Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Federal Government has issued over 3.5 million passports since August 2023 and saved more than N1 billion annually following sweeping reforms in the passport application process, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed on Tuesday. Speaking during the commissioning of a new passport front office in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo said the changes were part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at enhancing service delivery, national security, and efficiency within the Ministry of Interior. The minister revealed that the administration inherited a backlog of over 200,000 unprocessed passport applications and a debt of nearly N20 billion upon assumption…

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised the alarm over an unprecedented spike in human rights violations across Nigeria, disclosing that it recorded a staggering 1,485,307 complaints in the first half of 2025 alone. The commission’s Senior Human Rights Adviser, Hilary Ogbonna, made the revelation on Monday during the presentation of NHRC’s monthly dashboard report for June. He described the figure as the highest ever recorded in the history of the commission. “This is our highest in the history of this commission. We are also happy that, as of June 30, we have resolved 20,000 cases. We can do…

…Says  online registration begins August 18, physical registration follows August 25 Daud Olatunji The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, has issued a stern warning to electoral officers and staff of the commission against acts of indiscipline and sabotage ahead of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and the 2026 governorship election in the state. Speaking during an engagement session held at the INEC State Office in Osogbo on Tuesday, Agboke reminded Electoral Officers (EOs), Assistant Electoral Officers (AEOs), and heads of units at the state office of their critical…

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has once again reduced the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, bringing it down from N840 to N820 per litre. The latest adjustment marks the second price reduction within a week, following an earlier drop from N880 to N840 per litre, as the company responds to market realities and aims to cushion the burden on Nigerians. Announcing the development on Tuesday, Group spokesperson, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, said the new price takes effect immediately. “The price of PMS has been reduced from N840 to N820 per litre, effective immediately,” he said, adding…

Daud Olatunji The Ogun State Government has flagged off the third phase of its flagship women empowerment programme, Oko’owo Dapo, with the onboarding of 150 newly engaged Ward Facilitators tasked with mobilising and mentoring 20,000 women across the state’s 20 local government areas. The initiative, which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, was launched during a training workshop held in Abeokuta. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye, described the workshop as the “ignition point of a new chapter in grassroots transformation,” while commending…

The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that Nigerians often demand basic amenities like roads, schools, and electricity from federal lawmakers, despite such responsibilities falling outside their constitutional roles. Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of the 2025 Open Week of the House of Representatives in Abuja, the former Speaker of the House said this mismatch between public expectations and legislative duties is a major threat to the nation’s democracy. Gbajabiamila explained that lawmakers frequently resort to inserting constituency projects into the national budget because constituents expect them to deliver social services, a duty constitutionally…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said it has not endorsed any presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 general election. The interim national chairman of the party and former Senate President, David Mark, made this known on Tuesday during a meeting with stakeholders from Kogi State in Abuja. Mark said the ADC is focused on building a party that represents the interest of all Nigerians rather than promoting personal ambitions. “The ADC has no preferred or favourite presidential aspirant. We are working to establish a platform that appeals to the majority of Nigerians,” he said. He warned that Nigeria is…

The Federal Government has officially pegged the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria at 16 years. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the policy on Tuesday during the 2025 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), held in Abuja. Alausa stated that the decision is now binding on all universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country, warning institutions against flouting the directive. “This decision balances cognitive development with academic readiness,” he said. “Institutions must ensure strict compliance. We expect that this standard will streamline the admission process and reduce pressure on…

The United States government has announced a significant reduction in visa validity for most Nigerian applicants. PLATFORM TIMES reports that this development is  a major shift with far-reaching implications for Nigerian travelers. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that effective immediately, Nigerian citizens applying for most categories of non-immigrant and non-official visas will now be issued single-entry visas valid for only three months, a stark contrast to the previous policy that allowed multiple-entry visas valid for up to two years. The announcement was made by the US Mission in Nigeria via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, July 8, 2025. “Effective…

…Says Mass Hardship Worsening Despite Rising Allocations Daud Olatunji A retired Permanent Secretary in Ogun State, Mr. Sefiu Rasheed, has urged the Federal Government to urgently reassess its current economic strategy, warning that the gains from the removal of fuel subsidies are not translating into real benefits for ordinary Nigerians. In a strongly worded critique titled “Reassessing Economic Strategies: A Call to Action for the Federal Government of Nigeria”, Rasheed said that while the withdrawal of fuel subsidies has boosted revenue allocations to states, the resultant funds are being channeled into mega projects that have little or no immediate impact…