Nigeria — lead stories

1. Nigeria demands 2 permanent UN seats for Africa

Vice-President Kashim Shettima delivered President Tinubu's address at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, demanding at least two permanent seats with veto powers for Africa for as long as veto exists, plus five non-permanent seats. He said "The world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the distribution of power in 1945" and anchored the demand in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration. 

2. Politics — 2027 race heats up

The APC accused ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar of involvement in bribery schemes including Mambilla and Siemens cases, calling him unfit for presidency. 

Atiku appointed detained former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai as Deputy Chairman of his campaign council for high-level coordination. El-Rufai is currently in ICPC custody. 

Former CBN Deputy Governor Kingsley Moghalu rejected his inclusion in the council, saying he quit partisan politics in 2022. 

3. Security & Economy

FG says one of the most wanted terrorists, Mamuda, and his chief of staff were captured without gunfire through intelligence coordination. 

Labour Ministry says work has started toward a new minimum wage review, consultations underway.

Analysts expect disinflation to extend into September as harvest season boosts food supply. 

Reports overnight: at least 37 suspected illegal miners reportedly died in custody in separate incident flagged today. 

World

4. US — Press freedom ruling

A US federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore White House press access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico, calling the ban "unconstitutional". 

5. Taiwan — China

Taiwan's government denounced President Xi Jinping's comments to President Trump on Taiwan's future as a "distortion of facts", saying only Taiwanese people can decide their future. Xi told Trump that China's position on safeguarding "reunification" is clear. 

6. UNGA & Conflicts

At UNGA, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said Russia is using citizens from 47 countries including India, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa in its war. 

Iranian President Pezeshkian said Iran will not surrender to the US but doors remain open for diplomacy.

7. Sports — Asian Games 2026

China crossed the 100-medal mark on Day 6 with 101 medals including 67 gold. Japan is second with 74, India has 15 so far. 

 

🇳🇬 Nigeria - top stories

Markets: The naira strengthened. Dollar quoted at ₦1,328 at the NFEM official market vs ₦1,331 on Tuesday, and about ₦1,375 in parallel market vs ₦1,383. Turnover jumped 181.5% to $279.2m, and external reserves stood at $54.674bn as of Sept 17. 

Politics on front pages:

Wike-APC Governors' feud splits 31 Govs into camps - growing disagreement between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and APC governors.

Fresh debate over single-term presidency - ex presidential candidate says six years without checks will worsen corruption.

President Tinubu says $800m Ima Gas Project shows reforms paying off.

Business & Law:

Gambia orders Nigerian banks to localise staff: Central Bank of The Gambia directed subsidiaries of Access, GTBank, FirstBank, Ecobank and Zenith to replace non-Gambian staff with Gambian nationals by Dec 31, 2026 in a Sept 16 circular. 

Nigeria wins big arbitration: Tribunal dismissed $400m claim by Sunrise Power over the long-delayed 3,050MW Mambilla hydropower project. Ruling removes major legal obstacle after nearly 20 years of delay. 

🌍 World - UNGA Week dominates

New York is in full UN General Assembly (UNGA 81) mode:

UN chief warning: Antonio Guterres said world has "entered an age of reckless disruption and relentless human suffering" with UN principles "under siege". Day 2 focus was Ukraine war and African push for Security Council reform. 

Iran: President Pezeshkian's defiant message to Trump at UNGA - Iran will "never bend the knee" while defending nuclear rights. 

US-India: Jaishankar meets Rubio at UNGA, raises India's concerns over Russian Sanction Act. 

US-China: Trump welcomes Xi to Washington looking for trade win, Xi says Beijing and Washington should be "partners, not rivals". 

Ukraine: Zelenskyy warns India and 46 nations over citizens joining Russia's war: "Don't let Putin drag you". 

Other world flashes:

Ethiopia: Tigray regional government says its fighters have entered defensive war against federal troops after seizing main airport. 

Weather: Hurricane Polo intensified to Category 5 off Mexico's Pacific coast with 165-180 mph winds. 

Nigeria — Top 10 headlines today

From Naija News roundup this morning: 

1. Politics - Ibadan Airport: Gov Seyi Makinde denied collecting ₦50bn from President Tinubu for the Ladoke Akintola Airport upgrade, saying it's fully funded by Oyo State. This follows a claim by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike on Monday. 

2. Aso Rock: Senate President Godswill Akpabio clarified there's "no absence in Aso Rock" — Tinubu is on a 3-week working vacation in Europe, while VP Shettima is at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. Akpabio said he is NOT acting President. 

3. Fuel subsidy debate: NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso said removing subsidy on day one "plunged Nigeria into a total mess" and promised NDC would bring it back in a different form if elected, plus build more refineries. 

4. Anambra vs Peter Obi: Anambra State Government on X asked Peter Obi to quit the 2027 presidential race, accusing him of breaking past promises on debt and salary payments. 

5. Niger miners probe: FG inaugurated a 10-member independent panel chaired by retired DSS Deputy DG Jonathan Kure to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in NSCDC custody in Niger State on Sept 17. 

6. Kwankwaso on governors: He said today's governors are "not powerful" compared to 1999 and "not in charge" under Tinubu's administration. 

7. Entertainment / Court: P-Square: Peter Okoye admitted receiving over $800,000 royalties from French body SACEM while testifying virtually at Federal High Court, Lagos in the EFCC case against twin brother Jude Okoye. 

