₦airaland Forum

No fewer than 27 persons have been killed in separate attacks on communities in Benue and Plateau states, following fresh assaults by suspected armed groups that have left residents mourning and demanding urgent government intervention.

In Benue State, at least 18 persons were killed in separate attacks on communities in Otukpo Local Government Area, while nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby, were killed in an attack on Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In Benue South, suspected armed herdsmen reportedly launched attacks on Akpachi village in Ugboju community and Otukpo-Nobi community over the weekend.

The first attack occurred on Friday when the assailants invaded Akpachi village, killing two farmers on their farmland. Their bodies were recovered on Saturday and buried.

Barely 24 hours later, at about 4am on Sunday, the attackers struck Otukpo-Nobi community, killing at least 16 persons and injuring several others.

The renewed violence came about two weeks after the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, and his companion, Yakubu Isah, who were ambushed and killed at Okutu community in Otukpo while returning from a peace meeting in Idekpa, Ohimini Local Government Area. Demographics

The latest killings triggered outrage in Otukpo as angry youths stormed the palace of the Och’Idoma with the bodies of victims, disrupting an ongoing church service and demanding decisive action from the authorities.

The protesters, chanting war songs, accused government and security agencies of failing to protect their communities, insisting that the recurring attacks must stop.

The protest caused tension in the town as youths blocked major roads, leaving commuters stranded for hours.

A resident, Ebi Adoyi, who joined the protest, said the attacks had thrown affected communities into mourning, adding that more casualties could be recorded as searches for missing persons continue.

“After killing two people in Akpachi on Friday, they attacked Otukpo-Nobi, killing 16 persons, including women and children. My neighbour lost her elder sister and her children in that attack,” he said.

Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the attacks, linking them to possible reprisals following the killing of the MACBAN chairman.

He said the first attack occurred when three villagers went to their farms in Akpachi.

“The attackers came and killed two of them. One escaped and alerted the community. We recovered the corpses on Saturday and buried them. We had combed the bushes believing the attackers had fled, but early Sunday morning, around 4am, we received reports that they had besieged Otukpo-Nobi, killing several people and injuring many others,” Ogiri said.

He added that efforts were ongoing to relocate survivors to safer locations, provide medical assistance and strengthen security in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the Benue attacks, describing them as barbaric and an assault on the lives and peace of the people.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor directed security agencies to intensify surveillance, collaborate with neighbouring states, track down the attackers and ensure they are prosecuted.

In Plateau State, the attack on Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area occurred late Saturday night.

Residents said the gunmen stormed the communities at about 11:30pm and operated for over an hour, shooting indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes.

A resident, Precious Tok, said the attackers invaded a home and killed nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby.

The village head was also reportedly attacked and sustained critical injuries.

National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the incident, saying the attackers struck under the cover of darkness and unleashed violence on helpless residents.

He said security agencies had been alerted and expressed hope that those responsible would be arrested and brought to justice.

The latest attack has heightened fears among residents, who called on the Federal and Plateau State Governments to strengthen security measures in Riyom and other vulnerable communities.

Security personnel have reportedly been deployed to the affected areas, while many residents remain displaced and apprehensive over possible further attacks.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

Armed men suspected to be kidnappers have reportedly abducted the remains of a late Deputy Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Augustine O. Ikwue, including the mourners accompanying him to his hometown at Otukpo in Benue state.

The vehicle conveying the corpse ran into ambush along Ochadamu-Ejule road in Ofu local government of Kogi state around 6pm, on Thursday.

The FRSC officer reportedly died in Osogbo, capital of Osun state, after a brief illness.

The abductors have reportedly reached the family, demanding N450m for the victims to regain their freedom.

The Kogi state sector Commander of FRSC, Lawal Fagge, confirmed the incident, saying nine mourners, including two operatives of the commission, were abducted in the attack.

He said the corpse was later abandoned around Ejule community, and has been handed over to the family for burial, while effort is being intensified to rescue the kidnap victims.

“We recovered the corpse of the officer in Ejule community on Friday after frantic searching , and handed it over to the family. He was buried on Saturday in his home town at Otukpo in Benue.

“The abductors used the cellphone of the deceased officer, and called his wife, demanding huge sum of money for those in their captivity to regain their freedom,” Fagge said.

