AGP Executive Report

Eid-el-Kabir & National Cohesion: President Tinubu urged Nigerians to shun discrimination, ethnicity and hatred, saying no holy teaching supports banditry or killing, as VP Shettima echoed unity, sacrifice and obedience to faith and the rule of law. Children’s Day Under Siege: With school abductions still dominating headlines, CAN demanded urgent protection for children and teachers, while youth groups and police held outreach events aimed at child safety and community trust. Politics & Public Life: Omo-Agege resigned from APC after primary defeat, and Sowore unveiled people-driven economic models plus a nationwide resistance plan—while Senate leaders warned electoral violence has killed 1,639 people since 1999. Culture & Media: Filmmakers are leaning into AI to cut costs and expand creative options, and MTN picked 25 fellows for its media innovation programme. Sports & Youth: WAFU B revised 2026 competition dates, and Nigeria’s table tennis stars head to the WTT US Smash in Las Vegas. Health Watch: Kaduna moved to contain an mpox outbreak with contact tracing, vaccination drives and public education.

Eid-el-Kabir & National Values: President Tinubu urged tolerance, unity and support for the poor as Muslims marked Eid-el-Kabir, while Edo’s Okpebholo and other clerics echoed faith, sacrifice and peace. Children Under Siege: Tinubu also assured Nigerians that abducted children are not abandoned, ordering intelligence-led rescues and stronger school protection; ERC slammed the Tinubu-led elite for “abandoning” children amid kidnappings, and NUJ Warri raised alarm over insecurity and cult killings. Security & Justice: HURIWA condemned police inaction over an alleged assassination attempt on Ikenga Ugochinyere, warning of selective enforcement. Digital Culture & Misinformation: The Presidency vowed legal action against influencer VeryDarkMan over an alleged fake Tinubu audio, as the debate over AI voice manipulation heats up. Politics & Primaries: Omo-Agege dumped APC after losing a primary; in the NDC, Henry Dickson said all aspirants who bought forms can contest. Lifestyle & Faith Economy: In Ilorin, some Muslims reportedly buy Eid rams on credit due to hardship, while NASFAT insisted terrorists and bandits are not Muslims. Sports & Youth Culture: FG approved VAR and an anti-doping lab for Abuja’s MKO Abiola Stadium, and Nigeria’s Unity Cup run continued with Femi Azeez scoring twice.

Eid-El-Kabir Security Push: Police in Abuja and Niger State ordered tougher patrols ahead of the holiday, stressing discipline, better community ties, and warnings against social media misconduct. Children’s Day Crisis: Advocacy groups demanded government action to rescue kidnapped schoolchildren as the May 27 celebrations approach, calling schools a “soft target” and urging stronger protection. Sports Momentum: FG approved major sports infrastructure upgrades, including a full revamp of Moshood Abiola National Stadium and new high-performance facilities. Diaspora & Diplomacy: NAPAC DMVPD hosted a farewell and welcome reception in Washington, DC for outgoing Ambassador Samson Itegboje and incoming Ambassador Lateef Kayode Are. Youth & Culture: Dream Star Ladies’ duo were selected for the LaLiga/EA SPORTS development programme in Spain, while Nigeria’s Navy marked 70 years with education and medical outreach. Health Warning: NCDC debunked Ebola “home cures” like bitter kola and salt water, urging early reporting and proper care.

Sports Infrastructure Push: FG, via the National Sports Commission, has approved major upgrades for Nigeria’s sports facilities—starting with a full revamp of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium pitch and other key stadium systems—aimed at restoring world-class standards and youth opportunity. AI Career Advice: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told parents to stop chasing “safe” degrees, saying AI will automate routine tasks while boosting demand for judgment, creativity, and people who use AI better. Politics—FCT & Nasarawa: Aisha Yesufu canvassed FCT area councils ahead of the NDC senatorial primary, while NDC picked Ishaya-Dodo as candidate for the Nasarawa North bye-election. Security & Eid Readiness: FCT police launched “Operation Sweep FCT” with joint agencies for Eid-el-Kabir, and the military reported 317 terrorists neutralised and 221 victims rescued in May. Culture & Identity: Yul Edochie addressed his rift with May Edochie and why he doesn’t post children online, citing a court order—while theatre icon Bolanle Austen-Peters won an Africa Soft Power award for building modern Nigerian stage culture. Global Watch: Iran partially restored internet after months-long shutdown; UNESCO-backed countries, including Nigeria, backed Greece’s bid to permanently return the Parthenon Sculptures.

