NIGERIA NEWS
Ogun 2027: Labour Party lures Segun Showunmi with guber ticket
The Labour Party, LP, in Ogun State has wooed the Convener of the Alternative Movement and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Otunba Segun Showunmi, urging him to contest the 2027 governorship election on its platform.
The leadership of the Labour Party, led by the state chairman, Oluwabukola Soyoye, made this known during a visit to Showunmi at his residence in Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, on Friday.
Soyoye urged the former spokesperson to ex–Vice President Atiku Abubakar to join the Labour Party and fly its flag in the 2027 governorship race, noting that the state needs a new era of governance and Showunmi aligns with the party’s ideology and vision.
“We want you to come and join us in Labour Party, and to be our governorship candidate in the next election,”she added.
Responding, Showunmi praised Labour Party’s ideological stability and commended former presidential candidate Peter Obi for galvanizing the party’s growing popularity
He noted that Labour Party’s performance in the last presidential election, where it secured over six million votes compared to the ruling party’s eight million, demonstrated its growing influence and organic approach to politics.
Showunmi expressed his desire to contribute to the development of Ogun State, citing the state’s vast growth potential and the need to address key challenges.
The PDP chief thanked the Labour Party for the offer to contest the governorship and pledged to give it serious consideration.
He said “The governorship eligibility for 2027, with every sense of due respect, I have looked at the horizon, from the toughest to the least, I can’t find anybody who is more eminently qualified, more prepared, more intentional of policy of governance than me among them all.
“I have done only one thing, which is to wish, to work, to pray, to agonize that this Nigerian nation be a great nation that we can pass on to the next generation. I have not spared of myself, neither have I spared of the little resources that has come in my hand just to push it and keep pushing it.”
He also acknowledged the challenges facing Ogun State, particularly poor road infrastructure, though he conceded that the incumbent governor has made measurable progress in road construction compared to previous administrations.
According to him, the major shortcoming of the current administration is its failure to fully harness Ogun State’s multiple growth poles, stressing that the state requires leadership with a deeper understanding of its economic and developmental possibilities.
“I concede that there are critical challenging issues about the current governor’s approach to governance. One of them, is that it is a major source of embarrassment that Ogun state, our beloved state, is now the signpost of bad roads all over until people just break down in Angry rhetorics when they come to our state. But it does not mean he hasn’t done some roads. I tell you truthfully, he has done more kilometers of road than the previous ones.
“The challenges he did not fully commit himself to a deep understanding that Ogun state is a state that has growth poles everywhere.”
Troops of Sector 2 of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force intercepted two pickup vans conveying assorted items suspected to be logistics supplies for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
The interception followed credible human intelligence indicating the movement of the items from Dapchi through the Magumeri general area.
According to the source, the troops intercepted the vehicles during the operation and took the drivers into custody for further interrogation.
Items recovered from the two vehicles included 31 spare tyres, 23 spare rims, two bicycles, 12 key starters, three alternators, two bags of flour, one mattress, five bags of charcoal, 34 tubers of yam, two blankets, nylon bags containing garri, adult and children clothing, one power bank, six mobile phones and a cash sum of N92,600.
The source added that the vehicles and recovered items were currently in custody, while investigations were ongoing to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement and possible links to ISWAP logistics networks.
The troops, the source said, remained committed to disrupting the movement of supplies to terrorist groups and maintaining pressure on criminal elements across the area of responsibility.
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Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has expressed shock at the death of former Senator Peter Onyeluka Nwaoboshi.
Naija News gathered that the former Senator died on Friday morning.
His death was confirmed in a statement by the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori.
Keyamo, in a statement through his Special Adviser on Media and Research, Emameh Gabriel, described Nwaboshi as a formidable figure in Nigerian politics, a dedicated public servant, and a passionate representative of the Delta North Senatorial District.
He extends his heartfelt condolences to Nwaboshi’s immediate family, his wife, children, and loved ones, adding that God will grant them the strength and fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
The statement reads, “The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, has received with profound shock and deep sorrow the news of the passing of a distinguished political leader and former Senator, Senator Peter Onyeluka Nwaoboshi.
