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Natasha Suspension: Senate Set for Showdown Over Oshiomhole’s Signature Claim

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Natasha Suspension: Senate Set for Showdown Over Oshiomhole’s Signature Claim
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole

Natasha Suspension: Senate Set for Showdown Over Oshiomhole’s Signature Claim

  • Emergency plenary convened as lawmakers weigh probe into allegations questioning Senate integrity

The Nigerian Senate is bracing for a potentially explosive emergency session on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, as lawmakers prepare to address allegations made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole regarding the controversial suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Multiple sources within the National Assembly have confirmed that the issue is expected to dominate proceedings when senators reconvene for the emergency plenary summoned by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. While the session was officially called to address rising insecurity across the country, political attention has increasingly shifted to the implications of the growing tension between Akpabio and one of the most influential members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The crisis erupted after Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, alleged during a television interview that the signatures of at least three senators were either improperly attached to or appeared on the committee report that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension. The former Edo State governor claimed that some lawmakers whose names appeared on the document had privately informed him that they neither signed nor endorsed the recommendations contained in the report, and he specifically referenced Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory, as one of the lawmakers who allegedly raised concerns about the document. Oshiomhole further suggested that attendance registers may have been attached to the final report in place of actual endorsements.

The allegations immediately triggered an uproar within the Senate, with leadership dismissing the claims as “spurious, bewildering, and unthinkable.” Senate spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, insisted that no senator had officially reported any signature forgery regarding the Natasha matter and stated that the Senate would review any statements made by Oshiomhole and take a cursory look at either extraneous, spontaneous or intentional comments from any senator appropriately. The Senate spokesperson maintained that the business of the Senate is conducted transparently “in the full glare of the media and willing Nigerians,” and that decisions are taken after exhaustive debates, including disciplinary issues, adding that no senator had at any time, either in Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension or any other matter, forged the signature or misrepresented any senator.

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Amid growing backlash, Oshiomhole issued a public clarification, insisting he never accused anyone of forgery and stating in a personally signed statement that his comments had been misrepresented and taken out of context. He explained that his comments were based on a claim allegedly made by one committee member that attendance signatures of some senators were attached to the final report, and emphasised that no senator complained to him personally about forged signatures. Oshiomhole agreed absolutely with the spokesperson of the Senate that no signature of senators was forged in Natasha Akpoti’s suspension, because no senator complained to him that his or her signature was forged.

The controversy widened following Senator Ireti Kingibe’s comments, which appeared to support aspects of Oshiomhole’s claim, as she disclosed during a television interview that she never saw the committee report that formed the basis for Natasha’s suspension. According to her, she was attending a retreat on tax reform when the report was being considered and therefore had no opportunity to review the document before the matter was concluded, and she had earlier stated that she was there with three or four other senators who are members of the committee. Kingibe explained that she attended a session of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, signed the attendance register, and later left to participate in the tax reform retreat, which she believed was more important to the people she represents, and she further disclosed that she complained to colleagues about not having access to the report, specifically mentioning Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and stated that she complained to him very bitterly that she had not seen that report and had not seen it till now.

A source familiar with developments told PUNCH that the emergency session called by the Senate President may provide an opportunity for the chamber to address the controversy and determine its next course of action, explaining that Akpabio called off the recess and summoned an emergency session under the guise of attending to the issue of rising insecurity across the country. Although the Senate leadership has not officially confirmed that Oshiomhole’s comments will be discussed during the plenary, Adaramodu indicated that the chamber would not ignore allegations that question the integrity of its proceedings, describing such an allegation as spurious, bewildering and unthinkable, and stating that the public should disregard and treat this as an ignoble outburst while the Senate would look into it and take a stand.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 after the Senate adopted the committee’s recommendation, finding her guilty of alleged gross misconduct and unruly behaviour, following a highly publicised clash with Senate President Akpabio in which Natasha accused him of victimisation while the Senate insisted its decision was strictly based on violations of Senate rules. The sanctions imposed included the withdrawal of her salaries and allowances, closure of her National Assembly office, and restriction from accessing the legislative complex for six months, and the matter recently returned to public attention after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the suspension episode as one of the lowest moments of the 10th Senate.

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Observers believe the dispute extends far beyond parliamentary procedure, representing an early manifestation of what could become a fierce struggle for influence ahead of the inauguration of the 11th Senate after the 2027 general election, as Oshiomhole has emerged as one of the strongest opponents of amendments to the Senate Standing Orders that sought to restrict eligibility for principal offices to lawmakers who had served at least two consecutive terms. In unusually direct remarks, Oshiomhole argued that Akpabio himself would not have qualified for the office he currently occupies under such requirements, and the emerging lineup for the next Senate includes former governors such as Ifeanyi Okowa and Hope Uzodinma, alongside several experienced lawmakers, suggesting the 11th Senate may be one of the most politically competitive assemblies since 1999.

