We inherited over 2,600 road projects worth N14tn, says Umahi
The minister of works, Dave Umahi, has put the the budget for road projects inherited from past administration at around N14 trillion, covering 18,000 kilometers.
The minister disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu over the weekend.
Umahi, who said the roads included are 2,604 in number, further disclosed that the administration had paid N4 trillion out of the N14 trillion owed in contracts, adding that government had already identified funding sources to offset N4 trillion more of its outstanding debts, leaving N6 trillion funding gap.
However, some road projects that have lingered for about two decades were never appropriated and will, therefore, be terminated.
He said: “The ministry inherited a total of 2,604 projects, worth N14 trillion and for 18,000 kilometers of road, that’s what we had. Between when we came on board and now, about N4 trillion has been paid and so that is a balance of N10 trillion remaining.
“Now, in this N10tn, we have defined sources that could fund up to N4tn. So, we have a funding gap of about N6tn. That is what is there now.
“We have a number of programs for road development under the previous administration. We inherited all the projects; we have not dropped any of them. But curious to know that some of these projects have lasted for 20 years, some 10 years. In fact, in most cases, they were never appropriated throughout every tenure.
“So I went to seek Mr. President’s nod so that I will be able to terminate some of the projects that have stayed up to 10 years without any defined source of funding.”
He, however, lamented the current appropriation system for federal road projects, saying the piecemeal disbursement of funds to contractors is frustrating delivery, adding that he had already appealed to the President to engage with the National Assembly to prioritise projects.
“Just look at over 2600 projects, 18,000 kilometers of roads, and N14tn. That is huge! And the worrisome part of this is that even the ones that are being funded properly, the roads hardly last up to five years,” Umahi complained.
He noted that the short lifespan of roads necessitated his recent proposal to the President to redesign and construct yet-to-be-completed federal roads using reinforced concrete.
Umahi noted: “So I briefed Mr. President on what we are doing by introducing reinforced concrete technology for our road pavements.
However, Umahi vowed to “fight” entities poised to frustrate this plan, saying, “I know that there are a lot of fights from contractors, but I’m David, I’m known for fight and I will fight this because I’ve reported myself to Mr. President.”
Meanwhile, the minister said he had received the president’s blessings to adopt the concrete reinforced pavements for roads across the country.
He said: “Incidentally, Mr. President is also an infrastructure guru and he fully supports that we should use reinforced concrete for our road pavements.
“So there is no other place you can report me other than to report me to God. So Mr. President is supporting me that way. We’ll redesign our roads in reinforced concrete pavement.
“I’m aware that the contractors have been quarreling and arguing. So, I want to declare that I’m open to any kind of blackmail, but my eyes are on the ball. And my eyes are on how we can get Nigerians to have value for the money. That is the assignment President Bola Tinubu gave to me and I’m going to do that with the fear of God”, he said.
The minister also revealed that he had written the NNPC to release monies for the East-West Road, saying, “I know that’s what the Rivers people mentioned when they came to see Mr. President. So that road is going to be on concrete.”
Having toured the southeast and parts of the Northwest and Northcentral, he said he would now focus on the Southwest, particularly Lagos State, where works are ongoing on the Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge, Liverpool Bridge, the Eko Bridge and Marine Bridge.
He stated: “I want to see things for myself and appraise the ongoing projects. I want to see who is doing a good job and who is doing a bad job. So I briefed Mr. President about that.”
We inherited over 2,600 road projects worth N14tn, says Umahi
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun
CJN orders lawyers to stop using ‘Barrister’ before their names
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers, court officials and other personnel to stop using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in official dealings connected with the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, and addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers.
According to the circular, the use of “Barrister” before a person’s name is considered inappropriate and inconsistent with the professional standards expected within Nigeria’s apex court.
The directive takes immediate effect and applies to official correspondence, court records, documents, identity materials and other formal engagements involving the Supreme Court.
The memorandum stated:
“I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
The circular directed all affected persons to immediately stop using the title in official materials and communications.
It added:
“Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect.”
