NewStats: 3,265,545 , 8,187,161 topics. Date: Sunday, 15 June 2025 at 05:08 PM 165i2a

Nigeria to begin export of locally made military equipment - Minister

Africa’s top military powers for 2025 have been unveiled, with Egypt maintaining its dominance, while Nigeria climbs to the third position in the latest Global Firepower Index.

The annual ranking, released by Global Firepower and cited by Business Insider Africa, assesses military strength using over 60 indicators including troop size, defence budget, equipment capabilities, and geographical positioning.

Egypt retains its title as Africa’s strongest military force, despite dropping slightly on the global scale from 15th to 19th.

Algeria follows closely as second in Africa and 26th globally. Nigeria, now ranked third in Africa and 31st globally, has made one of the most notable jumps—up from 4th place on the continent and 39th worldwide last year.

The updated list reflects shifting regional dynamics, with Nigeria’s improved ranking attributed to increased investment in defence, counter-terrorism efforts, and expanding military partnerships.

Africa’s Top 10 Military Powers in 2025:

1. Egypt– Global Rank: 19th | PowerIndex Score: 0.34

2. Algeria –Global Rank: 26th | PowerIndex Score: 0.35

3. Nigeria – Global Rank: 31st | PowerIndex Score: 0.57

4. South Africa – Global Rank: 40th | PowerIndex Score: 0.68

5. Ethiopia – Global Rank: 52nd | PowerIndex Score: 0.93

6. Angola– Global Rank: 56th | PowerIndex Score: 1.09

7. Morocco – Global Rank: 59th | PowerIndex Score:* 1.12

8. Democratic Republic of Congo – Global Rank: 66th | PowerIndex Score: 1.30

9. Libya -Global Rank: 76th | PowerIndex Score: 1.44

10. Sudan – Global Rank: 73rd | PowerIndex Score: 1.47

Experts say the rankings show both strategic advancement and regional instability. Countries like Nigeria and Algeria have focused heavily on modernising equipment and enhancing internal security amid growing threats from insurgent groups. Meanwhile, South Africa, previously ranked 3rd in Africa, has slipped to 4th, reflecting ongoing budgetary and logistical constraints.

Ethiopia, Angola, and Morocco round out the top five, each maintaining robust ground forces, although they trail behind in aerial and naval capabilities compared to North African giants.

The index also sheds light on the continent’s widening military gap with major global powers, despite signs of progress. Africa’s top militaries remain significantly behind global leaders in of advanced technology, power projection, and defence industry output.

Nonetheless, the rankings indicate a steady build-up of conventional military capabilities in Africa, with several countries now playing prominent roles in regional peacekeeping and anti-terror operations.

The Global Firepower Index remains one of the most comprehensive annual assessments of military strength worldwide, tracking over 145 countries.

https://guardian.ng/news/full-list-top-10-africas-strongest-country-by-military-strength/

Nlfpmod

The Federal Capital Territory istration is set to build a new headquarters for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The new facility is to be situated in the Maitama district of the nation’s capital.

Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant on public communications to Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), told TheCable on Saturday that President Bola Tinubu will flag off the construction of the new INEC headquarters next week.

In May, Wike said Tinubu would inaugurate completed projects and flag off the construction of new ones in the FCT to mark his second anniversary in office.

The projects being executed by the FCTA include the newly renovated Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC), bus terminals in Kugbo and Mabushi, and the Apo-Wassa Road.

Other projects are the N16 interchange and roads connecting Maitama through Katampe to Jahi; the inner northern expressway from Ring Road 3 (Idu to Kubwa road), CN8 from N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) to the court of appeal, the N20 flyover on onnex Kubwa road; and the Life Camp junction to Ring Road III.

They also include the Kabusa-Takushara Access road, Kabusa-Ketti Access Road, an access road in Giri District, a 15km road from A2 Junction Abuja-Lokoja Road to Pai in Kwali Area Council, and roads in Ushafa, War College, and the army checkpoint in Bwari area council.

https://www.thecable.ng/fcta-to-build-new-inec-hq-in-abuja/

Nlfpmod

She said the house has not been seized yet as there’s now an appeal lodged in the court.

by Kabir Yusuf


Abigail Katung, the wife of Nigerian senator Sunday Katung, said she has appealed a High Court judgement granting forfeiture of her house to the UK National Crime Agency (NCA).

TIMES exclusively reported how the NCA, the UK’s law enforcement agency responsible for tackling organised crime and drug trafficking, won a High Court battle with Mrs Katung over the rights to the house located at Sandmoor Drive in Alwoodley, Leeds.

The NCA accepted title to the house in 2020, as part of a £10 million civil recovery agreement with a businessman suspected of money laundering offences.

Mrs Katung filed an interest claim in the house because she had entered into an agreement with the previous owner to purchase the house in 2015. She paid him £400,000 of the contracted £1,000,000 purchase price.

Court documents revealed that the majority of funds used for Mrs Katung’s deposit were transferred from Nigeria to the UK via the Bureau De Change operation she described as a “parallel” or “black” market.

In his ruling, Justice Jay of the UK High Court noted there were “telling omissions” from her evidence, and the court was “not satisfied that she was a particularly reliable witness”.

Mrs Katung did not provide an “adequate, documented explanation” of the transaction. Therefore, the judge ruled that she was “conducting a business in foreign exchange transactions to circumvent Nigerian foreign exchange regulations and/or to avoid a punitive exchange rate.”

The High Court also ruled that Mrs Katung had no legitimate interest or right to the property, which will be vested in and transferred to the NCA.

The judge said, “No credit falls to be given for the value of the deposit payments made by Mrs Katung.”

The NCA will be entitled to damages for Mrs Katung’s use and occupation of the house since 2020, as well as to its costs.

Reacting to the judgement, the Punch newspaper reported Mrs Katung as saying, “The house has not been seized yet as there’s now an appeal lodged in the court. There is no point in disguising my upset at the of the judgment. I need to make two things clear.

“First, I intend to appeal on both the facts and the law. Particularly, the judgment reflects neither my consistent nor the documentation I provided. Because it is plainly not appropriate for me to comment on the details of the appeal, which will be considered by a higher court in due course, that is all I can sensibly say for now.”

Mrs Katung added that she had made “full disclosure” of the ruling to the Leeds City Council prior to it becoming public knowledge, adding: “Whilst this is dreadfully upsetting to me and my family, I have not sought to hide away,” Mrs Katung said.

Meanwhile, Head of Asset Denial at the NCA, Rob Burgess, said the NCA uses both civil and criminal powers to investigate the provenance of assets in the UK believed to have been acquired using the proceeds of crime.

“The court’s finding here will allow us to fully recover a property we accepted title to in 2020, ensuring that a substantial sum can be returned to the public purse.”

Mrs Katung became Leeds’ first lord mayor of African descent when she took over the ceremonial role for a 12-month term in May 2024.

She has lived in the city since she came to the UK to study at the University of Leeds in 2000 and has represented the Little London and Woodhouse ward since being elected in 2019.

A spokesperson for the Labour Party told BBC that an internal investigation into Mrs Katung was taking place.

We are currently examining the High Court judgement and are unable to comment further at this time,” a Leeds City Council spokesperson told the BBC.

On Wednesday, Mr Katung defended his family against any wrongdoing.

A statement signed by the senator’s spokesperson, Midat Joseph, said, “For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung and his Wife, Abigail Katung have always conducted their affairs lawfully and transparently, and will pursue all necessary legal action to correct this defamatory narrative.”

https://www.timesng.com/news/headlines/800825-wife-of-nigerian-senator-says-shes-appealed-house-seizure-in-uk.html

By : Joke Falaju,




11 year old Kuku Hamidah Anjolaoluwa earned recognition as the youngest female horse rider as she rode her way into the hearts of thousands at the Ojude Oba 2025 grand cultural parade.

Representing the prestigious Kuku Royal Family, Hamidah made a stunning return for her second official appearance at the annual celebration, and this year, she delivered a performance that wowed the crowd and drew iration from all corners of the festival ground.

Hamidah began horse riding at the tender age of 6, trained diligently by her father, a seasoned horseman and cultural custodian who saw not just potential in his daughter but purpose. She had appeared alongside him for years, quietly learning the ropes and earning respect behind the scenes. But it was in 2024 that everything changed.

That year, Hamidah stepped into the spotlight solo, commanding attention with a rare blend of poise, confidence, and elegance that stunned even the elders. Her performance instantly made her a standout — and the youngest female rider to ever shine in the historic parade.

“Ojude Oba is more than a festival to me. “It’s a celebration of our heritage and unity,” Hamidah shared. “Riding symbolises strength and courage. It reminds me that being a young woman doesn’t limit me — I ride to represent tradition and progress.”

In a heartwarming twist, her 2025 appearance came with extra meaning: Hamidah was ed by her 6-year-old younger brother, marking his debut ride and adding another layer of legacy and family pride to the moment.

“Before the festival, I remind myself who I am, who I represent, and why I ride,” she said.

Her father, proud and emotional, added, “This isn’t just about riding horses. It’s about raising children who understand the richness of where they come from and are proud to represent it.”

The crowd’s reaction said it all – cheers, applause, and phones lifted in the air capturing the moment a young girl, trained by her father, rode with the spirit of royalty and inspired a new generation.

Kuku Hamidah’s story is more than just a festival highlight. It’s a powerful reminder that the future of tradition is already in motion — galloping forward with pride, purpose, and possibility.

https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/11year-old-female-horse-rider-steals-the-show-at-2025-ojude-oba-festival/

by Samuel Akpan


On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours on 66 Nigerians in recognition of their service to the nation.

Among the recipients announced by the president, as he addressed a t session of the senate and house of representatives, was Labaran Maku, a former minister of information.

Maku was conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) — 11 years after he received a higher award of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

In 2014, under former President Goodluck Jonathan, Maku was conferred with CON, which ranks above OON in the national honours pecking order.

The CON is typically reserved for senior public servants, ministers, governors, and other high-ranking figures, while the OON is a tier below.

The CON ranks above the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), which itself precedes the OON.

Over 48 hours later, the presidency is yet to comment on the apparent downgrade in Maku’s national honour.

The presidency also wrongly included Reuben Fasoranti and Edwin Madunagu among the posthumous awardees of national honours — but later apologised for the error.

In the past, speakers of the house of representatives were typically honoured with the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), which ranks just below the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).

However, in October 2024, the house of representatives rejected the CFR honour proposed for Tajudeen Abbas, its speaker, after the federal government announced plans that Tinubu would confer it on him.

On Thursday, bowing to pressure from the house, Tinubu upgraded the recognition and decorated Abbas and Senate President Godswill Akpabio with the GCON — the second-highest national honour.


WHO IS MAKU?

Maku served as minister of information between 2010 and 2014, first under ex-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later under Goodluck Jonathan.

In 2015, Maku defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) after losing the PDP ticket for the Nasarawa governorship poll.

He ran for governor on the APGA platform in 2015 and 2019 but lost both elections.

https://www.thecable.ng/spotted-tinubu-awards-labaran-maku-oon-11-years-after-he-received-higher-con/

by Samuel Akpan


Since May 29, 2023, when President Bola Tinubu stepped into office, his name has been etched onto at least seven public facilities.

From a bustling highway to a humming airport and barracks, Tinubu’s name is being woven into the fabric of the nation’s public space.

This wave of renamings has sparked debate over the symbolism and intent behind the decisions.

In January, the Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), a public procurement advocacy group, faulted the naming of public institutions after a sitting president.

NEFGAD described the act as “extreme sycophancy, unethical, and questionable practice”.

Here are seven notable places that have been plastered with the president’s name two years after he came into office.


BOLA AHMED TINUBU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,  MINNA

On March 10, 2024, Umar Bago, governor of Niger, renamed the Abubakar Imam International Airport in Minna, the state capital, after Tinubu.

The state government attributed the change to the president’s for Niger state.

The federal government had, in 2023, directed the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to rename 15 federal airports after notable Nigerians, including former president Muhammadu Buhari.

In 2023, Minna airport was named after Abubakar Imam, a Nigerian writer and journalist from Niger state, who pioneered the first Hausa-language newspaper in northern Nigeria. Less than a year after, the airport was renamed after Tinubu.


BOLA AHMED TINUBU WAY, ABUJA

On May 28, 2024, Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), named the Abuja Southern Parkway after Tinubu, following its completion.

The road stretches from the Christian Centre to Ring Road One and is considered one of the city’s major spines, complementing the northern parkway, the major arterial known as Sani Abacha road that runs across Mabushi and terminates at Life Camp.


BOLA TINUBU BUILDING, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

On May 29, 2024, the national assembly management named its library after Tinubu.

The construction of the library started during the 9th assembly under the chairmanship of Ahmed Lawan, then-senate president and Femi Gbajabiamila, former speaker of the house of representatives.

The library was almost at the completion stage before the 9th assembly ended its tenure in June 2023.

It was completed by the 10th assembly and inaugurated by Tinubu after it was renamed after him.


BOLA AHMED TINUBU TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION COMPLEX (BATTIC)

On December 10, 2024, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) christened its command and control centre as Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC).

“BATTIC is more than just a building. It is a leap forward, a bold step in modernising our immigration infrastructure, and a powerful tool in our ongoing efforts to safeguard the nation’s borders, manage migration effectively, and enhance national security,” Kemi Nanna Nandap, NIS comptroller-general, said while renaming the facility.


BOLA AHMED TINUBU POLYTECHNIC, GWARINPA

On January 16, 2025, the federal government approved the establishment of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Polytechnic, Gwarinpa, Abuja.

The federal government said the polytechnic will promote technological, vocational and entrepreneurial training in line with the national policy on education.


BOLA AHMED TINUBU BARRACKS, ASOKORO

On January 23, 2025, a newly built army barracks in Asokoro, Abuja, was named after Tinubu.

The barracks comprises 16 major-general quarters, 34 brigadier-general quarters, 60 major-colonel flats and 60 lieutenant-captain flats.

It also includes 180 senior non-commissioned officer flats, 264 flats for personnel on the rank of corporal and below, worship centres, sports facilities and a powerhouse.

Olufemi Oluyede, chief of army staff (COAS), said the barracks was named after Tinubu to “give honour to whom honour is due”.


TINUBU INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, ABUJA

On June 10, 2025, Wike renamed the renovated Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC) after Tinubu.

Constructed in 1991 during the Ibrahim Babangida regime, the AICC has been a key venue for official government events, global conferences, trade exhibitions, and corporate gatherings.

The minister also named halls within the AICC after Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

https://www.thecable.ng/at-a-glance-seven-places-named-after-tinubu-since-he-became-president/

Ogun police probe assault of female student over alleged boyfriend snatching

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that it has launched an investigation into the assault of a female student at the Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, following a viral video showing a group of female students physically attacking their colleague over allegations of boyfriend snatching.

In the footage widely circulated on social media on Wednesday, the victim was seen being flogged with long, thick canes by a group of girls, while others recorded the assault.

