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House of Representatives member, Olawale Raji (Epe Constituency), has completed 400 shops for free allocation.

He also sponsored construction of four roads in Epe to enhance ease of movement and socio-economic activities.

Raji said in a statement that the gesture is part of efforts to ameliorate the suffering of the less privileged.

He said the move conforms with the objective of ensuring peace and security in Epe to further stimulate its growth.

The statement noted that Raji spoke at the inauguration of the building named after the late AIG Ganiyu Agbaje. in Oke-Oyibo area of Epe.

Maintaining that legislative representation must translate into impact, Raji said over 20 community roads are ready, with four in Kula Nla, Olooto, Komaadan, and Mafowosofo set for inauguration soon.

The Federal lawmaker stated that over N90 million in grants has been distributed to empower over 1,100 market women and 1,280 cooperative members, while youths have been trained in vocational skills, food processing, and renewable energy.

He added that ‘Commerce has been strengthened through the construction of over 900 market stalls across the constituency at Mowowale, Ito-Ikin, Mojoda, Aladepekun and Pobo, offering traders dignity and safety.

‘Each of these projects underscores our vision: to bring governance closer to the people, empower the industrious, and make Epe a model of inclusive growth.’

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two suspects for criminal conspiracy, theft, and possession of stolen property.

Its Public Relations Officer, (CSP) Mohammed Ahmed Wakil, in a statement yesterday, said: ‘On Saturday, at about 2pm, a concerned citizen reported to the Darazo Divisional Police Headquarters that earlier that day, around 9am, two unidentified men approached him at his garage in Kari village, asking about motorcycle dealers.’

He added that the two men, who were riding a red Boxer Bajaj motorcycle, displayed suspicious behaviour, prompting a swift response from the police.

A team of detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Auwalu Ilu, immediately mobilized to the scene and arrested the suspects.

The suspects were later identi

In July, the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) introduced a lower Band A tariff for its Enugu State customers. It slashed it from N209/kilowatt-hour (a standard electricity distribution company – DisCo – charges nationwide) to N160/kilowatt-hour.

But the old DisCos balked.

That has triggered a tariff war between state regulators and the DisCos, with the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) first siding with the DisCos but later opting to make regulatory peace between the two. The latest trouble shooting is fixed for Lagos, this week, according to a report in ‘The Punch’.

Meanwhile, a war between electricity centralists and federalists is roaring, both quoting the use – or misuse – of the Electricity Act 2023, which federalised the electricity market, against the old regime, with NERC as sole national regulator.

The Forum of Commissioners for Power and Energy in Nigeria (FCPEN) – the new electricity federalists on the block – insist state regulators have the power to fix tariffs in their own market space, vide the Electricity Act 2023.

But the old DisCos – centralised retail power marts under NERC – counter that states can’t fix tariff on inter-state electricity from the national grid. In other words, until they can generate, transmit and distribute own exclusive power, they are in no position to fix tariff. They are not, because there are associated costs – or subsidy – to be shared. If you can’t cover all your costs – and subsidy, they argue, is cost borne by someone – you can’t logically slash tariffs.

The latest to join the battle is Dr. Sam Amadi, pioneer NERC chair; after the DisCos, their voice a rather trenchant Sunday Oduntan, the boss at the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), and official DisCo spokesperson. Both Amadi and Oduntan would appear electricity centralists at heart.

In an interview with Nairametrics, an online medium, Dr. Amadi doubted the state regulators’ capacity to run the electricity market, saying they lack both the technical expertise and the cognate experience to do so.

He accused the Federal Government of a political rush to decentralise, thus giving very little thinking to states’ human and technical competence; the power minister: for not showing enough leadership and foresight to ease state regulators into a completely new area, in which they are virtually at sea; and even NERC: for not doing enough modelling, via deliberate training, to envision the NERC and States Electricity Regulatory Commissions’ (SERC) seamless work, in a federalised electricity market.

