THE NATIONAL Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said National Identification Number (NIN) would be required for all students taking the 2026 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations.
According to the commission, the NIN is a crucial academic tool needed for school registrations, scholarship applications, and other government benefits.
In a statement on its X,handle, NIMC said, “Dear Nigerian parent, your child needs an NIN. NIN is now important for school registrations, exams, scholarships, and many other government benefits.”
“To make it easier for students to get their NIN, NIMC has set up registration points in local communities through their ‘Ward Enrollment Strategy.’ This means students can register closer to home, rather than having to travel far.
“NIMC has also provided ways to find the nearest registration center, including checking their website www.nimse.gov.ng or calling their toll-free line. The commission is emphasising that getting a NIN is free at official centers, and people should beware of unauthorised agents who might try to charge for the service.”
The commission said for students under 16, a parent or guardian with a valid NIN must accompany them to the registration center. It also advised parents to bring their children’s original birth certificate or a statutory declaration of age.
The commission further appealed to parents to take advantage of these efforts to ensure their children have a smooth examination process.
THE ICIRreported that in December 2020, the late president Muhammadu Buhari’s administration issued a directive to communication service providers to withdraw the licence of any service provider which failed to link NIN to subscribers’ SIM cards. This order has since made more millions of Nigerians to register for NIN.
THE Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State has reportedly spent over ₦3 billion on roads, drainage, and other projects. An investigation by The ICIR, however, reveals that the amounts quoted for the jobs were inflated beyond market value, while others were poorly executed and abandoned.
Janet Adanyari has operated her provision shop along Falana Street since 2010. Every time a vehicle or tricycle drives past the front of her shop, layers of dust settle on her goods, shelves, and the floor.
Oftentimes Adanyari had to cover her nose whenever in her shop, and uses a small rag to dust her goods. It is a daily ritual for her and many others who operate shops close to the main road at Falana Street.
The abandoned road in front of Adanyari shop at Falana street. PC:Mustapha Usman/ICIR
Adanyari, whose provision shop is located besides the newly constructed drainage, said the council merely extended the channel from the point where the interlocking and drainage project had been abandoned in 2025. However, she noted that the road itself has remained in a deplorable condition for years.
But dust is not her only worry. During the rainy season, water washes through the front of her shop. The situation worsens during heavy rainfall when flooding turns the surface muddy and slippery, preventing vehicles from passing through.
“There is nothing we can do,” Adanyari said. “We must eat, so we cannot stay indoors because of dust. We keep cleaning and covering our noses until God remembers us. Most of my customers are children, but some now go elsewhere because of the dust.”
Adanyari, who said she has operated in the area since 2010, recalled that the road has remained largely unchanged over the years.
Her experience mirrors that of other residents and traders in the area, who continue to wait endlessly for contractors to complete the Falana Road project awarded by the Ejigbo Development Area Council in July 2024.
Quadri Lateef, one of the residents at Falana street
Quadri Lateef, who also lives in the area, expressed frustration over what he described as poor handling of the project after the drainage construction.
“After they did the drainage, the contract engineers sold the soil and sand and packed everything away. We left them because we did not want trouble,” he said, adding that he was unaware any funds had been collected for the full completion of the road and gutter.
Lateef noted that although the drainage itself appears functional, the surrounding road condition undermines its value. He described frequent vehicle damage along the street and recalled periods when motorists had to push their cars through particularly bad sections.
Abandoned road, exposed trench in front of Lateef’s house
“The drainage may be good, but it is not right for people entering the community to meet a road in this deplorable state,” he added.
Adanyari and Lateef live at the far end of Falana Street, which would later be described as Falana Street phase 2 by the council. Their houses and shops fall under the unfinished stretch of the street, leading toward Omiyale, which continues to be a nightmare for commuters.
When The ICIR visited the site, tricyclists honked in frustration as motorcyclists struggled through thick dust that choked riders and passers-by.
Progress marred by contract inflation
While many residents of Falana Street are still wading in disappointment, months after a multi-million-naira drainage and road project was supposed to ease flooding and improve transportation, The ICIR findings showed that the project, commissioned under former council chairman Monsuru Bello, was riddled with overpayments, poor execution and fund mismanagement.
The project was split into two contracts during the tenure of the former council boss. The first phase cost ₦505,065,301.18, while the second phase was valued at ₦212,962,927.80.
Our findings indicate that the initial project, described as the construction of reinforced concrete drainage along the 944m length of Falana Street, was later re-awarded in parts, including an additional contract reportedly valued at about ₦54 million.
Letter requesting approval of over N500 million for Falana Street from the state government
In a letter dated January 11, 2024 and addressed to the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, the council requested the approval of the of ₦505,065,301.18 for what it described as the construction of the ‘first phase of Falana Road,’ not drainage as later approved by the council.
Council approval for the release of ₦505,065,301.18 for phase one was granted on January 19, 2024, covering a proposed drainage length of 944 metres, which is just under one kilometre.
Memo showing approval of over N500m by the council for Falana road project
However, on-site measurements show the completed work spans only 514.65 metres, barely half of the approved length, despite full payment approval. The completed section runs from the main junction to St. Favour Room Nursing Care Maternity Home, just beyond Francel Montessori School, far short of the originally planned 944 metres.
It remains unclear whether the same contractor handled both the drainage and road works, but the projects were carried out at the same time and appeared to be parts of the single, composite project. When The ICIR visited the location, apart from the commissioning plaque, there was no signpost to show the project description and the job done.
A similar pattern appears in the road construction itself. Interlocking stones line only the finished stretch, with installation ending near the maternity home and leaving roughly 400 metres of the street in poor and neglected condition.
The point at which the interlocking and the first drainage project was stopped
Residents who spoke with The ICIR acknowledged improvements in mobility at the completed 514.65 metres, but said the drainage system fails during heavy rainfall.
Photo showing the area alongside the road prone to flooding whenever it rains
Speaking during the field visit, an engineer who accompanied the team warned that if the flooding is not properly addressed, it could damage the completed sections of the road and significantly reduce its lifespan.
“It appears the drainage is not solving the flooding issue, and that is due to the drainage being blocked and not wide enough to take the water. The drainage size should have considered all these,” the engineer said. “The holes through which the water enters the drainage should be considered and the numbers of holes should possibly be increased,” he added.
“If this drainage problem persists, the entire stretch will begin to fail sooner than expected.”
Costs raise red flags
Bill of Quantities (BOQ) estimates reviewed by this reporter indicate that constructing 514 metres of drainage should not exceed ₦160 million, including excavation and earthwork, filling, slab installation, compaction, preliminaries and workmanship.
Bill of quantity as prepared by an independent surveyor purposely for this investigation. The bill shows drainage construction cost N139m, when preliminaries and workmanship are factored in, it costs N160m
Instead, the council approved release of N505 million, which is triple of the amount spent on the project. This raises concerns about possible fund mismanagement.
A quantity surveyor, estimated the total cost for the completed 514 metres, including interlocking, kerbs, preliminaries, and contractor charges, at about ₦245.74 million.
The quantity surveyor explained that workmanship is typically calculated at about 10 per cent of project value, which is N223.5 million. Then 10 per cent of the amount stands at N22.3 million. Applying this industry benchmark raises the realistic execution cost of the existing drainage segment to roughly ₦245.74 million.
