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Intelligence agencies from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have announced plans to unveil the identities of senior Nigerian politicians allegedly linked to bandit groups wreaking havoc across Nigeria’s North-West.

Officials of the agencies confirmed that they are already in possession of names of some politicians believed to be providing support and resources to the criminal gangs.

According to Zagazola Makama, a Counter-terrorism expert on the lake Chad, several individuals suspected of supplying arms to the bandits have been arrested, with investigations currently underway to establish the extent of the networks’ reach.

Makama reported that the disclosures are part of regional initiative aimed at dismantling cross-border criminal operations that sustain insecurity in West Africa.

The report also noted that the move underscores growing concern over how political influence and illicit arms trafficking intersect to fuel violence across the region.

‘This latest development comes at a time of deepening collaboration among Sahelian states in addressing insecurity.

‘Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, countries that have experienced their own struggles with insurgencies and armed groups are increasingly coordinating intelligence, border patrols, and security operations to stem the flow of weapons and fighters’, the report said.

The analyst suggest that the revelation of Nigerian political figures allegedly tied to banditry could intensify pressure on Abuja to strengthen internal oversight, tighten border controls, and work more closely with neighboring governments.

Banditry in Nigeria’s North-West has escalated in recent years, with armed groups responsible for mass kidnappings, deadly raids on rural communities, and attacks on security personnel.

Authorities in Abuja have long accused foreign arms dealers and cross-border smuggling networks of fueling the crisis.

China has announced plans to establish Africa’s first local insulin production facility in Nigeria, a project expected to end the country’s reliance on imported insulin and position it as a hub for medical biotechnology on the continent.

The move, announced by Yu Dunhai, China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, comes as both nations deepen economic cooperation through major infrastructure, health, and education partnerships.

Dunhai also reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Nigeria, describing bilateral ties as a growing ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’ that is expanding across political, economic, and cultural spheres.

Dunhai made the remarks on Wednesday night at a reception in Abuja to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

He said the year 2025 was a ‘pivotal moment’ for China’s development, China-Africa relations, and global diplomacy.

The envoy highlighted China’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI) as a framework for shared progress, noting that Nigeria’s recent endorsement of the policy underscores Abuja’s growing influence on the world stage.

‘Days ago, the Nigerian government issued a statement to endorse the Initiative. China deeply appreciates this support and backs Nigeria’s greater role internationally,’ he said.

Dunhai also reflected on China’s domestic achievements, praising its transformation over seven decades as ‘miraculous.’

He pointed out that China had lifted over 800 million people out of poverty, achieved a GDP of more than $18 trillion in 2024, and consistently contributed over 30 percent to global economic growth.

The ambassador said China’s modernization drive would emphasize peace, development, and mutual benefit, adding: ‘We are eager to share development opportunities with African countries, including Nigeria.’

Underscoring outcomes of China-Nigeria cooperation, Dunhai cited the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Abuja Water Supply Project.

He described Lekki Port as a new ‘national gateway’ projected to generate $360 billion in economic benefits and create 170,000 jobs over the next 45 years.

On water infrastructure, he noted that the Abuja Water Supply Project, completed in June 2025, now provides clean water for nearly 3 million residents of the capital city.

The ambassador also disclosed ongoing talks with Nigerian authorities to establish Africa’s first local insulin production facility.

‘This project could end Nigeria’s reliance on imported insulin and position the country as a hub for African medical biotechnology,’ he said.

Dunhai emphasized cultural and educational exchanges, citing the recognition of Nigeria’s first female train driver, Issah Abiola, known in China as Bai Yang, who was recently honoured with China’s prestigious Friendship Envoy Award.

He also welcomed the Federal Government’s move to include Mandarin Chinese in the national senior secondary school curriculum, saying the initiative would foster deeper understanding between both peoples.

‘China stands ready to deepen cooperation with Nigeria across various sectors,’ he stressed.

He further pledged to align Beijing’s policies with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.

Barau Jibrin, Deputy Senate President represented by Babangida Hussaini (Senator) echoed the ambassador’s sentiments, noting that Nigeria and China share a symbolic bond in celebrating their national days on October 1st.

He said the relationship has matured into a comprehensive strategic partnership, reflected in Chinese-backed projects in roads, railways, power plants, and industrial parks across Nigeria.

‘Chinese enterprises and investments are visible in every corner of Nigeria, contributing to the modernization of our infrastructure,’ he said.

