Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 22nd August, 2025
1. Tinubu Departs Japan For Brazil, To Stopover In Los Angeles
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Yokohama, Japan, on Thursday night for the ultra-long-haul flight to Brazil, where he will begin a state visit on August 24.
Naija News reports that this was disclosed in a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu will have a stopover in Los Angeles before continuing his journey to Brasilia, the capital of Brazil.
President Tinubu began his two-nation visit on Friday, August 15, when he departed Abuja.
He and his entourage stopped over in Dubai, UAE, and arrived in Yokohama early in the morning on August 18.
After attending the opening ceremony and plenary of the ninth Tokyo International Conference for African Development( TICAD9) on August 20, President Tinubu held some bilateral meetings, culminating in the interactive session with diaspora Nigerians on Thursday night.
2. Security: ‘There Is No Country That Has 100% Peace, Nigerians Should Be Grateful’ – CDS Gen Musa
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has stated that no country is without security issues and Nigerians should be grateful for the progress being made in the fight against insecurity in the country.
Naija News reports that General Musa made the remark on Thursday while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.
According to him, the Nigerian Armed Forces have made significant strides, citing the arrest of the son of the Boko Haram founder as well as Ansaru commanders.
General Musa added that insecurity cannot be eradicated overnight, emphasising that no country in the world is entirely free from security challenges.
3. “When People Go Into The Gutters, I Don’t Go With Them” – Seyi Makinde Speaks After PDP Meeting
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that some people are resorting to the gutters, but he doesn’t stoop to their level.
He, however, declared his readiness to reach out to those who are already going into the gutters.
Naija News reports that Governor Makinde made the declaration on Thursday while speaking to newsmen after the South-West zoning consultative summit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held in Lagos.
The Oyo State Governor added that there should be nothing personal about disagreeing with people because it is all about serving Nigerians.
Speaking against the backdrop of Saturday’s bye-election, the Governor said the results confirm that the PDP remains a force to reckon with in the political space.
Makinde stated that if the PDP continue to work hard, it will reclaim the confidence of Nigerians.
On the reports that the PDP has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the south, Makinde said no decision has been taken and the party was not yet at that stage.
He said the focus is currently on rebuilding the party.
4. EFCC Declares Atiku’s Son-in-law Wanted
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly declared a businessman and son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Abdullahi Bashir Haske, wanted.
Naija News understands that Haske was declared wanted by the anti-graft agency over an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
This was disclosed in a notice issued by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
The EFCC urged members of the public with helpful information about Haske’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or any of the commission’s offices nationwide.
5. ASUU Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Unmet Demands
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned of a looming nationwide strike, accusing the Federal Government of reneging on long-standing agreements regarding the revitalisation and proper funding of public universities.
The union’s president, Christopher Piwuna, raised the alarm on Thursday during a press conference at the University of Jos. He said lecturers had endured over two years of broken promises and deliberate delay tactics by the government.
Piwuna listed unresolved issues including the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, outstanding salary arrears, withheld promotions, and the welfare of retired lecturers.
The ASUU president also dismissed the government’s proposed tertiary institutions staff support fund loan scheme, describing it as “a trap.”
ASUU further criticised the proliferation of universities without sustainable funding, warning that the trend has worsened standards and damaged global rankings.
On pensions, the union lamented that some professors who served for over 40 years now receive as little as ₦150,000 monthly despite rising inflation and living costs.
The union said it will await the outcome of a scheduled government meeting on August 28 before deciding its next move. However, it announced that members will stage rallies across campuses next week to express their frustrations.
6. CDS Gen Musa Urges Every Nigerian To Learn Combat Skills For Self-defence
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has likened the acquisition of combat skills to learning to drive, swim, and other essential survival skills.
Naija News reports that General Musa made this known on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.
When asked whether he would advise Nigerians to learn combat skills to protect themselves in the face of danger, General Musa said, “That one should be taken as learning driving, learning how to swim. Whether we have war or not, it is a survival instinct.