A team of engineers at Falana street for on-sight investigation
In the case of 944 metres long of drainage approved by the council, The ICIR investigation showed that the project should have cost only ₦313,698,925.56 after all valuation, including preliminaries and 10 per cent of the total approved amount for the contractor.
Another N54m paid for same inflated project
Months after the partially completed project was commissioned in 2025, contractors returned to extend the drainage toward the start of Omiyale Street.
The ICIR reports that the initial approval of more than ₦505 million for phase one had already covered a drainage length longer than what was ultimately constructed.
However, instead of enforcing completion under the original scope, it was gathered that the council approved new funding for work that residents said was poorly executed.
In October 2025, The ICIR reported how a civic group under the umbrella of Concerned Citizens of Ejigbo petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), listing among others the approval of an additional ₦54 million for “construction of reinforced concrete drainage at Falana Street.”
Site inspection shows that despite the reported additional payment, the drainage has not been sealed, leaving an exposed side trench running alongside the concrete structure.
Exposed side trench of drainage constructed at Falana street
Residents said the exposed side trench has left them, particularly children, vulnerable to injury, as people could mistakenly step into the potholes.
Another N212 million awarded for Falana Street
Although the initial phase of the road project was left incomplete, records show that the council approved an additional ₦212,962,927.80 in July 2024 for the construction of Falana Street (Phase 2).
Council approval of payment for Falana phase 2 project
Despite the approval by the former council chairman on July 29, 2024, the remaining stretch from the maternity home to Kila House (Oyekunle street) and the Omiyale end of the street remained uncompleted and abandoned.
In the memo requesting approval, the road was described as “worrisome and deplorable,” noting it had remained in poor condition for years. However, on-ground assessment indicated the approved funds did not translate into meaningful construction, as residents continue to lament the state of the road.
Current state of Falana road (phase 2) despite approval of over N200 million
Notably, the ₦505 million earlier approved for phase one should have covered at least 400 additional metres beyond where it was currently abandoned, which the second phase expectedly should cover. But the project has been left abandoned despite the money approved in 2024. Curiously, the road was hurriedly commissioned before Bello left office, even though large sections remained visibly incomplete.
In the execution of the project to where Falana Street ends, The ICIR in consultation with civil engineers and a quantity surveyor, found that interlocking the street from where the first phase ends would cost N55 million after sand bedding, sub base, preliminaries and workmanship have been considered.
This means that the ₦212,962,927.80 approved for Phase 2 could have funded nearly four full completions of the remaining road section.
Residents of Majiyagbe lament as ₦400m worth project stalls
Baba Ayinde Olohunloba had high hopes in 2024 when Candyrain Ventures arrived in his community to dismantle the old, community-owned drainage with plans to upgrade it and construct a standard drainage system along Ogunti/part Majiyagbe Street.
Olohunloba explaining the history of abandonment of Majiyagbe road project
He imagined an end to years of flooding and unmotorable roads and hoped for a future of smoother rides and rainwater that would no longer threaten his home and business.
But months later, that excitement turned into deep frustration when the contractor dragged on a project that should only take six months. His frustration grew as the abandoned open trench left his house and business vulnerable to flooding.
According to Olohunloba, after the initial excavation, the engineer vanished for months. He also noted that the project began at the far end near the canal, leaving the section in front of his house incomplete.
When the rains came in 2025, floodwaters washed through his home and many others. His block-making business was often damaged, prompting him to take matters into his own hands.
Photo showing blocks mounted by the community after the contractor disappeared from site
“We had to ask the engineer if we could construct and put blocks in the holes ourselves, and he said we could. So, we did the gutter ourselves. Months later, he finally came back to build his own drainage. Since then, it has been an inconsistent attempt to make the system work,” Olohunloba said.
The ICIR observed that even after the engineer returned in 2025, the drainage section near the canal beyond Olohunloba’s house was left open, exposing homes and makeshift structures where some traders live.
Dug but left abandoned.
The open gutters, lacking slabs as initially promised, also became sites for open defecation.
No construction activity was observed during the reporter’s visit. By the roadside lay heaps of granite and sharp sand. In addition, potholes and uneven bumps said to have been caused by flooding scattered across the road continue to hinder smooth and safe vehicular movement.
Photo showing granite left on site by the contractor and exposed iron in the drainage, indicating an unfinished slab. Mustapha Usman/ICIR
Abandoned despite contract inflated by over N450m
An on-site investigation by The ICIR showed a disconnect between the scale of public funds released for infrastructure on Majiyagbe Street in Lagos and the limited work visible at the project site.
During a visit to the site on February 8, 2026, the only activity attributable to the project was a short stretch of partially constructed drainage.
A short stretch of drainage leading into the canal at Majiyagbe. PC:Mustapha Usman/ICIR
There was no evidence of road grading, interlocking installation, access slabs, or any of the complementary civil works typically associated with a standard drainage-and-road intervention of such financial magnitude.
Although contractor signpost signalled only the construction of drainage for the street, a civic group under the umbrella of Concerned Citizens of Ejigbo, in a petition, alleged that a total of ₦479,118,411 was released for construction of the street.
Contractor signpost at Majiyagbe. PC: Mustapha Usman/ICIR
Measurements taken during the inspection revealed that the executed structure covers just 78.35 metres on one side of the road and 42.5 metres on the opposite side, with an average depth of 0.8 metres and width of 0.7 metres. Even this limited construction remains unfinished and abandoned.
The ICIR, alongside engineers, observed exposed reinforcement bars protruding from the concrete, refuse altering the designed slope and blocking water flow, and visible misalignment suggesting that the drainage walls fall short of acceptable engineering standards.
No additional work corresponding to the nearly half-billion-naira release could be identified on the ground.
To determine whether the expenditure aligns with the physical progress recorded at the site and the amount the completed project could cost, engineers reconstructed a bill of quantities restricted strictly to the 120.85-metre drainage already built.
The Bill of Quantity indicated that excavation, filling, concrete works, reinforcement, and formwork for the drainage were collectively valued at ₦14,299,665.58, while preliminaries were estimated at ₦714,983.28, bringing the total expected drainage cost to ₦15,014,648.86.
Bill of quantity for Majiyagbe drainage system
Applying this industry benchmark raises the realistic execution cost of the existing drainage segment to roughly ₦16.5 million.
When this engineering valuation of ₦16.5 million is compared with the ₦479.1 million reportedly released for the street, the difference suggests a potential inflation level running into about twenty-nine times the realistic construction cost.
The ICIR also checked on how much the completed project could cost, the quantity surveyor mentioned that the project would only cost about ₦52,083,577.05.
Nearly 1bn spent on another 1km road project
The pattern of inflated local government road contracts in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) continues with the Jubril Olabisi Road project, a short stretch of road whose cost is also disproportionate to its scale.
By contrast, Jubril Olabisi Street showed a seemingly successful intervention when compared to Falana Street and Majiyagbe.
The road measures roughly 627 metres, fully interlocked over 572.3 metres, and flanked on both sides by a completed drainage system. The project, executed by Rockdom Integrated Limited, was approved for a contract sum of ₦922,341,656.41, with payments cleared on November 29, 2024.
