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Tag: FG

  • Minister inspects LASUCO, reaffirms FG drive for sugar self-sufficiency

    Minister inspects LASUCO, reaffirms FG drive for sugar self-sufficiency

    The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, has begun a series of strategic inspections of sugar projects nationwide, starting with the Lafiagi Sugar Company (LASUCO) in Kwara State, as part of efforts to fast-track Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in sugar production.

    Enoh commended the scale of infrastructure, level of investment and degree of project advancement at the facility, praising the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin, for effectively motivating and monitoring operators under the Backward Integration Programme (BIP).

    In a statement signed by the council, the minister said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had mandated him to work closely with the NSDC leadership to ensure that operators move decisively from planning to full-scale production. 

    He stressed the need for accelerated sugarcane development to match factory capacity, noting that farm expansion remains critical to achieving full operational readiness.

    Enoh reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to sustained engagement with serious investors, traditional institutions and host communities, as Nigeria intensifies efforts to revitalise the sugar industry, conserve foreign exchange, create jobs and deepen industrial value chains.

    During the visit, the minister conducted a comprehensive tour of LASUCO’s integrated sugar complex, inspecting the sugar mill, ethanol plant, power infrastructure, irrigation systems and more than 700 hectares of existing sugarcane cultivation.

    The LASUCO project, owned by the BUA Group, is designed as a 10,000-tonne cane-per-day sugar mill, with the capacity to produce up to 220,000 metric tonnes of refined sugar annually when fully operational.

  • ACCI urges FG to expand CNG, EV conversion centres, introduce subsidies

    ACCI urges FG to expand CNG, EV conversion centres, introduce subsidies

    The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called on the federal government to intensify efforts in establishing and expanding Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicle (EV) conversion centres across Nigeria, while introducing targeted subsidies to make vehicle conversion more affordable.

    ACCI President, Emeka Obegolu, made the appeal during the 2025 End-of-Year media parley in Abuja, stressing that such measures would encourage widespread adoption of CNG, particularly among public transport operators, taxis, buses, and ride-hailing fleets.

    “The expansion will ensure that the benefits of cleaner and cheaper energy alternatives reach the commuting public. With strategic partnerships between government and the private sector, Nigeria can reduce operational costs, build technical capacity, and accelerate nationwide adoption of CNG and electric mobility,” Obegolu said. 

    He added that the transition would not only lower transportation and production costs but also help stabilize the macroeconomic environment, contributing to the government’s goal of achieving single-digit inflation.

    Looking ahead to 2026, ACCI has outlined a robust programme to strengthen the business ecosystem and accelerate economic growth within a secure and stable environment. 

    Key initiatives include the ACCI–NACCIMA Livestock Summit 2026, aimed at transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector, and a national campaign promoting green technology and energy efficiency.

    The 2026 agenda also features the National Livestock Conference and Exhibition, Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition, Circular Economy Conference, and International Railway Conference and Exhibition, among other strategic programmes to drive sustainable development and innovation across sectors.

  • FG commits to women’s leadership in health sector

    FG commits to women’s leadership in health sector

    The Presidency has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding women’s leadership within Nigeria’s health sector, describing it as essential to tackling the country’s persistently high maternal mortality rate and improving outcomes for mothers and children.

    It said this informed the creation of the Office of Women’s Health, describing it as a deliberate policy shift aimed at confronting Nigeria’s maternal and child mortality crisis and repositioning women’s health as a core national development and economic priority.

    Speaking at the graduation of the inaugural EmpowerHer Health Fellowship in Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health, Dr. Adanna Steinaker, said President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of the office in response to the urgency of Nigeria’s maternal health challenges and the need to close long standing gender gaps in the health system.

    She said women’s health could no longer be treated as a peripheral issue but must be addressed as a development imperative with direct implications for productivity and economic growth. 

    According to her, the EmpowerHer Health Fellowship was designed to equip women with leadership, advocacy and policy engagement skills to strengthen the health system and improve maternal and child health outcomes nationwide.

