By Olutayo Irantiola
At the 80th United Nations General Assembly High-Level Political Declaration Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, Nigeria reaffirmed its global commitments to expand access to mental health services for millions of citizens and transition away from punitive suicide laws. This important step made the country join the global movement that treats attempted suicide as a public health and mental health concern rather than a criminal offence.
Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 700,000 people die by suicide each year, making it the second leading cause of death among young people. The WHO’s stance is unmistakable: suicide is fundamentally a public health crisis, not a criminal act, and decriminalising attempted suicide is a proven, evidence-based intervention essential for reducing mortality.
In Africa, Ghana has already decriminalised attempted suicide and is now building its suicide prevention and mental health response around a more supportive framework. While Kenya, for example, has moved through judicial and legislative discussions on reform, several countries on the continent continue to review laws inherited from older legal systems. Botswana is among the African countries where attempted suicide is not treated as a criminal offence.
Nigeria repealed the Lunacy Act of 1958 and enacted the National Mental Health Act in 2022, making her one of the few countries on the continent with the most recent legislation. However, the decriminalisation of attempted remains the missing piece. Therefore, Nigeria has an opportunity not only to follow global best practices but also to strengthen its position as a major African voice in mental health reforms.
For decades in Nigeria, individuals navigating their darkest hours faced double jeopardy, enduring severe psychological distress only to be threatened under Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act in the South or Section 231 of the Penal Code in the North with up to one year in prison for an unsuccessful suicide attempt.
The journey toward mental health legislative reforms in Nigeria gained momentum on December 28, 2022, when former President Muhammadu Buhari gave presidential assent to the landmark National Mental Health Act 2021. This historic piece of legislation repealed the obsolete Lunacy Act of 1958, establishing a rights-based framework that outlawed disenfranchisement and mandated the creation of a dedicated national suicide prevention strategy.
Building on this legislative foundation, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, under the leadership of Coordinating Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, launched the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework (2023–2030) in November 2023. Designed to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the strategy sets a national target to reduce suicide mortality by 15 per cent by 2030, putting the decriminalisation of attempted suicide as one of the key policy actions to achieve this.
Recognising that legal reform requires a bridge between health policy and statutory law, the Ministry of Health collaborated with the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to establish the National Taskforce on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide on World Mental Health Day in October 2024. Chaired by health law authority, Professor Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, with Dr Ojo Tunde Masseyferguson, the National Coordinator , National Mental Health Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health as the secretary, the taskforce comprises professional associations, civil society organisations, people with lived experience, and key government agencies was tasked with conducting national stakeholder engagements, debunking socio-cultural and religious myths, and charting an actionable path forward.
The task force recognised that suicide is an issue deeply influenced by culture, religion and social beliefs. Consequently, it embarked on consultations and national conversations with various stakeholders, including religious leaders and people with diverse perspectives on the issue. These engagements were important because some supporters of criminalisation had argued that punishment could serve as a deterrent and reinforce the sanctity of life. However, the emerging public health position was that punishment does not address the underlying distress that may have led to the attempt.
The campaign, therefore, focused on a simple but powerful principle- people in distress need help, not handcuffs.
The task force concluded that a focused executive bill amending the National Mental Health Act was the most efficient and politically viable route to repeal the punitive sections of the Criminal and Penal Codes. This momentum reached a historic high-water mark when the Federal Executive Council (FEC) formally threw its full weight behind the policy, approving the proposed amendment bill for transmission to the legislature on the 21st of August 2026. This is a major milestone, but it is not yet the end of the journey.
Decriminalising attempted suicide will transform Nigeria’s mental health landscape by replacing fear with help and compassionate care. Under the legacy criminalisation framework, individuals in severe distress are forced to conceal their struggles due to the threat of police arrest, prosecution, and social exile. Decriminalisation creates a safe environment where survivors can step forward to receive medical, psychological, and social support without penalty. Furthermore, removing legal sanctions enhances public health surveillance, providing accurate data to guide national planning, healthcare resource allocation, and targeted suicide prevention initiatives across the country.
However, executive approval is not the finish line. The proposal must still pass through the legislative process in the Senate and House of Representatives before Nigeria can fully remove the provisions that criminalise an unsuccessful attempt to take one’s life.
The National Assembly should see this as an opportunity to complete a reform that has already travelled through years of policy development, consultation and inter-ministerial engagement.
Nigeria is not being asked to reinvent its entire mental health architecture. The country already has a National Mental Health Act. It has a National Mental Health Policy. It has a National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework
The immediate legislative request is a focused amendment to ensure that attempted suicide is no longer treated as a criminal offence.
Concerns about what happens after decriminalisation have also been considered. The existing strategic framework already outlines responsibilities for prevention, screening, service delivery and intervention. The proposed amendment also contemplates regulatory powers to strengthen the post-decriminalisation response.
As the approval is transiting to the National Assembly, lawmakers must formally enact the amendment bill into law. With legislative time windows rapidly closing before the next electoral cycle, passing this focused amendment cannot be delayed. The National Assembly must act swiftly to ratify the decriminalisation of attempted suicide, replacing prosecution with compassion, medical care, and psychosocial support.
The National Assembly should not allow the journey to stall at the final mile. We, therefore, charge the Senate President, HE Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and other committees within both chambers to speedily ratify this bill.
The decriminalisation of attempted suicide will send a powerful message that Nigeria recognises mental distress as a health concern requiring intervention, compassion and access to care.
It will also reinforce the country’s commitment to the international direction it has already endorsed.
Olutayo Irantiola is a Public Relations, Public Affairs Specialist and Cultural Afficionado based in Lagos, Nigeria. He can be reached via peodaviescomms@gmail.com
Mass defections hit PDP, APM as former Chairman mobilises for Oluyole APC
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Mass defections hit PDP, APM as former chairman mobilises for Oluyole APC
Defections
Ibadan, Aug. 29, 2026 (NAN) A major political shift on Saturday, hit Oluyole Local Government Area in Oyo State, as tens of members from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The wave of defections, which began in Ward 9, was led by the top leaders of both opposition parties.
