Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 29th September, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 29th September, 2025

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government has strongly condemned and categorically refuted recent allegations by certain international platforms and online influencers suggesting that terrorists operating in Nigeria are engaged in a systematic genocide against Christians.

In a statement obtained by Naija News on Sunday, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the claims as false, baseless, despicable, and divisive.

He stated that portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group is a gross misrepresentation of reality.

Idris said while Nigeria, like many countries, has faced security challenges, including acts of terrorism perpetrated by criminals, couching the situation as a deliberate, systematic attack on Christians is inaccurate and harmful.

He said the claim oversimplifies a complex, multifaceted security environment and plays into the hands of terrorists and criminals who seek to divide Nigerians along religious or ethnic lines.

According to the Minister, violent activities of terrorist groups are not confined to any particular religious or ethnic community, stressing that these criminals target all who reject their murderous ideology, regardless of faith.

He added that Muslims, Christians, and even those who do not identify with any religion have suffered at their hands.

He expressed the Federal Government unwavering in its commitment to completely degrading terrorist groups and securing the lives and property of all citizens, and this resolve is already yielding results.

The Federal Government has intervened in the ongoing dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Petroleum Refinery, summoning both parties to an emergency conciliation meeting.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi, said the meeting would be held on Monday at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

Dingyadi, through the ministry’s spokesperson Patience Onuobia, appealed to PENGASSAN to reconsider its nationwide strike directive, warning that any industrial action would take a heavy toll on the economy.

Naija News reports that the row between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery escalated on Sunday, September 28, 2025, after the union directed all its members across the country to withdraw their services, following the reported sack of at least 800 workers.

The development, union leaders said, amounted to a direct attack on workers’ rights and the freedom of association, after staff joined PENGASSAN en masse at the refinery.

The refinery’s management, however, insists that the dismissals were part of an internal restructuring exercise.

The crisis between PENGASSAN and Dangote has been building up for months. The refinery had resisted unionisation efforts by its workers, sparking accusations of anti-labour practices.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has stated that some of the reforms President Bola Tinubu has embarked on, including the removal of subsidy, could have been implemented 39 years ago.

Naija News reports that Akume made this statement on Sunday at a special service organised to mark the 65th Independence Day Celebration at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja.

The former Governor of Benue State also reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to transforming the nation, noting that the problems of Nigeria did not start with the current administration.

Akume stated that Tinubu has commenced robust reforms to address some of the challenges, adding that every Nigerian has a role to play in building the nation.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for seeking a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, even as bandits ravaged the country, killing Nigerians at will while the government appears either unperturbed or incapable of securing the lives of its citizens.

The ADC described the federal government’s demand for a UN Security Council seat while failing to secure lives at home as absurd.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party stated that Nigeria cannot ask for expanded global responsibilities while persistently failing to meet its most fundamental obligation of protecting lives and property at home.

The opposition party also queried President Tinubu’s absence at the passing-out parade and Presidential Commissioning of officers of the Nigerian Army at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna on Saturday.

It recalled that, just like in 2024, the Commander-in-Chief misplaced his priorities, as he was once again missing in action, while 874 officers were commissioned into the nation’s military, preferring instead to attend the commissioning of the renovated National Arts Theater in Lagos.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has renewed calls for greater military presence in the state following the deadly attack on Oke-Ode community, Ifelodun Local Government Area, which left at least 15 vigilantes and hunters dead and several villagers abducted.

Naija News reports that the gunmen, said to be heavily armed, stormed the community in the early hours of Sunday, targeting forest guard posts and surrounding settlements.

Local defenders were reportedly overwhelmed before reinforcements arrived.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor described the incident as a major setback despite the state’s recent investments in security, particularly the recruitment and training of forest guards.

The governor praised the courage of the victims who resisted the attackers, stressing that their sacrifice would not be forgotten.