To ensure compliance, heads of departments and unit heads were instructed to monitor officers under their supervision and ensure that the directive is fully implemented.
The memorandum stated:
“Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are requested to ensure strict compliance with this directive by all officers under their supervision. Please be guided accordingly.”
The directive is specifically focused on official dealings within the Supreme Court. Based on the wording of the memorandum, it does not amount to a nationwide ban on the use of “Barrister” by lawyers in private, social or non-Supreme Court settings.
The move is expected to generate discussion within Nigeria’s legal community, where the title “Barrister” is commonly used before the names of legal practitioners.
Supporters of the directive may view it as an effort to promote professional uniformity and align official communication with established legal and institutional standards.
The development also follows recent efforts by legal authorities to protect the integrity and professional standards of the legal profession.
The Council of Legal Education (CLE)recently warned aspiring lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before they are formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The council maintained that legal regalia and professional representation are regulated and should be reserved for persons who have completed the required process and have been formally admitted to practise law.
The warning was aimed at preventing the misuse of legal titles and professional symbols and preserving the dignity of the legal profession.
The latest Supreme Court directive is expected to affect how lawyers and court personnel present their names in official documents and communications involving the apex court.
Affected individuals may now be required to use their names without the “Barrister” prefix in Supreme Court correspondence, records, identity materials and other official engagements.
CJN orders lawyers to stop using ‘Barrister’ before their names
FG to phase out electricity subsidy from 2027 as power sector debts rise
The Federal Government has announced plans to gradually phase out electricity subsidies from 2027 as part of efforts to address rising debts in the power sector, improve financial sustainability and strengthen electricity supply across the country.
Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe disclosed the plan during a media interactive session on Friday, saying the government would introduce the changes gradually while ensuring that Nigerians continue to have access to electricity.
Tegbe said the Federal Government had received a mandate from President Bola Tinubu to clear outstanding debts in the electricity industry and establish a sustainable system that would prevent the accumulation of new obligations.
“We have the mandate of Mr President to clear the legacy debt and come up with sustainable structures to make sure this doesn’t pile up any more,” the minister said.
He expressed confidence that the government would bring an end to the current electricity subsidy arrangement in 2027 while working to improve the quality and reliability of power supply.
“I promise you, next year, by God’s grace, we will put a stop to this so-called subsidy in the power sector,” Tegbe said.
The minister assured consumers that the planned reforms would not result in a loss of access to electricity services.
According to him, the government’s objective is to reduce the financial burden created by the subsidy system while improving the performance of the electricity sector.
“Mr President, we will not deprive Nigeria of anything. We’ll make sure Nigerian consumers continue to have power and improve power services,” he added.
Tegbe also stated that there was no immediate plan to increase electricity tariffs, despite concerns that the proposed phase-out of subsidies could lead to higher electricity bills.
However, the minister did not provide details on the timetable for the subsidy withdrawal, the categories of consumers that may be affected or the measures that would be introduced to protect low-income and vulnerable households.
The planned reform comes amid growing concerns over the financial challenges facing Nigeria’s electricity industry.
The Federal Government previously estimated the cost of electricity subsidies at about ₦3 trillion as of February 2024, while power generation companies, known as GenCos, have continued to report significant unpaid obligations.
The Association of Power Generation Companies has said electricity generation companies are owed about ₦6.5 trillion, raising concerns about the financial health of the sector and its ability to sustain electricity generation.
The outstanding debts include unpaid invoices and other obligations linked to electricity supplied to the national grid.
To address the problem, President Tinubu recently approved a ₦4 trillion power sector debt reduction programme aimed at settling verified legacy debts and improving liquidity across the electricity value chain.
The programme is expected to support the payment of outstanding obligations owed to power generation companies and other participants in the sector.
In January 2026, the Federal Government issued an inaugural ₦501 billion bond under the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme.
The bond was designed to help settle verified debts owed to electricity generation companies and support efforts to stabilise the sector.
On July 20, the government announced a second tranche of about ₦729 billion to settle additional verified debts owed to power generation companies.
