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The Coalition for Good Governance in Africa (CGGA) has commended the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Chris Ona Najomo, for his leadership and efforts to strengthen regulation in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

In a statement issued on Friday by its President, Mohammed Kudu, the coalition said Najomo should not be held solely responsible for the broader challenges facing the industry, arguing that aviation requires coordinated efforts by regulators, airlines, airport operators, government agencies and other stakeholders.

The group said its assessment of Najomo’s tenure emphasised safety oversight, consumer protection, regulatory efficiency, and efforts to create a more predictable environment for investment.

It also highlighted his more than four decades of experience in aviation, including previous roles within the NCAA and the airline industry.

CGGA said the NCAA’s efforts on aircraft financing and investment were particularly significant, citing Najomo’s engagements with global financiers and lessors to reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s aviation market and its commitment to international regulatory frameworks.

The coalition noted that at the Nigeria Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit in April, Najomo identified capital, confidence and capacity as key pillars for the sector’s growth and reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment to enforcing the Cape Town Convention and IDERA framework.

Kudu said Najomo’s reforms should be assessed within the broader effort to improve the industry rather than against every challenge experienced by passengers and operators.

‘Our assessment of Capt Chris Ona Najomo’s stewardship shows regulatory leadership focused on strengthening the systems within its mandate. From safety oversight and consumer protection to regulatory predictability and efforts to attract investment into aircraft acquisition, there are clear indications of an administration working to improve the operating environment.’

The coalition said it was unfair to make the NCAA director-general the sole explanation for challenges involving several institutions and stakeholders across the aviation value chain.

It also commended Najomo for promoting engagement with industry stakeholders and international partners, describing sustained collaboration as essential to addressing longstanding constraints in the sector.

CGGA stressed that the NCAA’s regulatory responsibilities were distinct from those of airlines, airport managers, air navigation service providers and other government institutions involved in aviation operations.

The group urged stakeholders to avoid allowing legitimate disagreements to develop into prolonged confrontations that could undermine efforts to improve Nigeria’s aviation sector.

‘The aviation industry needs a collaborative approach at this stage. Stakeholders have every right to raise concerns and demand accountability, but such engagement should be constructive and directed towards solutions. We believe the reforms being pursued by the Federal Government and the regulatory steps under Capt. Najomo should be given the opportunity to translate into sustainable gains. The interest of the travelling public and the long-term development of Nigerian aviation must remain greater than individual or institutional disagreements,’ Kudu said.

The coalition said the government’s efforts to create a more investment-friendly aviation environment would require consistency and cooperation from all actors.

It pointed to the NCAA’s continuing emphasis on regulatory standards and the implementation of international aviation frameworks as important steps towards improving investor confidence and supporting the growth of Nigerian airlines.

CGGA also urged the NCAA to maintain its focus on passenger protection, safety regulation and enforcement, while calling on airlines and other operators to comply with established rules.

The group said meaningful improvement in aviation would not come from regulatory action alone, but from sustained cooperation among the regulator, government, operators, investors and passengers.

‘We call on all stakeholders to sheath their swords and allow the positive steps being taken by the administration to cascade into meaningful gains for the country. Nigeria needs an aviation sector that is safe, efficient, competitive and capable of supporting economic growth. That objective will not be achieved through blame trading. It will be achieved through responsible regulation, compliance, investment and cooperation,’ the statement said.

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, has called on the people of the Niger Delta to reciprocate President Bola Tinubu’s developmental efforts by voting en masse for him in the 2027 elections.

Otuaro spoke in Abuja, where the PAP sent a new batch of 150 postgraduate scholarship beneficiaries to universities in the United Kingdom.

A statement signed by Otuaro’s Special Assistant on Media, Igoniko Oduma, said the figure brought the total number of offshore deployments the PAP, under the leadership of Dr Otuaro, had made this year to 243, with 93 dispatched in January and May.