The new members were formally received into the APC fold at the Olomi headquarters of the PBAT-KO Grassroots Movement.
The movement was founded by Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, the former chairman of Oluyole Local Government and an aspirant for the Oluyole Federal Constituency.
Welcoming the new members, the APC Chairman in Oluyole, Mr. Dotun Oladipupo, assured them of immediate and full recognition within the party structure.
He commended Olaosebikan for his uncommon commitment, loyalty, and leadership.
Oladipupo noted that the party was impressed by Olaosebikan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the APC, especially since he did not secure the ticket to contest the House of Representatives seat.
“As a party, we are deeply impressed by the actions of Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, who has successfully won over members of rival parties despite not being on the ballot himself.
“This confirms his political strength and popularity in Oluyole, only a politician who is truly loved and trusted can win followers for the party after a setback in securing a ticket,”Oladipupo stated.
The party chairman added that they were not surprised by Olaosebikan’s maturity, noting that he had accepted the party’s decisions without rancour in 2019, 2023, and the current cycle.
“With his priority placed firmly on the peace and progress of the party, he will undoubtedly reap bountiful rewards from the APC in the near future,” Oladipupo added.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Chief Adeolu Adesola, the APM leader for Ward 9, praised Olaosebikan’s leadership.
“We were formerly in darkness, but we want to appreciate our leader, Mr. Kehinde Olaosebikan, for taking us out of darkness and into the light.
“He has been our great leader and a good egbon for a long time. He is always approachable, caring, trustworthy, dependable, and a man of the people.
“Politics aside, Call me Kenny is universally loved and respected across Oluyole and beyond,”Adesola said.
Reacting to the mobilisation, Olaosebikan stated that Nigeria is already regaining its leadership status in Africa and beyond under the current administration.
He asserted that President Bola Tinubu remains the best among all presidential choices and deserves to win convincingly.
“Looking at his antecedents in Lagos, we are assured that he will leave Nigeria far better than he met it.
“Just as he did in Lagos, he will hand over power to the best and most qualified person, who, in the spirit of equity, should come from the North.
“After his tenure, Tinubu handed Lagos State over to Raji Fashola. Years later, Lagos remains the model for sustainable development in Nigeria,”Olaosebikan said.
Trans-Sahara highway to boost security, commerce — Umahi
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Highway
By Douglas Okoro
Abakaliki, Aug. 29, 2026 (NAN) Minister of Works, Chief David Umahi, says the Trans-Sahara Superhighway will significantly improve security, agriculture and commerce across its corridor.
Umahi stated this on Saturday in Abakaliki after inspecting ongoing works on Section Two of the highway in Ado Local Government Area, Benue.
He said Section Two, measuring approximately 173.4 kilometres, would connect Section One through Benue, Enugu and adjoining states.
According to him, Section One runs for about 123 kilometres from Ebonyi to the Ebonyi-Benue boundary.
The minister said the combined length of Sections One and Two would therefore be nearly 300 kilometres.
“When communities are brought closer through road construction and states become more accessible, you can see the economic impact.
“If we complete this project, you will see significant improvements in security, agriculture, and commerce,” he said.
Umahi said the highway would facilitate the movement of agricultural produce from major farming areas in Benue, Ebonyi and Enugu to markets.
He said the Federal Government was also constructing bypasses, including the 8.9-kilometre Afikpo bypass in Ebonyi, which was being dualised.
The minister said the second carriageway of Section One was being designed to align with other legacy projects of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
On funding, Umahi acknowledged financial challenges but assured Nigerians that projects would continue based on available resources.
“There are challenges; we cannot have all the money to do all the projects at once.
“So, we will continue to do the much we can based on our available resources,” the minister said.
Umahi projected that the projects would be completed by 2031, subject to Tinubu’s re-election and continuity of the administration.
He appealed to host communities to cooperate with contractors by providing access to borrow pits and facilitating valuation of affected crops and properties.
“Nobody will touch your building unnecessarily; I want you to cooperate with us and show us the borrow pits. We will pay compensation where necessary,” Umahi added.
The minister commended the contractor for its commitment, noting that construction work was continuing despite the rainy season.
He urged Nigerians to appreciate the Federal Government’s intervention in communities that had previously lacked federal roads.
Umahi also canvassed support for Tinubu and APC candidates, saying continuity was necessary to ensure completion of the highway.
Nigeria urges AU to boost financing for conflict resolution
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M: Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu. (NAN)
Conflict
By Fortune Abang
Abuja, Aug. 29, 2026 (NAN) Nigeria has called on the African Union (AU) to develop innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms to strengthen Africa’s capacity to prevent and resolve conflicts.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the call on Saturday at the 26th Extraordinary Session of the AU Executive Council.
The session was held in Luanda, Angola, under the theme, ‘Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.’
The minister’s call is contained in a statement issued by Dr Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended progress in strengthening the AU Peace Fund, noting significant contributions by member states towards its capitalisation target.
She said member states had collectively contributed 350.2 million dollars, representing 87.5 per cent of the original 400-million-dollar capitalisation target.
According to her, the Fund’s balance had exceeded 405 million dollars, reflecting growing commitment to African-led peace and security initiatives.
She said disbursement of about 39 million dollars for mediation, preventive diplomacy and peace support operations demonstrated the Fund’s increasing relevance.
“We, therefore, call on all Member States to honour their assessed contributions and make additional voluntary contributions where possible,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described such contributions as investments in collective security and sovereignty, rather than merely financial obligations imposed on member states.
The minister stressed that African-led peace operations required predictable and reliable financing for personnel, logistics, equipment and other operational requirements.
She warned that uncertain funding could undermine the effectiveness of African peace operations and weaken the continent’s ability to address conflicts independently.
