Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 6th March, 2026.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the successful resolution of the long-standing dispute over Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245, following a settlement agreement between the Federal Government, Eni and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited.
The announcement was made during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja attended by the Chief Executive Officer of Eni, Claudio Descalzi, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Guido Brusco, Head of Sub-Saharan Region, Mario Bello, Managing Director of Nigerian Agip Exploration, Fabrizio Bolondi, and the President’s Special Adviser on Energy, Olu Arowolo-Verheijen.
Naija News reports that this was disclosed in a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the presidency, the agreement brings to an end a dispute that has lasted for more than 15 years, restoring stability to one of Nigeria’s most commercially promising deepwater oil blocks.
The settlement, signed in Abuja, clears the path for renewed development activities in the offshore block.
Officials said the resolution would pave the way for the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Zabazaba–Etan deepwater project, which is expected to significantly boost Nigeria’s crude oil production.
With the dispute now settled, the Zabazaba–Etan development is projected to add approximately 150,000 barrels of crude oil per day to Nigeria’s production capacity.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) were conspicuously missing in the final list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2026 Osun Governorship Election.
According to a statement issued by INEC’s Public Relations Officer in Osun State, Musa Olurode, the cleared parties include Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Young Progressive Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Naija News reports that the election is scheduled for August 8, 2026.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari of a 23-count charge bordering on alleged non-declaration of assets filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Kyari was arraigned alongside his two brothers, who were accused of allegedly swearing to false affidavits to conceal the origin of some properties said to be linked to the former police officer.
Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to establish the allegations against the defendants.
According to the court, the NDLEA did not tender credible evidence to prove that the properties allegedly linked to Kyari were truly owned by him.
The judge explained that ownership of landed property could be established through several means.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo.
Naija News understands that a total of 38 members from the Kano State House of Assembly endorsed a motion to initiate impeachment proceedings against Gwarzo.
The action stems from accusations of gross misconduct, misuse of authority, and violations of public trust.
The impeachment notice was read during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore, after it was presented by the Majority Leader, Lawan Husseini Dala.
Reading the notice on the floor of the House, Dala said the action was taken in line with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which empowers a state legislature to commence impeachment proceedings against a deputy governor over allegations of gross misconduct.
The notice accused Abdulsalam of breaching public trust during his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024.
According to the lawmakers, the deputy governor allegedly received kickbacks of ₦1.5 million monthly from each of the 44 local government councils in the state between June 2023 and January 2024, amounting to ₦66 million per month and a total of ₦462 million within the seven-month period.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has approved a new gratuity package for employees in the federal civil service.
The approval, given during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Wednesday, introduces a gratuity payment for retiring officers.
Naija News understands that the approval follows recommendations from an inter-ministerial technical committee established by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).
The committee worked in collaboration with the National Pension Commission (PenCom), the Budget Office of the Federation, and the Office of the Accountant-General to create a sustainable framework.
Under the new scheme, retiring federal civil servants in treasury-funded ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) will receive a gratuity equivalent to 100% of their total annual emoluments (one full year’s salary package). This benefit applies to officers who have served for a minimum of 10 years and complements the existing Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which was introduced 22 years ago and previously operated without a gratuity component for many retirees.
The scheme takes effect from January 1, 2026.
Former Bayelsa state governor, Senator Seriake Dickson has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, who is currently addressing a world press conference, said he is a man of conviction, warning that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is presently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
He added that the country cannot afford to drift into a one-party state.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, pushing the tournament from its original March slot to a new window between July and August.
CAF confirmed the decision on Thursday, ending weeks of speculation over the fate of the competition.
The tournament will now take place from July 25 to August 16 in Morocco, after discussions between CAF, FIFA and other stakeholders involved in staging the event.
It had initially been scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3.
CAF said the adjustment was necessary to guarantee the proper organisation of Africa’s flagship women’s football tournament.
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup are still alive, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has insisted, dismissing reports that the country has already been knocked out of contention.
The federation stated that it has not received any official communication from FIFA regarding the eligibility dispute involving the DR Congo national football team.
Speaking on Wednesday, NFF Director of Communications Ademola Olajire said claims circulating in the media were based on an old FIFA publication and not a fresh decision on Nigeria’s protest.
Several outlets had earlier reported that DR Congo had been confirmed as Africa’s representative for the inter-confederation play-offs, effectively ending Nigeria’s qualification hopes.
Those reports relied on a FIFA statement, which read: “All of the six teams have now been decided, with Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname confirmed as qualifiers.”
However, the statement was published on November 18, 2025, well before Nigeria filed its protest. It referred to the completion of qualification matches at the time and did not address the NFF’s complaint.
The founder of Mountain of Liberty and Miracle Ministry, Chris Okafor, has claimed that he made a public apology to Nollywood actress Doris Ogala under pressure.
Speaking during a recent church service, Okafor stated that he has decided to withdraw his apology to Ogala, who accused him of being in a seven-year secret relationship with her.
He explained that his apology was not directed at Ogala, but was meant to protect respected church leaders from being dragged into the controversy.
According to him, he initially resisted issuing an apology because he believed it would be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing.
The cleric said he is now relying on the legal process to resolve the dispute.
Nigerian music star, Peter Okoye, has revealed that he once came close to pursuing a professional football career before rising to fame in the music industry.
Naija News reports that Okoye, one-half of the legendary music duo P-Square, made the revelation in a recent post on his Instagram page, where he shared throwback memories from his youthful days.
The singer recalled that he trained at the renowned Pepsi Football Academy, one of Nigeria’s most notable grassroots football development centres.
According to Okoye, his football journey had progressed significantly at the time, as he was even offered an opportunity to play professionally for Plateau United F.C.
The singer noted that the offer came while he was still a player at the academy in Jos, adding that he was balancing football and music simultaneously during that period.
He also shared a nostalgic video featuring former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel, reminding fans that the two were once teammates in their junior football days.
Despite the opportunity to play in the Nigerian top-flight league, Okoye said his ambition at the time was to pursue a football career in Europe.
However, he explained that circumstances eventually led him down a different path.
Reflecting on his journey, the singer acknowledged that fate ultimately steered him towards music, a decision that has since transformed his life and career.
Sharing his reflections with fans, Okoye encouraged young people not to give up on their dreams, regardless of the path life may lead them to.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.