The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the President Bola Tinubu administration to move beyond economic data and deliver visible relief to citizens, declaring that genuine national progress cannot be measured by statistics alone. In a powerful message to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, the apex Christian body argued that the true success of government policies must be judged by whether ordinary households can afford food, young people can find jobs, and communities are safe from terror. The statement, signed by CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh, acknowledged the federal government`s ongoing transition from painful economic restructuring toward promised prosperity. However, the association maintained that the Tinubu administration must make reducing the cost of food, transportation, and energy its most urgent priority. “Nigerians who have withstood prolonged economic hardship merit the commencement of observable amelioration in their quotidian circumstances,” the statement read. “Prosperity that does not reach the ordinary Nigerian home remains incomplete.” Demands for Transparent Social Safety Nets CAN further challenged the government to strengthen its social protection programs, demanding that support for vulnerable families, healthcare, education, and affordable credit be administered transparently. The body warned that these critical interventions must be strictly protected from corruption and diversion. Addressing the nation`s ongoing security crisis, CAN emphasized that economic growth is impossible without safety. The association urged the military and security agencies to sustain their offensive against criminals to restore public confidence. “There can be no meaningful prosperity where citizens cannot farm, trade, travel, or sleep peacefully because of fear,” Archbishop Okoh stated. Looking ahead to the political landscape, CAN also delivered a stern warning to political actors as alignment for the 2027 general elections begins. The body cautioned against using religion to divide the electorate. “CAN again reminds all political actors that no politician is the Messiah,” the statement warned. “Christians are free to support or criticise any candidate, but the name of Jesus Christ must not be dragged into partisan rivalry or used as a political weapon.” Reaffirming its stance as a non-partisan moral voice, CAN stated it will continue to commend government achievements when right, speak out when citizens are hurting, and hold leaders strictly accountable to the values of justice, transparency, and compassion.

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has stated that no individual should be forced to embrace Islam. He urged Muslims nationwide to respect the basic rights and personal freedoms of people of other faiths. Speaking at the NSCIA General Assembly hosted at the National Mosque in Abuja, the Sultan emphasized that any genuine conversion to Islam must come from free will. "We do not intend to force anybody to join Islam," the Sultan said. "But we have seen how many people have been joining Islam on their own free will because Almighty Allah said there is no compulsion in religion." The Sultan`s remarks address ongoing concerns regarding religious intolerance and social friction among different faith groups in Nigeria. He recently advised both Christians and Muslims to stop insulting each other, noting that mutual respect remains vital for peaceful coexistence. Addressing the International Conference on National Security for Socio-economic Development in Abuja—organized by JIBWIS Nigeria alongside the Muslim World League of Saudi Arabia—Abubakar called for active tolerance. "We must be honest with ourselves that Christians can stop insulting Muslims," he noted. "Muslims can stop insulting Christians. And that’s how we live in peace." He added that neither religion is superior to the other, as all people stand equal before God. THENEWSCREDIT reports that At the same assembly, NSCIA Secretary-General Prof. Ishaq Oloyede urged Muslim parents to provide their children with both Islamic and Western education, stating that modern competence requires a strong foundation in both. "The most educationally disadvantaged states are Muslim states," Oloyede stated. "The current generation must be sound in both Islamic and Western education." Professor Is-haq Oloyede has called for significant reforms to public policy and religious administration, advocating for the equitable representation of qualified Muslims in employment sectors and the media. Speaking on key national issues, he urged the government to scale back its involvement in organizing the Hajj pilgrimage to a purely facilitative role. Furthermore, Oloyede proposed an immediate end to government-sponsored pilgrimages, emphasizing that public funds should not be used to sponsor individuals who cannot afford the journey on their own. The leadership`s statements underscore a unified push by the NSCIA toward religious tolerance, educational development, and sensible public policy.

