Day: July 29, 2026

Nigeria, Tunisia Deepen Diplomatic Ties, Explore Security, Food and Energy Cooperation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria and Tunisia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with both countries agreeing to deepen diplomatic engagement and expand cooperation in security, food, water and energy development. This was contained in a statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, following a bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Tunisia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, H.E. Mohamed Ali Nafti, on the sidelines of the ongoing 49th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of…

Nigeria Police Repatriates Chinese Wildlife Trafficking Suspect to China Over Pangolin Smuggling

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has repatriated a wanted Chinese fugitive, Cai Jinlian, to the People’s Republic of China to face prosecution over alleged involvement in the trafficking of endangered wildlife. Jinlian, 42, was handed over to Chinese authorities on July 29, 2026, following his arrest in Abuja on July 18 by operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja after intelligence revealed that he had been residing in Nigeria and moving between Delta and Plateau states. According to a statement issued by the Force…

9th Africa Agriculture Science Week: Nigerian Researchers Showcase Home-Grown Innovations to Boost Food Security

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Agricultural research institutions, universities and colleges across Nigeria have called for increased investment, stronger collaboration and sustained policy support to scale up home-grown agricultural innovations capable of transforming the country’s food systems, creating jobs and driving economic growth. The call was made during Nigeria Day at the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week, where stakeholders showcased research breakthroughs and technological innovations designed to improve agricultural productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen rural livelihoods. Presenting a paper titled “Success Stories of Agricultural Innovations by Agricultural Institutions,” the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University…

Nigeria Seeks AUDA-NEPAD Backing to Expand Economic Opportunities for Youth, Women

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria has called on the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) to prioritise the country in the implementation of the African Demographic Dividend Programme and other key development initiatives aimed at expanding economic opportunities for young people and women. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the appeal during a bilateral meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD, Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council Meeting held on July 27–28 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to…

CSANS Slams VDM Over Attacks on AIG Moshood, Warns Against Undermining Security

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Coalition for Security Awareness and National Stability (CSANS) has condemned what it described as a sustained campaign of defamation and “media trial” against the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Jimoh Moshood, by social media influencer and self-acclaimed human rights activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Ibrahim Musa, on Wednesday in Abuja, the coalition described the repeated attacks on the senior police officer as reckless, malicious and capable of eroding public confidence in…

Nigerian Army Named Africa’s Best Counter-Terrorism Force for 2025

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Army has been recognised as Africa’s Best National Army in Counter-Terrorism Operations for 2025 by African Security Watch, in recognition of its operational achievements, strategic leadership and sustained efforts in combating terrorism and violent extremism across the continent. The prestigious award was formally presented to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Wednesday at the Army Headquarters in Abuja by Major General Teriworie Gagariga, who had earlier received it on behalf of the Nigerian Army during the African Security Watch Awards Ceremony held in…

National Defence College Presents Strategic Blueprint to COAS to Strengthen Nigerian Army’s NCO Leadership by 2035

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Defence College (NDC) has presented a strategic research paper to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, outlining a roadmap to strengthen the leadership capacity of the Nigerian Army’s Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) as part of efforts to enhance operational effectiveness and mission success by 2035. The research paper, titled “Strengthening Non-Commissioned Officers Leadership for Operational Efficiency: Strategic Options for the Nigerian Army by 2035,” was presented on Wednesday at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, by the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed.…

NITDA Unveils National Software Quality Assurance Framework to Boost Cybersecurity, Digital Trust

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has launched the National Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Framework, a new regulatory initiative aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity and ensuring the delivery of reliable software across government and regulated sectors. The framework, signed by NITDA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, under the provisions of the NITDA Act 2007, establishes national standards for software design, testing and deployment across Federal Government institutions, regulated industries and the wider digital ecosystem. According to the agency, the framework seeks to…

Nigeria Customs, U.S. DTRA Deepen Counter-Proliferation Partnership with Specialised Officer Training

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the United States Defence Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has commenced a Counter-Proliferation Team Training Programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of Customs officers to combat the illicit movement of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), strategic goods and dual-use materials. The training, which began on 22 July 2026 at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, is designed to equip officers with the skills required to prevent, detect and disrupt the proliferation of sensitive materials…

SEC Goes Digital, Launches Full E-Registration for Capital Market Operators

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched a fully electronic registration process for Capital Market Operators (CMOs), marking a major milestone in its drive to modernise Nigeria’s capital market and improve regulatory efficiency through digital innovation. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commission announced that the new electronic registration (e-Registration) platform, deployed through its ePortal, will enable designated regulatory services to be completed entirely online, eliminating manual processing for the services covered under the current phase. According to the SEC, the platform allowed existing Capital Market Operators to…