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Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan to visit Turkmenistan

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will pay a working visit to Turkmenistan, Armenian Ambassador to Turkmenistan Arsen Avagyan said at an event marking the 35th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, according to Turkmenportal.

Avagyan said the visit would create additional opportunities for continuing political dialogue and developing practical cooperation between Armenia and Turkmenistan.

Earlier in September, Pashinyan held a telephone conversation with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, during which the Turkmen leader invited the Armenian prime minister to attend the CIS Heads of State Summit scheduled to take place under Turkmenistan’s chairmanship on October 9.

Pashinyan, in turn, invited Berdimuhamedov to attend a leaders’ summit scheduled to be held in Yerevan in October, ahead of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17).

Mark Villar, facing graft complaints, breaks from minority on VP Sara threshold vote

Sen. Mark Villar twice strayed from the Senate minority bloc on Wednesday, September 23, by abstaining from his bloc’s bid to block the threshold vote, then joining the majority in lowering the bar for convicting Vice President Sara Duterte.

Villar was the only minority senator to take part in the second vote that sought to settle the question raised by Sen. Erwin Tulfo whether the 16-bar threshold for conviction should still hold given four senators’ absence from the trial.

Thirteen senators including Villar voted in favor, while Presiding Officer Sen. Chiz Escudero cast the lone vote against overturning the ruling he himself issued when the trial opened in July.

The rest of the minority bloc members chose to boycott the proceedings and keep out of the chamber during the vote, namely Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Sen. Bong Go, Sen. Imee Marcos, Sen. Camille Villar and Sen. Robin Padilla.

Cayetano earlier raised a point of order in an attempt to prevent the court from holding a vote at all. He argued the court had no authority to reopen the threshold in the middle of the trial and that the question belonged to the Supreme Court.

To address Cayetano’s point of order, Escudero divided the house and called for a vote. Thirteen senator-judges voted to shoot down Cayetano’s appeal, while the five other minority senators present backed Cayetano. Villar abstained.

Legal issues

Both Mark and Camille Villar are among the members of their family facing criminal and administrative complaints the Ombudsman filed last Friday over PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp.’s water district deals.

The agency found the joint ventures grossly disadvantageous to the government. It identified the senator, who served as public works secretary from 2016 to 2021 under then-President Rodrigo Duterte, as the company’s beneficial owner.

It was against this backdrop that Camille made a rare emotional interjection earlier Wednesday to urge her colleagues to stop invoking the criminal cases of the senators who have missed the trial. Two of the four, Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada, are detained on nonbailable plunder charges.

“Lahat naman po ng wala dito, hindi naman po sila napatunayan na may sala. Hindi po sila plunderer. Hindi po sila magnanakaw,” she said. (Those who are not here have not been proven guilty. They are not plunderers. They are not thieves).

She was answering Sen. Erwin Tulfo, who had argued that the framers of the 1987 Constituion never anticipated senators facing plunder charges, since those in their time faced subversion, sedition and rebellion.

Tulfo later said he had called no one a convicted plunderer and was merely speaking of the reality that four senators cannot take part in the trial.

Hours later, Camille left the chamber with the rest of the bloc. After the lunch break, she was seen briefly returning to the Chamber and conversing with her brother before leaving.

The court ruled on Wednesday that the two-thirds needed to convict will be computed only from senators legally and factually capable of taking part when the verdict is called.

Excluded are senators who are detained, suspended, medically incapacitated or beyond the Senate’s coercive processes and others similarly situated.

Why govt is reducing 2027/2028 budget

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has reduced the size of the Budget for the Financial Year (FY) 2027/2028 to Shs79.22 trillion, down from Shs84.39 trillion in the current Budget.

The cut reflects a 6.2 percent reduction as the government plans to reduce its borrowing, according to Finance ministry officials.

Uganda has increasingly depended on borrowing to finance its Budget, and according to the Ministry of Finance, the focus is increasingly tilting towards reducing external debt and optimising the money borrowed because of its growing public debt, now at Shs143.92 trillion ($37.12 billion) by the end of June 2026, up from Shs125.23 trillion ($32.30 billion), a year earlier, and a debt-to-GDP ratio of 54.3 percent.

Debt financing is also eating into the funds that would have been used for social services such as health and education.

