The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Dangote locks horns with NMDPRA

    Dangote locks horns with NMDPRA

    • Industrialist seeks probe of agency
    • Petrol to sell for N740 from tomorrow

    Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals yesterday accused the regulating agency of downstream sector of undermining its refinery.

    He accused Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of economic sabotage and urged the government to probe its activities.

    President of the Dangote Refinery, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who spoke in Lagos yesterday at a news conference urged the government to also probe NMDPRA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Farouk Ahmed.

    He accused NMDPRA leadership of colluding with international traders and oil importers to frustrate local refining through the continued issuance of import licences for petroleum products.

    Alleging that Ahmed had been living above his means, Dangote said the bills being picked by the NMDPRA boss  raised serious questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum sector.

    He assured of further fall in the pump price of petrol. He said the product would sell at no more than N740 per litre from tomorrow in Lagos, because of his refinery’s reduction of gantry price to N699 per litre.

    He said MRS filling stations would be the first to reflect the new pricing.

    Expressing concern over the state of the downstream sector, Dangote said Nigeria’s continued reliance on fuel imports was harming local production and discouraging investment in domestic refining.

    He said import licences covering approximately 7.5 billion litres of PMS had reportedly been issued for the first quarter of 2026, despite the availability of significant domestic refining capacity.

    According to him, modular refineries are already struggling under the current policy environment and on the brink of extinction, while the persistent issuance of import permits further weakens the sector.

    Read Also: Tunji-Ojo: Nigeria’s future depends on unity, national renewal

    Dangote said: “I am not calling for his removal, but for a proper investigation. He should be required to account for his actions and demonstrate that he has not compromised his position to the detriment of Nigerians. What is happening amounts to economic sabotage.”

    The business mogul said: “The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), or any other body deemed appropriate by the government, can investigate him.

    He described the downstream petroleum sector as being under severe strain, alleging the presence of entrenched interests that profit from fuel imports at the expense of national development.

    “There are powerful interests in the oil sector. It is troubling that African countries continue to import refined products despite long-standing calls for value addition and domestic refining. The volume of imports being allowed into the country is unethical and does a disservice to Nigeria,” he added.

    Dangote stressed the need for a clear separation between regulatory oversight and commercial interests, warning that allowing traders to influence regulation would undermine the integrity of the sector.

    “The downstream sector must not be destroyed by personal interests. A trader should never be a regulator. Forty-seven licences have been issued, yet no new refineries are being built because the environment is not conducive,” he said.

    He maintained that Nigerians would ultimately benefit from local refining, fuel importers incur losses. Dangote said he would not relent in ensuring that Nigerians enjoy the benefits of domestic refining, noting that the company was working around the clock to ensure that recent reductions in the gantry price were fully reflected at the retail level.

    “From Tuesday (tomorrow)”, he said, “all MRS filling stations would begin selling PMS at prices not exceeding N740 per litre, starting in Lagos.”

    He added that the refinery had reduced its minimum purchase requirement from two million litres to 500,000 litres to enable more marketers, including members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), to participate.

    “So, if you come to the refinery today, you will get PMS at N699 per litre,” he said.

    Dangote explained that despite frustration and sabotage, the refinery would deploy its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks in the coming days and was prepared to procure additional units beyond the initial 4,000 if required to sustain affordable pricing nationwide.

    Responding to complaints from oil importers that the recent price reduction would result in losses, Dangote said the refinery was established primarily for the benefit of Nigerians.

    “Anyone who chooses to continue importing despite the availability of locally refined products should be prepared to face the consequences,” he said.

    He also highlighted quality differences, noting that products supplied through MRS and other off-takers from the refinery were straight-run fuels, unlike blended products imported from overseas markets.

    “Nigerians have a choice to buy better quality fuel at a more affordable price or to buy blended PMS at a higher rate. Importers can continue to lose, so long as Nigerians benefit,” he added.

    Dangote said the refinery was driven more by legacy than profit, noting that he could have invested the 20 billion dollars elsewhere if financial gain were his sole objective.

    He reaffirmed the plan to list the refinery on the Nigerian Exchange to allow Nigerians to own shares in the facility.

