The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and rains from Monday, August 11 to Wednesday, August 13, 2025, across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday, August 10 in Abuja envisaged morning thunderstorms on Monday over the northern region with moderate rains over parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa and Taraba states.
Thundery weather
According to it, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Taraba and Adamawa states later in the day.
The agency envisaged the high possibility of flood to occur in parts of Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto states during the forecast period.
“For the Central Region, there are prospects of light rain over parts of Niger State during the morning period.
“In the afternoon/evening hours, thunderstorms with light rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue and Kogi states.
“There is a high possibility of flood occurring over parts of Plateau, Nasarawa and Niger states during the forecast period,” it said.
NiMet anticipated cloudy skies over the southern region with prospects of intermittent light rains to affected parts of Ebonyi, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states during the morning period.
It predicted moderate rains over parts of Enugu, Edo, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Osun, Abia, Cross River, Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom states later in the day.
According to it, there is a high possibility of floods occurring over parts of Delta, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states during the forecast period.
“For Tuesday, morning thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Katsina and Kaduna states.
“Thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Bauchi, Borno, Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Sokoto and Gombe states during the afternoon/evening hours,” it said.
The agency predicted light rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue and Kogi states in the central region during the morning period.
It envisaged thunderstorms with light rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau and Kwara states later in the day.
NiMet also anticipated cloudy skies over the southern region with prospects of light rains to affected parts of Oyo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Lagos and Bayelsa states during the morning period.
The agency envisaged rains to continue over most parts of the region later in the day.
“For Wednesday, morning thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
“Thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over the entire region during the afternoon/evening hours.
”Light rains are anticipated over parts of Kwara, Niger, Kogi and Plateau states of the central region during the morning hours,” it said.
NiMet anticipated thunderstorms with light rains over the entire region later in the day.
According to it, light rains are expected over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Bayelsa states of the southern region in the morning period.
It predicted continuous rain over the entire region during the afternoon or evening period.
“Driving under heavy rain should be avoided.
“The states with the possibility of flash flood should activate the emergency response system immediately.
“To avoid leaching of nutrients, farmers should refrain from applying fertiliser and pesticides right before the rains.
“Ensure warm clothing for vulnerable persons due to low night-time temperatures.
“Ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collisions.
“Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets.
“Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees,” it said.
NiMet urged airline operators to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.
The agency also advised residents to stay informed through weather updates by visiting NiMet’s website (www.nimet.gov.ng).
A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) on Monday, August 11, 2025, expressed concern over the conflicting positions of Federal Government agencies on the safety of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the food chain.
The CSOs’ concerns were voiced by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Environmental Rights Action (ERA), and the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance in a statement.
GMOs
Their position was contained in a statement signed by Miss Kome Odhomor, HOMEF’s Media and Communications Lead.
They condemned what they described as inconsistency by Nigeria’s lead agency responsible for safeguarding public health on food and drug matters, particularly regarding GMO safety.
The coalition, comprising over 80 civil society organisations, researchers, farmers, women’s and youth groups representing the interests of millions of Nigerians, said the divergent views by regulators were unacceptable.
Recall that Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Aug. 8, stated that GMOs, particularly in food, were not harmful to human health, provided safety protocols were observed.
“GMOs are genetically modified foods and they are not bad for us.
“They are not bad for us, depending on what type of foods they are and whether safety considerations have been taken,” Adeyeye said at the time.
However, in June 2024, Adeyeye had taken a different stance, expressing concern over GMO safety in Nigeria.
She had stated: “NAFDAC does not consider GMO foods safe for consumption due to insufficient research and data at the agency’s disposal regarding their safety.
“Until we get very convincing data to show the safety for human consumption, NAFDAC’s position remains that GMOs are not safe.”
On potential uses for non-food crops, she had also maintained that there was no evidence from NAFDAC confirming their safety for human consumption.
The coalition said it was baffled by the DG’s sudden change of position on GMOs.
“Where is the rigorous, independent and long-term research that NAFDAC or the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has conducted to confirm that GMOs are safe for consumption or what exactly informs this radical change of opinion?” the CSOs queried.
“The fact that our regulatory agency – the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) – cannot show evidence of independent, extensive risk assessments demonstrates irresponsibility and disregard for public health,” they concluded.
The statement quoted ERA’s Deputy Executive Director, Mariann Bassey-Olsson, as warning of threats to Nigeria’s food sovereignty.
She said GMOs risked contaminating indigenous seed varieties through gene transfer, a problem that was irreversible.
“For this reason, Mexico and several other countries have placed total or partial bans on GMOs,” she noted.
“GMOs also create dependence on foreign seed companies since they yield poorly after the first planting, forcing farmers to buy new seeds every season.
“Moreover, GMOs are patented, giving producers exclusive rights for years and prohibiting seed exchange – a practice long upheld by our farmers.”
The statement quoted Prof. Johnson Ekpere, an independent consultant and convener of the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, as saying: “These agencies are yet to show evidence of a robust, long-term, independent study – particularly feeding studies – to confirm that GMOs are safe.
