By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

 Nigeria recorded $947 million in remittance inflows through International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) in July 2026, the highest monthly inflow ever recorded through formal channels and approaching the US$1 billion monthly target set by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso.

IMTO inflows reached $3.

8 billion in the first seven months of 2026 — 50.2 per cent higher than the same period in 2025, pointing to a significant strengthening in flows through formal channels.

The increase follows a series of reforms by the CBN aimed at making formal remittance channels more competitive, transparent and accessible.

These include a move to a more market-determined exchange rate, reforms to the regulatory framework for IMTOs, and the introduction of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN), alongside closer engagement with IMTOs, banks, and Nigerian diaspora communities. More recently, the CBN has strengthened requirements for remittance transactions to be routed through designated settlement accounts with authorised dealer banks.

The significance extends beyond the headline figure. Increasing diaspora flows through formal channels boosts foreign-exchange liquidity and transparency, supports households and investment, and strengthens Nigeria’s external financing position.“When we set a clear ambition to reach US$1 billion a month in remittance inflows through formal channels nearly two years ago, some people thought we were dreaming. At $947 million in July, we are now approaching that milestone,” Governor Cardoso said.

While individual monthly figures will naturally vary, the CBN’s focus is on the broader trajectory and on sustaining the shift towards formal channels. The significant increase in inflows recorded so far in 2026 points to the growing impact of reforms designed to make formal remittance channels more competitive, accessible and transparent.

The CBN is building on this momentum by deepening engagement with Nigerian diaspora communities and financial-sector partners across key remittance corridors. As part of its wider international engagements, the Bank will continue to use opportunities in major global financial centres to engage diaspora communities, IMTOs, banks and other stakeholders to reduce friction, widen access and bring a greater share of remittance flows into formal channels.

Cardoso added: “July is an important marker, but our focus is not on a single month. It is on creating the conditions for sustained growth in formal remittances. We expect to keep seeing improvement and believe Nigeria can reach and ultimately sustain monthly inflows above US$1 billion.” 

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of replacing some of its legitimately nominated candidates for the 2027 general elections with individuals the party says it neither nominated nor authorised.

The allegation followed INEC’s publication on Sunday of candidates for the 2027 State Houses of Assembly elections, with the NDC raising particular concern over entries in Anambra State, the home state of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

In a statement, the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, alleged that nine names published as NDC candidates in various Anambra constituencies were unknown to the party and were not contained in the final list submitted by its leadership.

Zuwoghe called on the INEC Chairman to urgently investigate how the disputed names found their way onto the commission’s published list. He also urged the commission to extend the investigation to Benue, Imo and other states where, according to him, similar discrepancies had been observed.

The NDC chairman said the development had embarrassed the party and its genuine candidates while creating disaffection among supporters in Nigeria and the diaspora.

According to him, preliminary findings from an internal investigation by the party suggested possible complicity by some INEC officials in the alleged substitution of candidates.

“We, as a party, are also carrying out our own independent investigation, the preliminary findings of which are already pointing to the complicity of INEC officials in foisting names purporting to be our candidates, but who are not from us,” he alleged.

The party identified the disputed names published for Anambra State House of Assembly constituencies as Umennaajiego Jude Ezenwa for Onitsha South 1; Akpotue Obinna Chibuike for Onitsha South 2; Nwankwo Chiemerie for Orumba North; Maduagwu Eric K for Anaocha 1; Ngoebisi Obinna for Idemili North; Isintume Charles for Njikoka 1; Nwachukwu Nonso for Nnewi South 1; Okeke Ifeanyi Akunne for Nnewi South 2; Nnonyelu Samson E for Ayamelum; and Azotani Chuks Francis for Dunukofia.

Zuwoghe said the party had followed its internal nomination process after the conclusion of its primaries and appeal proceedings.

He explained that stakeholders from Anambra, the NDC leadership, representatives of Obi and members of the appeals panel had produced and signed off on a final list of candidates before it was uploaded to the INEC portal using credentials supplied by the commission.

The chairman, however, alleged that INEC officials subsequently kept nine entries on “Pending” status, claiming that their system already contained names submitted by officials who monitored the party’s primaries.

