Home Blog Page 10

Motorists, commuters groan as petrol hits N1,350 per litre

Michael Simire
-
0
Motorists, commuters groan as petrol hits N1,350 per litre

Motorists and commuters across Lagos are facing rising transportation costs following another increase in the pump price of petrol, which now sells for between N1,250 and N1,350 per litre at filling stations.

A survey on Sunday, March 15, 2026, showed growing concern among road users as the increase, driven largely by global supply pressures and domestic price adjustments, continues to influence transportation expenses.

The latest increase follows another upward review of petrol prices by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which raised the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to N1,175 per litre from N995 earlier in the week.

Fuel subsidy
Petrol

The adjustment represents an increase of N180, about 18.1 per cent within three days, marking the refinery’s third price review within the week and prompting swift adjustments across the downstream market.

Industry sources attribute the rise partly to heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly the escalating standoff between Israel and Iran, as well as attacks linked to Yemen’s Houthi movement in the Red Sea corridor.

The instability has forced many oil tankers to reroute from traditional shipping lanes, pushing global freight costs up by roughly 40 per cent, according to market data from the Baltic Exchange.

At the same time, international oil prices have risen, with Brent crude approaching 99 dollars per barrel, while the Nigerian currency trades at about N1,650 to the dollar, factors analysts say are contributing to higher domestic fuel prices.

However, with the emergence of the Dangote refinery, Nigeria continues to rely significantly on imported refined petroleum products.

The spokesperson for the refinery, Mr Anthony Echiejina, said the price adjustment reflects rising feedstock and logistics costs associated with developments in the global energy market.

Checks have revealed that retail prices have increased across several outlets in Lagos, with petrol selling between N1,200 and N1,350 per litre depending on location.

Major marketers have also adjusted their pump prices. MRS Oil Nigeria Plc and Matrix Energy Group sell petrol at about N1,250 per litre, while outlets of Ardova Plc (formerly AP) retail the product at around N1,300 per litre.

Some independent stations charge slightly higher prices.

A NorthWest outlet in the Gbagada area dispensed petrol at about N1,250 per litre, while several other stations across the metropolis sold the product close to the N1,200 mark.

At a Mobil Station along the LASU–Isheri Road corridor, petrol was sold at N1,250 per litre, while Petrocam Station nearby dispensed fuel at the same price.

Similarly, MRS stations in parts of Alimosho sold petrol at about N1,250 per litre, while Mobil outlets in Alaguntan and Iyana Ipaja recorded prices of N1,250 and N1,350 per litre respectively.

Other stations, including Heyden outlets in Iyana Ipaja and along the Oshodi-Abeokuta Expressway, also sold petrol at about N1,250 per litre, reflecting a broad market trend.

Meanwhile, market insiders have said pricing differences were increasingly influenced by variations in product sourcing, particularly between coastal marine lifting arrangements and gantry loading operations.

The increase in fuel prices has already led to higher transportation fares across Lagos, with commuters reporting increases of more than 30 per cent on several routes.

Commercial driver, Mr Sodiq Olarenwaju, said the rising cost of petrol had made daily operations more demanding.

“We are the ones passengers blame for increasing fares, but they don’t realise how much we now spend on petrol.

“If we buy fuel at over N1,000 per litre, we have no option but to adjust fares,” he said.

Another motorist, Mrs Funke Oladipo, described the experience of searching for fuel as stressful.

“I have been driving around since morning with my jerry can looking for petrol. Some stations that opened earlier have already shut their gates,” she said.

A private car owner, Dr Adewale Suleiman, said fuel price increases often had wider economic implications.

“When fuel goes up, transport fares rise and the prices of goods follow immediately,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf, said geopolitical tensions in the Middle East often lead to volatility in global oil markets.

According to him, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 per cent of global crude oil shipments pass daily, can quickly push up oil prices, shipping costs and insurance premiums worldwide.

He noted that higher fuel prices could affect multiple sectors of the economy, particularly industries that rely heavily on energy and transportation.

“For manufacturers, the consequences can be significant, as many factories rely on diesel-powered generators due to electricity supply challenges,” Yusuf said.

The CPPE boss explained that rising fuel prices might increase costs of logistics; transporting raw materials and finished goods, potentially adding to inflationary pressures.

“As manufacturers absorb higher energy and logistics costs, firms may adjust pricing structures or production levels,” Yusuf said.

He also noted that Nigeria might not fully benefit from higher oil prices because crude production remains below capacity, fluctuating between about 1.4 million and 1.6 million barrels per day.

The organisation recommended measures such as strengthening crude production, building fiscal buffers from higher oil revenues and expanding domestic refining capacity.