The minister urged the AU to progressively reduce dependence on external assistance while acknowledging international partners’ continuing support for continental peace efforts.
“External assistance should complement African ownership; it should not substitute for it.
“African resources should remain the foundation of African peace and security financing,” she said.
She advocated progressive capitalisation of the Peace Fund towards its one-billion-dollar target, alongside stronger resource mobilisation from African financial institutions.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also called for greater participation by the private sector and strategic partners in developing sustainable financing mechanisms for peace and security.
The minister urged full implementation of the 0.2 per cent levy established under the Kigali Financing Decision.
She further encouraged the AU Commission to examine innovative financing options capable of generating predictable and sustainable long-term revenues.
Among the options proposed was the voluntary provision of strategically located land by member states for development by capable private-sector entities.
She said African multilateral financial institutions could also participate in mutually agreed arrangements designed to generate annual royalties for the AU.
According to her, such arrangements could simultaneously promote investment, infrastructure development and stronger partnerships among African institutions.
“Africa has the institutions, the financial capacity and the political vision to take greater responsibility for its own peace and security.
“What is required now is the collective political will to translate that capacity into action,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that innovative financing mechanisms must be anchored on transparency, accountability, sound financial management and effective oversight.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting collective African efforts towards sustainable peace, security and development across the continent.
The minister said a peaceful and secure Africa remained essential to achieving Agenda 2063 and building an integrated, prosperous and peaceful continent.
2027: OPC declares support for Tinubu’s re-election bid
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FROM LEFT: National OPC Coordinator Alhaji Kasimu Lawal, Chairman OPC Board of Trustees Hon. Wale Oshun, President Otunba Wasiu Afolabi, Deputy President (Administration) Adeleke Akintayo, Deputy President (Operations) Prince Ogunmoye Odunayo at the 32nd anniversary and inauguration of the National Executive Officers of the O’odua People’s Congress (OPC) in Lagos on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2027
OPC
By Adekunle Williams
Lagos, Aug. 29, 2026 (NAN) The late Dr Frederick Fasehun faction of the O’odua People’s Congress (OPC) on Saturday declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The group made the declaration in Lagos on Saturday at the celebration of its 32nd Founders Day and inauguration of a new National Executive Council (NEC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that OPC was founded on Aug. 29, 1994, and was established by a group of Yoruba nationalists and activists, led by medical doctor and human rights activist,c Dr Frederick Fasehun,
Speaking at the event, the OPC’s re-elected President, Mr Wasiu Afolabi promised that the group would work for the President the same way they did for his first shot at the presidency in 2023.
He said: “We contributed our quota to ensuring the victory of Tinubu in 2023. One lesson from Fasehun is that the organisation should regard any Yoruba man in office as OPC’s corporate project.
“As a result of this orientation that our founder gave us, and if the right atmosphere is created, we shall still queue behind President Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.
“We also urge the other regions to support the President’s second-term bid to help him perfect the visionary reforms he has embarked upon.
“The North especially, should realise that it is payback time for the backing that Tinubu gave to late president Muhammadu Buhari’s two tenures of eight years.”
Afolabi recalled the national crisis that brought about the formation of OPC in August 1994, saying that “Some 32 years ago when Dr. Frederick Fasehun took the initiative to establish OPC, it was to fulfil a divine assignment.
“OPC was born as a child of necessity.”
Afolabi said the June 12 mandate of late Chief Moshood Abiola was stolen by the military government, which was not only an insult to the eight million Nigerian voters, who had given that mandate to MKO but especially a direct insult to the over 40 million-strong Yoruba race.
Afolabi urged the President, governors, all national and Federal legislators to promote policies, programmes and projects that would tackle the prevailing issues and challenges in Nigeria as a matter of national emergency.
“The leaders must remember that the Nigerian Constitution they all swore to uphold says in Section 14(2)(b) that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.’”
Afolabi also offered the assistance of OPC toward solving the “monster problem of insecurity,” saying: “We are ready to partner with relevant government agencies to secure the South-West from enemies within and enemies from outside.”
Concerning the 2027 elections, he urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to maintain a neutral role, and ensure that the votes of every voting Nigerian counted.
Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion, Mr Wale Oshun, said the group remained a foremost legacy organisation in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy after the military annulled the June 12, 1993 election of late M.K.O. Abiola.
Oshun, who heads OPC’s Board of Trustees, said that it is a glowing tribute to the founder, Dr. Fasehun’s vision that the organisation had continued to thrive, eight years after the leader died.
NAN reports that hundreds of members of the group were on ground to celebrate its 32nd anniversary and to also endorse Tinubu’s second tenure.
FG tasks petroleum engineers to drive 3m barrels oil production target
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Oil
By Angela Atabo
Abuja,Aug. 29,2026 (NAN) The Federal Government has tasked petroleum engineers and other industry professionals with supporting its drive to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production to three million barrels per day (bpd) by 2030.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, gave the charge on Saturday at the inauguration of the sixth National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Petroleum Engineers (NIPetE) and its Executive Committee in Abuja.
The event, themed “Assets, Talent and Integrity: Engineering Nigeria’s 3 Million BPD Target”, also featured a public lecture and fellowship conferment ceremony.
Lokpobiri, who was represented by his Technical Assistant, Business, Kroky Biowe, said the administration of President Bola Tinubu remained committed to achieving energy sufficiency.
He said the administration had taken deliberate steps to expand oil production and develop the infrastructure required to handle increased volumes.
“I need you to support the Federal Government by sharing your knowledge and wealth of experience to enable us collectively achieve Mr President’s production target of three million bopd by the year 2030. It is possible,” he said.
The minister described the theme of the event as laudable, stressing the need for good subsurface and surface assets, talent and integrity to achieve the country’s production aspiration.
He said the government was developing more fields and building new infrastructure to handle incremental crude oil volumes.
Lokpobiri said the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) had recently concluded a bid round in which 31 companies won 37 oil blocks.