The contractor was mobilised to the field in 2024 but completed the project around April 2025. The project was consequently commissioned by ex-council chairman Bello in July 11, 2025.
Memo showing the approved payment for Jubril Olabisi street
An independent Bill of Quantities (BOQ) prepared shows that constructing the interlocking road, the dual-sided drainage system, culverts, and necessary preliminaries and workmanship should not have exceeded ₦275.77 million, some N646,571,656.41. Less than what the project cost.
Of the N275.77 million,, interlocking the pavement accounts for just over ₦60 million, the dual-sided drainage and kerbs approximately ₦156 million, culverts about ₦10 million, and preliminaries roughly ₦22.79 million.
While many residents lauded the completion of the road and acknowledged the improved mobility and drainage in the area, expressed shock and incredulity upon learning that the contract was worth nearly a billion naira for such a short stretch of road.
Rockdom office
When The ICIR visited Rockdom Integrated Limited company to request information about the project, one of the company’s employees confirmed that it was executed by the firm but declined to provide relevant details, stating that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission, ICPC, is currently investigating the project.
The ICIR subsequently filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the company but, no response has been received since Monday, February 9, when the request was submitted.
Niyass Street gets N1bn for half a kilometre road project
In a similar development, the Ejigbo Council also approved upgrading of a road with interlocking stones at Sheik Niyass to Rockdom Integrated Limited in July 2024 at a contract sum of N981,198,222:24.
Sheikh Niyass road project approval by the Ejigbo council
Findings showed that the project was also completed in 2025 and commissioned by the former chairman before he left office. The road project spanned about 593 metres long, with the drainage, roughly one metre deep and 0.8 metres wide, runs cleanly along one side, with 18 nos of culverts cutting across at intervals.
Despite the road being slightly shorter than Jubril Olabisi Street and has drainage on only one side, it received a higher allocation than the Olabisi Street project.
Sheikh Ibrahim Niyass street
The independent Bill of Quantities for Sheik Niyass Street prepared by an independent quantity surveyor totals ₦189,573,654.41, covering the interlocking, drainage, culverts and preliminaries.
For a road of that length and specification, the quantity surveyors consulted by this reporter described the figure as “excessive and inflated”.
Double Star street riddled with potholes despite ₦34m payment
Despite government claims of filling and grading Double Star Street with N34 million in Jakande Estate, commuters and residents have continued to battle with poor road conditions long after funds were released for repairs.
Current state of double star road despite claim of spending N34m on rehabilitation
The council in February 2025, approved ₦34 million to Gake Global Resources LTD, for Double Star Street rehabilitation, a sum residents were told would address potholes and surface degradation. But months after the contract award, the stretch of road remains riddled with potholes, depressions and craters that trap vehicles, slow and worsen during the rainy season.
Residents told The ICIR that at some point in 2025, engineers filled potholes with stones and graded parts of the road, but several sections were left untouched.
They noted that the street’s surface often breaks apart soon after minor rains, forcing drivers to slow down or swerve, further contributing to congestion and wear on vehicles.
Other residents attributed the poor condition partly to inferior workmanship or incomplete surface compaction.
The ICIR independently learnt that despite the approved N34 million purposely for the project, the road was largely filled with sand and asphalt sourced from other street projects, including Falana and Niyass streets. Residents at Falana Street also mentioned that the contractors packed away sand after fixing the drainage, leaving the drains exposed and open.
Public records show that Gake Global Resources Ltd was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2021, four years before the project was awarded. However, the company displays little evidence of prior experience, particularly on its social media platforms.
Its first Instagram post appeared only in April 2023, and subsequent posts show minimal projects or work that could demonstrate the expertise or track record needed to execute a contract of this scale.
Although the company is active with the CAC, The ICIR could not locate a functional website for Gake Global Resources Ltd.
When The ICIR reached out to the company on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, for comments on these findings, the effort was unsuccessful. Calls to the phone contacts listed on the company’s Instagram page went unanswered. Subsequently, messages were sent via SMS and WhatsApp, but no response was received as of publication.
Ex-Chairman, Ejigbo council declines comment, cites ongoing ICPC investigation
Efforts by The ICIR to obtain response from former Ejigbo LCDA chairman, Monsuru Bello, on its findings have so far been unsuccessful.
Ex-Chairman Ejigbo LCDA Monsuru Bello
In a correspondence sent to Bello on February 18, 2026, The ICIR sought explanations regarding the status, cost, and execution of several projects executed during his tenure.
Bello, however, declined to provide answers, citing an ongoing investigation. In a formal response, he wrote:
“The subject matter referenced in your request is currently under active investigation by the ICPC. Disclosure of records relating to an ongoing law enforcement investigation is exempt under the Freedom of Information Act where such disclosure could interfere with enforcement proceedings, prejudice investigation, or affect the rights of the person involved.”
The Ejigbo LCDA also declined providing information or reacting to the ICIR’s findings. In response to a FOIA request sent in a letter dated February 12, 2026, and signed by the Deputy Director of Legal, Okoya A. Adegoke, the council said that it could not comply with The ICIR’s FOIA request.
Lagos officials decline to respond
The ICIR contacted the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Bolaji Robert, to seek an explanation of the cost-evaluation process applied before granting approval for the Ejigbo LCDA projects.
Calls placed to the commissioner were not answered, and a follow-up WhatsApp message sent thereafter had not received a response at the time of filing this report.
A message was also sent to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kehinde, who said he could not speak on the matter concerning the ministry without approval. He promised to facilitate an interview with the commissioner but of press time, no feedback had been received.
Similarly, enquiries were directed to Gboyega Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwolu requesting clarification on the state’s oversight framework and whether any review had been initiated in light of the discrepancies identified.
No response was obtained from him by press time.
Also, The ICIR reached out to the ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odeh, on the status of the investigation. He promised to look into the matter and get back. However, there was no further feedback as of the time of filing this report.
ADAMAWA State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, on Friday, February 27, defected from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), becoming the 30th serving governor in the party.
In a statewide broadcast, Fintiri announced that he moved to the APC alongside members of his cabinet and PDP officials in the state.
He said the decision was taken in the overall developmental interest of the state and its people.
Fintiri’s defection came weeks after Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, joined the APC as the 29th governor under the party, following his resignation from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) over alleged internal crises and leadership disputes.
Yusuf’s move had triggered a wave of defections in Kano, including state lawmakers and local government chairmen, significantly weakening the NNPP’s structure in the state.
With Fintiri’s switch, the current governorship standings as of January 2026 show the APC controlling 30 states, while the PDP has three governors.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party, and Accord Party have one governor each.
The addition of Fintiri as the 30th APC governor continues to strengthen the party’s influence in northern Nigeria, consolidating its reach in a region that offers huge votes during elections.
Beyond that, Fintiri’s defection carries significant political impact as Adamawa is widely regarded as the political base of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, and a major chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who might have another shot at the Presidency for the seventh time.
Several online commentators suggested that the wave of defections is likely to influence both state and national politics, giving APC a strategic advantage in key regions ahead of the 2027 polls.
The ICIR reports that there have also been concerns among political analysts that the shrinking number of opposition governors could result in a de facto one-party state in the country, as the APC steadily consolidates power under the Tinubu’s leadership.
