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Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 22 September 2026
Tinubu Extends European Vacation, Set To Return This Weekend
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is now expected back in Nigeria this weekend, the Presidency has announced.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London before proceeding to Paris, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore, whose media empire includes Canal+, Multichoice and Universal Music Group.
Onanuga said the President has stayed in touch with developments at home throughout the trip. With Vice President Kashim Shettima away on assignment, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume has been representing Tinubu at official events and will continue to do so.
UNGA: Why Shettima Is Representing Tinubu – Idris
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says President Tinubu’s decision to send Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at the 81st United Nations General Assembly was due to his ongoing annual leave.
Idris said Shettima would attend the high-level gathering with the full authority of the President and Nigeria, insisting Tinubu’s absence would not diminish the country’s diplomatic standing.
“President Tinubu is currently on annual leave, and his decision to ask the Vice President to lead Nigeria’s delegation is neither unusual nor a diminution of the country’s diplomatic standing,” the minister said.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement in New York and hold bilateral talks on peace and security, economic development, climate action and global financial reform.
Nigeria Cannot Be On Vacation, Who Is In Charge? — Atiku Asks As Tinubu’s Leave Ends
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded clarity from the Presidency and National Assembly on who is constitutionally exercising presidential powers following the expiration of Tinubu’s 21-day vacation period.
In a personally signed statement on Monday, Atiku argued the lapse raises questions under Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires the President to formally transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and Speaker when proceeding on an extended vacation.
He said Nigerians have not been shown any such declaration transferring presidential functions to Shettima, whose own engagements outside the country currently include representing Nigeria at the UN General Assembly.
We Disrupted Everything On $10 Billion Fuel Subsidy Loot — Dangote
Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote, says his refinery helped Nigeria avoid $10 billion in annual fuel subsidy loot.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Dangote said subsidy payments had become a major bottleneck for government until his 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery came online, disrupting entrenched interests in the sector.
He said he had to fight oil cartels to succeed, adding that despite the refinery’s gains, those cartels are still fighting back.
Tinubu Supported Makinde With ₦50 Billion — Wike Lists President’s ‘Compensation’ To G5 Governors
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says all members of the former PDP G5 governors are benefiting from President Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking on TVC News’ Journalists’ Hangout on Monday, Wike rejected claims that he alone enjoys Tinubu’s favour, revealing the President gave Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde ₦50 billion to expand the state’s airport.
“The president has also extended his hand of support to the governor of Oyo State by providing funds for him to expand Oyo airport with a whopping sum of 50 billion naira,” Wike said.
He added that he had consulted PDP structures at state, zonal and national levels before accepting his ministerial appointment, with stakeholders unanimously backing his move into the Federal Government.
2027: Sowore Promises ₦500,000 Minimum Wage, Vows To Restore Petrol Subsidy
African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has joined the subsidy debate ahead of 2027, promising to restore the petrol subsidy if elected.
The SaharaReporters publisher also pledged a ₦500,000 monthly minimum wage for Nigerian workers, declaring in a post on his official X handle that statistics-based pushback would not change his position.
Being Married Made It Hard To Connect With Male Counterparts — Ex-BBNaija Housemate Abi
Former Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemate, Abisola Ayoola, says her marriage shaped how she related to male housemates during her seven weeks in the house.
Abi, evicted alongside Araga in Sunday’s double eviction, told Punch that her marital status initially made some men cautious about getting close to her, though she eventually built connections with several male contestants despite the situation.
She said she is now considering a business venture, weighing ideas including a bakery or a bikini line.
What A Shame — Charly Boy Blasts Nigerians For Cheering Corrupt Leaders
Entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has criticised Nigerians for failing to hold their leaders accountable.
In a video shared on Instagram on Monday, the singer questioned citizens’ resignation to poor infrastructure, unstable electricity and rising food prices, saying many now treat basic amenities as privileges rather than entitlements.
He asked how food prices could rise sharply without citizens demanding answers from those in authority.
