AGP Executive Report

Uber Exit Fallout: Uber has shut down operations in Nigeria and Uganda with immediate effect, leaving drivers and riders in Abuja and beyond scrambling for alternatives as social media reacts to the abrupt end of a 12-year ride-hailing run. Sports Development: Kaduna is pushing to restore Ahmadu Bello Stadium as a renewed sporting hub, while Lagos derby fans vent after a postponement due to a political rally at Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Women’s Basketball Spotlight: Nigeria’s D’Tigress face a tough road at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, with Nigeria in Group B alongside Nigeria’s rivals and the tournament format set for quarter-final qualification battles. Tech & Media: NCAA gives “no objection” to Univasa’s eSIM for international connectivity, and FlashNarrative launches an AI brand intelligence platform that tracks local-language narratives. Education & Integrity: TRCN warns teachers against fake registration portals, while the Education Minister targets examination malpractice. Public Safety & Policy: DSS orders operatives not to arrest people over civil matters, and Defence officials urge adoption of AI and unmanned systems to tackle evolving security threats. Entertainment & Culture: Guinness Nigeria and Magic Padel unveil a new Guinness Lounge at the Federal Palace Hotel, blending sport, music and lifestyle.

Music & Culture: Victony makes Billboard history with 10 songs simultaneously on the U.S. Afrobeats chart, led by “SLICK” at No. 2, after releasing his “STARLIFE” album. Showbiz Buzz: Davido and Erigga reignite their “family money” debate, with Davido calling Erigga’s motivation “useless” and the exchange drawing mixed reactions. Sports (Football): FIFA accepts NFF resignations, but the normalisation committee still awaits full approval; FIFA plans a visit and heavy involvement in the process. Sports (Women’s Football): Manchester City intensifies a push for Super Falcons midfielder Jennifer Echegini from PSG. Tech & Mobility: Uber exits Nigeria after 12 years, shutting operations effective Sept 2, while OPay insists it’s fully operational and drags regulators into a probe over shutdown rumours. Broadcast Tech: Nigeria launches a new TV audience measurement system in Lagos, with selected households getting 36GB free data monthly. Security & Society: DSS DG warns that terrorism thrives on publicity and weak governance, urging media not to amplify extremist successes. Fact Check: A viral video claiming Peter Obi miscalculated Ghana’s health budget is misleading and traced to an older 2020 interview.

LPG Update: Nigeria’s domestic cooking gas supply climbed to 5,332 tonnes/day in July 2026, the highest in 13 months, with NLNG/SEPNU leading at 2,031 tonnes/day. Media & Tech: FG begins Audience Measurement System rollout in 60,000 households across 36 states to boost data-driven broadcasting and strengthen the digital switch-over platform. Elections Watch: INEC warns that AI-powered disinformation could damage the credibility of the 2027 polls, while the Senate says constitutional amendments will be wrapped up before the 10th Assembly ends. Politics & Parties: NDC rejects 10 Anambra candidates published by INEC, demanding an electronic portal audit. Entertainment & Culture: Customs partners with communication professionals to deepen media collaboration, including revenue-generating film projects. Sports: Super Eagles face injury setbacks ahead of AFCON 2027 qualifiers; Nigeria also wins 35 medals at Africa Zone 2 Swimming Championships. Business/Fintech: OPay sues over viral shutdown rumours and says regulators have classified the claims as fake. Health: FG targets 5m free spectacles and 25,000 cataract surgeries by 2027 using digital eye-care tools.

Film & TV: The BFI London Film Festival unveils its 70th edition line-up with 251 titles from 88 countries, including world premieres, plus Screen Talks and an Industry Forum in October. Nollywood & Entertainment: A new list highlights 10 Nollywood films fans think deserve sequels, reigniting debate on what stories should return. Music Awards: The Headies pushes back on claims gospel artistes are excluded from major categories, citing past wins and nominations. Sports (Football): Brighton completes the signing of Nigeria winger Femi Azeez on a four-year deal from Millwall, while Premier League clubs set a new summer spending record. Sports (Basketball): Nigeria’s Falcons and other teams are in focus as international women’s basketball ramps up ahead of the FIBA Women’s World Cup. Education Fraud Alert: TRCN warns teachers and applicants against fake portals and agents, stressing its official website is the only approved online channel. Diaspora & Human Interest: A UK-based story alleges a Nigerian husband disappeared after arriving on a spouse visa, leaving his British wife unable to finalise divorce. Business/Fintech: Paymentology partners Maxim to expand credit access for the African diaspora in the UK. Tech/Startups: Cascador selects 10 Nigerian growth-stage startups for its 2026 ScaleUp Programme.

