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Wike’s Team Moves to Wreck PDP Convention, Lists Conditions; Governors Threaten Showdown

•Damagum: National convention sacrosanct, silence not act of cowardice
•Bala Mohammed: If anyone wants to join faction of fools, we will allow him

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Tensions are rising once more in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Governors of the opposition party have threatened a showdown following fresh demands from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and his loyalists.
The new conditions, tied to the party’s much-anticipated convention, is set to deepen divisions and set the stage for a fierce internal battle.
Members of the PDP loyal to Wike, met on Monday night and came up with fresh conditions for the conduct of the November 15 and 16, 2025, elective National Convention of the party slated for Ibadan, Oyo State.
Specifically, the Wike’s camp said it was opposed to any micro-zoning of offices of the National Working Committee (NWC). Against the permutations to allow some NWC members to transform to new positions, Wike and his loyalists insisted that the office of the national chairman must be retained in the North Central.
In an apparent response to the conditions given by the camp of the Minister of the FCT, National Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Illya Damagum, yesterday declared that the national convention was sacrosanct.
In the same manner, Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, stressed that there was no faction within the party, adding that, ‘’If anyone wants to join a faction of fools, we will allow him.”
Wike and his allies have been at loggerheads with the NWC and the PDP Governors over the convention, saying the conditions must be met for the peaceful conduct of the convention.
Just before the conduct of the 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party last month at the party headquarters, National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, was said to have initially refused to sign the letter of notification to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over Wike’s conditions, but did so after the intervention of PDP Governors.
THISDAY gathered that among those present at Monday’s meeting of the Wike’s loyalists were former Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Ayo Fayose, (Ekiti), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
The group, which tagged itself as Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP, said having met to review the state of the party and assessed the critical issues leading to the forthcoming National Convention, agreed with the zoning committee’s recommendations, which was adopted by NEC that status quo remains, but, said “we further, and very strongly hold that there should be no form of micro-zoning for peace and stability within the party.”
The group also said the National Chairman of the party should remain in the North-Central in line with the zoning formula of the 2021 convention.
According to the group, it was “pertinent to caution that failure to comply with the above resolutions and demands shall render any purported national convention invalid, as legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised.”
Other demands of the group include: A call on the NWC to “urgently conduct fresh, transparent, and inclusive congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra States, in line with judgments of the courts. That a fresh and legitimate South-East Zonal Congress should be conducted.
“That the outcome of the valid and legitimate South-South Congress held in Calabar, Cross River State and recognised by the court be respected. That the Ekiti State Local Government Areas Congress should be conducted immediately, in obedience to the subsisting court judgement.”
According to the communique, the PDP stands at a defining crossroads where its ability to reconcile internal disputes, uphold fairness, and respect constitutional processes will determine its future relevance.
They said unity cannot be built on disenfranchisement, exclusion, or the neglect of valid judicial pronouncements, adding that “a credible National Convention must be anchored on transparency, fairness, and respect for the rule of law as well as inclusivity.”
However, in response to the conditions given by Wike and his men, Damagum declared that the national convention was sacrosanct.
Speaking at the inauguration of the National Convention Committee, Damagum said: “Leaders, brothers and sisters of the PDP. This National Convention is of critical importance and it’s sacrosanct.
‘’The National Officers we elect will lead our great party into the next general elections and beyond. We must recognise that the challenges we face as the leading opposition are mutating, much to the dismay of well-meaning Nigerians.
“While the faction that broke out has not garnered much traction, we know that politics is dynamic, and the ruling class may seek to capitalise on or even sponsor such distractions to weaken the PDP, which remains the only dominant opposition party in our dear country, Nigeria.
‘’Permit me to share a few brief reflections, which I believe will help underscore the importance of this committee’s work. By fate and through political outcomes, I did not contest as National Chairman of the PDP; I was elected as Deputy National Chairman (North). Yet, for nearly two years now, first in an acting capacity and now substantively, I have been entrusted with chairing the affairs of this great party.
‘’Since assuming this responsibility, I have laboured with sincerity and utmost commitment to steady the ship of our party. In this period, we have pursued reconciliation, worked to reposition our structures, and ensured that despite challenges, the PDP remains the leading voice of the opposition and the enduring hope of millions of Nigerians. On this, we have succeeded.”
