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We don’t import refined petroleum products – Dangote

Michael Simire
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We don’t import refined petroleum products – Dangote

Dangote Refinery says it does not import refined petroleum products into Nigeria, insisting that all petrol and other fuels sold from its operations are fully refined locally.

The clarification was made by the Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Refinery, Mr. David Bird, during a news conference on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in Lagos, amid allegations over fuel importation and local refining capacity.

Bird explained that materials often mistaken for imported fuel were, in fact, intermediate feedstocks used to optimise refinery operations.

Dangote Refinery
Dangote Refinery officials at the news conference in Lagos

He said these include high catalytic sulphur gasoline and straight-run naphtha, unfinished components that undergo extensive processing at the Lekki-based facility before becoming market-ready products.

“We do not import refined fuel. Everything sold as petrol, diesel or aviation fuel is refined here in Lekki to Nigerian and international Euro-V standards,” Bird said.

According to him, the use of intermediate feedstocks is standard practice in complex and merchant refineries across major refining hubs such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and India.

Bird noted that the Dangote Refinery, unlike refineries located directly at the end of crude oil pipelines, operates as a merchant refinery, sourcing diverse crude and feedstock grades largely by sea.

He said this flexibility allows the refinery to maximise utilisation of its advanced conversion units and upgrade every molecule into high-value, clean fuels and petrochemicals.

Bird accused some oil marketers and regulatory actors of undermining the nation’s local refining drive by importing cheaper, sub-standard fuels while declining to patronise domestically refined products.

Such actions, he warned, threaten the country’s energy security and foreign-exchange stability.

Bird disclosed that the refinery currently supplies about 45 million litres of petrol daily to the domestic market and did not export petrol during the peak Christmas and New Year period.

He said exports only occur when there is excess supply or limited domestic uptake, particularly during the early operational phase.

Highlighting public health benefits, Bird said local refining had significantly reduced sulphur and metal content in fuels now consumed in Nigeria, making them comparable to products used in Europe and North America.

Bird described the Dangote Refinery as one of the most modern and automated facilities globally, producing high-value “white products” such as petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and polypropylene.

Reaffirming the company’s long-term vision, Bird said the refinery remained committed to meeting domestic demand first while positioning Nigeria as a hub for clean, world-class fuels in Africa.

“West Africa should no longer be a dumping ground for inferior products. Nigeria deserves and now produces the best,” he said.

By Yunus Yusuf

China’s solar energy set to overtake coal, new coal rush threatens ‘historic’ shift

Michael Simire
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China’s solar energy set to overtake coal, new coal rush threatens ‘historic’ shift

Solar power is set to overtake coal in China for the first time in 2026, according to the China Electricity Council.

However, drawing on the latest analysis from Global Energy Monitor, environmental campaign group, 350.org, has warned that this historic turning point – which confirms renewables have decisively won on economic grounds – risks being undermined by China’s continued, record-level coal build-out.

“The Chinese coal expansion is unnecessary, increases the risk of stranded assets, and stands in stark contradiction to the country’s own clean-energy success,” criticises the group.

Xi Jinping
President Xi Jinping of China

China’s installed solar power capacity is projected to surpass coal for the first time this year, according to the China Electricity Council. By the end of 2026, non-fossil energy sources – primarily solar and wind – will make up 63% of China’s power capacity, while coal drops to just 31%.

Latest numbers by the Global Energy Monitor show that developers submitted proposals to build a total of 161 gigawatts (GW) of new coal-fired power plants in 2025 alone.

291 GW of coal power capacity remains in China’s pipeline, already permitted or under construction according to Global Energy Monitor.

Andreas Sieber, 350.org Head of Political Strategy, said: “This is a historic turning point: solar power is set to overtake coal in China for the first time in 2026. This is maybe the clearest demonstration yet that clean energy has won – on cost, scale, and air quality. However, China is responding to coal’s economic defeat by building more of it.

“With around 290 GW of new coal capacity already permitted or under construction, and another record year for approvals, the country is schizophrenically proving coal is obsolete while rushing to entrench it. This mostly serves a coal industry racing against time. The consequence is predictable: stranded assets, higher system costs, and a transition made harder.”

