News on the Go: 5 things that should matter to you today

• FG declares end of fuel, FX subsidies
• JAMB extends U-16 admission deadline to Aug 2025
• Afe Babalola queries private varsities’ exclusion from student loans

We have highlighted the five most important developments in the news today, Friday, October 18, and present them below.

5 issues in the news that should matter to you today

1. FG declares end of fuel, FX subsidies: The federal government has officially announced the termination of fuel and foreign exchange subsidies, marking the end of a long-debated policy.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, made this declaration during the presentation of the Nigeria Development Update by the World Bank in Abuja on Thursday, October 17.

2. JAMB extends U-16 admission deadline to Aug 2025: The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board has written vice-chancellors, provosts and rectors of tertiary institutions across the country, allowing windows to admit candidates aged 15 who will reach age 16 by August 2025.

In a letter signed by Muhammed Babaji on behalf of the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, dated October 16, 2024, and addressed to all VCs, rectors, and provosts, the board said institutions can now admit candidates aged 15, provided they will be 16 by August 2025.

3. Meta removes 1,600 Facebook groups linked to ‘Yahoo Boys’, launches campaign against sextortion: Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced on October 17 that it has escalated its efforts to combat criminal activity on its platforms by removing approximately 1,600 Facebook groups and accounts linked to the notorious “Yahoo Boys” scam network.

In a statement, Meta emphasised its commitment to fighting online fraud and sextortion scams targeting young users. 

4. Afe Babalola queries private varsities’ exclusion from student loans: The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, on October 17, faulted the Federal Government for excluding private universities from privileges available to their federal and state counterparts, including student loan and research funding.

The ABUAD founder spoke during the opening of the International Hydrogen Summit 2024, with the theme, “Catalysing green hydrogen development in Nigeria – The capacity and partnership imperatives.”

5. Govt warns against illegal centres after Edo CNG explosion: The Federal Government has warned motorists to avoid patronising unaccredited centres to convert their vehicles from fuel to gas.

This was contained in a Twitter message by the Presidential CNG Initiative on Thursday, October 17, over the CNG car explosion in Benin, Edo State.