Welcome to NowNowNaija! Fear stalks Kaduna as a survivor escapes mass abduction, markets shift under FX reforms, stablecoins enter commerce, and governance strains grow. Security, money, and trust collide, forcing Nigeria toward hard choices in uncertain days ahead.

TOP STORY

On January 18, 2026, gunmen attacked multiple churches in Kurmin Wali, Kaduna, kidnapping 177 worshippers. Joseph Bawa, a survivor, recounts being beaten and forced into the bush before escaping through a river. The abductors threatened to return unless stolen motorcycles were handed over, leaving families devastated and hundreds still captive.

This attack deeply affects communities by spreading fear and uncertainty about safety even in sacred spaces. For families, the trauma of losing loved ones to abduction disrupts daily life and creates lasting emotional wounds. The region faces ongoing insecurity with threats of further violence, while residents depend on government and military efforts to secure their release. The incident highlights urgent needs for improved protection and justice in Kaduna’s vulnerable areas.

Source: The Nation Newspaper
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Rates shown are as of 6:00 AM Lagos time.

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Nigeria’s National Assembly no longer issues official press identification cards to journalists, relying instead on letters of introduction. This has enabled impostors to gain access, extort money from government officials, and disrupt press coverage within the complex.

This lack of official press tags creates insecurity for genuine journalists and confusion for lawmakers, as impostors freely move around the complex and harass ministry officials. The situation harms the credibility of accredited reporters and discourages transparent engagement between lawmakers, the media, and government agencies. Without clear identification, you may witness continued distrust and restricted press access during legislative sessions, affecting how parliamentary activities are reported and followed.

Source: Premium Times
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What else is happening:

Flutterwave is launching stablecoin balances for merchants and users by partnering with Turnkey and Nuvion. This new wallet infrastructure supports seamless transactions and cross-border payments using stablecoins like USDC and USDT. The launch is aimed at making stablecoin payments secure, flexible, and affordable for African businesses and individuals.

This development means you could soon access low-cost, faster international payments with stablecoins through Flutterwave’s platform. It simplifies cross-border business transactions by reducing fees and processing times, benefiting entrepreneurs and enterprises across Africa. If you’re a business owner, this could open up new opportunities for global trade and financial inclusion using digital currencies. As Flutterwave expands this offering, stablecoins may become a regular payment option alongside traditional currencies.

Source: This Day Live
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The Central Bank of Nigeria is set to launch a revamped foreign exchange manual early in 2026 to stabilize the naira and boost market trust. The updated rules aim to reduce currency volatility and close gaps in forex operations used by banks and traders.

This overhaul promises more stable exchange rates, which can help businesses plan better and reduce sudden price swings for imported goods. For investors, clearer forex rules enhance confidence, potentially attracting more foreign capital into Nigeria's markets. This comes as the Nigerian Exchange reported a record N11.9 trillion in transactions for 2025, highlighting growing market activity linked to these reforms. Overall, more orderly forex trading could ease financial uncertainties affecting everyday spending and investment decisions.

Source: This Day Live
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What else is happening:

The National Orientation Agency, together with LIFANIMA, has opened submissions for the NOA Animation Award, inviting Nigerian animators to compete for a N22.5 million cash prize. Entries must be original Nigerian works themed 'What Makes a Real Nigerian?' with a maximum runtime of three minutes.

This award offers a big opportunity for Nigerian animators to showcase their storytelling skills and win significant cash rewards. It pushes creativity in a growing industry and reflects Nigerian culture on both local and global stages. If you're an animator, this could be your chance to gain recognition, support Nigeria’s creative economy, and help preserve our cultural identity through animation.

Source: This Day Live
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The Social Feed:

Birmingham City's head coach, Chris Davies, praised Bright Osayi-Samuel for his strong performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Osayi-Samuel played six times for Nigeria, excelling especially in the quarter-final win over Algeria and the semi-final against Morocco. He returned to Birmingham this week ahead of a key match against Stoke City.

You and your community can take pride as one of Nigeria’s own shines on the international stage, boosting national spirit. Osayi-Samuel’s return to club football with renewed confidence is likely to strengthen Birmingham City's defense. His success demonstrates the value of investing in Nigerian talent, inspiring young players to aim for the global arena. Following his AFCON experience, expect even greater contributions on and off the pitch.

Source: The Nation Newspaper
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Sports Spotlight:

Quote of the Day

“A man who does not know where the rain began to beat him cannot know where he dried his body.”
— Chinua Achebe