Category: Business Day

Canada’s has formally ceased its permanent residency (PR) pathway for foreign nationals through its flagship Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP).

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed the permanent closure of the pathway intended for caregivers applying from outside the country, ending a long period of uncertainty for prospective applicants.

The HCWP, which launched with separate options for Home Support and Child Care, was initially presented as including streams for workers abroad. However, despite early assurances, the international intake component never opened for applications and has now been officially discontinued. Backlog blamed for sudden closure

While IRCC has not provided a formal explanation for the decision, available data strongly suggests the closure is a direct result of the immense backlog in caregiver applications.

As of September 11, 2025, IRCC’s inventory of caregiver applications, which includes both the current and older pilot programs, stood at a staggering 34,400.

The department has stated its intention to process only 14 per cent of this figure, equating to 4,816 applications by the end of the year.

With Canada having already admitted 4,200 new permanent residents under caregiver pilots between January 1 and September 11, 2025, only approximately 600 spaces remain for the rest of the year.

This allocation falls significantly short of the 2,750 new permanent residents originally planned for the in-Canada stream of the HCWP alone. The closure therefore aligns with a broader governmental policy shift to prioritise the transition of temporary residents already within Canada to permanent status.

This strategy is reflected in recent category-based Express Entry draws favouring the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and federal instructions requiring provinces to dedicate 75 per cent of their nomination allocations to candidates already residing domestically.

Alternative immigration options remain

Despite the end of the international HCWP stream, foreign caregivers still retain several avenues to immigrate. They are:

Express entry: Workers whose roles fall under National Occupational Classification (NOC) 33102 (nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates) remain eligible to apply through the federal Express Entry system.

They may benefit from the popular category-based selection draws for healthcare and social services roles, although it is highly competitive.

The most recent healthcare-specific draw required applicants to achieve a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 470. Provincial Nominee Programmes (PNPs): Several provincial governments continue to actively invite caregivers through their respective nomination streams. These include:

Manitoba: Skilled worker overseas stream.

Ontario: Employer job offer: Foreign worker stream (through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program).

New Brunswick: Priority occupations stream

Newfoundland and Labrador: Skilled Worker category.

Canada has set an overall limit of 10,920 permanent residents for 2025 across all economic federal pilots, a number that encompasses the Caregiver Pilots alongside programmes such as the Agri-Food Pilot and Start-up Visa Program.

Uba Sani, the executive Governor of Kaduna state has called all Nigerians to work together, across communities, faiths, and backgrounds so as to confront the challengesand unlock the collective potentials, describing the 65th Democracy Day celebration as a history day. Adding that, It is in unity that Nigerians will continue to give life to the dream of a peaceful, just, and prosperous Nigeria.

Governor Uba Sani who made the call today Wednesday, /1/10/2025 while addressing the good people of kaduna state stated that, in Kaduna State, they are translating vision into action as the administration is pursuing inclusive development and renewal through strategic and peoples centred investments especially in the areas of Infrastructure and Economic Connectivity, Rural Transformation Agricultural Revival, Human Capital Development and Health Care, Agriculture as well as Food Security, Peace Building, with Justice, Equity and inclusion.

The Governor stressed that his administration prioritised infrastructure as the engine of development haven launched 85 urban and rural road projects, covering 785 kilometres across the state, nearly half of them completed, facilitating trade, reducing travel time, and improving access to markets for farmers and entrepreneurs alike with rebuilding urban roads, bridges, and essential public utilities to stimulate investment and elevate living conditions.

Uba Sani emphasized that Rural Revitalisation Agenda is reawakening the economic potential of previously marginalised communities with reopening of key markets such as the Birnin Gwari Livestock Market and the Kidandan Market in Giwa, a resurgence of local commerce and a renewed sense of community confidence, more than 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmland have been reclaimed, equipping the farmers to produce more while enhancing food security across the state.

‘ Education and health are not luxuries – they are the pillars of our future. We are executing a comprehensive reform of our educational system to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to quality learning. This includes infrastructure upgrades, teacher training, and the integration of digital tools. Through the Reaching Out-of-School Children Project, we have successfully returned over 10,728 children to the classroom. Moreover, we have reopened 535 schools previously shut due to insecurity, reaffirming our belief that education is a right, not a privilege’. He added He added that, ‘ In healthcare, we have turned promises into action. We have upgraded 255 Primary Health Care Centres across the state, bringing vital services closer to rural communities. These efforts are supported by our investments in three world-class vocational institutes, which are empowering our youth and women with marketable skills to thrive in an evolving economy. Agriculture and Food Security: Recognising the strategic importance of agriculture, we have allocated over 10% of the 2025 budget to the sector – the highest in recent years. This demonstrates our commitment to empowering smallholder farmers, promoting climate-smart practices, and strengthening the agricultural value chain to ensure long-term food security and economic growth’ ‘.