8. Lifestyle: Sophia Momodu spoke at the 81st UNGA about being mocked for having a child outside wedlock with Davido, as a pastor's daughter. 

9. Sports - Arsenal: Mikel Arteta has agreed a new contract extension with Premier League champions Arsenal beyond this season, with a significant pay rise from £10m + £5m bonuses. 

10. Sports - Mbappe: Kylian Mbappe revealed he was close to joining Liverpool in 2016 while at Monaco, and his mum wanted him to join Klopp's team. 

Other Lagos buzz today: Anambra State Government shut Onitsha Main Market for one week over sit-at-home compliance, sparking debate in the South-East. 

World — UNGA week in New York

The high-level General Debate of the 81st UN General Assembly opened Tuesday in New York and runs through Saturday. 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered his final General Debate address — his decade in office has been defined by war, COVID and geopolitical divisions. In that speech he urged leaders to regulate AI, end wars, focus on climate and overhaul UN institutions. 

Updates today include US President Trump, France's Macron and Brazil's Lula addressing the war in Gaza. 

Poland's foreign minister Radosław Sikorski, in New York for UNGA, warned the Ukraine war is an "existential" threat to Poland.

Nigeria and Global News

 

🇳🇬 Nigeria — Top Stories

1. Fuel price hits record high

Petrol has climbed to about 1,400 naira ($1.05) per litre in Lagos and Abuja this month, from roughly 1,200 naira a month earlier, with some stations in northern Nigeria charging up to 1,500 naira. Diesel is over 2,000 naira/litre. Reuters notes the surge comes even as Dangote refinery operates at full tilt of 700,000 barrels per day, reviving cost-of-living pressure ahead of the January 2027 election. 

2. FG borrowing surge squeezes businesses

The Federal Government's domestic borrowings surged 90% to N24.7trn in the first 8 months of 2026. Financial Vanguard findings show credit to government grew 4.5x faster than credit to the private sector. 

3. Power: New generation peak

Nigeria hit a new generation peak of 5,330MW during August and September, with Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe excited about the milestone in his 100-day scorecard. 

4. $300m clean energy fund launched

Nigeria's $300 million Distributed Renewable Energy Fund has been commercially launched to scale off-grid power access. 80cc

5. Illegal miners' deaths probe

President Tinubu orders prosecution over deaths of illegal miners in custody, as the FG suspends the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, over extrajudicial deaths of over 30 miners.

🌍 World / Diplomacy

6. G7 to Iran: Cut ties with Houthis

Live updates this morning: G7 foreign ministers demand Iran ends its support for Houthi rebels in Yemen. 

7. Xi to visit US

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the US from September 23 to 25 at the invitation of US President Donald Trump. It's his first US trip since 2023.

8. UNGA high-level week begins today

The 81st UN General Assembly's high-level general debate starts today, September 22. India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will address on Sept 26 and is meeting Ukraine and Moldova counterparts on the sidelines.

9. US media sues Trump

MS NOW, CNN and Politico file lawsuit against President Donald Trump to restore White House access after weekend ban. 

🏅 Sports — Asian Games 2026

India dominates headlines on Day 3 with medals in 10m air rifle, wrestling and hockey, while Nigeria's Falconets exited the U-20 Women's World Cup after a 1-0 loss to Colombia.

Today's Top Stories

Top stories for Monday, September 21, 2026:

🇳🇬 Nigeria - Main headlines

1. Tinubu skips UNGA, Shettima to lead delegation

President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria's delegation instead. 

2. Nigeria returns to FTSE Frontier Market today

After 3 years as 'Unclassified', Nigeria formally returns to the FTSE Russell Frontier Market classification from market open today, September 21. FTSE confirmed no material settlement or funding issues since T+1 implementation. 

3. Economy watch

Record N18.7trn half-year FAAC revenue "undone by devaluation" — headline in Independent today.

Dangote Refinery IPO dominating the oil refining conference agenda

NGX market cap hit N162.16trn last week

4. Security / Enforcement

NSCDC parades its suspended Niger State Commandant and 21 officers over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody last week in Wushishi/Lukoto.

NDLEA intercepted over 1.3m pills of tramadol/opioids and 6,000kg of cannabis worth over ₦3.4bn, including 603.75kg of Canadian Loud at Tin-Can Port, Lagos.

5. Politics 2027 starting early

Peter Obi (NDC candidate) challenged Tinubu, Atiku and others to hold direct town halls with Nigerians.

Isaac Fayose claims 5 APC governors are secretly funding NDC.

6. Sports

U-20 Women's World Cup: Falconets out — lost 1-0 to Colombia in Lodz after going down to 10 players.

Super Eagles: Victor Osimhen out of AFCON qualifiers vs Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau with muscle strain, replaced by Taiwo Awoniyi.

LaLiga drama: Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid — Mourinho blamed refereeing after red card.

🌍 World today

1. US-China summit: Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the US from September 23 to 25 at President Trump's invitation, for White House talks. 

2. EU-Canada: French President Emmanuel Macron backed Canada's bid to become the EU's first associate member during talks in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. 

3. International Day of Peace: Today is the UN's 45th International Day of Peace — 2026 theme is "Invest in Peace — For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day".

4. Ghana: Today, Sept 21, is a public holiday for Founder's Day.