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Mechanisation Key to Attracting Youths, Empowering Women in Agriculture — Oluremi Tinubu

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ABUJA — September 10, 2026 — Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has stressed the importance of agricultural mechanisation in transforming the nation’s agricultural sector, saying it is critical to empowering women, attracting young people into farming and strengthening Nigeria’s food security. Oluremi Tinubu said modern farming methods and access to mechanised equipment would help reduce the physical burden associated with agriculture while improving productivity and making farming more attractive to the younger generation. According to her, women play a significant role in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and should be supported with the tools, technology, financing and training required to expand their contributions to food production and economic development. She also emphasised the need to encourage youths to see agriculture as a viable and profitable career rather than relying solely on traditional farming practices. The First Lady noted that increased mec...
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BREAKING NEWS: FG Opens ₦365 Million National Laureate Prize for Tertiary Students

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ABUJA | AUGUST 28, 2026

The Federal Government has opened the 2026 Tertiary Institutions National Laureate Prize, an annual academic competition with a total prize fund of ₦365 million aimed at recognising outstanding research, innovation and academic excellence among students of Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The initiative is designed to encourage high-quality research and reward exceptional academic work capable of contributing to Nigeria’s development.
How Students Can Win
The prize structure includes three major Star Prizes:
Undergraduate Star Prize — ₦35 million
Master’s Star Prize — ₦50 million
Doctoral Star Prize — ₦100 million
In addition, 15 Thematic Excellence Prizes, each worth ₦12 million, will be awarded to outstanding entries in designated areas.
Who Can Participate?
The programme is open to eligible students and researchers from accredited Nigerian tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education and other recognised institutions.
Eligible academic works include outstanding undergraduate dissertations, master’s theses and doctoral research projects, as well as recognised equivalents.
Areas of Competition
Entries will be considered across several fields of national importance, including Agriculture, Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering, Science and Technology, Law, Teaching Innovation, Arts and Social Sciences, among other approved thematic areas.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate originality, academic excellence, innovation, relevance and the potential impact of their research.
How to Apply
Students are required to work through their respective institutions. Eligible research works are first reviewed by the institution’s Institutional Laureate Selection Committee, which then selects and submits qualifying entries for consideration at the national level.
Universities may nominate up to 18 research works, covering undergraduate, master’s and doctoral categories, subject to the programme’s nomination guidelines.
Deadline
The National Laureate Programme has listed August 31, 2026, as the deadline for nominations.
Eligible students interested in participating are advised to contact their institutions immediately to confirm internal selection procedures and submission requirements.
The Federal Government says the initiative is intended to promote academic excellence, strengthen research and innovation, and encourage Nigerian students and researchers to develop solutions to the country’s pressing challenges.
The ₦365 million programme represents a major opportunity for exceptional Nigerian students and researchers to gain national recognition while receiving substantial financial rewards for outstanding academic work.
— Spotlight African Reporters

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Police Uncover Fake Diplomatic, Government Number Plate Syndicate in FCT

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Police Uncover Fake Diplomatic, Government Number Plate Syndicate in FCT Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has uncovered a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in the production and circulation of fake diplomatic and government vehicle number plates within the nation's capital. According to the police, the illegal network manufactured counterfeit number plates that were allegedly used by criminals to evade security checkpoints, gain unauthorized access to restricted government facilities, and carry out unlawful activities while posing as government officials or members of the diplomatic community. The operation followed intelligence gathering and surveillance by security operatives, leading to the recovery of several fake diplomatic and government number plates, as well as materials believed to have been used in their production. The FCT Police Command said investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate, while eff...
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NSCDC Mining Marshals Issue Final Warning to Illegal Miners in Kogi, Vow Strict Enforcement

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  NSCDC Mining Marshals Issue Final Warning to Illegal Miners in Kogi, Vow Strict Enforcement By Spotlight African Reporters Ankpa, Kogi State – The Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Onoja Attah , has issued a strong warning to illegal miners operating in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, declaring that the era of unlawful mining activities has come to an end. The warning was delivered during a strategic meeting with the Ejeh of Ankpa and Chairman of the Ankpa Traditional Council, Alhaji Abubakar Yakubu Ahmed , where both parties resolved to strengthen collaboration to eliminate illegal coal mining and promote safe, regulated mining operations across the area. Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake , and the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi , ACC Attah urged residents to engage only with duly licensed mining compan...
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Niger Police Arrest 147 Suspects, Recover Weapons and Cannabis in Statewide Raids

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August 14, 2026 The Niger State Police Command has arrested 147 suspects in separate operations targeting criminal hideouts, alleged thuggery and other criminal activities across the state. According to the command, 139 suspects were arrested during raids in Suleja and surrounding areas following an alleged violent rally. Among those arrested, 64 suspects were reportedly found in possession of suspected cannabis, dangerous weapons and four live cartridges. The 64 suspects were subsequently arraigned and remanded in a correctional centre over alleged offences including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and possession of dangerous weapons. In a separate operation in Minna, police operatives arrested eight suspected thugs during raids on criminal hideouts in the Talakawa area of Tunga. Weapons recovered during the operation included a cutlass, clubs and a shovel, according to the police. The Niger State Police Command said the operations form part of its ongoing efforts to di...
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