The attackers ignored pleas from bystanders and continued the beating, leaving the victim with visible injuries on her back and head. One of the assailants, identified only as Lolade, dismissed calls to stop, stating the assault was deliberate and intended as a warning.

In the video, the students also claimed their actions were sanctioned by their mothers and that they were not concerned about the consequences or any report made to school authorities or law enforcement.

Following public outrage, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed via its official X (formerly Twitter) that the matter is under active investigation. The command stated that the Divisional Police Officer of Igbesa has taken charge of the case.

“The Ogun State Police Command is on top of the situation, and the DPO Igbesa has taken charge of the case,” the statement read.

The police have not yet confirmed the identities of all those involved in the assault or whether any arrests have been made. Efforts are ongoing to locate and question the individuals seen in the video, as well as to gather statements from witnesses and the victim.

Authorities assured the public that justice would be served and warned that acts of jungle justice and public assault would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/ogun-police-probe-assault-of-female-student-over-alleged-boyfriend-snatching/

By Leadership News


Key petroleum products marketers in Nigeria have reportedly struck a deal with notable global gasoline suppliers to bring in products that are far more cheaper than what is presently available at retail outlets.

LEADERSHIP reports that the deal will lead to selling Motor Spirit (PMS) also called petrol at about N700 per litre.

An impeccable source close to the deal confirmed to our correspondent that the landing cost would be at about N650 per liter. Petrol retailer associations are jolted with the deal and are positioning their businesses to thrive with alternative sourcing of products.

National president of Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, while speaking on alternative products sourcing said, marketers are keen to make procurement of products from the international market. He said, this has become a surviving situation for them as Dangote refinery price fluctuations have crumbled their business.

“We want predictive market information that allows marketers to plan and project investment. We are currently indebted to banks because we buy products and before it gets to our retail outlets the price has changed and we incur losses.

“So we want refineries to work and give us supply, then we import when their products are high and then depot owners will keep their depot open and marketers will have open market operations,” he said.

He warned that, if the situation is not well managed, queues will return. This, he said, is because most marketers cannot buy products after incurring losses.

“I have an allocation as of today but I cannot buy it because I don’t have the money. The ones procured from Dangote refinery is becoming bad business because we buy at a particular rate and suddenly before we exhaust the products the refinery would crash the price.

“We are gradually being forced out of the market, so we are engaging our foreign partners to bring products that are more affordable,” he said.

Gillis-Harry expressed fears of possible scarcity of diesel on the information that Aradel refinery is not producing at the moment. Aradel Holdings Plc operates an 11,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery at its Ogbele asset.

This refinery produces a variety of refined products including Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Marine Diesel Oil (MDO), and Naphtha. Aradel also plans to expand into Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Motor Spirit production.

The refinery’s capacity has been a key factor in Aradel’s growth, with increased refined volumes and a rise in revenue. In 2022, the refinery business ed for 77 per cent of Aradel’s revenues, with a significant increase in refined volumes sold.

However, a source in Aradel denied the information saying, the refinery is producing within its nameplate of about 11,000 barrels a day.

Meanwhile, President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has reiterated his longstanding position that Africa’s continued dependence on imported goods is unsustainable and hinders economic sovereignty.

“As long as we continue importing what we can produce, we will remain underdeveloped,” Dangote said. “This refinery is proof that we can build for ourselves at scale, to global standards.”

Dangote, said this during a high-level visit to the state-of-the-art 650,000 barrels-per-day facility, by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray. He said the Refinery is fully equipped to meet the petroleum needs of Nigeria and the entire West African region, countering claims that the facility would not produce enough for local and regional demand.

“There have been many claims suggesting that we don’t even produce enough to meet Nigeria’s needs, so how could we possibly supply other West African countries? But now, they are here to see the reality for themselves and, more importantly, to encourage other nations to embark on similarly large-scale industrial projects,” he said.

Noting that Africa will benefit greatly by encouraging trade among its countries, especially, through value addition to the continent’s abundant resources, Dangote stressed how the refinery has helped Nigeria to bring down the cost of refined products and production costs across many sectors of the economy.

“Last year, when we began diesel production, we were able to reduce the price from N1,700 to N1,100 at a go, and as of today, the price has crashed further. This reduction has made a significant impact across various sectors. It has ed industries, benefited those of us in mining, and provided vital relief to the agricultural sector. The effect has been far-reaching,” he said.

He also noted that Nigerians are benefiting from local refining as the price of petrol has dropped significantly compared to neighbouring countries.

“In neighbouring countries, the average price of petrol is around $1 per litre, which is N1,600. But here at our refinery, we’re selling at between N815 and N820. Many Nigerians don’t realise that they are currently paying just 55 per cent of what others in the region are paying for petrol. We also have a much larger initiative in the pipeline, something we’ve not yet announced but Nigerians should know that this refinery is built for them, and they will enjoy the maximum benefit from it,” he said.

He emphasised that, this price reduction is a direct result of local refining, which continues to improve fuel affordability while enhancing energy security and reducing dependence on imports.

Touray declared the refinery a beacon of hope for Africa’s future, and a clear demonstration of what the private sector can achieve in the drive for regional industrialisation.

https://leadership.ng/marketers-engage-global-suppliers-to-crash-petrol-price-to-n700-litre/

Off-grid and self-generated electricity in Lagos State has sured Nigeria’s entire grid-connected capacity, a new report by the Africa Finance Corporation has revealed, raising concerns over the growing energy access crisis in the country.

It also stated that if current trends persist, the number of Africans without electricity access could stay unchanged between now and 2030.

The report, titled ‘State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report 2025’, and obtained by our correspondent on Monday, noted that the continent is trapped in an energy bottleneck, with more Africans at risk of remaining without electricity by the end of the decade unless urgent action is taken.

The latest development, however, contradicts plans by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and other partners to connect 300 million people to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. Both institutions have committed to spending $40bn to accelerate development and reduce poverty on the continent.

The programme aims to combine grid expansion, off-grid solutions, and policy reforms to bridge Africa’s growing energy divide.

But the AFC in its report said the goal may not be achieved, as a significant portion of power generation in Africa’s biggest economies, Nigeria and South Africa, now happens outside the national grids, through off-grid, embedded, and captive systems.

The report read, “A growing share of generation is now occurring outside the grid, through off-grid, embedded and captive power systems, particularly in Africa’s largest economies, Nigeria and South Africa.

“These developments reflect not only market innovation but also the continued inability of centralised systems to meet rising urban and industrial demand. In Nigeria, unreliable public supply has pushed millions of households and firms to rely on petrol and diesel generators.”

It asserted that in Lagos alone, off-grid capacity is estimated at more than 19 gigawatts, higher than the total national grid output, which struggles to deliver 4 to 5 gigawatts consistently.

“Recent spatial data studies by SEforALL suggest that off-grid generation capacity in Lagos State alone could exceed 19GW, suring Nigeria’s entire grid-connected generation capacity.

“Captive generation is especially widespread among industrial and commercial s, with large enterprises investing in dedicated diesel and gas-fired power plants. This reflects not only market innovation but also the continued inability of centralised systems to meet rising urban and industrial demand,” the report added.

Across Nigeria, erratic public supply has forced millions of homes and businesses to rely on small petrol and diesel generators. Among large industrial and commercial s, captive generation, where companies build their own diesel or gas power plants, has become widespread.

The AFC said the trend is not limited to Nigeria. In South Africa, a 2022 policy shift that removed licensing requirements for embedded power generation triggered a boom. By the end of 2023, ed capacity jumped from just 23 megawatts in 2019 to 4.5GW, driven mainly by private sector investment. In 2024 alone, over 1GW of private solar capacity was added.

Despite the scale of these developments, official statistics fail to capture the full extent. While solar rooftops attract global attention, thermal generation, which s for a large chunk of industrial self-generation, is often ignored.

Captive plants serving mines, cement factories, or industrial estates can range between 20MW and 200MW per site. The report warns that while the proliferation of off-grid power may appear like progress, it is a symptom of deeper systemic failure.

“Estimates from local industry groups suggest that more than 1GW of private solar capacity was added in 2024 alone. Despite their scale and significance, these trends remain poorly captured in official statistics. Global data often focuses on off-grid renewables, largely solar rooftops, while thermal generation, a large component of industrial self-generation, is rarely tracked.

“Yet thermal installations matter: captive plants serving mines, cement factories, or industrial parks can range from 20MW to 200MW or more per site, representing substantial capacity additions. Importantly, the rise of off-grid and captive power underscores a deeper systemic failure. Going off-grid is not always the low-cost solution, it is a last resort.

“A 2019 study by the Energy for Growth Hub found that, once reliability is factored in, self-generated power costs roughly twice as much as grid electricity in Nigeria and South Africa, and up to four times more in Ethiopia. These high costs erode industrial competitiveness and highlight the economic penalty of inadequate grid investment,” it stated.

It noted that rather than an ideal outcome, the boom in self-generation should be viewed as a market signal, a clear indication of suppressed demand, investment potential, and the urgency of expanding reliable grid access.

“Going off-grid is not always a low-cost solution, it is often a last resort,” the report noted. These high costs erode industrial competitiveness and underscore the economic penalty of underinvesting in grid infrastructure.

“To correct course, Africa can tap into the world’s most underutilized energy resource base. The continent is home to the largest untapped hydropower potential, the largest conventional geothermal reserves, and receives some of the highest solar irradiation globally.

“The pipeline of planned generation projects reflect this potential and is evolving towards a greater mix of renewables and gas. But these resources remain largely stranded due to weak infrastructure and limited investment, turning abundance into constraint.”

The report also warned that Africa’s sluggish energy growth is fast becoming a threat to the continent’s development ambitions.

Between 2013 and 2023, electricity generation across the continent grew by less than 2 per cent annually, far below population growth (2.42 per cent) and economic growth (3 per cent).

For the first time in two decades, per capita electricity consumption is declining, a signal of crisis, not just in access but in the capacity to scale. Comparatively, other regions have made significant progress: the Middle East and Asia-Pacific posted annual electricity generation growth of 3.8 per cent and 4.5 per cent, respectively, during the same period.

In 2024, Africa added just 6.5GW of utility-scale power, a third of India’s 18GW renewable additions, and far behind the 48.6GW added by the United States.

“Africa’s electricity generation is expanding, but not at the pace required to meet the continent’s rising demand. The energy shortfall is the single biggest constraint on economic transformation and the continent’s most underappreciated investment opportunity,” the report stated.

Despite being home to the world’s most abundant untapped energy resources, from hydropower and geothermal to solar, these assets remain largely stranded due to weak infrastructure and underinvestment.

Without a dramatic scale-up, experts warn, the region risks becoming trapped in a “low-energy equilibrium”, a state where electricity access figures appear to improve, but the volume and reliability of supply remain too poor to meaningful growth.

Yet, the Africa Finance Corporation report warns that without decisive investment in large-scale, affordable and reliable grid infrastructure, such efforts may only provide temporary relief.

“Taken together, these trends suggest that Africa is not merely experiencing a stagnation in electricity access but a deterioration in meaningful energy consumption. While connection figures have improved in some markets, the volume and reliability of supply remain insufficient to a sustained structural transformation.

“Without a significant increase in investment, both in generation and in ing infrastructure, the region risks entrenching a low-energy equilibrium

that could undermine future growth and development. If current trends persist, the number of Africans without electricity access could stay unchanged between now and 2030,” it stated.

As power demand continues to rise alongside urbanisation and industrialisation, the choice before African leaders is now stark: either scale up or fall behind.

https://punchng.com/lagos-alternative-power-boom-exceeds-national-grid-capacity-report/?amp

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has said the Dangote Petroleum Refinery should sell Motor Spirit (petrol) below the current N825 per litre price being sold by the Lekki-based plant.

IPMAN Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Udadike, in an interview with our correspondent, stated that the refinery had the necessary enabling factors to sell petrol below its current ex-depot price.

Ukadike was reacting to a comment by the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, that the refinery contributed to the consistent drop in fuel prices to a level that Nigerians pay about 55 per cent of what other West African citizens pay for petrol.

Also recently, Dangote told ECOWAS officials and President Bola Tinubu that the naira-for-crude policy of the Federal Government had positively impacted the pricing of refined petroleum products.

Though Ukadike agreed that the current petrol price was cheaper than what other West African states paid, he said the product should be far cheaper in Nigeria, selling for about N750.

According to him, many of these West African countries do not produce crude oil, nor do they have refineries that process crude in local currencies.

“I agree that petrol is cheaper in Nigeria than in other West African countries. Notwithstanding, those African countries Dangote was comparing us with are not crude oil-producing countries.

“We’re a crude oil-producing state. PMS should be far lower as the President has also decided to give him crude in naira. So, most of the foreign exchange brouhaha and the exchange costs (are no more there), we should also enjoy it as Nigerians,” he said.

Ukadike said what Dangote had conquered for Nigerians was the issue of fuel scarcity, which used to cause queues at filling stations. He called on the Federal Government to strengthen the naira to make fuel more affordable.

“What I believe he (Dangote) has conquered for Nigerians is availability. On price, we’ll still get there. Once the government works very hard to ensure that the rate of naira to the dollar is reduced and the strength of our naira is stable, you’ll find out that the price will go down. This is another factor that determines the price of petroleum products,” he noted.

Asked if he meant that Dangote’s petrol was not cheap enough, he replied, “Well, I’m not saying it’s cheap enough in line with the facilities, amenities and the enabling environment that have been given to him.

“For me, I don’t feel it’s cheap. I think the petrol will go as low as around N770. That’s my own permutation. I’m not an expert in oil refining. But with what I have gathered — the refinery production costs and the landing at the depot cost — petrol should not be more than N780, N750, in line with the dollar rate.

“So, if the Federal Government can ensure that we continue to strengthen the naira, I believe that the price of petroleum products will go down further. What is keeping it up now is the exchange rate,” he posited.

The independent marketer predicted that if the naira appreciated to N1,100 against the dollar, petrol should be sold below N750 per litre.

“I don’t know how much the dollar will go down, so I cannot forecast. The dollar is around N1,600 now. So, if the dollar can come down to N1,200, I want to tell you that the price of PMS at the pumps will go below N750,” he added.

Speaking to ECOWAS leaders last week, Dangote said most Nigerians were unaware that they were paying 55 per cent of what other West African countries pay for petrol.

Dangote said his refinery had aided the reduction of fuel prices by selling petrol between N815 and N820 per litre.

The billionaire businessman stated this during a visit to the 650,000 barrels-per-day facility by the President of the Economic Community of West African States Commission, Dr Omar Touray, and his team.

Noting that Africa would benefit greatly by encouraging trade among its countries, Dangote explained how the refinery has helped Nigeria to bring down the cost of refined products and production costs across many sectors of the economy.

