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Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, met the governor of Diffa Region in the Niger Republic, discussed transborder security challenges in the Lake Chad general area, and a way forward.

Zulum, who was received by his Nigerien counterpart, Brig-Gen Mahamadou Ibrahim Bagadoma, in Diffa on Wednesday, also discussed ways to strengthen the existing security collaboration between the troops of the two nations in fighting terrorism.

Diffa town is located 17km from Damasak, the headquarters of Mobbar LGA in northern Borno, where thousands of Nigerians displaced by Boko Haram insurgency are currently taking refuge.

The two leaders held closed-door meetings, which centred around joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and sustaining the recent gains that have pushed insurgents out of many of their former strongholds.

Zulum outlined a plan to leverage the improved security situation to facilitate the return of thousands of displaced farmers to the vast and fertile agricultural lands around Dutchi town within the Lake Chad basin.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a phased operational overhaul of the Nigerian Fixed Income Market in a deliberate move to deepen transparency and efficiency in the financial ecosystem.

Acting Director of the Financial Markets Department at the CBN, Okey Umeano, in a memo, stated that the first phase of the reform will see the apex bank take full control of both the settlement process and trading platform for fixed income transactions starting from November this year.

The initiative, he added, forms part of broader financial market reforms, is designed to enhance regulatory oversight and strengthen the market’s role in supporting monetary policy transmission and economic growth.’This transition will enable the CBN to assume direct responsibility for the management of the trading platform and handle end-to-end settlement activities under the Bank’s established settlement system for financial market transactions,’ the statement read. The CBN emphasized that the objective of this phase is to ‘strengthen market integrity, streamline operations, and establish a unified regulatory framework that ensures end-to-end visibility and supervisory oversight of fixed income transactions.’To ensure minimal disruption and a smooth transition, the implementation will be executed in stages, with active collaboration from key stakeholders, including the Financial Markets Dealers Association (FMDA). Fixed income refers to any type of investment under which the borrower or issuer is obliged to make payments of a fixed amount on a on a fixed schedule.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s broad money supply surged to N119.52 trillion in August 2025, representing an increase from N117.4 trillion recorded in June 2025.

The August figures reflect a year-on-year rise from N107 trillion in August 2024, demonstrating the persistent expansion of liquidity in the financial system despite concerns over inflationary pressures and exchange rate volatility.

Armed bandits on Wednesday night abducted two serving councillors and killed an Islamic cleric in Tsauni, a community on the outskirts of Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State.

The councillors, who represent Gidan Goga and Tsibiri wards in Maradun Local Government Area, were kidnapped around 8.05pm shortly after performing the Maghrib (sunset) prayer.

The victims were reportedly seized near a police outpost while relaxing with others at a local tea joint.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Maradun LGA, Hon. Sanusi Gama Giwa, said the councillors were members of his council.

He expressed concern that the abduction occurred in the vicinity of a police station.

‘It happened right in front of a police station where officers are usually present. The bandits even collected phones from the police officers without resistance. They didn’t harm anyone,’ he said.

According to Giwa, the armed men initially came in search of a specific individual from Kaura village.

Upon failing to find their target, they abducted six men from the tea joint. Three of them were later released, while the bandits continued with the two councillors and an Imam.

However, Daily Trust has gathered from a separate source that the abducted Imam was later killed, and his body was discovered on a nearby farm.

He was buried on Thursday according to Islamic rites in the Chediya Uku area of Gusau town.

Tsauni community, the scene of the abduction, is known for hosting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) fleeing persistent bandit attacks in Zamfara’s rural communities.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the abduction and said security operatives had been deployed for a rescue operation.

‘We are doing everything within our power to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice. We urge residents to provide useful information that can aid our efforts,’ he stated.

However, DSP Abubakar refuted claims that the abduction occurred directly in front of a police station, contrary to the LGA chairman’s statement.

‘Our findings show the incident took place about two kilometres from the nearest police station, near a forested area.