“Senator Nwaoboshi was a formidable figure in Nigerian politics, a dedicated public servant, and a passionate representative of the Delta North Senatorial District.
“His impactful tenure as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023 was marked by robust legislative contributions and commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large.
“His long and varied career, from his early days as an aide, through his service as Chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in Delta State, Commissioner, and ultimately as a Senator, stands as a testament to a lifetime of service.
“In this moment of immense grief, the Honourable Minister extends his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family, his wife, children, and loved ones. We pray that the Almighty God grants them the strength and fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
“Our condolences also go to the entire people of Delta North Senatorial District, whom he served diligently, the political class of Delta State, and his numerous friends and associates across the nation. His absence will be deeply felt.
“While we mourn his transition, we celebrate a life of great consequence and service. May his soul find eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord.”
The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has thrown its weight behind the ongoing oil and gas sector reforms, particularly within the regulatory arms of the sector.
PANDEF said it was thrilled by news of the developments, which it believes would significantly reposition the sector.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, the chairman of PANDEF, Dr Godknows Boladei Igali, said the reforms that led to the emergence of one of Nigeria’s most competent professionals in the oil and gas sector, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, reflected President Tinubu’s readiness to take the sector on a quantum leap into the future.
PANDEF, a Niger Delta apex socio-cultural body representing host communities, promised to mobilise people in the region to work closely with the federal and state governments in creating an enabling environment for the oil and gas sector to thrive.
Igali said: “PANDEF reaffirms its commitment to working closely with federal and state governments in mobilising our people to ensure that the right enabling environment exists for this important sector to continue to play its deserved role.
“We, the people of the Niger Delta, are greatly impressed with these changes, and hope that the holistic reforms would be sustained.
“This is the only way to ensure that the oil and gas industry continues to play the paramount role which it has been doing for the common economic interest of all Nigerians and places Nigeria as a dominant player in the global energy architecture.
“We applaud President Bola Tinubu for the appointment of Mrs Eyesan, a seasoned economist, as Executive Vice President, Upstream, in the NNPC, as well as Engr Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority.”
PANDEF, which was formerly led by the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, urged the Federal Government to put in place an environmental remediation programme that would sustain peace in the region.
“The Federal Government must go beyond the Ogoni clean-up to ensure that there is budgetary provision on an annual basis to clean up the damaged environments of the Niger Delta in a sustained manner,” he said.
The Nigeria Police Force has faulted recent comments credited to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), on the enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Tinted Glass Permit policy, describing them as misleading and capable of undermining public order, institutional clarity and national security.
In a detailed statement issued on Friday, December 19, by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the police said it was compelled to “place the facts on record, correct material misrepresentations, and reaffirm its unwavering commitment to the rule of law, public safety, and judicial authority.”
Hundeyin stressed that the Force, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has never acted and does not intend to act in contempt of court.
“At all times, the Nigeria Police Force remains a law-abiding institution operating strictly within the framework of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, extant statutes, and valid orders of courts of competent jurisdiction,” he said.
“Respect for the judiciary and adherence to due process remain non-negotiable pillars of police governance and command responsibility.”
Tinted Glass Regulation Backed By Act of National Assembly
Countering the NBA president’s assertion that the tinted glass policy was discretionary or rooted in a military decree, the police said the regulation is firmly anchored in extant law.
“The Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 is an Act of the National Assembly and NOT a military decree as misrepresented,” the statement read.
According to the Force, Section 2(3)(a) of the Act expressly vests statutory authority in the Inspector-General of Police to issue tinted glass permits, while Section 1(2) requires applicants to establish legitimate security or health-related justification.
The police explained that the law exists to address serious public safety concerns, particularly the increasing use of obscured vehicles in crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism and other violent offences.
The Force also rejected claims that the tinted glass permit policy was introduced as a revenue-generating initiative.
“It is incorrect and misleading to portray the policy as revenue-driven. The Nigeria Police Force is not a revenue-generating organisation,” Hundeyin stated.
He clarified, however, that the Police Act, 2020 (as amended) empowers the Force to receive funds that accrue incidentally in the discharge of its lawful duties.
