Compilations of top 10 key latest updates that you need to know this Tuesday morning, 13th January, 2026
Two-year refining milestone: Fuel import spending crashes 54% to $6.7bn
The amount spent on the importation of refined petroleum products has dropped sharply by 54 per cent in two years, falling from $14.58bn in the first nine months of 2023 to $6.71bn in the corresponding period of 2025, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Balance of Payments report.
It declined from $14.58bn in the first nine months of 2023 to $11.38bn in the corresponding period of 2024, before dropping further to $6.71bn within nine months of 2025.
This is according to a comparative analysis of the 2023 and 2024 full-year and the Q3 2025 Balance of Payments presentation, released by the CBN and reviewed by The PUNCH on Monday.
The figures obtained from the CBN documents showed a sustained moderation in fuel importation, with import bills declining year-on-year over the period under review.
The data revealed that Nigeria spent $11.38bn on refined petroleum product imports between January and September 2024, representing a $3.20bn or 21.9 per cent decline compared with $14.58bn recorded in the same period of 2023, pointing to a sharp contraction in foreign exchange outflows associated with refined petroleum products.
Impeachment storm: Fubara says no notice as two lawmakers pull out
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is yet to receive any formal notice of impeachment from the State House of Assembly three days after 27 lawmakers commenced impeachment proceedings against him and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
Recall that the majority members of the Assembly, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, last Thursday initiated impeachment proceedings over alleged misconduct.
Although the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, had said he would ensure that the impeachment letter was delivered to the governor, a source in Government House disclosed on Monday evening that no official communication had been received.
The source, who craved anonymity as he was not authorised to speak, said,
“I can tell you for free that the governor and his deputy have not reviewed any notice from the Assembly.
“Don’t forget that the governor returned from his trip overseas on Sunday and managed to attend the church service for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
21,000 unregistered refugees in Nigeria – UNHCR
At least 21,807 foreign refugees and asylum seekers fleeing violence in neighbouring countries remain unregistered in Nigeria, denying them access to food assistance, healthcare and other essential services, the United Nations has revealed.
The figures, contained in the November 2025 UNHCR dashboard obtained by The PUNCH, show that the unregistered asylum seekers, predominantly come from Cameroon’s conflict-torn mAnglophone region.
The data revealed that Nigeria currently hosts a total of 127,000 refugees and asylum seekers from 41 countries, with 21,807 still awaiting registration by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, alongside 80,915 recognised refugees and over 25,000 asylum seekers whose cases are being processed.
Analysis of successive UNHCR dashboards reveals that the backlog of unregistered refugees has fluctuated over the past year, climbing from 21,095 in December 2024 to a peak of 32,750 in June 2025, a 55 per cent surge in six months, before declining to 21,807 by November 2025
FG votes N19bn for VP’s aircraft engine, others
The Federal Government has allocated a cumulative N10.61bn for the overhaul of engines on the Gulfstream G550 aircraft assigned to Vice President Kashim Shettima over a three-year period, an analysis of appropriation bills from 2024 to 2026 has revealed.
The aircraft, registered as 5N-FGW, received the highest single allocation among all engine overhaul projects in the Presidential Air Fleet, accounting for 55 per cent of the N19.27bn total spent on engine maintenance across the fleet under the President Bola Tinubu administration.
Budget documents obtained and analysed by The PUNCH show that the allocation for overhauling the vice president’s aircraft engines jumped from N1.24bn in 2024 to N5.51bn in 2025—a 345 per cent increase—before settling at N3.86bn in 2026.
MultiChoice Nigeria names new CEOMulti
Choice Nigeria has announced the appointment of Kemi Omotosho as its new Chief Executive Officer following the retirement of John Ugbe.
The company, in a statement on Monday, said Omotosho’s appointment will take effect from January 2026.
Ugbe is stepping down after nearly 15 years in charge of the pay-TV company, during which he led the business through major industry and market changes.
