Category: Business Day

Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources (oil) says Nigeria’s Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) now shares over N2 trillion every month among the three tiers of government, following the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Lokpobiri, who disclosed this at the 9th edition of the 2025 OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos, said the bold decision to end the decades-long subsidy regime had freed up enormous fiscal resources that are now being redirected to critical infrastructure and development projects across the country.

‘Before subsidy removal, FAAC shared less than N1 trillion monthly. Today, we are sharing over N2 trillion because the subsidy burden has been lifted,’ the minister said. ‘This shows the policy was necessary to put Nigeria on a path of sustainability.’

The minister noted that the decision to remove fuel subsidies was one of the most courageous decisions taken by any Nigerian leader in recent history. He praised President Tinubu for demonstrating ‘political will and economic foresight’ despite initial resistance from citizens and political stakeholders.

According to him, the new fiscal reality reflects the ‘freedom of movement’ in government finances, allowing states and local governments to access more revenue for people-oriented projects.

‘The subsidy regime was not sustainable. We were practically subsidising the entire West African region,’ Lokpobiri said. ‘With its removal, more funds are now available for roads, healthcare, education, and other infrastructure that directly benefit Nigerians.’

Lokpobiri told delegates that subsidy removal had also opened up the downstream petroleum sector to private investment, competition, and innovation, creating a more transparent and market-driven environment.

He said the previous subsidy system discouraged private sector players from investing in refining and distribution, as government pricing distortions created uncertainty and losses.

‘The downstream can only grow when the right incentives are in place,’ he said. ‘Subsidy removal has liberalised the sector, allowing investors to come in, compete fairly, and drive efficiency. That’s how we can achieve price stability, sustainability, and affordability.’

Lokpobiri praised indigenous refiners like Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)’s initiatives for their ongoing efforts to expand local refining capacity, saying such investments would save foreign exchange, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s energy security.

He confirmed that the government would continue to provide an enabling environment for downstream operators through clear regulatory frameworks, fiscal stability, and investor-friendly policies.

Speaking on the global energy transition debate, Lokpobiri cautioned African countries against prematurely abandoning their oil and gas resources in pursuit of Western-driven climate targets. He said recent data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) underscores the continuing importance of hydrocarbons to global energy security.

‘The IEA has now admitted that the world must invest at least $540 billion annually in oil and gas to avoid an energy crisis by 2050,’ Lokpobiri said. ‘This is a major shift from their earlier position. It shows that hydrocarbons will remain central to meeting the world’s growing energy demand.’

He emphasised that Africa, with a population exceeding 1.5 billion people, represents a vast energy market that must be developed responsibly to lift millions out of poverty.

‘Africa currently imports over $120 billion worth of refined petroleum products annually. This shows we have both the market and the demand,’ he said. ‘The task ahead is to build the infrastructure, attract the capital, and refine our products locally.’

Lokpobiri added that Nigeria was positioning itself as a regional hub for petroleum products through the West African Gas Market initiative, which seeks to expand cross-border energy trade and enhance energy access within the subregion.

Lokpobiri reiterated that Nigeria’s approach to the energy transition must be guided by national realities, not external pressure. He said while developed countries were responsible for over 97 percent of global carbon emissions, Africa contributed only about 3 percent, yet faces the greatest restrictions in accessing climate finance.

‘Even if Africa stops emitting today, global warming will not stop,’ he argued. ‘The West that caused the problem is slowing down its commitments, yet wants Africa to halt its development. That’s not fair.’

He called for a unified African voice in international energy forums, urging leaders to push for equitable energy financing and resist attempts to ‘weaponise capital’ against developing economies.

‘We cannot depend on pledges that never materialise,’ he said. ‘Billions of dollars have been promised to Africa in climate funds, yet little has been disbursed. We must find homegrown solutions to finance our energy future.’

The minister highlighted that with the right policies, Nigeria can attract massive foreign investment across the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments. He disclosed that the petroleum ministry was already engaging potential investors from the United States, Europe, and the Middle East who have expressed interest in Nigeria’s expanding energy space.

