Here's what's making headlines today

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‎🇳🇬 Nigeria — Top Stories
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‎1. Politics - Wike vs Amaechi ahead of 2027
‎FCT Minister Nyesom Wike dominated the news cycle yesterday in Rivers State. Speaking at a grand reception in Ikwerre LGA, he predicted ADC vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi would tell supporters to boycott the 2027 election before 11am on election day, saying Amaechi would realize he can't defeat the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers. He also mocked Amaechi's base: "If he wins his village, Ubima, then he has won the election."
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‎Wike also said the Rainbow Coalition will "copy Amaechi's definition of brotherhood" from 2015 — when Amaechi chose Buhari over Jonathan — and use it to back President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
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‎2. House of Reps - All ad-hoc committees dissolved
‎Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has dissolved all ad-hoc committees of the 10th House, effective August 28. This includes the Yusuf Gagdi-led panel investigating the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council controversy.
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‎3. Insecurity debate
‎The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has accused the Federal Government of downplaying killings and kidnappings, rejecting Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa's claim that security has improved. APM cited Nigeria moving to 4th most insecure in the 2026 Global Terrorism Index, up from 6th in 2025.
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‎4. Nasarawa 2027
‎Former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu has emerged as the SDP governorship candidate in Nasarawa, winning a replacement primary in Lafia with 28,637 delegates participating.
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‎5. Entertainment
‎Nollywood actress Oluebube Obio says she was forced to attend an APC campaign event and was being blackmailed, while Isabell Idibia, daughter of Annie and 2Baba, said her mom's friendship with stylist Swanky Jerry is genuine, "not just for camera".
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‎🏀⚽ Sports
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‎D'Tigress: Nigeria's women's basketball team suffered a second straight loss at the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup in Berlin, losing 71-67 to Hungary after an earlier 99-81 defeat to South Korea.
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‎Premier League: Erling Haaland scored the winner as Manchester City beat newly promoted Coventry City 1-0 to make it 3 wins from 3.
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‎US Open: Day 7 on Saturday saw top seed Alexander Zverev beat Alejandro Tabilo 6-2 7-6(2) 6-2, while Elena Rybakina, Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek all advanced to the last 16.
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‎🌍 World / Business
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‎OPEC+: The oil producers' group is set to keep output policy unchanged for October at today's meeting, sources told Reuters. The group needs to review capacity and set 2027 baselines before unwinding further cuts, and the ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has limited its market influence.
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‎China Banks: Two major state banks announced $39bn in capital-raising plans today — Agricultural Bank of China up to 160bn yuan ($24bn) and ICBC 100bn yuan ($15bn).

Today's Top Headlines

‎🇳🇬 Nigeria — Leading Today
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‎1. Pipeline tragedy in Rivers: At least 37 people died after inhaling fumes as they tried to tap an oil pipeline in southern Nigeria, an environmental group said on Friday. The incident happened around midnight at Okrika, Rivers State, while suspected thieves were siphoning product under high pressure.
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‎2. Dangote Refinery IPO cleared: Nigeria's SEC has approved a ∼$1.6bn Dangote Refinery IPO. The order book is set to open September 14.
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‎3. Uber exits Nigeria: Ride-hailing company Uber shut down its Nigeria operations on September 2, after 12 years in the country. It began in Lagos in 2014.
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‎4. Auditor-General query: The Office of the Auditor-General has flagged ₦33.75 billion transferred to over 3.29 million vulnerable households as unaccounted for.
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‎5. Security & politics:
‎Boko Haram/ISWAP clash in Sambisa left 23 fighters dead; separately Boko Haram attacked Borno APC guber candidate's convoy.
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‎ADC unveiled 28 governorship candidates including Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Abubakar Malami for 2027.
‎Defence Minister Christopher Musa confirmed coup plot against President Tinubu was real.
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‎🌍 World / Africa Today
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‎1. UN adopts new world map: The UN General Assembly voted Sept 4 to adopt the Equal Earth projection to show the true scale of continents — making Africa bigger while shrinking North America and Europe. 164 countries backed it, only the US voted against.
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‎2. US midterms begin in confusion: America’s midterm elections opened Sept 4 with North Carolina first to send ballots, but voters face uncertainty over mail-in voting rules as Trump presses courts to impose new restrictions.
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‎3. Ukraine peace push: Trump says envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are heading abroad with a fresh proposal to attempt a Russia-Ukraine peace deal.
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🇳🇬 Top Nigeria headlines

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‎1. 37 dead in Rivers pipeline incident

‎At least 37 people died after inhaling fumes while trying to tap an oil pipeline at Okari Jetty in Okrika LGA, Rivers State. The incident happened around midnight Thursday. 

