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Reps Reject Bill To Change Educational Qualification For President, Vice, Others
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives on Tuesday stepped down a bill seeking to change the minimum requirement for the office of President , Vice President, National Assembly members and other political office from first school leaving certificate to degree or its equivalent.
This was sequel to the passage of a bill sponsored by Rep. Adewunmi Onanuga on Tuesday at plenary.
The bill was titled: “A Bill for an Act to Alter the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to change the Educational Qualification for Elections into Certain Political Offices and for Related Matters”.
Debating on the general principles of the bill, Onanuga called on the House to look critically into educational qualification of political office holder stating that Nigeria has moved passed school leaving certificate as the minimum requirement to contest political office, adding that degree or it’s equivalent should be made minimum requirement.
Speaking in favour of the bill, Babajimi Benson from (Lagos state) said: “Anyone who is going to oppose this bill should tell if his son or daughter is in the university or not. I can’t believe that in this modern age some people will say don’t go to school but yet go and be the president”.
Professor Julius Ihonvbare said: “We all know what the world is today. A world were knowledge is power, we see leaders of other nations who make excellent presentation but here we have leaders dodging debate .I don’t think this requirement should apply to all political offices, for local government it might not be required but for President , Vice National Assembly members should be required to own a degree”.
For Rep. Leke Abejide, “The world has moved, Nigeria should not be left behind, We put a mediocre to head an important political office we will end up in disaster.
Rep. Alfred Iliah, added that educational qualification is very important and the bedrock of every society. According to him, qualification of every National Assembly members should be looked into if the country must make progress.
Rep. Mustapha Aliyu from (Sokoto ), stated that the amendment was long overdue. He added: “Education is bedrock the development of any society. For those contesting for executive seat should have a degree, however the jump from leaving school to degree is too wide, I will propose that there should be middle course”.
Shetimma lawal from (Borno) said that the requirement for Governance should cut across all level from the highest to the lowest .
He added: “For politicians we are only providing leadership, political offices should be categorized”.
Rep. Kingsley Chinda, House Minority Leader, while endorsing the bill, remarked on the declining standard of education, stating that raising educational requirements would motivate Nigerian youth. He emphasized the importance of backing this effort wholeheartedly.
“Why do we say a primary school holder should be given . We should do the right thing”, he said.
Speaking against the bill, Aliyu Madaki from (Kano), said the leadership quality of a political office holder is not determined by your level of education .
“What ever we are trying to do is for all Nigerians. I have an MBA in Financial Management but restricting other with qualifications will not carry all Nigerians along . All Nigerians should be allowed to participate and exercise their leadership qualities.
Bashir Sokoto from (Sokoto) said, “We were privilege to go to university, but we have less privilege Nigerians who cannot afford to go to the university. I propose that we allow minimum requirement for political office holders to remain school cert”.
Hon Ahmed Jaha from Borno said passing the bill will negatively affect some section of the country, he insisted that educational qualification was not a true taste of knowledge.
“Qualification alone is not a true taste of knowledge . We are doing laws for good governance and for peace in this country. We will not do laws that will favour only a few number of Nigerians . How many Nigerians are degree holders America that we refer to have done greatly in educating its citizens’s but here in Nigeria how what have we done in improving our education system”, he stated. .
Also speaking against the bill, Inuwa Garba from (Gombe ) said “the mover of this bill is not aware of what is happening in some part of this country.
“Some schools in some part of the country have been shot down for a while now. Certificate is not true test of knowledge
The bill is discriminatory against some people”.
The bill was therefore stepped down after a heated debate by the presiding officer Hon Banjamin Kalu.
A financial handover document from former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has resurfaced, showing that the state had a reported net balance of about N86.67 billion at the end of his administration in March 2014.
The document, dated March 17, 2014, was addressed by Obi to his successor, the late Governor Willie Obiano, and contained a summary of Anambra State’s financial position as of the close of business on March 14, 2014, which Obi described as the final working day of his administration.
The report was brought back into public attention on Wednesday by Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, amid renewed debate over the loans, liabilities and other financial obligations inherited by successive administrations in the state.
Breakdown of the Figures
According to the handover document, Obi reported N27 billion in local investments and US$156 million, valued at approximately N26.5 billion, in foreign currency investments.
The report also listed N28.17 billion in certified balances belonging to the state and its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
In addition, it included a N10 billion Federal Government-approved refund due to the state.
Together, the assets and funds listed in the report amounted to approximately N91.67 billion.
The document, however, also identified estimated liabilities of about N5 billion. These were said to cover March salaries, pensions, gratuities and approved certificates for projects that had already been executed.
After deducting the stated liabilities, the report arrived at a net balance of approximately N86.67 billion.
What Obi Said at Handover
In the covering letter accompanying the financial statement, Obi said the figures represented the financial position of Anambra State at the close of business on March 14, 2014.
He formally presented the document to Obiano as part of the transition process ahead of the change of administration.