    “We want every living Nigerian to have the opportunity to benefit, no matter how small their holding. If the market takes 55 per cent and I retain 45 per cent, I am satisfied,” he said.

    Dangote explained that discussions were ongoing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to enable Nigerians to purchase shares in naira while receiving dividends in dollars.

    Dangote accused the NMDPRA of misrepresenting the refinery’s capacity by publishing off-take figures rather than actual production levels.

    “We have the capacity to meet local demand, and we have sufficient refined products in stock. But to keep prices high, imports are deliberately encouraged,” he said, adding that attempts were being made to push the refinery into exporting products only for them to be re-imported into Nigeria at higher prices.

    “This refinery is for Nigerians first, and I am not giving up,” he said.

    Dangote also explained that the refinery imports an average of 100 million barrels of crude oil annually from the United States, a figure expected to rise to 200 million barrels following expansion, due to insufficient domestic crude supply.

    He added that the refinery also sources crude from Ghana and other countries, while exporting jet fuel and gasoline to the United States (U.S.).

    Dangote further alleged that domestic refiners are forced to buy Nigerian crude at premiums of up to four dollars per barrel from the trading arms of international oil companies, placing them at a competitive disadvantage.

    He called on the government to ensure crude oil taxes are assessed based on actual transaction values, warning that the current system allows under-declaration and revenue losses.

  • UBA strengthens leadership with new Executive board appointments

    UBA strengthens leadership with new Executive board appointments

    • Retirements, succession take effect January 1, 2026

    United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced significant changes to its Executive Board, following the completion of tenure by four long-serving Executive Directors.

    Those retiring by January 1, 2026 included Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Muyiwa Akinyemi, and three other Executive Directors- Mrs. Abiola Bawuah, Mr. Alex Alozie, and Mrs. Sola Yomi-Ajayi.

    The bank stated that in line with its robust succession and leadership development strategy, the board has approved the appointment of three new Executive Directors—Mr. Emmanuel Lamptey, Mr. Tosin Adewuyi and Mr. Chidi Okpala. The appointments takes effect on January 1, 2026, subject to regulatory approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Lamptey will oversee digital banking while Adewuyi and Okpala will be leading corporate banking and UBA Nigeria respectively.

    Group Chairman Mr. Tony Elumelu said the board was confident the new executive directors would propel the group through its next phase of growth.

    He said: “I congratulate the incoming Executive Directors on their appointments. The board is confident that they will bring the experience, depth and execution capability needed to build on the solid foundation laid by their predecessors and to propel UBA into its next phase of growth”.

    He also extended sincere gratitude to retiring Executive Directors for their years of dedicated service and unwavering commitment.

    “Each has played a significant role in UBA’s growth and success. On behalf of the board, I thank them for their contributions and commend the impact they have made. They remain cherished members of the UBA family and enduring ambassadors of our values,” Elumelu said.

    Lamptey, Executive Director, Digital Banking brings 25 years of multinational and cross-functional experience spanning retail and corporate banking, asset management, securities brokerage, pensions, insurance and microfinance, with operations across more than 30 African countries.

    He was described as a proven leader in digital transformation, customer experience enhancement, and operational excellence who has held several executive and non-executive board roles within and outside financial services.

     Lamptey is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK), and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

    Adewuyi, Executive Director, Corporate Banking, also comes to his new position with over 25 years of experience across Sub-Saharan Africa—including more than 15 years in senior management, FCA- and CBN-approved roles in London and Lagos.

    Read Also: Tunji-Ojo: Nigeria’s future depends on unity, national renewal

    He has driven senior client engagement across a broad corporate and sovereign clientele.

    He has built high-performing teams, executed business turnarounds, and held strategic roles across Structured Trade Finance, Corporate and Investment Banking, Debt Capital Markets, Financial Institutions Coverage, and Correspondent Banking.

    Adewuyi is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), holds a BA (Hons) in Economics and Accounting from the University of Manchester, is an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, and an alumnus of The Wharton School.

    Okpala, Executive Director, UBA Nigeria, was prior to his appointment Executive Director for Payments, Group Integration and Strategy at Heirs Holdings, where he provided leadership across the group’s payments businesses while overseeing strategic investments in technology and healthcare.

