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Good morning — here is what's making headlines today, Saturday, September 19, 2026:
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‎Nigeria 🇳🇬 — Top story today
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‎1. INEC by-elections today: The Independent National Electoral Commission fixed today, September 19, for five by-elections across four states. The polls are in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta. If you're in Dawakin Kudu (Kano) and Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye, expect heightened security and movement restrictions.
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‎2. Niger mining deaths crisis: This is the biggest national story. President Bola Tinubu ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
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‎It follows reports that 37 detainees died in custody, which triggered protests in Minna. Witnesses said security forces opened fire as people took to the streets in a city in central Nigeria on Friday to protest against the deaths of 37 detainees. The Federal Government says it won't shield anyone and has suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant.
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‎Other Nigerian headlines in today's roundup:
‎Presidency vs Atiku — Presidency accuses Atiku Abubakar of "taking Nigerians for buffoons"
‎Court of Appeal upholds NDC registration as a political party
‎FG begins preparations for Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary on Oct 1, with a low-key celebration planned ee8d
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‎Lagos — For you
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‎Small business boost: The Lagos State Government has disbursed a total of N1.933 billion in loans and grants to micro, small and medium enterprises across the state. It was announced at the Ministerial Press Briefing at Alausa — N1.91bn in loans to 4,036 MSMEs and N23.6m in grants to 65 businesses.
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‎What else is happening in Lagos:
‎Invest Lagos 2026 summit wrapped up in VI — state pitching as Africa's gateway for capital
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‎GITEX Nigeria Lagos edition opened yesterday — focus on AI and innovation
‎FG announced repair works on Kara Bridge section of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway starting earlier this month
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‎World 🌏 — Today
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‎WFP new chief: The UN's World Food Programme on Friday named U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee, Luke Lindberg, as its next executive director.
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‎Global cleanup day: The International Coastal Cleanup is set to take place on Saturday, 19 September, across 100 countries, marking the world's largest single-day beach and waterway cleanup.
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‎Breaking from Washington: US media reporting Trump banned CNN, MSNBC and Politico from White House press — still developing.
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‎Here are today's top stories for Thursday, September 17, 2026 ‎

‎🇳🇬 Nigeria - Leading today

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‎1. Constitution Amendment moves forward

‎The National Assembly has transmitted the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval. This includes the state police proposal. 

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‎2. NLC demands wage awards over petrol hike

‎After the latest PMS price increase, the Nigeria Labour Congress is calling on the Federal Government to approve wage awards to cushion workers against deepening poverty. 

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‎3. Presidency vs Peter Obi - Anambra debt row

‎Presidency adviser Bayo Onanuga has challenged NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi to quit the 2027 race if debt allegations from his time as Anambra governor are proven. The Anambra State Government also disputed Obi's claim of leaving over N2.13bn in ecological funds. 

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‎4. 2027 politics heating up

‎Ayo Fayose says Tinubu will win in 2027 even if Atiku and Obi unite. 

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‎Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour raised concerns over Lagos Deputy Gov. Obafemi Hamzat's US allegiance and eligibility. 

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‎SDP candidate Adewole Adebayo warns petrol could hit N5,000/litre if Tinubu is re-elected.

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‎5. Ports regulation gets teeth

‎NPERA says firms breaching port regulations will now face fines up to N20 million as part of the push for a $1 trillion economy. 

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‎6. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway gridlock

‎A seven-vehicle crash at Kara Bridge triggered a 14-hour gridlock from Tuesday into this morning, worsened by ongoing bridge repairs.

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‎7. Nollywood loses a legend

‎Veteran actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, died at 84. 

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‎8. FG targets 95% NIN by December

‎FG says NIN enrolment is now about 142 million and targets 95% coverage by Dec 2026. NIN has been Tax ID since Jan 1, 2026. 

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‎🌍 World & Business

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‎1. Trump threatens EU tariffs over Canada-EU plan

‎U.S. President Donald Trump warned he would impose "very serious tariffs" if the EU moves forward with Ursula von der Leyen's proposal to make Canada the bloc's first associate member, calling it "laughable". Von der Leyen made the proposal in her State of the Union, calling for deeper ties in "an openly hostile world". 

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‎2. India headlines

‎India voiced concern over attempted drone attack on Makkah. 

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‎India summoned Pakistan's Charge d'Affaires after a Pakistan Navy vessel collision with an Indian Navy ship in the Arabian Sea.

‎PM Modi to inaugurate SEMICON India 2026 at Yashobhoomi today.

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‎3. UNGA81 prep

‎UN relief chief says through UNGA81 he'll push a global access initiative to reach 11m people with lifesaving aid, including 2m in Gaza through winter.

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‎4. Sudan

‎UN Secretary-General Guterres called for accountability for countries fueling Sudan's war ahead of next week's UN General Assembly leaders' gathering. The war has displaced over 14 million.

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Today's Top Headlines

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‎🇳🇬 Nigeria - Leading this morning

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‎1. Power Sector Debt: FG raises N728.9bn in second bond

‎The Federal Government raised N728.9 billion (N402bn cash + N326.9bn non-cash) to clear legacy debts owed to GenCos. This brings total issuance to N1.23 trillion of the N4 trillion debt. Series-2 involved 11 GenCos, up from 8 in Series-1 

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‎2. Fuel price up again

‎NNPCL increased petrol pump price to ₦1,430/litre on Tuesday - leading front pages today.

