Regional News

What next for Mali as Wagner fails to defeat insurgents? | ISS Africa A new report suggests that Niger, Burkina Faso – and Europe can learn a lot from Wagner’s failure in Mali. Last month The Sentry, a United States (US) organisation that exposes ‘multinational predatory networks that benefit from violent conflict, repression, and kleptocracy’, issued a report asserting that Wagner had failed in Mali.

91 Chibok Schoolgirls Still Missing After 10 Years — UN Repo The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has revealed that 91 Chibok schoolgirls remain in captivity or are still missing, ten years after their abduction. CEDAW also reported that many survivors continue to endure trauma and social stigma, with little to no access to adequate support services.

Cholera kills 58 in Bauchi – Daily Trust No fewer than 58 people have been confirmed dead following the new outbreak of cholera across 14 out of 20 local government areas in Bauchi State. There are also 258 fresh cases of the disease in the state. Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Auwal Mohammed Jatau, who disclosed this during the inauguration of two committees – the State Cholera Steering Committee and the State Technical Working Committee, regretted that the recurrent outbreaks of cholera have continued

Troops neutralise 8 ISWAP terrorists, recover motorcycles in Borno — Daily Nigerian Nigerian Army says troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK, have neutralised eight Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, terrorists in Borno. A credible military source told the News Agency of Nigeria that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday following an ambush on troops near Garin Giwa along the Baga–Cross Kauwa Main Supply Route, MSR. According to the source, the terrorists, who attempted to disrupt military

You’ll now get passports 7 days after application, FG tells Nigerians – Daily Trust The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that very soon, they will be able to get their passports within seven days of application. Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who gave this assurance, said it has become possible as a result of the upgrading of the facilities at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Food Prices Soar as Farmers Slam FG’s Policies & N2.2tn Impo Nigeria’s agricultural import bill soared to N2.22tn in the first half of 2025, drawing strong criticism from farmers, rice millers, and stakeholders who argue that the Federal Government’s policies are undermining local production and worsening food insecurity. The stakeholders also criticised the recent order by President Bola Tinubu to reduce food prices. On September 11, 2025, it was reported that

FG pushes for African-led fight to end malaria by 2030 Speaking in Abuja at the Big Push Against Malaria meeting, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said Africa must “own, fund, and act decisively” against a disease that kills nearly 600,000 people each year — with 90% of the burden on the continent. “Malaria is not someone else’s problem; it is our problem. We cannot continue outsourcing our solutions to Geneva or Washington,” Pate stressed, noting that Nigeria still bears one-third of the glob

Nigeria unveils $3.1 billion agricultural investment portfolio to boost food security The federal government has announced a $3.14 billion agricultural investment package targeting major staple foods consumed in the country under the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Hand-in-Hand Initiative. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this in a statement posted on his X page on Wednesday.

Cameroon’s youth stand at a crossroads ahead of the presidential election | Africanews With just a few weeks to go before the presidential election in October, Cameroon’s youth, who represent more than 60% of the population, find themselves at a crossroads. Despite an official youth unemployment rate of 6.23% in 2024, countless young Cameroonians struggle to find stable work.  As the country prepares to vote, they are torn between hope for real change and frustration over their daily economic struggles.

Kano-Maradi rail project now at 60% completion –Tinubu – Daily Trust President Bola Tinubu has revealed that the Kano-Maradi rail project which was five per cent completed when he came to power in 2023 is now inching towards 60 per cent completion. President Tinubu made the disclosure in Abuja at the 2nd International Railway Conference & Expo 2025 in Abuja, with the theme: “Opportunities and Challenges in Railway Development in Africa.”

Inflation records 5th monthly decline over drop in prices of rice, maize, others – Daily Trust The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has stated that the inflation figure dropped to 20.12 per cent in the month of August. A report released on Monday said food inflation also dropped to 1.65 per cent when compared to the 3.12 per cent recorded in the month of July. It attributed the decline to the drop in the average prices of rice (imported), rice (local), guinea corn flour, maize flour sold loose, guinea corn (sorghum), millet, Semolina, Soya milk etc.

