Category: Daily Trust

Even in their states of moribund, billions of naira is spent on staff salary and wages. The Kaduna, Port Harcourt, and Warri refinery companies, all under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), while been closed since 2020 continue to pay massive sums to their employees.

In 2020 alone, NNPC’s audited financial statements reveal that these three refineries spent N60.547 billion on salaries and wages. This wasteful and unproductive trend continued into 2021, with an additional N66.779 billion allocated to employee compensation, even though the facilities produced no refined crude oil during this period. The Port Harcourt Refinery Company, which has long been at the center of government promises for revitalization, expended N22.547 billion in 2020 and N32.023 billion in 2021 on salaries and benefits.

Similarly, the Warri Refinery Company, despite its inactivity, spent N12 billion in 2020 and N14 billion in 2021 on staff expenses. The Kaduna Refinery Company, which also remains non-functional, reported personnel costs of N26 billion in 2020 and N20 billion in 2021.

The situation is compounded by the fact that the Kaduna Refinery Company turned itself to lender of last resort, provided loans to its employees totaling N2.2 billion between 2020 and 2021, raising further questions about the financial management of these entities. This circle of waste, corruption and inefficiency continued unabated for decades.

Now, however, a new chapter beckons. Under the administrative ingenuity of Engr Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has signed a fresh agreement with two Chinese firms to accelerate the long-delayed rehabilitation and commercial restart of Nigeria’s refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri, while opening a new window for technical equity partnerships.

This agreement which was executed in Jiaxing City, China, on April 30, 2026, by the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, alongside the Chairman of Sanjiang Chemical Company, Guan Jianzhong, and the Chairman of Xingcheng Industrial Park, Bill Bi is clear evidence of the transformative initiative of NNPC Limited in repositioning itself as Africa’s leading energy generator.

Unlike in the past when turnaround maintenance contracts were influenced by politicians for local and inexperienced contractors; the Sanjiang Chemical is a reputable Chinese private chemical manufacturing company established in 2003 and headquartered in the Zhapu Economic Development Zone, Jiaxing Port Area, Zhejiang Province. It is a listed firm on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is recognised as one of China’s leading integrated petrochemical producers with verifiable asset and liability.

the company specialises in ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol production and operates one of the world’s largest single-unit chemical processing facilities. Its product portfolio includes petrochemicals such as ethylene, propylene, polypropylene, butadiene, hydrogen, methanol derivatives, surfactants, and industrial gases.

Sanjiang runs a large integrated refining and petrochemical complex anchored on a 1,000 KTA EO/EG unit and a 1,250 KTA light hydrocarbon utilisation unit, supported by multiple downstream plants, including polypropylene and surfactant facilities.

It plays a key role in China’s industrial strategy, focusing on high-end petrochemical integration, supply chain security, and export-oriented chemical production, while leveraging advanced logistics connectivity within the Yangtze River Delta industrial corridor.

The second company also has a reputation of global standard petrochemical identity. Xingcheng is an industrial park development and management company based in Guangdong Province, China, operating within the Xincheng Industrial Park in Xinxing County, Yunfu City.

Xingcheng provides a full industrial ecosystem support, including land development, utilities (gas, power, and wastewater systems), tax incentives, and investment services.

The firm’s core strength lies in industrial park operations, infrastructure-led investment attraction, and enabling large-scale manufacturing ecosystems within China’s broader regional development strategy. The reputations of these companies underscore Ojulari’s vision and transparency which are the hallmark of NNPC limited today.

One of the most interesting aspects of the MoU according to a statement issued few months ago by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Andy Odeh, is that it sets the stage for a potential Technical Equity Partnership aimed at completing outstanding work at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, as well as ensuring their long-term operational efficiency. Both facilities have a combined capacity of 335,000 barrels per day.

The vision with which this MoU was signed is commendable for a collaboration that would go beyond rehabilitation of the refineries, extending into full-scale operation and maintenance of the facilities to achieve ‘best-in-class, sustainable performance represent a great departure from the wasteful past.

