Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the NOP NIGERIA roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 4th May, 2026.
Former presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have officially joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and obtained their membership cards.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the duo joined the party at its national headquarters on Sunday evening.
On hand to welcome the new members of the NDC was Senator Seriake Dickson, the national leader of the party.
I want to welcome you to the party that doesn’t know what is called status quo ante bellum,” Dickson said.
Speaking after his defection, Peter Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, pleaded with members of the NDC not to take the party to court for any reason.
He said: “Please let there be no litigation. Party members, please don’t go to court. We want to build a party, we are not lawyers.”
Leading presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is set to visit the United States of America (USA).
NOP NIGERIA reports that this was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe.
He said Atiku has declared that his forthcoming engagement with policy and institutional stakeholders in the United States will be driven by one overriding concern: the alarming deterioration of security, governance, and economic stability in Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria is facing a full-blown internal crisis, one that can no longer be downplayed, politicized, or explained away. From the ravaging violence in the North-West and North-East, to the persistent bloodshed in the Middle Belt, and the growing spread of kidnapping and criminality across the country.
Atiku warned that the Nigerian state is steadily losing its grip on its most fundamental responsibility: the protection of lives and property.
He said the situation has moved beyond isolated incidents to a pattern of systemic failure. Communities are being overrun, livelihoods destroyed, and citizens abandoned to their fate. He argued that any government that cannot guarantee basic security forfeits the moral basis of its mandate.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fixed May 11, 2026, for its policy meeting on admissions into tertiary institutions.
The meeting is expected to determine the minimum Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination cut-off marks and other admission guidelines for universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 academic session.
NOP NIGERIA reports that JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
Benjamin said the policy meeting would take place in Abuja and would bring together key stakeholders in the education sector.
According to him, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, is expected to unveil major policy directions for the 2026/2027 admission exercise at the meeting.
The statement noted that the gathering would formally set the tone for the admission process and reinforce the need for institutions to comply with approved guidelines.
JAMB said those expected at the meeting include vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, registrars and admission officers from tertiary institutions across the country.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has asserted that President Bola Tinubu will lose the 2027 general elections on one condition.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Sani, while speaking on the forthcoming general elections in an interview on Channels Television, said Tinubu will only lose if the polls are conducted on social media.
Sani expressed optimism that Tinubu will secure 70% votes despite the social media criticisms.
He said, “If the election is going to be conducted on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or social media, Asiwaju will lose, but if it is people who will vote through the ballot at polling units, he is going to win 70% of the votes.”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has released its timetable for the conduct of its 2026 primary elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.
NOP NIGERIA reports that this was made known in a statement on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
The party said the schedule underscores its commitment to internal democracy, orderliness, and compliance with electoral laws.
According to the timetable, collection of application forms began on April 1 and will end on May 4, 2026.
The sale of nomination forms is scheduled for May 5 to May 10, while submission of completed forms will take place between May 11 and May 13.
The party fixed May 14 to May 15 for screening of aspirants, with results to be published on May 17.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government has summoned the acting High Commissioner of South Africa for a meeting in Abuja over recent attacks on Nigerians and their businesses.
NOP NIGERIA understands that the meeting is expected to hold on Monday at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a statement, the spokesperson of the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the move was aimed at addressing developments capable of straining relations between both countries.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has extended an invitation to the acting High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa for a meeting scheduled to take place on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.”
The ministry said discussions would centre on ongoing demonstrations in South Africa and reported cases of mistreatment of Nigerian nationals.
Nigerian female sensational singer, Tiwa Savage, has opened up about the difficulty she experienced during her transition from R&B to Afrobeats after she returned to Nigeria in 2012.
NOP NIGERIA recalls that Tiwa Savage, who was inspired by the growth of the Nigerian music industry, started her career abroad as a backup singer for artists such as George Michael and Mary J, before her return to Nigeria and signing with Mavin Records.
Tiwa Savage, in an interview with TVC, said she was able to transition from R&B to Afrobeats because her former label boss, Don Jazzy, made her believe talent is unlimited.
According to the ‘Kele Kele Love’ crooner, Don Jazzy opened her mind to many different things and convinced her that she could achieve anything if she focused on it.
Tiwa Savage added that she does not regret returning to Nigeria and transitioning from R&B to Afrobeats.
Nigerian singer, Portable has announced the arrival of a baby boy with his partner, Omobewaji Ewatomi, also known as Bewaji.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the news was shared on Friday after Bewaji posted on her Instagram page, where she expressed joy over a safe delivery and introduced the newborn, identified as Jamal Iremide.
Portable later confirmed the birth on his own social media page, thanking Bewaji and celebrating the addition to his family.
The child’s arrival happened on the same day the singer lost a celebrity boxing match to Carter Efe. The bout ended with a unanimous decision in favour of Carter Efe.
Despite the result in the ring, Portable showed more excitement about becoming a father again. He shared that while he had hoped to win the fight, the birth of his son meant more to him. He also revealed that the baby was born while he was still involved in the boxing event, noting that the moment was special for him as he welcomed another child into his home.
Manchester United reignited their Champions League push with a dramatic 3-2 win over Liverpool in a Premier League clash that went back and forth before Kobbie Mainoo scored the decisive late goal.
Man United stormed out of the blocks and were ahead inside six minutes when Matheus Cunha reacted quickest to a rebound and struck home. The hosts doubled their lead soon after. Bruno Fernandes headed the ball into Benjamin Sesko’s path and the forward bundled it over the line to make it 2-0.
Liverpool struggled to settle but found a route back immediately after the break. Dominik Szoboszlai weaved past defenders and finished coolly to halve the deficit. The momentum shifted further when a goalkeeping error gifted Cody Gakpo an equaliser in the 56th minute, punishing a costly mistake to level the game.
Chances followed at both ends before the decisive moment arrived 13 minutes from time. Mainoo pounced on a loose ball in the box and drove home the winner to spark celebrations at Old Trafford.
The result strengthens United’s grip on third place in the Premier League table with 64 points, while Liverpool remain fourth and under pressure in the race for Champions League qualification.
Three English Premier League clubs, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United have now mathematically secured their places in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Manchester United joined Arsenal and Manchester City as the three clubs whose UEFA Champions League status is guaranteed after beating Liverpool 3-2 earlier today, May 2.
With the English Premier League run-in entering its final weeks, the battle for the remaining Champions League spots remains wide open.
Arsenal sit top of the EPL table on 76 points after 35 matches, while Manchester City are second on 70 points with two games in hand. Manchester United occupy third place on 64 points and are now certain to finish inside the top five.
Attention has shifted to the race for the final Champions League places. Aston Villa currently hold fourth position on 59 points after 35 matches, narrowly ahead of Liverpool, who sit fifth on 58 points.
