GOVT ERASING DOUBTS THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION, SAYS PRESIDENT TINUBU AS HE COMMISSIONS 16KM OLD KEFFI ROAD IN ABUJA

FCT Miniter, Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, delivering his speech at the Commissioning of the Kado Village to Dei-Dei Road, on Thursday, July 2, 2026.

FCTA PRESS RELEASE

GOVT ERASING DOUBTS THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION, SAYS PRESIDENT TINUBU AS HE COMMISSIONS 16KM OLD KEFFI ROAD IN ABUJA

• FCT Minister Directs Immediate Construction of Kagini-Zauda-Kaba Road Following Fresh Community Appeal

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the visible wave of infrastructure delivery across the country is turning early skeptics into firm believers, stating that his administration's knack for fulfilling promises has left "doubt with no ground to stand on".

The President made this statement today, July 2, 2026, during the official commissioning of the newly rehabilitated 16-kilometre Old Keffi Road—stretching from Kado Village through Life Camp to Dei-Dei Junction by the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

President Tinubu, who was represented at the ceremony by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, emphasized that the completed corridor is proof of a transparent pattern of governance under the Renewed Hope Agenda: "We identify the pain, we fund the solution, and we deliver".

Addressing the crowd, the President recalled that when his administration first vowed to end the era of abandoned projects in Abuja, many observers were skeptical.

"When we assumed office under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we told Nigerians the era of abandoned projects in the country was over. Some doubted. Today, doubt has no ground to stand on. From Saburi 1 and 2 in, to this corridor in Abuja, and to many others we started unveiling across the country to mark the third anniversary of this administration, the pattern is clear."

The President explained that the strategic economic Kado-Dei-Dei road had degenerated into a grueling daily ordeal for commuters, traders, and families across Kado, Saburi, Gwagwa, Karmo, Idu, and Dei-Dei. Following an on-site assessment by FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike last year, the Federal Executive Council immediately stepped in to approve and fund the intervention.

He praised the contractor, Lubrik Construction Company for matching the standard they set during the of the Saburu 1 and 2 road last year. "Under this government, we do not reward patronage. We reward competence. If you deliver, you get more work. If you fail, you are out. Lubrik Construction Company has delivered again," the President added.

In a glowing commendation of the FCT Minister's relentless execution strategy, President Tinubu reaffirmed his total reliance on Wike’s leadership to drive the modern evolution of the nation's capital.

He said, “Let me speak directly to the Honourable Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, CON. Minister, you have turned the FCT into a site of visible results. You inspect, you decide, you follow through. You have matched development in the city centre with development in the districts and area councils so that no community is left behind."

“'Mr. Projects' is not a slogan. It is the record of roads opened, lights installed, and deadlines met. I trust you. I rely on you. And Abuja is better because you are at the wheel. Thank you for your discipline, your courage, and your speed.”

President Tinubu charged the traditional rulers and local residents to safeguard the infrastructure against vandalism, noting that community ownership is vital to ensuring the road lasts for generations.

Speaking in his personal capacity, Senate President Akpabio lauded the fact that the FCT is witnessing 31 consecutive days of project commissioning, noting that economic vitality has officially returned to Abuja's most populated commercial sectors of the capital city.

Senator Akpabio called on Nigerians to establish a new performance baseline for public officers: "In Nigeria, we must bring up a standard for election. Show me your work and I will vote for you. People have been there with nothing to show for it. But in the case of Tinubu, he has been thinking, planning, and producing results."

Earlier, the FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his steadfast backing of the FCT Administration's infrastructural drive. He recalled a campaign promise made to local traders who pledged their total support for the administration if the dilapidated Old Keffi road was fixed.

"Today, the second day of July, 2026, we are here to commission this road. We are very happy that all the promises Mr. President made to the people around this area have been fulfilled," the FCT Minister said.

During the ceremony, the Minister noticed a group of residents holding up banners and pleading for the rehabilitation of the rural Kagini-Zauda-Kabba road and issued an immediate directive to the contractor, Lubriks Construction Company, to deploy equipment to the area.

"I saw people carrying banners showing how bad their road is. Mr. President has repeatedly said that once he is aware of your problems, consider it done. I have told Lubriks Construction Company to move to this area and do this road for you", the Minister stated, in demonstration of his trademark responsive leadership.

UN Spotlight on Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Human Rights Under Scrutiny

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UN Spotlight on Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Human Rights Under Scrutiny

The United Nations recently concluded a major fact-finding mission on freedom of religion and belief in Nigeria, highlighting systemic challenges, ongoing violence, and gaps in state protection, while promising a comprehensive report to the Human Rights Council in March 2027.

