Author: Naija Daily News

Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique to book a place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was eclipsed by dramatic scenes involving star striker Victor Osimhen, who is now reportedly threatening to walk away from the national team. The Super Eagles delivered one of their most commanding performances of the tournament on Monday, brushing aside the Mambas with ease as they responded strongly to the lingering disappointment of missing out on qualification for a second consecutive FIFA World Cup. Ademola Lookman and Osimhen both found the net, with Akor Adams also on the scoresheet, as Nigeria…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, have traded sharp words over political developments in Rivers State, deepening tensions within the ruling party’s ranks. Wike issued a stern warning to Basiru during a “thank you” visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, cautioning him to stay out of the state’s political affairs. The former Rivers governor was reacting to comments attributed to Basiru on the internal political situation in the state, particularly remarks linked to the rift involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The…

Borrowing rates in Nigeria are expected to ease gradually over the next six months, buoyed by growing optimism over the stability and strengthening of the naira against the United States dollar, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Business Expectations Survey (BES) for December 2025. The survey, which captures the views of business leaders across key sectors of the economy, reflects increasing confidence in exchange rate stability and an improving outlook for credit conditions in the near to medium term. As expectations for the naira improve, businesses also anticipate a gradual decline in borrowing costs, although lingering structural challenges…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated former senator Magnus Abe and energy expert Adegbite Ebiowei Adeniji as board chairmen of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), respectively, and has forwarded their names to the Senate for confirmation. The nominations were conveyed in two separate letters to the Senate, according to a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga. The President also sought confirmation for 21 nominees to serve on the boards of the two petroleum-sector regulators established under the Petroleum…

By Deborah Nnamdi Suspected terrorists have attacked the busy Isanlu–Isin–Omu Aran road in Kwara State, kidnapping at least four travellers in the early hours of Monday. The incident occurred when armed men ambushed motorists along the highway, a major route linking several communities in Kwara South to the state capital, Ilorin. The attackers reportedly blocked the road, forced vehicles to a stop, and abducted some passengers before fleeing to an unknown location. A source familiar with the development said the assailants operated unhindered during the attack and warned that the area remains unsafe for travellers. “Bandits are still heavily present…

By Deborah Nnamdi Manchester United have sacked Ruben Amorim as manager just 14 months after his appointment, the club announced on Monday. In a statement, United said the Portuguese coach had left his role, adding that the club’s leadership had “reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change” in order to give the team “the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.” “The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future,” the statement added. United confirmed that Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Presidency has dismissed claims that a photograph showing President Bola Tinubu and Rwandan President Paul Kagame having lunch in Paris, France, was generated using artificial intelligence. In a statement issued on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said the image was authentic and not AI-generated, contrary to claims circulating in the media and on social media. “The narrative that the picture of Presidents Bola Tinubu and Paul Kagame taken in Paris yesterday was AI-generated is not correct,” Ajayi said. “The media reports and social media comments that followed…

By Deborah Nnamdi The death toll from the recent boat mishap in Yobe State has risen to 29, with rescue teams still searching for about eight to 10 bodies believed to be missing. The Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mohammed Goje, disclosed this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief. He said search and rescue operations were ongoing, expressing hope that the remaining bodies would be recovered. “The latest update is that 29 bodies have been recovered and buried according to their respective rites. Thirteen were rescued, and those taken to…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Ngozi Odu, has formally registered as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking her defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Odu completed her registration at her ward in Akabuka town, Ward 8, Unit 11, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state. Shortly after the exercise, she broke into the song “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand,” a chant closely associated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, drawing applause from party supporters at the venue. Her defection comes weeks after Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, also joined the APC…

By Deborah Nnamdi Flutterwave, Africa’s largest fintech company, has acquired Nigerian open banking startup Mono in an all-stock transaction valued between $25 million and $40 million, marking a major consolidation in the continent’s financial infrastructure space. The deal brings together two key fintech infrastructure providers as Flutterwave moves to deepen its payments stack with open banking, financial data, and identity verification capabilities. Under the agreement, Mono will continue to operate as an independent product, with no changes to its leadership or day-to-day operations. The acquisition allows Mono’s investors to at least recover their capital, with some early backers reportedly recording…