Introduction
Good evening and welcome to today’s comprehensive roundup of the most significant developments shaping Nigeria. As the nation observes the eve of Eid‑el‑Kabir, newsrooms across the country are filled with stories of high‑stakes politics, economic shifts, security challenges, and moments of both hope and sorrow. From a landmark court ruling on former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility for the 2027 presidential race, to a historic papal apology for the Catholic Church’s role in slavery, and the official launch of Bayelsa State’s own airline, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, has proven to be a day of extraordinary breadth in Nigerian news.
Below is a digest of the most important stories from major newspapers including The Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian, ThisDay, Premium Times, The Sun, Daily Post, Leadership, BusinessDay, New Telegraph, Tribune Online, AllAfrica, and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE
Court Clears Goodluck Jonathan for 2027 Presidential Run
In a highly anticipated judgment, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has affirmed that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election. Justice Peter Lifu, delivering the verdict, held that there is no legal impediment preventing Jonathan from seeking a return to the presidency, dismissing the suit filed by an Abuja‑based legal practitioner, Jideobi Johnmary, as frivolous and an abuse of court process.
The plaintiff had queried Jonathan’s eligibility on the grounds that the former president had already been sworn in twice – first to complete the term of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, and later after winning the 2011 election. He argued that a third term would violate the constitutional two‑term limit. However, Justice Lifu ruled that the issue had already been decided by the Court of Appeal and that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to bring the suit. The judgment effectively clears the path for Jonathan to be considered by any political party as a candidate in the upcoming general election.
INEC Appeals Judgment Nullifying 2027 Election Timetable
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja that nullified its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections. On Monday, INEC filed a notice of appeal along with a motion for a stay of execution of the judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar. The appeal sets the stage for a legal battle that could determine the timeline for Nigeria’s next general election.
Atiku Abubakar Clinches ADC Presidential Ticket; Tinubu Faces Rigging Allegations
Former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after securing 68,823 votes across Sokoto State’s 23 Local Government Areas, according to a New Telegraph report. Atiku, who cast his vote at his Ajiya ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, used the opportunity to urge Nigerians to vote out the ruling party in the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, the ADC has alleged that the 10.99 million votes allocated to President Bola Tinubu in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary are part of a plan by the ruling party to rig the 2027 presidential election. In a statement, the ADC described the figure as a “prelude to rigging” and urged Nigerians to be vigilant.
Fubara Withdraws from APC Gubernatorial Primary; Wike Reacts
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has abruptly withdrawn from the APC governorship primary election. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, speaking on Monday after inspecting infrastructural projects in Abuja, said he was not surprised by the withdrawal, noting that the APC candidate, Kingsley Chinda, possesses both legislative and executive experience to govern the south‑south state.
Senator Shehu Umar Resigns from APC
Senator Shehu Umar, representing Bauchi South senatorial district, has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared his membership of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP). The senator cited the absence of internal democracy, lack of fairness, and the marginalisation of genuine APC members as reasons for his decision.
Federal Government Declares Eid‑el‑Kabir Public Holidays
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28, 2026, as public holidays to mark the celebration of Eid‑ul‑Adha. The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji‑Ojo, in a statement signed by Dr Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, on Monday. In a related development, the Forum of Former Governors has called on Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for the unity, peace and progress of the country.
ECONOMY & FINANCE
Nigeria’s External Reserves Rebound by $551 Million
After a turbulent April, Nigeria’s external reserves have staged a sharp turnaround, adding roughly $551 million in the first three weeks of May. According to figures released by the Central Bank of Nigeria, gross external reserves climbed from $48.34 billion on May 4 to $48.89 billion as of May 21. The rebound signals a gradual restoration of investor confidence and improving external liquidity, according to a report by The Sun. The uptick follows a difficult April during which reserves slipped from $49.18 billion at the start of the month to $48.36 billion by April 30, driven by aggressive foreign exchange interventions and external debt servicing obligations. CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso emphasised that the strong reserve position is critical for anchoring market sentiment, stating: “This strong buffer continues to reinforce investor confidence in the Nigerian economy and support exchange rate stability”.
Nigeria’s GDP Grows by 3.89% in Q1 2026
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.89% (year‑on‑year) in real terms in the first quarter of 2026, higher than the 3.13% recorded in the first quarter of 2025. The growth was driven largely by agriculture, telecommunications, financial services, construction, and trade activities.
