AGP Executive Report

Niger Security & Governance: Niger’s authorities say they’re profiling unregistered pastoralists and treating anyone entering Niger State without a permit as a rustler, as security agencies step up monitoring of herders’ movement and curb infiltration. Regional Politics & Courts: Chad has announced plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, joining Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, while the U.S. continues pushing other states to leave. Niger Development: Niger State secured a $150m IsDB loan for a 100MW solar project, with officials citing improved delivery on the Minna–Bida road. Justice & Institutions: Niger State lawmakers passed the Magistrates’ Courts Law, 2026, aiming to strengthen local justice and also urged expansion of solar-powered irrigation for food security. Media Freedom in the Sahel: WAJSIC launched a report on press freedom and journalists’ safety across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, warning of growing restrictions, surveillance and intimidation. Diplomacy: Niger’s president met Russia’s ambassador in Niamey to discuss bilateral issues, including preparations for the next Russia–Africa summit.

ICC Exit Wave: Chad has formally notified the UN it will withdraw from the International Criminal Court, calling the tribunal “limited and uneven” and accusing it of bias against Africa; the move follows Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso starting their own withdrawal processes and comes as the US pushes a wider campaign to dismantle the ICC. Niger State Justice & Farming: Niger State lawmakers passed the Magistrates’ Courts Law, 2026, aiming to strengthen local justice, while also urging expansion of solar-powered irrigation to boost dry-season farming. Land Administration Crackdown (Niger State): The state says it has revoked undeveloped land allocations, stopped councils from issuing new occupancy rights in some urban areas, and is tightening land dispute handling. Media Under Pressure (WAJSIC): WAJSIC released a report on press freedom in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, citing legal restrictions, surveillance, economic pressure and intimidation against journalists. Energy Push (Niger State): Niger State secured a $150m IsDB loan for a 100MW solar project, with a $10m counterpart contribution. Health Alert (Niger State): World Hepatitis Day activities in Niger State highlight high hepatitis rates and blame low awareness for spread.

ICC Withdrawal Wave: Chad has formally notified the UN it plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, calling the court “limited and uneven” and accusing it of focusing on Africa; the move follows similar steps by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, and comes as the U.S. urges more countries to quit the Rome Statute. Niger Security & Messaging: President Abdourahamane Tiani condemned killings carried out under the banner of “jihad,” saying it is manipulation, and urged Nigeriens to stay steadfast and continue prayers for the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Anti-Terror Governance Debate: Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s directive asking Fulani leaders to identify criminals and terrorists drew support from Prof. Anthony Kila, who warned against stereotyping whole ethnic groups while backing lawful action against hate and violence. Digital Civil Registration: Nigeria’s National Population Commission began digital birth and death registration in Niger State under the E-CRVS system, saying birth registration coverage is about 57% and death registration is below 20%. Climate & Food Stress: A report highlights how climate change and heat are worsening inequality, with Niger and other Sahel countries flagged among places facing a deadly “mortality-cooling trap,” while another piece focuses on millet pests threatening household harvests and food security.

Civil Registration Push: Niger State’s National Population Commission has started digital birth and death registration on the VitalReg platform under the E-CRVS system, aiming to close major identity and data gaps. Security Upgrade in Niger: Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago launched a 218-member Violent Crime Response Unit and commissioned 12 police patrol vehicles to tackle banditry, kidnapping and communal violence. Youth Service Camp: Bago broke ground on the Phase One permanent NYSC orientation camp in Niger State, with land set aside for training and farming activities. Insecurity and Justice: Niger’s junta marks three years in power amid rising violence and tighter freedoms, while regional reporting highlights how insecurity is driving military coups across West Africa. International Court Fallout: Chad officially began withdrawing from the ICC, joining Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso in citing bias and uneven effectiveness. Cross-Border Crime Case: A stolen Toyota Highlander reportedly moved from Nigeria to Niger and back, with police saying paperwork checks finally exposed the scheme. Health Funding Warning: UNAIDS warns that funding cuts could reverse HIV gains, with millions still lacking treatment.

