Category: Daily Trust

Stakeholders from academia, the private sector, and the media are set to converge at OPay’s maiden empowerment conference.

The conference tagged: ‘Empowering Futures’ is scheduled to hold October 31 in Lagos.

The financial institution in a statement described the conference as a convergence for reflection on the milestones achieved in the past year and discuss how greater collaboration can amplify the impact of social investments in Nigeria.

‘Since its inception, OPay’s N1.2 billion Scholarship Programme has become a cornerstone of the company’s corporate social responsibility vision,’ the statement read.

The firm highlighted the impact of the N1.2 billion Scholarship Programme, saying 20 tertiary institutions nationwide have been onboarded enabling hundreds of students across all six geopolitical zones to access financial assistance for tuition, accommodation, and essential study materials.

It added that the firm’s CyberLab Initiative would be unveiled during the conference.

‘This inaugural edition of the Empowering Futures Conference will not only celebrate this progress but also mark the official unveiling of the OPay CyberLab Initiative – a forward-looking project aimed at advancing digital literacy and innovation across Nigeria’s higher institutions.

‘This edition will also spotlight the Graduate Recruitment Initiative, which connects top graduates with job opportunities within OPay’s ecosystem,’ the statement said.

Elizabeth Wang, Chief Commercial Officer at OPay, said the programmes reflect the firm’s broader mission to empower the next generation with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in a digital economy.

‘At OPay, our belief is simple – access to quality education and technology creates lasting change.

‘Through the Scholarship Programme, Graduate Recruitment, and now the CyberLab Initiative, we’re helping young Nigerians turn potential into purpose. The Empowering Futures Conference is our way of celebrating these strides and inspiring even greater collaboration for national impact,’ she said.

The standard bearer of Action Alliance(AA) in the 2023 governorship election in Kogi state, Olayinka Braimoh, has dumped his party and joined the African Democratic Congress( ADC).

The former Governorship candidate of the party decamped officially on Saturday in kabba , the headquarters of Kabba-Bunu local government in the state .

Braimoh said his decision to join ADC was borne out of his desire to bring change to the leadership terrain of Kogi state.

‘With the calibre of persons in the party, ADC coalition is the platform under which I believe my vision of a new Kogi state can be actualised.

‘The opportunity for the coalition and the need to have like minds work together to move the mountain of poverty and vision less leadership from our dear state, Kogi, motivated me to join ADC, and the party is also a bigger and better platform to contest’, he said .

He stated that the state is below in terms of leadership performance, looking at ‘the potentials ,capacities and intellectual assets that this state possesses’.

Braimoh noted further that with the state potentials , the best have not had the opportunity of leading; stressing, ‘that is the reason why we decided to join the coalition to move our state forward’.

He therefore called on Kogites to be a part of the moving ADC train in the state.

However, Braimoh enjoined Kogites and Nigerians at large to approach Independent National Electoral Commission offices and get their permanent voter cards to enable them to perform their civil responsibilities in the coming elections.

He pointed out that the cries for a better nation can only be made possible by those who are ready to take the bull by the horn by voting and seeking positions during the electioneering period.

In his remarks, the ADC Chairman in the State, Hon. Kingsley Temitope Ogga, described Braimoh’s bold step as a timely right step.

He stated that the coalition is here to stay, and determined to deliver the needed results in the coming elections in the state .

The state chairman of the party noted further that Braimoh is a plus to the party in the state, emphasising that ADC is united and ready to take centre stage in the next political dispensation in the country.

He promised Nigerians that the party will present righteous and credible leaders who will serve with the fear of God.

‘ADC has the sympathy of the citizens at heart, and by the time Nigerians give us power, they will see what we will do for the good of all’, he said.

The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the party’s membership card to Braimoh to symbolise his official defection to ADC.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped amid an escalation of fighting in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur state.

‘With fighters pushing further into the city and escape routes cut off, hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped and terrified, shelled, starving, and without access to food, healthcare, or safety,’ said UN emergency relief coordinator Tom Fletcher.

Fletcher said he was ‘deeply alarmed by reports of civilian casualties and forced displacement,’ calling for ‘an immediate ceasefire in El Fasher, across Darfur and throughout Sudan.

