Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Thursday, 23rd October, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 23rd October, 2025

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called off its two-week warning strike.

Naija News reports that the suspension comes after the union reached new understandings with the Federal Government on issues affecting Nigeria’s public universities.

The suspension was announced by ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, during a briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.

He explained that the decision followed a series of meetings between the union and a government team led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, as well as interventions from the National Assembly.

ASUU had embarked on the warning strike on October 13, 2025, over the government’s failure to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and other matters relating to the welfare of lecturers and the state of university education.

During the industrial action, the Federal Government re-engaged the union, holding talks on October 16 and 18 to review the proposed agreement.

Although not all demands were met, ASUU said there was progress compared to before the strike began.

The presidency has insisted that claims of an ongoing genocide against Christians in Nigeria are false and without basis.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, reiterated the stand of the government in a fresh post on Wednesday pertaining to the ‘Christian genocide’ controversy.

His statement follows the allegation by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which accused the Presidency of falsely attributing a claim to the body after a meeting with Bwala regarding the issue on Monday.

Naija News recalls that CAN, in a statement by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, on Tuesday, accused the presidency of falsely misrepresenting its position on the allegation of Christian genocide in Nigeria.

The Christian body acknowledged meeting with Tinubu’s aide, but denounced, describing the situation as ‘so-called,’ as reported in Bwala’s account of the meeting.

CAN maintained that there were cases of targeted killings of Christians in several parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt region.

However, Bwala said the position of the government on the matter remains unchanged, and semantics should not be allowed to cause confusion.

He added that the government never sought to alter the position of CAN or seek its endorsement of the government’s position; rather, the meeting was about dialogue and making meaningful progress.

The presidential aide assured of Tinubu’s commitment to addressing all pending issues and guaranteeing the safety of all Nigerians.

Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, has asserted that problems of criminality in the country will be 90 per cent solved if politicians stop buying arms for unemployed people to disrupt elections.

Naija News reports that the former Governor of Edo State said this during Wednesday’s plenary in the Senate.

According to the lawmaker, there is always an increase in criminality after elections because politicians fail to retrieve the arms given to jobless people during the election.

Oshiomhole also stated that he does not support holding the elections for the President, the National Assembly, and Governors on the same day.

He added that in dealing with technology in elections, Nigeria must be cautious of hackers.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday again declined to grant bail to Tukur Mamu, the alleged terrorists’ negotiator currently held by the Department of State Services (DSS).

In his ruling, Justice Mohammed Umar directed the DSS to ensure Mamu received adequate medical treatment at a hospital of his choice but maintained that his continued detention was lawful.

The judge said, “I have carefully read the application for bail filed by the applicant/defendant and all other accompanying documents.

“One thing to determine is whether Mamu has placed before the court sufficient material facts to warrant the granting of bail.”

Justice Umar held that one of the major grounds for bail was lack of diligence by the prosecution, but in Mamu’s case, the Federal Government had been consistent in pursuing the matter.

The judge ruled that Mamu’s lawyer should choose a hospital for his medical needs, and DSS must promptly take him there.

The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has informed the Federal High Court that he is ready to begin his defence.

Kanu, who is standing trial for alleged treasonable felony, filed a fresh motion in which he assured the court that he was “prepared to commence his defence” as earlier directed.

Naija News reports that this comes shortly after activist Omoyele Sowore led a protest in Abuja demanding his release.

In the motion dated October 21, Kanu said his decision was in line with the order of the court made on October 16, 2025, directing him to open his defence on October 24, 2025.

Kanu’s latest filing came days after he had raised a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue hearing the case. That objection was filed the same day a team of court-appointed medical experts declared him medically fit to stand trial.

The IPOB leader disclosed plans to call 23 witnesses, divided into two categories — ordinary but material witnesses and vital and compellable witnesses.

Vice Chairman of the South-East Constitution Review Committee, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to make public the results of investigations where no evidence of wrongdoing is found, to avoid the perception that “all politicians are thieves.”

Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, October 22, Nwaebonyi said transparency on high-profile cases would help Nigerians distinguish between corrupt individuals and leaders genuinely committed to public service.

The senator praised the EFCC for what he described as its remarkable transformation in recent years, noting that the commission has moved from “media trial theatrics” to securing real convictions.

According to him, the agency’s new approach to investigation and prosecution has helped rebuild public confidence in the country’s anti-corruption framework.

Nigerian singer, Michael Olayinka, popularly known as Ruger, has expressed concern over the safety of Nigerians amid the escalating insecurity in the country.

Naija News reports that the ‘Asiwaju’ crooner, in a post via 𝕏, lamented that kidnapping has become a full-time business in some parts of the country.

Ruger claimed that the situation might worsen in December if nothing was done urgently to contain it.

The singer also expressed worry about the safety of people who will be coming to Nigeria or travelling around the country this December due to the activities of kidnappers.

Popular Nigerian rapper, Tochukwu Ojogwu, better known as Odumodublvck, has disclosed that the red cap, which is often seen as part of his trademark style, has a deep cultural meaning in Igbo tradition.

Naija News reports that Odumodublvck, while speaking in a recent interview on Comfortably Speaking podcast, said he is using the cap to fight an industry war.

While describing the music industry as a battleground, the rapper said, “This is a war cap. Whenever my tribe wants to go to war against another clan, all the warriors will wear this.

“So if I enter the music industry, which is a battleground, put two and two together.”

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club, Kwara United have confirmed the appointment of Ashifat Suleiman as their new technical adviser.

Kwara United made the announcement on Wednesday, bringing clarity to the coaching situation that had lingered since the departure of coach Tunde Sanni.

Suleiman had been in charge on an interim basis and had overseen three matches so far, recording a win, a draw and one defeat. His approach and commitment to the job reportedly convinced the club’s management to hand him the role permanently.

In his reaction, Suleiman expressed appreciation for the trust placed in him and vowed to give his all to help the Harmony Boys achieve their targets for the season. “I am thankful for the trust placed in me,” he said. “We’ll continue to give our best and keep improving as a unit.”

Note that Kwara United will face Rangers International this weekend at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

Victor Osimhen’s unstoppable form in Europe reached new heights on Wednesday night as the Nigerian striker made Galatasaray history with a record-breaking performance in their UEFA Champions League clash with Bodø/Glimt.

Victor Osimhen struck twice in the opening half at Rams Park, extending his remarkable run of scoring in seven consecutive European matches, a feat no Galatasaray player has ever achieved.

Naija News reports that the record had previously been held by Burak Yilmaz, who scored in six straight continental fixtures back in 2012.

Osimhen wasted no time making his mark, firing Galatasaray in front just three minutes into the game before adding his second in the 33rd minute. His goals not only sealed a vital Champions League victory but also etched his name into the club’s record books.

The 26-year-old’s scoring streak stretches back to last season’s Europa League campaign, where he found the net against Tottenham Hotspur, Dynamo Kyiv, Ajax, and AZ Alkmaar. This season, he has continued that form on Europe’s biggest stage, finding the back of the net against Liverpool before his double against Bodø/Glimt.