It also emphasised the importance of sustained foreign exchange reforms, targeted support for vulnerable households and continued economic diversification.

“The evolving situation in the global energy market presents both opportunities and challenges for Nigeria,” Yusuf said.

By Yunus Yusuf

Niger Delta: Activists decry persistent oil spills, slow pace of cleanup

Michael Simire
-
0
Niger Delta: Activists decry persistent oil spills, slow pace of cleanup

Environmental activists in Rivers State have decried the environmental degradation prompted by persistent oil spills and the slow pace of cleanup efforts, causing health challenges in the Niger Delta.

The activists, who made the remark while responding to a survey on Niger Delta environmental degradation, maintained that the situation remained widespread in the region due oil exploration and poor regulatory oversight.

An environmental activist, Mr Olu Wai-Ogosu, said oil prospecting activities had severely damaged vegetation along coastlines, rendering farmlands unproductive and destroying fishing grounds that once sustained local communities.

Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu
President of the MOSOP, Mr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu

‘’Many rural communities in states such as Bayelsa and Rivers have been adversely affected by oil exploration activities that have disrupted ecosystems and livelihoods,’’ he said.

Wai-Ogosu explained that the creation of oil channels from one point to another had also altered natural waterways, and sometimes cutting off parts of communities from their traditional lands and resources.

“Today, you go to several communities and perceive fumes of hydrocarbon in the air. That means people are inhaling these substances daily,” he said.

He added that residents also ingest contaminated substances through vegetables, fruits and other food items exposed to hydrocarbon pollutants, noting that surface water and rainwater sources are heavily contaminated with hydrocarbons and associated heavy metals.

The environmentalist also linked increasing cases of petroleum-related illnesses to prolonged exposure to hydrocarbon pollution.

‘’Ongoing research by environmental groups has suggested a possible connection between hydrocarbon pollution and rising cancer cases, particularly breast cancer, in some communities in the Ogoni area of Rivers state,’’ he said.

Wai-Ogosu, also the President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), said fishing, which used to be a major source of livelihood in the region, had also been severely affected as pollution had destroyed fish breeding grounds.

“Before, people could easily fish around their communities, but today, those fishing grounds have been eliminated. The natural food chain has been broken,” he said.

Wai-Ogosu lamented that despite the release of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland, many of its recommendations were yet to be fully implemented more than a decade later.

He added that communities like Oloibiri, where oil was first discovered in commercial quantity in 1950, had experienced environmental degradation without corresponding development.

He said that during the 1970 and 1980 when industrial development began expanding in Nigeria, companies operating in environmentally sensitive areas often focused more on safety issues in their reports while neglecting environmental concerns.

Wai-Ogosu called for a review of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to ensure greater participation and benefits for host communities in oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta region. He said the current framework, particularly the three per cent allocation to host community development trusts, did not adequately address environmental damage and socio-economic challenges faced by communities affected by oil exploration.

He welcomed the recent decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on financial reforms in the oil sector, saying that such developments should provide an opportunity to revisit the PIA for better implementation.

The environmentalist said the review would ensure that host communities had stronger representation and participatory roles in the operations of oil companies in their areas.

“We believe host communities should not be treated as bystanders but as key stakeholders in the oil industry operating in their areas,” he said.

Wai-Ogosu advocated for the allocation of about 7.5 per cent equity in a petrochemical project to make them direct stakeholders in the venture, saying that such arrangement would reduce tensions between oil companies and host communities.

He also called for engagement of host communities’ participation in maintenance and other operational activities while urging the communities to establish credible and knowledgeable committees to educate residents about their rights and responsibilities under the PIA.

He urged oil-producing communities to develop structures that would enable them to effectively manage proceeds from equity participation and other benefits.The environmentalist advised that Community Development Committees (CDCs) should be composed of dedicated individuals capable of promoting transparency and accountability in managing development funds.

Wai-Ogosu urged the Federal Government to strengthen the legal framework of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), which is responsible for the clean-up of polluted sites in Ogoni Land.‘

’HYPREP should be empowered to operate with clear legal authority, submit its budget directly to the National Assembly and report to the presidency to enhance accountability,’’ he said.

He urged the agency to distance itself from political interference and praise singers and adhere strictly to transparency, credible investigation of project failures and strict adherence to environmental standards in order to achieve improve public confidence.

Speaking on PIA, Mr. Nnimmo Bassey, an environmentalist, stated that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) did not adequately address environmental pollution issues or sufficiently protect communities from pollution impacts.

He said that oil spills continued to occur in several communities across the Niger Delta, citing a major spill caused by a blowout at the Ororo-1 oil field pipeline in Awoye community, off the coast of Ondo in 2020.

