FG Spends N6.47tn on Infrastructure as Highways Take Lion’s Share

The Federal Government spent N6.47 trillion on strategic infrastructure projects between June 2023 and December 2025, with major highway projects accounting for more than half of the total expenditure.

An analysis of the newly released Federal Government Nigeria Reform Scorecard on savings from fuel subsidy removal, titled “The Benefits, Costs and Harm Prevented,” showed that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway received the largest allocation among the strategic infrastructure projects listed, with N2.23tn disbursed for its construction.

The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway ranked second with N1.11tn, while N489.3bn was spent on the Trans-Sahara Superhighway. Combined, the three highway projects accounted for about N3.83tn of the N6.47tn allocated to strategic infrastructure during the period under review.

The scorecard, which covered June 2023 to December 2025, outlined how the Federal Government deployed additional fiscal resources generated or made available through its economic reform measures.

According to the document, the government recorded incremental expenditure of N30.64tn during the period, with N6.47tn directed towards strategic infrastructure development.

On Wednesday, the Federal Government disclosed that it had spent N30.64tn to cushion the impact of petrol subsidy removal and other major economic reforms, while the reforms generated N15.8tn in savings for the Federation.

Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market helped mobilise N15.8tn in additional resources for the Federation during the period.

Further analysis of the scorecard showed that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, one of the four legacy road projects of the current administration, received N2.23tn, representing about 34 per cent of the N6.47tn spent on strategic infrastructure.

The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway received N1.11tn, while N489.3bn was allocated to the Trans-Sahara Superhighway. Other significant expenditures included N366bn for emergency road intervention projects and N304.2bn for Section II of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road.

The Federal Government also allocated N291.3bn to the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road, N250bn to the Renewed Hope Smallholder Support Programme and N228.4bn to the Ilesha-Akure-Benin road section.

The scorecard also recorded N124.7bn for the construction of 1,550 housing units for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, while N109.9bn was spent on Operation Lake Sanity, a multinational security operation.

The Ministry of Finance said the infrastructure interventions were designed to tackle longstanding constraints to investment and economic growth.

The spending comes as the Federal Government continues to pursue major road and transport infrastructure projects amid growing pressure from rising debt-service obligations, wage adjustments and other recurrent expenditures.

Veteran Nollywood Actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ Dies at 66

Veteran Nollywood actor and Yoruba film icon, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has died at the age of 66.

Hassan passed away at about 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2026, according to an announcement by fellow veteran actor, Jide Kosoko. The development has sparked grief across the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Kosoko disclosed that the late actor’s remains would be taken to his hometown, Ilaro, in Ogun State, on Sunday ahead of his final rites.

A lying-in-state ceremony has been scheduled for Monday, August 24, at 11 a.m. at the Pavilion in Ilaro, Ogun State.

Taiwo Hassan was one of the prominent figures in Yoruba-language cinema, with a career spanning several decades as an actor, filmmaker and screenwriter. He was widely recognised for his memorable roles and contribution to the growth of the Nigerian film industry.

His death comes days after his family appealed for medical assistance as he battled a serious health condition. Colleagues, fans and other members of the entertainment industry had rallied around the actor before his death.

101-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Arrested for Selling Illicit Drugs

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 101-year-old great-grandmother, Esther Ogunmabo, for allegedly dealing in illicit drugs in Ilisan, Ogun State.

Ogunmabo was reportedly found with 90 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis, packaged in retail sachets for sale to residents in the community.

According to the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the centenarian told investigators that she ventured into the illicit drug trade after her provisions shop was destroyed by fire.

The agency said the arrest was part of its operations against drug trafficking across the country’s land and maritime borders.

NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), directed that Ogunmabo be granted bail and referred for counselling due to her advanced age. Her daughter, however, was also arrested in connection with the case.

FG Declares Tuesday Public Holiday for Eid ul Mawlid

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, August 25, 2026, a public holiday to commemorate this year’s Eid ul Mawlid, marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the minister conveyed warm greetings to Muslims in Nigeria and across the diaspora.

Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to reflect on the virtues and teachings exemplified by the life of Prophet Muhammad during the celebration.

He also called on citizens to pray for peace and national unity, noting that building and sustaining cohesion remains a shared responsibility.

The minister appealed to Nigerians to celebrate peacefully and with moderation, while encouraging mutual respect among citizens and wishing the Muslim faithful a joyful and peaceful Eid.

Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property and maintaining peace across the country.

The declaration means workers nationwide will observe Tuesday, August 25, as a public holiday in commemoration of Eid ul Mawlid.

FG Demands End to Xenophobic Attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

The Federal Government has urged the South African government to take urgent and decisive steps to bring an end to xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals living in the country.

It also called for stronger migration governance, responsible political leadership and deeper people-to-people relations among African countries as part of efforts to prevent renewed violence and protect migrants from attacks.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, made the call on Tuesday during a virtual roundtable titled “South Africa’s Xenophobia in Comparative Perspective,” organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Digital Media and Public Diplomacy, Raphael Oni, the minister said Nigeria considered the situation a serious challenge that must be confronted without either denying its existence or exaggerating its scale. He maintained that the term Afrophobia more accurately described the nature of the attacks.

Enikanolaiye described the violence as having “a particularly African, post-colonial and post-apartheid character,” stressing that the attacks should be viewed within the broader historical and political context of the continent.

The minister expressed concern over what he described as the irony of citizens from countries that stood firmly with South Africa during its struggle against apartheid now being treated as “unwanted outsiders” in the country.

