National News
Shettima announces Special Fund of N166b for disaster management in 2026
Shettima announces Special Fund of N166b for disaster management in 2026
By: Michael Mike
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has announced Nigeria’s readiness to lead in the new era of data-driven preparedness against disasters.
Shettima, while making the announcement on Thursday, also announced that the Federal Government has given approval for a N166 billion special intervention fund to help provide anticipatory action before the occurrence of any form of disaster in the coming year.
The Vice President revealed that the country is strengthening national systems to ensure that early warning is not just issued but heard, understood, and acted upon, noting that the essence is to make Nigeria more proactive and enhance its anticipatory capacity.
The Vice President spoke at the National conference on Anticipatory Action in Nigeria, with the theme: “Unlocking the Power of Data-Driven Anticipatory Action in Nigeria” organised by International Rescue Committee, Nigeria.
Shettima said the country is investing in national data generating agencies, Climate-resilient agriculture, Flood prediction models integrated with machine learning systems like IGNITIA, Data-driven disaster management frameworks and Community-led resilience initiatives.
He noted that the target is to have a nation where no community is abandoned to rising waters, failed rains, or eroding livelihoods.
The VP, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia disclosed that: “A special intervention of N166 billion has been committed by the National Economic Council to fund the National Anticipatory Action Framework in 2026.”
He added: “We are strengthening national systems to ensure that early warning is not just issued but heard, understood, and acted upon at the last mile. “
He stated that the country’s vision is to become a nation that anticipates, not reacts.
He said: “The Nigeria we are building will not be one that waits helplessly for rescue. We will be a proactive nation, not reactive, resilient, not vulnerable.
“A nation where no community is abandoned to rising waters, failed rains, or eroding livelihoods. A nation where innovation meets governance, and data meets compassion.”
The Vice President also said that Anticipatory Action is not only a humanitarian necessity but a development path and climate strategy.
“Anticipatory Action is not only a humanitarian necessity, it is a development pathway. It is a climate strategy. It is a governance strength,” he said.
He therefore stressed the importance of timely and accurate data, noting that it helps to provide reliable early warning systems, and proactive financing.
He sold: “And it is a moral duty. If we unlock the power of data-driven anticipatory action, we will build a Nigeria that withstands shocks, protects its citizens, and stands as a global model for resilience.”
He reminded participants that the gathering is “to chart a course that will redefine how Nigeria anticipates, prepares for, and responds to climate-related disasters. He went on: : “This is not simply a conference, it is a national reset on how we safeguard lives, livelihoods, and the future of our communities.
He noted that: “Our Reality: The Climate Crisis Is No Longer a Distant Threat; Nigeria is already living the consequences.
“Floods sweeping through communities in over 26 states, year after year.
“Drought shrinking agricultural yields in the Northeast and Northwest.
“Cholera, meningitis, and vector-borne diseases rising with changing temperatures. Tens of thousands are displaced annually. Families losing livelihoods to rising waters or failed rains.
For the families affected, these are not “climate events.” They are life-altering emergencies. They determine whether a family eats, whether a child goes to school, whether a business survives, and whether communities remain stable. The climate crisis is not abstract. It is personal, immediate, and local.
“The Opportunity Before Us: Turning Predictability Into Protection. Amid this challenge lies an extraordinary opportunity. Around the world, Anticipatory Action (AA) has proven that if we act before a disaster hits based on data, forecasting, and science we save more lives, protect more livelihoods, and spend fewer resources.
“With accurate data, reliable early warning systems, and proactive financing, we can: Move families to safety before flooding
“Protect farms before drought damages seedlings. Deliver cash support before households resorts to negative coping strategies; Strengthen local systems before they are overwhelmed.”
“This is common sense. It is smart economics. It is good governance. And above all, it is humane leadership,” he added.
He cited government collaboration with the United Nations, The International Rescue Committee (IRC), donors, and partners in Adamawa where the programme has been a huge success.
