AGP Executive Report

Roads & Health Funding: Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council approved major spending including N73.9bn for health, with N62bn for tuberculosis commodities and N6.9bn for mobile blood donation clinics, alongside big road and port investments. Borno Trade Corridors: Vice President Kashim Shettima flagged off rehabilitation of the Bama-Banki and Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala roads in Borno, saying better access can help farmers reach markets, patients reach care, and security respond faster. Hidden Hunger Warning: A new report highlights “hidden hunger” across Africa—people may eat enough calories but still lack key vitamins and minerals—linking micronutrient deficiencies to poor learning, anaemia, and weaker productivity. Niger LGBTQ+ Crackdown: Niger authorities have arrested at least 16 people under a new anti-LGBTQ law, with HIV services for men who have sex with men reportedly disrupted. Women’s & Children’s Policy Prep (North-Central): Niger’s federal women affairs ministry is harmonising state memoranda ahead of the national council, focusing on gender mainstreaming, reproductive health, child rights, and protection of vulnerable groups. Flood Risk & Health Impacts: West Africa’s severe flooding has displaced over 1.5 million people, damaging roads and livelihoods and raising urgent humanitarian and health concerns.

Roads & Health Access: Nigeria’s FG flagged off rehabilitation of Borno’s Bama-Banki and Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala roads, saying better mobility will help farmers reach markets, children get to school, and patients access healthcare faster. Hidden Hunger: A new report warns that “hidden hunger” from micronutrient deficiencies is widespread across Africa—children may eat enough to avoid famine but still suffer iron and vitamin gaps that harm learning and health. Floods & Public Health Risk: West Africa’s flooding crisis is displacing over 1.5 million people, damaging water and livelihoods—conditions that can quickly worsen disease risk. Niger Anti-LGBTQ Crackdown: Niger reports arrests under a new anti-LGBTQ law, with HIV service providers reportedly forced to stop work, raising concerns for sexual health and HIV prevention. Women’s Health Policy Prep (Niger State): Niger State is preparing for the national council on women affairs with memoranda covering reproductive health, child rights, and protection of vulnerable groups. Rabies Reminder: A fatal rabies case after bat contact highlights the need for immediate post-exposure care even without visible bites. Detention Conditions: A rights lawyer urges closure of Wawa Barracks in Niger State, alleging starvation and poor medical care for detainees.

Hidden Hunger: A new report highlights “invisible” malnutrition across Africa—millions eat enough to avoid hunger but still lack key vitamins and minerals, driving anaemia, poor learning, and lower productivity. Floods & Health Risks: West Africa’s severe flooding has displaced over 1.5 million people and damaged homes, roads, and farms, raising the stakes for waterborne disease risk and disrupted care. Niger LGBTQ+ Crackdown: Niger authorities have arrested at least 16 people under a new anti-LGBTQ penal code, with HIV service groups warning the crackdown is pushing people into hiding and cutting access to condoms, testing, and PrEP. Terrorism & Community Safety: Dr Bashir Kurfi warns that terrorists are increasingly moving into South West mining sites, while Nigeria reports thousands of terrorism convictions and ongoing security operations. Women & Children Policy: Niger and Nigeria-wide efforts focus on strengthening women’s affairs and child rights policies, including reproductive health and social welfare priorities. Health System Governance: Niger has inaugurated a 28-member advisory committee aimed at strengthening the health system.

LGBTQ+ Crackdown in Niger: Niger authorities have arrested at least 16 people under a new anti-LGBTQ law, with HIV service groups warning the crackdown is pushing people into hiding and disrupting access to condoms, testing and PrEP. Floods and Health Risks: West Africa is facing severe flooding, with reports of over 1.5 million displaced across countries including Niger, as damaged roads and disrupted services raise the risk of disease outbreaks. Terrorism Justice Pressure: A Nigerian human rights lawyer praised terrorism prosecutions in court but said over 20,000 suspects remain detained for years without trial, including calls to shut down Niger State’s Wawa Barracks over alleged starvation and poor medical care. Community Safety in Niger: Reports from Niger State describe clashes between herders and farmers causing deaths, injuries and displacement, underscoring ongoing insecurity that strains local health access. Health System Policy Prep: Niger’s government is preparing to strengthen its health system with an advisory committee aimed at improving coordination and service delivery. Cross-border Health Cooperation: St Petersburg and Niger State signed a cooperation MoU, including proposed work on medicine and pharmaceuticals.

