By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships that promote evidence-based fiscal reforms, capacity building, and sustainable national development.

Dr.

Shehu made this known while receiving the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Oduma Orji Oduma, and members of the University’s management team who came on a courtesy visit to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja today Wednesday 29th July, 2026.

Speaking, the Chairman described the visit as timely and significant, noting that collaboration between government institutions and academia remains indispensable in addressing Nigeria’s evolving fiscal and economic challenges.

He stated that RMAFC emphasised its commitment to promoting innovative ideas that strengthen fiscal governance, improve resource allocation, and support sustainable national development to promoting innovative ideas capable of strengthening fiscal governance, improving resource allocation, and supporting sustainable national development. Dr. Shehu commended the NOUN for its pioneering role in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and acknowledged the University’s nationwide impact in expanding access to quality higher education.

He assured the delegation that the Commission would objectively evaluate the University’s requests, particularly regarding its unique operational model and remuneration concerns. He disclosed that the Commission would undertake a comprehensive job evaluation of NOUN and comparable university positions, including labour market benchmarking and fiscal impact analysis, to determine the feasibility of any specialised salary structure or differentiated allowances for ODL personnel.

The Chairman further emphasised that every recommendation would be guided by empirical evidence, national interest, and the Commission’s constitutional mandate to ensure fairness, equity, and fiscal sustainability.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oduma Orji Oduma, commended RMAFC for granting the delegation an audience and highlighted the University’s desire to establish a long-term strategic partnership with the Commission.

He proposed the establishment of a Centre for Fiscal Studies and Policy for Revenue Studies which would serve as a national hub for research, policy development, revenue forecasting and modeling, fiscal impact assessment, and evidence-based policy recommendations to support government reforms.

He further offered the University’s expertise in developing digital learning platforms and capacity-building programmes for fiscal officers, revenue administrators, and public servants across the federation. He noted that with over 128 study centres, robust ICT infrastructure, digital libraries, satellite connectivity, and online examination platforms, NOUN has the capacity to deliver nationwide professional training efficiently.

The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the peculiar nature of Open and Distance Learning, stressing that the University’s operations require substantial recurring investments in ICT infrastructure, learning management systems, digital libraries, online assessment platforms, and continuous 24-hour service delivery. He therefore appealed for consideration of a specialised remuneration framework that adequately reflects these unique operational realities.

He also provided assurances on the quality of NOUN graduates, noting that a significant percentage of the University’s graduates are gainfully employed while emphasising the institution’s commitment to continuous quality assurance, stronger academic collaborations, and improved graduate employability.

Hon. Muhammed Kabeer Usman, the Federal Commissioner for Gombe State, welcomed the proposed collaboration as a mutually beneficial initiative to strengthen institutional capacity and enhance public sector efficiency.

The federal commissioner representing Ogun State, Hon. Akeem Amosun, also observed that research-driven policy formulation remains essential for effective governance and encouraged both institutions to translate their discussions into practical programmes that would benefit the nation. He also stressed the importance of ensuring that any remuneration review is supported by objective data, fiscal sustainability, and equity across the public service.

The Director of Allocation and Fiscal Efficiency, Dr. Umar Usman Kukankada, MNI, underscored the importance of evidence-based policy decisions in fiscal administration.

He disclosed that the Commission would require detailed operational documentation from NOUN, including information on ICT and ODL expenditures, staffing structure, adjunct faculty arrangements, operational allowances, the University’s network of study centres, and graduate employability indicators to facilitate comprehensive assessment.

Dr. U. K. further stated that the Commission would prepare and evaluate a detailed proposal on the establishment of the proposed Centre for Fiscal Studies and the digital training platform. According to him, the proposal would clearly define the objectives, governance structure, scope of collaboration, expected deliverables, implementation timeline, and preliminary financial implications.

