Denial of “Shadow Budget” Claims: The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance, has formally rejected allegations that it spent over ₦8 trillion outside of the approved national budget.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Clarification of Fiscal Procedures: Minister of Finance Taiwo Oyedele emphasized that the government adheres to constitutional and statutory frameworks—specifically Sections 80–83 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution—when managing public funds.

• Explanation of Financial Reporting: The ministry clarified that expenditures such as statutory transfers, first-line charges, and multi-year capital projects are legal and subject to oversight, even if their reporting classification differs from the annual Appropriation Act due to international standards.

• Challenge to Critics: The government challenged those making these allegations to provide verifiable evidence and identify specific projects that were purportedly executed without legislative or legal authorization.

• Clarification on Fiscal Deficit: The ministry stated that the method of financing a project—whether through annual budgets, statutory transfers, or intervention mechanisms—does not automatically increase the nation’s fiscal deficit.

• Alignment with International Standards: According to the statement, the recent observations by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concerned the presentation and timing of fiscal reports rather than the legality of the spending, and the government is actively working to align its budget reporting with international standards.

• Commitment to Transparency: The government highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s December 2025 request to the National Assembly to transition to a single, cohesive budget framework and reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to fiscal accountability and digitalization.

A New Approach to Education: Amidst common discourse regarding the decline of the Nigerian educational system, Alex Onyia, CEO of the K-12 platform Educare, is actively transforming the landscape through technology, advocacy, and personal initiatives.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Innovating Educational Infrastructure: Through Educare, Onyia has implemented a scalable EdTech solution that facilitates school management, digital learning, and predictive analytics for over 1 million students and 300,000 parents across Africa.

• Advancing STEM Education: Onyia has sought international partnerships in Switzerland and Eindhoven to develop a world-class STEM curriculum for Nigerian students, ranging from Primary 1 to Senior Secondary 3.

• Talent Development and Sponsorship: He has funded the South East Maths and Science Olympiad to nurture gifted students, in addition to personally mentoring and sponsoring the academic growth of high-potential students and educators.

• Championing Integrity: Onyia is a vocal advocate against academic dishonesty, such as exam malpractice and “sorting,” viewing these practices as significant threats to national competence.

• Institutional Influence: Following the 2025 UTME results, Onyia utilized data-driven arguments to petition officials, ultimately securing a seat on a high-level JAMB review panel to advocate for transparency and corrective measures.

• International Representation: As of July 2026, Onyia has fully sponsored a delegation of three students and two teachers to represent Nigeria at the International STEM Olympiad in Rome, Italy, where they are competing against peers from 154 countries.

Allegations of Political Interference: The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has claimed that INEC, led by Joash Amupitan, is struggling to maintain its independence while facing intense pressure from the ruling APC regarding 2027 election preparations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• ADC’s Position: During an interview with The Sun, ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi stated that the commission is conflicted, often wavering between upholding its independence and yielding to political influence.

• Sympathy for the Chairman: While acknowledging the difficult position Amupitan is in, Abdullahi emphasized that the integrity of the institution is more important than any individual.

• The Broader Context: Abdullahi noted that INEC, along with the judiciary and all political parties, is being tested, and the commission has a critical opportunity to prove that it remains loyal to the Nigerian Constitution and the public.

• A Call for Historical Legacy: The ADC challenged Amupitan to consider how he will be judged by history, urging him to act with integrity so that he is remembered with honor rather than public disgrace.