Daily roundup: Nigeria's government prohibits use of 'Dr' title for honorary degree holders, Akpabio and Oshiomhole engage in senate dispute, plus more major news.

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The Federal Government has banned recipients of honorary degrees from prefixing “Dr” to their names in official, academic, or professional contexts.

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In the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole clashed after lawmakers tightened rules for leadership positions.

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In education, non-academic staff in public universities under SSANU and NASU have moved to suspend their nationwide strike from Monday, May 11, 2026, after talks with the Federal Government.

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Also on politics, Dele Momodu said President Bola Tinubu forced opposition figures like Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to work together ahead of the 2027 elections.

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PUNCH Online curates these and other headlines dominating Wednesday afternoon in Nigeria.

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FG bans ‘Dr’ prefix for honorary degree holders, flags fraud

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The Federal Government has banned recipients of honorary degrees from using the “Dr” prefix in official, academic, or professional contexts, describing it as a misrepresentation that will now be treated as academic fraud.

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Minister of Education Tunji Alausa announced the policy after FEC approval of a uniform framework for honorary degrees.

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Recipients must now use full designations like “D.Lit. (Honoris Causa)” after their names.

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Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/breaking-fg-bans-dr-prefix-for-honorary-degree-holders-flags-fraud/n

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Akpabio, Oshiomhole clash after Senate tightens leadership rules

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole clashed during plenary on Wednesday, shortly after the Senate amended its standing rules to restrict eligibility for principal offices.

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The new rules require at least two consecutive terms for presiding and principal positions, effectively sidelining first-term senators like Oshiomhole.

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The disagreement disrupted proceedings for about 10 minutes before Akpabio warned against unruliness and invoked Senate rules.

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Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/just-in-akpabio-oshiomhole-clash-after-senate-tightens-rules-for-leadership/n

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SSANU, NASU to suspend strike May 11

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Non-academic staff unions in public universities, SSANU and NASU, have directed branches to suspend their ongoing strike effective Monday, May 11, 2026.

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The decision follows commitments from the Federal Government to conclude renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, including salary reviews, within two weeks of suspension.

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The unions commenced the strike on May 1 over welfare and agreement issues.

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Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/ssanu-nasu-to-suspend-strike-may-11/n

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Tinubu forced Obi, Kwankwaso to work together – Dele Momodu

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ADC chieftain Dele Momodu claimed President Bola Tinubu’s actions forced opposition figures Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso into alignment ahead of 2027.

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Momodu made the remark while reacting to the duo’s move to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, noting the political landscape has shifted significantly since 2023.

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Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/tinubu-forced-obi-kwankwaso-to-work-together-dele-momodu/#google_vignetten

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Police repatriate Chinese fugitive over $245m fraud

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The Nigeria Police Force has arrested and repatriated a Chinese national, Xu Qing, to China over his alleged involvement in a $245 million Ponzi scheme.

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Xu was tracked to Ogun State and handed over through INTERPOL cooperation.

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Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/police-repatriate-chinese-fugitive-over-245m-fraud/n

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CNN founder Ted Turner dies at 87

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Media pioneer Ted Turner, founder of CNN, has died at the age of 87. Turner launched the world’s first 24-hour news network in 1980, revolutionising global journalism, and built a vast media and philanthropic empire.

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Other stories making waves today include ongoing political realignments and economic discussions. Stay tuned for updates.

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Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/cnn-founder-ted-turner-dies-at-87/n

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