This agreement is more than a technical contract; it is a statement of intent. For the first time in years, Nigerians can look beyond endless promises and see a pathway to genuine progress. The significance of this MoU lies in its potential to restore confidence in the nation’s energy sector. Functioning refineries mean reduced reliance on imported fuel, which in turn stabilises pump prices and shields citizens from the volatility of global markets and monopoly. For the ordinary Nigerian, this translates into cheaper transportation, lower costs of goods, and relief from the inflationary pressures that have long eroded household incomes.

Beyond fuel prices, the revival of these refineries carries immense promise for job creation. Thousands of skilled and semi skilled workers will be needed to operate, maintain, and support the facilities. Ancillary industries from logistics to petrochemicals will flourish, creating a ripple effect across the economy. This is how industrial revival becomes social transformation: by putting food on tables, restoring dignity through employment, and giving young Nigerians a reason to believe in their country’s future.

The MoU also signals Nigeria’s readiness to attract foreign direct investment. Investors are drawn to stability, efficiency, and vision. Ojulari’s courage to depart from the corruption ridden, wasteful approaches of the past has set a new tone. By insisting on transparency and efficiency, he has positioned NNPC as a credible partner in the global energy space. This credibility is the bedrock upon which broader economic improvement can be built – from increased revenue to stronger currency reserves.

Most importantly, the socio economic lives of ordinary Nigerians stand to benefit. Affordable fuel means more accessible healthcare and education, as families spend less on transport and energy. It means small businesses can thrive without being strangled by high operating costs. It means farmers can move produce to markets at reasonable rates, reducing waste and boosting food security.

Engr Bashir Bayo Ojulari deserves commendation not just for his technical acumen but for his vision and courage. He has broken with a past defined by sabotage and waste, choosing instead a path of reform, partnership, and accountability. In doing so, he has rekindled hope that Nigeria’s refineries can finally serve the people rather than drain them.

The MoU is not merely about machines roaring back to life; it is about restoring faith in Nigeria’s ability to manage its resources wisely. It is about proving that leadership, when anchored in integrity and foresight, can turn failure into opportunity. And it is about ensuring that the benefits of oil wealth are felt not in boardrooms alone, but in the everyday lives of Nigerians.

The socio-economic impact cannot be overstated. Reliable access to fuel empowers small businesses, sustains livelihoods, and reduces the daily anxieties of ordinary Nigerians. It is the difference between a struggling economy and one that breathes with confidence.

All of this has been made possible by the courage and foresight of Engr Bashir Bayo Ojulari. His willingness to depart from the corruption, waste, and sabotage that defined past approaches marks a turning point. By embracing transparency and efficiency, he has not only repositioned NNPC but also rekindled hope that Nigeria’s oil wealth can finally serve its people.

The MoU with the Chinese company is therefore more than a technical arrangement; it is a promise of renewal. It is a chance to prove that leadership anchored in vision can deliver tangible benefits; cheaper fuel, jobs, investment, and dignity. And it is a reminder that when Nigeria’s refineries roar back to life, so too will the aspirations of her people.

Fresh from representing Nigeria at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, sprint sensation Miracle Ezechukwu and shot put silver medallist Jessica Oji headline the Nigerian team for the 2026 World Athletics U-20 Championship in Oregon, USA, where the world’s finest emerging track and field talents have converged to compete for honours.

Ezechukwu, who competed in the Commonwealth Games women’s 100m semifinal, will feature in the women’s 100m and 200m.

She is also listed for the women’s 4x100m relay, bringing valuable experience from Glasgow, where she was a part of Nigeria’s women’s 4x100m team that reached the final.

Oji will compete in both the women’s shot put and discus throw. She is in Oregon with considerable momentum after winning silver in the women’s shot put at the Glasgow Games.

The overall Nigerian contingent features a blend of promising sprint, hurdles, jumps, and throws talents seeking to make their mark on the global stage.

In the women’s 100m, Ezechukwu will be joined by Rosemary Nwankwo and Lucy Nwankwo, while Success Oyibu and Tejiri Praise Ugoh join Ezechukwu in the 200m. Becky Ebiyadi, Faith Ezechukwu, and Jecinta Lawrence will represent Nigeria in the women’s 400m, while Chika Bakwunye will compete in the 100m hurdles.

