Here are some of the major stories making headlines across Nigeria this morning, Thursday, August 20, 2026.
2027 Elections: Candidates Face N571bn Campaign Spending Ceiling
Candidates contesting the 2027 presidential and governorship elections could collectively spend up to N571 billion under campaign expenditure limits contained in the Electoral Act 2026.
The figure covers 19 presidential candidates, with each permitted to spend up to N10 billion, and 127 governorship candidates, with a maximum spending limit of N3 billion each.
The development is expected to increase attention on campaign-finance monitoring and enforcement as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
FG Spends N30.64tn After Subsidy Removal
The Federal Government says it spent N30.64 trillion between June 2023 and December 2025 to cushion the impact of economic reforms introduced after the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market.
According to the government, the reforms generated N15.8 trillion in additional resources for the Federation. However, the Federal Government received N5.4 trillion of the subsidy-related savings, while N6.5 trillion went to states and N3.9 trillion to local governments through the Federation Account allocation formula.
The government said the additional expenditure was driven by areas including wage costs, debt servicing, infrastructure and other obligations associated with the economic reforms.
Tinubu Moves EFCC Recoveries, N242bn Unclaimed Dividends to NELFUND
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the transfer of recovered funds from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and N242 billion in unclaimed dividends to the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
The move is expected to provide additional resources for the country's student-loan programme.
Osun Poll: Adeleke Receives Certificate, Unveils N500m Victims' Fund
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has received his certificate following the governorship election and announced a N500 million victims' fund.
The announcement comes amid continuing attention on the conduct of the election and concerns surrounding political violence and vote-buying.
NYSC DG Warns Corps Members Over Misinformation
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has urged corps members to verify information before sharing it online, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
He warned against spreading misinformation and digitally manipulated content, including material generated or altered using artificial intelligence. He also reminded corps members that they are prohibited from using their social media accounts to campaign for political parties or candidates while serving.
Kwara CP Warns Against Indiscriminate Phone Searches
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, has directed officers not to indiscriminately search the phones of NYSC members during roadside checks.
The commissioner said officers should not use alleged checks for internet fraud as a reason to arbitrarily inspect corps members' mobile devices.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over roadside phone searches and the treatment of young Nigerians by security personnel.
Other Stories to Watch
Other major developments this morning include concerns over rising poverty and hunger, expectations of further inflation slowdown despite food-price pressures, and efforts to improve Nigeria's electricity and trade infrastructure.
These stories are among the key developments shaping Nigeria's political, economic and social landscape this Thursday morning.
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