“Section 26(1)(f) of the Police Act, 2020 expressly recognises this authority. This legal position is neither novel nor controversial,” the statement added.
Why Automation Project Was Approved
The police disclosed that in order to balance access for legitimate applicants with national security imperatives, the Federal Government approved the Police Specialised Services Automation Project.
The project, according to the statement, received the approval of the Federal Executive Council in July 2022 and is implemented under a lawful Public-Private Partnership arrangement authorised by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Act.
Under the automated framework, applications for tinted glass permits are processed online, subjected to security vetting and approved strictly in accordance with the law.
“Administrative fees paid by applicants are applied solely towards sustaining the technology infrastructure, data security systems and workflow architecture supporting the process,” the Force said.
“They do not constitute revenue generation by the Nigeria Police Force.”
Reacting to allegations that payments were being made into a private account allegedly operated by Parkway Projects Limited, the Force described the claim as false and misleading.
“The allegation that payments are made into a ‘private account’ operated by Parkway Projects is entirely false and betrays either ignorance of payment processing systems or outright mischief,” Hundeyin said.
He explained that Parkway Projects Limited is a Central Bank of Nigeria-licensed Payment Services Provider, engaged by the Federal Government as a payment collection channel, similar to platforms such as Remita.
“The number cited as a bank account by the NBA president is not a bank account but a unique transaction identifier used for reconciliation and settlement into designated government channels,” the statement clarified.
While acknowledging that some motorists prefer tinted glass for privacy, aesthetics or protection from sunlight, the police warned that indiscriminate use of heavily tinted vehicles has weakened traffic surveillance and aided criminal concealment.
“The enhanced Tint Permit System was introduced to standardise applications nationwide, improve vetting and integrate security innovations previously absent from the process,” the Force said.
It added that the system also eliminates bottlenecks and extortion associated with the old manual process, as part of broader reforms to modernise policing under the current Inspector-General.
Enforcement Earlier Suspended As Goodwill Gesture
The Force recalled that enforcement of the policy was earlier voluntarily suspended following engagements with the NBA leadership and public appeals.
“This decision was an exercise of institutional restraint and goodwill, not the result of any judicial restraint,” Hundeyin said.
He noted that the Police were fully aware of pending cases, including Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025, in which judgment has been reserved, and would not take any action capable of undermining judicial outcomes.
No Restraining Order From Any Court – Police Insist
The Police emphasised that no court has restrained it from enforcing the tinted glass policy.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no court has issued a restraining order against the Nigeria Police Force on this matter. The application for interim injunction was outrightly refused by the Federal High Court sitting in Warri,” the statement read.
It reiterated that the earlier suspension of enforcement was voluntary and not court-imposed.
“In the face of Nigeria’s current security realities, many of which are exacerbated by the abuse of tinted vehicles, the Force cannot abdicate its constitutional responsibility,” Hundeyin said.
The police further argued that only a small percentage of motorists use tinted glass and warned against sacrificing broader public safety for narrow interests.
“No responsible police institution will allow the security of the overwhelming majority of Nigerians to be jeopardised in order to protect the narrow interests of a few, whether elitist or criminal, under the guise of public advocacy,” the statement said.
Despite its firm stance, the Force assured Nigerians that enforcement would be professional and rights-compliant.
“The Inspector-General of Police reiterates that extortion, harassment or abuse of authority by any police officer will not be tolerated. Officers found culpable will face severe disciplinary sanctions,” Hundeyin stated.
He warned, however, that individual misconduct should not be used to malign the Police as an institution.
The Force also said it was aware, through media reports, that Mr Olukunle Edun, SAN, had allegedly filed a fresh suit at a Delta State High Court despite the pendency of other cases.
The Police said it had not been served with any court processes and would respond appropriately upon service.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Inspector-General assured Nigerians of the Force’s dedication to professionalism, accountability and the protection of fundamental rights.
“The Nigeria Police Force calls for calm, responsible public discourse and sustained respect for judicial processes as the courts pronounce on the issues before them,” the statement concluded.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has initiated a skill acquisition programme, titled One Nigerian, One Skill, to create jobs and lift young Nigerians out of poverty.
