By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to upload their candidates for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

The commission moved the deadline from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

Mohammed Haruna, chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday.

“The submission window, which, according to the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the general election, was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the statement reads.

According to the commission, the decision followed requests from several political parties for more time to complete the submission process.

“The extension follows growing appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the process.”

INEC also announced the end of the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

It said voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs had until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.

“In a related development, the commission wishes to notify voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced PVC that the window to print downloadable copies of their cards will expire by midnight of Sunday, 9th August, 2026,” the statement added.

The commission said the measure would enable it to determine the final number of PVCs collected before the election.

“This is to allow the commission to compile the data of downloaded PVCs for final statistics of total PVCs collected ahead of the August 15th Osun governorship election.”

INEC also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been provided for voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas whose cards were reportedly taken during an invasion of two collection centres.

“The commission also wishes to state that replacement downloadable PVCs have been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife central local government areas whose cards were carted away by hoodlums who invaded the two centres. The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote,” INEC said.

Haruna explained that the PVC collection exercise in Osun began at the Registration Area level on July 22 and was initially scheduled to end on July 28.

“It will be recalled that the collection of PVCs in Osun State commenced at the Registration Area (RA) level from 22nd to 28th July, 2026,” he said.

He added that the commission extended the exercise after voters complained about overcrowding and challenges at collection centres.

“Owing to complaints of large crowds and difficulties encountered by voters at collection centres, the commission approved an extension of RA-level collection to 31st July, 2026, before collection moved to LGA level, running from 1st to 7th August, 2026.”

INEC restated its commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election in Osun State on August 15.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been eliminated from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon on Sunday.

The result at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium ended Nigeria’s defence of the continental title and left the nine-time African champions facing a tougher route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Cameroon secured the victory through Myriam Nyadjou, who scored the decisive goal in the 20th minute.

The encounter was closely fought, with both teams engaging in physical challenges and intense battles in midfield.

Nigeria struggled to create clear opportunities after falling behind. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade attempted to control the game and organise the Super Falcons’ attacks, but the team relied largely on efforts from distance during the first half.

Cameroon returned from the break with greater intensity and applied pressure higher up the pitch. The approach disrupted Nigeria’s attempts to build attacks and limited the Super Falcons’ ability to find openings.

Nigeria increased the pressure as the match progressed and continued its search for an equaliser into stoppage time. Cameroon, however, maintained its defensive shape until the final whistle.

The victory gave Cameroon its first WAFCON knockout-stage win over Nigeria since the 2012 third-place play-off.

Cameroon will now advance to the semi-finals, which guarantees the team a top-four finish and an automatic qualification spot for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria, by contrast, will have to go through a playoff tournament to secure a place at the 2027 World Cup.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Air operations by Nigerian military forces have reportedly killed four Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and severely injured a senior commander in the Lake Chad area.

The operations were carried out under Operation HADIN KAI, according to intelligence sources cited by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama.

One of the commanders injured in the attacks was identified as Ba Ari Hisbah, a senior figure in ISWAP’s police wing in the Lake Chad region.

Field assessments indicated that Hisbah suffered serious injuries to both legs after an airstrike near Arege on August 5.

The attack formed part of military aerial operations aimed at disrupting terrorist fighters and their logistics networks around the Lake Chad basin.

Sources said the strikes disrupted the activities and movements of the insurgents and forced some surviving fighters to leave the area.

In a separate air operation on Friday, troops reportedly killed Ba Usman Maidhar­aib, a 55-year-old ISWAP member who was described as one of the group’s longest-serving fishing tax collectors in the Lake Chad area.

Maidhar­aib was reportedly travelling with three other fighters on two motorcycles when the aircraft struck.

The intelligence report said the four fighters died in the attack, while both motorcycles were destroyed.

The death of Maidhar­aib is considered significant because of the role played by ISWAP’s fishing tax collectors in raising funds for the group across the Lake Chad region.

For several years, ISWAP has imposed illegal taxes, levies and other charges on fishing and other economic activities in communities around the Lake Chad islands.

According to the sources, the loss of a key revenue collector and disruption of movement routes could weaken the group’s ability to raise funds and maintain its operations.

Military sources said intelligence surveillance detected the movements of the fighters before the airstrikes were conducted.

They added that Operation HADIN KAI would sustain aerial interdiction operations alongside ground forces to restrict terrorist movements and target their logistics, command and control networks.

