President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will assess the performance of his ministers on May 29 as his administration clocks two years in office, presidency sources confirmed on Tuesday.

The scorecard review, coordinated by the Central Results Delivery and Coordination Unit (CDCU) under the Presidency, will present a detailed evaluation of each ministry’s achievements for the first quarter of 2025.

Sources disclosed that ministries submitted evidence of their projects and programmes through a secure portal last month, with verification now completed by the CDCU. The final report is expected to be delivered to President Tinubu before the anniversary date.

“Officials of the various ministries have uploaded the reports of their activities and projects on the portal provided by the CDCU,” a presidency insider said. “These are based on deliverables that the ministries themselves have set.”

The assessment follows Tinubu’s directive during the November 2023 Cabinet Retreat, where he made it clear that ministers would be held accountable based on performance.

“If you are performing, nothing to fear. If you miss the objective, we’ll review it. If no performance, you leave us,” the President had said.

Insiders say some ministers, particularly in critical sectors, are already under scrutiny as Tinubu prepares to make informed judgments on his cabinet’s effectiveness.

Immediate reshuffles are, however, not expected

The Federal Government has released the names of the seven inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, following a jailbreak that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirmed that the escape was triggered by a heavy downpour, which compromised a section of the facility’s perimeter fence. Authorities say the breach allowed the inmates to break free under the cover of darkness.

Promoted Content

Raveconsult

Work In Belgium With A Sponsored Visa

Idealmedia

Nigerian Actress Monalisa Stephen Dies from Medical Complications

Security around the prison has since been tightened. When our correspondent visited the scene on Tuesday afternoon, armed personnel from the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were visibly stationed at strategic points around the premises.

An officer who spoke anonymously disclosed that the damaged part of the fence has been repaired. “We’ve fixed the breach and have heightened surveillance. All agencies are now working together to prevent a recurrence,” he said.

In the wake of the incident, a manhunt has been launched to track down the escapees. However, the Osun State Police Command said it had yet to receive a formal complaint from the Correctional Service.

Speaking with journalists, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, said: “It is our duty to go after all criminals within the nooks and crannies of Osun State. If you are asking specifically about the inmates, we are still waiting for the Correctional Service to make an official complaint at the nearest police formation. We are fully prepared to act once that is done.”

Meanwhile, the NCoS has released the names and details of the escaped inmates as part of ongoing efforts to mobilize the public for support in their rearrest.

FULL LIST OF ESCAPED INMATES:

Kabiru Oyedun

Offence: Murder

Case Year: 2021

2. Eze Nweze

Offence: Armed Robbery

Case Year: 2023

3. John Michael

Offence: Armed Robbery

Case Year: 2023

4. Olalekan Ajofoyinbo

Offence: Armed Robbery

Case Year: 2021

5. Ninalowo Yusuf

Offence: Breaking In and Stealing

Case Year: 2025

6. Matthew Ogunjimi

Offence: Illegal Possession of Firearms and Armed Robbery

Case Year: 2018

7. Tobi Akin

Offence: Illegal Possession of Firearms and Armed Robbery

Case Year: 2018

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has raised serious concerns over what she describes as clear bias by the Nigeria Police Force in the handling of multiple petitions she filed against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

In a formal letter dated May 19, 2025, and addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the senator, through her legal counsel, Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, accused the police of showing preferential treatment towards Akpabio while neglecting her own petitions.

“Our client submitted numerous petitions to the Nigeria Police against Senator Akpabio,” the letter reads. “These petitions were clearly stated and submitted between March and April 2025, yet no meaningful steps have been taken to impartially investigate them.”

According to the letter, the petitions include a March 25 report alleging threats to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s life, a March 31 complaint over the sudden and unauthorized withdrawal of her police security detail, and an April 4 petition accusing Akpabio and Yahaya Bello of conspiracy to assassinate her.

All three petitions, the letter noted, were acknowledged by the police between March 26 and April 5. However, her legal team says that since then, the police have failed to invite witnesses, conduct interviews, or move the investigations forward.

West-Idahosa pointed to the high-ranking political position of Senator Akpabio as a likely factor in the apparent reluctance to act. “It is obvious that this unwillingness to thoroughly and impartially investigate the petitions may be due to the high political office occupied by Senator Godswill Akpabio,” he said.

