Naira falls to N1,405/$ in parallel market
In today’s Nigerian newspapers review programme, Today in the News, Vanguard leads with a report on businesses facing increasing pressure as the Federal Government’s domestic borrowing from investors rose by 90.5 per cent year-on-year to N24.7 trillion in the first eight months of 2026.
The figure represents a sharp increase from the N12.98 trillion recorded during the corresponding period of 2025.
Another major story in Vanguard quotes the Chairman of the Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics LTD/GTE, Dele Oye, as saying that economic reforms introduced by the Bola Tinubu administration over the past three years have strengthened Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability and improved its resilience.
The newspaper also reports that, ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned politicians and political parties against using abusive, provocative or inflammatory language during campaigns.
According to the report, offenders could face a fine of up to N10 million and as much as 12 months’ imprisonment under provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. The warning comes amid renewed threats by some political office holders against voters expressing dissenting views.
Meanwhile, The Guardian leads with concerns that Nigeria could slide deeper into a poverty trap despite signs of economic recovery. The newspaper highlights persistent inflation, a weakened naira, poorly paid jobs, widespread underemployment and declining access to essential services as factors threatening living standards.
The Punch reports that at least 26 state governments were unable to generate sufficient internally generated revenue to meet their personnel costs in 2025. The states, despite recording improvements in their finances, continue to rely heavily on allocations from the Federation Account.
On its part, The Nation leads with the renewed efforts by the police to combat kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality through the revival of the Police Mobile Force, PMF, popularly known as MOPOL.
The development is part of broader efforts by the police to strengthen their capacity to tackle the country’s growing security challenges.
