Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 15th August, 2025
1. President Tinubu And His Team Have Worked Hard To Stabilize The Economy – Okonjo-Iweala Declares
The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has commended the efforts of President Bola Tinubu in stabilizing the economy of Nigeria.
Speaking on Thursday after a visit to the President in Abuja, the WTO chief said the reforms implemented by the Tinubu government are steps in the right direction.
She, however, called for the implementation of social safety nets for vulnerable Nigerians who are most hit by the pains of President Tinubu’s economic reforms.
The former Finance Minister stated that with the economy stabilized, the next line of action is to grow the economy.
2. You Are Not A Tourist, Stop Travelling While Nigeria Bleeds – Peter Obi Fires President Tinubu
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned the planned foreign trips by President Bola Tinubu to Brazil and Japan.
Obi, in a statement on Thursday, said Tinubu’s foreign trips are becoming too frequent and unnecessary while many challenges remain unresolved on the home front.
Specifically, Obi said it is worrying that President Tinubu derives joy in travelling abroad at the slightest invitation or excuse but has not found it necessary to visit troubled states in the country.
His criticism comes on the heels of the announcement from the presidency on Wednesday that Tinubu will leave Abuja on Thursday, August 14, for official visits to Japan and Brazil, with a brief stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Peter Obi, in his reaction, said the trip is a sign of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians on the part of Tinubu.
He added that the duration of the foreign trips could also be significantly reduced, urging the President to focus on resolving the challenges plaguing the country rather than attending foreign conferences that contribute little or no tangible value to resolving the nation’s woes.
3. ‘We Are Still Searching For Terrorist Leader, Bello Turji’ – DHQ
The Defence Headquarters has dismissed reports that terrorist leader, Bello Turji, has surrendered to the military.
Naija News reports that Turji, a wanted bandit leader operating mainly in Zamfara and Sokoto states, has been accused of masterminding several attacks on communities in the North-West.
Recently, there were reports that Turji had surrendered his arms and released 32 kidnap victims following a peace initiative brokered by Islamic clerics in Zamfara State.
However, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, during a press briefing on the activities of the Armed Forces on Thursday in Abuja, stated that they are still searching for Turji.
He said, “Simple answer to the question about terrorist leader, Bello Turji; Turji has not surrendered, we are still on the lookout for him.”
4. NLC Issues Seven-day Strike Notice To Tinubu Govt
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to refund allegedly diverted workers’ funds from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
Naija News reports that the resolution was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the NLC Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in Abuja.
The NLC also demanded the immediate constitution of the Governing Board of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM).
According to the Labour Union, failure to comply will lead to a nationwide industrial action.
The meeting, presided over by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, deliberated extensively on issues affecting Nigerian workers, the trade union movement, and the nation at large.
NLC accused the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government of neglecting workers’ welfare and undermining pension administration, insisting that the alleged diversion of funds must be addressed without delay.
5. NAAT Rejects FG’s Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund, Demands Payment of Arrears
The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has rejected the federal government’s newly introduced Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), calling it a misplaced priority that could lead to long-term debt for tertiary institution workers.
Naija News reports that the TISSF, launched by the Federal Ministry of Education and TETFund, was announced as a financial support programme designed to assist staff in Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions.
However, NAAT views the scheme as ineffective in addressing the core challenges faced by academic technologists.
In a statement signed by the union’s National President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, the union made it clear that the TISSF amounted to little more than a loan scheme that would worsen financial burdens on members.
NAAT further emphasised that its members already have access to cooperative societies that can meet their short-term financial needs, making the TISSF unnecessary.
6. ‘Insensitive’ – CAC Blasts Pastor Fatoyinbo Over Comment That Apostle Babalola Died Poor
The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has slammed the lead Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, Biodun Fatoyinbo, over his comment regarding late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola.
Naija News reports that Pastor Fatoyinbo, in one of his messages, reportedly said that despite the deluge of anointing by Apostle Babalola, he died poor while questioning the whereabouts of his children.
However, the Church’s Director of Publicity, Pastor Ade Alawode, in a statement on Thursday, described Fatoyinbo’s remark about Apostle Babalola as insensitive and ill-informed.
Alawode insisted that Fatoyinbo’s claim was inaccurate, stressing that Apostle Babalola lived a befitting lifestyle without exploiting the pulpit.
While berating Pastor Fatoyinbo for questioning the whereabouts of Apostle Babalola’s children, Alawode said his brand of preaching is encouraging greed, corruption and ungodliness.
7. ‘Na Money You Get, You Won’t Be God’ – Phyna Calls Out Dangote Over Truck That Crushed Sister
Big Brother Naija ‘Level Up’ edition winner, Ijeoma Otabor, better known as Phyna, has called out Nigerian billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote and his company, the Dangote Group, over a truck which reportedly crashed into her sister.
Naija News reports that the reality TV star made this known in a post via her Instagram page on Wednesday night, August 13, 2025.
Phyna alleged that Dangote and his company instructed the police to remove the plate number of the truck that crushed her sister.
According to the reality TV star, one of Dangote’s managers is reportedly going to the police station instead of seeing her sister first at the hospital.
8. I Am Looking For Someone Young With A Private Plane – Tiwa Savage List Qualities To Consider Before Remarrying
Popular Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has stated that she remains interested in getting married.
Naija News reports that Savage married her former manager, Tunji Balogun, also known as Teebillz, in 2013, but they divorced in 2018 after attempts to resolve their differences proved unsuccessful.
Their marriage produced a son called Jamil.
Speaking during a recent podcast interview that has been making the rounds on social media, the mother of one stated that she is looking forward to remarrying.
Savage, however, stated that she is finding it difficult to find a partner due to her standards.
Savage said that her ideal husband is a young and rich man with no baby mama issues.
9. I Can’t Pay Half A Million For Flight And You’re Frowning At Me – Yhemo Lee Knocks Ibom Air Hostess
Nigerian singer Idowu Adeyemi popularly known as Yhemo Lee has criticised the Ibom Air hostess involved in the viral incident with passenger Comfort Emmanson.
Sharing his thoughts on Instagram, Yhemo Lee said he had encountered the same hostess on two occasions and found her to be constantly frowning, with a stern facial expression that made passengers uncomfortable.
He said that such a mood was unfit for someone in a customer-facing role, especially when travellers are paying high fares for local flights, Naija News reports.
He argued that flight attendants should communicate politely and with a welcoming tone, as it encourages passengers to comply more willingly with instructions.
According to him, the way staff address customers plays a big role in shaping the travel experience.
Yhemo Lee also stressed that Comfort Emmanson should be allowed to share her side of the story and issue an apology if necessary, insisting that both staff conduct and passenger behaviour must be addressed in the ongoing controversy.
10. Tinubu: ‘All The Promises, We Have Not Seen Anything’ – Super Falcons Captain, Ajibade
Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, has disclosed that the team is still awaiting the $100,000 reward and other benefits promised by the Federal Government following their victory at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Naija News reports that Ajibade made this known during an interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, expressing her disappointment over the delay in fulfilling the pledge.
When asked by Jideonwo if the players had received the money, Ajibade replied, “We have not received our money, but hopefully, it would be paid. They have not paid, all the promises, we have not received anything.”
The forward, who captained the Super Falcons to a record-extending WAFCON triumph, said the players are still hopeful the government will redeem its pledge.
After the historic win in Morocco, President Bola Tinubu conferred the national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all team members and the technical crew.
The President also pledged a cash reward of $100,000 and a three-bedroom flat for each player, hailing the squad for their “indomitable spirit of resilience, determination and courage” during a reception at the Presidential Villa.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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