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  • Nigeria, US Renew Security Partnership as Violence and Displacement Soar

    Nigeria, US Renew Security Partnership as Violence and Displacement Soar

    — But Results Remain Elusive

    Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says a recent visit by the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Dagvin Anderson, has reaffirmed security cooperation between Abuja and Washington. But with violence continuing to claim lives, displace communities, and deepen humanitarian strain, analysts and rights groups say both governments owe the public clearer evidence of what the partnership has actually achieved.

    In a statement attributed to the DHQ’s Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, officials said the visit was meant to “deepen collaboration” against terrorist groups threatening Nigeria and the wider region. Gen. Anderson met with Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, and visited a joint US–Nigeria intelligence fusion cell.

    But concrete outcomes remain vague. Officials did not detail new commitments, metrics for success, or timelines for measuring progress — a pattern critics say has characterised past security dialogues.

    Violence Continues Despite Longstanding Cooperation

    Despite years of military training, intelligence sharing, and international support (including US-approved arms deals), Nigeria’s insecurity shows little sign of abating:

    • Deadly attacks have surged. In early February 2026, at least 162–200 people were killed in coordinated extremist assaults on the villages of Woro and Nuku in Kwara State — among the deadliest attacks in recent months.
    • Statewide and national figures point to a broader crisis. Amnesty International reported that between May 2023 and May 2025, armed attacks across multiple states killed at least 10,217 people and forced the displacement of hundreds of towns and villages.
    • Longer-term conflict toll. Insurgent violence in northern Nigeria — particularly linked to Boko Haram and splinter groups — has been associated with the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians and the displacement of over 2 million people since the conflict began.

    These figures reflect not just battlefield deaths but the chronic security failures that have driven families from their homes, disrupted local economies, and crippled access to basic services.

    Intelligence and Cooperation — Impact or Optics?

    The DHQ highlighted the role of a joint US–Nigeria intelligence fusion cell in enhancing surveillance and operational response. Yet, there are persistent reports of militants reaching remote communities, executing mass killings, and kidnapping civilians with impunity, suggesting that improved information flow has not always translated into timely or effective protection for vulnerable populations.

    Moreover, public statements from both governments rarely clarify how shared intelligence leads to changes in on-the-ground outcomes — such as preventing massacres like the one in Kwara or reducing daily attacks in the northeast and northwest.

    Opaque Budgets and Unclear Outcomes

    Budget details on US assistance — including equipment transfers, training, and advisory support — are often disclosed in generic terms without comprehensive reporting on results relative to expenditure. For example, in 2025, the United States approved a potential $346 million weapons sale to Nigeria aimed at strengthening military capacity, but there is limited publicly available data on how such resources have measurably reduced violence or improved civilian safety.

    Without transparent benchmarks or regular independent assessments, experts warn that security cooperation risks becoming a diplomatic talking point rather than a force for measurable change.

    Looking Ahead: What Nigerians Want to See

    Analysts and civil society groups increasingly call for:

    • Clear public metrics tracking trends in violence, arrests, and successful interventions attributable to joint efforts.
    • Independent evaluation of intelligence-sharing mechanisms and their operational impact.
    • Human security indicators, such as reductions in displacement and civilian casualties, rather than purely military success markers.

    For many Nigerians living amid recurring attacks and displacement, the question is no longer whether Nigeria has partners, but whether those partnerships can be held accountable to the people they are supposed to protect.

  • Peter Obi, Activists Protest at National Assembly Over Electoral Act Reform Bill

    Peter Obi, Activists Protest at National Assembly Over Electoral Act Reform Bill

    Presidential aspirant Peter Obi on Tuesday joined pro-democracy activists in a protest at the National Assembly, calling for a review of the Electoral Act Reform Bill currently under consideration by lawmakers.

    The protesters, made up of civil society groups and political supporters, gathered at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, expressing concerns that some provisions of the proposed legislation could weaken electoral transparency and accountability.

    Speaking during the protest, Obi urged lawmakers to ensure that any amendments to the Electoral Act strengthen the credibility of elections and protect the independence of the electoral process. He said the bill, in its current form, requires broader consultation with stakeholders.

    The demonstrators also called for greater public input, warning that poorly crafted reforms could erode confidence in future elections.

    Security operatives were deployed around the National Assembly, but the protest remained peaceful, with no reported incidents.

    As of the time of reporting, the National Assembly had not issued an official response to the demands raised by the protesters. Deliberations on the Electoral Act Reform Bill are ongoing.

