It is Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Nigeria is waking up to a heavy news cycle dominated by major diplomatic shifts, legal showdowns, and the economic ripples of the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Here are the top headlines across the country this morning:
Politics & Governance
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El-Rufai Faces Arraignment: The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna today. He faces charges related to alleged money laundering and the conversion of public property.
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Adamawa Governor Defects: Vice President Kashim Shettima officially received Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri into the APC in Yola yesterday. Shettima described the move as a “partnership on a shared mission” rather than a political defection.
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Holiday Confusion Fallout: National discourse continues over the “governance error” regarding the recent Ramadan public holiday mix-up. Reports suggest the lack of coordination between the Federal Government and the Sultanate cost the economy nearly $1 billion in disrupted productivity.
Economy & Business
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Naira Under Pressure: The Naira weakened by 2.48% in early trading today. The Dollar is currently quoted at an opening average of ₦1,388.38 on the official market and between ₦1,415–₦1,425 in the parallel market.
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Middle East War Impact: Aliko Dangote has warned that Nigeria will pay a “heavy price” if the Iran-Israel conflict does not de-escalate soon. He noted that rising energy costs and global oil volatility are already straining Nigeria’s fiscal space.
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Healthcare Boost: Nigeria secured a €50 million financing agreement from the European Investment Bank to boost local pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing, aiming to drastically reduce drug imports.
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Petrol Prices: In parts of the country like Abuja, petrol prices have been reported as high as ₦1,371–₦1,400 per litre, sparking fresh calls for government intervention.
Security & Diplomacy
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EU-Nigeria Partnership: President Bola Tinubu met with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas in Lagos to strengthen ties in cybersecurity, trade, and the supply of critical raw materials.
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Niger Bridge Attack: Police have confirmed that suspected terrorists destroyed a vital bridge in Niger State using explosives on Monday, further complicating transit in the North-Central region.
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US Drone Deployment: Reports indicate the US has stationed 200 troops and MQ-9 Reaper drones in Bauchi State to provide intelligence support in the ongoing anti-terror war.
