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Fresh crisis rocks NUPENG as stakeholders call for resignation of President, General Secretary

Michael Simire
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Fresh crisis rocks NUPENG as stakeholders call for resignation of President, General Secretary

The embattled President and General Secretary of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrades Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, have taken fresh swipe from Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) just as the Branch stakeholders called for the duo’s immediate resignation in order to give room for fresh air and stability in the union.

The latest call was contained in a statement signed by Comrade Preye Odede-Graham on Sunday, September 21, 2025, on behalf of PTD elders and stakeholders, Comrades (Alhaji) Tajudeen Abubakar (Kaduna Zone), Chief (Comrade.) Edafe Osas (Warri Zone), Comrade Joseph Dagogo-Jack (JP) (Port Harcourt Zone) and Comrade Kolade Fadahunsi-Ojelabi (Lagos Zone).

Williams Akporeha
President of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Williams Akporeha

This latest onslaught came on the heels of ongoing industrial disputes between Dangote Refinery, NUPENG, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and other industry associations. 

PTD blamed the recent woes befalling NUPENG on the lacklustre attitude of the union’s President as well as intimidation, victimisation and harassment of the members of PTD by the General Secretary which is at variance with the extant rules of the union as well as human dignity.

PTD maintained that they no longer wanted to be used as attack dogs against the federal government especially President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other players in the industrial ecosystem.

They lampooned leaders of NUPENG over their failure to hail the tenacity of Dangote Refinery for standing against all odds to defeat the process pressure and market disruption with the 650,000 bpd capacity alongside with the 4,000 CNG trucks tankers and 6,000 truck cargoes totalling 10,000 trucks costing N2 trillion to move the products to the consumers at no cost, with value added of over 40,000 jobs. 

They also begged President Tinubu to ensure high tariffs increase to discourage fuel importation and add increased crude supply to Dangote Refinery with licence for oil exploration. They further advised Mr. President to nationalise oil well so as to allow for proper dredging which majority licensed sites were desolate and moribund.

They begged law enforcement agencies, anti-graft agents, industry regulators, federal government, stakeholders in trade union, media, civil society, legal profession, etc, to support them to commence the re-engineering of NUPENG by showing Afolabi and Williams the exit doors from the union so that the petroleum industry could get the much-anticipated liberation. 

“On this note, we therefore appeal to all our members in PTD and others in various branches not to be despaired, let us join hands together and win the battle against these common enemies and stop them once and for all, these multidimensional nonsense and slavery in the union must be hurriedly put to stop. United, we stand against every economic saboteur and enemy of progress in Nigeria’s economic powerhouse,” the statement said.

Govt commends Renaissance Africa’s production increase, calls for more oil, gas investment

Michael Simire
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Govt commends Renaissance Africa’s production increase, calls for more oil, gas investment

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has stated that its goal of attracting more funds and investments into the Nigerian oil and gas sector to grow the country’s industrialisation is at the centre of its decision to devote more executive attention to ongoing reforms in the energy sector.

Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen, disclosed this on Monday, September 22, 2025, in Abuja, when she received the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Mr. Tony Attah.

Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited
L-R: Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited’s Chief Production Officer, Mr. Mesh Maichibi; Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Energy, Mrs Olu Verheijen; and Managing director and Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Mr. Tony Attah, when the pair was received by the Special Adviser to the President on Energy in Abuja

“This is why we continue to work on investment-enabling reforms with a bid to achieving national targets. I congratulate Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited because you have done a good job so far in increasing oil and gas production. Understandably, we continue to look forward to the opening of new wells and new drilling activities,” she said.

The Special Adviser commended Renaissance Africa’s over 40% oil production increase within 150 days of its completion of the landmark transaction in March 2025, when Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings Company Limited successfully acquired the shares of Shell Petroleum Company Limited in The Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC). SPDC was then rebranded Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and retained its role as the operator of the joint venture.

Attah said, “On our part, we must also commend your office for the three Executive Orders that have brought revolutionary changes, especially to the oil and gas sector. Our company, Renaissance Africa’s success since came onboard is because we are riding on that enabling environment that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has provided. I particularly commended the Special Adviser on Energy and your team for your tenacity in following this required path.”

