Compilations of top 10 key latest happenings that you need to know this Monday morning, 16th February, 2026
Emergency plenary: N’Assembly moves to shift presidential poll to Feb13
The National Assembly announced on Sunday that it would reconvene its plenary session on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, cutting short its recess amid indications that lawmakers may review the date set for the 2027 presidential election.
Findings by our correspondent showed that the National Assembly may shift the presidential poll to February 13, 2027.
In a notice signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, senators and members of the House of Representatives were directed to resume sitting at 11 am and adjust their schedules accordingly, as “very crucial decisions” are expected to be taken during the session.
“I am directed to inform all Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the National Assembly that the Senate and House of Representatives shall reconvene plenary session at 11:00 am on Tuesday, 17th February 2026, respectively,” the notice read.“
Consequently, all Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members are kindly requested to take note and reschedule their engagements accordingly to enable them attend the session, as very crucial decisions shall be taken by each Chamber during the session,” Ogunlana added.
Insecurity: Lawmakers split over Ndume’s support for US troops deployment
Two members of the House of Representatives have expressed differing views on Senator Ali Ndume’s recent call for the deployment of United States troops to Nigeria amid worsening insecurity in the North-East.
Speaking on Friday as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ndume had endorsed the deployment of US soldiers to Borno State to assist in combating insurgency and banditry.
“The fact that the Americans are now helping us fight insurgency is a welcome development. We have been looking for this support for a long time and have made many efforts to get it, but have failed.
“Now that we have this window of opportunity, we must utilise it. I have complained many times that our major setback in this fight is a lack of certain resources; now, America has agreed to provide those resources free of charge,” he said.
Kwankwaso returns from India trip amid US sanctions threat
The National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, returned to Nigeria on Sunday through Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following what the party described as “strategic international engagements” in India.
Kwankwaso was received by the NNPP National Chairman, Dr Ajuji Ahmed; Kano State deputy governor, Aminu Gwarzo; the senator representing Kano Central, Rufai Hanga; and other key members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
In a viral video circulating on social media, the former presidential candidate was seen passing through security checks at the airport, dressed in a white Babariga paired with his signature Kwankwasiyya cap.
When contacted to verify the clip, the National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, confirmed Kwankwaso’s arrival. “Yes, it is true.
Senator Kwankwaso arrived in Abuja this afternoon, where he was met with party officials and NNPP chieftains before heading home,” he said.
Johnson also clarified the purpose of Kwankwaso’s trip abroad.
Ex-INEC chiefs demand real-time results transmission as NASS panel meets
Former officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission have intensified calls for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The demand comes as the National Assembly meets on Tuesday to harmonise differing versions of the proposed electoral reforms, with real-time upload of polling-unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal emerging as one of the most contentious issues before legislators.
A former Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, said the decision facing lawmakers could shape both the credibility of future elections and their own political survival ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Igini, in a statement on Sunday, argued that loopholes allowing result alteration during manual collation had historically worked against sitting lawmakers who lost party backing.
Tinubu urges release of South Sudan VP Machar, supports peace
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the swift implementation of the revitalised peace agreement in South Sudan, urging the immediate and unconditional release of the country’s First Vice President, Riek Machar, and other key opposition figures.
The pledge was made in a statement signed by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, on Monday.
The statement highlighted Tinubu’s position, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, during the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, also called the C-5 Plus Summit, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the margins of the 39th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
The summit was chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“We wish to specifically call on the government to consider the immediate and unconditional release from detention of the Vice President and other key opposition figures.
Abia to clear salary arrears owed ex-councillors
The Abia State Government has announced plans to settle outstanding salary arrears owed to former Local Government Councillors who served between 1999 and 2022.
Governor Alex Otti made this known on Sunday during a meeting with members of the Association of Former Elected Councillors in Umuahia.
The governor stated that payments of the arrears accumulated under previous administrations would commence before the end of the month and would be settled in batches.
He explained that when the proposal on the arrears owed by former councillors was first brought to him, he was not aware of the issues involved, including ongoing court cases.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, February 16, 2026
The Nigerian Naira began the third week of February 2026 on a positive note, maintaining its recent gains against the United States Dollar.
As the market opened for the Monday morning session, the local currency showed continued stability, supported by sustained liquidity measures and the cooling of speculative demand across the country.
In the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the Naira opened the trading week at approximately 1353.54 per dollar.
As the morning session progressed, the rate experienced minor fluctuations, with the currency trading at 1354.15 by mid-morning.
2 Nollywood production crew members found dead on location
The Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Yaba, has launched an investigation into the mysterious death of two Nollywood production crew members, found lifeless inside a parked vehicle within a premises in Lekki Phase 1, where a movie was being filmed.
The deceased were identified as Godstime Imeh, a lighting director and CEO of GeeTee Light, and Walter Odediran, a creative video director known as Director Carrinqton.
Their bodies were discovered on the evening of Saturday, February 7, 2026, inside Imeh’s car.
The film was reportedly directed by former Big Brother Naija housemate, Boma.
Kano market fire: 7 missing, 1,000 shops destroyed, N5bn lost
A devastating fire at the historic Singer Market in Kano has destroyed properties worth over N5 billion, affected more than 1,000 businesses, and left seven persons unaccounted for.
The blaze, which started Saturday evening in the Gidan Glass section, raged into Sunday morning, razing four residential buildings housing small-scale traders and consuming goods, equipment, and valuables.
Market Chairman, Junaid Zakari, described the incident as one of the worst tragedies in the market’s history.
“This is a disaster that will never be forgotten.
Hundreds of families have been left without livelihoods.
Emergency responders and security agencies are working to determine the cause of the fire and locate those declared missing,” he said.
Daily petrol imports decline by 42.2% to 24.8m litres
The volume of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol, imported into the country declined by 42.2 per cent in January 2026 to 24.8 million litres per day, down from 42.8 million litres recorded in December 2025, a report published by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has indicated.
The report, released over the weekend, also showed that petrol supplied by the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery to the domestic market rose by 25.3 per cent last month to 40.1 million litres per day, from 32 million litres recorded in December 2025.
NMDPRA stated that total daily petrol supply in January 2026 stood at 64.9 million litres, representing a 12.5 per cent decline compared to the 74.2 million litres supplied in December 2025.
