The Nigeria Police Force has appointed Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO).

Hundeyin takes over from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Muyiwa Adejobi, who has been redeployed to Delta State Police Command as deputy commissioner in charge of operations following his promotion.

Police authorities described the appointments as part of routine administrative adjustments aimed at career progression and manpower optimisation, stressing that the changes are neither punitive nor controversial.

Profile of the new FPRO

CSP Hundeyin holds a degree in English Language from Lagos State University and a master’s degree in Legal Criminology and Security Psychology from the University of Ibadan.

He has undergone specialised training in Civil-Military Coordination at the Nigerian Army Leadership Institute, Jaji, and is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), International Public Relations Association, and Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN).

Hundeyin also served with the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), gaining experience in peacekeeping and crisis communication.

Appointed Lagos police spokesperson in March 2022, he has since been recognised for proactive engagement with the public and media.

New national assignment

As Force PRO, Hundeyin is expected to spearhead the police’s national communication strategy, improve crisis management, and strengthen transparency and public trust through strategic messaging.

Nigeria’s new secondary school curriculum will introduce modules on journalism, programming, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and fact-checking, according to details released on Wednesday.

Dada Olusegun, senior special adviser to the president on social media, shared excerpts of the yet-to-be-unveiled curriculum document via his verified social media handle.

The new curriculum, which applies to both junior and senior secondary schools, is part of government efforts to modernise education and align learning with global digital and professional trends.

Breakdown of the curriculum

According to the document, journalism will now be taught under English Language at the senior secondary level, while programming is spread across both junior and senior cadres.

Digital literacy has also been expanded to include artificial intelligence and robotics in senior classes.

For junior secondary school (JSS 1–3), subjects include:

1. Mathematics & Measurement (covering algebra, geometry, statistics, and more)
2. English Language (essay writing, grammar, comprehension, oral skills)
3. Integrated Science (physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, lab safety)
4. Digital Literacy & Coding (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Python basics, Scratch, robotics kits)
5. Social Studies (history, geography, civics, economy, entrepreneurship basics, global issues)
6. Languages (mother tongue, French/Arabic)
7. Creative Arts (drama, crafts, music, film basics)
8. Physical & Health Education (fitness, nutrition, reproductive health, drug abuse awareness).

For senior secondary school (SS 1–3), highlights include:

1. English & Communication (academic writing, journalism, fact-checking, public speaking)
2. Technology & Innovation (Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, data science, AI & robotics, cybersecurity)
3. Research & Project Work (final-year project, data collection, presentation & defence)
4. Social Sciences (economics, government, history, philosophy, entrepreneurship).

Focus on digital and practical skills

The curriculum also introduces modules on digital entrepreneurship, cybersecurity, media production, and mental health awareness.

Officials say the new subjects are designed to equip students with both academic and practical skills needed to navigate the evolving global economy.

The Federal Ministry of Education is expected to formally launch the curriculum in the coming weeks.

Nigeria’s mid-tier lenders are under mounting pressure to scale up operations or face mergers as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) enforces its 2026 recapitalisation programme, a new report has revealed.

The report, released by SBM Intelligence and titled “Capital, Competition, and Consolidation: How Nigeria’s Tier-2 banks are responding to the CBN’s 2026 recapitalisation order,” examined the financial health and capital-raising efforts of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Fidelity Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Sterling Bank, and Wema Bank.

In March 2024, the CBN directed banks to increase their minimum capital base by 2026. Under the new rule, international banks must raise ₦500 billion, national banks ₦200 billion, and regional banks ₦50 billion. The apex bank said the measure will boost financial stability and prepare lenders to support the government’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.

Share price rally

The SBM report highlighted how some tier-2 banks have outperformed expectations in recent years. Fidelity Bank’s share price rose from ₦1.65 in 2020 to over ₦21.20 by mid-2025, representing more than 1,100 percent growth. Wema Bank also recorded a surge from ₦1.50 to nearly ₦15.00 over the same period.

FCMB and Sterling Bank posted steady gains, while Stanbic IBTC maintained resilience despite macroeconomic volatility.

Capital-raising strategies

To meet the recapitalisation target, FCMB has embarked on a three-phase plan to raise ₦400 billion through public offers, divestments in subsidiaries, and offshore placements. Fidelity Bank has already secured over ₦270 billion from an oversubscribed rights issue and public offer, with plans to complete the process ahead of schedule.

Sterling Financial Holdings is pursuing a mix of rights issues, private placements, and a $400 million public offering, while Wema Bank has combined a ₦150 billion rights issue with a ₦50 billion private placement after an earlier ₦40 billion issue in 2023.

Mergers expected

SBM predicted that consolidation in the banking sector will intensify as the 2026 deadline approaches, with mergers and alliances likely among mid-tier lenders.

“The financial performance of these banks in 2025 underscores their capacity to compete and thrive, even as Tier-1 institutions consolidate their dominance,” the report noted.

It added that the ability of tier-2 banks to adapt to regulatory demands, strengthen technology adoption, and implement bold capital strategies will determine their future in Nigeria’s evolving financial sector.