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  • Osun police arrest Chief Imam, three others over death of car painter in Osogbo

    Osun police arrest Chief Imam, three others over death of car painter in Osogbo

    • …family disrupt Jumu’ah prayer

    The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Chief Imam of Ummu Hanni Adigun Memorial Central Mosque in the Ogo-Oluwa area of Osogbo, alongside three other individuals, following the death of a car painter, Najeem Hammed, after an incident involving worshippers.

    The situation triggered tension on Friday, as family members of the deceased disrupted Jumu’ah prayers at the mosque in protest over the incident.

    Najeem, whose workshop is located in the Jaye area of Osogbo, reportedly went to the mosque around 6 a.m. for early morning prayers when an altercation occurred.

    A source in the vicinity of the mosque, who requested anonymity, told The Nation that a disagreement arose after the prayer session while the Imam was delivering a sermon, leading to a confrontation between Najeem and members of the congregation.

    The source said the situation escalated, resulting in Najeem being taken outside the mosque premises, where he sustained injuries. 

    Police officers from the Ataoja Divisional Police Station were alerted and reportedly conveyed him from the scene, but he was later confirmed dead.

    When The Nation visited the mosque around 1 p.m., relatives of the deceased were seen protesting at the entrance, insisting that prayers should not hold following the incident. 

    The protest disrupted activities at the mosque, prompting police operatives to intervene and take the Chief Imam into custody for questioning.

    Subsequently, some protesters occupied the mosque entrance, preventing worshippers from gaining access and warning against any attempt to resume prayer activities.

    Read Also: Police gun down suspected kidnap kingpin in Delta, recover AK-47, other firearms

    A family member of the deceased, identified as Nurudeen, said Najeem had planned to travel to Ibadan but decided to observe Subuhi prayers at the mosque, where the confrontation later occurred.

    Police authorities are expected to continue investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    “When we called to ask about his journey a policeman picked up the call and told us that he had altercation with some people and was held at Ataoja police station. When we got there that was when we realised that he was dead.” 

    Bloodstains were sighted at the fence of the mosques and the plank of wood in front of the mosque. 

    When contacted the Osun State Police Command through its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the incident. 

    He clarified that the victim was not attacked inside the Mosque but around it. We have arrested the Imam and three others connected to the incident. Further investigation has been launched to unravel the actual cause of the incident.

    According to him, The incident happened this morning around after 6AM. No suspect has been arrested but information is on top gear to get those that perpetrated this evil act arrested. The DPO and other Tactical Team have been deployed to maintain law and order. The corpse has been deposited at Osun State Teaching Hospital.”

    Ojelabi insisted that the deceased was mobbed around the Mosque and not actually inside the Mosque. 

  • Lagos CP meets Owode Onirin traders, promises justice 

    Lagos CP meets Owode Onirin traders, promises justice 

    • …Police boss: We won’t tolerate acts of insurrection in Lagos

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Olohundare Jimoh, has reassurred traders of Owode Onirin Spareparts Market of his commitment to justice on the demolition of their shops by a suspected landgrabber last August. 

    He gave the assurance during a meeting with the traders at the market on Friday afternoon where he received a rousing welcome. 

    Addressing concerns about the Owode Onirin market, the commissioner clarified that structures demolished in the area were not pulled down by the Lagos State Government but by a land grabber, who has since been arrested. 

    He said the suspect illegally brought in police officers from outside Lagos State in violation of the Inspector-General of Police’s directive against protecting land grabbers.

    Those officers, he said, have been transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department and are undergoing disciplinary procedures, alongside the land grabber, over deaths linked to the incident.

    Since August 27, described as a tragic day for the community, CP Jimoh said the police have maintained constant engagement with traders and provided round-the-clock security to ensure business activities continue safely.

    He said the command has ensured all necessary evidence to prosecute the suspect were secured, adding that reports of a ballistic test conducted was being expected. 

    Speaking on the protest that erupted on Wednesday in Ikeja which led to the use of minimal force to disperse the crowd, the CP insisted that the demonstration veered into violence and posed serious risks to public safety.

