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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026 into law, replacing the 2007 legislation with a modern legal framework designed to strengthen Nigeria's digital identity system, improve national security, and enhance access to government services. The signing ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja and was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, NIMC Director-General Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, and other senior government officials. One of the major revelations during the event came from the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who disclosed that Nigeria's integrated identity database recently played a key role in the arrest of seven Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders returning from the Holy Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. According to the minister, the suspects were intercepted at Katsina Airport and ...

 Mr Deji Adeyanju, a witness for the Department of State Security (DSS) in the trial of former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has confirmed that the accused confessed to wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. Adeyanju, who is the second prosecution witness in the trial, cited the former governor as having admitted to the allegation during the interview, saying, “We listened to the conversations of the NSA.” Adeyanju told the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday that he appeared for an interview programme on Arise Television on February 16, 2026, the same day el-Rufai confessed on the same television. Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, Adeyanju said he was present when el-Rufai made the statements on air and that when further questioned during the interview, the former governor said someone carried out the phone tapping and passed the information to him. He further confirmed that he knew el-Rufai a...

As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development. During the 2023 election campaign, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments particularly in providing stable power, fighting corruption, and improving the welfare of Nigerians.  @PeterObi At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased. Similar concerns are reflected across other critical sectors such as security, infrastructure, transportation, and anti-corruption efforts, all of which have regressed. We are in the worst possible condition. I, therefore, j...

The Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced the indefinite suspension of the Office of the Leader of IPOB and the position of Director of Radio Biafra, both of which were previously occupied by Nnamdi Kanu. The decision, according to the group, will remain in effect pending further notice. The development marks a significant shift in IPOB’s internal structure, as the suspended positions have long been associated with Kanu, who remains a central figure in the movement. Observers say the decision could have implications for the group’s leadership framework and future operations. In a statement, the Directorate said the move forms part of ongoing administrative and organizational measures within the separatist movement and further information would be communicated at an appropriate time.

The Borno State Government has successfully reintegrated 720 repentant insurgents who completed the state’s deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration program back into society. The Boko Haram insurgency, which began in 2009, has caused widespread displacement and loss of life across Nigeria’s North-East, making rehabilitation and reintegration programs a key part of broader efforts to restore stability in the region. About 720 former insurgents completed the rehabilitation and reintegration programs in Maiduguri, Borno State, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce violence and support long-term peace in Nigeria’s North-East. Some of the former fighters shared why they surrendered, was when they realised that the violence carried out by the groups was not consistent with the religious objectives they had been told they were fighting for, makes them convinced  to leave the insurgency.  Brigadier General Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), Special Adviser on Security to Governor Zul...

“I have consistently maintained that borrowing, in itself, is not a bad thing. Every nation borrows. The critical issue is not the act of borrowing, but what the borrowed funds are used for and whether citizens can clearly see and measure the impact of such borrowing in their daily lives. “There is a lot to learn in the open and transparent manner in which South Africa handled its recently secured $1 billion loan from the New Development Bank, with a clearly defined purpose. “This is indeed what accountable borrowing should look like; the purpose is clear, the projects are identifiable, and the expected benefits to citizens are measurable. Such investments directly improve living conditions, enhance productivity, and stimulate economic growth. “In Nigeria, however, the opposite is the case: public debt has risen dramatically under the current administration, and its deployment is shrouded in secrecy from the people who will indeed pay back the loan. Today, our total public debt has inc...

The Executive Chairman of Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Aminat Oluwakemi Alabi, has intensified efforts to improve environmental sanitation and strengthen compliance with environmental regulations across the council area. As part of the administration’s renewed commitment to creating a cleaner and healthier environment, the Chairman directed the Supervisor for Environment, Hon. Adetimi Durojaiye, in collaboration with the Environmental Health Services Department headed by Sanitarian Mayowa Aminu, to enhance environmental monitoring, inspection, and enforcement activities within the LCDA. In compliance with the directive, environmental officials recently conducted a comprehensive re-inspection exercise around the Lekki Phase 1 Bridge corridor near the AP Filling Station. The exercise was aimed at evaluating the environmental condition of the area and ensuring adherence to established sanitation standards. Meanwhile, the cou...

