Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 4th September, 2025
1. President Tinubu Orders Compulsory Health Insurance For Workers
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to issue a service-wide circular to all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on the implementation of mandatory health insurance in line with the National Health Insurance Act, 2022.
However, President Tinubu called for further, closer and constructive engagement with the Private Sector on the Act to ensure that businesses are not unduly constrained, Naija News reports.
According to a statement on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s directive covers five key areas.
The statement said all MDAs must enrol their employees in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) health insurance plan, adding that where desired, MDAs may take up supplementary private insurance coverage in accordance with the NHIA Act.
The President directed that all entities participating in public procurement must present a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of their eligibility documentation.
2. Sirika Reveals Those Responsible For The Failure Of Nigeria Air
Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has blamed the failure of the proposed Nigeria Air on the activities of some domestic operators, under the aegis of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
The former Minister insisted that the process for setting up the airline was transparent and passed through the Federal Executive Council (FEC), and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
He, however, added that Air Peace, Azman, and United Nigeria Airlines hindered the establishment due to the limited stake Nigeria would have had.
Naija News reports that Sirika made the submission on Wednesday during a Channels Television interview.
He also disclosed that, contrary to some reports that around ₦100 billion was spent on the process, the total budget for the national carrier was ₦5 billion, and the total amount released was ₦3 billion.
Sirika stated that a partnership with Ethiopian Airlines was in place because no domestic carrier had the capacity to compete with the mega carriers, but some local airlines went to court to challenge the plans, which eventually stalled the entire process for the now ill-fated Nigeria Air.
3. ‘No Man’s Land’: Don’t Misinterpret Me – Bwala Clarifies Statement On Status Of Lagos State
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has provided clarification on his submission regarding the special status of Lagos.
The presidential media aide said some people were already misinterpreting what he said about Lagos State and investments by the Tinubu government during an earlier interview on Wednesday.
Naija News reports that Bwala, during the interview, described Lagos State as a “no-man’s land” and the pride of Nigeria’s economy.
Bwala, who spoke on the Daybreak programme on Arise Television on Wednesday, argued that the concentration of federal projects in Lagos should not be seen as favouritism but as investment in the country’s commercial hub.
However, shortly after the interview, Bwala took to his 𝕏 account, where he emphasized that his statement during the interview was not in any way meant to contend that Lagos belongs to the Yoruba people.
He added that the unique identity of Lagos as a Yoruba homeland is settled and beyond dispute.
The media aide explained that his argument was for Lagos to benefit from massive investments in infrastructure to sustain the economic and social responsibilities it shoulders not only in Nigeria but in West Africa.
4. ‘Meeting Revenue Target Not About Announcing It In Press Conferences’ – Peter Obi Tackles Tinubu
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has questioned the declaration by the government of President Bola Tinubu that the country has achieved its 2025 revenue target in August.
Peter Obi, in a statement on Wednesday, submitted that achieving the revenue target as announced by the federal government is meaningless to Nigerians because the citizens have not felt its impact in their daily lives.
Naija News recalls that President Tinubu, on Tuesday, announced that the country’s revenue target for 2025 was achieved in August, following economic reforms focused on stimulating the non-oil sector.
He spoke at a meeting at the Presidential Villa with the founding members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change and The Buhari Organisation, led by the former Governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.
President Tinubu said that the economy was heading in the right direction.
However, Obi said that the country’s continuous government borrowings, unpaid contractor bills, and underfunded projects tell a different story about the state of the country’s revenue.
He said if, truly, the government has met its revenue target, it should reflect in the lives of the citizens, not just government-issued press releases.
5. Tinubu Confirms Plan To Establish State Police
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday declared that the creation of state police has become unavoidable as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against insecurity across the country.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while receiving a delegation of prominent Katsina indigenes led by Governor Dikko Radda, the President directed security agencies to reassess their strategies in Katsina State, which has been hard-hit by banditry.
Naija News reports that Tinubu disclosed that more advanced military equipment, including drones and surveillance technology, would be deployed, alongside enhanced training for newly recruited forest guards.
The President revealed that he had instructed security chiefs to brief him daily on operations in Katsina.
Tinubu further stated, “I have today directed all the security agencies to energise further and look at the strategies. We have approved the additional acquisition of drones.”
