The Nation Newspaper

Category: Featured

  • Registration centres busy as Rivers LG poll begins

    Registration centres busy as Rivers LG poll begins

    Rivers Local Government elections started at various registration centres across the State.

    The centres as at 8am were busy distributing electoral materials to various wards.

    At a registration centre situated in Elekahia, officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral  Commission (RSIEC) were seen collecting electoral materials.

    Some party agents were also on ground to ensure fair distribution of materials for the Port Harcourt Local Government Area.

    Vehicles were seen leaving the centre with materials and electoral officials 

  • Imo, Ebonyi pay rise: Govs under pressure to raise minimum wage

    Imo, Ebonyi pay rise: Govs under pressure to raise minimum wage

    • Move by Southeast states commendable, says Ajaero
    • Plateau: Don’t push government’s finances to the edge
    • Taraba: No funds available for increment
    • Implement current wage first – Enugu NLC

    This week’s increase in the salary of public servants in Imo and Ebonyi States may have ignited a fresh wave of agitation for more pay in other states, according to feelers, yesterday.

     Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, during a meeting with labour leaders in the state, on Tuesday, announced the approval of a new minimum wage of N104,000, which is N34000 above the national benchmark that came into effect this year.

     The minimum wage of medical doctors rose from  N215,000 to N503,000, while that of teachers in tertiary institutions went up from N119,000 to N222,000.

     Ebonyi State government followed suit 24 hours later, topping its workers’ monthly salary with N20,000 across board.

     The decision was taken at Wednesday’s meeting of the State  Executive Council (SEC) in Abakaliki, and it takes immediate effect.

     The Imo development was good news to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero.

     “It is real, and commendable,” Ajaero said on Thursday at the seventh quadrennial delegates’ conference of the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW).

     Continuing, he said: “If the states have the capacity to pay N100,000 and above, and considering that Imo state is not the highest in terms of revenue, it then means others are encouraged to do more.

     “That is the whole essence of minimum wage. Minimum wage is the least; states can do better. I think this is an initiative that other governors are supposed to follow.

     Following the development in Imo and Ebonyi, the Edo State chapter of the NLC said, yesterday, that it would positively engage with the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, with a view to reviewing the minimum wage.

     During the last May Day celebration, Governor Okpebholo had increased the minimum wage to N75,000.

     Caretaker Committee Chairman of Edo NLC, Prof. Monday Igbafen, said there was nothing achieved for workers that was not a product of struggle.

     Prof. Igbafen appealed to Edo workers to be patient and allow the union to engage with the state government.

     He expressed optimism that the Governor would listen to them.

     Information and Orientation Commissioner  Paul Ohonbamu said the Governor has done a lot to improve the welfare of workers, citing the  N1bn soft loan and payment of students’ bursary and increment of minimum wage as part of Okpebholo’s demonstration of commitment to workers’ welfare.

    We are consulting widely on the issue – Bayelsa NLC

     Chairman of the NLC in Bayelsa State, Simon Barnabas Bay, said the union would consult widely with stakeholders before engaging the state government for an upward review of salaries.

     Reacting to the development in Imo and Ebonyi, Bay told The Nation that: “We have only just heard in the news what happened in Ebonyi and Imo states, but in Bayelsa, we are yet to start an engagement process with the government. I have not even got across to my colleagues there, the council will consult widely, then we will return to the drawing board.”

     The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Duoye  Diri, Daniel Alabrah, was noncommittal on what might be the response of the state government to the action of the Imo and Ebonyi State governments, but he claimed that Bayelsa civil servants are amongst the highest paid in the country, next only to Lagos and Akwa Ibom states.

     He said, “When the federal government mooted the idea and came out with a template, Bayelsa jacked its minimum wage to N80,000 and even implemented a 25% and 35% increase in salaries and its backlog to university lecturers and civil servants.”

    No funds for increased minimum wage- Taraba HoS

     The Head of Service (HoS) in Taraba State, Dr Ahmed Kara, said the state is not in a financial position to match the action of the  Imo and Ebonyi state governments for now.

     The state has no resources to increase salary, he said, in response to an inquiry from The Nation.

     “I expected you to find out if the ongoing verification is over, and if there are any savings by the government? Is there a need to employ more?” he said, in a text message to our correspondent.

     Kara added: “We implemented N30,000 and N70,000 minimum wages in 2024.  Still battling with salaries due to scarce resources, and you are talking of new? If funds permit, why not? But where is the fund? Subvention or revenue?”

     Also, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Peter Jediel, confirmed that he was aware of the latest increase in the two states but stated that they “have not done anything yet” about the matter.

     No, please – Plateau

     The Plateau State government said it does not want to be dragged to the edge on the issue at this time.

     The Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, told The Nation by phone that another salary increase now was out of reach for the state government.

    Read Also: Uzodimma raises minimum wage to N104,000 for Imo State workers

    We want more money, says Abia NLC chairman

     The Chairman of the NLC in Abia State, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya, said workers in the state have always ranked among the best paid in the southeast but would not mind a review of their present salary in view of the economic situation in the country.

     He appealed to Governor Alex Otti to consider improving workers’ monthly salaries.

