Compilations of top 10 key latest updates that you need to know this Wednesday morning 14th January, 2026
Govs budget N525bn for security as killings spread
States across Nigeria earmarked a combined N525.23bn for security votes and related operations between 2023 and 2025, according to an analysis of figures extracted from their approved budget documents.
The states’ budgets are contained in Open States, a Budg
IT-backed website that serves as a repository of government budget data.
The massive vote, intended to bolster security nationwide, raises critical concerns about the efficacy of these measures, as citizens remain increasingly vulnerable to the tide of violence.
Although the responsibility for ensuring the safety of lives and property lies with the Federal Government, the increasing wave of kidnapping, robbery, and other forms of violence has compelled many state governors to set up their own internal security strategies to combat the menace.Nigeria, UAE scrap tariffs on over 13,000 goods
The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria has eliminated tariffs on 6,243 products imported from the United Arab Emirates, and the UAE has removed tariffs on 7,315 products imported from Nigeria, as part of a new trade pact aimed at expanding market access for Nigerian goods, businesses, and professionals.
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment disclosed this on Tuesday via a document on the Nigeria–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in January 2026.
According to the ministry, the agreement will “expand market access opportunities for Nigerian products, businesses, and professionals into the UAE while facilitating investment flows,” marking a major step in Nigeria’s non-oil export drive and economic diversification agenda.
For trade in goods, the ministry said Nigeria has committed to eliminating tariffs on 6,243 products imported from the UAE.
The UAE also committed to eliminating tariffs on 7,315 products imported from Nigeria.
Victims identify alleged Owo church attackers in court
Two more prosecution witnesses on Tuesday gave vivid and harrowing accounts of the June 5, 2022 terror attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, as the Federal High Court in Abuja admitted additional exhibits from the Department of State Services.
The DSS is prosecuting five suspects — Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — on amended nine counts, bordering on terrorism.
All the defendants have pleaded not guilty.The June 2022 attack occurred during a Sunday Mass marking the Feast of Pentecost.
Gunmen stormed the church, locking the main entrance before opening fire on worshippers and detonating explosives.
The coordinated assault claimed at least 41 lives and left over 100 injured, leaving a deep scar on the Owo community.
JAMB begins 2026 UTME, DE forms sale January 26, sets registration, exam dates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced the commencement of the sale of application documents for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry admissions for the 2026/2027 academic session.
This was detailed in a release, a photostatement signed by the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede and shared on the Board’s official X handle on Tuesday night.
JAMB said,
“Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria for the 2026/27 academic session.
”The Board stated that eligibility is tied to age, noting that, “Only candidates who will not be less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 are generally eligible to apply/be considered.”
Economy: Nigeria to record fastest growth in 2026 — World Bank
The World Bank announced yesterday that Nigeria’s economy is on track to record its fastest growth in more than a decade, upgrading its forecast for the country’s economic growth to 4.4 per cent for 2026 and 2027.
The World Bank disclosed this in its latest Global Economic Prospects report released yesterday. The latest growth forecast represents 0.7 and 0.6 percentage points from the 3.7 per cent and 3.8 per cent in June 2026.
The World Bank said:
“In Nigeria, growth edged up to 4.2 percent in 2025.
The increase was driven by expansion in the services sector—especially the finance and information and communication technology sectors—a modest recovery in agriculture, and the country’s emergence as a net exporter of refined petroleum products.
Police rescue 60-year-old kidnap victim, arrest murder suspects in Oyo
The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a 60-year-old kidnap victim, Isiaku Saidu, in Iseyin, Iseyin Local Government Area of the state.
A statement released on Tuesday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, in Ibadan, said another three-member kidnapping syndicate was also arrested in the Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state.
Ayanlade explained that the successful operations followed a directive by the state Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, that no stone should be left unturned to ensure the security of lives and property across the state.
He said,
“Over the past week, the command has recorded multiple operational successes, including the foiling of kidnapping attempts, the rescue of abducted victims, and the arrest of murder suspects.Two villagers killed after bandit attack on Sokoto community
Two people were killed and several others abducted in Bargaja village, Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following a bandit attack on Monday.
The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, told PUNCH Metro on Tuesday that the attack was suspected to have been carried out by gunmen allegedly loyal to bandit leader Bello Turji.
He said a detailed account of the incident would be provided once the Divisional Police Officer in the area submits a field report.
“Two were killed, and some people were kidnapped, but we don’t yet have the exact number. We will get fuller details from the DPO of the local government,” Rufai said.
Security sources and residents also reported that Bargaja had been attacked days earlier, suggesting repeated raids in the area along the Sokoto–Zamfara axis.
Residents said the attack triggered fresh displacement, with villagers fleeing to Isa town and neighbouring communities.
Kidnappers slash ransom for eight Edo abductees to N40m
Gunmen who abducted eight residents of Imoga in Edo North on Friday and requested a N100m ransom have reduced their demand to N40m.
The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Abudu, disclosed this during a telephone interview with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday.
The kidnappers had on Monday reduced the ransom from N100m to N70m.
The monarch said negotiations were still ongoing to further reduce the ransom to N20m.
Speaking on how the ransom would be raised, he stated that all stakeholders and members of the community were on standby to raise the money as soon as a final agreement was reached with the kidnappers.
He said he had been unable to travel out of the kingdom to attend to pressing issues due to the abduction of his subjects.
He said,
“We have continued to negotiate with the kidnappers, and they have agreed to reduce the ransom to N40m. But we hope they can bring it down to N20m.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, January 14, 2026
The Nigerian Naira maintained a steady but pressurised stance against the United States Dollar at the mid-week opening of the foreign exchange market.
Data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and various parallel market points across the country indicate that the local currency continues to navigate the complex volatility that has defined the early part of 2026.
At the official window, known as the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the Naira opened the trading session with a slight depreciation.
Early morning data showed the exchange rate hovering around 1,426.67 NGN per 1 USD.
This follows a closing rate of approximately 1,424.50 NGN recorded during the previous session on January 13.
Market analysts note that while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made efforts to improve liquidity, the demand for the greenback for international trade and debt servicing remains high.
The official “closing rate” for today is expected to settle within the 1,420 NGN to 1,430 NGN range, depending on the volume of interventions and trade executions during the afternoon hours.
AFCON 2025: Chelle set to tweak Super Eagles tactical formation against Morocco
Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has hinted at switching his tactical setup ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Morocco on Wednesday. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Chelle admitted that some of his players are getting fatigued.
The Malian tactician has mostly deployed a 4-4-2 diamond formation with Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams up top. So far, the Eagles have scored 14 times in five fixtures and created the most chances.
Their high-tempo, energetic and aggressive style has overwhelmed opponents including Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Mozambique and Algeria.
But Chelle has now said:
“I find that my group is tired; it might be time for me to change my approach.
“We’ll start that way, I think.We’ll hold on in the first half and try to play our game in the second half.”
Meanwhile, coach Éric Chelle has expressed disappointment with Wilfred Ndidi’s suspension for his side’s semi-final fixture against Morocco.