  • Housemanship Gap Locks Out 2,000 Doctors Every Year — MDCN

    Housemanship Gap Locks Out 2,000 Doctors Every Year — MDCN

    The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has disclosed that about 2,000 Nigerian-trained medical doctors are left without housemanship placement every year, citing limited capacity under the current centralized system.

    The revelation was made by MDCN Registrar Fatimah Kyari while defending the Council’s 2026 budget proposal before the Senate Committee on Health in Abuja.

    Housemanship Capacity Below Medical Graduate Output

    According to the Council, Nigerian medical schools produce approximately 6,000 doctors annually, but the Centralized Housemanship System can only absorb about 4,000 graduates each year.

    This shortfall leaves nearly one-third of new doctors unable to complete their mandatory housemanship, delaying full registration and entry into the workforce.

    “A total of about 6,000 medical doctors are produced annually from various medical schools, while the centralized housemanship system in operation can only take 4,000,” Kyari said.

    Call to Include State and Private Hospitals

    To close the gap, the MDCN urged the Federal Government to expand the Centralized Housemanship System to include state-owned and privately owned hospitals.

    Kyari said such an expansion would allow all 6,000 medical graduates to be absorbed annually, eliminating backlogs and training delays.

    Brain Drain Concerns Grow

    The Registrar warned that persistent housemanship delays were fueling Nigeria’s medical brain drain, as affected graduates increasingly seek training and employment opportunities abroad.

    She stressed that timely placement of medical graduates was critical to retaining healthcare professionals and strengthening the health system.

    MDCN Raises Funding Shortfalls

    Kyari also highlighted funding challenges facing the Council, revealing that no capital funds were released in the 2025 fiscal year, despite an approved ₦1.2 billion capital budget.

    She added that:

    • Only ₦37.5 million was released from the ₦100 million approved for overhead costs, and
    • ₦13.859 billion was released from the ₦16.8 billion allocated for personnel expenses.

    Senate Promises Budgetary Support

    Responding, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Banigo Ipalibo, assured the MDCN of legislative backing, pledging that the committee would work toward improved funding for the Council in the 2026 budget.

    He noted that addressing housemanship bottlenecks and funding gaps was essential to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

  • Senate Approves Electoral Act Bill, Denies Scrapping E-Transmission

    Senate Approves Electoral Act Bill, Denies Scrapping E-Transmission

    The Nigerian Senate has approved the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, dismissing reports that lawmakers voted to scrap the electronic transmission of election results.

    The bill was passed on Wednesday after more than four hours of heated debate, particularly over the proposed amendment to Clause 60(3), which sparked widespread speculation on social media that the Senate had rejected real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IREV).

    Reacting to the controversy, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the reports as inaccurate and misleading, insisting that the Senate did not vote against electronic transmission.

    “The Senate has not rejected electronic transmission of results,” Akpabio said shortly after the bill’s passage. “What we did was to retain the provision already in the Act, which permits electronic transmission and was applied in the 2022 elections. This Senate cannot afford to go backwards.”

    Debate on the contentious clause began around 2:00 p.m. and concluded at approximately 6:26 p.m., following concerns that a proposed amendment mandating presiding officers to transmit signed and stamped result sheets electronically to IREV in real time could introduce legal complications.

    Instead, lawmakers opted to retain the existing wording of the Electoral Act, which allows election results to be transmitted “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.”

    Akpabio stressed that the decision does not eliminate electronic transmission from Nigeria’s electoral framework, adding that the provision remains valid and will continue to guide future elections.

    Similarly, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said the Senate did not discard the committee’s recommendation on electronic transmission but avoided provisions that could create legal technicalities during election disputes.

    Adaramodu also disclosed that the amendment removed the power to declare a runner-up as winner in cases where a candidate earlier declared elected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is later found to be unqualified to contest.

    Electronic transmission of election results has remained one of the most contentious elements of Nigeria’s electoral reform discussions since the 2023 general elections, with civil society groups and opposition parties advocating clearer legal safeguards to enhance transparency and public trust.

    Following the bill’s passage, the Senate announced the composition of a conference committee to harmonise its version with that of the House of Representatives. The committee will be chaired by Adeniyi Adegbonmire, with Tahir Monguno, Simon Lalong, Adamu Aliero, Orji Uzor Kalu, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Aminu Abbas, and Tokunbo Abiru serving as members.

    Meanwhile, the Senate adjourned plenary until February 24, 2026, to allow lawmakers focus on the defence of the 2026 budget by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

  • I Can Fix Benue APC Crisis — Omale Omale, Declares Chairmanship Bid

    I Can Fix Benue APC Crisis — Omale Omale, Declares Chairmanship Bid

    Former Benue State Commissioner for Power, Renewable Energy and Transport, Chief Omale Omale, has declared that he has the capacity to end the lingering internal crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State.