“Last year, when we began diesel production, we were able to reduce the price from N1,700 to N1,100 at a go, and as of today, the price has crashed further. This reduction has made a significant impact across various sectors. It has ed industries, benefited those of us in mining, and provided vital relief to the agricultural sector. The effect has been far-reaching,” he said.

He also emphasised that Nigerians were benefiting from local refining as the price of petrol had dropped significantly compared to neighbouring countries.

“In neighbouring countries, the average price of petrol is around $1 per litre, which is N1,600. But here at our refinery, we’re selling at between N815 and N820. Many Nigerians don’t realise that they are currently paying just 55 per cent of what others in the region are paying for petrol,” he noted.

During Tinubu’s visit to the refinery on Thursday, Dangote reiterated that the naira-for-crude deal assisted him in cutting petrol prices consistently. However, a recent report by S&P Global stated that the refinery’s fuel prices were high compared to the drop in crude prices.

The spokesperson of the refinery, Tony Chiejina, had yet to react to the remarks of IPMAN as of the time this report was filed.

https://punchng.com/dangote-refinery-should-sell-petrol-below-n800-litre-marketers/?amp

Thirty-four embassies in Abuja risk being closed down by the Federal Capital Territory istration over unpaid ground rents spanning 11 years, The PUNCH reports.

The PUNCH, however, learnt that the opposition Peoples Democratic, Federal Inland Revenue Service and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, who were also listed as defaulters, had settled their ground rent with the FCTA.

A publication by the FCTA revealed that many foreign missions had not paid their ground rents since 2014, with the affected diplomatic missions collectively owing N3,662,196.

On May 26, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, ordered officials to commence enforcement on 4,794 properties that were revoked due to non-payment of ground rent, spanning between 10 and 43 years.

But President Bola Tinubu intervened, granting a 14-day grace period, which ends on Monday (today), to affected property holders to settle their outstanding obligations.

The Director of Land, FCTA, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, disclosed that the defaulters would pay penalty fees of N2m and N3m respectively, depending on their locations.

The defaulting embassies include the Ghana High Commission Defence Section (N5,950); Embassy of Thailand (N5,350), Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire (N5,500); Embassy of the Russian Federation (N1,100); Embassy of the Philippines (N5,950); Royal Netherlands Embassy (N5,950); Embassy of Turkey (N3,350), and the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea (N5,950).

Also included are the embassies of Ireland (N500), Uganda (N5,950), Iraq (N550), and the Zambia High Commission, which owes (N1,189,990).

Other missions on the list include the Tanzania High Commission (N6,000), German Embassy (N1,000), Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (N5,950), Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (N459,055), Embassy of the Republic of Korea (N5,950), and the High Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (N500).

The Embassy of Egypt (N5,950), Embassy of Chad (N5,950), Sierra Leone Commission (N5,900), High Commission of India (N150), Embassy of Sudan (N5,950), Embassy of Niger Republic (N500), and Kenya High Commission (N5,950) are also listed among the defaulters.

Others are the embassies of Zimbabwe (N500), Ethiopia (N5,950), and Indonesia (Defence Attaché), which has an outstanding balance of (N1,718,211).

The Delegation of the European Union (N1,500), Embassy of Switzerland (N5,950), Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia (N5,950), China’s Economic and Commercial Counselor’s Office (N12,000), South African High Commission (N4,950), and the Government of Equatorial Guinea (N1,137,240) also featured on the list.

Reacting, the Embassy of the Russian Federation firmly denied any outstanding debts.

“The Embassy pays all bills for the rent of the territory on which the Embassy complex is located in good faith and on time. The Embassy also has all necessary documents confirming payment,” it stated.

Similarly, the Embassy of Turkiye questioned its inclusion on the FCTA’s list, citing a possible istrative error.

A Turkish official told our correspondent, “We have not received a formal notification about the debt. We regularly make our payments on time, and we will check if we are on the list because of a bureaucratic mistake or a misunderstanding, and will fix the issue as soon as possible.”

The German Embassy, in a chat with The PUNCH, clarified that no formal claim or demand regarding unpaid rent had been brought to its attention by the FCTA.

“We understand that you are referring to reports suggesting that the German Embassy in Abuja has outstanding rent obligations. We would like to clarify that no such claim or demand has been formally brought to our attention by the Federal Capital Territory istration,” the embassy stated.

It further insisted that all official financial obligations relating to the embassy’s premises had been settled as of the end of 2024, adding that there are no known outstanding payments.

The embassy emphasised its commitment to maintaining a respectful and cooperative relationship with the Nigerian government and the FCTA, reaffirming its dedication to transparency and mutual trust.

“Moreover, we can confirm that all official financial obligations relating to the Embassy’s premises have been fully settled as of the end of 2024. There are no known outstanding payments.

“The Embassy of the Federal Republic of highly values its respectful and cooperative relationship with the government of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory istration and remains fully committed to transparency and mutual trust,” the statement added.

The Embassy of Ghana also told The PUNCH that even though it had not been notified officially of the development, it would reach out to the Foreign Affairs on ways to resolve the issue.

The embassy stated, “The High Commission has noted the publication but has not been officially communicated to. We will liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter.”

An official at the Sierra Leone Embassy said they were unaware of the issue and would the claim.

He noted, “I am not aware and I am not in the office now. On my return, I will inform my authorities to cross-check.”

Concerning the claims by some embassies that they were not indebted to the FCTA, spokesman for the FCT minister, Lere Olayinka, stated, “This claim will be promptly investigated and appropriate action will be taken.”

Commenting on the development, a former Nigerian ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, referenced the 1961 Vienna Convention and urged caution.

“For the diplomatic premises, if we are to go by the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations, the premises of a diplomatic mission are inviolable,” he submitted.

“But that is not to say that they are not supposed to obey local municipal rules and regulations or the rules and regulations governing such things as relate to property ownership. However, there may be a caveat,” Amedu-Ode said.

He suggested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should handle the matter diplomatically.

“It is a question of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs looking at each one on a bilateral basis and implementing it on a reciprocal basis,” the ex-envoy stated.

A foreign affairs analyst, Charles Onunaiju, also questioned the legality of applying ground rent rules to diplomatic missions, arguing that it was not applicable under international laws.

“By the Vienna Convention establishing diplomatic missions, diplomatic premises are sovereign territory of their respective countries,” Onunaiju pointed out.

He warned that any enforcement action against embassies could trigger diplomatic fallout.

“If you get into their premises to lock it down, you are obviously violating a very advanced diplomatic protocol. It will be a breach of diplomatic protocol,” the analyst warned.

Meanwhile, a reliable source close to the Peoples Democratic Party leadership, who spoke on condition of requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, told The PUNCH that the PDP had settled all matters related to ground rent with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

He stated, “The PDP has resolved all issues with Wike regarding the ground rent. Action was taken on Friday to make the payment, so there is no longer any problem.”

When asked about the development, the FCT minister’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, said, “Some of these things, there is no way we can know. Some are paying through Remita, people are paying online. So, it’s until they bring their receipts that we can know.”

It was also learnt that the Federal Inland Revenue Service had mended fences with the FCTA after their offices were sealed off following non-compliance.

On May 26, the FCTA sealed off the FIRS premises for non-payment of its ground rent, but the action sparked a row between both bodies, with the latter denying owing ground rent on its properties in Abuja. The revenue generating firm thus demanded a public apology from the FCTA for sealing off one of its offices.

However, the FCTA insisted that the shutdown was due to the non-payment of ground rent, a statutory land charge.

Refuting the allegation that FIRS owed 25-year ground on two of its office at No 12 and 14, Sokode Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, Director, Facility Management Department, FIRS, Tyofa Abeghe, said nothing could be further from the truth on the claim as FIRS had paid the said money.

He said a demand notice from Abuja Geographic Information System dated September 2023, asking for ground rent on the properties was honoured with a payment of N2, 364, 003 three months after the notice was issued.

It was learnt that the payment issue had been resolved.

In a similar vein, NAPTIP, which also had its office sealed, had settled their outstanding ground net, a source at the federal agency told The PUNCH.

“It’s been resolved,” the source said.

https://punchng.com/ground-rent-34-embassies-risk-closure-tuesday/?amp

President Bola Tinubu has named some prominent Nigerian entrepreneurs as four “wise men”.

Tinubu spoke while inaugurating the Lekki deep sea port access road on June 5.

On the list are Jim Ovia, Femi Otedola, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and Aliko Dangote.

“I landed here with four wise men: Jim Ovia of Zenith Bank, who has been acknowledged worldwide; Femi Otedola, my baby brother; Samad Rabiu of BUA,” the president said.

“And I believe, the wisest of them all, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who is so daring in thinking and doing and believing in his own country.”

While Tinubu’s list of “wise men” may come across as another example of his wit and deep connection with the private sector, it recognises individuals who are critical to the country’s economy.

Each of the four persons is also central to the president’s dream of a $1 trillion gross domestic product (GDP).


DANGOTE

Aliko Dangote is Africa’s richest person and the founder and chairman of Dangote Group, the continent’s largest industrial conglomerate. His business empire spans across cement (Dangote Cement), food processing (salt, sugar, flour), and oil refining. The recently launched Dangote Refinery is one of the largest in the world, expected to revolutionise Nigeria’s oil and gas sector by meeting domestic demand and enabling petroleum products exports. Dangote is pivotal to Nigeria’s industrial ambitions. His investments, especially the refinery, are reshaping the nation’s energy landscape by reducing dependence on imported petroleum products. His cement and food manufacturing operations also contribute to infrastructure development and food security, making him central to Nigeria’s self-sufficiency efforts and job creation.


OTEDOLA

Otedola acquires additional N16bn shares in FBN Holdings

Known as the “strong man” of Nigeria’s money and capital markets for his strategic investments, Otedola is a businessman and investor who made his fortune in the oil sector through his company, Forte Oil, which he later sold. He has since diversified into power generation through his investment in Geregu Power Plc and holds a controlling stake in First HoldCo, the parent company of First Bank of Nigeria. Otedola’s influence is also felt in Nigeria’s corporate boardrooms, playing a key role in Nigeria’s economy as a strategic investor across critical sectors, including infrastructure. He contributes to efforts to address Nigeria’s chronic electricity shortages, vital for industrial growth, through Geregu, which now contributes 10 percent to Nigeria’s overall power generation. As the chairman of First Bank, Nigeria’s oldest bank, Otedola has helped in stabilising and injecting confidence into the financial system, and ing diverse sectors of the economy. The bank recently launched the construction of what is expected to be the tallest building in the country.


RABIU

Abdul Samad Rabiu is the founder and executive chairman of BUA Group, a conglomerate with interests in cement production, sugar refining, real estate, and ports. Rabiu has positioned BUA — one of Nigeria’s largest producers of cement and sugar — as a key player in Nigeria’s drive toward industrial self-sufficiency. His cement plants expand local capacity and national infrastructure projects, while his recent investments in port operations and agribusiness enhance logistics and reduce reliance on imports. His philanthropic initiatives, through the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), also complement the government’s development efforts in healthcare and education.


OVIA

Jim Ovia is a Nigerian banker, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank, one of the largest commercial banks in Nigeria and a systemically important financial institution. Ovia is a key figure in Nigeria’s financial services sector, having played a foundational role in modernising banking through technology and innovation. As the founder of Zenith Bank, he has helped shape a new era of banking marked by digital transformation. Zenith Bank s businesses across virtually all sectors of the economy, from oil and gas to agriculture and SMEs, making it a vital enabler of economic activity. Apart from owning real estate across Nigeria, Ovia founded Visafone, a mobile telecom operator that MTN Nigeria later acquired. In April 2024, Ovia was appointed chairman of the Nigerian education loan fund by Tinubu. In the same year, Zenith Bank expanded into to boost cross-border trade.

https://www.thecable.ng/dangote-otedola-rabiu-ovia-the-four-wise-men-of-tinubu/

To recover import duties from some private jet owners in the country, the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Customs Service, has grounded about 60 private jets across major airports in Nigeria, The PUNCH reports.

It was also gathered that private jet hangars in Lagos and Abuja airports were reportedly sealed up. However, owners of the aircraft, including bank chiefs and multinational oil companies among other individuals, have begun to lobby the Presidency to secure the release of their jets.

Some of the grounded luxury aircraft include Bombardier BD-700 Global 6000, BD-700 Global 6500, BD-700 Global 7500, among others. Officials of the NCS and those in the aviation sector confirmed this in separate interviews on Wednesday.

There are reports that duties are not being paid on the majority of private jets currently in the country, with the Nigeria Customs Service seeking to recover unpaid import duties running into several billions of naira.

The Customs had asked private jet owners to proceed on a verification exercise with the government. The exercise was to determine defaulters in the payment of import duty.

Recall that on October 14, 2024, The PUNCH reported that the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Customs Service, had planned to ground over 60 private jets owned by very important persons in the country over unpaid import duty beginning from that day.

This was not implemented as the NCS later that same day announced the extension of the verification exercise for private jet owners by one month, from October 14, 2024, to November 14, 2024.

At the expiration of the deadline on November 14, nothing was said about the development. The PUNCH questioned the agency’s silence on the matter, but the spokesperson of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, hinted that varying court cases hindered the Customs from executing its vow at that time.

However, on Wednesday, it was gathered that the NCS had quietly commenced the grounding of both private and corporately-owned jets. The exercise started on Monday without any fresh notice, according to those affected.

The officials of the agency of the NCS sealed some aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The drastic enforcement came barely seven months after The PUNCH reported Customs warnings against defaulters.

When ed on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the service, Maiwada, confirmed the development, stressing that the service won’t rest until all that is due to the government is collected from the airlines.

He said, “Yes, enforcement has started. The aircraft are grounded for the non-payment of customs duty, and as soon as they come over to regularise their payment and give what is due to Nigerians, they will get it back.

“We issued a statement when we started the verification, and we extended the period and even ‘over extended the period’, now that we are acting, everyone already knows our reason. We just have to enforce, we have to collect revenue for Nigerians so that it will be used for Nigerians.”

Maiwada recalled a long period of appeals extended to the defaulters to validate their jets or pay the duty, but noted that this fell on deaf ears.

“Now that we have grounded them, they will have to comply. We are hopeful and we know that they will comply,” he stated.

Meanwhile, impeccable sources in customs familiar with the development told our correspondent that some of the aircraft owners had started to make s even with the presidency for the release of their jets.

One of the top banks in Nigeria has already promised to pay next Tuesday, while another is negotiating with Customs in proxy. An energy company with three jets has also promised to pay in the coming week.

However, The PUNCH gathered that there were rumours that the Customs service was making moves to unseal the grounded aircraft while inviting the jet owners to a meeting in Abuja to discuss how the issue would be permanently resolved.

A document, dated June 4, 2025, said to have been signed by Deputy-Comptroller General, one C.K. Niagwan, on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, noted that the “temporary unsealing” of the grounded aircraft received the approval of the Comptroller.

