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The Niger State chapter of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, NAGGMDP, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the state government to secure the release of a kidnapped doctor, warning of a total shutdown of health services if their demand is not met.

The association is demanding the immediate rescue of Dr Tony Eghagagara, Head of Medical Services at New Bussa General Hospital in Borgu Local Government Area, who was abducted by bandits at his private clinic in Wawa town on April 22, 2026.

In a communiqué released after an emergency general meeting, jointly signed by Chairman, Dr Mustapha Mohammed-Aliyu, and General Secretary, Dr Musa Alhaji-Shehu, the doctors expressed deep concern over rising insecurity and what they described as the “targeted victimisation” of healthcare workers across the state.

The association warned that failure to rescue their colleague within the stipulated timeframe would trigger an indefinite withdrawal of services across all government health facilities in Niger State.

“We will no longer tolerate excuses. If our colleague is not rescued by the expiration of this ultimatum, NAGGMDP will shut down the system and withdraw all services across the state without exception,” the communiqué stated.

The group also called for enhanced security measures, including mandatory security protection for healthcare workers operating in high-risk areas and the deployment of dedicated security personnel to accompany doctors during work hours and on-call duties.

NAGGMDP further urged the government to take full responsibility for the welfare of the abducted doctor’s family by providing immediate financial and logistical support.

The association cited previous security breaches, including the abduction of a doctor at Gulu General Hospital in Lapai Local Government Area and attacks on health facilities across the state.

It also referenced the recent killing of a nurse at General Hospital in Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area, noting that such incidents have left healthcare workers in constant fear.

The ultimatum, which began at 12:00 a.m. on Saturday, is set to expire at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, after which the association says it will embark on sustained peaceful protests alongside the planned shutdown of services.

Doctors issue 72-hour ultimatum over kidnapped colleague in Niger

Enyimba Football Club of Aba on Sunday continued its good run, beating 2024/2025 league winners, Remo Stars, 2-1 in Aba.

The latest victory took the Aba-based team to 11th position in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) with 46 points.

Enyimba, playing under the guidance of their new coach, Emmanuel Gustavo, came into the game with an early push, as Stanley Dimgba missed a good scoring chance in the 2nd minute.

The visitors, Remo Stars, initiated attacks in a clinical pattern in the 21st minute, taking the lead against Enyimba.

But Enyimba equalised seven minutes later as Stanley Dimgba scored in the 28th minute.

Reliable attacker, Chidera Michael, scored in the 49th minute, sending the Aba fans into a rendezvous of jubilation.

Meanwhile, NPFL defending champions, Remo Stars, who lost to Enyimba, are sitting in 18th position on the NPFL table with 43 points after playing 36 games.

The latest result leaves Remo at the risk of being relegated from the NPFL.

NPFL: Enyimba win 2-1, as Remo risks relegation

The Nigerian Railway Corporation has raised concerns over a series of attacks targeting its train operations along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor, describing the incidents as growing threats to passenger safety and national infrastructure.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the corporation disclosed that the latest attack occurred near Kilometer 177, where suspected vandals allegedly pelted a moving train with stones, shattering the windscreen of the lead locomotive.

According to the NRC, the incident is part of a troubling pattern of repeated assaults recorded over the past two weeks in different parts of the route, including areas around Gidan Busa and Sarki Gora Village in Kakau District, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The corporation revealed that more than six separate attacks have so far been documented, worsening security concerns on one of the country’s major rail transport corridors.

NRC management warned that the continued assaults endanger passengers, damage railway assets, and threaten the sustainability of government investments in rail transportation.

Despite the recurring security breaches, the corporation said train services remain operational, with additional safety measures and heightened surveillance deployed to protect commuters.

The agency also commended security operatives for ongoing efforts to secure the rail corridor, while stressing the need for stronger collaboration with local communities and stakeholders.

It urged residents living near railway tracks to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and resist acts capable of sabotaging critical public infrastructure.

The NRC maintained that protecting railway assets is a collective responsibility and warned that persistent attacks could disrupt service delivery if urgent preventive action is not taken.

