ECOWAS & Sahel Security: Nigeria urged ECOWAS to strengthen unity against terrorism and transnational crime, while keeping dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger; the bloc also wrapped a three-day finance and administration committee meeting ahead of the July 19 summit, as governance and institutional credibility face mounting pressure. State Police Bill: Nigeria’s National Assembly leaders said proposed constitutional safeguards would protect state police from political hijack, including fiscal autonomy with funding on a first-line charge. Inflation & Cost of Living: Nigeria’s headline inflation eased to 15.91% in June, but food inflation climbed to 17.52%, keeping pressure on staples and household budgets. Oil & Revenue: NUPRC said Nigeria exceeded its OPEC crude quota in June, citing stable production and fewer major pipeline outages. Niger Flood Recovery: Niger State opened bids to restore the Mokwa gully erosion site after the May 2025 floods, expanding the intervention scope from stormwater works to a longer, redesigned project. Energy Investment Angle: Burkina Faso’s electricity access gap remains severe, but financing and grid-reliability efforts are pushing a new energy push. Business/Trade Mobility: Mozambique published its full 2026 eVisa-eligible African countries list, including Niger, while India released its 2026 eVisa list covering Niger and other West African states. Regional Diplomacy: Nigeria and Mali discussed a joint commission to deepen cooperation in security, trade, energy, transport and illegal migration.