The statement explained that before the recent deployments, about 270 had been sent to study programmes such as cyber security, software engineering, data science analytics, law, forensic audit, fintech analytics, construction engineering management, global public health, and oil and gas engineering at universities in the United Kingdom.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation for the 150 fresh beneficiaries held at the PAP headquarters, Otuaro described the scholarships as an investment in a greater tomorrow for communities in the Niger Delta and Nigeria.

He reiterated that the large-scale sponsorships were also aimed at sustaining peace and stability, closing the region’s human capital development gap, and building a substantial human resource base for the area.

Otuaro said, ‘We are again here to send some of the most brilliant and vibrant youths of the Niger Delta for postgraduate studies in select disciplines in the UK.

‘We are able to do this because our father and leader, Mr President, is committed to the peace, security and development of the Niger Delta.’

‘I must say that as a people, we should make sure we vote massively to ensure his victory in the 2027 general elections. This is the best way to show gratitude to a President who has taken these deliberate steps to help our people and the region.

‘This year, in January and May, we sent 93 beneficiaries for offshore post-graduate programmes. Now, we have 150 that we are sending abroad, and about 56 made first class while about 140 made second-class upper division. We already had 270 in UK universities before these recent deployments.

‘This exercise underscores our commitment to ensuring that the Niger Delta youths have greater access to higher education within and outside Nigeria as we build a solid foundation for the region’s future.’

According to him, the large-scale deployments were made possible by President Tinubu’s unprecedented support for the programme under his Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said, ‘As of today, we have 8700 in-country. That is what President Tinubu has done for the Niger Delta. By the grace of God, we will increase the number this year.

‘We have deployed 270 beneficiaries to offshore universities: 11 for undergraduate programmes, 238 for master’s degrees, and 21 for PhDs.

While 57 have graduated, many with distinction, 248 are in training. From onshore universities, we have recorded 54 master’s and doctoral graduates. In the 2024/2025 academic year, we recorded over 50 first-class and over 134 second-class upper division graduates.

‘That is our investment for a greater and better tomorrow because it will help our communities and our region tomorrow’, Dr Otuaro added.

He expressed appreciation to the President for his massive support, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his efficient supervision, deep insights and professional inputs that have helped the programme.

The PAP boss urged the beneficiaries to take their studies seriously and be good ambassadors of Nigeria and the Niger Delta, stressing that they are expected to come back home after their programmes and add value to their communities and nation-building in the spirit of patriotism.

He also advised them to respect the laws of the country in which they would be studying and the rules and regulations of their respective institutions.

Two of the beneficiaries, who spoke on behalf of others, Opukeme Gideon (MSc, Cyber Security, University of Aberdeen), and Afiyagba Peredisabofa (MSc, Oil and Gas, Coventry University), thanked President Tinubu and Dr Otuaro for the opportunity, pledging to study hard and make the nation and the region proud.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Dr Boladei Igali; Prof. Ben Binebai of the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State; Niger Delta activist, AnnKio Briggs; Senior Policy Adviser to the Delta State Governor, Funkekeme Solomon; and the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Dr Doubra Okotete, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for sustaining the programme and investing in the region’s youths.

They commended Otuaro for his vision and the expansion of the scholarship scheme, adding that ‘it is a legacy that will impact several generations.’

They also lauded the PAP helmsman for his sensitivity to gender parity in the painstaking selection process, pointing out that the female-to-male ratio was very pleasing.

At the event, the beneficiaries were sensitised on ‘Social and Cultural Dynamics’, ‘Academic and School Expectations of Your Trip’, ‘Security Dynamics of Schooling Abroad’, and ‘Obligations of the PAP Office to Beneficiaries/Economic Prudence’.

Other stakeholders of the Niger Delta present at the event were the PANDEF Secretary, Engr. Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack, and the Treasurer, Hon. Mrs Ifeoma Agbomah; and the Ijaw Women Connect (IWC) led by its President, Mrs Rosemary Oduone.

