Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Federal Government has been warned against importing refined petroleum products when local refineries can fill the gap.

Giving the warning, a former General Manager of Corporate Planning and Business Development, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Babajide Soyode, said that importation of such products should not be allowed to disrupt the local refineries.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in Lagos, Soyede urged that regulator like the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) must ensure that Nigerians get cheaper products and prevent marketers from importing if the local production is sufficient to prevent killing of local refineries.

Also, he urged that local refiners should agree to a fair pricing regime, while marketers must buy from them in ensuring a balanced market.

His advice followed the continous issuance of import licence to marketers by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to bring in product, citing supply shortfall.

Soyede’s position is that Dangote Refinery and other refiners with their specifications can conviniently meet Nigeria’s fuel consumption if given the right offer.

‘Importing refined products should never be allowed to disrupt local refineries. For this reason local refiners must agree to a fair pricing regime, while marketers must buy from local refiners in ensuring a balanced market,’ he said.

Soyede raised query concerning the specifications of imported PMS, saying this implied a lack of transparency and standards, calling both the NMDPRA and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to enforce the right specifications.

He suggested that any refinery that fails to meet the specifications should be shut down, with NNPC allowed to import temporarily.

Nigeria’s petrol importation surged by 207 per cent in June 2026, even as domestic petrol supply fell by 22 per cent, according to NMDPRA’s data.

The data showed that average daily PMS imports rose from 5.9 million litres in May to 18.1 million litres in June.

The 12.2 million-litre daily increase represented a 206.8 per cent month-on-month rise.

The petroleum expert also expressed concern over the moribund nation’s refineries, urging that these facilities can be reconfigured and upgraded to process heavy crude.

He pointed out that Kaduna refinery can upgraded to increase its capacity from 50,000 barrels to 150,000 or 200,000 barrels, supplying oil to West Africa or the whole of Africa.

According to him, upgrading existing refineries remains the cheapest way to increase capacity in Nigeria. urging that the engineering for the upgrades should be done in Nigeria, adding that much of the fabrication, like pipe, racks, should also be done locally to create jobs

‘Reconfiguration involves adding units like Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking (as in Warri) to crack heavy crude into petrol, which is a process known as process reconfiguration,’ he said.

The Vice-Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, has said that the University is committed to producing multi-skilled and globally competitive graduates equipped to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and multidisciplinary labour market.

Adeniyi stated this on Monday when he received the leadership of Education Correspondents of Nigeria (ECAN) on a courtesy visit, noting that the university, located in Abuja, was deliberately strengthening research, innovation, international collaborations and practical skills development as part of efforts to redefine tertiary education and prepare graduates for the future of work.

He stressed that the changing nature of the global economy required graduates to possess skills beyond their primary areas of study, noting that employers increasingly valued individuals who could combine expertise across different fields.

‘The world has become so transdisciplinary that when people are multi-skilled, they are at a better advantage than the one whose skill is solo,’ he said.

According to him, Baze University is developing programmes and partnerships designed to equip students with entrepreneurial and other practical skills that would enable them to become self-reliant, create employment and contribute to innovation.

He cited the university’s participation in the World Bank-supported IDEAS programme as part of its efforts to strengthen practical skills acquisition, noting that the initiative had provided training aimed at enhancing the capacity of young Nigerians for self-reliance and entrepreneurship.

Adeniyi said the university was not interested in producing graduates who would merely obtain certificates and search for jobs, but individuals capable of creating opportunities and contributing meaningfully to economic development.

The Vice-Chancellor also identified research as a critical pillar of the university’s development strategy, stressing that institutions of higher learning must continually generate new knowledge if they are to remain relevant.

‘Research is the hallmark of development because the essence of research is to provide insights, new perspectives and new dimensions away from the things that we have been doing,’ he said.

He explained that the university was building a research-oriented culture through strategic partnerships, collaborations and the recruitment of academics with strong research backgrounds.

Adeniyi further disclosed that Baze University was planning to introduce external academic examiners from outside Nigeria to periodically review the work of its faculties and make recommendations on how to improve academic standards.

He said the initiative would complement the oversight functions of regulatory bodies, including the National Universities Commission (NUC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Federal Ministry of Education.

