Today’s News: Top 10 Headlines from Nigerian Newspapers – May 8, 2026

APC Govs Select Peter Mbah as PGF Chairman

About 20 governors who are members of the Progressive Governors Forum have named Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah as chairman of the forum.

AREWA STAR gathered that the decision followed the reported removal of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma as chairman of the forum.The decision, according to reports was taken during an extraordinary meeting of about 20 All Progressives Congress, APC, governors held in Abuja on Thursday night.

According to Arise TV, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State and 17 others attended the meeting.

Why Tinubu Refused to Return Subsidy on Fuel – Presidency

The Presidency has stated the reason President Bola Tinubu has refused to return the subsidy on fuel.

Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, attributed the reason to fraud in the petrol industry.According to him, non-Nigerians were benefitting from the subsidy regime, adding that industry was filled with fraudulent people.

“The reason President Tinubu has refused to return the subsidy fuel is that historically the beneficiaries of this subsidy are not the Nigerian people. It is fraud people in that industry.

Terrorists Abduct 8 Students of Nasarawa State University

Eight students of the Faculty of Engineering of the Nasarawa State University on Wednesday night were abducted by terrorists.

The students, according to a source, were abducted from an off-campus residence in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area.

SP Ramhan Nansel, the state police command’s spokesman, in a statement confirmed the incident, saying, “six students and a friend of one of them were affected whose identity could not be immediately ascertained.”

The police spokesman further explained that the police have intensified efforts to secure the students’ release.

Fed Govt Gives World Bank 6-Month Ultimatum to Disburse Approved Loan

The Federal Government has issued a point of warning to the World Bank, threatening to abandon lending arrangements if disbursements on approved project funds are not completed within six months.

The ultimatum was delivered on Wednesday by the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, during a courtesy visit by a World Bank delegation to his office in Abuja.

“If approvals take more than six months, the Nigerian Government may no longer honour such arrangements,” Dr. Ogunjimi stated, framing the warning not as a repudiation of multilateral engagement but as an assertion of the country’s rights as a responsible borrower obligated to service its debts.

PGF Dismisses Reports of Uzodimma’s Removal

The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has dismissed reports alleging the removal of its Chairman, Governor Hope Uzodimma, describing the claims as false and misleading.

The statement, signed by the Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum, Folorunso S. Aluko, dated May 7, 2026, comes amid growing political speculation over the leadership of the Forum.

In a statement , the Forum’s Secretariat said no meeting was held where such a decision was taken, insisting that Uzodimma remains the authentic Chairman of the body.

“The attention of the Progressive Governors Forum has been drawn to a false and misleading report circulating on some media platforms alleging the removal of its Chairman, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON,” the statement read.

Fed Govt Demands Anti-Xenophobia Action from S’Africa

The Federal Government yesterday demanded immediate action from its South African counterpart on the ‘’systematic harassment, humiliation and extra-judicial killings of Nigerians’’ in the former apartheid enclave.

The government told the South African authorities that it would not sit back and watch the development in which Nigerians and other black Africans are the main targets.

To show its seriousness, the government said it had resolved to commence the evacuation of Nigerians willing to return home. It also announced the establishment of a Crisis Notification Unit for   Nigerians to contact security authorities in South Africa when in danger.  

Moles Within Govt, Security Agencies Aiding Banditry – Radda

Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has expressed concern over what he called the presence of informants within government circles, security agencies, and local communities.

The governor also expressed concern that the moles allegedly supply intelligence to bandits operating in the state.

Speaking on a national television programme yesterday, Radda said the fight against insecurity was being seriously undermined by individuals leaking sensitive information, enabling criminal groups to evade arrest, and launch attacks.

The governor cited the example of a notorious bandit, identified simply as Mohammed, whom he said benefited from insider information. According to him, the suspect often received details of security operations almost immediately after they were discussed.

Over 130 Nigerians Seek Return from South Africa

More than 130 Nigerians living in South Africa have registered for voluntary repatriation following renewed xenophobic attacks and worsening economic conditions in the country.

President of the Nigerian community in South Africa, Frank Onyekwelu, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday.

According to him, the number of Nigerians seeking to return home has continued to rise since the Federal Government began arrangements for evacuation flights for affected citizens.

He said many Nigerians in South Africa are struggling to survive due to economic hardship, unemployment and immigration-related challenges.

NECO to Start Computer-Based Examinations – Minister

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has confirmed that the National Examinations Council (NECO) would begin Computer-Based Examination (CBE) later this year.

He disclosed this at an event to mark the 25th anniversary of NECO in Abuja, yesterday.

“The silver jubilee invites Nigerians to celebrate what NECO has achieved, especially in equity, transparency and the use of data to inform policy decisions.”

The minister said the adoption of technology-driven processes, such as secure data management, electronic results where feasible and robust moderation systems has further strengthened integrity and efficiency of the Council.

Northern Christian Association Cautions Wike

The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has cautioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, warning that political authority must never be used as a platform for arrogance, offensive remarks or statements that undermine respect for God and public sensibilities.

The association was reacting to recent comments attributed to Wike during the controversy over the proposed development and land administration at Jabi Lake in Abuja, where a female cleric was reported to have knelt in public to plead with the minister to reconsider the project, an appeal that generated wide reactions.

While responding to the emotional appeal, Wike made remarks including the expression that even if “God comes down” he would not yield to pressure, a statement that sparked criticism from sections of the Christian community.