Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Thursday, 18th December, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 18th December, 2025

1. Tinubu Fixes Date To Present 2026 Appropriation Bill

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Friday present the 2026 Appropriation Bill before a joint session of the National Assembly.

Naija News reports that this was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Essien Eyo Essien, for the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Kamoru Ogunlana.

The statement read, “I am directed to inform you that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is presenting the 2026 proposed Budget to the Joint Session of the National Assembly at 2:00 pm, on Friday, 19th December, 2025.

“Consequently, all accredited persons must endeavour to be at their duty posts by 11:00 am, otherwise they would not be allowed access into the Complex for security reasons. Non-accredited persons should stay away from the National Assembly on that day.”

2. Marketers Slash ₦171 As Petrol Prices Drop

Barely five days after the Dangote Refinery announced a downward review of its petrol gantry price, filling stations across parts of the country have begun adjusting their pump prices, with motorists enjoying significant reductions.

A survey of filling stations in Abuja by journalists on Wednesday (today) showed that some major marketers had effected fresh price cuts on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.

According to Daily Post, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc reduced its pump price to ₦739 per litre from ₦910, representing a drop of ₦171.

AA Rano also reviewed its price downward to ₦840 per litre from ₦910, while Bovas Petroleum adjusted its price to ₦865 per litre from the previous ₦910.

Overall, the adjustments indicate that petrol prices were slashed by between ₦45 and ₦171 per litre at the affected outlets.

3. Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation For New Appointees As NUPRC, NMDPRA Bosses Resign

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the Senate to confirm new chief executives for two of Nigeria’s key petroleum regulators following the resignation of their current heads, a development that comes amid a deepening controversy in the downstream sector.

The request, conveyed in separate letters to the Senate on Wednesday, seeks approval for fresh leadership at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Engr. Farouk Ahmed has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, while Gbenga Komolafe resigned as Chief Executive Officer of the NUPRC. Both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari after the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, December 17.

4. Edun Contradicts Tinubu, Says FG Missed 2025 Revenue Target By ₦30 Trillion

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has contradicted President Bola Tinubu’s claim that Nigeria met its 2025 revenue target ahead of schedule, revealing that the Federal Government has realised only ₦10.7 trillion out of the projected ₦ 40.8 trillion for the year.

Naija News reports that President Tinubu had earlier declared that his administration had achieved its revenue projections for 2025 by August, insisting that the country was no longer borrowing to fund its budget.

The President made the assertion in September while addressing stakeholders of the Buhari Organisation during a visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Tinubu said the administration’s aggressive non-oil revenue drive had yielded sufficient income to meet the year’s revenue target, thereby reducing Nigeria’s dependence on borrowing.

However, Edun disclosed on Tuesday that the Federal Government was grappling with a wide revenue shortfall in the 2025 fiscal year.

The minister made this known during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committees on Finance and National Planning, convened to deliberate on the 2026-2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper.

The session followed the transmission of the MTEF and FSP to the House by President Tinubu last Wednesday for legislative consideration and approval.

According to Edun, the Federal Government had projected ₦40.8tn in revenue to fund the ₦54.9tn 2025 “budget of restoration,” which was aimed at stabilising the economy, securing peace and rebuilding prosperity.

He said actual revenue performance had fallen far below expectations.

5. Burkina Faso Reportedly Releases 11 Nigerian Air Force Personnel

Burkina Faso has reportedly released 11 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots and crew members nine days after their detention, following high-level diplomatic intervention by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Naija News understands that the release came shortly after a Nigerian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, concluded engagements with the Burkinabè authorities in Ouagadougou, including talks with President Ibrahim Traoré.

The delegation comprised senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence and the NAF Headquarters, and was mandated to pursue a peaceful and constructive resolution to the matter through dialogue.

A senior official familiar with the mission told Zagazola Makama that the engagement was aimed at fostering mutual understanding, de-escalating tensions and securing the release of the detained NAF personnel, while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and adherence to international aviation and military protocols.