He also stressed the inevitability of state police. “I am reviewing all the aspects of security; I have to create state police. We are looking at that holistically,” he said.
6. Eid-ul-Mawlid: FG Declares Public Holiday
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government has declared Friday, September 5, 2025, a public holiday to mark Eid-ul-Mawlid, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
Naija News reports that the announcement was made in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, extended warm greetings to Muslims in Nigeria and across the world.
He urged the Muslim Ummah to emulate the Prophet’s virtues of peace, love, humility, tolerance and compassion, stressing that these values are crucial to building a united and progressive nation.
The minister also called on Nigerians of all faiths to use the occasion to pray for the peace, security, and stability of the country while supporting government efforts toward national harmony and sustainable development.
7. Davido Threatening My Life, Says He Is Aye – Wizkid Associate Raises Alarm
Tufab, one of Wizkid’s associates, has accused Davido of threatening his life.
Speaking via a post shared on his 𝕏 handle, he lamented that Davido accused him of calling him ‘Osakpolo’, a name he does not like.
While challenging Tufab, Davido allegedly addressed himself as a member of Aye fraternity and claimed that Tufab is a “Bird”.
Sharing the alleged messages from Davido, Tufab asked the general public to hold Davido responsible if anything happened to him.
8. Tems Should Be Among The Top 3 Artistes In Nigeria – Tiwa Savage
Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has called for Tems to be included in the Afrobeats “Big 3” conversation, which is often reserved for Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy.
Speaking in an interview, Savage said that Tems has achieved milestones that place her on the same level with the top names in the industry.
Naija News reports that she pointed to her Grammy win, her entry on the Billboard Hot 100, and her collaborations with global stars as proof that Tems has contributed greatly to Afrobeats’ rise on the world stage.
According to Tiwa Savage, the usual conversation around the “Big 3” leaves out the impact of female artistes, and Tems’ success shows that such recognition should no longer be limited to just three male singers.
She said the growth of Afrobeats cannot be fully told without acknowledging Tems’ role in its global reach.
9. AFN President Says Favour Ofili’s Switch To Turkey Was Motivated By Money
President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, has dismissed Favour Ofili’s claims that her decision to dump Nigeria for Turkey was rooted in years of neglect, insisting instead that the sprinter was driven by financial considerations.
Speaking in an interview with ESPN, Okowa confirmed that both World Athletics and Favour Ofili had communicated the switch to the Nigerian body.
“They have officially informed us. Both World Athletics and the athlete herself,” he said.
Naija News reports that Ofili, who holds the world record in the women’s 150m, has announced that she would now represent Turkey, citing frustrations with Nigerian sports authorities.
She recalled being sidelined at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to missed tests and expressed disappointment over her exclusion from the women’s 100m event at the Paris 2024 Games.
“This change comes from the heart, not from financial motives,” Ofili wrote in her statement.
But Okowa rejected that explanation, maintaining that money was the central issue. “Ofili herself knows the whole truth. This is all about money. She and her coach are trying to make some money,” he told ESPN.
The AFN boss stressed that he had no objection to the athlete’s personal choice, but faulted her for pointing fingers at administrators.
10. Asisat Oshoala Completes Transfer To Al Hilal After Bay FC Exit
Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, has sealed a move to Saudi Women’s Premier League side Al Hilal on a two-year deal, marking another chapter in her illustrious career.
Asisat Oshoala, 30, arrived from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) club Bay FC, where she spent the last one-and-a-half years. She was officially unveiled on Tuesday after completing her medical in Riyadh the previous day.
“Welcome Asisat Oshoala. Countless achievements, and more to come,” Al Hilal wrote in a statement shared across their social media platforms.
The six-time African Women’s Player of the Year joins her Super Falcons teammates Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega in Saudi Arabia. Al Hilal finished sixth in the 2024/25 campaign, with the league expanded from eight to ten teams.
Bay FC also confirmed her departure: “Bay FC and Saudi Arabia club Al Hilal have agreed to terms on a transfer for Asisat Oshoala. Thank you for everything you’ve given to this club.”
Oshoala played a key role for the NWSL side last season, making 25 appearances and scoring seven goals with one assist. However, her involvement dwindled this term, with just five starts in 12 games and no goals before her exit.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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