Good morning — Welcome To Today’s Newspaper Headlines Review — Wednesday, 8 October 2025
1. DAILY POST — “INEC: Don’t be hasty to appoint new chairman — Sambo advises presidency”
President/administration advisers and stakeholders are being urged to take care and follow due process as INEC’s leadership transition plays out. The comment follows official movement at the electoral commission and public sensitivity about the timing and choice of a successor.
With a leadership change at INEC now in focus, calls for deliberation are politically salient — rushed appointments risk fuelling mistrust ahead of 2027. Media should track the formal hand-over, any acting appointments, and the timetable for a substantive nomination and confirmation.
2. PUNCH — “Science minister Nnaji resigns over alleged certificate forgery”
Reports say the Minister of Innovation/Science (Uche/Geoffrey Nnaji — named across outlets) tendered his resignation after allegations about forged academic documents surfaced. The story has pushed integrity and vetting discussions back onto the national agenda.
A ministerial resignation over credential questions raises governance and appointments oversight issues. Expect parliamentary questions, a fast verification of other appointees’ credentials, and a public conversation about strengthening pre-appointment checks.
3. VANGUARD — “Certificate forgery allegations: Why Minister Geoffrey Nnaji resigned”
Vanguard’s coverage provides context on the allegations, timelines of the investigative reports and the official acceptance of the minister’s resignation.
Investigative reporting forcing a cabinet exit signals that accountability journalism still shapes outcomes. Newsrooms should keep the focus on verified documents and formal statements to avoid amplifying rumours while holding systems to account.
4. THISDAY — “As curtains fall on Yakubu’s tenure as INEC chairman — Agbamuche-Mbu now acting”
ThisDay reports that Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s period in office has ended and an acting chair has been named pending the next formal appointment. The development is central to election-credibility conversations.
An acting INEC chair during a sensitive pre-election period will focus public attention on neutrality, process and transparency. Coverage should monitor the commission’s actions, confirmation timelines and any policy signals about 2027 preparations.
5. THE GUARDIAN — “Alleged genocide: Congressman urges U.S. to designate Nigeria ‘Country of Particular Concern’”
The Guardian highlights international political pressure and domestic rebuttals amid debate about religiously-motivated attacks and how they are classified overseas. The story places Nigeria’s security and diplomatic standing under sharp scrutiny.
International designations would have diplomatic and aid implications. Balanced reporting should include government responses, local civil-society perspectives, and independent casualty/verification data to avoid amplifying one-sided narratives.
6. THE SUN — “Jos crisis: ‘Everyone is involved’ — Maj. Gen. Rogers (rtd)”
The Sun reports comments from the Plateau fact-finding committee chair, who warned against blaming a single group for prolonged violence in Plateau State and urged inclusive solutions.
Framing the Plateau violence as multi-causal (not mono-ethnic) is important for de-escalation, but policy must follow with reparative justice, security presence and community reconciliation. Reporters should cite the committee’s full recommendations when they are published.
DAILY TRUST — “FG to sustain naira-for-crude supply policy with local refiners”
Daily Trust reports federal policy support to maintain crude-for-naira supply arrangements aimed at supporting domestic refiners and securing local refining supply chains.
Policy continuity for local refining underpins energy security and industrial policy. Analysts will watch allocation mechanisms, transparency of crude sales, and how this affects domestic fuel prices and refinery throughput.
8. DAILY INDEPENDENT — “Finally, minister accused of certificate forgery resigns”
Daily Independent confirms the minister’s resignation after press investigations into alleged forged credentials; other outlets have carried similar accounts.
The cross-media corroboration strengthens the case for systematic pre-appointment verification. Expect calls for an institutionalised vetting framework and possible reviews of past appointments where records are unclear.
9. BLUEPRINT — “COAS tasks media on countering terrorists’ propaganda and misinformation”
Blueprint reports that the Chief of Army Staff urged journalists and media houses to help rebut extremist propaganda and avoid amplifying disinformation that could aid terrorists.
Responsible reporting in conflict zones is critical to avoid unintentional amplification of violent narratives. Newsrooms should strengthen verification, protect sources, and publish counter-narratives backed by verified intelligence and humanitarian data.
10. TRIBUNE — “SSANU, NASU to protest on October 9 over FG’s failure to meet demands”
Tribune reports labour mobilisation by university support staff unions, signalling a widening education sector dispute that could affect services and academic calendars.
Unions’ actions threaten continuity in public university operations and will pressure the government to reopen negotiations. Coverage should track official responses, strike notices, and impacts on students and research activities.