He described the development as part of deliberate efforts by the government to stimulate investment and expand Nigeria’s production base.
According to him, the project has the potential to attract between 15 billion dollars and 21 billion dollars in investment.
He added that the project was projected to achieve peak production of about 175,000 barrels of oil per day.
“These and many other projects and initiatives are deliberate steps being taken by this Government to enable us achieve three million barrels of oil per day in 2030,” he said.
The minister urged the newly inaugurated Fellows, National Chairman and Executive Committee members of NIPetE to collaborate with stakeholders across the oil and gas value chain.
He said such collaboration would provide the technical support required to achieve the Federal Government’s production target.
Lokpobiri also described the emergence of Dr Yetunde Aladeitan as NIPetE National Chairman as another significant milestone.
He commended Nigerian women in the oil and gas sector for their contributions to the industry and efforts toward achieving the country’s three million bpd production target by 2030.
Aladeitan said her administration would reposition NIPetE as a major catalyst for transforming Nigeria’s energy sector.
She said the first six months of her leadership would focus on rebuilding the institution, strengthening relationships with industry stakeholders and laying the foundation for a new era of professionalism and impact.
For the next 18 months, Aladeitan said her administration would focus on strengthening stakeholder engagement, advancing policy advocacy, and deepening technical excellence and human capital development.
She said NIPetE would intensify engagement with government agencies, regulators and operating companies while establishing a formal framework for quarterly roundtable discussions and joint industry projects.
On policy advocacy, Aladeitan said the institution would establish a policy advisory council to develop white papers on the Petroleum Industry Act, fiscal reforms and value-chain optimisation.
She added that NIPetE would establish a formal mentorship and internship programme linking young engineers with industry leaders and pursue partnerships to strengthen human capital development.
Aladeitan said the institution would scale up its Reservoir Simulation Training and introduce courses in well engineering, production optimisation and digital transformation.
She also announced plans for a Diaspora Engineering Initiative to reconnect Nigerian engineers abroad with the domestic industry for knowledge transfer and collaboration, while calling for unity among members.
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), represented by its Deputy President, Valerie Agberagba, congratulated Aladeitan and urged members to work collectively to advance professionalism and ethical practice.
Agberagba stressed the importance of institutional continuity, orderly governance and respect for established procedures, warning that individual interests should not undermine the integrity of professional institutions.
She said Nigeria had the reserves, technical talent and operational experience required to pursue its oil production ambition, adding that achieving three million bpd would ultimately test governance, professional discipline and the effective deployment, development and retention of engineering talent.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of NIPetE, Joe Nwakwu, said the committee had successfully completed its mandate of laying the foundation for the emergence of a properly constituted National Executive Committee.
Nwakwu congratulated the new leadership and urged the executive to place the institution above personal considerations, engage members actively and strengthen NIPetE’s relevance to industry, government, academia and the wider society.
Firm boosts Nigeria’s oil production with indigenous drilling capacity – Chairman
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Production
By Emmanuella Anokam
Abuja, Aug. 29, 2026 (NAN) An indigenous oil company, Nestoil Group, has strengthened Nigeria’s oil exploration and production capacity through the deployment of its wholly Nigerian-crewed drilling rig, the Pathfinder 500.
The Group’s Chairman, Dr Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, noting that the aim was to increase crude oil production from Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42.
Azudialu-Obiejesi said the successful deployment of the rig marked a significant milestone in the Group’s contribution to the growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
He said the Pathfinder 500, deployed through the Group’s strategic business unit, Scorpio Drilling International, had successfully completed workover operations on two producing wells in OML 42 without any Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) incident.
“The operations have contributed to incremental oil production from the asset, as the rig has subsequently been safely demobilised to its base,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Pathfinder 500 is one of two drilling rigs acquired by the Group, alongside the Scorpio 300, under an investment of about 28 million dollars.
Azudialu-Obiejesi said the successful deployment of the Pathfinder 500 was particularly significant because it was the rig’s first productive assignment since its acquisition about eight years ago.
According to him, the achievement demonstrates Nestoil Group’s commitment to building indigenous drilling capacity to support the redevelopment of OML 42 and unlock additional in-field exploration and drilling opportunities.
He said the investment was informed by the need to reduce reliance on hired rigs, which he described as difficult and costly to secure within Nigeria’s operating environment.
“As an asset owner in OML 42, we recognised the need to have reliable in-house drilling capacity to undertake workovers, revive older wells and ultimately drill new wells as the field matures.
“With this milestone, we are now positioned to proceed with our planned in-field drilling programme,”Azudialu-Obiejesi said.
The chairman said the development would enable the Group to deepen exploration activities and sustain increased oil production from the asset.
He added that the entire project, from the refurbishment of the rig to its crewing and deployment, was executed by Nigerian personnel without foreign partnership or support.
Azudialu-Obiejesi said the rig was currently being operated by a 100 per cent Nigerian crew, describing the achievement as evidence of the growing technical capacity of Nigerian professionals in the oil and gas industry.
He attributed the development to decades of capacity building by international operators in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which, he said, had helped the country develop highly skilled drilling personnel.
The chairman said Nigeria had reached a stage where its skilled drilling personnel were capable of providing expertise to other oil-producing countries.
He commended the management and staff of Scorpio Drilling International, as well as other personnel involved in the rehabilitation, mobilisation and operation of the Pathfinder 500.
Azudialu-Obiejesi said the achievement was not only significant to Nestoil Group but also represented an important contribution to the development of Nigeria’s indigenous oil and gas industry.
He said Scorpio Drilling International, the Pathfinder 500 and Scorpio 300, were now among companies operating drilling rigs in Nigeria, describing ownership of such assets as an important indicator of indigenous capacity in oil-producing countries.
“Nestoil Group, through Neconde Energy, will continue to invest in drilling, workover and well-services infrastructure to sustain and grow oil production from OML 42.
“Scorpio Drilling International will continue to provide drilling services to the Group and third-party operators across Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.”
