Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 18th September, 2025
1. Tinubu Lifts Rivers State Emergency Rule, Reinstate Fubara As Governor
President Bola Tinubu has suspended emergency rule in Rivers and reinstated the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Recall that the emergency rule was declared in the state six months ago following a series of political crises between Fubara and the Minister of the Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Naija News reports that Tinubu, in a statement on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, directed the suspended Governor to resume work on Thursday, September 18.
President Tinubu also directed the deputy governor, Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers state house of assembly to resume their duties.
2. Before Dangote Built His Refinery, What Did You Do With Government Licenses? – Ndume Tackles NUPENG, Others
Borno South lawmaker, Senator Ali Ndume, has added his voice to the ongoing faceoff between oil marketers in the country and Dangote Refinery.
He accused some stakeholders in the oil industry of deliberately trying to demonise Dangote Refinery.
Speaking in a statement on Wednesday, Ndume accused the marketers of ganging up to falsely accuse Dangote of monopolising the market when they failed in the past to take action even when the government granted licences for the operation of private refineries.
He urged all stakeholders to work together for the benefit of Nigerians, rather than engaging in needless media wars.
In his submission on Wednesday, Ndume warned the oil marketers to stop the poisonous media narrative to paint Dangote in a bad light in the eyes of Nigerians and the international community, saying such can serve as a deterrent to attracting investment into the country.
He urged unions and stakeholders to pursue dialogue rather than fueling division.
3. PDP’s Ajayi Withdraws Supreme Court Appeal Against Aiyedatiwa
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the November 16, 2024, Ondo State election, Agboola Ajayi, has withdrawn his appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News reports that Ajayi, who served as Deputy Governor in the first term of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, was the main challenger in a race that featured 16 other candidates.
In a letter to the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court dated September 16, 2025, Ajayi confirmed that while an appeal had been filed on his behalf, he had resolved to discontinue the matter after consultations with family, associates, party members and his legal team.
He also extended an olive branch to the governor, adding, “In this spirit, I extend my heartfelt wishes to His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as he leads our state, and I remain dedicated to contributing positively to the state and national development.”
The PDP candidate’s withdrawal signals a political truce in the state, as he also pledged support for Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration.
4. NECO Releases 2025 SSCE Results
The National Examination Council (NECO) has announced the release of the results of 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
Recall that the 2025 SSCE was conducted from Monday June 16, to Friday July 25, 2025.
Naija News reports that 60.26 percent of candidates recorded five credits and above in English and Mathematics.
The release of the result was announced on Wednesday at the Council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State capital, by NECO Registrar, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi.
NECO Registrar put the number of candidates with five Credits and above, irrespective of Mathematics and English at 1,144,496, representing 84.26%.
He disclosed that the 1,367,210 candidates registered for the examination with 685,514 males and 681,696 females while 1,358,339 sat for the examination with 680,292 males and 678,047 females.
Wushishi stated that the number of candidates with special needs was 1,622, out of which candidates with hearing impairment were 586 males and 355 females, and candidates with visual impairment were 111 Males and 80 Females.
The registrar noted that in the 2025 SSCE internal, the number of candidates involved in various forms of “malpractice was 3,878, as against 10,094 in 2024, which shows a reduction of 61.58 per cent.”
5. Police Take Decision On Pastor Adefarasin’s Viral Gun Video
The Lagos State Police Command has cleared the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Paul Adefarasin, of any wrongdoing following the circulation of a viral video showing him holding what appeared to be a firearm.
Naija News reports that the command, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that Pastor Adefarasin voluntarily presented himself at the state police headquarters in Ikeja for questioning.
“After a thorough investigation, including interrogation and a cautionary statement from Pastor Adefarasin, it was established that the object in question was a stun gun and not a lethal weapon or firearm,” the statement said.
Following its findings, the police declared that there were no grounds for further action against the cleric.
6. Wike Reacts As Tinubu Ends Emergency Rule In Rivers, Reinstates Fubara
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has hailed the decision of President Bola Tinubu to lift the emergency rule in Rivers State.
Wike, in a statement on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said President Tinubu, by his action, has once again demonstrated his total commitment to peace and sustenance of democracy in the country.
Naija News recalls the President had earlier on Wednesday, ended the emergency rule in Rivers and reinstated the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Naija News reports that Tinubu, in a statement on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, directed the suspended Governor to resume work on Thursday, September 18.
