Nigerian newspapers review: Businesses suffer as FG’s domestic borrowings surge 90% to N24.7trn

In today’s Nigerian newspapers review programme, Today in the News, Vanguard leads with businesses suffering as the federal government increased its borrowing from domestic investors by 90.5 per cent, year-on-year (YoY), to N24.7 trillion in the eight months to August 2026, against N12.98 trillion in the corresponding period of 2025 (8M’25).

Another headline features the Chairman of the Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics LTD/GTE, Dele Oye, saying reforms by the Bola Tinubu-led administration over the past three years have improved the country’s macroeconomic stability and resilience.

Vanguard also reports that ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) warned that politicians and political parties who employ abusive, intemperate or inflammatory language in their campaigns risk being fined N10 million and possible imprisonment for 12 months under the Electoral Act 2026, as the country grapples with a fresh wave of threats by political office holders against dissenting voters.

Moving to another newspaper, The Guardian leads with Nigeria risking deeper poverty trap due to high inflation, weakened naira, low-paying jobs, widespread underemployment and declining access to basic essential services despite economic recovery.

The Punch’s lead headline states that at least 26 state governments could not generate enough internal revenue to cover their personnel costs in 2025, as they continue to depend on allocations from the Federation Account despite a significant improvement in their finances.

Lastly, The Nation leads with the police intensifying its role in curbing kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities with the revival of its somewhat moribund Police Mobile Force (PMF), otherwise known as MOPOL.