‘The terrain is difficult, with poor road conditions that delayed immediate reinforcement.

‘The claim that the bandits disarmed officers at a station without resistance is simply not true and reflects a personal opinion rather than fact.’

As of the time of filing this report, the kidnappers had not made any contact with the victims’ families or issued any ransom demands.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not demonstrated sufficient commitment to improving Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku stated this on Thursday when he met with a European Union (EU) delegation led by Barry Andrews, a member of the European parliament and head of the 2023 EU election observation mission to Nigeria.

The former presidential candidate said the visit was a follow-up on the mission’s recommendations after the last elections.

‘It is worrisome that two years down the line, we are yet to see indications that INEC is committed to an improved electoral process,’ Atiku said in a statement via X on Friday.

‘Expectations are high that the Independent National Electoral Commission will urgently work with the National Assembly to give citizens election laws that guarantee transparent and credible elections, where every vote counts.’

Atiku stressed that Nigerians are eager for reforms that will ensure free, fair, and transparent polls, adding that only credible elections can safeguard democracy and produce leaders capable of uniting the country and driving economic growth.

The former presidential candidate reiterated his support for civil society groups and international observer missions advocating electoral reforms.

‘Meanwhile, we shall continue to support efforts by CSOs, local and foreign Election Observations Missions (EOMs), including the EU-EOM, that will lead to genuine electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 General elections.

‘We believe that only through credible elections shall we safeguard our democracy and recruit leaders that will ensure unity and economic prosperity of Nigeria,’ he added.

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to modernising Qur’anic education and aligning it with contemporary educational standards.

He gave the assurance on Thursday at the closing ceremony of the 40th State Qur’anic Recitation Competition held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Hall in Dutse, the state capital.

The governor described the presence of young Qur’anic students as ‘a tremendous blessing’ for the state, noting that Qur’anic knowledge plays a vital role in shaping character and enriching lives.

He urged participants to live by the teachings of the Qur’an, stressing that this would ensure its preservation across generations.

‘Having these young students among us is indeed a great blessing. We see the great benefit of this Qur’anic recitation competition.

‘When a person has religious knowledge, especially Qur’anic knowledge, life becomes easier for them. Therefore, for these students whom Allah has blessed with the gift of memorising the Qur’an, we are grateful,’ he said.

Namadi noted that the close margin between winners and runners-up reflected the high level of competence among contestants.

He pledged sustained government support for Qur’anic education through the Tsangaya Education Board, which integrates Qur’anic studies into the state’s formal education system with a dedicated budget.

‘As a government, we will continue to promote Qur’anic education. This is why we established the Tsangaya Education Board to incorporate Qur’anic studies into the state curriculum. Just as every sector has a budget, Qur’anic education will also have its own allocation because we see a bright future in this area,’ he said.

The governor also announced that outstanding students would now be sponsored to pursue further studies, either in Qur’anic education or secular fields such as engineering and medicine.

Namadi recalled Jigawa’s successful hosting of an international Qur’anic recitation contest introduced to Nigeria by the Imam of Madinah and disclosed that the state had been approved to host the 2026 National Qur’anic Recitation Competition.

The 2025 edition of the competition featured male and female contestants across various categories, covering the recitation of two, ten, thirty, and sixty parts of the Holy Qur’an.

Minister of State for Works, Barr. Muhammad Bello Goronyo, has urged the contractor working on Abuja-Keffi highway to provide palliatives to the bad section of Nyanya-Mararaba road.

The Minister during an inspection of the road lamented the hardship motorists face in plying the section of the road.

Though, he said the heavy gridlock on the three kilometres of the section will make it difficult to expedite the repairs, he urged the contractor to work at night to make the repairs.

He added that already 50 percent of the entire road has been completed with the outbound lane from Abuja finished.