Nigeria has also named a strong women’s relay pool. Miracle Ezechukwu, Rosemary Nwankwo, Lucy Nwankwo, Success Oyibu, and Chika Bakwunye are listed for the 4x100m, while Becky Ebiyadi, Faith Ezechukwu, Jecinta Lawrence, and Success Oyibu make up the 4x400m squad.

On the men’s side, Gift Bright and Tejiri Godwin will compete in the 100m, with Bright returning for the 200m alongside Perfect Faye. David Udoh will fly Nigeria’s flag in the 400m, while Precious Opinion will compete in the triple jump. Nigeria’s men’s 4x100m relay pool comprises Gift Bright, Perfect Faye, Tejiri Godwin, Precious Opinion, and David Udoh.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) expressed confidence that the young athletes will draw inspiration from Team Nigeria’s recent performances in Glasgow as the country continues to strengthen its pathway from junior development to senior international competition.

The 2026 World Athletics U-20 Championships are scheduled to conclude on Sunday, August 9.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has directed the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) to provide him with hourly updates on seismic activities around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following Tuesday’s earth tremor in parts of Abuja.

Residents of several parts of Abuja reported experiencing mild tremors on Tuesday morning, prompting concern on social media and calls for official clarification.

Alake urged residents to remain calm and continue with their normal activities, assuring them that the tremor posed no threat to lives or property.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise.

According to the statement, the minister, who is in Washington, D.C., United States, engaging American investors on joint venture proposals in the solid minerals sector, instructed the NGSA to submit regular reports for his review and possible escalation to other relevant government agencies.

The minister’s response followed an alert from the NGSA that an earth tremor shook several buildings in Abuja on Tuesday, August 4.

The agency said its Seismic Monitoring Station in Utako recorded the tremor at exactly 11:23:27 a.m., noting that it originated from a depth of one kilometre and travelled about four kilometres within five seconds.

According to the NGSA, the tremor was a ‘light event of I to II magnitude on the Mercalli scale.’

‘This is a characteristic feature of a surface earth tremor that poses no threat to lives and properties except for the discomfort of the shake and fear of possible destruction,’ the agency said.

Nigeria rarely experiences significant seismic activity, although isolated earth tremors have occasionally been recorded in parts of the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states over the years.

Experts have consistently maintained that most of the recorded tremors have been of low magnitude and have not posed significant risks to lives or infrastructure.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has sanctioned 79 personnel for various offences.

The NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, disclosed this during a press briefing on Wednesday at the corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.

Audi, represented by the corps’ spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, said disciplinary proceedings involving 75 personnel had been concluded, while four others were undergoing administrative processes over separate allegations.

He said the sanctioned personnel included one Assistant Commandant-General, two Deputy Commandants, 35 other senior officers and 37 junior officers.

According to him, the offences included job racketeering, illegal recruitment, financial misconduct, sabotage, theft, negligence, dishonesty, absenteeism and other breaches of service regulations.

The Commandant-General also revealed that 37 personnel were dismissed after disciplinary proceedings.Audi said the dismissed personnel included two Mining Marshals operatives, who have been recommended for prosecution over the February operational incident that claimed the life of their commander in Nasarawa State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two dismissed operatives of the Mining Marshal Unit were unlawfully providing illegal miners with firearms.

‘Their actions constituted grave misconduct, negligence and indiscipline,’ Audi said.

Audi said investigations cleared the Mining Marshals Commander, John Onoja, the lead prosecutor and other management team members of alleged complicity.

‘Allegations suggesting otherwise were found to be false and without factual basis,’ he said.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Kaduna State chapter, has called on the Kaduna State Government and military authorities to investigate alleged attacks on Fulani communities in Kauru Local Government Area.

In a statement signed by its state chairman, Alhaji Abdulhamid Musa Albarka, the association alleged that personnel of Operation Enduring Peace carried out operations on July 27 in Kidundum and Worfi communities, during which houses were burnt, families displaced and cattle seized.

