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WHO Declares Uganda’s Ebola Outbreak Over

Ayomitunde Adeyemi
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WHO Declares Uganda’s Ebola Outbreak Over

The World Health Organization has confirmed that Uganda’s outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola is officially over, even as the virus continues to spread rapidly across the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A WHO official told a briefing on Wednesday that Uganda’s all-clear follows the government’s own declaration on July 28 that it was free of the disease, which had infected 20 people and claimed two lives. The WHO says it kept monitoring the situation until this week to make sure no chains of transmission had slipped through unnoticed.

The picture in Congo, however, remains far more troubling. Dr. Marie Roseline Belizaire, the WHO’s director of emergency preparedness for the African region, told a regional meeting that cases there keep climbing despite some headway being made. The outbreak has become the second-deadliest in the disease’s history, with Congolese authorities reporting more than 2,700 deaths and over 5,600 cases as of Tuesday — figures that continue to outpace containment efforts on the ground.

Belizaire said transmission is still very active, though the rate of spread has at least slowed. She pointed to gains in contact tracing and testing, along with reassuring lab findings showing no signs so far that the Bundibugyo virus has mutated despite its rapid spread.

Still, she warned of an urgent $30 million funding shortfall needed to keep medical supplies and protective equipment flowing to the hardest-hit parts of Congo, cautioning that without immediate investment, the progress made so far risks stalling out.

At Least 12 Killed As Wildfires Rage Across Northern Algeria

Ayomitunde Adeyemi
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At Least 12 Killed As Wildfires Rage Across Northern Algeria

Wildfires have torn through large parts of northern Algeria, leaving at least 12 people dead and dozens more injured, as the country’s civil protection authorities battle dozens of separate blazes along the northern coastline.

Interior Minister Said Sayoud said on Wednesday night that at least 54 people had suffered burn injuries, six of them in intensive care. He gave a province-by-province breakdown of the fatalities: five deaths in Jijel, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou. Sayoud has since travelled to Bejaia alongside Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene to review firefighting and evacuation efforts on the ground.

Authorities and local media report that many homes in Bejaia and Jijel have been evacuated, with local broadcaster Jijel News airing footage of residents sheltering from thick smoke inside a post office. Firefighters were reportedly tackling 69 active blazes nationwide as of Wednesday evening.

The disaster comes as a severe heatwave grips North Africa, hitting Algeria and Tunisia especially hard. It also echoes a similar tragedy three years ago, when wildfires devastated forest and farmland in the Bejaia region and killed 30 people. Just last month, authorities recorded six fire-related deaths as crews fought more than 2,000 blazes across the country in July alone.

While wildfires are a recurring summer hazard in Algeria, experts say climate change is intensifying their scale and severity. The World Meteorological Organization notes that North Africa has become the fastest-warming subregion on the continent, with temperatures climbing 0.43°C per decade between 1991 and 2025. The same warming trend has also been linked to a rise in camel deaths during summer heatwaves, according to a recent study.

Tanzania Expels Nchimbi From Ruling Party Over ‘Indiscipline’

Ayomitunde Adeyemi
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Tanzania Expels Nchimbi From Ruling Party Over ‘Indiscipline’

Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has expelled Emmanuel Nchimbi, days after he announced his resignation as the country’s vice-president just 10 months into the role.

The 54-year-old had stirred controversy in recent weeks with a series of pointed remarks, including a call for Tanzanians to push for a new constitution, fuelling speculation of a rift with President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Nchimbi served as Samia’s running mate in October’s fiercely disputed presidential election, a vote that triggered violent unrest in which hundreds of people were killed.

The CCM’s decision to expel him for indiscipline was made at an extraordinary party meeting chaired by President Samia, though officials gave no details on the specific allegations against him. Nchimbi’s resignation, which he shared in a brief letter posted to Instagram on Tuesday, takes effect at the end of next week and makes him the first vice-president in Tanzania’s history to step down from the post. He said he had come to believe, “without doubt,” that the president wanted change.

Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi, 43, has been nominated to succeed him and will now need parliamentary approval to take up the role.