    With extensive expertise in payments, financial innovation, corporate strategy, and ecosystem development, Okpala has driven scalable platform development and cross-business value creation across Africa.

    He has more than 20 years of banking experience and holds a BSc in Finance, an MBA in Banking and Finance, and an MSc in Leadership and Strategy from London Business School, where he is a Sloan Fellow.

    The Africa’s global bank also announced other group executive management appointments.

    Mr. Vikrant Bhansali is now Group Executive, International Banking. Before his appointment as Group Executive. International Banking, Vikrant served as chief executive officer of United Bank for Africa Plc in Dubai, where he leads the bank’s Middle East operations and strategic expansion across the region.

    With more than 25 years of international banking experience spanning Sub- Saharan Africa, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, North Africa and India, he brings deep expertise in cross-border financial services and emerging markets.

    Mr. Joel Owoade has been appointed Group Chief Risk Officer. Owoade brings over two decades of experience in the financial services industry, with a strong background in credit risk management, strategic planning, and regulatory compliance.

    He holds an M.Sc. in banking and finance from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and qualified as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria in 1991.

    He also serves as the vice president of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria. His academic background and professional qualifications have equipped him with a deep understanding of the financial landscape, enabling him to make significant contributions to the institutions he has served.

    Mr. Samuel Ocheho was appointed Group Executive, Treasury and Financial Institutions. Ocheho is a seasoned financial markets executive with over 27 years of experience spanning banking, trading, and investment management.

    Throughout his distinguished career, Ocheho has successfully led diverse financial portfolios and large teams across Nigeria and West Africa. His expertise covers liquidity management, fixed income, derivatives, and foreign exchange. Renowned for his results-driven leadership, he has consistently delivered exceptional performance, driving revenue growth, shaping market behaviours, and sustaining operational excellence.

    United Bank for Africa operates in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates. The bank provides retail, commercial, and institutional banking services, and is a leader in financial inclusion and technology-driven banking solutions. UBA is one of the largest employers in the African financial sector, with 30,000 employees across the Group and more than 50 million customers globally.

  • Inflation declines on stable macroeconomics

    Inflation declines on stable macroeconomics

    Average prices of goods and services have continued to improve on the back of stable foreign exchange (forex), food supply and logistics.

    Ahead of the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) Report today by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), independent consumer surveys and econometric models surveyed yesterday showed continued disinflationary trend, with the headline inflation dropping by more than 100 basis points.

    The reports indicated that inflation rate dropped for the eighth consecutive time to around 14.00 per cent in November, as against 16.50 per cent recorded in October. It had stood at 18.02 per cent in September.

    The disinflation trend, which started in April, had seen inflation rate declining from 24.23 per cent in March to 23.71 per cent in April and thereafter steadily to 16.50 per cent in October.

    Analysts at Coronation Group projected headline inflation to drop to 14.30 per cent in November 2025.

    SCM Capital stated that forex stability would continue to support disinflationary trend.

    “Nigeria’s headline inflation is expected to ease in November, supported by forex stability that has reduced pass-through pressures on imported goods. The reopening of the borders, alongside lower input costs and improved domestic supply conditions, is projected ease food and non-food cost pressures,” SCM Capital stated.

    Read Also: Tunji-Ojo: Nigeria’s future depends on unity, national renewal

    Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf called for a combination of monetary, fiscal, and structural policies to consolidate the gains of disinflation and ensure real welfare benefits for citizens.

    He said: “The way to convert the disinflation trend into a general gain is to focus on the prices of basic items and basic needs. If you look at the composition of the inflation drivers, even within the context of disinflation, the major drivers are things like food, energy, transport, education, and health. Those are the major drivers of inflation even within the context of disinflation.

    “So, what one would like to see for the effect to be a lot more pronounced is for the prices of these basic things to come down even further, talking about prices of food items, energy prices, cost of transportation, cost of education, cost of pharmaceutical products, and cost of health. These are the things ordinary people spend most of their income on. We need to see more deliberate policy intervention, particularly within the fiscal policy, to drive down some of those costs, so that the impact will be greater.

