The EFCC has taken custody of Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina to enforce his 14-year sentence, following his arrest by the DSS in Abuja.
Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina, son of ex-Pension Reform Task Team boss Abdulrasheed Maina, was arrested in Karsana, Abuja, after six years on the run — ending his fugitive status and clearing the way for him to serve a 14-year money laundering sentence.
DSS Arrests Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina, Hands Convicted Fugitive Son of Ex-Pension Boss to EFCC
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina, the fugitive son of Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, and handed him over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Security sources said Faisal, who had been on the run since 2020, was trailed and apprehended by DSS operatives in the Karsana area of Abuja. “His arrest followed credible intelligence which indicated that Faisal had secretly returned to the country,” a source said.
Security sources said DSS operatives trailed Faisal and apprehended him in the Karsana area of Abuja after intelligence that he had secretly returned.
The conviction he was evading
Faisal was earlier prosecuted by the EFCC on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering and conspiracy. He subsequently violated his bail conditions and escaped the country. The trial continued in his absence, culminating in his conviction and sentence to 14 years’ imprisonment by Justice Okon Abang in 2021.
The court had ordered that Faisal be arrested wherever he was found in Nigeria and remanded in a correctional centre to serve his sentence. It further directed that, if found outside the country, the Federal Government should take lawful steps to secure his extradition to serve his prison term.
Why the handover matters
“The handover of Faisal to the EFCC is expected to facilitate the enforcement of the Court’s judgment and ensure that he serves his sentence in accordance with the law,” a source said.
The arrest closes a six-year gap between the 2021 in-absentia conviction and the enforcement of the sentence, and ends the extradition track the court had anticipated. It also underscores an increasing pattern of intelligence-led apprehension of convicts who jumped bail, rather than reliance onInterpol-style processes. For the EFCC, the practical consequence is immediate: the commission now holds the means to execute a judgment that had been, for years, unenforceable on paper alone.
A petrol tanker explosion near Oluku Market in Benin City on Thursday, October 15, 2026, left several people injured and damaged nearby properties.
At least 10 people were reportedly injured following a petrol tanker explosion near Oluku Market along the Benin-Lagos Expressway in Edo State.
The incident occurred on Thursday, October 15, 2026, after a fuel-laden tanker overturned, spilling petrol onto the road and nearby drainage channels.
According to reports by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and other news organisations, the fire spread to surrounding shops and vehicles, causing significant damage.
Several deaths were feared following the incident, although the exact number of fatalities had not been officially confirmed in the initial reports.
How the Benin Tanker Explosion Happened
A petrol tanker overturned near Oluku Market in Benin City on October 15, 2026, spilling fuel before a fire broke out and spread to nearby shops and vehicles.
Eyewitnesses said the tanker overturned near Oluku Market, resulting in petrol spilling across parts of the road.
Residents and passers-by reportedly gathered around the fallen tanker and began collecting the spilled fuel in containers.
The petrol later ignited, triggering a fire that quickly spread through the surrounding area.
Witnesses described scenes of confusion as people attempted to escape while flames spread towards shops and vehicles.
The precise source of ignition had not been independently established in the initial reports.
Injured Victims Taken to UBTH
Several victims who sustained burn injuries were reportedly taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for emergency treatment.
Initial accounts differed on the number of injured people. NAN reported that 10 victims were taken to the hospital, while Punch reported 11 people injured.
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu, was reported to have coordinated medical personnel attending to victims in the emergency and burns units.
Meanwhile, concerns remained over the number of people who may have died in the incident.
Although eyewitnesses reported possible fatalities, an officially verified death toll had not been established in the initial accounts.
Fire Damages Shops and Vehicles
The explosion also affected commercial activities around Oluku Market.
According to eyewitness reports, petrol that flowed into adjoining drainage channels contributed to the spread of the fire towards nearby shops.
Vehicles and other properties were also reportedly damaged.
The full extent of the destruction had not been established as emergency operations continued.
Emergency Agencies Respond to Explosion
Personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, police, fire service and Edo State traffic authorities were deployed to the area.
The Edo State FRSC Sector Commander, Preye Bedford, confirmed that emergency personnel were responding to the incident and managing traffic around the affected road.
Authorities were expected to provide further information on the casualties and circumstances surrounding the explosion.
The incident has renewed concerns about the dangers associated with collecting spilled petrol from fallen tankers.