WHEN Merian [surname withheld] lost her job at the Kaduna Electric Distribution Company (KAEDCO) in 2023, she thought she had one small cushion to fall back on – her pension. But when she approached her Retirement Savings Account (RSA), there was little to withdraw.
“For about 52 to 54 months, they deducted from our salaries and didn’t remit it,” she said, “They are supposed to add their own contribution and pay it, but they didn’t remit from 2018 to 2023.”
Under Nigeria’s contributory pension scheme established by the Pension Reform Act 2014, employers are required to deduct a minimum of eight per cent from employees’ salaries and contribute an additional 10 per cent as the employer’s share. Both must be remitted to a licensed Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) within seven days of the payment of salary. Failure to remit attracts penalties, including interest on unpaid sums.
Merian’s problem is not that a PFA failed to manage her funds, but that the money never got to them.
A review of Merian’s pension statement reveals intermittent payments, with some years having just a single payment instead of 12 remittances.
“I want to access my 25 per cent,” she said, referring to the provision of the law that allows a worker who has been unemployed for at least four months to withdraw up to a quarter of their RSA balance. “But if I access it now, it will be something very small.”
With years of contributions missing, withdrawing 25 per cent now would mean collecting a negligible amount. So, she waits.
Her experience is not isolated.
Jade (not real name), who is still employed at KAEDCO, popularly referred to as Kaduna Electric, confirmed that deductions were made from her salary for years without full remittance to her PFA.
“Exactly, 2018 to 2022,” she said when asked to confirm the period affected.
She has been with the company since its days as the government-owned Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). “I have been working with them since it was with government PHCN. When it was privatised in 2014, they took over in 2015,” she said.
PHCN was unbundled in 2013–2014 into 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos), including Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company. Others are Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, Jos Electricity Distribution Company, Kano Electricity Distribution Company and Yola Electricity Distribution Company. There is also Aba Power (officially Aba Power Electric Company) which operates under a slightly different structure.
According to Jade, the issue has spanned multiple management transitions at Kaduna Electric.
“You know they are taking over from one management to another. The union protested the other time. They promised making the necessary payment, but till now we have not heard anything from them,” she said.
Kaduna Electric began operations in 2015 following the privatisation exercise. According to Jade, in 2018, a new management took over. By 2023–2024, another management transition occurred.
“They are aware and they are informed. It is recorded, it should be on their records,” she added speaking about the pension non-remittance.
Jade was clear that both components of the contributory pension appear affected.
“Our own pension, the one that was deducted from our salary, was not remitted. There is another one separately that they were supposed to remit to our PFA, but they have not remitted that either.”
The first is the employee contribution deducted monthly and reflected on payslips. The second is the mandatory employer contribution required under the Pension Reform Act.
For employees, the concern is not only about present access but future security.
“Even though I am not touching the pension money, at least it should be there. It is supposed to be for our future,” Jade said. “With the way the company is going, there is no reliability, because they employ and sack people at will. If something happens to me, where do I start from?”
She has watched colleagues lose their jobs and struggle. “Some of my colleagues that were sacked are out there. Some of them are frustrated.”
Zayyanu Umar, who left Kaduna Electric in April 2024 after joining in 2015, said his pension backlog was about 54 months.
“It’s a general issue. They are not remitting it,” he said.
Disengaged, but no exit package
Haruna Sufiyanu Sani understands the system from the inside. For ten years, from 2015 to 2025, he worked in human resources department, interpreting and explaining the company’s conditions of service to employees.
“I used to be the one to interpret the condition of service. We are the custodian of it. We interpret it,” he said.
From that vantage point, he understood the company’s obligations including pension remittances and exit entitlements for disengaged staff. He confirmed that management was aware of the pension issue and that the matter had been raised through the union.
“This is the issue that they are aware of. The management is aware of this,” he said. “There were many strides regarding the issue of non-remittance, which the management pledged and promised that they will do.”
Like others, he said some years were paid while others were not.
“Even while we were in service, they paid some years and left other years without payment.”
A review of Sani’s pension statement also revealed large chunks of missing remittances. For instance, 2019 and 2021, recorded only one payment each, while 2020 had no payment.
For Sani, what was once a policy he explained to staff eventually became his own reality when he was disengaged. According to him, under the company’s conditions of service, employees whose “services are no longer required” are entitled to exit tokens. But he, as well as many others, are yet to receive them.
The conditions of service sighted by The ICIR in chapter 13 which spoke about exit token, state that employees who spent five to nine years are entitled to 35 per cent of total annual emoluments per completed year; 10 to 15 years attract 40 per cent, while 16 years and above attract 50 per cent per completed year as exit token.
‘It is criminal’ — Union reacts
Dominic Igwebike, the Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), confirmed that the union had picketed Kaduna Electric over non-remittance of pensions and non-payment of exit benefits.
“ …although they have said they did part payments after our negotiation with the management to pay everybody part of their exit packages and every month they should be paying a certain amount for those who are disengaged staff. On the pension, there is over 80 months pension arrears which they said they cannot clear at once based on the challenges,” he said.
Pressed on why electricity distribution companies appear to default on pension remittances, Igwebike said: “For me, it’s criminal. You don’t collect a worker’s pension contribution and fail to remit it to the PFA. It is not acceptable.”
He said the union had continued to press management to honour agreements and warned that if commitments were not kept, industrial action could resume.
“If they don’t honour the agreement, you go back to the trenches – and the trenches mean strike action, which we are trying to avoid. But we are not keeping quiet.”
The union, in a letter dated February 1, 2025 (Ref: NUEE/ZOS/NW/KD/2025/008), advised staff not to accept correspondence from the company following an emergency meeting in which Kaduna Electric management allegedly disclosed plans to terminate over 900 workers.
Earlier, on January 10, 2025, NUEE had written to Kaduna Electric following a declared redundancy affecting 10 members, demanding immediate negotiations and warning of industrial action.
The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEC), in a February 1, 2025 letter signed by Haruna Ahmed Tinau, Deputy General Secretary (North), demanded payment of exit tokens, one-month salary in lieu of notice, redundancy compensation, outstanding bonuses and allowances, and statutory or contractual benefits, including pension contributions. The association cited Chapter 13 of the company’s conditions of service as the basis for the demand.
The association cited Chapter 13 of the company’s conditions of service as the basis for the demand.
Government intervention, yet payments pending
In early 2025, the crisis escalated into protests and picketing of Kaduna Electric’s headquarters in Kaduna over non-payment of pensions and emoluments.
The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Hadiza Balarabe, convened a meeting involving Kaduna Electric management, NUEE and SSAEC. Subsequently, Governor Uba Sani also intervened.
Following the intervention, Kaduna Electric issued a memo stating that mediation facilitated by the governor resulted in a resolution, including a review of the disengagement process.
Following the intervention, Kaduna Electric issued a memo stating that mediation facilitated by the governor resulted in a resolution, including a review of the disengagement process.
According to a memo from the agreement signed by NUEE representatives and management after a review meeting held on March 6, 2025, it was resolved that 20 per cent of total emoluments, based on years of service for staff with five years and above, would be paid to disengaged staff. The first payment was to commence at the end of April, with subsequent payments made every other month, concluding in August 2025.