The Vice-Chancellor said the university was also strengthening its international outlook through the recruitment of scholars from different parts of the world and collaborations with institutions and stakeholders across Africa, disclosing that students at the university were drawn from Nigeria and other African countries, particularly the West African subregion.

Adeniyi said the university’s long-term ambition was to build an institution capable of competing with leading universities globally, stressing that achieving such a vision required sustained investment, patience and deliberate planning.

He said Baze University would continue to invest in its academic environment, research capacity, human capital and international partnerships in pursuit of the vision.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor has called for greater government support for private universities, arguing that they contribute significantly to the development of Nigeria’s human capital.

He said private universities should not be viewed merely as profit-making institutions, noting that the cost of recruiting qualified personnel, providing infrastructure, maintaining facilities, paying utilities and complying with regulatory requirements was enormous.

‘Anybody who thinks it is a profit-making organisation is just making a mistake. Look at what it entails to hire staff, buy facilities, provide utilities and execute huge capital-intensive projects. It is difficult,’ he said.

According to him, graduates of private universities ultimately join the same workforce as their counterparts from public institutions and contribute to the Nigerian economy.

He, therefore, urged the government to recognise the role of private universities in complementing public institutions in expanding access to quality higher education and developing the skilled workforce required for national development.

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has donated N10 million towards the establishment of a Skills Laboratory Centre at Grimard College of Nursing Sciences, Ayingba, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Obi disclosed this in a Facebook post on Sunday while recounting his visit to the institution on Saturday, 15 August.

According to him, the donation was part of his continued support for the nursing institution, which he said had previously faced a threat to its accreditation because of the absence of a bus for students’ clinical placements.

He said his earlier intervention, which led to the provision of a school bus, enabled the institution to retain its accreditation and continue training nurses and other healthcare professionals.

‘Yesterday Saturday 15th August morning, I visited Grimard College of Nursing Sciences, Ayingba in Dekina LGA of Kogi State,’ Obi said.

‘A few years ago, the institution faced a threat to its accreditation due to the lack of a bus for student clinical placements.

‘It gives me great satisfaction to note that, thanks to my intervention and the subsequent provision of a school bus, the school has successfully retained its accreditation and continues to play a vital role in educating nurses and other healthcare professionals.’

Obi said his latest visit was a continuation of his commitment to supporting the institution, adding that the N10 million contribution would assist the school in establishing the skills laboratory.

He also reaffirmed his support for the management, staff and students of the institution, while urging the students to remain committed to their studies.

The former Anambra State governor described nursing as a career with extensive opportunities, noting that professional training equips individuals with the knowledge and skills required to make meaningful contributions both nationally and globally.

Obi stressed the need for deliberate investment in education and healthcare, describing the two sectors as critical to national development and improved quality of life.

‘Every nation striving for sustainable development and an improved quality of life for its citizens must deliberately invest in two crucial sectors: education and healthcare,’ he said.

He urged governments to prioritise the sectors, while calling on individuals and organisations to complement public efforts through their own interventions.

Professor Abdulkadir Usman Junaidu of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, has been elected Provost of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria (CVSN).

Junaidu, a Professor of Veterinary Public Health, was elected by Fellows of the College following an electoral process conducted in Abuja and overseen by an Electoral Committee chaired by Professor Caleb Kudi.

His election marks a new chapter for the postgraduate professional institution responsible for specialist veterinary training and the advancement of veterinary practice in Nigeria.

In his acceptance speech, Junaidu described the mandate as a collective responsibility rather than a personal achievement, pledging to reposition the College through stronger specialist training, research, innovation and institutional development.

‘The election is over, and the responsibility of building our College belongs to all of us. I accept this mandate with humility and a deep sense of responsibility,’ he said.

He said his administration would prioritise the strengthening of postgraduate specialist and residency training while modernising training programmes to address emerging challenges in animal health, public health and livestock development.

Junaidu also promised to promote research, digital transformation and evidence-based veterinary practice, while strengthening partnerships with universities, government agencies, professional bodies and international institutions.

According to him, the College would also work towards improving the visibility and international recognition of Nigerian veterinary specialists, alongside strengthening continuing professional development and mentorship for younger veterinarians.

He further pledged to promote the welfare and professional interests of Fellows while improving governance, transparency, accountability and the financial sustainability of the College.

