AGP Executive Report

Diplomacy: Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met Benin President Romuald Wadagni in Addis Ababa, with both sides pledging to deepen bilateral cooperation and explore new collaboration areas. Sports: Nigeria’s Flamingos booked the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after beating Benin 5-3 in Lomé to win 8-5 on aggregate, and they’ve been drawn in Group B with Poland, Puerto Rico and Korea DPR. Regional security & trade: Nigeria and Benin Customs agreed to use geospatial technology to strengthen surveillance and curb trans-border crime along the Seme border corridor. Local governance: Edo State’s electoral commission declared APC winners of all 18 chairmanship and 192 councillorship seats in Saturday’s local government polls in Benin City. Public health: Edo’s First Lady office reaffirmed focus on women’s health and obstetric fistula awareness under the SHINE agenda, urging better information and access to quality care.

Border Security: Nigeria Customs and Benin Republic Customs are partnering on geospatial technology to spot border weak points and deploy officers more effectively along the Seme-Krake joint border corridor. Military Readiness: The Nigerian Army’s 4 Brigade in Benin City received project commissions and praise for operational performance during an Infantry Corps assessment visit, with emphasis on discipline and troop welfare. Edo Local Polls: Edo State’s election commission (EDSIEC) declared APC winners of all 18 local government chairmanship seats and all 192 councillorship seats, saying the process followed the 2022 law as amended. Women’s Football: Nigeria’s Flamingos booked the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after beating Benin 5-3 in Lomé for an 8-5 aggregate win, with Queen Joseph starring. Energy Diplomacy: Pakistan joined the International Energy Forum as a new member, adding to recent Benin and Sierra Leone memberships ahead of the October 2026 ministerial in Riyadh. Community Health: Edo’s First Lady’s office pushed obstetric fistula awareness, stressing it’s not only linked to early marriage and calling for better access to quality care.

U-17 Women’s World Cup Ticket (Benin/Nigeria): Nigeria’s Flamingos booked their place in Morocco 2026 after beating Benin 5-3 in Lomé to win 8-5 on aggregate, with Queen Joseph firing a hat-trick as coach Akeem Busari praised the team’s attacking edge and resilience. Local Politics (Edo LG Poll): In Benin City, APC chieftains hailed Saturday’s local government election victory, while observers and voters reported mostly peaceful voting—though turnout was uneven, with some residents citing late materials and others saying youths skipped the polls to play football. Sports Administration (NFF): The NFF backed President Tinubu for securing Nigeria’s hosting rights for CAF events and urged more support for women’s leagues and lower tiers to keep momentum. Personal Spotlight (Edo/Entertainment): TikTok star Peller and Jarvis announced their white wedding date for 1 August 2026, following traditional rites in Benin City. UK Travel Rules: The UK reaffirmed visa requirements for Nigerians and over 100 other countries for short visits under six months. Church Leadership (Benin City): After Archbishop Augustine Akubeze’s death, the Pope appointed a bishop as apostolic administrator for Benin City Archdiocese.

Human Trafficking Awareness: NIDO has launched a nationwide campaign to protect secondary school students from trafficking, starting with sensitisation in Makurdi and bringing together agencies like NAPTIP, immigration and the state education ministry. Edo Local Poll Fallout (Benin City): Edo’s local government election has been marked by late arrival of voting materials, low turnout and even movement defiance, while some youths skipped voting to play football and others cited apathy or lack of PVCs. Election Process Notes: Some observers and voters in Benin City say the exercise is peaceful and orderly, with EDSIEC praised for preparedness, even as reports of delays and restrictions ignoring continue. Flamingos Qualify: Nigeria’s Flamingos booked a place at the 2026 U-17 Women’s World Cup after a 5-3 win over Benin in Lomé, winning 8-5 on aggregate. Sports Next Steps: The Flying Eagles will learn their WAFU B U-20 groups next week in Abidjan. Church Loss: Benin City’s Catholic Archbishop Augustine Akubeze has died at 69, prompting condolences from Edo and sports officials. Diaspora/Benin Links: A UK university is seeking a partnership with Edo and UBTH to strengthen community mental health nursing.

