Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 22nd July, 2025
1. Nigeria’s Economy Soars By 3.13% After GDP Rebasing
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has announced a significant shift in Nigeria’s economic landscape following the latest rebasing of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
During a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Statistician General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, noted that Nigeria’s economy grew by 3.13 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 2.27 per cent recorded in the same period of 2024.
According to him, the rebasing exercise updated Nigeria’s economic data from the 2010 base year to a more recent 2019 base year, resulting in new insights into the structure and growth trajectory of the economy.
Adeniran noted that, following the rebasing, the size of the Nigerian economy in nominal terms has grown to ₦372.82 trillion, up from ₦205.09 trillion using the 2019 base year benchmark.
He added that the exercise has reshuffled the hierarchy of major economic sectors, with real estate now ranking third, ahead of crude oil and natural gas, which fell to fifth place.
2. PDP Tags Tinubu “Bad Market,” Vows To End His Reign In 2027
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a swipe at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as “a bad market” and declaring the party’s readiness to unseat him in the 2027 general elections.
In a media briefing held in Abuja on Monday, July 21, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, declared that no “patriotic Nigerian” would consider giving Tinubu a second term.
He cited the mounting economic hardship and insecurity under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government as good reasons to vote out Tinubu.
“The PDP is the only party that can unseat the APC. We have the support, the base, and a national spread,” Ologunagba stated. “There is no community without PDP members, because it is truly the people’s party. Nigerians are eager for the PDP’s return.”
Ologunagba blamed the APC for worsening living conditions across the country.
3. Why I Attended NEC Meeting Organized By Abure-led Labour Party – Datti Baba-Ahmed Opens Up
The running mate of Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has revealed that he attended the National Executive Council meeting of the Julius Abure faction of the party on Monday as a peacemaker.
Naija News recalls Baba-Ahmed sparked reactions from political watchers following his decision to attend the Abure-led meeting amidst the internal wranglings rocking Labour Party, which has divided the party into two factions.
As previously reported, key figures, including the factional National Chairman, Julius Abure; National Secretary, Umar Farouk; National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh; and National Youth Leader, Ken Ahanotu, attended the meeting.
Speaking at the NEC meeting, Baba-Ahmed disclosed that he attended to see ways of reconciling the factions and restoring the unity in the Labour Party.
The politician also acknowledged attending meetings of the opposition coalition, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 elections, but stated that their discussions didn’t align with his position and he remains a Labour Party member.
4. IGP Meets Retired Officers Over Pension Protest, Urges Calm
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, held a crucial meeting on Tuesday with protesting retired police officers at the Peacekeeping Hall of the Force Headquarters in Abuja, following sustained agitation over the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
Naija News reports that the retired officers, many of whom are elderly, staged a protest at the National Assembly on Monday, braving the rain while carrying placards and chanting anti-government slogans to press home their demand for the police to withdraw from the CPS.
Their protest later shifted to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, where they blocked access and demanded immediate government intervention in their pension concerns.
Addressing the demonstrators, IGP Egbetokun acknowledged their concerns and expressed empathy with their plight, assuring them that their welfare remains a priority for the police leadership.
However, he cautioned that the demand for a complete exit from the contributory pension scheme could not be granted overnight, noting that the matter requires due legislative and administrative processes.
Egbetokun also urged the protest leaders to avoid peddling false narratives that may incite further discontent or create misunderstandings about the Force’s position.
5. 2027: ADC Needs A Northerner To Defeat President Tinubu – Kenneth Okonkwo
A former spokesperson for the Peter Obi presidential campaign organization, Kenneth Okonkwo, has submitted that the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC) should field a northern candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, fielding a strong northern candidate is the only way to defeat President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls.
He argued that Tinubu already has a lockdown of votes from the south, has the power of incumbency, and state resources at his disposal.
The actor cum politician added that he doesn’t expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free and fair election in 2027 because it has refused to adopt electoral reforms.
Naija News reports that Okonkwo, however, clarified that the push for a northern candidate is his personal opinion and not the position of the ADC, noting that the party has declared that it would conduct a free and fair primary election to choose its candidate.