Junaidu said veterinary specialists had important roles to play in addressing challenges relating to One Health, food safety, food security, zoonotic diseases and livestock development.

‘The strength of the College lies in the collective knowledge, experience and commitment of its Fellows,’ he said, calling on all Fellows to work together irrespective of their positions during the election.

The new Provost brings extensive experience in academia, veterinary practice, research, university administration and public service to the position.

At Usmanu Danfodiyo University, he has served in several leadership positions, including Head of Department, Deputy Dean, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Director of the University Development Office and Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies.

He also served as a Commissioner in Sokoto State with responsibility for Animal Health and Fisheries Development, where he was involved in various livestock and veterinary development initiatives.

These included expansion of veterinary services, disease surveillance and vaccination programmes, provision of veterinary equipment, pasture and dairy development, and rehabilitation of veterinary and abattoir infrastructure.

He also facilitated initiatives involving artificial insemination and embryo transfer, including the development of a centre equipped with a liquid nitrogen facility.

Junaidu said his administration would work closely with the Deputy Provost, Professor Olufunke Eunice Ola-Davies, the College’s governing structures, Faculties, Fellows and other stakeholders to implement what he described as an inclusive and progressive agenda.

He thanked Fellows for their support and called for unity following the election.

‘Together, we must reposition the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria as a stronger, more visible, innovative and globally competitive institution that serves our profession, our country and society,’ he said.

Junaidu also commended the Electoral Committee for conducting the election and expressed appreciation to his teachers, mentors, senior colleagues, contemporaries and younger Fellows who supported his candidature.

He said the new leadership would build on the achievements of previous administrations while addressing emerging challenges confronting the veterinary profession.

‘This mandate belongs to all Fellows. Together, we shall consolidate the achievements of our predecessors, address emerging challenges and take the College to greater heights,’ he added.

The Board, in a statement posted on its Facebook page on Monday, asked applicants who took part in the 2025/2026 indigene verification exercise to watch their emails for invitations to the CBT.

The CBT is part of the scholarship selection process and will allow eligible applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and aptitude.

The Board said details such as the date, venue and other requirements would be communicated to eligible applicants through their invitation emails.

Here are seven rules applicants should know:

1. Check your email regularly

Applicants who participated in the 2025/2026 indigene verification exercise across Lagos State’s five divisions should regularly check their email for the official CBT invitation.

2. Read the examination instructions

Applicants should carefully read and understand all instructions before starting the test.

3. Arrive at the venue early

Applicants are advised to arrive at their designated CBT venue early to avoid delays and ensure a smooth examination process.

4. Dress appropriately

Applicants are expected to dress appropriately and maintain orderly conduct throughout the exercise.

5. Follow officials’ instructions

Candidates must comply with instructions given by CBT officials before and during the examination.

6. Do not bring prohibited materials

Applicants have been warned against bringing prohibited materials or electronic devices into the examination hall.

7. Avoid examination malpractice

The Board warned that any applicant caught engaging in examination malpractice or impersonation would be disqualified and could be referred to the appropriate security authorities.

8. Beware of fraudsters

The Board also warned applicants against fraudsters who may try to collect money or personal information from them under the guise of helping them secure the scholarship.

The statement said, ‘The Agency does not authorise any individual to demand payment in exchange for participation in the CBT or award of scholarship.’

Applicants were advised to rely only on information released through the Board’s official communication channels and not pay anyone promising to influence their selection.

The Board reiterated its commitment to supporting quality education in Lagos State.

Nollywood actress, Monalisa Chinda, has opened up about her experience with grief following the death of her younger brother.

The actress shared her experience on Instagram while encouraging people who may be dealing with personal struggles to be patient with themselves as they heal.

Monalisa revealed that her younger brother died on February 12, a day before her daughter’s 18th birthday on February 13.

She said the loss has been difficult for her and admitted that she is still healing from it.

‘Still healing… It took me a while to heal from my youngest brother passing (12th Feb), just a day before my daughter’s 18th birthday (13th Feb). But heyyy… We are a small family, helped by God. So, if you’re going through something right now, please be gentle with yourself.

