2026 in Nigeria
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Events in the year 2026 in Nigeria.
Events
[edit]January
[edit]- 2 January – A CASC Rainbow of the Nigerian Air Force crashes into a forest after a technical failure in Kontagora, Niger State.[1]
- 3 January –
- A boat carrying 52 passengers capsizes along the Yobe River in Yobe State, killing 25 people and leaving 14 missing.[2]
- At least 50 people are killed in an attack by gunmen on the village of Kasuwan-Daji in Borgu, Niger State.[3][4]
- 4 January – At least nine soldiers are killed and several others injured when their convoy hits a landmine and is ambushed near Bindundul, Borno State; the attack is attributed to Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants.[5]
- 9 January – A bus crashes in Bauchi State, killing nine people and injuring 10 others.[6]
- 12 January – Schools in northern Nigeria begin reopening after a months-long closure following the Papiri kidnapping in November 2025.[7]
- 17 January – Nigeria finishes third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, defeating Egypt 4-2 on penalties at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.[8]
- 18 January – Around 177 people are abducted by gunmen following attacks on three churches in Kurmin Wali in Kajuru, Kaduna State.[9]
- 19 January –
- Soldiers responding to an attack on a village in Zamfara State are ambushed by militants, resulting in the deaths of five soldiers and one police officer.[10]
- Boko Haram insurgents attack a military formation in Borno State’s Timbuktu Triangle, killing at least eight soldiers and wounding around 50.[11]
- 21 January – Soldiers rescue 62 hostages and kill two militants during separate military operations in Zamfara and Kebbi States.[12]
- 26 January – The army rescues 11 kidnapping victims who had been held for 92 days after being abducted from Gada Mallam Maman, Kaduna State in October 2025.[13]
- 27 January – Boko Haram militants kill seven Nigerian soldiers and capture 13 others in a gun battle during a patrol in Damasak, Borno State.[14]
- 29 January –
- ISWAP carries out a drone attack the Nigerian army’s Sabon Gari base in Borno State, killing at least 11 security personnel.[15]
- At least 25 construction workers are killed in a Boko Haram attack on Sabon Gari, Borno State.[16]
- 31 January –
- The Nigerian Army carries out a raid in Kodunga, Borno State, that kills 11 Boko Haram militants, including senior commander Abu Khalid.[17]
- Fela Kuti is posthumously granted a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys for his contributions to Afrobeat, making him the first African to receive the award.[18]
February
[edit]- 2 February – Federal prosecutors file 57 terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja against nine men accused of carrying out the June 2025 Yelwata massacre of 150 people.[19]
- 3 February – At least 13 people are killed in an attack by gunmen on the village of Doma in Faskari, Katsina State.[20]
- 4 February – At least 162 people are killed in an attack by gunmen on the villages of Nuku and Woro in Kwara State.[21]
- 6–22 February – Nigeria at the 2026 Winter Olympics
- 6 February – A High Court in Enugu State orders the United Kingdom to pay £420 million compensation to the families of 21 coal miners killed by colonial police during a strike at the Iva Valley coal mine in 1949; the UK government says it had not been formally notified of the judgment, and was not represented in the proceedings.[22]
- 7 February – Gunmen attack a Catholic priest’s residence in Kauru, Kaduna State, killing three people and abducting a priest among several others.[23]
- 8 February – A truck carrying passengers crashes in Kwanar Barde in Gezawa, Kano State, killing 30 people.[24]
- 14 February – At least 46 people are killed in attacks by gunmen on the villages of Tunga-Makeri, Konkoso and Pissa in Borgu, Niger State.[25]
- 16 February –
- The United States sends 100 soldiers to provide training, technical and intelligence support to Nigerian forces combating Islamic militants and other armed groups.[26]
- Eight soldiers are killed in an attack by ISWAP militants on a military camp in Cross Kauwa, Borno State.[27]
- 18 February – Thirty-eight people are killed in an gas explosion at the Kampanin Zurak lead mining site in Bashar, Plateau State.[28]
- 19 February –
- Lakurawa militants kill 34 people in multiple coordinated attacks on villages in Kebbi State.[29]
- At least 50 people are killed in an attack by gunmen on the village of Tungan Dutse in Bukkuyum, Zamfara State.[30]
- Islamic police in Kano State arrest nine Muslims for allegedly eating in public during the first day of Ramadan fasting.[31]
- 23 February – A fire breaks out at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, injuring six people and causing a temporary closure of airspace over the city.[32]
- 25 February – At least 25 people are killed when gunmen attack the villages of Kirchinga and Garaha in Adamawa State.[33]
Scheduled
[edit]- 20 June – 2026 Ekiti State gubernatorial election[34]
- 8 August – 2026 Osun State gubernatorial election[35]
Holidays
[edit]Source:[36]
- 1 January – New Year's Day
- 20–21 March – Eid al-Fitr
- 4 April – Good Friday
- 6 April – Easter Sunday
- 7 April – Easter Monday
- 1 May – International Workers' Day
- 27 – 28 May – Eid al-kabir
- 12 June – Democracy Day
- 14 August – Milad un-Nabi
- 1 October – Independence Day
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – Boxing Day
Art and entertainment
[edit]Deaths
[edit]- 12 January – Oba C. D. Akran, 89, politician and traditional ruler.[37]
- 19 February – Barry Mpigi, 64, member of the House of Representatives (2011–2019) and senator (since 2019).[38]
References
[edit]- ^ "BREAKING: Military Combat Drone Crashes In Kontagora Forest In Niger State". Sahara Reporters. 2 January 2026. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ^ "Boat capsizes in Nigeria's Yobe state, leaving 25 dead and 14 missing". AP News. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
- ^ "Gunmen raid village in northern Nigeria, killing at least 30 people and abducting others". AP News. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
- ^ "Nigeria: Death toll rises to 50 in Niger state market attack". Africanews. Retrieved 2026-01-05.