The letter also emphasized that Yahaya Bello, no longer a sitting governor, is not protected by constitutional immunity and should be fully subject to criminal investigation.

What has heightened concerns for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and her legal team is the contrast in how quickly the police responded to a counter-petition filed by Akpabio. On April 3, Akpabio accused her of making false allegations, criminal defamation, and incitement. Within days, Akpoti-Uduaghan was invited by police investigators, made a statement under caution, and reaffirmed her claims—providing names of witnesses and submitting supporting documents.

Yet despite her cooperation, West-Idahosa said her original petitions and evidence were not included in the case file regarding Akpabio’s complaint. He further revealed that her legal team was recently informed that the police had already concluded their investigation into Akpabio’s petition.

“Our client is concerned that investigations into her petitions have been severally and unjustly stalled in what appears to be a discriminatory executive action,” he said.

The letter described the police’s actions as a breach of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constitutional rights and called for immediate intervention from the Attorney General. Her lawyers are urging him to invoke Section 105(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which empowers the Attorney General to request case files from the police for review.

The governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has called on President Bola Tinubu to listen to people who are invested in the good of the country.

Zulum said that the president should do the right thing by listening to those who would always tell him the truth about the ongoing fight against insurgents in the Northeast.

Speaking on News Central on Tuesday, the governor said the leadership of the Nigerian Army knows exactly what to do to end the terrorism in states across the region.

His words, “The President should listen to those who can tell him the right thing and I had a meeting with the Cheif of Army Staff, he said that he doesn’t want a kobo to be given to him in terms of equipment, he said let the Federal Government deal directly with other nations so that equipment would be procured government to government.

“Our problems are one; sycophancy, people don’t say the right thing, they stay in their comfort zones trying to give misinformation and miscommunication,” Zulum said.

The governor said it is also important for President Tinubu to have discussions with the Army on the way forward on ending insurgency in Nigeria.

According to him, there is a need to eliminate the bureaucracy in the process of procurement of military equipment and other hardware.

He said, “The Army knows what it takes to deal with the insurgents, the president should also listen to them and have a meeting with them, I’ve seen zeal and commitment from them as well as from the intelligence community.

“That is one option, then secondly, we should remove democracy from the procurement of military hardware and software.

“Finally, both sub-national and the national government would come together pull resources together and buy the technology equipment that will end this insurgency,” the governor said

President Bola Tinubu has said that no part of Nigeria can thrive in isolation.

The president said every region of the country has its specific role to play in national development.

Speaking on Wednesday, May 22, at the Taraba International Investment Summit in Jalingo, the president said food security and regional economic inclusion are Nigeria’s gateway to long-term stability.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the president said investment in agriculture is of vital importance to Nigeria’s economic growth.

“Food sufficiency is the first currency of national stability. This is why we have prioritised agriculture as the anchor of our national strategy,” Tinubu said.

He further commended the governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, for his vision in creating an environment for development.

“Our ultimate awakening as a nation begins with this realisation that no part of this country can thrive in isolation.

“What Taraba offers the nation is more than its breathtaking mountains or fertile valleys; it is a strategic contribution to our shared prosperity,” he said.

Abdulrahman Bello, the suspected killer of the final-year student of Kwara State College of Education Ilorin, Hafsoh Lawal, on Wednesday confessed before the court to killing his Facebook lover for money rituals.

The suspect, who also claims to be an Islamic cleric, said he carried out the act alone.

Bello, who said he killed Lawal because he needed human hands for money rituals, regretted that if only he had known another way to source the needed ingredient, he wouldn’t have killed her.

Meanwhile, a police witness, Inspector Ayodele Azeez, attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the state Police Command, showed up at the hearing.

The Police Inspector narrated that: “On 14th February 2025, a case of murder and rape was transfered from C Division Oja-Oba to State CID.

“The 1st defendant, Abdulrahman was found with the following exihibits; one axe, cutlass, table, charms, right and left hands of the victim, consultation book, Tecno phone, iPhone, iPhone XR, paint rubber, container with blood, slippers and after the case has been accepted at the state CID, it was later reffered to anti-homicide and anti-robbery sections.

