The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • UPDATED: NCAA seeks judiciary’s support in deepening knowledge of laws on aviation contracts

    UPDATED: NCAA seeks judiciary’s support in deepening knowledge of laws on aviation contracts

    The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, has urged for more support from the Judiciary in efforts to deepen the understanding of laws governing contractual dealings in the nation’s aviation sector, particularly the Cape Town Convention (CTC).

    The CTC comprises the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment 2001 and the Protocol to the Convention on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment.

    Najomo spoke at the grand finale of the international CTC moot court, held at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday evening under the auspices of the CTC Academic Project.

    The DG of NCAA, who was represented by the Director, Operations, Licensing and Training, NCAA, Captain Donald Tonye Spiff, said the CTC “has actually put Nigeria in a better perspective to aircraft lessors and general aviation business in Nigeria.”

    The well-attended event was organised by the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Aerospace Development, and the NCAA, with support from the Aviation Working Group (AWG).

    Najomo said the purpose of the programme is to familiarize students, academics, and judges with the CTC in the context of complex hypothetical fact patterns, and provide students with educational exercises involving these instruments (CTC) in a simulated judicial setting.

    He noted that before now, most airline manufacturing or leasing companies did not want to conduct business in Nigeria, adding that with the CTC, assurances have been given.

    Najomo added, “Through the efforts of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, we are now in the good books of these organisations.

    “And, this is an enlightenment programme to tell the world that we have arrived and we are ready to do business,” he said.

    The DG, NCAA, hailed the performance of the students, who participated in the programme, and commended them for their display of brilliance and commitment, noting that it shows the country’s capacity in every sector.

    The Secretary General of the AWG and Co-Director of the CTC Academic Project, Jeffrey Wool, said he was thrilled by the first Nigerian international CTC moot court.

    Wool said the CTC is a very important international treaty, ratified by Nigeria, adding that the moot court “is a way to introduce students and the legal system to this all-important treaty” and further familiarise the court with the provisions of the treaty.

    He said the CTC is very important economically to the country, and noted that the Federal High Court recently out in place a practice direction on how to address CTC-related cases.

    The event featured the simulation of a real court experience, involving two opposing legal teams made up of Law students drawn from the University of Benin and the University of Lagos.

    The moot court was held under the supervision of a three-member panel of judges of the Federal High Court, Abuja – Justices Binta Nyako (who presided), Joyce Abdulmalik, and James Omotosho.

    Osauyi Temiloluwa Agbonwaneten (the lead counsel in the University of Benin’s team) came first in the area of advocacy, and Adedayo Michael (the lead counsel in the University of Lagos’ team) came second.

    Falodun Daniel (of the University of Lagos) came third, while Bawi Toluwaleyi Testimony (of the University of Benin) came fourth.

    The Nigerian moot court competition saw 18 universities, drawn from all the nation’s six geopolitical zones, participating in the preliminary round.

    The University of Benin and the University of Lagos, which competed at the final held on November 12, emerged as the two overall best from the preliminary round.

  • Wike defended civilian supremacy, says ex-lawmaker

    Wike defended civilian supremacy, says ex-lawmaker

    A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Johnson Egwakhide Oghuma, has said that Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, didn’t defend a piece of land, but the very principle of civilian supremacy on which democracy rested.

    Oghuma said the officer’s conduct was a betrayal of both discipline and duty.

    The former lawmaker, who spoke in a statement issued in Benin City, said the uniform remained a national symbol and not a license for impunity or to be used as a weapon against the law it was sworn to protect.

    Oghuma said the officer desecrated the uniform and undermined the honour of the institution he represented when he abandoned his professional duty to act as an enforcer in a land dispute.

    According to him, “What cannot be tolerated is a situation where armed personnel intimidate civil authorities or obstruct lawful administrative processes. Such conduct is nothing short of an abuse of power and a direct affront to civilian governance.

    “The lesson from this episode is that the rule of law must remain supreme. Ministers, soldiers, and civilians alike are bound by the same legal framework. The FCTA should publish the full documentation on the disputed land to reinforce transparency, while the Defence authorities must reaffirm their commitment to non-interference in civil matters.

