Nigerian Newspapers Today: Nigerian News Today, March 13, 2026

Nigeria on March 13, 2026: Defections reshape opposition landscape while labour peace returns and global oil shocks test resilience.

Over two tense days, Nigeria witnessed a flurry of political realignments as key PDP figures defected to the African Democratic Congress, deepening the opposition’s internal fractures ahead of 2027. A short-lived lecturers’ strike at the University of Lagos was swiftly suspended after management assurances, offering relief to students. Dangote Refinery delivered welcome price relief on petrol even as Middle East tensions drove volatile global crude prices, while security forces reported operational successes in the Northeast. Public health advisories highlighted ongoing disease risks, and the digital sector buzzed with new partnerships.

Headlines

– Senators Abaribe, Tambuwal, Umeh, Kingibe and six others defect from PDP to ADC amid deepening party crisis. – UNILAG ASUU chapter declares then suspends indefinite strike over “amputated” January-February salaries. – Dangote Refinery slashes ex-gantry petrol price by N100 to N1,075 per litre as global crude fluctuates. – Troops kill terrorists and rescue hostages in fresh Borno operations; bandit ambushes reported in Zamfara. – Tonto Dikeh dragged to court in N200 million suit over alleged “exorcism” of schoolgirl. – NCDC issues fresh advisories on rising Lassa fever and cerebrospinal meningitis cases. – Glo and Samsung unveil Galaxy S26 smartphone in major telecom partnership. – Oil and gas stocks surge as US-Iran conflict pushes Brent crude toward $120 per barrel before partial retreat.

News

National discourse centred on opposition realignment and swift resolution of labour unrest. Multiple senators, including former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal, defected to the African Democratic Congress, citing irreconcilable PDP leadership rifts and factionalism. President Tinubu reiterated that only respect for the rule of law and judiciary would resolve the lingering Rivers political crisis. In a positive development for students, the UNILAG ASUU chapter suspended its indefinite strike hours after commencement, following management’s 48-hour commitment to clear outstanding allowances. Public attention also turned to security gains and health alerts as troops conducted successful anti-insurgency raids while the NCDC warned of seasonal disease spikes.

Business

Economic news offered a mix of relief and caution. Dangote Refinery reduced its ex-gantry petrol price from N1,175 to N1,075 per litre, citing easing global crude benchmarks after earlier spikes linked to Middle East tensions; marketers’ pump prices remained under pressure around N1,300-N1,400 in major cities. Analysts noted that higher oil revenues from the US-Iran conflict could boost export earnings, yet warned of imported inflation and freight-cost ripple effects. The naira held steady in official windows while foreign reserves remained robust. CBN-related nominations and anti-money-laundering extensions continued, and fertiliser price rises added to food-inflation concerns. PalmPay expanded fintech outreach, and stock-market gains in oil and gas reflected global crude volatility.

Entertainment

Celebrity and creative-industry stories reflected personal and legal dramas. Actress Tonto Dikeh faces a N200 million lawsuit from a lawyer over her widely circulated schoolgirl “exorcism” video, with demands for public apology and damages. BBNaija star Phyna questioned ride-hailing payment models and called for political engagement. Singer Ayra Starr opened up about a past relationship that inspired her track “Where Do We Go.” Portable shared joyful family news with prayers for his pregnant wife, while Nollywood actor Rotimi Salami addressed trolls using a late colleague’s image for promotion. Broader industry chatter focused on Afrobeats global traction and production cost challenges.

Politics

The PDP crisis intensified as high-profile defections to the ADC, including senators and former governors, signalled further fragmentation ahead of 2027. Party chieftains traded accusations over backdoor negotiations and Appeal Court rulings on its national convention. The ADC criticised President Tinubu’s comments on the Electoral Act, questioning his democratic credentials. APC leaders welcomed the shifts as validation of its strength, while PDP insiders insisted the party would field candidates regardless. Tinubu defended his assent to the 2026 Electoral Act amendments and stressed judicial harmony in resolving Rivers State tensions. Afenifere and other groups urged strategic unity among opposition forces.

Sports

Domestic and international Nigerian performances drew attention. The NPFL continued with match-day fixtures, while Rivers United expressed title ambitions following CAF Champions League exit. D’Tigress maintained strong form in ongoing qualifiers. Former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde received tributes after his recent passing. European-based Nigerian stars continued to feature prominently in club leagues, and analysts debated CAF decisions affecting national teams. Domestic leagues reported steady crowd interest despite logistical challenges.

Health

Public-health authorities issued timely warnings amid seasonal threats. The NCDC released advisories on rising Lassa fever cases during peak season and urged strengthened state-level action on cerebrospinal meningitis. Primary healthcare reforms advanced in 2025-2026, with focus on immunisation and service delivery despite workforce shortages. Outbreaks continued to test national preparedness, while experts highlighted progress in diagnostic capacity and community-level interventions. No major new epidemics were reported, but vigilance remained high.

Tech

Digital innovation advanced with key partnerships. Globacom and Samsung officially unveiled the Galaxy S26 series, expanding premium smartphone access. PalmPay rolled out further fintech mentorship programmes for women and opened new service points. Experts emphasised cybersecurity as critical to economic growth amid rising online transactions and open banking. A new digital postcode system gained approval to boost e-commerce and emergency services. Discussions highlighted both surging internet penetration and persistent gaps in user safety habits and infrastructure protection.

Education

The brief UNILAG ASUU strike dominated campus news before its swift suspension. Lecturers had withdrawn services over unpaid earned academic allowances and other entitlements for January and February, but management’s prompt assurances restored normalcy within hours; ongoing examinations proceeded uninterrupted. Broader sector concerns included parent-driven shifts from private to public schools due to economic pressures. Policy talks continued on vice-chancellor accountability and STEM incentives, while states reported incremental reforms in access and quality.

Security

Military operations yielded tangible results. Troops in Borno killed several terrorists and rescued kidnapped civilians in coordinated raids. Bandit ambushes in Zamfara claimed security personnel lives, prompting intensified patrols in affected Northwest states. The Navy and other services maintained pressure on sea and land criminal networks. Residents in volatile areas called for sustained collaboration between communities and security agencies. No large-scale new incursions were recorded, but vigilance against banditry and insurgency remained elevated.

World

The US-Israel-Iran conflict continued to shape Nigeria’s economic outlook. Global crude prices spiked toward $120 per barrel before easing, boosting potential oil revenues while raising freight and refined-product costs. Analysts warned of imported inflation and transport-fare pressures despite Dangote’s local supply dominance. Nigeria urged de-escalation and dialogue to protect remittances, trade routes and energy security. The G7 discussed strategic reserve releases, offering indirect stabilisation hopes. Diplomatic engagements, including upcoming high-level visits, underscored Nigeria’s call for peaceful resolution to avert broader global fallout.