Presidency

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Presidency has fixed September 3, 2026, as the date for presenting the proposed executive bill on state policing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for consideration.

The timeline was disclosed on Monday by Femi Gbajabiamila, chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, after the committee’s inaugural meeting at the State House in Abuja.

President Tinubu had inaugurated the committee in July to prepare the legal framework required for the implementation of state police across Nigeria.

Gbajabiamila explained that the committee had adopted a seven-week work plan that runs from July 27 to September 14, 2026. He said administrative and technical work on the proposed legislation had already begun.

He said, “The approved work programme is a seven-week, milestone-driven exercise running from July 27 to September 14, 2026.

“The resulting Executive Bill package is scheduled for presentation to the President on September 3.

“Subject to his approval, a national consultation on the completed draft will follow, after which the text and supporting materials will be revised and prepared for formal transmission to the National Assembly.

“The timetable is demanding, but it is not a shortcut.”

Gbajabiamila also addressed questions on the financial implications of establishing state police. He said it would be premature to provide any estimate because the assessment would depend on detailed research rather than assumptions.

“There is no cost to securing life and property. That is the first fundamental reason for being in government,” he said.

“At this stage, giving you a cost will be pulling something out of thin air. So we’re not going to be doing guesswork here or guesstimating as to what the cost is.

“The cost will be evidence-based. It will be based on thorough research and on a state-by-state basis because one state differs from another in terms of personnel, architecture, infrastructure and local security needs.”

He added that members of the public would have the opportunity to contribute to the drafting process by submitting memoranda through the dedicated website, nationalpolicingbill.com.

“I talked about memoranda that will be open to the public from today—hopefully for about ten days. If there’s a need for an extension, we’ll extend that.

“The public is included. No matter your station in life, you have an opportunity to contribute meaningfully, because the whole idea behind state policing is for you and I and everybody sitting here and everybody out there to take ownership.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Army is set for its largest peacetime expansion in decades, with President Bola Tinubu approving the creation of four additional divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 personnel, according to a presidential statement issued Thursday.

The restructuring, which will take the army’s divisional strength from eight to twelve, is designed to deepen military presence across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and shorten response times to security emergencies. The new divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, bringing the total number of command headquarters to twelve.

The phased implementation, which runs until December 2026, reflects what officials describe as a calculated approach to force modernisation. Phase one, due by September 2026, will activate the 5th Division in Makurdi, 9th Division in Ilorin, and 10th Division in Jalingo, alongside the reorganisation of existing formations. Phase two will see the establishment of the 83rd Division in Benin City by December 2026.

Each division will cover between two and five states, with the 82nd Division in Enugu responsible for five South-Eastern states—the largest territorial coverage. The 7th Division in Maiduguri will continue to anchor counter-insurgency operations in Borno and Yobe, while the new 10th Division in Jalingo will oversee Taraba and Adamawa, strengthening the military’s grip on the North-East corridor.

Beyond troop numbers, the President has also approved the acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, alongside enhanced welfare packages for service members. Officials say these investments are intended to address long-standing gaps in operational readiness and morale.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga emphasised that the expansion would “significantly improve command and control” and “decentralise operational decision-making,” allowing field commanders greater autonomy to respond to local threats. The move is also expected to bolster border security and protect critical national infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities in the South-South, which will now fall under the newly established 83rd Division in Benin City.

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, has been lauded by the President for the army’s professionalism, with Tinubu pledging continued support to ensure the force remains “fully capable of protecting the nation.”

Security analysts view the expansion as a clear signal of the administration’s intent to adopt a more proactive, geographically distributed approach to national defence, moving away from the over-centralised command structure that has historically hampered rapid response to crises.

The announcement comes amid ongoing operations against insurgents, bandits, and separatist agitators, with the new divisions expected to ease the burden on overstretched units and improve intelligence gathering at the grassroots level.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Presidency has confirmed that all the pupils and teachers abducted in Orire, Ogbomoso area of Oyo State have regained their freedom.

The announcement came on Friday through the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed that security agencies rescued the victims.

However, the Presidency did not provide details of the operation that led to their release.

“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote in a post on X.

The abduction had raised concerns among residents and attracted national attention. Authorities are yet to release additional information on the rescue operation or the condition of the victims.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Public affairs analyst Mahdi Shehu has faulted the Presidency’s response to the controversy surrounding an alleged fake federal agency, saying the explanation raised more concerns than answers.

In a post shared on his official X account on Thursday, Shehu described the Presidency’s position as inconsistent and doubtful. He questioned how an agency said to lack proper legal backing allegedly operated within government structures without detection.

According to him, the issue goes beyond allegations that Adeyemi forged an appointment letter. He argued that several government institutions should explain how the agency reportedly functioned openly.

“Assuming without conceding that Ajibade forged his appointment letter, which is a criminal offence, who is responsible for the following bigger crimes?” he asked.

