NIGERIA NEWS
We did not release suspected rapist – Borno Police
The Borno state Police Command has dismissing claims circulating on social media that the major suspect in the rape case of a five-year-old girl was arrested and later released.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso said the Command received a formal petition on November 24, 2025, concerning an incident that allegedly occurred on November 13, 2025, at about 9:00 a.m.
According to the police, the petition alleged that the minor was sexually assaulted while on her way to school by a suspect identified as Abdulsalam M. Adakwaki, also known as Yaro.
The Command said investigations commenced immediately after the report was received, with the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) handling the case.
“Contrary to claims circulating on social media that the suspect was apprehended and subsequently released by the police, no arrest has been made in respect of this case,” the statement said.
The police confirmed that the suspect is currently at large, adding that intensive efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest him. As part of the search, the Command said it has engaged community leaders, including the Lawan, and requested the support of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to help track down the suspect.
To ensure transparency and public confidence, the Command noted that the investigation is being conducted under appropriate supervision and is open to monitoring by relevant civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, and the National Human Rights Commission, in line with established procedures.
The police appealed to members of the public with credible information on the suspect’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or assist in ensuring his arrest and handover to the authorities.
The Command assured the public that justice will be pursued and promised to provide further updates as investigations continue.
Troops of 8 Division Garrison Nigerian Army Sokoto have neutralised five armed criminals, recovered weapons and motorcycles during a coordinated operations conducted in parts of Sokoto and Zamfara states.
A credible source from the army told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Sokoto that the planned operation kicked off on Wednesday.
”It is struck of a major blow against banditry, during a sweeping offensive that targeted notorious hideouts spanning Sokoto and Zamfara States.
”The coordinated assaults targeted known bandits enclaves in Gangara, Makawana, Satiru, Baici, and Kurkusu villages within Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto state.
“The swift advance disrupted the criminal networks, forcing many to flee as the military asserted control over the troubled terrain,” the source said.
According to the source, the operation also intensified in Batamna village of Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara state where soldiers encountered heavy resistance.
”In a fierce exchange of fire, the troops’ neutralised 5 bandits and recovered weapons, motorcycles and baofeng radios used by the bandits to carry out nefarious activities, ” source added.
Recall that troops of 8 Division of Nigerian Army had in December neutralised notorious bandits’ kingpin, Kachalla Kallamu and Kachalla Na’Allah, in Sabon Birnin and Isa local government areas Sokoto state.
The Special Adviser to Governor Ahmad Aliyu on Security Matters, retired Col. Ahmad Usman and other citizens had commended the Nigerian Army and other security operatives for the significant success recorded against banditry in the state.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has blamed the insecurity situation in the country on unnamed enemies.
Speaking at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, Akpabio lamented that the unnamed enemies were deliberately tormenting the country through terrorism, banditry and insurgency.
Akpabio told President Bola Tinubu and other party leaders that the worsening security situation had left many states grieving, while the party leadership must remain united to confront the challenges.
“We are very sad that people have decided to torment Nigeria with very serious, organised and orchestrated insecurity.
“So as we grow, there will be envy, there will be jealousy, and with jealousy comes hatred, and with hatred comes challenges.
“So Mr. President, ours in this caucus today is to assure you that we are not only with you, we are also praying for you, praying for you to overcome the challenges of the day, and also praying for Nigeria,” said Akpabio.
The Senate President said the caucus aligned with states mourning losses from attacks, while commending Tinubu for the release of over 100 children kidnapped recently.
He appealed for the remaining children to be rescued and reunited with their families.
Akpabio said, “We align ourselves with states that are mourning as a result of the loss of lives occasioned by terrorists, by bandits and by insurgents.
“We thank the President for the release of over 100 children who were kidnapped very recently, and we pray to God to give him the ability and the enablement to release the remaining children to rejoin their families.
“We condole with members of the families who have lost their loved ones, including the armed forces, who lost their lives in the course of trying to protect not just those children, but also protecting lives and properties in the country. May their souls rest in perfect peace.”
A former Special Adviser to the President, Office of the Vice President, Babafemi Ojudu, has stated that the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, stated multiple times that he was in support of the presidential ambition of his then deputy, Yemi Osinbajo.
