1. Nigerians feared another possible cost at the pump, but the Finance Minister says a fuel tax is not currently on the table.
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele rejected reports that the Federal Government plans to introduce a fuel tax, describing them as “fake news.” His clarification followed an ARISE News interview on October 19 in Bangkok, where he had said fuel taxes could come at an appropriate time after the economy stabilises and incomes improve. TheCable reported both his original comments and his subsequent denial of an announced plan.
Oyedele said imposing another levy after petrol subsidy removal would be insensitive to Nigerians already facing high living costs. His clarification rejects a current plan, though his original interview discussed possible future taxes under improved economic conditions.
2. Same gas. Same schools. Same government promising to fix it. Six months later, children are still fainting.
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, over 100 students across Ijebu Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School Ijebu Ode, Itamerin Comprehensive High School Ago Iwoye and several other schools began fainting and struggling to breathe after inhaling methane gas at approximately 10am. Schools in Ago Iwoye shut down by 11am. Students were rushed to State Hospital Ijebu Ode, General Hospital Ijebu Igbo and nearby private clinics. This is the fourth major gas incident in Ijebu land since April 2026. April saw 40 students hospitalised, May saw over 120, June saw 69. Ogun GANSEA General Manager Kehinde Bello confirmed the latest occurrence on Wednesday, attributing it to the Ifewara-Zungeru Trans-Atlantic Fault Line running underground from Mojoda through Ijebu-Ode to Niger State. Government is investigating whether Ijebu-Ode sits on a pressurised natural gas reserve. Commissioner for Environment Ola Oresanya said: “We are on top of the situation.”
3. Nigeria’s first confirmed Ebola case has triggered urgent action in the National Assembly, with lawmakers pushing to close gaps in the country’s health defences.
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the Senate called for compulsory health screening at international airports, seaports and designated land borders, emergency funding, better-equipped isolation centres and replacement of the 1926 Quarantine Act with a modern public health law. The House of Representatives separately urged the Federal Government to release outstanding approved funds for health agencies.
The World Health Organisation confirmed Nigeria’s case is the Bundibugyo strain, following laboratory testing of a woman who arrived from Uganda. She is receiving care in isolation, and 44 contacts have been identified for monitoring. The strain has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
4. Graduates have a deadline to beat, while future JAMB candidates could face a different kind of test.
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, told former students to collect their ND, HND, diploma and postgraduate certificates by December 31. From January 1, 2027, unclaimed certificates will attract a ₦2,000 monthly charge. Collection requires the original statement of result, valid identification and proof of certificate payment.
Meanwhile, JAMB Registrar Professor Segun Aina said the board is considering adding life skills and critical thinking to the UTME to assess reasoning and practical decision-making, beyond academic knowledge. A committee is reviewing how these skills could be tested, so the change is still under consideration, not yet confirmed for implementation. JAMB also says candidates can use its updated procedures to resolve certain contact-detail and NIN-related record issues.
5. A family’s hope of bringing their child home alive has ended in tragedy.
Seven-year-old Abdullahi Rabi’u was found dead on Tuesday evening, October 20, 2026, in a narrow passage near his family’s home in Majema, along Ring Road, Jos North, Plateau State.
According to reports by Vanguard, The Sun and Blueprint, the boy went missing on Monday evening, October 19, after being sent on an errand to a neighbour’s house. His uncle, Sukairaj Danladi Gado, said the family received a call from an unknown number on Tuesday morning demanding ₦2.5 million and claiming the child had been kidnapped. The family reportedly agreed to pay, hoping to secure his release, but later learnt that his body had been found.
The circumstances of his death remain unclear. As of Wednesday, October 21, police had not publicly confirmed the ransom demand, and no arrests had been reported.
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