According to the document, the temporary unsealing of the aircraft was to allow the operators the chance to present all relevant documents regarding the affected aircraft and engage the service to discuss and agree on appropriate modalities for the settlement of outstanding duties and taxes.

The circular expressed that the unsealing was solely to facilitate compliance, adding that this did not constitute a waiver of any statutory obligations. Meanwhile, our correspondent learnt the unsealing was only for a few of the grounded jets.


Experts react

A former deputy director of engineering of the defunct national carrier, Nigerian Airways, Frank Oruye, called on both operators of private jets and the Nigeria Customs Service to adopt global best practices in their activities.

He appealed to customers to pay what was due to the government, and also called on Customs to be professional in their dealings.

He said, “For a conducive aviation sector to be created, it’s essential for stakeholders to fully understand what it takes. Everything should not end in ‘gra-gra and rofo-rofo’. Investors and importers should be ready to foot all local taxes and customs duties.”

While recalling the disagreement that ensued between the defunct Nigeria Airways and Customs during the airline’s lifetime, Oruye stated that “NCS should endeavour to follow global best practices in fixing duties.”

He added, “I recall that we had difficulties with Customs when I was at Nigeria Airways in the 70s through the 90s. There’s a class of aircraft components known as Rotables. They are high-cost items ranging from electrical and hydraulic Pumps and motors to avionics components. In the course of their operating lives, they need to be removed from the aircraft for scheduled maintenance or repairs at approved foreign bases. Let’s imagine a generator whose price is $50,000.

“After operating in Nigeria for two years, it was sent abroad for repairs, which cost $1,500. Upon its return to Nigeria, NCS would be targeting duties based on $50,000, ignoring that it had been duty-paid at its first entry to Nigeria. Advanced nations don’t burden their airlines with such debilitating levies.”

Also, retired Group Captain John Ojikutu stated that most of the grounded aircraft were foreign-based, a development he described as a security threat to the country.

Ojikutu blamed both Customs and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority for allowing an “unclear number of aircraft” to fly in the country.

While recalling how he grounded aircraft belonging to the late Kashimawo Abiola, for running afoul of regulatory laws, he appealed to the NCAA to live up to expectations.

“All these things happening now didn’t happen before. In the first place, why are foreign-ed aircraft flying in the country? Who permitted them? When I was at the airport, I seized Abiola’s aircraft twice! Why are people behaving this way nowadays? In Demuren’s days, such wouldn’t have happened. I had the authority to monitor foreign airlines. They can’t fly without security clearance, and aside from the customs airport, which is the point of entry, they can’t fly to more than one airport.

“All these things happening are risky, not even now that we don’t know the people in charge of the insurgency. To now fly foreign aircraft without clearance is a threat to national security. Both customs and the NCAA should be blamed for allowing them to fly such aircraft in the country. Let the NCAA check its regulations. There should be a regulation for such an act.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/vips-lobby-presidency-as-fg-grounds-60-private-jets/%3famp

The Nigerian Communications Commission has directed Deposit Money Banks to start deducting charges for unstructured supplementary service data transactions directly from s’ mobile airtime.

According to an email from the United Bank for Africa to customers on Tuesday, the charges will no longer be deducted from customers’ s.

The UBA said the directive takes effect from Tuesday, June 3.

The statement reads, “In line with the directive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), please be informed that effective June 3, 2025, charges for USSD banking services will no longer be deducted from your bank .

“Going forward, these charges will be deducted directly from your mobile airtime balance in accordance with the NCC’s End- Billing model.

“Under this new billing structure, each USSD session will attract a charge of ₦6.98 per 120 seconds, which will be billed by your mobile network operator.

“You will receive a consent prompt at the start of each session, and airtime will only be deducted upon your confirmation and availability of the bank to fulfil this service.

“If you do not wish to continue using USSD banking under this new model, you may choose to discontinue use of the USSD channel.”

UBA said customers can continue using other digital banking options and internet banking platform for convenience.

The latest directive may be another move by the commission to address the historical USSD payment conflict between Mobile Network Operators and commercial banks.

In December 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the NCC directed mobile network operators and DMBs to resolve the long-standing N250 billion USSD debt.

Following threats by telcos to withdraw services over the debt accumulated by banks, the NCC, in January, threatened to suspend the USSD service and publish a list of banks still owing telcos.

On January 15, the regulator directed telcos to disconnect the USSD codes assigned to nine banks by January 27 due to unpaid debts.

On February 28, MTN Nigeria said it received N32 billion — out of N72 billion — from banks as part of payment for the USSD debt.

https://punchng.com/ncc-asks-banks-to-deduct-ussd-transaction-fees-from-s-airtime/?amp

Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, says Nigerians will soon experience a reduction in the cost of living, as the effects of the istration’s economic reforms start to materialise

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos on Sunday, Onanuga stated that the positive effects of Tinubu’s policies would soon be felt across all segments of the nation.

Onanuga highlighted that the President had not only introduced progressive reforms but had also tackled challenges that previous istrations avoided.

He added that two years is an insufficient yardstick to fully measure the istration’s achievements, noting that policy experts typically assess the impact of policies over a period of 10 years to 12 years.

“The President’s years in office began with clear policy directions and implementation.

“A lot of reforms have taken place across sectors. The President has laid down many fundamentals that would ensure growth,” he stated.

He acknowledged that while the positives of the President’s actions over the past two years were gradually trickling down, a significant paradigm shift had occurred in the economy, addressing many pre-existing problems.

Onanuga, while referring to the situation before the subsidy removal, said, “There was no fuel. Many stations were saying no fuel, no fuel.

“What was happening at that time was that the NNPC had reached the bottom point. It had no money to import fuel, it claimed that it was owing suppliers about six billion dollars and the government was owing it about four trillion dollars. So, it could not import any more.”

Addressing concerns about borrowing, Onanuga clarified that it is a common practice globally, with even countries like the U.S. engaging in it.

“Nigeria has abundant resources that we are harnessing, but not as much readily available money as people might think,” he explained.

He stressed that borrowed funds were not squandered but rather used for their intended purposes, citing large-scale projects like the coastal roads that necessitate external financing due to their immense benefits.

Regarding currency devaluation, Onanuga explained that it is a universal economic principle, citing instances where even the UK and the US have resorted to it.

“Even UK and the US at some point devalued. These are economic principles that are universal and cannot be changed because it is Nigeria,” he asserted.

He added that the government had made tough decisions and simultaneously created opportunities through infrastructure development, noting that many ongoing road constructions were not initially part of the budget.

Onanuga further stated that Nigeria had seen an increase in production and a rise in disposable income.

He pointed to companies like Nestle and Nigerian Breweries, which initially faced challenges but were now sourcing materials locally and reporting profits.

“This economy has opened up opportunities in many forms for Nigerians. Those who can really exploit it. And they are making money,” he emphasised, giving examples of individuals making profits from exporting agricultural products like cocoa and even Zobo.

According to him, many companies are now investing and producing in Nigeria, and these positive shifts will soon become evident and tangible for all Nigerians.

Onanuga stressed the importance of public understanding of the economic context, saying, “We don’t do our people any good when we keep on pushing stories of gloom and doom without allowing them to see the truth, without allowing them to see the context, and without allowing them to know that there’s actually light at the end of the tunnel.”

https://punchng.com/tinubus-reforms-will-ease-cost-of-living-soon-onanuga/

By Adegwu John and Leadership


President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Festus Osifo, has revealed that the union has successfully negotiated wage increase of up to 300 per cent for some oil and gas workers.

Osifo said that the union’s ongoing push for fair wage in the sector was in response to rising inflation, Naira devaluation and economic challenges faced by Nigerian workers, particularly in the oil and gas industry.

The labour leader, who spoke while addressing delegates at the 2025 PENGASSAN Women Annual Convention (PWAC) held in Abuja on Monday, noted that since inflation started biting hard, the union has been carrying out Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations across board with tangible results.

He disclosed that some companies in the oil and gas sector have implemented nearly 300% salary increments and many others have seen increases above 200%.

“Since this inflation came, since this inflation started, we’ve been doing CBA negotiations across board and there have been tremendous response we’ve had since 2023, we have some companies in PENGASSAN that have done close to 300% salary increment.

“So, it’s been success stories from one branch to another, from one company to another. So, the response or the push that we have given to the management in oil and gas company is second to none. And we’ll continuously do that.

“So for us in PENGASSAN, we are not even talking about 70,000 naira, we are talking about the effect of devaluation,” Osifo said.

Speaking at the convention themed “She Powers the Future: Driving Industry Transformation, Leadership and Technology”, the PENGASSAN president also contrasted the union’s success with the broader national wage realities.

While PENGASSAN workers have experienced significant wage adjustments, many workers in the public sector and other industries, he noted, continued to face stagnant wages amid rising living costs.

Osifo further offered a mixed a‌s⁠sessmen‌t of Presi‌dent Bola Tinubu a‍dministration⁠’s economic performa⁠nce in two year⁠s, scoring him mod‌est gains in some secto⁠rs b‌ut lamente⁠d widespread economic hardship for m‌os​t Nigerians.

“It’s a mixed feeling, while macroeconomic policies may look promising on paper, their impact on household incomes, food prices, education and healthcare remain limited,” he added.

Earlier, Comrade Mar⁠ya‍nn Ada Mba​naso, National Chairp‍e‍rson of the PENGASSAN⁠ Women Commissi‌on,‌ emphasised​ the commission’s commitment t​o raising a new generation of women l‌eaders ca​pable of reshapin‍g the industry and public policy.​

“​The future is​ women. The energy industry is wom​en. If‌ th⁠e door is close⁠d, w‍e will op​en it ourselv⁠es, we have all it takes to change t‌he narrative and the dynamics of the indu‍s⁠try.

“This year’s theme reflects our mission: to change our world, to raise leaders, and to claim our seat at the table. If the doors are closed to us, we will open them ourselves,” Mba​naso declared.

https://leadership.ng/pengassan-secures-300-wage-increase-for-oil-and-gas-workers/

Thugs hired by parent assault Ondo teacher for stopping WASSCE student from cheating

A Vice Principal of Complete Child Development College Aule, Akure, Ondo state, identified as Mr. Rotifa, who stopped one of his students from cheating during the ongoing West Africa School Certificate Examination, has been brutally assaulted.

Rotifa beating was allegedly orchestrated by the parent of the student, who hired suspected thugs to beat the teacher to pulp for not allowing the student to cheat with his handset.

It was gathered that the Vice Principal drew the ire of the mother of the student for disallowing him to cheat during this ongoing WASC examination, and seizing his Android phone.

The mother of the student was said to have threatened to deal with teachers and the school authority if they try to stop her ward from using his phone in the forthcoming mathematics examination.

The Vice Principal was said to have insisted in repeating his action of the student bring the phone into the examination hall again, saying no student will be allowed to cheat.

It was gathered that some suspected thugs invaded the school area and despite reporting the incident to the state Police command, Rotifa was dragged down from police van and beaten blue black.

He was subsequently rushed to the hospital where he was treated following the injuries sustained from the beating and discharged the following day, but did not return to his house over fear of being traced to the house.

Meanwhile, the Ondo state government through the Director of Schools, Ondo State Ministry of Education, has reacted to the incident in a statement, with a promise to bring the attackers to book.

The statement read: The incident started on Monday May 26, when an android phone was found with one SS 3 student which is contrary to the rules and regulations of the school and Mr Rotifa, the vice principal of the school seized the phone from him.

“On Thursday, the mother of the student came to the school to fight with the school management so much that the proprietor of the school ordered that the phone be returned to her which was done.

“The brother of the student who happens to be an old student of the school later came to the school to harass the vice principal and threatened to deal him.

“After school hours the boys were seen loitering in the street and the proprietor was informed who told Mr Rotifa to go to the police station to lodge complaint.

“He went and two policemen took him in their van to look for the boys probably for arrest. They couldn’t get them.

“As they were going back to the station, the boys waylaid the Police Van, stopped it, brought out Mr Rotifa and beat him up. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

“According to the principal of the school, he has been discharged from the hospital but did not go back to his house for the fear of the boys coming back for him. Further investigations and efforts to get the culprit are in progress.

“Arrangements for the safety of the staff and students of the school for period of the remaining papers in WASSCE are ongoing”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/tribuneonlineng.com/thugs-hired-by-parent-assault-ondo-teacher-for-stopping-wassce-student-from-cheating/amp/

The Energy Information istration (IEA) has reported that US crude and fuel inventories all fell last week, while crude imports from Nigeria hit their highest level in nearly six years.

Crude imports from Nigeria rose by 358,000 bpd to 364,000 bpd, marking the highest import figure from the African nation since October 2019.

The jump in imports comes as Nigeria’s 650,000 bpd Dangote refinery has faced an unplanned outage from April 7 to May 11, the Agency said on Thursday.

Crude inventories fell by 2.8 million barrels to 440.4 million barrels in the week ending May 23, the EIA said, compared with analysts’ expectations in a Reuters poll for a 118,000-barrel rise.

U.S. crude exports rose during the week by 794,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 4.3 million bpd, helping push inventories lower.

“I found it a ive report, with higher US.. crude exports resulting in a crude draw,” said Giovanni Staunovo, an analyst at UBS.

“Pumping stations demanding more gasoline and diesel last week ahead of Memorial Day resulted in higher implied demand and draws for gasoline and distillates,” he added, referring to a U.S. holiday this week.

Oil prices rose slightly after the EIA reported a surprise draw in stockpiles, but were still trading in negative territory. Global Brent crude futures were off 56 cents to $64.34 a barrel at 12:11 p.m. EDT (1611 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were down 65 cents to $61.20 a barrel . Crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub rose by 75,000 barrels, the EIA said.

U.S. refinery crude runs fell by 162,000 barrels per day in the week, while utilisation rates fell by 0.5 percentage points in the week to 90.2%, the EIA said. U.S. gasoline stocks fell by 2.4 million barrels in the week to 223.1 million barrels, the EIA said, compared with analysts’ expectations for a 527,000-barrel draw.

Gasoline supplied, a proxy for demand, rose last week to 9.45 million bpd, up from 8.64 million bpd the prior week.Distillate stockpiles, which include diesel and heating oil, fell by 724,000 barrels in the week to 103.4 million barrels, versus expectations for a 481,000-barrel rise, the EIA data showed.

U.S. distillate fuel oil stocks fell to their lowest last week since April 2005, while inventories in the U.S. Midwest were at their lowest since November 2017.

Net U.S. crude imports fell last week by 532,000 bpd to 2.05 million bpd, EIA said.

https://leadership.ng/nigerias-crude-export-to-us-hit-highest-level-in-6-years/

.....APC governors may meet Ganduje after Sallah

......I will follow party’s decision – Uzodimma

.....Party mum as ex-minister in Buhari’s cabinet dumps APC

There is simmering unease within the All Progressives Congress (APC) over automatic tickets for the party’s National Assembly ahead of the 2027 general election.

