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Dollar to Naira exchange rate Today, April 1, 2026: Naira gains significantly

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The naira on Wednesday recorded its first appreciation against the United States dollar this week at the official foreign exchange market.

According to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the local currency strengthened to N1,378.70 per dollar, improving from N1,386.72 traded on Tuesday.

 

This reflects a day-on-day gain of N8.02 after the naira had depreciated in the previous two trading sessions.

 

At the parallel market, the naira also appreciated, gaining N5 to close at N1,420 per dollar on Wednesday, compared to N1,425 recorded the previous day.

 

Meanwhile, the country’s foreign reserves continued on a downward trend, declining to $49.29 billion as of March 30, 2026, from $49.85 billion reported on March 2, according to figures from the apex bank.

BREAKING: 2027: INEC removes Mark, Aregbesola as leaders of ADC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deleted the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), respectively.

The Commission also stated that it would not recognize Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to emerge as national chairman through the courts.

INEC, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said it has suspended recognition of all factions within the party and will not monitor any conventions or congresses organized by groups loyal to the affected leaders.

According to the electoral body, the directive will remain in force pending the final determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court.

The decision follows a lingering leadership crisis within the ADC, worsened by a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/145/2026.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the Commission remains neutral in the dispute and urged stakeholders to avoid actions that could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.

He disclosed that INEC received a letter dated March 16, 2026, from Suleiman Usman SAN & Co., cautioning against recognizing Gombe as acting national chairman while legal proceedings are ongoing.

The Commission also confirmed receipt of a separate “Demand for Enforcement” from Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, which called for the removal of Mark and Aregbesola from its records and urged it to stop recognizing their authority.

 

INEC noted that the conflicting legal positions from the rival factions have deepened the crisis, forcing it to suspend all official engagements with the party until the courts resolve the dispute.

BREAKING: Verydarkman: Blord remanded in Kuje prison

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Celebrity Nigerian cryptocurrency entrepreneur Linus Williams Ifejirika, popularly known as Blord, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre over the alleged impersonation of social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan.

 

Blord was remanded following his arraignment before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, April 1, 2026.

 

He is facing multiple charges, including impersonation and forgery.

 

Reacting to the development, VeryDarkMan shared a video showing Blord being escorted from the court premises to the correctional facility.

 

He wrote, “LINUS WILLIAMS IFEJIRIKA, A.K.A. BLORD, has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre. He is remanded for 26 days, meaning he will be spending his Easter in prison.

 

“BLORD was arraigned today, 1/4/2026, at the Federal High Court in Abuja on different count charges. As you all know, Mr. Linus forged flight tickets with my name, ‘Martins Otse,’ and claimed I was coming to Onitsha to join him in launching his Blunt Gadget app.

 

“He also claimed he paid me N500 million to be his brand ambassador and alleged that I approved the Billpoint app. He printed a billboard with my face and circulated flyers without my permission. All of these claims are false,” he stated.

Plateau palm Sunday killing: Nigerian Govt orders Alex Barbir to exit country—Bashir Ahmad

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Former presidential media aide Bashir Ahmad has alleged that an American missionary, Alex Barbir, has been directed by authorities to exit Nigeria.

Ahmad made the claim in a post shared on Wednesday evening via his social media handle.

He accused Barbir of attempting to stir religious tensions in parts of the North Central region.

 

“A reliable source has informed me that the hate monger, Mr. Alex Barbir, has been ordered by the authorities to leave this country,” Ahmad wrote.

 

He further alleged that since arriving in Nigeria, the missionary had been engaging in activities capable of inciting division among communities he visited.

 

“Since arriving in Nigeria, he has been attempting to ignite religious tensions, particularly in communities he visited across the North Central region.

 

“Our nation’s peace and unity must never be compromised, and anyone found promoting division should be held accountable,” he added.

 

Nigerian Newsphere reports that Babir threatened Tinubu over the killing of Christians in Plateau state on Palm Sunday. State

2027: Support Tinubu now, power will return North in 2031 – Igbokwe tells Northerners

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Joe Igbokwe, has urged Northern Nigerians to rally behind President Bola Tinubu to enable him complete his agenda within two terms.

Igbokwe said the prevailing political understanding since the aftermath of the June 12 1993 crisis supports a rotational arrangement that would see power return to the North in 2031.

 

According to him, “Northern Nigeria should come out en masse to support PBAT to accomplish what he has set out to do in eight years. In 2031, power will go back to the North based on the established political understanding after the June 12 1993 crisis. It makes sense.”

 

He further alleged that the ongoing insecurity in parts of Northern Nigeria is politically driven.

 

“Let me drop this here: The insecurity we are witnessing in Northern Nigeria is man-made. It is political. It has been a strategy to create insecurity to win elections,” he said.

 

The APC chieftain also warned that continued violence could have long-term consequences for affected communities.

 

“Continue to kill your people and one day you people will see nobody to kill. Ndi ara,” he added.

BREAKING: Easter: Nigerian govt announces public holidays

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The Nigerian Government has declared Friday, April 3, and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.

The minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government .

 

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, on Wednesday the minister congratulated Christians across Nigeria and in the diaspora on the occasion of Easter.

 

Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance, and love, as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

 

He also called on citizens to remain committed to the values of tolerance and community spirit, noting that such virtues are vital for strengthening national unity.

 

The minister further reiterated the federal government’s commitment to policies aimed at promoting national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity for all Nigerians.

 

 

‘You’re delusional’—Skales slams Cubana Chief Priest over Plateau Palm Sunday killing

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Popular Nigerian singer Skales has criticized nightlife promoter Cubana Chief Priest for politicizing the recent Palm Sunday attack in Plateau State.