At the flag-off on Friday, former National Chairman of the party, Dr Ralphs Okey Nwosu, said the programme is part of ADC’s philosophy for the welfare of Nigerians.
“ADC has the infrastructure to touch the lives of Nigerians,” Nwosu stated, adding that while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) uses its resources to buy votes during elections, “we use our resources to enhance the lives of Nigerians.
“We want to touch lives, not just to give people money.
“In some parties, they fight for internal welfare; they think about their own welfare. But officers of ADC are less concerned about themselves, but for Nigerians.”
He noted that there are a lot of skills the youths can benefit from, adding that the idea of imparting knowledge is the best way of empowering people.
Also speaking, former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, likened the One Nigerian, One Skill programme to the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) introduced by President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
According to him, about 330,000 young Nigerians were empowered through NAPEP’s 42 skill acquisition programmes.
He recalled that every participant was empowered with starter tools worth N10,000, but regretted that the programme was abandoned by successive governments.
ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkem Ukandu whose office is powering the programme, explained that the aim is to empower the youths, restore the dignity to labour and liberate Nigerians from dependency and poverty through sustainable skill development.
“This initiative is designed to equip both partisans and non-partisans with practical, market-relevant skills that enable self-reliance in the face of today’s economic realities,” Ukandu stated.
He stated that two states selected from each of the six geopolitical zones of the country will serve as the pilot phase.
“Participants -both young and old – will receive structured training in skills of their choice, and upon successful completion, will be supported with relevant starter tools to immediately put those skills to work.”
Ukandu noted that every Nigerian is endowed with potential, and expressed the belief that through the programme, the party would be able to provide a “platform to unlock that potential and translate it into productivity and prosperity.”
The programme is a flagship of the office of ADC National Welfare Secretary in partnership with the ADC Coalition Support Network.
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NIGERIA NEWS
Mother Drains Bank Account To Fly Daughter Over Kidnapping Fears: “I Would Rather Go Broke”
- A mother took a bold step by emptying her bank account to protect the life of her daughter, who was travelling for a holiday
- She revealed that she spent all her savings to ensure her daughter did not end up in danger, explaining the reason behind her decision
- The mother, who had never done such before, decided to give her daughter special treatment amid rising insecurity
A Nigerian mother made a significant financial decision to protect her daughter’s life, ensuring she would not have to raise money to pay bandits for ransom.
She shared an emotional video online detailing the lengths she went to safeguard her child, despite not being in a position to afford a luxurious life or flight.
Mother chooses flight over road tr avel to protect daughter from kidnappers.Photo source: Tiktok/diary.of.chefmerc7
Source: TikTok
Mother empties bank account to protect daughter
In the video, the woman explains that she could not normally afford a plane ticket, but due to the rising rate of kidnappings in the country, she decided her daughter needed to fly.
Read also
Nigerian lady almost in tears as she forgets international passport on day of relocation, Video goes viral
@diary.of.chefmerc7 revealed in her post that she emptied her bank account just to make sure her daughter could board a plane and avoid being abducted.
She wrote in the emotional post:
“Kidnapping forced me to put my child on a plane. The moment she said bye to me, my heart melted. I was so heavy. This was not a luxury flight it was for survival.”
She continued:
“I emptied my account so my daughter could fly. The road was no longer safe. Kidnapping has become normal and fear has become our daily reality.””It is not easy paying for flights right now, but my daughter’s life is priceless. This is actually her first time flying not for enjoyment or luxury but because the roads are unsafe. I as a mother have never flown before.””I would rather go broke than watch anything happen to my daughter.”
Mother puts daughter on plane for safety despite struggling financially. Photo source: Tiktok/diary.of.chefmerc7
Source: TikTok”I cannot even count how many times we hugged but we kept hugging as I kept taking her and my sister also went and hugged her, yes I’ve not flown before but I’ve been to airport several times to probably see my friends odd like about 4 to 5 times, this Enough airport.”
Read also
Lady rages as brother’s wife gets pregnant with twins 1 month after first child: “I blocked them”
“Immediately i got in, i asked the officer where she can do her checkup and she showed us.”