Samia and Nchimbi were sworn in last November after a landslide win of 98% of the vote, in an election boycotted by the main opposition party, Chadema, which had demanded electoral reforms before taking part. The vote’s aftermath was marked by a deadly crackdown, with an official inquiry putting the death toll from the unrest at more than 50, a figure human rights groups and opposition parties have linked to a violent security force response to anti-government protests.

DHQ Debunks Fake AI Video Of CDS Olufemi Oluyede Making Partisan Political Remarks

Favour Enyosa
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DHQ Debunks Fake AI Video Of CDS Olufemi Oluyede Making Partisan Political Remarks

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed a viral video allegedly showing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, making remarks that appeared to suggest support for a particular political interest.

The military authorities said on Thursday that the video was fabricated and did not originate from the Defence Chief, urging Nigerians to disregard its contents.

In a statement shared on its X handle and signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the DHQ described the statements attributed to Oluyede as false.

“The Defence Headquarters wishes to state unequivocally that the video is fake and did not emanate from the Chief of Defence Staff,” the statement said.

“The statements attributed to the CDS in the video are false and should be completely disregarded,” it added.

DHQ Says Video Was AI-Generated

According to the military, the footage was created using artificial intelligence and appears to have been designed to mislead the public, misrepresent the position of the Chief of Defence Staff and damage the reputation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“The video is a product of Artificial Intelligence-generated manipulation, apparently designed to deceive and mislead the public, misrepresent the position of the Chief of Defence Staff and bring the Armed Forces of Nigeria into disrepute,” the military said.

The DHQ stressed that the Nigerian military remains politically neutral and operates as a professional, non-partisan institution.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains a professional, apolitical and non-partisan institution, committed to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the defence of the nation,” it said.

Military Warns Against Sharing Fake Video

The Defence Headquarters condemned the creation and circulation of the fabricated footage and warned those responsible, as well as anyone knowingly promoting it, to stop immediately.

“The Defence Headquarters strongly condemns the deliberate creation and circulation of the fake video and warns those behind such acts, as well as persons knowingly amplifying the material, to desist forthwith,” the statement said.

The military also advised Nigerians to verify information through its official communication channels and avoid relying on the viral video or other unverified materials circulating online.

The clarification comes amid growing concerns over the use of AI-generated content to impersonate public figures and spread misleading information online.

NPFL Signs $7.5m EUROMATCH Sponsorship Deal, 60% Of Funds To Go To Clubs

Favour Enyosa
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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has secured a new three-year title sponsorship agreement worth $7.5 million with EUROMATCH, with 60 per cent of the revenue set to go directly to participating clubs.

The partnership, valued at $2.5 million per season, was unveiled in Abuja on Wednesday, with EUROMATCH confirmed as the league’s new title sponsor ahead of the 2026/27 season.

NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, said the decision to allocate the larger share of the sponsorship income to clubs was designed to ensure that the league’s commercial growth directly improves players’ wages and welfare.

“Let me announce to you that the deal is about $2.5m every season from EUROMATCH for three seasons. That is $7.5m,” Elegbeleye said.

“That will help in increasing players’ wages. Of course, we don’t give the money to the clubs ourselves, but 60 per cent goes straight to the clubs. That is the agreement. This must be reflected in the welfare of the footballers.”

The sponsorship represents a major commercial boost for the domestic league, which has undergone several reforms focused on improving club finances, player welfare, broadcasting, branding and the overall commercial value of the competition.

Elegbeleye stressed that the league’s commercial strategy was primarily about creating better opportunities for the players, whom he described as the main attraction of football.

“In football and in sport generally, the athletes and the players are the attractions, not the administrators. To be honest, there are players that we want to promote, not those of us who are the administrators.

“The fact is that it is not my business to be in the public eye here. The business is about the players. Nigerians should know them. It is not the business of an administrator to be showing his face everywhere. I can be there, but I should appear in the background.

“Let our players shine. Let the world know them. Let our league be known. Those of us behind the scenes, let our work reflect and let our work show,” he said.

The NPFL chairman added that higher earnings would play an important role in improving players’ motivation, welfare and productivity.

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, described the agreement as evidence that Nigeria’s decision to position sports as a business was beginning to attract significant investment.

Dare praised the NPFL for embracing reforms and acknowledged the efforts of clubs, management, owners and other stakeholders in sustaining the changes despite challenges over the past three years.

