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Centre Commends Eyesan for Transparent, Disciplined Conduct of NUPRC Licensing Round

The Centre for Energy Policy, Research and Strategic Development (CEPRSD) has commended Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), for what it described as transparent, disciplined and professional management of the 2025 oil and gas licensing round.

In a statement on Sunday, Dr Cletus Okpe, Executive Director of CEPRSD, said the emergence of 31 successful companies for 37 oil and gas blocks reflected the credibility of the bidding process and growing investor interest in Nigeria’s upstream sector.

Okpe said the outcome was particularly significant because the 37 blocks that attracted bids were spread across established petroleum-producing areas and frontier basins, including the Benue Trough, Chad Basin, Anambra Basin and Benin Basin.

He said the level of participation demonstrated that transparent regulatory processes could help restore investor confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

‘The latest licensing round provides a strong indication of what is possible when the allocation of national petroleum assets is managed through a transparent, structured and competitive process. The participation of 143 companies, which submitted 200 bids for 37 assets, shows that investors are willing to commit resources to Nigeria when they have confidence in the rules, evaluation process and regulatory environment,’ Okpe said.

According to him, 37 of the 50 blocks offered by the commission attracted bids, while the remaining 13 received no bids.

Okpe said the spread of successful bids across different terrains was an important development, particularly the interest generated in frontier basins that have historically attracted less investment than established oil-producing regions.

He credited Eyesan’s leadership for maintaining a professional approach to the process and ensuring that the commercial stage was conducted within a clearly defined regulatory framework.

The CEPRSD executive director also commended the commission for its emphasis on financial discipline, saying the requirement for successful bidders to meet their financial obligations before receiving final awards would help prevent speculative acquisition of petroleum assets.

He said the approach was necessary to ensure that companies granted access to Nigeria’s petroleum resources had the financial capacity and commitment to develop them.

‘Financial discipline is critical to the success of any licensing exercise. It is not enough for companies to win blocks; they must demonstrate that they have the capacity and willingness to pay the required signature bonuses, execute their work programmes and move the assets towards production. The insistence on these obligations protects government revenue and ensures that valuable acreage does not remain idle in the hands of speculative investors,’ he said.

Okpe further praised the commission’s application of the ‘drill or drop’ principle, describing it as an important mechanism for ensuring accountability among operators.

He said the policy would help the government distinguish between investors interested in developing Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources and those seeking to hold acreage without meaningful activity.

The Centre also commended the involvement of relevant government institutions and stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), in monitoring the commercial bid conference.

Okpe said such participation strengthened confidence in the integrity of the process and demonstrated the importance of independent oversight in the management of Nigeria’s petroleum resources.

He said the licensing round had the potential to deepen investment in the upstream sector, support reserve growth, create jobs and increase government revenue if the successful bidders fulfilled their commitments.

‘What Nigeria needs now is for the credibility achieved during the bidding process to continue through the post-award stage. Successful companies must translate their awards into capital deployment, exploration, development and production. The NUPRC must equally sustain its regulatory discipline by enforcing performance obligations without fear or favour,’ he said.

Okpe urged Eyesan and her team to maintain the transparency and predictability demonstrated during the licensing exercise, saying regular and credible licensing rounds would provide investors with a clearer pipeline of opportunities.

The oil and gas expert said the process offered a model for how Nigeria could balance investor confidence with its responsibility to protect public resources.

‘The stewardship displayed by Mrs Eyesan deserves recognition because transparency in resource allocation is inseparable from public trust. If this level of professionalism, financial discipline and accountability is sustained, the NUPRC will not only attract credible investment but also ensure that Nigeria derives measurable economic value from its petroleum resources,’ Okpe added.

’Your presidential bid looks like a cheap Temu product’ – Babachir Lawal tells Atiku

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has described Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition as a ‘cheap product’ while accusing the former vice president of influencing the African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate selection process in Adamawa State.

Lawal made the remarks in the latest edition of his ‘Kachalla Series’ posted on his verified Facebook page on Sunday.

He alleged that ADC replaced its Adamawa governorship primary winner, Engr Umar Suleiman, with Tukur Moddibo, claiming the decision was influenced by Atiku.

Suleiman, according to Lawal, won the party’s governorship primary but was replaced after pressure from Atiku and other party leaders.

