Compilations of top 10 key latest updates that you need to know this Monday morning, 8th December, 2025
Security crisis: Tinubu, Macron hold talks as US fact-finders arrive
President Bola Tinubu and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on Sunday held talks on the security crisis facing the country, touching on areas of collaboration.
The telephone conversation held as a United States delegation comprising the US ambassador to Nigeria and other top officials parleyed with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in Abuja, on the reported Christian persecution and killings in the country.
In a message posted on X on Sunday, Macron said he spoke with President Tinubu and affirmed that France will strengthen its partnership with Nigerian authorities.
He wrote,
“I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria, @officialABAT.
I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North.
Did you know there’s a woman who became First Lady of two different nations?“At his (Tinubu’s) request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations.
PENGASSAN-Dangote rift widens over salary suspension
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has stopped the monthly salaries of the engineers sacked in September during its face-off with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.
In a bid to address this, PENGASSAN said it is engaging the Dangote Group to resolve the matter amicably instead of resorting to another industrial action.
Findings by The PUNCH revealed that the salaries were halted following the refusal of many of the engineers to accept their redeployment to Zamfara, Borno, Benue, and Sokoto states, among others.
Some of the workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, had earlier said individuals were sent to a coal mine in Benue, concrete road construction sites in Borno and Ebonyi states, as well as rice plants in Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
Defection rumours rise as Fubara faces mounting Assembly fire
Speculation is mounting that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, may soon dump the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress following fresh political turbulence in the state.
Last Friday, 17 members of the House of Assembly loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike and led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule announced their defection from the PDP to the APC, instantly shifting the legislature’s balance of power.
The only three lawmakers considered loyal to Fubara have not resumed sitting since the six-month emergency rule in the state was lifted, deepening uncertainty around the governor’s political future.
Speaking with The PUNCH, a PDP chieftain and former member of the House of Representatives, Ogbonna Nwuke, said recent political movements in the South-South suggest Fubara may eventually head to the ruling party at the centre.
Nwuke, who represented Etche–Omuma in the National Assembly and once served as Rivers Commissioner for Information, said the defection of governors in Delta, Akwa Ibom and, most recently, Bayelsa—formerly PDP strongholds—points to a broader trend that may pull Fubara along.
Pound to Naira exchange rate today, December 8, 2025
The British Pound Sterling (GBP) started the week trading at strong levels against the Nigerian Naira (NGN), reflecting persistent demand for the UK currency in both the official and parallel foreign exchange markets on Monday, December 8, 2025.
In the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the official indicative rate for one Pound Sterling was recorded at approximately N1933.77 as of the morning trading hours.
This rate is in line with the high-value trading observed for the Pound in the official window over the last few days, suggesting that Naira liquidity challenges and the ongoing push by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to manage the floating exchange regime continue to impact the valuation of key international currencies.
Tinubu praises Nigerian troops for helping foil coup in Benin Republic
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their swift intervention in Benin Republic following an attempted military coup in the neighbouring country.
Tinubu’s reaction came after loyalist forces in Benin, supported by Nigerian troops and air assets, dislodged soldiers who seized the country’s national television station early Sunday and claimed to have toppled President Patrice Talon.
A statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Government of Benin formally requested Nigeria’s military assistance in two separate communications after coup plotters led by Col. Pascal Tigri announced the suspension of democratic institutions.
According to the statement, Tinubu, acting on the request, ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to take control of Benin’s airspace and assist in flushing out the mutineers from strategic locations, including the national broadcaster and a military camp.
Insecurity: Miners oppose proposed ban on mining activities
The Miners Association of Nigeria says banning mining activities in the country is not the solution to security challenges in the country.
The association made this known in a statement jointly signed by its National President, Dele Ayankale and its National Secretary, Sulaiman Liman, on Monday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the Northern States Governors’ Forum recently called for the suspension of mining activities for six months following the abduction of school children and killings in some states.