Yet, he too admitted that the original privatisation of 2013 was a mess, with the former Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) carved out among political cronies, with neither capital nor technical nous to add value. He feared that might have been the same for the new SERCs. He, however, counselled that the process be deepened – as seemingly flawed as it is – instead of seeking another escapism via amendment to the law – escapism that could create future problems.

Oduntan is more combative, nay rabid, in his anti-state regulators’ stance. He swore that any attempt to crash tariffs, without paying the full power cost of production, will crash the market.

‘So, when the regulator in the state says the DisCo there should sell at a lower price, the question to be asked is this: ‘Is that price below the cost price?” he told ‘The Punch’. ‘If it is below the cost price, then the company will collapse. So, it won’t work. They cannot do it. If they insist, then they will destroy the power sector.’

But EERC had in July, when it slashed its tariff, countered that it had accounted for the full cost. Joe Aneke, Governor Peter Mbah’s special adviser on power, claimed the regulator based its tariff calculations on its distribution costs, after accounting for the full cost of power from the national grid. NERC disagreed with it back then though, virtually warning it off the enterprise, before assuming its latest role as a conciliator.

Still, after all the brickbats, this is the sobering point: centralised regulation has made little dent on Nigeria’s electricity woes. Otherwise, there would be no need to federalise the process. So, Electricity Act 2023 is an idea whose time has come.

Yet, adequate costing – and that need not tear the roof – is critical to a sustainable market. So, those screaming about correct costing should not be shouted down.

But the NERC – being the pioneer regulatory agency – must do much better in this new reality than how EERC’s customers were forced to revert to the old Enugu DisCo higher tariff – N209.50 – against MainPower, the local DisCo’s new rate of N160.40. That blackmail was by Enugu DisCo halving the electricity supply to MainPower, throwing half of the market into darkness, and forcing the customers to pay the old higher rate. EERC still protests that alleged sharp practice.

NERC should pave a new path in its Lagos parley with all the stakeholders, in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). Instead of state regulators and old DisCos sticking to their guns, NERC should link both, encourage them to look again at the numbers, and strike a healthy compromise that would work for the market.

Federalised power is the future of the market. Pending when states can generate, transmit and distribute, NERC should help midwife a workable transitional cost regime.

A new trend in the use and abuse of illicit drugs appears to be creeping into Nigeria’s list of social vices. Nothing bears out this foreboding development than last week’s warning by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to club operators and fun seekers against organising and attending ‘drug parties’.

NDLEA’s warning followed its raiding of a night club in Akin Adesola Street, Lagos penultimate weekend and subsequent arrest of over 100 attendees including the club owner and his manager for organising and attending a drug party.

The raid was sequel to intelligence which revealed that the organisers had circulated flyers, inviting people to what they called a ‘drug party’. The agency said in a statement that its ‘undercover agents had infiltrated the night club, made pre-purchases of illicit drugs and monitored activities for four hours before storming the premises between 11pm on Saturday and 3am on Sunday’.

During the raid, 384,886 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis and other illicit substances were allegedly recovered from the club’s store. The agency has filed a suit against the alleged promoters to secure forfeiture of the property in which the drug party was held.

NDLEA did not disclose the names of other illicit substances recovered during the raid apart from Canadian Loud. But the term ‘Loud’ is a slang for high-quality cannabis that may have derived its name from the legalisation of recreational marijuana by the Canadian government in 2018.

It would have made more sense had the agency named the other confiscated illicit substances. That would have given a clearer picture on why the event was advertised as a drug party. But we are only contending with marijuana- an illicit substance that is hawked freely around motor parks and drinking joints around urban centres. Could marijuana have been the only attraction to the advertised drug party?

This gap notwithstanding, the development is very worrisome as it seems to have added a new dimension to the war against illicit drugs. It is perhaps, the first time the attention of Nigerians is being drawn to advertisements and invitation to a party for the sole purpose of consuming illicit drugs. It sounds somehow confusing.

