Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 30th August, 2025.
1. President Tinubu Declares National Youth Games In Asaba Open
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday declared open the 9th edition of the National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State, urging Nigerians to see sports as a tool for national unity and development.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Information and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, the President described the Games as a factory of talent that has consistently produced athletes who go on to represent Nigeria at continental and global levels.
“The National Youth Games is very significant. It is one bond that can hold us together as a country,” Tinubu said.
He added that over 6,000 athletes under the age of 15 would compete across different sports over the next two weeks.
“We are lucky to have a President who not only loves sports but supports our sportsmen and women. Very recently, the President and the First Lady came out to cheer the Super Falcons and the Tigresses, showing that the government will continue to invest in sports development,” Dare noted.
2. ‘Nigeria Has Moved Beyond His Type Of Politics’ – Lagos APC Reveals Why Jonathan Can’t Defeat Tinubu
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that former President Goodluck Jonathan can’t defeat President Bola Tinubu if he decides to run in the 2027 election.
The party submitted that Nigeria has moved beyond the politics of sentiment, nostalgia, and symbolism, which is representative of Jonathan’s electoral appeal.
Naija News reports that the Lagos APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, made the declaration in a statement released on Friday, amid speculation that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is persuading Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidency on its platform.
Oladejo, however, submitted that while Jonathan gained prominence and respect both in Nigeria and abroad for peacefully conceding the 2015 election even as a sitting president, his style of governance is not what the country needs at the moment.
“While we acknowledge the former president’s role in the peaceful democratic transition of 2015, an act that rightly earned him praise at home and abroad, we must state, in clear terms, that Nigeria has since moved beyond the politics of sentiment, nostalgia, and symbolism.
“The challenges of today and the future require bold, capable, and forward-thinking leadership, not a return to the comfort of a past that was far from perfect.
“Let it be clear: good luck alone is not a governance strategy,” he said.
Oladejo alleged that Jonathan left behind a country grappling with severe structural weaknesses in 2015 because he lacked a firm grip on the nation’s security and economy.
3. Why Nigerians Will Pay $80 For NIPOST Shipments To The USA – Presidency
The presidency on Friday, confirmed that Nigerians would pay a mandatory prepaid customs duty of $80 or its naira equivalent on postal shipments from Nigeria to the United States of America.
The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who made the clarification, however, explained that the payment stems from a recent policy change by the U.S. Government under the Executive Order on “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries.”
He clarified that the policy did not originate from the Tinubu government, and Nigeria is not the only country subject to the new policies.
He wrote on 𝕏, “Quick clarification, the new charges ($80) stem from a recent policy change by the U.S. Government under the Executive Order on “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries” pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
“This Executive Order applies to all postal operators and designated postal administrations worldwide, and the payment of the additional duty affects all global postal inflows into the United States, not just those from Nigeria.”
Naija News reports that the clarification follows an earlier announcement on Friday by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) that, with effect from August 29, 2025, all postal shipments from Nigeria to the United States, except letters and documents, will attract a mandatory prepaid customs duty of $80 or its naira equivalent.
In a public notice to its customers, NIPOST explained that the new charges stem from a recent Executive Order signed by the Government of the United States of America suspending de minimis exemptions for all postal shipments globally.
The directive, it said, was issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
4. ‘Those Telling Jonathan To Step Aside Have Selfish Motives’ – Former President’s Cousin Hints At Second-term Ambition
There is a possibility that former President, Goodluck Jonathan, may contest the 2027 presidential election.
Naija News reports that the indication follows a statement from his cousin, Azibaola Robert, in response to a news report that the former Governor of Bayelsa State had opted not to run in 2027 in order not to disrupt Southern unity.
The Newsweek Nigeria publication was titled, “Jonathan Rejects Pressure to Contest in 2027, Says He Won’t Be Used Against Southern Unity.”
However, Robert, in a post on his verified Facebook page on Friday, denied reports suggesting Jonathan has stepped aside from contesting.
He stated that Jonathan never said he would not contest in 2027 and urged Nigerians to disregard the fake news.
Robert further clarified that the purported “aide of Jonathan” cited as a source in the story does not exist.
According to Azibaola, while Jonathan has not yet announced his decision to run, he has equally not ruled himself out of the race, stressing that those asking him to step aside have selfish motives.
“The former president has made it clear that he would not yield to calls not to run, since those making such admonitions had selfish motives,” Azibaola said, without specifying when or how Jonathan might formally declare his ambition.”
5. Senator Kabiru Marafa Dumps APC
Former Senator Kabiru Marafa has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Naija News understands.
Senator Mafara made the announcement in a video clip, speaking in Hausa, where he addressed his supporters.
The former lawmaker accused the ruling party of betraying its members and being deeply divided in Zamfara state, adding that he had had extensive consultations with party members over the past two days regarding the APC’s performance over the last two years.
According to the former lawmaker, the betrayal and division within the APC were particularly severe in Zamfara.
He said: “I want to use this medium to inform my supporters in Zamfara state, north and Nigeria as a whole that after a series of meetings with my people for about two days regarding the issue of politics starting from two years back of the APC government, we feel it is necessary to inform the public that APC as a party has betrayed and cheated us in Zamfara state and Nigeria.”
Speaking further, he said the unresolved factional struggle between party leaders, Mai Mala Buni, the Governor of Yobe State, and Bello Matawalle, the former Governor of Zamfara State and Nigeria’s Defence Minister, as a key factor.