New varsity to tackle climate change, pollution in Niger Delta – Govt

Michael Simire
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New varsity to tackle climate change, pollution in Niger Delta – Govt

The Federal Government has said that Nigeria will soon produce additional expertise needed to address climate change and environmental degradation, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated this on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the maiden matriculation ceremony of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Koroma/Saakpenwa, Tai area of Rivers State.

Represented by Mr Sunday Ajide, a director in the ministry, Alausa said climate change and environmental pollution had increasingly become serious global concerns.

FUET
Newly inducted students at Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Koroma/Saakpenwa, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State

According to him, the establishment of FUET is a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to expanding access to quality higher education and providing solutions to environmental challenges.

“FUET will promote environmental sustainability and address the unique ecological and developmental challenges of the Niger Delta region,” he said.

He added that the choice of environment and technology as the institution’s core mandate was both timely and strategic.

“In an era in which climate change, environmental degradation, renewable energy and sustainable development dominate global discourse, FUET is well positioned to become a centre of excellence in research, innovation and solutions-driven scholarship.

“The university will play a critical role in producing skilled professionals, researchers and leaders who will contribute meaningfully to national development and global environmental stewardship,” Alausa said.

The minister assured the institution of the full support of the Ministry of Education in the areas of policy guidance, infrastructural development, staff capacity building, programme accreditation and funding.

Alausa also urged industry stakeholders, research institutions and developmental partners to collaborate with the university to enhance its relevance, innovation and sustainability.

He commended the vice-chancellor, members of the governing council, management and staff for their efforts in bringing FUET into operations following its establishment on Feb. 3, 2025.

Speaking at the event, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of FUET, Prof. Prince Mmom, said the university had admitted more than 1,000 students across six faculties, including Agriculture and Applied Health Sciences.

The other faculties are Engineering Technology, Environmental Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, and Management Technology.

According to him, within the next five years the institution would produce some of Nigeria’s best minds to drive environmental solutions across the Niger Delta and the country at large.

“This will be achieved through strict adherence to university rules and regulations and by exhibiting a high sense of personal responsibility in upholding and maintaining these standards at all times,” he said.

Mmom said that within its first year, the university had recorded notable milestones, including ongoing infrastructural development, commencement of academic activities and the admission of students.

He described FUET as a specialised institution designed to become a world-class centre of excellence in environmental restoration, sustainable development and technological innovation.

“The university will promote translational research with direct impact on communities, Ogoniland and the wider Niger Delta region.

“FUET will focus on ecosystem regeneration, environmental justice partnerships and the production of skilled graduates capable of addressing contemporary environmental challenges,” he added.

The vice chancellor said the institution would not tolerate cultism, examination malpractice, sexual harassment, drug abuse, the exchange of grades for money, or the sale of handouts and unapproved books or manuals.

He urged students to remain focused, uphold the highest ethical standards, and embrace the opportunities for learning, innovation and character development offered by the university.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of FUET’s Governing Council, Prof. Don Baridam, said severe sanctions awaited lecturers and non-teaching staff who extort students, sell handouts or demand sexual gratification.

“In addition, lecturers must be visible on Google Scholar, ResearchGate, while local scholars who fail to publish indexed articles will not be tolerated at FUET,” he warned.

Baridam advised students to set high personal high academic standards, warning that the institution would rusticate those who fail to comply with its rules and regulations.

By Desmond Ejibas

Lagos sensitises MDAs on informal space documentation, management

Michael Simire
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Lagos sensitises MDAs on informal space documentation, management

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, has commenced strategic collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure the proper documentation, planning and management of informal spaces across the state.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting held in Alausa, organised by the project consultant, Octragon Multi-Project Limited, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Gbolahan Awolesi.

Informal space
Participants at the stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting in Lagos

Dr. Olumide explained that the initiative was aimed at systematically documenting all informal spaces, including setbacks, open areas, and common spaces, with a view to clearly designating and optimally utilising them in line with planning standards. 

According to him, over the years, the government had cleared several setbacks and common areas that later remained idle or were re-encroached upon due to the absence of proper planning and documentation.

“Common areas are deliberately set aside to enhance environmental quality. This programme is designed to change the narrative by ensuring that informal spaces are properly identified, planned, managed, and put to appropriate use,” the Commissioner stated.

He further noted that Lagos State had an estimated 3,000 hectares of informal spaces, stressing the need for intentional planning to ensure sustainable use.

