Higher Education Boost (Benin): The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved UNIBEN to launch six new full-time undergraduate programmes and additional postgraduate courses for the 2026/2027 academic session, including BSc Speech Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, International Relations, Intelligence and Security Studies, Primary Education, and Nursing Science (with UNIBEN Teaching Hospital collaboration). Digital Broadcasting (Nigeria): Nigeria is rolling out FreeTV, a national digital television platform with 100+ free channels (no monthly subscription), delivered via satellite, terrestrial networks and a mobile app, as part of the Digital Switch-Over programme. Regional Solar Push (ECOWAS): ECOWAS targets electricity access for 700,000 people across 19 countries by year-end through the ROGEAP off-grid solar project, supported by the World Bank and other partners. Health Systems (Togo/Benin region): A $14.26m West African Health programme will strengthen healthcare quality and cross-border disease surveillance, including a cross-border “One Health” lab in Togo. Men’s Health (Edo, Nigeria): Stakeholders urged regular exercise, better water intake, sleep and medical check-ups to improve men’s health and workplace productivity. Conservation Science (Benin-linked): Research highlights how belief-driven demand for vultures in Nigeria and Benin is pushing declines in central African populations, with field reports from Chad. Security & Policy (Edo, Nigeria): Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo renewed hardline plans for fast-track courts and public execution threats for convicted kidnappers and cultists.