Simba SC open talks for Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali
Tanzanian giants Simba have opened discussions over a potential move for Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as they look to reinforce their squad following an injury to first-choice shot-stopper Moussa Camara, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Foot Africa reported that Simba are exploring the possibility of bringing Nwabali to Dar es Salaam either during the current window or on a free transfer at the end of the season, although no agreement has been reached. Simba’s interest has been accelerated by Camara’s knee injury, which prompted the club to move quickly to sign Mahamadou Tanja Kassila from Niger’s AS FAN. In their search for a longer-term solution, Simba identified Nwabali as a prime target, although formal negotiations with his club have yet to begin. “Simba identified Nwabali as the ideal successor to Camara, but the club is yet to submit a formal bid to Chippa United, who are open to offers,” Foot Africa added.
Source:Punch
January 27, 2026 10:20 UTC
Tinubu improving infrastructural development in N’West – Yakasai
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement, (North West), Alhaji Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai has reaffirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to ensuring massive infrastructural development in all parts of the country particularly the Northwest. Yakasai insisted that President Bola Tinubu deserved support from the people of North West by executing legacy projects that would last for many years. Responding, the Controller, Federal Ministry of Works in charge of Zamfara, Engr Kasimu Yusuf, described the visit as a welcome development. He said, “The contract was categorised into four sections – Section One covers Zaria in Kaduna State to Sheme in Katsina State, while Section Two covers Sheme in Katsina State to Gusau in Zamfara State. “Section Three covers Gusau to Colony Talata Mafara in Zamfara while Section Four covers Talata Mafara Zamfara to Sokoto.
Source:Punch
January 27, 2026 10:11 UTC
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. 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. I went to work and before I returned, she had left with the children,” Ughelumba said in a viral social media interview. He made 65 appearances over two seasons for the Scottish giants, winning the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish Cup.
Source:Punch
January 27, 2026 09:59 UTC
Morning Recap: Tax reforms fail to excite workers, Calvin Bassey’s father pleads for family reunion, other top stories
In other developments, Calvin Bassey’s father has renewed his appeal for reconciliation with his children after 18 years, and Oyo State’s 50th anniversary opening ceremony went ahead without the Alaafin and Soun. Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration are also awaiting a key ruling at the National Industrial Court in Abuja over their ongoing strike. 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. The DHQ said the arraignment will follow procedures under the Armed Forces Act and ensure fairness and due process. Read more here: https://punchng.com/strike-court-decides-today-as-fct-workers-demand-wikes-removal/Stay with us for updates as the day’s stories develop and more details emerge.
Source:Punch
January 27, 2026 09:45 UTC
Enekwechi Wins Orlen Cup Shot Put in Season Opener
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi began his 2026 season with victory at the Orlen Cup in Łódź, producing a dominant 20.82m throw to win the men’s shot put at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting in Poland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Poland’s Szymon Mazur, the best-placed home athlete, finished fourth with 19.69m, with Italy’s Nick Ponzio completing the top five on 19.58m. The result also marked an improvement shift in his Orlen Cup history. With the 2026 season now under way, Enekwechi’s opening victory at the Orlen Cup sets an early tone for the year ahead, as he builds momentum towards major continental and international championships. The next edition of the Orlen Cup is scheduled to take place in Łódź in February 2027.
Source:Punch
January 27, 2026 09:33 UTC
Nigeria, UAE Sign Trade Deal to Waive Product Tariffs
The Federal Government signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Arab Emirates to remove tariffs on some products. “The CEPA was signed in January 2026, and the UAE will eliminate tariffs on 7,315 Nigerian products. “Similarly, under the Nigeria/UAE CEPA, also signed in January 2026, Nigeria has eliminated tariffs on 6,243 products imported from UAE. “This shows the importance of addressing the energy gap, having enough energy, and electricity is a fundamental point to developing industrially, which Nigeria deems necessary. Onuigbo lauded Nigeria’s participation at the Abu Dhabi summit, saying that the summit would further enable global economic opportunity for people to work together within Nigeria and UAE.
Source:Punch
January 27, 2026 09:13 UTC
Bandit leader Bello Turji’s membership card forged, says Zamfara APC
The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has said that it has discovered a fake party membership card of bandit leader, Bello Turji, in circulation, describing it as a mischievous attempt to tarnish the image of the party. The party’s spokesman in Zamfara, Yusuf Idris, disclosed this on Monday in a statement made available to newsmen. Idris said the party came across a forged APC membership card allegedly bearing the name and photograph of the notorious bandit kingpin, making it appear as though he is a registered member of the party. “The bottom line is that the APC e-registration coordination team in Zamfara, and indeed the state chapter of the party, completely disassociates itself from the fake membership card bearing registration number: ID APC 261113000102.”Idris explained that Zamfara State membership cards begin with the code ‘36’, not ‘26’. He, therefore, urged well-meaning citizens to disregard the fake card, noting that the matter had been reported to security agencies.
