TWN News

📰 TWN NEWS

Weekly Briefing

January 26 - February 2, 2026 | Nigeria News Roundup

🇳🇬 Nigeria News Roundup

🎓 Education & Culture

The Federal Government unveiled a comprehensive policy framework aimed at reducing the cost of education for parents and improving learning outcomes across Nigeria. The initiative focuses on accessibility and quality enhancement in the education sector, signaling renewed commitment to educational advancement in 2026.

🎶 Grammy Awards & Cultural Recognition

Nigerian music continued its global dominance as five Nigerian stars competed in the 68th Grammy Awards held on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles. Burna Boy led the Nigerian contingent with two nominations—Best African Music Performance for "Love" and Best Global Music Album for "No Sign of Weakness." Additionally, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony, honoring his revolutionary contributions to global music and culture alongside Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher, and Paul Simon.

🔐 Political & Legal Developments

Nigeria's political landscape continues to evolve as coalition formations advance toward the 2027 elections. The Nigerians in Diaspora Merit and Compliance Foundation (NDMCF) condemned calls for appointments into key national institutions to be determined by alphabetical order, emphasizing merit-based selection. Security updates indicate ongoing anti-terrorism operations, with government agencies deepening cooperation against criminal and terrorist networks across the Northwest and Northeast.

💼 Government & International Affairs

The United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria to facilitate the return of more than $9.5 million in looted funds to the Federal Government. Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs addressed regional security challenges at the Conference on Security Situation in West Africa and the Sahel held in Accra, Ghana on January 30, 2026, highlighting Nigeria's commitment to continental stability and cooperation.

🌟 Arts & Entertainment

Nigerian makeup artist Theresa Emegwara made history by breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest makeup application by an individual, showcasing Nigeria's creativity and talent on the global stage. This achievement adds to Nigeria's growing list of world records and international recognition.

📊 NGX Market Index - January 2026 Performance

Nigeria's capital market closed January 2026 on an exceptionally strong note, with the NGX All-Share Index delivering robust returns and breaking historic milestones as investor confidence remains elevated.

NGX All-Share Index (ASI)

165,370.40

+6.27% January | +9,757 pts YTD

Market Capitalization

₦106.15tn

+₦6.8tn | Surpassed N100tn mark

Trading Volume

15+ Billion Shares

Strong investor participation

Sectoral Performance: All major sectors closed in positive territory. Oil & Gas Index led with +13.8%, Insurance Index gained +11.8%, Banking Index advanced +6.99%, Industrial Goods Index rose +5.45%, and Consumer Goods Index increased +3.2% during January 2026.

January 30 Trading Summary: NGX recorded 687.38 million shares traded in 41,539 deals worth ₦14.98 billion. Market capitalization stood at ₦105.9 trillion with 129 listed equities participating, ending with 33 gainers and 31 losers. January's performance marks a stronger start than January 2025's 1.53% gain.

Best Performers (YTD): Aradel Plc leads NGX-30 with +16.42% gain, followed by Lafarge Africa (+15.99%), Seplat Energy (+15.34%), and MTN Nigeria (+13.50%). These strong performances reflect renewed institutional investor confidence across key sectors.

💭 Food for Thought

Well-Being and Life: A Journey of Purpose and Growth

The Power of Intentional Living

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to drift through life without questioning our direction. True well-being begins when we pause to ask ourselves: "Am I living intentionally, or am I merely existing?" Life is not about the destination alone—it's about the quality of choices we make along the way. When we live with purpose, we align our daily actions with our deepest values.

"The unexamined life is not worth living." — Socrates

Critical thinking begins with reflection. Challenge your assumptions. Question what you've been told. Wisdom emerges when we examine our beliefs and the world around us with curiosity and honesty.

Well-Being Beyond the Material

True well-being encompasses more than physical health or financial success. It's a harmonious balance of mental peace, emotional resilience, meaningful relationships, and spiritual growth. When we neglect any of these dimensions, we find ourselves incomplete. Invest time in understanding yourself, cultivating compassion, and building connections that matter.

"The mind is everything. What you think, you become." — Buddha

Your thoughts shape your reality. Practice mindfulness. Notice the patterns in your thinking. Choose thoughts that empower you, and watch how your life transforms.

The Art of Critical Thinking

In a world saturated with information, critical thinking is a survival skill. Don't accept information passively. Ask questions: Who benefits from this narrative? What evidence supports this claim? What perspectives am I missing? A critical mind is a free mind—capable of making informed decisions and navigating complexity with wisdom.

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." — Socrates

Intellectual humility opens doors to growth. When you acknowledge the limits of your knowledge, you become curious, receptive, and capable of continuous learning.

A Message of Hope and Encouragement

Whether you're facing challenges or enjoying abundance, remember this: Your well-being is a daily practice, not a destination. Be kind to yourself. Embrace growth through adversity. Seek joy in simple moments. Build a life of meaning, not just comfort. The world needs your authentic self, your critical voice, and your compassionate heart.

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." — Nelson Mandela

📚 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 enters February 2026 with strong economic momentum, buoyed by capital market resilience and macroeconomic stabilization. The government closed 2025 on a strong economic footing with consistent GDP growth each quarter, trade surpluses, improved exchange rate stability, and inflation declining below 15% as targeted. While challenges persist with energy sector constraints and security concerns, market analysts project optimistic 2026 performance. The strong January showing, combined with renewed investor confidence, suggests potential for sustained growth momentum as the government focuses on translating macroeconomic gains into tangible improvements for ordinary Nigerians.

📰 TWN News Weekly Briefing | Published February 3, 2026

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