Nigeria Today: Top 10 Key Latest Updates You Need To Know This Wednesday

Compilations of Top 10 key latest updates in Nigeria Today that you need to know this Wednesday 19th November, 2025

Uproar In Senate As Lawmakers Accuse Akpabio Of Secret Plot To Block Rival Senators From Contesting Presiding Offices

Fresh tension erupted on Tuesday inside the Nigerian Senate after an attempt to amend key provisions of the Senate Standing Orders was abruptly stepped down following strong resistance from several lawmakers, including the Minority Leader, Patrick Abba Moro.

A document titled, ORDERS OF THE DAY” for the Tuesday, November 18, 2025 plenary session and obtained by SaharaReporters shows that Senate Majority Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele sponsored a motion seeking the,

“Presentation and Consideration of the Amendments to the Senate Standing Orders 2023 to Accommodate New Committees and Enhance Legislative Practice.”

According to the document, the Senate leadership argued that the Standing Orders must be updated because they,

“serve as the principal procedural framework that guides the conduct of legislative business, the organisation of committees, and the operations of the Senate.

”Nigeria Is In Free Fall; I Can’t See Your Government – Dele Farotimi Lambasts Tinubu

Nigerian human rights lawyer and social critic, Dele Farotimi has slammed the President Bola Tinubu-led government, saying Nigeria is in a “free fall” over the escalating insecurity, while the administration has failed in its primary duties of protecting lives and property.

Farotimi made the statement while reacting to the recent attacks in Kebbi and Zamfara States, questioning the government’s ability to protect its citizens.

He said,

“Nigeria is in free fall, the government AT ALL LEVELS has not only failed miserably in its primary duties to the victims, it has become glaringly derelict, and stands credibly accused of complicity in the multiple crimes being committed against humanity, and its continuing failure to act, invites true anarchy in the country.”

He emphasised that the government’s inaction invites true anarchy in the country, adding,

“The buck stops with you, President Bola Tinubu. Do we still have a country? I struggle to see a government”.

FG unveils emergency call centre, ambulance service in Cross River

The Federal Government has launched an emergency call centre and ambulance system to provide prompt and efficient emergency medical services to residents, particularly in cases of flooding, fire outbreaks, road accidents and other emergencies in Cross River.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, was represented by Dr Doubra Emuren, Programmes Manager of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System, during the flag-off ceremony on Tuesday at the General Hospital in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State.

Dr Emuren said the initiative is aimed at providing emergency medical services to Nigerians—especially the poor and vulnerable—adding that citizens can now access pre-hospital care and ambulance transport services.

Nigerian varsity lecturers on same salary for 15 years —ASUU

THE Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, yesterday, lamented what it said was the stagnation of its members, claiming that Nigerian university lecturers have been on the same salary for the past 15 years.

Addressing newsmen in Benin City, Edo State, the Benin Zone of the union said the Federal Government has failed to use the one month window given it to resolve its 2009 agreement, warning that a fresh nationwide strike was inevitable.

According to its Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Monday Igbafen, they would be awaiting further directives from their national leadership.

Flanked by leaders of the various universities that make up the zone, Igbafen said:

“It is not only regrettable but sad to inform you that the Federal Government has again demonstrated a blatant unwillingness to quickly and holistically resolve all the outstanding issues to restore the desired industrial harmony in our public universities, and in the overall interest of our students.

“I’m depressed” – Tinubu on killing of Nigerian soldiers

President Bola Tinubu has conveyed his sorrow over the recent killing of Nigerian Army personnel by ISWAP terrorists.

This was stated on Tuesday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.Reports indicate that ISWAP terrorists abducted and killed several soldiers, including Brigadier General Musa Uba.

News of their death has sparked a widespread social media outrage, with many Nigerians expressing their disappointment.

The President urged Nigerians, especially those in local communities, to support security forces to enable them to operate effectively.

I sympathise with the military over the death of the gallant soldiers and Brigadier General Musa Uba, who paid the ultimate price while on active duty fighting insurgents in Borno state.

Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, November 19, 2025

The naira held steady on Wednesday as the official Daily Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) fixing traded in the mid-₦1,400s while the parallel (black-market) rate remained wider, underscoring persistent two-tier market conditions for dollars in Nigeria.

NFEM (official, volume-weighted average): About ₦1,447–₦1,449 per US$1, according to market dashboards reporting the CBN’s daily fixing.

Market-traded USD/NGN (real-time platforms): About ₦1,446.7 at today’s close on trading platforms that track onshore FX flows.

Parallel/black-market (Abokifx/BDC) sell rate: Roughly ₦1,465 per US$1; buy rates reported around ₦1,455, leaving a spread of roughly ₦10 between buy and sell at street dealers.

Official onshore liquidity conditions produced only modest movement in the NFEM fixing on Wednesday, as banks and authorised dealers continued to access foreign exchange at volume-weighted prices set by trading activity on FMDQ/CBN platforms.

The onshore market’s mid-₦1,440s quote contrasts with the parallel market where dealers quoted mid-₦1,460s for dollars — a gap that continues to complicate importers’ cost planning and small business foreign-currency needs.

Nigeria’s external reserves rises to $46 billion, highest in 7yrs

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Yemi Cardoso yesterday said that the nation’s external reserves has risen to $46.7 billion, representing the highest in seven years, since 2028

Cardoso disclosed this in Abuja at the opening of the Monetary Policy Department 20 years anniversary colloquium, adding that this level of reserves can cover over 10 months of import.

Represented by Dr. Mohammed Abdullahi, the Deputy Governor (Policy), the CBN Governor, in an address, said,

“Foreign reserves have risen to $46.7 billion as of November 14, 2025, providing 10.3 months of import cover in goods and services, supported by sustained inflows and renewed investor participation across various asset classes.

This accretion reflects investor confidence in our policies leading to improved oil receipts, stronger balance of payments, and renewed foreign portfolio inflows.

PDP Crisis Deepens: Tear Gas, standoff as Wike, governors clash in 3-hour Abuja siege

What began as a routine day at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat on Tuesday quickly spiraled into one of the most chaotic confrontations the party has seen in years.

For nearly three hours, police fired round after round of tear gas as rival factions battled for control of the secretariat.

Governors, party officials, staff and journalists were forced to flee repeatedly, ducking behind vehicles and walls for safety.

At the centre of the turmoil was FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who arrived in a heavily guarded convoy but remained inside his vehicle throughout the standoff.

The confusion began after a faction loyal to Wike, led by Abdulrahman Muhammed, scheduled its Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings for 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Almost simultaneously, the Kabiru Turaki–led National Working Committee (NWC) fixed its inaugural meeting for 10:00 a.m.

By mid-morning, Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Seyi Makinde of Oyo had joined National Chairman Kabiru Turaki at the secretariat — and the atmosphere had become volatile.

“President Tinubu, it’s time for you to resign now” – Issac Fayose issac

Fayose, a younger brother of former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign without delay.

He made the call in a viral social media video where he addressed the president directly and insisted that Nigeria now needs a younger leader.

In the short video, which lasted about three minutes, Fayose pleaded with President Tinubu to resign if he can no longer lead the country.

He opened his message by saying:

“This message is for my President, President Tinubu, I think it is time for you to resign now.”

Fayose questioned how the president remains comfortable despite killings, insecurity and deepening hardship across the country.

He asked:

“How do you feel comfortable being President over a failed nation. How do you feel comfortable being President over insecurity?”

Funke Akindele causes buzz as she undergoes BBL, shows off new curves

Famous Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has set social media abuzz after showing off her dramatic body transformation

Funke Akindele shared a video on Instagram on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, showcasing her newly enhanced figure.

The clip immediately drew attention, as the actress proudly flaunted a visibly curvier backside.

In the video, Funke first appeared with her back to the camera, revealing a fuller backside that instantly grabbed viewers’ attention.

When she turned toward the camera, her wider hips showed the dramatic changes to her body, leaving no doubt she had undergone BBL surgery.

The award-winning actress described her transformation as “the body of a goddess.”