     Some workers in the state described the governor as worker-friendly.

    Anambra too

     A similar demand came from the Anambra State chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Chris Ogbonna.

     He said, while the generality of the workers are happy with what he called Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s magnanimity, they would appreciate more money in their pockets.

     “We’re like Oliver Twist, we need more,” he said.

     Anambra currently pays N82,000 as minimum wage, and the Head of Service (HoS), Dame Okwy Igwegbe, has assured the workers that Governor Soludo will always do more for the people of the state with the right cooperation and at the right time

     She said the labour unions, NLC and TUC, are like Siamese twins in Anambra, adding that the state government had been working closely with them.

    We’re still where we were –Kwara NLC boss

     The NLC Chairman in Kwara State, Comrade Saheed Olayinka Murtala, said yesterday that there was no signal yet from the state government on whether it was willing to emulate Imo and Ebonyi States.

     “We are still where we were,” he told The Nation.

     His Trade Union Congress counterpart, Olayinka Onikijipa, said: “I can’t say anything about it now. I just landed now in Ilorin since Monday when I left for Abuja.”

    No plan for fresh review in Niger, says official

     It appears, however, that the Niger State has no immediate plan to follow the Imo and Ebonyi example.

     A top government official told our reporter in Minna that the state government has no plan to add to what it currently pays its workers.

     Only a week ago, Governor Umar Bago said on television that the state pays N80,000 as minimum wage, which, according to him, is superior to what some other states pay.

    Effect consequential adjustment in minimum wage first – Enugu NLC

     For the Enugu State chapter of the NLC, its major wish is for the state government to implement the consequential adjustments of the new minimum wage for higher-grade workers.

     Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, said the union’s priority was not just the new wage figure, but how it reflects across all salary structures.

     “What is crucial to us is the consequential adjustment and the domestic servant allowance for deputy directors. These are the ones we’re currently discussing,” Nwigbo said.

     “In some states, what they’re doing is to add ₦20,000 to ₦70,000 to make it ₦90,000. But the money will not reflect on what is paid to senior workers because there’s no consequential adjustment on the minimum wage payment.”

     Nwigbo described the adjustment as a statutory entitlement, not a privilege.

     “We don’t want a situation where it is only an addition that will be made without consequential adjustment. What we think is more attractive to us is the consequential adjustment. We will be okay with the current minimum wage if all these are taken care of,” he added.

     The NLC chairman said the union remained open to dialogue and was confident that the state government would consider the concerns of all categories of workers in the final agreement.

    Oyo labour leaders hopeful

     Labour leaders in Oyo are optimistic that Governor Seyi Makinde will fulfil his promise earlier in the year to positively consider the N80,000 approved minimum wage.

     The leaders commended the governor for what they described as ongoing massive employment across various sectors in the state, despite having one of the largest workforces in the country.

     The NLC Chairman in Oyo State, Comrade Kayode Martins, commended the governor for his consistency in paying salaries by the 25th of every month.

     He said the governor has set a lot of records and standards with the employment of workers, including teachers, non-teachers, medical workers, and even in the mainstream civil service.

     He said, “Look at the massive employment across the various sectors, yet he hasn’t failed in payment of monthly salaries and entitlement. He was the one who set a standard by approving above the FG benchmark of the minimum wage.

     “Aside from signing the minimum wage, he also promised us back then that he would review and reconsider the amount as soon as revenue improves and things get better. We are only appealing. He’s doing so much in terms of infrastructure, but we know he can still do more for workers, too, and we know he will.”

     Speaking in the same tenor, his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Bosun Olabiyi, said as a labour leader, what mattered to him was not just an increase in minimum wage but the implications of the consequential adjustments. He expressed optimism that the governor would not only consider a pay rise for the workers soon, but also allow it to cascade to others across the board.

     The Chairman, Joint Negotiations Committee (JNC), Comrade Olanipekun Oluwaseun, said: “After Lagos, we pay the best salaries, not only in the region but in the country. We can only appeal to him (Governor Makinde) to please kindly consider us again, as the cost of items changes daily.

     “If you look at the N80,000, everybody is complaining. We are only appealing because people can now see that the minimum wage does not have much purchasing power. We know he is a worker-friendly governor; he must have been considering doing something more for the workers here.”

     When contacted, the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Labour Matters, Comrade Adebayo Titilola-Soodo, said, the state which just made the recent pronouncement just concluded negotiations, which Oyo had done earlier.

    However, he expressed confidence that since some states are already raising the bar, it is expected that Governor Makinde may also consider towing the same path.

     Titilola-Soodo said, “Well, I think the states just making the announcement may perhaps be those who have yet to conclude the negotiations, which Governor Seyi Makinde had done a long time ago.

     “However, since some states have raised the bar, one would be optimistic that Governor Seyi Makinde, known for who he is and who would not let the workforce be below the bar, may also consider raising the bar; but time will tell.”

     The current minimum wage of N70,ooo came into effect last year, following the signing of the bill to that effect on July 29, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu.

     Before the signing of the bill, Tinubu told labour leaders, at a meeting, that the minimum wage law would be reviewed every three years.

