Directors who have served for at least eight years in the directorate cadre will be immediately disengaged, per a directive from the Federal Ministry of Health.

The memo, which our correspondent in Abuja saw Tuesday morning, lists the impacted directors as being from the ministry, federal hospitals, agencies, and more.

After a new deadline established by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, it was reported on Monday that the Federal Government ordered all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to implement the eight-year term restriction for directors and permanent secretaries.

“With reference to the Federal Public Service’s Eight (8)-Year Tenure Policy, which requires directors to retire after eight years in that rank, as stipulated in the Revised Public Service Rules 2021 (PSR 020909) copy attached, I am directed to remind you to take necessary action to ensure that all affected officers who have spent eight years as Directors, effective 31st December, 2025, are disengaged from Service immediately,” reads the memo informing the FMOH of the order’s enforcement, which was signed by Tetshoma Dafeta, the Director in charge of the Federal Ministry of Health’s Office of the Permanent Secretary.

As a result, all heads of agencies and parastatals are required by this circular to make sure that the impacted employees turn over all official documents and belongings right away, that the IPPIS Unit halts their pay, and that the officers return to the Treasury all emoluments paid after the date of their disengagement.

In a circular published on February 10, 2026, by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (Ref. No. HSCF/3065/Vol.I/225), this was reaffirmed. Please refer to the copy that is attached.

Additionally, you must send the notional roll of every directorate officer (CONMESS 07/CONHESS 15/CONRAISS 15). DHRM@health.gov.ng and Agudosi.obinna@health.gov.ng should be sent to your institution. To guarantee compliance, representatives from the Ministry and the Office of the Head of the Federation’s Civil Service will be conducting a monitoring exercise.

“Strict penalties will be imposed for all violations of paragraph 2 above.”

In July 2023, Folasade Yemi-Esan, the former head of the Federation’s civil service, stated that the updated Public Service Rules will go into effect.

In an address during 2023 Civil Service Week at the State House in Abuja, Yemi-Esan said the updated PSR went into effect on July 27, 2023.

Permanent Secretaries, the Federation’s Accountant-General, the Federation’s Auditor-General, and the heads of extra-ministerial departments received a circular from the Head of Service outlining the updated regulations.

“With effect from July 27, 2023, the Public Service Rules (PSR) have become operational subsequent to the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) September 27, 2021, approval of the revised PSR, and its subsequent unveiling during the public service lecture in honor of the 2023 Civil Service Week,” the circular stated.

As per Section 020909 of the updated PSR, permanent secretaries are only eligible for a four-year term extension if they perform satisfactorily.

A director (GL 17) or their equivalent must likewise voluntarily retire from their job after eight years, according to the guidelines.

The post BREAKING: Health Ministry Orders Immediate Retirement of Longstanding Directors appeared first on TheNigerian.

The United States of America on Saturday announced drug and terrorism charges against Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro.

This comes after US forces captured Maduro following a large-scale military strike on the South American country.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.

“This operation was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement,” Trump announced on Truth Social.
Trump added that he would give a news conference at 11:00 am (1600 GMT) at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where he is nearing the end of a two-week Christmas and New Year vacation.

The post BREAKING: US announces drug, terrorism charges against Venezuela President Maduro appeared first on TheNigerian.

Chelsea have taken the decision to part ways with head coach Enzo Maresca.

Maresca leaves Stamford Bridge due to growin tensions between him and senior officials at the Premier League club.
He is now expected to be replaced by Strasbourg manager, Liam Rosenior.

Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, wrote on X: “Chelsea will appoint new manager very soon, not gonna take weeks or long time. The club is now working on it.
“Liam Rosenior, highly rated internally after excellent job at Strasbourg as he’s among contenders.

“Decision to be made in days, won’t take long.”

The post BREAKING: Chelsea sack Maresca, new manager revealed appeared first on TheNigerian.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has formally withdrawn his membership from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

In a letter dated 29th December 2025 and addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman of Ampang West Ward in Mangu Local Government Area, Mutfwang announced his resignation with immediate effect.
The letter, acknowledged by the ward leadership a day later, conveyed his appreciation to the party for providing a platform to participate in the democratic process.

The letter reads: “I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the PDP with immediate effect.”
“I sincerely appreciate the PDP for providing me the political platform to participate in the democratic process.

“ I acknowledge the support of party leaders. members, and supporters at all levels during my time in the party, and I remain grateful for the trust reposed in me.
“Given the realities of the moment and guided by my commitment to purposeful leadership, clarity of direction, and service delivery, I am compelled to seek an alternative political platform.
“Please, accept the assurances of my highest regards.”

Muftwang is expected to move to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
National Chairman of the APC, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, at a recent event at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, announced that the Plateau governor is set to join the ruling party.

The post BREAKING: Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang resigns from PDP appeared first on TheNigerian.

The Super Eagles are set to face Mozambique in the last 16 of the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

This was confirmed following the conclusion of Group F fixtures on Wednesday night.
Mozambique booked their spot despite throwing away their lead to lose 2-1 to Cameroon.

They finished in third place behind Ivory Coast and the Indomitable Lions.
Nigeria’s spot was confirmed after their first two group fixtures. But they finished as Group C winners after beating Uganda 3-1 on Tuesday.

Eric Chelle’s men will play Mozambique on Tuesday in Fez, Morocco for a place in the quarter-finals.
Kick off is 8pm WAT.

