• US Ambassador says there is no evidence that USAID funded Boko Haram
• Tinubu green lights establishment of federal universities in Osun and Ekiti
• Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan speaks out against Senate President over seat relocation
• Labour Party claims Obi and Otti will have no automatic tickets for 2027 elections
• Naira rises to ₦1,494/$ in official market

Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the five top Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.

US Ambassador says there is no evidence that USAID funded Boko Haram

Richard Mills Jr., the US Ambassador to Nigeria, expressed his disagreement with the recent statement by Congressman Scott Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, which alleged that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was financing Boko Haram.

Mills assured the media that the United States fully supports Nigeria in its efforts to combat terrorism, claiming that no ally of Nigeria has condemned Boko Haram and its disregard for human life more strongly than the US.

“I have seen no evidence indicating that USAID is providing funds to Boko Haram. If we were to receive any credible evidence that resources were being misappropriated for that purpose, we would immediately investigate alongside our Nigerian partners,” he said.

Tinubu green lights establishment of federal universities in Osun and Ekiti

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has greenlit the establishment of new federal universities in Osun and Ekiti states by signing two Bills into law.

The approved institutions are the Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies at Iragbiji in Osun State and the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences at Iyin-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

“These institutions will serve as training grounds for agriculture, science, and technology professionals, enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness,” Tinubu said.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan speaks out against Senate President over seat relocation

The Senate President, Godwill Akpabio, summoned security to remove Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the representative for Kogi Central Senatorial District, during a heated discussion about the seating arrangements in the plenary.

As she entered the chamber to begin the day’s activities, she noticed that her nameplate was missing from her usual spot, which led her to raise her concerns.

The situation was eventually resolved with the help of other lawmakers who intervened, and the Senate President clarified the reason for her seating change, stating that it was within his powers to make such adjustments.

Labour Party claims Obi and Otti will have no automatic tickets for 2027 elections

The Labour Party’s leadership has denied any intentions to automatically nominate its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for the upcoming 2027 election. They also dismissed the notion of an automatic ticket for Abia State Governor Alex Otti.

This response follows recent remarks by Abayomi Arabambi, the factional National Publicity Secretary of the party, who claimed that the party would back the former Anambra State governor to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election plans.

Naira rises to ₦1,494/$ in official market

The naira has appreciated to ₦1,494.03/$ at the official exchange window, according to data from FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited.

The black market also strengthened to ₦1,510.00/$, which has decreased the difference between the two markets to ₦15.5/$.

This narrowing gap between the official and parallel market rates follows various measures the Central Bank of Nigeria took.

CardinalStone Research’s daily market update reported that the naira’s official rate increased by 1.04% to ₦1,494.03/$, while the parallel market rate rose by 1.66% to ₦1,510.00/$.