Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 8th June, 2026

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 8th June, 2026.

1. Tinubu Aware Of Pains, Tears Of Nigerians – Akume

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has declared that President Bola Tinubu is not insensitive to the pains Nigerians are passing through.

According to him, Tinubu is fully aware of the various challenges and is addressing them with every sense of responsibility.

Naija News reports that the SGF made the declaration on Sunday during the National Inter-Denominational Church Service held at the National Christian Centre in Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the SGF, Yomi Odunuga, Akume also assured that the government will not succumb to terrorism, banditry or any form of criminal intimidation.

Akume gave the assurance while delivering President Tinubu’s message at the service, in which he congratulated Nigerians on 27 uninterrupted years of democratic rule since 1999.

The President noted that uninterrupted democratic rule is a testament to the resilience and sacrifices of citizens who fought for the restoration of democracy.

He paid tributes to pro-democracy activists of the June 12 struggle, noting that many endured persecution, injuries and death in that quest.

2. ‘Totally Wrong’ – Don’t Compare Ogbomoso And Adelabu Kidnaps – Presidency Tells Nigerians

The presidency has cautioned Nigerians against the urge to compare the kidnapping incidents involving the relatives of a former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and those of schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Speaking via a statement on Sunday, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, explained that the motivations and agendas behind the two kidnapping incidents are entirely different.

According to him, urban kidnappers who want to make money are responsible for the Adelabu family episode, while a band of terrorists operating deep inside the bush are responsible for the kidnapping of schoolchildren, which happened in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The presidential media aide, who spoke against the backdrop of calls for the government to move swiftly and rescue the schoolchildren in captivity, just like the Adelabu relatives were rescued, assured that the government and security agencies are not being selective, as claimed in some quarters.

He reiterated that the two situations are different and that those accusing the government of being selective are totally wrong.

3. Atiku Accuses Babachir Lawal Of Ethnic Prejudice

Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, of promoting ethnic prejudice and peddling conspiracy theories.

Naija News reports that Atiku said Lawal’s recent attacks on him were not backed by facts or evidence but were driven by ethnic profiling and inflammatory rhetoric.

He said this in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

Atiku said the most troubling part of Lawal’s comments was the attempt to link an entire ethnic group with the actions of criminal elements.

He warned that such reasoning could worsen national division at a time Nigeria was already battling insecurity, economic hardship and political tension.

4. ADC Presidential Primary That Produced Atiku Fell Below My Expectations – Dalung

Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, has condemned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary.

Naija News reports that Dalung shared his reservations during an interview on a podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.

Dalung, who was the chairman of the party’s primary election committee, stated that the election fell below his expectations.

He, however, stated that the coalition is not dead, although it is no longer as formidable as it was in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

5. Court Declares ₦110 Billion National Assembly, Vehicle, Allowance Scheme Unlawful

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared unlawful the National Assembly’s controversial ₦110 billion vehicle and allowance schemes.

Naija News reports that in the judgement delivered on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Justice Yellim Bogoro ruled that the spending of ₦40 billion on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and ₦70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members breached procurement laws, constitutional obligations, and the public trust.

The suit was filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against the National Assembly.

The court also ordered the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to ensure that all future procurements or expenditure of public funds by the National Assembly comply strictly with due process requirements and are also guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and value for money.

The certified true copy of the judgment was sighted on Sunday.

SERAP, in a statement issued by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said it filed the lawsuit in August 2023 against Akpabio and Abbas, following plans to spend ₦40 billion on 465 vehicles and ₦70 billion in allowances for new lawmakers amid worsening economic hardship across the country.

6. APC Guber Candidate Breaks Silence, Denies Link To Adelabu’s Sister Kidnap

The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general elections in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has dismissed claims of being linked with the abduction of the sister of the former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu and her twins.

Naija News reports that Adelabu’s sister and her sons were kidnapped earlier last week, but were rescued Saturday night following the raid of a township apartment by the police after a tip-off.

However, rumours surfaced in the early hours of Sunday, linking the abduction incident to the APC gubernatorial candidate.

But Alli denied the allegation in a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan.

He described the rumour as false and deceptive, lamenting that it was an attempt to discredit him.

Alli urged members of the public to disregard the rumours totally and called on security agencies to unravel the circumstances that led to the abduction.

He also demanded an investigation into the source of the rumour.

7. ‘You Don’t Have To Show Your Boobs To Be Sexy’ – Shaffy Bello Advises Young Women

Veteran Nollywood actress, Shaffy Bello, has warned young women against wearing revealing clothes to improve their self-worth.

She argued that young women should not equate sexiness with revealing bodies.

Naija News reports that she made the remark during an interview on The Morayo Show, hosted by Morayo Afolabi-Brown,

The full interview was published on the show’s official YouTube channel on May 21, with clips later circulating widely across 𝕏 and other platforms.

Addressing the pressures faced by young women, Bello said they do not need to chase online attention or expose their bodies to be seen as attractive or successful.

8. ‘I Was Forced Into Acting’ – Nkem Owoh

Famous Nollywood comic actor, Nkem Owoh, popularly called Osuofia, has described his adventure into acting as “an accident”.

The veteran explained that he wanted to remain a scriptwriter, but his colleagues, who noticed his comedy skills behind the scenes, pressured him into acting.

Speaking in a recent episode of the Selah Meditate podcast, Owoh said, “My coming in front of the camera was an accident. I was a scriptwriter behind the scenes, and people started telling me to start performing in front of the camera.

“I remember ATV created a 7-minute programme for me to do stand-up comedy in the 80s. They told me to come in front of the camera because I was making people laugh behind the camera. With much pressure, I came in front of the camera. And I saw that what I was doing, people were buying it, so that was how my acting career began.”

On the downside of his career, Owoh said being famous robbed him of his freedom.

9. Mangut Hails Nasarawa United President Federation Cup Win Over Rivers United

Nasarawa United technical adviser Mbwas Mangut has praised his side after their hard-fought win over Rivers United in the President’s Federation Cup.

In Awka on Saturday, Nasarawa United defeated Rivers United 5-3 on penalties in a tense Round of 16 clash that swung dramatically after the Solid Miners surrendered a two-goal advantage in normal time.

Nasarawa had led 2-0 before Rivers United staged a comeback to force extra time, but Mangut’s side held their nerve in the shootout to book a place in the quarter-finals.

10. Galatasaray Complete €75 Million Victor Osimhen Transfer Payment To Napoli

Galatasaray have completed payment of the full €75m transfer fee for Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, drawing a line under their financial obligations to Napoli and closing one of the biggest deals in Turkish football history.

The Turkish champions settled the final instalment of €17.5 million, bringing to an end a payment structure agreed when Osimhen’s permanent move was finalised in July 2025.

Under the terms of the agreement, Galatasaray paid €40m upfront, with the remaining €35m split into two instalments of €17.5m. The final payment was originally due before the end of 2026.

According to Turkish journalist Ali Naci Küçük, the early completion of the payment plan strengthens Galatasaray’s position ahead of the summer transfer window, with the club no longer carrying any liabilities linked to the striker’s signing.

Osimhen’s transfer remains the most expensive incoming deal in Turkish football, eclipsing Fenerbahce’s €20m acquisition of Youssef En-Nesyri from Sevilla FC.

The agreement with Napoli also included a clause entitling the Italian club to 10 per cent of any future profit from Osimhen’s next transfer. Another key provision prevents Galatasaray from selling the forward to a Serie A club before 2027 without incurring a significant penalty.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.