Category Nigeria News

The National Assembly has postponed the resumption of plenary, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, to March 5.

In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the assembly said this is to allow its committees to conclude ongoing budget defence sessions.

The statement read, “This is to inform Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the National Assembly that the resumption of plenary session earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 24th February 2026 has been postponed.

“This postponement is to enable Committees of the Assembly to conclude ongoing budget defence sessions. Plenary will now reconvene in both chambers on Thursday, 5th March 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

“Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members are kindly requested to take note of the new resumption date and time. The Leadership regrets any inconvenience the postponement may have caused.”

READ ALSO: Budget Implementation: Senate Queries Economic Team, Mulls Cut To ₦58.7tn 2026 Estimate

The last plenary session was held on Tuesday, February 17. That sitting was convened as a special session for what the leadership described as “crucial deliberations.”

The House of Representatives also held its seventh sitting of the 24th session on February 12, 2026, as part of its legislative calendar.

The latest postponement means lawmakers will continue committee-level engagements, particularly budget defence sessions, until plenary resumes on March 5.

The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Federal Government’s fiscal projections.

On Thursday, the Senate questioned members of the government’s economic team over what it described as poor implementation of the 2025 budget and raised concerns about the feasibility of the proposed ₦58.7 trillion 2026 budget, indicating it may review the estimate.

During a budget defence session, lawmakers cited complaints of unpaid contractors, inadequate capital releases, concerns over a centralised payment system and rising public debt.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, faced questions from senators, while the Chairman of the National Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, acknowledged that previous budgets were based on unrealistic assumptions and called for more credible revenue projections.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan, also queried whether the executive had sufficient confidence in delivering the 2026 proposal.

In response, the Finance Ministry said Ministries, Departments and Agencies had been directed to submit cash plans for outstanding obligations and assured lawmakers that payments under the 2025 budget would commence immediately or within days.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has commended the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and first responders for their prompt and coordinated response to the fire outbreak at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

In a post on X on Tuesday, the minister said he undertook an emergency trip to Lagos following the incident and arrived at the airport around midnight, where he joined FAAN’s Managing Director and management team as they coordinated containment efforts.

“I undertook an emergency trip this night to Lagos following the fire incident at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). I arrived at the airport at about 12 midnight and joined the Managing Director and management team of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), who were still actively coordinating response efforts to ensure the fire was fully contained.

“I commended FAAN personnel and first responders for their swift activation of established emergency procedures, noting that their prompt and coordinated actions were instrumental in safeguarding lives and limiting the impact of the incident.

“I directed the fire department of FAAN and the Lagos State Fire Service to maintain an overnight vigil at the airport to ensure that the fire is properly put out. At dawn, I will be undertaking a tour of the airport to assess the extent of damage caused by the fire and to give necessary directives,” the minister stated.

READ ALSO: FAAN Contains Fire Outbreak At MMIA Terminal One, Says Normalcy Restored

Operations Resume

Following the outbreak, which disrupted some airport operations, FAAN confirmed that flight activities have fully resumed.

A Channels Television crew had earlier captured smoke billowing from the Terminal One area on Monday evening.

FAAN’s Managing Director and Chief Executive, Olubunmi Kuku, said preliminary investigations indicated the fire may have originated from the ground floor of the terminal, where offices and a restaurant are located, before spreading to the roof.

She disclosed that some individuals sustained injuries but confirmed that no fatalities were recorded.

In an update, FAAN said a crane was deployed to support rescue operations at the control tower, enabling the safe evacuation of 14 persons who were initially trapped.

According to the agency, six casualties, three males and three females, were recorded, all of whom are in stable condition. One person was transferred to the FAAN Headquarters Hospital for further medical evaluation and remains stable.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service provided a preliminary account, stating that the fire originated from the IT server room on the third floor of the five-storey E-wing of the departure lounge before it was contained through multi-agency efforts.