They identified illegal mining as a key driver of insecurity and stated that the suspension would allow for a comprehensive audit and revalidation of all mining licences in consultation with state governments.
Niger CAN awaits confirmation of 100 freed abducted students
The Christian Association of Nigeria says it is not officially aware of the reported release of 100 abducted students from Agwara, Niger State noting, however, that it would be God’s answer to prayers.
Chairman of the Niger State chapter of CAN and proprietor of St. Mary Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Bishop Bulus Yohanne, disclosed this on Sunday in a statement through his media aide, Daniel Atori.
The school was attacked by bandits on November 21, 2025, with at least 303 pupils, students, and teachers abducted.Two days later, 50 pupils escaped and returned home.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, December 8, 2025
The Nigerian Naira experienced a relatively stable start to the week against the US Dollar across the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and the parallel market, according to data monitored on Monday, December 8, 2025.
In the official market, the indicative exchange rate for the US Dollar to Naira was recorded at N1449.84 per dollar as of the morning of December 8, 2025.
This rate reflects a continuation of the figures seen towards the end of the preceding week, suggesting the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recent monetary and liquidity management interventions may be holding the market steady
Market analysts note that the NFEM continues to operate with thin liquidity, a factor that often leads to volatility, but the rate has shown resilience in the face of ongoing demand pressures.
PANDEF calls for review of PIA, accuses NUPRC of neglecting host communities’ rights
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for an urgent review of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), alleging that its current implementation unfairly disadvantages oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta.
Disclosing this in a statement, PANDEF’s National Spokesman and Publicity Secretary, Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, said certain provisions of the PIA work against the interests of host communities.
He noted that while Section 257 of the Act allows funds meant for host communities to be deducted in the event of vandalism of oil facilities, Section 236 mandates oil companies to pay daily penalties of $2,500 to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) when they fail to comply with the law.
Many feared dead as gunmen attack market area in Anambra community
Fear and confusion gripped Nawfia community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday following a deadly attack by unknown gunmen at the Fair (Afor) Market Junction.
Although details of the incident remain sketchy, eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports indicated that several people, mostly youths, were killed during the violence which occurred along the Awka–Onitsha old road.
The scene was said to be littered with bodies, while signs of confrontation were visible in the area.
Condemning the attack, the President General of the Nawfia Progressive Union, Chief Daniel Okoye, described the incident as tragic and senseless.
In a statement, Okoye said he received the news of the attack with deep shock, adding that multiple casualties were recorded.
He disclosed that he had already contacted relevant security agencies and confirmed that investigations had commenced to apprehend those responsible.
He appealed to residents to remain calm, stay vigilant and cooperate with security operatives working to restore normalcy.
“I feel really heartbroken about this, and it really hurts” – Debbie Shokoya tenders public apology to Kemity
Nollywood actress Debbie Shokoya has written a public apology to her colleague, Kemity.
In a lengthy post on her Instagram page, she revealed that Kemity had invited her to her event, but she couldn’t attend due to her mother’s duties.
She noted that this wasn’t the first time she had disappointed her, hence the apology.
Debbie expressed how heartbroken and hurt she was at not being there and promised to attend her next event.
She went on to praise Kemity for her craft, growth, personality, loyalty, focus, determination, composure, and resilience.
“I was supposed to be somewhere yesterday, but couldn’t because of my mother’s duty.
I have been feeling bad about it till this morning. I woke up with a mood swing.
I am searching my heart about why I am feeling this way, and I realised that it’s because I couldn’t make it to that event yesterday, despite having planned and sworn to attend it this year.
I Am So Sorry For being Unable To Attend Your Event Again Yesterday, @kemity.
I Feel Really Heartbroken About This Because I Am A Fan Of Your Craft, And I Know You Appreciate Me Too…
This isn’t The First Nor the second time you will invite me; situations then affected my coming.
That I swore and Planned That This Year, I Must Be There!
