• Tinubu claims fuel subsidy removal saved the country from bankruptcy
• FG refuses National Assembly’s proposal of creating 200 new varsities
• Senate shows support for Akpabio with vote of confidence despite sexual harassment allegations
• Namibia proposes direct flights to Nigeria via local airlines
• US Congress places sanctions on Nigeria over killings of Christians

Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the five top Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.

Tinubu claims fuel subsidy removal saved the country from bankruptcy

President Bola Tinubu stated that Nigeria was at risk of bankruptcy if his administration had not quickly removed the fuel subsidy and introduced key economic reforms.

Speaking at the State House in Abuja while receiving a delegation of former National Assembly members from the aborted Third Republic, Tinubu explained that his decisions were aimed at securing the future of upcoming generations.

“For 50 years, Nigeria was spending the wealth of unborn generations and supplying fuel to the West African sub-region,” he said, highlighting the challenges of planning for the nation’s future.

FG refuses National Assembly’s proposal of creating 200 new varsities

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has voiced the federal government’s disapproval of the National Assembly’s plans to establish nearly 200 additional universities across Nigeria.

With close to 200 proposed bills for new institutions, concerns are rising about the strain on the education system. Reports indicate that Nigeria currently has 278 universities, comprising 64 federal, 67 state, and 147 private institutions.

Senate shows support for Akpabio with vote of confidence despite sexual harassment allegations 

The Senate has declared its support for Akpabio, rejecting claims of sexual harassment and concerns about his leadership.

This happened two days after suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Kogi Central spoke at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in New York, where she reported Akpabio to the international body.

During a plenary session, the Senate passed the vote of confidence after a motion was raised by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and backed by Deputy Minority Leader Olalere Oyewumi (Osun West).

Namibia proposes direct flights to Nigeria via local airlines

The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has announced that Namibia is interested in launching direct flights to Nigeria and is open to collaborating with local airlines to achieve this.

According to Tunde Moshood, media and communications adviser to Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, the topic was discussed during a meeting in Abuja between Keyamo and Namibia’s ambassador to Nigeria, Humphrey Geiseb.

Moshood stated that the discussion centered on the bilateral air services agreement (BASA) and ways to improve aviation links between both nations.

Ambassador Geiseb emphasised the previous role of Air Namibia in connecting Lagos to Accra and its significance in travel between Namibia and Nigeria.

US Congress places sanctions on Nigeria over killings of Christians

The United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa has authorised former President Donald Trump to impose strict sanctions on Nigeria over the widespread killing of Christians.

This decision came after a congressional hearing on March 12, where lawmakers criticised the Nigerian government for not doing enough to protect Christian communities from rising violence.

The committee also referenced a 2024 report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, which stated that Nigerians make up 90% of all Christians killed worldwide each year.