He said, ‘’The oil well has been spilling and burning since then, six years later the situation has not changed’’ and added that more complex polluted sites had remained unaddressed decades after contamination occurred.

Bassey noted that the only cleanup effort currently underway was the Ogoni cleanup project being implemented under the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), saying, ‘’only a few simple polluted sites had been remediated.’’

He noted that President Bola Tinubu had attempted to address some concerns in the PIA through executive orders halting the deduction of 30 per cent oil profits for frontier exploration.

However, he said a comprehensive review of the Act would have been a more effective approach.

Also speaking, Mr. Celestine Akpobari, an environmental rights activist, blamed oil companies and government agencies for failing to adequately address environmental degradation, saying that many pipelines across the Niger Delta were ageing and needed replacement.

He recalled a visit by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Ministers of Environment and Works to the Benya community in Ogoniland in December following an oil spill.

“Months after the visit, nothing has been done for the affected community,” he said.

Akpobari also criticised oil companies for divesting from onshore assets without addressing environmental damage allegedly caused by their activities in the region.

“The International oil companies that polluted the region are selling their assets and leaving the cleanup responsibility to smaller firms,” he said.

He said abandoned oil wells continued to contaminate farmlands, rivers and drinking water sources, citing the historic Olobiri oil well site as an example of long-standing environmental pollution.

‘’Those abandoned wells are still polluting farmlands and water sources to this day: oil authorities are more focussed on crude oil extraction than protecting communities, only interested in taking oil out and selling it,” he said.

Akpobari also criticised the pace of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommended a $1 billion take-off fund for the cleanup exercise.

On Tinubu’s executive order affecting the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), Akpobari downplayed its significance., saying, “Whether the money goes to the federation account or NNPCL, it will not make much difference.”

By Desmond Ejiba and Precious Akutemadu

World Consumer Rights Day: Coalition demands mandatory salt targets, warning labels

Michael Simire
-
0
World Consumer Rights Day: Coalition demands mandatory salt targets, warning labels

As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Consumer Rights Day themed “Safe Products, Confident Consumers”, the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) are calling on the Federal and state governments to prioritise public health by enacting mandatory salt targets and front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) for all processed and pre-packaged foods to protect consumers from preventable diet-related diseases.

In a joint statement to mark the day, the coalition noted that Nigeria struggles with a rising tide of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), with 29% of all deaths in the country now linked to conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, and kidney failure.

Muhammad Ali Pate
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Muhammad Ali Pate

A major driver of this crisis, the groups argued, is the excessive consumption of salt, with the average Nigerian consuming up to 10 grams of salt daily, nearly double the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s limit of 5 grams per day.

Under the 2026 global theme of “Safe Products”, the public health advocates reiterated that consumer rights are human rights, and the government must acknowledge that a product high in hidden salts, which fuels disease, is not safe.

Nigerians, they stressed, deserve to know exactly what is in their food through clear, easy-to-understand warning labels on the front of packages, not buried in complex technical jargon written at the back of the pack, leaving consumers vulnerable to false claims and deceptive marketing tactics by the food industry.

While commending the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW) for launching the National Guidelines for Sodium Reduction in 2025, they stressed that the government must move from guidelines to enforcement to achieve the national goal of a 30% reduction in Nigeria’s salt intake by 2030.

“Consumers cannot be confident about the products they buy if critical nutrition information is hidden or difficult to understand,” the partners said. “Clear front-of-pack labelling and meaningful salt reduction policies are essential tools to help Nigerians identify unhealthy products and make better dietary choices.”

Citing excess salt consumption as a major driver of hypertension, stroke, heart disease and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), NHED, CSSI and CAPPA noted that many processed and packaged foods – including noodles, salad dressings, frozen foods, snacks, bouillon cubes, bread, among others – contain high levels of salt, but that consumers struggle to identify these products due to complex or poorly visible nutrient fact labels.

They emphasised that mandatory front-of-pack labelling – which uses simple and visible warnings or interpretive symbols on food packages – has proven effective in helping consumers quickly determine whether a product is high in salt, sugar, or unhealthy fats.

“Food safety must go beyond contamination and extend to nutritional safety,” the statement added. “When foods contain dangerously high levels of salt without clear warnings, consumers are denied their right to make informed choices about their health.”

They therefore urged Nigerian authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to enforce mandatory salt targets, implement front-of-pack warning labels, restrict the marketing of ultraprocessed foods to children, strengthen product monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and scale public education campaigns to encourage healthy dietary behaviours.

The coalition emphasised that such measures are consistent with global best practices and are crucial for addressing Nigeria’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases. They called on consumers to exercise their power by reading food labels and demanding healthier options from manufacturers.