    Revenue allocation to the states has increased astronomically since the removal of oil subsidy in 2023.

  • Succession tussle rocks Osun community as US Court jails monarch for $4.2m COVID fraud

    Succession tussle rocks Osun community as US Court jails monarch for $4.2m COVID fraud

    • Princes jostle for throne following ruler’s four-year sentence

    There is uneasy calm at Ipetumodu community in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State following the conviction of the traditional ruler, Apetu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, in the United States.

    Oba Oloyede, who holds dual Nigerian and American citizenship, was sentenced to 56 months (over four years) in prison by US District Judge Christopher Boyko after being found guilty of a $4.2 million COVID-19 support fund fraud.

    He was arrested during a visit to the US in May 2024 alongside an accomplice, Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi, who had earlier received a 27-month jail term.

    The conviction has reignited succession battles in Ipetumodu, as princes from the two ruling houses, Aribile and Fagbemokun, have begun intense lobbying of kingmakers for the throne.

    Oba Oloyede ascended the throne on October 26, 2019, after the passing of his predecessor, Oba James Adedokun Adego (Akunradoye II), in 2017. His emergence followed a hotly contested process involving more than ten princes. Ifa priests, clerics, and Islamic leaders were consulted before he received a formal letter of appointment from then-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

    However, his selection was challenged in court by Prince J.A. Ayoola, 77, who argued that only candidates from the Aribile House and direct descendants of past titleholders were eligible for the stool.

    With the monarch now behind bars, succession intrigues have intensified. Sources confirmed that lobbying began as early as January 11, 2025, after Oba Oloyede’s absence was conspicuous during the annual prayers organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ipetumodu.

    The kingmakers, led by the Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Afolabi, are said to be holding a series of meetings on the way forward. However, their decision may hinge on the stance of the Osun State Government, which has insisted it will await the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the US judgment before taking formal steps.

    “The town reached out to the government before the conviction but got no response,” a top source revealed. “Now that the judgment is out, the state has promised to act only after receiving the CTC. Some contenders are already preparing petitions to fast-track the process.”

    The Ipetumodu Progressives Union (IPU), led by Dr. Israel Akinjogbin, has called for calm amid reports that some residents are planning protests to demand the monarch’s removal.

    Read Also: US court jails Osun monarch for $4.2m COVID-19 relief fraud

    Dr. Akinjogbin noted that despite his conviction, Oba Oloyede had continued to hold virtual meetings with his chiefs. He urged indigenes not to allow the foreign judgment to disrupt peace at home.

    “It is important for the people of Ipetumodu to distinguish between the legal proceedings abroad and the peace and order at home,” he said.

    A top source disclosed that the kingmakers have commenced meetings on the next move, but their decision may be impeded by the decision of the Osun State Government before. Thus, they are holding off on starting any installation process, like writing the royal families and consulting the Ifa oracle, among others. 

    The source said, “The town has reached out to Osun State Government several times before the conviction, but they kept mum as to what they would do. But now, they have reached out again, which the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Barr Dosu Babatunde, declared that the State will act after it obtains the Certified True Copy(CTC) of the US judgment.

    “Some contenders and stakeholders may submit a petition to the Osun State Government soon and attach the CTC so that the process of installing a new king can be fast-tracked.”

    Speaking with The Nation, a chieftain of the Aribile Ruling House, where the jailed monarch belongs, Prince Taiwo Ayoola, stated that the mood in Ipetumodu is bad at the moment following the predicament of the monarch.

    He said that the indiscretions of the monarch are sacrilegious and unheard of in the history of the ancient town.

    “He’s no longer His Majesty because anyone who misbehaves in the manner he did is no longer honourable.

    “Look, we have two ruling houses-Aribile and Fagbemokun in Ipetumodu and we are a people of integrity and we are not corrupt in this town. We have never had any corrupt or criminal monarch in Ipetumodu.

    “My father reigned as king of Ipetumodu for more than 25 years, and I lived my life in the palace and grew up there, went to school while living in the palace. I can tell you without mincing words that this kind of thing is unheard of in the history of our town and the stool, that a reigning monarch went to jail for fraudulent practices.

    Speaking on the mood in the town, Prince Ayoola said: “The people of Ipetumodu are ashamed and are finding it difficult coping with the mockery from the neighbours following the jail term handed to the monarch by the US court for his involvement in fraud.

    Prince Ayoola, 83, a retired Registrar at three different state-owned The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, and Osun State College of Science and Technology, Esa Oke, recalled warning the state government and kingmakers against the choice of the monarch in 2019.

    ”I warned the kingmakers back then to avoid picking the monarch in violation of Ifa’s choice, but they did not listen to me. The incarcerated monarch is not a member of our family. There were 13 contestants for the stool but they jettisoned Ifa oracle and picked the embattled monarch according to their own wisdom. I went to court and challenged the kigmakers, state government, the attorney general without getting any reprieve.

    “The gods of our land are the ones angry with him (monarch). He has never slept in the town’s palace for one day. But the sacrilege he committed was pulling down the palace and exposing the bones of past monarchs, because it is a taboo to dig the ground of the palace. Sadly, he moved bulldozers to the place and destroyed the ground of the palace, thus incurring the wrath of our progenitors.