    According to him, government could engage in indirect subsidization of some of the basic utilities by deploying more government-owned transport vehicles and investments in mass transits and agricultural inputs.

    “This is not only a federal government issue, the state governments have very big roles to play, as well as the local governments. They should be able to provide transportation at a highly discounted cost to the citizens, they should subsidize agriculture more so that the cost of food can come down significantly and by same effect, food prices. They need to continue to subsidize education and health. That is the way we can have welfare gains for the citizens in addition to the macroeconomic gains. That’s the kind of policy mix that we should begin to deliver in order to ensure the benefits of this disinflation go down to the people,” Yusuf said.

  • ECOWAS reaffirms commitment to democratic rule

    ECOWAS reaffirms commitment to democratic rule

    Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed its commitment to democratic governance in the sub-region.

    It stated this yesterday after the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at the State House in Abuja.

    The sub-region which announced the plan to impose sanctions on coup-makers, decried the coup in Guinea Bissau and attempted coup Benin Republic.

    It announced plans to end airfare taxes in other to deepen and make air travels in the sub-region affordable.

    Nigeria’s eminent businessman Aliko Dangote was appoint head of Business Council.

    During the meeting, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who urged the leaders to take decisive and collective action against coups, said the security threats can only be overcome through unity, coordination and a shared sense of responsibility.

    The president, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said West Africa’s increasingly porous borders make joint action unavoidable, stressing that no single country, regardless of size or capacity, can achieve lasting stability in isolation.

    Bio: no alternative to democracy

     President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, who chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States/ Governments, said there is no alternative to democratic government.

    He urged the bloc to rebalance its focus by intensifying economic integration after decades dominated by security challenges.

    President Bio said: “We have a strong belief that we will raise this community to meet its mandate as an economic community. But over the last 50 years, we have been more engaged in security, because insecurity is the deepest enemy of development.”

    President Bio said that member-states are advancing plans to operationalise the ECOWAS Standby Force, including the establishment of a 1,650-person counter-terrorism brigade by the end of 2026, supported by sustainable funding arrangements.

    Read Also: Tunji-Ojo: Nigeria’s future depends on unity, national renewal

    He said: “Economic integration is the bedrock of the ECOWAS vision and the foundation of our collective prosperity.”

    He reaffirmed commitments to remove trade barriers, harmonise policies, deepen the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and advance monetary convergence in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    President Bio said the ECOWAS Convergence Council has strengthened fiscal and monetary coordination, with a single regional currency by 2027 identified as a strategic priority.

    In a move aimed at easing mobility and stimulating trade and tourism, President Bio announced that from January 1, 2026, ECOWAS will abolish air transport taxes and cut passenger and security charges by 25 per cent.

    He said: “This is leadership that is practical, people-centred and responsive to everyday realities.”

    The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, who read the communique, outlined wide-ranging resolutions on regional security, democratic governance and institutional leadership.

    He said the summit reviewed ECOWAS 2025 Annual Report and assessed peace and security in the sub-region.

    Touray said the body noted the “relative stability and resilience” of the region, commended the conduct of recent elections in Guinea-Bissau and Côte d’Ivoire, and welcomed preparations by Benin for elections.

    He also said that the body acknowledged the  implementation of the Agreement for National Unity between the government and the opposition All People’s Congress in Sierra-Leone.

    On The Gambia, ECOWAS expressed grave concern over statements made from exile by former President Yahya Jammeh, warning that the pronouncements violated the conditions of his asylum in Equatorial Guinea and posed a threat to peace, security and social cohesion.

    Tinubu calls for united ECOWAS front against coups

    President Tinubu said ECOWAS should unite in its opposition to coups in the sub-region 

    He said the region’s security, prosperity and resilience are collective obligations that require consultation, unity of purpose and coordinated action among member states.

    President Tinubu added: “The external threats confronting West Africa today demand nothing less than a united front. Terrorism, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government, transnational organised crime, cyber insecurity, climate shocks, food insecurity and irregular migration do not respect borders.