He added: ‘’But let me be clear; this success has only been made possible by silence and tolerance on my part. Not because I enjoy being disparaged, but because at critical moments, I chose restraint, not out of weakness, but as a conscious sacrifice for the survival and stability of our Party.
‘’Ironically, many of the destructive voices have come from individuals who have benefited immensely from the PDP. They sought to sow division and weaken our structures. Yet history will record, and analysts will debate, but the consensus will remain that in a time of great difficulty, this National Working Committee, under my leadership, held the line and did a remarkable job.
‘’Today, I say with conviction that the PDP is not broken. The PDP is not defeated. The PDP is marching forward; stronger, more determined, and better prepared to fulfill our overriding objective: to reclaim the presidency of this great country and rebuild Nigeria from the mismanagement of the current ruling party.”
Speaking further, he said: ‘’This mission is critical. The recent by-elections across the country, as well as the local government elections in Port Harcourt, speak for themselves. Opposition parties were met with intimidation and blatant rigging. The ruling party has shown no regard for democracy; their only interest lies in disenfranchising voters and stealing mandates.
“I will not dignify their actions by calling it ‘winning.’ Just as during the military era, when the founding fathers of our great party courageously accepted the responsibility of challenging the existing power structure, today we, too, accept this responsibility—to rescue Nigeria’s democracy from undemocratic forces and to save our nation from this ongoing bastardisation.”
In his speech, Bala Mohammed said, ‘’We believe we have done it before, and we believe we will do it very well. The Governors are with you, members of this party, and, of course, members of this important committee.
‘’We are with the NWC. We appreciate the sacrifice they are making. And, of course, we are men that have brought consensus. We are on the way forward. We certainly can’t wait. The time has come when we must flex our muscles.
‘’We are not cowards, and we are not afraid of anybody. We are capable of navigating this party beyond the shenanigans, beyond the arrogance, and beyond the impunity of others. We cannot continue to take part and allow people to take us to the slaughterhouse. That’s our job. And our job is to make sure we don’t go to the slaughterhouse.
‘’And we are working as Governors and working with the committee to ensure that the key word is discipline. We will no longer allow or tolerate anybody to take us for granted.
‘’It has to stop. Enough is enough. We are not going to tolerate it any longer. Yes, consensus. Yes, accommodation. But accommodation cannot mean stupidity and definitely, Mr. Chairman, we are with you on this journey as Governors. And we will show that we believe in the capacity of the regulator, INEC. If anybody wants to become a faction of fools, we will allow him to go and do it.”
In his speech, the Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who was represented by the Secretary, Senator Ahmed Makarfi said the work of the Convention Planning Committee was quite challenging.
“The National Convention is not about excluding anybody, it’s also not a denial of the majority to have their way, because that’s what democracy is all about.
“Convention is not about 100 per cent but about the overwhelming majority. If you have 100 per cent fine. In that direction, the party has zoned its positions, North, South. North can sit and do what they wish. South can sit and do what they wish.
“But that should not deny any individual who disagrees by testing his will. Buy the form, go to the field and test your capacity. So, there’s no need to raise temperature, because there will be no, and there should be no exclusion. That has been the tradition since PDP was formed,” he stated.
Also, the Deputy National Chairman, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja said the PDP belongs to all and not to anybody or a group of people. According to him, ‘’PDP will not die. We are ready to move and we are already moving.
Nigerians, he said, know that the credible alternative is the PDP and that it is we heading back to Aso Rock, noting that PDP is great and remains great.
In his acceptance speech, Governor of Adamawa State, who is the Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Ahmadu Fintiri, pledged a transparent national convention where all would participate.
He pledged to replicate the 2021 national convention that elected the outgoing party leadership.
He added: ‘’We are going to make sure that we put more in our assignment, drawing from the constitution of this party, to make sure that we create consensus and we reconcile some of our members, so that we can go to Ibadan to make history that will give us a credible and better NWC, that will see us through to 2027 election.
‘’I have declared the secretariat open and I have kick-started the work of this convention until we deliver what is expected of us by the 15th of November in Ibadan. I want to urge members of this committee to work hard.
“Everyone of us should make sure you leave your comfort zone, make sacrifices and ensure you are always available for every meeting so that we can plan and ensure that we deliver the best, the fairest and the most credible convention ever.
“This is so that we can open a gateway for some of us that have shifted sides, because I still believe there is no ADC in this country. It will still fizzle away so long as we get our acts together, so long as we do what is expected of us.”