    “We are planning to replace him with someone who will be chosen by the Ifa oracle since he’s not dead, hence, we have the right to replace him. Nature abhors a vacuum, and the gods of the land have rejected him; his sentence is a blot on our family and the Ipetumodu in particular.

    “We are ready to replace him; however, we shall await the decision of the state government to begin the process before too long.”

    Another source disclosed that there have been several meetings by community heads, including the chiefs led by Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Afolabi, who is also the head of the kingmakers.

    While consultations continue among chiefs, compound heads, and stakeholders, the atmosphere in Ipetumodu remains tense, with the community caught between respect for tradition and the reality of a monarch serving time in a foreign prison.

    The Nation observed that there is uneasy calm in Ipetumodu as it was learnt that some people are planning to orchestrate a protest against the convicted king and also hasten the government to quickly select a new king for the town.

    Efforts to get a reaction from the head of kingmakers, Chief Afolabi, were abortive as he did not pick up his call and refused to respond to the text sent to his phone at the time of filing this report.

  • FG to release 2024 budget performance report September

    FG to release 2024 budget performance report September

    The Federal Government has disclosed that the full-year 2024 Budget Performance Report will be published by the end of September.

     This would be done alongside consolidated reports for the first and second quarters of 2025.

    Going forward, quarterly publications, the federal government said, are expected to resume on schedule.

    The Budget Office of the Federation (BoF), in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, explained that the delay in releasing the Budget Implementation Reports (BIRs) was linked to two key factors: verification and reconciliation processes, and the transition to an extended fiscal framework.

    According to the BoF, the verification and reconciliation exercise took longer than anticipated because of the scope and nationwide spread of appropriated projects. It noted that the reports are not simple accounting summaries but combined expenditure data with physical verification of projects across the country, which necessitated extensive field missions and reconciliations with implementing agencies.

    Read Also: Orphanages, homes operators urge govts to prioritise budgeting for vulnerable kids

     The second factor, the statement noted, was the transition to an extended fiscal framework. The Budget Office explained that issuing reports under the old budget cycle, while policy discussions were already pointing toward a lengthened horizon, would have created inconsistencies and misled stakeholders. Adjusting the reporting timelines, it added, was necessary to preserve coherence and accuracy in fiscal disclosures.

     To bridge the reporting gap, the Budget Office said a provisional Budget Performance Report for 2024 will be published by September 2025. The interim report, based on verified funding commitments, will provide a reliable overview of fiscal performance, while detailed project-level verification continues throughout the year.

    It added that from the third quarter of 2025, all budget reports will be published on schedule in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA). For the first half of 2025, which is already overdue, consolidated reports will be released together with the full-year 2024 update to restore compliance with statutory requirements.

    The BoF also disclosed that steps are being taken to enhance its monitoring systems, strengthen collaboration with ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), and expand digital integration of expenditure and project data. These measures, it said, are aimed at ensuring future reports are timely, credible, and reliable.

    The Federal Government, through the Budget Office, assured of its commitment to publishing accurate fiscal data, maintaining timeliness and predictability in budget reporting, and reinforcing the January–December budget cycle.

     It also assured citizens, markets, and development partners that it will continue to improve fiscal monitoring, transparency, and accountability.

  • JUST IN: Marafa, supporters, resign from APC in Zamfara 

    JUST IN: Marafa, supporters, resign from APC in Zamfara 

    Former Zamfara Central Senator, Kabiru Garba Marafa, and his supporters have announced their resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Marafa, who represented Zamfara Central in the Senate from 2011 to 2019, disclosed the decision alongside his supporters in a communiqué issued after a two-day meeting in Kaduna.

    The gathering, held under the aegis of the Senator Kabiru Marafa Consultative Forum on August 27 and 28, 2025, brought together members from all 14 Local Government Areas of Zamfara State. 

    The forum deliberated on the security, political, and developmental challenges in the state.

    Read Also: APC wins Zamfara bye-election  

    At the close of the meeting, a communiqué was issued and signed by Comrade Bashir Muhammad Mafara (Chairman), Dr. Mannir Bature Tsafe (Secretary), Hon. Muzakkiru Sidi Bawa, Hon. Hussaini Dan Isah, Engr. Ibrahim Jekada Dansadau, Engr. Sani Garba Gusau, Hon. Bello Soja Bakyasuwa, and Mansur Haruna.

    It reads in part, “After broad consultations and critical review of the prevailing circumstances, the political structure of Distinguished Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa across the 147 wards in Zamfara State unanimously resolved as follows:

    “The entire structure with all its supporters hereby formally resigns from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in protest against the sustained injustice, mistrust, marginalisation, and deliberate neglect of Zamfara State and its people.

    “That we shall, in due course, announce our next political direction, guided by the collective interest of the good people of Zamfara State.”

    Marafa and his group however said they would announce their new direction at a later date.

    The Senator had equally served as the Zamfara State Coordinator of Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organisation during the 2023 Presidential Election.

  • US to limit visa duration for students, journalists

    US to limit visa duration for students, journalists

    The United States Government has announced plans to shorten the validity period of visas issued to international students and foreign journalists.

