AGP Executive Report

Road Works in Focus (Benin-Sapele/Benin-Asaba): Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori praised NDDC for starting reconstruction of a 15.4km failed stretch of the Benin-Sapele Expressway, saying it should ease gridlock and boost trade and daily life. Power & Cross-Border Energy: Nigeria’s regulator NERC reports Togo, Benin and Niger owe $11.16m for 2025 electricity/ancillary services, with only 84.9% remitted. Nursing Education Boost (UBTH/UNIBEN): NUC approved UBTH College of Nursing Sciences to launch a BNSc programme in affiliation with UNIBEN from the 2026/2027 session, with a governing council set for oversight and quality assurance. AI for Students (Benin included): Google expanded its free Google AI Plus offer to 27 African countries, including Benin, giving eligible students Gemini tools plus cloud storage for one year. Digital Safety (Kemi chatbot): A WhatsApp chatbot called Kemi is helping women report or seek support for technology-facilitated gender-based violence across Nigeria and parts of West Africa, with a planned upgrade to improve local reporting guidance. Solar Push: New analysis says Africa could hit a record 17GW of solar installations in 2026, with solar mini-grids highlighted for rural access in countries including Benin.

Nursing Education Boost: The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved UBTH’s College of Nursing Sciences to start a BNSc programme in affiliation with UNIBEN from the 2026/2027 academic session, with a new Governing Council set to oversee quality and standards. Cross-Border Power Payments: Nigeria’s electricity regulator reports Benin, Togo and Niger owe Nigeria $11.16m for 2025 power supply, with only 84.9% of invoiced ancillary-service payments recovered. Road Works Under Pressure: Niger Delta Development Commission begins reconstruction of a 15.4km failed Benin–Sapele Expressway section, while federal works officials also push emergency repairs and sanction contractors over poor delivery on key highways. AI Access for Students: Google expands its free Google AI Plus offer to students in 27 African countries, including Benin, with Gemini tools and cloud storage after verification. Digital Safety for Women: A WhatsApp chatbot, Kemi, is helping users report or seek support for technology-facilitated gender-based violence across Nigeria and parts of West Africa. Health Systems Planning: Africa’s health ministers adopt 10-year strategies on workforce, financing and medical regulation, alongside progress in Ebola response and maternity care outcomes.

University Pay Dispute: President Tinubu’s approved 40% salary rise for university lecturers is still not fully implemented, triggering fresh strikes and threats—raising fresh alarms about tertiary education stability. Family Planning Access in Edo: In Edo, community mobilisation, provider training and counselling are expanding family planning services, but some women report concerns after contraceptive implants without prior lab checks. Health Systems & Maternal Care: Africa’s health ministers adopted three 10-year strategies on financing, workforce and medical regulation, while a Nature Medicine study links maternity ward training and support to a 22% drop in early perinatal deaths. Power Payments Across Borders: Nigeria’s regulator says Benin, Togo and Niger owe $11.16m for 2025 electricity ancillary services, with remittance performance at 84.9%. Road Works in Focus (Benin-Asaba/Sapele-Benin): Federal and Niger Delta Development Commission interventions target failed sections—while Works Minister David Umahi orders arrests and rapid repairs over incomplete work and asphalt removal. AI for Students: Google expands its free Google AI Plus offer to students in 27 African countries, including Benin. Solar Push: New analysis says Africa is on track for a record 17GW of solar installations in 2026. TVET Skills Link: NABTEB and CORBON sign an MoU to align TVET training and exams with industry needs.

ECOWAS–AES Security Rift: Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger’s ECOWAS exit and creation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is widening the fight against JNIM, with research pointing to insurgent expansion into northern Benin around the W-Arly-Pendjari area. Benin–Sapele Road Works: NDDC has started reconstructing a failed 15.4km section of the Benin–Sapele Expressway in Delta, using rigid concrete pavement, after gridlock and economic losses. Benin–Onitsha Expressway Accountability: Works Minister David Umahi orders the arrest of Hartland’s MD over incomplete delivery on a Benin–Onitsha stretch despite up to N14bn paid. Benin–Asaba Highway Emergency: Umahi says the federal government has treated the Benin–Asaba corridor as an emergency, pushing for contract action and warning against contractors removing asphalt from still-smooth sections. Power & Community Tensions: Edo youths in Ologbo held journalists hostage and disrupted an Ossiomo Power restoration visit at the gas plant. AI for Students (Benin included): Google expands its free Google AI Plus offer to 27 African countries, including Benin, for verified university/college students. Solar Push: New analysis says Africa could hit a record 17GW of solar installations in 2026, with mini-grids highlighted for rural access in Benin and other Francophone states. TVET Skills Link: NABTEB and CORBON sign an MoU to align technical training with industry needs, targeting better practical skills.

