By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group.

The meetings, scheduled for October 12 to 18, will bring together finance ministers, central bank governors, development partners and other global economic policymakers to deliberate on developments in the global economy, financing priorities and strategies for sustainable economic growth.

Nigeria’s participation comes amid the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to consolidate macroeconomic stability, attract investment and ensure that economic reforms translate into increased productive activities, expanded business opportunities and job creation.

Oyedele’s participation is expected to provide an avenue for Nigeria to strengthen engagement with international financial institutions and development partners on policies and financing opportunities aligned with the country’s economic priorities.

The meetings will also offer opportunities for participating countries to exchange views on emerging global economic challenges and explore strategies for promoting sustainable growth and development.

Further details of the minister’s engagements and Nigeria’s participation in the meetings are expected to be communicated as the programme progresses.

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Federal Government has evacuated another 111 Nigerians from South Africa amid renewed concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks, bringing the total number of citizens returned home under the ongoing exercise to 2,037.

The returnees, made up of 44 men, 23 women and 44 children, arrived in Lagos on Thursday, October 8, aboard South African Airways Flight SA060, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.

The latest evacuation was made possible by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), which donated $265,854 to support the return of 500 Nigerians in distress in South Africa.

Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other federal agencies received the returnees on arrival.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, said the latest flight marked the 15th consular evacuation from South Africa since the exercise began on June 10, 2026.

Of the 2,037 Nigerians evacuated so far, the Federal Government fully covered the repatriation costs of 1,388, while 318 others received one-way tickets funded by the RCCG.

The church’s donation is expected to provide tickets for another 182 Nigerians, completing its pledge to sponsor the return of 500 citizens.

The Federal Government expressed gratitude to the RCCG and its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for supporting efforts to bring distressed Nigerians back home.

It also pledged to continue engaging South African authorities and other stakeholders to address xenophobia and Afrophobia and protect the safety, welfare and dignity of Nigerians living in the country.

The ministry advised Nigerians still in South Africa to obey local laws, remain vigilant and take necessary steps to protect themselves. 

It urged them to contact the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria or the Consulate General in Johannesburg whenever they require consular assistance.

The evacuation comes amid renewed anti-immigrant tensions in South Africa, where protests and reports of violence have raised fresh concerns about the safety of foreign nationals.

Reports of unrest in Johannesburg and Durban have included the burning of vehicles and the looting of foreign-owned shops, heightening fears among migrant communities.

The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to providing consular support to Nigerians abroad and working with relevant authorities to safeguard their welfare and interests.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, has dissociated itself from the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing, directing secondary school teachers and education officers to report to their classrooms and proceed with their normal duties.

The union’s stance was made public in a press statement issued on Wednesday by its State Executive Council (SEC) following an emergency meeting to review the industrial action called by the NUT FCT Wing.

Rejecting the stay-at-home order, ASUSS argued that the academic destiny of students should not be compromised over industrial disputes, describing the strike action as premature and detrimental to educational stability in the territory.

Addressing the specific demands raised by the NUT, ASUSS offered counter-positions on the three primary issues driving the dispute.

ASUSS stated that the vacancy requirement remains a statutory provision of the Public Service Rules (PSR) governing establishment control and financial planning, emphasizing that altering career structures requires administrative dialogue rather than coercion. 

The union clarified that the administrative framework for affected teachers has already been resolved, noting that the 2025 promotion process is set to run concurrently with the 2026 promotion cycle under the FCT Civil Service Commission, as outlined in circulars released in September 2026. 

ASUSS maintained that the redeployment of education agency directors to classrooms falls within management’s statutory prerogative to maintain administrative order. 

ASUSS further alleged that the strike action was calculated to disrupt the scheduled 2025/2026 promotion examinations for FCT Education Officers. 

In its final directive, the union urged all eligible Education Officers to participate in the upcoming promotion examinations according to the published timetable, while calling on parents and guardians across the FCT to send their children to school, assuring them that academic activities will continue uninterrupted. 

Furthermore, the ASUSS FCT Chapter issued specific directives to secondary school principals, vice-principals, and education officers: 

“All secondary schools must remain fully open for academic and administrative activities without interruption.

 “Ensure that all teachers report to their respective classrooms to execute their normal duties and teach students diligently.

 “Disregard any directives or instructions from unauthorized bodies aimed at disrupting the academic calendar.

“Monitor attendance and ensure a safe, conducive learning environment for all students who are innocent victims of unnecessary industrial disruptions.”