Nigerian Newspapers
Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 23rd August, 2025
Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 23rd August, 2025.
1. My Money Is Clean, I Am Not Part Of The Corruption – Dangote Replies Critics
President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has dismissed claims that he uses his influence to shut down competition.
The billionaire stated that his success results from strategic investment and entrepreneurship, not special treatment or restrictive policies.
In a Thursday feature by Bloomberg, it was alleged that some of Dangote’s greatest successes occurred in sectors where imports are banned or restricted, including sugar and cement.
The report recalled that in 2007, then-US Consul General Brian Browne cited criticisms of Dangote’s practices in a private cable published by WikiLeaks.
“To detractors, he is a predator using connections in a corrupt political economy to tilt the playing field in his favour and sideline potential competition.
“It is no coincidence that many products on Nigeria’s import ban lists are items in which Dangote has major interests,” Browne wrote.
Dangote, who highly regards Browne, countered that imports of the products in question were not banned at the time.
He argued that he simply capitalised on opportunities that others failed to exploit.
2. President Tinubu Unveils New Personal Income Tax Calculator For Nigerians
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the launch of a Personal Income Tax Calculator, which will enable Nigerians to assess how the new reforms by his administration affect them compared to the current tax system.
The President assured Nigerians that the recently signed tax reforms will not punish the poor but instead promote fairness and equity in the country’s revenue system.
In a statement released late Thursday night, Tinubu explained that the new tax laws, which will take effect from January 2026, are designed to ease the burden on vulnerable groups while redistributing wealth more fairly across the economy.
“A fair tax system must never punish poverty or weigh down the most vulnerable. With the new tax laws I recently signed, taking effect from January 2026, we have lifted this burden and created a path of equity, fairness, and true redistribution in our economy,” the Nigerian leader said.
On the new Personal Income Tax Calculator, the President explained that it will enable citizens to assess how the new reforms affect them compared to the current tax system.
“A Personal Income Tax Calculator has been developed. It allows you to check your estimated tax under the new laws against what you currently pay. It shows clearly how these reforms protect low-income earners, ensure progressivity, and simplify compliance in order to deliver a transparent system that works for all,” Tinubu explained.
3. PDP Will Address Wike’s Issue This Time Around, Grace Period Has Expired – Bode George
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has revealed that the leadership of the party is set to take decisive action regarding the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike.
According to George, the PDP has tolerated Wike and others like him in the party long enough, and the time has come to take a decisive position during its next leadership meeting.
Naija News reports that the former Military Governor made this known in a chat with Daily Trust after the PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Meeting held in Lagos on Thursday.
He added that the party would have taken a decision on Wike during its last National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, but some stakeholders appealed for more time to engage.
George added that the decision of the Southern bloc on the zoning of offices would be communicated to the National Economic Council (NEC), which is meeting on Monday.
He said, “The party will address the Wike issue this time around. At the previous NEC meeting, we considered taking a decision, but it was agreed that more time should be given to engage with the members of the House who had decamped.
“That time has now expired, and we must take a decisive step; otherwise, the party risks being seen as indecisive.”
4. Benue Assembly Suspends Four Lawmakers Over Failed Speaker Impeachment Plot
The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended four of its members for six months over an alleged attempt to impeach the Speaker, Aondona Dajoh.
Those affected are Alfred Berger (Makurdi North), Terna Shimawua (Kian), Cyril Ekong (Obi), and James Umoru (Apa).
According to the leadership of the House, the suspension followed a botched attempt by the lawmakers to unseat Speaker Dajoh on Thursday night.
The Assembly described the action of the suspended members as a direct affront to its leadership and internal order.
Confirming the decision, the House announced that the four lawmakers would not participate in legislative activities for the next six months as part of disciplinary measures.
Naija News understands that the suspension has heightened political tension within the Assembly, even as the leadership insisted that it would not tolerate acts capable of destabilising the legislature.
5. ‘Mahmood Yakubu Has Polluted And Grossly Undermined Electoral Process’ – Obasanjo
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, of undermining the electoral process since 2015.
Naija News reports that Obasanjo made this known on Friday in his new book, ‘Nigeria: Past and Future’, published by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
He expressed concern that Nigeria’s judiciary has become “deeply compromised” and corruption among judges has turned Nigerian courts into “court of corruption rather than courts of justice”.
Obasanjo stressed that, “No wonder politicians do not put much confidence in an election which the INEC of Professor Mahmood Yakubu polluted and grossly undermined to make a charade.”
According to the former military Head of State, there is a steady decline in the judiciary’s integrity and justice has become commodified in Nigeria, with dangerous consequences for the nation’s stability.