    Omale, who is contesting for the state chairmanship position of the party, made the declaration on Wednesday while speaking with journalists in Makurdi, insisting that only party members with deep knowledge of APC’s history should be entrusted with its leadership.

    “I understand the various tendencies within the party, and I have the capacity to manage them,” he said, citing his experience in party management and government administration.

    The APC founding member accused the current Unity Caretaker Committee of failing to deliver on its mandate of uniting the party, noting that no inclusive meeting involving all factions has been convened since the committee assumed office.

    “The divide is still there. There is a missing link, and it flows from the capacity and personality of those managing the party,” Omale stated.

    He also criticised what he described as the rise of “overnight political players” who lack understanding of the party’s history, while long-standing members who laboured to build the APC are being sidelined.

    Omale assured party members that his leadership would prioritise inclusiveness, internal democracy, and strict adherence to the party’s manifesto, stressing that loyalty must be to the party and not to individuals or factions.

    “For democracy to work, everyone must have a say, and the majority must have their way without creating further division,” he said.

  • NOA Urges Nigerians to Report Cancer Symptoms Early

    NOA Urges Nigerians to Report Cancer Symptoms Early

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to promptly report signs and symptoms of cancer to health facilities, stressing that early detection can significantly reduce cancer-related deaths.

    The Director of the agency in Jigawa State, Malam Ahmad Ibrahim, made the call in a statement issued in Dutse on Wednesday to mark World Cancer Day 2025, observed annually on February 4.

    Ibrahim said the agency joined the global community to raise awareness on cancer prevention, early detection and equitable access to care, noting that cancer remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria.

    He said many cancer cases in the country are detected at advanced stages due to low awareness, stigma and limited access to screening services.

    According to him, cancer is not a death sentence if detected early, adding that many forms of the disease are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices.

    Ibrahim listed breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer and colorectal cancer as the most common cancers affecting Nigerians.

    He identified warning signs that should not be ignored to include unusual lumps or swellings, persistent pain, unexplained weight loss, abnormal bleeding or discharge, changes in breast shape or skin, persistent cough or hoarseness, and non-healing sores.

    The NOA director advised Nigerians to avoid tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption, while encouraging healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables, regular physical activity, weight control, protection from harmful sun exposure, and vaccination against Hepatitis B and Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

    He further urged citizens to take advantage of routine cancer screening, including breast self-examination and mammography, cervical cancer screening through Pap smear or HPV tests, prostate screening for men above 40 years, and regular medical check-ups.

    Ibrahim dismissed misconceptions that cancer is caused by witchcraft or is contagious, stressing that traditional remedies alone cannot cure the disease and that early medical care improves survival outcomes.

    He called on communities, religious and traditional leaders, families and the media to support cancer awareness efforts, reduce stigma and promote healthy living.

    “Cancer care is a shared responsibility. Closing the care gap begins with awareness, compassion and timely action,” he said.

  • Yahaya Bello Facing Political Witch-Hunt, Not Money Laundering Trial — JB Daudu

    Yahaya Bello Facing Political Witch-Hunt, Not Money Laundering Trial — JB Daudu

    The defence team of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has bluntly told the Federal High Court, Abuja, that the case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is nothing more than a political witch-hunt disguised as a money laundering trial.

    Mr Joseph Daudu, SAN, made the assertion on Wednesday before Justice Emeka Nwite, in a sharp rebuttal to remarks by EFCC counsel, Mr Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, during proceedings.

    The stinging exchange unfolded while Olomotane Egoro, the EFCC’s seventh prosecution witness (PW-7) and a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc, was being rigorously cross-examined by the defence.

    Under oath, the witness made a series of admissions that appeared to undermine the prosecution’s case. Egoro confirmed unequivocally that Bello never served as a local government chairman in Kogi State and had no role in awarding any of the contracts under investigation.

    He further admitted that all the contracts referenced by the prosecution were awarded by various local government chairmen, as reflected in Exhibit 33 tendered before the court.

    More damaging to the prosecution, Egoro told the court that Bello’s name did not appear anywhere in the transaction records linked to the alleged money laundering. According to him, “Yahaya Bello” was neither a sender nor a recipient in any of the local government transactions cited by the EFCC.

    The witness also conceded that transactions contained in Exhibit 33(11), particularly those involving local governments and Keyless Nature Limited, were, on their face, consistent with normal banking operations. He admitted he did not know the purposes of several payments made by the 21 local government areas, nor could he establish whether there was any contractual relationship between the councils and the company.