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‎2. Presidency clarifies Tinubu's US court case

‎The Presidency says the Freedom of Information Act case involving President Bola Tinubu before the US District Court for the District of Columbia is a civil records-disclosure dispute, not a criminal case. 

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‎3. Dangote Refinery IPO to raise $1.55bn - $1.8bn

‎The IPO will involve 4.1bn shares priced between 500 naira and 595 naira per share. Sources say pricing around 525 naira is being considered. 

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‎4. Defence Minister warns against giving motorcycles as palliatives

‎Minister Christopher Musa warned governors and lawmakers that motorcycles distributed as palliatives could end up in the hands of terrorists. 

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‎5. 2027 politics heats up

‎Peter Obi (NDC presidential candidate) said he is ready to "lose my life protecting my votes" in 2027 at a town hall in Port Harcourt, while his running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso warned parties not to rely on governors to win. 

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‎6. Other major stories today:

‎Rivers Gov. Fubara signs N1.84trn 2026 budget into law 4529079409963650286

‎Naira gains: N1,405/$ in parallel market (from N1,410) and N1,322.50/$ at NFEM.

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‎Oyo police arrest 6 over counterfeit €100 notes worth €8,900 4529079409963650286

‎Emir of Gumel, Dr Ahmad Muhammad Sani, dies at 84 in Cairo after 46-year reign.

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‎🌍 World / Business headlines

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‎1. European shares edge lower ahead of US jobs data - STOXX 600 dipped 0.1% at 648.67, while Volkswagen jumped 6% after announcing 50,000 job cuts. 

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‎2. US markets brace for payrolls - Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures climb ahead of key jobs report, after Fed Governor Waller signaled support for holding rates steady. 

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‎3. Gold heads for weekly gain as traders pare September hike bets. 

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Today's Headlines

 

‎🇳🇬Nigeria Today:
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‎Uber exits Nigeria after 12 years — ride-hailing operations wound down from Sept 2 after a business review.
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‎House of Reps clears Gbajabiamila in PFIPC probe — committee says no evidence linking Chief of Staff to purported council, says he alerted police, NSA, DSS and EFCC.
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‎Politics: FCT Minister Wike accuses Imo and Kwara governors of working against him, and says he advised Osun Gov Adeleke to present Certificate of Return to Tinubu.
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‎INEC vs NDC: Nigeria Democratic Congress insists it did not submit the 10 Anambra candidates INEC published.
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‎Sports: Falconets ready for Spain clash at U-20 Women's World Cup on Sept 7, and agent Diomansy Kamara slams clubs over treatment of African players after Sarr & Camara deadline-day dram.
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‎🌏World /📊 Markets:
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‎Markets rally: Shares and bonds staged a relief rally in Asia as investors await U.S. jobs data and Fed signals on rates.
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‎Gold up 1%+ ahead of Friday's U.S. nonfarm payrolls report.
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‎IMF warning: MD Kristalina Georgieva says rising bond yields in advanced economies threaten developing-country debt progress.
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‎Pacific tensions: Pacific leaders' chair urges united front over China's July ballistic missile test in the Pacific. d6bb
‎Belgium heat toll: ∼3,000 excess deaths reported over summer heatwaves from June 18 - Aug 16.
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‎Other World top stories:
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‎India slams Pakistan over demolition of century-old Hindu temple.
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‎Piyush Goyal defends 7.8% GDP growth figures.
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‎Ram Mandir Trust names retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as first CEO.
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‎Trump reportedly floated renaming Strait of Hormuz to 'Trump Strait' amid US-Israel-Iran conflict.

 

🇳🇬 Nigeria - Today's headlines

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‎1. EFCC declares Timipre Sylva wanted
‎The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission invited former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, for questioning over an alleged $14.86 million fraud case. 
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‎2. 2027 politics heating up
‎INEC denied allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that it removed its candidates from the nomination portal, saying it only trained officers. 
‎The presidential candidate of the NDC, Peter Obi, hosted his running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso at the Obidient headquarters in Abuja.
‎Atiku Abubakar's suit seeking to disqualify President Tinubu from the 2027 race was adjourned to September 28.
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‎3. Defence HQ on US troops
‎The Defence Headquarters clarified that the reported withdrawal of about 200 US military personnel from Nigeria does not amount to a full pullout. 
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‎4. Economy and money

‎Nigeria's economy grew 4.43% year-on-year in Q2 2026, up from 3.89% in Q1, lifted by oil and non-oil sectors. 7637
‎CBN will offer N700 billion worth of Nigerian Treasury Bills at its first auction for September, scheduled for Sept 3, covering 91-day, 182-day and 364-day bills. 8026
‎CBN reports remittance inflows hit $947 million in July via IMTOs - highest this year.
‎Dollar to Naira remains under close watch across official and parallel markets today.