“We must take charge of informal spaces, be mindful of how they are utilised, and ensure that we operate within a planned and well-managed urban environment,” he added.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Oluwole Sotire, said that the programme would significantly enhance the aesthetic quality of the environment by demonstrating how setbacks and informal spaces could be properly planned and productively utilised.

He emphasised that informal spaces were often wrongly perceived as belonging to no one, noting that such spaces were among the state’s most valuable and limited natural resources, which must be protected and efficiently managed.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mr. Babatunde Onigbanjo, expressed concern about ensuring that the initiative benefited residents without undermining their livelihoods whilst affirming his Ministry’s support for the programme and urging more advocacy.

Also speaking, the representative of the Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Adedeji Aladegbemi, described the initiative as timely and appealed that any informal spaces designated for sports development be allocated to the Commission to help address space constraints and youth engagement challenges.

The General Manager, Lagos State Informal Space Management Authority, Daisi Oso, noted that improper use of setbacks had brought about limited opportunities for youth engagement while assuring proper planning and management of such spaces henceforth.

Similarly, the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Mr. Babatunde Ajayi, expressed readiness to collaborate on environmental regulation, particularly recycling initiatives. 

He revealed plans to establish recycling facilities and designated public toilet spaces within informal areas to curb open defecation, adding that a monitoring directory should be installed in all identified informal spaces.

The Consultant, Gbolahan Awolesi said that Octragon Multi-Project Limited had been mandated to comprehensively document informal spaces across Lagos State and ensure their optimal utilisation in accordance with international best practices.

Audu Bako zoo to be transformed into model wildlife park – Zoological agency

Michael Simire
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Audu Bako zoo to be transformed into model wildlife park – Zoological agency

The Kano State Zoological Garden and Wildlife Management Agency (KAZOWMA) is to embark on a comprehensive multi-phase revitalisation of the 45-hectare the Audu Bako Zoological Garden into a model wildlife park.

Malam Musayyib Kawu, the newly appointed Managing Director of the agency, made this known in Kano, the state capital.

This, he said, is with the aim to boost domestic tourism and economic growth in the state.

Audu Bako zoo
The Audu Bako Zoological Garden

The initiative, which he said is supported by Gov. Abba Yusuf, aims to reverse the decline in visitors and turn the zoo into a premier tourist destination.

He said that improved, cleaner environment and enhanced amenities are expected to increase revenue for the state and create jobs in conservation and hospitality. 

The agency, he said, would introduce new animal species and improve staff welfare to ensure efficient service delivery.

“A detailed assessment of the agency’s challenges and needs will be compiled and submitted to state government to strengthen its status as a major tourist destination,” he said.

The Audu Bako Zoological Garden, established in 1971/1972 on Zoo Road, Kano, is one of Nigeria’s premier 46-hectare wildlife parks.

It hosts over 70 species, including lions, giraffes, and elephants, acting as a key site for education, conservation, and recreation.

In recent years, the Kano Zoological Garden has faced some challenges, including inadequate funding and a lack of proper facilities for the animals 

By Bosede Olufunmi

NNPC calls for equitable, people-centred energy transition in Africa

Michael Simire
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NNPC calls for equitable, people-centred energy transition in Africa

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) says Africa’s energy transition must be equitable and people-centred, noting that more than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity.

Mr. Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., made this known while delivering an address at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026.

Ojulari said that although Africa was endowed with vast energy resources, the continent continued to grapple with trilemma of accessibility, affordability and sustainability.

Bayo Ojulari
The Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited, Bayo Ojulari

According to him, Africa’s energy pathway should not be a replication of models from developed economies, given its unique developmental realities.

He said Nigeria, with over 37 billion barrels of oil and about 2.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, remained Africa’s strategic energy reserve holder and an emerging global energy powerhouse.

Ojulari added that Nigeria was strategically positioned to lead Africa’s energy evolution by leveraging its oil and gas resources to drive industrialisation and economic growth across the continent.

“Energy is no longer just a sector; it is the lifeblood of global peace, security and human development.

“Modern energy systems determine whether nations can thrive, industries can grow and societies can remain stable in a rapidly changing world.

“Nigeria is no longer on the margins of the global energy conversation but at the centre of Africa’s energy transformation,” he said.

