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By Spotlight African Reporters Date: August 19, 2026 WASHINGTON/TEHRAN — United States President Donald Trump has ruled out any immediate talks with Iran, saying no negotiations are currently taking place and none are scheduled, as tensions over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate. Trump also insisted that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and operational, directly contradicting Iran’s position that the waterway is still closed to shipping until Washington meets conditions set by Tehran. The conflicting positions have deepened uncertainty surrounding efforts to restore commercial shipping through the strait, a critical global energy route through which a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes. Iranian officials say the waterway will remain closed until the United States lifts its blockade of Iranian ports, removes oil sanctions, releases frozen Iranian assets and ends military threats and operations again...

ABUJA — August 19, 2026 Presidential candidates and national chairmen of major political parties have signed the first 2027 National Peace Accord, pledging to pursue their political ambitions peacefully and protect Nigeria’s democratic stability ahead of the 2027 general elections. The agreement was signed on Tuesday at the International Conference Centre in Abuja during a ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.). President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was absent from the ceremony, was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. Akume signed the accord on behalf of the President alongside the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda. The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, and the African Action Congress candidate, Omoyele Sowore, personally signed the agreement. Representatives of several ot...

Date: 18 August 2026 Reporting Date: 19 August 2026 By Spotlight African Reporters LAGOS — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed 329,865.585 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs, with an estimated street value of ₦301.058 billion, in a court-ordered exercise at Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos State. The drugs were destroyed following concluded uncontested cases and the recovery of abandoned consignments. According to the agency, the Lagos Strategic Command accounted for 246,864.535kg of the seized substances between April 2025 and May 2026, while another 83,001.05kg was recovered by other NDLEA commands operating across Lagos. The destroyed substances included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, various cannabis varieties, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup, other opioids and khat leaves. NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), said the exercise demonstrates Nigeria’s determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks and ...

19th AUGUST 2026 Tension has gripped Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State following a deadly attack that reportedly claimed the lives of more than 20 people. Women from affected communities have taken to the streets in protest, expressing deep grief and outrage over the loss of lives and the worsening security situation. The protesters are demanding urgent and decisive action from the government and security agencies to protect residents, prevent further attacks and restore peace to the affected communities. The development has heightened concerns over the safety of residents across the area. More updates as the situation develops.

The Federal Government has pledged to intensify investments in Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure as part of efforts to tackle persistent blackouts and improve power supply across the country. Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, gave the assurance in Lagos while commissioning major transmission projects at the Alausa and Lekki transmission substations. The Alausa project includes a new 100MVA, 132/33kV transformer, which increases the substation’s capacity from 135MVA to 205MVA. Officials say the upgrade is expected to provide more stable electricity to about 70,000 residents in Alausa and surrounding areas. At the Lekki transmission substation, additional transformers have also significantly increased electricity transformation capacity to meet growing residential, commercial and industrial demand. Tegbe said the Federal Government would continue investing in critical transmission infrastructure across Lagos, Abuja, the Kaduna-Kano corridor, Enugu, Port Harcourt and other p...

19 AUGUST 2026 | ABUJA President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday held a series of closed-door meetings with senior political figures at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as Nigeria entered a new phase of preparations for the 2027 presidential election. Among those who met with the President were Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives member Alhassan Ado Doguwa, representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State. Akpabio arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 6:12 p.m., joining Tinubu in a private meeting. Other senior government figures, including Marine and Blue Economy Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris and Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake, were also reported to have been at the Villa. The meetings came hours before the official commencement of campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections. Earlier on Tuesday, political parties and presidentia...