Good morning! Here is today’s summary of yesterday’s top stories, as reported by GoNews Nigeria, to keep you informed and ahead.
1. UNICEF has raised alarm over Nigeria’s immunisation gap, identifying the country as having the highest number of children who have never received a single routine vaccine. The disclosure was made by Wafaa Saeed during the official launch of the Republic of Korea–UNICEF Investment in Routine Immunisation programme, held on April 16, 2026, in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State.
2. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it recorded seizures valued at ₦93.03 million in Adamawa State within a six-week period under Operation Whirlwind, Zone ‘D’ Axis. The National Coordinator of the operation, Abubakar Aliyu, revealed the development during a news conference held in Yola on Friday.
3. Former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi has explained why he left both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he was forced out of both platforms. Amaechi, now a presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), spoke during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, where he recounted his political journey.
4. Airtel Nigeria has announced a temporary halt to its airtime and data credit services, which previously enabled eligible prepaid subscribers to borrow airtime or data and repay upon their next recharge. The decision, disclosed in a statement on Friday, reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to align its operations with evolving regulatory and operational requirements within Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
5. The Benue State Water Board has launched an extensive rehabilitation programme targeting critical water infrastructure across Makurdi, as part of efforts to enhance water supply in the state capital. The initiative, backed by Hyacinth Alia, focuses on repairing damaged water mains and service lines. The aim is to minimise leakages, improve water pressure, and ensure a more consistent and reliable flow of water to household.
6. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revised the campaign timeline for the upcoming Osun State governorship election following an adjustment to the election date. In a statement issued on Thursday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission confirmed that the election has been moved forward by one week.
7. The Federal Government has ended physical verification of academic credentials, moving the entire process online to improve efficiency and transparency. The update was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.
8. Bola Tinubu has formally signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, approving a total expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion, in a move that sets the fiscal direction for the year ahead. Alongside this, he also endorsed legislation extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget to June 30, 2026.
9. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has unveiled the Nigerian Overnight Financing Rate (NOFR), a new benchmark designed to enhance transparency, improve pricing efficiency, and strengthen monetary policy transmission within the country’s financial system. The development was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali.
10. Nigeria has secured about $83 million in financing backed by the International Finance Corporation to expand off-grid electricity access in rural and underserved communities. The funding, mobilised under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) programme, was confirmed by Olufemi Akinyelure, who described it as a major step toward bridging the country’s power gap.
