JUST IN: The Federal Government has approved the design and construction of a new headquarters for the Bank of Industry at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, marking a major step in the FG’s drive to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial and financial infrastructure.

FG Launches N590bn Bond Issuance to Begin Clearing N4tn Power Sector Debt

The Federal Government has started the repayment process for the N4 trillion owed to Power Generation Companies through a N590 billion inaugural bond offering.

Backed by Federal Government guarantee, this first tranche is part of a comprehensive N4 trillion NBET Finance Company Plc Bond Programme. The package includes N300 billion in cash bonds for public subscription and N290 billion in non-cash bonds to be distributed directly to GenCos on matching terms.

The Taliban have detained four young Afghans for dressing in a Peaky Blinders–inspired style

The men tried to explain that they were simply inspired by the series. But they were accused of “promoting a foreign culture.”

Taliban officials said such behavior “does not align with Islamic values and Afghan culture,” and arrested them.

“We saved this country from the spread of a corrupt culture at great sacrifice, and now we will protect it,” Taliban representative Khaybar said.

In the end, the stylish youngsters were forced to apologize on national television. The morality police said the detainees had “repented.”

FG Bans Cash Payments Nationwide, Orders MDAs to Adopt Full Electronic Revenue Collection

The Nigerian government has announced an immediate ban on all physical cash payments for federal revenue collection, directing Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to switch entirely to electronic channels. The policy, issued through four Treasury circulars from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, mandates MDAs to install POS terminals within 45 days and display “No Cash Payment” notices.

The circulars also prohibit MDAs from making unauthorised deductions on revenue, introduce a mandatory national e-receipt system effective January 1, 2026, and require full integration with the new Revenue Optimisation (RevOP) platform. The measures aim to eliminate leakages, strengthen TSA compliance, improve transparency, and modernise Nigeria’s revenue collection framework.

FG Moves 70% of 2025 Capital Budget to 2026

The Federal Government has directed ministries, departments, and agencies to carry over 70 per cent of their 2025 capital budget into the 2026 fiscal year as the administration moves to prioritise the completion of existing projects and manage spending pressures amid weak revenues.

FG Approves Kogi-Hunan Free Trade Zone

… As Stakeholders Set for Abuja Briefing

The Federal Government has approved the establishment of the Kogi–Hunan Free Trade Zone, paving the way for the takeoff of the Ajaokuta Economic City as the Kogi State Government begins preparations for a major stakeholders’ briefing in Abuja.

The initiative follows the strategic partnership between the Kogi state government led by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the Zhuzhou Municipal Government of Hunan Province, China, under the Kogi–Hunan Sister Province Relationship.

According to the invitation to the official media briefing by Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Kogi State Investment Promotion and Public Private Partnership Agency (KSIPPA), Aliyu Inda Salami, government agencies, investors and development partners will be briefed on the project framework, investment opportunities and next steps at the event in Abuja this Tuesday.
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Northern Leaders, FG Working Hard To End Insecurity, Says Gov Abdullahi Sule

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule says both the Federal Government and northern leaders are making strong efforts to curb the rising insecurity across the region. Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, he praised the coordinated rescue of 100 abducted pupils in Niger State and dismissed claims that leaders are not committed to solving security challenges, calling such accusations mischievous.

FG Secures Release of 100 Abducted Niger Catholic Schoolchildren After Months in Captivity

The Federal Government has secured the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State. The students were part of the 303 children and 12 teachers kidnapped by armed bandits who invaded the school on November 21 at 2 a.m. The mass abduction triggered nationwide outrage and led President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on security and order large-scale recruitment into the police and military. Authorities continue efforts to rescue the remaining victims still in captivity.

FG says they attract $2 billion in CNG investments, aim for $5 billion by 2027.

The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PiCNG) has successfully drawn over $2 billion from private investors into Nigeria's CNG sector, with ambitions to reach $5 billion by 2027.

This announcement came from PiCNG's Executive Chairman and CEO, Ismaeel Ahmed, during the launch of innovative CNG technologies by Alfa Design Nigeria Limited in Abuja on Friday. Ahmed's remarks were delivered by the initiative's Chief Compliance Officer, Zayyanu Tambari.

He highlighted the sector's rapid transformation: "As of 2023, when this programme started, the CNG sector was virtually non-existent. It was not really attracting any serious investment from any quarters. Today, as I speak, we have attracted over 1.8 billion dollars in investments. We have rounded up to two billion dollars of private sector investment in the CNG subsector in just two years."

