Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 27th October, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 27th October, 2025

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the government of President Bola Tinubu of muzzling free speech in the country.

Atiku, in a statement made available to Naija News on Sunday, lamented that the government of President Tinubu has consistently demonstrated repression of opposition voices and may turn free citizens into subjects if not curtailed.

The former presidential candidate claimed that the Tinubu administration is steadily declining into a dictatorship and eroding the integrity of the country’s democracy.

He urged Nigerians and the international community to rise against the attempts by the Tinubu administration to silence opposition voices and freedom of expression.

The former Vice President submitted that many Nigerians are groaning under the weight of economic hardship, hunger, and despair occasioned by the administration of President Tinubu.

He said the cries from the citizens have been met with brute force, intimidation and turning peaceful protesters into prisoners by the incumbent government.

Nigeria has officially been removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “grey list” after meeting the required standards under its Action Plan, signalling a significant boost for the country’s anti-money-laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism-financing (CFT) regime.

Naija News reports that the decision was announced at the FATF’s October 2025 plenary in Paris. The institution cited Nigeria’s stronger inter-agency coordination and improved regulatory oversight as key factors for the removal.

Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian delegation, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun emphasised that delisting is only a foundation for deeper reform.

Another statement attributed to him described the development as a “vote of confidence in our economy and the integrity of our monetary and financial systems, signalling to investors and global partners that Nigeria’s institutions are strong, transparent and internationally trusted.”

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has busted a large-scale child trafficking and illegal adoption syndicate operating across Benue State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, rescuing 26 children in the process.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s Chief Press Officer, Vincent Adekoye, preliminary findings revealed that over 300 children had been sold across multiple states for between ₦1 million and ₦3 million per child.

The operation, which involved field teams from Nasarawa, Lagos, and Enugu Commands, also led to the arrest of a 60-year-old orphanage owner, said to be a prominent member of the National Council of Child Rights Advocates of Nigeria, along with three accomplices.

NAPTIP’s investigations revealed that the suspects disguised their operations under a fake humanitarian programme called the “Back to School Project”, which they used to lure vulnerable families in crisis-hit communities in Benue State’s Guma Local Government Area.

The traffickers reportedly held meetings with traditional rulers and parents, promising to educate and sponsor the children, with a pledge to return them after three years. Many parents, unaware of the scheme’s criminal nature, signed consent forms or verbally agreed to release their children.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, of engaging in voter inducement, following a viral video clip showing the governor addressing electorates ahead of the November 8 governorship election.

In a statement on Sunday by its National spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC claimed that the governor’s remarks were a “clear display of desperation” and an “open violation” of the Electoral Act, particularly Sections 121 and 127, which criminalise vote buying and voter inducement.

“Ahead of the November 8th election, Soludo has clearly lost the confidence of the people of Anambra, and it shows,” the ADC said.

The ADC alleged that Governor Soludo’s recent actions indicate a loss of public goodwill and a willingness to disregard electoral laws for political survival.

The party described the act as “a new level of desperation wrapped in impunity”, warning that such conduct undermines democracy and erodes public trust in the electoral process.

The ADC also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take immediate notice of the governor’s alleged actions and ensure accountability.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has stated that no court authorised the Lagos State government’s demolition exercise.

Naija News recalls that Justice Adegboyega Balogun of the Lagos State High Court issued an interim order stopping further demolition of properties in parts of Oworonsoki, after complaints by affected residents who denied receiving any compensation.

Justice Balogun granted a restraining order against the respondents and their agents or contractors, prohibiting further demolitions or the creation of third-party interests over properties located on Ojileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Street within the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Area (CDA).

In a statement on Sunday, Falana alleged that the Lagos State Government demolished no fewer than 100 properties in Oworonsoki despite a court restraining order.

According to Falana, he demolition exercise carried out in the dead of the night has led many families to be displaced.

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced plans to commence an indefinite nationwide strike from November 1, 2025.

Naija News reports that the decision followed a five-hour meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) on Saturday.

In a statement on Sunday, NARD President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, said the action became inevitable after the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Federal Government over unresolved demands.

The association is demanding a 200 percent increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), full implementation of new allowances proposed since July 2022, immediate recruitment of clinical staff, and removal of bottlenecks hindering the replacement of exiting doctors.

Suleiman explained that the National Officers Committee (NOC) has been mandated to ensure full compliance across all centres.

He added that centre presidents and general secretaries have been directed to convene emergency congress meetings to brief members on the resolutions.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested over 100 suspects, including Lagos socialite and club owner Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu, popularly known as Pretty Mike, following a midnight raid at Proxy Night Club, located at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The operation, which began in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 2025, was launched after intelligence reports indicated that the venue was hosting a drug party.

In a statement on Sunday, the NDLEA said its officers recovered cartons of illicit substances, including Loud (a strong strain of cannabis) and laughing gas (nitrous oxide), from both partygoers and the club’s storage areas.

All arrested suspects were taken into custody for screening, while exhibits were secured as part of ongoing investigations.

Nigerian billionaire businessman cum nightlife mogul, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, has revealed his current goal is to build a strong legacy and secure his children’s financial independence.

Naija News reports that the father of five, in a recent interview, said he plans to retire from active business within the next ten years.

Obi Cubana said he intends to step back from the fast-paced life at age 60 to focus on touring the world and spending quality time with his wife.

According to the 50-year-old entrepreneur, his busy lifestyle, often involving frequent business trips, is all part of laying the foundation for a stable future.

He added that his approach to success means working smart and creating a sustainable system that allows him to enjoy the fruits of his labour in his later years.

Real Madrid overcame Barcelona 2-1 in an El Clásico thriller on Sunday night, with Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham finding the net to hand Los Blancos another statement win in their title chase.

The Bernabéu atmosphere was electric from the first whistle, and the home fans didn’t take long to erupt. In the 22nd minute, Mbappé broke the deadlock after linking up with Vinícius Júnior before firing past Wojciech Szczęsny.

The Frenchman looked to have doubled his tally with a stunning volley minutes later, but the flag went up for offside.

Barcelona pulled level through Fermin López, who calmly slotted home in the 38th minute after a clever assist from Marcus Rashford. The equaliser silenced the crowd briefly, but Madrid’s reply was swift.

Five minutes later, Jude Bellingham restored Real Madrid’s lead, reacting fastest to a rebound from Éder Militão’s header to tap in from close range.

Flamingos of Nigeria will take on Italy in the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, as the knockout stage gets underway this week in Morocco.

The highly anticipated clash is set for Tuesday, October 28, at the Stade Olympique de Rabat, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Nigerian time.

Naija News reports that the Flamingos are heading into the fixture full of confidence after their dominant 4-0 win over Samoa on Saturday in Rabat. The result sealed their qualification and continued their strong run in the tournament, as they push for a maiden world title.

Host nation Morocco will also play later that night when they face South Korea at the Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 2 in Sale. The match is expected to draw a lively crowd, with home supporters eager to cheer the Atlas Lionesses into the quarter-finals.

Earlier on Tuesday, Brazil will face China PR, while the United States take on the Netherlands, both kicking off at 4:30 p.m. in Sale.