Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 5th February, 2026.
The Senate on Wednesday passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal & Enactment) Bill, 2026, concluding consideration of the bill after detailed scrutiny of all 155 clauses.
Naija News reports that the passage, which comes amid intense national debate over electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections, saw a number of amendments adopted, while the majority of clauses were retained as originally proposed.
One of the most significant changes to the electoral legal framework is the reduction of the period within which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must publish notices of election.
Under the amended provisions, INEC will now be required to publish election notices 180 days before polls, down from the current 360 days stipulated under the existing Act.
The shift followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Tahir Monguno, who argued that the earlier timeline would make it difficult for INEC to meet statutory requirements ahead of the next general elections.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has revealed 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.
Ojulari made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja during a fireside chat titled “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future” at the Nigeria International Energy Summit 2026, where he offered a rare and blunt assessment of the operational and commercial realities of the nation’s refining assets.
The NNPC boss acknowledged widespread public frustration over the refineries, noting that Nigerians had every reason to be upset considering the huge public funds invested over the years.
“On the refineries, Nigerians were angry. A lot of money has been spent, and expectations were very high. So we were under extreme pressure, extreme pressure,” he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has finalized work on the 2027 election timetable and schedule of activities.
This was disclosed on Wednesday in Abuja by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
Amupitan confirmed that it has made submissions to the National Assembly regarding the ongoing Electoral Act amendment by the lawmakers, noting that the final outcome might affect some of the schedules by INEC for the 2027 election.
The INEC chairman, however, confirmed that the commission is ready for the 2027 polls in the country and has based its plans on the existing Electoral Act.
The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has condemned the recent attack by bandits on the Abande community, Turan, in the Kwande local government area of the state, which claimed several lives and injured many.
The Governor, who confirmed that the terrorists killed several innocent people and razed houses in the community, said he has given a directive to security agencies to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
While extending condolences to those affected, the Governor described those behind the attacks as cowards.
Naija News recalls that the Benue State command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the killing of a mobile police officer and four civilians during an attack by suspected armed bandits on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area of the state.
The incident was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday in Makurdi by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme.
Reacting in a statement on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia said the terrorists have dared the state and the Nigerian security system once more and must be dealt with in the language they understand better.
The Kogi State government has explained that the decision to close down schools was a proactive step taken to safeguard pupils, students, and teachers.
According to a statement on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, it was a purely preventive measure, taken on the basis of credible intelligence and the overriding interests of the people.
The clarification follows the backdrop of the sudden decision by the state government, under the leadership of Governor Usman Ododo, on Tuesday to order the closure of both privately owned and government-owned schools across the state.
However, amidst the confusion, criticism and backlash which followed the order, Naija News reports that Fanwo, in a statement made available to newsmen, explained that the decision was not borne out of panic, but of responsibility, stressing that the government chose to act proactively rather than wait for avoidable incidents.
According to him, Governor Ododo has directed all relevant agencies to immediately deploy necessary modalities to ensure that schools resume academic activities as soon as it is safe, so as not to disrupt the state’s academic calendar.
Fanwo commended the security agencies for their timely and actionable intelligence, noting that such cooperation underscored the effectiveness of the state’s security architecture.
He reassured the people of Kogi State that the government was fully on top of the situation, adding that security agencies were already working round the clock to identify, locate, and decisively deal with criminal hideouts.
The Senate has dismissed reports claiming that it rejected the electronic transmission of election results while considering the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
Naija News reports that the clarification was made by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, shortly after the upper chamber passed the bill following a marathon plenary session that lasted about four and a half hours.
The controversy followed the Senate’s consideration of the contentious amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the bill, which commenced at about 2 pm and ended at 6.26pm.
The lengthy debate triggered widespread speculation on social media that lawmakers had voted against mandatory electronic transmission of election results.
Reports circulating online claimed that the Senate had rejected a proposal that would have compelled presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit polling unit results electronically to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal in real time, after signing and stamping result forms.
Reacting to the reports, Akpabio described the interpretation as misleading, stressing that the Senate did not remove electronic transmission from the law.
The Senate President further emphasised that the current provision still allows for electronic transmission and aligns with previous electoral practices.
Veteran Yoruba Nollywood comic actor, Wale Akorede, popularly known as Okunnu, has called out popular marketer, Olasco Films, over an unpaid debt for a movie production.
Naija News reports that Okunnu, in a trending interview with media personality, Olugbenga Oropo Valentine on the SAWORO program, said Olasco has refused to pay for a movie he produced for him.
Recounting the incident, Okunnu, who tagged the unpaid money his “sweat”, stated that he did not receive a dime from the money made from the movie he produced, directed and played the lead role.
Nigerian singer Chidozie Godsfavour Ugochinyere, known as Fave, has spoken out over what she described as a rule stopping artistes from holding shows in Nigeria during the Ramadan period.
Naija News reports that the Baby Riddim singer explained that plans to hold a concert on her birthday, March 13, have run into problems because the date falls within Ramadan.
According to her, she was informed that music shows are not allowed during the Islamic fasting period.
Fave said she was confused by the situation, as she had hoped the event would be her first major show in Nigeria as an independent artiste.
She added that several promoters turned down the idea one after another, all giving the same reason that Ramadan was the issue.
The singer stated that she respects all religions but does not understand why Ramadan should stop her from working or affect her plans.
Portuguese football icon, Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Al Nassr’s training ground on Wednesday afternoon, two hours ahead of the scheduled session, signalling a potential end to his recent absence from the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, was spotted at the club base at 1:30 PM local time, preparing for training ahead of Friday’s clash against Al Ettifaq.
Ronaldo’s absence in recent matches, including Al Nassr’s 20th-round game against Al Riyadh, sparked widespread speculation. Reports suggested that the striker had refused to play following Karim Benzema’s high-profile transfer to league rivals Al Hilal, citing concerns over preferential treatment from Saudi authorities.
His decision has raised questions about fairness in the league and the influence of the Kingdom’s Ministry of Sport and private investment in club transfers.
Al Nassr manager Jorge Jesus, who previously coached Al Hilal, has remained cautious in public statements, mirroring Ronaldo’s frustrations.
Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick has shed light on why Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze chose not to represent the Super Eagles despite being close to committing to the national team.
Pinnick, who headed the NFF from October 2014 to October 2022, oversaw a period marked by an influx of foreign-born players switching allegiance to Nigeria.
During his tenure, the likes of Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey pledged their futures to the Super Eagles. However, Nigeria also missed out on several top prospects, including Jamal Musiala, Karim Adeyemi, Tammy Abraham and Eze.
Eberechi Eze’s link to Nigeria dates back to March 2017, when the then 18-year-old Queens Park Rangers midfielder was pictured in a Super Eagles jersey during a training camp in London.
According to Pinnick, all the groundwork had been completed for Eze’s switch before the player and his representatives opted to delay the decision.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.