Category Nigeria News

The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed the ₦4,444,509,776,438 budget of ‘Shared Prosperity’ for 2026 into law. 

The budget, which was passed on Thursday, prioritises infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic growth, and social development, with over 52% allocated to capital projects to drive inclusive growth across the state.

While presenting the report on the floor of the House, the Chairman, Committee on Economic Planning and Budget, Olumoh Lukmon said the approved budget consists of ₦2.11 trillion for recurrent expenditure and ₦2.34 trillion for capital projects.

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa thereafter directed the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko to forward a clean copy of the budget to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his assent.

READ ALSO: 2026 Budget Will Solidify Reforms Gains, FG Reassures Nigerians

BREAKING NEWS !

Lagos State’s ₦4.4 trillion 2026 Budget of Shared Prosperity has been passed into law today by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The budget prioritises infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic growth, and social development, with over 52% allocated to… pic.twitter.com/QIGmMBPZLa

READ ALSO: Rivers Exco Approves ₦1.8trn 2026 Budget Proposal

Sanwo-Olu had on Tuesday, 25th November, 2025 presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to members of the House of Assembly.

The same was committed to committee on Appropriation with other standing Committees of the House as Sub-Committees for necessary scrutiny of Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs proposals under their purview.

A Rivers State House of Assembly lawmaker, Enemi George, has said he rejected an alleged Christmas package linked to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to avoid breaching the law.

George, in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, said the decision was based on principle, not the amount involved.

“I rejected it because I don’t want to go to prison,” he said, adding that there was no constitutional or budgetary provision backing such payments.

According to him, public funds must be spent strictly in line with the law, stressing that the money belongs to the people of Rivers State.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for the temporary opening of the East–West Road, describing the project as world-class and long overdue.

Wike made the remarks during a thank-you visit to Bonny in Rivers State, where he said the completion of the road had always been part of President Tinubu’s vision.

“I want to thank my friend and colleague, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for fulfilling Mr President’s dream and making it a reality. This shows clearly that we do not take your support for granted,” Wike said.

He stressed that gratitude was essential in leadership, noting that those who benefit from support must always appreciate those who stood by them.

READ ALSO: Rivers APC Rejects Impeachment Process Against Fubara

According to him, the visit to Bonny was part of efforts to thank the people for their support during the 2023 general elections.

Wike recalled that the decision to support President Tinubu in 2023 was a difficult one but said the people of Bonny stood firm and took the risk alongside them.

“We had no written agreement with Mr President. The only assurance he gave us was that if we supported him, we would not do so in vain. Today, this Bonny road, which has been a political road for decades, speaks for itself,” he said.

The FCT Minister described the East–West Road, particularly the Bonny axis, as a project that successive administrations had promised but failed to complete meaningfully.

He expressed gratitude to God that, without pressure, the Tinubu administration had delivered a road that residents could now use comfortably.

“Before now, travelling to Bonny was always a challenge. But as we came in today by road, I gave glory to God. This road alone is enough reason for the people of Bonny to continue to support Mr President,” Wike added.

He urged residents not to be swayed by political propaganda, stressing that visible and usable infrastructure was more important than empty promises. He also praised the quality of the project, describing it as solid work handled by a reputable construction company.

Wike commended Bonny leaders for their loyalty, dedication and commitment, noting that while disagreements were inevitable in politics, unity remained essential for development.

“In politics, there will always be disagreements, just like in families. What matters is the ability to agree to disagree and still work together. When a place is united, the benefits will naturally come,” he said.

He specifically praised the leadership of the area and the Chairman of the Bonny Local Government Council, urging them to continue working together for the good of the people.

Wike assured residents that he would not disappoint them, while appreciating their trust and support.

Also speaking, the member representing Bonny/Degema Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Cyril Hart, commended Wike for his achievements and assured him of continued support from the constituency for President Tinubu and other candidates in 2027.

Similarly, the political leader of Bonny, Chief George Tolofari, praised Wike for his developmental strides in the area, stating that the people of Bonny were not ungrateful.

He said they were concerned about recent political developments and assured Wike of their support to correct past mistakes.

Earlier, the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Hon. Abinye Pepple, described Wike as the political leader of Rivers State and thanked him for his role in his political growth.

Celebrated Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and her husband,  Ivara Esege, have lost one of their twin sons, Nkanu Nnamdi.

