Governor of Niger State, Umaru Bago, has relieved all his special advisers of their appointments.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said the decision is part of efforts to restructure governance and enhance service delivery in the state.
The development was announced during the governor’s maiden State Executive Council meeting with newly sworn-in commissioners on Tuesday.
The meeting was held at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Minna.
READ ALSO: Gov Okpebholo Presents ₦939.85bn 2026 Budget To Edo Assembly
According to Governor Bago, the move is intended to allow the administration to rejig and reposition the advisers’ portfolios to improve effectiveness and efficiency in line with his “New Niger” development agenda.
The governor expressed appreciation to the affected Special Advisers for their sacrifices, dedication, and contributions to the achievements recorded so far by his administration.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday presented a ₦939.85 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill, christened the “Budget of Hope and Growth,” to the Edo State House of Assembly at a plenary session.
According to a statement released by Governor Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebojele Akhere Patrick, on Tuesday, the plenary session was presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku.
Presenting the budget estimates, Governor Okpebholo commended the Speaker and members of the Assembly for their cooperation and support, which he said ensured the successful implementation of the 2025 Budget and translated into tangible benefits for the people of Edo State.
According to the governor, the 2025 Budget recorded strong performance in both capital and recurrent expenditure, while Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) improved significantly due to the blocking of leakages and the strengthening of revenue collection systems.
He noted that the achievements of his first year in office informed the priorities of the 2026 fiscal plan.
READ ALSO: FG, States, LGs Share ₦1.928trn November 2025 Revenue
On security, Okpebholo said his administration was determined to ensure that Edo State is no longer a safe haven for criminals.
He recalled that cult killings, kidnapping, robbery and cybercrime were rampant before his assumption of office, with over 300 cult-related killings recorded in 2024 alone.
To address the situation, the government passed a stronger anti-cultism law, supplied 80 Hilux patrol vans and 400 motorcycles to security agencies, and recruited, trained and absorbed 2,500 officers into the Edo State Security Corps, measures he said have drastically reduced insecurity across the state.
In the health sector, the governor said his administration is rebuilding a collapsed system from the ground up, with the construction of new Primary Health Centres across the state, the provision of diagnostic equipment, and the ongoing construction of a 150-bed Specialist Hospital in Edo Central.
On infrastructure, the governor disclosed that his administration awarded 28 new road projects totaling 255 kilometres, including the construction of two flyovers in Benin City at Ramat Park and Sapele Road by Adesuwa Junction, the first in the history of Edo State.
He added that several community roads are also under construction to improve connectivity across the state.
He said agriculture has received a major boost, with the sector’s budget expanded from ₦6.9 billion to ₦57 billion, following encouragement from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, over 400 hectares of farmland have been cultivated and harvesting has commenced across multiple farm clusters as part of efforts to combat food insecurity.
In the education sector, Okpebholo said his administration recruited 5,000 permanent teachers and upgraded 63 schools to modern standards, with more upgrades ongoing.
He also announced a significant increase in monthly subventions to tertiary institutions, raising Ambrose Alli University’s allocation from ₦41 million to ₦500 million, and Edo State University, Iyamoh, from ₦25 million to ₦250 million.
On economic growth and job creation, the governor said the administration inherited both foreign and local debts but has begun the gradual process of reducing the debt burden. He disclosed that over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created, alongside the launch of a ₦1 billion interest-free loan scheme for market women and traders.
Speaking on governance and institutional reforms, Okpebholo said public trust has been restored through the swearing-in of three judges who were previously sidelined, the re-establishment of customary courts, and the strengthening of traditional institutions to foster cooperation across all levels of government.
He explained that the ₦939.85 billion 2026 budget comprises ₦637 billion (68 per cent) for capital expenditure and ₦302 billion (32 per cent) for recurrent expenditure, reflecting the administration’s commitment to visible and people-centered development.
The governor said the budget will be funded through projected Internally Generated Revenue of ₦160 billion, FAAC allocations of ₦480 billion, capital receipts and grants of ₦153 billion, Public-Private Partnerships valued at ₦146 billion, and other revenue windows available to the state.
Sectoral allocations show that the economic sector received the largest share of ₦614.2 billion, while the social sector was allocated ₦148.9 billion, the administration sector ₦157.7 billion, and the justice sector ₦19 billion.
Additional provisions were also made for regional development and support to local government councils.
The governor said the 2026 Budget of Hope and Growth is anchored on the administration’s SHINE Agenda (Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources/Agriculture, and Education) and is designed to build a prosperous, united Edo State where every citizen feels the impact of governance.
The plenary session was attended by several dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq.; two former Deputy Governors; a former Secretary to the State Government; members of the State Executive Council; traditional rulers; civil society representatives; and members of the press, among others.
Governor Okpebholo expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reforms that have boosted revenue flows to states and thanked the leadership and members of the Edo State House of Assembly, traditional rulers, religious leaders, political appointees and civil servants for their support.
The Senate has confirmed the appointment of two Commissioners of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Those confirmed are Aisha Mahmud Kanti Bello, who was re-appointed, and Dr. Animashaun Fouad Olayinka, newly appointed as Commissioner.
The confirmation announced by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Power, presented by its Chairman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), during plenary.
Also confirmed were the nominations of three non-career ambassadors, the first set of nominees submitted by President Tinubu two weeks ago and screened by the upper chamber last week.
