All remaining schoolchildren kidnapped from St Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, have now been released.

The final group of 115 pupils were freed on Sunday, bringing the total number of rescued children to about 265 and drawing an end to a traumatic month-long captivity.

The abduction took place in the early hours of 21 November 2025, when armed men stormed the boarding school, seizing 303 students and 12 teachers in one of the largest mass kidnappings in recent Nigerian history.

In the immediate aftermath, around 50 students managed to escape without assistance, while a further 100 were released on 8 December following sustained security operations.

The release of the remaining 115 pupils has been welcomed as a major breakthrough by security agencies and has brought immense relief to anxious families.

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Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced that all Capital Market Operators (CMOs) are required to renew their registration between January 1 and 31, 2026.

In a release on Sunday, December 21, 2025, the Commission disclosed that beginning in the first quarter of 2026, it will commence electronic receipt and processing of registration applications as well as updates to operators’ registration information.

This move is aimed at eliminating delays associated with manual submissions.

According to the release, SEC Director General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, revealed these plans during an interview in Abuja, noting that the reforms reflect the Commission’s drive toward a more transparent, technology-driven regulatory environment.

“We are taking deliberate steps to make regulatory processes faster, more transparent, and technology-driven,” the release quoted Agama as saying.

What the regulator is saying 

The SEC is reminding capital market operators about the annual renewal of registrations, without which they cannot operate in the capital market. And to make the processes easier and seamless, the regulator has come up with the Digital Transformation Portal.

According to Dr. Agama, SEC has automated the end-to-end registration and licensing workflow through which market operators can now submit applications, upload documents, and track approval status online. Thus, significantly reducing processing time and the need for physical interactions with the Commission.

The Commission has also deployed an automated module for Commercial Paper issuance, enabling operators to file documents, monitor progress, and receive approvals electronically. According to Agama, early feedback shows improved turnaround time and reduced administrative bottlenecks.

Further enhancements are underway to automate the submission of quarterly and annual returns using structured templates and system-driven accuracy checks. A returns analytics dashboard is also in development to aid risk-based supervision and prompt exception reporting.

Strengthening infrastructure, cybersecurity and market trust 

To reinforce these digital reforms, the SEC has begun upgrading its IT infrastructure, including servers, storage systems, networks, and security frameworks. Selective cloud migration is ongoing for platforms requiring scalability and external access, while core systems will remain on-premise until security and cost evaluations are completed.

Agama also disclosed ongoing efforts to enhance data integrity and cybersecurity, including vulnerability assessments and planned penetration testing once the automation phases stabilise. He stressed that responsible technology adoption is central to maintaining investor trust—describing it as “the cornerstone of our markets.” 

The SEC DG underscored the need for regulatory clarity around emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, alongside capacity-building initiatives, especially for smaller operators. He emphasised that while innovation is critical, ethical and compliant deployment is non-negotiable.

“As operators embrace automation, AI, and data-driven tools, they must ensure ethical, secure, and compliant deployment,” Agama said.

He urged CMOs to uphold fairness, transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance to protect investors and strengthen the long-term credibility of the Nigerian capital market.

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*Says he’s working with other lawmakers to raise issue as matter of urgent national importance Tuesday

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mansur Manu Soro (Bauchi State), has called for the immediate suspension of the Tax Laws, 2025, citing what he described as “existence material discrepancies between the bills duly passed by the National Assembly and the versions subsequently gazetted.”

In a statement released on Sunday, Hon. Soro said his review of the Votes and Proceedings of the National Assembly, the harmonised versions of the tax bills passed by lawmakers, and the Official Gazette revealed “material discrepancies” between the bills approved by the legislature and the versions that were later gazetted.

According to him, the differences are neither minor nor accidental. He alleged that the altered provisions removed key oversight and reporting mechanisms that were expressly approved by the National Assembly, while introducing new coercive and fiscal powers for the executive that were not approved by lawmakers.

“These are deliberate alterations,” Soro said, warning that they amount to a constitutional breach, as legislative authority is vested solely in the National Assembly under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The lawmaker called for the suspension of the Tax Laws, which are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, until all post-passage changes are identified, removed and properly addressed by the National Assembly.

Soro acknowledged the decision of the House of Representatives to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the allegations, describing it as a “commendable step.” However, he raised concerns that the committee’s one-week reporting deadline falls on Thursday, December 25, Christmas Day, which is a public holiday when the House does not sit.

Given the proximity of the implementation date, Soro said he was working with other lawmakers to raise the matter on the floor of the House on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the final legislative sitting before the Christmas recess, as a Matter of Urgent National Importance.

