Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Algeria, Mohammed Mahmud Lele, has died at the age of 50.

Lele was buried in Kano on Wednesday in accordance with Islamic rites.

His death was confirmed on Wednesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement issued in Abuja by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

According to the ministry, Lele died in the early hours of April 19, 2026, in Ankara, Türkiye, following a prolonged illness.

The ministry described his death as a significant loss, noting that he was a seasoned diplomat who served Nigeria with dedication and professionalism.

Before his nomination as ambassador-designate to Algeria, Lele was the Director in charge of the Middle East and Gulf Division at the ministry.

Born in Gamawa, Bauchi State, in 1976, Lele studied Economics at Bayero University Kano. During his diplomatic career, he served in Nigeria’s missions in Berlin, Lomé and Riyadh.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, who received his remains at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, described him as a diligent and humble officer whose contributions would not be forgotten.

Photo: Chief Bayo Adelabu, and SGF George Akume

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has formally tendered his resignation and proposed the establishment of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to drive integrated reforms across Nigeria’s power, gas, and related sectors.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

He, however, emphasised that sustaining and consolidating the gains recorded in the power sector requires stronger coordination at the highest level, including the appointment of a central authority to harmonise policy direction and execution.

Confirming the development, the Special Adviser to the Minister on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, said the Minister expressed deep appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his tenure as a privilege to contribute to national development.

Adelabu noted that his decision aligns with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which precludes serving political office holders from contesting elections.

He further disclosed that his gubernatorial aspiration dates back to 2016 during his tenure as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In his three-page letter, the Minister outlined key achievements recorded during his tenure, including the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralised the electricity market and improved the investment climate.

He highlighted that peak power generation rose to over 6,000 megawatts, driven by the integration of the Zungeru Hydropower Plant and the rehabilitation of thermal power plants. Transmission capacity was also strengthened through grid upgrades under the Presidential Power Initiative.

He further cited notable improvements in the distribution segment, including enhanced regulatory oversight, improved revenue collection, and progress in reducing Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses.

Efforts to close the metering gap, he added, gained momentum through the Presidential Metering Initiative and the World Bank-supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP).

On the financial front, Adelabu stated that tariff reforms and a ₦4 trillion debt restructuring programme increased market revenues from ₦1 trillion in 2023 to ₦2.3 trillion in 2025, restoring investor confidence and placing the sector on a path to sustainability.

Despite these gains, the Minister acknowledged persistent challenges, including gas supply constraints, infrastructure vandalism, and the need for full commercialisation of the electricity value chain.

He therefore proposed key measures to sustain progress, including the implementation of cost-reflective tariffs with targeted subsidies, recapitalisation of distribution companies, accelerated nationwide metering, sustained transmission investments, and strengthened regulatory enforcement.

Central to his recommendations is the creation of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to provide strategic oversight and ensure synergy across power, gas, water resources, and environmental sectors.

According to him, this approach is critical to improving gas supply for thermal generation, optimising hydroelectric resources, and accelerating renewable energy deployment.

Tunji added that Adelabu remains committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless handover process, while expressing gratitude to the President for the confidence and support extended to him throughout his tenure.

Six persons linked to an alleged plot to topple the government of President Bola Tinubu have pleaded not guilty to the charges in the case holding at the Federal High Court in Abuja.‎‎

Consequently, ‎‎they are remanded in the DSS custody following Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjournment of the matter till April 27 for commencement of trial and for bail hearing. ‎‎

Retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (brought to the courtroom in a wheelchair), retired Naval Captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani are accused of having conspired in 2025 to “levy war against the state” and overthrow the President.‎‎

The Attorney General, Lateef who instituted the lawsuit attended as the lead prosecutor in the matter.‎‎

The defendants face a 13-count charge which includes the allegation that they shared over N71 million for terrorism financing, failed to report prior knowledge of a treasonable plot by one Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others, and neglected to prevent it.‎‎

Former Minister of State for Petroleum Timipre Sylva is named but remains at large.  ‎‎

Subsequent counts allege that the accused knew of an impending act of treason and terrorism by Colonel Ma’aji and others but failed to disclose it to the relevant authorities, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.‎‎

Abdulkadir Sani, a Zaria-based cleric, is accused of indirectly retaining N2,000,000 in a Jaiz Bank account, while Bukar Kashim Goni allegedly retained N50 million in his First Bank account. ‎‎Zekeri Umoru faces charges of accepting N10 million in cash from Colonel Ma’aji and retaining nearly N8.8 million in a Zenith Bank account — all sums reasonably suspected to be proceeds of terrorism financing.

‎‎After the defendants took their plea, the Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi prayed the court to remand the defendants in DSS custody.

He urged counsel to all six defendants to follow protocols, assuring that none of them would be barred from accessing their clients if they do so.

‎‎Fagbemi noted this after a number of the defendants’ clients said they had not been allowed access while they were on remand in custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency DIA.