Compilations of top 10 key latest happenings that you need to know this Thursday morning, 5th March, 2026
State police: IG sets up panel to propose framework
Newly sworn-in Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a committee on the establishment of state police.
As part of ongoing discussions on policing reforms, President Bola Tinubu, had, last Wednesday, during the breaking of fast with senators at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, urged the leadership of the 10th Senate to initiate constitutional amendments to provide for the establishment of state police.
The President said decentralised policing would strengthen security at the grassroots and improve rapid response to threats within states, noting that the current centralised structure required constitutional review to accommodate the proposed reform.
Speaking during the inauguration, Disu said the committee’s task was to examine the concept of state policing as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture and improve community-based policing.
Alleged terrorism: AGF takes over Malami, son’s trial
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has assumed control of the prosecution of a former AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulaziz, over alleged terrorism-related offences and unlawful possession of firearms.
The development emerged on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja when the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that the case file had been transmitted from the Department of State Services to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
“My lord, I was informed by counsel to the DSS that the case file has been transmitted to the office of the AGF,” Oyedepo told the court.
He sought an adjournment to enable the prosecution to review the case file and take an informed decision, adding that a short date would suffice.
“We ask your lordship for a very short ate. If we have four days, it will be enough,” he said.
Counsel for the defendants, Mr Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), did not oppose the application but urged the court to strike out the charge if the prosecution failed to open its case on the next adjourned date, alleging lack of diligent prosecution.
Oyo 2027: Jostle for Adelabu’s ministerial seat heats up
Interested individuals are already jostling for the seat of the Minister of Power, as the current minister, Adebayo Adelabu, prepares to contest the Oyo State governorship election, The PUNCH has learnt.
This is even as stakeholders urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint a technocrat as his replacement.
Barring any last-minute change of plans, Adelabu is expected to resign his appointment in the coming weeks to vie for the Oyo governorship ticket under the All Progressives Congress.
According to the new Electoral Act 2026 and the revised timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will commence on April 23 and end on May 30, 2026.
During an engagement with stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry in Lagos towards the end of last year, Adelabu had hinted that he would love to achieve some feats “before I leave office”.
Some aides of the minister confided in our correspondent that Adelabu made the remark because he has the intention to contest the governorship race in Oyo State.
I won’t die anytime soon, Obasanjo declares at 89
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that at 89 years, he won’t die anytime soon.
He condemned those circulating a fake letter in which he was purportedly speaking about his death, saying they were only wasting their time because “I dey Kampe.”
The former president disclosed this on Wednesday while delivering a colloquium titled
“Burden and Blessing of Leadership: Reflections from Global Africa to the World” held as part of the ceremonies lined up to mark his 89th birthday in Abeokuta.
Obasanjo was born on March 6, 1937.
The former president said at 89 years he had no doubt that God did not make a mistake to keep him alive and reasonably healthy at his age.
He slammed those wishing him dead, saying he would remain on the earth surface agile and healthy for as long as his Creator wanted.
“For my final note in this address, I want to point your attention to the work of some never-do-well
FUNAAB dean unveils N1m prize for best farm student
An expert in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Emmanuel Fakoya, has announced the establishment of a ₦1m annual prize to reward the university’s best Farm Practical Year student in honour of his late father.
Fakoya, according to a statement on Thursday, made the announcement while delivering the university’s 110th inaugural lecture titled “Measurement and Scaling: Bedrock of Robust Agricultural Extension Research Analysis,” held at the Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun Ceremonial Building of the institution.
The lecturer, who also doubles as the Dean, College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development, explained that the prize was instituted to immortalise his late father, Pa Samuel Fakoya.
“I am instituting this ₦1m annual prize for the university’s best student in farm practical in honour of my late dad, Pa Samuel Fakoya.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, March 5, 2026
The Nigerian Naira demonstrated relative stability against the US Dollar in the early trading hours of Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Real-time data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and informal desk reports show the local currency navigating a tight corridor as the market processes the latest liquidity injections from the central bank.
In the official window, the Naira opened at 1,382.87 per dollar.
Throughout the morning session, the rate experienced minor fluctuations, touching a high of 1,383.69 before settling at a mid-morning quote of approximately 1,383.41 by 4:00 AM WAT.
This performance indicates a consolidation phase following a slight uptick in volatility earlier in the week.
According to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) data, the closing rate for the previous session on March 4 stood at 1,382.65, with a daily mean rate of 1,388.13.
The current stability is supported by consistent turnover at the NFEM, where authorized dealers continue to meet corporate demand for import financing.
Lagos APC’s newly elected asst. publicity secretary dies
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has expressed shock and deep sorrow over the sudden death of its newly elected Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr Karamo Yesiro.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yesiro’s passing came barely 24 hours after his re-election as the party assistant publicity secretary at the Lagos State APC Congress held at Onikan Stadium.
The deceased was expected to be part of the newly elected Lagos State APC executives meant to be inaugurated at the party secretariat on Thursday.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos by the party’s spokesman, Mr Seye Oladejo, the party described Yesiro’s passing as a painful and tragic loss.
Oladejo said that the late party chieftain died shortly after being entrusted with the responsibility of serving in the State Executive Council.
US troops in Nigeria only for training support, says defence minister
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has assured that the Nigerian Armed Forces will retain full command of all military operations within the country, even with the presence of US troops providing training, surveillance, and advisory support.
General Musa made the disclosure during the inaugural monthly operational briefing held at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja.
The session was attended by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, service chiefs, and senior intelligence and operational officials.
Speaking on the role of US AFRICOM in Nigeria, the Defence Minister emphasized that American personnel are present solely to provide training and advisory assistance, while Nigerian commanders maintain operational control over all missions.
Colonel Timothy Antigha (Rtd), Special Adviser on Media to the Defence Minister, said the briefing highlighted the need for strengthened strategies against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.
He added that General Musa praised the dedication of Nigerian troops and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to their welfare and operational effectiveness.
Party crises distracting us, fueling apathy – INECTl
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, lamented that recurring leadership tussles and protracted intra-party disputes are diverting its attention from core election planning and contributing to voter apathy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, raised the concern at the opening of a three-day Technical Review Workshop in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, where the Commission began a comprehensive review of its Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties in line with the Electoral Act 2026.
According to an INEC bulletin obtained by Vanguard in Abuja, the workshop, supported by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, is aimed at strengthening the electoral framework and ensuring compliance with the new law as preparations intensify for 2027.
FEC okays demolition, rebuild of Carter Bridge
The federal executive council (FEC) has approved the demolition and reconstruction of the Carter Bridge in Lagos.
David Umahi, minister of works, shared this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the State House in Abuja after the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
Umahi said the council also approved N5.6 billion for advanced engineering consultants to handle the design and costing of the bridge.“
Recall that we have been to FEC and got approval after going through stakeholders’ engagements.
The total recommendation was that Carter Bridge can no longer be rehabilitated; it should be demolished and then a new bridge constructed,” he said.
The minister added that the reconstruction forms part of broader efforts by the administration to strengthen critical transport infrastructure across the country.
