Veteran Nollywood icon and filmmaker Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, has challenged Nigerians to move beyond passive complaints and actively contribute practical solutions to the country’s ongoing national trials. The renowned actor made the passionate call while addressing a diverse audience of stakeholders, youth, and leaders at the 2026 Pivot Nigeria Conference held in Lagos. Acknowledging the deep structural and economic challenges currently confronting the nation, RMD emphasized that pointing out institutional flaws must go hand-in-hand with civic problem-solving. He argued that continuous condemnation without constructive input does little to advance the country, tasking citizens to shift their mindsets toward active nation-building. "There are problems, but we need to fix them. Don’t stand and just criticise and propose no solution," the veteran filmmaker stated. In addition to advocating for constructive civic engagement, RMD called on the populace to demand a significantly higher standard of accountability from their political leaders. He stressed that elected officials must be made to fully realize they bear a sacred responsibility to the people they represent. According to the actor, a major loophole in the nation`s democratic journey is that the electorate historically does not hold public officers strictly accountable for their performance and policies. The Nollywood veteran further asserted that every Nigerian carries a collective burden of responsibility to ensure that those entrusted with public office understand they are servants of the state, not its masters. He noted that changing the governance trajectory requires an alert, demanding, and politically conscious citizenry that refuses to accept mediocrity from leadership. Shifting his focus to civic duty on the international stage, RMD urged citizens to remember that their individual conduct directly shapes how the rest of the world perceives Nigeria. He noted that whether traveling abroad, studying, or interacting in global business spaces, every citizen acts as a direct reflection of the nation’s core values. “Just remember who you are. You are an ambassador, not just for yourself, your parents or your school, but ultimately for your country,” he added. Describing Nigeria as a complex and evolving “work in progress,” the iconic actor sued for institutional patience, collective responsibility, and sustained patriotism from all quarters. He maintained that national development is a slow, deliberate project that cannot be achieved overnight or through individual effort alone. Concluding his address, RMD insisted that sustainable national growth can only be unlocked when both the leaders and the led work in tandem under a unified vision. He urged the organizers and participants of the Pivot Nigeria Conference to use the platform as a springboard for actionable blueprints that will drive the country toward real, measurable socioeconomic transformation.

Renowned Nollywood actress, filmmaker, and entrepreneur, Funke Akindele, has made a passionate appeal to citizens to remain resilient and steadfast in prayer for the nation’s revival, as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Day anniversary, THENEWSCREDIT reports. Akindele’s charge comes at a pivotal time when millions of citizens across the country are grappling with unprecedented economic hardships and escalating inflation. In a heartfelt video broadcast shared via her official Instagram page on Thursday, the box-office queen emphasized the deep value of patriotism, asserting that despite the current socio-economic challenges, Nigeria remains the ultimate home and heritage for its people. The award-winning actress urged the populace to look beyond the immediate socio-economic gloom and intentionally celebrate the nation`s milestone, viewing the anniversary as a symbol of shared identity. She maintained that marking the country`s birthday is a duty of love and solidarity that all citizens owe to their homeland, irrespective of prevailing difficulties. “Today is Nigeria’s birthday; we have to celebrate despite what is going on," Akindele stated in the viral clip, encouraging her vast audience to keep hope alive. "Nigeria is our own. It’s my country, this is where I earn a living from." By highlighting her personal connection to the country as the place where she builds her career and livelihoods, Akindele sought to inspire a sense of shared ownership among her followers. Her message resonated with the idea that the collective prosperity of Nigerians is intrinsically tied to the survival and stability of the nation. While acknowledging the deep-seated grievances and difficult realities facing everyday Nigerians, the filmmaker expressed unwavering optimism about the future. She noted that the country’s journey toward greatness requires a blend of hard work, persistent faith, and a refusal to give up on the Nigerian dream. "We are going to keep celebrating Nigeria as our country. Nigeria will be great by God’s grace. Let’s keep praying for Naija," she concluded, rallying citizens to maintain spiritual steadfastness for the collective good of the republic.