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•Damagum: National convention sacrosanct, silence not act of cowardice•Bala Mohammed: If anyone wants to join faction of fools, we will allow him Chuks Okocha in Abuja Tensions are rising once
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BPE to List Genco, Two DisCos on Stock Market through IPO

•Keeps identity of companies involved confidential

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) is set to take two electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and one generation company (GenCo) to the stock market through Initial Public Offering (IPO).
BPE Director General, Mr. Ayodeji Gbeleyi, disclosed this at a media briefing in Abuja, yesterday.
“Today, networks are being considered for IPO. Today, we see that sector potentially a good candidate for an IPO on the Nigerian exchange, and we are currently working on that as well,” he said.
However, he did not name the specific companies slated for the proposed exercise in a bid to maintain corporate confidentiality.
He said, “On the IPOs of potential DisCos and GenCos, at this stage, because of transaction confidentiality, we are not in a position to disclose out of the 11 DisCos, which are the two.
“And we are also unable to disclose the GenCo that is the target for confidentiality and in order not to create anxiety or apprehension; be it on the labour side, be it on the workers’ side, the company or be it on the larger society.”
He also revealed that shareholders’ loan agreements were recently executed for 10 out of the 11 DisCos.
According to him, the disbursement of the loan would begin soon.
On the privatisation of five GenCos, he said the transaction was kept in abeyance because of exchange rate volatility and other factors.
“The transaction is held in abeyance. It was in the middle of the transaction we recorded a massive exchange volatility. When the transaction started in 2021, exchange rate officially was around N450. As at last year, exchange rate was averaging N1,600. Today, it’s N1, 575. So, the fundamentals of the transaction changed along the line. But government is still keeping an eye on it,” he said.
According to Gbeleyi, the GenCos have not keyed into the eligible customer regulation because of transmission challenges.
He added: “An Eligible customer will also need transmission capability. If you produce power in Zungeru and you need to sell power in Egbin Power, there will be transmission infrastructure for you to be able to dispatch your power.
“It is not just the eligible customer but you must also ensure that you have the wheeling infrastructure to deliver that power to that eligible customer.”
Gbeleyi revealed that the core investors of four DisCos remain intact, while seven have been restructured.
The unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) led to the creation of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) to promote market independence and efficiency, he noted.
On metering, he said from the 403,255 meters recorded in 2013, the industry as at March 31, 2025 had 6,468,036 meter installations.
He gave the breakdown as 3.2 million meters from the $500 million Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP) while 2.5 million meters were from the Presidential Metering Initiative.
The BPE DG said the debate had gone beyond whether to privatise the national refineries, adding that sales, commercialisation and privatisation are based on financial models.
He hinted that BPE was open to whatever model could be the best for the national refineries.
“Nothing is cast in stone on the privatisation of refineries. We are working to achieve the very best for Nigeria.
“These things are all driven by financial models…For us, all it could be is a concessioning process. It could be the Nigerian LNG model. But for us, it is to stop the bleeding and stop the leakages,” stated.
However, he argued that it was not possible to put a figure as to how much the government would raise from the transactions, noting that options of commercialization, privatisation or concessioning could apply.
According to him, the federal government was projected to generate N312.3billion in 2025 from asset sales or privatisation.
He expressed commitment to working towards the realisation of the $1 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) economy, adding that the BPE was working to deliver 50 million jobs in line with the renewed hope agenda.
Nigeria, he said, has a $2.3 trillion infrastructure deficit, an indication that over 23 years, the country will need to spend an average of N100 billion annually.

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•Keeps identity of companies involved confidential Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) is set to take two electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and one generation company (GenCo)
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Customs Service Board Approves Appointment of 4 DCGs, 12 ACGs, Promotes 3,312 Senior Officers