FirstBank has announced the inaugural public lecture of the FirstBank Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair in Business Ethics and Governance scheduled to hold at the University of Lagos on September 3, 2026.

The lecture, themed: ‘Business Ethics and the Future of Nigeria’s Economy,’ will bring together academics, students, business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other stakeholders to examine the critical role of ethics, integrity, accountability, and sustainability in shaping Nigeria’s economic future and fostering long-term national development.

The Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair in Business Ethics and Governance was created in honour of Samuel Asabia, the Bank’s first indigenous Managing Director. The Chair has served as a platform for promoting scholarly research, teaching, and thought leadership in business ethics, corporate governance, responsible leadership, and sustainable business practices.

In recognition of his exemplary leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s financial services sector, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, will serve as Chairman of the Lecture.

Speaking on the significance of the lecture, Olusegun Alebiosu stated: At FirstBank, we believe that sustainable economic progress is anchored on ethical leadership, strong governance, and responsible enterprise. The Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair represents our enduring commitment to advancing thought leadership and fostering meaningful dialogue on issues that shape the future of business and society. Through this inaugural public lecture, we are bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders to explore how integrity-driven leadership can strengthen institutions, enhance economic resilience, and accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward a more inclusive and prosperous future. We are proud to support this important platform for knowledge exchange and nation-building.’

The initiative further reflects FirstBank’s belief that sustainable development extends beyond financial performance to encompass ethical decision-making, responsible corporate citizenship, strong governance, and the development of future leaders capable of driving positive societal change.

The Chair is currently occupied by Professor Kenneth Amaeshi, an internationally recognised scholar whose work spans Sustainable Finance, Corporate Governance, Business Ethics, and Economic Development.

Through enduring investments in education, research, and thought leadership initiatives such as the Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair, FirstBank continues to contribute to the development of ideas, institutions, and leadership principles that support a more prosperous, ethical, and sustainable Nigeria.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has predicted a broader political realignment in the country ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying more politicians will soon join what he described as a ‘larger Rainbow Coalition’ in support of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking on Friday in Abuja during an inspection of major infrastructure projects in the FCT, Wike said the recent visit of Osun State Governor-elect Ademola Adeleke to President Tinubu pointed to the emerging political configuration ahead of the presidential election.

The minister, who has remained one of the most vocal figures in the political camp supporting President Tinubu despite his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the development should not be interpreted simply as an opposition alliance or partisan realignment.

According to him, the political landscape ahead of 2027 is changing rapidly, with politicians from different parties increasingly finding common ground around the Tinubu presidency.

Wike said Adeleke’s engagement with Tinubu showed that political actors can belong to different parties and still work together to secure the President’s victory in 2027.

‘What happened last night is a meeting to rebuild a larger Rainbow Coalition. And he (Adeleke) is supporting Mr President. He’s in a different party; I’m supporting Mr President, and I’m in a different party. So, it’s a larger Rainbow Coalition,’ Wike said.

He predicted the coalition would grow in the coming weeks, urging Nigerians to watch for further political moves ahead of the 2027 elections.

‘And in the next few weeks, watch what is going to happen. You will see a larger Rainbow Coalition in this country supporting Mr President,’ he said.

The FCT Minister’s comments come against the backdrop of growing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with politicians across party lines positioning themselves for the next electoral battle.

While opposition parties and political groups have continued efforts to build a formidable platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Wike argued that the opposition was currently too fragmented and weakened by internal crises to constitute a serious threat to Tinubu.

He dismissed the notion of a clearly defined ‘leading opposition’ party, insisting that the political landscape had changed considerably.

‘When you say opposition, I’ve told you I don’t know what you call opposition, as far as there is no opposition now,’ he said.

The minister also took a swipe at members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who, according to him, have claimed credit for Adeleke’s electoral success in Osun State.

Wike said such claims amounted to an attempt to reap political benefits from work they did not undertake.

‘All those ADC who are talking about ‘they helped Adeleke to win,’ they just wanted to go and harvest where they never planted,’ he said.

