Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Advocacy Group Urges Men to Back Girls’ Education with Tangible Action
Organisation says public support is not enough, calls for increased involvement of men in driving real change for female education
Organisation says public support is not enough, calls for increased involvement of men in driving real change for female education
An advocacy group in Lagos has called on Nigerian men to move beyond verbal support and take concrete steps towards advancing girls’ education. The appeal was made on Thursday, 25 June, during an event focused on promoting gender equality and access to quality education for girls across the state.
The group stated that while many men publicly endorse the importance of educating girls, there is a noticeable gap between this rhetoric and actual support in communities. Representatives at the event urged men—especially fathers, community leaders, and policymakers—to play active roles in ensuring more girls are enrolled in school and supported throughout their educational journeys.
According to the organisation, sustained progress in female education is crucial for Nigeria’s development, particularly as data from the United Nations shows that millions of girls remain out of school nationwide. Stakeholders at the event said entrenched cultural beliefs and financial barriers continue to hinder girls’ access to learning opportunities, especially in rural and low-income urban areas like parts of Lagos.
Speaking at the gathering, group leaders emphasised that visible participation by men can help dismantle stereotypes around gender roles. “It is not enough to say we support girls’ education; we must show it through our actions,” one representative said, urging fathers to prioritise their daughters’ schooling as much as their sons’. No government official had issued a statement as at press time.
The advocacy group plans further engagements with local communities and has called on relevant authorities to implement policies that will make schools safer and more accessible for girls. They also encouraged fellow civil society organisations to intensify awareness campaigns targeting both men and women.
Nigeria News (Standard)
EFCC Witness Tells Abuja Court NSTIF Contractors Met All Conditions in ₦2.2bn Fraud Case
Testimony comes as former Labour Minister Ngige faces scrutiny over procurement practices at Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund
Testimony comes as former Labour Minister Ngige faces scrutiny over procurement practices at Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund
A prosecution witness has told an Abuja court that contractors engaged by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSTIF) fulfilled all requirements in the controversial ₦2.2 billion contract fraud case involving former Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige. The testimony was given on Thursday during ongoing proceedings in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the witness, whose evidence forms part of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) investigation, the contractors complied with all stipulated guidelines and procurement conditions before their contracts were awarded by NSTIF. The EFCC has alleged irregularities in contract awards during Ngige’s tenure as minister, prompting a high-profile trial that has drawn attention to procurement practices within federal agencies.
The case is significant as it highlights persistent concerns about transparency and accountability in public sector contracting in Nigeria, especially regarding major federal institutions like NSTIF. The anti-graft agency’s probe into the alleged fraud is part of wider efforts to address corruption and recover public funds misappropriated through inflated or improperly awarded contracts.
During Thursday’s hearing, the EFCC’s witness maintained under cross-examination that due process was observed by the contractors, noting that all relevant documents and performance guarantees were provided as required by law. However, defence lawyers have insisted there were no grounds for the fraud allegations, arguing that due diligence was followed throughout the process.
The court adjourned further hearing to a later date for continuation of trial. The outcome is expected to shape ongoing discourse about contract awards and anti-corruption measures in federal ministries, departments and agencies across Nigeria.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Defence Minister Musa Hosts UK Security Delegation in Abuja, Reviews Military Partnership MoUs
UK National Security Adviser leads talks on counter-terrorism and technical training as both nations seek to modernise cooperation
UK National Security Adviser leads talks on counter-terrorism and technical training as both nations seek to modernise cooperation
Nigeria and the United Kingdom have commenced a comprehensive review of their existing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on security and defence, focusing on modernising protocols and boosting military capacity-building for the Nigerian Armed Forces. The high-level talks took place in Abuja on Tuesday, led by Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa and the UK National Security Adviser, Mr Jonathan Powell.
The UK delegation is currently in Abuja for the fourth edition of the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP4) Dialogue. During their meeting with Nigerian defence officials, both sides agreed to deepen collaboration through expanded technical training programmes and enhanced intelligence sharing frameworks.
This renewed engagement comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with evolving security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and threats to regional stability across West Africa. Analysts say that stronger international partnerships remain crucial for Nigeria’s military to address complex threats and adapt to modern warfare demands.
Defence Minister Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s “unwavering commitment” to maintaining a strategic alliance with the United Kingdom. According to Musa, deepening bilateral ties would help address critical issues such as counter-terrorism operations, intelligence exchange, and stabilising volatile regions within Nigeria’s borders. The minister described the dialogue as an opportunity for both countries to review progress on past agreements and chart a new path for future cooperation.
The visiting UK team reiterated its support for Nigeria’s security agenda, stating that ongoing technical assistance would continue under the revised partnership framework. Both parties are expected to conclude their review with an updated set of MoUs outlining specific deliverables in military training and operational support. Further announcements on new joint initiatives are anticipated following the conclusion of this week’s dialogue sessions.
Nigeria News (Standard)
CBN Orders Lagos Banks to Freeze Accounts of 10 Alleged ISIS Sponsors After US Sanctions
Financial institutions have 48 hours to comply as authorities intensify clampdown on terrorism financing networks across Nigeria
Financial institutions have 48 hours to comply as authorities intensify clampdown on terrorism financing networks across Nigeria
The Central Bank of Nigeria has directed all commercial banks and financial institutions in Lagos and nationwide to immediately freeze the accounts and assets of ten individuals and companies accused of financing terrorism, following sanctions imposed by United States authorities. The move was announced in a CBN circular dated June 24, instructing banks to identify, block, and report any funds or resources linked to the named persons within two days.
The directive follows US Treasury sanctions against Lagos-based financier Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, aged 35, along with three Bureau De Change operators—Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau De Change, Manhattan Bureau De Change, and Generation Currency Bureau De Change—alleged to have channelled funds for Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). According to US authorities, these entities materially supported ISWAP through illicit money transfers. Nigeria’s own Sanctions Committee subsequently added six more individuals and a company—Abbal Bako & Sons Bureau De Change Limited—to the list on June 18.
This latest clampdown marks an escalation in Nigeria’s efforts to disrupt terrorist funding streams. In April, authorities published a separate list of 48 individuals and organisations linked to groups including ISWAP and IPOB, freezing their accounts in partnership with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit. The CBN instructed banks not only to block all assets but also to retrospectively review past dealings for suspicious activities such as rapid fund movements or transactions with high-risk jurisdictions.
The Sanctions Committee said in a statement that Nigeria remains “resolute in its commitment” to tackling terror finance through international cooperation. Financial institutions must file compliance reports within 48 hours detailing any frozen assets or confirming nil returns. The CBN warned that providing false or misleading information would amount to a regulatory offence.
Security agencies are now working closely with regulators and financial intelligence units as part of ongoing investigations. The apex bank has also mandated banks to heighten monitoring for red flags associated with informal money channels and cross-border transactions tied to designated parties. As at press time, opposition parties had not issued a response.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/fg-freezes-assets-alleged-isis-sponsors-nigeria-2026062515300043588
EFCC Witness Tells Abuja Court NSTIF Contractors Met All Conditions in ₦2.2bn Fraud Case
Defence Minister Musa Hosts UK Security Delegation in Abuja, Reviews Military Partnership MoUs
CBN Orders Lagos Banks to Freeze Accounts of 10 Alleged ISIS Sponsors After US Sanctions
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