December 24, 2025 – Nigeria Headlines

Story gist: Nigeria defeated Tanzania 2-1 in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Al Jazeera emphasizes Nigeria’s ‘wasteful’ performance despite the win, adopting a critical tone. Center outlet Vanguard highlights the ‘winning start’ and includes the exact score, using neutral factual language. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting celebratory or nationalist framings of Nigeria’s victory.

Story gist: Atiku Abubakar demanded an immediate halt to new tax laws. Nigeria’s Federal Government defended their January implementation, stating a delay would harm the economy.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent, omitting pro-opposition framing critical of government tax policies. Center (Punch Newspapers) neutrally highlights Atiku’s demand for halt. Right-leaning (Daily Trust) emphasizes Federal Government’s defense, portraying laws as ‘altered’ and delay as economically harmful, shifting focus to official rebuttal and fiscal risks.

Story gist: Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji signed a N415 billion 2026 budget and pledged to end double taxation. The state domesticated the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, earning commendation from the Joint Revenue Board alongside Zamfara.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Tribune highlights JRB commendation of Ekiti and Zamfara, emphasizing harmonized tax laws and predicting more states will follow, focusing on national progress. Center Vanguard neutrally reports the budget signing and pledge without added context. Right-leaning Ekiti State Government uses triumphant tone with ‘Takes The Lead,’ promoting the state’s pioneering domestication of the tax act and omitting broader commendations.

Story gist: Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde stated that Nyesom Wike promised to ‘hold’ the PDP for President Bola Tinubu ahead of 2027 elections, violating their agreement. Makinde also said he rejected Tinubu’s request to organize the APC in Oyo State.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent, providing no coverage. Center (TheCable) frames story around Makinde accusing Wike of betraying PDP by aiding Tinubu, using direct quote for conflict emphasis. Right (Daily Trust) highlights Makinde rejecting Tinubu’s APC organization offer, portraying his PDP loyalty and independence from ruling party without mentioning Wike.

Story gist: Niger State received rescued schoolchildren from Papiri school.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets omitted the story entirely, leaving their perspectives absent. Center outlet Premium Times Nigeria framed the reception emotionally positive with ‘relief, tears,’ emphasizing joy and reunion without criticism or context on the kidnapping or rescue operation.