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Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 18 August 2026
Inflation Eases To 15.43% In July As Food Prices Surge
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased to 15.43 per cent in July 2026, down 0.48 percentage points from the 15.91 per cent recorded in June. This is according to the Consumer Price Index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday. Despite the overall decline, the data showed renewed pressure on food prices, with food inflation accelerating sharply on a month-on-month basis. The NBS attributed the mixed outcome to shifting price dynamics across different consumption categories during the review period. Analysts are expected to watch subsequent months closely for confirmation of a sustained downward trend.
Edo Assembly Speaker Agbebaku Resigns Amid Impeachment Threat
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, resigned from his position on Monday amid reports of an impending impeachment by members of the assembly. Agbebaku announced his resignation during a dramatic plenary session marked by procedural disputes over who had the authority to preside over the sitting. The development followed weeks of tension within the legislature. Lawmakers proceeded to elect a new Speaker shortly after his exit. The circumstances surrounding his removal continued to generate reactions from within the assembly and the wider public on Monday.
Man Arrested For Allegedly Hacking Mother To Death In Ondo
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man, Samuel Akoade, for allegedly hacking his mother, Olufunke Akoade, to death in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state. The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday at about 5pm in the Powerline area of the community. It was gathered that the suspect attacked his mother with a machete, inflicting deep injuries that resulted in her death. Police operatives moved swiftly to apprehend him following the incident. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the killing are ongoing, with the suspect currently in custody.
NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Plantations, Arrests 10 Traffickers In Edo
The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has destroyed two cannabis plantations weighing 4,628.9kg and arrested 10 suspected drug traffickers in separate operations across the state. This was disclosed on Monday by the state Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju. The operations formed part of ongoing efforts by the agency to clamp down on illicit drug cultivation and trafficking in the state. Ofoyeju noted that the exercise would continue as the command intensifies surveillance across known drug hotspots. The suspects arrested are expected to face prosecution.
Police Assure Nigerians Of Adequate Security Ahead Of 2027 Elections
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, Olohundare Jimoh, has assured Nigerians of adequate security ahead of the 2027 elections. Jimoh said the police were fully prepared and that there was no cause for fear. The AIG gave the assurance on Monday at the command headquarters. He noted that measures were already being put in place to guarantee a peaceful electoral process across the zone. Jimoh urged residents to go about their activities without apprehension, stressing that officers would be deployed to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
Naira Appreciates To N1,349.53 Against Dollar
The naira on Monday appreciated by N8.07 against the dollar at the official foreign exchange market, closing at N1,349.53. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official website showed that the naira gained N8.07 from the N1,357.60 recorded on Friday. The marginal appreciation reflects continuing fluctuations in the official market amid ongoing efforts to stabilise the exchange rate. Market watchers noted that trading activity remained active through the session. The CBN has yet to comment further on the factors driving the latest movement in the exchange rate.
ASUU-KASU Raises Alarm Over Exit Of 200 Lecturers
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Kaduna State University chapter, has raised concerns over the departure of more than 200 lecturers. The Chairman of ASUU-KASU, Abubakar Abdullahi, disclosed this at a press conference on Monday in Kaduna. He said the lecturers, including professors, left the institution due to poor conditions of service and the non-implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement. Abdullahi warned that the mass exit could affect academic standards at the institution if not urgently addressed. He called on relevant authorities to intervene to stem further departures.
Four Almajiris Die After Eating Suspected Contaminated Food In Kano
No fewer than four Almajiris were reported to have died in Kano after eating food suspected to have been contaminated. The National Chairman of the Tsangaya Media Network, Alaramma Sani Musa Nuhu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday. Details of the exact source of the food and the circumstances leading to its consumption remained unclear as at the time of the statement. The deaths have raised fresh concerns about the welfare and living conditions of Almajiri pupils in the state. Authorities are yet to issue an official response to the incident.
Air Peace Vehicles Impounded Over Lagos Airport Blockade Rise To Five
The number of Air Peace vehicles impounded by the police for investigation following the recent Lagos airport runway blockade has increased from three to five. It was reliably gathered that the vehicles, currently in police custody, are marked AJJ 589EX, KTU 440EZ, AAA 831F, KTU 85FH and EPE 656HF. The impoundment forms part of ongoing investigations into the incident, which disrupted operations at the airport. Authorities have yet to disclose further details on the status of the probe or the airline’s response to the development.
Osun Workers Rally To Celebrate Adeleke’s Electoral Victory
Osun State workers, under the auspices of organised labour, on Monday converged on the entrance to the State Secretariat at Abere, Osogbo, to celebrate Governor Ademola Adeleke’s electoral victory. The workers attributed his return to office to his administration’s worker-friendly policies and improved welfare for pensioners. The rally drew participation from various labour groups across the state. Organisers described the outing as a show of appreciation for the governor’s engagement with the workforce during his first term. Adeleke is yet to publicly react to the gesture.