The reduction is planned despite a projected economic growth of 9.1 percent, up from a revised forecast of 7.6 percent in the previous period, expected to be driven by the commercial oil production projected later this year.

In the first Budget Call Circular (BCC) for the preparation of the Budget Framework Papers (BFPS) and preliminary Budget estimates for FY2027/2028, issued on September 15 to all accounting officers, all chief executive officers of State-owned enterprises and public corporations, and the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Ramathan Ggoobi said the preliminary resource envelope emphasises the need for stronger domestic revenue mobilisation, reduced reliance on borrowing and external financing, and efficiency.

Mr Ggoobi stated that all accounting officers are required to prepare and submit their Budget Framework Papers and Budget Estimates in strict accordance with the requirements, priorities, resource ceilings and timelines set out in the circular.

The circular states that programme working groups and accounting officers shall, therefore, accommodate critical priorities through efficiency, reprioritisation and reallocation within the communicated ceilings.

‘Accordingly, accounting officers shall ensure their Budget Framework Papers and Budget proposals prioritise interventions that expand production and productivity, promote value addition and market access, create jobs, increase household incomes and support wealth creation. Each accounting officer shall prepare the Budget Framework Paper for FY2027/2028 – FY2031/2032 in accordance with the Budget Strategy and the Budget Process Calendar for FY2027/2028,’ he said.

In the next financial year, the economy is projected to grow at 9.1 percent, up from 7.6 percent projected for FY2026/2027, driven by the onset of commercial production of oil and gas.

Mr Ggoobi said all accounting officers shall prioritise investments in the ATMS, wealth creation and critical enablers as the bedrock for sustained high economic growth.

Respecting the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for FY2027/2028, Mr Ggoobi said the medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) ceilings for FY2027/2028 have been issued at programme level.

Mr Ggoobi stressed that programme working groups (PWGs) shall allocate resources strictly within the communicated programme ceilings and shall prioritise statutory and contractual obligations, service delivery, viable ongoing commitments and high-impact interventions aligned to the ATMS and their critical enablers.

‘Agreed vote-level allocations shall be submitted to this ministry by Thursday, 15th October 2026 for upload onto the Programme Budgeting System (PBS),’ he said.

Mr Ggoobi said the key priorities for next financial year shall focus on raising agricultural productivity and production, expanding irrigation and research, strengthening extension, inspection, certification, standards and traceability, promoting value addition, and improving access to domestic, regional and export markets.

On tourism, he said: ‘The focus shall be on addressing the binding constraints to increasing visitor numbers, expenditure and length of stay, including infrastructure at priority tourism sites, hospitality standards and skills, targeted tourism promotion, and stronger economic and commercial diplomacy through Uganda’s Missions Abroad.’

Mr Ggoobi also said the budget will focus on accelerating oil and gas infrastructure, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline and refinery-related investments; strengthening transparency and accountability for extractive revenues; quantifying commercially viable mineral deposits; developing mineral markets and buying centres; and promoting domestic value addition and linkages to local industry.

GenPrime Fertility Manila, Healthway Cancer Care Hospital partner to support fertility preservation for cancer patients

Cancer patients who hope to have children in the future can now explore fertility preservation options more conveniently through a new partnership between GenPrime Fertility Manila and Healthway Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH), the country’s first dedicated cancer hospital.

The partnership brings together HCCH’s comprehensive cancer care and GenPrime’s expertise in fertility care to address an important consideration for some cancer patients: how treatment today may affect their ability to have children in the future.

Protecting future possibilities

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, having children may understandably not be the first thing on their mind. The immediate focus is often on treatment and recovery.

However, certain cancer treatments can affect fertility.

Some chemotherapy medicines can damage eggs in the ovaries or cells involved in sperm production. Radiation therapy may also affect fertility, particularly when reproductive organs or nearby areas are exposed to radiation.

The impact varies depending on factors such as the type and dose of treatment, the part of the body being treated, the patient’s age, and individual circumstances.

Fertility preservation offers medical options that may help preserve the possibility of having biological children in the future, including freezing eggs, sperm, or embryos for possible use later.

Because not every cancer treatment affects fertility in the same way, and fertility preservation may not be appropriate for every patient, speaking with a fertility specialist can help patients understand the potential impact of their treatment and the options available to them.