‘Already, 41 kilometers has been completed up to the binder, meaning 50% completion and the Abuja bound section which is troubled. Where we have a problem is three kilometres and we realise that there is a lot of water that is flooding this area.’

‘So, a lot of people coming from the Keffi-Nyanya axis are experiencing a lot of problems to cross to Abuja City and we directed immediately the contractor that is handling this project to come and do some palliative measures and as well as provide a route where he will be able to pass the water to be able to have a good road so that the passengers and commuters that are flying this road will have easy access.

‘But we cannot do it in the afternoon or in the morning. So we directed that the contractor should concentrate on doing this job at night so that we will be able to finish it in time so people will have ease of travel.

‘Let me say it very clearly that the contractor must ensure that he mobilises fully to this site to maintain this road because there is heavy traffic on this axis and we are not happy with the way and manner people are suffering on this road.’

He added that the road is a very important arterial road and people must have ease of movement along this corridor.

‘There are a lot of civil servants flying this road and we are concerned about it so and the completion period is sacrosanct within the time stipulated so that’s why we’re as a ministry we’re here to assess the level of work here that is ongoing and then to also give clear directives.’

The federal government and Glovo, one of the leading tech platforms in Europe, Africa and Central Asia, has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering Small and Medium enterprises in Nigeria with the new edition of Glovo Academy held in Abuja.

Glovo Academy is an in-person learning and development initiative designed to provide training and digital tools to help local businesses optimise operations, boost their brand, and increase online sales through the Glovo platform.

The Head of Growth, Glovo Nigeria, Reni Onafeko, noted that the company remains committed to empowering SMEs on its platform by offering access to opportunities such as advisory and finance.

She explained that with the million of orders delivered since the launch of Glovo in 2022 in Abuja, over N11 billion in value has been delivered to partners.

According to her, the company has recorded 30% increase year-on-year in orders in Abuja, working now with over 1,000 local restaurants. She emphasised the need for SMEs to embrace digital literacy to enable their businesses to expand, formalise their operations, and scale sustainably.

Also speaking during the panel session, the Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Industry, Ifeoma Williams, stressed that MSMEs remain the backbone of any economy, noting that current data from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that 40% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product is derived from these small businesses.

While bemoaning poor access to loan facilities from the federal government for many SMEs, she attributed the challenge to a lack of proper structure and the right business plan. She stated that the federal government is doing a lot to provide the right policies for thriving businesses.

Also speaking at the session, Kayode Meyanbe, Head of ICT, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, stated that through the agency, the federal government is leveraging a partnership with the Corporate Affairs Commission to provide free registration for 250,000 businesses.

Kayode urged SMEs to take advantage of the opportunity to formalize their operations and access the opportunities provided.

‘As an agency, we have partnered with banks to provide loans at an interest rate below 10% to support their businesses. Not only that, state governments have also been helping us with funds for these SMEs to access our loan facilities.

Beyond that, we have also engaged BDSPs to provide capacity training on how to run businesses for SMEs. We do this through Kaduna Business School and Lagos Business School to dispense need-based skills and curriculum to SMEs,’ he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Lagos on Saturday, October 4, for Jos, Plateau State capital.

The President is expected to attend the funeral service of Nana Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the All Progressives Congress, APC National Chairman, Professor Nantewe Yilwatda Goshwe.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement said, while in Plateau, the President will later address Church Leaders across the North at the headquarters of the COCIN Church in Jos.

President Tinubu will return to Lagos on the same day after the visit.

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Ministry of Information and Communication has notified the general public, particularly vehicle owners and commuters within Jos and Bukuru metropolis, of traffic diversions and restrictions in view of the President’s visit.

In a statement on Friday, RT Hon Joyce Lohya Ramnap, Commissioner for Information and Communication, said to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and to facilitate the movement of the Presidential entourage, all motorists should make use of alternative routes from 7 am on Saturday 4th October, 2025.

