News September 05, 2026 37-year-old Nigerian woman missing in Qatar after leaving airport

A 37-year-old Nigerian woman who travelled to Doha, Qatar, has reportedly gone missing after leaving the airport, prompting efforts by Nigerian authorities and her family to establish her whereabouts.

The woman, who flew from Lagos to Doha on Qatar Airways flight QR1408 on Tuesday, reportedly communicated with her brother through WhatsApp shortly before the aircraft landed but has not been reachable since then.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, disclosed on Saturday that the airline had reviewed CCTV footage and confirmed that the woman arrived in Doha, retrieved her luggage and left the airport terminal.

He said, “I have confirmed, via the airline, that CCTV shows your sister arrived safely, picked her bags, and exited the terminal.”

Achimugu said investigators would next establish whether the woman made it to the hotel she had booked before travelling.

According to him, checks had been delayed by the public holidays but would help determine whether she reached the hotel and, if so, whether she was conveyed there by the hotel’s designated pick-up vehicle.

He explained that Qatar visa bookings were required to be linked to specific hotel reservations, adding that Discover Qatar would verify the hotel details and determine whether the woman checked in.

“In some cases, passengers arrive at the hotel booked, and then leave quietly. DISCOVER QATAR will check to confirm the name of her hotel, and whether your sister did, indeed, get to the hotel,” Achimugu said.

The NCAA official added that the airline had been alerted to concerns that the woman could have fallen victim to human trafficking or forced labour.

He said determining whether she arrived at her hotel would be crucial to deciding the next steps in the search.

He said, “If she did not arrive at the hotel, a manhunt would ensue. It is easy to track people once they have arrived in Doha.”

Achimugu, however, stressed that the case was outside his official responsibilities and that he was intervening to assist the woman’s family.

The woman’s brother, Jonathan Jibo, had raised the alarm on Friday through a post on X, saying he had been unable to contact his sister for more than 48 hours.

Jibo said his sister was visiting Doha for the first time and had no acquaintances in the country. He added that her accommodation had been booked and paid for several months before her journey.

According to him, the individual assigned to pick her up from the airport had waited for her but could not find her, despite being informed by the airline that she had collected her luggage.

Jibo said his sister had worked at the Lagos airport for nearly 12 years and was scheduled to begin a new job in Doha a few weeks after her arrival.

He wrote, “Till now I can’t reach her phone, online, I don’t even know what went wrong.”

He subsequently appealed to the Nigerian Embassy in Doha and other relevant authorities to intervene and help locate her.

In another update on Saturday, Jibo said information about his sister had been passed to the Nigerian President in Doha and subsequently forwarded to the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar.

He said the family expected to hear from the embassy on Monday, explaining that the mission does not operate during weekends.

The family is now awaiting the outcome of the ongoing checks, particularly confirmation of whether the woman arrived at her booked hotel and what transpired after she left Doha airport.

(PUNCH)

News September 05, 2026 JUST IN : JAMB releases underage UTME results, sets 320 cut-off for exceptional candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination results of all underage candidates for viewing, but warned that the release does not automatically qualify them for admission into tertiary institutions.

The Board, in a statement signed by its Acting Director, Public Affairs and Protocols, Fabian Benjamin, on Saturday, explained that an underage candidate is any applicant who will be below 16 years of age as of September 30, 2026.

JAMB said the results were released mainly to enable candidates, parents and guardians to know their performance, stressing that the scores could not be used for admission or any other official purpose except by candidates who satisfy the conditions for exceptional admission.

To check their results, underage candidates are required to send “RESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using the same telephone number with which they registered for the UTME.

The Board said only candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and maturity would be considered for admission, adding that the process involves several stages of assessment and verification.

Among the requirements is a minimum UTME score of 320 and at least 80 per cent in the relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination subjects, where applicable.

Such candidates must also satisfy the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions and undergo a final assessment by experts before they can be considered for admission.

JAMB said the stringent process was designed to separate genuinely exceptional underage candidates from those who simply performed well in the UTME.

It stated that the admission process for exceptional underage candidates was still ongoing, noting that all stages of assessment and verification had not been completed.

According to the Board, candidates awaiting their National Examinations Council results must also be given an opportunity to present their results for verification before the final assessment can be concluded.

“The Board noted that it would be unreasonable to conclude the process without allowing candidates who are awaiting their National Examinations Council (NECO) results to present and have their results verified.”

JAMB said the NECO results were yet to be released and that it would wait for their publication before proceeding to the final stage of the assessment.

“As soon as the NECO results are released, the Board will fix and announce a date for the final stage of the assessment of the exceptionally performing underage candidates,” it said.

The examination body warned parents, guardians and candidates against individuals who may attempt to exploit the process by promising to secure admission for underage candidates outside the approved procedure.

