Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 18th July, 2025
1. Tinubu Renames UNIMAID After Late Muhammadu Buhari
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday announced that the University of Maiduguri will now be known as Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri, in honour of the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Naija News reports that the announcement was made during a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) session held in Abuja to pay tribute to Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday, July 13, 2025, following a brief illness.
Speaking at the session, President Tinubu paid glowing tribute to the former leader, describing him as a man of “discipline, moral fortitude, and unwavering patriotism.”
He noted that Buhari’s record, like those of all public figures, would be subject to scrutiny, but insisted that his “moral force, incorruptible standard, and character will not be forgotten.”
President Tinubu described Buhari’s leadership as austere and honourable, emphasising his restraint in office and refusal to be swayed by political applause or pressure.
According to the President, Buhari set a moral tone for governance, one grounded in “transparency, justice, and quiet courage.”
2. Atiku Is Only Deceiving You, He’s Not Interested In Southern Presidency – Former Presidential Candidate Warns Peter Obi
The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has stated that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is not interested in a southern presidency in 2027.
According to him, Atiku wants everybody, including those in the newly launched coalition, to believe he is the only one who is fit to be the party’s presidential candidate.
Specifically, Kachikwu submitted that Atiku doesn’t believe in a southern presidency and is using some charlatans to deceive the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into believing that only he, Atiku, has what it takes to win an election because he can garner the majority of the North’s votes.
The former ADC presidential candidate, however, submitted that if Atiku truly has good intentions, he must support the presidency to remain in the south for the next six years.
He, however, said that because of his selfish ambitions, Atiku would not support a southern candidate.
The former ADC presidential candidate stated that his party is not for sale and cannot be taken over by Atiku and other coalition members, adding that Nigeria needs fresh politicians with new ideas that can move the country forward.
Naija News reports Kachikwu made the submissions during a press briefing on Thursday.
3. You Can’t Quietly Sell Them Without Full Audit – ADC Demands Probe Of Nigeria’s Refineries
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded a full audit of Nigeria’s refineries, citing recent reports that allege that successive governments have spent nearly $18 billion on the rehabilitation of the three major refineries in the country.
The ADC made the demand in a statement on Thursday by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary and Coalition Spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, to Naija News.
The ADC questioned whether the Tinubu administration has been deceiving Nigerians, having recently spent over $2.8billion dollars on the refineries, before declaring that they were moribund.
It expressed concern over the recent confirmation by the Bola Tinubu administration and the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) that the federal government is proceeding with the full privatisation of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries.
ADC pointed out that this development, coming just months after government officials claimed that the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries had resumed partial operations, raises fundamental questions about transparency and policy coherence.
4. Nigerian Soldiers Reject ₦13.7 Million Bribe From Terrorists In Plateau, Arrest Suspects
The Defence Headquarters on Thursday said operatives of Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State rejected a bribe of ₦13.7 million offered by two suspected terrorists during a recent operation along the Jos–Sanga Road.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja, where he provided updates on ongoing military operations across the country.
According to Kangye, the suspects attempted to buy their freedom after being intercepted by troops responding to a distress call about terrorist activity in the area.
“On July 9, our gallant troops intercepted a vehicle with bullet holes along Jos–Sanga Road. The suspects attempted to induce the troops with monetary gratification, which they declined,” Kangye revealed.
The troops reportedly rejected the bribe and proceeded to arrest two suspects and recover a cache of weapons, ammunition, a vehicle, and ₦13.7 million in cash.
Naija News understands that the recovered items are now in military custody, and investigations are ongoing.
5. Coalition Is A Gang, Atiku, Others Offering ₦20 Million For Some ADC State Chairmen To Resign – Kachikwu
The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other coalition members of desperate attempts to hijack the ADC.
Kachikwu, who spoke during a press conference on Thursday, described the coalition led by Atiku and some other major opposition politicians as a political gang.
According to him, the coalition is offering some ADC state chairmen as much as ₦20,000,000 to resign from their positions.
He argued that the interest of the coalition members is not about rescuing Nigerians, but about rescuing themselves from the harsh economic realities that have faced them since they left political offices.
