Morgan's News Room

 It’s reunion night in London as José Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge, this time leading Benfica against his former club Chelsea. The clash is packed with drama, as fans anticipate whether Mourinho’s tactical brilliance can upset Chelsea on home turf.

 Actress Nicole Kidman and musician Keith Urban announced their separation after 19 years of marriage. 

  Promoter Eddie Hearn named three possible comeback opponents for Anthony Joshua in 2026: Tony Yoka, Martin Bakole, or Efe Ajagba. Talks include staging the fight in Ghana or Nigeria. 

 South Africa was stripped of three points and handed a 3–0 loss for fielding an ineligible player in a past qualifier.  This shift reopens the competition in Group C, giving Nigeria renewed hope for World Cup qualification. 

  Nigeria’s oil industry is facing fresh tension as the PENGASSAN oil union launched a nationwide strike after the Dangote Refinery dismissed over 800 workers for unionization. The move has disrupted activities across key petroleum institutions and raised fears of possible fuel shortages. 👉 Government officials are preparing for urgent talks with the union in a bid to restore calm.

  Controversy is brewing in European football, as UEFA’s executive committee is leaning towards banning Israel from all European football competitions. A formal vote is expected next week, and this decision could spark huge debates in the football world.

  Arsenal have secured a crucial player for their backline as William Saliba agrees to a new contract. The French defender has been one of Mikel Arteta’s most consistent performers, and this deal ends months of speculation around his future.

 Liverpool’s rising star, Ngumoha, has officially signed his first professional contract at just 17 years old. The winger has impressed in the youth setup, and many see him as a long-term prospect for the club’s future.

 The world of football witnessed another historic night as the Ballon d’Or 2025 crowned its champions. The prestigious award ceremony highlighted incredible individual brilliance, with names that shaped the game over the past year. --- 🏆 Men’s Ballon d’Or Winner Ousmane Dembélé (PSG) The French winger’s dazzling performances for Paris Saint-Germain and his consistency on the big stage finally earned him the most coveted individual prize in football. From decisive goals to jaw-dropping assists, Dembélé’s 2024/25 season was a true masterpiece. Men’s Top 5 Rankings 1. Ousmane Dembélé – PSG 2. Lamine Yamal – Barcelona 3. Raphinha – Barcelona 4. Vitinha – PSG 5. Achraf Hakimi – PSG

  Neither side could break away in a balanced encounter. Both teams settled for a point after trading goals. 👉 A result that leaves both clubs mid-table.

  Valencia enjoyed a confident home win. Two goals and a clean sheet underlined their growing consistency. 👉 The Mestalla crowd had plenty to celebrate.

  Aston Villa finally scored their first goal of the season, but are still without a win. Matty Cash stunned the Stadium of Light with a powerful long-range effort. Sunderland, reduced to 10 men, battled back to secure a 1–1 draw. 👉 Villa end their goal drought but remain in trouble at the foot of the table.

 It was a hard-fought 0-0 draw between Newcastle and Bournemouth. Newcastle’s away woes continue, still searching for consistency. Bournemouth, meanwhile, keep their impressive form going and now sit in the top three of the table. 👉 Both sides will take the point, though Newcastle fans may be worried about missed opportunities.

  The Nigerian currency market continues to generate conversations as the naira battles volatility against the U.S. dollar. As of today, 21st September 2025, here’s the latest breakdown of exchange rates across different platforms:

 In Spain, Barcelona prepare to face Getafe at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. Coach Hansi Flick has hinted at squad rotation, aiming to keep his players sharp as the season intensifies. Rising star Lamine Yamal remains in the spotlight, with fans already touting him as a strong contender for future Ballon d’Or honors.

  All eyes are on the Premier League today as Arsenal lock horns with Manchester City in what many are calling an early title-decider. Both sides have been in solid form, and this fixture promises fireworks. Fans expect tactical battles between Pep Guardiola’s fluid City side and Arsenal’s high-pressing, youthful squad under Mikel Arteta.

 Crystal Palace defeated West Ham 2-1 in a result that heaps pressure on the Hammers. Palace’s sharp attack and work rate continue to pay off, while West Ham’s struggles show no sign of easing.

  Leeds secured an impressive 3-1 away victory over Wolves, with three different scorers marking their first goals for the club. Wolves, on the other hand, remain bottom of the table with no points after five matches — raising serious concerns about their survival hopes.

 Brighton and Tottenham played out a lively 2-2 draw. Brighton struck early, but Spurs clawed back through Richarlison and a Van Hecke own goal. Both sides created chances, but neither could find the winner. The result leaves Spurs frustrated, while Brighton proved their resilience once again.

  Liverpool continued their flawless start with a 2-1 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby. Hugo Ekitike and Ryan Gravenberch put the Reds ahead before Everton’s late response. Despite pressure, Liverpool held firm, showing why they are already strong title contenders. Mohamed Salah also remains pivotal, scoring yet another crucial goal to secure points in recent matches

 An executive order went into effect September 21 placing restrictions on certain H-1B nonimmigrant workers. It may affect those outside the United States applying for entry, as well as impose additional fees. There is uncertainty over how the policy will be implemented and what exemptions will apply. 

 U.S. President Donald Trump is under scrutiny for potentially using the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk as political leverage. Critics warn this could justify heavy-handed measures against opposition groups. 

  Vice President Kashim Shettima has been directed by President Bola Tinubu to lead Nigeria’s delegation at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York from September 22-28. Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement on September 24, attend the Climate Ambition Summit, a roundtable on housing, plus several bilateral meetings. 

 Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, a prominent figure in the Labour Party, has stated that the party is broken and that only a coalition can secure meaningful change in the 2027 elections. 

  After stating he has no plans to return to BBNaija, explaining that he doesn’t want to “mix with uneducated people.” His comments have sparked plenty of conversation online.

  The wrestling world went wild as Brock Lesnar clashed with John Cena in this year’s Wrestlepalooza. With global streaming access and a stacked match card, it’s shaping up as one of WWE’s most memorable events in recent years

  Legendary music icon 2Baba turned 50, with President Tinubu praising his impact on Nigerian music and culture. From “African Queen” to countless hits, 2Baba’s influence is undeniable.

  Nigerian singer Spyro has announced his engagement, making waves across social media with fans showering him with congratulations.

  Nigeria’s star chef has set another Guinness World Record, cooking a jaw-dropping 8,780 kg of jollof rice in Lagos. Talk about taking jollof supremacy to a whole new level!

 There is talk of Anthony Joshua returning to the ring in early 2026, perhaps in a big fight held in Nigeria. Talks are reportedly positive for a “match made in heaven.” 

will miss a crucial World Cup qualifier against South Africa because of a foot injury, which is a big blow for Nigeria’s. a’s chances.

Traders and importers in Nigeria have reason to smile: the controversial 4% Free-on-Board levy on imported goods has been put on hold.  The government announced the suspension after strong backlash from businesses, many of whom warned that the levy would worsen inflation and cripple small traders.  Authorities now plan to review the levy system. For consumers, this may mean temporary relief from price hikes in the markets.

  Nigeria isn’t just pumping oil—it’s leading the charge to reshape how Africa regulates petroleum. Sixteen countries have joined forces under a new body called AFRIPERF, aiming to harmonize oil regulations across the continent. If successful, this could mean fewer policy clashes, stronger investor confidence, and perhaps more stability in global oil pricing. Nigeria’s leadership here shows how energy politics remain at the center of Africa’s future.

  After six tense months under emergency governance, Rivers State can now exhale. President Bola Tinubu has officially lifted the emergency rule, reinstating Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other suspended officials. For residents, this signals a return to civil leadership and hopefully a step towards stability in the oil-rich region. The big question now is: can Fubara’s government rebuild trust and move quickly to address pressing local issues?

In the U.S., Son Heung-min netted his first hat-trick in Major League Soccer in a big win for LAFC over Real Salt Lake. 

Manchester United has recorded its sixth straight annual loss, though it’s an improvement over the previous year. Predictions for revenue also suggest continued financial pressure ahead. 

In the UK, state pensions are set to rise by about 4.7% in April 2026 as per the “triple-lock” rule, exceeding current inflation levels. Meanwhile, the job market is cooling, and labor costs and supply chain disruptions (for example at auto manufacturers like Jaguar Land Rover) are adding strain. 

President Trump has begun his second state visit to the UK. Full pomp, full protocols, lots of media attention and protests. It’s historic and controversial in equal measure

Following the shocking defeat to Qarabağ, Benfica have sacked their coach Bruno Lage. They are now reportedly in discussions to bring José Mourinho back into the role. The club is under pressure to turn their season around fast, especially in Champions League matches. 

Tottenham got their first points of the 2025-26 Champions League season with a narrow 1-0 home win. The goal was an early own goal from Villarreal just four minutes in. After that, both teams were fairly cautious, and Spurs managed to maintain the lead

Benfica looked good early, going 2-0 up inside the first 16 minutes, with goals by Barrenechea and Pavlidis. But Qarabağ fought back and turned the game around — Leandro Andrade made it 2-1, then Camilo Durán equalized after halftime, and Oleksiy Kashchuk scored four minutes from time to seal a dramatic 3-2 win. 

Real Madrid kicked off their Champions League campaign with a gritty 2-1 win over Olympique de Marseille at home. Even after being reduced to 10 men (Dani Carvajal sent off for head-butting), they held on. Kylian Mbappé was the hero, scoring two penalties, one in each half. 

Nigeria will go against South Africa in a FIFA eSports World Cup qualifier. Only the winners of the group (among many African teams) will qualify for the finals in Saudi Arabia later this year. 

Nigerian sports editors have strongly criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over how the Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign is being managed. They claim poor planning, lack of discipline, and delayed hiring of a permanent coach have all contributed to Nigeria being in a precarious position in the group. 

The United States has approved $32.5 million in humanitarian assistance to help Nigeria address acute food insecurity in conflict-affected areas.  • The aid will cover over 764,000 internally displaced persons, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and many children.  • The situation has been described as “unprecedented” in terms of urgency by the World Food Program. 

Observed September 16, 2025, this year’s World Ozone Day marks the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.  • The observance celebrates successes like the Montreal Protocol, which has helped phase out many ozone-depleting substances.  • The theme emphasizes the need for equality in global environmental responsibility and sustained action. 

Mahmud Muhammad Usman, a key figure in the militant group Ansaru, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by a Nigerian court. The charges include illegal mining and using proceeds to fund terrorist operations.  • He pleaded guilty to one of 32 charges; the rest are still pending.  • His capture and conviction are part of Nigeria’s ongoing fight against extremist groups. 

The Nigerian government has suspended the 4% Free On Board (FOB) levy on imports due to heavy objections from importers, business groups, and other industry stakeholders.  • The levy was seen to risk increasing inflation, raising business costs, and dampening Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.  • The suspension comes amid growing pressure for more fair and efficient revenue systems, especially as oil revenues decline.