Compilations of top 10 key latest happenings that you need to know this Tuesday morning, 6th January, 2026
2027 battle: Rivers crisis escalates as top APC govs back Fubara
Moves by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to scuttle the 2027 re-election bid of his successor, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, appear to have suffered a setback as several All Progressives Congress governors rallied behind the embattled Fubara.
Multiple sources in the APC confirmed to The PUNCH on Monday that the renewed hostilities between Wike and Fubara were ignited by some top APC governors’ decision to back Fubara’s second term bid, a development the FCT minister found galling and is bitterly opposed to.
The latest development was further compounded by the APC leadership’s endorsement of Fubara, who appeared to have endeared himself to the party’s top echelons, many of whom have been praising his projects across the state.
Trouble reportedly started when forces loyal to Wike attempted to back the erstwhile National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Samuel Anyanwu, as the next governor of Imo State without consulting Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Fans boo Osimhen after Lookman outburst
Nigerian football fans have criticised Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen for his angry outburst at teammate Ademola Lookman during Monday’s 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Galatasaray striker was captured on camera yelling at Lookman in the 63rd minute after the Atalanta man missed a chance when Osimhen was open for a chance.
Lookman had already created two chances for Osimhen at that point, with one being a direct assist and the other coming through Akor Adams.
In the footage, Osimhen first pulled away from captain Wilfred Ndidi, then pointed his finger angrily at Lookman before shouting his displeasure at his teammate.
At the end, he could be heard saying in pidgin, “No try am again,” which means “do not try that again.”
Nigerians cut household spending by N14tn as inflation bites hard
Household consumption in Nigeria slumped sharply in real terms in 2024 as rising prices eroded the purchasing power of millions of families, according to provisional figures from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s latest statistical bulletin.
Data on Gross Domestic Product by expenditure showed that household final consumption expenditure at 2010 constant purchasers’ prices fell from N45.41tn in 2023 to N31.12tn in 2024.
This represents a real decline of about N14.29tn, or roughly 31 per cent year-on-year, signalling a major contraction in the volume of goods and services consumed by households.
Constant price data are adjusted for inflation, meaning they strip out the effect of rising prices to measure actual changes in economic activity.
When this measure collapses, as seen in 2024, it suggests that households are cutting back materially on what they can afford, not just paying more for the same items.
However, the same indicator measured at current purchasers’ prices tells a very different but revealing story.
Joshua may quit boxing after car crash — Uncle
Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is seriously considering retirement from boxing, according to his uncle, Adedamola Joshua, who exclusively told our correspondent, The PUNCH reports.
The 36-year-old boxer, who survived a fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and team members, made the decision known to his family in private following last week’s tragedy.
“The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing.
That is one thing that makes us glad because each time he’s fighting in the ring, we are always carried away emotionally,” Adedamola told The PUNCH during a visit to the family home in Sagamu on Monday morning.
“Each time he’s knocked down, it is just like the heart is coming out of our chest.
All these emotional feelings whenever he’s fighting, it’s too much trauma for us, also.
Now that he has said that he’s leaving while the ovation is highest, we are happy.”
Nigeria emerges fifth-best English-speaking country in Africa
Nigeria has emerged as the fifth-best English-speaking country in Africa, according to the 2025 Education First English Proficiency Index sighted by PUNCH Online on EF’s website on Monday.
The report, compiled by global education leader EF, assessed English skills across 123 countries and regions, using data from 2.2 million test takers.
This year’s edition also included, for the first time, speaking and writing skills, measured using artificial intelligence technology developed by EF’s education technology arm.
English, Nigeria’s official language, remains central to education, governance, media, and business, helping the country maintain strong proficiency levels.
On the African continent, Nigeria trails South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Zambia, which lead in English proficiency.
The rankings underscore the growing importance of English as a bridge for international communication, education, and commerce.
2027: Idris remains ‘most reliable option’ — Gov’s aide
The Kebbi State Government has declared that there is no viable alternative to Governor Nasir Idris as political realignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to the Governor, Abdullahi Idris Zuru, said politicians across party lines in the state were increasingly coming to terms with what he described as the “developmental reality” under the current administration.
Governor Nasir Idris, a former labour leader and ex-President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), emerged as governor in 2023 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, ending years of opposition politics in the state.
Since assuming office, his administration has prioritised workers’ welfare, infrastructure renewal, education reforms, agriculture, and security, earning him strong grassroots support, particularly among civil servants and rural communities.
Nigerian Army opens applications for direct short service commission course
The Nigerian Army has announced the commencement of applications for the Direct Short Service Commission Course 29/2026, inviting eligible Nigerians to apply for commission as officers.
According to a statement obtained from the Nigerian Army’s X handle on Tuesday, the DSSC is open to both civilians and serving military personnel who possess relevant professional qualifications.
Successful applicants will be commissioned into specialised corps of the Nigerian Army, where their expertise will support national defense and security operations.“
The available corps include the Nigerian Army Engineers, Nigerian Army Signals, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and the Nigerian Army Education Corps
Applications are free of charge and must be completed online. The application portal will be open from January 7 to February 4 2026.
“Interested candidates are advised to apply early and ensure that all required information is correctly submitted.
A’Ibom gov tasks airport committee on April 1 take-off date
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has tasked the inter-ministerial committee on the international airport status of the Victor Attah Airport to ensure that all required benchmarks are met ahead of the facility’s operational take-off in April this year.
The Federal Government last year upgraded the Victor Attah Airport to international status, clearing the way for the facility to begin processing international passengers this year.
The governor also charged the committee on the Treasury Single Account to ensure the full implementation of the TSA for Internally Generated Revenue in the state.
Governor Eno gave the charge while inaugurating the committees shortly after signing into law the ₦1.585 trillion 2026 budget during an enlarged State Executive Council meeting on Monday.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, January 6, 2026
The Nigerian Naira maintained a relatively steady position against the United States Dollar during the early trading hours of Tuesday, January 6, 2026, across both the official and informal foreign exchange markets.
Data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) indicates that the Naira opened the trading week with marginal fluctuations.
As of Tuesday morning, the official exchange rate was quoted at approximately 1,431.47 NGN per 1 USD.
This follows a slight strengthening of the local currency compared to the closing rates observed during the first few days of the new year, which hovered around the 1,440 NGN mark.
In the parallel market, commonly referred to as the black market, the Naira continues to trade at a premium.
Bureau De Change (BDC) operators in major hubs like Lagos, Abuja, and Kano reported trading rates between 1,495 NGN and 1,510 NGN per Dollar.
The gap between the official and parallel market rates remains a point of focus for investors and policymakers as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues its efforts to achieve price discovery and market liquidity.
Lies, deceit, corruption, can’t improve citizens’ welfare — Nigerians tell FG
Some aggrieved Nigerians have appealed to the Federal Government to “retrace its locus immediately, as lies, deceit, corruption, can’t improve citizens’ welfare”.
The respondents shared their minds, yesterday, when Vanguard sampled their views on some current happenings in the country.
For Nze Peter Chika Odoemena, life has virtually become worthless in Nigeria.
His words,
“We have been grappling with the endless massacre of innocent souls for years, and we keep behaving as if nothing has happened.
“Only in this new year, we have been inundated with the ugly news of no fewer than 40 citizens murdered by terrorists in Nigeria market attack!
This has again ignited fear, uncertainty and ultimately increased the number of displaced persons in Nigeria.
“Why should anybody be a refugee in his or her own country?
Why must schools be forcefully closed because of the sordid activities of non-state actors?
