FG declares holidays for Christmas, New Year celebrations
The Federal Government has declared December 25 and 26, 2025, as well as January 1, 2026, as public holidays to mark the Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year celebrations. The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holidays via a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Monday, December 22. Tunji-Ojo felicitated...
Gold rises above $4,400 for first time as silver hits new high
Gold jumped past the $4,400-per-ounce level for the first time on Monday, December 22, 2025, riding on growing expectations of further United States rate cuts and strong safe-haven demand. Silver also joined the rally to hit an all-time high. Spot gold was up 1.4% at $4,397.16 per ounce, as of 0502 GMT, after breaking the $4,400 barrier to hit a record...
Russian general dies in Moscow car bomb attack
A Russian general has been confirmed dead after an explosive device detonated underneath his car in southern Moscow. Russian investigators confirmed the incident on Monday, December 22, 2025, adding that they suspected Ukrainian special services could have been behind the attack. The bomb exploded under the Kia Sorento driven by Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Russian General Staff's army...
TCN records 131 vandalism incidents in 2025
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it recorded 131 cases of vandalism across its transmission network between January and November 2025. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Suleiman Abdulaziz, disclosed this in his end-of-year message on Sunday, describing vandalism as a major threat to Nigeria’s power infrastructure. “From January to November 2025 alone, the company recorded 131...
Trump to deport more workers from US in 2026 despite backlash
United States President Donald Trump is preparing for a more aggressive immigration crackdown in 2026 with billions in new funding, including by raiding more workplaces. Trump has already surged immigration agents into major U.S. cities, where they swept through neighbourhoods and clashed with residents. While federal agents this year conducted some high-profile raids on businesses, they largely avoided raiding farms, factories,...
U.S indicts Nigerian, five others over alleged $41m insider-trading scheme
United States prosecutors have indicted Izunna Okonkwo, a dual US–Nigerian citizen, alongside five others over an alleged $41 million insider-trading and stock-manipulation scheme that reportedly ran for almost four years. In a statement released on Sunday, the US Department of Justice said a federal grand jury returned the indictment on Friday, accusing the defendants of trading securities using material non-public...
Dangote issues 7-day ultimatum, threatens ₦100bn libel suit against Kaduna businessman
President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to a Kaduna-based businessman, Kailani Mohammed, demanding a public retraction and apology over alleged defamatory remarks or face a ₦100 billion lawsuit. The demand was contained in a letter dated December 20, 2025, written by Dangote’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), and served on Mohammed. The letter accused Mohammed...
U.S. Congress rules out military deployment to Nigeria over CPC designation
The United States Congress has dismissed speculation about deploying American troops to Nigeria following the country’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), stressing that the move is diplomatic, not military. Members of a bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation made this clear during a press briefing in Abuja after meetings with Nigerian officials and stakeholders. They said the CPC designation is...
ELV policy to inject ₦150bn annually into Nigeria’s economy — NADDC
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) says Nigeria’s proposed End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) policy has the potential to generate about ₦150 billion yearly for the economy once it is implemented. The Director-General of NADDC, Mr Joseph Osanipin, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja. He explained that the projected revenue would be driven by vehicle recycling, recovery...
Morocco thrash Comoros in AFCON opener
Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi scored second-half goals as hosts Morocco defeated Comoros 2-0 in the opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ( AFCON) on Sunday. Soufiane Rahimi had a penalty saved in a frustrating first half for much-fancied Morocco, but Diaz fired home from inside the area 10 minutes after the interval at the Prince...
