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Ibironke Ayanu: Meet Nigerian legal scholar named University of Saskatchewan law dean

Nigerian legal scholar Ibironke Odumosu-Ayanu has been appointed Dean of the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in Canada.

Odumosu-Ayanu, currently a professor and the college’s Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, will assume office on October 1, 2026, for an initial five-year term.

The University of Saskatchewan announced the appointment through its Interim Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Patti McDougall, who commended Odumosu-Ayanu’s contributions to legal scholarship, teaching and academic leadership.

She succeeds Martin Phillipson, who served two five-year terms as dean before proceeding on administrative leave on July 1, 2026.

Professor Doug Surtees, the current interim dean, will continue in the role until Odumosu-Ayanu formally assumes office.

As dean, Odumosu-Ayanu is expected to strengthen the college’s position in legal education and research, expand its work in Indigenous legal scholarship and deepen its relationships with communities in Canada and internationally.

Raised in Lagos, Odumosu-Ayanu initially planned to pursue postgraduate studies in England, which she regarded as the traditional choice for Nigerian students seeking education abroad.

However, her plans changed after she became interested in the University of Calgary, particularly because of its expertise in natural resources, energy, and environmental law.

She secured funding for an LLM programme at the University of Calgary and relocated to Canada. At the time, she intended to return to Nigeria after completing her studies and establish a career in legal practice.

However, her academic journey took another direction when she proceeded to the University of British Columbia, where she obtained a PhD.

Her passion for reading and writing played a major role in the decision to remain in academia. Rather than returning immediately to legal practice, she chose to pursue doctoral studies and eventually built a career as a university scholar.

In 2008, she joined the University of Saskatchewan College of Law. She said she was attracted to the institution by the welcoming nature of its students and wider community.

A mentor from UBC who had grown up in Saskatoon had earlier encouraged her to prepare for Canada’s harsh winters by purchasing a quality parka.

Almost 20 years later, the parka remains with her, while Saskatoon has become home to Odumosu-Ayanu, her husband and their two children.

Odumosu-Ayanu’s scholarship centres on business and human rights, international investment law and the governance of natural resources.

Much of her work examines the relationship between legal and investment decisions and their consequences for communities affected by natural resource development.

Her interest in law developed from an early passion for reading and writing. As a child, she enjoyed creating stories and was interested in communication, which eventually led her to choose law as her profession.

She studied law at the University of Lagos, earning her Bachelor of Laws degree, before pursuing an LLM at the University of Calgary and a PhD at the University of British Columbia.

At the University of Saskatchewan, she has combined academic research with teaching, mentoring students and supervising graduate researchers.

Her teaching has earned several awards, including the Provost’s College Award for Outstanding Teaching in 2012 and the USask InterD Advisor Award in 2026.

Beyond the university, Odumosu-Ayanu has contributed to professional and academic organisations through board and advisory roles. Her service has included involvement with professional associations, scholarly journals and community organisations such as the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association.

IMF Flags SOEs Board Politicisation

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns about the politicisation of boards and chief executive appointments at the country’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), saying it remains highly political and centralised in the Presidency despite efforts to establish a more structured and merit-based system.

According to the IMF Technical Assistance Report, boards of major SOEs are largely dominated by political appointees, with board chairs frequently being ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs) or prominent party officials.

The report cited the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), which its 10-member board is chaired by the National Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, as an example.

It also noted that the board of the Volta River Authority (VRA) included prominent politicians alongside technocrats and a traditional leader.

The IMF said the situation represented a significant departure from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines, which caution against active politicians serving on SOE boards and emphasise independent and professional majorities.

The report said Ghana was formally developing a more structured, merit-based nomination framework for SOE boards and chief executive officers, but the framework was still at an early stage of implementation.

It said the framework required the government, through the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), to identify, vet and shortlist candidates for board and chief executive positions, establish a pool of potential directors and define due processes for removals based on Cabinet-approved benchmarks.

The framework also requires mandatory corporate governance training for newly appointed SOE board members, with additional training based on the outcomes of annual board evaluations.

However, the IMF said in practice, chief executive appointments remained largely political, with SOE boards playing only a limited role in the selection process.

