Drug Enforcement & Trade Security: NDLEA arrested a 48-year-old Lagos marble dealer, Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport while boarding a Qatar Airways flight to New Delhi, after 1.55kg of cocaine was found factory-fitted inside his bag’s side walls and railings; he allegedly sold assets to fund a ₦23m deal. In a separate Lagos raid, NDLEA also uncovered a large codeine-based syrup stockpile. Regional Integration & Border Commerce: ECOWAS stakeholders, including border communities, met at the Akanu-Noepe/Noépé-Akanu crossings to push smoother free-movement implementation and cut delays affecting traders and travellers, with calls for sustained public education on rights and responsibilities. West Africa “Blue Economy” Shift: A Gulf of Guinea corridor story highlights how maritime links among Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria are reshaping transit away from congested road routes. Infrastructure & Investment Climate (Nigeria, PPP): Nigeria’s ICRC is pushing reforms to make PPP approvals faster and more predictable, aiming to unlock private capital for a massive infrastructure gap. Health & Tech Transfer: Nigeria and China move to deepen oncology cooperation, including radiotherapy capacity expansion and technology transfer. Diplomacy: Switzerland appointed Dr Thomas Oertle as ambassador-designate to Ghana, Benin and Togo.