    According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the proposed rule would cap F visas, which allow foreign students to study in the U.S, at a maximum of four years. 

    At present, student visas typically cover the full duration of an academic program, which can run beyond five years for doctoral candidates.

    For international media professionals, visa validity would be limited to 240 days with the option of a single extension for another 240 days. 

    However, journalists’ visas would not be permitted to exceed the length of their assignments. 

    Any request for an extension would require applications through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), subjecting applicants to additional security checks.

    Previously, journalists from countries such as Germany have been granted visas lasting up to five years.

    “For too long, past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely,” DHS stated. “This practice poses security risks and financial burdens, and may disadvantage U.S. citizens.”

    Read Also: Passports, visa, correctional reforms taking Nigeria to new level, says minister 

    The department noted that the changes were designed to curb visa abuse and strengthen oversight.

    However, the proposal has already sparked backlash from the U.S. higher education sector.

    Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, criticised the plan, warning it would create new challenges for both students and universities.

    “The rule would force international students and scholars to regularly submit additional applications, disrupting their studies and straining university operations,” Feldblum said. She further cautioned that the uncertainty could discourage international talent from pursuing education and research opportunities in the U.S.

  • Ojulari: NNPCL lost $500m monthly to refineries operation

    Ojulari: NNPCL lost $500m monthly to refineries operation

    • ‘Oil giant will adopt private partnership to ensure sustainable profitability’

    The country lost between $300 million and $500million monthly while the Port Harcourt Refinery was operating, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari said yesterday.

    He said: “When I resumed, one of the first priorities I focused on was the refinery. I did a quick review to see if we could quickly fix it. What I found is that we were losing between $300 million to $500 million on a monthly basis in the refinery. We were pumping about 50,000 barrels of crude to go into the refinery. What was coming out was less than 40 per cent equivalent of what was coming in.”

    Ojulari said this when he met with the leadership of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in his office at Abuja.

    The Port Harcourt Refinery, after years of being in comatose, started working in November, 2024 when former GCEO Mele Kyari announced the reopening to a wide applause by Nigerians, but the operation was halted in May, barely one month after Ojulari’s resumption.

    Ojulari, who assumed office on April 2, the same day Kyari was relieved of the job, said he halted the operation of the refinery to prevent further losses and work towards a sustainable arrangement.

    READ ALSO: Echoes of terrorism

    Ojulari explained: “The first thing we said was rather than continue to lose, let’s quickly stop and look for a way to put this refinery into a sustainably profitable venture.”

    He said the NNPCL was working to revive the moribund refineries to operate at full capacity by adopting the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) model (Public, Private, Partnership), which PENGASSAN advocated during the meeting.

    The NNPCL chief said talks were on to find a viable solution to the refining crisis, ensuring the refineries become a sustainably profitable venture.

    He said the national oil company had concluded a technical review for the three refineries, pointing out that the long term neglect and lack of maintenance were major reasons behind the huge losses recorded monthly, despite the huge investments to make them work

    The NNPCL chief explained that a lot of money has been spent on these refineries, but admitted that it’s been challenging to translate those funds into profitability.

     He likened the situation of the refineries to parking an old car for some time without any greasing and oiling. He added that the Port Harcourt refinery has been difficult to put back because of years of neglect and it’s been difficult: when you fix one thing, the other thing is still there.

    Turning to PENGASSAN, Ojulari said: “The solution you are proposing (the NLNG model) is what we are working on. We’ve completed technical review of the three refineries, but it’s not just about technical. It’s also about commercial viability, it has to make money. Maybe not a lot, but it should not be making a loss.

     “We’ve completed the commercial review for the Port Harcourt refinery and from that commercial review, we have come to the conclusion that the best way forward is to get a true professional refinery company to join us and co-operate with us.

     “We’ve been having meetings with potential parties, but we need to find the pathway that will work. We’ve also realised that it was not in the best interest of Nigeria, not in the best interest of NNPCL, that we will continue to put money into a place where we do not have the full ability to fully operationalise. So, when we bring in partners, we can work with them.”

     Ojulari appealed to Nigerians, contractors, traders and beneficiaries to be patient with the shutdown of the refineries.

     In the course of the briefing, the NNPCL chief said his team was facing attacks, but said he will not be deterred. “We are under attack. We will not budge to short-term pressure, as it will not be in the best interest of Nigerians. You cannot drive change without a price, and the transformation is tough,” he said, adding that patience will be required from Nigerians to get to the other side of change, which will benefit the citizens.

    He restated his commitment to stay focused in driving the mandate given to the team by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

      “Tinubu did not put pressure on me to go and do the wrong thing. The baseline was to go and ensure that whatever we’re doing, going forward, sustainably works. There’s no need for us to pretend, there was no negative political pressure for NNPCL to just continue to run at a loss, so we decided to freeze on it, and we’ve been working astutely fine.

     “My commitment is that when this refinery is reworking, everybody will be back to work but for now, we all need to co-operate and work together to ensure that whatever we put in place is sustainable.”