‘You don’t have to have everything figured out today. You’re allowed to feel tired. You’re allowed to take a step back. You’re allowed to have days when all you can do is breathe and get through them. Whatever feels heavy right now won’t always feel this heavy. Keep going, one day, one moment, one breath at a time. You are not behind. You are not alone. And this chapter is not the whole story,’ she stated.

Monalisa urged people going through grief or other personal challenges to give themselves time to heal rather than feel pressured to have everything figured out immediately.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said the Osun state governorship election is a milestone that must shape the commission’s planning for the 2027 general election.

He stated this known on Sunday while formally closing the #OsunDecides2026 Situation Room, following the conclusion of the election and declaration of results in the early hours of the day.

He commended INEC staff at the national, state and local government levels, as well as field personnel and technical teams, for their dedication, sacrifice and professionalism throughout the process.

The Chairman noted that many staff worked long hours, sacrificed time with their families and operated under demanding conditions to ensure the election was conducted successfully and the integrity of the process was protected.

He also attributed the peaceful conduct of the poll to ‘the grace and protection of Almighty God.’

He urged staff to maintain a higher level of vigilance, transparency, professionalism and commitment, and to remain strictly neutral in carrying out their duties.

The INEC Chairman further called on personnel to recognise the critical role the Commission plays in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.

‘Let us learn from our experience, refine our strategies and approach the upcoming national task with renewed vigour and absolute neutrality. Let us remain steadfast in our duty, knowing that we are the gatekeepers of our nation’s democracy,’ he said.

With that, Prof. Amupitan formally declared the #OsunDecides2026 Situation Room closed, ending the commission’s central monitoring and oversight operations for the Osun governorship election.

The United Kingdom Government has partnered with the Ekiti State Government to accelerate digital transformation in the state through policy, regulatory and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening the digital economy and expanding access to technology-driven opportunities.

Part of the partnership was unveiled at a stakeholders’ engagement forum held in Ado-Ekiti on the Digital Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Reforms Project. The forum was organised by the Ekiti State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Digital Economy in collaboration with the Initiative for Digital Inclusion (IDI), with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The engagement brought together government officials, private sector operators, civil society organisations, development partners, academics and players in the technology ecosystem to deliberate on reforms required to build a more inclusive and digitally empowered Ekiti.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Digital Economy, Seun Fakuade, said the partnership reflected the state government’s determination to translate Ekiti’s high educational attainment and intellectual capital into innovation, enterprise development, employment and wealth creation.

Fakuade said the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji had prioritised future-of-work skills, digital infrastructure and an enabling environment for young people and businesses to thrive in the state.

He said the state had established a public-sector-led Startup Garage equipped with digital innovation tools, robotics kits and 3D printers, while work was ongoing on a larger 1,200-seater facility expected to provide advanced infrastructure for young innovators, entrepreneurs and startups.

According to him, Ekiti is also home to a Digital Innovation City approved by the Federal Executive Council, with the broader vision of creating a pipeline through which young people can acquire digital skills from primary school to university and ultimately develop businesses.

The commissioner noted that the state had benefited significantly from its partnership with the UK Government, recalling the Young Innovators Programme through which six Ekiti youths received support, with some beneficiaries already pursuing advanced opportunities at home and abroad.

He said the state would continue to pursue partnerships capable of strengthening its innovation ecosystem, adding that the government was committed to ensuring that young people trained in Ekiti could compete favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the world without having to leave the state in search of opportunities.

Representing the UK FCDO and the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme, Osondu Nwokoro of the Initiative for Digital Inclusion (IDI) said the initiative marked an important milestone in efforts to accelerate digital transformation in Ekiti.

Nwokoro said the event was designed not merely as a consultation but as a co-creation process through which stakeholders would help shape practical reforms across six critical areas: digital infrastructure and access, digital economy strategy, civic technology, digital public infrastructure, connectivity reform, and digital literacy and skills development.

He said the project would produce a digital economy diagnostic, digital economy strategy and implementation framework, civic technology strategy, roadmap for digital public infrastructure, connectivity reform framework, and a digital literacy and skills development strategy.

He added that hundreds of public officials, educators and other stakeholders would also receive capacity-building support to strengthen the state’s ability to sustain the reforms beyond the lifespan of the project.

Nwokoro said the initiative was part of the UK’s broader digital partnership with Nigeria, aimed at expanding meaningful digital access, strengthening digital resilience and cybersecurity, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, and creating trusted digital ecosystems that promote inclusive economic growth.