The Kano State Police Command has threatened to arrest the two rival Emirs of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II and Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, if they violate the state`s ongoing ban on public horse riding and Durbar activities. The State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, issued the stern warning following declarations by the 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, that "nobody will stop him from going on horse riding despite the government ban." Addressing journalists in Kano, Commissioner Bakori emphasized that the security directives remain fully in force and are binding on all citizens, regardless of their social status or position. He noted that the security threats which initially triggered the state government`s ban are still highly potent. To enforce order, the police command has established a mandatory 72-hour notification protocol for any exceptions. "Any person, institution, or organisation that deems it very pertinent to undertake any form of Durbar and/or Horse/Animal-Riding activity in a public place in the State is required to give at least 72 hours prior notice in writing to the Kano State Police Command through the Office of the State Commissioner of Police," Bakori stated. The 72-hour window is designed to allow security agencies to conduct necessary threat assessments and deploy personnel to ensure public safety. The Commissioner recalled that the Kano State Government recently prohibited all forms of Durbar and horse riding across the state after extensive consultations with security stakeholders to preserve public peace. However, recent intelligence reports indicated "apparent breaches" of these directives, prompting the latest law enforcement crackdown. Reassuring residents of their safety, Bakori stated that the primary responsibility of law enforcement remains the maintenance of public peace and order. "We cannot afford to allow any act that will breach the peace and jeopardise public safety. All concerned are therefore urged to comply strictly with all lawful security directives and to cooperate with the security agencies," he added.

The Ekiti State Government has declared Monday, October 5, 2026, a work-free day for all teachers across the state to commemorate the 2026 World Teachers’ Day. The decision is aimed at allowing educators to participate fully in activities lined up for the annual global event. In a statement released on Thursday, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye, explained that the gesture reflects the administration’s desire to give teachers a dedicated opportunity to celebrate alongside colleagues and critical stakeholders. She emphasized that the holiday serves as a platform to highlight the vital and indispensable role teachers play in driving the education sector. As a direct consequence of the declaration, the state government has directed all day students in public primary and secondary schools across Ekiti State to stay at home on Monday. Dr Aderiye urged parents, guardians, school administrators, and students to take note of the directive and adjust their schedules accordingly. Lauding the workforce, the Commissioner commended Ekiti teachers for their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and commitment to nurturing young minds and advancing the state`s academic standards. While congratulating the educators on the global milestone, she reiterated the state government’s continuous support, appreciation, and commitment to improving teachers` welfare while safeguarding the future of Ekiti children.

As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, the Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC) has strongly urged the Federal Government to rethink its proposed plan to completely phase out the electricity subsidy by 2027. The group warned that removing the subsidy would place unbearable pressure on households, workers, traders, farmers, artisans, and micro-businesses already struggling under the heavy weight of escalating costs for food, housing, and transportation. In a poignant Independence Day statement signed by its Chairman, Waheed Lawal, the coalition argued that national independence must mean more than mere political freedom. The OCSC stressed that true self-governance must translate into economic dignity, rapid social development, improved living conditions, and universal access to basic essential services for ordinary citizens. According to the coalition, any substantial hike in electricity tariffs will directly increase manufacturing production costs, severely reduce the disposable income of average families, and threaten the survival of small and medium-sized enterprises. The group maintained that for a developing economy, reliable electricity must be coupled with affordability to drive meaningful growth. Consequently, the OCSC urged the Federal Government to prioritize resolving the deeply entrenched structural challenges within the electricity sector before contemplating subsidy withdrawal. Specifically, the group highlighted technical and commercial losses, widespread electricity theft, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient metering, estimated billing, and revenue leakages as areas requiring urgent remediation. Furthermore, the coalition called for absolute transparency from the government regarding the financial basis of the proposed 2027 phase-out. They demanded that Nigerians be given full access to detailed information regarding the annual cost of the subsidy, projected savings, and the exact expected effects of the policy on future electricity tariffs. The statement also challenged the administration to explicitly disclose the anticipated impact of the policy change on vulnerable populations, including manufacturers and small-scale farmers. The OCSC insisted that the government must openly declare what safety nets and protective measures are being introduced to shield fragile consumer classes from the impending economic shock. While the coalition acknowledged and commended the Federal Government and the Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, for recent visible improvements in electricity supply within Osun State and other parts of the country, it insisted that these gains must be consolidated. The group concluded by reminding leaders that Nigerians deserve a country where political freedom is matched by economic opportunity and a standard of living that reflects human dignity.