“Their work shows that when data and proactive action meet, communities recover faster, cope better, and move forward with dignity.
He also called on donors and partners to increase their investment in Anticipatory Action, stating that: “Today, I call on both institutional and private donors: Now is the time to scale up anticipatory action financing in Nigeria, the window to act is narrow, the need is urgent, And the returns in lives saved and communities protected are extraordinary, Every naira or dollar spent before a crisis saves multiple times that amount after a crisis, This is not charity, this is strategic investment in stability, economic growth, and resilience for Africa’s largest nation.”
He also urged all the stakeholders to act together to strengthen data collection and hydro-meteorological infrastructure expand forecasting capacity using advanced analytics and machine learning; develop accessible and reliable early warning systems; scale climate-resilient agriculture and water management; empower communities with tools, financing, and knowledge to act early and review and cascade the National Anticipatory Action Framework to all States affected by floods and other climate induced disasters.
He warned that: “We can no longer afford a response system where communities only receive help after devastation has occurred.”
In his opening remarks, the Country Director, International Rescue Committee- Nigeria, Babatunde Ojei, said “Anticipatory Action is more than an innovation; it is a lifeline. It is the power to act before a crisis becomes a catastrophe. It is the power to protect before families lose everything. It is the power to prevent suffering before it begins.”
He therefore said the gathering was more than a conference; “it is a turning point for our country. A moment where science meets leadership, where data meets decisive action, and where Nigeria demonstrates to the world that we will not wait for disaster to strike before we protect our people.”
He stressed that “For too long, our nation has suffered the harsh reality of a changing climate: floods, droughts, displacement, crop failures, food insecurity, and loss of livelihoods. These crises are not statistics; they are the lived experiences of ordinary Nigerians — farmers, mothers, children, traders, and entire communities struggling to survive forces beyond their control. But today, gathered in this hall, is the collective intelligence, leadership, and commitment necessary to change that story.”
Shettima announces Special Fund of N166b for disaster management in 2026
National News
Experts Warn Senate Amendment to Electoral Act May Weaken Electronic Transmission Safeguards
Experts Warn Senate Amendment to Electoral Act May Weaken Electronic Transmission Safeguards
By: Michael Mike
A coalition of electoral reform advocates, legal experts and technology specialists has warned that the proposed amendment to Clause 60(3) of Nigeria’s Electoral Act could undermine recent gains in electoral transparency if not carefully revised.
They gave support to the position of the House of Representatives over that of the Senate, stating that the lower legislative arm position on the amendment of the electoral act was a lesser devil than that of the upper chamber.
The position emerged from an Expert Round Table convened in Abuja on Friday by ActionAid Nigeria, YIAGA Africa and the Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria. The meeting brought together academics, civil society leaders, lawyers, engineers, election administrators and governance specialists to examine the implications of the National Assembly’s amendment to Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.
At the centre of deliberations was the provision dealing with electronic transmission of election results. While the current law provides for electronic transmission, the Senate’s amendment affirms that manually signed polling unit results remain legally valid if electronic transmission fails. Participants argued that this caveat could reopen long-standing vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Experts at the forum stressed that credible elections are the bedrock of democratic legitimacy and political stability. They noted that Nigeria’s democratic history has repeatedly been strained by allegations of manipulation, flawed collation processes and protracted post-election litigation. According to participants, strengthening transparency in result transmission is critical to rebuilding public confidence.
A major focus of the discussion was the role of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in safeguarding results at polling units. Participants described electronic transmission not merely as a technological innovation but as a protective mechanism against manipulation during collation — historically considered the weakest link in Nigeria’s elections.
Technical experts at the meeting maintained that electronic transmission is largely feasible nationwide, citing data that shows approximately 98 per cent network coverage across polling units, with only about two per cent classified as connectivity blind spots. They recommended targeted infrastructure investment to address these gaps rather than reverting to manual safeguards that could compromise transparency.