“The case was assigned to some team of Police officers led by ASP Dada Segun who directed me to obtain statement from the suspect and I took him to a conducive environment in a room.

“I asked him which language he preferred to speak and he settled for English and I asked if he had any relative around the police command or any lawyer to witness how his statement would be recorded,” the police witness recalled.

He added that: “He said No! I asked if he needed the service of a lawyer and he agreed that I should get him one but he added that he didn’t have money to pay for legal service. I told him not to worry about the money.

“I eventually got him lawyer A.O. Ahmed in whose presence he wrote his statement. After writing his statement under caution, he signed it after recording everything in his own handwriting.

“I told him to cross-check again in case there was any omission or need for addition, he confirmed that there was no problem and he signed the statement.

“After checking the statement, my team leader, ASP Dada Segun requested that the lawyer endorse the statement which he also did, while I also signed my column too as an IPO. ASP Dada Segun also requested me to also do video recording of how the suspect signed his statement.

“I also used my Android Phone to do recording and I transferred it to my laptop and later to a compact disc with certificate of compliance,” he narrated.

He stated further that Insp. Azeez, on February 16th 2025 and his team led by ASP Dada Segun, went to the scene of the crime at Olunlade and found a pair of earrings belonging to Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal.

He however confirmed all the exhibits tendered before the court as items recovered from Abdulrahman Bello’s house.

Barr. Agbede, who held brief for the counsel to the 1st defendant, objected to the admission of the compact disc, stressing that the suspect was coerced into making his statement while counsels to other defendants raised no objection.

Justice Hannah Ajayi however admitted the disc as an exhibit and ordered that it be played in the courtroom.

The police witness further hinted that: “when the investigation started, Abdulrahman’s call log revealed that the remaining defendants were on his regular call list before the day and the very day he perpetrated the evil act.

“All of them were tracked and arrested. When we took them before Abdulrahman Bello, it was discovered that they know each other, and the 2nd defendant happens to be the teacher of Abdulrahman, the 3rd defendant is also a student of the 2nd defendant while the 3rd and 5th defendant are his closest friends.

“We carried search on their houses, but nothing was recovered, and we returned them to the station,” he stated.

At the time of filing this report, the court was on recess.

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reiterated the urgent need to wipe out corruption in Nigeria.

Speaking against the backdrop of recent allegations of budget padding in the 2025 national budget of the country, Obi submitted that Nigeria remains a relentless scene of corruption.

Recall that Naija News earlier reported that a non-governmental civic and transparency organisation, BudgIT, alleged that a staggering 11,122 projects worth ₦6.93 trillion in questionable projects were dubiously inserted into the 2025 national budget.

Reacting to the allegation, Peter Obi, in a post on Wednesday via his ? account, said Nigeria must be rid of entrenched corruption if the country is to make any meaningful progress.

He posited that the discovery by BudgIT is likely a small fraction of the actual misappropriated amount, adding that such developments are troubling and beg a fresh call for the aggressive fight against corruption in Nigeria.

“I have consistently maintained that for this country to make progress, Nigeria must cease to function as a crime scene and be repositioned for genuine development.

“This entrenched corruption – persistent and deeply rooted – must be nipped in the bud if there is to be any meaningful turnaround.

“How else can we explain the distressing revelations by BudgIT, which uncovered a staggering ₦7 trillion in questionable projects inserted into the 2025 national budget? I am convinced that this figure represents only a fraction of the actual amount misappropriated. These findings are deeply troubling and confirm my long-held position that we have turned our country into a crime scene. We must urgently and aggressively combat corruption, misappropriation, and fiscal recklessness in order to manage our resources effectively and efficiently, and invest in critical areas of development: health, education, and lifting our people out of poverty,” Obi lamented.

The former Anambra State Governor further lamented the enormity of the alleged padded figure of ₦7 trillion, noting that the amount is way bigger than the official budgets of several ministries.

“The ₦7 trillion uncovered as fraudulently inserted into the 2025 budget is even greater than the combined allocations to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the Ministry of Agriculture – ministries that are fundamental to national development.

