Ibadan – The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence following a rigorous five-hour screening by lawmakers.
During the confirmation hearing, Musa faced tough questions on recent security lapses, including the withdrawal of troops from Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, shortly before the abduction of schoolgirls on November 17.
Musa assured the Senate that he would immediately set up a full-scale investigation into the troop withdrawal once he assumes office.
Senate panel grills ambassadorial nominees, clears three after intense screening
The Senate on Wednesday subjected three ambassadorial nominees to rigorous questioning before eventually clearing them for appointment, following a tense but detailed screening session that focused heavily on issues of national security and competence.
The three nominees cleared by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs are former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and ex-Nigerian Ambassador to the Commonwealth Secretariat, London. Ayo Oke, career diplomat and former Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea, Amin Muhammad Dalhatu and former Director General of the State Security Service, Lateef Kayode Are.
Trump’s govt announces visa ban for terrorism financers, supporters, others
The United States Department of State on Wednesday announced measures aimed at addressing what it described as mass killings and attacks targeting Christians in Nigeria.
The move signals that the US is considering visa restrictions against individuals and groups implicated in the violence.
Under the new policy, implemented through Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the State Department can restrict visas for anyone who has “directed, authorised, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom,” and, where appropriate, extend the restrictions to their immediate family members.
You trained Afghan killer – Taliban govt accuses United States
The Taliban government said on Wednesday that the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington had nothing to do with Afghanistan.
Foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said in a video released by his office that “the person who committed this act was trained by the Americans themselves.”
This was the first official Taliban reaction to the incident.
The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to the November 26 shootings.
US officials said he had been part of a CIA-backed partner force fighting the Taliban before coming to the United States through a resettlement program after the 2021 American military withdrawal.
Catholic Priest kidnapped in Kaduna
The Catholic community in Kaduna has been thrown into panic following the abduction of Reverend Father Emmanuel Ezema, a priest of the Zaria Diocese, who was whisked away by unknown gunmen late Tuesday night.
The Diocese of Zaria confirmed the disturbing development on Wednesday, in an official notice signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Isek Augustine.
According to the statement, Fr. Ezema was kidnapped around 11:30 pm from his residence at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Rumi, sending shock waves across the parish and the entire Christian community.
Senate questions ministers on $30m School Safety project
The Senate on Wednesday intensified its probe into the collapse of the Safe School Initiative by summoning key government officials to explain why the $30m scheme failed to protect Nigerian schoolchildren from relentless attacks.
Among those invited were the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, the Education Minister, Tunji Alausa, and the Defence Minister, Gen Christopher Musa.
The summons was issued by the Senate ad hoc committee on the Safe School Initiative, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), following the adoption of its work plan during its maiden sitting.
Edun and the other officials are to appear before the committee next Tuesday.
Senate seeks two-year mandatory pupillage for new lawyers
The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking sweeping reforms to the Legal Practitioners Act, 2004, including the introduction of a compulsory two-year pupillage for lawyers newly called to the Nigerian Bar.
The proposed amendment is part of a broader effort to modernise the regulation of legal practice in Nigeria and align it with global standards in jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa and Kenya.
FG unveils N54.43tn budget as debt service gulps N15.91tn
The Federal Government has projected total revenue of N50.74 trillion for 2026, alongside a targeted economic growth rate of 4.68 per cent, while its proposed 2026 deficit has risen so sharply that it now exceeds the entire national budget of 2022 by N2.78tn.
This deficit likely means the government plans to borrow about 16.1 per cent more than what the entire country spent in 2022. The scale of the gap, combined with the high debt service bill, signals a more difficult fiscal year ahead.
This comes after the Federal Executive Council approved the 2026 to 2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper on Wednesday. The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, briefed State House correspondents after the meeting and confirmed that the document would be forwarded to the National Assembly on Monday.
President Tinubu swears in Aminu Yusuf as population commission chairman
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Aminu Yusuf as chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC).
The short ceremony took place during the first part of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday and was witnessed by cabinet members.
The senate had earlier confirmed Yusuf’s appointment on October 21.
After officials read the citations, the five permanent secretaries, which are Abdulkarim Ibrahim, John Ezeamama, Abdul-Sule Garba, Isiaku Mohammed and Ukaire Chigbowu took their oaths of office at 1:42 pm and signed the register.
CBN announces new withdrawal limit, removes deposit cap
The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced a comprehensive revision of cash-related policies, introducing new nationwide withdrawal limits and scrapping the cumulative deposit cap for bank customers.
In the circular signed by the Director, Financial Policy & Regulation Department, Dr. Rita I. Sike, on December 2nd, 2025, the apex bank said the policy overhaul was necessary to reduce the rising cost of cash management, strengthen security around cash movement, and curb money laundering risks in an economy still heavily reliant on physical currency.
According to the apex bank, earlier cash policies were introduced to manage changing economic conditions. It noted that the time had come to adjust those rules to meet current realities.
The CBN said the cumulative cash deposit limit has been fully removed, and banks will no longer charge customers fees for deposits exceeding previously set thresholds. The move is expected to encourage more deposits and expand liquidity within the financial system.
LAUTECH medical lecturers suspend four-month strike for renewed talks
The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology chapter, has suspended its four-month industrial action, following an emergency congress meeting held on Monday.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Interim Chairman, Prof Michael Olamoyegun, and the Interim Secretary, Dr Ayobami Alabi, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday.
The statement noted that academic activities resumed on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 8.00 a.m.
The lecturers, who have been on strike since July 31, 2025, over the delayed implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, said the suspension was aimed at allowing constructive and good-faith engagement with the university management toward securing full CONMESS, covering both allowances and arrears.
A’Ibom gov bans masquerades on streets over public safety
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, on Tuesday signed an Executive Order banning the activities of masquerades on streets and highways across the state.
The development was contained in a statement obtained from the Government House media platform on Wednesday.
The governor last week announced the proscription of masquerade displays, citing instances where masqueraders terrorised people, extorted money, and endangered citizens.
