Stay up to date with the biggest sports stories making the front pages of Nigeria’s leading newspapers today.

Sporting Life

N1bn Prize Money: Baribote blasts NSC, says Dikko not sincere over NFF, NPFL reforms.

Wike expresses disappointment over Super Eagles’ absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Galatasaray reject reported ₦195bn bid for Victor Osimhen.

AFN invites 29 athletes for final Commonwealth Games preparations.

Prime Atlantic Squash Tournament has improved players’ quality, says ex-NSF boss.

Read Also: ‘Super Falcons’ Welfare Is Non-Negotiable’ — Bukola Olopade Unveils WAFCON Committee | Sports247 Nigeria

Vanguard

Sadiq Umar to undergo surgery after injury setback.

LMC calls for calm over purported licence withdrawal.

Anthony Okpotu completes move to Egyptian side Al Masry.

Antonio Rudiger sends goodwill message to Sadiq Umar.

The Guardian

Nwabali wrong to leave Chippa United without securing a new club – Troost-Ekong.

Queiroz berates VAR for denying Ghana a “clear penalty” against England.

LBHF’s Ibile Divisional Boxing Championships begin in Ikeja.

2026 World Cup and the beautiful chaos.

The Nation

Messi leads the Golden Boot race.

FIFA hands Madibo a five-game ban for breaking Kone’s leg.

16 clubs battle for four NNL playoff tickets.

MILO Basketball: Davidhall and Ado Grammar claim Western Conference titles.

ThisDay

Wike expresses outrage over the Super Eagles’ absence from the World Cup.

Galatasaray insist no deal has been reached for Victor Osimhen.

Morocco fight back to beat Haiti and qualify for the Round of 32.

Switzerland finish top of Group B after beating Canada.

Daily Sun

Celtic legend urges Kelechi Iheanacho to seek a fresh start.

NFF pledges wider access to CAF coaching courses across Nigeria.

Nigeria intensifies preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

IOC unveils new athlete grant to support Olympic development.

NFF yet to appear on FIFA membership list.

Leadership

FCT FA chairman applauds proposed ₦1bn NPFL prize boost.

Sadiq Umar targets a stronger comeback after injury.

Nasarawa United begin preparations for the new NPFL season.

Daily Telegraph

FIFA considers introducing a new penalty shootout format.

Côte d’Ivoire close in on Round of 32 qualification.

Former NPFL chairman questions proposed ₦1bn prize money.

Transfer Watch

Victor Osimhen remains linked with Galatasaray.

Anthony Okpotu completes move to Al Masry.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s future remains uncertain.

Sadiq Umar begins rehabilitation after surgery.

Sports247 Take

Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to dominate the sports pages, while Victor Osimhen’s transfer future, NPFL reforms, Commonwealth Games preparations and the race for the FIFA World Cup knockout stage are among the biggest talking points across today’s newspapers.

The average retail price paid by Nigerians for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, rose to ₦1,596.25 per litre in May 2026, reflecting the continued pressure of high fuel costs on households and businesses across the country.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed this in its Petrol Price Watch report released on Wednesday, showing that the average pump price increased by 55.31 per cent when compared with ₦1,027.76 recorded in May 2025.

The latest figure also represents a 4.13 per cent increase from the average price of ₦1,532.93 per litre recorded in April 2026.

The data indicate that fuel prices have continued their upward trajectory despite fluctuations recorded in some months over the past year.

A review of the monthly trend showed that the national average stood at ₦1,037.66 per litre in June 2025, then declined to ₦1,024.99 in July and ₦988.25 in August. The average price fell further to ₦970.59 in September 2025, then rose to ₦1,052.31 in October and ₦1,061.35 in November.

In December 2025, the average price eased slightly to ₦1,048.63 per litre and stood at ₦1,034.76 in January 2026. It increased marginally to ₦1,051.47 in February, then surged to ₦1,288.54 in March and ₦1,532.93 in April. The upward trend continued in May, reaching ₦1,596.25 per litre.

Edo records highest price

Across the states, Edo recorded the highest average retail price of petrol at ₦1,722.91 per litre in May.

Bauchi followed, with an average price of ₦1,715.47 per litre, while Benue residents paid ₦1,698.57 per litre.

On the other hand, Adamawa recorded the lowest average price at ₦1,469.83 per litre. Katsina followed closely with ₦1,470.63 per litre, while Sokoto posted an average of ₦1,489.33 per litre.

The figures underscore the wide variations in petrol prices across the country, reflecting differences in transportation costs, supply logistics and market conditions.

South-south leads geopolitical zones

At the zonal level, the South-South recorded the highest average petrol price at ₦1,623.84 per litre.

The North-east followed with ₦1,622.76, while the South-East posted an average of ₦1,593.91.

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The North-central zone recorded ₦1,589.92, marginally higher than the South-West’s ₦1,588.96. The North-West had the lowest zonal average at ₦1,564.11 per litre.

The latest report highlights the persistent rise in fuel prices since the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector, with petrol now selling at levels significantly higher than those recorded a year ago.

For many households and businesses, the increase continues to translate into higher transportation and operating costs, adding to broader concerns over the cost of living in Africa’s largest economy.