People are advised to stay away from fuel spills and allow trained emergency personnel to secure accident scenes.
Further updates are expected as authorities establish the confirmed casualty figures and the extent of property damage.
The growth story: Africa's Catholic population continued to rise in 2024, lifting the continent past Europe for the first time.
Vatican statistics place the global Catholic population at 1.422 billion in 2024 — with 20.3% in Africa against 20.2% in Europe, and priest numbers rising for the first time in five years.
Catholics in Africa Outnumber Those in Europe for the First Time, Vatican Data Shows
The Vatican announced on Friday, 16 October 2026, that Africa now has more Catholics than Europe — a first for the 2,000-year-old institution — according to the latest Church statistics compiled by its news agency, Fides.
The numbers
The global Catholic population stood at 1.422 billion at the end of June 2024, representing 17.8% of the world’s population — up 0.1 percentage points year on year. That is roughly 17 million more Catholics than the 1.405 billion recorded a year earlier. Africa accounts for 20.3% of all Catholics, narrowly ahead of Europe’s 20.2%. The Americas remain the largest bloc at 47.7%, followed by Asia at 11% and Oceania at 0.8%.
A narrow but decisive margin
The shift is razor-thin — the two continents are separated by about 0.1 percentage point, or roughly 1.5 million people, or about 288 million African Catholics against 287 million in Europe (figures derived from the reported percentages). But the direction of travel is unmistakable: a year earlier, Africa held about 20% and Europe 20.4%. Europe’s share fell while Africa’s rose, continuing a decade-long trend driven by population growth in sub-Saharan Africa and by declining practice and affiliation in Europe. Vatican News, reporting the Annuario Pontificio 2026 data in March, noted Catholics still make up 39.7% of Europe’s population — underlining that Europe remains denser in Catholics, even as its absolute numbers shrink.
Africa edges ahead: the continent accounts for 20.3% of the world’s 1.422 billion Catholics, narrowly ahead of Europe’s 20.2%. Graphic: data compiled from the Vatican’s Fides statistical bulletin.
Vocations turn upward
Fides counted 5,525 bishops and 407,421 priests worldwide. The number of priests rose by 425 — the first increase in five years, a modest reversal of a persistent downward trend concentrated in Europe and the Americas.
Why it matters
The data lag — statistics for mid-2024 published in late 2026 — reflects the Vatican’s slow, diocese-by-diocese census process, drawn from the Annuario Pontificio and the Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae. Still, the milestone confirms what missiologists have argued for years: the Church’s demographic future is African. It also carries institutional weight, since Africa’s share of cardinals, religious orders, seminarians and missionary sending is still catching up with its share of the faithful. For a Church already led for a decade by a pontiff who prioritised the global periphery, the numbers arrive as both vindication and an invitation to rebalance power, resources and leadership toward the continent now carrying its growth.
A show of unity: President Volodymyr Zelenskiy greets European leaders as he arrives for the EU summit in Brussels on 16 October 2026, a day after US President Donald Trump called Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries "a disgrace." Photo: Reuters
At a crunch Brussels summit, European leaders backed Ukraine’s president as Trump slammed Kyiv’s refinery strikes, a US–Russia diesel deal anger allies and Starlink doubts expose Europe’s defence gap.
EU Leaders Rally Around Zelenskiy as Trump Calls Ukrainian Strikes on Russia a “Disgrace”
EU leaders closed ranks behind Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a Brussels summit on Friday, 16 October 2026, even as US President Donald Trump launched a fresh attack on Kyiv, branding its strikes on Russian oil refineries “a disgrace.”
The political moment
The gathering came at one of Ukraine’s most difficult junctures of the war: Russian missiles and drones continuing to fall on Ukrainian cities, and deepening fear that Washington will scale back intelligence sharing and weapons supplies. Trump blindsided Zelenskiy last weekend by announcing that Kyiv and Moscow had agreed not to target each other’s energy facilities. Facing US midterm elections in November, Trump has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for pushing up fuel prices he fears could cost him seats. “All he’s doing is making the world oil price higher. Well, I think that’s a disgrace,” Trump said in a Newsmax interview. Ukraine, for its part, says it never halted attacks because Russia never stopped striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure — and Kyiv struck a Russian refinery after Zelenskiy declared Ukraine was abandoning the energy ceasefire Trump had announced.