Plateau Government Imposes Curfew On Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu Over Killings
The Plateau State Government has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas following fresh attacks that left more than 20 people dead.
The victims, including women and children, were killed across Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Riyom within two days, with several houses razed in the attacks.
Taraba Nursing Students Protest After Female Hostel Attacked, Student Raped
Hundreds of students at the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, staged a peaceful protest on Monday following an overnight attack on a female hostel outside the school premises.
Hoodlums allegedly raped a female student during the attack and inflicted injuries on her, including cutting off one of her fingers.
Borno Families Threaten To Storm Villa Over Abducted Children
Parents and community members of Mussa and Lassa in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State have threatened to march on the Presidential Villa in Abuja within six days if their abducted children are not rescued from Boko Haram captivity.
The distressed families, whose children have spent over 130 days in insurgents’ hands, expressed frustration over what they described as government inaction during a protest on Monday.
NAF Advances Acquisition Of 12 AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters
The Nigerian Air Force has taken a major step toward acquiring 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters following a beam-signing ceremony with Bell Textron in Amarillo, Texas.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, led the NAF delegation to the ceremony, marking a milestone in the Nigeria-US defence cooperation programme.
Federal Unity College Staff Defy FG’s Resumption Order, Strike Continues
Staff of Federal Unity Colleges nationwide defied the Federal Government’s directive to resume academic activities on Monday, insisting their indefinite strike over the concession of King’s College, Lagos, remains in force.
Visits to Unity Colleges in Lagos and Ibadan found union members stationed at the gates, while parents largely stayed away despite the resumption directive.
Abia Police Arrest Four Over Theft, Sale Of Four-Day-Old Baby
The Abia State Police Command has arrested four suspects for allegedly stealing a four-day-old baby from its mentally challenged mother and selling the infant to another person.
Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, identified the suspects as Gladys Nathaniel, 48; Victor Udochukwu, 47; Chijioke Obunwa, 59; and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43.
NSCDC Smashes Illegal Adulterated Juice Factory In Badagry
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, has raided an illegal factory in Badagry producing adulterated fruit juice branded “Barkas Juice,” arresting two women.
Command spokesperson Oluwaseun Abolurin said operatives moved in after about five days of surveillance conducted in collaboration with a Nigerian Army formation in the area.
Kano Police Arrest Suspected Kidnapper, Recover Drone At Border Areas
The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old suspected kidnapper and cattle rustler, recovering a cine-camera drone during clearance operations along the Kano-Kaduna and Kano-Katsina border areas.
The suspect, Habibu Bello of Kunkumi Town, Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was arrested on September 14 following credible intelligence from the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad.
Makinde Backs APM For 2027 Victory As Thousands Defect From APC
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has expressed confidence that the Allied People’s Movement will win the 2027 general elections, saying God, Oyo residents and Nigerians at large are behind the party.
He spoke at the Boye Nation/JAF Movement Mega Concert at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Ibadan, where he formally received thousands of defectors from the All Progressives Congress into the APM.
Madagascar Arrive In Uyo Ahead Of Super Eagles AFCON Qualifier
Madagascar’s national team, the Barea, have arrived in Uyo ahead of their 2027 AFCON qualifying clash against Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Friday, September 25.
A 28-man delegation landed at Victor Attah International Airport at about 2:05pm on Sunday, with additional members expected Tuesday. The Matchday 1 fixture kicks off at 5pm at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, with Madagascar drawing confidence from their 2-0 win over Nigeria at the 2019 AFCON.
England Lose Five Players Ahead Of Nations League Matches
England have lost five players ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixtures, with Tino Livramento, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice all withdrawing from the squad.
Manager Thomas Tuchel has called up Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner as replacements, with both expected to join the squad on Tuesday. Palmer’s withdrawal was due to a minor injury, while Gibbs-White returns after missing England’s World Cup squad, having scored once and assisted twice in five league games for Nottingham Forest this season.