NRC Raises Alarm Over Abuja-Kaduna Rail Attack is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Bayelsa West Senator, Henry Seriake Dickson, has described former presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, as the biggest political brands.

Dickson said this on Sunday when he received the duo into the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former Bayelsa State governor also described the political heavyweights’ presence as a defining moment for the fast-rising political movement.

According to him, the duo’s influence was evident in the massive enthusiasm that trailed their appearance, even without formal mobilisation.

“Your Excellencies and members of your entourage, I welcome you—even though you did not come with a crowd. But you are both the personification of a crowd, and the crowd has followed you here,” he said.

He used the occasion to position the NDC as a credible alternative in Nigeria’s political landscape, emphasising its rapid growth and internal cohesion.

Defection: ‘Biggest political brands’ – Dickson hails Obi, Kwankwaso

Three people have died and a British national is fighting for his life in intensive care after a suspected hantavirus outbreak was confirmed aboard a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday.

The outbreak occurred on the MV Hondius, a polar expedition vessel operated by Dutch-based tour company Oceanwide Expeditions, which departed from Ushuaia, Argentina on March 20, bound for Cape Verde off the West African coast.

The WHO said one case of hantavirus has been laboratory confirmed, with five additional suspected cases currently under investigation. Of the six individuals affected, three have died and one remains in critical condition in a Johannesburg hospital.

South African health authorities said the first person to fall ill was a 70-year-old passenger who died on board the ship. His body is currently on the island of Saint Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic. His 69-year-old wife also developed symptoms and was evacuated to South Africa, where she subsequently died in a Johannesburg hospital. A source close to the case indicated the couple were Dutch nationals. A third victim, reported to be a 69-year-old British national, was also evacuated to Johannesburg, where he remains in intensive care.

Hantavirus is a serious, potentially fatal infection typically transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents, particularly their urine, droppings, or saliva. In rare cases, the virus can spread between people and trigger severe respiratory illness.

The WHO said it is coordinating with member states and the ship’s operators to arrange medical evacuations for two additional symptomatic passengers. Discussions are reportedly ongoing on whether those passengers should be admitted to a hospital in Cape Verde before the ship continues its journey to Spain’s Canary Islands.

The MV Hondius is a 107.6-metre polar cruise vessel with capacity for up to 170 passengers across 80 cabins.

Three Dead As Rare Virus Breaks Out On Cruise Ship is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

After weeks of speculation over their political future amid the lingering crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The duo made the move during a visit to the residence of the National Leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, where they held consultations with party leaders.

Obi and Kwankwaso arrived at about 5:14 p.m. and held discussions with Dickson and other NDC stakeholders as part of ongoing political engagements.

The meeting later went into a closed-door session and ended at about 6:45 p.m.

Speaking after the meeting, Kwankwaso called on supporters and political associates to rally behind the NDC, urging wider participation in the party.

Obi, on his part, reportedly advised party members against resorting to litigation, encouraging internal resolution of disputes.

The development is seen as a major boost for the NDC, with both politicians commanding strong grassroots followings across different regions of the country.

The Nigeria Police Force has forwarded the case file on the shooting of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State, to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for prosecution.

This was following the confirmation of the dismissal of officers implicated in the incident by the Police Service Commission.

Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Sunday, stating that the development marked a critical step toward ensuring justice in the case.

“The case file has been formally forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for vetting and prosecution. The Force will cooperate fully with the AGF’s office to ensure that this matter is prosecuted to its logical conclusion before a court of competent jurisdiction,” he said.

He said the Police Service Commission had reviewed and ratified the recommendation for the dismissal of ASP Nuhu and three other officers found culpable in the unlawful killing, noting that their dismissal takes immediate effect.

Placid said, “Following the conclusion of investigations, ASP Nuhu and three other members of his team have been arrested and are currently in custody. Internal disciplinary procedures have been concluded against all officers found culpable.

“The Force wishes to state clearly and without ambiguity that all indicted officers have been recommended for dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force. The Police Service Commission has reviewed and ratified this recommendation. Their dismissal is therefore confirmed and takes immediate effect.”

