Today's Paper Roundup: Mon 14-09-2026
From courtroom battles over 2027 credentials to security wins in Edo and Sokoto and a fresh push around the Dangote Refinery's landmark IPO, Nigeria's newsrooms open the week with politics, business and security dominating the front pages.
2027 Politics Heats Up
The battle for 2027 is already generating legal fireworks, as Labour Party chieftain Abayomi Arabambi has dragged WAEC, UNN and NYSC to court over the academic credentials of Peter Obi, now flying the Nigerian Democratic Congress flag. Meanwhile, Accord Party's Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim is pushing back against any suggestion he could be sidelined from the presidential race, insisting the courts and not INEC will have the final say over his candidacy.
“No One Can Exclude Me From 2027 Presidential Race”
Security Operations in Edo and Sokoto
Security forces recorded fresh gains over the weekend, with troops of the Nigerian Army's Operation Wabaizigan arresting a suspected kidnapper along the Benin-Sapele Road in Edo State and recovering an AK-47 rifle. In Sokoto, police operatives struck in Tureta LGA, killing several bandits and recovering their motorcycles in a weekend operation.
“Troops arrest suspected kidnapper with AK-47 in Edo”
“Police kill several bandits, recover motorcycles in Sokoto”
Dangote Refinery IPO and Africa's Economic Push
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery's initial public offering continues to draw attention, with the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and the Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria urging Nigerians to take part in what could be a wealth-creating opportunity for millions of investors. The IPO's significance was echoed at a UN-linked forum, where officials argued Africa must own its narrative and Nigeria must make it easier for the next Dangote to emerge, while the Federal Government separately called for an enabling environment for more African entrepreneurs to reach similar scale.
“CIS, ASHON Urge Nigerians to Participate in Dangote Refinery IPO”
“UN Deputy Scribe, Oramah, Oyedele, Others Say Africa Must Own Its Narrative”
“We must create opportunities for more African entrepreneurs like Dangote – FG”
Oil, Subsidy and State Economies
Nigeria's crude output edged up in August, producing 1,677,777 barrels of crude and condensate per day, a 0.4% rise from July, according to Daily Trust. Elsewhere, a new report warns that reintroducing petrol subsidy would cost the country roughly N20 trillion annually and risks tipping Nigeria into a deeper fiscal and forex crisis, while at the state level, Abia Governor Alex Otti has identified seven priority sectors he wants to attract investment into and drive industrialisation.
“Nigeria produced 1.5m barrels of crude oil in August”
“Bringing back subsidies will cost Nigeria N20trn annually — Report”
“Otti Targets Seven Sectors to Attract Investment Capital to Abia”
Football Federation Turmoil
Nigerian football remains mired in controversy as a fresh war of words breaks out between camps loyal to Amaju Pinnick and former NFF president Ibrahim Gusau over claims of huge inherited debt. Premium Times, in an editorial, cautioned that FIFA's ongoing enquiry risks going nowhere unless the underlying rot in the federation is tackled at its roots.
“Pinnick Camp Tackles ex-NFF President Gusau Over Huge Inherited Debt Claim”
Also in the News
Abuja will pause today for the public presentation of a book chronicling the life of Brigadier Musa Usman, a pioneering Air Force officer once celebrated in a popular Radio Kaduna tune. In Edo State, Ossiomo Power Company has moved to distance itself from Chinese firm CCETC amid an ownership tussle, insisting the company is only a contractor and not a partner, while Port Harcourt gears up to host the NPBL Final Four from September 20-22.
“Brigadier Musa Usman: Salute to a pioneer”
“Ossiomo Power Plant Disowns CCETC, Says Not Partner Only a Contractor”
“Port Harcourt to host NPBL Final 4”