    He accused the organisers of acts of insurrection, alleging that all attempts to make them understand it was unacceptable to block Awolowo Road for several hours, even after they had been addressed by lawmakers, proved abortive. 

    Acknowledging that peaceful protest and freedom of expression are essential to democracy, he noted that the Ikeja protest crossed a red line when organisers allegedly removed schoolchildren from classrooms and attempted to coerce them into joining the march.

    Read Also: Police gun down suspected kidnap kingpin in Delta, recover AK-47, other firearms

    According to him, some of the children, still in school uniforms, were too young to participate in a long trek from the Ikeja Underbridge to the Lagos State House of Assembly. 

    Police, he said, insisted on their immediate withdrawal and safe return to school, describing the act as dangerous and contrary to international child-protection standards.

    The commissioner also raised concern over the display of a coffin at the protest ground, describing it as a symbol of violence rather than peaceful dissent. He said the coffin was recovered from a group led by Taiwo Hassan and Daley Frank, whom he identified as organisers of the protest.

    Despite provocation, insults and harassment directed at officers, Jimoh said the police exercised restraint and acted within the law. 

    He disclosed that three separate groups participated in the protest, two of which had no links to Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki or Makoko. 

    These groups, he alleged, mobilised people off the streets with stipends and exposed them to danger. By contrast, he said the Makoko community had a long history of peaceful engagement with government and the police, and had consistently informed security agencies ahead of protests.

    Jimoh noted that unverified claims that children were killed during the protest were false and used to incite unrest, stressing that no families or parents of alleged victims were ever presented.

    On the use of tear gas to disperse protesters, the commissioner said the decision was taken only after highways were blocked for over six hours, with reports of medical emergencies, stranded travellers and people fainting in traffic. 

    He stressed that no firearm was discharged during the operation.

    CP Jimoh confirmed that Taiwo Hassan and Dale Frank were arrested for criminal acts committed in the presence of police officers and were charged to court within the constitutionally stipulated time.

    Reaffirming the command’s commitment to human rights, he said peaceful and lawful protests would always receive police protection, warning traders against being misled by individuals with ulterior motives.

    He added that police deployment in Owode Onirin market has been doubled, while urging civil society organisations and the media to verify facts before amplifying claims capable of disrupting public order.

    Appreciating the CP for standing by them, the traders said they pulled back from the protest after they realised its organisers had ulterior motives. 

    According to them, they have been going to the State House of Assembly to register their grievances over the demolition of their shops and killing of their colleagues since August and have always received police protection. 

    “This time around, we received an invitation that all those whose markets were demolished in Lagos should come for a protest to the State House of Assembly. That’s why our people joined the protest. But on getting there, we saw it was something else. We had to draw back because we do not have any issue against the police. All we want is justice,” said one of the traders who claimed his shop was among those demolished. 

    Chairman of the Traders’ Association thanked the CP for always being there for them, nothing that he had visited the place thrice since the August incident. 

    He also confirmed that the traders were not fighting the police nor the state government, adding that they only want justice for their dead colleagues and those who lost sources of livelihoods. 

  • Bauchi approves monthly stipends for Imams, Pastors

    Bauchi approves monthly stipends for Imams, Pastors

    The Bauchi State Economic Council has approved the payment of monthly stipends to Imams and Pastors across the state.

    Governor Bala Mohammed presided over the council meeting which was held on Friday, with top officials from the finance and revenue sectors in attendance.

    Briefing journalists, the Head of Civil Service, Barri. Mohammed Sani Umar, said the approval covers Imams of Juma’at mosques and clerics of various Christian denominations, adding that the payments will be made without discrimination.

    He said the government is working out the financial implications to ensure smooth implementation of the policy.

    Read Also: 2027 Guber: Can Senator Buba Shehu win Bauchi?

    Umar also disclosed that the council approved the commencement of salary payments to newly appointed Emirs and District Heads, noting that adequate cash flow has been provided.

