- Gowon, Abdulsalami, Buhari, Jonathan present, Obasanjo, IBB absent at maiden meeting of NCS
- Tinubu assents to bill raising judicial officials’ salaries by 300%
- Approves policy on health workforce migration to end japa
- President set for three-day visit to Equatorial Guinea today
Past Nigerian leaders including Generals Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu’s leadership of the nation.
This was one of the highlights of the maiden meeting of the National Council of States presided over by President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
The duo of former Presidents Buhari and Jonathan attended the meeting physically, while Generals Gowon and Abubakar joined virtually.
However, Olusegun Obasanjo and General Babangida were conspicuously absent.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, said the council unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Tinubu for the way he has governed the country so far.
According to him, the council was satisfied with the presentations made by ministers on the progress of the economy.
Also speaking, the Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dele Alake, said the council also praised Tinubu for resisting a forceful takeover of government.
Alake, who said the recent #EndBadGovernance action was not a protest but a movement, added that the NCS affirmed that nobody will be allowed to change the government except through the ballot box.
He revealed that seven ministers made presentations to the council on the progress being made on economic diversification and economy.
On his part, the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said the ministers updated the council on the progress of the macroeconomic policies being followed which he said has placed the country on the path of growth and stability.
Tinubu assents to bill raising judicial officials’ salaries by 300%
President Bola Tinubu has signed into law a bill seeking a 300% increase in salaries and allowances for judicial officials.
This was according to a Tuesday statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado.
He said the development underscores Tinubu’s commitment to the “welfare of Nigerian workers above all else.”
“This extraordinary move underscores Mr. President’s absolute prioritization of the welfare of Nigerian workers above all else just like he did when he recently put on hold an ongoing Federal Executive Council meeting to assent to the new National Minimum Wage Bill of N70,000,” he said.
The aide said the new Act “prescribes salaries, allowances, for Judicial Officers to reflect the changing realities and consequentially amend the provisions of the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances), Act, No.6, 2002 (as amended) to delete the provisions relating to Judicial Office Holders.”
“The amendment of the Certain Political, Public, and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Act, No.6, 2002 (as amended) which provides for the deletion of provisions relating to Judicial Office Holders from the aforementioned Act.”
Lado said, “In a demonstration of his visionary leadership and deep compassion for the Nigerian people, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has once again affirmed his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the nation’s workforce by assenting to the revised Salaries and Allowances for Judicial Office Holders.
“This landmark decision reflects Mr. President’s profound dedication to ensuring that every salary earner in Nigeria, especially those serving in vital and strategic roles, receives the recognition and compensation they deserve.
“By prioritizing the financial well-being of our judicial officers, Mr. President is not only reinforcing the integrity of our justice system but also setting a new standard for leadership that truly values the hard work and sacrifices of all Nigerian workers.
“Under President Tinubu’s administration, the welfare of our workers has become a central pillar of national progress.
“His visionary policies continue to uplift the lives of millions, ensuring that the dignity of labour is upheld and that those who serve our nation are justly rewarded.
“This assent is a clear testament to Mr. President’s tireless efforts to build a more prosperous and equitable Nigeria, where every worker is empowered to contribute to the nation’s greatness.
“As we look to the future with hope and determination, Mr. President remains steadfast in his mission to champion initiatives that deliver fair compensation, improved working conditions, and a brighter future for all Nigerians,” he said.
The Senate had in June approved the bill after it passed a third reading.
That move, Lado said, was an expression of “their patriotic commitment to progressively improving the welfare of Nigerians.”
He thanked the National Assembly for “prioritizing the welfare of Nigerians by passing and transmitting the executive Bill.”
“The judiciary remains the hope of the common man and it is hoped that Nigerians seeking justice get it irrespective of their status in life,” he said.
Tinubu approves policy on health workforce migration to end ‘japa’
In a related move, President Tinubu has approved the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration to curb japa syndrome that has adversely affected services in the nation’s hospitals.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, disclosed this on his X handle on Monday.
