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Tinubu

Tinubu Nominates Ex-CDS Christopher Musa As Defence Minister

by Folarin Kehinde December 2, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence.

In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu conveyed General Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on Monday.

General Musa, 58, on December 25, is a distinguished soldier who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.

General Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1991 and has since had a distinguished career. His appointments include General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.

In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region.

In 2021, General Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai. He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023.

In the letter to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed confidence in General Musa’s ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President,

(Information and Strategy)

December 2, 2025

December 2, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: FG Publishes List of 15 Alleged Terrorist Financers in Nigeria [SEE LIST]

by Folarin Kehinde December 1, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government has released a fresh list of 15 individuals and companies accused of bankrolling terrorism across the country.

The announcement, which comes as part of Nigeria’s renewed push against extremist networks, marks one of the most decisive actions taken in the ongoing 2024 counter-terrorism campaign.

According to officials, the list emerged from an extensive security review carried out by multiple agencies tracking financial flows, logistics supply routes and cross-border transactions.

The review identified nine persons and six business entities believed to have provided financial support, material assistance or other enabling resources to terrorist groups operating both within and outside Nigeria.

Those named include Tukur Mamu, Yusuf Ghazali, Muhammad Sani, Abubakar Muhammad, Sallamudeen Hassan, Adamu Ishak, Hassana-Oyiza Isah, Abdulkareem Musa, and Umar Abdullahi.

In addition to the individuals, the government also listed several companies — many of them Bureau De Change operators and general trading outfits — suspected of linking transactions to terror-funding networks.

These firms are West & East Africa General Trading Company Limited, Settings Bureau De Change Ltd, G. Side General Enterprises, Desert Exchange Ventures Ltd, Eagle Square General Trading Company Limited, and Alfa Exchange BDC.

Security officials involved in the investigation described the move as the outcome of “months of intelligence tracking,” during which teams studied suspicious cash movements, analysed communication patterns, and coordinated with international partners.

The aim, according to one senior officer, is to “cut off the oxygen supply” that keeps extremist cells functioning.

Government authorities explained that the action is part of a broader national effort to tighten regulations in the financial sector, monitor high-risk money-changing activities, and reinforce military operations in areas affected by terrorism.

The Federal Government also hinted that this is only the first phase, as more names are being examined and could be added to the sanctions list in the coming months.

Officials emphasised that the crackdown does not stop at naming suspects. Agencies are now expected to implement restrictions, freeze accounts where necessary, and track any further movement linked to the identified individuals and firms.

In a related development, the government recently intensified oversight on BDC operations nationwide, following earlier reports exposing how unregulated currency trading has become a soft landing for illicit financing.

This latest announcement appears to be a continuation of that broader effort to block all financial pipelines that enable terrorist activities.

December 1, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Tinubu appoints ex-INEC Chair Yakubu, Fani-Kayode, Reno Omokri, others as ambassadors (FULL LIST)

by Folarin Kehinde November 29, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent the names of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

This was disclosed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Saturday.

The new list, which has the names of Chief Feni Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, and Reno Omokri, ex-Presidential aide, is coming days after the President sent the first batch of three names.

In two separate letters to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu asked the Senate to consider and confirm expeditiously 15 nominees as career ambassadors and 17 nominees as non-career ambassadors.

four women on the career ambassadors’ list and six women on the non-career ambassadors’ list.

Among the non-career ambassador designates are Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu from Abia, a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri (Delta), former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmud Yakubu, former Ekiti first lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo, and former Enugu governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Others are Tasiu Musa Maigari, the former speaker of the Katsina House of Assembly, Yakubu N. Gambo, a former Commissioner in Plateau State and former deputy executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Professor Nora Ladi Daduut, a former senator from Plateau; Otunba Femi Pedro, a former deputy governor of Lagos State; Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, a former aviation minister from Osun State; and Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu from Anambra State are on the nomination list.

Also on the list are former First Lady of Oyo, Fatima Florence Ajimobi, former Lagos Commissioner, Lola Akande, former Adamawa Senator, Grace Bent, former governor of Abia, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, businessman, lawyer and Senator from Ondo State, and the former ambassador of Nigeria to the Holy See, Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu from Benue State.

Among the nominees for career ambassador and high commissioner-designates are: Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa), Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa), Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi) and Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun).