The proposal has gained momentum because it speaks directly to a painful reality confronting millions of Nigerians,  Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, violent extremism, communal conflicts, and organised criminality have overwhelmed the capacity of a centrally controlled police force to secure lives and property across a country of more than 230 million people. For many citizens, therefore, state police appears to be an obvious and long-overdue solution. The attraction of the proposal is understandable. Recent Afro-barometer findings show that 79 percent of Nigerians consider kidnapping and abduction a serious national problem; 33 percent personally know someone who has been kidnapped within the last five years; and 63 percent say they or a family member felt unsafe in their home or neighborhoods during the previous year. These are not merely security statistics. They are indicators of a profound crisis of state effectiveness and citizen confidence. Yet the fact that state police is...

  The Executive Chairman of Iru-Victoria Island LCDA, Hon. Aminat Oluwakemi Alabi, today disbursed grants of ₦100,000 each to 100 participants who recently completed the Adire and Batik Production Training Programme. The programme, facilitated by the Supervisor for Youth and Sports, Hon. Qudus Balogun Oladimeji, was designed to equip and empower participants with practical entrepreneurial and vocational skills . The financial support is aimed at helping beneficiaries establish and expand their newly acquired businesses in Adire and Batik production. Speaking at the event, Hon. Alabi urged the beneficiaries to regard the grants and starter packs provided as seed capital for building sustainable businesses. She encouraged them to apply the skills acquired during the training to create quality products, generate income, and contribute to the local economy. The Chairman expressed her appreciation to Vcare for Development Foundation for its partnership and collaboration in the successfu...

The announcement was made in a post on the official X handle of the Presidency,  describing the initiative as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes inclusion, expanded access to opportunities, job creation, support for local enterprise and the use of technology to improve daily life for citizens. A national digital television platform designed to provide households across the country with free access to digital broadcasting, improved picture quality, and a wide range of local and international content without subscription fees. Click Here FREET V According to the statement, FreeTV forms part of Nigeria’s Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme and is intended to ensure that no Nigerian is excluded as the country transitions fully from analogue to digital broadcasting.  The Presidency noted that the service will be accessible through satellite, terrestrial transmission and a dedicated FreeTV mobile application, enabling coverage for users in u...

GOVERNOR Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, yesterday, declared that the state “is not Chibok and will never be Chibok”, vowing that the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area will be rescued safely. Speaking the protesters at his Ikolaba private residence, Governor Makinde struck an emotional tone, His words: “Let me make it very, very clear, Oyo State is not Chibok, and we will not be Chibok. We have lost men, even soldiers and officers, and I can confirm to you that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed a few days ago. “If you ask me, can I sacrifice myself for those children to come out? I will do it. I have lived a good life, I’m almost 60 and it doesn’t matter. Our children will never be in the same situation as the Chibok children. While accepting responsibility as governor, he explained the constitutional limitations facing state governments in security matters. “I will tell the truth and nothing but the truth. If I am not in government, I will be you; I’ll...

Nigeria’s political elite, former heads of state, serving government officials, foreign leaders, traditional rulers, diplomats and business leaders on Saturday converged on the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to celebrate former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), as he marked his 84th birthday and unveiled three books chronicling his life, leadership and contributions to peacebuilding and democratic governance. Abubakar, was the military head of state who oversaw Nigeria’s transition to democracy in 1999 and handed over power to Obasanjo as the democratically elected president. President Bola Tinubu has hailed Abdulsalami Abubakar, former head of state, for choosing “honour and integrity over the allure of power” during Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule in 1999. Tinubu described the former head of state as “one of Nigeria’s most outstanding and courageous leaders, a true statesman, a soldier-democrat, a passionate bridge-builder, a dependable patriot and a noble gentle...