However, when The ICIR interviewed affected staff in December 2025, they said they were yet to receive the agreed payments.
Igbwebike of NUEE insists that responsibility ultimately rests with regulators. “The buck stops on the desk of PenCom. They have the power under the law.”
Regulatory oversight questioned
The responsibility for regulating pension compliance lies with the National Pension Commission (PenCom), established under the Pension Reform Act 2014. The law empowers PenCom to investigate, sanction and compel defaulting employers to remit outstanding contributions and a statutory penalty of not less than two per cent of the unpaid amount for each month of default.
The ICIR contacted PenCom’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Buwai, seeking clarification on whether the commission had investigated Kaduna Electric over non-remittance from 2019 to 2025, and what enforcement steps had been taken, including recovery of arrears and penalties.
Buwai said an officer had been assigned to respond. After which the commission responded in a statement.
The commission stated that it is “aware that Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has defaulted in the remittance of employees’ pension contributions.” Citing the Pension Reform Act 2014 (PRA 2014), PenCom stressed that the law “requires employers to deduct pension contributions at source and remit both the employee and employer portions to the custodian specified by the employee’s Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) not later than seven working days from the date salaries are paid.”
The commission further emphasised that under the Act, “any employer who fails to deduct or remit the contributions within the stipulated time frame shall, in addition to remitting the outstanding amount, be liable to a penalty of not less than two percent of the total unpaid contributions for each month or part thereof that the default continues.” It added that the penalty “is treated as a debt and is credited into the affected employee’s Retirement Savings Account (RSA).”
PenCom disclosed that it “has undertaken a series of regulatory and enforcement actions to ensure Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company complies fully with the provisions of the law,” noting that “the process is ongoing.” As part of these efforts, the commission said it “has appointed Recovery Agents to determine the total unremitted pension liabilities and applicable penalties.”
The commission was, however, silent on the duration and timeline expected to reach a resolution, but assures affected workers, stating that “all recovered pension contributions and accrued penalties will be credited directly into their respective RSAs,” reiterating its commitment to “protecting the rights and retirement benefits of pension contributors in line with its statutory mandate.”
PenCom added that it is engaging the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which regulates electricity matters in Nigeria, to facilitate resolution of the matter.
The NERC, which regulates electricity distribution companies under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, was also contacted, through its communication officer, Christiana Illiya, for response on what regulatory steps it was taking in light of repeated picketing of Kaduna Electric that could threaten service delivery and consumer protection, and also the status of the inter-agency engagement with PenCom.
After several calls, SMS, and WhatsApp messages for days, Illiya said she does not have the clearance to speak, inquiry should be sent to the head of the unit. Several attempts via calls and SMS and reminders on different days to the unit head, Hafsat Abdullahi Mustapha were not answered.
In an attempt to book an appointment to speak with NERC chairman, Musiliu Oseni, The ICIR was advised to send a Freedom of Information (FOI) request with the questions. This was sent to NERC via e-mail and also a dispatch. The ICIR will report the outcome of the response.
However, a source at the NERC, familiar with the situation, said non-payment of salaries, remittance of pension and emoluments is considered an internal matter between discos and their employees. Notwithstanding that, strike actions by unions often lead to paralysed services which inadvertently leads to service distribution which falls under the regulatory oversight of NERC.
Kaduna Electric silent
The ICIR contacted Abdulaziz Abdullahi, who had previously spoken on behalf of Kaduna Electric, but he said he was no longer with the organisation. Abdullahi’s claim was confirmed by a staff in the company.
In 2024, Abdullahi had described the strike action by NUEE as “illegal” and “unnecessary”.
He told the press that “We woke up this morning to the news that members of NUEE have locked up our offices. We were shocked because there was no need for it. We have a quarterly meeting scheduled for Wednesday. They have told us about the pension remittances, and there is a plan to settle the backlogs.”
“We have a new MD, and he needs time to settle down and then plan on how to gradually offset the historical liabilities. But they chose to do this and have stopped staff and customers from coming in.”
The MD Abdullahi was referring to is Umar Hashidu who was appointed following the resignation of his predecessor.
The ICIR contacted Hashidu, his line was busy and subsequent calls went to voicemail. A detailed WhatsApp message and later an email were sent asking why pension contributions – both employer and employee portions – were deducted but not remitted in apparent contravention of the Pension Reform Act; why exit benefits remain unpaid; and when affected staff should expect full settlement of arrears. Reminders were sent on different days as follow-ups, but as of press time, he did not respond.
The ICIR also reached Asmau Abdullahi who was said to be heading the communication unit, she said the inquiry will be relayed to the appropriate person who is the deputy to the managing director. when a follow-up call was made for update, she said he was not yet on seat but promise to get back as soon as he is available. As of press time, the company had not responded.
Beyond Kaduna Electric – discos getting picketed left, right and centre
Kaduna Electric is not alone in this trend. The power distribution sector has experienced at least eight major strikes and protests since 2019, most of them linked to unpaid pensions, entitlements, and poor working conditions.
In October 2019, workers at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) staged protests over unpaid allowances, disrupting electricity supply across Abuja and neighbouring states.
By late May 2024, AEDC workers were again on strike, this time over pension arrears, highlighting what union leaders describe as a recurring pattern across several distribution companies.
The following year, in January–February 2025, staff of Kaduna Electric embarked on strike action over a combination of unpaid pension contributions and a mass sack plan affecting over 900 workers. Government mediation in February 2025 led to a staggered payment agreement, but implementation remained incomplete.
In June 2025, AEDC workers issued a fresh strike threat over unresolved pension non-remittance, signalling that previous disputes had not been fully resolved.
Towards the end of 2025, disengaged Kaduna Electric staff notified the police of a planned protest scheduled for October 20–23, staggered exit payments, pension arrears, and redundancy benefits.
Towards the end of 2025, disengaged Kaduna Electric staff notified the police of a planned protest scheduled for October 20–23, staggered exit payments, pension arrears, and redundancy benefits.
In January 2026, workers at Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) commenced strike action over alleged long-standing pension arrears and poor working conditions.
These repeated actions across multiple DisCos illustrate a systemic issue in Nigeria’s power sector, where deductions often appear on employee pay slips but fail to reach PFAs leaving workers uncertain about their retirement security.
On the broader implications, labour leaders warn that recurring industrial actions by electricity workers disrupt operations. For Meriam and others, however, the issue is deeply personal.
“It’s our future,” she said quietly. “We worked for it. We should not have to beg for it.”
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled the timetable for 2027 elections.
The new timetable was announced in a statement by the INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, Thursday night in Abuja.
He announced that the presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on January 6, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for February 6.
The ICIR reported that the commission had announced February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state assembly polls were scheduled for March 6.
However, the earlier timetable sparked widespread criticism after stakeholders noted that the dates coincided with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, expected to begin on February 8 and end around March 10, based on the 1448 AH Islamic calendar.
Some political leaders, including former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar had criticised the timetable, arguing that the elections fell within a sacred period of fasting, reflection, and spiritual devotion for millions of Nigerian Muslims.
He stated that elections required maximum participation, physical endurance, and national focus, adding that fixing such an important civic exercise during a major religious observance showed poor judgment and a lack of sensitivity to Nigeria’s socio-religious realities.