“Meanwhile, a recent rat-feeding study by Iranian scientists showed substantial liver and kidney damage in rats fed GM soybean oil for 90 days.
“Similar studies have linked GMOs to tumours and immune disorders such as asthma and allergies.
“This sort of inconsistency and falsehood from government agencies tasked with protecting our health and environment is unacceptable.”
The statement also cited Dr Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of HOMEF, who said the dangers of GMOs extended beyond health risks to long-term, possibly irreversible soil and environmental degradation.
He referred to reports from the National Cotton Farmers Association of Nigeria, where farmers complained that after three years of planting pesticidal cotton (Bt cotton), conventional crops no longer grew on those soils.
Bassey warned that herbicide-tolerant GMOs – accounting for about 80 per cent of GMOs globally – had caused severe biodiversity loss, as the herbicides they were designed to withstand kill not only target pests but also beneficial soil organisms.
“These GMOs have also led to the emergence of “super weeds,” forcing farmers to use more toxic herbicide formulations harmful to both the environment and human health.”
The coalition further quoted medical and molecular microbiologist Dr Ifeanyi Casmir.
Casmir warned that Bt crops – such as Bt beans approved for commercial release in 2019 and 2024, released proteins into the soil that destroyed beneficial microorganisms, degrading soil quality and reducing fertility.
“Studies have found Bt toxins in 93 per cent of pregnant women and 80 per cent of foetal cord blood, raising risks of birth defects, cancer, and allergies,” Casmir added.
Joyce Brown, Director of Programmes at HOMEF, questioned NAFDAC’s recent stance.
“Beyond the MoU signed with NBMA, what is NAFDAC doing about the over 50 processed food brands in our markets labelled as containing GMOs? Did NAFDAC and NBMA certify these products?”
Brown recalled that, in 2018, HOMEF and other CSOs asked NAFDAC if it was aware of the permit granted to WACOT Ltd in 2017 for GM maize.
“NAFDAC replied it was not. MoUs are ineffective if they don’t lead to genuine collaboration and rigorous oversight of processes that affect Nigerians.”
WACOT had tried to illegally import the maize but was stopped by Customs.
NBMA initially said it would be repatriated, but weeks later, WACOT was approved to import it for three years – contrary to the NBMA Act 2015, which requires 270 days’ notice before GMO imports,” she said.
The coalition urged the Senate to ban GMOs to protect indigenous seed varieties, safeguard public health, preserve soil integrity, and promote agroecological solutions.
They also called on the government to tackle the root causes of food insecurity by supporting smallholder farmers with credit, land, infrastructure, and security to enable them to return to their farms.
In its latest solar projects database update for 2025 H1, the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) has identified more than 20 GWp worth of operational solar capacity across the continent.
The database counts close to 40,000 different projects at various stages of development. The 20 GWp capacity accounts for solar for utility-scale, C&I, mini-grids, SHS (Solar Home Systems). Residential projects for a limited set of countries are now also included in AFSIA’s database.
Solar energy
South Africa remains the engine of the African solar industry, accounting for approximately half of all capacity installed in the continent. North Africa also contributes greatly to the tally with Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia completing the Top 4 of African countries hosting the most solar capacity in operation.
This domination of the southern and northern parts of the continent is likely to be maintained going forward. In 2025, new capacity that became operational predominantly came from Southern Africa. While South Africa continues to invest massively in solar, other Southern African countries are now jumping on the bandwagon and have rolled out significant solar capacities in 2025 alone.
These include Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Senegal is almost an outlier in this Southern African group with 54 MWp new installed capacity identified YTD. In the northern part of the continent, the main push is expected to come from Algeria. After several years of inaction, the country has decided to move forward with a whopping 3 GW initiative across 20 projects. These projects are at various stages of construction, and several are expected to be commissioned before the end of 2025.
The other remarkable insight from the data is that African solar is on a strong growth trajectory, whereas other regions of the world are witnessing a slowdown of new solar installations. SolarPower Europe recently reported that it expects a solar decline of 1.4% this year, marking a negative annual growth for this first time since 2015. In the US, SEIA reports that solar installations have declined by 7% YoY and 43% between 2024 Q4 and 2025 Q1.
Africa however keeps beating its own records year after year, after recovering from the pandemic. Updated AFSIA figures indicate that 2024 saw a 44% increase in new installations, further building on the 22% increase momentum from 2023. And the future holds even greater prospects as more than 10 GWp of capacity has been identified to be under construction. Utility-scale projects currently under construction account for 70%, marking a solid rebound from the post-COVID years during which C&I was the predominant segment in African solar.
This capacity under construction is also more spread across the continent. South Africa remains the most active African country, but hosts “only” 28% of the current construction activity. Algeria, Egypt, Angola, Tunisia and Zambia are other hot spots for African solar and account for 75% of all current solar construction activity together with South Africa.
This steady growth of solar will be at the centre of discussions at REFA – the Renewable Energy Forum Africa which is to take place in Accra from December 3 to 4, 2025. Organised by AFSIA and SolarPower Europe, with the support of GET.invest, the investment forum is the annual meeting place for professionals of the African renewable energy industry, covering all topics including solar, storage, electric mobility and green hydrogen, to cite a few.