He stressed that the House must take a clear and definitive position on the issue before proceeding on its Christmas and New Year break, in order to safeguard the integrity of the legislative process and uphold the Constitution.

A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abdulsammad Dasuki (Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency, Sokoto State), had last Wednesday raised a matter of privilege on the floor of the House, alleging that the gazetted tax laws did not reflect what lawmakers debated and passed

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A new report by Rome Business School Nigeria has identified telemedicine as the most realistic pathway to fixing Nigeria’s worsening healthcare access crisis.

It warned that failure to embrace digital health could deepen poor health outcomes and stall economic growth.

The report, The Future and Opportunities of Telemedicine in Nigeria, released by the Rome Business School Nigeria Research Centre, said Nigeria’s health system is “at a breaking point,” citing chronic underfunding and acute manpower shortages as major threats.

According to the study, Nigeria spends about four per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on health, a level the researchers described as grossly inadequate for a population of over 200 million people.

 This has resulted in a severe shortage of healthcare workers, with an estimated doctor-to-patient ratio of one to 2,500.

The report also drew attention to stark regional disparities in healthcare delivery, noting that more than half of Nigerians live in rural areas with limited or no access to hospitals, clinics or specialist services. 

In many cases, patients are forced to travel over 100 kilometres to access basic medical care.

Researchers said telemedicine could help bridge this gap by enabling patients in remote communities to consult doctors through mobile applications and video platforms, thereby reducing travel time, cost and delays in treatment.

“Telemedicine offers a practical way to connect underserved rural populations to quality healthcare,” the report stated, adding that digital consultations could significantly improve affordability and access for low-income Nigerians.

The study highlighted emerging local platforms such as MyMedicalBank and CloudClinic as early indications that telemedicine solutions can work within Nigeria’s healthcare environment.

The research was carried out under the leadership of Rome Business School’s Founder and Dean, Prof. Antonio Ragusa, alongside the General Manager of Rome Business School Nigeria, Olakunle Asunmo, and the Head of Academics, Sam Igwe.

They stressed that digital health should be seen beyond innovation. “Digital health is not just a healthcare solution; it is an economic necessity,” the report said, noting that healthier populations translate to improved productivity and long-term national growth.

However, the report warned that significant challenges could limit telemedicine’s impact if left unaddressed. Poor infrastructure, especially unstable electricity supply and weak internet connectivity, remains a major obstacle, with nearly 80 per cent of rural areas currently unable to support effective telemedicine services.

The ongoing brain drain in the health sector was also flagged, with an estimated 5,000 medical professionals leaving the country annually. In addition, weak regulation of digital health services and low digital literacy among patients were identified as factors undermining trust and adoption.

Despite these challenges, the report projected strong growth for Nigeria’s digital health sector over the next decade. 

Advances in artificial intelligence and mobile technology are expected to improve the accuracy of remote diagnosis, while market projections suggest the sector could generate up to ₦185.66 billion in revenue before 2026.

Early gains are already being recorded, particularly in maternal health. The report noted that virtual prenatal care initiatives have shown the potential to reduce maternal mortality by up to 20 per cent.

Still, the researchers cautioned that without urgent investment in electricity, broadband infrastructure and supportive policies, telemedicine coverage may remain limited. By 2035, the report projects coverage of about 50 per cent in urban areas and just 20 per cent in rural communities.

The study concluded with a call for coordinated action, urging government, private sector stakeholders and educational institutions to work together to remove the structural barriers hindering Nigeria’s healthcare system and unlock the full potential of telemedicine.

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All the schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri community, Niger State, have now been released, following the freedom of the final group of 130 victims, bringing the total number of rescued pupils to 230.

Officials of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) confirmed the development to newsmen on Sunday.

The successful release brings an end to days of anxiety and uncertainty for families of the victims and marks a significant breakthrough for security agencies involved in the rescue operation.

The pupils were abducted after gunmen attacked the boarding school, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of educational institutions across the country.

Authorities said the release of all the victims was achieved through sustained security pressure and coordinated efforts by relevant agencies. They did not, however, disclose details of the operation.

The incident has intensified calls from stakeholders for enhanced protection of schools and more decisive action to prevent a recurrence of such attacks, as concerns over insecurity continue to dominate public discourse in Nigeria.

The post Just in: Remaining 130 abducted Niger pupils released appeared first on Vanguard News.

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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised more than 21 terrorists in a fierce encounter in Sojiri and Kayamla villages along the Damboa–Maiduguri Road in Borno State.

The operation was carried out in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

The success of the operation was disclosed on Sunday in a statement issued to journalists in Maiduguri by the media information officer, Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba.

