NaijaChoice Newspaper: This Week in Review (April 19 – April 25, 2026)

Welcome to the NaijaChoice Newspaper Weekly Review, where we bring you a concise summary of the biggest stories, opportunities, and trends from the past week—all in one place.

Sunday, April 19, 2026 —  Nigerian security forces have rescued the remaining 13 people who were kidnapped last Wednesday on the Makurdi Otukpo road in Benue State. They were freed in a early morning search and rescue operation inside a forest at Okete Ward, Ohimini Local Government Area.

They were travelling in a Benue Links commercial bus when armed men attacked. The rescued passengers include Hycent Oko (56), Elaiguli Joshua (25), Orili Raphael (29), Sunday Augustine (18), Emmanuel Elaicha (21), Gbile Nguyor Daniel (18), Ukacha Tersoo (18), Nyikwagh Aoridakator (22), Iornav Ngukuhan (18), Nyikwagh Benjamin (18), Buker Agatha (19), Paul Wende (29) and Akor Jessica (19).

Earlier reports said some were JAMB exam candidates, but the Benue State Police and JAMB have clarified they were actually participating in a police recruitment exercise and not UTME exams. All 13 victims has been taken to the General Hospital in Otukpo, for treatment of injuries they suffered in captivity.

The transport company, admitted that the driver went on the night trip without permission and he is now in police custody. Security operatives also arrested seven suspected kidnappers during the operation. The rescue brings relief to the victims families and shows ongoing efforts to make major roads in the North central region safer amid continued kidnapping threats.

Monday, April 20, 2026 — A mother in Ilara Mokin, Ondo State collapsed and died while she was waiting for her daughter at a UTME centre in the town. The woman identified as Oluwasola Victoria Adebayo had come with her daughter for the exam when she said she suddenly felt weak, fell to the ground, and could not be revived. Witnesses said people tried to help her, but she was died at the spot.

Her clueless daughter was still inside the exam hall and did not know what had happened. Neighbours and onlookers were shocked and saddened by the sudden death. Authorities are yet to confirm the exact cause. The Ondo State Police confirmed the incident saying the family has been informed and the body has been released to her son, Apapa Olamilekan, a Nigeria Legion officer in Akure. The police also extended sympathy to the family and told the public to stay calm.

—  The Nigeria Customs Service celebrated a new aviation milestone after Superintendent Nafisat Balogun became the first female officer in the service to earn a commercial multi engine pilot licence in the United States.

The lady started her customs career in 2002 as cabin crew in the NCS Airwing and has now risen to become a fully licensed commercial pilot. Her achievement was honoured at a ceremony in Abuja by the Nigeria Customs Technical Hangar Service with senior officers praising her hard work and dedication.

Officials say her story is an inspiration for more women in customs to take up technical and aviation roles. Balogun thanked the agency for supporting her training and also pledged to continue serving professionally. Her success adds to her earlier historic feat in 2024 as the first female pilot in the Nigeria Customs Airwing for anti smuggling air patrols. The milestone is seen as proof that Nigerian security agencies can also develop world class personnel when they invest in proper training.

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 — Thai police arrested a Nigerian man known as Pastor Ebuka Nwachukwu, in Bangkok for allegedly smuggling cocaine. The 47 year old has lived in Thailand for nearly 20 years and is described as the alleged leader of a drug gang that operated in the city’s nightlife areas.

Police say he used his role as a pastor as cover while covertly running the drug network. He was arrested on April 19 along with three others, including a Thai partner. During a raid on his home, officers seized about 2.4 million baht which is about $74,800 in cash, mobile phones, and other items linked to the alleged trade.

Videos and photos of the arrest have spread online, shocking many Nigerians at home and abroad with some saying it is another blow to the image of Nigerians overseas. Ebuka Nwachukwu is still being held in Thailand as investigations continue, and Nigerian authorities have not made an official statement yet.

— The University of Ibadan has warned that more female students are now donating eggs for IVF as a quick way to earn money. The university’s Health Service Director Dr Aderonke Ajayi, issued a memo on April 15 saying egg donation should not become a side hustle for students, even though it helps infertile couples.

Agents and recruiters are actively targeting young women on campus, and many students who are struggling with high fees and the tough economy see the money which is around ₦150,000 to ₦350,000 per cycle as an easy way to survive.

Health experts say egg donation can cause serious short term problems like severe stomach pain, bloating, mood swings, and in rare cases, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which can lead to blood clots or kidney issues. The long term effect on a woman’s future fertility is still not clear because there is little local data in Nigeria. The university and other insiders say poverty and weak rules are pushing more students into this trade, and they are calling for the Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill to finally be passed.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 — Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki is expanding beyond just producing fuel which it is known for into high value petrochemicals. The company has signed a deal with Honeywell to use advanced technology that will let the refinery produce large amounts of propylene which is used in plastics and packaging and linear alkylbenzene that is used in detergents.

Once the new units are fully running, the refinery will add about 750,000 metric tonnes of propylene and 400,000 metric tonnes of linear alkylbenzene every year, making the Lekki plant one of the largest of its kind in the world. This move will help Nigeria rely less on imported raw materials for manufacturing and packaging, lower production costs for local companies, and also create thousands of jobs for Nigerians.

The expansion is part of Aliko Dangote’s wider plan to build a strong local industrial chain and to position Nigeria as a key supplier of petrochemicals to both domestic and West African markets.

Thursday, April 23, 2026 — A student from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology known as  Oladepo Caleb Olugbenga, the Best Graduating Student of the university after finishing with a First Class degree and a GPA of 4.89 out of 5.0.