Nigeria Loses $850 Million Yearly to Foreign Cloud Providers
Nigeria is losing an estimated $850 million annually to foreign cloud infrastructure providers as local enterprises continue to host critical digital operations outside the country, according to Kasi Cloud. The disclosure was made during the commissioning of the company’s Hyperscale AI‑Ready Data Centre in Lekki, Lagos. The new facility is designed to help reverse that dependence by providing institutional‑grade, AI‑ready cloud infrastructure hosted within Nigeria. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu said the project carries significant employment and engineering implications for Lagos, adding that hundreds of engineers, contractors and technicians have already benefited during the construction phase.
Nigeria Receives $187.3 Million in US Foreign Assistance
The United States has disbursed a total of $187,352,312 in foreign assistance to Nigeria in 2026, according to updated data published on the US Department of State website. Nigeria emerged as the second‑largest recipient of US assistance in sub‑Saharan Africa during the period, behind Ethiopia. However, US lawmakers are weighing tighter conditions for future assistance. Under a proposed 2027 appropriations bill, up to 50 per cent of US assistance to Nigeria could be withheld unless the Secretary of State certifies that the Federal Government is taking effective steps to address insecurity, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure accountability for perpetrators of violence.
Nigeria’s Housing Deficit Projected to Hit 28 Million Units
The country’s effective housing deficit is projected to approach 28 million units unless aggressive interventions are sustained, according to findings from the National Housing Data Technical Committee, as reported by BusinessDay.
World Bank Pulls $718 Million Nigeria Power Funding
Nigeria’s electricity sector has suffered a major setback following the joint decision by the Federal Government and the World Bank to cancel $717.7 million in undisbursed financing intended to stabilise the national grid. The cancellation of the remaining portion of the $1.52 billion Power Sector Recovery Programme comes amid worsening blackouts.
SECURITY
Military Raises Alarm Over Possible Terror Attacks During Eid‑el‑Kabir
The Nigerian military has raised an alarm over possible terror attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP at densely populated locations across the North‑East during the forthcoming Eid‑el‑Kabir celebration. The spokesman of the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North‑East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, gave the warning in a statement issued to journalists in Maiduguri on Monday.
Bandits Attack Kwara Community, Abduct Emir’s Wives and Children
Suspected bandits on Monday launched a coordinated midnight attack on the Yashikira community in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, burning a section of the emir’s palace and abducting three wives and four children of the traditional ruler, Alhaji Umar Seriki. Heavily armed men stormed the border town in large numbers, firing sporadically into the air before advancing directly toward the palace and a nearby police formation.
Flood Ravages Anambra Community, Cuts Off Awka‑Onitsha Highway
Several houses were submerged on both sides of the Awka‑Onitsha old highway following a heavy rainfall that triggered flooding in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Many residents are already packing their belongings and relocating to safer areas. The flooding has completely taken over about two kilometres of the ever‑busy road, forcing motorists to divert to nearby villages where youths have mounted tolls. The President of Ogidi youths, Mr Chris Obi Okafor, appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene urgently, describing the situation as “a humanitarian crisis”.
Police Dismiss Five Inspectors for Kidnapping and Extortion
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed five inspectors for engaging in kidnapping and extortion between September 2025 and January 2026, according to a report by The Punch.
INFRASTRUCTURE & AVIATION
Bayelsa State Launches Pioneer Airlines
Bayelsa State formally entered Nigeria’s commercial aviation sector on Monday as Governor Douye Diri boarded the inaugural operational flight of Pioneer Airlines, becoming the airline’s symbolic “Passenger 1A.” The non‑scheduled flight marked the official commencement of operations using an ATR 72‑600 turboprop aircraft acquired by the Bayelsa State Government. The aircraft departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 11:10 a.m. and landed at the Bayelsa International Airport at approximately 12:15 p.m.. Governor Diri expressed satisfaction with the airline’s operational capacity and described the initiative as part of efforts to reposition Bayelsa economically and strategically.
United Nigeria Airlines Explains Handwritten Ticket Incident
United Nigeria Airlines has allayed concerns following the circulation of a video showing passengers being issued handwritten boarding tickets. The airline’s spokesperson, Mr Chibuike Uloka, attributed the development to RESA system downtime at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 in Lagos, operated by Bi‑Courtney. He explained that the airline had to board passengers manually to avoid flight delays and disruptions, and that the issue affected all airlines using the same RESA system.