‘Civilians must be allowed safe passage and be able to access aid. Those fleeing to safer areas must be allowed to do so safely and in dignity. Those who stay including local responders must be protected. Attacks on civilians, hospitals and humanitarian operations must stop immediately.’

According to UN estimates, around 300,000 people are living in desperate conditions in El Fasher, which has been cut off for more than a year.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has taken El Fasher, the last government-controlled city in the Darfur region, according to its own statements.

The military did not initially comment on this. According to media reports, fighting continues in the capital of North Darfur state. The information could not initially be independently verified.

Sudan’s de facto ruler, Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, has been locked in a bloody power struggle with RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo since April 2023. Both sides have been accused of serious human rights violations.

The UN considers the situation to be the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis, with more than 12 million people displaced and more than 26 million facing starvation about half the country’s population are suffering from acute hunger.

The regions of Darfur and Kordofan, currently controlled by the RSF, are particularly affected. (dpa/NAN)

Renting property in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, is increasingly becoming unaffordable for ordinary citizens, forcing many residents to relocate to suburban areas in neighbouring states, findings by Daily Trust have revealed.

A shortage of affordable housing has driven up demand, leaving prospective tenants at the mercy of landlords who charge exorbitant rents. This situation is further compounded by the high cost of living and rising household expenses across the country.

Under Nigeria’s existing tenancy laws, landlords are permitted to collect rent up to 12 months in advance. However, investigations show that many Abuja landlords now demand payments of up to two years upfront – a practice that has made it even harder for prospective tenants to secure accommodation.

Experts note that rent control has been largely ineffective in Nigeria, as the real estate market is driven by private developers and shaped by market forces of demand and supply.

In Abuja, districts such as Guzape, Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, Jabi, Wuye, and Gwarimpa are among the most expensive residential areas, with rents for a one-bedroom apartment reaching as high as N3 million – excluding additional costs such as legal, agency, and caution fees.

As a result, many Nigerians, including civil servants and low-income earners, have been compelled to relocate to neighbouring states in search of cheaper accommodation.

Popular relocation destinations include Suleja and Madalla in Niger State, as well as Mararaba, New Nyanya, Masaka, and Ado in Nasarawa State, where rents are significantly lower.

Residents said the daily commute to Abuja from these satellite towns is a small price to pay compared to the burden of rent in the capital city.

Suburbs to the rescue

Speaking with Daily Trust on the issue, a civil servant, Olajide Bayo, said rents in the city centre have become unbearable in the last three years, increasing by between 100 and 300 percent without a corresponding improvement in infrastructure or facilities.

He attributed the surge to the high demand for housing, as most workers prefer to live close to their workplaces in the capital city.

‘The government has not shown a serious commitment to developing estates for civil servants and the general public. I used to live in Apo Resettlement, where the rent for a one-bedroom flat was N500,000. Today, the same flat goes for between N1.5 million and N2.5 million. Many of us who couldn’t cope with the rising cost of living had to relocate,’ Bayo said.

He added that he now resides in Mararaba with his family, where he pays N700,000 for a one-bedroom flat. ‘It’s still expensive, but better than what I paid before,’ he said.

Bayo criticised the government for focusing only on property taxation without addressing the poor state of infrastructure in existing estates. ‘Even in government estates, roads are bad, waste management is poor, and healthcare facilities are nonexistent. The private sector is filling the housing gap, but the government lacks the power or will to regulate rent prices,’ he said.

Similarly, Solomon Kumai, a private sector worker, said he was forced to leave Kubwa for Suleja due to rising rents. ‘Three years ago, I was paying N400,000 in Kubwa, but my landlord doubled it to N800,000, and later to N1.6 million. My annual salary is N1.6 million – how can I pay all as rent? I had to move to Suleja, where I still pay N400,000 for the same kind of apartment,’ he said.

For Keturah Danjuma, another civil servant, affordable housing is becoming impossible for low- and middle-income earners.

She said areas that were once affordable, such as Kubwa, Lugbe, Gwarimpa, and Lokogoma, have witnessed massive rent hikes.

‘I lived in Lokogoma, paying N1 million for a two-bedroom flat, but last year my landlord raised it to N2 million. How can someone earning N70,000 minimum wage afford that? I moved to Zuba and now pay N700,000 for a two-bedroom, but my transport costs have doubled,’ she said.

