Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained his visit to the Aso Villa was to inform President Bola Tinubu about his resumption after his six-month suspension.

Naija News reports that Fubara, dressed in a white caftan and black cap, arrived at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, around 6:20 pm for a closed-door meeting with Tinubu.

This was his first meeting with Tinubu after his suspension and the lifting of the state of emergency in Rivers on September 18, 2025.

Fielding questions from journalists after the meeting, Governor Fubara described the visit as a “father-and-son discussion,” stressing he also sought Tinubu’s guidance to avoid a recurrence of political crises in the state.

On what the President told him, Fubara said, “He advised me on what to do and how to go in the right direction.”

Fubara also confirmed that peace had returned to Rivers State and has also made peace with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has dismissed claims that the lawmakers are against the borrowing plans by the government of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking on Monday in Abuja at the 8th Annual African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices (AN-PBO) Conference, Abbas said reports suggesting that the House opposed Tinubu’s borrowing plans are both inaccurate and misleading.

He clarified that the recent speech delivered by the House Leader at the West African Parliamentary Conference (WAPC) was erroneously reported in some quarters to claim the House of Representatives is against Tinubu’s borrowing plans.

He stressed that both the green chamber and the National Assembly at large are behind the government’s borrowing plans.

Abbas added that borrowings by the Tinubu government are justified as they are channelled into funding critical infrastructure, stimulating growth, and protecting vulnerable populations.

Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.23% (year-on-year) in real terms in the second quarter of 2025.

This was disclosed by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in figures released on Monday, 22nd September.

According to the NBS, the growth rate is higher than the 3.48% recorded in the second quarter of 2024 and the 3.13% recorded in Q1 2025.

Naija News reports that during the quarter under review, agriculture grew by 2.82%, an improvement from the 2.60% recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2024.

The growth of the industry sector stood at 7.45% from 3.72% recorded in the second quarter of 2024, while the Services sector recorded a growth of 3.94% from 3.83% in the same quarter of 2024.

Political analyst, Jide Ojo, has said that the conduct of the late President Muhammadu Buhari in the run-up to the 2023 elections suggested that the former president did not intend Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed him.

In a recent interview with Naija News, Ojo argued that the chaotic naira redesign and cash squeeze under the leadership of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, introduced months before the polls, undermined the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and looked “tailor-made to hobble the ruling party’s flag bearer.”

According to Ojo, if carefully studied, one will understand that the timing and execution of the naira swap were strategic and that everything pointed to a transition that wasn’t designed with Tinubu in mind.

Ojo also revisited 2015, claiming Tinubu’s alliance “delivered decisive Southwest votes” that helped Muhammadu Buhari break through after three failed presidential runs.

He added that the choice of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, a senior pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), as Buhari’s running mate was a strategic masterstroke “to reassure Christian voters and broaden APC’s appeal.”

The analyst described President Tinubu as one of the most strategic politicians of his generation, saying his coalition-building, candidate selection and party machinery show a long view of politics.

The presidency has criticised the submission by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as a desperate act of a man threatened by the rising political profile of President Bola Tinubu.

Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Sunday, submitted that El-Rufai is hallucinating and needs help.

Naija News reports that Onanuga’s submission comes in direct response to the former Governor’s claim that President Tinubu may become president for life if Nigerians fail to unite and remove him in 2027.

However, the presidential media aide, in a statement released late on Sunday, said El-Rufai’s declaration is another failed attempt to remove Tinubu from power.

He said Northerners and indeed Nigerians have expressed their love and support for Tinubu, in contrast to what El-Rufai and his associates want the public to believe that the region has abandoned Tinubu.

Onanuga added that Tinubu is a committed democrat who has no intention of remaining in office beyond the constitutionally allowed two years.

He dismissed El-Rufai’s speculation that Tinubu may want to become a life president as unfounded and baseless.

Billionaire businessman Femi Otedola has claimed that fraudulent fuel subsidy activities occurred during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking via a statement on recent issues in the oil and gas sector, Otedola disclosed that he warned the ex-President about fraudulent oil marketers at the time.

He asserted that the fraudulent subsidy claims were tied to depot licenses, noting that the policy rewarded neither transparency nor innovation, but encouraged rent-seeking and corruption.

Otedola also congratulated Aliko Dangote on the success achieved so far since his refinery commenced operations, describing it as a historic leap for Nigeria’s energy independence and economic future.

Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has stirred reactions online after speaking against women who agree to become second wives.

Naija News reports that on Sunday, September 21, 2025, the actress used her Instagram page to share a video of a cleric delivering a sermon on marriage.

The preacher in the video condemned women who go into unions with already married men, describing such actions as ungodly and destructive to homes.

Rita Edochie, who has been vocal in supporting May, the estranged wife of actor Yul Edochie, aligned herself with the message and explained further in her post.

She stated that women who accept to be second wives do so out of greed and selfishness, stressing that such choices bring sorrow to other women and destroy families.

She added that women who choose this path should not call it love or destiny, but rather admit that it is wrong to take what does not belong to them.

According to her, becoming a second wife is not a position of honour but one that attracts pain and regret.

Nigerian businessman Cubana Chief Priest has spoken on challenges in the country’s healthcare system after visiting hospitals in Lagos.

In a post on Monday, he shared his frustrating experience at a hospital in Ikoyi, where he reportedly waited for more than an hour without being attended to by a doctor.

Naija News reports that the nightlife businessman said that due to the delay, he had to buy medication for typhoid and malaria and planned to postpone proper medical care until he travels abroad.

Chief Priest also visited another hospital in Lekki, where he encountered long online forms before being able to see a doctor.

The businessman described the situation as disappointing and expressed concern over the quality and accessibility of healthcare in Nigeria.

Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has etched his name in football history by becoming the first player to win the prestigious Kopa Trophy in consecutive years.

Lamine Yamal, 18, who already lifted the award in 2024 after his dazzling performances for Spain at the European Championships, raised the bar even higher last season.

Under Hansi Flick’s guidance, Yamal was the heartbeat of a rejuvenated Barcelona side that stormed to a domestic treble, beating arch-rivals Real Madrid to La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

Yamal’s influence was undeniable. He finished the campaign with 18 goals and 25 assists in all competitions, but his impact went far beyond numbers. His fearless dribbling and creativity left opponents in disarray.

Ousmane Dembele, now wearing the No. 10 shirt for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has been named the winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Naija News reports that Dembele won the award following a sensational 2024-25 season.

His performances for PSG and France have seen him return to top form, earning plaudits and trophies in equal measure.

Dembele was central to PSG’s achievements last season, as they won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and, most critically, their first-ever UEFA Champions League title.

His influence was felt not just domestically.

In Europe, he produced decisive moments, goals and assists at key knockout stages of the Champions League, and wore down defences with his movement, skill, and clutch finishing.

The height of his season came in the Champions League Final, where he played a starring role, providing assists and helping seal PSG’s continental crown.

After several up-and-down years at Barcelona marked by injury and inconsistency, Dembélé’s move back to France in 2023 has been vindicated.