‘In the past two years, we’ve seen increased investor confidence,’ he said. ‘During my recent trip to the U.S., we signed letters of intent with several energy firms. The capital is available, what we need is to make it accessible and transparent.’

Lokpobiri emphasised that Africa must leverage its vast natural resources to drive industrialisation, build regional energy value chains, and reduce dependence on imported fuels.

‘If we harness our oil, gas, and human capital effectively, Africa alone is enough to sustain global growth,’ he said. ‘The focus now should be on expanding investment, not retreating from our resources.’

Major airports across the U.S. issued ground stops or delays on Sunday amid a shortage of Air traffic controllers.

According to Fox Business News, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey issued a ground delay Sunday afternoon until 12:59 a.m. local time the following day, with flights delayed around 82 minutes on average, according to the website for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

In Boston, a ground stop was issued until 4:30 p.m. local time at Logan International Airport due to a disabled aircraft on the runway.

Around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, a staffing shortage reportedly triggered a ground stop affecting flights at Los Angeles International Airport. That ground stop was later lifted, according to KTLA.

Oakland International Airport in Oakland, California, was also impacted by that ground stop, KTLA reported.

San Francisco International Airport issued a ground delay until 1:59 a.m. the following day, with an average delay of 44 minutes.

Many other airports experienced temporary flight delays Sunday afternoon, typically ranging between 15 and 30 minutes, including:

Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas; Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Dallas; Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia; LaGuardia Airport in New York City; Dallas Love Field in Dallas; Denver International Airport in Denver; Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Florida; Orlando International Airport in Orlando; Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.

Some of the reasons listed for the delays included staffing, weather, compacted demand and traffic management initiatives, according to the FAA website.

The FAA did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment. An automatic reply from the agency stated, ‘Due to a lapse in funding, the FAA is not responding to routine media inquiries.’

The reply also referenced staffing challenges across the system, noting, ‘As (Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy) has said, there have been increased staffing shortages across the system. When that happens, the FAA slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations.’

Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, Nigeria’s new Chief of Defence Staff, steps into his role with a reputation built on grit, intellect, and steady command. His appointment by President Bola Tinubu places him at the centre of Nigeria’s national security strategy at a moment when the country faces threats on multiple fronts.

Born on June 21 1968, in Ikere Ekiti, Oluyede’s journey into the upper ranks of the military began at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. He emerged as a Second Lieutenant in 1992, one of a young group of officers who would go on to shoulder the weight of Nigeria’s most demanding security challenges. His early postings took him through roles as Platoon Commander, Company Commander, and staff positions within the Guards Brigade. Each move built his knowledge of Nigeria’s complex security landscape and the culture of the Armed Forces.

He rose through the command chain with a mix of frontline experience and academic discipline. Oluyede holds a degree in Economics and has completed advanced military leadership studies, including at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru. His time as an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy is often cited as evidence of his belief in strategic thinking and professional development across the ranks.

Operationally, he has stood in some of the most challenging environments for any Nigerian soldier. From the ECOMOG peacekeeping mission in Liberia, to security enforcement in the Bakassi Peninsula, and the battle against insurgency in the north east under Operation Hadin Kai, he has commanded units where success often depended on adaptability and morale under pressure. His leadership of the Infantry Corps in Jaji marked a major point in his career, signalling his readiness for the highest offices.

His recent rise has been swift, which reflects years of consistent service. In October 2024, he became Acting Chief of Army Staff, a role confirmed later by the House of Representatives. Now, as Chief of Defence Staff, he occupies the most senior position in Nigeria’s military hierarchy.

He is expected to tighten cooperation between the Army, Navy, and Air Force, improve intelligence coordination, and support troops with better logistics and welfare. He views these as essential to restoring confidence and effectiveness across the board.

Decorated with honours such as the Grand Service Star and Corps Medal of Honour. He remains a family man at heart, married with three children, and enjoys travelling, basketball, and volleyball when off duty.

A soldier, a strategist, and a teacher, Olufemi Oluyede arrives at the top job with a clear understanding of what is at stake.

Civil society organisations (CSOs) have raised concerns over the Federal Government’s delay in releasing funds for Nigeria’s 2025 immunisation programme, warning that the bottleneck could derail vaccine distribution nationwide and threaten child health outcomes.