The organisations reaffirmed their commitment to working with government agencies, public health experts, and civil society partners to ensure that the country’s food environment supports safe products and confident consumers.

“Protecting consumers means ensuring that the food sold in our markets supports health rather than undermines it,” the groups added. “Policies that promote salt reduction and transparent food labelling are cost-effective tools for safeguarding the health of millions of Nigerians.”

According to them, it is time to put the health of the Nigerian consumer above the profits of the ultraprocessed food industry.

Era of dormant oil licences over – NUPRC

Michael Simire
-
0
Era of dormant oil licences over – NUPRC

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says the era of companies holding on to their prospecting oil licences without developing their assets is now officially over.

The Commission Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said this when she received the management of the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra-Leone at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Eyesan, in a statement on Friday, March 13, 2026, said one of the beauties of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) was Section 94 which compelled operators to either commence work or relinquish the license, a provision commonly referred to as Drill or Drop.

NUPRC
Commission Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and Director-General, Petroleum Directorate of Sierra-Leone, Mr Foday Mansaray, during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the directorate

She said that the enforcement of the provision had now attracted more serious investors in the ongoing 2025 licensing rounds which would increase Nigeria’s petroleum reserves.

“The PIA also opened the opportunities for small and big players because there is now a drill or drop provision in the Act. So, we have cured the problem of uncertainties.

“So, in the past we had operators who had 20-year licenses and sat on these blocks and did absolutely nothing.

“Now, we have moved from that era to drill or drop. So, now we have more assets in the basket which has given us the impetus to go for, if possible, annual bid rounds,” she said.

Eyesan also expressed delight over the number of applicants in the 2025 licensing round.

“The figure is quite impressive given that the licensing round guideline stipulates that no company – either as a single firm or as part of a consortium – can bid for more than two out of the 50 oil blocks on offer.

“For the 2025 licensing round we have 50 oil blocks on offer. And the outcome of the pre-qualification submission was a demonstration that there is indeed a very good appetite for the bid round,” she said.

Eyesan said in order to ensure total transparency in the licensing round, the NUPRC had added an extra layer of validation by partnering with a reputable audit firm to interrogate and validate the system.

“The result of that exercise will be made public just to boost investor confidence,” she said.

In his remarks, the Director-General, Petroleum Directorate of Sierra-Leone, Mr. Foday Mansaray, said the aim of the meeting was to understand Nigeria’s petroleum sector and use the lessons to improve his country’s own hydrocarbon sector.

Mansaray called for a stronger and more sustainable energy collaboration between Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

“We are here to collaborate with the NUPRC at a bi-lateral level and learn from Nigeria, our big brothers in the industry.

“We are a small country of just eight million people but very ambitious,” he said, while seeking the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

By Emmanuella Anokam

38 rangers complete intensive training to safeguard Okomu National Park

Michael Simire
-
0
38 rangers complete intensive training to safeguard Okomu National Park

Thirty-eight newly trained rangers on Friday, March 13, 2026, graduated from a six-week intensive training programme designed to strengthen the protection of Okomu National Park in Edo State.

Okomu National Park is one of Nigeria’s last remaining lowland rainforest ecosystems.

The rangers passed out during a ceremony organised by the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service at the park.

Okomu National Park
Representative of the Conservator-General, Mr. Lawrence Osaze (left), presenting a certificate to one of the rangers at the passing out parade on Friday

In his address, the Conservator-General of National Park Service, Ibrahim Goni, said the passing-out parade marked the beginning of a new responsibility for the rangers as frontline defenders of Nigeria’s natural heritage.

Goni, represented by the Conservator of Park at Okomu National Park, Lawrence Osaze, said the trainees underwent rigorous physical and professional training in wildlife law enforcement, patrol techniques, intelligence gathering, field survival and community engagement.

“Today’s ceremony represents not just the end of a training exercise but the beginning of a new responsibility for these dedicated rangers who are about to join the frontline of conservation,” he said.

He noted that the deployment of trained rangers had become increasingly important as protected areas face threats from poaching, illegal logging and encroachment.

“Okomu National Park remains one of Nigeria’s most valuable ecological assets.

“It conserves biodiversity, protects endangered species, regulates climate, is and supports research, tourism and sustainable livelihoods,” the conservator-general said.

He noted, however, that these critical ecosystems continued to face threats from poaching, illegal logging, encroachment, and other unsustainable human activities.

This reality, he said, underscored the importance of strengthening ranger capacity to ensure effective protection of the natural resources.

Goni acknowledged the contributions of development partners, supporting conservation activities in the Okomu landscape.

