Nigeria seeks $1.5bn World Bank loans as debt hits record high

The Federal Government is negotiating three new World Bank loans totalling $1.5 bn for climate resilience, social protection and early childhood development, even as Nigeria’s public debt rose to a record N166.79 tn by end‑June 2026. INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general election, stating it favours no candidate or party. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on a working vacation in Europe, is now expected back in Nigeria on Tuesday 29 Sept 2026, later than the earlier weekend return.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors gave the government two weeks to resolve welfare and professional issues or face industrial action after their 46th AGM in Calabar. NDLEA intercepted 2.55 million opioid pills weighing 1,640.55 kg at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport in three consignments.

Ogun State Police arrested 11 suspects, recovering 25 ATM cards, three firearms and two suspected stolen vehicles during an 11‑day operation. The Federal Government approved modernisation of four eastern‑southern ports—Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar—to boost cargo capacity and decongest Lagos.

Joint Task Force North West (Operation Fansan Yamma) killed a suspected terrorist and rescued six kidnap victims in Sokoto and Zamfara on Saturday, recovering an AK‑47, ammunition and a foreign uniform. Meanwhile, bandits attacked Illelar Dawagari in Sokoto’s Goronyo LGA at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, abducting nine residents, shooting another and rustling over 200 livestock. In Katsina, Malumfashi LGA Health Secretary Sa’adu Dantutture was abducted and killed by bandits in his hometown of Dantutture, Kafur LGA after returning Wednesday night.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/28/nigerian-newspapers-10-things-you-need-to-know-monday-morning-148/