The midterm calculation: President Donald Trump has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for driving up global fuel prices ahead of November’s midterm elections. Photo file.
The diesel fault line
Relations soured further after the US struck a diesel deal with Russia, easing pressure on Moscow in exchange for volume onto world markets — a move Ukraine and European allies denounced. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called such an arrangement “out of the question” for Germany and the EU. Yet European leaders are themselves divided, because energy prices have soared since the Iran war, and the bloc’s own affordability pain exposed fractures on day one of the summit.
The winter package
“We want to end this war as quick as possible. We don’t see now signals from the Russian side that they are ready for this,” Zelenskiy said on arrival, hugging leaders as he entered. “That’s why we have to prepare for the winter… The winter package is not only energy, it’s also air defence and funding.” In the latest attacks, Russian drone strikes on Kharkiv killed three people, while strikes elsewhere left hundreds of thousands without power. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told Reuters the EU would probably need a new loan to cover Ukraine’s budget gap next year: “Last winter was already hell, this one will be once again like hell.” He framed the shortfall as “a European mission,” adding that delegates “cannot get tired of the war in Ukraine, because they are fighting… for us.”
The Starlink problem
Ukraine’s leadership has been alarmed by disruptions to SpaceX’s Starshield — the military-grade version of Starlink — used for battlefield communications and drone operations. A Ukrainian defence ministry source said on Thursday that Starshield receivers were functioning only at speeds up to 100mph (160kph), complicating military use. A US official denied Trump ordered a deliberate slowdown, and Trump said intelligence sharing continues. But the capability gap is undeniable: “Starlink is really necessary for Ukraine. And unfortunately, in short term, Europe can’t replace this capability,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who said Brussels was also preparing a new sanctions package on Russia.
The cost of the winter ahead: Russian drone strikes on Kharkiv killed three people this week, while attacks elsewhere left hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without power. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine. (Photo: Reuters)
The money
Zelenskiy told Reuters earlier this month that Ukraine had agreed a plan with European partners to close a $27bn deficit in this year’s military spending, enabling drone orders from early 2027. But Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko says a $32.6bn unfunded budget gap remains for next year — and that excludes an estimated $40bn in direct military supplies expected from allies. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten was blunt: “I am unhappy with the number of countries that have been willing to pledge new financial support to Ukraine.” Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker urged caution: “There are so many figures being bandied about that we now need to put them into context.”
Why it matters
The West’s Ukraine policy has effectively split into two policies. Washington is optimising for midterm fuel prices and has re-opened commercial ties with Moscow; Brussels is being pushed to underwrite Ukraine’s survival — financially, militarily and now technologically — without the satellite architecture America supplies. The uncomfortable conclusion from this summit is that European solidarity is being asserted at precisely the moment European dependence is most exposed.
“We are sitting in a warm room, lights are on, heating is on, the coffee is warm — and we cannot get tired of the war in Ukraine.” — Kristen Michal, Prime Minister of Estonia
Aliko Dangote and Kenyan President William Ruto at the groundbreaking ceremony for the $16 billion refinery project in Lamu, Kenya.
A Kenyan court has lifted an order that temporarily halted work on Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote’s proposed $16 billion oil refinery in Lamu County, allowing the project to proceed despite an ongoing land dispute.
The ruling was delivered on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, by Justice Jane Onyango of the Malindi Environment and Land Court, following a petition filed by 133 residents challenging the development over land ownership and environmental concerns.
Why Kenya Court Lifted the Ban
Kenyan court lifts restriction on Dangote’s $16 billion refinery project in Lamu amid an ongoing land dispute.
According to Kenyans.co.ke , the court lifted the restriction after the petitioners failed to properly serve the respondents and identified the wrong parcel of land.
The court declined to extend the earlier restriction after finding that the petitioners had failed to properly serve Dangote and other respondents involved in the case.
The judge also noted that the residents had identified the wrong parcel of land in their petition.
Justice Onyango granted the petitioners seven days to amend their filing and directed them to serve the relevant parties before further proceedings.
The decision removes an immediate legal obstacle to the refinery project but does not resolve the underlying land dispute.
Why Residents Oppose Dangote’s Refinery
The legal challenge was brought by residents of Lamu County who claim ancestral rights to portions of the land earmarked for the proposed refinery.