He said, ‘ We understand that meaningful development is impossible without peace. This is why we have deepened our investment in community security, reconciliation, and dialogue. We are expanding community policing initiatives, strengthening collaboration with security agencies, and supporting victims of conflict. Through these efforts, we are rebuilding trust across diverse communities and reaffirming our collective commitment to peaceful coexistence. Justice, equity, and inclusion are the cornerstones of our governance approach. We are building a Kaduna State where policy is driven by fairness, leadership is guided by empathy, and every community, no matter how remote, has a voice in shaping our shared future ‘.

Sani who expressed determination to build a Kaduna that is safe, strong, and inclusive detailed that the path ahead requires greater cooperation between government and the people. Adding that Development is a shared responsibility as such every citizen should contribute through acts of peace, through civic participation, and through unwavering belief in the promise of our state and nation. ‘Nigeria’s future remains bright, and Kaduna’s role in that future is significant. Under His Excellency,

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the nation is undergoing bold reforms to secure peace, restore prosperity, and strengthen democratic governance. Kaduna stands fully in support of this vision. As we celebrate today, let us renew our commitment to building a nation where hope thrives and unity endures. With God’s guidance and our collective resolve, we will overcome our challenges and realise the full potential of our state and country ‘ he stated.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, October 1st, during Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary national broadcast, said his administration has achieved 12 economic milestones in just over two years of sweeping reforms.

The president, who assumed office in May 2023, said his government inherited a near-collapsed economy caused by decades of fiscal policy distortions and misalignment that had impaired real growth.

But he insisted that the ‘painful but necessary decisions’ of subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, and fiscal tightening have begun to yield measurable gains.

‘Less than three years later, the seeds of those difficult but necessary decisions are bearing fruit,’ Tinubu said. ‘The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief.’

Here are the 12 economic milestones the president listed in his address.

Record-breaking non-oil revenue

Nigeria attained ‘A record-breaking increase in non-oil revenue, achieving the 2025 target by August, with over ?20 trillion. In September 2025 alone, we raised ?3.65 trillion, 411% higher than the amount raised in May 2023,’ Tinubu said.

Fiscal health restored

The president noted that the debt service-to-revenue ratio, once a staggering 97%, has now dropped ‘to below 50%. He also confirmed that the government has paid down the infamous ‘Ways and Means’ advances that threatened our economic stability and triggered inflation, while savings from subsidy removal have been channelled into education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Stronger external reserves

‘Our external reserves increased to $42.03 billion this September-the highest since 2019,’ Tinubu announced, describing it as a buffer that has strengthened investor confidence.

Higher tax-to-GDP ratio

The country’s tax-to-GDP ratio rose from under 10% to 13.5%, with a new law expected in January 2026. ‘The tax law is not about increasing the burden on existing taxpayers but about expanding the base. and providing tax relief to low-income earners,’ the president clarified.

Trade surplus achieved

For the first time in years, Nigeria is consistently exporting more than it imports. ‘We have recorded a trade surplus for five consecutive quarters. Nigeria’s trade surplus increased by 44.3% in Q2 2025 to N7.46 trillion ($4.74 billion), the largest in about three years,’ Tinubu stated. Non-oil exports now account for 48% of trade compared to oil’s 52%.

Oil sector recovery

Oil output has climbed back to 1.68 million barrels per day from barely 1 million in May 2023. Nigeria also refined petrol locally for the first time in four decades and became ‘the continent’s leading exporter of aviation fuel.’

Naira stability

After years of volatility, Tinubu said, ‘The Naira has stabilised from the turbulence and volatility witnessed in 2023 and 2024. The gap between the official rate and the unofficial market has reduced substantially, following FX reforms and fresh capital and remittance inflows.’

Social investment for the poor

Under renewed social safety nets, ‘N330 billion has been disbursed to eight million households, many of whom have received either one or two out of the three tranches of N25,000 each,’ the president confirmed.

Solid minerals boom

Coal mining, which had declined by 22% in Q1, surged by 57.5% in Q2 2025, making solid minerals one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors.

Infrastructure expansion

Tinubu said transport infrastructure is expanding rapidly: ‘Rail and water transport grew by over 40% and 27%, respectively. The 284-kilometre Kano-Katsina-Maradi Standard Gauge rail project and the Kaduna-Kano rail line are nearing completion, while the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway are progressing.’