He appreciated the support of Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation and other collaborating institutions, whose cooperation he said, continued to play a crucial role in safeguarding the protected areas.

The Executive Director of ANI Foundation, Tunde Morakinyo, represented by retired Brig.-Gen. Olajide Laleye, congratulated the new rangers and urged them to justify the investment made in their training.

“You must be dutiful and justify the resources that have been invested in you,” he told the recruits.

Speaking with journalists, ANI Foundation Country Manager, Nacha Geoffrey, said the organisation’s conservation model focuses on people-centred approaches that involve local communities in protecting natural resources.

“What makes our approach different is that we are not managing wildlife for wildlife alone. We are doing it for the people.

“Our approach is bottom-up. We ask how communities can see the economic benefit of living alongside wildlife and how conservation can make economic sense to them,” he said.

Geoffrey explained that all the newly trained rangers were recruited from surrounding communities as part of efforts to strengthen local participation in conservation.

In addition to ranger recruitment, he said the foundation supports community livelihood initiatives, including savings and loan groups, women empowerment programmes and youth conservation education.

A senior strategy adviser to ANI Foundation and former National Park Service official, Okeyoyin Agboola, described the training as essential for ensuring effective protection of the park’s flora and fauna.

He said the involvement of the foundation had significantly strengthened conservation efforts in the park.

“The coming of ANI is a game changer. Government alone cannot do this job. Their support has helped strengthen protection of the park,” he said.

Agboola added that improved conservation efforts had restored calm to the park, which previously faced frequent illegal activities.

“This is the last remaining rainforest ecosystem in the South-West region of Nigeria, and we must protect it for future generations,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chief Technical Adviser to the Global Environment Facility biodiversity project, Segun Oladoye, urged communities to support conservation initiatives.

“What we are doing here is not about any single organisation. It is about the community and the future of our children,” he said.

Out of 236 applicants who participated in the recruitment exercise, only 38 candidates were selected after multiple stages of screening.

By Usman Aliyu

Malawi to host landmark African conference on climate loss and damage

Michael Simire
-
0
Malawi to host landmark African conference on climate loss and damage

Malawi is set to host the 5th African Regional Conference on Loss and Damage from March 25 to 27, 2026, a major gathering expected to shape Africa’s response to the growing impacts of climate change.

The conference will be held under the theme “Advancing Sustainable, Equitable and Just Financing and Technical Support for Loss and Damage in Africa.”

The high-level meeting will bring together policymakers, civil society leaders, development partners, researchers, and grassroots representatives from across the continent to discuss strategies to address the rising social and economic costs of climate-related disasters.

Julius Ng’oma
Julius Ng’oma, National Coordinator of the Civil Society Network on Climate Change

According to Julius Ng’oma, National Coordinator of the Civil Society Network on Climate Change, the conference will serve as a critical platform for strengthening Africa’s position in global climate negotiations.

“This conference will provide a platform to push for sustainable and equitable financing mechanisms for loss and damage, strengthen technical capacity to assess climate impacts, and improve access to assistance for affected countries and communities,” Ng’oma said.

Delegates are expected to develop a regional roadmap that will guide Africa’s voice in upcoming international climate negotiations.

The meeting will also produce a communiqué outlining the continent’s priorities and recommendations on loss and damage financing and technical support.

Rising climate impacts in Africa

Experts say Africa continues to experience severe climate-related shocks, including floods, droughts and extreme weather events that destroy homes, livelihoods, infrastructure and ecosystems.

Malawi has experienced significant climate-related disasters in recent years, particularly from tropical cyclones such as Cyclone Idai, Cyclone Ana, and Cyclone Gombe, which have left thousands of households displaced and caused extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture.

Ng’oma said the conference presents an opportunity for African countries to transform shared experiences of climate disasters into coordinated action, including stronger financing mechanisms and technical support systems for affected communities.

The event is expected to strengthen collaboration among African governments, civil society organisations and development partners as the continent seeks more equitable global climate responses to the growing challenge of loss and damage.

By Abraham Bisayi, AfricaBrief

SERAP urges Tinubu to probe N5.9bn allegedly spent on rebranding NNPC to NNPCL

Michael Simire
-
0
SERAP urges Tinubu to probe N5.9bn allegedly spent on rebranding NNPC to NNPCL

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to urgently direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly investigate the alleged expenditure of about ₦5.9 billion reportedly spent on the rebranding of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).”

SERAP urged him “to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to identify the officials who approved and paid the amount, and the contractor(s) who collected the money, and to invite them for questioning.”

NNPC
Bayp Ojulari, Group CEO of the NNPC

SERAP also urged Mr. President “to direct the EFCC and ICPC to promptly investigate the procurement process for the rebranding project, including whether the contract was awarded in compliance with the procurement laws and financial regulations.”

