The African Civil Society Forum has unveiled Nigerian barber, Joshua Aiyenuro, popularly known as T-Jos Signature, as a new Guinness World Records holder for the longest professional barbing marathon—an achievement hailed as a milestone for skilled trades and youth inspiration in Nigeria. Joshua set the record on February 2, 2026, after completing the marathon in Abuja. The forum described the feat as a powerful symbol of resilience, purpose and triumph over adversity. His commitment and discipline, they said, eventually earned him recognition as an official barber to the Super Eagles. The programme targets 1,000 youths in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, translating to 37,000 beneficiaries nationwide.

The Confederation of African Football has confirmed that Morocco remains the host nation for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Addressing rumours over the staging of the 16th edition of Africa’s women’s football competition, Motsepe said, “There is discussion taking place, and a lot of competitons. “We can’t change the date because it is part of the qualification pathway for the Women’s World Cup. McKenzie explained that South Africa’s offer to assist was a contingency plan, not a change in hosting rights. The Morocco tournament will also play a role in the qualification process for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Nigerian Army has arrested one Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf for allegedly impersonating a retired Major General and misleading the public while abusing the prestige of the military institution. “All these claims have been conclusively confirmed to be entirely false and fabricated,” she said, adding that no retired Army General bears the name Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf. According to her, one of the publications identified the suspect as “Major General Abdul Rauf Tijjani (rtd)” in a suit instituted against the Lagos State Government and other respondents, in which he sought ₦8 billion in damages. “The Nigerian Army categorically states that no retired officer of the Nigerian Army bears the name Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, nor has any officer with such identity ever held the rank of Major General or above within the service,” she said. “The Nigerian Army remains steadfast in upholding professionalism, integrity and accountability in the defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said

A man identified as Nwalozie Chiwendu is now on the run after killing his brother, Chidiebere Isaiah, of the same compound in Ofeh community in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State. It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 4pm on Thursday after the suspect accused his brother of witchcraft and being behind his stagnation in life. “The story is that the younger one took cutlass, butchered his elder brother like meat before people who were around came to hold him. The community is searching for him everywhere to get him to face the full wrath of the law,” he added. We have done all of that and we are still talking with critical stakeholders of the community.

(Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been charged by the English Football Association after saying referees have to be “neutral” following his side’s controversial clash with Tottenham. Rodri was incensed with referee Robert Jones’ decision to allow Dominic Solanke’s goal in City’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham in the Premier League on February 1. When everything is finished, you are frustrated.”The FA announced on Friday that the 29-year-old had been charged with misconduct over his remarks. That would be a major blow to City’s hopes of overhauling the four-point gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal. In 2023, then Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was handed a touchline ban after suggesting referee Paul Tierney had “something against” his side.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 20, 2027, with governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls scheduled for March 6, 2027. The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the election timetable at a news conference in Abuja on Friday. He also said campaigns by political parties, shall begin on the date specified by law and end 24 hours before Election Day. The announcement comes amid growing concerns over the delayed passage of the amended Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly. INEC had on February 4 indicated that it had completed work on the election timetable and schedule of activities despite the delay.

Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kano, on Friday, February 13, 2026, convicted and sentenced Kannywood actress Saadatu Mohammed Inuwa, also known as Samha, to six months imprisonment for mutilating the Nigerian currency. Following her plea, the prosecuting counsel, Musa Isah, presented the facts of the case and urged the court to convict and sentence her. In court, the actress appealed for leniency, citing that she was a first-time offender and had shown genuine remorse for her actions. Justice Shuaibu subsequently sentenced her to six months’ imprisonment, with an option to pay a fine of ₦200,000. The conviction underscores the strict enforcement of laws against currency mutilation in Nigeria.

The Divisional Police Officer of Rimi local government area of Katsina State, CSP Muhammad Kabir, was killed on Friday while leading an operation against suspected cattle rustlers, the state government said. The Katsina State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs confirmed that three rustlers were neutralised during a joint operation involving security operatives and community members. Upon verification, the DPO immediately mobilised security operatives to the area. “Later, security operatives, supported by local vigilantes, engaged the rustlers again. Three security personnel injured during the operation are receiving treatment at Katsina Teaching Hospital, while the late officer’s remains were transferred to his family in Zaria, Kaduna State, for burial.

Visitors to the United Kingdom who require a visa will no longer receive physical documents from February 25, 2026. According the official UKVI, travellers will now be issued an electronic visa, or eVisa, which must be viewed via a UKVI account before travel. “From 25 February 2026 visitors to the UK, who need a visa, will get an eVisa only. “You can set up a UKVI account if you do not already have one. You do not need to pay to set up a UKVI account or access your eVisa,” the UK govenrment website confirmed.

