The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reiterated the commitment of the Administration to the full operation of its newly constructed bus terminals across the territory, expressing hope that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) would soon approve the operational contract. ALSO READ: Airport-Kuje-Gwagwalada road network ready for commissioning June ending — WikeThe Minister said, “We are waiting for the Federal Executive Council to approve the operational contract. The contract is beyond the ministerial approval, and so it requires the Federal Executive Council approval. So, we believe in the next Federal Executive Council meeting, it will be approved, and once that is approved, we hit the road”. Wike highlighted that the corridor is essential for opening up the FCT and is also scheduled for inauguration during the President’s third anniversary.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council and dismissed all Special Advisers. The governor also appointed a new Chief Press Secretary, Mr Onwuka Nzeshi. The dissolution was announced in a Government Special Announcement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday and signed by Nzeshi. Fubara directed all commissioners and special advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior officers in their ministries with immediate effect. The statement reads, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has dissolved the State Executive Council.

Deputy Governor of Kano, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has called on the United States Congress to remove the name of former Kano Governor and presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from a proposed religious freedom bill that recommends sanctions over alleged persecution. In a statement issued on Thursday by his Press Secretary, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, the deputy governor described the allegations linking Kwankwaso to religious persecution as unfounded and misleading. ALSO READ:Labour Party, NLC seek Abure’s arrestThe bill reportedly seeks sanctions against Fulani militias and lists Kwankwaso among individuals cited over alleged religious persecution. According to him, Kwankwaso has never been indicted, prosecuted, or credibly accused of religious persecution, extremism, or human rights violations. He described Kwankwaso as a nationalist and statesman whose public service, he said, has been anchored on justice, unity, and inclusive governance.

The Kogi State House of Assembly has urged the state government under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Ododo to urgently undertake the comprehensive rehabilitation and upgrade of Government Technical College, Ankpa, and other technical colleges across the state. Moving the motion on the floor of the House, Akus expressed concern over what he described as the “severe infrastructural decay, inadequate equipment and non-functional facilities” at Government Technical College, Ankpa. However, its current state has limited its capacity to meet contemporary technical education standards and the evolving needs of society,” Akus added. The lawmaker stressed the need for Kogi State to position itself among the most competitive states in Nigeria in skills acquisition and technical competence. With the adoption of the motion, the House reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening technical education as a pathway to youth empowerment, job creation and sustainable development in Kogi State.

Oba Adediwura, who made the remark in an interview with newsmen, said, “Ooni appreciate the governor. We appreciate our governor, Ademola Adeleke, for what he has done so far in Ile-Ife. We appreciate him for the good roads, for the one he has done and for the one he is still going to do. “He promised us when we visited him at Osogbo that he was still going to give us three new roads. “Sincerely, we cannot quantify the impact of that particular monument to history that Governor Adeleke has decided to construct in Ile-Ife.”

National oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), has released its monthly report summary for December 2025. The report highlighted key figures including crude oil and condensate production, natural gas output, revenue, profit after tax, strategic initiatives during the period under review. The report revealed that NNPC posted ₦60.5 trillion in revenue and ₦5.76 trillion profit after tax in the 2025 financial year and crude oil production remained relatively moderate and pipeline maintenance activities disrupted some operations in the financial year. The report said gas sales was also steady averaging over 4,700 mmscfd showing NNPC’s leaning toward gas as Nigeria’s transition fuel and key revenue stabiliser. The data revealed significant gains in network stability and product distribution efficiency, particularly in the second half of the year.

…as NASS calls for inclusion of INEC on First Line charge…warns INEC Chairman of making empty promisesThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a budget of N873.778 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this in Abuja during the 2025 budget performance and 2026 budget defence and the projected cost for the 2027 general elections before the National Assembly Joint Senate and House of Representatives’ Committee on Electoral Matters. According to him, the projected election budget does not include a fresh proposal by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) seeking an increase in allowances for Corps members engaged as Ad-hoc staff during elections. The INEC chairman noted that the budget was prepared in line with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the Commission to prepare its election budget at least one year before the general election. He recalled that during the last general election, INEC made strong assurances about uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal, creating the impression that results could be monitored in real time.