‘The following routes would be closed: 1. Mararaban Jama’a through Bukuru express way. Dadin- kowa, Old Airport, to Plateau roundabout. ?Hillstation roundabout to COCIN Headquarters/Central Bank road.’

‘We appeal for the cooperation and understanding of residents as these measures are temporally taken in the interest of security and public peace,’ the statement read.

At 65, Nigeria finds itself in a reflective mood, and rightly so. Independence anniversaries are not just occasions for parades, gun salutes, and flag-waving. They are moments when nations pause to take stock, to ask if their institutions have matured in wisdom, steadiness, and service to the people. With this understanding, it can be said that few institutions mirror the turbulent journey of Nigeria’s democracy as vividly as the legislature.

From the fragile parliament of the First Republic through the long intermissions of military-era suspension to the sometimes noisy and fractious assemblies of the Fourth Republic, the National Assembly has embodied both the promise and the perils of the Nigerian democratic experiment. As the Red Chamber resumes under the stewardship of Senate President Godswill Akpabio the 10th Senate can fairly be described as a maturing legislature that has delivered uncommon achievements with unprecedented vigour and steadiness.

The fact speaks clearly for itself. Within two years, the Senate has passed more than 900 bills, with over 54 already signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. It has reviewed and passed over 40 executive bills, 300 bills have passed second reading, 102 bills scheduled for public hearing, showing a willingness to collaborate with the executive arm while still retaining its independence. To be clear, this pace of legislative productivity is remarkable by any standard and the best in the annals of our history. It signals an institution committed to stabilising Nigeria’s fiscal, monetary, and political environment through purposeful and constructive lawmaking and other legislative engagements.

The Senate’s imprint on education is perhaps its most people-centred achievement. The National Education Fund Act provides a sustainable financing model for tertiary institutions. The Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act expands access to higher education for indigent students who might otherwise have been locked out of opportunity. The Out-of-School Children Education Act confronts one of Nigeria’s most stubborn social challenges by bringing learning to the margins where poverty often shuts doors. While these measures echo earlier efforts from Nigeria’s republican past, they are sharper, more inclusive, and better designed for the demands of today’s youth.

The economic front has also been impacted by the nation-building ambitions of the 10th Senate. Sweeping tax reforms, including the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, The Joint Revenue Board Bill, The Nigeria Tax Bill and The Nigeria Revenue Service Bill, have streamlined policy, reduced evasion, triggered equity and boosted revenue without overburdening citizens. The Securities and Exchange Commission Amendment Act has strengthened investor confidence, while the Investment and Securities Bill provides clearer frameworks for investment. The Electricity Amendment Act updates energy policy for an era that must integrate renewable power and private participation.

One standout measure, the Social Security for Unemployed Graduates Act, has provided a safety net for job seekers. It reduces frustrations that often fuel restiveness among young people. To be fair, these reforms recall the liberalisation drive of the late 1990s but are better tuned to the digital age and global competition.

Security has also remained pivotal to its legislative priority. The Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act and the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act fortify Nigeria’s defence against multifaceted threats. These laws reflect a recognition that insecurity cannot be addressed by military might alone. It requires legal frameworks, institutional coordination, and community involvement that cut off the supply chains of violence.

Regional balance, a recurrent challenge in Nigeria’s federal arrangement, has not been neglected. The South East, South South, South West, North Central and North West Development Commission Acts are designed to reduce disparities and foster inclusive growth. The National Steel Development Act seeks to revive an industry that has long symbolised Nigeria’s industrial aspirations since independence. Even patriotic memory has been legislated into revival with the National Anthem Bill, which restored ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ to the national soundscape, evoking nostalgia and reinforcing the dignity of Nigeria’s founding years.