The Lake Chad area remains one of the major operational theatres in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism campaign, as security forces continue efforts to weaken ISWAP formations and their support networks across land and waterways.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Chad has announced plans to allow citizens of all African countries to enter the country without visas from January 1, 2027.

Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby announced the decision as part of efforts to promote closer integration among African countries.

According to Déby, removing visa restrictions will support easier movement of people and goods across the continent and advance the goal of greater African unity.

The policy will place Chad among a growing number of African countries that have adopted visa-free entry for citizens from across the continent.

Chad will become the eighth African country to introduce a blanket visa-free arrangement for African nationals.

The countries that have already adopted similar policies include Benin Republic, The Gambia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Ghana, Kenya and Togo.

Togo introduced its policy in May, allowing African travellers with valid passports to enter the country without obtaining visas.

The Chadian government’s decision is expected to further ease cross-border travel for Africans and strengthen regional integration across the continent.

By Usman Abdullahi Koli

While much of the world’s attention remains fixed on wars, economic uncertainty and geopolitical rivalries, a profound recalibration of the global energy order is underway. It is a shift defined not by headlines, but by the urgent competition to secure supply chains, attract long-term capital, deploy cleaner technologies, and craft the regulatory frameworks that will underpin economic growth for decades.

Increasingly, these decisions are not made within national borders alone. They are forged on international platforms where governments, industry leaders, investors, and researchers exchange ideas, build partnerships, and seek practical solutions to shared existential challenges.

That is why Nigeria’s return to the World Energy Council (WEC) deserves more than a passing mention. This is not merely another diplomatic affiliation. It is the country’s re-entry into one of the world’s oldest and most influential energy leadership forums at a moment when energy security, affordability, sustainability, and investment have become defining issues for every major economy. For Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and one of its premier energy producers, the significance extends well beyond representation. It offers a strategic aperture to shape global policy discourse while vigorously advancing national and regional interests.

Founded in 1923, the World Energy Council has spent over a century connecting governments, businesses, and researchers across the energy landscape. With national member committees spanning more than ninety countries, it serves as a respected neutral forum for dialogue on the future of energy rather than a regulatory body. Its influence derives from its ability to unite diverse voices to address common challenges, encourage innovation, and promote practical approaches to what it terms the “energy trilemma”: balancing energy security, environmental sustainability, and equitable access. Through flagship initiatives like the World Energy Congress and its authoritative research on global trends, the Council has become an indispensable reference point for policymakers and industry leaders alike.

Nigeria’s renewed membership arrives at a pivotal inflection point. Globally, nations are reassessing their energy strategies in response to climate commitments, geopolitical fractures, and technological disruption. The conversation has moved beyond the traditional metric of production capacity. Today, equal weight is given to resilience, competitiveness, regulatory certainty, and the ability to attract stable, long-term investment. Nations are increasingly judged not only by the resources they possess, but by the institutional strength they build and the policies they pursue.

Few countries illustrate this challenge more vividly than Nigeria. The nation holds some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, remains a major oil producer, and possesses immense renewable energy potential, particularly in solar and hydroelectric resources. Yet it continues to grapple with persistent deficits in electricity access, transmission infrastructure, financing, and energy poverty. These realities render international engagement a strategic necessity rather than a diplomatic exercise. Participation in the WEC provides Nigeria with a vital conduit to exchange technical knowledge, strengthen institutional cooperation, learn from global best practices, and project African perspectives in conversations that increasingly dictate investment and policy outcomes.

The opportunities created by this renewed engagement are substantial. Membership unlocks access to comparative research, executive-level dialogue, policy networks, and collaborative initiatives that can directly support national reforms. For instance, Nigeria could leverage the WEC’s scenario-building tools to chart optimal pathways for gas monetisation alongside solar expansion, or utilise the Council’s “Energy Trilemma Index” to benchmark its regulatory reforms against peer economies, translating global frameworks into actionable domestic strategy. Backing this strategic push with the full authority of the state, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu offered an unequivocal endorsement of the newly constituted Member Committee. The President, in formally welcoming Nigeria’s admission, reframed the development as a decisive assertion of continental leadership rather than a mere diplomatic courtesy. Capturing the administration’s highest aspirations for the platform, he declared: “Nigeria has joined the World Energy Council to lead, not just participate – to ensure Africa’s voice shapes global energy decisions.”