Benin-Sapele Expressway Repair: Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori flagged off NDDC’s reconstruction of a 15.4km failed stretch on the Benin-Sapele Expressway, saying it will ease movement and boost local economic activity. Benin-Onitsha Road Accountability: Works Minister David Umahi ordered the arrest of Hartland’s Managing Director after the contractor allegedly delivered only about 40% of an 11km scope despite up to N14bn paid. Benin-Asaba Highway Emergency Moves: The federal government declared the Benin-Asaba Expressway an emergency, pushing immediate repairs and threatening arrests over contractors removing asphalt; it also presented BAECC with three options, including possible concession termination or contractor replacement. Cross-border Power Payments: NERC reports Togo, Niger and Benin owe Nigeria $11.16m for electricity supplied in 2025, with remittance performance at 84.90% for international bilateral customers. Solar for Access: New analysis says Africa is on track for a record 2026 year for solar installations, with solar mini-grids highlighted as key for rural electrification in Francophone West Africa including Benin. Cancer Care Boost: NICRAT DG applauds approval of a N302.3bn National Cancer Institute to strengthen cancer treatment, research and training, with plans to expand capacity across Africa. TVET Skills Alignment: NABTEB and CORBON signed an MoU in Benin to align technical training with industry needs, targeting better practical-to-theory balance. Health Research in Benin: An ALERT project study across Benin, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda links hospital training and quality improvement to fewer stillbirths and newborn deaths in the first 24 hours.

Road Safety & Accountability: Works Minister David Umahi has ordered the arrest of Hartland’s MD over incomplete work on an 11-km Benin–Onitsha Expressway section after payments of up to N14bn, citing only ~40% delivery and directing fund recovery and payment-certificate review. Infrastructure Oversight: Umahi also ordered CCECC to repair damaged Benin–Asaba Highway sections within 14 days, including restoring asphalt removed from service lanes to the Second Niger Bridge access road. Public Works Pressure: He threatened arrest of contractors removing asphalt from existing roads without authorisation, and urged the Benin–Asaba concessionaire to seek contract termination, while the Federal Government presented three resolution options to BAECC (including possible concession termination or bringing in new contractors). Health & Research: Nigeria’s NICRAT welcomed Tinubu’s FEC approval for a N302.3bn National Cancer Institute, targeting completion in 36 months to boost cancer care, research, and training. Maternal Health Breakthrough: A Nature Medicine study reports that an ALERT hospital programme in Benin, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda cut early stillbirth/newborn deaths by 22% in the first 24 hours. Energy & Climate Tech: Africa is on track for a record 17GW of solar installations in 2026, with solar mini-grids highlighted as key for rural electrification in Francophone West Africa including Benin. Skills for Industry: NABTEB and CORBON signed an MoU to align TVET training and exams with industry needs, targeting stronger practical competence (80:20 practical-to-theory). Cybersecurity Watch: A Carhartt data breach story shows how stolen customer and employee data can surface on dark web leak sites, underscoring risks for digital platforms.

Road Infrastructure Accountability (Benin–Asaba): Works Minister David Umahi escalated the Benin–Asaba highway crisis, ordering the concessionaire to remove blockages, stop damaging practices, and face possible contract termination after allegations of slow work and asphalt stripping. TVET Skills for Jobs (NABTEB–CORBON): NABTEB and CORBON signed an MoU to align technical and vocational training with industry needs, including curriculum updates, accreditation, and quality assurance to support Nigeria’s push for more practical training. Health Tech & Maternal Care (ALERT project): A study using a digital perinatal register in Benin, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda links hospital training and quality improvement to fewer stillbirths and newborn deaths in the first 24 hours. Cancer Capacity Boost (NICRAT): Nigeria’s planned N302.3bn National Cancer Institute was approved, aiming to cut medical tourism and build oncology training and research capacity across Africa. Digital Skills & Leadership (Mastercard Scholars): 50 Benin-based scholars from Université d’Abomey-Calavi completed English and entrepreneurship training, turning language and leadership into global opportunities. Cybersecurity (Carhartt breach): A major data leak involving customer and internal records highlights how large-scale cyber extortion can spread quickly and complicate trust.

Road Safety & Infrastructure: Works Minister David Umahi escalated the Benin–Asaba highway crisis, threatening arrests for contractors removing asphalt from still-good sections and ordering blockages cleared to restore traffic flow. He also pushed for the concessionaire to quit the site and warned that “negative work” won’t count toward completed value. Transport & Public Pressure: The Federal Government presented three options to resolve the concession dispute, including possible termination or bringing in a new contractor while the state handles design and supervision. Health (Maternal Care): An ALERT project study across Benin, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda linked training, quality improvement and mentoring in maternity wards to fewer stillbirths and early newborn deaths. Health (Cancer): NICRAT welcomed FEC approval for a N302.3bn National Cancer Institute, aiming to cut medical tourism and boost oncology training across Africa. Public Health (Malaria at Work): A CAMA survey found 62% of workers in 10 West African countries get no workplace malaria prevention support. Cybersecurity: A Carhartt data breach exposed customer and employee details after a leak extortion attempt, highlighting limits of trusting cybercriminals. Security & Food: Nigeria’s Borgu forest belt is emerging as a new terrorism and rural violence hotspot, threatening farming and food supply corridors.

