AGP Executive Report

Niger-Russia Summit Prep: President Abdourahamane Tiani met Russia’s energy minister in Niamey, urging faster bilateral work ahead of the Russia–Africa summit in late October, with talks spanning energy, oil, mining, health, agriculture and the environment. Clean Transport Push (uneven rollout): Lagos, Kwara, Ekiti, Plateau and Enugu are moving on CNG buses and subsidised services after the federal directive for measurable fare cuts from Oct 1—though Lagos’ fare-reduction plan is still unclear, and implementation varies by fleet and conversion costs. Mining, safety and child labour: In Niger State, mining continued around Mi Wushishi despite a ban after 37 miners died in custody; residents also warn miners are digging into homes and harming the environment. Livestock Jobs & Environment: Nigeria targets about 10,000 jobs per 500-cattle-per-day abattoir via public-private partnerships, aiming to shift from transporting live animals to processing meat locally. Flood Disruption: Heavy rains submerged parts of the Agbarho/Ughelli axis, stranding commuters and cutting access—again highlighting weak drainage and road maintenance. Humanitarian Aid: The UN released $160m for 12 underfunded crises, including $10m for Niger. Climate-smart farming: Okomu Oil and PIND trained 500 farmers in Edo with climate-smart practices, moving from training to adoption. Mangrove restoration: In Nigeria’s oil-ravaged Niger Delta, women are restoring mangroves—“one green shoot at a time”—to fight pollution-driven ecosystem loss.

Flood Disruption in Delta: Heavy rains submerged parts of the Agbarho/Ughelli axis, stranding commuters and cutting off the road near Agbarho Police Station, with residents urging Julius Berger to improve drainage and maintain alternative routes. Livestock Processing Jobs: Nigeria’s Livestock Development Ministry says it will target about 10,000 jobs per 500-cattle-per-day abattoir via public-private partnerships, pushing a shift from transporting live animals to processing meat locally. Skills for Green Livelihoods: The World Bank-funded IDEAS-TVET programme trained 450 youths and women in Suleja on fisheries/aquaculture, livestock, poultry, and even furniture making—supporting more resilient income options. Food Safety & Mold: A health explainer warns that black mold on onions is usually on the outer peel; cut onions showing deep mold should be discarded, and safe use requires peeling and washing. Humanitarian Aid: The UN released $160m for 12 underfunded crises, including Niger, to speed up life-saving response for conflict and disaster-affected communities. Press Freedom in Niger: Growing international and local pressure mounts as journalist Moussa Kaka remains detained for weeks without public charges, raising alarms over Sahel media freedom. Niger Delta Restoration: Women in Ogoniland are restoring mangroves one “green shoot” at a time after decades of oil pollution.

Flood & Roads: Mokwa residents in Niger State report renewed flooding that submerged parts of Rabba Road, reviving fears after the May 2025 disaster that killed 206 people. Climate & Restoration: In Nigeria’s oil-ravaged Niger Delta, women are restoring mangroves—training and planting “one green shoot at a time” to bring back livelihoods and ecosystems. Anti-Flaring & Methane: A new investigation says Nigeria’s regulator, NUPRC, is failing to enforce the Petroleum Industry Act anti-flaring rules, leaving methane emissions unchecked. Niger Press Freedom: Niger’s journalist Moussa Kaka has been held for a month without public charges, sparking regional outrage over press freedom and due process. Community Development: Olokoro Clan in Abia State praised Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) for renovating classrooms and improving community facilities. Agriculture & Resilience: Okomu Oil and PIND trained 500 Edo farmers in climate-smart practices, moving from training to adoption to cut production risks. Energy & Industry: Chevron reaffirmed long-term investment and responsible energy development in Nigeria, while NNPC reported N7.2tn profit for 2025.

Niger Delta Environmental Justice: Senior Advocate Olisa Agbakoba urged 2027 presidential candidates to put Niger Delta pollution and recovery at the centre, calling for a statutory Environmental Restoration and Compensation Authority to tackle decades of oil-linked harm. NDDC Digital Push: The Niger Delta Development Commission began full rollout of its e-Memo portal to digitise processes, cut delays and reduce missing files and bottlenecks. Niger Delta Gas & Health Alarm: Reports of a Rivers community gas explosion that killed Joy Amos renewed calls for investigations into alleged gas leaks affecting soil and homes. Niger Weather Watch: NiMet issued a thunderstorm alert for 27 states and the FCT for Oct 1, with Taraba facing storms from morning and flood-prone areas urged to take precautions. Climate & Fertility Risks: A fertility expert warned that environmental toxins in air, water, food and soil can disrupt fertility and IVF outcomes, urging clinics to better screen couples. Transport Emissions Move: Lagos received 20 CNG buses under the Pi-CNG & EV initiative, aiming to lower public transport costs while shifting to cleaner fuel. Niger Repression Spotlight: Niger’s jailing of lawyer Abdourahamane Lirwana over a Facebook post sparked free-speech and civic-space concerns. Oil Sector Numbers: NNPC/NNPCL reported 2025 profit rising to ₦7.2tn and dividends to ₦5.8tn, alongside production gains.

