Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 20th October, 2025
The Federal Government has clarified that Mathematics remains a compulsory subject for all students sitting for O-Level examinations.
Naija News recalls that the spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folashade, recently announced that senior secondary school students in the arts and humanities would no longer be required to present a credit in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for tertiary admissions.
Folashade had stated that the reform became necessary after years of restricted access, which denied many qualified candidates admission opportunities.
She had said that while over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) annually, only about 700,000 gain admission.
However, the issue generated controversy as some educationists rejected the policy shift, saying it would further encourage laziness among students and negatively impact their academic excellence and performance.
However, Folashade, in a press statement issued on Sunday, clarified that the new admission guidelines do not exempt any candidate from registering and sitting for Mathematics.
The statement added that while institutions may now admit candidates into specific programmes where credit passes in either English or Mathematics are not mandatory, students are still required to take both subjects during their O-Level exams.
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed reports that it sought a court injunction to halt the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Sunday, stressed that Nigerians have the inalienable right to peaceful protest and insisted the police did not approach the court to stop the demonstrations.
Last week, reports surfaced that the Federal High Court in Abuja had refused a police request to restrain the protest, thereby allowing it to go ahead. Protest convener and activist Omoyele Sowore had hailed the court’s ruling as a victory for civil liberties.
Sowore, in a post, claimed that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had dispatched police lawyers to sue him in a bid to stop the march.
But in a response via his official 𝕏 handle, Hudeyin rejected the reports as misleading.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has returned to Nigeria after days of speculation surrounding his health and whereabouts.
In a video made available to Naija News, Edun was sighted on Sunday in Abuja while attending an official business event organised by a government corporation. The engagement, which hosted a foreign investment delegation, formed part of ongoing efforts to attract international partnerships and strengthen Nigeria’s economic outlook.
The minister, who was earlier reported by the presidency as “indisposed,” was later said to have travelled to the United Kingdom. His public appearance at the Abuja event, however, confirmed that he is back in the country and has resumed official duties.
Last week, Edun was also spotted at the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in London, where he visited the booth of O’DA Art Gallery, appearing in high spirits despite earlier concerns about his condition.
On Sunday, the finance minister was seen interacting with delegates and senior government officials in Abuja.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reacted to comments made by the APC National Chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, that “key ADC figures” would join the party next week, saying that defections will not save the ruling party in 2027.
In a statement to Naija News on Sunday the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi said that the scramble for membership from across the political spectrum underscores the APC’s growing realisation that it has become hugely unpopular with ordinary Nigerians who now hate the ruling party for the hardship it has brought upon them.
The party said the APC cannot be saved even if all the governors in Nigeria defected to the ruling party.
According to the opposition party, even with all the governors and senators the APC brags about, the ruling party is still desperate for ADC members.
Nollywood actor cum politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has stated that the southeast can not produce Nigeria’s president earlier than 2039 if it supports President Bola Tinubu to win re-election in 2027.
Okonkwo, however, argued that if the region supports an opposition party, it can produce a President or Vice-President in 2027 or at the latest by 2031.
He lamented that the Southeast remains marginalized under the Tinubu administration, and the welfare of the entire region remains unattended.
Speaking against the background of the recent defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okonkwo said Tinubu has no interest of the southeast at heart and has marginalized the region in terms of appointments and projects.
The Labour Party chieftain said generally, the economic situation of several Nigerians has worsened under the current administration, with the increase in fuel prices following the fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the naira.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has denied saying the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would control 30 states before the 2027 elections.
In his denial, the Minister said that as the spokesperson to the federal government, he couldn’t have made such a statement.
He added in his rebuttal, as quoted by Vanguard, that there is a need to guide against deliberate attempts by some people to distort information.
Idris added that the prediction on the number of APC-controlled states was made by the party’s national chairman, Prof. Yilwatda Nentawe, in Maiduguri, Borno State, last week.
Nigerian lawmaker and businessman, Ned Nwoko, has addressed the ongoing crisis in his marriage to Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels.
Naija News reports that on Sunday afternoon, Nwoko shared a lengthy post on his verified Instagram page, alleging that Regina’s abuse of drugs and alcohol is the main cause of the problems in their home.
He denied being violent toward her, claiming instead that she had turned aggressive in recent days.
According to his statement, the actress reportedly attacked three domestic staff and destroyed properties, including vehicles and windows, within 48 hours.
He further claimed that she refused to undergo a rehabilitation programme he arranged, both in Asokoro and abroad, where she would have limited access to drugs.
Nwoko wrote that his wife’s actions had become increasingly erratic, expressing concern for her safety and the well-being of their child.
He added that he had taken their son, Moon, to the hospital after an incident at home, alleging that Regina had threatened a nurse for exposing her alleged drug problem.
He also mentioned two individuals, Sammy and Ann, whom he described as Regina’s drug suppliers, alleging they were behind the latest chaos in his residence.
Popular Nigerian gospel singer, Tope Alabi, has opened up on the failed marriage with the father of her first child, Ayomikun.
Naija News recalls that Tope Alabi was previously in a relationship with Lekan Olaoye, and the duo had a daughter before her marriage to Soji Alabi in November 2000.
However, in a recent video shared on her Facebook page, Tope Alabi said Olaoye never brought his family to her father, let alone performing the traditional marriage rite.
According to her, Olaoye had always promised to meet her family but never kept to his word.
9. CAF Champions League: Remo Stars Lose 5–1 to Mamelodi Sundowns
Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Champions League, Remo Stars FC, lost 5–1 to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the first leg of the second round of the competition.
The match, played on Sunday at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, saw the South Africans dominate play from the blast of the whistle.
Goals from Tashreeq Matthews and Peter Shalulile ensured that the South African champions went into the dressing room with a 2–0 lead.
Mamelodi Sundowns continued their dominance from the start of the second half and were rewarded with a third goal in the 60th minute by Miguel Reisinho.
Substitutes Arthur De Oliveira and Katlego Ntsabeleng came off the bench to score the fourth and fifth goals in the 74th and 84th minutes respectively, before Remo Stars’ Samson Olasupo netted a consolation goal with a shot from outside the 18-yard box in the 76th minute.
10. Manchester United Claim 2-1 Victory Over Liverpool
Manchester United left Anfield cheering after Harry Maguire’s header in the 84th minute secured a 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Sunday.
Maguire’s goal denied Liverpool a Premier League draw despite a second-half revival led by Cody Gakpo.
United stunned Liverpool inside two minutes when Bryan Mbeumo ran onto a through ball and finished past Giorgi Mamardashvili to give the visitors a shock lead.
That early blow left Liverpool chasing the game for long periods.
Cody Gakpo struck the post several times in the first half and, after a sustained spell of pressure, finally forced parity in the 78th minute when Federico Chiesa’s cross found him at close range to make it 1-1.
Just six minutes later, United’s Bruno Fernandes produced an inch-perfect volleyed delivery and Harry Maguire rose to glance the ball across the goal and into the net, with Mamardashvili frozen on the line.
Defeat leaves Liverpool four points adrift of Arsenal at the top of the table and Arne Slot still searching for answers on how to get the right blend after splashing out nearly £450 million ($604 million) on new players in the transfer market.
United closed to within two points of their historic rivals and up to ninth in the table to ease the pressure on Amorim after his biggest win in nearly a year in charge.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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