He maintained that Adeleke remained a member of the PDP despite securing his governorship ticket on the platform of the Accord Party, adding that the governor-elect’s political engagement with Tinubu was part of the wider realignment taking place across the country.

Wike’s remarks are significant coming from a senior PDP figure who has consistently supported Tinubu since the 2023 presidential election, despite the PDP being one of the major political platforms expected to challenge the President in 2027.

The minister has repeatedly justified his support for Tinubu on the grounds of political principles and national interest, while remaining critical of elements within his own party whom he blames for the PDP’s continuing crisis.

On Friday, he again argued that the PDP, which ordinarily should provide the strongest opposition to the ruling party, had been weakened by internal disagreements.

‘Ordinarily, it should have been PDP, but because of the crisis we’ve had, you can’t see a formidable party that you will call the leading opposition party,’ Wike said.

His comments appeared to be a direct response to questions about how opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, would interpret his interaction with Adeleke and the growing support for Tinubu.

Wike said he was not concerned about how political opponents viewed the emerging alliance.

He said, ‘I have told you when you say ‘leading opposition,’ I’ve told you that there’s no opposition.

‘What you have are people who are just trying to see whether they can be relevant’.

The minister further suggested that the political contest ahead of 2027 would be more favourable to Tinubu than some opposition figures might expect, given the fluidity of political alliances and the opposition’s inability to present a united front.

For Wike, the priority is victory, not political accommodation with opponents.

He said politicians should not expect him to make decisions based on whether such actions would be convenient for their political interests.

The minister’s position reinforces his increasingly prominent role in the political coalition backing Tinubu, despite his continued association with the PDP.

Wike was one of the five PDP governors who formed the G5 during the 2023 election cycle, demanding equity and internal reforms within the party.

The dispute eventually deepened divisions within the PDP, with Wike and his allies refusing to support the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Since Tinubu assumed office, Wike has maintained a working relationship with the Federal Government and has repeatedly expressed support for the President’s administration.

His latest comments suggest he expects more opposition politicians to cross party lines in support of Tinubu as 2027 draws closer.

While opposition groups have been exploring possible alliances, Wike argued that the absence of a dominant opposition platform has created room for the President to consolidate support across party lines.

One of the projects inspected was the N5 Extension in Life Camp, being constructed by Julius Berger.

The minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of the work and said the road was expected to be completed and handed over in December.

He also inspected the N1 Road project being executed by Arab Contractors.

Wike praised the quality of work on the project and confirmed that it was also scheduled for completion and handover in December.

The minister subsequently inspected the IBB International Golf Club, which is undergoing rehabilitation following intervention by President Tinubu.

He said the rehabilitation had become necessary, particularly because of complaints from members of the diplomatic community over its prolonged closure.

Wike directed that the facility must be reopened before the end of the year.

‘This golf course must be ready and be reopened by December. So we are giving it to Julius Berger to ensure that everything is done. And by December this year, the golf course will be reopened,’ he said.

According to him, Julius Berger was re-engaged for the rehabilitation because the company originally constructed the facility and therefore possessed the necessary technical knowledge of its design and standards.

He said physical work was expected to be completed by November, paving the way for the official reopening of the golf club in December.

Wike explained that the golf club was shut following an internal crisis, which eventually led to the appointment of a caretaker committee headed by the President of the Court of Appeal.

He commended the committee for its role in resolving the crisis and creating the conditions for the facility’s rehabilitation.

The minister, however, warned that the government would not continue to fund the club’s operations after its reopening.

He said the management must develop a sustainable revenue model capable of funding maintenance and other operational expenses.

‘I would believe, this time around, that when this is done, they should be able to raise funds by themselves to run this place. The government should not use public funds to come back to do it,’ he said.

Wike assured that the FCT Administration would continue to facilitate payments to contractors to ensure that the rehabilitation programme remained on schedule.

He stressed that the December reopening deadline for the IBB International Golf Club was sacrosanct.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on Nigerian journalists to prioritise the dignity, privacy, safety and best interests of children in their reporting.

