Welcome to Friday’s roundup of Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-focused calls on issues that impact citizens.

1. Punch: 2026 budget: Anambra, Enugu, Kano lead in education funding

An analysis by The Punch of 2026 appropriation bills presented by 34 state governors has revealed sharp disparities in education funding across the country, with Anambra, Enugu, Kano and Jigawa leading allocations while many states fall below recommended levels.

Our Take: To the rest of the state leadership watching Anambra, Enugu, Kano and Jigawa do the heavy lifting: the scoreboard is already up, and chalk is cheap compared to excuses. If some states can commit a third of their budgets to classrooms, teachers and school meals, others cannot keep pretending that ‘good intentions’ will repair leaking roofs or teach children to read. This is the moment to match rhetoric with figures, not recycle speeches about the future while budgeting it into irrelevance.

2. The Nation: Poor electricity supply likely to linger

The Nation reports that Many Nigerians endured Christmas Day without electricity as persistent outages continued nationwide, despite assurances from Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu that supply would improve within 48 hours following an explosion at the Excravos Lagos Gas Pipeline.

Our Take: Minister Adebayo Adelabu, Nigerians need more than 48-hour reassurances that melt into darkness. If power really is a priority, let the results show on the grid, because electricity cannot keep running on apologies, and Nigerians are tired of charging phones on promises.

3. Daily Trust: Borno Mosque Blast: I Watched Worshippers Fall – Imam

Several worshippers were reportedly killed after a suicide bomber detonated explosives at the Gambarou Jumu’at Mosque in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, during the Maghrib congregational prayers. Survivors of the attack said the assailant discreetly gained access to the mosque before setting off the explosive, throwing the worship centre into chaos and leaving multiple casualties in its wake.

Our Take: This is not another moment for condolences that arrive faster than protection. Nigerians cannot keep burying victims while investigations are ‘ongoing’ indefinitely, as if prayers now require hazard allowances. The federal government, Borno State Government, the Nigerian Police Force, the military and the DSS must hold someone accountable beyond issuing statements that travel quicker than security patrols.