General
CSOs Gather in Edo to Discuss FOI Implementation
No fewer than 100 Civil Society Organisations are to meet in Benin, Edo State capital, Tuesday, to discuss the implementation of Nigeria’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in the state.
Chairman, Board of Governors, Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria (FOIC-N), Dr Walter Duru, disclosed this in a press release made available to newsmen, Sunday afternoon.
Mr Duru, who described the FOI Act as a powerful tool for the fight against corruption in Nigeria, expressed concern over low usage of the law by citizens in holding government at all levels accountable.
He explained that the Edo FOI meeting is supported by the European Union, through the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC Programme) managed by the British Council.
“The Nigerian Freedom of Information (FOI) Act was signed into law on May 28 2011. The law was passed to enable the public to access certain government information, in order to ensure transparency and accountability.
“The FOI Act aims to make public records and information more freely available. It enables citizens to hold the government accountable in the event of misappropriation or public services failure. It also protects serving public officers against any adverse consequences from the unauthorized disclosure of certain kinds of official information.
“A recent survey by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption- ROLAC programme, in collaboration with the Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria- FOICN and Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption-MIIVOC on the level of knowledge of the provisions and use of the FOI Act revealed that the gap in capacity is wide among citizens.
“It also shows that there is low compliance level with the provisions of the Act in Nigeria, especially, as it concerns some of the critical segments, such as Proactive Disclosure and Annual Compliance Reports,” he said.
“In an attempt to close the identified knowledge gap, the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, in collaboration with the FOI Unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ), the Freedom of Information Coalition in Nigeria and the Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption is holding a 2-day FOI Capacity Building Roundtable with representatives of non-state actors/CSOs, targeting the Media, Legal and mainstream Civil Society actors in Edo State, aimed at training participants on the provisions and use of the Act in the state,” he added.
Continuing, Mr Duru explained that state actors, particularly, Information Officers, Directors and Permanent Secretaries in Edo State will also be trained on the provisions and applications of the FOI Act, with a view to ensuring that stakeholders are on the same page.
“It is a comprehensive training package. Journalists, lawyers, community-based organisations, representatives of public institutions and other critical stakeholders shall be trained on FOI.
“The roundtable aims to build the capacity of citizens to have a working knowledge of the purpose and benefits of the FOI Act, as well as processes for dealing with requests as prescribed by the law.
“We are hopeful that at the end of the training, participants will have improved understanding on the application of the FOI Act.
“On the part of the state actors, in addition to the provisions and applications of the FOI Act, they will have better understanding of the duties of public institutions under the FOI Act,” he said.
He further called on Nigerians to take advantage of the Freedom of Information Act to participate in governance in the interest of the country.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the latest United States airstrikes on Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) targets in northwest Nigeria were conducted at the request of the Nigerian government.
According to reports, the US struck at ISWAP targets in Jabo, Sokoto State, on Christmas night.
The ministry described the operation as a product of established counterterrorism cooperation between both countries.
In a press statement issued on Friday, the Ministry said the strikes were “undertaken following formal engagement and with the full knowledge and coordination of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“The Government of Nigeria wishes to clarify that the airstrikes conducted by the United States against Islamic State elements in parts of northwest Nigeria were carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities and in line with existing bilateral security cooperation frameworks,” the statement said.
The Ministry stressed that Nigeria “remains firmly in control of all counterterrorism operations within its sovereign territory,” adding that international partners only provide support “where such assistance aligns with Nigeria’s national security objectives.”
According to the statement, the strikes form part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to “degrade terrorist capabilities, disrupt logistics networks, and protect civilian populations from violent extremist threats.”
The Foreign Ministry further emphasised that the federal government “will continue to work with trusted international partners to confront terrorism, banditry, and transnational criminal networks that threaten national and regional stability.”
Reacting to concerns around sovereignty, the Ministry said:
“At no time was Nigeria’s sovereignty compromised. All actions were conducted with due respect for Nigeria’s laws, institutions, and command structures.”
The statement also cautioned against mischaracterising Nigeria’s security challenges, noting that extremist violence “has affected communities across religious and ethnic lines and should not be framed in sectarian terms.”
Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to a multi-layered response combining military operations, intelligence sharing, community engagement, and socio-economic interventions, adding that counterterrorism efforts remain focused on protecting lives and restoring stability.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strikes were carried out in Sokoto State and that multiple militants were killed.
US President Donald Trump described the strikes as “powerful and deadly,” saying they were directed at Islamic State militants responsible for violent attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government has clearly denied that only Christians are affected by the killings, saying the terror spread across all faiths.
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that “more to come” as part of sustained efforts against extremist groups.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The United States government gave some terrorists in Nigeria a Christmas gift that sent many of them to the great beyond.
On Thursday, December 25, 2025, the United States President, Mr Donald Trump, directed his country’s military to launch air strikes on camps of members of the dreaded Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Sokoto State.
According to Mr Trump, the military action, which he threatened to carry out a few weeks ago if the Nigerian government does not stop the killing of Christians in the country, occurred on Thursday night.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!
“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.
“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical islamic terrorism to prosper. May God bless our military, and Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues,” Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
In a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Department of War of the United States posted the below video of the air strikes;
https://twitter.com/DeptofWar/status/2004351717131903272
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The presidency has reacted to speculations that Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has been removed as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
It was alleged that Mr Gbajabiamila has been replaced with the President’s Principal Private Secretary, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
Mr Muri-Okunola went to Abuja to take up this role after leaving as the Head of Service of the Lagos State Civil Service.
Reacting to the reports on social media on the purported removal of Mr Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, the presidency said no such change has been made.
In a statement signed on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, members of the public were advised to disregard the report as “there is absolutely no truth to this story.”
“The Chief of Staff remains in his position. The Principal Private Secretary likewise remains in his role. Hakeem Muri-Okunola has not replaced Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff.
“The viral claim is a fabrication by mischievous purveyors of fake news whose sole aim is to create disharmony within the government.
“We reiterate that news media should always verify their information before publishing or sharing on social media,” the statement said.
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