Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 11 September 2026

September 11, 2026

Obi Rekindles Hopes For Opposition Coalition Talks

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has revived hopes of further talks on a coalition among opposition parties ahead of the 2027 election, saying the decision on any alliance rests with the parties involved rather than individual leaders. Speaking during an interview, Obi stressed that negotiations over potential political alliances must be conducted at the party level, adding that he remained open to working with other opposition parties if genuine consensus could be reached on a common front against the ruling party.

President Tinubu Confirms Payment Of $100,000 Reward To D’Tigress

President Bola Tinubu has confirmed that Nigeria’s senior female basketball team, the D’Tigress, and their coaching staff have received the cash rewards promised to them after their historic AfroBasket triumph. In a personally signed statement on his X account, the President said each player received the naira equivalent of $100,000, while each official received the equivalent of $50,000, completing a package that also included national honours and three-bedroom homes in Abuja. Tinubu noted that it was the first time a federal government had fulfilled this scale of presidential sporting reward in full within one year. The payment marks the final component of the reward package promised to the team after they won a record fifth consecutive, and seventh overall, FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title.

FG Offers Free 100MB Daily Data For Students

The Federal Government has announced plans to provide Nigerian students with 100 megabytes of free data daily to access approved educational websites and digital learning platforms, beginning October 1, 2026. The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced the commencement date in Abuja during the launch of the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria. The initiative, developed by the Nigerian Communications Commission in collaboration with telecommunications operators and the Federal Ministry of Education, will initially target students in public senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions before being extended to other categories of learners. Under the arrangement, participating mobile network operators will provide eligible students with a daily 100MB allowance that can be used to access approved educational content without additional data charges.

‘Tell Him To Focus On His Traditional Title’ – Kwankwaso Charges Atiku

The Vice-Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to step down from the 2027 presidential race, citing his age and health. Kwankwaso made the appeal during a meeting with members of the Fulani Farmers Association at his Abuja residence, describing Atiku as an elder statesman who should devote his attention to his traditional responsibilities as the Wazirin Adamawa. Speaking in Hausa, the former Kano State governor, who is running mate to NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, asked the association to relay his message to Atiku, adding that he and Obi would ensure the former vice-president continued to receive support should they win the election.

Death Toll From Suspected Herbal Drink Poisoning In Ondo Rises To 27

The death toll from an incident involving residents of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State has risen to 27, prompting the state government to begin a crackdown on the sale of herbal drinks and other unapproved substances in the affected communities. Residents of Araromi Obu and Odigbo town reportedly fell ill after consuming substances suspected to be herbal concoctions, with 24 deaths initially recorded across the two communities before the figure climbed further. Authorities in the state have since moved to restrict the sale of such substances as investigations into the cause continue.

NLC Issues Seven-Day Ultimatum To FCTA Over Teachers’ Welfare

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory Council, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Capital Territory Administration to resolve three outstanding issues affecting teachers in the territory, warning that failure to act would trigger an indefinite strike. The ultimatum was contained in a letter dated September 8, 2026, addressed to the Minister of the FCT and signed by the Chairman of the NLC FCT Council, Knabayi S. Adalo, who listed the unresolved issues and demanded urgent government intervention before the deadline elapses.

Gunmen Kill Resident, Abduct INEC Official In Sokoto Attack

Gunmen have killed a resident and abducted an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in an attack on Girkau village, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The deceased was identified as Mallam Samaila Abdullahi Girkau, while the abducted INEC staff member was identified as Bala A. Ladan Girkau, who works with the commission in Tambuwal. Details of the attack remain sketchy, as security operatives are yet to comment on efforts to rescue the abducted official.

Kano Police Arrest Two Over Killing Of Political Commentator Danshagamu

The Kano State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the killing of popular political commentator Ibrahim Khalil Danshagamu, who was attacked with sharp objects at his residence in Gaida Quarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state. The command disclosed the arrests in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who said investigations into the killing were ongoing.

2027: Peter Obi Reveals Tinubu Policy He Will Retain If Elected President

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said he plans to retain the free-floating exchange rate policy of the Bola Tinubu administration if elected president in 2027. A free-floating exchange rate is one in which the value of a currency is determined purely by market forces, without central bank intervention to influence its external value. Obi, who spoke during an appearance on Arise TV, was asked to name one policy of the Tinubu administration he would keep. He said he would retain the naira float policy but would focus on boosting productivity to strengthen the currency and make it more valuable to Nigerians.