•Reviews key operational updates

James Emejo in Abuja

Rising from its 63rd regular meeting, Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB), yesterday, approved the appointment of four Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs) and 12 Assistant Comptrollers-General (ACGs).
The appointments were made to fill vacancies created by the recent retirement of some management members, while also strengthening equitable representation within the service’s leadership structure.
The customs board, chaired by Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, also approved the promotion of 3,312 senior officers across various ranks from Comptroller of Customs (CC) to Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASC 11).
The development was contained in a statement issued by Assistant Comptroller of Customs/National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada.
Maiwada said the appointments were also in line with the availability of positions across the six geopolitical zones and in strict compliance with the Federal Character Policy of the government, as provided in Section 14(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Additionally, the NCS management, during its 6th Management Meeting on August 29, approved the promotion of 202 junior officers from Assistant Inspector (AIC) to Customs Assistant I (CA1).
The promotions underscored the service’s commitment to merit-based career progression and recognition of outstanding performance, the statement said.
Furthermore, during the regular meeting and in line with the presidential directive on the National Single Window (NSW), the board acknowledged the sustained involvement of the Nigeria Customs Service in the project.
The service has seconded its World Customs Organisation (WCO)-accredited officers, supported the drafting of business process requirements, actively participated in vendor selection, and continues to provide ICT and risk management expertise.
Maiwada also stated that the board stressed that with integration support from Trade Modernisation Project Limited, NCS was supporting the initiative towards early completion, reaffirming its commitment to trade facilitation, efficiency, and global best practices.
Moreover, the board undertook a comprehensive review of the service’s revenue performance for the first half of the year. Between January 1 and June 30, the service recorded a total revenue collection of N3.68 trillion, representing a remarkable performance above expectation.
The figure surpassed the projected revenue for the period by N390.19 billion or 11.85.per cent, reflecting the service’s strengthened capacity in revenue mobilisation.
In practical terms, this signified that within six months, the NCS had already achieved 55.93 per cent of its annual revenue target, the statement added.
The board stated that the impressive outcome underscored the effectiveness of ongoing reforms, improved compliance by stakeholders, and enhanced deployment of technology in customs operations.
The newly appointed DCGs are AB Mohammed (North-West), GO Omale (North-Central), OC Orbih (South-South), D Nnadi (South-East). While the new ACGs include: MP Binga (North-East), CA Awo (South-East), and AB Shuaibu (North-Central).
Others are AT Abe (North-West), K Mohammed (North-West), B Mohammed (North-West), TM Daniyan (North-Central), B Oramalugo (South-East), OP Olaniyan (South-West), B Olomu (South-West), IK Oladeji (South-West), and CC Dim (South-East).
Updates on the service’s trade modernisation project were also presented, with notable achievements recorded in the second quarter of 2025 and into July.
The statement added, “Key milestones include wider deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) codenamed B’Odogwu, arrival of six scanners including an FS6000 model to boost non-intrusive inspection, procurement of Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) equipment, setup of the Centralised Image Analysis System (CIAS) at Customs Headquarters.
“Reinforcement of cybersecurity architecture, operationalisation of a multi-channel helpdesk, onboarding of additional stakeholders, and delivery of targeted capacity-building programmes.
“The board acknowledged that these developments further align Nigeria’s clearance processes with international best practices.
“In disciplinary matters, the Board considered cases presented during the session and approved the demotion of two officers to the next lower rank for various levels of misconduct, while also granting reinstatement to two officers after reviewing their cases.
“This action reflects the Board’s commitment to upholding accountability and fairness, in line with the service’s core values.”
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, on behalf of the NCSB, congratulated all newly appointed and promoted officers, while charging them to justify the confidence reposed in them.
Adeniyi reaffirmed customs’ commitment to innovation, inclusivity, transparency, and excellence in service delivery, while appreciating the Minister of Finance for his continued support and guidance.

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•Reviews key operational updates James Emejo in Abuja Rising from its 63rd regular meeting, Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB), yesterday, approved the appointment of four Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs) and 12
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Bayelsa Seeks Stake in $3.5 Billion Brass Fertiliser, Petrochemical Project

•Diri assures firm of support, commends Tinubu

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State government has solicited for equity stake in the Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemical Company project about to commence on the Brass Island in the state.
Governor Douye Diri made the request yesterday when the management team of the company paid him a visit in Government House, Yenagoa, stressing that the state’s position became necessary due to the negative fallouts in excluding oil producing states and local governments from the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Diri in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, contended that implementation of the PIA had been hampered in host communities due to the anomaly in the legislation.
He noted that the disregard in the PIA of the Nigerian Constitution, which vests control of land in the state government, was a flaw that has necessitated calls for its review.
He said: “Let us ensure that the state is not totally excluded from being partners in progress in this whole process. The PIA is one good example.
“When it was in its formative stages as a bill, we made a presentation through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. We did that after consulting with our people, communities and chiefs. But at the end of the day, our inputs were ignored and thrown overboard as the PIA excluded the oil producing states and their local governments.
“The federal government now interacts directly with the communities and that is an affront on the Nigerian Constitution. The Constitution says the land belongs to the state government and not the federal government.
“The Constitution recognises communities as under the local government and the state government. These anomalies in the PIA have made the law a time bomb. Today, because of the PIA, there are intra and inter-communal conflicts and litigations. So even funds that have been realised for their development cannot be disbursed to the communities. If anybody thinks the state is not very important, we will then wash off our hands.”
The governor expressed the hope that the petrochemical company would be different and urged the management to partner the state government to correct the imbalance and avert conflicts in its host communities.
Diri, who commended the President Bola Tinubu administration for resuscitating the project, said it was long overdue.
He said that the Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemical Company was conceptualised in 2009 but gained some traction during the administration of his predecessor before it fizzled out again.
He equally appreciated the president for his positive response to the state’s requests for federal government presence as exemplified in revival of the fertiliser and petrochemical project.
Speaking earlier, Managing Director of the Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemical Company, Chief Ben Okoye, said the visit was to formally inform the state government that work on the $3.5 billion project would start in October this year.
Okoye explained that the 10,000 metric tonnes of methanol per day project was delayed as there was no agreement reached on the gas component but that President Tinubu last October directed the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) to get it started and that the agreement was signed in January this year.
He assured the state government that the necessary steps have been taken to implement the project in full and thanked the governor for constructing the Nembe-Brass road, which he noted would save the company up to $100,000 in logistics costs in moving equipment and materials on the river to the project site.
The Project Coordinator, Mr. Cyril Akika, in a presentation, listed the benefits of the project to include economic transformation as more than 15,000 jobs would be created during construction and over 5,000 permanent jobs.
He also stated that the project would increase tax revenues, royalties, internally generated revenue, boost Bayelsa SMEs through project supply chains and equity dividends for the state.
Other benefits include infrastructure and community impact, positioning of the Brass Free Zone as global petrochemical hub as well as development of port, jetty, logistics base and a 300MW gas-fired power plant to ensure energy security among others.

