American Open University (A-Global), Nigeria,has officially launched its Global Campus in Ibadan, Oyo State, with a bold pledge to redefine higher education and bridge the gap between academic qualifications and workplace demands.

The launch, which attracted academics, industry leaders, regulatory agencies and community stakeholders, was themed “Future Forward” and marked what organisers described as the beginning of a disruptive, technology-driven educational model for Nigeria and Africa.

Speaking at the event, President and Founder of the university, Dr. David Seyi Akanbi, said the institution was created to challenge the traditional promise of education that no longer guarantees employability.

“Visions don’t die,” Akanbi said in his inaugural address. “Even when the visioners pass on, the dream continues. Today, the dream has become reality.”

According to him, American Open University was designed to replace outdated learning models with a hybrid system that combines digital learning, industry partnerships and global exposure.

“The old promise of ‘go to school, get good grades, get a job’ is broken,” he said. “We are here to fix that by building a new model that makes the old one obsolete.”

He added that partnerships with global technology firms such as Microsoft, Google and Cisco would enable students to compete internationally without leaving Nigeria.
The keynote lecture was delivered by Prof. Francis O. Egbokhare of the University of Ibadan, who spoke on “The Autarchic–Asymmetric Model for Nigerian Higher Education.”
Egbokhare argued that Nigeria’s education challenges stemmed not from lack of resources but from poor utilisation and weak institutional imagination.

“Infrastructure exists but is underused. Talent exists but is excluded,” he said, proposing a self-reliant and technology-driven model that repurposes community spaces as learning hubs.

“Higher education must be redesigned for the country we have, not the one we are copying,” he added.

The event also featured goodwill messages from key stakeholders, including the Zonal Director of JAMB, Ibadan, Mrs. Temitope Akintola, who commended the university’s focus on access and quality, and Mr. Toyin Olatayo, Academic Director of UniTES CISCO Academy, who highlighted the importance of embedding industry certifications into academic programmes.

Professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) expressed support for the university’s emphasis on workforce readiness.

Also present were representatives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, the Oyo State Police Command, and leaders of the host community, who welcomed the institution and pledged their support.
The launch ended with a tour of the Global Campus and a demonstration of the university’s hybrid learning platforms.

American Open University announced that it has commenced admissions into NUC-approved undergraduate programmes in technology, business and public administration, with curricula integrated with artificial intelligence, data analytics and digital strategy.

A popular commentator on political development in Nigeria, Shehu Mahdi, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, said the recent United States military strikes comment by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has given her out as an enemy of Northern Muslims.

He said the First Lady was hostile towards Northern Nigeria Muslims in her reaction, stressing that the long-held suspicions in some quarters about her position has been confirmed.

Mahdi in a post shared on X on Tuesday, said the alleged remarks confirmed long-held suspicions in some quarters about her position on issues affecting Muslim communities.

His comments followed reports that the First Lady described the Christmas Day military strikes ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump as a blessing for Nigeria.

Mrs Tinubu was said to have made the statement during an interview with Fox News while visiting the United States after attending the National Prayer Breakfast with Trump.

He wrote, “If indeed Pastor Remi said so, then it means what many people are saying about her and the conclusions in many circles are either true or confirmed.

Mahdi claimed that many Northern Muslims now regard Senator Remi Tinubu as an open adversary of Islam, alleging that her posture reflects indifference to the suffering of Muslim populations during crises.

“That she can go all along to inflict deep-seated injuries to Muslims without feeling any sense of guilt,” he said.

According to him, her responses to disasters in Muslim-dominated areas show a lack of empathy and concern, insisting that Islam would continue to thrive in Nigeria regardless of political leadership or foreign military intervention.

“Up to the time of her death, exit from the villa, her post-villa life, there will always be Muslims in Nigeria practising Islam,” he stated.

He also said religious diversity in Nigeria would remain permanent, stressing that both Islam and Christianity would endure across ethnic groups.

Mahdi in a controversial remark, said, “We urge Trump to please send more bombs to Northern Nigeria so that the RCCG Madam can have some peace of mind which he seems desperate for now.”

