A new analysis by Climate Central has revealed that billions of people worldwide faced intensified heat conditions driven by fossil fuel emissions between December 2024 and February 2025.
UK issued a high-level alert following a heatwave
The report highlights how human-induced climate change, primarily fueled by burning coal, oil, and methane gas, has significantly raised global temperatures and increased the frequency of extreme heat events over the past three months.
The study, which utilises Climate Central’s Climate Shift Index (CSI), quantifies the impact of climate change on global temperatures during the period under review. The findings paint a stark picture of how climate change is already affecting the health and well-being of populations worldwide.
According to the report, at least one in five people globally experienced the influence of climate change on temperatures every day during the three months. Due to climate change, nearly 394 million people were exposed to 30 or more days of heat levels deemed risky. Alarmingly, 74% of these individuals reside in Africa. Risky heat days are temperatures exceeding 90% of local historical temperature records from 1991 to 2020.
The analysis further revealed that in half of the 220 countries studied, the average person experienced temperatures strongly influenced by climate change for at least 30 days. This widespread exposure underscores the urgent need for global action to mitigate climate change and protect vulnerable populations.
Urban centres are particularly at risk, with residents in 287 cities worldwide experiencing at least a month of elevated temperatures attributed to climate change. These cities, often characterised by dense populations and limited green spaces, face heightened health risks from prolonged heat exposure.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency warns residents in 19 states, the South-East, and coastal areas of impending heat stress.
The states that would be mainly affected, according to the agency, are north-central and eastern states; Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Cross River, and FCT.
Other vulnerable regions are the Southwest coastal areas, Taraba, Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Sokoto.
The agency’s heat stress warning shows that rising temperatures and high humidity levels over the next three to four days may cause thermal discomfort across several regions.
The agency warned that potential health risks include fatigue, irritability, reduced focus, impaired motor skills, and decreased productivity. It urged residents in affected regions to take safety precautions.
In addition to the report, Climate Central has launched an interactive tool designed to help journalists and researchers visualise the data. The tool allows users to explore climate trends for specific regions and gain insights into broader global patterns.
Journalists, policymakers, and stakeholders are encouraged to use the tool to better understand the regional implications of climate change and to drive informed discussions on mitigation strategies.
Nigeria is facing a critical funding shortfall in its efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB), with an estimated 80,000 expected TB patients in 2024 still unidentifiable or untreated.
Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare
Stakeholders raised this concern on Tuesday, March 18, 2025m at a pre-World TB Day press briefing in Abuja.
Mr. Tajudeen Ibrahim, Country Coordinating Mechanism, Global Fund, Executive Secretary, disclosed that Nigeria required $404 million to effectively deliver TB treatment and services in 2025.
Ibrahim cautioned that the country’s TB drug supply for 2025 was already under pressure, as medications allocated for 2025 had been used to meet the treatment demands for 2024.
He further highlighted a $5 million funding gap caused by a recent U.S. government executive order, which impacted active case-finding efforts in 18 states between January and March.
Ibrahim also noted that 24 per cent of Nigeria’s TB funding comes from external sources, with the U.S. contributing $22 million.
He expressed concern that if funding issues persisted, the country’s TB detection and treatment efforts would suffer.
Dr Urhioke Ochuko, Head of Childhood Tuberculosis at the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer, and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), revealed that, in spite of intensified efforts, 80,000 individuals in need of TB treatment in 2024 were neither diagnosed nor treated.
This has resulted in a 17 per cent treatment gap.
He explained that although 439,000 individuals were identified with TB, only 418,000 received treatment, leaving a significant number without care.
Ochuko also disclosed that treating one TB patient costs approximately $600, while drug-resistant TB treatment costs $3,000.
“Universal diagnosis and treatment for all TB patients remain our goal, but financial constraints and systemic challenges hinder progress,” he stated.
He called for increased funding, expanded diagnostic services, and stronger community-based interventions to close the treatment gap.
Dr Adesigbin Clement Olufemi, Head of the Programmatic Management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (PMDT), NTBLCP, emphasised the importance of community-driven approaches in TB detection and treatment.