    “We cannot achieve the mission of closing the gender health gap or prioritising women’s health without women who are trained and equipped to carry on that mandate,” Steinaker said.

    She described the fellowship as aligned with broader health reforms, noting that the office marked a historic shift in governance, noting, “For the first time in the history of this country, there is an office dedicated to women’s health”.

    Acknowledging Nigeria’s high maternal mortality burden, she added, “That is not a place we want to be, and that is something we are trying to crush.”

    In her keynote address, the Senior Country Director of Pathfinder International Nigeria, Dr Amina Dorayi, described the fellowship as a clear signal that women’s leadership in health was no longer optional.

    “This is a declaration that women’s leadership in health is essential to the strength, resilience and the future of Nigeria’s health system,” she said.

    Drawing on her professional experience, Dorayi spoke on resilience, vision and the importance of finding one’s voice in leadership.

    “True resilience is not about enduring injustice quietly. It is about holding your ground when it would be easier to step back.”

    She urged the graduates to challenge entrenched systems and advocate with evidence, saying, “When women speak, narratives shift. When narratives shift, policies change. And when policies change, lives improve.”

    The co-founder and chapter Lead of Women in Global Health Nigeria, Dr Peju Adeniran, said the fellowship was born out of the courage to challenge the status quo and build solidarity among women across the health sector.

    “It takes courage to speak up, to embrace discomfort and to challenge the things you want to change.

    “When women speak, narratives shift. When narratives shift, policies change. And when policies change, lives improve,” she said.

    The Project Officer of Women in Global Health Nigeria, Bukola Shaba, said the EmpowerHer Health Fellowship was designed to directly address the leadership gap facing women in the global health space.

    She said Women in Global Health Nigeria, part of a global movement with over 70 chapters, has been active since 2020, advocating equity in health leadership. 

    “Women deliver about 70 per cent of health services, yet they are missing from leadership. That is the gap we are trying to address,” she said.

    Shaba explained that the fellowship is a fully funded, year-long programme, with recruitment beginning in January and structured training running from April to October. 

    “What we set out to do was to raise a new crop of visible women in global health,” she said, adding that participants were selected from women already doing impactful work and prepared through mentoring for greater responsibility.

    She said over 600 applications were received, from which 24 women were selected across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with ages ranging from early 20s to almost 50, to encourage peer learning.

    The fellows were trained in advocacy, research, leadership, personal branding, and social media advocacy. “Some had no social media presence before, and today they are influencing global health conversations,” she said, adding that mentorship would continue beyond graduation.

    The 24 fellows said the programme had deepened their commitment to advocacy, collaboration, and leadership in advancing the health and well-being of women and children across Nigeria.

    One of the fellows, Dr Hauwa Bolanle Akanbi Hakeem, said the programme broadened her understanding of women’s health through a One Health lens.

    “Human health, animal health, and environmental health are interconnected.”

    Another fellow, Bilkis Abduraheem Lawal, said the fellowship strengthened her voice as a journalist advocating for maternal and child health, particularly at the grassroots.

    “This fellowship has strengthened my voice to advocate for maternal and child health, especially using indigenous languages to reach underserved communities.”

  • FG issues certificate of compliance for Bakassi deep seaport

    FG issues certificate of compliance for Bakassi deep seaport

    The proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport in Cross River State received a major boost with the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, a development Governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu described as “a momentous and defining milestone in our collective march toward economic rebirth.”

    Receiving the certificate from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, Otu said the approval signified that “the Bakassi Deep Seaport has moved decisively from vision to verifiable reality,” adding that “this is a statement of confidence in Cross River State and in Nigeria’s maritime future.”

    The Governor noted that the development followed closely on the heels of the approval of the Bakassi Deep Seaport by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as one of three transformative Public–Private Partnership (PPP) projects. “When the Federal Executive Council speaks with such clarity, it sends a powerful signal to investors that this project is credible, bankable and irreversible,” he said.

    Described as a strategic maritime infrastructure expected to attract about $3.5 billion in private investment, the Bakassi Deep Seaport is projected to redefine Nigeria’s shipping and logistics landscape. Governor Otu stressed that “this project is not just about ships and cargo, but about jobs, industrialization and positioning Nigeria competitively within global trade corridors.”

    Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Governor emphasized the strategic relevance of Cross River State to Nigeria’s maritime aspirations. “Cross River State is strategically located to help Nigeria realize its maritime potential, much like Brazil and other coastal nations with robust marine economies,” he said, adding that “with our growing population and finite resources, projects of this magnitude offer a veritable pathway to investment inflows and mass job creation.”

    “Today is historic,” Otu declared. “It is a major milestone in our journey toward building a viable marine and blue economy through the Bakassi Deep Seaport. Nigeria is underperforming in this sector, and we have resolved that Cross River State will not only participate, but will lead. Receiving this certificate today strengthens our balance, sharpens our focus, and reinforces our confidence that we are firmly on track.”

    The Governor also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, saying, “The creation of this ministry is visionary and timely. Mr. President has demonstrated uncommon foresight, and the choice of Minister Oyetola has brought professionalism, speed and purpose to the sector.”

    Oyetola lauded Otu’s vision and urgency, describing the Bakassi Deep Seaport as “perfectly aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.” 

    He added: “The Governor’s passion, speed and dedication stand out. Out of several similar projects nationwide, Bakassi shows strong promise of being the first to be realized. The Federal Government is happy to support this initiative and will work closely with the state to ensure its successful delivery.”

    Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Osedion Ewalefoh, described the project as “a game-changer for Nigeria’s maritime and logistics ecosystem.” 

    He said: “The Bakassi Deep Seaport will serve as a new maritime gateway for the North-Central and North-East, function as a logistics hub for West and Central Africa, create thousands of jobs, and position Nigeria as a preferred maritime destination through its greenfield design, industrial cluster and Free Trade Zone.”

  • FG restates commitment to strengthening security around schools

    FG restates commitment to strengthening security around schools

    The Federal Government has restated its commitment to strengthening security around schools and safeguarding students and citizens across the country.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, stated this when he led a Federal Government delegation to the Governor of Niger, Umaru Bago.

    This was contained in a statement issued by Idris’s Special Assistant on Media, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim in Abuja.

    Idris described the rescue of some of the abducted students of the St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papyri, Niger as a moment of profound relief for the nation and families of the children.

    He said the rescue of these children is a moment of profound relief for their families and the entire nation.

    “We are grateful for the tireless work of our security agencies, the swift response of the Niger State Government, and the strong community cooperation that made this outcome possible.

    “I want to reaffirm the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to strengthening security around schools and safeguarding students and citizens nationwide.

    “We also want to state that the protection and welfare of Nigerian children remain a central priority of the Federal Government. Our children must be able to learn safely.

    “The Federal Government is committed to working closely with states to boost school security and ensure that such violations of our collective peace have no place in our country,” Idris said.

    The Minister commended the coordinated efforts of security agencies, Niger Government, and community stakeholders, describing their collaboration as a decisive factor in the successful rescue operation.

    According to the statement,  Bago thanked the Minister and the delegation for the visit and commended the security agencies and local communities for their roles in securing the release of the pupils.

    Bago also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to continued collaboration with the Federal Government on security and social stability.

    (NAN)

  • FG rallies security agencies, telecoms, media against kidnapping

    FG rallies security agencies, telecoms, media against kidnapping

    The federal government has called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, telecom operators, and the media to enhance Nigeria’s national response to the growing menace of kidnapping.

    The National Coordinator National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser, Major General Adamu Laka, made the call during a High Level Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC), in Abuja, on Wednesday.

    Established in December 2024, the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell, domiciled at the NCTC, is responsible for coordinating the efforts of the military, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders toward enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to prevent, disrupt, and respond to kidnapping, with the overarching objective of saving lives.

    General Laka noted that kidnapping remains the common trend that runs across the country’s security threats, serving as a major source of financing for criminal and terrorist networks, and enabling criminal groups to procure logistics, perpetuate their reign of terror, and, in some cases, exert territorial control.

