Here is a roundup of some Nigerian newspaper headlines with our advocacy calls for today, 17 March, 2025.

1. ‘Don’t go after corps member, she spoke out of frustration – TUC tells federal government’ – The Sun

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has graciously advised the federal government not to prosecute a youth corps member for daring to exercise her fundamental right to free speech.

Apparently, in today’s democracy, criticising the government gets you threats instead of engagement, and questioning leadership is now a national offense.

Our Take: If the government can’t handle a young citizen voicing concerns, what hope is there for real democratic discourse?  A government that fears criticism fears the people. And when a democracy starts silencing its young people, it is no longer a democracy.

2. ‘NAFDAC seizes over 100 truckloads of unsafe drugs, narcotics’ –  The Guardian

In a stunning display of ‘better late than never’, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken action to protect Nigerians from the toxic cocktail of fake, expired, and banned medicines flooding our markets. 

Our Take: While we commend NAFDAC for this action, the agency must ensure it remains proactive in achieving its mandate of protecting Nigerians from harmful drugs and food.

3. ‘Bloated governance thrives as federal government sidelines Oronsaye Report’ – The Sun

Over a year ago, President Bola Tinubu confidently declared that the long-suffering Oronsaye Report would finally see the light of day. But here we are, 13 months later, and the only thing being implemented is more reckless spending.

Our Take: Instead of streamlining government agencies, we are watching an ever-expanding bureaucracy gobble up public funds like a hungry glutton at a buffet.

Rather than plugging financial leaks, we see officials punching new holes into the nation’s treasury. At this rate, even the calculator used to count Nigeria’s debts is begging for mercy. The only thing missing is political will.