News
Senate alarmed as agency spends N8.5bn, generates N410m, remits only N30m
The National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) is alleged to have been spending N8.5 billion yearly for its 5,963 staff to conduct examination for students.
The board conducts examination for students of Arabic and Islamic studies and hopes to expand its operations nationwide.
But when the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriation met with the NBAIS leadership, it was discovered that the examinations may stand out as the most expensive in Nigerian history.
Following the discovery of heavy spending by the Board in the discharge of its duty, the Senators gave knocks to the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Board, Prof. Mohammed Shafiu Abdullahi, for spending so much money to achieve little.
The board was also accused of not remitting money generated to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).
In his explanation, Abdullahi said the institution paid N30 million into the CRF out of the N410 million generated from the conduct of the examination. But this did not go down well with the Senate committee prompting the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Solomon Adeola, to query why the institution conducted just one exam in a year and spent over N410 million.
Adeola said, “To conduct an exam in a year, they are saying they have spent over N380 something million and you are here to collect another budget from the Federal Government, having contributed just N35 million.
“And if they are asked for their budget, they will be telling me in the region of N10 billion to N20 billion.”
Senator Abiodun Olujimi, a member of the committee who also felt alarmed by the conduct of the Board said there was urgent need to investigate the activities of the agency.
She said, “5,963 members of staff arranging for one examination in a year and being paid N8.5 billion and now generating only N410 million out of which you remit only N35 million. There is a need to look deeper into what this is all about.”
The committee resolved to set up a sub-committee that will investigate the board.
Prof. Abdullahi recently hinted on the board’s plan to increase the number of schools attending its examinations across the country.
Abdullahi said this at a two-day workshop on Corporate Communication and Strategic Information Management for NBAIS officers in Abuja.
“Now we have not less than 1600 schools across the country sitting for our examinations and same time we achieved to convince the government to give us recognition, approval to operate nationally,’’ he said.
On the workshop, the registrar said it was very important to all the staff, adding that it was important because it was specifically information technology.
“We have workers on ICT, most of them are new, you know, the board started new recently. So, we need to educate our people on that area, that is why we planned the workshop and we will soon have similar workshop,’’ he said.
On the board’s achievements, Abdullahi said was to have a unique and national curriculum for Arabic and Islamic schools.
“Secondly, we are able to mobilise even government to establish such institutions,’’ he said.
News
Libya nabs three Nigerians over drug trafficking
Libya nabs three Nigerians over drug trafficking
The Samnu Police Department in southern Libya detained three Nigerians for drug trafficking.
According to a statement issued by Migrant Rescue Watch on X (previously Twitter) on Sunday, the suspects were apprehended carrying a quantity of hashish that officials believe was meant for sale.
The arrests were made during a targeted operation in the town of Samnu, Murzuq region, which is known for smuggling and human trafficking due to its proximity to Libya’s southern borders.
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This operation is part of a larger security effort to combat drug-related crimes and cross-border trafficking of migrants.
The suspects’ identities have not yet been made public. Authorities acknowledged that the case had been turned over to the public prosecutor for further investigation and judicial action.
The statement said. “Samnu Police Dept. arrested 3 #migrants of Nigerian nationality on charges of drug trafficking. The trio were found in possession of a quantity of hashish earmarked for sale. The case was referred to public prosecution.”
Libya nabs three Nigerians over drug trafficking
News
NIS expands contactless passport renewal to United States, others
NIS expands contactless passport renewal to United States, others
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the expansion of its Contactless Biometric Passport Application System to several countries in the Americas.
In a recent statement by ACI AS Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer at NIS Headquarters in Abuja, confirmed that the service under Comptroller General Kemi Nandap is rolling out the next stage of implementation across Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Jamaica this month.
The contactless system, which enables Nigerians living abroad to renew their travel document without physically visiting passport offices for biometric enrollment, went live in the United States on April 11. Mexico, Brazil and Jamaica are scheduled to gain access on April 14.
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“This expansion represents our commitment to innovative and efficient service delivery to Nigerians anywhere in the world,” said ACI AS Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer at NIS Headquarters in Abuja.
The application system is currently available on the Google Play Store as “NIS Mobile” and allows passport renewal without in-person biometric enrollment. An iOS version for Apple devices is under development and will be released soon, alongside an enhanced version of the Android app to improve user experience and accessibility.
The NIS further confirmed that the Contactless Passport App is now operational in Canada, the USA, Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil, Europe, and Asia. Australia and Nigeria itself remain pending, with implementation dates to be announced in the future.
NIS expands contactless passport renewal to United States, others
News
Tariff: NACCIMA warns against economic instability, job losses
Tariff: NACCIMA warns against economic instability, job losses
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has expressed fear that unless the Federal Government takes deliberate steps to increase Nigeria’s non-export earnings, the current global tariff war may lead to job losses, low foreign exchange inflow, and economic instability.
This was the position of the President of NACCIMA, Dele Oye, as the chairman at the Vanguard Economic Discourse 2025 with the theme, “Nigeria’s Economic Outlook 2025: Hardship and Pathways to Sustainable Recovery”, held last week in Lagos.
Among other things, Oye who is also the Chairman of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), emphasized the need for a viable and affordable homegrown democracy.
His words: “In this pivotal moment, we must recognize and confront the significant challenges before us—challenges that have been magnified by the advent of America’s “America First” policy.
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“This paradigm shift in global trade, driven by protectionism and tariffs, presents a unique and formidable array of obstacles for developing nations such as ours.
“The world we once knew, one characterized by cooperative, rules-based trading systems under the World Trade Organization, has given way to an environment fraught with uncertainty. This transformation not only disrupts global markets and supply chains but poses an acute threat to our competitive standing in international trade.
“The recent implementation of a 14% tariff on Nigerian exports to the United States directly jeopardizes what has historically been a critical market for our key goods, including crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and agricultural products. “The ripple effects of reduced demand could precipitate job losses, economic instability, and a decline in vital foreign exchange inflows, particularly for our non-oil sectors”.
“Indeed, the ramifications of current U.S. policies go beyond tariffs. We are witnessing a significant decrease in funding for initiatives that empower Africa’s burgeoning start-ups. The $51 million cut from the United States Development Fund, which affects countries like Nigeria and Kenya, exemplifies the broader challenges we face. The grants previously allotted to our SMEs are critical for nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship within our local economies”.
In the face of these challenges, Oye said Nigeria must act decisively and strategically to reshape its economic destiny where adversity can give rise to opportunity.
Tariff: NACCIMA warns against economic instability, job losses
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