Let us stop pretending.

Nigeria’s economic crisis is no longer about policy mistakes or reform pains. It is about official dishonesty — the deliberate promotion of a success story that millions of starving citizens know to be false.

This government is not merely out of touch.
It is talking down to a suffering population.

*THE BIG CON: WHEN STATISTICS BECOME A WEAPON*

Nigerians are told the economy is improving.

Who exactly is improving?

Certainly not the trader who can no longer restock goods.
Not the civil servant whose salary is dead on arrival.
Not the graduate roaming the streets jobless.
Not the family skipping meals.

Yet, government spokespersons speak with confidence — GDP growth, easing inflation, fiscal discipline — as if numbers alone can cancel hunger.

This is not leadership.
It is economic propaganda.

*LET US BE CLEAR: POVERTY IS EXPLODING*

The World Bank estimates that over 130 million Nigerians now live in poverty. That is more people than the population of many African countries combined.

The government’s response?
Denial. Dismissal. Deflection.

Instead of emergency action, Nigerians are given excuses.

Instead of accountability, they are given lectures about patience.

This is moral failure at scale.

*REFORMS WITHOUT RELIEF ARE REFORMS AGAINST THE PEOPLE*

Fuel subsidy removal.
Currency float.
New taxes.

All implemented with brutal speed — without safety nets, without wage protection, without food security.

The result?

Transport costs exploded

Food prices went out of control

Small businesses collapsed

Purchasing power evaporated

Yet government officials still have the audacity to say “the worst is over.”

Over for who?

For politicians on allowances?
For contractors paid in dollars?
For elites insulated from market prices?

*TAXING POVERTY IS NOT GOVERNANCE — IT IS VIOLENCE*

Only a government detached from reality would increase tax pressure in an economy where:

Real incomes are falling

Unemployment is endemic

Informal businesses are barely breathing

Taxation without prosperity is state-sanctioned extortion.

No serious nation taxes its way out of mass poverty.
You grow production.
You create jobs.
You protect citizens.

Nigeria is doing the opposite.

*THE MOST DANGEROUS LIE: “SUFFERING IS NECESSARY”*

Nigerians are told suffering is inevitable — that pain today guarantees prosperity tomorrow.

History disagrees.

There is no economic law that says reforms must destroy lives. There is no justification for policy brutality. There is no excuse for indifference to hunger.

When leaders ask citizens to suffer while they remain comfortable, the social contract is broken.

And broken contracts do not heal with speeches.

*THIS IS WHY PEOPLE ARE ANGRY*

Not because Nigerians “don’t understand economics.”

But because they understand injustice.

They understand when:

Markets say one thing

Kitchens say another

Government insists everyone is wrong except itself

Anger grows when truth is denied.

Silence should not be mistaken for acceptance.

*A WARNING, NOT A THREAT*

No society survives indefinitely on denial and deprivation.

When governments ignore hunger, hunger eventually speaks. When leaders dismiss pain, pain eventually organizes. When legitimacy collapses, statistics cannot save it.

Nigeria is approaching that edge.

*THE BOTTOM LINE*

An economy that looks good only in official narratives is not recovering.
A government that argues with poverty data instead of fighting poverty has lost moral authority.
A leadership that demands sacrifice without protection is unfit for trust.

Nigerians are not asking for miracles.
They are asking for honesty, empathy, and relief.

Until then, every talk of “turnaround” is an insult —
and Nigerians are no longer in the mood to be insulted.

*©️ Chief Akinwumi Akinfenwa*
*07062986613*
*Political Scientist, Public Policy Analyst, Social Commentator, and Advocate for Constitutional Decency lives in Ibadan*

His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr ) Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa 1), the Olubadan of Ibadanland was displeased on open cattle gracing within Ibadanland.

The statement was contained in a press release issued and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Olubadan of Ibadanland , Chief Ayoade Solomon Olugbemiga shortly after the meeting with the members of Olubadan – In – Council and the Executive members of Ijaye Farm Settlers Association at Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan on Monday, February 9, 2026.

