Welcome to Friday’s roundup of Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-focused calls on issues that impact citizens.

1. The Guardian: Poor Network INEC’s Toughest Challenge on IReV Upload, Says Amupitan

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has admitted at the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room’s Stakeholders’ Forum that poor telecom connectivity is still the commission’s biggest hurdle in getting election results uploaded in real time.

Our Take: Prof. Amupitan, the task now sits firmly at your desk. Push INEC to work more closely with telecom providers, invest in alternative connectivity systems for remote areas, and insist on real field testing so the commission is not left relying on network signals that behave like they’re shy.

2. Vanguard: Ambassadorial Appointment: Drama as Senate Clears Fani Kayode, Others

President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees enjoyed a smooth passage at the Senate yesterday, as the screening, relocated from an overcrowded hearing room to a larger venue, quickly turned into a parade of ‘take a bow and go’, with former senators, House members, governors, ministers, ambassadors, and even former first ladies breezing through without a single question.

Our Take: If the Senate insists on turning ambassadorial screenings into a glorified roll call of ‘bow and go’, then perhaps it is time to invite civil society groups to the table to ask the questions lawmakers keep dodging like students avoiding a surprise test. It might finally remind the Senate that its job is to scrutinise, not act as a ceremonial welcoming committee for political VIPs.

3. Punch: Insecurity: FG approves 94,000 new enlistments

The Federal Government has announced plans to recruit over 94,000 new security personnel to address rising insecurity, with the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force set to enlist 50,000 police constables.

Our Take: As the Federal Government rolls out plans to recruit over 94,000 security personnel, it is crucial for the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure this process is transparent, merit-driven, and free from the usual ‘long-leg’ gymnastics that magically turn recruitment into a family-and-friends reunion.