Football Reforms: FIFA has accepted mass resignations by Nigeria Football Federation officials and backed a fresh roadmap for comprehensive NFF governance reforms, following meetings in Zurich with NSC leadership and NFF administration. Sports Backlash: Former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins’ suggestion that Seyi Tinubu could lead the NFF drew sharp criticism from football stakeholders. Media & Culture: NUJ-NAN Lagos Press Week (Sept 21–25) will focus on how politics could shape Nigeria’s oil and gas economy ahead of 2027, with a key symposium at NPA Surulere. Broadcasting: Cardinal Broadcasting expands with the launch of 93.5 Area FM, targeting everyday Nigerian life through language and lifestyle programming. TVET & Youth Skills: Ishk Tolaram Foundation trains youths in TVET trades and fashion, carpentry, solar and more, stressing “TVET in the Age of AI.” Health Update: NCDC reports 252 Lassa fever deaths and 1,035 confirmed cases across 23 states so far in 2026. Public Safety: Lagos police deny tear-gassing pensioners, saying viral images are AI-generated, while PenCom says it will address Lagos retirees’ pension increase concerns. Human Trafficking Alert: NAPTIP warns traffickers now use NGOs as fronts to traffic children.

Arms Trafficking Watch: SEREC tells Nigeria to probe the Turkey-linked arms supply chain beyond port seizures after Customs intercepted 204 firearms and parts at Tin Can Island. Music: Fuji star Adewale Ayuba announces a new five-track album, Arise, dropping Sept. 19. Media & Politics: NUJ-NAN Lagos Press Week (Sept. 21–25) will focus on how politics shapes Nigeria’s oil and gas and the economy ahead of 2027. Entertainment & Sports: Fans and pundits clash over Obafemi Martins’ backing of Seyi Tinubu for NFF president, as Nigeria’s football leadership crisis deepens. Education: FG expands the national tertiary ranking to universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, making participation compulsory. Women & Business: Union Bank and Zuri Circle empower 98 women entrepreneurs via the Fearless Female Founders 2.0 accelerator. Metro: Four die in a Kwara building collapse in Ilorin. Security: DHQ says a planned U.S. troop drawdown won’t weaken the security partnership.

Sports & Culture: Wilfred Ndidi launches DIIDS, a lifestyle brand for men and women, as he maps a post-football legacy beyond the pitch. Football Spotlight: Lionel Messi retires from Argentina duty, saying he has “nothing left to give” after leading the Albiceleste to another World Cup final. Local Sports Media: Eko 2026 organisers urge stronger media support as Lagos prepares the National Intermediate Games with 15,000 athletes across 28 sports. Showbiz & Business: Insurance protection gap for entertainers gets attention, with stakeholders pushing health cover as a career safety net. Creative Industry: MultiChoice Talent Factory turns 8 and rolls out new masterclasses for Nigeria’s film/TV creatives. Entertainment Finance: PZ Cussons Nigeria posts a 349% PAT jump to N45.2bn, proposing dividends. Security & Society: Military rescues 15 NYSC members (21 victims total) from Kogi kidnappers; EFCC says it froze funds moved from LG accounts into crypto wallets. Politics & Rights: Sowore’s lawyers fault DSS for suspending his case without proper notice, while SERAP and editors demand charges be withdrawn. Travel & Lifestyle: OPay debunks a viral claim of an indefinite shutdown.

Nollywood & TV Tributes: BBNaija S11 paused its live eviction show to honour late Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan “Ogogo,” while Nollywood veterans gathered in Ilaro, Ogun State for his 8th-day Fidau prayer. Showbiz & Social Media: Mo Bimpe opened up about painful exclusion from baby events before conceiving triplets, as Priscilla Ojo shared the lavish gift haul at her son Rakeem’s first birthday. Music & Culture Debate: The Headies’ move to Canada sparked fresh questions about whether the awards are for Nigerians or the diaspora, and Kelly Hansome reignited ethnic-fans debate over Flavour’s O2 Arena London show. Tech & Entertainment Economy: OPay denied viral claims it will shut down from September 1, urging users to verify updates on official channels. Film & Language: BSIFF 2026 puts local language cinema at the centre of the push to build stronger African audiences. Politics & Media: INEC and NDC clashed over alleged substitution of Anambra 2027 candidates, with INEC insisting it doesn’t nominate or smuggle candidates. Sports: Enugu City International Marathon crowned Kenya’s Edwin Kipyego and Ethiopia’s Zenebe Aberu in the 42km elite races.