Nigeria and China have pledged to deepen cooperation in renewable energy, the digital economy, and agriculture, as both countries mark 55 years of diplomatic relationsNigeria and China have pledged to deepen cooperation in renewable energy, the digital economy, and agriculture, as both countries mark 55 years of diplomatic relationsNigeria and China have pledged to deepen cooperation in renewable energy, the digital economy, and agriculture, as both countries mark 55 years of diplomatic relations amid renewed commitments to economic transformation and people-to-people engagement. Both nations acknowledged that their long-standing partnership has evolved into a strategic relationship delivering significant gains in infrastructure development, trade, and economic growth across Nigeria. The commitment was reiterated at a reception held in Lagos to celebrate the Chinese New Year and the 55th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Nigeria. She disclosed that Nigeria participated in major Chinese trade exhibitions, while more Chinese enterprises scaled up investment activities across the country. She noted that charity initiatives supported by the Chinese Consulate and Chinese enterprises had provided assistance to cataract patients and low-income households across Nigeria.

A former Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State, Bisi Ilaka has officially resigned his membership of the party. In his resignation letter dated Tuesday, February 10, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, on Thursday, in Ibadan, the state capital, Ilaka thanked the PDP for the platform it provided him to serve at both state and national levels. The PUNCH reports that Governor Makinde appointed him on May 29, 2019, as his first Chief of Staff. Re: Resignation of Party Membership,” said “, It is with utmost humility that I tender my resignation of membership from the PDP. It will also be recalled that a former Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Agboola Ayoola, popularly known as Alleluyah, resigned his membership in October, 2025 from the party.

Nigeria’s electricity supply is expected to decline over the next four days as scheduled maintenance on a major gas facility will reduce power generation by 934.96 megawatts. “This situation arises from a formal notification received on the scheduled maintenance shutdown of a major gas supply facility from 12 to 15 February 2026 (both days inclusive). Power stations expected to be directly impacted include Egbin, Azura, Sapele and Transcorp power plants. Others, such as NDPHC Sapele, Olorunsogo and Omotosho power plants, may also experience indirect constraints due to network-wide gas balancing effects. Full gas supply is expected to resume on February 16, 2026.

US President Donald Trump threatened Iran Thursday with “very traumatic” consequences if it fails to make a nuclear deal—but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was skeptical about the quality of any such agreement. “We have to make a deal, otherwise it’s going to be very traumatic, very traumatic. I don’t want that to happen, but we have to make a deal,” Trump told reporters. Netanyahu had travelled to Washington to push Trump to take a harder line in the Iran nuclear talks, particularly on including the Islamic Republic’s arsenal of ballistic missiles. So far, Iran has rejected expanding the new talks beyond the issue of its nuclear program.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday described the late Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, as “a military officer with democratic traditions and love in his veins,” saying his short-lived administration laid a solid foundation for Nigeria’s return to civil rule and Africa’s liberation. Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu spoke at a commemorative event organised by the Murtala Muhammed Foundation in Abuja, attended by former African presidents, diplomats and traditional rulers. “Late General Murtala Muhammed was my uncle. “Imagine at that time someone as powerful as Henry Kissinger wanting to come to Nigeria and General Murtala Muhammed telling him you are not welcome. “If Murtala Muhammed had taken money from his country and stashed it in a U.S. or Swiss bank account, he would never have given that speech, challenging African leaders to reclaim the continent’s lost pride.

Osun state retired workers on Thursday staged a peaceful protest in Osogbo to kick against return of former governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola political party (ADC) to the realm of affairs in the state. Retirees from the 2011/2012 Retired Public Servants Association of Osun State and the Unbonded Contributory Scheme Pensioners protested their ongoing struggles with unpaid entitlements, which they have faced for over 13 years since leaving service. After the protest, the Chairman of the association, Comrade Omoniyi Ilesanmi, addressed reporters in Osogbo. He highlighted that the policies of the Aregbesola administration have subjected both workers and retirees to significant hardship. “There were lot of mistakes and atrocities committed by the Government under the Aregbesola regime that we do not pray to recur as it will spell doom to the Public”.

The Catholic Priests of Wukari Diocese in Taraba, on Thursday, said the clergy would have no option but t seek help from international communities, if all local efforts to end Christian genocide in the state fail. Just within 90 days, over 80 Christian farmers have been killed while over 200 churches and Christian communities have been destroyed. “The suspected Fulani militia who carry out these attacks usually come when people are sleeping. “The Fulani militia have also taken over entire Christian farmlands. The Fulani militia have now resorted to harvesting farm produce of displaced communities and feeding same to their animals,” they continue.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said African countries should deliberately promote leaders between the ages of 25 and 50, arguing that younger people are more physically and mentally equipped to handle the demands of governance. If we are looking for people who can run nations in Africa, we should look within the 25 to 50 age bracket. “General Murtala Muhammed assumed office at the very young age of 38. “His leadership sent a clear message: leadership was to serve the national interest, not personal ambition,” Jonathan said. Calling on Nigerians and Africans to draw lessons from history, Jonathan said leadership should be measured by impact rather than duration in office.