
The Nigerian Senate has once more rejected a request to independently investigate the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council. The Senate cited that the matter is already before the courts and under investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC. The controversy involves a claimed federal agency that allegedly received a ₦1.3bn allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act, despite the Presidency stating no such agency exists. Senator Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu, representing Kano South Senatorial District, brought the renewed request, which was declined. President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, stated that the National Assembly could not investigate a sub judice matter and noted that President Bola Tinubu had already directed the ICPC to investigate the issue within 30 days. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the purported council, has been arrested and faces criminal charges for alleged impersonation. He is also involved in a dispute with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over alleged bribe demands, which the Presidency denies.
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.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that the Federal Government will conduct a comprehensive nationwide household survey to determine a more accurate figure for Nigeria’s out-of-school children. Speaking at the 2026 Annual Education Summit of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja, Dr. Alausa stated that the Federal Ministry of Education is collaborating with the National Bureau of Statistics to generate reliable data for policy decisions. He acknowledged that current estimates, ranging from 15 million to 20 million, need updating, emphasizing the government's commitment to evidence-based statistics. The minister noted that while over one million out-of-school children have returned to classrooms in the past two years, accurate data is crucial for measuring progress. He also highlighted reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training TVET, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics STEM, and digital transformation. Dr. Alausa mentioned that Nigeria has achieved three consecutive years without academic disruptions in tertiary institutions and now has 24 universities ranked among the world’s top 1,000. The summit, themed “Three Years of the Tinubu Administration: Assessing Reforms, Progress and Challenges in Nigeria’s Education Sector,” brought together policymakers, education stakeholders, and journalists. The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, and the Executive S
Must ReadThe World Health Organization WHO has stated that almost 45 percent of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing lifestyle and environmental risk factors. These factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and air pollution. The WHO released updated guidelines to help countries reduce the growing burden of dementia through early prevention and improved healthcare interventions. Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death globally and a major contributor to disability among older adults, affecting memory, thinking, and daily activities. While there is no cure, up to 45 percent of risks are attributed to modifiable factors such as tobacco, alcohol use, social isolation, physical inactivity, air pollution, and noncommunicable diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. More than 57 million people worldwide currently live with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed annually. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for an estimated 60 to 70 percent of all cases. Devora Kestel, Director of the WHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, emphasized that dementia impacts individuals, families, and communities, affecting health, dignity, independence, and well-being. The revised guidance, building on 2019 guidelines, provides practical steps for countries to protect cognitive health, including encouraging cognitive stimulation, managing conditions like hypertension and diabetes, and integrating services for

Bauchi Central Senator Abdul Ningi has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to promptly prosecute and publicly parade suspects involved in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State. Speaking during a Senate plenary, Ningi emphasized that those responsible should face the full force of the law to deter future crimes. He warned that any delay in prosecution could erode public confidence in the justice system. The call follows the rescue of pupils and teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, LA Primary School, and Community Grammar School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, who were abducted by gunmen and rescued after 56 days in captivity by a joint team of security operatives.