Nigerian Newspapers: 10 Things to Know This Saturday Morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:

1. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned to Lagos on Friday evening after a diplomatic and investment tour that covered France, Kenya, and Rwanda. During the trip, he met with global investors, African leaders, and multinational organisations to discuss economic reforms and regional integration. His aircraft landed at approximately 7:12 p.m. at the Presidential Wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja.

2. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced that a 30‑day visa‑free entry policy for Rwandan nationals will take effect, following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, on Friday.

3. Dangote Petroleum Refinery has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government over new fuel import licences issued to oil marketing companies in 2026. The refinery argues that the licences undermine its efforts to increase domestic refining capacity, even as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) granted licences to major marketers.

4. On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja postponed the hearing of a suit that challenges former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to run in the 2027 presidential election until Monday. The delay came after the Independent National Electoral Commission, listed as a defendant, failed to send legal representation to court.

5. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani to release former governor Nasir El‑Rufai immediately. Atiku described the detention as “cruel, unjustifiable, and deeply troubling,” calling it a disturbing assault on civil liberties, especially as Muslims across Nigeria prepare for Eid al‑Kabir.

6. A coordinated attack on three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State on Friday caused panic. Armed terrorists killed an assistant headmaster, abducted numerous pupils and teachers, and created chaos in the community. The schools targeted were Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Esiele, and L.A. Primary School.

7. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission reported on Friday that a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, had remanded social media influencer Okoro Nkiruka, known as Blessing CEO, over an alleged N36 million fraud. The commission said the defendant was arraigned by its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on two counts related to obtaining money by false pretence and theft.

8. Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 15.69 percent in April 2026, up from 15.38 percent in March 2026. The rise was driven by higher costs in food, transport, hospitality, and healthcare, according to the National Bureau of Statistics’ Consumer Price Index report released on Friday.

9. The Independent National Electoral Commission announced that all 22 registered political parties in Nigeria have submitted their membership registers in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 ahead of the 2027 general election. Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee Mohammed Haruna said the submissions were completed after an extension granted to the parties.

10. Operatives of the Anambra State security outfit Agunaechemba have been prohibited from wearing masks while on duty. The directive was issued by Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security Ken Emeakayi on Thursday during a briefing to Agunaechemba commanders.