By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to carry over 70 per cent of their 2025 capital allocations into the 2026 fiscal year.

The directive was contained in the 2026 Abridged Budget Call Circular issued by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and circulated to ministers, service chiefs, and heads of agencies.

The circular said the government had adopted a new framework that caps all 2026 capital budget ceilings at 70 per cent of 2025 project allocations.

Only 30 per cent of this year’s capital budget will be released in 2025, while the remaining 70 per cent forms the foundation of next year’s capital spending.

The notice laid out strict guidelines for preparing next year’s spending plan, including a ban on introducing new capital projects, noting that the administration prioritises completing ongoing projects amid weak revenues and rising fiscal pressures.

It said MDAs must “upload 70 per cent of their 2025 FGN Budget to continue in FY2026” and ensure that all rollover items align with the administration’s priorities—national security, economic growth, education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, power, energy, and social safety nets.

The ministry said the policy is meant to prevent duplication, strengthen continuity and ensure that uncompleted projects are not abandoned, warning MDAs against attempting to exceed their 2025 overhead ceilings in their 2026 submissions, despite inflationary pressures.

“We are constrained by revenue challenges,” the circular said. “While we note the impact of inflation, proposals that exceed approved ceilings will be adjusted downward.”

The directive said the 2026 budget must reflect the strategies in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (2026–2028), the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Plan, the Ward Development Plan and the National Development Plan, as well as the Accelerated Stabilisation and Actualisation Plan.

MDAs must submit their budgets through the GIFMIS Budget Preparation Subsystem, while government-owned enterprises will submit via the Budget Information Management and Monitoring System. All submissions must be completed by Tuesday, December 9, 2025.

Statutory transfers are projected to drop from N3.64tn in 2025 to N3.15 trillion in 2026, while recurrent non-debt expenditure is estimated at N15.26 trillion.

Debt service obligations are set to rise sharply from N13.94 trillion this year to N15.52 trillion in 2026.

Aggregate capital expenditure is projected at N22.37 trillion, down from N26.19 trillion in 2025. Capital allocations for MDAs fall from N12.39 trillion to N8.67 trillion, while project-tied loans will shrink from N3.36 trillion to N2.05 trillion.

The deficit widens significantly to N20.12 trillion in 2026, from N14.10 trillion in the current year.

Personnel costs have already been computed using data from IPPIS and earlier submissions, the circular noted. Each ministry will be informed of its personnel cost ceiling for 2026.

The financial projections accompanying the circular show a more constrained revenue outlook for 2026.

Total funds available to the Federal Government, including GOEs, are projected at N54.46 trillion, down slightly from N54.99 trillion in 2025.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has refuted reports that 11 of its personnel are currently being held by the Burkinabe military regime in Bobo-Dioulasso, southwest Burkina Faso.

It was reported that the Nigerian military officials were captured after their aircraft conducted an emergency landing, alleged to be violating airspace belonging to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

AES, made up of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, said in a joint statement that the aircraft carrying the 11 military personnel did not have permission to fly over Burkina Faso.

The allied military-led nations of the Sahel collectively threatened action against violations of their airspace.

“An aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, type C-130, was forced to land today in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following an in-flight emergency situation while it was operating in Burkinabe airspace,” according to an alliance statement read on state media in the three West African countries.

The statement called the landing an “unfriendly act” and said the countries’ respective air forces had been put on maximum alert and authorised to “neutralise any aircraft” found to violate the confederation’s airspace.

The joint statement did not mention what happened to the 11 military personnel onboard the Nigerian turboprop plane.

The trio of Sahel countries, all under military rule and battling long-running jihadist insurgencies, maintain uneasy relations with their west African neighbours.

In January, they left the regional bloc, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after forming their own alliance, AES.

The three states have also distanced themselves from the West, notably from former colonial ruler France, while drawing closer to Russia.

This comes after Nigeria helped Benin Republic quell a coup that sought to remove President Patrice Talon from office, less than five months till the end of his second term.