Boxing Spotlight: Akwa Ibom-born Umohette “The Nigerian Gentleman” notched his 20th pro win in Colombia, winning by unanimous decision over Fidel “Infierno” Munoz to defend his UBC South American regional title. Scholarship & STEM: Bradford’s Onna Okeke bagged a Schulich Leader scholarship worth $30,000 a year for four years to study mechatronics engineering at the University of Waterloo. Health & Sports Setback: Sweden-based Malawi midfielder Faith Chimzimu is ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury ahead of a key 2028 Olympic qualifier. Nollywood & Talent Debate: Zubby Michael says Nollywood gatekeepers aren’t supporting Igbo talents, claiming executives fear fast learners will become competitors. Creative Skills Push: EFANDR Creative launches a Holiday Creator Bootcamp to train young Nigerians in photography, cinematography, filmmaking, editing and storytelling. Drug War: NDLEA intercepted “Jihadi drug” captagon and opioids worth over N6.2bn at Lagos airport, arresting a cross-border kingpin. Politics & Fuel Subsidy Row: APC and ADC trade blows over Atiku’s plan to restore petrol subsidy, with APC warning of renewed fuel queues and loan cancellations. Healthcare Expansion: FG targets 20,000 medical students yearly and plans six simulation centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Crime & Safety: Police nab seven suspected car snatchers in Oyo and Abuja. Metro Tragedy: A newborn baby girl was found abandoned in Benue forest with maggots, rushed for treatment. BBNaija: Goddessa and Sultex were evicted from the show.

Foreign Aid Bill Backlash: SERAP and the Nigerian Guild of Editors threaten to sue the National Assembly over the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, saying it could clamp down on civic space and media freedom. Drug War at Lagos Airport: NDLEA seized ₦6.2bn worth of captagon (“Jihadi drug”) and opioids at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, arresting a 49-year-old kingpin who hid pills inside “Ghana soap.” Tinubu in US Court: Lawyers for President Tinubu argue his FBI/DEA records should stay private under US privacy rules, as opposition pushes for disclosure. Election Politics in Court: DSS moves to suspend Omoyele Sowore’s cybercrime case until after the 2027 election. Creative Spotlight: “Lady Ekwe” Anuiliamoon is breaking barriers as the first female Igbo ekwe performer of international repute. Sports & Entertainment Mix: Jay-Jay Okocha’s father-daughter dance at Daniella’s white wedding in Spain trends online. Telecom Growth: NCC data shows Nigeria’s H1 2026 internet consumption hit 8.52m TB, up 43%, as broadband expands. MasterChef Nigeria Returns to TV: The cooking show debuts on NTA Network today.

Politics & Elections: Senate President Godswill Akpabio tells Nigerians 2027 campaigns won’t stop lawmakers’ legislative work, while INEC releases governorship candidates and running mates in Form EC9, kicking off the next election phase. EU Election Watch: The EU backs a nationwide citizen-led election observation push for 2027, training thousands of observers through an Election Observation Hub. VP Shettima @60: Kashim Shettima departs Abuja for the AU peace summit in Angola and asks associates to keep his Sept 2 birthday low-key, with no celebratory ads—only prayers. Nollywood & Film Culture: Francis Duru says Yoruba filmmakers dominate cinema and streaming because they protect and project their stories, urging Igbo creators to learn strategy. Religion & Society: Sokoto Hisbah denies claims it restricts Christian worship. Sports: Shooting Stars shift focus to the CAF Confederation Cup after a 2-1 NPFL win; Barau FC’s Joseph Atule targets 20 goals; Kenya knocks Nigeria out of the CAVB Women’s Africa Nations Championship. Entertainment & Safety: A machete attack at a Lekki cinema leaves two dead; police review CCTV. Tech/Media: OpenAI plans to end its Cursor deal with SpaceX over safety and contract concerns. Business/Wealth: Coronation Wealth CEO Adegoke speaks on building wealth without huge money.

Sports Streaming Deal: DAZN has secured LaLiga EA Sports broadcast rights across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, for three seasons (2026/27–2028/29), bringing all 380 matches per season with English/Spanish coverage and extra highlights—great news for fans following Nigerian stars like Ademola Lookman and Chidera Ejuke. Marathon Spotlight: Kenya’s Edwin Kipyego and Ethiopia’s Zenebe Aberu won the Enugu City International Marathon 42km titles, while Nigerians dominated the 10km race. Nollywood & Piracy: A fresh investigation spotlights Telegram piracy hurting Nollywood billions, with “download movies for free” channels drawing huge traffic. Creative Industry Training: MultiChoice Talent Factory turns 8, launching 13 regional masterclasses to boost film and TV skills across Nigeria. Entertainment Law & Safety: UK court proceedings continue for Nigerian dancer/hypeman Poco Lee as his case raises concerns about how allegations can impact creator income and brands. Public Life: VP Kashim Shettima marks his 60th birthday on Sept 2 with a low-key request—no public celebrations or congratulatory adverts.