Ojulari traced the link between energy and human progress, noting that oil and gas had historically powered industrial growth, created jobs and lifted nations, including Nigeria, out of poverty.

He acknowledged, however, that global energy systems were evolving due to climate concerns, technological innovation and economic pressures.

The NNPC boss highlighted recent milestones achieved by the company, including the unveiling of its Gas Master Plan and progress on key infrastructure projects such as the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Pipeline, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Pipeline, expansion of the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) and the Regional Pipeline Survey Project.

He described the projects as catalysts for economic opportunities rather than mere infrastructure assets.

According to him, NNPC Ltd. is also investing in processing facilities, digital infrastructure and workforce development to build a competitive energy economy driven by innovation, efficiency, safety and environmental responsibility.

Ojulari said the company’s ongoing transformation also involved a cultural shift anchored on accountability, performance, excellence and national service.

He attributed recent progress in the sector to reforms under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, citing fiscal stability, policy liberalisation and improved security as factors enhancing Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination.

By Emmanuella Anokam

Nigerian press bodies ask govt, NASS to curb Big Tech threat to information sovereignty

Michael Simire
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Nigerian press bodies ask govt, NASS to curb Big Tech threat to information sovereignty

Nigeria’s major media and journalism organisations have issued a joint call on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to urgently intervene to protect the Nigerian press from what they describe as the growing dominance of global digital platforms over the country’s information ecosystem.

In a strongly worded statement released under the banner of the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), the groups warned that Nigeria risks surrendering control of its democratic conversation, national cohesion, and information sovereignty to unregulated foreign technology companies if decisive action is not taken.

Mohammed Idris
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris

The NPO – comprising the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) – described the situation as a strategic national threat, not merely an industry challenge.

According to the statement, global digital platforms now dominate Nigeria’s digital advertising market, control algorithms that determine what Nigerians see or ignore, and extract revenue offshore, while local newsrooms struggle to survive.

“This is not conventional market disruption,” the organisations said. “It is the emergence of private, transnational gatekeepers over public discourse, operating beyond the effective reach of national democratic accountability.”

The media bodies warned that the erosion of professional journalism poses serious consequences for national security, electoral integrity, social cohesion, and press freedom, noting that no counterterrorism or intelligence framework can compensate for the collapse of credible information systems.

They also stressed that press freedom cannot exist without economic viability, arguing that news organisations unable to pay salaries, fund investigations, or retain skilled professionals are, in effect, unfree – regardless of constitutional guarantees.

Drawing parallels with global responses, the NPO cited actions taken by the European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and South Africa, where governments have introduced competition laws and bargaining frameworks to curb the dominance of digital gatekeepers and ensure fair remuneration for news content.

The organisations urged Nigeria to adopt a homegrown, legally grounded solution, either through existing digital legislation or targeted amendments, that would:

  1. Recognise journalism as a public-interest activity
  2. Correct extreme bargaining power imbalances
  3. Ensure fair compensation for Nigerian news content
  4. Preserve innovation, competition, and consumer choice

They noted that Nigeria already has capable institutions, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), with statutory powers to enforce proportionate remedies and penalties where necessary.

Describing the appeal as “a call to leadership, not alarm,” the NPO warned that the cost of inaction would be borne by society at large through weakened institutions, rising misinformation, diminished public trust, and fragile national cohesion.

“Protecting the Nigerian press is not an industry rescue,” the statement concluded. “It is an investment in national stability, democratic durability, and Nigeria’s standing as a serious constitutional democracy.”

The statement was jointly signed by:

  1. Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, President, Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN)
  2. Mr. Eze Anaba, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE)
  3. Comrade Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, Chairman, Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON)
  4. Danlami Nmodu, mni, President, Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP)
  5. Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)

The organisations said they are ready to collaborate with the Presidency, the National Assembly, regulators, civil society, broadcasters, and technology companies to design a fair, forward-looking Nigerian framework – stressing that the moment to act is now.

Lagos urged to review ban on cart pushers to address waste challenges

Michael Simire
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Lagos urged to review ban on cart pushers to address waste challenges

Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) has urged the Lagos State Government to review the ban on cart pushers.

The CODAF position is coming on the heels of outcry that has trailed the recent ban on cart pushers (popularly known as Abokis) who engage in local waste disposal services in Lagos, with many residents expressing their aversion because over the heaps of waste in virtually every street and clogged drainages. 

