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IPCR Set To Expand Focus on Regional Crises in Africa – Director General
By Gloria Ikibah
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has disclosed plans to extend its scope beyond Nigeria’s internal conflicts to address key regional crises across Africa, including the situation in the Sahel following France’s withdrawal and the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Director-General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, who stated this at a strategic meeting with the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) in Abuja, and emphasised the need for a broader approach to conflict resoresolution
He acknowledged that while the Institute has primarily focused on Nigeria’s internal challenges, regional instability and diplomatic hurdles also require attention. According to him, IPCR’s mandate includes projecting Nigeria’s soft power across the continent through peacebuilding initiatives.
Dr. Ochogwu reiterated the Institute’s commitment to working with international organizations to prevent and resolve conflicts, support post-conflict reconstruction, and promote sustainable peace and development across Africa.
He said: “This year, actually, I am committed, and my management is committed to running a lot of things. We are going to be doing French withdrawal from the Sahel, the issue around the Sahel, the DRC crisis, and how we project Nigeria’s soft power approaches across the continent of Africa, which is our primary mandate.
“The Institute over the years has scaled its operation largely to internal conflicts, which is not supposed to be”.
The IPCR boss stressed the importance of media collaboration in achieving IPCR’s objectives, and noted that research without proper dissemination has little impact.
“The media is central to the work that we do. If you want to advocate for change in any society, the critical role of the media is paramount,” he stated.
Dr. Ochogwu also highlighted the need for greater engagement between Nigeria’s foreign policy experts and the public to counter misinformation and ensure accurate narratives on international issues. He called for improved visibility of Nigeria’s diplomatic and research institutions in global discussions, emphasizing that official statements must be carefully framed to reflect the government’s position without misinterpretation.
The Chairman of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association (DICAN), Comrade Idehai Frederick, earlier in his address said the association has been collaborating closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all foreign missions in the country to ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information to the public.
He announced that DICAN’s annual lecture for this year would be held soon, featuring foreign policy experts and scholars who will provide insights into the nation’s foreign policy objectives under the 4D agenda.
Comrade Idehai also highlighted the importance of continuous training and capacity-building for DICAN members by all agencies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He emphasized that such training would enhance their ability to report effectively on developments within the diplomatic and foreign affairs sector.
He further stated that the meeting with DICAN executives reinforced the critical role of diplomatic correspondents in shaping foreign policy discourse and promoting public awareness of Nigeria’s global engagements.
President Bola Tinubu has assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, which provides for an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion.
He also signed the bill extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
This was announced on Friday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The ₦68.32 trillion budget for this year earmarks ₦4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and ₦15.8 trillion for debt service.
It allocates ₦15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and ₦32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure.
“With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent, the 2026 budget underscores the administration’s continued commitment to economic stability, national security, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth.
The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditure, and capital investments critical to driving productivity and improving the quality of life for Nigerians,” the statement read in part.
The President also has assented to the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends the implementation period of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
The extension, the statement revealed, would ensure the full and effective utilisation of appropriated funds, particularly for critical infrastructure and development projects that are at advanced stages of implementation across the country.
It will enable ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to consolidate ongoing works, enhance project completion rates, and maximise value for public expenditure. With the 2026 Appropriation Act coming into force on April 1, the Federal Government will commence full implementation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” it added.
Additionally, President Tinubu directed MDAs to ensure disciplined, transparent, and efficient utilisation of allocated resources, with a strong emphasis on value for money and timely project delivery.
He commended the National Assembly for its diligence, cooperation, and patriotism in expeditiously considering and passing the budget.
The President reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government in advancing national development objectives.
Tinubu also assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to deepen fiscal reforms, enhance revenue generation, and prioritise investments that will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen social protection mechanisms.
The budget is also expected to be partly financed through external borrowing, following the approval of a foreign loan plan exceeding $21 billion to bridge the fiscal gap.
₦9.85trn Increase
The 2026 budget represents an increase of ₦9.85 trillion over the initial proposal of ₦58.47 trillion that Tinubu submitted to the National Assembly, and ₦13.33 trillion higher than the 2025 budget.
The President had while presenting the 2025 budget proposal before federal lawmakers in December 2025, pegged the capital expenditure at ₦26.08 trillion and the crude oil benchmark at US$64.85 per barrel.
He disclosed that the expected total revenue was ₦34.33 trillion; ₦15.52 trillion for debt servicing.
The proposal was anchored on a crude oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to the US Dollar for the 2026 fiscal year.
Amid the growing concerns over insecurity across the country, Tinubu said his administration would “invest in security with clear accountability for outcomes—because security spending must deliver security results”.
“We will take decisive steps to strengthen agricultural markets. Food security is national security.
“The 2026 budget prioritises input financing and mechanisation; irrigation and climate‑resilient agriculture; storage and processing; and agro‑value chains,” he told the National Assembly members.
Nigeria’s budgets in recent years have come under fire with experts critcising the poor implementation and release of funds for the execution of important national projects.
But the Tinubu administration said that the 2026 national budget was well-planned to solidify the gains of its reform agenda.
“Our ‘Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity’ is critical. It is a commitment to double down on what is working, to solidify gains, and to ensure that the shared prosperity we speak of becomes a lived reality for more Nigerians, faster,” Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said in a statement.
Popular sports broadcast journalist with Classic FM 97.3, Temisan Okomi, has died.
A journalist with News Central, Olawale Adigun, confirmed his death in a statement shared on X on Friday.
He wrote on X, “The worst way to go into the weekend is hearing about Temisan Okomi’s passing. I’m so gutted and, at the same time, terrified. This man meant so much to me.”
Recall that news of his death has since stirred reactions on X, with colleagues and fans expressing shock and grief.
The late journalist had worked with Lagos Television, HiTV, and other prominent media organizations in Nigeria.
His last post on X was on April 14, 2026, when he wrote, “The Champions League is hard, man.”
Ibrahim Abdulkarim, a political associate of ex-governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has claimed that the former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has agreed to deputize the Obi in the 2027 presidential race.
He spoke during an interview on Trust TV, said the Obidients and the Kwankwassiyya Movements are already aligning towards Obi/Kwankwaso ticket.
Asked if Obi and Kwankwaso had struck a deal, Abdulkarim said “yes, I can categorically tell you that they have agreed”.
We all know that. Both the Obidients and the Kwankwassiyya Movements are aware of the agreement”.
Recall that Kwankwaso recently decamped from the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
His move stirred suspicion that the two political gladiators may have agreed to run for the 2027 presidency on a single ticket.
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