Today's Paper Roundup: Tue 29-09-2026
From Atiku's fresh salvo against fresh borrowing to a grounded airline and a deep dive into Nigeria's telecom paradox, Tuesday's papers span politics, aviation, oil and technology as the country edges closer to the 2027 election cycle.
2027 Politics: Atiku's Pitch and Party Manoeuvres
The ADC presidential campaign machinery was in full swing, with the party's council moving to reassure Nigerians that Atiku Abubakar would not govern from a distance if elected. At the same time, Atiku turned his attention to the Tinubu administration's borrowing plans, demanding accountability for existing debt before any new facility is approved. Down in the states, the ADC's Katsina governorship hopeful resumed political duties after a medical trip abroad, while Kwara's NDC moved to patch up internal rifts by naming a running mate to its governorship candidate.
“Atiku will not be an absentee president – ADC”
“Atiku to Tinubu: Account for Past Loans Before Seeking Fresh $1.5bn”
“Kaita returns to Katsina, resumes political engagements”
“Kwara NDC moves to end crisis, unveils running mate to gov’ship candidate”
Debt, Loans and the Naira of it All
Atiku's challenge to the presidency centred on Nigeria's mounting debt profile, which he says now demands far greater transparency before the country takes on more foreign obligations. ThisDay reports the former vice president invoking the scale of the national debt burden as justification for his call, a theme that dovetails with a separate ILO finding on the depth of Nigerians' economic vulnerability.
“Says N166.79trn debt burden demands greater transparency”
“85.2 percent Nigerians lack effective social protection —ILO”
Aviation Trouble: Xejet Grounded Over Debt
The Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria has pulled its services from XEJet Airlines after the carrier ran up an outstanding debt of roughly N300 million, a move both Punch and ThisDay report brought operations to a halt on Monday.
“Ground handlers suspend airline’s services over N300m debt”
“Ground Handlers at Airports Withdraw Services to Xejet Airlines”
Oil, Gas and Local Content Push
The industry is looking ahead to the next decade of Nigerian content implementation, with stakeholders gathering at the Practical Nigerian Content Forum in Yenagoa to chart a course beyond 2027. Leadership notes the sector has already hit 61 per cent local content under the current roadmap and is now eyeing a 70 per cent target, even as BusinessDay flags a structural bottleneck: the refining boom's promise is being constrained by an upstream sector that isn't producing enough crude to feed it.
“With 61% Local Content Achieved, Stakeholders Eye 70% Target At PNC Forum”
“PNC 2026 to set priorities for next phase of Nigerian content implementation”
“We face difficulties accessing crude – modular refiners”
Manufacturing and Markets
Non-oil export earnings climbed to N3.73 trillion in the second quarter, yet Leadership reports manufacturers still can't translate that growth into real competitiveness, squeezed by high energy costs, expensive logistics and a flood of cheap imports. On the corporate front, University Press Plc shareholders approved a dividend bump at this year's AGM, a modest bright spot for investors.
“High Costs, Cheap Imports Crippling Nigeria’s Manufacturing Competitiveness – Stakeholders”
“UP Plc raises dividend to 18 kobo at 2026 AGM”
Tech: AI Election Risks, Start-up Money and Telecom Frustration
Daily Trust examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping the 2027 campaign information landscape, warning of a more complicated misinformation environment for candidates and voters alike. ThisDay reports Nigeria's start-up sector pulled in $364.1 million even as government and ECOWAS pivot their focus from funding toward production, while BusinessDay highlights a growing contradiction in telecoms: networks are getting faster, but customer satisfaction keeps sliding.
“Election campaigns in the era of misinformation”
“$364m Start-up Boom: Nigeria Faces New Test Beyond Venture Capital”
“Faster networks, lower satisfaction: Nigeria’s telecom paradox deepens”
Diplomacy, Science Infrastructure and Faith Abroad
Senate President Godswill Akpabio used a diplomatic engagement to push for deeper parliamentary ties between Nigeria and Australia, while NASENI continues building out its Abuja Technology Village campus as part of the country's innovation push. Overseas, Pastor Evelyn Joshua of SCOAN capped her Brazil visit with a charity outreach in São Paulo's Osasco community, and UBA's showing at UNGA81 in New York drew coverage for putting African business narratives front and centre on the global stage.
“Akpabio Seeks Stronger Nigeria-Australia Parliamentary Relations”
“NASENI Intensifies Construction Of Campus To Strengthen Innovation”
“Evelyn Joshua donates food, cash to Brazil community”
“How UBA Pushed Africa Business Stories to Centre of Global Conversations at UNGA81”