Security operatives, including the Army, police, hunters and vigilantes were said to have been mobilised to the area in an attempt to rescue the kidnap victims and possibly apprehend their assailants.

Several people are raising concern over the incident, stressing that the bandits have no respect for the dead.

It is such a big relief for all of us. Just right now, I am overjoyed and can hardly say much.

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, speaks on the release of the kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers in OriIre LGA#PoliticsToday pic.twitter.com/pzFnXyuFbi

— Channels Television (@channelstv) July 10, 2026

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of only focusing on the 2027 general elections while the country is ‘sinking on a daily basis’.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, made this allegation on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He lamented the rise in insecurity and hardship, which he said had ravaged the country.

According to him: “For God’s sake, the country is sinking on a daily basis under their watch. The last report that we saw said 17 million Nigerians are starving to death.

“I’ve not heard the president say one word. 17 million, that is the population of many countries put together, starving to death. That’s not opposition’s narrative, that’s an international organization that monitors hunger across the world, and the president has not said anything.

“I’ve not heard these people you mentioned say anything, and democracy is anchored on the principle that you want to make life better for the people. That is one thing that this government is not good at, and that’s one thing they don’t care about.

“If you listen to them, they have only one problem today; not this kidnappings, not this insecurity, not the hunger, not the cost of living.

“The only problem they have as far as they are concerned is 2027 election, and that’s why, when you listen to them, that’s what they talk about as if they are in opposition, as if their mandate has ended, as if they don’t have a duty to solve the problems that the country is confronted with.

“So we are not distracted, we are clear in our mind what we want to achieve, and every single person that is a member of the ADC today is convinced that this is the only alternative that is left for Nigeria, and that’s where we derive our confidence from.”

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS ICPC TO INVESTIGATE “PRESIDENTIAL FOREIGN INTERVENTION PROMOTION COUNCIL”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of a “Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council” (PFIPC) and all related matters.

The President directed that the investigation be concluded and a comprehensive report submitted to him within 30 days.

The directive follows the discovery of the fictitious PFIPC, which was never established by the Federal Government of Nigeria and has no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval, or other lawful act of Government.

One Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew presented himself as the Director-General of the so-called PFIPC and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.

Among the issues to be investigated by the ICPC are the forged appointment letters and other official government documents; the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation; and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.

President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate not only the conduct of the principal individual and other collaborators involved but also the wider circumstances that may have enabled a fictitious body and a false claim of presidential appointment to acquire an appearance of official legitimacy.

The investigation is to examine the provenance and use of false official documents; the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained; the opening and operation of any related bank accounts; the source and movement of any funds involved; and the role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution, intermediary or other person or entity that may have facilitated, enabled or participated in the alleged scheme.

The President further directed the Commission to identify any weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and to recommend immediate measures to prevent the recurrence of similar abuses.

All ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been directed to provide the ICPC, upon lawful request, with all relevant information, records and assistance required for the expeditious completion of the investigation.

President Tinubu stated that the integrity of the Presidency and the institutions of the Federal Government must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service.

The President directed that all persons found culpable be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)

7 July 2026

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Paul Richard Gallagher, on Monday expressed concern over the growing spread of hate speech and fake news, warning that both threaten peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.

The concerns were raised after a meeting between the Sultan and Archbishop Gallagher at the National Mosque in Abuja, where they discussed interfaith relations, security and cooperation between Muslim and Christian communities.

The Sultan, who was represented by NSCIA deputy secretary general, Salisu Shehu, said both sides agreed that religious leaders must work together to promote peace and counter narratives capable of fueling division.

Shehu added that participants also condemned the growing trend of insulting religious leaders and other citizens.

He explained that fake news had also become a source of instability.

“Fake news is another evil that is being used in the country to precipitate a lot of troubles in the country, and therefore, this is something that we need to fight,” he said.

Shehu said the discussions also centred on growing moral decline and increasing rejection of religion among young people.

Also speaking, Archbishop Gallagher said the meeting revealed broad agreement between Muslim and Catholic leaders on issues affecting Nigeria.

He added that cooperation between both faiths remained essential to national development.

“There is a common conviction that Christians and Muslims, particularly the leadership, must work together for the common good of all Nigerians,” he said.

𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄

The Federal Government has noted recent public commentary alleging that approximately two percent of GDP amounting to over ₦8 trillion was spent outside the approved budget based on references to the IMF Representative in Nigeria and the Fund's 2026 Article IV Consultation Report. These claims are incorrect and risk misleading the public regarding the government's financial management.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government does not operate a "shadow budget" or expend public funds outside the constitutional and statutory framework established for public finance.

Under Sections 80 - 83 and 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), public funds may only be withdrawn and expended in accordance with the Constitution and laws enacted by the National Assembly. Accordingly, Federal Government expenditure is incurred pursuant to duly enacted Appropriation Acts, Supplementary Appropriation Acts, and other statutory authorities enacted by the National Assembly. In addition, multi-year capital projects which necessarily span multiple budgets are implemented in accordance with extant laws and approved provisions for capital rollovers where applicable. These are recognised features of public financial management and should not be misconstrued as expenditures outside the budget.

It is inaccurate to suggest that trillions of naira have been secretly spent outside legislative approval. Such allegations should have identified the specific projects purportedly executed without appropriation or legal authority and present credible evidence in support of the claim. To be meaningful, assertions of this magnitude must be supported by verifiable facts rather than conjecture.

For the purpose of public education, it is important to distinguish between appropriation, expenditure authorisation, financing, and fiscal reporting.

Nigeria's public finance framework contains several statutory transfers, first-line charges and intervention mechanisms established by Acts of the National Assembly. These include, among others:

- Statutory allocations and contributions to development commissions and other agencies created by law.

- Cost of collection and cost of administration retained by designated revenue-collecting agencies as expressly provided under relevant legislation.

- Capital expenditure approved in separate budgets for some agencies and the Federal Capital Territory by the National Assembly.

- Special interventions approved by law to address national priorities such as security, infrastructure, disaster response, and other strategic national programmes or emergencies.

- Debt service obligations and other statutory transfers that are authorised under applicable legislation.

These expenditures are neither secret nor illegal. They are established by law, disclosed in various fiscal reports, and subject to applicable oversight, audit and accountability mechanisms. Their treatment for reporting purposes may differ from their presentation in the annual Appropriation Act, particularly under international statistical and reporting standards adopted by the Federal Government. Such classification differences should not be misrepresented as evidence of unlawful expenditure.

It is equally incorrect to suggest that the reported amount represents an increase in budget deficit. A fiscal deficit is determined by the relationship between total government revenues and total government expenditures. Whether a capital project is financed through annual appropriations, supplementary appropriations, statutory transfers, approved intervention mechanisms, or other lawful financing arrangements does not, by itself, increase the fiscal deficit.

Indeed, the IMF's observation relates primarily to the comprehensiveness, timing and presentation of fiscal reporting rather than the legality of expenditure. Like many countries, Nigeria continues to strengthen the alignment between budget presentation and international fiscal reporting standards as part of ongoing public financial management reforms. As a matter of fact, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR had himself formally requested the National Assembly to end the practice of running multiple and overlapping budgets, and rather harmonise into a single, cohesive framework during his presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 19, 2025.

The Federal Government remains firmly committed to prudent fiscal management, transparency and accountability. Recent reforms have significantly strengthened public financial management with ongoing improvements in budget assumptions and credibility, transparent revenue administration, digitalisation of government financial processes, and stronger treasury management. These reforms have been acknowledged by the IMF itself and other multilateral institutions, as well as international credit rating agencies, major media organisations and investors.

Public debate is both welcome and essential in a democratic society. However, it should be based on facts and an accurate understanding of Nigeria's constitutional and fiscal framework. Mischaracterising technical observations as evidence of unlawful expenditure neither advances informed public discourse nor strengthens democratic accountability.

The Federal Government will continue to uphold the rule of law, maintain transparency in the management of public resources, and work with the National Assembly, oversight institutions, development partners and the Nigerian people to further strengthen fiscal governance in line with international best practices.

Signed:

Taiwo Oyedele
Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy
Federal Republic of Nigeria

The National Spokesman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, says he fears that the 2027 general elections may not hold.

Abdullahi attributed his fears to certain endemic factors from both the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government.

Abdullahi also cited insecurity, saying it may create situations where the election will not hold in many parts of the country.

He also said that the hunger in the land created by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration is another reason that people may not come out to exercise their franchise, adding that Nigerians are bitter.

