Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen’s resilience shone through on Thursday as Nigeria defeated Gabon 4-1 in extra time to secure a place in Sunday’s playoff final against DR Congo.

The Super Eagles looked dominant in patches, but late in the match, Osimhen missed a clear goal-scoring opportunity that could have sealed the win for the Super Eagles without having to proceed to extra time. Despite the miss, the Galatasaray striker remained composed and determined. Speaking to journalists after the match, Osimhen reflected on the missed chance.

“I am a striker, sometimes I score the goal no one believes, and sometimes I lose the ones people think I am going to score.”

He continued, “I have the mentality that it does not matter what kind of opportunities I lose, so long the game is still on, I will try to correct it.”

“Just like I told my teammates, I told them I am sorry and I told them I am going to correct it in the extra time and I am happy I did it,” Osimhen added, highlighting his determination to make amends.

True to his words, Osimhen scored twice in extra time to help secure Nigeria’s win.

The other goals came from Sevilla duo Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke, completing a dominant display by the Super Eagles.

With this victory, Nigeria now sets its sights on DR Congo in Sunday’s playoff final, keeping their 2026 World Cup hopes alive.

In a major relief for Nigerian retirees, the Federal Government, through the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD, has disbursed N3.9 billion in arrears to 91,146 eligible pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, DBS. The payment comes as part of the N32,000 pension increment approved by President Bola Tinubu, providing long-awaited relief to thousands of retired workers across the country. The arrears were paid across multiple pension departments, including Parastatals, Civil Service, Police, Customs, Immigration and Prisons.

This move signals the Federal Government’s commitment to clearing outstanding pension obligations and improving retirees’ welfare.

The breakdown of payments includes N1.9 billion to 59,865 pensioners under the Parastatals Pension Department, N830 million to 12,976 Civil Service pensioners, N620 million to 9,689 Police pensioners, and N551 million to 8,616 pensioners under Customs, Immigration, and Prisons.

In a statement, head of PTAD’s Corporate Communications, Olugbenga Ajayi, quoted PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, as emphasising the Federal Government’s dedication to settling arrears.

She said, “The completion of this payment is a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to improving pensioners’ welfare under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We remain focused on ensuring timely and consistent payment of pensions across all departments.” Odunaiya further stressed that the payments reflect efforts to bring dignity and financial security to retirees who have patiently awaited their entitlements.

She added, “Our pensioners deserve timely payment, and we are working to ensure no eligible beneficiary is left behind. This is part of our ongoing strategy to eliminate arrears and enhance transparency in pension administration.” While reassuring that the agency would continue to monitor payments and ensure that all eligible pensioners receive their arrears promptly, the Executive Secretary added, “This payment is a significant step forward. But we remain committed to maintaining a system that guarantees consistent support for retirees nationwide.”

The Nigerian naira traded at an official Daily Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) fixing of about ₦1,441.33 to the US dollar on Friday, November 14, 2025, the same level recorded at the start of the day.

On the parallel (cash) market, dealers quoted the dollar at roughly ₦1,460 (sell) and around ₦1,450 (buy) in major cities — a premium of roughly ₦18–₦28 above the NFEM fixing depending on the quote and time of day. Black-market trackers showed averages near ₦1,455–₦1,460 on November 13–14. Why the spread persists
The gap between the official NFEM fixing and parallel-market quotes has remained a feature of the market this week as cash demand in informal channels and short-term importer hedging keep parallel rates richer than the official fixing. Analysts say the split reflects ongoing demand pressure outside formal windows even as liquidity in official channels appears steadier. 

What moved markets
Traders pointed to a mix of factors shaping the naira: liquidity injections and FX sales by authorities that support the NFEM fixing; softer global oil prices and dollar dynamics that influence FX flows; and domestic monetary policy easing earlier in the autumn that has altered yields and portfolio flows. The Central Bank’s recent policy moves and occasional FX interventions have helped cap large swings in the official fixing.

Market outlook
With the official NFEM fixing near ₦1,441 and parallel quotes near ₦1,455–₦1,460, market participants said the near-term outlook will hinge on (1) CBN FX liquidity and any further dollar sales into the market, (2) flows from oil receipts and foreign portfolio activity, and (3) demand from importers and corporate hedging. Any sizable change in global oil prices or a fresh policy move from the CBN could narrow or widen the current premium between the two windows.