Here is a roundup of some Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-driven demands for government action in addressing citizens’ concerns.
1. The Guardian: 97 Percent of Public Universities Default in Online Visibility, Transparency Order
The Guardian reports that despite the 31 May deadline issued to federal institutions to disclose key financial and institutional data on their websites, 70 out of 72 federal tertiary institutions have yet to comply fully with the transparency order.
Our Take: The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa should enforce the federal government’s 31 May directive by holding defaulting public tertiary institutions accountable, as continued non-compliance undermines transparency, discourages potential investment, and stalls efforts to improve the integrity and competitiveness of Nigeria’s education sector
2. Daily Trust: Mokwa Flood Death Toll Hits 200, Over 500 Missing
The death toll in the flood disaster at Mokwa town in Mokwa local government area of Niger State last Wednesday has risen to over 200 as more than 500 others are said to be missing.
Our Take: The federal and Niger State governments should mobilise emergency response teams to intensify search and rescue operations and provide relief materials to displaced families, while urgent steps should be taken to strengthen flood preparedness and infrastructure in vulnerable areas to prevent future tragedies of this scale.
3. Punch: Seven States Spend 190 Percent of Revenue on Loan Repayment
Seven states spent an average of 190 percent of their internally generated revenue (IGR) on debt servicing in the first quarter of 2025, a development that shows the worsening fiscal strain facing subnational governments.
Our Take: State governments must stop spending far beyond their means and dragging citizens into a debt spiral they didn’t sign up for. It is time for Nigerians to demand full transparency on loan usage, insist on value-for-money in state projects, and hold governors accountable for mortgaging the future with reckless borrowing that can’t even be backed by their own revenue.