It was learnt that some APC governors oppose the automatic ticket plan and may have concluded plans to frustrate the arrangement.

A governor from the South East and his counterpart from the South West are leading the move to stop automatic tickets for National Assembly in their states.

The governors might discuss the issue with the APC national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, in Abuja shortly after the Sallah celebration.

It was further gathered that while some governors are indifferent to the offer, others are said to be cautious about opposing it because it enjoys the president’s backing.

The chairman of the APC governors and Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, told LEADERSHIP yesterday that he will abide by the party’s position on the matter.

The chief press secretary to the governor, Hon. Oguwike Nwachuku, stressed that Uzodimma, as a loyal party man, “will follow the party’s decision in respect of automatic ticket to lawmakers.”

He, however, underscored that he spoke for Uzodimma and not for other APC governors.

Attempts to get the APC national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, to react to the issue were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to him were not replied to.

LEADERSHIP had exclusively reported plans from the Villa to offer APC lawmakers automatic tickets ahead of the 2027 election. The offer was to ensure stability within the party and reduce the likelihood of legal issues that would arise while conducting the party’s primaries.

However, the APC national chairman, Ganduje, at the gathering of party leaders from the North Central geopolitical zone, where they endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term, said,

“We should continue to thank our legislators for their … why are we having high turnover of our legislators after four years? Can that encourage institutional memory? If we cannot do it by law, we can do it by advocacy.

“So, it is the responsibility of the party to dialogue with the leadership of the National Assembly so that those legislators who are very active, who are movers, to see how they can come back,” he said.

However, a source within the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), who pleaded anonymity, told LEADERSHIP that two South West governors do not stopping automatic tickets for National Assembly .

At a gathering shortly after the APC summit, which endorsed Tinubu for a second term at the Villa, the governors told some of their colleagues that the President decided to give automatic tickets to the National Assembly and should not be challenged by any governor.

“Most of the governors are adamant. They are even threatening a showdown over this. A governor from the South West and the South East is pushing this agenda. They have successfully recruited a few APC governors, especially those who inherited elected lawmakers and became governors through off-season polls, into their agenda.

“But two other South West governors made it clear that they are not part of the agenda. They feared that since the President’s decision to give automatic tickets to National Assembly may have come for strategic reasons, the governors should refrain from challenging it,” the source revealed.

According to sources within the ruling party, the move to grant automatic tickets to the President and National Assembly is seen as part of the President’s firm grip on party structures nationwide and to forestall situations whereby rookies dominate the National Assembly and create trouble.

It was learnt that the automatic ticket idea was designed to prevent possible litigation and loopholes that aggrieved could use to stifle the party’s preparations for the 2027 election cycle.

A party source added that the idea was behind the recent defection of former opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly to the ruling APC.

Meanwhile, ripples of automatic tickets are beginning to emerge, as an APC chieftain in Ondo State and an ex-Niger Delta agitator have threatened to fund opposition platforms if the President insists on granting automatic tickets to National Assembly in the state.

At the weekend, it was gathered that the party chieftain vowed to sponsor candidates against the senator and House of Representatives member from his federal constituency if the idea of an automatic ticket was not jettisoned.


Buhari’s Minister, Hassan, Resigns From APC

Barrister Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi, former Minister of Environment, has tendered his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Abdullahi served as Minister of State for Science and Technology under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s istration before his elevation to substantive Minister of the Environment.

Abdullahi previously served as Secretary to the State Government under former Governor Tanko Almakura.

On Sunday, the former minister submitted his resignation letter to the APC chairman in his Uke ward of Karu Local Government Area in Nasarawa State.

The letter, which was also copied to other party officials, cited personal reasons for his departure.

He expressed gratitude to the party’s leadership for the opportunities to serve the country and the received during his tenure.

“I wish you and the party good luck,” the letter stated

https://leadership.ng/2027-disquiet-in-apc-over-automatic-tickets/

A new bill that will impose a seven-year jail term or a N5 m fine on anyone found guilty of aiding and abetting bribes in workplaces in Nigeria has been mooted by the House of Representatives.

Sponsored by Paul Nnamchi (Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency) and three others, the new law, which will be deliberated on when the House resumes on June 17, aims to checkmate inherent bribery and corruption in both public and private workplaces.

A copy of the bill, which is already circulating among media organizations, states that “the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of anything of value as an inducement or reward to influence the actions of an employee, officer, or agent in the workplace.” Under the proposed law, anyone who offers or gives a bribe “in cash, gifts, favours, or other benefits” to influence an official action will be liable, upon conviction, to a fine of not less than N5m or three times the value of the bribe, whichever is higher, and/or imprisonment for at least seven years.

The bill also proposes immediate dismissal from public service and a 15-year ban from holding elective or appointive office if a public officer is convicted of bribery. Also, corporate organisations guilty of the same offence risk N100m, while their directors or responsible officers will be prosecuted and face minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment, if found guilty.

Companies convicted of workplace bribery may also lose their operating licences and face a 10-year ban from public procurement contracts., The bill also includes whistleblower protections, mandating all workplaces to implement anti-bribery policies and anonymous reporting channels. It criminalises retaliation against whistleblowers, imposing a minimum N10m fine and a five-year jail term on employers or individuals who harass or victimise them.

Employers are therefore compelled to report any form of bribery within their organisation or face a minimum fine of N20m and/or five years’ imprisonment.

More importantly, the creation of the Workplace Anti-Bribery Unit under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is also being mooted to investigate workplace bribery, prosecute offenders, monitor compliance and drive enforcement. It also advocates full protection for whistleblowers within every organizations.

https://guardian.ng/news/workplace-bribery-reps-weigh-seven-year-jail-for-offenders/

By Ismaeel Uthman, Grace Edema, Olufemi Adediran, Imoleayo Oyedeyi, Daniel Ayantoye and Bola Bamigbola


The West African Examinations Council has started investigating the leakage of examination questions in the ongoing 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, Sunday PUNCH reports.

Our correspondents gathered that some officials of the exam body might be connected to the leakage, particularly the circulation of the English Language paper to the public four days before the examination.

It was learnt that the police had also opened a probe into the matter.

The 2025 WASSCE English Language paper was leaked in some parts of the country, forcing WAEC to reprint new sets of questions.

The situation forced many candidates to sit the exam late into the night without electricity. Some of the affected states are Lagos, Ogun, Taraba, and Osun.

Videos and photos circulated on social media showed students sitting the examination as late as 12am and relying on torchlights and lanterns due to power outages.

The exam body, however, apologised for the delay in the conduct of the exam, blaming it on question paper leakage and malpractice.

In a statement on Thursday, WAEC’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, said the measures taken to prevent paper leakage “inadvertently impacted the timeliness and seamless conduct of the examination.”

She cited logistical challenges, security concerns, and sociocultural issues as contributing factors.

No fewer than 1,973,253 candidates ed for this year’s WASSCE across 23,554 schools in the country.

This came barely a month after the t issions and Matriculation Board suffered a major glitch during the 2025/2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, which left thousands of candidates stranded and disrupted scheduled sittings nationwide.


How exam papers leaked

Credible sources within the council, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed that WAEC had already involved the police and other security agencies to investigate those behind the leak.

One of the sources explained that the council had printed the exam questions, which were being distributed when a concerned Nigerian sent information about the leak.

The source said the council was forced to reprint question papers in response to the tip-off.

The official itted that the situation took staff by surprise, disrupting scheduled logistics and putting pressure on human resources.

“Everybody was under pressure. Some people worked 48 hours non-stop just to manage the crisis. Some staff in Ikorodu had to travel to printing presses and help pack and code question papers,” the source said.

According to insider revelations, a syndicate of “exam run” operators made millions from leaked papers.

Another source said, “One platform had over 80,000 subscribers. They were charging N1,000 per candidate for answers to the English Language paper. Even if only 50,000 people paid, that’s N50m. We have begun tracing payments made to rogue platforms, especially on WhatsApp and Telegram.”

When asked whether arrests had been made, the source simply stated, “We have met with all necessary agencies and are tracking the information. The process is ongoing.”


Leaked papers

Sunday PUNCH sighted leaked question papers that included English Language, Geography, Physics, and Literature-in-English on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram.

Some of the platforms included Free WAEC Exam Infos, WAEC, Free WAEC NECO IJMB/JUBEP Students Connect, King of Exams Runs, WAEC GCE NECO Expo, Nigeria School Exams, Exam Tips Solution, and WAEC, NECO and JAMB Expo.

On some of them, s were asked to pay between N1,500 and N5,000, depending on the subject, to “buy” leaked examination papers.

A message on one of the platforms, posted on Saturday, May 24, four days before the exam, read, “For English and Mathematics, N1,500 compulsory. It will be dropping at midnight with full essay and objectives. Start subscribing ‘cause only those in the VIP will be lucky. 09159611255.”

On another platform, the cover page of the English Language Paper Two was posted on Tuesday, May 27, a day before the examination, with the poster urging candidates to pay N1,000 to get the questions.

A school , who spoke to Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, alleged that the questions were leaked by senior officials of the council.

He blamed the incident on the greedy officials, adding that they were only interested in personal gain.

“The question had been out as early as Saturday and Sunday, even before the exam on Wednesday. We had access to the summary, comprehension, essay, and objective questions.

“Some people got the questions through different platforms on social media. The questions were sold for as much as N4,000.

“I will blame the incident on greedy officials of the council who are all out to make money through whatever means possible.”


Parents, candidates fear mass failure

Parents and some candidates expressed fear of mass failure following the late-night conduct of the English Language paper on Wednesday in some centres across the country.

Some parents, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH, blamed the exam body for subjecting candidates to inhumane and mentally draining conditions, and called for an immediate re-sit of the examination to prevent mass failure.

The parents, under the aegis of the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria, condemned the poor conduct of the examination and called on WAEC to cancel the English Language paper and reschedule it.

The National Publicity Secretary of NAPTAN, Ademola Ekundayo, made the call in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday.

The body bemoaned the hardship students went through during the examination, adding that parents were also thrown into turmoil while worrying about the whereabouts of their children.

They called for the outright cancellation of the English Language paper, arguing that no reasonable results could come out of the examination.

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, the father of one of the candidates at Islahudeen Grammar School, Oke-Oniti, Osogbo, Osun State, Ajayi Ademola, lamented that the development was disturbing for him and his daughter.

He said his daughter could not revise for the next day’s paper after getting home around 11 p.m. on Wednesday.

Ademola said, “It was a disturbing experience for me when Idowu didn’t return home around 6:30–7 p.m. She had the English paper around 2pm, and she was expected to be back home around 6pm. I started reaching out to people in town to find out what was happening, and I was told they were just starting the exam around 7 p.m.

“I was moved to tears as I pitied the students who had been seated since 1:30pm in preparation for an exam that was supposed to start by 2pm. How were they going to perform well in the exam? WAEC is not fair to the students. If you claim the exam question leaked, were the students responsible for that? The body should sanitise itself and stop punishing our children for the inadequacies of its staff. The exam should have been cancelled and rescheduled for another day.”

Another parent, Dele Ajewole, said his daughter sat the examination at a private school in the Ogo-Oluwa area in Osogbo, and was distraught before the papers were distributed to the students around 7:35 p.m. in her school.

He added that many of her colleagues were too tired by the time the examination eventually commenced.

“As a parent, if you are told by your child what they went through, then you already have an idea of what the result would be. If this suggestion can be considered, then I would say students should be allowed to re-sit the paper.

“The likelihood of mass failure is high with the challenges that marred the conduct of the exams. I waited for my daughter to complete her paper around 9:30 p.m. before we left the school premises. Everyone was rushing the paper because it was late,” he said.

Speaking in a similar vein, another parent, Isiaka Akande, who said the paper should be cancelled and a new date fixed, noted that parents and students already had an excuse should mass failure be recorded in the subject.

Also narrating her experience, a mother, Mrs Ngozi Akasike, said she became apprehensive when her daughter, Peace, didn’t return home around 7pm.

“I came back from work at 7 o’clock in the evening, only to find that my daughter, who is currently sitting the WASSCE, had not yet returned home. As a mother, I became apprehensive and was eager to know the reason she hadn’t come back. I ed I needed to call one of the teachers at school, but his phone was switched off, which heightened my fears,” she said.

Upon arriving at the venue, Akasike said she discovered her daughter was still in the exam hall, writing English Language at exactly 23 minutes past 7.


‘Leaked exam placed serious students at disadvantage’

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, a candidate, Olamide Adefowope, lamented that the leaked examination questions placed honest students at a serious disadvantage.

She expressed concern that the integrity of the exam process had been compromised, adding that WAEC must take decisive action to restore fairness and ability.

Adefowope expressed fear of mass failure following the circumstances in which students were forced to sit the examination.

“We would have performed better if we had written it in the afternoon because within that afternoon, our brains were still cool, but that night, our brains were already hot because some people already wanted to go home.

“Nigeria’s education system is getting worse every day. A similar thing happened during the JAMB examination. They are making things hard for us, and it’s not supposed to be like that.

“I was under stress and pressure during the examination. I just managed to answer the questions, I did the little I could and left because it was very late in the night,” she stated.

Another candidate, Fatima Yusuf, who sat the examination in Lagos, called for the immediate cancellation of the English Language paper, describing the situation as unfair and demoralising.

She urged the examination body to prioritise integrity and justice, stressing that failure to act could erode public confidence in WAEC examinations.


Calls for CBT, stronger safeguards

Stakeholders, including the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, have called for the adoption of Computer-Based Testing for the conduct of senior secondary school examinations.

The National President of ANCOPPS, Mallam Musa Ibrahim, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH, argued that the introduction of CBT at the secondary school level would further curtail malpractice and eliminate the influence of “miracle centres” and rogue websites.

He said, “Just like JAMB, if WAEC goes paperless, you throw rogue websites and miracle centres out of business. The attack on WAEC and JAMB is part of a wider resistance to reform. Some people don’t want CBT at the secondary school level because it will destroy their illicit business.”

He advised WAEC to improve the early detection of leaks and continue to act swiftly, as they did during the recent incident.

On his part, the National President of NAPPS, Yomi Otubela, called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

Otubela explained the need for a fact-finding committee to ascertain the actual events surrounding the examination before making any definitive decisions.

He said, “I am not against a re-sit, but a committee that will investigate the exact thing that happened should come first. If the committee finds that all the information circulating on social media is true, then there may actually be a need for a re-sit.”

“From my investigation, what some schools are saying is that students finished at 6 p.m., and I felt if they finished at 6, it might be okay. But we also need to investigate what the scheduled finishing time for the paper was. I guess it wasn’t 6 p.m.”

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, a senior lecturer in the Department of Educational Management at the University of Lagos, Dr Olusola Thomas, urged the examination body to revisit some of the affected subjects.

“As it stands, we’ve not been able to fully ascertain the extent of the damage. So far, we’ve relied largely on public s and preliminary reports, which may not be comprehensive or detailed.

