The recap of top stories that you might have missed this Thursday evening, 15th January, 2026
Shettima presides over NEC meeting
Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday, presided over the 156th National Economic Council meeting at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
The hybrid meeting, which began at 4:17 pm local time on Thursday, is the second gathering of the council since President Bola Tinubu directed the NEC to identify and rehabilitate grazing reserves into ranches.
Tinubu gave the directive at the Federal Executive Council meeting held on December 10, 2025.
He tasked NEC to collaborate with the Ministry of Livestock Development in developing a roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry.
“We must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the livestock reform into economically viable development. The opportunity is there. Let’s utilise it,” Tinubu had said.
At its 155th meeting held on December 18 2025, NEC responded by inaugurating a committee on livestock development to expedite the implementation of livestock production and ranching reforms nationwide.
The committee, chaired by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, comprises representatives from each of Nigeria’s six geo-political zones,
Bauchi for the North-East, Niger for the North-Central, Ondo for the South-West, Imo for the South-East, Cross River for the South-South, and Kebbi for the North-West.
Impeachment: Rivers Assembly fails to reconvene
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, failed to resume plenary on Thursday, a week after adjourning its last sitting.
PUNCH Online reports that during its first sitting in 2026, held last Thursday, the House had commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged gross misconduct, including the demolition of the state assembly complex and spending without legislative approval, among other charges.
The sitting was adjourned until January 15, 2026.
However, as of noon on Thursday, January 15, 2026, our correspondent who visited the assembly observed that there was no sign that the House, which presently holds sittings at the conference hall of its official legislative quarters along Aba Road, would reconvene.
Abducted Edo doctor regains freedom after N50m ransom
An abducted medical doctor, Dr Ibrahim Tahir, has regained his freedom after his family paid a ransom of N50 million to his abductors.
PUNCH Online reports that Tahir was kidnapped alongside his younger brother on January 2, 2026, at their residence on City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, while opening the gate to their compound.
Tragically, the younger brother’s body was found near Orley River, along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, on January 5.He is reported to have been killed by the abductors.
The father of the victims, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent on Thursday, said the ransom was paid in two tranches of N20 million and N30 million before his son was released on Wednesday evening at around 8:00 p.m.
He explained that it took the combined efforts of the family, donations from non-governmental organisations, friends, and other well-wishers to raise the ransom for his son’s release.
FG, ASUU unveil agreement to end strikes, varsities closures
The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities on Wednesday unveiled a renegotiated agreement aimed at resolving long-standing disputes in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, resulting in incessant strikes and closure of universities.
The 2025 agreement is the conclusion of a renegotiation process that began in 2017 to review the 2009 FG–ASUU pact, which was due for revision in 2012.
Several committees set up under past administrations chaired by Wale Babalakin, Munzali Jibrin and Nimi Briggs failed to deliver a final agreement.
The breakthrough came under the current administration, which inaugurated the Yayale Ahmed-led renegotiation committee in October 2024.
An agreement was reached about 14 months later, focusing on improved conditions of service, funding, university autonomy, academic freedom and broader reforms to reverse sectoral decay, curb brain drain and reposition universities for national development.
AFCON 2025: Osayi-Samuel laments semi-final exit, slams ‘appalling’ referee
Super Eagles defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, has expressed deep disappointment over Nigeria’s penalty shootout loss to Morocco in the African Cup of Nations semi-final on Wednesday.
He described the exit as painful but praised his teammates’ resilience against the tournament hosts.
“It’s painful. Of course, we wanted to get to the final, but I’m proud of the team, we took them to the penalties,.
“All odds against us, but we tried, we pushed, and I wish Morocco all the best,” he told Super Sports Football after the match.
He noted a sense of pride within the camp, saying that head coach Eric Chelle’s immediate message was one of unity and commendation for the team’s effort.
“He was proud of us, very proud of us. You know, we’re a family, and you can see that we pushed.
“Obviously disappointed because we wanted to bring this back home for our fans, and so many people supporting us and it’s painful. But yeah, look forward to the next game now,” he said.
EU removes Nigeria from high-risk financial list
Nigeria has been removed from the European Union’s list of high-risk jurisdictions, a move expected to ease trade, payments and investment flows between the country and Europe, according to a report by Business Insider.
Business Insider reports on Wednesday that the European Commission confirmed that Nigeria, alongside South Africa, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique and Tanzania, had strengthened its AML/CFT regimes and no longer posed “strategic deficiencies” under EU assessment standards.
The commission noted that the affected countries had implemented reforms that brought their financial systems in line with international standards set by the FATF.
Reacting to the development, the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, described Nigeria’s removal from the list as a major boost to investor confidence
ADC faults Tinubu’s absence on Armed Forces Remembrance Day
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has joined Nigerians in marking the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, honouring fallen and serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, while faulting President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the national observance at a time of deepening insecurity.
The party said the President’s unavailability on a day dedicated to national reflection and solidarity with troops and military families was troubling, arguing that the presence of the Commander-in-Chief carries moral and symbolic weight for soldiers on the frontlines.
The position was contained in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Thursday
The ADC said Armed Forces Remembrance Day is not merely ceremonial, but a moment that demands visible leadership and shared national grief, especially as security personnel confront multiple threats across the country.
Nigeria–US Military Alliance: COAS urges deepened strategic engagement
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for deeper strategic cooperation between the Nigerian Army (NA) and the United States Army to effectively address Nigeria’s evolving and complex security challenges.
The COAS made the call on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, when the United States Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Lieutenant Colonel Semira Moore, paid him a courtesy visit at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the United States Government for its enduring partnership and sustained support to the Nigerian Army, noting that the NA has benefitted significantly from American military professionalism and institutional expertise.
He revealed that he and several Principal Staff Officers are alumni of renowned United States professional military institutions, describing this as a testament to the depth and positive impact of the bilateral military relationship.
The COAS stressed that the Nigerian Army remains eager to leverage the extensive experience of the United States Army in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations.
He therefore advocated the expansion of cooperation in areas aimed at enhancing operational effectiveness, institutional capacity, doctrine development, and strategic capability.
According to him, international military partnerships remain critical in complementing Nigeria’s internal security architecture and advancing sustainable peace and stability across the country.
A’Ibom: Why we arrested, arraigned Ekid’s Princess Odoito – Police
POLICE in Akwa Ibom State have instituted criminal charges against Princess God’sown Udoito, a female advocate of Ekid people’s right to ownership of the disputed Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve in the state.
The Police revelation comes following concerns raised by the Ekid People’s Union (EPU) on the whereabouts of Princess Odoito after she was arrested on Wednesday afternoon at Eket.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, who gave the revelation Thursday said Odoito is facing trial in the State High Court in Uyo for alleged defamation, threats, false information and likely breach of public peace.
I don’t know my future as Super Eagles coach – Eric Chelle
Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has admitted his future with the Super Eagles is uncertain following their semifinal defeat to host nation Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Rabat on Wednesday.
The Super Eagles were knocked out of the tournament after a tense 4-2 penalty shootout loss to Morocco, following a goalless draw after 120 minutes.
Nigeria will now compete for third place, facing Egypt on Saturday.
In his post-match press conference, Chelle was candid about his position beyond the current tournament.
“Now, I don’t know my future,” he stated. “I know I am the coach of Nigeria.
Maybe in two days, my president will tell me it is finished, or maybe that I have to continue. I don’t know.”