Niger Delta Digitisation: NDDC has fully rolled out its e-Memo portal to automate internal document workflows, cut delays and reduce errors after onboarding its Managing Director onto the system. Health & Pollution: An expert warned that environmental toxins and endocrine-disrupting chemicals can harm fertility and IVF outcomes, urging clinics to assess couples before treatment. Climate-Smart Farming: Okomu Oil and PIND trained 500 farmers across 17 Edo communities through “Green Field Days,” moving them from training to adoption with inputs, finance links and technical support. Transport Emissions Push: Lagos received 20 new CNG buses under Pi-CNG & EV to expand cleaner public transport and lower commuter costs ahead of Oct 1 targets. Niger Delta Environmental Justice: Olisa Agbakoba urged 2027 presidential candidates to put Niger Delta environmental recovery on their manifestos, citing gas-related harm in Rivers communities. Sahel Civic Space: Niger jailed lawyer Abdourahamane Lirwana over a Facebook post, sparking free-speech alarms amid a broader crackdown on dissent. Flood Disruption: Heavy rains flooded parts of the Agbarho/Ughelli road, stranding commuters and worsening transport hardship. Heat Risk Warning: El Niño forecasts point to major excess heat deaths globally, a reminder to plan for extreme weather impacts.

El Niño Heat Warning: Researchers say “Super El Niño” could drive about 451,000 excess heat deaths worldwide from June 2026 to February 2027, with land temperatures forecast around 1.2°C above normal—an urgent reminder for Niger and the Sahel to plan for extreme heat. Flood Risk in Niger & Nigeria: Nigeria’s flood early warning flags possible flooding from Sept 27 to Oct 10, listing many states including Niger, with communities grouped by critical, high and moderate exposure. Energy & Environment: NNPC reported ₦7.2trn profit after tax for 2025 and a ₦5.8trn dividend, while experts warn Nigeria must expand and modernize pipeline infrastructure to unlock gas and reduce environmental hazards. Gas Flaring to Power: A company says it has federal backing to convert Niger Delta gas flaring into electricity for about 80,000 homes, aiming to cut decades of flaring impacts. Sahel Governance & Security: Coverage highlights Niger’s fragile protest space under military rule, and regional moves like AES talks with ECOWAS on deeper integration. Public Health & Equity: Stakeholders push stronger public-private action to accelerate cervical cancer elimination, citing over 18 million girls vaccinated.

NNPC/NNPCL Earnings: Nigeria’s national oil company NNPCL/NNPC Limited says 2025 profit after tax hit ₦7.2tn (+33%) and declared a record ₦5.8tn dividend (+35%), even as revenue fell to ₦34.5tn—supported by higher crude and gas output. Flood Risk: Nigeria’s Federal Government issued a fresh flood alert for Sept 27–Oct 10, 2026, warning communities in 24 states plus the FCT of possible flooding from heavy rain, rising rivers and saturated soils, with Niger State among the critical-risk areas. Heat Threat (El Niño): South Africa is projected to see about 1,200 extra heat-related deaths during Sept 2026–Feb 2027, while the Sahel could face tens of thousands more, with Nigeria projected around 31,400. Gas-to-Power & Environment: A company says it has federal support to convert Niger Delta gas flaring into electricity for about 80,000 homes, aiming to cut decades of flaring impacts. Regional Water & Security: Niger Basin Authority calls for stronger hydrodiplomacy and investment across the Niger and Lake Chad basins to tackle shared ecological and security pressures. Procurement Reform (Niger): Niger’s competitive dialogue reform is criticized as a “dead letter” after three years, with little tangible delivery for citizens. Oil Theft Crackdown: Nigerian Navy recovered 33,800 litres of petroleum products in Rivers State during Operation Delta Sentinel, disrupting illegal refining sites.

Flood Risk Alert: Nigeria’s National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre has issued a fresh alert for flooding between Sept 27 and Oct 10, 2026, listing 24 states plus the FCT, with many communities in Benue, Kogi, Niger, Rivers, Delta, Lagos and others flagged as critical-risk. Water & Rivers Protection: On World Rivers Day, Nigeria’s water minister warned that pollution, sand mining, erosion, wastewater and climate-driven shifts in rainfall are degrading rivers like the Niger and Benue, calling for integrated watershed management. Heat Disaster Watch: New projections tied to a “Super El Niño” warn of major excess heat deaths across Africa, with the Sahel facing tens of thousands of additional heat-related deaths. Niger Basin Cooperation: The Niger Basin Authority urged stronger hydrodiplomacy and regional investment across the Niger and Lake Chad basins to tackle shared environmental and security pressures. Clean Power From Flaring: In the Niger Delta, a company says it has federal backing to convert long-flared gas into electricity for about 80,000 homes, aiming to cut decades of flaring impacts. AgriConnect for Food Security: IFAD joined Nigeria and the World Bank to launch the AgriConnect Compact to boost smallholder farming, jobs and nutrition security. Mining & Security: Terra Industries signed a deal to deploy autonomous surveillance for safer operations in Nigeria’s mining sites.

