Compilations of top 10 key latest updates that you need to know this Monday morning, 15th December, 2025
Dangote names N739 as new petrol pump price
Barring any last-minute change, MRS and other partners of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery are set to begin selling petrol at N739 per litre.
This comes two days after the refinery slashed its petrol gantry price from N828 to N699 per litre.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Lekki refinery on Sunday, the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said he was aware that despite lower gantry prices, some filling stations often choose to keep pump prices high, thereby sabotaging his efforts.
According to him, MRS would commence the sale of petrol at N739 per litre from Tuesday, while other partners would follow.
Dangote alleged that some officials had met with certain marketers and encouraged them to keep prices high in order to frustrate the price reduction, stressing that he would fight to enforce the new price regime.
“I was told that the marketers have met with (some officials) and were told to make sure that the price is maintained high.
But this price we are going to introduce, we are going to start with MRS stations most likely on Tuesday in Lagos; that N970 per litre, you won’t see it again. We have also asked members of IPMAN to come now.
Fire razess 48 shops in Lagos market
No fewer than 48 shops were destroyed in an early morning fire that gutted the Elegushi Model Market complex in the Lekki area of Lagos State on Sunday.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed this in a statement, saying the agency received a distress call at about 2 a.m.
According to him, upon arrival at the scene, emergency responders found the market complex already engulfed in flames, but swift intervention helped to contain the inferno and prevent further damage.
Oke-Osanyintolu said preliminary investigations revealed that the fire started from a makeshift stall within the market before spreading to the main building.
“Preliminary investigations conducted by the Shark Response Team revealed that the fire started from one of the makeshift stalls within the compound of the market and quickly escalated to the main building.
The cause of the fire was not known at the time of this report,” he said.
Nigeria’s trade balance rises 43% to $19.3bn in 9mths
Nigeria’s trade balance rose by 43.8 percent year-on-year (YoY) to N19.32 billion in the first nine months of the year (9M’25) from $13.43 billion in 9m’25.
Financial Vanguard analysis of data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, report titled, ‘Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics’ showed that the value of exports outweighed imports during the period.
The report showed that exports stood at N66.16 trillion in 9M’25 rising by 15.3 percent from N57.34 trillion in 9M’24.
Total imports grew by 6.45 percent YoY to N46.84 trillion in 9M’25 from N44 trillion in 9M’25.
This resulted in a total merchandise trade of N122.99 trillion in 9m’25, a 21 percent YoY increase from N101.3 trillion recorded in 9m’24.
PoS Terminals: CBN gives one month deadline for dual connectivity
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has issued a one month deadline to Acquirers, Processors, Payment Terminal Service Aggregators and Payment Terminal Service Providers to establish dual connectivity
Point of Sale transactions with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and Unified Payment Services Limited (UPSL).
The directive, according to CBN, was to address concerns associated with routing all Point-of-Sale (POS) transactions through a single aggregator.
The apex bank gave this directive in a circular signed by the Director, Payments System Supervision Department, Dr. Rakiya Yusuf.
The CBN said:
“In furtherance to enhancement of the Central Bank of Nigeria circular with reference number
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, December 15, 2025
The Nigerian currency, the Naira, showed minimal movement against the US Dollar on Monday, December 15, 2025, maintaining its position across both the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and the parallel market.
Data from the official trading window, the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), indicates the Naira traded at \text{₦}1,448.68 per US Dollar early this morning.
This rate reflects a marginal depreciation of approximately 0.27% from the previous trading day’s closing figure of {₦}1,452.57 (from data referencing December 12 and December 14, 2025).
Market activity in the official segment remains relatively constrained, with the value hovering around the {₦}1,450 benchmark as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues its efforts to stabilise the volatile foreign exchange landscape.
Allegations of A Terrorist: Two former governors fueling insecurity
Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has accused two former northern governors of fueling insecurity in the country, especially in the North.
He also confirmed participating in a series of peace meetings with the Zamfara State government during the administration of a former governor of the state, but vehemently denied claims that he received N30 million or any material inducement to participate in the process.
Efforts made to get the reaction of both former governors at press time yesterday proved abortive as they neither picked up calls nor returned the calls.
Text and WhatsApp messages also sent to their mobile phones got no response
2027: November not ideal for general election, BOOT party warns
ON the heels of the proposed electoral reforms, the Because Of Our Tomorrow, BOOT, Party, yesterday, warned that shifting 2027 general elections to November would not be ideal as it will terribly impact the electoral process and defeat the purpose.
The warning was contained in a statement signed by the National Chairman, BOOT party, Sonny Adenuga, where the party also raised other concerns on key issues proposed for reforms ahead of the elections.
The statement read in part,
“Nigeria stands at a defining crossroads.
Electoral reform is necessary, and technology can strengthen our democracy—but only when thoughtfully introduced, transparently tested, and backed by infrastructure that is resilient, secure, and professionally governed.
Edo govt, Obaseki renew hostilities over hotel projectE
do State government and former Governor Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, renewed hostilities over the funding and the state’s stake in the Radisson Hotel in Benin, the state capital.
Last week, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, faulted Obaseki’s claim that the state committed N2 billion to acquire the property, which was later developed into the hotel.
Afegbua revealed that the state owed N25 billion sourced from the stock market, noting that the loan was being repaid at N385 million monthly from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, through an irrevocable standing payment order.
However, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, through its Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, fired back in a statement on Saturday, accusing the Okpebholo-led administration of engaging in politics of destruction.
He said the hotel project was structured as a Public-Private Partnership, explaining that the state’s N2 billion contribution was seed equity injected to de-risk the project and attract credible private capital.
Osa-Ogbegie added that even before the commencement of operations, the state’s investment in the Radisson project had appreciated significantly and was conservatively valued at over ?65bn, with further upside expected once operations began.
Pound to Naira exchange rate today, December 15, 2025
The exchange rate between the Nigerian Naira (NGN) and the British Pound Sterling (GBP) displayed a mixed performance on Monday, December 15, 2025, across Nigeria’s official and parallel foreign exchange markets.
In the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the Pound Sterling traded at an average rate of ₦1,936.86 per Pound at the close of early trading hours.
This rate reflects the prevailing value for investors and exporters utilizing the formal window.
Market data indicated a slight depreciation of the Naira against the Pound in early trading compared to the previous trading day’s closing figures.
Market participants continue to monitor the NFEM for increased liquidity and any intervention by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Alleged Christian genocide: US, Nigeria close to finalising strategic framework on insecurity — Riley Moore
UNITED States Congressman Riley Moore has said his country and Nigeria were nearing a significant milestone in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, with an agreement on a strategic security framework being finalised.
In a post on X yesterday, Moore said the proposed framework would focus on combating extremist groups operating in the North-East and Middle Belt regions of the country and ending the “genocide against Christians.”
His comments followed a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, where he witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of violent extremism on the civilian population in Benue and Plateau states.
Moore, who led a delegation of US Congressmen on the fact-finding mission, met with the Nigerian government officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.
“Enough of the lies” – Man calls for Doris Ogala’s arrest after viral alleged chat with Pastor Chris
A Nigerian man has reacted angrily to an alleged private chat between actress Doris Ogala and Pastor Chris OkaforIn a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), the man demanded that the actress be arrested for spreading false claims and blackmailing the clergyman.
The man, identified as @OzoUde, shared that the content of the alleged chat was deeply disturbing.
He condemned Doris Ogala’s actions, describing them as harmful and potentially criminal.
The post quickly gained traction, drawing massive reactions from social media users.
According to @OzoUde, the messages in the chat contained serious accusations against Pastor Chris Okafor, including claims linking him to a family member’s death.