Steering this strategic re-engagement is a newly constituted Member Committee, featuring representatives from the government, the private sector, academia, and international energy institutions. At its helm, Dr. Bala Maijama’a Wunti has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Member Committee, and he is very much the man in the picture. Upon his appointment, Wunti captured the essence of this moment with characteristic clarity: “I am honoured to lead WEC Nigeria at a time of profound economic crosscurrents. We will navigate the energy trilemma with pragmatism, mobilising private capital to ensure Nigeria’s energy future is defined not by ideology, but by investability—delivering prosperity that is bankable, just and secure.”

These words are more than a statement of intent; they are a strategic compass. They affirm that Nigeria’s approach to the global energy transition will be grounded in realism, fiscal discipline, and a clear-eyed understanding of what attracts capital and sustains development. Wunti’s emphasis on “investability” rather than ideology signals a mature departure from abstract commitments toward measurable, bankable outcomes—a philosophy that resonates deeply with Nigeria’s immediate needs and long-term aspirations. Wunti is no peripheral figure. He brings a formidable depth of operational and strategic experience from Nigeria’s petroleum industry, having served in senior technical and executive roles, most recently as Chief Health, Safety, and Environment Officer of NNPC Ltd. His professional DNA, forged in operational management, institutional leadership, corporate governance, and multi-stakeholder engagement, positions him uniquely to navigate the complex currents of the global energy transition.

In his new capacity, Wunti’s mandate extends far beyond administration. He is tasked with architecting Nigeria’s engagement strategy: fortifying ties with international partners, driving substantive policy dialogue, and ensuring that Nigerian perspectives are not merely heard, but actively shape global energy governance. His leadership will be critical in translating the Council’s global frameworks into tangible reforms that address Nigeria’s domestic energy paradox: abundant resources coexisting with acute access deficits.

The broader significance of this development, however, transcends any single appointment. Nigeria’s return to the World Energy Council signals a mature recognition that influence in today’s energy landscape is determined as much by ideas, partnerships, and institutional credibility as by natural resource endowments. The countries that will define the future of energy are those that combine resource wealth with sound policy, technological innovation, and sustained international collaboration.

For Nigeria, this renewed membership is a strategic instrument to deepen its contribution to global energy conversations while advancing its own developmental priorities. The platform is now active, and the leadership is in place. The hope ahead, under Wunti’s stewardship, is to convert participation into tangible outcomes: stronger cross-border partnerships, more informed domestic policies, enhanced investment flows, and a more resilient, inclusive energy sector. If that objective is achieved, Nigeria’s return to the World Energy Council will be remembered not simply as an institutional milestone, but as a decisive step in strengthening the nation’s role within an increasingly interconnected global energy system, with Dr. Bala Wunti standing firmly at the centre of that transformation.

Usman Abdullahi Koli wrote via mernoukoli@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam


Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has disclosed that his administration spent more than N1.5 billion on the 2026 mass wedding programme organised for 1,500 couples across the state.

The governor said the expenditure was aimed at fulfilling a campaign promise while providing the beneficiaries with financial, household and social support to help them establish their marriages.

Yusuf disclosed this on Saturday while speaking at the wedding ceremony for the 1,500 couples under the state’s mass wedding initiative, popularly known as Auren Gata.

He explained that the programme was designed not merely to facilitate the marriages but also to support the couples as they begin their lives together.

According to him, the mass wedding was among the promises he made to the people of Kano during his campaign across the state’s 44 local government areas ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“Alhamdulillah, to the glory of Allah, today we have continued to fulfil that promise,” he said.

The governor noted that all prospective beneficiaries underwent comprehensive screening before being admitted into the programme.

He said the process included medical examinations, marriage counselling, workshops and seminars aimed at preparing the couples for the responsibilities of married life.

Yusuf stressed that the medical screening was particularly important in safeguarding the health of the couples and their future children.

He further disclosed that each bride received N100,000 as dowry and an additional N100,000 capital grant to enable her start a small-scale business and achieve economic independence.

The beneficiaries, he added, were also provided with household furniture and essential items, including beds and mattresses, as well as foodstuffs and other materials intended to reduce the financial burden of setting up new homes.

The governor urged the couples to regard marriage as an act of worship and to build their homes in accordance with the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

He advised them to demonstrate patience, fairness and mutual respect, while resolving disagreements peacefully and maintaining understanding in their homes.

“Always remember that marriage is an act of Ibada. Therefore, strive to conduct your matrimonial life in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of our noble Prophet Muhammad,” Yusuf said.

