News
ALGON: 774 Councils To Set Up Accounts With CBN To Receive Direct Allocation

- NFIU to monitor spending
- Fraudulent chairmen, other officials for prosecution by EFCC, ICPC
The 774 local governments are to open dedicated accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the direct disbursement of allocations to them from the Federation Account, the Association of Local Governments (ALGON) said yesterday.
The National President, Bello Lawal Yandaki, said the opening of the account is critical to the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on direct allocations to the councils.
He said the apex bank is waiting for the Federal Government’s directive on the opening of the accounts.
Also, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) is to monitor the utilisation of the funds by the chairmen in conformity with the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance, a source said.
According to the source, the Federal Government has constituted a team of anti-corruption agents drawn from the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute council chairmen and other officials who indulge in corrupt practices.
Yandaki, who spoke with reporters in Katsina, the capital of Katsina State, allayed fears over the delay in the disbursement of funds to the councils.
He said there was no cause for alarm and attributed the delay to the failure of councils to submit necessary bank details to the Federation Accounts and Allocations Committee (FAAC) required for facilitating the payments.
He said: “The CBN is presently awaiting directives from the Federal Government to open local government accounts for the respective states, which can be done between 24 and 48 hours for each.’
“I am a member of the sub-committee that was set up to trash out contentious grey areas, and we have already met relevant stakeholders, including labour unions, local government chairmen, NULGE, and so on.
“There’s a general agreement that the commencement of direct federal revenue allocations to LGs will be this January.
“Hopefully, we are just rounding off meetings and making submissions to the Federal Government for implantation and there’s no set timeline.’’
A source present at the FAAC meeting at the weekend also said: “The structures are yet to be erected. The LGAs have to be coordinated.
“Those that have opened an account with the CBN did not submit their details to FAAC for crediting, resulting in the delay.”
During the January FAAC meeting, N361.754 billion was allocated to the LGAs.
However, the funds remain undistributed due to these administrative bottlenecks.
FAAC officials have urged the councils to resolve these issues before the month’s end to ensure they receive their allocations.
The Federal Government’s decision to channel funds directly to the local government followed the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the autonomy of the councils.
However, although the apex court ruling mandates direct allocation of funds to councils, thereby bypassing state governments, there have been concerns about compliance.
An example is Anambra State where a state law provides that local government funds can only be disbursed through a joint state/local government account.
According to the source, the Federal Government constituted the anti-corruption team to monitor the accounts of the councils in a bid to prevent illegal diversion by governors and ensure financial accountability and autonomy at the grassroots level.
Shedding light on the stringent measures to track financial activities across the councils, he added: “If any local government chairman does anything untoward, people will know, and he may be invited by the anti-corruption agencies to answer for it.”
The source noted that council chairmen should now take full responsibility for their financial operations.
He said: “Local government chairmen should know that because monies are going directly to them, they have no excuse to say the governor has diverted their funds.
“They should be careful and know they will be held responsible.”
He warned that any chairman found transferring bulk funds back to state governors would face the consequences.
The source added: “If a chairman disposes of the money in bulk to the state government, of course, he will have to answer for it.
“Anti-corruption agencies are closely monitoring these transactions to ensure compliance.
“If LGA monies are tied to the joint account in violation of the law, the anti-corruption agencies, especially the ICPC, will intervene.
“After LGAs receive their funds, if they choose to transfer it to the state government, that’s their decision.
“However, if this violates the law, the anti-corruption team will act accordingly.”
The source expressed confidence that these measures would strengthen financial transparency and improve service delivery at the grassroots level.
“This initiative is a game-changer. It not only protects local government allocations but also holds chairmen accountable for their financial decisions.
“This is a step in the right direction for Nigeria’s democracy,” the source said.
News
Tinubu The Best Thing To Happen To Nigerians, Says Lagos Assembly