He commended the Ekiti Government, particularly the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Digital Economy, for demonstrating strong ownership of the reform agenda and creating an enabling environment for collaboration.

The stakeholders were urged to engage openly and critically during the discussions, with Fakuade stressing that their contributions would help identify gaps, priorities and interventions needed to build a stronger digital ecosystem in Ekiti.

The commissioner said the success of the initiative would ultimately depend on translating the recommendations into practical actions capable of improving public services, creating jobs, supporting businesses and ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation reach citizens across the state.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the incumbent Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who secured a fresh mandate in the weekend’s governorship election in the state.

Governor Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest rival and All Progressives Congress candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes.

According to the results announced by the State Returning Officer, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, Adeleke won in 19 of the 30 local government areas in the state.

In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, and made available to State House correspondents, President Tinubu described the re-election of Governor Adeleke as ‘a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our country under the All Progressives Congress administration’.

He urged Governor Adeleke to be magnanimous in victory by uniting all political tendencies in the state for ‘growth, stability, and social and economic progress, regardless of the political choices they made at the election’.

His statement read: ‘I called Governor Ademola Adeleke earlier today to congratulate him on his election victory in Osun State. His victory once again confirmed the confidence the people of Osun State have in him.

‘I wish him great success as he prepares to lead the state for the next four years. Now that he has won, Governor Adeleke must unite the people of Osun State and rally them for growth, stability, and social and economic progress, regardless of the political choices they made at the election.

‘I salute the courage and discipline displayed by other contestants in the election. Their participation deepened and enriched our country’s democratic culture. The outcome of the election reflects the will of the people and is a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our land.’

President Tinubu also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and the security agencies for conducting a peaceful and transparent election that produced a clear winner.

The Ondo Division of the National Industrial Court, presided over by Justice K.D. Damulak, has ordered the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to pay a former officer, Omopariola Olajide David, N4.488 million in outstanding salaries.

The judge arrived at the decision after declaring David’s 2012 termination unlawful.

Justice Damulak, in his judgment delivered on July 16, 2026, also awarded N500,000 in general damages and N200,000 in litigation costs against the FRSC.

The court declared that Omopariola’s employment, which enjoys statutory protection, was unlawfully terminated on the grounds that his services were no longer required.

It would be recalled that David, who joined the FRSC in February 2007 and served in the Ilorin, Ado-Ekiti, Oyo, Kwara and Ogun State commands, approached the court seeking a declaration that his termination over alleged corruption and abuse of office was unlawful.

The plaintiff also demanded N5.358 million in salaries and allowances allegedly withheld between July 2012 and March 2021.

David told the judge that he and his team members were accused of collecting bribes while on patrol in 2011, adding that they were tried before the FRSC Federal Disciplinary Court and discharged and acquitted on March 7, 2012, with the panel recommending their reinstatement.

The plaintiff alleged that, upon attempting to resume duty, he was denied entry into his command and later posted to the Sector Command in Abeokuta, where he worked for three months before receiving a termination letter in July 2012.

David claimed that he only became aware of his reinstatement by the FRSC in 2020, after which he submitted a letter of resignation and demanded payment of his outstanding entitlements.

Though the FRSC admitted that the claimant was discharged by the disciplinary panel, it argued that his appointment was duly terminated after a review of the panel’s report.

The FRSC also argued that the reinstatement was conditional and required the affected officers to forfeit salaries and benefits for the period they were out of service.

However, the judge dismissed the FRSC’s argument, ruling that the doctrine of reinstatement restores an employee to his former position with retrospective effect, including payment of wages for the intervening period.

As a result, Justice Damulak directed the FRSC to pay David salaries from August 2012 to September 2020, totalling 98 months at N45,800 per month, amounting to N4,488,400.

However, the judge dismissed the claimant’s allegation that the FRSC continued to collect his salaries from the Federal Government and converted the funds to its own use, describing the allegation as unproven.

Justice Damulak further struck out the FRSC’s preliminary objection, holding that it had been abandoned and that issues concerning pre-action notice and juristic personality were not properly raised in its statement of defence.

The court ordered that all monetary awards be paid within 21 days, failing which they would attract 10 per cent interest per annum.