We don’t even have an exact count of the schools that have been compromised. This clearly suggests that the affected subjects need to be revisited,” she said.

According to her, the long hours of waiting before writing exams could have far-reaching consequences on the students’ mental health and potentially lead to widespread failure.

https://punchng.com/exclusive-inside-story-of-wassce-leak-that-triggered-midnight-exams/?amp

Tinubu Dangles N45,000 Monthly Stipend Before Students At Technical Colleges

The federal government has announced a monthly stipend of N45,000 for students enrolled in technical colleges across the country.

This is in a landmark move to revitalise Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Idris Bugaje, disclosed this in Abuja on the second-year istration of President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to reposition the TVET sector and make it a more attractive alternative to traditional university education.

Mr Bugaje explained that the new policy aimed to fast-track the development of the TVET sector and expand enrolment at the sub-tertiary level.

He stated that, beyond the monthly stipend, the government would also cover teaching fees, pay industry-based supervisors (known as “master class” instructors) where students undertake industrial attachments, and finance the cost of skill certification.

He added, “With this, young people will find it more attractive to come to a technical college, acquire skills qualification, get jobs locally and even beyond the borders of Nigeria. This way, the whole sector is being repositioned. We are at the moment facing what you may call either a resurrection or a rebirth of TVET. During colonial days and early part of our independence, TVET had received attention. But, since the 1980s, we have been going down the drains. That is why the number of technical colleges has dropped, from 129 at the moment, compared to 15,000 senior secondary schools in Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Bugaje was, however, optimistic that the new initiative would reverse the trend and restore the TVET sector to its former prominence.

He said that the government of Mr Tinubu had allocated a N120 billion grant to students under the new TVET initiative.

He said the grant would be disbursed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), signalling a major shift in government strategy to encourage skills-based education.

He said, “The N45,000 is not a loan, but a grant. Students who enjoy this are not going to pay back. We want to encourage more people to enroll in technical education.”

To sustain and expand the programme, Mr Bugaje said the Minister of Education is championing a legislative bill to establish a National Skills Fund under a new Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).

According to him, the bill is expected to be presented to the National Assembly in the near future.

He stated, “This was an idea we have been talking about in the past years, but the new minister has taken it up. The bill shall soon be presented in the National Assembly to establish the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework and under it, the National Skills Fund. The National Skills Fund will continue to fund TVET institutions, not only those in government colleges, but also those in the private sector.’’

https://gazettengr.com/tinubu-dangles-n45000-monthly-stipend-before-students-at-technical-colleges/

by Jerrywright Ukwu


[i]Orji Uzor Kalu wearing attire with inscription Tinubu for president[/I]


Orji Uzor Kalu, senator representing Abia north, attended Tuesday’s plenary at the senate wearing an outfit bearing the inscription ‘Tinubu for President 2027’.

Speaking with journalists at the national assembly, Kalu described his attire as an “open endorsement” of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

“Can you see what I’m wearing? If you look at the dress I’m wearing, you will know what it is,” he said.

“This is the endorsement for president. My dress is perfectly tailored to that and the southeast caucus is fully in .”

The senator said the campaign outfit is already being adopted by others.

“People are already wearing it; I’m not just the first person wearing it,” he said.

“Because you people have a gold eye, that you can see what I’m wearing. I’m wearing something for the president, our president, your president.”

Kalu noted that the south-east caucus of the APC had endorsed Tinubu’s re-election long before other groups did.

“We endorsed him weeks ago, chaired by Governor Hope Uzodinma and co-chaired by the governor of Ebonyi and the deputy speaker. We initiated the national endorsement,” he added.

Kalu praised Tinubu’s economic policies, including subsidy removal and exchange rate unification.

The former Abia state governor did not confirm whether the attire was part of an official campaign rollout for the president ahead of the 2027 elections.

https://www.thecable.ng/extra-orji-kalu-wears-tinubu-for-president-2027-attire-to-nassembly/

Nlfpmod

Fresh details have emerged indicating that prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was aware of the entry restriction imposed on him by Saudi Arabian authorities before he embarked on the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.

The Cleric had on Monday claimed in a public statement on his official Facebook page titled “My Hajj 2025!” that he was turned back at the Medina airport on Saturday despite holding a valid visa.

However, an official at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), who spoke on the condition of anonymity, explained to The Guardian on Tuesday that Sheikh Gumi had “since been banned from entry into the Kingdom” and was fully aware of the restriction placed on him.

The official clarified that the issuance of a visa by Saudi authorities does not guarantee entry into the Kingdom, particularly for individuals who have been flagged by security or immigration systems.

“He has since been banned from entry into the Kingdom. They normally will issue a visa, and then upon arrival, they will not allow you to leave immigration and will deport you. He is not the only person deported this year”.

When pressed further if Gumi was aware of the entry restriction placed on him, the official responded that, “Yes, he is aware.”

Meanwhile, Gumi suggested that the move by Saudi authorities was politically motivated while attributing it to his outspoken views on global affairs.

Gumi, known for his controversial stance on national and international issues, said: “For some obvious reasons, my views about the world politics, the Saudi authorities are uncomfortable about my presence in Hajj after giving me the Hajj Visa.

“Thanks to the Nigerian authorities, who have pledged to take up the matter immediately with Saudi authorities. That is the value of our cherished freedom and democracy.

“I’m now free to attend to my health and farming activities. We should continue to pray for the safe return of all pilgrims, peace, and prosperity for our dear nation.”

He quoted Qur’an 2:196 to reflect on his situation.

“And accomplish the Hajj, i.e, pilgrimage and the Umra for Allah, but if you are prevented, (slaughter) the offering available with you. (meaning, you are then free from Hajj or Umra).”

https://guardian.ng/news/why-saudi-authorities-deported-sheikh-gumi-to-nigeria-official/]

Recall:
Saudi Arabia Deports Sheikh Gumi

By Anozie Egole

The President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has said that in the next two years, the company will be exporting almost 16,000 tonnes of fertiliser, which will amount to about $7m daily revenue to the Federal Government.

In a statement on Monday, Dangote announced this when he paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority in Marina, Lagos. He added that with the exportation of fertiliser, the company would be the major supplier of foreign exchange earnings in the country.

“In the next two years, we will be exporting about 16,000 tonnes of fertiliser. When you talk about 16,000 tonnes of fertiliser, it’s about $6.5m to $7m revenue that will be coming into the country daily. With our export programme, our company will be the major supplier of foreign exchange earnings in Nigeria,” Dangote said.

Africa’s richest man also mentioned that in a few weeks’ time, the company would commence the exportation of coal.

“In the next couple of weeks, we will start exporting coal out of Nigeria. The refinery operations will not export less than 25 million tonnes of various products. We will also be exporting about 600,000 to 700,000 metric tonnes of polypropylene.

So when you are talking about export, we are going to be very big,” he said.

He highlighted the need to work with the NPA on the development of the Marine and Blue Economy sector, with plans to ensure the expansion of Nigeria’s export operations, stressing that, as the biggest customer of the NPA, it is important that the interaction between NPA and DIL is sustained.

“I think this kind of interaction is very important for the growth of the industry. We discussed quite a lot of issues. We also discussed issues of how to deepen the Marine and Blue Economy sector. And we have agreed to work together for the benefit of Nigeria,” he stated.

Dangote explained that the size of their operations at Lekki alone is almost 240 ships of crude, with each ship carrying one million crude.

“And then we will have products which now will amount to over 600 ships in a year. Then we also have our fertiliser operation, which will be loading almost eight ships. This is an operation that has never, ever been seen in the country,” he said.

While underscoring the importance of collaboration with the NPA, Dangote mentioned that the company’s operation would sink if the NPA didn’t give them the required services.

“The NPA will need a lot of from the Federal Government because they won’t be able to do these things with their own physical hands; they need equipment, and they need more tug boats. We will also be putting in a few words in the necessary quarters to make sure that NPA gets all the necessary assistance from the Federal Government,” he said.

In the area of export, Dangote said, “We will soon be massively expanding our export operations. We are already exporting cement out of Nigeria. We have a whole factory of six million tons for cement export. So the operations of Nigerian ports will double in the next one or two years.”

Earlier, the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, explained that the visit was for Dangote to show appreciation for the dividends of the naira for the crude sale policy of the Federal Government.

“Dangote is here to show appreciation, especially regarding the establishment of the One-Stop-Shop policy on naira for crude deals, which is being coordinated by the NPA. He is here to appreciate that the initiative has contributed immensely to achieving a lot of efficiency in the area of transactions and operations between government agencies,” he said.

Dantsoho explained that since the policy started in October 2024, the agency has operated 57 vessels every month.

“The projected volume that Dangote was looking at per annum was 600 vessels. If you do 56 or 57 vessels in 12 months, you will see that we are already doing bigger than what they projected. We will continue to do our best with from the government. If all agencies of government can collaborate and be on the same dashboard, then efficiencies in other sectors of the economy will also be witnessed,” Dantsoho stated.

The NPA boss announced that the government has approved the National Single Window, stressing that the NPA is 95 per cent ready for the Port Community System.

On the development of new ports, Dantsoho said, “There are two ways you can handle capacity improvement/expansion, or deepen port capacity. You can do it on a brownfield, which is when you renovate or rehabilitate existing ports, or on a greenfield, which is to build new ports.

“The last time the government built a new port in Nigeria was in 1977, which was the Tincan Island Port. There is already approval for the port modernisation of both Tincan and Apapa ports. We are hopefully looking at maybe the third quarter of this year to commence construction.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/fg-to-earn-7m-daily-from-fertiliser-exports-dangote/%3famp

A second shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refinery within five months has sparked calls by many Nigerians, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and industry experts, for ability by those who superintend over the national oil facility.

A national daily had reported in December 2024 that the Port Harcourt Refining Company had stopped working less than a month after it resumed production. According to the report, the lifting of petrol actually stopped last Friday, December 13, with the 18-arm loading bay of the new Port Harcourt refinery empty when a reporter visited the facility.

LEADERSHIP recalls that barely a month earlier, precisely on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 the former chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, had inaugurated the 60,000 barrel per day production capacity plant with much public excitement.

Consequently, the latest shutdown of the Port Harcourt refinery for maintenance has raised many questions about the status of public refineries operated by the NNPCL.

Industry experts and legal scholars have raised questions about the transparency of the refineries’ operations.

Experts’ opinion, as understood by LEADERSHIP, shows a significant gap in oversight functions by industry regulators.

Taiwo Ogunloye, an energy expert and lawyer with technical knowledge of the industry told our Correspondent that the failure of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to provide a technical audit report on the status of the public refineries had led to anxieties about transparency in the management of the refineries.

Ogunloye said Section 32 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) empowered the agency to audit refineries and issue operator guidelines and standards.

He said that the regulator’s failure to intervene placed a significant burden on the NNPCL, as the public is not aware of the current status of those refineries.

He also expressed concern at the nondisclosure of the real reason for the shutdown of an asset that had gulped huge public funds.

“I think it’s proper for the NNPCL to make public the issues with the refineries and specifically indicate the areas affected so that people can forecast and assess the level of competence in the refineries’ management,” he added.

Spokesman of the Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN), Eche Idoko, similarly decried the lack of transparency, saying the public is unaware of the refinery’s state.

Idoko called for a review of public funds channelled into rehabilitating the NNPCL refinery.

According to him, despite such government interventions, products from the company’s refineries are more expensive than those from the Dangote Refinery.

He said that CORAN had always advocated a level playing field for all operators and called on government to extend funds to other private refinery operators to create a balanced market structure.

For his part, Henry Adigun, a public affairs analyst and energy expert, said that the routine maintenance announced by the NNPCL should not be seen as unusual.

In the argument, Adigun said that the refinery has been down for an extended period and that it is expected that after the rehabilitation, the test run would identify potential problems, which would be resolved as they occur.

“We should realise that the plant is old and not newly built, and as such, technical hitches should be expected and rectified as they emerge,” he noted.

LEADERSHIP reports that the NNPCL announced the shutdown of the Port Harcourt refinery for maintenance starting May 24. According to the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Femi Shoneye, the refinery will undergo a maintenance shutdown. He said the exercise would take a month and that the company is working with relevant stakeholders to ensure efficiency and transparency.

“We are working closely with all relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, to ensure the maintenance and assessment activities are carried out efficiently and transparently,” he said.

Nigerians were jolted at the announcement of the refinery’s resumption late last year. The refinery, with 60,000 barrels per day capacity, operated at 70 per cent installed capacity. The restart marked a significant step toward reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products.

The refinery underwent a $1.5 billion rehabilitation project approved by the Nigerian government in 2021.

The refinery’s daily output includes 1.4 million litres of petrol, 1.5 million litres of diesel, 2.1 million litres of heavy fuel oil, 900,000 litres of kerosene, and unspecified volumes of LPG.

The restart is a significant step towards Nigeria’s energy independence and economic growth.

.
Firm didn’t function – NLC

The assistant general secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Chris Onyeka, said the NNPC cannot shut down what was not operational.

He said, “The government is taking Nigerians for granted; they are not sincere, and we believe they are deliberately sabotaging themselves. Or how can they tell us that the Port Harcourt refinery is working, coupled with that of Dangote, yet we are still importing, yet we are still talking of landing cost? How can Nigerians be paying high fuel costs if the PH Refinery is truly working? Does it mean Nigerians are consuming more fuel?

“We are just watching because we know what they are doing. It is just like telling us that the army has defeated Boko Haram, a number of them have been killed but they will not show the public the bodies of those killed.”

Onyeka recalled that government had said the PH was technically completed and operating.

“What is the meaning of technically completed? Shouldn’t the price of fuel, etc, drop drastically if truly the PH refinery is working along with that of Dangote?

“Let them keep fooling themselves; we are only waiting for the appropriate time to talk,” he said.


NNPCL must for turnaround maintenance money- CSOs

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called for the NNPCL to for the money spent on the turnaround of the Port Harcourt refinery.

Reacting to the controversy surrounding the shutdown of the Port Harcourt refinery, the head of Transparency International (TI), the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Awwal Musa Rafsanjani, condemned the action and called for ability from the public officials and contractors who had worked on the facility’s repairs.

Rafsanjani, while attributing the whole issue to corruption, insisted that those involved in the earlier repairs of the refinery ed for the money made available to that effect.

He further said Nigerians must be told what happened and the money must be returned; any attempt not to return the funds will be tantamount to a waste of time and dubious reforms, even if the new management of NNPCL intends to carry it out.

“What Nigeria is facing today is the collapse of responsible governance and patriotism by public officials. Everything is about the acquisition of public funds. It’s not about service. Otherwise, you can’t understand why, since the regime of Obasanjo, we have been spending money in the name of turnaround maintenance on these refineries that appear to be completely dormant.

“Port Harcourt, Warri, Kaduna…we keep spending money on maintenance. Billions have been spent without any commensurate repairs or upgrades to these facilities. That is to tell you that public officials are only interested in siphoning taxpayers’ money; they are not interested in service delivery.