    “No single member state, regardless of size, can achieve enduring stability alone. Our security, prosperity and resilience are collective responsibilities. We must sit at the same table, speak with one voice and act with shared resolve.”

    Dangote heads ECOWAS Business Council

    The summit marked a renewed push for private-sector-led integration.

     Touray announced the launch of the ECOWAS Business Council, with eminent industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote as pioneer chairman.

    He said “Alhaji Aliko Dangote has graciously accepted to serve as the pioneer chairperson of the ECOWAS Business Council,” and that the council would drive investment and deepen economic integration across the region.

    He described the body as a structured platform for dialogue between governments and private-sector actors.

    Touray said ECOWAS is planning a West African Economic Investment Summit, envisioned as a Davos-style forum to coordinate investment and track regional progress.

    Other leaders at the summit included Presidents José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde, Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, Adama Barrow of The Gambia and John Mahama of Ghana.

    The leaders of Guinea-Bissau, Benin and Liberia were represented at the meeting.

  • Enugu votes N10billion for Phase 1 of 135.4km Rail Project

    Enugu votes N10billion for Phase 1 of 135.4km Rail Project

    Enugu State Government has voted N10b in the 2026 budget as the state’s equity contribution to the first phase of the 135.5km standard gauge rail it plans to build in the state. 

    This was made known yesterday by Commissioner for Budget and Planning Chris-Roberts Ozongwu during the budget breakdown.

    Mbah on December 2, laid a N1.62tr spending proposal, christened “Budget of Renewed Momentum” before the House of Assembly.

    The budget figure, which is a Southeast record and a 66.5 per cent increase on the N971b revised 2025 budget, comprises N1.3tr Capital Expenditure, representing 80 per cent of the total budget and N321.2bn Recurrent Expenditure, representing 20 per cent.

    Breaking it down to journalists, Ozongwu said the rail project was in keeping with Governor Mbah’s campaign promise to evolve a multimodal transport system incorporating rail, tram and inland water services to complement existing road transportation in the state.

    The rail project is also designed to terminate at doorsteps of the neighbouring states for easy continuation to enhance connectivity, especially among the Southrast dtates.

    In the same vein, the government also plans to add additional 14 aircraft to increase the fleet of the state-owned airline, Enugu Air, to 20 planes by the end of 2026.

    He explained that Enugu Air, which launched in July with three aircraft, had been quite lucrative, noting that the government had concluded plans to add three planes to the airline’s current fleet to bring it to six before the end of the year.

    Read Also: Tunji-Ojo: Nigeria’s future depends on unity, national renewal

    Other planned key expenditures in the transport sector in the coming year include a N10bn equity contribution to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport concession in line with Governor Mbah’s vision to make Enugu a West African regional aviation and logistics hub.

    Ozongwu added that the government had also voted another N10b for vehicle manufacturing programme that would see the state assemble vehicles.

    Expected to be assembled are 2,100 taxis for the administration’s youth empowerment scheme and the Distress Response Squad, DRS, the state’s special police unit.

    He said the government was confident that the 2026 budget would outperform the 2025 budget.

    He added that Mbah runs the state with a private sector mentality.

    He said that the allocation of 51.1 per cent and 40.1 per cent of the total budget to the economic sector and social sector, respectively, underscored the administration’s commitment to private sector-driven economic growth and human development.

    “Human life is one of improvements. We achieved about 85 per cent of our performance and it is almost likely that we will continue in that same trajectory to move this state to 90 per cent performance.

    “We have the indices to do that. We have the personnel, the acumen and we are ready to raise the money to do that. Expect better performance next year.

    “So, something is going on in this state. It is a feel-good factor. Come to Enugu and invest because your investment is going to be protected, your returns are going to be wonderful. Join us and be part of this success story,” he said.

  • The Nation shows strength at NMMA, wins seven honours

    The Nation shows strength at NMMA, wins seven honours

    The Nation showed strength on Saturday night at the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) grand awards presentation in Lagos.

    Our reporters scooped seven honours at the 33rd edition of the media showpiece event.

    This newspaper’s journalists were runners-up in multiple categories.

    Editor Adeniyi Adesina was a runner-up for the Editor of the Year laurel.

