Amnesty International has condemned what it termed an “outrageous and desperate attempt” by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to muzzle the media, warning that the regulator has no authority to dictate how journalists perform their professional duties.

In a statement reacting to the NBC’s ‘formal notice to broadcasters’ dated April 17, 2026, the rights organisation criticised the directive as an overreach targeting political broadcasts and presenters of current affairs programmes.

According to Amnesty International, the move imposes “unduly restrictive and invasive controls” on the broadcast space and appears calculated to coerce journalists and media organisations into self-censorship, with far-reaching implications for press freedom and democratic accountability.
Executive Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said Nigeria’s independent broadcast media remain central to citizens’ ability to freely seek, receive and exchange information and ideas, as guaranteed under international human rights frameworks.

He urged authorities to desist from what he described as the misuse of the National Broadcasting Commission to stifle dissenting voices.

“The Nigerian authorities must stop using the NBC in an unrelenting quest to silence journalists and media organisations that are crucial to ensuring an independent and diverse media space that fulfils people’s right to information,” Sanusi said.

Maintaining that the directive is both authoritarian and unconstitutional, Amnesty International called on broadcasters nationwide to remain resolute, urging journalists to continue their work “fiercely and independently without fear,” despite mounting pressure.

The Federal Government has firmly pushed back against interpretations of a recent World Bank Nigeria Development Update suggesting that large portions of the country’s revenue are unaccounted for, describing such claims as misleading and rooted in a flawed reading of the fiscal framework.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, dismissed insinuations of “hidden spending” or diversion of public funds, stressing that the reports mischaracterised legitimate financial processes.

According to the ministry, deductions from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) have been wrongly interpreted as leakages, whereas they represent lawful fiscal transactions.

“It is important to emphasise that refunds and transfers to states and other tiers of government are not leakages,” Oyedele stated. “They are legitimate fiscal flows, including repayment of obligations and allocations backed by law.”

The government explained that these deductions cover a range of approved expenditures, including statutory transfers, security outlays, savings and investments, cost-of-collection charges, and refunds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as interventions for subnational governments.
Reaffirming its position, the ministry stressed that allocations and refunds to states are constitutionally grounded and should not be misconstrued as missing funds.

It also criticised what it described as the selective reliance on outdated data in some analyses of the World Bank report, noting that the document itself acknowledged ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s public financial management.

Among recent measures, the government highlighted a 2026 Executive Order designed to strengthen the remittance of petroleum revenues, a move expected to enhance transparency and boost distributable income by approximately 0.4 per cent of GDP annually.

Beyond the controversy, the ministry pointed to more optimistic signals in the report, including increasingly broad-based economic growth, easing inflationary pressures, improving external reserves, and a sustained current account surplus. It added that key debt indicators have also improved, with a declining debt-to-GDP ratio.

The Federal Government maintained that, contrary to alarmist interpretations, the World Bank report does not depict a failing fiscal system but rather underscores progress driven by ongoing reforms, efforts it says must be sustained.

The Ministry of Regional Development, Regional Development Commissions and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have resolved to deepen collaboration with stakeholders to close development gaps, curb project abandonment and deliver impactful infrastructure across the country.

This formed the thrust of a communiqué issued at the end of a three-day retreat held in Benin City, Edo State, where top government officials and heads of development commissions converged to chart a new course for regional growth.

The retreat, chaired by the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, brought together key figures, including Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Chiedu Ebie, Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, and other board members.

Presenting the communiqué, Director of Planning and Research in the ministry, Victor Ewache, said participants agreed on far-reaching measures aimed at strengthening institutional performance and accelerating development outcomes.

Central to the resolutions is a renewed commitment to synergy among commissions and stakeholders, alongside plans to review existing Establishment Acts to eliminate bottlenecks and enhance operational efficiency.

The communiqué also unveiled a draft National Policy on Regional Development, designed to provide a coordinated framework for addressing infrastructural deficits and unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s regions.

Ewache noted that discussions focused on “generating fresh ideas to unlock regional potentials,” with emphasis on attracting international funding through partnerships with organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), while ensuring strict compliance with Treasury Single Account (TSA) regulations.

To boost accountability, leadership of the commissions will sign performance bonds tied to measurable outcomes, with priority placed on strategic infrastructure projects aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and targeted at poverty reduction.

The minister, in his closing remarks, described the deliberations as “robust and forward-looking,” stressing the need for strict adherence to statutory mandates. He added that government would move to amend existing laws governing the commissions to address identified gaps and strengthen delivery capacity.

The retreat ended with honours for Momoh and Ogbuku, who were recognised for “outstanding development and impact” by the Association of Edo Youths for Peace, which described them as transformational leaders.

Evomec Global Services Limited has assured that the ongoing reconstruction of the road linking the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal (BOGT) to Coal Beach in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State will have a minimum lifespan of 50 years upon completion.

The company, an engineering, procurement and construction firm, said the project is being executed in line with global best practices, with strict adherence to design specifications provided by the sponsor, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited.

Speaking during a media tour of the project site, project engineers, Stanley Nwosu and Cornelius Okparaugo, projected that the road could last between 70 and 80 years. However, they noted that when safety margins are applied, a 50-year lifespan remains the baseline expectation.

They emphasised that the durability of the road depends on faithful implementation of the approved design, adding that the company is committed to delivering quality work within schedule.

Also, the General Supervisor, Tamunotonye Jumbo, said the firm is determined to provide Bonny residents with infrastructure that meets international standards.

“Evomec is executing this project with a sense of ownership because it is part of the Bonny community,” he said, urging residents to cooperate with the company to ensure timely delivery.

He warned against the removal of construction materials from the site and advised motorists, particularly commercial motorcycle operators, to avoid unauthorised access to the work area for safety reasons.

Jumbo further disclosed that the project has engaged a significant number of local residents across various skill levels, in line with the vision of the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Esievo, to promote employment within the community.

Since its mobilisation, Evomec has commenced key phases of the project, including earthworks, sand stabilisation and precasting, as construction progresses on the strategic Bonny road corridor.

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.