Nigerian Newssphere reports that several residents were killed in the Gari Ya Waye community, Angwan Rukuba, Jos, on March 29, 2026, following an attack by gunmen.

Reacting to the incident, Cubana Chief Priest, a known supporter of President Bola Tinubu, alleged that the attack, which coincided with Tinubu’s birthday, was orchestrated by opposition elements to embarrass the president.

His remarks, however, drew backlash from Skales, who condemned the statement as insensitive and lacking empathy for the victims.

Questioning his conscience, the singer accused Cubana Chief Priest of prioritizing personal and political interests over human lives.

“This guy is delusional,” Skales wrote. “I can’t believe he said that. Lives were lost, and all you care about is the president being embarrassed. I cannot believe you sat down and wrote this. Where is your conscience? You have kids, don’t you also?”

DAILY POST reports that other celebrities, including Mr. Macaroni, Ice Prince, and Peter Okoye, have also condemned the killings, calling on authorities to do more to protect citizens’ lives.

Alex Otti under fire as health workers protest two years of unpaid salaries

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Governor Alex Otti of Abia State is under fire as health workers in the state have protested the non-payment of their salaries, two years after the state government extended their years of service.

The affected workers, drawn from local government areas, the Hospital Management Board, and the Ministry of Health, stormed the office of the State Accountant-General, Mrs. Njum-Uma Onyemenam, in Umuahia on Tuesday to demand the immediate commencement of their salary payments.

 

They alleged that despite being recalled to service in 2024 and undergoing reinstatement screenings, they have yet to receive any salaries.

 

Speaking during the protest, the workers recalled that the Abia State Government had, in 2024, extended their retirement age from 60 to 65 years and years of service from 35 to 40 years.

 

According to them, the development was in line with a federal government circular aimed at retaining experienced health personnel.

 

One of the protesters, Mrs. Egendu, lamented that despite complying with all directives, including verification processes, they have not been paid since their reinstatement.

 

“The Governor, in his fatherly heart, approved the reinstatement of retired health workers in line with the Federal Government circular.

 

“He added five years to retired health workers. But since 2024 till now, we have not been paid. We have done everything required of us, yet no payment has been made,” she said.

 

The workers also complained that those willing to proceed with retirement were unable to process their pensions and gratuities due to the situation.

 

They appealed to the accountant-general to urgently address their concerns.

 

Meanwhile, the accountant-general’s office has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

 

However, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Obi-Anakwalam Elechi, said the Ministry of Health would provide the necessary verification codes and forward them to the Accountant-General’s office.

 

Efforts to get the reaction of the Abia State Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, were unsuccessful as he neither answered calls nor responded to a message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

Palm Sunday killing in Plateau: Christians being killed, yet you look other way in bulletproof car—Portable blasts Nigerian pastors

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Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has criticized Nigerian pastors for what he described as their silence amid recurring attacks on Christian communities.

His outburst follows reports of a fresh attack on Christians during Palm Sunday in Jos, Plateau State, allegedly carried out by suspected jihadist militia. The incident has sparked renewed outrage over claims of targeted violence, although the federal government has consistently denied allegations of a Christian genocide.

Reacting in a viral video, Portable accused pastors of hypocrisy, alleging that they prioritize personal safety over the protection of their members.

“Why are Nigerian pastors not fighting for Christians? They use bulletproof cars, yet their followers are dying,” he said.

The singer questioned the lack of organized resistance or advocacy from church leaders, urging them to take a more active role.

“Why can’t pastors lead a protest to Aso Rock?” he queried.

Portable also compared the situation to other religious groups, suggesting that similar attacks on them would provoke stronger reactions.

 

“You can’t harm a Muslim, and there won’t be chaos. If you kill a traditionalist, there will be a crisis,” he added.

 

Expressing frustration, the Zazu crooner further alleged that Christian leaders often ignore the plight of their followers.

 

“But if you kill a Christian, the pastor will look away and be enjoying himself in his car,” he said.

BREAKING: NLC shuts Tony Elumelu-owned AEDC offices in Abuja, three States over mass layoffs

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has shut down operations of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), owned by billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu, across Abuja and three states following the mass dismissal of over 900 workers.

Checks by Nigerian Newssphere on Wednesday morning revealed that AEDC’s headquarters in Abuja, along with offices in parts of the Federal Capital Territory and branches in Kogi State, Niger State, and Nasarawa State, were shut.

 

This comes after the NLC, led by its president Joe Ajaero, on Tuesday picketed AEDC’s headquarters in protest against the controversial disengagement of nearly 900 employees.

 

Ajaero explained that the dispute began about six months ago when AEDC management indicated that only workers who had reached or were close to retirement would be affected by the exercise. However, he said the actual implementation contradicted that assurance.

 

“At that time, the union intervened based on that understanding. No responsible labor leader would oppose the exit of workers who have legitimately reached retirement age,” he said.

 

“A majority of those affected were not at retirement age. Some had not even spent up to five or six years in service. In fact, many had only worked for two to three years. That is the height of deceit,” he added.

 

Total darkness looms—NLC gives a 48-hour ultimatum

 

Meanwhile, the NLC has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to AEDC management to resolve the crisis or face intensified industrial action that could disrupt electricity supply in the Federal Capital Territory and the affected states.

 

“If nothing is done within that time, we cannot guarantee power supply. The workers who keep the system running will stay at home, and if they are not at work, the system will naturally be affected,” Ajaero warned.

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