TWN News

TWN News Weekly Briefing - February 22-28, 2026

Weekly Briefing

February 22-28, 2026 | Nigeria News Roundup

🇳🇬 Nigeria News Roundup

⚖️ Legal & Governance Developments

The Supreme Court of Nigeria on February 27 affirmed the conviction and sentencing of Senator Albert Bassey to seven years imprisonment and restitution of ₦204 million to Akwa Ibom State. The decision marks a significant victory for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) anti-corruption efforts. Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai remains in custody following his voluntary report to the EFCC on February 16, with ongoing bail application proceedings.

🏛️ Political Transitions & Electoral Updates

Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on February 27, 2026, with his cabinet members and key officials following suit. The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and 24 lawmakers also defected from the PDP to Governor Adeleke's Accord Party. These political shifts reflect ongoing realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.

🌍 International Relations & Security

The Nigerian Federal Government issued a security advisory to citizens in Iran and Gulf countries amid escalating Middle East tensions. The Christian Association of Nigeria assured that Christian pilgrims from Kaduna State in Israel remain safe despite rising regional tensions. The African Union and European Union called for urgent de-escalation and diplomatic solutions to military strikes on Iran.

🏭 Commercial & Industrial Development

President Tinubu approved the extension of the ban on raw shea nuts export for one year (February 26, 2026 - February 25, 2027) to support domestic industrial value addition and strengthen the Renewed Hope Agenda. Nigeria and Cameroon signed a new aviation safety agreement establishing coordinated search and rescue operations across their shared airspace. Lebara Nigeria officially launched with President Tinubu welcoming it as a vote of confidence in Nigeria's digital economy.

🏥 Health & Social Development

A Lassa fever outbreak in Benue State resulted in 10 deaths from 45 confirmed cases, with health workers among the victims. Rivers State provided free cancer screening for over 500 residents to mark World Cancer Day, emphasizing early detection at its new health centre. The NCDMB unveiled a state-of-the-art medical lab at Bayelsa Medical University, enhancing local capacity with advanced clinical skills training.

🚢 Port Activity & Logistics

The Nigerian Ports Authority reported 21 ships currently offloading petrol, food, and other goods at Lagos ports, with 41 more expected. Strong maritime activity reflects continued economic momentum and port infrastructure optimization.

🎂 Birthday Celebration

🎉 Happy Birthday, Mrs Florence Omowaiye at 85! 🎉

Celebrating an Extraordinary Life

Today, we celebrate the remarkable life and legacy of Mrs Florence Omowaiye as she turns 85. Mrs Omowaiye's grace, wisdom, and contributions to her community have made her an inspiration to all who know her.

We wish you abundant blessings, good health, continued joy, and many more wonderful years ahead! May this 85th year be filled with love, laughter, and the warmth of family and friends. You are truly a treasure.

🎊 Happy Birthday, Mrs Florence! 🎊

Feature Story: Sarah Adedeji's Journey

Finding Purpose Through Hearing Care: Sarah Adedeji's Inspiring Audiology Journey

From Uncertainty to Purpose

At fourteen, facing the prospect of GCSE choices, Sarah Adedeji didn't have a clear answer to the question so many young people are asked: what do you want to do with your life? Yet her path has led her to discover a profound purpose in hearing care and audiology—a journey that transforms lives and challenges perceptions about disability and ability.

Sarah's story is one of resilience, passion, and the power of turning personal experience into meaningful professional contribution. As a deaf professional in audiology, she represents a unique perspective in healthcare, bringing authenticity and deep understanding to her work supporting those with hearing loss.

Read the full inspiring story of Sarah's journey into audiology:

Read Sarah's Full Story

Discover how Sarah turned her personal journey into a mission to transform hearing care

📊 NGX Market Index - Week of Consolidation

Nigeria's stock market experienced a week of profit-taking and consolidation following historic highs, with the NGX All-Share Index correcting amid mixed sentiment. However, underlying market breadth remained positive with selective institutional positioning.