SERAP urged him “to direct Mr. Fagbemi and the EFCC and ICPC to ensure that those suspected to be responsible for any wrongdoing are brought to justice if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and that any public funds that may have been misused or mismanaged are recovered and returned to the national treasury.”

The NNPC reportedly paid N2.9 billion for incorporation expenses from petroleum product proceeds, while the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) also charged N2.9 billion against crude oil revenue for the same purpose. In total, about N5.9 billion was spent by the NNPCL for the rebranding.

In the open letter dated March 14, 2026, and signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “There ought to be full transparency and accountability regarding the reported ₦5.9 billion spent on rebranding NNPC to NNPCL.”

SERAP said, “Nigerians have the right to know who approved the expenditure, who received the money, and whether due process was followed.”

The letter reads in part: “Any investigation into the rebranding project should determine whether the ₦5.9 billion represents value for money, lawful spending of public funds, and compliance with transparency and accountability requirements.

“Investigating the alleged spending of the N5.9 billion would help promote transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and strengthen public confidence in government institutions.

“Investigating the spending of the ₦5.9 billion would also demonstrate your government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption in the oil sector.

“Your government has a legal obligation to investigate credible allegations of corruption, prosecute those suspected to be responsible, and recover any misused or mismanaged public funds.

“Given the size of the reported expenditure and the importance of transparency in the management of public resources in the petroleum sector, there is an urgent need for a prompt, thorough, independent, transparent and effective investigation into the spending. The findings of any such investigation should be made public.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government and the NNPCL to comply with our request in the public interest.

“According to reports, the N5.9 billion was allegedly spent as part of the corporate transition and rebranding process following the restructuring of the national oil company under the Petroleum Industry Act.

“About ₦2.9 billion was reportedly charged as incorporation expenses from petroleum product proceeds, while another ₦2.9 billion was charged against crude oil revenue by the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) during the transition of the company into a limited liability entity.

“This resulted in a combined total of about ₦5.9 billion spent simply to transition and rebrand the national oil company.

“The transformation of the national oil company from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) occurred following the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which required the corporation to become a commercially oriented limited liability company fully owned by the federal government.

“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires all authorities to conform to and apply the provisions of Chapter II of the Constitution, while Section 15(5) mandates the government to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.

“Similarly, Section 16 of the Constitution requires the government to ensure that the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.

“Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption require governments to ensure transparency and proper management of public funds.

“Article 21 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which has been domesticated in Nigeria through the African Charter (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, recognises the right of peoples to freely dispose of their natural resources and provides that the misappropriation of such resources shall give rise to the right of the people to recovery and compensation.”

33 young engineers begin training as NCDMB reiterates mandate

Michael Simire
-
0
33 young engineers begin training as NCDMB reiterates mandate

Thirty-three young graduates of engineering, geology and related disciplines on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, underwent opening formalities for a 12-month training programme in pipeline engineering, corrosion control and monitoring.

Organised under the Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and MJD Oilfield Services Limited,Nigerian Content Human Capital Development (NC HCD) Training Programme, in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the training is geared towards developing expertise for protection and sustenance of the country’s energy infrastructure.

NCDMB
Delegates at the opening formalities for the 12-month training programme

Trainees will have classroom technical sessions, simulation-based learning, field demonstrations, on-the-job training, mentorship and coaching, case study reviews, and continuous assessment and evaluation. Expected outcomes of the programme include skilled project-ready personnel, measurable local content impact, creation of pipeline integrity talent pool, and long-term infrastructure reliability.

In an address at the event, the Manager, Human Capital Development, NCDMB, Mrs. Tarilate Bribena-Teide, who represented the Executive Secretary of the Board, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said pipeline pigging, a process involving insertion of devices called pigs into pipelines for cleaning, gauging, etc. to ensure integrity of the system, and corrosion control, protect the pipelines, prevent costly failures, and safeguard the environment and the economy.

She noted that the expertise gained from the training would position trainees to contribute meaningfully to major national projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, measuring 614 kilometres, and many others, which as she explained, accords with the Board’s mandate to build local capacity, deepen Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry, and create opportunities that drive national growth.

The HCD Manager expressed appreciation to Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited for its partnership with the Board and commitment to developing Nigerian talent. She urged the trainees to approach the programme with discipline and determination, noting that lessons gained would shape them into professionals capable of solving real industry problems.

In his remarks, a representative of Renaissance Africa, Funso Alabi, thanked NCDMB profoundly for its support to the company and for all it has done toward growth of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. While highlighting the extraordinary achievements recorded in HCD since inception of the Board, with Nigerians occupying key positions in industry and others doing so well abroad, he said, “NCDMB has done so much” and that “the Board is turning Nigeria into a great nation.”