Benin-Asaba Road Crisis: Works Minister David Umahi escalated action over the deteriorating 125-km highway, ordering the concessionaire to quit the site, remove asphalt blockages, and face arrest of contractors accused of stripping asphalt without authorization. The Federal Government also presented BAECC with three options, including possible concession termination or replacement contractors, after motorists reported gridlock and detours. Cancer & Research Push: NICRAT welcomed Federal Executive Council approval of a N302.3bn National Cancer Institute, saying it will cut medical tourism and build oncology training and research capacity across Africa, with completion targeted in 36 months. Workplace Malaria Gap (Benin included): A CAMA survey across 10 West African countries found 62% of respondents get no malaria prevention support at work, urging employers to integrate prevention into workplace health plans. Health Outcomes in Maternity Care: An ALERT project study reported in Nature Medicine linked hospital training, quality improvement and mentoring in Benin, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda to a 22% drop in early stillbirths and newborn deaths. MTN Leadership & Fintech: MTN announced September 2026 executive appointments to strengthen Francophone operations, alongside continued moves to modernize mobile money infrastructure across Africa. AI for Africa’s Education: A World Bank-backed Benin study used an AI tutoring platform built around African teachers and classrooms, aiming to show what works when AI is designed for local learning contexts.

Cancer Care Boost: Nigeria’s NICRAT DG Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu applauds Tinubu’s approval of a N302.3bn National Cancer Institute, due in 36 months, to cut medical tourism and expand research, training, and oncology capacity. Maternal Health: An ALERT project study using a digital perinatal register in 16 maternity units across Benin, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda reports a 22% drop in early perinatal deaths after the programme. Workplace Malaria Gap: A CAMA survey across 10 West African countries finds 62% of workers get no malaria prevention support from employers, urging stronger workplace health action. Road Tech & Accountability: Works minister David Umahi orders action over the Benin–Asaba road crisis, after claims the concessionaire removed 30+ km of asphalt and left motorists stuck; government says it may review the concession. Digital Finance: MTN and Ericsson complete cloud-native migration of MTN MoMo in Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda, cutting overhead and speeding APIs to scale fintech growth. AI Media Cooperation: China-Africa media talks highlight AI and digitisation efforts like the DREAM project to restore and make audio-visual archives accessible.

AI & Media: China-Africa media leaders say AI can help African radio/TV “speak” local languages and widen who gets to share stories, including in multilingual countries like Benin. Cancer Research: Nigeria’s NICRAT says a proposed N302.3bn National Cancer Institute will train oncology experts across Africa and cut medical tourism, with completion targeted in 36 months. Workplace Health: A West Africa survey by CAMA finds 62% of workers get no malaria prevention support from employers, urging workplaces to treat malaria protection as core health risk management. Digital Finance: MTN MoMo is migrating to cloud-native infrastructure with Ericsson across Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda, aiming for faster, more reliable mobile money services and easier fintech integration. Road Tech & Safety: Minister David Umahi plans to inspect the troubled Benin-Asaba Road after gridlock and protests, blaming failed rehabilitation tied to concession arrangements; civic tech group MonITNG calls the corridor a “death trap.”

Workplace Health Gap: A CAMA survey across 10 West African countries, including Benin, finds 62% of workers get no employer support for malaria prevention, warning of knock-on effects for absenteeism and productivity. Roads & Infrastructure: Nigeria’s Works Minister David Umahi says he will inspect the troubled Benin–Asaba road after protests and gridlock, alleging a concessionaire removed 30+ km of asphalt but left rehabilitation unfinished—while lawmakers and Edo State will join the probe. Digital Finance Modernisation: MTN and Ericsson completed migration of MTN MoMo to cloud-native infrastructure in Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda, cutting processing overhead and speeding APIs to support faster mobile money growth. Public Data Sharing Push (Ghana–Benin link): Ghana’s NITA plans a National Data Exchange contract by October, aiming for real-time cross-institution data requests and connecting to a Smart Africa data exchange that Benin is piloting. Security Spillover: Reports from Niger State describe jihadist attacks during Friday prayers near Nigeria’s border with Benin, with killings and kidnappings, and some captives escaping after rival militants intervened. Education & Labour: ASUU at Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma declares an indefinite strike over alleged non-implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU agreement by Edo State.