Improved investor confidence

According to the president, Sovereign credit rating agencies have upgraded their outlook for Nigeria, recognising our improved economic fundamentals. ‘Our stock market is experiencing an unprecedented boom, rising from an all-share index of 55,000 points in May 2023 to 142,000 points as of September 26, 2025,’ he said.

Interest rate cut

Tinubu highlighted a monetary policy shift: ‘At its last MPC meeting, the Central Bank slashed interest rates for the first time in five years, expressing confidence in our country’s macroeconomic stability.’

Electricity consumers and power distribution companies have been at loggerheads for years over appropriate bills. What seems to separate this dispute is prepaid meters, but this has been scarce.

Now, the management of Holley Metering Nigeria Limited says members of the pubic especially electricity users can now heave a sigh of relief. The group says it has commenced the sales of prepaid meters for customers in Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers States.

Holley Metering Nigeria Limited is said to be a global leader in the metering industry and licensed by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) as a Meter Asset Provider (MAP) to bridge the metering gap in Nigeria. According to a statement from its officials, the company said it has carved a niche in top quality smart prepayment meters, metering products and systems and has a long-standing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc, (PHED).

Under the partnership arrangement, the statement further said, ‘Holley Metering has been providing/deploying different types to meter customers in PHED’s franchise area but not limited to installation as well.

‘Holley Meters comes with the benefit of meeting customer needs to control their electricity consumption, avoid estimated bills, unwarranted disconnection in addition to other ancillary advantages.’

The company gave the breakdown of costs of the meters which now range from N129, 454 to N216, 206 depending on the phase of the meter, with an installation period not exceeding 10 working days after payment.

Unlike previous prepaid meter schemes that had a lot of protocol and middlemen, the new scheme is said to be open to any interested person who are free to meet them at their headquarters in Port Harcourt.

‘Sweet Us’, the masterpiece song by a hitmaker Timaya, was popularised by former governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

While he was in Rivers and now in Abuja, he adopted the song as his signature tune and dances to its rhythm. In fact, he relishes the lyrics every time he commissions a project.

Is he living the music? Your guess is as good of mine!

For 65 years, Nigeria has had a combination of military and democratic regimes. In all of these years, one thing has remained constant- they against us!

The ruling class smiles while we frown. They laugh while we cry. They celebrate while we weep. They enjoy themselves to the fullest while we pine in abject poverty. They parrot patriotism while they are the most unpatriotic, and they preach belt-tightening but revel in all manner of extravagance.

The ruling class has always considered itself a special breed. They use the opportunity of office to better their lots. That is why ‘former this and former that.’ in Nigeria never know poverty again after holding public office no matter how short their exposure to power is. They use the opportunity of their office to make themselves stupendously rich.

Whether it was in the military era or in the democratic era, former and present leaders are among the wealthiest citizens. They flaunt this wealth to the chagrin on many of their compatriots.

Since Independence in 1960, no past president or head of state of Nigeria has ever been officially probed over appropriation or misappropriation of funds, even when there are stark evidences pointing to their high level of maleficence.

In all of these years, Nigeria has been mercilessly milked and raped by so-called leaders.

While the nation’s public debt stock continues to rise dangerously, currently standing at N149.39trillion (about US$97billion, there are few individuals in Nigeria that can be said to be richer than the country with no known viable businesses other than their exposure to public till.

Nigeria’s borrowing binge became a serious concern recently that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas cried out, calling for urgent reforms in borrowing practices and oversight.

‘.Even more concerning is the debt to GDP ratio, which now stands at roughly 52 percent, well above the statutory ceiling of 40 percent set by our own laws. This is not just a budgetary concern but a structural crisis that demands urgent parliamentary attention and coordinated reform,’ Abbas said.

But the greater concern is in the outlandish lifestyle of those who should be cautious about the perilous and state of the country. They rather chose to live above their means and drive the costliest automobiles in town in a country with high multidimensional poverty with the 2022 National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) indicating that 63 percent of the population (133 million people) are multi-dimensionally poor

Today, it is safe for leaders to reel out their efforts in steadying the economy, but at the same time they flaunt their lavish lifestyles before the traumatized citizens. Confucius, Chinese philosopher, said: ‘In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of; in a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.’

What this means is that when a government is effective and provides for its people, the existence of poverty is a sign of a societal failure, reflecting a lack of capability in the populace. Conversely, in a poorly governed society, immense wealth (such as the one being exhibited by leaders) can be seen as a symptom of corruption or exploitation of others, making it a source of shame.