Customs Boost: Seme border revenue surged 448% to N9.79bn (March–May 2026), as Nigeria’s busiest land gateway tightens compliance and plugs leakage with new systems. Democracy Watch: Atiku says “democracy has come to stay” after voting in ADC presidential primaries, as the party’s ticket race heats up between Atiku, Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen. Security & Faith: Kwara’s LG chairman suspended night vigils after gunmen attacked a worship centre; in the north-east, military warns of Eid attacks, while MACBAN and church leaders raise alarms over killings and abductions. Floods & Livelihoods: Lagos informal workers are still left to cope alone as floods keep swallowing markets and stilt communities. Migration Scams: NIS flags rising fake travel and job schemes targeting women and girls, warning that leaving without proper documents is illegal and dangerous. Health & Rights: FG offers free corrective surgery for obstetric fistula in Edo. Culture Abroad: Igala Day celebrates Nigerian heritage in Columbia, showing diaspora culture keeps expanding.

Democracy Watch: Atiku Abubakar says “democracy has come to stay” after voting in the ADC presidential primary, pointing to a big turnout across 8,809 wards. Political Tension: Obi’s media office fires back at claims he’s “an enemy of the north,” calling it a smear meant to inflame 2027 politics. Security & Accountability: Amnesty International condemns fresh Kwara attacks—abductions and palace fires—while RULAAC renews pressure on police after a viral death-threat incident. Police Promotions: IGP Disu approves the elevation of 17,951 junior officers. Culture & Sport: Table tennis legend Funke Oshonaike demands a grassroots rebuild after Nigerian players miss key stages at WTT Lagos. Public Life: FG declares Eid al-Adha public holidays for May 27–28. Health & Lifestyle: Aproko Doctor warns against eating spoiled “Ata Esha/awarawa” tomatoes, linking mould to serious toxins. Business/People: IHTEF Africa 9.0 convenes hospitality and sustainability leaders in Abuja.

Politics & Primaries: APC’s presidential primary is now settled: Bola Tinubu has been declared the 2027 candidate after polling about 10.9m votes, and he’s already extending a hand to critics while promising deeper security and national unity. Health: World Sickle Cell Day spotlighted a grim reality—late diagnosis is still killing too many Nigerian children, with fear and stigma keeping families away from early screening. Public Health Watch: Nigeria is also being urged to stay on high Ebola alert as cross-border movement rises, even as officials say there’s no confirmed case. Education & Youth: JAMB’s new Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, is drawing praise for reform credentials, while OPay launches the N1.2bn OPay Scholars push with a Google-backed innovation challenge. Governance & Service Delivery: The National Single Window says 99% of SON/NAFDAC permit and licence complaints have been resolved after early rollout glitches. Security: The military says 92 hostages were rescued from Boko Haram/ISWAP in Borno. Culture & Soft Power: Africa Day Seoul fused Korean and African rhythms and fashion to celebrate Korea-Africa friendship. Sports: Nigeria’s Super Eagles begin Unity Cup semi-final preparations in London; para-powerlifting also delivered fresh record-breaking medals for Team Nigeria.

Ebola Alert in Lagos: Lagos State says there’s no confirmed Ebola case, but it has activated “bio-shield” surveillance and rapid response as the outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda draws WHO attention. Diplomacy & Democracy: Vice President Kashim Shettima reaffirms Nigeria’s ties with Benin in Cotonou, stressing shared history, border communities, and ECOWAS stability. Security Shock in Kwara: Terrorists killed three and abducted 15 worshippers during a church vigil, escaping through nearby forest routes. Drug Crackdown: NDLEA arrests a Chinese woman in Lagos over a 31kg cannabis haul and also busts opioid trafficking at airports. Elections Talk Heats Up: Atiku tells ADC delegates to pick a competent, experienced candidate—not social-media popularity—while MCE plans a high-level Abuja meeting on credible 2027 polls. Education Access: NABTEB extends 2026 common entrance registration to May 31 and shifts the exam to June 13. Health Regulation: Nigeria appoints new governing board members for the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Education Under Siege: ASUSS warns insecurity is worsening access to schooling in Oyo, with attacks on schools and abductions pushing more children out of classrooms. Humanitarian Returns: 497 Nigerians repatriated from Niger Republic arrived in Kano via the IOM voluntary return programme, after plans to evacuate about 1,100 migrants. Prison Reform: ECOWAS Court orders Nigeria to decongest prisons and end prolonged detention of awaiting-trial inmates, citing rights violations and overcrowding. APC 2027 Countdown: APC is set to formally announce its 2027 presidential candidate in Abuja today after nationwide direct primaries, with Tinubu expected to be declared. Politics Beyond Nigeria: Vice President Shettima heads to Cotonou to represent Tinubu at Benin’s President-elect Wadagni’s inauguration. Hunger Alarm: UN says about 35 million Nigerians face acute hunger from June to August. Health & Rights: Oluremi Tinubu urges urgent action to end child marriage to prevent obstetric fistula. Sports & Culture: Nigeria’s Flamingos crush Guinea 5-0 in the U-17 qualifier, while Akada festival spotlights indigenous children’s books.

