In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a cultural shift in how communities handle the death of loved ones. Gone are the days when families relied primarily on close kin and neighbors for support in organizing funerals. Instead, a new practice has emerged—forming 'Committees of Friends' to raise funds for lavish burials. While this may seem like a noble gesture, it reflects a concerning trend: the increasing commodification and public performance of grief. Shakespeare’s timeless observation that 'Death is a necessary end, that will come when it will come' reminds us that dignity in death must not come at the cost of unnecessary burden on the living. This essay explores how funeral insurance can restore financial and emotional balance to Nigerian funerary practices.

The Evolution of Nigerian Funeral Culture
Traditionally, Nigerian funerals were community-led events grounded in cultural and spiritual beliefs. Families, friends, and neighbors would rally around the bereaved, contributing food, livestock, labor, and cash voluntarily. In Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and many other ethnic groups, the burial of a loved one was an intimate and reverent affair. However, as society modernized and urbanized, the nature of funerals transformed. Social status, prestige, and public display began to play larger roles. Funerals are now sometimes seen as an opportunity to showcase wealth or honor the deceased through extravagant events. This evolution has led to a rise in financial pressure on bereaved families who feel obligated to meet rising expectations.

The Rise of Committees of Friends
The 'Committee of Friends' is an informal group of friends, associates, or colleagues that organizes to raise funds and support a bereaved family. Often, these committees are created immediately after a death and begin their task through social media platforms like WhatsApp. While they are meant to offer support, they also reflect a growing cultural dependence on public fundraising to meet funeral costs. Unfortunately, many families have come to rely entirely on such committees, expecting friends and distant acquaintances to fund most or all of the burial. This has diluted the original communal ethos of mutual care, replacing it with performative generosity. At times, more resources go into planning the fundraising event than into comforting the family.

The Rising Cost of Dying in Nigeria
Funerals in Nigeria have become an expensive affair. The average cost ranges from ₦1.5 million for basic burials in rural areas to over ₦10 million in urban centers for high-profile ceremonies. These costs include embalming, casket purchase, mortuary fees, venue hire, catering, music, obituary adverts, clothing (Aso Ebi), and transportation. In some cultures, additional ceremonies such as wake-keeping, church thanksgiving, and anniversary celebrations are customary. These mounting expenses often leave families in debt. Some delay burials for months to raise enough money, while others cut essential costs or sell property. This financial burden exacerbates grief and pushes families into cycles of hardship.
Global Perspectives: Funeral Insurance in Other Countries
Around the world, funeral insurance is a common financial product designed to ease the burden of burial costs. In South Africa, companies like AVBOB and Old Mutual offer family-wide funeral cover with added benefits such as free services. In the United States, companies like Colonial Penn and Mutual of Omaha provide final expense insurance plans that pay out amounts between $5,000 and $25,000 upon death. The UK offers Over-50s plans through firms like SunLife and Legal & General. Closer to home, Ghana and Kenya have embraced mobile funeral insurance. In Ghana, aYo (powered by MTN) allows mobile users to subscribe to funeral cover for as low as 1 cedi daily. Kenya’s Britam and CIC Insurance offer funeral policies through banks and saccos, making them accessible to informal sector workers.

Why Nigeria Needs Funeral Insurance
Funeral insurance offers several key benefits. First, it ensures affordability. With small, regular premiums, policyholders can prepare for inevitable expenses without resorting to emergency fundraising. Second, it restores dignity. Families can grieve in peace, rather than engage in financial appeals during mourning. Third, insurance is sustainable. It creates a structured safety net that does not rely on social pressure or personal connections. Lastly, funeral insurance encourages financial planning. By bundling it with mobile money platforms, it becomes accessible to Nigeria’s vast unbanked population. With nearly 40 million Nigerians working in the informal sector, insurance companies have an untapped market. Funeral insurance also creates new revenue streams for insurers while promoting social impact.