He reiterated that such data-driven analysis would enable the Commission to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation, remuneration, and future collaboration between both institutions. The meeting concluded with both organisations expressing a strong commitment to deepening collaboration in research, policy development, capacity building, digital learning, and fiscal governance. It was agreed that technical engagements would continue to refine the partnership framework and translate the proposals into actionable programmes that would contribute to Nigeria’s fiscal and socio-economic development.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended Zimbabwe’s economic resilience in spite of a challenging external environment, following the successful completion of the first review under its 10-month Staff-Monitored Programme (SMP).

The IMF, in a statement, said Zimbabwe’s economy grew by 8.

3 per cent in 2025 and remained strong in early 2026, driven by improved agricultural production, robust mining activity and favourable gold prices.

It said inflation had remained low, supported by tight monetary policy and exchange rate stability, adding that the country’s macroeconomic performance had continued to improve.

According to the IMF, Zimbabwe’s economy is projected to grow by five per cent in 2026 and 4.2 per cent over the medium term, while the current account surplus is expected to narrow but remain strong.

The Fund, however, warned that downside risks include a potential major El Niño event and persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which could affect economic performance.

The IMF noted that implementation of the programme through March 2026 remained strong, with all quantitative targets and structural benchmarks achieved, although the indicative target on protected social spending was missed.

It recalled that the non-financing Staff-Monitored Programme, agreed in February, was designed to strengthen macroeconomic stability, build policy credibility and support Zimbabwe’s efforts towards arrears clearance, debt restructuring and re-engagement with the international community.

The IMF said completion of the first review marked an important milestone in consolidating Zimbabwe’s macroeconomic stabilisation gains and advancing reforms aimed at supporting sustainable economic growth and financial stability.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday recorded fresh gains in the country’s fight against terrorism and kidnapping as operatives rescued nine abducted persons during a gun battle with suspected bandits in Kwara State, while the Federal Government arraigned five alleged Ansaru terrorist commanders over the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State.

In Kwara, a joint security operation involving the DSS, the Kwara State Forest Guards, local hunters and vigilantes rescued nine kidnapped victims and neutralised three suspected bandits during an intelligence-led operation in the Obbo Aiyegunle, Ejiu Ora and Osi axis of Ekiti Local Government Area, a forest corridor bordering Ekiti and Niger states.

The rescued victims included farmers abducted from their farmlands and others kidnapped earlier in neighbouring Ekiti State. Security operatives intercepted the kidnappers as they attempted to move the captives through the forest, forcing the criminals into a fierce gun battle before they fled, abandoning their victims.

Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of Ekiti Local Government, Prince Dada Sunday, said intelligence reports enabled security agencies to track the kidnappers, who had assembled victims abducted from different locations.

He disclosed that one victim sustained severe machete injuries to the head after resisting abduction but is responding to treatment.

According to him, three suspected kidnappers were killed during the exchange of gunfire, while other members of the gang escaped into the forest with gunshot wounds.

One of the rescued victims, Umaru Muazu of Obbo Aiyegunle, recounted how armed men ambushed him and his son, seized a motorcycle and marched them into the bush before security operatives intervened.

A member of the Kwara Forest Guards, Owolabi Adebayo, described the operation as intelligence-driven but appealed for additional operational equipment, including body armour, binoculars, night-vision devices, communication gadgets and ammunition to strengthen the fight against armed criminal groups.

The latest operation comes barely two weeks after another joint DSS and Forest Guards operation reportedly killed two suspected bandits and rescued two abducted siblings in forests spanning Isin and Ifelodun local government areas of the state.

Meanwhile, in Abuja, the Federal Government arraigned five suspected members of the Ansaru terrorist group before the Federal High Court over the kidnapping of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The suspects, including two alleged Ansaru commanders and three other operatives arrested by the DSS, were brought before Justice Salim Ibrahim on terrorism and related charges.

The court adjourned the case until September 24 for the commencement of trial and ordered that the defendants remain in the custody of the DSS.

The latest prosecution follows the arrest of senior Ansaru figures during security operations linked to the rescue of the Oriire victims. It also comes days after a Federal High Court sentenced two other Ansaru leaders to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to terrorism-related offences.

The twin developments underscore intensified security operations and ongoing judicial efforts aimed at dismantling kidnapping and terrorist networks operating across parts of the country.