The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has mandated full compliance with club licensing regulations for all Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) teams for the upcoming 2026/27 season, warning that non-compliant clubs will face severe penalties. This directive, confirmed following an Executive Committee meeting in Asaba, is backed by the National Sports Commission (NSC), which has pledged to support the NFF in preventing any efforts to bypass these rules.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reforms and Financial Upgrades The move is part of a broader push by the NSC to overhaul domestic football standards. Key reforms include:

• Prize Pool: A proposed ₦2.5 billion prize fund for the 2026/27 season.

• Player Welfare: A plan to raise the minimum player salary from ₦150,000 to ₦2 million to help retain talent and prevent players from seeking lower-quality leagues abroad.

• Strategic Vision: NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade emphasized that these reforms, bolstered by government and private sector funding, are essential to strengthening both the domestic league and national team structures.

Season Schedule The NPFL board has set a tentative start date for the new season between August 27 and 29, 2026. The campaign is scheduled to conclude on May 28, 2027, and will integrate President Federation Cup fixtures to foster a more structured domestic calendar.

Security forces have successfully rescued three students from Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Edo State and seven travellers in Plateau State following separate operations against kidnappers.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Rescue Operation in Edo State A joint security team in Edo State launched a rescue mission on July 14 after three AAU students—Favour Okoroje (21), Balogun Precious (19), and Praise Obagbalu—were abducted from their residence in Ujemen G.T. Extension, Ekpoma, on July 12.

• The Confrontation: During the operation, security operatives traced the kidnappers to their forest hideout, leading to a shootout.

• Outcome: One suspect was killed and another was arrested, while other gang members fled.

• Tragic Loss: Police confirmed that a 24-year-old 300-level student, Peter Ekpen Adolor, was killed by the kidnappers when they initially stormed the property.

• Follow-up: Authorities have intensified efforts to track down the remaining suspects who escaped into the forest.

Rescue Operation in Plateau State In a separate incident, troops from Operation Enduring Peace rescued seven travellers who had been kidnapped along the Riyom highway in Plateau State.

• The Incident: The victims were intercepted while travelling from Akwanga, Nasarawa State, to Jos, and were forced into the bush.

• The Rescue: Following a distress call on Monday night, troops discovered an abandoned vehicle near Sopp village and engaged the kidnappers.

• Outcome: Under pressure from the military, the gunmen fled into the forest, leaving all seven captives behind unharmed.

• Security Status: The military has increased patrols in the area to apprehend the suspects and ensure the safety of commuters.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed it will only accept candidates submitted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership faction headed by Senator David Mark for the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Recognition and Nominations: INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna stated that the commission granted the Mark-led faction access to its nomination portal following a Supreme Court judgment that affirmed their authority. Consequently, this faction has successfully submitted candidates for 471 positions, including the presidency, 109 senatorial districts, and 360 House of Representatives constituencies.

• Rejection of Rival Claims: The commission clarified that a rival faction led by Nafiu Gombe has no legal basis to submit candidates, noting that its appeal for recognition had failed.

• Allegations of Forgery: The ADC has officially accused Nafiu Gombe of circulating forged documents that falsely claimed he had accessed INEC’s secure portal to upload candidates. The party is now calling for law enforcement to investigate and prosecute Gombe and his associates for attempting to mislead the public.

• Appellate Court Ruling: While the Court of Appeal recently upheld a lower court ruling that restrained INEC from recognizing state congresses conducted by the Mark-led caretaker leadership, the ADC insists this decision does not impact the presidential or National Assembly nominations. The party maintains that those primaries remain valid and separate from the ongoing dispute over ward, local government, and state-level congresses.

• INEC’s Stance: INEC indicated it will not take a formal position on the recent Court of Appeal judgment until it has obtained and thoroughly reviewed the Certified True Copy of the ruling, which is expected within 48 hours.