General
Nigeria, Brazil to Sign 30 MoUs on Agriculture, Energy, Others
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria will sign more than 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Brazil at the second session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM).
The event, a high-stakes diplomatic and investment engagement will begin on Monday, June 23, 2025 and coincides with the official visit of Brazilian Vice President, Mr Geraldo Alckmin.
According to the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Mr Ibrahim Hadejia, both parties will unlock new investment flows and deepen cooperation across key sectors including agriculture, energy, defence, innovation, and the creative economy.
Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday, he noted that the bilateral talks and MoU signings would facilitate technical cooperation and open pathways for scalable private sector engagement
“This is a defining moment for Nigeria’s international diplomacy and economic expansion. The visit underscores a new chapter of strategic collaboration between two influential regional powers. It aligns seamlessly with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of global partnerships and economic revitalisation.
“We will engage in comprehensive discussions aimed at expanding collaboration across sectors critical to our national development,” he said.
Among the summit’s major highlights is the Nigeria-Brazil Business Forum, scheduled for June 25. The forum is expected to attract hundreds of government and private sector leaders from both nations, representing a combined consumer base of over 400 million.
Also speaking, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Jumoke Oduwole, revealed that sector-specific platforms, including a Digital Trade Room, will be unveiled during the forum.
“Brazil’s experience in digital inclusion and Nigeria’s thriving fintech ecosystem present a powerful synergy for scalable innovation,” she said.
In the agriculture sector, the two countries are expected to sign MoUs targeting enhanced productivity through research in animal genetics, soya bean production, and mechanisation.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Abubakar Kyari, disclosed that the dialogue will also accelerate implementation of the Green Imperative Programme (GIP), a $4.5 billion investment to establish agricultural project delivery offices across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
“We are leveraging this platform to operationalise the Green Imperative and bring about real transformation in food production at scale,” Mr Kyari said.
The Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Ms Hannatu Musawa, said the SDM would help reposition Nigeria’s cultural and tourism industries.
“We are looking to tap into our shared Afro-Atlantic heritage with Brazil. The MoUs we sign will open up new economic and cultural opportunities in music, film, fashion, and tourism,” she said.
Planning for the dialogue has extended beyond federal agencies to include subnational governments and private sector players.
On her part, Mrs Marion Moon, Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture and Executive Secretary of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit, said Brazilian investors would be hosted in strategic states.
“Beyond Abuja, we’ll be taking the Brazilian delegation to investment sites in Kebbi, Plateau, Lagos, Edo, Nasarawa, and the FCT,” she said.
Also speaking, the Director of Regions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Janet Olisa, stressed that the MoUs will be anchored on shared strengths and economic priorities.
“We are ensuring that every ministry brings its best. Nearly 30 MoUs are under negotiation, and some will be signed during this visit. Others will be concluded when the President visits Brazil,” she said.
She affirmed that the SDM is not merely a diplomatic forum, but “a serious mechanism for real investment outcomes and deepening South-South cooperation.”
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, will run as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
President Bola Tinubu retained Mr Shettima as his running mate for re-election next year, according to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda.
In a post on Friday on X, the ruling party chairman described this as “another significant milestone in the journey of our great party.”
He also said it reaffirms the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.
It was gathered that Mr Tinubu submitted his presidential nomination forms today through his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Mr Ibrahim Masari.
The submission was done ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, attended by several party chieftains, including The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodimma; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.
“The All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the party leader stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on X. He revealed that eight of the kidnappers have been arrested and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while some others were neutralised during the operation.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
He said no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the freedom of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Mr Onanuga explained that the kingpin whose release the kidnappers had demanded was neither freed nor spared, as he remains under prosecution for offences linked to his terrorist activities.
The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools: Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attacks. During the attack, a teacher, Mr Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape.
Another teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded in the kidnappers’ den.
The terrorists holding the victims had reportedly made a four-point demand before agreeing to free the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
The Oyo State Government had consistently maintained that no ransom would be paid to secure the release of any victims.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) embarked on a month-long strike in the state to press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.
It also drew federal intervention, with military and police authorities repeatedly assuring Nigerians that operations to secure the victims’ freedom were ongoing.
The President’s spokesperson said that security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive account of the operation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The board of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has approved a $260 million financing package for the construction of a 123-kilometre section of the Trans-Saharan Highway in Nigeria as part of more than $417 million earmarked for strategic projects across West Africa.
The approval was granted during the bank’s 99th Ordinary Session, chaired by its President, Mr George Donkor, according to a statement issued after the meeting. It was noted that the total financing will support five public and private sector projects spanning infrastructure, healthcare, housing, mining, financial resilience and regional connectivity.
EBID said the approved investments underscore its commitment to funding high-impact projects that drive economic growth, create jobs and improve living standards across the sub-region.
“The projects approved during this 99th Board Session demonstrate EBID’s unwavering commitment to financing development solutions that directly improve the lives of West African citizens.
“From clean energy and transport infrastructure to healthcare, housing and financial sector resilience, these investments will strengthen regional competitiveness and support sustainable and inclusive growth across our community,” said Mr Donkor.
That of Nigeria is to improve connectivity, facilitate trade, reduce logistics costs and support economic integration; West African CFA franc (XOF) 10 billion in a line of credit to Banque de l’Habitat de Côte d’Ivoire (BHCI) to expand housing finance and support SMEs operating across the housing and construction value chain; €80 million for the design, construction, equipment and maintenance of the 150-bed Regional Hospital of Ferkessédougou in Côte d’Ivoire under a public-private partnership;
XOF 12.82 billion (West African CFA Franc) for the renovation, operation and maintenance of the Symphonie Building in Abidjan under a public-private partnership and $47.4 million for Azumah Resources Ghana Limited to finance the procurement of long-lead process plant equipment and critical early-stage development activities for the Black Volta Gold Project.
“These approvals advance EBID’s Growth, Resilience and Optimisation (GRO) Strategy, which prioritises transformative infrastructure, human capital development, private sector growth and regional integration. Through these investments, the Bank continues to promote sustainable development and shared prosperity across West Africa,” the statement said.
