Compilations of top 10 key latest updates that you need to know this Wednesday morning, 17th December, 2025
Insecurity: Police deploy special forces ahead of NLC protest today
Ahead of today’s nationwide protests by the Nigeria Labour Congress, the police have mobilised special forces and tactical teams to ensure a violence-free demonstration.
State police commands, in separate interviews with The PUNCH on Tuesday, confirmed their readiness to tackle miscreants and political hirelings who may want to disrupt the rallies.
The NLC had stated that it would not retract its planned nationwide protests, which were called in response to the escalating insecurity in the country and other labour issues.
When asked if the NLC has mobilised its affiliate unions for the rallies, the spokesperson for the congress, Benson Upah, stated,
“We are going on with the protest across the country.”
He warned that any attempt to interfere with today’s National Day of Protest and Mourning coup
The Nigerian oil and gas sector has been thrown into fresh controversy as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has declared that it will investigate a petition lodged against the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, by the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.
Dangote, in a petition submitted on December 16, 2025, through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), called on the ICPC to investigate, prosecute, and potentially arrest Ahmed over allegations of corruption and financial impropriety.
The petition claims that Ahmed spent more than $7m on the education of his four children in Switzerland, reportedly paid upfront for a six-year period, without any lawful source of income to justify such expenditure.
“That Engr Farouk Ahmed has grossly abused his office contrary to the extant provisions of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and, by so doing, enmeshed himself in monumental corruption and unlawful spending of public funds running into millions of dollars spark a nationwide indefinite strike.
Petrol battlefield: ICPC plans NMDPRA boss probe after Dangote petition
The Nigerian oil and gas sector has been thrown into fresh controversy as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has declared that it will investigate a petition lodged against the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, by the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.
Dangote, in a petition submitted on December 16, 2025, through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), called on the ICPC to investigate, prosecute, and potentially arrest Ahmed over allegations of corruption and financial impropriety.
The petition claims that Ahmed spent more than $7m on the education of his four children in Switzerland, reportedly paid upfront for a six-year period, without any lawful source of income to justify such expenditure.
“That Engr Farouk Ahmed has grossly abused his office contrary to the extant provisions of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and, by so doing, enmeshed himself in monumental corruption and unlawful spending of public funds running into millions of dollars.
Blackout looms as gas shortfall hits power stations
Nigerians may celebrate the Yuletide in darkness if the Federal Government takes no further steps to defray the gas-to-power debt, as gas companies have begun cutting supplies to power plants, a development already affecting electricity generation nationwide.
On Tuesday, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company informed customers across the South-East of the situation in a statement issued by its Group Head, Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh.
According to EEDC, the drop in power supply availability is due to low system frequency, said to have been occasioned by gas constraints affecting generation companies.
The DisCo disclosed that the situation had necessitated load shedding of available energy by the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
ICYMI: US expands travel restrictions, adds Nigeria to list of countries
President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a Proclamation further restricting entry to the United States for nationals from countries deemed high-risk due to “demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing” that threaten U.S. national security and public safety.
Among the 15 additional countries newly subject to partial restrictions is Nigeria.
The announcement comes directly from the White House website, in a fact sheet titled “President Donald J.
Trump Further Restricts and Limits the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States”, issued December 16, 2025.
Trump had earlier on October 31 declared Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ in response to allegations of a Christian genocide in the country.Anambra vows to reclaim illegally acquired land, approves N530.3m for infrastructure
The Anambra State Government has vowed to reclaim government lands illegally acquired across the state and has commenced plans to set up a committee for the recovery of such properties.
The state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, disclosed this in a statement released on Tuesday following the 25th Anambra State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Lighthouse, Awka, on December 15, 2025
Mefor said the council took several key decisions at the meeting, including the constitution of a committee to reclaim government lands currently under illegal occupation.
“After hearing another report about people blatantly intruding on government lands and building on them without permission, the council resolved to form a committee to reclaim these government lands in and around Anambra State,” he said.
Tinubu meets labour leaders over proposed protest
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress amid plans by organised labour to stage a nationwide protest over unresolved demands.
The meeting, which took place at the State House, Abuja, followed growing tensions between the Federal Government and labour unions over issues bordering on workers’ welfare, rising cost of living and the implementation of previously agreed concessions.
Confirming the meeting in a statement issued on Tuesday night, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that key stakeholders were in attendance.“
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with the leadership of the NLC, along with the chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo and Governor of Kebbi State, Dr Nasir Idris and the Minister of State Labour, Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha,” the statement partly read.
FG inspects Victor Attah Airport, targets full int’l operations
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, alongside members of a Federal Government Technical Committee, has conducted an on-the-spot inspection of facilities at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, as part of the ongoing process to upgrade the airport to full international status.
Keyamo’s Special Adviser On Media and Communications, Mr Tunde Moshood, in a statement, said to fast-track the inspection process, the delegation was divided into three technical groups, with each group touring the terminal building, the aerodrome and control tower and the runway/airside facilities.