The resurfacing of the report comes against the backdrop of a longstanding dispute over the financial position Obi left behind and the debts subsequently inherited by the Obiano administration and later governments.
Successive Anambra administrations have continued to deal with various financial obligations, including loans and commitments dating back to earlier administrations. The precise classification and responsibility for some of those obligations have remained subjects of political and public debate.
Obi has consistently rejected allegations that his administration left behind unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities or unpaid obligations to contractors for projects that had been duly executed and certified.
The former governor has also challenged those disputing his account of the state’s finances at the point of his departure to produce documentary evidence contradicting his position.
Why the Document Matters
The 2014 handover statement has now become a significant document in the continuing argument over Anambra’s finances at the end of Obi’s tenure.
Its figures provide a snapshot of the assets, available funds and estimated liabilities that Obi’s administration said existed as of March 14, 2014.
However, the document by itself does not resolve broader questions about loans, contractual commitments or other obligations that may have been recorded separately or inherited across different administrations.
The renewed attention on the report therefore reflects a larger debate over what Anambra inherited in 2014, what subsequent governments borrowed or committed, and how the state’s financial position evolved under successive administrations.
For now, the handover document remains one of the key records being cited in the continuing dispute over Obi’s financial legacy in Anambra State.
News
Nigeria Targets Bigger Nordic Investments as Ambassador Lola Akande Begins Sweden Mission(Photos)
Nigeria has moved to strengthen its economic, trade, investment and innovation partnerships with Sweden and other Nordic countries following the formal presentation of Letters of Credence by Ambassador Lola Akande to King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.
The ceremony in Stockholm formally marked the beginning of Akande’s diplomatic tenure in Sweden. She is also concurrently accredited to Denmark, Finland and Norway, giving her a broad mandate to advance Nigeria’s interests across the Nordic region.
Speaking at a Vin d’Honneur held at the Ambassador’s Residence in Stockholm after the credentialing ceremony, Akande expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for entrusting her with the responsibility of representing Nigeria abroad.
She also thanked the Swedish government and people for their warm reception, pledging to pursue a close, constructive and results-driven relationship between Nigeria and Sweden.
“The challenges and opportunities before our nations require purposeful partnership,” Akande said.
“Nigeria stands ready to work closely with the Government of Sweden, our fellow African missions and Nordic partners to advance shared priorities in trade, investment, innovation, sustainable development, peace and security.”
The ambassador stressed the importance of stronger cooperation between Nigeria and the Nordic countries, particularly in areas capable of driving economic growth, technology transfer, innovation and sustainable development.
She also acknowledged Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the African diplomatic group, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Embassy of Nigeria officials and the Nigerian community in Sweden for their support.
Akande further emphasised the importance of African unity and collective action, saying sustainable development would be better achieved through collaboration, mutual respect and practical partnerships.
She is expected to present her Letters of Credence in Denmark, Finland and Norway in the coming weeks, opening further avenues for Nigeria to deepen its economic and institutional engagement across the Nordic region.
NNBA Backs Stronger Nigeria-Nordic Economic Engagement
The Nigeria Nordic Business Alliance (NNBA), led by its Director-General, Sir Victor Walsh Oluwafemi, KJW, welcomed the ambassador’s credentialing as an opportunity to expand structured private-sector and institutional cooperation between Nigeria and the Nordic countries.
According to the Alliance, its role is to facilitate two-way access between Nigerian and Nordic investors, businesses and institutions while supporting practical partnerships in key sectors.
These include trade and investment, technology, innovation, skills development, infrastructure, maritime development and media collaboration.
The NNBA said it would work to translate the longstanding goodwill between Nigeria and the Nordic countries into concrete and measurable opportunities for businesses, institutions and communities on both sides.
The development comes as Nigeria seeks to deepen international economic partnerships, attract investment and expand opportunities for Nigerian businesses in strategic global markets.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has received with sadness the death of another senior member of the Council, Comrade Mike Odiakose, who passed away earlier today Thursday 17,2026 after an illness.
Odiakose was a respected journalist and senior member of the NUJ FCT Council who dedicated his career to ethical journalism, particularly in reporting political events in the country.
Until his death, Odiakose worked with the Nigerian Observer, Nigerian Pilot and
Daily Asset newspapers, where he made tremendous contributions to the journalism profession.
He hailed from Umunode in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State and is survived by his wife and four children.
His death is a painful loss to the profession, coming at a time when the Council is still mourning the passing of its former Chairman.
His departure has left a void that will be deeply felt by his colleagues, friends and loved ones.
The NUJ FCT Council extends its heartfelt condolences to the Odiakose family, colleagues, friends and associates. We pray that God will grant the family the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
The Council will communicate further details regarding funeral arrangements as they become available.
May the soul of Comrade Mike Odiakose rest in perfect peace.
Comrade Jide Oyekunle
Secretary
NUJ FCT Council
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