Good morning, Nigeria. Welcome to Naija News’ daily roundup in Gossip News Now of the major newspaper headlines across the country for today, Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
1. Dangote Petitions ICPC Over Alleged Corruption By NMDPRA Boss
Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has filed a petition with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ahmed Farouk.
According to Gossip News Now , Dangote accused Farouk of corruption and financial misconduct, calling for his arrest, investigation, and prosecution. The petition, dated December 16, was received by the office of the ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN).
Dangote alleged that the NMDPRA boss has been living far beyond his lawful earnings as a public official, claiming that Farouk spent over $7 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland, with school fees reportedly paid upfront for six years.
The petition reportedly listed the names of the children, their respective schools in Switzerland, and the amounts paid, to aid verification by the anti-graft agency.
Dangote further accused Farouk of using the authority of the NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for personal benefit and private interests, actions he claimed have fueled public outrage and recent protests by various groups.
2. CBN Withdraws Licenses Of Aso Savings And Loans, Union Homes
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has withdrawn the operating licenses of Aso Savings and Loans Plc and Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc.
The development was announced in a statement on Tuesday by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN, Hakama Sidi Ali.
According to Gossip News Now , the licenses of the two primary mortgage banks were revoked due to multiple regulatory breaches and ongoing financial difficulties.
The apex bank said the action forms part of its efforts to strengthen the mortgage subsector and enforce strict compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The CBN added that the decision was taken in accordance with Section 12 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and Section 7.3 of the Revised Guidelines for Mortgage Banks in Nigeria.
3. Why Buhari Withheld Support For Osinbajo’s Presidential Bid Revealed
A newly released biography of former President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that he did not back former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s 2023 presidential ambition because Bola Tinubu was also in the race.
The revelation is contained in From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, written by Dr Charles Omole and launched on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The book traces Buhari’s life, covering his military background, political career, and final years.
According to Omole, Buhari was taken aback by Osinbajo’s decision to contest against Tinubu. The author quoted Buhari as saying, “I don’t know Osinbajo from anywhere; I only met him through Tinubu.”
The biography notes that Tinubu’s emergence as the APC presidential candidate was widely seen as recognition of his role as a political godfather and key financier of the party.
It also highlights internal divisions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), referencing an alleged “anti-Tinubu consensus” among a powerful cabal within the party.
4. Regina Daniels Accuses Ned Nwoko Of Seeking Attention, Vows To Fight For Custody Of Children
Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has declared her intention to fight for the custody of her two sons amid an ongoing dispute with her estranged husband, Ned Nwoko.
According to the actress, the former senator has filed for full custody of their children, despite the boys currently being in his care.
In a series of posts shared on Instagram, Daniels alleged that Nwoko’s frequent public exposure of the children was a calculated attempt to attract attention.
She further claimed that Nwoko had dismissed all her nannies and allegedly compelled them to make false statements accusing her of being violent and struggling with alcohol abuse.
5. Santiago Montiel Wins 2025 FIFA Puskás Award For Spectacular Bicycle Kick
Santiago Montiel has secured the 2025 FIFA Puskás Award after producing a sensational long-range bicycle kick for Independiente earlier this year.
The 25-year-old was honoured at FIFA’s The Best Awards ceremony on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar. The Puskás Award celebrates the most outstanding goal of the season, chosen through a combination of fan voting and expert panel selection.
Montiel’s winning goal was scored on May 11, 2025, during an Argentine Primera División match against Independiente Rivadavia at the Estadio Libertadores de América. With the game locked at 0-0, a partially cleared corner fell perfectly just outside the box.
Without hesitation, Montiel launched himself into the air and struck an audacious overhead kick from over 20 yards, sending the ball into the top corner and leaving the goalkeeper helpless. The stunning effort proved decisive, earning Independiente a 1-0 victory.
The goal has since been widely described as a “goal for the ages,” drawing comparisons to some of football’s most iconic finishes.
Montiel triumphed over strong competition for the award, beating fellow nominees including Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, and Persija Jakarta defender Rizky Ridho.
6. Super Eagles’ World Cup Hopes Get Lift As DR Congo Player Eligibility Comes Under Scrutiny
Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may have been revived following fresh concerns over the eligibility of players used by DR Congo during the playoff stage of the qualifiers.