The former SGF accused Atiku of favouring ethnic and religious interests, alleging that the development reflected concerns he had previously raised about a possible Atiku presidency.

Lawal also criticised ADC’s leadership over the decision, claiming the party’s action could affect its chances in the 2027 governorship election in Adamawa.

He alleged that the substitution was part of a broader political arrangement to weaken certain interests in the state, while backing other candidates.

Comparing the development to an online marketplace purchase, Lawal wrote that APC had ‘donated’ its governorship candidate to Adamawa and alleged that ADC had done the same, describing Atiku’s presidential ambition as appearing like a ‘cheap product from TEMU.’

He questioned how Atiku was able to influence the party’s national leadership, accusing him of pursuing personal political interests ahead of broader concerns.

Lawal, however, said the decision would be challenged in court, alleging that the substitution violated electoral laws, the ADC constitution and the party’s primary election guidelines.

He urged voters in Adamawa to consider other political options ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that the outcome of the election would be determined by the people of the state.

Africa’s PR industry must move beyond publicity to earn global respect – Eruobami

Ayobami Eruobami, Chairman of Erumedia Group, founder of Pressford and an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (ANIPR), has called for a fundamental shift in the way public relations is practised across Nigeria and Africa.

Eruobami said the profession must move beyond securing media coverage and generating online visibility to become a strategic discipline that shapes reputation, influences policy, builds public trust and creates long-term value for organisations and nations.

He made the call while speaking on the future of public relations in Africa, stressing that media relations, publicity and crisis communication, although important, represent only a fraction of what modern PR should offer.

According to him, African businesses, governments and institutions need communication professionals who are involved in strategic decision-making from the beginning, rather than being brought in only when organisations require publicity or face a crisis.

‘The future of public relations in Africa depends on our ability to move beyond publicity and demonstrate the strategic value of communication,’ Eruobami said.

He noted that the communications landscape has changed significantly with the rise of artificial intelligence, digital reputation management, search visibility, data-driven storytelling and stakeholder engagement.

Drawing from his experience leading Erumedia Group and building Pressford, a technology-driven media distribution platform, Eruobami said PR practitioners must embrace emerging technologies and new communication strategies to remain relevant.

He explained that trust is increasingly shaped online before it is formed offline, making it essential for communication professionals to understand how digital platforms influence public perception.

Eruobami also expressed concern that many organisations across Africa continue to underestimate the strategic value of public relations.

He said communication budgets are often treated as promotional expenses rather than investments in institutional credibility, arguing that PR professionals should instead serve as trusted advisers to executive leadership.

According to him, communication experts should contribute to corporate strategy, public policy engagement, investor confidence and organisational resilience.

He also stressed the importance of professionalism and ethics in strengthening the credibility of the industry.

Eruobami said ethical communication, continuous learning, research-backed campaigns, measurable outcomes and responsible storytelling must become defining standards for African PR practitioners.

He warned that excessive reliance on superficial publicity and transactional media engagement could undermine a profession whose primary responsibility is to build and sustain trust.

Speaking on the next generation of PR practitioners, Eruobami urged young professionals to develop expertise beyond traditional media relations.

He said future PR leaders must understand technology, business strategy, behavioural science, digital communication and global affairs.

‘The communications professional of the future cannot be merely a publicist. They must become reputation strategists and architects of influence,’ he said.

Eruobami further argued that Nigeria is well positioned to lead the evolution of public relations across Africa, citing its large media ecosystem, growing digital economy and vibrant community of communication professionals.

He, however, said achieving this would require stronger collaboration among PR agencies, corporate organisations, educational institutions and professional bodies to promote innovation, research and the adoption of global best practices.

Eruobami said Africa’s greatest competitive advantage lies in the authenticity of its stories, adding that the continent needs narratives that are credible, strategic and capable of earning global respect.

He maintained that communication professionals have a responsibility that goes beyond promoting brands, as they also help shape national identities, strengthen institutions, attract investment and influence how Africa is perceived internationally.

According to him, the future of public relations in Africa will not be determined by who generates the most headlines, but by practitioners who consistently build trust, influence meaningful conversations and elevate the reputation of African brands and institutions on the global stage.