BP is to reopen a key North Sea field and pump new oil and gas for at least a decade, despite Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s attempts to cut back the offshore industry.
The energy giant is reviving the Murlach field, which was declared uneconomic and taken out of use in 2004, has now become viable partly due to new technologies.
BP’s Murlach field was taken out of use in 2004. New technologies have made it economically viable again. Photo credit: Saknarong Butsabong / Shutterstock
BP won agreement to reopen Murlach, 120 miles east of Aberdeen, under the previous government and has since been installing equipment, with production potentially restarting next month.
The milestone comes despite efforts by the Energy Secretary to bring an end to new fossil fuel production in the North Sea. Mr Miliband and his predecessors have almost doubled the taxation rate on oil and gas profits and banned the issuing of licences for new exploration and production.
BP said the Murlach field contained 20 million barrels of recoverable oil and 600 million cubic metres of gas – enough to keep it in production for 11 years. “Murlach is expected to produce around 20,000 barrels of oil and 17 million cubic feet of gas per day,” it said.
It means BP can partially reverse the decline in North Sea output, which has seen oil production fall from 96,000 barrels per day in 2020 to 70,000 last year. Gas production has fallen from 221m square feet a day to 197m.
Climate campaigners have condemned BP’s decision to push ahead with reopening the North Sea’s Murlach oil field in direct defiance of Miliband’s call to halt new fossil fuel projects.
Describing the development as a “Dangerous Act of Climate Vandalism”, 350.org stated that BP’s move comes as climate scientists warn the UK must urgently phase out oil and gas to meet its net-zero commitments and limit global heating to 1.5°C.
Kate Blagojevic, Europe Team Lead, 350.org, said: “This is climate vandalism, pure and simple. BP is putting its profit margins above the survival of communities, ecosystems, and future generations. Every barrel of oil from this project pushes us closer to climate breakdown, more floods, more fires, more heatwaves. The era of fossil fuels is over, and BP’s desperate attempts to wring out the last drops of oil from the North Sea are a reckless betrayal of the public and the planet. They should be winding down, not doubling down.”
Campaigners warn that reopening the Murlach oil field undermines the UK’s credibility as a climate leader just months before world leaders gather for COP30 in Brazil. The field was previously shut down in 2004 as it was deemed uneconomic but has become viable again due to advancements in extraction technologies.
350.org called on the UK Government to stand firm against fossil fuel expansion, invest in renewable energy, and deliver a just transition for workers and communities.
Dr Doug Parr, Greenpeace UK’s policy director, said: “The North Sea is on death’s door. Reserves are drying up and what’s left and untapped is barely enough to keep it on life support. The only sensible thing to do is to pivot [from] the North Sea to something we have an abundance of, and something that will never run out – wind.”
A spokesman for Mr. Miliband said: “We are committed to delivering the manifesto commitment to not issue new licences to explore new fields because they will not take a penny off bills, cannot make us energy secure, and will only accelerate the worsening climate crisis.
“We are delivering a fair and orderly transition in the North Sea, with the biggest ever investment in offshore wind and two first of a kind carbon capture and storage clusters.”
Midway through the Plastics Treaty negotiations scheduled to end on Thursday August 14, 2025, the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), a global network of NGOs dedicated to the common aim of eliminating pollutants, has said that concerns for the threats to human health from toxic plastic chemicals are widely shared by delegates as momentum grows for a Treaty with global controls on harmful chemicals.
Over 80 countries, mostly members of the African Group of Negotiators, have endorsed a proposal by Switzerland and Mexico that outlines ways to protect human health from hazardous plastic chemicals through global controls.
IPEN members at the ongoing INC-5.2 in Geneva
After years of stalled negotiations with just few days left to agree on a strong legally binding instrument, the stocktake plenary on Friday, August 8, was deemed a critical moment for the INC-5.2 Chair and Member States to turn things around by calling for a vote, in order to forestall the consensus-based decision-making by a few big oil and plastics producing countries blocking the process.
However, while many high ambitious countries expressed frustration at the lack of progress, African region and its negotiators remain resolute and strong together on their demands.
“So far, the INC negotiation process is broken, we are currently in damage-control mode particularly the failure for a vote against consensus, which has continued to place plastic treaty process into uncertainty towards an ambitious landing zone and a strong Treaty,” said Dr Leslie Adogame, Executive Director of SRADeV Nigeria.
However, progress toward an agreement appears slow, primarily due to “obstructive tactics” by oil producing nations. These countries have allegedly manipulated the consensus process to block the majority of countries that favour a Treaty that includes protections for health and the environment.
IPEN and SRADeV Nigeria (IPEN participating organisation) have called for procedural changes that were adopted by previous multilateral environmental agreements to allow voting when consensus cannot be attained.
“It is worrisome that at this stage of the negotiation, members states are still stuck with over bloated text full of brackets, there remains more divergent views than anticipated convergence text at the final negotiations of the Treaty, it is time to break the procedural deadlock,” said Dr Adogame.