Cart pusher
Cart pushers

For years, waste management in the state relied on a balance between Lagos State Waste Management (LAWMA) trucks and cart pushers. However, this relationship was broken when LAWMA officials began treating cart pushers as competitors rather than partners.

Despite many residents preferring cart pushers due to their affordability and reliability, the Lagos State Government made LAWMA registration mandatory and later imposed a total ban on carts. Since then, waste management challenges have intensified in Lagos and its environs, worsened by poorly maintained LAWMA trucks that frequently break down and remain off the roads for weeks.

In recent weeks, waste disposal has become a serious problem. With LAWMA trucks absent and cart pushers unable to operate due to fear of arrest, bins overflowed, estates have been overwhelmed by foul odours, and residents are left without viable waste disposal options. This situation has raised major environmental and public health concerns.

CODAF team carried out an opinion sampling of some residents on their views of the recent waste management crisis and their views regarding both cart pushers (Abokis) and LAWMA within the Ojodu Berger axis. Similar complaints were received from most of the residents interviewed.

Speaking to CODAF team, Alhaja Anike Sidikat, a provision store owner, says she prefers cart pushers to LAWMA because she can easily call any of them to dispose of her waste whenever her bin is overfilled. She described them as reliable, noting that they also help wash her waste bins thoroughly, something LAWMA does not do, as their work is often rushed.

A market woman, Mrs. Iyabode Anike Ojo, who also spoke to the CODAF team, expressed her frustration over LAWMA’s inability to dispose of waste for two weeks. According to her, this led to the entire neighbourhood experiencing unpleasant odours. She stated that visitors sometimes described the area as very dirty, which was particularly upsetting because the situation was not caused by residents’ negligence.

Mr. David Lateef also expressed his displeasure, stating that the poor operational system of LAWMA trucks has raised questions about whether the fees paid are justified. He explained that waste was left unattended on the streets for weeks, forcing many residents to invite cart pushers to help reduce the excess waste and prevent further mess.

Another interviewee, Mrs. Marcelina Greg, a market woman, voiced her frustration that LAWMA cannot meet up with waste collection schedules due to the nature of her business. She noted that her waste bins are usually filled every two days, so she relies on cart pushers who charge less and respond promptly. She added that LAWMA trucks come only once a week, which would create serious waste management issues if she depended solely on them.

On his part, Executive Director of CODAF, Richard Benin, commended the Lagos State Government for its concern for the environment, as the ban on cart pushers could also be translated as a way of ensuring proper waste disposal systems in the state.

He, however, opined that an outright ban on cart pushers without proper measures to cover the vacuum left by the cart pushers may drive the state into a worsened state of environment, as now evident in some areas like Ojodu-Berger.,.

He further stated that rather than an outright ban, the state government should tilt towards properly incorporating local waste disposal systems like the cart pushers into the state management system for better services. 

He also called for proper regulation and management of LAWMA for efficiency and an accountability.

Surge Africa, One World Media equip fellows with climate investigative journalism expertise

Michael Simire
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0
Surge Africa, One World Media equip fellows with climate investigative journalism expertise

From January 29 to 30, 2026, the six journalists selected for the Climate Reporting Gap Fellowship gathered in Abuja for a pivotal in-person training. This intensive workshop, a core part of the Climate Reporting Gap Fellowship by Surge Africa and One World Media, equipped the fellows with technical expertise to execute their deep investigations into Nigeria’s climate and energy future.

The Climate Reporting Gap Initiative (CRGI) addresses the critical deficit in West African climate journalism, where increased media coverage has not been matched by rigorous, investigative scrutiny of climate responses, often relying instead on passive reporting and second-hand sources.

Surge Africa
The six journalists selected for the Climate Reporting Gap Fellowship

Launched amid widespread disinformation and political resistance, CRGI aims to close this strategic advocacy gap by strengthening journalists’ capacity to translate complex climate data and politics into accessible, accountable narratives. By empowering media to frame climate issues as interconnected political, economic, and social processes, the initiative seeks to foster evidence-based reporting that links local realities to global dynamics, challenges misinformation, and promotes informed public discourse to drive equitable and ambitious climate action.