Uba said that the encounter, which occurred around 12:15 a.m. on Sunday, followed credible intelligence of a large gathering of terrorists along the axis, suspected to be preparing for coordinated attacks.

He said the troops immediately mobilised and made contact with the terrorists, estimated at about 1200hrs.

According to him, in spite of attempts by an additional group to flank own forces, troops held their ground, employing superior firepower.

“At least 17 bodies were confirmed at the scene, with more suspected as blood trails were observed leading into nearby bushes.

“Items recovered included arms, ammunition, and other logistics, as troops continued to apply pressure to deny the terrorists freedom of movement.

“A tactical withdrawal was carried out to stabilise the situation and allow troops to regroup, with morale reported as high despite the intensity of the encounter,” he said.

Lt. Col. Uba reiterated the commitment of the military to sustaining offensive operations to protect Maiduguri, Damboa, and surrounding communities.

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The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to building a justice sector that delivers timely, efficient and accountable outcomes to Nigerians.

A statement by the media aide to the AGF, Kamarudeen Ogundele on Sunday said, Fagbemi stated this in Abuja at the launch of the Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) by the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The Minister also inaugurated newly renovated facilities within the ministry, including the staff clinic, sports centre, crèche and staff canteen.

The ECMS, which the statement said, is an initiative aimed at fully digitising the ministry’s operations.is also said to be a digital platform designed to enable the creation, processing, approval, storage and retrieval of official documents electronically, effectively replacing the ministry’s long-standing dependence on manual and paper-based systems.

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Dignitaries at the event included the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack; the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba; Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Interior, and Health and Social Welfare; as well as heads of agencies under the Ministry of Justice.

In his keynote address, Fagbemi said the launch of the ECMS marked a clear break from the era of unstructured and manual information management in the justice sector.

“By digitising our correspondences, emails and legal documents, we are dismantling the bureaucratic bottlenecks that have historically slowed the wheels of justice,” he said and added that, the transition to a paperless environment is a core component of the ministry’s digital transformation strategy and aligns with Pillar 5 of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25).

The AGF noted that the initiative is also in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Policy on Justice, both of which emphasise efficiency, accountability and digital enablement in justice institutions.

“The ECMS is not merely a technological intervention; it is a governance reform that strengthens institutional memory, improves decision-making, secures records, and enforces discipline in workflow and accountability,” Fagbemi said.

“Our goal is to build a justice sector that is modern, efficient and citizen-driven”, he said and added that staff welfare and workplace modernisation remain priorities under his leadership, stressing that a conducive work environment is essential for excellence and productivity in public service.

He expressed appreciation to the Aig-Imouekhede Foundation, Prof Koyinsola Ajayi of Olaniwun Ajayi & Co., staff of the ministry, sister ministries and development partners for their support in making the project a reality.

Earlier, in her welcome address, Jeddy-Agba disclosed that within eight weeks, the ministry had scanned and uploaded 6,241 physical files comprising 331,297 pages onto the 1Gov Enterprise Content Management System.

She said the ministry also achieved 100 per cent official email coverage for staff, conducted multiple layers of ECM and digital skills training, activated departmental champions, and established standard operating procedures for document tracking and approvals.

“For too long, service delivery in the ministry has been weighed down by challenges associated with managing physical documents and manual correspondence,” she said, noting that, “The ECMS ‘Go-Live’ ceremony marks the end of that era and the beginning of a modern, efficient and transparent, paperless culture.”

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The Enugu State Government has reaffirmed its ownership of a disputed plot of land at Plot 804, Wuye District, Abuja, warning the public against fraudulent sales by unscrupulous parties.

The state government, through the General Manager of the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation, Dr. Gerald Asogwa, presented documents to support its claim, asserting that Simonis Ventures Nigeria Ltd. is unlawfully claiming the same land without valid documentation.

Dr. Asogwa said Simonis Ventures had launched a media campaign making false claims against the state government with the intent to deceive the public.

He explained, “In 1992, Enugu State Government applied for a parcel of land in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The land was allocated on January 14, 1993. However, the allocation was erroneously issued in the name of Enugu State Property Development Corporation, instead of Enugu State Government or Enugu State Housing Development Corporation. There has never existed any parastatal, corporation, or company known as Enugu State Property Development Corporation at the time of allocation or thereafter. The named allottee therefore lacked legal personality and contractual capacity ab initio.”

Dr. Asogwa further stated that in 2002, the non-existent entity allegedly transferred the land to Simonis Ventures using a fake Irrevocable Power of Attorney dated February 25, 2002, suspiciously witnessed in 2005.