The debt-settlement programme is expected to reduce financial pressure on electricity producers and improve their capacity to maintain operations, pay gas suppliers and invest in power infrastructure.
The proposed subsidy phase-out also aligns with recommendations by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has encouraged Nigeria to gradually reduce broad electricity subsidies and adopt more targeted support for households that need assistance.
Supporters of the reform argue that reducing subsidies could improve the financial viability of the electricity market, attract private investment and help power companies maintain and expand infrastructure.
However, consumer groups and businesses have raised concerns that higher electricity costs could increase financial pressure on households and raise operating expenses for companies.
The impact of the proposed reform may depend on the government’s ability to improve electricity supply, expand access to prepaid meters, reduce estimated billing and ensure that consumers receive better services.
Earlier this year, President Tinubu also directed ministries, departments and agencies to apply existing electricity laws in determining how subsidy costs should be shared among the federal, state and local governments in the 2026 budget.
The move is expected to support a more coordinated approach to electricity financing following reforms that expanded the role of state governments in electricity generation, transmission and distribution.
As the 2027 target approaches, the Federal Government is expected to provide more details on the implementation framework, consumer protection measures and the steps that will be taken to prevent the reforms from causing undue hardship.
The government will also face growing pressure to ensure that improvements in electricity generation, transmission and distribution accompany the gradual withdrawal of subsidies.
For many consumers, the success of the policy may ultimately be measured by whether it delivers more reliable electricity, fair billing, improved customer service and better value for money.
FG to phase out electricity subsidy from 2027 as power sector debts rise
Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye
Police detain Osun SSG, five others as ₦4.8m, voter cards are recovered
The Osun State Police Command has detained the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, alongside five other persons following a police operation at his residence in Osogbo.
Police said the operation was based on intelligence indicating that suspected members of a criminal gang were allegedly hiding at the property.
During the raid, officers reportedly recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer.
The police said the recovered items had been secured and placed in custody for forensic examination and further investigation.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, the command identified the other persons arrested as Akande Taiwo, Oladele Abiodun, Adeyemo Lukman, Olaoye Muftau and Aderemi Musliu.
According to the police, one of the suspects, Oladele Abiodun, was already on its watchlist in connection with alleged criminal activities.
The command said the recovery of the cash and voter-related materials raised concerns about possible electoral offences, including alleged vote-buying, as political activities intensify ahead of the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election.
Police said preliminary findings provided grounds to investigate possible offences under the Electoral Act 2022, including alleged vote-buying, criminal conspiracy and harbouring or concealing a wanted suspect.
The command added that investigators were working to determine the source and intended use of the recovered money, identify all persons connected to the items and establish whether a wider criminal network was involved.
“The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities,” the police said.
The command stressed that the investigation was ongoing and that no individual would be treated as above the law because of political affiliation, social status or public office.
It added that anyone found culpable after the investigation would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
However, the Osun State Government criticised the operation and accused the police of invading the residence of the SSG without obtaining a valid search warrant.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the state government alleged that a combined team of police officers, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, forced its way into the residence and arrested people present at the property.
The government also alleged that the operation was part of coordinated raids and increased police surveillance targeting senior officials in the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
According to the state government, Igbalaye was attending an election stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)when the police operation took place.
The government further claimed that ward officials were holding a meeting within the premises at the time of the raid.
The Osun government described the operation as politically motivated and called on the police to act professionally and impartially as the state approaches the governorship election.
The police, however, maintained that the operation was intelligence-led and linked to an ongoing criminal investigation.
In a subsequent update, the police said those arrested would be screened and that anyone found not to be connected to the investigation would be released.
The incident has heightened political tension in Osun State, where parties have intensified mobilisation ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed confidence that it will regain control of the state, while supporters of Governor Adeleke have maintained that the outcome of the election will be decided by voters.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had not announced the conclusion of the investigation or disclosed whether any of the detained persons would be formally charged.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Police detain Osun SSG, five others as ₦4.8m, voter cards are recovered