Nestoil Group, through Neconde Energy, holds interests in OML 42, a legacy Shell-operated asset, and has continued to invest in indigenous capacity to support its redevelopment and production growth.(
Firm boosts Nigeria’s oil production with indigenous drilling capacity – Chairman
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Production
By Emmanuella Anokam
Abuja, Aug. 29, 2026 (NAN) An indigenous oil company, Nestoil Group, has strengthened Nigeria’s oil exploration and production capacity through the deployment of its wholly Nigerian-crewed drilling rig, the Pathfinder 500.
The Group’s Chairman, Dr Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, noting that the aim was to increase crude oil production from Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42.
Azudialu-Obiejesi said the successful deployment of the rig marked a significant milestone in the Group’s contribution to the growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
He said the Pathfinder 500, deployed through the Group’s strategic business unit, Scorpio Drilling International, had successfully completed workover operations on two producing wells in OML 42 without any Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) incident.
“The operations have contributed to incremental oil production from the asset, as the rig has subsequently been safely demobilised to its base,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Pathfinder 500 is one of two drilling rigs acquired by the Group, alongside the Scorpio 300, under an investment of about 28 million dollars.
Azudialu-Obiejesi said the successful deployment of the Pathfinder 500 was particularly significant because it was the rig’s first productive assignment since its acquisition about eight years ago.
According to him, the achievement demonstrates Nestoil Group’s commitment to building indigenous drilling capacity to support the redevelopment of OML 42 and unlock additional in-field exploration and drilling opportunities.
He said the investment was informed by the need to reduce reliance on hired rigs, which he described as difficult and costly to secure within Nigeria’s operating environment.
“As an asset owner in OML 42, we recognised the need to have reliable in-house drilling capacity to undertake workovers, revive older wells and ultimately drill new wells as the field matures.
“With this milestone, we are now positioned to proceed with our planned in-field drilling programme,”Azudialu-Obiejesi said.
The chairman said the development would enable the Group to deepen exploration activities and sustain increased oil production from the asset.
He added that the entire project, from the refurbishment of the rig to its crewing and deployment, was executed by Nigerian personnel without foreign partnership or support.
Azudialu-Obiejesi said the rig was currently being operated by a 100 per cent Nigerian crew, describing the achievement as evidence of the growing technical capacity of Nigerian professionals in the oil and gas industry.
He attributed the development to decades of capacity building by international operators in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which, he said, had helped the country develop highly skilled drilling personnel.
The chairman said Nigeria had reached a stage where its skilled drilling personnel were capable of providing expertise to other oil-producing countries.
He commended the management and staff of Scorpio Drilling International, as well as other personnel involved in the rehabilitation, mobilisation and operation of the Pathfinder 500.
Azudialu-Obiejesi said the achievement was not only significant to Nestoil Group but also represented an important contribution to the development of Nigeria’s indigenous oil and gas industry.
He said Scorpio Drilling International, the Pathfinder 500 and Scorpio 300, were now among companies operating drilling rigs in Nigeria, describing ownership of such assets as an important indicator of indigenous capacity in oil-producing countries.
“Nestoil Group, through Neconde Energy, will continue to invest in drilling, workover and well-services infrastructure to sustain and grow oil production from OML 42.
“Scorpio Drilling International will continue to provide drilling services to the Group and third-party operators across Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.”
Nestoil Group, through Neconde Energy, holds interests in OML 42, a legacy Shell-operated asset, and has continued to invest in indigenous capacity to support its redevelopment and production growth.(
NIPR president urges kaduna chapter to strengthen mentorship, professionalism
Lecture
By Hussaina Yakubu
Kaduna Aug. 29, 2026 (NAN) The President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku, has urged practitioners to strengthen mentorship, professional development and institutional relationships.
Neliaku made the call on Saturday in Kaduna at the maiden Bashir Adamu Chedi Annual Memorial Lecture and Annual General Meeting of the NIPR Kaduna State Chapter.
He spoke through the institute’s Vice President, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, who represented him at the event.
Neliaku said the occasion provided an opportunity for the chapter to conduct its statutory business while honouring the memory of late Bashir Chedi.
He described Chedi as more than a Fellow of the institute, saying he was a colleague, brother and trusted source of counsel and support.
According to him, Chedi’s outstanding quality was his consultative approach to leadership and decision-making.
“Bashir understood that leadership is not about having the loudest voice; sometimes leadership is about listening and bringing people together,” Neliaku said.
He said Chedi’s contribution to the NIPR Governing Council was reflected not only in positions held, but in the quality of conversations he facilitated.
Neliaku commended the Kaduna Chapter for establishing the memorial lecture, describing it as an appropriate way to immortalise Chedi’s intellectual, professional and institutional contributions.
He announced that the NIPR would fulfil its pledge of N2 million support to Chedi’s family, with payment expected by Monday before 1 p.m.
The NIPR president said the institute was committed to ensuring that professional excellence was recognised while practitioners were still alive.
He announced plans to launch the Public Relations Innovation and Communication Excellence Awards on Dec. 7, as part of efforts to institutionalise recognition.
Neliaku said the awards would honour individuals and organisations contributing meaningfully to reputation management and communication in Nigeria.
He said NIPR had already recognised more than 100 professionals who contributed to the growth of the profession during its Diamond Anniversary.
He also commended the Kaduna Chapter for choosing mentorship as a major focus, saying professions could only grow when experienced practitioners invested in younger professionals.
Neliaku said the institute’s Professional Standards Guide and Young Professionals Hub had attracted interest from South African practitioners seeking to learn from Nigeria’s initiatives.
He said African public relations practitioners must invest in younger professionals, particularly given the continent’s youthful population.
The NIPR president commended Information and National Orientation Minister, Mohammed Idris for promoting strategic government communication, citizen engagement and public trust.
He said the ministry’s initiatives demonstrated that information management was no longer merely an administrative function, but an important instrument of governance.