Charting a Path Forward: Policy, Products, and Public Awareness
Nigeria must act decisively to embed funeral insurance into its financial landscape. First, insurance companies should create simple, mobile-first products with flexible premiums, especially for low-income earners. Second, partnerships with telcos, banks, cooperatives, and churches can broaden access and trust. Third, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) can provide incentives or regulatory frameworks to promote funeral insurance uptake. Fourth, public education campaigns are essential. Traditional and social media should emphasize the value of funeral cover. Religious leaders, Nollywood celebrities, and influencers can help normalize insurance culture, making it aspirational and relatable. Digital apps and bulk SMS can also be used to drive awareness.
Changing the Narrative: Celebrate the Living, Prepare for the Inevitable
Nigeria must change its cultural mindset around death. Lavish burials should not substitute for love, care, and support shown during life. Committees of Friends should not be a default financial plan. It is time to shift from spectacle to substance. Instead of planning elaborate ceremonies, families should prioritize elder care, access to healthcare, and education. Funeral insurance helps achieve this by providing a structured, dignified way to deal with life’s final reality. More importantly, it allows society to refocus on celebrating the living rather than overemphasizing the dead. Respecting the dead should not impoverish the living.

Conclusion
Death, though painful, is inevitable. Nigeria’s current approach to funerals—with increasing reliance on committees and costly events—is unnecessary and unsustainable. While the intention behind fundraising may be noble, it often places undue strain on both the bereaved and contributors. Funeral insurance offers a practical, respectful alternative that aligns with financial prudence and cultural dignity. By developing inclusive insurance products, partnering with distribution networks, and launching national awareness campaigns, Nigeria can revolutionize how it manages death. It’s time to prepare for the inevitable with wisdom and compassion, not pressure and debt.

The United Kingdom (UK), France and Canada have warned Israel against full military occupation of Gaza.

The warning was in response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel’s statement on Sunday that the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) would commence full occupation of Gaza until Hamas releases all Israeli victims.

In a joint statement on Monday, signed by Emmanuel Macron of France, Keir Starmer of the UK and Mark Carney of Canada, the leaders said they would not be silent and allow Netanyahu’s plan.

Naija News reports that the statement published by Canada’s Prime Minister, Carney, on his X handle, condemned Israel’s insensitivity to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Starmer, Macron and Carney said they would resist and stop any full military occupation of Gaza by Israel’s IDF.

It read: “We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Yesterday’s announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate. We call on the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. This must include engaging with the UN to ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles. We call on Hamas to release immediately the remaining hostages they have so cruelly held since 7 October 2023.

“The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law. We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate. Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law.

“Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7. We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.

“We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.

“We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank. Israel must halt settlements which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.  We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions.

“We strongly support the efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. It is a ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and a long-term political solution that offer the best hope of ending the agony of the hostages and their families, alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza, ending Hamas’ control of Gaza and achieving a pathway to a two-state solution, consistent with the goals of the 18 June conference in New York co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France. These negotiations need to succeed, and we must all work towards the implementation of a two-state solution, which is the only way to bring long-lasting peace and security that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve and ensure long-term stability in the region.

“We will continue to work with the Palestinian Authority, regional partners, Israel and the United States to finalize consensus on arrangements for Gaza’s future, building on the Arab plan. We affirm the important role of the High-level Two-State Solution Conference at the UN in June in building international consensus around this aim. And we are committed to recognizing a Palestinian state as a contribution to achieving a two-state solution and are prepared to work with others to this end.”

[NaijaNews]

Many people were feared dead on Monday following another tragic accident that occurred on the Karu Bridge, along the Nyanya-Keffi road in Abuja on Monday.

An eyewitness account revealed that the unfortunate crash was caused by a trailer and a vehicle conveying sachet water, popularly referred to as pure water, 24 hours after a terrible accident involving about seven cars claimed innocent lives at the same spot.

Emergency agencies reportedly turned up at the scene, but the exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

The collision led to a heavy traffic gridlock on the usually busy route, with emergency services working to rescue victims and clear the obstruction.

The Guardian reports that last month, at least two accidents took place around the Karu Bridge, resulting in the deaths of several persons.