Shehu said the agency allegedly secured about N1.3 billion through the national budget process before President Bola Tinubu signed the appropriation bill into law.

He also questioned how the organisation reportedly employed about 300 staff members from the federal civil service, opened accounts with both a commercial bank and the Central Bank of Nigeria, and obtained office accommodation inside the Federal Secretariat.

According to him, such developments could not have taken place without the awareness or involvement of several authorities and institutions.

He further expressed concern that security and anti-graft agencies such as the Department of State Services, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission allegedly failed to uncover any irregularities during their screening and monitoring processes.

“Even if Ajibade is culpable, many more ‘big men’ are very much,” he said.

The commentator maintained that the Presidency’s explanation exposed deep weaknesses within public institutions.

“If anything, the explanation coming from the Presidency regarding the ‘fake’ agency is questionable, doubtful, suspect, contradictory, inconsistent, selective and indeed exposes the system, top to bottom, as being sufficiently and extensively vulnerable,” he wrote.

Shehu also stated that countries with stronger institutions would hold officials accountable in similar situations.

“In a normal society, nothing close to this will ever happen and if per adventure it does, decent heads will bow out and many more heads will role into prison,” he said.

The Presidency had earlier accused Adeyemi of forging official documents, creating non-existent presidential agencies and presenting himself falsely as a government official.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency announced that Adeyemi would appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 27 over charges bordering on forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A Nigerian man by the name of Prince Adeniyi Mathew is currently under investigation over allegations that he fraudulently established a phantom federal agency which he named the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), falsely claiming it was an official body of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

According to sources, Mathew went a step further by appointing himself as the council’s director-general, securing a physical office for the agency within the Federal Secretariat complex in Abuja, and even opening a dedicated account for it at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Most shockingly, he is accused of successfully inserting a budgetary provision of approximately ₦1.3 billion for the agency into Nigeria’s 2026 fiscal proposal.

Insiders reveal that, emboldened by the apparent success of his deception, Mathew allegedly convened high-level meetings with serving ministers and Nigerian ambassadors, issuing directives to them on the execution of government programmes. He is also said to have represented Nigeria at several international summits on multiple occasions, all under the guise of his bogus office.

However, the elaborate ruse has now collapsed. Security agencies have been alerted and are said to have commenced appropriate legal and administrative actions against the suspect, as investigations into the full extent of the fraud continue.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Presidency has defended the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, against allegations of bribery levelled against him by Adeniyi Adeyemi, whom it described as the convener of a non-existent government agency.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, alleged that Adeyemi forged an appointment letter and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.

Onanuga said Adeyemi presented himself as the director-general of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. He added that the agency had no legal backing and was not recognised by the federal government.

The presidential aide said the matter came to the attention of security agencies after complaints emerged in 2025 that the group was operating alongside the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission.

According to him, Gbajabiamila petitioned the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force in October 2025 over the activities of the group.

“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 petition reads.

Onanuga stated that the Chief of Staff could not have appointed Adeyemi into office because the agency in question did not exist. He also explained that appointments into federal government offices are handled through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and not through the office of the Chief of Staff.

He further disclosed that police operatives arrested Adeyemi in Abuja on October 27, 2025. Security operatives reportedly recovered forged documents from his office and residence during the investigation.

The Presidency alleged that investigators discovered that Adeyemi forged documents to present himself as a government official. It also accused him of attempting to obtain a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure United States visas for himself and members of the council he allegedly created.

Onanuga also claimed that investigators uncovered 34 bank accounts linked to Adeyemi, including nine accounts allegedly opened in the names of fictitious agencies.

He alleged that Adeyemi used forged documents to open an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria after misleading the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. However, he added that investigators did not find evidence showing that public funds were paid into the account.

The presidential spokesman said the police filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two other persons before a Federal High Court in Abuja on November 27, 2025.

He said the matter is expected to come up in court on July 27.

Onanuga also said Adeyemi’s recent claim that Gbajabiamila appointed him contradicted the statement he earlier made to investigators during interrogation.

“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,” he said.

“They are advised to await the trial of Adeyemi and his accomplices, as well as the court’s judgement, as comments made today are subjudice.”

By Anwar Usman

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a sweeping reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marking the first major restructuring of the scheme since its establishment 53 years ago.

The reforms, approved during the FEC meeting in Abuja on Monday, are aimed at transforming the NYSC into a skills-driven and productivity-focused institution in line with the Federal Government’s economic development agenda.

A key feature of the overhaul is the restructuring of the scheme’s leadership, with a civilian set to head the NYSC for the first time, while the military will retain its role in providing security for corps members across the country.

The council also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the approved changes and enable their implementation.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, while announcing the approval on X, described the reforms as the first holistic review of the scheme in its 53-year history.