He said his success was made possible by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, a federal government loan scheme that helped him to pay his school fees and complete his studies without financial stress. He publicly thanked the agency on social media, saying, “Your loans made it possible.”

NELFUND has been working hard to support students across Nigeria in order to reduce dropouts caused by high tuition and poverty. Education experts say Oladepo’s achievement shows how student loans can help students to perform very well academically, especially in technical and science based fields.

The university community in Ogbomosho also praised his success as proof that hard work plus proper financial support can lead to top results. His story is also encouraging more Nigerian students to consider the NELFUND loan as they try to manage the rising cost of higher education.

— Nigerian police arrested 33 suspects linked to the deadly 2025 church attack in Ekiti State, where gunmen opened fire during a midweek service, killing several worshippers and injuring many others. The arrests came after months of covert work and raids in forest areas along the Ekiti border and neighboring states.

One of the alleged masterminds was caught during a failed operation and later led officers to a camp used by the gang. Weapons recovered include AK 47 rifles, local guns, charms, and a list of other planned targets in the Southwest.

The group is also suspected of involvement in kidnappings and cattle rustling along major highways. Ekiti Police have said they will not allow the state to become a hiding place for criminals and that the suspects are being questioned to trace their sponsors and any remaining members.

The Ekiti State Governor has praised the police and promised stronger security to prevent future attacks. Local community leaders welcomed the arrests and are calling for full prosecution to deter others. As confidence grows, businesses and daily activities in the area are slowly returning to normal, with police increasing patrols in rural and forest zones to hunt down any remaining members of the group.

Friday, April 24, 2026 — Popular Nigerian singer and media personality Yhemolee said he regrets selling 40 units of Bitcoin long before the price shot up. He admitted that if he had held on to them until now, they would be worth billions of naira.

At today’s rate, 40 Bitcoin is worth over $3.1 million, which is about ₦4.2 billion, so he now termed selling early as his “biggest mistake.” His story ignited  lots of discussions online, with many Nigerians sharing similar stories of selling cryptocurrency too soon and losing out on big gains form the rate rise.

Financial experts also say his experience is a reminder of how risky and unpredictable crypto markets can be, and how hard it is to know when to hold or when to sell.

— Kenya President hit back at President Bola Tinubu, after Tinubu claimed that Nigerians are better off than people in other African countries including Kenya. Tinubu made the comment while inaugurating some projects in Bayelsa and President Ruto responded with a video where he mocked Nigeria’s economy, especially its frequent power cuts, and joked about Nigeria’s spoken English. He said Kenya’s education and English are better and also added  that you’ll need a translator when listening to some Nigerians speak.

This exchange has caused  strong reactions on social media, with many Africans criticising both leaders for focusing on who is better and who speaks English better, instead of solving real life problems. Some users pointed out that both countries have their own strengths and weaknesses, and that competing over colonial language skills is useless.

Undoubtedly, Nigeria remains Africa’s largest economy and a major oil producer but still, it faces high inflation, weak currency, and black outs. Kenya, on the other hand has built a strong reputation in finance and technology but also struggles with rising debt and the high cost of living. The debate reflects wider economic pressures across Africa, where many people are feeling the pinch from rising prices.

Saturday, April 25, 2026 —  The Central Bank of Nigeria has changed bank charges starting May 1, 2026 to make banking cheaper and more digital friendly.

From the stated day, , there will be no maintenance fee on naira debit and credit cards, but foreign currency cards will now have an annual fee of $10 or its naira equivalent. The cost to issue or replace cards goes up from ₦1,000 to ₦1,500.

For electronic transfers up to ₦5,000 will be free, from ₦5,001 to ₦50,000 will cost ₦10 and anything above ₦50,000 will cost ₦50.

Bill payments on electronic platforms are capped at ₦100 per transaction which will be paid by the sender. POS payments remain free for customers, while the merchant pays up to 0.5% of the amount, maximum of ₦10,000. Using another bank’s ATM will still cost ₦100 per ₦20,000, and off site ATMs can add up to ₦500 extra if they clearly inform you.

Email alerts are free  and SMS alerts can only be charged at cost recovery level, not as extra profit. The CBN also made it compulsory for banks to show all loan and card costs as a single Annual Percentage Rate and to warn customers in advance if any rate changes.

These rules apply to all commercial banks, microfinance banks, payment service providers, and mobile money operators, with senior managers held responsible for compliance. The aim is to reduce cash use, encourage small digital payments, and make banking more affordable and transparent for ordinary Nigerians.

— MTN Nigeria has agreed to pay affected customers who suffered poor network service after the Nigerian Communications Commission found that MTN and some other telecom companies did not meet required quality standards between November and January.

The users in areas where the service problems were  recorded will get compensation according to the rules set by NCC. MTN said the payment is part of efforts to fix past service issues and to also improve performance over time.

The company also plans to spend more on network upgrades, like better equipment, stronger systems to reduce outages, and closer work with tower companies. It admitted that growing demand for calls and data, plus equipment problems and disruptions, are putting pressure on the network, but they promised to keep working with stakeholders to fix them.

The NCC has stepped up checks on telecom operators to ensure better service, and this compensation move shows the regulator is pushing providers to deliver better network quality for millions of Nigerian users.

And that wraps up this week’s edition of the NaijaChoice Newspaper Weekly Review.

Thank you for joining us as we broke down the biggest stories, opportunities, and trends shaping Nigeria and beyond.

Stay informed, stay ahead, and don’t forget to join us again next week for another fresh dose of what really matters.