The training responds to a critical need: as climate impacts intensify across communities, the fellowship aims to close the gap between complex policies and lived realities. The two-day programme was designed to transform principles into practice, directly supporting the fellows’ projects through hands-on, practical sessions.

The workshop, held in Abuja as part of the overall fellowship programme, set a foundation for critical, context-driven climate journalism in Nigeria. Opening the session, Nasreen Al-Amin, Director at Surge Africa, challenged fellows to move beyond surface-level reporting by interrogating emerging geopolitical trends and questioning dominant narratives around climate and energy.

She emphasised that the fellowship exists to amplify local realities and everyday struggles, ensuring audiences understand not just that the energy transition is happening, but why, and at what social and economic cost.

The first technical session, led by Mr. Botti Isaac of Social Action Nigeria, unpacked Nigeria’s energy transition through its NDC commitments, decarbonisation pathways, the gas debate, fiscal constraints, just transition implications, and governance challenges. He underscored the disconnect between policy ambition and lived realities, urging fellows to identify gaps and hold the government accountable.

This was followed by a data journalism session with Khadijah Kareem of Dataphyte, who reframed data as a storytelling tool shaped by power, evidence, and intent.

Fellows explored how to localise, simplify, and critically interpret datasets while navigating data gaps. The rest of the programme focused on visual storytelling, concluding with reflective discussions, where fellows expressed renewed clarity, confidence, and enthusiasm, particularly around using data to tell socially relevant climate stories.

“Our goal with this programme is to witness a shift in how the energy transition discourse is conveyed, ensuring it is non-partisan to any particular sector, and that information reflects live realities of the Nigerian people, and most importantly address the policy and governance gaps that we see with Nigeria as a petro-state. The transition is necessary, but so does reporting that links local issues with regional or global expectations without discrimination and vague expectations,” said Al-Amin.

Climate Reporting Gap Initiative will build on its efforts to support independent journalists by providing a grant up to £5,000 to CRG fellows, to develop and deliver investigative stories with themes centering oil politics and energy transition as part of the overall outcomes of the Fellowship programme.

This will be technically supported by One World Media, a UK-based company serving as implementing partners for the fellowship. The Initiative itself will continue to launch numerous fellowship programmes with the core aim of advancing climate reporting and bridging communication gaps with local communities.

Lagos begins rehabilitation of Iju, Adiyan water plants

Michael Simire
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0
Lagos begins rehabilitation of Iju, Adiyan water plants

The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has begun the rehabilitation of Iju and Adiyan Water Treatment Plants to improve potable water supply across Lagos State.

The rehabilitation project, which will take eight months to complete, is titled: Rehabilitation of Iju Head works and Akute Intake Station – Lots 1, 2, and 3″. It is part of the corporation’s asset management and infrastructure renewal programme.

The project, according to a statement issued on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, by the Corporation’s Public Affairs Unit, is funded by the Lagos State Government, and is scheduled to run from February to October.

Mukhtaar Tijani
Managing Director of the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), Muktaar Tijani

The Managing Director of LWC, Mr. Mukhtaar Tijani, in a meeting on Tuesday at the corporation’s headquarters in Ijora, Lagos, said the rehabilitation was critical to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.

Tijani, who was represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Mrs. Omolanke Taiwo, said the project, aligned with the corporation’s five-year strategic business plan, launched in December 2024.

He explained that the plan prioritised infrastructural development as a means of addressing long standing operational challenges within the water sector.

According to him, the rehabilitation focuses mainly on pump replacement and upgrades, following approval by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“This project must not be business as usual. We want all hands to be on deck to ensure timely and successful delivery,” he said.

Also speaking, the Director of Production, Mr. Agiri Mustapha, described the rehabilitation as a critical project for both the corporation and the state government.

Mustapha said past challenges associated with pump installations informed the decision to engage original equipment manufacturers with sole franchise rights.

He noted that the move was aimed at ensuring the quality, durability, and optimal performance of installed equipment.

Representatives of the contractors and manufacturers, including KSB Pumps & Valves Nigeria Ltd., Wilo Pumps Nigeria Ltd., and Springfield Electric Ltd., assured the corporation of timely and quality delivery of the project.

The corporation expressed optimism that the rehabilitation would significantly enhance operational capacity, service reliability, and access to safe drinking water for residents of Lagos State.

By Olaitan Idris

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