Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 30 September 2026

September 30, 2026

Tinubu Says He Enjoyed Month-Long Vacation in Europe

President Bola Tinubu has said he enjoyed his month-long vacation in Europe. He spoke to journalists at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday evening after arriving from France.

Pantami Emerges PDP Governorship Candidate in Gombe Again

Prof. Isa Ali Pantami has again emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State. His earlier victory was nullified by a Federal High Court last Thursday, which ordered a fresh primary. The rerun was held on Tuesday across the 114 wards in the state’s 11 Local Government Areas.

APM Urges World Bank to Reject Tinubu’s $1.5bn Loan Request

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has urged the World Bank and other international lenders to withhold approval for President Bola Tinubu’s fresh loan request, citing the interests of over 200 million Nigerians. Describing the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration as “squandermaniac,” the party condemned the proposed $1.5 billion credit as an attempt to “mortgage the future of millions of Nigerians.”

Naira Gains in Parallel Market, Weakens at NFEM

The naira appreciated on Tuesday to ₦1,370 per dollar in the parallel market, from ₦1,375 on Monday. In the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), however, it depreciated to ₦1,329 per dollar.

Dangote Ready to Face Legal Challenges, Open to Cutting Refinery Stake to 25%

Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has said he is prepared to confront legal challenges to his businesses. He added that he is willing to reduce his ownership of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to 25 per cent as more Africans buy shares in the company.

Public Servants Reaffirm September 30 Ultimatum Over Petrol Price, Wages

Workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have reaffirmed their September 30, 2026 ultimatum to the Federal Government over rising petrol costs, a wage award and negotiations for a new national minimum wage. The council issued a three-day warning strike notice starting October 2 if the government fails to cut petrol to ₦500 per litre, announce a wage award and introduce other measures to ease hardship.

Edo Court Sentences Four to Death for Benin Kidnapping

The Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four persons to death for the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market, off Airport Road, Benin City. Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the judgment on 11 counts of kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

Two Nigerians Jailed in US for $2.4m Cyber Fraud

Two Nigerians based in the United States, Chijioke Timothy Odimegwu and Harafat Mogaji, have been sentenced to a combined 189 months in federal prison for an international cyber intrusion scheme that defrauded businesses of over $2.4 million. A statement issued Tuesday by Public Information Officer MacKenzie Tubbs said US Attorney David Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentences.

Residents Loot Osogbo Food Scheme Warehouse After Operators Vanish

Residents on Tuesday stormed the Odi-Olowo, Osogbo office of the Global Food Initiative and looted the warehouse where food items were kept. The incident followed tension in Osogbo, Osun State, on Monday, after operators of the cheap food scheme disappeared, leaving residents who had paid various sums for food items stranded.

Lagos Teenager Freed After Nearly Four Years in Custody Over Slippers

A Lagos teenager remanded in 2022 after allegedly being arrested over slippers similar to those worn by a complainant has regained his freedom after nearly four years in custody. His identity was not disclosed. He was among two men whose cases were taken up by the non-governmental organisation Citizens Gavel after its legal team found them during a visit to the Medium Security Correctional Centre in January 2024.

Tinubu Returns to Nigeria After 28-Day Vacation in France

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after a four-week working vacation in France. The presidential plane landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 6:22 p.m.

In a statement on Tuesday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu chose to fly to Lagos first to honour MKO Abiola, martyr of Nigeria’s democratic struggle, on Independence Day. He will attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola, winner of the June 1993 election, at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

The statement added that Tinubu will hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections before returning to Abuja.

“I’m Ready to Work, There’s Nothing Wrong With Me” – Tinubu Dismisses Health Rumours

President Bola Tinubu has dismissed rumours about his health, saying he is in perfect condition. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on his return from vacation, he said he enjoyed the break.

Asked about health rumours that trended while he was in France, Tinubu said he was “ready to kick, ready to work, there’s nothing wrong.” He attributed the rumours to politics, adding: “Rumours will always emanate from politics, but the fact remains that I’m here, healthy, sound and ready to go.”

Pantami Wins Gombe PDP Governorship Rerun Primary

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, has won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Gombe State for the 2027 election. The exercise was held on Tuesday across the state’s 11 local government areas.

Pantami defeated two other aspirants, Usman Aliyu Garry and Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, polling about 80 per cent of votes cast.

The rerun followed a September 24 Federal High Court judgment in Gombe by Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, which voided the earlier process that produced Pantami and ordered a fresh primary. Mailantarki and Garry had challenged the first exercise.

“I Was Never in PDP” – Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday denied ever being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He spoke during a Senate session as lawmakers considered a motion in honour of former Kogi State Governor Ibrahim Idris, who died on September 20, 2026. Senator Jibrin Isah, representing Kogi East, moved the motion and recalled his political relationship with Akpabio and Idris when they were PDP members. He noted that Idris served as governor from May 29, 2003 to January 27, 2012.