    Meanwhile, the Governor’s Chief Economic Adviser, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu Haruna, said the council reviewed the state’s salary administration and uncovered over 3,000 ghost workers.

    He said the payroll audit, carried out with Onyx Investment Advisory Limited, saved the state more than ₦4.16 billion.

    Haruna added that the state government took over salary payments in August 2024, after which complaints over salary issues ceased.

  • INEC to begin second phase of CVR in Ondo

    INEC to begin second phase of CVR in Ondo

    • …as first phase records over 35,000 new registers 

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Ondo State will commence on Monday as part of efforts to capture more eligible voters ahead of future elections.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Oluwatoyin Babalola, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Akure.

    Mrs Babalola said the first phase of the exercise, which was held between August 25 and December 10, 2025, recorded a total of 35,040 registrations across the state.

    She explained that the new phase was designed to improve access to registration, particularly for residents in hard-to-reach areas and communities located far from existing registration centres.

    According to her, INEC has approved the rotation of the Voter Enrolment Device (VED) across all the 203 Registration Areas spread across the 18 local government areas of the state to ensure wider coverage.

    “The rotation of the devices will last for 50 days, from February 2 to April 10, 2026, excluding weekends and public holidays,” she said.

    Read Also: INEC to begin second phase of CVR in Ondo

    The REC added that a detailed schedule of the movement of the devices had been prepared and made available at all INEC local government offices to guide prospective registrants.

    Providing a breakdown of the first phase, Babalola noted that the exercise produced 18,311 fresh registrations, including 177 persons with disabilities. 

    She added that 9,501 voters applied for transfers, while 2,399 requests were made for corrections of personal details.

    She called on all eligible residents who are yet to register, especially those in remote and underserved communities, to take advantage of the exercise.

    Babalola, however, advised members of the public to contact INEC offices or designated help lines for further information and clarification regarding the registration process.

  • Senate sets March 17 for passage of N58.472trn appropriation bill

    Senate sets March 17 for passage of N58.472trn appropriation bill

    • …unveils tight review timetable

    The Senate has scheduled March 17, 2026, for the final consideration and passage of the N58.472 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, unveiling an accelerated legislative timetable to ensure the timely approval of the national budget.

    The decision was reached in Abuja on Friday during a special session of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, which also outlined a rigorous review schedule for standing committees to scrutinise the budget estimates.

    According to the timetable, budget defence sessions by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) at the committee level will run from February 2 to February 13.

    To promote transparency and public engagement, the committee has fixed a public hearing on the budget proposal for Monday, February 9, 2026. 

    At the session, Professor Wasiu Adeoye of the University of Lagos is expected to present an analysis of the macroeconomic projections and fiscal assumptions underpinning the budget.

    Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), said the structured timeline is aimed at ensuring a comprehensive yet efficient review process that would enable the National Assembly to pass the budget early in the year.

    Read Also: Senate takes steps to fast-track Electoral Act 2022 amendment

    He disclosed that February 16 to 23 has been designated for the submission of reports on budget defence by chairmen of standing committees. 

    The Appropriations Committee will thereafter harmonise the submissions and present a consolidated report to the Senate on March 17.

    As part of the review framework, the committee has also scheduled an interactive session with key Federal Government economic managers for Thursday, March 5, 2026.

    Expected to attend are the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Olawale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu.

    Adeola told committee members that the Senate leadership had initially pushed for passage of the budget by March 12, but agreed to grant an additional one week to allow for more meticulous scrutiny.

    According to him, hard copies of the 2026 budget estimates have been printed and distributed to chairmen and members of the various standing committees to facilitate detailed examination of the proposals.

    The timetable was formally adopted by the committee following a motion moved by Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) and seconded by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North).

    With the schedule now in place, the Senate is set to commence a multi-layered review process involving committee-level defences, public input and high-level engagement with top government economic officials, all aimed at delivering a frontloaded and implementable 2026 budget.