This comes as the Senate considers a bill to amend the National Health Act (2014) and increase the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from 1% to 2% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) targeted at improving vaccine financing, boosting primary healthcare, and expanding insurance access for vulnerable Nigerians.

Speaking at a consultative workshop on ‘Why Invest in Immunization? – From the Lens of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)’ on Thursday in Abuja, Chika Offor, chief executive officer of Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC) said the amendment has become necessary to ensure that vaccine funding is ‘ring-fenced’ and protected from budgetary competition with other health priorities.

‘It has become imperative that we have such a fund because immunization saves economies,’ Offor said.

She emphasized that immunization funding must be placed in a protected budgetary line – one that cannot be diverted or delayed during fiscal adjustments.

‘It should not be left to struggle under the service-wide vote with many other items. We are waking up from our slumber to start conversations on how to secure immunization and other essential health commodities,’ she added.

Although some government officials, including the Minister of State for Health, have argued that the 1% increment should cover general primary healthcare operations, Offor agreed that it should not be for immunisation alone but insisted that the final policy must be clear and equitable.

‘I agree completely that it cannot be for immunisation alone because we’re looking at the health of Nigerians. This is just a proposal that will go through public hearing and be refined into a robust document that caters to all Nigerians,’ she said.

Opo explained that CSOs are working with government agencies and experts to articulate recommendations that will strengthen accountability and ensure that whatever is agreed upon benefits citizens.

Turning to the issue of budget implementation, Offor raised concerns over delays in releasing funds for vaccine procurement.

‘For 2024, only 25% of the ?137 billion immunisation budget has been paid,’ she revealed. ‘As for 2025, not a penny has been released. This is worrisome because we just concluded an integrated immunisation campaign targeting over 100 million children. We cannot afford stockouts at a time when vaccines are saving lives daily.’

She explained that the 2023 co-financing budget was paid at the end of 2024, while the 2024 allocation remains partially released.

‘The 25% that was released came around June 2024,’ she said. ‘Now, we are in October, and there has been no release at all for 2025. The current budget cycle ends in December, and that’s why CSOs are coming together to demand that immunisation funds be clearly referenced in the budget. We cannot keep doing the same thing every year and expect different results.’

She said CSOs would continue to push for both the release of outstanding 2024 funds and the timely disbursement of 2025 allocations.

‘What we are praying for is that the government releases both 2024 and 2025 funds,’ she said. ‘We’re already targeting over 100 million children. If the government truly wants to meet its promises, the funds must be made available.’

Offor further proposed a broader approach that includes tapping 1% from the Federation Account to cater to health in general.

‘If we could get 1% from the Federation Account, that would be a huge pot that can sustain healthcare,’ she said. ‘That would require a constitutional amendment, but if that’s not feasible now, let’s manage what we have – the additional 1% from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to support immunisation and other commodities such as nutrition and family planning.’

She stressed that vaccines remain one of the most cost-effective interventions in global health.

Senate backs amendment for sustainable funding

Senator Banigo reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to strengthening health investments through immunization, describing vaccines as ‘vital to Nigeria’s future.’

She explained that the existing 1% allocation to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) has become inadequate amid rising healthcare costs and declining donor support, stressing the need to boost Nigeria’s domestic resource mobilization.

‘The 2014 Act was a landmark commitment to financing primary healthcare in Nigeria. However, the current 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) is no longer sufficient to meet the growing health demands of our people,’ Banigo said.

According to her, the proposed amendment to increase the allocation from 1% to 2% will strengthen primary healthcare facilities nationwide, expand insurance coverage for the poor and vulnerable, and improve maternal, child, and immunization outcomes.

She emphasized that vaccines would particularly benefit from the increased funding, which would enhance coverage and delivery across the country.

‘This amendment is not just about numbers; it’s a call to action. Health promotion funding should not be viewed as a cost but as an investment in Nigeria’s future,’ she added.

If passed, the revised allocation could push the BHCPF to providing much-needed fiscal space for vaccine procurement and delivery across the country’s struggling primary health system and reduce the nation’s reliance on donor funding.

