- Dolly Parton dies at 80 after six-decade music career
- Dangote Refinery raises petrol price again to ₦1,200/litre
- Kanye West’s planned Russia concerts hit a venue setback
- MTN considers banking licences to expand direct lending
- Poco Lee to face UK court over alleged rape charges
Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the top five Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.
Dolly Parton dies at 80 after six-decade music career
Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, with her nephew Bryan Seaver announcing her death on Instagram on Tuesday. Her family confirmed that she died after a brief battle with cancer.
Parton rose from humble beginnings in Tennessee to become one of country music’s most celebrated stars. Her career spanned more than six decades, producing hits such as Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You. She sold more than 100 million records and won 11 Grammy Awards.
Beyond music, Parton was also a successful actress and philanthropist, appearing in films including 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias. Her death has prompted tributes from fans, fellow musicians, and public figures, marking the loss of one of country music’s most influential figures.
Dangote Refinery raises petrol price again to ₦1,200/litre
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has increased its gantry price for petrol from ₦1,185 to ₦1,200 per litre, effective Wednesday, August 26, 2026. The latest adjustment comes just days after the refinery’s previous price increase.
In a notice to customers, the refinery said its coastal delivery price also rose from ₦1,562,265 to ₦1,582,380 per metric tonne. Customers were asked to return their Authorisation to Collect documents for repricing before loading resumes.
The latest increase represents a ₦ 15-per-litre rise and follows a previous ₦ 20-per-litre increase from ₦1,165 to ₦1,185 on August 21. The repeated adjustments could further affect petrol prices across the country.
Kanye West’s planned Russia concerts hit a venue setback
Kanye West’s planned concerts in Russia have hit a setback after St Petersburg’s Gazprom Arena said the shows would not take place at the venue. The stadium said no rental agreement had been signed with the organisers, making the October 10 and 11 concerts impossible there.
Moscow-based Say Agency, which organised the sold-out shows, disputed the announcement and said the concerts had not been cancelled. The agency claimed it had received an approved letter from the stadium and was still working to resolve the issue.
The concerts would have made West the first major Western performer to stage shows in Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. West has faced widespread criticism over antisemitic remarks he made in recent years and has apologised for some of them.
MTN considers banking licences to expand direct lending
MTN Group is considering obtaining banking licences in some of its African markets as it explores lending directly to customers using its own balance sheet. The telecommunications giant said the move would target markets with large customer bases and significant funds held in mobile money wallets.
Group CEO Ralph Mupita said the licences could allow MTN to accept deposits and eventually provide loans directly. The company currently offers loans through partnerships with banks and other financial institutions.
Mupita said the plan would be introduced gradually and only in selected markets. MTN will assess each market based on its customer base and the amount of money held in its mobile wallets before deciding whether to proceed.
Poco Lee to face UK court over alleged rape charges
Nigerian dancer Iweh Pascal Odinaka, popularly known as Poco Lee, is scheduled to appear before Snaresbrook Crown Court in the UK on September 15 over alleged sexual offences. The court confirmed the hearing in a correspondence on Tuesday.
According to the court, Poco Lee faces charges of attempted rape, two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration. The hearing will involve plea and trial preparation before proceedings continue.
The court stressed that Poco Lee remains innocent unless proven guilty, following reports of his arrest in the UK, which sparked reactions from associates, including filmmaker TG Omori and singer Rahman Jago.
