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Nigeria at Crossroads: IMF Reveals Blueprint to Transform Economy

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LAGOS – After years of economic stagnation, Nigeria is setting the stage for a new phase of growth with a wave of bold, yet challenging, reforms.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Nigeria is laying the groundwork for a new economic trajectory following years of stagnation, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which noted cautious signs of progress amid wide-ranging and difficult reforms.

This assessment was detailed in a note authored by Axel Schimmelpfennig, the IMF’s Mission Chief to Nigeria, and Christian Ebeke, the IMF’s Resident Representative in Nigeria, as part of the Staff Report for the 2025 Article IV Consultation with the country.

The IMF officials acknowledged recent reform efforts but warned that the challenge ahead remains steep: translating early policy gains into long-term, inclusive prosperity for over 200 million Nigerians—many of whom still face deep poverty, rising inflation, and worsening food insecurity.

Since 2023, Nigeria has taken critical steps to address longstanding structural challenges. When President Bola Tinubu assumed office that year, he inherited a troubled economy marked by declining real incomes, high poverty levels, and unsustainable fiscal policies.

From 2014 to 2023, Nigeria’s real GDP per capita declined by an average of 0.7% annually, while nearly 42% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Fuel subsidies—though politically popular—strained public finances and contributed to recurring fuel shortages. Additionally, the scarcity of foreign exchange drove businesses and individuals toward an expensive parallel market, undermining confidence in monetary policy. Inflation surged further as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continued to finance large budget deficits.

In response, the Tinubu administration and the CBN launched a bold reform agenda in 2023. The foreign exchange market was liberalised, scrapping multiple exchange rates that had long distorted trade and investment flows. The long-standing fuel subsidy regime was dismantled, freeing up resources for other national priorities. At the same time, efforts began to improve one of the weakest revenue collection systems in the world.

According to the IMF, these efforts have started to yield results. International reserves are growing, access to foreign currency through official channels has improved, and the exchange rate gap has narrowed significantly.

In December 2024, Nigeria successfully returned to the international capital markets, earning credit rating upgrades from major agencies. The launch of a new private refinery in a fully deregulated downstream sector is also expected to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and retain more value-added processing within the country.

Despite this progress, the IMF warns that critical challenges remain. Inflation continues to exceed 20%, eroding the purchasing power of most Nigerians. Infrastructural gaps, particularly in electricity, still constrain private-sector growth and job creation. Most urgently, Nigeria lacks a robust social safety net to shield its most vulnerable citizens from the impact of ongoing reforms and global shocks.

Food insecurity remains a serious concern, while the broader global economic environment—including high interest rates and fluctuating oil prices—further complicates Nigeria’s fiscal and economic outlook. Oil revenues, which accounted for about 30% of government income in 2024, leave the country vulnerable to price volatility.

To fully unlock its economic potential, the IMF recommends that Nigeria pursue three key policy priorities:

1. Promote stronger and more inclusive growth:
Reforms have laid the groundwork for private-sector expansion, but to lift millions out of poverty, growth must become more inclusive. Scaling up cash transfer programs is essential to protect the most vulnerable and share the gains of reform more equitably.

2. Build a credible and effective budget framework:
Delivering improved infrastructure and investing in human capital require realistic budgeting, prudent spending, and transparent implementation. Stronger public financial management will also enhance accountability and rebuild public trust.

3. Boost domestic revenue mobilisation:
With urgent funding needs in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and climate resilience, raising revenue is non-negotiable. Ongoing tax reforms aim to expand the tax base, simplify payment processes, and improve compliance. Once inflation and cost-of-living pressures ease, Nigeria can consider aligning its tax rates with regional benchmarks while ensuring fairness.

The IMF also stressed that savings from the removal of fuel subsidies must be directed toward high-impact investments—such as schools, hospitals, roads, and social protection—so that the benefits of reform reach all Nigerians.

“The government, along with its international partners, remains confident that Nigeria holds vast potential. But realising that potential will require not only sustained policy discipline, but also an unwavering commitment to building an economy that works for everyone,” the IMF said.

“As reforms take root and institutions are strengthened, Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads: to stay the course of transformation or risk sliding back into cycles of underperformance and vulnerability. The stakes have never been higher for a nation that aspires to lead Africa—and the global South—into a new era of shared prosperity.”

”NIVONEWS”

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Breaking: IGP Reassigns Top Police Officers In Major Nationwide Shake-Up.