Security

On this front, Nigeria has moved from a nation where citizens moved freely in the past to a point where any movement from one part of the country to another is fraught with enormous danger. Killers in the name of bandits, kidnappers, organ harvesters, Boko Haram and other assorted criminals lay siege every inch of the way, so much so that Nigerians now engage in days of prayer and fasting before they embark on interstate journeys. In those days, parents would hand over their children to complete strangers travelling with commercial busses or train to another part of the country, several kilometers away. Those children arrived their destinations in peace. Such things no longer happen today. Only politicians with heavy armada of security personnel and body guards easily move around these days. Nigeria has descended to a level where communities are signing memorandum of understanding (MoU) with bandits to be allowed to live in peace in their own domain.

Housing

This is another serious challenge in the country. With housing deficit over 20 million, many citizens live in unhealthy environments. Thousands of citizens live and sleep under the bridges and in uncompleted buildings in cities whereas their leaders in government live in palatial homes provided for them with tax payers’ money. They also own multiple houses within and outside Nigeria. A good number of public office holders are said to hide stolen wealth in real estate. High rise buildings and estates are built in highbrow areas of the country and in undeveloped places in Abuja, Lagos and other places across the country.

These buildings are left uninhabited for many years because the owners did not make the money in clean ways. Such buildings serve as store of value, whereas people are homeless everywhere.

Education

The story of education in Nigeria has moved from one that was qualitative to being wishy-washy as a result of many years of neglect of the sector. In the early years after Independence, the nation’s universities attracted students from foreign countries, who deliberately proffered to school in Nigeria to other places. They admired the quality education in Nigeria and they got it.

In those days, there were scholarships to certain levels which enabled children from poor homes to go to school. Many of them, upon graduation, got good jobs through which they lifted their poor families. But as years rolled by, those who were responsible for making policies for the nation’s education watered down everything and scholarship became a matter of ‘who you know.’ Corruption also became entrenched in the system. Education budgets became food for the boys and government schools began to lose their charm. Then, those who used to come from other lands became discouraged and disinterested. Private schools began to spring up to the point that quality became compromised.

Public office holders and other wealthy Nigerians began to send their children abroad for studies. Although Nigeria today has about 276 registered universities (73 federal, 67 state and 136 private) according to the National Universities Commission (NUC), many of them are just existing by name. The growth of a nation’s education cannot be determined by the number of schools there are in a country. It is the quality that determines it. The most pathetic story is that over 70 percent of the graduates every year do not have a job. Many of them are forced to go into ‘menial jobs’ to eke out a living. There is the need, urgent need for that matter, to declare an emergency in the nation’s education sector.

Healthcare

Perhaps, no other sector captures the stunted growth of Nigeria than the health sector. There is no denying the fact that a lot is being done and has been done, but they all amounted to ‘too little too late’. In the past, many Nigerians believed so much in the health institutions in the country. The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), University Teaching Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and a few others were go-to places and gave Nigerians hope, but today, they have become a shadow of their old selves. Apart from chronic dearth of qualified personnel because of the ‘japa’ syndrome occasioned by frustrating operating environment, the high cost of running the facilities has hampered quality service delivery. Today, such institutions are groaning under the weight of high electricity bill among others. The neglect of the nation’s healthcare sector became total when presidents and other public office holders began to jet out to London, France and India to treat throat and ear infections.

Deepening fault lines

Many Nigerians, except those in government, speak in tandem that Nigeria is perhaps, more divided today than it has ever been in its 65 years. The acclaimed social cohesion is non-existent, and the evidence is everywhere. What many Nigerians are seeing today is a nation that is being gradually driven to a precipice. People now talk about their ethnic leaning more than their Nigerianness. People today are apprehensive living outside their geo-political zones. These are no signs of a progressive country. And as e dey sweet the powers that be, e dey pain the people!

While the leaders revel in endless enjoyment and claim of a burgeoning nation, the masses are gnashing their teeth and the nation continues to totter.

One thing that has so much affected the country is the increasing trust deficit. Until the ruling class begins to win back the trust of the people, the expected growth may continue to be in the realm of aspiration.

ýTo mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Ademola Adeleke the governor of Osun State has granted amnesty to 36 convicts currently serving sentences at the Nigerian Correctional Service facilities in Ilesa and Ile-Ife.

ýThe gesture, according to a statement by Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor’s spokesperson, was made in line with the powers conferred on the Governor under Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), follows the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

ýAdeleke, in a proclamation issued under his hand and the Public Seal of Osun State, dated September 24, 2025, declared that: ý’WHEREAS, the Governor of Osun State of Nigeria has granted amnesty to the convicted persons listed and attached hereto, who are subject to the jurisdiction of Osun State; NOW KNOW YE THAT I, Senator (Dr.) Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, the Governor of Osun State of Nigeria, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Paragraph (a) Subsection (1) of Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), and acting in accordance with the Advisory Council of State designated under Subsection (2) of the said Section, am graciously pleased to extend my mercy to the said thirty-six (36) convicts.