“The ‘whole-of-society approach’ ensures that communities actively monitor, track, and report TB cases, rather than relying solely on government health institutions.”
Olufemi highlighted the positive impact of deploying more than 333 diagnostic tools, which had increased case detection by 40 per cent.
Dr Enang Oyama, Chair of the 2025 World TB Day Planning Committee, shared progress in TB treatment, particularly the shortened duration of drug-resistant TB treatment and the shift to all-oral regimens, eliminating painful injections.
He also stressed the importance of the BCG vaccine, noting that it protects children from severe TB.
While acknowledging its limitations, he noted that research was ongoing to develop a TB vaccine for adults, similar to advances seen with malaria vaccines.
Dr Olayemi Olupitan, Project Director of Global Fund (Grant Cycle), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, called for sustained public awareness through social media and investigative journalism to combat misinformation and push for increased funding.
Olupitan urged journalists to become TB champions, actively engaging with partners and policymakers to ensure funding transparency, expanded case-finding efforts, and improved TB services across Nigeria.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Terrence Drew, and Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, kicked off the 2025 Green Climate Fund (GCF) Regional Dialogue with the Caribbean.
GCF Executive Director, Mafalda Duarte
Hosted by Saint Kitts and Nevis, the four-day dialogue brought together over 200 stakeholders, comprising governments, National Designated Authorities, Accredited Entities, and other partners from the Caribbean region to discuss climate plans and how to access GCF financing.
“Our islands face escalating challenges from climate change, including rising sea levels, more intense hurricanes, and increased drought. The theme of this gathering is timely, which is ‘Towards a resilient Caribbean: Advancing regional solutions for climate action, sustainable growth and inclusive development’,” said Terrence Drew, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
“The Caribbean region has always set its sights higher than its geographical limitations. We are small enough to be the best model of sustainability that the world has to offer,” Drew added.
Prime Minister Drew highlighted the vast potential of renewable energy generation in the region for domestic use as well as for export. He underscored the importance of using the dialogue to resolve the barriers that are preventing the region from matching its ambition for urgent action needed on the ground.
“We have the capacity to move much more quickly, but we need to move together as a region,” said Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. “You cannot separate people and planet. I believe we can sustain the stability and build a movement for prosperity for Caribbean people while being good to the planet.”
“GCF has been one of your strongest supporters. We are a partner that has one of the greatest potentials to work together with you and public and private sector entities to achieve the greatest impact,” said Mafalda Duarte, GCF Executive Director.
Imploring the attendees of the dialogue to “use GCF to achieve the greatest potential”, Duarte talked about GCF having the largest envelope of grant resources – under its Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme – to support technical assistance and institutional capacity building.
“GCF is more than just a financing partner. They are committed to ensuring that we address our climate-related challenges in a sustainable, inclusive, and gender-responsive manner,” said Drew. “Dealing with climate change is not opposed to economic growth,” he underscored.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has raised concerns over the alleged violation of local content laws by Sterling Oil Exploration and Production Company in Nigeria.
Mr. Festus Osifo, PENGASSAN’s President
At a news conference on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Abuja, Mr. Festus Osifo, PENGASSAN’s President, accused the company of employing thousands of foreign workers, particularly Indians, for jobs meant for Nigerians.
The association described the development as a blatant disregard for the nation’s regulations and called the Federal Government to take immediate action.
Osifo threatened national strike if nothing was done about it.
He said that Sterling Oil had continuously flouted Nigeria’s labour and expatriated laws by engaging foreign workers in middle- and low-level positions.
“We have observed a pattern where Sterling Oil brings in expatriates to fill jobs that Nigerians are qualified for. Every Tuesday, between 200 and 500 Indian workers arrive in Nigeria, replacing others on time off.
“These include welders, vulcanisers, gatekeepers, cooks, and even communication personnel,” he said.
He further alleged that Sterling Oil had failed to comply with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Act, which mandates that only Nigerians be employed in junior and mid-level positions.