Jibrin also praised President Tinubu’s 2024 state visit to Beijing as a turning point in bilateral relations.

He expressed optimism about future collaborations under Nigeria’s 10-Year Development Plan and China’s Belt and Road Initiative, describing them as ‘opening new opportunities for growth, connectivity, and shared prosperity.’

On people-to-people relations, Jibrin highlighted the thousands of young Nigerians currently studying in China, alongside the growing visibility of Nigerian culture in Chinese society.

He assured that the National Assembly would continue to promote parliamentary diplomacy as part of efforts to strengthen ties.

Schneider Electric, the global leader in energy management and automation, has introduced its flagship MasterPacT MTZ Active circuit breaker to the West African market, marking a significant step forward in industrial safety, efficiency, and digital energy management.

The launch comes at a time when businesses across the region are grappling with unreliable power supply and the growing need to integrate alternative energy sources into their operations. From small-scale manufacturers to large industrial plants, consistent electricity remains a challenge, often disrupting production and limiting growth.

‘Power availability and reliability remain a pressing issue across many sectors in West Africa,’ said Opeyemi Olaniyan, Offer Manager, Power Products at Schneider Electric West Africa. ‘The MasterPacT MTZ Active is purpose-built for today’s electrified and digitised environment, where uptime is essential and energy management has become increasingly complex.’

At the heart of the MTZ Active is the MicroLogic control unit, which provides real-time data on energy performance, allowing facilities to manage load fluctuations and restore power quickly after outages. By combining traditional circuit breaker functionality with advanced digital intelligence, the product is designed to help industries minimise downtime, optimise power use, and extend equipment life.

One of its standout features is wireless connectivity. Unlike traditional systems that rely on wired infrastructure, the MTZ Active supports Bluetooth, NFC, Zigbee, and cloud gateways. This capability not only reduces installation costs but also allows seamless integration into decentralised environments or legacy systems undergoing upgrades. Through Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure architecture, users can remotely monitor and analyse performance, enabling predictive maintenance and improved operational efficiency.

Safety is another key focus of the MTZ Active. The breaker is equipped with an Energy Reduction Maintenance Setting (ERMS), which reduces the risk of arc flash hazards during live maintenance. In addition, an industry-first QR code on the LCD display enables maintenance staff to scan and immediately access diagnostics, shortening fault response times and enhancing worker confidence.

For businesses already invested in Schneider Electric’s older MasterPacT NT/NW systems, the MTZ Active offers a cost-efficient upgrade path. Facilities can retrofit by replacing only the trip unit with the MicroLogic Active, without altering the existing switchboard or footprint. This compatibility extends asset life, reduces waste, and avoids the downtime typically associated with system replacement.

Sustainability is also embedded in the product’s design. Its modular build allows for firmware upgrades and digital module enhancements, while components are certified for refurbishment and reuse. With rated current up to 6,300 A and compliance with UL 489, ANSI C37, and IEC standards, the MTZ Active is suitable for a wide range of industrial applications in the region.

Olaniyan summed up the product’s value by highlighting its blend of innovation and practicality: ‘This circuit breaker combines connectivity, safety, and retrofit capability in a way that directly addresses the challenges faced by industries in West Africa.’

By setting a new standard in circuit protection, Schneider Electric’s MasterPacT MTZ Active could play a crucial role in helping businesses across West Africa secure reliable power, reduce operational risks, and prepare for a more sustainable, digitised future.

Facebook has rolled out a set of new features designed to enable fans to be more visible, interactive, and rewarded while offering creators fresh ways to spark community and content generation.

This is in a bid to deepen engagement between creators and their audiences. The platform is aiming to transform casual followers into engaged communities with fan challenges and custom badges.

Creators can now issue ‘fan challenges’, prompts or contests for fans to respond creatively. These challenges appear in followers’ feeds. Fans participate by clicking the challenge hashtag in a creator’s post or reel and sharing their own take.

Top entries with high reactions get surfaced on a leaderboard, which is a centralised space where creators and fans can view and engage with the best submissions.

So far, the feature has already seen strong early traction, with more than 1.5 million entries submitted in the past three months, generating comments and reactions from over 10 million people.

Over 500 million fans globally have accepted either a custom or standard top fan badge on Facebook.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 4,500 personnel across Abuja to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.