The petitioners allege that the project threatens their property rights and could lead to displacement without adequate compensation or resettlement arrangements.
They have also raised questions about land acquisition procedures and compliance with environmental regulations.
Their lawyer, George Wakahiu, told the court that approximately 700 additional residents had expressed interest in joining the proceedings.
What to Know About Dangote’s $16bn Refinery
The proposed Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals project is designed to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily.
Located in Lamu County, the refinery is expected to strengthen regional refining capacity and reduce East Africa’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
The project, formally launched by Dangote and Kenyan President William Ruto on September 30, 2026, is also expected to include a 1,000-megawatt power plant.
Commissioning is currently targeted for 2030.
What Happens Next?
The land dispute remains before the Kenyan court, with the matter scheduled for further proceedings on November 24, 2026.
Although the latest ruling allows work to continue, the residents’ objections concerning land rights, compensation and environmental compliance have not been resolved.
The outcome of the continuing legal proceedings could determine whether further restrictions are imposed on the multibillion-dollar refinery project.
Over 300 children from Guma LGA in Benue State were allegedly trafficked, with five related cases reportedly before the Federal High Court in Makurdi.
By Francis TerLumum
More than 300 children from Guma Local Government Area of Benue State were allegedly trafficked, with some reportedly sold for as little as ₦2 million, as legal proceedings against suspected traffickers continue at the Federal High Court in Makurdi.
Human trafficking allegations in Benue State involve over 300 children from Guma LGA, with five related cases reportedly before the Federal High Court in Makurdi.
Former Benue State Attorney-General and Chairman of the State Human Trafficking Task Force, Fidelis Mnyim, disclosed that five cases are currently before the court, with some arrests already made.
Mnyim, who is prosecuting the cases, described the circumstances surrounding the children’s disappearance as distressing.
How Were the Benue Children Allegedly Trafficked?
According to Mnyim, the suspected traffickers exploited the difficult circumstances of families displaced from their ancestral communities.
Many of the affected parents were living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, where economic hardship and uncertainty made them vulnerable to exploitation.
He alleged that the suspects approached families with promises of enrolling their children in a government-backed return-to-school programme.
Parents were reportedly persuaded to release their children after being offered food and assurances that the children would receive educational support.
However, Mnyim said the suspects allegedly cut off communication with the families after taking the children away, leaving parents unable to reach them or establish their whereabouts.
What Happened to the Missing Children?
The allegations follow earlier investigations into child trafficking networks operating in conflict-affected communities in Benue State.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) previously disclosed that more than 300 children had allegedly been taken from vulnerable communities in Guma under the guise of educational assistance.
In September 2026, NAPTIP reported that 105 children linked to the operation had been rescued, with 101 reunited with their families and four remaining in the agency’s custody.
The latest status of all the affected children has not been established in the correspondent’s court report.
When Will the Child Trafficking Cases Resume?
The Federal High Court in Makurdi has adjourned the cases until the following week for further hearing and for the defendants to take their pleas.
The proceedings are expected to address allegations surrounding the removal and suspected sale of children from displaced families.
The defendants remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty by the court.
The case also raises concerns about the safety of displaced children and the need to verify organisations offering educational and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable families.
The Healing Streams Live Healing Services with Pastor Chris Oyakhilome returns this month, from October 23 to 25, at 2:00 PM (GMT+1) daily, heightening global expectations for another magnificent outpouring of the healing power of God. Building on the remarkable precedent of previous editions, the three-day global event is set to usher in an extraordinary wave of miraculous healings, with people from all walks of life experiencing instantaneous and remarkable changes in their bodies and circumstances.
The significance of this final edition of 2026 is not lost on many, making the occasion even more momentous as billions seize the opportunity to experience the love and visceral mercies of God made manifest.
AN OPEN INVITATION TO THE WORLD
Registration is free and open to everyone worldwide at healingstreams.org.Registrants are encouraged to indicate if they or their loved ones need healing so they can receive tailored guidance and access preparatory faith classes and materials designed to help them prepare for their miracle.
The invitation, however, extends far beyond those who are sick. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, convener of the event, has repeatedly emphasized that everyone needs God’s Word, making the program an opportunity for people of every age and circumstance to encounter the message of Christ, strengthen their faith, and experience the blessings of God’s presence.