The putsch which failed saw arrests of over 14 soldiers, while some reportedly remain at large, holding some hostages.

But reacting via a statement on Tuesday, NAF its men are being treated with respect, with the scheduled mission to resume.

“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) wishes to clarify reports regarding the diversion of a NAF C-130 aircraft during its ferry mission to Portugal on 8 December 2025. Following takeoff from Lagos, the crew observed a technical concern which necessitated a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, the nearest airfield, in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols. NAF crew is safe and have received cordial treatment from the host authorities.

“Plans are ongoing to resume the mission as scheduled. The Nigerian Air Force appreciates the support received during this period and assures the public that NAF remains professionally committed to strict compliance with operational procedures and safety standards, ensuring the protection of its personnel while fulfilling its constitutional mandate,” the statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information for the agency, Ehimen Ejodame, said.

By Felix Aganbi

Churches in the Niger Delta region are set to honour Itsekiri Bible Translator and dominant political force during the Second Republic, Deacon Stephen Ejueyitsi Aganbi.

“Hundreds of people, including high profile politicians, religious leaders and business moguls will honour Deacon Stephen Ejueyitsi Aganbi on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 in Koko” a statement by the chief executive of Akogate Group, Mr Felix Aganbi, said.

Tagged Koko Sings for Deacon Stephen Aganbi, the statement said artists and church choirs from across the country have been invited to the special carol service in honour of a man of character, courage and compassion.

The event scheduled for Wednesday, December 10 at Canaan Land, Koko Road will bring guests from Nigeria and abroad.

Deacon Stephen Aganbi was a lawyer, a community leader and a lover of God. He was a highly reputed politician of the Second Republic in Nigeria and the Olare-Aja (community leader) of Koko’’.

The nonagenarian, gifted interpreter and scholar died on Thursday, March 19, 2020.

The 99-year-old legal luminary, politician par excellence and an astute intellectual was interred on Saturday, May 9, 2020 in his hometown.

Deacon Aganbi served as chairman for the Itsekiri Bible Translation Project, the team that completed the Old and New Testament translation in the Itsekiri language.

Meanwhile, the 2025 Canaan Land Smart City Golf Tournament and Business conference will begin on Friday, December 12 in Delta State.

“Koko Town has the huge potential for investment, particularly in real estate, agriculture, health, tourism and other areas. So we are expecting investors and some of the most famous and highly-ranked golfers in the sport’s history and in the contemporary game from different parts of the world” Mr Aganbi added.

The golf tournament and business and conference will be held from 12-14 December, 2025 in Canaan Land, Koko Town.

“Koko Town is a hub for fishing and shrimping operations. There are a lot of oil and gas companies. Whether you are a local or foreign investor or looking at residential or commercial properties, there is something for everyone in Koko.”

The statement said “the event will showcase the diverse range of opportunities that the port town has to offer”

On security, Mr Aganbi said “Steps have been taken to ensure that visitors from within and outside the country have a secure and conducive atmosphere within which to assess the economic opportunities of Koko.”

He emphasized the tight security in Koko and the hospitality for which the residents are known.

“Top business men in Nigeria and abroad, members of the diplomatic corps and key actors in government across the country are looking forward to converging on Koko beginning from December 12, 2025. They are excited by the prospect of experiencing the hospitality for which the good people of Koko are known for and the vast opportunities for commerce, tourism and industry.”

According to Mr Aganbi, the event is expected to drive long term sustainable economic participation and create new opportunities for local and foreign investors in the area.

“It will provide valuable insights into untapped business opportunities, encourage private sector participation, showcase the real estate and tourism potentials of Koko and unite the people and the communities.

“Situated off Benin-Sapele expressway, the port town is 30 minutes’ drive from Benin City and over 45 minutes away from Warri town by road.  Koko has the best aquatic products in Nigeria as of today. Completion of the coastal road will reduce travel time between Delta and Lagos to less than two hours. There are ongoing refinery projects. People who are coming to Koko will be in for a surprise,” he added.