“Section 35 of the NCDMB Act clearly states that all operators in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry must employ only Nigerians in junior and middle-level roles.
“However, Sterling Oil has continuously violated this law, with its entire management structure dominated by Indian expatriates,” he added.
He also accused the company of union suppression, stating that 18 workers were allegedly dismissed for demanding better working conditions and questioning their collective bargaining agreement.
“The sacked workers were merely advocating for their welfare, training, and career growth, yet they were unjustly dismissed.
“Additionally, Sterling Oil has prevented a section of its workforce from unionising under the guise of manpower contracts,” the union leader alleged.
The association further called on the Ministry of Interior to clarify its role in issuing expatriate quotas to Sterling Oil, alleging that the ministry had overstepped its legal mandate.
“The NCDMB has distanced itself from granting expatriate quotas to Sterling, stating that only five approvals were given between 2017 and 2023. However, our findings suggest that the Ministry of Interior has been issuing these quotas unlawfully,” he said.
PENGASSAN urged the Federal Government and relevant authorities to investigate the company’s operations, ensure compliance with Nigerian labour laws, and address the alleged irregularities in expatriate quota approvals.
“The time to act is now. Nigeria’s oil industry must not be short-changed, and we will continue to push for justice.
“We demand that all Indian workers should go, and Sterling must bring back 18 Nigerians who were sacked because they were pioneering this struggle in 2018, they must be brought back immediately.
“All manpower contracts that they have denied from joining the union, first, they must be staffed, and secondly, they must be allowed to join the union. Then all welfare issues that are bothering our members in Sterling must be clearly addressed,” he said.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV), is making strides to upgrade the lead-acid battery recycling sector across Africa.
Lead acid battery recycling
This was highlighted on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, during the opening of a two-day International Conference on Upgrading the Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Sector in Abuja, Nigeria.
The event was organised by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in collaboration with SRADeV, and supported by international partners.
At the conference, Malam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment, emphasised the significance of improving the management of used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) and promoting sound recycling policies in Nigeria and across Africa.
He pointed out the dangers of improper disposal and unsafe recycling of ULABs, highlighting that the practices were leading to hazardous environmental and health risks, including contamination of soil, water, and air.
These risks, according to Lawal, affect human health, particularly children and vulnerable populations, due to exposure to harmful substances like lead, cadmium, and sulphuric acid.
Lawal urged stakeholders to invest in formal recycling and battery waste management systems, which would contribute to a more sustainable and safe future for battery recycling.
Dr Innocent Barikor, the Director-General of NESREA, spoke about the importance of the conference as an opportunity to discuss the future of lead-acid battery recycling in Nigeria and the broader African context.
He noted that lead-acid batteries were essential for sectors like telecommunications, energy storage, and transportation, but their improper handling could lead to severe environmental damage and health issues.
Rep. Terseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Environment, highlighted the value of recycling in transforming waste into wealth.
Additionally, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Annett Gunther, emphasised Germany’s continued support for Nigeria in implementing proper battery control regulations.
Finally, Mrs. Miranda Amachree from the Alliance for Responsible Battery Recycling (ARBR) assured that the organisation would continue collaborating with stakeholders to improve environmental health and safety in the recycling sector.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that up to 25 countries are expected to include malaria vaccines in their childhood immunisation programmes by the end of 2025.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO)
Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s Director-General, shared this update on Monday, March 17, 2025, during an online media conference focused on global health issues.
He emphasised that these vaccines could save tens of thousands of young lives annually.
However, Ghebreyesus also raised concerns over the risks posed by recent cuts to U.S. funding for global health initiatives.
“Many of the gains in malaria that have been made over the past 20 years are now at risk due to these funding cuts,” he said.
While he refrained from commenting on the U.S. withdrawal from WHO, Ghebreyesus clarified that the cuts he referred to were those affecting direct U.S. funding.
According to him, this includes funding through agencies such as USAID and the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Ghebreyesus warned that the impact of these cuts was already being felt, with severe disruptions in the supply of malaria diagnostics, medicines, and insecticide-treated bed nets due to stockouts and delayed deliveries.
