Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 13th October, 2025

1 day ago 1

4AllThings Android App

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 13th October, 2025

1. ASUU Declares Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a two-week total and comprehensive warning strike across all public universities in Nigeria.

Naija News reports that the National President of the Union, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the latest development at an ongoing press briefing in Abuja on Sunday at the University of Abuja.

Piwuna stated that all branches of ASUU should withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, October 13, 2025.

The latest standoff between the union and the Federal Government adds to a long list of disputes over university funding, lecturers’ welfare, and the still-unresolved 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

2. Latest Pardon Issued By Tinubu Is A Reckless Use Of Presidential Pardon – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has disagreed with the list of individuals included in the recent presidential pardon announced by President Bola Tinubu.

Atiku, in a statement on Sunday, noted that while a presidential pardon is a moral and constitutional instrument designed to temper justice with mercy and to underscore the humanity of the state, Tinubu used the powers to extend clemency to individuals convicted of grave crimes such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder, and corruption, thereby undermining the purpose.

Naija News recalls that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration released a list of all 175 beneficiaries of the President’s pardon and clemency. The list was released in a press statement on Saturday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Atiku said President Tinubu carried out a reckless use of presidential pardon, thereby undermining justice and emboldening criminality.

The former presidential candidate added that it is worrisome that 29.2% percent of those pardoned were convicted for drug-related crimes, and Tinubu’s past also remains clouded by allegations of forfeiting thousands of dollars to the American government over drug-related investigations.

Atiku warned the government against absolving offenders of crimes that they naturally should be fighting, noting that clemency must never be confused with complicity.

3. Presidency Confirms Wale Edun Is Indisposed As Cardoso Leads Delegation To World Bank, IMF Meeting

The federal government on Sunday, confirmed that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, is indisposed.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, gave the confirmation in a statement in which he disclosed Edun will not lead Nigeria’s delegation to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., as a result of his current situation.

Onanuga announced that instead, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, will lead the country’s delegation to the meeting, which opens on Monday, October 13.

The presidency added that the Nigerian delegation will also comprise the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anete.

Some earlier reports had speculated that Edun has been battling undisclosed health challenges for several weeks and is expected to be flown abroad for advanced medical treatment.

4. 2027: ‘Forcing Peter Obi To Withdraw Will Take Away The Hope Of Nigerians’ – Labour Party

The Labour Party (LP) has reacted to ongoing debates over possible alliances with opposition parties and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general election.

Naija News reports that the LP’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Tony Akeni, in an interview with Punch, dismissed speculation that Peter Obi could step down for any political coalition or rival aspirant.

According to Akeni, forcing Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2027 race will amount to betraying the hopes of millions of Nigerians seeking change.

He maintained that neither Peter Obi nor the Obidient Movement would surrender their presidential bid, stressing that “our motto is forward never, backward never.”

Akeni also appealed to Atiku to prove his love for the country by doing the right thing and giving Peter Obi a chance in 2027.

5. 2027: ‘Don’t Listen To People Who Want To Destroy You’ – Tinubu’s Aide Warns Jonathan

The Senior Special Assistant (Print media) to President Bola Tinubu, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, has downplayed speculations about the return of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, to active politics in 2027.

Naija News reports that AbdulAziz, in an interview with journalists in Kano, said there is nothing to fear if Jonathan decides to contest again.

According to the presidential aide, Jonathan’s previous defeat as a sitting president shows he poses no political threat.

AbdulAziz insisted that Jonathan’s possible return does not bother anyone, including Tinubu.

AbdulAziz also cautioned Jonathan against allowing people to destroy him.

6. Tinubu: Umahi Reveals Agreement Of Southern Governors On Presidency

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has made a fresh call for Nigerians to support the reelection of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Sunday, Umahi disclosed that prior to the 2023 elections, the seventeen southern Governors agreed that, irrespective of party affiliations, the presidency must be allowed to return to the south.

He therefore advocated that, in line with the agreement, President Tinubu should be allowed to complete his eight years in office in the interest of equity and political stability.