Olusola Odumosu, commandant of the FCT Command, announced the deployment in Abuja on Monday, explaining that the operation was designed to safeguard lives, property, and critical national assets before, during, and after the October 1 celebrations.

According to Odumosu, the deployment covers specialized units including the Female Strike Force, Arms Squad, Operation Adakasu, Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), as well as the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) unit.

He noted that personnel have been strategically stationed at vulnerable locations and soft targets such as shopping malls, recreational centres, prayer grounds, markets, motor parks, amusement parks, the City Gate, the Three Arms Zone, government buildings, and other sensitive areas housing national assets.

The commandant disclosed that undercover operatives have already been positioned across the city for covert operations and surveillance to forestall emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.

He added that ‘black spots’ like uncompleted buildings suspected to harbour criminal elements have also been placed under watch.

‘All hands must be on deck. I will not tolerate any form of security breach. Area Commanders and Divisional Officers must ensure their presence is felt in their respective jurisdictions,’ Odumosu directed.

While charging his officers to conduct themselves professionally and work in synergy with other security agencies, he warned against harassment, intimidation, or accidental discharge during operations.

He assured FCT residents of a secured environment throughout the festivities, emphasizing that their cooperation is equally important.

‘My personnel are ready to ensure a peaceful celebration, but you also have a part to play by being vigilant and reporting suspicious movements or individuals to security agencies,’ he said.

Odumosu further warned criminals and vandals to steer clear of critical infrastructure, stressing that covert operatives are spread across the capital city and would not hesitate to apprehend offenders.

The FCT NSCDC boss wished residents of the FCT a joyous 65th Independence Day, urging them to remain hopeful about Nigeria’s future while praying for the peace and prosperity of the nation.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has condemned in strong terms what it called the abuse of the Cybercrime Act by security agencies in the country.

The Guild in a communique jointly signed by Eze Anaba, president, and Onuoha Ukeh, general secretary, said the police, in particular, have used the Act to harass, intimidate, arrest and illegally detain journalists who are exercising their rights to freedom of the press and thereby undermining the country’s democracy and the rule of law.

‘The Guild will no longer tolerate this abuse and will use all legal means to ensure the protection of the fundamental human rights of journalists, freedom of the press and freedom of expression,’ it stated.

The communique, which was issued at the end of the NGE’s standing committee meeting held in Jos, Plateau State, also expressed concerns over the increasing excesses of political actors, both in government and the opposition.

The Guild, therefore, called on political actors to address national issues and governance instead of personal attacks and name-calling.

‘The conduct of politicians is worrisome, whether in government or the opposition. They should desist from personal attacks and name-calling.

‘They should address issues of governance and proffer solutions. Careless talks heat up the polity, incite people, instigate crisis and are capable of causing breach of peace and security of the nation. This should stop forthwith.’

The Guild, through its communique, urged the federal government and the security agencies to be proactive and effective in tackling the increasing rate of insecurity, for the purposes of saving lives, boosting food security and creating a more conducive environment across the country.

The NGE also called on journalists to go about their job with a high level of professionalism by adhering to the Code of Ethics approved by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) and not to engage in any form of blackmail and defamation whatsoever.

The Guild also reminded the security agencies that the Ombudsman process instituted by the Nigerian Press Organisation is capable of addressing infractions to the code of Journalism ethics as has been proven in the past.

‘Security agencies should respect this process by encouraging those who write petitions and making them the arbiter to approach the Ombudsman or seek legal redress instead of making security agencies tool of oppression, intimidation and harassment,’ the NGE said.

Similarly, the NGE also thanked the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, for hosting the editors, and reminded the three tiers of government to address fundamental issues of governance rather than the ongoing campaign on future elections, even when they have failed to fulfil their social contract in the subsisting term of office.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has revealed that her husband’s choice to run on a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket during the 2023 elections left her feeling isolated in her own church and strained her faith. In a new memoir titled ‘The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things’, the First Lady admitted that the decision, which generated nationwide controversy at the time, deeply affected her relationship with members of her parish and created division among fellow worshippers. She described the moment as a ‘bitter pill’ that tested both her personal faith and her sense of belonging.

