Tinubu receives new Beninoise President Wadagni in Lagos
via Punch Nigeria8 min read
President Bola Tinubu on Monday in Lagos received Romuald Wadagni, the newly inaugurated President of the Republic of Benin. This marks Wadagni's first bilateral engagement with his Nigerian counterpart since taking office a week ago. Wadagni was received by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu upon arrival and subsequently held a closed-door meeting with Tinubu at his Ikoyi residence, which lasted nearly 30 minutes. The details of their discussions were not immediately released. Wadagni's visit follows his inauguration on May 24, 2026, succeeding President Patrice Talon after his victory in the April 12 presidential election. Vice President Kashim Shettima had represented Tinubu at the inauguration ceremony. Benin Republic, sharing a western border with Nigeria, is a close neighbor and a key partner in ECOWAS regional cooperation, trade, and security arrangements in the Gulf of Guinea. Tinubu previously served as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government from July 2023 to 2024.
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Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, the Chancellor of Lagos State University, has detailed his vision for the institution, which includes forging partnerships with Ivy League and other prominent international universities. Speaking at the Commonwealth Institute Universities Leaders Conference in Lagos, Ogunsanwo emphasized that fostering relationships with top global universities will be a priority. He also aims to promote technology-driven learning, leverage Artificial Intelligence and Information and Communications Technology, and ensure balanced development across all of LASU's four campuses. Appointed in February by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Oba Ogunsanwo stated that while his role is advisory, he intends to support the university's growth and development. He highlighted the need for increased funding, revenue generation, and improved infrastructure, particularly student accommodation. The Chancellor also pledged to promote industrial harmony among staff, which he considers crucial for the university's continued progress.
The Federal Government has directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs to immediately stop the practice of placing civil servants on a mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave, stating that this provision does not exist in the Public Service Rules. This directive was issued in a circular by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, to top government officials. The circular, titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” clarifies that many MDAs have wrongly interpreted the retirement notice period as an automatic leave period, leading to the premature withdrawal of officers from active service. According to Walson-Jack, Public Service Rule 120243 requires officers due for retirement to give three months’ notice, attend a one-month pre-retirement workshop or seminar, and use the remaining period to regularise service records and pension documentation. She emphasized that the three-month period is a notice requirement, not a leave entitlement, and retiring officers must continue performing their duties unless attending approved workshops or granted leave under existing regulations. All MDAs are now required to ensure retiring officers continue their responsibilities, participate in pre-retirement programs, and complete all necessary documentation before their official retirement dates. This clarification aims to standardize the implementation of Public Service Rules, prevent loss of manpower from ear
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, engaged in a verbal dispute regarding the African Democratic Congress ADC presidential primaries, which resulted in Atiku's victory. Atiku secured 1,846,370 votes, surpassing former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and businessman-politician Mohammed Hayatu-Deen. Lawal, who recently resigned from the ADC, accused Atiku of influencing the primary outcomes, alleging that results were manipulated to favor him. He stated his exit from the party was due to the "massively rigged" primaries, which he described as a "disgraceful charade." Lawal also vowed not to participate in any rigging for the 2027 elections, asserting that supporting Atiku would be akin to giving President Bola Tinubu a second term. In response, Atiku's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, denied the manipulation claims, stating the primaries reflected the will of party members. Shaibu accused Lawal of making unsubstantiated allegations and highlighted Lawal's alleged political inconsistency, questioning why he accepted primary results in Adamawa State where his cousin became a governorship candidate. Shaibu also referenced Lawal's past involvement in the "grass-cutting scandal" during former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration, suggesting Lawal's criticisms stemmed from dissatisfaction with the outcome rather than genuine concerns about electoral integrity. Meanwh
Must ReadThe Central Bank of Nigeria has redeployed its four Deputy Governors in a management reshuffle that took effect on June 1, 2026. Dr Muhammad Abdullahi, formerly Deputy Governor for Economic Policy, has been reassigned to the Corporate Services Directorate, with Mr Philip Ikeazor now overseeing the Economic Policy Directorate. Ms Emem Usoro, Deputy Governor for Corporate Services, moved to the Operations Directorate, and Mr Lamido Yuguda transferred from Operations to the Financial System Stability Directorate. These changes alter the leadership of key departments responsible for policy formulation, banking sector oversight, institutional administration, and core operations. The redeployment is expected to strengthen coordination and align leadership responsibilities with the bank’s evolving priorities, particularly as it implements reforms to enhance regulatory oversight, institutional effectiveness, and macroeconomic stability. The changes also coincide with efforts to reinforce confidence in the financial system and improve policy implementation. In March 2026, President Bola Tinubu nominated Lamido Yuguda as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, following the appointment of former CBN Deputy Governor Bala Bello as Special Adviser to the President on Political Economy.