Economy
President Tinubu Calls For Industry-Driven Research, Solutions To Nigeria’s Challenges
President Tinubu Calls For Industry-Driven Research, Solutions To Nigeria’s Challenges
President Tinubu calls for industry-driven research, solutions to Nigeria’s challenges. The president said he believed that FUTA is endowed with high-quality and innovative researchers who could take up the task.
President Bola Tinubu has urged the Nigerian academia to urgently produce impactful research that will proffer solutions to the country’s challenges.
Mr Tinubu made the appeal at the award of postgraduate certificates at the 36th Convocation of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) on Saturday.
The president, represented by the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abdullahi Ribadu, stated that he believed FUTA is endowed with high-quality and innovative researchers who could undertake the task.
Mr Tinubu asked FUTA to remain forthright and focused to uphold confidence reposed in it by the government and stakeholders.
He urged stakeholders in the sector not to rely solely on the government for funding, instead advocating for improved interconnection between universities and industries.
“The federal government does not have the intention of abdicating its responsibilities to higher educational institutions,
.
“The time has come for all stakeholders to have another look at the erstwhile model of absolute reliance on government for funding and to rejig the educational system for sustainable funding.
“It is also very pertinent to emphasise that the interconnection between our tertiary institutions and industry should be improved upon,” he said.
According to him, the funding of universities worldwide is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
He asked for research outputs from tertiary institutions to be more impactful, so that industries could effectively utilise them.
The president, who is a visitor to the university, tasked the graduands to utilise their proficiencies in diverse entrepreneurial activities, agricultural and ICT skills to create jobs and be self-reliant.
In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Adenike Oladiji, stated that a total of 1,030 graduated from its School of Post-Graduate Studies.
“For today’s event, the summary of the graduating students is as follows: Postgraduate Diploma- 91, M-Tec- 647, Doctor of Philosophy – 169, School of Professional Development –123.
“It is worth noting that the university is producing doctoral graduates in Renewable Energy Technology for the first time,” she said.
She said that all programmes presented to the NUC obtained full accreditation status.
“The university continues to maintain its position as a leading hub of academic and scientific excellence, with numerous staff and alumni earning recognitions among the world’s top two per cent scientists, according to the prestigious ranking by Stanford University, USA, and Elsevier.
“The exploits of our researchers continued to earn recognition within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
“In the just-concluded academic session, three (3) research groups in the university won separate international grants worth 136,511.00 pounds, ” she said.

President Tinubu
The VC urges the graduands to be good ambassadors of the institution, stating that FUTA is renowned for its self-reliance and integrity.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor of FUTA, Nora Daduut, expressed sincere gratitude to the President for his visionary leadership and reforms, aimed at repositioning Nigeria.
Ms Daduut, who said that the achievements of the institution’s governing council would not have been possible without he cooperation of the management, said the council had enjoyed a harmonious relationship with all stakeholders.
“The harmonious relationship with management and students has created an enabling environment for teaching, learning and research.
“Staff welfare is held as a priority and development of infrastructure has improved tremendously,” she said.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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