[Guardian]

Nigerians have continued to express frustration over the rising cost of living since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office.

Many lament that the prices of basic commodities and essential services have doubled—or in some cases, tripled—without any sign of relief in sight.

In the last one year, different federal agencies have increased the costs of obtaining essential government-issued documents, including international passports, driver’s licences, vehicle number plates and corrections to National Identification Number (NIN) data.

These increments are often justified by government agencies as “adjustments to reflect operational costs.”

These developments, many say, are placing an unbearable burden on the average citizen, already struggling with stagnant incomes, unemployment, and inflation.

Despite the increased fees, applicants also face long wait times and bureaucracy, deepening frustration among citizens who rely on these documents for travel, banking, and access to digital services.

Obtaining essential documents such as international passports and driver’s licences has become notoriously difficult, with processing times often stretching into weeks or even months despite full payment.

Many Nigerians, who lamented the high cost in obtaining these documents, alleged that some officials exploit the delays to run rackets, prioritising issuance for the highest bidders.

Revised fees for services

One of the most pressing concerns is the skyrocketing price of petrol. In May 2023, the price of petrol stood at N195 per litre.

By October 2024, it had surged to N1,030, marking an increase of about 488 per cent.

Although the price currently hovers around N910 to N930 at NNPC retail outlets, depending on the location, the spike has had a cascading effect on transportation, food prices, and other essential goods and services across the country.

Equally alarming is the hike in electricity tariffs. In April 2024, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved a 240 per cent increase for Band A customers.

This saw electricity rates shoot up from N68 per kilowatt-hour to N225 per kilowatt-hour. The government argues that the increment is necessary to ensure improved service delivery and sustainability in the power sector.

Similarly, the telecommunications services have also become more expensive.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50 per cent increase in tariffs following requests from telecom operators who cited rising operational costs.

The average cost of calls rose from N11 to N16.5 per minute, while the price of 1GB of data jumped from N287.50 to N431.25. SMS charges were also increased from N4 to N6.

Presently, the minimum cost for a monthly data subscription across major network providers such as MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile is N1,000, a development that has hit students, small business owners, and digital entrepreneurs particularly hard.

In the transport sector, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in collaboration with the Joint Tax Board, recently announced a revised fee structure for driver’s licenses and vehicle number plates, effective from June 8, 2025.

The standard private and commercial vehicle number plates now cost N30,000, up from the previous N18,750. Fancy number plates now cost N400,000, double the old price of N200,000.

Articulated vehicle plates have increased from N30,000 to N90,000, while motorcycle plates rose from N5,000 to N12,000.

The cost of obtaining a standard three-year driver’s license now stands at N15,000, up from N10,000, while the five-year option increased from N15,000 to N21,000.

Similarly, obtaining or modifying a National Identity Number (NIN) has become more expensive. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) increased the fee for correcting date of birth information on its database from N16,340 to N28,574, a 75 per cent rise.

Other forms of data modification, such as changes to names or addresses, now attract a fee of N2,000 per transaction, up from N1,522. Reissuance of the NIN slip now costs N600, up from N500.

NIMC says the price review, coming after over a decade, is meant to align with current operational costs and industry standards.

The Nigerian Immigration Service also reviewed the cost of international passports upward. The 32-page booklet with a five-year validity now costs N50,000, up from N35,000, while the 64-page booklet with a ten-year validity rose from N70,000 to N100,000.

In an official statement, the Immigration Service said the adjustment was necessary to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport.

This means that Nigerians have witnessed increases in the cost of essential services and commodities, with petrol prices soaring by 488%, electricity tariffs up by 240%, telecom charges rising by 50%, vehicle number plate fees climbing as high as 200%, NIN modification costs increasing by up to 75%, and international passport fees jumping by over 42%, a wave of hikes that has deepened the financial strain on ordinary citizens nationwide.

The government insists that these changes are part of broader economic reforms aimed at reducing subsidies and enhancing service efficiency.