“The U.S. has been the largest bilateral donor to the fight against malaria for the past two decades, helping to prevent an estimated 2.2 billion cases and 12.7 million deaths.”
If disruptions continue, he predicted an additional 15 million cases of malaria and 107,000 deaths this year alone, potentially reversing 15 years of progress.
A similar situation is unfolding with HIV, where the suspension of most funding to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has halted services for HIV treatment, testing, and prevention in more than 50 countries.
Ghebreyesus noted that eight countries were facing severe disruptions to antiretroviral therapy, with some likely to run out of medicine in the coming months.
He said this could lead to more than 10 million additional cases of HIV and three million HIV-related deaths.
The WHO Director-General also highlighted the impact on tuberculosis (TB) programmes, with 27 countries in Africa and Asia facing significant disruptions.
“These include shortages of healthcare workers, diagnostic tools, and collapsing data systems.
“Nine countries have already reported problems with the procurement and supply chains for TB drugs, threatening the lives of affected individuals.
”Over the past two decades, U.S. support for TB services has saved nearly 80 million lives, but this progress is now at risk.
”Additionally, the WHO’s Global Measles and Rubella Network, funded solely by the U.S., faces an imminent shutdown, just as measles outbreaks are increasing globally.
”In 2024, 57 large or disruptive measles outbreaks were reported, continuing a trend from the previous three years,” he said.
Ghebreyesus warned that these cuts were also affecting efforts to eradicate polio, monitor emerging diseases like avian influenza, and respond to disease outbreaks and humanitarian crises.
”Nearly 24 million people living in such crises are at risk of losing access to essential health services.”
Ghebreyesus stressed that other donors must step up, and countries that have relied on U.S. funding must also increase their domestic health spending to maintain progress in disease control and health services.
A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Green Janitors Sustainable Initiative, has urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of waste recycling in order to ensure a cleaner and safer environment.
Alhaji Abdulsalam Ashade, the Founder and Executive Director of Green Janitors Sustainable Initiative, addressing the public on the importance of recycling
Alhaji Abdulsalam Ashade, Founder and Executive Director of Green Janitors, gave the advice in a message on Tuesday, March 18, in commemoration of 2025 Global Recycling Day in Lagos.
“As part of the circular economy, recycling helps conserve our precious resources and reduce pollution.
“By reusing materials instead of extracting new resources, recycling prevents waste from piling up and keeps our environment cleaner and safer.
“Already, the Seventh Resource recyclables saves over 700 million tons of CO2 emissions annually. By 2030, that number is expected to reach 1 billion tons.
“This is not just statistic, it’s a vital component in the fight to save our planet for future generations
“Every bottle recycled, every piece of paper repurposed, every ounce of plastic diverted from landfills contributes to a healthier, more sustainable world.
“Every year, the planet yields billions of tons of natural resources, but the harsh reality is that these resources are finite,” he said.
Asade warned that the natural reaources would reach a point where it would start to run out, sooner than expected.
He also urged Nigerians not to view waste as something to discard, but as an opportunity to preserve, repurpose, and restore.
“The last decade was the hottest on record, a clear signal that we are facing a climate crisis unlike anything humanity has seen before.
“If we do not act swiftly and decisively, we will continue to witness rising global temperatures, melting ice caps, raging wildfires, and deforestation at an alarming rate.
“At Green Janitors, we are proud to be part of this global movement, driving change and making a lasting impact.
“Together, we are on the front lines of a war for the future of our planet and humanity.
“Thank you to all our recycling champions who help turn waste into resources and are instrumental in protecting our planet.
“Your dedication gives hope for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future,” the executive director said.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has invested over $8 billion in water infrastructure across 40 African countries since 2000, benefiting more than 92 million people.
AfDB building
Mr. Johannes Chirwa, Director, Water Development and Sanitation Department, AfDB, said this at the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) West Africa sub-regional meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Chirwa was represented at the occasion by Emily Kilongi, AfDB Principal Water and Sanitation Engineer.