The preliminary findings stress both the resilience of civil society and the urgent need for stronger government accountability. 

Background of the Mission

The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Nazila Ghanea, visited Nigeria from 8–19 June 2026. Her mandate was to assess the state of religious freedom, identify obstacles to its enjoyment, and recommend measures aligned with international human rights standards. She traveled to Abuja, Jos, and Kano, meeting with government officials, civil society organizations, religious leaders, academics, and displaced communities. 

Key Observations

Ghanea’s preliminary observations emphasized several critical points:

Civil Society Engagement: She praised the vibrancy of Nigerian civil society, noting the active participation of over 200 interlocutors, including lawyers, academics, and faith-based actors.   

Government Cooperation and Gaps: While she met with senior officials such as the National Security Adviser and Supreme Court Justices, she regretted that some requested federal-level meetings were not facilitated. This highlighted a lack of full transparency and cooperation.   

Regional Challenges: In Plateau State, she engaged with peacebuilding agencies and visited internally displaced persons (IDP) settlements, underscoring the impact of religiously motivated violence. In Kano State, she met with Sharia Court officials and the Hisbah Corps, reflecting the complex interplay between secular and religious institutions.   

Human Rights Concerns

The mission comes against a backdrop of persistent religious violence in Nigeria. Non-state actors such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and ISSP continue to impose extremist interpretations of Islam, targeting both Muslim and Christian communities. Attacks have included church burnings, mosque killings, and mass abductions of worshippers and schoolchildren. These incidents reveal serious failures in state protection and justice delivery, leaving communities vulnerable and traumatized. 

Next Steps

Ghanea will present her comprehensive report to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2027, which will include detailed recommendations for Nigeria. These are expected to focus on:

- Strengthening state accountability in preventing and prosecuting religiously motivated violence.  

- Enhancing interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding mechanisms at both federal and state levels.  

- Protecting vulnerable groups, especially IDPs, women, and children, from targeted religious persecution.  

- Ensuring that Nigeria’s legal and institutional frameworks align with international human rights standards.   

Conclusion

The UN’s recent engagement underscores both the severity of Nigeria’s religious freedom crisis and the potential for reform through stronger governance and civil society collaboration. The forthcoming report will be a crucial benchmark for Nigeria’s human rights trajectory, especially in balancing its diverse religious landscape with constitutional protections.

Nigeria’s Fiscal Reform Landscape

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The World Bank’s recent review of Nigeria’s fiscal reforms reveals a stark divide: while many states advanced transparency and accountability under the SFTAS program, 16 states failed to meet the necessary criteria and consequently received no performance-based grants.

This outcome underscores both the progress made and the persistent governance gaps that threaten Nigeria’s fiscal sustainability. 

Nigeria’s Fiscal Reform Landscape

The State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Program, launched in 2018, was designed to strengthen fiscal governance across Nigeria’s 36 states. With $1.5 billion in performance-based grants, the program incentivized reforms in four critical areas:  

- Fiscal transparency and accountability  

- Domestic revenue mobilization  

- Public expenditure efficiency  

- Debt management and sustainability 

WORLD BANK ON NIGERIA REFORMS: 21 States Receive $27 Million in Performance-Based Grants

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WORLD BANK ON NIGERIA REFORMS: 21 States Receive $27 Million in Performance-Based Grants

The World Bank’s announcement that 21 Nigerian states have collectively received $27 million in performance-based grants is more than a financial headline; it is a signal of how global institutions are measuring Nigeria’s reform trajectory.

These grants, tied to measurable outcomes rather than blanket disbursements, reflect a shift toward accountability-driven development financing. The underlying principle is clear: states that demonstrate tangible progress in fiscal transparency, governance reforms, and service delivery are rewarded, while laggards are left behind.

Nigeria’s federal structure often complicates reform implementation, as states vary widely in administrative capacity and political will. By linking funds to performance, the World Bank is attempting to incentivize reform at the subnational level, where citizens most directly experience governance.

This approach also underscores the Bank’s confidence that Nigeria’s reform agenda, particularly in areas like public financial management and revenue mobilization, can be accelerated if states are compelled to compete for results.

Yet, the grants raise critical questions. Is $27 million spread across 21 states sufficient to catalyze deep structural change? Or does it risk becoming symbolic, a token reward for incremental progress?

The danger lies in reforms being pursued for the sake of meeting donor benchmarks rather than embedding systemic change. Nigeria’s challenge has never been the absence of reform blueprints; it has been the sustainability of reforms beyond donor-driven incentives.