Energy Professionals Accuse NNPC of Diverting Attention From Marginal Field Bid Concerns

The Oil and Gas Professionals Forum (OGPF) has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of issuing a misleading and diversionary response to concerns raised over the latest Marginal Field bid round and alleged links involving the NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari.

On August 2, the OGPF called for the removal of Ojulari, and the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, Meyiwa Eyesa, over the continued underperformance of Nigeria’s oil sector, questionable transactions and contracts, and controversies surrounding the award of oil blocks.

The group particularly alleged that Ojulari secured oil blocks for allies and cronies in the recently concluded licensing round conducted by the NUPRC, in which 31 companies emerged as winners and 37 available oil blocks were subsequently awarded.

OGPF alleged that Ojulari’s cronies and friends, including one of his wives, secured favourable oil blocks through insider influence.

Reacting to the accusations, the state-owned firm said under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the conduct of oil licensing rounds and the allocation of oil blocks fall squarely within the statutory mandate of the NUPRC.

‘NNPC Limited, since its incorporation, has operated strictly as a commercial entity and holds no regulatory or allocative authority,’ NNPCL stated.

In a statement responding to the NNPC, the forum said the corporation failed to directly address questions relating to alleged conflicts of interest, the identities of bid beneficiaries and the performance of the current NNPC leadership.

The statement, which was signed by the OGPF convener, Ayodele Momoh, said the publication by the NNPC was ‘misleading, diversionary, and largely unresponsive to the core issues.’

‘The NNPC publication attempts to distract from the substance of OGPF’s concerns by focusing on peripheral matters while failing to directly confront the questions put forward.

‘OGPF maintains that the facts remain clear: A wife of Bayo Ojulari played a major role in the bid evaluation process.

‘At least two of the marginal field award beneficiaries are close allies of Mr. Ojulari.

‘One of the awardees holds the dubious distinction of being the first beneficiary of an FTSA award granted by Mr. Ojulari.

‘OGPF rejects any attempt to treat these connections as coincidental. Where relationships and roles intersect in bid evaluation and awards, the outcome raises legitimate questions of conflict of interest and private gain that cannot be wished away through rhetorical framing,’ the group said.

The forum also challenged what it described as NNPC’s emphasis on production figures, arguing that performance claims did not resolve the accountability and governance issues raised in relation to the bid process.

The group stated: ‘The performance narrative does not answer the accountability question.

‘The NNPC publication also pivots into a glossy account of production performance rather than addressing the governance and integrity concerns raised by OGPF.

‘On performance and delivery, OGPF holds that accountability is non-negotiable: Reporting only 6% oil production growth and 5% gas production growth between April 2025 and August 2026 falls short of the expectations of the leadership role.

‘If the stated ambition is 3 million barrels within two years, then the current pace- measured by progress of approximately 80,000 barrels – cannot be treated as grounds for celebration.

‘OGPF’s position is that results must be evaluated against targets, and leadership must take decisive action to close the gap, rather than seeking applause. NNPC under the current leadership should do better than brag about decimals.’

OGPF further disputed NNPC’s transparency claims, alleging that the corporation’s approach could preserve existing patronage networks and favour a narrow group of interests, including politically exposed persons and entities opposed to the Tinubu administration.

‘The approach reflected in the publication appears designed to preserve the status quo and maintain NNPC as a channel of patronage for a narrow set of interests, including politically exposed persons and entities that have been verifiably positioned against the Tinubu Administration. This pattern reinforces the concerns OGPF has raised from the outset.

‘OGPF reiterates that its focus remains on NNPC and Mr. Ojulari’s leadership. OGPF is not persuaded by diversionary messaging, and OGPF remains unconvinced by the record observed over the past 18 months.

‘OGPF will continue to press for clarity, integrity, and accountability, especially where conflicts of interest and bid-related governance concerns are present,’ the statement concluded.

I won’t be a political godfather to my successor, Makinde vows

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has vowed not to become a political godfather who dictates the affairs of government after leaving office in 2027.

Makinde made the declaration on Monday while hosting members of the Muslim community at a Hijrah 1448 luncheon held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.

The governor said that after spending eight years serving the people of Oyo State, he would ensure a smooth transition and give his successor the freedom to lead without undue interference.

