Category: Business Day

The federal government has called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reconsider its decision to embark on an industrial strike, emphasising that constructive dialogue remains the most effective and sustainable path toward resolving all outstanding issues in the tertiary education sector.

In a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director, Press and Public Relations, Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education and Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, Minister of State for Education, disclosed that the government has made a comprehensive offer to the union and is still awaiting ASUU’s official response.

They emphasised that the offer addresses the union’s primary concerns, including working conditions, institutional governance, and staff welfare.

The ministers noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved a robust Teaching Allowance designed to reflect the value of academic work and motivate lecturers across public universities.

‘All matters relating to the review of conditions of service have been duly addressed, except those within the jurisdiction of individual university governing councils, which are actively being handled. The Federal Government remains open and committed to continued engagement with ASUU once their formal response to the offer is received,’ the statement read.

They emphasised that the federal government has approached the matter with demonstrable commitment and sincerity, evident in its prompt policy responses and financial interventions in the education sector.

However, ASUU has not reciprocated this gesture and appears determined to proceed with the planned strike despite the pending offer and ongoing engagement.

The ministers reaffirmed that the administration of President Tinubu remains unwavering in its commitment to the welfare of Nigerian lecturers and the stability of the university system.

They noted that the ongoing reforms in the education sector are anchored on fairness, accountability, and institutional strengthening to ensure sustainable academic excellence.

While reaffirming the administration’s respect for university autonomy, the ministers clarified that certain aspects of ASUU’s demands, particularly those relating to internal governance, appointments, and promotions are statutory responsibilities of university governing councils. They urged the union to allow these matters to be handled appropriately at the institutional level in line with existing regulations.

They also reminded the union that the principle of ‘No Work, No Pay’ remains an extant provision of Nigerian labour law, and the federal government will invoke it should ASUU proceed with the strike.

‘While government remains committed to peaceful dialogue, it will equally enforce existing laws to protect the integrity of our education system and ensure accountability,’ the statement warned.

The ministers further assured Nigerians that the federal government remains open to constructive engagement with ASUU and other stakeholders in the education sector.

They noted that the administration’s consistent interventions demonstrate a clear commitment to revitalising universities, improving staff welfare, and ensuring uninterrupted academic calendars.

‘The government has shown sincerity and commitment through engagements and policy actions. We are confident that, with continued dialogue, every legitimate concern can be addressed and resolved without shutting down our campuses. Our students must remain in school.

‘The future of our children and the stability of our universities must take priority over disputes. The Federal Government remains open to discussion and is ready to work with ASUU to consolidate the gains already achieved in staff welfare, infrastructure, and institutional reforms,’ the Ministers noted.

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), under the Office of the National Security Adviser, is set to hold a regional workshop aimed at developing strategies to curb the influx of small arms and light weapons into Northwest Nigeria.

The workshop which is scheduled to hold between the 23th to 24th of October, at the State House, Abuja, will bring together Governors of the seven Northwest states, security chiefs, policy experts, and development partners.

The workshop, themed ‘Strengthening Regional Action to Curb Small Arms and Light Weapons Proliferation in Northwest Nigeria,’ is taking place amid escalating insecurity in the region.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina state, who doubles as the Chairman Northwest Governors Forum, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

The hint about the meeting came after the Governor received a high-level delegation led by, Maryam Musa Yahaya, Director-General of the Northwest Governors Forum Secretariat, and Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, Director-General of NCCSALW, at Katsina House, in Abuja, recently, the statement said.

Radda reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to regional security cooperation, describing the forthcoming Northwest regional workshop on NCCSALW as ‘a timely and strategic effort to confront one of the region’s most pressing security challenges.’

The visit was said to be part of preparatory activities for the workshop, jointly organised by the Northwest Governors Forum, NCCSALW, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Governor Radda emphasised that the meeting with the NCCSALW leadership marked another step in the region’s collective resolve to tackle insecurity at its roots.