ICC Leadership Crisis: The International Criminal Court is scrambling for a new prosecutor after Karim Khan’s dismissal, as Chad joins other states already starting withdrawal moves (Venezuela, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger), and a successor vote is unlikely before next year. Niger Security & France Tensions: Niger’s transitional leader Abdourahamane Tchiani says French intelligence is preparing a third attack on Niamey’s Diori Hamani airport, after the June 18 assault that killed 13, and he also signals plans to expand the joint Sahel force. Heat, Power, and Life Loss: New research warns extreme heat could add about 430,000 deaths per year by 2050, with countries like Niger hit hardest where electricity for cooling is limited. Kidnapping in Kebbi: Gunmen abduct a Kebbi High Court judge, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, from his home; police say teams are combing forests to find him. Local Tech for Planning: A UN-backed Minecraft-based tool is being used to co-design public spaces, including projects in Niger. Youth Sports: Nigeria’s Flying Eagles begin their WAFU B U-20 title defence against Ghana in Yamoussoukro, aiming for a win from day one.

Sahel Security: Niger’s coup leader Abdourahamane Tchiani says France and Europe are behind recent jihadist attacks, including the June assault on Niamey’s airport, and vows to triple the Sahel joint force to 18,000 troops. ICC Fallout: African states are weighing their next move after the International Criminal Court removed prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct allegations, with a successor vote unlikely before 2027. Elections Watch (Nigeria): INEC chair Joash Amupitan told staff Nigeria cannot afford to fail the 2027 polls, while former VON boss Osita Okechukwu argued credible elections are the best antidote to intra-party impunity. Cross-Border Trade: ECOWAS resolved a dispute over Nigerian onion trucks detained in Ghana, letting the consignments offload and urging lasting reforms to prevent repeat disruptions. Regional Football: Nigeria’s Flying Eagles open their WAFU B U-20 campaign against Ghana in Yamoussoukro, aiming to start with a win to defend the trophy. Human Rights (Niger): Lawyers for deposed President Mohamed Bazoum renewed calls for his immediate release, saying he has been held without access to a magistrate since the 2023 coup.

Election Watch (2027): INEC chair Joash Amupitan met Abdulsalami Abubakar in Minna, pledging that Nigerians’ votes will count and warning staff that misconduct will bring sanctions as the commission ramps up preparations for Jan 16 presidential/legislative and Feb 6 governorship/state assembly polls. Security & Oil: Niger’s oil sector faces rising risk as armed groups expand across multiple fronts, putting pressure on infrastructure and transport routes and raising investor concerns. Community Violence: Gunmen attacked Tashar Hajiya in Niger State, killing one man and abducting three residents, prompting police patrols and intelligence efforts. Politics & Unity in Niger State: Governor Umaru Bago urged APC candidates and aspirants to close ranks ahead of 2027, while also pledging continued women’s representation in governance. Tension Over Fulani Remarks: Sheikh Ahmad Gumi cautioned Bago to be more measured after his public warnings to Fulani leaders over kidnapping and banditry. Regional Trade: ECOWAS resolved a dispute over Nigerian onion trucks detained in Ghana, allowing consignments to offload at Kotoku Market and averting further losses. Energy Deal: ECOWAS signed the legal framework for a $25bn Nigeria–Morocco mega gas pipeline, with construction expected to start in 2028 and gas volumes aimed at Morocco and Europe.

Niger Security & Governance: Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago is facing pushback after remarks to the Fulani community, with cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi urging him to be more measured in a multi-religious society. Bago, meanwhile, renewed calls for Fulani leaders to identify criminal elements and work with security agencies to curb kidnappings and banditry, while also pledging to sustain women’s representation in governance. Elections in Focus: INEC chair Prof. Joash Amupitan told Niger State staff and stakeholders that Nigerians’ votes will count in the 2027 elections, warning that misconduct will bring sanctions and stressing professionalism as the world watches; the timetable cited is Jan. 16, 2027 (presidential/NA) and Feb. 6, 2027 (governorship/State Houses). Regional Trade: ECOWAS resolved a dispute over Nigerian onion trucks detained in Ghana, allowing the consignments to offload and averting a wider trade fallout, though exporters and traders are calling for lasting reforms to prevent repeat disruptions. Human Rights & Detention: Lawyers for Niger’s deposed President Mohamed Bazoum renewed calls for his release, saying he has been held for three years without clear access to legal process. Sahel Reality Check: Coverage also highlights how insecurity after Niger’s 2023 coup continues to worsen, with attacks and displacement rising in areas like Tillabery.

