Category: PM News

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that every vote will count in the 2027 general elections, saying the commission is committed to consolidating the nation’s democratic governance.

INEC Deputy Director of Voter Education and Planning, Mrs Magdalene Aku, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja during a democracy roundtable organised by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Aku, who spoke on the theme: ‘Making Nigeria’s Vote Count in 2027: The Role of INEC,’ said that making Nigerians’ votes count was not just a slogan, but a commitment to ensure the electorate’s choices reflected in election outcomes.

She described voters as the ‘ultimate kingmakers’ in a constitutional democracy, adding that that the commission’s primary mandate centred on protecting the will of the electorate rather than monitoring political outcomes.

‘For INEC, making your vote count is not just a slogan; it is the bedrock of our democracy, and we always try to ensure that we put in the right processes, the right tools to ensure that every individual’s vote counts.

‘Our focus is on the Nigerian voters. We do not care about the person who wins or loses the election; it is on the Nigerian voter, and that’s why we’re always placing premium on the voter to recognise the fact that you are the kingmaker,’ Aku said.

She highlighted the commission’s progressive adoption of technology to eliminate electoral frauds, citing the transition from Smart Card Readers to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the real-time upload of results via the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal among efforts of the commission.

According to her, transparency was guaranteed right from the grassroots level, as polling unit results recorded on Form EC8A popularly referred to as the people’s result being posted on walls at polling stations for public view before electronic transmission.

The National Secretary of Project 774 Network, Retired DIG Mohammed Usaini Gumel, speaks to MADUABUCHI NMERIBEH, on why the organization is organising a national summit on countering terrorism and other forms of insecurity in Nigeria, scheduled to hold on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, with the theme: ‘Our Security, Our Duty: Citizens Standing With Our Troops To End Terrorism, Banditry And Kidnapping.’ Excerpts:

Q: Why is Project 774 Network convening a National Citizens’ Stakeholders’ Engagement on countering terrorism and insecurity at this time?

A: Thank you very much. This engagement is necessary because, despite the tremendous sacrifices and achievements of our Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies, and other security institutions, insecurity remains one of Nigeria’s greatest national challenges. We believe the time has come to broaden the conversation beyond government alone and actively involve citizens, communities, traditional institutions, the private sector, civil society, and development partners. Security is everyone’s responsibility.

Your recent article argues that Nigeria’s insecurity will be defeated in the 774 Local Government Areas rather than in Abuja alone. What exactly do you mean?

The point is quite straightforward. Abuja provides national leadership, policy direction, and coordination, but criminal activities occur within our communities. Terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements recruit, hide, move, and operate within towns, villages, forests, border communities, and highways across the 774 Local Government Areas. If we truly want sustainable security, every Local Government Area must become an active security ecosystem where citizens, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youth, and community organisations work together to identify threats early and prevent crime before it escalates.

Does this mean the current security architecture is inadequate?

I would rather say that our security architecture must continue to evolve. Today’s security threats are increasingly local, dynamic, and intelligence driven. While our national security institutions remain indispensable, they need stronger community support and locally generated intelligence. National coordination must be complemented by community ownership of security.

What practical measures should government prioritise?

First, every Local Government Area should develop a comprehensive security profile identifying its peculiar threats, vulnerable communities, criminal routes, illegal arms circulation, drug distribution networks, and emerging risks. Second, functional Local Government Security Councils should be established to bring together security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youth groups, farmers, herders, transport unions, and other credible stakeholders. Third, Police Divisions must be strengthened with adequate personnel, logistics, mobility, communication equipment, and operational resources so they can respond effectively to emergencies.

You have consistently advocated decentralised policing. How does that fit into this conversation?

Nigeria’s size, diversity, and security realities require policing arrangements that are both nationally coordinated and locally responsive. A carefully regulated system in which Federal and State policing institutions operate under constitutional safeguards can improve operational effectiveness while maintaining professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights, and protection against political interference. The objective is to strengthen national security, not weaken it.

What role should communities themselves play?

