Photo: General Dagvin R.M. Anderson

The United States has withdrawn the majority of its military personnel deployed to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin, while maintaining intelligence sharing and other security cooperation with Nigerian authorities.

The United States deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to assist with intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin as both countries expanded cooperation against ISIS and other extremist groups operating in the region.

Commander of US Air Forces in Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, announced the development during a virtual press briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.

He said the partnership between Washington and Abuja remained active, particularly in intelligence operations targeting the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh).

Anderson emphasised that the specific mission that required the deployment of US troops has been completed, prompting the withdrawal of most personnel.

However, he noted that the United States would continue providing intelligence assistance at the request of the Nigerian government.

.….Moves to Strengthen Integrity in Sports..

The Federal Government has inaugurated the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC), reaffirming its commitment to promoting fairness, integrity and excellence in sports.

Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, described the inauguration as a major milestone in Nigeria’s sporting development and a significant step towards ensuring compliance with global anti-doping standards.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, delivering the inaugural speech during the inauguration ceremony of the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) on Thursday, 2nd July 2026 in Abuja.

Akume said that the inauguration follows the enactment of the National Anti-Doping Act 2025, which established the NADC as a statutory body with the legal authority to implement Nigeria’s anti-doping obligations in line with international regulations.

He noted that the Centre represents the government’s response to past doping challenges that have affected Nigeria’s reputation in global sports competitions.

The SGF charged members of the newly inaugurated Technical Board to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, independence and accountability, and emphasized that the Board’s mandate includes athlete education, prevention of doping violations, protection of clean athletes and enforcement of anti-doping regulations across all levels of sports development.

(L-R) The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. H. M. Omidiran; the Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON; Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Sen. Abdul Ningi and the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, during the inauguration ceremony of the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) on Thursday, 2nd July, 2026 in Abuja.

Meanwhile ,Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports Development, Abdul Ahmed Ningi, pledged continued legislative support for the anti-doping programme, and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing sports development through increased funding, describing sports as a strategic tool for national growth and international recognition.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described the inauguration as another milestone in the ongoing transformation of the sports sector.

He urged the Board to promote integrity and accountability while expanding anti-doping awareness to schools, youth competitions, sports academies and federations nationwide.

(6th left) Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, in a group photograph with the members of the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) during the inaugural ceremony on Thursday, 2nd July, 2026 in Abuja.

In a landmark move towards modernisation and efficiency, Nigeria’s Supreme Court has unveiled a new comprehensive digital system designed to eliminate manual processes across its operations.

The initiative, announced on Thursday, aims to transform the apex court’s judicial administration by digitising filing, case tracking, judgments, and record-keeping, which have long relied on paper-based systems.

According to a statement from the Supreme Court, the digital platform will enable electronic filing of cases, real-time case status updates, virtual access to court records, and automated workflows to reduce delays and human error.

“This digital transformation marks a new era in the administration of justice in Nigeria,” a senior court official said. “It will significantly cut down on the bottlenecks associated with manual documentation, enhance transparency, and improve access to justice for all citizens.”

The new system is expected to address longstanding challenges including lost files, prolonged adjournments caused by missing documents, and inefficiencies in the appellate process. It aligns with broader e-governance efforts across federal institutions and is projected to save time and resources while minimising physical contact in line with global best practices.

Implementation is set to begin in phases, starting with appellate filings and extending to full operations within the next few months. Training programmes for judges, lawyers, and court staff have already commenced to ensure a smooth transition.

Legal practitioners and stakeholders have welcomed the development, describing it as long overdue. “This will revolutionise how we interact with the judiciary,” said a senior advocate. “No more waiting for physical files or chasing paper trails.”

The Supreme Court assured that the platform will incorporate robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive judicial data.

This reform is seen as a significant step in strengthening the rule of law and modernising Nigeria’s justice delivery system.