In Kubwa, Engineer Abbas Idris said his rent for a one-bedroom apartment rose from N500,000 to N1.5 million without explanation.

‘Salaries aren’t increasing, but rents keep going up. When I searched for another place, I discovered that a self-contained now costs between N600,000 and N800,000, a one-bedroom N1 million to N1.2 million, and a two-bedroom up to N2 million. I eventually moved to Madalla,’ he said.

In Kado Kuchi, a trader, Joshua Ilama, said landlords have become ‘greedy,’ hiking rents beyond reason. ‘When I moved here in 2018, a self-contained unit was N150,000. Now it’s N600,000 to N800,000, while one-bedrooms are N1.5 million. Even mud houses covered with cement, known as Gbagyi houses, attract high rents,’ he said.

Ilama said after the roads in the area were graded and tarred, landlords quickly increased rent. ‘People are relocating to other suburbs because what you pay for a self-contained here can get you a one-bedroom elsewhere. Landlords should have mercy; everyone is struggling under this harsh economy,’ he added.

For Jalo Mustapha, a civil servant, the situation is no different. ‘I was paying N500,000 for a self-contained apartment in Life Camp, but my landlord increased it to N1.2 million. I had to move to Dakibiu, a small village near Jabi, where I pay N400,000. It’s sad and frustrating,’ he said.

Landlords speak

House owners in Abuja have attributed the sharp rise in rent to Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, citing soaring costs of building materials, maintenance, and taxes.

A landlord in the Apo Resettlement area, Nuhu Ahmadu, in a chat with Daily Trust, attributed the surge in rent to Nigeria’s harsh economic realities, including rising costs of building materials, maintenance, and taxes.

‘These factors make it difficult to keep rents stable. We are not being greedy; we’re only trying to stay afloat and maintain our properties.

‘However, the rising cost of materials, maintenance, and taxes compels landlords to raise rents to meet expenses. We need enough funds to maintain our buildings, and rent increases are often the only way to keep up with repairs and general upkeep,’ he said.

Another landlord in Jahi, Chinedu Akabueze, said both landlords and tenants face the same inflationary pressures.

‘Both tenants and landlords buy from the same expensive markets. These properties are our lifelong investments, and we must maintain them in line with current economic realities. We sympathize with tenants, but the government is not helping either.

‘The price of a bag of cement has increased by more than 150 percent – from about N4,000 to over N10,000. So, even minor maintenance now costs a fortune,’ he said.

In Lugbe, another landlord, Christopher Danladi, said, ‘Many people wrongly assume that landlords raise rents for fun. That’s not true. Landlords are also victims of economic conditions. Those who blame landlords for high rents are either ignorant or overlooking the economic factors that justify such increases.’

Danladi explained that the cost of building materials has skyrocketed in recent years.

‘For example, 6-inch and 9-inch blocks that used to sell for N200 and N300 two years ago now go for between N550 and N700, depending on location. A bag of cement now costs between N9,500 and N10,000, compared to less than N4,000 a few years ago. We also pay tenement rates and other levies.

‘Besides, the cost of maintaining an existing building is no longer the same. Some houses require maintenance every two to five years, depending on their condition. And some tenants, frankly speaking, are reckless – they damage the property before leaving, forcing the landlord to spend heavily on repairs before renting it out again,’ he said.

Danladi added that landlords should not be demonised for the prevailing housing situation.

A real estate expert, Abdullahi Sani, has attributed the soaring rent prices across Nigeria to the forces of demand and supply, worsened by economic instability and rising building costs.

Speaking to Daily Trust, he explained that the sharp increase in the prices of construction materials naturally translates into higher rents.

‘Since the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of exchange rates, it hasn’t been easy for tenants to meet their rent obligations. Many properties remain vacant because people can no longer afford the rent. Currently, rents depend on location and design, and in highbrow areas, rent could go as high as N20 million yearly for a duplex,’ he said.

Daki Biyu village, a settlement at Jabi, Abuja Photo: Onyekachukwu Obi

Sani emphasised that housing is influenced by multiple factors.

‘Land must be accessible, documentation and planning costs should be affordable, and financing-especially mortgage facilities-should be available and reasonable.