ECOWAS Integration Push: President Tinubu urged ECOWAS to shift from a consumer market to a production-driven bloc, calling for deeper industrialisation, value chains, and intra-regional trade as the new ECOWAS headquarters opens in Abuja. Women & Children Policy Drive: Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women Affairs is harmonising North-Central state memoranda ahead of the 26th national council, with focus on gender mainstreaming, women’s empowerment, child rights, reproductive health, social welfare, and protection of vulnerable groups. Niger Anti-LGBTQ Crackdown Hits Health Services: Niger reports arrests under a new penal code criminalising same-sex relations, with HIV organisations warning the crackdown is forcing people into hiding and disrupting access to condoms, testing, and PrEP. Flood Tragedy in Mokwa: A 13-year-old boy died after floodwaters drowned him in Niger State’s Mokwa area, blamed on a culvert blockage during construction—another warning for safer drainage and site safety. Terror Justice Update: Nigeria says it secured 1,721 terrorism convictions since 2017 through mass trials, while also stressing due process where evidence is insufficient. NNPC Revenue Slips: NNPC reported May revenue fell by about 13% to ₦4.335tn and profit after tax dropped to ₦462bn despite stable crude and gas output.

Anti-LGBTQ crackdown in Niger: Nigerien authorities have arrested at least 16 people under a new penal code criminalizing same-sex relations, with reports of a “witch-hunt” and HIV services warning the climate is forcing people into hiding and disrupting access to condoms, testing and PrEP. Women and child health policy push: The federal government is harmonising state memoranda ahead of the 26th national council on women affairs and social development, with six focus areas including gender mainstreaming, child rights, reproductive health and protection of vulnerable groups. Floods and cholera risks across the region: Heavy rains have driven rising flood deaths in West Africa, while WHO reports Sudan’s cholera outbreak has killed 120 since May, with cases spreading amid conflict and weak health capacity. Niger security and health impacts: Reports describe clashes between herders and farmers in Niger State that have killed people and sent injured victims to hospitals, underscoring ongoing pressure on local care. Niger health system support: MAAUN Niger was ranked top in Niger Republic in THE Impact Rankings 2026, highlighting its health-sciences training output.

Health & Rights Under Pressure: Niger is facing a reported “witch-hunt” after a new penal code criminalised same-sex relations, with up to 40 arrests and at least 16 men imprisoned; HIV service providers say people are going into hiding, cutting access to condoms, testing and PrEP. Violence and Health Risks: In Niger State’s Rafi LGA, clashes between herders and farmers left multiple deaths and injuries, with victims reportedly taken to hospital in Minna and women, children and the elderly among those affected. Child Protection: Niger State officials confirmed the arrest of a police officer and two accomplices over alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl, with the ministry intervening after parents reported repeated assaults. Humanitarian Funding: The NRC warns Afghanistan is among the world’s most underfunded humanitarian crises, with only 16.9% of needed funds received—threatening access to basic services for millions. Health System Support: UNICEF has started evidence-based consultations to shape its 2028–2032 Nigeria country programme, focusing on children in Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa and Kwara.

Child Protection & Sexual Violence: Niger State Women Affairs confirms a police officer and two civilians arrested over alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl, with parents saying justice efforts were obstructed and warning that street hawking exposes girls to abuse. Community Safety & Violence: In Minna, Niger State, rival youth clashes left one dead and two injured after police intervention, with accounts split between police and residents. Health Planning for Children: UNICEF begins two-day consultations in Kaduna to set evidence-based priorities for its 2028–2032 country programme, covering Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa and Kwara and focusing on children’s welfare. Insecurity Spillover: Suspected bandits were reported moving toward Kotonkoro in Mariga LGA, Niger State, after a clash, with residents urged to stay vigilant (not yet officially confirmed). Public Health & Systems: Niger inaugurates a 28-member advisory committee to strengthen the health system. Climate & Health Risk: The Great Green Wall highlights Sahel restoration efforts that support resilience for livelihoods and health. Policy Watch: Niger’s new penal code has triggered arrests of LGBTQ+ people, with HIV service providers reporting disruptions and a worsening climate.