Experts Warn Airlines Face Financial Strain Without Government Intervention
Unless the Federal Government intervenes in the current high price of Jet A1, Nigeria’s aviation industry faces worsening financial strain, experts have warned. An aviation expert, Mohammed Badamasi, said domestic airlines are already grappling with severe operational challenges as the soaring price of aviation fuel continues to consume a major portion of their expenses, currently accounting for nearly 70 per cent of airlines’ total costs.
RELIGION
Pope Leo XIV Issues Historic Apology for Catholic Church’s Role in Slavery
Pope Leo XIV on Monday issued a historic apology for the Catholic Church’s centuries‑long delay in condemning slavery, acknowledging that the Holy See itself gave European rulers explicit authority to subjugate and enslave people. The apology was contained in the Pope’s first encyclical, titled “Magnifica Humanitas” (Magnificent Humanity). Previous popes had apologised for Christians’ involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, but no pope had ever publicly acknowledged the role that past popes themselves played in giving European sovereigns authority to enslave people. The Pope wrote: “Already in the early modern period, the Apostolic See of Rome, responding to the requests of sovereigns, intervened several times in order to regulate and legitimize forms of subjugation, and, in certain cases, including the enslavement of ‘infidels’”.
SPORTS
Team Nigeria Finishes Runners‑up at African Open Para Powerlifting Championships
Team Nigeria delivered another commanding performance on the continent, finishing second at the 2026 African Open Para Powerlifting Championships in Oran, Algeria, with a haul of 49 medals — 32 gold, 12 silver and five bronze. The National Sports Commission applauded the contingent for its impressive showing, according to a report by The Nation.
Super Eagles Face Zimbabwe in Unity Cup Semi‑final
The Super Eagles are set to open their campaign in the 2026 Unity Cup today, facing Zimbabwe at The Valley Stadium in Charlton, London. However, captain Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon and Akor Adams are among six players who could miss the match, The PUNCH reported.
OTHER HEADLINES
Abia APC Candidate Seeks Justice for Slain Nursing Student: The APC governorship candidate for the 2027 Abia State election, Eric Opah, has expressed grief over the killing of Miss Wendy Achumba, a nursing student allegedly murdered in Obowo, Imo State. Two suspects currently in police custody have allegedly confessed to the crime in a viral video.
Government to Sanction MDAs Flouting ‘Nigeria First’ Policy: The Federal Government has said Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as suppliers that violate the ‘Nigeria First’ policy on local vehicle procurement will face sanctions. The policy restricts MDAs from procuring foreign goods and services that can be sourced locally.
Eight Nigerians Arrested in Ghana over Anti‑narcotics Operations: The Ghana Police Service has arrested eight Nigerians alongside 66 other suspects during a series of intelligence‑led anti‑narcotics and crime suppression operations in the Upper East Region.
Nigerians Prefer Staying in South Africa Despite Xenophobia — Obi: Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has said many Nigerians living in South Africa would rather remain there than return home because of the worsening economic situation in Nigeria.
Conclusion
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, has delivered a dense and diverse news cycle that reflects the complexity of contemporary Nigeria. On the political front, the court’s clearance of Goodluck Jonathan for 2027 opens a new chapter in presidential politics, while Atiku’s ADC ticket and the deepening tensions within the APC signal a fiercely contested race ahead. Economically, the rebound in foreign reserves and the GDP growth to 3.89% offer cautious optimism, even as the withdrawal of World Bank power funding and the housing deficit crisis underline persistent structural challenges. Security concerns remain acute, with terror alerts ahead of Eid‑el‑Kabir and a brazen bandit attack in Kwara. Meanwhile, moments of historic significance – from the papal apology for slavery to the launch of Bayelsa’s state‑owned airline – remind us that Nigeria continues to engage with global currents while forging its own distinctive path.
As the nation prepares for the Eid‑el‑Kabir celebrations, these stories collectively paint a picture of a country in motion: grappling with its past, navigating a turbulent present, and looking toward an uncertain but fiercely contested future.
This roundup was compiled from the following Nigerian newspapers: The Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian, Premium Times, The Sun, Daily Post, BusinessDay, New Telegraph, The Nation, Leadership, Tribune Online, AllAfrica, and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). All information is dated Tuesday, May 26, 2026, unless otherwise stated.
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