He said, “We are transforming the Scheme into a platform that not only unites Nigeria but also equips our young people with the skills, experience and opportunities they need to thrive in a fast-changing world.”

The Minister further revealed that the approved reforms would reposition the scheme as “a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth-empowering institution that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.”

According to the minoster, the reforms include “a technology-driven call-up process, risk-sensitive deployment to better protect corps members, a redesigned six-week orientation programme with stronger focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills and specialised career streams, skills-based primary assignments aligned with academic background and career pathways, modern governance with civilian operational leadership while the military continues to provide security support

Other things includes; “improved camp standards through a national grading and certification system, and a new graduation ceremony to replace the Passing Out Parade, alongside a redesigned NYSC uniform that reflects professionalism and national pride.”

The new reforms represent the first comprehensive review of the scheme since its creation, with the Federal Government saying the changes are designed to make the institution more relevant to Nigeria’s contemporary economic and youth development needs.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Aisha Hanan Buhari, daughter of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has received recognition as one of Africa’s 100 Most Notable Peace Icons at a summit held in Marrakech, Morocco.

The honour came during the 2026 edition of the 100 Most Notable Africans Leadership and Business Summit. Davdan Peace and Advocacy Foundation organised the award programme to celebrate Africans who have distinguished themselves in peacebuilding, humanitarian activities, leadership and sustainable development.

Aisha, who serves as founder and chief executive officer of the Hanan Buhari Foundation, earned the recognition for her humanitarian efforts, advocacy for social justice and projects aimed at empowering communities.

Speaking after receiving the award, she described the recognition as both an honour and a call to greater responsibility.

“Receiving this honour is both a privilege and a responsibility,” she said.

“It serves as a reminder that meaningful change is possible when compassion, dedication, and service guide our actions.”

She stated that the award also reflected the commitment and contributions of the foundation’s staff, volunteers, partners and supporters.

According to her, leadership should be judged through service to humanity, support for vulnerable people and the pursuit of justice.

Aisha dedicated the award to her late father, whom she said inspired her devotion to public service and humanitarian work.

“I dedicate this recognition to my late father, may Allah be pleased with him, and to every individual who continues to work courageously for positive change, often without recognition or reward,” she said.

She also praised her husband, Muhammad Turad Sha’aban, who co-founded the Hanan Buhari Foundation with her. She said his support and leadership helped the organisation expand its humanitarian activities.

The foundation reaffirmed its commitment to widening programmes that focus on community empowerment, humanitarian intervention and sustainable development in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Presidency has called for legal action against social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over an audio clip allegedly linked to President Bola Tinubu.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, accused the influencer of spreading false information capable of misleading Nigerians and damaging the President’s reputation.

In a post shared on X on Wednesday, Onanuga condemned the circulation of the recording, which allegedly contained fabricated comments attributed to Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform,” Onanuga wrote.

The controversial audio, which many observers suspect may have been generated through artificial intelligence voice-cloning technology, allegedly featured Tinubu making sensitive political remarks. Among the claims in the recording were allegations that insecurity in the South-East was intentional, that the President once asked former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2023 race in his favour, and that he was unconcerned about the country’s economic difficulties.

The recording also alleged that funds obtained through World Bank loans were being channelled into election activities.

VDM shared the clip alongside a video message directed at his followers. He urged Nigerians to listen carefully to the audio before deciding whether to support Tinubu in the next presidential election.

“You people watch it, see this next video I’m about to play. After you people watch it, we’ll come decide whether na for shrine them cook una mind. All the people wey wan support Bola Ahmed Tinubu for 2027, you go come know whether they don cook your mind (“Watch this next video I’m about to play. After you watch it, we will decide whether your minds have been influenced in a ritualistic manner. All those who intend to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 will then understand whether they have been mentally manipulated),” he said.

After playing the audio, the influencer openly rejected the possibility of Tinubu returning to office in 2027.

“This man does not have anything to offer. Come 2027, any other option is welcome, but for me, myself and I, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot offer us anything anymore. So he should go,” he added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Presidency has rejected calls from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan.

Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said ADC chieftains, including Interim National Chairman David Mark, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi, cannot instruct Amupitan on his duties.

This statement follows a press conference held by ADC leaders in Abuja on Wednesday, where they urged President Tinubu to remove Amupitan, alleging he is incapable of conducting credible elections in Nigeria.

Ajayi, responding on X, said, “We all can at least agree that the INEC chairman is at the top of his career academically and professionally – a teacher of law, Professor of law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“What this means is he sure knows what ‘status quo ante bellum’ means. Senator David Mark, Mr. Peter Obi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, certainly, can’t teach him what that Latin legal maxim means.

“It is bad politics for ADC people to make their own internal crisis of choice a problem of Professor Amupitan, that of President Tinubu and APC.”

The Presidency’s response underscores its position that Amupitan’s professional qualifications and experience place him beyond political pressures from opposition party disputes.