TWN NEWS 26th April 2026
■ TRUSTED · WEEKLY · NEWS
TWN NEWS
WEEKLY EDITION
Week Ending: Saturday, 25 April 2026
Edition No. 2026-17 | Lagos, Nigeria
Edition No. 2026-17 | Lagos, Nigeria
■ Nigeria's Premier Weekly News Digest
Saturday, 25 April 2026 | Lagos Time (WAT)
📰
Top Stories — 19 to 25 April 2026
News Roundup
📊 NGX Markets
01
NGX Breaks 220,000 for the First Time — Market Cap Crosses ₦145 Trillion; YTD at 45%
The Nigerian Exchange delivered one of the most extraordinary weeks in its history, with the All-Share Index surging 3.94% to close at a new record high of 225,722.49 points — breaking above 220,000 for the first time ever. Market capitalisation crossed the ₦145 trillion (USD 107 billion) mark for the first time. This was the 17th consecutive day of gains and the fourth consecutive weekly advance, driven by three powerful catalysts: FTSE Russell's official reclassification of Nigeria to Frontier Market status (expected to unlock $840 million to $1.04 billion in passive inflows by September 2026); a wave of strong corporate earnings from the 2025 financial year; and broad-based buying across banking and industrial goods. The NGX Banking Index surged 6.81% for the week, led by First HoldCo (+17.19%), Ecobank (+15.90%), Wema Bank (+15.10%), UBA (+14.58%), and Fidelity Bank (+11.22%). The Industrial Goods Index jumped 7.70%, with Lafarge Africa leading all stocks at +21.36%. YTD return hit a stunning 45.05%, making Nigeria the best-performing equity market in Africa in dollar terms — delivering a 34.39% dollar return and outpacing every major African bourse.
🗳️ Politics & 2027
02
Tinubu Fires at Opposition as Governors Rally; Makinde Warns Against One-Party State; Peter Obi Meets Bala Mohammed
The 2027 election race accelerated dramatically this week. Governors and politicians converged on the APC Renewed Hope Ambassadors meeting, with FCT APC leaders declaring strong backing for Tinubu's re-election bid. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, however, issued a sharp warning against one-party domination, invoking the violent history of "Operation Wetie" as a caution. Former Senate President David Mark publicly declared that Nigerians have lost confidence in INEC. Peter Obi held a widely-noted closed-door meeting with Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed — with both men describing the discussions as focused on economic recovery and citizens' welfare, and widely interpreted as coalition-building ahead of 2027. Former Kano Governor Ibrahim Shekarau dramatically renewed his APC membership at his ward, signalling a possible return to the ruling party fold. The Ekiti APC governorship campaign under Governor Oyebanji officially launched on April 27, targeting the June 20, 2026 governorship election.
🏥 Health & Infrastructure — SPECIAL FEATURE
03
Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence, Abeokuta: A World-Class PPP Hospital Near Completion
Official Statement — Ogun State Government
"The Gateway Medical Center of Excellence in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta was conceived as a modern, world-class facility designed to deliver comprehensive specialist healthcare services to our people. At the inception of our administration, the project was found to be uncompleted and largely moribund. We took a deliberate and strategic decision to revive and complete it through a Public-Private Partnership arrangement."
The Ogun State Government this week announced the imminent completion of the Gateway Medical Center of Excellence in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta — a landmark PPP healthcare project that represents one of the most ambitious public health infrastructure deliveries in Nigeria's Southwest in a generation.
Following a thorough review of an unsolicited proposal, the state appointed Viewpoint Health Management Services — comprising Healthshare Management Services (SA) Ltd. and Afrilife Nigeria Ltd. — to complete the construction and equip the hospital to global standards, with financial support from Afreximbank. The Office of Public Private Partnerships worked closely with the Ministries of Finance, Health, and Works & Infrastructure to conclude all necessary processes.
Following a thorough review of an unsolicited proposal, the state appointed Viewpoint Health Management Services — comprising Healthshare Management Services (SA) Ltd. and Afrilife Nigeria Ltd. — to complete the construction and equip the hospital to global standards, with financial support from Afreximbank. The Office of Public Private Partnerships worked closely with the Ministries of Finance, Health, and Works & Infrastructure to conclude all necessary processes.
🏛️
Model
Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
🌍
Partner
Viewpoint Health Mgmt & Afreximbank
🔗
Network Link
King's College Hospital London & Abuja Centre
The Gateway Medical Center is being positioned as a Centre of Medical Excellence and will serve as a key referral hub within a broader healthcare network linked to the Abuja Medical Centre of Excellence — in partnership with the prestigious King's College Hospital London.
Its imminent completion marks a turning point for healthcare delivery in Ogun State and underscores the power of PPP arrangements in delivering critical infrastructure that the public sector alone cannot efficiently fund or manage. For the people of Abeokuta and the broader Gateway State, access to a full spectrum of specialist healthcare services — at world-class standards — will soon be a reality, not a distant aspiration.
Its imminent completion marks a turning point for healthcare delivery in Ogun State and underscores the power of PPP arrangements in delivering critical infrastructure that the public sector alone cannot efficiently fund or manage. For the people of Abeokuta and the broader Gateway State, access to a full spectrum of specialist healthcare services — at world-class standards — will soon be a reality, not a distant aspiration.
