Taiwo Oyedele Advances Nigeria AfDB Cooperation, Seeks Portfolio Review and Backs Bank’s Four Cardinal Points Agenda

Bangkok, 12 October 2026. Nigeria and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have agreed to a joint technical review of the Bank’s portfolio in Nigeria and to prepare an official visit to Nigeria by the AfDB President. The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and AfDB President Dr Sidi Ould Tah agreed both steps when they met on Monday, on the sidelines of the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.
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Oyedele confirmed that Nigeria intends to remain the Bank’s largest shareholder and to meet its capital subscription obligations. He said the long relationship between Nigeria and the Bank should now deliver more development finance and practical economic gains.

Oyedele expressed Nigeria’s support for the Four Cardinal Points, the Bank’s strategic agenda under Ould Tah. The four points are to bridge Africa’s financing gap, secure the continent’s financial sovereignty, harness its demographic dividend, and build resilient infrastructure through the local transformation of natural resources. Oyedele said the agenda aligns closely with Nigeria’s own development priorities.

The portfolio review will identify implementation bottlenecks, speed up project delivery and align ongoing operations with the Federal Government’s development priorities.

Ould Tah’s proposed visit is expected to include engagement with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, senior government officials and other stakeholders on Nigeria’s development priorities and its strategic cooperation with the Bank.

The two sides also discussed the high cost of borrowing faced by African countries. Oyedele said international credit ratings do not always reflect improvements in economic fundamentals and reform performance, which raises financing costs for countries such as Nigeria.

In response, Ould Tah disclosed that the AfDB is developing a facility to give African governments technical and analytical support in their engagement with credit rating agencies. The facility will help countries present credible economic data and challenge assessments where necessary.

Taiwo Oyedele

Other areas discussed included African financial integration, local currency transactions, trade insurance and credit enhancement to reduce investment risk and attract private capital. Both sides also stressed the need to retain skilled professionals on the continent.

Technical work on financing and portfolio performance will continue alongside preparations for the President’s visit.

Efe Ovuakporie
Head of Media
12th October, 2026
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NAF Convenes Specialist Board to Investigation ART Aircraf Accident, Reports Intensified Search and Recovery Efforts

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) reports intensified efforts in support of ongoing search and recovery operations following the tragic accident involving its ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, at Igbokoda, Ondo State, on 5 October 2026. In parallel, the Service has convened a specialist Aircraft Accident Investigation Board to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident, determine its causes and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence. The NAF extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, colleagues and all those affected by this tragedy.
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In furtherance of this commitment, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has directed sustained search and recovery efforts alongside a comprehensive investigation into the accident. Air Vice Marshal EOE Ebiowe, Head of the Investigation and Recovery Team, is coordinating the wider response, while Air Vice Marshal FO Ankeli serves as President of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board. This arrangement ensures a coordinated approach to recovery operations alongside a structured, specialist investigation into the circumstances of the accident.

The 12-member Board comprises experienced personnel with specialist expertise in aviation operations, flight safety, piloting, air traffic control, aircraft engineering, maintenance, medical services and other relevant technical disciplines. It also includes representatives of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), bringing additional civilian aviation expertise to the process. This multidisciplinary composition is intended to support a thorough, objective and credible investigation guided by established aviation safety procedures.

The Board is mandated to examine relevant operational, technical, environmental, human and organisational factors surrounding the accident. Its work will involve the systematic examination, documentation and preservation of relevant evidence to establish the facts and determine the immediate and underlying causes of the occurrence. The process will be conducted in accordance with applicable procedures, with due regard for the integrity of evidence and the need for conclusions grounded in objective technical analysis.

The investigation will also assess relevant aspects of the emergency response, including search and rescue, medical response, recovery operations and accident-site management. The Board is expected to make practical, evidence-based recommendations to address any identified deficiencies, strengthen aviation safety and reduce the likelihood of similar occurrences.

The participation of civilian aviation safety specialists further reinforces the importance attached to technical collaboration, professional scrutiny and accountability.

Beyond the operational and investigative response, the NAF remains committed to supporting the bereaved families through this difficult period. In addition to ongoing engagement with the families, the Service has established a direct help line at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, within the Office of the Directorate of Veterans Affairs, to facilitate access to timely and appropriate information whenever required.