Illustrating the transformation, the billionaire banker said, “There was a time before if I got 10 calls on banking issues, seven of those calls was about how to access foreign exchange. These include unifying multiple exchange rate windows in October 2023, adopting a willing-buyer-willing-seller model, clearing a verified backlog of $7bn in foreign exchange obligations, and introducing the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System in October 2024 to enhance transparency. During his meeting with the President, Elumelu said they also discussed support for small and medium scale enterprises. “Mr President is very passionate about capacitising the small and medium scale entrepreneurs in Nigeria. “He talked about tax reform and how he wants to use that to support small and medium scale enterprises.

US President Donald Trump said Friday he was sending a second aircraft carrier group to the Middle East — warning it would be a “bad day for Iran” if it fails to make a deal on its nuclear program. The four vessels led by the Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, have been in the Caribbean, where US forces captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in January. The United States joined Israel’s 12-day war against the Islamic Republic in June, carrying out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Videos verified by AFP showed people in Iran this week chanting anti-government slogans as the clerical leadership celebrated the anniversary of the Islamic revolution. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO said “hundreds” of people were facing charges linked to the protests that could see them sentenced to death.

PUNCH Online reports that INEC had earlier unveiled the 2027 election schedule, fixing party primaries between May 22 and June 20, 2027, for the selection of candidates across elective positions. It also set February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls are slated for March 6, 2027. “The PDP is fully prepared to meet all Constitutional and Regulatory requirements within the stipulated timelines. “Members are therefore urged to remain actively involved, intensify grassroots mobilization, and uphold the enduring values that define our great Party. Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, along with allies Abdulrahman and Samuel Anyanwu, maintained that they were still serving as Acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary.

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Friday elevated 14 High Chiefs and Baales in Oyo town to the status of crown-wearing Obas with the presentation of Staffs of Office and Instruments of Office. The newly elevated monarchs include the Alaaguo of Aguoland, Oba David Oyediran; the Baba Eyaji of Oyo, Oba Afonja Mukaila; the Alajagba of Oyo, Oba Samuel Odurinde; the Ona-Isokun of Oyo, Oba Isiaka Tella-Titiloye; the Onimileke of Imileke, Oyo, Oba Fakayode Alowonle; the Onigbudugbu of Gbudugbu, Oyo, Oba Salawu Oyeniran; the Oloodu of Ojongbodu, Oba Olaniyi Adegboye; and the Alapa-Ara of Apa-Ara, Oba Tijani Ajeigbe. Others are the Onidode of Idodeland, Oba Oyeleke Yusuff; the Iba Samu of Oyo Empire, Oba Lamidi Jimoh; the Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja Land, Oba Ganiyu Busari; the Agbaaki of Oyo, Oba Asimiyu Jimoh; the Alakeitan of Akeitan, Oba Jimoh Oyeleye; and the Elepe of Iseke, Oba Abel Oyekan. SC/404/2018, the Alaafin of Oyo is seeking orders of interlocutory and mandatory injunctions against the Governor of Oyo State and the Attorney-General of Oyo State. The suit was instituted by the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.

The management of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) says it received about 80 customer complaints in 2025, out of which 50 have been successfully resolved, with affected customers fully refunded. The agency clarified that cases involving theft are referred to security agencies, as such matters fall outside its statutory mandate. The programme was organised by the NDIC to commemorate the 2025 World Savings Day celebration and was held at the school premises on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Abubakar further stated that the sensitisation exercise was initially planned for 2025 but was shifted to 2026 due to unforeseen circumstances, including school examination schedules. According to him, about 2,000 students across 10 states in three geopolitical zones have so far benefitted from the NDIC’s financial inclusion and education sensitisation programme, which has recorded positive outcomes.

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum, HiiL and the Attorneys-General of the 36 states are working to scale community-based, people-centred justice models across Nigeria to improve access to justice at the state and community levels. SoloHe said, “Today is a workshop centred on People-Centred Justice. “The states are expected to take the knowledge back home, adapt it to their peculiar contexts and implement people-centred justice projects,” Shittu added. She said people-centred justice promotes the recognition of informal justice mechanisms by the formal justice system, particularly in resolving issues such as land disputes, making justice more accessible, affordable and timely for communities. People-centred justice focuses on resolving disputes close to communities through accessible and affordable mechanisms, including informal and alternative dispute resolution systems.