If these domestic milestones form one side of the 10th Senate’s record, its international diplomacy forms the other. In 2023, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was elected to the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the first Nigerian in 59 years to achieve such recognition. The IPU, founded in 1889 and comprising 179 member countries, is the premier global body for parliamentary diplomacy. Akpabio’s election restores Nigeria’s voice in shaping global discourse on issues such as climate resilience, governance, and migration. His July 2025 address at the World Conference of Speakers in Geneva signalled Nigeria’s readiness to lead debates from the perspective of the Global South. This recalls the confident internationalism of Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, who in the early years of independence positioned Nigeria as a champion of African unity and non-alignment.

Without a doubt, the 10th Senate’s work is not confined to the abstract language of lawmaking. Its impact is also felt in communities across Nigeria. Each senator has allocation for constituency projects. Unlike the ghost projects of earlier assemblies, these funds have been channelled into visible impact: rural electrification in the North West, healthcare centres in the Niger Delta, agricultural hubs in the South East, and market rehabilitations nationwide. This level of grassroots visibility gives legislative output a human face.

Discerning citizens know that tone matters in politics. The 10th Senate has cultivated a more cooperative and robust culture. Senators from across parties have set aside partisanship to advance laws in the national interest. This stability is no accident. It reflects Akpabio’s deliberate leadership style, one that combines firmness with humour, using wit to diffuse tension and consensus to build momentum.

Still, it must be said that the road ahead demands vigilance. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, electoral reform stands as the next critical frontier. Committees in both chambers of the National Assembly are working on a comprehensive new Electoral Act designed to guarantee credible, inclusive, and transparent elections. Proposals under review include diaspora voting, electronic transmission of results, and tighter campaign finance regulation.

Beyond elections, there have also been calls by civil society for a robust whistleblower protection law to fully harness whistleblowing as an anti-corruption and good governance tool. Moreover, constitution review, judicial reform, and stronger security frameworks remain pressing challenges. And even though the Petroleum Industry Act, passed into law in 2021, established a new legal, governance, administrative, and fiscal framework for Nigeria’s petroleum industry, recent turmoils in the sector indicate the 10th Senate can still revisit the Act in the national interest.

While acknowledging all that, the reality is that at 65, Nigeria has survived the turmoil of its infancy and the missteps of middle age. The 10th Senate, under Senator Godswill Akpabio, exemplifies a legislature that has matured. It has moved beyond the quarrels and gridlocks of the past to become a productive force, legislating boldly, engaging the world diplomatically, and impacting lives directly at the grassroots.

If independence anniversaries are moments for reflection, then Nigeria at 65 can take solace in the fact that its Senate is not a stumbling block but a guiding hand in the democratic journey. Under the capable and unifying leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, the 10th Senate has emerged as a beacon of legislative achievement and democratic resilience. It signals not just what Nigeria has endured but what it can yet become.

It is worth reiterating that in as much as the 10th Senate has done well, as the members resume legislative duties, they should not rest on their oars. Much remains to be done if Nigeria is to be shaped into a modern, developed state.The 10th Senate should continue to play its central democratic role in that regard. To the Senator Akpabio- led 10th Senate, it is not yet Uhuru!

The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, had disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has approved a 100km stretch of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to pass through Edo State.

Umahi said this during the Independence Day gala night in Benin, Edo State capital.

He said the state was not part of the original alignment for the project conceived about 47 years ago by Tinubu.

‘The president called me and said this project must pass through Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. That is why we are here. ‘Your Excellency, the president has given you 100km of the two lanes of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway,’ Umahi said.

Umahi lauded Governor Monday Okpebholo for his intervention in some critical projects.

While describing the Benin-Sapele-Warri highway as a deathtrap for motorists, Umahi applauded the quality of work done by the contractor, CBC, and directed the Federal Controller of Works in Edo to provide him with daily updates on progress at the site.

Governor Okpebholo, on his part, commended the president for including Edo in the coastal highway project and for ongoing improvements on federal roads in the state.

He described the gesture as proof of Tinubu’s love for the people of Edo and urged residents to support the president’s re-election in 2027.

Okpebholo said that his administration was committed to transforming infrastructure in the state.