Meanwhile, INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, explained that INEC’s earlier Notice of Election, issued on February 13, 2026, was in compliance with constitutional provisions and Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which requires the commission to publish the election notice no later than 360 days before polling day.
The INEC boss noted that the commission would issue a revised timetable for the elections but would have to wait for the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to accommodate the adjustment.
The House of Representatives reconvened on February 17, for an emergency sitting over the need to amend the law for the new election dates.
President Bola Tinubu recently assented to the amended Electoral Act barely 24 hours after its passage by the National Assembly.
THE Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has called on the new Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to immediately halt harassment, intimidation, and unlawful detention of journalists across the country.
In a statement on Thursday, February 26, IPI Nigeria said the demands followed persistent violations under the tenure of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun, whose leadership the institute said, enabled a culture of impunity in police interactions with media practitioners.
The ICIRreported how Egbetokun, along with Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, and Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, were listed in IPI Nigeria’s newly launched Nigeria Book of Infamy, a registry blacklisting public officials accused of violating press freedom.
The institute cited several cases, including repeated summons and detention of Media Room Hub publisher Azuka Ogujiuba over her reporting on court matters, as well as unlawful arrests and assaults of journalists across states, including Abdulaziz Aliyu in Kano, Nasir Yelwa in Abuja, and FIJ reporter Sodeeq Atanda in Ekiti.
“IPI Nigeria urges Disu to immediately end the pattern of harassment, intimidation and attacks against journalists that characterised the tenure of his predecessor, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.
“Under the previous leadership, journalists were repeatedly harassed, unlawfully detained and, in some cases, assaulted while carrying out their constitutional duties,” the institute said.
It emphasised that the police, as a critical institution in a democratic society, have a constitutional obligation to respect the fundamental rights of all Nigerians, including the right to freedom of expression and of the press.
IPI Nigeria urged Disu to review pending cases against journalists, institute a reorientation programme for police personnel focused on press freedom, and establish clear communication channels with media stakeholders.
The organisation also called for an immediate end to all forms of harassment of journalists, and the implementation of a comprehensive training programme for police personnel on press freedom and human rights.
“We urge Mr Disu to chart a different course and rebuild trust between the police and the media. Respect for press freedom is essential to sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.
“A free and independent press strengthens accountability, enhances transparency and supports law enforcement efforts by informing the public responsibly,” the statement added.
ACROSS Nigeria, self-styled healers continue to promote herbal ‘cures’ for HIV, charging desperate patients hefty sums for unverified treatments. The ICIR digs into the HIV healing drugs scams promoted on social media.
Despite scientific consensus that no known cure for HIV virus exists, these individuals flood social media and messaging platforms with promises of total healing. The ICIR uncovers a troubling pattern; once payments are made, the supposed healers disappear, leaving behind stories of deception, financial loss, and renewed despair among people living with the virus.
When ad is ‘too-good-to-be-true’, welcome to ‘Ancient Herbal Secrets’
In the course of this investigation, The ICIR reporter stumbled on a sponsored Facebook advertisements claiming to cure HIV. The claim stood out, given that HIV has no known cure but can only be managed through the consistent use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.
Posted on a Facebook page, the advert called ‘Ancient Herbal Secrets’, featured a graphic message urging users to “ditch ARVs” in favour of a supposed herbal cure called ‘K28 Xleya’, said to be produced by a company called H & H.
The post reads: “For years, people were told HIV can only be managed by taking ARV daily. But now, Nature has given us K28 Xleya which removes HIV viruses from your body completely. It is the breakthrough solution that has helped thousands of people get totally free from HIV.”
A link attached to the post — https://curehiv.online/ (archived here) directed users to a website where the drug could be purchased.
Worrying level of engagement
Since its publication in February 2025, the post garnered over 1,700 likes, 1,900 comments, and 571 shares, a worrying level of engagement for a misleading health claim.
The comments section was filled with users asking how and where to buy the drug, reflecting both high demand and widespread misinformation about HIV treatment in Nigeria.
Screenshot of the Ad from Facebook PC: Fatimah Quadri/ The ICIR
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 39.5 million people were living with HIV as of 2023, with the majority in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria ranks as the country with the second-highest number of HIV patients (about 2 million), after South Africa.
Although the introduction of ARVs has significantly improved life expectancy and reduced transmission rates, fake cure claims remain persistent, exploiting social media algorithms and public health gaps. Health experts have consistently warned that no herbal mixture or alternative therapy can cure HIV. Still, the combination of desperation, misinformation, and distrust in the health system fuels demand for such unverified products.
Precious Ada, a drug store owner in Imo state, one of the Facebook users who had commented on the post, told The ICIR that she had intended to get the drug for a customer who had tested positive, but hadn’t been able to continue with the order as her patients did not have the funds.
“I never ordered the drug, so I didn’t give them any money”, Ada said.
When asked where her client had been getting her treatment previously and what prompted her to make inquiries in the comments section, she said her patient had been going to the Hospital for ARVs, and she had believed the post which claimed the drug would cure HIV.
“She had always been going to the General Hospital for treatment, but they said the drug would cure it, so I decided to try,” she added.
Other users The ICIR had reached out to who had commented on the same post were either inactive or had seen the message and chose not to respond.
Inside the fake cure scheme
With the United States president, Donald Trump, cutting off USAID funding (ARVs) to Nigeria and other African countries, claims about medicines that supposedly cure HIV have gained traction. This reporter sought to verify such claims.
She clicked on the link, which led her to the website with an advert that was emotionally charged, appealing directly to the fears and frustrations of people living with HIV.
In one of persuasive messages, it asked: “Are you tired of taking ARVs daily? Are you afraid of the stigma? Do you want to live freely again?”
The post positioned K28 Xleya as a “ground breaking solution” that could eliminate the virus from the body, a claim that contradicts all established medical knowledge.
It promised total healing within 45 days, assuring users that the drug was “tested and proven,” free from side effects, and produced by H&H Pharmaceuticals, a supposedly registered Nigerian company.
A pattern of health scams
The tone of the promotion mirrored the tactics of typical health scams, offering hope, urgency, and social reassurance. The sellers claimed that ARVs merely suppress the virus, while K28 Xleya would “cure HIV completely.”
A screenshot of the home page of the website PC: Fatimah Quadri/ The ICIR
The drug, priced at ₦160,000 per bottle, was being discounted to ₦60,000, after which customers were required to send in a video testimonial. It was marketed as the only true cure for HIV, with promises that users would test negative after the treatment.
Such claims, framed around emotional triggers like fear, shame, and the desire for acceptance, exploit the vulnerability of people living with HIV and fuel the spread of dangerous misinformation online.
Although she eventually held back, Ada admitted that if her client had been able to raise the money, she would likely have gone ahead with the purchase.
The drug’s heavily discounted price and the persuasive tone of the advertisement made the offer appear urgent and convincing, a deal that seemed too good for someone desperate for a cure.
A business front
The website also displayed screenshots of WhatsApp testimonials and included a form for interested individuals to fill out. When this reporter submitted her details, she received an automated message thanking her for ordering K28 Xleya, assuring a guaranteed cure, and promising a follow-up call within 24 to 72 hours. A customer service line — 09010888882 — was provided, creating an impression of legitimacy.
