News
Tinubu’s 2026 Budget: Discipline as Doctrine, Bold Security Stance, Defense as Top Priority
By SUNDAY DARE
In a landmark address to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 19, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill, titled the “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity.”
The ₦58.18 trillion proposal marks a pivotal shift in Nigeria’s fiscal strategy, emphasizing strict fiscal discipline, decisive action against insecurity, and a clear prioritization of national defense amid ongoing economic reforms.
Analysts describe the speech as a doctrinal reset for governance, where discipline emerges as the core doctrine, boldness serves as a political and policy signal, and security stands as the unchallenged foundation of the administration’s agenda.
Discipline As Doctrine: A Commitment to Fiscal RigorPresident Tinubu underscored that “the greatest budget is not the one we announce—it is the one we deliver.”
He pledged 2026 as a year of “stronger discipline in budget execution,” directing ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to eliminate leakages through full digitization of revenue processes and strict adherence to timelines.
This doctrine extends to Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs), with warnings against underperformance and inefficiencies. Revenue mobilization will prioritize transparency and compliance, particularly in the oil and gas sector.
The budget’s realistic parameters—crude oil benchmark at $64.85 per barrel, production at 1.84 million barrels per day, and exchange rate at ₦1,400 to the dollar—reflect prudence amid global uncertainties.
With a projected deficit of ₦23.85 trillion (4.28% of GDP), recurrent non-debt expenditure at ₦15.25 trillion, and capital expenditure at ₦26.08 trillion, the administration signals an end to wasteful spending.
As Tinubu stated, “We will spend with purpose, manage debt with discipline.”
Boldness As Signal: Tough Stance on Security and AccountabilityThe speech’s boldest element was a new security doctrine: any armed group operating outside state authority—bandits, kidnappers, militias, or violent cults—will be designated as terrorists, along with their sponsors, including politicians, traditional rulers, or community leaders who facilitate violence.
This declaration removes ambiguity and ethnic cover from non-state actors, signaling zero tolerance for insecurity that has hampered investment and agriculture. It sends a clear message of accountability, narrowing discretion for security forces while widening consequences for enablers.
Boldness also shines in fiscal demands on GOEs and MDAs, with threats of consequences for revenue shortfalls.
Tinubu’s assurance that reforms are yielding results—GDP growth at 3.98% in Q3 2025, inflation down to 14.45% in November, and external reserves at a 7-year high of $47 billion—bolsters confidence in these tough measures.
Security As Core: Highest Allocation Reflects PrioritySecurity received the largest sectoral allocation at ₦5.41 trillion, underscoring its role as the bedrock of development. Tinubu described it as “the foundation of development,” linking it to infrastructure (₦3.56 trillion), education (₦3.52 trillion), and health (₦2.48 trillion).
The budget strengthens military and paramilitary capabilities, peacebuilding, and a “holistic reset” of the security architecture. Without security, the President argued, investment, productivity, and human capital development cannot thrive.Other priorities include human capital (expanding student loans and healthcare access) and agriculture (mechanization, irrigation, and value chains to reduce post-harvest losses).
As the National Assembly begins scrutiny of the bill, President Tinubu’s speech positions the 2026 budget not merely as a fiscal document, but as a governance blueprint for a more accountable, secure, and prosperous Nigeria.
The emphasis on delivery over announcement sets a high bar for implementation in the year ahead.
Crime
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie blames Euracare Hospital for son’s death
Chimamanda Ngozi AAdichie has revealed how her son was killed at Euracare Hospital by an anesthesiologist, in her statement, she said: “My son would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital on January 6th.We were in Lagos for Christmas.
Nkanu had what we first thought was just a cold, but soon turned into a very serious infection and he was admitted to Atlantis hospital. He was to travel to the US the next day, January 7th, accompanied by Travelling Doctors. A team at Johns Hopkins was waiting to receive him in Baltimore.
The Hopkins team had asked for a lumbar puncture test and an MRI. The Nigerian team had also decided to put in a ‘central line’ (used to administer iv medications) in preparation for Nkanu’s flight. Atlantis hospital referred us to Euracare Hospital, which was said to be the best place to have the procedures done.
The morning of the 6th, we left Atlantis hospital for Euracare, Nkanu carried in his father’s arms. We were told he would need to be sedated to prevent him from moving during the MRI and the ‘central line’ procedure.
I was waiting just outside the theater. I saw people, including Dr M, rushing into the theater and immediately knew something had happened.
A short time later, Dr M came out and told me Nkanu had been given too much propofol by the anesthesiologist, had become unresponsive and was quickly resuscitated.
But suddenly Nkanu was on a ventilator, he was intubated and placed in the ICU. The next thing I heard was that he had seizures. Cardiac arrest. All these had never happened before. Some hours later, Nkanu was goneIt turns out that Nkanu was NEVER monitored after being given too much propofol.
The anesthesiologist had just casually carried Nkanu on his shoulder to the theater, so nobody knows when exactly Nkanu became unresponsive. How can you sedate a sick child and neglect to
monitor him? Later, after the ‘central line’ procedure, the anesthesiologist casually switched off Nkanu’s oxygen and again decided to carry him on his shoulder to the ICU!
The anesthesiologist was CRIMINALLY negligent. He was fatally casual and careless with the precious life of a child. No proper protocol was followed. We brought in a child who was unwell but stable and scheduled to travel the next day. We came to conduct basic procedures.
And suddenly, our beautiful little boy was gone forever. It is like living your worst nightmare. I will never survive the loss of my child.
We have now heard about two previous cases of this same anesthesiologist overdosing children. Why did Euracare allow him to keep working? This must never happen to another child.
News
LASG Announces Traffic Diversion Tonight At Fadeyi, Ojuelegba Bridge
Consequently, motorists are advised to use the highlighted route during the nighttime installation of the barriers; Motorists from Fadeyi Donmanlong Bridge/Ayilara inbound Ojuelegba are to make use of the Service Lane from Fadeyi/Jibowu/Empire/Donmanlong to link Barracks to access their desired destinations.
The Lagos State Government has announced that installations of truck barriers at Fadeyi inward Donmanlong and Donmanlong inward Ojuelegba will takes effect from Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 10pm until Sunday, January 11, 2026
Therefore, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, urges motorists to use alternative routes during the installations period.
He said that the temporary closure of the bridge is to enhance road safety and prevent accidents along these high-traffic routes.
Consequently, Motorists are advised to use the highlighted route during the nighttime installation of the barriers; Motorists from Fadeyi Donmanlong Bridge/Ayilara inbound Ojuelegba are to make use of the Service Lane from Fadeyi/Jibowu/Empire/Donmanlong to link Barracks to access their desired destinations,” he said.
He implored residents and motorists to remain patient, noting that the installation was scheduled for night hours to minimize disruptions.
The Commissioner warned that motorists who vandalize or damage the barriers will face the wrath of the law.
News
Homicide: Killer husband on the run for alleged murder of wife
Ayobami Ayanwale was allegedly stabbed to death in front of her children by her husband.
Tragedy struck at number 21 Olutayo Alao Street, River Valley Estate, mainland Lagos.
A mother of three simply identified as Ayobami Ayanwale was allegedly stabbed to death in front of her children by her husband.
Eye-witness neighbours who confirmed the incident said that her body has since been deposited at a mortuary after she was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital at Olowoora area of the community.
Following the incident, the alledged killer husband has fled, leaving the survived three children with the dead wife’s elder brother at Akute.
The case was reported to Adigboluja Police station Ojodu-Abiodun.
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