Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 26th August, 2025
1. Tinubu Meets Lula In Brazil, Seeks Stronger Ties In Trade, Agriculture
President Bola Tinubu arrived in Brasília, Brazil, on Monday, with a call for renewed diplomatic and economic cooperation between Nigeria and the South American country.
In a post on his official 𝕏 handle, Tinubu described his engagement with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as a “renewal of the historic relationship” between the two nations.
The President wrote, “Today’s engagement marks the renewal of the historic relationship between Nigeria and Brazil.
I look forward to working with President Lula to deepen cooperation in agriculture, energy, trade, and culture, towards building a future of shared prosperity across the Atlantic.”
Tinubu, who flew in from Los Angeles, United States, was received at the Brasília Air Base by senior Brazilian government officials, including Ambassador Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte, Secretary for Africa and the Middle East, and Ambassador Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete, Brazil’s envoy to Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, also joined the reception party.
2. PDP Zones 2027 Presidential Ticket To South
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South while retaining the existing National Working Committee (NWC) zoning arrangement ahead of its November elective convention.
Naija News reports that the decision was taken at the party’s 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Monday at the national headquarters in Abuja.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the decision followed the presentation of the zoning committee’s report, chaired by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri.
Ologunagba stated, “NEC recommended that the North and South should retain their current NWC positions. NEC also resolved that since the National Chairman of the party is zoned to the North, the PDP 2027 Presidential ticket is hereby zoned to the South.”
The publicity secretary added that the NEC expressed satisfaction with preparations for the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
His appointment, announced during the meeting, follows months of acting leadership after the exit of former Chairman Iyorchia Ayu.
3. Crude Oil Theft Involves Specialized International Syndicates – NNPCL Boss, Ojulari Reveals
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bashir Ojulari, has claimed that some international syndicates are exploiting security gaps to steal crude oil across Africa.
He also suggested the need to enhance national and continental security architecture to address the challenge.
Naija News reports that Ojulari made the submission on Monday while speaking at the opening of the Africa Chief of Defence Staff Conference held in Abuja.
The NNPCL boss emphasized that crude oil theft and other illegal activities around it are not a localised operation.
Ojulari, however, said the crude theft and pipeline vandalism, especially within the oil-rich Niger Delta area of Nigeria, have been effectively contained in recent times.
He attributed the success story to government efforts and the commitment of the nation’s security forces.
4. WAEC: Re-upload Your O’level Results Or Lose Admission – JAMB Orders Candidates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has directed all candidates seeking admission for the current cycle to re-upload their results from the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Naija News reports that the directive was issued in a statement on Monday via the official bulletin shared by JAMB on its X handle.
The statement noted that the directive concerns candidates who previously uploaded their results before the updated WASSCE and those who had yet to upload any results.
JAMB emphasized that it had cleared all previously uploaded results from its system to avoid confusion in the admission process, and all candidates are therefore required to return to accredited centres and re-upload their results, whether or not they differ from the earlier results uploaded.
The Board further emphasised that failure to comply with the directive would affect the eligibility of such candidates for admission.
5. PDP NEC Appoints Substantive National Chairman
The 102 National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed Amb Iliya Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the Party.
Naija News reports that Damagum’s appointment was announced on Monday at the PDP’s NEC meeting held at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting, which began at 2 pm, discussed key issues, including the report of the National Zoning Committee and preparations for the party’s forthcoming national convention.
Party insiders told Punch that today’s session is considered a pivotal moment for the PDP as it works to position itself ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to the insiders, the meeting reflects the party’s renewed determination to provide Nigerians with a credible opposition and prepare for victory at the next polls.
6. ‘Wike Is Vindicated Over PDP Zoning Of Presidency To South, Chairman To North’
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC) to zone the presidency to the South, and retain the National Chairman of the party in the North has vindicated him and the G-5’s position in 2022.
The Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, who reacted to the zoning, asked; “Now, that the party has realised its mistake of not listening to Wike and the G-5 in 2022, and have chosen to do what they said, three years after, have they not been vindicated now?”
He questioned whether the opposition party has come back to eat its own vomit.
7. ‘We Had Serious Fight’ – Nollywood Actor, Afeez Owo Speaks On Separation From His Wife, Mide Martins
Nollywood actor, Afeez Owo, has confirmed that his marriage to his colleague, Mide Martins, was on the verge of collapse in 2014.
Naija News recalls that in 2014, reports made rounds online that the movie stars had separated, but they denied it.
However, in a recent interview on the YouTube podcast ‘Behind The List’, Afeez admitted that they had a serious fight at the time, but social media exacerbated the situation.
The thespian said he did not handle the situation properly and had thought that their marriage would break up at the time.
Afeez added that the issue they had was something they would have settled without allowing social media to escalate it.
8. We Had To Rush To The Hospital At Midnight, Contraction Isn’t A Joke – Priscilla Ojo
Priscilla Ojo, daughter of Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, has shared details of her childbirth journey after welcoming her first child with Tanzanian singer Juma Jux.
The new mother explained that she was rushed to the hospital around 3 a.m. when labour contractions began.
Naija News reports that this cut short her initial plan of dressing up and creating content for the moment.
She said that her son arrived earlier than expected, even though his due date was set to fall on the same day as his father’s birthday.
9. Brown Ideye Denies Calling For Broke Retired Footballers To Be Jailed
Former Super Eagles striker, Brown Ideye, has dismissed reports claiming he advocated for retired Nigerian footballers who go broke to be imprisoned.
Brown Ideye came under fire after comments he made during an online debate were allegedly misinterpreted by several outlets.
Naija News reports that Ideye advised current footballers to embrace financial discipline in light of the struggles faced by past Nigerian stars. His advice followed former defender Taribo West’s emotional outburst at the burial of ex-goalkeeper Peter Rufai, where West accused football authorities of abandoning retired players.
In a statement titled Setting the Record Straight, Brown Ideye said the reports were false and damaging to his reputation.
According to him, his position has always been about supporting athletes and addressing the difficulties they face after hanging up their boots.
He added that discussions about footballers’ welfare should be rooted in empathy. “It’s important to approach these conversations with empathy and solutions, not condemnation.”
Brown Ideye further condemned the media for misrepresenting him, urging the public to disregard the false reports.
10. Eric Chelle Dares NFF: ‘Pay Me Off If You Want Me Out’ As Rwanda Clash Looms
Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has insisted the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) must honour his contract in full if they choose to relieve him of his duties amid growing calls for his sack.
Naija News reports that Eric Chelle’s future has come under scrutiny following Nigeria’s disastrous outing at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), where the home-based Eagles suffered back-to-back defeats to Senegal and Sudan, crashing out in the group stage.
The early exit triggered debates over whether the former Mali international is the right man to lead Nigeria into the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which resume in less than two weeks.
Speaking to journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Chelle admitted he is not oblivious to the rumours but made it clear he would not walk away quietly.
While the NFF is yet to comment publicly on his position, attention has already shifted to the Super Eagles’ next competitive fixture against Rwanda in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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