Nigerian News in Nigerian Newspapers Today, March 12, 2026

Nigeria on March 12, 2026: Fuel pressures, political shifts and sporting glory amid global shadows

Nigeria awoke to another day of economic strain and political manoeuvring as the Middle East conflict continued to ripple through fuel markets and oil revenues. While President Bola Tinubu pushed aggressive CNG adoption to cushion citizens, the opposition PDP grappled with fresh defections and factional battles, security forces battled renewed insurgent strikes in the northeast, and the women’s basketball team delivered a dominant performance on the global stage. The naira showed resilience, Dangote’s dominance sparked monopoly debates, and health and education concerns underscored deeper societal challenges.

Headlines

• Fuel price hike persists despite Dangote Refinery cutting gantry price to N1,075/litre; marketers hold pump price at N1,300 amid Middle East tensions.
• Senate confirms Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance; Tinubu nominates Yuguda as CBN Deputy Governor.
• Former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal quits PDP for ADC citing deepening party crisis.
• Terrorists attack Yobe military base; troops reclaim Borno village as three commanding officers reported lost in renewed assaults.
• D’Tigress thrash Colombia 70-37 in FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifier opener.
• Dangote now supplies 92% of Nigeria’s petrol as FG pauses imports, raising monopoly fears over N14.4tn market.
• PDP reconciliation efforts intensify after Appeal Court ruling; Wike faction seeks stability ahead of 2027.
• Naira steady at N1,397–1,399 official amid parallel market at N1,426; foreign reserves top $50bn, highest since 2009.
• UNILAG lecturers set to begin indefinite strike from March 12 over unpaid salaries.

News

National attention focused on the government’s swift response to rising living costs and the persistent fuel crisis. President Tinubu directed the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas to deploy 100,000 conversion kits nationwide within three weeks, aiming to reduce dependence on expensive petrol and ease transport fares that have surged in recent days. The Defence Minister summoned service chiefs to review operational tactics following deadly attacks in Borno and a fresh assault on a military base in Yobe. Troops successfully reclaimed a village previously seized by Boko Haram, though reports confirmed the loss of three commanding officers in the northeast theatre. Banditry also claimed 14 lives in Katsina communities. In Lagos, public outrage grew over the alleged assault on a corps member by police and the mysterious disappearance of a patient from a hospital and a child from custody.

Business

Economic indicators painted a mixed picture shaped heavily by global events. Dangote Petroleum Refinery lowered its ex-gantry petrol price by N100 to N1,075 per litre following a drop in global crude from $110 to $88 per barrel, yet marketers maintained pump prices at N1,300, citing imported costs and logistics. The refinery now meets 92% of national demand after the FG paused imports, triggering concerns of monopoly control over a N14.4 trillion market. Nigeria’s oil output fell for the seventh straight month to 1.46 million barrels per day, missing OPEC quotas. The naira held firm in the official window around N1,397–1,399 while the parallel market traded at N1,426. Trade surplus for Q4 2025 contracted sharply to N1.71 trillion, though full-year figures and foreign reserves exceeding $50 billion (highest since 2009) offered some reassurance. The CBN extended anti-money laundering deadlines for banks, PalmPay expanded its nationwide footprint, and fertiliser prices rose 11%, stoking food inflation fears.

Entertainment

Celebrity conversations reflected both personal resilience and industry pressures. Actress Nkechi Blessing linked the surge in Brazilian Butt Lift procedures to years of body-shaming. Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan highlighted how soaring diesel prices threaten production sustainability. BBNaija alumnus Laycon spoke candidly about losing his “inner voice” post-show, while singer Omah Lay noted the Lagos-Yoruba dominance in Afrobeats. Tonto Dikeh defended her recent school deliverance video against online criticism, declaring she would rather be mocked than silence her faith. In music, “I Love My Wife” by King Pereama trended anew via TikTok.

Politics

The PDP remained in turmoil as former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal defected to the African Democratic Congress, citing irreconcilable leadership rifts and factionalism. The Wike-led faction pushed for internal stability and an end to litigation, while the party’s Board of Trustees urged reconciliation following an Appeal Court verdict. Senate confirmed Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance, and President Tinubu nominated Bashir Yuguda as CBN Deputy Governor. APGA signalled possible support for Tinubu in 2027, and Afenifere warned against shielding candidates with fake certificates in electoral reforms. Enugu Governor Peter Mbah called on Ndigbo to adopt strategic unity ahead of future polls.

Sports

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team D’Tigress opened their FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers in dominant fashion, defeating Colombia 70-37 in Lyon. Victor Osimhen was visibly moved by Galatasaray fans’ tribute before a European clash. The NFF upheld a N4 million fine against Wikki Tourists for crowd misconduct, while DR Congo dropped players whose eligibility the Nigerian federation had disputed. Nigerian bodybuilder Andrew Jacked claimed the 2026 Arnold Classic title and a record $750,000 prize. In football logistics, experts lamented the high cost of failure on the international stage.

Health

Public health updates highlighted both vulnerabilities and policy focus. No fewer than 13 million Nigerians live with asthma, according to Lagos State University research. One in three adolescents is underweight, while only 17% of Africans (including Nigerians) access essential oral health services. Six in ten patients consult pharmacists first rather than hospitals. May & Baker Nigeria used International Women’s Day to champion menstrual health education and schoolgirl mentorship. The FG and civil society groups advanced inclusive healthcare policies and maternal care training in Lagos. Concerns rose over fraudulent surgeries and the cultural practice of breast ironing.

Tech

Digital innovation continued apace. Glo and Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S26 amid expanded partnerships. TeKnowledge teamed with Microsoft to skill 10,000 Nigerians in AI under the National AI Skilling Initiative. PalmPay broadened its Purple Woman fintech mentorship programme and opened new offices nationwide. Experts warned that passwords and SMS tokens are failing modern security tests, while policy inconsistencies and multiple taxation were flagged as threats to the digital economy. The FG unveiled plans to connect schools across the country to the internet.

Education

Academic stability faced fresh threats as UNILAG lecturers announced an indefinite strike from March 12 over “amputated” January and February salaries. Economic hardship continued driving parents to transfer children from private to public schools. Anambra State’s education commissioner described the state’s achievements as revolutionary. The NSE and a legal firm rewarded Ogun students for excellence in a STEM debate, while the FG and ASUU pledged joint investigations into alleged corruption among vice-chancellors.

Security

Insurgency and banditry dominated security headlines. Terrorists struck a military base in Yobe following repeated assaults in Borno, where troops reclaimed a seized village but suffered casualties, including three commanding officers. Bandits killed 14 and injured many in Katsina communities. In Ondo, residents expressed fear as kidnappers tightened control over Akure North. The Ondo State Government banned night Okada operations and cart pushing to strengthen security. Lagos recorded incidents of alleged police brutality against a corps member and a family’s claim of a son missing from custody. The Defence Minister summoned service chiefs for urgent review.

World

The escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict cast a long shadow over Nigeria. Global crude price volatility and potential Strait of Hormuz disruptions prompted the government to review oil market exposure and logistics risks, with analysts warning of higher domestic fuel, diesel and fertiliser costs. Nations agreed to release historic crude reserves to stabilise prices, offering Nigeria some relief. President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi are scheduled for a state visit to the UK next week, where King Charles will host interfaith talks amid reports of intensifying attacks on Christians in Nigeria. The country also urged de-escalation, emphasising dialogue to avert broader regional fallout that could affect remittances, trade and energy security.