‘This meeting is not just another official engagement. It is a call to action. The proliferation of small arms and light weapons continues to undermine peace and development across our communities. It fuels banditry, disrupts trade, and prevents our children from going to school.

‘We must move beyond policy discussions to real implementation steps that tighten control mechanisms, enhance intelligence networks, and rebuild public confidence in our ability to protect lives and property,’ the Governor stated.

He stressed that addressing the menace of arms proliferation is essential for achieving lasting peace and sustainable development in the Northwest.

The Governor commended the Office of the National Security Adviser and NCCSALW for their proactive collaboration with the Northwest Governors Forum and urged that outcomes from the forthcoming workshop be translated into measurable actions that strengthen community safety, intelligence sharing, and regional coordination.

In his remarks, Kokumo commended the Northwest Governors Forum for its foresight and leadership, describing the planned workshop as ‘a model for regional synergy and inter-agency cooperation in the fight against illegal arms proliferation.’

He noted that the uncontrolled circulation of small arms remains one of the most complex threats to Nigeria’s internal security but expressed optimism that stronger regional collaboration can achieve tangible progress.

‘Through this partnership with the Northwest Governors Forum, we are laying a solid foundation for a coordinated and effective national response,’ Kokumo stated.

He reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to working closely with the Forum, security agencies, and international partners to ensure that resolutions from the workshop are effectively implemented, promoting long-term peace, stability, and socio-economic recovery across the region.

The meeting concluded with agreements on key milestones for stakeholder engagement, coordination frameworks, and post-workshop follow-up mechanisms designed to ensure that outcomes lead to concrete, actionable results.

The Forum reiterated its commitment to advancing regional peace and security in line with the its broader agenda of sustainable development and social stability.

It was an exciting day of energy, connection, and brand storytelling as the Big Brother Naija Season 10 Housemates visited the PZ Cussons Nigeria Headquarters. The visit brought vibrant moments of interaction, brand immersion, and engaging conversations with the PZ Cussons family.

The Housemates were warmly welcomed by staff and had the opportunity to experience first-hand the company’s wide range of iconic brands that have been part of Nigerian homes for generations including Haier Thermacool, Carex, Premier Cool, Morning Fresh, and Robb, among others.

During the interactive session, the housemates learned about PZ Cussons’ commitment to innovation, consumer trust, and community impact, while sharing their excitement about how these brands have shaped their everyday lives. The meet-and-greet also featured lively conversations, photo sessions, and brand showcases that highlighted the company’s dedication to enriching everyday experiences.

The visit further strengthened PZ Cussons’ connection with a younger audience, reinforcing its role as a household name built on quality, care, and purpose.

No democracy anywhere in the world can thrive without a strong, credible, and independent judiciary. The courts are not only meant to interpret laws but also to serve as the last hope of the common man, especially when democratic institutions fail or are manipulated. In recent years, however, Nigeria’s judiciary, particularly on electoral matters, has underperformed, leaving the public disillusioned and democracy on shaky ground.

This disillusionment has deepened since the contentious 2023 general elections. While elections are supposed to be the bedrock of democracy, in Nigeria, they have increasingly become legal battles rather than reflections of the will of the people. Since 1999, every presidential election has ended up in court. That reality underscores a worrying lack of trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the electoral system, and, regrettably, in the judiciary itself.

The February 25, 2023, presidential election was meant to mark a new era, with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV). But the refusal to transmit presidential results in real time, as promised, raised serious questions. Over 70 percent of Nigerians in a post-election SBM Intelligence poll expressed doubts about the credibility of the process. Local and international observers described the election as poorly managed and lacking transparency.

That election, which declared President Bola Tinubu the winner with just over 8.7 million votes, remains hotly contested by key opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who filed legal petitions alleging irregularities, suppression of votes, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

Rather than being the arena for truth and fairness, the legal process itself has become part of the controversy.