“First, I think the NPFL must be commended for embracing change and reforms. I know the last three-plus years have not been easy for them, but they have kept at it,” he said.

“Also, especially the clubs, the management and ownership of the clubs, and the key stakeholders have keyed into that change. And this is what happens when you embrace change that is progressive: you attract investment.

“Seeing this come to life, $7.5m over the next three years is massive. But also, it speaks to the effort we made when we classified sports as a business.”

According to Dare, the reforms are supported by a 10-year football master plan aimed at developing the sport, attracting foreign direct investment, strengthening branding and increasing the commercial appeal of Nigerian football.

He said the developments could also have a positive effect on the country’s national teams.

“I think that will also impact what we see in our national teams—the Super Eagles, the Under-20, Under-17 and others,” Dare said.

Dare further disclosed that government funding for sports had increased from N1.9 billion to N76 billion, while stressing that increased public spending must be accompanied by reforms that bring Nigerian sports closer to international standards.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, described the sponsorship as a significant development for Nigerian football.

He said the agreement would strengthen the NPFL while creating more opportunities for clubs and players. Gusau also pledged continued NFF support for initiatives aimed at improving the standard, visibility and commercial value of domestic football.

Group Chairman of EUROMATCH GROUP, Sadi Semih, said the company views the three-year agreement as a strategic investment in Nigerian football.

He said EUROMATCH would work with the NPFL and other stakeholders to ensure the partnership delivers sustainable value and increases the league’s international visibility.

The agreement comes as the NPFL prepares for the 2026/27 season and continues efforts to build a stronger financial and commercial foundation for domestic football.

The league is also expected to increase its financial rewards for participating clubs, with the 2026/27 champions projected to receive a record N1 billion prize, according to the National Sports Commission.

Former Super Eagles stars Daniel Amokachi, Samson Siasia, Austin Eguavoen and Brown Ideye were among the dignitaries present at the unveiling of the new partnership.

2027 Kaduna Election: NDC Yet To Decide On Governorship Candidate, Chairman Says

Favour Enyosa
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2027 Kaduna Election: NDC Yet To Decide On Governorship Candidate, Chairman Says

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has not officially chosen its candidate for the Kaduna State governorship election ahead of the 2027 general elections, according to the party’s state chairman, Mordecai Ibrahim.

Ibrahim made this known on Wednesday during a press conference in Kaduna, as the dispute over the party’s governorship ticket involving former Senator Danjuma La’ah and lawyer Mohammed Sani Abbas continued.

According to the state chairman, neither La’ah nor Abbas has been formally recognised as the party’s governorship candidate, with the matter still unresolved at both the state and national levels.

Ibrahim said the party would need to conduct a substitution primary after his withdrawal from the race.

He explained that he had previously been recognised as the NDC’s governorship candidate but voluntarily stepped down after submitting a formal withdrawal notice to the party’s national chairman and the Kaduna State Resident Electoral Commissioner.

His withdrawal letter, dated August 7, was reportedly received by the national chairman’s office, while he also submitted an affidavit confirming his decision.

Ibrahim also displayed what he described as an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) summary of candidates nominated by political parties for the 2027 election, which still listed him as the NDC’s governorship candidate.

He said, “The bitter truth is that both at the state and national levels, the decision as to who the governorship candidate of Kaduna State, whether Barrister Mohammed Sani Abbas or Senator Danjuma Tellah La’ah, has not been taken.”

The clarification comes amid conflicting claims from La’ah and Abbas over who should represent the party in the governorship contest.

A faction of the NDC had previously denied issuing a governorship ticket to La’ah. The party’s Deputy National Chairman, North, Alhaji Sidi Bomi, also reportedly rejected a document circulating on social media which purportedly indicated that La’ah had emerged as the party’s candidate.

Bomi said the document did not originate from the party and should therefore not be considered proof of La’ah’s nomination.

Meanwhile, Abbas has continued to insist that he is the legitimate NDC governorship candidate.

Ibrahim rejected that position, accusing Abbas of falsely claiming that he participated in and won a governorship primary.

“It is highly unfortunate for a member of the temple of justice to spew such lies that he participated in a primary election which he won, knowing same to be outright falsehood,” he said.