    “If the incident leads to disciplinary action, public accountability, and renewed respect for due process, it would mark a positive turning point for governance in the Federal Capital Territory. Abuja cannot be a city where might overrides right. The capital should be a model of lawful order — where even those in uniform bow to the authority of law.”

    Read Also: Controversy widens over Wike, military officer’s clash on land

    “Minister Wike’s response, therefore, was not merely a personal reaction but an assertion of the authority of civil institutions over unlawful force. The FCT Administration is constitutionally empowered to regulate land ownership and urban development within Abuja. If that authority can be defied by a handful of armed officers, then the entire structure of urban administration collapses into impunity. In this light, Wike’s insistence that “no one is above the law” is both timely and necessary.

    “That said, the incident also highlights the urgent need for better coordination between civilian and military institutions. Disputes involving government land or military establishments should be addressed through inter-agency channels — not confrontation at construction sites.

    The Defence Headquarters must take disciplinary action against the officer involved, both to restore public confidence and to demonstrate that the Nigerian Armed Forces remain an institution of discipline, not disorder.

    The Nigerian public holds the military in high esteem for its sacrifices in defending the nation. But such respect is sustained only when the military itself upholds the law it swore to defend. Deploying soldiers in a private or unauthorized capacity erodes that respect and sends a dangerous message to the public — that power can be used to subvert justice.

  • PANDEF to Navy: apologise to Wike now

    PANDEF to Navy: apologise to Wike now

    The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on the Nigerian Navy to immediately tender an unreserved apology to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Chief Nyesom Wike, following Wednesday’s public altercation between the Minister and a junior naval officer, Lt. AM Yerima.

    The National Chairman of PANDEF, Amb. Boladei Igali, who spoke in Port Harcourt on Thursday, condemned the rising social media glamorization of what he described as a grossly improper conduct of a junior naval officer, said to be acting on the orders of a retired service chief.

    Igali said the retired service chief ordinarily ought to know that Wike, who is a member of the Federal Executive Council and a direct representative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over all matters concerning the FCT, deserved his due respect.

    He said, “Chief Wike, without doubt, one of the best performing ministers in this administration, deserves to be treated with much more respect and decorum”.

    The former Federal Permanent Secretary and Diplomat lamented that the unacceptable behaviour of the junior naval officer was not just an affront to the FCT Minister but also an open show of disdain for the office of the President, “whose powers vested in the FCT Minister, was publicly ridiculed”.

    The south-south geopolitical zone leader said: “The Minister of the FCT deserves an unconditional apology from the leadership of the Nigerian Navy on behalf of its former Head and the hapless young officer involved in the horrible spectacle, which is an act outside its core mandate of protecting the territorial integrity of the country.

    Read Also: Controversy widens over Wike, military officer’s clash on land

    “The act of using ordinarily innocent junior military personnel to perform illegal duties like watching over unoccupied personal lands or the like must not be tolerated, irrespective of the self-restraint of the latter.”

    Igali further called on Mr. President to direct the respective security and law enforcement authorities to fully investigate the incident and bring those involved to book.

    “This will preserve the professionalism in the military and guarantee respect for constituted civil authority, which is the most basic foundation for building a stable,  virile democracy where the law rules at all times”, he said.

    Igali insisted that the person of the FCT minister must be fully protected from such overzealousness, as he continued to carry out his assigned duties with personal passion and zeal.

  • 74 corps members escape terrorists’ abduction in Borno

    74 corps members escape terrorists’ abduction in Borno

    Seventy-four National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have escaped abduction by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya road in Borno State.

    They escaped abduction through the swift intervention of troops of Operation Hadin Kai, a joint military operation against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the North East.

    The corps members comprised 36 males and 38 females.

    Explaining the situation, the spokesperson of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col. Sani Uba, said the possible abduction of the corps members was foiled at about 9:05 p.m. on Tuesday after their vehicles broke down near a known kidnapping hotspot.

    According to Uba, a military patrol team was “swiftly” deployed to the scene after a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, monitored by troops, detected suspicious movement involving three buses at the location.

    Read Also: Air strikes kill terrorists in Borno, pound hideouts in Katsina, Kwara

    “On arrival, troops discovered 74 NYSC members stranded after their vehicles developed mechanical faults.

