Good morning! Here’s a quick roundup of top news stories making headlines across Nigeria this Wednesday, July 23, 2025:

1. Senate Approves Tinubu’s $21 Billion Loan Request
The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s external borrowing plan worth over $21 billion for the 2025–2026 budget. The approval followed a report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, led by Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

2. NMA, FG Meet Ahead of Planned Nationwide Strike
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is expected to meet with federal government representatives today in Abuja. This comes ahead of the association’s planned nationwide strike on Thursday over unresolved welfare and service issues.

3. Senator Natasha Accuses Akpabio of Witch-hunt
Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of using the Senate to silence her after she spoke out against sexual harassment. She insists her suspension is illegal and that she remains a sitting senator.

4. CBN Retains Interest Rate at 27.5%
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has kept the Monetary Policy Rate at 27.5%. This was confirmed by CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso after the 301st Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

5. US Warns Citizens Against Travelling to Nigeria
The US Government has issued a fresh travel advisory, warning Americans to avoid Nigeria due to security concerns like kidnapping, poor healthcare access, terrorism, and violent crime.

6. Over 3,000 Displaced in Benue Killings – Minister Reveals
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, revealed that more than 3,160 people have been displaced following recent killings in Yelwa, Benue State.

7. Tinubu to Commission 3 Cancer Centres
President Tinubu will tomorrow inaugurate three new cancer treatment centres in Katsina, Benin, and Nsukka. These centres are part of six currently being developed across Nigeria, with completion expected within 20 months, according to Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate.

8. Cult Initiation Turns Deadly in Lagos
A 26-year-old artisan, simply identified as Timehin, was reportedly killed during a cult initiation in the Awoyaya area of Lagos. The incident occurred on July 18, when a rival cult group launched a deadly ambush.

9. Atiku Warns Against Threats to Opposition Leaders
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned that threats to Labour Party’s Peter Obi represent a threat to all opposition figures. He made the statement on X, urging for democratic tolerance.

10. Reps Propose Ban on Public Servants Using Private Schools, Hospitals
The House of Representatives has introduced a bill seeking to stop public and civil servants from patronising private schools and hospitals. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Amobi Ogah (LP–Abia), aims to strengthen the public sector and ensure leaders rely on the systems they manage.