The Presidency has declared that it will refrain from taking any steps concerning the serious allegations of certificate forgery involving the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji.

Instead, it will patiently await the court’s ruling on this pressing issue before deciding on any course of action.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this position clear while addressing journalists on Monday. He explained that since the controversy is already a subject of litigation, the Federal Government will allow the judicial process to run its course before deciding on the next steps.

The clarification follows reports that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has distanced itself from the academic certificate allegedly presented by the minister.

In a letter dated October 2, 2025, and signed by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simon Ortuanya, the university stated that available records show Nnaji was admitted to study Microbiology/Biochemistry in 1981 but did not complete the programme.

“From every available record and information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, we are unable to confirm that Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985. There are no records of his completion of study. Consequently, the University DID NOT and COULD NOT have issued the purported certificate,” the letter read in part.

The minister has, however, strongly denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated. Speaking in Abuja on Monday, he accused the university authorities of issuing contradictory reports about his academic records to serve the interests of a state governor who, according to him, wants him removed from office for political reasons.

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Nnaji also faulted the university’s refusal to release his academic transcript despite a court order. In September, the Federal High Court in Abuja had restrained UNN from tampering with his records and directed the institution to issue the transcript.

“It is increasingly clear that this entire episode is not about education or integrity; it is about political desperation, disguised as academic inquiry,” Nnaji said. “The timing, the sources, the false documents and the paid narratives all point to a coordinated campaign to drag a reputable public servant into the mud of partisan politics.”

The case has been scheduled for hearing on November 10, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, on Tuesday swore in three members following their victory in the August 16, 2025, bye-elections.

The three new lawmakers are among the five elected to fill the vacant seats following the death of four members and the choice of Dennis Idahosa as the running mate of Senator Monday Okpebholo in the 2024 Edo governorship.

Recall that the Green Chamber lost four members due to illness in 2024, including Ekene Adams (Kaduna), Isa Dogonyaro (Jigawa) and Olaide Akinremi (Oyo), while Oriyomi Onanuga died in 2025.

In August, the Independent National Electoral Commission conducted bye-elections in the respective states to fill the vacant seats.

While the All Progressives Congress won four out of the five vacant seats, the Peoples Democratic Party won one seat.

Those sworn in on Tuesday are Omosede Igbinedion (Ovia South/Ovia West/Ovia North-East Federal Constituency, Edo State), Joseph Bagudu (Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Kaduna State) and Mukhtar Rabiu of Garki/Babura Federal Constituency, Jigawa State.

No reason was given for the absence of Elegbeji Ayola, who won the Sagamu/Ikenne/Remo North Federal Constituency, Ogun State seat and Oyekunle Sunday, who won the Ibadan North seat.

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Of the five, Mr Sunday is the only lawmaker produced by the PDP.

After weeks of legislative lull, the Senate will on Tuesday reconvene plenary with a packed agenda led by long-delayed security and electoral reform debates—issues Nigerians have anxiously awaited action on.

The upper chamber had earlier shifted its resumption from September 23 to October 7, 2025, extending its annual recess by two weeks and halting deliberations on several key national priorities.

Among the bills and motions now awaiting urgent attention are the proposed National Security Summit, Electoral Act amendments, Constitution Alteration Bill (2025), and the National Assembly Budget and Research Office Bill—a 20-year-old proposal aimed at strengthening fiscal oversight through independent budget analysis.

In an internal memo signed by Chinedu Akubueze, Chief of Staff to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the leadership said, “This is to respectfully inform Distinguished Senators that the resumption of plenary sitting of the Senate, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, 2025, has been shifted to Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Any inconvenience this short notice may cause is deeply regretted.”

Although no formal reason was given, insiders told The PUNCH the postponement was to allow lawmakers to participate fully in activities marking the October 1 Independence Day celebrations.

The delay, however, has fueled public unease as critical national debates remain stalled—particularly the Security Summit expected to chart a new strategy against rising insecurity nationwide.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who chairs the 20-member ad hoc committee on the summit, had earlier promised a new, grassroots-driven approach to security policymaking.