Fresh Details Emerge On Why Agbebaku Was Removed As Edo Speaker
The newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, has made fresh allegations about why lawmakers sacked his predecessor, Blessing Agbebaku. Idiaye, representing Akoko Edo Constituency I, emerged as the new Speaker on Monday following Agbebaku’s resignation, which came amid growing tension within the legislature and moves by some lawmakers to impeach him. Hours later, Idiaye alleged that corruption was part of the reason his predecessor was removed, criticising Agbebaku’s leadership over prolonged adjournments and questionable conduct while addressing journalists after Monday’s plenary, according to Naija News.
Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Drops Again To 15.43% In July
The National Bureau of Statistics has reported a further drop in Nigeria’s inflation rate for July 2026, from 15.91 per cent in June to 15.43 per cent. The update was contained in the NBS Consumer Price Index and inflation report released on Monday, according to Naija News. The agency also reported food inflation at 5.56 per cent on a month-on-month basis. The figures point to a gradual easing of price pressures nationwide, though food costs remain a key area of concern for households across the country.
AI Videos, Fake News – INEC Dismisses Claims Of Ghost, Hired Voters In Osun Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission has urged the public to disregard social media claims that ghost and hired voters were deployed in the August 15 Osun State governorship election. The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Dayo Oketola, clarified on Arise News on Monday that all electors were duly registered and accredited at their designated polling units before voting, according to Naija News. He noted that the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System made claims of ghost voters impossible, warning Nigerians to desist from relying on unverified videos circulating online.
‘Our Members Thought FG Will Write Results’ – APC Chieftain, Farouk Aliyu
APC chieftain Farouk Aliyu has said some party members had assumed the Federal Government would write results to ensure the victory of its candidate, Bola Oyebanjo, at the Osun State gubernatorial poll. The APC lost the election to the Accord Party, with Governor Ademola Adeleke securing victory by over a thousand votes, Naija News reports. Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, Aliyu said the assumption contributed to the party’s defeat, adding that many APC members took Adeleke and his supporters for granted during the campaign.
‘I’m Devastated By Killing Of 32 Innocent Nigerians In Sokoto’ – Atiku
ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has expressed sadness over the deaths of 32 people in Ungushi community, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State. In a post via his X handle on Monday, Atiku said condolences were no longer enough and questioned how many more Nigerians must die before the Tinubu administration treats the protection of lives as an emergency, according to Naija News. He called on the Federal Government to strengthen intelligence, secure vulnerable communities and bring those responsible for the killings to justice, stressing that Nigerians cannot keep burying loved ones amid recurring attacks.
2027: ‘APC Afraid That Osun Election Will Send Wrong Signals To Nigerians’ – Dele Momodu
ADC chieftain Dele Momodu has claimed the APC is jittery over the outcome of the Osun State governorship election, fearing it has sent the wrong signal to Nigerians ahead of 2027. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Momodu asserted that President Bola Tinubu lost in Osun, stressing that APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and Gboyega Oyetola were name-droppers using the President’s name in the state, Naija News reports. He also commended singer Davido for giving real-time election updates, saying the APC would otherwise have carried out manipulation at midnight.
I’m Going To Just Die One Day – Omah Lay Opens Up On Smoking Habits
Nigerian singer Omah Stanley Didia, popularly known as Omah Lay, has revealed he is no longer pressuring himself to quit smoking after several failed attempts. The Afrobeats star made this known during a podcast conversation with DJ Dan, according to Naija News. He explained that he had made repeated efforts to stop but consistently struggled to stay away from the habit. Following those attempts, he said he has decided to accept smoking as currently part of his lifestyle rather than continue forcing himself to quit.
Why Neche Left BBNaija House – Organisers
Organisers of Big Brother Naija Season 11 have explained why housemate Neche Maduagwu voluntarily left the reality show. Neche’s unexpected departure happened on Sunday, shortly after the live eviction show, while she was serving as Head of House for the week, Naija News reports. Before leaving, she informed the other contestants that she had decided to quit the competition, though she did not reveal details of the personal situation that influenced her decision. Organisers confirmed her exit but withheld further specifics on the matter.
NFF Orders Super Falcons Technical Crew To Step Down After WAFCON Failure
The Nigeria Football Federation has ordered the Super Falcons’ technical crew to step down with immediate effect following a disappointing 2026 campaign. The NFF Executive Committee announced the decision on August 17 in a brief statement but did not disclose the reason for the directive, according to Naija News. The federation said via X that the Executive Committee had asked members of the technical crew to step down. The decision follows a difficult WAFCON campaign in which the Super Falcons suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to Malawi in their opening Group C match.
I Pay Royalties To My Brother For Adopting His Name – Jay Jay Okocha
Nigerian football legend Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha has revealed how he adopted his brother’s name. Okocha explained that Jay Jay became his nickname during childhood while playing football in the neighbourhood with his brothers, according to Naija News. He stated that several boys in his neighbourhood were also called Austin, and he was often referred to as “Austin Jay-Jay’s brother” to differentiate him from his namesakes. The former Super Eagles captain made the disclosure during an appearance on the ObiOne podcast.