JAMB Sets 2025 Admission Deadlines for Nigerian Tertiary Institutions

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has mandated that all public universities in Nigeria conclude their 2025 admission processes by October 31, 2025. Private universities are required to complete theirs by November 30, 2025, while all other tertiary institutions—including polytechnics, colleges of education, and innovation enterprise institutions—must finalize admissions by December 31, 2025. This directive aims to stabilize the academic calendar and ensure equitable access to admission opportunities across all institutions.

JAMB has also instructed institutions conducting post-UTME screenings to conclude these exercises promptly to meet the stipulated deadlines. Even if an institution is not yet prepared to commence the new academic session, it is expected to conduct and archive its admission processes within the prescribed timelines. 

The board emphasized that all admission processes must be completed within the prescribed timelines, and institutions are cautioned to comply fully with these directives.

Political Office Holders to Enjoy Salary Increase Soon; Say FG

The federal government is considering a salary increase for individuals in political positions.

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission has indicated intentions to reassess the salaries of political office holders in Nigeria, citing that the present earnings are insufficient, impractical, and outdated given the increasing responsibilities and economic challenges.

During a press conference held in Abuja on Monday, Mohammed Shehu, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, revealed that President Bola Tinubu currently has a monthly salary of N1.5 million. Meanwhile, ministers earn less than N1 million each month. These salary figures have not been adjusted since 2008.

He said, “You are paying the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria N1.5m a month, with a population of over 200 million people. Everybody believes that it is a joke.

“You cannot pay a minister less than N1m per month since 2008 and expect him to put in his best without necessarily being involved in some other things. You pay either a CBN governor or the DG ten times more than you pay the President. That is just not right. Or you pay him [the head of an agency] twenty times higher than the Attorney-General of the Federation. That is absolutely not right.

“We are strictly restricted to political office holders, governors, senators, legislators, ministers, DGs, and other people.

“It’s about time that people like you and others should support the commission to come up with reasonable living salaries for ministers, DGs, and the President.

“In line with this constitutional responsibility and in response to the evolving socio-economic, political and fiscal realities of our nation, the Commission has resolved to initiate the process of reviewing the revenue allocation formula to reflect emerging socio-economic realities.

“The situation has made it essential to re-evaluate the structure of fiscal federalism in order to foster economic growth in individual states, enabling them to become independent from the central government and ensuring equity, responsiveness, and sustainability.”

FG Launches Interest-Free Loan for Tertiary Institution Staff (Application Procedures)

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

PRESS RELEASE

14 August 2025 – Abuja

FG LAUNCHES ₦10m INTEREST-FREE LOAN SCHEME FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTION STAFF

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, CON, has launched the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), offering interest-free loans of up to ₦10 million to academic and non-academic staff nationwide.

Part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Reform Agenda, the scheme developed by the Ministry, TETFund, and the Bank of Industry is designed to boost staff welfare, career growth, and financial stability. Loans are capped at 33.3% of an applicant’s gross annual salary and may be used for healthcare, housing, transport, small-scale businesses, agriculture, or academic advancement. Repayment spans five years with a one-year moratorium.

Applications are processed via https://tissf.education.gov.ng on a first-come basis with a transparent, automated system.

Stakeholders including Hon. Abubakar H. Fulata, Mr. Sunday Dare, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, and union representatives hailed the scheme as a landmark welfare intervention. Already, 2,474 applications have been logged, with 691 completed, 105 schools registered, and 15 bursars onboard.

The Ministry projects a 24% improvement in staff retention and 42% morale boost, reinforcing its commitment to a motivated, productive, and resilient academic workforce.

Folasade Boriowo

Director, Press and Public Relations

FG To Establish Sports Center of Excellence In Six Universities (Full List)

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

August 15, 2025

PRESS RELEASE

FG Launches Landmark Sports–Education Reform

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, CON, has unveiled a plan to integrate sports into Nigeria’s education system, declaring: “Sports is Education, Education is Sports.” At the inauguration of a 20-member National Sports–Education Review Committee in Abuja, he stressed nurturing talent from grassroots to elite levels, as seen in Brazil and Argentina.

