Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 23rd December, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 23rd December, 2025

1. Tinubu Government Declares Public Holiday

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government has declared December 25 and 26, 2025, as well as January 1, 2026, public holidays to mark Christmas, Boxing Day, and the New Year celebrations.

Naija News reports that this was disclosed in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani.

He indicated that the declaration was made on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Tunji-Ojo extended warm Christmas and New Year felicitations to Christians in Nigeria and across the world, as well as to all Nigerians as they celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of a new one.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo urged Christians to reflect on the virtues of love, peace, humility, and sacrifice as exemplified by the birth of Jesus Christ, noting that these values are critical to promoting unity, tolerance, and harmony in the nation.

The Minister further called on Nigerians, irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliation, to use the festive season to pray for the peace, security, and continued progress of the country, while supporting the Federal Government’s efforts towards national development and cohesion.

2. 2026 Budget – Tinubu Presented A Debt Trap Masquerading As A Budget – ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the 2026 Budget Proposal presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, December 19, as mere wishful thinking.

The ADC said the budget proposal is basically a consolidation of fiscal recklessness and renewed wishful thinking that have become the hallmark of the Tinubu administration.

The position of the ADC was made known in a statement on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.

The statement said the Tinubu government has failed to embrace fiscal discipline and budget credibility and is only attempting to implement more than four budgets simultaneously, because it lacks the basic competence to close out previous cycles and adhere to its own timelines.

It added that the details of the budget are scanty, but revenue projections and fuel price benchmarks are grossly unrealistic.

The ADC warned the National Assembly against passing the 2026 budget, which it described as another debt trap, adding that the current administration is only blindly pursuing propaganda without regard for the people of the country.

3. FG Mandates Drug Test For Civil Service Job Seekers

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government has introduced mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all applicants seeking positions in the public service.

Naija News reports that this is part of the government’s efforts to combat rising drug abuse and its impacts on national security and productivity.

A service-wide circular issued on Monday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) directs Permanent Secretaries and heads of Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), as well as extra-ministerial departments and parastatals, to incorporate drug screening into their recruitment processes.

MDAs are required to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to conduct the tests, ensuring compliance with established standards.

The policy stems from concerns over the “alarming rate” of substance abuse, particularly among Nigeria’s youth, which the government says threatens public health, socio-economic development, workplace efficiency, and national security.

Signed by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, the statement underscored the administration’s commitment to protecting the workforce from drug-related issues.

4. Kidnappers, Armed Criminal Groups Are Terrorists, We Will Deal With Them – FG

The federal government of Nigeria has designated all kidnappers and criminal armed groups as terrorists, vowing that they will be dealt with appropriately.

The announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, during the end-of-the-year press briefing in Abuja.

According to him, any individual or group that kidnaps children, attacks farmers or communities would no longer be able to escape as common criminals, but would be labelled and dealt with as terrorists.

Mohammed praised the improved collaboration between the nation’s security forces, saying it has yielded greater results.

He added that in a bid to secure vulnerable rural areas, the government has announced the deployment of trained and equipped forest guards, saying that these personnel will combine surveillance, local intelligence, and rapid-response capabilities to secure forests and remote locations often used as hideouts by criminal groups.

5. ‘Workers Will Suffer’ – Oyedele Narrates Why New Tax Laws Must Be Implemented By January 1, 2026

The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has explained that a large percentage of workers will remain overtaxed if the new tax laws are not implemented by January 1, 2026.

The presidential aide gave the explanation amidst fresh controversies that have trailed the anticipated implementation of the new tax laws.

Major stakeholders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have called for a suspension of the planned implementation of the tax laws until all areas of concern are addressed.

However, Oyedele, who spoke on Monday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, explained that if the new tax laws are not implemented by January 1, 2026, the bottom 98 per cent of workers will suffer the brunt as they will remain overtaxed.

He added that workers will suffer multiple taxations, businesses will miss out on tax exemptions, and small unprofitable businesses will continue to pay unnecessary taxes, while the VAT on food items will remain, and continue to push up the prices of basic household items.