Mr Ojudu, a former senator for Ekiti Central between 2011 and 2015, said any narrative suggesting otherwise is misleading and historically inaccurate.
He made the clarification in a statement shared on his social media platforms on Thursday, in response to claims in a book by Charles Omole titled Muhammadu Buhari: From Soldier to Statesman.
The book portrayed that there was internal dynamics within the Buhari administration, particularly regarding presidential succession.
Mr Ojudu, who served in the office of the vice president between 2016 and 2022, said he personally witnessed at least four occasions when Mr Osinbajo discussed his ambition to succeed Mr Buhari, and on each occasion, the late president expressed clear support.
“The matter of whether Vice President Osinbajo should run for President was discussed directly and personally between him and President Muhammadu Buhari on no fewer than four separate occasions. On each of these occasions, President Buhari expressed clear, unequivocal support for the Vice President’s ambition,” he said.
Mr Ojudu said at no point did former president direct or suggest that Mr Osinbajo should refrain from contesting or defer his ambition in favour of any other aspirant.
“At no time—explicitly or implicitly—did President Buhari suggest that Professor Osinbajo should refrain from contesting. At no time did he indicate a preference that the Vice President should defer to, step aside for, or subordinate his ambition to any other aspirant, including the eventual nominee of the party,” he noted.
Background to Osinbajo’s ambition
PREMIUM TIMES reports that in the build-up to the 2023 elections, Mr Osinbajo presented himself as a continuity candidate with deep knowledge of government, policy experience, and national exposure gained during nearly eight years in office.
His decision to run, however, placed him on a direct collision course with his long-time political benefactor, Bola Tinubu, now Nigeria’s president, who was widely regarded as the political architect of the Buhari–Osinbajo ticket in 2015.
Mr Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor and national leader of the APC, had harboured presidential ambitions for years and considered the 2023 race as his long-awaited turn. Mr Osinbajo’s entry into the contest was therefore perceived within Mr Tinubu’s camp as a betrayal of political loyalty and an affront to an established succession plan.
As the ruling party’s primary election approached, the rivalry between Messrs Osinbajo and Tinubu deepened. The latter leveraged his extensive grassroots political structure, particularly among party delegates, governors, and power brokers, while the former VP relied more on his record in office, technocratic appeal, and the perceived moral backing of Mr Buhari.
Despite public perceptions that Mr Osinbajo enjoyed goodwill within the presidency, this did not translate into decisive institutional or political backing at the primaries. At the APC presidential primary held in Abuja in June 2022, Mr Osinbajo eventually came third in the primary, behind Mr Tinubu and former transport minister Rotimi Amaechi.
Mr Tinubu won the primary decisively, showing the limits of Mr Osinbajo’s political network and exposing the reality that the latter lacked a strong, independent political structure capable of competing with Mr Tinubu’s decades-old machinery.
Occasions Buhari expressed support
Mr Ojudu explained that on the first occasion the forme president became aware of Mr Osinbajo’s ambition, he advised him to carefully reflect on the decision and assured him of his support, whatever path he chose.
“On the first occasion, President Buhari advised the Vice President to reflect carefully on the prospects of a presidential bid, make up his mind, and assured him that he would support whatever decision he took,” he said.
By the third discussion, Mr Ojudu noted, Mr Buhari went further, describing Mr Osinbajo as the best person to succeed him due to his experience and performance in government.
“By the third discussion, President Buhari went further. In his considered judgment, he stated plainly that Professor Osinbajo was by far the best person for the job. He emphasised continuity and stability, noting that after nearly seven years in office the Vice President had: developed an intimate understanding of the workings of government, worked diligently and loyally, successfully acted as president on multiple occasions, and demonstrated the steadiness required to lead the country forward ” the former presidential aide said.
He added that the late former president reiterated on several occasions that Mr Osinbajo was best suited to continue his governance legacy and assured him of all reasonable support.
“President Buhari reiterated more than once that he believed Vice President Osinbajo’s candidature was best for continuity and stability, and he assured him that he would do all he reasonably could to support him.”
The fourth affirmation, Mr Ojudu said, came shortly before friends and associates obtained the party’s presidential nomination forms on the former vice president’s behalf.