Communities are the first line of defence. Neighbourhood watch groups, vigilante organisations, community development associations, and other local initiatives should operate within a clear legal and regulatory framework, with proper registration, training, vetting, and supervision. When communities trust security agencies and security agencies trust communities, intelligence improves significantly, and criminals find it much harder to operate.

Beyond security operations, what other factors must be addressed?

Security cannot be separated from development. Youth unemployment, drug abuse, poor educational opportunities, unresolved communal disputes, poverty, and inadequate public services create conditions that criminals exploit. We must therefore combine effective law enforcement with economic opportunities, education, infrastructure, and social development.

What should Nigerians expect from the National Citizens’ Stakeholders’ Engagement?

They should expect practical solutions, constructive dialogue, and actionable recommendations. The engagement will bring together government officials, security agencies, lawmakers, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, academia, the organised private sector, youth and women groups, and development partners to strengthen collaboration in addressing insecurity. Our goal is to produce an Abuja Citizens’ Declaration and a Conference Communiqué containing practical recommendations for improving national security through stronger citizen participation and institutional collaboration.

What message would you like to leave with Nigerians?

My message is simple: security is not the responsibility of government alone. Every citizen has a role to play. If we secure our communities, we secure our Local Government Areas. If we secure all 774 Local Government Areas, we secure Nigeria. The road to a safer Nigeria does not begin or end in Abuja. It begins in every ward, every village, every town, and every community. That is where trust is built, intelligence is generated, criminality is prevented, and lasting peace is sustained. Together, through responsible citizenship and collective action, we can build a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Nigeria.

What is the philosophy, mission and vision of Project 774 Network?

The Project is designed and fashioned towards supporting Nigerian troops, strengthening national unity, as well as advancing peace and development across the country.

The Project 774 Network was established on the conviction that the future of Nigeria depends not only on the quality of its leadership, but equally on the character, responsibility, and active participation of its citizens. We believe that the greatness of a nation is measured not only by the strength of its institutions, the size of its economy, or the authority of its government, but also by the integrity, discipline, patriotism, and civic responsibility of its people. For this reason, Project 774 Network is built upon a philosophy of shared national responsibility-a philosophy that calls upon government to lead with accountability and citizens to serve with responsibility.

We reject the false belief that nation-building is the exclusive duty of government. Likewise, we reject the notion that citizens should remain passive observers of national affairs. Every Nigerian has a role to play in building a peaceful, secure, united, and prosperous nation. This philosophy guides every programme, partnership, publication, and initiative undertaken by Project 774 Network. Moreso, we affirm that leadership and citizenship are complementary responsibilities; rights and responsibilities are inseparable in a democratic society; national development is sustained by institutions that are strengthened through ethical leadership and responsible citizenship; peace is preserved through justice, dialogue, mutual respect, and community participation; security is most effective when citizens and institutions work together in trust; every Local Government Area is a strategic building block of national development; national unity grows when diversity is respected and the common good is placed above sectional interests; lasting progress is achieved through integrity, service, discipline, innovation, and collective action. Furthermore, the Project 774 Network believes that government must govern with integrity, transparency, accountability, and fairness; citizens must conduct themselves with honesty, discipline, respect for the law, and commitment to the common good; families must nurture character; schools must cultivate knowledge and civic values; religious and traditional institutions must promote morality, peace, and social harmony; businesses must operate responsibly and create opportunities; civil society must encourage participation and accountability; young people must become innovators, volunteers, and future leaders rather than spectators of national development. Indeed, a nation prospers when each institution fulfils its responsibility faithfully. Project 774 Network teaches that every Nigerian has a sphere of influence-however small-that can become a centre of national transformation. True nation-building begins when each person commits to excellence, honesty, and service to the country and humanity. Before we seek national transformation, we must begin with personal transformation. The future of Nigeria will not be determined solely by those who occupy public office. It will also be shaped by teachers who inspire, parents who guide, entrepreneurs who create opportunities, workers who perform their duties faithfully, community leaders who unite rather than divide, and citizens who choose honesty over convenience. Every Nigerian has the capacity to influence the nation’s future through everyday acts of responsibility and service. Project 774 Network is a non-partisan national civic movement founded on the enduring conviction that the future of Nigeria depends not only on the quality of its leadership but equally on the character, responsibility, and active participation of its citizens. We believe that the true greatness of a nation is measured not merely by the strength of its institutions, the size of its economy, or the authority of its government, but by the integrity, discipline, patriotism, compassion, and civic responsibility of its people.