Moshood said Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State ensured a seamless and well-coordinated visit throughout the inspection.
The statement reads:
“The inspection exercise, coordinated under the leadership of Minister had a strong delegation comprising the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr Yakubu Kofarmata; Director General of the NCAA, Capt.
Chris Najomo; Director, Air Transport Management, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ahmed Tijani; Director of Aerodrome, NCAA, Engr Godwin Balang, alongside other senior officials of the Ministry and relevant aviation agencies.
Corruption allegation: NANS renews pressure on Tinubu over NMDPRA boss
The Senate of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has reaffirmed its demand for the suspension of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, insisting that it will not relent until justice is served over allegations of corruption levelled against him
In a statement signed by the President of the NANS Senate, Usman Nagwaza, on Tuesday, the association said its renewed call followed what it described as sustained attempts by detractors to distract and frustrate its demand for transparency, accountability and good governance.
Sequel to our call for the suspension of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, pending investigation into allegations made against him, we have been inundated with press releases from detractors trying to frustrate and sabotage our efforts,” the statement said.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, December 17, 2025
The Nigerian Naira continues to experience significant activity across the various segments of the foreign exchange market today, Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
Data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and the unofficial parallel market indicate a narrow but persistent gap between official and black-market rates as the year draws to a close.
In the official NFEM window, the Naira opened the day with a slight depreciation compared to the previous day’s closing figures.
Trading data reveals that the US Dollar is currently exchanging for an average of 1,453.67 Naira.
This follows a volatile start to the week where the currency hit a daily high of 1,454.97 Naira during early morning sessions.
Market analysts attribute this movement to a surge in demand from corporate entities looking to settle end-of-year obligations and import invoices before the holiday break.
Protest: Tinubu, NLC hold night meeting in Aso Villa
In a bid to persuade organised labour to shelve the planned nationwide protests over the worsening security situation in the country, President Bola Tinubu met with labour leaders Tuesday night at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
However, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, told journalists after the meeting that the union would continue its deliberations on the outcome of the consultation with the president before taking a decision.
The labour leaders met President Tinubu behind closed doors amid heightened public attention over possible protests and strike action.
The NLC president described the engagement as a consultation rather than a conclusive negotiation, stressing that labour’s leadership would first brief its internal organs before making any public pronouncement.
He said:
“We came for a consultation with the President, and we are finished. So we have to go back to our meeting and then continue tomorrow (today). By tomorrow (Wednesday), we will get the outcome.
”I bypassed NFF, called Buhari for 2018 W’Cup bonus – Mikel
Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has revealed how he contacted the office of then President Muhammadu Buhari, through his Chief of Staff Abba Kyari, to secure the payment of players’ bonuses during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, after months of delays by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Mikel said the intervention led to the delivery of millions of dollars in cash via a private jet to the team’s hotel, just days into the tournament
The former Chelsea midfielder disclosed this on his Obi One Podcast, released on Tuesday, where he criticised the NFF over persistent failures in handling players’ welfare and bonus payments.
He explained that FIFA releases what is known as parachute money ahead of major tournaments, which federations typically use, sometimes through borrowing, to pay players’ bonuses before being reimbursed.
Erosion: Anambra to go after houses without proper drainage
Worried by the rising menace of gully erosion, the Anambra State Government has threatened to enforce regulations requiring residents to provide proper drainage for storm water from their homes.
The State Executive Council (ANSEC), which announced the proposed enforcement, lamented that erosion remains an existential challenge in Anambra, blaming the situation on careless actions by some communities and lapses by regulatory bodies in enforcing environmental laws.
Briefing journalists after the weekly executive council meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, said it had been observed that some residents channel storm water from their homes directly onto roads, where it accumulates and worsens the erosion crisis across the state.“
ANSEC has resolved to step up enforcement to compel residents to properly channel and manage storm water from their houses.
Communities are also expected to comply with specific guidelines, including the construction of erosion barriers and excavating sand only in approved locations,” Mefor said.
The commissioner also disclosed that the government would set up a committee to recover government lands across the state.
According to him, the decision followed reports of widespread encroachment, with individuals illegally building on government-owned land.
GENCOs’ DEBT: FG set to launch N1.23trn power sector bond
The Federal Government has finalised plans to launch a N1.23 trillion Power Sector Bond as part of a broader N4 trillion debt programme designed to restore liquidity, stabilise the electricity market and rebuild investor confidence
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, disclosed at an Investor Forum organised by the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Committee (PPSDRC) in collaboration with transaction advisers, ahead of the Phase 1 issuance of the Bond, which is backed by a sovereign guarantee of the Federal Government.
The forum, hosted by NBET and Cardinal Stone Partners Limited, attracted over 650 participants, including pension fund administrators, asset managers, banks, insurance companies, trustees and high-net-worth individuals, many of whom expressed strong interest in participating in the offer.