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“No amount of investment in infrastructure will yield meaningful results without peace and stability,” Bamidele said at the committee’s inaugural meeting in June.

Also pending is the Constitution Alteration Bill (SB. 855) sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West), which seeks to amend sections of the 1999 Constitution widely criticised as inadequate for Nigeria’s evolving democracy.

Senate President Akpabio has often touted the chamber’s productivity, boasting in June that the 10th Senate had already considered 844 pieces of legislation—including 26 executive bills—with another 499 awaiting second reading.

“It is a record that has not been held by any Nigerian Senate in two years,” he said at the Democracy Day joint session attended by President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Yet critics argue that frequent adjournments and prolonged recesses have stalled momentum on the most pressing national challenges—security breakdown, electoral credibility, and economic recovery—raising doubts about the Senate’s capacity to match its rhetoric with action.

The Kwara State government stated on Tuesday, asserting that no local government area within the state is currently under the control of bandits.

The government criticized Opposition figure Peter Obi for allegedly using his platforms to disseminate misinformation regarding the security situation in the state.

The government made this clarification in a statement signed by the commissioner for Communications, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju, against the backdrop of claims that nine LGAs of the State were under the control of bandits.

The statement read: “We wish to alert the public to some reckless claims that nine local government areas of Kwara State are under siege by the bandits. This is totally false. No local government area is under siege in the state.

“The unfortunate challenges we have had in a few areas do not warrant the wicked escalation and fake news that are being promoted by opposition elements in and outside of the state.

“We have reasonable grounds to suspect that these elements are the online promoters and equivalence of bandits as they help to instill fear in the populace through fake news such as the unfounded claim of nine LGAs being under siege and the movement of gunmen in parts of Asa LGA.

“We regretfully observe that Mr. Peter Obi has lent his social media handles to spreading such fake news. This is not expected from him as a statesman. We request Mr. Peter Obi to bring down the post as it is totally false and inappropriate.

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“We also urge members of the public to avoid sharing unverified information, which may cause panic, confusion, and psychological trauma to the people.

“This irresponsible behaviour is making things harder for the security forces who already have enough on their plates.”

The Vice Chancellor of Atiba University, Oyo, Professor Sunday Okeniyi, has enjoined the newly employed staff of the institution to develop the spirit of teamwork, respect, and discipline, which are the hallmarks of every successful institution.

Okeniyi disclosed this during the orientation programme for the newly employed staff of the institution.

While welcoming the newly employed staff, he also congratulated them on their successful appointment into the fast-rising institution. “Your joining us today is not by chance, but by merit, commitment, and the will of God. Atiba University is a citadel of learning and character formation, envisioned to nurture and produce men and women of excellence, integrity, and service. By becoming part of this family, you are now co-builders of this noble vision.”

The V-C said the orientation programme was a deliberate initiative of the management to formally integrate the new staff into the University system. “It is designed to give you a clear understanding of our mission, vision, core values, rules, and operational culture. Our goal is not just for you to work here, but for you to thrive, contribute meaningfully, and leave an indelible mark on the growth and transformation of this University.”

He explained that the university places a premium on academic excellence, innovative research, moral uprightness, and community development. These values define the identity and are the standards the staff must all uphold in their respective assignments—whether as academic staff shaping young minds or as non-teaching staff providing essential support services that make our work possible.

While admitting much needed to be done, Okeniyi said the institution has recorded remarkable progress within a short time. “The future we envision—a future of global competitiveness, leadership in innovation and knowledge, and impact within and beyond Nigeria—requires the collective commitment of every member of staff. That includes you. Your dedication, creativity, and professionalism are needed to propel us forward,” he said.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections in Nigeria, Peter Obi, has revealed to his supporters that he will no longer be a party to the new coalition, African Democratic Congress (ADC), offering reasons for doing so and announcing his next party.

Obi said that he was not going to continue with the coalition because the party failed to zone its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections to the South.…click link for full details here