Nigerian Football Shake-up: The Nigeria Football Federation has reset leadership after resignations, with Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme taking over as interim NFF General Secretary and Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman leading NPFL operations as the new season begins. Showbiz & Music: Rapper Tobe Nwigwe says his 9th studio album, “The Bridge,” drops October 9, spotlighting the Nigerian-American experience. Entertainment Debate: Singer Small Doctor opens up on why boxing is “my life,” naming Lionel Messi and Mike Tyson among his sports favourites. Digital & Media: CeeCruz shares how he’s building a career in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital entertainment space. Nollywood Journalism Loss: Veteran journalist Dotun Oladipo’s family announces burial arrangements for September 10–11, 2026. Health & Crime: Police arrest nephrologists over alleged organ harvesting in Nasarawa, while a Nigerian man, Adebola Festus Adekunle, is extradited to the US over a sextortion case tied to a Mississippi teen’s death. Politics & Governance: Atiku vows to fully implement the Oronsaye Report, while the Presidency insists Nigeria’s land borders are already open.

NFF Shake-up & Football Reform: Nigeria’s football crisis deepened as the NFF president, general secretary and executive committee resigned, with the NSC suspending the September 27 elective process and appointing Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme as interim General Secretary while Tinubu ordered sweeping reforms to fix governance, development pathways and accountability. Kit Deal: Nigeria will end its 11-year Nike run and return to adidas in an $8.5m-a-year equipment deal, with cash, gear and a merchandise royalty. Music & Awards Debate: Afrogospel star Gaise Baba renewed his push for The Headies to judge faith-based music on craft in mainstream categories, while also questioning the awards’ handling of the Inspirational Music slot. Amapiano Talk: DJ Maphorisa says the “SA vs Nigeria” Amapiano war is a dead conversation, arguing collaborations opened the door for Nigerian influence. Theatre Spotlight: Arojah Royal Theatre will take “LEAH” to South Africa’s Cradle of Creativity Festival, dramatizing Leah Sharibu’s story. Public Health: NCDC reports over 65,000 suspected cholera cases across 35 states, warning transmission can spike again with rains. Local Business/Jobs: MTN Nigeria says it has created 2m jobs via partners and now has 99.85% Nigerian workforce. Security Warning: Police caution that rushed rescue efforts for abductees could endanger victims.

Football Reform Shock: President Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive overhaul of Nigerian football after NFF leadership resignations, targeting governance, administration, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability, with FIFA/CAF engagement flagged to avoid sanctions. NPFL Sponsorship Boost: The NPFL unveiled Euromatch as its new $7.5m, three-year title sponsor, with 60% of sponsorship revenue earmarked for clubs to improve players’ welfare. NFF Leadership Shuffle: Ibrahim Gusau’s resignation opened a fresh race for top roles, with names like Kunle Soname and Mike Emenalo emerging as possible candidates. Sports Festival Pipeline: Lagos table tennis trials for Eko 2026 begin August 29, while volleyball and beach volleyball were included in Enugu 2026 National Sports Festival plans. Media & Security Clash: Nigeria Police invited VeryDarkMan to provide evidence over checkpoint-kidnapping claims; human rights lawyer Femi Falana criticised the NBA for inviting him. Creative Industry Welfare: Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) pledged better pay, healthcare and social protection for Nollywood actors. Music on the Charts: A Billboard look shows Nigerian albums may not hit the Billboard 200, but Afrobeats tracks are still charting strongly in the US. Energy & Culture: Sahara Power starts a $12m, 12MW gas-fired Lagos IPP, while Nigeria-China marked 55 years with a cuisine festival in Abuja.

Insurance & Business: Royal Exchange Plc shareholders fault MediPlan for missing REPRU’s recapitalisation deadline, leading NAICOM to revoke REPRU’s licence and appoint a receiver. Digital Creators: Carter Efe says Davido’s appearance on his livestream helped him make the biggest money of his life in one night, highlighting how celebrity collabs are boosting Nigeria’s creator economy. Entertainment & Culture: Juju/Highlife singer Saint Janet (“Mama Yabis”) is laid to rest in Ogun after burial rites in Abeokuta. Sports (Local): Lagos will host 15,000 athletes (ages 15–18) for the maiden National Intermediate Games from Oct 1–15 across 10 venues. Media & Public Debate: VeryDarkMan (VDM) refuses to hand police evidence over his checkpoint kidnapping claims, insisting he’ll present it in court; Femi Falana also criticises NBA for inviting him. Power/Tech: FG says 668,000 electricity meters have been installed (about 60% of delivered meters) under DISREP Phase 1. Nollywood/AI: Bebuzee announces strategic Nollywood partnerships covering 1 million+ industry members to expand its AI-powered Super App and creator revenue engines.