The chairman maintained that the disagreement could not be settled through competing claims or political propaganda, stressing that the party must follow the appropriate electoral procedures.

Ibrahim said the NDC now has little choice but to conduct a substitution primary if it is unable to reach a consensus on its candidate.

“By the provision of Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2026, Nigeria Democratic Congress is now only left with the option of organising a substitution primary election for a validly recognised candidate to emerge since they have been unable to reach a consensus – thus anything short of this will be illegal.”

He also disclosed that two other aspirants, Zariyi Madaki and Ibrahim Abdulkarim, withdrew from the contest in support of La’ah during the first consensus meeting at the party’s national secretariat.

Ibrahim described La’ah as an experienced politician who served two terms in the Senate and was previously the only Peoples Democratic Party senator representing Kaduna State and the North-West.

However, he advised Abbas to focus on building stronger support at the grassroots, particularly within his ward and local government area.

“Every politician worth his onion will first make sure his ward and local government are on his side because charity must always begin at home,” he said.

The unresolved dispute is expected to keep attention on the NDC as the party works to determine who will ultimately fly its flag in the 2027 Kaduna State governorship election.

2027 Elections: INEC To Publish Governorship And Assembly Candidates On August 29

Favour Enyosa
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2027 Elections: INEC To Publish Governorship And Assembly Candidates On August 29

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to publish the names of candidates nominated by political parties for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

The commission is expected to release the candidate lists on Saturday, August 29, 2026, as preparations intensify for the general elections scheduled for February 6, 2027.

The publication will give political parties, candidates and voters an opportunity to review the names and other details submitted to INEC as the electoral process advances.

Governorship elections will be held in 28 states in 2027, while elections into the State Houses of Assembly will take place across all 36 states.

The states scheduled to elect governors are Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Kwara, Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto.

Governorship elections will not be conducted in Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Bayelsa, Anambra, Imo and Kogi, as those states held their elections at different times under Nigeria’s staggered electoral calendar.

The approaching deadline is expected to increase pressure on political parties to complete their nomination processes and resolve any outstanding issues involving their candidates.

Nigeria currently has 22 registered political parties, all of which are eligible to nominate candidates for the various governorship and legislative contests.

New governors will be elected in states where the tenure of the incumbent governor expires in 2027. These include Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara and Nasarawa.

The publication of the lists will give voters a clearer picture of the individuals seeking to represent the various political parties in the governorship and State Assembly elections.

The August 29 publication comes after INEC’s August 22 deadline for candidates seeking to withdraw from the 2027 elections.

Under Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2026, a candidate who wishes to withdraw must submit a written notice, signed by the candidate and accompanied by an affidavit, directly to the political party that nominated them.

The provision establishes a formal process for candidates who decide to step down after receiving their parties’ nominations.

The August 29 deadline will also cover the submission of final candidate lists for political parties contesting the presidential and National Assembly elections.

However, INEC has scheduled September 12, 2026, for the publication of the final list of candidates for the presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections.

With these deadlines approaching, political parties and candidates are entering a crucial stage of preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 elections.

FAAN Clears Bolt To Resume Airport Operations, Says It Does Not Set Taxi Fares

Favour Enyosa
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FAAN Clears Bolt To Resume Airport Operations, Says It Does Not Set Taxi Fares

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has approved Bolt to immediately resume ride-hailing services at Nigerian airports after reaching an operational agreement with the platform.

The development follows a dispute between FAAN and the ride-hailing company that temporarily disrupted Bolt’s airport operations and sparked complaints from passengers.

In a statement issued on Thursday, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said the disagreement was linked to longstanding concerns over safety, security and accountability involving commercial and e-hailing vehicles operating at airports.

The authority said the concerns include unauthorised passenger pickups, solicitation and situations where drivers operate across multiple ride-hailing platforms without adequate oversight.

FAAN also apologised to passengers affected by the disruption.

“We sincerely apologise for the difficulties this caused our passengers,” Mr. Henry Agbebire, director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed in a statement made available to Techeconomy, adding that FAAN had “listened, reflected and made the necessary adjustments.”

FAAN Clarifies Airport Transport Management System

The authority explained that the concerns surrounding airport transport operations led to the introduction of ACHRAMS, an airport car-hire management system.