It also cautioned candidates who do not meet the requirements against presenting their viewed UTME results to institutions or individuals in an attempt to obtain admission.

JAMB stressed that participation in the UTME and the release of a candidate’s result did not guarantee admission, particularly for candidates who had not attained the prescribed admission age.

The Board assured the public that the exceptional admission exercise would remain transparent, rigorous and merit-based, in line with its commitment to protecting the integrity of the tertiary admission process.

News September 05, 2026 FG earmarks N2.5bn for 50 student-led ventures, opens applications

The Federal Government has set aside up to ₦2.5bn in equity-free grants for 50 student-led businesses as it begins applications for the second cohort of the Student Venture Capital Grant.

Under the initiative, each successful student entrepreneur could receive as much as ₦50m to develop and expand a STEM-focused venture without giving up ownership or equity in the business.

The National Coordinator, Special Programme Operations and Implementation Unit of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Adebayo Onigbanjo, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during a news conference.

According to Onigbanjo, applications for the programme, popularly known as the “Next Moonshot Initiative,” are already open and will close on September 30, 2026.

“For Cohort 2, we are looking for quality applications from student innovators across Nigeria, from which 50 outstanding ventures will ultimately be selected.

“Successful applicants will be eligible to receive up to N50 million equity-free grant from the Federal Republic of Nigeria to develop and scale their businesses,” he said.

He explained that the funding was structured to enable student entrepreneurs grow their businesses without surrendering ownership stakes.

To boost participation nationwide, Onigbanjo said the Student Venture team and its partners would conduct an application roadshow between September 6 and September 30.

He said the campaign would cover nine tertiary institutions spread across the six geopolitical zones.

The institutions are the University of Abuja, Nile University, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bayero University Kano, Kano University of Science and Technology, Federal Polytechnic Kaduna, Ambrose Alli University, University of Lagos and Covenant University.

The coordinator added that a Campus Ambassador Programme would be introduced in another 20 tertiary institutions to further expand awareness and access to the grant.

Onigbanjo said the selection process would begin with Artificial Intelligence-assisted screening before applications were subjected to assessment by 10 human evaluators.

He added that shortlisted candidates would make virtual presentations, while finalists would participate in a three-day boot camp and subsequently pitch their ventures physically before an evaluation committee.

Beyond the funding, successful ventures are expected to benefit from six months of mentorship involving corporate and entrepreneurial organisations.

Among the organisations listed as supporting the mentorship programme are Lafarge, Cellulant/Childtech, Powerhouse, Co-Creation Hub/African Stalking, LifeBank, Future Africa, Get Equity and One Health.

Onigbanjo said the programme was part of the Federal Government’s efforts under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and a key component of the Federal Ministry of Education’s Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative, particularly its STEM pillar.

He said the government was seeking to create an environment where students could turn innovative concepts into sustainable businesses.

“Nigeria does not lack innovative young people. What many lack is the opportunity and capital to take these ideas further.

“Our universities, polytechnics and colleges of education must increasingly become places where ideas are developed, solutions created and businesses born,” he said.

Giving an insight into the performance of the first cohort, Onigbanjo said the programme received 17,914 applications from 404 tertiary institutions across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory within three weeks.

He said 45 student-led ventures were eventually selected as beneficiaries from the first cohort.

The coordinator urged student innovators working in areas including health, agriculture, education, technology, energy, logistics and e-commerce to take advantage of the second funding window before the September 30 deadline.

News September 05, 2026 Group warns against politicising military, backs CDS Oluyede

A civil society group, the Citizens Security Awareness Initiative, has dismissed allegations linking the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, to partisan political activities, describing the claims as false and potentially damaging to public confidence in Nigeria’s military.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the organisation’s Convener, Muktar Sadiq, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained a professional institution committed to the Constitution, democratic principles and political neutrality.

Sadiq urged Nigerians to disregard recent narratives suggesting that Oluyede was aligned with any political party, describing such claims as baseless and politically motivated.

According to him, attempts to draw the military into partisan political contests could weaken public confidence in the institution and pose a threat to the country’s democratic development.

He said Oluyede’s responsibilities remained centred on protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and coordinating military efforts against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.

Sadiq added that the CDS had continued to provide strategic direction for military operations across the country and should not be distracted by allegations designed to portray him as a political actor.

“The Chief of Defence Staff is a professional soldier whose allegiance is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not to any political party. Attempts to portray him as a partisan actor are not only false but also unfair to the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the statement said.

The organisation stressed that the military was an institution belonging to all Nigerians, regardless of their political, ethnic or religious affiliations, and therefore had to remain above partisan interests.