The police spokesman explained that the decision followed findings from an investigation launched after the April 26 incident, which established that the actions of the officers amounted to professional misconduct, abuse of office, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

According to him, the incident occurred after the deceased received a parcel from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, which he attempted to waybill to Sapele.

He said the parcel was found to contain a fabricated Beretta pistol and four rounds of 9mm ammunition, prompting a citizen’s arrest before police intervention.

Placid explained that upon arrival, ASP Nuhu, who led the responding team, shot the already apprehended and unarmed suspect, contrary to established rules of engagement.

“The Force wishes to be unequivocal: no criminal suspicion, however grave, justifies extra-judicial action. Every suspect is entitled to due process under the law,” Placid said.

He confirmed that the officers involved had been arrested and were currently in custody, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects, including the driver who delivered the parcel and two vigilante members linked to the incident.

Reiterating the Force’s commitment to accountability, Placid assured the public and the victim’s family that justice would be pursued.

“The Nigeria Police Force does not shield officers who violate the law. No rank or position will place any officer above accountability,” he said.

He urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations as the legal process unfolds.

FULL STATEMENT 

NIGERIA POLICE FORCE

PRESS ADDRESS BY THE FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID

Distinguished members of the press, good day.

I welcome you to this briefing on a matter that has drawn significant public attention, the fatal shooting of Mr. Mene Ogidi, aged 28 years, in Effurun, Delta State, on the 26th of April 2026. The Inspector-General of Police has directed that the public be kept fully informed as this matter progresses, and it is in that spirit that I address you today.

THE INCIDENT

On 26th April 2026 in Effurun, Delta State, the deceased, Mr. Mene Ogidi, received a parcel from a friend in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, delivered to him by a driver.

After collection, he proceeded to a motor park to waybill the parcel to Sapele, with the name, address, and phone number of the intended receiver written on it.

The parcel was searched and found to contain a fabricated Beretta pistol and 9mm live ammunition.

Citizens who witnessed this effected a citizen’s arrest of the deceased and subsequently contacted the police.

ASP Nuhu and members of his team responded and arrived at the scene. The suspect was formally handed over to ASP Nuhu as team lead.

At that point, rather than follow established police rules of engagement and standard operational procedures, ASP Nuhu shot and killed the unarmed, already-apprehended suspect.

The remains of Mr. Mene Ogidi have been deposited at the mortuary. A formal autopsy will be conducted by a certified pathologist, and the findings will form part of the evidence to support prosecution in this case.

INVESTIGATION AND FINDINGS

Following the incident, the Inspector-General of Police ordered an immediate and thorough investigation conducted by the Police Monitoring Unit.

The investigation established that the actions of ASP Nuhu and members of his team constituted professional misconduct, abuse of office, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, culminating in the unlawful killing of Mr. Mene Ogidi.

The Force wishes to be unequivocal: no criminal suspicion, however grave, justifies extra-judicial action. Every suspect, regardless of the nature of allegations against them, is entitled to due process under the law.

ARRESTS AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Following the conclusion of investigations, ASP Nuhu and three other members of his team have been arrested and are currently in custody.

Internal disciplinary procedures have been concluded against all officers found culpable. The Force wishes to state clearly and without ambiguity that all indicted officers have been recommended for dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force. The Police Service Commission has reviewed and ratified this recommendation. Their dismissal is therefore confirmed and takes immediate effect.

The case file has been formally forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for vetting and prosecution. The Force will cooperate fully with the AGF’s office to ensure that this matter is prosecuted to its logical conclusion before a court of competent jurisdiction.

OUTSTANDING SUSPECTS

The driver who delivered the parcel from Yenagoa, as well as two members of the vigilante group involved in the citizen’s arrest, remain at large. Tactical teams have been deployed and coordinated investigative measures are ongoing to ensure their arrest and prosecution.

COMMITMENT OF THE FORCE

The Nigeria Police Force reassures Nigerians, particularly the family of Mr. Mene Ogidi, that justice will be served in this matter. The Force does not shield officers who violate the law. No rank, no position, and no circumstance will be permitted to place any officer above accountability.