Despite over 16 million youths engaging in sports betting, Nigeria lacks a thriving sports economy. Dr. Alausa announced a Sports Development Fund to support athletes and standardise sports infrastructure and curricula. The committee will review accredited Physical and Health Education, Sports, and Sports Science programmes under NUC, NBTE, NCCE, and NERDC, focusing on course content, teaching methods, and introducing globally relevant courses.

Sports Centres of Excellence will be established in six geopolitical zones: UNN, UNIBEN, UI, UNIJOS, ABU Zaria, and Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri, plus centres at Federal Polytechnic, Offa and Federal College of Education, Okene. ₦3.5 million per centre is allocated in the 2025 budget.

Stakeholders, including Mr. Usman Ejeh, Prof. Adamu Ahmad, Dr. Ibrahim Mosimabale, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, Dr. Kweku Tandoh, and Mojoyin Adebajo, praised the reforms as timely for building a sports economy and producing world-class athletes.

The Ministry pledged sustained funding, partnerships, and continuous reforms for academically sound, physically fit, globally competitive graduates.

Folasade Boriwo

Director, Press and Public Relations

NECO Commences 2025 SSCE Marking Exercises (See Full List of Marking Venues)

The NECO (National Examinations Council) marking exercise for the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for internal candidates is scheduled to take place as follows:

The Main coordination meeting and marking exercise will be held as follows:

Main Coordination: 16 - 17/8/2025

Main Marking: 18 - 29/8/25

Departure 31/8/25

Examiners are encouraged to visit https://services.neco.gov.ng/#/ to download invitation letters in order to participate in the marking exercises.

New examiners are to visit the marking venue and register their interest to participate in the marking exercise.

The List of available marking venues are as follows:

List of NECO marking centres across Nigeria 

Aba Marking Venue - Girls Secondary School, Abayi-Aba

Abakaliki Marking Venue - Holy Ghost Secondary School, Abakaliki

Abeokuta 1 Marking Venue - Reverend Kuti Memorial Grammar School, Abeokuta

Abeokuta 2 Marking Venue - African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta

Abuja Marking Venue - Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Wuse Zone 4 

Ado-Ekiti 1 Marking Venue - Christ Girls' School, Ado-Ekiti

Ado-Ekiti 2 Marking Venue - Mary Immaculate Girls Grammar School, Ado-Ekiti

Agbor Marking Venue - Ogbemudein Mixed Secondary School, Agbor

Akure Marking Venue - Acquinas College, Akure

Asaba Marking Venue - Anglican Girls Grammar School, Asaba

Auchi Marking Venue - Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi

Awka Marking Venue - Government Technical College, Awka

Bauchi Marking Venue - General Hassan Usman Katsina College, Bauchi

Benin 1 Marking Venue - Idia College, Benin-City

Benin 2 Marking Venue - Western Boys High School, Benin-City

Birnin Kebbi Marking Venue - Nagari College Birnin Kebbi

Calabar Marking Venue - Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar

Dutse Marking Venue - Government Commercial School, Dutse

Eket Marking Venue - Government Secondary School, Afaha Eket

Enugu 1 Marking Venue - Urban Anglican Girls School, Ogui New Layout, Enugu

Enugu 2 Marking Venue - Federal Government College, Enugu

Gombe Marking Venue - Education Resource Centre, Gombe

Gusau Marking Venue - Sambo Secondary School, Gusau

Gwagwalada Marking Venue - Government Secondary School, Gwagwalada 

The Polytechnic Ibadan - The Polytechnic Ibadan, CST Centre. Ibadan.