To be precise:
•The Ministry of Education was allocated ₦3.52 trillion,
•The Ministry of Health received ₦2.48 trillion,
•The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation was allocated ₦260 billion, and
•The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security received ₦636.08 billion.

“Combined, these four ministries were allocated ₦6.896 trillion—an already inflated amount—yet still less than the ₦7 trillion dubiously inserted into the budget.

“That ₦7 trillion figure is even more than the ₦6.1 trillion allocated to national security—at a time when Nigeria is among the most terrorised nations in the world.

“This brazen impunity by our leaders is precisely why the country cannot invest adequately in education—hence the existence of nearly 20 million out-of-school children. It is the same corruption that has crippled primary healthcare, resulting in alarming levels of malnourished children. We face widespread hunger, yet our leaders neglect agricultural investment due to persistent mismanagement and lack of accountability. The same disregard affects our capacity to fund national security effectively, or to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are vital to national growth.

“These glaring acts of corruption reinforce my position: Nigeria has been reduced to a crime scene,” the former presidential candidate argued.

The Way Out

Obi recommended a transparent management of the country’s resources by its leaders as well as strategic investment in key areas of national live to spur growth and development.

According to him, a new Nigeria is still possible.

“We must confront this corruption, misappropriation, and fiscal recklessness with unwavering resolve. Our national resources must be transparently managed and strategically invested in key sectors—health, education, and poverty alleviation—to secure a better future for our people. We must turn this nation around.

“A new Nigeria is POssible,” he concluded.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has distanced itself from the controversial arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in Kenya, stating that its operations are strictly confined to Nigeria’s territorial borders.
Naija News reports that this clarification came during the cross-examination of a prosecution witness, identified by the code name BBB, an intelligence officer from the DSS.

During his testimony, BBB was asked about the DSS’s ability to operate beyond Nigerian borders, particularly regarding the alleged involvement in Kanu’s arrest.

He firmly stated that the agency lacks the jurisdiction to carry out arrests outside Nigeria, further asserting that the DSS operates only within the nation’s borders.

“We do not have the powers to effect arrest beyond Nigeria’s borders,” BBB said, debunking allegations that the agency was responsible for Kanu’s abduction in Kenya. Kanu had claimed he was “kidnapped” from Kenya and forcibly returned to Nigeria in 2021.

The witness further clarified the DSS’s operational structure, stating that the agency is under the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and operates independently from political influence.

When asked whether the DSS can be influenced by politicians or ministers, BBB confirmed that the Attorney General does not direct the agency’s operations, affirming its autonomy.

On intelligence gathering, BBB explained that the DSS relies on various sources, including human intelligence, social media, and other channels, asserting that its operatives are well-trained to gather information as needed.

Further probing revealed that the DSS witness linked Kanu’s Radio Biafra broadcasts to incitement of violence, notably during the EndSARS protests in 2020. BBB stated that Kanu had expressed his readiness to pursue the creation of Biafra by any means, including armed conflict.

The witness also highlighted that Kanu’s inflammatory comments contributed to incidents such as the burning of a police station in Ebonyi State, the Lagos State High Court, and the cargo shed of Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos.

At a point during the proceedings, Paul Erokoro, the defence counsel, requested an adjournment to allow the submission of a video clip they intended to tender as evidence.

The court granted the request and admitted certified true copies of judgments from three fundamental rights enforcement lawsuits filed by Nnamdi Kanu in various courts, including the Abia State High Court, the Federal High Court in Umuahia, and the High Court of Enugu State.

The day’s proceedings began with a warning from the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, regarding the live streaming of court proceedings and the inappropriate use of social media.

The judge specifically cautioned Aloy Ejimakor, a member of the defence team, against posting misleading information on social media.

Lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi, had raised concerns about the illegal live streaming of the trial, particularly pointing to Ejimakor’s actions. Agabi suggested that phones be banned from the courtroom to prevent further violations.

In response, Justice Omotosho emphasised the importance of professionalism throughout the trial, noting that the case is too serious to be trivialised. He also warned Ejimakor that continued misconduct could lead to disciplinary action, including potential disbarment.

Justice Omotosho concluded by reaffirming the need for an expedited hearing in the interest of all parties, especially Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in custody for an extended period. The case was adjourned until Thursday, May 22, for the conclusion of the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.

Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has described President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV as an insult to Christianity.

He said the President’s presence at the Pope’s inauguration could have been arranged by lobbyists.

Recall that the head of the Roman Catholic Church recently invited President Tinubu to his historic papal inauguration at the Vatican City in Rome.

At the end of the inauguration, Tinubu joined other world leaders to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with the Pope.

But Babachir has downplayed the President’s meeting with Pope Leo, saying it’s a non-issue.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, Babachir said President Tinubu’s presence at the event is not an achievement, adding that lobbyists with correct inducement may have arranged the invitation extended to him.

“You know that going to see the Pope is just a matter of your lobby. How well you can lobby, how many friends you have out there in the Vatican that can lobby for you. So, it is not as if it’s a major achievement to visit the Pope on his inauguration. It can be arranged in advance by lobbyists, probably with the correct inducement. So, Bola Tinubu going to visit the Pope is a non issue,” he said.

The former SGF maintained that President Tinubu’s meeting with the Pope further reinforced his sentiment that a Muslim-Muslim ticket is an insult to Christians.

He faulted the President’s visit to the Vatican City, saying a Muslim should not be leading eminent Christians to the Pope. 

According to him, Tinubu would not have attended the event if he had a Christian as Vice President. He added that the ticket with which Tinubu emerged as Nigeria’s President is an unfair arrangement.

He said, “It reinforces my earlier belief that the Muslim-Muslim ticket is an insult to Christianity, had there a senior a Christian as a vice president. It’s only expected that he will be the one to represent the government. But now in Nigeria, we have a so-called Muslim visiting the Pope, leading a delegation of and Catholics, eminent Catholics, to the Vatican. So it proves the fact that a Muslim, Muslim ticket is an unfair arrangement.”

It would be recalled that Babachir initially supported Tinubu’s candidate during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election. He withdrew his support when Tinubu chose Kashim Shettima, a fellow Muslim, as his running mate.

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has alleged that some Nigerian politicians and members of the armed forces are acting as informants and collaborators for Boko Haram insurgents.

Zulum made the revelation on Wednesday during an interview on News Central’s Breakfast Central, where he vowed that the state would strengthen its intelligence network and deal with saboteurs “ruthlessly.”

“We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian armed forces, within the politicians, and within the communities. What we shall do is to strengthen our intelligence and to deal with them ruthlessly.

“Let’s remove contractocracy. In six months, we can put an end to this madness. We need not politicise insecurity,” he said.

Addressing the issue of surrendered insurgents, Zulum stated that while not all who surrendered have reformed fully, the overwhelming majority are contributing positively.

“I cannot completely say that 100% of those people who have surrendered are doing the right thing, but I want to assure you that over 99% are doing well and are not participating in the ongoing terrorism,” Zulum said

The governor reaffirmed the need for Nigeria to embrace both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in tackling insurgency, noting that over 99% of repentant insurgents are no longer involved in terrorism.

He stressed that military force alone would never bring about a total end to insurgency.

He stated, “Insurgency will never be ended by kinetic measures alone. We must ensure that the non-kinetic measures are also properly put in place.

“What I mean by non-kinetic measures is social, political, and economic dimensions of the crisis. Our ongoing non-kinetic measures have yielded positive results with the support of the Nigerian military.”

He acknowledged that not all 500,000-plus repentant fighters may stay reformed, but believes the system is largely working.

“Yes, I believe among the 500,000 or more that have repented, I cannot rule out the possibility of fewer of them going back to the bush,” he said.

He criticised the lack of equipment for the military and accused insurgents of having a superior technological advantage, saying “The army doesn’t have the necessary equipment on ground to fight the insurgency.”

The governor, however, commended the Nigerian military’s role in supporting peace-building efforts

“I want to commend the Nigerian armed forces for the support that they have been rendering to our non-kinetic measures,” Zulum said.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to pay attention to ground-level intelligence and professional advice from the military.

“The forest guard shall be provided immediately. The President of Nigeria needs to listen to those who can differentiate their left from their right.

“We should not politicise insecurity. The President needs to listen to the people who can tell him the right thing. The President should listen to the army,” he stated.