6. EFCC: How Atiku’s Son-in-law Escaped Nigeria
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared businessman Abdullahi Bashir Haske, the founder of AA & R Investment Group and son-in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, wanted after he allegedly escaped Nigeria.
Naija News reports that the anti-graft agency declared Haske wanted over alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
However, according to SaharaReporters, Haske was earlier questioned and detained by authorities, with his passport seized to prevent him from fleeing. But he managed to escape using another passport.
“The EFCC took one of his passport but he escaped with another passport,” a top source privy to the investigation disclosed on Friday.
In a notice on Thursday signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency called on members of the public with useful information on Haske’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or any EFCC office nationwide.
7. Senior Police Officers Move To Quit Contributory Pension Scheme, Demand NASS Backing
Senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force have resolved that the Force should withdraw from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), describing it as unsuitable for the welfare of police personnel.
According to SaharaReporters, an internal wireless message dated August 6, 2025, and issued by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Border Patrol Force, highlighted that the decision was made during a high-level meeting at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Naija News understands that the meeting, attended by officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police and above, discussed the pension scheme extensively and unanimously agreed that the police should opt out of the CPS “as it is presently constituted.”
The senior officers further resolved that efforts should now be directed towards the National Assembly to secure the necessary legal framework for a total withdrawal from the scheme.
In the meantime, officers and men of the Force were urged to remain patient, with assurances that steps were being taken to secure the best possible welfare package for them.
The wireless message, circulated to zonal and state commanders as well as border units across the country, stressed that the directive should be treated as very important.
8. ‘DSS Fired Guns At Me’ – Sunday Igboho Accuses DSS Of Attempting To Kill Him During Raid
Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has accused operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) of attempting to kill him during the invasion of his house.
Igboho made this known while speaking at the palace of the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III.
Naija News recalls that the freedom fighter was declared wanted after confronting Fulani herders accused of killing farmers in the South-West, as well as for championing the Yoruba Nation agitation.
On July 1, 2021, DSS operatives stormed his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, in an effort to arrest him.
During the raid, the activist evaded capture and later fled to the Benin Republic, where he was arrested at the airport while attempting to travel to Germany. He subsequently faced trial there before being released following interventions by Nigerian leaders.
Recounting his ordeal during the visit to Oba Ogunoye, Igboho claimed that the operatives fired multiple shots at him during the invasion, but that divine intervention saved his life.
9. Chelle Unveils Provisional 31-Man Super Eagles Squad For 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a provisional 31-man squad for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa in September.
The Super Eagles provisional list is headlined by captain William Troost-Ekong, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, alongside midfielder Alex Iwobi and tough tackler Wilfred Ndidi. Also included are forwards Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon.
Emerging talents such as goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi, as well as midfielders Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, are included in the list. In the attack, Sadiq Umar and Nathan Tella are also set to compete for places.
The coach also handed call-ups to promising defender Benjamin Fredericks, versatile full-back Felix Agu, centre-back Igoh Ogbu, and midfielder Christantus Uche, while forward Cyriel Dessers, who shone during Nigeria’s 2025 Unity Cup triumph in London, has been rewarded with another invitation.
Nigeria, currently sitting fourth in Group C, will host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday, September 6, before travelling to Bloemfontein to face long-time rivals South Africa on Tuesday, September 9, in what promises to be a fiercely contested showdown.
The Super Eagles will open camp in Uyo on Monday, September 1, as preparations begin for the two must-win encounters.
10. People Say I Don’t Shave My Armpit Because That Is Where My Voodoo Is – Burna Boy
Afrobeats superstar, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has shared a common misconception about himself that he finds hilarious.
The singer addressed claims that he avoids shaving his armpits because the source of his success lies there through voodoo.
Naija News reports that photos of Burna Boy showing his unshaved armpits have, on several occasions, sparked reactions.
However, speaking in a recent interview with Apple Music, the Grammy-winning star described such claims as hilarious.
He explained that he simply does not enjoy shaving his armpit.
The interviewer asked: “What would you say is a common misconception about Burna Boy?”
Burna Boy replied, “One is that I don’t like to shave my armpits. People think that it is like Samson in the Bible that [has] his power in his hair.
“There are some people that claim that my armpit is where my power is because I don’t shave. In Nigeria you hear crazy things. There are some people that think that is some voodoo sh*t, like my power is in my armpits [laughs]. I don’t even know how to explain it. It’s just some dumb sh*t that’s going on. I even tried to find out if it’s even possible.”
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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