Today's Paper Roundup: Fri 16-10-2026
The road to 2027 dominates the morning's headlines as opposition voices turn up the heat on President Bola Tinubu, while state governments across the country grapple with everything from gender-based violence enforcement to food security and housing finance reform.
2027 Battle Lines Harden
The campaign season is getting personal, with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde's camp and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar both squaring up to President Tinubu over his readiness to face the electorate. Punch reports that Makinde's organisation insists Tinubu should quit the race if he cannot campaign across Nigeria, while Atiku has separately challenged the president to defend his record on economic hardship before seeking re-election. ThisDay adds fresh detail on the president's campaign strategy, noting that the APC has released a nationwide rally schedule targeting 12 states seen as battlegrounds, even as critics pile on — with the Makinde/Daura camp alleging he is 'scared to face the electorate.' Meanwhile in Benue, a group has pushed back against what it calls a 'rainbow coalition' plot involving external forces to oust Governor Hyacinth Alia ahead of the polls.
“2027: Tinubu should quit if he can’t campaign – Makinde”
“Tinubu must defend record before seeking re-election – Atiku”
“He’s scared to face the electorate, says Makinde/Daura Campaign Organisation”
“Group rejects alleged coalition’s plot to oust Alia”
States Tackle Social & Gender Issues
Several states are confronting gaps in protecting women and children. In Jigawa, stakeholders are demanding forensic labs and more referral centres, warning that a lack of facilities is undermining enforcement of the VAPP law, while Gombe State University says it has yet to receive any formal sexual harassment complaints under its new gender policy. Elsewhere, the Nigerian Army has arrested a man accused of impersonating a soldier to defraud women in Gombe and Bauchi, and Plateau State's government has called for greater investment in adolescent health as part of human capital development.
“Stakeholders demand forensic facilities to enforce Jigawa law”
“Gombe varsity has no formal reports of sexual harassment – Director”
“Army arrests fake soldier accused of defrauding Gombe, Bauchi women”
“Plateau govt urges investment in adolescents’ health”
Food Security & Agriculture
As the country marks World Food Day, attention is turning to boosting production and fixing distribution bottlenecks. The Emir of Katagum has urged Bauchi farmers to embrace dry-season farming, while BusinessDay highlights a deeper structural problem in the seed sector, reporting that Nigeria has the innovation needed to 'nourish tomorrow,' but distribution lags behind, even as a Kaduna farmer's wheat yield story illustrates the on-ground gains possible.
“World Food Day: Bauchi farmers urged to embrace dry-season farming’”
“Nigeria has seed innovation to ‘nourish tomorrow ’, but distribution lags”
Economy, Justice & Housing Reform
On the policy front, the EFCC and the National Judicial Institute are jointly pushing for legal reforms to end delays in prosecuting corruption cases, per ThisDay. Separately, Leadership reports the Federal Government is planning a major overhaul of housing finance, with a proposal to raise maximum mortgage loans to N85 million and target 5,000 mortgages annually by 2028, with a specific focus on informal workers.
“EFCC, NJI Seek Legal Reforms to Tackle Delay in Trial of Corruption Cases”
“Federal Govt Moves To Raise Home Loans To N85m, Targets Informal Workers”
Entertainment, Tech & Beyond
In entertainment, BusinessDay warns that Nollywood's N2.7 trillion sector is being hampered by a lack of standardised data, leaving investors 'flying blind,' while newly crowned BBNaija Season 11 winner Temi Nkem tells Tribune Online she 'broke all stereotypes' to clinch the N160 million prize. On technology, the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria insists AI cannot replace teachers, arguing human connection remains central to learning. Further afield, Tribune Online looks at what Japan's surging centenarian population — now over 107,000 — might teach Nigeria about long-term planning, and BusinessDay's world briefs note that Nicolás Maduro has pleaded not guilty to new torture charges in a US court.
“Nollywood data void leaves investors in N2.7trn sector flying blind”
“I broke all stereotypes, showed myself to win BBNaija S11 — Temi Nkem”
“AI cannot replace teachers – APEN”
“What Japan’s milestone centenarians teach Nigeria about future-building”
“Maduro pleads not guilty to new torture charges in US court”