The popular catchphrase, ‘Go to court’, has become less of a call for legal recourse and more of a sarcastic jab, reflecting public scepticism toward Nigeria’s courts. This is not unfounded. Several controversial judicial decisions in recent times, from the Imo State governorship case of 2020 to the 2023 pre-election disqualifications, have painted the judiciary as susceptible to manipulation, influenced more by politics than precedent.

Worse, decisions are now often rendered not on merit but on procedural technicalities. In the 2023 presidential election petitions, the tribunal rejected a large volume of video and documentary evidence on hyper-technical grounds. To many Nigerians, this felt like a strategy to avoid engaging with the substance of the claims. The petitioners were not necessarily defeated by superior arguments but by hurdles of jargon.

This trend risks turning the judiciary into an enabler of injustice rather than a bulwark against democratic collapse. If the people believe the courts cannot deliver justice, the legitimacy of both the electoral system and governance itself will be fatally undermined.

‘If politicians know that manipulated elections can and will be overturned in court, they will think twice before rigging. They will campaign more and rig less. That is how democracy deepens.’

Nigeria stands at a political junction. The economy is reeling under nearly 30 percent inflation as of August 2025, the naira remains volatile, and youth unemployment sits at 53 percent. Insecurity persists in the North-West and Middle Belt, while separatist agitations remain in the South-East. These issues, worsened by poor leadership, make credible elections and judicial resolution even more vital.

The judiciary must now rise to the moment. Courts must adjudicate cases based not on fear of destabilising the polity or preserving the status quo, but on law, facts, and conscience. History shows that attempting to save a country through judicial compromise only delays the inevitable reckoning. As the saying goes, you cannot make omelettes without breaking eggs.

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and, by extension, the Supreme Court must understand that their decisions go beyond legalities. Their rulings have political, social, and historical consequences. If the perception grows that courts are simply rubber stamps for power, then voter apathy will rise, and a resort to undemocratic alternatives may follow.

A bold, impartial judiciary is not a threat to democracy; it is its guardian. If politicians know that manipulated elections can and will be overturned in court, they will think twice before rigging. They will campaign more and rig less. That is how democracy deepens.

But if the courts continue to dismiss valid petitions on the basis of loopholes, it sends a dangerous message that judicial activism in favour of truth is dead, and only the powerful win. That would be the beginning of democratic decay, not stability.

Judges must begin to re-earn the public’s trust. That starts with transparency in proceedings, clarity in judgements, and courage in verdicts. It also means holding INEC accountable when it fails to act independently or follow its own guidelines.

Additionally, judicial reforms are overdue. Election tribunals should not be packed with judges who owe their elevation to political actors. Timelines for adjudicating election matters must be realistic, and judgements must be made publicly accessible and in plain language.

The judiciary may not be perfect, but its integrity is Nigeria’s last line of defence against political crisis. If it fails, the consequences will be far-reaching, from loss of investor confidence to outright civic unrest.

As Nigeria continues to battle economic instability and a trust deficit in leadership, the judiciary must rise, not as a backroom for power games, but as a moral and legal compass. Democracy, after all, cannot survive without justice. And justice, when delayed, denied, or compromised, leaves behind nothing but the ruins of a failed republic.

Why impartial justice, not technicalities, will save our democracy from collapse: the ball is in your court, my lords.

Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has urged the federal government to focus on deepening revenue diversification, enhancing spending efficiency, and aligning fiscal outcomes with real economic performance, as reforms boost economic outcomes.

Muda Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer, (CPPE) made this call in a policy brief sent to BusinessDay.

According to Yusuf, the two major reforms: removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of exchange rates, have significantly boosted government revenues, expanded fiscal space, and improved the capacity for public investment.

He explained that with limited fiscal space, spending efficiency is paramount. He added that spending on infrastructure, productivity, food security and human capital development should be priority areas for government.