He said, “This enabling environment that you are creating has further emboldened us in our drive to achieve our vision to be Africa’s leading energy company enabling energy security and industrialization in a sustainable manner.

“We are glad too that we are seeing immediate results from our strategy to improve work processes and conditions which have, in turn, galvanised our employees, improved daily crude oil production by about 40%, and returned Renaissance Africa and the joint venture to a position where we are now fulfilling our contractual gas supply quantities to the NLNG Limited (Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas) – for the first time in over five years.”

Nigeria’s NDC 3.0: From pledges to proof – what must happen in the next 12 months

Michael Simire
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Nigeria’s NDC 3.0: From pledges to proof – what must happen in the next 12 months

Nigeria’s Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) is the most consequential reset of our climate strategy since Paris. It replaces “percent-below-BAU” promises with economy-wide emissions cuts referenced to a real baseline, and it names the sectors where Nigeria can deliver fast, affordable abatement with real development gains.

It also puts a price tag on delivery and ties the plan to the country’s broader policy spine – net-zero by 2060, the Climate Change Act, methane commitments, and transparency reforms.

Olumide Idowu
Olumide Idowu

What’s new – and why it matters

Absolute targets, clear baseline. NDC 3.0 keeps 2018 as the reference year used in NDC 2.0 and moves to absolute reductions aligned with the Global Stocktake, rather than BAU percentages. This improves credibility, comparability, and accountability.

A defined 2035 waypoint. The NDC now sets an absolute reduction of 184.9 MtCO₂e in 2035 from 573.5 MtCO₂e in 2018 – a 32.2% cut – providing a concrete mid-term milestone on the path to net-zero 2060.

Sector realism. The plan concentrates mitigation where Nigeria’s levers are strongest:

  • Oil & gas methane: a 60% cut in leaks/venting and elimination of routine flaring by 2030, scaling to deeper cuts thereafter.
  • Transport: large gains from EV and CNG adoption (≈44.3 MtCO₂e potential).
  • Forests & land use (LULUCF): a 60% deforestation-rate reduction (≈304.8 MtCO₂e potential) plus re/afforestation. This is the single biggest wedge in the package.

Financing the shift. Government estimates US$337 billion (2026-2035) is needed across mitigation and adaptation, with US$195 billion for mitigation and US$141.5 billion for adaptation. That scale demands blended public–private finance, carbon markets, and strong project preparation.

Fairness and feasibility. Nigeria emits ~0.73% of global GHGs with per-capita emissions well below the world average, yet it is adopting absolute cuts and methane leadership – evidence of good-faith alignment with the Stocktake, despite pressing development needs.

The execution gap

Nigeria’s climate framework has matured: the Climate Change Act, a submitted BTR1, an LT-LEDS (2024), and ongoing adaptation planning (ADCOM, NAP) all point to better “plumbing” for delivery. But plans become progress only with discipline on four fronts: methane, clean cooking, forests, and power/transport.

A 12-month, results-first playbook

1) Methane first in oil & gas

  • Publish a national LDAR calendar (assets, inspection frequency, fixes) and a flaring-ban enforcement roadmap tied to penalties and, where appropriate, crediting under high-integrity carbon market rules.
  • Launch a Methane Transparency Portal with site-level disclosures, satellite corroboration, and citizen alerts.
    These steps hit the largest “quick-win” abatement at low cost while protecting revenues.

2) Make clean cooking Nigeria’s flagship social climate programme

  • Mandate modern cooking solutions (LPG, electric, advanced biomass) in public institutions – schools, clinics, security posts – and track monthly uptake.
  • Use results-based finance and PAYGo to de-risk last-mile distribution through women- and youth-led MSMEs; pair with social protection for affordability.
    The co-benefits – health, time savings, gender equity – are outsized and reduce pressure on forests.