6. Buhari Was Vulnerable To Scheming And Manipulation – Aisha Reveals

Former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has disclosed that her late husband, Muhammadu Buhari was vulnerable to scheming and manipulation by his extended relatives.

She disclosed this in the biography, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, authored by Charles Omole.

The former First Lady disclosed that old friends and extended family members of the late former President exploited his weaknesses.

According to Buhari, her late husband was deeply fond of his extended family members and old friends, a disposition they allegedly took advantage of.

7. Police Release Nollywood Actress Doris Ogala

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has released Nollywood actress Doris Ogala in Lagos after she was rearrested in Abuja shortly after meeting her bail conditions.

According to Sahara Reporters, Ogala was reportedly brought to Lagos by a police team from the Zone 2 Command.

The incident reportedly escalated when Ogala’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, attempted to document the police action.

Sources said officers allegedly attacked Abubakar, seized his phones and compelled him to accompany Ogala on a flight to Lagos.

It was gathered that a Take It Back Movement coordinator, Jamiu Towolawi, also known as Jharmo, intervened at the Zone 2 Command and secured the actress’ release on bail.

8. I Was Kissed Without My Consent – Nollywood Actor Recounts Club Experience

Nollywood actor, Mike Folarin, has opened up on his most ridiculous experience in the entertainment industry.

Speaking in a candid interview with VJ Adams, Folarin lamented that he finds it difficult to handle overzealous female fans.

He disclosed that some female fans have gone as far as kissing him without his consent.

“Getting unsolicited kisses is the most ridiculous fan experience I have had. Yeah, getting kissed without my consent. It happened Lagos, in the club. So, I guess everybody was intoxicated,” he said.

The movie star urged fans to always seek celebrities’ consents before doing anything with them, stressing that consent is paramount.

9. AFCON 2025: Tanzania Coach Gamondi Warns Taifa Stars Must Be Near Perfect Against Super Eagles

Tanzania head coach Miguel Gamondi has acknowledged the strength of the Super Eagles of Nigeria ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group C opener, admitting that only an exceptional display will give his side a fighting chance.

Speaking at the official pre-match press conference earlier today, the Argentina-born tactician praised the depth and quality within the Nigerian squad while making it clear that his players will approach the contest with belief rather than fear.

Miguel Gamondi described Nigeria as one of the most dangerous attacking sides in African football and warned that even the slightest lapse in concentration could prove costly.

Despite the obvious threat posed by the Super Eagles, Gamondi insisted his side would not simply retreat into their shell, underlining Tanzania’s intention to play with courage when opportunities arise.

Gamondi also accepted Nigeria’s status as one of the leading contenders at AFCON 2025 but said his team would relish the challenge rather than be intimidated by it.

10. Why Jake Paul Might Earn More Than Anthony Joshua Despite Losing Miami Bout

Anthony Joshua may have walked away from Miami with a crushing knockout victory over Jake Paul, but when the financial dust settles, it is the American who is set to pocket more money from the night despite losing emphatically.

Both fighters reportedly earned $92 million each from their heavyweight exhibition bout in Miami, sharing a massive $184 million prize pool. It was the biggest payday of Joshua’s career and came after a dominant display that ended in the sixth round.

Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-professional boxer, absorbed sustained punishment before Joshua landed a decisive right hand that brought a one-sided contest to an abrupt end. The fight took place at the Kaseya Centre and was streamed globally on Netflix, drawing huge attention and commercial interest.

Yet the difference between victory and defeat will not define who takes home the most money. Instead, tax obligations will.

Because the fight was staged in the United States, Joshua is expected to be hit by multiple layers of taxation that will significantly cut into his earnings. According to figures reported by Yahoo News, the British heavyweight will pay US federal income tax at a rate of 37 per cent, amounting to around $52 million.

That is only part of the bill. On returning to the United Kingdom, Joshua is also expected to pay about $11.3 million to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, alongside an estimated $2.8 million in National Insurance contributions.

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