Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 19th August, 2025
1. Tinubu Arrives Japan For TICAD9
President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Japan ahead of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), scheduled to hold in Yokohama between August 20 and 22.
Naija News reports that the Nigerian leader, who left Abuja on Friday, August 15, was received in Tokyo on Monday by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, alongside top Japanese officials.
Tinubu’s entourage included senior government officials, ministers, and special advisers. His journey to Japan also featured a brief stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before heading to Tokyo.
According to Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu will participate in several sessions related to the conference and also engage in bilateral meetings.
2. U.S Government Reacts As Nigeria Arrests Wanted Terrorist Leaders
The United States government has commended the efforts of the Nigerian government and its security forces, which resulted in the recent arrest of two wanted terrorist leaders.
The United States Mission in Nigeria, in a statement on Monday, said the arrest of the criminals is a significant step in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
The statement commended the Nigerian government for the successful arrests.
Naija News recalls that the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, on Friday disclosed that the Federal Government has captured two notorious terrorist leaders wanted globally.
The suspects, identified as Amir Mahmud Mohammed Usman, popularly known as Abu Baraa, and his deputy, Amir Marmuda, were arrested in a special operation.
According to Ribadu, the duo are top commanders of the Ansaru Terrorist Organisation, otherwise known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria, as well as the Mahmudawa terrorist group.
3. JAMB Gives Deadline For Conclusion Of 2025 Admissions
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has mandated every tertiary institution in Nigeria to conclude the 2025 admission by the end of the year.
Specifically, JAMB ordered public universities to finalize their 2025 admission processes by October 31, 2025, while all private universities are also required to complete admissions by November 30, 2025.
Naija News reports the directive was made known in the weekly bulletin released by the board on Monday.
JAMB said the directives are in line with the schedule approved during the 2025 Policy Meeting chaired by the Minister of Education.
It ordered that where an institution is not yet ready to commence the new academic session, such an institution should conduct its admission and archive it.
According to JAMB, the decision aims to stabilise the academic calendar and ensure equitable access to admission slots across all tertiary institutions.
4. How Do You Rebrand The Failure Of 2015 Into A Saviour In 2025? – Farotimi Queries Goodluck Jonathan’s Return
Human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, has questioned the rationale behind some politicians’ demand for the return of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, to contest in the 2027 election.
Naija News reports that there have been rumours about Jonathan agreeing to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Farotimi wondered why politicians were considering bringing back the Bayelsa-born politician, who was vilified, labelled, and voted out in 2015.
The frontline lawyer stated that Jonathan was voted out of office for valid reasons, and insisted that those expecting him to return and perform a miracle would be disappointed.
According to Farotim, replacing President Bola Tinubu with Jonathan would be a waste of time because he will not solve Nigeria’s problems.
He added that Nigerians are not looking for a saviour but someone who can build the country.
5. Boko Haram Founder’s Son Arrested
A young son of Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, has been arrested in Chad, where he was allegedly leading a jihadist cell.
According to AFP, security sources have confirmed that Muslim Mohammed Yusuf, believed to be 18 years old, was arrested alongside five other suspected insurgents during a raid by Chadian security forces.
Naija News reports that although Chadian police confirmed the arrest of six Boko Haram members, they did not immediately verify if one of them was the son of the late extremist cleric.
However, a Nigerian intelligence source in the Lake Chad region reportedly told AFP: “The team was headed by Muslim, the youngest son of the late Boko Haram founder.”
Photos obtained by the media platform after the said arrest showed a young, slender man in a blue tracksuit, bearing a striking resemblance to Yusuf, standing next to older men.
The intelligence source noted that the arrested cell reportedly belonged to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a breakaway faction that split from Boko Haram following ideological differences.
Muslim Yusuf, who also goes by the alias Abdrahman Mahamat Abdoulaye, is said to be the younger brother of ISWAP leader, Habib Yusuf, alias Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawi.
6. Olubadan: ‘I Was Telling Myself That I’m Not Ready For The Kingship – Ladoja
The nominated 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has stated that the death of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, pained him because he was not ready for kingship.
Naija News reports that Ladoja disclosed this on Monday, while addressing journalists at his Ondo Street private residence in Ibadan.
Ladoja, who said he began his journey to the exalted stool of Olubadan from his Family compound on October 1, 1993, expressed appreciation to God for sparing his life.
According to him, he would soon be crowned, now that he has returned to his ancestral hometown, Ibadan.
7. A Man Refused To Date Me Because I Am A Single Mum Of 2 – Dancer Kaffy
Nigerian dancer, Kafayat Shafau, popularly known as Kaffy, has shared her experience on the challenges she faces in dating after divorce and raising two children.
She made this known during her appearance on The Honest Bunch podcast, where she explained that some men find it difficult to accept single mothers as partners.
Naija News reports that she recalled being told by a man that he could not date her because she already had two children.
Kaffy questioned why divorced women are often overlooked in relationships, stressing that they could even make stronger partners if they have worked on themselves after separation.
She said that divorce should not automatically disqualify someone from being considered for love or marriage, as even relationships between two single people are not guaranteed to last.
8. ‘Nigerian Politicians Are Like Spiritual Husbands’ – Jaruma Opens Up On Relationship With Vice President
Controversial kayamata seller, Hauwa Mohammed, better known as Jaruma, has likened Nigerian politicians to spiritual husbands.
Naija News reports that Jaruma made this known while speaking about her past romantic relationships.
In a video shared via X, Jaruma disclosed that she once dated international football star, Samuel Eto’o and a Nigerian vice president.
Jaruma, who claimed she had only dated two men in her life, said the name of the vice president cannot be mentioned due to security reasons.
She emphasised that questions about how she was able to afford her luxury lifestyle before venturing into the kayamata business made her come clean about her past.
Jaruma said she studied in Istanbul, Turkey, and later resided in Dubai, noting that her time abroad also influenced her experiences.
9. Neymar Reveals Why He Cried After Vasco da Gama Defeated Santos
Santos captain, Neymar says he felt “ashamed” after his side collapsed to a humiliating 6-0 home defeat against Vasco da Gama on Sunday, a result that has plunged the club deeper into crisis.
The Brazilian superstar, who returned to Santos earlier this year following his ill-fated move to Saudi Arabia, was left in tears after the final whistle at the Estádio do Morumbi. Vasco ran riot with goals from Piton, David, Rayan, Tchê Tchê and a brace from former Liverpool and Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
It was the heaviest defeat of Neymar’s career and the first time in history that Santos have conceded six goals at home in a Brazilian Serie A match.
“We were so sh*t. It was a disgrace. The fans have the right to curse and insult people today,” Neymar said in an interview with The TouchlineX after the game. “I feel ashamed. I had never experienced anything like this in my life.”
10. Lukaku Ruled Out of Napoli’s Serie A Opener, Chelsea Reject Bayern’s Loan Bid for Nkunku
Italian Serie A champions, Napoli have confirmed that their striker, Romelu Lukaku will miss the start of the Serie A season after suffering a serious thigh injury.
The Italian Seria A champions confirmed that the Belgium international tore a muscle in his left thigh during a pre-season friendly against Olympiakos last Thursday. Napoli said the injury was “serious” and suggested the Lukaku, 32, may require surgery.
Although the club did not specify a recovery timeline, Italian media reports claim Lukaku could be sidelined until November.
Napoli, who begin their title defence away to promoted Sassuolo on Saturday, will be without the former Chelsea forward who scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists in their championship-winning campaign under coach Antonio Conte last season.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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