1. President Tinubu visits St Lucia ahead of the BRICS summit —
President Bola Tinubu departed Abuja on June 28, 2025, for a two-nation tour commencing with a state visit to Saint Lucia before flying to Brazil for the upcoming 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, scheduled July 6–7. In Saint Lucia, he paid courtesy calls to the Governor-General and Prime Minister, addressing a special joint session of Parliament at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom in Gros Islet, emphasizing Nigeria’s intent to deepen ties with Caribbean and OECS nations in economic and cultural cooperation.
The president also visited Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries to foster educational exchanges, underscoring his administration’s commitment to South–South collaboration . Nigeria’s presence in these diplomatic engagements reflects an increasingly assertive foreign policy as it prepares for the global summit.
The move has drawn mixed reactions. While the presidency frames it as strategic diplomacy, former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi criticized the timing, calling it “not the time for holidaying” amid Nigeria’s food insecurity and flooding crises.
2. Customs chief becomes first Nigerian elected WCO Council Chair —
Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has made history as the first Nigerian elected Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) during the 145th/146th Council meeting in Brussels on June 28, 2025. His election marks a milestone for Nigeria and the 186-member body, which oversees global customs governance since its founding in 1953.
President Tinubu lauded the achievement, noting it “hoists the Nigerian flag” at the WCO and underscores the transformative leadership Adeniyi has provided since his appointment two years ago. Adeniyi officially assumes the council chair on July 1, 2025, and pledged to drive forward the WCO’s modernization agenda outlined in its 2025–2028 strategic plan.
His pledge includes fostering equity, innovation, and inter-state coordination to better manage global trade complexities. Observers note this is a significant step for Africa’s voice in international customs and trade policy, and for Nigeria’s stature on the global stage.
3. Ganduje resigns from APC over alliance with Tinubu, Kwankwaso —
Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje officially resigned as APC National Chairman on June 27, 2025, citing health reasons, though political undercurrents suggest otherwise. Insider sources say the move was triggered by President Tinubu’s efforts to woo former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso into the APC, clashing with Ganduje’s stance, leading to his voluntary exit.
APC governors and stakeholders reportedly viewed it as a strategic shake-up aligned with party equity, shifting the power base to the North-Central region. A special NWC meeting, expected June 30 or July 1, seeks to appoint his successor, possibly someone from that zone, with names like former Nasarawa governor Al-Makura being floated.
Political analysts see Ganduje’s exit as part of internal realignments, paving way for Kwankwaso’s potential addition ahead of the 2027 elections. The transition underscores tension between regional influence and national party unity.
4. Billionaire Aminu Dantata passes away in Abu Dhabi at age 94 —
Business giant and philanthropist Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata passed away early June 28, 2025, in a hospital in Abu Dhabi (around 3 a.m. Nigeria time), aged 94. Confirmed by family via social media, he will be buried per his wishes in Saudi Arabia, with funeral rites beginning in Kano.
A respected pillar of Northern Nigeria’s entrepreneurial sphere, Dantata founded Express Petroleum & Gas, contributed to education and banking, and mentored figures like Aliko Dangote. His public contributions such as funding schools, mosques, flood relief, and entrepreneurship earned him recognition as a beacon of integrity and service.
Prominent leaders including Tinubu, Buhari, Barau Jibrin, Sanwo-Olu, Ganduje, and David Mark offered heartfelt condolences, praising his life’s work and legacy of humility, philanthropy, and nation-building . Remembrances describe him as “a beacon in a country searching for models of integrity.”
5. Farmers in Kwara besieged by kidnappers —
The rural communities in Kwara State especially around Patigi, Oro, Agbeola, and Okerimi have recently come under intense attacks from kidnapping gangs thriving in the region. Farmers report that masked assailants ride into farmlands at dawn or dusk, abducting people, and sometimes killing those who resist. Oro Community leaders even called for fasting and prayer to fight the menace, as the wave of kidnappings has sparked widespread fear and disrupted daily life.
