Coscharis to Showcase Nigerian-Made ABRO Products at WAAS 2026

Coscharis Motors Plc is set to make a strong statement on local manufacturing and after-sales innovation at the West Africa Auto Show 2026 in Lagos.

The company announced that its Auto Care and Consumer Products Division will participate in the three-day exhibition scheduled to hold at the Landmark Event Centre from May 12 to 14, 2026.

A major highlight of Coscharis’ presence at the auto exhibition will be the showcase of its range of ABRO cello tapes now being produced locally in Nigeria through its subsidiary, Coscharis AIPL Abro Industries Ltd.

According to the company, the initiative reflects its commitment to local manufacturing, innovation and value creation in line with the Federal Government’s local content drive.

The locally produced ABRO cello tapes are expected to boost domestic production capacity, improve product availability and reinforce consumer confidence in Nigerian-made solutions within the automotive and consumer products market.

Speaking on the company’s participation, the General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Abiona Babarinde, said the initiative aligns with Coscharis’ vision of blending global quality standards with local relevance.

He noted that beyond displaying products, the company intends to deepen customer engagement at the exhibition by providing visitors with access to genuine OEM parts across multiple vehicle brands, while certified technicians will also be on ground to offer professional guidance and technical recommendations.

Also speaking, the Head of Auto Care and Consumer Products Division, Obuzor Uzordinma, described the project as part of Coscharis’ strategy to expand its auto care and consumer products portfolio without compromising global quality standards.

According to him, the exhibition will provide another platform for the company to demonstrate its after-sales strength, educate customers on the importance of genuine products and explore strategic partnerships within the automotive ecosystem.

“Coscharis is excited to return to WAAS this year to showcase our latest product lines and pursue collaborations that will help sustain our leadership position in delivering value to customers and stakeholders,” he said.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to innovative and customer-focused solutions while inviting visitors to explore its wide range of products and services during the exhibition.

NCCE Launches New 5-Year NCE-to-Degree Programme in Nigeria

The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has officially confirmed the implementation of a new five-year NCE-to-degree programme for Colleges of Education across Nigeria following ministerial approval of the policy.

The new academic structure, known as the Dual Mandate and Continuous Five-Year NCE Degree Programme, is expected to take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session.

According to directives issued on May 5, 2026, Colleges of Education currently operating the existing four-year Dual Mandate degree programme have been instructed to discontinue admissions into that system and fully transition to the newly approved structure.

Under the revised arrangement, students will first complete a three-year Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme before progressing directly to 300 Level for an additional two-year bachelor’s degree programme within the same institution.

The policy creates a seamless pathway that allows students to move from NCE certification to degree qualification without changing institutions or disrupting their academic progression.

Education experts say the reform is designed to strengthen the relevance of the NCE qualification as Nigeria’s minimum teaching requirement while also creating a more structured and efficient route for academic and professional advancement in teacher education.

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The NCCE noted that the initiative would improve academic continuity, reduce transition barriers for students and enhance the overall quality of teacher training in Nigeria.

Stakeholders in the education sector have welcomed the development, describing it as one of the most significant reforms in teacher education in recent years.

Many observers believe the new policy will help restore confidence in Colleges of Education and make them more attractive to prospective students seeking both teaching qualifications and university degrees.

Analysts also argue that the programme could boost enrolment in Colleges of Education by offering students a clearer and more competitive academic pathway comparable to university education.

The reform is further expected to strengthen the capacity of Colleges of Education to produce highly qualified teachers capable of meeting modern educational standards and addressing learning challenges in schools across the country.

Under the previous Dual Mandate structure, some Colleges of Education were authorised to award bachelor’s degrees independently. However, the new model integrates the NCE qualification into the degree process to ensure continuity and preserve the professional identity of teacher education institutions.

The commission is expected to release additional operational guidelines and implementation procedures to institutions ahead of the commencement of admissions for the 2026/2027 session.