It said chief executives or managing directors were typically appointed by the President, often in consultation with the relevant minister, rather than being selected through a competitive process and appointed by the respective SOE boards.

The report said the arrangement weakened the accountability link between board oversight and management performance.

‘Boards can influence CEO tenures informally but are not the ultimate decision-makers,’ the IMF said, adding that the arrangement could discourage boards from robustly challenging management.

It said the situation could also incentivise chief executives to respond more to political principals than to their boards.

The IMF further observed that formal and transparent procedures for selecting and appointing SOE board members and chief executives remained insufficiently articulated and institutionalised.

It said appointments at some entities were not guided by clear merit-based criteria, competency profiles or standardised vetting procedures, thereby increasing the risk of politicisation and weakening accountability.

According to the report, such weaknesses could undermine the effectiveness of SOE boards, dilute fiduciary responsibility and adversely affect the performance of state-owned enterprises.

It said strengthening the appointment processes in line with international good practice was therefore necessary.

The IMF also said that although the ultimate authority to appoint SOE board members and executives rested with the President, the absence of clear and transparent selection procedures could undermine the President’s ability to identify and appoint the best talent for the positions.

It further raised concerns about limited public disclosure of the criteria used for appointments and the outcomes of board evaluations.

The report said this contrasted with OECD guidelines and international best practice, under which ownership entities typically publish competency frameworks for directors, use open or professional search processes and disclose the skills composition of boards.

The IMF acknowledged recent reforms by SIGA to introduce greater structure and capacity into the appointment process, including the development of a pool of directors, governance training and annual board evaluations.

It, however, said SIGA continued to face difficulties in finding enough suitably skilled and experienced candidates, particularly in technical sectors.

The IMF urged the government to encourage SOE board members to undertake structured training programmes in corporate governance and board effectiveness to strengthen oversight, improve decision-making and support better financial performance.

Gunmen kill four mobile policemen, eight residents in Benue community

Armed bandits have killed four mobile policemen and eight residents of Ayilamo, Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Ayilamo is a farming community located along the Abinsi-Tyulen-Anyiin-Wukari Road.

The settlement has come under several attacks by armed bandits.

According to Tyolumun Ugande, a resident of Ayilamo, more than 200 armed bandits stormed the community from the Alufu Road axis of Taraba State and advanced towards Ayilamo, shooting and setting houses ablaze.

A detachment of mobile policemen deployed to Ayilamo confronted the bandits, who were said to be armed with sophisticated weapons.

Ugande said that after several hours of exchange of gunfire, the bandits retreated, but four bodies of mobile policemen killed in the attack were discovered in the bush on Friday morning.

He said, ‘We also discovered eight bodies of residents of Ayilamo who were killed by the bandits.’

The Divisional Police Officer in Ayilamo confirmed the killings and attack, saying, ‘We have asked for reinforcement.’

Another resident, James Udough, told The Nation that the latest incident was the second time in one month that mobile policemen deployed to Ayilamo had been killed.

He said, ‘The bandits have been trying to set the whole Ayilamo ablaze for more than two years now. We call on the Benue and Federal Governments to help secure our land and lives.’

The Nation learnt that the series of attacks on Ayilamo may be connected to reports of large mineral deposits within and around the community.

Delayed justice complaints dominate 3rd Court Open Day

Complaints of delayed justice dominated the third National Court Open Day at Kololo Independence Grounds on Thursday September 10, 2026, with court users saying prolonged case handling is frustrating efforts to resolve disputes, including through mediation.

Several litigants who interacted with Judiciary officials said delays persist even after parties have reached amicable settlements through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Dr Aisha Bukenya, a local medicine manufacturer under Marvid Pharmaceuticals, said she had successfully mediated a dispute against Royal Group of Pakistan in December last year but was still waiting for the court to release security deposits as ordered.

‘We were able to reach a conclusion between the two parties but up to today, the court has not been able to pay us the security deposit as per court orders passed,’ Dr Bukenya said.

She said the delay had been attributed to technicalities surrounding file numbers, which she argued could have been resolved quickly.