Nigeria Flood Alert: A National Editorial

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Nigeria is facing a critical flood alert this July 2026, with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) warning of flash floods across 19 states and the FCT, while the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) projects over 30,000 communities nationwide at risk between July and September. This is not a localized crisis, it is a national emergency that demands urgent action. 

Nigeria Flood Alert: A National Editorial

The Scope of the Threat

The Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) 2026 released by NiHSA paints a stark picture:  

30,707 communities are at risk.  

4,792 healthcare facilities and 10,684 schools could be disrupted.  

4.2 million hectares of farmland may be submerged, particularly between October and November.  

High-risk states include Kogi, Niger, Delta, Anambra, Benue, Kebbi, Rivers, Bayelsa, Adamawa, and Cross River.  

Meanwhile, NiMet’s July forecast warns of flash flooding in 19 states and the FCT, including Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Adamawa, and Abuja. Strong winds, poor drainage, and saturated soils will compound the risks. 

Why This Matters

Flooding in Nigeria is no longer an unpredictable disaster, it is a seasonal certainty. Climate change intensifies rainfall, while poor urban planning and weak drainage systems magnify the damage. The result is a cycle of displacement, food insecurity, school closures, and overwhelmed hospitals.  

The editorial truth is clear: Nigeria must stop treating floods as surprise visitors. Each year, the warnings are issued, yet response remains reactive rather than preventive. This complacency is costing lives, livelihoods, and billions in damages.

The Call to Action

1. Government Preparedness: Federal and state governments must invest in drainage infrastructure, flood shelters, and early warning systems. 

Editorial Analysis: CBN’s Revocation of 46 Microfinance Bank Licences

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Editorial Analysis: CBN’s Revocation of 46 Microfinance Bank Licences

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to revoke the operating licences of 46 microfinance banks is both a bold regulatory move and a sobering reminder of the fragility within Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.

At its core, this action underscores the CBN’s determination to enforce discipline in a sector that has often been plagued by weak capitalization, poor governance, and operational inefficiencies.

Microfinance banks were established to serve as vehicles of financial inclusion, targeting small businesses, low-income earners, and rural communities who are typically excluded from mainstream banking. 

By withdrawing licences from institutions that failed to meet minimum standards, the CBN is signalling that financial inclusion cannot be pursued at the expense of stability.

A bank that cannot meet its liabilities or maintain adequate capital is not just a weak link; it is a potential threat to depositors and to confidence in the system as a whole.

The revocation also highlights a deeper structural issue: many microfinance banks struggle to balance their social mission with financial sustainability. Inadequate risk management, poor lending practices, and limited access to long-term funding often leave them vulnerable.

CBN Revokes Operating Licences Of 46 Microfinance Banks

CBN

CBN Revokes Operating Licences Of 46 Microfinance Banks

On July 1, 2026, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced the revocation of operating licences for 46 microfinance banks across the country.

This decision was taken after the affected institutions failed to meet regulatory requirements necessary for their continued operation.

The revocation was approved by the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, under the authority of Sections 12 and 13 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020.

According to the apex bank, the institutions were found wanting in several critical areas: insufficient assets to meet liabilities, closure of operations without approval, inactivity and cessation of financial intermediation, failure to commence operations within 12 months of licensing, and inability to maintain the minimum capital required by law.

PRESIDENT TINUBU HAILS FCT MINISTER'S APPROACH TO INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY

(Left to Right: Deputy Managing Director, CGC Nigeria Limited, Mr Lv Haiming; Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry; FCT Minister, Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike; Senate President, Obong Godswill Akpabio; FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure at the Commissioning of the ILS road at Akinwumi Ajibola Street, Gaduwa District, Abuja, today, Wednesday July 1, 2026

FCTA PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU HAILS FCT MINISTER'S APPROACH TO INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY

… AS HE COMMISSIONS GADUWA DISTRICT ROAD NETWORK

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, for ending the era of abandoned inner roads and transforming infrastructure delivery across the nation’s capital.

President Tinubu gave the commendation in Abuja on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 while officially commissioning the full-scope development of Akinwumi Ajibola Street covering Important Local Streets (ILS) 16, 18, and 19 in Abuja's Gaduwa District.

Represented at the event by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu, added that the FCT Minister has completely eliminated the excuse of financial delays in project delivery by paying contractors on time and ensuring that projects are completed within schedule.

He said, “Let me put it on record. You have changed the culture of delivery in the FCT. You ended the era of mobilization without movement. You ended the era of abandoned inner roads while major highways took all the attention”.

Speaking further, the President said, “You are taking development from the city centre into the districts and the satellite towns, street by street, so that no resident is left behind. That is leadership. You inspect, you correct, you finish. Minister Wike, you have my confidence, you have my commendation, and the FCT has your results. Well done to you and to your team”, President Tinubu stated.

