January 1, 2026 – Nigeria Headlines

1Nigerian military reaffirms success of US-led strike in Sokoto

Story gist: The US conducted strikes against Islamic State in Sokoto, Nigeria. Nigeria’s military reaffirmed the operation’s success, while locals in the targeted village reported fear and confusion and claimed no history of ISIS presence.
Left
Fear and confusion in Nigerian village hit in US strike, as locals say no history of ISIS in area
— CNN
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Center
US launches strikes against Islamic State in Nigeria
— BBC
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left-leaning CNN emphasizes villagers’ fear, confusion, and denial of ISIS history, questioning strike justification through human impact. Center BBC neutrally reports US strikes against Islamic State in Nigeria. Right-leaning outlets absent coverage, omitting pro-US military success or counter-terrorism efficacy perspectives.

2Court declines request to stop January 1 new tax laws’ implementation

Story gist: A Nigerian court declined a request to halt the implementation of new tax laws set for January 1. The decision allows the laws to proceed as scheduled.
Left
Nigeria ‘ripe for full recovery’ after sweeping reforms – Senate leader
— The Guardian Nigeria News
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Center
Tax laws: Nobody will debit your bank account, Taiwo Oyedele assures Nigerians
— TheCable
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Right
Tax Law: Court Refuses To Stop January 1 Commencement
— Daily Trust
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Bias summary: Left-leaning Guardian Nigeria emphasizes optimism, quoting a Senate leader on Nigeria’s ‘full recovery’ from reforms. Center outlet TheCable highlights reassurances from official Taiwo Oyedele that no bank accounts will be debited. Right-leaning Daily Trust focuses factually on the court’s refusal to stop the January 1 commencement, omitting broader economic positives or assurances.

3Anthony Joshua’s driver discharged from hospital, faces prosecution for reckless driving

Story gist: Anthony Joshua’s driver was discharged from a hospital in Nigeria after an accident. The driver faces prosecution for reckless driving.
Left
No major left-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Center
Tragedy follows triumph for Anthony Joshua with boxing future uncertain after accident in Nigeria
— AP News
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets omitted coverage, absenting those perspectives. Center outlet (AP News) frames the incident dramatically as ‘tragedy follows triumph,’ emphasizing Joshua’s uncertain boxing future and accident location in Nigeria, with emotive tone prioritizing celebrity career impact over legal details.

4Peter Obi, Other South-East Leaders Declare For ADC In Enugu

Story gist: Peter Obi and other South-East leaders declared for the ADC in Enugu. Senator Abaribe resigned from APGA to join ADC after Obi’s action.
Left
No major left-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Center
Abaribe resigns from APGA, joins ADC — after Obi’s defection
— TheCable
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Right
2027: After Obi, Atiku Woos Others To Join ADC
— Daily Trust
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Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent, providing no perspective on this South-East political realignment. Center outlet TheCable focuses on Abaribe’s resignation from APGA to ADC post-Obi’s defection, emphasizing individual party switch. Right-leaning Daily Trust highlights 2027 election angle, portraying Atiku wooing others to ADC after Obi, stressing future opposition strategy.