Nottingham Forest’s struggles in the Premier League continued on Saturday as they went down 3-0 at home to Chelsea, extending manager Ange Postecoglou’s winless run to eight matches.
Taiwo Awoniyi made his first start of the season. Forest started the game well and had a few chances, including one for Elliot Anderson, who was crowded out in the box after a Chelsea error.
Morgan Gibbs-White also missed a close-range volley, and Andrey Santos fired just wide after a neat ball from João Pedro.
Chelsea, missing key players like Cole Palmer and Moisés Caicedo, looked quiet in attack in the first half but came alive after half-time. Pedro Neto ran down the left and set up Josh Acheampong to score the opener. Three minutes later, Neto scored a free-kick to make it 2-0.
Forest’s defence continued to struggle, with Igor Jesus seeing a header from Callum Hudson-Odoi hit the bar and post. Reece James added a late third from a half-cleared corner. A late red card for Malo Gusto slightly spoiled the win for Chelsea.
The defeat leaves Forest under serious pressure. Owner Evangelos Marinakis had left his seat long before the final whistle, and Postecoglou’s future looks uncertain. Chelsea, meanwhile, has now won four of their last five visits to Forest, continuing their recent dominance over the Reds.
As 2025 enters its final quarter, President Bola Tinubu’s administration faces mounting public expectations to deliver on major economic and social pledges that define its reform agenda.
From tackling inflation and boosting growth to driving infrastructure and food security, several commitments made over the past year have set clear benchmarks for performance.
Below are five of the most critical promises that Nigerians should be tracking closely in Q4 2025:
Reduce inflation to 15 per cent by the end of 2025
Tinubu first made this pledge on December 18, 2024, during the presentation of the ₦49.7 trillion 2025 Budget to the National Assembly.
He assured Nigerians that his administration would bring inflation down to around 15 per cent and stabilise the exchange rate.
The target, reaffirmed by the Finance Ministry in early 2025, aims to ease the cost-of-living crisis.
With inflation currently at 18 per cent, the administration has recorded modest progress, but the goal remains challenging. Tracking this promise requires close monitoring of monthly inflation figures from the National Bureau of Statistics and changes in the prices of essential goods such as food, transport, and fuel.
Achieve 7 per cent economic growth by 2027
On August 14, 2025, at a Federal Executive Meeting in Abuja, President Tinubu announced his administration’s goal of achieving at least 7 per cent annual economic growth by 2027. https://punchng.com/nigerias-economy-growing-consistently-due-to-tinubus-reforms-edun/ He said bold reforms, improved investment flows, and infrastructure expansion would drive the recovery.
The current GDP growth rate is 4.23 per cent. Tracking this will depend on quarterly GDP reports and foreign investment data over the next two years.
Boost local agricultural production for food security
The Federal Government declared a national emergency on food security on April 15, 2025, following renewed spikes in food prices.
According to the Federal Ministry of Information, there was a rollout of 2,000 tractors for mechanised farming, fertiliser distribution, and irrigation expansion in June. Tinubu said the move was aimed at reducing Nigeria’s heavy dependence on food imports and strengthening local production. The announcement followed an earlier declaration made in July 2023 when the administration first recognised food insecurity as a national crisis.
Accelerate major infrastructure projects nationwide
On June 6, 2025, President Bola Tinubu flagged off a series of major infrastructure projects across the country, including federal highways, bridges, and transport corridors. The initiative forms part of his administration’s broader plan to modernise Nigeria’s road network and enhance regional connectivity.
He reaffirmed this commitment on October 12, 2025, pledging equitable infrastructure development across all regions and promising that no part of the country would be left behind. According to The Guardian, the projects are aligned with the Federal Government’s drive to improve transportation links and stimulate economic growth.
Tracking this promise will involve monitoring the progress of key national projects such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Road, and ongoing rail expansion programmes.
Implement Comprehensive Tax and Revenue Reforms
On June 26, 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed into law four major tax reform bills — the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act 2025.
The reforms, earlier passed by the National Assembly between March and May 2025, are expected to raise Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio, enhance fiscal transparency, and curb revenue leakages.
