Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 9th February, 2026.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate reopening of the Samiya International Border in Kebbi State, which links Nigeria with the Republic of Benin.

Naija News reports that the order was made public on February 7, 2026, in Birnin Kebbi during a one-day official visit by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the Nigeria Customs Service Area Command in the state capital.

While addressing officers and personnel of the command, Adeniyi cautioned them against working with smugglers or any illegal groups to frustrate the Federal Government’s directive.

He warned that any action that weakens the policy would not be tolerated.

He explained that the reopening of the border is aimed at easing the movement of goods, improving security, and ensuring that cargo is cleared within 48 hours.

He added that advanced technology is being introduced to track goods and stop them from being diverted from their approved destinations.

Adeniyi further stated that President Tinubu has approved the movement of trucks through the Benin Republic and Kebbi State to the Niger Republic.

According to him, the use of modern systems will make it easier to monitor transit activities and reduce abuse of the process.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has defended the National Assembly’s decision to remove mandatory electronic transmission of election results from the amended Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Senate had last week sparked nationwide debate after dropping the provision for compulsory electronic transmission of results, a move that drew criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups and the Nigerian Bar Association.

Naija News reports that many Nigerians had called on lawmakers to reverse the decision, warning that it could undermine transparency and credibility in future elections.

But speaking at the public presentation of a book by a former senator, Effiong Bob, titled The Burdens of Legislators in Nigeria, Akpabio dismissed the criticisms and insisted that the responsibility for election modalities lies with the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Akpabio said lawmakers only make laws, while INEC is constitutionally empowered to determine how elections are conducted and what technology to deploy.

He urged Nigerians to direct their concerns to the electoral body rather than the National Assembly.

Former Vice President of Nigeria and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, says the recent admission about the state of the refineries operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has vindicated his earlier position on the sale of the facility.

Atiku, in a statement on Sunday, submitted that keeping the national refineries running without any productive activity is a waste of national resources and a pure political decision which doesn’t make economic sense.

Naija News recalls that the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, recently admitted that Nigeria’s state-owned refineries were operating at what he described as a “monumental loss”, forcing his management team to halt operations to stop further financial damage to the country.

According to him, Nigerians had every reason to be upset, considering the huge public funds invested over the years.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Atiku said that though the admission is belated, the revelation has validated his earlier call for the privatisation of the refineries.

He insisted that the call for the privatization of the refineries is a patriotic submission, but he was vilified for several years over the suggestion.

Atiku maintained that attempting to revive the refineries does not make economic sense, and any proposed refinery deal, including with foreign partners, should be discontinued.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that it may mobilise mass protests or push for a boycott of future elections over what it called the Senate’s contradictory stance on the amendment to the 2022 Electoral Act, particularly on the electronic transmission of election results.

In a statement issued on Sunday, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the Senate’s actions risk undermining public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and democracy.

The NLC said, “Public records suggest the proposed amendment to mandate INEC to transmit results electronically in real time was not adopted. The existing discretionary provision was retained.

“This has generated nationwide apprehension, and subsequent explanations have only added to the confusion.”

The labour union accused the Senate of institutionalising ambiguity, warning that vague legal language at such a critical time, following the contentious 2023 elections, could permanently damage electoral integrity.

The Nigerian Senate is reportedly scheduled to convene for an emergency plenary session this Tuesday.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, issued a directive to reconvene for an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026.

A statement from Emmanuel Odo, the Senate Clerk, asks all Senators to be present at 12 pm.

In the statement, Odo indicated that all senators have been kindly requested to attend the emergency plenary sitting.

This follows the Senate’s February 4 rejection of a proposed amendment for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act.

The rejection sparked widespread criticism from activists like former minister, Oby Ezekwesili and groups such as Afenifere for undermining electoral transparency ahead of 2027 polls.

The Kogi State Government has ordered the temporary closure of selected markets and motor parks in seven local government areas of the state.

A statement on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the closures are part of measures to support security activities aimed at flushing out terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements in the state.

Fanwo added that the activities are in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and heads of security agencies in the state.

According to the government, the closures are designed to cut off logistics, restrict the movement of consumables and deny criminal elements and their informants access to food supplies and other forms of support during the operations.

Naija News understands that in Lokoja Local Government Area, the affected locations include Oshokoshoko Market and Motor Park, as well as Jakura, Ogbagbon, Agbaja, Atsawa, Obajana, Apata, Abugi, Amomi, Ebee and Budon.

The Kogi State government clarified that the measure is strictly temporary and will be lifted immediately after the successful conclusion of the security operations.

Naija News reports that the fresh action is coming days after the Kogi State government also announced the temporary closure of schools across the state, explaining that it was a proactive step taken to safeguard pupils, students, and teachers.

Popular Tiktok streamer, Peller, has stirred reactions after making a public move to win back his former girlfriend, Jarvis.

Naija News reports that the 21-year-old made the appeal during a livestream where she appeared as a guest.

During the live session, Peller openly asked Jarvis to give their relationship another chance.

He told viewers that he believes he has grown and is now more mature than he was before.

He assured her that if they reunite, their past problems would not repeat themselves and that their relationship would be kept private this time, away from social media.

Peller went further to explain that his mindset and lifestyle have changed.

He claimed he is now more responsible and understands life better than before, using personal examples to explain what maturity means to him.

Reality TV star, Tope Adenibuyan popularly known as Teddy A has opened up about how false stories about his private life deeply affected him.

He mentioned a report that accused him of abusing his wife, actress Bamike “Bambam” Olawunmi.

Naija News reports that the singer spoke on the issue during an interview on the WithChude Podcast, which aired on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

The actor explained that the abuse claim stood out as the most painful story he had ever read about himself. He recalled that the day he came across the report, his wife was at home, pregnant, relaxed and watching a movie.

Everything seemed normal until he began receiving unusual notifications on his phone. According to him, the alerts confused him because he had not shared any new content online.

Curious, he checked social media and began reading comments, only to discover that people were discussing a story that accused him of beating his wife, including during her pregnancy.

He said the allegation shocked both him and his wife, Bambam. He explained that he became emotional and kept asking where such a story came from.

Teddy A added that he had no idea who started it and could not trace its source. Following the discovery, he contacted his manager to ask how to respond.

9. Man City Beat Liverpool To Keep Premier League Title Hopes Alive

Erling Haaland’s stoppage-time penalty earned Manchester City a dramatic 2-1 win at Liverpool on Sunday to reduce Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League back to six points.

City were heading for defeat at Anfield with six minutes to go before Bernardo Silva cancelled out Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick to spark an incredible finale.

Haaland put City in front from the spot before the visitors had another goal ruled out, and Szoboszlai was sent off in the same incident after a VAR review.

Victory was City’s first away to Liverpool in front of a crowd since 2003 and reapplies some pressure to Arsenal’s quest for a first title in 22 years.

Defeat delivered another blow to Liverpool’s hopes of Champions League football next season.

Niger Tornadoes FC have issued a stern warning that they may pull out of the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after the league authorities ruled their home ground, the Bako Kantagora Stadium in Minna, unfit to host top‑flight matches.

Naija News reports that the decision, handed down by the NPFL earlier this year, has ignited strong condemnation from officials in Niger State, who described it as unfair, unjust and driven by political motives.

The Chairman of the Niger State Sports Commission, Danjuma Masu, expressed deep displeasure with the ruling while addressing members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Minna.

Masu accused the league of targeting the club and undermining its interests for reasons he described as “personal and selfish”.

“Not that the stadium is bad,” Masu said.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.