Accordingly, Project 774 Network is founded upon the philosophy of Shared National Responsibility-a philosophy that calls upon government to govern with accountability and citizens to serve with responsibility. We reject the false assumption that nation-building is the exclusive responsibility of government. Equally, we reject the notion that citizens should remain passive observers of national affairs. Every Nigerian has both the privilege and the duty to contribute to the peace, security, unity, and prosperity of our nation. National transformation begins when every citizen chooses integrity, competence, discipline, and service within that personal sphere. Extraordinary nations are built through millions of ordinary acts of responsibility faithfully performed every day.

Our mission is to cultivate a civic culture in which government governs with integrity, institutions serve with excellence, communities thrive through cooperation, and citizens embrace their shared responsibility for building a peaceful, secure, united, and prosperous Nigeria.

Governor Peter Mbah has directed suspension of the traditional ruler of Obeagu Ugwuaji Autonomous Community in Enugu South Council Area of the state, Igwe Christopher Nyia, over alleged crisis in the community.

‘The suspension letter was handed over to the royal father on July 28 by the commissioner following directive from Gov. Peter Mbah,’ Enugu State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Charles Egumgbe, announced in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement was issued by the ministry’s Public Relation Officer, Mr Emeka Nebeife.

The ministry had on July 15 suspended three traditional rulers and four President-Generals from some communities in Ezeagu Council Area of the state for misconduct bordering on security infractions.

‘The suspension of Nyia is in the interest of peace, order and good governance for Obeagu Ugwuaji community.

‘The community is engulfed in crisis due to allegation of gross misconduct levelled against the traditional ruler by members.

The government, he said, has constituted an administrative panel of inquiry to find out the remote causes of the crisis that led to the breakdown of law and order in the community.

‘The panel of inquiry is expected to ascertain the role played by the traditional ruler in connection with the breakdown of law and order.

‘The panel will also identify characters involved in the crisis that led to the breakdown of law and order and to ascertain the role of traditional ruler and any other person’s involved in the breakdown of law and order in the community,’ he said.

The government gave the panel two weeks to complete its assignment. (NAN)

The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, and five other people over alleged vote buying in Osogbo.

The arrest was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan.

According to the police, officers acted on credible intelligence about a group allegedly operating around the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo.

The statement said the operation focused on a house linked to the SSG while officers searched for a wanted suspect, Abiodun Arowomole, also known as ‘Ashipa’, who is on the police watch list over alleged crimes, including murder.

During the operation, officers recovered N4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.

Police said all the recovered items have been taken for forensic examination and further investigation.

The command confirmed the arrest of Teslim Igbalaye, 57, alongside Akande Taiwo, 60, Oladele Abiodun, 38, Adeyemo Lukman, 45, Olaoye Muftau, 50, and Aderemi Musliu, 40. They were found at the property during the operation and are now in police custody.

Police said the recovery of the cash and voter register has raised concerns about possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.

Investigators are looking into possible violations of the Electoral Act 2022, including alleged voter bribery through the distribution of money or other inducements to influence voters.

The police are also investigating possible criminal conspiracy and whether anyone at the property helped to hide a wanted suspect.

The command said more charges could be added depending on the outcome of the investigation and forensic analysis.

Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan described the allegations as serious, saying they could affect public security, the justice system and the credibility of the democratic process.

The Police recover ?4.8m, arrest Osun SSG in alleged electoral fraud probe assured residents that the investigation would continue to identify everyone connected to the recovered items, trace the source and intended use of the money, and determine the full extent of any criminal activity.e

Gotan also stressed that no one is above the law, regardless of their position or political affiliation, adding that anyone found guilty after the investigation will be prosecuted according to the law.

Nigeria’s military Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has explained how one of its senior officers, Colonel Abdussalam Ude, was killed at his residence in the Phase 5 Army Housing Estate, Kurudu, Abuja.

