Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 19th December, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 19th December, 2025

1. Budget Presentation: Tinubu Writes To National Assembly

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

The President formally wrote to the House of Representatives notifying them of his intention.

The letter was read on the floor of the House on Thursday by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen.

In the letter, President Tinubu, stated that he would present the proposed 2026 Budget at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, in his capacity as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The annual budget presentation marks the formal transmission of the Federal Government’s fiscal proposals to the National Assembly for legislative consideration and approval.

2. FG Orders Reopening Of 47 Unity Schools Closed Over Security Concerns

The Federal Government has announced the reopening of 47 Unity Schools that were previously shut down due to security challenges, the Federal Ministry of Education said on Thursday.

The affected colleges are located across the country and have been closed due to safety concerns for students and staff.

In a statement, the Education Ministry explained that the decision to reopen the Unity Schools reflects the government’s “unwavering commitment to safeguarding students and ensuring the continuity of education.”

It assured parents, guardians, and the general public that students’ safety, welfare, and well-being remain a top priority.

The ministry explained that the government continues to work closely with relevant security agencies to maintain stability and restore normalcy in schools nationwide.

3. Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang Dumps PDP, Joins APC

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Naija News reports that this was made known on Thursday night by the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

He made the announcement while speaking at the APC’s 14th National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

Yilwatda declared that Governor Mutfwang’s move means the entire North Central geopolitical zone is now fully under APC governance.

4. Senate Confirms Fani-Kayode, Omokri, Ex-INEC Chairman, Others As Ambassadors

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of 34 career and 30 non-career ambassadors.

Naija News reports that the Senate confirmed them during plenary on Thursday.

The confirmation came after the committee, chaired by Senator Sani Bello, presented its report, after which the recommendations were adopted.

However, during the session, Senator Sahabi Yau raised an objection, drawing attention to the absence of any nominee from Zamfara State on the list.

He urged that the President be notified of the omission.

In response, the Senate President acknowledged the concern, explaining that the current list was not exhaustive.

He assured lawmakers that he would raise the matter with the President. He further affirms that additional ambassadorial nominations are expected and that Zamfara State would not be excluded.

5. Court Dismisses Malami’s Bail Application

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the application for bail filed by a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Naija News reports that Justice Babangida Hassan delivered the ruling on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

Malami, through his counsel, Dr Suliaman Hassan (SAN), had approached the court seeking bail from the custody of the EFCC.

He argued that his detention by the anti-graft agency in connection with an ongoing investigation was illegal and unconstitutional.

However, counsel to the EFCC, Chief J.S. Okutepa (SAN), told the court that the Commission was holding the former minister pursuant to a valid remand order.

Okutepa said the remand order was granted by another FCT High Court presided over by Justice S. C. Oriji.

He further submitted that the EFCC was a law-abiding agency that would not detain any suspect beyond the period allowed by law without an order of court.

In his ruling, Justice Hassan held that Malami was lawfully detained, relying on the provisions of Section 35 of the Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The judge noted that the ACJA clearly provides for detention through a remand order issued by a competent court.

6. ‘I Was Not Really A Member Of PDP, Everything I Suffered Was Imposed On Me By The Party’ – Fubara

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has blamed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for everything he has suffered during the political crisis in the oil-rich state.

Naija News recalls that Fubara and the Minister of the Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had engaged in a prolonged political battle over the control of the PDP structure and party affairs in Rivers State.

In a bid to ease tensions, President Bola Tinubu suspended both the governor and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.

Fubara, who was reinstated in September, formally defected from the PDP to the APC on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, shortly after several key members of the Rivers State House of Assembly also joined the ruling party.

Fubara, while speaking with journalists at the APC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, said he had always been a progressive at heart and pledged to foster unity within the APC to drive development in Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.

The Governor also stated that he was not really a member of PDP, blaming the party for the role played during the political crisis in Rivers State.

7. Veekee James Was My Ex Girlfriend, She Is Very Controlling – DeeOne

Nigerian comedian and reality TV star Aderombi Adedayo, popularly known as DeeOne, has revealed that fashion designer Veekee James was once his girlfriend.

Naija News reports that the comedian made this known while responding to comments the designer recently made about him.

Veekee James had described DeeOne as someone who cannot be taken seriously during a podcast interview with VJ Adams.

The remarks stirred conversation online and prompted DeeOne to address the situation.

In a video shared on Instagram, DeeOne said their relationship was in the past and that he has moved on.

He asked fans to avoid taking celebrity disagreements personally and gave insight into their former relationship.

According to him, they were together shortly after his appearance on Big Brother Naija in 2018.

He described the relationship as personal and said there was no bad blood between them.

8. Davido Names Future Stars Of Afrobeats

Afrobeats superstar Davido has named the next generation of artistes he believes will shape the genre after him, Wizkid, and Burna Boy, who are often called the “Big 3.”

Naija News reports that according to Davido, Asake, Rema, and Omah Lay are set to take Afrobeats to the next level with their music.

The singer shared his thoughts during a recent livestream with popular streamer Carter Efe.

He also talked about his dream collaborations, mentioning that he would love to work with global stars like Rihanna and Kehlani, believing they could create great music together.

“Asake, Omah Lay and Rema are the next GOATs of Afrobeats. I would love do a song with Rihanna, I think me and Rihanna would make some dope music. Kehlani as well,” the DMW boss said.

9. Spain, Argentina To Meet In 2026 Finalissima Clash In Qatar

Football’s continental champions will collide in the Middle East after UEFA and CONMEBOL confirmed plans for the 2026 Finalissima, setting up a heavyweight showdown between Spain and Argentina.

The one-off fixture will see Spain, fresh from lifting the UEFA EURO 2024 title, face Argentina, winners of the 2024 Copa América, in a match that brings together the best of Europe and South America. The game will take place on Friday, 27 March 2026, at the iconic Lusail Stadium in Qatar, with kick-off scheduled for 9pm local time.

The match is being staged through a collaboration involving the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the Argentine Football Association, while delivery of the event will be handled by Qatar’s Local Organising Committee for football events.

The Finalissima is played over 90 minutes, with no extra time. If the match finishes level, the winner will be decided by a penalty shoot-out. Referees will be appointed jointly by UEFA and CONMEBOL, while VAR, goal-line technology and semi-automated offside technology will all be in use.

10. AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Of Nigeria Arrive In Morocco In Style

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have landed in Morocco in eye-catching fashion as preparations intensify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The players and coaching crew travelled from Egypt, where they had been based in Cairo following Tuesday’s international friendly against the Egyptian national team. With that fixture concluded, attention has now fully shifted to the continental showpiece in North Africa.

As is customary at major tournaments, the Nigerian delegation made a cultural statement on arrival. Dressed in coordinated deep green traditional outfits, the players stepped onto Moroccan soil wearing short-sleeved tunics adorned with neat embroidery, matched with tailored trousers.

Native caps crafted from the same fabric completed the look, while footwear ranged from leather slip-ons to casual trainers.

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