Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has stepped down from his position following allegations of certificate forgery.

The resignation was confirmed on Tuesday by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, marking the latest high-profile exit from President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Though details of the forgery claims have yet to be fully disclosed, the development has sparked renewed concern over the vetting process for public officeholders in the country.

Nnaji’s departure comes at a critical time for the Ministry, which has been championing several national projects in science, research, and digital innovation.

The Presidency has not yet announced a replacement.

Nigeria is in talks with China’s Export-Import Bank for a $2 billion loan to fund the construction of a new “super grid”, a major power transmission network designed to tackle the country’s long-running electricity crisis.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, revealed the plan at an economic summit in Abuja, noting that the grid will serve both eastern and western regions, home to many large businesses and industries.

“This is part of efforts to decentralise power generation and encourage big commercial users, who left the grid due to its unreliability, to return,” Adelabu said.

According to Bloomberg, the Federal Executive Council has approved the loan request, while negotiations with China’s Eximbank are progressing.

Nigeria generates around 13,000 megawatts, but the current national grid can only transmit a third of that, and even that limited supply is unreliable.

Frequent grid failures leave homes and businesses in the dark, forcing many to rely on costly self-generated power.

In contrast, South Africa, with a population just a quarter of Nigeria’s, has over 70,000 megawatts in installed capacity.

Experts estimate that nearly 50% of Nigeria’s electricity consumption now comes from private generators, a costly and unsustainable workaround.

The super grid project is expected to Improve power distribution, especially to industrial hubs, reduce dependence on generators, boost economic activity and investor confidence and part of Tinubu’s Economic Agenda.

The project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s broader economic reforms, which include Removing fuel subsidies, overhauling tax laws, increasing oil production and introducing new power sector policies.

One such reform allowed electricity providers to raise tariffs for customers with stable power, a move Adelabu says increased revenues by 70% in 2024, with projected earnings of ₦2.4 trillion ($1.6 billion) in 2025, a further 41% increase.

“The new grid is critical to building a reliable power system and restoring confidence in the national electricity supply,” Adelabu added.

In a decisive move to restore Nigeria’s global image, the Senate has passed a bill mandating a 10-year international passport ban for any Nigerian convicted of crimes in foreign countries.

The legislation, introduced by Senator Abubakar Bello (Niger North), seeks to amend the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, imposing stricter penalties on citizens whose actions abroad bring disrepute to the country.

Under the new bill, any Nigerian found guilty of a criminal offence overseas will be barred from obtaining or renewing their passport for 10 years after completing their sentence.

During the debate on the Senate floor, Senator Onawo Ogwoshi, speaking on behalf of the bill’s sponsor, stressed the urgent need to address the reputational damage caused by criminal behavior among Nigerians abroad.

He noted that the green passport, once a proud symbol of national identity, has become the target of suspicion and disrespect at international borders.

“Innocent, law-abiding Nigerians are routinely harassed, denied visas, and unfairly profiled because of the actions of a few individuals. This is nothing short of a national emergency,” Ogwoshi stated.

Lawmakers backing the bill argue that the measure sends a strong message to the international community: Nigeria will not shield its citizens from consequences when they tarnish the nation’s image abroad. Instead, the country is taking steps to hold offenders accountable.

If signed into law, the bill would not only serve as a deterrent but also aim to improve how Nigerian travelers are perceived and treated worldwide.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dissolved the Enugu State Executive Committee led by Chief Ugochukwu Agballa, following months of internal crisis and legal disputes.

The decision, confirmed by reliable party sources, comes amid heightened speculation that Governor Peter Mbah is set to defect to the APCAPC, a move expected to significantly alter Enugu’s political landscape.

The Enugu APC has been deeply divided under Agballa’s leadership, with multiple petitions, court orders, and factional clashes paralyzing the party’s activities.

Notably, a 2024 High Court ruling restrained Agballa from parading himself as chairman, but party leadership under former chairman Abdullahi Ganduje reportedly ignored the ruling and internal complaints.

This latest move by the NWC is widely seen as an effort to pave the way for a political reset in Enugu, as the APC prepares for what sources describe as a “major realignment” in the state.

A formal announcement of the dissolution and Governor Mbah’s possible defection is expected on Thursday this week.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dissolved the party’s Enugu State Executive Council ahead of Governor Peter Mbah’s expected defection from the PDP.

Sources within the party confirmed to DAILY GAZETTE that the official announcement will be made on Thursday, the same day Mbah is scheduled to formally join the APC in what insiders describe as a major political realignment in the Southeast.

Detail shortly…

May Agbamuche-Mbu, a National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has officially assumed the role of Acting Chairman of the Commission.

Her appointment follows the handover by outgoing Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who is proceeding on terminal leave.

The development was announced on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja with Resident Electoral Commissioners in attendance.

Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior National Commissioner at the Commission, will oversee INEC’s operations in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu has formally handed over the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to May Agbamuche, who will now serve as the Acting National Chairman.

The announcement was made on Tuesday during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Agbamuche, the most senior National Commissioner at the electoral body, will oversee the commission’s affairs pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.

In his remarks, Professor Yakubu called on commissioners and directors within INEC to extend their full support to Agbamuche during her tenure in acting capacity.