Another court user, who declined to give his name, said he had been involved in a land dispute dating back to the early 1990s which has since reached the appellate stage. He said he had discovered that there was no memorandum of appeal on his file, raising concerns about the progress of the case.

The litigant also criticised some defence lawyers, accusing them of unnecessarily prolonging cases for financial gain. He alleged that some lawyers demand payment whenever they attend court, which he said had discouraged him from relying on legal representation.

‘As you know, lawyers whenever they come to court; they want you to pay them Shs300,000. This scared me and I thought this one also wanted to milk money out of me, which is the reason why I decided to come to court myself,’ he said.

The grievances were welcomed by the Judiciary, which said feedback from court users was important in identifying challenges and developing interventions to improve service delivery.

Deputy Chief Justice Moses Kawumi Kazibwe implored citizens to embrace alternative dispute mechanisms like mediation, reasoning that these are less costly and not lengthy.

‘These mechanisms bring justice closer to the people and reduce the financial and emotional burden associated with prolonged litigation,’ he said.

Mr James Ereemye Mawanda, the Judiciary spokesperson, said officials attending to the public at the Open Day had directed complainants to relevant sections of the courts for assistance, unlike the previous open court days when they had a question-and-answer session.

‘We have encouraged the court users to go to those different stalls like Land, Commercial, Family, so anyone with an issue, when you go to any of those stalls, you will really get quick responses,’ Mr Ereemye said.

The third National Court Open Day was held under the theme ‘Delivering Inclusive, Efficient and Effective Justice.’

The annual event provides an opportunity for members of the public to interact directly with judicial officers and Judiciary officials and seek guidance on the justice system.

Among the services being explained to the public are filing and management of cases, bail and bail refunds, payment of court fees, access to judgments and rulings, appeals and execution of court decisions.

The event also allows the Judiciary to receive complaints and feedback from litigants on challenges they encounter while seeking justice.

The complaints come at a time when the Judiciary continues to face a heavy caseload and concerns over delays in the disposal of cases, with alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation being promoted as one of the ways of reducing the backlog.

Xenophobic Attack: Aiyedatiwa empowers Ondo returnees from South Africa with N45M

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has called on indigenes of the state evacuated from South Africa following ‘xenophobic attacks’ to turn their ordeal into an opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute to the development of the state.

Aiyedatiwa gave the advice on Friday during the presentation of financial assistance to 45 returnees at an official welcoming and empowerment programme held at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Akure.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations in the state.

Speaking at the programme, Aiyedatiwa said his administration is prepared to support the returnees to rebuild their lives and contribute to the development of their various communities in the state.

The governor, who presented N1 million each to the 45 returnees, amounting to N45 million, said the financial support will enable them restart their businesses and establish sustainable means of livelihood after returning home.

According to him, the intervention was part of his administration’s commitment to supporting vulnerable citizens and ensuring that indigenes forced to return home were not left without assistance.

He specifically noted that the returnees should see their experiences abroad as lessons that could be transformed into opportunities, rather than allowing the ordeal to discourage them.

‘Look around, look for opportunities, see the needs and meet the needs. That’s how to make money. There are needs everywhere when you look,’ Aiyedatiwa said.

He said the government was interested not only in providing immediate relief but also in empowering the returnees to become economically productive and self-reliant.

Assuring the returnees of government’s support as they reintegrate into their communities, the governor stressed that Ondo State remained their home and would continue to provide opportunities for them to thrive.

He explained that reintegration must go beyond bringing the returnees home to encompass skills development, economic support, counselling, entrepreneurship and the provision of an enabling environment.

The governor, however, advised the returnees to reconnect with their local governments and extended families and reintegrate into their communities.

‘As long as you are Nigerian, you can live in any part of the country. In South Africa, they don’t want to see you but there is nowhere we want to send you to.

‘Nigeria has to receive you back as citizens of this country. And since you have traced your roots back to Ondo State, we also receive you as our own,’ he added.

He commended the Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora for the safe return of the affected indigenes, describing their intervention as necessary in ensuring that the returnees were reunited with their families.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations in the State, Hon Wale Akinlosotu said the reception demonstrated that Ondo State remained home to its people regardless of where they had lived.