Immunisation remains one of Nigeria’s most effective public health interventions, credited with saving millions of lives annually from preventable diseases such as measles, polio, and diphtheria.

Yet, coverage has stagnated below 60%, weakened by funding shortfalls by inconsistent of government financing.

Senator Banigo, however, maintained that the Legislature has played its part by advancing the amendment bill and called on the Executive and development partners to ensure timely budget releases and accountability in implementation.

‘The challenge is no longer with the Legislature – we have done our part. What remains is for the Executive to ensure timely releases, and for CSOs to sustain advocacy for transparency and effective utilization,’ she said.

Experts call for accountability and timely releases

Also speaking, Hon. Usman Mohammed, former Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Health Services in the 8th National Assembly, described the situation as ‘deeply worrying,’ stressing that underfunding immunisation directly endangers Nigerian children.

‘Investment in vaccines is investment in Nigeria’s economic productivity. Every delay puts children at risk and weakens our public health security,’ he said.

Mohammed urged the National Assembly to work closely with the Executive to ensure timely releases, adding that ‘the leadership must act fast to prevent another cycle of preventable disease outbreaks.’

In his remarks, Dr. Aminu Magashi, CEO the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), said the delay in fund releases undermines Nigeria’s co-financing commitments and increases dependency on international donors.

‘When government fails to release its share of immunisation financing on time, it leaves development partners struggling to fill the gap,’ he said. ‘That is not sustainable. We must promote co-financing and timely releases to ensure vaccines are available in all facilities and zero-dose children are reached.’

Dr. Amina also called for greater transparency in the proposed BHCPF increase, urging lawmakers to include a clear budget line for immunisation within the 2% allocation.

‘We support raising the BHCPF to 2%, but there must be clarity on how much of that fund goes to vaccine procurement, ‘he said. ‘Immunisation should not just be a broad mention – it should have a dedicated provision.’

Margaret Obi, the Honourable Ms Justice Obi, has become the first African-born person appointed as a High Court Judge in England and Wales. Her elevation marks a milestone in a judicial system that has long faced calls for greater diversity.

She took up her appointment in the King’s Bench Division from October 3 2025, bringing 27 years of legal practice and seven years of judicial experience to one of the most senior courts in the United Kingdom.

Her path to the high bench has been defined by hard work, social commitment and a deep regard for justice. Born and raised in North London to Nigerian parents who arrived in Britain as international students in the 1960s, she attended local state schools before studying law at university. Her parents originally planned to return to Nigeria, but the outbreak of the Biafran war in 1967 persuaded them to remain in the United Kingdom, where they eventually settled and built a life. Obi often describes this family history as a quiet foundation of her public service values.

Her early legal journey was far from smooth. As a young graduate, she sent hundreds of applications for work experience without success. A chance opportunity in the accounts department of a law firm changed everything. It led to work in Crown Courts across London and the South East, then a training contract, and qualification as a solicitor in 1998. She became a partner just four years later.

Criminal defence shaped her early career and her principles. She has spoken passionately about the lawyers who inspired her, praising their belief that everyone, no matter their background or accusation, is entitled to a fair trial. That dedication to fairness has remained constant even as her work expanded into public international law and some of the most complex matters of human rights and war crimes.

Her portfolio career since 2014 has included advisory work for defence teams and international organisations, and several prominent regulatory roles. She has been Deputy Chair of the Financial Conduct Authority decisions committee, the first Service Police Complaints Commissioner, and a House of Lords standards commissioner. In 202,3, she served as an Acting Judge of the Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean Territory and issued a notable ruling on asylum seekers in Diego Garcia that attracted national attention.

Within the judiciary, she has risen through key appointments as a Deputy High Court Judge, a Deputy Upper Tribunal Judge, and Chair of the Competition Appeal Tribunal. She is now one of only a handful of High Court judges who previously practised as solicitors. That background, she says, gives her a grounded perspective.

‘First, I am a solicitor judge which is relatively uncommon especially on the High Court bench,’ Obi once remarked.