Whether the Senate will launch a formal probe into the allegations or take disciplinary action against Oshiomhole remains to be seen, however, Senate leadership has made it clear that comments capable of undermining public confidence in Senate proceedings will not be ignored. Oshiomhole has expressed regret if his comments caused embarrassment to any senator or the 10th Senate as an institution, stating finally that he regrets if his comments may have caused embarrassment to any senator or the 10th Senate as an institution.

 

Natasha Suspension: Senate Set for Showdown Over Oshiomhole’s Signature Claim

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Lagos Needs 80,000 More Health Workers to Avert Crisis – Sanwo-Olu Raises Alarm

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August 7, 2026

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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Lagos Needs 80,000 More Health Workers to Avert Crisis – Sanwo-Olu Raises Alarm

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has raised an urgent alarm over the state’s healthcare workforce crisis, revealing that Lagos requires approximately 40,000 additional doctors and another 40,000 nurses to adequately meet the healthcare needs of its rapidly growing population. The governor made this disclosure on Thursday at the opening of the second Eko Health Convention held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. According to Sanwo-Olu, Lagos currently has only about 7,000 doctors in its workforce, a figure far below what is required to serve the state’s population, and he painted a stark picture of the current situation, stating that every doctor practising in Lagos today is effectively doing the work of ten people.

Beyond the severe manpower shortage, the governor identified inadequate funding as the second major challenge confronting the state’s health sector, disclosing a funding gap of at least N100 billion between what the state’s health budget provides and what the system genuinely requires. Sanwo-Olu also warned that donor financing, which has supported disease control programmes for nearly two decades, is contracting sharply and is unlikely to return in its old form, and this declining external support has further compounded the pressure on government resources.

Despite the workforce and funding challenges, the Federal Ministry of Health’s Q1 2026 health sector performance report showed Lagos recorded the highest skilled birth attendance rate in the country at 100 per cent, a significant achievement that underscores the state’s commitment to maternal health. However, the state also recorded 50 maternal deaths in the first quarter of 2026, up from 26 in the previous quarter, as well as the country’s highest neonatal death toll at 231, an increase from 127 in Q4 2025. The scorecard attributed the bulk of the state’s neonatal mortality reports to Lagos Island and Ikorodu local government areas, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in these communities. The report also showed Lagos spent N180.99 billion on health in 2025 out of a N216.71 billion budget, the highest health expenditure by any state during the period, reflecting the administration’s prioritisation of healthcare despite resource constraints.

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In response to the crisis, Sanwo-Olu said the state government has begun implementing measures to address the workforce deficit, including aggressive recruitment drives, improved welfare packages, provision of accommodation for health workers, and plans to establish a University of Medicine and Health Sciences to expand training capacity. According to the governor, the government recently opened clinical recruitment across all 29 secondary healthcare facilities in the state, and he emphasised that the administration is improving conditions to slow the departures and, increasingly, to attract colleagues back. The governor further stressed that Lagos was moving from delivering healthcare projects to building enduring systems that would guarantee quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare for generations, stating that access without excellence is merely a queue in a clinic within walking distance where the drugs have run out, while excellence without access is a showpiece that a mother in Ajegunle will never enter, and Lagos is not interested in either option.

On health insurance, the governor announced that enrollment under the state’s Ilera Eko health insurance scheme has exceeded 1.5 million residents, with the figure standing at 1,502,994 as of the end of May 2026, and women account for more than half of the beneficiaries with 54 per cent female and 46 per cent male, while residents aged 18 to 60 account for more than 62 per cent of enrollees. The governor noted that utilisation is rising, which indicates that coverage is translating into actual care and not merely into cards in wallets. He also disclosed that the Lagos State Health Management Agency’s Assistance in Distress programme has saved 18 lives since it became operational in March, providing emergency care to victims of road traffic injuries, obstetric crises, strokes, and surgical emergencies regardless of their ability to pay. In an emergency, the governor affirmed, a Lagosian should be stabilised first and asked about payment afterwards, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to compassionate healthcare delivery.