Ibadan 1 Marking Venue - Loyola College, Old Ife Rd., Ibadan

Ibadan 2 Marking Venue - Anglican Grammar School, Total Garden, Ibadan 

Ibadan 3 Marking Venue - Islamic High School, Orita Basorun, Ibadan

Ijebu-Ode Marking Venue - Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode

Ikare-Akoko Marking Venue - Victory College, Ikare-Akoko

Ikorodu Marking Venue - Government. Senior College, Ikorodu

Ikot-Ekpene Marking Venue - State College, Ikot-Ekpene

Ilaro Marking Venue - Yewa College, Ilaro

Ile-lfe Marking Venue - Oduduwa College, Ile-lfe

Ilesa Marking Venue - Ilesa Grammar School, Ilesa

Ilorin 1 Marking Venue - St. Anthony Secondary School, Ilorin

Ilorin 2 Marking Venue - Government Day Secondary School, Ilorin

Jalingo Marking Venue - Magami Government Day Secondary School, Jalingo

Jos Marking Venue - St. Murumba College, Jos

Kabba Marking Venue - St. Monica College, Kabba

Kaduna Marking Venue 1 - Queen Amina College, Kaduna

Kaduna Marking Venue 2 - Sardauna Memorial College, Kaduna

Kafanchan Marking Venue - Government College, Kagoro

Kano Marking Venue 1 - Rumfa College, Kano

Kano Marking Venue 2 - Government Secondary School, Tarauni, Kano

Katsina Marking Venue - Government Day Secondary School Kofar Yandaka Katsina

Lafia Marking Venue - Government Science School, Lafia

Lagos (Agege 1) Marking Venue - Government Senior College, Agege

Lagos (Agege 2) Marking Venue - Keke Senior High School, Agege

Lagos (Maryland) Marking Venue - Command Day Secondary School, Maryland

Lagos (Ijanikin) Marking Venue - Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Ojo-ljanikin

Lagos (Ilupeju) Marking Venue - Ilupeju Senior Secondary School, Ilupeju

Lagos (Surulere) Marking Venue - AUD Grammar School, Surulere

Lagos (Ikeja) Marking Venue - Ikeja Grammar School, Oshodi

Lokoja Marking Venue - Crowther Memorial College, Lokoja

Makurdi Marking Venue - Mount St. Gabriel Secondary School, Makurdi

Mbaise Marking Venue - Mbaise Secondary School, Aboh Mbaise

Minna Marking Venue - Government Secondary School, Minna

Nnewi Marking Venue - Maria Regina Model Comprehensive College, Nnewi

Nsukka 1 Marking Venue - Nsukka High School, Nsukka

Nsukka 2 Marking Venue - Government Technical College (G.T.C), Nsukka

Offa Marking Venue - Offa Grammar School, Offa

Ogbomoso Marking Venue - Ogbomoso High Sch., Ogbomoso

Okene Marking Venue - Ebira Community Secondary School, Okene

Okigwe Marking Venue - Federal Government College, Okigwe

Okitipupa Marking Venue - Stella Maris College, Okitipupa

Ondo Marking Venue - Ondo Boys High School, Ondo

Onitsha 1 Marking Venue - Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha

Onitsha 2 Marking Venue - Christ the King College, Onitsha

Orlu Marking Venue - Township Comprehensive Secondary Amaifeke, Orlu

Osogbo 1 Marking Venue - Osogbo Grammar School, Osogbo

Osogbo 2 Marking Venue - Unity High School, Osogbo

Ota Marking Venue - Iganmode Grammar School, Ota

Otukpo Marking Venue - St. Francis College, Otukpo

Owerri 1 Marking Venue - Government Secondary School, Owerri

Owerri 2 Marking Venue - Emmanuel College, Owerri

Oyo Marking Venue - Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo

Pankshin Marking Venue - Government College, Pankshin

Port-Harcourt Marking Venue - Federal Government College, Rumuokoro

Sagamu Marking Venue - Remo Secondary School, Sagamu

Sapele Marking Venue - Chude Girls' (Model) Secondary School, Sapele

Sokoto Marking Venue - Federal Government College, Sokoto

Ughelli Marking Venue - Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ughelli

Umuahia Marking Venue - Girls Secondary School, Umuahia

Uyo Marking Venue 1 - Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Four Towns, Uyo

Uyo Marking Venue 2 - Adiha Obong Secondary School, Uyo

Yenagoa Marking Venue - St. Jude's Girls Secondary School, Yenagoa

Yola Marking Venue - Adamawa State Polytechnic, Yola

Zaria Marking Venue 1 - Demonstration Secondary School, ABU, Zaria

Zaria Marking Venue 2 - Barewa College, Zaria

WAEC Updates OUTSTANDING Results for 2025 WASSCE As JAMB Reactivates Uploading of 2025 O'Level Results (Step-By-Step Guide)

 

There are indications that the management of West African Examination Council Nigeria has updated subjects marked as OUTSTANDING with their respective grades.