    “The troops immediately rescued them to prevent a likely abduction attempt by Boko Haram or ISWAP elements operating in the area,” Uba said.

    He said the rescued NYSC members are currently being accommodated at the Buratai military base, pending further arrangements for their safe movement.

  • Igbobi, IGOT train surgeons to save limbs, improve trauma care in Nigeria

    Igbobi, IGOT train surgeons to save limbs, improve trauma care in Nigeria

    The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi (NOHIL), Lagos, in partnership with the Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Trauma (IGOT), has commenced the second phase of an international health workshop aimed at equipping surgeons with modern skills to save limbs and improve trauma care outcomes across Nigeria.

    The five-day programme, themed “Principles of Trauma Care and Soft Tissue Reconstruction,” opened on Wednesday at the hospital’s pavilion, drawing participants from across Nigeria as well as Kenya, Ghana, and the United States.

    Declaring the workshop open, the Acting Medical Director of NOHIL, Dr. Wakeel Lawal, said the training is part of efforts to advance the Federal Government’s renewed focus on population health through continuous skill enhancement for medical professionals.

    “Improving population health requires enhancing the capacity of our healthcare workforce. One of the ways to achieve this is by providing regular training that exposes our surgeons to international standards in trauma and reconstructive care.”

    He explained that while it is often expensive to send Nigerian doctors abroad for specialised training, hosting international experts locally allows for wider participation and greater impact.

    “By bringing experts from partner institutions to Nigeria, we are able to train more doctors at once. This ensures that the knowledge gained can be immediately applied to local cases and conditions.”

    Lawal noted that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial hub, records a high rate of trauma cases from road crashes, industrial accidents, and other emergencies.

    He said the workshop is designed to address these realities and strengthen the capacity of Nigerian surgeons to deliver timely, life-saving interventions.

    “This programme will not only help trauma victims but also people with limb deformities such as bow legs or knock knees,” he added. “If such deformities are corrected early, patients can avoid future complications like severe osteoarthritis.”

    Chief Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr. Emeka Izuagba, who specialises in paediatric orthopaedics and limb reconstruction, said the training, known as the SMART Course (Soft-Tissue Management and Reconstructive Trauma), focuses on reducing the high rate of disability and amputation resulting from poorly managed trauma cases.

    “Trauma is one of the most common causes of disability and loss of livelihood in Nigeria. Through this training, we are teaching our doctors the best practices for managing both bone and soft tissue injuries, from accident scenes to full recovery.”

    He explained that the course also addresses the challenges of late presentation and the dangers of patronising traditional bone setters, which often worsen injuries.

    “Eighty per cent of amputations in orthopaedic hospitals are due to complications from unskilled treatment.

    Many simple fractures become life-threatening because patients first seek help from unqualified hands. This training aims to reduce such cases by strengthening the competence of certified trauma surgeons.”

    Izuagba added that IGOT and its partner, Sine Fracture Care International, have supported NOHIL with manpower, equipment, and training resources to make trauma care more affordable and effective.

    “Many of the instruments used in trauma management are imported and expensive.

    Our partnership helps us access donated equipment and teaching materials, which ultimately benefits our patients.” Izuagba explained.

    An orthopaedic trauma surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco, and Co-Director of IGOT, Dr. David Shearer, said the programme focuses on preventing infections and unnecessary amputations through improved surgical techniques.

    “This course teaches surgeons how to clean and stabilise complex limb injuries, cover exposed bone, and reconstruct damaged tissues,” Shearer said. “The goal is to restore function, prevent complications, and get patients back to normal life.”

    He praised the enthusiasm of Nigerian surgeons, describing the collaboration as a model for sustainable surgical education in Africa.

    The workshop includes hands-on training sessions, live surgical demonstrations, and lectures on advanced techniques in trauma and reconstructive surgery.

    Officials said the programme will create a stronger network of trained trauma surgeons capable of delivering high-quality care, reducing limb loss, and saving more lives nationwide.

  • NAFDAC destroys N20bn worth of fake, substandard drugs in Ibadan

    NAFDAC destroys N20bn worth of fake, substandard drugs in Ibadan

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Southwest Zone, on Thursday destroyed counterfeit, substandard, and unwholesome pharmaceutical products valued at N20 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    According to the agency, the routine destruction exercise aligns with its mandate to prevent expired, falsified, and unsafe medical products—as well as other NAFDAC-regulated items—from being reintroduced into circulation.

