Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 3rd July, 2026

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 3rd July, 2026.

1. FG Denies Approving Adire As Replacement For NYSC Khaki

The Federal Government has clarified its position on the ongoing discussions around a possible change in the fabric of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) uniform.

Naija News reports that Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, wrote in a post on 𝕏 that media reports misrepresented his comments.

He explained that his mention of Adire and Ankara fabrics was only to illustrate examples being considered in ongoing consultations, not an official approval of any new uniform material.

Olawande stated that no final decision has been made on the replacement or design of the NYSC uniform.

According to him, what is currently under review are different options that would reflect professionalism, Nigerian identity, durability, cost-effectiveness and national pride.

2. Court Rules On David Mark’s Position As ADC National Chairman

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday affirmed Senator David Mark as the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Naija News reports that Justice Musa Liman also dismissed a suit filed by Rep Leke Abejide challenging the emergence of Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as national chairman and national secretary of the party.

Justice Liman upheld the preliminary objections filed by the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, Mark and Aregbesola, holding that the suit lacked merit.

The judge ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to interfere in the party’s internal affairs. He also held that Abejide failed to show that his rights were violated by the emergence of the Mark-led leadership.

Justice Liman held that the handing over of the party’s leadership by Nwosu to Mark did not violate the ADC constitution.

He said the July 2, 2025, stakeholders’ meeting preceded the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, which produced Mark and Aregbesola.

The court declared that their emergence was valid and in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the party’s law.

3. ‘They Are After My Life, I’m Not Safe’ – Alleged Fake Presidential Council Boss Breaks Silence From Hiding

The man accused of forging government appointment letters and falsely parading himself as the Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and Presidential Economic Advisory Council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, has denied the allegations against him, claiming the Presidency is attempting to silence him.

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES from an undisclosed location on Thursday, Adeyemi insisted he had done nothing wrong and described the government’s actions as a “defence mechanism.”

“You know the government we have. They are just playing a defence mechanism to shut me up. My organisation was set up in 2024,” he said.

Adeyemi declined to disclose his whereabouts, saying he had gone into hiding because his life was under threat.

The embattled suspect also declined to provide his alleged appointment letter or any document to support his claim that he was legitimately appointed, saying his lawyers had advised him not to discuss the matter publicly.

4. Security Agencies Invite Six Individuals, Three Firms Over Alleged Terrorism Financing

Security agencies have invited six individuals and three companies recently designated by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee over alleged terrorism financing.

The invitation followed the designation of the suspects by the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), which also ordered the freezing of all funds, assets and economic resources linked to them.

The NFIU said the action was in line with the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Speaking at a joint media briefing by security, defence and law enforcement agencies in Abuja on Thursday, an NFIU official, Kingsley Amaku, said the designations followed intelligence gathering, financial investigations and inter-agency assessments.

Amaku named the affected individuals as Muktar Muhammad Adamu, Ibrahim Yakubu Ogirima, Adamu Chiroma, Ibrahim Abubakar, Abdullahi Umar Usman and Babangida Muhammed Adamu Hammajam.

5. APC Announces Oyo Governorship Candidate

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has unvieled Sharafadeen Ali and Adesoji Adedeji as its governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 2027 election in Oyo State.

This comes less than 24 hours after the APC national headquarters in Abuja uploaded the names of Ali and Adedeji to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.

Naija News reports that the unveiling ceremony took place in Ibadan on Thursday, with party leaders, stakeholders, and supporters present, where the candidates were officially introduced ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The event effectively ended speculations surrounding the possible replacement of some candidates’ names and attracted candidates contesting various elective positions under the APC platform.

6. ICPC Gets Court Order To Detain Tinubu’s Former Minister

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has obtained a court warrant to detain former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, for an initial 14 days over an alleged certificate forgery scandal.

A source at the commission told Premium Times that the remand warrant would allow the ICPC to hold the former minister for interrogation, with a possible extension if necessary.

Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after arriving from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.

He was subsequently handed over to the ICPC.

The ICPC confirmed the arrest in a statement by its spokesperson, John Odey.

Odey said Nnaji was apprehended with the assistance of operatives of the State Security Service and taken to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja for further investigation.

7. They Almost Killed Me – Halima Abubakar Dumps Islam For Christianity

Nollywood actress Halima Abubakar has announced that she has become a Christian after recovering from an illness she said kept her down for nine years.

Naija News reports that the actress in a post on her Instagram page said she has now decided to dedicate her life to serving Jesus Christ following what she described as her healing through God’s intervention.

According to the actress, her health battle lasted for several years before she experienced a turnaround.

She said the experience changed her life completely and led her to embrace the Christian faith. Halima also said she believes God restored her when she was close to death and that she now wants to spend her life serving Him.

8. My Husband Has No Problem With Me Kissing Other Actors – Toyin Abraham

Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham has spoken on her marriage, saying there is strong trust between her and her husband and he has no issue with her romantic roles in movies.

Naija News reports that she made this known during a chat on The Morayo Show hosted by Morayo Afolabi-Brown, where she was asked if her husband ever feels jealous because of her job as an actress and the kind of scenes she plays on screen.

Toyin explained that there is no jealousy problem in her marriage.

She added that even though she once came across a post that made her pause for a moment, it did not create any lasting issue between them.

Abraham also addressed the topic of kissing scenes in films, saying she can act such roles with any colleague when the script requires it.

She mentioned actor Gabriel Afolayan while explaining that acting is part of her profession and not something personal.

The thespian also said her colleagues’ partners are comfortable with her, and she keeps clear limits in her personal life, stressing that she does not engage in any form of cheating.

9. UEFA Rejects Automatic Red Cards For Players Covering Mouths During Matches

UEFA has confirmed it will not introduce automatic red cards for players who cover their mouths while speaking to opponents in its competitions, despite a recent change to the Laws of the Game allowing organisers to do so.

The decision means the rule will not apply in the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League next season.

Naija News reports that the issue came under the spotlight in February when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni pulled his shirt over his mouth while speaking to Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr during a Champions League match.

The Argentine was initially accused of racist abuse and handed a provisional one-match suspension. However, after a UEFA investigation, Prestianni was found guilty of homophobic conduct and banned for six matches, with three of those suspended.

The law allowing players to be sent off for covering their mouths during confrontations was introduced at the request of Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who wanted a measure that would have “a deterrent effect” at the World Cup.

The amendment was approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in April and made optional for competition organisers.

10. Manchester City Complete £116 Million Signing Of Elliot Anderson In British Record Transfer

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a British record transfer worth £116 million.

Elliot Anderson, a 23-year-old English midfielder, is now the most expensive British player in history, surpassing the £115 million deal that took Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in 2023.

The fee also makes Anderson City’s most expensive signing. Only Liverpool’s £125 million move for Alexander Isak and £116.5 million deal for Florian Wirtz have cost more among Premier League clubs.

Anderson remains with England at the FIFA World Cup after receiving permission to undergo his medical in Kansas between matches. He has started all four of England’s games at the tournament and is expected to return to Manchester once the campaign ends to complete the remaining formalities.

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