     Ojulari declared that he is not a politician, saying that he will have to learn a bit more about politics. “I’m not hiding from anybody. I’m not a politician. I will have to learn a bit more about politics, but for me, it is a development plan, and I’m ready to learn.”

    The NNPCL chief raised concerns about threats to his life, and some members of the company’s management, saying his major “offence” was the reforms he introduced in the oil and gas sector in line with President Tinubu’s directive to revive the country’s ailing refineries. He said some powerful interests were plotting to unseat him, but insisted that he remained focused on ensuring the success of the refinery rehabilitation plan.

    Osifo said the pipelines have been working optimally since Ojulari became the GCEO, leading to an increase in production.

    He commended the management of NNPCL for moving beyond addressing the welfare of members.

     While seeking answers to the reasons behind the shutdown of the refineries, Osifo noted that PENGASSAN was committed to supporting the NNPCL to stabilise the system, which has been bedevilled with so many challenges, including non-producing fields, to boost production to 2.6 million barrels per day next year.

     The PENGASSAN president, who is also president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said: “Managing institutions as this and trying to bring about change, we know that there are always ups and downs, which is expected in life. But at PENGASSAN, we assure you that we are solidly behind you, that we will work with you, we will collaborate with you and your team to ensure the stability of the system, because for us, when the system is not stabilised, it has a way of trickling down to our members.

     “We will work with you to ensure that the system is stabilised and to ensure that NNPCL continuously remains vibrant, the way it has been, and even to take it a notch higher, because today we are doing approximately 1.8 million barrels of crude.

     “We believe that with a lot of capacities and experience that will be brought in, we’ll be able to bring about an improvement in our production”.

     The tale surrounding the new development with the nation’s refineries, as painted by Ojulari, runs counter to that of his predecessor, Mele Kyari, who described the reopening of the Port Harcourt Refinery Company in Novembe,r 2024, as a monumental achievement for Nigeria, which signified a new era of energy independence and economic growth for the country.

    In a statement, Kyari had said: “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has fulfilled its pledge of re-streaming the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), signalling the commencement of crude oil processing from the plant and delivery of petroleum products into the market.”

     Ojulari’s briefing yesterday is coming barely nine months after the Port Harcourt Refinery was adjudged fit for production by Kyari.

  • Govt panel to review post-2009 agreements with ASUU

    Govt panel to review post-2009 agreements with ASUU

    • Polytechnic workers serve strike notice

    To forestall strike by university teachers, the Federal Government yesterday acceded to the call for the review of the 2009 agreement by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    Although government insisted that it did not sign any pact with the protesting lecturers, the Minister of Education,  Dr. Tunji Alausa,  said concerted efforts would be made to avert industrial dispute and disruption of academic activities in the universities.

    The minister who clarified that draft agreements made following perennial dispute over the 2009 pact were not signed, told reporters in Abuja that a seven-man committee headed by Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Abel Enitan, was set up to present government’s counter-proposal to the union. 

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    Acknowledging government’s promise to review the  agreement, many ASUU chapters resolved to return to the negotiation table.

    However, Polytechnic workers, who issued a 21-day strike notice, demanded action on welfare complaints, particularly the non-payment of accumulated promotion arreas.

    The non-teaching staff under the aegis of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) issued the ultimatum at its 77th General Executive Council meeting held between August 26 and 28 at the Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Danbatta, Kano State.

    A statement by its National President, Philip Ogunsipe, and National Secretary, Sehu Gaya,  accused the government of paying lip service to polytechnic education.

    Govt will fulfil promises to ASUU, says Alausa

    Alausa, who held a meeting with government’s representatives at the review panel, including

    the Minister of State for Education, Minister of Labour and Employment, and Solicitor-General of the Federation, said government would fulfil its promises to ASUU.

    Also at the meeting were Permanent Secretaries in the Ministries of Education, Labour and Justice; and heads of key agencies, including the National Universities Commission (NUC), Salaries and Wages Commission, and the Budget Office.

    Alausa said the meeting reviewed ASUU’s proposals, line by line, which would be fine-tuned by the committee’s technical team.

    The minister said the team would submit a “clean report” that would be forwarded to the Yayale Ahmed-led Committee to renegotiate the 2009 ASUU/FG Agreement.

    Alausa added: “We want an agreement where every component is actionable and feasible. Nigerians can be assured that this government will keep our schools open and ensure our children remain in classrooms.”

    The minister said unlike in the past, the Ministry of Justice would be fully involved in the process to ensure that the agreements comply with constitutional provisions.

    He assured that ASUU’s recent protests would not snowball into a strike because government had engaged the union “continuously and meticulously.”

    Alausa said: “We are committed to solving this problem once and for all. What has lingered since the 2009 and 2021 agreements will now be addressed in a sustainable way.

    “The President has made it clear that every promise made to ASUU and Nigerians will be fulfilled truthfully and honestly.”

    The minister maintained that contrary to the impression by some Nigerians, government has never signed any binding agreement with ASUU, describing the document as a draft.

    He reiterated government’s commitment to the resolution of the issues raised by the union, saying that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had mandated the ministry to find a lasting solution to the crisis.

