Compilations of top 10 key latest stories that you need to know this Thursday Morning, 19th March 2026
Nigeria, Britain set for fresh security alliance
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday stated that the country’s collaboration with the United Kingdom in addressing insecurity remained crucial, adding that he planned to discuss Nigeria’s counter-terrorism initiatives and challenges to regional stability during his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday (today).
The President made the disclosure on Wednesday night at a state banquet hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle, marking the first time a Nigerian leader has addressed a gathering at the historic British royal residence.
Wednesday’s dinner which began at 09:00pm (local time) was part of activities lined up for Tinubu’s ongoing state visit to the United Kingdom.
On security cooperation, the President disclosed that he would discuss Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts and regional stability challenges during his meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday.
Highway danger: Oyo students beg FERMA for speed breakers
Students of Baptist Secondary Grammar School, Ago-Aare, in Oyo State have appealed to the Federal Government to urgently install speed breakers and other traffic-calming measures on the busy Ago-Aare–Saki road, citing growing safety concerns over speeding vehicles and heavy-duty trucks plying the route.
The appeal, which has gained traction on social media, was conveyed in a video seen by our correspondent on Wednesday, where a group of students raised alarm over what they described as a “critical safety threat” at the entrance of their school.
The video, posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the handle Oyo M Esi Oro (@oyomesioro), featured four students—three boys and a girl—speaking on behalf of the school’s management, staff, and student body.
In the footage, one of the students, identified as Ayantoye Emmanuel, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for ongoing rehabilitation works on the road, but stressed that urgent safety interventions were needed to prevent accidents.
Sultan declares Friday Eid, police, NSCDC mobilise nationwide
The Sultanate Council, Sokoto, has declared Friday as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH, marking the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr across Nigeria.
This was announced in a press statement by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Sambo Wali Junaidu, on Wednesday.
The council based the announcement on the non-sighting of the Shawwal 1447AH new moon on Wednesday, the 29th day of Ramadan.
When the crescent is not sighted on the 29th day of Ramadan, the month is completed as 30 days, after which Eid-el-Fitr is observed the following day.
A’Ibom denies plan to sell Ibom Power, labels report false
The Akwa Ibom State Government has debunked a report by a Uyo-based tabloid, Guide Newspaper, alleging that the administration of Governor Umo Eno plans to sell the state-owned Ibom Power Company.
The government described the report as false, stating that it has no plans to sell the power plant.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniekan Umanah, in a statement issued in Uyo on Thursday, urged the public to disregard the publication, describing it as “a wicked fabrication containing a string of false, malicious and wholly unfounded allegations.”
“The attention of the Akwa Ibom State Government has been drawn to a publication by a Uyo-based tabloid, Guide Newspaper, containing false, malicious and wholly unfounded allegations regarding the status of Ibom Power Company and the intentions of the administration of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, concerning the company.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, March 19, 2026
The Nigerian Naira maintained a steady performance against the US Dollar on Thursday, March 19, 2026, as the foreign exchange market continues to reflect the impact of surging global oil prices and a significant buildup in the nation’s external reserves.
In the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the Naira showed resilience during the early morning trading session.
Real-time data indicates that the local currency was quoted at an average of N1,357.11 per dollar, a marginal movement from Wednesday’s closing position.
Market turnover remained robust, supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recent strategic interventions.
Insecurity: How Nigeria spent N32.8trn on defence in 15yrs
Despite the allocation of about N32.88 trillion to defence in the last 15 years — representing roughly 12.5 per cent of the N262.834 trillion national budgets within the period — Nigeria remains trapped in protracted insecurity.
Given the official budget exchange rates in the various years, the N32.88 trillion is $44.641billion.
Across several regions, communities continue to endure insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, communal clashes and oil-related violence, raising questions about whether increased defence spending is translating into improved safety for citizens.
Security trackers estimate that over 100,000 Nigerians have been killed in violent conflicts and insecurity-related incidents since 2012, while thousands more have been abducted and millions displaced from their homes.
Those behind Borno attacks will be decisively confronted – Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that those behind the recent attacks in Maiduguri, the Borno capital, will be decisively confronted.
Shettima said this on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he visited victims of the bomb blast who are receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The vice-president, who restated the Federal Government’s resolve to defeat terrorism, said his visit was to sympathise with the injured and families affected by the traged
He noted that beyond the presidential directive to security chiefs, the Federal Government had been investing more in equipment and other logistics to boost the fight against terrorism across the country.
Shettima condemned the gory multiple explosions in Maiduguri on Monday in which more than 100 people were affected, with over 20 confirmed dead.
Nigeria’s Balance of Payment falls 38% to $4.23bn in 2025
Nigeria’s external sector faced significant headwinds in 2025, as the country’s overall Balance of Payments (BOP) surplus plummeted by 38.1 per cent to $4.23 billion, down from the $6.83 billion recorded in 2024.
Provisional data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reveals a complex economic landscape where a sharp decline in crude oil earnings and a massive retreat in foreign portfolio investments outweighed the gains made in gas exports and the emergence of the Dangote Refinery as a major exporter of refined petroleum products.
The Current Account, which represents the net of the country’s trade in goods and services, remained in surplus but saw a significant contraction.
The surplus fell by 26.2 per cent to $14.04 billion in 2025, compared to $19.03 billion in the previous year.
‘Economy strong enough to withstand global shocks
‘Nigeria’s economy is now stronger and better prepared to handle global economic shocks, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said yesterday.
He spoke at the Africa Capital Forum in London on the sidelines of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom.
Addressing investors and development partners, the CBN governor said the country’s financial system is being strengthened through disciplined monetary policies and institutional reforms.
He said: “We have created stronger capacity to withstand shocks,” adding that the bank is also reviewing its policies to ensure they are more predictable and reduce uncertainty for investors.
He explained that the ongoing review is aimed at building a system where policies are clear and consistent.
I pursued music without my father’s support – Asake
Afrobeats singer Asake has opened up about his strained relationship with his father, Fatai Odunsi, when he decided to pursue a music career.
In an interview on KortyEO, he revealed that his father strongly opposed his decision, leading him to leave home at 15 to chase his dreams.
Asake described his father as more stubborn than himself, making it hard for him to look his father in the face.
“The father who gave birth to me, he’s more stubborn than I am. So I couldn’t look him in the face. We were close when I was younger, but I came to a point when I wanted to leave home to do what I am doing now, but my father said no.
But I just took off regardless. I was 15 then, focused on where I was going. And there was nothing anybody could tell me”, he said.
He added that despite the initial disagreement, his love for his father remains unchanged.
He stated that even if his father pointed a gun at him, he’ll always be his father, emphasising that he loves his father as much as he loves his mother.