Students whose results were marked as OUTSTANDING has since check their result to discover that subjects earlier marked as OUTSTANDING now has a grade.

Students whose result contain subjects with OUTSTANDING are by this notice advised to re-check their 2025 WASSCE results on WAEC Result checker portal - www.waecdirect.org before proceeding to upload their 2025 O'Level Results on JAMB CAPS Porta,

JAMB RE-OPENS UPLOAD OF O'LEVEL RESULTS FOR 2025/2026 UTME CANDIDATES:

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has activated the portal (CAPS) for Uploading/Re-uploading O'level results for the 2025/2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates.

Candidates who were unable to upload their results during the initial registration process can now do so by visiting any JAMB-accredited CBT center with their O'LEVEL results and JAMB profile details.

NB: All candidates who wrote the 2025 WASSCE should hold on as the portal isn't fully restored for their uploading.

You are therefore advised to also effect such changes on your school portal, using the O'level Verification section tab.

What is JAMB CAPS?

JAMB CAPS stands for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Central Admissions Processing System. Introduced to enhance transparency and efficiency, it serves as an online platform where prospective university students can monitor and manage their admission status.

By centralising the admission process, JAMB CAPS ensures that all candidates are given fair consideration based on merit and institutional requirements.

What is the Purpose of JAMB CAPS?

The primary purpose of JAMB CAPS is to streamline the admission process into tertiary institutions across Nigeria. It achieves this by:

Ensuring Transparency: Candidates can easily track their admission status, reducing uncertainties and fostering trust in the system.

Facilitating Fairness: By standardising admission procedures, it guarantees that all applicants are evaluated based on consistent criteria.

Enhancing Efficiency: Institutions can process admissions more swiftly, and candidates receive timely updates on their application status.

What are the Features of JAMB CAPS?

JAMB CAPS offers several features designed to assist candidates throughout the admission process:

Admission Status Monitoring: Candidates can check whether they have been offered admission and respond accordingly.

Acceptance or Rejection of Admission Offers: The platform allows candidates to accept or reject admission offers, providing control over their educational choices.

O’Level Result Upload: Candidates can upload their O’Level results directly onto the platform, ensuring that all necessary credentials are readily available for admission consideration.

Course Transfer Approval: In cases where institutions offer a different course than initially applied for, candidates can accept or reject the proposed course transfer through JAMB CAPS.

How to Access and Login to JAMB CAPS

Accessing JAMB CAPS is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:

Visit the JAMB e-Facility Portal: Navigate to the official JAMB e-Facility portal - https://efacility.jamb.gov.ng/

Login to Your Account: Enter your registered email address and password to access your dashboard.

Access CAPS: Once logged in, locate and click on the ‘Check Admission Status’ tab. Then, select ‘Access my CAPS’ to enter the CAPS portal.

Note: For mobile users, it’s advisable to use the Chrome browser and enable the ‘Desktop site’ option for optimal functionality.

How to Check, Accept, or Reject Admission on JAMB CAPS

After logging into JAMB CAPS, follow these steps to manage your admission status:

Check Admission Status:

On the CAPS portal, your admission status will be displayed. It may show ‘Admitted’, ‘Not Admitted’, or ‘Admission in Progress’.

Accept or Reject Admission:

If offered admission, two options will be available: ‘Accept Admission’ and ‘Reject Admission’.

Click ‘Accept Admission’ to confirm your acceptance.

Click ‘Reject Admission’ if you choose not to accept the offer.

Important: Accepting an admission offer means you will no longer be considered for admission by other institutions. Conversely, rejecting an offer reopens the possibility of admission from other institutions.

How to Upload Your Result on JAMB CAPS

Uploading your O’Level results is a critical step in the admission process. 