He said the NDC challenged the disputed entries and submitted the identities of candidates it considered legitimate, but alleged that the commission did not replace the names in question.

According to him, INEC later collected Form EC-9 directly from the individuals whose candidacies were being disputed and uploaded the forms without going through the party leadership.

“To further confirm that there was a predetermined effort on the part of INEC to impose the said nine candidates on the party, and embarrass both NDC and Mr. Peter Obi, INEC went behind the NDC to collect the Form EC-9 directly from the candidates, bypassing the party, and uploading same,” he alleged.

The NDC chairman argued that where discrepancies existed between a party’s official submission and information obtained by INEC’s monitoring teams, the commission should have suspended the affected entries pending clarification rather than publish candidates the party said it did not nominate.

“At the very worst, INEC could have left us with no candidates for those positions, if they knew they were unwilling to engage us in addressing any perceived anomaly,” he said.

The party alleged that the development formed part of a wider pattern in which opposition parties were allegedly prevented from uploading their preferred candidates while other names were introduced into their candidate lists.

Zuwoghe said the NDC would pursue the matter through the courts and other available legal channels to have what it described as its authentic candidates restored.

“We are moving to approach the court of competent jurisdiction to seek redress and restore our authentic candidates,” he said, urging party supporters to disregard the published individuals as representatives of the NDC.

The allegations have not been independently established in the statement, and the NDC called on INEC to investigate and clarify the circumstances surrounding the disputed candidate entries.

By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has taken Nigeria’s concerns over recurring xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks against Africans and other nationals in South Africa to the African Union, urging continental leaders to adopt collective measures to protect the safety and dignity of Africans across national borders.

Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the call on Sunday at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Luanda, Angola.

The President urged the AU to place the issue on the agenda of its 40th Ordinary Session scheduled for January 2027, saying the recurring attacks undermine African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence.

“While recognising South Africa’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws and acknowledging its contributions to the continent, Nigeria stresses that such attacks undermine African solidarity, unity and peaceful coexistence, and require urgent collective attention,” Tinubu said.

He called for stronger continental efforts to combat xenophobia and Afrophobia through dialogue, preventive diplomacy and collective action.

Tinubu’s intervention formed part of a broader call for greater African ownership of the continent’s peace and security challenges. He backed the adoption of the Luanda Action Plan as a practical framework for strengthening conflict prevention, arguing that preventing conflicts was more cost-effective and sustainable than managing them after violence had erupted.

The President also expressed concern over growing reliance on foreign military forces, mercenaries and private defence contractors, warning that external involvement could weaken African institutions and the principle of African ownership.

He urged arms-producing and exporting countries to work more closely with African states to prevent weapons and ammunition manufactured in their jurisdictions from being diverted to terrorists and other non-state armed groups.

According to Tinubu, although the AU has established mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts, limited trust among member states and inconsistent implementation continue to weaken their effectiveness.

He therefore called for sustainable and predictable financing for AU peace operations and the full operationalisation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 to strengthen the continental body’s capacity to respond to conflicts and crises.

“Let us therefore renew our collective commitment to solidarity, cooperation, and shared responsibility as we build the Africa we want,” the President said.

Three-week European vacation

Shortly after the AU engagement, Tinubu departed Abuja on Sunday for a three-week vacation in Europe as part of his annual leave.

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, London, United Kingdom, is the President’s first port of call.

The Presidency said the vacation was designed to enable Tinubu to rest and recharge after months of intensive engagement with matters of governance.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said Tinubu had spent the past six to seven months heavily engaged with issues concerning the economy, security and other aspects of national administration.

Dare said the timing of the break was also significant as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.

He explained that the President was entering a period of several months of sustained political activity and campaigning, while governance would continue during his absence.

Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria after the working vacation and join the campaign activities ahead of the January 2027 election season.

The Presidency did not disclose the President’s detailed itinerary or other destinations he may visit during the three-week break.

The President’s departure comes against the backdrop of heightened political preparations at home and his renewed call for African leaders to pursue collective, home-grown solutions to the continent’s security and social challenges.