‘The prices of building materials like cement have risen by over 100 percent in recent times, now selling for about N10,000 per bag. The same applies to iron rods and even local sand. Skilled labour is also costly and scarce. It might surprise you to know that we sometimes go as far as the Benin Republic to hire qualified tillers, plumbers, and electricians,’ he said.

Offering a different perspective, a real estate agent based in Wuse, Abdullahi Musa, advised residents of the FCT to focus on home ownership instead of remaining lifelong tenants.

‘The high cost of rent isn’t peculiar to Abuja. It’s the same story in Lagos, Calabar, Enugu, Ogun, Ibadan, and other cities. The removal of fuel subsidy has worsened things, but building materials have been rising long before that and are not likely to come down anytime soon,’ he said.

Musa urged tenants to start saving and investing in their own properties, no matter how small. ‘No matter how long you live in a house, you can never become the landlord.

‘You can begin by acquiring land in the suburbs and developing it gradually. There’s a saying that, ‘brick by brick, a house is built.’ Once you cut unnecessary spending and make a conscious effort, you can own a home faster than you think. Every tenant should aim to become a landlord because rent prices will not decrease anytime soon,’ he said.

No regulation yet for real estate sector – REDAN

The immediate past president of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Aliyu Wamakko, said the absence of a regulatory law for the real estate sector has made it vulnerable to abuse, particularly money laundering.

He revealed that during his tenure, REDAN developed the Real Estate Regulatory Council of Nigeria (RERCON) Bill 2023, aimed at fully regulating the sector and curbing illicit financial flows.

‘The bill had inputs from all relevant stakeholders-state commissioners, regulatory institutions, and professionals in the built industry. It was passed by the 9th National Assembly and transmitted to President Tinubu for assent, but he declined to sign it,’ Wamakko said.

He lamented that the lack of regulation has allowed individuals to use stolen public funds to construct unoccupied buildings across the country.

‘Many of the houses you see are products of money laundering. The owners don’t even put up signage to indicate the estate developers because they are proceeds of crime. They simply keep building because they have excess illicit funds,’ he said.

An indigenous exploration and production company, Petralon 54, assigned with the sole operatorship of the Dawes-Island Field in Rivers State, has inaugurated Host Community Development Trusts (HCDT) for Dawes-Island communities of Ogoloma and Koniama (Okochiri and Koniju) in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The company stated that by this corporate action, Petralon 54, a subsidiary of Petralon Energy, has yet again demonstrated its commitment to regulatory compliance, responsible business practices, stakeholder’s wellbeing, and community development.

The inauguration ceremony was witnessed by major industry stakeholders, which included top government functionaries, oil industry regulators, community and women leaders, chiefs, and representatives of the traditional rulers (Amanayabos) of the host communities.

Speaking at the event, Founder and CEO of Petralon Energy, Ahonsi Unuigbe, stated that ‘instituting the HCDT is not just compliance with Section Three of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA, 2021), but an expression of the company’s ingrained culture of identifying, addressing and aligning with the needs and aspiration of the stakeholders, especially the communities hosting the company’s operations’.

He said: ‘I am excited that we are making history today by coming together to create a beautiful future for the next generation and charting a path for sustainable partnership, empowerment and inclusive growth with the inauguration of the Development Trust for our host communities.’

Earlier, Uduakobong Equere, Executive Director, Petralon 54 said the event reflects a shared commitment to progress, equity, and sustainability.

He said: ‘It marks a new phase in our collective journey, one that places community development, transparency, and inclusiveness at the heart of extractive industry operations.

‘These Trusts belong to the people of Ogoloma and Koniama, and they are designed to ensure that the benefits of oil and gas operations are visible, measurable, and sustainable at the grassroot level’, he added.

In his acceptance speech, Chief (Dr). Chris Biriowu, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Okochiri Host Community Development Trust, and spokesperson for the Okochiri Kingdom commended the board and management of Petralon 54 Ltd for their interest in the wellbeing of the people of Okochiri and the entire community.

He said that the process will bring empowerment to the people and development to the community, assuring the company of the peoples’ cooperation.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ogoloma Host Community Development Trust, Chief Miebaka Tamunopekerebia described Petralon 54 Ltd as ‘a people-centric and responsible organisation with a strong commitment to partnership and collaboration’.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a series of significant seizures, including 70 parcels of cocaine factory-packed in the walls of cocoa butter formula body cream containers heading to London, United Kingdom.

