1. No fewer than 146 candidates currently in the race for the 2027 presidential and governorship elections could collectively spend up to N571bn under the campaign expenditure limits prescribed by the Electoral Act 2026.

The figure comprises 19 presidential candidates, each with a campaign spending ceiling of N10bn, and 127 governorship candidates, each allowed to spend a maximum of N3bn under Section 92 of the new Electoral Act.
The 19 presidential candidates alone have a combined spending ceiling of N190bn, while the 127 governorship candidates could collectively spend up to N381bn.

2. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, HoCSF, with effect from August 27, 2026. Enitan, currently the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, will succeed Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is due to retire from the Federal Civil Service upon attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.

3. The Federal Executive Council has approved an amendment to Nigeria’s mental health law to decriminalise attempted suicide, declaring that people who attempt to take their own lives require medical care and psychosocial support rather than prosecution. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists after the fourth FEC meeting of the year, presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

4. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that all cleared and unencumbered looted funds recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, be channelled to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, to strengthen the financing of tertiary education. The President also directed that funds in the Unclaimed Dividends Trust Fund and the Dormant Accounts Trust Fund be mobilised for NELFUND, subject to compliance with the laws establishing the two funds.

5. Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission and announced plans to establish a N500 million election violence victims’ endowment fund. The certificate was presented to him by the Independent National Electoral Commission National Commissioner representing the South-West, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, at an event attended by political associates of the governor and members of his cabinet.

6. Retired military personnel on Wednesday suspended their planned protest after the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), assured them that the Federal Government would address their demands over pension adjustments and other welfare concerns. The decision followed a meeting between representatives of the protesting ex-servicemen and officials of the Ministry of Defence at Ship House, Abuja.

7. The Lagos, Ogun and Oyo State governments have declared Thursday, August 20, work-free to commemorate this year’s Isese Day, with the three states framing the annual celebration as an important expression of Yoruba culture, traditional religion and indigenous heritage, The PUNCH reports. The declarations mean public servants and other residents in the three South-West states will observe the day as a public or work-free holiday as traditional worshippers gather for prayers, rituals, processions, and other cultural activities.

8. The long-suppressed confrontation between the government and Nigerians as well as between the Federal Government and sub-nationals over fuel subsidy removal savings is gradually finding an expression as the 2027 campaign imposes a burden on those saddled with its management.
As promised, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, yesterday, gave a breakdown of how the proceeds were disbursed among the three tiers of government at a media conference on the scorecard of Nigerian reforms from 2023 when the current administration assumed office.

9. Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has denied any link to the attack that occurred outside the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, on Wednesday. The incident reportedly happened shortly after Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, Davido’s uncle, visited the monarch.
Suspected hoodlums were said to have attacked the governor’s convoy, triggering an exchange of gunfire with security personnel.

10. The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested 40 suspects in separate operations for alleged traffic robbery, armed robbery, kidnapping and various traffic offences in the territory. The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Abuja.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Abel Enitan as the head of the civil service of the federation, effective August 27, 2026.

In a statement on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said Enitan succeeds Didi Walson-Jack, who is due to retire from the federal civil service upon attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.

According to the statement, Enitan, from Osun, is the most senior permanent secretary in the federal civil service.

“He has served as Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months, working at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the Vice President,” the statement reads.

“He is currently the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education.”

Onanuga said Enitan brings considerable institutional experience and a deep understanding of how the federal civil service works to his new responsibility.

He said Tinubu commended Walson-Jack for her distinguished service to the nation and for the reforms, impact and innovations witnessed in the civil service during her tenure.

“The President wishes her a fulfilling and successful life after service and conveys the nation’s gratitude for her years of dedicated and impactful public service,” Onanuga said.

“President Tinubu charges the incoming Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to consolidate on the reforms and innovations already underway, deepen professionalism and efficiency across the service, and build a more effective and responsive Civil Service capable of delivering on the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Tinubu further urged Enitan to lead a civil service that is professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.

Born on December 12, 1966, Enitan had his secondary education at Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife.

He later attended the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and graduated in 1988 with a BSc in finance and banking.

In 2015, Enitan obtained an MSc in public policy analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia.

Following his victory in last Saturday’s governorship election, Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, has received the Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Adeleke defeated his closest rival, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, polling 511,067 to 444,815.

The governor arrived at the INEC office in Osogbo, Osun State, with his cabinet members, National and State Assembly lawmakers, friends and supporters for the certificate presentation.

The National Commissioner of INEC for the South-West, Professor Kunle Ajayi, presented the certificate.

After the presentation, Adeleke, who tagged his address as ‘A time to heal, unite and build’, thanked the people of Osun State for firmly standing for democracy.

According to him, “This certificate does not belong to Ademola Adeleke alone. It belongs to the people of Osun State: our workers, market men and women, youths, traditional and religious leaders, and every citizen who participated in this democratic process. I am deeply humbled by the confidence you have renewed in me.

“But even in victory, we must be sober in reflection. Citizens were injured, properties and livelihoods were destroyed and, most painfully, precious lives were lost.”

He noted, “We remember Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass, Kolade Eluyera, and every other victim of electoral violence. Regardless of  political affiliation, they were first our brothers, sisters and fellow citizens. To their families, your pain is our pain, and your loved ones will never be reduced to mere statistics.

“The Adeleke family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, will provide full scholarships up to university level for the children and dependants of those who lost their lives.”

He disclosed, “The Osun State Government will also establish a ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to support verified victims and affected families. A Verification and Relief Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, will oversee the transparent identification of victims and the equitable distribution of support.

“This is not a political intervention. It is a humanitarian responsibility. No eligible victim will be excluded because of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status. In grief, there is no political party. In our common humanity, we are one people.”

He stressed that, “I receive this Certificate of Return not as a trophy or a weapon against anyone, but as a renewed contract with you. The election is over. The campaign is over. The contest is over. Now is the time to govern, unite, heal and build.”

He promised to continue advancing infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment, and economic development, with accountability, inclusion, and transparency.