Bringing cancer and fertility care together

Through the partnership, HCCH and GenPrime Fertility Manila are bringing cancer and fertility care closer together, allowing patients to access guidance on fertility preservation as part of their overall cancer care journey.

Patients who may benefit from fertility preservation can be connected with GenPrime’s fertility specialists to discuss how their planned treatment could affect fertility and what options may be available to them.

This can give patients an opportunity to explore fertility preservation before cancer therapies begin, when medically appropriate.

‘Patients facing cancer already have so much to navigate. They shouldn’t also have to figure out on their own where to go or who to speak to if they hope to have a baby or become parents in the future,’ said Dr. Anthony Marc Ancheta, Medical Director of GenPrime Fertility Manila.

‘Through our partnership with Healthway Cancer Care Hospital, we can help patients understand their fertility options at the right time, while considering not only the treatment they need today, but also the life and family they may hope to have after treatment,’ Dr. Ancheta added.

Looking beyond cancer treatment

According to Dr. Manuel Francisco Roxas, HCCH President and CEO, while immediate cancer treatment is the top priority following a diagnosis, comprehensive care must also extend beyond the disease to support patients’ overall quality of life and future aspirations.

‘For patients who may want to have children someday, fertility can be an important part of that future. Our partnership with GenPrime Fertility Manila allows us to connect appropriate patients with fertility specialists early, so they have the opportunity to understand their options before treatment begins,’ said Dr. Roxas.

Located in Parañaque City, GenPrime Fertility Manila is part of GenPrime Fertility’s global network, with clinics in Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Los Angeles.

The Manila clinic provides fertility assessments, fertility preservation, and assisted reproductive treatments, including in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI), giving Filipino patients access to fertility care locally while drawing on the practices and expertise shared across the GenPrime network.

Alur Kingdom calls for revival of fireside talks to curb teenage pregnancy

The Alur Kingdom has called for the revival of traditional youth fireside gatherings as a cultural solution to the escalating teenage pregnancy crisis in the kingdom.

The call is part of the kingdom’s Kura Matira project, an ancient Alur philosophy grounded in community, humanness, caring and good conduct, which the kingdom is now using to restore lost cultural values among the youth.

Under the initiative dubbed “ending child and forced marriage through returning to the fire place”, the kingdom has been holding community dialogue sessions in chiefdoms.

Kingdom officials say modern distractions and loss of parental guidance have left girls vulnerable. Traditionally, the fireplace was a place where grandparents and aunts taught adolescents about virginity, faithfulness, reproductive health and good conduct.

Speaking at a youth fireside held at Kaal Pawong Palace, the Deputy Prime Minister and Executive Director of Alur Kingdom, Prince Ochaya Orach Vincent, underscored the relevance of firesides in addressing teenage childbirth.

The fireside, dubbed “Kaoi Fireside Conversations”, is an initiative of the Protect SRHR project implemented by a consortium of civil society organisations, including Reach A Hand Africa, the International Rescue Committee, Humanity and Inclusion and World Vision, supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The engagement, presided over by Chief Rwoth Justino Opar, the Chief of Pawong Chiefdom, was held on September 22, 2026 under the theme “Culture, Identity and Power to Shape Young People’s Future.”

“A session like this one allows us to speak to young people together with their parents,” Prince Ochaya said. “Actually, if we can have even more of it, I can tell you I have all 56 chiefdoms that would benefit from Kaoi.”

Nebbi Municipality Central Division LCIII chairperson Ronnie Japiemo said such engagements previously helped address behaviour, which contributed to lower levels of teenage pregnancy. He said on average, at least two per cent of girls become pregnant every year across the six schools in the Central Division.

“The fireplace is a good intervention but most of our youth have taken the fireplace for a simple ride which calls for more cultural engagement with the youths due to the modern leisure places available today,” Japiemo said.

Albert Ongom, Reach A Hand Africa’s programme officer in Nebbi District, said teenage pregnancy remains a significant concern in the district and is also linked to increasing HIV risks.

He said the engagement was intended to understand how communities around Kaal Pawong traditionally handled issues affecting young people and what lessons could be drawn from those practices.

Onyuthi Brian, a youth participant, said some young people find it difficult to listen to their parents because of the manner in which some conversations are handled.

According to the 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey, 23.5% of girls aged 15-19 had already begun childbearing, with 18.4% having had a live birth and 5.1% pregnant with their first child.