Civil servants across Nigeria’s federal, state, and local government sectors are set to down tools following a declaration by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) for a three-day nationwide warning strike. The industrial action stems from deep-seated frustrations over worsening economic conditions, severe psychological strain on workers, and unresolved issues surrounding the national minimum wage. The planned strike is scheduled to officially commence at midnight on Friday, October 2, and will run through Sunday, October 4, 2026. Organisers have instructed all national and state leaders to aggressively mobilise the public workforce to ensure absolute compliance throughout the weekend. The directive was formalised in an official circular dated October 1, 2026, which was signed and issued by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga. In the dispatch, Gbenga urged the council’s leadership to ensure the strike notice is rapidly disseminated across all government departments and secretariats nationwide. According to the council, the drastic decision to strike was forced by the Federal Government’s total failure to respond to critical requests previously submitted directly to President Bola Tinubu. These urgent labor demands were formally presented in a letter delivered to the presidency on September 21, 2026. The labor council explicitly directed all public servants across every tier of government to join the action, invoking the labor solidarity mantra that "an injury to one is an injury to all." The leadership noted that public workers, their dependants, and vulnerable Nigerians are currently groaning under a severely hostile economic climate. In describing the harsh realities faced by the workforce, the JNPSNC stated that current inflationary pressures have pushed workers to their limits. The circular highlighted that the compounding financial and mental hardships have officially become completely unbearable and frustrating for average citizens. The union`s intervention comes amid a rapid decline in the purchasing power of Nigerian workers, driven by the soaring costs of food, transportation, and basic utilities. Labor leaders had previously demanded immediate relief measures from the government, including slashing the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre. In addition to cheaper fuel, the council is demanding an immediate temporary wage award to cushion inflation and the swift inauguration of a tripartite committee. This committee would be tasked with negotiating a comprehensive new national minimum wage ahead of the 2027 fiscal year.

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu for describing Nigeria as a "cancer patient" during his recent nationwide broadcast. Speaking at a heavily attended world press conference in the nation`s capital on Thursday, Abubakar expressed deep concern over the administration`s rhetoric regarding the country`s economic struggles. The opposition leader openly questioned the efficacy of the current administration`s policies, demanding to know why the situation has worsened over the years. He challenged the presidency to explain why basic survival has become an uphill task for the average citizen despite official claims of successful economic reforms. Directly addressing the President, Abubakar pointed out that the daily realities of Nigerians contradict the government`s optimistic financial reports. He noted that inflation and high costs have made it nearly impossible for ordinary families to meet their most basic nutritional and existential needs. "Bola, you called Nigeria a patient with cancer," Abubakar stated during the briefing. "After three years of your treatment, why is it harder for Nigerians to buy food, pay for medicine, or even get to work? Why does your government have more money while the people can afford less?" The ADC candidate strongly rejected the administration`s frequent appeals to the public to endure the immediate pain of reforms for a better future. He argued that true governance requires empathy and responsiveness to the immediate cries of the populace rather than rigid bureaucratic defenses. Abubakar maintained that a government cannot measure its success by state revenue while the citizens are pushed further into poverty. He emphasized that the primary duty of any leadership is to ensure that the people can afford to live and thrive under its watch. "You said Nigerians must endure the pain because you are curing the disease, but when a patient cries out, a doctor listens," Abubakar remarked. "He does not call the patient retrogressive for asking when he will get better. He does not point to the hospital’s rising revenue and declare him healed." He further admonished the leadership against treating the country`s economic crisis as a recent inheritance, reminding the ruling party of its continuous years in power. He stated that the administration cannot absolve itself of long-term systemic failures given its political lineage. "A patient who cannot afford to live is not proof that the treatment is working. Absolutely not," the opposition leader declared. "And you cannot speak as though you arrived from the moon in 2023. Your party had governed Nigeria for eight years, if not more." Closing his address, Abubakar urged the President and his cabinet to step outside of official circles to witness the actual living conditions across local markets and communities. At the time of this report, the presidency had not yet issued an official response to the assertions made at the press conference.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday declared that Nigeria has successfully crossed the threshold of its most grueling economic reforms, announcing a definitive shift into a new era dubbed the “age of prosperity.” Speaking during his highly anticipated nationwide broadcast to mark the country’s 66th Independence Day anniversary, the President assured citizens that the sacrifices made over the last three years have firmly secured the nation`s fragile economic foundations. The President’s address served as both a retrospective defense of his administration’s aggressive policy overhauls and a roadmap for the future. He noted that the primary focus of the government has officially pivoted from fiscal stabilization to aggressive wealth creation. According to the President, the painful but necessary policy directions implemented since he assumed office were akin to administering life-saving medical care to a critically ailing economy. “The emergency treatment is over. The foundation has been repaired,” President Tinubu declared in his address, using stark medical imagery to convey the conclusion of the first phase of his economic plan. He emphasized that the structural distortions clogging the country’s growth path have been systematically cleared away, setting the stage for sustainable, long-term national development. Reflecting on the timeline of his administration, the Commander-in-Chief reminded citizens that the journey to recovery required unprecedented resilience. For the past three years, the government`s singular, overriding purpose was to aggressively correct the nation’s erratic economic course. This period was marked by sweeping macro-economic overhauls, which the administration has consistently maintained were vital to prevent total financial collapse. With the corrective phase now behind the country, the President outlined a simplified, direct mandate for the remainder of his tenure. He announced that the central economic task before the federal government has fundamentally transformed. The administration will now funnel its resources and political will into ensuring that the benefits of the restored economy reach every tier of Nigerian society. “Now, our purpose is simple: shared and widespread prosperity,” Tinubu stated, signaling that the focus has shifted from abstract economic metrics to tangible improvements in the daily lives of the citizenry. The new policy direction is explicitly designed to be inclusive, targeting a visible rise in household income and a reduction in the cost of living across the Federation. Central to this new economic dawn is a aggressive push for industrial production and robust job creation. The Federal Government intends to stimulate the manufacturing sector and expand local supply chains to absorb millions of unemployed youths. By prioritizing domestic production, the administration hopes to insulate the national economy from volatile global shocks while boosting the purchasing power of the local currency. In addition to industrial growth, the "age of prosperity" promises a comprehensive upgrade to the living standards of ordinary Nigerians. The President indicated that social infrastructure, access to quality healthcare, and educational reforms would receive renewed investment. The objective is to transition from mere economic survival to a climate where businesses and families can predictably thrive. Government sources indicate that new framework policies supporting small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) will soon be unveiled to drive this prosperity drive. Analysts expect the central bank and fiscal authorities to align their strategies to lower the cost of doing business, making credit more accessible to local innovators. This grassroots economic activation is viewed as critical to achieving the "shared" wealth promised by the President. However, the address comes at a time when many Nigerians are still grappling with the inflationary aftermath of the initial reform years. While the presidency declares the foundation repaired, the coming months will serve as a crucial test of how quickly macro-economic stability translates into cheaper food, affordable transportation, and stable energy for the populace. State governors and lawmakers have been urged to align their local policies with the federal vision to ensure uniformity in execution. The presidency emphasized that federal efforts alone cannot achieve widespread prosperity without a coordinated synergy from the sub-national governments. Cooperation across all arms of government is expected to intensify as new development projects are rolled out. As Independence Day celebrations continue across the country, President Tinubu’s speech has set a hopeful, yet closely scrutinized tone for the nation`s immediate future. Having declared the end of economic austerity, the administration has now firmly tethered its legacy to the successful delivery of jobs, production, and an elevated standard of living for all Nigerians.

