Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 26th November, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 26th November, 2025

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday welcomed the release of the 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, last Monday.

Naija News reports that the girls were kidnapped at dawn on November 17, shortly after a military detachment reportedly left the school premises, allowing terrorists to invade and whisk the students away.

The Kebbi abduction triggered similar incidents in Eruku, Kwara State, and Papiri, Niger State.

All 38 victims abducted in Eruku were rescued on Sunday, while the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed that 50 missing students of the Catholic School had returned home to reunite with their parents.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu lauded the combined efforts of security agencies, which resulted in the successful rescue.

Tinubu urged security operatives to intensify efforts to free the remaining abducted students still in captivity across the affected states.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full-scale security cordon on forests in Kwara State following renewed cases of kidnappings and terrorist incursions in the region.

The directive was announced on Tuesday in a statement posted on 𝕏 by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.

According to Dare, the President has mandated the Nigerian Air Force to intensify aerial monitoring across the deepest parts of Kwara’s forests, believed to be hideouts for terror groups.

Dare added that the directive also covers regions bordering Kebbi and Niger states, where several kidnap victims are still expected to be rescued.

The presidential aide appealed to residents in affected communities to support security operations by promptly reporting suspicious movements.

The Federal Government on Tuesday dismissed reports claiming it had imposed a nationwide ban on open grazing, insisting that no such directive currently exists.

The clarification was issued in a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, following media reports suggesting an outright prohibition.

According to the ministry, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, confirmed that the government is instead implementing a gradual and structured transition from open grazing to modern ranching.

Uchechukwu explained that Nigeria has 273 gazetted grazing reserves spanning more than 4.5 million hectares, which are being revitalised in partnership with state governments.

The government’s approach, it said, is centred on creating an enabling environment for pastoralists through modernised facilities and improved livestock management structures.

Maiha stressed the need to professionalise livestock operations in line with global best practices.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday retained the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 27 per cent, following a unanimous vote by all 12 members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

Naija News reports that CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced the decision while briefing journalists at the end of the committee’s 303rd meeting held in Abuja.

Cardoso said the committee agreed to maintain existing parameters in order to consolidate on the recent stability recorded in the economy.

He added that other major policy tools were also left unchanged.

Cardoso said the MPC’s move to retain rates was informed by “low and stable inflation” recorded in recent months, noting that the committee was encouraged by the trajectory and opted for policy continuity.

The CBN chief assured that the bank remains committed to adopting measures necessary to sustain price stability and strengthen economic resilience.

Former militant leader and Niger Delta activist, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, has vowed to kill Boko Haram fighters if they attempt to enter Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Naija News reports that Dokubo issued the threat in a viral video while reacting to the rising cases of killings and kidnappings across Nigeria.

Asari-Dokubo warned that he will not hesitate to confront and kill any terrorist who attempts to operate in the oil-rich state.

According to the former militant leader, his faith as a Muslim will not stop him from fighting back if attacked.

The Presidency has berated former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, accusing him of endorsing a “foreign invasion” of Nigeria following his reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy American forces against terrorists in the country.

Reacting in a post on 𝕏, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, condemned Obi’s comments, saying his position was unbecoming of a former presidential candidate.

“We shall never forget and forgive Peter Obi for supporting a foreign invasion of Nigeria,” Onanuga wrote.

He said Obi’s remarks amounted to openly welcoming a military intervention by a foreign government.

Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, better known as Portable, has said his senior colleague, Olamide, will regret not signing him.

Naija News reports that Portable made this known in a lengthy post via his Instagram story, stating that he was destined for international fame despite difficulties and professional disagreements.

According to him, he is an artist who rose from “local rapper” to international stardom through perseverance, divine intervention and backing from overseas colleagues like Skepta.

Portable also declared that he is unstoppable, stressing that Olamide will regret not carrying him alongside because he was fighting for his own rights.

Nollywood actor, Daddy Billy, has recounted his last moments with his colleague, Odira Nwobu, who passed away in South Africa.

Naija News reports that Nwobu died in the early hours of Monday, November 24.

In a video shared on his Instagram page, Billy said Nwobu struggled for his life and had been on medication for three days before the sudden demise.

According to Billy, the deceased, who forgot to take his medication before going to the club suddenly got everyone afraid over his health condition, saying,“We now got another call that Odira’s heart is beating fast again. From beating fast again, he was gone.”

Cristiano Ronaldo will be available for the start of Portugal’s World Cup campaign after FIFA opted to suspend part of his disciplinary sanction following his red card against the Republic of Ireland.

Naija News reports that the forward was handed a three-match ban by a FIFA disciplinary panel, but only the first game has been enforced. The remaining two matches have been placed under a one-year probation period, meaning Cristiano Ronaldo will only miss those fixtures if he commits a similar offence within that timeline.

Ronaldo was sent off earlier this month after appearing to catch Ireland defender Dara O’Shea with an elbow during a World Cup qualifier. He has already sat out one match, which came in Portugal’s final qualifying game against Armenia.

If he repeats an infringement of the same “nature and gravity,” the suspended two-game punishment will be triggered immediately and applied to Portugal’s next official fixtures. Those matches would fall at the start of the World Cup group stage.

Fresh tension is brewing inside the Real Madrid dressing room, with at least six first-team players said to be unhappy with manager Xabi Alonso and preferring to see him removed from the role.

Mundo Deportivo reports that Vinicius Junior is the most prominent name among those opposed to the former Bayer Leverkusen coach. The Brazilian was reportedly furious after being substituted during last month’s El Clásico, and the fallout has not settled since.

According to the report, the squad has quietly split into two groups. Players such as Fede Valverde, Brahim Diaz, Rodrygo, Endrick and Ferland Mendy are also believed to be dissatisfied with Xabi Alonso’s leadership and want a change.

However, several others are backing the Spaniard. Summer arrivals Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras, alongside Arda Guler, Thibaut Courtois and Kylian Mbappe, are said to be firmly behind the coach.

Despite the off-field drama, Madrid remain top of LaLiga, holding a one-point edge over Barcelona after a 2-2 draw with Elche on Sunday.