“As the negotiations continue, we urge delegates to remember the mandate: to end plastic pollution and protect human health and the environment, throughout the full life cycle of plastics,” said Yuyun Ismawati, IPEN Co-chair and Co-founder of Nexus3 Foundation in Indonesia.
“As plastic production is forecast to triple in the coming decades, the only way to meet this goal is through limiting plastic production and controlling toxic plastic chemicals. A meaningful Plastic Treaty is urgently needed to resolve the plastics crisis,” added Ismawati.
IPEN and its member organisation have declared support for the proposal from Switzerland and Mexico as a positive step toward protecting health and the environment from toxic plastic chemicals. The proposal calls for an article in the Treaty (Article 3) to outline how plastic chemicals that pose health, and environmental threats can be globally regulated.
The proposal is said to be consistent with other global conventions that have a track record of success in creating global controls on toxic chemicals, such as the Stockholm and Basel Conventions, and includes:
A mechanism creating an initial list of hazardous plastic chemicals (“chemicals of concern”), with means for updating the list as new science on toxicity evolves;
Methods for transparency and traceability of chemicals of concern in plastic products;
Global, legally binding obligations.
While an important step, IPEN/SRADeV Nigeria notes the proposal could be strengthened with a broader focus that is not limited to plastic products but covers plastics as a material that creates toxic threats throughout its life cycle.
IPEN has expressed concern about the stalling tactics of oil-producing nations and procedural barriers that have blocked vital observers from participating meaningfully in many discussions. Scientists, Indigenous Peoples, labor sector representatives, and other stakeholders who have vital information and perspectives are said to have been denied access through closed-door discussions and inadequate meeting spaces.
“IPEN members from around the world bring the perspectives of those who are most directly harmed by plastics to the Treaty negotiations. The Treaty deliberations must be open and accessible to include these voices who know first-hand how toxic plastics can affect human health and the right to a healthy environment we all deserve,” said Pamela Miller, IPEN Co-chair and Executive Director of Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT). “We stand committed to hold negotiators accountable for a Plastics Treaty that achieves the health protections we all need and deserve.”
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) on August 5, 2025, hosted young professionals from Nigeria and other African countries at its offices in Lagos, as it continues to support the growth of future leaders in the energy industry on the continent.
The 25 engineers and geologists from Nigeria, Cameroun, Chad, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Angola and Uganda, were part of the Africa Young Professionals programme attending the Nigeria annual international conference and exhibition (NAICE) of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in Lagos last week.
SNEPCo leadership and staff welcomed the 2025 Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Africa Young Professionals during a courtesy visit to Shell Headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria
They visited SNEPCo to learn more about the operations of a company which launched Nigeria into the league of deep-water producers in 2005, when it began production at Bonga, the country’s first oil and gas project in water depths of more than 1,000 metres.
Receiving the visitors on behalf of Managing Director Ronald Adams, General Manager Emerging Projects, Olaposi Fadahunsi, highlighted the various Shell sponsorship and scholarship initiatives to develop young talents in collaboration with the SPE, and urged them to take advantage of the opportunities in their career aspirations.
Among other presentations & briefings on SNEPCo’s strides on production optimisation, digitalisation and automation, proactive reservoir management, field safety and front-end work planning and scheduling, the General Manager, Deepwater Oil Portfolio, Iyke Nnoaham, spoke on career growth and strategic decision making for young professionals.
The professionals expressed appreciation for the “engaging and inspiring” discussions.
SNEPCo says it has been contributing to the development of talents and young professionals in the energy industry through the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) which has proved popular with Nigerian undergraduates, as they acquire practical knowledge and skills and build vital professional networks during the six-month internship.
The latest batch of 28 interns from 17 universities is currently serving in different operational units in the company.
TotalEnergies has said Nigeria’s present and future energy sustainability does not rest on just hydrocarbon but also human resources development.
This was revealed by the Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater Asset, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, Victor Bandele, on Wednesday, August 6, while contributing to the theme “Governance and Structuring Human Resources Strategy for Sustainable Energy Future” on the 2nd panel of the just-concluded Society of Petroleum Engineers’ (SPE) 2025 Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) held in Lagos.
TotalEnergies
During his presentation, Bandele referenced its graduate trainee programme in partnership with the Institute of Petroleum and Energy Studies (IPES), currently running at the University of Port Harcourt.
The company’s IPES is a programme focused on developing human capacity and equipping youth with skills for the oil and gas industry.
He said one of the pillars on which its more than 63 years of footprint in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry rests is the importance it attaches to human resource development.
According to him, sustainability in the company’s operations means deliberate inclusion of people as a means of meeting today’s energy requirements, while also preparing for future energy needs and targets.
“Over the years, TotalEnergies has kept the IPES alive through financial sponsorship. And as we speak, all our directors are mentors at the institute where graduates are trained as professionals. About 40 graduates of the school are currently employees of TotalEnergies, while others work in other companies in Nigeria.