The agency also recovered methamphetamine concealed in a water heater and conducted a raid on a popular Lagos nightclub over a drug party, arresting the owner, Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu, widely known as Pretty Mike, among others. A statement on Sunday by the Agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said a total of 70 parcels of cocaine, weighing 3.60 kilograms, were discovered at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

He said the consignment was found on October 14, 2025, during the examination of cargoes packaged as personal effects going to London, UK, on an Air Peace flight.

He added that a cargo agent, Lawal Mustapha Olakunle, who presented the consignment for airfreight, was promptly arrested.

According to him, investigations lasting two weeks led to the arrest of two principal suspects linked to the attempt to export the concealed Class A drug to the UK.

He said, ”In a follow-up operation on October 18, a female healthcare worker, Ogunmuyide Taiwo Deborah, was arrested. Subsequently, Mutiu Adebayo Adebiyi, the Chief Executive Officer of a travel agency, Mutiu Adebiyi and Co, was arrested at his office on 23 Ladoke Akintola Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, on Monday, October 20.”

President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has announced the expansion of his refinery’s daily production capacity from 650,000 per barrels to 1.4million bpd.

Dangote, flanked by his friend and foremost entrepreneur, Femi Otedola, disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos on Sunday.

He said the expansion drive when completed will make the refinery the world’s largest, surpassing India’s Jamnagar Refinery with a capacity of 1.24m bpd.

Dangote said the expansion process will take three years to complete.

He said, ‘The key announcement is that we are expanding the Dangote Refinery from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4m barrels per day.

‘This will make it the largest refinery in the world ever.

‘This expansion reflects our confidence in Nigeria’s future, our belief in Africa’s potential and our commitment to building energy independence for our continent and the world.’

With the expansion, he said the refinery will require 65,000 workers during the construction process.

Dangote added that the refinery would also ramp up its power generation from 500MW to 1,000 MW capacity.

Dangote noted that the refinery would be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2026, in order to give Nigerians the opportunity to be shareholders.

‘That’s a step towards broader ownership and market transparency. We want to give all Nigerians the opportunity of owning parts of the refinery.

‘You can buy as many shares as you can. Therefore, we are making sure that this refinery belongs to all Nigerians. I think it’s right time to put in your savings and join us in this journey.

‘Our long term goal remains clear – to build Africa’s leading integrated energy and petrochemical hub, the first of its kind on the continent,’ he said.

Dangote added that the project will be financed through cash flow, ‘and we also have one or two strategic investors.’

Polypropylene production climbs 2.4 mm metric tonne per annum

Dangote also disclosed that with the expansion, the polypropylene production will move up from 900,000 metric tonnes to 2.4m annually.

He also said the drive will take the refinery transitions from producing Euro V to Euro VI fuel standards, meeting the highest global environmental benchmarks.

‘We will also be expanding our Polypropylene production from 900,000 metric tonne to 2.4 mm metric tonne per annum this will further enrich the production of linear alkylbenzene, a key ingredient for the production of detergent, and additional production of base oils.

‘With this expansion, the refinery transitions from producing Euro V to Euro VI fuel standards, meeting the highest global environmental benchmarks.

‘Expands power generation capacity, ensuring full operational self-sufficiency,’ Dangote said.

He added that ‘Over 85% of our workforce will be Nigerian, with ongoing investment in skills and technology transfer.

‘We remain committed to safety, sustainability, and local participation at every stage of this expansion.

‘Our goal has never been just to refine oil, but to refine opportunities for our people,’ he added

‘Crude supply shouldn’t be an issue’

Responding to questions on the challenge of crude oil supply in view of the expansion, he said such shouldn’t be an issue.

‘All that’s happening right now, we are exporting the crude which is being produced in the African continent and importing finished products.

‘For once, at least we have something that we are refining. We can also send poverty to them and create jobs where we are.

‘Crude supply shouldn’t be an issue. We have already worked out our numbers and I think we are good.’

.Challenges DAPPMAN to take over existing refinery

Speaking further, Dangote challenged the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, (DAPPMAN) to take over some of the existing refineries in the country in order to curb reliance on importation.

