Good morning and welcome to today’s edition of our Newspaper Headlines Review, where we bring you the top stories making waves across Nigeria’s leading newspapers.
- Daily Post — “Insecurity comment: ‘Politics without element of truth’ – Expert blasts El-Rufai.”
A security analyst publicly disputes former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s recent claims about government complicity in ransom payments, calling the remarks political and misleading. The exchange deepens the national debate over how best to tackle banditry and whether critics are politicising security policy; legal and political reactions are likely to follow. - Daily Independent — “Power Update: EKEDC begins gradual restoration after widespread outages.”
Independent reports that EKEDC has started phased power restoration following a national grid collapse that left large areas without electricity. The utility warns customers of staggered supply as engineers stabilise the network, and regulators will be watching for explanations from affected GenCos. - ThisDay — “Sanusi condemns quality of Nigerian leadership.”
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, sharply criticises the calibre of current national leadership, arguing that poor governance has long-term economic and social costs. His remarks add weight to growing public frustration and are likely to feature in opinion pages and political reactions across party lines. - The Guardian — “FG removes 5% telecom tax on voice, data services.”
The federal government has announced the removal of a 5% tax on voice and data services, a move expected to ease the cost of digital access for Nigerians and support the telecom sector’s growth. Analysts will monitor whether savings are passed to consumers and how the revenue loss is absorbed in the budget. - Vanguard — “Police probe death of ex-Ondo SDP gov candidate, Akingboye.”
Vanguard reports that security agencies have opened an investigation into the death of a former SDP gubernatorial candidate in Ondo State, a development that raises political tensions locally and could trigger protests or calls for transparent forensic inquiries. - Daily Trust — “Siminalayi Fubara: Heralding his return to office.”
Daily Trust outlines the timetable and political implications as the Rivers State emergency rule approaches its scheduled end; Governor Fubara’s anticipated return is likely to reshape state politics and local governance dynamics. Observers will watch for reconciliation moves and legal challenges as power normalises. - The Sun — “Bloodbath: Gunmen kill 8 NSCDC personnel at BUA Cement Company, abduct expatriate in Edo.”
The Sun details a deadly ambush in Edo State where NSCDC officers were killed and an expatriate abducted, underscoring rising threats to security personnel and foreign workers. The attack intensifies calls for improved protection of industrial sites and faster ransom-response protocols. - Tribune Online — “Four rescued in Lagos building collapse.”
Tribune reports emergency teams rescued four men after a structural collapse in Lagos; the incident spotlights ongoing concerns about building standards, enforcement, and urban safety in fast-growing cities. Expect follow-up investigations and potential sanctions for responsible contractors if negligence is found. - Leadership — “African Defence Chiefs forge united front against terrorism, cyber threats.”
Leadership covers a continental security summit where defence chiefs agreed on closer cooperation to tackle terrorism, cybercrime and maritime insecurity — a move that could accelerate joint operations and intelligence sharing across West Africa. Regional coordination will be key to translating agreements into results. - The Punch — “2025 capital budget: FG to begin implementation by September end.”
Punch reports the federal government’s timetable to start spending the ₦54.99 trillion 2025 budget by the end of September, a crucial step for project financing and cash-flow across ministries. Stakeholders will watch for timely releases and whether budget lines translate into on-the-ground delivery.
