ABUJA DAILY - 22 MARCH 2026
CBN Wins London Central Banking Award for FX, Stability Reforms; TINUBU Moves to Cushion Fuel Price Burden as Crude Hits $112; Troops Arrest Suspect with Explosives in Lagos
CBN Wins Global Central Bank of the Year Award
Central Bank of Nigeria named Central Bank of the Year 2026 by London-based Central Banking Awards Committee for macroeconomic reforms, forex market strengthening, and restoring investor confidence.
US Deploys MQ-9 Drones and 200 Troops to Nigeria
United States military confirms deployment of multiple MQ-9 drones and 200 troops to Nigeria in non-combat role providing intelligence and training support against Islamist militants in northern regions.
Troops Arrest Suspect with Explosives in Lagos Ikorodu
Operation MESA troops arrested suspect with suspected explosives in Ikorodu Local Government Area, Lagos State at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday evening.
Nigeria Customs and UK HMRC Sign Digital Border Management Agreement
Nigeria Customs Service and UK HM Revenue and Customs strengthen strategic cooperation to advance trade facilitation and digital border management during President Tinubu's state visit.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was named Central Bank of the Year 2026 by the Central Banking Awards Committee in London 22 March, recognizing Governor Olayemi CARDOSO's sweeping FX market reforms, macroeconomic stabilization, and investor confidence restoration since June 2024, per Leadership reporting. President Bola TINUBU acknowledged 22 March the growing fuel price burden on Nigerians and initiated measures to cushion the impact, per Jigawa State Governor's office, as Brent crude surged 3.26 percent to $112.20 per barrel amid the U.S.-Israel-Iran war's disruption of Strait of Hormuz flows — now Day 23 of the conflict. Troops under Operation MESA arrested a suspect in possession of suspected explosives in Ikorodu LGA, Lagos State, 21 March at 1945 hours, per security sources cited by counter-insurgency analyst Zagazola MAKAMA. Nigerian Army troops thwarted a kidnapping attempt and rescued a victim in Jos East LGA, Plateau State, 21 March. Anambra Governor Chukwuma SOLUDO confirmed 21 March the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will not field a presidential candidate in 2027, endorsing TINUBU's re-election — the latest in a series of opposition-party defections ahead of the 2027 cycle. END SUMMARY.