Church Leadership Update: Benin City’s Catholic Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze has died at 69, prompting condolences from across Nigeria and interim steps for the archdiocese. Interim Governance: Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Donatus Ogun as Apostolic Administrator of Benin City pending a substantive successor. Press Freedom in Benin: RSF and West African journalists renewed calls for the release of two jailed Beninese journalists, including Hugues Comlan Sossoukpe, marking one year since their arrest. Sports—U-17 WWCQ: Nigeria’s Flamingos coach Akeem Busari says his side can qualify after a 3-2 first-leg win over Benin, with the return leg in Lomé. Regional Security Warning: Retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai urged African states to rely less on foreign interventions and strengthen regional security cooperation. Energy Payments: Nigeria’s NERC says Benin, Togo and Niger paid only part of electricity invoices in Q1 2026, leaving a large balance. AI Governance: Six Francophone West African countries, including Benin, adopted shared ethical AI guidelines to guide national policy.

Benin–Nigeria Diplomacy: Nigeria’s ambassador to Benin, Mopelola Ibrahim, says she will deepen ties after presenting her credentials, pushing for stronger border trade and higher-level engagement. Press Freedom in Benin: A coalition of 50 West African journalists and RSF renews calls for the release of Beninese journalist Hugues Comlan Sossoukpe and colleague Ali Moumouni, jailed for about a year with no trial date set. Catholic Church Loss: Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze, Metropolitan Archbishop of Benin City, dies at 69; leaders including Peter Obi, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole and Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo mourn his legacy of justice and pastoral service. Sports (Benin vs Nigeria): CAF appoints Ugandan referee Shamirah Nabadda for Benin Republic vs Nigeria’s Flamingos in the U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier in Lomé. Regional Mobility: The US keeps full entry bans on four West African countries in 2026 and adds partial visa restrictions for Benin and others. Women’s Health in Benin: An international congress in Cotonou ends with calls for more research funding to close women’s health gaps across Africa.

Benin Catholic Church: Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze, Metropolitan Archbishop of Benin City and former CBCN president, has died in his sleep abroad, just a month before retirement; Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo and other Catholic leaders mourn his “humble shepherd” legacy. Edo Local Politics: EDSIEC cleared 12 parties for Saturday’s Edo local government election, while PDP says it will boycott over alleged constitutional violations and court issues; an ADC faction also withdrew, citing credibility concerns. Power & Flooding: Heavy rains and transmission-line failures disrupted electricity in Lagos and Osun, with EKEDC and IBEDC reporting outages and load shedding as crews work to restore supply. Education Finance: NELFUND disbursed ₦1.5bn to 6,129 students across three institutions, including Edo State College of Nursing Sciences in Benin City. Sports (Benin vs Nigeria): CAF appointed Ugandan referee Shamirah Nabadda for Benin Republic vs Nigeria’s Flamingos U-17 Women’s qualifier in Lomé, with Nigeria holding a 3-2 first-leg edge. Energy Prices: Cooking gas remains costly across Nigeria at ₦1,300–₦1,650/kg despite improved supply after federal intervention.

Edo Security & Local Intelligence: Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo says recent kidnappings are being aided by local collaborators who know residents’ movements and finances, urging closer work with traditional rulers to expose criminals and stop young people from joining crime. Catholic Church: Metropolitan Archbishop of Benin City Augustine Obiora Akubeze has died; the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria announced his passing and called for prayers, without giving a cause or funeral details. Education Support: NELFUND disbursed ₦1.5bn to 6,129 students across three institutions, including Edo State College of Nursing Sciences in Benin City. Sports (Benin vs Nigeria): Benin’s U-17 women’s coach Idah Azonsou says her team can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after a 3-2 first-leg loss to Nigeria’s Flamingos, with the return in Lomé. Power & Flood Disruptions: Heavy rain triggered fresh blackouts in parts of Lagos and Osun as EKEDC and IBEDC reported transmission-line faults and flooding impacts, with restoration underway but no clear timeline. Regional Business Courts (Togo): Togo approved reforms to modernize commercial courts, including digital procedures and a specialized insolvency chamber.