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The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has approved a major reshuffle involving more than 100 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) across various commands, formations and specialised units of the Nigeria Police Force.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The redeployment affects officers serving in operational, administrative, investigative and intelligence departments nationwide.

According to a report by SaharaReporters, which obtained an internal police wireless message dated November 13, 2026, the directive was issued from the Force Headquarters in Abuja and marked “MOST/IMMEDIATE.”

The communication, referenced DTO: 131635/11/2026, instructed affected commands, departments and formations to update their records to reflect the new postings.

The reshuffle covers several police formations, including the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), zonal and state commands, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Intelligence Response Team, Special Tactical Squad and INTERPOL section.

Under the new arrangement, ACP Rex Abiodun Enwelike has been posted as Area Commander in Ozoro, Delta State, while ACP Raji Ganiyu has been assigned to Area Command J in Ajah, Lagos State.

ACP Samuel Ijachi is now the Commandant of the 70 Police Mobile Force in Kabba, Kogi State, while ACP Ogunrin Mohammed Temitope has been posted to head the 16 PMF in Abeokuta, Ogun State. ACP Idris Bunu will serve as Commandant of the 75 PMF in Obudu, Cross River State.

Similarly, ACP Olajike Samuel Olusola has been deployed to the Department of Operations in Rivers State, while ACP Eluha Clever has been appointed Area Commander in Ahoada, Rivers State.

Other appointments include ACP Oluwale Fabelurin Joseph as Commandant of the 29 PMF in Awka, Anambra State, and ACP Yusuf J. Abdullahi, who has been assigned to the Department of Administration in Kebbi State.

The new postings also saw ACP Victor Olanrewaju Kalajaiye deployed as Area Commander in Iwo, Osun State, while ACP Sanusi Adamu takes charge of the Yauri Area Command in Kebbi State.

ACP Esther Nnaiwu and ACP Aremu Sikiru Adeniran have both been posted to the Department of Operations in Anambra State, while ACP Patrick Chukwuma Agbazue will head the 55 PMF in Aba, Abia State. ACP Aremu Olusola has also been assigned to the State Intelligence Department in Kebbi State.

In Kaduna State, ACP Yahaya Mainasara Maru has been appointed Area Commander of Metro, while ACP Bashir Sani will serve in the Intelligence and Investigation Unit of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Lagos.

ACP Temibra Taikumo Temikumo has been posted to the PSFU’s Administration Unit, while ACP Onanah Ari Umar will serve in the Special Fraud Unit. ACP Gilbert Ode Ogah has been deployed to the Force Monitoring and Intelligence Unit in Lagos, and ACP Mohammed Tanko Yakub to the PSFU Legal Unit.

Other officers affected include ACP Murtala Saidu, who has been posted to the Administration Unit of the Police Mobile Force at Force Headquarters, Abuja, and ACP Ibrahim Tijjani Umara, who will serve at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Benue State.

ACP Mustapha Mohammed Lawal has been assigned to the Administration Unit of the FCID Annex in Kaduna, while ACP Hadiza Ado has been posted to the Department of Operations, Zone 3, Yola.

ACP Yusuf Mapindi will serve in the Operations Unit of the PSFU in Lagos, while ACP Danjuma Ribah Garba has been deployed to the Department of Operations, Zone 5, Benin.

The reshuffle further affected ACP Babandi Ajiya, who has been posted to the Administration Unit of the Police College of Management and Strategic Studies, and ACP Garga Ibrahim Audu, who will serve in the Department of Finance and Administration, Zone 6, Calabar.

ACP Effiom Okon has been assigned to the Administration Unit of the Force Intelligence Department at Force Headquarters, Abuja, while ACP Mohammed Abubakar has been appointed Area Commander in Irua, Edo State. ACP Shehu Usman has also been posted to the State Intelligence Department in Ebonyi State.

Additionally, ACP Peter Ajah Oluohu has been deployed to the Anti-Fraud Section of the FCID in Abuja, while ACP Abdulaziz Madawaki has been appointed Deputy Commandant in Oyin-Akoko, Ondo State.

ACP Kayode Kehinde Oyetunji will serve in the Department of Operations in Oyo State, while ACP Emmanuel Kayode has been posted to the Seme border formation. ACP Kolawole O. Aremu will serve in the Department of Finance and Administration in Ebonyi State, and ACP Olakunle Fabul uje has been assigned to the Zonal Intelligence Department, Zone 10, Sokoto State.

