Good morning, Nigeria. Here is your Gossip News Now roundup of the major newspaper headlines making waves across the country today, Friday, 21st November 2025.
1. NPFL Relocates Katsina United Home Matches to Ilorin as Remo Stars Celebrate Narrow Win
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has directed Katsina United to play the remainder of their home fixtures in Ilorin, following a new directive issued to the club on Thursday.
This decision makes the Rashidi Yekini Stadium in Ilorin their temporary home ground for the season. The club had earlier been moved to the New Jos Stadium after crowd trouble disrupted their home match against Barau FC.
With the latest order now in force, Katsina United will face Enyimba this weekend in their matchday 14 clash. The team goes into the fixture seeking redemption after suffering a 2–0 defeat to Niger Tornadoes at the Bako Kotangora Stadium in Minna—a result that leaves them 13th on the table with 17 points as the league enters a decisive stretch.
Meanwhile, Remo Stars assistant coach Sulaiman Folarin has applauded his squad for securing a tough 1–0 win over Kano Pillars on Wednesday at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.
Victor Mbaoma’s first-half strike proved enough to seal the victory, helping the Sky Blue Stars bounce back immediately from their home loss to Rangers.
2. ‘My Grandpa Is Rubbing My Thighs During Business Meeting’ – Yemi Alade Speaks Out on Harassment
Nigerian singer Yemi Alade has opened up about the sexual harassment she endured from music executives in the early stages of her career.
Gossip News Now reports that the “Johnny” hitmaker shared her experience during a recent episode of the Swift Conversations podcast.
According to Yemi Alade, harassment was one of the biggest obstacles she faced, but she refused to compromise her standards and instead focused on working harder.
She explained that her breakthrough in the music industry came when she realised she “needed to stop walking through the doors and start breaking down the walls,” emphasising the importance of resilience and self-belief.
3. PDP Crisis: Udenta Faults Police for Enabling Factional Takeover
Udenta O. Udenta, the founding National Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy, has accused the Nigerian Police of contributing to the escalating crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Gossip News Now reports that on Tuesday, security operatives fired gunshots and deployed teargas to disperse party members at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja following an intense clash between rival factions.
Speaking on Arise Television on Thursday, Udenta said the police played a direct role in enabling one faction to occupy the party’s secretariat, worsening an already volatile situation.
He argued that the police should have acted impartially to prevent chaos rather than taking actions that emboldened one group over the other.
4. ADC BoT Faction Rejects David Mark-Led Coalition, Issues Warning on Atiku, Peter Obi, Others
A faction of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), loyal to factional National Chairman Nafiu Bala, has rejected the David Mark-led coalition, describing it as an illegitimate arrangement supported by a rival leadership.
Gossip News Now reports that the factional BoT Secretary, Rufus Ekenmi, made the declaration during a Thursday press conference in Abuja, accusing the coalition of infiltrating the party and attempting to create instability.
Ekenmi alleged that certain influential politicians were plotting to hijack the ADC under the guise of forming a coalition.
“Some individuals illegally sneaked into the party in the name of a coalition, infecting the ADC with a spirit of insubordination,” he said.
The faction emphasised that it would not recognise or collaborate with the coalition being promoted by former Senate President David Mark.
It also mandated Bala to activate the party’s disciplinary committee against any member who associates with political leaders aligned with the coalition.
Those on the list include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Senate President David Mark, former governors Nasir El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, Liyel Imoke, ex-ministers Abubakar Malami and Babachir Lawal, and former Imo Governor Emeka Ihedioha.
5. Tinubu Directs Matawalle to Move to Kebbi Over Schoolgirls’ Abduction
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to immediately relocate to Kebbi State following the abduction of 25 schoolgirls.
According to a statement issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president directed Matawalle to remain in Kebbi until substantial progress is made in efforts to rescue the abducted students.
6. Court Hands Nnamdi Kanu Life Imprisonment
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment.
Gossip News Now reports that the court had earlier convicted Kanu on all seven charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
He received life imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6; 20 years on count 3 without an option of fine; and an additional five-year sentence on count 7, also without an option of fine.
