- Ayra Starr makes history with NFL Halftime Show performance
- WAEC 2026 results crisis deepens over alleged CBT glitches
- US set to withdraw 200 troops from Nigeria by September
- VeryDarkMan challenges police to take him to court over allegations
- Snoop Dogg biopic adds new cast ahead of production
Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the top five Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.
Ayra Starr makes history with NFL Halftime Show performance
Nigerian singer Ayra Starr is set to make history as the first major African artist to headline an NFL halftime show. She will perform during the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars game in London on October 11, 2026.
The Grammy-nominated singer will take the stage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games. The league described her as the first Afrobeats artist to headline an NFL game.
Ayra Starr called the performance a “dream come true”, while NFL executive Tim Tubito praised her as a “generational talent” with a strong connection to London audiences. The performance will be one of seven halftime shows held across seven countries.
WAEC 2026 results crisis deepens over alleged CBT glitches
The controversy over the 2026 WAEC results has intensified following allegations of glitches and irregularities from an official of the examination body. Olanrewaju Fadehan, Head of Examinations at the WAEC office in Anambra, made the claims in a viral video.
Fadehan alleged that candidates who took the computer-based examination were particularly affected, with issues reportedly involving subjects such as Mathematics, English, and Igbo. He said the results were expected between August 3 and 5 but required last-minute adjustments.
The WAEC official also raised concerns over poor performances in Igbo among some South-East candidates. He further claimed that some schools spent more than ₦60 million on CBT facilities in preparation for the examination.
US set to withdraw 200 troops from Nigeria by September
The Pentagon is preparing to withdraw about 200 US troops deployed to Nigeria to support the fight against Islamist militants. The troops were sent earlier this year, with US and Nigerian officials reportedly describing the deployment as highly effective.
According to The New York Times, the larger contingent is expected to leave by late September, while small teams of trainers and intelligence analysts will remain in Nigeria. US officials reportedly see the deployment as a model for future operations in Africa.
The withdrawal follows a May operation that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS, in the Lake Chad Basin. AFRICOM commander Dagvin Anderson said the operation significantly weakened ISIS leadership in Nigeria and globally.
VeryDarkMan challenges police to take him to court over allegations
Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has challenged the Nigeria Police Force to charge him in court so he can present evidence supporting his allegations against police officers.
Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, he accused some officers of turning against Nigerians because of poor welfare, alleging that some pass information to bandits and rent out their weapons.
The police, however, demanded evidence to support the claims, saying their seriousness required a proper standard of proof. In response, VeryDarkMan maintained his position and challenged the force to take him to court, where he said he would present his evidence.
Snoop Dogg biopic adds new cast ahead of production
The upcoming Snoop Dogg biopic has added several actors to its growing cast ahead of production this autumn. Laya DeLeon Hayes will play Snoop’s wife, Shante Broadus, while Olly Sholotan will portray rapper Kurupt. Corey Champagne and Jonica Booth will play Nate Dogg and The Lady of Rage, respectively.
Jonathan Daviss will lead the film as Snoop Dogg, alongside Myles Bullock as Dr Dre, Camron Jones as Tupac Shakur, Algee Smith as Warren G, and Lauren London as Snoop’s mother.
Craig Brewer, known for Hustle & Flow and Dolemite Is My Name, will direct the film. Production will take place mainly in Los Angeles this autumn, with Universal Pictures scheduled to release Snoop on August 6, 2027.