This surge culminated in a high-profile incident near Latandaji village, where troops from Nigeria’s 22 Armoured Brigade raided a kidnappers’ hideout, rescuing two captives and detaining eight suspects. The raid followed intense engagements that included gunfire and the recovery of motorcycles and spent cartridges, with one suspect slightly wounded in the operation.
Yet, even military success provides limited relief, another tragic event occurred on June 25 near Patigi, where suspected bandits ambushed and killed PDP leader Alhaji Abdullahi Kpotun and his son during a failed abduction attempt. This incident underscores the escalating threat to governance, agriculture, and communal peace. Calls have since intensified for enhanced intelligence-led operations and better security infrastructure, as residents and officials alike continue urging swift government action to restore safety.
6. UNILAG wins national schools’ chess trophy —
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has emerged victorious at the 2025 Ecobank National Schools’ Team Chess Championship, held at the Pan-African Centre in Lagos from June 25–27. Over 2,500 students from 450 institutions, including primary, secondary, and tertiary schools, competed in teams of five, marking a sharp increase from the previous year which featured about 1,200 participants from 240 schools.
In the tertiary category, UNILAG secured the top spot, followed by the University of Benin and Chess in Slums Africa. Secondary schools like DaySpring, Platform School, and Ireti Senior Grammar also clinched top positions, while Marvelvine Montessori and Scholars Academy led in the primary division . The event offered over ₦20 million in prizes and was organized with backing from Ecobank as part of a technically strong public–private partnership.
The tournament celebrates both competitive excellence and educational integration, spotlighting Nigeria’s rising passion for chess. Observers say the success, amplified by mass participation and corporate investment, not only builds strategic thinking skills but also fosters unity among youth from diverse backgrounds.
7. Nigeria’s public debt hits ₦149.39 trn in Q1 2025 —
Nigeria’s total public debt climbed to a record ₦149.39 trillion as of March 31, 2025, marking a 22.8% year‑on‑year jump and a ₦4.72 trillion increase from December 2024, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO).
External debt rose significantly to ₦70.63 trillion (USD 45.98 bn), up 26.1% YoY, largely due to naira depreciation, which magnifies the local currency value of dollar-denominated obligations. Domestic debt also grew to ₦78.76 trillion, a 20% rise from the previous year.
Officials acknowledge the increase stems from fresh borrowing and currency fluctuations. Analysts warn the trend could burden fiscal health, with rising interest obligations potentially crowding out other national priorities if corrective economic measures aren’t swiftly enacted.
8. Super Falcons to take on Ghana’s Black Queens in Casablanca today —
Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, are set to clash with Ghana’s Black Queens today, June 29, 2025, at the Lanouria Complex in Casablanca. This friendly serves as a prelude to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and both sides see it as a crucial buildup in their preparations.
Ghanaian coach Kim Lars Björkegren described Nigeria as a “traditional powerhouse,” promising a competitive match that will test tactical readiness, squad depth, and physical stamina on both sides of the pitch.
For the Super Falcons, it’s a moment to iron out strategies, assess emerging talents, and sharpen their attacking and defensive cohesion. This encounter will be an early indicator of each team’s prospects ahead of the continental tournament.
9. Transfer rumors: Bright Osayi‑Samuel to Besiktas, Onuachu to Trabzonspor; Arsenal in talks for Ademola Lookman —
Multiple transfer developments are stirring in the European market involving Nigerian internationals:
- Bright Osayi‑Samuel, the right-back/winger from Fenerbahçe, has reportedly agreed terms with Turkish giants Beşiktaş following his departure from Fenerbahçe on a free transfer.
- Paul Onuachu, the towering striker from Southampton, is all set to complete a permanent move to Trabzonspor. Southampton have reportedly accepted a transfer fee for him, and is likely to travel for medicals soon.
- Ademola Lookman, Atalanta’s agile forward, is once again attracting interest from Arsenal. The Gunners have reportedly reopened negotiations, with an asking price of around €50 million.
If these moves are confirmed, they signal a dynamic summer for Nigerian players abroad, offering opportunities to step onto bigger platforms, though also posing challenges around adaptation and team competition.
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The Naija Lowdown Writer 