IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Mohammed Aminu as the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).

Aminu, who holds a Ph.D. in Automobile Technology and a Master’s in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, brings 28 years of experience in teaching, administration, research, and policy development to the role. Before his appointment, he served as the Director of Procurement at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

New Leadership at UBEC

In addition to Aminu’s appointment, Idris Olorunnimbe has been named Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Board.

Other key appointments at UBEC include:

Rasaq Olajuwon – Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical)

Tunde Ajibulu – Deputy Executive Secretary (Services)

Olorunnimbe, known for his innovative leadership and dedication to youth empowerment and education, is the Group CEO of The Temple Company, which he founded in 2016. His work spans education, entertainment, and sports development.

Olajuwon, before his appointment, served as Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency.

Tinubu’s Charge to the New Appointees

President Tinubu urged the new NABTEB Registrar to utilize his expertise to drive transformational leadership in the agency, ensuring NABTEB continues to assess and certify skilled professionals crucial for Nigeria’s industrial growth.

Similarly, he tasked the new UBEC leadership with enhancing service delivery and strengthening educational reforms to improve access to quality basic education nationwide. 

The House of Representatives has called for the immediate suspension of the recent increase in ATM transaction charges and the removal of free ATM withdrawals for customers using other banks' ATMs, as introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Lawmakers criticized the policy, stating that the hike in ATM withdrawal fees places an additional financial burden on Nigerians, especially as banks continue to report significant profits without notable improvements in service delivery or infrastructure.

Concerns Over Financial Inclusion

The House expressed concerns that the additional withdrawal charges would discourage low-income earners from using banking services, contradicting the CBN’s financial inclusion goals.

The decision came after the adoption of a motion moved by Marcus Onobun during Tuesday’s plenary session.

Breakdown of the New ATM Charges

Onobun explained that the CBN’s new circular had revised ATM transaction fees under Section 10.7 of the CBN Guide to Charges—last updated in 2019, when ATM withdrawal fees were reduced from N65 to N35 per transaction.

Under the new policy:

Customers withdrawing from their own bank’s ATM will continue to enjoy free withdrawals.

Customers using other banks’ ATMs within bank premises will be charged N100 per N20,000 withdrawal.

Customers withdrawing from ATMs located outside bank premises—such as malls or marketplaces—will face an N100 charge plus an additional N500 surcharge.

House Resolutions

In its resolutions, the House urged the CBN to suspend the implementation of the policy pending further engagement with relevant committees on banking, finance, and financial institutions.

Lawmakers noted that Nigerians are already struggling with high inflation, fuel price hikes, increased electricity tariffs, and multiple banking charges, which significantly reduce disposable income and negatively impact their economic well-being.

The House emphasized that the government must protect citizens from exploitative financial policies that could further deepen economic hardships. 

Hon. Willie Okolieogwo, Congratulates The Quintessential Imo First Lady On Her Doctor Honoris Causa By Hezekiah University. 

On behalf of my family, I Hon. Amb Willie TC Okolieogwo, FCIA, JP, (Ome Ka Odi Mma N'Oru), Special Adviser to Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, CON, on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs extend my heartfelt congratulations to the esteemed First Lady of Imo State, Her Excellency, Barr. Mrs Chioma Uzodimma, on the momentous occasion of her illustrious Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) conferment By the first private University in the state, Hezekiah University, Nkwere LGA. 

Your Excellency, this recognition is a testament not only to your unwavering dedication and exemplary contributions to the society, but also to the profound impact you have continued to make in the realms of politics, governance, philanthropy and advocacy.

Your relentless pursuit of excellence and empowerment for women and children has not gone unnoticed. 

This prestigious accolade by Hezekiah University is a well-deserved homage to your indomitable spirit and the transformative initiatives you are championing throughout the state and even beyond. 

It reflects the high esteem in which you are held and underscores your significant role as a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless individuals.

Your exemplary stature continues to inspire future generations to aspire for greatness and to advocate for justice and equity.

As a paragon of resilience and leadership, your efforts have epitomized the essence of service, courage and compassion.

Your visionary approach in propelling social change and fostering educational advancement resonates deeply within our society and It is indeed a privilege to witness your journey and the multitude of lives you have touched.

May this Honorary Degree serve as a catalyst, further motivating you in your commitment to lift our great state and its constituents. 

May your path remain illuminated with success and more accomplishments.

Bravo!!! 

