Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 9th March, 2026
Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 9th March, 2026.
by Oladipo Abiola · Naija News1. IGP Disu Removes Hundeyin, Appoints Placid As New Force PRO
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the appointment of DCP Anthony Okon Placid as the new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO).
Naija News reports that DCP Placid is a seasoned officer of the Nigeria Police Force with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training, and international peacekeeping.
This development was confirmed in a statement on Sunday by the Outgoing Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. ACP Benjamin Hundeyin.
Hundeyin’s replacement is part of the internal changes within the Nigerian Police Force being carried out by IGP Disu following his appointment.
Born on 2 December 1970 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Placid hails from Mbiokporo Nsit, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
2. 2027: ‘It Is Haram To Sell Your Votes’ – Abdulsalami Abubakar
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has warned Nigerians against selling their votes in the 2027 general elections.
Abdulsalami, during a Ramadan Tafsir held at his residence in Minna, emphasised that it is unreligious and Haram to sell votes.
Naija News reports that Haram is an Arabic term that means forbidden, unlawful, or sinful, referring to actions, items, or behaviours prohibited in Islamic law.
Urging Nigerians to treat their votes as a tool to elect credible leaders, he said, “Selling of votes is unreligious; your vote is very important, and it is Haram to sell your votes.”
General Abubakar also appealed to politicians to approach elections with civility, advising them to avoid bitterness, rancour, character assassination, and mudslinging, and to see elections as a competition with winners and losers rather than a do-or-die affair.
3. ‘Outspoken Women In National Assembly Are Described As Troublesome’ – Kingibe
Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at the National Assembly, Ireti Kingibe, has raised concerns over the Senate’s oppressive acts against women.
Naija News reports that Kingibe, during an interview on ARISE Television, said outspoken women in the Senate are often described as troublesome.
The federal lawmaker asserted that the six special seats for women in the Nigerian Senate will not change anything, because the red chamber will remain overwhelmingly male-dominated.
She lamented that reducing the special seats to six would not solve the problem, stressing that it would not fundamentally change representation or the balance of voices in the Senate.
According to Kingibe, until deliberate measures are taken to increase women’s representation, the situation will remain the same.
4. 2027: Niger Govt Orders Political Appointees To Resign
The Niger State Government has ordered all political appointees and public office holders intending to contest in the 2027 general elections to resign their appointments by March 23, 2026, to avoid violating the rules guiding the electoral process.
Naija News reports that the Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Abubakar Usman, issued the directive following the release of the revised 2027 electoral timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the timetable, presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
Political parties are expected to begin their primaries on April 23, 2026.
Usman explained that the directive to political appointees and government officials aims to ensure compliance with electoral laws, which require public office holders to resign at least one month before party primaries if they wish to contest elective positions.
5. International Women’s Day: Reps Push 15% Female Recruitment In Police, NSCDC
The House of Representatives of Nigeria says it is pushing legislative reforms to increase the number of women in the country’s security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The House said proposals before parliament seek to guarantee at least 15 per cent female representation in recruitment into both agencies.
The commitment was restated on Sunday by the House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, in a statement marking the 2026 edition of International Women’s Day.
Rotimi said the move forms part of broader legislative efforts to expand opportunities for women and dismantle long-standing barriers to participation in national institutions.
6. NDLEA Arrests Ex-Lagos Councillor, Intercepts Drugs In Diapers, Explosives
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a former councillor in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Sheleru Sadiq Olalekan, following the recovery of illicit drugs from his residence.
The arrest formed part of a series of nationwide operations by the anti-narcotics agency, which also led to the interception of drugs concealed in baby diapers and the recovery of hundreds of improvised explosive device components in different states.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Sunday by the NDLEA Spokesperson, Femi Babafemi
The 45-year-old suspect, who previously served two terms as councillor representing Orimedu community, was arrested on March 2, 2026, at his residence in Ilado, Ibeju-Lekki.
During a search of the property, NDLEA operatives recovered 40 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, from one of the rooms in the house.
According to the agency, the suspect, who currently works as a legislative aide, admitted ownership of both the drugs and the property where the substance was recovered.
In Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA officers intercepted a 32-year-old businessman, Emeka Hyginus Okwor, on March 3.
The suspect was arrested in a vehicle travelling from Obollo-Afor in Enugu State to Zuba in Abuja.
7. I’m Not Quitting Music Anytime Soon – Tiwa Savage
Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage, has declared that she has no plans to quit music.
She spoke exclusively to Naija News during the launch of her music foundation, a project aimed at supporting young African creatives navigating the music industry.
“I went to Berklee College of Music as a scholarship student. Someone made a decision to invest in me when I didn’t have the full means to invest in myself, and that changed the entire direction of my life,” Tiwa Savage said.
She explained that the experience taught her more than music alone; it taught her the business side of the industry and how to turn talent into a sustainable career. “I’ve carried that with me through everything,” she added.
8. Why I Rejected Deals That Could Have Made Me A Billionaire – Omotola Jalade
Veteran Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, has revealed that her commitment to personal values has prevented her from becoming a billionaire.
Naija News reports that the thespian spoke while appearing as a guest on the Afropolitan Show.
According to the mother of four, throughout her career, she was offered deals that could have brought huge financial rewards, but accepting them would have meant compromising her principles.
The actress explained that she often walked away from opportunities that clashed with her beliefs, even when the money was tempting.
She said choosing to stay true to herself has given her rewards that cannot be measured in cash.
9. Southampton, Port Vale Pull Off FA Cup Shocks As 6 Teams Reach Quarter-Finals
Six teams have secured places in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after the latest round of fifth-round matches on Sunday, March 8, with surprise wins from Southampton and Port Vale.
Championship outfit Southampton stunned Premier League side, Fulham with a late 1-0 win at Craven Cottage.
The decisive moment came in the first minute of stoppage time. Finn Azaz was brought down in the box by Joachim Andersen, giving Southampton a penalty. Ross Stewart stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to seal the upset.
The result sent the visitors through and ended Fulham’s hopes of progressing further in the competition.
There was another shock later on Sunday as League One side Port Vale defeated Sunderland 1-0 at Vale Park.
10. Guardiola Handed Two-Match Touchline Ban After Newcastle FA Cup Incident
Pep Guardiola will serve a two-match touchline ban after receiving a yellow card during Manchester City’s FA Cup win over Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
The booking was Guardiola’s sixth of the season and automatically triggered a suspension under Football Association regulations.
The City manager was cautioned after a heated exchange with fourth official Lewis Smith. The flashpoint came when Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier brought down City winger Jeremy Doku, prompting Guardiola’s protest on the touchline. Referee Sam Barrott issued the yellow card shortly afterwards.
Guardiola was also seen applauding sarcastically after Omar Marmoush scored to make it 3-1 during the match.
Under current rules, managers receive a one-match touchline ban after every three yellow cards. New regulations introduced this season mean that a sixth caution results in a two-match suspension.
As a result, Guardiola will not be on the touchline when City face West Ham United in the Premier League next weekend. He will also miss City’s FA Cup quarter-final scheduled for the first weekend of April.
However, the suspension will not affect the Carabao Cup Final on March 22 between Manchester City and Arsenal. FA guidelines exempt finals from automatic touchline bans linked to accumulated cautions.