He said the meeting was an essential opportunity to review progress, overcome challenges, and develop future strategies for water management in Africa.
“Since 2000, the AfDB has invested over $8 billion in water infrastructure across 40 African countries, benefiting over 92 million people,” he said.
Chirwa revealed AfDB’s ongoing efforts in policy dialogue through platforms such as African Water Week and AfricaSan.
“Looking ahead, the Bank is actively involved in developing a post-2025 Africa Water Vision, contributing expertise to ensure a comprehensive and impactful strategy,” he said.
He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to strengthening water governance through initiatives such as the Pan-African Water Sector Monitoring and Reporting System (WASSMO).
He also said the forthcoming Africa Water Vision and Policy, alongside the bank’s 2026-2030 Action Plan, would play a key role in addressing emerging challenges.
Dr Jihane El Gaouzi, a representative of African Union Commission (AUC), said the impact of the Africa Water Vision 2025 in raising awareness of water and sanitation challenges was enormous.
“Africa still faces significant challenges in achieving equitable and sustainable water management.
“This is in spite of progress from initiatives like the UN Water Conference 2023 and the Africa Water Investment Programme.
“The AUC is gathering stakeholder input for the post-2025 Africa Water Vision, focusing on poverty reduction, economic growth, regional cooperation, and environmental sustainability,” she said.
El Gaouzi outlined key upcoming events, to include the Africa Water Summit in August 2025 in South Africa and the UN Water Conference in 2026 to be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal.
They aim to advance Africa’s water security agenda.
She said that water and sanitation have been designated as the AU’s official theme for 2026 under Agenda 2063.
She said: “The 5th Specialised Technical Committee and the 44th Executive Council of the AU urge the AUC to develop a climate-resilient, inclusive water security framework.”
El Gaouzi said Africa needed a continental governance framework to ensure sustainable and equitable water access and reaffirmed that access to water is a fundamental right.
She urged stronger collaboration among governments, the private sector, and regional organisations and reaffirmed AUC’s commitment to Africa’s post-2025 water vision through strategic planning and policy-driven investment.
Founded in 2002, AMCOW promotes cooperation, security, economic development, and poverty eradication through effective water resource management and supply services.
In 2008, at the 11th ordinary session of the African Union (AU) Assembly in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Heads of State and Government of the AU committed themselves to accelerating the achievement of water and sanitation goals in Africa.
AMCOW was mandated to develop and follow up an implementation strategy for these commitments.
Nigeria’s Minister for Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has called for urgent measures to address Africa’s water security and sanitation challenges, citing slow progress toward the Africa Water Vision 2025.
Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation
Utsev made the appeal at the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) West Africa sub-regional meeting and consultation on the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and Policy in Abuja on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, the minister expressed concerns over the region’s water and sanitation situation.
“Africa remains off track in realising the Africa Water Vision 2025,” he stated, citing data from the 2024 Water Sector and Sanitation Monitoring and Reporting (WASSMO) report.
According to Utsev, the report revealed that financing for the water and sanitation sector is inadequate, with heavy reliance on Official Development Assistance (ODA), making sustainable funding difficult.
He further noted that 800 million people in Africa lacked access to safely managed sanitation services, while over 400 million people lacked access to safely managed drinking water.
“Open defecation remains a significant challenge, with 23 per cent of the population still practicing it, far from the five per cent target by 2025.
“The situation calls for action to inject new approaches into existing strategies to attract commensurate financial resources to the water and sanitation sector at all levels,” he said.
Utsev also warned that the continent’s growing population and climate change would further strain water resources.
“Africa’s population is expected to exceed 2.5 billion by 2050, and with an expected 1.5°C rise in average temperature, we face an increase in water-related natural disasters and economic losses,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening water security, improving sanitation and hygiene, and enhancing food security.
He outlined several key projects being implemented by his ministry to improve livelihoods, promote sustainable water management, and maximise socio-economic development.