‘Nigeria’s fiscal and tax reforms have delivered important progress in expanding revenue and improving fiscal sustainability. The next phase must focus on deepening revenue diversification, enhancing spending efficiency, and aligning fiscal outcomes with real economic performance.

‘With prudent management, stakeholder collaboration, and social sensitivity, these reforms can lay a solid foundation for a more resilient, productive, and inclusive Nigerian economy,’ Yusuf said.

Yusuf explained that collections from Value Added Tax (VAT) and Company Income Tax (CIT) have also increased, reflecting stronger compliance and a gradual recovery in economic activities, with subnational governments reporting higher revenues and increased allocations to agriculture, infrastructure, and social development.

He said, ‘Recent reforms have driven strong nominal revenue growth: fuel subsidy removal freed trillions of naira in fiscal resources, exchange rate unification boosted naira-denominated oil revenues. VAT and CIT collections improved through enhanced compliance and enforcement.

‘Despite these advances, the real fiscal impact is tempered by high inflation and exchange rate pressures. It is therefore important to assess fiscal outcomes in both nominal and real terms to maintain credible expectations and policy balance.’

He stressed the need to adjust fiscal assessments for inflation and exchange rate effects; communicate outcomes transparently, improve tax efficiency, expand the tax net, and optimize non-tax revenues and national assets.

Other recommendations include support for fiscal autonomy, accountability, and efficient resource use in states, implementation of tax reforms with flexibility, maintaining continuous dialogue with stakeholders and refine policies as needed.

The Lagos State Government has announced that construction work on the $3 billion Green Line Rail project, which will connect Marina to the Lekki corridor, will officially begin in December 2025.

This was confirmed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, in a statement shared on the official X account of the Lagos State Government on Monday.

According to Osiyemi, the project is one of the most ambitious transport initiatives in the state’s history and will be implemented in phases over a period of two to three years. The first phase will run from the Lekki First Tollgate to Epe, while the second phase will extend from Marina, including a section that will run partly on water.

He explained that the government had completed extensive feasibility studies and held several meetings with residents, traditional rulers, and business owners along the Lekki-Epe corridor to minimize disruption once construction begins.

‘The government has carried out wide stakeholder engagements and feasibility studies along the Lekki-Epe Expressway corridor because the Green Line project will commence in December,’ Osiyemi said. ‘It will take about two to three years and will come in phases, beginning from Marina to Epe. The first phase runs from the Lekki First Tollgate to Epe, and the second phase, starting from Marina, will be on the water.’

The announcement comes as the state government intensifies enforcement activities along the Lekki-Epe Expressway to clear encroachments and restore wetlands that form part of the project’s right-of-way. Authorities have also begun relocating roadside traders, removing illegal structures, and improving drainage channels in preparation for the rail line.

The Green Line is designed to ease traffic congestion on the ever-busy Lekki-Epe corridor, one of the fastest-growing urban areas in Lagos. The area has witnessed massive expansion due to new residential estates, shopping malls, and major investments such as the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangote Refinery, and the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

The 70-kilometre Green Line will run from Marina on Lagos Island to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, featuring 17 stations spread across a combination of elevated and ground-level tracks. The route will pass through Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, Sangotedo, and Epe, linking major residential and commercial areas.

Each station will feature modern designs with pedestrian bridges, elevators, escalators, and ticketing systems similar to those on the Blue Line and Red Line rail projects. A major depot will be built near Sangotedo to house and maintain trains, while a 15-hectare parking area is planned near the Lekki Free Zone to support park-and-ride commuters.

Trains on the Green Line are expected to run in eight-car B-type sets, reaching speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour, with a minimum waiting time of three minutes between trains. The line is projected to carry up to 35,000 passengers per hour in each direction, significantly cutting travel time between Marina and Epe to under one hour.

The Green Line project is estimated to cost about $3 billion (roughly ?4.5 trillion at current exchange rates). According to reports, the Federal Government has committed ?146.14 billion as part of its counterpart funding in the 2025 budget.

