Evening Roundup: Fri 13-11-2026
From Uyo to Abuja to London, Friday's news cycle swung between World Cup qualifying drama, courtroom wins for the opposition, fresh kidnapping cases and the INEC chairman's international headache — with Microsoft's global meltdown and Nvidia's Washington summons rounding out a busy day.
Super Eagles Chase Redemption in Uyo
The Super Eagles take on Tanzania in Uyo on Friday desperate to bounce back from their 3-0 mauling by Guinea-Bissau, with Premium Times noting the team have "collected three points from their opening two Group L matches" and must return to winning ways. Coach Eric Chelle has named his starting XI, with Vanguard reporting that goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Calvin Bassey and forward Ademola Lookman are among those "expected to feature in Nigeria's starting line-up," while the Eagles will again be without the injured Victor Osimhen, who Channels TV says "sustained a left knee injury during Galatasaray's UEFA Champions League fixture." Chelle himself struck a bullish tone, with BusinessDay quoting him as "confident of Super Eagles' victory against Tanzania."
“Nigeria have collected three points from their opening two Group L matches”
Ogun 2027: Court Hands Adebutu a Win Over INEC
A Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a significant ruling in the Ogun governorship race, with Daily Trust reporting the court found "INEC had no power to unilaterally disqualify a candidate from contesting an election" and ordered the reinstatement of PDP candidate Oladipupo Adebutu's name. Adebutu wasted no time celebrating, telling reporters, as Punch quotes, that "'Justice has prevailed'" following the order directing INEC to restore his name within 24 hours. Vanguard adds that Adebutu insisted his "PDP membership, registration and emergence as the party's governorship candidate were legitimate and in accordance with due process."
INEC Chairman Under Fire at Home and Abroad
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan spent Friday fending off controversy on two fronts. At home, he denied allegations of political bias, with Punch reporting he "denied owning a pro-Tinubu X account, stating the matter has been reported to the DSS and the police for investigation." Abroad, the chairman ran into a hostile reception in London, where Vanguard reports "demonstrators surrounded the vehicle conveying Amupitan outside Chatham House," with Punch noting protesters were there to "demand his resignation over alleged voter register irregularities."
“I never owned pro-Tinubu X account – INEC chairman”
“The demonstrators surrounded the vehicle conveying Amupitan outside Chatham House”
Kidnapping Cases Across the South-West and North
Security concerns dominated the domestic news file. In Ogun State, Punch reports that kidnappers abducted "a FUNAAB graduate, Adedoja Hannah, and three others from a farm in Abeokuta" and have demanded a N500 million ransom, with Channels TV noting police "assured that security operatives were working to rescue the victims." In Zamfara, however, authorities notched a rare quick resolution: Punch reports police arrested "a 26-year-old woman, Saadiya Sahabi, for allegedly abducting her three-year-old niece and demanding a N10m ransom," with Channels TV adding the toddler "was reportedly held captive for about two weeks before she was rescued."
“Kidnappers demand N500m ransom for FUNAAB graduate, three others”
“Police arrest woman for abducting niece, demanding N10m ransom in Zamfara”
Campuses: Strike Standoff and Convocation Cheer
At Kaduna State University, a court intervened in the ongoing strike standoff, with Daily Trust reporting that a Principal District Court "authorised the Commissioner of Police to re-open the gates of Kaduna State University (KASU)" under judicial supervision. Elsewhere, it was a day of celebration at FUTA, Akure, where Tribune Online reports the institution will graduate "4,212 students at its 37th convocation ceremony," with Punch noting that "256 students graduated with first-class degrees out of 3,039" first-degree recipients.
“Court orders police to re-open KASU gates”
“256 bag first class as FUTA graduates 3,039”
Rivers Gas Seepage and Tech Turmoil
In the oil-rich Niger Delta, regulators flagged a safety concern after screening wells near a gas seepage site, with Nairametrics reporting the NUPRC "identifying 13 as" high-risk following checks around Bille Community in Degema LGA, Rivers State. On the global tech front, Nairametrics reports Microsoft "suffered a widespread global outage that disrupted access to Outlook, Teams, Copilot and other Microsoft 365 services," while in Washington, Channels TV reports US lawmakers have summoned Nvidia's former chief after a scandal that "has wiped almost half a trillion dollars off Nvidia's market valuation."
“identifying 13 as”
“Microsoft global outage disrupts Outlook, Teams, Copilot services”
“The scandal has wiped almost half a trillion dollars off Nvidia's market valuation”
Anthem Fight and Entertainment Buzz
Politics took a symbolic turn in Lagos, where Peter Obi and NDC supporters made a statement at a townhall meeting, with Vanguard reporting they "declined to stand for the recital of the current national anthem when prompted by the event anchor," while Daily Trust notes the crowd chose "'Arise O Compatriots'" over the new anthem. On lighter notes, football fans learned Nicolas Jackson and Roberto De Zerbi picked up October's Premier League monthly awards, Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes reportedly rejected a second contract offer amid ongoing talks, and Nollywood circles buzzed over Olori Naomi Silekunola's striking entrance at a Lagos naming ceremony.
“declined to stand for the recital of the current national anthem when prompted by the event anchor”
“Fernandes rejects second Man United contract offer”
Earlier editions
Evening Roundup: Thu 12-11-2026
A history-making appointment in Jos, boardroom drama at Nvidia that ended in a CEO's resignation, and political tension ahead of Lagos 2027 town halls headline a busy news day, alongside fresh moves on Nigeria's pension backlog and simmering controversy over Edo's finances.
Morning Roundup: Thu 12-11-2026
With barely 70 days to the 2027 general elections, security agencies scored a major win against arms smugglers even as political parties sparred over campaign messaging, succession disputes and a sealed opposition venue in Kaduna.
Evening Roundup: Wed 11-11-2026
From a fiery highway scare in Lagos to a presidential manifesto under fire, a Villa celebration for the Flamingos, and fresh borrowing requests in Abuja, Wednesday delivered a dense news cycle across politics, business and sport.
Morning Roundup: Wed 11-11-2026
A fresh killing in Taraba, a reshuffle at Lagos' troubled waste authority, and a flurry of 2027 campaign positioning dominate the morning's headlines, alongside a major EFCC cash recovery and global oil prices sliding on Iran de-escalation signals.
Evening Roundup: Tue 10-11-2026
From a prison break in Kogi to a political slugfest over Wike's controversial cash rewards, Tuesday's news cycle was dominated by security concerns, 2027 election positioning, and a flurry of aviation safety warnings.
Morning Roundup: Tue 10-11-2026
Politics dominates the morning line-up as 2027 campaign manoeuvres intensify across the country, while Nigeria basks in fresh sporting glory from Morocco to Dakar and a major Delta State investment adds to the business pages.