10 Major News Stories Nigerians Should Know Today

1. FG Reassures Nigerians on Ebola Preparedness

The Presidential Task Force responsible for Ebola preparedness and emerging public health threats has expressed confidence in its ability to manage the situation in Nigeria. Its chairman, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is also the Chief of Staff to the President, gave the assurance after an emergency meeting at the State House on Wednesday.

2. Ekiti and Kebbi Back State Police Proposal

The Ekiti and Kebbi State Houses of Assembly have supported a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at allowing states to establish their own police forces. Ekiti lawmakers passed the bill, while their counterparts in Kebbi adopted a supportive resolution. The 13 states that had previously approved the proposal were Osun, Edo, Oyo, Rivers, Zamfara, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Delta, Taraba, Cross River, Plateau and Enugu.

3. Shettima Urges States to Develop Electricity Markets

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on state governments to take greater responsibility for addressing their electricity challenges rather than depending entirely on the Federal Government. Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop on the Electricity Act 2023 in Abuja on Wednesday, he urged states to establish functioning electricity markets under the law.

4. FG Reports ₦100bn Payment in Gas Debts

The Federal Government says it has cleared more than ₦100 billion in outstanding gas-related debts since January 2026. Presidential Special Adviser on Oil and Gas, Olu Verheijen, announced the figure at the Africa Interviews Sustainability Forum 2026 in Lagos on Wednesday. She said the payments were made through the administration’s Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme to support the gas-to-power sector.

5. NAFDAC Uncovers Illegal Herbal Product Facility in Lagos

NAFDAC says it has discovered an unauthorised herbal product manufacturing facility in Agege, Lagos State. In a statement shared on its verified X account on Wednesday, the agency said the operation followed a report by The Guardian about herbal products allegedly carrying falsified NAFDAC registration numbers.

6. Police Investigate Deadly Boat Incident in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed fatalities following a reported boat capsizing during a confrontation involving youths and men in military uniform over an oil spill in Kula, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday evening. Police said investigations were underway to establish the number of victims and determine exactly how the incident happened.

7. AAC Seeks Presidential Villa for Campaign Council Inauguration

The African Action Congress has asked President Bola Tinubu to permit the party to use the Presidential Villa in Abuja for the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 elections. The party also requested refreshments and logistical assistance for attendees at the event it has proposed for November 11, 2026.

8. Tinubu Sends Birthday Message to Kwankwaso

President Bola Tinubu has said his political disagreements with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have not affected his personal regard for him. In a birthday message issued on Wednesday as Kwankwaso turned 70, Tinubu described him as a longstanding friend and a notable participant in Nigeria’s political development.

9. Edo Government Issues Ebola Prevention Advisory

The Edo State Government has urged residents to remain calm, follow preventive guidance and report suspected Ebola cases promptly after a new case was confirmed in Nigeria. Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Paul Eighemhenrio, delivered the message at a news conference in Benin on Wednesday on behalf of Commissioner for Health Dr Cyril Oshiomhole.

10. Senate Committee Questions Petroleum Import Records

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has rejected the NMDPRA’s records of Premium Motor Spirit imports for 2022 and 2023, citing discrepancies with figures supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. The committee resolved on Wednesday to summon the heads of the NMDPRA, NNPCL and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to explain the differences and help reconcile the records.