Odita Sunday 
TUESDAY, 13 OCTOBER 2026
WORLD • ENERGY
Oil Climbs About 2% After Fresh Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia
Oil prices rose about 2 per cent on Tuesday after fresh Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, according to market reports. Energy costs matter far beyond the Gulf, for Nigerians, higher crude prices feed straight into the price of petrol and diesel at the pump.
Also in the global headlines, IMF and World Bank meetings are warning about the effect of artificial intelligence on jobs, and Germany’s Alexander Zverev is set to take the men’s tennis world No. 1 ranking.
AFRICA • SOUTH AFRICA
111 More Nigerians Evacuated From South Africa; Total Since June Reaches 2,037
ThisDay reports that 111 more Nigerians were evacuated from South Africa, bringing the total since June to 2,037. A $265,854 donation from the Redeemed Christian Church of God supported the operation. The evacuations follow anti-immigrant arson in which 14 vehicles were torched in Durban and 10 in Soweto on 8 October, linked to a dispute over asylum registration.
AFRICA • REGION
Sudan Strike Reports, Ethiopia’s Banks and Kipchoge’s Melbourne
At least 72 civilians were killed in airstrikes targeting artisanal gold miners in Sudan’s River Nile State; the reports are unverified. In Ethiopia, the central bank is processing applications from two foreign banks after a five decade bar on foreign banking was lifted. In Kenya, President Ruto accused opponents of sponsoring rivals ahead of the 2027 election.
Eliud Kipchoge, 41, won the Melbourne Marathon in a reported course-record 2:09:10. Arsène Wenger told the CAF Strategy Conference in Cape Verde that an African team can win the World Cup, noting that nine of Africa’s ten 2026 representatives reached the Round of 32.
NIGERIA • ELECTIONS
INEC Leaves Pantami and Adebutu Off Final Governorship List
INEC left PDP candidates Isa Pantami (Gombe) and Ladi Adebutu (Ogun) off its final list for the 6 February 2027 governorship elections, without giving reasons. The move follows the Supreme Court’s 24 September judgment limiting primaries to members on a party register filed on time. Kingsley Chinda appears as the APC candidate in Rivers, though it is unclear whether he was a registered APC member at the time of the primary.
Separately, a revised list for President Tinubu’s re-election campaign council includes Wike, Adeleke and Oborevwori. Six North-central APC governors endorsed Tinubu for a second term in Lafia on Saturday, and Vice President Shettima met Northern leaders and former governors.
NIGERIA • POLITICS & LAW
Okorocha Arrested in Abuja, Then Granted Bail
Police arrested former Imo governor Rochas Okorocha at an Abuja hotel and later granted him bail over an alleged forgery case. . Elsewhere, a Federal High Court struck out charges against Adeniyi Adeyemi, accused of posing as head of a presidential council, after the Federal Government filed a fresh case; and the EFCC charged ALSCON and its director over alleged ₦582.43 million money laundering.
Former Army Chief Tukur Buratai denied that a $1 billion defence procurement fund was released to him, calling the claim “political and malicious.” In Oyo, Segun Ogunwuyi resigned as Chief of Staff to Governor Makinde, and in Ekiti Governor Oyebanji dissolved his cabinet.
NIGERIA • PROTESTS & SECURITY
Kano “Tinubu-Must-Go” Event Blocked; Air Strike Kills 40+ ISWAP Fighters
Amnesty International Nigeria said heavily armed police blocked both ends of the road to a “Tinubu-Must-Go” event in Kano, calling it an unlawful restriction on peaceful political activity. In Borno, the military said a weekend air strike killed more than 40 ISWAP fighters, including a senior commander, near Gudumbali.
A local source reported at least nine deaths in attacks on communities in Ukum, Benue, on Friday night; the toll is unverified and police said they had received no report. Police also announced 35 arrests in nine states. IPOB denied planning to enforce a Monday sit-at-home, and the US placed Nigeria on a child-soldiers blacklist, threatening military support.
NIGERIA • ECONOMY
Petrol Hits ₦1,409 in Some Abuja Stations; Dangote IPO Extended to 27 Oct
Some Abuja filling stations raised petrol to as much as ₦1,409 per litre, up 2.1 per cent from ₦1,380 a week earlier, even though NNPC extended its ₦66-per-litre discount to 31 October. A faction of Afenifere called a proposed ₦1,350 ceiling inadequate. The Dangote Refinery has extended its IPO subscription deadline to 27 October.
OPay has filed for a New York Stock Exchange listing under OPAY, with Stanbic Africa Holdings agreeing to buy up to $200 million of shares. The NGX All-Share Index closed at 248,363.55 on 9 October. The information minister blamed middlemen for rising food prices. Nigeria’s September inflation figure is due on 15 October, forecast at 15.5%.
NIGERIA • POWER & TRANSPORT
FG Vows to Clear Gencos’ Debts; Lagos E-Hailing Drivers Begin Strike
The Federal Government pledged to settle debts owed to electricity generation companies and improve supply. Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu said the state aims to lift available electricity from under 1,000 MW to over 3,000 MW by March 2027.
Lagos e-hailing drivers began an indefinite strike over fares and commissions. In Kano, nine private schools were shut for allegedly bypassing regulations, and the NYSC feeding allowance for orientation camps will rise from 2027.
NIGERIA • SOCIETY
UK Visa Refusals Hit Nigerian Students; Young Nigerian Nominated for Peace Prize
From Diaspora Dispatch Nigeria Desk
Universities withdrew 22.7 per cent of UK study visa applications from Nigeria in the first half of 2026, up from 4.5 per cent a year earlier, as they try to stay under a stricter 5 per cent refusal limit. On a brighter note, 13-year-old Nigerian American Christiana Igbokwe has been nominated for the 2026 International Children’s Peace Prize for her work on child participation, digital safety, and education.
Former Big Brother Naija housemate Flora said fans should not expect a luxurious lifestyle from her, and veteran actor Yinka Quadri said Yoruba filmmakers back Tinubu’s second term.
MARKET WATCH
Official naira (CBN, 9 Oct): ₦1,331.19 / US$1. No later official quote found.
NGX All-Share Index: 248,363.55 (9 Oct).
Abuja petrol: up to ₦1,409 / litre.
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