ABUJA DAILY - 26 MARCH 2026
ECOWAS and Chinese Firm Negotiate $36.39 Billion West Africa Power Grid; EFCC Chair Claims Anti-Corruption Probe Stopped Installation of Fake Transmission Lines; Senate to Confirm Oyedele Tax Reform Chief and Abe NUPRC Chairman
EFCC Halted Contractor Installing Fake Transmission Lines, Chair Discloses
EFCC Chair Olukoyede revealed the agency stopped a contractor from installing counterfeit transmission lines, preventing potential loss of lives and damage to public assets.
ECOWAS, Chinese Firm Negotiate $36.39 Billion Energy Infrastructure Deal
ECOWAS and Energy China International held critical talks Monday in Abuja discussing potential cooperation on $36.39 billion electricity infrastructure development across West African states.
Suspected Fulani Militants Amputate Boat Operator in Benue Attack
Suspected Fulani militants attacked Afubo Island near Makurdi at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, amputating a boat operator and seriously injuring three others.
Security Expert Warns Kidnappers Now Using Banks to Collect Ransoms
Dr. Kabir Adamu raised alarm that kidnappers in Nigeria have begun using banking channels to collect ransom payments, marking a tactical shift.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Chinese state-owned Energy China International (CEEC) held negotiations 26 March in Abuja on a $36.39 billion infrastructure financing package for regional electricity connectivity projects, per Leadership reporting — representing one of the largest proposed foreign infrastructure investments in West Africa and underscoring China's expanding influence in Nigeria's energy sector despite ongoing U.S.-Nigeria Major Non-NATO Ally partnership. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola OLUKOYEDE stated 26 March that anti-corruption investigators stopped a contractor from installing counterfeit transmission lines that would have caused catastrophic grid failures and loss of life, per Premium Times reporting — the first public disclosure of sabotage attempts targeting critical national infrastructure. President Bola TINUBU requested Senate confirmation of Taiwo OYEDELE as Minister and Gbenga ABE as Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), per National Assembly reporting. Health sector unions protested 26 March at Unity Fountain in Abuja against a proposed Health Sector Regulatory Bill before the National Assembly, per Daily Post Nigeria reporting. END SUMMARY.