  • Customs hands over seized arms, ammunition to centre, generates N44.06b in January

    Customs hands over seized arms, ammunition to centre, generates N44.06b in January

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port and Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Command, has handed over seized arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), reaffirming its commitment to border security, trade facilitation and inter-agency collaboration.

    Speaking at the handover ceremony in Lagos, yesterday, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joe Anani, said the exercise underscored Customs’ zero-tolerance for smuggling and its resolve to ensure that only legitimate trade thrives within Nigeria’s borders.

    Anani noted that the handover was carried out with the approval of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, under whose leadership the seizures were made.

    The items handed over included five pistols of different makes, one Crossman Pump Master rifle, 132 Remington live cartridges, 51 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition, four 9mm magazines, 40 rounds of assorted 9mm and blank/hollow ammunition, as well as 118 empty 9mm shells.

    According to the PTML Customs boss, the arms and ammunition were uncovered on 25 different occasions during the examination of imported vehicles between 2022 and 2025, describing the seizures as the outcome of sustained vigilance and collaboration with sister security agencies operating at the port.

    He stressed that the PTML Command remains a “no-go area for unlawful trade under any guise,” adding that the Command is firmly committed to the implementation of the Revised Kyoto Convention, a World Customs Organisation instrument aimed at balancing trade facilitation with effective regulatory control.

    Comptroller Anani also highlighted the impact of the Nigeria Customs Service Modernisation Project, noting that the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu, has significantly enhanced productivity at the Command. He disclosed that PTML would soon receive cargo scanners, which would further strengthen its capacity to detect concealments such as arms and ammunition.

    On revenue performance, the Area Controller announced that with two days left to the end of January 2026, the Command had generated ₦44.06 billion, surpassing the ₦40.50 billion recorded in January 2025 by ₦3.56 billion, representing an 8.8 per cent increase.

    Read Also: Customs, NDLEA intercept 347.5kg of Canadian Loud at Apapa Port

    He commended compliant stakeholders for their continued cooperation, describing them as key partners in the Command’s success.

    “On behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, I hereby formally hand over these seizures to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for appropriate action,” Comptroller Anani said.

     The seized arms were handed over to CP Mustapha Abiodun Alamutu (RTD), the South west Zonal coordinator, National Centre for the control of small arms and light weapons.

    Officials of NCCSALW.  Also present at the event were management of PTML, heads of sister agencies and Customs officers.

  • FRSC nabs 34 for traffic violations in Kebbi 

    FRSC nabs 34 for traffic violations in Kebbi 

     The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kebbi says it has apprehended 34 road traffic offenders in a special night patrol conducted to enforce traffic regulations and enhance safety on major roads.

    The Deputy Corps Commander of the FRSC, Musa Galadima, said in Birnin Kebbi on Friday that the operation led to the arrest of 34 vehicles for various traffic offences.

    He explained that those apprehended comprised 24 motorcycles, seven vehicles and three tricycles, all booked for offences ranging from route violations to driving without functional lights.

    Read Also: FRSC caution motorists on hazy weather, poor visibility

    Galadima said the exercise was part of the corps’ statutory mandate to ensure sanity and safety on the roads, noting that the special intervention became necessary due to the rising cases of traffic violations in the state.

    “Many lives have been lost and several others have sustained varying degrees of injuries as a result of these violations.

    “This informed our decision to embark on a special night patrol to nip the situation in the bud,” he said.

    Galadima commended Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi for his sustained logistical support to the FRSC, particularly the immediate removal of roadside obstructions and pavements upon assumption of office.

    The DCC also appealed to the general public, especially motorists and other road users, to cooperate with the corps in its efforts to ensure safer roads and reduce road traffic crashes across the state.

    (NAN)

  • IGP vows to strengthen border security

    IGP vows to strengthen border security

    • …House committee on border security pledges support

    The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to strengthening Nigeria’s border security framework through strategic collaboration with the legislature.

    Egbetokun gave the assurance while hosting members of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Border Security during a working visit to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    The visit is aimed at enhancing synergy between the legislative and executive arms in addressing border-related security challenges.