6. DSS, Not Peter Obi, Arrested El-Rufai In Anambra – Aisha Yesufu Knocks Edo Gov Okpebholo
Popular political activist and co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, Aisha Yesufu, has dismissed reports suggesting that former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, was behind the arrest of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, during a 2013 visit to Anambra.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Yesufu clarified that El-Rufai was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) and that the action was not linked to any directive from Obi, who was Governor at the time.
Naija News reports that her comments were in response to recent claims by the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohonbamu, who cited the El-Rufai incident while backing Governor Monday Okpebholo’s warning to Obi to “stay away” from the state.
Yesufu, in a swift response, said such a directive was unconstitutional and an affront to democratic rights.
She stressed that no Nigerian, including Obi, requires gubernatorial clearance to visit any state in the country.
7. Mikel Arteta Breaks Silence On Thomas Partey Sexual Assault Charges
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that the club acted appropriately over the ongoing controversy surrounding former midfielder Thomas Partey.
Note that Thomas Partey left Arsenal after the expiration of his contract with the club on June 30, 2025.
About four days after his official exit from the Gunners, reports emerged that the 32-year-old Ghana international is facing multiple charges of rape and sexual assault.
Naija News has reported that Partey is charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, linked to incidents involving three different women in 2021 and 2022. A statement released by the Metropolitan Police revealed this on July 4.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s pre-season clash with AC Milan in Singapore, Arteta was asked whether he believed the club had done everything right in its handling of the situation while Thomas Partey was still a player.
8. Paul Pogba Predicts 2025 Ballon d’Or Winner
Monaco midfielder, Paul Pogba, has named Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele as his pick for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Speaking during a live session with American streamer, iShowSpeed, Paul Pogba expressed his admiration for Dembele’s recent performances, especially in PSG’s historic UEFA Champions League-winning campaign.
“I back Dembouz [Dembele] 100 per cent, he won the UCL, he was crucial this season,” Pogba declared. “If he doesn’t win it this year, he never will. Hakimi and Vitinha were great too. Dembélé is the favourite for the Ballon d’Or.”
Dembele, 28, has enjoyed a stunning season with the Ligue 1 champions, rediscovering top form and playing a decisive role in PSG’s historic European conquest.
His flair, pace, and playmaking ability were pivotal as PSG finally lifted the coveted Champions League trophy, a factor that may weigh heavily in his favour during Ballon d’Or voting.
Pogba, a long-time teammate of Dembele in the French national team, also acknowledged the performance of two other PSG stars, Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha, calling their display “great” throughout the season. However, he stressed that they didn’t do enough to outshine Dembele.
9. ‘My 5 Kids Have Been Kidnapped’ – Auto Dealer IVD Cries Out
Controversial auto dealer, Ikechukwu Ogbonna popularly known as IVD has expressed pain over his long separation from his children.
Naija News reports that IVD, who lost his wife, Bimbo, in a fire incident, said it has been over three years since he last saw them.
He revealed during an episode on The Honest Bunch podcast.
He said all five of his children were taken away from him, and he has had no contact with them since then, not even a phone call.
He said: “They kidnapped my five kids i’ve not seen my them now. it’s over three years now i’ve not seen my kids i don’t even know how they are doing. I do not talk to them on phone.”
IVD, who is set to tie the knot with relationship therapist, Blessing Okoro, also known as Blessing CEO, said he has now found peace, describing it as something he had never experienced before.
10. Actress Shirley Igwe Suspended Indefinitely For Assaulting Crew Member
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has placed Nollywood actress and producer, Shirley Igwe, on indefinite suspension after an incident involving violence on a movie set in Lagos.
Naija News reports that the actress reportedly assaulted a crew member during a disagreement while filming. She reportedly slapped the individual during the altercation.
The AGN leadership, after looking into the matter, described her action as unprofessional and not acceptable for someone in the industry.
In a letter dated July 21, signed by AGN president, Emeka Rollas, the guild stated that her behaviour goes against the ethics expected of members and could damage the image of the profession.
Following the suspension, AGN has asked its members not to take part in any production involving Shirley Igwe until further notice.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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