From Dan Amasingha, Minna.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) has strongly condemned what it described as a desperate and unlawful attempt by the Niger State Government to take over the institution’s historic Bosso Campus.

The protest, which took place at the entrance gate of the Bosso Campus, saw lecturers and students marching in solidarity under the leadership of ASUU and the Student Union Government, warning that any attempt to forcefully acquire the land would disrupt academic activities and violate federal laws.

Speaking to journalists after the demonstration, the FUTMINNA ASUU Chairperson, Comrade Professor Lukman Kunle Oyewobi, described the alleged move as “an unholy act,” insisting that the university community would resist any plan to dispossess the institution of its facilities.

Oyewobi disclosed that state government officials had reportedly visited the campus to initiate acquisition procedures without the consent of the university, prompting the emergency protest.

He rejected claims that the land was under temporary lease, citing a 1983 purchase agreement in which the Federal Government allegedly paid ₦2.8 million for full ownership of the property.

 According to him, the campus  originally a Roman Catholic missionary school handed to the state and later sold to FUTMINNA  is now a vital federal asset.

“This property belongs to the Federal Government. It is not idle land for political grabs,” Oyewobi said, adding that the campus houses more than 25 research centres, advanced science laboratories, staff quarters, hostels, clinics, libraries, and religious centres.

Pioneer student and Professor of Animal Production, Abdubanji Tijani, also challenged the state’s legal claim to the land, maintaining that the property was lawfully acquired in 1982 and cannot be reclaimed by the state government.

The controversy is believed to be linked to an alleged plan by the state government to establish a state-owned medical school on the Bosso Campus. 

However, the university community pointed out that FUTMINNA has already launched its own medical school using facilities within the same campus.

Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Bashir Ganiyu, expressed concern over reports that students, particularly female undergraduates, had been asked to vacate their hostels. With a total student population of about 25,000 and accommodation space for only about 5,000 students across campuses, he questioned the feasibility and safety implications of such a directive.

“Where do they want these students to go? Are they to be chased into the streets?” he asked.

Similarly, Mohamed Ramas, a 500-level student and Vice President of the Student Union, raised alarm over the safety of female students if evicted abruptly.

“We don’t have alternatives. Where do they want us to go? We are ladies. They cannot toy with our safety,” she lamented.

ASUU called on the National Assembly, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and civil society organisations to intervene and halt what it termed an assault on academic freedom and constitutional rights.

The union also urged Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, an honorary doctorate recipient of the university, to reconsider the move and seek alternative sites within the state, which is Nigeria’s largest by landmass.

Efforts to get official reaction from the Niger State Government were ongoing as of the time of filing this report.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has advised all taxable individuals including those in employment, elected and appointed public office holders, persons in self-employment and business owners to file their returns before the 31st day of March, 2026.

In a statement on Monday, the Service stated that all taxable individuals in the FCT are expected to declare their income from all sources for the preceding year (2025) along with a statement of their deductions and other information as required by law.

The statutory filing requirements apply to all taxable persons, including self-employed individuals, business owners, professionals, persons in the informal sector and employees under the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) scheme.

This is in accordance with Section 24(f) of the 1999 constitution, Sections 13 and 14(3) of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 (NTAA), Section 24 of the FCT-IRS Act, 2015 and Paragraph 11 of the Personal Income Tax Guidelines, 2026 issued by the Joint Revenue Board, pursuant to Section 1-5(f) of the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment)

Act, 2025. The above laws and Guidelines require every individual with taxable income to submit a true and correct return of total income from all sources for the preceding year (in this case, January 1st to December 31st 2025) within 90 days of commencement of the 2026 assessment year.

All taxpayers resident in FCT are advised to visit the FCT-IRS self-service portal (www.taxporta.fctirs.gov.ng) to file their returns online or visit any FCT-IRS office nearest to them to fill the relevant forms and submit them accordingly.

The Service strongly urged all taxable individuals in the FCT to comply with the above requirements

of the law, as failure to file the personal income tax returns by 31st March, 2026, will attract various sanctions as provided in the law, this  include issuing a best of judgment assessment on defaulters, imposing penalties and interest and other civil and criminal sanctions in line with the provisions of the law.

It will be recalled that during the recently concluded FCT-IRS Stakeholders’ Engagement forum, the Acting Executive Chairman, Michael Ango stated that voluntary compliance through timely registration, filing, and payment of taxes is a catalyst for progress and development in the FCT, as it will enable Government to provide security, infrastructures, social and other services to citizens.

Ango noted that tax payments are utilized by the Government to fund road projects, build and renovate schools, hospitals and other critical projects. He added that, it is incumbent on residents of the FCT to show support for the efforts of the FCT administration under the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to improve infrastructure and social services in the FCT by paying their taxes and filing returns as required by law.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, Nigeria’s gross and net foreign reserves showed significant improvement at the end of 2025, reflecting stronger external sector fundamentals and sustained policy reforms.

Following his disclosure at the post-Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) press briefing on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, where he said the country’s gross external reserves stood at $50.

He stated that the figures emphasised the benefits of increased transparency and credibility in foreign exchange management, boosting investor confidence, attracting stronger FX inflows, and improving reserve management practices aimed at preserving capital, ensuring liquidity, and supporting long-term sustainability.

According to him, the improvement represents a substantial strengthening in both the level and quality of Nigeria’s external buffers over the past three years.

He disclosed that net reserves increased sharply from $3.99 billion at the end of 2023 to $34.80 billion at the close of 2025, reflecting what he described as a fundamental improvement in reserve quality. He added that the 2025 net reserve position alone exceeded the total gross reserves recorded at the end of 2023, which stood at $33.22 billion.

Cardoso further stated that net reserves rose from $23.11 billion at end-2024 to $34.80 billion at end-2025, while gross external reserves increased to $45.71 billion from $40.19 billion over the same period, representing an increase of $5.52 billion. He said the expansion highlighted Nigeria’s enhanced capacity to meet external obligations, support exchange rate stability and reinforce overall macroeconomic resilience.

He described the end-2025 reserve position as strong validation of the Bank’s ongoing policy reforms and external sector adjustments. He reaffirmed the CBN’s commitment to maintaining adequate reserve buffers, supporting orderly foreign exchange market operations, enhancing confidence in Nigeria’s external position and sustaining macroeconomic stability in line with its statutory mandate.