” Open Cattle Gracing is not only illegal but also prohibited not only in Ibadanland but also Oyo State in general”, Oba Ladoja said

The paramount ruler warned all the cattle rearers to desist from open cattle gracing to avoid court litigation as any one caught disobeying Oyo State law forbidden open cattle gracing will be arrested and prosecuted in the court of law

“We will not fold our arms watching Fulani herdsmen killing the farmers, their children, raping their wives and destroying their farms which is the means of their livelihood” the monarch further stressed

The Olubadan of Ibadanland once again reminded the Ibadan Mogajis, Baales and other traditional title holders to keep vigil in their domains and ensure adequate security of life and property to avoid sanctions from the palace

He called on the residents of Ibadan to quickly inform the law enforcement agents whenever they notice the presence of Fulani herdsmen, kidnappers and other unscrupulous elements in their areas

Earlier in his speech, the chairman of Ijaye Farm Settlers Association, Pastor David Olatunji lamented the high rate at which the Fulani herdsmen were killing his fellow farm settlers, their children, raping their wives and destroying their farms lands and produce

Pastor David Olatunji further said that all efforts to protect their farms proved abortive as none of these farm destroyers was arrested and prosecuted despite their repeated reports at police stations and at other security posts.

The chairman solicited the support and protection of Olubadan and Oyo State Government to rescue them from the Fulani herdsmen and their destruction activities

Present at the meeting were Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba (Barr) Tajudeen Abimbola Ajibola, the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr) Kolawole Adegbola, Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abiodun Kola – Daisi, the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland Oba Olubunmi Dada Isioye, Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Salawudeen Amidu Ajibade, the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland Oba Dauda Abiodun Azees, the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Muritala Adebayo Akande and Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland Oba Akeem Mobolaji Adewoyin.

It was meant to be a routine strategic engagement, an invitation to meet Senator Abdulfatai Omotayo Buhari at his Senatorial District Office located in Samonda, Ibadan, Oyo State. The appointment was scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

I got there some minutes before time.

The building is huge but the office itself was modest ,not flamboyant, not intimidating—yet warm and professional. Courtesy was the governing ethic. Barrister Lawal was on hand to receive me and, with measured politeness, ushered me to a seat.

“The Senator will soon be here,” he said.

At exactly two minutes to 11, four men walked in. Three tall figures and one noticeably shorter man ,dressed in a simple Ankara attire. There was nothing theatrical about their entrance—no noise, no protocol drama, no security theatrics.

Then Barrister Lawal announced:

“Welcome, Distinguished Senator.”

Instinctively, my eyes searched the room for the most imposing figure—the tallest, perhaps the most elaborately dressed. But Barrister Lawal’s gesture pointed instead to the simply dressed, unassuming man in Ankara—the shortest of the group, yet carrying an unmistakable aura of calm authority.

I was startled.

How could a serving Senator walk in so quietly? No fanfare. No “gragra.” No convoy noise. No visible police guards. His very demeanour spoke the language of humility.

As I stood up, he stretched out his hand warmly.

“Madam Shettima, welcome to Ibadan… welcome to Oyo State.”

His voice was calm, assured, confident ,firm without arrogance.

“Please, sit down before we begin our engagement.”

Before discussions commenced, I watched him interact with staff and visitors. He related not as a distant political figure but as a leader, friend, and companion. There were no senatorial airs—no intimidating distance. His humility was natural, not rehearsed.

Yet, this was no ordinary man.

This was a figure whose public simplicity masks a deeply rich institutional pedigree.

This is a man who before his entry into partisan politics, has built a solid career in the private sector,running a multi – billion naira automobile company where he acquired administrative depth, financial discipline, and organisational leadership experience that would later define his public service trajectory.

He served with distinction as a Member of the House of Representatives, where he earned recognition for legislative diligence and constituency responsiveness.

His executive governance exposure came to the fore when he served as a Commissioner in Oyo State, contributing to policy formulation and state development initiatives.