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‎3. Schools reopen amid fee hikes & security fears

‎As primary and secondary schools reopen today nationwide, Vanguard reports private school fees up 30-40%, while The Guardian reports N144bn Safe Schools Initiative failing to calm security fears d95f

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‎4. 2027 Elections - 98 Reps & 52 Senators out

‎At least 98 House of Reps members failed to secure tickets to return, and 52 serving Senators are set to leave the National Assembly. INEC released final list of 1,303 candidates for 109 senatorial seats.

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‎5. Politics & Security

‎Wike: APC governors not happy with me; Uzodimma says APC govs won't support candidates outside party.

‎VP Shettima returns after BRICS Summit in India; Tinubu warns Regional Commissions against wasting public funds.

‎Police issues nationwide alert of planned attacks on schools, worship centres, NYSC camps.

‎NDLEA busts industrial meth lab, arrests Mexican drug kingpin fleeing Nigeria.

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‎🌍 World & Business

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‎6. WTO warns on trade fragmentation

‎WTO says global trade system at a critical juncture, warns poorest economies will be hit hardest if trade fractures into blocs.

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‎7. China Defence Forum

‎Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun at Beijing Xiangshan Forum urges countries to check surge of "regressive historical trends" and avoid provocative acts.

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‎8. Markets Today

‎China's factory output grew 5.2% in August, quickening from July, while retail sales slowed.

‎Accenture to pay $25m to settle US DEI allegations.

‎London shares slip as higher oil prices lift bond yields; BoE in focus.

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🇳🇬 Nigeria's Biggest Story Today

 

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‎Dangote Refinery IPO launches - Africa's largest ever
‎Aliko Dangote launched the IPO for his oil refinery yesterday in Lagos. It's now live.
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‎Offer: 4.1 billion shares at N525 each (minimum 10 shares = N5,250) 5be3
‎Closes October 13. If fully subscribed, it raises 2.15 trillion naira ($1.6bn) and could rise to $2.1bn with greenshoe
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‎The $20bn refinery on the outskirts of Lagos supplies most of Nigeria's gasoline since 2024 and plans to expand from 700,000 to 1.4 million barrels per day by
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‎It's being sold through fintech apps to retail investors - "We want everyone to own a share," Dangote said.
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‎Other Nigeria headlines:
‎National Laureate deadline today: Submissions close today, Sept 15
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‎Flood alert: NiHSA warned of high flood risk for 2026 with over 14,000 communities exposed across 33 states + FCT, peaking July-September
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‎World 🌏 stories
‎Senegal debt talks: World Bank President Ajay Banga will meet Senegal's President Faye Monday to fast-track Senegal's debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework. 2e5ff12c
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‎ Emergency summit in Doha: Qatar will host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit today to discuss the Israeli attack on Doha. 6f9f
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‎⚽ Sports
‎Leeds beat Newcastle 4-1 to climb to third in Premier League on 8 points, four behind leaders Arsenal.
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Monday News stories

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‎Top Story for Nigeria - Dangote Refinery IPO
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‎Today's biggest news in Nigeria is economic. Billionaire Aliko Dangote launched Africa's biggest share sale ever - the IPO of his oil refinery.
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‎The offer of 4.1 billion shares at 525 naira each opened at 8am today and closes October 13. It aims to raise 2.15 trillion naira ($1.6bn) and values the plant at about $47bn. The $20bn refinery on the outskirts of Lagos already supplies most of Nigeria's gasoline and has seen strong demand for its jet fuel because of supply disruptions linked to the Iran war.
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‎Dangote says there is "no segregation" - Nigerians can buy as few as 10 shares via fintech platforms.
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‎10 Things You Need To Know This Morning
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‎Fuel prices up in Abuja: Brent crude hit $104.61/barrel, and retail outlets in the FCT hiked pump prices on Sunday. Prices have been rising since February due to the US-Iran war.
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‎Edo State - Arrest on Benin-Sapele Road: Troops of 4 Brigade Operation WABAIZIGAN arrested suspected kidnapper Olamide Oyeniyi on September 12 at Obaretin Community in Ikpoba-Okha LGA and recovered an AK-47.
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‎Tragic NAF incident: A suspected bomb dropped by a Nigerian Air Force jet killed 7 local vigilantes and injured 8 in Kukoki-Bassa, Shiroro LGA, Niger State.
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‎Borno schools: Gov. Zulum says over 5,000 school structures were destroyed during Boko Haram crisis, leaving 2.2m out-of-school children.
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‎President Tinubu in Paris: The President arrived in Paris on Sunday for the next phase of his three-week annual leave in Europe.
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‎Banks closing branches: Deposit Money Banks closed 476 branches between 2022-2025, down 8.8% from 5,410 to 4,934, per CBN data.
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‎Other national business today: The Federal Government and GenCos are set to formalise a N728.9bn power sector bond today, and the NCC's final deadline for NIN-SIM linkage is today.
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‎World Markets
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‎Oil surge: Brent is back above $107 as Houthis close in on Bab el-Mandeb Strait, warning Saudi ships.
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‎Stocks muted: European STOXX 600 was little changed as tech fell 1.4% after AI leaders called for slower development.
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‎Fed watch: Goldman Sachs now expects a 25bps Fed rate hike this week, reversing its forecast, as oil rally fans inflation concerns. Gold slipped to $4,334 as a result.
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‎Japan: BOJ is on alert for "non-linear" inflation spikes due to import costs.
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