LGBTQ+ Rights & HIV Services: Niger is facing a “witch-hunt” after a new penal code criminalised same-sex relations, with up to 40 arrests and HIV service groups for men who have sex with men forced to stop work as people go into hiding. Child Protection & Sexual Violence: In Niger State, a police officer and two civilians were arrested over the alleged repeated rape of a 13-year-old girl; officials say families faced obstacles seeking justice and warn against diverting blame onto the victim. Cleft Care & Workforce: Smile Train launched its Africa Alumni Network, bringing surgeons and speech professionals (including from Niger) together to strengthen locally-led cleft treatment amid a continent-wide shortage of specialists. Routine Immunisation: Nigeria’s STRICAAN project used digital tools to enumerate 624,000 households and flag 90,000 zero-dose children, aiming to improve vaccine delivery in hard-to-reach areas. Road Safety: A trailer-tanker crash in Niger State’s Agaie LGA killed five people and injured eight, with reports pointing to a faulty tanker and risky overtaking. Menstrual Health: Aisha Ibrahim raised alarm over menstrual poverty, saying many girls lack affordable sanitary products and face infections and school absenteeism. Disaster Risk: NEMA warned of high flood risk in five Kwara LGAs, noting impacts on healthcare and public wellbeing.

Flood Preparedness in Kwara: NEMA warns five Kwara LGAs—Edu, Baruten, Kaiama, Moro and Patigi—face high flood risk in 2026, urging health, transport and water planning ahead of possible erratic rains. Flood Mitigation Call in Kogi: The Challenged Parenthood Initiative urges Kogi to work with the federal government on dredging the River Niger and building more dams after deadly floods. Child Protection Alarm in Niger State: Niger Women Affairs confirms a police officer and two others arrested over alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl, with officials calling for stronger safeguards for minors and tighter handling of bail. Menstrual Poverty Watch: A gender expert in Niger State warns rising costs and poor hygiene access are driving school absenteeism and increasing infection risk for girls. Immunisation Data Boost (Niger): STRICAAN reports digital mapping enumerated 624,000 households and flagged 90,000 zero-dose children in Niger and Adamawa to improve vaccine delivery. Road Crash Deaths (Niger): NEMA confirms five deaths and eight critical injuries in a trailer-tanker crash in Agaie, Niger State. Drug Abuse Response (Niger): Niger State pushes community anti-drug task forces as NDLEA reports major seizures and highlights manpower gaps.

Child Protection: Niger State Police arrested a police officer and two others over the alleged repeated rape of a 13-year-old girl, after her family reported repeated obstacles to justice; officials also warned against blaming victims and urged stronger safeguards for minors. Immunisation & Data: Nigeria’s STRICAAN project used digital tools to enumerate 624,000 households and identify 90,000 zero-dose children in Adamawa and Niger, aiming to improve routine vaccine delivery through better planning and partner coordination. Public Health & Safety: A road crash in Agaie, Niger State killed five people and injured eight after a trailer hit/failed to avoid a faulty tanker during an attempted overtake; victims were taken to General Hospital, Agaie. Health Equity: Aisha Ibrahim raised alarm over menstrual poverty in Nigeria, saying rising costs and poor hygiene access push girls to miss school and increase infection risk. Drug Abuse Response: Niger State called for stronger community anti-drug action as NDLEA reported major illicit drug seizures and convictions, citing manpower gaps. Water & Health Risk: A World Bank water review highlights that lead testing in drinking water is largely missing from active projects, raising concerns about preventable poisoning risks.

Menstrual health: Aisha Ibrahim warns Nigeria’s growing “menstrual poverty” is pushing girls to miss school and using unsafe materials, raising risks of infections and stigma. Immunisation data: STRICAAN’s digital tools enumerated 624,000 households in Adamawa and Niger and flagged 90,000 zero-dose children to improve routine vaccine delivery. Road safety in Niger: A trailer–tanker crash in Agaie, Niger State killed five and injured eight; NEMA links it to a faulty tanker and an attempted overtaking manoeuvre. Child protection: Niger State Police arrested two suspected child traffickers/ritualists in Suleja and rescued four children aged 4–7. Justice for sexual violence: A Niger State court sentenced four men to a total of 95 years for gang-raping and impregnating a 13-year-old girl. Drug abuse response: Niger State calls for stronger community anti-drug action as NDLEA reports major illicit drug seizures. Health system support: Niger inaugurates a 28-member advisory committee to strengthen the health system. Accountability pressure: SERAP gives Nigeria’s National Assembly seven days to investigate alleged diversion of ₦6.3bn constituency funds. Infrastructure with health links: Nigeria’s FEC approved major road projects and an airstrip in Gboko, which could improve access to care.