The laws will take effect from January 1, 2026. Tracking progress will involve monitoring quarterly federal revenue reports, budget performance data, and improvements in tax collection efficiency.
These five promises, made between December 2024 and October 2025, define the Federal Government’s reform agenda heading into Q4. They cover inflation, growth, food production, infrastructure, and fiscal reforms. They are areas that directly impact Nigerians’ livelihoods and the overall economy.
As 2025 winds down, the delivery of these promises will shape public confidence in the Tinubu administration’s ability to translate policy goals into tangible progress.
Ivory Coast authorities have imposed a sweeping two-month ban on political rallies and demonstrations just a week before a presidential election, in a move further restricting opposition activity.
The ban, announced late Friday by the interior and defence ministries, applies to all political parties and groups except the five candidates officially approved to contest the October 25 vote.
It comes amid rising tensions following the exclusion of opposition heavyweights Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam from the race.
Hundreds of people rallied at protests in Abidjan last weekend, with security forces dispersing crowds. Sporadic unrest, including road and school blockades, has been reported in several regions.
Around 700 people have been arrested over the past week, according to public prosecutor Oumar Braman Kone, who said phone data revealed calls for attacks on public institutions which he described as “acts of terrorism”.
On Thursday, 26 protesters were sentenced to three years in prison for public order offences, and another 105 are due to stand trial next week.
The opposition coalition, which includes Gbagbo’s African Peoples’ Party — Ivory Coast (PPA-CI) and Thiam’s Democratic Party of Ivory Coast, has denounced President Alassane Ouattara’s bid for a fourth term.
Amnesty International urged authorities to stop “repressing” protests, but Justice Minister Sansan Kambile defended the crackdown, citing national security concerns.
Ouattara faces four challengers, including former minister Jean-Louis Billon and ex-first lady Simone Gbagbo.
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, has expressed concern that political attention across the country has shifted towards the 2027 general elections while hunger, poverty, and insecurity continue to afflict millions of Nigerians.
Speaking during the 2025 Ofala Festival in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Friday, the monarch said the political class’ neglect of governance for early alliances ahead of the next elections was worsening the country’s economic and social challenges.
Achebe warned that abandoning governance in pursuit of political ambition could further deepen hardship and instability nationwide.
He lamented that ordinary Nigerians were bearing the brunt of the neglect as living costs continue to rise despite ongoing economic reforms.
The Igwe said, “The attention of the political class has become literally diverted to the 2027 general elections. New alliances are being forged as political fortunes rise and fall. There is a distinct impression that these efforts are largely for self-preservation and material benefit.
“Ordinary Nigerians are paying the price of neglect as hardship deepens nationwide despite ongoing economic reforms. Our poverty rate has risen from 40 per cent in 2018 to 46 per cent in 2023, translating to about 104 million Nigerians now classified as poor, according to the World Bank Development Report on Nigeria.
“The reality on the ground is dire. The unending violence in most parts of the country continues to affect the agricultural sector very seriously.”
While acknowledging that the Federal Government was implementing “laudable macroeconomic stabilisation measures,” Achebe urged authorities to ensure transparency and fairness in distributing palliatives to vulnerable citizens.
He advised that relief materials must reach the intended beneficiaries directly and not be derailed by corruption or bureaucracy.
Turning to the South-East, the monarch expressed concern over insecurity and its economic toll on the region, describing the recent conviction of Finland-based separatist agitator Simon Ekpa as a “potential turning point.”
Citing a report by SBM Intelligence titled Four Years of Disruption, Achebe said the South-East economy had lost about ₦7.6tn since 2021 due to insecurity and the sit-at-home disruptions.
“The scourge of violence and kidnapping in the South-East continues to mutate in different forms. We pray that the recent conviction in Finland of Simon Ekpa will contribute to a general reduction of violent crime in the region.
“This is the moment for deep reflection among Ndigbo. Nigeria and the world are leaving us behind due to the deliberate actions of a few purveyors of violence among us,” he added.