The other nominees are Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo), Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah(Edo), Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger), Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina), Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna), Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara) and Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun).

The new nominees are expected to be posted to countries with which Nigeria maintains excellent and strategic bilateral relations, such as China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, and to Permanent Missions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union. All the nominees will know their diplomatic assignments after their confirmation by the Senate.

Last week, President Tinubu sent three ambassadorial nominees for screening and confirmation. The nominees were Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun). All three are in the pot for posting to the UK, USA, or France after their confirmation.

Tinubu said more nominees for ambassadorial positions will be announced soon.

November 29, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: Tinubu finally appoints ambassadors

by Folarin Kehinde November 26, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has sent a 3-man list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced this at plenary on Wednesday.

The nominees are Kayode Are from Ogun State, Aminu Dalhatu from Jigawa and Ayodele Oke.

“The list contains three names for now, I am sure others will follow,” Akpabio said after reading the letter from President Bola Tinubu.

Since the emergence of Tinubu in 2023, he has not appointed an ambassador, an issue that critics have latched on to.

After President Donald Trump of the United States blacklisted Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, many blamed this on the non-appointment of ambassadors.

In an interview he granted in September, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, dismissed concerns that diplomatic missions were paralysed without appointed envoys.

“All our embassies are functioning well. The chargé d’affaires in each mission is carrying out responsibilities effectively. The absence of ambassadors has not created a vacuum”, he had said.

He explained that an ambassador is the head of mission, but the diplomatic chain of command includes deputies, counsellors and career officers who handle daily operations.

“Diplomacy is not a one-man show. The system is designed to cope with such situations,” he stated.

Tuggar noted that the appointment of ambassadors is strictly the president’s prerogative and will be made in due course.

“Mr President is considering the matter, and when the time is right, names will be announced. Meanwhile, our missions are not idle,” he had said.

November 26, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

FG Borrows N17.36tn in 10 Months, Exceeds 2025 Target by 55.6%

by Nelson Ugwuagbo November 10, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Government (FG) has borrowed N17.36 trillion from domestic and foreign sources in the first 10 months of 2025, N6.06 trillion (55.6%) above the prorated N10.9 trillion borrowing limit set in the 2025 Appropriation Act.
Domestic borrowing hit N15.8 trillion by October, while external loans reached N1.56 trillion in the first half.
An additional $2.35 billion (N3.384 trillion) Eurobond issuance, initiated last week, will push total borrowing to N20.74 trillion.

Projections based on current trends estimate full-year borrowing at nearly N23 trillion, N10 trillion (80%) over the N13.08 trillion annual budget ceiling.

The 2025 budget projected N54.99 trillion in expenditure against N41.91 trillion in revenue, leaving a N13.08 trillion deficit to be financed through borrowing.

Breakdown of Domestic Borrowing (Jan–Oct 2025):

Treasury Bills: N11.43tn (+4.6% YoY)

FGN Bonds: N4.042tn (-22% YoY)

FGN Savings Bonds: N40.19bn (+5.6% YoY)

Sukuk Bonds: N300bn (from zero in 2024)

Financial analysts warn that persistent overshooting amid weak revenue performance risks a debt trap, crowds out private sector credit, and undermines IMF-backed fiscal reforms.

Andrew Uviase, Managing Partner at Ecovis OUC, called it “a clear reflection of fiscal indiscipline and poor expenditure control,” urging drastic cuts in governance costs and improved transparency.

He noted that despite FIRS gains, non-oil revenue remains disappointing, fueling reliance on borrowing.

November 10, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: Stay out of Nigeria’s Internal Affairs, China warns US

by Folarin Kehinde November 4, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

China has voiced strong support for Nigeria following threats by former U.S. President Donald Trump to launch military action over alleged persecution of Christians in the West African nation.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Beijing stands firmly with Nigeria as it continues on its chosen path of development.

“As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly supports the Nigerian government as it leads its people on a development path suited to its national conditions,”

“China opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to meddle in other countries’ internal affairs or to threaten them with sanctions or the use of force,” Ning said.

Ning’s remarks followed comments by Trump over the weekend in which he accused the Nigerian government of failing to stop the “killing of Christians” and warned of possible U.S. military intervention.

“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the United States will immediately halt all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well move into that now disgraced country, guns blazing, to wipe out the Islamic terrorists committing these atrocities,” Trump had declared in a fiery post on Truth Social.