Akinlosotu described the event as more than a ceremony, saying the governor’s intervention reflected his commitment to the welfare and dignity of Ondo indigenes.

He commended governor Aiyedatiwa for his ‘magnanimous intervention and compassionate leadership’ after being informed about the plight of the returnees.

The commissioner urged the beneficiaries to see the financial support support as a foundation for rebuilding their lives and not merely as financial assistance.

Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Ajibade James Ogunleye lauded the state government for receiving them with dignity and compassion.

Ogunleye said the returnees endured several difficulties in South Africa, including alleged violent attacks, challenges relating to permits and healthcare, and the loss of businesses and properties.

He explained that the evacuation provided an escape route for many of them, noting that some were forced to abandon businesses and properties they had painstakingly built in South Africa to return home safely.

He appreciated the federal and state governments for facilitating their evacuation, providing accommodation and supporting their reintegration.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olumide Aserere, also commended stakeholders involved in the evacuation and reintegration exercise.

Aserere particularly appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for supporting the returnees, saying the intervention demonstrated the administration’s commitment to the welfare of Ondo citizens.

The Nation recall that the beneficiaries had earlier been evacuated from South Africa following reported xenophobic attacks and other hostile experiences faced by Nigerians and other African nationals in the country.

 Respite for motorists in Zuba as FCTA clears refuse dump

There is respite for motorists plying the federal highway in Zuba, Abuja, following the evacuation of a refuse heap that had occupied part of the road and contributed to traffic gridlock in the area.

The Abuja Metro reporter, who visited the area yesterday, observed a contractor engaged by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) evacuating the refuse from the site.

Speaking at the site, a staff member of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Abolarin Olorunleke, said the exercise, which began a day earlier, was expected to be completed yesterday.

Olorunleke, the STDD supervisor in charge of refuse evacuation in Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils, said the exercise would henceforth be carried out for two days at the end of every month.

He said the exercise was part of a two-year contract awarded by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for sanitation activities across the six area councils.

According to him, the contract covers the evacuation of refuse from dumpsites and the clearing of drainages around expressways.

About three trucks were seen at the site, collecting refuse loaded by a payloader.

A commercial driver operating along the route, Michiel Olusoga, commended the exercise, saying it would provide relief for motorists using the Zuba highway.

He, however, urged the STDD to provide refuse containers around the area to discourage indiscriminate dumping and ensure regular evacuation of waste.

‘This would go a long way in giving the area a befitting face, not the way it currently looks whenever you have a deposit of heap here,’ he said.

The chairman of the traders’ union at the nearby Zuba Fruits Market, Ibrahim Muhammad Talba, also commended the FCT minister for renewing the refuse evacuation contract after what he described as months of delay.

Talba urged the FCT Administration to sustain the exercise to ensure free flow of traffic along the highway and prevent flooding in the area.

Will More Arms Address Insecurity?

The federal government has taken delivery of a fresh consignment of military equipment from the United States in a renewed effort to tackle insecurity in Nigeria.

The equipment was transported to Nigeria aboard a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft under the Foreign Military Sales arrangement between Washington and Abuja.

The US Africa Command disclosed the development on Thursday via its official X account, describing the delivery as another sign of the expanding security partnership between the two countries.

The equipment, which arrived over the weekend, is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond to terrorism and other security threats. AFRICOM said the consignment was supplied under a foreign military sales agreement intended to deepen defence cooperation between the United States and Nigeria.

The delivery comes as Nigeria continues to battle terrorist and insurgent groups and seek greater international support for its counter-terrorism operations.

The deployment of a C-17 Globemaster III for the latest delivery highlights the logistical dimension of the partnership, allowing military equipment to be transported directly in support of Nigeria’s defence requirements.

AFRICOM did not disclose details of the equipment delivered or its value.

The relationship between America and Nigeria took a significant turn after President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’

Trump had accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government of condoning killings and threatened to attack Nigeria.

However, the federal government sent a high-powered delegation to Washington and the American contingent also visited Nigeria.

The US consequently sent special forces to the country and both countries carried out targeted operations. But last month, Dagvin Anderson, the AFRICOM commander, announced that the US had pulled back many of its troops in Nigeria following the May operation that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of the Islamic State (ISIS) group in the Lake Chad Basin.