Describing the $5 billion goal as "modest," Ahmed suggested that surging investor enthusiasm could push investments into "double-digit" billions by the target year.

The said initiative has already generated more than 80,000 direct jobs, with projections to expand to 300,000 by 2027. "We are already at 80,000 direct jobs," Ahmed noted. "Again, we are reasonably confident we will meet and exceed this target."

He added that Infrastructure growth has been equally impressive. Conversion centers for CNG vehicles have surged from just seven in 2023, following President Bola Tinubu's launch of the program, to 369 today, with plans for 3,000 by 2027.

He said refueling stations have also multiplied: from 20 in 2023 to over 68 licensed outlets, plus more than 150 in various stages of construction. The vision includes 2,000 to 2,500 retail stations nationwide by 2027.

Supreme Court Slams Tinubu Government for Unlawful Seizure of Osun LG Funds, Faults State for Unauthorized Suit

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Tinubu-led Federal Government acted illegally by withholding Osun State’s local government allocations amounting to ₦73.7 billion between March and August 2025. While condemning the FG for violating the 1999 Constitution, the Court also faulted the Osun State Attorney General for filing the suit without authorization from the 30 councils. Justice Mohammed Idris described the FG’s actions as unconstitutional and “indefensible,” insisting funds must be paid directly to LG accounts. A minority judgment, however, supported Osun’s right to sue. The decision comes amid ongoing legal battles and political tension over the February LG elections and an interim order stopping UBA from releasing the funds.

FG Sets N1,512/$ Exchange Rate Target for 2026 in New Fiscal Framework

The Federal Government has unveiled a new exchange rate projection of N1,512 per dollar for the 2026 budget under the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP). The plan also includes a conservative oil price benchmark of $64.85 per barrel, and two production targets: 2.06mbpd (target) and 1.80mbpd (benchmark).
According to Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Nigeria is projecting GDP growth of 4.68%, gross federation revenue of N50.74 trillion, and a federal budget deficit of N20.10 trillion. Major spending areas include debt servicing, statutory transfers, and recurrent expenditure.
The announcement comes as Nigeria’s external reserves rise to $42.2 billion, strengthening the country’s FX stability outlook.

FG Completes $5B Africa Energy Bank Headquarters in Abuja, Set for Full Operations

Nigeria has completed and fully furnished the headquarters of the $5 billion Africa Energy Bank (AEB) in Abuja, with the facility now ready for operations. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, confirmed that the country has met all host-nation obligations, paving the way for the bank’s launch. Established to bridge Africa’s energy-financing gap amid global restrictions on fossil-fuel funding, the bank will begin with over $5 billion in capital and aims to expand its portfolio to $120 billion. The AEB is expected to support exploration, gas infrastructure, refinery upgrades, and cleaner technologies, positioning Nigeria as a central hub for energy development on the continent.

FG Projects N34.33trn Revenue for 2026, Sets Exchange Rate at N1,512/$1 in New MTEF

The Federal Executive Council has approved the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, setting Nigeria’s projected revenue for 2026 at N34.33 trillion. According to Budget and Economic Planning Minister Atiku Bagudu, the framework adopts a benchmark oil production target of 2.06 million barrels per day, with a conservative 1.8 million barrels per day used for budgeting. The government also approved an oil price benchmark of $64.85 per barrel and an exchange rate of N1,512/$1, influenced partly by the upcoming 2027 general elections.
The MTEF outlines key expenditure figures, including N15.91 trillion for debt servicing, N15.27 trillion for non-recurrent spending, and a fiscal deficit of N20.1 trillion. Bagudu emphasised ongoing reforms to expand non-oil revenue, strengthen tax administration, and curb leakages in the oil and minerals sectors. The government is also working with the National Assembly to restore a January–December budget cycle, with parts of the 2025 capital expenditure expected to roll over into 2026.


#2026Budget

#MTEF

#FederalExecutiveCouncil

#AtikuBagudu

#WaleEdun

Afghan National Charged in DC National Guard Shooting After Allegedly Shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’


Federal prosecutors say Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, shouted “Allahu akbar” as he opened fire on two National Guard members near the Farragut West Metro station in Washington, D.C. Lakanwal, who legally entered the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome in 2021, allegedly drove cross-country with a .357 revolver before ambushing the troops on November 26.

National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were struck by the gunfire. Beckstrom later died, while Wolfe remains hospitalized and fighting for his life. Court documents state that a supervisor returned fire and a witness tackled the suspect as he attempted to reload, leading to his arrest.