“Some of them are even expatriates outside the country. This is because we believe so much in people, and we keep adapting learnings at the school to meet today’s energy challenges, while also preparing them for the future,” he said.
“At TotalEnergies, we believe that sustainability does not rest on only old knowledge. We also have to configure past knowledge to sustain us in the future, and that is why training youths must be at the heart of national development. The oil and gas industry must look inwards to see that youth are carried along.
“Our educational policies must be tied to energy transition because it is not the skills needed now that will be required in the future,” Bandele added.
While speaking earlier, Chairperson, SPE Nigeria Council, Amina Danmadami, said a sustainable energy future required a holistic approach that required intentional leadership.
“Nigeria has found itself at a crossroads where, through bold leadership, the energy landscape must be reshaped.
“The future of energy is neither here nor there. It is neither leaner nor predetermined. It will be shaped mainly by investments and sound leadership. It must be repositioned to be inclusive of all stakeholders and must be deepened through strategic engagements across boards and the globe,” she said.
The 2025 edition of SPE NAICE provided an expansive platform for knowledge-sharing, technical collaboration, and strategic foresight. It featured two high-level leadership panel sessions, over 80 exhibiting companies, and multiple tracks focused on gas monetisation, pipeline reliability, infrastructure optimisation, and digital transformation. Special attention was given to national priorities like asset divestment, local capacity development, and environmental stewardship.
Themed “Building a Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and Policy”, the conference brought together industry regulators, upstream/midstream/downstream operators, financiers, oil/gas interest groups, the media, and industry observers, amongst others.
Dangote Refinery CNG trucks
In a related development, Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has commenced the receipt of 4,000 compressed natural gas powered trucks, an integral part of its fuel distribution logistics programme set to start on August 15.
The initiative aims to transform the fuel distribution landscape within Nigeria by reducing logistics costs and enhancing supply efficiency for customers.
The fleet of fuel tankers, being imported through Apapa Port, represents a significant capital investment estimated at N720 billion. This expenditure underscores the company’s commitment to pioneering innovative solutions as the world’s largest single-train refinery continues to expand its operational capabilities.
The first consignment of trucks recently departed Apapa Port and was formally received at the refinery site in Ibeju-Lekki by Vice-President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Ltd, Devakumar Edwin. The arrival was met with enthusiasm from refinery personnel and customers alike, many of whom were present to witness the tangible progress towards improved fuel accessibility.
Members of the public who observed the convoy’s journey from Apapa to Ibeju-Lekki expressed commendation for Dangote’s proactive approach in addressing the chronic logistics challenges that have long impeded the downstream sector.
Speaking on the rollout, Group Chief of Branding and Communication, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, provided further insights into the implementation strategy:
“The commencement of the initiative marks a groundbreaking development in Nigeria’s fuel distribution network. Given the complexities inherent in global supply chains, the delivery of these specialised CNG-powered tankers is indeed commendable. This approach ensures that we maintain operational efficiency while scaling up the fleet.
“Our unwavering commitment to this programme is reflected in our ongoing collaboration with key regulatory bodies and stakeholders to facilitate seamless deployment. We believe this initiative will significantly lower distribution costs and improve fuel availability for our customers nationwide.”
He added that over the next six weeks, the refinery expects at least 60 shiploads of these trucks to arrive in the country.
This innovative distribution model is expected to catalyse efficiency gains across Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, fostering greater transparency, reducing transportation bottlenecks, and ultimately enhancing energy security for the nation.
In June, Dangote Petroleum Refinery revealed a landmark investment exceeding N720 billion to deploy 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks across Nigeria for the nationwide distribution of petroleum products. This bold initiative is projected to save Nigerians over N1.7 trillion annually in fuel distribution costs.
The privately owned refinery will absorb more than N1.07 trillion every year in fuel logistics expenses. The scheme is expected to significantly benefit over 42 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by lowering energy costs and improving profitability.
This strategic programme is part of Dangote’s broader commitment to eliminating logistics bottlenecks, enhancing energy efficiency, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting Nigeria’s economic development. Lower fuel distribution costs will reduce production expenses, alleviate inflationary pressures, and stimulate overall economic growth.
The initiative is also expected to revitalise dormant filling stations, creating over 15,000 direct jobs across the logistics value chain, including positions for drivers, station managers, and attendants at the new CNG stations.
Moreover, the refinery said that the programme would help curb cross-border smuggling of petroleum products while supporting a more efficient and environmentally friendly distribution system.
Commercial Coordinator of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), Tosin Coker, commended the move:
“Dangote Group’s acquisition of 4,000 CNG trucks is not only impressive in scale but also highly strategic,” he said. “It signals to the market that CNG is no longer a distant prospect but a current, practical solution to high energy costs, emissions, and supply chain challenges. PCNGI regards this as a milestone achievement in our efforts to accelerate gas-powered transport adoption.”
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has noted with concern the recent remarks made by Mahmood Adegbite, Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, acknowledging that residents of the Lekki Peninsula are “probably drinking what I will call ‘shit water’” due to contaminated boreholes.
