Yobe Executive Council Approves N73.3bn for Agriculture, Roads, Housing, Markets, Empowerment

By: Michael Mike

The Yobe State Executive Council has approved and ratified projects and services worth N73.32 billion as part of efforts to accelerate socio-economic development and improve living conditions across the state.

The decisions were reached at the Council’s meeting held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Council Chamber of the Government House, Damaturu, under the chairmanship of Governor Mai Mala Buni.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Abdullahi Bego, said the approvals were in line with the administration’s commitment to service delivery and the socio-economic development agenda of the state.

The largest allocation, N28.53 billion, was approved for the procurement of agricultural tools and implements for the 2026 Mega Agricultural Empowerment Programme. The programme builds on similar interventions implemented by the state government in 2024 and 2025.

The Council also ratified N23.97 billion for two major road projects, comprising N21.90 billion for the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the 45-kilometre Kalallawa-Kaliyari Road linking Damaturu and Tarmuwa Local Government Areas, and N2.07 billion for the construction of the seven-kilometre Damagum-Gubana Road.

The construction of the Damagum-Gubana road, the commissioner said, would complete a 17-kilometre road connection to Gubana town from Damagum.

In the area of urban infrastructure and commerce, the Council approved N4.94 billion for the construction of the Buni-Yadi Modern Motor Park and Grains Market, while N5.69 billion was approved for external facilities and augmentation of the perimeter fence at the Damaturu Modern Motor Park, which is nearing completion.

Another N3.95 billion was approved for the construction of a new shopping mall and mini-market in Buni-Gari, Gujba Local Government Area, while N726.09 million was approved for upgrades to the ongoing Damaturu Mega Shopping Mall project.

The Council also approved N616.61 million for the upgrading, remodelling, landscaping and installation of safety barriers at four major roundabouts in Damaturu metropolis.

In the housing sector, the Council ratified N2.25 billion for the purchase of 208 housing units from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, alongside N1.18 billion for the construction of an office complex and headquarters for the Ministry of Housing.

It also approved N652.63 million for the acquisition of Fanzar Mixed Farms Ltd.

As part of efforts to support women and small businesses, the Council approved N460.83 million for the procurement of beans for distribution to female small business owners across the state.

The beans will be distributed alongside cooking oil, smokeless stoves, cooking utensils and kitchenware already procured and stored by the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation. A total of 1,780 bags of 50kg beans are expected to be distributed to beneficiaries.

The Council further approved N364.48 million for the procurement of 1,000 Yamaha GX 390 grinding machines for empowerment beneficiaries across the state.

In another major decision, the Council approved a Public-Private Partnership arrangement for the redevelopment of the Yobe Liaison Office in Kaduna into a modern hotel under a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model.

Under the arrangement, the property will revert to the ownership of the Yobe State Government after 10 years, while the state’s liaison services will continue to operate from the property.

The approvals underscore the Buni administration’s emphasis on agricultural empowerment, infrastructure development, road connectivity, urban renewal, housing, women’s economic empowerment and the strategic utilisation of government assets.

Yobe Executive Council Approves N73.3bn for Agriculture, Roads, Housing, Markets, Empowerment

Egypt, Nigeria Deepen Push for African Solutions to Continental Challenges

By: Michael Mike

Egypt has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with Nigeria to develop African-led solutions to the continent’s challenges and promote a fairer global order that reflects Africa’s aspirations.

The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mohammed Fouad,, made the commitment on Thursday in Abuja at a ceremony organised by the Egyptian Embassy to commemorate the 74th anniversary of Egypt’s July 23, 1952 Revolution.

Fouad described the revolution as a defining moment in Egypt’s modern history, saying it restored the country’s dignity, independence and hope, while continuing to inspire its commitment to sovereignty, social justice and national development.

He said Egypt and Nigeria, as two pillars of African diplomacy, had a shared responsibility to champion African unity, sovereignty and multilateralism.

“Egypt and Nigeria are pillars of African diplomacy. Together we champion African unity, sovereignty and multilateralism.

“We advocate African solutions to African problems and a fairer global order that reflects Africa’s aspirations.

“By coordinating our positions in regional organisations, we amplify Africa’s voice on development finance, peacekeeping, climate justice and in shaping policies that deliver tangible benefits to our citizens,” he said.

