October 2026

Nigeria's index Ebola patient was evacuated from Abuja to Switzerland by air ambulance, the health minister confirmed. The federal government flew the patient out after approving 10 billion naira in emergency funding for the response.

A federal government investigative panel has concluded that 37 miners died of suffocation while in custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The panel submitted its report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who received it and promised to implement its recommendations to ensure justice for all affected persons.

A Federal High Court in Abuja sacked Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Imo West senatorial district and declared Rochas Okorocha the winner. The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to publish and recognise Okorocha as the APC candidate for Imo West.

The federal government approved a N70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers, to run for six months, at a meeting with Nigeria Labour Congress leadership in Abuja on Tuesday. The meeting covered workers' welfare, the national minimum wage and outstanding allowances.

Nigeria has confirmed an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease, the World Health Organization's Regional Office for Africa said. The case is linked to East Africa. The patient is in the Federal Capital Territory.

The finance ministry disputed the World Bank's finding that federal interest payments reached 124 percent of revenue, saying the ratio wrongly includes external loans taken by state governments. The ministry's objection was reported on Monday, the same day the dispute over the ₦7.7 trillion interest figure became public.

President Bola Tinubu extended the tenures of the heads of the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service by 18 months. The approval was announced on Monday and reported across outlets the same day.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is standing by his claims about Nigeria LNG dividends, and the state government has challenged the presidency to explain how $3bn received under President Bola Tinubu was distributed. The dispute centres on allegations that N250bn in NLNG dividend due each state was withheld.

Emmanuel Uduaghan, a former governor of Delta State, has died at the age of 71. Outlets across the editorial spectrum reported the death, and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori mourned him.

Nigeria's Lassa fever outbreak has killed 268 people, with the case fatality rate rising to 23.6 percent. The figures come from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention's situation report for epidemiological week 40, covering 28 September to 4 October.

World Food Day coverage in Nigeria focused on rising poverty and food insecurity pushing more Nigerians toward hardship, alongside separate accounts of agricultural progress and food safety concerns. The reports appeared across centrist outlets and a pro-government development bank publication on the same day.

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission has inaugurated a multi-agency logistics committee as it begins early logistics planning for the 2027 general election. The committee brings several agencies together to coordinate election logistics ahead of the polls.

President Bola Tinubu has announced his 2027 campaign council, naming governors and opposition politicians among its members. The list includes Nyesom Wike, Charles Soludo and Ademola Adeleke, figures who hold office under parties opposed to the All Progressives Congress.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji was sworn in for a second term in office and pledged to create opportunities for the people. Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu were among those who attended the inauguration in Ekiti.

Twenty National Youth Service Corps members and one civilian were abducted in Imo State. Security operatives comprising the military, Department of State Services, and police rescued them. The victims regained their freedom after a security operation.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Chief of the Air Staff have moved to deepen civil-military aviation safety cooperation. The move follows Monday's Nigerian Air Force plane crash in Ondo State, which killed 25 people. The crash occurred in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission has registered more than 103 million voters for the 2027 general election. The North-West and South-West zones lead in registered voter strength, while the South-East records the lowest.

Kenya has confirmed its first Ebola case, a man who died in Nairobi after returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ten people linked to the case have been quarantined as concerns grow over screening. Kenyan health workers are demanding protection following the death.

Buba Galadima has alleged that the All Progressives Congress is offering opposition House of Representatives candidates up to N200 million and cars to step down from the 2027 race. He said the APC does not want opposition candidates to campaign anywhere. The allegations were reported by Sahara Reporters, Vanguard, Premium Times, Leadership Hausa, TheNigeriaLawyer and Politics Nigeria.

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission recorded 10.7 million new voter registrations during the last continuous voter registration exercise. The commission announced that collection of permanent voter cards will begin on October 9.

A Nigerian court has ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to continue granting fuel import licences to Matrix, AA Rano, and A.Y.M. Shafa. The ruling backs fuel imports amid a dispute involving Dangote Refinery. The court directive requires the regulator to continually issue the licences to the three marketers.

Police in Abia State dismantled suspected criminal camps in forests and recovered 28 human skulls along with bones and vehicles. The remains are believed to be those of dozens of suspected kidnap victims. Cultism suspects were also arrested during the operation.

The Cardiac Society of Nigeria warned that sedentary lifestyles are exposing more young Nigerians to heart disease, as the country marked World Heart Day. Experts also identified junk food, alcohol, tobacco and drugs as factors killing Nigerians. The warnings were carried by multiple Nigerian outlets on the same day.

The presidency says the Federal Government aims to lift 5 million Nigerians out of poverty through skills acquisition platforms and entrepreneurship programmes. The plan is presented as a skills-and-entrepreneurship route out of poverty rather than direct cash transfers.