Road Safety & Accountability: Travellers on Nigeria’s Benin–Agbor road say they’ve been stranded for days despite federal spending of at least N1.46bn on maintenance and repairs between 2021 and 2026, with social media videos showing gridlock and shortages. Public Health Diagnostics: Tuberculosis testing is set to shift toward cheaper, primary-care-friendly molecular tools, including tongue-swab options, aiming to replace low-sensitivity smear microscopy and close major detection gaps. Digital Finance Infrastructure: MTN Group Fintech and Ericsson completed a cloud-native migration of MoMo in Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda, cutting processing overhead and speeding up APIs—while plans discuss bringing Benin into the same modernization path. Health Tech in Government: Edo State’s health insurance commission is training providers ahead of a September 1 go-live for an online portal to automate enrolment, authorisations, referrals and claims. Climate & Waste Engineering: Environmental engineers in Benin City urged a circular economy shift to reduce waste, cut emissions and create jobs through recycling investment. Cyber & Press Freedom: Benin released cyberactivist Steve Amoussou after serving a two-year sentence tied to alleged politically motivated online content. Security Watch: Jihadists attacked villages during Friday prayers in Niger State, killing and kidnapping residents near Nigeria’s border with Benin.

TB Diagnostics Breakthrough: A new ultra-affordable molecular tuberculosis test (US$2.6) is pushing TB care toward faster, more accurate diagnosis—even using tongue swabs when sputum isn’t possible—aimed at closing major detection gaps. Mobile Money Modernisation: Ericsson and MTN Group Fintech have migrated MoMo to cloud-native infrastructure in several African markets, with Benin among those in talks, promising faster developer/API performance and a scalable base for digital finance. Edo Health Goes Digital: Edo State Health Insurance Commission (EDOHIC) is training health providers for the September 1 go-live of an Online Portal Version 1.0 to automate enrolment, authorisations, referrals and claims. Substance Abuse Screening: NDLEA and UBTH stakeholders in Edo State are calling for routine alcohol and drug screening, launching a drug testing centre to improve workplace and public safety. Host-Community Tensions at Ossiomo: Ossiomo Power alleges ongoing vandalism and disruptions despite N182m in CSR, urging authorities to protect operations and restore electricity supply. Energy Cooperation Watch: Ghana says it plans to supply electricity to Nigeria and West Africa, leveraging cross-border grid links. Security in Focus: AFP reports jihadist attacks during Friday prayers in Niger State, with killings, kidnappings and escapes amid clashes between rival militants.

Power & Community Relations: Ossiomo Power says alleged vandalism at its Ologbo gas plant is disrupting electricity supply despite investing over N182m in host-community CSR, and it calls on authorities to intervene. Circular Economy & Climate Jobs: Environmental engineering experts in Benin City urge Nigeria to shift from “take-make-dispose” to a circular economy, citing waste recycling potential of N100bn by 2030 and hundreds of thousands of jobs. Digital Health in Edo: Edo State Health Insurance Commission (EDOHIC) trains healthcare providers ahead of a September 1 go-live for Online Portal Version 1.0 to automate enrolment, authorisations, referrals and claims. Mobile Money Modernisation: Ericsson and MTN Group Fintech complete cloud-native migration of MTN MoMo in several markets, with plans to extend the transformation path to Benin. Cyber Rights in Benin: Beninese authorities release cyberactivist Steve Amoussou after serving a two-year sentence tied to alleged politically motivated online content. Road Pressure in Edo: Protesters demand repairs on the Benin-Agbor Bypass as residents report long delays and worsening access. Workplace Safety: UBTH and NDLEA push alcohol and substance screening, launching a drug testing centre to improve safety and prevention.

Security & Governance: The 2026 Global Terrorism Index says West Africa’s terrorism crisis is driven less by ideology and more by state fragility, with nearly 70% of global terrorism deaths concentrated in just five countries including Nigeria and Niger. Regional Violence: AFP reports jihadists attacked Friday prayers in Niger State, kidnapping and killing villagers near the Benin border, with some captives escaping after clashes between rival militants. Benin Digital Health: Edo State’s EDOHIC is training health providers for the September 1 go-live of an Online Portal Version 1.0 to automate enrolment, authorisations, referrals and claims. Fintech Infrastructure: Ericsson and MTN Group Fintech completed cloud-native migration of Mobile Money in several markets and are now discussing bringing Benin onto the same transformation path. Local Tech & Logistics: PICKAH Global is building a Benin City platform to connect customers, businesses and dispatch riders for smoother last-mile deliveries. Cyber Rights (Benin): Beninese authorities released cyberactivist Steve Amoussou after serving a two-year sentence tied to politically motivated insult and alleged misinformation. Public Health & Safety: UBTH and NDLEA push alcohol and substance abuse screening, launching a drug testing centre to improve workplace and public safety. Education Policy: Edo parents urge private schools to allow younger siblings to reuse approved textbooks to cut costs for families.