The post BREAKING: AFCON 2025: Super Eagles to face Mozambique in Round of 16 appeared first on TheNigerian.

Abia South Senator, Eyinnaya Abaribe, has dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, for the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Abaribe made the announcement on Wednesday, in Enugu shortly after former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, formally joined the ADC.

The lawmaker declared his full alignment with the ADC, describing Obi as his political leader.
“Let me also announce that I have resigned from the All-Progressive Grand Alliance

“So as of now, I am fully in ADC. Following my brother and our leader, Mr Peter Obi, I wish all of us well, and I know that we’re going to get there,” Abaribe said.

The post BREAKING: Abaribe dumps APGA for ADC appeared first on TheNigerian.

The crisis within the Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has deepened, as the party has appointed Abdullahi Zubairu Abiya as Acting State Chairman following the removal of the former chairman, Hashimu Dungurawa.

The appointment came amid the rejection of Dungurawa after his sack at the ward level and was subsequently endorsed by the NNPP State Executive Committee at an emergency meeting held at the party’s secretariat in Kano.
The decision was announced by Barrister Yusuf Mukhtar, the party’s Assistant Legal Adviser, who said Abiya’s appointment was in accordance with the provisions of the NNPP constitution.

Party sources disclosed that the development followed the submission of a formal resolution by the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Executive Committee, recommending the sack and expulsion of Dungurawa.
Earlier, the Dawakin Tofa Executive Committee, under the leadership of Hon. Abdullahi Ali Uban Iya Dawanau, had forwarded the resolution from the Gargari Ward Executive Committee to the state leadership of the party.

The resolution was adopted at the second executive meeting of the Gargari Ward, held two weeks after the general election, where Dungurawa was accused of anti-party activities.
After reviewing the report, the State Executive Committee endorsed the decision and approved Abiya’s emergence as Acting State Chairman.
Party officials said the move was aimed at restoring internal discipline, strengthening party cohesion, and repositioning the NNPP for future political engagements in Kano State.

In his response, the Acting Chairman of the NNPP in Kano State, Hon. Abdullahi Zubairu Imam Abiya, said the party would ensure justice for all members and remain loyal to the national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The post BREAKING: Abiya emerges acting NNPP state chairman in Kano appeared first on TheNigerian.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to go ahead with the implementation of the newly signed tax laws, rejecting calls for the reform process to be suspended amid public debates over certain provisions.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the President said the rollout of the tax reforms would proceed as scheduled, noting that some of the laws took effect on June 26, 2025, while others are set to begin on January 1, 2026.
He described the reforms as a rare and historic opportunity to build a more equitable, competitive and sustainable tax system for the country.

Tinubu emphasised that the reforms were not aimed at increasing the tax burden on Nigerians, but at overhauling the existing framework to improve efficiency, harmonise tax administration and uphold the dignity of citizens, while reinforcing trust between the government and the people.
“The new tax laws are not intended to raise taxes. They are designed to reset the system structurally, promote harmonisation, protect dignity and strengthen the social contract,” the President stated.

While acknowledging the ongoing public discussions and concerns over perceived changes to some sections of the laws, Tinubu said no fundamental issues had been identified that would warrant a pause or reversal of the reform agenda.
He warned against hasty or reactionary decisions, stressing that public confidence is built through steady and well-considered policies over time.
The President called on all stakeholders to support the implementation phase, noting that the reform programme had moved decisively into the delivery stage. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to due process and respect for laws duly passed and assented to.

He also assured Nigerians that the Presidency would collaborate closely with the National Assembly to promptly address any challenges that may arise during implementation.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the Federal Government will always act in the overall public interest to deliver a tax system that promotes prosperity, fairness and shared responsibility,” Tinubu said.
The statement was signed by the President in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The post BREAKING: Tinubu insists new tax laws will be implemented despite public debate appeared first on TheNigerian.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria is to remain in Kuje prison till January 2, 2026, when his written bail application would be argued by his legal team.
The oral bail request argued on Tuesday by Malami’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu SAN, was turned down by Justice Emeka Nwite on the ground it would amount to an ambush on the side of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC that put Malami on trial.

Justice Emeka Nwite said that since a written bail application has been filed and filed on EFCC, the interest of justice would be met if EFCC is allowed to respond to the application as required by law.
Details later…

The post BREAKING: Court remands ex-AGF Malami in Kuje Prison  appeared first on TheNigerian.

An explosion in the early hours of Tuesday rocked the General Hospital in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Bashir Usman, said security agencies immediately moved in to take control of the situation after the blast.
“The Kebbi State Police Command wishes to assure members of the public that we have full control of the security situation following the explosion at the General Hospital, Bagudo,” Usman said in a statement.

He disclosed that a joint security team comprising the police, the military and vigilante operatives cordoned off the area, while Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) specialists were deployed to assess the scene.
“We are grateful to confirm that there were no casualties. Although a building within the staff quarters was damaged, the occupants had already evacuated safely,” the police spokesman added.

Usman further revealed that the Commissioner of Police in the state had ordered the deployment of additional tactical teams to the area to maintain public order and reassure residents.
“A comprehensive investigation is currently ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion, and further updates will be communicated as necessary,” he said.
The police urged residents to remain calm and to avoid the immediate vicinity of the hospital to enable security operatives to effectively carry out their duties as investigations continue.

The post BREAKING: Explosion hits general hospital in Kebbi appeared first on TheNigerian.