ONE MESSAGE, EVERY LANGUAGE, EVERY NATION
As is customary, the edition will be streamed live and translated into all languages and major dialects, bringing people of diverse cultures and backgrounds together in a landmark, unified experience of the Word. Across towns, villages, communities, hospitals, streets, prisons, orphanages, neighborhoods, homes, cities, states, and nations, millions of Healing Centers have been established in preparation for the event, creating easy access for people to participate as groups, families, or individuals.
“WE CAN CHANGE THEIR WORLD” — A GLOBAL CALL FROM PASTOR CHRIS
Underscoring the import of the edition, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has issued a stirring call for an unprecedented global mobilization. Speaking recently at the Global Communion Service, he stated:
“It’s just a few more days; we will have the Healing Streams Live Healing Services, and it is going to be huge. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the healing graces of God, the Angels of God, will cover this world, and many will be healed; especially in this month of mercies.”
He emphasized the significance of the program for the many for whom this is their only hope of getting well, urging ministers of the Gospel worldwide to work together to make the event a major global outreach.
“We have to mobilize all that the Lord has given us authority to control and to influence. Get everyone ready for Healing Streams. We can change their world.”
Pastor Chris further pointed to the dramatic healings witnessed during previous editions, averring that “This is something that will bring so much blessing to old and young alike. Think about babies, children who have never walked because of some debilitating disease. And during the Healing Streams, they will begin to walk. The deaf will hear, the dumb will speak, the blind will see; God’s going to change their world completely because of the Healing Streams. Even the dead will be raised.”
He concluded with a call for people everywhere to look forward to the program and prepare for what he described as a global manifestation of God’s glory: “I want you to look forward to Healing Streams, prepare for it, plan for it; because the glory of God will be made manifest around the world.”
A LEGACY OF PHENOMENAL TESTIMONIES
Since its inception, the program has recorded millions of substantiated testimonies of remarkable healings and supernatural transformations, including recoveries from life-threatening conditions, as well as dramatic changes in the circumstances and affairs of participants.
These testimonies, from different nations and diverse backgrounds, continue to fuel global expectation for each new edition, making the Healing Streams an epitome of God’s healing grace manifested to humanity today.
EXPECTATIONS SOAR ACROSS THE NATIONS
With just a few days to go, global preparations and expectations are reaching a fever pitch, with millions daring to believe that the seemingly impossible will become possible. Sakshi Telure from India expressed her expectation for the event:
“I’m filled with expectation for this edition of the Healing Streams Live Healing Services. I believe even more amazing things are going to happen this time, and I’m excited to share the news with everyone I know. I encourage you to share it with your friends and family because I believe that, whether you need healing, restoration, or a breakthrough in any area of your life, you can receive your miracle. I’m so excited and full of expectation for what God is going to do. I believe many people will experience the Lord’s grace, mercy, and love through the Healing Streams Live Healing Services. Praise the Lord!”
Shabib from Nigeria said:
“I’m expecting a miracle in my health and finances in this edition. I believe the pain I have suffered for many years due to a spinal injury will finally leave me permanently, along with the high blood pressure and weakness that have plagued me. My faith is high, and my expectation shall not be cut off.”
Vanessa from Canada said:
“I’m expecting this Healing Streams to reach people who may have lost hope and their way, especially in my country. I believe many will encounter the healing power of God and experience miracles they never thought possible, and, most importantly, receive salvation.”
Steve from Germany said:
“I expect that this edition will surpass everything we have witnessed before. I’m looking forward to countless testimonies of healing, restoration, and salvation from people across the nations.”
A GLOBAL MOBILISATION AT FULL FORCE
Daily, millions of individuals around the world herald the news of the program to the doorsteps of many more, determined to ensure that no one who needs healing is left behind in accessing this final edition of the year.
From the establishment of Healing Centers in communities and locations around the world to strengthening faith and expectation through the Healing to the Nations magazines, preparations are intensifying on every front. Meanwhile, the ongoing 24/7 prayer chain continues to fill the atmosphere with the fervent prayers of countless Christians around the world as they intercede for the sick and make tremendous power available for all who will participate.
ROAD TO HEALING STREAMS RETURNS WITH SEASON 18
Crowning the global mobilization is Road to Healing Streams Live Healing Services S18, a special daily broadcast documenting the remarkable preparations, inspiring testimonies, and growing wave of faith unfolding worldwide ahead of the event.