In a statement on Sunday, August 10, 2025, CAPPA noted that, while the bluntness of the statement has drawn attention, it is the underlying failure it exposes that should concern all Lagosians.
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab
“The government is bad-mouthing a crisis it manufactured. Boreholes and even dug wells in Lagos are not luxury choices for residents. They are a survival response, and the last resort of a people forced to become their own service providers while public institutions fail to meet this basic need.
“For decades residents of Lekki and indeed much of Lagos State have been left with no choice but to rely on unsafe, self-supplied water through boreholes, due to the government’s inability to provide reliable and affordable public water. That the Lagos State Government is now openly admitting the severe health risks this poses, without accepting responsibility is as dishonest as it is troubling,” the organisation observed.
CAPPA argued that rather than mock residents for drilling boreholes, the government must first confront the root cause, which is the chronic neglect of Lagos’ public water infrastructure that has now left many Lagosians depending on all kinds of “shit water” for their daily existence.
The statement pointed out that the problem of faecal contamination, poor wastewater management, and untreated sewage is not new, but “are symptoms of a water governance and sanitation system that has been deliberately left to rot, while decision-makers flirt with discredited privatisation models that place profit above people. What is missing is not a diagnosis of the problem, but a comprehensive, transparent, and publicly accountable plan to fix it.”
CAPPA stressed that it has repeatedly raised the alarm about Lagos’ crippling underinvestment in public water infrastructure, the lack of transparency in water governance, and the persistent attempts to impose private sector-led water models – many of which have failed in other parts of the globe. It added that the government now appears to be reviving market-based water reforms without public consultation or accountability, warning that Lagos cannot continue down this road.
“You cannot neglect your constitutional duty for decades, then turn around to shame people for doing what they must to survive,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA.
“When the state cannot provide clean and safe water, people will do what they must to survive. The question we must ask is: What is the Lagos State Government doing to ensure that its citizens no longer have to drink contaminated water, or live in fear of the next outbreak of disease?”
The group called for urgent and dedicated public investment in water and sanitation, suspension of all market-based reforms, and adoption of a publicly led, community-focused water governance framework. It urged the Lagos state government to convene residents, civil society, and relevant experts in an open and transparent process to co-develop a people-centred water policy.
It further demanded a state-wide emergency plan that targets underserved communities, repair broken wastewater systems, and integrate climate-resilient approaches to water access and drainage.
The organisation noted that while regulation of indiscriminate borehole drilling is important, “it cannot happen without first providing viable and accessible public water alternatives.”
“Lagosians are not to blame for drinking unsafe water. They are victims of policy failure. This failure must be acknowledged and corrected not weaponised to justify even more anti-people reforms,” it concluded.
Three South-South states – Edo, Bayelsa, and Delta – say they are taking bold steps to implement Nigeria’s decentralised electricity policy and entrench local government autonomy, signalling a shift in how subnational governments manage critical infrastructure and grassroots governance.
A survey shows that the three states have domesticated key provisions of the Federal Government’s unbundling of the power sector.
Power station
The action moves electricity generation and distribution from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list.
This change allows states to establish their own electricity markets, license operators, and directly invest in power projects.
The states also claimed that their local government councils now enjoyed greater financial and administrative independence, although stakeholders gave mixed assessments of how far-reaching these reforms have been.
Mr. Bugie Okhuemoi, Special Adviser on Media to Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo, said the state was leading in implementing the Federal Government’s decentralisation policy, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“To actualise this vision, Gov. Okpebholo recently signed the Edo State Electricity Bill 2025 into law, formally establishing a framework for state-regulated electricity operations.
“This historic legislation enables Edo to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity independently, breaking the state’s dependence on the national grid.
“In line with the new law, the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission has been established to monitor, license, and supervise electricity-related activities across the state.
“The commission will work closely with the newly formed Edo State Electricity Advisory Council, comprising technical experts, investors, and energy stakeholders.
“Together, these institutions will provide strategic guidance, ensure transparency, and build investor confidence in Edo’s electricity market through structured and predictable regulatory mechanisms,” Okhuemoi said.
The governor’s aide said that this structure would improve service delivery, reduce outages, enhance operational efficiency, and boost internal revenue through licensing fees, tariffs, and public-private energy partnerships.
According to him, the state plans to invest in independent power projects (IPPs) for residential, commercial, and industrial use, while attracting private sector investment through policy incentives and streamlined regulations.
“Governor Okpebholo’s administration believes that access to reliable electricity is fundamental to economic development, job creation, digital innovation, and the overall quality of life.
“Edo State is now positioning itself as an energy hub in the South-South.
“This marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s federal structure, where states are becoming engines of growth, empowered to solve challenges at the local level.
“With both legislative and energy autonomy now in place, Edo is paving the way for a more self-reliant, progressive, and responsive model of subnational governance,” he concluded.
On local government autonomy, Obosa Ogbeide, Executive Chairman, Ikpoba Okha Local Government of the state, said that the 18 local government councils were enjoying independence.