Speaking further, the CDS stated that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should train Nigerian graduates in unarmed combat skills for day-to-day survival against individuals with malicious intentions.
He added that security is the responsibility of all Nigerians, urging citizens to remain situationally aware of their surroundings to identify individuals who appear strange or suspicious.
7. Nigerian Singer, Lil Kesh Gives Update On Health After Escaping Death
Nigerian singer, Keshinro Ololade, popularly known as Lil Kesh, has confirmed he is safe after a recent robbery attack.
Naija News reports that the Shoki crooner narrowly escaped death on Wednesday after a robbery incident in Lagos.
Lil Kesh was reportedly stabbed in the neck during the robbery, and his jewellery, worth millions of naira, was also stolen.
In a post via his X handle on Thursday, the musician said he is currently recovering and expressed appreciation for the love, support, and prayers he had received.
He wrote, “Life threw me a curveball, but I’m safe, healing, and blessed to be here. Grateful for the love, support and prayers.”
8. Ghanian Singer, Shatta Wale Detained Over Tax Issue Linked To Lamborghini
Ghanaian singer, Shatta Wale, has been taken into custody by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Ghana as part of a tax investigation connected to his purchase of a luxury car.
Naija News reports that the detention follows the seizure of his yellow Lamborghini, which US authorities claimed is connected to a criminal network run by another Ghanaian, Nana Kwabena Amuah.
Amuah is serving a seven-year prison sentence in the United States for defrauding multiple organisations using vendor impersonation scams.
Shatta Wale, whose real name is Charles Nii Armah, reportedly surrendered voluntarily to EOCO on Wednesday.
His management clarified that the detention relates to tax obligations and denied any link between the singer and the US fraud allegations.
Wale has described himself as a “third-party owner” of the $150,000 car and said he was unaware of who shipped it to Ghana.
The Lamborghini is expected to be returned to the US to assist in compensating Amuah’s victims.
9. Arsenal Race Against Time To Register Eberechi Eze Ahead Of Leeds United Clash
Arsenal are in a race against the clock to finalise the signing of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, with the deadline set for 12pm on Friday if he is to feature in their Premier League fixture against Leeds United this weekend.
The Gunners have swooped in to secure the 27-year-old midfielder, edging out fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the process. Eberechi Eze is expected to undergo his medical in London immediately after Palace’s Europa Conference League playoff against Fredrikstad on Thursday night.
Mikel Arteta will be keen to have the England international available as Arsenal look to build on their opening-day 1-0 victory at Manchester United.
However, for Eze to be named in the squad against newly-promoted Leeds at the Emirates, all registration paperwork must be completed and filed with the Premier League before Friday’s noon deadline.
10. Emmanuel Bamidele Switches Allegiance From Nigeria To UAE Ahead Of Diamond League Finale
World Athletics has confirmed that quarter-miler Emmanuel Bamidele has officially switched nationality from Nigeria to the United Arab Emirates.
Emmanuel Bamidele, a 26-year-old Nigerian sprinter, has already been listed as eligible to compete for the UAE on the governing body’s database.
Bamidele’s debut race under his new flag will come this Friday at the Brussels Diamond League finale, where he lines up in the men’s 400m invitational against six Belgian runners and Jamaica’s Antonio Watson.
Bamidele’s career has been anything but straightforward. Back in 2018, just weeks after storming to victory at the Nigerian Commonwealth Games trials in Abuja with a then-personal best of 45.28 seconds, he vanished from the national camp and missed the Gold Coast Games entirely.
Not long after, he resurfaced in Qatar and by 2019 was racing under their colours, finishing second in the Diamond League at Doha’s Khalifa International Stadium.
Following his stint in Qatar, Bamidele returned to the United States collegiate circuit, running for Texas A&M before switching to the University of Florida.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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