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FG Approves A Combined N4.34tn Financing For Transport, Agriculture, Power, Others
FG Approves A Combined N4.34tn Financing For Transport, Agriculture, Power, Others
The Federal Government on Monday approved a combined N4.34tn in financing across five sectors including transportation, agriculture, power, infrastructure and small business credit.
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The approvals followed the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
It was the first meeting in approximately three months since the council last sat on March 4, 2026, when Tinubu swore in Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.
They span 14 separate memos presented by the Ministry of Finance.
The approvals include N215bn in naira-denominated investments in transport, $900m (approximately N1.24tn) for agricultural and rural development, $160m (approximately N220.6bn) for Niger State solar energy from the Islamic Development Bank, $1.2bn (approximately N1.65tn) for the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, and a combined $500m (approximately N689.5bn) and €200m (approximately N315.6bn) for MSME financing through the Development Bank of Nigeria.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said “We had 14 memos for the Ministry of Finance. You would imagine I’m not going to take you through all of them one by one, but council made very strategic decisions, which I have decided to categorise under five headings.”
On transportation, Oyedele said council ratified a series of previously anticipated presidential approvals covering the CNG bus initiative, electric vehicles, CNG-powered tricycles and vehicle conversion kits, unlocking the remaining investment tranche needed to complete those programmes.
“As many of you will recall, Mr President had introduced initiatives on CNG buses, electric vehicles, CNG fuel tricycles and conversion kits. Some of these investments had already been made based on anticipatory approval by Mr President, given the urgency of those interventions and council today approved.
“What that means is the remaining investment that needs to be made can now go ahead. The total amount is about N215bn,” he said.
Four memos on agricultural development were approved at a combined $900m, covering financing for agricultural and rural technical-vocational training, special agro-industrial processing zones and green valuation for growth projects, he stated.
The Council approved a $160m credit facility from the Islamic Development Bank for Niger State solar energy development projects.
The Islamic Development Bank will provide $150m and the Niger State government will contribute $10m as counterpart funding.
“I attended the AGM of the Islamic Development Bank about one or two weeks ago, and these were some of the conversations we had on how to finance development using concessional facilities,” Oyedele said.
Council also approved financing of approximately $1.2bn for section two of the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, covering the Kebbi State portion of the corridor.
According to Oyedele, the final category covered two memos providing affordable financing for small businesses, one of €200m and another of $500m, to be channelled through the Development Bank of Nigeria.
He explained, “We all know that the bulk of employment as well as economic activities in Nigeria is done by small businesses, so we always have to think about how to support that sector, because supporting them is supporting ourselves and our country.
Responding to questions about fuel pump prices, which remain elevated despite a decline in global crude oil prices following the easing of Middle East tensions, Oyedele said a structured process was already under way to address what he described as an asymmetric pricing problem where operators adjust prices upward quickly when costs rise but resisting downward adjustments when they fall.
“The way the market tends to work is that when prices are going up, operators make adjustments very quickly under the excuse of replacement cost. But when prices come down, the prices don’t go down as fast, the excuse is always unsold inventory, old stock.
“This is something we need to always balance. We do not want our operators and businesses to go out of business, but we also do not want them to exploit the Nigerian people.
“Trying to strike that balance requires some work on the part of the regulators and ensuring that we are very honest and transparent with ourselves,” he said.
He noted that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which has statutory powers under the Petroleum Industry Act to ensure market-reflective prices that do not take advantage of consumers, were already addressing the matter.
Taiwo Oyedele
“There is already an ongoing process to address this issue,” he said.
Oyedele also pushed back on suggestions that the government’s transport cost-mitigation measures had failed, pointing out that fuel products in Nigeria currently attracted no taxes after presidential suspensions of VAT, excise and surcharge.
He argued, “Many people have said that when the crisis in Iran started, many countries reduced taxes on fuel products, what is Nigeria doing? Well, actually in Nigeria there are no taxes on fuel products.