“The fourth discussion took place shortly before friends and associates obtained the presidential nomination forms on the Vice President’s behalf. Once again, President Buhari expressed his full support, leaving no room for ambiguity as to his position.”
READ ALSO: APC hails surge in national acceptance, says defections signal growing influence
He noted that Mr Buhari publicly acknowledged Mr Osinbajo’s extensive nationwide consultations during a Federal Executive Council meeting and advised him to engage widely with governors and the leadership of the National Assembly before formally declaring his ambition, an advice the former vice president followed.
“This support was not confined to private conversations. During the primary season, President Buhari publicly remarked at a Federal Executive Council meeting that he observed how tirelessly his Vice President was campaigning across the country. He further advised him to consult widely—specifically encouraging engagement with state governors and the leadership of the National Assembly—before formally declaring his ambition. The Vice President followed this advice faithfully,” he stated.
Mr Ojudu, a veteran journalist, said upon the declaration of Mr Osinbajo, the former president reportedly commended him and requested to review his declaration speech, which was presented to him.
He also revealed that at least three governors separately met with Mr Buhari to discuss Mr Osinbajo’s candidature, and on each occasion, the former president affirmed that the former vice president was the best candidate.
He argued that given the relationship of trust and mutual respect between both men, it was implausible and mischievous to suggest that Mr Osinbajo would have pursued a presidential ambition without Mr Buhari’s knowledge and approval.
Mr Ojudu concluded by criticising the methodology of accounts in Mr Omole’s book that failed to consult key actors in documenting the Buhari administration.
“History is not written to settle scores. It is written to illuminate truth. And those who bend it to serve personal animus may enjoy a fleeting moment of attention, but they rarely survive the judgment of time,” the former presidential aide said.
From John Silas, Lagos
W2O Foundation, in collaboration with the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and the Somolu Local Government Area (LGA), has successfully hosted the A.I. in Education Launch 2025, an event aimed at equipping young learners with the knowledge and inspiration needed to thrive in a technology-driven world.
The impactful programme, themed “Future Creators: Turning Ideas into Reality with AI,” was held at the Bariga LCDA Hall and brought together secondary school students from Igbobi Junior High School, Somolu Senior High School, Eva Adelaja Senior School, among others.
Speaking at the event, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Wealth Creation and Employment, Amb. Comr. Tijani Saheed Oluwadare (Seedorf), expressed his delight at being part of the initiative, which he described as timely and transformative.
In his goodwill message, Oluwadare encouraged the students to cultivate curiosity by asking questions whenever they encounter uncertainty.
He stressed that while artificial intelligence is a powerful tool, it should be used positively and responsibly, alongside their natural intelligence, creativity and critical thinking skills.
He urged the students to observe their immediate environments, identify societal challenges and think innovatively about solutions that could bring meaningful change to their communities, noting that technology should serve as a catalyst for human development.
The keynote speaker, immediate past Chairman of Bariga LCDA, and former Chairman of Conference 57 Local Government Chairmen in Lagos State and President of ALGON, Hon. Alabi Kolade David, delivered an inspiring address on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in education.
Hon. David highlighted AI’s capacity to revolutionize teaching and learning processes, enhance access to knowledge and empower students to become innovators and problem solvers across various fields.
He encouraged young learners to embrace technology as a tool for growth, innovation and national development.
The event generated widespread enthusiasm as students actively participated in discussions, shared ideas and explored practical ways AI could be applied to shape their academic and professional futures.
Overall, the A.I. in Education Launch 2025 was hailed as a resounding success, igniting interest and confidence among students while reinforcing the commitment of the W2O Foundation and its partners to nurturing a future-ready generation equipped with digital skills and innovative mindsets.
President Bola Tinubu has assured of his commitment to implement the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy in Nigeria.
This was as he urged State governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to ensure that they don’t interfere with funds of the local governments.
Speaking during the APC Caucus meeting held at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, Tinubu said the implementation must be practical and effective.
According to Tinubu: “Let us equally look at the recent Supreme Court judgement. What can we do with it, and how well we can position our country and our party?
“To me, the local government autonomy is and must be effective. Let us give them. There is no autonomy without a funded mandate.
“We give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance with the supreme court.”
The president also charged the governors to be flexible and be involved in the happenings in their respective states.