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•Diri assures firm of support, commends Tinubu Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa The Bayelsa State government has solicited for equity stake in the Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemical Company project about to
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Crude Oil Refiners to Brainstorm on Africa’s Refining Agenda at 2025 Summit

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) has announced its summit for 2025, explaining that the event is set to shape Africa’s refining agenda in a bid to ensure energy security on the continent.
Scheduled to take place in Lagos on October 6-7, 2025, the two-day programme themed: “Refining: Key to Energy Security in Africa,” will convene top leaders from government, industry, finance, and civil society to chart a new course for Africa’s refining future.
A statement from the organisation stressed that Africa, despite being a major crude oil producer, remains heavily reliant on imported petroleum products. In Nigeria before now, over 90 per cent of refined fuel has been imported, leaving the economy exposed to global shocks, draining reserves, and inflating costs, it said.
The 2023 removal of fuel subsidies, it pointed out, further underscored the urgency of building a self-sufficient refining sector as households and industries grappled with rising energy prices.
“Today, with the establishment of both conventional refineries and modular refineries, expanding private investment, and accelerating policy reforms, the opportunity to reimagine Africa’s refining future has never been greater,” the statement added.
The summit, it said, will feature keynote sessions, technical panels, advertisements, and high-level networking.
According to the statement, discussions will address pressing issues, including investor-friendly policies, financing and de-risking strategies, innovative and cleaner refining technologies, regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA), energy transition and job creation in the refining and petrochemical sectors.
“After decades of exporting crude and importing refined products at great cost, the time has come to refine more at home, create jobs, and secure Africa’s energy future,” said the President of CORAN, Momoh Oyarekhua.
“The CORAN Summit 2025 is not just another meeting; it is a rallying point for action, partnerships, and policy direction to transform the refining landscape,” Oyarekhua added.
The gathering is expected to catalyse policy reforms, forge new partnerships between government and private operators, promote global best practices, and position Nigeria as Africa’s refining hub, reducing dependence on imports and enhancing energy security across the continent.
CORAN, the umbrella body for licensed crude oil refining companies in Nigeria, said it continues to champion sustainable refining, policy reform, and private-sector-driven solutions to Africa’s energy challenges, stressing that the summit will be a milestone in advancing those goals.

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Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) has announced its summit for 2025, explaining that the event is set to shape Africa’s refining agenda in
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Abba Bello: NEXIM Bank Has Disbursed N420 Billion Concessionary Loans to Non-oil Exporters, Created 12,000 Jobs

•Hails restriction on shea nut export, reaffirms commitment to SMEs funding, mentorship