“Mr President suspended VAT, excise as well as the surcharge on fuel products. This is the main reason why you find that pump prices in our neighbouring countries are between 20 and 50 per cent lower than in Nigeria. It would have been worse.
“So let’s say it’s a bad situation that we are paying more for transportation, but it would have been worse without those interventions by the government.”
Oyedele also appealed to operators who have converted to CNG which is a cheaper fuel than petrol but are reportedly charging passengers the same fares as petrol-powered vehicles.
“With this huge investment in CNG conversion kits, some of which are subsidised by government, you find the person using CNG is charging the same amount as the person using petrol.
“Now that’s not government anymore, it’s just us taking advantage of the situation.
“If we all play our part and are very honest and think about the interest of our country, I think we will make progress faster,” he said.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Must Be Guided by Values, ICPC Tells Students
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on Nigerian students to ensure that the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is guided by strong moral values and ethical principles.
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The call was made during the 2026 Secondary Schools Debate Competition organised by the Junior Chamber International (JCI Aso) Abuja in collaboration with the ICPC at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, represented by the Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, Mr. Demola Bakare, FSI, described the debate theme, “Balancing the Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence,” as timely and relevant in today’s technology-driven world.
According to him, while artificial intelligence offers immense opportunities to improve lives and enhance productivity, it can also be misused to harm society if not guided by integrity and responsible conduct.
Dr. Aliyu noted that young people are central to the future of AI and will ultimately determine how the technology shapes society.
“The AI we are talking about belongs to the youths. Some of us are merely migrants into the system. The only thing we owe them is to incorporate values into it, values that make life worth living,” he stated.
The ICPC Chairman further urged participants to reject the criminal and fraudulent use of artificial intelligence and embrace ethical innovation for national development.
In his opening remarks, the President of JCI Aso described the debate theme as timely, stressing that young people would play a crucial role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
About 20 secondary schools participated in the competition, showcasing their debating skills and perspectives on the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence.
At the end of the contest, Government Day Secondary School, Wuse II, emerged second runner-up, while Merosa Academy secured the first runner-up position. Federal Government Boys’ College (FGBC), Apo, emerged overall winner of the competition.
ICPC
Trophies were presented to the schools that placed first, second and third, while students who distinguished themselves in other segments of the competition received medals in recognition of their outstanding performances.
This version reads more like a professional news report and has a stronger closing paragraph.
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Public Interest Must Prevail Over Personal Agendas, ICPC Chief Warns New Permanent Secretaries
In a firm admonition to the Federal Civil Service’s newest accounting officers, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has charged newly appointed Permanent Secretaries to steadfastly subordinate personal and sectional interests to the greater public good in the execution of their official responsibilities.
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Dr. Aliyu delivered this clarion call during an induction training programme for the four newest Permanent Secretaries, held recently at the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Conference Hall within the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja. He underscored that such unwavering commitment is indispensable for fostering transparency, accountability, and robust good governance across the public service landscape.
Presenting a paper entitled “Avoiding Corruption Pitfalls: Adherence to Anti-Corruption Principles,” the ICPC Chairman characterised corruption as a pervasive global malaise by no means confined to Nigeria. He identified greed, eroded integrity, feeble accountability frameworks, and ineffectual institutional oversight as the principal drivers of corrupt practices worldwide.
Dr. Aliyu proceeded to delineate the mandates of Nigeria’s three frontline anti-corruption agencies, providing clarity on their distinct yet complementary roles. He explained that the Code of Conduct Bureau is statutorily responsible for promoting public morality and enforcing asset declaration compliance among public officers.
The ICPC, he noted, is vested with the mandate to prevent, investigate, and prosecute systemic corruption within the public sector, alongside its educational function. Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) focuses on investigating and prosecuting economic and financial crimes traversing all sectors of the national economy.