He particularly highlighted the National Values Charter and the establishment of the UNESCO Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja.
He pledged the institute’s continued collaboration with the ministry in strengthening professional communication and public engagement.
The NIPR leader commended the Kaduna Chapter’s outgoing executive for successfully hosting the institute’s national NIPR Week and Annual General Meeting.
He charged the incoming executive to consolidate existing achievements, strengthen professional development and attract more young practitioners into the institute.
Neliaku urged the new leadership to deepen relationships with government, businesses, academia and wider society to position Kaduna as a centre of professional excellence.
He expressed concern over low registration from Kaduna practitioners for the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) Abuja 2026.
According to him, only three practitioners from the chapter had registered, excluding council members whose participation was by virtue of their positions.
He urged members to register for the forum, describing it as an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its public relations expertise to the world.
Neliaku said the forum would enable Nigerian practitioners to contribute to the future direction of public relations in Africa and globally.
He said the institute’s upcoming World Public Relations Forum would provide an avenue for practitioners across the continent to deepen collaboration and exchange knowledge.
Earlier, Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna said his administration remained committed to partnering with professional bodies to promote strategic governance and effective leadership.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, described mentorship as a catalyst for institutional growth and leadership development.
Sani commended the NIPR Kaduna Chapter for establishing the annual memorial lecture in honour of Chedi.
Maiyaki said Information Minister Mohammed Idris had demonstrated exemplary mentorship by guiding several communication professionals into leadership positions.
He challenged society to celebrate accomplished professionals while alive rather than waiting until their death before recognising their contributions.
The commissioner said Chedi’s legacy demonstrated the importance of selfless service and mentoring younger generations.
He expressed confidence that the memorial lecture would provide a sustained platform for knowledge transfer, professional excellence and leadership development.(function(){try{var u=”https://nannews.com.ng/wp-json/nan/v2/track/pageurl”,p=886641;if(navigator.sendBeacon){var d=new FormData();d.append(“pid”,p);d.append(“url”,location.href);navigator.sendBeacon(u,d);}else{var x=new XMLHttpRequest();x.open(“POST”,u,true);x.setRequestHeader(“Content-Type”,”application/x-www-form-urlencoded”);x.send(“pid=”+p+”&url=”+encodeURIComponent(location.href));}}catch(e){}})();
JAMB extends deadline for acceptance of previous admissions
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Admission
By Jumoke Olaitan
Abuja, Aug. 29, 2026 (NAN) The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the deadline for candidates offered admission from 2021 to date to accept or reject such offers to Sept. 30.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
The Board had earlier fixed Aug. 31 as the deadline for candidates with outstanding admission offers to indicate whether they wished to accept or reject them.
Benjamin said the extension was a final opportunity for all affected candidates, including those with regular or Centralised University International Admission (CUIIA) offers, to take necessary action before the expiration of the new deadline.
He urged candidates with pending admission offers to accept or reject them before Sept. 30, warning that failure to do so would have consequences for the status of such admissions.
“Candidates should not wait until the deadline, as failure to take action within the stipulated period will have consequences for the status of such admissions,” he said.
According to him, candidates who accept their admission offers will be able to print and obtain their admission letters.
He said that those who rejected their offers would have their dashboards reverted to “Not Admitted”, allowing the Board to update its records and ensure that its admission data accurately reflect their current status.
Benjamin said that candidates who were no longer in the institutions where their previous admissions were offered could accept the outstanding admission and subsequently apply for the appropriate correction or deletion of the admission.
He said that the same applied to those who were currently in different programmes, adding that the process will enable the board to appropriately update the candidates’ admission status and records.
The JAMB spokesperson also advised candidates currently pursuing a second degree but with an unaccepted previous admission offer to reject the outstanding offer and continue with their current programmes.
He further assured candidates who had been offered admission in the 2026 admission exercise but still had previous admission offers pending that rejecting the earlier offers would not affect their 2026 admissions.
“The board wishes to make it clear that candidates who have been offered admission in the 2026 admission exercise but still have a previous admission offer pending should not be apprehensive.
“Such candidates may reject the previous admission offer, and doing so will have no adverse effect whatsoever on their 2026 admission,” he said.
Benjamin said the extension of the deadline was intended to give affected candidates one final opportunity to clearly indicate whether they wished to accept or reject their outstanding offers.
He said that it would also enable the board to maintain accurate, current and reliable national admission records.
“At the expiration of the deadline, all outstanding admission offers from 2021 to date that have neither been accepted nor rejected will automatically be reverted to “Not Admitted” status.
“They will remain so on the board’s records,” he said.
Benjamin urged all affected candidates to act immediately rather than wait until the deadline.
He said that failure to accept an admission offer within the stipulated period would render the offer invalid.
BPP hosts team to validate new performance management system
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Management
By Okeoghene Akubuike
Abuja, Aug. 29, 2026 (NAN)The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has hosted the implementation team of the new Performance Management System (PMS) at its headquarters, in a move to institutionalise a result-oriented and accountable public service.
This is contained in a statement signed by Ngozi Anyaelezu, Assistant Chief Information Officer, BPP, in Abuja on Saturday.
Anyaelezu said the visit focused on the formal presentation and operational validation of the PMS framework designed to replace the legacy Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) system across Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
She said the delegation, comprising key facilitators and technical experts driving public service reforms, met with the leadership of the BPP to present customised performance metrics, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and digital tracking mechanisms.
Meanwhile, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of the BPP, who spoke during the presentation, said aligning the bureau’s mandate with the Federal Government’s digital agenda was critical to achieving measurable individual and departmental targets for national development.
Adedokun described the PMS as a welcome initiative that would promote effective reporting on staff capacity building, objective assessment of individual and organisational performance, and transparency in promotion processes.
He said the system was evidence-based and provided opportunities for competent officers to excel while promoting efficiency and quality service delivery in the public service.
“The BPP, as the regulatory agency for public procurement, has already digitised its operations through numerous reforms.
