Compilations of top 10 key latest updates that you need to know this Monday morning, 22nd December, 2025
Nigeria suffers nearly N1tn export loss after Trump tariff
Nigeria’s exports to the United States fell by N940.98bn in the first nine months of 2025, even as imports from America more than doubled, reversing the trade balance that favoured Nigeria a year earlier, findings from the National Bureau of Statistics’ foreign trade data have shown.
An analysis of the NBS figures for Q1–Q3 2024 and Q1–Q3 2025 showed that Nigeria exported goods worth N3.65tn to the US in the first nine months of 2025, down from N4.59tn recorded in the corresponding period of 2024, representing a decline of 20.5 per cent or N940.98bn.
Over the same nine-month period, Nigeria’s imports from the US rose sharply to N6.80tn from N3.01tn, an increase of 125.5 per cent or N3.78tn, indicating that Nigeria bought far more from the US than it sold to the market in 2025.
This left Nigeria with a trade deficit of about N3.15tn with the United States in the first nine months of 2025, compared with a trade surplus of N1.57tn in the corresponding period of 2024.
PDP crisis: Turaki bloc seeks court order to unseal secretariat
The Kabiru Turaki (SAN)-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order directing the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force to immediately unseal and vacate the party’s national secretariat and other offices across the country.
The request is contained in a Motion on Notice filed by the plaintiffs through their lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), seeking a mandatory injunction compelling the police to remove all barricades, unseal and withdraw from the PDP national headquarters.
The PDP national secretariat was sealed in November following clashes between two rival factions of the party — one led by Turaki and the other aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The confrontation arose after both factions planned to hold meetings at the party headquarters on the same day.
Police intervention followed, during which tear gas was fired, after which the premises were locked and barricaded.
Military rolls out anti-attack measures for Christmas
The Defence Headquarters has announced that proactive measures are in place to prevent attacks during the Christmas festivities across Nigeria.
In a statement on Sunday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with other security agencies, had intensified operations in identified vulnerable areas.
“The DHQ wishes to inform the public that robust and proactive measures aimed at preventing any attacks during the Christmas festivities have been emplaced.
Additional troops have been deployed to strategic locations and routes, while special forces units and air support elements have been placed on high alert to ensure rapid response capability,” the statement read in part.
Onoja added that surveillance activities, including aerial monitoring and intelligence gathering, had been heightened to track the movement and communication of suspected criminal groups.
Price war deepens as marketers slash petrol by N100
As more MRS filling stations in Lagos and Ogun states join in dispensing the Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) produced by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery at N739 per litre, motorists have started boycotting retail outlets that sell the product at higher prices.
This has compelled other stations to lower their petrol prices by about N100 per litre, an amount that is far below their cost of purchase, indicating the severity of the price war in the downstream oil sector.
Last week, the Dangote refinery shocked depot owners and marketers when it slashed the gantry price of petrol by N129, from N828 to N699 per litre.
During a recent press briefing, the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said he had information that some marketers planned to keep pump prices high despite the reduction in the gantry price.
Consequently, Dangote vowed to enforce the new price regime, with MRS selling petrol at N739 from last Tuesday.
“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 (last week) in Lagos; that N970 per litre, you won’t see it again.
We have also asked members of IPMAN to come now. We have asked anybody who can buy 10 trucks to come and buy 10 trucks at N699.
Kaduna gov preaches peace at unity Christmas carol
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, on Sunday called for unity and peaceful coexistence among residents as he attended the 2025 Unity Christmas Carol organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria in collaboration with the state government.
The event, which held at the Umaru Yar’Adua Conference Centre, Kaduna, was attended by leaders of various Christian denominations, government officials, and worshippers from across the state.
Prayers were offered for peace and development, while different church choirs rendered Christmas songs during the programme.
Sani said his attendance was in fulfilment of a promise he made in 2024 to participate in subsequent editions of the Christmas carol until the end of his tenure.