Head coach Emiliano Té has attributed Guinea-Bissau’s historic victory over Nigeria to superior tactical discipline, while warning his team that the journey to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is far from over. The Djurtus delivered a masterclass at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro on Tuesday, dispatching the Super Eagles to claim their second consecutive win in Group L. Goals from Franculino Djú and Mama Baldé, followed by a stoppage-time sealer from Álvaro Djaló, handed Nigeria its first defeat of the qualifying campaign. Nigeria had previously opened their account with a 2-1 win over Madagascar. Despite the commanding nature of the win, Coach Té refused to get carried away during his post-match press conference. He maintained that the result is simply another step forward rather than a guarantee of qualification. "Every game has its own story. You need to play tactical football, create better scoring opportunities, and always believe that you can do more and better, regardless of the opponent." — Emiliano Té, Guinea-Bissau Coach He added that the victory merely proves the national team is on the right path as they look ahead to upcoming fixtures. The result reshapes the dynamics of Group L, where Guinea-Bissau now sits in a favorable position following an earlier 2-0 win against Tanzania. The stakes in the group remain exceptionally high, especially since Tanzania has already secured automatic qualification as one of the co-hosts for the 2027 tournament.

The Federal Government has officially declared Thursday, October 1, 2026, as a public holiday across the nation to celebrate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, THENEWSCREDIT reports. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the declaration on behalf of the government in an official statement released on Wednesday. The release was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, in Abuja. Tunji-Ojo extended his warm congratulations to all Nigerians living both at home and in the diaspora. He noted that reaching the 66th anniversary is a significant milestone that reflects the enduring spirit and resilience of the country. The Minister urged citizens to use the special occasion to reflect on the nation`s journey and demonstrate unity, patriotism, and mutual respect. He emphasized that peaceful coexistence remains a vital requirement for the country to achieve its full potential. According to the Minister, lasting peace and stability are the necessary conditions required to drive meaningful national development. He called on modern-day Nigerians to emulate the nation’s founding fathers, who placed their deep love for the country above personal interests. Reflecting on the country’s journey, Tunji-Ojo stated that despite current challenges, there is immense hope for the nation. He remarked that Nigeria`s rich diversity should be viewed as a collective strength rather than a source of division. Closing the statement, the Minister assured citizens that the current administration remains fully committed to its Renewed Hope Agenda. He promised continued focus on strengthening national security, improving public safety, and building a prosperous environment where all Nigerians can safely pursue their dreams.