“You have to navigate this country; whether we like it or not, you are in the leadership position that must yield and continue to promote, tolerate and be flexible and get involved in whatever is happening in your various states, up to the local government level,” Tinubu said.
Nigeria’s business environment is projected to strengthen steadily over the next six months, with confidence expected to rise to one of its highest levels in recent years.
This is according to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Business Expectations Survey (BES) for November 2025.
Business confidence, which stood at moderate levels in November, is projected to accelerate sharply by mid-2026, signaling expectations of stronger economic activity.
What the data is saying
Data from the CBN’s November 2025 BES shows that business confidence stood at 37.5 index points.
This reflects optimism among respondents about the macroeconomic environment. The survey projects that confidence will rise steadily to 52.8 index points over the next six months.
“The Confidence in November 2025 stood at 37.5 index points, reflecting optimism among respondents regarding the macroeconomy. This optimism is projected to continuously improve, reaching a peak of 52.8 index points over the next six months,” the CBN survey said.
Sectoral data showed broad-based optimism, with Industry leading at 38.1 index points, followed by Agriculture and Services.
On own operations, Mining and Quarrying recorded the highest confidence at 50.0 index points, pointing to strong output and activity expectations.
Regionally, the North-East recorded the highest optimism at 52.7 index points.
The South-East posted the lowest at 18.7 index points, although all regions reported positive expectations across review periods.
Context and underlying drivers
The positive outlook is closely linked to expectations of business expansion, improved activity levels, and labour demand.
Respondents reported optimism about volume of business activity for the next month and subsequent periods, indicating potential growth momentum.
In line with this outlook, businesses signalled plans to hire more workers in December 2025.
Sectoral analysis showed that Construction has the highest expansion prospects, while Mining and Quarrying leads employment prospects in the review month.
However, the survey also highlights persistent headwinds.
Respondents cited insecurity, high taxes, poor power supply, high interest rates, and financial challenges as the top business constraints in November.
Poor infrastructure and unfavourable political climate ranked lower, indicating financial and structural challenges weighed more than political factors.
What you should know
Nairametrics reports that Nigeria’s private sector expanded further in November 2025 as PMI rose to 56.4 from 55.4 in October.
The rise signals broader economic expansion, reinforcing Nigeria’s steady rebound this year.
Overall, businesses are cautiously optimistic, expecting growth, but gains depend on tackling insecurity, high costs, and financing challenges.
NOG Energy Week, the preeminent meeting place for the global oil, gas, LNG, and energy sector in Nigeria, will celebrate its milestone 25th edition from July 5 – 9, 2026 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
As a regional powerhouse in energy production, Nigeria continues to shape the future of the global energy landscape.
The 2026 NOG Energy Week will host its sixth Technical Seminar, which will feature multiple sessions across 14 categories over two days, offering speakers a platform to share their expertise, insights, and innovative solutions with industry leaders, technical experts, and policymakers driving energy transformation.
The Call for Papers for the CPD-accredited Technical Seminar is now open and welcomes industry professionals to submit entries.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), in partnership with the TotalEnergies–Sapetro Consortium, executed a landmark Production Sharing Contract (PSC) for Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) 2000 and 2001.
Designed to engage both academics and industry practitioners, the Seminar creates space for robust dialogue tailored to the Nigerian operating environment. Through a rigorous peer-review selection process, only the most impactful entries are chosen for presentation at NOG Energy Week, contributing meaningfully to the collective pursuit of innovation and both crude oil and natural gas exploration for the first time. This milestone reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to energy security, economic growth, and transparent investment.
The agreement strongly aligns with key themes of the NOG Energy Week Technical Seminar, particularly in geoscience, and gas and LNG projects, technologies and developments, reflecting the Seminar’s dedication to advancing energy innovation and progress across sustainable solutions in the energy sector.
The seminar spans the fullstream value chain and features 14 categories including geoscience, resource and field development, drilling, midstream infrastructure development and facilities management, gas and LNG projects, technologies and developments, downstream fuels and infrastructure development, utilities, power generation and end use, new energies, decarbonisation and sustainability, operational excellence, HSSE and project management, people development, digital transformation, manufacturing and industrialisation, shipping and marine, as well as energy markets and finance.