3) Forests: cut loss, grow cover

  • Operationalise the 60% deforestation-reduction target via state-level forest compacts, community forestry, mangrove protection, and legal timber/charcoal traceability.
  • Scale re/afforestation and agroforestry aligned with the NDC’s quantified potentials.
    Forest measures account for the largest mitigation wedge and are inseparable from rural livelihoods.

4) Power and transport that people feel

  • Grid & DISCO loss reduction and a clear minigrid programme for public services (clinics, schools, water systems) convert climate targets into human-development gains.
  • Urban mobility: set passenger-kilometre targets for BRT/rail and a public-fleet conversion calendar (EV/CNG), unlocking the transport wedge identified in the NDC.

5) Finance at scale, with integrity

  • Publish an NDC Investment Plan mapping each measure to funding sources: sovereign green/sukuk, concessional lines, private capital, and Article 6 transactions – sequenced to the US$337 billion need.
  • Stand up a project-prep facility to take pipelines from concept to bankability; lock in high-integrity carbon market participation with community benefit-sharing.

6) Governance, MRV, and law

  • Single, public NDC MRV platform integrating energy, LULUCF, waste, and methane; quarterly dashboards feeding BTR2.
  • Use the Climate Change Act to set sector targets and compliance pathways; finalise Article 6 procedures and activate the national registry so private finance can flow with safeguards.

Why this approach is right for Nigeria

The NDC’s centre of gravity – methane, forests, clean cooking, efficient transport/power – aligns with Nigeria’s economic structure and social realities. The oil and gas sector remains pivotal, so controlling methane is both climate-smart and revenue-protective.

Clean cooking and electrification deliver immediate health and productivity benefits, particularly for women and girls. Forest governance and restoration underpin rural incomes and climate resilience, while modern mobility and reliable power make cities livable and competitive. In short, these are development multipliers, not trade-offs.

A coalition to deliver

NDC 3.0 was built with national institutions and regional partners and acknowledges the lived realities of vulnerable Nigerians. That spirit must carry into implementation: federal ministries and the NCCC setting standards; states delivering services; private operators investing; civil society monitoring; and communities co-designing benefits.

As an implementing civil-society partner, ICCDI-Africa will prioritise four contributions over the next year:

  1. Methane Community Observatories in host LGAs to surface leaks and flaring events, escalate grievances, and validate fixes – feeding the national portal.
  2. Clean-Cooking Acceleration Coalition with women/youth MSMEs, financiers, and state energy/environment ministries to drive demand, vendor training, and last-mile tracking.
  3. Young Lawyers for Climate Justice to draft model state climate bylaws, methane-disclosure standards, and Article 6 community-benefit MOUs; pursue litigation only when cooperative compliance fails.
  4. NDC Scorecards & Town-Halls (Lagos, Rivers, Kano, FCT) translating targets into local actions and publishing quarterly public dashboards tied to the MRV platform.

The takeaway

NDC 3.0 is a credible, more ambitious blueprint that aligns Nigeria with the Global Stocktake and our 2060 net-zero commitment. It identifies the biggest, cheapest wins and attaches a realistic price tag. The difference between another plan and a turning point will be what we do in the next 12 months: cut methane, scale clean cooking, protect and restore forests, fix power and transport bottlenecks, and publish what we achieve – quarter by quarter. That is how Nigeria moves from pledge to proof.

By Olumide Idowu, Executive Director, ICCDI Africa

All figures and policy references are from Nigeria’s NDC 3.0 transmission version and associated national submissions (BTR1, LT-LEDS, ADCOM/NAP in progress)

Biodiversity: NCF, Renaissance Africa enlighten 46 community forest rangers

Michael Simire
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Biodiversity: NCF, Renaissance Africa enlighten 46 community forest rangers

No fewer than 46 community forest rangers have been trained by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in partnership with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd., with the aim of safeguarding the fragile Taylor Creek Forest.

This was made known by Mr. Adedamola Ogunsesan, Director of Technical Programmes, NCF, in a statement issued and signed by Mr. Olusomi Oduguwa, Media and Communications Manager, NCF.

Park rangers
Park rangers

He said that the partnership, which was in conjunction with the Bayelsa State Government, aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods.