6. Lagos NLC Demands ₦150,000 Minimum Wage For Workers
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State Chapter, has called on the state government to raise the minimum wage for workers to ₦150,000, citing the high cost of living in the state.
Naija News reports that the NLC’s demand comes in the wake of recent wage increases announced by the governments of Imo and Ebonyi states.
Lagos NLC Chairperson, Funmi Sesi, said the current ₦85,000 minimum wage in the state no longer meets the economic realities faced by workers, particularly in terms of accommodation, transport, feeding, and utilities.
“The time has come for an upward review of minimum wage in Lagos. At least someone has taken the bull by the horns and opened the space.
“No one can blame Governor Sanwo-Olu now if he implements a higher wage for Lagos workers, because we deserve a better wage and decent working conditions commensurate with the economic realities, especially in Lagos,” she said.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State recently announced an upward review of civil servants’ minimum wage from ₦76,000 to ₦104,000, while the Ebonyi State Government raised its minimum wage from ₦70,000 to ₦90,000, according to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Ikeuwa Omebe.
Sesi expressed optimism that other states would emulate the move by Imo and Ebonyi, stressing that Lagos, with its higher cost of living, must not be left behind.
7. ‘He Is A Political Fraud, Parading Himself As Messiah’ – Deji Adeyanju Blasts Peter Obi
Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has described the Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as a political fraud, parading himself as a messiah.
Naija News reports that Adeyanju made the remark during an interview on Channels Television, while speaking on Peter Obi’s political character.
He said, “He is a political fraud, parading himself as a messiah. Didn’t he swear never to leave APGA? Yet he left. Today, he has one leg in PDP, another in ADC, and still in Labour Party. That’s a political prostitute.”
Adeyanju also took a swipe at Peter Obi’s supporters, popularly known as ‘Obidients,’ accusing them of toxicity and intolerance during the 2023 election season.
He stated, “Obidient mobs became practically uncontrollable. They threatened judges, harassed artists, insulted Prof. Wole Soyinka, and attacked anyone who criticised Obi. We had never seen such toxicity in Nigerian politics except under Buhari.”
Recounting his encounter with the former Anambra governor, Adeyanju alleged that Peter Obi attempted to offer him money during the buildup to the 2023 election.
Adeyanji emphasised that he initially avoided Peter Obi’s repeated attempts to meet him after his public commentaries in 2022 that seemed to favour his chances.
The activist alleged that as he prepared to leave the meeting, Peter Obi stepped into another room and returned with an envelope, insisting it was ‘a small thing for coming’ but he rejected it.
8. I’m Interested In The Evidence You Have Against Peter Obi – Aisha Yesufu Tells Adeyanju
Activist, Aisha Yesufu, has challenged fellow activist, Deji Adeyanju, to present the evidence he has against the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
According to Yesufu, she remains a supporter of Obi, but the evidence Adeyanju claims to have against the former Anambra State Governor would help her decide whether she would continue to support Obi or withdraw her support.
Naija News reports that Yesufu made the submission in a post via her 𝕏 account on Friday in which she reacted to the public feud between Obi and Adeyanju.
Obi, through his lawyers, had accused Adeyanju of character defamation after the activist described the former presidential candidate as a political fraud.
Aisha Yesufu stated that she’s okay with the fact that the matter is in court, where both parties can present their claims, adding that the court case is preferable to using the state’s powers to harass.
9. Reform The Police Before Leaving Office – Speed Darlington Appeals To Tinubu
Nigerian singer Speed Darlington has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to prioritise police reform before the end of his tenure.
In a video seen by Naija News, the entertainer expressed concern that Nigerians continue to face human rights abuses at the hands of security operatives.
He argued that leadership should not be limited to fixing the economy, stressing that the police system in the country has become a source of oppression rather than protection for citizens.
According to him, many Nigerians feel alienated from governance, as they only experience harassment and intimidation from law enforcement.
The singer recounted his own ordeal, claiming he was detained beyond the legal timeframe despite a court order for his release.
He said this shows how abuse of power thrives when citizens lack money or political connections.
Speed Darlington urged the president to speak with the Inspector General of Police and ensure reforms are introduced, particularly a shift from arrest-before-investigation practices to evidence-based arrests.
He insisted that Nigerians deserve a system where justice is fair and not determined by wealth or influence.
10. ‘Sometimes I Want To Quit’ – Manchester United Coach Ruben Amorim Says
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted his frustration has led him to think of quitting in the wake of Wednesday’s shock EFL Cup exit to Grimsby Town.
Ruben Amorim, 40, stunned reporters after the penalty shootout defeat, saying his team “were completely lost” and adding that “something has to change.”
Those remarks were quickly interpreted as Amorim questioning his own future.
Speaking on Friday, Amorim explained his words were not a resignation hint but the outburst of a manager stunned by an embarrassing result.
“Sometimes I want to quit, sometimes I want to be here for 20 years,” he said.
“To be really honest, every time that we have a defeat like that in the future I’m going to be like that. I’m going to say sometimes I hate my players and sometimes I love my players. I need to improve on that, it’s going to be hard but now I’m focused on the next game.”
The defeat at Blundell Park was United’s first-ever loss to a fourth-tier opponent.
Amorim’s suggestion that “the team and the players spoke really loudly today” and his admission that he needed to “think about things” only intensified speculation about his position.
On Friday, however, he stressed he would not change his passionate style despite calls for him to remain calmer with the media.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
The post Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 30th August, 2025 appeared first on Naija News.
