Government offices in Osun State were shut on Monday, 9 November 2026, as workers began a three-day strike over withheld allocations to local governments.

What happened

The gates of the state government secretariat and the House of Assembly in Osogbo were locked, with no workers or business activity at either, according to reports. Local government secretariats in Olorunda and Osogbo were also closed, and pupils in public schools in Osogbo were sent home after teachers joined the strike.

Why workers are striking

In a statement on Sunday, the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by its chairman, Christopher Arapasopo, directed all affiliated unions to join the strike in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). The NLC said the action followed the expiry of a seven-day ultimatum to the federal and Osun state governments over the continued withholding of statutory allocations to local councils in the state, which it said remained unresolved.

Background

Osun's local governments have been at the centre of a long legal and political dispute over who controls the councils, which has led to federal allocations being withheld. Osun is governed by Ademola Adeleke, who has backed President Bola Tinubu's re-election.

The naira has gained ground against the US dollar over the past year, according to official exchange rate data.

The figures

The naira traded at about ₦1,346.79 to the dollar on 6 November 2026, compared with ₦1,436.74 on the same date in 2025, a gain of about ₦90, or 6.26 per cent, according to reports on Monday, 9 November. Nigeria's external reserves have risen to about $55.13 billion.

Why it matters

A stronger naira could reduce the cost of imported raw materials, machinery, medicines and other goods priced in foreign currency. However, how quickly that feeds through to lower prices for consumers depends on businesses passing on the savings.

Background

The naira lost much of its value after the government unified the exchange rate in 2023, when the official rate was about ₦461 to the dollar. The Central Bank of Nigeria has since taken steps to stabilise the foreign exchange market and improve dollar supply. The naira's performance has become a campaign issue: President Bola Tinubu said last week that it would have become worthless without his reforms, while the campaign of APM candidate Seyi Makinde said the President could not claim credit for a recovery after policies that weakened it.

Kano State police say they have rescued the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Rogo Local Government Area, Abdullahi Alasan Beli, popularly known as Abdullahi Fanka, after 68 days in captivity.

The rescue

Commissioner of Police Adamu Bakori announced the rescue while briefing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at Government House, Kano, on Sunday, 8 November 2026, according to a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. The police chief said the rescue was achieved through coordinated tactical operations, and that the command would step up efforts against kidnapping.

His ordeal

Beli was abducted by armed men from his home in Beli community, Rogo LGA. After his release, he said his kidnappers moved him through several places, including Danja, Ikara and Giwa in Kaduna State, as well as parts of Zamfara State.

Reactions

Governor Yusuf commended the police for securing the release of the APC chieftain.

Background

Kidnapping for ransom has affected parts of Kano, especially areas bordering Katsina and Kaduna states. It was not disclosed whether any ransom was paid.

The Edo State Consumer Protection Committee says it has uncovered a site in Benin City where fake and chemically treated kpomo, the popular cow-skin delicacy, was being produced and sold.

What happened

The committee's chairman, Osaro Iyamu, said officials acted on a tip-off in the early hours of Monday, 9 November 2026, and raided a spot near Efehi Street in New Benin Market. He said two women were arrested with the products, while others ran away, and that some market women later admitted to the practice. The two suspects were handed to the police for further investigation.

The danger

Chemically treated food products can pose serious health risks, and fake kpomo has been a recurring concern in Nigerian markets.

Background

Kpomo is widely eaten across Nigeria in soups and stews. Regulators have previously urged consumers to buy food from trusted sources.