In a statement signed by the Controller General, Margaret Adeseye, the service said, “The fire which emanated from the IT Server room on the 3rd floor of the five-storey building by the E-wing of the departure lounge has been confined by the multi-agency efforts. Further updates will be made available in due course.”



Airline Reaction

The disruption affected flight schedules, with Air Peace confirming delays to inbound and outbound flights across its network.

“We empathise with passengers affected by this development and assure the public that we are working closely with relevant airport authorities while closely monitoring the situation,” the airline said.

President Bola Tinubu has called on urged Muslim and Christian leaders in the country to show greater compassion for the poor and underprivileged by pursuing policies that cater to the needs of the majority in the grassroots.

The President made the call on Monday while hosting governors for the breaking of an interfaith fast at the Presidential Villa, said the simultaneous periods of abstinence and penitence for both religions underscore a common humanity.

Disclosing this in a statement, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu noted that Ramadan and Lent provide opportunities for leaders in both religions to reflect further on the plight of others and to design programmes that will directly impact the livelihoods of many.

“It is a joy and great honour to be with you again this year. To give thanks to the Almighty God for sparing our lives and keeping us together to see another Ramadan,” the President was quoted as saying.

“A great Ramadan that coincides with that of the Christian faith, Lent. You know what it means: discipline, sacrifice, faith, resilience, and strong determination to continue to bridge together, pray together, and love one another.

“For the humility, self-restraint, love for our neighbours, and their service for humanity, I want to thank all of you for what you have been able to get and achieve so far. I thank God for what we have been able to achieve together.”

READ ALSO: Tinubu Congratulates Winners Of FCT Polls, Rivers, Kano By-Elections

The President said more could be achieved, especially in reducing poverty and empowering the youth.

“I didn’t expect this number because some governors are still buried in various congresses and other local government or state-level activities.

“Tolerate everybody and build structure in this period of faith, unity, harmony and sacrifice that you are experiencing. Let the young ones breathe too,” the President added.

President Tinubu welcomed the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to the State House.

“I am glad I can see Abba from Kano. Even though the cap is red, it is not different from that of the Ebonyi State governor. Ebonyi Governor, I saw the crisis on the news, please temper justice with mercy,’’ he stated.

The President commended Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State for his magnanimity to both Muslims and Christians during the period of fasting.

“I must refer to the generosity of Prof. Zulum. I saw the layout of the Ramadan outreach for both Christians and Muslims. That is a very good spirit. I watched the story.

“To all of you, I am very grateful because we have seen progress and commitment to duty. But please, I appeal again, let’s go further to embrace the downtrodden, the young ones and all the supporters.

“Let it be all encompassing so that we can spread the development opportunity across to the grassroots and local governments. I have seen a lot of progress being made in the States. The reward of hard work is more work, including for my son, the farmer from Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago.

“There are lots of gains and commendations coming from all angles. As long as we stay together, work together, and are determined to rescue this country, the best is yet to come for Nigeria.

“We are out of the woods. Out of the dark tunnel of uncertainty. The economy is showing up. Let’s help the unemployed. What I promise you will not be postponed. We will establish a state police to combat insecurity. Start looking around you,” the President noted.

The President added, “To reach the young man who feels forgotten. To lift the woman who carries her family on tired shoulders. To touch the communities at the grassroots, where hope sometimes flickers. Development must not recognise religion. Compassion must not recognise tribe. Opportunity must not recognise status.

“I am determined to rescue this country. And as long as we work together in delivering hope to our citizens, the best is yet to come for Nigeria.

“What I promised Nigerians will not be postponed.

“Security is the foundation of prosperity. Without it, farms cannot flourish, businesses cannot, and families cannot sleep in peace.

“We will establish state police to curb insecurity. This is not about politics. It is about practicality. It is about empowering states with the tools to protect their people while strengthening our national framework.

Following a fire outbreak at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, earlier today, which disrupted some part of operations, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says flight operations have resumed fully.