    Egoro further testified that banks only raise red flags where fraud is suspected, stressing that customers are free to spend their money as they choose. He confirmed that Access Bank was not acting under any court order and had no fraud report relating to the transactions in question.

    On payments made to Fayzade Business Enterprise, the witness identified a May 6, 2022 inflow from Okene Local Government Area as payment for the supply of reading materials. He also listed other payments from Ogorimagongo, Okehi, Omala and Yagba local government areas for clearly stated purposes, including education materials, medical items, sporting equipment and medical consumables, with amounts running into several millions of naira. Other transactions, he said, covered agrochemicals, farm inputs and medical supplies.

    When pressed by the defence to confirm whether Bello was a local government chairman in any part of Kogi State, Egoro answered plainly: he was not.

    In an apparent attempt to rescue the prosecution’s narrative, Pinheiro interjected, suggesting that payments in money laundering cases are often disguised. Daudu immediately fired back, insisting that such casual remarks could not mask the reality before the court.

    He maintained that the evidence so far had exposed the trial as politically motivated, declaring that the proceedings would soon be seen for what they truly are — a political prosecution rather than a genuine money laundering case.

    Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter until February 5 for the continuation of the cross-examination of the prosecution witness.

  • Senate Moves to Increase FG Revenue Share, Cites Security Burden

    Senate Moves to Increase FG Revenue Share, Cites Security Burden

    The Senate has commenced legislative action to amend the 1999 Constitution in a bid to increase the Federal Government’s share of national revenue, arguing that the current allocation formula is no longer capable of sustaining the country’s mounting national obligations.

    At present, the Federal Government receives 52.68 per cent of the nation’s revenue, while the 36 states get 26.72 per cent and the 774 local government councils receive 20.60 per cent.

    The proposed amendment is contained in a bill sponsored by Sunday Karimi, which passed first reading during plenary on Tuesday.

    Addressing journalists after the session, Karimi said the existing revenue sharing arrangement has become grossly inadequate for the Federal Government, especially in the face of deepening infrastructure collapse and worsening security challenges nationwide.

    He maintained that the formula, which has remained largely unchanged for years, no longer reflects current realities and places disproportionate financial pressure on the Federal Government.

    “The revenue allocation formula is outdated and unsustainable. It fails to provide the Federal Government with sufficient resources to meet its constitutional responsibilities,” Karimi said.

    He pointed to the deplorable state of federal roads across the country, noting that the burden of construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance continues to rest squarely on the Federal Government despite dwindling funds.

    Karimi also highlighted the escalating cost of internal security, stressing that massive resources are being channelled into combating banditry, terrorism, and other violent crimes threatening national stability.

    According to him, persistent funding gaps have weakened the capacity of the military and other security agencies to effectively prosecute the war against terrorism.

    “The Federal Government is stretched thin. The responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, maintaining critical infrastructure, and preserving national unity cannot be met under the current revenue framework,” he said.

    The senator argued that increasing the Federal Government’s share of national revenue would provide the financial leverage needed to reinforce security operations, repair critical infrastructure, and stabilise governance at the centre.

    The move is expected to reignite intense debate within the Senate of Nigeria, as well as among state governments and local councils, many of which have consistently opposed any reduction in their revenue shares.

    If passed, the proposed constitutional amendment would represent a major shift in Nigeria’s fiscal structure and could significantly redefine the balance of financial power among the three tiers of government.

  • NiMet Rejects N5 Trillion Loss Claims, Says Reports Are Baseless and Misleading

    NiMet Rejects N5 Trillion Loss Claims, Says Reports Are Baseless and Misleading

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has strongly dismissed reports alleging that Nigerian farmers lost about N5 trillion as a result of inaccurate weather forecasts, describing the claims as false, misleading and unsupported by credible evidence.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, NiMet faulted publications by The Nation on February 2, 2026, and Daily Trust on February 3, 2026, which attributed the claim to the Foundation for Peace Professionals. The agency said the reports amounted to a deliberate attempt to misinform the public.

    The statement, signed by Rabiatu Lawal Ado, Acting Head of NiMet’s Public Relations Unit, said the alleged N5 trillion loss was not supported by any verifiable data, transparent methodology or independent assessment.

    “The alarmist claim that Nigerian farmers lost nearly N5 trillion in productive capital as a result of NiMet’s weather forecasts is entirely unfounded and economically irresponsible,” the agency stated.

    NiMet stressed that it has provided reliable weather and climate services in Nigeria for more than 140 years, supporting planning and decision-making across critical sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture.