“Adopting the PMS complements the initiatives of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation,” he said.
The director-general said the BPP was among the first MDAs to enforce the use of the official.gov.ng domain, adding that the move underscored the bureau’s commitment to good governance and digital transformation.
He urged staff of the bureau to fully comply with the PMS validation process, noting that although resistance to change might occur, government policies must be strictly adhered to.
Adedokun also called on the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to provide a clear timeline for the full transition to the PMS across all MDAs.
Earlier, the PMS team from the OHCSF conducted a technical presentation and validation session to deepen participants’ understanding of the peculiarities of the system and its service-wide application.
NDDC deploys contractors to failed Benin-Sapele Road
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Middle: Mr Charles Aniagwu, Delta Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information.
NDDC deploys contractors to failed Benin-Sapele Road
Reconstruction
By Edeki Igafe
Sapele (Delta), Aug. 29, 2026 (NAN) The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has mobilised two contractors to reconstruct a 15.4-kilometre failed section of the Benin-Sapele Expressway.
Speaking on Friday during the flagged off, Mr Chiedu Ebie, the Chairman of NDDC Governing Board, said that the intervention followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu after series of complaints on the deplorable states of the road.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the reconstruction project was flagged off at the Amukpe Roundabout on the Benin-Sapele Road.
Ebie said that President Tinubu directed the commission to immediately address the issues.
“We have all suffered the delays by road and everything, so today we are here to deal with 15 km stretch of this alignment,” he said.
Ebie said that the contractors were to work from opposite ends of the project to fast-track it’s completion.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said that the interventionist agency decided to deploy contractors on the corridor, following series of appeal from residents and road users.
“Mr President heard all your complaints and directed the NDDC to immediately come and intervene.
“The deployment of two contractors is deliberate, they will work from opposite ends of the project to reduce the completion period.
“We want to also assure you that we are willing to complete this project. We do not want to be on this site for too long,” he assured.
Ogbuku described President Tinubu as a listening and caring president, whose administration had strengthened the commission to deliver critical projects across the Niger Delta.
“This is the NDDC of President Tinubu, who is carefully watching what we do, directing everything we do and monitoring all steps. That is why we are also on our toes to ensure that we deliver,” he said.
The managing director said that the economic impacts of the failed road became so great with vehicles conveying goods trapped for weeks in gridlock.
On his part, the NDDC’s Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, said that the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and Ronin and Fan Limited had been engaged to execute the project.
He said that the reconstruction covered approximately 15.4 kilometres, adding that it would be executed with rigid concrete pavement.
Antai assured that the agency would ensure that the project was done according to specification.
On his part, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, who flagged off the reconstruction work, commended the
commission for the intervention.
The governor was represented by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu.
Oborevwori described the intervention as a major boost to connectivity, economic activities and the wellbeing of residents in the state and motorists.
He said that the intervention underscored the importance of collaboration among governments and agencies in tackling infrastructure challenges across the Niger Delta.
Oborevwori said that the state government had also intervened in several federal road corridors in the state because the ultimate beneficiaries were the people of Delta.
“The state government has constructed more than five kilometres of rigid-pavement dual carriageway on the Warri axis.
“Bridges and flyovers have also been constructed on federal road corridors, including Otovwodo Junction, DSC Roundabout, PTI Junction and Enerhen Roundabout and Uromi Junction, Agbor,” he said.
Oborevwori described the NDDC intervention on the Benin-Sapele corridor as a welcome development.
He said that when completed, it would ease transportation and contribute to the economic growth of Delta and indeed other states on the East West corridor.
Earlier, the Delta representative on the NDDC Governing Board, Mr Monday Igbuya, commended the commission for approving the reconstruction of the highway.
He said that the intervention should be extended to the Amukpe-Abraka-Agbor Road and the Sapele-Warri Road to further improve connectivity across the state.
In their goodwill messages, Sen. Ede Dafinone and Mrs Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu commended President Tinubu and the NDDC for the intervention.
U.S. extradites 2 Nigerians over alleged schemes linked to teenagers’ deaths
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U.S. extradites 2 Nigerians over alleged schemes linked to teenagers’ deaths
Extradition
By Tiamiyu Prudence Arobani
New York, Aug. 29, 2026 (NAN) Two Nigerians have been extradited to the United States to face federal prosecution over alleged financially motivated sextortion schemes targeting American minors.
The suspects, Adebola Festus Adekunle, 26, and Mudasiru Afeez Olawale, 24, were arrested in Nigeria in August 2023 following an international operation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
They were extradited on Thursday and appeared separately in federal courts in Mississippi and North Carolina on Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
Adekunle and Olawale are presumed innocent unless and until prosecutors prove the charges against them beyond reasonable doubt in court.
The extraditions followed years of cooperation between U.S. investigators and Nigerian authorities after the suspects were arrested separately in August 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
The department particularly acknowledged Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagnemi (SAN), the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
It described the support and assistance provided by Nigerian security authorities as “essential” to successfully bringing the suspects before American courts.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Abuja were also involved in coordinating the international transfer.
FBI Director, Kash Patel, on Friday, described the suspects as “two high-value targets” returned to American soil through international law-enforcement cooperation.
“Two Nigerian subjects arrested in Nigeria in 2023 – Adebola Festus Adekunle and Mudasiru Afeez Olawale – have now been returned to the United States,” Patel said.
He said they would face justice after allegedly participating in financially motivated sextortion of minors, with the cases involving devastating consequences for young victims.
“They’ve been overseas for three years but this FBI and our DOJ (Department of Justice) partners went and got them,” Patel said.
He described sextortion as a particularly dangerous crime because perpetrators frequently target vulnerable young people through deception, intimidation and threats.
“Sextortion is a heinous crime targeting innocent people, often young children,” the FBI Director said.
Financially motivated sextortion typically involves offenders deceiving victims online into providing intimate images before threatening to circulate them unless money is paid.