“There is so much procurement INEC usually embarks on. A lot of them are offshore, outside the country. If by now INEC has not received funding for those procurements or has not been able to do those procurements, then the election is threatened. That is my number one fear.

“I am worried that INEC may not be ready for the election, whether deliberately or inadvertently. I have serious fear that INEC may not be ready for the election.

“They may rig the election and tell people to go to court, thinking that politicians will go to court, and that they will live happily thereafter,” The Sun quoted him as saying.

My attention has been drawn to some media reports following my brief appearance earlier this morning on Channels TV regarding the ongoing reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), particularly on the issue of the proposed uniform.

For the avoidance of doubt, yes, I mentioned Adire during the discussion. I also mentioned Ankara. My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform.

For the record, what we are considering are different options that tick all the right boxes in terms of professional outlook, a unique national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and the projection of national pride. No final decision has been taken on the fabric or design.

As with every aspect of the ongoing NYSC reforms, any eventual decision will be guided by extensive stakeholder engagement and what best serves the interests of the Scheme and the nation.

I respectfully urge Nigerians to continue to engage with the ongoing NYSC reform conversation based on its broader objectives and the immense benefits it holds for our young people and our country. The reforms are designed to make the Scheme more relevant to today's realities by improving employability, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national integration, enhancing service delivery, and creating a smoother transition from education to productive careers.

While conversations around the uniform are understandable, they should not overshadow the far-reaching reforms aimed at empowering millions of Nigerian youths and positioning the NYSC as a stronger platform for national development.

I appreciate the constructive feedback and assure Nigerians that every proposal will continue to be carefully considered in the best interest of the nation.

We are aware of the public interest in the matter of a man called  Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew, who has been parading himself as the director-general of a fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council cum Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

The office of the Chief of Staff to the President first blew the whistle on the existence of the illegal agency, following complaints from officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council that another government agency appeared to be functioning at cross-purposes with it.

The Chief of Staff, on October 17, 2025, in a letter, asked the DSS and the Police to probe the activities of ‘fraudsters and imposters’ forging appointment letters purportedly from his office.

“The attention of this office has been drawn to the activities of certain individuals and groups engaged in the forgery of official appointment letters purportedly issued from my office. The fake documents, bearing falsified signatures, reference/folio numbers, and seals, have been used to claim leadership appointments to non-existent entities, with particular reference to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

“The aforementioned entity under the leadership of one Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew as Director-General is said to have an office at the Federal Secretariat Complex Phase 111, 2nd Floor. Also, they have been parading themselves as a legitimate government agency, hosting meetings with both foreigners and Nigerian citizens, and even going so far as to request a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the United States of America to facilitate visas for some of their staff.

“The above development not only constitutes a serious criminal act but also undermines the integrity of the presidency and the credibility of official government communication. 

“I therefore urge you to initiate a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend those involved and also to uncover the network facilitating the forgery,” the Chief of Staff wrote in his petition to the security agencies.

The letter to the security agencies was accompanied by a copy of the forged appointment letter, a copy of the request for a note verbal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and pictures of engagements obtained from the illegal agency's website.

Around the time the Chief of Staff lodged the complaint with the security agencies, the existence of the fake agency had raised concerns within the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

In a letter on October 15, 2025, the Foreign Affairs Ministry wrote to the office of the National Security Adviser and the Chief of Staff to the President, requesting clarification on the status of Adeyemi’s agency. The letter, which Ambassador Anderson Madubuike signed, followed Adeyemi’s October 10 meeting with ambassadors at the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Asokoro, without recourse to the ministry.

“This act contravenes extant rules and regulations guiding diplomatic practices globally,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its letter.

On October 20, the Office of the National Security Adviser wrote to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on the request of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

On 29 October,  the OSGF wrote to the Chief of Staff requesting clarification. “This has become expedient owing to several requests from governmental and non-governmental bodies seeking to ascertain the status of the appointment under consideration”

Two days earlier, the Chief of Staff sent his own clear rebuttal to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, stating that he had never issued an appointment letter to Adeyemi as director general of the fake presidential foreign investment promotion council. The Chief of Staff could not have issued a letter of appointment to a non-existent agency. Moreover, the Chief of Staff does not make appointments or write letters, as these are the exclusive preserve of the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation.