The help line provides recorded next of kin (NOKs) with a direct channel for enquiries and clarification as the process progresses. Furthermore, administrative processes have been activated at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, including the organisation of meetings with affected families and other support arrangements, to provide timely assistance and practical support during this period of profound grief and emotional distress.

The NAF recognises the public’s legitimate interest in the ongoing process and remains committed to providing appropriate updates as verified information becomes available. While ensuring responsible communication, the Service will protect sensitive investigative information and preserve the integrity of the proceedings. Conclusions regarding the cause of the accident would be premature until the investigation is completed and its findings are duly considered.

NAF

The Nigerian Air Force assures the public that the search, recovery and investigative efforts remain a priority. Under the leadership of the Chief of the Air Staff, the Service remains committed to establishing the facts surrounding this tragic incident, supporting the affected families and implementing appropriate safety recommendations arising from the investigation.

The NAF will continue to approach the process with diligence, compassion, accountability and professional responsibility, mindful of the profound loss suffered by the families and the wider Service.

Ehimen Ejodame
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information,
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.

13 October 2026
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EFCC Boss Olukoyede Warns Nigerian Girls against Sextortion

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes, Ola Olukoyede has warned young girls across the country on the growing incidents of sextortion in the country.
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He gave the warning in Abuja on Monday, October 12, 2026 at an event to mark the International Girl-Child Day, organized by the African Girl Guild, AGG, with the theme: “Invest in her, Empower her and Let her Lead.”

While noting that incidents of sextortion are on the rise in the country, Olukoyede disclosed that the criminal elements involved in the crime take advantage of the vulnerable moments of the female gender to extort money from them and urged the girls to choose integrity in their relationship with the opposite sex. “Girls need to be careful about relationships and not fall into the antics of criminals and sextortionists. Integrity in a relationship will safeguard you against such villains. A girl with integrity will always outlast a girl with only make-up. Your integrity is your crown. Do not sell it cheap,” he said.

Olukoyede, who was represented by the Head of the EFCC’s Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Aisha Muhammed, further warned young girls in the country to stay away from cybercrime. “If you engage in cybercrime; if you become an account mule for Yahoo boys; if you blackmail people online, you are not just committing a crime, you are destroying Nigeria’s image, the same Nigeria you will need for a lot of things.”

Speaking on the need for girls to be responsible citizens, he noted that by making themselves available for cybercrime that girls often end up as tools of online blackmail by fraudsters. “A responsible girl child reports wrongdoing, she volunteers, she respects the law, she knows that she is a stakeholder in Project Nigeria. As young girls, you must learn how to earn legally. Learn a skill, tech, tailoring, baking, content creation, coding. Not everything you earn is for squandering, save at least a certain percentage like 20%, know your needs and wants. Financial awareness is self-defence. Don’t let anyone use your account to commit fraud. That account in your name can take you to prison,” he said..

Self-reliance, he said, brings empowerment, which the girl child can leverage to attain a glorious height in the future. “An empowered girl is not waiting for someone to rescue her, she is educated; she is skilled; financially independent and because she is independent, nobody can buy her conscience. That is why the EFCC has established Integrity Clubs and Zero Tolerance Clubs in schools across Nigeria. We want you to become ambassadors of integrity in your schools and communities.

Speaking on the need to invest in the girl child, Denen Petronella, Executive Assistant to Jindu Peter, founder of African Girl Guide, stated that investing in the girl-child means giving her confidence, knowledge, skills, protection, mentorship and opportunities to be able to discover her potential.

“At African Girl Guide, we believe a girl should not only be prepared for her future; she should be given the confidence, support and opportunities to help shape it. She learns; she leads; she thrives. Our responsibility therefore is not simply to tell girls they can succeed. It is to help create the support systems that make that success possible,” she said.

Olukoyede

As part of African Girl Guide commitment in ensuring the empowerment of the girl child, the launch of the AGG Camp Amani School Club was announced.

According to Petronella, Camp Amani School Club will give girls a continued platform “to learn, build leadership and life skills, develop confidence and explore opportunities throughout the school year.”

Participants at the events include representatives from ministries, agencies, departments, institutions and students from different secondary schools within Abuja.
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