Education Finance: NELFUND says it has disbursed ₦1.5bn to 6,129 students across three institutions for the 2025/2026 session, with BOUESTI taking the biggest share. Culture & Heritage: Edo State plans to rehabilitate the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Center in Benin City, aiming to restore it as a public monument and cultural hub. Sports (Benin vs Nigeria): Benin’s U-17 women’s coach Idah Azonsou is confident the Young Amazons can overturn Nigeria’s Flamingos in the Lomé return leg after a 3-2 first-leg defeat. Energy & Regional Payments: Nigeria’s NERC reports Togo, Benin and Niger owe $12.66m for electricity supplied in Q1 2026, with low remittance so far. Security & Elections: Edo NSCDC deploys 1,300 personnel for the July 11 local government election, urging parties to avoid violence. Infrastructure & Flood Control: Edo Governor Okpebholo is inspecting an underground drainage project in Benin City to tackle the root causes of recurring flooding. Public Safety in Schools: Edo wraps up a SafERR Schools advocacy campaign reaching over 95,700 students, teachers and parents, with plans for a statewide safety club. Power Disruptions: Blackouts hit parts of Lagos and Osun after transmission line failures and flooding damaged electricity infrastructure. Immigration Enforcement: The US DHS published a deportation list of 374 West Africans, including one Benin national.

U-17 WWCQ (Nigeria vs Benin): Nigeria’s Flamingos leave Lagos for Lomé, Togo on Thursday for the decisive second leg of their U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier, leading 3-2 from the first match in Ikenne and aiming to secure qualification at Stade de Kégué on Saturday. Education (Edo/NABTEB): NABTEB says 75.29% of candidates scored 50% and above in the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination, but enrolment fell sharply to 15,290 registered candidates from 29,260 in 2025. Benin heritage & diaspora ties: Benin grants citizenship to Cassandra Lewis, a descendant of Clotilda survivor Cudjo Lewis, under Benin’s right-of-return law for descendants of Africans taken during the transatlantic slave trade. Security (Edo LG polls): NSCDC deploys 1,300 personnel across Edo’s senatorial districts to secure the July 11 local government elections. Health & safety (Edo): Edo wraps up a school safety campaign reaching 95,700 students, teachers and parents, with plans for a statewide SafERR club. Environment & climate (Nigeria flooding): Heavy rainfall is driving flooding risks across Nigeria, with advice to clear drains and avoid flooded roads.

Health Planning: Edo State says its 2026 Annual Operational Plan will tighten health programme delivery, improve coordination and resource use, with partners like WHO and USAID supporting the rollout. School Safety: Edo and SafERR Schools wrapped up a statewide campaign reaching 95,700 students, teachers and parents, and pushed for a statewide SafERR club in public secondary and tertiary institutions. Security & Crime Control: NDLEA reports arresting 42 suspected drug traffickers in Edo and seizing 4,905.36kg of illicit drugs, including cannabis plantations destroyed. Powerline Crackdown: Edo demolished illegal stalls and structures under a 132kV powerline at Egor Market after a fire, urging traders to comply with right-of-way rules. Governance Updates: Edo Governor Okpebholo appointed two Special Advisers—on Diaspora Affairs and Islamic Religious Matters—to deepen stakeholder engagement. Youth & Jobs: NYSC and Wema Bank trained outgoing corps members in Edo with entrepreneurship and personal branding skills. Education Access: Wellspring University, Benin, got NUC approval for five new health-related undergraduate programmes. Elections Peace Call: Edo’s National Orientation Agency urged voters and parties to conduct the July 11 local government polls peacefully and credibly.

Drug Control in Edo: NDLEA says it arrested 42 suspected drug traffickers in Edo in June and seized 4,905.36kg of illicit drugs, including 4,169.02kg of cannabis, plus 54.2 litres of codeine syrup, while destroying three cannabis plantations. Local Safety Crackdown: Edo State demolished illegal structures and stalls under a 132kV high-tension line in Egor Market after a fire outbreak, with officials saying traders were informed and no goods were destroyed. Security Orders for Businesses: Edo Security Squad directed businesses to install CCTV by July 30 and warned against planned “7/7” cult celebrations, saying arrests and prosecutions will follow. Community Health Push: NYSC provided free medical services to residents in Aduwawa, Ikpoba-Okha, including eye care, screenings, free medicines and referrals. Edo Politics Ahead of LG Polls: NOA urged voters and parties to keep the July 11 local government elections peaceful, credible and violence-free. Culture & Identity: Edo Governor Okpebholo reiterated that returned Benin Bronzes belong to the Oba’s palace and should not be politicised, as Switzerland returned 18 artefacts.

