Today, I joined Muslim faithful at the Afonta Central Mosque, Osogbo for the Juma’at prayer, where we reflected on the importance of faith, unity, humility, and service to humanity. It was a moment of spiritual renewal and an opportunity to seek Allah’s guidance for our dear Osun State and Nigeria as a whole.
I remain deeply grateful for the prayers, encouragement, and warm reception from the people. Moments like this continue to strengthen my resolve and commitment towards building a state where peace, progress, and prosperity will be felt by every citizen, regardless of background or status.
I pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) continues to bless our land with peace, wisdom, stability, and abundant progress. May Osun State continue to prosper and may every home experience joy, mercy, and divine upliftment. Ameen.
Six ISWAP Bomb Makers Killed in Premature IED Explosion in Marte LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
Six suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province have been killed following a premature improvised explosive device (IED) detonation in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred at about 7:00 a.m. on May 16, 2026, at Jubilaram, where the terrorists were reportedly assembling an explosive device.
The sources said the group was led by a suspected bomb expert identified as Abu Umar, who also died in the explosion alongside five other militants.
Three other members of the group reportedly sustained serious injuries in the incident.
According to intelligence assessments, the deceased suspects were part of ISWAP’s IED-making cell operating within the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo axis, a known corridor for insurgent movements in the Lake Chad Basin.
The explosion is believed to have occurred while the device was being prepared, leading to a premature detonation that destroyed the site and caused multiple casualties.
The death of Abu Umar and other identified bomb-making specialists could significantly disrupt the group’s improvised explosive device operations in the area.
The incident reportedly affected an IED manufacturing hub located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki, which may now be temporarily non-operational following the blast.
Military sources said the development could further degrade the operational capability of the Islamic State West Africa Province along key routes in the Marte axis.
Security authorities are reportedly considering follow-up air and ground operations to exploit the situation and further deny insurgents freedom of action in the area.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐔𝐏𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐀’𝐒 𝐒𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐍 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓 𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐘 𝐒&𝐏 𝐆𝐋𝐎𝐁𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒
The Federal Government welcomes the decision by S&P Global Ratings to upgrade Nigeria’s sovereign credit rating from ‘B-’ to ‘B’ with a Stable Outlook.
This latest upgrade by S&P follows similar positive rating actions in 2025 by Fitch Ratings and Moody's Ratings. It further reinforces growing international confidence in Nigeria’s economic reform trajectory, policy consistency, and medium-term growth prospects.
These independent assessments collectively affirm that the difficult but necessary reforms undertaken under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, are yielding measurable results and laying the foundation for a more stable, transparent, and resilient economy.
In particular, S&P highlighted improvements in Nigeria’s external position, stronger balance of payments dynamics, increased oil production, expanding domestic refining and export capacity, and the sustained implementation of key macroeconomic reforms including foreign exchange market liberalisation.
The agency also recognised ongoing fiscal reforms aimed at broadening the tax base, improving public revenue mobilisation, enhancing fiscal transparency, and strengthening debt sustainability. Notably, Nigeria’s debt-to-revenue ratio has improved significantly since 2023 and is projected to decline further as reforms continue to mature.
The upgrades by Fitch, Moody’s, and now S&P send a strong signal to global investors, development partners, financial markets, and the international business community that Nigeria is regaining macroeconomic credibility and restoring confidence in the management of its economy.
The government remains firmly committed to prudent fiscal management, macroeconomic stability, and structural reforms that promote inclusive and sustainable growth. We have maintained our position against the reintroduction of inefficient fuel subsidies which historically created significant fiscal distortions, incentivised smuggling, weakened foreign exchange liquidity, and diverted scarce public resources away from critical national priorities.
We remain committed to a market-driven economy anchored on transparency, competition, and effective regulatory oversight. Accordingly, the Federal Government will continue to uphold policies that support free enterprise, respect private investment, and provide a stable and predictable environment for businesses and investors to thrive.
While these positive ratings developments are encouraging, we recognise that the work ahead remains substantial. We are focused on addressing inflationary pressures, improving food security, expanding decent job opportunities, and ensuring that economic growth translates into meaningful and inclusive prosperity for all Nigerians.
The Federal, States and Local Governments will continue to implement reforms with discipline, pragmatism, and compassion while maintaining close engagement with citizens and all stakeholders.