On November 5, 2025, the Chief of Staff responded to the OSGF, again flatly denying Adeniyi Adeyemi and his spurious agency. “Prince Adeniyi Matthew, director-general of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, is unknown to any office, nor do we have any dealings with the said council.

“My attention was drawn to a letter of this purported application, which is fake, and my office has instructed the police and other relevant security agencies to carry out investigations on the person and the entity he claims to represent”, the chief of staff wrote.

The Police made the first move by responding to the chief of staff's letter dated 17 October and began their investigation. On 27 October, Adeyemi was arrested in Abuja at the Secretariat office where he operated his elaborate scam.

The police searched the office and Adeyemi’s home in Suleja, recovering vital documents and exhibits. In Adeyemi’s statement to the police, he claimed that one Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola assisted him in procuring the fake appointment letter. Following his claim, the police went after the said Tanimola.  The Police found that Tanimola died in a fire incident at Kachi Hotel in Abuja on 22 October, five days before Adeyemi’s arrest. Tanimola’s body was seen by the police at the morgue, confirming the death.

The police were able to establish that the agency Adeyemi purportedly headed was fictitious, that he forged his appointment letter and the documents recovered in his office and home, that he falsely paraded himself as a government appointee, and that he falsely solicited a note verbal from the Foreign Affairs Ministry to enable him and his staff to obtain US visas. The police also found that Adeyemi operated 34 bank accounts, with nine opened in the names of his fictitious agencies, known as the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Public Private Partnership (FIPA-APP), and the FCT Investment Promotion Act.

The Police found that Adeyemi, using the fake documents he created, fraudulently opened a CBN account by misleading the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. According to the police, no government money has been transferred into the account.

“The act of the suspect constitutes criminal forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence, thereby bringing the office of the Chief of Staff to the President and the Presidency to disrepute before the public and international community”, the police wrote in the report of the investigation conducted by the assistant commissioner, Kabir Mogaji. 

Based on their investigations, the police filed an eight-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against Adeyemi and two of his accomplices on November 27, 2025. He is due in court on July 27.

Adeyemi was on police bail when he recently claimed that the Chief of Staff had appointed him as DG of the fictitious agency. This claim contradicted his statement to the police in November last year. His new claim prompted the Chief of Staff, on June 8, to issue a disclaimer consistent with earlier advisories that the man, called Adeyemi,  is an impostor. 

The case of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew is a clear case of a con artist who appears to have built a web of false claims to deceive unsuspecting government officials and the public into playing by his scam book. He has a history of fraudulent misrepresentation. In November 2016,he paraded himself as an ambassador and President-General of the World Youth Organisation (WYO), an affiliate of the United Nations (UN). He claimed to have been elected in New Delhi, India. The local media celebrated him until the UN denied the existence of such a body.

Politicians and members of the public who are weaponising Adeyemi's claim against the Chief of Staff should refrain from swallowing his narrative hook, line and sinker. They are advised to await the trial of Adeyemi and his accomplices, as well as the court's judgement, as comments made today are sub judice.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President,
Information and Strategy,
July 1, 2026

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan SAN, has declared that the era of ballot box snatching and manual manipulation of election results is gone, assuring Nigerians that current technological safeguards are robust enough to protect every vote cast in the 2027 general elections.


Amupitan made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja when he received the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, on a courtesy visit to INEC headquarters.

Both institutions used the occasion to deepen collaboration on voter education ahead of the 2027 polls.

The INEC chairman, who recalled that the presidential election is held on January 16 and governorship polls on February 6, 2027, said the commission must begin intensive civic engagement immediately, warning that voter apathy and disinformation remain dangerous threats to the integrity of the electoral process.

He said, “We need to teach them why their vote matters and how our new legal and technological safeguards protect their choices. We must look the rural farmer, the marketplace woman, and the disillusioned urban youth in the eye and explain to them, in the language they understand, that because of the current technological infrastructure, the era of snatching ballot boxes or rewriting results manually is gone.”

While acknowledging significant operational achievements recorded during the February 21 Federal Capital Territory FCT Area Council elections and the June 20 off-cycle Governorship election in Ekiti State — including over 90 per cent early opening of polling units, biometric authentication via the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and swift result uploads to the INEC Result Viewing Portal IReV — the chairman said both polls exposed a troubling undercurrent of voter apathy and widespread confusion among urban voters over polling unit splits and registration transfers.