Justice Omotosho ordered that Kanu should not be remanded at Kuje Prison. The court also directed the forfeiture of his radio transmitter to the government and barred him from accessing social media.
This judgment marks a significant milestone in the long-standing case, which has attracted widespread national and international attention.
The court upheld the prosecution’s argument that Kanu used a broadcast to issue threats against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
7. ASUU, Federal Government Set for High-Stakes Meeting as Ultimatum Expires
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is scheduled to meet with the Federal Government next week, as the one-month ultimatum it issued to authorities comes to an end on Friday, November 21, 2025.
A government memo confirms that senior ASUU negotiators have been invited to a two-day meeting on Monday and Tuesday, November 24–25, aimed at finalising the long-delayed renegotiation process.
In a communiqué signed by Comrade Jangfa Timothy Zhimwang, Chairperson of ASUU at the Federal University Lafia, the union said it would attend the meeting, though it criticised the government for the late invitation.
ASUU reiterated its commitment to dialogue but stressed that its National Executive Council (NEC) would determine subsequent steps based on the outcomes of the discussions.
The memo further revealed that ASUU’s NEC will convene immediately after the meeting to evaluate whatever proposal the government puts forward.
The NEC’s decision will determine the union’s “next line of action,” leaving room for a possible fresh strike depending on how negotiations unfold.
Comrade Zhimwang also urged members to remain united and prepared for any directive from the NEC.
8. Insecurity: US Congressman Accuses Tinubu Administration of Inaction
A member of the United States Congress, Bill Huizenga, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he described as a lack of decisive action in addressing Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Speaking on Thursday before the US House Subcommittee on Africa, which is currently assessing Nigeria’s potential redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), Huizenga said the Nigerian government had not shown adequate commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.
“It should be alarming that Christians, moderate Muslims, and anyone targeted by radicalised Islamist groups in Nigeria are being terrorised—yet the Tinubu government is sitting back and not doing enough,” he said.
Huizenga also faulted Nigeria’s delegation to Washington, accusing them of attempting to downplay the severity of ongoing violence and killings.
He recalled being asked in a recent Nigerian TV interview whether the Tinubu administration was doing enough about insecurity, to which he responded emphatically: “No, they are not.”
The congressman further accused segments of the international media and some US lawmakers of turning a blind eye to attacks driven by religious persecution in Nigeria.
9. Killings: Omah Lay Says Prayers Alone Cannot Save Nigeria
Afrobeats singer Omah Lay has said that Nigeria’s growing security challenges cannot be solved by prayers alone.
Gossip News Now reports that the artist, in a post on his social media page, stressed that meaningful change will only happen when citizens take proactive steps and actively confront the nation’s problems.
He wrote: “NO JESUS, NO ALLAH, NO PRAYER IS SAVING US. NOTHING CHANGES UNTIL WE WAKE TF UP 🇳🇬”
His comments come amid widespread outrage over recent violent incidents, including the church attack in Kwara and the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi.
Other celebrities, including Don Jazzy, Davido, Falz, and Mr Macaroni, have also called on the government to urgently improve security and protect lives.
10. Super Eagles Climb to 38th in Latest FIFA World Ranking
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have moved up three spots to 38th in the newest FIFA men’s world ranking released on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
The rise comes after a month marked by mixed emotions for the national team—relief, anxiety, and lingering frustration.
FIFA’s latest ranking considered 149 international matches played since the last update. For Nigeria, the major contributions were their 4–1 victory over Gabon and the 1–1 draw with DR Congo, which eventually ended in a 4–3 penalty shootout loss during the African play-offs.
While failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup remains a bitter setback, the team’s recent performances were enough to push them upward in the global standings.
Nigeria now holds 1,502.46 points, retaining their position as the fifth-best team in Africa behind Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Algeria.
Morocco remains the continent’s top-ranked side with 1,713.12 points, placing them 11th globally. Senegal follows in 19th place with 1,648.07 points, Egypt sits 34th with 1,520.68 points, while Algeria trails closely with 1,516.37 points.
That wraps up today’s top Nigerian newspaper headlines. For more updates and detailed stories, visit Gossip News Now. Join us again tomorrow for another roundup.
