Nigeria doesn't do "quiet" Saturdays. If you woke up today, January 17, 2026, thinking the news cycle might take a breather, you've probably noticed the notification pings on your phone telling a different story. Honestly, it's a lot to keep up with. From the high-stakes political drama in Rivers State to the Super Eagles prepping for a grudge match in Morocco, the country is buzzing.
Basically, the biggest shifts right now are happening in your wallet and the hallowed halls of power.
Today's news headlines in Nigeria: The 40% pay rise and the ASUU factor
The biggest talk in many households this morning is the massive jump in university funding. The Federal Government just cleared a 40% salary increase for academic staff. It’s a huge deal. According to the 2026 budget estimates, the personnel cost for the top 20 federal universities has ballooned from N438.85 billion last year to a staggering N533.1 billion.
Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa was on Channels Television explaining how this works. It’s not just a flat raise. There is a new "professorial cadre allowance" that adds over N140,000 to a professor's monthly take-home.
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- The 16-year wait: This finally ends the deadlock from the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement.
- The Money: Nine enhanced Earned Academic Allowances are now fully structured and funded.
- The Catch: While lecturers are happy, the "no work, no pay" policy is still a thorn. The TUC has given the government a 7-day ultimatum to withdraw that policy against striking health workers (JOHESU).
Power struggles in Rivers and the VP's mission
If you're following the Rivers State crisis, things just got weirder. A court has restrained the State Chief Judge from receiving any impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara. This comes just as four lawmakers reportedly made a U-turn to join the impeachment push. It’s like a game of musical chairs where the chairs are made of legal injunctions.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima is currently in Conakry, Guinea. He’s representing President Tinubu at the inauguration of President Mamady Doumbouya. It’s a strategic move. Nigeria is trying to cement its role as the big brother of ECOWAS, especially after Guinea's four-year military transition finally ended with the December 2025 elections.
Hard truth: The Northeast hunger crisis
We have to talk about something heavy. The World Food Programme (WFP) dropped a report that’s honestly gut-wrenching. Because of massive aid cuts, about 1.2 million people in Northeast Nigeria are sliding deeper into hunger.
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Last year, funding shortfalls meant 300,000 kids missed out on nutrition programs. Now, in Borno State, 15,000 people are facing "catastrophic hunger" for the first time in ten years. It’s a grim reminder that while the macro-economy might be stabilizing in some reports, the ground reality for the most vulnerable is still a fight for survival.
Sports and the "Bronze" Battle in Morocco
Switching gears to something slightly more uplifting—or at least exciting. The Super Eagles are taking on Egypt today for the AFCON bronze medal. Alex Iwobi is the man of the hour. He just broke the record for the most line-breaking passes in the tournament.
- Iwobi's Stats: 44 line-breaking passes in the knockout stages alone.
- The Rivalry: Nigeria vs. Egypt is a classic. After a tough semi-final loss to Morocco, the team is fighting for pride.
- The Prize: Businessman Abdul Samad Rabiu has promised the team $500,000 regardless of the semi-final outcome, but a win today would certainly sweeten the pot.
The Tax Man is coming for 2026
If you're a business owner, mark January 31st on your calendar. The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) isn't playing. They’ve insisted on the deadline for filing annual tax returns. This ties into the broader 2026 economic outlook where the government is desperately trying to move away from oil.
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Tax expert Taiwo Oyedele has been vocal about these reforms. He basically says he’s willing to "die for Nigeria as a reformer." It’s dramatic, sure, but it shows how high the stakes are for the new tax laws. The goal is to hit a $3 billion annual target from the carbon market alone.
What you should do next
Don't just scroll past the headlines. If you’re a student or faculty member, check with your bursary department regarding the new allowance structures—they are supposed to be active now. For business owners in Lagos, get those tax filings sorted before the 31st to avoid the inevitable "last-minute" penalties that always seem to crop up. Lastly, if you’re watching the match tonight, keep an eye on the midfield transition; if Iwobi maintains his "line-breaking" form, Egypt's defense is going to have a very long evening.