Chad votes to allow president to run unlimited times | Reuters Sept 16 (Reuters) – Chad’s national assembly has endorsed constitutional revisions that would extend the presidential term from five to seven years and allow the president to serve an unlimited number of times. President Mahamat Idriss Deby seized power in Chad after his father, long-serving President Idriss Deby, was killed as he was visiting troops fighting militias in the north of the country in 2021.

Gunmen abduct corps member, varsity student in Jos – Daily Trust Gunmen have abducted a corps member and a 300-level student of the University of Jos in Dong community of Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State. Mr. Solomon Dansura confirmed the incident to journalists in Jos on Tuesday, explaining that the kidnappers broke into his house on Sunday night as his family was preparing for bed. Dansura’s sister-in-law and a guest were taken.

Nigeria: Hilda Baci’s record for largest pot of jollof rice confirmed by Guinness World Records | Africanews It’s official: a new culinary feat was achieved last week in Lagos. Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has broken the world record for cooking the largest ever pot of jollof rice, the Guiness World Records confirmed on Monday.  Baci and her team prepared a pot of 8,780 kilograms of jollof rice last Friday, surpassing the required 4,700 kilograms, the organisation said on X. This popular West African dish is made from rice cooked in a pepper

5 children rescued in Adamawa after being abducted in Maiduguri – Lake Chad Times | Lake Chad Times The Adamawa State Police Command has rescued five children suspected to have been abducted from Maiduguri, Borno State, and unlawfully transported to Mubi in Adamawa. According to a statement by the command’s spokesman, SP Suleiman Nguroje, the children were rescued on September 13, 2025, by officers led by ACP Marcos Mancha, Area Commander of Mubi, following credible intelligence. The victims, all residents of Gwange in

Borno State targets one million jobs with Lake Chad waterway project – Lake Chad Times | Lake Chad Times Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno State has announced that the nearing completion of the Baga-Chad Republic Water Clearance Project is set to create over one million jobs. The announcement was made during the governor’s inspection of the project on Friday. The project involves clearing decades of silt and invasive plants from river channels that connect Baga, Nigeria, to the receding Lake Chad, effectively re-opening a

NCDC: Death toll hits 162 as Lassa fever spreads in states – Daily Trust The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced a surge in Lassa fever cases, with a total of 162 deaths recorded across 21 states as of epidemiological week 35 (August 25–31). Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease endemic in Nigeria, spread mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rats.

NDLEA intercepts 100,000 pills of tramadol in Kano, destroys 16,966kgs of skunk – Yerwa Express News National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has intercepted 100,000 pills of tramadol 200mg/225mg in Kano. This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja. Babafemi said that a suspect was also arrested in connection to the drugs at Gadar Tamburawa, along Zaria – Kano road on

Tinubu stresses NIN’s significance as 123 million Nigerians enrolled – Daily Trust President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the National Identification Number (NIN) will be the key that unlocks every service, opportunity and platform in Nigeria’s public and private sectors. Speaking at the National Day of Identity 2025 in Abuja on Tuesday, Tinubu stressed that the mandatory use of the NIN is central to his administration’s vision for security, economic growth and digital

FG targets 1,000 jobs from every 100 housing units – Daily Trust The Federal Government has stated that for every 100 housing units constructed under its Renewed Hope Agenda, at least 1,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created across the country. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, disclosed this in Lagos while delivering the keynote address at the 24th Annual Conference of the African Real Estate Society (AfRES).

IPI raises alarm over rising media repression in Nigeria – Daily Trust The International Press Institute (IPI), a global body committed to protecting press freedom and the free flow of information, has raised concern over the recent cases of media repression in the country. Mr Musikilu Mojeed, President, IPI Nigeria, raised the alarm at a dinner organised by the institute, to honour one of its members and a retired Director, Digital Media, Voice of Nigeria (VON) Hajia Hadiza Hussaina Sani in Abuja on Saturday.

