FG Directs MDAs to Halt New Policies Pending Full RIA Compliance

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to suspend the introduction and rollout of new policies, regulations, or major regulatory changes until full compliance with the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Framework is achieved.

The directive, issued by the Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, is part of efforts to strengthen regulatory quality, ensure policy coherence, and improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

According to the statement, the RIA Framework, which was formally implemented in January 2025, requires that all new policies or amendments introduced after the date must undergo review and approval in line with its provisions.

She noted that the framework has already been circulated to MDAs by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and is also accessible on the PEBEC website. MDAs are therefore expected to familiarize themselves with the framework and align their policy development processes accordingly.

Audu emphasized that while the government remains committed to working collaboratively with regulatory institutions, no new reform or policy would be allowed to proceed without being backed by clear and verifiable evidence.

She explained that the directive aims to prevent policy shocks that could negatively affect businesses, investors and citizens, eliminate inconsistencies and frequent policy reversals, and institutionalize evidence-based policymaking across government.

The directive also seeks to enhance transparency, improve predictability, and boost stakeholder confidence in public policies, while ensuring adequate engagement to minimize resistance prior to implementation.

Consequently, all MDAs have been instructed to suspend any planned policy rollouts that have not yet been implemented, ensure that new policy proposals are supported by comprehensive RIA and necessary approvals, and integrate the RIA process into their internal policy formulation procedures.

They are also required to undertake structured and inclusive stakeholder engagement as part of policy development to improve acceptance and implementation outcomes.

The PEBEC boss added that MDAs can access the RIA Framework through its website or seek technical support from the council’s secretariat.

She, however, noted that exceptions would only be granted in cases of urgent national interest, subject to appropriate approval.

Audu stressed that cooperation from all MDAs is crucial to building a stable, consistent and business-friendly regulatory environment capable of driving sustainable economic growth and boosting investor confidence.

FG Directs MDAs to Halt New Policies Pending Full RIA Compliance

Yobe: teenage fight at wedding turns deadly in Potiskum

By: Zagazola Makama

A 17-year-old boy, Ishaku Idriss, has died following a violent clash among youths during a marriage ceremony in Garaganya village, Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Police sources said the incident occurred on March 31, 2026, at about 10:00 p.m. during a wedding ceremony, when youths from Dagare and Yabel villages engaged in a physical confrontation.

According to sources , the altercation escalated after Adamu Suleh, 16, of Dagare village, allegedly assaulted Ishaku Idriss, 17, of Yabel village, with a stick following an instigation involving one Shuaibu Yusuf, 27, also of Yabel village.

The victim was later said to have retaliated by attacking Usman Inusa, 14, of Dagare village, who struck him on the head with a stick, causing him to collapse.

He was initially rushed to the State Specialist Hospital, Potiskum, before being transferred to Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu, where he was confirmed dead on April 4, 2026, at about 4:00 a.m.

Police authorities said the case was reported by the village head of Jumma’a Bogocho, Ahmadu Yusuf, who brought the matter to the Potiskum Police Division.

The suspects have been arrested, while investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Yobe: teenage fight at wedding turns deadly in Potiskum

One abducted victim escapes as bandits kill cyclist, detonate IEDs in New-Bussa in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

One of the four abducted family members in the recent bandit attack at Baban-Rami in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State has escaped from captivity, security sources have said.

The sources identified the victims as Suwaiba Sahabi Buba Abdullahi, Khadija Sahabi Buba Abdullahi, Fatima Sahabi Abdullahi and Nafisa Sahabi Buba Abdullahi.

They said Nafisa Sahabi Buba Abdullahi had successfully escaped from the abductors, while efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victims unhurt.

The incident was a follow-up to an earlier attack in which the head of the family, Alhaji Sahabi Buba Abdullahi, was shot dead by suspected armed bandits.

In a related development, armed bandits reportedly detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along a bypass road near a damaged bridge in the Luma National Park forest axis of New-Bussa.

According to the sources, the attackers also shot dead a cyclist plying the route, while a truck driver travelling towards Wawa unknowingly drove over another IED, which exploded and damaged the vehicle.

The whereabouts of the truck driver were yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.

Security operatives, including tactical teams and local vigilantes, have since been deployed to the area and are currently trailing the perpetrators.

Authorities said efforts were being intensified to secure the area, rescue victims and prevent further attacks.

One abducted victim escapes as bandits kill cyclist, detonate IEDs in New-Bussa in Niger