On the upcoming Anambra governorship election slated for November 8, Achebe called for peace, transparency, and voter participation, lamenting the low turnout in the ongoing voter registration exercise.
“In the first week of the INEC registration exercise, only 2,482 persons pre-registered online across four South-East states, excluding Anambra, compared to 848,359 in the South-West. This is alarming and demands urgent mobilisation by our leaders,” he said.
Despite the somber national mood, the 2025 Ofala Festival — the 24th edition — retained its cultural splendour, with dignitaries, traditional rulers, and visitors from within and outside the country in attendance.
Marking his 24th Ofala celebration since ascending the throne in 2002, Achebe urged Nigerians to remain resilient and united.
“Our theme last year was ‘Better. Stronger. Together.’ It was a call on our people to consolidate on our breakthroughs and galvanise for the challenges ahead. That message remains as relevant today as ever,” the monarch said.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has inspected the ongoing production of Nigerian Air Force aircraft and helicopters at the Leonardo S.p.A’s defence manufacturing facilities in northern Italy.
Badaru, who was part of President Bola Tinubu’s delegation to the AQABA Process meeting, visited Leonardo’s Helicopters Division in Vergiate and Aircraft Division in Venegono, where key platforms for the NAF are being assembled.
This is contained in a statement by the Personal Assistant to the Minister on Media and Publicity, Mati Ali, on Saturday in Abuja.
Ali said the Minister, at the helicopter division, reviewed progress on ten AW109 Trekker attack helicopters being built for Nigeria.
According to him, three have been completed and are ready for delivery, another three will be ready before the end of 2025, while the remaining four are expected in early 2026.
He said the minister also inspected the production of M-346 Fighter Attack Jets, six of which were at advanced stages.
According to him, three are already undergoing flight tests, while the next three are due for testing soon.
“The 24 aircraft will be delivered in four batches, complete with weapons, tools, spare parts, and logistics support,” he said.
In his remarks, Badaru expressed satisfaction with the quality of work and praised Leonardo’s engineers for their professionalism.
He said the acquisitions demonstrate the Tinubu administration’s commitment to modernising the armed forces and strengthening Nigeria’s defence partnerships.
Besiktas FC of Turkey have appointed Super Eagles stand-in captain Wilfred Ndidi as the club’s new vice-captain, with the announcement made by the club’s board of directors in a statement released on Friday.
Ndidi will serve as deputy to Turkish international Orkun Kökçü, who has been named the new team captain. The duo replace former captain Necip Uysal and vice-captain Mert Günok as the new leaders of the first team.
“With the decision of our President Serdal Island and the Board of Directors, changes have been made regarding the captaincy of our Football A Team. Based on the recommendation of our technical team and the effectiveness of players on the field, Orkun Kökçü has been appointed as first captain and Wilfred Ndidi as second captain,” the club stated.
Besiktas also expressed gratitude to Uysal and Günok for their leadership and contributions while extending best wishes to Kökçü and Ndidi in their new roles.
The new captaincy duo will begin their leadership duties when Beşiktaş, currently sixth on the Turkish Super Lig table with 13 points from seven matches, host 14th-placed Gençlerbirliği S.K. on Saturday, October 18, in Matchday 8 of the season.
The coffin of a much-beloved opposition leader, Raila Odinga, arrived by helicopter to a stadium in his heartland of western Kenya on Saturday, where tens of thousands were packed in to see him.
AFP journalists said there were already signs of chaos as a huge group of mourners breached a security gate to the stadium and clambered over walls.
The Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State, has expelled 34 students for examination misconduct.
The institution also rusticated 13 others for one academic session, while several others received warning letters.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Information, Publications and Public Relations Unit of the university, Abdullahi Datti, and made available to PUNCH Online on Friday.
According to the statement, the disciplinary actions followed the approval of the report of the Examinations Regulations and Irregularities Committee by the university senate at its 123rd meeting held on October 9, 2025.
“The report includes recommendations for different kinds of punishments for students who were found to have engaged in examination malpractice,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the university has established a Centre for Equipment Maintenance to enhance the upkeep and functionality of academic and research tools across its faculties.
