Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 25th May, 2026

Published May 25, 2026 Updated May 25, 2026 at 3:27 AM

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 25th May, 2026.

1. Tinubu Wins APC Presidential Primary For 2027

President Bola Tinubu has officially been declared the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election for the 2027 election.

He is, therefore, officially the APC presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

Naija News reports that Tinubu recorded a landslide victory against his only challenger for the APC ticket, Stanley Osifo from Edo State.

He was declared the winner of the primaries on Sunday, 24th May, 2026, for the exercise conducted across the country’s 8,809 wards in all 774 local government areas.

The declaration was made by the Chairman of the APC Presidential Primaries Committee, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, following the collation exercise held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

2. Hardship: ‘I Have Lost Some Weight, Sleep’ – Tinubu Tells Nigerians

President Bola Tinubu has spoken about his weight loss and sleep loss, alongside citizens bearing the burden of the economic reforms pursued by his administration.

Naija News reports that Tinubu made this known while addressing party leaders and supporters at the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja immediately after being declared the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary with 10,999,162 votes.

Tinubu said he shares in the nation’s collective anguish over the past three years of sweeping fiscal and economic reforms.

The president also lauded the outcome of the primary election, stressing that there was no bloodshed or rancour.

3. NCAA Places 11 Domestic Airlines On No-Pay-No-Service List

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed its directorates to suspend services to 11 domestic airlines over unpaid statutory charges owed to the aviation regulator.

The affected operators have been placed on the NCAA’s updated “No-Pay-No-Service” list, a move that could affect access to regulatory and administrative services until the debts are cleared or repayment agreements are reached.

The directive was contained in an internal memo dated May 22, 2026, and made available to newsmen on Sunday.

The memo, signed by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya, and circulated across the authority’s regional offices, directed all NCAA departments and directorates to withhold services from the affected airlines pending financial clearance from the Directorate of Finance and Accounts.

The document was also copied to the Director-General of Civil Aviation and other senior officials of the agency.

The development means the affected airlines may face delays in receiving regulatory support from the NCAA until they meet the authority’s financial requirements.

4. ‘Tinubu Is Biafra We Have Been Looking For’ – Umahi Tells Igbos

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has declared that President Bola Tinubu is the Biafra that the South-East has been looking for.

Naija News reports that Umahi made the remark while speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in Ebonyi State.

The former Governor said Tinubu has integrated the entire South-East into the mainstream and has given the region juicy appointments.

He said, “Tinubu is the Biafra we have been looking for, a man who has integrated the entire South-East.

“A man who has given us juicy appointments and a man who has given us very important infrastructure. Bola Tinubu on your mandate we shall stand.”

5. PDP Declares Adebutu Consensus Candidate In Ogun Primary

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared Oladipupo Adebutu as the winner of its governorship primary election in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 general election.

Adebutu, who was the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 election, emerged as the consensus candidate during the primary held in Abeokuta on Sunday. He had formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election under the PDP in a letter dated April 30, 2026.

Party members across the 236 wards of the state had earlier participated in the affirmation process that produced Adebutu as the PDP flagbearer.

The Chairman of the Ogun State PDP Governorship Primary Panel, Afolabi Ariyo, officially declared Adebutu winner of the exercise through a voice vote.

The primary was attended by several national and South-West leaders of the party, including a former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose.

Speaking at the event, Fayose congratulated Adebutu and members of the PDP, saying the turnout reflected the party’s readiness to contest strongly in 2027.

6. NDLEA Arrests Chinese Woman With 31kg Cannabis At Lagos Airport

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 63-year-old Chinese woman, Ting Hung Kiong, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 31 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, into Nigeria.

The suspect, who is said to have naturalised in Malaysia, was arrested on Sunday, May 17, 2026, on arrival from Thailand through Dubai aboard an Emirates Airline flight.