A tripartite agreement has also been signed with the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to design, finance, construct, and operate the line under a public-private partnership model.

On April 9, 2025, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) released a detailed video presentation outlining the project’s design, alignments, and financing structure. The presentation confirmed that construction will be handled by CHEC, while LAMATA will oversee operations once the project is completed.

Transport experts and urban planners have welcomed the project but raised concerns about some aspects of the design, especially the spacing between stations. Some analysts believe that the long gaps between stops in areas like Victoria Island and Lekki Phase 1 could limit access for commuters and reduce ridership.

They also questioned whether the eight-car train configuration would be enough to meet long-term passenger demand given the rapid population growth in the Lekki axis. Experts have recommended adding more stations in densely populated areas and integrating the Green Line with other existing or planned rail lines to ensure smooth connections.

For many residents of the Lekki-Epe corridor, the Green Line project offers hope for a long-awaited solution to daily traffic gridlock. Commuters currently spend up to four hours traveling between Lekki and Lagos Island during peak hours.

However, there are also concerns about potential disruptions during the construction phase, particularly regarding road diversions, noise, and property displacement. The state government has promised to provide timely information, compensate affected residents, and minimize the impact on daily life.

The Commissioner assured Lagosians that the government’s priority is to provide a reliable, efficient, and affordable transportation system that meets the needs of a growing city.

‘The Green Line project is not just about transportation,’ Osiyemi said. ‘It’s about improving the quality of life, attracting investments, and creating jobs. It will open up new economic opportunities across the Lekki-Epe corridor and beyond.’

The Green Line is part of the broader Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) network, which includes the already operational Blue Line and the ongoing Red Line project. The long-term plan envisions six major rail lines across Lagos, forming the backbone of an integrated public transportation system that combines trains, BRT buses, and ferries.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned against one Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, a dismissed officer allegedly impersonating its personnel to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

The agency, in a statement, said Godwin had been parading himself as a serving DSS operative and carrying out fraudulent activities under the guise of official representation.

‘The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby alerts members of the public of the activities of one Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, a dismissed staff.

‘He is reportedly engaging in unscrupulous activities, including using the name of the Service to defraud unsuspecting members of the public. Members of the public are therefore advised to desist from any dealings with him’, the statement read.

The DSS urged citizens to be vigilant and verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent the Service before engaging in any form of transaction or commitment.

It advised that all legitimate enquiries or complaints should be channelled through its official contact lines, telephone number 09088373515 or email [email protected].

Reaffirming its commitment to integrity and accountability, the Service warned that anyone found impersonating its personnel or engaging in related fraudulent acts would be prosecuted.

The agency added that the latest advisory follows a similar warning issued last week concerning Barry Donald, another dismissed officer, who was also accused of impersonating DSS officials to swindle members of the public.

According to the DSS, such cases of impersonation threaten the Service’s integrity and public confidence, adding that it will continue to expose and prosecute those attempting to exploit its name for criminal gain.

The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has distanced itself from the ongoing ASUU strike, directing its members to remain in classrooms and continue academic activities, in a move that underscores the division within the university academic unions.

Niyi Sunmonu, CONUA’s president, in a statement, dismissed reports that have been suggesting its involvement in the ongoing strike.

He said the union is committed to maintaining academic stability through constructive dialogue and peaceful engagement with the government and other stakeholders.

‘It is important to emphasise that CONUA has no basis at this time to declare a dispute or embark on any strike action,’ Sunmonu said.

Sunmonu advised members to continue with their academic and administrative duties as expected.

The statement highlighted CONUA’s formal protest following its initial exclusion from the renegotiation committee of the 2009 agreement between academic staff and the federal government, which was inaugurated in October 2024.

‘The union formally protested this exclusion, which eventually culminated in a meeting with the minister of education on 11 September 2025.

