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Nigeria Focuses On High-Stakes Diplomacy At TICAD 9, Not Business Expos, Presidency Says
The Presidency has dismissed claims suggesting that the Nigerian delegation is not actively participating in the ongoing 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9). The remarks follow viral social media images showing an apparently empty booth labeled “NIGERIA” at the conference.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a statement released on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, described the narrative as a “total misrepresentation” of Nigeria’s mission and activities at the summit. He noted that the images circulating online were shared out of ignorance, and while some may have been motivated by patriotic concern, they did not reflect the delegation’s actual work.
Onanuga emphasized that Nigeria’s delegation, led by President Tinubu, is focused on achieving tangible outcomes through bilateral and multilateral engagements designed to boost key sectors of the economy, including power, industry, and agriculture. He clarified that the delegation’s presence is not centered on the trade expo, which serves as an open forum for participating nations.
The statement highlighted that Nigerian officials are actively engaging in strategic meetings. President Tinubu is scheduled to meet executives from Toyota Corporation, CFAO, UN-Habitat, UNDP, and the International Finance Corporation. Meanwhile, ministers are leading bilateral discussions, and the Nigerian delegation, supported by leading business leaders, is working to advance specific economic initiatives.
Notable projects include several power sector initiatives led by Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). These include the Lagos-Ogun Power Transmission System Improvement to enhance grid stability, vocational training programs through the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN), and the $190 million Distributed Access Through Renewable Energy Scale-up project. Adelabu is also scheduled to engage with major equipment manufacturers, including Toshiba and Hitachi.
Additionally, the Bank of Industry, under Managing Director Dr. Supo Olusi, is participating in high-level discussions with JICA and other multilateral institutions to advance its annual global fund syndication.
The statement concluded by underscoring that social media posts often provide a partial picture. “The trending video does not capture Nigeria’s full participation at TICAD 9. Our country is fully represented and actively involved in essential negotiations and discussions at the summit,” it said.
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.
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