News
Presidency Debunks Rumors of Chief of Staff Replacement
The Nigerian Presidency has firmly dismissed circulating social media reports claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, with Principal Private Secretary Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
In an official statement issued on December 25, 2025, by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described the claims as a “viral falsehood” and a deliberate fabrication aimed at sowing discord within the administration.
“The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to a viral falsehood circulating on social media suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, with his Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola,” the statement read.
It emphasized: “There is absolutely no truth to this story. We advise Nigerians to disregard it entirely.
“The statement further clarified that both officials remain firmly in their positions. “The Chief of Staff remains in his position. The Principal Private Secretary likewise remains in his role. Hakeem Muri-Okunola has not replaced Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff.
“Labeling the rumor as the work of “mischievous purveyors of fake news,” the Presidency urged media outlets and the public to verify information before dissemination to avoid spreading misinformation.
The denial, posted on the official State House website and shared widely, comes amid heightened speculation on social media platforms.
Multiple Nigerian news outlets, including Channels Television, Premium Times, and The Nation, have reported on the clarification, confirming no changes in the President’s inner circle.
Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has served as Chief of Staff since June 2023. Muri-Okunola continues in his role as Principal Private Secretary.
The Presidency reiterated its commitment to accurate communication and called for responsible reporting during this period.
News
Nigerian Press Urges FG, NASS to Act Swiftly Against ‘Big Tech Threat’
Major Nigerian media and journalism organizations have issued a strong call to the Federal Government (FG) and the National Assembly (NASS) to take immediate legislative and regulatory action against what they describe as an existential threat posed by Big Tech companies to the country’s information sovereignty and media industry.
In a joint statement released recently, leading press bodies—including key associations representing publishers, editors, and journalists—warned that unchecked dominance by global technology giants such as Google, Meta, and others is eroding Nigeria’s control over its digital information ecosystem.
They highlighted how these platforms dominate digital advertising revenue, divert traffic from traditional news sources, and increasingly use Nigerian-generated content to train artificial intelligence models without fair compensation or permission.
The groups emphasized that the situation risks surrendering Nigeria’s information sovereignty to foreign entities, potentially undermining national security, cultural values, and the economic viability of local media houses.
They pointed to declining revenues for publishers, with some facing up to 90% drops in traffic due to AI-generated summaries and algorithmic changes on search and social platforms.
The press bodies urged lawmakers to enact robust regulations, including frameworks for content remuneration, data usage restrictions, algorithmic transparency, and mechanisms to ensure fair competition in the digital space.
They called for urgent collaboration between the executive and legislature to address these challenges before irreversible damage occurs to Nigeria’s media landscape and democratic discourse.
This appeal comes amid broader global debates on Big Tech accountability and follows Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its digital economy governance, including recent pushes toward comprehensive AI and data regulations.
Stakeholders view the statement as a pivotal moment for protecting indigenous media in an era of rapid technological disruption.
The Federal Government and National Assembly have yet to issue an official response, but the call aligns with growing concerns over digital monopolies and their impact on developing economies.
Media experts anticipate intensified discussions in the coming weeks as Nigeria navigates its position in the global tech landscape.
News
US sends troops to Nigeria
The top commander made the confirmation during a press briefing, yesterday, but did not provide further details about the size and scope of their mission.
The general in charge of the U.S. command for Africa (AFRICOM), General Dagvin Anderson, confirmed that United States has sent troops to Nigeria.
The top commander made the confirmation during a press briefing, yesterday, but did not provide further details about the size and scope of their mission.
He emphasised that the decision to send troops to Nigeria was after both countries agreed that more needed to be done to combat the terrorist threat in West Africa.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” General Anderson said.
According to Reuters, Nigeria’s Defense Minister, Christopher Musa, confirmed that a team was working in Nigeria but did not provide further details.
The development is the first acknowledgment of U.S. forces on the ground since US airstrikes targeting terrorists in Nigeria’s North-West on Christmas Day, 2025.
President Donald Trump, who announced that he ordered the airstrikes on what he described as Islamic State targets, had said there could be more U.S. military action in Nigeria.
News
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