Sanwo-Olu further revealed that the state is leveraging technology through the Lagos Smart Health Information Platform, a digital health information exchange system being implemented across public health institutions, and the platform has reached about 30 per cent implementation covering general hospitals, teaching hospitals, and more than 300 primary healthcare facilities. The platform will enable seamless access to patients’ medical records, improve disease surveillance, and support evidence-based health planning, and the governor explained that when the record travels, the clinician sees the whole patient, and when the data comes together, the policymaker sees the whole city, allowing the system to move from reacting to anticipating. The government is also investing in artificial intelligence and other digital innovations to strengthen diagnosis, medical imaging, and healthcare delivery, and according to the governor, the state recently launched a Digital Health Innovation Challenge to encourage innovators to develop technology-driven solutions for health insurance, emergency response, sickle cell management, neonatal care, and medical research.

Speaking on healthcare infrastructure, Sanwo-Olu highlighted ongoing investments in new general hospitals, climate-smart primary health centres, a children’s hospital, and a mental institute at Ketu-Ejirin, and he also reiterated the government’s zero tolerance for quackery and substandard healthcare practices. The governor reaffirmed his administration’s long-term vision, stressing that ongoing reforms, including Ilera Eko, the health district system, and the digital health platform, are designed to outlive his tenure, and he declared that the administration has kept its promises and is now building the systems that will keep them long after the current leadership. Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to building a more accessible, affordable, and efficient healthcare system, with plans to position the state as a leading medical tourism destination in Africa, and he reiterated that the state government remains committed to achieving universal health coverage for all residents.

Lagos Needs 80,000 More Health Workers to Avert Crisis – Sanwo-Olu Raises Alarm

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Tinubu Approves Recruitment of 3,252 Verified PTA Teachers into Federal Civil Service

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August 7, 2026

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Tinubu Approves Recruitment of 3,252 Verified PTA Teachers into Federal Civil Service

Tinubu Approves Recruitment of 3,252 Verified PTA Teachers into Federal Civil Service

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 3,252 verified Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers into the Federal Civil Service, a landmark decision that ends years of uncertainty for thousands of educators who have kept classrooms running in Federal Unity Colleges across Nigeria. The approval, announced on Thursday by Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa, represents one of the most significant interventions by the current administration to address the persistent shortage of teaching personnel in federal secondary schools. The Minister described the decision as a major milestone that reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to revitalising the education sector and investing in the country’s future through improved teaching and learning. According to the minister, priority will be given to absorbing verified PTA teachers, many of whom have served in Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Technical Colleges for nearly 25 years without being absorbed into the mainstream public service. “This is a President who cares deeply for Nigeria and for the future of our country,” Alausa stated. “The President has approved the recruitment of teachers. Priority will be given to absorbing verified PTA teachers, many of whom have served in our Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Technical Colleges for almost 25 years. This approval provides them with the opportunity to become part of the mainstream public service.”

Dr Alausa explained that the approval followed a comprehensive verification exercise conducted by an Inter-Ministerial Committee, which carefully screened eligible PTA teachers across Federal Unity Colleges nationwide. The exercise verified 3,252 teachers across the cadres of Education Officers, Assistant Education Officers and Technical Instructors, paving the way for their regularisation upon completion of all statutory requirements. The minister noted that the recruitment represents another milestone in the implementation of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that it would significantly improve teacher-to-student ratios in Federal Unity Colleges while recognising the dedication of PTA teachers who have continued to serve despite years of uncertainty over their employment status. The minister added that integrating experienced PTA teachers into the federal public service would help preserve institutional knowledge, strengthen classroom instruction and improve learning outcomes across the colleges. He noted that the recruitment aligns with the Federal Government’s broader strategy to enhance teaching quality and restore Federal Unity Colleges as centres of academic excellence. Dr Alausa also reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Education to collaborate with relevant government agencies to complete the outstanding statutory procedures required for the issuance of final letters of appointment in line with existing public service regulations. He assured the verified PTA teachers that the ministry would ensure the regularisation exercise is concluded transparently, fairly and in strict compliance with due process and established public service rules.

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For many years, Federal Unity Colleges have relied heavily on PTA teachers engaged and paid by Parent-Teacher Associations to bridge chronic staffing gaps caused by inadequate recruitment into the federal teaching service. Many of these teachers have worked in the colleges for between 10 and 25 years without permanent appointments, despite performing the same classroom responsibilities as regular government-employed teachers, and without pension benefits or employment security available to regular civil servants. Successive administrations received appeals from the affected teachers and education stakeholders to regularise their appointments, arguing that the prolonged reliance on PTA-funded staff placed a financial burden on parents and created job insecurity for thousands of qualified teachers. The minister stressed that no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers, and that investing in teachers remains critical to building a stronger and more competitive education system. He commended the PTA teachers for their resilience and commitment to duty despite the uncertainty surrounding their employment status. The recruitment approval has been widely welcomed by education stakeholders and the affected teachers, who have long campaigned for regularisation of their appointments.

