Morning recap: El-Rufai demands N10bn from Musa, FG tightens foreign travel rules, NAFDAC blames Chinese dealers for fake goods, other top stories

A defamation dispute between former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Defence Minister Christopher Musa is among the main stories in Nigeria’s morning news roundup. El-Rufai is demanding N10 billion and a public apology over alleged defamatory statements Musa made during a television programme. Muslim and Christian leaders in Southern Kaduna have called for restraint as the dispute threatens to heighten tensions in the region.

The Federal Government has also introduced tighter controls on official foreign travel. Ministers, directors-general and other government appointees must now obtain prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation before travelling abroad on official business. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must request proof of that approval before processing official travel documents.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control says Chinese counterfeiters operating in Nigeria have established plants and logistics channels to distribute fake and substandard goods. NAFDAC says it has shut down some logistics companies and is prosecuting suspects linked to counterfeit products.

A higher education policy think tank has warned that N355.87 billion disbursed by the Nigeria Education Loan Fund to about 850,000 beneficiaries could prove difficult to recover. It says the government has roughly 18 months to strengthen the recovery system before the first beneficiaries become subject to repayment enforcement.

In Sokoto, youths protested the continued remand of Islamic cleric Dahiru Mai Barewa under a court order. The demonstration escalated into a clash with security personnel. The roundup also references political mobilisation ahead of 2027 and continuing disputes over government agencies.