2027 Politics, Tone-Setting: A cleric in Ilorin, Pastor Biola Ezekiel, urged politicians to shun “do-or-die” politics, accept defeat peacefully, and stop using youths as election thugs as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 polls. Party Primaries, Continuity Push: APC figures including Sen. Adams Oshiomhole and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila doubled down on Tinubu’s re-election narrative, pointing to mass turnout and pledging a peaceful process. Courts, Election Timeline Shock: Legal experts are split after a Federal High Court nullified INEC’s revised 2027 election timetable, reopening debate on how timelines should run. Security, Border Pressure: Troops under Operation Hadin Kai killed 12 terrorists in an attempted attack along the Nigeria–Cameroon border, while other operations reported rescues and arrests. Health & Rights, Maternal Focus: First Lady Oluremi Tinubu renewed calls to end child marriage and improve maternal care to prevent obstetric fistula. Humanitarian Warning: The UN says 35 million Nigerians may face acute hunger in the lean season. Trade & Youth: Nigeria and Canada pledged fresh support—over $30m—for health systems, women and small businesses, and digital resilience. Education & Discipline: Lagos lawyers back mandatory school drug integrity tests, but stress enforcement.

Politics & Activism: Omoyele Sowore says he’s running to win the 2027 presidency, insisting Nigeria needs “ideas” not recycled power. Human Stories & Memory: Gen. Yakubu Gowon reveals his life savings after the 1975 coup were just ₦41,000, with his family nearly homeless in London. Public Health: Lagos and RTSL wrap a three-day push to curb lead poisoning, strengthen surveillance, and cut exposure to toxic substances. Youth & Women Empowerment: MUSWEN seeks a strategic partnership with the Bank of Industry to fund youth and women in agriculture, ICT, education, and health. Climate Governance: SPP and the Federal Ministry of Environment set up a quality panel for Climate Governance Ranking 3.0, focusing on measurable state implementation. Security & Education: Oyo’s school abduction talks reportedly opened, but details and demands remain tightly guarded. Sports & Culture: Lagos LSSTF equips 1,020 public primary schools with sports kits, while Burna Boy and Shakira land the official 2026 World Cup song. Economy & Industry: Ogun reallocates resources to expand agro-industrial processing under SAPZ, and Nigeria’s solid minerals draw $2.6bn in mining investments.

Sports Funding Push: FCT FA boss Abba Mouktar Muhammed wants a Sports Tax Fund to bankroll grassroots development, arguing football’s national push is still starved of money. Ethics vs. Politics: ADC presidential aspirant Hayatu-Deen challenges Atiku and Amaechi to publicly endorse the party’s Orange Book ethics code, framing it as a fight against corruption and vote-buying. SME Credit Drive: CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso says new initiatives are nudging banks to lend more to SMEs, including tools to ease fraud bottlenecks and recover bad debts. Security Doubts: Nigerians keep questioning whether US-Nigeria military collaboration is changing life on the ground, even as DHQ points to operations against terrorists. Politics Under Pressure: ICPC blocks an ADC delegation from visiting detained ex-Kaduna governor El-Rufai; meanwhile, INEC warns Ekiti voters about thuggery and vote-buying. Education Reform: NCCE says the Dual Mandate Policy lets Colleges of Education award degrees, aiming to cut university admission pressure. Lagos Money Moves: Lagos reports ₦2.6trn revenue in 2025 with stable debt—fueling more talk about digital tax reforms.