The recruitment of 3,252 PTA teachers into the Federal Civil Service represents a significant boost for the country’s education sector. By absorbing experienced educators who have already demonstrated their competence in the classroom, the Federal Government is taking a strategic approach to addressing the teacher shortage in Federal Unity Colleges. The move is expected to improve the quality of education in these institutions, reduce the financial burden on parents who have been funding PTA teachers, and provide job security and benefits for thousands of dedicated educators. The regularisation of these teachers also sets a precedent for addressing similar challenges in other sectors where contract or PTA-funded staff have been providing essential services without proper recognition or benefits.

Tinubu Approves Recruitment of 3,252 Verified PTA Teachers into Federal Civil Service

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Nigeria’s first indigenous female neurosurgeon appointed medical director of US hospital

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August 6, 2026

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Nigeria’s first indigenous female neurosurgeon appointed medical director of US hospital
Nigeria’s first indigenous female neurosurgeon, Dr. Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu-Ibrahim

Nigeria’s first indigenous female neurosurgeon appointed medical director of US hospital

Nigeria’s first indigenous female neurosurgeon, Dr. Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu-Ibrahim, has achieved another major career milestone after being appointed Medical Director of a children’s hospital in the United States, earning widespread commendation from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the medical community.

The appointment further strengthens Dr. Aliu-Ibrahim’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s pioneering medical professionals and highlights the growing impact of Nigerian healthcare experts on the global stage.

The development was announced on Thursday in a statement issued by NiDCOM through its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.

Reacting to the appointment, NiDCOM Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described it as another remarkable achievement for Nigerians living abroad and a testament to the outstanding contributions of Nigerian professionals across the world.

She said Dr. Aliu-Ibrahim’s emergence as Medical Director reflects the excellence, resilience and professionalism that continue to distinguish Nigerians in the diaspora in various sectors.

According to Dabiri-Erewa, the appointment demonstrates that excellence transcends gender, race and religion while serving as an inspiration to young Nigerians—especially girls aspiring to pursue careers in medicine, science and other highly specialised professions.

She noted that Aliu-Ibrahim’s success also dispels stereotypes surrounding Muslim women and reinforces the message that faith and professional excellence can coexist.

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“Dr. Salamat Aliu-Ibrahim’s appointment is yet another reminder that Muslim women cover their hair, not their brains,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

“Her remarkable achievement demonstrates that faith and excellence are not mutually exclusive. She has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless young girls across Nigeria and beyond.”

Dr. Aliu-Ibrahim made history as Nigeria’s first indigenous female neurosurgeon after completing her neurosurgical residency at the National Hospital, Abuja, becoming one of the country’s foremost pioneers in one of medicine’s most demanding specialties.

After relocating to the United States, she faced the challenge of securing a neurosurgery residency position under the American medical training system. Rather than abandon her medical career, she retrained in paediatrics and successfully established herself as a paediatrician.

Her resilience and determination have since earned her leadership responsibilities within the American healthcare system, culminating in her appointment as Medical Director of a children’s hospital.

Medical experts say her career journey reflects exceptional adaptability and commitment to patient care, demonstrating that professional success often requires resilience, continuous learning and the willingness to embrace new opportunities.

While celebrating the appointment, Dabiri-Erewa also expressed concern over the continued migration of highly skilled Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad in search of better career opportunities.

She acknowledged that Nigerians in the diaspora continue to make invaluable contributions to healthcare, research, innovation and public service across the world, but warned that the persistent migration of experienced doctors and other medical personnel continues to pose challenges for Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

According to her, addressing issues relating to remuneration, welfare, working conditions and career development for healthcare workers remains essential to reducing the country’s brain drain.

She stressed that creating an enabling environment for medical professionals would encourage more experts to remain in Nigeria while strengthening the country’s healthcare system and improving service delivery.

Dabiri-Erewa commended Dr. Aliu-Ibrahim for projecting Nigeria positively through excellence, dedication and professionalism, expressing confidence that she would continue to make significant contributions to healthcare in her new leadership role.

She also reaffirmed NiDCOM‘s commitment to recognising and celebrating Nigerians in the diaspora whose outstanding achievements continue to enhance the country’s global image and inspire future generations.

Dr. Aliu-Ibrahim’s appointment adds to the growing list of Nigerian professionals occupying strategic leadership positions in healthcare institutions across the world, underscoring the country’s reputation for producing highly skilled medical experts who continue to excel internationally.

Nigeria’s first indigenous female neurosurgeon appointed medical director of US hospital

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