TWN News Week Ending: Saturday, 11th April 2026
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TWN NEWS
WEEKLY EDITION
Week Ending: Saturday, 11 April 2026
Edition No. 2026-15 | Lagos, Nigeria
Edition No. 2026-15 | Lagos, Nigeria
■ Nigeria's Premier Weekly News Digest
Saturday, 11 April 2026 | Lagos Time (WAT)
📰
Top Stories — 6 to 11 April 2026
News Roundup
📊 NGX Markets
01
NGX Hits New All-Time High of 203,770 — Investors Gain ₦1.36 Trillion in Four Days
The Nigerian Exchange continued its historic bull run this week, with the All-Share Index surging 1.03% to close at a new all-time high of 203,770.43 on Friday, April 10 — the highest level ever recorded in the Exchange's history. Market capitalisation climbed to ₦131.17 trillion, with investors pocketing ₦1.36 trillion in gains over the four-day trading week (Easter Monday was a public holiday). Strong corporate earnings for the 2025 financial year drove the rally, led by gains in Trans-Nationwide Express (+9.91%), International Breweries (+9.88%), Chams (+9.84%), and Guinness Nigeria (+9.38%). Banking heavyweights Access Holdings, Wema Bank, GTCO, and Zenith Bank led value trading, with the NGX Banking Index rising 5.24% for the week. The YTD return now stands at a remarkable 30.95%, confirming Nigeria's equities market as one of Africa's best-performing exchanges in 2026. Analysts at FTSE Russell expect a reclassification that could attract an additional $1 billion in passive inflows by September.
💰 Economy & Infrastructure
02
FG Secures $200m AfDB Loan for 90,000km Fibre Network; Oando to Raise $750m to Triple Oil Output
In a major infrastructure win, the Federal Government this week secured a $200 million loan from the African Development Bank to fund a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network across Nigeria — a project that promises to transform connectivity, digital inclusion, and economic productivity from Lagos to the remotest communities. Separately, Oando Plc announced plans to raise $750 million to boost oil output by 300%, a move that would significantly increase Nigeria's daily crude production and foreign exchange earnings if successfully executed. NNPC also remitted ₦1.8 trillion to the Federation Account in February 2026, reflecting strong upstream performance. The manufacturing sector recorded ₦1.17 trillion in VAT revenue in 2025, according to new NBS data, signalling improved industrial activity.
🏥 Health & Pharma
03
Nigeria's Local Pharma Production Hits 50%; WHO Warns World is Edging Toward Next Pandemic
Nigeria's push to reduce dependence on imported medicines gained major momentum this week as stakeholders credited sweeping regulatory reforms for driving local pharmaceutical production to an estimated 50% of domestic supply — a significant leap from previous levels. The World Health Organisation issued a stark warning on Thursday that the world may be edging closer to another major pandemic, even as it assembles one of the largest global health surveillance networks ever built to detect threats early. Separately, the World Health Expo Lagos 2026 was announced as a platform to anchor fresh investment in West Africa's healthcare sector, while the University of Lagos launched an AI University Innovation Pod (AI UNIPOD) to bridge the technology skills gap among students. Dr. Jerry Adeyemo was inducted as a Fellow of the European Federation of Internal Medicine — a milestone celebrating Nigeria's growing global medical footprint.
📡 Technology
04
Telecoms Theft Cost Nigeria ₦76bn Sector; Digital Economy Now 18% of GDP But Gender Gap Persists
A damning report from the Nigerian Communications Commission revealed that infrastructure theft battered Nigeria's telecoms sector — valued at $76 billion — in 2025, with criminal networks looting 656 critical power assets including 152 generators. The NCC is intensifying enforcement with the new Telecoms Identity Risk Management System. On the positive side, Nigeria's digital economy now contributes over 18% to national GDP, though analysts warn that a persistent gender gap in digital skills is limiting women's participation in this growth. The FG and AfDB's 90,000km fibre project is expected to directly address connectivity inequality. Startup Blaaiz raised $1.5 million within five months of operation, demonstrating the continued strength of Nigeria's cross-border fintech pipeline.
⚖️ Politics & Governance
05
INEC Postpones Voter Revalidation; World Bank Report Shows 63% Poverty Rate — Atiku Raises Alarm
The Independent National Electoral Commission this week postponed its nationwide voter revalidation exercise until after the 2027 general elections, citing the need to preserve the credibility and integrity of the existing voter register. The decision was welcomed by political parties but drew scrutiny from civil society groups concerned about voter register accuracy. A sobering World Bank report placed Nigeria's poverty rate at 63%, prompting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to issue a sharp public rebuke of the current administration's economic policies. The FG also approved its 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures, introducing sweeping changes to import tariffs aimed at boosting domestic production. BudgIT, the civic-tech accountability group, condemned a brutal attack on one of its Katsina State officers, calling for a police investigation.