    Laka said that the growing national and international concern over the trend of kidnapping in the country prompted strategic collaboration between Nigeria and the United Kingdom to establish the Cell, to coordinate the efforts of the military, paramilitary agencies and other critical stakeholders toward enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to prevent, disrupt, and respond to kidnapping.

    According to the NCTC boss, despite notable successes achieved since the establishment of the Cell, certain operational gaps have been identified, particularly the need to integrate key stakeholders such as the media, telecommunication operators, and social media platforms into the kidnapping response framework.

    “This workshop therefore provides a timely opportunity to deliberate on how these stakeholders can be effectively integrated into the Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell architecture to enhance national kidnap management,” he said.

    Laka noted that the workshop forms part of the NCTC’s deliberate efforts to strengthen coordination, intelligence sharing, and operational synergy in curtailing the menace of kidnapping in the country.

    He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the centre’s mandate to coordinate counterterrorism efforts nationwide, while supporting ite broader vision of becoming a Regional Centre of Excellence in Counterterrorism in West Africa and the Sahel.

    According to NCTC boss, the Cell comprised analysts drawn from the military, intelligence services, and law enforcement agencies. He said the personnel, equipped with the requisite training, have generated actionable intelligence leading to the rescue and release of hostages, as well as the disruption of kidnapping syndicates across the country.

    “To further close the gap between national coordination and state-level response, the Centre conducted a state expansion programme in July 2025 for Anti-Kidnap Commanders of the Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, to strengthen operational linkages and eliminating communication barriers,” Laka said.

    The NCTC boss urged participants at the workshop to raise critical issues, share their experiences, and propose practical solutions that could support national efforts in rescuing victims, dismantling kidnap networks, and safeguarding our communities.

    He also urged them to maintain close liaison with the Cell upon returning to their respective organisations, and to “provide continuous feedback that will support ongoing rescue operations and foster stronger interagency collaboration.”

    The Acting High Commissioner, British High Commission, Gill Lever, said the UK government was highly impressed by the activities of the country since its establishment, assuring that the UK government would continue to support Nigeria’s counterterrorism and anti-kidnapooing efforts.

    Head of UK’s National Crime Agency, Chris Gibson, said effective collaboration and communication among various critical stakeholders is key to the continued success of the cell.

    He urged Nigerians to continue to support the government’s efforts, stressing that “anti-kidnapping is a responsibility of every citizen.”

  • FG moves to fully digitalise revenue collection by January 2026

    FG moves to fully digitalise revenue collection by January 2026

    …bans use of physical cash for all govt transactions

    …puts an End to ‘Deduction from Source’ by MDAs

    The federal government has taken steps to digitalise all forms of government revenue from January 1, 2026, signalling one of the most sweeping public finance reforms the country has witnessed in recent times.

    The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has issued a series of circulars to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) spelling out new rules, timelines, and sanctions for non-compliance.

    In the first circular titled “Enforcement of ‘No Physical Cash Receipt’ Policy” and dated November 24, 2025, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, directed all MDAs to stop the collection or acceptance of physical cash for government revenue.

    He stated that “collection and acceptance of physical cash, whether in Naira or other currencies, for any revenue due to the Federal Government is strictly prohibited,” adding that all payments must now be made through electronic channels.

    Dr. Ogunjimi explained that physical cash collection by MDAs had continued to violate existing e-payment and Treasury Single Account (TSA) policies, and had weakened the integrity of the government’s revenue systems.

    The OAGF then directed MDAs to sensitise staff and the public immediately, and to display notices bearing “No Physical Cash Receipt” and “No Cash Payment” at all payment points.

    MDAs currently using cash methods must deploy functional Point of Sale (POS) terminals or approved electronic devices within 45 days. According to the circular, “Accounting Officers will be held personally accountable for any breach arising from their MDAs’ transactions.”

    The policy means that all federal government revenue will now be collected without physical cash, ending cash-based fraud and manual leakages that have long plagued public finance.

    MDAs will no longer be permitted to use customised front-end applications running on unapproved Payment Solution Service Provider (PSSP) platforms.