The 52-page book, released to mark her 65th birthday, gives Nigerians a rare peek into the private struggles of the woman who stood beside President Bola Tinubu during one of the most turbulent political campaigns in recent history. According to Mrs. Tinubu, the church community she had worshipped with for years became divided after her husband announced his choice of a Muslim running mate. Many Christian leaders and congregants had expressed disappointment and anger at the pairing, seeing it as an imbalance in the country’s religious politics. For the First Lady, this was not just a national issue but also a personal one. She revealed that she was left on her own in the pews, with some members of the congregation keeping their distance.

‘It was a bitter pill for me,’ she wrote, recalling how difficult it was to worship in an environment where her family’s political decisions had suddenly become a source of tension. Despite the emotional weight, Mrs. Tinubu said she chose to keep moving forward, holding on to hope and faith in God while standing by her husband’s political ambition.

The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things is divided into five chapters, arranged year by year from 2021 to 2025. It provides a personal account of Mrs. Tinubu’s experiences during those years, touching on her family life, faith, and the challenges of being a political spouse. The book comes with a foreword written by Dr. Folashade Olukoya of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, further emphasizing its spiritual angle. In the memoir, the First Lady frames her story around gratitude, noting that even during the toughest battles, she chose to focus on God’s grace. She said each campaign moment was interesting, even though the odds appeared stacked against her husband.

The controversy surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket was one of the defining debates of the 2023 election. Many Nigerians argued that the pairing of President Tinubu with Vice President Kashim Shettima, both Muslims, ignored the country’s delicate religious balance. Christian groups and churches voiced strong objections, and the move sparked heated arguments across communities and social gatherings. Critics said the ticket risked widening religious divides, while supporters argued it was a strategic political choice based on competence rather than religion.

Caught in the middle of the storm was Mrs. Tinubu, herself a Christian and an ordained pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Her faith, long visible to the public, became a topic of conversation as Nigerians wondered how she reconciled her husband’s decision with her religious beliefs. In the book, the First Lady reveals that the situation tested her faith like never before. She admitted that she had to rely on prayer, strength from her immediate family, and trust in God to withstand the criticism and isolation. ‘Though it was difficult, I continued to thank God for everything, even when it seemed like everything was against us,’ she wrote. Her words highlight not just the political drama but also the human cost of leadership how decisions made in the public arena often weigh heavily on private lives.

Today, as First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Tinubu looks back at those trying times with a sense of relief and gratitude. According to her, the experience only reinforced her conviction that God’s plan was at work, even when the journey seemed unbearable. She notes in the memoir that the period taught her the importance of patience, endurance, and grace in leadership. It also reminded her that public service often demands personal sacrifices, especially for family members of political leaders. By sharing her story, Mrs. Tinubu offers Nigerians a behind-the-scenes look at the sacrifices and struggles that accompany political life. While debates about religion and politics continue in the country, her account sheds light on how these national issues play out in personal spaces like homes, churches, and relationships. Her honesty about isolation and faith struggles may resonate with many Nigerians who have faced rejection or misunderstanding because of personal or family choices.

Remi Tinubu says she remains focused on her faith and her commitment to serving Nigerians alongside her husband. She hopes that the lessons of endurance and gratitude outlined in her book will inspire others facing difficult situations to keep trusting God.

In Africa, millions of people who form the backbone of the continent’s informal economy, street vendors, boda riders, small traders, and artisans remain locked out of traditional financial systems.

They are the ‘Every Day Earners,’ individuals working tirelessly to provide for their families. For many, smartphones, credit, or insurance have long been luxuries out of reach. But M-KOPA, an inclusive fintech that transforms traditional barriers into opportunities, is rewriting this narrative by making financial access not just possible, but affordable.

‘What matters most to us is how many people we’re actively serving every day, those who stay engaged with us over time. Our active customer number reached 3 million for the first time this year,’ said Jesse Moore, co-founder and CEO of M-KOPA.

‘When we ask customers, ‘Does M-KOPA make your life better?’ 9 out of 10 say yes. That’s a tangible and meaningful impact on millions of lives,’ Moore added.

According to the M-KOPA 2025 Impact Report, the company addresses a critical gap in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 60 percent of the population has internet coverage, but only 27 percent can afford to access it.

The report added that since 2020, M-KOPA has enabled 2.5 million first-time smartphone users, with 81 percent of women customers reporting they couldn’t afford a smartphone without M-KOPA.

‘For 55 percent of customers, M-KOPA represents their first access to any formal financial product, while 67 percent are accessing health insurance for the first time,’ it said.