The FBI says perpetrators often impersonate young people online and approach victims through social-media platforms, messaging applications, online games and other digital communication services.
The FBI warned that the crime can escalate extremely rapidly and leave victims experiencing intense fear, humiliation and psychological distress.
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said both suspects were arrested in Nigeria during a wider operation targeting alleged sextortionists preying on minors in the United States.
“The defendants were arrested in Nigeria as part of a wider operation with the FBI to apprehend sexual extortionists targeting minors in the United States,” Blanche said.
He said Washington had strengthened international law-enforcement partnerships to dismantle foreign criminal networks allegedly involved in financially motivated sextortion.
The Attorney General said such networks had been linked to “dozens of American teen deaths by suicide,” underscoring the growing international concern surrounding the crime.
The cases form part of Operation Artemis, an FBI initiative targeting financially motivated sextortion networks operating from Nigeria.
Under the operation, U.S. authorities deployed agents, analysts and forensic specialists to Nigeria to work alongside international and domestic law-enforcement partners.(
Atiku shifts ground, says reinstating subsidy’ll depend on situation met
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Atiku shifts ground, says reinstating subsidy’ll depend on situation met
Subsidy
Polycarp Auta
Abuja, Aug. 28, 2026(NAN) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress(ADC), has said that reinstating fuel subsidy would depend on the situation on ground when he becomes President.
Abubakar, who stated this in a BBC interview monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), opined that it was “not good” to remove the entire subsidy at the same time.
The ADC candidate’s new position on the matter represents a significant shift from his initial promise to restore full subsidy immediately he is sworn in, if he clinches the presidential seat in the 2027 election.
He said that a 100 per cent “sudden withdrawal” of fuel subsidy was not right, and opined that such a measure should rather be gradual.
He also stressed the need for consultation before such a decision could be taken.
“We shall meet with the people and examine the situation together. It shall be gradual. Certainly not 100 per cent as done by the current administration,” he said.
According to him, a sudden reinstatement will be like jumping into darkness because “one does not know the facts on the ground”.
He rejected suggestions that he was only seeking to take advantage of Nigerians’ poverty to curry votes.
“It is not just about seeking votes. Talking about reviewing the subsidy removal is not a desperate search for votes. I am concerned and actually out to reduce Nigerians’ sufferings to the barest minimum,” he said.
Abubakar said he had met with some economists on the subsidy withdrawal and the general opinion was that the measure had not benefitted the poor people much.
“My feeling is that the Federal Government should have invested money realised from subsidy removal to improve the welfare and well-being of the people.
“It should also have been invested into security to tackle insurgency and other crimes plaguing the country.
“In contrast, security hasn’t improved. There is unemployment. There is poverty which is not good for a country like Nigeria with vast resources,” he said.
Abubakar blamed Nigeria’s insecurity on poor handling, and promised to end the menace if he became president.
He said that the population of Nigeria’s security personnel was inadequate, and promised to beef up the armed forces, the police and other security outfits, if given the opportunity to serve.
Abubakar said that Nigeria had a total of about 200,000 security men to take care of its more than 200 million people, stating that such was a far cry from the more than one million security personnel engaged to protect Egypt’s 80 million population.
He also blamed the worsening security situation on bandits invading Nigeria from neighbouring African countries, and promised to tackle such invasions if elected.
Abubakar also stated why he had continued to contest for the nation’s top seat.
“I keep seeking to lead Nigeria because I feel things are not right. It is even my constitutional right to do so.
“My eye is still on that goal because I have the energy, experience, competence and patriotism. I also believe that I have something to offer. Besides, I am strong, agile and healthy,” he said.
Abubakar also spoke on the opposition’s strategy ahead of the polls, and hinted of a possible consensus candidate.
“We are still talking to ourselves. At the right time, we shall take the right step toward working together,” he said.(
Tinubu orders forensic audit of IPPIS, federal agencies
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Audit
By Muhyideen Jimoh
Abuja, Aug. 28, 2026 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive forensic audit of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and Federal Government agencies.
The audit will cover government administration, personnel, payroll, pension and financial-management systems, as well as internal controls across federal institutions.
This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Friday in Abuja.
Tinubu directed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, to oversee and coordinate the exercise.
The directive followed the Federal Executive Council’s Aug. 19 resolution on findings by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ICPC findings involved alleged fake agencies, ghost workers and other weaknesses in government control systems.
The audit will establish the nature and extent of weaknesses in government systems and determine how such lapses may have been exploited.
The first component will focus on IPPIS and related payroll, personnel, pension and financial-management platforms.
It will examine reported cases of ghost workers and payroll fraud, reconcile figures identified by the ICPC and trace how fictitious or ineligible persons were enrolled.
The review will also assess access, identity, biometric and bank-account controls associated with government personnel and payroll systems.
It will examine interfaces between IPPIS and other platforms, including GIFMIS, Remita, the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and Sub-TSA.
The exercise will determine whether identified vulnerabilities resulted from system defects, process failures, inadequate segregation of duties or deliberate circumvention.
The second component will cover all Federal Government ministries, departments, agencies, commissions, councils, parastatals and other government bodies.
It will establish a definitive inventory of such entities and verify their legal basis and official status.
The audit will also examine how government entities obtain official recognition, budgetary consideration, correspondence privileges, office facilities and access to government systems.
It will assess governance, procurement, internal audit and oversight mechanisms to identify and close systemic weaknesses.
Tinubu directed that the exercise be conducted with the highest standards of independence, professionalism and forensic integrity.
The audit team will have access to relevant government systems and records and collaborate with the ICPC to complement ongoing investigations, prosecutions and recoveries.
The President said the exercise must go beyond individual cases of fraud or administrative failure to strengthen the architecture of government.
It is also expected to close systemic loopholes, improve data verification and reconciliation, reinforce accountability and ensure only legitimate entities and eligible personnel access government resources.
The exercise underscores Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability, fiscal governance and institutional integrity across the Federal Government.
