Category Nigeria News

The Gambia will hold its next presidential election on December 5, 2026, officials announced on Thursday, as President Adama Barrow’s bid for a third term elicits mounting criticism.

Barrow surprised Gambians earlier this year when he said he would seek a third term in office.

The move is allowed under the tiny west African country’s 1997 constitution but had not originally been expected of him.

After Barrow was elected in 2016, it was widely believed The Gambia would finally get a new constitution with presidential term limits.

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However lawmakers allied to Barrow rejected a draft constitution in 2020 over a retroactive clause imposing two-term presidential limits that would have prevented Barrow from running again.

Four years later, the government drew up a second draft removing the retroactive clause.

But that bill was rejected by lawmakers in July.

Barrow’s decision to run for a third term under the banner of his National People’s Party has caused criticism inside and outside the country.

The Gambia’s largest political party, the United Democratic Party, last month unveiled veteran politician Ousainou Darboe as its flagbearer for the presidential election.

Barrow, however, is widely expected to win the 2026 vote at this stage, as the opposition has yet to pull together a winning coalition.

Joseph Colley, chairman of The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), announced on Thursday the presidential vote would take place on December 5, 2026, and parliamentary elections on April 10, 2027.

He emphasised the IEC’s commitment to “transparency, inclusion and adherence to electoral laws” and urged political groups to comply with registration requirements.

The December 5 date is standard for the country’s electoral calendar under its current constitution.

That constitution, dating from 1997, had enabled then ruler Yahya Jammeh to consolidate the dictatorial hold on power he had held since a coup in 1994.

Jammeh’s two decades in power were marked by significant rights abuses and the earmarking of state funds for the eccentric former leader’s personal use, the current government and rights groups say.

The Federal Government has instructed tertiary institutions in the country to submit reports of intervention funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETfund) that have not been utilised within the next thirty days.

Addressing heads of tertiary institutions at a meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the ministry has been faced with a dilemma over the issue of allocations that are not being put to good use.

He explained that resources that could have been used to develop infrastructure in institutions have remained idle due to avoidable bottlenecks.

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The minister also announced that capacity-building programmes will be introduced to strengthen project management, compliance, and reporting, alongside mentorship initiatives, while quarterly reviews will be introduced to track progress and compliance, with sanctions for institutions that fail to utilise funds effectively.

“Institutions must submit reconciled reports of all unutilised funds within 30 days, which will be jointly verified. Unused funds may be redirected to priority projects, and carrying them over without strong justification will no longer be allowed. Procurement plans must align with approved interventions, and approvals should be fast-tracked to prevent delays,” Alausa said.

Transparency will be enhanced through a public dashboard showing disbursement and utilisation data, and institutions will be required to publish project progress reports.

Alausa also emphasised that the success of this initiative depends on strong collaboration among stakeholders.

“TETFund must lead with professionalism, enforce compliance, and ensure transparency. Institutional heads should drive urgency and accountability, while bursars, procurement officers, and project coordinators must plan and report diligently.

“Auditors and oversight bodies are expected to monitor activities and flag irregularities. All stakeholders must uphold a sense of stewardship, recognising that every TETFund naira represents public trust,” Alausa said.

Utilised Allocations

This directive is coming as no surprise, as TETFund has repeatedly expressed concern over the significant amount of unused allocations by higher institutions in Nigeria.

In July 2025, TETFund threatened to delist institutions that fail to access and utilise their allocations, emphasising that the funds would be diverted to institutions that are up to date with accessing and utilising disbursements.

The allocation of TETFund resources is based on demand-driven interventions, where institutions submit proposals for projects based on their needs, and TETFund approves them accordingly.

Pending Senate confirmation, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, is set to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Amupitan’s nomination by President Bola Tinubu to replace Yakubu, who bowed out on Tuesday, was approved by the National Council of State on Thursday.

With a career spanning more than 35 years in academia, administration, and legal practice, Professor Joash Amupitan brings extensive experience and intellectual depth to his nomination as Chairman of the INEC.

READ ALSO: UPDATED: Council Of State Approves Tinubu’s Nominee Amupitan As New INEC Chairman

If confirmed by the Senate, his appointment will mark the beginning of a new chapter for Nigeria’s electoral body following the 10-year tenure of  Yakubu.

Here are seven facts about the new INEC Chair nominee:

1. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)

Professor Joash Amupitan was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in August 2014.

2. Professor of Law since 2008

Professor Amupitan joined the services of the University of Jos in 1989 as an Assistant Lecturer and rose through the Academic ranks to attain the position of Reader in 2003 and Professor of Law in 2008.

He has supervised numerous postgraduate students and received the Teslim Elias Award for Meritorious Service in 2014.

3. Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Jos

As of October 25, 2022, he serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos.
He previously held several leadership roles, including Dean, Faculty of Law (2008–2014), Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014), Head, Department of Public Law (2006–2008).

4. Early Life and Origin

Born in April 1967, the 58-year old Professor Amupitan hails from Aiyetoro-Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria.

5. Best Graduating Law Student (1987)

During his undergraduate years at the University of Jos, Amupitan graduated top of his class in 1987, winning several awards. He won the Richard Akinjide’s Prize and the University of Jos Chancellor’s Prize

6. Holder of Multiple Law Degrees

After earning his LL.B (Hons) at University of Jos, 1987, Professor Joash Amupitan went ahead to complete his B.L at the Nigerian Law School, 1988, His LL.M in 1993, and his Ph.D in Law at the University of Jos, 2007

7. Areas of Specialisation

His teaching and research interests cover Company Law, Corporate Governance, and the Law of Evidence. He has taught both undergraduate and postgraduate students in these fields since 1989.

Tinubu’s Nominee

Amupitan’s nomination approval was disclosed in a statement by the Special Assistant to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

According to the statement, President Tinubu presented Professor Amupitan to fill the vacant position following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit after serving from 2015 till October 2025.

Nigeria’s foremost broadcaster, diplomat and elder statesman, Dr. Christopher Kolade, has passed on at the age of 93. 

He died peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, according to a statement by his family.

Born on December 28, 1932 in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Dr Kolade had a distinguished career as a diplomat, academic, advocate for integrity and corporate governance, among other things.

Watch our special documentary on Dr Kolade, which aired just over a year ago, on the programme Amazing Africans.

Renowned Nigerian broadcaster and diplomat Dr Christopher Kolade has died at the age of 93. 

He died peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, according to a statement by his family.

Here are some key facts about the elder stateman:

1. Early Life and Background (1932–1950s)

Dr. Christopher Olusola Kolade, CON, was born on 28 December 1932 in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Nigeria, into a devout Anglican missionary family. His upbringing in a Christian environment deeply influenced his moral convictions and lifelong commitment to ethical leadership and service to humanity.

2. Education and Formative Years (1940s–1950s)

He attended Government College, Ibadan, and later Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone, one of West Africa’s foremost universities. These institutions shaped his intellectual development and leadership values, laying the foundation for a career marked by discipline, excellence, and integrity.

3. Broadcasting and Public Communication (1960–1978)

Dr. Kolade began his professional career in broadcasting, rising through the ranks to become Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) between 1972 and 1977. His leadership helped modernise Nigerian broadcasting and promote professionalism in public communication.

4. Corporate Leadership and Diplomacy (1978–2007)

In 1978, he joined Cadbury Nigeria Plc, becoming Chief Executive in 1984 and Chairman in 1993. He retired from the board in 2002 after more than two decades of corporate leadership. That same year, he was appointed Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (2002–2007), representing Nigeria with honour and distinction.

5. Academic and Institutional Service (1995–2025)

A passionate educator, Dr. Kolade began teaching Corporate Governance and Human Resources Management at the Lagos Business School (LBS) and Leadership & Conflict Management at the School of Media and Communication (SMC) around 1995. He served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Pan-Atlantic University (2009–2015), and later became Chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State.

Lecturer at Lagos Business School (LBS) from 1995 to 2002; also taught at School of Media & Communication (SMC), Pan-Atlantic University.

6. Leadership Roles and National Honours (1973–2012)

Dr. Kolade’s leadership extended across several professional and faith-based organisations. He was: President of the International Institute for Communications (1973–1975), President of the World Association for Christian Communication (1975–1982), President of the Nigerian Institute of Management (1985–1988), President of the Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (1988–1993). He was awarded the Order of St. Augustine Medal (1981) and the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2000. In 2012, he was appointed Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) by President Goodluck Jonathan and resigned in 2013.

7. Legacy of Integrity and the CKCRLE (2010–2025)

Dr. Kolade was a lifelong advocate of integrity and good governance, serving as Chairman of Integrity Organisation Ltd GTE and The Convention on Business Integrity Ltd GTE.

Members of the senior staff association of Nigerian universities (SSANU) And those of the Non-Academic staff union (NASU) are protesting at the university of Abuja main campus

The protest is part of the nationwide action decided upon by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) Of the two unions, at the expiration of a two-week ultimatum they gave to the federal government to address their demands, which are mainly welfare matters

READ ALSO: SSANU, NASU Mobilise Members For ‘Massive Protest’ Thursday

The protesting university workers are demanding, among other things, the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with the federal government, immediate payment of 25 and 35 per cent salary increment, and the immediate payment of all withheld salaries