ýý’By this act, I remit and release unto them all pains, penalties, and punishments whatsoever that may have accrued from their convictions, and I hereby require all to whom it may concern to take due notice thereof. AND FOR SO DOING, this shall be a sufficient warrant. Given under my hand and the Public Seal of Osun State, Nigeria, this 24th day of September, 2025.’

ýOlawale further revealed that the beneficiaries include men and women convicted mostly of minor offences such as stealing and conspiracy, many of whom had served substantial portions of their sentences. ýFrom the Ilesa facility, those pardoned include Kehinde Ganiyu, Isiaka Mohammed, Oluwatosin Femi, Adebisi Adeniyi, Rotimi Paul, Oyewole Sunday, Ojo Adewale, Tajudeen Ridwan, and Jokotola Quadri, Akinola Taofeek, Onibukun Adebisi, Azeez Afeez, Abdulgafar Quadri, Udoh Monday O., Babawale Saheed, Olasunkanmi Wasiu, Adetoro Toheeb, Mudashiru Lawal, and Ismaila Wahab, as well as Yinka Oyeniyi, Olaniyan Taofeek, Sheu Mumini, Ololade Bashit, Musibau Abdulkareem, Jamiu Sulaeeb, Jeremiah Ayuba, Abimbola Samad, Oladeji Tosin, and Mathew Samuel.

ýFrom the Ile-Ife centre, the amnesty covers Yusuf Ola, Oyedeji Sunday, Ojo Olaoluwa, Ogunola Rafiu, Ayomide Amos, Usman Adefisan, and Adedigba Abiodun.

ýThe governor emphasised that the decision reflects the spirit of compassion, justice, and renewal which Nigeria’s Independence Day represents.ý

ýHe added, ‘As a government of the people, we remain committed to upholding justice while extending mercy to deserving citizens. This amnesty is not only a gesture of freedom but also a call for true rehabilitation, reintegration, and a fresh start for these individuals.’

The travel and tourism industry plays a major role in Nigeria’s economic development. In this interview with BusinessDay, IFEANYI EZEOKOLI, the MD/CEO, Incel Holidays and Tourism Limited, highlights the innovative ways Incel Holidays is redefining the tourism industry in Nigeria. Excerpts:

The tourism sector, to a very large extent, gives the state of health of the country. How has your experience been in Nigeria’s tourism sector, especially in the last 2 years?

The last two years have been both challenging and inspiring. On the challenging side, we have had to deal with rising costs in the industry from flights, visas, and even processing our local passports due to the exchange rates. I would also add that there are also infrastructure gaps and global travel restrictions that have reshaped customer expectations. Some years ago, you could travel to Dubai with N500,000 with flight, hotel, and visa inclusive; now N500,000 can barely cover return flights even to neighbouring Ghana.

But on the positive side, there has been a strong shift in interest towards other international destinations, including our very own domestic tourism. More Nigerians are realising that they don’t always have to go abroad to enjoy rich culture, scenery, and relaxation. Taking a cue from the last ‘Detty December’ in Lagos, seeing how Nigerians and foreigners trooped into Lagos to enjoy the excitement Lagos has to offer. That shift has kept the sector alive and given us hope for bigger opportunities ahead. Besides Lagos, we should remember Calabar Carnival, Obudu Resort, Ikogosi, and other interesting places within Nigeria.

More Nigerians are realising they don’t always have to go abroad to enjoy rich culture, scenery, and relaxation-Ezeokoli

What unique features stand your firm out in the nation’s holiday and tourism sector?

At Incel Holidays and Tourism Limited, we offer more than just travel planning. We provide complete solutions for our clients – end-to-end travel service, which includes affordable flights, smooth visa processing, hotel bookings, transfers, corporate travels, airport protocols, and guided tours. We have holiday packages designed to be fun-filled and convenient. Also, on request, we create bespoke holiday packages so our customers can focus on enjoying their trip while we take care of everything else. This ability to simplify travel for individuals, families, and corporate clients has helped us gain the trust of our customers over the years.

There are so many players in Nigeria’s tourism industry. How does your firm handle competition and disruptions in the industry?

Travel and tourism in Nigeria is a highly competitive space. However, we don’t approach it with fear. Instead, it pushes us to be innovative, go the extra mile to satisfy our customers while staying flexible.

When challenges come up-like changes in exchange rates, flight cancellations, or new rules-we adjust quickly. We negotiate new deals, look for new destinations, and keep open communication with our clients. This ability to adapt, along with our personal touch, helps us succeed in a very competitive industry.

The new government policies concerning exchange rates and subsidy removal created opportunities and new challenges. Could you please share your experience on how your firm tapped the opportunities and addressed the new challenges?