She was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Terminal 2 Arrival Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to the agency, investigation showed that the suspect travelled from Malaysia to Thailand before heading to Nigeria through the United Arab Emirates with two large boxes containing the illicit consignment.

During interrogation, the woman reportedly claimed she works as a caregiver in Malaysia and that her daughter sponsored her trip from Malaysia to Thailand and Nigeria.

She allegedly told investigators that after spending two weeks in Thailand, she was handed the consignment at the airport to deliver in Nigeria.

7. ‘I Was 22 When I Got Married To May’ – Yul Edochie Opens Up

Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, has opened up about his marriage to his estranged wife, May.

Naija News reports that Yul, during an interview on the Honest Bunch Podcast, revealed that he married May at age 22.

In the snippet of the interview making the rounds online, Yul said they met while writing the GCE examination at a centre.

The movie star also stated that a man must not be a fool for a woman but learn to set boundaries.

8. ‘Cheating Is Deliberate Choice, Stop Deceiving Yourself’ – Eucharia Anunobi

Veteran Nollywood actress, Eucharia Anunobi, has opined that infidelity in a relationship or marriage is a deliberate choice.

Naija News reports that the movie star, in a post via her Instagram page, refuted the claims that cheating is an accidental slip.

The thespian-turned-evangelist argued that cheating requires conscious intent, stressing that individuals do not suffer sudden memory loss or forget their commitments when choosing to engage in intimacy with someone other than their partner.

She wrote, “Cheating on your partner is a DELIBERATE CHOICE.

“When you were taking off your underwear and getting butt naked to hammer, you didn’t lose your memory. So stop deceiving yourself.

“Get ready to also bear the deliberate consequences”

9. Enugu Rangers Win 9th NPFL Title After Defeating Ikorodu City In Lagos

Enugu Rangers were crowned champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Sunday after a tense 2-1 win over Ikorodu City in Lagos sealed the club’s ninth league title.

The Flying Antelopes went into the decisive fixture knowing victory would keep them ahead of the closest challengers Rivers United, and they delivered under pressure.

Captain Chidiebere N’obodo proved the difference on the day, scoring twice to fire Enugu Rangers to glory.

After a cagey opening with both sides battling for control, Enugu Rangers scored in the 30th minute. N’Obodo produced a superb finish to silence the home crowd and hand the visitors a crucial lead.

Ikorodu City tried to respond, making changes before the break as Musa Malik and Moses Ali replaced Kelvin Briggs and Salami Farouk.

Enugu Rangers returned for the second half with the same intensity and doubled their advantage early after the restart. N’obodo reacted quickest to a rebound to complete his brace and put the visitors firmly in command.

The hosts refused to fold. Moses Ali pulled one back just before the hour mark to spark hopes of a comeback, while Tomisin Adebayo and Tomiwa Awojobi were introduced as Ikorodu City pushed for an equaliser.

Rangers held their nerve through seven minutes of added time to secure a famous win and confirm themselves as the 2025-2026 NPFL champions.

10. Premier League: Spurs Survive, West Ham Go Down On Final Day

Tottenham Hotspur survived relegation from the Premier League after beating Everton 1-0 on a tense final day that sent West Ham United into the Championship despite the Hammers’ win over Leeds United.

Spurs needed only a point to stay up but Joao Palhinha’s scrappy first-half strike ensured there would be no late collapse at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The midfielder reacted quickest after his own header hit the post in the 43rd minute, forcing the ball over the line despite Thierno Barry’s desperate attempt to clear.

The final whistle sparked huge celebrations among home supporters after a chaotic season that saw three different managers take charge, with Roberto De Zerbi eventually steering the club to safety.

Everton rarely threatened but Spurs were forced into one late scare when goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky produced a brilliant save from substitute Tyrique George deep into stoppage time.

While relief swept across north London, heartbreak unfolded at London Stadium.

West Ham beat Leeds 3-0 but it was not enough to preserve their Premier League status after Spurs held on. The outcome ends the Hammers’ 14-year stay in the top flight.