Featured, Politics
By Anthony Isibor
THE story of 2025 in Nigeria was ultimately written by persons, who rose through power, performance and popularity and names that faded through failure, tragedy or institutional collapse. Across politics, sports, entertainment and national disasters, the year produced clear winners and unmistakable losers, leaving lasting marks on the country’s collective memory.
In politics, President Bola Tinubu emerged as one of the most resilient winners of the year. Despite widespread public anger over inflation, fuel subsidy removal and far-reaching tax reforms,, his administration survived sustained pressure from labour unions, civil society groups and opposition figures.
Tinubu retained elite political loyalty, pushed through major fiscal restructuring plans and closed the year firmly in control of the federal power. That political survival, in a difficult economic climate, marked a significant win. Close allies such as Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Sani Musa consolidated their influence through appointments, legislative authority and national recognition tied to governance and democratic participation.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan also ended the year as a symbolic winner, earning renewed international recognition for his role in democratic transitions and peace advocacy across Africa.
On the losing side of the political divide were opposition figures who failed to convert popularity into institutional victories. Peter Obi remained highly visible and influential among young Nigerians, but ended 2025 without significant electoral gains, as his party struggled with structure and internal cohesion.
Some opposition parties lost relevance, while reform advocates saw little systemic change. Separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu remained in detention throughout the year, and repeated protests demanding his release yielded no political breakthrough, marking another year of loss for dialogue and reconciliation in the South East. In Rivers State and parts of the Niger Delta, residents paid the price for political instability and renewed militancy, as emergency security measures disrupted economic activities and daily life.
Sports produced some of Nigerian winners in 2025, largely through individual brilliance. Tobi Amusan reinforced her status as a global track star, winning gold medals at international meets in the women’s 100 metres hurdles and remaining among the world’s elite athletes. Ese Brume continued her dominance in the long jump, claiming gold medals at continental competitions.
Wrestlers Odunayo Adekuoroye and Blessing Oborududu delivered gold medals for Nigeria at African and international championships, while weightlifters Rafiatu Lawal and Adijat Olarinoye topped podiums at continental tournaments. In para-sports, Eniola Bolaji and Isau Ogunkunle emerged as global champions, winning gold medals and world titles in para-badminton and table tennis, further elevating Nigeria’s international standing.
In football, Victor Osimhen remained one of Nigeria’s biggest sporting winners, earning international individual honours, maintaining elite status in European football and strengthening Nigeria’s global sporting profile. The Super Falcons crowned their year by winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade and Chiamaka Nnadozie ending the year as continental champions.
However, Nigerian sports also recorded painful losses. The Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup stood out as one of the country’s biggest sporting disappointments of 2025, costing Nigeria global visibility, commercial revenue and national pride. The Nigeria Football Federation emerged as a major institutional loser, facing renewed criticism over administration and planning, while basketball and youth football teams returned from major tournaments without medals.
Entertainment remained one of Nigeria’s strongest winning fronts, driven by global success in music. Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido dominated the year as Nigeria’s most powerful cultural exports. Burna Boy extended his reign as Africa’s most visible global performer, winning major international and African music awards, headlining sold-out tours across Europe and North America, and remaining one of the most streamed African artists worldwide. Wizkid also ended 2025 as a major winner, earning international music honours, breaking streaming milestones and selling out global venues, while continuing to shape the sound and direction of global Afrobeats culture. Davido recorded one of his strongest years, collecting multiple African and international music awards, dominating festival stages and expanding his global touring footprint. Together, Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido remained Nigeria’s most influential soft-power ambassadors, turning music into global currency.
They were joined by other entertainment winners. Ayra Starr emerged as one of the year’s biggest breakout stars, winning Best Female and International Act awards. Rema continued his global ascent with international music awards and chart milestones, while Tems secured major global songwriting and performance honours. Asake also won multiple African music awards, confirming his commercial and cultural impact. In television, Big Brother Naija winner Imisi transformed reality TV victory into endorsements, wealth and national recognition.
Still, the entertainment industry also produced losers. Singer Portable’s repeated legal troubles and arrests affected his brand and cost him endorsement opportunities, while other entertainers and influencers lost deals following scandals and reckless public behaviour, highlighting the volatility of fame in the digital era.
The deepest losses of 2025 were measured in lives. Prominent Nigerian politicians who died included Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Shuaibu Babas, Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, and Muhammadu Buhari, whose passing denied the nation decades of political experience and national leadership. In sports, Nigeria mourned boxing legend Obisia Nwakpa, former Super Eagles goalkeepers Moses Effiong, Peter Rufai, and Charles Bassey, wrestler Amos Adekunle Ojo, and footballer Christian Chukwu. Entertainment losses included Kayode Peters, Allwell Ademola, Bolaji Olanrewaju (“Big Bolaji”), Anike Agbaje-Williams, Nkechi Nweje, and Adetola Samad (“Sanku”), whose deaths left voids in Nollywood, music, comedy and broadcasting.
Mass tragedies compounded the human loss. The Suleja fuel tanker explosion killed more than 100 people, flooding in Mokwa, Niger State, claimed hundreds of lives and terrorists attacks in the North-East, including mosque bombings in Maiduguri that killed scores of civilians. Road accidents across the country claimed lives, including commuters, journalists and families, highlighting systemic safety failures.
By the end of 2025, the winners were unmistakable: political leaders who retained power, athletes who turned talent into gold, and musicians whose art became global influence. The losers included opposition politicians without structure, institutions weakened by mismanagement and citizens, who perished in preventable disasters. Ultimately, 2025 reinforced a stark truth: Nigeria continues to celebrate individual excellence, while paying a heavy price for systemic failure and collective neglect.
A.I
Jan. 4, 2025
Tags: Anthony Isibor Asisat Oshoala Chiamaka Nnadozie Eniola Bolaji Former President Goodluck Jonathan President Bola Tinubu Rasheedat Ajibade Victor Osimhen
