1. Tinubu Hosts Adeleke at Aso Rock After Osun Re-Election Victory
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday received Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja for a closed-door meeting, during which the governor presented his certificate of return from the August 15 governorship election. Adeleke, who contested on the Accord Party platform and polled 511,067 votes to defeat the APC’s Bola Oyebamiji, arrived around 5:20 p.m. accompanied by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and senior Osun officials.
Tinubu congratulated Adeleke and urged him to show magnanimity in victory to promote unity and peace in the state. Adeleke thanked the President for ensuring a free and fair process without interference, describing Tinubu as a democrat who allowed the people’s will to prevail. The meeting was the first in-person engagement between both leaders since Adeleke’s re-election and comes amid political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
2. Tinubu Describes Atiku’s Fuel Subsidy Pledge as Serious Ignorance
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s pledge to restore petrol subsidy if elected in 2027, describing the position as a demonstration of serious ignorance of governance and the economy. Speaking while receiving Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Presidential Villa, Tinubu pointed to the fiscal difficulties faced by 27 states before the 2023 subsidy removal.
The Presidency described Atiku’s position as an opportunistic volte-face, noting that he had previously supported the removal of the subsidy. Atiku has argued that Nigerians have not benefited from the savings and promised to reverse the policy while recovering any diverted funds. The Federal Government previously said subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms generated N15.8 trillion in resources between June 2023 and December 2025.
3. Security Forces Kill 24 Bandits, Foil Mass Abduction in Katsina
Joint security operatives comprising Nigerian Army troops, Department of State Services personnel, Katsina Community Watch Corps and Civilian Joint Task Force members have killed 24 suspected bandits and rescued abducted villagers in Gidan Bawa community, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The operation followed intelligence that about 40 gunmen loyal to bandit kingpin Isiya Kwashen Garwa were planning a mass abduction targeting women and children. Security forces ambushed the attackers near Guga camp, leading to a fierce gun battle and the recovery of 19 stolen cattle. Efforts are ongoing to track fleeing bandits as security agencies continue joint operations across the North-West.
4. Dangote Refinery Raises Diesel Price by N100 Amid Rising Crude Prices
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has increased its Automotive Gas Oil, popularly known as diesel, gantry price by N100 per litre to N1,670. The new price takes effect from midnight on August 21, 2026, amid rising international crude oil prices, with Brent crude trading above $94 per barrel.
The new depot price remains below some Lagos depot prices of about N1,700 per litre. The increase follows earlier price reductions that attracted long queues of marketers seeking cheaper diesel from the refinery. Businesses that rely heavily on diesel generators could face higher operating costs if the increase is passed on to consumers.
5. Tinubu Directs EFCC Funds, Unclaimed Dividends to NELFUND
President Bola Tinubu has directed that all unencumbered liquid funds recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission be channelled to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to support its sustainability. The Federal Executive Council also approved the transfer of unclaimed dividends from the Capital Market Trust Fund and Dormant Account Trust Fund to NELFUND, subject to existing legal frameworks.
Education Minister Tunji Alausa said the move would help the fund meet its growing obligations. NELFUND has supported more than 1.2 million students, disbursing over N93 billion in stipends and N250 billion in institutional fees. The directive excludes seized properties and funds under litigation, while relevant agencies have been tasked with determining the transfer process.
6. Police Confirm Davido Was Target of Osogbo Gunfire Incident That Left One Dead
The Osun State Police Command has said preliminary investigations indicate that Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was the target of a confrontation near the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo on Wednesday. The incident occurred during Governor Ademola Adeleke’s visit after collecting his certificate of return.
Police said a suspected cult member identified as Adebayo Taoreed, also known as “Small Rugged”, allegedly attempted to gain access to Davido but was resisted by the singer’s security team. Other gang members reportedly joined the confrontation, blocking the palace entrance and obstructing the governor’s convoy before gunfire erupted.
A 60-year-old man, Tajudeen Yusuf, was later shot dead in the Itaolokan area as the suspects fled. Police said the victim was taken to hospital where his death was confirmed. Davido had earlier dismissed reports that the governor’s convoy was directly attacked.
7. FEC Approves Move to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide in Nigeria
The Federal Executive Council has approved an amendment to the National Mental Health Act to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria. The proposal is expected to shift the response from prosecution towards medical care and psychosocial support and will now be transmitted to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Ali Pate said the reform is aimed at supporting efforts to reduce suicide incidents by 15 per cent by 2030. He cited World Health Organisation estimates indicating that suicide accounts for more than 7,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, while about 300,000 attempts are recorded each year.
Existing provisions under the Criminal Code and Penal Code treat attempted suicide as an offence. The proposed amendment seeks to replace that approach with a mental health response focused on treatment and support.
8. Tinubu Orders National Threat Assessment, Five-Year Defence Plan
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate preparation of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan to strengthen coordination among Nigeria’s defence, intelligence and security agencies.
An 11-member committee coordinated by Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka Famadewa, has been given 90 days to submit the documents. Members include the National Security Adviser, defence ministers, service chiefs and heads of the Department of State Services and National Intelligence Agency.
The assessment will identify Nigeria’s principal security threats and operational objectives, while the defence plan will determine priorities, capability gaps, resource requirements and procurement needs. Tinubu cited recent successful operations, including the rescue of abducted persons, as evidence of the importance of stronger inter-agency cooperation.
9. Naira Appreciates Against Dollar as Reserves Rise to $52.66 Billion
The naira strengthened against the US dollar at the official foreign exchange market on Thursday, closing at N1,347.63 per dollar compared with N1,350.41 the previous day, according to Central Bank of Nigeria data. The parallel market rate remained around N1,405 per dollar.
Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves also increased to $52.66 billion as of August 19. The latest appreciation follows recent fluctuations in the currency market as monetary authorities continue efforts to improve liquidity and strengthen confidence in the foreign exchange system.
10. Senate Summons NFF, Sports Commission Over World Cup Qualifying Failures
The Senate Committee on Sports has summoned the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission over the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. The move follows widespread concerns over the national team’s performance and issues surrounding the administration of Nigerian football.
The officials are expected to explain the circumstances surrounding the failure and present plans for improving the performance of the national teams. The summons adds pressure on football administrators to provide greater transparency and accountability as Nigeria prepares for future international competitions.