Ogunsesan noted that the Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd., formerly Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, had deepened implementation of the Gbaran-Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)

He said that the initiative spanned 23 forest-dependent communities across four clans, which are Okordia, Zarama, Biseni, and Tarakiri, within Yenagoa and Sagbama Local Government Areas, Bayelsa.

“It is designed as a long-term programme to conserve biodiversity, empower host communities, and reduce pressure on the environment through sustainable alternatives.

“So far, the project has engaged and trained 46 community forest rangers across 26 communities.

“This has equipped them with skills in patrols, forest governance, tree nursery establishment, and sustainable forest management.

“The rangers have also raised and nurtured over 16,500 indigenous tree seedlings, now successfully planted across Taylor Creek Forest communities, reinforcing ecological resilience and contributing to climate action,” he said.

The NCF director added that more than 150 beneficiaries had been empowered in small-scale enterprises, including aquaculture, beekeeping, animal rearing and cassava cultivation.

“Starter packs such as collapsible fishponds, fingerlings, goats, and improved cassava cuttings have been distributed, creating green jobs and reducing community dependence on unsustainable forest practices,” he said.

Ogunsesan also highlighted the significance of linking conservation with people-centered development.

“What makes this project unique is the balance between protecting biodiversity and improving local livelihoods.

“By restoring the forest and supporting households with alternative sources of income, we are demonstrating that conservation and community prosperity can go hand-in-hand,” he said.

The statement quoted the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Douye Diri, as emphasising that the project marked a new phase of community-driven environmental stewardship.

Diri, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ben Ololo, said, “This project represents a turning point in how we manage our natural resources in Bayelsa.

“Beyond planting trees, we are nurturing a culture of responsibility and resilience in our communities.

“By empowering rangers and supporting alternative livelihoods, we are safeguarding Taylor Creek Forest for our children and generations to come,” he said.

The Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd. reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the programme, adding that the Biodiversity Action Plan was about people, livelihoods, and the shared future of Bayelsa communities.

By Olaitan Idris

Lagos engages Computer Village traders on relocation to Katangowa

Michael Simire
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Lagos engages Computer Village traders on relocation to Katangowa

The Lagos State Government on Monday, September 22, 2025, met with stakeholders of the Computer Village, Ikeja, on plans to relocate the market to Katangowa, Agbado-Oke Odo.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Mr. Gbolahan Oki, said the meeting was in line with Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive that the process must be inclusive and transparent.

Computer Village
State officials addressing Computer Village traders

“This is the first time in 15 years that government is holding this kind of meeting directly with you in your market. It shows the governor’s commitment to openness,” Oki said.

He said that the state government was speeding up work on the new ICT and Business Park at Katangowa.

The facilities there, he said, would include hotels, banks, recreation centres, car parks, a fire station, police post and good access roads.

According to him, moving the market would benefit both government and traders.

He noted that Ikeja’s original plan as a residential area had been distorted by business expansion, while the Katangowa site would provide a more organised and conducive environment.

Oki appealed to traders to support the relocation plan and to stop trading on the streets, setbacks and drainages in Ikeja.

A presentation was also made by officials of the Urban Development Department to explain the ongoing efforts and benefits of the relocation.

The Iyaloja of Computer Village, Chief Abisola Azeez, thanked the governor for the initiative, saying the new site would enhance the market’s potential and provide better opportunities for traders and customers.

Other officials at the meeting include the General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, Mr. Oladimeji Animashaun, and the Coordinating Director, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Mrs. Florence Gbaye.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Urban Development, Mr. Segun Williams, and executive members of the market association were also present.

By Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe

Govt begins verification of disputed oil, gas fields, wells in Niger Delta

Michael Simire
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Govt begins verification of disputed oil, gas fields, wells in Niger Delta

The Federal Government of Nigeria has begun verification of disputed and newly drilled crude oil and gas fields and wells in the Niger Delta region.

Addressing newsmen in Asaba, the Delta State capital, Dr Mohammed Shehu, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), said the initiative is aimed at ensuring that every oil and gas producing state received their rightful share of resources.