    The Nation was also a finalist in the Newspaper of the Year category.

    Multi-award-winning Innocent Duru, Assistant News Editor on the Weekend Desk, won the Cecil King Memorial Prize for Print Journalist of the Year.

    His winning entry was: “From frying pan to fire: Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria relive horrific experience.”

    He also clinched the Gani Fawehinmi Prize for Human Rights Reporter of the Year.

    His winning entry was: “Couple who lost older son to NDLEA Officials’ bullet battle to save second baby’s sight.”

    Duru was a runner-up in the Notore Chemical Prize for Environment Reporter of the Year category.

    Our reporter, Alao Abiodun, was also a finalist in the category.

    Duru and Abiodun were also runners-up in the Keystone Bank Prize for CSR Reporter of the Year category.

    Duru and Assistant Business Editor, Collins Nweze, were runners-up in the Union Bank Prize for Banking and Finance Reporter of the Year category.

    Duru was also a finalist for the Ernest Sisei Ikoli Prize for Newspaper Reporter of the Year, as well as the Abubakar Imam Prize for Newspaper Features Writer of the Year.

    Duru also made it to the final three of the Ibrahim Shekarau Prize for Education Reporter of the Year category.

    Serial winner Chikodi Okereocha won the Peter Odili Prize for Power Reporter of the Year.

    Deputy Editor Dr Emmanuel Oladesu won the Lateef Jakande Prize for Political Reporter of the Year, demonstrating his mastery of the beat.

    He was a runner-up in the Olusegun Mimiko Prize for Foreign News Reporter of the Year category, where Gboyega Alaka of the Weekend Desk was also a finalist.

    Serial winner Taiwo Alimi won the 9Mobile Prize for Most Innovative Reporter of the Year.

    He was a runner-up in the Sports Reporting category.

    Star reporter Justina Asishana won the Bukola Saraki Prize for Agriculture Reporter of the Year with the report: “Double agony for physically challenged farmers in Niger.”

    Our reporter Emma Elekwa was a runner-up in the category. His entry: “Erratic power supply cripples poultry businesses in Anambra,” made a strong showing.

    Head of Business on the Weekend Desk, Ibrahim Yusuf, was named winner of the Coca-Cola Nigeria Prize for Brand & Marketing Reporter of the Year.

    Our maritime correspondent, Kemi Dauda, was a runner-up in the Nigerian Ports Authority Prize for Maritime Reporter of the Year.

    Our aviation correspondent, Kelvin Osa Okunbor, had two nominations in the Aviation Industry Reporter of the Year category.

    Read Also: Tunji-Ojo: Nigeria’s future depends on unity, national renewal

    The Nation cartoonists, Muyiwa Adetula and Solomon Victor Izekor, were runners-up in the Nnamdi Azikiwe Prize for Cartoonist of the Year category.

    This newspaper’s editorial, “Scam on seven floors,” published on December 30, 2024, was a runner-up in the Prize for Editorial Writing category, which was won by The Punch.

    The Punch also edged The Nation for the Newspaper of the Year prize.

    The Guardian was the third nominee in the category.

    It was the same for the Editor of the Year, where The Nation’s Adesina was the first runner-up.

    A highlight of the night was the nine individual honours won by ex-The Punch staff member Godfrey George.

    Other winners on the night were reporters of The Punch, The Guardian, Nigerian Tribune, The Sun, New Telegraph and Condia.

    Television Continental (TVC) won the NBC Prize for Television Station of the Year, while FRCN was named Radio Station of the Year.

    NMMA Trustee and Chairman of the Eminent Panel of Assessors, Mr Dele Adetiba, said 800 entries of works published or broadcast in 2024 were received; each winner scored 70 per cent.

    He said the organisers were working to digitise the entry process to end the current cumbersome hardcopy submission format.

    Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy & Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, who delivered the keynote address, urged the media to continue to hold the government accountable, especially in the use of public funds.

    He noted that the role of the media includes tracking “whether public funds deliver value”.

    Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, represented by former Registrar of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON, Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, assured the media of the Tinubu Administration’s commitment to safeguarding press freedom.

    “The government will continue to support policies that guarantee a free press,” he said.