The call was set out in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day national workshop on ethical reporting about children, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from August 19 to 20.

Organised under the auspices of the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) and UNICEF, the workshop brought together 40 journalists from the North Central, South East and South South geopolitical zones, representing print, broadcast and online media.

Participants deliberated on the ethical, legal and professional responsibilities of journalists in reporting on issues affecting children and adopted a number of resolutions to strengthen child-sensitive journalism.

They urged journalists to report issues involving children accurately, without presenting allegations as established facts.

They also advised media practitioners to use appropriate terms such as ‘alleged’ or ‘accused’ until guilt is established by a competent court, while avoiding graphic, sensational or unnecessary details that could expose children to further harm, stigma, discrimination or exploitation.

The participants stressed that children’s protection, medical care, psychological well-being and access to justice must remain central to reports involving them.

They also cautioned journalists against conducting interviews in ways that could cause further trauma or re-traumatisation.

According to the communiqué, journalists should seek relevant information from appropriate authorities, including the police and recognised child-protection agencies, when reporting cases involving children.

The participants further urged journalists to disclose any personal relationship or conflict of interest to their editors and, where necessary, allow another journalist to handle the assignment.

They said media reports should focus public attention on child protection, institutional response and accountability rather than unnecessary details of alleged sexual or other forms of abuse.

The workshop also called on media organisations to establish dedicated Child Rights Desks in their newsrooms to ensure sustained attention to issues affecting children and promote specialised reporting on children’s rights.

The participants urged bloggers and online journalism platforms to provide additional avenues for reporting child-rights issues while maintaining the same ethical, legal and professional standards expected of mainstream media.

Susan Akila of UNICEF, Temitoye Falayi of CRIB, Dr Geoffrey Njoku of Truevine Communications, Namsel Nimyel, former Executive Director of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Lanre Idowu of DAME, and Dr Jide Johnson of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism facilitated the workshop.

The training covered child rights and the role of the media, ethical principles in reporting children’s issues, balancing public interest with child protection, trauma-informed journalism, storytelling that protects and empowers, and the legal and institutional framework for reporting on children in Nigeria.

In their recommendations, the participants called for strengthening and sustaining the strategic partnership between UNICEF and the Guild of Editors on coverage of issues affecting children.

They said the partnership would strengthen newsrooms’ capacity to consistently and responsibly report issues affecting children and ensure that journalists’ efforts to amplify children’s rights and concerns receive institutional support.

The journalists also called on UNICEF to broaden its training programmes to include media owners, publishers and senior management of media organisations, including the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria and the National Broadcasting Organisations.

They said involving media owners and senior managers would help institutionalise child-sensitive reporting policies and practices across newsrooms.

The participants further recommended that media organisations develop and implement internal child-protection and ethical reporting policies to guide journalists and editors handling stories involving children.

They also called for regular training and capacity-building programmes for journalists, editors and other media professionals on child rights, trauma-informed journalism, digital safety, privacy and the legal framework governing the reporting of children in Nigeria.

The participants expressed appreciation to UNICEF for funding and sponsoring the training and retraining of journalists, saying the initiative would strengthen responsible media coverage of children’s issues and contribute to protecting and promoting children’s rights.

They also appreciated the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the Child Rights Information Bureau for supporting initiatives to strengthen ethical and responsible reporting on children.

The participants reaffirmed their commitment to journalism that informs, protects and empowers children, stressing that while the media has a critical role in amplifying children’s voices and exposing violations of their rights, reportage should not become a source of further harm.

The resolutions are consistent with concerns raised by UNICEF and other facilitators at the Port Harcourt workshop that sensationalism, inappropriate identification and intrusive reporting can expose vulnerable children to stigma and further trauma.

Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have called for better reporting of domestic child workers to avoid harm falling on them.