    No deductions—whether fees, commissions, or charges—can occur at the point of collection, and the entire amount paid must be remitted directly into the TSA.

    A second circular titled “Immediate Cessation of Direct Deductions” and dated November 25, 2025, mandated MDAs and Federal Government-Owned Enterprises (FGOEs) to stop unauthorised deductions from government revenues collected through portals or PSSPs.

    Dr. Ogunjimi said that “the Gross Amount of all revenues must be remitted directly to the designated TSA or Sub-TSA account without any deduction.” Charges or fees due to service providers will now be paid directly from a designated TSA Sub-account, rather than being removed at source.

    The circular ordered all portals, PSSPs, and service providers engaged by MDAs to regularise their operations with the OAGF by December 31, 2025. It warned that non-compliant MDAs and FGOEs “shall have all their access on GIFMIS and TSA Sub-accounts disabled.”

    In another directive dated November 26, 2025, the OAGF introduced the Federal Treasury e-Receipt (FTe-R) as the only valid and legally recognised receipt for all federal government transactions.

    The circular stated that issuance of the new electronic receipt will begin on January 1, 2026. Dr. Ogunjimi explained that “the FTe-R shall be centrally generated and issued to the payer on the RevOP platform under the authority and control of the OAGF.”

    He added that the e-receipt will serve both as the official receipt for citizens and businesses making payments and as the mandatory proof of revenue collection for MDAs.

    The adoption of the Federal Treasury e-Receipt represents a fundamental shift in how Nigerians will pay for government services and how MDAs will verify and record such payments.

    The government believes the transition will eliminate widespread abuse associated with unauthorised deductions, commissions, or charges taken before remittance to the TSA.

    According to OAGF projections, the new rules could save the country billions of naira by closing revenue leakages associated with manual payment systems and unapproved digital channels.

    An official at the Federal Ministry of Finance described the reforms as a major step in Nigeria’s anti-corruption and fiscal transparency agenda, saying “they will reduce human discretion, eliminate cash handling, enforce full audit trails, and strengthen accountability through real-time digital monitoring.”

    The final circular in the series, titled “Rollout and Implementation Guidelines on the Adoption of the Revenue Optimization (RevOP) Platform” and dated November 27, 2025, announced the deployment of a service-wide platform that will unify billing, reconciliation, treasury visibility, and automation of revenue processes.

    The circular stated that “the Revenue Optimization and Assurance Platform is adopted as the approved platform for the Federal Government’s end-to-end revenue management.”

    According to the OAGF, the RevOP platform will integrate seamlessly with the TSA, GIFMIS, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and revenue-collecting banks.

    It will also provide automated disbursement, revenue splitting, and real-time monitoring of both local and foreign currency accounts of MDAs.

    MDAs have been directed to nominate three RevOP focal personnel—including one support officer and two Finance and Accounts staff—within seven working days. They must also integrate their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and financial systems into the RevOP platform.

    Only CBN-licensed PSSPs recommended by NITDA and approved by the OAGF will be allowed to operate under the new arrangement. Full compliance is required within 60 days.

    The OAGF maintained that the combined directives mark the beginning of the largest consolidation of Nigeria’s digital public finance infrastructure in ten years. “TSA, GIFMIS, CBN, NIBSS, FIRS, and MDAs will now speak to each other in a unified digital environment through RevOP,” an official noted.

    With these reforms, citizens and businesses are expected to experience a more transparent payment process, while MDAs will now need official approval before deploying any digital payment platform.

    The measures also introduce stricter controls on revenue streams that historically suffered from opacity, fragmentation, and weak oversight.

    The federal government expects the transition to full digital revenue collection to strengthen trust in its fiscal processes, improve efficiency, and deepen accountability across public institutions as the January 1, 2026, implementation date approaches.

  • 2025 bid round: FG pegs minimum turnover of $100m for deep offshore

    2025 bid round: FG pegs minimum turnover of $100m for deep offshore

    The federal government has said the minimum financial requirement for an entity to participate in the 2025 licensing round is an average $100 million for deep offshore blocks, while an average $40 million is required for onshore and shallow water blocks.