    The delegation, led by the Committee Chairman, Hon. Isah Mohammed Anka, included Hon. David Agada, Hon. Davidson Akinlayo Kolawole, Hon. Paul Gowon, Hon. Saba Ahmed Adamu, and the Clerk of the Committee, Mrs. Jemila Umar.

    Egbetokun who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Bzigu Yakubu Kwazhi, expressed appreciation for the Committee’s proactive engagement, noting that national security remains a shared responsibility requiring coordinated strategies, institutional cooperation, and a unified national vision.

    Read Also: Ex-IGP Okiro endorses Tinubu for second term, praises president’s leadership courage

    According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Honorable Anka reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to strengthening border security and pledged full support to making meaningful contributions especially in areas of deployment of modern technology, improved welfare for border personnel, and specialized training programmes for officers of the Border Patrol Force.

    The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Border Patrol Force, AIG Nemi Iwoh, commended the Committee’s leadership for their support.

    He also stated that speedy implementation of the resolutions reached during the engagement would significantly strengthen the nation’s border security architecture.

    Hundeyin said, “The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s borders and welcomes sustained collaboration with the National Assembly and other stakeholders toward lasting security outcomes.”

  • Shettima commissions Tudun Biri resettlement scheme

    Shettima commissions Tudun Biri resettlement scheme

    • …Project fulfils Tinubu’s pledge to victims of drone mishap
    • …133 housing units, school, facilities delivered under RSPIC

    The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Friday commissioned the Tudun Biri Resettlement Scheme in Kaduna State, marking the fulfilment of a pledge by Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rebuild the community affected by a military drone mishap nearly two years ago.

    The scheme, located in Tudun Biri community of Igabi Local Government Area, comprises 133 completed housing units, educational facilities and other modern infrastructure, delivered under the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict (RSPIC).

    Vice President Shettima recalled that he visited the community in December 2023 following the incident and assured residents that President Tinubu had directed the immediate commencement of a resettlement programme.

    In July 2024, he returned to perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the rebuilding effort.

    Speaking at the commissioning in Kaduna State, the Vice President described the project as another promise fulfilled by the Tinubu administration, anchored on the belief that governance must serve the people, heal divisions and strengthen national stability.

    According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said “today stands as a living demonstration of that principle.

    “The commissioning of the Tudun Biri Resettlement Scheme is an assurance of our collective belief that fairness is the glue that holds a nation together, and that compassion is not a weakness of the state, but its moral strength,” he said.

    According to him, justice in governance is reflected in deliberate actions to protect vulnerable citizens, heal broken communities and ensure that no Nigerian is rendered invisible by misfortune.

    He stressed that the project underscores the Federal Government’s resolve to respond decisively to humanitarian crises and internal displacement.

    “The Tudun Biri Resettlement Scheme is a vehicle for hope for families whose lives were disrupted. It is a practical assurance that the Nigerian state does not abandon its citizens in times of adversity,” Shettima said, adding that it represents a shift towards solutions that restore stability, rebuild livelihoods and promote lasting peace.

    Read Also: VP Shettima, bankers urge shift from aid to investment

    The Vice President explained that the scheme was implemented under RSPIC, a Federal Government initiative designed to deliver durable recovery and resettlement interventions, noting that similar projects are ongoing in Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina and Benue states.

    He commended the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, for what he described as a constructive partnership and inclusive approach to governance, stressing that the success of such initiatives depends on collaboration among federal and state authorities, host communities and development partners.

    Governor Sani, in his remarks, thanked President Tinubu for demonstrating compassion, leadership and decisive intervention, and praised Vice President Shettima for overseeing the restoration of Tudun Biri.

    He said the project reflects a commitment to placing the dignity of citizens at the centre of governance.

    The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs Zubaida Umar, described the commissioning as a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring dignity, stability and opportunity to communities affected by humanitarian crises.

    She said the intervention aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises people-centred recovery, national security and inclusive development.