The Federal Government appreciates the resilience, patience, and support of Nigerians in this reform journey. The improving outlook from leading global rating agencies will further position our country to attract investments and and enhance the country's ability to secure financing on more favourable terms. We are strengthened in our resolve to build a stronger economy that is globally competitive, fiscally sustainable, and works for all Nigerians.
𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐰𝐨 𝐎𝐲𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐞
𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘺
𝘍𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢
COUNTERTERRORISM OPERATION AGAINST ISIS SENIOR LEADER, ABU-BILAL AL-MANUKI
Overnight, Nigeria and the United States recorded a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism.
Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.
Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin
Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort.
I commend the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage, and I look forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Aso Villa
Abuja
May 16, 2026
@officialABAT
Hope you have not forgotten that
APC still has 31 governors?
Those governors will deliver their states for APC in 2027, please know this and have peace of mind. 😄
Ire oo.
The Nigerian naira has indeed been named one of the top-performing currencies in Africa recently due to a massive rebound, though its exact ranking depends entirely on the specific timeframe measured. While it is not the second-strongest currency by overall value, reports from financial analysts earlier this quarter highlighted the naira as the second best-performing African currency year-to-date in terms of recovery and appreciation against the US dollar, sitting just behind the Zambian kwacha.
Abu Bilal Al‑Minuki ISIS T£rr0r!st 2nd in Command is a Nigerian 100% born in MAINOK BORNO STATE in 1982, reason he's named AL-MINUKI because of his place of birth (MAINOK).
We sincerely appreciate all party members and supporters who have continued to demonstrate unwavering loyalty, discipline, and commitment to our great party, the All Progressives Congress (@OfficialAPCNg). Their peaceful conduct and active participation in the House of Representatives primary election once again reaffirm the unity, stability, and strength of our party across all levels. This exercise marks the beginning of a series of important democratic processes within the party, with the senatorial primaries scheduled for Monday, followed by the House of Assembly, governorship, and presidential primaries in the coming days. We also commend the returning officers, electoral officials, members of @inecnigeria who monitored the process, and our security agencies for ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and credible exercise throughout.
We warmly congratulate Hon. Funmi Efuwape on her emergence as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the House of Representatives, Remo Federal Constituency. Her emergence reflects the confidence and trust reposed in her leadership capacity, dedication, and commitment to the ideals of our great party. We are confident that she will continue to serve diligently and provide quality representation for her constituents with excellence and integrity. We appreciate everyone once again for their continued support, cooperation, and commitment to the collective progress and success of our party.
📌 Uba Sani: From Fiscal Crisis to Kaduna’s Recovery Story
Under Governor Uba Sani @ubasanius , Kaduna State has reportedly shifted from a near-fiscal collapse to a path of stability and recovery through disciplined financial management and reforms.
Key highlights:
- Kaduna inherited over $587m foreign debt, N85bn domestic debt, and N115bn liabilities
- Despite this, over N90bn of debt has reportedly been repaid without new borrowing
- Internally Generated Revenue rose sharply from about N5bn monthly to N62bn (2023), N71bn (2024), and N86bn (2025)
- The PAYKADUNA digital tax system improved transparency and reduced leakages
- Kaduna ranked among Nigeria’s most transparent states for 2 consecutive years
- Investor confidence improved, attracting over $2.5bn in investments
- Security situation improved: over 500 schools reopened and nearly 300,000 children returned to school
- Out-of-school children reduced significantly from ~550,000 to under 190,000
- Major investments in education, vocational institutes, and skills development centres
Bottom line: Kaduna is being repositioned through fiscal discipline, transparency, and long-term structural reforms rather than debt dependence. @woye1@Yeribaaba@ui_shehu@DejiAdesogan
#KadunaRecovery #Governance #FiscalDiscipline #NigeriaDevelopment
*#RenewedHopePolicyUpdate*
🇺🇸 NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized Trump for spending billions on killing people in Iran. 👏
Reporter: "Do you oppose the war in Iran?"
Mamdani: "This war killed thousands of civilians, so yes, I strongly oppose it."🔥
Reporter: "Are you frustrated by $900 million a day being wasted on these wars?"
Mamdani: "We're spending tens of billions to kill people. That money could help our own people instead.🔥🔥
We always have money for war, but never to feed the poor."
Finally, a voice of reason from the US. We need more leaders like this pushing for peace. Respect.