Top Trending News in Nigeria – December 18, 2025Here is a curated roundup of the major trending news stories making waves across Nigeria today. Compiled from reputable sources including Vanguard, Punch Newspapers, Premium Times, and Al Jazeera, this covers politics, security, energy, and key social issues. Stories are selected based on prominence across multiple outlets.1. Nigerian Military Aircraft and Personnel Released from Burkina FasoThe Federal Government has confirmed the release of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft and crew detained in Burkina Faso following diplomatic interventions, including meetings with Burkina Faso’s leader.
Source: Vanguard
URL: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/fg-confirms-release-of-nigerian-aircraft-soldiers-after-tuggar-meets-burkina-faso-leader/2. Former Labour Minister Chris Ngige Granted Bail in N2.2bn Fraud CaseA court has granted bail to former Minister of Labour Chris Ngige in an alleged N2.2 billion contract fraud case, with conditions including a top civil servant as surety.
Sources: Vanguard, Punch Newspapers
URLs:
- https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/alleged-n2-2bn-contract-fraud-court-grants-ex-labour-minister-ngige-bail/
- https://punchng.com/just-in-court-retains-ngiges-efcc-bail-demands-top-civil-servant-surety/
3. Resignation of NMDPRA and NUPRC CEOs Amid Petroleum Sector ControversyThe CEOs of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have resigned following fallout from disputes involving Dangote Refinery and import issues.
Source: Punch Newspapers
URL: https://punchng.com/petrol-war-fallout-nmdpra-nuprc-bosses-resign-as-dangotes-petition-rocks-sector/4. Court Bars Police from Enforcing Tinted Glass Permit PolicyA federal court has restrained the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force from enforcing the tinted glass permit requirement nationwide.
Source: Vanguard
URL: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/court-bars-igp-npf-from-enforcing-tinted-glass-permit-policy-nationwide/5. Yuletide Security: Police Deploy Over 2,200 Personnel in FCT, CAN Raises Concerns in NorthPolice have deployed 2,202 officers across the Federal Capital Territory for Christmas security, while the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has flagged heightened risks in Northern Nigeria ahead of the holidays.
Source: Vanguard
URLs:
- https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/yuletide-police-deploy-2202-personnel-in-fct/
- https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/can-raises-security-concerns-ahead-of-christmas-in-northern-nigeria/
6. Rivers Governor Fubara Distances Himself from PDPGovernor Siminalayi Fubara has stated that the PDP was responsible for most of his political challenges and clarified he was never truly a member of the party.
Source: Vanguard
URL: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/pdp-cause-of-my-travails-i-was-never-a-member-fubara/7. Labour Party Schedules National Convention for February 28The Labour Party has announced its national convention will hold on February 28, amid preparations for 2027 elections and internal restructuring.
Source: Vanguard
URL: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/lps-national-convention-will-hold-feb-28-sen-usman/8. Nigeria’s Role in Foiled Benin Coup Plot and ECOWAS ResponseNigeria reportedly deployed jets and troops to help dislodge alleged coup plotters in Benin, boosting ECOWAS’s regional influence.
Source: Al Jazeera
URLs:
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/8/nigeria-says-it-deployed-troops-to-benin-to-dislodge-coup-plotters
- https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/12/16/has-benins-foiled-coup-made-ecowas-a-west-african-heavyweight-once-more
9. Concerns Over Potential US Military Involvement in NigeriaAn opinion piece warns against inflammatory US rhetoric that could frame Nigeria’s internal crises as justification for foreign intervention.
Source: Al Jazeera
URL: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/12/17/nigeria-must-not-become-americas-next-battlefield10. Reduced Power Supply NationwideIBEDC attributes widespread power outages to a drop in national grid allocation.
Source: Punch Newspapers
URL: https://punchng.com/reduced-power-supply-due-to-drop-in-national-grid-allocation-ibedc/11. Ongoing Investigations: Battery Recycling Poisoning NigeriansA major investigation highlights how poor regulation of battery recycling is exposing communities to dangerous lead poisoning.
Source: Premium Times
URL: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/836236-investigation-lead-in-their-blood-how-battery-recyclers-are-poisoning-nigerians.html (Series)12. Healthcare Challenges: High Maternal/Neonatal Deaths and Access IssuesReports detail struggles in underserved communities in Lagos and Bauchi, including flooding impacts on births and funding mispriorities.
Source: Premium Times
URLs:
- https://www.premiumtimesng.com/health/health-investigations/836458-special-report-maternal-neonatal-deaths-high-in-underserved-lagos-communities.html
- https://www.premiumtimesng.com/health/health-investigations/837692-special-report-bauchi-communities-struggle-to-access-healthcare-as-govt-fiddles-with-funding-priorities.html