Signed,

Hon. Amb. Willie TC Okolieogwo FCIA, JP (Ome Ka Odi Mma N'Oru)

Special Adviser to Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, CON, on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Mobile number portability in Nigeria surged by 190% in January 2025, with 8,708 subscribers switching networks, up from 2,998 in December 2024, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The report showed that 9mobile experienced the highest customer losses, as 6,716 subscribers left the network. Once a dominant player in the market, 9mobile's subscriber base has remained stagnant at 3.2 million for three consecutive months—a sharp decline from the 23.4 million users it had in 2015 when it held a 15.7% market share. Despite the surge in porting, the operator gained only seven new customers in January.

The rise in porting activity highlights growing dissatisfaction with network quality and pricing, pushing subscribers to seek better alternatives.

Beneficiaries of the Porting Surge:

MTN gained 5,551 new subscribers while losing 1,188 to other networks.

Airtel added 2,414 porting customers and lost 399.

Globacom received 736 incoming subscribers but lost 405.

The increase in migration is attributed to poor network quality, competitive pricing, and improved services offered by rival operators.

Telecom Sector Rebounds

The telecom industry saw a strong recovery in January 2025, with active mobile subscriptions rising from 164.9 million in December 2024 to 169.3 million.

MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecom provider, added 2.9 million new subscribers, bringing its total user base to 87.5 million.

Airtel grew its customer base from 56.6 million to 57.6 million.

Globacom, which had previously lost users due to regulatory audits, increased from 20.1 million to 20.5 million subscribers.

9mobile, however, continued to struggle, with its subscriber base remaining at 3.2 million for the third consecutive month.

The NCC’s enforcement of the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage in 2024 had disrupted the market, leading to mass SIM disconnections. However, some affected users are now returning, often switching to different networks. 

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), in collaboration with the Office of the Governor, on Youth Affairs, Imo State, and Kojo Motors Limited, invites Imo youths and the general public to the CNG Empowerment and Awareness Summit 2025. This groundbreaking event is themed "Building a Youth-Base Nation through Clear Energy" and promises to be an enlightening experience for all attendees.

Scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, at 12 noon, the summit will be held at the prestigious Landmark Event Center, Nekede Pocket Layout, Owerri, Imo State. This event is a unique opportunity for young people, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders to converge and explore the vast potential of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Nigeria.

We acknowledge and commend the efforts of the Imo State Government for keying into initiatives like this, which aim to make Imo youths more productive and empowered. This summit is a testament to the state's commitment to providing opportunities for its young people to acquire new skills, knowledge, and expertise in emerging industries.

As the NADDC continues to position Nigeria as a leading automotive manufacturing nation, this summit aims to empower the youth with knowledge and skills to drive the adoption of clean energy solutions in the country. With the theme "Building a Youth-Base Nation through Clear Energy," the event promises to inspire and motivate young people to take action towards a sustainable energy future.

Don't miss this chance to be part of a historic moment in Nigeria's energy landscape. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, and join the conversation on building a youth-driven nation through clean energy. Register now and be a part of this groundbreaking event.

To register, please fill the form below: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdvTLoSiiCIVHzQ2rkTlT7YwRbcKVPv_whb_3fZJA-dQgk3IA/viewform?usp=sharing 

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has advised Nigerians to modify their National Identification Number (NIN) details only through its official self-service portal. In a statement signed by Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, on Monday, said the caution note was to ensure data security and integrity.

The agency reassured Nigerians that its self-service portal is secure, reliable, and provides users with the convenience of updating their information from anywhere. The commission emphasised that NIN modifications should only be done on SelfserviceModification.nimc.gov.ng, warning the public against using unauthorised websites. It noted “The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) wishes to state that in order to ensure the security and integrity of your National Identification Number (NIN) data, modifications can only be done on the official NIMC self-service portal: Selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng.”

It cautioned Nigerians against attempting to modify their NIN data on third-party platforms, stressing that such actions could expose personal information to fraudsters. “Do not attempt to modify your NIN data on any unauthorized websites, as this may compromise your personal information and put you at risk of identity theft,” the statement read. Highlighting the benefits of the new portal, NIMC noted that the platform ensures data integrity while allowing Nigerians to modify their details without visiting an enrollment center.

“By using the official NIMC self-service portal, you can be rest assured that your data is secure and protected. You’ll also enjoy the convenience of updating your information from anywhere, at any time,” the commission stated.