Chelsea is expected to finalize Raheem Sterling's exit before the transfer window closes on Monday.  The winger has been training separately from the first-team squad and hasn't played for Chelsea in almost two years. Sterling is reportedly open to a permanent move, with Fulham emerging as a potential destination, but a deal is yet to be agreed upon.  Other clubs, including Napoli, have also expressed interest in the 31-year-old. 

Wilfred Ndidi's father, Sunday Ndidi, a retired military officer, passed away in a road accident in Umunede, Delta State. He was rushed to a hospital in Agbor, Delta State, where he was confirmed dead.  Ndidi's club, Besiktas, and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have expressed their condolences to the family. 

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu had a brief stumble during a ceremonial reception at the Turkish Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, today. He was walking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan when he lost his footing, but was quickly assisted by security personnel.  The incident didn't disrupt the programme, and Tinubu continued with his scheduled engagements, including bilateral meetings with Erdoğan.  The Presidency attributed the stumble to Tinubu stepping on a metal object, saying he's "hale and hearty" and doesn't have any health issues. Tinubu has had similar incidents before, including a fall during the 2024 Democracy Day celebration in Abuja. 

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has shut down Onitsha Main Market for one week due to traders' refusal to open on Mondays, defying the state government's directive to end the sit-at-home practice.  The shutdown could be extended to one month if traders don't comply. Soludo stated that the government won't tolerate actions undermining public safety and economic stability, calling it "plain economic sabotage". Security agencies have been deployed to enforce the closure, and traders who attempted to access the market were turned back. The government has also warned of salary deductions for civil servants who fail to report to work on Mondays. 

Bandits attacked Chibauna community in Katsina State's Funtua Local Government Area, killing two people and abducting over 50 women.  The attackers also rustled livestock, including cattle and sheep. Some of the abducted women managed to escape and returned safely to their community.  A local councillor, Malam Abdurasheed, appealed to the military and security agencies to intervene and intensify security operations in the area to prevent further attacks and secure the release of those still in captivity. 

Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has reportedly told Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave the club, citing the England international's poor defensive work rate and limited attacking contribution as reasons. This comes after Alexander-Arnold's struggles with injuries and inconsistent performances since joining Real Madrid from Liverpool last summer, featuring in only 11 matches across all competitions. The decision is said to be part of Arbeloa's efforts to restructure the team's defense, with potential suitors including Premier League clubs and Bayern Munich, who are looking to add a new right-back to their squad.

Muhammad Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, has started his law studies at Northwest University, Kano, as a Level 200 student. He was seen attending lectures, dressed in a black gown and white head tie, blending in with his fellow students.  The university admitted him into the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme, recognizing his vast experience in governance, economics, and public service.  This move has sparked widespread praise, with many describing it as an inspiration to lifelong learning.

President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. This meeting comes after Mutfwang's recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), making it his first meeting with Tinubu since the switch. Makinde, a second-term PDP governor, has been vocal about his support for Tinubu in the 2023 election, but expressed disappointment with the outcome, saying it fell short of Niger, saying it didn't meet expectations. 

Nigeria's police have confirmed that a group of worshippers was kidnapped from three churches in Kaduna state, after initially denying the incident.  The abduction occurred on January 18, with reports indicating that 172 people were taken, although 9 later escaped, leaving 163 still missing. The police have deployed tactical units and intensified patrols to rescue the victims and restore security in the area.  The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had verified the attacks and provided a list of the hostages. The incident has sparked widespread concern and criticism, with Amnesty International condemning the authorities' initial denial of the kidnapping.