Dr Mohammed Shehu
Dr Mohammed Shehu, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC)

He said that the exercise was in consonance with the provisions of the law, citing paragraphs 32(a) Part I of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

Shehu noted that the exercise was also informed by the various petitions by governors of Anambra, Delta, Imo, Edo, Ondo and Rivers seeking to establish the rightful ownership and territorial boundaries of specific crude oil and gas assets.

According to Shehu, the assignment is to be carried out via Inter-Agnency Technical Committee (IATC) comprising the RMAFC, Representatives of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation(OSGOF) and the National Boundary Commission (NBC).

“We announce the inauguration of the IATC and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to accurately identify the locations of crude oil and gas fields and wells within the disputed areas and the newly drilled crude oil and gas wells.

“The 1999 Constitution as amended, empowers the RMAFC amongst other functions to monitor accruals into and disbursement of revenue from the federation account.

“This initiative is driven by former concerns expressed by the executive governors of some states such as Anambra -Imo, Anambra -Delta regarding the rightful ownership and territorial boundaries of specific crude oil and gas assets.

“Key among these is the Aneize oil field within OML 143; the Eyine and Ameshi fields. In Delta, we shall examine the identified locations and verify the coordinates of newly drilled oil and gas wells within the area spanning from 2017 to date,” he said.

The RMAFC boss said the verification exercise would be extended to Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ondo, Edo and Anambra states in response to their complaints.

He said that the verification exercise would rely on geospatial data provided by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission which would be validated and plotted while the Surveyor-Generals of the affected states would observe the entire process.

According to him, the goal is to ensure a fair and transparent allocation of oil revenue grounded in accurate data while addressing long-standing disputes over the location and rightful ownership of these vital energy assets.

“We are tasked with the plotting the coordinates of newly drilled identified crude oil and gas fields and wells across recognised oil-rich regions.

“This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to support the commission in obtaining precise location data for these assets, ensuring that the 13 per cent derivation fund is equitably disbursed to the rightful boundary states among the oil- producing areas.”

Shehu noted that the exercise was a strategic and proactive measure by the Federal Government aimed at resolving long-standing disputes among the affected states.

“This initiative is essential to ensure that every oil and gas producing states receives its rightful share of the resources to reduce tension and safeguard the integrity of the federation account.

“By promoting transparency and fairness, we are laying the groundwork for a more stable and conducive environment for continued exploration and development across the region,” Shehu said.

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Nigeria submits updated NDC, new climate plan wins UN backing

Michael Simire
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Nigeria submits updated NDC, new climate plan wins UN backing

Nigeria, along with Eswatini, Jordan, Tunisia and Honduras, submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat on Monday, September 22, 2025.

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Climate Change, described Nigeria’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) as a “significant step forward” in the country’s energy and climate transition.

Simon Stiell
Mr. Simon Stiell with the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal

Stiell, in a statement on Monday, said the clean energy economy presented Nigeria with an opportunity to usher in “a new era of economic growth.”

He described the plan as one that could create jobs, attract investment, and harness the potential of its youthful population.

“Every country is now in a race to realise the benefits of clean energy.

“By setting clear goals, including near-term targets to reduce emissions towards achieving net zero by 2060, Nigeria is sending a clear signal to the world: development and climate action go hand in hand,” Stiell said.

The UN climate chief also hailed Nigeria’s effort to strengthen inclusivity in its plan, noting that “involving more and more of society in climate action makes its plan stronger.”

Stiell emphasised that Nigeria’s revised plan sends “a clear signal to the world” that climate action and development were mutually reinforcing rather than contradictory.

The council had said that the updated NDC would be submitted to the UN agency before the 30th Conference of Parties on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) in November.

The third contribution, tagged: NDC 3.0, was unveiled and validated in August following a workshop on Aug. 27, organised by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).

LASPPPA embarks on physical planning permit sensitisation roadshow

Michael Simire
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LASPPPA embarks on physical planning permit sensitisation roadshow

The Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) on Monday, September 22, embarked on a road sensitisation campaign to educate residents on compliance with planning permit laws ahead of its 2025 stakeholders’ engagement.