Education stakeholders have also called for adequate funding, improved infrastructure and increased staffing to ensure the successful implementation of the new programme nationwide.

They maintain that while the policy is a positive step, effective execution will be critical to achieving the intended reforms in Nigeria’s teacher education system.

NCCE Launches New 5-Year NCE-to-Degree Programme in Nigeria

Senate Reverses Controversial Standing Rules Amendment

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday rescinded its earlier amendments to Orders 2(2) and 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), restoring the previous provisions after lawmakers raised constitutional concerns over the revised rules.

The decision followed growing debate within the Red Chamber over amendments that sought to restrict eligibility for principal leadership positions to senators serving at least a second term in office.

Under the now-reversed amendment, only lawmakers currently serving in the 10th Senate and re-elected in the 2027 elections would have been qualified to contest for principal officer positions in the upper chamber.

The controversial changes had triggered criticism from some senators who argued that the amendment could unfairly exclude first-term lawmakers and limit internal democratic competition within the Senate leadership structure.

The motion for rescission and recommittal of the affected rules was moved during plenary by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), and seconded by Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (Benue South).

Bamidele explained that further legislative and constitutional reviews revealed that aspects of the amendment could conflict with provisions of the 1999 Constitution, particularly Section 52, making immediate correction necessary.

According to him, the Senate retains the constitutional authority to revisit and rescind previous decisions in order to safeguard legislative integrity and parliamentary convention.

He stressed that the upper chamber must ensure that all internal procedures remain consistent with constitutional provisions and democratic legislative practice.

Following deliberations, the Senate formally rescinded the amendments and restored the earlier standing rules governing eligibility for leadership positions.

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Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary session, described the motion as straightforward and essential for maintaining constitutional compliance.

“This is a very straightforward motion; it’s just for us to go in conformity with the constitution,” Barau said.

He commended Bamidele for identifying the constitutional issues surrounding the amendment and moving swiftly to correct them.

According to Barau, the matter was clear enough not to require prolonged debate on the Senate floor.

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, however, criticised the manner in which the original amendments were passed earlier in the week.

According to him, the Senate leadership rushed the process without allowing sufficient debate among lawmakers.

“The way we rushed the rules, because certain people wanted certain things concluded, is one flaw to this process,” Oshiomhole stated.

“Next time, we should allow for robust debates,” he added.

His comments reflected concerns among some lawmakers over transparency and inclusiveness in handling major procedural decisions within the Senate.

Responding to Oshiomhole’s remarks, Bamidele raised a point of order under Rule 52(6), cautioning senators against reopening concluded matters without first presenting substantive rescission motions.

According to him, lawmakers dissatisfied with previous decisions should follow established parliamentary procedures rather than creating avoidable tension during plenary.

“If Distinguished Senator Oshiomhole had any problem with the decisions that were taken with respect to the amendment two days ago, what he was expected to do was to bring a substantive motion for rescission,” Bamidele said.

He also lamented that events during the previous plenary session had diverted public attention away from substantive legislative work.

“What became the news out of this hallowed chamber was that unnecessary drama, and we are not going to allow this to continue,” he added.

In a related development, the Senate also rescinded its earlier decision on the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Establishment Bill, 2026, and recommitted the bill to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration.

Bamidele explained that a further review of the legislation revealed drafting inconsistencies and substantive issues affecting several clauses of the bill.

He specifically cited concerns relating to clauses 4(6), 8(j), 35–40, as well as portions of the explanatory memorandum accompanying the legislation.

After reconsideration, the Senate subsequently passed the revised bill.

Political analysts say the Senate’s reversal of the controversial standing rules highlights growing sensitivity around internal leadership arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections.

Observers also note that the swift reversal demonstrates increasing caution within the National Assembly over actions that could trigger constitutional disputes or internal division within the ruling political establishment.

The latest development further underscores ongoing power dynamics within the Senate, especially as lawmakers begin positioning for future leadership contests and political realignments ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Senate Reverses Controversial Standing Rules Amendment