The policies definitely raised travel costs, but they also pushed us to think smarter. We leveraged stronger partnerships with airlines, other agencies, travel vendors, and hotel groups to secure discounted deals. We also expanded our domestic travel options, encouraging Nigerians to visit and see places in Nigeria. We have invested in reaching more customers around the world, using our Dubai branch as a key example. We are also using digital tools to provide our clients with more flexible payment options. While we faced challenges, these also gave us the opportunity to diversify and innovate. Nigeria will be 65 years old on October 1st. What message do you have for the country’s leaders at the federal and state levels?

At 65, Nigeria has much to celebrate, but we also need to look forward. I want our leaders to understand that tourism can be an integral part of our economy if we focus on it. Investing in infrastructure, safety, and promoting our destinations will attract foreign visitors and encourage Nigerians to explore their own country. If the government and private sector collaborate effectively, tourism can create as many jobs and contribute to the nations GDP as much as the oil and gas industry in the next ten years.

The Yuletide season is almost here and it is the time of the year customers expect a unique experience. Any special packages in the pipeline for your current and prospective clients?

Yes, this Christmas we have put together packages that give our clients something truly memorable. For those who want to explore closer to home, we are running a 7-DAY CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE ACROSS FOUR WEST AFRICAN CITIES, COTONOU, OUIDAH, LOMÉ, AND ACCRA.

It is a mix of history, culture, and fun, with stops at places like the Amazon Statue in the Republic of Benin, Casa del Papa resort, a Lomé boat cruise, and Accra’s Kwame Nkrumah Park. It promises to be a thrilling and relaxed road trip in a comfortable air-conditioned bus. The tour runs from 22nd – 28th December, 2025. This special offer allows clients to deposit only 30% by 15th October, and the balance due by 25th November, 2025.

For travellers looking further abroad, we have created a Singapore package that covers four nights of sightseeing, including Merlion Park, the famous Cable Car ride, and a guided tour of Scentopia. Everything from the visa to airport transfers and hotels will be handled by us thus making the trip stress-free. This valid from 1st September 2025 to 20th January 2026.

And for sports fans, December is extra special because of the AFCON 2025 in Morocco from Dec 21 to 31, 2025. Our Package takes you to three live Super Eagles matches, with 10 nights’ accommodation, tours, visa support with flights included.

Our Christmas package this year is different from the norm, as there are options that fit different target markets in the travel space. For those looking for a ONE-STOP travel partner this Yuletide season, Incel Tourism offers you everything from visa assistance and processing to flight tickets, hotel bookings and airport transfers. Our end-to-end solutions make your travel easy and stress-free. For bookings and further enquiries Call/WhatsApp 09113218885, 09113218886 or mail [email protected]

What is the outlook for the holiday and tourism sector in Nigeria?

The future is definitely bright for Nigeria’s tourism industry. Nigerians love to travel and experience new things. Aside from wanting to ‘JAPA’, more people are looking to build their travel history for either tourism or relocation to study or work. The Nigeria travel space has better online booking options and greater awareness of local attractions; the tourism sector is growing. If the government invests in the travel and tour industry and collaborates with private businesses, Nigeria’s tourism industry can become one of the strongest in Africa in the coming years.

The rift between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has pushed up cooking gas prices by 33 percent across Nigeria, leaving many households struggling to afford the essential commodity.

A kilogramme of cooking gas has risen from N1200 to N1600.

Across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and other major cities on Tuesday, residents were forced to ration consumption or resort to alternative fuels such as kerosene, firewood and charcoal, further straining household budgets.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) retailers said they were battling acute shortages, as supply from both local producers and importers tightened significantly.

‘The situation is unbearable,’ said Chinyere Nwankwo, a mother of three who lives in Abuja. ‘I bought gas at N1,200 per kilogramme two weeks ago, but today it is N1,600. We can’t continue like this. Families are being suffocated.’

Industry sources blame the scarcity on disagreement between PENGASSAN and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery over pricing, supply channels and contractual terms.

‘LPG scarcity persists nationwide as PENGASSAN delays LPG discharge in Apapa,’ said LPG in Nigeria, a social enterprise that started in 2011 to grow the Nigerian LPG industry through advocacy.

Although the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports, reports suggest that limited volumes are being released into the domestic market. This, combined with rising global gas prices and foreign exchange pressures, has worsened the crisis.

Retailers argue that the federal government has failed to intervene decisively to stabilise the sector. ‘We are left at the mercy of producers and middlemen as the scarcity continues,’ said Adam Sulaimon, a retailer in Lagos.