It warned that attempts to politicise the Armed Forces could erode confidence in national institutions and fuel divisions within the democratic system.

CSAI also maintained that the credibility of military institutions depended largely on their professionalism and neutrality, urging stakeholders to discourage actions capable of compromising those principles.

The group commended officers and soldiers for their sacrifices in maintaining national security, noting that military personnel continued to risk their lives in operations across different parts of the country.

According to the organisation, the Armed Forces under Oluyede had remained focused on their constitutional mandate despite the security challenges facing Nigeria.

CSAI appealed to politicians, activists and public commentators to exercise restraint in their statements and avoid remarks that could create the impression of military alignment with particular political interests.

It also urged journalists and media organisations to verify information before publication and refrain from giving prominence to claims that had not been substantiated.

The group reaffirmed its confidence in Oluyede’s leadership, expressing optimism that the Armed Forces would continue to uphold professionalism, patriotism and political neutrality.

It further called on Nigerians to support the military and other security agencies in their efforts to strengthen peace, security and stability nationwide.

The Citizens Security Awareness Initiative has dismissed allegations linking the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, to partisan political activities, describing the claims as false and potentially damaging to public confidence in Nigeria’s military.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the organisation’s Convener, Muktar Sadiq, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained a professional institution committed to the Constitution, democratic principles and political neutrality.

Sadiq urged Nigerians to disregard recent narratives suggesting that Oluyede was aligned with any political party, describing such claims as baseless and politically motivated.

According to him, attempts to draw the military into partisan political contests could weaken public confidence in the institution and pose a threat to the country’s democratic development.

He said Oluyede’s responsibilities remained centred on protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and coordinating military efforts against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.

Sadiq added that the CDS had continued to provide strategic direction for military operations across the country and should not be distracted by allegations designed to portray him as a political actor.

“The Chief of Defence Staff is a professional soldier whose allegiance is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not to any political party. Attempts to portray him as a partisan actor are not only false but also unfair to the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the statement said.

The organisation stressed that the military was an institution belonging to all Nigerians, regardless of their political, ethnic or religious affiliations, and therefore had to remain above partisan interests.

It warned that attempts to politicise the Armed Forces could erode confidence in national institutions and fuel divisions within the democratic system.

CSAI also maintained that the credibility of military institutions depended largely on their professionalism and neutrality, urging stakeholders to discourage actions capable of compromising those principles.

The group commended officers and soldiers for their sacrifices in maintaining national security, noting that military personnel continued to risk their lives in operations across different parts of the country.

According to the organisation, the Armed Forces under Oluyede had remained focused on their constitutional mandate despite the security challenges facing Nigeria.

CSAI appealed to politicians, activists and public commentators to exercise restraint in their statements and avoid remarks that could create the impression of military alignment with particular political interests.

It also urged journalists and media organisations to verify information before publication and refrain from giving prominence to claims that had not been substantiated.

The group reaffirmed its confidence in Oluyede’s leadership, expressing optimism that the Armed Forces would continue to uphold professionalism, patriotism and political neutrality.

It further called on Nigerians to support the military and other security agencies in their efforts to strengthen peace, security and stability nationwide.

News Security September 05, 2026 Army rescues 25 kidnap victims in Katsina, Zamfara operations

The Nigerian Army has rescued 25 people abducted by terrorists in separate operations across Katsina and Zamfara states.

The rescue operations were carried out on Thursday by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, the military formation responsible for counter-terrorism operations in the North-West.

Aliyu Danja, media information officer of the joint task force (North-West), confirmed the development in a statement issued on Friday.

In Katsina State, troops on a night patrol around Kwanar Kura in Sabuwa Local Government Area encountered terrorists and engaged them, forcing the attackers to retreat into nearby bushes.

The soldiers followed the fleeing terrorists along their escape routes and recovered two victims who had previously been abducted along the Dandume-Damari road.

Two motorcycles belonging to the terrorists were also recovered during the operation, Danja said.

A separate operation in Zamfara State resulted in the rescue of 23 abducted civilians.

“Similarly, in Zamfara State, troops of Sector 2, while conducting a fighting patrol on the outskirts of Wuya Town in Anka Local Government Area, rescued 23 abducted civilians comprising three males and 20 females,” the statement reads.

The military spokesman said initial information obtained from the rescued victims indicated that they were abducted from Gummi Local Government Area and had spent about three weeks in captivity.

“Preliminary debriefing revealed that the victims were abducted from Gummi Local Government Area and had been held in terrorist captivity for approximately three weeks.

The rescued civilians were later taken to a medical facility for treatment before undergoing further debriefing.

“The rescued victims were subsequently evacuated for medical attention and further debriefing.”

Danja described the operations as evidence of the troops’ commitment to protecting civilians, disrupting terrorist activities and freeing people held captive within the joint operations area.

