow down result announcements, giving room for disputes and allegations of manipulation. Some lawmakers from opposition parties questioned whether the Senate is overstepping its constitutional mandate by influencing INEC’s operational procedures.
INEC’s Response
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has acknowledged the Senate’s position but emphasized that electoral law grants it autonomy in result collation and transmission. INEC officials warned that any deviation from the current electronic transmission system could compromise efficiency and increase the risk of human error.
Political Implications
Observers note that the Senate’s new stance comes amid rising political tensions as parties prepare for the 2027 general elections. Analysts suggest that this move could become a focal point in debates about electoral transparency, technological adoption, and legislative oversight.
Senate spokespersons, however, maintain that the goal is to build public confidence in the electoral process and ensure that election outcomes reflect the will of the people, not technical or procedural loopholes.
In a significant departure from decades of cautious optimism about reviving Nigeria’s moribund refinery sector, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Engr. Bayo Ojulari, has justified the decision to halt operations at the nation’s state-owned refineries as a necessary step to prevent continued economic loss and value leakage.
Speaking on Wednesday at the 2026 Nigerian International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja, Ojulari said recent internal assessments showed that the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries were not only unprofitable but were systematically destroying value for Nigeria.
“When we looked at the net outcome, we were leaking value with no clear line of sight to profitability,” he stated, describing the situation as untenable.
Economic Rationale: From Loss to Strategic Pause
According to the NNPC boss, the refineries were operating at an average 50–55% capacity utilisation despite monthly crude allocations — a pattern that steadily eroded revenue due to high operational and contractor costs.
He noted that the refineries were producing mostly mid‑grade products whose combined market value failed to justify the cost of crude input — a scenario that would have locked Nigeria into decades of value erosion if allowed to continue unchecked.
Ojulari further disclosed that the decision to halt operations was made in spite of intense political pressure to keep the facilities running, underscoring a break from past leadership approaches that prioritized continuity over commercial viability.
Governance Shifts and Policy Implications
Analysts say the admission by the NNPC CEO that the company “lack(s) the capacity to run refineries profitably” marks a watershed moment in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum policy.
For decades, Nigeria has struggled to turn around its refining assets despite billions of dollars in rehabilitation and maintenance costs, while importing most of its refined petroleum products. This has cost the economy foreign exchange and contributed to persistent fuel price volatility.
Several industry watchers see Ojulari’s candour as a response to long‑standing criticisms over mismanagement and weak oversight, with the new strategy anchored on commercial realism rather than political symbolism.
Towards Partnerships and Technical Expertise
Rather than outright privatisation, the NNPC has signalled a shift towards equity partnerships with experienced global refinery operators. Under this model, prospective investors would acquire stakes in selected facilities, bringing in technical competence, operational discipline and financial sustainability.
Discussions are reportedly underway with a leading Chinese petrochemical firm, which has expressed interest in inspecting and potentially partnering on one of the refinery assets in a bid to reverse decades of underperformance.
Ojulari emphasised that the strategy is not about selling national assets but about infusing the refineries with “skin in the game” operators who can make them economically viable.
Strategic Context: Dangote Refinery and the Domestic Market
NNPC’s recalibration comes against the backdrop of Dangote Refinery’s successful commercial operations, which have eased some pressures on Nigeria’s fuel supply chain. Ojulari acknowledged that the Dahgote facility’s emergence has afforded NNPC the flexibility to reconsider its own refinery plans without risking market disruptions.
Observers note that while this presents Nigeria with a more commercially driven downstream structure, it also places a premium on robust regulatory oversight to ensure fair competition and consumer protection.
Public Expectations and Future Outlook
The shutdown has reignited debates over energy security, job losses in refinery host communities and the broader downstream reform agenda. Critics argue that while the move may make economic sense, the federal government must expedite clear frameworks for partnership models and transparency in negotiations to avoid further public distrust.
Stakeholders in the oil and gas sector are now watching closely how NNPC navigates this crucial transition — balancing commercial imperatives with national development goals and ensuring that Nigeria’s refining aspirations are not repeatedly undermined by structural inefficiencies.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed all domestic airlines to integrate a special needs or assistance request feature into their ticket reservation systems, a move aimed at improving accessibility for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility.
