The recap of top 10 key latest updates that you might have missed this Wednesday evening, 11th February, 2026
Tinubu appoints new NAHCON chairman
President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
The nomination was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“President Tinubu sent a letter today to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, requesting the expeditious confirmation of Ambassador Yusuf to replace Professor Abdullahi Usman, who resigned this week, after about 14 months in the post,” the statement read.
The appointment, announced on Wednesday, is subject to confirmation by the Senate in line with the provisions of Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act.
Kwankwaso, others may face US visa ban over religious freedom violations
The United States has proposed targeted measures, including visa bans and asset freezes, against individuals and groups accused of involvement in religious freedom violations in Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026.
On Tuesday, US Congressman, Rep. Riley Moore (R‑West Virginia) announced via X the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R‑New Jersey).
The bill specifically names the former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as well as Fulani-ethnic nomad militias and associations such as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
22,000 farmers to benefit from Farmer
Moni interest-free loans – FGFederal Government, through the National Social Investment Programme Agency, says no fewer than 22,000 farmers will benefit from interest-free loans under its FarmerMoni Dry and Wet Season Programme.
The National Programme Manager, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme under NSIPA, Mr Hamza Baba, said this at the inauguration of the Renewed Hope GEEP 3.0. and the Farmer
Moni Technical Working Group in Abuja on Wednesday.Baba, who described the loan as interest and collateral-free, said that the loans aimed to strengthen agricultural productivity and would be given to farmers across the country.
“Under this particular scheme, we are expecting that from today our portal will be open for eligible farmers, to go and register, to access our loans.
And these loans are interest-free and collateral-free
Army reschedules screening for children of fallen soldiers
1The Nigerian Army has announced a nationwide rescheduling of the Screening and Verification Exercise for children of deceased personnel under the Education Sponsorship Scheme for the 2025/2026 academic session.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by Major Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade, Yemi Sokoya, the Army said the exercise, initially scheduled from February 2 to March 6, will now hold from February 9 to March 13 nationwide.“
Furthermore, beneficiaries and relevant stakeholders are informed that the exercise within the 82 Division area of responsibility, including all formations under the Division (13 Brigade Nigerian Army inclusive), will be conducted at Headquarters 82 Division, Enugu, from 14 to 17 February 2026.
“Accordingly, all eligible beneficiaries within Cross River State are to take note of this adjustment and report to Headquarters 82 Division, Enugu, on the stipulated dates for the exercise,” the statement added.
Makinde, Atiku meeting with IBB over ADC VP slot – Fayose
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has alleged details of what transpired during the recent meeting between Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Minna, Niger State.
Fayose made the claims in a statement issued on Wednesday and shared on his verified X account, titled “Between Atiku and Makinde, Untold Story of What Happened in Minna.”
The former governor said Makinde travelled to Minna on Tuesday to meet Atiku and that the venue and key figures present at the meeting were deliberately selected to ensure what he described as “confidence and acceptability” among stakeholders.
Hamzat, Fashola, Ambode, others celebrate ex-Lagos deputy governor, Sosan, at 70
Lagos State deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, former governors of the state, Mr Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, were among dignitaries that celebrated a former deputy governor of the state, Princess Sarah Sosan, on the occasion of her 70th birthday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dignitaries attended a Church Thanksgiving Service, held in Sosan’s honour at Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday.
The celebration was also graced by Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora, a former Minister of State for Health; Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro,a former Minister of State for Defence, and Dame Pauline Tallen, a former Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development.
I could be arrested anytime – El-Rufai
Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has claimed that he could be arrested at any time by the APC-led Federal Government.
El-Rufai, now a prominent figure in the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the allegation during an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday.
He also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of mounting pressure on politicians to either defect to the party or remain within its fold.
The former governor, who has in recent months intensified his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the APC — the platform under which he governed Kaduna State for eight years — said some of his associates have already been detained.
‘Stop Vigils Or Face Sanctions’ – Kogi Government Warns Churches Amid Rising Kidnapping, Bandits Attacks
The Kogi State government has ordered churches across the state to immediately halt night services, warning that credible intelligence points to a planned terrorist attack targeting worshippers.
In a statement issued, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, disclosed that security agencies intercepted conversations among suspected bandits plotting to attack a church in Ijumu Local Government Area.
According to him, the criminals specifically identified a church that allegedly continued to hold late-night services despite repeated security advisories.
Fanwo revealed that the bandits were overheard boasting that they would make “a lot of money” by kidnapping worshippers for ransom during a service.
The Commissioner said coordinated security operations had been activated to prevent the planned attack but stressed that the development underscores the urgency of strict compliance with the state’s security directives.
Civil Society, Labour Leaders Reject Senate Amendment To Electoral Act, Call For Review
The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), alongside leaders of organised civil society and the labour movement, has rejected the Senate’s amendment to Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and called for an urgent review.
The amendment mandates electronic transmission of results to the IReV portal but permits a fallback to manual collation where electronic transmission is claimed to have failed due to network issues.
In a statement on Wednesday, the coalition expressed concern that the provision allowing manual collation under claims of connectivity problems could affect the integrity of the process.
¹1NIMC announces nationwide NIN enrollment
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is set to commence ward-level enrollment for the National Identification Number (NIN) across Nigeria.
This is as part of efforts to deepen grassroots access to identity registration.
In a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, the Commission said the exercise will begin on February 16, 2026, in compliance with a presidential directive to expand NIN registration to the ward level nationwide.
According to the statement, the enrolment will be free of charge and targets all Nigerians and legal residents, including children, for inclusion in the National Identity Database.
NIMC explained that the initiative is aimed at decentralising its services, improving accessibility, and reducing the burden of long-distance travel often faced by citizens seeking registration.