American and Nigerian officials said the relatively small deployment to the West African nation made significant impacts.

Small teams of trainers and intelligence analysts are, however, expected to remain after the larger contingent leaves by late September.

The report noted that American officials described the deployment of troops in Nigeria as a model for future operations in Africa.

Meanwhile, the Presidency welcomed the latest delivery of military equipment by the US to the Nigerian Air Force, saying it is a demonstration of the security partnership between the two countries.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this in a post on his X handle, also sharing the release by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).

‘A United States Air Force C-17 aircraft has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force as part of the partnership agreement between the two countries,’ Onanuga wrote.

US security cooperation with Nigeria

For more than 50 years, the United States and Nigeria have enjoyed a strong security partnership. The US-Nigeria relationship is very crucial in sub-Saharan Africa, given Nigeria’s status as Africa’s most populous country with the largest economy.The United States works closely with Nigeria, both bilaterally and through regional and multilateral fora like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS, and the African Union.

The two countries’ joint efforts are focused on increasing cooperation on maritime and border security, military capacity and counterterrorism efforts against Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa.

The Department of State provides Nigeria with one of the highest International Military Education and Training (IMET) allocations in sub-Saharan Africa, with approximately $5 million obligated from 2019 to 2023.

From 2016 to 2020, $1.8 million was obligated for Nigeria in Foreign Military Financing to support maritime security, military professionalisation, and counterterrorism efforts.

Nigeria is an active member of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP) and has benefited from over $8 million worth of training, equipment, and advisory support for counterterrorism efforts between 2019 and 2023.

The United States has $590 million in active government-to-government sales cases with Nigeria under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system. Significant sales include the 2017 sale of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft worth $497 million to support Nigerian military operations against Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa.

The case included special training on International Humanitarian Law, including an Air-to-Ground Integration (AGI) programme designed to provide institutional and technical training to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in order to mitigate the risk of civilian harm incidents.

In August 2025, Nigeria delivered the first payment for 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters worth $997 million. The FMS case includes an additional $25 million of funding allocated for Nigeria’s AGI programme, which continues to train the AFN on developing targeting processes that are legally compliant with International Humanitarian Law.

From 2018 to 2022, the United States also authorised the permanent export of over $53 million in defense articles to Nigeria via the Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) process. The top three categories of defense exports to Nigeria were Fire Control, Laser, Imaging, and Guidance Equipment; Firearms and Related Articles and Guns and Armament.

Building on the AGI programme, the Department of State has obligated $941,000 in Peacekeeping Operations Funds (PKO) since 2021 for advisory services to the AFN to enhance accountability and justice by developing systems and practices on civilian harm mitigation.

In 2011 and 2015 Nigeria received $15 million in defense articles granted under the Excess Defense Articles programme, to include 24 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and two Hamilton-class US Coast Guard high endurance cutters – the USCGC Chase and USCGC Gallatin – which entered service in the Nigerian Navy as Thunder and Okpabana in 2011 and 2014, respectively.

In 2016, the United States and Nigeria signed an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement to exchange common types of support, including food, fuel, transportation, ammunition, and equipment.

Since 2000, the United States has had a Status of Forces Agreement with Nigeria establishing the legal framework under which US military personnel may operate when present in Nigeria.

Since 1993, the United States has provided $2.14 million to support conventional weapons destruction and humanitarian mine action programs in Nigeria. In March 2017, the Department of Defense donated demining and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) equipment to Nigeria and provides mine action training for Nigeria’s EOD teams at the Nigerian School of Military Engineering.

According to the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, the full extent of contamination from landmines and other explosive remnants of war is not known, but incidents have been reported in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.

Nigeria participates in multiple bilateral and multilateral military exercises with the United States, including African Lion, Flintlock, and Obangame Express.

Equipment delivered 1 year after US notice of weapons sale

Although details of the military consignment could not be immediately ascertained, Daily Trust reports that the delivery is coming one year after the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, in a letter dated August 13, 2025, wrote to the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, through its Director, Michael F. Miller, informing the House of its intention to sell defence articles and services estimated to cost $346 million to Nigerian Government.