The NGOs, Freedom Fund, in collaboration with Street Project Foundation(SPF), and Cece Yara Foundation, among others, made the call yesterday during the launch of a document titled, ”Ethical Media Reporting guidelines,” in Ikeja, Lagos.

Founder, SPF, Mrs Rita Ezenwa-Okoro, lamented that images and words affect child domestic workers, adding that this is why the law disallows their being reported.

”I’m really excited that we get to do the document. It’s a step in the right direction in protecting child domestic workers from harm,” she said.

After the launch, Ezenwa-Okoro added, there would be follow ups with their media partners to see how the guidelines had been of help to them, adding that they would assess how effective they had been. ”And it will go to show, based on the kinds of reports that we get going forward, that it does protect the rights of the child.”

The book was the outcome of a year’s work involving SPF, Freedom Fund and their partners.

She thanked the Freedom Fund and their implementation partners for making the launch possible.

The Chief Operating Officer, SPF, Eduvie Olutimayin, reiterated on better reporting of cases of child domestic workers’ abuse.She said there was the need to mask the affected children.The guidelines, as the title implies, she said, would guide reporters to do their work better.

She frowned at the mentioning of names and places of victims of abuse as well as use of their photographs, saying that these could affect them in future

”We believe that when we change the narrative, we change the norm. And when we change the norm, we change the lives of these children.

”The children at the centre of this are denied school, denied rest, denied childhood, and in many cases, denied dignity and safety.Yet their stories are rarely told. And even when they are told, they are told wrongly.

”As journalists, you hold the pen, the mic, the camera. You decide what the public sees.You decide whether a story generates outrage, empathy, or indifference.That is why we cannot fight to end exploitative child domestic work without working with you, the media,” she said.

She recalled that for years in Lagos, and indeed across Nigeria, child domestic work has been normalised.We call them house helps, apprenticeships.We post media responses to them on WhatsApp groups, and in the process, we are hiding the face of exploitation behind family framing, culture, poverty, and silence.

She urged media partnership on the eradication of child domestic abuse.”We want to work with you on stories, data, and on campaigns. We want your newsrooms to be a safe space where ethical reporting thrives,”, she said.

The manual highlights privacy, dignity, non-identification child-safe language and responsible images for child domestic workers.

Head of Programmes, Cece Yara Foundation, Mr Damilola Adenusi, noted that issues of social violence are common in the society, calling for journalists’ support to expose and stop them.

Multinational professional services network, PricewaterhouseCoopers, also known as (PwC) has projected Nigeria’s real gross domestic product (GDP) growth by 4.3per cent in in the second half (H2) 2026 supported by higher crude oil production and stronger performance in dominant sectors.

‘Nigeria’s economic outlook remains positive, although the second half of the year will continue to be shaped by domestic and external risks. Real GDP growth is projected at 4.3% for 2026, supported by higher crude oil production and stronger performance in dominant sectors. Inflation is expected to moderate, although food-price pressures, other supply-side shocks and pre-election spending could create upside risks,’ PwC’s latest Economic Outlook released yesterday noted.

It said the naira is expected to remain broadly stable, supported by improved external buffers and foreign-exchange market reforms, but it remains exposed to shifts in oil prices, capital flows and domestic FX demand. Monetary policy is expected to remain relatively tight, with room for gradual rate reductions if the decline in inflation is sustained. Fiscal pressures may also persist as continued spending needs, the budget deficit, and government financing requirements place demands on available resources.

‘The central task for Nigeria in H2 2026 is therefore not simply to preserve macroeconomic stability. It is to make that stability work more effectively for households and businesses. Progress will depend on lowering essential costs, expanding access to finance, improving infrastructure and productivity, and converting stronger investor interest into productive investment and jobs.

‘Successfully navigating this next phase would allow Nigeria to move beyond stabilisation and begin unlocking the broader reform dividend through stronger incomes, improved welfare and more inclusive economic growth,’ it said.

According to its latest Economic Outlook released yesterday, PwC said fiscal pressures may persist in H2 2026, driven by continued spending needs, a persistent budget deficit and elevated government financing requirements.