- ^ Kingimi, Ahmed (5 January 2026). "At least nine soldiers killed in ambush attack in Nigeria's Borno state, sources say". Reuters. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
- ^ "Nine dead, 10 injured as bus crashes on Kano–Maiduguri Expressway". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. January 9, 2026. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
- ^ Kingimi, Ahmed (12 January 2026). "Nigeria reopens some schools in the north, defying threats of kidnap". Reuters. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
- ^ Gleeson, Mark (17 January 2026). "Nigeria edge Egypt on penalties for third place at Cup of Nations". Reuters. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ^ Shibayan, Dyepkazah (20 January 2026). "Gunmen abduct over 150 worshippers from 3 churches in Nigeria". AP News. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ Eboh, Camillus (20 January 2026). "Five soldiers killed in ambush in northwestern Nigeria". Reuters. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ Ohuocha, Chijioke (21 January 2026). "At least 8 Nigerian soldiers killed in Boko Haram attack in Borno". Reuters. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ^ Kingimi, Ahmed (21 January 2026). "Nigerian troops free 62 hostages, kill two militants in northwest operations". Reuters. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ^ Owolabi, Tife (28 January 2026). "Nigeria rescues 11 kidnap victims in late-night operation". Reuters. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Suspected Boko Haram militants kill seven Nigerian soldiers, capture 13, sources say". Reuters. 27 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ Bala-Gbogbo, Elisha (29 January 2026). "Drone-backed militants attack Nigerian army base, several soldiers dead". Reuters. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ^ Kingimi, Ahmed (30 January 2026). "25 killed in Nigeria's deadliest reported Islamist attack since US Christmas strikes". Reuters. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
- ^ Shibayan, Dyepkazah (2 February 2026). "Nigerian army said it killed a Boko Haram commander and 10 militants". AP News. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ Ismail, Sumayya (1 February 2026). "Fela Kuti becomes first African to get Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ Eboh, Camillus (2 February 2026). "Nigeria charges nine with 2025 massacre that killed 150". Reuters. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ "Gunmen kill at least 13 people in northern Nigeria, police say". AP News. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Islamic militants kill at least 162 people in attacks on 2 villages in Nigeria, lawmaker says". AP News. 2026-02-04. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ^ "Nigerian court orders UK to pay £420m over 1949 killing of miners in Iva Valley, Enugu". BBC. 2026-02-06. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ "Gunmen kill three people and abduct Catholic priest in northern Nigeria". Reuters. 8 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- ^ "A truck carrying passengers crashes in northern Nigeria, killing at least 30 people". AP News. 2026-02-09. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ "Death toll in northern Nigeria attack by gunmen rises to 46, says report". Al Jazeera. 15 February 2026.
- ^ "U.S. troops arrive in Nigeria to help train soldiers, country's military says". PBS News. February 16, 2026. Archived from the original on February 18, 2026. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ "ISWAP raid kills eight Nigerian soldiers as jihadist attacks intensify in northeast". Africanews. February 18, 2026. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ "38 killed in gas blast at Nigeria lead mine". Africanews. February 18, 2026. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ Kingimi, Ahmed (19 February 2026). "Suspected Lakurawa militants kill 34 in coordinated attacks on Nigerian villages". Reuters. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Gunmen on motorcycles kill at least 50 in northwest Nigeria: Report". Al Jazeera. 2026-02-21. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
- ^ Abubakar, Mansur (19 February 2026). "Ramadan in Nigeria: Islamic police arrest non-fasting Muslims in Kano". BBC. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ "Six people injured after fire breaks out at Lagos international airport". Africanews. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ^ "Gunmen kill at least 25 in twin attacks in Nigeria's Adamawa state". Reuters. 25 February 2026. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ^ Abiodun Nejo (8 December 2025). "Ekiti 2026: Political parties lock horns after gov primaries". The Punch. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ Sobowale, Adetutu l (30 May 2025). "INEC sets dates for Ekiti, Osun governorship elections". The Punch. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "Nigeria Public Holidays 2026". Public Holidays Global. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "Akran of Badagry dies at 89". Vanguard. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ^ Sanusi, Abiodun (2026-02-19). "Rivers: Senator Barinada Mpigi dies at 64". Peoples Gazette Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
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