Screenshot of the message after inputting the details, PC: Fatimah Quadri/ The ICIR
After the promised time frame passed with no response, the reporter reached out to the contact on WhatsApp, following several unsuccessful calls to the line. Two days later, the number replied with only the price of the drug and did not respond to further inquiries, including whether the drug could be picked up physically from the listed business address in Abuja.
Screenshot of the chat between the reporter and the company, showing the company’s response to the inquiry. PC: Fatimah Quadri/ The ICIR
Following this, the reporter visited the address provided in the about section of the business on WhatsApp. The location, which was an estate in Abuja, turned out to be a residential apartment. The occupant said they have no knowledge of the sale of the drug. She even checked with neighbours and attempted to call the number herself, but all efforts were unsuccessful.
“This is why someone has to be careful when buying something online,” she warned.
Scattered adverts, same scam
Further findings revealed that the advertisements for K28 Xleya were not limited to the website or Facebook. Similar posts were scattered across TikTok (archived here) and Instagram (archived here), often using the same messaging, graphics, and emotional appeals to lure potential buyers.
The adverts appeared under different accounts and usernames, sometimes recycled or slightly altered, which amplified the scam’s reach and made the fraudulent claims seem more credible through repeated exposure.
This multi-account, multi-platform presence clearly shows how online scams exploit several channels and identities to target vulnerable individuals.
Screenshot of an appearance of the ad for HIV cure on YouTube. PC: Fatimah Quadri/ The ICIR
Scam sponsors
After interacting with one of the accounts, The ICIR confirmed that at least one of the adverts was sponsored. The account handler, who identified himself as a blogger, explained that he had been contracted to promote the product and was not directly involved in its sale.
“I am a blogger and only advertised for the company, but I will send the pharmacist’s number to you so you can contact him,” the user, identified as Gistworld, said.
When asked whether he had received any feedback from customers who purchased the drug, he said that while some people complained about delivery delays, others claimed it worked for them.
“A few persons complained about the delay in delivery, but some actually confirmed it worked for them. It all depends on your conversation with the pharmacist; we have individual differences. But the medication works; I got it for my kid brother, and it helped a lot,” he told The ICIR.
However, when requested to provide the contacts of those customers, he said he had not saved any of their details.
Tracing the pharmacist
Posing as an interested buyer, The ICIR reached out to the pharmacist through a contact shared by Gistworld. The conversation began with routine inquiries about the drug, its dosage, and cost.
The supposed pharmacist, identified as Joseph, explained that a single bottle of the drug cost ₦60,000 (discounted from ₦160,000) and was meant to last 45 days. He added that the main dosage required two bottles, after which a test would be conducted to confirm if the infection had been totally eradicated.
Screenshots of the chat between the reporter and the pharmacist. PC: Fatimah Quadri/The ICIR
When asked about payment, the pharmacist insisted on upfront payment, but later agreed that customers buying two bottles could pay 80 per cent upfront and the remaining 20 per cent upon delivery. He provided a First Bank account number bearing the name Korayom Joseph Terlumun for the transaction.
The pharmacist also shared details of his business locations — one in Jos, Plateau State, at Angwan Soya, Zaria Road Bypass, opposite Jankwano Bingham University Teaching Hospital, and another in Gwarimpa, Abuja. He promised doorstep delivery through logistics companies such as GIG Logistics.
Throughout the chat, he maintained a polite tone, assuring that delivery was fast and top-notch. The payment was placed, and he requested delivery details. He sent an image of a packaged envelope bearing the receiver’s name and phone number.
However, after repeated follow-ups, the buyer did not receive any call or confirmation of delivery, raising further doubts about the authenticity of the business and its claims. Several messages to him went unanswered.
Screenshot of the reporter’s payment transaction receipts to Joseph Korayom for the supposed HIV “cure.” PC: Fatimah Quadri/The ICIR (We cannot provide any information about the ICIR reporter)
A check of both addresses provided by Korayom shows that it is the Jos and Gwarimpa Abuja addresses of a transportation logistics company, GIG Logistics.
Unmasking the identity
A background check on the name Korayom Joseph Terlumn revealed a campaign poster of a man contesting for the Mata State Constituency of Oshongo LGA in Benue State come 2027 as shared on Facebook [Archived here] by Gistworldng. The same name appeared on a LinkedIn account with matching photos.
This reporter observed that the image on both platforms also appeared as the profile photo on Gistworldng’s WhatsApp account.
Photo collage showing similar images found through a name search on Facebook and LinkedIn, matching Gistworld’s profile picture on WhatsApp.
However, the WhatsApp profile picture of Joseph,” who claimed to represent the company behind the drug, was of a different person. A Google reverse image search showed that the photo belonged to Hon. Saater Tiseer, the Majority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly and member representing Mbagwa State Constituency. The ICIR could not independently verify if the image was being used for impersonation.
Efforts to reach the lawmaker, Saater Tiseer, proved abortive, as calls to the phone number obtained by The ICIR returned a voice message that the number was not assigned. Meanwhile, The ICIR also gathered that Tiseer is currently on a six-month suspension by the Benue State House of Assembly following allegations of gross misconduct
H&H Pharmaceuticals inactive
A search on the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) website showed that H&H Pharmaceuticals, the company name linked to the product, was registered in January 2021. The record also showed that its status is inactive, indicating that it is no longer in operation or has failed to file its annual returns. A legal search on CAC portal showed only the name H & H Herbal Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Benue state majority leader Saater Tiseer, image used for the WhatsApp chat.A check on both phone numbers using the True caller app also showed a link between the two individuals. PC: Fatimah Quadri/ The ICIR
When the pharmacist Joseph’s number was searched, True caller returned the name Joe Creed Links (Korayom). Running Gistworld’s contact number produced the name Joseph Korayom Terlumn. These details overlap, as Joseph Korayom Terlumn is the same name that appears on the bank account details provided by the supposed pharmacist.
At the same time, Gistworld identifies as Joe Creed on his WhatsApp profile. PC: Fatimah Quadri/ The ICIR
Truecaller identifies phone numbers by using a large, crowd-sourced database built from user-uploaded contacts and publicly available data. When a number is searched or a call comes in, the app matches it against this database and displays the associated name or label.
When health scams meet financial fraud
This pattern reflects a growing trend in which scammers combine financial and health-related fraud to target unsuspecting victims. By creating fake company profiles and using social media adverts, they exploit victims’ fear and desperation for cures to make quick financial gains.
Experts say such schemes are becoming increasingly common, with health scams now adopting the same digital marketing tactics used in advance-fee and investment frauds. Beyond the financial loss, victims also risk their health by consuming unverified or unsafe substances.
Speaking with The ICIR, Mayowa Tijani, Director of Projects at The Cable, stated that Online health scams persist because enforcement is weak and shutting them down on social media works like a whack-a-mole cycle—once one page is removed, another quickly appears.
“The people’s angle on the thing is that people look for easy alternatives to the proper. Because the healthcare system is not totally adequate, and so anything that can promise quick relief at low prices, people are often open to it and because they are also targeting certain. A media literacy for the targeted adults that can sort of reduce the depth of these kinds of scams,” he said.
