September 18, 2026 From Spotlight African Reporters The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has expressed deep grief over the deaths of 37 persons who were arrested over suspected illegal mining activities and subsequently died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, conveyed the governors’ condolences to the Niger State Government, the families of the deceased and communities affected by the tragedy. Governor Yahaya said the death of such a large number of people while in custody was a matter of grave concern, stressing that every human life remains valuable regardless of the circumstances surrounding an individual’s arrest. He called for a thorough, transparent and credible investigation to establish what happened before, during and after the victims were taken into custody. “We must allow the facts to emerge through a credible investigation....

By Spotlight African Reporters | Abuja September 18, 2026 Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has granted a pardon to controversial native doctor Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, and set him on a new path of youth reorientation. Nwangwu, who was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison by the High Court sitting in Awka, had about 11 months remaining on his sentence after part of the term was counted concurrently with time already spent in custody.  Governor Soludo announced the pardon on Friday, September 18, 2026, during a visit to the Correctional Centre in Amawbia. As part of the conditions surrounding Nwangwu's rehabilitation, he is expected to serve as an ambassador for youth reorientation, renounce Oke-ite and related charm practices, and publicly discourage youths from engaging in such practices. Nwangwu's arrest followed the Anambra State Government's wider crackdown on activities involving native docto...

September 18, 2026 | Ibadan Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the renewal of the ₦25,000 monthly wage award for civil servants for another three months, while also directing the continuation of the state’s ₦10,000 transport subsidy for workers. Makinde announced the decision on Friday after resuming official duties following his annual leave. He said the measures were aimed at cushioning the impact of rising living costs and the recent increase in petrol prices on workers and residents.  The governor assured workers that his administration would continue to engage with labour leaders to address the economic challenges confronting residents across the state. The extension means the wage award and transport support will continue through December 2026, according to Radio Nigeria.  Makinde also disclosed that Oyo State’s monthly wage bill had increased from ₦4.5 billion in 2019 to about ₦18 billion, while the state’s minimum wage had risen from ₦18,000 to ...

ABUJA, September 14, 2026 —  A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, has expressed confidence that the political coalition associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, will play a decisive role in securing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 presidential election. Nwuche described the coalition as a broad-based political platform capable of bringing together politicians and supporters from different political backgrounds ahead of the 2027 polls. According to him, the group’s strength lies in its ability to transcend traditional party lines and mobilise support for Tinubu across different parts of the country. He maintained that the coalition would work toward consolidating the President’s political support base and ensuring victory at the polls. The statement comes as political activities and realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with various political actors formi...

September 12, 2026 | From Spotlight African Reporters Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has renewed his promise to introduce a production-focused fuel subsidy if elected president, saying the policy would reduce petrol prices, transport fares and the broader cost of living. Atiku said his proposal is different from Nigeria’s former import-based subsidy regime. According to him, government support would be directed at domestic production and refining, rather than subsidising imported petrol. He argued that reducing the cost of locally produced fuel would have a wider impact on the economy by lowering transportation expenses, food distribution costs and operating costs for businesses. Atiku said his objective is to ensure that Nigerians spend less on fuel and transportation while retaining more money for household needs.  The former vice president has also criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy under ...

September 11, 2026 From Spotlight African Reporters Nigeria’s economic and political landscape remains in focus as fresh developments surrounding the country’s import market and the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections dominate the morning news cycle. China Maintains Dominant Position in Nigeria’s Import Market China continues to account for a significant share of Nigeria’s import trade, underscoring the deepening economic relationship between both countries. The development has renewed attention on Nigeria’s import dependence and the need to strengthen domestic manufacturing, support local industries and improve the country’s productive capacity. Analysts and economic stakeholders have continued to emphasise the importance of increasing local production and reducing excessive reliance on imported goods as part of efforts to build a more resilient Nigerian economy. Peter Obi Rejects Calls to Step Down for Atiku Meanwhile, former Anambra State Governor and Labour P...

ABUJA — September 10, 2026 — Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has stressed the importance of agricultural mechanisation in transforming the nation’s agricultural sector, saying it is critical to empowering women, attracting young people into farming and strengthening Nigeria’s food security. Oluremi Tinubu said modern farming methods and access to mechanised equipment would help reduce the physical burden associated with agriculture while improving productivity and making farming more attractive to the younger generation. According to her, women play a significant role in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and should be supported with the tools, technology, financing and training required to expand their contributions to food production and economic development. She also emphasised the need to encourage youths to see agriculture as a viable and profitable career rather than relying solely on traditional farming practices. The First Lady noted that increased mec...