Source:Punch
January 27, 2026 08:15 UTC
Tata Punch Facelift First Drive Review | Features, Interior, Drive Quality & More | Times Drive
Tata Punch Facelift First Drive Review | Features, Interior, Drive Quality & More | Times DriveIn this video, join Ankur Taneja as he drives the all-new Tata Punch facelift. He shares what’s changed in terms of driving experience, features, and overall comfort, and tells you everything you need to know about this car. Watch the full video to get all the details.
Source:Punch
January 27, 2026 08:09 UTC
Military investigation ends: DHQ moves to arraign alleged coup plotters
Security and military sources familiar with the matter said President Bola Tinubu had expressed confidence in the military to try the indicted officers. In October 2025, the DHQ announced the arrest of 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations. Speaking with The PUNCH on Monday, a Presidential Villa security source told The PUNCH that the plotters had infiltrated the Villa and had perfected plans to carry out the act. “The coup plotters actually compromised the Villa, entered the Villa, some of them military officers. “Weeks after, there was a rumour that the arrest was based on an alleged coup plot, but was immediately debunked by the military and the government.
Source:Punch
January 27, 2026 07:08 UTC
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. 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. “This will help us restore and maintain a budget cycle that annually starts from January and ends in December. We have started the review of the Electoral Act, 2022, clause by clause, to achieve this end. Reflecting on the lifespan of the 10th National Assembly, Bamidele noted that only 16 months remained out of its constitutionally prescribed 48 months, pledging that lawmakers would intensify reforms touching on governance, elections, and economic diversification.
Source:Punch
January 27, 2026 06:00 UTC
Strike: Court decides today as FCT workers demand Wike’s removal
He also urged the court to consider arbitration compelling the FCT minister to attend. “This time he (Wike) is wasting in court trying to intimidate workers, is it not enough to talk to workers? So, we established before the court that we expected them to apply that the court should refer this matter to mediation. The labour union also accused the FCTA of wage abuse, intimidation of workers and failure to meet statutory obligations. Other unions, including the Nigerian Union of Teachers, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, the National Union of Electricity Employees, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists FCT chapter, among others, have also joined the strike.
Source:Punch
January 27, 2026 04:01 UTC
Victor Boniface steps up recovery at Bayer Leverkusen
Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has sparked optimism among football fans after posting an update suggesting he has begun his recovery work at Bayer Leverkusen following recent knee surgery, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The 25-year-old forward shared a picture from the Leverkusen gym on Monday, writing simply, “12:49pm. Leverkusen.”The post came a day after Boniface hinted at a return to training on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday with a hopeful message alongside a photo of himself on the pitch. The Nigeria international, who is still on a loan contract at Werder Bremen from Bayer Leverkusen, has been sidelined in recent weeks after undergoing knee surgery. Although no official timeline has been given for his full return to competitive action, the messages appear to indicate that Boniface has resumed light training as part of his rehabilitation.
Source:Punch
January 27, 2026 03:15 UTC
Tinubu Arrives in Türkiye for State Visit to Boost Ties
President Bola Tinubu has arrived in the Republic of Türkiye for a state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between both countries. The President landed at the Ankara Esenboğan Airport at 9:05 p.m. local time on Monday, the State House media office said in a statement. He was received by a Turkish government delegation led by the Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin. The Presidency said Tinubu’s visit marks a reciprocal gesture following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s official visit to Nigeria from October 19 to 20, 2021. Tinubu is expected to return to the country at the conclusion of the visit.
Source:Punch
January 26, 2026 22:36 UTC
Ganduje Guarantees Gov Yusuf 2027 Kano APC Ticket
Immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has assured Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, of victory in the 2027 governorship election. The former Kano governor described Yusuf as a progressive politician whose leadership style aligns with the ideology of the APC. He further declared that, in line with party tradition, Yusuf automatically becomes the leader of the APC in Kano State. Therefore, you are the leader of the APC in Kano State,” he said. His defection was carried out alongside 22 state lawmakers, eight members of the House of Representatives, and all 44 local government chairmen in Kano State.
Source:Punch
January 26, 2026 22:33 UTC
JUST IN: Dangote refinery hikes petrol price from N699 to N799
The Dangote refinery has increased the gantry price of petrol from N699 per litre to N799 per litre. It recalled that during the recent festive period, the refinery implemented a deliberate and temporary price support intervention to cushion Nigerians at a time of heightened household spending. Under the current alignment, the PMS gantry price is N799 per litre, while MRS retail outlets are selling at N839 per litre,” the statement added. He noted that the refinery’s design flexibility allows it to process a wide range of crude and intermediate feedstocks, enabling continued PMS supply during planned maintenance activities. “Dangote Petroleum Refinery remains focused on delivering energy security, price stability, and long-term value for Nigerians,” the statement concluded.
Source:Punch
January 26, 2026 21:48 UTC