The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has reaffirmed its September 30, 2026, deadline to the Federal Government, threatening to paralyze public institutions across Nigeria with a three-day warning strike. The industrial action is scheduled to commence on Friday, October 2, 2026, if the government fails to address the severe economic strain on workers. The coalition of eight public sector unions is demanding an immediate reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N500 per litre. Additionally, the council is pressing for the swift announcement of a transitional wage award and the immediate commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage. In a powerful statement released on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the JNPSNC National Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, declared that the September 30 ultimatum remains absolute. The council emphasized that the impending Independence Day address by President Bola Tinubu must directly provide a roadmap to resolve these critical issues to avert a total shutdown. Organized labor noted that current petrol prices ranging between N1,450 and N2,000 per litre—and soaring up to N2,500 in remote communities—have crippled the purchasing power of the average citizen. The unions argued that the high cost of fuel has placed the survival of workers and their dependents under unbearable pressure, making dignified living impossible. To achieve the targeted N500 per litre pump price, the JNPSNC urged the Federal Government to establish an emergency intervention fund to address landing costs for oil operators. They also emphasized the need to supply crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and local modular refineries at favorable terms to drive down prices through domestic production. Furthermore, the workers are demanding the immediate setup of a tripartite committee to layout the framework for the 2027 national minimum wage. The council previously petitioned President Tinubu on September 21, proposing that the baseline salary structure be negotiated at no less than N500,000 to match current inflationary trends. The statement clarified that initiating early negotiations is vital to eliminating administrative bottlenecks before the bill reaches the National Assembly. The unions believe that proactive adjustments to workers` compensation will directly restore productivity and structural loyalty across the public service ecosystem. As the deadline expires today, millions of public servants under key bodies—including civil service unions, medical workers, and national nurses—remain fully mobilized. The JNPSNC warned that the government’s failure to act will leave workers with no alternative but to withdraw their services nationwide by Friday morning.

Global human rights watchdog Amnesty International has strongly condemned the arrest of five men by security forces in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, for wearing T-shirts with the inscription “Tinubu Must Go,” THENEWSCREDIT reports. The international rights group, which made this known in a statement made available to THENEWSCREDIT on Tuesday, identified the detained citizens as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio, and Abdulhamid Mohammed. In its reaction, Amnesty International declared that expressing political opposition is a fundamental human right, maintaining that wearing a T-shirt conveying political dissent does not constitute a crime under Nigerian law. The organisation demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the five men, while urging the relevant security authorities to drop any purported plans to subject the detainees to a sham trial based on bogus charges. "The right to show and express political opinion is not exclusive to only one political party," the statement read, adding that the Borno State Government and the police have increasingly relied on repressive arrests and detentions targeting opposition members and their supporters. Furthermore, the rights group accused the Borno State authorities of weaponising the law to criminalise peaceful dissent, silence political opponents, and systematically evade accountability in the state. Amnesty International concluded by warning the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum to halt its ongoing crackdown on peaceful dissent, urging the state government to uphold citizens` constitutional rights to freedom of expression and association.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has officially reduced the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, across its retail outlets. This downward adjustment offers immediate, much-needed relief to Nigerian motorists and households navigating a challenging economic climate. A market survey conducted on Wednesday morning confirmed that NNPCL retail stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and its immediate environs have already updated their electronic display boards to reflect the cheaper pricing template. The state-owned oil giant effectively slashed its fuel price by ₦25 per litre. Consequently, consumers who previously paid ₦1,395 per litre will now purchase the essential commodity at ₦1,370 per litre at all authorized NNPCL stations. The immediate implementation of this new price regime was observed at several major NNPCL hubs in Abuja. These include high-traffic stations located at Wuse Zone 6, Wuse Zone 4, and the Air Junction axis, where motorists were already enjoying the reduced rates. This strategic price review is a direct response to a recent supply-chain intervention by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The mega-refinery recently initiated a market-friendly move by cutting its gantry petrol price by ₦25, bringing it down to ₦1,325 per litre. The NNPCL is not the first major marketer to respond to the refinery’s price drop. Major Energies Marketers, including MRS filling stations, had already adjusted their retail prices downward to ₦1,370 per litre forty-eight hours earlier to remain competitive. Meanwhile, this domestic price reduction occurs against the backdrop of a highly volatile international energy market. At the time of filing this report, global benchmark Brent crude stood at $103 per barrel, while the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) blend traded firmly at $90 per barrel.