According to him, what is happening is that the money comes through the state to the local government councils.
“So, whether it comes directly or through the state, it is the same thing.”
However, Solomon Idiogbe, a civil society activist, described Nigeria’s policies as one without action, lamenting Nigeria’s failed implementation strategies.
Idiogbe insisted that Nigeria’s major challenge was not policy formulation but the lack of genuine strategies for effective implementation.
He argued that the country was building strong individuals rather than strong institutions capable of enforcing and sustaining the policies already developed.
Idiogbe stated that Nigeria’s decentralisation of power generation and distribution was not new, yet meaningful implementation had remained elusive due to entrenched political interests.
“We have heard of deregulation and decentralisation for decades, yet the same policymakers manipulate the markets and determine tariffs that affect millions of citizens,” he said.
According to him, there is no genuine commitment to reforms; policies only exist on paper to maintain poverty and keep the populace under political control.
“The terms deregulation, privatisation, and decentralisation mean nothing to Nigerian politicians; these buzzwords are often tools of deception.
Sharing his views on local government autonomy, Idiogbe noted that state-level political actors still determined who became council chairman, limiting the impact of any local government reform.
The civil society activist emphasised that as long as policymakers controlled party delegates and dictated who become chairmen, there could be no true autonomy or free and fair elections at any level of governance in Nigeria.
On legislative autonomy, immediate past deputy speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Maria Oligbi-Edeko, described the current situation in the Edo assembly as a defining milestone in the state’s democratic evolution.
Oligbi-Edeko emphasised the importance of the law, noting that autonomy empowered the Assembly to function independently, enhancing accountability, transparency, and balanced governance within the democratic framework.
“The autonomy signed into law in Edo is a legal victory; it was a transformative breakthrough enabling lawmakers to act in citizens’ best interests, free from undue executive influence,” she explained.
Oligbi-Edeko further stated that change had allowed legislative decisions to reflect public needs more accurately, creating a stronger, more participatory model of governance.
She affirmed that the autonomy would endure as a democratic legacy, continuing to benefit future assemblies, lawmakers, and the people of Edo State for years to come.
“This reform redefined how power is shared.
“It moved us away from dependency, allowing lawmakers to boldly engage, question, and act in full service of the electorate.
“With this autonomy, the assembly now operates with dignity and independence,” she added.
According to her, autonomy sends a powerful message that democracy belongs to the people, not just to politicians.
In Bayelsa, stakeholders said the state government did not interfere with local government funds, though allocations still pass through the state treasury.
A former councillor in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state, Ezibeya Sinizine, said this arrangement had not hindered council chairmen from executing projects, citing a 30-bed primary health centre built in Yenagoa LGA.
“This autonomy has enabled council chairmen to execute projects like the Biseni health centre, roads in Yenagoa, and works across almost all the LGAs in Bayelsa,” Sinizine said.
He insisted that this state government only supervised the third tier of government, observing, however, that council chairmen were yet to start receiving their allocation directly from the federation account.
On electricity reform, Olice Kemenanabo, Managing Director, Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd, said work was underway on a newly acquired 60MW gas turbine to guarantee steady power.
“As we speak, we have started installing new poles and towers that will enable us distribute power from the gas turbines to Bayelsa people, as promised by the governor.
“And so with the level of work already done, we are very optimistic that going by the governor’s promise, that we are going to complete installation of the new 60mw gas turbines and supply electricity to the people this year,” he said.
Kemenanabo projected that, upon completion, the project would improve the investment climate and attract businesses to the state.
In Delta, the state government said it would implement a decentralised mini-grid model to boost resilience in electricity supply.
Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, State’s Commissioner for Economic Planning, said the domestication of the 2023 Electricity Act in the state had provided the legal basis for the initiative.
“With the mini-grid approach, if an outage occurs in one part of the state, it will not affect other areas,” he explained.
He added that the model allowed operators to tailor energy solutions to the resources available in their zones – from gas to solar and hydro.
The commissioner disclosed that the State Executive Council had approved the creation of the Delta State Electricity Commission as regulator.
He said this state also established a Rural Electricity Agency to serve under-served communities, and technical and market operators to ensure minimum electricity hours and track supply data.
The approach, he said, differed significantly from the conventional centralised grid, which often left the entire regions in darkness when there was a failure at a single point in the system.
Ekedayen added that the entire electricity reform would be privately funded, with the state government providing only the regulatory framework and the enabling environment.
“This is a private sector-driven initiative. Our role is to set the rules, ensure fairness, and create the atmosphere for investment and innovation to thrive,” he explained.
“The commission will be responsible for issuing licences, monitoring compliance, and mediating between operators and consumers,” he said.
“In addition, the state has created the role of a System Operator to oversee the technical coordination of generation and supply processes, and a Market Operator who will track supply data, enforce service standards, and ensure that minimum electricity hours are delivered to homes and businesses.”
Ekedayen announced that a consultant would also be appointed to help midwife the electricity transition process, providing expert guidance and assisting in the creation of a robust implementation roadmap.
