The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has increased its premium motor spirit, PMS, pump price following the announcement of a discounted fuel price.

Checks on Friday showed that NNPCL increased its petrol price to N1,405 per litre from N1,370 per litre.

Several fuel pump attendants, who spoke to an online medium Daily Post, on condition of anonymity, said the latest price increase was announced on Thursday but implemented on Friday.

This means that NNPCL’s petrol price increased by N35 per litre, although the state-owned oil company has not explained the reason for the adjustment.

The latest development means that petrol prices at the company’s filling stations have risen again despite the controversy surrounding the announced fuel discount.

On Thursday, the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, announced a proposed fixed petrol gantry price of N1,375 per litre ahead of the January 16, 2027, presidential election.

By Our Reporter

The Department of State Services has arrested Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina, son of former Pension Reform Task Team chairman Abdulrasheed Maina, and transferred him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further action.

Security sources said Faisal, who had reportedly been at large since 2020, was apprehended by DSS operatives in the Karsana area of Abuja following intelligence indicating that he had returned to Nigeria.

“His arrest followed credible intelligence which indicated that Faisal had secretly returned to the country”, a source revealed.

Faisal was previously prosecuted by the EFCC on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering and conspiracy. He reportedly breached his bail conditions and left the country while the case was pending.

His trial subsequently continued in his absence, leading to his conviction and sentencing to 14 years’ imprisonment by Justice Okon Abang in 2021.

The court had directed that Faisal be arrested wherever he was found within Nigeria and remanded in a correctional facility to serve his sentence. It also ordered the Federal Government to take lawful steps to secure his extradition if he was found outside the country.

The transfer to the EFCC is expected to facilitate the implementation of the court’s judgment and the enforcement of the sentence imposed on him.

“The handover of Faisal to the EFCC is expected to facilitate the enforcement of the Court’s judgment and ensure that he serves his sentence in accordance with the law, ” a source declared

By Our Reporter

President Bola Tinubu has assented to a bill converting the Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna, into the Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Kaduna, in a move aimed at expanding technical education and strengthening vocational skills development.

The development was announced by the member representing Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency, Daniel Amos, who also chairs the House of Representatives Committee on House Services.

Amos said the elevation of the institution would widen access to higher education, promote technical and vocational training and contribute to Nigeria’s development.

He commended the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, for sponsoring the legislation, describing his role in the process as a demonstration of commitment to educational advancement.

“Speaker Tajudeen’s leadership on this bill demonstrates purposeful commitment to education and national development,” he said.

The new legislation repeals the existing law establishing the Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna, and provides for its conversion into the Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Kaduna.

According to Amos, the transition would enable the institution to expand its degree programmes, improve its research capacity and produce graduates with practical competencies needed in the labour market.

He also praised Tinubu for assenting to the bill, alongside another piece of legislation establishing the Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, Lagos. Both bills were sponsored by Abbas.

The lawmaker described the presidential assent as a reflection of the administration’s commitment to educational reforms and human capital development under its Renewed Hope Agenda.

Amos congratulated the people of Kaduna State, as well as the management, staff and students of the former polytechnic, on the institution’s elevation.

He expressed optimism that the new university would expand opportunities for higher education and strengthen technical and vocational training in Kaduna State and neighbouring communities.

The conversion is expected to create opportunities for additional academic programmes and research activities while enhancing the institution’s capacity to produce skilled graduates capable of meeting Nigeria’s technological and industrial needs.