Broadcast daily on Healing Streams TV at 12:00 noon and 4:00 PM (GMT+1) until Thursday, October 22, the program offers viewers an exclusive look at the activities of ministries, churches, organizations, volunteers, and individuals across the globe as they prepare their communities through healing crusades, evangelism campaigns, strategic prayer initiatives, Healing Center mobilization, community outreaches, and other faith-building activities.
The broadcast also features inspiring testimonies from participants and recipients already experiencing remarkable miracles as they prepare through prayer, faith, and the application of God’s Word.
MIRACULOUS MOMENTS FROM THE JULY EDITION
José Marín — Panamá José Marín had suffered severe pain and limited mobility in his leg and spine for two years following an accident. During the July Healing Streams, he received his healing as Pastor Chris prayed for the sick. The pain disappeared completely, his strength was restored, and he can now move freely without discomfort.
Cheany’s Son — Vietnam Cheany’s son had spent 28 days on a ventilator after his right lung collapsed. While participating in the Healing Streams from his hospital bedside, Cheany laid hands on him as Pastor Chris prayed. She subsequently reported significant improvement in her son’s condition.
Vanessa — Canada Vanessa had lived with type 2 diabetes for five years, alongside neuropathy, vision problems, and severe pain and swelling in her feet. Following her participation in the July Healing Streams, she reported that the burning, tingling, and swelling had disappeared and that she could walk, sit, and stand comfortably.
Pauline — Nigeria Pauline Atu from Cross River had suffered from arthritis for a year, making it difficult to walk, run, jump, sit, or sleep without pain. During the Healing Streams, she received her healing and can now walk, run, and jump freely.
Adiel — Ecuador Five-year-old Adiel had been unable to speak properly since birth. His mother brought him to the Healing Streams Crusade center, believing God for a miracle. Right there, as Pastor Chris ministered to the sick, Adiel began speaking clearly for the first time and is now communicating fluently.
JOIN THE GLOBAL EXPERIENCE
The stage is set as the world prepares for the miracles. The live services begin at 2:00 PM (GMT+1) daily and will be streamed live on Healing Streams TV, all LoveWorld Networks, and select terrestrial television and radio stations worldwide.
The Nigerian Senate approved amendments on October 15, 2026, proposing B.Tech degree-awarding powers for federal polytechnics
For Nigerian polytechnic graduates hoping to obtain bachelor’s degrees, a new decision by the Senate could provide another opportunity to advance their education and careers.
But does this mean that holders of Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) can now automatically convert their qualifications into bachelor’s degrees?
Not yet. Although the Senate has approved amendments that would allow federal polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech. Hons.) degrees, important legal and regulatory steps remain before the proposed programmes can become available.
The Senate passed the revised Federal Polytechnics Act Amendment Bill during plenary on Thursday, October 15, 2026, following a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
According to Premium Times, the proposed amendment would permit federal polytechnics to award B.Tech degrees in science, engineering and technology-related disciplines, subject to accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other relevant regulatory bodies.
The development has implications for ND holders, HND graduates and prospective students considering technical education in Nigeria.
Can HND Holders Now Obtain B.Tech Degrees?
The Senate’s proposed polytechnic education reforms could allow eligible HND holders to pursue Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees in accredited programmes.
Under the proposed amendment, holders of National Diplomas, Higher National Diplomas and Postgraduate Diplomas could become eligible for approved Bachelor of Technology programmes.
This would introduce another potential route to obtaining a bachelor’s degree within the polytechnic education system.
However, the Senate’s decision does not mean existing HND certificates will automatically become B.Tech degrees.
The legislation, as reported, does not establish a general certificate-conversion procedure or specify whether HND holders would be required to complete additional courses, assessments or a particular period of study.
These details will require clarification through subsequent implementation and admission guidelines.
HND holders considering further education should therefore avoid assuming that their existing qualifications can already be converted into degrees without additional requirements.
Which Polytechnics Will Award Bachelor’s Degrees?
The amendment specifically concerns federal polytechnics and proposes allowing them to award degrees in approved science, engineering and technology programmes.
It does not establish that every federal polytechnic will immediately introduce B.Tech courses.
Institutions will need to satisfy the relevant legal and academic requirements before offering degree programmes.
The proposed amendment identifies the NUC and other relevant regulators as responsible for the accreditation process.
