For Nigerians, July 2025 has been full of ups and downs following incidents that shaped the months.
Politically, the month of July has been characterized with many twists and turns with the death of the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari as the most significant and of course the saddest of it all.
In the sports arena, Nigeria took the continent by the storm with the emergence of Super Falcons as the new queens of football in Africa.
Unveiling of ADC coalition
July 2025 incidents and events opened on July 2, with the gathering of prominent opposition politicians including ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, arrived at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja for a media conference of the emerging opposition coalition.
Other key political figures sighted at the venue include a former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; a former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi; Senator Dino Melaye; a former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung; publisher and PDP chieftain, Dele Momodu; Senators Gabriel Suswam and Ireti Kingibe of the Labour Party; and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha.
Also in attendance is a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (retd.).
The coalition, which cuts across the People’s Democratic Party, Labour Party, Social Democratic Party and other political interests, is meeting under the platform of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group has adopted the ADC as the political vehicle to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress at the polls.
A former Senate President, David Mark, who recently resigned his membership of the PDP, is expected to lead the media conference as the newly appointed interim national chairman of the ADC.
A former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has also been named interim national secretary of the coalition-backed ADC.
Death of Buhari
The ex-president died in London at about 4.30 pm, on Sunday, July 13, following a prolonged illness.
This was announced in an official statement released by family spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu.
President Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s civilian president from 2015 to 2023 after previously leading the country as a military head of state between 1983 and 1985, was known for his stance on anti-corruption and efforts to stabilise the economy.
Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, into a Fulani family, Buhari, who was the 23rd child of his father, ruled Nigeria both as a military and civilian leader.
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his deep condolences.
President Tinubu also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari’s body back to Nigeria.
Former President Buhari was twice elected Nigeria’s President in 2015 and 2019.
He also served as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985.
President Tinubu ordered flags at half-staff as a mark of respect for the departed leader.
Former President Buhari was buried on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in his residence in his hometown, Daura, Katsina state.
He died at the age of 82 years.
Emergence of Nentawe as APC acting Chairman
On July 24, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) appointed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Yilwatda Nentawe, as its new substantive National Chairman.
The decision was made during the party’s 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Thursday.
The announcement came after Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who also serves as Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, moved a motion endorsing Nentawe’s elevation to the top party position.
The motion received immediate backing from Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and was unanimously adopted by the NEC.
Following the confirmation, Nentawe was immediately sworn in, taking the oath of office at exactly 2:50 PM, in the presence of top party leaders, government officials, and stakeholders.
Yilwatda Nentawe, who hails from Plateau State in the North Central geopolitical zone, was the APC’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general elections before being appointed minister.
His emergence as the party’s national chairman signals a new phase in the APC’s leadership structure, as it prepares for upcoming political engagements across the country.
Victory of Super Falcons
Nigeria’s Super Falcons completed a remarkable comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3–2 in a thrilling final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday, clinching a record-extending 10th continental title and a $1 million prize money on July 26.
The victory capped a dramatic and determined “Mission X” campaign that resonated across the continent and the globe, as the Falcons reaffirmed their status as the queens of African football.
The victory also represented a sweet revenge for the Super Falcons, who Morocco had eliminated on penalties in the semi-finals of the 2022 edition, also hosted in Morocco.
The hosts made a flying start, scoring twice within 25 minutes. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak fired Morocco in front in the 12th minute, before Sanaâ Mssoudy doubled the advantage in the 24th, sending the home crowd into wild celebration.
But the resilient Nigerian side roared back in the second half. Esther Okoronkwo converted a penalty in the 64th minute to pull one back, and seven minutes later, Folashade Florence Ijamilusi netted a superb equaliser to make it 2–2.
With momentum in their favour, Nigeria kept the pressure on and eventually sealed a dramatic victory; substitute Jennifer Echegini swept home the third goal from Esther Okoronkwo’s free kick in the 88th minute to complete the comeback and spark jubilant celebrations both on the pitch and across Nigeria.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade was named Player of the Tournament, while Chiamaka Nnadozie, Africa’s best goalkeeper for the past two years, was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
In doing so, Nigeria also extended their proud record of never losing a WAFCON final.
Adamawa flood disaster
On Sunday, July 27 five persons confirmed dead and properties worth billions of naira destroyed as flood ravaged part of Shagari and Yolde-Pate communities in Yola-South local government area of Adamawa State.
The flood followed a heavy downpour which last for over 10 hours, resulting in submerging houses and farmlands.
Deputy Governor of the state, Professor Kaletapha Farauta visited the communities to condole with the residents and inspect the flood ravaged areas.
Addressing the victims at Modibo Adama Teaching Hospital Yola, where the injured were receiving treatment, Prof Farauta directed that shelter should be provided immediately to cushion the hardships on the victims.
“We woke up with flood and have confirmed two persons are dead. Government is shocked with the devastating flood. Many were injured and lost almost everything.
“Government would provide food, clothing and medication immediately to the victims,” the deputy governor assured.
Farauta, who said the level of damages can be quantified, added that all the agencies involved in disaster management were working to ensure people are rescued.
A medical doctor at the hospital, Dr Yusuf Nuhu who was attending to the injured persons at the Accident and Emergency Unit also confirmed the causality figure.
Nuhu further explained that the victims were responding to treatment.
The Head of Operations, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ladan Ayuba, said some of the victims did not want to be evacuated from their houses for fear of hoodlums carting away the ruminants of their properties as major challenges confronting rescue operations.
One of the victims, Aliyu Mustapha, revealed that some children were still missing as a result of the flooding while lamenting losing his means of livelihood.