James Emejo in Abuja

Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Mr. Abubakar Abba Bello, yesterday disclosed that the bank disbursed about N420 billion to non-oil exporters at concessionary, single-digit interest rate of nine per cent.
Bello spoke at an interactive session with All Progressives Congress (APC) youth members on financing SMEs’ non-oil export activities, in Abuja.
Bello also said over 12,000 direct jobs had been created through the funding intervention to the subsector.
He said a total of N137 billion, out of the N150 billion Export Development Fund (EDF), had so far been released to NEXIM by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
In 2018, the central bank introduced the N150 billion EDF – a debenture to support non-oil exports – with the funds channelled to NEXIM for distribution to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The NEXIM managing director pointed out that the bank had moved beyond the EDF, stating that NEXIM’s total assets currently stood at about N430 billion, all of which was deployed to financing exporters.
He said all lending by the bank followed same conditions as that of EDF.
Bello said the federal government’s recent six-month ban on shea nut exports was a strategic step to support local processors and reduce production costs.
He stated that though the country supplied 40–60 per cent of global shea, it lacked industrial processing plants until 2018.
He said, “When we came on board in 2018, not one industrial plant was processing shea in Nigeria.
“Since then, we’ve financed four, located in Ogun, Kano, and two in Niger State, all now in production.”
According to him, a newly commissioned plant in Niger State had struggled to source raw shea due to competition from long-established foreign buyers who moved the product to neighbouring countries for processing.
Bello said, “The export ban guarantees a stable supply chain for these plants and reduces input costs. I believe we’ll now have excess shea for local processing.”
While urging the government to consider extending the suspension to one year to encourage further investment in domestic value addition, Bello called for a wider policy to discourage the export of raw agricultural products.
He said, “Let’s not stop at shea. We should begin phasing out the export of unprocessed commodities across other agricultural value chains. This is how we keep jobs and wealth at home.”
He emphasised the need for continuity and regular engagement, not just one-off events, and adding that the bank plans to organise quarterly encounters going forward.
He also promised an open-door policy to exporters, particularly SMEs, adding that as a trade facilitation agency, it is ready to assist in whatever capacity to make their export ambitions a reality.
Bello said the bank aimed to support service exports, including event planning, digital outsourcing, particularly call centres, accounting, and legal services.
He said, “If foreign exchange inflows are assured, NEXIM will finance service contracts abroad.”
Bello encouraged Nigerian businesses to participate in African infrastructure projects, stressing that the bank supports cross-border trade and wants to help Nigerian companies expand into Africa.
He said the bank will also support exporters in niche or unconventional sectors.
Bello said, “NEXIM is investing in youth training and partnerships to build export capacity.”
He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to boost the capacity of the services industry to export.
According to him, services constitute about 55 per cent of the country’s GDP, and remain the biggest sector of the economy.

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•Hails restriction on shea nut export, reaffirms commitment to SMEs funding, mentorship James Emejo in Abuja Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Mr. Abubakar Abba Bello, yesterday disclosed that
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Tinubu Celebrates Adesina’s Decade-long Leadership at AfDB as He Bows Out

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu applauded Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s foresight and extraordinary performance at the African Development Bank (AfDB), as he bowed out on Monday, after a decade-long service as president of the pan-African development institution
Speaking at the unveiling of a book and farewell ceremony, with the theme, “Akinwumi A. Adesina: The Man, His Mandate, Mission and Message,” held at the AfDB headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Tinubu highlighted Adesina’s transformative leadership and contributions to Africa’s economic development.
Represented by Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, the president stated that through his High 5 agenda, Adesina drove economic growth, improved food security, and promoted regional integration across the continent.
Quoting Tinubu’s message on the occasion, a statement issued by Director, Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga, read, “We celebrate your decade-long leadership and achievements at the African Development Bank. Your dedication to Africa’s economic transformation has inspired a new generation of leaders.
“We wish you continued success in your future endeavours.”

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Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja President Bola Tinubu applauded Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s foresight and extraordinary performance at the African Development Bank (AfDB), as he bowed out on Monday, after a decade-long
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PAVE: To Counter Extremism, FG Must Prioritise Investment in Development