FLOOD ALERT: 11 States may experience heavy rain this week – FG – Daily Trust The Federal Government has warned that 11 states may experience heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding between Sunday and Thursday. According to a notice issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment’s National Flood Early Warning Centre, the affected states and locations are Adamawa State (Ganye, Natubi); Benue State (Abinsi, Agyo, Gogo, Ito, Makurdi, Udoma, Ukpiam); Nasarawa State (Agima, Rukubi, Odogbo); Taraba State (Beli, Serti, Donga); Delta

Unchecked Rise in Day-Old Chick Prices Threatens Poultry Farmers, Food Security, Livelihoods – Abc News Nigeria The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Abia State, has raised the alarm over what it describes as an unprecedented crisis in the poultry value chain following a sharp and unexplained hike in the cost of Day-Old Chicks (DOCs). According to the State Chairman, Chris Obasi, prices have skyrocketed

DSS sues Sowore, Meta, X over anti-Tinubu post – Daily Trust The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a five-count charge against Omoyele Sowore, a former Presidential Candidate, and social media giants, X Corp and Meta Incorporation. The suit was filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja after Sowore refused to take down some posts about President Bola Tinubu.

FG reintroduces History as compulsory subject in schools – Daily Trust The Federal Government has reintroduced Nigerian History as a compulsory subject in the basic education curriculum, aiming to foster national identity, unity, and responsible citizenship among young Nigerians. In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the Ministry of Education described the reform as a “priceless gift to the nation.”

Dangote Refinery: Court restrains NUPENG from embarking on strike The National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Wednesday approved an interim injunction restraining the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association from embarking on any industrial action, compelling other truck drivers to join. The court also restrained NUPENG and others from blocking Nigerian roads, or frustrating or shutting down the operations of Dangote Refinery, MRS Oil Nigeria Limited, and MRS Oil and

Nigeria’s Tinubu lifts emergency rule in oil-rich Rivers State | Reuters LAGOS, Sept 17 (Reuters) – Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday lifted a six-month emergency rule in Rivers State, reinstating Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other officials, after saying that a constitutional crisis that had paralysed governance had been resolved. The emergency rule, imposed on March 18, followed a standoff between Fubara and the state legislature that

FG gets 5yr livestock master plan – Daily Trust A five-year investment plan called the National Livestock Master Plan (N-LMP) has been submitted to the federal government to tackle production challenges. The National Livestock Master Plan was developed in partnership with the International Livestock Research Institute in Nairobi, Kenya, and supported by the Livestock Productivity & Resilience Project (L-PRES).

Gender equity: Special seats for women in the national and state assemblies – Daily Trust Progressive forces have rolled out a massive set of advocacy activities to address the persistent problem of the marginalisation of women in our political system through the provision of reserved seats for women in our electoral system. The instrument proposed is the Reserved Seats for Women Bill which proposes the creation of additional seats exclusively for women in both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.

Peace and Security

JUST IN: Despite peace deal, bandits abduct 40 worshippers in Zamfara Barely 24 hours after reports of peace agreements in parts of the North West, armed bandits have abducted about 40 worshippers during dawn prayers in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The attack happened around 5:30 a.m. on Monday when gunmen reportedly stormed the mosque, surrounded it, and whisked away the worshippers at gunpoint, eyewitnesses told Zagazola Makama. Local sources revealed that the abducted victims were later moved deep into the forests around the

Gunmen Kill hostage after receiving N5m ransom in Gombe – Daily Trust Gunmen have reportedly killed a middle-aged man, Hammayidi, in Galumji village, Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State, despite receiving a N5 million ransom from his family. Our correspondent gathered that Hammayidi was abducted from his home in the middle of the night three weeks ago.

Ghana says 14 people deported from U.S. sent to Nigeria, Gambia | Africanews A group of 14 West Africans deported from the US to Ghana have all been sent to their home countries of Nigeria and Gambia, a Ghanaian government spokesman said on Monday. The 13 Nigerians and one Gambian have left for their home countries. Authorities in Ghana defended accepting the deportees on humanitarian grounds. Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa pushed back on criticism that the decision was an endorsement of US President Donald

Burkina Faso: Jihadist attacks have killed about 50 civilians since May, HRW says | Africanews Three jihadist attacks in northern Burkina Faso since May have killed about 50 civilians, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Monday. In a new report, the NGO blamed the attacks on the al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimeen (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Sahel province (IS Sahel).  According to HRW, JNIM attacked the town of Djibo in May and the village of Youba in early August, altogether killing 40 civilians.  In July, IS Sahel attacked a

