Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Thursday, 13th November, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 13th November, 2025

The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to borrow ₦1.15 trillion from the domestic debt market to fund the deficit in the 2025 national budget.

Naija News reports that the approval was granted on Wednesday following the consideration and adoption of the report presented by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, chaired by Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC, Sokoto North).

The report, which was presented on behalf of the committee by its Vice Chairman, Senator Haruna Manu (PDP, Taraba Central), sought the chamber’s endorsement of the proposed borrowing to bridge the funding gap in the 2025 fiscal year.

The approval followed a motion adopted after extensive consideration by the lawmakers, who agreed that the proposed borrowing was necessary to support the implementation of key government programmes and projects.

President Tinubu’s borrowing request had earlier been read on the floor of the Senate on November 4, 2025, by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding all military personnel performing lawful duties across the country.

Naija News reports that Badaru gave the assurance on Wednesday while addressing journalists during a ministerial press briefing at the National Defence College, Abuja, ahead of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.

His comments come in the wake of Tuesday’s altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, Lieutenant A. M. Yerima, over the development of a disputed parcel of land in Abuja allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo.

Responding to questions on the confrontation, the Defence Minister said the ministry was already reviewing the situation but stressed that the armed forces would not abandon any officer who acted within the scope of lawful authority.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has declared that the incumbent government has not harassed, shut down, or silenced any media organisation.

Speaking on Wednesday at the 2025 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) held at the State House, Abuja, Idris asserted that this is due to the administration’s conscious commitment to the constitutional principles of press freedom.

He described President Bola Tinubu’s attendance at the event as a historic moment, marking the first time a sitting Nigerian leader had personally attended the Guild’s annual conference.

He said the gesture underscored the high regard the administration has for the media as a vital pillar of democracy.

The Minister noted that this level of tolerance and respect for dissenting voices reflected President Tinubu’s own democratic credentials, rooted in his history of resilience against authoritarianism.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to go ahead with its scheduled National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.

This is despite two different court orders which had barred the party from going ahead with its convention as planned.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who also doubles as the Secretary Publicity and Communication Sub Committee of the party’s 2025 National Convention Organizing Committee (NCOC), said the convention would go ahead as planned.

He urged members of the public and party faithfuls to disregard claims that the convention has been postponed.

Ologunagba also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind attempts to stop the convention in order to advance its one-party state objective in Nigeria.

Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has dismissed claims that the recent fluctuations in Nigerian Exchange (NGX) are linked to United States President Donald Trump’s comments about Nigeria.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Business Morning, Oyedele linked the fluctuations to regular market cycles rather than politically driven sell-offs.

He asserted that Nigeria’s capital market remains one of the best-performing markets in the world,

Oyedele noted that investors tend to take profits after extended periods of gains, leading to momentary declines, which should not be misinterpreted as panic reactions.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and an officer of the Nigerian Navy, A.M Yarima, as a national embarrassment.

Obi, in a statement released on Wednesday via his 𝕏 account, said the encounter calls for a national reflection.

Naija News recalls that a heated confrontation broke out on Tuesday in Abuja after soldiers prevented Wike and his entourage from accessing a parcel of land in the Gaduwa district.

In his reaction on Wednesday, Obi described the altercation as needless.

The former Governor of Anambra State said beyond the personalities involved in the dispute, the incident raises certain questions about happenings in Nigeria, including the role of the military in civil matters and the manner of intervention by the Minister.

Obi observed that when public officials act beyond institutional norms, and when security agencies are used in ways that blur their professional boundaries, such actions weaken both governance and public trust.

He stressed the need for Nigeria to build institutions that follow due process and replace the culture of impunity with the discipline of law and order, irrespective of the status of those involved.

Nigerian singer, Kizz Daniel has revealed why he missed his scheduled performance in Paris.

Naija News reports that the incident trended on social media early Tuesday as users expressed frustration over his absence.

According to the singer, the missed show resulted from a dispute between Kizz Daniel’s tour agent and the event promoter.

In a post on his Instagram page, he disclosed that he was ready to travel but missed his flight due to delays caused by his agent trying to resolve payment issues with the promoter.

Documents from the agent’s company confirmed that the Paris event was canceled.

The Woju crooner explained that he was prepared to perform, but the contractual and financial disagreement prevented him from taking the stage on time.

The next available flight was scheduled much later in the day, making it impossible for him to appear at the show as planned.

Nigerian rapper Olamide has shared how the late DaGrin shaped his music and inspired many artistes across the country.

Naija News reports that he described DaGrin’s 2009 album C.E.O as a timeless project that continues to influence him and other rappers.

Olamide in a viral video said the album is one of the few rap projects that many people in the South West can sing completely, making it a go-to source of motivation whenever creative ideas run low.

He added that revisiting DaGrin’s music helps him overcome creative blocks.

After a tense standoff that almost disrupted Nigeria’s World Cup campaign, calm has finally returned to the Super Eagles camp.

The players, who had earlier boycotted training over unpaid allowances, have now agreed to resume preparations for their crucial 2026 World Cup playoff against Gabon.

Team media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed the development in a brief statement on Wednesday afternoon, November 12.

“Issues resolved. Super Eagles to train at 5pm,” he said.

Naija News reports that the tension began on Tuesday, November 11, when the players refused to train in protest against unpaid bonuses, some of which reportedly date back several years. The situation caused uncertainty around the team’s readiness for Thursday’s game in Rabat, Morocco, and sparked criticism of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

To make matters worse, a video shared by midfielder Alex Iwobi showing a poor view from his hotel window went viral, drawing further backlash from supporters who accused the NFF of providing substandard accommodation. Many saw it as another sign of the long-running administrative lapses that have plagued Nigerian football.

But Efoghe quickly dismissed those claims, explaining that the players were staying at Rive Hotel, a modern and comfortable facility in Rabat.

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has called the idea of Lionel Messi rejoining the team “unrealistic”, while revealing plans to celebrate the Argentine superstar with a special tribute match.

Lionel Messi, 37, surprised fans last week with a visit to the Nou Camp, saying he wants to return “not just to say goodbye as a player.”

Naija News reports that Messi left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 before moving to Inter Miami in 2023, where he recently signed a contract extending until 2028.

Laporta told Catalunya Radio, “For me to make speculation that is unrealistic, nor do I think it is fair, I believe that is not appropriate.”

He admitted that Messi’s departure from Barcelona did not end the way he had hoped. Financial struggles at the club at the time prevented an extension of Messi’s contract, leaving both the player and the fans with unfinished business.

Even though a return to the team is unlikely, Laporta is determined to give Messi the farewell he deserves. He hopes to organise a tribute match once the Nou Camp reopens after renovations.