Here’s how to do it:

Login to JAMB e-Facility: Access your account as previously described.

Navigate to ‘Upload O’Level Results’: On your dashboard, find and click on this option.

Enter Your Results: Carefully input your subjects and corresponding grades.

Submit: After entering all required information, click ‘Submit’ to upload your results.

Note: Ensure that the details entered match exactly with your official O’Level certificate to avoid discrepancies.

How to Accept or Reject a Course Transfer on JAMB CAPS

Sometimes, an institution may offer you admission into a course different from your initial choice. To respond to such offers:

Access the ‘Transfer Approval’ Section: Within the CAPS portal, locate and click on ‘Transfer Approval’.

View Proposed Transfer: Details of the new course will be displayed for your consideration.

Accept or Reject:

To accept the new course, click ‘Accept’.

To decline, click ‘Reject’.

Remember: Accepting a course transfer finalises your admission into the new programme while rejecting it allows you to await other offers.

JAMB Releases Update On Uploading of O'Level Results on CAPS Portal (Press Statement)

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has assured the 2025 UTME Candidates that the uploading of O'Level results on Central Admissions Processing System - CAPS Portal will resume shortly.

In a statement released on the official X handle of JAMB, the board retreated that the resent technical glitches experienced by one of the examination bodies in Nigeria necessitated the need to temporarily suspends the upload of O'Level results.

The Statement Read thus:

Attention Dear Candidates, 

Kindly be aware that the temporary closure of the portal for the 2025 WASSCE result upload is to address the issue with those, who had previously uploaded the initially-released WASSCE result.

Please be patient while our technical crew works on the portal. You will be contacted shortly to upload your result.

Thank you.

In another development, JAMB has assured the Direct Entry Candidates that the correction of data, particularly change of course and institution will be made available on CAPS portal soon.

This was made known in a statement released via the official X handle of JAMB.

The Statement Read thus:

Dear DE Candidates,

This is to notify you that correction of data, particularly change of course and institution for Direct Entry applicants, will be available soon. This service is not typically activated before the release of A‑level results by the issuing authorities.

This is a logical course of action as candidates’ details, with the exception of those awaiting results, have been collected during registration.

Thank you.

Update on this development will be posted via this platform.....kindly follow our us for latest updates.

Court Judgment: INEC Announces Inclusion of SDP Candidates for Bye-Elections Few Hours To Commencement (See Full List; Press Statement)

INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION 

PRESS RELEASE

INCLUSION OF SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY (SDP) CANDIDATES FOR BYE-ELECTIONS 

The Commission has been served with the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025. In the judgement, the Commission was ordered to include the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidates in the bye-elections in 12 States of the Federation. The party did not earlier submit a valid notice for the conduct of primaries for the bye-elections. For this reason, they were not monitored by the Commission.

However, in compliance with the judgement, the names of the candidates submitted manually have been accepted and published on our website. The party will participate in the bye-elections.

The Commission wishes to assure the public, especially voters in the 12 States, that the 11th-hour judgement will not affect the election which will proceed tomorrow Saturday 16th August 2025 as scheduled.

Meanwhile, the Commission will exercise its legitimate right of appeal under the law.

Sam Olumekun mni
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee
Friday 15th August 2025

Bye-Elections: IGP Orders Restrictions of Movement In Affected Areas (Press Statement - See List of 13 Affected States)

PRESS RELEASE

BYE-ELECTIONS: IGP ORDERS WATER TIGHT SECURITY, DEPLOYS LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR FREE, FAIR ELECTIONS ACROSS 13 STATES

Orders Restriction of Movement in Affected Areas, Ban on VIP Aides, Escorts, Quasi Security Outfits

Sequel to the forthcoming bye-election in 13 states across the Federation scheduled to hold tomorrow, 16th August, 2025, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has reiterated his earlier directives on the deployment of operational logistics to the affected States and Local Government Areas where the elections would hold to provide an enabling environment for a free and fair elections. The affected states include Anambra, Kano, Oyo, Taraba, Enugu, Adamawa, Edo, Jigawa, Kogi, Kano, Ogun, Zamfara, and Niger States.