The tragic event happened on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, after a brief illness, and the family is devastated by the loss and appeals for privacy during the period of mourning.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has expressed condolences to the family in a personally signed statement issued on Thursday.

“With a deep sense of grief, I condole with Ms Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, and the entire family on the passing of their son, Nkanu Nnamdi.

“As a parent myself who has suffered the loss of a loved one, no grief is as devastating as losing a child. I empathise with the family at this difficult time, and I mourn this sad loss with them,” the president said.

President Tinubu described Adichie as a global literary icon, praying that she and her family find strength in God during what he called a trying moment.

READ ALSO: Women Shouldn’t Be Shamed For Fertility Struggles – Chimamanda

Adichie and her husband, who married in 2009, welcomed their first child, a daughter, in 2016.

She later revealed the birth of her twin boys through surrogacy while speaking at the maiden edition of the #WithChude Live concert in May 2025.

In April 2025, during the debut live edition of the #WithChude talk show, the award-winning author opened up about her decision to speak publicly about her journey to motherhood, stating that she hoped it would ease the pressure many women face regarding fertility.

“I want more women to feel less ashamed of talking about reaching motherhood through non-traditional means. People got carried away with the idea that I’m 47 and have babies. But I don’t lie about things that could have consequences for others.”

She also criticised the culture of shame surrounding women’s reproductive health.

“There is so much shame around issues of fertility, and I just think it’s too much of a burden for women,” Adichie said.

The Half of a Yellow Sun author, who released her latest book Dream Count in 2025, noted that while she initially had reservations about sharing details of her children’s birth, her honesty was aimed at normalising conversations around alternative paths to motherhood.

President Bola Tinubu is excited over the Nigerian capital market surpassing the N100 trillion benchmark.

Tinubu, in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, described this achievement as a historic milestone and a strong signal of renewed investor confidence in the economy.

“With the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) crossing the historic N100 trillion market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” the statement partly read.

The NGX All-Share Index closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, eclipsing the 37.65 per cent recorded in 2024 and outperforming major global indices, including the S&P 500 and FTSE 100.

Tinubu said the performance places Nigeria among the world’s best-performing equity markets, adding that the country is no longer a frontier market to be ignored but a destination where value is being unlocked.

The ex-Lagos State governor said several companies across key sectors have recorded strong performances.

He cited industrial firms that have localised supply chains and a resilient banking sector driven by technological innovation.

According to him, the pipeline of new listings on the NGX is robust, with indigenous energy companies, technology firms, telecom operators and infrastructure-related businesses seeking to access the capital market to fund expansion.

READ ALSO:

On the broader economy, Tinubu said inflation has continued to decelerate following initial challenges from reforms, dropping from a 24-month high of 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent by November 2025, with projections of 12 per cent in 2026 and a possible drop below 10 per cent before the end of the year.

He added that monetary tightening and the removal of “ways and means” financing have helped stabilise the naira, while investments in agriculture have contributed to easing inflationary pressures.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Olohundare Jimoh, says that street urchins have been eradicated to the barest in Lagos State.

Jimoh said this on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, stating that the police are not resting and want to ensure everywhere is safe.

“The one million boys going out and street urchins, we have eradicated them to the barest in Lagos,” the commissioner said on the breakfast show.

“We have been able to police Lagos to the extent that nobody can commit any major crime on the street.”

He stated It is all due to the effort they are putting in but noted, “We are not resting and want to ensure that everywhere is safe”

“Even the issue of traffic robbery has gone to the lowest level as at three to four days now, there has been no serious incident reported throughout Lagos state,” he said.

READ ALSO: Three Suspects Arrested For Alleged Arson On Traditional Worshipper’s House In Kwara

The commissioner said that during the New Year celebration, Christmas, Eyo festival and other concerts where thousands of people gathered, no single incident was recorded.

“That’s to say all our crime prevention and control strategies and other preventive measures are put into place and working around Lagos,” the commisioner said.

He explained that in Lagos, the Inspector General of Police, the Ministry of Police Affairs provide fueling for their patrol vehicles which is complimented by efforts from the Lagos State Government.

“So it’s unheard of that somebody wants a police assistant and you will be asking for fuel,” Jimoh said.

The commissioner asked Lagosians to report any case of crime to him.