This week, Politics dominated the headlines, but it wasn’t the only story shaping public conversation.
From Peter Obi, Bola Tinubu, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Atiku Abubakar exchanging political salvos ahead of 2027, to Lionel Messi’s heartbreak after Argentina’s World Cup final defeat and Spain’s historic triumph, the week was rich with moments that sparked debate.
Nigerians also weighed in on insecurity, xenophobia, technology, healthcare, corruption investigations, and even entertainment drama involving Portable and Terry G.
These are the twenty quotes that defined the week, capturing the emotions, controversies, promises, and personalities that kept Nigeria and the world talking.
20. “I believe I know much more than I knew before the 2023 elections. Now I know that Peter is a very serious politician. He has this country in mind. He is somebody that one can rely on and so on and so forth.”
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Rabiu Kwankwaso, describes the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as a dependable leader committed to Nigeria’s progress.
19.“And I will tell you, I told Her Excellency, I said, if God brings my husband in a second time, I’ll be wearing a ‘buba’ wrapper from Akwete.”
Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, says she will wear the traditional ‘Akwete’ ‘buba’ and wrapper if her husband, President Bola Tinubu, is re-elected in the 2027 general elections.
18. “While we continue to work day and night to secure our nation, by the grace of Allah, the challenges of insecurity confronting us, particularly in Northern Nigeria, will soon be behind us.”
President Bola Tinubu says the security challenges confronting Nigeria, particularly the northern region, will soon be overcome.
17.“Today it’s hard to appreciate what we achieved, but this squad reached two consecutive World Cup finals.”
Lionel Messi says the pain of Argentina’s World Cup final loss is immense, adding that it’s going to take a long time for this wound to heal.
16. “Ultimately, the goal belongs to 47 million people — not just me or the 26 players.”
Ferran Torres says his World Cup-winning goal for Spain belongs to 47 million people, not just him or the 26 players that went for the tournament.
15. “They were the better side — that’s the truth — but I’ll cherish the memory of my players, of what they achieved, and of the value of making it this far.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admits that Spain were the better team following his team’s 1-0 extra-time defeat in the 2026 World Cup final.
14. “Congratulations to Spain on winning the 2026 #FIFAWorldCup, see you in 2030.”
The Super Eagles congratulate Spain for winning the 2026 World Cup after defeating Argentina in the final.
13.“I want to fight Terry G. If Terry G fights me, one-on-one in boxing, he will rise again. People will remember him again.”
Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, says he is willing to step into the boxing ring with fellow artiste Terry G, claiming the fight would help revive the latter’s career.
12. “I have said it already. In my life, I have never seen ₦1 billion cash, not to talk of ₦5 billion.”
Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, dismisses allegations linking him to ransom payments and negotiations with kidnappers, insisting that he has never received ransom money or played any role in talks between kidnappers and the government.
11. “Peter Obi and I signed agreement he would serve one term.”
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Rabiu Kwankwaso, expresses confidence that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will honour his pledge to serve only one term in office before handing over to a candidate from Northern Nigeria.
10. “I am even surprised that the President again is presenting the same type of ticket, and I know him; he is always somebody who likes to balance things.”
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Rabiu Kwankwaso, says he is surprised that President Bola Tinubu has opted to retain a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the next presidential election despite the controversy that trailed the arrangement in 2023.
9.“I have been through that journey, I’m home now and I can tell you there’s nowhere like home. Some people built the society where you are; they have their hands on their plough, their focus was to develop their nation and their continent.”
President Bola Tinubu calls on Nigerian medical doctors and other healthcare professionals in the diaspora to return home and lend their expertise to the ongoing transformation of the nation’s healthcare sector.
8.“I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago.”
Keir Starmer departs Downing Street on Monday, insisting his two years in office had made Britain a better place as he steps down as prime minister to make way for Andy Burnham.
7. “So, even though I had security where I lived, I felt like there was a lot more to the country than just where I lived. So, I didn’t want to wait until maybe I got caught up in it because there’s hate in the atmosphere.”
A Nigerian returnee from South Africa, Sunny Usoro, recalls his experience of xenophobic attacks, saying he felt unsafe and had to go back home.
6. “We have not seen credible arrests on some of the people pioneering the attacks on foreign nationals and businesses.”
The President of the Nigeria Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), Frank Onyekwelu, opens up about the harsh realities facing foreigners, specifically Nigerians, in South Africa.
5. “If you look at the record of this President, if you look at the courage, the performance, and the foresight of this President, if you look at what has happened in the last three years, you cannot compare it with the records of the other people.”
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, dismisses comparisons between President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima and opposition candidates ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket stands clearly above its rivals.
4. “This is not about giving people fish; it is about teaching them how to fish.”
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, describes technology as the key to Nigeria’s economic prosperity, saying the country must embrace innovation and skills development to remain competitive in the global economy.
3. “The Commission confirms that the Chief of Staff’s visit was on the invitation of its investigators and consistent with its ongoing efforts to gather all relevant facts in the matter. He was not arrested; he simply willingly honoured an invitation.”
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) confirms the questioning of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the disputed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
2. “The request for deployment of officers was received and noted for consideration. However, there was no deployment of officers by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to the council.”
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoS), Esther Walson-Jack, says her office did not allocate office space at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja nor deploy staff to the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
1.“The centre of gravity of hunger has shifted from Asia to Africa.”
Africa has for the first time become the continent with the largest number of people facing hunger, a UN report says as a growing number of Africans have faced undernourishment.
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