In order to ensure smooth elections, the IGP has directed the deployment of senior officers of the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioners of Police to assist State Commissioners of Police to ensure proper supervision over the electoral process for a smooth and hitch free election, while officers and men of the Police Mobile Force, Special Intervention Squad, Force Intelligence Department and other tactical units have equally been deployed.

The IGP has also ordered the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, from 12 am to 6 pm on election day within affected Local Government Areas with the exception of those on essential services including INEC Officials, Accredited Media and Electoral Observers, Ambulances responding to medical emergencies, and firefighters.

Similarly, the IGP reiterates the ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election. State-established and owned security outfits/organizations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guards and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.

The Inspector General of Police hereby charges all officers deployed for this special duty to ensure compliance with NPF standard operational protocols for elections and further urges all citizens to be law abiding during and after the elections and assures that all necessary security arrangements have been emplaced to ensure their right to vote is unobstructed.

DCP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, 
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA   
15th August, 2025

APC and PDP are not Terrorist Organizations - FG Tells Canadian Court (Read Press Statement)

Recently, Canadian court declares APC, PDP terrorist organisations, denies asylum to fleeing Nigerian politician.

In a swift reaction the Federal Government issued a statement to correct the narrations painted by the Canadian court.

Read Full Statement Below:

The Federal Government of Nigeria express deep concerns over the recent ruling by a Canadian Federal court that erroneously designates certain political parties in Nigeria as "terrorist organizations." 

The declaration was in pursuance of a case involving a Nigerian, Mr. Douglas Egharevba, who arrived in Canada in September 2017 and applied for inland refugee status under the immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada. 

This baseless classification is not only reckless but also constitutes an unacceptable interference in Nigeria's internal affairs and democratic processes. 

The Court made a sweeping accusation against the entire membership of a political party that has produced three democratically elected presidents, instead of focusing on individuals found wanting. 

The larger ramification of the decision is that every member of the mentioned political parties is a potential terrorist, and that is completely false and unacceptable. 

Nigeria is a sovereign nation with a robust legal and constitutional framework governing political activities. Our political parties operate within the ambit of the law and are integral to the country's vibrant democracy. 

To associate legitimate political entities with terrorism without credible evidence is a grave misrepresentation that undermines Nigeria's democratic institutions and could incite unnecessary tension. 

The Federal Government Of Nigeria, therefore, calls on the Canadian authorities to immediately retract this erroneous designation and refrain from actions that could be misconstrued as endorsing politically motivated narratives against Nigeria. 

Diplomatic channels remain open for constructive dialogue, and we urge the Government of Canada to engage with the relevant Nigerian institutions to rectify this Nigeria remains to the global fight against terrorism and has made significant strides in countering extremist groups within its borders; therefore, called on the international community to disregard this misguided ruling and reaffirm its confidence in Nigeria's democratic governance and rule Of law. 

The government further urges Nigerian nationals to refrain from making unfounded allegations against Nigeria under the pretext of seeking asylum or favours from foreign entities. 

Signed: 

Imomothni Ebienfa,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.
Friday 15, August, 2025 

'Nigerians are experiencing hardship from your reforms' Okonjo-Iweala Insists On Discussion with President Tinubu (Read Press Statement)

The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s recent comments on President Tinubu and the Nigerian economy have been seized upon by government officials and their media allies as if their scandalous implementation of hard reforms, which have condemned the majority of Nigerians to absolute poverty and destroyed millions of jobs, had received endorsement by the oracle herself. This is not correct. 

In a statement posted on her offcial X handle, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala affairms that Nigerians are experiencing hardship from the reforms of the present administration

Read Full Statement Below:

In Abuja, Nigeria visiting H.E President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We had a good discussion on the state of the economy and I shared with him that, whilst my perception is that the ongoing reforms are in the right direction and the economy is now stabilizing, there is a need to focus on building more social safety nets and growing the economy. 

I explained that Nigerians are experiencing hardship from the reforms and putting in place more programs to help people especially poor and vulnerable people manage the hardship is very important. 