NDLEA alleged it reached its conclusion that the club hosted a drug party through flyers circulated by its organisers. That is their evidence. Though one is not privy to the flyers to draw independent conclusions on its contents, the open purchase of drugs within the club’s premises and seizure of 384,886 kilograms of Canadian Loud and other illicit substances from the club’s store appear as corroborative evidence.

The agency is not taking the matter lightly. It considers the incident a test case because of its domino effect. ‘We will not allow a culture of impunity such as this to evolve in Nigeria. If you allow one, give it two or three weeks and every night club in the country will invite people to come and have a drug party. We will not allow it’, Buba Marwa, chairman/chief executive of the agency said.

His warning to club owners, hoteliers and facility managers that their buildings risk being seized if they are used for drug-related activities underscores the determination of the agency to nip the emerging trend in the bud. The agency is right to be apprehensive of the fast spread of such acts of impunity if stern measures are not taken to punish offenders. The nation’s experience with other social vices including the festering insecurity has shown how tardiness could aid their quick spread.

There is little doubt that much of the consumption of hard drugs takes place in and around entertainment centres, hotels and motor parks. The usual practice is for some agents to lurk around these venues either on their own or in connivance with their owners to sell the substances to willing buyers.

It is usually a secret affair only open to those initiated to the act. It must have therefore struck Nigerians as a huge shock that flyers inviting people to come and consume illicit substances could be brazenly circulated in the public space. That is a new high in the abuse, spread and consumption of illicit substances.

But it also says something about the efficacy of the campaigns by the NDLEA against the circulation, sale and consumption of hard drugs. It is either the organisers of the drug party were ignorant of the implications of the contents of the flyers or they thought they could get away with their act of indiscretion. Whichever way, the advertisement was a very reckless endeavour.

Before now, Nigeria used to be a transit route for illegal drugs’ exportation. For the years our borders served as transit routes for hard drugs, many of our citizens had little idea of what such banned substances looked like. Neither did they indulge in their consumption.

But all that changed with time. Consumption, sale and patronage of illicit drugs are now commonplace within our shores. Nigeria’s most recently widely cited national drug consumption prevalence rate was put at 14.4 per cent among a population aged between 15 and 64 years. This figure which represents approximately 14.3 million people came from two major national surveys conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) and the National Bureau of statistics (NBS).

It is nearly three times the global average of 5.5 per cent. The figure speaks eloquently of the alarming progression of the country from transit camp to consumption home. Not only are Nigerians involved in the export and sale of illicit drugs, they are also reported to be into their cultivation and production.

It is not surprising that the country is now posting consumption rates nearly three times the world average. That should be a big source of concern. And for a country that houses the poorest of the poor in spite its huge natural endowments, this figure is bound to grow further unless serious measures are taken to stem the tide. It is not just enough to mount campaigns against illicit drug consumption without addressing the factors that predispose our citizens to it.

The link between abject poverty, high level of unemployment and the consumption of hard and illicit drug substances has long been established. World Bank’s October 2025 report showed that approximately 139 million Nigerians live in poverty, representing about 62 per cent of the population. NBS had also reported in 2022 that 63 per cent of the population or 133 million Nigerians were multi-dimensionally poor.

Even then, the alarming number of arrests and seizure of huge quantities of illicit substances by the NDLEA only reinforce how widespread the abuse has become. In the last 30 months, the agency made 45,853 arrests, seized 8.5 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs, secured 9,263 convictions and rehabilitated 26,613 drug users. The data is scary. But it illustrates most clearly the daunting nature of the war against illicit drugs.

It requires concerted action not only in arresting and punishing offenders but addressing the objective conditions that predispose a preponderance of our citizens to their use.

The Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it will meet tomorrow with key stakeholders to discuss and agree on a date to formally receive Governor Agbu Kefas into the party.