‘What may appear to be worthless experience will turn out to be unbelievably valuable so take the opportunities that come your way. Hard work, determination and resilience will pay off but to be successful in your chosen career path you also need allies, mentors and sponsors as well as a little bit of luck.’

Warm congratulations have poured in from across the legal community. Oba Nsugbe, KC, head of Pump Court Chambers, described her as ‘naturally low key and entirely grounded; never once forgetting her Nigerian roots.’

Richard Atkinson, the outgoing president of the Law Society, praised her elevation as ‘a significant step towards a more inclusive judiciary’ at a time when Black judges make up just 1 per cent of the bench in England and Wales.

This appointment fills a vacancy created by recent elevations and confirmed retirements. It also delivers a profound message of possibility. Her story begins with immigrants who stayed out of necessity, a young woman told no again and again, and a lawyer driven by fairness. It now stands in one of the most respected courts in the country.

Obi arrives not only as a pioneering judge but also as an example to future generations of lawyers who can now see their own journeys reflected more clearly in the system they serve.

First City Monument Bank (FCMB), a subsidiary of FCMB Group Plc, has launched a new feature on its Mobile App that allows customers to open investment accounts and invest directly in mutual funds managed by FCMB Asset Management, the Group’s wealth creation arm.

This development marks another significant step in FCMB Group’s ongoing digital transformation, a strategy focused on integrating all its business verticals into a single, full-service financial ecosystem that empowers customers to bank, invest, and grow wealth seamlessly.

With the new in-app investment feature, customers can now access FCMB Asset Management’s range of mutual funds – including the low-risk Legacy Money Market Fund, the growth-oriented Legacy Equity Fund, the predominantly local-currency bond-holding Legacy Debt Fund, and the Legacy USD Bond Fund for dollar-denominated investments. These options cater to different risk appetites and financial goals, from short-term liquidity to long-term capital appreciation or steady income generation.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director, First City Monument Bank, said:

‘What we are building goes beyond digital convenience. It is about creating a connected ecosystem where banking, payments, and investments work together to serve customers’ broader financial needs. By integrating mutual funds into the FCMB Mobile App, we extend that ecosystem, enabling customers to move seamlessly from saving to investing within one trusted platform.’

Commenting, James Ilori, Chief Executive Officer, FCMB Asset Management Limited, said:

‘Our mission is to democratise access to investment opportunities and make wealth creation simple and inclusive. By bringing mutual funds to the FCMB Mobile App, we enable anyone, anywhere, to start investing confidently and build sustainable financial futures.’

The integration of mutual fund services into the FCMB Mobile App aligns with FCMB Group’s broader goal of creating a digitally inclusive financial ecosystem that connects banking, investment, and asset management under one trusted platform to drive long-term value for individuals and communities.

Customers can download or update the FCMB Mobile App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store today to begin investing.

About FCMB Group

FCMB Group Plc is a leading financial services holding company with subsidiaries in banking, consumer finance, asset management, and other financial services.

About FCMB Asset Management

FCMB Asset Management Limited (FCMBAM), a subsidiary of FCMB Group, is licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Nigeria. It offers portfolio management and investment advisory services to individual and institutional clients.

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Monday withdrew his earlier decision to call witnesses in his ongoing terrorism trial, stating that he had no case to answer.

At the resumed hearing before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Kanu told the court that after reviewing the case file, he concluded that the charges against him were invalid and that he was being subjected to an unlawful trial.

Justice Omotosho had earlier adjourned the case to Monday to allow Kanu to begin his defence after he complained that the prosecution had not handed over the case file to him.

Kanu, in a motion filed on October 21, had indicated his intention to call 23 witnesses and asked the court to issue witness summons.

However, at Monday’s session, he told the court that after reviewing the case, he saw no reason to present a defence, as he believed the charges were baseless.

Justice Omotosho directed him to file a written address outlining his position and serve it on the prosecution.

The judge also advised him to consult criminal law experts to understand the implications of his decision.

The court adjourned the case to November 4, 5, and 6 for the adoption of final written addresses, either to determine whether the prosecution has established a case or for Kanu to proceed with his defence, if necessary.