Election Court Shock: A Federal High Court in Abuja set aside INEC’s revised timetable for 2027 primaries and candidate replacement, saying the deadline framework clashes with the Electoral Act—opening fresh room for parties and aggrieved aspirants. APC Primaries: APC’s gubernatorial primaries produced winners across states, with Hamzat, Adeola, Gubio, Gwamna, Chinda, Alli, Mbah and others taking tickets as the party pushes ahead with presidential primary procedures. Drug-Use Culture Pushback: NDLEA commissioned its Clean Beat 91.5FM and renewed its fight against “toxic pop culture” that glamorises illicit drug abuse, promising a counter-narrative through media. Digital Hubs Under Pressure: A new report warns Nigeria’s innovation hubs are struggling to survive as power costs and unstable internet squeeze operations. Housing Finance Plan: FG proposes a cooperative bank model to fund housing projects via cooperative ownership and digital transparency. Trade & Security: China pledged deeper police training and cybercrime cooperation with Nigeria, while ports reported disruption after a Maersk feeder collision in Bonny Channel.

NDLEA Anti-Drug Push: Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) launched Clean Beat 91.5FM in Abuja, urging Nigerians to fight “toxic pop culture” that glamorises drug abuse and to swap hype for sobriety stories and prevention. Education Under Pressure: ASUU Ibadan Zone demanded immediate implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU deal, warning non-implementation could spark another varsity crisis. School Security: Peace Corps Nigeria raised alarm over bandits’ repeated school invasions and wants Peace Corps safety officers deployed to help protect pupils and teachers. Politics & Identity: Rotimi Amaechi says he’ll abolish indigeneship and run on citizenship-only unity if elected in 2027. Admissions Leadership: Tinubu appointed Prof. Segun Aina as the next JAMB Registrar, succeeding Oloyede in July 2026. Health & Culture: CAPPA premiered “Sweet Poison,” linking sugary drinks to rising non-communicable diseases and environmental harm. Regional Tension: Ghana delayed evacuating 800 citizens from South Africa after xenophobia backlash and legal clearance hurdles.

Security Alarm: NCAMKI says Nigeria’s security architecture is failing as kidnappings and mass killings worsen, pointing to the Ogbomosho school abduction and the beheading of a teacher while victims remain in captivity. Campus Fallout: UNILAG medical lecturers begin an indefinite strike over CONMESS salary implementation gaps, threatening lectures and clinical training. Health Policy Push: SCIAN calls for a National Rehabilitation Policy after WHO findings exposed deep neglect for spinal cord injury survivors. Women & Money: PalmPay says it has empowered 2,000+ women in Kano and is expanding smarter banking access. Trade Tech: Kenya, Morocco and Nigeria are set to pilot AfCFTA’s digital trade system (ADAPT) to speed cross-border data, payments and identity. Markets: NGX rebounds as banking and cement stocks lift sentiment. Drugs Crackdown: NDLEA dismantles a major Nigerian-Mexican meth lab in Ogun, seizing drugs worth N480bn and arresting suspects. Culture & Heritage: Iwopin partners with DTML to digitise and promote the Okosi Festival globally. Education Relief: FG starts paying delayed 2025 BEA scholarship allowances to students abroad.

Ekiti Election Crackdown: INEC boss Prof. Joash Amupitan warns security agents: don’t spare anyone caught vote buying or trading as Ekiti’s June 20 governorship election nears. Terror War Update: Nigeria and the US say a joint operation in the northeast killed at least 175 IS militants, including senior commanders, with no troops harmed. Paperless Push: Tinubu orders all MDAs to fully digitise workflows and end manual inefficiency, citing 38 ministries already paperless. Education Money Finally Moving: FG begins paying 2025 BEA scholarship allowances abroad, starting with 50% via embassies. Oyo School Attack Fallout: Celebrities including Toyin Abraham and Ruth Kadiri react to the Oriire/Ogbomoso kidnapping reports and the killing of teacher Michael Oyedokun, demanding stronger protection for schools. Drug Bust: NDLEA dismantles a Nigerian–Mexican meth lab in Ogun, seizing drugs and chemicals worth N480bn and arresting three Mexicans. Migration Shock: Sierra Leone receives deportees expelled from the US under Trump’s crackdown, including Nigerians.