DR Congo edged the Super Eagles on penalties in November to claim Africa’s place in the Intercontinental Playoffs. However, new reports suggest the Congolese team could be sanctioned for allegedly fielding ineligible players, a situation that could reopen Nigeria’s route to qualification ahead of the March 2026 playoffs.
According to the reports, as many as six DR Congo players who changed national allegiance may not have completed all the eligibility requirements stipulated by FIFA.
Central to the allegations is the claim that the players did not formally renounce their previous nationalities, a crucial requirement since DR Congo does not recognise dual citizenship.
There are also suggestions that some of the players involved were over the age of 21 and held European passports, potentially violating FIFA’s nationality regulations.
Confirming Nigeria’s position, the Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Mohammed Sanusi, revealed that a formal protest has been lodged with FIFA, challenging the eligibility of certain DR Congo players over alleged breaches of FIFA nationality rules.
7. TikTok Star Jarvis Confirms Split From Peller, Urges Public To Stop Mockery
Popular TikTok content creator Elizabeth Amadou, widely known as Jarvis, has confirmed the end of her relationship with fellow influencer and livestreamer Hamzat Habeeb, also called Peller. She also appealed to the public to refrain from mocking him following his recent car accident during a live broadcast.
Jarvis made the revelation during a live video shared online on Tuesday, amid widespread reactions to Peller’s hospitalisation after the crash on the Lekki–Epe Expressway in Lagos.
Responding to online reactions surrounding both the incident and their relationship, Jarvis said the ridicule and negative comments were worsening an already distressing situation.
“It’s always people mocking him. I can see the concern online. Please stop mocking him, stop shading him,” she said.
She emphasised that the accident should not be used to judge Peller’s character, noting that she had never presented him as a bad person.
Jarvis acknowledged that Peller struggles with emotional regulation, describing it as the main challenge rather than any form of ill intent.
Confirming their breakup, she explained that the decision was necessary and should not be interpreted as abandonment.
8. Trump Expands US Travel Restrictions, Nigeria Among 15 Affected Countries
US President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, widening the list of countries subject to travel restrictions to the United States as part of efforts to tighten entry requirements.
The move introduces partial travel restrictions on 15 additional countries, many of them in Africa, while full travel bans were imposed on several other nations.
Nigeria was included among the 15 countries placed under partial travel limitations.
Under the administration’s earlier June 2025 policy, “partial restrictions” generally involve a suspension of all immigrant visas, which grant lawful permanent residency, as well as limits on certain non-immigrant visas commonly used for tourism, education, and exchange programmes, including B-1, B-2, F, M, and J visas.
9. FG Halts Enforcement Of NAFDAC’s Sachet Alcohol Ban
The Federal Government has ordered an immediate suspension of all enforcement actions connected to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol products by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The directive places the policy on hold pending the completion of stakeholder consultations and the release of a final government decision on the issue.
The suspension was issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) following official communication from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control.
In a statement released on Monday, December 15, the OSGF disclosed that the committee’s letter, dated November 13, 2025, and signed by its Deputy Chairman, Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, highlighted existing National Assembly resolutions on the proposed ban.
The OSGF noted that the matter is currently under review in line with its statutory role as Chairman of the Cabinet Secretariat. As a result, all relevant agencies have been instructed to suspend enforcement actions and halt any decisions related to the ban until consultations are concluded and a final directive is issued.
10. Senate Approves MTEF/FSP, Tinubu Set To Present 2026 Budget This Week
The Nigerian Senate has approved the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP), outlining a substantial aggregate expenditure for the 2026 fiscal year.
The approval followed the consideration of a report presented on Tuesday by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (APC, Niger East). The MTEF/FSP serves as the statutory foundation for the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
With the document now passed, President Bola Tinubu is expected to present the 2026 budget proposal to the National Assembly between now and Thursday, according to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Senate also endorsed key fiscal projections, including an oil benchmark of US$64.85 per barrel, projected aggregate revenue of ₦34.33 trillion, a fiscal deficit of ₦20.13 trillion, borrowings of ₦17.88 trillion, debt servicing of ₦15.52 trillion, and ₦1.376 trillion allocated for pensions, gratuities, and retirees’ benefits.
Akpabio noted that the MTEF is a mandatory requirement for budget presentation, stressing that it does not represent the final position of the legislature.
Those are the leading Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Catch up on more Naija News on Gossip News . Join us again tomorrow.