Civil servants across Nigeria’s federal, state, and local government sectors are set to down tools following a declaration by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) for a three-day nationwide warning strike. The industrial action stems from deep-seated frustrations over worsening economic conditions, severe psychological strain on workers, and unresolved issues surrounding the national minimum wage. The planned strike is scheduled to officially commence at midnight on Friday, October 2, and will run through Sunday, October 4, 2026. Organisers have instructed all national and state leaders to aggressively mobilise the public workforce to ensure absolute compliance throughout the weekend. The directive was formalised in an official circular dated October 1, 2026, which was signed and issued by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga. In the dispatch, Gbenga urged the council’s leadership to ensure the strike notice is rapidly disseminated across all government departments and secretariats nationwide. According to the council, the drastic decision to strike was forced by the Federal Government’s total failure to respond to critical requests previously submitted directly to President Bola Tinubu. These urgent labor demands were formally presented in a letter delivered to the presidency on September 21, 2026. The labor council explicitly directed all public servants across every tier of government to join the action, invoking the labor solidarity mantra that "an injury to one is an injury to all." The leadership noted that public workers, their dependants, and vulnerable Nigerians are currently groaning under a severely hostile economic climate. In describing the harsh realities faced by the workforce, the JNPSNC stated that current inflationary pressures have pushed workers to their limits. The circular highlighted that the compounding financial and mental hardships have officially become completely unbearable and frustrating for average citizens. The union`s intervention comes amid a rapid decline in the purchasing power of Nigerian workers, driven by the soaring costs of food, transportation, and basic utilities. Labor leaders had previously demanded immediate relief measures from the government, including slashing the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre. In addition to cheaper fuel, the council is demanding an immediate temporary wage award to cushion inflation and the swift inauguration of a tripartite committee. This committee would be tasked with negotiating a comprehensive new national minimum wage ahead of the 2027 fiscal year.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday declared that Nigeria has successfully crossed the threshold of its most grueling economic reforms, announcing a definitive shift into a new era dubbed the “age of prosperity.” Speaking during his highly anticipated nationwide broadcast to mark the country’s 66th Independence Day anniversary, the President assured citizens that the sacrifices made over the last three years have firmly secured the nation`s fragile economic foundations. The President’s address served as both a retrospective defense of his administration’s aggressive policy overhauls and a roadmap for the future. He noted that the primary focus of the government has officially pivoted from fiscal stabilization to aggressive wealth creation. According to the President, the painful but necessary policy directions implemented since he assumed office were akin to administering life-saving medical care to a critically ailing economy. “The emergency treatment is over. The foundation has been repaired,” President Tinubu declared in his address, using stark medical imagery to convey the conclusion of the first phase of his economic plan. He emphasized that the structural distortions clogging the country’s growth path have been systematically cleared away, setting the stage for sustainable, long-term national development. Reflecting on the timeline of his administration, the Commander-in-Chief reminded citizens that the journey to recovery required unprecedented resilience. For the past three years, the government`s singular, overriding purpose was to aggressively correct the nation’s erratic economic course. This period was marked by sweeping macro-economic overhauls, which the administration has consistently maintained were vital to prevent total financial collapse. With the corrective phase now behind the country, the President outlined a simplified, direct mandate for the remainder of his tenure. He announced that the central economic task before the federal government has fundamentally transformed. The administration will now funnel its resources and political will into ensuring that the benefits of the restored economy reach every tier of Nigerian society. “Now, our purpose is simple: shared and widespread prosperity,” Tinubu stated, signaling that the focus has shifted from abstract economic metrics to tangible improvements in the daily lives of the citizenry. The new policy direction is explicitly designed to be inclusive, targeting a visible rise in household income and a reduction in the cost of living across the Federation. Central to this new economic dawn is a aggressive push for industrial production and robust job creation. The Federal Government intends to stimulate the manufacturing sector and expand local supply chains to absorb millions of unemployed youths. By prioritizing domestic production, the administration hopes to insulate the national economy from volatile global shocks while boosting the purchasing power of the local currency. In addition to industrial growth, the "age of prosperity" promises a comprehensive upgrade to the living standards of ordinary Nigerians. The President indicated that social infrastructure, access to quality healthcare, and educational reforms would receive renewed investment. The objective is to transition from mere economic survival to a climate where businesses and families can predictably thrive. Government sources indicate that new framework policies supporting small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) will soon be unveiled to drive this prosperity drive. Analysts expect the central bank and fiscal authorities to align their strategies to lower the cost of doing business, making credit more accessible to local innovators. This grassroots economic activation is viewed as critical to achieving the "shared" wealth promised by the President. However, the address comes at a time when many Nigerians are still grappling with the inflationary aftermath of the initial reform years. While the presidency declares the foundation repaired, the coming months will serve as a crucial test of how quickly macro-economic stability translates into cheaper food, affordable transportation, and stable energy for the populace. State governors and lawmakers have been urged to align their local policies with the federal vision to ensure uniformity in execution. The presidency emphasized that federal efforts alone cannot achieve widespread prosperity without a coordinated synergy from the sub-national governments. Cooperation across all arms of government is expected to intensify as new development projects are rolled out. As Independence Day celebrations continue across the country, President Tinubu’s speech has set a hopeful, yet closely scrutinized tone for the nation`s immediate future. Having declared the end of economic austerity, the administration has now firmly tethered its legacy to the successful delivery of jobs, production, and an elevated standard of living for all Nigerians.