Road Safety & Emergency Response: Five people were killed and eight critically injured in a trailer–tanker crash in Agaie, Niger State, after a faulty tanker and an attempted overtaking manoeuvre caused the driver to lose control; victims were taken to the General Hospital, Agaie. Child Protection: Niger State Police arrested two suspected child traffickers and ritualists and rescued four children aged 4–7 in Suleja, with investigators finding fetish items and multiple parents later claiming the children. Drug Abuse Prevention: Niger State officials marked the UN Day Against Drug Abuse, warning of rising drug misuse and calling for stronger community anti-drug task forces amid NDLEA manpower gaps. Health System Strengthening: Niger inaugurated a 28-member state health advisory committee to improve coordination, evidence-based planning, and feedback between the Ministry of Health and the public. Accountability in Health Spending: SERAP urged Nigeria’s Senate President and House Speaker to refer alleged diversion of ₦6.3bn constituency project funds to anti-corruption agencies, demanding contractor disclosure and possible prosecution. Justice & Sexual Violence: A Niger State court sentenced four men to a total of 95 years for gang-raping a 13-year-old girl, leaving her pregnant. Public Health & Environment: Ogun State said recurring Ijebu-Ode gas emissions are linked to underground geological fault activity (methane and sulphide), not myths, after students and staff were hospitalized.

Health System Governance: Niger inaugurates a 28-member state health advisory committee in Minna to strengthen a more responsive, resilient health system, with a mandate for independent, evidence-based advice and better links between policymakers, researchers, and the public. Maternal & Child Health: Northern Nigeria’s community health gaps are driving poor human capital outcomes, with AHBN pointing to high maternal and child mortality, low immunisation, weak access to skilled care, and heavy out-of-pocket spending. Clean Cooking & Air Quality: A new IEA report warns that sub-Saharan Africa still lacks clean cooking—nearly 970 million people without clean fuels in 2024—and the gap could exceed 1 billion by 2027, with major health and environmental fallout. Nutrition Awareness: Nutrition Month in the Philippines remains crucial because too many children still aren’t growing properly, despite decades of campaigns. Violence & Child Protection: A Niger State court sentenced four men to a total of 95 years for gang-raping a 13-year-old girl and leaving her pregnant. Public Safety in Schools: WSO Nigeria’s SafERR campaign reached Edo schools with safety and emergency response training for students and teachers. Justice & Rights: DSS ordered the release of a Kaduna farmer, Nura Idris, wrongfully linked to Boko Haram, and paid N3 million compensation. Drug Control: NDLEA Niger Command reports seizing 10,127.84kg of illicit drugs and securing 173 convictions since 2025. Water Access: A global map highlights where safe drinking water remains out of reach, with over 2 billion people still lacking safely managed services. Child Trafficking: Niger State police arrested two women over alleged child trafficking and rescued four children aged 4–7.

Health System Strengthening (Niger): Niger inaugurated a 28-member state health advisory committee in Minna to give independent, evidence-based guidance to the Ministry of Health, review action plans and improve links between researchers, policymakers and communities. Community Health & Human Capital (Nigeria): The African Health Budget Network warned that gaps in Northern Nigeria’s healthcare are driving high maternal and child mortality, low immunisation and heavy out-of-pocket costs—undermining education and workforce productivity. Clean Cooking Crisis (Africa): A new International Energy Agency report says nearly 970 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack clean cooking, with the number rising fast and expected to exceed 1 billion by 2027—fueling major health and environmental harm. Drug Control (Niger): Niger’s NDLEA command reported seizing 10,127.84kg of illicit drugs and securing 173 convictions since 2025, urging stronger action against new drug types and trafficking methods. HIV/AIDS Politics (Global): The UN adopted a new HIV/AIDS political declaration, but the US and several countries—including Niger—voted against it, highlighting growing divisions as funding pressures mount. Electricity Disruption (Region): TCN scheduled grid maintenance that will temporarily cut power in parts of Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe and Gazaoua (Niger Republic), affecting distribution to customers.

Clean Cooking Crisis: An IEA report warns that nearly 970 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack clean cooking fuels, with the clean-cooking gap expected to exceed 1 billion by 2027 as population growth outpaces progress. Drug Control & Public Health: Niger’s NDLEA says it seized 10,127.84kg of illicit drugs and secured 173 convictions from 2025 to date, urging stronger action as new psychoactive substances complicate enforcement. Child Safety: Niger State Police arrested two women in Suleja over alleged child trafficking and ritual-linked activities, rescuing four children aged 4–7 after parents identified them as theirs. Justice & Community Reintegration: Nigeria’s DSS released Kaduna livestock farmer Nura Idris after an internal review found no Boko Haram links, paying N3 million compensation and promising support to restart his business. Energy & Health Access: TCN scheduled grid maintenance that will cause power disruptions across parts of Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe—and Gazaoua in Niger Republic—highlighting how outages can affect services. Sahel Peacebuilding: Catholic bishops in Burkina Faso and Niger are backing a “Sahel Peace University” to train leaders to tackle terrorism and violence through interfaith peace education.