In its bullet highlight of the report on exchange rate outlook, it said: ‘The naira is expected to remain broadly stable but susceptible to volatility from global oil prices, capital flows and domestic foreign exchange demand conditions.’

On interest rate outlook, it said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is expected to maintain a tight monetary policy stance, with scope for gradual rate cuts if the decline in inflation is sustained.

Co-authored by Partner, Chief Economist and Lead, Strategyand West Africa, Olusegun Zaccheaus; Partner, and Clients and Market Leader, West Market, Pedro Omontuemhen; Director, Akolawole Odunlami; and Manager / Lead Economist, Adesola Borokini, PhD, the report also examined the performance of the first six months of the economy,

According to PwC, economic activity remained resilient in the first half of the year, but the pattern of growth was uneven.

‘GDP growth in Q1 was driven by stronger activity in ICT, Finance and Insurance, Construction and Agriculture. At the same time, the PMI weakened during the second quarter, recovering only marginally to 50.1 in June. Agriculture remained in expansion, while industry, services and new orders were below the 50-point threshold. Seventeen of the 36 subsectors tracked were in contraction, highlighting the continued pressure on parts of the real economy,’ noted the report.

Foreign exchange conditions, it said, strengthened, there was improved official-market liquidity, and larger external buffers supported naira stability, while capital importation rose to $10.37 billion in Q1 2026. ‘Yet the composition of these flows remain important. Foreign portfolio investment accounted for $9.86 billion, or 95.1per cent of total capital inflows, while FDI (foreign direct investment) accounted for only 1.3per cent. This underscores the need to convert improved investor confidence into longer-term investment in productive assets, businesses, and infrastructure.

‘Fiscal revenue also strengthened, although execution pressures remain. Total distributable FAAC revenue rose to ?2.55 trillion in June, supported by stronger statutory revenue and VAT collections. At the same time, revenue performance against budget targets has been uneven, while continued spending requirements, government borrowing, and overlapping budget cycles may constrain fiscal flexibility and the pace of capital-project delivery.

‘For households, improvements in headline inflation have provided limited relief. Food inflation rose to 17.52per cent in June, while the cost of a healthy diet reached ?1,589 per adult per day in April. Buying conditions for consumer durables, vehicles, and property also remained weak; reflecting the continued pressure of essential spending on household budgets,’ PwC said in the H1 2026 outlook.

The Ondo and Edo Police commands have begun a ‘joint clearance operation’ on the border communities of the two states to dislodge criminal elements and destroy their hideouts in the flashpoints area.

The operation, which started yesterday, is being led by the Police Commissioner in Ondo,.Felix Ohagwu, in collaboration with his Edo State counterpart, Patrick Daaor.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo, Jimoh Abayomi, the exercise involves tactical teams drawn from both commands and would be sustained.

Abayomi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the operation is focused on the Ondo-Edo border axis, particularly Ala, Ifon, Okelusi and other identified flashpoints and adjoining communities believed to be vulnerable to criminal activities.

He also said the operation comprised intelligence-led patrols, coordinated raids, surveillance and targeted clearance of identified criminal flashpoints and suspected hideouts.

Abayomi added that the exercise is also aimed at disrupting the movement and infiltration of criminal elements across the two states while curbing cross-border criminal activities and also strengthening security.

‘The operation was in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which emphasises intelligence-driven policing, inter-command collaboration, proactive crime prevention and sustained efforts to rid communities of criminal activities,’ the statement added.

Ohagwu assured residents of the border communities of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

He urged community leaders, residents and other stakeholders to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information that could assist the police in identifying, tracking and apprehending criminals.

‘The fight against crime is a collective responsibility,’ Ohagwu said.

He assured the residents that the joint operation would be sustained with the objective of making the Ondo-Edo border corridor safer and increasingly hostile to criminals and their activities.

Ohagwu, however, called for continued cooperation from residents and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the operation.

