Compilations of top 10 key latest updates that you need to know this Friday morning, 20th February, 2026
Tinubu’s Executive Order: FG, states, LGs allocation may increase by N15tn
The federal, state, and local governments may receive additional revenue allocations of about N14.57tn following the recent Executive Order signed by President Bola Tinubu, directing that royalty oil, tax oil, profit oil, profit gas, and other revenues due to the Federation under production sharing, profit sharing, and risk service contracts be paid directly into the Federation Account
This is based on an analysis of revenue inflows in 2025, drawing on monthly earnings submitted to the Federation Account Allocation Committee and obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday.
Based on estimates from 2025 remittances to the Federation Allocation Accounts Committee, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company is projected remit about N906.91bn in management fees and frontier exploration funds, while oil and gas royalties totalling N7.55tn and gas flaring penalties of N611.42bn collected by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission will now be remitted directly to the Federation Account.
DSS invites suspects as wife opens up on Dadiyata’s ‘abduction’
The Department of State Services has reopened investigations into the 2019 disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, and is set to invite suspects in connection with the case.
Dadiyata, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, was declared missing on August 1, 2019, after gunmen reportedly took him from his residence in Kaduna.His whereabouts remain unknown nearly seven years later.
The development comes as Kadijah, the wife of social media commentator and critic, expressed fresh worries over her husband’s disappearance.
She spoke in a video interview with Ambassador-designate Reno Omokri, which was released on his X handle on Thursday.
Omokri, who visited the mother of two at her residence, sought support for Kadijah and her children, pledging to get justice for her.
El-Rufai’s lawyer protests home raid amid ICPC detention
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday spent a second night in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission amid protests by his lawyers over the search of his residence.
El-Rufai was initially detained on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and released late Wednesday.He was, however, immediately taken into custody by the ICPC, where he has remained since.
Prior to his arrest, El-Rufai had written to the ICPC through his lawyers, indicating his willingness to honour an invitation on Tuesday.
This followed an incident at the airport where his passport was reportedly seized by operatives of the Department of State Services.
An ICPC official confirmed on Thursday night that the former governor was still with the commission but declined to disclose details of the investigation.
“He is still very much with us. I can’t say the offence he is being investigated for.
I have not really been in the office, but I was informed that the former Kaduna State governor is still with us,” the source said.
Aiyedatiwa vs Tunji-Ojo: Political cold war sparks killings, violence in Ondo
In line with the directive of the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress, congresses to elect party officials at the ward, local government and state levels were scheduled for February and March this year.
However, concerns are mounting that the exercise in Ondo State could be marred by crisis amid a perceived supremacy battle between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, popularly known as BTO.
The alleged battle for control of Ondo APC took a deadly turn on Wednesday when two people were reportedly killed and five others injured during violent clashes at the ward congress in Odode-Idanre, the headquarters of Idanre Local Government Area.
The incidents occurred as the ruling party conducted congresses across its 203 wards in the state.
SGBV: Lagos DSVA urges residents to use toll-free line for reporting cases
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has encouraged residents of Igbooye and Odomola communities in Epe to make use of its toll-free helpline, 0-8000-333-333, to report cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
According to a post obtained from DSVA’s handle on Friday, the call was made during community sensitisation sessions aimed at raising awareness about the forms, impact, and prevention of abuse.
Participants were educated on available support services and the importance of reporting incidents promptly to ensure timely intervention and protection for survivors.
Traditional rulers and community leaders commended the initiative and urged residents to speak up against abuse.
Mirabel: Ogun vows justice over rape claim
The Ogun State Government has visited a Nigerian TikToker, identified as Mirabel (@mirab351), who is currently hospitalised after alleging that she was raped by a man in a video that went viral on social media.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Friday.
Adeleye said the state government had initiated a coordinated, multi-sectoral response to the allegation of sexual assault, noting that the TikToker had been admitted to a state-owned health facility, where she is receiving comprehensive medical care, investigation and psychosocial support.
According to the Commissioner, Mirabel has been responding positively to treatment. She explained that the hospital visit was aimed at assessing the victim’s condition and ensuring that appropriate medical and welfare interventions were being promptly administered.
FG resumes construction of Kano–Gwarzo–Dayi road
Communities along the Kano–Gwarzo–Dayi road have praised the Federal Government and the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, for facilitating the resumption of construction work on the road, which was abandoned more than three years ago.
Recall that Barau recently announced the approval of N19 billion for the project by the Federal Government on his verified Facebook page, stating that the approval aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises the delivery of quality infrastructure with direct impact on communities across the country.
Barau, who represents Kano North Senatorial District, explained that the approval followed his meeting with the Deputy Managing Director of CGC Nigeria Limited, Mr Lv Haiming, in Abuja, where outstanding issues surrounding the stalled project were resolved.
A resident of Rimin Gado town along the road, Malam Lawan Bala, told PUNCH Online in a telephone interview on Thursday that contractors had already returned to the site, expressing happiness over the development.
Edun raises alarm over rising debt service burden
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has warned that about 50 percent of low-income countries are in or approaching debt distress, requiring urgent actions.
It was not clear where Nigeria stands on his assertion but based on World Bank classifications for 2024–2026, Nigeria is classified as a lower-middle-income country, not a low-income country.
However, Nigeria’s public debt has sustained upwards swing since 2023 with estimated figure at all time high of $100 billion while the Debt service to Revenue ratio is put at 47% in 2025.
Speaking at the on-going Technical Group Meeting of members of the Group of 24 Nations (G-24) in Abuja, yesterday, Edun also disclosed that debt servicing has become a major burden for many countries in the Global South (Developing Countries).
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, February 20, 2026
The Nigerian Naira maintained a stable yet cautious trajectory against the US Dollar in the early trading hours of Friday, February 20, 2026.
Data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and various informal channels indicate that the local currency is navigating a period of moderate volatility as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues its efforts to harmonise rates across different market segments.In the official window, the Naira opened at a rate of 1,344.74 per dollar.
Market activity throughout the morning saw slight fluctuations, reaching a high of 1,345.58 before settling near 1,345.40 by mid-day.
This stability follows a closing rate of 1,346.00 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, February 19.
Terrorists kill 34 fasting Muslims in latest Kebbi attack
No fewer than 34 people were killed on Wednesday when suspected Lakurawa terrorists launched coordinated attacks on several rural communities in Kebbi State.
The attacks occurred in villages within Arewa Local Government Area, particularly Bui and neighbouring settlements.
According to sources, the gunmen stormed the remote border communities, opening fire in what survivors described as highly organised and indiscriminate assaults.
Security sources said 16 people were killed in Mamunu, five in Awashaka, three in Masama, and two each in five other villages.
The unprovoked attack forced residents to flee as the gunmen invaded homes and shot at civilians.
Security forces have since been deployed to the area to protect affected communities, assist survivors and block the militants’ escape routes.
Tracking operations are ongoing.