Black Maidens Thrash Togo 4-0 In WAFU Zone B Girls Cup

Ghana’s Black Maidens continued their impressive run at the WAFU Zone B Girls Cup with a commanding 4-0 victory over Togo in their third match of the tournament.

Ghana made a flying start, taking the lead after just three minutes through Gloria Ameaa.

The Maidens doubled their advantage six minutes later when Seidatu Wahab calmly converted a penalty to make it 2-0.

Ghana remained in control for the rest of the first half, with Togo struggling to create meaningful opportunities as the Maidens went into the break two goals ahead.

The dominance continued after the restart, with Ameaa coming close to adding a spectacular third in the 54th minute, only for her effort to narrowly miss the target.

Ghana eventually found their third in the 59th minute through Linda Owusu Ansah, who completed her brace 10 minutes later to seal a convincing 4-0 victory.

The result further strengthens the Black Maidens’ impressive campaign in the WAFU Zone B Girls Cup.

Policy roundtable calls for more integrated care for heart, kidney, metabolic diseases

Millions of Filipinos are living with interconnected heart, kidney and metabolic conditions, often without knowing they have a disease until it has already progressed.

These conditions, collectively referred to as cardio-renal-metabolic (CRM) diseases, share common risk factors and frequently occur together, creating a growing health and economic burden for patients, families and the healthcare system.

The need for a more integrated approach to prevent and manage these diseases was highlighted at a recent Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Policy Roundtable convened by ACCESS Health International (AHI), together with the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), with support from Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines.

The forum brought together representatives from government, healthcare organizations, patient groups, academia and the private sector, including the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI), the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO) and the Ateneo Policy Center.

Participants discussed policy opportunities to strengthen prevention, early detection, patient access and coordinated long-term care for people with interconnected chronic conditions.

‘Because these conditions do not exist in isolation, protecting our citizens requires investing in early primary care. PhilHealth stands firm in its commitment to expanding financial risk protection, strengthening primary care financing, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of chronic disease management,’ said Atty. Eli Dino D. Santos, executive vice president and chief operating officer of PhilHealth.

A growing health and economic burden

In the Philippines, about one in five people aged 15 and older lives with at least one chronic condition, including hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

The economic impact is also significant. CKD alone was estimated to cost P593.7 billion in 2023, equivalent to 41 percent of the country’s total healthcare expenditure, according to data presented during the roundtable.

Because CKD frequently occurs alongside other CRM conditions, the combined burden can further strain patients and the healthcare system, underscoring the need for stronger prevention, earlier diagnosis and coordinated care.

‘The burden of chronic kidney disease extends beyond direct healthcare costs. It affects patients’ ability to work, creates productivity losses, and impacts families and the healthcare system,’ said Dr. Anthony Russell Villanueva, consultant nephrologist at NKTI.

‘Understanding these costs can help inform interventions and policies that support earlier detection, prevent disease progression, and improve patient outcomes,’ he added.

The roundtable also highlighted the need to strengthen health information systems and disease registries, develop sustainable financing mechanisms and better integrate CRM priorities into national health policies and programs.

The Department of Health (DOH) highlighted its ongoing efforts to address gaps in chronic kidney disease care and expand access to services, while PhilHealth reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening financial protection for sustainable chronic disease management.

From dialogue to action

AHI presented an assessment of CRM policy gaps and opportunities in the Philippines, while representatives from NKTI, PAPO and the Ateneo Policy Center shared insights on the economic burden of CKD and policy recommendations.

Boehringer Ingelheim also provided regional perspectives on integrated CRM care across Asia-Pacific.

For AHI, the discussions should lead to concrete action rather than remain a policy dialogue.

‘No single institution can advance integrated cardio-renal-metabolic care alone. The next step is translating evidence into action by identifying shared priorities, defining responsibilities, and sustaining collaboration across sectors,’ said Dr. Rohini Omkar Prasad, regional director and director for research and advisory at AHI.

‘Through this dialogue, we hope to build consensus on practical steps that can help advance integrated CRM care in the Philippines,’ she added.

The roundtable reflects a growing recognition that heart, kidney and metabolic diseases cannot always be addressed separately. Coordinating prevention, early detection, financing and long-term management could help reduce the burden of these interconnected conditions on Filipino patients and the country’s healthcare system.