FAAN stressed that ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and does not compete with Bolt, Uber or other mobility platforms.

The agency also responded to criticism over airport taxi fares, rejecting suggestions that it had recently introduced or imposed the rates being discussed publicly.

According to FAAN, the fares existed before the current controversy and were not substantially different from rates previously charged.

The authority said ACHRAMS had mainly made existing fares more visible to passengers, leading to increased public scrutiny because the rates appeared higher than the prices many passengers were accustomed to paying through e-hailing services.

FAAN Says Discussions With Other E-Hailing Platforms Continue

FAAN said it is still engaging with other e-hailing operators and expects the discussions to conclude “in the coming days.” The authority did not specify which platforms remain affected by the ongoing discussions.

It maintained that its actions were motivated by regulatory, safety and security concerns rather than commercial interests.

FAAN also denied any intention to establish a monopoly over transportation services at Nigerian airports, saying its goal is to ensure a safer and more accountable airport transport system.

The authority expressed appreciation to passengers for their patience and understanding during the temporary disruption and reiterated its commitment to resolving outstanding issues with mobility operators.

BREAKING: Ibrahim Gusau Officially Resigns As NFF President

Ayomitunde Adeyemi
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BREAKING: Ibrahim Gusau Officially Resigns As NFF President

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has resigned from his position, alongside several members of the NFF Executive Committee, amid mounting pressure over the administration of Nigerian football.

The resignation comes after a difficult period for Nigeria’s national teams, including the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the historic failure of the Super Falcons to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

The NFF leadership has also faced scrutiny over the management of a ₦17 billion Federal Government intervention fund, with security agencies reportedly examining documents relating to its utilisation.

The leadership shake-up could also affect the NFF’s planned September 27 elective congress in Lafia, Nasarawa State, with questions now emerging over how the federation will be managed ahead of the election.

FG Says 60% Of Active Electricity Consumers In Nigeria Now Have Meters

Favour Enyosa
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FG Says 60% Of Active Electricity Consumers In Nigeria Now Have Meters

The Federal Government says about 60 per cent of active electricity consumers across Nigeria have now been provided with meters as efforts continue to reduce estimated billing and improve transparency in the power sector.

The ongoing metering exercise is being carried out under Phase 1 of the $500 million World Bank-financed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), alongside initiatives such as the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI).

The government said the broader objective is to close Nigeria’s electricity metering gap and reduce arbitrary estimated bills for registered electricity customers.

The update was presented during the second 2026 meeting of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi, provided the council with an update on the metering programme and other activities under its supervision.

“On various issues, we provided updates on meter deployment under Phase 1 of the World Bank-financed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme,” Gbeleyi was quoted as saying. “We have implemented 60 per cent of the meters that have been delivered in the country out of 1,033,000. So far, we have deployed and installed 668,000 meters on customers’ premises.”

Gbeleyi also gave an update on the implementation of the Electricity Act, particularly the transition from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to state-level electricity regulatory commissions.

According to him, about 17 states had established their own electricity regulatory commissions since April 2024.

He noted that Akwa Ibom State became the latest state to establish its own electricity regulatory commission in July 2026, but said some aspects of the transition still required adjustments.

“some fine-tuning is required here and there in the implementation of that Act”.

He added that the council had directed key stakeholders to work together on proposed amendments aimed at clarifying and harmonising the implementation of the Electricity Act.

“Council has directed that stakeholders, led by the Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of Power, the Special Adviser on Power, the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Oil and Gas, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the BPE and all other critical stakeholders, should engage constructively so as to streamline and harmonise the Federal Government’s position in terms of the required amendments to fine-tune the Electricity Act, and we are engaging in that regard,” he added.

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the value Nigerians receive from electricity and other critical sectors.

“We are working concertedly and in a very collaborative manner to ensure that we give value, either in electricity or in telecoms whichever area to make sure that Nigerians benefit from this government,” said Tegbe.

The NCP meeting was also attended by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Attorney General’s representative, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and other council members.

The latest metering figures indicate continued progress in the Federal Government’s effort to expand access to prepaid meters and gradually move electricity consumers away from reliance on estimated billing.

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