News
FG to Disburse ₦6.3bn Interest-Free Loans to 21,000 Flood Victims
Over 8.1m households benefit ₦300bn under Conditional Cash Transfer scheme
No fewer than 21,000 Nigerians affected by flood disasters across the country are to benefit from a Federal Government interest-free loan totalling ₦6.3 billion.
The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Sununu, disclosed this on Monday at a roundtable held in Abuja to mark the 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The event had in attendance Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, lawmakers, and international development partners, among others.
Sununu said the initiative is part of efforts by the Tinubu administration to mitigate the impact of flooding on households and cushion its effect on food security.
According to him, each of the 21,000 beneficiaries will receive an interest-free and collateral-free loan of ₦300,000 to help them recover and rebuild their livelihoods.
“We are planning, together with both national and state levels, to improve on our flood mitigating effect by dolling out, in the next few weeks, to 21,000 Nigerians, free interest and collateral-free loans of over ₦300,000 each.
This is to address the crisis in farming and mitigate the impact of flooding in Nigeria,” the minister said.
Sununu also revealed that over 8.1 million households across Nigeria have benefited from the Federal Government’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme, receiving a total of over ₦300 billion through the National Social Investment Agency.
“Under the Hope Agenda of Mr. President, the Ministry has, through the National Social Investment Agency, improved the resilience of local communities. So far, over 8.1 million households have been reached with more than ₦300 billion, enhancing their health, education, and capacity for self-reliance,” he added.
The minister further disclosed that the government is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower internally displaced persons (IDPs) by creating a market structure for their farm produce.
“We have initiated a programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture to enhance food security among IDPs.The formula allocates 30 per cent of the produce to the displaced persons, while the government off-takes 70 per cent and pays the participants their monetary share,” he explained.
Earlier in her remarks, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, said Nigeria, like many other nations, continues to experience increasing frequency and intensity of disasters driven by climate change, conflicts, pandemics, and technological risks.
She noted that these challenges are testing the limits of traditional emergency response systems and require a more proactive and well-financed disaster risk management framework.
Umar also announced the official launch of two major policy instruments — the NEMA Strategic Plan (2025–2029) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2025–2030) — which she said would guide national resilience and disaster preparedness efforts in the coming years.
“Resilience must be mainstreamed across all sectors — from agriculture, water resources, energy, and infrastructure to finance, education, and health. We are developing a National Risk Monitoring and Information Platform that will enable early warning, vulnerability mapping, and risk-informed investment decisions,” she said.
The NEMA boss also emphasized the need for innovative financing mechanisms such as catastrophe bonds, insurance pools, and climate funds to sustain disaster risk reduction efforts nationwide.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
-
Politics1 week agoOyo Assembly Hopeful, Ramon congratulates Beelolari on his emergence as Ibarapa East APC chairman
-
Politics2 days agoIbarapa East Assembly Hopeful, Ramon Congratulates Ajiboye, Says Emergence Good for Oyo APC
-
Politics6 days agoMakinde: My Successor Must Be Loyal to Oyo, Not Me
-
Politics2 days ago2027: Former Oyo Deputy Governor Adeyemo Emerges APC Chairman (See Full List)