Kanu was first arrested in 2015 and granted bail in 2017 before fleeing the country.

He was re-arrested in 2021 and has since remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The federal government continues to prosecute him, alleging that he incited violence through IPOB’s activities and called for the secession of Nigeria’s South-East region.

In a motion filed on Tuesday, Kanu informed the court of his intention to summon two categories of witnesses, material witnesses and vital and compellable witnesses, under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

Those listed as ‘vital and compellable’ witnesses include: Theophilus Danjuma (former Minister of Defence), Tukur Buratai (former Chief of Army Staff), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Governor of Lagos State), Hope Uzodimma (Governor of Imo State), and Nyesom Wike (Minister of the Federal Capital Territory).

Others are Okezie Ikpeazu (former Governor of Abia State), Dave Umahi (Minister of Works), Abubakar Malami (former Attorney-General of the Federation), Ahmed Rufai (former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency), Yusuf Bichi (former Director-General of the DSS), and Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, current DSS Director-General.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Monday disclosed that the federal government owes doctors and other health workers across the country an estimated N38 billion in accumulated allowances.

Muhammad Suleiman, President of the Association, disclosed during a briefing in Abuja while presenting the resolutions of an Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

The meeting followed the expiration of NARD’s 30-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government. He warned that resident doctors have already begun ward rounds and patient handovers in preparation for a planned nationwide, total, and indefinite strike beginning on Saturday, 1 November 2025.

Suleiman explained that the outstanding payments are not limited to resident doctors but affect all cadres of health professionals, including administrative staff. Allowances are outstanding for over two years, including 18 months, seven months, four months, and eight months. There is an allowance error dating back more than ten years. Additionally, the basic salary of doctors in this country has not been reviewed for 16 years,’ he said.

‘For instance, in the pending 25-35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) review, the accoutrement allowance for all doctors in the health sector remains unpaid. For all health care workers, the total outstanding sum is about N35-38 billion. For resident doctors alone, it may be around N400 million, but for all doctors in Nigeria, it could amount to N600-800 million’, he added.

Beyond unpaid benefits, Suleiman noted that doctors have endured stagnant salaries for 16 years despite increasing workloads and worsening staff shortages in the health sector. He stated that the Association has presented 19 demands to the government, which it considers the minimum requirements necessary to prevent the total and indefinite strike by its members.

Following the suspension of a five-day warning strike on 14 September 2025, the last NARD Annual General Meeting, held in Katsina State, extended the two-week ultimatum issued to the Federal Government by an additional 30 days to address the 19-point demands outlined in the AGM communiqué.

The grace period has since elapsed, yet the Federal government did not address the concerns of the resident doctors. On Saturday, 25 October 2025, NARD convened an Extraordinary NEC meeting via Zoom to review the report of the National Officers’ Committee on the status of implementation of its demands by the Federal and affected State Governments.

The NEC observed that the Federal Government has failed to settle multiple outstanding arrears from the CONMESS review and accoutrement allowance despite repeated assurances.

Following extensive deliberations, the NEC resolved that there must be immediate payment of the outstanding 25-35 per cent CONMESS arrears and other pending financial entitlements, including the 2024 accoutrement allowance due to doctors.

The Council also demanded the unconditional reinstatement of five resident doctors unjustly terminated from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, with full payment of all salaries and allowances for the period of their unlawful disengagement.

Furthermore, the NEC called for the immediate constitution of a Task Force by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to develop and implement a clear and humane working-hours policy for doctors in line with international best practice, to safeguard both physician wellbeing and patient safety.

The Council also urged the granting of more efficient means for hospital Chief Executives to employ doctors and the immediate implementation of a one-for-one replacement policy to reduce excessive workload and burnout.

In addition, the NEC stressed the urgent need for upgrading and maintaining infrastructure and medical equipment in all healthcare facilities nationwide, the immediate commencement of specialist allowance payments for all doctors, and the cessation of re-categorisation of membership certificates by examination and regulatory bodies, with all certificates restored to their proper status.

The Council also demanded the inclusion of medical and dental house officers in the civil service scheme with full entitlements and prompt salary payment, the correction of entry-level placements, decentralisation of promotion processes, and payment of arrears resulting from these corrections.