    Umar explained that while the original design provided for 143 housing units, 10 units were converted into a school facility to meet the educational needs of children in the settlement, resulting in 133 completed homes alongside education infrastructure.

    Responding on behalf of beneficiaries, Mrs Aisha Haruna and Mr Solomon John expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their sustained efforts to bring relief and restoration to Tudun Biri and other communities affected by humanitarian crises across the country.

  • NNPCL unveils gas master plan

    NNPCL unveils gas master plan

     As part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s gas sector as the engine room of national industrialisation, energy security, and sustainable economic growth, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has officially unveiled its Gas Master Plan (GMP) 2026, tagged NGMP 2026.

    The unveiling, held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja yesterday marks a strategic inflection point in Nigeria’s energy transition journey, underscoring government’s resolve to translate the nation’s vast gas endowment into tangible economic value, infrastructure expansion, and global competitiveness, in alignment with its long-term development aspirations.

    Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the Gas Master Plan as a deliberate pivot from policy articulation to disciplined execution, anchored on commercial viability and integrated sector-wide coordination.

    NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Andy Odeh made this known in a press statement.

    The statement quoted the minister as saying, “Today’s launch is not merely the unveiling of a document; it represents a deliberate shift towards a more integrated, commercially driven, and execution-focused gas sector, aligned with Nigeria’s development aspirations. Nigeria is fundamentally a gas Nation. With one of the largest proven gas reserves in Africa, our challenge has never been potential, but translation: translating resources into reliable supply, infrastructure into value, and policy into measurable outcomes for our economy and our people. The Gas Master Plan speaks directly to this challenge.”

    Ekpo further noted that the Plan’s strong focus on supply reliability, infrastructure expansion, domestic and export market flexibility, and strategic partnerships aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative, positioning natural gas as the backbone of Nigeria’s energy security, industrialisation, and just energy transition.

    In his address, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the NNPC Gas Master Plan 2026 as a bold, effective execution-anchored roadmap designed to unlock Nigeria’s immense gas potential and elevate the country into a globally competitive gas hub.

    Ojulari noted that with about 210 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven gas reserves and an upside potential of up to 600 Tcf, Nigeria possesses one of the most consequential hydrocarbon basins in the world; one reinforced by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Federal Government’s gas-centric energy transition agenda.

    Read Also: ‘NNPC’s Abuja IPP vital to 8,500Mw target’

    “The Plan is structured not just to deliver – but to exceed- the Presidential mandate of increasing national gas production to 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030, while catalysing over 60 billion dollars in new investments across the oil and gas value chain by 2030.”

    He explained that the Plan prioritises cost optimisation, operational excellence, and systematic advancement of resources from 3P to bankable 2P reserves, while strengthening gas supply to power generation, CNG, LPG, Mini-LNG, and critical industrial off-takers.

    Reaffirming his personal commitment as Chief Sponsor of the initiative, the NNPC Ltd GCEO stressed that the Company has adopted a more collaborative, investor-centric approach in shaping the NGMP 2026, with strong alignment to industry stakeholders, partners, and investors.

    In a goodwill message at the occasion, the Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers’ Group (IPPG) and CEO of Aradel Holdings, Mr. Adegbite Falade, said: “This is giving a shot in the arm to the economy which will bridge the gap between intent and reality. Gas thrives on the value chain, from upstream to offtakers. As IPPG members, we reiterate our commitment and support to this initiative.”

    Also lending his voice to the initiative, the Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) and MD of TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Matthieu Bouyer, thanked the NNPC Ltd for the ambition behind the NNPC GMP, stressing that his organisation supports the core operating principles of the Plan.

    The Gas Master Plan 2026 is expected to serve as the definitive framework for coordinated gas sector development, execution discipline, and value creation over the next decade.

    The Gas Master Plan 2026 is an offshoot of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan (NGMP) 2008, which is a strategic framework aimed at maximizing the economic benefits from the country’s abundant gas resources. Another significant dimension to the NGMP 2026 is the utmost attention to full alignment with the Nigerian Decade of Gas Programme.