The roadshow was aimed at creating awareness on the importance of adhering to physical planning regulations.

LASPPPA
L-R: The General Manager, LASPPPA, Mr Kehinde Osinaike; Special Advised to the Governor on Electronic Geographic Information System (e-GIS), Dr Babatunde Olajide; Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Olumide Oluyinka and Oluwole Sotire, Permanent Secretary of the ministry during roadshow to create awareness on physical planning permits organised by LASPPPA on Monday in Lagos

LASPPPA, an agency under the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, kicked off the procession from its headquarters in Ikeja GRA.

Using public address systems, officials explained how timely compliance with planning laws guarantees equity in investments, ensures proper urban planning, prevents building collapse, and supports government in managing city growth.

Their officials stressed that approvals are mandatory before construction, demolition, remodelling or change of ownership of properties, warning that non-compliance attracts sanctions.

Residents were urged to avoid touts and instead register online, visit LASPPPA headquarters or any of its district offices across the state to obtain approvals within 10 days.

They also invited the public to the forthcoming stakeholders’ engagement on Friday with the theme: “Planning Permit: The Rebirth.”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Olumide Oluyinka, received LASPPPA officials at his office in Alausa.

He addressed the gathering on the importance of sensitisation before joining the roadshow alongside the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oluwole Sotire, and other top government officials.

Speaking with journalists, Oluyinka said the campaign was designed to tackle low awareness about the value of planning permits.

“It will be an ongoing exercise because we must take this message right to the grassroots. Our people in riverine areas and local communities must also know and appreciate the importance of planning permits,” he said.

The commissioner explained that planning approvals help the state monitor development patterns and expand infrastructure to meet residents’ needs.

“You can’t drive a new car without registering it. If you buy a phone with a SIM card, it won’t work after a few days if it isn’t registered.

“The same applies here. There is no individual anywhere in the world without a birth certificate. For a building, that permit is its birth certificate, and every structure must have it,” he added.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Electronic Geographic Information System (e-GIS), Dr Babatunde Olajide, and the Permanent Secretary, Sotire, urged residents to be good ambassadors by complying with planning laws.

They outlined the benefits of compliance and warned that violations or inaction could negatively affect the wider society.

The General Manager of LASPPPA, Mr. Kehinde Osinaike, said the campaign was building on successes recorded from previous sensitisation drives.

He noted that compliance levels had risen as reforms had simplified the process of obtaining approvals.

“There has been a marked increase in submissions of planning permits and issuance of approvals,” he said.

A fuel attendant in Maryland, Mr. Mazi Alphonsus, commended the campaign.

“If they continue like this, people will not make mistakes,” he said.

Alphonsus added that it was “heartbreaking” to complete a building in error, especially given current economic realities, only to face the risk of demolition.

The procession began from LASPPPA Headquarters, Ikeja GRA through Ikeja under bridge, Oba Akran, Agidingbi, Alausa, Oregun Road, Opebi Road, Sheraton, Maryland and its environs.

By Grace Alegba

‘Reckless, unjust’ – Groups flay TotalEnergies’ ‘world’s deepest’ offshore well

Michael Simire
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‘Reckless, unjust’ – Groups flay TotalEnergies’ ‘world’s deepest’ offshore well

Fresh from their landmark victory in the Teepsa 5/6/7 case – where the courts set aside authorisation for another deep-water drilling project – The Green Connection and Natural Justice are warning of an even bigger threat to people, the ocean and the climate.

This time, the organisations are challenging TotalEnergies’ proposal to drill what would be the world’s deepest offshore well in the Deep Western Orange Basin (DWOB South).

Offshore well
An offshore well

The Green Connection’s Strategic Lead, Liziwe McDaid, says that the scale of the project is staggering: “If approved, this would mean drilling at depths of nearly 3,900 metres, only 211 km off the coast of Saldanha – home to many indigenous small-scale fisher families. It would be reckless to put their livelihoods and our marine heritage at risk.”