Arsenal’s new signing Bruno Guimaraes is doubtful for today’s Premier League opener against promoted Coventry City, manager Mikel Arteta said as he acknowledged that they must try to keep ?players fit as they face the task of defending the title.

Brazil midfielder Guimaraes joined Newcastle United this month for a fee put at £75 million ($102 million) by British media. The 28-year-old applied ice to his leg after he came off in Sunday’s Community Shield win over Manchester City.

‘It’s evolving well, but?let’s see,’ Arteta told reporters on Thursday about Guimaraes’ fitness problem.

Injuries threatened Arsenal’s title ?charge last term as they missed key players at crucial times, with Kai ?Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and others absent for long periods.

‘The more dominant we are, the ?bigger the margins, the better… we need to improve the availability of the squad in certain ?areas in order for those margins to become much bigger,’ Arteta said.

Arsenal, third on the all-time list with 14 English top-flight titles, have never retained the Premier League trophy, although they won three championships in a row ?back in the 1930s, but Arteta said this season feels different.

‘I feel good. Different. Hopefully better. ?More excited than ever, hungrier than ever … I have no question that our players have the desire. Now it’s ?we have to do daily,’ he said.

Arteta said Arsenal were trying to reinforce their defensive options amid media reports saying they have agreed a £51 million deal with Aston Villa to sign England centre-back Ezri Konsa.

‘When we’re ready to announce something, we’ll let you ?know,’ the Spaniard added.

Arteta ?also put to bed ?reports linking the versatile Myles Lewis-Skelly with a move away from Arsenal, saying he was ‘100% sure’ that the 19-year-old would remain at the club.

But ?the manager acknowledged that some players might have to leave, amid speculation ?that Gabriel Martinelli, ?Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri could depart.

‘It’s a really, really tough moment … but you have to face it with a real honesty and transparency,’ he said.

‘We all know everything has a start and an ?end. ?When it ends, our job and duty is to do ?it in the best possible way, with respect and admiration for the player and the relationship. But at the end, ?we need to make difficult decisions.’

As part of efforts to increase Nigeria’s tax-to-Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) ratio, the Office of the Tax Ombud and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) have agreed to explore inter-agency collaboration aimed at attracting more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country’s oil and gas free zones, by addressing tax and fee-related grievances through effective and efficient mediation services provided by the country’s foremost tax dispute-resolution institution.

The resolution was reached when the Tax Ombud Chief Executive, Dr. John C. Nwabueze visited OGFZA on Wednesday.

Nwabueze told the OGFZA Managing Director, Alhaji Usman Bamanga Jada, that the proposed collaboration was a panacea for promoting fair, transparent, predictable and investor-friendly tax administration within Nigeria’s oil and gas free zones.

‘I am very much aware that OGFZA regulates and coordinates activities in the zones, grants permits and licences, administers incentives and resolves disputes among stakeholders.

The Office of the Tax Ombud complements these functions by providing an independent channel for reviewing and resolving complaints relating to taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs duties and excise matters.’

He said the two government agencies could collaborate in areas, including taxpayer complaint resolution, clarification of tax incentives, review of systemic complaints, and the promotion of transparency and accountability. These efforts, he said, would contribute to increased voluntary tax compliance and engender a higher tax-to-GDP ratio, which is critical to national development and consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Responding, Jada said that investors in Nigeria’s oil and gas free zones have benefited from incentives, tax exemptions and customs duty concessions, deliberately introduced by the Federal Government to encourage sustainable FDI inflows into the country, as well as private-sector-driven infrastructure development and employment generation.

He said that collaboration with the Office of the Tax Ombud will advance OGFZA’s mandate, adding that the visit was timely, as it would help build investor confidence and promote business activities, particularly within the special economic zones that the Authority is championing across the country.

As part of efforts to translate the proposed collaboration into concrete action, both government agencies have appointed liaison officers to coordinate the relationship and facilitate the achievement of the desired objectives within the shortest possible time.