Flood Risk: Nigeria’s National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre has issued a fresh alert for Sept 27–Oct 10, warning 24 states plus the FCT of possible flooding driven by heavy rain, rising rivers, saturated soils and runoff; Niger State is among the critical-risk areas, with major cities like Minna and Abuja also flagged. Water Governance: The Niger Basin Authority is pushing stronger regional cooperation and strategic investment across the Niger and Lake Chad basins, linking water, agriculture, resilience and security through hydrodiplomacy talks in Abuja. Rivers Under Pressure: Nigeria marks World Rivers Day with warnings that pollution, untreated wastewater, solid waste dumping, agricultural runoff, erosion and sand mining—worsened by climate change—are degrading rivers and threatening livelihoods and biodiversity. Heat Threat: New projections on “Super El Niño” warn of severe extreme-heat impacts across the Global South, with Nigeria listed among countries facing major heat-related death risks. Climate-Smart Farming: IFAD and partners launch the Nigeria AgriConnect Compact to help smallholders move from subsistence to surplus using stronger farmer groups, better market links and improved access to finance. Niger Delta Environment & Security: The Navy reports recovery of 33,800 litres of stolen petroleum products and disruption of illegal refining sites, while NDDC urges communities to protect public infrastructure from vandalism.

Climate & Food Security: Nigeria’s farmers are warning that climate change is already disrupting planting and harvests through erratic rains, dry spells, flooding, heat and pests, with NiMet forecasting early-to-normal rain onset in many areas but also warmer-than-average temperatures and dry spells in parts of the North and Central. Weather Watch: NiMet also issued a 3-day outlook of cloudy skies, thunderstorms and moderate rains across Nigeria, including FCT, Niger, Plateau and other North-Central states, with lighter rain chances in parts of the South. Heat Disaster Risk: A new report warns “Super El Niño” could drive extreme heat deaths across the Sahel and beyond, projecting major losses including in Nigeria, Niger and Chad, and urging early warning and cooling support. Water Governance: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS adopted the Abidjan Declaration to strengthen shared river management and climate resilience, with Cabo Verde set to host the next forum. Niger Delta Environment & Security: The Nigerian Navy recovered 33,800 litres of stolen crude and illegally refined petroleum products in Rivers State, targeting illegal refining sites. Local Flood Response: Anambra’s Soludo urged residents to stop blocking drains, plant trees and manage runoff after deadly flooding and gully erosion. Niger Restoration Success: Niger’s FMNR story highlights how protecting surviving tree stumps helped regenerate millions of hectares after failed tree-planting efforts.

Flood & erosion risk in Anambra: Gov. Soludo warned that flooding and gully erosion are Anambra’s “number one existential threat,” urging residents to stop blocking drains, plant trees, and manage runoff after a child died in a recent flood. Food supply under pressure: NiMet’s flood alert flags 15 states at risk, with farmers reporting submerged farmlands, crop losses, and fears of higher prices. Super El Niño heat danger: New projections warn extreme heat could drive up to 451,000 extra heat deaths globally, with Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Sudan among the hardest hit—raising urgent need for cooling and health readiness. Mining tragedy and reform push: Reports and calls for independent probes follow the deaths of 37 miners in Niger State custody, with survivors citing overcrowding and poor ventilation; CSOs and experts argue Nigeria must shift from raids to safer, formalised artisanal mining with environmental compliance. Conservation win in Niger: Niger reintroduced eight North African ostriches into the Gadabedji Biosphere Reserve after extinction in the wild in 2004, aiming for a self-sustaining population. Niger Delta infrastructure protection: NDDC urged community leaders to guard public infrastructure against vandalism, linking protection to development and security. Blue economy funding gap: Coverage highlights Nigeria’s need for about $10bn over 10 years to unlock the blue economy, including fisheries, marine tourism, and ocean research.**

Climate Risk: A “super El Niño” forecast warns of up to 451,000 extra heat-related deaths globally, with Nigeria, Niger, Sudan and Chad among the hardest hit—pushing extreme heat, drought and flooding risks higher. Mining & Safety: In Niger State, 37 suspected illegal miners died after NSCDC raids and detention; families and CSOs demand transparent, independent probes and better custody safeguards. Biodiversity in Niger: Niger reintroduced eight North African ostriches into the wild at the Gadabedji Biosphere Reserve after decades of local extinction, aiming for a self-sustaining population. Agriculture & Flooding: A flood alert threatens food supply across 15 Nigerian states, with farmers reporting submerged farmlands and crop losses that could raise prices. Energy Transition: Nigeria’s push for clean cooking and electricity access gets a boost from an IEA-Nigeria roadmap, while experts warn gas ambitions need major pipeline expansion and modernization. Uranium Finance: Niger says a dispute over the Madaouela uranium project is resolved, reopening prospects for new financing and updated feasibility work.