The ambassador noted that the two countries had recorded 65 years of formal diplomatic relations since shortly after Nigeria’s independence in 1960, describing the milestone as a reflection of a relationship that had grown beyond official government-to-government ties.

He said the relationship had been strengthened by people-to-people exchanges, noting that more than 10,000 Nigerian students were currently studying in Egyptian universities.

According to him, the educational exchanges are helping to produce a new generation of leaders capable of strengthening relations between the two societies.

Fouad added that tourism, business and academic exchanges between both countries had continued to intensify, creating a solid foundation for deeper cooperation.

“At a time of global uncertainty, Egypt and Nigeria recognise the importance of redefining and deepening our partnership to address shared challenges,” he said.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Amb. Omar Ahmed, congratulated the government and people of Egypt on the milestone in the countries’ diplomatic relations.

She described Nigeria-Egypt relations as a pivotal partnership between two of Africa’s largest and most influential economies.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria was committed to strengthening bilateral relations with Egypt by exploring new channels for investment and innovation in support of Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Egypt’s strategic development goals.

“Nigeria is dedicated to strengthening its bilateral relations with Egypt, actively seeking new channels for investment and innovation that support both our Renewed Hope Agenda and Egypt’s Strategic Development Goals.

“By harnessing our collective resources and dynamic youth population, we are poised to foster a more prosperous, stable and secure Africa,” she said.

The minister also commended the continued support by both countries for each other’s positions on the international stage, describing their partnership for African development as a key vehicle for advancing the continent’s progress.

She said Nigeria and Egypt remained committed to preventing conflicts in Africa, restructuring United Nations institutions, implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and pursuing the peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli crisis without interference in the domestic affairs of other states.

Egypt, Nigeria Deepen Push for African Solutions to Continental Challenges

NIMC Deepens MDA Partnerships to Drive Nigeria’s Digital Identity Transformation

By: Michael Mike

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has intensified collaboration with key government institutions as part of efforts to implement the newly enacted NIMC Act 2026 and accelerate Nigeria’s transition towards a secure, interoperable and citizen-centred digital identity ecosystem.

The renewed engagements, led by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, have seen the Commission hold high-level working sessions with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

The consultations are aimed at aligning national priorities, strengthening institutional cooperation and expanding the role of digital identity as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

During a working visit to NITDA, its Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, commended NIMC’s ongoing reforms and pledged the Agency’s support for the effective implementation of the Commission’s mandate.

Inuwa said NITDA was ready to make available the digital infrastructure developed by the Agency, including the National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI), to support seamless implementation of the country’s digital identity agenda.

The two institutions agreed to deepen cooperation in secure data exchange, cybersecurity, DPI, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and the development of trusted digital frameworks capable of supporting Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.

The NIMC leadership also met with the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, who expressed the Ministry’s readiness to partner with the Commission to expand digital identity access among young Nigerians.

The Minister said stronger collaboration would enable more young people to access government programmes, digital opportunities and socio-economic initiatives, while commending the reforms being undertaken by NIMC under the new legal framework.

At INEC, the Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, acknowledged NIMC’s progress in expanding National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment and recognised the complementary mandates of both institutions.

He noted that the NIMC Act 2026 provides a stronger legal basis for collaboration in identity management, cybersecurity, data protection and the identification and resolution of duplicate identities within the electoral register.

Discussions with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, focused on the role of trusted digital identity in driving trade, investment and economic growth.

The Minister congratulated NIMC on the enactment of the NIMC Act 2026 and commended the Commission’s efforts to expand Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem.

She emphasised the importance of the NIN in improving the ease of doing business, strengthening economic participation and unlocking opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The engagements form part of NIMC’s broader strategy to build stronger partnerships with critical Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure the effective implementation of the NIMC Act 2026 and consolidate Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure.

The Commission said the ongoing consultations would support improved service delivery, promote economic inclusion, strengthen national security and accelerate the country’s digital transformation.

NIMC, according to its Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, remains committed to working with strategic government institutions to build a trusted and interoperable digital identity system capable of supporting citizens, government services and Nigeria’s economic development.

NIMC Deepens MDA Partnerships to Drive Nigeria’s Digital Identity Transformation