But citizens said the rising costs of essential services are coming at a time when many Nigerian workers are still struggling to earn a living wage.

Nigerians lament soaring prices of commodities, services

Speaking to Daily Trust, citizens from various walks of life described how the worsening economic conditions have severely impacted their ability to afford daily necessities and essential services.

Mohammed Auwal, a postgraduate student, said the prices of almost every commodity have surged and become unaffordable.

“Whenever we think of President Tinubu, the first thing that comes to mind is the cost of commodities and services. Many things have become unaffordable, from school fees to food and other basic needs.

“As a student, the increase in school fees has affected me badly. I now have to go the extra mile just to raise money to pay my fees,” he said.

Josephine Joseph, a hospitality manager, said the situation has forced her to change her daily lifestyle.

“Prices of commodities choke. You can’t even compare this to previous governments. There are many things I can no longer afford. You can’t even get N1,000 meat. The least you can get in my area is N1,500. Pepper starts from N500,” she said.

Halima Abba Waziri noted that the continuous increase in food prices is affecting households nationwide.

“People are struggling to afford basic necessities. A bag of rice or even a pack of spaghetti is now a luxury. The money I used to buy one pack of semovita can buy four packs back then. The economy is not encouraging, and there is no hope of change anytime soon,” she said.

Zainab Yetunde said that while the cost of living keeps rising, salaries have remained the same.

“The prices keep increasing despite the implementation of the minimum wage. It’s not easy. I now save money before making purchases and have to prioritise everything. I no longer have any savings,” she said.

Fatimah Sagir, a mother of school-age children, expressed her distress over the rising cost of living, saying she can no longer afford essential items for her children, let alone deal with the cost of services.

“I used to buy data regularly, but I’ve had to stop because of the cost. Everything has gone up; we simply can’t keep up anymore,” she lamented.

“Since the present administration came in, there have been a lot of changes in almost all areas of economic and social life. Prices have increased by almost 40 per cent,” said Okeke Chima.

“The cost of renewing car license has gone up, cost of passport. I cannot afford anything anymore,” he said.

Tinuke Abiola, from Osun State, said her drivers’ license has expired and she cannot renew it because she does not have the money to do so. “I have a lot of expenses I am dealing with. I cannot add this to my budget for now,” she said.

Adamu Abdullahi from Niger, expressed concern that in the two years of this administration, all Nigerians have witnessed is a hike in essential services. He lamented that there has been no respite from any quarters.  “When are we going to start reaping the benefits of these reforms”, he asked.

They called on the government to urgently address the rising cost of services, as the economic hardship continues to take a toll on the population, particularly low-income earners.

New minimum wage unrealistic – Expert

Dr. Yusha’u Aliyu, a member of the Institute of Professional Economists and Policy Management, attributes the rising cost of basic services in Nigeria to a combination of inflationary trends and a series of harsh economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration since 2023.

He said, “The economy is suffering from stagflation, an unusual combination of high unemployment and high inflation, which has eroded the purchasing power of individuals and affected overall living standards.”

Dr. Aliyu noted that the current economic reality in Nigeria has rendered workers’ wages largely unrealistic and inadequate. He argues that the combination of steep price hikes in essential services and aggressive government reforms has significantly eroded the value of wages, even with the recent increase in the national minimum wage.

“In theory, increasing the wage rate should improve workers’ consumption capacity, but in Nigeria’s current economic climate, that logic doesn’t hold,” Dr. Aliyu stated, noting that many workers still earn the old N30,000 minimum wage, while even those in federal institutions who receive the new N70,000 wage find it hard to keep up with daily expenses. “The cost of food, electricity, transportation, telecommunications, and even basic identification services like passport renewal or NIN modification has shot up dramatically”, he noted.

Dr. Aliyu emphasised that the wage increment has not translated into improved living conditions or consumption patterns. “What we see is that despite the wage increase, workers are consuming fewer goods and services than before. Their purchasing power is shrinking because inflation continues to rise faster than income,” he said.