At least 40 fuel tankers burned in al Qaeda-linked attack in Mali, sources say | Reuters Sept 15 (Reuters) – At least 40 fuel tankers were destroyed in Mali on Sunday when al Qaeda-linked insurgents who had declared a blockade on fuel imports to the country attacked a convoy of more than 100 vehicles under military escort, two sources said on Monday. After the insurgent group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), announced the blockade last week, a source close

Gombe gov’t remaps 37 cattle routes to curb farmer-herder clashes – Daily Trust The Gombe State Government has commenced the resurvey and remapping of 37 cattle routes and eight grazing reserves across the state to address recurring farmer-herder conflicts. The exercise is being implemented under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project as part of efforts by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration to promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen agriculture.

Soldiers deployed on Nigerian campus as lecturers attempt to disrupt exam – Daily Trust The crisis rocking the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, escalated on Monday as soldiers were deployed to examination halls following threats by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP). The union had on September 15 declared an indefinite strike over 18 months of unpaid excess workload allowances.

2027: UN warns political parties against hate speech – Daily Trust The United Nations has warned all political parties including their leaders in Nigeria against hate speech ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking at a high-level roundtable on “Ethical Hate-Free Politics in Nigeria” on Monday in Abuja, organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the United Nations, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Mohamed Malick Fall, warned that all parties must strictly adhere to democratic values and tenets.

Plateau: 11,749 people killed, 420 communities attacked in 24 years – Committee Over 11,749 people were killed in violent attacks in Plateau State between 2001 and 2025, a committee set up to investigate the violence has said. PREMIUM TIMES reports that Plateau, in north-central Nigeria, suffers from various forms of violence, including herders/farmers violence, inter-communal violence, and ethno-religious crisis.

NEDC supports Darajamal community with food and non-food items – Yerwa Express News The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has distributed relief materials to 1,000 households affected by the recent insurgency attack on Darajamal community in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. The attack, which occurred on Friday night, September 5, saw terrorists storm the community, first engaging the military before targeting civilians.

Children of War, Fathers of Regret – HumAngle On a dusty morning in Nigeria’s northeast, the echoes in camps are no longer the rattle of gunfire or the rumble of motorcycles but the piercing laughter of children. They pour out of makeshift classrooms, books tucked under their arms, chasing one another through narrow lanes of zinc and tarpaulin. For many, school is not just about education but an escape, a first glimpse of a world where survival is not the

Humanitarian

Nigerian govt to feed 50 million pupils in 2026 – Official The federal government says it is working to expand the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) to 50 million primary school pupils in 2026. The National Programme Manager, National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Aderemi Adebowale, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. “We are working to include early years – primary 1 to 3, primary 4 to 6 – in the school feeding programme, and also out-of-school children, which we are handling step by step to integrate. “So, by the year 2026, we are

No girl’s education should be lost to menstruation – Daily Trust On August 15, 2025, a quiet revolution took place in Abuja. At a National Validation Meeting on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM), Nigeria adopted its first-ever national policy on menstrual health—a roadmap that will run from 2025 to 2030. It was a moment that carried both symbolism and substance. At the forefront was Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, who made it clear that this

Yobe govt commits N400m to child nutrition, to approve six-month maternity leave The Yobe State government has approved N400 million counterpart funding to boost child nutrition and pledged to extend maternity leave for female civil servants from three to six months. Kachalla Maina, Chairman, House Committee on Health, confirmed the development during an advocacy visit by the Yobe chapter of Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) to the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

Financial crunch forces UN to cut 2026 budget by $500m The United Nations has revised its proposed 2026 programme budget, slashing more than $500 million in response to financial pressures. The cuts, shared Monday with the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), represent a 15.1% reduction in resources and an 18.8% cut in posts compared to 2025. Peacekeeping support operations will also face reductions. Secretary-General António Guterres said the review was part of the new UN80 Initiative, aimed at

We’ve disbursed N330bn to poor Nigerians — Finance Minister – Daily Trust The minister of Finance and Coordinating minister of the economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has revealed that the federal government has so far disbursed N330 billion in cash transfers to poor and vulnerable Nigerians through the National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO).