In the viral TikTok post which contains a description, she shared several videos showing her emotional embraces with her daughter before her departure at the airport.
Watch the video below:
In a similar story, Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian man raised the alarm on social media after his mother was allegedly kidnapped while travelling by bus to Abuja from Kabba, Kogi State.
Lady shares update on kidnapped father
Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently reported that a Nigerian lady who went viral after sharing a WhatsApp chat about her father’s kidnapping has provided an update.
The lady had earlier shared that her father was abducted while returning from an event at her university. Several days later, she confirmed his release and expressing gratitude to everyone who supported them.
Source: Legit.ng
A thrift bag vendor took to social media, sharing why she blocked her father who abandoned her for 30 years.
The vendor, @tbque01 on TikTok, shared that her dad urged her mum to terminate her pregnancy, but her mom refused.
Lady Blocks Father Over Car Request
Due to her mother’s refusal to terminate the pregnancy, he left the house and abandoned them for 30 years.
The thrift vendor shared that when she was told her dad was sick, she visited him in hospital, settled his bills, and even gave him money.
Afterwards, he reached out to her for a car, stating that his mates are car owners except him. However, she swiftly blocked him.
Read Caption below…..
Ghosting my dad who thinks the world revolves around him after telling my mum to remove my pregnancy, she refused and he left the house and ghosted us for 30 solid years.
Heard he was sick and I went to see him in the hospital sorted his hospital bills and gave him little change, guess who is calling to ask me for a car, ‘all my friends are car owners except for me’ and my daughter is a lawyer don’t let them mock me. I used my block button asap.
Watch video below…..
@tbque01
Asapuuuuu😅😅😅
♬ Ogba sound – 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐫𝐞 🥷🏼
NIGERIA NEWS
I’ll Not Show Mercy to Terrorists, Kidnappers — Tinubu Declares While Presenting 2026 Budget
President Bola Tinubu on Friday vowed to show no mercy to anyone involved in terrorism, banditry, or kidnapping in Nigeria.
He made the declaration while presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint sitting of the National Assembly.
Tinubu presented a proposed budget of ₦58.46 trillion, with non-debt recurrent expenditure estimated at ₦15.25 trillion.
The President also revealed that his administration would adopt a new approach to tackling terrorism.
“We will show no mercy to all those who commit acts of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping. We will fundamentally change how we confront terrorism and violent crime,” Tinubu said.
“Bandits, militias, armed gangs, armed robbers, violent cults, forest-based armed groups and foreign-linked mercenaries will all be targeted.
“We will go after those who perpetrate violence for political or sectarian ends, as well as those who finance and facilitate their evil schemes.”
Tinubu described the fiscal direction of his government as a “hard reset”, stressing that the administration would no longer tolerate abandoned projects, unpaid contractual obligations, or the habit of running multiple overlapping budgets.
“This budget marks a defining moment and a national journey of reform and transformation. Over the last two and a half years, my government has methodically confronted long-standing structural weaknesses to stabilise the economy and rebuild confidence,” he added.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced that the presence of opposition members in Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber is nearing extinction.
He said only four or five senators remain outside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akpabio added that even the remaining opposition lawmakers are reportedly considering defecting to the APC.
APC’s Expanding Influence in the Senate
Speaking at the APC’s national caucus meeting in Abuja on Thursday, Akpabio highlighted the dramatic shift in the Senate’s composition since the 10th Assembly began in 2023.
“When we came in, the opposition had almost 50 members, but today, when I counted, there were about five or four left in the opposition,” Akpabio said.
“Even those five members have whispered to me that I should carry them to the President and the leader of the party that they are prepared to join the APC”, he added.
Akpabio praised the party’s growth, noting that major politicians have joined without conflict, contributing to what he called a “national consensus” around APC leadership.
Recent reports indicate the APC now holds a supermajority in the 109-member Senate, bolstered by defections from parties like the PDP and Labour Party.
Preserving a Minimal Opposition Presence
Despite celebrating the trend, Akpabio emphasized his desire for some opposition voices to remain for legislative balance.