It called for the expedited review of CONMESS and other professional allowances, with immediate implementation of corrected professional allowance tables and enforcement of relativity between CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures. The NEC further insisted on urgent payment of accrued promotion arrears owed to medical officers, the reversal of the practice of creating consultant cadres for non-medical personnel, and the abolition of casualisation of doctors to ensure all locum staff are fully employed according to public service rules.

Suleiman highlighted that the uniform implementation of all CONMESS circulars across federal, state, and private health institutions is critical, alongside the immediate implementation of special pension benefits previously agreed between the federal government and the Nigerian Medical Association.

‘The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) hereby declares a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike commencing at 12:00 AM on Saturday, 1 November 2025. All resident doctors in federal and state tertiary health institutions nationwide are directed to withdraw their services completely until the Federal and affected State Governments demonstrate genuine commitment to addressing our demands,’ he declared.

Suleiman appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, demonstrate goodwill, and resolve the ongoing issues affecting doctors and the health sector. ‘Mr President, they continue to pay themselves their salaries and allowances. It is us on the frontlines who are not being paid. I hope you will listen to this appeal and use your influence to resolve these issues,’ he urged.

Sam Amadi, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has decried the ongoing moves to amend the Electricity Act, cautioning that such quick fixes threaten the fragile progress and stability of the nation’s power sector.

Amadi stated this while speaking at the 10th anniversary of the Association of Power Generation Companies of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.

He emphasised the need for patience, resilience, and a commitment to refining the existing model rather than resorting to a disruptive, ‘destroy and reconstruct’ model. He warned that hastily amending the Act would ultimately fail to solve the fundamental problems plaguing the sector, particularly liquidity and the lack of investment in the network.

‘I want to make a point around the tendency for us to want to solve problems quickly. We have started the creation of states electricity markets, the subnational market. In my view, it was rushed; in my view, there are many dimensions we did not factor. But since we are on this trajectory, we should not abort it by trying to claw back.

‘What am I trying to say specifically? I understand there are those who are pushing for some amendment to the Electricity Act. I think that we should accept that there will be failure and success.

‘We should accept that building this electricity market will be a trial and error. We should not be too inoculated around failure that once we start an experiment, we try to go back again, back and forth. If there’s trouble, we should think about revision at the margin, not destruction and reconstruction,’ he said.

Amadi decried that the Nigerian electricity sector is tied to politics that allow policymakers to hurriedly look for solutions in the face of problems. ‘They start looking for solutions, and the solution becomes worse than the problem.

‘I think we should have some stability to allow things to work and learn from the errors, and then build revisions, keep tweaking the model until we get the solution,’ he added.

Acknowledging the persistent frustration over unreliable and inadequate electricity supply, Amadi argued that dismissing the progress made since privatisation is inaccurate.

However, he said that it is difficult to talk about the success of the power sector because people don’t feel it easily. ‘But those successes are real, but they are not, perhaps, adequate. And that’s the difficulty we have.’

Amadi stressed that while the distribution and transmission segments are rightly receiving attention, the generation side also needs urgent focus. He cautioned against a narrow approach, noting that even if the market crisis were solved today, more time would be needed to ramp up generation capacity.

Noting improvements on the GENCO side of the electricity market, Amadi said the sector has the capacity to improve more, adding that the sector requires stability.

Speaking further, the former NERC Chairman stressed that state regulatory authorities must focus on creating, expanding, and improving capacity. He stressed that they must ‘make haste slowly’ and focus on the market.

‘Focus on capacity; gradually, you will improve on regulation. So my advice would be that because we’re a third-world country, there’s too much outsourcing of models to us, you know-transplantation, different rules, different processes-and nobody is sitting back to say, really, how can this be adapted? Do we need this level of improvement, this level of sophistication, for what we are running? Now, this is the problem: we could have up to 20 subnational electricity markets carved out in the next two years, but none of them have their own generating plants serving them.’

Amadi feared that when states begin to back the grid with different laws that are not synchronised, it may create a process whereby GENCOs are stuck with power that cannot be sold at a cost-efficient price, as it will involve transactions and contracts with different sub-national electricity markets.