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Chairman of the National Steering Committee of the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network – PCVE-KIRH, Jaye Gaskia, yesterday stated that the government must prioritise investment in development to effectively counter and prevent violent extremism in Nigeria.
Speaking at the two-day Media Capacity Building, Roundtable, Dialogue, and Flag-Off of the Media in PCVE Network in Abuja, Gaskia said that Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) should be viewed as a development intervention, rather than an ad hoc measure intended merely to address an issue on an interim basis.
“I would simply say that development should be prioritised; and if we are speaking about the development of our communities and society, then our investment – our public investment, as reflected in our budget – should also demonstrate that we are prioritising development.
“This means, for instance, that if the challenges in our society revolve around livelihoods, unemployment, and poverty, then the bulk of our public investment should be directed towards addressing these issues. That is how we know we are genuinely prioritising development.
“Essentially, when we prioritise defence and law enforcement over development, we are just waiting for crises to emerge. Instead of investing in mitigating crises after they have escalated, we should invest in circumstances that reduce the likelihood of crises arising in the first place, so that we do not have to allocate as many resources to defence and law enforcement,” he argued.
He noted that defence should be about protecting the country’s territorial integrity, and law enforcement should be about maintaining public order, observing that when law enforcement becomes about enforcing conformity, it signals a serious systemic breakdown.
In such cases, he advised that the government should focus its investment on addressing the root causes of that breakdown, rather than merely mitigating its effects.
“While building response capacity is important, it is even more crucial to recognise that these crises originate from developmental challenges. The most effective way to address them is to focus on resolving those underlying developmental issues,” he said.
In a paper titled “Conflict-Sensitive Journalism and Responsible PCVE Reporting”, a resource person, Senator Iroegbu, cautioned reporters against sensationalising conflict stories.
Iroegbu, who acknowledged the power of the media both to inflame society and to promote peace and tranquillity, also appealed to peace and conflict reporters to exercise this power responsibly.
He further emphasised the need to draw a line between reporting on terrorist activities and inadvertently advancing the agenda of terrorists, stressing that publicity is the oxygen and lifeblood of terrorism.
While urging reporters to always be objective, factual, and balanced in their reporting, Iroegbu advised journalists to be sensitive to the cultural and religious nuances of the communities they cover.

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Linus Aleke in Abuja The Chairman of the National Steering Committee of the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network – PCVE-KIRH, Jaye Gaskia, yesterday stated that the government must prioritise
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Dangote Refinery: One Year, One Refinery, A Nation Transformed

By Abiodun Alade

In just 12 months, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has shifted Nigeria from fuel importer to regional energy supplier, stabilised its currency, slashed fuel costs, and sparked an industrial revival. As Africa’s largest refinery marks its first year of operation, it stands as a bold symbol of private ambition driving national transformation.

One year ago today, a long-standing paradox began to unravel in Nigeria.

For decades, despite being Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria was heavily reliant on imported refined petroleum products, particularly Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. While the country exported crude oil, it re-imported fuel at a premium, creating a costly and unsustainable cycle. The result was predictable: fuel scarcity, long queues, ballooning import bills, subsidy scam, smuggling of petrol and a national economy perpetually tethered to global oil market volatility.

But on 3 September 2024, that story began to change with the commencement of production of petrol at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, a privately built megaproject that has, in a single year, begun to redefine the country’s energy landscape and with it, much of the broader economy. The refinery is also producing diesel, jet fuel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) among other products.

From Scarcity to Surplus

Located on the edge of the Atlantic in the Lekki Free Trade Zone just outside Lagos, the $20 billion refinery is the largest single-train facility, capable of processing 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Its commissioning last year was heralded as a potential turning point for Nigeria. Twelve months on, such optimism was not misplaced.

Fuel shortages, once a near-ritual during holiday seasons and election cycles, have largely disappeared. Petrol as well as diesel, and cooking gas prices have dropped, stabilising transport and household energy costs. In a country where inflation has been stubbornly high, this has offered a rare and tangible form of relief.

Moreover, Nigeria has remarkably shed its label as Africa’s top fuel importer, a title it held for decades. That distinction now belongs to South Africa.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hailed the refinery as “a remarkable achievement” and “a phenomenal project of our time,” underscoring its significance to Nigeria’s industrial and economic growth.

“This is more than what you see; it’s about what you can envision and build,” says Pan African Banker and Fintech expert, Patrick Akinwuntan. “Dangote’s success with this refinery teaches us that audacious leadership can overcome the biggest obstacles”

A Lifeline for the Naira

The refinery’s influence extends beyond fuel pumps and tank farms. By significantly reducing Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports, the country has saved an estimated $25–$30 billion annually in foreign exchange, a staggering amount for an economy frequently grappling with currency crises.

This shift has helped stabilise the Naira, which has gained modest ground against major currencies for the first time in years. With less demand for dollars to pay for refined fuel imports, the Central Bank has found some breathing space in managing exchange rate volatility.

Furthermore, by exporting surplus refined products to neighbouring West African nations, the refinery has created a new stream of foreign exchange earnings, contributing to a rare surplus in Nigeria’s balance of payments in early 2025.

In September 2024, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, stated that lifting petrol from the refinery can turn around Nigeria’s dollar-starved economy

“This is also expected to moderate foreign exchange demand for importation of refined petroleum products, with a positive spillover on external reserve and improvement in the overall balance of payment position,” he added.

He added that CBN Monetary Policy Committee expressed optimism that it will moderate transportation costs and significantly support the easing of food price pressures in the short to medium term.

