Morning Nigeria! Today's Top Newspaper Headlines in Nigeria - Sunday, 18th May, 2025
1. President Tinubu Faces Holy Audience at Pope Leo XIV's Installation
Latest News Headlines in Nigeria on Sunday, 18th May, 2025:
Our President, Bola Tinubu, journeyed to Rome, Italy, on Saturday, preparing for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV on Sunday at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. The President's visit ensued an invitation extended by the newly elected Pope Leo XIV [4]. The esteemed delegation accompanying the President consisted of Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Catholic Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese [4]. The final meeting between Tinubu and Pope Leo XIV took place post the inauguration mass on Sunday [2][5].
2. Wike Stands Firm: "I Won't Leave The House I Built"
In a defiant stance, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, vowed to remain in the People's Democratic Party (PDP) while working for President Bola Tinubu. Speaking during an interview on BBC, Wike argued that he won't abandon the party since he, and not others, built his political home [3]. Reiterating his resilience, Wike stated his commitment to opposition politics while accusing the ruling party of impunity and arrogance. He highlighted the empty threats from party members who have failed to give their party even three percent of votes [3].
3. Wike Exposes the Invisible Foe: "The Real Battle Is Against Those Who Trick Fubara"
In an exclusive interview with BBC Pidgin, the Minister of the FCT (FCT), Nyesom Wike, clarified that his dispute isn't with the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara. Instead, Wike declared that he is battling those who are inciting Fubara against him [6]. Reminding everyone, Fubara remains his political son. He further stated that the party's powerbrokers who are fearful of losing control are the ones pushing Fubara [6].
4. Wike versus El-Rufai? Wike Insists: "I Aim to Make My Own Mark"
In an interview with BBC Pidgin, the Minister of the FCT (FCT), Nyesom Wike, downplayed the comparison between his tenure and Nasir El-Rufai's, the former governor of Kaduna State and former Minister of the FCT during the administration of former President Obasanjo [7]. Emphasizing the uniqueness of his approach to governance, Wike acknowledged El-Rufai's significant contributions but expressed his desire to create his own path [7].
5. Atiku's Terrifying Odyssey: Surviving Assassination Attempts & Political Struggles
Delivering the graduation speech at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in 2025, former Vice President and AUN founder Atiku Abubakar, shared his gripping experience of surviving an assassination attempt in Kaduna State [8]. Speaking to the graduates, Atiku detailed the harrowing incident, where he hid his wife and children in a closet while confronting the attackers [8]. Surprisingly, the assassins missed him. Atiku further talked about the political challenges he faced during Nigeria's military dictatorship, including an offer for a governorship position without an election, but he rejected it, opting instead for a path that led to his eventual vice-presidency in 1999 [8].
6. Kwankwaso Denies APC Return Rumors: "I Won't Be Tricked Again!"
National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, categorically denied reports claiming that he was asked by President Bola Tinubu to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) [9]. Taking to his social media handle on Saturday, Kwankwaso labeled the reports as "false and unfounded [9]. Kwankwaso emphasized that he would not be swayed by the political machinations aimed at undermining his party [9].
7. We're Our Own Worst Enemies: Igbokwe on Rising Food Prices
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, stated that Nigerian traders are the ones responsible for skyrocketing food prices [10]. Speaking via a Facebook post on Saturday, Igbokwe asserted that traders are too greedy to allow prices to come down. Lamenting the dire situation, Igbokwe expressed disappointment in the traders who successfully prevent market prices from mirroring falling commodity prices and acknowledged Nigerians themselves as their worst enemies due to their greed and dishonest tendencies [10].
8. Revalidation Initiated for Federal Government Cash Transfer Program
The Federal Government has launched a revalidation exercise for the National Social Register as part of its efforts to improve the effectiveness of the conditional cash transfer program. The revalidation exercise involves verifying 2.3 million households, preparing them for payment under the revamped scheme [11]. The World Bank previously raised concerns regarding the slow pace of implementation of the cash transfer program, citing that only 37% of the targeted households had received payments two years after its inception [11].
9. Dream Move Completed: Liverpool Seals Agreement with Frimpong
Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong, previously of Bayer Leverkusen, has officially joined Liverpool, the current champions of the 2024-25 Premier League [9]. Fabrizio Romano, an eminent sports journalist and transfer specialist, confirmed this development via his official social media account on Saturday [9]. Frimpong signed a five-year deal with Liverpool, and medical procedures are now underway [9].
10. Peller: "I Blocked A ₦3 Billion Netflix Deal for A Kissing Scene"
Online streamer and content creator, Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, revealed that he once persuaded his girlfriend, Jarvis, to turn down a ₦3 billion offer from Netflix to shoot a kissing scene [2]. During a recent livestream with singer Peter of P-Square, Peller shared this story. He emphasized his love for Jarvis and his determination to protect her. Peter added his support to Peller, stressing the importance of protecting one's loved ones [2].
- President Bola Tinubu's visit to Rome, Italy, ahead of Pope Leo XIV's installation, was accompanied by Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and various church leaders, including Archbishops Ugorji, Kaigama, and Martins, and Bishop Kukah.
- Minister Nyesom Wike asserted his commitment to the People's Democratic Party (PDP), despite accusations from party members, and criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for impunity and arrogance.
- In an interview, Nyesom Wike accused unnamed powerbrokers within the PDP of inciting Governor Fubara against him, despite a perceived rift between the two politicians.
- Nyesom Wike dismissed comparisons between his tenure and Nasir El-Rufai's, expressing his desire to create his own path in governance.
- Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar shared his story of surviving an assassination attempt and political struggles during military dictatorship, and his eventual Vice Presidency in 1999.
- Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso denied reports of being asked to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) by President Bola Tinubu, labelling them as false and unfounded.
- Joe Igbokwe accused Nigerian traders of causing the rise in food prices due to their greed and dishonest tendencies.
- A revalidation exercise for the National Social Register has been initiated by the Federal Government to improve the effectiveness of its conditional cash transfer program.
- Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong has joined Liverpool, following the signing of a five-year deal and medical procedures, as announced by Fabrizio Romano.
- Peller revealed that he persuaded his girlfriend, Jarvis, to reject a ₦3 billion offer from Netflix to shoot a kissing scene, highlighting his love and protective nature towards her.
