By Adedapo Adesanya

The United Kingdom and Nigeria have launched a £15 million growth programme aimed at unlocking investment and accelerating economic transformation as both nations deepen their partnership.

This was announced as the UK Minister for Africa and International Development, Ms Jenny Chapman, concluded a two-day visit to Nigeria, during which she announced the new £15 million Growth Programme, deepened cooperation on digital transformation and health, and visited communities benefiting directly from UK investment on the ground.

The visit, spanning Abuja and Kaduna, underscored the breadth and depth of the UK–Nigeria Strategic Partnership and marked a significant step towards both countries’ shared priorities.

According to a statement, the centrepiece was the meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele. During their meeting, they discussed the new UK–Nigeria Growth Programme.

Over three years, it will accelerate economic transformation, unlock private investment and support Nigeria’s transition from macroeconomic stabilisation to sustained, reform-led growth. Alongside the Growth Programme, the UK announced deeper collaboration on Nigeria’s digital economy through the SPRIRET initiative, delivered under the UK’s Digital Access Programme. SPRIRET will support digital governance reforms across five Nigerian states, reducing regulatory barriers and enabling greater investment and innovation in broadband, digital services and emerging technology.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr Oyedele said, “We continue to value the UK–Nigeria relationship, one of the most important partnerships for both our countries. Today, that relationship extends beyond traditional ties and now focuses on development, growth, and shared prosperity.

“The UK–Nigeria Growth Programme helps bring this partnership to life—supporting capital market development, technology investment, small businesses, and technical assistance. We look forward to seeing how these opportunities deliver lasting benefits and drive progress for both countries.”

During the visit, Ms Chapman met with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Jumoke Oduwole and discussions covered progress under the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), including boosting exports via the Developing Countries Trading Scheme, fintech and capital markets links.

In Kaduna, she met with Governor Uba Sani to take stock of over 20 years of UK–Kaduna partnership and explore how cooperation can deepen shared priorities.

She also heard from the business community and key institutional investors about their investment aspirations and the role of the UK in supporting investment mobilisation and enabling climate finance, and met with community animal health workers and livestock breeders to discuss the UK’s support on breeding techniques, animal health and livestock vaccines.

The UK minister also visited Unguwan Sanusi Primary Health Care Centre, which serves approximately 20,000 people in Kaduna South, hearing directly from patients and frontline health workers about the impact of UK-supported health programmes.

At the end of the visit, she said, “This visit has reinforced everything I believe about the UK–Nigeria partnership. That it is deep, it is real, and it is moving in the right direction. From launching our new Growth Programme with Honourable Minister Oyedele, to meeting from frontline health workers in Kaduna — every conversation this week has shown me a country full of ambition and a partnership that is genuinely delivering for both sides.

“Nigeria is a partner that the UK is proud to stand alongside and I leave more convinced than ever that the next chapter of this partnership is its most exciting yet. The UK is here for the long term, and we are ready to grow together.”

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Three suspects are cooling off in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kano for their alleged involvement in bulk cash and mineral resources smuggling.

They were intercepted on Thursday, June 11, 2026, during a routine surveillance operation by the Land and Property Fraud Section of the Kano Zonal Directorate of the agency, following a directive by the chairman that all directorates intensify efforts to tackle smuggling of mineral resources and bulk cash at international airports.

The main suspect, Mr Ali Baffa, who is an Inspector 1 with Aviation Security  (AVSEC), and his accomplices, Mr Aushabu Nasidi and Mr Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, were apprehended at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

According to a statement from the EFCC, preliminary investigations revealed that Ali Baffa allegedly concealed 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars estimated at over N4.4 billion in his trousers, with the intent to bypass security checks and hand over the precious minerals to overseas-bound passengers for illegal export out of Nigeria.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Mr Nasidi, who allegedly supplied the gold bars to Baffa. Upon arrest, Mr Nasidi was found in possession of various foreign currencies, including: 3,000 Saudi Riyals, 40,000 Turkish Lira, 199.75 Kuwaiti Dinar, 20,700 Philippine Peso, 80 Australian Dollars, 310 Chinese Renminbi, 4,000 Algerian Dinar, 40 Hong Kong Dollars, 26,000 Hungarian Forint, and 1,000 Sudanese Dinar.