Major Defence Equipment (MDE) to supply Nigeria includes: 1,002 MK-82 general purpose 500 lb bombs; 1,002 MXU-650 air foil groups (AFGs) for 500 lb

Paveway II GBU-12; 515 MXU-1006 AFGs for 250 lb Paveway II GBU-58; 1,517 MAU-169 or MAU-209 computer control groups for Paveway II GBU-12/GBU-58; 1,002 FMU-152 joint programmable fuzes; 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II all-up-rounds (each consisting of one WGU-59/B guidance section, high-explosive warhead, and MK66-4 rocket motor).

However, this paper could not establish whether the equipment delivered is the same as the items listed in the letter.

According to the US Government document, non-MDE items will include: FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes; bomb components, impulse cartridges, and high-explosive and practice rockets; integration support and test equipment; US Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support; personnel services; and other related elements of logistical and programme support.

According to the letter, this proposed sale would support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the US by improving the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.

It stated further that the proposed sale will improve Nigeria’s capability to meet current and future threats through operations against terrorist organisations and to counter illicit trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea. The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region, the letter added.

‘The principal contractors will be RTX Missiles and Defence, located in Tucson, AZ; Lockheed Martin Corporation, located in Archibald, PA; and BAE Systems, located in Hudson, NH. At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

‘Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional US Government or contractor representatives to Nigeria. There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale,’ it stated.

Nigeria’s arms suppliers

Aside from the US, Nigeria has maintained strategic partnerships with several countries with regard to the acquisition of military equipment. Nigeria partners with Turkey to deepen cooperation on joint production, technology transfer and local manufacturing of defense systems.

China is a major supplier of various military platforms, including combat drones (such as CH-4 UAVs) and armored vehicles to Nigeria; South Korea supplies naval vessels and defense technology; Russia historically provides helicopters, transport aircraft, and associated maintenance or hardware support, while South Africa supplies armored personnel carriers and specialised tactical equipment.

Pakistan also supplied aircraft, drones, and armored vehicles to Nigeria. The deal included the delivery of 30 K-8 trainer/attack aircraft, 40 Shahpar-2 drones, 200 MR-10 drones, and 230 ASV Mohafiz-IV armored vehicles, with a total estimated value of $230 million in August 2025.

In December 2025, Nigeria acquired 24 M-346FA fighter aircraft from Italy in a deal that represents the largest single purchase of military jets by any country in West Africa. The government also imported arms and ammunition, parts and accessories from the Netherlands in 2023.

Nigeria and Saudi Arabia entered into a new five-year defence partnership aimed at expanding military cooperation between the two countries to cover strategic collaboration across security, military training, intelligence sharing, defence production, and joint operations for sustainable security development.

In October 2024, the United Kingdom donated technical, non-lethal military equipment worth £450,000 to the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Nigeria maintains cooperation with France to enhance bilateral military collaboration through strategic dialogue, joint training, intelligence sharing, capacity building and other areas of mutual interest.

More US military equipment shows growing Nigeria ties – Gen. Mohammed

Major General Umar I. Mohammed (retd) described the latest supply of military equipment from the United States to Nigeria as an indication of a growing military relationship between both countries.

Mohammed said the development was significant, particularly because the US had previously been reluctant to support Nigeria with military equipment.

‘It’s actually an indication of a growing US-Nigeria relationship, especially militarily. So, it’s an indication that we’re getting closer to one another in terms of the military. One of the key problems we had before is the fact that the US was actually reluctant to support us with equipment. So, I think it’s very positive that they are giving us equipment,’ he said.

However, he noted that the increased supply of military equipment should not be interpreted as a direct solution to the country’s worsening insecurity.

According to him, the emergence or escalation of security threats is not necessarily linked to the quantity of military equipment available to the country.

‘You see, the question is that there is what is called a threat analysis. When you say threat analysis, the threat is not in relation to the equipment you have. There are so many things that spark a crisis,’ he said.

Mohammed said additional equipment would instead improve the capacity of the military to respond when threats emerge.