Concerns were also raised about legal ambiguities in the proposed amendment. Participants observed that the Senate version does not explicitly mandate electronic transmission through BVAS, nor does it clearly outline procedures in the event of technical failure. This, they argued, could create loopholes and fuel conflicting interpretations between manual and electronically transmitted results.
Another issue highlighted was the legal status of regulations issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Many operational guidelines governing electronic transmission are contained in subsidiary regulations rather than entrenched in the Act itself, potentially weakening their enforceability in court.
The experts warned that ambiguity in the law could increase election petitions and deepen what they described as the “judicialization of politics,” where electoral outcomes are increasingly determined in courtrooms rather than at the ballot box.
Beyond the amendment, participants identified broader institutional challenges affecting electoral integrity, including perceived executive influence in appointments to INEC, vote buying, weak enforcement of electoral offences and political interference. They called for comprehensive reforms to strengthen the independence and technical capacity of the electoral body.
In their resolutions, the roundtable participants reached consensus that electronic transmission should be clearly established in law as the primary and legally binding method for transmitting election results. They expressed preference for the version passed by the House of Representatives, which does not prioritise manually signed results in cases of transmission failure, while recommending further refinements to ensure clarity.
They also urged lawmakers to incorporate key INEC regulations directly into the Electoral Act, reform judicial procedures governing election disputes for faster resolution, and invest in election technology infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the experts advocated a long-term reform agenda that could eventually include electronic voting, drawing from international best practices. They further called on the National Assembly to conduct a public hearing on the technical glitches recorded during the 2023 general elections to prevent recurrence and enhance accountability.
The meeting concluded that Nigeria’s democratic future depends on ensuring that electoral reforms strengthen — rather than dilute — safeguards designed to reflect the true will of voters. Participants pledged continued legislative engagement and public advocacy to protect the integrity of the country’s electoral framework.
Experts Warn Senate Amendment to Electoral Act May Weaken Electronic Transmission Safeguards
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
By: Our Reporter
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria Hajiya Nana Shettima arrived Addis Ababa With Her Husband, Senator Kashim Shettima to attend the 30th General Assembly of Organization of African First Ladies For Development (OAFLAD) while The Vice President will be attending the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of States and Government on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Mrs Shettima is Representing First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON.
The African First Ladies are expected to Focus on internal issues and advance OAFLAD’s strategic priorities.
The 30th General Assembly’s open session under the theme “Building Resilience for Women and Girls: Climate, Conflict, and Sustainable Futures will be held on the 15th of February.
Mrs Shettima who left Abuja this afternoon for Addis Ababa the Capital of Ethiopia will participate in various meetings with African First Ladies spanning for Three Days
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
Vice President Shettima Arrives Ethiopia Ahead Of AU Summit
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government, as well as the 30th General Assembly, scheduled to hold on February 14 and 15, 2026, respectively.
The Vice President was received at the Bole International Airport by the Ethiopian Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Belete Mola, alongside the Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Berhanu tsegaye; Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yussuf Tuggar; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Amb. Dunoma Ahmed; Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Nigeria, Ethiopia, Amb. Nasiru Aminu; Head of Consular and Ambassador-Designate, Amb. Geoffrey Chima and other government officials.
On arrival, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Tuggar, debriefed the Vice President on his itinerary at the Summit.
This year’s AU summit, with the theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” will focus on advancing continental commitments toward sustainable water management, improved sanitation systems, and the broader development aspirations encapsulated in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
Besides the Heads of State meetings, Senator Shettima will participate in high-level side events, and bilateral engagements with political and business leaders aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships across the continent.
Speaking with journalists after debriefing the Vice President, Amb. Tuggar said the launch of the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) is a strategic move to consolidate and strengthen the democratic culture in Africa.
On the gains of the summit, the Minister noted that the country was already taking in the benefits of her participation, with the confirmati on of Nigeria as the host of the African Monetary Institute and the African Central Bank as well as its nomination to the board of the bank.
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