President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the Senate seeking approval for the establishment of a ₦1.15 trillion domestic borrowing programme to close the funding gap in the 2025 national budget. In a letter read at Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President said the borrowing became necessary to address the ₦1.147 trillion unfunded deficit that arose from the increase in the budget size beyond approved revenue projections. Tinubu noted that the request was made in line with Section 44 (1–2) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, and forms part of the administration’s strategy to ensure fiscal stability and…
Author: National Update
***Seeks swift rescue of Dr Mbanugo, urges stronger U.S. security ties. Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the abduction of Dr Tochukwu Mbanugo, a consultant neurosurgeon at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, describing the incident as a tragic reflection of Nigeria’s deepening insecurity. In a statement on his X-Handle titled “When Those Who Save Us Are Not Safe,” Obi said the kidnapping of Dr Mbanugo, shortly after he successfully performed a complex brain surgery, was both heartbreaking and symbolic of the growing threat faced by Nigeria’s most skilled professionals.…
***Alleges Akpabio Ordered Action, Describes Move as Political Harassment A fresh drama is unfolded around fiery Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, after she accused airport officials of seizing her international passport on the alleged orders of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. In a video that quickly went viral on Monday, the outspoken lawmaker narrated how her passport was withheld at an international airport — a situation she described as “a repeated act of political persecution.” “My passport has been withheld again,” she said, visibly shaken in the clip. “The last time, I was told it was on the instruction of the…
***Faults Media Report By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse The Jigawa State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and due process, dismissing as false and mischievous a recent online report alleging irregularities in the donation of operational vehicles to the Nigeria Police Force in the state. In a statement titled “The False Publication on Jigawa’s Security Vehicle Donation” and signed by Mr. Ismaila Ibrahim Dutse, Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the State, the government expressed disappointment over what it called a “malicious and unfounded” article published by two online platforms, including National Update…
The Senate has launched an investigation into the frequent derailments plaguing Nigeria’s rail network and the utilisation of Chinese loans secured for the nation’s rail projects. The resolution stemmed from a motion by Senator Ede Dafinone (APC, Delta Central) titled “Recent Derailment of the Ujevwu–Itakpe Train Line and the Need for Urgent Investigation, Rehabilitation, and Enhanced Safety Measures.” Presiding over Tuesday’s plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the matter as “a national concern,” noting that despite the billions borrowed for rail development, the system continues to suffer from frequent breakdowns and safety lapses. “We took trillions in loans for rail…
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for an immediate probe and sweeping disciplinary action following reports that nine military officers allegedly linked to Boko Haram terrorists escaped from a military guardroom in Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Borno State. In a statement issued Tuesday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the rights group described the reported jailbreak as “a national security disaster” that exposes deep-seated sabotage within the military. “If this report is true, there is more to it than meets the eye,” HURIWA stated. “It suggests a high-level conspiracy from within the command structure. These collaborators…
***Urges strong institutions, innovation, and global integration Nigeria’s livestock sector may be on the brink of transformation as Prof. Attahiru Jega, Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Development, has called for renewed commitment to institutional reform, private-sector partnership, and innovation in implementing the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework. Speaking at the National Dairy Policy Validation Workshop held at the Riez Continental Hotel, Abuja, Jega said the framework—anchored on 11 strategic pillars—is a bold step under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to modernize the livestock sector and build a dairy economy that creates jobs, feeds the nation, and…
By Ben Adaji, Jalingo A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governorship aspirant, Chief David Sabo Kente, has described Governor Agbu Kefas’ defection to the APC as a major boost to the party’s chances of winning the 2027 governorship election in Taraba State. Speaking to journalists in Jalingo on Monday, Kente said Kefas’ move was a welcome development that would strengthen the APC ahead of future elections, despite ongoing concerns among long-time party members. “Governor Kefas’ coming will enhance the chances of the APC in 2027,” Kente said. “He’s not coming to block anyone, but to add…
Nigeria is once again on the global spotlight in the wake of its redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern and the accompanying threat of U.S. military action by the Trump administration to save Nigerian Christians from “genocide”. This narrative is as dangerous as it is familiar, evoking the old imperial logic that simplifies and distorts our complex realities to justify external intervention. As a student of politics of history and identity conflict, I find this portrayal beyond perturbing and perilous. I witnessed firsthand how such perilous narratives were debated in international policy circles when I joined other Nigerian and…
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, has blamed Nigeria’s latest designation by the United States as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) on what he called years of failed leadership, corruption, and policy recklessness under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government. Reacting on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, Obi said the designation — which implies possible U.S. sanctions or military intervention — was a damning verdict on the government’s inability to secure lives and property. “The U.S. declaration should worry every patriotic Nigerian,” Obi said. “Our nation is bleeding from unprecedented insecurity, killings, and the daily horror…