Earlier reports had indicated that Ude was shot dead when he resisted gunmen who attempted to abduct him from his residence in Kurudu area of Abuja.

The gunmen were also reportedly shot Ude’s wife, driver and security guard during the attack.

Giving further information on the gruesome incident, the DIA, in a statement Tuesday evening, said the Colonel was attacked by the yet to be identified gunmen at about 10:45 p.m. on Monday, 27 July.

In the statement signed by its acting assistant director, protocol, J.E. Oti, DIA said security and Law Enforcement Agencies have commenced a full investigation into the incident.

It vowed that every effort is being made to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible.

According to the agency, late Ude was dedicated professional who served Nigeria with ‘exceptional dedication, professionalism and unwavering commitment’ to national defence and security.

‘The Agency is working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the incident are thoroughly investigated,’ the statement added.

The agency also extended condolences to Mr Ude’s family, his colleagues and members of the Armed Forces.

According to the statement, Ude served in several strategic military intelligence and counter-terrorism positions, including operations against insurgents in Nigeria’s North-east and international intelligence assignments in Chad and France.

The officer, who hailed from Enugu State, was due for promotion to the rank of brigadier general next year.

His was buried on Tuesday at the Mambilla Mosque in Abuja in accordance with Islamic rites

The Plateau State Government has clarified recent apology allegedly tendered to members of the Igbo community over Nigeria’s civil war by Governor Caleb Mutfwang

The clarification followed criticisms of Mutfwang over the apology tendered during a recent interactive session with Igbo leaders from the 17 local government areas of the state at the Government House in Jos.

Mutfwang had at the event tendered an apology to the Igbo community over the alleged role played by Plateau state during the Nigerian/Biafran civil war which lasted from 1967 to 1970.

The Governor said Plateau people were deceived into participating in the war by Gen. Yakubu Gowon, an indigene of the state who was Nigeria’s head of state at the time of the war.

‘I apologise to the Igbos so that we can put the past behind us and continue to foster unity,’ Mutfwang said at the event.

However, not every indigene of Plateau State agrees with the governor on the need for such apology.

For one, a former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, faulted Mutfwang.

He said the governor lacked the moral and constitutional authority to apologise to Igbo people on behalf of the people of Plateau.

According to the former Minister, the governor’s remarks did not reflect the collective position of the people of the state.

However, Gyang Bere, the Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPPA) to Mutfwang said in a statement on Wednesday that remarks of the governor to the Igbo Community was misrepresented and taken out of context.

In the statement issued in Jos, Bere said the governor’s remarks was aimed at building broken bridges and fostering peaceful coexistence.

‘The governor’s remarks were intended at building deeper trust, understanding and unity among Nigerians.

‘We appreciate the genuine concerns expressed by many well-meaning Nigerians who have reached out for clarification.

‘However, we are equally concerned that portions of the governor’s remarks have been deliberately taken out of context and presented in ways that neither reflect the substance of the conversation nor the convictions of the governor.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, Mutfwang’s remarks were made in the spirit of appreciation, reconciliation and national unity.

‘The intent is to acknowledge the resilience, enterprise and enduring contributions of the Igbo community to the growth, prosperity and social fabric of Plateau,’ he said

The DOPPA insisted that at no point did the governor wished to diminish the painful experiences of any ethnic group or the historical realities surrounding the civil war.

Bere said that Mutfwang remained a firm advocate of national unity.

He called on Plateau residents, irrespective of tribe and religion to support his administration towards building a peaceful, united and virile society.

Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, has intervened on behalf of Nollywood veteran, Ngozi Nwosu’s medical bills, approving the payment for the first phase of her treatment.

The governor’s intervention came shortly after the actress cried out to the public for financial assistance to undergo major surgeries.

Martins Justice, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Tourism and Entertainment, confirmed the news via his X handle. He explained that the government’s support covered only a portion of the required expenses, noting that she still needs financial assistance.