    He said the administration was not interested in “bogus or unsustainable agreements,” but in reaching a constitutional and implementable accord.

    Alausa stressed: “But let me clear this point of correction: the Solicitor General looked into the agreement. The government has never signed any agreement with ASUU. This was a draft agreement.

    “The 2021 agreement was not executed by the government. So, I need to be honest and truthful to Nigeria. ASUU might have an impression that they have an agreement with the government. There was no signed agreement with the government.”

    The contentious agreement:

    Previous attempts to review the 2009 agreement failed despite the intervention of four committees.

    The Federal Government set up a committee led by Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, in 2017 to review the agreement.

    But the committee could not complete the assignment.

    Later, government set up another committee headed by the Chairman, Committee of Pro-chancellors, Prof Munzali Jibril, in 2020 when former President Muhammadu Buhari was in power.

    In 2021, the Munzali committee, working with ASUU, came up with recommendations in a draft agreement within three months.

    The government rejected the salary structure proposed by the committee, saying that it had no money to pay the university lecturers.

    The Buhari administration set up another committee headed by the late Emeritus Prof Nimi Briggs.

    On June 16, 2022, the Briggs Committee submitted a draft agreement to the government, which it described as a product of collective bargaining.

    However, government refused to implement it.

    The agreement was never signed, making the 2022 strike to last until October when an Industrial Court asked the ASUU to suspend the strike after a suit was instituted against the union by the Federal Government.

    Last year, former Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, inaugurated the Yayale Ahmed committee to handle the renegotiation of agreements with university – based unions.

    On Tuesday, branches of ASUU staged a one-day protest nationwide to draw the attention of the government to its demands. 

    The protest disrupted academic activities in public universities. 

    The branches are expected to hold separate congresses to vote for or against the strike.

    ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna could not be reached for comments after the minister’s briefing. He did not pick his calls. 

    The demands of ASUU include:

    *Conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement in 2021

    *Release of withheld three-and-half months salaries on account of the 2022 strike

    *Release of unpaid salaries of staff on sabbatical, part-time and adjunct appointments.

    *Release of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions

    *Funding for revitalisation of public universities

    *Proliferation of universities by federal and state governments and others.

    Why we are embarking on strike, by SSANIP

    SSANIP explained that it issued a strike notice to press its legitimate demands.

    These include the release of new schemes and conditions of service; setting up of the renegotiation committee on the 2010 agreement; non-release of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Needs Assessment Funds; non-payment of promotion arrears, 25/35% salary review arrears, wage award, and full implementation of the new minimum wage.

    Ogunsipe said: “The council also observed that despite several efforts to ensure peaceful resolution of the demands, the government has only paid lip service to the issues.

    “Based on the above, the union demands immediate action on the listed issues within 21 days beginning from today, 27th August, 2025, or we will be left with no option but to withdraw our services across the nation”, the communiqué partly stated.

     The union expressed displeasure over what it described as government’s insincerity in honouring agreements and prioritising the education sector.

  • I’m driving growth with foreign engagements, says Tinubu

    I’m driving growth with foreign engagements, says Tinubu

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu explained yesterday that every one of his international engagements was motivated by the responsibility Nigerians entrusted to him in 2023 to restore Nigeria’s pride and dignity on the global stage.

    He added that in line with the task, the foreign trips and his administration’s reform programmes were aimed at securing opportunities that would lead to growth, job creation and prosperity for all Nigerians.

    The President stated this in a post on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, shortly after arrival from Japan and  Brazil, said his engagements in the Asian and South American nations focused on unlocking critical investments.

    He said: “It feels good to be back home in Nigeria after our recent engagements in Japan and Brazil. In 2023, you entrusted me with the responsibility of restoring our pride and dignity on the global stage, and I remain fully committed to that mission.

    “Every handshake, every agreement, and every meeting is guided by one goal: to secure opportunities that translate into growth, jobs, and prosperity for Nigerians.” 

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    According to him, Japan offered new avenues in industry, technology, and human capital development, while Brazil opened up partnerships in trade, agriculture, aviation and finance.

    He added that the meetings strengthened the confidence of Nigerian business leaders in the economy.

    “This is the new Nigeria we are building together, a Nigeria built on sustainable reforms that will outlast us rather than one built on rhetoric. A Nigeria that is confident abroad, resilient at home, and determined to create value for every citizen, at home and in the diaspora,” President Tinubu declared.

    Acknowledging the challenges on the path of the reform programmes,  he expressed optimism that Nigeria’s best days lie ahead.

    “The journey is not without challenges, but with unity of purpose and courage to reform, I firmly believe the best is on the horizon,” he concluded.

     President Tinubu’s three-day visit to Brazil was marked by the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering aviation, trade, science, diplomacy, and finance.

    At a joint press conference in Brasília, he welcomed the imminent return of Petrobras, Brazil’s state-owned oil giant, to Nigeria—five years after it halted its joint ventures.

    The agreements also included a Bilateral Air Services Agreement, paving the way for direct flights between Lagos and São Paulo, to be operated by Air Peace.

    Other MoUs targeted political consultations, scientific collaboration, and agricultural financing through Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture and Brazil’s National Bank for Economic and Social Development.