The state’s chairman of the party, Ibrahim El-Sudi, announced this at the weekend while addressing reporters in Jalingo, the state capital.

He described the governor’s planned defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as ‘a divine breakthrough’ that would fulfill the APC’s 13-year quest to control the Taraba Government House.

‘We have been yearning for this for 13 years. God has finally given us the Taraba Government House without going to the polls,’ El-Sudi said.

The state chairman said preparations were ongoing for a grand reception ceremony in Jalingo to welcome the governor into the APC.

He said the reception would be attened by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), and key stakeholders from across the Northeast.

El-Sudi stated that Governor Kefas had held discussions with top APC leaders in Abuja before concluding his defect plan.

‘He has met those who matter – from the President to the national chairman. He was advised to engage with the APC structure in Taraba, and we are ready to welcome him,’ El-Sudi said.

The APC state chairman expressed the confidence that the governor’s defection would strengthen collaboration between the Taraba State government and the Federal Government, leading to faster development in the state.

He assured long-serving APC members that they would not be sidelined, adding that the party remained open to internal competition.

‘As a democratic party, our doors are open. Anyone who wishes to contest for the governorship under the APC platform is free to do so,’ El-Sudi added.

Over 8,500 energy professionals converged on Lagos last week for the 12th edition of Nigeria Energy week, which ended at the weekend. The event, organised by Informa Markets, had as its theme ‘Powering Nigeria Through Investment, Innovation and Partnership.’

Welcoming stakeholders to the summit, the Exhibition Director, Energy Portfolio – MEA, Informa Markets, Ade Yesufu, noted the summit’s role as a national platform for progress and the urgency of moving from policy to implementation in Nigeria’s energy transition.

‘For over a decade, this platform has brought together the most influential voices shaping the future of Nigeria’s economy. Today, it stands not just as a conference but as a national platform for progress, a meeting point for government, private sector investors, regulators, innovators, and global partners united by one purpose: delivering reliable and sustainable power for Nigeria and for Africa,’ he said.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, described this year’s theme as timely. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the Electricity Act 2023 and strengthening private sector participation, stating that ‘Nigeria stands at a historic turning point in its energy transition journey. With the Electricity Act 2023, we are unlocking state-led power generation, decentralised energy markets and increased private sector participation.’

Adelabu further explained that the Ministry’s vision aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on economic revitalization through enterprise, innovation, and shared prosperity. He emphasised that the ultimate goal is to build a power sector where collaboration, innovation and transparency drive lasting progress.

‘The reforms underway are designed to open new doors for investment while improving reliability and access across all levels,’ he added.

In similar vein, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, represented by the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, emphasised the role of sub-national leadership in Nigeria’s energy transition.

‘With the recent passage of the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024, Lagos has made it clear that we are ready to take on a significantly larger role in reforming and restructuring our power sector. This law sets the stage for a cleaner Lagos and a localized market, establishing an institutional framework with a state-level independent system operator, regulatory oversight, and welcoming private sector participation. Our vision for Lagos is straightforward: We aim to be a shining example of a 21st-century city, powered by reliable, affordable, and clean energy, ensuring that every home, business, and school in Lagos has access to power without any hindrance,’ he stated.

At the summit, leadership dialogues and expert panels addressing the sector’s most pressing challenges were prevalent, even as conversations around PPPs, electricity reform and the implementation of the Electricity Act highlighted the need for clear regulatory frameworks, investor confidence and stronger coordination between federal and state agencies.

Speakers at the summit further emphasised that unlocking sustainable power development requires aligning reforms with financing and innovation, spotlighting the importance of energy efficiency as a core pillar of Nigeria’s power transformation. It also espoused how coordinated policies and private sector collaboration can reduce losses, optimise resources and drive long-term reliability across the value chain.

Participants reinforced Nigeria Energy 2025’s central message: that the path to reliable and sustainable power lies in investment, innovation and partnership.