Edo LG Poll Peace Call: Benin City’s National Orientation Agency (NOA) urged voters and political actors to keep the July 11 local government elections peaceful, credible and violence-free, stressing PVC-only voting and a ban on hate speech, vote-buying and intimidation. Benin City Deportee Reunited: Edo State says it rescued a 53-year-old Nigerian deported from the US who was found wandering in Benin City, then arranged specialist care and reunited him with family. Anti-Corruption Court Win: EFCC secured convictions of 10 people in Delta and Edo for naira mutilation—spraying money while dancing—under the CBN Act. Electricity Debt Warning: NERC reported Togo, Benin and Niger failed to fully pay a $12.66m electricity bill in Q1 2026, remitting only about 27.6%. Energy & Education Push: NEPL/Seplat JV awarded N18m education grants after its PEARLs Quiz, while Seplat says it ended routine gas flaring and expanded LPG investment. Security Deadline: Edo’s security squad ordered business owners to install CCTV by July 30 and warned against planned 7/7 cult celebrations. Culture Restitution: Oba of Benin Ewuare II received 18 returned Benin bronzes from Switzerland, calling them records of governance and spirituality.

Wildlife Recovery in Benin: Researchers report West African leopard density in Pendjari National Park rose from 0.62 to 2.08 animals per 100 sq km between 2017 and 2023—an encouraging sign for a regionally endangered population. Cultural Restitution: Oba of Benin Ewuare II received 18 returned Benin artefacts from Switzerland, renewing calls for Germany to honour restitution pacts and stressing the bronzes’ spiritual and governance value. Security Push in Edo: The Edo State Security Squad ordered business owners in Benin City to install CCTV by July 30 and warned against “7/7” cult-linked celebrations. Anti-Naira Abuse Court Case: EFCC secured convictions of 10 people in Delta and Edo for naira mutilation/abuse, including spraying notes at parties. Energy & Environment: Seplat says it ended routine gas flaring across its onshore operations by end-2025 and expanded LPG investment, with distribution from its Sapele plant starting April 20, 2026. Sports (Benin vs Nigeria): Benin U-17 women’s coach Idah Azonsou backs a comeback after a 3-2 first-leg loss to Nigeria’s Flamingos, with the return in Lomé on July 11.

Benin Bronzes Repatriation: Oba of Benin Ewuare II urged Germany to honour its pact with the Palace as Switzerland formally handed over 18 Benin artefacts, renewing the push to keep the works tied to Edo’s royal heritage. U-17 Women’s Football: Benin coach Idah Azonsou says qualification is still “open” after a 3-2 first-leg loss to Nigeria’s Flamingos, while Nigeria’s Akeem Busari warns his side must tighten up defensively ahead of the return in Lomé on July 11. Energy & Environment: Seplat Energy says it ended routine gas flaring across all its onshore operations by end-2025 and is expanding LPG supply, with distribution from its Sapele plant starting April 20, 2026. Benin–Nigeria Power Payments: Nigeria’s electricity debt to Benin, Togo and Niger rose to about N17.45bn after international customers paid only 27.57% of invoices in Q1 2026. Education Funding: University of Benin launched a ₦100bn Trust Development Fund to upgrade infrastructure, strengthen teaching and expand research.

Angola–Benin Diplomacy: Angola and Benin opened their first political consultation session in Cotonou, agreeing to deepen cooperation across politics, trade, culture, tourism and air transport, including plans for a visa exemption deal and an air transport instrument. Edo Social Support: Edo State reunited a 53-year-old US deportee, Peter Guobadia, with his family after rescuing him in Benin City and sending him for urgent medical and psychiatric care. Cleaner Energy Push: Seplat says it ended routine gas flaring across all its onshore operations by end-2025 and is expanding LPG investment to boost cooking gas availability. U-17 Women’s Football: Benin’s U-17 coach Idah Azonsou backs a comeback after a 3-2 first-leg loss to Nigeria’s Flamingos; Nigeria’s Akeem Busari says Benin must be met with better play in the second leg in Lomé. Education Funding: University of Benin launched a ₦100bn Trust Development Fund to upgrade infrastructure, research and teaching, backed by alumni, corporates and partners. Power Debt Watch: Nigeria’s electricity debt to Benin, Togo and Niger is reported at about ₦17.45bn, with low remittances from international customers.