🌍 Security
06
ISWAP Attacks Three Military Installations Simultaneously; Gunmen Kill Mother and Daughter in Ondo
Islamic State West Africa Province fighters launched coordinated simultaneous attacks on three military installations in Nigeria overnight this week — a dangerous tactical escalation that security experts say reflects improved insurgent coordination. The military confirmed casualties among personnel and has intensified counter-operations. In the Southwest, gunmen in Akure, Ondo State, invaded a community late at night and shot dead a mother and daughter in what appears to have been a kidnapping operation that turned violent. The US Embassy in Abuja issued a security alert, and the Nigerian Space Agency CEO reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to building satellite infrastructure domestically. Niger State communities recovered 61 bodies from bushland following an earlier mass abduction by armed attackers.
⚽ Sports & Local Football
07
JS Darinho Sports Academy Fall 1–3 to Ijebu Athletic SC — But Hearts Were Full After a Magnificent First Half
Full Time · Saturday, 11 April 2026 · Equity Hotel & Resort, Ijebu Ode
JS Darinho
Sports Academy
Sports Academy
1 – 3
Ijebu Athletic
SC
SC
⚽ HT: JSDSA 1 – 0 Ijebu Athletic | FT: JSDSA 1 – 3 Ijebu Athletic
It was a match full of grit, determination, and moments of genuine quality as JS Darinho Sports Academy took on the more experienced Ijebu Athletic SC at the Equity Hotel and Resort Football Field in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Saturday morning.
JSDSA came out firing and delivered a commanding first half, playing with a discipline and tempo that belied their relative inexperience. They earned — and converted — a lead, going in at the half-time break 1–0 up against a bigger, older, and more seasoned opponent. It was a performance that silenced doubters and swelled the hearts of everyone in the JSDSA camp.
The second half told a different story. As the JSDSA boys' legs tired against the relentless physical demands of playing older opponents, Ijebu Athletic introduced fresh legs and gradually wrestled control. Three second-half goals sealed a 3–1 victory for the home side, but the scoreline does not tell the full story of what JSDSA showed on that pitch.
"We lost the game 1–3. But the boys gave their all against bigger, older, and more experienced players. We led 1–0 at the end of the first half. Once they became tired and our opponents brought in more players, the boys could no longer cope with the tempo. We would continue on Monday and keep looking for more quality. I am happy with the way they played in the 1st half though."
The JSDSA journey continues. Monday training resumes with fresh focus, and the search for quality goes on. These young men are being built — not just as footballers, but as individuals of character, resilience, and heart. 💚
JSDSA came out firing and delivered a commanding first half, playing with a discipline and tempo that belied their relative inexperience. They earned — and converted — a lead, going in at the half-time break 1–0 up against a bigger, older, and more seasoned opponent. It was a performance that silenced doubters and swelled the hearts of everyone in the JSDSA camp.
The second half told a different story. As the JSDSA boys' legs tired against the relentless physical demands of playing older opponents, Ijebu Athletic introduced fresh legs and gradually wrestled control. Three second-half goals sealed a 3–1 victory for the home side, but the scoreline does not tell the full story of what JSDSA showed on that pitch.
"We lost the game 1–3. But the boys gave their all against bigger, older, and more experienced players. We led 1–0 at the end of the first half. Once they became tired and our opponents brought in more players, the boys could no longer cope with the tempo. We would continue on Monday and keep looking for more quality. I am happy with the way they played in the 1st half though."
The JSDSA journey continues. Monday training resumes with fresh focus, and the search for quality goes on. These young men are being built — not just as footballers, but as individuals of character, resilience, and heart. 💚
🎭 Culture & Fashion
08
Aso-Oke Demand Soars Globally; Nollywood Rivalries Dominate Headlines; HERtitude Festival Marks 5th Year
Demand for Nigeria's iconic Aso-Oke fabric has surged both at home and internationally, boosted by Nigerians in the diaspora and the rising global popularity of the country's fashion and music culture — a trend that aligns with Nollywood's growing international standing. The entertainment world this week was consumed by high-profile feuds: Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham, Iyabo Ojo, and other Nollywood stars were embroiled in a new wave of clashes playing out publicly. Zikoko's HERtitude women-only festival marks its fifth edition on Saturday April 11, celebrating half a decade of creating safe, joyful spaces for Nigerian women. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan decried the poor documentation of Nigerian women's contributions to history, warning it limits their access to power.