Niger Security & Governance: Niger is still searching for stability three years after the 26 July 2023 coup, with Tillabery’s jihadist violence driving mass displacement and a worsening humanitarian crisis. Human Rights in Focus: Lawyers for deposed President Mohamed Bazoum are demanding his immediate release, saying he has been held for three years without being brought before a magistrate and with almost no family access. Legislative Oversight Pressure: Niger’s Senate warned heads of MDAs and GOEs that they face sanctions if they ignore committee invitations, pushing for full compliance with oversight. Elections & Civic Trust (Nigeria, with regional relevance): INEC chairman Joash Amupitan reiterated that Nigerians’ votes will count in 2027, while voter registration in Niger State shows low turnout linked to cost, delays, and public skepticism. Regional Trade: ECOWAS resolved a dispute over detained Nigerian onion trucks in Ghana, letting consignments offload—though trade groups warn barriers may return without lasting reforms. Migration Watch: New figures say 1,429 Nigerians were repatriated from Niger in May 2026, highlighting continued stranded migrants along the Sahel route.

Elections Watch: INEC chair Prof. Joash Amupitan renewed his promise that every valid vote will count in 2027, speaking in Minna during courtesy visits to former heads of state Abdulsalami Abubakar and Ibrahim Babangida, while Abubakar urged INEC to stay impartial despite political pressure. Court Orders: A High Court ordered INEC to reprint Osun ballot papers after ruling that another party must be included, raising the stakes for the fast-approaching Osun governorship poll. APC Candidate Uploads: Nigeria’s APC says it has uploaded governorship nomination details for Kwara’s Yakubu Danladi-Salihu to INEC’s portal, alongside other candidates, as the party works to meet INEC’s August 8 deadline. Niger Security & Governance: A week of Niger-focused reporting also highlights the worsening humanitarian toll of the 2023 coup, with jihadist attacks driving mass displacement in Tillabery, while Niger State Governor Umaru Bago pushes the North Central Development Commission to prioritize insecurity, farmer-herder clashes and climate impacts. Regional Moves: ECOWAS reaffirmed plans to roll out the ECO single currency in phases by 2027, with key issues still to be agreed.

ECOWAS Single Currency: ECOWAS leaders reaffirmed plans to roll out the ECO single currency in phases, starting with countries meeting criteria like inflation and debt stability, while key issues remain on the central bank and decision rules. Oriire Terror Case: A Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced three men linked to the Oriire school abduction in Oyo State to life imprisonment after guilty pleas to terrorism-related charges, with DSS signalling it may appeal. Niger Politics & Security: Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago warned critics of Nigeria’s federal government, while also urging the Fulani community to cooperate with security agencies and promising firm action against inflammatory preaching. Niger Biometric Passports: Niger’s Prime Minister received AES biometric passports, with fingerprinting aimed at reducing fraud and standardising travel documents. AFCON 2032 Bid: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger submitted a joint bid to host AFCON 2032 despite ongoing insecurity across the Sahel. Trade Pressure at Ghana Border: Niger-linked onion traders in Ghana’s Kotoku Market say seized trucks are still stuck, warning of losses and a potential trade crisis. Sports: Niger Tornadoes signed Bashir Musa from El-Kanemi Warriors as they rebuild ahead of the new season.

Sahel Security: The US is reportedly weighing military action against an al-Qaeda affiliate (JNIM) in Mali, a move that could mark another escalation in Washington’s counterterrorism push across the region. Court & Terrorism: Nigeria’s Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced three men linked to the Oriire school kidnapping in Oyo State to life imprisonment after guilty pleas tied to terrorism-related offences and concealment of information; the DSS says it will appeal, arguing the killings of teachers should merit the death penalty. Niger State Policing: Niger State Police recovered a stolen vehicle in Lapai after arresting two suspects in Kano, with the case linked to a vehicle theft syndicate. Sports & Local Development: Niger Governor Umaru Bago pledged a 30,000-capacity international stadium in Niger State, while Niger Tornadoes begin a major squad rebuild ahead of the 2026/27 NPFL season. Regional Football Bid: CAF has cleared Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to proceed in the joint AFCON 2032 hosting bid process.

