Author: Abdullahi Maitama Sani

THE National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the release of over ₦83 billion under the Anticipatory Action Trust Fund (AATF) to address the recurring challenge of flooding across Nigeria and strengthen the country’s capacity for disaster preparedness and emergency response. NEWS POINT NIGERIA reports that the approval was granted during the NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja on Thursday. Briefing State House correspondents shortly after the meeting, Governor Bassey Otu disclosed that a total of more than ₦166 billion had initially been proposed for the Anticipatory Action Trust…

VICE President Kashim Shettima is chairing the meeting of the National Economic Council. News Point Nigeria reports that the meeting holding at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja has in attendance Governors and Deputy Governors from across the country. Among the governors present are the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara state, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, Inuwa Yahaya of Gomber State, Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state, Bassey Otu of Cross Rivers State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state, Umar Namadi of Jigawa state, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau state and Ademola…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for a successful operation in Kogi State that led to the elimination of a notorious bandit kingpin, identified by the Presidency as Ibrahim Bastuji. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the President described the operation as a significant blow to criminal networks terrorising communities in Kogi State and neighbouring areas. He noted that Bastuji’s reign of violence, kidnappings and attacks on civilians had inflicted immense hardship on residents, adding that his neutralisation would help restore confidence and provide relief to…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed shock over the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar while in the custody of terrorists in Katsina State. The President commiserated with his family, especially his wife, who is still being held against her will by the captors. This was contained in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga. Tinubu also extended his condolences to the Katsina State government and the armed forces. He stated that while the terrorists “have done their worst,” the government would never bow to their demand to release their members held by…

Fellow Nigerians. TODAY, we celebrate democracy and the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers—not through violence. We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it. In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy…

THE Presidency has distanced itself from the purported appointment of one Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi by an organisation identified as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, describing the claim as false and misleading. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria from the State House on Thursday, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the alleged organisation was neither recognised by the Federal Government nor in existence under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Gbajabiamila said the attention of the Federal Government and specifically the Office of the Chief of Staff had been drawn to activities involving…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N10 billion in emergency funding to bolster Nigeria’s preparedness against a possible Ebola outbreak following renewed cases reported in parts of Africa. The intervention, according to a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, is designed to reinforce the country’s health security systems and enhance its capacity to respond swiftly to any public health emergency. According to the statement, the funding will strengthen the operational readiness of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and support critical national…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has received in audience the President of Madagascar, Colonel Michael Randrianirina. News Point Nigeria reports that Randrianirina met with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday during his visit to Nigeria. The Army colonel was sworn in as Madagascar’s president in October 2025, just days after a military power grab that sent former president Andry Rajoelina fleeing. Randrianirina led the CAPSAT army unit that mutinied and joined anti-government protesters before announcing the military had taken over after Rajoelina was impeached for desertion of duty.

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to defeat insecurity and secure the release of all persons held captive across the country. News Point Nigeria reports that he also assured Nigerians that his administration will intensify efforts to ease the economic hardship facing citizens. Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, stated this on Sunday during the National Inter-Denominational Church Service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration. Akume, who delivered President Tinubu’s message, congratulated Nigerians on 27 uninterrupted years…