According to McDaid, the Draft Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report (DESIAR) reveals several governance failures.

“What is particularly concerning is how the report downplays the risk of catastrophic oil spills and makes unsubstantiated claims that a blow-out could be capped in just 20 days, while experts warn it could take months at these depths. A spill of that scale could devastate fisheries and wipe out tourism jobs and could even spread into Namibian waters.

“This month we celebrate our heritage, and this weekend the world turns to Coastal Clean-Up and Zero Emissions – yet this project could unnecessarily put people’s culture, the ocean, and climate action at risk if approved,” she explains.

“Some of the most concerning aspects of the DESIAR are that it seems to ignore cumulative climate impacts and appears to perpetuate injustice against marginalised communities, due to the lack of meaningful engagement with those who will likely be affected. Many fisher communities report that, as a result of meeting locations, they were not reached, while others report that they were only afforded limited consultation – as crucial baseline data was not shared in accessible formats.

“This may undermine people’s constitutional rights, especially since this is yet another project that could lock South Africa into a costly, carbon-heavy path that may be wholly at odds with climate science and the country’s just transition commitments, and which could negatively impact the marine ecosystems that coastal communities rely on,” adds McDaid.

The DESIAR also appears to present inflated economic benefits, but most skilled jobs could go to foreign contractors, which may leave locals with only short-term, low-paid work. In contrast, coastal fishing and tourism – proven, sustainable drivers of jobs and GDP – could be placed at risk.

The organisations also emphasise that impacts on marine biodiversity are barely assessed, even though the deep ocean plays a critical role in regulating the climate and sustaining fisheries. Noise pollution is similarly overlooked, with the report dismissing the risks of seismic blasts and drilling noise that can disorient whales, drive fish from their feeding grounds, and threaten endangered turtles and seabirds.

Legal Advisor at The Green Connection, Shahil Singh, adds, “The law is clear, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) must consider the full life cycle of a fossil fuel project, not just the exploration phase. By failing to properly address this, the report could mislead the public into thinking exploration is harmless, when in reality it is often the first step towards large-scale oil and gas extraction. The recent Teepsa 5/6/7 judgment confirmed this principle, with the courts making it clear that weak and incomplete assessments will not stand. These flaws may strike at the heart of the report’s credibility and could be grounds for legal challenge.”

South Africa already faces a strict carbon budget. Any new oil and gas production may push national emissions beyond Paris Agreement commitments, which could undermine climate obligations and possibly expose the country to potential EU/UK carbon border tariffs. The International Court of Justice recently reaffirmed that governments have a duty to prevent climate harms, yet the DESIAR does not appear to make any attempt to calculate full life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions.

Furthermore, multiple exploration and drilling projects are already underway in South African and Namibian waters. Each one could add pressure to fragile marine ecosystems, yet the DESIAR appears to treat them in isolation. Experts warn this approach is equivalent to approving multiple factories to discharge into the same river while claiming each has “minimal impact.”

“Additionally, calling gas a ‘transition fuel’ is misleading because, with gas, comes methane – which is estimated to be over 80 times more potent than CO₂ at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 20-year period, which may leak throughout the production cycle. Moreover, buying into gas takes us backwards, at a time when we should be investing in clean, affordable renewables – especially as the high cost of gas infrastructure and reliance on global markets could result in more expensive electricity for ordinary South Africans. True development should be people-centred – uplifting communities, restoring balance with nature, and securing livelihoods – not gambling with our oceans and heritage for short-term profit,” adds McDaid.

Nigeria’s health financing: Lessons from Canada’s $32.5bn tobacco settlement

Michael Simire
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Nigeria’s health financing: Lessons from Canada’s $32.5bn tobacco settlement

Nigeria’s decision to earmark SIN taxes – levies on alcohol, tobacco, and sugary drinks – for health financing, signals a firm commitment to prioritising citizens’ health. It also aligns with long-standing calls from Nigerian public health advocates and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The move could not be timelier. Earlier this year, a major investigation revealed that Nigerians spend about N1.92 trillion (roughly $1.26 billion) annually seeking treatment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Almost 30 percent of deaths in the country are linked to NCDs, with tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks among the biggest culprits.