This case is being handled with the full weight of transparency and institutional integrity. The Nigeria Police Force is aware that the eyes of Nigerians and the international community are on this matter, and we are resolved that our actions will reflect the highest standards of justice, accountability, and respect for human rights.

We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and assure them that the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on all those found culpable.

Members of the public are encouraged to remain calm, continue to cooperate with law enforcement, and trust that this process will be seen through to the end.

Thank you.

DCP Anthony Okon Placid, mnipr, psc (+), mni

Force Public Relations Officer

Force Headquarters, Abuja

Former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, and his Kano State counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso, have received their membership of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

DAILY POST reports that the duo on Sunday announced their defection from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi and Kwankwaso, who are seeking a joint ticket to contest the 2027 presidential election, had earlier stormed the NDC secretariat in Abuja.

They were accompanied by stakeholders, including the Anambra Central senator, Victor Umeh.

Speaking while receiving the NDC membership card, Obi said they are “here to build Nigeria.”

2027: Peter Obi, Kwankwaso receive NDC membership cards [PHOTO]

Regina Akume, wife of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has obtained the All Progressives Congress, APC, nomination and expression of interest forms to contest for a second term representing the Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections.

The former First Lady of Benue State was elected into the House of Representatives in 2023 on the platform of the APC, defeating John Dyegh of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The 71-year-old APC chieftain picked up the forms on Friday at the party’s headquarters in Makurdi, accompanied by supporters and party leaders.

Speaking with journalists, Akume said her decision followed wide consultations with party leaders, stakeholders, and constituents, who urged her to seek re-election based on her performance in the 10th National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the immediate past first lady of the state, Eunice Ortom, has declared interest in contesting the Benue Northwest Senatorial election.

Mrs Ortom, who picked up the forms on Friday, also emerged as the consensus candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Benue: 71-year-old Regina Akume picks APC reps form for second term in Gboko/Tarka

Elevated oil prices are reshaping Nigeria’s economic outlook, as Brent crude trades above $105 per barrel—significantly higher than the 2026 budget benchmark of $64.85. With risks to the Strait of Hormuz threatening up to 20 per cent of global supply, analysts project a potential surge to $150, a development that could materially strengthen FX inflows, reserves, and naira stability.

With Brent crude trading above $105 per barrel—higher than Nigeria’s 2026 federal budget benchmark of $64.85—the price rally would largely bolster the country’s fiscal revenues, foreign exchange reserves and promote naira stability. Analysts posit that a full-scale conflict disrupting the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for about 20 per cent of global oil flows could send Brent prices surging to even $150 per barrel. The development presents opportunity for higher FX inflows for Nigeria, and a brighter future for the naira.

Oil prices rose above $105 per barrel, extending gains for months as concerns grew that the United States could sustain hostilities against Iran—a key Middle Eastern oil producer—potentially disrupting regional supplies.

The oil prices rally is driven mainly by geopolitical risk premium surrounding Iran and the Middle East, though ‍unplanned outages in Kazakhstan and U.S. (Winter Storm Fern) has had a temporary impact as well.

The naira and foreign reserves are bound to benefit from the development. The key reforms instituted by the Olayemi Cardoso-led Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), have also increased possibility for the local currency and external reserves to benefit from the oil windfall.

Rising threats of US–Iran military action have led analysts to project that oil prices may remain high amid heightened geopolitical risks, US restrictions on Russian oil purchases, and sustained Chinese demand, even as markets entered the year expecting a large oversupply

For Nigeria, oil prices increase comes with significant gains in. terms of revenue, and economy stability given that over 80 per cent of the country income are from petrodollars.

Already, the naira has traded below the N1,400/$1 level on the official market for the first time in over a year, marking a notable psychological and market milestone for the currency.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria show that the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market rate, the determining benchmark for the official market, strengthened to N1,396.99/$1 on Thursday, up from N1,400.48/$1 on Wednesday. This move confirms the naira’s return below N1,400/$1 after an extended period of trading above that level.

Also, Nigeria’s foreign-exchange reserves are on track to climb toward $51bn this year, underscoring a steady recovery in external buffers even as global shocks and domestic political risks test the durability of recent reforms.

