The Federal Government has disbursed N3.7 billion in loans to roughly 2,000 academic and non-academic staff across 43 tertiary institutions under the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF). Punch reports that the Education Ministry described the rollout as an early tranche aimed at providing direct welfare and productivity support for the tertiary workforce. The ministry also supplied a breakdown indicating a larger share of beneficiaries among non-academic staff and a gender distribution skewed toward male recipients in this phase. Source: Punch, December 7, 2025.
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FG’s electronic transfer levy revenue doubles to N360bn
Federal revenue from the electronic money transfer levy hit about N360.29 billion between January and October 2025, more than doubling the comparable 2024 figure, according to an internal FIRS document cited by Punch. The year-on-year jump suggests increased taxable transfer volumes and/or stronger compliance, with the report noting monthly gains across the period. The data adds another angle to ongoing debates about the balance between broadening non-oil revenue and the public sensitivity around transaction-related taxes. Source: Punch, December 7, 2025.
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Police deploy special team to enforce ban on VIP escorts
The Nigeria Police Force has launched a Special Enforcement Team to ensure compliance with the presidential directive banning police from providing VIP escort and guard duties. According to Punch, the operation began in Lagos on December 6, 2025, covering strategic locations including the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge and the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The Force PRO said early monitoring showed commendable compliance, with no arrests reported during the initial sweep. The police leadership reiterated that the policy is intended to redeploy personnel to core policing tasks for broader public safety. Source: Punch, December 6, 2025.
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Security emergency: Army freezes retirement of officers
Following President Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency on November 26, 2025, the Nigerian Army has reportedly suspended statutory and voluntary retirements for certain categories of officers. Punch links this decision to the escalating crisis of mass abductions, citing a surge in kidnappings in November, including major incidents involving students and worshippers in different states. The directive appears aimed at maintaining manpower and operational continuity while security agencies expand recruitment and intensify deployments. Source: Punch, December 7, 2025.
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Akpabio dares Natasha over sexual harassment suit
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has challenged Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to present evidence of her sexual harassment allegations in court. Punch reports that Akpabio’s media office argues the defamation suit was filed about three months earlier, countering claims that it was newly initiated. The statement characterises the allegations as unproven and accuses the Kogi Central senator of misleading the public by framing the legal action as a sudden response. The dispute adds another layer to the intensifying political and reputational battle playing out between both figures. Source: Punch, December 7, 2025.
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Low offers halt sale of president’s jet
The Federal Government has reportedly withdrawn Nigeria’s Presidential Boeing 737-700 Business Jet from an international sales listing after receiving offers deemed far below expectations. Sunday Punch cites senior presidency and security sources indicating that some bids were around $10 million, which officials considered inadequate for the 20-year-old aircraft. Aviation market logic mentioned in the report suggests older VIP jets attract fewer serious buyers, as high-net-worth purchasers often prefer newer airframes with stronger manufacturer support and updated bespoke interiors. Source: Punch, December 7, 2025.
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Road crashes, cancer top death causes in tertiary hospitals
A 2025 health statistics report from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare identifies road traffic accidents as the most frequently reported cause of death in federal tertiary hospitals, followed by cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. Punch highlights that the findings underscore the twin burden of preventable trauma and rising non-communicable diseases. The report also points to maternal and infection-related causes such as postpartum haemorrhage and sepsis among significant contributors. Beyond the mortality list, the ministry’s data reportedly flags the need for stronger health system monitoring, better resource allocation, and improved data quality, including resolving inconsistencies in hospital reporting. Source: Punch, December 7, 2025.
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Heavy security in Sokoto prison over Nnamdi Kanu
Security around the Sokoto Correctional Centre has reportedly remained unusually tight weeks after the transfer of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. Punch states that Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on November 20, 2025, after being found guilty on terrorism-related counts, and that the court raised concerns about his safety at Kuje, given past jailbreak incidents. The report describes a visible security buildup including armoured presence and heavily armed personnel, with journalists denied access without clearance from national headquarters. The paper also notes that only family, lawyers, and select high-profile visitors are reportedly permitted limited access. Source: Punch, December 7, 2025.
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Buratai, Malami, Yahaya deny links with terrorism financiers
Senior former officials—ex-COAS Tukur Buratai, ex-AGF Abubakar Malami, and ex-COAS Faruk Yahaya—have pushed back against allegations linking them to terrorism financiers. The Nation reports that the claims, said to have been amplified by an online publication referencing a retired officer, were described by Yahaya’s camp as false, malicious, and agenda-driven. Buratai also reportedly rejected the accusations, stating he has never been investigated or indicted for terrorism financing by any competent authority. The account suggests the officials may pursue legal redress if retractions are not issued. Source: The Nation, December 7, 2025.
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NAF pilots escape death as fighter jet crashes in Niger
Two Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet pilots reportedly survived an in-flight emergency during a post-inspection functional check flight from the Kainji base in Niger State. The story says the pilots ejected safely after steering the aircraft away from populated areas, helping to prevent civilian casualties. The Air Force spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the incident and noted that the pilots were undergoing routine medical evaluation. The Chief of Air Staff also reportedly ordered a Board of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the crash, reiterating the NAF’s commitment to operational safety. Source: The Nation, December 7, 2025.