Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 20 August 2026

August 20, 2026

Tinubu Appoints Enitan New Head Of Civil Service Of The Federation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, effective August 27, 2026, according to a statement signed by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and dated August 19, 2026. Enitan, from Osun State, is currently Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education and is the longest-serving Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service, having spent seven years and seven months in the role, with prior postings at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President. He succeeds Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who retires at the statutory age of 60.

Tinubu Orders EFCC-Recovered Funds Channelled To Student Loan Scheme

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that all cleared and unencumbered looted funds recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission be channelled to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to strengthen tertiary education financing, Education Minister Tunji Alausa disclosed after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja. The President also approved mobilising the Unclaimed Dividends Trust Fund and the Dormant Accounts Trust Fund for NELFUND, subject to the laws guiding both funds. Alausa clarified the directive covers only liquid EFCC recoveries free of legal dispute, not seized properties, and is aimed at sustaining growing student demand for the loan programme.

FEC Approves Law To Decriminalise Attempted Suicide

The Federal Executive Council has approved an amendment to Nigeria’s mental health law decriminalising attempted suicide, declaring that persons who attempt to take their own lives require medical care and psychosocial support rather than prosecution. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the fourth FEC meeting of the year, presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Onaiyekan Rejects Presidency’s Criticism Over Account Of Tinubu Meeting

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, has rejected the Presidency’s criticism of his public account of a meeting between Catholic bishops and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He insisted that neither his age nor the government’s reaction would stop him from speaking frankly about Nigeria’s condition.

Adeleke Receives Certificate Of Return, Announces N500m Fund For Election Violence Victims

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission and announced plans to establish a N500 million endowment fund for victims of election violence. The certificate was presented by INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun, Oluwatoyin Babalola, at 1:30pm at the commission’s Osogbo headquarters, shortly after Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi received his own certificate. Babalola said the exercise confirmed the mandate given to Adeleke and Adewusi by voters, put turnout at 43.2 per cent, and urged the governor to be magnanimous in victory, commending security agencies, NGOs, the media and traditional leaders for their roles in the poll.

Security Personnel On Alert As Retired Military Officers Protest Pension Adjustments

Scores of security personnel drawn from the Nigerian military, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, Vehicle Inspection Officers and others were on alert at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence, Abuja, on Wednesday. The heavy deployment followed a protest by retired military officers over the non-implementation of consequential adjustments to their pensions.

ASUU Declares Indefinite Strike In Two Bayelsa Varsities

Academic activities at two of Bayelsa State’s foremost tertiary institutions ground to a halt on Tuesday as the Academic Staff Union of Universities declared an indefinite strike over the state government’s alleged refusal to honour agreements signed with the unions. The action, affecting Niger Delta University and Bayelsa Medical University, followed separate enlarged congresses held at the Amassoma and Yenagoa campuses.

Davido Dismisses Report Of Gunmen Attack On Adeleke’s Convoy

Nigerian Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has dismissed as lies a report that gunmen attacked the convoy of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, during his visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo on Wednesday. Police had said the singer was the target of the attack, after the governor’s security escorts engaged unidentified gunmen in a shootout lasting about 12 to 15 minutes shortly after Adeleke left the palace. However, in a post on his verified X handle, Davido wrote, “Lies! It was a fight outside the palace that had nothing to do with us. The people love his excellency.”

Sokoto Police Neutralise Two Bandits, Arrest 11 Suspects

The Sokoto State Police Command has announced the neutralisation of two armed bandits and the arrest of 11 suspects in separate operations targeting banditry and motorcycle theft across the state. The command recovered two AK-47 rifles, 54 rounds of live ammunition, magazines, a fabricated pistol and 14 stolen motorcycles during operations conducted between August 14 and 15, 2026.

FCT Police Arrest 40 Suspects Over Robbery, Kidnapping

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested 40 suspects in separate operations for alleged traffic robbery, armed robbery, kidnapping and various traffic offences within the territory. Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Abuja.

Subsidy Removal, FX Reforms Generated ₦15.8 Trillion – Tinubu Govt

The Federal Government, through Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, says fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange market reforms generated ₦15.8 trillion in resources for the federation between June 2023 and December 2025. Oyedele stated this on Wednesday while unveiling the government’s “Nigerians’ Reform Scorecard,” designed to assess the costs, benefits and impact of the administration’s economic reforms. He explained the sum did not appear as a direct credit labelled “subsidy savings” but was reflected through higher revenue collections, as removal of the subsidy regime and FX liberalisation increased the naira value of dollar-denominated customs duties and other government revenues.

2027: ‘Time Has Caught Up With Atiku’ – Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has likened African Democratic Congress 2027 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to former United States President Joe Biden, saying age has caught up with him. Speaking on TVC’s Politics Tonight, Fayose also said Atiku’s running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, would struggle in the South-South over his lack of political influence. He said, “Atiku is now really old. He’s a good man, but time has caught up with him. Atiku contesting an election is like calling Biden to come and contest again. Let me say this again: President Bola Tinubu, Atiku and Peter Obi, this is their last chance of contesting an election. The three of them.”

‘I Didn’t Know The Girl Was With Him’ – Blaqbonez Reveals Cause Of Rift With Odumodublvck

Nigerian rapper, Blaqbonez, has said his long-running feud with colleague Odumodublvck stems from an intimate relationship both of them had with the same woman. Odumodublvck had previously insisted the rift went beyond music, responding to Blaqbonez’s June 2025 diss song on X with, “You want to make it about studio. Na lie. We go meet again for the street. You know the level. This is not rap beef. Na me and you for this world.” In an interview with media personality Rufai Oseni, Blaqbonez said, “Odumodu and I were with a girl at the same time but I didn’t know she was with him too around the same time we met.”

‘The Only Married Man I Have Dated Is MC Oluomo’ – Ehi Ogbebor

Interior designer Ehi Ogbebor has addressed allegations that she “snatches” other women’s husbands, saying the only married man she has ever dated is NURTW executive Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, whose religion permits more than one wife. In an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Ogbebor dared any woman to accuse her of snatching her husband. Reflecting on her past, she revealed she has been married twice, first at age 18, and fled that union over her ex-husband’s alleged diabolical practices and severe physical and financial abuse, adding that neither her beauty nor wealth saved her two failed marriages.

Monaco Part Ways With Paul Pogba

Former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba, will leave Monaco after the Ligue 1 club terminated his contract on Wednesday, ending an agreement that was due to run until June 2027. The 33-year-old joined Monaco last year after completing an 18-month doping ban but was restricted by injuries, managing only six Ligue 1 appearances and 115 minutes of action last season. Pogba currently remains sidelined with a thigh injury after recovering from a knee problem. Monaco said objectives agreed with the player had been “only partially achieved,” though the club praised his attitude and influence within the squad.

Jamal Musiala Reveals ‘Treatable Absence Seizures’ After Second Collapse

Bayern Munich winger, Jamal Musiala, has revealed he has been diagnosed with “treatable absence seizures” after collapsing during a friendly against FC Heidenheim on Tuesday night, just three days after a similar episode against RB Leipzig. The 23-year-old Germany international fell eight minutes after coming on as a substitute in Bayern’s 4-2 win, prompting Harry Kane and team-mates to shield him while medics attended to him before he left the pitch with a club doctor’s help. Musiala said doctors had identified a neurological dysfunction behind the episodes and reassured supporters the condition posed no long-term health risk.

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