Today's Paper Roundup: Sun 04-10-2026
From Bayelsa's anniversary tributes to Abuja's refinery debt revelations and a viral university expulsion row, Nigeria's newsrooms this morning span politics, the economy, tech regulation and culture in equal measure.
Politics & Government
Bayelsa State marked 30 years since its creation with Governor Douye Diri crediting the late military ruler Sani Abacha for liberating the Ijaw people, as the state honoured Abacha, Goodluck Jonathan and 61 others at the milestone event. Meanwhile in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima gave assurances that President Bola Tinubu is fully back to business, while reflections on the country's 66th Independence Anniversary showed sharply divergent assessments from Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi on the state of the nation. In Taraba, Governor Agbu Kefas alleged that government officials are complicit in sustaining an illegal mining cartel, vowing to dismantle the network, while in Rivers State, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari pushed back on rumours linking him to the vacant Kalabari monarchy.
“Abacha freed Ijaw from oppression by creating Bayelsa, Diri says”
“Tinubu Back On Beat, Ready For Impactful Decisions — Shettima”
“Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, Others Differ On State Of The Nation At 66th Independence Anniversary”
“Govt Officials Backing Illegal Mining Cartel In Taraba – Gov Kefas”
“Asari Denies Aspiring For Kalabari Monarchy”
Economy & Finance
The financial picture remains mixed: Leadership reports that the Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries now owe NNPC a combined N8.31 trillion as of end-2025, even as the national oil company extended a further N264.4 billion in fresh loans. On monetary policy, the CBN withdrew a net N6.62 trillion from the banking system via Open Market Operations in September, and its own household survey found the share of Nigerians who view inflation as high climbing to 77.2 per cent in September, up from 67.2 per cent in August, despite official figures showing easing inflation. Still, there were notes of optimism, with Stanbic IBTC projecting non-oil sectors will push GDP growth to about 4.4 per cent in 2026, and a forum urging Africa to move past the financing-gap narrative toward scaling homegrown investment solutions.
“Warri, Kaduna, Port Harcourt Refineries Owe NNPC N8.3trn Amid N264bn in Fresh Loans”
“CBN Withdraws N6.62trn From Banking System Via OMO In September”
“Africa Must Move Beyond Financing Gaps, Scale Homegrown Solutions – Forum”
Tech & Workplace
On the technology front, the FCCPC has drafted new rules to tighten oversight of AI use in marketing, proposing penalties of up to N100 million for erring businesses. In a more upbeat signal on workplace tech adoption, the fourth annual HP Work Relationship Index found that over 70 per cent of Nigerian workers approve of AI deployment in their workplaces.
“WRI Index 2026: 70% of Nigerian Workers Approve AI Adoption in Work Places”
Crime, Controversy & Campus News
A viral video controversy escalated as Madonna University confirmed the expulsion of nursing students, acknowledging in a statement that "these students have invested years of their lives, resources and hopes in pursuing a professional career in Nursing." Separately, in the ongoing fake agency scandal, embattled Adeniyi Adeyemi — head of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council — has reportedly been given preferential treatment at Kuje Correctional Centre, including a special cell and VIP visits, days after spending his first night there without eating.
“These students have invested years of their lives, resources and hopes in pursuing a professional career in Nursing.”
“Fake Agency: Adeyemi Gets Special Cell, Own Meals, VIP Visits”
Culture, Entertainment & Africa Watch
Jos played host to young Nigerian cinema talent as student filmmakers gathered for the finale of the second EU-National Film Institute Students Film Festival, celebrating what Tribune Online describes as the future of Nigerian cinema. Nollywood also paused to honour veteran actor-producer Azeez Taofeek Alade, marking 30 years in the industry and urging patience for rising stars, while in Lagos the national premiere of a documentary titled "MKO" revisited the June 12 legacy at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts. On the lighter, more cringe-worthy side, CNN's Christiane Amanpour drew backlash after mislabelling Uganda as Nigeria on air and failing to correct the error, with Premium Times noting that "several followers, including Nigerians and Ugandans, have since pointed out this error in the comments."
“Young filmmakers celebrated at EU-NFI festival”
“Azeez Alade marks 30 years in Nollywood, urges patience for rising stars”
“MKO, June 12 and Historical Duty”
“Several followers, including Nigerians and Ugandans, have since pointed out this error in the comments.”