Daily Nigerian News Highlights for Thursday, 4th September, 2025
In the world of politics, business, and entertainment, here's a brief recap of the latest developments:
Politics
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a public holiday on September 5, 2025, to mark Eid-ul-Mawlid. The President also ordered the implementation of mandatory health insurance for workers in line with the National Health Insurance Act, 2022. Tinubu called for further engagement with the Private Sector to ensure businesses are not unduly constrained. Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Policy Communication, clarified his statement regarding the special status of Lagos, emphasizing it was not meant to contend that Lagos belongs to the Yoruba people.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Minister of Religious Affairs, Dr Magdalene Ajani, extended warm greetings to Muslims in Nigeria and across the world, urging them to emulate the Prophet's virtues of peace, love, humility, tolerance, and compassion. President Tinubu also confirmed plans to establish state police as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against insecurity across the country.
Business
Hadi Sirika, former Minister of Aviation, blamed the failure of the proposed Nigeria Air on the activities of some domestic operators, under the aegis of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON). Sirika also disclosed that the total budget for the national carrier was ₦5 billion, and the total amount released was ₦3 billion, contrary to some reports that around ₦100 billion was spent on the process.
Entertainment
Tiwa Savage has called for Tems to be included in the Afrobeats "Big 3" conversation. In a separate incident, tensions seem to be brewing between Wizkid's associate, Tufab, and Davido. Tufab accused Davido of threatening his life, while Davido allegedly addressed himself as a member of Aye fraternity and claimed that Tufab is a "Bird." Favour Ofili, the sprinter who recently decided to represent Turkey, and Tonobok Okowa, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), engaged in a public dispute over Ofili's decision. Okowa dismissed Ofili's claims that her decision was rooted in years of neglect, insisting instead that financial considerations were the driving factor.
Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, questioned the declaration by the government of President Tinubu that the country has achieved its 2025 revenue target in August. Obi stated that achieving the revenue target as announced by the federal government is meaningless to Nigerians because the citizens have not felt its impact in their daily lives. In a separate lawsuit, the leading association of statutory health insurance funds (Spitzenverband der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherungen) filed a lawsuit against the Federal Republic of Germany, opposing the mandatory health insurance plan for civil servants due to insufficient funding of treatment costs for welfare recipients.
As always, stay tuned for more updates!