‘If you have more equipment, that means you are being made more capable of dealing with the threat when it emerges. The emergence of a threat, people coming out, people starting to attack, has no relationship with an increase in the equipment you have. It just means that if you have more equipment and if they come out, it gives you more power, more capacity to be able to handle them better than when you have less equipment,’ he added.

‘Supply won’t end insurgency immediately’

On how the latest US military assistance could help address insecurity, Mohammed said the impact would depend largely on the type of equipment supplied.

He said he had not seen the details of the equipment provided and would therefore be unable to assess its likely operational impact fully.

‘Well, you see, up to now, I don’t have the details of what they have given to Nigeria. So, when I get the details, I should be able to know,’ he said.

Mohammed, however, said Nigeria currently enjoyed air superiority over bandits and insurgents because the groups did not possess conventional air forces.

He said the armed groups possessed only limited drone capabilities, which he described as inferior in capacity and endurance to those available to Nigeria.

According to him, additional US air support would further strengthen Nigeria’s capability and improve its air dominance.

‘So, if we receive more air support from the US, that means we are going to be stronger, more lethal than we were before receiving this equipment,’ he added.

Mohammed, however, expressed a preference for the provision of armed helicopters, which he said would be particularly useful in the type of counter-insurgency operations being conducted in the country.

‘I would have been very happy if I saw armed helicopters. Because armed helicopters are what we need in this kind of fighting that we are involved in,’ he said.

Mohammed, however, cautioned against expecting the partnership or additional military equipment to immediately end the country’s long-running insurgency.

‘I want you to understand that this insurgency has been going on for 17 years. So, it doesn’t mean that within one day the whole problem will be solved,’ he said.

According to him, counter-insurgency operations are particularly difficult because insurgents do not always operate as conventional forces.

‘They melt, go back to the community and melt inside the community as if they are normal human beings,’ he said.

He therefore said the fight against insurgency required sustained operations and should not be judged solely by the immediate availability of additional military equipment.

Commenting on the deployment of US military personnel to Nigeria earlier this year, Mohammed said the presence of American personnel had contributed to intelligence gathering and operational support, even though the broader security situation remained challenging.

He said the deployment coincided with the killing of Abu Al-Masoudi and the discovery of sophisticated equipment allegedly held by insurgents.

‘I’m sure you are aware that Abu Al-Masoudi was killed when they were there. Not only was he killed, they actually revealed that they were able to capture so much equipment that they never thought the insurgents in Nigeria had such sophisticated equipment in their possession,’ he said.

Mohammed also said the US personnel brought superior equipment and shared intelligence with their Nigerian counterparts.

‘During that time, they have actually come with so much superior equipment. But I don’t know whether they left them or they have taken them. They have also shared with us so much intelligence during that time,’ he said.

Bovi to close 2026 world tour with shows in Benin, Lagos

Award-winning comedian, actor and writer Bovi Ugboma will bring his 2026 world tour to a close this October with two highly anticipated performances in Benin City and Lagos.

The Nigerian leg of the comedy show entitled ‘Bovi: Guilty as Charged,’ will begin in Benin City on October 1 before reaching its grand finale on October 11 at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel, Lagos.

The announcement follows a successful international run that began in the United Kingdom at Easter, where Bovi sold out Indigo at The O2. He subsequently took the tour across Canada, performing in six cities, including Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton. All six Canadian shows sold

out, continuing an impressive year on the road for one of Africa’s most celebrated comedians.

With the international leg completed, ‘Guilty as Charged’ now returns to Nigeria for its final two performances. The Benin City show will open the homecoming stretch, while Lagos will provide the closing stage for Bovi’s 2026 tour.

Known for his clever observations, fearless humour and gift for turning familiar experiences into memorable stories, Bovi has spent nearly two decades building a career that extends across stand-up comedy, television and film. His live shows have become known for their strong storytelling and sharp commentary on relationships, society, popular culture and everyday life.

Over the years, productions such as ‘Bovi: Man on Fire’ and ‘Naughty by Nature’ have helped establish him as a leading force in Nigerian comedy, drawing audiences at home and internationally.

The Lagos edition will also introduce a first for a Bovi show. Every ticket buyer will have a designated seat and will be able to choose that seat while purchasing a ticket. The arrangement applies across the venue, creating a fully reserved seating experience for the audience.