‘His Excellency alexottiofr has just stepped in on the health issues of our Nollywood legendary actress Mrs. Ngozi Nwosu to approve the first part of her medical bills. While we sincerely appreciate His Excellency, we still appeal to kind-hearted Nigerians to please support her in any way possible. On behalf of the creative industry, we all thank you immensely, my leader. Ndewo sir,’ he stated.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu on Wednesday sets off operations of the newly created four divisions of Nigerian Army with the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the new formations.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had recently approved the establishment of the four additional Divisions as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s force structure, expand its operational footprint, enhance command and control as well as improve the Service’s capacity to effectively respond to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

The creation of the four new divisions increased the number of divisions of Nigerian Army to 12.

In a statement on Wednesday, Appolonia Anele, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations said Shaibu has directed the newly established Divisions to immediately commence operations in the respective locations.

Anele, a Colonel, said the directive was based on attainment of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by the new divisions.

She added that deliberate measures are being implemented to ensure that new Divisions progressively attain Full Operational Capability (FOC).

‘This phased approach will ensure seamless operationalization, operational continuity and rapid force projection across the country’ she said.

She added that the Nigerian Army has undertaken a comprehensive reorganisation of its Divisional Areas of Responsibility in response to the increase in the number of divisions.

Anele said under the new structure, 1 Division Kaduna will be responsible for security in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States, while 2 Division Ibadan will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.

She added that the 3 Division, Jos, will oversee Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States.

The Army spokesperson also revealed that the newly established 5 Division, with Headquarters in Makurdi, will assume responsibility for Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will cover Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

Furthermore, the 7 Division Maiduguri will be responsible for Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division Sokoto will retain responsibility for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.

Also, Anele said the newly established 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will cover Kwara and Niger States, while the newly established 10 Division, headquartered in Jalingo, will be responsible for security in the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa States.

The spokesperson also revealed that the 81 Division Lagos will continue to oversee Lagos and Ogun States, while 82 Division Enugu will retain responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.

She added that newly established 83 Division, with Headquarters in Benin City, will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States when activated later in the year.

On the GOCs for the new formations, Anele said the COAS has approved the redeployment of Major General Yakubu Yahaya from Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD (OPSS), to Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, as the General Officer Commanding and Commander, Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.

In the same vein she said Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife has been redeployed from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to Headquarters 10 Division, Jalingo, as the General Officer Commanding.

Also, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) to Headquarters 5 Division, Makurdi, where he will assume office as General Officer Commanding as well as the Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE.

The COAS has also redeployed Major General Auwalu Mahmuda from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan, as the General Officer Commanding.

Furthermore, Anele said to strengthen the newly established divisions, the Nigerian Army has activated three new brigades with appointments of new commanders.

She said Brigadier General AO Odubiyi from Army Headquarters Operations Center will assume command of Headquarters 11 Brigade Gboko as Commander while Brigadier General AM Haruna has been redeployed from the Nigerian Army Armour School to Headquarters 29 Brigade Kainji as Commander.

Also, Brigadier General RM Aminu redeployed from the National Defence College to Headquarters 10 Brigade Lafia as Commander.

Anele quoted the Chief of Army Staff as congratulating the newly appointed commanders and charging them to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Shaibu also reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria, protecting the lives and property of all law-abiding citizens and supporting the attainment of enduring national peace and security.

‘Lieutenant General Shaibu also expressed profound appreciation to the President, Commander-in-Chief Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his steadfast support and strategic investment in expanding the Nigerian Army’s operational capabilities.

‘He noted that the establishment of the additional Divisions represents a historic milestone in the transformation of the Nigerian Army and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national defence architecture.

‘The COAS emphasized that the new Divisions will significantly enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security, facilitate faster deployment of troops and resources and increase the Nigerian Army’s capacity to respond decisively to emerging and evolving security threats across the country.

‘He expressed confidence that the expanded force structure will further bolster joint and multi-agency operations, reinforce national stability and contribute substantially to the restoration of lasting peace and security nationwide.

There is a revolution happening in Nigeria and it is being fought in gyms, Spas, on running tracks, across yoga mats, and in the kitchens of a generation of Nigerians who have decided that their health is non-negotiable.

For years, that revolution had no formal stage. No annual moment where its leaders were recognised, its businesses celebrated, and its community gathered under one roof to trade, learn, connect, and push the industry forward together. That changed in July 2026.

