• Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari passes on at 82
• Senate declares no legal grounds for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return
• One year later, nine states yet to implement ₦70,000 minimum wage for teachers
• Air Peace plane overshoots runway in Port Harcourt, no casualties reported
• Stakeholders back sale of NNPC refineries, demand transparency

Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the top five Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss. 

Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari passes on at 82

Former president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has died at the age of 82 in a hospital in London. The Nigerian icon served the country for eight years as a civilian leader (2015-2023) and a military ruler in the 1980s, bringing many memories that Nigerians have revered.

News of his death has spread throughout the country, with Nigerians having mixed feelings about his death and recounting some of his accomplishments while in office.

The president left the country a few weeks ago in a private jet to treat himself, and was visited by many politicians who wished him well.

However, upon his death, President Bola Tinubu has demanded that Vice President Kashim Shettima bring back his (Buhari’s) body to Nigeria so he can be buried in his hometown.

Senate declares no legal grounds for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return

The Senate has stated that there is no legal basis for suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume her duties at the National Assembly.

Reacting to reports of her planned return to plenary based on an alleged court order, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said the lawmaker remains suspended following her March sanction for alleged gross misconduct.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier postponed her planned return but, through her lawyers, informed the Senate leadership of her intention to resume legislative duties, citing a recent Federal High Court ruling.

One year later, nine states yet to implement ₦70,000 minimum wage for teachers

Nearly a year after President Bola Tinubu signed the ₦70,000 minimum wage bill into law, nine states across Nigeria are yet to implement the new wage structure for teachers.

According to exclusive data obtained from the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the delay persists despite the law being enacted on July 29, 2024, following its approval by the National Assembly.

The implementation gap recently sparked a prolonged strike by teachers in the Federal Capital Territory, who downed tools for over 100 days in protest against non-compliance by Area Councils.

Air Peace plane overshoots runway in Port Harcourt, no casualties reported

An Air Peace flight carrying 127 passengers overshot Runway 03 while landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Tuesday morning. The aircraft, flight P47190 with registration number 5N-BQQ, had departed from Lagos before the incident occurred at approximately 7:45 a.m.

In a statement, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the safe evacuation of all passengers onboard, with no reported injuries.

FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, said, “We are relieved to report that there were no casualties. Evacuation of the 127 passengers has been completed safely.”

Stakeholders back sale of NNPC refineries, demand transparency

Oil marketers and industry stakeholders have expressed support for the proposed sale of Nigeria’s refineries managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), urging the government to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability in the process.

They argued that privatising the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries—despite consuming trillions of naira in failed rehabilitation efforts—could finally open the downstream sector to healthy competition and efficient pricing, while ending years of wasteful spending.

Their backing follows recent comments by NNPC Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, who revealed that the refineries’ facilities had become obsolete, with ongoing rehabilitation efforts failing to deliver the expected results.