Tijani added that paid adverts and cloned identities remain major challenges on social media in Nigeria, as many accounts can still be created without linking to a real name, phone number, or email, making it easy for bad actors to operate anonymously.
“New features that show an account’s location can be bypassed, as users can set up accounts in one country and appear to be elsewhere. As long as creating untraceable accounts remains simple, these scams will continue,” he noted.
He also added that enforcement is limited by technology and manpower, stating that Regulatory bodies like the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) cannot vet the thousands of ads posted daily, and Nigeria lacks the AI tools and systems needed to monitor activity at scale.
When The ICIR contacted Joseph Korayom through the two WhatsApp numbers (Pharmacist Joe and Gist World) linked to his operations. He initially did not respond. However, when reached via a phone call on the line he uses under the name “Gist World,” he confirmed his identity.
When confronted with the findings of this investigation, he demanded to know who had accused him. After the reporter informed him that he had scammed her, he abruptly ended the call. Subsequent attempts to reach him on the number he uses as “Pharmacist Joe” were ignored, and he later blocked the reporter on WhatsApp on both lines.
The ICIR also contacted the Director of Post-Marketing Surveillance at NAFDAC, Fraden Bitrus, to verify the agency’s awareness of the claims and public complaints. He requested that the questions be sent to him but had not responded at the time of filing this report.
Tijani said journalists investigating online health scams must accept that there is always some level of risk, as there is no completely risk-free method. However, they can reduce exposure by avoiding the use of their personal accounts or digital footprints.
Instead, creating separate anonymous or “burner” accounts can help them monitor scam networks without being easily traced adding that while experienced syndicates rarely slip up, consistent tracking may reveal occasional mistakes that journalists can use to gather clues.
The K28 Xleya case exemplifies this intersection of health and financial scams. By presenting itself as a revolutionary HIV cure backed by a registered pharmaceutical company, it draws credibility from official-sounding names, fake testimonials, and sponsored social media promotions.
The elaborate setup from websites and automated messages to coordinated WhatsApp communication is designed to create an illusion of legitimacy, ultimately preying on vulnerable individuals seeking hope and healing.
THE organised labour in the federal public service has issued Friday, February 27, ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate release of funds to clear three months of outstanding wage awards and other unpaid allowances owed to workers across ministries, departments and agencies.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (Trade Union Side) communicated the deadline in a letter to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, warning that failure to comply with the deadline would prompt the eight civil service unions to take decisive action.
Copies of the correspondence were also sent to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, security agencies and affiliate unions for necessary action.
The unions accused the government of withholding funds earmarked for workers, claiming that the relevant agencies were ready to process payments had the Ministry of Finance released the money.
The ICIR reports that dispute over the wage award has lingered for more than two years, following the Federal Government’s approval of a N70,000 minimum wage after the removal of fuel subsidy.
Labour leaders noted that although partial payments were made after sustained pressure, three months have remained unpaid since July 2024, increasing hardships among federal workers.
In a separate letter to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the union stated that the wage award, introduced as a cushioning measure after the fuel subsidy removal, was intended to run until the implementation of the new minimum wage in July 2024.
The unions expressed concern that five months were initially left unpaid and that only two months were later settled in installments after pressure from labour, leaving three months outstanding.
In addition to the wage award arrears, the unions highlighted other unresolved issues, including unpaid promotion arrears for workers promoted more than three years ago, salary arrears for employees recruited between 2015 and 2024, and the full implementation of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance tied to the N70,000 minimum wage.
Warning of possible industrial action, the unions stated that if the funds are not released by the February 27 deadline, the national leadership will take appropriate steps to defend workers’ interests.
They emphasised that workers’ entitlements must be treated with urgency and not subjected to prolonged delays.
THE Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Centre for Business Journalism is inviting business journalists to its fellowship.
The McGraw Fellowship will provide editorial and financial support to journalists who need the time and resources to produce a significant investigative or enterprise story that provides fresh insight into an important business, financial or economic topic.
It accepts applications for in-depth text, audio and short-form video pieces and will not support long-form documentaries. The fellowship is not a residency. All McGraw Fellows work from their own offices.
The programme is open to anyone with at least five years of professional experience in journalism and will support work by freelance journalists, as well as by reporters and editors currently working at a news organisation or a journalism non-profit. In the latter case, reporters and editors can apply directly in the name of their organisation.
The fellowship provides a grant of up to $15,000 for each project. The exact amount will depend on the time it takes to complete the project and the expenses needed.
Freelance journalists may use some of the funding as a stipend for living expenses during the fellowship. We look for applicants with a proven ability to report and execute a complex project in their proposed medium; ideally, candidates will also have a strong background or reporting expertise on the subject of their project.
The McGraw Centre provides editorial supervision during the fellowship. We work with the fellows to develop their projects during the reporting phase and frequently edit the completed stories. We also assist with placing the articles in established print, audio or digital outlets. The stories run on the McGraw Centre website as well. You’ll find them on the fellowship stories page.
The deadline to apply for the Spring 2026 Fellowships is April 13, 2026. Interested applicants can apply here.
THE Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has informed all taxpayers in the state to file their annual tax returns for the 2026 year of assessment on or before March 31, 2026.
The statutory filing requirement applies to all taxable persons, including self-employed individuals, business owners, professionals, persons in the informal sector, and employees under the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) scheme.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, February 25, the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Ayodele Subair, said timely filing remained a constitutional and statutory obligation as well as a civic responsibility.
He said, “Filing of annual tax returns is not optional. It is a legal requirement under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025. We encourage all Lagos residents earning taxable income to file early and accurately. Early and accurate filing not only ensures full adherence with statutory requirements but supports effective monitoring and forecasting, which are critical to Lagos State’s fiscal planning and long-term sustainability.”
He further noted that failure to file returns by the statutory deadline would attract penalties, interest, and other enforcement measures as prescribed by law.
“To enhance convenience and efficiency, all individual tax returns must be submitted electronically via the LIRS eTax portal at https://etax.lirs.net.The platform enables taxpayers to register, file returns, upload supporting documents, and manage their tax profiles securely from anywhere,” the statement added.
In line with global best practices, Subair reiterated that LIRS continued to prioritise digital tax administration and taxpayer support services, affirming that the LIRS eTax platform was secure and accessible worldwide.
The ICIR reports that in accordance with Section 24(f) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sections 13 &14(3) of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 (NTAA), every individual with taxable income is required to submit a correct return of total income from all sources for the preceding year (January 1 to December 31, 2025) within 90 days of the commencement of a new assessment year.
Not just only Lagos State, this is applicable to all states in the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, had issued a directive that individuals in Nigeria are required to submit their annual tax returns by March 31 each year, regardless of whether their taxes have already been deducted at source through employment or not.
This directive stems from recent amendments under Nigeria’s tax administration laws, aiming to ensure accurate revenue tracking and reduce evasion.
Oyedele emphasised that tax compliance was mandatory for both employers and individual taxpayers, and individuals have a responsibility to submit their self-assessment returns.
He stressed that employers must also submit their annual returns by January 31, covering employees’ emoluments and tax deductions.
The new tax laws, effective January 1, 2026, provide exemptions and reliefs for low-income earners, average taxpayers, and small businesses. For instance, individuals earning below ₦800,000 annually are exempted from personal income tax.
