Compilations of top 10 key latest updates that you need to know this Monday morning, 1st December, 2025
Abia Governor Otti Assures Nnamdi Kanu Of Ongoing Push For His Release During Sokoto Prison Visit
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has urged the jailed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to remain calm and resolute as he intensifies ongoing engagements aimed at securing his release.
Otti gave the assurance during a visit to Kanu at the Sokoto Correctional Centre, a trip confirmed Sunday night in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma.
The governor, accompanied by Abia State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna (SAN); Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu; and senior officials of the Sokoto State government, told the IPOB leader that the processes he initiated more than two years ago toward resolving the issue had been “heightened despite recent developments
According to the government statement, Otti encouraged Kanu to “remain calm but strong,” assuring him that the matter “will be resolved administratively” and that he would eventually regain his freedom
FG, ASUU enter talks on 40% pay rise
The Federal Government has reportedly proposed a 40 per cent salary increase for lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities, sources familiar with the development told our correspondent in Abuja.
The proposal comes as ASUU leadership prepares to return to the negotiation table with the Federal Government delegation headed by Yayale Ahmed.
The union’s decision follows a consensus reached at the National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Sunday.
Branch leaders who attended the meeting are expected to communicate the development to their members nationwide.
Speaking at the end of the NEC meeting, a member who preferred anonymity due to restrictions on media engagement during negotiations, said the union would continue discussions with the government.
“They made a proposal of a 40% salary increment.
Branch leaders will go back and update members on the situation. As it stands, negotiations continue with the government next week,” the source said.
Insecurity: State Assemblies move to debate state police
Amid rising killings, mass abductions, and growing security failures across Nigeria, several state Houses of Assembly have begun moves to consider the creation of state police, a long-debated reform that President Bola Tinubu last week urged the National Assembly to legalise as part of sweeping constitutional amendments.
Nigeria has recently witnessed a resurgence of violent banditry and terrorist attacks, while kidnapping syndicates continue to overwhelm overstretched federal security agencies.
With fewer than 400,000 federal police officers policing over 200 million Nigerians, many communities remain unprotected, a vacuum experts say fuels the worsening insecurity.
Last week, President Tinubu declared a security emergency and directed the Police and Armed Forces to recruit more personnel.
2027: I won’t settle for VP slot, says Amaechi
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed suggestions that he may run as a vice-presidential candidate with the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, or be part of any joint presidential ticket in the 2027 elections.
Amaechi declared that he is running for the presidency and will not be a running mate to anybody.
His statement comes after Atiku’s political ally and media entrepreneur, Dele Momodu, suggested that Atiku might consider the former Rivers State governor should the 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, declines to run with him.
Momodu, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, said,
“A lot of people are underrating Amaechi.
Amaechi single-handedly handed power to Buhari.
What the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, is doing now, though in an unruly manner, Amaechi did quite well when he was governor of Rivers State.
Amaechi mobilised more than any other person for Buhari, even more than Tinubu. If Obi does not make up his mind or chooses to run alone, then I believe the mantle might fall on Rotimi Amaechi.”
Tinubu’s ambassadorial picks reflect sound judgment — APC group
A media and communications platform of the All Progressives Congress, the APC Media Network, has criticised the opposition party’s condemnation of President Bola Tinubu’s choices of ambassadorial nominees, insisting that the choices are a reflection of sound judgment.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Commissioner of Information in Akwa Ibom State, Ini Ememobong, had condemned the 32 nominees which also include the immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu; former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and former presidential aide, Reno Omokari and others.
He said,
“The list includes individuals perceived negatively by Nigerians and international community due to integrity deficit and notable anti-democratic activities.“
While most Nigerians are seriously appalled by the inclusion of most of the nominees, they’re not totally surprised given the history and disposition of this administration.
Kano debunks security threat rumours, warns against fake news
The Kano State Government on Sunday dismissed rumours of an impending security crisis in the state, assuring residents that the state remains safe, stable and fully under control.