READ ALSO: FAAN Reports Fire Outbreak At Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal One

Channels Television’s crew captured smoke bellowing from the Terminal One area of the facility on Monday evening.



According to the Managing Director and Chief Executive of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, preliminary investigations reveal that the fire may have started from the ground floor of the airport’s Terminal One, where there are offices and a restaurant, from where it escalated to the roof.

She disclosed that some people were injured.

Kuku, however, reiterated that no fatality was recorded.

FAAN had on Monday said that it recorded a fire outbreak at the terminal.

In an updated post on X (former Twitter), it revealed that a crane was successfully deployed to support rescue operations at the Control Tower, and all 14 persons initially trapped were safely rescued and fully evacuated from the facility.

“A total of six casualties — comprising three males and three females — were recorded, all of whom are in stable condition. One affected individual has been transferred to the FAAN Headquarters Hospital for further medical evaluation and remains stable,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said that the fire started from the IT server room before it was contained.

Troops of the Nigerian Army attached to 8 Division have foiled a deadly ambush by suspected Lakurawa terrorist elements near Mayama Hill in Kebbi State, eliminating five attackers and recovering a cache of weapons and other items.

According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, who is the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, the incident occurred as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division and Commander Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgha Koughna, was en route to visit frontline troops deployed in the state.

According to the statement, the GOC’s convoy, while navigating the volatile forested terrain, came under sudden and heavy gunfire from armed terrorists believed to be members of the Lakurawa terrorist group.

It said troops immediately responded with superior firepower in a fierce exchange.

READ ALSO: Troops Kill 25 ISWAP Fighters, Recover 13 AK-47s

“In a bold and decisive response, the GOC and his troops overwhelmed the attackers, neutralising five terrorists and successfully repelling the ambush. The swift counter-action not only secured the convoy but also thwarted what authorities described as a calculated attempt to destabilise security operations in the area.

“Following the engagement, troops conducted a thorough sweep of the vicinity and recovered a significant cache of weapons and materials. Items recovered include one OJC gun, one PKT gun, two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines, one bandolier of PKT ammunition, several rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, a camel bag containing ₦840,000, two mobile phones, and five motorcycles,” the statement read.

Military authorities said troops remain deployed in the general area, maintaining dominance and heightened vigilance to prevent further attacks.

Human rights activist and lawyer, Chidi Odinkalu, says he doubts the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by its Chairman, Joash Amupitan, to conduct credible elections.

Odinkalu, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, took a swipe at Amupitan, specifically saying he could not be trusted to organise free and fair elections in 2027.

“INEC failed,” the guest said while assessing the recently conducted council polls in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“Amupitan’s INEC failed woefully. On this evidence, nobody can trust Joash Amupitan to organise credible elections in 2027.

“There’s nothing else to it; it is not about the law. It is about the failure of will, the failure of electoral administration,” he added.

He charged electoral administrators to conduct their homework or resign their positions for others to do the task.

READ ALSO: INEC Denies Migrating FCT Voters, Explains Split Polling Units

When asked whether it was too early to judge Amupitan since his appointment late last year, Odinkalu said the new INEC boss had previously conducted a governorship election in Anambra State.

He cited the issue of election logistics in the nation’s capital, describing it as poorly coordinated.

The lawyer also faulted INEC for reassigning voters without properly informing them of a change in their polling units on election day.

‘Admit Failure’

Odinkalu challenged the electoral body to admit to the challenges and apologise to Nigerians for some shortcomings.

According to him, Amupitan can tell Nigerians that “I take personal responsibility, this is a chastening experience. I am learning, some of these things I saw cannot happen on my watch”.

“But to simply pretend as if these things did not happen and say this is the standard to which elections are organised will be irresponsible,” he stated.

Odinkalu further noted that Nigerians are not asking for perfections but evidence of commitment to improvements by the electoral body.