While defending the rationale behind some of the policy decisions, Dr. Aliyu emphasised that the timing and simultaneity of the reforms have deepened economic distress. “Policies like the removal of fuel subsidies, floating of the naira, and a hike in the monetary policy rate were implemented almost simultaneously, leading to a cascading effect on the prices of commodities and services,” he explained. He likened this to planting and harvesting crops out of season, suggesting that the natural sequencing of policies was ignored.

He noted that the removal of the PMS subsidy and the depreciation of the naira drastically raised transport and logistics costs, which in turn inflated prices across the board, from passports and driver’s licenses to telecom tariffs and electricity. “The reforms were economically necessary, but their clustered implementation without corresponding buffers for vulnerable populations has made them socially unfair,” he added.

He said that although the policies may yield long-term benefits, their short-term consequences are severe. For Nigeria to reverse its inflationary trend, Dr. Aliyu recommended ramping up local refining capacity, stabilising the naira, halting further hikes in borrowing costs, among others.

[DailyTrust]

Human rights lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has faulted the proposed bill seeking to make voting mandatory in Nigeria, stating that he would rather be imprisoned than obey such a law.

Agbakoba, who made this declaration on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television on Monday, condemned the attempt of the National Assembly to enforce compulsory voting, arguing that it fails to address the root causes of voter apathy in the country.

“Look at the ridiculous one in the National Assembly about voting being compulsory. If that bill were to pass, I would say, ‘Agbakoba, we will not obey it.’ I’ll plead conscientious objection. I’d rather go to prison for six months than to obey it,” he said.

The senior lawyer questioned the rationale behind the bill, saying, “Why would the National Assembly want to impose compulsory voting? Why don’t they reverse the question and say, Why are Nigerians not interested? What is the apathy about?”

According to him, voter disengagement stems from years of exclusion and unfulfilled political promises, not a lack of civic responsibility, adding that exclusion is at the heart of Nigeria’s democratic failure.

The rights lawyer, while looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, maintained that he has noticed a troubling pattern, warning that democracy in Nigeria cannot succeed if it continues to serve only a select elite.

When asked whether the real issue is the attractiveness of public office and the consistent failure of leadership, Agbakoba restated that Nigeria’s political failure is the core reason behind low voter turnout.

DAILY POST reports that the bill, which. scaled second reading in the House of Representatives, seeks to mandate voting for all Nigerians of eligible age in national and state elections.

The bill is jointly sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and a Labour Party lawmaker, Daniel Asama Ago.

[DailyPost]

A Nigerian based in the United Kingdom, Ifedayo Johnson, has lost in a viral English skills showdown to an English X user who goes by the name Angantýr, with the handle @BasedNorthmathr, on social media.

Johnson, who hails from Oyo State, scored 79, losing by just four marks in the EFSET quiz competition with Angantyr, the Britain who scored 83.

The competition took place in separate X Spaces on Sunday, and was followed live by over 5,000 netizens.

PUNCH Online had reported that a heated immigration debate on X has turned into a linguistic showdown after the British user claimed the UK care sector had become “critically dependent on Nigerians who barely speak English.” 

Angantýr said, “Why did we make our care sector critically dependent on Nigerians who barely speak English and each bring with them three dependents?”

Johnson with the X username @Ifedayo_Jimcruz, who faulted what he called the disrespect on Nigerians challenged Angantýr to a full English language proficiency test, including writing, listening, reading, and speaking.

Johnson tweeted, “I’m openly challenging you to an English Language skills test. This would entail writing, listening, speaking and listening tests.

“If your overall score is higher than mine, I’ll quietly pack my bags and leave this country within 24 hours.

“But if I score higher than you, you’ll keep your mouth shut and never again question or disrespect the English Language skills of any Nigerian.

“Let me know when you’re ready, so we fix the date and other modalities. About time y’all are put where you belong.”

After the competition results were announced on social media on Sunday, mixed reactions had followed the Nigerian-born contestant’s loss, with both criticism and praise pouring in.

In response, Johnson took to his social media handle to challenge the stereotype that Nigerians hardly speak English, asserting that this misconception has long been disproven.