Where Is The Money? – Atiku Questions Tinubu’s Fresh Borrowing

The 2027 African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has asked the Federal Government to explain why it is seeking fresh loans despite claims that government revenue has increased significantly. In a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku criticised President Bola Tinubu’s proposed Vienna-listed bond arrangement, saying the government must account for funds already coming into its coffers before taking on more debt. He also raised concerns over mounting pressure on Nigerian manufacturers, noting that diesel prices have risen above ₦2,000 per litre in some industrial areas, with energy costs consuming more than half of some factories’ operating expenses. According to Atiku, the government’s push for additional funding does not align with its claims of improved revenue, savings from fuel subsidy removal and higher oil earnings.

Nigerian Army Rescues 13 Kidnap Victims, Neutralises Suspected Kidnapper

The Nigerian Army says troops have rescued 13 kidnapped victims, intercepted 300 rounds of ammunition and neutralised a suspected kidnapper in separate operations conducted nationwide. The Army said the operations also led to the disruption of illegal bunkering activities, the recovery of suspected illegally refined petroleum products, and the interception of a trailer conveying illegally mined ilmenite, as troops continue efforts to curb insecurity and economic sabotage across the country.

US Delivers Military Equipment To Nigerian Air Force To Fight Terrorism

The United States has delivered a fresh consignment of military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force as part of efforts to strengthen the security partnership between both countries. The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) disclosed this on its official website, stating that a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft delivered the equipment over the weekend. “Partnership in action: a U.S. Air Force C-17 delivers equipment to the Nigerian Air Force this weekend,” AFRICOM said in a post. The command added that the delivery falls under a Foreign Military Sales agreement between Washington and Abuja, aimed at supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.

I Wrote A Song For Beyoncé But It Got Rejected – Adekunle Gold

Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has revealed that he once wrote a song for Beyoncé’s The Lion King project in 2019 but later hoped the American superstar would turn it down so he could keep and release it himself. He said the opportunity, relayed to him by his manager through Beyoncé’s company, Parkwood Entertainment, came at a difficult period, as he had just lost his father while he was away in Los Angeles. Speaking on the One 54 podcast, the singer explained that the news initially excited him, given that Beyoncé was one of his biggest musical inspirations, but his father’s death made it difficult for him to concentrate on creating music for the project.

He Has To Have More Than Enough – Stella Damasus Sets Financial Standard For Daughter’s Partner

Nollywood actress Stella Damasus has shared the qualities she expects from any man who intends to become her daughter’s partner. Speaking during a conversation with her second daughter, Angelica Aboderin, on Pulse TV, Damasus listed respect, financial stability and discipline as her non-negotiable requirements. She said her daughter’s partner must treat her with respect and be financially capable of providing for both himself and her daughter, adding that discipline and self-control were equally important to her.

Pochettino Calls For Chelsea To Be Stripped Of 2016-17 Premier League Title

Mauricio Pochettino has called for Chelsea to be stripped of their 2016-17 Premier League title, with the trophy retrospectively awarded to Tottenham, following the club’s financial rule breaches. Chelsea were fined £10 million by the Football Association in July and handed a suspended two-window transfer ban after violations linked to their transfer dealings during the Roman Abramovich era. The Premier League had earlier fined the club £10.75 million in March over breaches involving unlicensed agents and attempts to conceal the nature of certain transfers between 2009 and 2022. Several deals involving Eden Hazard, Willian, David Luiz and Nemanja Matic were among those found to have breached the rules. The players featured prominently in Chelsea’s title-winning campaign under Antonio Conte, while Pochettino’s Tottenham finished second, seven points behind. Pochettino, who later managed Chelsea, believes Tottenham should have been awarded the title, arguing that Chelsea gained an unfair advantage from their rule breaches.

Premier League Announces 2026/27 Festive Fixtures With Seven Boxing Day Matches

The Premier League has announced its festive fixtures for the 2026/27 season, with seven matches scheduled for Boxing Day as clubs prepare for a busy Christmas and New Year period. The fixtures, covering match rounds 17 to 20 from December 26 to January 7, 2027, were released to give supporters more than three months to plan their travel and matchday arrangements. Aston Villa will host Leeds in the early Boxing Day kick-off, while Everton face Sunderland, Fulham take on Brighton, Ipswich meet Brentford and Tottenham welcome Bournemouth. Liverpool travel to Hull for the late-afternoon fixture, before Newcastle host Manchester City in the day’s final match. The action continues on December 27 with Coventry hosting Chelsea, Manchester United facing Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace welcoming Arsenal, followed by further fixtures on December 29 and 30, including Everton against Manchester City and Aston Villa versus Liverpool. Leeds will host Everton on New Year’s Day, while the first weekend of 2027 features Bournemouth against Aston Villa and Chelsea against Newcastle. Manchester City face Tottenham on January 3, before Manchester United host Newcastle on January 7 to close out the festive programme. The Premier League confirmed that every club will have at least 60 hours of rest between matches during the Christmas and New Year period.

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