Compilations of 10 key latest happenings that you need to know this Tuesday morning, 9th December, 2025
FG defers 70% of 2025 capital projects to 2026
The Federal Government has ordered ministries, departments, and agencies to carry over 70 per cent of their 2025 capital budget into the 2026 fiscal year as the administration moves to prioritise the completion of existing projects and contain spending pressures in the face of weak revenues.
This directive is contained in the 2026 Abridged Budget Call Circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and circulated to all ministers, service chiefs, heads of agencies and top government officials in Abuja.
The circular, which was seen by The PUNCH on Monday, stated that the annual budget estimates must follow strict guidelines and that all officers responsible for budget preparation were expected to comply fully.
The circular made clear that the preparations for the 2026 budget would not allow the introduction of new capital projects.
It stated that ministries and agencies must continue with the allocations already approved in the 2025 budget rather than seeking fresh projects.
The document said MDAs are required to upload 70 per cent of their 2025 budget to continue next year, and that this must be done in line with national priorities.
PoS takeover: FG ends cash payments in MDAs
The Federal Government has outlawed the use of physical cash for the payment of revenue and directed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to install Point of Sale terminals within 45 days.
The directive formed part of four Treasury circulars issued by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and obtained by The PUNCH on Monday.
In the documents, the Accountant-General, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, said all payments to the Federal Government must now be made electronically and routed through channels approved by the Treasury.
“All payments to government must be made through electronic channels approved by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and integrated into the appropriate Treasury Single Account,” the circular read, warning that the continued acceptance of physical cash was prohibited.
“In view of the above, it is hereby directed that collections and/or acceptance of physical cash (in Naira or other currencies) for all revenues due to the Federal Government is strictly prohibited.
All revenue collections, for and on behalf of the Federal Government, must be made via electronic processing,” the circular stated.
Burkina Faso grounds Nigerian military aircraft over airspace violation
The Government of Burkina Faso said a Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying 11 soldiers was forced to land in the country on Monday after reportedly violating its airspace.
The development was reported by the Agence d’Information du Burkina, the state-run news agency, which published a statement from the Confederation of Sahel States.
The statement, translated from French, read,
“The Confederation of Sahel States informs the public that a C130 aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was forced to land today, December 8, 2025, in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following an in-flight emergency while operating in Burkinabe airspace.
The military aircraft had two (2) crew members and nine (9) passengers on board, all military personnel.”
The statement added that an investigation by Burkinabe authorities “highlighted the absence of authorisation to fly over the territory of Burkina Faso for this military device.”
Sanwo-Olu woos investors as Lagos tops ease of doing business ranking
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged both local and international investors to seize emerging opportunities in the state, citing Lagos’ rising ranking in ease of doing business and major improvements in its investment landscape.
According to a post cited on Lagos State’s X account on Tuesday, Sanwo-Olu made the call during the inauguration of TY Logistics Park, FZE, an ultra-modern warehousing and trade complex located in Alaro City, within the Lekki Free Zone.
The project, developed by TY Holdings, he said represents a significant addition to Nigeria’s logistics and supply chain infrastructure.
The governor said,
“Lagos recently clinched the top position in Nigeria’s latest Sub national Ease of Doing Business report released by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), scoring 85.6 per cent and emerging as the country’s best-performing investment destination.
AAC condemns Anambra attacks, demands security reforms
The African Action Congress has condemned the December 7, 2025 gunmen attacks on residents in the Nawfia community in Njikoka Local Government Area and a church in Lilu, Ihiala LG of Anambra State, saying it is unacceptable and calling for immediate action.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, the state Publicity Secretary of party, Anyanwu Chinedu, said the state government must prioritise security reforms, community engagement and economic empowerment to address the root causes of insecurity.
Chinedu urged the authorities to take decisive action to protect citizens and bring perpetrators to justice, adding that findings have shown that armed hoodlums have intensified their nefarious activities in the state in recent weeks, digging deep into both the rural and urban communities.
The statement read in part, “Insecurity in Anambra State, has become a pressing concern, with kidnapping, banditry, cultism and armed robbery on the rise.