He noted that the absence of ability and responsible governance in the country has continued to hamper progress in of economic development, especially the oil and gas sector.

“Now that they close down this refinery, it is just to tell you how shameful or insincere and how corruption has taken the centre stage in our country.

“We condemn this act; after spending huge public taxpayers’ money, you close it down, so could you explain to Nigerians what happened to the money spent on the refinery? Was it that the money was not properly utilised, or what happened, and where’s the money? Are they going to refund the money because of the poor treatment that was done? There must be an explanation for Nigerians.

“So, the contractors and the public officials who worked on these refinery repairs must for this money. They must tell Nigerians what happened, and they must return the money.’’

According to him, if the new GCEO (of NNPC) does not pursue the money, then any reforms he brings are a waste of time and dubious.

“We need to get this explanation and money returned. We can’t allow people to be siphoning billions in the name of turnaround maintenance, and nothing is repaired,” Rafsanjani added.

https://leadership.ng/2-shutdowns-of-port-harcourt-refinery-in-5-months-raise-questions/

By Timileyin Akinmoyeje


On Saturday, President Bola Tinubu announced a fresh round of appointments to key positions in federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

The list includes postings to the Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Nigerian Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA).

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga announced Tinubu’s decision on Saturday. However, some of the newly appointed officials have long-standing corruption allegations and unresolved legal issues. FIJ reviewed some of these names.


Kabir Abdullahi Barkiya: From Streetlight Scandal to NALDA Chair

Kabir Abdullahi Barkiya, the newly appointed chairman of NALDA, is a serving senator representing Katsina State. He was recently linked to the diversion of a solar-powered streetlight project.

FIJ reported that the streetlights meant for his senatorial district were instead installed at his private residence. The project, tracked by civic group Tracka, was funded with N97 million from the 2023 federal budget through the Energy Commission of Nigeria.

There has been no public ing for the project, and Barkiya has not responded to the accusations.


Ibrahim Shehu Shema

Ibrahim Shehu Shema, former governor of Katsina State, has been named chairman of the Federal Capital Development Authority, one agency overseeing land use and infrastructure development in the country.

Shema has been at the centre of two major corruption cases. In 2017, he was arraigned in court by the Katsina State government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly embezzling N11 billion.

That case was discontinued in 2023 after the state filed a nolle prosequi, ending the prosecution without a court verdict.

In a separate matter, the EFCC charged Shema with misappropriating N5.7 billion under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). Although he contested the court’s jurisdiction, both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court ruled against him.

The most recent public update on the case was its adjournment in February 2020.


Anyim Pius Anyim

Among the most prominent names on the list is Anyim Pius Anyim, a former Senate President. Anyim, who was also Secretary to the Government of the Federation once, has been appointed chair of the National Merit Awards Committee.

His career has long been trailed by corruption allegations. In 2015, a House of Representatives report described the Centenary City project, which Anyim supervised, as a “complete fraud” and recommended criminal investigations.

He was also questioned by the EFCC about N520 million allegedly received from Sambo Dasuki’s office before the 2015 elections.

In 2021, Anyim was detained during probes into mismanaged aviation funds totalling N780 million. None of these investigations led to formal charges.

Over the years, he has been linked to cases involving missing ecological funds, inflated contracts and questionable asset declarations. Still, none resulted in conviction or legal closure.

His reappointment comes shortly after his 2024 defection to the APC.

https://fij.ng/article/tinubus-latest-federal-appointees-have-multibillion-naira-corruption-baggage/

At least five ministers in the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Federal Executive Council contested for the governorship seats in their respective states in 2023.

They are Ahmed Idris Malagi, the minister for information; Nentawe Yiltwada Goshwe, minister for humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction; Adegboyega Oyetola, minister marine and blue economy; Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence and Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power.

ln addition to the five that contested in 2023, there are Senator Abubakar Kyari and Yusuf Tuggar, who in the past, have indicated interests in vying for the governorship positions in their respective states of Borno and Bauchi, and who may use their present positions to revive their ambitions.

With the five being candidates of the APC in 2023 except Malagi who lost in the primary, their appointments as ministers are believed to be in order to make up and enable them sustain their relevance and empower them to consolidate on their efforts in future.

Barely one year to the primary elections, it is believed that some of them have started showing signs that betray their interests to re-contest the governorship elections.

In the case of Matawalle and Oyetola, it is a case of re-engaging old opponents under a different scenario believing that the odds favour them now than in 2023 when they lost.

For Adelabu, the coast seems clearer now with the current governor, Seyi Makinde, rounding off his second term and a Tinubu presidency that may favour an APC candidate in the South West.


In the past

Since the Second Republic, ministerial appointments, especially in states not under the grip of the ruling party, have been seen as special arrangements to empower the beneficiaries to challenge sitting governors.

In the build up to the 1983 elections, Shehu Shagari’s minister for Federal Capital Territory, Mr John Khadiya, who hailed from Plateau State, challenged the then governor, Chief Solomon Lar, in a keenly contested race that rattled the NPP as the ruling party in the state.

It was however the reverse in Benue State where Chief Paul Unongo, who served as minister of steel in the Shagari istration under the NPN-NPP accord, challenged the NPN governor, Aper Aku, and gave the latter a run for his money.

Subsequently, the method became a deliberate political strategy for the ruling parties to win states not controlled by them. But it also enabled others who benefited from such appointments to challenge the status quo.

Under the istration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, many ministerial appointees saw their elevations as invitations to challenge their governors whether they belong to the same parties or not.

Damishi Sango, who was minister of sports, later ran against Joshua Dariye on the platform of the AD in 2003 though they were initially in the same party; Solomon Ewuga who was minister of state for FCT was highly touted as contesting, Isa Yuguda in Bauchi and others.

When Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso lost the governorship seat in 2003, he was appointed minister of defence and later was able to reclaim the seat in 2011. Adamu Maina Waziri who has contested the governorship previously was also appointed minister in the Umaru Yar’Adua cabinet and later intensified his bid to take over the Yobe Government House.

Other former ministers who used their positions to take a go at the governorship seat include Nyesom Wike, Samuel Ortom; Bala Mohammed, Darius Ishaku etc.


What is happening now

In the current dispensation, no less than seven persons are believed to be eyeing the governorship seats of their respective states regardless of whether they belong to the same parties as the current governors or not.

Sources told Weekend Trust that they are not letting go as they believe the office of a governor is more secure and powerful than that of a minister whose tenure is at the discretion of the president.

The fact that the position is zoned to senatorial zones have made them not to give up because allowing the incumbents complete an eight year-reign would seal their fates as by 2031, the position would have been moved to another zone as is the case in Niger and Plateau states.

Our correspondents also found that for the ministers who have been governors before but failed to secure their second , like Matawalle and Oyetola, they see 2027 as a good opportunity to bounce back since their party is in control of the centre.

There are indications also that those that ran in 2023 but lost have continued to oil their structures and have not surrendered same to the governors, signalling the fact that they have not withdrawn their ambitions.

Weekend Trust also observed that there are those who did not contest in 2023 but have indicated interests in the past but now see a golden opportunity to strike as the seat would be vacant in 2027 due to the term limits of the incumbents. They include Senator Abubakar Kyari and Yusuf Tuggar.


Borno and Kyari

Senator Abubakar Kyari is the former deputy national chairman (north) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who later replaced Abdullahi Adamu as chairman.

Kyari’s political journey started in 1996 when he became a founding member of the United Nigeria Congress (UNC) which later morphed into the United Nigeria Congress Party (UN).

He contested and won a House of Representatives seat in 1999 under the All People’s Party (APP), after four years in the green chamber and was made a commissioner in Borno State.

However, during the tumultuous years of picking a successor to Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, Kyari was widely believed to be among the most qualified.

But the governor decided to anoint his cousin, Fannami Gubio, to succeed him, a move that angered key party and ers. Gubio was assassinated a few months before the election.

Kyari was again touted as a possible replacement after the murder of Gubio, but fate played a fast one and Kashim Shettima, the current vice president got the nod of the then governor.

Kyari, who later became a senator representing Borno North but resigned to President Tinubu’s cabinet, is widely believed to be among the forefront aspirants for the governorship position in 2027.

Many believe he has what it takes to run because of his experience and loyalty to both Zulum and Shettima.

Political analysts also opine that Kyari may have Tinubu’s blessing and the party’s at the national level to clinch the gubernatorial position.

He is hailed as having stayed with the opposition since 1999 even when many of his contemporaries were moving to the then ruling party, PDP.

During the September 10 flood disaster that ravaged Maiduguri, Kyari had, through his Ministry of Agriculture, donated 100 trailers of rice; 50 trailers of maize; 30 trailers of sorghum; and 20 trailers of millet to the victims.


Oyo and Adelabu

It is a no brainer that the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, giving his two attempts at the governorship, would not allow this opportunity to slip past him.

He is one of the major contenders for the Oyo State governorship poll in the next election. His credentials, political party and current position place him at the front burner in the battle to take over from Governor Seyi Makinde.

When Adelabu, then Deputy Governor in charge of operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in 2028, resigned to pursue his governorship ambition, he was quick to gain political prominence riding on his family’s political legacy in the state.

He is the grandson of late Adegoke Adelabu, one of Oyo’s most revered politicians. Late Adelabu was referred to as a flamboyant and articulate grassroots politician of the pre-independence political era in the South West of Nigeria. His political influence in the Western Region was profound, and his name still commands respect, particularly in Ibadan. The phrase “Penkelemesi”, a corruption of “peculiar mess,” which late Adelabu famously used in a political debate, still remains a part of Yoruba political lexicon.

In the build-up to 2019 guber poll, Adelabu adopted his grandfather’s “Penkelemesi” to gain relevance. He however did not win despite flying the APC’s ticket.

He re-contested for the seat in 2023 on the platform of the Accord Party after defecting from the APC. Again, he lost to Makinde.

Despite contesting on the platform of the opposition party, President Bola Tinubu handed him a ministerial nomination and assigned him the Ministry of Power.

In December 2023, Adelabu returned to the ruling APC and he has been putting in structures towards his ambition in 2027.

Although he declared that his return to APC was to help Tinubu’s istration succeed, insiders say the decision remains a strong pointer to his governorship ambition.

Adelabu, while speaking at the party’s secretariat in Oyo State, said “I returned not because of 2027 governorship ambition or to take over the party, but because I believe this is a party that brought President Bola Tinubu to power, and we need to him to deliver on his electoral promises.”

He added that “This is not time for politics, it is time for governance and Tinubu needs our for him to succeed and deliver on his Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I have come back to the party not to take over the party and not to dissolve executives; we have come to the party to extend hands of fellowship and reconciliation.”

Adelabu assured cooperation and collaboration to build a strong party so that the party “will take over power in the state at the end of the day in 2027.”

Findings revealed that Adelabu has been re-strategizing to replace Makinde as Oyo governor come 2027. Insiders say that the financial expert has improved on his relationship with Makinde who is a major political force in the state. Makinde promised to name his preferred candidate in January next year.

It was gathered that Adelabu, despite being a minister, stays more at home in Ibadan as part of his strategy to “get closer” to the people. He is said to be in charge of most of the Federal Government’s palliative items distribution for Oyo State and he is taking advantage of the opportunity to solidify his position as leader in the state’s APC.

For Adelabu to get the APC’s gubernatorial ticket in 2027, it will be a straight fight between him and the party’s candidate in the last election, Teslim Folarin. Fatai Buhari, Senator representing Oyo North and other politicians are equally eyeing the ticket.

However, keen watchers believe that Adelabu banking on the of President Tinubu will likely secure the ticket the same way he was appointed minister despite being an opposition figure.


Plateau and Nentawe

Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda was the APC governorship candidate in Plateau State in 2023. He is currently Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

Immediately he was announced as minister last year, the APC in Plateau State became energized.

His recent visit to the state confirms he is still interested in running as governor.

Our correspondent reports that the minister paid condolence visits to the families of those who lost loved ones recently to sympathize with them over their losses.

Pundits argue that the minister’s condolence visit is a strategic move to bolster his opposition stance, demonstrating his commitment to the community and potentially garnering from influential families and stakeholders in the state.

The minister also visited the Paramount Ruler of Ngas, Chief Jikat Golit, in the Plateau Central senatorial district, Pankshin LGA. Sources told Weekend Trust that this condolence visit was to mourn the death of David Parradang, the former Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration, who hailed from the area.

Political commentators opine that these visits could also serve to strengthen the minister’s relationship with the traditional leaders, other key stakeholders and the entire Ngas community politically.

To further strengthen the relationship with other stakeholders, the minister visited the National Chairman of Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikatis Sunnah , Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, over the death of deputy national chairman of the group, Sheikh Hassan Jingir. Pundits say this visit could also harmonize his relationship with the group and Muslim community.

For the first time since his defeat, the minister – a COCIN member, attended a church service at the COCIN headquarters, where he engaged with women, especially widows, and empowered them. Political commentators say the development could earn the minister sympathy from women and church at large.

The minister visited a Jos market where locally produced foods by different ethnic groups in Plateau are showcased. In the market, dishes made by the ethnic groups were patronized. Pundits opine that this visit to the market can add to his political career by showcasing his for local businesses and cultural diversity, potentially boosting his popularity and credibility among residents.


Impact of visit

His recent visit to the state has spoken volumes with residents, especially politicians, expressing divergent views from both the opposition and the ruling PDP. For the APC faithful, his visit was a welcome idea and has given them courage to discuss party politics despite the opposition in the state.

What marks a new era in the state’s political atmosphere is the minister’s recent appearance on a Rhythm FM programme in Jos. During the programme, he explained that his silence was intentional, as he wanted to give the state government the opportunity to focus on implementing developmental projects. He said “Politically, I have the capacity to put pressure on the state but I choose to give them space to work so we can rate them at the end.”

During the radio programme, the minister criticized some of the state government’s policies and actions. He reflected on his close relationship with the previous government, saying, “I was very close to the Simon Lalong government; Lalong achieved a lot in of roads.” He then posed a question, “Can we put on the table the achievements of the APC and PDP?”

But the stance of the party in the state that there’s no automatic ticket for any contestant is seen as a hindrance.

Rufus Bature, state chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), Rufus Bature, said APC as a Democratic Party will give chance to interested individuals who want to contest for the party’s primary, explaining that the issue of giving an automatic ticket to an individual depends on the general decision of the people in the state.


Lokpobiri in Bayelsa

Though the 2027 off-cycle governorship election in Bayelsa State is two years away, politicians from the state who have ambition to succeed Governor Douye Diri are already consulting and meeting key power brokers in the state.

Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the current minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), is one of the frontier contenders who are eyeing the governorship seat of the oil rich state.

Lokpobiri, a former Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and two term Senator, had in 2027 contested for the governorship primary of APC in 2019 but lost to Chief David Lyon.

