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Nigeria to Benefit from US$500 million Development Plan
Nigeria to Benefit from US$500 million Development Plan
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria is one of the country to benefit from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed for the co-financing of up to US$500 million of debt transactions to facilitate long-term sustainable development across developing economies and low-income countries in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
The MoU was signed between British International Investment (BII), the UK’s Development Finance Institution (DFI) and impact investor with Amsterdam-based ILX Management (ILX), an SDG and Climate-Focused Emerging Market Private Debt Fund.
According to a statement jointly signed by Clare Murray of British International Investment and Simone Boes of ILX Management, BII and ILX will invest across a broad range of sectors including renewable energy, infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing and agribusiness to increase the flow of capital into impactful businesses and projects.
The statement added that this new partnership will enable both parties to leverage each other’s expertise and provide additional financial firepower across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. ILX and BII will share information on prospective projects, emerging technologies, and financial innovation. They will also establish a roadmap to mobilise private sector capital, specifically focusing on providing institutional investors with greater access to high-impact private debt investment opportunities in scalable businesses driving productive, sustainable and inclusive growth.
CEO, BII, Nick O’Donohoe said: “This partnership has been driven by our shared view of the need to invest to meet the SDGs. It furthers our ambition to create new job opportunities in developing economies and will provide private credit to help bridge the finance gap faced by many businesses. This asset class remains nascent, comprising of just 3 per cent of private credit globally, and is the natural next step for allocators of global private credit.”
CEO, ILX Management B.V., Manfred Schepers, said “ILX has already received over US$1 billion in commitments from leading Dutch pension funds and is currently raising a successor fund for a targeted US$ 2 billion commitments from European pension funds. Working with BII, together we will increase financial capacity for project finance, financial services debt and private sector debt across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. We have a strong track record of investing alongside the leading Multilateral Development Banks and other Development Finance Institutions in climate, and SDG-targeted projects across emerging economies globally and look forward to the opportunities this partnership will bring.”
UK Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, on his part said “This MoU with ILX is an example of British International Investment’s pioneering approach to mobilising the private finance needed to deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals. I am proud that FCDO provided early-stage funding to ILX, which went on to secure over US$1 billion in commitments to its first investment fund.
This new partnership will mobilise up to US$500m of additional finance for low-income countries across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, improving access to renewable energy and quality infrastructure and helping businesses to thrive.”
Nigeria to Benefit from US$500 million Development Plan
News
Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Global Anti-Drug War as NDLEA Officers Graduate from U.S. DEA Academy
Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Global Anti-Drug War as NDLEA Officers Graduate from U.S. DEA Academy
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening global collaboration in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and transnational organised crime as officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) completed advanced training at the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony on Friday, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), said the increasing sophistication of criminal networks across borders requires deeper international cooperation and a coordinated global offensive.
Marwa stressed that criminal syndicates no longer operate within isolated territories, making intelligence sharing, joint operations and capacity building among nations indispensable in dismantling drug cartels and organised crime groups.
The ceremony, held at the elite DEA Training Academy, brought together officers from Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya for an intensive programme designed to sharpen investigative, operational and strategic enforcement capabilities. Participants were equipped with advanced skills to combat complex drug trafficking networks and related transnational crimes.
Describing the event as deeply significant, Marwa noted that the course was dedicated to members of the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty. He paid tribute to the fallen officers, describing them as heroes whose courage and sacrifice continue to inspire law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Referencing the course motto, “Different nations, shared duty, one fight,” Marwa said it captured the collective resolve of partner countries against the global drug menace. He emphasised that only a unified, intelligence-driven response can effectively confront criminal enterprises that thrive on cross-border operations.
The NDLEA boss expressed confidence that the knowledge and competencies acquired by the graduating officers would significantly enhance the operational effectiveness of their respective agencies. He charged them to apply the training with integrity, professionalism and courage upon returning home, while upholding the highest standards of service.
Marwa also conveyed Nigeria’s appreciation to the United States Department of Justice, the DEA leadership and instructors for their continued mentorship and investment in capacity development.
He said the graduation marked not the end of training but the beginning of renewed responsibility, urging the officers to protect vulnerable communities and confront criminality wherever it threatens societal stability.
Marwa expressed optimism that the partnership between the NDLEA and the DEA would continue to deepen, yielding sustained success in the shared fight against illicit drugs and organised crime.
Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Global Anti-Drug War as NDLEA Officers Graduate from U.S. DEA Academy
VP Shettima Attends High-Level Meeting On Africa’s Health Security Sovereignty
By: Our Reporter
Shortly after his bilateral discussions with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Vice President Kashim Shettima moved on to a high-level meeting on Building Africa’s Health Security Sovereignty on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The session, organized by Africa CDC and fully supported by the Nigerian government, convenes African leaders and health policymakers to chart the path toward strengthening the continent’s health emergency preparedness, response systems, and pharmaceutical independence.
Joining the Vice President at the meeting are key Nigerian officials including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yussuf Tuggar.
Other African health ministers in attendance include Dr. Ibrahim Sy of Senegal, Madalisto Baloyi of Malawi, and Dr. Mekdes Daba of Ethiopia.
VP Shettima Attends High-Level Meeting On Africa’s Health Security Sovereignty
ISWAP suspected in Baga abduction of five civilians
By: Zagazola Makama
Five civilians were abducted on Feb. 12, 2026, by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Doro Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area, Borno State, the Police Command reported.
Sources disclosed that the victims, Alhaji Sani Boyi, Bullama Dan Umaru, Baba Inusa, Abubakar Jan Boris, and Mallam Shaibu, were taken while purchasing fresh fish at a local market around 7:00 a.m.
The troops of Sector 3 Operation HADIN KAI, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)/hunters immediately responded to the incident.
Relevant intelligence has been gathered, and search and rescue operations are ongoing to secure the release of the victims.
ISWAP suspected in Baga abduction of five civilians
Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Global Anti-Drug War as NDLEA Officers Graduate from U.S. DEA Academy
VP Shettima Attends High-Level Meeting On Africa’s Health Security Sovereignty
ISWAP suspected in Baga abduction of five civilians
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