    This was contained in the “FAQ’s on the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC’s) 2025 Licensing Round.”

    The document, which was released virtually on Monday, said,    “Average annual turnover of USD$100,000,000.00 for deep offshore blocks and USD$40,000,000 for onshore and shallow water blocks or

     “Minimum cash in the bank of USD$100,000,000.00 for deep offshore blocks and USD$40,000,000.00 for onshore and shallow water blocks, or bank guarantee to the tune of USD$100,000,000.00 for deep offshore, USD$40,000,000.00 for onshore, and shallow water blocks, or

    “For newly incorporated companies, a parent company guarantee to the tune of USD$100,000,000.00 in deep offshore, USD$40,000,000.00 in onshore and shallow water.”

    NUPRC also said that from the $10 million per block charge in the 2024 oil block bid round, the Federal Government has reduced the signature bonus to between a minimum of $3 million to a maximum of $7 million in the 2025 bid round.

    This is an indication of a 70 per cent and 30 per cent crash, according to the document.

    According to NUPRC, “The Nigerian government has graciously reduced the signature bonus to between $3 million and $7 million.”

    The document noted that the Minister of Petroleum Resources has approved the new signature bonus to reduce entry barriers.

    “All Bidders shall be required to submit a bid within a range of $3 million and $7 million as approved by the Minister of Petroleum for the reduction of entry barriers,” said NUPRC.

    The document explicitly stated that the designated signature bonus account is United States dollar-denominated, an indication that it is not denominated in local currency (Naira).

    NUPRC said the exercise is a score-based approach, taking into consideration the following parameters: Signature bonus (provided it is within the prescribed limit), and Work programme.

    It also said the score-based approach considers unit cost per barrel with reference to the work programme, professionalism, human and technical capacity.

    It also looks into the percentage of bank guarantee made available, Balance sheet, Turnover, Green story and decarbonisation programme, and corporate governance structure.

    NUPRC said no bidder, whether participating individually or as a member of any consortium, shall submit applications for more than two assets in total across all applications.

    It stressed that “participation in more than one consortium shall count towards this limit. For the avoidance of doubt, where a company has equity, direct or indirect ownership, or management involvement in multiple consortium vehicles, all such applications shall be aggregated and treated as a single bidder’s application.”

    The document said the applicant’s Technical Competence will be evaluated using work experience across the under-listed work areas:  Geological and geophysical capabilities; Drilling and well engineering; Reservoir evaluation and management;   Production engineering and technology;   Development planning and Facilities engineering and management.

  • FG reduces signature bonus to $3m, $7m

    FG reduces signature bonus to $3m, $7m

    From the $10 million per block charge in the 2024 oil block bid round, the Federal Government has reduced the signature bonus to between a minimum of $3 million to a maximum of $7 million in the 2025 bid round.

    This is an indication of 70 per cent and 30 per cent crash, according to the “FAQ’s on the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC’s) 2025 Licensing Round.”

    The document was was released virtually on Monday said, “The Nigerian government has graciously reduced the signature bonus to between $3 million and $7 million.”

    The document noted that the Minister of Petroleum Resources has approved the new signature bonus in order to reduce entry barriers.

    “All Bidders shall be required to submit a bid within a range of $3 million and $7 million as approved by the minister of petroleum for the reduction of entry barriers,” said NUPRC.

    The document explicitly stated that the designated signature bonus account is United States dollar- denominated, an indication that it is not dominated in local currency (Naira).

    NUPRC said the exercise is a score based approach, taking into consideration the following parameters: Signature bonus (provided it is within the prescribed limit), and Work programme.

    It also said the score based approach considers unit cost per barrel with reference to the work programme, professionalism, human and technical capacity.

    It also looks into percentage of bank guarantee made available Balance sheet, Turnover, Green story and decarbonisation programme and Corporate governance structure.

    On the minimum financial requirement for an entity to participate in the licensing round, NUPRC said an average $100 million is required for deep offshore blocks while an average &40 million is required for onshore and shallow water blocks.