Speaking on the Gaduwa District road, the President observed that prior to government’s intervention, residents in the area faced severe challenges in accessing their homes due to the lack of motorable roads. He said the completion of the project will enhance the living conditions of residents within the Gaduwa District and also improve connectivity around the area.

According to him, "This project returns dignity to residents who should never have been forced to choose between owning a home and reaching it. That is governance: small projects, big impact."

While also pointing out that the completion of the project has led to appreciation in property values and reduced damage to vehicles and travel time, President Tinubu charged Gaduwa residents to protect the new infrastructure by keeping drainages free of refuse and reporting any vandalism early.

Earlier in his remarks, the FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike credited the ongoing transformation of the nation’s capital to the unwavering backing of President Tinubu. He also recognized the National Assembly's critical role, noting that their prompt approval and passage of the FCT's statutory budgets unlocked the essential funding required for these projects.

PRESIDENT TINUBU COMMISSIONS 13 KM RURAL ROAD IN KWALI

(Left to Right) Mr Joachim Wike; FCT Minister, Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike; Senate President, Obong Godswill Akpabio; Senator Olaka Nwogu; Hon Daniel Nuhu, Chairman Kwali Area Council; Hon Danladi Chiya, Past Chairman, Kwali Area Council at the Commissioning of the Gomani-Dafa-Yagoji Road, today, June 30

PRESIDENT TINUBU COMMISSIONS 13 KM RURAL ROAD  IN KWALI

...Reaffirms commitment to bridging development gaps between rural communities and urban centres

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially commissioned the newly completed 13-kilometre stretch of the Gomani-Dafa-Yangoji Road in the Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Kwali on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, President Tinubu disclosed that the project, completed in under 12 months, marks a major milestone in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to bridge the development gap between Abuja's urban centers and its rural communities.

President Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the Senate President, Obong Godswill Akpabio, emphasized that his administration’s commitment to ensuring that national wealth reaches all citizens, regardless of their geographical location.

"Abuja cannot be a city of two worlds, with gleaming districts and forgotten settlements. This road rejects that divide. It connects Gomani, Dafa, and Yangoji to markets, schools, hospitals, and opportunities. It says clearly that the wealth of this nation belongs to all of us”, President Tinubu stated.

He observed that rural communities within the FCT were held back by poor infrastructure, causing agricultural produce to rot before reaching the markets, and assured that the newly constructed corridor will transform the Kwali Area Council into a primary food-producing hub for the FCT and neighboring states.

He added that the road complete with advanced drainage systems and comprehensive streetlighting is expected to significantly drop post-harvest losses and urged the traditional rulers and youth of the host communities to guard the infrastructure against vandalism and encroachment.

President Tinubu commended the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, for meticulously enforcing the presidential directive to match city development with rural growth, praising his vision, cZAZAZAlose supervision, and ability to keep contractors focused on results.

While also praising the Minister of State Dr Mariya Mahmoud and the entire FCTA for working as a team to ensure the timely completion of the road, President Tinubu reassured that the current administration was committed to ensuring that ongoing infrastructure projects across the country are completed to ensure that public expenditure adds value to the lives of the people.

“Let me say this plainly: the era of starting projects only to abandon them is over. We will fund, we will finish, and we will maintain. From city expressways to rural access roads, every naira of public money must show up as value for the citizen. Infrastructure is the floor on which every other ambition stands. We will keep laying it, district by district, council by council”, President Tinubu said.

Speaking earlier, the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, revealed that the contract for the Gomani-Dafa-Yangoji Road in Kwali was awarded in November 2025 and completed ahead of its 12-month timeline.

He explained that the project was a result of community-led development, where the Council Chairman and traditional rulers directly nominated a 43km road network required in the area to address security challenges and improve the lives of the people.

The Minister further stated that the project was the fourth in a series of rural infrastructure projects commissioned to mark the administration's third anniversary, and thanked President Tinubu for his consistent presence at the commissioning ceremonies.

The FCT Minister also commended the contractor, Zeberced Limited, for delivering the project within nine months, matching the high standards previously set during their construction of the initial stages of the road from the Federal Highway A2 to Pai community in Kwali.

"What it shows is that all these things we are doing is not rocket science. It is a demonstration of commitment by this administration and the contractors", The Minister said.

The Head of Service of the FCTA, Mrs. Nancy Sabanti Nathan, while delivering the vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and thanked the National Assembly for its vital legislative oversight. She also acknowledged the patience and cooperation of the residents of Gomani and neighboring communities during the construction phase.