Latest News
Senate Supercharges Energy Reform With 2025 Electricity Bill Progress
Senate Passes Second Reading of Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Senate, on Wednesday, passed the second reading of the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, marking a significant step toward reforming Nigeria’s struggling power sector.
According to NIVONEWS, the bill scaled through this legislative stage following a lead debate presented during plenary by its sponsor, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA–Abia), who also chairs the Senate Committee on Power.
Abaribe explained that the bill aims to tackle critical gaps observed since the implementation of the Electricity Act, 2023. He said the proposed amendments seek to enhance coordination between federal and state governments, criminalize electricity infrastructure vandalism, and address labour and financing concerns crippling the sector.
“The power sector is on the brink of collapse due to systemic constraints across the entire value chain and overwhelming debts running into trillions of naira,” Abaribe warned. “This amendment is part of a larger effort to rescue the sector.”
According to NIVONEWS, the bill also proposes clarifying transitional provisions regarding the transfer of regulatory authority from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to state governments—especially over intra-state electricity operations and grid interactions.
Contributing to the debate, Sen. Garba Maidoki (APC–Kebbi) expressed frustration with the state of electricity billing and service delivery. “If as a senator I struggle to pay my light bill, what hope does the average Nigerian have?” he asked.
Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari (APC–Oyo) emphasized the need for stiffer penalties against vandals, saying: “You can’t build infrastructure only to have it stolen. Without strict punishment, the sabotage will continue.”
Similarly, Sen. Yunus Akintunde (APC–Oyo) criticized the existing structure of the power sector, blaming outdated transmission systems and poor policy design. He stressed the need to limit public spending on distribution equipment, arguing that GenCos and DisCos must take full business responsibility.
In his closing remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the Power Committee for their work on the bill. He expressed hope that the upcoming public hearing would allow citizens to contribute meaningfully.
According to NIVONEWS, Akpabio noted that transforming Nigeria’s power landscape is key to unlocking industrial and economic growth, declaring: “Without electricity, there can be no meaningful development.”
‘‘NIVONEWS REPORTS”
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
-
latest8 months ago“Social Media Erupts As Jim Iyke Declares Rita Dominic Nollywood’s Most Beautiful”
-
latest2 years agoEdo Political Showdown: Oshiomhole Appears At Presidential Villa As Tinubu Hands APC Gubernatorial Flag To Okpebholo (Photos & Video)
-
entertainment2 years agoLove Knows No Age American Woman Defends Marriage To Young Nigerian Man “I’m Not 70”
-
latest2 years agoOlumide Akpata Strikes Again: Drops Killer Track, Sends Edo State Into Frenzy!(Video)
-
Politics2 years agoNigerians React As Pastor Adeboye Foresees Passing Away On A Sunday After Enjoying A Satisfying Meal Of Pounded Yam
-
latest2 years agoFG Identifies 31 States At Risk Of Heavy Flooding In 2024: See Full List
-
Politics2 years agoBREAKING: Inspector-General Of Police Summons Top Police Commanders For Crucial-Security Challenges
-
latest2 years ago5 NYSC Corpers Perish In Fatal Road Accident Returning From Camp