News April 20, 2026 FG raises alarm over increasing fire incidents linked to solar panel installations

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), has raised the alarm over the increasing number of fire incidents linked to improperly installed rooftop solar photovoltaic systems across the country.

As Nigeria’s power sector continues to operate below expectations, many Nigerians are turning to solar to escape blackouts. However, cases of fire outbreaks from rooftop solar panels are becoming a source of concern to both the government and citizens.

In a strongly worded public notice, NEMSA expressed serious safety concerns, noting that many of the reported incidents were associated with poor workmanship, the use of substandard materials, the absence of protective devices, and non-compliance with technical standards and regulations.

The public notice, signed by the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, stated, “The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency has observed with serious safety concern the increasing number of fire incidents allegedly linked to improperly installed rooftop solar photovoltaic systems across the country.”

“It is important to note that while the adoption of renewable energy is strongly encouraged in line with Nigeria’s energy transition objectives, safety must remain paramount.”

Pursuant to Section 176 (m) and Section 184 (8) of the Electricity Act 2023, NEMSA has now issued comprehensive safety guidelines for the installation of rooftop solar PV systems in Nigeria.

The agency directed members of the public to engage the services of qualified and NEMSA-certified solar PV system installers only. It stressed that these certified professionals possess the necessary skills, experience, and knowledge of technical standards and regulations.

In the new guidelines released, NEMSA said, “The installation of the rooftop solar PV system must be carried out only by NEMSA-certified electrical contractors.

“The NEMSA-certified contractor must be in possession of his/her valid NEMSA competency certificate during the installation works.

“A load assessment of the facility or premises must be conducted prior to installation to ensure the system is appropriately sized and can operate safely.

“The roof must be structurally sound and capable of supporting the PV solar system.”

NEMSA warned that “panels should be installed using appropriate mounting structures, as weak roof construction or improper installation can result in roof damage, fire hazards, and significant safety risks.”

The agency further stated that PV modules with cracks, bent frames, air bubbles, hot spots, or loose junction boxes should not be used, as damaged modules can cause electrical faults, reduce system performance, and increase the risk of fire or equipment failure.

On electrical safety, the notice declared, “Maintain a minimum clearance of 0.13m between the roofing material and the PV modules to ensure adequate ventilation and cooling during high temperatures. Insufficient clearance may lead to overheating, reduced system performance, and potential damage to the modules.”

It also mandated installers to install DC and AC isolators to enable emergency shutdown. “Provide appropriately rated circuit breakers and fuses to prevent overloading and install surge protection devices to protect the system against lightning surges. Ensure proper earthing (grounding) of the entire system, with an earth resistance value of 2 ohms or below,” it stated.

NEMSA emphasised the need for proper battery installation, warning that “batteries should be installed in a well-ventilated, secure location away from living areas and heat sources.”

For lithium batteries, the agency directed that a battery management system must be provided, and the installation site should be equipped with an appropriate cooling or air-conditioning system to maintain safe operating temperatures.

When installing a solar system on the rooftop of an existing house, it was directed that if the system capacity cannot support the entire household load, the installer must ensure proper load separation at the distribution board, stressing that all solar cables should be neatly routed through conduits or trunking to maintain safety and organisation.

Operators were told to ensure that communication cables and power cables are routed separately and never run together in the same conduit, as combining them can lead to signal interference, degraded system performance, and a higher risk of electrical faults or fire.

NEMSA also advised installers and owners to perform regular checks and maintenance of the rooftop PV system by cleaning the solar panels to prevent dust accumulation and overheating, periodically inspecting cables, connectors, and the inverter, and promptly replacing any damaged components.

The agency warned installers and the public, saying, “Solar PV system installers and members of the public must take note of the guidelines outlined above and ensure strict compliance. Adhering to these standards is essential for safety, system performance, and regulatory compliance.”

News April 20, 2026 Airtime, data credit remain unaffected — FCCPC assures Nigerians

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says it has not banned airtime borrowing or data advance services in Nigeria.

The statement comes few days after MTN Nigeria said it was suspending its airtime and data credit advance service, popularly known as “Xtratime” in compliance with the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional (DEON) consumer lending regulations, 2025. The regulations were officially gazetted and took effect on July 21, 2025.

In September 2025, FCCPC said the rules, issued under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (2018), would serve as a comprehensive framework for registration, transparency, and ethical loan recovery.

In November 2025, FCCPC set January 5, 2026, as the deadline for full compliance with the regulations.

Providing clarity in a statement on Friday, the commission said claims circulating in some media reports and social media posts suggesting it shut down such services are “incorrect”.

“The commission has not prohibited airtime borrowing or data advance services, and no directive was issued preventing consumers from accessing lawful telecom value-added services,” the statement reads.

FCCPC said its intervention in the sector followed complaints from consumers over opaque charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive recovery practices, and poor disclosure standards.

According to the commission, the issues prompted the introduction of the Digital Economy and Online Lending (DEON) consumer lending regulations in July 2025 to address abuses in the market.