He prayed for Allah’s blessings upon the marriages and for the couples to be blessed with righteous children who would contribute positively to their families, society and humanity.

Yusuf also expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, Islamic scholars and other guests who attended the ceremony and contributed to the success of the programme.

He specifically acknowledged members of the Kano State Council of Emirs, including the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the emirs of Rano, Karaye and Gaya, for their guidance, prayers and support.

The governor equally thanked Islamic scholars and clerics who travelled from different parts of the country to participate in the programme and counsel the newly married couples.

The 2026 mass wedding programme was implemented across Kano State’s 44 local government areas and was designed to provide selected couples with financial, household and social assistance as they begin their marital lives.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigeria’s total public debt has increased to N159.35 trillion as of March 31, 2026, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO).

The latest debt portfolio report released by the agency showed that the figure represents an increase of N9.96 trillion, or 6.7 per cent, from the N149.39 trillion recorded at the end of the first quarter of 2025.

Despite the yearly increase, the country’s debt stock remained almost unchanged from the N159.28 trillion recorded at the end of December 2025.

On a quarterly basis, the debt rose by N75.51 billion, which represents a 0.05 per cent increase.

The DMO report showed that domestic debt accounted for N87.4 trillion, representing 54.85 per cent of the total debt, while external debt stood at N71.95 trillion, or 45.15 per cent.

Domestic debt increased by N8.64 trillion, or 11 per cent, compared with the N78.76 trillion recorded in March 2025.

External debt also recorded a year-on-year increase of N1.32 trillion, representing 1.9 per cent, from N70.63 trillion in the first quarter of 2025.

A comparison with the December 2025 figures showed that domestic debt rose by N2.55 trillion, or three per cent, from N84.85 trillion.

External debt, however, dropped by N2.48 trillion, or 3.3 per cent, from N74.43 trillion recorded at the end of December 2025.

The DMO said the Federal Government accounted for N82.88 trillion of the domestic debt, while state governments and the Federal Capital Territory contributed N4.52 trillion.

In dollar terms, the country’s total public debt stood at $114.95 billion as of March 31, 2026. This compares with $97.24 billion recorded in March 2025.

According to the DMO, the external debt was converted to naira based on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official exchange rate of N1,386.2156 to the dollar as of March 31, 2026.

The development came after the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to obtain $6 billion in external borrowing on March 31.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nasarawa State now receives between N14 billion and N16 billion monthly from federal allocations, compared with about N3.8 billion to N4.5 billion before the removal of the petrol subsidy, Governor Abdullahi Sule has said.

Sule made the disclosure on Saturday in Lafia, the state capital, when he received journalists and members of the presidential media team who were in the state to inspect federal and state government projects.

The governor attributed the increase in revenue available to the state to economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu.

He said the reforms had created more fiscal space for state governments to implement projects without depending heavily on loans.

Sule said Tinubu “took bullets” for state governors after the removal of the petrol subsidy, which he said resulted in higher allocations to the states.

According to the governor, Nasarawa previously received between N3.8 billion and N4.5 billion monthly, while the state’s local governments received between N1.9 billion and N2.5 billion.

He said the state’s monthly allocation has since increased by more than twice its previous level.

“All the projects we are doing in Nasarawa state today, without borrowing from the bank, are as a result of president Bola and his support,” he said.

“So, you must give him the credit for that. Without the reforms, we would not have had the resources to do what we are doing. So, I can’t take credit for those projects.

“The office of the SSG is better than my own office. And there is nothing wrong with that because at the time they built my own office, Tinubu was not there. We didn’t have the resources that we have today. So, there is nothing wrong with me doing it better today because we are receiving the resources better today.

“I came from the private sector, so for every contract, I give the amount that we are spending on that contract so that people can make a difference with the kind of money we are receiving. I can tell you for free.

“You are right when you say that president Tinubu took the bullet on our behalf. In my first four years, everybody knows the federal government was sharing between maybe N590 billion to about N620 billion a month as the total FAAC allocation.

“For Nasarawa state, what we were getting was between maybe N3.8 billion and about N4.5 billion for the state. For the local government, it was between N1.9 billion and N2.5 billion every month.

“With the removal of the fuel subsidy, I can tell you for free that Nasarawa state today is receiving an average of N14 to N16 billion a month. But you have to go back and find out [about] our expenses. That is why Onanuga said president Tinubu took the bullet on our behalf.