The directive, issued on Friday and signed by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, requires airlines to comply within seven days or face enforcement actions under the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs).
Key Requirements for Airlines According to the NCAA, all airlines must:
• Provide passengers with an option to request assistance at the point of booking.
• Include a visible field or checkbox on ticketing platforms for passengers to indicate special needs.
• Ensure that airline staff actively inquire if anyone in a booking party requires assistance during airport access or in-flight services.
The directive is anchored in Nig. CARs 2023, Part 19.12.3.1, which obliges airlines, travel agents, and tour operators to make air travel accessible to persons with disabilities and reduced mobility.
Aviation experts say the move will help airlines plan support services in advance, reducing potential service disruptions and ensuring that passengers’ needs are met from booking to boarding and disembarkation.
“The NCAA is committed to inclusive and accessible air travel,” the statement added, emphasizing that full compliance is expected within the stipulated timeline.
Background and Compliance History
The NCAA noted that a similar instruction was first issued in April 2022, but some airlines have not fully implemented the required features. The renewed directive signals stricter oversight and enforcement.
Airlines failing to comply risk regulatory sanctions, including fines or operational restrictions under NCAA’s consumer protection mandate.
Stakeholder Reactions
Passenger advocacy groups and disability rights organizations have welcomed the NCAA’s move, describing it as a step towards aligning Nigeria’s aviation sector with international best practices for inclusive air travel.
Domestic airlines are now expected to update their booking platforms promptly and inform customers about available assistance options. NCAA officials will monitor compliance in the coming week.
I welcome you all to 2026, with gratitude to God and confidence in our collective resolve that this new year will be a more prosperous one for our nation, our citizens, and all who call Nigeria home.
During 2025, we sustained the momentum on our major reforms.
We had a fiscal reset and also recorded steady economic progress.
Despite persistent global economic headwinds, we recorded tangible and measurable gains, particularly in the economy.
These achievements reaffirm our belief that the difficult but necessary reforms we embarked upon are moving us in the right direction, with more concrete results on the horizon for the ordinary Nigerian.
As we enter 2026, our focus is on consolidating these gains and continuing to build a resilient, sustainable, inclusive and growth-oriented economy.
We closed 2025 on a strong note. Despite policies to fight inflation, Nigeria recorded robust GDP growth each quarter, with annualised growth expected to exceed four per cent.
We maintained trade surpluses and achieved greater exchange rate stability. Inflation declined steadily and reached below 15 per cent, in line with our target.
In 2026, we are determined to reduce inflation further and ensure that the benefits of reform reach every Nigerian household.
In 2025, the Nigerian Stock Exchange posted a 48.12 per cent gain, consolidating its bullish run.
Supported by sound monetary policy management, our foreign reserves stood at 45.4 billion dollars as of Dec. 29, 2025.
Foreign direct investment rose to 720 million dollars in the third quarter of 2025, reflecting renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction.
A few days ago, I presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, emphasising that our reforms are laying a solid foundation for long-term stability and prosperity.
We are confronting the challenge of multiple taxation across all tiers of government. The new year marks a critical phase in implementing tax reforms designed to build a fair and robust fiscal foundation for Nigeria.
On security, we remain mindful that economic progress must be accompanied by peace and stability.
Our Armed Forces have sustained operations against terrorist networks across the Northwest and Northeast.
In 2026, our security agencies will deepen cooperation with regional and global partners to eliminate threats to national security.
We will accelerate the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme to empower at least 10 million Nigerians through agriculture, trade, mining and food processing.
We will continue to invest in infrastructure, including roads, power, ports, railways, healthcare and education. All ongoing projects will continue without interruption.
Nation-building is a shared responsibility. Let us stand together in unity, patriotism and service to our country.
I wish you all a peaceful, productive and prosperous New Year.
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has explained the legal and ethical reasons public servants are prohibited from engaging in private business activities and operating foreign bank accounts while in service, warning that such practices erode integrity and public trust in governance.
The Chairman of the bureau, Dr Abubakar Bello, gave the explanation in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, describing public service as a sacred trust that must not be compromised by conflicting personal interests.
Bello said the Code of Conduct for Public Officers clearly forbids civil servants from combining official duties with private business interests, noting that such actions raise serious concerns about commitment, transparency and integrity.