The state has witnessed a surge in attacks, particularly in communities like Isseke, Umunze, Ogbunka, Nanka, and Awka, with residents living in fear of kidnappings and violence.
LAUTECH board unveils high-tech overhaul plan for Oyo hospital
The newly appointed Chairman of the Governing Board, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, has unveiled a strategy aimed at transforming the institution into a digital, technology-driven regional medical powerhouse — one that will place the state at the forefront of healthcare innovation in Nigeria.
In a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday, Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, speaking at the inauguration of the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Governing Board, said the hospital was entering a new era anchored on “Reimagining, Rebuilding and Repositioning”.
He said,
“I am confident that by mid- to third quarter of 2026, Your Excellency, all support timely received will be in Ogbomoso to open a new LAUTECH TH that answers to our aspired strategic vision that will truly be your enduring legacy:
A teaching hospital that is a regional leader, technology-driven, sustainable, a centre of medical excellence, research, and training, with strong global partnerships and sustainable infrastructure.
”Oyelaran-Oyeyinka is a development economist, visiting professor at The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK, and a former Senior Special Adviser on Industrialization to the President of the African Development Bank.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, December 9, 2025
The Nigerian Naira has maintained a relatively stable position against the US Dollar in both the official and parallel markets as trading opens today, Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Market data indicates a continued convergence between the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) rates and the street markets, driven by recent monetary policy shifts and improved foreign exchange liquidity.
In the official market, the Naira is currently trading at an average of ₦1,450.92 to the dollar, according to data from the FMDQ and major trading platforms like Xe.
This represents a period of sustained stability for the local currency, which has hovered between the ₦1,450 and ₦1,460 band in recent weeks.
Market analysts attribute this stability to increased foreign inflows and the impact of the US Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate adjustments.
The dovish stance taken by the Fed in late 2025 has softened the greenback globally, allowing emerging market currencies like the Naira to regain some ground.
Obasanjo: Insecurity in Nigeria an industry… Boko Haram fight lasting longer than civil war
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says the fight against Boko Haram in Nigeria has lasted longer than the country’s civil war that took place between 1967 to 1970.
He spoke on Sunday during the ‘Toyin Falola Interviews’ conversation, which was live-streamed on social media.
Other panellists were Matthew Kukah, Catholic bishop of the Sokoto diocese, and Kingsley Moghalu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Reacting to questions on insurgency in Nigeria, the ex-president said leadership must understand that Nigeria needs a combination of training, equipment, intelligence, and technology to end insurgency
Obasanjo said there is nothing wrong with Nigeria’s military personnel going for training in countries that have solved the insurgency challenge.
Citing his experience with the Niger Delta militancy, Obasanjo said he will not rule out the tendency of security personnel colluding with insurgents.
Tinubu orders rescue of remaining 115 pupils as 100 kidnapped Niger Schoolchildren regain freedom
A sense of relief swept across Niger State on Monday as 100 pupils abducted from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, were reunited with their families after almost three weeks in captivity.
The children, aged between five and 10, were received at the Government House in Minna, where emotional parents, community leaders and officials gathered to welcome them home.
Their release marks a major breakthrough following the mass abduction on 21 November, during which 227 pupils and teachers were taken away by armed men.
Fifty of the children escaped two days after the attack, while 115 pupils and 12 staff members remain in captivity.
Handing over the freed children to Governor Mohammed Bago, a representative of the National Security Adviser assured residents that operations were ongoing to rescue those still held.
“My tough mentor” – Etinosa Idemudia hails Funke Akindele
Nollywood actress Etinosa Idemudia is singing the praises of her senior colleague, Funke Akindele.
Taking to her Instagram page to share photos of her outfit to Funke’s movie premiere, she described the box office Queen as her tough mentor.
Etinosa said she enjoyed every moment of the movie.
“Blooming with Elegance… because tough days don’t last… Tough people do Congratulations, tough mentor @funkejenifaakindele.
I enjoyed every moment of the BTS movie. December 12th, we storm the cinemas”.