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday listed some achievements of the Bola Tinubu-led administration describing the President as a blessing to Nigeria.
Speaking during plenary, the lawmakers took time to eulogise the President saying he came into office at a time when Nigerians were at a crossroads over the country’s socio-economic status before the 2023 elections.
Raising the motion, Hon. Tobun Abiodun (Epe I) told his colleagues that the policies initiated by Tinubu had begun to yield positive results in less than two years of his being in office.
Tobun noted that the country’s GDP had been boosted following Tinubu’s economic expertise. According to him, this is further reflecting in the current continuous strength of the Naira.
“Currently, the policies are yielding positive results and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased. The value of naira is gradually gaining strength.
“There is no more fuel scarcity anymore in the country. We need to encourage the federal government to continue on the good pedestrian it started two years ago,” Hon. Tobun said.
In his contribution, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Adewale Temitope (Ifako-Ijaiye I) said the President’s steps had shown that he was prepared before he took the baton of leadership.
Temitope said the Federal Government under Tinubu continues to meet the yearnings of Nigerians citing the refineries that are in operation and that have led to drops in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
He re-echoed the efforts and sacrifices made by Tinubu, who he described as a true democrat, for the continued successes and strength of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) both in the state and the nation.
He said the House remains committed to the ideals of the party, its leadership and the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), a team of elders that continue to guide the party in Lagos.
On his part, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Etim Osa II) praised the President for his fight against insecurity and his reducing inflation.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Aro Moshood (Ikorodu II), commended the President for the upward review of the country’s minimum wage, his investment drive that has seen the country securing over $40 million and for assuaging the effects of the removal of subsidy.
Speaker Mojisola Meranda expressed optimism that the President would meet the yearnings of Nigerians.
“I know President Tinubu will take us to the Promised Land. When he started, it was rough but it is becoming obvious the policies are yielding results.
“This is a positive result happening within the short time Tinubu came into power. Tinubu’s investment in the security architecture is also yielding results as we have insecurity reducing,” she said.
She directed the acting Clerk of the House, Abubakar Taiwo Ottun, to send a commendation letter to the President acknowledging the positive impact of his policies and programmes.
News
Tinubu Approves Retirement Age Increase For Doctors, Healthcare Workers To 65 Years

President Bola Tinubu has approved an increase in the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years.
Dr Mannir Bature, national publicity secretary, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
Bature said the coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, has been directed to formally present the approval to the council on establishment through the office of the Head of Service for finalisation.
He said the policy shift was conveyed by Pate during a high-level meeting with the
NMA President, Professor Bala Audu, and key stakeholders in the health sector.
Bature said the meeting also had in attendance the leadership of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
He said discussions centred on progress made regarding the welfare of doctors and other healthcare professionals in Nigeria.
According to him, the coordinating minister confirmed that the arrears resulting from the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) are set for payment.
“The necessary funds have been secured, and disbursement to beneficiaries will commence soon,” he said.
Bature quoted the minister as saying that President Tinubu has approved the correction of consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), arising from the implementation of the new minimum wage.
“The process to effect this correction is at an advanced stage, providing much-needed relief to doctors and other healthcare workers” he said.
He said following an extensive review initiated by the NMA, approval has been granted for the implementa tion of new tariffs for healthcare service providers.
“This will particularly benefit members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN), ensuring better financial remuneration and sustainability for healthcare services nation-wide,” he said.
Bature said the coordinating minister expressed appreciation for the patience and collaboration of all stakeholders, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of all healthcare workers.
He said attendees at the meeting renewed their commitment to work together in advocating for the welfare of healthcare workers and ensuring the full implementation of key reforms.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NMA has championed increasing the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 years to address brain drain, improve knowledge transfer and for quality healthcare delivery.
News
First Lady Commiserates With Families Of 17 Zamfara School Fire Victims

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has condoled with the families of those who died in a fire outbreak that affected an Islamic school in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, on Tuesday night.
The police in Zamfara confirmed the death of 17 almajiris (street children), while 17 others were injured in the fire incident in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.
In a statement on Thursday, Senator Tinubu also commiserated with Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara over the tragic incident.
“I pray Allah to comfort and give the families and loved ones of the departed the fortitude to bear this painful loss.
“This, once again, brings to mind the need for precautionary safety measures in all our public facilities.
“I pray that such an incident will not recur, not only in Zamfara but in any other part of Nigeria.
“May Allah grant the souls of the departed Aljannah Firdaus,” she said.
-
News1 day ago
Ned Nwoko Dumps PDP, Urges Senate Probe Into Crisis
-
News1 day ago
Tinubu Departs For France On Private Visit
-
News1 day ago
Fidelity Bank Set To Launch Innovative SME Hub With Creative Studios
-
News12 hours ago
Decomposing Body Of Missing Anambra Lawmaker Azuka Found
-
Breaking News10 hours ago
Full List: House Of Reps Committee Proposes Creation of 31 New States
-
News9 hours ago
Tinubu Approves Retirement Age Increase For Doctors, Healthcare Workers To 65 Years
-
News10 hours ago
First Lady Commiserates With Families Of 17 Zamfara School Fire Victims
-
News3 hours ago
Tinubu The Best Thing To Happen To Nigerians, Says Lagos Assembly