The Federal Government has officially declared Thursday, October 1, 2026, as a public holiday across the nation to celebrate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, THENEWSCREDIT reports. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the declaration on behalf of the government in an official statement released on Wednesday. The release was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, in Abuja. Tunji-Ojo extended his warm congratulations to all Nigerians living both at home and in the diaspora. He noted that reaching the 66th anniversary is a significant milestone that reflects the enduring spirit and resilience of the country. The Minister urged citizens to use the special occasion to reflect on the nation`s journey and demonstrate unity, patriotism, and mutual respect. He emphasized that peaceful coexistence remains a vital requirement for the country to achieve its full potential. According to the Minister, lasting peace and stability are the necessary conditions required to drive meaningful national development. He called on modern-day Nigerians to emulate the nation’s founding fathers, who placed their deep love for the country above personal interests. Reflecting on the country’s journey, Tunji-Ojo stated that despite current challenges, there is immense hope for the nation. He remarked that Nigeria`s rich diversity should be viewed as a collective strength rather than a source of division. Closing the statement, the Minister assured citizens that the current administration remains fully committed to its Renewed Hope Agenda. He promised continued focus on strengthening national security, improving public safety, and building a prosperous environment where all Nigerians can safely pursue their dreams.

The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has reaffirmed its September 30, 2026, deadline to the Federal Government, threatening to paralyze public institutions across Nigeria with a three-day warning strike. The industrial action is scheduled to commence on Friday, October 2, 2026, if the government fails to address the severe economic strain on workers. The coalition of eight public sector unions is demanding an immediate reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N500 per litre. Additionally, the council is pressing for the swift announcement of a transitional wage award and the immediate commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage. In a powerful statement released on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the JNPSNC National Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, declared that the September 30 ultimatum remains absolute. The council emphasized that the impending Independence Day address by President Bola Tinubu must directly provide a roadmap to resolve these critical issues to avert a total shutdown. Organized labor noted that current petrol prices ranging between N1,450 and N2,000 per litre—and soaring up to N2,500 in remote communities—have crippled the purchasing power of the average citizen. The unions argued that the high cost of fuel has placed the survival of workers and their dependents under unbearable pressure, making dignified living impossible. To achieve the targeted N500 per litre pump price, the JNPSNC urged the Federal Government to establish an emergency intervention fund to address landing costs for oil operators. They also emphasized the need to supply crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and local modular refineries at favorable terms to drive down prices through domestic production. Furthermore, the workers are demanding the immediate setup of a tripartite committee to layout the framework for the 2027 national minimum wage. The council previously petitioned President Tinubu on September 21, proposing that the baseline salary structure be negotiated at no less than N500,000 to match current inflationary trends. The statement clarified that initiating early negotiations is vital to eliminating administrative bottlenecks before the bill reaches the National Assembly. The unions believe that proactive adjustments to workers` compensation will directly restore productivity and structural loyalty across the public service ecosystem. As the deadline expires today, millions of public servants under key bodies—including civil service unions, medical workers, and national nurses—remain fully mobilized. The JNPSNC warned that the government’s failure to act will leave workers with no alternative but to withdraw their services nationwide by Friday morning.

Global human rights watchdog Amnesty International has strongly condemned the arrest of five men by security forces in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, for wearing T-shirts with the inscription “Tinubu Must Go,” THENEWSCREDIT reports. The international rights group, which made this known in a statement made available to THENEWSCREDIT on Tuesday, identified the detained citizens as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio, and Abdulhamid Mohammed. In its reaction, Amnesty International declared that expressing political opposition is a fundamental human right, maintaining that wearing a T-shirt conveying political dissent does not constitute a crime under Nigerian law. The organisation demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the five men, while urging the relevant security authorities to drop any purported plans to subject the detainees to a sham trial based on bogus charges. "The right to show and express political opinion is not exclusive to only one political party," the statement read, adding that the Borno State Government and the police have increasingly relied on repressive arrests and detentions targeting opposition members and their supporters. Furthermore, the rights group accused the Borno State authorities of weaponising the law to criminalise peaceful dissent, silence political opponents, and systematically evade accountability in the state. Amnesty International concluded by warning the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum to halt its ongoing crackdown on peaceful dissent, urging the state government to uphold citizens` constitutional rights to freedom of expression and association.