Oriire Terror Case: Three men from Niger State—Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani—pleaded guilty and were sentenced to life imprisonment in Abuja over their role in the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo’s Oriire area, with the court linking them to terrorism-related charges. Sahel Security: The US is reportedly weighing military options in Mali to target the al-Qaeda-linked JNIM, while analysts note the Sahel’s jihadists increasingly exploit mines for cash and influence across Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. AFCON 2032 Bid: CAF has accepted the joint declaration of interest from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to co-host AFCON 2032, a first formal step in the bidding process that still requires full bid documents and security planning. Niger Environment: An Australian “forest maker” approach is credited with helping Niger farmers regenerate over 200 million trees by reviving living stumps, roots and buried seeds. Niger Governance & Rights: Human Rights Watch says Niger’s junta has entrenched authoritarian rule since the 2023 coup, intensifying repression and shrinking civic space.

Sahel Security: The AU condemned fresh attacks on Niger and Mali’s forces, including a July 17 strike in Tillabéri that killed 16 soldiers and a July 18 ambush on a Malian convoy, warning terrorism is resurging across the region. AFCON 2032 Bid: CAF opened bidding for AFCON 2028, 2032 and 2036, and confirmed it has accepted the joint 2032 interest from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—an AES push to bring the tournament to the Sahel. Terror Financing via Mining: ACLED says jihadist-linked groups in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali are increasingly exploiting mines to fund violence, control routes and expand influence. Niger APC Politics: Niger’s APC is in crisis as members move toward reconciliation amid warnings of looming mass defection ahead of 2027. Health & Displacement: Reports highlight ongoing violence against healthcare workers and displacement pressures across conflict zones, underscoring the human cost of Sahel instability.

ECOWAS Currency Push: ECOWAS leaders meeting in Lungi, Sierra Leone reaffirmed plans to launch the ECO single currency in 2027, with qualifying states adopting first and others supported to join later. Regional Leadership: Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was elected rotating ECOWAS chair, with Birame Diop named to lead the ECOWAS Commission from September 1. Niger APC Crisis: In Niger State, APC stakeholders are warning of possible mass defection ahead of 2027, accusing Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of candidate “imposition” and calling for urgent intervention by Tinubu and party chair Nentawe Yilwatda. Security in the Sahel: Reports say 50+ Malian soldiers were killed in an attack near Anefis, while Niger also recorded a deadly militant assault on a military unit. Terrorism Court Case: Nigeria’s Federal High Court sentenced two senior Ansaru commanders to life imprisonment for terrorism-linked offences. Public Health Watch: Niger State is investigating a suspected infectious disease after one child died and others in the same family were affected. Child Trafficking Crackdown: Niger police arrested two suspected traffickers and rescued nine children.

APC Candidate Uploads: Nigeria’s ruling APC has started uploading governorship and House of Assembly candidates to INEC’s portal, with the exercise set to run until August 8, even as protests continue over alleged candidate substitutions in states like Kwara, Benue and Ondo. Niger Diplomatic Ties: Niger’s foreign minister Bakary Yaou Sangare met Qatar’s PM and foreign affairs chief in Doha to discuss bilateral cooperation and mutual interests. AFCON 2032 Bid: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have submitted a joint bid to host AFCON 2032, with CAF accepting their expression of interest as the first official step. ECOWAS ECO Currency: West African leaders reaffirmed plans to launch the ECO single currency in 2027, starting with countries meeting convergence criteria. AMCON Wind-Down Scrutiny: Nigeria’s Senate cleared AMCON board chair nominee Lamido Yuguda and ordered AMCON to compile a full operations record ahead of its 2030 wind-down. Security & Justice: Niger State police arrested suspects over toy pistols, ATM cards and a stolen vehicle; meanwhile, NSCDC in Lagos rescued 106 youths from a fake “university” scam. Niger APC Peace Move: Niger State Governor Umaru Bago set up a peace and reconciliation committee after communal clashes in Borgu Emirate.