“This is a clear indicator that while our technology is moving forward, civic familiarity with the evolving system is lagging. It is a loud diagnostic signal that far more needs to be done in the area of intensive, deep-rooted voter education, and it proves that we cannot afford to wait until the eve of the 2027 polls to start talking to our people,” he said.

Amupitan stressed that INEC cannot build a robust democracy in isolation, noting that advanced technology alone means nothing without an informed electorate.

He said, “We can purchase the finest BVAS machines, we can optimise the IReV to international standards, and we can map out the most logistical routes for material deployment. But all of these technological and administrative triumphs mean nothing if the citizens remain detached, cynical, or completely uneducated about the power of their votes.”

Describing the NOA as Nigeria’s premier organisation for civic orientation and the visit as “a vital meeting of minds”, the INEC boss said the two institutions share a constitutional responsibility to educate Nigerians on democratic culture and must co-create a decentralised, grassroots voter education campaign that goes beyond telling people when to vote.

He called for joint campaigns against vote-buying and misinformation and urged that NOA field officers be equipped with accurate technical knowledge of INEC’s operations so they can serve as trusted community ambassadors ahead of the elections.

“Together, INEC and the NOA must rewrite this narrative. We need to co-create a decentralised, grassroots voter education campaign that goes beyond simply telling people when to vote,” Amupitan said, adding that the collaboration between both agencies is “not a secondary option; it is an absolute necessity.”

Welcoming the NOA DG’s leadership and his grasp of modern strategic communication, Amupitan said civic orientation in 2026 cannot rely on old, top-down bureaucratic methods, stressing that engagement must be digital, relational, and youth-focused.

He pledged the commission’s full institutional support for the partnership. “Our doors are wide open. We are ready to pool our resources, share our data, and give your teams all the institutional support required to make this collaboration a resounding success,” he said.

Earlier, Issa-Onilu stressed the necessity of collaborating with INEC, lamenting that the number of voters who come out on election days is dangerously low when compared to the number of registered voters.

“We are going into communities with our advocacy to the people.

“We both have in our hands civic education and voter education. We humbly seek support from INEC, which we are already having, but we believe it can be better. We need to increase the number of people who come out to vote. Those who come out to vote are very low compared to those on the register. We need to even let them know everything beyond the elections to ensure that Nigerians can keep track of cases in court,” he said.

The World Bank has approved a fresh $1.25bn loan for Nigeria under its Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration programme, amid public concerns over the country’s rising debt burden and repeated calls for the Federal Government to reduce external borrowing.

The approval was announced in a statement issued by the World Bank on Wednesday alongside the launch of a new Country Partnership Framework for Nigeria covering 2026 to 2032.

The bank said the new framework would guide its support for Nigeria over the next six years, with a focus on creating jobs by unlocking private sector-led growth.

“The World Bank Group has endorsed a new Country Partnership Framework for Nigeria spanning 2026–2032, setting out a strategy to create more and better jobs at scale by unlocking private sector-led growth,” the statement read.

It added that the bank had “also approved the Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration Development Policy Financing operation, which supports Nigeria’s transition toward a more inclusive growth model that spurs growth and creates jobs.”

The approval comes weeks after public criticism followed reports that the Federal Government was seeking a fresh $1.25bn World Bank facility to support economic reforms, job creation and competitiveness. Many Nigerians argued that the country’s growing external debt had yet to translate into improved living standards.

According to the World Bank, the new Country Partnership Framework builds on Nigeria’s recent macroeconomic reforms, which it said had resulted in stronger economic growth, higher government revenues, increased external reserves and improved investor confidence.

It said the framework aims to expand electricity access to 32 million Nigerians, provide broadband connectivity to 58 million people, improve health and nutrition services for 40 million citizens and support 9.5 million farmers.

It also seeks to strengthen human capital, boost agricultural productivity and expand access to energy and digital infrastructure.

The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said the institution would focus on helping Nigeria convert recent macroeconomic gains into improved living standards.

“Our new Country Partnership Framework provides the strategy for how the World Bank Group will support Nigeria over the coming years, with a strong focus on helping to create more and better jobs, particularly by enabling private sector-led growth.

“The recent macroeconomic gains have been critical to help stabilise the economy. Translating improved macroeconomic conditions into better living standards will require addressing the structural constraints to spur private sector investment and job creation,” he said.