NGX extends winning streak as market turnover jumps 90%

Nigeria’s equities market extended its bullish run on Wednesday, posting a third consecutive positive session as renewed buying interest in banking, consumer and selected blue-chip stocks pushed the benchmark index further above the 250,000-point mark.

The NGX All-Share Index rose 0.23 per cent to close at 251,191.02 points, lifting its month-to-date gain to 2.9 per cent and year-to-date return to 61.4 per cent.

The advance was driven largely by gains in heavyweight stocks, with Nigerian Aviation Handling Company emerging as the strongest contributor among the major gainers after rising 7.7 per cent. NASCON Allied Industries gained 4.2 per cent, Zenith Bank 2.3 per cent, First HoldCo 1.4 per cent and MTN Nigeria Communications 0.6 per cent.

The latest rally extends the market’s strong September performance, coming after the NGX All-Share Index closed at 250,614.66 points on Tuesday, following a 0.18 per cent gain.

Trading activity also accelerated sharply, with total volume surging 89.9 per cent to 1.59 billion shares, compared with the previous session. The transactions were valued at N45.82 billion and executed in 49,836 deals.

Financial Services remained a major area of activity, although FTG Insurance dominated the volume chart with 860.31 million shares traded. Guaranty Trust Holding Company led by value, accounting for transactions worth N11.85 billion.

The strong market activity comes against the backdrop of increased attention on Nigerian equities following the country’s return to the FTSE Russell Frontier Market indexes, which became effective on September 21. Major Nigerian stocks, including Zenith Bank, GTCO, First HoldCo, MTN Nigeria and Dangote Cement, had attracted heightened trading interest around the reclassification.

Sectoral performance was mixed, although four of the five monitored sectors closed higher.

The Insurance Index led the sectoral advance, gaining 1.1 per cent, followed by the Banking Index, which rose 0.9 per cent. The Consumer Goods Index advanced 0.2 per cent, while Oil and Gas added 0.1 per cent.

The Industrial Goods Index, however, tempered the broader positive trend, declining 0.2 per cent.

Market breadth further underscored the strength of buying interest, with 43 stocks gaining against 20 decliners, translating to a positive breadth ratio of 2.2x.

Eterna topped the gainers’ table, rising 10 per cent, while Thomas Wyatt Nigeria appreciated 9.9 per cent. On the downside, Caverton Offshore Support Group fell 9.1 per cent, while UACN Property Development Company declined 9 per cent.

With the ASI now firmly above 251,000 points and the year-to-date gain above 61 per cent, the latest session underscores the sustained strength of the domestic equities market, even as sectoral performance remains uneven and trading continues to concentrate in selected large-cap and highly liquid stocks.

Ebola: NCDC Places Nigeria On ‘High Alert’

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory following the latest update on the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The Centre said Nigeria had been placed on ‘high alert’ as it continued to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response measures against any potential threat from the outbreak.

The advisory was contained in a statement signed by the Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris.

The Centre said all preparatory activities were ongoing and that the measures would continue to be reviewed in line with the evolving epidemiological situation and public health risk assessment.

‘These measures will continue to be reviewed in line with the evolving epidemiological situation and public health risk assessment,’ the NCDC said.

As part of the enhanced surveillance measures, the Centre advised travellers arriving from countries with active or relevant EVD transmission to complete the Health Declaration Form.

It said the measure was part of efforts to strengthen public health surveillance and facilitate appropriate follow-up of travellers where necessary.

‘Passengers from all other countries are exempted from completing the form at this time,’ the Centre said.

The NCDC also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, particularly for symptoms consistent with EVD.

It advised anyone who develops symptoms to promptly seek medical attention and provide relevant information about recent travel or possible exposure to the virus, where applicable.

The Centre said the advisory followed a Dynamic Risk Assessment conducted by the NCDC, alongside consultations with relevant public health experts and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

It stressed that it remained committed to protecting the health of Nigerians through evidence-based surveillance, preparedness and response to public health threats.

The advisory comes amid a continuing outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that the DRC had recorded 7,672 confirmed cases and 3,699 related deaths as of September 20, based on data up to September 19.

The ECDC said 886 patients were hospitalised in isolation at the time, representing an increase of 58 confirmed cases and 23 deaths from the previous report on September 19.