The NOG Energy Week Technical Seminar is designed to cater for job functions that include senior, mid-level and junior roles across technical, engineering and scientific disciplines to deliver sessions on advanced technologies, breakthrough research, and industry best practices. Delegates will enhance their expertise, expand practical capabilities, and build intellectual capital through knowledge exchange and practical learning, positioning themselves at the forefront of energy innovation and project development across the value chain.
NIGERIA NEWS
We ’ll drive digitisation, enforce contracts, restore investor confidence — Tinubu’s new NUPRC, NMDPRA CEOs
…Nigeria losing huge value to manual processes — Eyesan
…I will restore discipline to gas and petroleum supply systems — Mohammed
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA — The Senate on Wednesday screened nominees for the positions of Chief Executive Officers of Nigeria’s key oil and gas regulatory agencies, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The screening followed a letter from President Bola Tinubu, read at plenary by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, seeking the confirmation of Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as Chief Executive of NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Mohammed as Chief Executive of NMDPRA.
Eyesan was nominated to head the upstream regulator, while Mohammed was nominated for the midstream and downstream authority, following recent changes in the leadership of both agencies.
Barely 24 hours after the changes, President Tinubu forwarded the names of the nominees to the Senate for legislative approval.
During the screening, conducted by the Senate Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and Gas, the nominees pledged to implement far-reaching reforms anchored on digitisation, strict enforcement of contracts, restoration of investor confidence and accelerated gas development under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The screening was jointly handled by the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), chaired by Senator Kawu Sumaila Abdulrahman (APC, Kano South); Petroleum Resources (Upstream), chaired by Senator Eteng Jonah Williams (APC, Cross River Central); and the Committee on Gas, chaired by Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (PDP, Cross River North).
Speaking during the interactive session, Eyesan said Nigeria was losing enormous value due to manual processes and poor integration of systems in an industry that is rapidly becoming digital globally.
“We are still largely manual, while the world is moving at jet speed. Without digitisation and real-time data, you cannot truly understand what you are regulating, and you will continue to lose money,” she said.
According to her, effective regulation depends on accurate data, asset integrity monitoring and transparent systems. She stressed the need for close collaboration among regulators, operators and policymakers to address operational bottlenecks.
“We must collaborate with stakeholders, identify our pain points and address them collectively. That is how we move the needle forward,” Eyesan added.
She assured the Senate that she would fully deploy the PIA to reposition the upstream sector, attract new investments and ensure Nigeria remains competitive in the evolving global energy landscape. She described the PIA as a valuable framework capable of unlocking vast oil and gas opportunities if properly implemented.
Eyesan highlighted her experience in resolving disputes with international partners, stabilising the sector during periods of uncertainty and facilitating multi-billion-dollar deep offshore investments.
A graduate of Economics from the University of Benin, Eyesan spent nearly 33 years at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and its subsidiaries, retiring as Executive Vice President, Upstream. She also noted that she signed Nigeria’s first non-associated gas development contract and contributed to an increase in crude oil production during her tenure.
“Having worked as an operator and participated in resource development, I believe I have the competence to regulate the industry and ensure we maximise the enormous opportunities before us,” she said.
On his part, Mohammed pledged to restore discipline in Nigeria’s gas and petroleum supply systems through strict enforcement of contracts and quality standards.
“Gas is not a favour; it is a commodity. It must be sold on the basis of enforceable contracts from the producer to the transporter and the end-user,” he said.
He noted that weak contractual frameworks had contributed to persistent gas supply challenges, particularly in the power sector, stressing that enforcing the Gas Network Code would help restore order and investor confidence.
Mohammed also emphasised the need to protect local refining and processing capacity, warning that neglect could have long-term consequences for the sector. While supporting exports, he stressed that domestic energy needs must be prioritised to ensure national energy security.
He pledged to revive pipeline transportation of petroleum products, attract investments into gas processing infrastructure and strengthen quality assurance through in-house laboratory facilities.
“You cannot enforce quality if you do not have the capacity to test and certify products yourself,” he said.