‘Every day since last weekend, the price has gone up, and we have no choice but to pass it to consumers. If the scarcity continues, it could hit N2,000 per kilogramme before next week.’

The surge in cooking gas prices has far-reaching implications. Beyond household hardship, it undermines Nigeria’s clean energy transition agenda, which aims to discourage the use of firewood and charcoal due to concerns about deforestation and the environment.

The issue may escalate without quick resolution

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) warns that without a swift resolution between PENGASSAN, Dangote, and other key stakeholders, the crisis could escalate into a national emergency.

Olatunbosun Oladapo, NALPGAM’s president, said its members are on standby to get the supply. However, vessel discharge has been stopped on the back of the PENGASSAN strike.

He said: ‘There’s no loading in any depot as we speak now. Our members are there to pick gas, but there’s nowhere to pick. Virtually all the storage facilities are dry, and the vessel was not allowed to discharge.

‘There’s no Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and other officers to inspect because of this PENGASSAN strike.

‘So it’s a national issue, and we are seeing the effects. The earlier we solve this problem, the better for the country. Because if there is no gas supply for the next three days, then there will be problems.’

The NMDPRA has yet to issue a clear statement, though insiders say the government is weighing options that include emergency imports and stakeholder engagement.

For now, Nigerians remain in the grip of soaring costs. ‘Cooking gas should not be a luxury,’ said Nwankwo. ‘But right now, it feels like only the rich can afford to cook.’

Meeting continues after Monday deadlock

The mediation meeting to resolve the ongoing dispute between Dangote Refinery and PENSASSAN ended in a deadlock on Monday as both parties could not come to terms, after about nine hours of meeting.

The meeting, which was chaired by Muhammad Dingyadi, minister of Labour and Employment, had the leadership of PENGASSAN, Dangote Refinery, minister of finance, and key directors of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in attendance.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting at the early hours of Tuesday, Festus Osifo, president of PENGASSAN, explained that the meeting could not resolve the issues at hand as the management of Dangote Refinery refused to reinstate the sacked staff.

He insisted that the demand of the association was the reinstatement of the 800 staff who were sacked, adding that the strike action would continue without their reinstatement.

‘Yes, as you could see, we’ve been here for about nine hours trying to find solutions. And we’ve had numerous deliberations from the larger team. We broke into a smaller team, trying to find solutions. But unfortunately, there is no solution tonight.

‘All we want is that we have 800 people plus that are at home. These people are fathers; they are mothers, and their careers are at stake. When you terminate people the way you’ve terminated them, it will be extremely difficult for them to find jobs anywhere.

‘ Some of these people are trainees and you said they have committed sabotage. So, if they go home like that, there is no other company they will get jobs to do again in Nigeria because they have seen them as saboteurs. So, these are careers that will be damaged if proper remedy is not put in place.

‘So, that is why for us, our position has been very clear, you have to reinstate these people. If you reinstate them tonight, we will call off our action tonight, but unfortunately, that reinstatement did not happen. And we were not able to reach conclusions on the subject.

‘So they have asked us to come back again by 2 o’clock. So, we will reconvene and we pray that God should touch the heart of the capitalists. God should touch the heart of the oppressors for them to call our people back to work,’ Osifo said.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its industrial action, which commenced on Monday.

This follows the reconciliatory meetings which took place in Abuja on Monday and Tuesday, at the instance of Muhammad Dingyadi, the minister of labour and employment. Dangote Refinery, at the meeting had agreed to deploy disengaged workers, while PENGASSAN committed to call off the strike.

PENGASSAN had embarked on the strike action to protest the sack of 800 workers by Dangote Refinery. The Association had said the action is an affront to all workers in Nigeria and a deliberate violation of Nigeria’s labour laws, the Constitution, and ILO conventions. However, Festus Osifo, President of PENGASSAN, who announced the suspension on Wednesday in Abuja, noted that the union suspended the strike strictly out of respect for the Federal Government and its institutions involved in the conciliation process.

He warned that the union would not hesitate to resume the strike if Dangote’s management fail to act in accordance to the agreement to recall the affected staff.

He said: ‘We are not happy with the terms of the agreement because it did not capture our main demand of recalling the 800 sacked Nigerians. But out of respect for government institutions, for the National Security Adviser, the DSS, the Chief Reconciliator of the Federation, and ministers who worked tirelessly into the early hours of the morning to mediate, we decided to suspend the action.

‘However, let me be clear: if Dangote fails to keep its part, we will resume immediately, without any warning.

‘We know that Dangote does not play by the rules or respect agreements. We believe and suspect that some of the promises extracted during the negotiations will not be honoured. But because we respect due process and institutions of government, we will give them that benefit of doubt. Yet, any breach will be met with severe and immediate response.’ Osifo speaking further, explained that PENGASSAN’s resolve to withdraw services nationwide was to protect young oil and gas workers who voluntarily agreed to be part of the union.