🌍 Security
04
Footballer Michael Eneramo Dies; Borno Attacks Continue; Air Peace Cuts London Flights
The Nigerian football community mourned this week as the Nigeria Football Federation described the death of former Super Eagles forward Michael Eneramo as "devastating and a huge blow." Separately, insurgent attacks in Borno State continued, with the Nigerian Army deploying reinforcements. Air Peace reduced its Abuja-London flight frequency to three times per week due to Jet A1 aviation fuel supply constraints — a development that will impact diaspora travel and cargo logistics. The Plateau State Joint Union of tertiary institutions declared an indefinite strike effective midnight Monday over long-standing welfare disputes with the state government. Victor Osimhen was cleared for Sunday's Istanbul derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, wearing a protective arm brace — his first return to action since his injury.
💰 Economy & Trade
05
Naira Falls to 3-Week Low; Fuel Depot Prices Drop; US Expands Agricultural Credit for Nigeria
The naira slipped against the US dollar this week, reaching its lowest exchange rate level in three weeks — a development analysts linked to seasonal dollar demand and portfolio rebalancing. Petroleum marketers moved to reduce fuel prices at depots and filling stations, providing modest relief at the pump. The United States expanded its agricultural credit lifeline for Nigeria under a new agri-trade finance framework, deepening bilateral food security cooperation. South Africa Focus Week returned to Lagos, deepening economic ties between Africa's two largest economies. Experts warned Nigerians to adopt structured wealth strategies to combat the long-term effects of persistent inflation, while the FCCPC published new data on the top ten loan apps operating in Nigeria and their prevailing interest rates.
⚡ Power & Energy
06
States Assume Control of Local Power Markets Under Electricity Act 2023 Decentralisation
Nigeria is witnessing a historic decentralisation of its electricity sector, with a growing number of states now assuming direct control of their local power markets and regulatory processes following the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023. The shift means electricity consumers in participating states will deal directly with state-level regulators rather than the federal NERC in respect of distribution and generation matters — a fundamental restructuring of power governance. The FG spent ₦418.79 billion on electricity subsidies in Q4 2025 alone, according to new NERC data. NARD suspended a planned indefinite doctors' strike after the government recommitted to resolving the suspended revised allowance structure — averting a healthcare system shutdown.
📡 Media & Rights
07
SERAP and Editors Sue NBC Over "Unconstitutional" Broadcast Sanctions; Fela Kuti Inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Guild of Editors filed a joint lawsuit against the National Broadcasting Commission this week, challenging what they described as an arbitrary, unconstitutional "Formal Notice" that threatens to sanction broadcast stations and presenters for certain content. Media freedom advocates warned the action chills editorial independence ahead of a critical election season. In a historic cultural moment, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — becoming the first African musician to receive the honour — a milestone that resonated deeply across Nigeria. World Malaria Day (April 25) saw Geneith Pharmaceuticals lead public awareness drives, with health authorities reiterating the continuing burden of malaria on Nigerian households.
🎓 Education & Sport
08
UTME Concludes; NTIC Students Excel; Wema Bank Declares ₦50.1bn Dividend; Q1 Earnings Avalanche
The 2026 UTME concluded its final sessions on April 22, with results released progressively by JAMB. NTIC students shone brightly, with one candidate scoring 98 in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Q1 2026 earnings season delivered a major "avalanche" of corporate results — UPDC REIT, Unilever, BUA Cement, Zichis, Berger Paints, Nigerian Breweries, Transcorp Hotels, Stanbic IBTC, and Transcorp all published strong Q1 numbers. Wema Bank declared a final FY2025 dividend of ₦50.1 billion, while United Capital approved an ₦18 billion shareholder payout. Dangote Sugar announced plans to raise ₦500 billion in fresh capital, subject to regulatory approval. X (formerly Twitter) launched its WhatsApp rival XChat on iOS, with Nigeria among the biggest early markets.
🌐 Global
09
Iran Executes Israeli Spy; Former US Mayor Predicts Nigeria's Breakup; Arsenal Top of Premier League
Iran executed a man convicted of carrying out a "mission" for Israel's intelligence agency during mass protests in January, deepening the geopolitical tensions that have already disrupted global oil markets. Former US mayor Mike Arnold sparked controversy by publicly predicting that the breakup of Nigeria is "likely inevitable and just" — a statement that drew sharp rebuttals from Nigerian officials and commentators. On the football front, Arsenal reclaimed the top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium, with their 17th goal from a corner setting a new single-season Premier League record. Nigeria's Commonwealth Games preparation continued with athletes intensifying training ahead of Glasgow (July 23–August 2).
🏦 Banking & Finance
10
CBN Holds MPR at 27.5%; Rate Cuts Signal Q3 2026; Dangote Refinery Begins Petroleum Exports
The Central Bank of Nigeria held its Monetary Policy Rate at 27.5% this week, signalling cautious optimism while keeping the door open for rate cuts by Q3 2026 — a prospect that is already being priced into banking and real estate stocks on the NGX. In a milestone for Nigeria's downstream sector, the Dangote Refinery this week began its first exports of refined petroleum products — a development that marks a historic turning point in Nigeria's import-dependent fuel story and validates the multi-billion dollar investment. The SEC also approved a new digital assets trading framework, positioning Nigeria as a regulated hub for crypto and blockchain-based financial products. United Capital Group recapitalised all its SEC-regulated subsidiaries more than 14 months before the June 30, 2027 deadline.
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