Closing the financial inclusion gap

According to the World Bank’s 2025 Global Findex, 62 percent of adults in sub-Saharan Africa lack formal bank accounts, while 88 percent have never borrowed from a formal institution.

The challenge is that most financial systems are designed around salaried workers with steady incomes, rather than self-employed market traders or gig workers who often lack payslips or collateral.

M-KOPA has developed an inclusive model that breaks these barriers. With a small deposit, customers can access essential products like smartphones or electric motorbikes. They then repay in affordable daily instalments through M-KOPA’s digital platform without collateral or guarantors.

For most everyday earners, a smartphone is the first step into the digital economy. Yet affordability remains a major obstacle, as 67 percent of Africans do not own one.

The report added that M-KOPA’s smartphone financing has turned that barrier into a gateway. Nearly 80 percent of its customers report they could not have afforded a smartphone without M-KOPA.

‘Through its ‘More than a Phone’ platform, 70 percent of customers use their M-KOPA smartphone to generate income, and 59 percent report higher earnings since ownership,’ the report added.

Beyond voice calls and messaging, customers gain access to affordable data bundles, digital loans, device protection, and even health insurance.

Over the past year, M-KOPA has bundled more than 1 million hospitalisation insurance policies with smartphones, providing a safety net where previously 88 percent of adults were uninsured.

For entrepreneurs like Lydia, a Kenyan porridge seller, the impact report pointed out that this access was life-changing. Once limited by a $25 feature phone, she now uses her financed smartphone to market her food business online, secure small loans, and expand into a kiosk. Her income has risen by 300 percent, and she now employs others.

Unlocking credit for the first time

Daily device repayments not only give access to products but also build a credit history. For many, these are their first steps into formal finance.

In fact, the impact report disclosed that 38 percent of M-KOPA customers report that their digital loan through the platform was their first-ever formal loan.

Since its founding in 2010, the report disclosed that M-KOPA has served more than 7 million customers across Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, and South Africa, unlocking over $2 billion in credit.

‘In 2025 alone, 86 percent of customers surveyed said M-KOPA improved their quality of life, while 70 percent reported using their products for income generation,’ it said.

These loans range from working capital for micro-businesses to emergency cash support. Customers like Suliyat, a rice seller in Nigeria, have used M-KOPA loans to grow their businesses and avoid the exploitative lending practices that dominate informal markets.

Beyond Phones: Transport and Insurance

M-KOPA has also expanded into e-mobility, financing over 4,000 electric motorbikes across Kenya and beyond

For riders who depend on motorbikes to earn, e-mobility financing reduces fuel costs, boosts daily savings by an average of $5.62, and contributes to cleaner urban air.

‘Insurance, another pillar of financial resilience, is embedded seamlessly into M-KOPA’s model. Two-thirds of its customers accessed health insurance for the first time through the platform,’ it said.

For many women, this feature is a deciding factor in purchasing a phone. In Kenya, 40% of female customers reported choosing M-KOPA specifically for its bundled health coverage.

By asking members to proceed with industrial action and disconnect the gas supply to Dangote Refinery, PENGASSAN has eventually revealed its ulterior motives as a destructive force in the oil industry. In a statement issued on Saturday by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union asked members working across field locations to withdraw services from 6 am on Sunday, September 28. ‘This includes all control room operations, panel operations and outfield personnel,’ according to the statement. The directive also orders all PENGASSAN members across all offices, companies, institutions and agencies to withdraw services and specifically directs that all processes that involve gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be let off effectively immediately. In other words, PENGASSAN has disrupted Nigeria’s crude oil business and is out to cripple the $20 billion refinery and return the country to the era of fuel importation and scarcity. This is an act of economic sabotage, and I call on the federal government and law enforcement agencies to step in and terminate this criminal action by the trade union. From what I have read across many social media platforms, Nigerians are understandably horrified by what PENGASSAN wants to do.

‘No investor will invest in any country where a union leader can easily destroy a multibillion-dollar private investment without cause. No serious nation will even allow such unions to survive.’