    Speaking during the exercise, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health by eliminating illicit drugs, falsified medical products, unwholesome foods, and unsafe chemicals from the Nigerian market.

    Adeyeye, who was represented by the Deputy Director of the Pharmaceutical Division (Investigation and Enforcement), Papa Lagos, Mrs. Florence Uba, stressed that the agency would continue to intensify efforts to rid the country of all harmful and volatile products.

    She said, “The products being destroyed during this exercise are made up of Substandard and Falsified Medical Products, Unwholesome Processed Food products and food additives, Unsafe Cosmetics, Counterfeits, and other Expired NAFDAC Regulated Products seized by the Agency from manufacturers, importers, and distributors.

    “Up for destruction today are damaged and Expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Trade Unions, to the Agency.

    “The estimated street value of the products planned for destruction is N20,000,000,000 (twenty billion naira only.”

    She, however, commended the collaboration of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its continued support in the fight against counterfeiters.

    “Custom handed over 25 containers to be destroyed, which include various pharmaceutical products and a reefer container for this destruction.

    “My appreciation also goes to the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and all stakeholders who have united in the fight against Substandard and Falsified medicines and other unwholesome regulated products

    “To the community leaders, health practitioners, religious leaders, gentlemen of the press, and all Nigerians, it is imperative that you educate your families and wards about the dangers of patronizing quacks and unauthorised medicine dealers.

    “NAFDAC calls upon everyone to actively participate in this fight; it is a collective responsibility. Together, we can protect the health and safety of all Nigerians.”

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  • Bode Pedro appointed to landmark Insurance Act 2025 implementation committee

    Bode Pedro appointed to landmark Insurance Act 2025 implementation committee

    Bode Pedro, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Casava Microinsurance, has been appointed to the National Insurance Industry Reform Agenda (NIIRA) Act 2025 Implementation Committee, signaling a major shift toward definitive technology-first governance.

    He will lend his expertise to the pivotal Digital Working Group, an appointment that underscores the nation’s commitment to leveraging innovation for economic transformation.

    Pedro brings a proven record of human-centered digital leadership to this national mission. Under his stewardship, Casava has successfully onboarded over half a million Nigerians (many of them first-time policyholders) into the formal protection economy. This achievement was driven by transparent pricing, near-instant claims automation, and a frictionless digital distribution model designed to build trust at scale.

    Casava’s pioneering impact was recently recognized at the prestigious Almond Insurance Industry Awards, where it was honored as Microinsurance Company of the Year.

    “This is a defining moment for the Nigerian insurance sector,” said Bode Pedro. “The NIIRA Act offers a generational opportunity to build a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive system. It mandates that we integrate technology, trust, and transparency to protect every Nigerian citizen and business. I am profoundly honored to contribute to this national transformation and help lay the digital foundation for the next decade of industry growth.”

    The mandate of the Digital Working Group underscores the urgent need for private sector innovation in shaping Nigeria’s future economy. The group is tasked with accelerating digital transformation across the industry, developing unified frameworks that dramatically enhance transparency, efficiency, and market access for individuals nationwide.

    From a market perspective, the stakes are immense. Nigeria’s insurance penetration rate sits significantly below 1% of GDP, a stark contrast to global averages. This massive protection gap, compounded by an insurance density of roughly $7 per person, represents a multi-billion-dollar commercial opportunity. For international investors and market leaders, the composition of the NIIRA team signals two key inflection points: a regulatory regime moving toward unified, digital-first frameworks that enable scale, and a national strategy that places insurtech at its core.

    With the NIIRA Act mandating specific classes of cover, future success hinges on distribution mastery. The winners in this new landscape will be the insurance firms that build trusted, frictionless digital platforms capable of reaching millions of underserved Nigerians and managing claims at industrial volumes. Pedro’s appointment is a strategic signal that the future of Nigerian insurance will be built on the strength of its digital infrastructure.

  • Investor backs Wike’s reforms, urges diaspora Nigerians to replicate master communities at home

    Investor backs Wike’s reforms, urges diaspora Nigerians to replicate master communities at home

    A real estate investor has urged private developers to adopt a structured and sustainable approach to urban growth in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), aligning their projects with government regulations and embracing the “master community” model of development.

    Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Founder of Wardiere Oakmount Developments, Diamond Ilori, said the reforms being implemented by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to restore order in land administration and development control should be viewed as necessary corrections rather than punitive measures.

    “The FCT is our national capital. There should be a well-organized and properly followed plan. What the Minister is doing should be seen as a correction, not a punishment. We cannot afford to let Abuja become like Lagos, where everyone builds whatever they like,” Ilori said.

    He called on developers to comply with the Land Use Act, pay ground rent, and perfect their title documents to avoid land revocation or demolition.

    “Once you are regularized and get documentation from the FCDA, you must keep paying ground rent. It’s a legal obligation, not an imposition,” he stated.

    Ilori, however, urged the government to carry developers along by increasing sensitization on land regularization and compliance procedures, noting that many violations occur out of ignorance rather than deliberate disobedience.

    To further professionalize the sector, he proposed the establishment of a Real Estate Regulatory Authority similar to Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), which certifies agents, monitors developers, and enforces standards.

    “If such a system exists, every developer and agent would need certification before operating. It will bring order, professionalism, and protect investors,” he said.

    On the ongoing land regularization drive in the FCT, Ilori said disputes often arise because many landholders in area councils fail to update their documents with the FCDA.

    “Some people have titles issued by area councils but not recorded in FCDA’s system. When development control inspects such plots, they appear empty and are reallocated. Proper regularization would prevent this,” he said.

    He added that development control agencies prioritize large-scale, integrated communities over scattered small plots because they allow better planning and infrastructure.

    “Small plots of 2,000 square meters cannot support schools or hospitals. Government prefers consolidated communities where essential services are integrated within defined spaces,” he explained.

    Ilori, who has worked and lived in Dubai for years, said Nigeria’s real estate industry could learn from countries that promote structured community development where housing, commerce, and recreation coexist seamlessly.

    He highlighted his company’s ongoing projects in Abuja, which he described as “master communities”, self-contained developments combining residential areas with schools, hospitals, parks, shopping malls, and public transport systems.

    “Our goal is to build ecosystems, not just estates. Every component, housing, transport, leisure, and retail, supports the other. The estate will have its own buses, city centre, and malls. These make life easier for residents while generating income that sustains the community,” he said, citing The Valley, a Wardiere Oakmount project in Kuje, Abuja.

    “This is not about creating elitist settlements. The facilities are designed to make life easier and add long-term value for residents. When you solve daily challenges like transport and shopping within the estate, you make communities more livable,” he explained.

    Ilori said Wardiere Oakmount’s Al Barari project in Abuja was created by consolidating smaller parcels into a master community, with 40 percent dedicated to green areas, parks, and water bodies.

    “We are ensuring a balance between environmental sustainability and urban growth. Unlike many concrete-heavy estates, Al Barari will remain green and compliant with FCDA guidelines,” he said.

    He encouraged Nigerians abroad to apply the same level of discipline and planning standards they see in developed countries when investing at home.

    “Diaspora Nigerians should not just build houses; they should build organized communities. That’s how to grow our cities sustainably and make Abuja truly world-class,” Ilori said.

  • African weaving festival targets global recognition for indigenous fabrics, cultural unity

    African weaving festival targets global recognition for indigenous fabrics, cultural unity

    Nigerians have been urged to intensify indigenous weaving heritage on the global stage, using culture as a tool for diplomacy, unity, and economic transformation.

    The organisers of the 3rd African Weaving Festival (AWeF 2025), which is one of the most effective means to not only sustain and prevent the African culture from extinction but also position it as a veritable tool to project African cultural values globally.

    Tijani Sheidu, AWeF’s Executive Director of Media and Publicity, said the 3rd edition of the festival aims to position Nigeria’s rich weaving heritage on the global stage, showcasing its cultural depth, creativity, and economic potential.

    According to him, AWeF 2025 aims to promote locally woven fabrics as instruments of national pride, global competitiveness, and social empowerment while strengthening the continent’s creative economy.

