Nigerian Newspapers Summary
Good morning! Here’s today’s briefing from Daily News 24. Stay updated with the top headlines shaping Nigeria, including a deadly boat accident in Sokoto, former Zamfara Senator Marafa’s resignation from APC, ASUU salary protests, the interception of explosives materials in Borno
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1. Two feared dead in Sokoto boat accident
A boat carrying 11 passengers capsized around 8pm as villagers returned from a weekly market in Yabo Local Government Area, Sokoto State. This marks the third boat mishap in the state this August. Two people are feared dead, according to a source at the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency.
2. Education Minister admits 2009 agreement with ASUU
Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, reversed his earlier stance, confirming the existence of a 2009 agreement between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities. The minister had previously denied any deal, calling ASUU’s claim a draft, a position the union rejected.
3. Former Senator Marafa quits APC with supporters
Kabiru Garba Marafa, ex-Senator for Zamfara Central, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress along with his supporters. The announcement followed a two-day meeting in Kaduna, highlighting growing political realignments in the state.
4. Lagos APC doubts Jonathan can beat Tinubu
The Lagos State APC says former President Goodluck Jonathan lacks the political influence to unseat President Bola Tinubu in upcoming elections. Party spokesman Seye Oladejo said Jonathan’s relevance to challenging Tinubu remains questionable.
5. Over 396,000 students benefit from NELFUND loans
The Federal Government disclosed that nearly 396,000 students have received tuition loans under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) during President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The announcement was made at a townhall meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State.
6. Army intercepts fertiliser meant for terrorists in Borno
Nigerian Army troops seized 242 bags of NPK fertiliser suspected of being diverted for the production of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by insurgents in Borno State. The interception highlights the military’s vigilance against terrorist logistics.
7. First Nsukka Catholic Bishop Francis Okobo dies at 89
Bishop Francis Okobo, the pioneering Catholic Bishop of Nsukka, passed away at 89 in an Enugu hospital after a brief illness. The death was confirmed by Rev. Fr. Greg Nnamani, Vicar General of Nsukka Catholic Diocese.
8. Nigerian professors demand minimum salary of N2.5m
Protests erupted on several campuses as Nigerian professors, through ASUU, called for a minimum monthly salary of N2.5 million. The academics criticized the government for failing to implement the 2009 FGN–ASUU salary agreement.
9. Benin EFCC office leads in internet fraud arrests
The Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC recorded the highest number of arrests in its 2025 internet fraud crackdown. Between January and June, 12 sting operations led to 327 suspects being apprehended, according to the latest edition of The EFCC Alert.
10. NDLEA arrests over 1,300 drug suspects in seven months
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested 1,315 suspected drug peddlers in seven months, seizing over 1.3 million kilograms of narcotics. During the period, the agency also destroyed 43 cannabis farms covering more than 320 hectares nationwide.