He added that the troops would continue their offensive against the terrorists in a bid to restrict their movements and operational capabilities.

News September 05, 2026 UN approves new world map to reflect Africa’s true size

The United Nations General Assembly has endorsed a new world map designed to give a more accurate representation of Africa’s actual size, in a move aimed at correcting distortions associated with the widely used Mercator projection.

The resolution, known as the “Correct the Map” initiative, was sponsored by Togo and supported by members of the African Union. It secured the backing of 164 countries, including France and the United Kingdom, while the United States voted against it. Six countries abstained.

The decision targets the Mercator projection, a map created in 1569 by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator and widely used for centuries, despite its distortion of the relative sizes of countries and continents.

One of the most notable distortions is the apparent size of Africa compared with Greenland. Although Africa is about 14 times larger than Greenland, the Mercator projection makes the two land masses appear comparatively similar in size.

Critics of the projection argue that the distortion can influence perceptions of the importance, scale and development potential of countries located around the equator, particularly in Africa.

The Mercator projection was originally developed to assist European explorers with navigation. Its distortions stem from the difficulty of transferring the curved surface of a globe onto a flat map.

As a result, world maps must make compromises, with different projections prioritising factors such as shape, distance, direction or area.

Under the Mercator system, areas close to the equator appear smaller than their actual size, while territories nearer the poles are exaggerated.

Efforts to address the problem led cartographers in 2018 to develop the Equal Earth projection, an equal-area map intended to provide a more accurate comparison of the size of continents.

The African Union’s 54 member states adopted the Equal Earth projection in February, saying it “more accurately represents the sizes of all continents, particularly Africa”.

Ahead of Friday’s UN vote, Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, told Reuters: “A fair world begins with a fair map.”

Speaking earlier at a UN briefing, Dussey said: “A map is never neutral. It shapes perceptions, influences how the place of peoples and continents in the world is understood.”

Although the General Assembly resolution is not legally binding, it is expected to encourage institutions and organisations around the world to reconsider the maps they use and adopt representations that more accurately reflect the relative sizes of continents.

The development marks a symbolic push by African countries to challenge long-standing geographical representations and promote a map that better reflects the continent’s physical scale.

News September 05, 2026 SEC clears Dangote Refinery’s N2.15tn IPO at N525 per share

The planned listing of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE on the Nigerian capital market has received regulatory backing from the Securities and Exchange Commission, with the company targeting about N2.15tn through its Initial Public Offering.

The approval clears the way for the refinery to offer 4.1 billion ordinary shares to investors at N525 each, according to a statement issued by the Dangote Group on Friday.

The SEC’s approval was communicated to Vetiva Advisory Services Limited, the Lead Issuing House handling the offer, in a letter signed by Abdulkadir Abbas, Director of the Commission’s Securities and Investment Services Department.

Beyond approving the proposed offer, the regulator has also registered 120.13 billion existing ordinary shares of the company.

The latest development allows the refinery to proceed with the completion board meeting and signing ceremony as part of the next stage of the IPO process.

“The regulatory approval clears the refinery’s draft offer documents and authorises the company to proceed with its completion board meeting and signing ceremony, marking a significant milestone in the IPO process,” the statement said.

The Dangote Group said the SEC’s clearance would give investors an opportunity to acquire an interest in the refinery while contributing to the further development of Nigeria’s capital market.

“The SEC’s clearance represents another major step in the evolution of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, opening investment opportunities in one of Africa’s most strategic industrial assets and further strengthening Nigeria’s capital market,” the statement said.

The refinery, situated within the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, spans about 2,635 hectares and incorporates refining and petrochemical operations.

It currently has the capacity to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily and operates a polypropylene plant with an annual production capacity of 900,000 tonnes. A dedicated 435-megawatt power plant supplies electricity to the facility.

The refinery was developed to meet a substantial portion of Nigeria’s demand for refined petroleum products while also supplying international markets.

An expansion programme is currently underway and is expected to eventually raise its refining capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day, a level that would position it as the largest refinery in the world if achieved.

Its supporting infrastructure includes a marine facility aimed at improving cargo movement and logistics, as well as five Single Point Moorings.

The complex also features an integrated port system with quays designed to accommodate Panamax vessels, liquid cargoes and roll-on/roll-off operations.

The facility has 177 storage tanks with a combined holding capacity of about 4.742 billion litres.

According to the company, the refinery uses advanced processing technology designed to comply with World Bank, United States Environmental Protection Agency, European emission standards and Nigerian regulatory requirements.

The SEC approval therefore marks a significant milestone in Dangote Refinery’s effort to bring more investors into its ownership and secure fresh funding through the Nigerian capital market.