    He said this year’s edition, themed “African Indigenous Fabrics: A Tool for Culture Diplomacy and Unity,” reflects the festival’s growing impact since inception and its commitment to redefining African textile identity in a modern world.

    According to him, the festival, which begins Friday at the Cyprian Ekwensi Cultural Centre in Abuja, will celebrate Africa’s rich textile legacy and its role in cultural identity, innovation, and continental cooperation.

    He noted that beyond cultural display, AWeF 2025 will catalyze tourism and economic development by attracting investors, exhibitors, and cultural enthusiasts from across Africa and the diaspora.

    “The festival creates a vibrant platform for showcasing Nigeria’s cultural tourism potential, encouraging heritage preservation, entrepreneurship, and cross-border cultural exchange,” Sheidu said.

    He added that the festival would also strengthen efforts to promote indigenous fabrics as viable tools for creative industry growth, while offering artisans and entrepreneurs new opportunities for exposure and income generation.

    The annual festival, he said, is curated by a network of creative technocrats and artists and features exhibitions, workshops, and fashion shows designed to highlight the relevance of traditional craftsmanship in modern design and trade.

    “Our membership spans across Africa, and the event brings together participants from various countries, states, institutions, and private organisations to showcase the best of African art, fabrics, fashion, and culture,” he explained.

    AWeF 2025 is expected to host more than 500,000 participants, including exhibitors, artists, researchers, and tourists, creating a strong platform for networking and collaboration within Africa’s creative economy, he noted.

    The 2024 edition, Sheidu said, recorded over 100 exhibitors, comprising embassies, state governments, academic institutions, and independent creatives and was widely acclaimed for its success.

    “This year’s festival will be even bigger in content, scope, and participation. Three state contingents, Nigerians in the diaspora, and several international partners have confirmed their attendance,” he revealed.

    He listed the key features of AWeF 2025 to include indigenous fabric exhibitions, interior decoration displays, loom weaving demonstrations, skill acquisition workshops, wellness product fairs, sales of local fabrics and accessories, an indigenous fashion runway, and a symposium on fabric diplomacy.

    Sheidu also acknowledged the support of government and institutional partners while appealing for more institutional cooperation from government ministries, departments, and agencies to sustain the festival’s growth and ensure greater visibility for Nigerian creatives on the international stage.

    “The African Weaving Festival and the FCT Department of Culture remain committed to promoting peace, unity, and economic development through culture.

    “By celebrating our indigenous crafts and empowering artisans, we are not only preserving heritage but also advancing Nigeria’s creative economy and global image,” he added.

  • Groups stage protest at Lagos Assembly, demand protection for Dangote Refinery

    Groups stage protest at Lagos Assembly, demand protection for Dangote Refinery

    The Nigeria coalition group and the Yoruba council worldwide on Thursday held a solidarity protest at the Lagos state House of Assembly, calling for the protection of the Dangote Refinery and full implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Led by Aare Oladotun Hassan, President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide and leader of the Nigeria Coalition Group, the protesters demanded the immediate imposition of a 15 per cent import duty on refined petroleum products and a total ban on the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) to safeguard domestic refining.

    Hassan further called for 100 per cent crude oil allocation to the Dangote Refinery to guarantee uninterrupted feedstock supply and full operational capacity.

    “We accuse oil cabals and certain union leaders of sabotaging Dangote Refinery,” he said, condemning the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), led by Comrade Festus Osifo, for allegedly orchestrating shutdowns and spreading false information against the refinery.

    The group also raised concerns over the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN)’s lobbying efforts to extend fuel import licenses until the first quarter of 2026, describing it as a threat to Nigeria’s energy independence.

    Hassan urged the federal government to end the nation’s dependence on imported fuel in line with President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” and “Nigeria First” policies.

    He noted that the protest was supported by several civil society groups, including the Nigeria Youth Coalition (NYC), Coalition of Southern Groups (CSG), and National Youth Stakeholders Forum (NYSF).

    “These groups emphasised the economic losses—estimated at over ₦30 billion—caused by sabotage and delays in refinery operations,” Hassan stated.

    He added that the protest underscores the growing civil society pressure on the government to prioritise local refining and reduce fuel importation, a move that could strengthen Nigeria’s energy security and reposition the Dangote Refinery as a cornerstone of the country’s petroleum industry.