Policy Dossier

🇺🇸 NYC Mayor Mamdani says city can’t arrest Netanyahu, urges U.S. to act New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says the city has no legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York, despite the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant. Mamdani said he had previously explored the possibility but, after legal review, concluded only the U.S. federal government could decide whether to enforce the warrant. He urged Washington to honor its international obligations, while reiterating that Netanyahu is “not welcome” in New York. The U.S. is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its jurisdiction. #USA #NewYork #Israel #Netanyahu #ICC npr.org/2026/07/22/g-s…

Iranian Guards turn back six vessels in Strait of Hormuz Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they turned back six vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz via routes not approved by Iranian authorities. State media reported warning shots were fired, while one vessel was involved in an unspecified “incident.” The development comes as tensions remain high in one of the world’s most important oil shipping lanes. channelstv.com/2026/07/27/ira…

Chad to withdraw from ICC over alleged anti-Africa bias Chad has announced plans to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC), arguing the court’s work has been “limited and uneven” and disproportionately focused on African nations. The move follows similar withdrawal processes initiated by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, adding to growing tensions between some African states and the Hague-based court. channelstv.com/2026/07/27/cha…

Gianni Infantino hits back at World Cup critics FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the 2026 FIFA World Cup, accusing critics of “spreading hate and false rumours” in a lengthy open letter. He praised the tournament’s record attendance, safety and global unity, urging detractors to focus on football’s positive impact rather than controversy. channelstv.com/2026/07/27/inf…

Peter Obi: Nigeria must move from consumption to production Peter Obi says Nigeria’s economic revival depends on shifting from a consumption-driven economy to one focused on production, exports and value creation. He argued that boosting agriculture, manufacturing and industrialisation would create jobs, reduce imports and strengthen the naira over the long term. nairametrics.com/2026/07/27/pet…

NEWS: Peter Obi says it would be unrealistic to promise 24-hour electricity for all Nigerians within a single four-year term, arguing that building power plants and upgrading transmission infrastructure take years. He instead pledged to significantly improve generation, transmission and distribution if elected. ⚡🇳🇬 #Nigeria #Power nairametrics.com/2026/07/27/pet…

Oil slides to $92 as US-Iran pause lifts hopes for Hormuz reopening Global oil prices fell sharply on Monday, with Brent crude dropping to around $92 per barrel, as a weekend pause in US-Iran military strikes eased fears of prolonged supply disruptions. The de-escalation has renewed optimism that shipping could gradually resume through the vital Strait of Hormuz, a key route for roughly a fifth of the world’s traded oil. The decline follows weeks of heightened tensions that pushed oil above $100 a barrel amid concerns over restricted tanker traffic. Markets responded positively to signs of diplomacy, although analysts caution that risks remain, with shipping activity still below normal and regional security concerns unresolved. Lower oil prices also boosted global investor sentiment, lifting stock futures and easing concerns about inflation ahead of a busy week of central bank meetings and major corporate earnings announcements. channelstv.com/2026/07/27/oil…

NEWS: Peter Obi says he has what it takes to unite Nigeria, insisting his record—not rhetoric—shows his commitment to national unity. The former Anambra governor said his actions over the years demonstrate leadership across regional and ethnic lines as he seeks to convince Nigerians ahead of the 2027 race. #nigeria2027 channelstv.com/2026/07/26/i-w…

Comic-Con 2026: David Jonsson cast as Prince T’Challa II in Black Panther 3 Marvel Studios has officially announced Black Panther 3 at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, with British actor David Jonsson cast as the adult Prince T’Challa II, the son of the late King T’Challa. The film is set for release in December 2028 and will be directed by Ryan Coogler. The story will follow Prince T’Challa II’s coming-of-age journey as he embraces his Wakandan legacy. Letitia Wright returns as Shuri, while Marvel also confirmed Denzel Washington has joined the cast in a role written specifically for him. The announcement marks a new chapter for the franchise, continuing the legacy of Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa by focusing on the next generation of Wakanda’s royal family rather than recasting the original character. channelstv.com/2026/07/26/com…

