National

The Federal Government has commenced the implementation of Executive Order 9 of 2026, mandating the direct remittance of oil revenues to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). The development follows the inaugural meeting of the implementation committee held on February 26, 2026. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, outlining key resolutions reached at the meeting. According to him, the committee reaffirmed the directive of President Bola Tinubu that all revenues accruing to the federation from petroleum operations must be managed in line with constitutional provisions, safeguard national earnings, and support fiscal stability across the three tiers of government. Read Also: A Quiet War on Our Soil: How Aid, Chemicals, and Banditry Are Strangling Northern Nigeria’s Ginger Heartland As part of the reforms, the government directed the NNPC Limited to immediately discontinue the collection of 30 percent management fees and 30 percent frontier exploration fund deductions from profit oil and gas under Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs). The statement also announced the immediate suspension of remittances of gas flare penalties into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, in compliance with the executive order. On the provision for direct payments by contractors into the federation account, Edun explained that the committee approved a structured transition period to ensure the process aligns with existing contractual obligations and maintains investor confidence. “Until detailed guidelines are issued, contractors will continue with the current remittance process,” he said, adding that standardised procedures would be introduced to ensure a seamless transition. To facilitate implementation, the committee approved the establishment of a technical subcommittee tasked with developing comprehensive transition guidelines within three weeks. The subcommittee will also commence a review of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to address structural and fiscal gaps affecting federation revenues. The subcommittee, to be led by the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, will include key stakeholders such as the Solicitor-General of the Federation, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, and representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Budget Office of the Federation. Edun noted that the committee would continue to provide coordinated guidance and updates as implementation progresses, while commending stakeholders for their cooperation in advancing reforms aimed at ensuring Nigeria’s petroleum resources deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly halted a planned mass retirement of about 30 senior police officers following the removal of Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the appointment of Tunji Disu as Acting IGP. The intervention comes amid renewed national debate over the long-standing practice of compulsory retirement for senior officers whenever a new police chief assumes office, a development that has historically triggered widespread exits within the upper ranks of the force. According to reports, the proposed shake-up targeted several Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs) and Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs), with an internal document listing at least eight DIGs including Frank Mba (Training), Yahaya Abubakar (Finance), Adebola Hamzat (Logistics), and Adebowale Williams (ICT), among those expected to exit in order to maintain command hierarchy. However, the Presidency reportedly intervened, directing that the process be halted to allow the new Acting IGP to benefit from the experience of senior officers. A source was quoted as saying the decision was taken to ensure continuity and stability within the Nigeria Police Force during the transition period. Read Also: Meet DIGs Likely to Retire Following Disu’s Emergence as Acting IGP FAAN Chairman Visits MMIA Following Fire Outbreak After Political Shift, Governor Yusuf Seen Without Iconic Red Cap in France Disu’s elevation comes less than two months before his scheduled retirement upon attaining the mandatory age of 60. Born on April 13, 1966, the Acting IGP was promoted to Assistant Inspector-General in March 2025 and is due for retirement in April 2026. Although the amended Police Act permits an Inspector-General to serve a four-year term irrespective of age, sources indicate that Disu may not benefit from tenure extension beyond his statutory retirement date. Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Chidi Odinkalu has drawn attention to past controversies surrounding compulsory retirements within the force, referencing a 2023 case that resulted in a landmark court judgment. The case involved former DIG Moses Ambakina Jitoboh, whose compulsory retirement by the Police Service Commission was challenged in court. In a judgment delivered on January 13, 2025, Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae of the National Industrial Court ruled that the retirement was unlawful and unconstitutional, stating that administrative policies cannot override statutory provisions governing service tenure. The court ordered Jitoboh’s reinstatement until his due retirement date and awarded damages against the commission. Observers say the latest intervention by President Tinubu may help stabilise the leadership structure of the police force, even as broader legal and administrative questions surrounding compulsory retirements remain unresolved. (Platinum Post)

The Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has led members of the authority’s governing board on an on-site inspection of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, following a recent fire incident at the facility in Lagos. The visit was aimed at assessing the extent of the incident, reviewing emergency response measures, and ensuring that adequate steps are being implemented to prevent a recurrence. During the inspection, Ganduje and the board also evaluated ongoing work at the airport’s temporary terminal. Related: Ganduje Pushes Sports as Tool for Youth Empowerment Ganduje Commissions Mosque, Islamiyya School in Kano Ganduje, Kuku Lead Nigeria’s Airports Into a New Era He expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of the project, noting that the development aligns with efforts to enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency. Ganduje reiterated the board’s commitment to strengthening safety standards across Nigerian airports, while ensuring the timely completion of critical infrastructure. He emphasized that the authority remains focused on maintaining high safety protocols and improving service delivery within the aviation sector.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced new dates for the 2027 general elections, rescheduling both presidential and governorship polls in line with recent legal changes. In a statement issued on Thursday, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on January 16, 2027. He added that governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have been fixed for February 6, 2027. The commission had earlier scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and governorship elections for March 6, 2027. However, the timetable was reviewed following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026. Read Also: Ramadan: INEC Defends 2027 Poll Dates, Signals Possible Adjustment Haruna explained that the new law introduced adjustments to statutory timelines guiding pre-election and electoral activities, necessitating a realignment of the schedule to ensure full compliance. According to him, political party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, will commence on April 23, 2026, and end on May 30, 2026. Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections are set to begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026. “As provided by law, campaigns shall end 24 hours before election day. Political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines, as the commission will enforce compliance,” he said. INEC also announced a slight adjustment to the Osun State governorship election, which has been moved from August 8 to August 15, 2026. Haruna noted that while some activities for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been conducted, all remaining processes would now strictly follow the provisions of the new electoral law. The 2027 election cycle will mark a departure from Nigeria’s traditional voting calendar, making it the first time since the country’s return to democracy in 1999 that presidential elections will be conducted in January.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has resigned from office following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A Presidency source disclosed that Egbetokun was asked to step down during a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He is to be replaced in an acting capacity by Olatunji Disu, pending confirmation in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Egbetokun was appointed as the 22nd indigenous Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023, with his appointment confirmed by the Police Council on October 31, 2023. Although he was due for retirement in September 2024 upon attaining the mandatory age of 60, an amendment to the Police Act allowed him to serve a full four-year tenure, which was expected to end in October 2027 before the latest development. Profile of the New Acting IGP Disu, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s finest contemporary police officers, was born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education from Lagos State University, as well as two Master’s degrees, one in Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State, and another in Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology from Lagos State University. Read Also: ASUP NILEST Celebrates Retiring Unionist, Demands Settlement of Entitlements Ganduje, Kuku Lead Nigeria’s Airports Into a New Era Tinubu Pushes State Police, Urges Governors to Focus on Poor, Youths He has attended several professional courses both locally and internationally, covering areas such as small arms smuggling, internet fraud, strategic leadership, and forensic investigations. Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police and trained at the Police Academy in Wudil, Kano State. Over the years, he has held several strategic positions, including Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory. He also served as Commander of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), having been appointed to the role on August 2, 2021, by former IGP Usman Alkali Baba following the suspension of Abba Kyari. He was equally a former Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos State and served as Principal Staff Officer to Egbetokun. Before his appointment as acting IGP, Disu was the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos. His emergence marks a new phase in the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force as stakeholders await his confirmation and policy direction.