We are pleased to note that the Ministry of Education has recently expanded the committee, fulfilling that promise. Until CONUA is formally brought to the table and any of the issues it has presented to the federal government becomes the subject of dispute, there is no foundation whatsoever for any strike action by CONUA.

‘Resolutions from nationwide congresses following the September 11 meeting, the national leadership reported the outcome to members across universities, after which congresses were held between September 18 and 24, 2025,’ the statement read.

Additionally, the statement states, ‘At these congresses, members unanimously reaffirmed CONUA’s principled stance that no strike action should be taken and that engagement, not disruption, remains the best path forward for the Nigerian university system.’

Recall that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) declared a two-week warning strike from October 13, citing years of unmet demands.

And in the face of the impasse, the federal government accused ASUU of remaining uncooperative despite negotiation efforts and pleas to resolve the matter.

Besides, the Ministry of Education threatened to invoke a ‘no work, no pay’ policy, insisting that dialogue remains the most effective way to resolve disagreements.

George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has charged Nigerian youths to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise to engage in the democratic process.

This is just as he emphasised that their participation is crucial to strengthening democracy and ensuring good governance in the country.

Akume made the call when a delegation of the President’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Honour Award from Benue extraction led by Simeon Aer, it’s leader, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Segun Imohiosen, the Director, Information and Public Relations, office of the SGF, in a statement , said Akume also underscored the premium the Tinubu-led administration places on the welfare of youths through empowerment and provision of an enabling environment to enable them harness their potential for national development.

He therefore urged them to participate in voter registration and vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for inclusivity and sustainable development.

Akume congratulated the recipients of the President’s NYSC Honour Award for their meritorious service to their fatherland.

He also urged them not to relent in the pursuit of their dreams and aspirations in life, assuring them that they have what it takes to be where he is and even beyond. He further assured them of automatic employment to enable them to contribute their quota to national development.

Speaking earlier, Simeon Aer, leader of the delegation of the President’s NYSC Honour Award, said that the purpose of the visit was to present to the SGF the numerous awards they received in recognition of their selfless service to the nation during their NYSC.

He also presented the Female Overall Best NYSC member, Akase Patience Nguwasen, to the SGF.

Also speaking, Patience Nguwasen, the Female Overall Best NYSC member (2020-23), thanked President Bola Tinubu for the honour and also expressed her gratitude for acknowledging her contribution to the nation during her national service.

She also advised the current and prospective corps members to put the passion for service to the nation above money so that they will leave a mark after the completion of their national service.

‘The awardees were from Benue extraction, who were also among the 200 recipients of the President’s NYSC Honour Award presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in recognition of their outstanding service to the nation from 2020-2023.’

When Nigeria’s House of Representatives announced yet another probe into the moribund state of the nation’s oil refineries and huge funds sunk into rehabilitating them, many Nigerians could hardly muster enthusiasm.

Many Nigerians expressed frustration that the federal government spent $18 billion to repair idle refineries, yet Aliko Dangote, an individual, built one of the largest functioning refineries from start to finish with $20 billion. Citizens are desperate for results and accountability, but the news of a fresh probe was not met with hope but with a sigh, a familiar reminder of years of fruitless investigations and unending promises.

Last Thursday, the House resolved to set up a new joint committee to investigate the $18 billion reportedly spent on the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries between 2010 and 2024. The joint committee will be composed of members drawn from the Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream), Public Accounts, Anti-Corruption, Finance, and Legislative Compliance. It is tasked with investigating the funds appropriated and disbursed for the rehabilitation of the refineries in Port Harcourt (two), Kaduna and Warri.

The committee is also to ascertain the actual status of the refineries, examine how public funds were utilised, and identify agencies responsible for any infractions or mismanagement.

A familiar drama

This is not the first time lawmakers have launched such a probe, in fact, it is one of many. Just few months back, in July 2025, the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) inaugurated technical sub-committees to investigate investments in the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of local refineries and why the exercise has failed to yield any results.