Senior ISWAP finance operative, 46 others surrender to troops in Borno A senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative and 46 other terrorists and family members have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State, marking another significant breakthrough in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency campaign. According to the Nigerian Army, the senior operative served as ISWAP’s chief finance officer in the Jubillaram enclave, overseeing the group’s finances and logistics. He surrendered alongside two children, handing over an AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle, and ₦40,000. The military said the latest surrender follows sustained land and air offensives against terrorist strongholds, adding that the growing wave of defections reflects increasing pressure on ISWAP’s leadership, operational capability, and supply network in the North-East. channelstv.com/2026/07/26/sen…

INEC insists CVR ends today, urges Nigerians to register before deadline The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ends today, Sunday, July 26, urging all eligible Nigerians to register or update their voter details before the deadline. The commission said those yet to register can do so through the CVR portal or at designated INEC state and local government offices. The exercise also covers voter transfers, correction of personal information, and replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Despite calls from opposition parties and civil society groups for an extension, INEC has ruled out any further deadline shift, saying it must begin data cleaning, biometric verification, and preparation of the voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections. channelstv.com/2026/07/26/ine…

NEWS: Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian doctors and healthcare professionals living abroad to return home and contribute their expertise to rebuilding the country’s healthcare sector. The President said his administration would continue investing in medical education, digital health infrastructure and improved welfare conditions to encourage diaspora professionals to come back and support health sector reforms. The appeal comes as Nigeria continues to face challenges from the migration of skilled healthcare workers, with many doctors seeking better opportunities overseas. #Nigeria #Healthcare #Tinubu #Doctors #Diaspora nairametrics.com/2026/07/25/tin…

Lagos moves closer to Green Line rail funding. LAMATA has begun the African Development Bank (AfDB) appraisal process for financing the Lagos Green Line Rail project, marking a key step toward securing funding. The appraisal follows stakeholder engagements with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) to assess the project’s readiness, including environmental, social, institutional and financial requirements. #Lagos #GreenLine #RailTransport #Infrastructure #AfDB #Nigeria nairametrics.com/2026/07/25/lam…

Donald Trump made his first White House Correspondents’ Dinner appearance as president, mixing jokes with attacks on political rivals and the media. He also joked about seeking another term, despite the US Constitution’s two-term limit. #Trump #USPolitics theguardian.com/us-news/2026/j…

NEWS: Nigeria has begun drafting a new VAT Modification Order to align with the Tax Reform Acts that took effect on January 1, 2026. Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele has inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee with six weeks to deliver a modern VAT framework, including updated VAT-exempt and zero-rated lists. #Nigeria #TaxReform nairametrics.com/2026/07/24/tai…

NEWS: Nigeria is on course to nearly double crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day by 2030, according to the industry regulator, as reforms, faster approvals and fresh investment aim to revive output and restore the country’s position as Africa’s leading oil producer. #Nigeria #Oil bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

NEWS: Nigeria’s petrol imports more than tripled in June as the Dangote Refinery shifted more fuel to export markets to earn foreign currency, highlighting the balance between meeting domestic demand and boosting export revenues. #Nigeria #Energy bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Nigeria’s biggest lender, First HoldCo, expects profits to surge after its recapitalisation strengthened its balance sheet, reduced funding costs and improved loan recoveries. The bank says the capital raise is already translating into stronger earnings momentum. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

NEWS: Aliko Dangote is chasing a bold $100 billion vision for the Dangote Group, with the refinery at the heart of plans to transform Africa’s industrial landscape. The dynasty is betting on expansion, investment and major listings to cement its global ambitions. #Nigeria #Africa bloomberg.com/news/newslette…

Budget Office to Reps: No ₦1.3bn PFIPC allocation was spent. The Budget Office of the Federation has told the House of Representatives that not a single kobo allocated to the controversial PEAC/PFIPC was released or spent, insisting all statutory controls worked as intended. According to DG Tanimu Yakubu, no personnel, overhead or capital funds were drawn because the legal and administrative conditions for disbursement were never met. The Budget Office said it also withheld financial clearance, while the Finance Ministry and Accountant-General blocked any payment. channelstv.com/2026/07/24/no-…

Dangote explains London over Dubai for cement listing Dangote Cement says it chose London for its planned secondary listing because the UK offers a faster and more practical listing process than Dubai, making it a better fit for the company’s global expansion plans. The firm is targeting a listing by the end of 2026, though it could shift to early 2027 depending on the timing of the Dangote Refinery IPO. #Dangote #Cement #London #Business #Nigeria #Markets nairametrics.com/2026/07/24/dan…