Tobacco
Tobacco

Tobacco use alone fuels a raft of debilitating diseases: cancers of the lung, mouth, bladder, and colon; heart disease and stroke; chronic respiratory illness like COPD; type 2 diabetes; ectopic pregnancy; and premature, low birthweight babies. Globally, tobacco kills more than seven million people annually – 300,000 in Africa alone. Eight in ten smokers live in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria, feeding Big Tobacco’s multi-billion-dollar profits. In 2015, the six largest cigarette firms raked in $62 billion in profits – more than the annual budgets of several small nations.

These resources bankroll relentless marketing campaigns, youth-targeted advertising, lobbying against regulations, and deceptive promotion of so-called “reduced risk” products such as vapes, heated tobacco, snus, and nicotine pouches. Far from solving the problem, these new products hook a new generation on nicotine while undermining tobacco control efforts.

Yet Nigeria’s funding for tobacco control remains pitifully low. In 2024, following persistent advocacy, the government allocated N13 million to the Tobacco Control Fund (TCF) – but this falls far short of the about N300 million minimum required to operationalise it.

If Nigeria is serious about reducing tobacco’s deadly toll, it must explore innovative financing tools – including holding the industry itself to account.

In 2024, the Canadian government reached a landmark C$32.5 billion settlement with three tobacco giants – JTI-Macdonald Corp., Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, and Imperial Tobacco Canada. The payout compensates provinces, territories, and former smokers for decades of healthcare, social, and economic costs caused by tobacco. The deal, finalised in August 2025, capped a 27-year legal battle that proved the industry can be held liable for its deception and harm.

The Canadian settlement echoes the United States’ historic 1998 Master Settlement Agreement, where four leading tobacco firms agreed to pay $206 billion over 25 years (with payments continuing indefinitely).

For Nigeria, these precedents offer a roadmap. As WHO’s tobacco control chief Adriana Blanco Marquizo put it, the Canadian deal has “far-reaching” global implications – demonstrating that Big Tobacco can be forced to pay for its destruction.

Nigeria already has some experience. In 2023, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) fined British American Tobacco parties $110 million for breaching public health regulations – the largest fine ever issued by the regulator. This shows legal action is possible on home soil.

But to scale up, Nigeria needs legal groundwork, such as building airtight cases around healthcare costs, drawing on Canada and U.S. litigation. Civil society mobilisation is also key. Groups like Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) and the Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) are necessary to sustain advocacy pressure. Robust data is also critical to document the true cost of tobacco – hospitalisations, lost productivity, premature deaths. Furthermore, international collaboration with global networks that have taken on Big Tobacco before will smoothen the process and help to counter Big Tobacco’s legal tactics.

Nigeria should also emulate Canada’s Tobacco Claims process, which allows individuals who developed illnesses because of smoking, or from second-hand smoke (SHS), or family members of those who died from tobacco-related diseases to seek compensation directly, with no upfront legal fees. This is separate from the recent settlement funds. Such an approach would bring justice to victims while amplifying public support.

Perhaps the toughest fight is not against cigarettes but against the new wave of smokeless products and vapes, which Big Tobacco falsely markets as safer. Any Nigerian settlement must explicitly fund counter-marketing campaigns, research, and enforcement to dismantle this harmful narrative. Canada was careful to exclude industry-backed “harm reduction” foundations from its deal. Nigeria must follow suit.

Nigeria’s young population is already a prime target for flavoured vapes and e-cigarettes. Failure to act risks a generation addicted to nicotine, burdened by disease, and robbed of potential. But success could deliver a turning point – funding healthcare, empowering advocacy, and saving millions of lives.

The question is whether Nigerian leaders will put lives above the lobbying power of Big Tobacco. Canada has shown it can be done. If Nigeria follows through – with political will, legal rigour, and strong civil society support – it can not only transform its health financing but also send a powerful message across Africa that the era of tobacco impunity is over.

By Robert Egbe, tobacco control advocate at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)

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