He also announced plans for a National WASH Policy, developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders, to align Nigeria’s water and sanitation efforts with global standards.
The minister commended AMCOW, the AU Commission, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB) for leading the development of the post-2025 Africa Water Vision and Policy.
He urged stakeholders to align the new framework with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the African Union Agenda 2063, ensuring regional cooperation and better access to funding.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of AMCOW, Dr Rashid Mbaziira, stressed the need for increased investment in Africa’s water sector as the continent reviewed progress on the Africa Water Vision 2025.
He noted that the initial vision, established in 2000, aimed for equitable water resource utilisation to drive development, reduce poverty, and protect the environment.
“Now we are in 2025, which was the target year for achieving that vision. We have assessed what we have accomplished, what remains unachieved, and what needs to be prioritised moving forward.
“Ultimately, water is key to our socio-economic development,” Mbaziira stated.
He explained that in 2022, African water ministers decided to evaluate progress and use the findings as a foundation for shaping a new vision aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
He highlighted that the meeting provided a platform for West Africa to identify its regional priorities, which would be integrated with insights from other African regions to develop a post-2025 Africa Water Vision.
“One of the key challenges that has emerged is insufficient financing for the water sector, which has limited its contribution to development. Addressing this gap will be crucial in shaping the way forward,” he added.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of AfDB, the AU Commission, Chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee and others.
Founded in 2002, AMCOW promotes cooperation, security, economic development, and poverty eradication through effective water resource management and supply services.
In 2008, at the 11th ordinary session of the African Union (AU) Assembly in Sharm el-Sheikh, Heads of State and Government of the AU agreed on commitments to accelerate the achievement of water and sanitation goals in Africa.
AMCOW was mandated to develop and follow up an implementation strategy for these commitments.
The Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, dismissed the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) objection against a suit filed by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE over oil import licence dispute.
Dangote Refinery
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, dismissed the objection on the grounds that the application was incompetent.
Justice Ekwo held that the NNPCL ought to have filed a defence in the form of a counter affidavit to the Dangote Refinery’s originating process before raising an objection.
“It is pertinent for parties to note the distinction between ‘demurrer proceedings’ and ‘proceedings in lieu of demurrer’.
“The difference is that, in the former, the defendant need not file statement of defence but, in the latter, a statement of defence is a sine qua non for an applicant wishing to raise preliminary issues for trial,” he said, citing previous cases to back the decision.
The judge said under the procedure in lieu of demurrer, any party is entitled to raise, by his pleading, any point of law and any point so raised may be disposed of by the trial court at or after the trial.
“Unlike in the abolished demurrer procedure, where the applicant does not need to file a statement of defence before raising the point of law in contention. This is not so under the procedure in lieu of demurrer.
“The point of law must be raised first in the statement of defence before the applicant can proceed to file his objection in which the point of law is again raised for determination before the trial.
“The essence of pleading the objection in the statement of defence and filing a motion to raise the same is to give the adverse party notice of what to expect at the trial by way of defence or preliminary objection to the suit.
The judge observed that the NNPCL, in its preliminary objection, challenged the jurisdiction of the court, among the six issues it raised.
He said grounds one to five of the objections are referred to as points of law.
Justice Ekwo, however, held that where a defendant seems to challenge the jurisdiction of the court, it is the provision of Order 29 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules (FHCCPR), 2019, that would be applicable, and which the NNPCL failed to comply with.
He said that the NNPCL, having not complied with the provisions of the FHCCPR 2019, had not filed a competent preliminary objection.
“The preliminary objection must be struck out and I so hold,” he ruled.
Also delivering ruling on the Dangote Refinery’s motion on notice filed to amend its originating motion by correcting the name of the Nigerian National Corporation Limited to read Nigerian National Company Limited (NNPCL), the judge dismissed the company’s argument.
Justice Ekwo held that the issue of a mistake in names was just a misnomer in law, which can be corrected at any stage, even while on appeal.
He said: “Where the court is faced with application for amendment, there are relevant issues for consideration which include the attitude of the parties, nature of the amendment, question in controversy,” among all other relevant considerations.