10 unlicensed traditional medicine practitioners arrested in C’River
At least 10 unlicensed traditional medicine practitioners have been arrested and charged to court in Cross River State following a petition by Nigeria Medical Association over alleged illicit activities in Calabar, the state capital.
It could be recalled that NMA Cross River State branch had earlier written to the Cross River Governor, Bassey Otu, as well as the state Commissioner of Health, Dr Egbe Ayuk and the Commissioner of Police, Rasheed Afegbua, over the illegal operation of group holding trado medical trade fairs at the Headquarters of the Calabar Municipality Council.
NMA raised the alarm noting that their activities can lead to more health challenges for unsuspecting and vulnerable populations of the state who these quacks convince to buy and use their uncertified products without NAFDAC approvals .
According to NMA in that Petion “their activities pose a greater health risk to the population of the state because they market unverified claims that their products cannot give.”
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, December 22, 2025
The Nigerian Naira maintained a narrow trading range against the United States Dollar on Monday, December 22, 2025, as activity in the foreign exchange market reflected the usual year-end liquidity patterns.
Data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and informal channels show that the local currency continues to battle persistent inflationary pressures despite recent interventions.
At the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, which serves as the official window for corporate and government transactions, the Naira opened the week with a slight depreciation
According to data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange, the Naira was quoted at a closing rate of approximately 1,466.50 per dollar.
This follows a volatile Friday session where the rate fluctuated between a high of 1,469.90 and a low of 1,460.00. Market analysts suggest that the current pricing reflects a 14.45% inflation rate and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) current Monetary Policy Rate of 27.00%, both of which continue to influence investor sentiment and dollar demand for holiday-related imports
Visa restrictions‘ll address US-Nigeria mutual security concerns – Envoy
The United States’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, says the recent visa restrictions announced by the U.S. government are designed to strengthen security procedures and are not actions targeted at Nigerians.
Mills gave the clarification at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja during the visit of a U.S. Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Nigeria.
He said the presidential proclamation, which would take effect from Jan. 1, 2026, affecting certain visa categories, was part of broader measures to secure U.S. borders and protect American communities
“The focus of the visa review is on ensuring proper vetting and credible information in the visa process, not on penalising Nigerians,” Mills said.
According to him, the proclamation clearly specifies the visa categories that may be affected, while also outlining exemptions for certain groups.
He listed the exemptions to include holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals travelling for religious work.
Troops kill 17 terrorists in Borno communities
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in collaboration with local vigilante elements, have disrupted a terrorist logistics operation and neutralized multiple insurgents during a well-coordinated ambush in the early hours of 21 December 2025, a credible military source has disclosed.
The incident occurred in Sojiri and Kayamla communities of Konduga Local Government Area, Borno State.
The source stated:
“Acting on credible intelligence regarding the movement of logistics supplies by suspected JAS/ISWAP elements, troops of OPHK and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), supported by local hunters, deployed to a designated interception point between Sojiri and Kayamla villages on the night of 20 December 2025.“
At approximately 2:24 a.m. on 21 December, suspected terrorists mounted on bicycles arrived at the location carrying logistics materials, confirming earlier intelligence reports. The troops, positioned in concealed and coordinated formations, engaged the terrorists decisively.“
During the ensuing exchange, 17 suspected terrorists were neutralized, while others fled with gunshot wounds.
Recovered items included bicycles, assorted food items, drugs and medical supplies, detergents, clothing materials, bicycle tyres, torch lights, assorted weapons of different calibres, ammunition, and other logistics materials.
“I have ruled my world and conquered my enemies” – Iyabo Ojo shames her haters as she celebrates her wins
In celebration of her 48th birthday, Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has taken control of her narrative.
While sharing photos of herself in a white suit, the mother of two said she has owned her place, ruled her world, and conquered her enemies
“I have owned my place, ruled my world, and conquered my enemies.
Happy birthday, QueenMother”.