Other senior officers affected include ACP Abdulkadir Wada, posted as Area Commander in Umuoma, Imo State, and ACP George Friday Clement, deployed to the South-West office of the Nigeria Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), under the Office of the National Security Adviser.

ACP Michael Kayode Fadipe has been assigned to the Department of Operations, Zone 6, Calabar, while ACP Gboya Abraham Gana will head the Egbeda Area Command in Oyo State. ACP Yakubu Olufemi Kazeem has been posted to Afikpo, Ebonyi State, while ACP Frank Azubuike Amobi will serve as Area Commander in Owo, Ondo State.

The postings also assigned ACP Kenneth Iyayi as Area Commander in Lokoja, Kogi State, and ACP Emmanuel Abuh to the X-Squad in Kebbi State.

ACP Yahaya Ibrahim has been deployed to the Administration Unit of the Force Provost Marshal at Force Headquarters, Abuja, while ACP Titus Kehinde Adewale will head the Lantang Area Command in Plateau State.

ACP Wesleys Obed has been posted to the State Intelligence Department in Ekiti State, while ACP Ekundayo Olutekunbi will serve as Area Commander in Shagamu, Ogun State.

Further deployments include ACP Francis Obigwa as Area Commander in Agbara, Ogun State, and ACP Ishaq A. Ibrahim as Commandant of the 57 PMF in Ukana.

ACP Nasiru Adamu Kaila has been posted to the State Intelligence Department in Bayelsa State, while ACP Doris U. England will serve in the Department of Operations in Kogi State.

ACP Umar Ibrahim Wurno has been assigned to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bayelsa State, ACP Reuben Onah to the X-Squad in the state, and ACP Emilia Mami as Area Commander in Ezinithitte, Imo State.

The reshuffle also saw ACP Kenneth C. Anuebunwa appointed Area Commander in Igbeti, Oyo State, while ACP Adejokun Ademola will head the Ringim Area Command in Jigawa State.

ACP Hadi Musa has been deployed to the X-Squad in Niger State, while ACP Ibrahim Usman will serve in the Department of Operations, Zone 7, Abuja.

ACP Aborode O. Tope has been posted to the State Intelligence Department in Kwara State, while ACP Abdullahi Usman will oversee the Eastern Port Area Command in Port Harcourt.

ACP Efanga Offiong has been assigned to the Department of Operations, Zone 9, Umuahia, while ACP Godwin Oko Onah will serve in the Department of Finance and Administration of the Railway Police in Lagos.

Other postings include ACP Kalu Uche Nnanna as Assistant Director at the NCCSALW under the Office of the National Security Adviser in Kaduna, and ACP Bello Oro to the Department of Operations in Ebonyi State.

ACP Lewi Suleiman has been appointed Area Commander in Orifite, Anambra State, while ACP Kumzi Naniwat will serve in the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Zone 6, Calabar.

ACP Chukwu Chimeze has been posted to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Railway Police, while ACP Anthony Omogbemi Alabi will head the Geidam Area Command in Yobe State.

The list further includes ACP Mohammed Hadi Nguru, posted to the X-Squad, Zone 15, Maiduguri, and ACP Ismaila Adamu Damagun, appointed Area Commander in Ifo, Ogun State.

ACP Odunayo Moruf Liasu will head the Munguno Area Command in Borno State, while ACP Bukar Ali Abba has been deployed to the X-Squad in Anambra State.

ACP Musa Mohammed Saleh has been assigned to the Department of Operations of the Airport Police in Lagos, while ACP Adeniyi Olurunwa Ogundele and ACP Ibrahim Akinniyi have been appointed Area Commanders in Ilesha and Ile-Ife, respectively, in Osun State.

ACP Seyi Williams Olubuyi will serve as Area Commander in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

The redeployment also affected ACP Gaiya Ahmed, who has been posted to the X-Squad in Kaduna State, and ACP Suleiman A. Yandaki, who will serve in the Intelligence Unit of the Force Intelligence Department at the FCID Annex in Lagos.

ACP Sani Ahmed has been deployed to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Ekiti State, while ACP Yusuf Ali will serve in the Zonal Intelligence Department, Zone 16, Yenagoa.

ACP Ezenware N. Kenneth has been assigned to the Administration and Operations Department at Force Headquarters, Abuja, while ACP Babayo Adamu Sambo will head the Agodi Area Command in Oyo State.

ACP Ibrahim Oyetundscr has also been posted to the Operations Unit of the NCCSALW, South-South office, under the Office of the National Security Adviser.

