Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 21st May, 2025
1. Tinubu Returns To Abuja After Visit To Rome
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday arrived back in Abuja following his attendance at the Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV held in Rome.
Naija News reports that the President, who arrived through the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, was welcomed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje.
Recall that President Tinubu, on Sunday, commended the humility of Pope Leo XIV.
Tinubu said the humility of the new Pope and his history with Nigeria serve as a reminder of the moral leadership the world desperately needs.
He also affirmed the commitment of Nigeria as a nation to promoting peace, unity and progress across the world without bias for race or religious belief.
Tinubu made the submissions in a post via his 𝕏 account shortly after his meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Rome.
He also prayed for God’s guidance for the new leader of the Catholic church worldwide.
2. Security Agents Begin Manhunt As Inmates Escape Prison After Heavy Rainfall
The Nigerian Correctional Service has launched an expansive manhunt following the rainfall that breached the security of its facility at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ilesa, Osun State.
Naija News reports that this was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the Deputy Controller of Corrections, Public Relations Officer, Umar Abubakar.
The force majeure which occurred at about 0200 hours on Tuesday, 20th of May 2025, led to the escape of seven (7) inmates.
Following the incident, the Controller General of Corrections (CGC), Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape.
The NCoS stated that it is working closely with sister security agencies as well as community leaders to recapture the escapees and bring them back to custody.
3. Tinubu Govt To Sell 753 Duplexes Seized From Former CBN Governor To Nigerians
The administration of President Bola Tinubu is set to sell 753 luxury duplexes seized from a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to interested Nigerians.
This was made known by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who noted that the move is based on the directive of President Tinubu.
Dangiwa made the disclosure in a statement issued on Tuesday after the official handover of the duplexes by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
The Minister added that the housing units will be sold through a clear and competitive process. He also assured that the procedure will be promoted extensively and overseen through the Renewed Hope Portal.
Naija News reports that the houses are located in the Cadastral Zone of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
4. 2025 UTME Issue Due To Human Error, Not Technical Glitch – Reps Panel
The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has clarified that the issue with the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results was caused by human error, not a technical failure.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the committee’s chairman, Oboku Oforji, revealed that preliminary findings indicated the discrepancies, which affected over 300,000 candidates, were due to human error.
Naija News reports that the issue came to light when the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, addressed the press on May 14, 2025, and admitted that the board had made errors in the released results of some candidates.
In an emotional address, Professor Oloyede explained that despite their best efforts to ensure a smooth examination process, the errors were a testament to the board’s humanity.
Speaking on the development, Oforji, who was flanked by his colleagues, said the fault was caused by human error and not technical issue as claimed by JAMB.
He sympathised with the candidates who were affected by the error.
The committee chairman said that despite the “unfortunate” error, JAMB’s consistent process throughout the examination process, from registration to the release of results, is commendable.
Oforji demanded an “independent and thorough investigation” into the matter, adding that the committee has proposed reforms to the board.
5. Oyo State Government Blames Father Of WASSCE Student Killed By Stray Bullet
The Oyo State government has explained that the father of the student who was hit by a stray bullet while on his way to an examination centre in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was driving against traffic when the incident happened.
Naija News gathered that the tragic incident occurred on the Gbagi Market Road.
The student was said to be in the car with his twin brother when the Police bullet missed its target and hit him.
The student was quickly taken to Welfare Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
In a statement on Tuesday, through the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, described the incident as sad, shocking and painful, stressing the tragedy could have been avoided.
The government stated that it was during an attempt to apprehend the traffic offender that the policeman shot at the tyre of the car, which missed the target.
He also promised to ensure justice is served and reassured the public that steps would be taken to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
6. PDP Senate Caucus Gives Approval For Party To Lead Opposition Coalition For 2027
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senate caucus has given its backing for the party to lead the coalition of opposition parties in the 2027 elections.
The position was made known on Tuesday by the leader of the caucus, who also doubles as the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro.
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, Senator Moro submitted that the PDP is big enough to accommodate all other parties interested in forming a coalition for the 2027 elections.
Naija News reports that the target of the coalition is to unseat President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking further, the lawmaker dismissed insinuations that the PDP is on the verge of collapse due to the wave of defections and internal crisis that have affected the party in recent times.
He submitted that the party remains strong and united despite recent challenges.
On the challenges and internal disagreements in the PDP, Moro argued that such issues are not peculiar to the PDP, adding that the issues are already being addressed.
7. Davido Responds To Tribal Critism, Sets Record Straight On Igbo Heritage
Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has responded to a social media post condemning his association with the Igbos.
Naija News reports that a netizen on 𝕏 had criticised his association with the Igbo community.
However, Davido clarified that he is Igbo by blood.
The post by user @Yakbel on Tuesday cautioned the singer against maintaining close ties with Igbos, suggesting that they would eventually betray him.
In a swift and clear response, Davido dismissed the tribal sentiment, replying, “Lol, I AM IGBO by blood.”
The singer’s statement has since sparked widespread reactions, with many praising him for rejecting divisive rhetoric and affirming unity across Nigeria’s ethnic lines.
8. Timaya Shares Personal Account Of Odi Massacre, Claims Govt Sent Military To Shoot People Down
Veteran Nigerian singer, Timaya, has claimed that the 1999 Odi massacre in Bayelsa State was carried out by the Nigerian Army on the order of the government.
Recounting the attack, he lamented that the military operation resulted in the loss of lives and property.
The singer explained that the massacre was also a personal ordeal, stressing that his mother owned a bakery in the town of Odi.
Timaya said he was conferred with the title of Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa after he sang about the Odi massacre in his hit song, ‘Dem Mama’, in 2007.
9. NSC Bans Six Athletes From National Sports Festival In Ogun
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has taken a firm stance against doping in sports by disqualifying six registered athletes who have been involved in anti-doping violations.
As a result, these athletes will not be eligible to compete for medals at the ongoing National Sports Festival, appropriately dubbed the Gateway Games 2024.
The athletes disqualified are Marcus Okon, who was representing Akwa Ibom State in Para Athletics; Ayabeke Opeyemi, competing in Gymnastics for Bayelsa State; and Kareem Shukurat, who was set to participate in kickboxing for Lagos State.
Additionally, Ogunsemilore Cynthia and Omole Joshua, both from Bayelsa State and also involved in kickboxing, along with Animashaun Sofia from Lagos State in Para Powerlifting, have faced similar disqualifications.
This decisive action was the outcome of a strategic joint meeting held on Monday between the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee of the Games.
The NSC emphasised the importance of maintaining the integrity of sports and aligning with global standards, as highlighted by a statement from the Commission’s director of press, Mrs. Kehinde Ajayi.
10. Police Recover Stolen Champions League Trophy
Portuguese authorities announced the successful recovery of the Women’s Champions League trophy, which had been stolen from the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, the venue for the upcoming final featuring defending champions Barcelona and Arsenal.
Naija News understands that the theft occurred during a league match between Sporting Lisbon and Vitoria Guimaraes on Saturday, but it was not reported to the police until the next day.
According to a police statement, several individuals wearing balaclavas forced open a gate in the stadium’s garage, where the prestigious tournament final is scheduled for May 24.
In addition to the trophy, other UEFA equipment was also stolen.
A police spokesman informed AFP that these items, along with the trophy, have now been returned to the governing body of European football.
Thirteen suspects have been identified, although the police did not provide details regarding the operation that led to the recovery of the stolen items.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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