“The regulations were introduced to curb the excesses of abusive service providers whose practices had generated persistent consumer harm and undermined confidence in the market,” the FCCPC said.

“The primary aim is to promote a fairer and more transparent system by mandating proper registration, responsible lending conduct, clear disclosure of fees and terms, accessible consumer complaint channels, data protection safeguards, stronger accountability for third-party partners, and effective regulatory oversight.”

The agency said some telecom operators engaged in exclusionary arrangements in violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, noting that the regulations were designed to open up the market and encourage fair competition.

The FCCPC said operators were initially given a 90-day compliance window from July 2025 to regularise their operations, which was later extended to January 5, 2026.

However, the commission said some service providers failed to comply within the stipulated timelines and continued operating under existing models that had attracted consumer complaints.

“Any temporary suspension, restriction, or operational change introduced by service providers should therefore be understood as a business or compliance decision by those operators, not a ban imposed by the FCCPC,” the commission added.

The commission accused some vested interests of spreading misinformation to undermine regulatory efforts.

“It is inaccurate to attribute avoidable disruption to regulation where regulated entities had adequate notice and sufficient opportunity to comply.

“Attempts to misrepresent temporary service inconvenience as the result of lawful consumer regulation are mischievous. Nigerians deserve accurate information, not sensational claims,” the agency said.

News April 20, 2026 SSANU warns FG over renegotiation, sets deadline for strike

The National Executive Council of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has issued a strong warning over the ongoing renegotiation process between university-based unions and the Federal Government, insisting that no final agreement has been reached and threatening industrial action if talks are not concluded by the end of April.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a special NEC meeting held on Saturday at the union’s national secretariat in Abuja, where leaders reviewed developments in the negotiation process.

According to the communiqué signed by the National President of SSANU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Muhammad Ibrahim, and made available to the press on Sunday, the NEC reaffirmed that “the renegotiation process with the Federal Government is still ongoing and has not been concluded.”

The council also expressed concern over what it described as misleading reports in the public space, suggesting that the process had been concluded.

It pointed to the circulation of a letter allegedly indicating approval of a 30 per cent increase in allowances, insisting that discussions were still ongoing and no binding agreement had been signed.

NEC stated that “SSANU will not accept any outcome that falls below the negotiated understanding reached in the course of the renegotiation process, and insists that fairness, due process, and collective bargaining principles must be respected.”

Reiterating its earlier stance under the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU, the council maintained the ultimatum given to the Federal Government from April 1 to April 30, 2026, to conclude negotiations and sign agreements.

It warned that failure to meet the deadline would leave the unions with no choice but to embark on industrial action.

The communiqué stated that SSANU “will have no alternative but to, along with NASU, commence an indefinite, comprehensive, and total industrial action.”

The council urged members across all branches to remain calm but vigilant, and to stay united in readiness to comply with any directives issued by the union leadership.

“NEC called on all members of the Union across the branches to remain calm, vigilant, united, and prepared to fully comply with the decisions of the Union in defence of their welfare, dignity, and collective interest,” the communiqué read.

It further reiterated SSANU’s commitment to defending members’ rights and welfare, stating that the union “will continue to pursue justice with firmness, unity, and resolve.”

The latest warning follows an earlier communiqué issued after SSANU’s 54th National Executive Council meeting held at Ekiti State University, where the union expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of renegotiations and issued a final ultimatum to the Federal Government.

At the time, SSANU also raised concerns over salary delays, poor funding of universities, and deteriorating working conditions across the system.

In that earlier position, the union had stressed that prolonged and inconclusive negotiations were unacceptable, warning that failure to meet its demands would trigger industrial action alongside other non-teaching staff unions.

News April 20, 2026 Reschedule UTME for 8 kidnapped candidates- Gov Alia to JAMB

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has asked the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to reschedule examination for the eight candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) kidnapped last Wednesday.

The victims were abducted along the Makurdi-Otukpo road in Benue state.

On Sunday, troops of the Nigerian army rescued the remaining victims in a forest at Okere ward in Ohimini LGA of Benue.

Speaking on Sunday at the government house in Makurdi, Alia said 15 people were kidnapped in the attack, but two later escaped.

Alia confirmed that the remaining victims were rescued in the early hours of Sunday.

“Many of the students were travelling to Otukpo. Seven were regular passengers, and 15 were kidnapped that fateful day. One of the victims escaped, and another one escaped the following day,” Alia reportedly said.

“Today, all the remaining 13 kidnap victims were rescued by the security agents with the cooperation of the communities.

“I call on JAMB to look into the case of the eight young students and reschedule dates for them to write their examination.”

On Friday, the Benue state police command said the abducted passengers in the Makurdi-bound commercial bus were not UTME candidates.

In a statement, Udeme Edet, the command’s spokesperson, said reports describing the victims as UTME candidates were “misinformation and incorrect.”

On Saturday, JAMB also said the abducted travellers were not UTME candidates.

The Board’s Public Communications Adviser, Fabian Benjamin, said in a statement that those involved had travelled to Makurdi to participate in an ongoing police recruitment exercise and were returning to Otukpo at the time of the incident.

