Stay updated with the top Nigerian newspaper headlines today, Saturday, May 16, 2026. Get the latest political news, entertainment, sports, and more highlights in one place.
Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines Today – Saturday, May 16, 2026
This daily compilation brings together the most talked-about stories across Nigeria’s leading media platforms, covering politics, economy, entertainment, sports, and more.
So, here are the top newspaper headlines making waves across Nigeria today, Saturday, May 16, 2026.
1. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday evening returned to Lagos after a three-nation diplomatic and investment engagement tour to France, Kenya and Rwanda, where he held talks with global investors, African leaders and multinational organisations on economic reforms and regional integration. The President’s aircraft touched down at about 7:12 p.m. at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
2. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the commencement of a 30-day visa-free entry policy for Rwandan nationals, following a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The development was disclosed in a statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, on Friday.
3. Dangote Petroleum Refinery has taken the Federal Government to court over fresh fuel import licences issued to oil marketing companies in the country. Despite the refinery’s condemnation and rising domestic refining capacity, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, issued fresh fuel import licences to major petroleum marketers in 2026.
4. The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday deferred the hearing of the suit challenging former President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election until Monday. This development came on a day the Independent National Electoral Commission, which is listed as a defendant in the matter, failed to send legal representation to court.
5. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asked President Bola Tinubu and the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, to immediately release former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Condemning his continued detention, especially at a time when Muslims across Nigeria are preparing for the Eid al-Kabir celebrations, as “cruel, unjustifiable, and deeply troubling”, Atiku described the development as a disturbing assault on civil liberties.
6. There was panic in Oyo State on Friday following a coordinated attack on three schools in Orire Local Government Area, as armed terrorists killed an assistant headmaster, abducted many pupils and teachers, and threw entire communities into chaos. The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School.
7. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday said a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, had remanded social media influencer, Okoro Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, in its custody over an alleged N36m fraud. In a statement on Friday the commission said the defendant was arraigned by its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
8. Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 15.69 per cent in April 2026, from 15.38 per cent recorded in March 2026, as the surge in food, transport, hospitality, and healthcare costs pushed up consumer prices nationwide. The National Bureau of Statistics disclosed this in its Consumer Price Index report released on Friday.
9. The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that all 22 registered political parties in Nigeria have successfully submitted their membership registers in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 ahead of the 2027 general election. In a statement on Friday, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the Commission said the submissions were completed following an extension granted to political parties.
10. Operatives of Anambra State security outfit, Agunaechemba, have been banned from wearing masks while on duty. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, gave the directive on Thursday while addressing Agunaechemba commanders.