    The document said the requirements includes the following, “Average annual turnover of USD$100,000,000.00 for deep offshore blocks and USD$40, 000,000 for onshore and shallow water blocks or minimum Cash in bank of USD$100,000,000.00 for deep offshore blocks and USD$40,000,000.00 for onshore and shallow water blocks or Bank Guarantee to the tune of USD$100,000,000.00 for deep offshore, USD$40,000,000.00 for onshore, and shallow water blocks or

    “For newly incorporated companies, a parent company guarantee to the tune of USD$100,000,000.00 in deep offshore, USD$40,000,000.00 in onshore and shallow water.”

    NUPRC said no bidder, whether participating individually or as a member of any consortium, shall submit applications for more than two assets in total across all applications. 

    It stressed, “Participation in more than one consortium shall count towards this limit. For the avoidance of doubt, where a company has equity, direct or indirect ownership, or management involvement in multiple consortium vehicles, all such applications shall be aggregated and treated as a single bidder’s applications.”

    The document said the applicant’s Technical Competence will be evaluated using work experience across the under-listed work areas: Geological and geophysical capabilities; Drilling and well engineering; Reservoir evaluation and management; Production engineering and technology; Development planning and Facilities engineering and management.

  • Request for transfer: Court orders Nnamdi Kanu to serve motion on FG, prison service

    Request for transfer: Court orders Nnamdi Kanu to serve motion on FG, prison service

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered convicted leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to serve on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) his motion seeking to be transferred from the Sokoto prison.

    In a ruling on Monday, Justice James Omotosho declined to grant the motion ex-parte Kanu filed, but instead, ordered him to serve the Fed Govt and the NCoS to enable them responded accordingly.

    Kanu, in the motion ex-parte prayed for “an order compelling the complainant (Federal Government)!and/or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to forthwith transfer him from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial facility within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”

    Alternately, he sought an order transferring him to the court’s “immediate environs, such as the Suleja or the Keffi Custodial Centre, for the purpose of enabling the applicant (Kanu) to effectively prosecute his constitutionally guaranteed right of appeal.”

    At the commencement of proceedings on Monday, Kanu’s lawyer, Demdoo Asan from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON) moved the ex-parte motion.

    Justice Omotosho then drew Asan’s attention of to the first prayer in the motion ex-parte, which is for an order “compelling” the Federal Government and NCoS to transfer the convict to a correctional facility that is close to the jurisdiction of the court.

    The judge asked Asan if he would like to insist on the first prayer particularly as it relates to the word: “compel” used in the ex-parte motion.

    Justice Omotosho equally asked Asan if the prosecution and the NCoS, in whose custody Kanu’s is currently being kept, ought to be served with the motion or not.

    The judge added, “You are from Legal Aid Council counsel? Do you think it is by ex-parte motion this application ought to be granted, having it in mind that judgment was delivered when the two parties were present?

    “Also, among the respondents to obey the order is the correctional service and you think it is through ex-parte motion that the court can make the order for his transfer?

    “Don’t you think this application should have come by motion on notice,” the judge asked.

    Responding, Asan admitted that the respondents (prosecution and the NCoS) ought to be put on notice to enable them respond.

    Asan added, “My lord, the respondents have the right to be heard. Usually, the court can make an order that they should be put on notice.” 

    The lawyer said he agree with the judge’s observation that the respondents should be heard and that the motion ex-parte could not be taken now.

    Asan said, “They (the respondents) should be heard. We will be applying that the complainant and other parties involved should be put on notice.

    Ruling, Justice Omotosho struck out the first prayer in Kanu’s motion ex-parte, as requested by his lawyer.

    The judge then ordered that the prosecution and the NCoS be served with the motion for them to respond in the interest of justice. 

    He faulted the notice of appeal which Kanu filed on November 10 before the court’s November 20 judgment, which convicted him and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

    Justice Omotosho said based on the judgment delivered by his court on November 20, there is no notice of appeal before his court.

    He then adjourned till January 27, 2026 to enable the Kanu serve the prosecution and NCoS as ordered by the court and for the motion to be heard.