By Spotlight African Reporters September 6, 2026 The Nigerian House of Representatives has dissolved all its ad-hoc committees with immediate effect, directing members to cease all activities connected to the committees. The directive affects existing ad-hoc committees constituted by the House to handle specific legislative assignments, investigations and other special responsibilities. Members of the affected committees are expected to discontinue further meetings, hearings, investigations and other official engagements carried out under the dissolved committees. The development represents a significant shake-up in the legislative activities of the House and could affect ongoing assignments previously handled by the committees. The House leadership is expected to provide further directives on pending matters and investigations previously assigned to the dissolved committees. The dissolution takes immediate effect. — Spotlight African Reporters

Abuja, September 4, 2026 — The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Steering Committee for the implementation of the Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC), marking a major step towards positioning Lagos as Africa’s leading financial hub. The development was announced following an inaugural meeting in Abuja, attended by the Lagos State Government and key stakeholders, alongside the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is coordinating relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as other stakeholders, to establish an effective interagency coordination mechanism for the successful implementation of the LIFC. The Lagos International Financial Centre is a flagship initiative of the Lagos State Government and EnterpriseNGR, with strong support from the Federal Government. The strategic objective of the initiative is to position Lagos as the financi...

Date: September 3, 2026 From: Spotlight African Reporters Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has accused the governors of Imo and Kwara states, Hope Uzodinma and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, of working against him amid growing political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections. Wike made the allegations during a media interaction in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he claimed that both governors had failed to reciprocate the political support he had previously offered them. The FCT Minister singled out AbdulRazaq, alleging that the Kwara governor had been “championing” a campaign against him. Wike said he had personally confronted the governor over the matter. He also addressed his relationship with Uzodinma, recalling that the Imo governor had at one point declined to support him politically. Wike maintained that he has never hidden his political intentions and challenged those accusing him of working against All Progressives Congress (APC) governors t...

Date: September 3, 2026 From: Spotlight African Reporters The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence to create and spread disinformation, warning that the trend could seriously undermine public trust in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the increasing sophistication and accessibility of AI tools have made it easier for individuals and groups to produce convincing fake audio, videos and images capable of misleading voters. Amupitan raised the concern at the 13th Annual International Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) in Abuja. His keynote address was delivered on his behalf by INEC National Commissioner, Sani Adams, SAN. According to the commission, the credibility of the 2027 elections will depend not only on the integrity of the ballot, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and result ...

ABUJA — August 29, 2026  Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Angola to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the African Union (AU) summit, where African leaders are expected to deliberate on peace, security and conflict resolution across the continent. Shettima’s participation at the summit underscores Nigeria’s continued commitment to strengthening regional stability and promoting peaceful solutions to conflicts affecting African countries. The summit in Angola is expected to provide an important platform for leaders and representatives from across the continent to discuss strategies for addressing armed conflicts, insecurity and other challenges threatening peace and development in Africa. Representing President Tinubu, the Vice President is expected to convey Nigeria’s position on continental peace initiatives while engaging with other African leaders on measures aimed at preventing conflicts and strengthening cooperation among membe...

ABUJA | AUGUST 28, 2026 The Federal Government has opened the 2026 Tertiary Institutions National Laureate Prize, an annual academic competition with a total prize fund of ₦365 million aimed at recognising outstanding research, innovation and academic excellence among students of Nigerian tertiary institutions. The initiative is designed to encourage high-quality research and reward exceptional academic work capable of contributing to Nigeria’s development. How Students Can Win The prize structure includes three major Star Prizes: Undergraduate Star Prize — ₦35 million Master’s Star Prize — ₦50 million Doctoral Star Prize — ₦100 million In addition, 15 Thematic Excellence Prizes, each worth ₦12 million, will be awarded to outstanding entries in designated areas. Who Can Participate? The programme is open to eligible students and researchers from accredited Nigerian tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education and other rec...

August 27, 2026 Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Federal Government to investigate his record in office and prosecute him if it has credible evidence of any wrongdoing. Atiku made the challenge amid ongoing political debates and allegations concerning the conduct of public officials and the management of government affairs. The former Vice President maintained that if the government possesses evidence linking him to any criminal or administrative offence committed while in office, the appropriate authorities should investigate the matter and take legal action. His position places the emphasis on evidence and due process, rather than political allegations, as he called on the government to demonstrate any wrongdoing through a proper investigation. The statement is expected to further intensify political discussions surrounding accountability, transparency and the conduct of former public officials in Nigeria. Atiku, a prominent opposition figure and fo...