The bank said the $1.25bn Development Policy Financing operation would support reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness and creating conditions for sustainable growth.

According to the statement, the reforms include deepening capital markets, modernising the regulatory framework for the digital economy and e-governance, advancing power sector reforms to accelerate electrification, lowering trade barriers in line with Nigeria’s commitments under the Economic Community of West African States and the African Continental Free Trade Area, improving access to quality agricultural seeds and strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation.

“The NAIJA DPF operation, which amounts to $1.25bn, supports a set of Government reforms to strengthen the foundations for growth and competitiveness.

“These include deepening capital markets, modernising the regulatory framework for the digital economy and e-governance, advancing power sector reforms to accelerate electrification, lowering trade barriers in line with Nigeria’s ECOWAS and AfCFTA commitments to help ease price pressures, improving access to quality agricultural seeds, and strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation,” the statement added.

The International Finance Corporation’s Divisional Director for Nigeria, Dahlia Khalifa, said Nigeria’s reform agenda had created opportunities to attract greater private investment.

“Nigeria’s long-term growth potential will be shaped by the economy’s ability to attract investment, raise productivity, and unleash private sector job creation, building on the capital of a rapidly growing population,” she said.

Also speaking, the Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, Ed Mountfield, said although Nigeria’s reforms had created opportunities for investors, risks remained.

“Nigeria’s reform progress is creating important opportunities for private investment, but risks remain for investors. MIGA’s role is to help manage these risks—through guarantees and political risk insurance—so that investors can step in with confidence,” he said.

The latest approval is the second-largest single World Bank facility secured by Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu, after the $1.5bn Reforms for Economic Stabilisation to Enable Transformation Development Policy Financing approved in June 2024.

According to figures released by the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s debt to the World Bank rose from $17.81bn at the end of 2024 to $19.89bn as of December 31, 2025, representing an increase of $2.08bn or 11.7 per cent.

The DMO data showed that loans from the International Development Association increased from $16.56bn to $18.51bn during the period, while debt owed to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development rose from $1.24bn to $1.38bn.

The figures indicate that the World Bank accounted for 38.36 per cent of Nigeria’s total external debt stock of $51.86bn as of the end of 2025.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has defended President Bola Tinubu against criticism over worsening insecurity, saying the president has fulfilled his responsibility by issuing directives to the military.

Speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington on June 23, Adeboye said those blaming Tinubu for the country’s security challenges were unfair in their assessment of the president’s role as commander-in-chief.


“I need to make this one clear: I don’t support those who are accusing the president of not doing enough. When the commander-in-chief has given instructions to his subordinates, he has done his bit. You don’t expect him to go and put on khaki and (fight),” Adeboye said.

Drawing a comparison with the United States, he added: “When my friend Trump gives instructions to go and bomb anywhere, he doesn’t leave the White House. He has done his bit. ‘I hereby command, bomb Iran’, and then he goes to his bedroom and sleeps. The rest is left to the supporters.”

Despite defending the president, Adeboye acknowledged that insecurity had deteriorated and spread to parts of southern Nigeria.

“Things have gone far, far worse than before the bomb came,” he said, referring to the US bombing of Islamist terrorists last December.


“Far, far worse… so bad that they are asking: ‘Where is your God?’ That is how bad it is. The terrorism, kidnapping, and so on that were in the north are now even at my doorstep. They have come all the way down to the south. And, of course, the sponsors — they are all known, and they are still moving about freely.”
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The cleric disclosed that he had discussed the country’s security situation with President Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, urging the president to issue a firm directive to the nation’s security chiefs.

According to him, he advised the president to give military commanders a 90-day ultimatum to eliminate terrorism or resign.

[b]“I told him to tell all the military boys, all the army, navy and air force: ‘You have 90 days. Wipe out this rubbish or resign.’ And then take care of the supporters, the sponsors,” he said.


Adeboye described the sponsors of terrorism as influential and wealthy individuals, including politicians and businesspeople, insisting that tackling them was crucial to ending the violence.


He also called on the United States to collaborate with other countries in supporting Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism.

“Boats Have Replaced Cars In Parts Of Lagos As Children Head To School Through Floodwaters. This Is The Legacy Of Tinubu👀.” pic.twitter.com/1NzVjXybfP

— Somto Okonkwo (@General_Somto) June 29, 2026