Though he seems to have had misunderstanding with former Governor Timipre Sylva, who is leader of the party in the state, but Lokpobiri’s alliance with the Minister for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, may give him an easy ride to the creek haven, the Bayelsa State seat of power.

Though, the zoning may not favour Lokpobiri’s Bayelsa West Senatorial district, since the generality of the people in the state think power must move to Bayelsa East Senatorial District, who last produced governor through Timipre Sylva about 13 years ago, but Lokpobiri’s ers are of the opinion that there is no zoning arrangement in APC.

Though Lokpobiri is yet to publicly declare his intention to run for 2027 governorship race, the body language and moves by his ers show he is interested in it.

With Lokpobiri as serving minister and from his political ally, Chief Nyesom Wike, it may be very easy for him to get the ticket of APC for the 2027 election.

His er from Ekeremor local government told Weekend Trust on condition of anonymity that Lokpobiri has built his political family right from when he was in the House of Assembly, and the base for his governorship election is overwhelming.

He said all the local governments in the state will vote for Lokpobiri if he decides to the race and if APC gives him a ticket, because he has also backed his politics with human empowerment.


Malagi and Niger

Political watchers believe that the growing cracks within the APC in Niger State could create an opening for the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, who is also said to be quietly positioning himself for the 2027 race.

Although Malagi has not publicly declared his intention to contest, party insiders say he remains a strong contender, especially amid rising dissatisfaction within Bago’s camp.

A source close to Malagi confirmed that the minister has been strategically positioning himself, securing federal appointments and economic opportunities for his loyalists and allies.

One such appointment is that of Haliru Zakari Jikantoro, the former APC state chairman, who was recently named a member of the newly created North Central Development Commission. Sources say the slot, originally earmarked for Senator Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger North), was ceded to Malagi after he lobbied for Jikantoro.

Jikantoro had resigned shortly after Governor Bago was sworn in, citing personal reasons. However, sources told Weekend Trust that his resignation was triggered by long standing friction between him and the governor dating back to the party primaries. Jikantoro has since declared his loyalty to the minister.

Similarly, the former state secretary of the APC, Ibrahim Khalil, who resigned just a week after Jikantoro, has been appointed Director of Special Duties at the NTA – another recommendation reportedly made by Malagi. Khalil has been seen at several events alongside the minister, particularly in Niger State.

“The minister is operating silently but effectively. If Bago’s camp faces prolonged internal opposition, Malagi could emerge as a viable alternative, especially given his federal leverage and Abuja connections,” one of the sources said.

A chieftain of the APC in the state and close associate of the minister, Tongzum Barde, said he cannot confirm whether or not the minister is contesting, adding that only time will tell.

While Governor Bago is working to consolidate power, the unresolved disputes over local government consensus arrangements may prove to be the biggest test of his grip on the APC ahead of 2027.

https://dailytrust.com/2027-ministers-eyeing-governorship-seats/

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has said the real reason the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) shut down Port Harcourt Refinery after spending $1.5 billion on its rehabilitation is incompetence.

The National President of PETROAN, Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed this in a telephone interview with DAILY POST on Saturday.

His comment comes as NNPCL on Saturday announced the shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

The spokesperson of the state-owned oil firm, Olufemi Soneye, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

According to him, the shutdown is due to planned maintenance and sustainability assessment scheduled for May 24th, 2025.

However, Soneye did not state when the Refinery would resume operation.

“This scheduled maintenance and sustainability assessment will commence on May 24, 2025.”

Reacting, Gillis-Harry said the shutdown showed the level of insincerity on the part of NNPCL.

“The shutdown of the state-owned refinery showed that the managers of Port Harcourt Refinery are incompetent and insincere all along,” he told DAILY POST.

The shutdown of Port Harcourt Refinery comes amid speculation over its petroleum production capacity after it was resuscitated in November 2024.

Barely four days ago, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association raised an alarm over the delays in the rehabilitation of the 210,000 barrels-per-day Port Harcourt Refinery and the Warri and Kaduna Refineries.

https://dailypost.ng/2025/05/24/incompetence-petroan-reveals-reason-nnpcl-shut-down-port-harcourt-refinery/

Nlfpmod

Australia’s ‘most sexually active woman’ hospitalised after sleeping with 583 men in a day

Annie Knight, a 27-year-old OnlyFans star known as “Australia’s most sexually active woman,” has been hospitalised after taking part in a challenge where she reportedly slept with 583 men in a single day.

She shared a video from her hospital bed on Wednesday, revealing she went in for treatment due to severe cramps and excessive bleeding. The symptoms appeared just a day after the event, which was filmed on Sunday.

Knight said the issue was related to her pre-existing endometriosis, a condition she believes was triggered by stress.

“On Sunday everything was all good, but the next day I had a lot of bleeding that I shouldn’t really have because I’m on contraception, and I was a little bit worried about it but decided I would wait it out and see how it goes,” she told Perth Now.

“Then it turned into really bad cramps and pains, then I started to get a bit worried and decided to take myself to hospital.”

Doctors initially suspected the pain and bleeding were due to the extreme physical activity involved in the challenge, but later ruled that out.

“We ran a bunch of tests all day, then eventually it was my endometriosis had been exasperated by mostly stress and not so much the physical challenge that I did on Sunday,” Knight explained.

Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to those in the uterus grow outside it. These cells bleed each month like uterine tissue, but the blood has nowhere to go.

Symptoms include heavy periods, pain, fatigue, and a higher risk of infertility. The exact cause is unknown but may involve genetics, immune system problems, or chemical exposure.

Treatment usually focuses on pain relief and improving quality of life, sometimes through hormone therapy or surgery.

This is not Knight’s first recent hospital visit. Just a month ago, she was hospitalized with a mysterious ailment.

Her fiancé, Henry Brayshaw, shared a photo on Instagram showing her in a blue hospital gown, resting in bed surrounded by monitors.

“Wonder where the life switch is?” he joked in the caption.

The couple made headlines recently after announcing their engagement—just one week into officially dating.

Speaking on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, Knight explained the history behind the whirlwind romance.

“The crazy bit about it is we’ve only been officially dating for a week,” she said. “However, we’ve been best friends for ten years and we have dated in the past.”

“And we’ve been sort of seeing each other recently. It’s not a shotgun engagement or anything like that. It’s been ten years in the making.”

Despite her engagement, Knight made it clear her lifestyle won’t be changing anytime soon.

She said that she still plans to sleep with 1,000 men before the end of 2025.

“He is super ive, he’s just the best and he understands that I’m very work-oriented and that I enjoy my job,” she said.

“We have ten years of history. He knows me better than anyone, better than I even know myself, we’ve been through so much together and the and the love that we have for each other is unmatched—he accepts me for who I am.”

Interestingly, while Knight’s lifestyle remains open, her fiancé’s does not.

“He is completely monogamous and faithful to me and is forbidden from sleeping with other women—but the same rules don’t apply to me,” she said.

Knight’s unique choices and public openness continue to spark debate around sexuality, relationships, and personal freedom.

https://tribuneonlineng.com/australias-most-sexually-active-woman-hospitalised-after-sleeping-with-583-men-in-a-day/

By Abdullateef Aliyu and Faruk Shuaibu


Despite consistent reduction in price of motor spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petroleum by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, the price of the product remains very high, analysis by Daily Trust has shown.

Yesterday, the refinery announced another reduction of N15 in the price of its high-quality Motor Spirit (PMS).

As a result of this reduction, Nigerians will now purchase the product at the following prices: N875 per litre in Lagos; N885 per litre in the South West; N895 per litre in the North West and North Central, while it will be sold for N905 per litre in the South East, South South, and North East.

In a statement, it said the prices will apply through all its partners, including MRS, AP (Ardova), Heyden, Optima Energy, Techno Oil, and Hyde.

The refinery called on other marketers to its expanding network of partners to demonstrate their for President Bola Tinubu’s Nigeria First policy, which advocates for the prioritisation of locally-produced goods and services.


Catalogue of price cuts

Daily Trust reports that since the commencement of operations, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has consistently implemented cost-reduction strategies which it stated was aimed at “delivering tangible savings to Nigerians.”

In February 2025, the company carried out two price reductions on petrol, resulting in a total decrease of N125 per litre. This was followed by a further reduction of approximately N45 per litre in April.

Additionally, the prices of other key products, such as diesel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), have been significantly lowered, improving affordability across transportation, industrial, and domestic energy sectors.


Despite reduction, prices remain high

Our correspondent reports that in spite of the reduction in prices by Dangote, the prices remain on the high side.

So far, analysis by Daily Trust indicated that Dangote has reduced prices at different times in 2025 amounting to N195.

It would be recalled that in January, the Refinery announced an upward review of the price, saying its refined product would now sell at N955 per litre at the loading gantry.

Dangote had earlier in December, 2024 slashed its price from N970 per litre to N899.50 in what it described as a holiday bonanza.

The refinery stated that marketers buying between 2 million – 4.99 million litres will now buy at N955 per litre while 5 million litres & above will buy at N950 per litre.

However, on February 1, the refinery undertook a significant price reduction, slashing the price by N60 to N890 at the ex-depot price.

On February 26, it slashed the price again, now the second time in a month, cutting N65 off the previous price of N890, bringing it down to N825 per litre at the gantry (ex-depot).

The ex-depot price thus decreased from N950 per litre in January to the current price of N825 per litre, representing a reduction of N125 per litre within 26 days.

According to a statement issued at the time, the price reduction will also ensure that Nigerians pay between N860 and N865 per litre for petrol at the pump in Lagos.


March saw price increase

March saw a significant increase in price reduction by Dangote refinery following the stoppage of naira-for-crude arrangement with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

It would be recalled that the refinery had on March 19, 2025, announced that it will stop the domestic supply of petrol in naira due to the suspension of the naira for crude by the NNPC.

It stated that the temporary decision is necessary to avoid a mismatch between its sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in U.S. dollars.

This subsequently shot up the price of PMS with a litre selling at N930 per litre in Lagos as against the former price of N865.

In April, it reduced the price twice. On April 16th, 2025, the gantry price (ex-depot price) of petrol was reduced from N865 to N835.

Earlier in the same month, the refinery slashed the price from N880 to N865 per litre.

With the reduction in May, the refinery has reduced prices by N195 in 2025 alone. However, the present price of N875 is still highehr compared to the price in March which was N865.


Filling stations yet to adjust prices

As of the time of filing this report, filling stations were yet to adjust their prices as a litre is still sold between N890 and N910 in Lagos.

This is even as marketers while welcoming the price reduction expressed mixed feelings over what they called the short notice.

In April when Dangote effected price reduction twice, marketers reportedly lost billions of naira over what they called the sudden price cut.

The Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike warned that marketers face a lose-win situation over the ongoing price war.

“For us, the independent marketers, it is a lose-win situation.

“The loss is that those who have already gotten petrol products from Dangote Refinery or its partners will have to lose a N20 to N25 margin per litre and revert to the new price,” he said.

Another marketer who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity stated that the short-term reduction is a cause for concern.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery recently reassured Nigerians of price stability despite fluctuations in global crude oil prices, reaffirming its commitment to ing Nigeria’s economy.

“By refining petroleum products domestically at the world’s largest single-train refinery, we are proud to make a substantial contribution to Nigeria’s energy security, foreign exchange savings, and overall economic resilience—aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on addressing the nation’s economic challenges and improving the well-being of Nigerians. We are immensely grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, for making this possible through the commendable Naira-for-Crude Initiative, which has enabled us to consistently reduce the price of petroleum products for the benefit of all Nigerians,” it stated.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery further assures the public of a consistent supply of petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand, as well as a surplus for export to enhance the country’s foreign exchange earnings.


Price of petrol increased by 76.73% – NBS

Meanwhile, the average retail price paid by consumers for Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, rose to N1,239.33 in April 2025, reflecting a 76.73% year-on-year increase compared to N701.24 recorded in April 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

The Bureau however, said the price dropped by 1.77% when compared to the N1,261.65 average price recorded in March 2025.

This information is contained in the latest “ Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch” released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Wednesday.

On state analysis, it stated that Imo State recorded the highest average retail price of PMS at N1,588.50, followed by Jigawa and Sokoto States with N1,567.84 and N1,550.00, respectively.

On the other end, Yobe had the lowest average price at N970.00, with Kwara and Osun States following at N1,014.85 and N1,042.49, respectively.

“At the zonal level, the South East recorded the highest average price of N1,341.71, while the South West posted the lowest average at N1,138.64.

The report demonstrates the continued volatility in fuel pricing across regions, despite recent interventions aimed at stabilizing the downstream petroleum sector.

https://dailytrust.com/despite-6-time-price-cuts-by-dangote-petrol-cost-still-high/

by Bunmi Aduloju


Former President Goodluck Jonathan says no laws were designed to protect Nigerians when oil was discovered in 1956.

Jonathan spoke on Wednesday night at the Champions of Nigerian Content Awards Dinner organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state.

Jonathan said a Ugandan once told him how he developed skills before g an agreement with international oil companies (IOCs) to avoid mistakes made by Nigeria.

“I brought up this story because I used to tell people that if at the beginning of the oil discovery we had laws designed to protect us, Nigeria would have gone further than this. But we didn’t have those kinds of laws,” he said.

“Of course, the first law that controlled the oil industry was the Mineral Oil Ordinance of 1886, I’m not sure if Nigeria played any role in developing that law.

“The second one was the Mineral Oil Ordinance of 1914, when we amalgamated. I don’t know how many Nigerians have any knowledge about petroleum law.”

Jonathan said the bill that became the law that started the oil industry was the Petroleum Act of 1969, which came after the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in 1956 and after independence in 1960.

“The next proposed law was the Petroleum Industry Act that we worked on during my government, but luckily, in 2021, it was ed into law,” he said.


JONATHAN: WHY LAW WAS ED TO LOCAL CONTENT

The former president said the Local Content Act was ed in April 2010 when the minister of petroleum told him there was a private law sponsored by senator Lee Maeba to promote local content in the oil and gas industry.

“What is the story about the Nigerian content, or what’s popularly called the local content? I signed that law in April 2010 because of the experience I had in the Year 2000,” he said.

“Then, I was the deputy governor of Bayelsa state, and I led a trade delegation to China. And because we are from the Niger Delta, an oil-producing area, we decided to visit some of the oil cities.

“When he visited what the Chinese call the oil capital, Daqing, they took us through their library, through their museum. They told us stories from the beginning of the mining activities up to that time.

“ that the Western companies discovered oil in commercial quantities in Nigeria in 1956. The same Western companies discovered oil in commercial quantities in China in 1968, two years later.”

Jonathan said that by 2000, most of the needs of the oil industry in China were manufactured locally — a situation that was not obtainable in Nigeria.

The former president said he immediately signed the bill after his experience in China.

https://www.thecable.ng/jonathan-no-laws-were-designed-to-protect-nigerians-when-oil-was-discovered/