Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 08 September 2026

ADC Says N33.75bn Unverifiable Cash Transfers Prove Social Investment Is a Racket Under Tinubu

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says the Auditor-General’s finding that N33.75 billion in cash transfers to 3.29 million households cannot be verified confirms what Nigerians have long suspected — that under President Bola Tinubu, social investment has become a racket run for the benefit of officials, not the poor. The party recalled that N585 million was reportedly wired to a private account under Betta Edu at the start of the Tinubu administration before she was caught.

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El-Rufai: Family Gives Christopher Musa Seven Days To Prove Killing Claim

The family of former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), to provide evidence backing his allegation that El-Rufai planned killings in Southern Kaduna or publicly retract the claim. In a statement signed by Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the family described the allegation as grave and made without evidence, adding that Musa is entitled to his opinion but serious claims of that nature must be backed by proof.

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2027: Peter Obi Throws Weight Behind Makinde, Says He Is Qualified To Be President

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, says opposition presidential candidates are not divided and are ready to work with whoever Nigerians choose. Obi spoke on Monday in Abuja during the commissioning of Seyi Makinde’s presidential campaign office, where the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate’s running mate, Lawal Daura, was also present. Obi said he attended to show solidarity with Makinde and called for unity among politicians.

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No Vacancy In The Villa Till 2031 – Minister Mariya Mahmud Declares

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmud, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will continue to govern Nigeria beyond 2031. Speaking at the launch of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Kano on Monday, Mahmud told participants there was “no vacancy in the Villa till 2031.”

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Makinde Rejects Fuel Subsidy Return, Backs Domestic Crude Pricing

The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has rejected a return to fuel subsidy, advocating instead for domestic crude pricing to reduce petrol costs for Nigerians. Makinde stated this on Monday during the commissioning of the APM presidential campaign office in Abuja, rejecting calls for the old subsidy regime to be restored.

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Osun APC Clarifies Challenging Adeleke At Tribunal

The Governorship Campaign Council of the Osun State APC has dismissed reports that the party filed a petition challenging the outcome of the August 15, 2026 governorship election at the Election Petition Tribunal. This follows a petition displayed at the tribunal in Osogbo, dated September 5, purportedly filed by APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji. However, the council, in a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Engr Oluremi Omowaiye, said neither it, the APC, nor Oyebamiji filed the petition, describing it as untrue and mere rumour.

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Tinubu Never Promised Nigerians Eldorado In Three Years – Presidency Slams Opposition

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said his principal never promised Nigerians a perfect country in three years, arguing it is impossible to solve all a country’s challenges in four years. He faulted the opposition’s campaign against Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, insisting they lack original ideas and have no blueprint for their campaigns. The presidential aide spoke in a statement shared on 𝕏 on Monday.

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Passport: FG Clears Air On Extra Charges For Nigerians In UK

The Federal Government has clarified that Nigerians in the United Kingdom applying under the ongoing special intervention exercise will not pay any extra passport charges. In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Interior on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, on behalf of Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the government said applicants are only required to pay approved fees of $150 for a five-year passport and $230 for a 10-year passport, excluding bank charges. It added that neither the Ministry of Interior nor the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) introduced any extra charges, while acknowledging complaints over difficulties some applicants faced.

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‘None Of Tinubu’s Classmates Has Ever Dreamt Of Taking Pride In His Ascension To Presidency’ – Chidi Odinkalu

A former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, says none of President Bola Tinubu’s classmates has ever dreamed of taking pride in his ascension to the presidency. In an interview with media personality Rudolf Okonkwo, Odinkalu said Tinubu is the only president in Nigeria’s history with no classmates, adding that his educational background cannot be traced, unlike other Nigerian leaders whose backgrounds are known. Odinkalu described Tinubu as “a total mischief.”

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Nomy Disqualified From Big Brother Naija Show

Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemate, Whitney “Nomy” Chukwu, has been disqualified from the ‘Show Ya Sef’ house following repeated defiance of Big Brother’s instructions. Her disqualification was announced Monday night after she repeatedly refused to comply with instructions relating to a punishment imposed following a Head of House challenge. Big Brother reminded Nomy she had previously been warned about her conduct, stressing that participation is a privilege that had been revoked, and gave her 30 minutes to gather her belongings and leave.

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Nollywood Actress, Nimmy Ferrari Buried In Newly Built House

Nollywood actress and social media influencer, Nimmy Ferrari, has been laid to rest at her newly completed residence, days before she was reportedly scheduled to hold a housewarming ceremony there. Videos of the burial, which circulated widely on Instagram on Monday, September 7, showed mourners gathered at the residence as funeral rites were conducted and a grave was prepared within the compound.

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NAFDAC Links Chinese Counterfeiters In Nigeria To Rise In Fake Goods

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has linked Chinese counterfeiters now living in Nigeria to the proliferation of fake goods, worsening the production, distribution and sale of adulterated and harmful products. NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, said in Lagos on Monday that investigations found Chinese counterfeiters previously operating externally have now set up plants and logistics channels inside the country.

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Niger Police Arrest Four Over Killing Of Village Head Bawa Barde

The Niger State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the killing of a 53-year-old village head, Bawa Barde. The incident occurred on August 23, 2026, in Zhilu village, Fuka District, Munya Local Government Area, when assailants traced Barde to his residence at about 3am, inflicted serious machete injuries on him and left him for dead.

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Tension Grips Sokoto As Protesters Clash With Security Over Cleric’s Remand

Tension briefly gripped parts of Sokoto metropolis on Monday as youths protesting the continued remand of an Islamic cleric, Dahiru Mai Barewa, clashed with security personnel. The protesters, demanding Mai Barewa’s release, reportedly blocked roads and staged demonstrations in parts of the city before security operatives intervened to restore order.

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D’Tigress End World Cup Campaign With Heavy Defeat To France

Nigeria’s D’Tigress ended their 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup campaign on a disappointing note, suffering a heavy 111-56 defeat to France in their final Group B match in Berlin on September 7. The loss was Nigeria’s third in as many games, confirming their elimination, after earlier losses of 99-81 to South Korea and 71-67 to Hungary. France led 31-13 after the first quarter and 65-26 at halftime, extending it to 95-36 by the third quarter before D’Tigress managed 17 points in the final period. France made 22 three-pointers, a new World Cup record.

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2026 U-20 World Cup: Falconets Face Crucial China Clash After Spain Defeat

Nigeria’s Falconets suffered a disappointing start to the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, losing 2-0 to Spain in their Group F opener at the Arena Sosnowiec in Poland on Monday. Marisa García gave Spain the lead in the 13th minute, and Alba Cerrato doubled the advantage in the 73rd. Nigeria made two changes at half-time, introducing Tumininu Adeshina and Folajomi Olabiyi, but could not find a breakthrough. The defeat leaves Nigeria third in Group F without a point, behind China PR and Spain, who both have three. The Falconets face China PR next on September 10, with a win putting them back in contention for the Round of 16.