    According to the agency, independent evaluations by development partners, the World Meteorological Organization, sector stakeholders and farmers nationwide indicate that NiMet’s forecast accuracy has improved significantly over time. The agency said its accuracy now exceeds the 60 per cent benchmark and has reached over 90 per cent in recent years.

    NiMet explained that its Seasonal Climate Predictions, early warning alerts and location-specific agro-advisories are designed to help farmers make informed decisions on planting dates, crop selection, irrigation planning and risk management.

    “These products are disseminated through state governments, agricultural extension services, traditional media platforms and digital channels to ensure wide reach and accessibility,” the agency noted.

    The meteorological agency also referenced the executive summary of the 2025 Wet Season Agricultural Performance Survey in Nigeria, conducted in collaboration with key institutions across the agricultural value chain. According to NiMet, the survey recorded increased crop yields and livestock production across the country.

    The findings showed improved output in major crops such as rice, maize, cowpea, yam, cassava and groundnut compared to 2024. The survey also indicated a reduction in food prices across all geopolitical zones, reflecting improved supply conditions and the impact of effective policy interventions.

    Reaffirming its commitment to national food security, climate resilience and sustainable agricultural development, NiMet said it would not be distracted by what it described as sensational narratives.

    The agency called on stakeholders, civil society organisations and the media to engage responsibly and ensure that public discourse is guided by facts, credible evidence and verified data.

  • Stigma Undermining Nigeria’s HIV Response — NACA

    Stigma Undermining Nigeria’s HIV Response — NACA

    The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has warned that persistent stigma and discrimination continue to undermine Nigeria’s fight against HIV, despite millions of people requiring sustained treatment and long-term support.

    The Director-General of NACA, Dr Temitope Ilori, gave the warning on Tuesday in Lagos during a Zero Stigma Sensitisation Against Discrimination of People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) programme held in Ikeja Local Government Area.

    Ilori, who was represented by NACA’s South-West Zonal Coordinator, Raheem Mohammed, said stigma remains one of the most significant barriers to achieving epidemic control of HIV in Nigeria.

    According to her, Nigeria currently has about 1.9 million people living with HIV, while Lagos State alone accounts for an estimated 1.3 million, making the state a critical priority in the national HIV response.

    “Stigma remains a major obstacle in our national and state efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS, which is essential to achieving epidemic control,” Ilori said.

    She described Lagos as Nigeria’s commercial and population hub, noting that its high population density and mobility make sustained awareness and anti-stigma campaigns imperative.

    Available data, she explained, showed that Lagos State has a prevalence rate of over 1.3 per cent, translating to a large number of people who require continuous prevention, treatment and support services.

    Ilori noted that Ikeja, as an administrative and economic centre, attracts a diverse and mobile population, increasing the importance of targeted sensitisation against HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

    She stressed that stigma discourages people from seeking testing, care and treatment due to fear of rejection, job loss and social exclusion, despite the fact that early testing and consistent treatment can suppress the virus and prevent transmission.

    Ilori added that the Zero Stigma Campaign would be extended to other local government areas this year, including Alimosho, with the aim of promoting accurate knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention, strengthening community support systems and improving access to HIV services.

    She called for a broad coalition involving communities, traditional and religious leaders, health workers, the media, families and caregivers to collectively combat stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

    The sensitisation programme was organised by NACA in collaboration with GEDERITE Nigeria Ltd., the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) and the **Improved Sexual Health and Right Advocacy Initiative (ISHRAI).

    Speaking at the event, LSACA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Folakemi Animashaun, disclosed that Lagos State was reviewing a 2007 law designed to protect people living with HIV in order to close existing gaps.

    She said the review aims to strengthen legal protections, align the law with global best practices and provide stronger safeguards against discrimination.

    “Stigma does not only occur within health facilities. It happens in workplaces, schools, markets, motor parks, places of worship and even within families,” Animashaun said.

    She urged government agencies, employers, service providers and community leaders to demonstrate zero tolerance for stigma by offering non-discriminatory services and using respectful language.

    “Discrimination against people living with HIV has no place in our society. HIV is not a death sentence,” she said.

    Also speaking, Ms Monica Obi, representing the Network of People Living with HIV in Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, called for an end to HIV-related stigma, noting that discrimination was driving pregnant women away from testing and treatment.

    Obi, who also represented the Association of Women Living with HIV in Lagos, said fear of being labelled often forced women to conceal their HIV status until after delivery, increasing the risk of mother-to-child transmission.

    She called for collective action to ensure future generations are born HIV-free.