Author: The Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have outlined a series of activities to mark the 2026 World Drug Day. The weeklong programme will focus on strengthening efforts to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse across Nigeria. Speaking on the activities lined up for the celebration, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), said the agency is targeting criminal networks involved in drug trafficking to effectively cut off their sources of funding and operations. He noted that sustained pressure on these networks remains critical to reducing…

The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the sum of N83.2 billion for the Anticipatory Action Task Force (AATF) to mitigate the impact of expected flooding and other climate-related emergencies across Nigeria. The approval was given at the 158th meeting of the Council on Thursday. The funds were approved following a presentation by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, on the need to proactively address flooding and related disasters, especially during the rainy season. The National Economic Council noted the importance of shifting from reactive responses to anticipatory measures in managing emergencies and disasters across the…

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has met with the Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, on the sidelines of the 2026 IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Baku, Azerbaijan. The meeting focused on strengthening the long-standing partnership between Nigeria and the IsDB Group. During the engagement, both leaders reviewed ongoing and future cooperation under the Country Engagement Framework 2026–2028. The discussions centred on critical areas including infrastructure development, private sector growth, Islamic finance, and support for Nigeria’s broader economic diversification agenda. The meeting builds on recent engagements,…

The Federal Government has released the General Guidelines for the implementation of the Tax Acts 2025, providing detailed direction on how the country will transition from the old tax regime to the new framework that becomes effective from January 1, 2026. Issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance on Thursday, June 18, 2026, the Guidelines are expected to serve as a critical reference document for taxpayers, tax practitioners, revenue authorities, and other stakeholders navigating the shift from the repealed tax laws to the new tax system. Background to Nigeria’s Tax Reform Nigeria’s tax system had long been criticised for being…

The Presidency has released an update on the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, highlighting its current operations and ongoing efforts to modernise the facility. The airport serves as a major aviation gateway for Enugu State and the South-East region. According to the update, Akanu Ibiam International Airport operates with a single main terminal that handles both arrivals and departures. Flight operations are largely domestic, with key routes including Enugu–Abuja and Enugu–Lagos. Although designated as an international airport, international flight operations remain limited at present. The facility features a 3,000-metre asphalt runway capable of accommodating medium to large aircraft under…

The Federal Government has launched the Smart National Transport Data Bank, a major digital infrastructure project designed to integrate real-time transport data across all modes of transportation in Nigeria. The initiative was approved by the Federal Executive Council in May 2026. The platform will collect and integrate data from road, rail, air, maritime, and pipeline operations. It is expected to improve national planning, enhance logistics efficiency, strengthen safety measures, and boost overall security in the transport sector. According to the government, the system will support intelligent mobility solutions, better traffic management, stronger digital infrastructure, and reduced revenue leakages in the…

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been honoured with the inaugural WE Empower Trailblazer Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award recognises her longstanding work in supporting and empowering women throughout her career. The WE Empower Trailblazer Award is part of the WE Empower UN SDG Challenge Initiative, co-convened by the Arizona State University Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory and Vital Voices Global Partnership. It celebrates innovative women leaders advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Okonjo-Iweala was named the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement category for her consistent efforts in promoting gender equality, economic empowerment, and sustainable development across…

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Thursday, June 18, 2026, held a high-level meeting with officials from the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Nigeria Police Academy (POLAC), and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT). The meeting focused on the proposed domestication of a Specialized Training Programme on Counter-Terrorism Investigation at the Nigeria Police Academy. The engagement centred on advancing the academic integration and institutional adoption of the counter-terrorism training programme. It is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force in counter-terrorism investigation and enhancing law enforcement education in the country. Senior police officers,…

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has met with the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya. The meeting focused on strengthening educational ties between China and Nigeria. During the meeting, Ambassador Yu Dunhai highlighted the progress in bilateral cooperation between China and Nigeria since the 2024 meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Bola Tinubu. He noted that educational exchanges have continued to produce positive results and serve as an important bridge for cultural understanding and people-to-people relations. He praised the Vice Chancellor for this ground breaking strides in the University of Nigeria.…

A London court has acquitted former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke of all charges in her long-running bribery trial. The Southwark Crown Court delivered the verdict on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. After more than 46 hours of deliberation, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on all six charges against Diezani Alison-Madueke. She had been facing five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. Her brother, Doye Agama, and oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, who were also standing trial on related charges, were equally acquitted by the jury. The case, which lasted nearly four months, centred…