Top News Across Nigeria and Beyond – March 12, 2025
Stay informed with the major headlines shaping conversations across Nigeria and beyond today, March 12, 2025. From politics and governance to economy, security, and global affairs, here are the top stories making waves:
1. Tinubu Meets Niger Delta Leaders At Presidential Villa
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring stability and development in the Niger Delta, stressing that the region remains the economic backbone of Nigeria.
He made this assertion during a meeting with leaders of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.
Describing the Niger Delta as “the goose that lays the golden egg,” President Tinubu underscored the region’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.
He cautioned that neglecting the region’s needs could have dire consequences for the country’s overall economic health.
“Yes, the Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg,” he said.
The President assured PANDEF leaders that his administration is fully aware of the region’s challenges and is committed to fostering peace, economic growth, and infrastructural development.
2. Benikrukru Community Wins Land Use Compensation Case In Delta
The Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has ruled in favour of the Benikrukru community in a case against Chevron Nigeria Limited and other defendants from the Itsekiri ethnic group.
At the heart of the dispute was whether the 1982 Consent Judgment, which facilitated compensation payments to the affected communities, was still valid or had expired due to the fulfilment of its original terms.
In suit number FHC/WR/CS/49/2024, filed by representatives of the Benikrukru community in Warri South-West Local Government Area, the plaintiffs sought a declaration that a Consent Judgment delivered on March 12, 1982, which governed compensation payments for land use, had expired.
According to the Certified True Copy obtained by GbaramatuVoiceTV, they also requested an injunction restraining the oil company from continuing to assess, determine, or pay compensation based on the expired judgment.
3. House of Reps Calls for Suspension of New ATM Charges
The House of Representatives has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to halt the implementation of the recent increase in Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transaction charges, citing the current economic challenges facing Nigerians.
4. ECOWAS Deploys Standby Force to Combat Terrorism in West Africa
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially activated its standby force to tackle the growing threat of terrorism in the region.
5. Lagos Assembly Debunks Reports of Lawmakers’ Planned Defection from APC
The Lagos State House of Assembly has again dismissed reports on the planned defection of 25 lawmakers from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to an unnamed political party.
6. EFCC Issues Alert on 58 Illegal Ponzi Scheme Operators (See List)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued an alert on 58 illegal Ponzi scheme operators in the country.
7. Aiyedatiwa Stays Ondo Gov as Supreme Court Dismisses PDP’s Appeal
The Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a decisive blow to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi, affirming Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected governor of Ondo State.
8. Ex-Gov Bafarawa Debunks Reports of SDP Switch
The former Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, has debunked reports on his switch to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
9. NNPCL Denies Terminating Naira-for-Crude Contract with Dangote Refinery
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has clarified that the Naira-for-crude contract between it and Dangote Refinery is not terminated, rather, the terms are under review.
10. Tinubu Orders Full Compliance with Supreme Court Judgment on Rivers Crisis
Governor Siminalayi Fubara must comply fully and immediately with the judgment of the Supreme Court to keep the peace in Rivers State, the President declared on Tuesday.
According to him, the nation is governed by the rule of law without which there will be no order or governance.
11. Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Takes Case to Inter-Parliamentary Union Meeting
Suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken her case with the Red Chamber to the Inter-Parliamentary Union Meeting, a global body of legislators with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was seen on Tuesday in a viral video inside a parliamentary chamber of the global legislative house narrating her ordeal amid tears.
12. Rivers Governor Pledges Full Implementation of Supreme Court Judgment
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will implement, to its fullest, the recent judgment of the Supreme Court on the political crisis in the State.
His support group, the Supreme Council for Sim World Wide, warned those planning to impeach the governor to refrain from such a plot to avoid incurring the wrath of his teeming supporters.
13. Suspected Meningitis Outbreak Kills 26 in Kebbi, One in Sokoto
A suspected cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak has killed 26 persons in Kebbi and one person in Sokoto State.
The Kebbi State Government on Tuesday said the deaths were recorded from suspected cases of the disease that broke out in three local government areas of the state.
14. IGP Bans Parading of Suspects Before Media
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday, ordered a ban on parading suspected criminals before the media by police operatives across the country.
Egbetokun explained that the decision was taken in order to uphold the fundamental human rights of every citizen and adhere to global best practices in policing.
15. Explosion Rocks Otedola Bridge in Lagos
An explosion rocked Otedola Bridge in Lagos on Tuesday evening, sparking a massive fire.
The blast, which occurred at 8:08 p.m., involved a tanker loaded with petroleum product. Church and other properties were destroyed.
16. Labour Party Moves to Rebuild Confidence Among Party Members
In a bid to rebuild confidence in the Labour Party (LP), its National Chairman, Comrade Julius Abure, has set up a three-member intervention and truce committee to bridge the gap in the relationship between the party and its members in the National Assembly.
17. Naira Appreciates to N1,565 Per Dollar in Parallel Market
The Naira on Tuesday appreciated to N1,565 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,570 per dollar on Monday.
But the Naira depreciated to N1,537 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, NFEM.
18. Lagos Assembly Dismisses Claims of Mass Lawmaker Defection
Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, Ogundipe Olukayode, has dismissed claims that 25 lawmakers are planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress to an unnamed party.
19. Lagos Police Confirms Burial Site of Missing LASU Graduate
The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed the location where the Lagos State University graduate, Adedamola Ogunbode, was buried, following the arrest of the principal suspect, Olaoluwa Ajisomo.
20. Lagos Govt Seals Church, Hotels Over Noise Pollution
The Lagos State government on Tuesday sealed off some lounges, hotels, and a church over noise pollution.
21. Super Eagles Coach Names 23-Man Squad for Rwanda, Zimbabwe W’Cup Qualifiers
Super Eagles’ head coach Éric Sékou Chelle has named a 23-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