‘I won’t be a political godfather to my successor. After eight years of serving the people of Oyo State, I will ensure that there is a smooth transition and that whoever succeeds me is given the opportunity to develop and implement policies in line with the aspirations and yearnings of the people,’ Makinde said.

He said political leadership should not be measured by the ability of a former office holder to control those who succeed him, but by the impact made while in office and the institutions left behind to serve the people.

‘The essence of political leadership should not be the ability to control those who come after a public office holder, but the willingness to serve humanity and leave behind institutions and structures that can continue to benefit the people,’ he said.

Makinde also urged eligible voters to carefully scrutinise candidates seeking political offices ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against allowing ethnicity, religion and other primordial considerations to influence their choices.

‘Leadership should be about service to humanity, not about control. As we approach another election period, I want to urge our people, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, to hold those seeking political office accountable,’ he said.

The governor advised voters to focus on the competence, character and commitment of political aspirants, rather than their ethnic or religious identities.

‘Do not assess political aspirants based on ethnicity, religion or other primordial considerations. Look at their competence, their character and their commitment to public service.

‘Ask yourselves what they have done, what they can do and whether they genuinely have the interest of the people at heart,’ he added.

According to Makinde, the primary responsibility of government is to improve the lives of citizens, stressing that public officials must place the interests of the people above personal and political considerations.

‘Governance is about improving the lives of the people. Those entrusted with public office must always put the interest of the citizens above their personal interests or political interests. That is the essence of leadership and that is what our people deserve,’ he said.

The governor further assured residents that his administration would remain focused on delivering good governance and consolidating its achievements during the remainder of its tenure.

‘Our remaining period in office will be dedicated to consolidating the achievements we have recorded so far and delivering more impactful projects and programmes for the benefit of our people across the state,’ Makinde said.

‘Until the expiration of this administration, we will continue to make decisions and take actions that will promote development, peace and prosperity in Oyo. We will continue to work for the people and ensure that the resources entrusted to us are used for the benefit of the people.’

Makinde also thanked residents for the confidence and support they had given his administration over the past eight years, while acknowledging the contributions of the Muslim community to the development and stability of the state.

‘I want to appreciate the people of Oyo for the confidence and support you have given this administration over the last eight years. We do not take that support for granted.

‘I also want to sincerely appreciate the Muslim community for your partnership and your contributions to the growth and stability of our state. Your support has been important to the progress we have made,’ he said.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, assuring residents that every segment of Oyo State would continue to have a sense of belonging under his leadership.

I stayed faithful to my wife because of God – Aregbesola

National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Rauf Aregbesola, has said he remained faithful to his wife, Sherifat, throughout their marriage because of his fear of God.

Aregbesola made the revelation while addressing supporters at an ADC campaign rally in Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Speaking in Yoruba, the former Osun State governor said he had never had an intimate relationship with another woman since marrying his wife.

He said his decision was based on a personal commitment and his desire to remain obedient to God.

‘Because of your fear, I never had any intimacy with another woman since I married my wife,’ Aregbesola said.

The former governor described the declaration as something only a few men could confidently make, adding that his faithfulness formed part of his prayers while seeking divine intervention in his political ambition.

He also said he had prayed for success in his political journey, expressing hope that he would achieve his goal of returning to government.

Aregbesola, who served as Osun governor from 2010 to 2018, is currently the National Secretary of the ADC, which is challenging the ruling party ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party is seeking re-election, while Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Najeem Folasayo Salaam of the ADC are among the major contenders.

Police launch search for Oreoluwa Osonuga as gunmen demand N500m

Police in Ogun State have launched a search for Oreoluwa Osonuga, a local farm owner who gunmen abducted in Ikenne on Sunday afternoon.

Osonuga was reportedly driving out to purchase fuel and deliver poultry products when the gunmen intercepted his vehicle and whisked him away.

His 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV was abandoned at the scene before it was later recovered by the Divisional Police Officer in Ikenne.

Sources said the kidnappers have contacted Osonuga’s family using his phone and are demanding N500 million as ransom for his release.

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, confirmed the abduction late Sunday night and said the police had commenced proactive measures to rescue the victim.

The police commissioner assured the family that efforts were ongoing to locate the kidnappers and secure Osonuga’s safe release.

Osonuga is the son of Dr Osonuga Bunmi of the Department of Physiology at Olabisi Onabanjo University and Mrs Osonuga Tiwalade, a senior teacher in Ayepe, Ijebu.