He also thanked MJD Oilfield Services for the calibre of trainers assembled to run the training programme.

For his part, the Managing Director, MJD, Mr. Olayemi Familusi, expressed gratitude to NCDMB and Renaissance, noting that changes in the oil and gas industry brought about by NCDMB initiatives are everywhere, particularly in the development of indigenous companies and human resources.

In closing remarks, Chief Austin Ugbunaia, Project Manager of MJD, thanked the Board and Renaissance for the opportunity to play a part in capacity development, while assuring them of quality training and exposure for the trainees.

Ugo Amadi, Adeola Yusuf re-elected as NAEC gets new exco 

Michael Simire
-
0
Ugo Amadi, Adeola Yusuf re-elected as NAEC gets new exco 

The Association of Energy Correspondents in Nigeria (NAEC) has elected a new set of executives for the next two years, returning Ugo Amadi of Champion Newspaper as National Chairman and Dr. Adeola Yusuf of Platforms Africa as Vice Chairman for second term.

The keenly contested election was held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the NAEC Secretariat, Obanikoro, Lagos, where members of the association voted to choose the leadership that will steer the affairs of the body from 2026 to 2028.

The election also saw the return of Peter Uzoho of THISDAY Newspaper as General Secretary and Anthony Ebigie of Energy Newsstream as Treasurer of the association.

NAEC
L-R: Oredola Adeola, PRO; Waliat Musa Financial Secretary; Dr. Adeola Yusuf, Vice Chairman; Ugo Amadi, Chairman; Peter Uzoho, Gen. Secretary; and Anthony Ebigie, Treasurer

Moreso, Waliat Musa of The Guardian emerged as Financial Secretary, while Oredola Adeola of Advisors Reports was elected as the Public Relations Officer (PRO). 

NAEC is a key professional body for journalists including correspondents, editors, and publishers who report activities of the energy sector such as power, oil & gas, solid minerals, and renewable energy.

Amadi, in his remarks after the election, pledged to strengthen the association and expand its activities, while reaffirming his commitment to promoting professionalism and collaboration among energy journalists in Nigeria.

The Chairman also pledged that the new leadership would work towards strengthening partnership with stakeholders in the Nigerian energy sector through active engagements.

Whilst expressing appreciation to NAEC members for having faith and confidence in his new leadership team, he assured that all members would be carried along in every decision and activity of the executive team to ensure the association gets the best dividends of his administration.

Peter Uzoho, General Secretary, also in his remark assured NAEC members that the new leadership would serve the association with a member-centric approach anchored on members’ growth and development through mutual partnerships, promotion of knowledge sharing experiences, and creation of equal opportunities for all members.

“We thank you, our distinguished members for giving us the opportunity to serve you and elevate the position of our great association in the energy sector and journalism profession,” Uzoho said.

Lagos reintroduces monthly environmental sanitation, begins in April

Michael Simire
-
0
Lagos reintroduces monthly environmental sanitation, begins in April

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has formally flagged off the reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

Sanwo-Olu said the monthly sanitation would kick off in April 2026.

The reintroduced sanitation will take place every last Saturday of the month from 6.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.

Lagos
Lagos environmental sanitation exercise

The governor said this at a stakeholders’ engagement on environmental sanitation on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu said the initiative was not a political contest but a serious public health and civic responsibility exercise aimed at building a cleaner and healthier Lagos.

The governor said the reintroduced sanitation exercise was designed to reach all parts of the state and deepen environmental consciousness among residents.

He added that government alone could not achieve a clean city without active public participation.

“This morning’s exercise is a very serious one and a defining moment for all of us as Lagosians.

“It is not about politics, it is not about rivalry; it is about our collective responsibility to keep our environment clean, healthy and safe for everyone,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu said the cleanliness of streets, markets, drainage channels and public spaces reflected the daily habits of residents.

He noted that sustainable environmental management must be driven by shared responsibility and not enforcement alone.

“A clean city is not achieved by government alone.

“It is built every day by the actions of citizens, by what we do in our homes, in our markets, in our communities and on our streets,” he said.

The monthly environmental sanitation in Lagos was officially suspended in November 2016 following a March 2015 Federal High Court ruling.

The court mandated that restriction of human movement 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. was unconstitutional, violating citizens’ rights to freedom of movement.

The government argued it was impractical for a megacity Eventually former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode formally announced the cancellation of the monthly, mandatory cleanup exercise in November 2016.

