President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed into law the 2026 Appropriation Act, approving a record ₦68.32 trillion expenditure for the fiscal year, while also extending the implementation of the 2025 budget to June 30, 2026.

The Presidency disclosed this on Friday in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, the newly assented budget provides ₦4.799 trillion for statutory transfers, ₦15.8 trillion for debt servicing, ₦15.4 trillion for recurrent expenditure, and ₦32.2 trillion for capital projects under the Development Fund.

Described as “The Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” the fiscal plan took effect from April 1, 2026, with full implementation already underway.

The Presidency emphasised that nearly 50 per cent allocation to capital expenditure reflects the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, economic stability, national security, and inclusive growth.

“The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditure, and capital investments critical to driving productivity and improving the quality of life for Nigerians,” the statement noted.

In a related development, Tinubu also signed the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, extending the capital component of the 2025 budget from March 31 to June 30. The move, according to the Presidency, is aimed at ensuring the full utilisation of funds, particularly for ongoing infrastructure projects nearing completion.

The extension is expected to enable Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to consolidate ongoing projects, improve completion rates, and maximise value for public spending.

Tinubu directed MDAs to prioritise transparency, discipline, and efficiency in budget implementation, stressing the need for value for money and timely delivery of projects.

He also commended the National Assembly for its swift consideration and passage of the budget, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government in advancing development goals.

The President further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fiscal reforms, improved revenue generation, and investments targeted at economic growth, job creation, and social protection.

Originally presented to the National Assembly on December 19, 2025, at ₦58.47 trillion, the budget was revised upward to ₦68.32 trillion after legislative scrutiny.
Key sectoral allocations include ₦5.41 trillion for defence and security, ₦3.56 trillion for infrastructure, ₦3.52 trillion for education, and ₦2.48 trillion for health.

Tinubu had earlier described the budget as a critical step in Nigeria’s reform journey, acknowledging the challenges faced by citizens while maintaining that ongoing reforms are necessary for long-term stability and shared prosperity.

Determined to stem rising insecurity and prevent a recurrence of abductions, Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area in Rivers State, Abinye Pepple, has inaugurated a community-based vigilante outfit, codenamed Operation Protect Okoloama.

Pepple, who performed the inauguration on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at his office in Bonny, said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to reinforce security across the island LGA and complement existing security agencies.

He disclosed that each member of the newly formed force would receive a monthly stipend of N100,000, alongside plans to integrate various community vigilante groups under a unified command structure.

According to the council boss, the outfit is designed to strengthen grassroots surveillance and response, particularly in vulnerable riverine communities where difficult terrain and waterways have often been exploited by criminal elements.

Investigations indicate that members of the force underwent screening and profiling by relevant security agencies prior to their inauguration to ensure that only credible and disciplined individuals with strong community ties were enlisted.

Pepple reiterated his administration’s resolve to rid the area of kidnapping and related crimes, noting that the creation of the vigilante group reflects a commitment to translate assurances into concrete action.

The development follows recent security concerns in Bonny and surrounding areas, where cases of abduction and criminal activity have heightened fears among residents. The waterways and creeks, which serve as major economic routes, have also been identified as escape corridors for kidnappers.

Only recently, a kidnap victim was rescued in the area and presented at the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Bonny, an incident that drew public attention to the persistent threat of insecurity within the LGA. At the time, Pepple had vowed that such incidents would not be allowed to recur.

Observers say the launch of Operation Protect Okoloama signals a shift towards community-driven security measures, amid growing calls for localised solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.

Authorities have expressed optimism that closer collaboration between the vigilante force, conventional security agencies, and residents will enhance intelligence gathering and rapid response, ultimately improving safety and restoring public confidence.

A leaked internal security memo has raised fresh alarm over an alleged plot by multiple terrorist groups to launch coordinated attacks on key government installations in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighbouring Niger State.

The document, dated April 13 and issued by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), indicates that suspected fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram, Ansaru, and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen (JNIM) are involved in the plan.

According to the memo, prime targets include the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the Kuje Correctional Centre, and a military detention facility located in Wawa, Niger State. Intelligence cited in the report suggests that some operatives have already infiltrated the FCT, heightening concerns over an imminent attack.

The memo warned that the attackers may attempt to breach detention facilities and target aviation infrastructure, a strategy that could significantly disrupt movement and trigger widespread panic.

Security sources also linked elements of the plot to criminal networks operating around the Kainji Lake National Park axis, an area that has recently witnessed a surge in coordinated attacks and abductions across parts of Niger and Kwara States.

The report recalled that similar networks were behind a string of kidnappings in 2025, including the abduction of students and staff from a Catholic school in Niger State, as well as women and children in surrounding communities.

