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Nigeria : Top news – November 2025
In November 2025, Nigeria’s top news was dominated by a worsening kidnapping crisis, intensified security operations, and major anti-corruption and policy moves by President Bola Tinubu’s government. The month also saw significant legal, educational, and cultural developments with both domestic and international implications.
Insecurity and mass kidnappings
Armed groups carried out multiple high‑profile abductions across northern states, including large student kidnappings in Kebbi and Niger, village raids in Kwara and Sokoto, and church-related kidnappings in Kwara. These incidents highlighted the continuing bandit conflict and Boko Haram/ISWAP violence despite ongoing military operations.
- On 15 November, gunmen attacked a girls’ boarding school in Kebbi State, killing the vice principal and abducting 25 students, who were later reported released.
- On 18 November, attackers killed two people at a church in Eruku, Kwara State and kidnapped dozens of worshippers, prompting temporary closure of schools in several districts.
- On 21 November, gunmen abducted over 300 students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, in one of the largest school kidnappings since Chibok.
- Later in the month, further village abductions in Kwara (Isapa) and Sokoto (Chacho) kept the issue on the front pages.
Government security response
In response to the surge in kidnappings and continuing jihadist activity, President Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency in late November 2025. The emergency included orders for 20,000 new police recruits and intensified air and ground operations against bandits and insurgents in the northwest and northeast.youtube
- Military reports noted clashes in November where Nigerian forces killed bandits and Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters in Borno and other northern areas.
- Public debate focused on whether the security emergency and increased operations would be enough to curb abductions, which had reached their highest frequency in some areas.youtube
Anti‑corruption and drug seizures
Anti‑corruption and anti‑narcotics actions were another major theme of November 2025.
- On 10 November, Nigeria’s anti-graft agency issued an arrest warrant for former petroleum minister Timipre Sylva over alleged conspiracy and fraud involving nearly US$15 million meant for a refinery project.
- On 11 November, authorities announced the seizure of about 1,000 kg of cocaine worth roughly 338 billion naira at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, followed days later by another significant cocaine seizure from a vessel in Lagos and multiple arrests.
Law, politics, and education policy
Courts and policymakers took decisions with wide political and social impact.
- On 20 November, a federal court sentenced separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment on terrorism-related charges, a ruling with major implications for the Indigenous People of Biafra movement and southeastern politics.
International and cultural developments
Nigeria also featured in international and cultural news during November.
- The country appeared in global current‑events coverage for ongoing Boko Haram and ISWAP clashes around Lake Chad and broader concerns over religiously targeted violence.
- On 17 November, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston returned two Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, continuing the wider trend of Western institutions repatriating looted African artefacts.