Those confirmed are Lateef Kayode Kolawole Are from Ogun State, Aminu Muhammad Dalhatu from Jigawa State, and Emmanuel Ayodele Oke, CFR, from Oyo State.
The confirmations followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which conducted the screening exercise.
READ ALSO: Senate Confirms Three Non-Career Ambassadorial Nominees
Sixty-four other ambassadorial nominees forwarded to the Senate and screened are yet to be confirmed.
President Tinubu forwarded the names of the three non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation on November 26.
It was the first list of ambassadorial nominees sent to the Senate by Tinubu since he became the President on May 29, 2023.
The President followed that up by nominating 32 other persons for ambassadorial roles, including a former governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu; former minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri.
Others on the list include a former governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, and a former deputy governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro.
Ondo Senator and businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim; a former Ekiti first lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo, and former Adamawa Senator, Grace Bent, also made the list of nominees.
A breakdown of the list shows that there are four women on the career ambassadors’ list and six on the non-career ambassadors’ list.
Others who were nominated as non-career ambassador designates are Ogbonnaya Kalu from Abia; a former speaker of the Katsina House of Assembly, Tasiu Musa Maigari; a former Commissioner in Plateau State and ex-deputy executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Yakubu N. Gambo.
A former Senator from Plateau, Nora Ladi Daduut; Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu from Anambra State; ex-First Lady of Oyo, Fatima Florence Ajimobi; former Lagos Commissioner, Lola Akande, and the former ambassador of Nigeria to the Holy See, Paul Oga Adikwu from Benue State were also nominated.
Apart from these, Tinubu also nominated career ambassadors and high commissioner-designates.
They are Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa), Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa), Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi), and Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun).
Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo), Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo), Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger), Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina), and Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno) are equally on the list of nominees.
The Senate has asked the Federal Government to introduce urgent measures to protect Nigerian farmers from the impact of falling agricultural produce prices and rising production costs.
This was part of resolutions during plenary following a motion sponsored by Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), highlighting the growing challenges facing local farmers amid recent government policies aimed at reducing food prices nationwide.
He commended the Federal Government for easing the burden on consumers through waivers and special approvals for large-scale food imports, a move that has helped lower food prices and provided relief to many Nigerians.
He, however, noted that the same policy has inadvertently created severe difficulties for local farmers.
According to the motion, while farm-gate prices for agricultural produce have continued to decline, the cost of critical inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and insecticides remains extremely high.
This imbalance, according to him, has distorted agricultural markets and triggered massive post-harvest losses, as farmers struggle to sell their produce at fair or profitable prices.
READ ALSO: Senate Confirms Three Non-Career Ambassadorial Nominees
The Senate, therefore, asked the Federal Government to design and implement a special emergency intervention package aimed at cushioning farmers affected by the collapse in farm-gate prices.
The upper chamber also urged government to introduce broad-based subsidies for fertilisers and other essential agricultural inputs to ease the burden on farmers.
Additionally, the lawmakers resolved to advise state governors to prioritise support for local farmers by encouraging investments in agriculture and taking deliberate steps to curb post-harvest losses.
Alleged Collapse
During plenary, the upper chamber also directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate widespread rumors on social media alleging the collapse and, in some cases, death of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The resolution followed a point of order raised under order 42 by Senator Titus Zam, who expressed concern over the reports that had circulated within the last 48 hours.
Senator Zam described the rumours as alarming and unacceptable, noting that the Senate President is the nation’s number three citizen and should not be subjected to such misinformation.
Responding to the matter, the Senate President acknowledged the difficulty of controlling social media narratives, stating that people cannot be prevented from writing what he described as ‘garbage in, garbage out’.
He, however, asked whether it was the wish of the Senate that the issue be referred to the National Security Adviser for investigation.
The Senate has directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate widespread rumors on social media alleging the collapse and in some cases, death of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The resolution followed a point of order raised under order 42 by Senator Titus Zam, who expressed concern over the reports that had circulated within the last 48 hours.
Senator Zam described the rumours as alarming and unacceptable, noting that the Senate President is the nation’s number three citizen and should not be subjected to such misinformation.
READ ALSO: Senate Confirms Three Non-Career Ambassadorial Nominees
Responding to the matter, the Senate President acknowledged the difficulty of controlling social media narratives, stating that people cannot be prevented from writing what he described as ‘garbage in, garbage out’.
He, however, asked whether it was the wish of the Senate that the issue be referred to the National Security Adviser for investigation.
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of 11 out of the 18 passengers abducted by unknown gunmen along the Benin–Akure Highway.
The passengers were kidnapped on Friday, December 12, around Obarenren village in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. They were travelling in a vehicle belonging to a popular commercial transport operator in the state when the attackers struck.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, told Channels Television in a telephone interview that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims.
READ ALSO: Elderly Cleric Killed In Kano, Suspect Lynched By Mob
According to the police, the vehicle was ambushed at gunpoint, and all the occupants were forcefully taken away by the suspected kidnappers.
Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Command in the area immediately launched a rescue operation in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, local vigilantes, and hunters. The security team combed nearby bushes in search of the suspects and the abducted passengers.
The operation yielded results on Sunday with the rescue of 11 of the 18 abducted passengers. The rescued victims have since been reunited with their families, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining seven passengers.