The Nigerian Fitness Awards and Expo, known as NFAandE, held its inaugural edition to thunderous reception, bringing together over seven thousand fitness and wellness enthusiasts, professionals, entrepreneurs, and brands for what many attendees and exhibitors described as the most significant event in the history of Nigerian fitness and wellness culture.

Now, the organisers are back with an announcement that is already generating serious buzz across the industry. The 2027 edition is coming, it is bigger, and it is open for business.

A Night and a Weekend Nigeria’s Fitness World Will Not Forget

The 2026 edition was not merely an event. It was a statement.

Held at Landmark Event Center on Victoria Island, Lagos, the Nigerian Fitness Expo ran across two energetic days of exhibitions, activations, masterclasses, panel conversations, fitness challenges, and product showcases.

Brands from across the nutrition, supplement, activewear, equipment, wellness technology, and lifestyle sectors set up on the expo floor and engaged directly with thousands of health-conscious consumers who came not just to look, but to buy, to learn, and to connect.

When the evening of July 4 arrived and the doors of the Nigerian Fitness Awards Gala swung open, Nigeria’s fitness elite were waiting. The black-tie ceremony brought together gym owners, Spa owners, personal trainers, nutritionists, physiotherapists, sports medicine professionals, wellness entrepreneurs, fitness influencers, and brand executives for an evening of recognition, celebration, and genuine industry pride. Confirmed names on the night included Folusho Ogunbowale, Maje Ayida, Sandra SoFit, Wale Ogunbiyi, Amara Kanu, , Ferdinand Esewe, Gbemi Giwa, Akin and Patricia Maja, Dr Paul Chima, and Bukky Major, among others.

Thirty-two award categories recognised excellence across every corner of the fitness and wellness ecosystem, from the gym floor to the consulting room, from the supplement shelf to the coaching session that changed someone’s life.

Brands that participated as exhibitors and sponsors reported outcomes that exceeded expectations. One senior executive at a confirmed partner brand described NFAandE 2026 as the single most impactful marketing investment their company made in the year.

Another exhibitor, returning for 2027, said that the quality of conversations on the expo floor in a single day outperformed months of conventional advertising.

The Industry Behind the Event Is Growing Fast

To understand why NFAandE 2026 landed the way it did, you have to understand what is happening in Nigeria’s fitness and wellness economy right now.

Nigeria is home to over 1,200 gyms and fitness studios, more than 8,000 certified personal trainers, over 2,000 active fitness influencers, and a rapidly growing ecosystem of supplement brands, sports medicine practitioners, nutrition entrepreneurs, wellness technology startups, and active lifestyle consumer brands.

The market is estimated to be one of the fastest growing consumer categories in sub-Saharan Africa, driven by an urban, educated, aspirational demographic between 25 and 45 that has made health a lifestyle priority rather than an occasional resolution.

What this market has lacked until now is the formal institutional infrastructure that defines mature industries. An awards platform that names the best. An expo that brings the commercial ecosystem together. A stage that tells the world that Nigeria’s fitness industry is not informal, not niche, and not going anywhere.

NFAandE is that infrastructure.

2027: Bigger Stage, Wider Reach, Global Ambition

The organisers of NFAandE are not resting on the momentum of 2026. They are building on it with considerable intent.

The Nigerian Fitness Expo 2027 will run across three full days from August 13 to 15 at Landmark Event Center, Victoria Island, Lagos. The Nigerian Fitness Awards Gala follows on August 21, 2027, at the same venue. Where the 2026 edition served seven thousand attendees across two days, the 2027 edition is targeting twenty thousand attendees across a three-day expo and a larger, more expansive gala evening.

The 2027 edition introduces several new dimensions that signal NFAandE’s evolution from a successful debut into a serious industry institution.

The International Pavilion will for the first time create a dedicated zone on the expo floor exclusively for foreign brands entering the Nigerian market. Working through established partnerships with international chambers of commerce including the Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry Japan, NFAandE is actively bringing global brands from Japan, South Korea, China, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States into direct contact with Nigerian gym owners, wellness entrepreneurs, and lifestyle consumers. For international brands, NFAandE 2027 represents one of the most credible and commercially structured entry points into the Nigerian wellness economy available.