At the centre of this dispute is the freedom of employers to operate their businesses without unions and the right of workers to unionise. The petrochemical company has recently fired 800 workers for engaging in trade unionism. While PENGASSAN wants Dangote Refinery to recall the 800 workers, the company insists that it does not want any worker to be involved in trade unionism. Nigeria’s trade union and international labour laws allow workers the freedom to join or refuse to join a trade union and employers the liberty to disallow unionism in their organisations. That is why there is no ASUU in private universities and NUBIFE (National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institution Employees) in privately owned banks and insurance companies. NUBIFE was a very powerful union in the financial industry till the privatisation of the banks and insurance companies in the late 1980s and early 1990s. NUBIFE fought and nearly crippled government-owned banks like Union Bank, Afribank, UBA and First Bank, which in those days were banks, for all sorts of reasons. NUBIFE leaders were a terror in those days, and they were dreaded and feared by management.

With privatisation, new investors and owners of banks were quick to disallow unionism in the industry. In place of unionism, workers were rewarded with a very attractive reward system. That’s why NUBIFE, a once-powerful trade union, is now almost nonexistent. Similarly, when the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbenedion, founded the first private university in the country in 1988 (Igbenedion University), he made it clear that he didn’t want any staff member to join ASUU. Till today, ASUU does not exist in any of the 149 private universities in the country. Union activities are also restricted or disallowed in other industries like aviation, tourism and even electricity, where private investors are the major operators. An employer has the right to refuse the existence of trade unions in their businesses, and a staff member has the right to walk away from any employer who doesn’t want unionism. Why is Dangote Refinery treated differently and not allowed the liberty to do away with unionism? Why have certain interest groups, including PENGASSAN, NUPENG and even industry regulators, been fighting Dangote Refinery since it began production last year?

As President Obasanjo was preparing to leave office in 2007, he offered to sell the moribund Port Harcourt refinery to Aliko Dangote, and the man agreed to buy. But it was these same unions and the NLC that rose and opposed the sale, prompting the businessman to move on to establish his own, which is the largest single-train refinery in the world, while the government-owned refineries continued to gulp billions of dollars in endless fraudulent turnaround maintenance. While the government refineries waste away, the two trade unions continue to profit from check-off levies paid by members who work in the moribund plants. The members continue to earn salaries and even get promoted without working, while the unions and their leaders continue to profit from dues and levies. By calling on members to disrupt gas supply to Dangote Refinery, PENGASSAN is out to kill the $20 billion investment. It’s criminal, unpatriotic and economically disastrous. No investor will invest in any country where a union leader can easily destroy a multibillion-dollar private investment without cause. No serious nation will even allow such unions to survive.

Even after disengaging the 800 workers, Dangote says, ‘Over 3,000 Nigerians continue to work actively’ at the refinery, in addition to indirect employees, suppliers and contractors who make a living from the plant. The federal government should do everything to protect Dangote Refinery from economic saboteurs and parasitic interest groups.

Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, has restrained the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from embarking on its planned industrial action against Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.

The order, delivered on Friday, followed an ex parte application filed by Dangote Refinery. The court also restrained the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission from cutting crude and gas supplies to the refinery.

The application was argued by Senior Advocate of Nigeria George Ibrahim, who told the court that Dangote Refinery, as a licensed producer and distributor of petroleum and petrochemical products, provides essential services to the Nigerian economy and the public.

He warned that any disruption would endanger energy security and create hardship for millions of Nigerians.

Ibrahim noted that the refinery had recently faced incidents of sabotage at its plant, raising grave safety and health concerns.

He explained that management responded with a reorganisation that led to a small number of staff being relieved of their duties, a move communicated to all workers on 25 September 2025.

He said reports later emerged alleging that the dismissals were linked to union membership, with PENGASSAN claiming more than 800 workers were affected.

Dangote Refinery denied the allegation in a press statement, stressing it was not opposed to unionisation and that over 3,000 Nigerians remain in its workforce, with only a negligible number affected by the restructuring.

The lawyer also drew the court’s attention to a letter dated September 26, 2025, in which Lamumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, warned the Minister of Petroleum and Gas that the union would take action to ‘force the refinery to its knees’ unless the affected workers were reinstated.

In his ruling, Justice Subilim held that the balance of convenience favoured the refinery, as allowing the strike to proceed would irreparably harm its business and cripple the provision of essential petroleum services to the public.

He ruled that restraining the respondents was necessary to preserve industrial peace and protect energy supply pending the hearing of the substantive suit. The restraining order will last for seven days.

The judge ordered that the ruling, along with a motion on notice, be served immediately on all defendants. The case was adjourned to October 13, 2025 for hearing of the motion.