At $48.44bn as of April 23, the country’s reserves cover more than 12 months of imports, according to analyst estimates, reinforcing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) view that its year-end target of $51.04bn remains achievable despite headwinds from the Middle East crisis.

President, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Aminu Gwadabe, said the naira has remained stable across market for several months, ending years of volatility in the market.

Additionally, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), Bismarck Rewane, estimated the fair value of the naira at about N1,257 to the US dollar.

Rewane posits that the local currency is undervalued by approximately 11 per cent when assessed using the purchasing power parity (PPP) model.

Rewane made the submission during his keynote address at the 2026 Economic Outlook organised by the Association of Corporate Treasurers of Nigeria (ACTN), where he anchored the session and offered a detailed analysis of the structural and cyclical factors influencing Nigeria’s exchange-rate movements.

He noted that currencies typically converge towards their PPP-implied values over a five-year horizon.

According to him, the appropriate exchange rate based on current PPP estimates stands at N1,256.79 to the dollar, reinforcing the view that the naira remains below its fair valuation level.

A weak dollar is dislocating many markets, but it is good for Africa, as we are seeing with the naira,” Charlie Robertson, author of The Time Travelling Economist, said.

The rally in the naira also reflects rising confidence in Nigeria’s macroeconomic direction, supported by stronger foreign exchange inflows, rising external reserves and improved market governance.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso explained that naira now trades within a narrow, stable range. The huge gap between the official and parallel markets has shrunk to under two per cent, from over 60 per cent.

For him, macroeconomic indicators show that Nigeria is more resilient to external shocks today than at any point in our recent history.

For instance, Nigeria’s external sector strengthened decisively in 2025, with the current account balance rising over 85 per cent to $5.28bn in Q2, up from $2.85bn in Q1. Bolstering our external buffers, foreign reserves reached $46.7bn by mid-November, the highest in nearly seven years, providing over 10 months of forward import cover and significantly enhancing the economy’s resilience.

Cardoso explained that what is most important here is that our FX reserves are being rebuilt organically, not by borrowing, but through improved market functioning, stronger non-oil exports, and robust capital inflows.

“While oil production improved modestly to an average of 1.45–1.52 million barrels per day in 2025, the truly encouraging development is the strong performance of non-oil exports. Supported by ongoing reforms and greater exchange-rate flexibility, non-oil exports have grown by more than 18 per cent year-on-year, reflecting rising competitiveness under a truly market-driven FX framework,” he said.

He disclosed that as with foreign investor inflows, diaspora remittances have also strengthened with confidence returning to official channels following enhancements in transparency, settlement efficiency, and reporting. Remittances increased by approximately 12 per cent this year, and we expect this momentum to continue as the Non-Resident BVN, launched earlier this year, becomes more widely adopted in 2026.

Prof. ‘Abiodun Adedipe, founder and Chief Consultant of B. Adedipe Associates Limited (BAA Consult), listed major policy shifts yielding positive results for the economy. He said that the CBN has eliminated strange arbitraging and roundtripping opportunity through the forex market reforms; through petrol subsidy removal, the Federal Government Remove crippling annual waste of $10.7bn and created environment for competition; bank recapitalisation is creating stronger and more capable banks to fund $1tn economy while fiscal consolidation is plugging leakages, deploying technology and making government agencies more accountable and expanding fiscal space at sub-national.

Continuing, Adedipe said the real game changer remains the tax reforms, capable of igniting regional competition (the secret behind Chinese economic renaissance) while the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Consumer Credit Corporation, Recapitalized Bank of Agriculture, National Credit Guarantee Company Ltd, Single digit interest rate mortgage loans are major steps that should be taken to support sustainable economic growth.

Adedipe said that Nigeria’s economy is supported by large, youthful and rapidly growing population (estimated at 237.53 million in July 2025 and sixth largest in the world, median age at 18.1 years).

The country, he said, also benefits from rapid urbanization with 54.28 per cent in December 2023, up from 46.12 per cent in 2013 and 51.96 per cent in 2020, deepening internet penetration which is at 48.15 per cent in April 2025, up from 45.57 per cent in August 2023 and 31.48 per cent in December 2018.