He stressed the need for a framework that allows incumbent GENCOs to expand and deal with states without regulatory encumbrances and additional cost.

‘And nobody is thinking about this: whether their rules are convergent, whether their rules are the same. And so we could run into a problem where we have 20 electricity markets, and then the loads can no longer be sold to those markets because some of them are going off-grid, some of them are running on renewable, and some of them have their own generators and embedded generation. So it seems to me that this is something that we need to look at,’ he said.

Stating that Nigeria currently does not have enough administrative rules and resources to manage its federal structure, Amadi questioned if there were plans to build a knowledge base for a federal-state cooperation that will allow Nigeria to have one sustainable national grid even to serve 36 electricity markets.

‘My fear is that we’re going to go back after 10 years to discover that many states in the electricity market have failed woefully. The Nigerian factor will work to find a way to re-create a national grid and shared power.

‘Right now, nobody’s thinking about how the states are ensuring energy sustainability. Don’t forget that the grid is built around equity and equal access. We share load, which means the national interest is that there’s no part of Nigeria without access to electricity. That’s why all the power could actually go to Lagos, but we share it.

‘But where we’re going to now, there’s no guarantee that anybody will have any mandated supply of electricity. It means that each state electricity market will fend for itself. The question then is, how will that map to our constitutional framework where government feels that even if it’s poverty, we should share it equitably?

‘What’s the legal framework to ensure that tomorrow, 10 years after, we don’t come back in this room and dismantle the state electricity markets and say we cannot have an electricity market where some parts have power and some parts don’t have power,’ he added.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has called for a stronger partnership between the executive and legislative arms of government to reposition Nigeria’s automotive industry for global competitiveness.

The governor made the call on Monday while declaring open the retreat of the House of Representatives Committee on Industry and the National Automobile Design and Development Council (NADDC), held in Asaba. He was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Johnson Erijo.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Building a Global Competitive Automotive Sector in Nigeria through Effective Executive-Legislative Partnership,’ Oborevwori, who was represented by Johnson Erijo, his Chief of Staff, commended the organisers for their foresight, saying the retreat was timely and strategic in the nation’s quest to diversify its economy and revive industrial production.

He noted that the automotive sector remains a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and job creation globally, citing examples from Europe and the United States where the industry supports millions of livelihoods and drives multiple allied sectors such as steelmaking, ICT, and petroleum refining.

‘The objective of this retreat resonates strongly with my administration’s vision of accelerating industrialisation in Delta State.

‘We believe that legislative backing for local manufacturing incentives, infrastructure funding, and skill development must align with the executive’s commitment to policy consistency, ease of doing business, and protection of local industries. Nigeria can and must build an automotive industry that is sustainable, globally competitive, and capable of empowering our youths while conserving foreign exchange.’

Oborevwori emphasised that subnational governments have a critical role to play in complementing federal efforts, particularly through investor-friendly reforms, simplified approvals, and policies that foster social cohesion.

According to him, under his MORE Agenda, Delta State is creating an enabling environment for industries to thrive through massive infrastructure renewal, public-private partnerships, decentralised power initiatives, and strengthened peace and security.

He highlighted Delta’s comparative advantages, including its abundant natural resources, coastal location, and four seaports, which provide immense logistical benefits for manufacturing and export-oriented industries.

‘Beyond our mineral wealth, Delta’s strategic geographic position linking the South-South, South-East, and South-West regions makes it a natural gateway for commerce and industry,’ he noted.

Oborevwori expressed optimism that the deliberations from the retreat would chart a new course for Nigeria’s automotive sector, pledging to give due consideration to its recommendations.

While declaring the retreat open, he urged participants to take advantage of their stay in Asaba to explore the city’s tourist attractions and enjoy the hospitality of its people.

‘Together, we can build a future where our automotive industry becomes a source of national pride, technological advancement, and sustainable prosperity,’ the governor concluded.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Enitan Badru, chairman of the House Committee on Industry, underscored the importance of the retreat, which he said was aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s automotive sector through executive-legislative synergy.