“That is why they accused me of being very straightforward in criticising anything not right, arguing that I am no longer a straightforward person now that I am commending the government. So, anytime I tell the truth about the good thing happening, I am no longer a good person.”

Sule said his administration had undertaken several projects without obtaining bank loans. He maintained that the increased revenue had made it possible for the state to finance more development projects.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, also said state governments were benefiting from the removal of the petrol subsidy through the implementation of major projects across the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Sixteen people have been rescued after a residential building collapsed in the Dan Dishe area of Kwanar Yashi, Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State.

Several other people are feared to remain trapped under the debris, according to reports.

The Kano State Fire Service said its emergency response team was alerted to the incident at about 4:32am on Saturday and personnel were immediately dispatched to the location.

Saminu Abdullahi, spokesperson for the state fire service, said the collapsed structure measured about 20 by 30 feet.

He said rescuers pulled 16 people from the rubble, including three children who were found unconscious.

The children were identified as Affan Yusuf, five; Hassana Yusuf, seven; and Ummulkursum Yusuf, nine months.

“The Kano State Fire Service wishes to inform the general public that at about 4:32 am today, Saturday, 8 August 2026, the Service’s Emergency Response Unit received an emergency call from one of our staff, Aminu Sani Warure, reporting the collapse of a building at Dan Dishe, Kwanar Yashi, Fagge Local Government Area,” the statement reads.

“Upon receiving the report, men of the Service from the Headquarters were immediately mobilized to the scene. On arrival, they discovered that a residential building of about 20 × 30 ft had collapsed.”

The fire service said the reason for the collapse had not been established, adding that an investigation was underway.

“The Kano State Fire Service urges members of the public to observe all necessary safety precautions, particularly during the rainy season, to prevent similar incidents,” it added.

The latest incident occurred less than one month after a three-storey building under construction collapsed in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

One person died in that incident, while three others were rescued.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Google is set to introduce its Pixel 11 smartphone lineup on August 12, with four devices expected to headline the company’s latest hardware launch.

The unveiling is scheduled for 3pm EST on August 12, which corresponds to 3:30am Indian Standard Time on August 13.

The expected lineup includes the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

Reports suggest that the new smartphones could cost about $100 more than their Pixel 10 predecessors due to continuing pressure on the global supply chain.

Shakil Barkat, Google’s Vice President of Devices and Services, recently acknowledged the pricing challenge. He said the company had tried to protect customers from market price changes, but prevailing economic conditions had made adjustments necessary.

Google is also reportedly considering changes to some hardware components as it seeks to manage rising memory and component costs. One possible change could see the Pixel 11 Pro’s entry-level RAM reduced from 16GB to 12GB.

Despite the reported cost-cutting measures, the new devices are expected to come with upgraded processors and additional features.

The standard Pixel 11 is projected to start at $899, compared with the launch price of its predecessor. The Pixel 11 Pro could sell for $1,099, while the Pixel 11 Pro XL is expected to cost about $1,299.

The foldable Pixel 11 Pro Fold could be the most expensive model in the range, with an estimated price of $1,899.

In terms of appearance, the standard Pixel 11 is expected to be offered in Hibiscus, Frost, Obsidian and Pistachio colours. The Pro models may come in Dune, Light Fog, Midnight Haze and Pine, while the foldable version is expected in Pine and graphite grey.

The Pixel 11 could feature a 6.3-inch Actua OLED display with Full-HD+ resolution, an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits.

The Pro models are expected to feature larger displays with additional improvements aimed at enhancing image quality and viewing performance.

Google is also expected to introduce its Tensor G6 processor with the Pixel 11 series. The chipset may work alongside the Titan M3 security chip, while some higher-end versions could offer up to 16GB of RAM.

The upgraded processing system is also expected to support more advanced on-device features.

For photography, the standard Pixel 11 is reportedly set to feature a 48-megapixel main camera and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide sensor.

The Pro versions are expected to adopt a triple-camera arrangement with a 50-megapixel main sensor and improved zoom capabilities.

Battery capacities are also expected to differ across the lineup. The Pixel 11 could carry a 4,985mAh battery, while the Pixel 11 Pro may have a 4,850mAh unit.

The Pixel 11 Pro XL is reportedly expected to come with a 5,115mAh battery and support faster charging. The foldable Pixel 11 Pro Fold could feature a 4,806mAh battery.

The full specifications, official prices and availability of the devices are expected to be confirmed at Google’s launch event.