Pate said the policy is more than just a response to the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals but a comprehensive strategy to manage, harness, and reverse health worker migration.
Pate said, “This afternoon, HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR @officialABAT, in-Council, approved a landmark policy set to transform healthcare human resource management in Nigeria.
“The National Policy on Health Workforce Migration addresses the critical challenges facing Nigeria’s health human resources. As the AU Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership, Mr President’s commitment to a resilient and robust healthcare system is powerfully reflected in this forward-looking policy.
“This policy is more than just a response to the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals; it’s a comprehensive strategy to manage, harness, and reverse health worker migration. It envisions a thriving workforce that is well-supported, adequately rewarded, and optimally utilised to meet the healthcare needs of all Nigerians.”
Many Nigerian healthcare workers leave the country for greener pastures, leaving their colleagues to contend with additional workload and extended call hours.
The push factors, according to them, are inadequate equipment, worsening insecurity, poor working conditions, and poor salary structure.
The minister noted that central to this vision is the Nigeria Human Health Resource Programme, which sets a framework for regular reviews of working conditions, ensuring that health workers, especially in rural and underserved areas, receive the recognition and rewards they deserve.
“By fostering an environment conducive to professional growth and stability, the policy aims to retain top talent within Nigeria.
“In an increasingly digital world, integrating advanced health technologies is essential. The policy’s focus on digital health infrastructure—including Electronic Medical Records, telehealth, and a comprehensive Health Workforce Registry—marks a significant step towards a more efficient, data-driven health system. These innovations will streamline healthcare delivery and enhance the equitable distribution of health workers, ensuring access to quality care for all Nigerians.
“Capacity building is at the heart of this policy. It recognises the importance of continuous professional development, with strategic partnerships and opportunities for international training to equip our healthcare professionals with cutting-edge skills. This investment in human capital underscores our commitment to retaining and empowering our healthcare workforce,” he stated.
He added that the policy addresses the return and reintegration of Nigerian health professionals from the Diaspora.
He said by establishing streamlined registration processes and providing attractive incentives, the policy not only encourages the return of talented professionals but actively reintegrates them into the health system.
“This approach leverages the expertise of our diaspora to bridge gaps within the health sector. Also, the policy champions reciprocal agreements with other nations to ensure that the exchange of health workers benefits Nigeria. These bilateral and multilateral agreements are designed to protect national interests while respecting the rights and aspirations of our healthcare professionals. We call on recipient countries to implement a 1:1 match—training one worker to replace every publicly trained Nigerian worker they receive.
“Recognising the importance of work-life balance, the policy includes provisions for routine health checks, mental well-being support, and reasonable working hours, especially for younger doctors. These measures aim to create a supportive work environment, reducing burnout and enhancing job satisfaction.
“The governance of this policy will be overseen by the National Human Resources for Health Programme within @Fmohnigeria, in collaboration with state governments. This ensures responsible implementation and alignment with broader sector-wide health objectives.
“With this decisive action, the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration is set to secure the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Under Mr President’s leadership, this policy will further catalyse the transformation of our health sector, ensuring access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians. As we embark on this journey, all stakeholders are invited to contribute to building a healthcare system that reflects our nation’s potential and promise,” Pate noted.
President set for three-day visit to Equatorial Guinea today
Meanwhile, President Tinubu will commence a three-day official visit to Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday (today).
Disclosing this in a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said Tinubu will depart Abuja for Malabo, the country’s capital.
Ngelale said Tinubu’s visit to the Central African country is based on the invitation of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
The president will use the opportunity of the visit to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
“President Tinubu will meet with the Equatorial Guinean President at the Presidential Villa on arrival, where meetings will be held between the two leaders and agreements, particularly on oil and gas and security, will be signed.
“The President will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and other members of his cabinet who will be involved in the signing of agreements and review of opportunities to improve bilateral relations,” the statement said.