Education News April 20, 2026 JUST IN : JAMB releases results of second, third days of 2026 UTME

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released additional results from the ongoing 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), covering candidates who sat for the test on its second and third days.

In a statement issued Sunday evening, the Board’s spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, advised affected candidates to check their results using their registered phone numbers.

The statement read: “The results of candidates who sat the examination on Friday, 17 April and Saturday, 18 April 2026 have now been released. A total of 1,264,940 results from these two days are available for candidates to check/view

“To view their results, candidates should send UTMERESULT to 55019 or 66019 using the phone (SIM)number they used to register for the 2026 UTME..”

Earlier, the Board had made public 632,752 results for candidates who wrote the examination on Thursday, 16 April 2026, bringing the cumulative number of released results to 1,897,692.

A total of about 2.2 million candidates registered for this year’s UTME.

News April 20, 2026 World Bank report: Tinubu govt rejects claims of revenue diversion

The President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has denied allegations of concealed spending and diversion of federation revenue, insisting that such claims stem from a misinterpretation of the latest Nigeria Development Update released by the World Bank.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Federal Ministry of Finance and signed by the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, the government said narratives circulating in parts of the media had wrongly portrayed established fiscal procedures as financial leakages.

“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Finance has been drawn to recent media reports and commentaries that misrepresent the findings of the latest Nigeria Development Update by the World Bank, particularly claims suggesting that a significant portion of federation earnings is being ‘diverted’ or constitutes ‘hidden spending’,” the statement read.

The ministry explained that such interpretations reveal a poor understanding of Nigeria’s fiscal framework, particularly the mechanisms governing revenue distribution through the Federation Account Allocation Committee.

It maintained that deductions from the federation account are frequently misread as waste or missing funds, a position it strongly refuted.

“FAAC deductions, as presented in the World Bank report, include statutory transfers, savings and investments, security-related expenditures, cost-of-collection charges, refunds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and transfers and interventions benefiting subnational governments,” it stated.

According to the ministry, these deductions represent legitimate financial operations within the public finance system.

“Refunds and transfers to states and other tiers of government are not leakages. They represent legitimate fiscal flows, including repayments of obligations and statutorily backed allocations,” the ministry added.

The government also criticised analysts for relying on outdated figures while overlooking reforms introduced in 2026.

It noted that the World Bank report acknowledged ongoing policy measures, including a newly signed Executive Order aimed at ensuring proper remittance of petroleum revenues.

“The World Bank explicitly notes that reforms implemented in early 2026, including the recently signed Executive Order to safeguard remittance of petroleum revenues, are already addressing concerns around deductions,” the statement said.

The ministry added that these reforms are expected to enhance transparency and boost distributable revenue to all tiers of government by approximately 0.4 per cent of GDP annually.

It further argued that the overall tone of the World Bank report was positive, contrary to suggestions of fiscal instability.

The report, it said, highlighted broader economic growth across multiple sectors, easing inflation driven by policy interventions, and an improved external position supported by stronger reserves and a current account surplus.

The ministry also pointed to a reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio, describing it as the first improvement recorded in more than a decade.

“These developments reflect the outcomes of the current administration’s ongoing macroeconomic policies and public financial management reforms,” it said.

It stressed that the World Bank’s findings do not indicate a breakdown of reforms but instead affirm that current efforts are producing results that need to be sustained.

“The World Bank does not conclude that Nigeria’s fiscal system is collapsing or that reforms have failed. Rather, it states that reforms are working, and they must be sustained and deepened,” it added.

The ministry urged stakeholders, including the media, to exercise caution in interpreting fiscal data, warning that inaccurate narratives could weaken ongoing reform efforts.

“We urge stakeholders, media organisations, and the public to engage constructively with fiscal information and avoid twisted interpretations that may undermine reform efforts and fuel public discord,” it said.

News April 20, 2026 High Expectations as Prominent Igbo Award, INMA Set to Hold in Abuja June 19

Momentum is gathering as the Igbo communities across Nigeria converge to confer awards of recognitions on deserving individuals at the forthcoming Igbo Nwere Madu Awards (INMA) taking place at the Merit House in Maitama Abuja, on June 19, 2026. 

The award, being spearheaded by the Igbo Prestigious Awards Initiative will honour individuals in categories such as Governor of The South East of the Year, Best South East Governor in Infrastructural Development and Best Governor in Security. 

Others include, Outstanding Igbo Persons in Business, Trade & Investment, Politics, Education, Entertainment, Health, Religion, Culture & Tradition, Humanitarian Services/Community Development, Outstanding Igbo person in Public Service, Akuruo-ulo person of the Year, the People’s Person in Igbo Land and Friends of  Ndigbo Award. 

"To the Glory of God we are set to deliver the Biggest Igbo Award Project. We are set to make a statement that every Igbo Person needs to be celebrated in all ramifications of Life", the organisers said. 

Meanwhile, nominations are ongoing, and can be sent through a WhatsApp message to 08066005802 & 08033544217. The deadline for nomination is May 20th.