Born in Gombe State in 1957, Mohammed is a chemical engineering graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with decades of experience across the oil and gas value chain. He has served as Managing Director of the Nigerian Gas Company and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, as well as Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power at NNPC. He also played key roles in projects such as the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline Expansion and the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Senator Kawu Sumaila, said the screening was taking place at a critical moment for Nigeria, noting that boosting energy production and efficiency was central to economic recovery.
He disclosed that further engagements with the nominees would continue into January to deepen collaboration between the legislature and the regulatory agencies.
The committees are expected to submit their reports to the Senate for consideration at plenary, after which the nominees may be confirmed.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu is expected to present the 2026 budget proposal to a joint sitting of the National Assembly, while the 2025 budget proposal of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), recently forwarded to the Senate, is also awaiting legislative consideration.
The post We ’ll drive digitisation, enforce contracts, restore investor confidence — Tinubu’s new NUPRC, NMDPRA CEOs appeared first on Vanguard News.
Members of Aguleri Otu, Enugu Otu, Ezi-Agulu Otu and Mkpunando Otu Aguleri communities in Anambra East Local Council of Anambra State have decried the activities of sand dredgers near the bank of Agbanabo Ezu na Omambala.
The Guardian gathered that the Anambra East Sand Miners Association is responsible for the unwholesome activities.
Traditional Ruler of Mkpunando Otu Aguleri community, Igwe Johnson Mbanefo, disclosed this to newsmen after a tour of the site at the banks of the river along Odene Aguleri -Enugu Otu road.
He lamented the absence of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), before the sand miners embarked on their activities, which is not a welcome development.
According to him, the erosion and destructive dredging of sand at the bank of the river is being done by settlers and indigenes, which is condemnable.
The monarch observed that the destructive sand mining along the bank of the river was encroaching on the nearby road and farmlands, noting that the threatened road leads to oil-producing communities where the oil well of Orient Petroleum Resources Refinery are sited.
Mbanefo, who is the Deputy Chairman of Anambra North Traditional Rulers Council, noted: “The road side is collapsing, and the edge is shrinking. It was former Governor Willie Obiano who constructed the road for the first time. Governor Chukwuma Soludo is investing heavily in road infrastructure.”
He recalled that members of the affected communities had protested against activities of the dredgers which he disclosed were encroaching on the road infrastructure, destroying farmlands, and soil.
Three years ago, he revealed, a committee was set up to look into the complaints, after which it issued guidelines, including the provision of a 100-metre distance between the road and the river bank.
Igwe Mbanefo described the guidelines as deceitful to the members of the public because an EIA was supposed to have been done before.
THE Federal Government has been commended for its policy actions aimed at protecting local industries, with particular reference to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) gave the commendation in a statement signed by its presidential spokesperson, Comrade John Alao, and made available to journalists on Thursday.
NANS noted that for decades, Nigeria has paradoxically remained dependent on the importation of refined petroleum products despite being a major crude oil-producing nation.
The statement read in parts: “This structural contradiction has led to massive foreign exchange outflows, heightened exposure to international market volatility, persistent fuel scarcity, and the gradual weakening of domestic industrial capacity.
“Against this backdrop, the emergence of large-scale indigenous investments such as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery presents a historic opportunity to reverse Nigeria’s import-dependent economic model and firmly entrench value addition within the country.
“The Dangote Group, through its substantial investments in refining, fertiliser, cement, and other critical sectors, has demonstrated strong confidence in Nigeria’s economic future. Such indigenous investments deserve protection and encouragement rather than hostility or regulatory uncertainty. When local investors are supported, they generate employment, facilitate skills transfer, stabilise markets, and reduce capital flight. Conversely, when they are undermined, the economy suffers and foreign dependence deepens.
“NANS firmly aligns itself with the position that Nigeria’s crude oil resources should primarily serve domestic value addition before export. Selling crude oil cheaply to foreign refiners while importing refined products at significantly higher costs is economically irrational and detrimental to national development. As widely acknowledged by economic analysts and youth leaders, no nation can sustainably develop by exporting raw materials while importing finished goods.”
The body commended the Federal Government for the recent steps taken to protect local refineries from unfair competition, economic sabotage, and policy inconsistency.
The introduction of import duties on refined petroleum products, alongside a clear policy direction prioritising domestic refining capacity, represents deliberate and necessary interventions aimed at correcting long-standing distortions in the Nigerian economy.