He added that he had directed the U.S. Department of War to “prepare for possible action,” promising any strike would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”

The Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims of systematic persecution of Christians. Responding to the U.S. leader’s comments, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and mutual coexistence.

November 4, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Tinubu Set to Announce New Ambassadors Amid Trump’s Military Threat

by Folarin Kehinde November 4, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will unveil Nigeria’s new ambassadors by next week, amid the ongoing diplomatic tension with the United States over allegations of Christian killings in the country.

According to the report, President Tinubu has directed the nation’s security agencies to fast-track the screening and vetting of the ambassadorial nominees.

“President Tinubu will announce new ambassadors, and this may be as early as next week, as security services have been directed to conclude vetting immediately,” Arise TV stated.

This comes in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent warning that military intervention could be considered if the Nigerian government fails to address reported attacks on Christian communities.

It will be recalled that in April, reports surfaced listing some notable political figures, including former Senator Shehu Sani, ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri, and former governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), among those being considered for ambassadorial positions.

In a recent update, the Federal Government confirmed that the list of ambassadorial nominees has been finalised.

November 4, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Catholic Priest Cries Out: ‘We’re Being Slaughtered Like Cows, Tinubu Turns Deaf Ear, Trump Please Intervene

by Folarin Kehinde November 3, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

A Catholic Priest, Fada Angelo Chidi Unegbu, has backed President Donald Trump’s decision to tackle the alleged massacre of Christians in Nigeria.

Trump had after designating Nigeria as Country of Particular Concern, vowed military intervention to end what he called the persecution of Christians in the country.

The US decision had triggered mixed reactions across the country.

While some citizens, particularly Christians, are celebrating the move, others believe the security crisis in Nigeria has nothing to do with religion.

However, Fada Angelo in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Sunday claimed that himself and others “have been appealing to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu all this while to stop the killings”.

The Catholic priest said they have been reminding Tinubu that he has “all it takes to stop insecurity and injustice in Nigeria, but he paid deaf ears to our pleas”, stressing that “humans are slaughtered daily like cows”.

He argued that terrorists in Nigeria are “walking freely”, while “harmless agitators and protesters have either been killed by the same government or are in jail”.

In another post, the clergy said “if the US comes to our aid, the chances are 50/50, but if not, our doom is sealed”.

“And if the US doesn’t come, who will help us? What are the plans to stop the killings? Donald J. Trump, please come quickly”, he added.

November 3, 2025 0 comments

Opinion

Trump’s Threat on Nigeria is opportunity for President Tinubu to act…

by Folarin Kehinde November 2, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The designation of Nigeria as *a country of special interest* is definitely an embarrassment to the giant of Africa. It also serves as an opportunity for the Tinubu administration to wipe the religious terrorists out of Nigeria so as to save the lives of Nigerians.

Nigeria has had a history of religious violence dating back to the days when people of Igbo extraction were prosecuted and killed in thousands in Northern Nigeria. It is not untrue to say that Christians have suffered genocidal killing in Nigeria, and continues to suffer such killings till date.

The people of the north central Nigeria particularly the people of Benue and Plateau State including the people southern Kaduna have suffered the latest brunt of religious killings by religious terrorists.

It has been a sad and embarrassing ordeal that remains an abatross exacerbated by the inability of the Federal Government of Nigeria to checkmate the killings over the years.

It is on this note that the President of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is called to step up to the plate and grab the opportunity to eradicate the menace.

President Tinubu should ask the American President, Donald Trump for help towards eradicating the menace.

Too many innocent lives have been lost to marauding bandits and religious terrorists.

Nigeria can be made great again.

Engr Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe

President General

Igbo Community Association FCT

November 2, 2025 0 comments

Business

BREAKING: President Tinubu Approves 15% Import Duty on Diesel and Petrol

by Folarin Kehinde October 30, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has approved a 15 percent ad-valorem import duty on diesel and premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.

In a letter dated October 21, 2025, Damilotun Aderemi, the president’s private secretary, conveyed Tinubu’s approval to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The approval followed a request from FIRS to apply the 15 percent duty on the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value of imports, aimed at aligning import costs with domestic market realities.

According to the letter, the implementation of the import duty is expected to raise the price of a litre of petrol by approximately N99.72.

October 30, 2025 0 comments

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