NGX All-Share Index (ASI)

192,817.72

-0.39% Fri | +23.9% YTD

Market Capitalization

₦123.77tn

+₦24.4tn from Jan 1 | -1.12% WoW

Weekly Trading Volume

5.494B Shares

₦196.709bn in 370,233 deals

Week Overview: The week was marked by profit-taking following the historic surge of previous weeks. The market recorded four bearish sessions and one positive rally. However, market breadth improved with 39 gainers and only 25 losers by week's end, suggesting selective institutional buying beneath the surface.
Profit-Taking Catalyst: Dangote Cement's 6.09% decline on February 27 disproportionately impacted the ASI due to its significant index weighting. Without DANGCEM's decline, the index would likely have closed flat or slightly positive, indicating broad market resilience.
NGX Group Performance: NGX Group surged 9.78% following announcement of ₦15.6 billion FY 2025 profit, declaration of ₦2.00 final dividend (₦3.00 total FY dividend, 50% increase YoY), and a 1-for-3 bonus share issue. The strong earnings reflect dynamic market activity and institutional confidence.
Sectoral Movements: NGX Top 30 Index (+1.98% 1WK; +24.02% YTD), NGX Banking Index (+0.71% WoW; strong Q4 earnings anticipated), NGX Insurance Index, and NGX Pension Index showed mixed performance. Financial Services dominated trading with 3.241 billion shares valued at ₦82.775 billion.
Market Outlook: Analysts project sideways consolidation in the range of 192,000-195,000 points as investors await Q4 2025 earnings from major banks (GTCO, ACCESSCORP) and consumer goods companies (NESTLE, UNILEVER). The underlying market breadth and strong institutional participation suggest the pullback is correction-driven, not reversal-driven.

Recruitment Opportunity - JS DARINHO SPORTS ACADEMY

🏟️ PLAYER RECRUITMENT DRIVE 2026

Ogun State News | Opportunity for Young Footballers

JS Darinho Sports Academy is thrilled to announce an exciting recruitment drive for talented young footballers. This is your chance to showcase your skills and join a dynamic sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of football excellence!

📋 Eligibility
Age: Between 18 - 22 years
📍 Location
Equity Football Field (Equity Hotel & Resort, Chris Ogunbanjo Way, Erigo, Ijebu, Ogun State)
📅 Recruitment Period
March 1 - March 14, 2026
📞 Contact Information
Dare | Phone: 08032260211
(For Registration and Enquiries)

Don't miss this amazing opportunity! Register early to secure your spot. Call Dare on 08032260211 for more information about registration fees, training schedules, and what to bring on your trial day.

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💭 Food for Thought

Navigating Life's Corrections with Wisdom

Pullbacks Are Not Setbacks

This week's stock market correction reminds us of a profound life lesson: pullbacks are not setbacks. Just as the market sheds excess gains to consolidate strength, life often requires us to pause, reflect, and recalibrate. The underlying health of the market remains strong—breadth is positive, institutional participation is steady, and long-term fundamentals are solid.

"In every setback lies the seed of a comeback." — Unknown

The temporary decline is not failure—it's clarity. It reveals who remains committed and who panics. It separates opportunity from fear.

The Power of Selective Focus

Sarah Adedeji's story and Mrs Florence Omowaiye's 85 years of living teach us this week's crucial lesson: life's richness comes from selective focus. Sarah didn't chase random opportunities—she found her calling in hearing care. Mrs Omowaiye didn't simply exist—she lived with purpose and grace. Success isn't about doing everything; it's about doing what matters with excellence.

"Focus on being productive instead of busy." — Tim Ferriss

Selective attention to what truly matters creates momentum, fulfillment, and lasting impact.

📚 Recommended Reading for Young Minds

Nigerian Children's Books - Educational Stories for Young Readers

Discover captivating educational stories designed to inspire and engage young readers. Perfect for building literacy and cultural awareness.

Explore Our Collection

The Gift of Two Tongues by Larry Allen

A Storybook for Readers Aged 5-12

Join Olajubu, a Yoruba girl, and Nnamdi, an Igbo boy, as they learn the value of their native languages from the wise Pretty Grandma. This engaging tale celebrates the beauty of Nigeria's linguistic heritage and cultural diversity.

Read The Gift of Two Tongues

📈 Economic Outlook

Nigeria's economy enters March 2026 with strong fundamentals despite short-term market volatility. Investors have gained ₦24.4 trillion in the first two months of 2026 as market capitalization expanded from ₦99.376 trillion to ₦123.76 trillion. The NGX All-Share Index's 23.9% YTD return reflects underlying strength—consolidated through recent profit-taking. Banking sector consolidation (Unity-Providus merger), strong Q4 2025 corporate earnings, improved inflation dynamics, and CBN policy support create a robust foundation for continued growth. The week's consolidation phase represents investor repositioning rather than loss of confidence—a healthy market correction that strengthens long-term prospects.

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