NIGERIA is moving closer to establishing state police, with progress made towards the constitutional framework required to decentralise policing, the Presidency has said. News Point Nigeria reports that the development follows months of consultations involving the Presidency, the National Assembly, and security authorities aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture. The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after a consultative meeting on state police convened by the Presidency at the State House in Abuja. According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has assured abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states that they have not been forgotten, pledging that his administration will intensify efforts to secure their safe return from captivity. News Point Nigeria reports that the President gave the assurance in a personally signed statement dated May 27, 2026, to commemorate Children’s Day, amid growing concern over recent attacks on schools in parts of the country. Tinubu, in his Children’s Day message, acknowledged the anguish of affected families, especially as the celebration coincides with the Eid-el-Kabir festivities. “As we mark this special day, which coincides with…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has welcomed a proposal by global aircraft manufacturer Airbus to establish aircraft maintenance and hangar facilities in Nigeria as part of efforts to position the country as a regional aerospace and aviation services hub. The President also stressed Nigeria’s urgent need for modern helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to support security operations, logistics and other national development priorities amid ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity across parts of the country. According to a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Saturday by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu spoke during a meeting with an Airbus delegation led by the…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has arrived in Lagos following a three-nation trip to France, Kenya and Rwanda, where he participated in a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic ties. News Point Nigeria reports that the President’s return was announced in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, President Tinubu’s aircraft touched down at about 7:12 p.m. at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja. He was received by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Governor; Femi Hamzat, the Chief of Staff to…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Paul Kagame have resolved to activate mechanisms to deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Rwanda. According to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu met with Kagame at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa upon his arrival in Kigali, Rwanda, for the Africa CEO Forum. Both leaders emphasised the importance of reviving the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission (JPMC), originally signed by both countries in 2021, as a vital platform for advancing their shared objectives. They further agreed that Nigeria should host the next meeting of the commission. While reviewing consular matters, President Tinubu stated…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for deeper economic integration across Africa, stressing the need for policies that prioritise the continent’s industrial growth and prosperity. According to a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu made the remarks on Tuesday while leading Nigeria’s government, diplomatic, and business delegation to the Africa Forward Summit at the Kenyatta Convention Centre in Nairobi. The President highlighted Nigeria’s blue economy potential as a key driver of Africa’s development, noting that it had long been underutilised due to insecurity and uncertainty. “Today, I make an explicit commitment: Nigeria will intensify…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Major General Adeyinka A. Fadewa (Rtd) as Special Adviser on Homeland Security, citing his exceptional record of service, strategic expertise, and contributions to Nigeria’s national security architecture. News Point Nigeria reports that the appointment was announced in a press release issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and signed by the Head of Information and Public Relations, Chris Ugwuegbulam. According to the statement, a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and issued by the Permanent Secretary, General…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs Arinola Ogbara-Banjoko as a Non-Executive Director representing Lagos State on the Board of the Nigeria Commodity Exchange under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. The appointment was announced in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on May 7, 2026. According to the statement, Mrs Ogbara-Banjoko replaces Mrs Bamidele Hussein on the board of the exchange. President Tinubu had earlier in April constituted the board of the Nigeria Commodity Exchange with Dalhatu Abubakar appointed as chairman alongside other non-executive directors. The…

THE Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has insisted that the Presidency will not bring back fuel subsidy, following widespread clamour over the effect of its removal on the cost of living. News Point Nigeria reports that the Minister made the statement on Tuesday in Paris, France, as he and President Bola Tinubu met with global investors. Oyedele noted that subsidies created economic “distortions”, adding that the prices of petrol would not be controlled because the Presidency believed the market was capable of regulating itself. Following the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023, Nigeria’s…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has met with global investors in Paris, France, emphasising transparency and fiscal discipline and explaining the rationale for the swift implementation of bold reforms. Tinubu, who left Nigeria on Sunday for a three-nation trip, said the economic reform programme of his administration includes measures to remove economic distortions and stabilise macroeconomic indicators, laying the foundation for sustained inclusive growth. He said his government is committed to deepening reforms, enhancing transparency across the oil value chain, and implementing a multi-pronged security strategy, including police decentralisation and disrupting terrorist financing. “The focus remains on policy stability and diligent execution…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has departed Nigeria for France, beginning a three-nation official visit that will also take him to Kenya and Rwanda. The presidential aircraft took off from the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday, marking the start of a diplomatic tour aimed at strengthening economic partnerships and attracting foreign investment. According to the presidency, Tinubu’s first stop is France, after which he will travel to Nairobi to participate in the Africa–France Summit scheduled for May 11 to May 12. The summit, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto, will…