The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been forced to adopt a temporary hybrid payment system at airport toll gates. This decision follows a direct directive from President Bola Tinubu, aimed at easing the implementation of the cashless policy across the nation's airports. FAAN's Managing Director, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, disclosed this development to journalists on Thursday in Lagos, marking a significant operational shift.
Kuku explained that the authority's attempt to transition fully to digital payments had resulted in severe traffic gridlocks at major airport toll points, particularly in Lagos. According to her, commuters and travellers experienced significant delays at airport entrances during the rollout of the cashless system. This practical setback highlights the challenges of implementing nationwide digital infrastructure without causing widespread public inconvenience.
In a separate but equally contentious policy area, the Federal Government has moved to dispel widespread confusion surrounding medical education. The Federal Executive Council, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, approved an amendment to the Act governing the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College. In a statement issued Thursday night, the Federal Ministry of Education, through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, insisted that a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree will not replace or be considered equivalent to a medical fellowship in Nigeria.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, explained that several media reports had misrepresented the policy. He clarified that the Council's decision simply grants the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College the authority to seek accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to award PhD degrees in relevant medical and research fields. Alausa stressed that the medical fellowship remains a distinct and superior professional qualification for clinical practice, earned only after rigorous residency training.
Meanwhile, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has unleashed scathing criticism against the Federal Government over delayed salary payments. In a statement in Abuja on Thursday, SSANU President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim accused the government of plunging university workers into abject hardship through the delay in February 2026 salary payments. He declared that the undue delay is not just an administrative glitch but a deliberate erosion of morale, productivity, and trust in the system.
SSANU warned that the chaos stems from the government's inconsistent switching between the GIFMIS and REMITA payment platforms, branding it a glaring inconsistency in policy direction. This accusation points to deeper systemic issues within federal payroll management, affecting the livelihoods of academic staff across the country and threatening the stability of the university system.
Public discontent also flared in Minna, the Niger State capital, where residents staged a peaceful protest on Thursday. The protest was over persistent power outages and what they described as exploitative estimated electricity billing by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). Convened by human rights activist and CEO of Human Rights Radio, Lanre Sadiq, the march attracted residents, civil society groups, and youth organisations demanding improved supply and prepaid meters.
According to Lanre Sadiq, some residents in small apartments pay as much as ₦46,000 monthly under the estimated billing system, a sum deemed exorbitant and unfair given the unreliable service. This protest underscores the ongoing national crisis in the power sector, where consumers bear the brunt of inefficiency through high costs and darkness, fueling civil unrest.
In a legislative move aimed at curbing exploitation, the Enugu State House of Assembly passed a landmark law to harmonize taxes and levies. The bill, titled 'Enugu State Harmonises Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Law 2026,' is intended to eliminate illegal roadblocks and unauthorized collections that have long burdened residents. The law underwent thorough readings and deliberations, including review by a committee of the whole house, before being passed.
Hon. Iloabuchi Aniagu, representing Nkanu West State Constituency, highlighted the persistent menace of illegal roadblocks, particularly along federal roads. He urged residents to verify taxes directly with the Board of Internal Revenue to avoid making undue payments to unauthorized agents. This law represents a significant step towards formalizing revenue collection and protecting citizens from arbitrary financial harassment by non-state actors.