The document was unsealed, lacked the Governor’s consent, was not co-signed by any government official, and failed to identify a lawful executor, making it clearly fraudulent.

Upon discovery of the anomaly, Enugu State Government applied to the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) and FCT authorities for correction.

The wrongful allocation was cancelled, and Plot 804 was reallocated to Enugu State Government. All requisite building approvals were obtained in the state government’s name, and development commenced before being unlawfully destroyed by agents of Simonis Ventures.

In 2016, the state government and the Housing Development Corporation filed a suit to nullify the fraudulent allocation and Certificate of Occupancy. Dr. Asogwa announced, “The prayers canvassed have since been granted: the Honourable Minister of the FCT issued the Statutory Right of Occupancy in favor of Enugu State Government in 2023, as well as Certificate of Occupancy and Building Plan Approval in 2024. AGIS revoked the fraudulent allocation issued to Simonis Ventures in 2023.”

He added that in 2014, the Nigeria Police confirmed the Power of Attorney was fake and recommended prosecution, which was frustrated by the use of ghost identities. The EFCC investigated the matter in 2015, and the late Senator Ayogu Eze was identified as the person who received the Certificate of Occupancy on behalf of Enugu State Government.

Dr. Asogwa stressed that Enugu State Government has always maintained ownership of the land and never claimed otherwise. He clarified that no court order has ever been served, submitted, or delivered to the state or its agencies, and the only reference to any purported court order arose verbally during police investigations.

In November 2025, Simonis Ventures filed an enforcement action at the Gwagwalada High Court, fraudulently expanding a 2016 order to include reliefs that never existed. Dr. Asogwa described this as a clear abuse of court processes. He added that corporate records of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) revealed that ghost directors had been replaced with family members of the deceased, but the alleged court order remained fundamentally defective, relying on false or forged documentation.

The Enugu State Government therefore warns the public to disregard any claims or offers relating to the disputed property and reaffirms its legal ownership of Plot 804, Wuye, Abuja.

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, formally received the Opambata, the ceremonial staff of the Eyo masquerade, marking the official commencement of activities for the Adamu Orisa Play (Eyo Festival) 2025.

The ceremony took place on Sunday at Lagos House, Marina, during a homage visit by families of distinguished personalities to be honoured at this year’s festival.

Those to be honoured include the late Iyaloja-General of Lagos, Chief Abibat Mogaji, mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Lagos’ first military governor, General Mobolaji Johnson; the state’s first civilian governor, Alhaja Lateef Jakande; and former Third Republic governor, Sir Michael Otedola.

The Ijade Opa Eyo ceremony featured traditional songs, prayers, and cultural performances, led by the Olori Eyo and Akinsiku of Lagos, Chief Adebola Dosunmu, alongside other traditional adherents bearing their Opambata.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the event officially signalled the beginning of activities ahead of the Adamu Orisa Play, scheduled for Saturday, December 27, 2025.

He prayed for a peaceful and successful celebration, describing the festival as a powerful expression of identity, continuity, and heritage. “Culture remains the soul of any society, and communities that neglect their traditions risk losing relevance,” he said.

Highlighting Lagos as both Nigeria’s commercial hub and a centre of culture and tourism, the governor noted that the black-and-white attire worn during the ceremony symbolizes unity, peace, and progress.

He also thanked the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, for championing the return of the festival after an eight-year hiatus.

Chief Adebola Dosunmu explained that Ijade Opa Eyo is a key preparatory rite leading to the main festival.

The procession involves visits to family houses, traditional palaces, the Oba’s Palace, the governor’s residence, and other significant locations, including a homage visit to the President’s residence. Dosunmu also highlighted cultural rules, such as restrictions on footwear, caps, and scarves, and prohibitions on photographing sacred Orishas, while allowing pictures of the Eyo masquerades.

The homage ceremony was attended by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, members of the state executive council, traditional leaders, and cultural adherents, as Lagos prepares for the full celebration of the iconic Eyo Festival later in December.

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All schoolchildren abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School in the Papiri community of Niger State have been successfully released.

The final batch of 130 students regained their freedom on Tuesday, bringing the total number of rescued children to 230, officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) have confirmed.

The development brings an end to days of anguish and uncertainty for the affected families and marks a significant breakthrough for security agencies involved in the rescue operation.

The students were abducted when gunmen stormed the boarding school, an incident that triggered nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of schools across the country.

Authorities said the successful release followed sustained security pressure and coordinated efforts by relevant agencies. Meanwhile, calls have intensified for stronger protection of educational institutions and decisive measures to prevent a recurrence of such attacks.

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