Naija News reports Kachikwu also denied claims that he is on the payroll of President Bola Tinubu.
6. It Is Unfortunate Tinubu Is Looking For A Second Term, That Should Not Be His Focus – Bucknor-Akerele
A former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, has expressed her dissatisfaction with the second-term ambition of President Bola Tinubu.
According to her, it is a misplaced priority for Tinubu to be pursuing a second term in office when so many issues remain unresolved in the country.
Speaking on Thursday during an interview appearance on Channels Television, Bucknor-Akerele, who served as Lagos Deputy Governor under the Tinubu administration, said it is unfortunate the President is shifting attention to his second term ambition and neglecting core issues of governance.
She emphasised the urgent need to address issues related to Nigeria’s socio-economic apparatus and security challenges.
The former Deputy Governor insisted that Nigerians are fed up with the current situation under the Tinubu administration and if the government doesn’t reverse its steps, the country may be heading for a disaster.
7. BBNaija Star, Kimoprah Fumes At Audacity Of Taxi Driver, Immigration Officers Making Advances At Her
Former Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) Housemate, Kimoprah, has expressed displeasure at the audacity of some men, recalling how taxi drivers and Immigration officers made advances at her during her trips abroad.
Naija News reports that the reality TV star disclosed this in a recent episode of The BTS Reality podcast.
Kimoprah, who sounded uninterested in such class of men, said their moves were audacious.
According to the BBNaija star, many people abroad do not really care about class, adding that everyone has the right to free speech.
8. ‘When You Stop Giving, You Become The Bad Person’ – Rudeboy
Nigerian singer, Paul Okoye, popularly known as Rudeboy, has shared how some people take others for granted until they stop receiving favours.
In a post shared on his Instagram, the artiste hinted at the painful reality of doing so much for people who fail to appreciate the effort.
He explained that those who once benefited from someone’s kindness can easily turn against them the moment the support stops.
He wrote: “Sometimes in life ehh! the people wey you de suffer for and carry cross for no go send you … until you stop giving them.. Then you will become the bad person.”
9. Toni Payne: “No Regrets” For Choosing Nigeria Over USA
Super Falcons midfielder, Toni Payne has declared that choosing to represent Nigeria over the United States remains one of the most fulfilling decisions of her life.
Speaking ahead of Nigeria’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-final clash with Zambia, Toni Payne told Biola Solace-Chukwu that the decision to switch allegiances was driven not just by career prospects but by a deep yearning to reconnect with her heritage.
“Even though I did grow up with dreams of playing for the US, when I had the opportunity to play for Nigeria, it was almost a no-brainer and a no question for me. So, yeah, no regrets,” she said.
Born and raised in the United States, Payne was once seen as a future star for the American women’s national team. But the call of her roots proved stronger.
“I love being a part of something bigger than myself,” she said. “I love to be around my culture that I didn’t get to be around all the time growing up in the US. I love to represent my family. There’s just so much passion and love for the sport here that you don’t see every day.”
Now a mainstay in Nigeria’s midfield, Payne is not only thriving on the pitch but also using her platform to encourage other dual-nationality players to follow their hearts.
10. Olivia Smith Joins Arsenal In Record-Breaking £1 Million Deal
Canadian Star Olivia Smith has officially become the most expensive player in the history of women’s football, sealing a groundbreaking £1 million transfer to Arsenal from Liverpool.
Olivia Smith’s transfer deal surpasses the previous record held by USA defender Naomi Girma, who joined Chelsea for £900,000 from San Diego Wave earlier this year.
The Champions League-winning Gunners wasted no time in securing Smith’s services with a four-year deal, marking a bold statement of intent from Arsenal as they prepare for another assault on both domestic and European glory.
Her journey to this milestone has been meteoric. Smith made her international debut for Canada at just 15, turned professional in 2023, and joined Liverpool from Sporting Lisbon for over £200,000, a club record at the time.
In her debut Women’s Super League season, she netted seven goals in 20 appearances, becoming a rare bright spark in a struggling Liverpool side that finished seventh.
Her combination of pace, technique, and vision caught the eye of Arsenal’s scouting team early, and the club moved swiftly to beat off strong competition from European rivals.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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