  • ICPC recovers N37.44b, $2.35m in 11 months

    ICPC recovers N37.44b, $2.35m in 11 months

    Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recovered N37.44 billion and $2.353 million this year, its spokesman John Okor Odey, said in a statement yesterday.

    The recoveries, according to him, were through asset seizures and forfeitures.

    Describing the 2025 haul as one of its most significant annual recovery figures to date, Odey said the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), gave the figures in Abuja during the end-of-year engagement/send-forth for retiring workers, and annual merit awards.

    Aliyu described 2025 as “a pivotal year marked by substantial progress across enforcement, prevention, and public enlightenment”.

    The chairman said the ICPC investigated 263 cases, exceeding its target of 250, and filed 61 cases in court, achieving a 55.74 per cent conviction rate.

    The agency boss said among the year’s notable successes was the conviction of Prof Cyril Ndifon of the University of Calabar, who was jailed five-year prison sentence for offences relating to sexual harassment and cyberbullying.

    He said: “This judgment sent a strong signal of the Commission’s resolve to confront all forms of abuse of office.”

    The chairman highlighted extensive preventive work undertaken across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as follows:

     A total of 344 MDAs were assessed using the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard, while 66 corruption-monitoring activities and 1,490 project-tracking exercises were carried out nationwide.

    Read Also: Tunji-Ojo: Nigeria’s future depends on unity, national renewal

     Systems Study and Corruption Risk Assessments were also completed in 12 MDAs, designed to reduce structural vulnerabilities to corruption,” he added.

    Commenting on public enlightenment, ICPC reached more than 235,000 Nigerians through 644 sensitisation activities, generated 3.5 million digital engagements, established 86 Anti-Corruption Clubs and Vanguards, and trained 2,707 participants at the ICPC Academy.

    The ICPC also broadened its partnerships, initiating 15 collaborative activities, while civil society organisations executed 57 complementary engagements.

    In a development he described as “historic and worth celebrating,” Aliyu announced that ICPC had, for the first time, successfully secured the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) allowance for its staff.

    He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to improving personnel welfare and strengthening institutional capacity.

    The chairman also praised the commission’s workers selected for merit awards, saying the peer-driven nomination process reflected transparency and credibility.

    Retiring workers were honoured for their dedication, professionalism, and years of national service.

    Looking ahead, Aliyu urged personnel to avoid complacency and poor conduct, calling for “integrity, diligence, professionalism, and unity of purpose” as the Commission advances into a new year”.

    He added: “Let us recommit ourselves to building a stronger ICPC and contributing more meaningfully to the national anti-corruption agenda.”

    In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Mr. Victor Muruako, applauded ICPC’s interventions at the local government level and reaffirmed FRC’s readiness to deepen inter-agency collaboration. He said closing the year with such an event provided a meaningful moment to reflect on national progress in fighting corruption.

    The Executive Director of the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDa), Ms. Souad Osman-Aden, congratulated the ICPC on a productive year.

    Citing the newly refreshed MoU signed earlier in the week, she lauded the commission’s achievements in asset recovery and combating illicit financial flows.

    The Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, Dr Umar Yakubu, who was represented by Mr. Victor Agi, hailed the ICPC for its partnership on the Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Government (ACPP-LG).

    He also praised the transparency demonstrated in its asset recovery operations, stating that such openness enhances public trust in governance.

  • Coastal Highway: Fed Govt begins payment of compensation in Akwa Ibom

    Coastal Highway: Fed Govt begins payment of compensation in Akwa Ibom

    The Federal Government has begun the payment of compensation to persons whose farmlands were affected by the construction of Section 3A of the Coastal Highway in Akwa Ibom State.

    The compensation payment is routed through the Federal Ministry of Works for affected persons in Okobo, Nsit Atai, and Uruan local government areas of the state, where the road crisscrosses.

    A statement yesterday in Uyo, the state capital, by the State Works Controller of the Federal Ministry of Works, Vincent Okoduwa, advised all individuals whose farmlands have been valued for compensation to visit the First Floor of the Conference Room at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Uyo for verification and capturing.

    He advised owners of farmlands that have not been valued to present themselves for verification.