According to him, any public officer who serves as a director in a company, operates a business account or acts as a signatory to such an account is deemed to be directly involved in private business, which constitutes a violation of the Code of Conduct.
He also cautioned public officers against operating foreign bank accounts, stressing that the restriction is aimed at curbing corruption and preventing capital flight.
“One of the reasons for this provision is that some public servants divert public funds and keep them abroad. We have seen many cases where stolen government funds are hidden outside the country,” Bello said.
He added that any public servant found to be operating a foreign account is required to close such an account and desist from operating it until after leaving public service.
Beyond business activities, the CCB chairman raised concern over the increasing abuse of gift-giving involving public officers, warning that gifts from government contractors or persons with official dealings with government are strictly prohibited.
Bello further explained that certain categories of public officers, including the President, Vice President, governors, justices and judges, are restricted from working for foreign governments or institutions after leaving office due to national security considerations.
“You are not allowed to work for any foreign government because you hold certain vital information. Such engagements could compromise the security and interests of Nigeria,” he said.
The CCB chairman also expressed concern over the misuse of loans as a cover for bribery, noting that the law restricts some categories of public officers to borrowing only from recognised financial institutions where transactions can be properly monitored and verified.
He warned against the use of agents and nominees—such as spouses, children, relatives or close associates—to circumvent anti-corruption regulations, stressing that public officers remain culpable once it is established that they are the ultimate beneficiaries of any illicit transaction.
In addition, Bello said public servants are barred from belonging to secret cults or organisations whose activities are incompatible with the dignity, transparency and integrity of public office, noting that such affiliations could damage the image of the public service.
On public enlightenment, he disclosed that the bureau operates a sensitisation department, although constrained by limited funding. He said the CCB continues to leverage public engagements and partnerships with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as well as heads of service across states, to educate public officers on ethical standards and compliance with the Code of Conduct.
Bello reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to enforcing the Code of Conduct for Public Officers as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and public confidence in Nigeria’s public service.
Nigerian digital content creators have been advised to adopt safer, algorithm-friendly strategies to grow their social media presence in 2026, as major platforms introduce stricter artificial intelligence (AI)-driven moderation systems.
The advice is contained in a guide published on Saturday, which notes that platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube have upgraded their monitoring tools, making accounts more vulnerable to shadow bans and growth restrictions if unsafe practices are employed.
According to the report, creators are encouraged to abandon quick-growth tactics and focus instead on gradual engagement, niche consistency and content quality to achieve long-term visibility.
The guide explains that “safe boosting” in 2026 refers to controlled and realistic engagement growth, rather than sudden spikes in followers or interactions, which algorithms now flag as suspicious.
It listed key factors monitored by social media algorithms to include abnormal engagement speed, repetitive interaction patterns, non-human behaviour, follower authenticity and content niche alignment.
The report further cautioned creators against boosting poorly performing content, noting that algorithms now prioritise posts with strong watch time, organic shares, early saves, meaningful comments and high audience retention.
“Boosting content that is already performing well helps create natural amplification, which platforms are more likely to reward rather than penalise,” the guide stated.
Highlighting safe growth strategies for Nigerian creators, the report emphasised the importance of gradual delivery of engagement instead of instant surges, which could attract penalties.
It also identified short-form content such as Reels, TikTok videos and YouTube Shorts as the fastest-growing and safest formats for visibility in 2026.
Creators were further advised not to boost every post, but to focus on content with clear engagement potential, while ensuring that any paid engagement aligns with their niche, audience location and content type.
The report stressed that safe boosting alone is insufficient without quality content, adding that sustainable growth requires a combination of strategic content planning, consistent posting, trend alignment and strong storytelling.
Addressing concerns about account safety, the guide maintained that boosting remains safe for Nigerian creators in 2026 if carried out responsibly, avoiding aggressive growth patterns and balancing paid engagement with genuine user interaction.
It warned that shadow bans often result from unnatural activity, such as purchasing only likes or followers without corresponding comments, shares or organic engagement.
The report concluded that boosting cannot replace organic content, noting that while boosting increases reach, quality content is required to retain followers and build credibility.
“Creators who combine consistent content creation with safe, gradual boosting and authentic engagement are more likely to experience sustainable growth without risking account restrictions,” it stated.
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