Further, the memo noted that the planned assault on Abuja’s airport bears resemblance to recent attacks on aviation infrastructure in neighbouring Niger Republic, suggesting an attempt to replicate high-impact operations within Nigeria.

Confirming the authenticity of the document, NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada described it as a “leaked” communication but declined further comment, citing the sensitive nature of national security matters.

In response, the Customs Service has ordered heightened security measures across its commands, particularly within the FCT. Officers have been directed to intensify patrols, strengthen surveillance systems, and enforce stricter access control at all facilities.

The directive mandates thorough screening of all visitors, with entry denied to individuals without valid reasons. Specialised units, including intelligence and anti-smuggling teams, have also been placed on high alert, while additional reinforcements are being deployed to safeguard strategic locations.

Authorities further emphasised the need for swift response to suspicious activities and enhanced coordination among security agencies to avert any potential breach.

Nigeria’s public debt profile rose sharply to N159.27 trillion at the end of 2025, reflecting mounting fiscal pressures and increased borrowing by both federal and subnational governments.

The latest figures released by the Debt Management Office (DMO) show an increase of N14.6 trillion compared to N144.67 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024, and a N5.98 trillion rise from the N153.29 trillion posted at the end of the third quarter of 2025.

According to the DMO, the debt stock comprises both domestic and external obligations of the federal government, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

A breakdown indicates that domestic debt stood at N84.84 trillion, while external debt was put at N74.42 trillion, underscoring the continued reliance on both local and foreign borrowing to finance budgetary gaps.

The agency noted that domestic debt rose significantly from N74.38 trillion in December 2024, marking a 14.1 per cent increase, while external debt climbed by N4.14 trillion within the same period.

The Federal Government accounted for the bulk of the liabilities, with domestic debt estimated at N80.48 trillion, while states and the FCT recorded a marginal increase to N4.36 trillion.

On the external side, the Federal Government’s debt stood at N66.26 trillion, with subnational governments accounting for N8.15 trillion.

The DMO said the figures were computed using the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official exchange rate of N1,435.25 to the dollar as of December 31, 2025.

The rising debt comes amid fresh borrowing plans by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, who recently sought National Assembly approval for external loans totalling $6 billion.

In a request conveyed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the president outlined plans for a structured total return swap financing arrangement of up to $5 billion from First Abu Dhabi Bank in the United Arab Emirates.

Analysts warn that while borrowing remains critical for infrastructure and development financing, the rising debt burden raises concerns over sustainability, debt servicing costs, and fiscal stability in the medium term.

The Federal Government has issued a fresh flood warning across Nigeria, recalling the devastating impacts of previous incidents, as it unveiled the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) projecting widespread inundation in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

At the public presentation in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, said memories of past flood disasters—marked by loss of lives, displacement of communities, and destruction of farmlands and infrastructure—underscore the urgency of early preparedness.

The outlook, released by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, listed high-risk states to include Bayelsa State, Delta State, Adamawa State and Kebbi State, alongside 29 others, with over 14,000 communities in 266 local government areas projected to experience severe flooding.

Utsev warned that the forecast must not be treated as routine, noting that previous flood seasons left a trail of humanitarian crises and economic setbacks across the country. “Early information saves lives, protects livelihoods and reduces losses,” he said, stressing that forecasts must translate into concrete action at community level.

The minister disclosed ongoing efforts to modernise Nigeria’s hydrological monitoring systems and deepen collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency to improve the accuracy and timeliness of flood predictions.

Representing President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said the flood outlook aligns with the administration’s broader push for climate resilience and sustainable development.

According to the report, moderate flood risk is expected in 35 states, while flash and urban flooding will hit major cities including Port Harcourt, Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja, largely due to poor drainage systems and increasing rainfall intensity.
Coastal and riverine flooding is also anticipated in states such as Rivers State, Cross River State and Ogun State, driven by rising sea levels and tidal surges, with potential consequences for fishing, transportation and coastal livelihoods.

Director-General of NiHSA, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, said the 2026 forecast marks a shift toward advanced flood risk intelligence, incorporating hybrid AI-driven modelling to improve accuracy and response time. He added that the agency has upgraded its flood dashboard into a real-time decision-support system, alongside a mobile application to disseminate alerts more effectively.

Also speaking, Director-General of NiMet, Charles Anosike, noted that flooding remains one of the most persistent climate-related threats in Nigeria and across Africa, despite technological progress in forecasting.
The government called on state and local authorities to integrate flood risk into urban planning, strengthen drainage infrastructure, and enforce proper land-use practices, particularly in flood-prone areas.

“Preparedness remains the most effective strategy,” Utsev said. “If we fail to act on these warnings, we risk repeating the painful losses of the past.”