Nigeria’s tele-density at 79.65 per cent in May 2025, from 76.08 per cent in December 2024 and 102.97 per cent in Dec 2023, due to data cleanup at end of April 2024.

“On global internet users, shows that Nigeria with 123 million ranks 11th and 7th with over 84 per cent on mobile devices. Local oil refining continues to expand and prospects of new refineries, manufacturing is reviving and there is expanding interest in non-oil exports. Improvement in infrastructure will begin to positively impact the cost of doing business,” he said.

He added that sustained deep reforms will enhance global competitiveness and Ease of Doing Business, plug leakages and shrink the space for economic rent.

The CBN explained that monetary reform cannot be effective in a vacuum. Alignment with fiscal policy has strengthened Nigeria’s macro stability and yielded tangible results including reduced domestic borrowing costs, improved liquidity conditions, and more predictable fiscal operations.

For instance, the discontinuation of direct deficit financing signals one prong in our commitment to discipline.

“This stance is unequivocal as there will be no return to the practice of financing fiscal deficits by the Central Bank. In parallel, the fiscal authorities have embarked on key institutional reforms – including the implementation of a Revenue Optimisation (RevOp) framework, the establishment of a new National Revenue Agency, and upgrades to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) – to strengthen revenue mobilisation and public financial management,” Cardoso said.

“As we transition towards a full-fledged inflation-targeting framework, this partnership will deepen, ensuring fiscal and monetary policies reinforce each other in delivering durable price stability,” he added.

The CBN had embarked on a series of bold reforms to attract more foreign capital to the economy, achieve price and exchange rate stability.

In 2023, the new administration and the CBN-led by its Governor, Olayemi Cardoso liberalised the foreign exchange market, stopped central bank financing of the fiscal deficit, and reformed fuel subsidies. The government also strengthened revenue collection and took strategic steps to reduce surging inflation rate.

Since these reforms were implemented, international reserves have increased, and people can now access foreign exchange in the official market.

Besides, Nigeria successfully returned to international capital markets last December and was recently upgraded by rating agencies. A new domestic, private refinery is positioning Nigeria up the value chain in a fully deregulated market.

CBN’s policies, including the currency reforms, led to investment inflows from abroad, and reduced interventions in the domestic forex market.

The unification of exchange rates and the clearing of over $7bn FX backlog raised the country’s investment outlook, with multilateral organizations, like the World Bank describing it as bold intervention to improve the economy’s sustainability in the long run.

Also, Nigeria’s sovereign risk spread has fallen to the lowest level since January 2020, erasing the premium accumulated during the pandemic and subsequent strain on its economy. All these are deliberate efforts to woo investors and sustain capital inflows to the economy.

In its efforts to tame inflation, the CBN recently hosted the Monetary Policy Forum, featuring fiscal authorities, legislative, private sector, development partners, subject-matter experts, and scholars with the theme: “Managing the Disinflation Process.” The forum is a major push to improve monetary policy communication, foster dialogue, and collaborate on critical issues shaping monetary policy.

During the event, Cardoso explained that the apex bank’s focus is to sustain price stability, the planned transition to an inflation-targeting framework, and strategies to restore purchasing power and ease economic hardship. He said the apex bank is continuing its disciplined approach to monetary policy, aimed at curbing inflation and stabilising the economy. Cardoso reiterated that the goal of the CBN is to ensure that monetary policy remains forward-looking, adaptive, and resilient.

In addressing our economic challenges, collaboration is key: “Managing disinflation amidst persistent shocks requires not only robust policies but also coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities to anchor expectations and maintain investor confidence. Our focus must remain on price stability, the planned transition to an inflation-targeting framework, and strategies to restore purchasing power and ease economic hardship,” Cardoso said.

The CBN also focused on strengthening the banking sector, introducing new minimum capital requirements for banks (effective March 2026) to ensure resilience and position Nigeria’s banking industry for a $1tn economy. These reforms and developments reflect the Bank’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for inclusive economic development.

CBN Sees Brighter Naira Outlook Despite Middle East Tensions is first published on The Whistler Newspaper