The centre, according to the statement, will implement preventive maintenance schedules, provide repair services for faulty equipment, and organise regular training for staff and students on proper equipment use and basic maintenance.
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Musa Yakasai, has approved the appointment of Dr Murtala Dambatta of the Department of Mechanical Engineering as the pioneer Director of the centre.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused the Nigeria Police Force’s bid to stop the “Free Nnamdi KanuNow” protest, allowing it to proceed as scheduled on Monday, October 20, 2025.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had dispatched police lawyers to the court to move an ex parte motion against activist and protest organiser, Omoyele Sowore, in a bid to legally preempt the planned demonstration slated for the Aso Rock Villa.
However, Justice Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, declined to grant the motion, which would have immediately restrained the protest from taking place without hearing the opposing side.
The Judge instead instructed the police to formally serve notice of their application on Sowore and adjourned the case until Tuesday for a proper, contested hearing.
Reacting to the judicial decision, the protest convener, Omoyele Sowore, affirmed the court’s decision as a victory for civil liberties and doubled down on the scheduled protest.
In a statement issued on his X handle on Friday following the ruling, Sowore said, “IG of PoliceNG Kayode Egbetokun dispatched police lawyers to sue me, in an effort to halt the FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Aso Rock Villa on Monday.
“However, the judge, Justice Umar of Federal High Court in Abuja, refused to grant the ex parte motion, instead instructing him to serve me notice and adjourning the case until Tuesday for a proper hearing.”
The demonstration, organised under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, is intended to draw attention to the prolonged detention and legal fate of Kanu.
The police action was seen as an attempt to leverage the courts to prevent a potentially sensitive gathering near the seat of Nigerian power.
The adjournment to Tuesday ensures that the planned Monday protest is not currently constrained by a court order, setting the stage for a potential high-profile confrontation between protesters and security agencies around the Presidential Villa.
The outcome of the adjourned hearing on Tuesday will determine the next legal steps regarding the protest’s legality.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Sowore announced October 20 as the date for a protest march to demand the release of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore made this known on his X handle.
According to him, the protest would be a “historic” march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, while assuring that it would be conducted peacefully and legally to demand the release of the IPOB leader…”
The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a man, Lawal Faruq, who allegedly set fire to his ex-lover after their relationship went sour.
PUNCH Metro learnt on Thursday that the incident happened at a military barracks in Ibadan, the state capital.
A counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, who shared details of the incident on X, disclosed that the suspect claimed he and the victim had taken an oath never to separate.
However, the suspect was said to have become enraged after the romantic relationship between the duo broke down.
Enraged by the situation, the suspect allegedly doused the victim with petrol before setting her ablaze.
Following the incident, military personnel at the barracks reportedly rescued the victim and rushed her to a hospital before arresting the suspect.
Makama wrote, “The victim, Omolola Hassan, was reportedly doused with petrol and set on fire by the suspect, who was said to have been angered over the breakdown of their relationship.
“According to witnesses, military personnel at the barracks quickly intervened and extinguished the fire before rushing the victim to Yawiri Hospital, Akobo, for medical treatment.
“The suspect, who claimed that both had taken an oath never to separate, is currently in custody.”
When reacting to an enquiry posed by our correspondent via the telephone on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident.
Osifeso noted that an investigation was ongoing into the case.
“Investigation is ongoing,” Osifeso said in a terse message sent to our correspondent.
Cases of violence arising from failed romantic relationships have become increasingly frequent in Nigeria.
PUNCH Metro reported in July 2025 that a Uniport student, Cynthia Chukwundah, set her lover on fire during a heated argument over a pregnancy dispute. The victim later died from the injuries.
Similarly, in January 2023, PUNCH Metro reported that a middle-aged man strangled and then set his lover ablaze over infidelity accusations in Rivers State.
Also, PUNCH Metro reported in April 2023 that a 43-year-old man was arrested in Ogun State for setting the apartment of his ex-lover ablaze when she refused to reconcile.
Such cases reflect a broader pattern of domestic violence in Nigeria, often driven by emotional, psychological, and economic stressors.