The clarification followed a State Security Council meeting held on Sunday, with all security chiefs in attendance, where Governor Abba Yusuf received a comprehensive briefing on statewide security operations.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, the government said no credible intelligence suggests any imminent threat to public peace.
“There is no valid or actionable information pointing to any significant security risk in Kano,” the statement said, stressing that the circulating claims were false, sensational and deliberately crafted to cause panic.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, December 1, 2025
The dollar traded higher against the naira on Monday, December 1, 2025, as year-end demand for foreign currency nudged parallel-market prices up while the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) rate remained steadier.
On the NFEM — the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) volume-weighted average price and the day’s official benchmark — the naira traded around ₦1,440–₦1,446 to $1, according to market data aggregators and the CBN’s published NFEM table.
In the parallel (black) market, bureaux-de-change operators in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt quoted the dollar at about ₦1,455 for buying and ₦1,465 for selling on Monday, up slightly from last week as importers and holiday travelers stepped up demand.
In the parallel (black) market, bureaux-de-change operators in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt quoted the dollar at about ₦1,455 for buying and ₦1,465 for selling on Monday, up slightly from last week as importers and holiday travelers stepped up demand.
Analysts said the mixed moves reflected two forces: constrained official FX liquidity that keeps some transactions routed through the parallel market, and a broadly stable policy stance at the CBN after recent monetary adjustments aimed at bringing down inflation.
The central bank has signalled a cautious approach to rate cuts, a factor market participants say supports a narrower official trading band even as informal rates react to seasonal demand.
2027: ‘I wish Tinubu won’t contest again’ — Baba-Ahmed
A former political adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, says he hopes the President will not seek a second term in the 2027 election, arguing that Tinubu has not shown the urgency required to address Nigeria’s challenges.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Baba-Ahmed said his view had not changed since his exit from the administration.
He noted that while Tinubu achieved his long-standing ambition of becoming president, his performance so far does not reflect the drive Nigerians expected
According to him,
“the hunger and sharp political instinct” that defined Tinubu’s earlier political career have not been evident in his governance style.
He said,
“I’m sorry, but I have to say this again. When I left his administration, one of the things I told many people was, ‘I wish President Tinubu would not run again in 2027.
“First, he said his ambition was to be president, and he has now achieved that. He said ‘Emilokan,’ and he had his turn. But I don’t think he has run the country well.
“The Tinubu we used to know, the Tinubu with all the hunger and brilliant intelligence for scheming, hasn’t shown that same hunger to fix things.”
“We felt strengthened” – Mercy Aigbe writes heartfelt note following her mother’s burial
Nollywood actress Mercy Aigbe has written a heartfelt note to the public following the burial of her mother.
In an Instagram post, she noted how on Saturday, they celebrated her mother, surrounded by her grandchildren and the love of friends and family
Mercy said they felt strengthened and appreciated them for their prayers, kindness, and support.“Yesterday, we celebrated our mother.
Surrounded by her grandchildren and the love of friends and family, we felt strengthened. Thank you all for your prayers, kindness, and support. We appreciate you deeply.
FLY HIGH WITH THE ANGELS IYENOGIE”.
There is nothing better than leaving your customers satisfied” – Tonto Dikeh sends message to business owners
Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh has sent a message to business owners.
Taking to her Instagram page on Sunday, the ex-wife of Olakunle Churchill, told them that there is nothing better than leaving their customers satisfied.
She said that putting their customers through a horrible experience with a transaction will only leave them out of business and looking for more customers.
She said their behaviour is like when one is praying for Grace, and also been the weapon fashioned against Grace.
“Dear Business owners,There is nothing better than leaving your customers satisfied.I just can’t wait to finish this transaction; such a horrible experience (if your customers leave with this mentally).
It’s just a matter of time before you look for more customers.
And it’s worse when the experience is on the first buy.
It’s like praying for Grace and also being the weapon fashioned against Grace”.