In his reaction, Wike hailed President Tinubu, for restoring democratic governance to Rivers State by lifting the emergency rule imposed on the State.
The Minister, through his media aide, said the President’s intervention has further restored the confidence of the people of Rivers State in his leadership.
He commended the people of the State for their belief in the President and continuous support for him in his tireless efforts to return the country to the path of progress and development.
Wike called on all stakeholders in the State to work together harmoniously in the collective interest of the State and its people.
7. I Must Never Get Pregnant For The Wrong Man – Vee Iye
Former Big Brother Naija housemate and actress, Victoria Iye, also known as Vee, has shared that one of her main goals in life is to ensure she does not have a child with the wrong man.
Naija News reports that she spoke in a video on her Instagram page where she explained that dating in Lagos is not easy and that she is careful about the kind of relationship she gets into.
According to her, she does not want to end up with a baby daddy who could later speak badly about her.
Vee stressed that she knows herself and avoids situations that might affect her mental well-being.
She added that her determination to protect herself sometimes makes it harder to find true love, but she would rather be cautious than regretful.
The reality star said that while nobody can fully know a partner before committing, she believes in making careful choices.
She said she prefers to learn from other people’s experiences, especially those shared online, instead of making the same mistakes herself.
8. My Wife Waited For Four Years Before She Succeeded In Gospel Music – Blessed Uzochikwa
Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa, husband of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, has reflected on her career path and the choices she made after winning Nigerian Idol in 2012.
Naija News reports that the clergyman recalled that after her victory, she had several opportunities to pursue a secular music career with the fame she gained, but she chose to remain in gospel music.
According to him, that decision led to four years of waiting before she began to fully experience the rewards of her choice.
The reflection came after Mercy Chinwo recently surpassed 200 million streams on Spotify, a milestone that Pastor Blessed described as proof that her journey was guided by obedience and trust in God.
In a post on Instagram, he explained that although the waiting period might have seemed like a delay, it was not wasted, as her growth in the gospel music industry shows the results of patience and faith.
Pastor Blessed further encouraged people to remain focused and courageous, noting that choosing God’s way may sometimes look like a slow path but it always leads to fulfillment.
9. Spain Threatens 2026 FIFA World Cup Boycott If Israel Qualifies Amid Gaza Crisis
Spain’s ruling Socialist Workers’ Party has signalled that the national football team could be withdrawn from the 2026 World Cup if Israel secures qualification, raising the prospect of a political storm that may test FIFA’s authority.
Spokesperson for the party, Patxi Lopez, said Spain would “assess” its position if Israel reached the finals. His comments followed a United Nations commission report earlier this week, which accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
Israel have not qualified for a World Cup since 1970 but remain in contention for next year’s expanded tournament. They sit third in their UEFA qualifying group, level on points with Italy in the play-off position, though they have played one game more.
Any attempt by Spain to pull out would likely invite severe consequences from FIFA, which has long opposed government interference in football matters.
Lopez’s remarks also echo recent tensions in Spain’s sporting scene. Just two weeks ago, the 11th stage of the Vuelta a España was abandoned after pro-Palestine protesters blocked the finish line in Bilbao.
Demonstrators targeted the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team, waving flags, spraying graffiti and forcing organisers to halt the race three kilometres from the scheduled finish.
10. Donnarumma Reveals Why Manchester City Was His ‘Only Option’ After PSG Exit
Italian goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma says Manchester City was the only destination he wanted this summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, describing his switch to the Premier League champions as a “dream move.”
Naija News reports that Gianluigi Donnarumma completed a £26 million transfer to City on deadline day after PSG boss Luis Enrique deemed him surplus to requirements, despite the goalkeeper helping the French side win three trophies last season, including the Champions League.
“I was very clear, my desire was to come here,” Donnarumma told reporters. “That was my only option, the only thing I wanted. My only choice was to come here… so I am happy to be here at City and be part of this fantastic team.”
The 26-year-old made an instant impression on his debut, keeping a clean sheet in City’s 3-0 derby win over Manchester United. He was mobbed by teammates, including Erling Haaland, after pulling off a stunning save to deny Bryan Mbeumo.
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, Thursday, 18th September, 2025 appeared first on Naija News.