🌐 Global & Nigeria
09
Iran-US Ceasefire Talks Begin as Trump Says China Helped Bring Tehran to the Table
In a dramatic diplomatic shift, US President Donald Trump announced that China played a key role in bringing Iran to the ceasefire negotiating table, signalling a possible end to the two-month US-Israel-Iran conflict that has rattled global oil markets and disrupted supply chains worldwide. Nigeria, whose budget benchmark has been exceeded by elevated Brent Crude prices, stands to gain significantly from any resolution of the conflict but also from continued uncertainty that keeps crude above $100. Trump's ceasefire deadline has been extended by ten days, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a flashpoint. Commonwealth Games preparations continue with Nigeria's athletes ramping up training ahead of the Glasgow Games opening on July 23. JAMB conducted a mock UTME to assess readiness ahead of the April 16 start date.
🏛️ Ports & Trade
10
Customs and PEBEC Launch Port Reform Drive; FG Unveils 2026 Tariff Changes to Boost Local Manufacturing
The Nigeria Customs Service, in partnership with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, unveiled a results-driven port reform agenda this week aimed at slashing cargo clearance times, reducing extortion, and improving Nigeria's trade competitiveness. The initiative was launched at a three-day workshop in Apapa, Lagos. The Federal Government simultaneously approved its 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures, introducing sweeping changes to import tariffs designed to encourage local manufacturing and reduce the import bill. Nigerian Breweries reported no casualties following a fire at an external warehouse in Aba, Abia State. The CBN dismissed viral claims of a new ₦5,000 banknote as completely false, urging the public to disregard the circulating image.
🧬
Food for Thought
Weekly Reflection
The High Cost of a "Glitch-Free" Life
#BioEthics · #Humanity · #Inclusion · #Perspective
I was recently looking into the future of AI and genetic breakthroughs — specifically how close we are to "fixing" things like Chromosome 21 (Trisomy 21). On paper, it sounds like the ultimate win for humanity. We are moving from treating symptoms to editing the very blueprint of life.
But it led me to a heavy realisation: we need to be careful what we wish for.
But it led me to a heavy realisation: we need to be careful what we wish for.
If we "fixed" every glitch in the human code, we might gain "perfection" — but what would we lose?
Perspective: Maybe the "glitches" were designed to keep us grounded. To remind us that we are not machines, and that the measure of a life is not efficiency but depth — depth of love, of connection, of meaning.
Empathy: If no one ever struggles, or sees the world differently, how do we learn to care for one another? It is precisely the person who moves through life differently who teaches the rest of us how to slow down, look around, and truly see.
Identity: If we "optimised" every human being, we might gain a thousand high IQs. But we might lose the souls — the personalities — the irreplaceable individuals who bring something into a room that no algorithm could ever replicate. The ones who sense when we are down. Who make us smile when it feels impossible. Whose joy is pure and whose love is unconditional.
Perspective: Maybe the "glitches" were designed to keep us grounded. To remind us that we are not machines, and that the measure of a life is not efficiency but depth — depth of love, of connection, of meaning.
Empathy: If no one ever struggles, or sees the world differently, how do we learn to care for one another? It is precisely the person who moves through life differently who teaches the rest of us how to slow down, look around, and truly see.
Identity: If we "optimised" every human being, we might gain a thousand high IQs. But we might lose the souls — the personalities — the irreplaceable individuals who bring something into a room that no algorithm could ever replicate. The ones who sense when we are down. Who make us smile when it feels impossible. Whose joy is pure and whose love is unconditional.
The Takeaway
We should absolutely use science to relieve excruciating and endless physical pain. We should fight suffering with every tool we have. But we should be very careful about trying to erase the "perfectly imperfect" traits that make us human.
Efficiency is great for machines. But connection is what matters for people.
A child who sees the world differently does not just deserve a place in it — they deserve a world that is richer because of how they see it. And the families, the communities, the societies that choose to include and cherish such individuals discover something that the perfectly optimised world can never manufacture: genuine, unguarded, life-changing love.
Efficiency is great for machines. But connection is what matters for people.
A child who sees the world differently does not just deserve a place in it — they deserve a world that is richer because of how they see it. And the families, the communities, the societies that choose to include and cherish such individuals discover something that the perfectly optimised world can never manufacture: genuine, unguarded, life-changing love.
Food for Thought 💭
If you could draw the line today — where would you stop?
Would you edit the world until it is seamless, or do we need the friction of our "glitches" to keep us real?
Would you edit the world until it is seamless, or do we need the friction of our "glitches" to keep us real?
#BioEthics
#Humanity
#Inclusion
#Perspective
#FoodForThought
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