Lakanwal, appearing remotely from a hospital bed, pleaded not guilty to charges including assault with intent to kill, murder, and firearms offenses. A judge ordered him held without bond, and Attorney General Pam Bondi says the Department of Justice will seek the death penalty. Authorities continue investigating the motive behind the attack.


#NationalGuardshooting

#RahmanullahLakanwal

#WashingtonDCattack

#Afghanrefugeesuspect

#OperationAlliesWelcome

#SarahBeckstrom

#AndrewWolfe

#FoxNewsreport

#USsecurityincidents

FG commends Saudi authorities for releasing 3 Nigerians detained over fraudulent luggage

Three Nigerians who were arrested in August 2025 at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah have been released from detention by Saudi Authorities over luggage linked to criminal syndicates. The Nigerians were: Abdulhamid Sadieq, Maryam Abdullahi, and Bahijah Abdullahi.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar in a statement, explained that prohibited substances were fraudulently attached to their air tickets by criminal syndicates at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), without the knowledge of the passengers.

Through diplomatic channels, Nigeria’s Consulate in Jeddah provided legal support and worked closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (#NDLEA) in the investigation and the mission maintained regular contact with Saudi authorities as well as conducted prison visits. After thorough investigations, the Saudi authorities cleared the Nigerians of all wrongdoing and released them on September 14 and 15, 2025.

Yusuf Tuggar says, a travel ban was imposed and currently, the travel ban on Abdulhamid Sadieq has been lifted on December 2, 2025, and arrangements for his return are ongoing, while recalling that Maryam Abdullahi and Bahijah Abdullahi returned to Nigeria on November 5, 2025.

The minister commends the professionalism of Saudi authorities and notes that the release reflects Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, as enshrined in the 4D Doctrine of President Bola Tinubu.

Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Sheriff Abubakar Rabiu Drops Expl0sive Open Letter, Accuses Northern Clerics of Fueling Extrem!sm

A retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sheriff Abubakar Rabiu, has dropped one of the boldest, loudest, and most uncomfortable truths Northern Nigeria has heard in years — and his message is now spreading through mosques like wildfire.

In his fiery open letter, the respected ex-cop accused a section of Northern Islamic cler!cs of:

“Po!soning the minds of our youth with vituperat!ve, inciting and danger0usly divisive sermons.”

He warned that some preachers have turned the pulpit into a battleground, labeling Christians as “arne,” “kafurai,” and “infidels destined for h3ll.”
And he didn’t mince words:

“This is not Islam. This is m@dness. And this m@dness gave birth to Boko Haram.”

Rabiu argued that h@teful preaching, combined with the Almajiri system, has created a breeding ground for extrem!sm:

“An idle mind is the dev!l’s workshop. Those street children begging today will become tomorrow's recruits and fo0t soldiers for terr0r groups.”

He also questioned why Nigeria gets flagged internationally:

“Instead of shouting that Trump is Islamophob!c, ask why America put us on that list.
Try this kind of preaching in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE—even Cameroon—and you’ll be arrested the same day.”

Rabiu called on the President, the National Assembly, Northern governors, and all LG chairmen to urgently enact laws that:

Crim!nalize calling any Nigerian “arne” or “kafir” from the pulpit
✔ Ban street begging by children (Almajiri)
✔ End h@te speech disguised as relig!ous preaching

He warned that failure to act may attract the same global digital w@r that turned Afghanistan and Iraq into ruins.

But he ended with hope:

“If we implement these measures sincerely, Nigeria will return to the peace we enjoyed in the 70s–90s when Muslims and Christians shared meals, drank from the same cup, and buried each other’s de@d.”

This message is loud, raw, and shaking the entire region — and the conversation has only just begun.

FG APPROVES LARGE-SCALE PROMOTION ACROSS PARAMILITARY SERVICES AMID SECURITY PRESSURES

Twenty-four thousand, two hundred personnel across the paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior have been promoted.

FG Inaugurates Inter-Ministerial Committee to Electrify Nigeria’s Health Facilities

GADDAFI (in 2002): "The terrorists who hit New York were not Afghani. They did not use airplanes or take off from Iraq or Afghanistan. They flew from JFK airport, here. The whole action was done in America. They were trained in America.."

Resident Doctors Suspend Strike After Signing MoU With Federal Government

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its nationwide indefinite strike, which began on November 1. The decision followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government after hours of negotiations. With the agreement reached, resident doctors are expected to resume duties immediately across hospitals nationwide.

#### #NARD #NigeriaHealth #FGN #StrikeUpdate