Africa Loses $200 Billion Yearly to Sanitation Crisis – Worl The World Bank has raised alarm over the growing global sanitation crisis, warning that nearly two out of five people worldwide lack access to safe sanitation, with dire consequences for public health, economic growth, and the environment. The global lender also raised an alarm that Africa is losing as much as $200 billion annually in economic gains, due to poor sanitation, warning that the

Mobilization and economic development

AI, IoT can transform Nigerian farming, says researcher at global forum Dr. Nwamaka Okafor, a Nigerian postdoctoral researcher at Argonne National Laboratory in the U.S., has urged the Federal Government to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to transform agriculture and boost food security. Speaking at the ongoing Heidelberg Laureate Forum in Germany, Okafor said deploying smart and automated

Borno-Chad Water Border Trade To Resume As Governor Zulum Visits Baga Fish Dam – WIND FLOW The long-anticipated resumption of international water border trade between Borno State and the Republic of Chad is set to gain momentum following Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s visit to the Baga Fish Dam in Kukawa Local Government Area. During the visit, Governor Zulum inspected the ongoing dredging and expansion of the water canal a giant effort of the Borno State Government . The initiative aims to reopen the vital transborder

FG Unveils Plan To Transform Grazing Reserves Into Mini-Towns Across The Country – WIND FLOW The Federal Government has announced plans to convert Nigeria’s 417 grazing reserves into modern mini-towns. Each of the reserves will be equipped with essential amenities, including power supply, schools, healthcare facilities, markets, abattoirs, road networks, water and sanitation systems, communication infrastructure, security

Africa Advances With Strong Measures For Agricultural Security – WIND FLOW The Africa Fertilizer Industry Development Association was officially launched during a special event on “Advancing the Momentum of the Implementation of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Plan”, held on the margins of the Africa Food Systems Forum 2025. The event was hosted by the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), the African Union Commission (AUC), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA),

Nigeria suspends FOB levy on imports after industry backlash | Reuters LAGOS, Sept 16 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s finance ministry has ordered the immediate suspension of a levy on all imported goods, which companies had said would raise the cost of doing business and crimp economic recovery efforts. Finance Minister Wale Edun said in a directive issued late on Monday that the 4% Free on Board (FOB) levy, introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service

Shettima receives VISA delegation, says Nigeria welcomes investments across all sectors – Yerwa Express News Vice-President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria’s doors are opened to investments and collaboration across diverse sectors as President Bola Tinubu remains determined to transform the nation’s economy for the better. Mr Shettima stated this on Monday when he received a delegation from VISA led by the Regional President for Central

Marketers Demanding N1.5trn Subsidy from us – Dangote Refinery – Daily Trust Dangote Petroleum Refinery says the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has demanded an annual subsidy of N1.505 trillion to enable members to match the refinery’s gantry prices at their own depots. The refinery disclosed that although it offers petroleum products to marketers at its gantry price, DAPPMAN insists on taking delivery via coastal logistics, an option that would add N75 per litre in extra costs.

Shoprite stores shut in Ibadan, Ilorin, shelves empty in Lagos, Abuja – Daily Trust This is not the best of times for the popular retail company, Shoprite in Nigeria as the firm struggles to stay afloat four years after the exit of its former South African owner from Nigeria’s retail business, Daily Trust can report. Amidst the growing competition in the retail supermarket segment, Shoprite is fast losing its dominance in the space with most of its outlets virtually empty and on the verge of shutting down.

Business Africa: Democracy under pressure, Egypt’s food struggles, and Nigeria’s remote work boom | Africanews A recent report by the Open Society Foundations, authored by economist and political scientist Dr. Ndongo Samba Sylla, argues that democracy in Africa cannot survive without economic justice. The study highlights structural challenges — including monetary dependency through the CFA franc and unequal land distribution — as drivers of inequality that weaken democratic systems. “For countries using the CFA franc, their currency is still controlled by the French treasury,” Dr. Sylla explained. “Without