GDP Growth and Job Creation

The refinery is projected to add approximately $15 billion annually to Nigeria’s GDP, representing a vital infusion of real sector growth at a time when the economy is still recovering from the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple currency devaluations, and a costly fuel subsidy phase-out.
On the employment front, over 570,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created through the refinery’s operations and its wider value chain, including logistics, supply services, maintenance, and construction. Entire communities have emerged around the facility, supported by new roads, power infrastructure, and water systems that were previously non-existent.

More Than Oil: A Platform for Industrialisation

Beyond the numbers, the Dangote Refinery is repositioning Nigeria for deeper industrial development. By producing key by-products such as polypropylene, base oils, and jet fuel, the facility is stimulating growth in manufacturing, plastics, aviation, lubricants, and agro-processing.
It has also become a centre for skills transfer and technological learning, offering on-the-job training to thousands of Nigerian engineers and technicians who previously lacked access to advanced refining technology. In a country where “brain drain” is a persistent issue, this represents a quiet but critical investment in human capital.

“The Dangote Group has become a nurturing ground for Nigerian engineers, scientists, and technicians, many of whom have gone on to work as expatriates in various countries,” noted Funmi Sessi, chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State chapter.
She noted that this is not just about oil. It’s about knowledge, competence, and sovereignty.

The Road Ahead

While the refinery’s first year has delivered much-needed progress, the road ahead is not without hurdles. Crude oil supply consistency, export logistics, and continued importation of substandard petroleum products persist.

Still, for many Nigerians, the shift from energy dependency to relative stability is nothing short of monumental.
“One year in, and it’s already hard to imagine going back to how things were,” says Energy analyst Ibukun Phillips. “For once, the future feels like something we can build not just wait for.”

A New Chapter for Nigeria and Africa

As the world’s energy landscape evolves, Nigeria’s success in refining its own crude and exporting surplus fuel offers lessons for other resource-rich but import-dependent countries across the Global South. The Dangote Refinery is no silver bullet, but it is a powerful demonstration of what can happen when ambition, capital, and execution align in the right place at the right time.

President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Touray, lauded the refinery as a “beacon of hope for Africa’s future” and a demonstration of what the private sector could achieve in driving regional industrialisation.
In one year, one refinery has shifted the trajectory of a nation. And it may only be the beginning.
•Abiodun, a communications specialist writes from Lagos

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By Abiodun Alade In just 12 months, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has shifted Nigeria from fuel importer to regional energy supplier, stabilised its currency, slashed fuel costs, and sparked an
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THE NEED TO TACKLE ROAD ACCIDENTS

As we once again enter the “Ember Months” the period from September to December, concerns are already mounting over the perennial rise in road accidents during this season. Historically, this quarter of the year records an increase in crashes, injuries, and fatalities across the nation’s highways.

For years, many Nigerians have held the belief that the Ember Months are laced with negative spiritual forces, hence the spike in accidents. However, experts, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), maintain that the real reasons are far more practical. According to the FRSC, the surge in vehicular movement during this period, as families travel, traders move goods, and festivities draw closer, inevitably places heavy pressure on the roads.
Compounding the situation is the negative attitude of many drivers who show little or no regard for road safety regulations. Reckless driving, over-speeding, dangerous overtaking, and poor vehicle maintenance remain major culprits behind the bloodshed on Nigerian roads.

It is therefore imperative for the FRSC to intensify its preparedness during these months. Adequate logistics, personnel, and patrol vehicles must be deployed to ensure that reckless drivers including operators of articulated trucks are kept in check. More importantly, recalcitrant drivers must be arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.

The responsibility does not rest on the FRSC alone. The federal government must provide the Corps with the required resources to carry out its mandate effectively, while state traffic management agencies should collaborate closely to ensure accident-free roads during the Ember Months.

Furthermore, security agencies should caution their personnel against extortion of drivers and the creation of unnecessary checkpoints. Such practices not only fuel frustration but also cause long traffic buildups that heighten the risk of crashes.

Nigeria cannot continue to lose precious lives every Ember season to preventable road accidents. The time to act is now. With collective responsibility, strict enforcement of traffic laws, and genuine commitment from drivers, government, and security agencies, the roads can be made safer and the tragic pattern of Ember Month casualties can finally be broken.

Tochukwu Jimo Obi,jimobi83@gmail.com

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As we once again enter the “Ember Months” the period from September to December, concerns are already mounting over the perennial rise in road accidents during this season. Historically, this
The post THE NEED TO TACKLE ROAD ACCIDENTS appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

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