FG Opens Access to 250,000 Free Business Name Registrations

The Federal Government has opened applications for 250,000 free business name registrations for eligible entrepreneurs across Nigeria as part of efforts to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The initiative, approved under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is aimed at reducing the cost of formalising small businesses and encouraging more Nigerians to register their enterprises.

Eligible entrepreneurs interested in benefiting from the programme have been advised to apply through the official SMEDAN portal.

The registration is completely free, with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) expected to process the business name registrations without charging applicants.

The government has also warned applicants to beware of fraudsters who may attempt to exploit the programme. Entrepreneurs have been advised not to pay anyone claiming to have the ability to fast-track or secure their registration.

Applicants are therefore encouraged to use only the official SMEDAN platform and avoid making payments or sharing personal information with unauthorised agents.

Lagos Government Trains Over 200 Professionals to Strengthen Public Institutions

The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to improve the effectiveness of its public institutions by training more than 200 engineers, human resource professionals and local government planning officers.

The training programmes, organised by the Ministries of Economic Planning and Budget and Establishments and Training, focused on strengthening data management, professional skills and evidence-based decision-making across the state.

Speaking during a capacity-building session for Heads of Planning, Research and Statistics from the state’s 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs Olayinka Ojo, stressed the importance of accurate data in development planning.

She noted that local councils are particularly important because of their close relationship with communities and their ability to provide reliable information about residents’ socio-economic conditions and needs.

Ojo urged planning officers to improve the collection, management and use of grassroots data, noting that reliable information should guide government budgeting, policy formulation, programme implementation and monitoring.

The training, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ikeja, brought together officials from relevant government departments and development organisations to share technical knowledge and practical approaches to improving data systems.

In a separate programme held at the same venue, the Ministry of Establishments and Training commenced specialised training for engineers and human resource officers in the state civil service.

The engineering participants received training on “Effective Engineering Solutions for Public Sector Challenges,” while human resource officers focused on “Human Resource and Organisational Management.”

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Establishments and Training, Dr Olubusola Abidakun, encouraged participants to actively engage in the sessions, acquire new skills and share professional experiences.

The programmes are part of the Lagos State Government’s broader efforts to build a more capable workforce, strengthen public institutions and ensure that government policies are effectively translated into results.

Opposition Parties Boycott Bauchi Local Government Elections

Several opposition political parties in Bauchi State have announced their decision to boycott Monday’s local government elections, describing the exercise as a “kangaroo election” allegedly designed to favour the ruling Allied People’s Movement (APM).

The coalition comprises the African Democratic Congress (ADC), African Action Congress (AAC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The parties announced their decision during a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Bauchi on Sunday.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, ADC National Spokesperson Dr Ladan Salihu said the parties had agreed to jointly reject the election under what they described as an unfair electoral arrangement. He added that the Bauchi State APC chairman was also expected to join the coalition.

The opposition parties raised concerns over the legal framework guiding the election, nomination and administrative fees, the compressed electoral timetable, and the limited period available for campaigns and internal party processes.

They accused the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) of imposing excessive fees and creating additional financial burdens for political parties and candidates.

The coalition also criticised the requirement that election-related forms be processed exclusively at the BASIEC headquarters in Bauchi, saying this would impose unnecessary transportation and administrative costs on candidates and political parties.

According to the opposition parties, the electoral arrangements appeared to favour the ruling party, which they alleged had greater access to government machinery and public resources.

The coalition insisted that its decision to boycott the election should not be interpreted as a withdrawal from democracy.

“Our decision not to participate under the present arrangement must not be mistaken for weakness or withdrawal from a democratic process,” the parties said.

They called on BASIEC to postpone the election and address their concerns by providing what they described as a genuine and level playing field for all political parties.

The opposition parties said they would reconsider their boycott if the alleged restrictions and concerns were addressed, while reaffirming their commitment to peaceful democratic participation in Bauchi State and Nigeria.

El-Rufai Files N10bn Suit Against ICPC Over Alleged Denial of Family Access

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a fresh N10 billion lawsuit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleging that the agency has prevented his wife and son from visiting him while in custody.

The suit, filed through his lawyer, Ubong Akpan, also names the ICPC Chairman and the Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1852/2026, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 13, 2026.

El-Rufai is seeking several declarations and orders, including a declaration that his fundamental human rights remain protected despite his detention.

He alleged that repeated denial of access to his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and son, Abba El-Rufai, had prevented them from providing him with food, medication and other necessities.

According to the former governor, the alleged actions of ICPC officials violated his rights to dignity and private and family life under the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

He also alleged that ICPC officers physically restrained and intimidated his wife and son on July 7, describing the incident as an unlawful interference with his family relationship.

El-Rufai is asking the court to order the ICPC to grant him unhindered and reasonable access to his family members and legal representatives throughout his detention.

In an affidavit supporting the case, his Principal Secretary, Mohammed Shaba, said El-Rufai’s wife had previously visited him regularly and provided food, medication, clothing and other personal necessities.

Shaba further stated that the Federal High Court in Kaduna had earlier ordered the ICPC to allow El-Rufai access to his lawyers and personal physicians whenever necessary.

El-Rufai maintained that detainees should not be held incommunicado and that the ICPC remains subject to judicial oversight regarding the conditions of his detention.

The former governor is currently being detained by the ICPC in connection with a criminal case pending before the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

The allegations contained in the suit remain subject to determination by the court.

Gunmen Attack Six Benue Communities, Kill and Injure Residents.

Terrorists suspected to be armed herders attacked several communities in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State in the early hours of Sunday, killing some residents and injuring others.

The affected communities include Mbaterem, Ayaba, Ikpur, Yina, Aboajio and Ukpen in Mbazun Ward.

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, condemned the attack and commended security agencies for their prompt response. He also expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and wished the injured residents a speedy recovery.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia vowed that his administration would continue to support security agencies in their efforts to protect residents and restore lasting peace across the state.

Alia warned those seeking to undermine the peace process in Benue, insisting that his government would not be intimidated.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security authorities.

The governor also directed security agencies to maintain a strong presence in strategic locations across the state to prevent further attacks.

The latest incident comes amid a series of violent attacks and kidnappings reported in different parts of Benue State in recent weeks.

Earlier, gunmen abducted 14 passengers travelling in an 18-seater bus along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area. Five victims, including a four-year-old boy, were later rescued, while nine others remained in captivity as of Friday.

Several deadly attacks have also been reported in Benue communities, with suspected armed herders accused of killing residents in separate incidents.

Authorities have continued to call for increased vigilance and stronger security measures to protect vulnerable communities across the state.

WAEC Extends 2026 GCE Registration Deadline to August 28

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria, has extended the registration deadline for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates, Second Series.

WAEC announced the extension on Saturday, stating that registration will now close on Friday, August 28, 2026.

The council urged prospective candidates to take advantage of the extension and complete their registration before the new deadline.

The examination, commonly known as WAEC GCE, is designed for candidates who are not currently enrolled in regular secondary schools, as well as those seeking to obtain or improve their O’Level results.

WAEC said the 2026 examination will be conducted entirely as a Computer-Based Examination (CBE).

The registration fee remains ₦37,000, while the examination is scheduled to hold between September and October 2026.

Candidates have also been advised to visit the nearest WAEC office in their respective states to confirm available examination towns before completing their registration.

Registration for the examination began on May 4, 2026, while the latest extension replaces the previous deadline of July 31, 2026.