“I don’t want to preside over a Senate with no opposition,” he stated. To avoid empty minority benches, he has allowed certain senators who aligned with the APC at the state level to continue in minority roles temporarily.
He specifically thanked Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for permitting Senator Osita Ngwu to retain his position as Minority Chief Whip.
Security Challenges Described as ‘Orchestrated’
Turning to national issues, Akpabio condemned the country’s persistent insecurity as “very serious, organised, and orchestrated.”
“We are saddened that some are tormenting Nigeria through terrorism, banditry, and insurgency,” he said, aligning the APC with grieving states and families.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for securing the recent release of over 100 abducted children and called for intensified efforts to free those still held captive. Akpabio also honored fallen military personnel for their sacrifices.
Tougher Laws Against Kidnapping
On legislation, Akpabio revealed that the Senate has advanced measures to combat crime, including a bill reclassifying kidnapping as terrorism.
If signed into law, kidnappers could face the death penalty. “Governors must enforce capital punishments decisively,” he urged, warning that leniency allows criminals to regroup and strike again.
The bill, which recently passed second reading, aims to impose the death sentence without fines or reduced terms, extending to accomplices.
APC’s Grip on State Governments
Akpabio further underscored the party’s strength, stating that APC governors now control 28 of Nigeria’s 36 states, alongside an overwhelming National Assembly majority.
“This reflects broad national acceptance,” he said, while praising the APC’s national leadership under Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje (noting recent transitions) and the progressive governors’ forum.
The caucus meeting, attended by President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and key party figures, comes amid reports of further political realignments favoring the ruling party ahead of future elections.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill of N58.18trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the appropriation bill was christened ‘Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity’.
Tinubu said that the budget was a culmination of two-and-a-half years of “painful but necessary” reforms aimed at steering Nigeria towards macro-economic stability, job‑rich growth and inclusive prosperity.
Key highlights of the 2026 appropriation bill, according to Tinubu, include total revenue of N34.33 trillion and total expenditure of N58.18 trillion, including N15.52 trillion for debt servicing.
While the recurrent non‑debt expenditure was pegged at N15.25 trillion, capital expenditure was N26.08 trillion and deficit, N23.85 trillion, at 4.28 per cent of GDP rate.
The president said that the budget was anchored on four pillars of consolidating macro-economic stability, improving the business and investment climate, promoting job‑rich growth and poverty reduction, and strengthening human capital, while protecting vulnerable groups.
According to him , sectoral allocations have Defence and Security at N5.41 trillion; Infrastructure, N3.56 trillion; Education N3.52 trillion and Health N2.48 trillion.
Tinubu emphasised that security remained the bedrock of development, saying that the N5.41 trillion allocation was key to modernising the armed forces, enhancing intelligence‑driven policing and securing the nation’s borders.
He said that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund had supported more than 418,000 students across 229 tertiary institutions, while health spending accounts for six per cent of the total budget net of liabilities.
The president noted that encouraging signs of stabilisation, stressing that GDP grew to 3.98 per cent in third quarter of 2025 from 3.86 per cent in third quarter of 2024.
He also said that inflation fell to 14.45 per cent in November from 24.23 per cent in March, while external reserves reached a seven‑year high of about 47 billion dollars.
To sustain the gains, he said that the budget would target a crude oil benchmark of 64.85 dollar per barrel, production of 1.84 million barrels per day and an exchange rate of N1,400 to the US dollar for 2026.
Tinubu, who stressed the need for discipline in budget execution, directed ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to adhere strictly to appropriated timelines and deploy end‑to‑end digitisation of revenue mobilisation to curb leakages.
He also called for better revenue mobilisation through new National Tax Acts and reforms in the oil and gas sector, alongside stringent performance targets for government-owned enterprises.
He said that the budget introduced a new national counter‑terrorism doctrine which reclassified bandits, militias, armed gangs and other non‑state armed groups as terrorists.
“The doctrine mandates unified command, intelligence‑sharing and community‑based peace building to combat violence that threatens national survival,” he said.
The president called for unity between the executive and the legislature to deliver full promise of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, reiterating that the 2026 budget was not merely a list of numbers but a statement of national priorities.(NAN)