To ensure that Nigeria’s historical contributions to South Africa’s liberation struggle are properly documented and preserved, Enikanolaiye said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had directed the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs to conduct a comprehensive study of the country’s role in supporting the anti-apartheid struggle.

He said Nigeria’s financial contribution to the liberation struggle was estimated at more than $60 billion, while the country also supported the cause through the nationalisation of British Petroleum, provision of scholarships and the extension of hospitality to South African leaders who sought refuge or support in Nigeria.

“The relationship between Nigeria and South Africa is not reducible to trade statistics or diplomatic communiqués. There is history in that relationship. There is blood, sacrifice and solidarity in that history,” the minister said.

Enikanolaiye said Nigeria remained particularly concerned about the loss of lives associated with Afrophobic violence, revealing that approximately 90 Nigerians had been killed in such attacks since June 2022.

He further disclosed that incidents of fresh attacks and displacement had continued to occur in 2026, raising renewed concerns over the safety and security of Nigerians and other African nationals residing in South Africa.

According to the minister, the continued violence could damage South Africa’s international image, undermine investor confidence and weaken efforts towards deeper regional integration across the continent.

He also warned that the attacks could diminish the moral authority and goodwill South Africa gained from its historic liberation struggle, particularly among African countries that played significant roles in supporting the country’s fight against apartheid.

To tackle the problem, Enikanolaiye called on South African authorities to establish more transparent, effective and humane migration systems, while ensuring that the enforcement of immigration laws remained the exclusive responsibility of the government and its authorised institutions.

He cautioned against vigilantism and appealed to political leaders to exercise greater restraint in their public statements, noting that portraying migrants as “criminals” or “job thieves” could fuel resentment and create conditions that encourage violence against foreign nationals.

The minister also advocated greater reliance on verified facts and credible data in public discussions about migration, rather than misinformation, rumours and inflammatory claims that continue to circulate widely on social media platforms.

Enikanolaiye called for the full activation of existing Nigeria-South Africa early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms, stressing that such mechanisms could help both countries identify emerging tensions early and take appropriate measures to prevent them from escalating into violence.

Ogun Declares August 20 Public Holiday to Celebrate Isese Day

The Ogun State Government has declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a public holiday to mark this year’s Isese Day celebration.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said the declaration demonstrates the administration’s commitment to preserving and promoting Yoruba culture, heritage and traditional values.

The government noted that August 20 was officially recognised as a public holiday in Ogun State in 2023, following a resolution by the Ogun State House of Assembly and the approval of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

It said Isese Day offers adherents of the Yoruba traditional religion an opportunity to honour their ancestors, perform traditional rites and uphold the values and teachings associated with their spiritual and cultural practices.

According to the government, the celebration also strengthens the bond among practitioners and creates an avenue for members of the wider society to understand, appreciate and respect the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

The statement added that the observance of Isese Day demonstrates the administration’s recognition of the role of culture and traditional institutions in preserving Ogun State’s identity and promoting social cohesion.

The government consequently called on residents to mark the celebration peacefully and responsibly, while respecting the beliefs, rights and practices of others.

INEC Declares Adeleke Winner of Osun Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Adeleke won in 19 of the 30 local government areas, securing a total of 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, who polled 444,815 votes.

The State Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, announced the final results at about 7:24 a.m. on Sunday. He said a total of 1,005,800 votes were cast, with 985,079 declared valid and 20,721 rejected.

Following the signing of the results by agents of the participating political parties, Professor Ogunwole formally declared Adeleke the winner and returned him as Governor of Osun State for another term.

Osun Decides: INEC Begins Uploading Election Results

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the uploading of results from the Osun State governorship election to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

As of 4:12 p.m. on Saturday, 437 of the 3,763 expected polling unit results had been uploaded, representing about 11.6 per cent of the total.

The figures displayed on the IReV portal showed that 3,326 polling unit results were still awaiting upload, with the process expected to continue as results are transmitted from polling units.

INEC had earlier announced that results from all 3,763 polling units across the state would be uploaded to the IReV portal after voting to promote transparency in the electoral process. The polling units are spread across 30 Local Government Areas and 332 Registration Areas/Wards.

The commission also said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices deployed for the election would facilitate the electronic transmission of polling unit results to the public portal.

The Osun governorship election is being contested by 15 political parties.

Oyo kidnap: Panel Probes Abduction, Seeks Public Input

The Oyo State Government has called for public memoranda to assist the Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The commission is probing the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Esinele and Yawota communities, as well as the security response before, during and after the incident.

In a statement posted on the state government’s official handle on Tuesday, residents and other members of the public with relevant information were urged to come forward and assist the commission with its investigation.

The government said memoranda submitted to the commission should contain the contributor’s full name and contact details, alongside any supporting documents or evidence relevant to the case.

The deadline for submission of memoranda is Friday, August 14, 2026. The government said information provided could help the commission establish the circumstances surrounding the abduction and assess the security response to the incident…///

Dancing Doesn’t Affect My Performance as Governor, Says Adeleke

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has defended his love for dancing, insisting that the hobby has not affected his performance in office.

Adeleke made the remarks on Tuesday during a town hall meeting organised for candidates contesting the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

The governor described himself as a “prudent worker” and said dancing was simply part of his personality and a hobby he enjoyed.

He maintained that despite his public displays of dancing, his administration had delivered projects across various sectors of the state.

Adeleke’s comments followed criticism from Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who recently mocked his dancing during an APC campaign rally in Osun State and referred to him as the “dancing governor.”

The Osun governor said those who were offended by his dancing should learn to dance, stressing that the hobby had never interfered with his responsibilities.

He added that his personality was appreciated by his people and that dancing remained nothing more than a hobby.