ABUJA DAILY - 27 MARCH 2026
Swiss Pledge Return of Benin Bronzes and Security Support; Tinubu Expands EV Mandate; Army Rescues Kidnap Victim in North Central; Decentralised Energy Secures $10 Million for Gas Projects
ASUU Issues Four-Day Strike Ultimatum Over Unpaid Salary Adjustments
Academic Staff Union of Universities gave Federal Government four-day deadline to implement approved salary structure for lecturers, threatening strike action.
President Tinubu Expands PiCNG Mandate to Include Electric Vehicles
President approved expansion of Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas program to cover electric vehicle deployment alongside CNG infrastructure rollout.
Bandits Execute House-to-House Raid in Katsina, Loot Millions in Valuables
Armed bandits conducted prolonged house-to-house attack in Jeri community, Kusada Local Government Area, carting away property worth millions of naira.
Switzerland Commits to Return Benin Bronzes and Aid Northeast Security
Swiss government agreed to repatriate Benin Bronzes and artefacts to Nigeria while pledging support to combat insecurity in the Northeast region.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: Switzerland pledged 27 March to return Benin Bronzes and other cultural artifacts to Nigeria and committed to support counterinsurgency operations in the North East, per State House reporting — marking a significant diplomatic achievement for President Bola TINUBU following his UK state visit and underscoring European engagement on restitution and security cooperation. Tinubu approved 27 March expansion of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) mandate to include electric vehicle infrastructure development, per State House reporting, advancing Nigeria's energy transition strategy. Nigerian Army forces operating in North Central states arrested multiple suspects and rescued a kidnap victim during operations 24-26 March, per Premium Times reporting, as pre-wet season offensives target criminal networks in farming communities ahead of the planting season. Decentralised Energy Limited (DEL) secured $10 million in initial equity funding from strategic investors to expand decentralised power and gas infrastructure projects across Nigeria, per ThisDay reporting. END SUMMARY.