He said, ‘Talking about monopoly. you have a group like DAPPMAN. They should go and buy some of the refineries. If they’re not for sale, then they should actually go and start their own refinery. ‘It’s better when you are playing football, it is better if everybody plays football, not that some people will be playing football, but somebody will be playing cricket.

‘So, I think it is far better for other people to go and buy so we will not be the only one supporting Mr. President’s policy.

‘The president has been supporting the sector to refine all our crude into petroleum products, and I think other people too should take the opportunity.’

.Commends Tinubu’s policies

He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Federal Government for supporting industrialisation policies such as Nigeria’s First, Naira-for-Crude, and the One-Stop Shop initiatives, which he said have emboldened investors to take on transformative projects.

He also commended the government’s intervention in mediating recent disruptions at the refinery linked to union activity and sabotage attempts, calling it a demonstration of effective collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Despite not yet recouping the initial investment in the 650,000 bpd phase, Dangote said the group is focused on long-term transformation rather than short-term returns.

‘Refining is a long-term project. We are expanding because we believe in Africa,’ he said, adding, ‘Without this refinery, Nigeria would still be buying dollars at ridiculous rates and depleting our reserves to import fuel.’

He emphasised that Nigeria’s pump price remains among the lowest in the region despite the refinery’s production of higher-quality, cleaner fuels that have reduced toxic dumping in the country.

Dangote emphasised that the refinery has already made a difference by stabilising local fuel supply, helping to strengthen the naira, and preventing capital flight.

‘Nigerians today buy petrol at roughly half the price of what our neighbours pay, and it is even cheaper than in Saudi Arabia,’ he noted. ‘Our product is of higher quality, meeting Euro VI standards, and it has significantly reduced the dumping of toxic fuel into our market.’

Marketers, stakeholders welcome expansion

Speaking with one of our correspondents, President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi welcomed the expansion of the refinery by Dangote, saying it would ensure product availability.

Describing the coming of Dangote Refinery as a blessing for Nigeria, he said importation of refined products should have stopped by now.

He said, ‘Now we have seen the benefits of the refinery, all Nigerians are seeing the benefits. It is a good thing that he is expanding the refinery. If not because of the desperation of some people, with what Dangote Refinery has been doing, we should have stopped importation.

A major marketer said, ‘It would be one of the biggest in the world. It means he will produce more than Nigeria needs, so he has to be competitive with other global refineries.’

On his part, Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics, Wumi O. Iledare, said the new capacity of the Dangote Refinery, if managed efficiently, can generate true economies of scale by lowering unit costs, deepening regional trade, and enhancing foreign-exchange stability.

He, however, said without strong governance and regulatory discipline, the same scale advantage can quickly turn into diseconomies and market dominance.

‘With no import backstop, there is a genuine risk of absolute monopoly power, where price and supply decisions become concentrated in one entity. To avoid that, the government must sustain transparent regulatory oversight, maintain import-parity benchmarks, and encourage other refineries to operate competitively.’

He added that in the long run, the test of the expansion will not be size, but efficiency, transparency, and shared value creation.

‘Scale must serve society – not control it. When scale breeds dominance, governance must breed fairness.’

Speaking with Daily Trust, Prof. Dayo Ayoade, Energy Law expert at the University of Lagos, said, ‘Of course, if they can produce more, fine for them, they can make a lot more money. But also, it means that they would have to find crude oil in substantial numbers from what they currently do.’

He added that the crude oil may not come from Nigeria and the refinery will have to do a lot more imports of US crude oil or crude oil from all over the world.

‘And that would be a very big cost for Dangote refinery. Other implications have to do with the technical aspect as the capacity to take on board this huge number of cargoes, capacity to produce the various products from the crude oil and then sell and market those products on international markets, whether it’s jet fuel, whether it’s diesel, whether it’s petrol, kerosene or what have you. So, it’s a lot to do. As to whether we should continue to import, we may have to continue to import because of energy security.’

Air Peace Ltd, on Sunday, commenced a direct flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, to the London Heathrow Airport.

The inauguration of the London Heathrow flight came 19 months after it started flight operations to London Gatwick on March 29, 2024.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, led passengers on the inaugural direct flight which departed the NAIA on Sunday morning.

Daily Trust reports that Keyamo had led the battle to secure a slot in Heathrow, UK’s busiest and most prestigious airport, in order to expand Air Peace’s UK operations.

