Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 1st December, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 1st December, 2025

The presidency on Sunday declared that parts of the failure of the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo are responsible for the current challenges of insecurity facing Nigeria.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, in a statement on Sunday, condemned what he described as attempts by Obasanjo to paint the Tinubu administration in a bad light and unable to protect Nigerians.

He submitted that instead of castigating the current administration, Obasanjo should use his connections and influence to help Nigeria.

Naija News reports that Obasanjo, while reacting to the recent security challenges in the country under the current administration, declared that Nigeria must take firm military action and accept international help to halt worsening insecurity.

Obasanjo spoke in Jos, the Plateau State capital, at the Plateau State Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival, warning that a diplomacy-heavy response to terrorism signalled weakness when citizens were dying.

However, the presidency, in its response, said the submissions by Obasanjo and others who have spoken in like manner are both hypocritical and ignoble.

The statement added that the call by Obasanjo for the Tinubu administration to submit to international help in order to fight the terrorists is not statesmanship.

Dare added that the incumbent government recognizes the war against insurgency and is deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic efforts in tackling the situation.

The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Sunday paid a prison visit to the convicted leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.

The development was made public by Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and the Biafran agitator’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, in separate statements shared on Facebook on Sunday.

In his post, Ejimakor showered praise on the governor for keeping to his pledge, writing, “Thank you for fulfilling the promise you made to me to visit your brother, MAZI NNAMDI KANU. You’re a man of your words and gutsy to boot.”

He added, “May God bless you. And may your august visit to Sokoto today be the first step to ending this undeserved ordeal, sooner than later.”

On his part, Emmanuel Kanu declared that the visit carried symbolic weight, adding, “Governor Alex Otti and the people of Sokoto have made a unified statement by visiting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday, accused President Bola Tinubu of presiding over one of the most brazen financial scandals in Nigeria’s history.

Naija News reports that Atiku made this claim following reports that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) spent ₦17.5 trillion in just one year on pipeline and energy security.

In a statement issued by the Atiku Media Office on Sunday, the former Vice President said the figure represented almost the same amount Nigeria spent on fuel subsidy over a 12-year period.

Atiku said, “For clarity, Nigeria spent roughly ₦18 trillion on fuel subsidy over twelve years, a national programme that directly cushioned millions of Nigerians, stabilised the transport sector, and helped keep food prices manageable.

“Yet, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the country has now expended nearly the same amount in a single year on opaque pipeline security contracts awarded to private firms tied to associates and cronies of the President.”

He likened the expenditure to “robbing Peter (Nigerians) to pay Paul (cronies),” describing it as “grand larceny dressed as public expenditure.”

Atiku also condemned the Tinubu administration for what he called hypocrisy and deceit in its handling of Nigeria’s fuel subsidy policy.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the recent list of persons unveiled by President Bola Tinubu for ambassadorial appointments.

The ADC submitted that the list is insensitive, uninspiring and amounts to nothing more than a political settlement by Tinubu to some of his cronies despite the over two years of delay before the appointments were made.

Specifically, the ADC questioned the nomination of the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who supervised the election that brought in Tinubu as the President of Nigeria.

Naija News recalls that President Tinubu, on Saturday, appointed several new non-career and career ambassadors.

Among those freshly named for ambassadorial positions are former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, former presidential media aide, Reno Omokri, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, former Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo, former First Lady of Oyo, Fatima Florence Ajimobi, and former governor of Abia State, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu.

However, the ADC held that Yakubu’s presence on the list would lend credence to the widespread allegation that the former INEC chairman may not have been a neutral umpire in the 2023 election and could further undermine the credibility of INEC.

In a statement on Sunday, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said that at a time when INEC is still mired in a major credibility crisis following the highly disputed and controversial 2023 general election, Prof. Yakubu’s nomination for an ambassadorial position sends a dangerous message.

It urged Professor Yakubu to reject the nomination and further called on the Senate to reject the former INEC Chairman’s nomination.

The petrol market recorded another change as the Dangote Refinery and a few other depot operators reduced their gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit to N840 per litre.

Naija News reports that new rate moved down from the previous N843, following a fall in the price of Brent crude, which averaged $62 per barrel over the weekend.

The drop in crude cost pushed refiners and other players in the downstream market to adjust their prices.

Market checks showed that the Dangote Refinery, AIPEC and NIPCO all moved their depot price to N840 per litre.