The NUC oversees quality assurance and accreditation for degree programmes, while the National Board for Technical Education regulates polytechnic and technical education programmes.
As of October 16, 2026, no confirmed nationwide list of federal polytechnics newly authorised to offer B.Tech programmes under the amendment has been established in the available reporting.
Prospective applicants will need to verify the accreditation status of specific courses rather than relying solely on an institution’s federal polytechnic status.
Will Polytechnic Degrees End HND/B.Sc. Discrimination?
One of the most significant questions surrounding the proposal is whether it could reduce the long-standing differences in how HND and bachelor’s degree qualifications are treated in Nigeria.
For years, the HND/B.Sc. disparity has generated concerns about recruitment requirements, salary placement, promotions and access to certain career opportunities.
The proposed B.Tech pathway could offer eligible polytechnic graduates another means of obtaining a bachelor’s degree without necessarily pursuing that qualification through a conventional university route.
The Senate’s proposed B.Tech degree reforms could expand opportunities for HND holders in Nigeria, but questions remain over whether the changes will end the long-standing HND/B.Sc. disparity in employment and career progression.
However, allowing polytechnics to award degrees does not automatically remove distinctions between existing HND and B.Sc. certificates.
Employment policies, professional requirements and the recognition of newly introduced qualifications will remain important factors.
The federal government had previously identified the HND-degree disparity as an issue requiring reform.
In April 2026, Education Minister Tunji Alausa outlined efforts to strengthen polytechnics and expand their capacity to award degrees, as reported by The Punch.
Whether the latest legislative development addresses employment-related concerns will depend on the final legal provisions, implementation and recognition of the qualifications.
What Changes for Current Students and Prospective Applicants?
For students currently enrolled in National Diploma or Higher National Diploma programmes, the proposed amendment creates the possibility of expanded academic opportunities.
Students interested in pursuing higher qualifications in engineering, science and technology could eventually have more choices within the polytechnic system.
However, the amendment does not immediately change existing admission requirements or guarantee that current students will be transferred into degree programmes.
Prospective students should pay attention to official guidance on programme eligibility, entry qualifications, course duration, tuition fees and accreditation.
They should also confirm whether their chosen institution has received the necessary approval before paying application fees for any newly advertised B.Tech programme.
Until those requirements are formally announced, students should continue to follow existing admission procedures.
When Will Polytechnic Degree Programmes Begin?
No confirmed nationwide commencement date has been announced for B.Tech programmes under the proposed amendment.
Although the Senate has approved the revised bill, the available reports do not establish that it has completed all requirements necessary to become law.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional legislative process, a federal bill must ordinarily be passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and presented for presidential assent, subject to the constitutional provisions allowing an override of withheld assent.
Even after the necessary legislative steps are completed, institutions will still need to satisfy applicable programme approval and accreditation requirements.
The Senate also approved proposed changes to polytechnic administration, including a five-year initial term for rectors and eligibility for a second and final four-year term.
For HND holders and prospective applicants, the immediate priority is to follow announcements from the Federal Ministry of Education, NUC, NBTE and individual institutions.
The Senate’s decision could expand opportunities for technical education in Nigeria, but the practical benefits will become clearer only when the legal process, admission guidelines and accreditation arrangements are finalised.
Flames at a Rosneft-owned oil refinery in Russia's Ryazan region after a Ukrainian drone attack on 15 October 2026, hours after President Zelenskiy declared an end to the US-brokered energy truce. (Credit: Reuters)
Drone attack fires Rosneft’s Ryazan refinery as Kyiv abandons the US-brokered ceasefire on energy sites — deepening the worst rift with Washington since 2022.
Ukraine struck a Russian oil refinery on Thursday, 15 October 2026, hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared Kyiv was “done” observing a US-brokered ceasefire on energy infrastructure — a move that risks opening the deepest rift between Kyiv and Washington since Russia’s February 2022 invasion.
The target was a Rosneft-owned refinery in the Ryazan region, southeast of Moscow, responsible for nearly 5% of Russia’s refinery throughput and a key supplier to the capital. Regional governor Pavel Malkov said a major Ukrainian drone attack triggered a fire at the plant. Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the impact of Ukraine’s long-range campaign, saying it had caused “nothing particularly significant.”
