Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the NOP NIGERIA roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 2nd April, 2026.
President Bola Tinubu has adjusted his travel schedule, cancelling his planned visit to Iperu in Ogun State, where he was expected to launch operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the decision was announced on April 1, 2026, in a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, as the President chose instead to travel to Jos in Plateau State to meet with the government and residents following recent gun attacks that led to the loss of lives.
After his visit to Plateau, Tinubu will proceed to Lagos to observe the Good Friday period.
He is then expected to travel to Ogun State on April 4 to carry out the commissioning of the cargo airport and unveil two commercial aircraft meant to support the movement of goods for business activities in the state.
During the same visit, the President will also open a newly completed building for the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and present operational vehicles for its use.
Following this, Tinubu will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday.
While in the state, he is scheduled to open several projects completed under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The commission also declared that it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to be declared national chairman through ongoing court proceedings.
NOP NIGERIA reports that INEC, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said it would suspend recognition of all factions within the party and refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by groups linked to the contending leaders.
The commission noted that the decision would remain in force pending the final determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
The development follows a deepening leadership crisis within the ADC, further complicated by a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026.
The conflicting claims to leadership within the party have led to multiple legal actions, creating uncertainty over its recognised leadership structure.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has announced that Friday, April 3, and Monday, April 6, 2026, are public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the Federal Government made this declaration on Wednesday, through the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, Tunji-Ojo congratulated Christians across Nigeria and in the diaspora on the occasion of Easter.
The Minister further urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance, and love, as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
While calling on Nigerians to remain committed to the values of tolerance and community spirit, Tunji-Ojo emphasised that such virtues are vital for strengthening national unity.
Labour Party (LP) former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has asserted that subsidy is organised crime.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Peter Obi, while speaking on the implementation of fuel subsidy in Nigeria an interview with Trust TV, said he will not tolerate any form of criminality as president of Nigeria.
The former Governor emphasised that there is a distortion in the data on the amount of fuel consumed in Nigeria, stressing that there is empirical evidence.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday took former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, into custody shortly after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
El-Rufai, who is standing trial over alleged corruption, had just concluded a hearing on his bail application filed in a case instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission when DSS operatives escorted him into a waiting vehicle and drove him away, reportedly to Abuja.
A strong presence of DSS operatives around the court before the hearing had earlier fuelled speculation that the former governor might be taken into custody.
Security sources who spoke with Punch disclosed that several vehicles were strategically positioned around the court premises ahead of the proceedings.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, lead defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), confirmed that the court had fixed April 14 for ruling on the bail application.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has urged the Federal Government to urgently come up with a comprehensive solution to the cycle of violence affecting Plateau State.
He demanded the immediate establishment of a state police force to combat the worsening insecurity in the country.
Speaking via a statement, Adams described the persistent violence in Plateau State as a serious threat to the peace, unity, and stability of the country.
He noted that the tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria and the need for collective action in safeguarding lives and promoting lasting peace.
Calling on the government to reassess and strengthen the current security architecture in the state to effectively tackle the root causes of the recurring insecurity.
Nigerian singer Simi has announced the arrival of her second child with her husband, Adekunle Gold.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the music star made the announcement on Wednesday evening through her Instagram page, where she posted a short message confirming the new addition to their family.
She revealed the baby arrived on the 10th of March and expressed gratitude, while also noting that she is now a mother of two.
She wrote: “+1. 3.10.26. God bless my little family 🤎 #Mommyof2″
Simi and Adekunle Gold have built a strong relationship over the years, both in music and family life.
Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, has described herself as an extremist while speaking on the decision to cut people off after hurting her.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Funke, during an interview with media personality, Morayo Afolabi on her YouTube show, admitted that she is not perfect and can be troublesome.
The movie star further recalled her late mother’s caution about trying to change people to suit her personality, stressing that not everyone can be as smart and enthusiastic as she is about getting things done.
Funke Akindele also recalled how her colleague, Uzee Usman, changed her perspective on relationships with people, urging her to accept people for who they are.
The thespian added that human relationships are very important and she is still learning about relationships with people, but will always put her mental health first.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have remained 26th in the latest men’s world ranking released by FIFA earlier today, April 1, 2026.
The world ranking was published on FIFA’s official website following the March international window, during which the Super Eagles played two friendlies in Antalya, Turkey. Eric Chelle’s side defeated Iran 2-1 on Friday, March 27, before settling for a 2-2 draw against Jordan on Tuesday, March 31.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria also kept their place as Africa’s third-ranked team, behind the recently confirmed 2025 AFCON champions, Morocco and Senegal. Morocco sit eighth globally, while Senegal dropped two places to 14th.
At the top of the table, France moved ahead of Spain to claim first place, signalling a change at the summit of world football.
The next edition of the FIFA men’s world ranking will be released on 10 June 2026.
Clubs in the Premier League paid a combined £460 million to agents from February 2025 to February 2026, a 13 per cent rise on the previous 12 months, according to figures released on Wednesday, April 1.
The payments cover deals involving players, coaches and clubs, including transfers and contract negotiations.
For the third year running, Chelsea FC were the biggest spenders, handing agents £65.1m. The figures emerged on the same day the west London club confirmed the largest pre‑tax loss in Premier League history, posting a £262m deficit for the 2024-2025 season. That eclipses the £197.5m loss recorded by Manchester City FC in 2011.
Chelsea linked the loss partly to a record number of player sales, with close to £300m worth of departures made to comply with UEFA sanctions. After paying a record £75m to agents in 2023-24, the club’s spending across the last three assessment periods now totals about £200m.
Aston Villa FC ranked second with £38.4m, up by £13.4m, the biggest increase of any club. Much of that rise came from renegotiated contracts and new professional registrations under manager Unai Emery. City were third on £37.4m, although their expenses fell sharply by £14.8m year on year.