6. Court Blocks Nigeria Police From Enforcing Tinted Glass Permit Policy

A Delta State High Court sitting in Orerokpe has granted an interim injunction restraining the Nigeria Police Force from implementing or enforcing its tinted glass permit policy, which was slated to begin on January 2, 2026.

The ruling was delivered on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, by Justice Joe Egwu following a suit filed by Mr. Israel Joe against the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Delta State Commissioner of Police.

The court granted all prayers sought by the applicant in Suit No: HOR/FHR/M/31/2025, effectively halting the policy pending the determination of the substantive application.

The police are restrained from “implementing, enforcing or further implementing” the permit policy.

The court barred the police from stopping, harassing, arresting, or extorting motorists and citizens under the guise of enforcing the policy.

7. ‘I Didn’t Know Priscilla Ojo Was A Celebrity’ – Juma Jux

Tanzanian singer, Juma Jux, has stated that his marriage to his wife, Priscilla Ojo, was a love-at-first-sight story.

Recall that Juma Jux married Priscilla Ojo earlier this year, and the couple welcomed their son, Rakeem, in Canada on August 24, 2025.

Naija News reports that Juma, during an interview with Yanga FM Lagos, said he did not know about Priscillia’s celebrity status until the news of their wedding made headlines on blogs.

Juma Jux revealed that he met Priscilla in Rwanda, fell in love with her for her looks.

According to the musician, he decided to marry Pris after discovering her excellent communication skills and other qualities.

8. ‘Wizkid Is A Leading Legend’ – Ayra Starr

Nigerian musician, Sarah Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, has described Wizkid as a leading legend.

Naija News reports that Ayra Starr made this known during an interview on Tuesday after her performance at the Grammy Museum.

While sharing her experiences with Wizkid, Ayra Starr stated that the singer’s demeanour taught her many lessons about confidence and purpose.

According to her, Wizkid made her understand that confidence is not all about noise-making.

9. FIFA Unveils Record $727 Million World Cup Fund As Winners Set For $50 Million Payday

FIFA has confirmed a historic financial package of $727 million for the 2026 World Cup, marking the biggest investment in the tournament’s history.

The decision was taken on December 17 when the FIFA Council met in Doha ahead of the Intercontinental Cup finals. Officials also discussed broader issues around the development and governance of youth football.

Following the positive momentum generated by the World Cup finals draw in Washington, D.C. on December 5, 2025, the council approved the unprecedented financial contribution in support of the expanded 48-team tournament.

Of the total sum, $655 million will be distributed as prize money, representing a 50 per cent increase on the previous edition.

The champions of the 2026 World Cup will walk away with $50 million, while the runners-up will earn $33 million.

Teams finishing third and fourth will receive $29 million and $27 million respectively. Those placed between fifth and eighth will collect $19 million, with sides ranked ninth to sixteenth earning $15 million.

Teams finishing from seventeenth to thirty-second will be paid $11 million, while those exiting in positions thirty-third to forty-eighth will still receive $9 million.

Beyond performance-related rewards, every participating nation will be handed $1.5 million in preparation costs.

10. Ahmed Musa Officially Announces Retirement From Super Eagles

Ahmed Musa has officially called time on his international career, ending a remarkable 15-year journey with the Super Eagles that cemented his place as one of the most influential figures in Nigerian football history.

Ahmed Musa, 33, confirmed his decision in a message shared on his official Instagram page on Wednesday afternoon, December 17, reflecting on a journey shaped by loyalty, sacrifice and landmark achievements in the national colours.

“After a lot of thought, I have decided to retire from international football, bringing to an end almost 15 years with the Super Eagles,” he said.

“From the very first call-up, wearing the green and white meant everything to me.”

Musa recalled the demanding early years of his international rise, when he was moving constantly between Nigeria’s youth teams and the senior side.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.