Sanwo-Olu recalled that the monthly environmental sanitation was once a national civic culture observed on the last Saturday of every month, when residents voluntarily cleaned their surroundings as part of a broader commitment to public health.

“Although a court judgment ended the movement restriction that characterised the old sanitation exercise, the responsibility of government and citizens to maintain a clean environment remained unchanged.

“We respect the rule of law and the authority of the courts.

“The enforcement mechanism may have changed, but the responsibility to maintain a clean and healthy environment has not changed and will never change,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu said the symbolic flag-off was, therefore, intended to revive the culture of environmental sanitation through awareness, partnership and voluntary participation, rather than relying solely on enforcement or punitive measures.

He assured residents that the state government would continue to strengthen waste management systems, improve training and infrastructure, and support environmental enforcement agencies in sustaining a cleaner Lagos.

“This is about restoring a culture and a consciousness.

“We will continue to strengthen waste management, improve our training and infrastructure, and support environmental enforcement, but we need citizens to own this process,” he said.

The governor decried the indiscriminate disposal of refuse such as water sachets, plastic bottles and wrappers into drainage channels, warning that the habit was worsening flooding and undermining the state’s road infrastructure.

He said clogged drainage systems often caused roads to fail repeatedly, even after repairs by contractors, because residents continued to dump waste into gutters and canals meant to discharge storm water.

“When people dump solid waste into drainage channels, the roads will keep failing.

“You cannot repair roads sustainably when the drainage meant to protect them is clogged with waste every day,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu noted that some roads repaired by contractors, including those handled by major firms, had deteriorated again because drainage channels were blocked by indiscriminate refuse disposal.

He urged community development associations (CDAs), market leaders, youths, religious organisations, political groups, community development committees (CDCs) and other institutions to take ownership of environmental cleanliness in their communities.

“Clean Lagos begins with daily individual choices.

“We need our market leaders, our youths, our religious institutions, our CDAs and CDCs to see environmental sanitation as a civic duty, not a government slogan,” he said.

The governor emphasised that while political offices and leadership positions were temporary, the health and wellbeing of communities were enduring priorities that should unite all residents behind the sanitation initiative.

“Leadership is temporary, but the life of our communities and the health of our people are permanent concerns.

“That is why this initiative must be bigger than speeches and bigger than any individual,” he said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, commended Sanwo-Olu for reintroducing the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

Wahab described the decision as a bold step towards reviving a long-standing culture of cleanliness in Lagos.

He said the exercise, which was discontinued in 2016, was once a familiar monthly tradition that encouraged residents to dedicate time to cleaning their immediate environment and promoting healthy living.

“For those who may not know, prior to 2016, we had a culture that emphasised the importance of cleanliness, where residents set aside time once every month to clean up their surroundings,” he said.

The commissioner said the reintroduction of the exercise followed over one year of consultations and deliberations involving the state government and critical stakeholders in the environmental management sector.

According to him, the process reflected the seriousness of the state government’s commitment to ensuring that the exercise was reintroduced in a manner that was lawful, practical and supported by residents.

“This did not happen overnight.

“It took over a year of consultations and engagements for us to arrive at a consensus that it is time to bring back this important culture of environmental responsibility,” he said.

Wahab urged residents to support the initiative by setting aside one or two hours monthly to clean their homes, streets, business premises and neighbourhoods in the interest of public health.

“It is a plea to all residents that it is time for us to give up just one or two hours every month to clean our surroundings.

“That little sacrifice will make a huge difference in the quality of our environment,” he said.

He noted that traders in markets across the state already observe weekly sanitation every Thursday between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., adding that the monthly exercise would extend that discipline to wider communities.

The commissioner noted that Lagos was transitioning from a linear waste management model to a circular system that treats waste as a resource with economic value rather than as a burden.

According to him, the new approach will enable the state to convert waste into wealth, energy, compost, fertiliser and recyclable materials, thereby improving environmental sustainability and creating economic opportunities.

“We are moving away from the old system where waste is simply collected and dumped at landfill sites.

“Waste will now be seen as a resource that can generate wealth, energy, compost, fertiliser and recyclable products,” he said.

Wahab thanked stakeholders, environmental agencies, private sector operators and community groups for their support, noting that sustained collaboration would be critical to the success of the sanitation initiative across Lagos.

He reiterated that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise was not merely a government programme but a call for behavioural change and a return to community-driven environmental stewardship.

“This is not just an event; it is a movement.

“It is about changing behaviour, restoring responsibility and building a cleaner, healthier and more resilient Lagos for present and future generations,” he said.

Present at the sensitisation were the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro; and the Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde.

By Olaitan Idris and Aderonke Ojediran

1...91011...2,496Page 10 of 2,496