    Beyond the MoUs, President Tinubu underscored his administration’s economic reforms, assuring Brazilian investors of a stable, transparent financial climate.

    The visit, which featured red-carpet honours, bilateral meetings with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and cultural engagements, signalled what both leaders described as a new era in Nigeria–Brazil relations.

    The President was first in Japan, where he participated in the ninth edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9).

    He was on arrivalat the  Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport the about 1.30 am, received by a high-powered delegation of political leaders and senior government officials.

    Among them were Governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) , Uba Sani  (Kaduna) , Hope Uzodinma  (Imo)   and Abdul-Rahman AbdulRazaq  (Kwara).

    Others were   House of Representatives Speaker  Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu;   Federal Capital Territory Minister(FCT),   Nyesom Wike; Budget and Economic  Planning Minister  Abubakar   Bagudu and  Defence Minister Bello Matawalle. 

  • PDP wooing Obi with 2027 ticket, says Bala

    PDP wooing Obi with 2027 ticket, says Bala

    Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed yesterday disclosed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has opened talks with former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi on the possibility of flying its presidential ticket during the 2027 election.

    Obi, 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), was the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, who was the PDP presidential candidate during the 2019 poll.

    Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, confirmed that discussions have already been held with Obi and other “celebrated politicians” as part of moves to reposition the opposition party.

    The governor,  who spoke on Channels Television,  said: “I have discussed with Peter Obi. I told him the PDP is open to all those celebrated politicians who can come and add value to our presidential drive or ambition in 2027.

    “Definitely, I spoke to all of them. So many people that I will not even mention here, but I have just mentioned the key people that I have spoken to on behalf of the governors and myself.”

    Although PDP was hit by what it described as defections to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) adopted by the coalition forces led by Atiku, two of the aggrieved members – former National Chairman Uche Secondus and a youth leader from Edo State, Edih Rowland – returned to the party yesterday.

    The Bauchi governor explained that the party was deliberately courting credible southern politicians who could challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

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    He said PDP has learned lessons from past mistakes, adding that it is determined to present a formidable candidate.

    Mohammed said: “We don’t want to make the mistake of the APC. We need a Christian from the South to emerge as presidential candidate so that he will lead the majority of Christian southerners to come and pick a majority Muslim vice president in the North. Not to put ourselves in the cul-de-sac the way APC did in 2023 with a Muslim-Muslim ticket.”

    On whether Obi had agreed to return to the party, Mohammed, who was cautious, insisted that the option remains open.

    He stressed:“These are some of the decisions that are left to Peter Obi, not to me. But I have spoken to him and I confirmed to you I have spoken to those people and have given them the leverage to take my decision.”

    The governor also disclosed that PDP has held talks with former President Goodluck Jonathan and other top politicians, adding that the party is not leaving anything to chance ahead of 2027.

    He said: “Definitely, we are not sleeping. Only that we don’t make noise. There are so many politicians. I even had a session with Governor Amaechi. I have not been sleeping. I have to make sure I create a clothing of rank dry, you know, for people to come and have it.”

    While acknowledging that some of his supporters in the North were unhappy with the party’s decision to zone its ticket to the South, Mohammed said PDP must embrace consensus and sacrifice personal ambition for the collective good.

    He added: “In spite of my leadership position, I am leading a group of equals. We have to change the trajectory of leadership recruitment in a manner that we build a consensus, create unity and set aside our personal interests. Whoever emerges should know that he is doing it on our behalf.”

    PDP Convention Committee for inauguration Tues

    The PDP Convention Organizing Committee would be inaugurated on Tuesday in Abuja by the National Chairman,  Ambassador Umar Damagum.

    The 110-member Committee, led by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, would organise the elective National Convention scheduled for Ibadan, Oyo State capital,  on November 15.

    The National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said in a statement that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke would serve as vice chairman and his Enugu State counterpart, Mark Ubah, would serve as secretary. 

    He said: “The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of the PDP to remain united, focused and continue to work together towards the success of the PDP 2025 Elective National Convention.”

     Rowland apologises:

    Ahead of the convention, the party is trying to put its house in order by averting further defections.

     Rowland,  who  left for ADC has apologised to the party in an August 25 letter to Damagum.

    The former Director-General of the Atiku Youth Wing Campaign Organisation, had on August 1 announced his defection to the ADC, describing ittas “political realignment.”

    In his letter, Rowland said: “I am writing to express my sincerest apologies for my recent decision to decamp from  PDP to ADC on August 1, 2025.”

     “I realize now that I made a grave mistake by leaving People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a party that has nurtured my political career for 24 years.

    “I want to apologize to the entire PDP leadership, members, and supporters for my actions. I have come to appreciate the values of truth, justice, and internal democracy that PDP stands for.

    “The party’s ability to resolve internal issues and its commitment to the country’s progress have reaffirmed my decision to return. I am particularly impressed by the leadership of our national chairman, which demonstrates PDP’s capacity to win the 2027 elections.

    “ Following the urging of my ward, local government, state, and national leaders, I have decided to return to PDP with my supporters. I pledge to work tirelessly for the party’s victory in 2027.”