Latest News from Thursday, February 19th, 2026

Less than 24 hours after the People's Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate for Bwari Area Council, Julius Adamu, stepped down for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Joshua Ishaku Musa, the Abuja Municipal Area Council PDP chairmanship candidate,  Hon. Zadna Dantani, has also stepped down for the APC candidate,  Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has announced plans to close the Olusosun and Solous dumpsites and sanction private waste operators that fail to meet environmental standards, officials said.

Nigerian football superstar Victor Osimhen has opened up about his humble beginnings in a deeply personal letter, detailing how the hardships of his childhood in Lagos shaped him into one of the world’s best strikers.

Insider reports from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) say that Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has submitted a 19-point proposal as part of contract-extension talks.

A South Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison for leading an insurrection through his brief declaration of martial law in 2024.

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has praised Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal for providing armoured vehicles, surveillance drones and other equipment to security forces fighting insecurity in the state.

The head of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Joash Amupitan, has cautioned political actors against vote trading ahead of Saturday’s Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory. He gave the warning during a stakeholders meeting in Abuja involving political parties, security agencies, and civil society groups

The Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, says Türkiye has a special interest in Nigeria because both countries face similar existential threats from terrorism.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed Executive Order 9 of 2026 directing that all government entitlements from oil and gas production be paid directly into the Federation Account.

No fewer than 33 persons have been confirmed dead following a tragic explosion at a mining site in Kampani Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is in its custody as part of an ongoing investigation, following his detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) earlier this week.