“I hate to explain as I like how everyone is running their narratives. I enjoy it so much and it’s expected.

“The challenge was to have the test done in the four Basic Language Skills but we couldn’t come to terms on that and only did two.

“Meanwhile, those were the strong forte of native speaker of any language.

“Let me repeat, Nigerians speak English and they do so very well.

“Yes, I boasted and I’m still boasting. If you have a problem at boasting about what you know you’re good at, that’s your problem.”

For Angantyr, he took to his X account immediately to announce the results, declaring that he had made England proud in the linguistic showdown.

He wrote, ”Honour defended. England conquered.”

Recall, the controversy started when Rachel Clarke tweeting as #doctor_oxford wrote on Monday, “1 in 5 of the UK’s care workforce have a non-British passport. Starmer would have us believe these carers are the ‘squalid’ result of a ‘failed experiment.’

“I say they do vital, necessary, humane, skilled work and they are worth their weight in gold.”

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has clarified that his involvement in the coalition ahead of the 2027 elections is focused on the fight against bad governance, hunger, and poverty, not personal political ambition.

Obi made this known in response to a question regarding reports of an alleged agreement with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to serve as his vice presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.

The report also claimed that Atiku had agreed to serve for only one term and was willing to formalise the agreement in writing.

Speaking at an event in Kubwa, Abuja, where he donated to a school and hospital project organised by the Anglican Church, Obi neither confirmed nor denied the existence of such an agreement.

Instead, he emphasised his commitment to the coalition’s mission.

Obi stated, “You can make of the report what you want, but I’m in a coalition against bad governance, hunger, and poverty.”

His remarks underscore his focus on national development and social welfare over political positioning.

Obi was Atiku ‘s vice presidential candidate in 2019 when both were in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but Obi moved over to the Labour Party to run as the party’s candidate.

Both lost out to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress and most political analysts had pointed to their separation as the reason they lost.

Ahead the next election in 2017, both Atiku and Obi are among opposition politicians seeking to unite towards stopping President Tinubu from winning re-election.

In other news, Peter Obi has emphasised that his participation in Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration ceremony in Rome should not be misconstrued as political.

In a statement posted on X (Twitter) on Monday, Obi clarified that the visit was spiritual and aligned with his tradition of attending significant global events.

[Leadership]

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced it will release the results of 379,000 candidates who sat for the rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on Wednesday.

The resit was conducted between Friday and Monday following widespread complaints of technical and human errors during the initial UTME, which significantly impacted candidates’ performance, especially in Lagos and the South-East.

JAMB said the glitches necessitated rescheduling the exam, acknowledging lapses in its system. Last week, the board’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, publicly accepted responsibility and even broke down in tears while announcing a makeup exam for the affected candidates.

Out of the 1,955,069 candidates who took the original UTME, more than 1.5 million scored below 200 marks out of a possible 400, fueling concern over the fairness and credibility of the exam.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, JAMB spokesperson Dr. Fabian Benjamin confirmed the resit results would be released on Wednesday.

“The results of the candidates who took the rescheduled exam will be released on Wednesday,” Benjamin said.

Prof. Oloyede previously disclosed that 379,997 candidates were affected—206,610 across 65 centres in Lagos and 173,387 in 92 centres in the South-East. He described the disruptions as an act of “sabotage” and said affected candidates were notified via SMS starting last Thursday.

Of the nearly two million results processed, only 4,756 candidates (0.24%) scored 320 and above. Another 7,658 candidates (0.39%) scored between 300 and 319, bringing the number of those who scored 300 and above to just 12,414 (0.63%).

Some 73,441 candidates (3.76%) scored between 250–299, 334,560 (17.11%) scored between 200–249, 983,187 (50.29%) scored between 160–199, 488,197 (24.97%) scored between 140–159, 57,419 (2.94%) scored between 120–139, 3,820 (0.20%) scored between 100–119, while 2,031 (0.10%) scored below 100.

[Vanguard]