He acknowledged that while electricity market reform was still new territory for many sub-national governments, but said Delta remained committed to getting it right.
“Only a few states in Nigeria have dared to venture this far. But we are determined to deliver not just electricity, but a system that works, one that creates jobs, supports industry, and improves the quality of life for our people,” he said.
The Commissioner said that the journey would be deliberate and methodical to avoid costly mistakes, but always with the people’s best interests at the core of every decision.
He described the latest council approvals as the formal birth of the Delta State Electricity Market and expressed optimism that the business and manufacturing sectors would welcome the initiative with enthusiasm.
“With this, we are confident that Delta is on course to becoming a model for sub-national electricity transformation in Nigeria,” Ekedayen said.
Sharing a similar sentiment, Mr. Sunday Tataobuzuogwu, State’s Commissioner for Energy, said Delta’s large gas reserves were a magnet for investors, while solar mini-grids were planned for riverine and off-grid areas.
“Aince it is easier and cheaper to get gas in the state as opposed to outside the state, availability of power in the state will no doubt drive economic activities and very soon Delta will become the investment hub of Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, in the past two years of the Oborevwori’s administration, most communities have night life because of the government’s intervention in lighting up of such communities through the installation of street lights.
“The government has powered up roundabout vicinities and provided lights in the markets, thereby enhancing economic activities in those areas,” he explained.
He said the ministry of energy had supplied transformers to many communities across the state and was still buying more transformers to ensure as many communities as possible get connected to a power source.
He asserted that plans were underway to provide electricity in hard-to-reach areas through the roll out of solar mini-grids, especially in riverine and off-grid locations to cater for the underserved populace.
He added, however, that electricity consumers should be ready to pay for power consumed as the government would not subsidise the cost of power.
In his part, Mr. Emmanuel Ofodu, an expert in the power sector, said the mini-grid model approach of the state government would leverage on the resource availability in various community to address their power need.
According to him, there are areas where investors may adopt wind energy and other renewable sources to breach the gap all in a bid to provide sustainable electricity for the people.
Some Lagos residents have expressed concerns over the wide usage of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) across markets, parties and retail spaces in the state in spite of the recent ban.
They expressed their concerns in separate interviews on Sunday, August 10, 2025, in Lagos.
Single-use plastics
Our correspondent who monitored the compliance in some areas of the state observed that nylon bags, plastic spoons, and other SUPs remain commonplace, particularly in areas such as Ikotun, Ayobo, Okota, Ajao Estate, Ajah and Iyana Ipaja, among others.
The Lagos State Government on July 1, 2025, commenced full enforcement of SUPs below 40 microns.
The enforcement followed the expiration of an 18-month moratorium granted after the initial announcement in January 2024.
The ban specifically targets styrofoam food packs, all forms of polystyrene cups (disposable cups), plastic straws, plastic cutlery, and nylon carrier bags with less than 40-micron thickness. PET bottles, sachet water, and thicker nylon bags are exempted from the ban.
Mr. Anthony Ewubare, a resident of Ikotun, said that provision stores in the area continue to use nylon bags as packaging for customers.
“It’s as if nothing has changed. Shops still hand you your goods in nylons like before,” he said.
Mrs. Itunu Owokade, who lives in Ayobo, shared a similar sentiment, stating that plastic spoons and disposable cups are still being used at social events.
“I attended a party last weekend, and it was the usual plastic plates and spoons. No change at all,” Owokade said.
Miss Blessing Okoro said the ban appeared to have made little impact in Okota.
“Even food vendors and traders still pack items in plastic bags,” she said.
Mrs. Funmilayo Ojo, a dealer of nylon bags at Iyana Ipaja Market, said the producers of the black nylon bags have stopped producing and supplying them in the area.
“What I am selling now is what remained of the last supplies of the producer. They have stopped producing this type in response to the Lagos State Government ban.
Our correspondent also observed that traders at the Iyana Ipaja Market were still openly selling nylon bags and other banned plastic items, suggesting low compliance and enforcement in some areas.
Also, sellers at Abule Market, Ajao Estate, are not left out.
A tomato seller at the market named Abu, disclosed that he would continue to use nylons until government provides an alternative.
In response to the public concern, the Director, Public Affairs of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Kunle Adeshina, acknowledged that while the ban has taken effect, complete compliance would take time.
“It is not unexpected that we still have instances of people trying to test the will of the law. We will continue to ramp up enforcement alongside sensitisation on the dangers of continued usage,” Adeshina said.
An environmentalist and Publisher of EnviroNews, Mr. Michael Simire, commented that it is still too early to fully assess the ban’s impact.
“The government’s efforts to enforce the ban and promote sustainable practices are steps in the right direction,” he said.
Simire disclosed that key areas to monitor as the policy progresses were reduction in plastic waste, especially styrofoam, in drainage and streets and increased use of eco-friendly alternatives by businesses and consumers.
He added that level of compliance across the supply chain – from producers to end-users – should be monitored too.
Simire noted that education, enforcement, and stakeholder engagement would be essential to achieving the intended environmental goals.