The investigation also led to the arrest of Mr Dan Zaria, who allegedly gave the gold bars to Mr Nasidi.

While being interviewed, Mr Dan Zaria revealed to the commission that he had smuggled an estimated 40.2 kilograms of gold from June 1 to June 11, 2026, using the same modus operandi.

The suspects are expected to be charged in court once investigations into the matter are concluded, the anti-money laundering organisation promised.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Senate has nullified a warrant of arrest purportedly issued by the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) against the former chief executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr Mele Kyari.

The motion, sponsored by the Senate Leader, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele, also formally dissociated the Senate from comments attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who reportedly described the state oil company as “a bunch of criminals and thieves” during a Public Accounts Committee hearing earlier on Wednesday.

The Senate emphasised that legislative oversight must be conducted within the framework of the Constitution, due process, and the principles of fair hearing.

Presenting the motion, Mr Bamidele argued that while Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution grant investigative and oversight powers to the National Assembly, the authority to issue warrants compelling the attendance of witnesses is clearly vested in the presiding officer of the legislative chamber.

According to him, Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act confer the power to issue warrants exclusively on the President of the Senate in matters relating to Senate proceedings and committees.

Mr Bamidele warned that any attempt by a Senate committee to independently issue or execute a warrant of arrest without authorisation from the Senate President could amount to an unlawful exercise of power.

“The power to issue a warrant affecting the liberty of a citizen is an extraordinary statutory power which must be exercised strictly in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law,” the lawmaker noted.

He further maintained that legislative investigations are not substitutes for criminal prosecution and that neither individuals nor institutions should be presumed guilty before the conclusion of investigations or judicial determination.

“The constitutional doctrine of fair hearing and the presumption of innocence require that no person or institution be adjudged guilty except by a court of competent jurisdiction after due process of law.”

A major aspect of the motion focused on personal remarks attributed to Mr Oshiomhole during deliberations of the Public Accounts Committee.

Mr Bamidele argued that describing NNPC as “a bunch of criminals and thieves” was capable of conveying a conclusion of criminal culpability before the completion of any lawful investigation, warning that such statements could be interpreted by the public as the official position of the Senate and undermine confidence in the impartiality of ongoing oversight proceedings.

“Such statements, if left unclarified, may be misconstrued by the public as representing the official position of the Senate and may undermine confidence in the impartiality and objectivity of ongoing legislative oversight proceedings.”

The Senate subsequently adopted a resolution formally dissociating itself from the comments and clarifying that they do not represent the findings, opinion, resolution or official position of the upper chamber.

Deputy Senate President, Mr Barau Jibrin, strongly backed the motion, describing it as part of the constitutional responsibilities of the Senate Leader.

Reading from Senate rules and constitutional provisions, Mr Barau stressed that committees are subordinate organs of the Senate and may only make recommendations rather than independently exercise powers reserved for the chamber.

“The committee overstepped its bounds, and he has done the right thing by drawing attention to it.”

He maintained that the Senate must always operate in accordance with both its rules and the Constitution.

“We need to do things in line with our rules and with the law of the land.”

For his part, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno described the motion as a necessary intervention to preserve the credibility of the legislature.

According to him, it would be contradictory for lawmakers to make laws for national governance while simultaneously violating those same laws.

“The Senate, being the highest law-making body of the country, should not only be above board but should be seen manifestly to be above board.”

He characterised the motion as both a wake-up call and a reminder for committees to strictly comply with constitutional provisions and Senate rules.

Senator Abba Moro emphasised the importance of maintaining decorum and avoiding statements capable of damaging reputations.

“We should not make statements that seek to impugn the character of public officers or individuals in society.”

Mr Moro cautioned that Nigerians closely monitor Senate proceedings and warned that inappropriate conduct could undermine public trust in the institution.

On his part, Senator Adamu Aliero was among the strongest critics of Oshiomhole’s comments, describing the statement as “reckless” and arguing that it could damage Nigeria’s investment image internationally.

“The NNPC is the cash cow of this country. Such reckless statements send wrong signals to outsiders and can jeopardise foreign direct investment.”