He is also the son-in-law of veteran journalist Ayo Akinyemi and the nephew of Osonuga Olugbenga, popularly known as ‘El-Shaddai.’

The abduction has heightened concerns over the safety of residents and business owners in parts of Ogun State, as security operatives intensify efforts to track down the perpetrators.

SGBV: Three jailed for life as NAPTIP secures 20 convictions

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said three life imprisonments were the over 20 convictions for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) offences it has secured this year.

The agency also said it also rescued over 3,000 Sexual and Gender-Based Violence victims during the period.

Mr Vincent Adekoye, Head of Press and Public Relations Unit, NAPTIP, disclosed this in an interview on Monday in Abuja.

Adekoye said three of the convictions resulted in life imprisonment, adding that most of the cases involved rape.

‘From January 2026 to now, we have rescued over 3,000 people from critical situations. We have also arrested a whole lot and are prosecuting a whole lot of them,’ he said.

He said NAPTIP had expanded its response to SGBV by strengthening collaboration with the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

Adekoye said the agency was also engaging communities and training frontline responders to strengthen prevention, reporting and response to SGBV.

He urged perpetrators to desist from the crime, saying offenders could be prosecuted under laws including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act.

He also cited the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Maputo Protocol as relevant instruments for protecting victims’ rights.

Adekoye said NAPTIP’s recent inauguration of an SGBV media corps was aimed at securing stronger media support in the fight against the crime.

He urged journalists to go beyond reporting individual cases and investigate the factors driving different forms of SGBV.

‘We want the media to ask why cases are rising and examine the roles of critical institutions, customs, norms, behaviours and habits in addressing the problem,’ he said.

Adekoye also urged journalists to adopt victim-centred reporting that protects survivors’ dignity, privacy and safety.

‘We must protect the victims, ensure their dignity and privacy are protected, and help them regain trust in society,’ he said.

NAN reports that the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Media Corps Workshop was organised by NAPTIP.

It supported by the European Union Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) Programme, implemented by International IDEA.

WAEC calls for strict CBT to crush ‘miracle centres’

The West African Examination Council (WAEC), has called for strict computer-based testing to curb examination malpractice in some centres, popularly known as ‘miracle centres.’

Mr Timothy Manga an official with WAEC office in Makurdi gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the growing concerns over examination malpractice and its impact on the credibility of public examinations and educational certificates.

Manga said allegations of the existence of ‘miracle’ examination centres in Benue had become worrisome, though there had not been any official confirmation of the existence of such centres in the state.

He described the development as a threat to the education system, saying schools should be known for quality teaching rather than their ability to facilitate examination malpractice.

‘Any system that rewards students for cheating undermines those who have worked hard to prepare for examinations.

‘We need an examination system where success is determined by knowledge, preparation, and competence, not by the ability to access assistance during examinations.

‘Though WAEC has not gotten any information on any school being a ‘miracle centre’, we would continue to put our ears to the ground in case we hear of any that we can set an example with,’ he said.

Mrs Rebecca Ezekiel, a teacher with NKST Secondary School Makurd, however, said the establishment of independent examination centres could reduce the influence of schools and teachers over examinations such as WAEC and the National Examination Council (NECO).

Ezekiel said the CBT would enable examination bodies to exercise greater control over examination venues, personnel, and security arrangements.

‘Candidates should be examined under conditions that are independent of the schools where they receive instructions,’ she said.

The teacher also recommended the deployment of biometric verification, Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, and other technologies to strengthen examination monitoring.

However, Mr Jude Odeh, a school proprietor in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA), said admitting sudents in final year in secondary schools did not qualify a school to be labelled as a ‘miracle’ examination centre.

Odeh said he had heard allegations about the existence of such centres in the state but was yet to identify any specific school operating as a miracle examination centre.

He said some parents changed their children’s schools for various reasons such as the high cost of examination registration, school fees, and others.

According to him, some schools charge examination fees arbitrarily, and when combined with school fees, the total cost becomes too high for some parents to bear.

Odeh, however, said he knew some schools in Benue that did not admit new students into SS3, insisting that only students promoted from SS2 were registered for external examinations.

CBT, best way to end malpractices in ‘miracle centres’ – WAEC official