Abuja — August 27, 2026 The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of electric vehicles to civil servants as part of its broader efforts to promote cleaner energy, reduce transportation costs and encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly mobility solutions across the country. The initiative is expected to provide civil servants with access to more affordable and sustainable transportation while supporting the government’s transition towards cleaner sources of energy. The distribution of the electric vehicles is also aimed at reducing dependence on conventional petrol-powered vehicles, which have continued to impose significant transportation costs on workers amid changing energy prices. Government officials said the programme forms part of ongoing measures to promote the use of electric mobility and support Nigeria’s clean-energy transition. The move is expected to generate wider interest in electric vehicles among Nigerians and potentially encourage gre...

ABUJA, August 25, 2026 — Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has called on Nigerian Muslims to use the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Maulud celebration to promote peace, compassion, unity and peaceful coexistence across the country. Akpoti-Uduaghan, in her message marking the celebration, urged Muslims to reflect on the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, particularly his virtues of compassion, tolerance, humility and concern for others. She emphasized the importance of extending kindness and understanding to people of different backgrounds, noting that the values associated with the Prophet’s teachings remain relevant to Nigeria’s quest for peace and national unity. The senator encouraged Nigerians to reject hatred, division and intolerance, stressing that peaceful coexistence is essential to building a stronger and more prosperous nation. She also urged Muslim faithful to use the celebration as an opportunity to pray for Nigeria and demonstrate the values of love, gener...

ABUJA, August 25, 2026 — An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain has warned that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore fuel subsidy could plunge Nigeria back into an era of corruption, fraud and diversion of public funds. The APC figure argued that the subsidy regime had historically created opportunities for financial leakages, manipulation and the alleged diversion of billions of naira meant to cushion the impact of fuel costs on Nigerians. According to the chieftain, returning to the subsidy system would reverse ongoing efforts to reform the petroleum sector and establish greater transparency in the management of public resources. The warning followed Atiku’s renewed advocacy for policies aimed at reducing the economic hardship facing Nigerians, including his proposal for a return to fuel subsidy as part of measures to lower petrol prices and ease the cost-of-living crisis. The APC chieftain, however, maintained that rather than restoring subsid...

ABUJA — August 23, 2026:  Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he does not require any official position in the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council to contribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 presidential election. Wike made the declaration while reaffirming his commitment to supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid, stressing that his political contribution does not depend on receiving a formal campaign appointment. The FCT Minister maintained that he is prepared to work for the President’s victory regardless of whether he is given a role in the campaign structure. His comments come amid growing political activities and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties and influential stakeholders intensifying consultations and mobilisation. Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a prominent political figure, has remained an influential voice in Nigeria’s political lan...

KOGI — August 23, 2026: The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Oyewole Mayowa Solomon, has reportedly died shortly after attending a reconciliation meeting in the state. The sudden death of the APC chieftain has sent shockwaves through the party, with political associates, members and supporters mourning his passing. Oyewole Mayowa Solomon was actively involved in the affairs of the APC in Ijumu LGA and was regarded as one of the party’s key grassroots figures in the area. According to reports, the APC chairman attended a reconciliation meeting aimed at resolving issues and strengthening unity within the party before his death was reported. Details surrounding the circumstances of his death remain limited as of the time of filing this report, and there has been no detailed official statement providing further information on what happened after the meeting. The development has nevertheless generated concern among par...

ABUJA — August 23,  2026:  Ambassador Yahaya Seriki Gambari has inaugurated the newly constituted executives of the City Boy Movement in Abuja, charging them to remain committed, united and focused on the objectives of the movement. The inauguration brought together members and leaders of the movement as the newly appointed executives formally assumed their responsibilities. Following the inauguration, Ambassador Seriki Gambari led members of the City Boy Movement on a courtesy visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where the delegation engaged the party leadership on issues concerning the movement and its political aspirations. The visit highlighted the group’s determination to strengthen its relationship with key stakeholders within the APC and contribute to grassroots mobilisation and political organisation. Speaking during the engagement, Ambassador Seriki Gambari urged the newly inaugurated executives to demonstrate discipline, ...