He said the law does not allow a party to file a preliminary objection to stop an application for amendment.
According to him, technical errors, like mistakes in writing, are treated as misnomer.
Besides, the judge held that NNPCL would not suffer any miscarriage of justice if the refinery is allowed to amend the suit.
Justice Ekwo, consequently, made an order directing Dangote to amend its suit by correcting the NNPCL to read Nigerian National Company Limited (NNPCL) instead of Nigerian National Corporation Limited.
He also ordered the refinery to file the amendment within 14 days of the order and granted each defendant 14 days each to file and serve their responses.
The judge also dismissed the application filed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) seeking to join the suit as a defendant.
The judge held that the issues raised in the suit did not affect the commission and that FCCPC was not a relevant party to the case.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until May 6 for further mention.
Justice Ekwo had, on Feb. 5, fixed Tuesday, March 18 for ruling on the NNPCL’s objection.
The judge fixed the date after counsel to the NNPCL, Ademola Abimbola, SAN, and lawyer to Dangote Refinery, George Ibrahim, SAN, presented their arguments and adopted their processes for and against the suit.
Dangote Refinery had sued the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) as 1st and 2nd defendants.
Also joined in the suit are AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.
The oil company, through its lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, prayed the court to nullify import licences issued by NMDPRA to the NNPCL and the five other companies for the purpose of importing refined petroleum products.
The company (plaintiff) also prayed the court to declare that NMDPRA was in violation of Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing licenses for the importation of petroleum products.
It stated that such licenses should only be issued in circumstances where there is a petroleum product shortfall.
It equally sought a N100 billion in damages against NMDPRA for allegedly continuing to issue import licences to NNPCL and the five companies for importing petroleum products, among other reliefs.
The NNPCL, in its preliminary objection, prayed the court to strike out the case for being incompetent.
The NNPCL argued that the suit was premature and it disclosed no cause of action against it.
“This honourable court lacks the jurisdiction to hear this suit,” the NNPCL said.
In the affidavit in support of the application deposed to by Isiaka Popoola, a clerk in the law firm of Afe Babalola & Co, counsel to the NNPCL, he said one of their lawyers, Esther Longe, who perused Dangote’s originating summons, affidavit and written address, told him that an examination of the processes showed that NNPC as sued by the refinery was non-existent entity.
Popoola averred that the court lacked jurisdiction over the 2nd defendant sued as Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
“A simple search on the CAC website shows that there is no entity called “Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC).”
According to Popoola, the 2nd defendant/objector is not one and the same with the 2nd defendant sued by the plaintiff.
He urged the court to strike out the suit.
Also, the NMDPRA, in its counter affidavit deposed to by Idris Musa, a Senior Regulatory Officer in the office, prayed the court to dismiss the suit as it was misconceived, unmeritorious and incompetent.
Musa argued that Dangote Refinery is not entitled to any of the reliefs sought.
The official, in the application dated and filed Dec. 13, 2024, said the current production of Dangote Refinery is yet to meet the national daily petroleum products sufficiency requirement.
He said based on this and in compliance with Section 317 [9] of the PIA (Petroleum Industry Act), NMDPRA issued licences to import petroleum products to bridge product shortfalls to companies with good track records of international products trading.
Besides, he said the agency is also mandated to promote competition and prevent abuse of dominant market positions and unhealthy monopoly in the oil and gas sector.
He denied the allegation that NMDPRA is partaking in any purported “grand conspiracy and concerted efforts” against the refinery, describing it as “an allegation for which the plaintiff has provided no facts or evidence in support.”
The oil marketers, in a joint counter affidavit filed on Nov. 5, 2024, told the court that granting Dangote’s application would spell doom for the country’s oil sector.
According to them, the plan to monopolise the oil sector is a recipe for disaster in the country.
The three marketers; AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, in their response, said the plaintiff did not produce adequate petroleum products for the daily consumption of Nigerians.
They argued that there was nothing placed before the court to prove the contrary.