How the truce collapsed
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Moscow and Kyiv had agreed to halt strikes on energy sites. Kyiv suspended its refinery campaign — attacks Trump blames for pushing global diesel prices higher. Russia, however, responded with waves of missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian energy targets, including power stations, cutting electricity to hundreds of thousands of people.
“The block (on attacking refineries) is out. We’re done,” Zelenskiy told the Financial Times in an interview published Thursday, saying Ukraine’s patience had run out.
Rescue vessels search for seven missing sailors after drones struck two chemical tankers off Romania’s Black Sea coast on 15 October.
The personal dimension
Zelenskiy also broke with diplomatic caution, criticising what he described as Trump’s readiness to cut deals with Moscow, his apparent admiration for Putin and his affinity for entrenched power. “He speaks about it openly and loudly that he loves such people and he respects such people,” Zelenskiy said, referring to leaders who rule “20 years, 30 years, 40 years.” Relations between the two have been strained since the February 2025 Oval Office shouting match.
The Starshield and intelligence row
Zelenskiy said this week’s degradation of military-grade Starlink terminals — which crippled Ukraine’s drone guidance — was “not a technical problem, it was the will,” calling it a policy decision. Elon Musk responded that Starshield systems “are owned and controlled by the US government” and that limits on speed or usage “are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.”
British Defence Minister Wes Streeting said he and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed the partial restoration of the service. A Ukrainian defence ministry source said the terminals now function in motion but only up to 100 mph (160 kph) — too slow, Kyiv says, for mid-range attack missions and interceptor drones. Ukraine also says it has for several days gone without the US satellite-based early warnings of incoming Russian missiles, an allegation Trump denies.
President Zelenskiy arrives for a European Union summit on 16 October, where he is pressing European leaders to accelerate air-defence supplies. (Photo: Reuters)
Wider fallout
The rupture comes as Ukrainian troops remain dependent on American technology and intelligence. Reuters analysis of satellite imagery, along with defence experts, shows Russia has in six weeks nearly completed a major base in southern Russia for launching jet-powered drones.
At least 20
In the Black Sea, rescuers searched for seven missing sailors after drones struck two chemical tankers near Romania’s coast, setting them ablaze — the latest attack on shipping along a route vital to Ukrainian exports.
The Kremlin said Ukraine’s targeting of Russian energy infrastructure “ran counter” to US peace efforts, and claimed the scope of the energy ceasefire had never been defined. Zelenskiy was due at an EU summit on Friday, where he is pressing for stronger air defences.
The burnt-out section of Old Bori Road in Aleto community, Eleme LGA, where a gas pipeline explosion razed homes and stalls on Thursday evening.
Residents say the Nigeria Gas Company pipeline along Old Bori Road leaked for three weeks before Thursday’s blast. The Eleme council leader had already petitioned NOSDRA
At least 20 people were injured and about 50 houses razed after a gas pipeline explosion ripped through Aleto community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday evening, 15 October 2026.
The blast occurred around 5 p.m. along Old Bori Road and was traced to a ruptured pipeline reportedly owned by the Nigeria Gas Company. Victims — many of them passers-by and traders working along the road — were rushed to nearby hospitals. Market stalls, a mechanic workshop and vehicles parked inside it were among properties destroyed.
An eyewitness said the pipeline had been leaking for roughly three weeks before it exploded. Community leaders, he said, raised the alarm repeatedly but no adequate preventive measure followed.
The Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, Daniel Chuma, who visited the scene, confirmed that the council had written to the company and petitioned the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Rivers State Ministry of Environment — with the police copied — for urgent intervention and a joint investigation into the leak.
We asked for a joint investigation. We don’t know what they did before they left. Today we were called to an explosion at the same pipeline that has destroyed houses, cars and caused many casualties,” Chuma said. He added that no representative of the company had visited the scene at the time he spoke.
Wrecked vehicles inside a mechanic workshop destroyed by the pipeline blast that injured at least 20 residents.
Residents cordoned off the area with caution tape as safety fears persisted.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), through its Executive Director Fyneface Fyneface, urged the state and federal governments to intervene, and called on NOSDRA to identify the facility operator and carry out a Joint Investigation Visit.
YEAC said it had not independently confirmed any fatality and that the cause of the explosion remained unverified, while demanding that relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 be applied.
The incident renews scrutiny of gas infrastructure safety in Nigeria’s oil-bearing communities — where leaks reported in advance too often become disasters after the fact.
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