MACBAN also alleged that on August 2, one Anas Idris was killed and another resident, Idris Yunusa, injured during an incident at Badurun Sama, while several cattle were killed or wounded.

The association claimed that 258 cattle recovered during the operations were being kept in the custody of the Ardo of Zango District, Alhaji Ayuba Haruna Yero, pending further directives. It urged the authorities to ensure the verified owners recovered their livestock through a transparent process.

MACBAN said it had submitted a report to Governor Uba Sani, seeking a thorough investigation, compensation for victims where necessary, the release of the cattle and the establishment of a fact-finding committee.

While stressing that it holds the Nigerian Armed Forces in high regard, the association urged the military high command to investigate the allegations and sanction any personnel found culpable.

It also appealed to its members to remain peaceful and cooperate with security agencies while investigations continue.

A Bureau de Change operator, Dabo Malam Ardi, has been convicted and sentenced to two months’ imprisonment for engaging in illegal foreign exchange transactions.

Ardi was convicted after being arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count charge of unlawful foreign exchange trading.

According to the charge, the defendant engaged in an illegal foreign exchange transaction outside the official foreign exchange market. He pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him.

Daily Trust reports that Ardi was arraigned before Justice F. N. Ogazi of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday.

The charge reads:

‘That you, Dabo Malam Ardi, sometime in 2026 in Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, engaged in a foreign exchange transaction other than through the official foreign exchange market and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 11(1)(a) of the National Economic Intelligence Committee (Establishment, etc.) Act, 1994, and punishable under Section 11(2) of the same Act.’

Following the defendant’s guilty plea, prosecution counsel, S. I. Suleiman reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.

Justice Ogazi found Ardi guilty and sentenced him to two months’ imprisonment, with an option of N80,000 fine.

The Federal Government has flagged off the construction of a 13.92 megawatt-peak (MWp) interconnected hybrid solar mini-grid project in Yobe State to expand electricity access, boost businesses and support economic growth.

The project, implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) with World Bank support, was inaugurated on Wednesday at five locations across Damaturu, Potiskum, Nguru and Gashua in Bade Local Government Area.

The project comprises a 1.76MWp solar plant at Waziri Ibrahim Estate in Damaturu, a 2.98MWp installation in Gashua, a 3.20MWp plant in Nguru, and two projects in Potiskum-a 3.20MWp facility at Yarimaram and a 2.78MWp installation at Rugan Fulani.

It also includes the deployment of 40 distribution transformers to improve electricity supply within the benefiting communities.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Mai Mala Buni described the initiative as one of the largest interconnected hybrid solar mini-grid investments in Northern Nigeria, saying it would provide reliable electricity to thousands of households, markets, schools, hospitals, agricultural enterprises and small businesses.

He said the investment would stimulate industrial growth, promote entrepreneurship, create jobs for youths and women, improve healthcare delivery and enhance agricultural productivity.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of REA, Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the interconnected hybrid mini-grids were designed to integrate with existing distribution networks to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to homes, businesses and public institutions.

He said the projects were aimed at unlocking economic opportunities by reducing energy costs and improving power supply to commercial and residential clusters.

‘We are not merely connecting communities to electricity. We are connecting them to opportunity. We are creating an environment where businesses can grow, young people can innovate, farmers can process more of what they produce, healthcare facilities can provide better services, and local economies can flourish,’ he said.

Aliyu said the projects were a product of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between REA and the Yobe State Government following the REA-Yobe Strategic Roundtable held in June 2025 to expand energy access and attract private investment.

He disclosed that the agency has an additional 14 electricity projects with a combined capacity of 15.3MWp in the pipeline across Yobe State, expected to provide about 23,870 new electricity connections.

The projects, he said, will cover communities including Jawur Katamma, Dibbwol, Dogonkuka, Malori, Turmi, Zangaya, Dole and Falimaran, as well as the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, alongside expansion projects in Gashua, Nguru, Waziri Ibrahim, Yarimaram and Rugan Fulani.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has projected between $30 billion and $50 billion in investments from 22 major offshore projects expected to come on stream between 2026 and 2030.

