
Several Nigerian states, including Kebbi, Gombe, Kwara, Kaduna, Edo, Imo, Bayelsa, and Anambra, are increasing their deployment of forest guards as part of a Federal Government-backed initiative to enhance security, though implementation is inconsistent across the country. This renewed focus on forest security follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards after recent attacks and abductions. President Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to intensify the fight against insecurity and ensure the release of all captives. Kebbi State has deployed 819 newly trained National Forest Guards, while Gombe State has commenced its program with 700 recruits undergoing training. Kwara State has recruited and deployed approximately 3,300 forest guards under the Presidential Forest Guards initiative. In contrast, Benue State clarifies that forest guard recruitment is a federal responsibility, and Sokoto State advises against deploying forest guards for frontline combat operations, emphasizing their role in protecting forest resources. Katsina State has recruited 70 forest guards, and Kano State has recruited 150. Ekiti State has also recruited forest guards who collaborate with other security agencies. However, Ondo State has no plans to recruit federal forest guards, relying instead on its Amotekun Corps. Kaduna State has begun training 1,000 forest guards, and Edo State plans to commence training for its recruits. Zamfara, Rivers, Abia
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadNigeria's trade sector attracted $65.79 million in foreign capital during the first quarter of 2026, marking a 91.31 percent increase from the $34.39 million recorded in the same period of 2025. This growth indicates renewed investor confidence in commercial activities and cross-border trade, despite the figure being lower than the $80.94 million in Q3 2025 and $119.21 million in Q4 2025. The National Bureau of Statistics reported that trade was the largest contributor to Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product in Q1 2026, accounting for 17.89 percent of total output. Dr. Muda Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, attributed this to improved exchange rate stability, better FX liquidity, easing inflationary pressures, and recovering business confidence. However, Yusuf cautioned that sustainable economic transformation requires stronger productive capacity and industrialization. Industry experts anticipate trade will play a growing role in driving growth across Nigeria and Africa, particularly with the African Continental Free Trade Area. Bowale Adeoye, Chief Executive Officer of Seedtree Capital, highlighted innovations in trade finance and logistics, such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, which reduce transaction costs and address Africa's trade finance gap. She also emphasized the importance of cold-chain infrastructure and localization for competitiveness. Ijeoma Ezenwa, Chief Executive Officer of NAHCO Commodities Li
Must ReadExperts are advocating for immediate reforms to Nigeria's Safe School initiative following a significant increase in school abductions. Since the initiative's establishment in 2014 and implementation in 2015, over 2,000 students and teachers have been kidnapped, according to a media tally. While isolated cases occurred between 2015 and 2017, mass kidnappings targeting schools in northern and central Nigeria escalated after the 2018 abduction of 110 schoolgirls from Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State. Notable incidents include the abduction of 303 students in Kankara in December 2020, 279 girls in Jangebe in February 2021, and 287 students in Kuriga in March 2024, among many others. A national plan for Safe Schools financing from 2023 to 2026 allocates N82,909,728,970 to security agencies for arms, equipment, training, and operations. The Federal Government is expected to contribute N119.83bn, with states providing N24.93bn. Former Assistant Inspector General of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, called for an overhaul of the security coordination framework, emphasizing intelligence-driven policing and strengthened state-level security structures. He also highlighted the need for integrated intelligence centers and collaboration between security agencies and communities. Retired Commissioner of Police, Lawrence Alobi, echoed calls for a review of the security architecture, stressing that all security services must actively protect educational institution
Must ReadThe National Association of Nigerian Students NANS has initiated a 90-day nationwide review of Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFund projects. This action follows increasing concerns regarding alleged project abandonment, poor execution, and delayed delivery of interventions in tertiary institutions across Nigeria. NANS has formed an independent committee to assess, verify, and monitor TETFund intervention projects, investigating their implementation and impact. NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde, stated that the decision was prompted by persistent complaints about the quality and completion of TETFund-funded projects. The association highlighted concerns that despite significant government investment through TETFund, projects might not be delivered as approved, and students may not be receiving the intended benefits. The committee will tour universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to independently verify project status and assess their impact on teaching, learning, and student welfare. The exercise also aims to enhance transparency and accountability in managing public funds for tertiary education. The committee, chaired by Salahudeen A. Lukman, with members Okereke Godson Bishop, Dominic Philip, Odiahi Thomas Ikhine, Wande T. Ajayi, Ibrahim A. Ibrahim, and secretary Gambo Abubakar, is expected to submit its findings and recommendations within 90 days. NANS plans to forward the report to the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Education, and other stakeholders f