Good morning. Here is a comprehensive roundup of the major news stories making headlines in Nigerian newspapers today, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, covering events from the past 24 hours.

🔒 Oyo Abduction: Outrage as Teacher is Killed, Security Forces Mobilize

The abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State has dominated headlines. On Friday, armed men attacked schools in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, kidnapping about 30 students and teachers. Tragically, one of the teachers was beheaded by the abductors.

President Bola Tinubu has strongly condemned the killing, describing it as “cruel and unacceptable” and vowing that the perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law. He has assured the public that security agencies are working tirelessly to secure the victims’ release and arrest the criminals. Tactical officers and the Intelligence Response Team have been deployed to the area. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde stated that his administration would not surrender to terror, but is open to listening to the abductors to facilitate the safe return of the victims. The state government has also confirmed the arrest of six suspected kidnappers.

⚖️ El-Rufai Granted N100 Million Bail

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, in the sum of N100 million. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in her ruling on Monday, set stringent conditions, including that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and must reside in the Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja. The surety is also required to deposit the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property at the court registry. El-Rufai was also ordered to deposit all his international passports with the court. The former governor has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

🗳️ 2027 Election: Parties Hold Primaries, Aspirants Emerge

Political activities are in full swing as parties gear up for the 2027 general elections.

• APC Primaries: The All Progressives Congress (APC) held primaries to pick candidates for the National Assembly elections. Several serving Senators lost their bids for a return to the National Assembly, including Delta’s Ned Nwoko. The exercise was also marred by violence in some places. Fights broke out during the APC Lagos West Senatorial District primaries in Alimosho, leaving at least 15 people injured. Meanwhile, a supporter was reportedly shot dead during a primary in Lagos.
• NDC Presidential Ticket: Peter Obi has reportedly emerged as the sole aspirant for the presidential ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Party sources say Obi was the only candidate to obtain the nomination forms before the deadline.
• PDP Faction Screens Jonathan: The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is scheduled to screen former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s sole presidential aspirant for the 2027 election.
• Jonathan and AGF Seek Dismissal of Suit: Meanwhile, former President Jonathan and the Attorney General of the Federation have asked a Federal High Court to dismiss a suit seeking to stop him from contesting in the 2027 presidential election. The plaintiffs are challenging his eligibility.

📊 Naira Weakens, MPC Begins Key Meeting

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria is holding its 305th meeting today, May 19, and tomorrow, May 20. The meeting is being held against a backdrop of rising inflation and a growing public preference for lower interest rates. A recent CBN survey showed that 63.3% of Nigerians want rates reduced. However, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has warned the CBN against further rate hikes, citing potential harm to economic growth. The naira also slumped marginally against the U.S. dollar at the official window on Monday.

💰 FG Plans N600 Billion Bond Auction

Nigeria’s debt managers are set to test investor appetite with a N600 billion bond auction. This comes as borrowing costs begin to show early signs of easing across the fixed-income market. However, President Tinubu has stated that Nigeria will spend a staggering $11.6 billion on debt servicing in 2026, a significant surge from the $5.21 billion spent in 2025. Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has warned that the country’s rising debt burden is skewing fiscal priorities away from critical social sectors like health and education.

🏛️ Other Political and Economic Headlines

• Pension for Police: The National Pension Commission (PENCOM) is proposing enhanced retirement benefits for Nigerian police officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to improve the welfare of police retirees.
• Tax Dispute Portal: The Federal Government has launched a new digital platform to allow Nigerians to resolve tax-related disputes free of charge, as part of ongoing tax administration reforms.
• Berger Paint Leads Stock Gains: Investors gained N3.32 trillion last week as the equity market continued to boom, with Berger Paint, SCOA, and Daar Communications among the top stocks to watch this week.
• Labour Party’s New Move: Factional National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has announced that his camp has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the Appeal Court judgment recognising Nenadi Usman as the party’s national chairman. He also announced free nomination forms for 2027 aspirants.

🩺 Ebola Scare, Health News, and Petroleum Prices

• Ebola Scare: Nigeria has tightened surveillance after a fresh outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where at least 80 people have died. The US has also declared new travel restrictions and emergency protocols following an American citizen testing positive for Ebola in Congo.
• Hypertension Warning: May & Baker, a leading pharmaceutical company, has raised an alarm over the growing burden of hypertension in Nigeria, warning that millions are living with dangerously high blood pressure without knowing it. The company described hypertension combined with diabetes as a “dangerous alliance” responsible for increasing cases of stroke, kidney failure, and sudden deaths.
• Crude Oil Nears $120: Nigerian crude is edging towards $120 per barrel as the conflict in the Middle East shows no sign of ending. This development presents a potential windfall for Nigeria, even as the country engages in talks with Tanzania for a proposed $17bn refinery project.

⚽ Sports: Cricket and Football Highlights

• Nigeria Super League Cricket: The Nigeria Super League cricket tournament is heating up. Salau tops the batting leaderboard with 83 runs, while Udekwe’s six wickets place him at the top of the wicket-takers’ chart.
• Super Eagles Player Honored: Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu has finished as the top scorer for the 2025/2026 Turkish Süper Lig season, collecting 22 goals for Trabzonspor.