Omotosho has over two decades of experience across media, telecommunications, and digital services in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
She has previously held senior positions within the MultiChoice Group, including Executive Head of Customer Value Management in Nigeria and Group Executive Head of Customer Value Management for the Rest of Africa
2027: Atiku, PDP, CUPP decry alleged crackdown on dissent
AS the 2027 general election draws closer, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, have raised fresh alarm over what they described as a tightening noose around Nigeria’s democratic space, warning that sustained crackdowns on dissent could imperil the credibility of the polls.
Atiku, in a strongly worded statement, yesterday, cautioned that Nigeria risks heading into the next election cycle under a climate of fear and repression, insisting that no election can be free or fair where citizens and opposition voices are routinely intimidated.
The former Vice President spoke against the backdrop of the arrest of Abubakar Salim Musa, a young Nigerian whose detention was disclosed by Amnesty International Nigeria.
He accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of resorting to intimidation and arrests to silence critics instead of addressing mounting governance challenges
Royal tussle: Olubadan ignores Alaafin’s greeting at Oyo interfaith gathering
THERE was a mild drama, yesterday, at the 2026 Inter-Faith Gathering held at the Secretariat’s Grand Space in Ibadan as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, was conspicuously snubbed by Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja
The inter-faith gathering brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, senior government officials and community representatives, with a focus on promoting peaceful coexistence, unity and mutual understanding across Oyo State
At the event, the Alaafin extended his hand in greeting to the Olubadan, but the gesture was not reciprocated.
The Olubadan subsequently greeted Governor Seyi Makinde and other dignitaries before proceeding to his seat.
The moment was witnessed by several attendees at the gathering.
The incident later became a subject of public discussion, with differing views expressed on traditional protocol, hierarchy and the conduct expected of royal institutions at official functions.
CDS unveils plans to boost pay, welfare of military personnel
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has assured officers and personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria that concrete steps are underway to enhance the salaries and overall welfare of uniformed men and women.
Oluyede gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) Social Night for soldiers, ratings, airmen and airwomen.
He said the initiative was being pursued in conjunction with the Service Chiefs and with the approval of Bola Tinubu, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“If I tell you we are working on something, please be hopeful. Something positive will come up,” he said.
The CDS pledged that 2026 would be a better year for personnel of the armed forces.
Beyond salary enhancement, he disclosed that arrangements were also being finalised to improve post-service welfare for personnel, particularly through access to soft loans for spouses and affordable housing schemes for serving and retired members
FG orders night repairs on failed Lagos–Ota–Abeokuta road
The Federal Government has ordered the immediate commencement of palliative works on the Lagos–Ota–Abeokuta Road to address critical failures and restore traffic flow.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, gave the directive during an inspection of the federal highway linking Lagos and Ogun states.
Umahi said that although about 22 kilometres of the road were assessed, active intervention would focus on approximately 18 kilometres of the most distressed sections.
He explained that the Federal Government is already handling about 60 kilometres along the corridor, with construction being executed in phases based on urgency.
What an exceptional woman” – Actress Juliana Olayode pours encomium on Funke Akindele as she makes box office history
Nollywood actress Juliana Olayode is singing the praises of her senior colleague and boss, Funke Akindele, following her box office achievement.
On Monday, Funke had made history, becoming the first filmmaker to gross N2 billion at the box office.
Taking to her Instagram page to eulogise her, Juliana described Funke as an exceptional woman. She expressed her gratitude that God continues to bless Funke’s efforts with great success.
The Toyo Baby star said Funke didn’t get to where she is by chance or by fluke, as it has been the result of many years of hard work, bending her back, and working tirelessly with almost nothing.
She noted how Akindele set the pace, paved the way, opened people’s eyes to possibilities, and opened the door to a billion, and didn’t stop there.
“Five times the highest-grossing QUEEN!!!
What an exceptional woman!
I don’t even know what to say. I’m so glad that God continues to crown your efforts with great grace and success