On the agitation for the southeast to produce Nigeria’s president, Umahi stated that the region deserves it, but should wait for Tinubu to complete his two terms before contesting for the presidency.

He argued that it would be wrong for anyone to demand a power shift before 2031.

7. FG Reacts As ASUU Declares Fresh Strike

The federal government has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to shelve its planned strike and embrace dialogue.

The Nigerian government, in a joint statement on Sunday by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, assured of the government’s commitment to resolving all pending issues.

Naija News recalls that ASUU had earlier on Sunday, declared a two-week total and comprehensive warning strike across all public universities in Nigeria.

The National President of the Union, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the latest development at an ongoing press briefing in Abuja on Sunday at the University of Abuja.

Piwuna stated that all branches of ASUU should withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, October 13, 2025.

However, the government, in a swift reaction, has urged the union to reconsider its decision to embark on an industrial strike, emphasising that constructive dialogue remains the most effective and sustainable path toward resolving all outstanding issues in the tertiary education sector.

The government statement disclosed that it has made a comprehensive offer to the union and is still awaiting ASUU’s official response.

The Ministers in the statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, emphasised that the offer addresses the union’s primary concerns, including working conditions, institutional governance, and staff welfare.

It added that President Tinubu has approved a robust Teaching Allowance designed to reflect the value of academic work and motivate lecturers across public universities.

The statement added that the government would be forced to invoke the principle of “No Work, No Pay” should ASUU proceed with the strike.

It noted, however, that the government is open to engaging in dialogue.

8. ‘You’re Wasting Your Time, I Can’t Love You’ – Portable Tells Babymama, Ashabi

Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, better known as Portable, has continued to publicly humiliate his fourth babymama cum Nollywood actress, Ashabi Simple.

Naija News reports that the singer, in an audio shared on his Instagram page, described his relationship with Ashabi as the only mistake he ever made in life.

Portable, while accusing Ashabi of attempting to chase away all the women in his life, including his housewife, Bewaji, said the actress came into his life because of his fame.

The musician urged Ashabi to stop wasting her time on their relationship because he cannot love her.

9. Nigeria, Benin Hit By Key Suspensions Ahead Of Tuesday’s Decisive World Cup Qualifier

Tuesday’s high-stakes Group C clash between Nigeria and Benin Republic will see both sides missing crucial players after suspensions ruled them out of the decisive World Cup qualifying encounter.

Benin head coach Gernot Rohr confirmed that midfielder Sessi d’Almeida and defender Yohan Roche will not feature in Uyo after picking up their second yellow cards in the Cheetahs’ 1-0 win over Rwanda last week.

Speaking to journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Rohr admitted the absences were significant but maintained his belief in his team’s ability to handle the challenge.

Nigeria, meanwhile, will be without one of their brightest attacking threats, Ademola Lookman, who received his second yellow card of the qualifiers in the 64th minute of Friday’s 2-1 win over Lesotho. Under CAF’s disciplinary rules, the Atalanta forward will serve a one-match suspension.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle played down the impact of Lookman’s absence, insisting the team has enough quality to deliver when it matters most.

10. Zinedine Zidane Opens Up On Dream To Coach France National Team

Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he dreams of managing the France national team in the future, though he didn’t confirm whether he hopes to replace Didier Deschamps after next year’s World Cup.

Zinedine Zidane, 53, who guided Real Madrid to three straight UEFA Champions League titles, spoke on Sunday at an event hosted by Italian sports outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I’m sure I’ll get back into coaching,” Zidane said. “I’m not saying it’s going to happen now, what I want one day is to coach the national team.”

Zidane’s words have once again stirred speculation about his long-expected move into international management. The former France captain has been linked with Les Bleus several times since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, and many fans see him as the natural heir to Deschamps.

Known for his calm authority on and off the pitch, Zidane’s influence on French football remains immense. His two goals in the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil sealed France’s first-ever title, and his leadership as a player carried through to his coaching career, where he built one of the most successful teams in modern European football.