AbdulRazaq said that while security agencies had recorded some progress in recent months, more troops were urgently needed to tackle the rising insecurity across Kwara South and North.

The Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has clarified the statement describing the newly installed Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, as “my dear brother” in his congratulatory message to the Yoruba monarch.

Naija News reports that the former Oyo State governor, Ladoja, was officially crowned as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland in a coronation ceremony held on Friday, September 26, 2025.

However, Peter Obi’s message has sparked backlash online, with many insinuating that the former Governor of Anambra State disrespected Ladoja.

In response, Peter Obi, in a statement via X on Sunday, stated that his words were borne out of untrammelled goodwill and meant no disrespect to the monarch.

The Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) 10/10 season has officially produced its top 10 finalists ahead of the much-anticipated grand finale set for Sunday.

Naija News reports that during Sunday’s live eviction show in Lagos, the host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, announced the departure of three contestants, Mide, Zita, and Rooboy, reducing the number of housemates in the running for the top prize.

The eviction meant that the remaining seven contestants joined Sultana, who already secured a place in the finals as Head of House; Mensan, described as the most influential player; and Kaybobo, who clinched immunity through the controversial red phone twist that came at a cost of ₦10 million deduction from the grand prize.

The housemates who made it into the final stretch of the reality show are listed below.

BBNaija Top 10 Finalists
Sultana
Kola
Faith
Isabella
Imisi
Mensan
Jason Jae
Kaybobo
Koyin and
Dede

Nigerian media personality, Toke Makinwa, has opened up about how becoming a mother brought her healing.

Naija News recalls that Toke, who gave birth to her first child in August, 2025, lost her parents in a fire incident when she was a child.

In a post via X on Saturday, September 27, Makinwa said her daughter, Yakira Eliana, is helping her heal from childhood trauma and grief she thought she had buried a long time ago.

Meanwhile, Toke recently spoke about her past marriage, sharing insights on her survival, inner strength, and the misunderstandings she faced from the public.

In an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the mother of one reflected on the challenges of enduring a highly public relationship and the judgments people made without understanding her experiences.

Arsenal pulled off a sensational late turnaround at St. James’ Park on Sunday night, snatching a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United to reignite their Premier League title push.

Arsenal’s Gabriel dramatically redeemed himself when he rose highest in the 96th minute to head home the winner, sending the travelling fans into wild celebrations and cutting Liverpool’s lead at the top to just two points.

It had looked like another frustrating trip to Tyneside for Mikel Arteta’s men after Nick Woltemade’s first-half strike put Newcastle in control.

The forward capitalised on a lapse from Gabriel, who tumbled under minimal contact while appealing for a foul, allowing Woltemade to finish calmly.

The Brazilian defender’s evening went from bad to worse when he caught the striker in the face with a clumsy shove moments later, escaping with only a warning.

Arsenal however turned things around with two late goals.

The victory also ended Arsenal’s miserable run of three consecutive defeats at St. James’ Park, a venue that had become a difficult hunting ground for them in recent years.

Ikorodu City battled hard to secure a 1-1 draw against Enyimba FC in a pulsating Nigeria Premier Football League clash at Onikan Stadium on Sunday, September 28.

The People’s Elephant thought they had gained the upper hand early in the contest when an unfortunate own goal in the 12th minute gifted them the lead. However, Ikorodu City responded swiftly through their in-form forward Joseph Arumala, who continued his fine scoring run with a clinical first-time finish in the 17th minute after a superb pass from Kelechi.

Arumala’s strike was his second consecutive home goal, sending the home fans into raptures and setting the tone for a highly competitive encounter.

Both sides pushed for a winner, with Enyimba showing flashes of their attacking quality while Ikorodu City remained resolute, making key substitutions to keep the tempo alive.

Despite late pressure from both ends, neither team could find the decisive breakthrough. Enyimba’s push for all three points was frustrated by Ikorodu’s organized defending, while the home side also carved out half-chances that went begging.