    Okoduwa also announced that all affected persons are required to present relevant documents, including valid means of identification, proof of property or farmland ownership, BVN, NIN, and bank account details for verification and capturing.

    He stressed that the ministry would only attend to persons from the following communities in the captured local government areas of Okobo, Nsit Atai, and Uruan.

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    The communities are: Adadia, Akpa Meri Ukim, Anakpa, Atai Odobo, Edik-Ikpa, Ekim Enen, Eweme, Ibete Ndon-Ebom, Ikot Asua, Ifiayong Usuk, and Ikot Itie Udung.

    Others are: Ikot Obong, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Akan, Ikot Akpabio, Ikot Antia, Ikot Inyang, Ikot Inyang Esuk, Iwok Nsit, Ikot Obong, Ikot Otoinyie, Isa Okiuso, Issiet Ekim, Iwok Obio, Mbiakong, and Nda Ikot Apanuma.

    The rest are: Ndon Ebom, Nkimenta, Nsie, Nsit Itie, Nung Atai, Nung Udom Odobo, Okorobo, Ufak Effiong, Usie Uran, Uta Ukpong, and Ikot Ebok.

    The controller said the exercise, which began on December 1, will continue throughout the early part of the year 2026.

    Okoduwa urged the affected landowners to ensure that they do the needful to receive the compensation for their lands.

  • Ndume explains role in ambassadorial screening

    Ndume explains role in ambassadorial screening

    • ‘Senate will brief Tinubu on gaps’

    A former Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has explained why he participated in the screening of ambassadorial nominees despite earlier urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withdraw the list over alleged lopsidedness.

    Ndume, who is also a former Senate Chief Whip, had faulted the list forwarded to the Senate penultimate week, arguing that it violated Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which emphaises adherence to the federal character principle in appointments.

    Addressing reporters yesterday, the Borno South senator said he was persuaded by his colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee to participate in the screening and confirmation.

    The former Senate Leader announced that he was assured that the Senate’s concerns over the imbalance in the composition of the nominees would be clearly captured in the committee’s report to be transmitted to President Tinubu.

    “I still maintain that the list is lopsided,” Ndume said. “At the committee level, I raised a constitutional order, and we agreed to proceed with the screening. But in our report, we will advise the President that the composition of the remaining nominees should be balanced to address the breach of the federal character principle, as enshrined in the Constitution.”

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    The Borno South senator stressed that states sidelined in the current nominations should be accommodated in the final list to be sent to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

    According to him, Nigeria has 109 foreign missions, comprising 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates.

    Ndume said these positions provide enough room to ensure fair representation of all the states.

    “For non-career ambassadors, each state should have at least one to balance the system. This is because states like Gombe and Yobe were not captured at all, while some states have only career ambassadors, who are essentially non-political appointees,” he said.

    The former Senate Leader added that each state could have two or three ambassadors, combining career and non-career postings, stressing that such an arrangement would address concerns of imbalance and constitutional breach.

    “We have 194 countries in the world, and with 109 missions, it is possible to ensure equity. This will correct the lopsidedness and uphold Section 14(3) of the Constitution,” he said.

  • Fed Govt stops transfer of students into SS3 in public, private schools

    Fed Govt stops transfer of students into SS3 in public, private schools

    The Federal Government has announced a nationwide prohibition on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in all public and private secondary schools.

    The government said the directive followed growing concerns over the increasing incidence of examination malpractice, including the use of “so-called special centres during external examinations, which undermine the integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s education system.”

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations nin the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the government said the policy would take effect from the next academic calendar 2026/’27 with admissions and transfers now restricted strictly to Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2).

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    It added that admission or transfer into SS3 will no longer be permitted under any circumstances.

    The ministry explained that the measure aims to discourage last-minute movement of students for examination-related advantages to ensure proper academic monitoring and promote continuity in teaching and learning.

    “School proprietors, principals, and administrators nationwide have been directed to comply fully with the policy, as any violation will attract appropriate sanctions in line with existing education regulations and guidelines,” the statement said.

    The ministry reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining academic standards, promoting fairness, and restoring credibility to public examinations across the country.