The flight took off on Sunday morning and arrived in the evening in London, marking a major milestone for Nigeria’s aviation industry.

It would be recalled that the minister has been at the forefront of securing the explicit reciprocity of air-service rights under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

He dispatched a letter dated August 1, 2024 to his British counterpart, Louise Haigh, UK Secretary of State for Transport and insisted that a Nigerian carrier be granted landing rights at London Gatwick and the coveted Heathrow slot.

On the ground at the boarding, the Chairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, praised Keyamo’s bold intervention.

Onyema urged every airline in the country to speak up for what the present regime had done for them.

‘I could remember when Customs brought in a four per cent FOB charge for our imports, the aviation operators went to the Minister, and he stepped into it immediately. He took the matter to the Finance Minister and to Customs.

‘Today, within one week, the four percent FOB has been removed for Nigerian airlines. I will support and applaud this government. The government listens to the aspirations, complaints, and challenges of the people.

‘When Nigerian helicopter-airline owners cry to the minister about a certain charge, he removes it on the spot to make life very simple for these airlines. So it’s not just about Air Peace.

Also speaking on the ground at the boarding, Keyamo said the flight’s feat was rooted in the clear mandate from President Bola Tinubu to support local carriers to thrive and survive.

According to the minister, the mortality rate in the nation’s aviation sector has been very high for more than 40 years.

‘Over 100 airlines have come and gone. Concord, Belview, Sosoliso, Chanchangi, name them. So we had a clear mandate to support the growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of our local operators.

‘If you destroy the private sector in your country, you destroy the country. Every good economy thrives on the wealth and wellbeing of the private sector,’ he said.

According to him, the private sector is the greatest employer of labour and engine of growth.

He noted that the federal government had done all it could to give local operators the muscle and leverage to ensure fair competition.

‘What Air Peace’s Heathrow flight means’

Keyamo added, ‘International airlines have been coming to Nigeria for nearly 90 years on some routes, lifting passengers back and forth without our operators fully participating. Under our BASAs, we had rights too. But no capacity, no access, no slot at Heathrow. Today that changes.’

‘The Abuja-London Heathrow route underscores Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing connectivity, supporting local aviation infrastructure and promoting flag carriers on the global stage.’

Choosing which crypto projects may stay relevant into 2025 often depends on real development progress rather than short-term hype. Many people are paying closer attention to networks that already show active usage, public teams, clear roadmaps, and ongoing improvements. This helps create a clearer picture of which projects may continue to matter.

The projects discussed here each offer something distinct, whether that’s speed, scaled financial features, trading-based incentives, or strong ecosystem growth. None of this guarantees outcomes, and crypto remains a volatile space. This overview is simply meant to outline recent progress and current positioning for better context and understanding. 1. BlockDAG: The Hybrid Network Built to Scale

BlockDAG (BDAG) is gaining attention because it blends Bitcoin-style Proof-of-Work security with a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) processing method. Instead of processing transactions one by one like a single-lane road, the network processes them in parallel. This setup targets speeds ranging from around 2,000 to 15,000 transactions per second.

It is already running on a live Awakening Testnet with Ethereum-compatible smart contracts. Developers can build on the network now rather than waiting for a future launch window. For many, this positions BlockDAG as one of the top crypto for 2025 conversations.

BlockDAG’s presale has already raised over $430 million, with more than 27 billion BDAG coins purchased by over 312,000 holders. The project offers a TGE code that allows investors to buy BDAG at about $0.0015 before the anticipated launch price of $0.05. This structure gives both early access and a clear roadmap. Mining also plays a role through the X-Series mining devices (X10, X30, X100), which allow individuals to earn BDAG while supporting network security.

Leadership transparency stands out. The team’s identities are public, advisors include respected academic figures, and the code has been audited by CertiK and Halborn. A promotional partnership with the BWT Alpine Formula 1® Team suggests the project is pushing toward broader visibility.

Whether focusing on dApps, payments, or gaming, BlockDAG’s utility-driven setup means usage creates demand for its native coin. As momentum continues, BlockDAG remains a project with direct use cases and active development moving into launch.

2. Solana: High Throughput and Active Usage

Solana sits at around $185-$195 based on recent price observations. It continues to show strong network usage with over two million daily active addresses and more than $12 billion in total value locked.