Drawing upon the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), Dr. Aliyu highlighted that Section 15(5) stipulates unequivocally that States shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. He emphasised that the mandatory language of “shall” imposes a binding obligation rather than a discretionary option, thereby underscoring the gravity of the international anti-corruption architecture.
He further observed that the ICPC Act of 2000 stands out for its meticulous, section-by-section articulation of provisions, furnishing a comprehensive legal framework for Nigeria’s anti-corruption crusade.
Turning his attention to the strategic fulcrum occupied by Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Aliyu characterised the Federal Civil Service as the veritable engine room of government. He elucidated that whilst ministers craft policies and set strategic priorities, it falls to Permanent Secretaries to translate these visions into measurable, tangible outcomes for the citizenry.
The Hon Chairman reminded the participants that, as accounting officers, financial controllers, and trustees of their respective ministries, they are duty-bound to exercise the most exacting standards of diligence, probity, and integrity in managing public resources. Corruption, he stressed, extends far beyond the narrow confines of bribery; it encompasses abuse of office, conflicts of interest, contract inflation, ghost worker schemes, nepotism, and other unethical practices that erode public trust.
Dr. Aliyu urged the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries to assert firm control over their ministries by bolstering internal control mechanisms, safeguarding whistleblowers from reprisal, and ensuring rigorous compliance with due process at every turn. “Always place the public interest above personal or sectional interest,” he counselled, in a refrain that resonated throughout the hall.
In her remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Common Services Office, Dr. Danjuma Usman Kalba, commended the ICPC Chairman for his unwavering dedication to the anti-corruption crusade. Dr. Kalba also lauded the Commission’s proactive measures designed to ensure that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) adhere rigorously to due process in discharging government responsibilities. Such initiatives, he affirmed, are critical to reinforcing accountability and bolstering public confidence in governance institutions.
The induction programme featured four newly appointed Permanent Secretaries who participated in the intensive training session. They are:
1. Mrs. Bekearedo Augustina Waren – Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF);
ICPC
2. Dr. Kamil Ayinde Shoretire – Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment;
3. Mrs. Nkiruka Bella Jones-Nebo – Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF); and
4. Mr. Sani Yargaya Aminu – Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SSO-OSGF).
The induction programme forms an integral component of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation’s ongoing efforts to equip newly appointed Permanent Secretaries with the requisite knowledge, ethical grounding, and leadership acumen necessary for effective stewardship of public institutions.
Ultimately, the initiative seeks to deepen the culture of transparency, accountability, and exemplary service delivery across the entire Federal Civil Service, in service to the Nigerian people.
J. Okor Odey anipr.
Head, Media & Public Communications, ICPC.
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NPF Commences Five-Day Women Police Leadership Programme
The Nigeria Police Force has commenced a five-day Women Police Leadership Programme aimed at strengthening leadership capacity, promoting professional development, and advancing gender-responsive policing among female police officers.
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The programme is supported by the Government of Germany and conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), GS Foundation, CLEEN Foundation, and the Nigeria Police Reform Secretariat, brings together female officers from Commands and Formations across the country to enhance their leadership competencies, strategic management skills, and contemporary policing knowledge.
Representing the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, at the opening ceremony, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Training and Development, AIG Uche Ifeanyi Henry, reaffirmed the IGP’s commitment to continuous capacity building as a cornerstone of ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Police Force. He encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity by actively engaging in the sessions and applying the knowledge acquired to improve service delivery and strengthen leadership within the Force.
In his keynote address, the Director-General of the National Institute of Police Studies, Prof. Olu Ogunsakin, underscored the importance of sustained leadership development for female officers, describing it as essential to enhancing professionalism, institutional effectiveness, and operational excellence within the Nigeria Police Force.
Women Police Leadership Programme
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to investing in the training and retraining of its personnel, fostering professionalism, promoting gender inclusion, and implementing reforms that strengthen institutional capacity and improve policing service delivery across the country.
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CSP ANIETIE OKOKON EDEM INIEDU Anipr, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, 29th June, 2026
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