At the same time it is necessary to start work on growing the economy to create more jobs and put money in people’s pockets. That is why programs like the WEIDE Fund that empowers women to trade digitally are critical. Click on the link and listen to the video.

In a related development, the opposition party, the ADC has issued a statement highlighting the position of the WTO Boss’s  Comment is about Suffering Nigerians not Meaningless Stability.

PRESS STATEMENT

African Democratic Congress (ADC)

August 15, 2025

ADC to FG: Listen to What Okonjo-Iweala is Not Saying

-Party Says WTO Boss’s  Comment is about Suffering Nigerians not Meaningless Stability. 

The ADC has criticized the Federal Government for ignoring the real message in the recent comments by the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on the state of the Nigerian economy, choosing instead to celebrate the headlines.

According to the party, government officials and their media surrogates have amplified only one soundbite from her remarks, where she credited the administration for “stabilizing the economy,” while deliberately ignoring her more serious call for urgent measures to grow the economy and establish social safety nets for millions of Nigerian families suffering the negative impacts of the government’s reforms.

In a press statement by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, the ADC noted that the effusive celebration of the headlines reflects a government in desperate need of validation, rather than one focused on the job at hand.

The full statement read:

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s recent comments on President Tinubu and the Nigerian economy have been seized upon by government officials and their media allies as if their scandalous implementation of hard reforms, which have condemned the majority of Nigerians to absolute poverty and destroyed millions of jobs, had received endorsement by the oracle herself. This is not correct.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala knows that a stable economy is one that is growing in real terms, led by jobs and productivity. She knows that a stable economy is one that is able to guarantee minimum standards of living for the people. She knows that economic stability that leaves the majority in grinding poverty is meaningless.

Therefore, what she’s really saying — which the government has chosen to ignore — is that the economy is not growing, jobs are not being created, and too many people are suffering as a direct consequence of President Tinubu’s ill-conceived and badly implemented reforms. These are the issues she wanted the government to address.

Like the international stateswoman that she is, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala prefaced her comments with the niceties befitting her stature by commending the administration for “stabilizing the economy.” But, having done with that courtesy, she immediately highlighted the urgent need for job creation to bring succour to the ever-growing army of unemployed youths and others who lost their jobs as businesses shut down under the crushing weight of the Tinubu-led government. She said the government needs to urgently grow the economy to put money in people’s pockets — which means that whatever “stable economy” the government is celebrating has not translated into real relief for hundreds of millions of Nigerian families, and they need to change course.

For the record, the economy is not performing in a way that could justify such selective optimism. GDP growth in Q1 2025 was 3.13 percent, and Q2 registered barely over 3 percent — a sluggish pace that fails to meet the expectation of broad-based expansion. Forecasts for the year hover between 3.0 percent and 3.4 percent, far from the robust rebound the administration envisioned. Headline inflation remains unyielding, sitting at 22.22 percent as of June, with food inflation at 21.97 percent, meaning that millions of Nigerians are paying more, not less. Petrol prices now average N1,037.66 per litre, still a significant burden on households and small businesses. The naira trades at around N1,530 to the dollar — drastically weaker than President Tinubu’s pre-reform levels of N460 — eroding purchasing power across the board.

In fact, it is the Tinubu administration’s policy choices — fuel-subsidy removal, naira devaluation, tariff hikes on electricity and transport — that have triggered this distress and made social safety nets not optional but essential. Yet these programs have either been administered haphazardly, suspended, or had negligible impact.

Every well-meaning Nigerian knows that celebrating the mere appearance of "stability" is not only pyrrhic but also dangerous. This is why, we believe, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala tweeted a clarification this afternoon, noting that Nigerians are experiencing hardship from President Tinubu’s reforms, and that putting in place more programs to help especially the poor and vulnerable manage this hardship is very important. She further stressed that “At the same time, it is necessary to start work on growing the economy to create more jobs and put money in people’s pockets.”

It is in this regard that the ADC strongly believes such candour from a global economic leader like Dr. Okonjo-Iweala underscores the urgent need for federal government policies that go beyond rhetoric and propaganda, but interaddress the daily harsh realities of millions of Nigerians under the APC.

Signed,

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)