The Commission Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this yesterday at the Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition, NAICE 2026, in Lagos.

Eyesan, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Development and Production, Engr. Enorense Amadasu, said in her keynote address that these investments are expected to increase production, create jobs and strengthen energy security.

She said: ‘Since 2024, the NUPRC has approved over US$57 billion in Field Development Plans (FDPs); some of which have translated to Final Investment Decisions (FIDs). Twenty-two (22) major offshore projects are expected between 2026 and 2030 with an estimated investment potential of $30-50 billion.

‘Beyond increasing production, these investments will create jobs, expand infrastructure, strengthen energy security and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a leading global upstream investment destination.’

Besides developing its proven reserves, Eyesan said Nigeria is building a resilient energy future by maintaining a strong pipeline of exploration opportunities that will sustain long-term growth and energy security.

According to her, since 2022, successive licensing rounds have opened access to some of Nigeria’s most prospective oil and gas acreages.

She referenced the recent 2025 Licensing Round where 31 companies emerged successful bidders for 37 oil and gas blocks after progressing through a robust, data-driven and technology enabled evaluation process.

She said the 2026 Licensing Round which is set to commence soon is showing greater promise thanks to the transparency that has characterised licensing rounds.

‘With preparations already underway for the 2026 Licensing Round, Nigeria is demonstrating that investment certainty is no longer an aspiration; it is becoming an enduring feature of our regulatory framework,’ the NUPRC boss stated.

Eyesan said infrastructure deficit continues to undermine Africa’s promising potential.

She, however, noted that Nigeria is addressing this challenge through a series of strategies.

‘We are expanding gas gathering systems, processing facilities, pipelines and export infrastructure, while promoting shared facilities, open access, third party access and field tiebacks to reduce costs, speed up project delivery, maximise the use of existing infrastructure and help bring stranded oil and gas resources into production,’ the NUPRC boss stated.

Besides these infrastructure strategies, Eyesan said stronger collaboration among government, security agencies, operators, host communities and private partners; as well as the Host Community Development Trust had led to an improvement in the protection of critical energy assets which had ultimately made Nigeria’s upstream sector more resilient.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is constructing only two entirely new federal highways, while prioritising the completion of abandoned and inherited road projects across the country.

Umahi disclosed this during an inspection of Sections 1, 2 and parts of Section 4A of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, including the Ondo State axis, stressing that the Federal Government aimed at completing ongoing projects before embarking on new ones.

According to the minister, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway are the only completely new road projects initiated by the current administration.

‘We have continued old projects before the commencement of new ones. This administration is constructing only two entirely new roads: the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway. Every other road project we are executing involves abandoned or neglected projects,’ Umahi said.

The Kogi State Government has commenced plans to compensate and relocate residents of Idogido-Orietesu and Asuwe clan communities in Okene Local Government Area to pave the way for a major development project.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo disclosed this during a meeting with residents, saying the exercise was in the public interest and aimed at transforming the socio-economic landscape of the ancient town.

Represented by the Director-General of the Bureau of Lands, Kehinde Augustine Salihu-Otaru, the governor said about 35 ancestral land title holders behind the new central mosque under construction at Idogido-Orietesu would be compensated and relocated.

He said negotiations were ongoing with landowners in Asuwe clan to finalise compensation arrangements.

According to him, the government has mapped out a new relocation site, while construction of access roads and other infrastructure has commenced.

Salihu-Otaru said the affected landowners had been consulted through a series of meetings and had given their consent for the project.

He added that the government had verified the ancestral ownership of the land and was engaging title holders to agree on compensation and prevent disputes among affected families.

He also said beneficiaries would either receive new homes or monetary compensation, depending on the agreement reached, adding that the new settlement would be completed before December 2026.

He said residents would vacate the land after receiving compensation to enable the government to begin work.

Leaders of the affected communities confirmed their support for the project, saying they had agreed to release the land for development while discussions continued to resolve outstanding issues.