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‎5. Other quick hits
‎JAMB and WAEC agreed to a one-off verification system for O'Level results, ending repeated verification charges.
‎Lagos big fight night: Balmoral Group and Amir Khan Promotions announced a world-class boxing event in Lagos to be broadcast live on DAZN.
‎FG said 5,387 arms and ammunition were seized in recent counterterrorism operations.

‎🌍 World / Markets

‎6. US-Iran escalation

The US military said late Tuesday it completed its latest wave of strikes on Iran, saying it struck Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets including air defense, radar and maritime sites. Iran retaliated with strikes on US assets in Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq. The exchange follows attacks on tankers leaving the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed to shipping. 9150

‎7. Oil and bond markets rattled

Brent crude jumped above $95 a barrel to a six-week high as the conflict intensified. Global bonds sold off sharply on Wednesday, extending a rout that is raising borrowing costs to multi-decade highs as the conflict pushes up energy prices. European shares hovered near a one-month low and Asian markets tumbled.

‎8. Climate threshold warning

‎UNEP said Wednesday that global temperature rises are set to exceed the 1.5C threshold "within a few years", warning of more extreme weather and pressure on low-lying coastal cities.

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Nigeria Today

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‎1. Kano declares public holiday

‎Kano State Government declared today, Tuesday September 1, a public holiday to observe Takutaha, an annual traditional and religious event. It was approved by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to coincide with 19th Rabi'ul Awwal, 1448AH.

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‎2. Economy up

‎Nigeria's economy grew 4.43% year-on-year in Q2 2026, up from 3.89% last quarter, driven by oil and non-oil sectors. Average daily oil production rose to 1.72 million bpd. 7637

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‎3. Security / Good news

‎The Nigerian military rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Kogi forest, including 15 NYSC members, according to overnight reports.

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‎4. Politics heating up ahead of 2027

‎Opposition parties are in talks about a proposed Government of National Competence and a single candidate arrangement.

‎Former Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva has dumped APC.

‎VP Kashim Shettima returned to Abuja after the AU Summit.

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‎5. Flood alert

‎NiHSA warned of widespread floods in 2026, with over 14,000 communities exposed across 33 states + FCT, with peak expected July-September.

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‎World Today

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‎1. Ukraine - Russia escalates

‎Four people were killed and over a dozen injured in Russian air attacks on Kyiv and surrounding region on Tuesday — the sixth day in a row of strikes. Kyiv heard explosions overnight; Boryspil was also hit.

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‎2. Markets on edge

‎A global bond selloff deepened Tuesday as renewed fighting in the Middle East lifted oil above $90 a barrel and pressured stocks. Brent topped $91, stoking inflation fears.

News Headlines

 

‎🇳🇬 Nigeria – Top stories today

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‎1. Opposition summit – today

‎Opposition parties have set August 31 to unite forces against President Tinubu’s re-election bid. The G100 shifted its Summit of Opposition Political Parties to Monday, Aug 31, 2026 for wider consultations. 92c7a60e

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‎2. Doctors’ strike deadline – today

‎Medical academics (NAMDA) gave FG until August 31 to resolve salary/allowance demands or face a 3-day nationwide warning strike. 6ab3

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‎3. Dangote refinery drives exports 7x

‎Nigeria’s seaborne petroleum product shipments averaged 561,000 bpd in Q2 2026 vs 79,000 bpd in 2023, EIA/Vortexa data shows. The Lekki refinery, Nigeria’s largest, began in 2024. bcef

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‎4. Economy – Moody’s positive outlook

‎Moody’s revised Nigeria’s outlook to positive, with World Bank projecting 4.2% growth in 2026 on stronger oil revenue and fiscal discipline. 97a5

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‎5. Security watch

‎SBM Intelligence reports 7,825 people kidnapped July 2025-June 2026, up 66%, with gunmen raising over $5m from mass kidnappings. 1f0f

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‎🏙️ Lagos

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‎1. 45-year port deal: Shipper MSC signed a 45-year concession with Nigerdock to develop a new container terminal at Snake Island Port, expected ready by 2028 to ease chronic congestion. 6e44

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‎2. Pensioners protest: Lagos pensioners staged a warning protest demanding benefit increase, giving government ultimatum until Aug 31 or mega protest. b3fc

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‎🌍 World Right Now
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‎1. U.S. – Iran strikes rattle markets

‎Fresh U.S.-Iran military strikes pushed oil sharply higher overnight — Brent jumped over 2% to around $90.70. European shares dipped at the open, with energy stocks the only gainer. President Trump said Iran's Kharg Island was being “blown to smithereens” but gave no details. 903ef3785d80

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‎2. Ukraine – Kyiv region death toll rises
‎Zelenskiy says the death toll from the Kyiv region strike has risen to 38. Russia launched nearly 2,000 drones, 1,600 bombs and 31 missiles including North Korean ballistic missiles in the past week.