The 58 new cases were reported in Ituri, which recorded 38 cases; North Kivu, 14 cases; Haut-Uélé, five cases; and Tshopo, one case.

Among people who tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus, 1,879 had recovered, while 79.9 per cent of identified contacts were under follow-up in the affected provinces, according to the ECDC.

The agency further reported that, since its previous report on September 18, the DRC had recorded 197 new confirmed cases and 94 deaths.

Ituri Province remained the most affected area, with 5,913 cases, including 2,703 deaths, reported from 28 of its 36 health zones, the ECDC said.

The ECDC has continued to monitor the outbreak and, on September 21, announced the deployment of two epidemiologists to the DRC to strengthen surveillance and support the overall outbreak response.

The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a species of ebolavirus. The ECDC has noted that there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific treatments for disease caused by Bundibugyo virus.

Nigeria had previously intensified its preparedness for the outbreak. In a May 2026 advisory, the NCDC said the risk of importation into Nigeria had been assessed as high because of ongoing regional transmission, international travel, population movement, major airports, seaports, land borders and trade routes.

The latest advisory therefore reinforces Nigeria’s surveillance and preparedness measures as the DRC continues to respond to the outbreak.

NMDPRA moves to curb anti-competitive practices in oil sector

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has proposed a new regulatory framework targeting anti-competitive behaviours and market abuse, in a decisive move to protect investors and foster fair competition across the country’s petroleum value chain.

Speaking during the stakeholders consultative forum in Abuja on Tuesday, Rabiu Umar, the Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA said that the regulation titled: ‘Prevention of Anti- Competitive Practices and Behaviour Regulations 2026’, is in pursuant to section 216 of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.

According to Umar, the proposed regulations are intended to strengthen the midstream and downstream petroleum sector by preventing anti-competitive practices, addressing abuse of dominance, promoting fair and non-discriminatory access to essential infrastructure, and also enhancing transparency and market efficiency.

‘The proposed regulations are intended to strengthen the midstream and downstream petroleum sector by preventing anti-competitive practices, addressing abuse of dominance, promoting fair and non-discriminatory access to essential infrastructure, and also enhancing transparency and market efficiency. I

‘In furtherance to this, the Authority has received several submissions from its stakeholders regarding the proposed regulations which will be reviewed.

‘The Authority recognizes that effective regulation must provide regulatory certainty, support investment and innovation, promote efficient markets, and protect the integrity of the petroleum sector. This is therefore a consultation in the true sense of the word. We are here to listen, to learn, and improve the draft where necessary,’ he said.

Speaking further, Umar explained that the Authority had recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Competition and Consumer Preotection Commission (FCCPC) to protect the market against price fixing, cartel behaviour, product withholding, under-dispensing and other practices that distort competition.

The partnership, formalised through a collaborative agreement between the two agencies, is expected to strengthen market surveillance, information sharing, investigations and enforcement across Nigeria’s deregulated petroleum market.

Joseph Tolunrunse, Authority’s secretary and legal adviser, who gave an overview of the draft, said that the document wnich contains 138 regulations, covers pricing conduct, infrastructural assets, dominance and vertical integration, mergers and changes of control, digital markets and data (including AI-related issues), enforcement, compliance and inter-agency coordination.

‘The central purpose of the regulation is to translate the competition provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 into detailed, enforceable rules for the midstream and downstream petroleum industry,’ Tolunrunse said.

According to him, the regulation seeks to creat a level playing field in the sector, prevent monopoly and abuse of dominant positions; protect consumers from market manipulation and anti-competitive behaviour and guarantee open, non-discriminatory access to essential infrastructure (pipelines, depots, terminals, storage).

The regulation also seeks to improving transparency of prices, capacity and market information, atract investment by providing regulatory certainty while aligning Nigeria’s petroleum competition regime with international best practice.

He said the rules would apply to licensees, their affiliates and other persons engaged in commercial activities in the sector, including industry associations where their activities could affect competition.

Tolunrunse described the draft as a shift in NMDPRA’s approach, from mainly licensing and technical oversight to actively regulating how market power is exercised in the sector.

‘This regulation, therefore, attempts to address the economic architecture of the market: who gets assets, on what terms, at what price, with what information, and subject to what competitive safeguards,’ he added.