The Amazon, a Shark Tank-style live investment pitch platform, will give Nigeria’s most promising fitness and wellness startups the opportunity to pitch for funding, partnerships, and distribution in front of a live expo audience and a panel of serious investors.

The Mastery Lab, NFAandE’s new year-round digital learning and certification platform, will bring the expertise of the event’s speakers and practitioners to an online audience throughout the year.

Nnamdi Obioma, Chief Business Development Officer of NFAandE, describes the 2027 ambition in direct terms.

‘We proved in 2026 that Nigeria’s fitness industry would show up for a platform worthy of it. In 2027 we are building the platform that was always in our imagination. More brands. More countries. More investment. More recognition. We are opening NFAandE to the world and inviting the world to come to Lagos.’

Early Bird Opportunity: Sponsorship and Exhibition Sales Now Open

The organisation behind NFAandE has opened sponsorship and exhibition sales for the 2027 edition, with an early bird window running until June 30, 2027 that offers massive discounts across all packages.

For brands seeking exhibition space, booth options range from food court and standard configurations to premium positions and dedicated international brand slots. For companies seeking deeper association with the platform, sponsorship packages at the title, platinum, and gold tier across both the expo and the awards gala offer naming rights, category exclusivity, stage branding, media integration, influencer access, and a suite of commercial benefits designed to deliver measurable returns across brand equity, lead generation, and direct consumer engagement.

The organisers are clear that the most valuable positions, particularly headline naming rights and category-exclusive sponsorships, are strictly limited. Once taken, they cannot be shared, split, or replicated. The brand that moves first owns that space entirely.

The Platform Nigeria’s Wellness Economy Has Been Waiting For

There is a broader story being written here and NFAandE is the protagonist.

Nigeria’s fitness and wellness professionals have for too long operated without the formal recognition, commercial infrastructure, and institutional credibility that professionals in other industries take for granted. The trainer who has transformed hundreds of lives. The nutritionist who has built a practice on real science and real results. The gym owner who has survived recessions and a pandemic and kept their community healthy through it all. The supplement founder who refused to import mediocre products and built something better from scratch.

These people deserve a stage. They deserve an industry that celebrates them. They deserve a platform that amplifies their work and connects them with the partners, the capital, and the recognition that their contribution warrants.

NFAandE exists to give them exactly that. And in 2027, that mission gets significantly louder.

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Northwest, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled multiple kidnap attempts and rescued the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, along with several other victims during separate operations in Zamfara State.

The military disclosed this in a statement issued on X on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.

The statement added that the first incident occurred in the early hours of July 28 when troops responded to a distress call reporting terrorist activity around Tsohon-Tasha Street in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.

Danja said the attackers had invaded the residence of the rector, killed his private security guard and injured another resident before attempting to abduct Dr. Yusuf and members of his family.

He said, ‘Troops arrived promptly and engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to flee and abandon their victims. The Rector and his family were rescued and unharmed.’

The military spokesman added that in another operation on the same day, troops on night patrol responded to a distress call from the Tungan Dorawa community in Barkeji Village, where terrorists were attempting to abduct residents.

He said despite difficult terrain that initially slowed their movement, the troops closed in on the fleeing suspects, engaged them, and foiled the abduction attempt.

Danja further disclosed that troops simultaneously engaged another group of terrorists in the same community who were attempting to kidnap a prominent businessman, identified as Alhaji Azaria.

He said, ‘Prompt intervention forced the terrorists to flee and abandon their mission. Alhaji Azaria, along with 21 other civilians abducted from neighbouring houses, were rescued.’

The statement also revealed that troops arrested a 45-year-old suspected terrorist informant, Falalu Yusuf, who is believed to have collaborated with the attackers.

‘He has been handed over to relevant authorities for investigation and further necessary action,’ Danja said.

Commending the troops for the successful operations, Danja said Operation FANSAN YAMMA remained committed to restoring peace and security in Zamfara State and the wider North-West region.

He stated, ‘Operation FANSAN YAMMA commends the vigilance, courage, and professionalism of the troops and reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to restoring peace and security in Zamfara State and the larger North-West region.’