In the final batch of postings, ACP Tobi Debakeme has been appointed Area Commander in Ilofa, Kwara State, while ACP Segun Adedayo Oluwaseyi will head the Pankshin Area Command in Plateau State.

ACP George Edore has been posted to the Department of Finance and Administration in Kwara State, while ACP Williams Oladiran Oladipo will serve in the Police Library and Studies Unit in Jos.

ACP Salawu Olayinka has been assigned to the Department of Finance and Administration in Sokoto State, while ACP Abraham Yisa will serve in the Department of Operations, Western Port, Lagos.

Other officers named in the communication include ACP Isaac Olumbambo Fabiyi, deployed to the Department of Operations, Zone 12, Bauchi; ACP Gowon Boka, appointed Area Commander in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State; and ACP James Nwosu, posted to Isuikwuato, Abia State.

ACP Sati Abari has been appointed Area Commander in Daudu, Benue State, while ACP Daniel Wetben has been deployed to the Litigation Unit of the Legal Department at Force Headquarters, Abuja.

ACP Stephen Onwochei will serve in the General Investigation Unit of the FCID Annex in Kaduna, while ACP Lateef Tunde Akanbi has been posted as Area Commander in Ang Damasak, Borno State.

The remaining deployments include ACP Musa Azi to the Administration Unit, Zone 12, Bauchi; ACP Ikechukwu Ogoegbunam to the X-Squad in Bauchi State; and ACP Usman Musa as Area Commander in Wukari, Taraba State.

ACP Awus Ofor Anje has been posted to the Birnin Gwari Area Command in Kaduna State, while ACP Isah Kabiru will serve in the Administration Unit of the Department of Training and Development at Force Headquarters, Abuja.

ACP Azogor Edu has also been deployed to the Department of Operations, Zone 2, Lagos, while ACP Casimir Ihiezu was listed among the officers affected by the reshuffle.

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‘Kwankwaso Is More Experienced Than Peter Obi’ – Buhari’s Ex-Aide Declares.

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Ahmad made the assertion in a post on his X handle, maintaining that Kwankwaso’s decision to accept the position of running mate should be seen as an act of political modesty rather than an indication that he is less qualified than Obi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to the former presidential aide, the relationship between the two politicians should be viewed as one of equals rather than that of a superior and a subordinate.

“To be entirely candid, the political dynamic between Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi ought to be characterised as one of collegiality between peers, rather than a hierarchy of principal and subordinate,” he wrote.

He added, “The choice to assume a deputy role beneath Obi ought to be interpreted as a testament to political modesty.”

Making a case for Kwankwaso’s political experience, Ahmad recalled that the former Kano State governor served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives before Obi became a prominent figure in national politics.

He also noted that Kwankwaso governed Kano State, which he described as Nigeria’s most populous and politically influential state, for two terms and served as a federal minister.

“If we are assessing political experience, Sen. Kwankwaso probably has a longer and more impressive political background than Peter Obi,” Ahmad stated.

In contrast, the former presidential aide argued that Obi’s major public office experience was limited to his tenure as governor of Anambra State.

“Unlike other candidates, Peter Obi was just a former governor of Anambra State,” he wrote.

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‘I Have Stopped Impregnating Women’ – 2Baba Makes Shocking Revelation.

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Nigerian music star Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has declared that he no longer impregnates women.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The singer made the statement on Saturday during a live performance at Rehab Lounge in Calgary, Canada.

While performing his hit song True Love, 2Baba paused to interact with the audience and playfully asked the women present to identify where his true love was.

He jokingly wondered whether she was standing at the back of the venue or somewhere in front of him before making a remark about his experiences with women.

The award-winning musician told the audience that he had stopped getting women pregnant, adding that he had been making the same confession wherever he performed recently.

He said, “For the purpose of this show, I will pretend like I’ve never seen anything before. Where’s my true love? Is she back there? Is she right here? Is she somewhere here? Where’s my true love? You people shouldn’t put out me for trouble.

“As I said, some ladies they fear to shout. See, everywhere I go these days, I make this confession. As I say, some ladies they fear to shout. I say, I don’t fear to shout. Because I don’t stop to dey give woman belle. Ask anyone, they’ll tell you, I don’t do such thing things again.”

The singer’s comment comes amid public interest in his personal life and relationships.

2Baba was previously married to Nollywood actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia. The couple announced their separation in January 2025 after having two children together.

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