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will tomorrow (Tuesday) hold a crucial stakeholders’ meeting in Awka.

The meeting will be attended by prominent personalities from the state, including former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze; businessman, Sir Emeka Offor; and the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi.

Also expected at the meeting are Governor Chukwuma Soludo and all 16 governorship candidates contesting in the November 8 poll, alongside other key stakeholders.

Representatives of various security agencies, including the Police, Army, Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), are equally scheduled to attend.

According to INEC, the forum will focus on discussing the processes, procedures, and general state of preparedness for the Anambra governorship election.

The information was contained in a document obtained by The Nation on Sunday in Awka. The statement, e-signed by Obianyo K.C., Administrative Secretary for the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, also invited political party leaders to attend.

‘The forum will have in attendance political parties participating in the election, their candidates, the media, and civil society organisations (CSOs), election observers, security agencies, as well as ordinary citizens,’ the statement read.

The event will be held at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, Awka.

Confirming the meeting, the Head of Department (Voter Education and Publicity), Mrs Ijeoma Obali, told The Nation that the presence of Anambra’s eminent citizens, such as Anyaoku and Eze, would add great value to the deliberations.

‘The commission is doing everything possible to make a strong statement through the Anambra election on Saturday,’ she said. ‘We’ll get there by doing our best.’

Clean technology is set to transform agriculture and rural development across Nigeria and other developing nations by creating a new, sustainable energy system, the Chief Executive Officer of SMEFUNDS, Dr. Femi Oye, has said.

According to Clean Energy Trade and Emerging Markets Report, emerging economies are rapidly expanding the deployment of clean energy while seeking to strengthen domestic manufacturing of key technologies. The report noted that exports from China to Asia, Africa, and Latin America are booming, with low-cost solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles helping accelerate the shift to clean energy in power generation, storage, and transport.

Speaking on the rising global momentum for green technology, Oye said the ongoing transition to renewable energy presents Africa with a rare opportunity to combine agricultural productivity with clean energy innovation.

‘Clean technology can help create a new energy system for agriculture and rural development across Nigeria and the rest of the world.It is time for Nigeria and other developing countries to support private-sector efforts that integrate solar power with agriculture. This will not only increase farmers’ incomes but also accelerate the energy transition.’Oye said.

His remarks come as Vietnam launches its first agriculture-solar project-known as the Agri-PV initiative-aimed at boosting rural incomes and promoting sustainable farming. The project targets at least ten pilot models for agricultural solar plants between 2025 and 2027.

Oye noted that Nigeria’s solar sector has recorded exponential growth in recent years, signaling the potential for similar innovations in agricultural solar systems.

‘Integrating solar energy with farming on the same land can deliver substantial economic gains, promote gender equality, and help farmers improve their livelihoods while supporting the country’s clean energy transition,’ he explained.

He urged the Federal Government to collaborate more closely with private organisations to assess the nation’s agricultural solar potential, design appropriate development strategies, and provide advisory services to key stakeholders.

Despite the promise of agricultural solar farming, Oye cautioned that scaling up the model faces several hurdles, including the absence of clear policies to promote the practice.

‘We must address policy gaps and create incentives for investment in agricultural solar systems,’ he emphasised.

He added that manufacturers are also working to reduce the cost of technologies such as batteries and photovoltaic panels.

‘Demand for clean technologies continues to skyrocket as more countries recognize their benefits-from low-cost power to affordable electric vehicles,’ he said.

According to Oye, emerging technologies are redefining the energy landscape in agriculture.

‘Electrotech is becoming the foundation for a new kind of agricultural energy system,’ he noted. ‘With continued cost reductions in solar-powered cookers, irrigation pumps, and other devices, we are seeing faster and broader growth than ever before.’

He concluded by stressing that clean technology offers developing nations not just an environmental solution, but a pathway to economic empowerment.

‘If we harness this opportunity wisely,’ we can turn our farms into power stations and our villages into engines of sustainable growth.’

Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Forum has congratulated Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his affirmation as the consensus governorship candidate for next year’s election.

The forum, led by the acting Chairman, Gabriel Oni and Secretary, Odetola Babatunde, noted that the governor had made history in Ekiti through the consensus arrangement.

A statement by the forum said the elders were proud of Oyebanji’s sterling leadership, unity of purpose, inclusivity, ideology and commitment to continuity.

The forum said the governor had distinguished himself by being the first incumbent governor to return ‘back to back’ in Ekiti State.

It said: ”This is due to his people-oriented governance, infrastructural development and commitments to the welfare of Ekiti people, which are a source of pride to the party and the state.

It added: ‘The forum applauds the great achievements of Governor Oyebanji. Since he has been in the saddle of governing Ekiti State, he has brought an unprecedented progress and development to the state.

‘We, therefore, reaffirm our unparalleled support for his excellency in his second term bid and pray for God’s protection and uncommon strength to lead the state to greater height.’

Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has called on investors to explore the northern region of the country for investments in energy growth.

Executive Director, Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning (ERSP) at NMDPRA, Prof. Zainab Gobir, said the region presents huge opportunities essential for Nigeria’s energy growth and economic balance, considering its vast population and growing demand for energy.

She urged investors in the oil and gas industry to diversify operations and expand beyond the South-South and South-West regions of the country.

She made the appeal during the OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week 2025 which ended at the weekend in Lagos.

According to her, investors must rethink their business models and explore opportunities across all geopolitical zones to ensure equitable participation and sustainable energy access nationwide.

‘The numbers exist across all regions; not just in the South. Population and available volumes in other regions matter and companies must model their operations around this reality to optimise margins and logistics,’ he said.

Gobir disclosed that the Authority was leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to enhance transparency, efficiency and investor engagement across Nigeria’s midstream and downstream oil and gas sectors.

‘We are deploying AI for data collection and integrating it into our operations. We are taking feedback from Nigerians to identify bottlenecks and improve regulatory performance. Soon, consumers will be able to see pricing data in real time and choose the retail outlets they prefer,’ she said.

According to her, the NMDPRA has automated key regulatory processes to improve operational efficiency, compliance monitoring and customer experience. She revealed that most of the Authority’s processes have been digitised and also activated customer platforms that follow all necessary licensing and qualification procedures.

‘Through predictive and regression analysis, we can now understand the peculiarities of each oil and gas segment and respond proactively,’ she revealed.

According to Gobir, the NMDPRA is developing a comprehensive data bank to give operators access to real-time market information and business intelligence.

‘Our goal is to make data accessible. We are working on a platform where operators can track market trends and make informed business decisions.

‘We have also automated our investment portal where prospective investors can register and join monthly roundtables to explore new opportunities in the sector.’

Gobir revealed that the Authority’s consumer experience platform has also been automated to allow the public to directly report market issues and engage with regulators.

Speaking on the impact of technology on regulation, Gobir described automation as inevitable, warning that operators who failed to adopt AI-driven systems risk being left behind.

‘Automation is now a necessity. AI is not here to replace people but to enhance monitoring and improve accountability. It is a tool to help scale the market and drive sustainable growth,’ she explained.

She said that Nigeria’s downstream market was both data-driven and population-driven, noting that taxation, logistics and market reach depend heavily on accurate demographic and operational data.

‘Taxation is not only about the amount paid but also about the volume and reach of operations. Understanding population dynamics helps determine how far products like petrol and gas can go efficiently,’ she added.

Gobir noted that the NMDPRA was evolving from a traditional regulator into a business enabler, and supporting small and medium-sized operators to scale up through technology and data access.

‘We are helping MSMEs connect with customers. For instance, in the LPG sector, when operators provide their data, it allows consumers to locate the nearest LPG depot through our portal, (thus) increasing visibility, compliance, and business growth,’ she said.