Other depots reviewed their rates differently, with Rainoil at N844, Sigmund at N858, Master Energy at N858 and Northwest at N850 per litre.

Operators linked the price change to the dip in global crude, which affects refining and distribution costs.

The Kogi State Government on Sunday announced it has intensified surveillance and patrols, launching a manhunt for bandits who attacked the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba.

Naija News understands that the gunmen stormed the church during today’s service and whisked away the pastor, his wife, and an unspecified number of worshippers.
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‎However, the State government, through the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, said, “Yes, I have information to that effect, and I am also aware that the security network, comprising the conventional security agencies and the local security architecture, is currently doing what they should do.

The anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has told a Lagos High Court, Ikeja division, that it possessed no documentary or forensic evidence backing claims that Jude Okoye and his twin brother, Paul, fraudulently withdrew $800,000 belonging to the defunct music group, P-Square.

The allegation traces to a 2024 petition by Peter Okoye, who accused Jude and Paul Okoye of fund diversion and secretly operating 47 undisclosed bank accounts, while manipulating the shareholding structure of Northside Entertainment Ltd.

Naija News reports that following the petition, the commission filed financial misconduct charges against Jude, linking them to the management of the P-Square brand.

Under cross-examination, EFCC counsel, M.K. Bashir, told Justice Rahman Oshodi that the commission could not produce proof for the alleged $800,000 withdrawal.

Pressed by the court to substantiate the claim, Bashir replied: “We do not have it. It is his evidence. Let him prove it. I can’t give what I don’t have.”

He further denied holding proof of the alleged 47 bank accounts, adding, “It is one of the witness’s claims, but I do not have such a copy.”

Nigerian rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, has announced that his Facebook and Instagram pages have been taken down.

Naija News reports that the activist said it happened shortly after he released his new track, Open Letter to Donald Trump.

He said on Sunday that he has been unable to log into both accounts since the song came out.

Checks also showed that the pages could no longer be opened.

The rapper, known for his strong views on politics and governance, did not state how long the suspension might last or whether Meta gave him any notice.

Open Letter to Donald Trump, released in November 2025 under Lakreem Entertainment, takes aim at corruption, insecurity and poor leadership in Nigeria.

Though framed as a message to the U.S. president, the song focuses on Nigeria’s leaders.

Abdulkareem called out those in power for living well while citizens face hardship.

He also pointed to the rise in kidnappings, killings and other crimes that leave many people unsafe and worried.

Chelsea showed remarkable grit to take a point off Arsenal in a fiercely contested 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in which they played for 57 minutes with a man down.

Moises Caicedo’s sending off in the 38th minute threw the match into chaos and left Enzo Maresca’s team staring at a long and difficult evening. Anthony Taylor’s decision was upheld after a VAR check, and Chelsea suddenly found themselves trying to contain a league-leading Arsenal side with more than half the match still to play.

What followed surprised everyone inside the ground. Instead of folding, Chelsea came out for the second half with purpose. Within three minutes they were in front through Trevoh Chalobah, who met Reece James’ corner with a perfectly judged header that skimmed past the goalkeeper and ignited the home crowd.

Arsenal, who had been noticeably flat before the break, finally found its rhythm. Mikel Arteta sent on Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke to inject some creativity, and the shift in intensity was almost immediate.

Their breakthrough came in the 59th minute when Mikel Merino climbed above his marker to steer Bukayo Saka’s cross into the net, levelling the score and reasserting Arsenal’s grip on possession.

By the final whistle, Arsenal looked frustrated as they failed to stretch their lead at the top of the table. On the other hand, Chelsea ended the weekend sitting third on the table, 6 points below Arsenal, and a point behind second-placed Manchester City.

Alexander Isak finally opened his English Premier League (EPL) account for Liverpool as the Reds earned a crucial 2-0 victory over West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

The 26-year-old striker, who joined in a British-record £125m transfer, had endured five league appearances without a goal and had scored only once in 11 outings across all competitions. But he ended that barren spell with a composed finish on the hour mark.

Cody Gakpo added a stoppage-time goal to seal Liverpool’s first win in four games.

Manager Arne Slot admitted the win was vital after a miserable run that saw Liverpool lose nine of their previous 12 matches, including a humbling 4-1 defeat to PSV and back-to-back 3-0 league losses.