Solana’s value proposition is its high-speed transaction system, which remains attractive for DeFi, NFTs, and consumer apps. There is a continued emphasis on improving reliability and execution efficiency. For many traders and builders, this positions Solana as a reliable choice among the top cryptos for 2025 discussions.

However, there are areas to monitor. The Saga phone project was recently discontinued, which suggests the consumer hardware angle may be paused. Analysts also note that Solana could face price volatility depending on how the market responds to macro conditions and ETF-driven demand.

At the same time, ETFs in Hong Kong and new DEX launches connected to the core team suggest Solana’s network services and liquidity systems are expanding. The chain remains active and widely used, which helps support its position moving forward. 3. World Liberty Financial: Stablecoin and Token Utility Push

World Liberty Financial (WLFI) combines a governance token (WLFI) and a stablecoin (USD1) intended to be backed by cash reserves and U.S. Treasuries. The token has traded near $0.14 recently. The project has announced a debit card and retail payments app expected to launch soon, with integration planned for mobile wallet systems.

Some investors view this as an attempt to blend traditional finance and crypto-based payments. This is another project sometimes mentioned when people consider the top crypto for 2025 lists, largely because of public attention and political backing.

There are important considerations. Token unlock schedules and shifts in ownership are still developing, and the project is under close public and regulatory observation. Some technical forecasts pointed to short-term price risk around $0.11-$0.13.

The strong interest comes from the stablecoin model and the card system rollout. Whether the adoption grows will depend on how effectively the card and app launch, how reserves are reported, and how consistent transaction use becomes once the product is live.

4. Aster: Trading Incentives Drive Growth

Aster has recently traded around $1.10-$1.14. It has introduced a ‘Rocket Launch’ campaign offering trading rewards funded by partner projects and ASTER buy-backs. This model rewards users who hold ASTER and trade selected pairs. Supporters say this increases trading activity and gives new projects easier entry into liquidity environments. The platform is positioning itself as a place where users can access early-stage asset launches.

That said, some analysts expect consolidation in the near term, partly due to a scheduled token unlock of roughly 4% of supply. Aster’s future momentum may depend on whether trading activity remains steady after campaign rewards slow down.

Projects linking trading incentives to platform utility often require consistent user participation to maintain price stability. Users watching Aster may look for clearer data around daily usage, partner expansions, and how liquidity holds through market shifts.

Final Thoughts

These four projects highlight different directions in the crypto market, from fast transaction networks to ecosystem-driven growth models. Whether someone is interested in payments, development platforms, or high-activity environments, each project has a trackable set of updates and goals. Watching how these plans unfold over time is important.

The crypto market can shift quickly, and no outcome is assured; however, BlockDAG’s ongoing $430M presale, over 27 billion coins sold, and $0.0015 TGE price ahead of its $0.05 launch make it the top crypto to buy now. Its live Awakening Testnet, audited code, and hybrid PoW-DAG model combine real scalability with active developer use, positioning BlockDAG far ahead of Solana, WLFI, and Aster heading into 2026.

A petrol-laden tanker has fallen on the Lambata-Lapai-Agaie Road in Niger State, causing fear among residents in the area.

Daily Trust gathered that the tanker, which took off from Lagos and heading to Kano, overturned in the early hours on Sunday at Takalafiya village in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.

A resident of Lapai town, Mallam Mahmud Abubakar, told our correspondent on telephone that the scene of the incident is just about 2km from Lapai town.

He said the spot where the tanker fell had been recently reconstructed under the ongoing NNPCL intervention project, but the road had already started deteriorating within a short period. Another source, Mohammed Hassan Sonmaji, told our correspondent that the prompt intervention of the fire service unit of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBUL) and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) helped avert a major disaster.

He added that officials of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Lapai Chapter, mobilised to the scene to assist in managing the situation.

It was further gathered that the spilled fuel was recovered into drums to prevent wastage and environmental hazards.

When contacted, Dr. Ibraihim Audu Hussaini, the Director of Information and Special Duties, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said there was no cause for alarm.

He confirmed that the truck did not explode and fire fighting trucks of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai were on standby at the scene.

He added that security personnel had also been mobilized to guard the scene.