Conservation & Wildlife: Niger reintroduced eight North African ostriches into the wild at the Gadabedji Biosphere Reserve after the species vanished from the country in 2004, using captive breeding and local preparation to restart a self-sustaining population. Mining & Human Rights: Niger State’s illegal-mining custody deaths of 37 people sparked fresh calls for justice and compensation, with families alleging denial of access and poor detention conditions while an independent inquiry begins. Climate & Health: A “super El Niño” forecast warns of up to 451,000 extra heat-related deaths globally by Feb 2027, with Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Sudan among the hardest hit—highlighting urgent heat protection needs. Energy & Clean Power: Nigeria’s IEA partnership flags gaps in electricity access and clean cooking, while experts push for decade-scale gas pipeline expansion to unlock gas for power and industry. Agriculture & Livelihoods: CSIR-SARI trained women and youth in soap and pomade production under LOG Me II to reduce pressure on restored landscapes and create local income. Accountability & Food Systems: CSOs demand full disclosure of a proposed $2.5bn JBS livestock investment deal, warning it could reshape Nigeria’s food system without transparency.

Climate Risk: A “super El Niño” could add about 451,000 heat-related deaths worldwide by Feb 2027, with the Sahel hit hardest—Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Sudan among the worst affected. Mining & Human Rights: Niger State’s 37 miners’ deaths in NSCDC custody are still driving calls for transparent, independent investigation and justice for families, as survivors allege overcrowding and lack of medical care. Biodiversity in Niger: Niger reintroduced eight North African ostriches into the wild at the Gadabedji Biosphere Reserve after the species vanished from the country in 2004. Energy Access & Transition: Nigeria’s push for cleaner energy and electricity access continues, but experts warn gas ambitions need major pipeline expansion and modernization to unlock domestic and export demand. Accountability in Food Systems: Civil society is demanding full disclosure of the MoU behind a proposed $2.5bn JBS livestock investment, warning of transparency and environmental risks. Family Planning: The Ouagadougou Partnership urges stronger leadership and sustainable funding to protect family planning gains across Francophone West Africa.

Uranium & Sovereignty: Niger may regain momentum in uranium financing after a dispute over the Madaouela project was settled, with Atomic Eagle updating feasibility studies and seeking environmental approvals and funding; the government increased its stake to 40%, while US support for the rival Dasa project signals renewed investor appetite. Climate Risk: A “super El Niño” forecast could drive about 451,000 extra heat-related deaths worldwide by Feb 2027, with the Sahel hardest hit—projecting major tolls for Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Sudan—raising alarms for heat protection and early action. Energy Transition & Power Access: Nigeria’s energy transition should prioritize development needs, with natural gas framed as a bridge fuel for electricity, clean cooking and industry; separately, the FG inaugurated a 581kWp solar mini-grid in Kwara to expand reliable power. Livestock Investment Transparency: Nigerian CSOs and farmers demand full public disclosure of the $2.5bn JBS livestock MoU—contracts, land, financing, incentives and beneficial ownership—warning the deal could reshape food systems without safeguards. Extractive Impacts: Niger Delta communities protest alleged unpaid ground-rent arrears tied to Shell/Renaissance, while separate reporting highlights ongoing gas-flaring and methane concerns.

Climate & Health: Scientists warn “super El Niño” could drive extreme heat and massive storms, projecting up to 451,000 excess deaths globally by February 2027, with the Sahel hit hardest—Niger may face about 10,000 heat-related deaths and Nigeria about 31,400. Water & Drought Risk: The WMO released its 2025 State of Global Water Resources report, mapping freshwater trends and hydrological extremes like floods and droughts. Niger Security: Niger mourns 57 security personnel killed in coordinated attacks in Tillabéri and Tahoua, raising questions about security gaps. Mining & Environment: Niger’s uranium future faces scrutiny after a US DFC debt facility of up to $414.2m for the Dasa project; meanwhile, Niger’s broader mining debate continues amid calls for transparency and stronger safeguards. Oil & Gas Impacts: Nigeria’s methane problem and ongoing gas flaring concerns highlight pollution risks even as policy targets gas flaring reduction.