Thereafter, he ascended to the Senate elected three consecutive times , an affirmation of public trust and political credibility.

As a lawmaker, he has been widely acknowledged for empowerment programmes spanning youth development, women support schemes, social inclusion , educational interventions, and infrastructure facilitation.

Notably, he played a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of a federal university in Oyo State—an enduring institutional legacy that continues to expand educational access and regional development.

Academically, he is a PhD holder—an intellectual depth that reflects in his analytical engagement with policy, governance, and development strategy.

And yet—despite this imposing résumé—here stood a man so humble, so composed, so intellectually grounded.

A man with a wonderful past, an impactful present, and—by all indications—a glorious future.

As I left the engagement, having taken this picture with him , one thought stayed with me:

If experience, humility, administrative depth, and people-centred leadership are the metrics, then Senator Abdulfatai Omotayo Buhari represents the kind of solid, seasoned hand Oyo State would require in higher executive responsibility.

My visit was meant to be a meeting.

It ended as a lesson in humility, leadership, and quiet power.
God bless this man of Grace
A man who has a date with the destiny of Oyo State
..watch out, I am still coming .

#highlights
#everyoneシ゚
#everyoneシ゚viralシviralシfypシ゚viralシal
#oyostate
#ogbomoso
#oyo
#ibadan
#oyostategovernment
#oyoat50
#Iseyin
#senator
#FataiBuhari
#Senate
#SenateNews
#SenatePresident
#senatenigeria
#saki
‘

*In a significant display of unity and cooperation, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa 1, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Thursday, 5 February, 2026, marking a notable moment in the ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between traditional institutions and government authorities. The visit underscored the deep connection between Ibadan and Lagos, with Olubadan Ladoja expressing his gratitude for the support received from the Lagos State Government during his coronation last year.*

During the visit, Olubadan Ladoja, Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas, lauded Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration for its “giant strides” in Lagos, citing notable achievements in infrastructure development, traffic management, and transportation. The Olubadan specifically commended the Blue and Red rail lines, as well as the water transportation systems, which have significantly reduced journey times across the state. Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his response, described Ibadan as “a rallying point of the Yoruba race” and praised Olubadan Ladoja’s leadership in promoting peace and unity in Oyo State and beyond.

A key highlight of the visit was Olubadan Ladoja’s renewed call for a constitutional role for traditional rulers in Nigeria. The monarch stated that such recognition would “strengthen governance and foster closer collaboration between monarchs and government authorities”. This call underscores the ongoing debate about the role of traditional institutions in modern governance. It highlights the need for a more defined and formalised framework for their participation in national development.

The visit also provided an opportunity for Governor Sanwo-Olu to express his appreciation for Olubadan Ladoja’s service to the country and his visionary leadership as the Olubadan of Ibadanland. The Governor prayed for a peaceful and impactful reign for the monarch, expressing confidence that Olubadan Ladoja’s leadership would bring development and transformation to Ibadanland and Nigeria. As Governor Sanwo-Olu noted, “We thank God for your life…and for the several years that you have served this country”.

The meeting between Olubadan Ladoja and Governor Sanwo-Olu reflects a shared vision for development and progress in the region. As the Olubadan noted, Lagos is “a place deeply connected to my personal and traditional heritage,” highlighting the historical and cultural ties between Ibadan and Lagos. This royal visit showcases the impact of teamwork and cooperation on boosting progress and fostering harmony in Nigeria.

As Nigeria tackles its complex socio-political issues, the Olubadan Ladoja-Governor Sanwo-Olu meet offers valuable lessons in unity, cooperation and forward-thinking leadership. With pressing challenges ahead, it’s clear that traditional institutions and government must collaborate to drive progress and national growth. The push for a constitutional role for monarchs is a positive step – now, how will it unfold or be taken forward?

Tunji Oladejo, mnipr, JP, writes from the University of Ibadan and is the Chairman of The Progressive Forum, Ibadan (TPFI) via oladejo65@gmail.com. 08077284442