He noted that the oil and gas workforce has carried the burden of Nigeria’s economy for decades, providing over 90 percent of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings. ‘We know who we are and what we stand for. We are patriots who love this country more than any single individual, and that is why, despite our reservations, we chose to suspend this strike in deference to government efforts.

‘We will be monitoring closely. Any slip, any breach, any part of this agreement that is not kept, we will not issue further notice. We will not give any warning. We will resume the suspended industrial action immediately. That is our resolution.

‘Let’s see where they will take them to, the grey area where we were not happy with was very clear, it was the fact that we wanted them to send all of them to the Refinery but the government moved other wise, to find a middle point.

‘On paper it has been that they will take them back but in reality we have not seen it, so the issue is that we will not be deceived because they said they will take them back, then we will now wait, one, to five days, if we do not see any traction, we will not be deceived and that is why what we said was that we have suspended the industrial action.

‘We are in good faith as a demonstration to government that we respect institution, that we are extremely patriotic but this suspended action, we will go back to the trenches immediately we see any foul play, we will come back without any notice.’

Osifo affirmed that PENGASSAN’s struggle was not against progress but against injustice, and that the union would remain steadfast in defending the rights and welfare of its members, no matter whose interest was at stake.

The Edo State Internal Revenue Service, (EIRS) said it has generated the sum of N79 billion out of the N100 billion target by the State in 2025 fiscal in the last nine months.

Oladele Bankole-Balogun, the executive chairman of EIRS, disclosed this during a meeting with heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs permanent secretaries, and directors in Benin- City.

Bankole-Balogun, however, warned that leakages by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, threaten sustainable growth.

He added that between January and June, 2025, the agency generated N52.6 billion representing a 46 per cent increase over the 2024 generation.

The EIRS who described revenue as the ‘lifeline of development,’ insisted that Edo must position itself as a frontrunner in implementing the new framework.

He also disclosed that the state government would be adopting the Treasury Single Account (TSA) as part of policy reforms to boost revenue generation and block leakages.

‘These results are commendable. Yet, by the standards of the governor, the expectations of Edo people, and the possibilities before us, there is still much more to do. ‘A fundamental tool for achieving this is the Single Treasury Account (TSA), which we have begun to institutionalize.It ensures that all government receipts flow through a transparent,centralized account-eliminating cash handling,reducing leakages, and improving accountability.

‘Going forward,we will insist that all revenue streams be remitted into the IGR account, with proper digital trials and accountability’, he said.

He explained that there was the need to close leakages, comply fully with the Treasury Single Account (TSA), and align with the Nigerian Tax Reform Acts set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

He said the meeting was more than administrative, and a clarion call for unity, collaboration, and shared purpose in building the Edo State of our dreams

‘Revenue is not an end in itself; it is a means – a means to better roads, stronger health systems, vibrant education, safe communities, and dignity for all citizens of Edo State. ‘Every MDA must become ‘a revenue-generating asset in its own right’ while ensuring compliance with digital systems and TSA requirements.

While highlighting the opportunities in the 2025 Nigerian Tax Reform Acts, he said it would consolidate multiple tax laws into a unified Nigeria Tax Act (NTA).

He also explained that the reforms expanded the tax net to digital assets and informal commerce, introduced a four per cent development levy, and established new institutions like the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and a Tax Ombudsman.

‘The new framework simplifies, digitalises, and makes tax administration more predictable.

‘Edo must align internal processes, adopt e-receipting and digital reporting, and leverage our informal and digital economy for sustainable growth,’ he added.

He, however, urged MDAs handling land, urban planning, permits, and business registrations to strengthen compliance under the restructured stamp duty and real estate provisions.

He also called for sustained partnership, with the MDAs stressing that, ‘We do not ask for compliance by fiat, but by reason, trust, systems, and partnership.

‘Think of the untapped potential in land and planning agencies, in building control, in informal trade regulation, in permitting systems, and in new business registration,’ he advised.

‘We invite each of you to own the vision, to embed revenue-conscious thinking in your agencies, and to commit to the discipline that accountability demands.’, stated.

On his party, Jackson Eribo, Executive Director of MDA Services, listed some of the challenges hindering revenue optimisation to include illegal opening of revenue accounts, cash collections against the state’s cashless policy, and partial remittances

Eribo listed other challenges to include fragmentation of systems outside the Edo Revenue Administration System (ERAS), and non-compliance with Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) requirements.

He noted that the continued violation of the state’s cashless policy through cash collections and partial remittances remains a serious concern.