Compilations of top 10 key latest stories that you need to know this Tuesday morning, 27th January, 2026
Military investigation ends: DHQ moves to arraign alleged coup plotters
The Defence Headquarters on Monday said personnel indicted after investigations into alleged misconduct by some military officers, which uncovered claims of a plot to overthrow the government, will be arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel.
Security and military sources familiar with the matter said President Bola Tinubu had expressed confidence in the military to try the indicted officers.
This comes amid appeals by a pro-democracy group urging the Federal Government to consider the health and welfare of officers detained in connection with the matter.
In October 2025, the DHQ announced the arrest of 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
Shortly after, Sahara Reporters alleged that the officers—ranging from the rank of Captain to Brigadier General—were arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency for holding secret meetings to topple the government, and linked the alleged plot to the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade.
Again, Bassey’s father begs for reunion after 18 years
Calvin Bassey’s father, Kingsley Ughelumba, has again cried out for help, seeking to reunite with his four children, including the Super Eagles defender, whom he says he has been separated from for over 18 years, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Ughelumba reopened his long-running appeal, speaking about the painful estrangement from his children, which he attributed to a rift between him and their mother, Ebere Bassey.
Two years ago, Bassey’s father had publicly spoken about being cut off from his children’s lives.
He has now returned with another emotional plea, saying he is “dying in silence” and still hoping for reconciliation.
The native of Ihiala Local Government Area in Anambra State said his first three sons—Elvis Ughelumba, Mathew Ughelumba and Calvin—were born in Italy, while his youngest son, Michael, was born in Ireland.
According to him, the family lived together briefly in London before marital issues led to their separation.
Alaafin, Soun absent as Makinde kicks off Oyo 50th anniversary
Two prominent traditional rulers in Oyo State—the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye Ghandi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade—were conspicuously absent as Governor Seyi Makinde inaugurated the 50th anniversary of the state on Monday.
Family members of former governors, traditional and religious leaders, top government functionaries, and political stakeholders gathered at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan, to celebrate the state, which was created on February 3, 1976, from the former Western Region of Nigeria, with Ibadan as its administrative capital.
The state government had unveiled a week-long programme for the anniversary on January 21, 2026.
The events include religious services, cultural exhibitions, an awards and dinner night, and a public lecture titled, “Consolidating The Legacy, Navigating The Present And Reimagining The Future.”
Governor Makinde had appointed Saheed Fijabi, a former member of the House of Representatives, as chairman of the 11-member planning committee for the anniversary.
Strike: Court decides today as FCT workers demand Wike’s removal
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, has fixed today (Tuesday), for ruling on a suit filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration against leaders of the Joint Union Action Committee.Justice E.D. Subilim adjourned the matter after hearing arguments from counsel for the parties.
The claimants had dragged the JUAC Chairman, Rifkatu Iortyer, and the Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, before the court in suit number NICN/ABJ/17/2026, seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from embarking on any industrial action, picketing or lockout.
The ongoing strike, which began last Monday after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum, has paralysed activities across major FCTA offices in Abuja, including the FCTA Secretariat, where security operatives were deployed to restrict access.
Workers unimpressed with marginal salary rise after tax reforms
Many Nigerian workers have expressed disappointment with the outcome of recently implemented tax reforms, saying the changes have led to only modest increases in their take-home pay.
Under the new Personal Income Tax regime, individuals earning the national minimum wage or less are exempt, while others enjoy reduced Pay-As-You-Earn tax rates.
However, workers interviewed by The PUNCH said their January salaries reflected only small gains — in some cases just a few thousand naira — leaving many still struggling with high living costs
2026 budget, constitution review top agenda as N’Assembly resumes
The National Assembly will today resume plenary sessions with the scrutiny of President Bola Tinubu’s ₦58.47tn 2026 Appropriation Bill and amendments to Nigeria’s electoral laws topping its legislative agenda.
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, stated that the upper and lower chambers would also expedite work on the review of the 1999 Constitution, assuring all that the document would be completed and ready for transmission to state legislatures by the first quarter of 2026.
Bamidele disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Monday, noting that committees in both chambers had already commenced detailed assessments of the revenue and expenditure estimates presented by President Tinubu to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 18, 2025.
He said,
“Now that we have resumed plenary, we will devote quality time to the scrutiny and passage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill valued at ₦58.47 trillion.
In both chambers, our committees are already looking deeply into the estimates of revenues and expenditures that President Bola Tinubu laid before the joint session of the National Assembly on December 18, 2025.
Residents protest three-month blackout in Lagos
Residents of Gowon Estate in the Egbeda area of Lagos State on Monday staged a protest at the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company’s office over a prolonged power outage that has plunged parts of the area into darkness for months.
The protesters converged on the IKEDC office in the Ponle area of the community, demanding the immediate restoration of electricity to their homes.
According to them, several streets along 34 Road, including B Close, C Close, D Close, and F Close, had been without power supply since October 12, 2025, following the breakdown of a 500KVA transformer serving the area.
The protesters also accused the electricity distribution company of neglecting repeated complaints and letters written to its officials.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, January 27, 2026
The Nigerian Naira maintained a stable stance against the United States Dollar during early trading on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Following a week of consistent performance, the local currency continues to benefit from a transparent price discovery mechanism in the official window and a relatively calm informal market.
In the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the Naira opened the trading session with a slight gain, positioned at approximately 1,412.00 per dollar.
This level follows a closing rate of 1,413.41 observed at the end of Monday’s session, indicating a marginal appreciation of 0.10 percent in the early hours of today.
The intraday movement in the NFEM has seen the dollar fluctuate within a narrow band, reaching a high of 1,419.68 before settling back toward the 1,412.50 mark.
Market analysts suggest that the central bank’s recent efforts to boost liquidity and manage corporate demand are successfully curbing the extreme volatility that previously characterized the start of the week.
CBN upgrades Opay, Moniepoint, others to national licenses
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has upgraded the licenses of major FinTech companies and Microfinance Banks, including Opay and Moniepoint, to national status, allowing them to operate across the country following compliance with regulatory requirements.
The upgrade applies to key players such as Moniepoint MFB, Opay, Kuda Bank, Palmpay, and Paga, which have grown rapidly through mobile technology and agent networks, effectively outgrowing their previous regional licenses.
Director of the Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department, Yemi Solaja, confirmed this development in Lagos at the annual conference of the Committee of Heads of Banks’ Operations,
He said:
“Institutions like Moniepoint MFB, Opay, Kuda Bank, and others have now been upgraded. In practice, their operations are already nationwide.”
Solaja emphasized the importance of physical presence for customer support, noting “Most of their customers operate in the informal sector.
They need a clear point of contact if any issues arise.”
Ogunnusi Oloko family takes land dispute to Sanwo-Olu, Police
The Ogunnusi Oloko Family of Arapagi-Oloko Village, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, has escalated its petition over alleged illegal sale of ancestral land to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Nigeria Police, raising fresh concerns about land sale in the fast-growing coastal corridor.
The family accused Mr. Sakiru Ganiyu of presenting himself as the head of the family.
It said checks on documents filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, show that Mr. Ganiyu’s name did not appear among the registered trustees or principal officers of the Ogunnusi Oloko Family Association, which was incorporated in 2013.
The family said the CAC documents list recognised family heads and trustees, including Elder Mumuni Oloko, acknowledged by the family as Head of the Family.