Before that, in 2023, the House examined the N11.3 trillion allegedly spent by the Federal Government to rehabilitate the refineries between 2010 and 2020. Neither investigation produced a conclusive report or any meaningful accountability.

Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker who presided over the session, gave the committee four weeks to report back for further legislative action. Yet, few Nigerians expect much from that timeline. Similar deadlines have come and gone in previous probes, which ended with no public report or sanction.

For many citizens, the pattern is predictable: the House announces an investigation, committees are formed, and public hearings are held. But in the end, nothing changes. This repeated cycle has eroded public confidence not only in the National Assembly but also in the government’s willingness to enforce accountability.

Chidi Omeje, a Political analyst observer, described the repeated probes as ‘mere theatrics,’ arguing that they often serve political and financial interests rather than genuine reform.

That sense of futility is widely shared among Nigerians reacting to the development on social media. ‘Point out to me any probe successfully carried out by the Senate or the House of Representatives since the return of democracy in 1999. Every probe is always an avenue for them to collect bribes from the institutions they mark out to probe, which is very bad’, Olanusu Akin wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another user, @Briggsisgreat, posted sarcastically: ‘Oh wow, another investigation in Nigeria? Can’t wait for the thrilling sequel where absolutely nothing happens again.’ Similarly, @Okariauke commented: ‘When you hear ‘House of Representatives or Senate investigation into corruption matters,’ that only means settle us, you can’t eat all alone. I can bet that nothing would come out of the investigation.’

And for @DatKindguy, the numbers themselves are an indictment: ‘Wait I don’t get it. Dangote spent approximately $20bn to build a full scale refinery from scratch. Yet, the Nigerian government couldn’t even repair her own refineries with $18bn. This is totally absurd. It’s a huge public disgrace. The government is a joke.’

@Preston also wrote, ‘If an individual like Dangote could build a new refinery for $20 billion, then why is it so difficult for the Nigerian government to rehabilitate a once-functioning refinery? The mind-blowing thing is that they spent $18 billion and yet it’s still not working.’

The saga of Nigeria’s refineries reads like a tragic loop. Built in the 1970s and 1980s, they once symbolised industrial pride. By the 1990s, mismanagement, corruption, and neglect had reduced them to shells. Every administration since has pledged to fix them. None has succeeded.

In 2007, the Obasanjo government sold the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries to a consortium led by Dangote. But the sale was reversed months later by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who argued that the assets should remain under state control. The government opted instead for ‘rehabilitation’, a decision that has cost the country billions without producing a drop of refined petrol.

In 2021, the Buhari administration approved a $1.5 billion contract to revamp the Port Harcourt refinery. Four years later, it remains inactive. Meanwhile, Nigeria continues to import fuel often from refineries abroad using its own crude oil.

Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited recently admitted that the refineries are still non-functional despite significant investments. He even suggested that the government may eventually sell the plants, raising new questions about transparency, fiscal prudence, and long-term energy security.

Even as billions vanish into maintenance projects that never materialise, the NNPCL continues to request fresh funds for the same purpose. The Cost of Dysfunction

Despite being Africa’s largest crude oil producer, Nigeria paradoxically spends billions importing refined fuel. The removal of petrol subsidies by the Tinubu administration in 2023 has only deepened public frustration, as fuel prices have tripled and inflation surged to record highs.

Experts warn that without functional refineries, Nigeria’s economy will remain exposed to global market shocks. The government’s inability to refine crude domestically also deprives it of thousands of industrial jobs and billions in foreign exchange savings.

‘The refineries are not just assets; they’re symbols of our dysfunction. Each probe without punishment sends a message that corruption pays’, Innocent Okechukwu, a political critic, said.

As lawmakers prepare to summon ministers, contractors, and NNPC executives yet again, the prevailing mood is one of scepticism, not hope. The refineries may someday roar back to life, but until transparency and accountability become more than words, most Nigerians have stopped believing.