Akpabio interrupted, rejecting the suggestion that he had ever belonged to the PDP. He maintained that he had always identified with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Nigerians Should Not Have to Guess” – Atiku Demands Details of Tinubu’s $700m US Deal

African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has questioned the recent $700 million minerals deal between the United States and the Nigerian government.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said on Arise Television on Tuesday that Nigeria has enough of the minerals the US wants, dismissing claims of secrecy.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku demanded immediate publication of the deal’s details. He asked whether it is the same agreement rejected by President John Mahama’s administration in Ghana over certain concerns. He called for the full Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be published, with every related protocol, annex, data-sharing arrangement, specimen-sharing agreement and financial undertaking.

Iyabo Obasanjo Alleges Renewed Threat to Life, Blasts APC

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District, Iyabo Obasanjo, has claimed there are renewed threats to her life.

She made the allegation in an interview on Splash FM late Monday, reacting to the disruption of a PDP campaign gathering at Ward 16, Trailer Park, Soyooye area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area. She said she was putting the United Nations, the United States Embassy in Nigeria and the international community on notice over the threats and the integrity of the January 2027 elections.

She said she had seen online videos showing men, some masked and allegedly armed with cutlasses, dismantling campaign canopies and attacking people at the venue shortly before her arrival. She warned that unless the growing political violence stopped, she and her associates would seek international attention.

“Violence Is Never an Option”: BBNaija Disqualifies Keivo for Beating Tram

Big Brother Naija “Show Ya Sef” housemate Victor Ikpe, popularly known as Keivo, has been disqualified after a physical fight with fellow housemate Tram.

Big Brother announced the decision on Tuesday after housemates were called to the lounge to watch footage of the incident. He identified Keivo as the person who initiated the attack, saying: “Keivo, as the perpetrator, has been removed from the house. He is therefore disqualified from the house. Violence is never an option.”

The announcement came shortly after Keivo’s name disappeared from the official voting platform. The incident occurred on Monday, in the show’s final week, after Tram accused Keivo of taking a black shirt belonging to him.

“I Know What He Can Do, and What He Can’t Do” – 2Baba’s Mother Defends Singer

Rose Idibia, mother of music star Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has dismissed published reports and allegations about her son.

The singer has been in the public eye over his personal life since announcing his separation from actress Annie Macaulay in January 2025. In February 2025, he made public his relationship with Natasha Osawaru, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly. He has since been involved in several controversies, including alleged disagreements with Osawaru.

In an interview with Vanguard, Mrs Idibia said her son has coped with the criticism because he knows himself and what he has and has not done. She said the constant reports may affect him emotionally, but knowing the truth has helped him stay focused.

Guinea-Bissau Beat Super Eagles 3-0 in AFCON 2027 Qualifier

Guinea-Bissau defeated Nigeria 3-0 in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on September 29, handing the Super Eagles their first loss in Group L at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau.

Franculino opened the scoring in the 15th minute, set up by Ronaldo Nhaga. Nigeria had 56 per cent possession and 12 shots, seven on target, but trailed 1-0 at half-time.

Coach Éric Chelle introduced Moses Simon and Mathias Usor for Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka at the break. Mama Balde made it 2-0 in the 66th minute from Mauro Rodrigues’ assist. Chelle then brought on Tolu Arokodare, Gift Orban and Raphael Onyedika.

Guinea-Bissau were reduced to 10 men in the 88th minute when Alfa Semedo was sent off for unsportsmanlike conduct, but Nigeria failed to capitalise. Alexandre Djalo sealed the win in the fifth minute of stoppage time, from Carlos Mané Tamble’s assist.

Premier League Confirms Manchester City Found Guilty on All Charges

The Premier League has confirmed that Manchester City have been found guilty of all charges of breaching its financial rules between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons.

An independent Commission found that City arranged “sham” contracts with commercial partners and relied on other “sham” agreements to inflate revenues and reduce costs. It also found the club filed misstated accounts and concealed its true finances from auditors and football regulators. The arrangements artificially increased revenues and reduced costs by more than £900 million.

According to the Premier League, they formed part of a disguised funding scheme involving Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd (ADUG), City’s owner at the time, which funded portions of sponsorship agreements to let the club record lower operating expenses than it incurred.

The Commission also found City significantly breached the Premier League’s spending limits and UEFA’s financial rules, and would have done so by a substantial margin had the agreements been accurately recorded. City were further found guilty of three of four alleged breaches over failure to co-operate with the four-year investigation, which began in December 2018.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the decision established the facts surrounding City’s conduct during the period.

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