PFIPC: Judge returns Adeyemi’s fundamental rights suit for reassignment

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has returned to the court’s Registry a fundamental rights suit by the detained self-styled Director-General of a ‘fake’ agency, the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.

Justice Egwuatu declined to proceed with the hearing earlier scheduled for yesterday upon realising that the 72-hour period he gave respondents in the case to show cause had not expired.

At the mention of the case yesterday, Adeyemi’s lawyer, Muhammad Abdulaziz, told the court that the respondents had been duly served and that he was ready to proceed with the hearing.

‘As ordered yesterday, all the respondents have been duly served, and we are ready to proceed,’ Abdulaziz said.

Upon a directive by the judge, the court’s Registrar went through the case file and confirmed that the order was served on the respondents on Tuesday, while the hearing notice was served on Wednesday.

Justice Egwuatu queried the timing of the service, noting that the 72-hour period given the respondents to show cause has not expired.

He questioned the competence of the proof of service exhibited by Abdulaziz in relation to the hearing notice.

The judge noted that the respondents were still within time to comply with the court’s order for them to show cause.

He said: ‘Well, in any case, the 72 hours have not expired. And yesterday, you told me it would expire today, and that was why I fixed today for hearing.

‘You know the urgency of your matter; you are the one to do the needful.’

Justice Egwuatu, who is sitting as a vacation judge, said he would return the case file to the court’s Registry for reassignment.

He directed the applicant to return when the time allocated to the respondents expires for further proceedings in the case.

The judge had, in a ruling on an ex-parte application by Adeyemi on September 3 ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tunji Disu and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi(SAN) to grant Adeyemi access to his lawyers.

He also ordered Disu, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Fagbemi to show cause, within 72 hours, why the other reliefs sought by Adeyemi, including being granted bail, should not be granted.

Adeyemi, who is being held by the police, had sought six reliefs, including an order for his release , bail pending the determination of the case, and access to medical practitioners of his choice.

He also sought an order restraining the police from interrogating him or obtaining a statement from him without his lawyer being present.

Sarkodie, Stonebwoy Clash After Fan Advice

Musicians, Sarkodie and Stonebwoy, have clashed on social media after Sarkodie criticised fans for creating rivalry among artistes.

The issue began after Sarkodie advised musicians not to let fans push them into unnecessary fights with other artistes.

In a post on X, Sarkodie said some fans attack other artistes to make their favourite artistes look better.

‘To the artistes: just because a fan sh**s on another brand to elevate you doesn’t mean they love you more. Be careful about entertaining that energy,’ he wrote.

Stonebwoy appeared to take offence at the post and responded with several concerns about his relationship with Sarkodie.

He accused Sarkodie of failing to congratulate him after his OVO Arena Wembley concert in London, despite personally calling Sarkodie after his Royal Albert Hall show to congratulate him.

Stonebwoy also claimed that some of Sarkodie’s social media posts were directed at him.

Sarkodie, however, denied the allegation and asked Stonebwoy why he had connected the posts to himself.

‘The first thing I asked you when we got on that call, and I still want to ask, is ‘What is your problem?” Sarkodie said.

He insisted that he had never made a social media post to attack or mock Stonebwoy.

Sarkodie also said he would not have personally invited Stonebwoy to perform at his Royal Albert Hall show if he had a problem with him.

‘If I had any issues with you, I wouldn’t have been the one to pick up the phone, call you, and invite you to my RAH show,’ he said.

The disagreement later became bigger, with Stonebwoy making more allegations against Sarkodie during a social media live session. He accused the rapper of disrespect, hypocrisy and betrayal.

Sarkodie’s manager, Angel Town, also joined the discussion after Stonebwoy mentioned him in relation to the 2025 BHIMFest.

Angel Town shared screenshots of a WhatsApp conversation with Stonebwoy’s manager, Chief Stylzz, and said he wanted to correct the record.

‘Just state facts… don’t lie on my name,’ Angel Town said.

The exchange has generated strong reactions from fans, with many calling on the two musicians to resolve their differences.

Sarkodie and Stonebwoy are among Ghana’s biggest music stars and have worked together on several occasions.