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THE Federal Government has clarified that the removal of petrol subsidy did not create a large pool of cash at its disposal, but rather reduced a major fiscal burden and the amount of additional borrowing that would otherwise have been required.

The clarification was contained in the Federal Ministry of Finance’s publication, ‘Nigeria’s Economic Reforms – By the Numbers,’ which explained the rationale behind some of the government’s major economic reforms, including petrol subsidy removal and the floating of the naira.

Responding to questions over the financial benefits of subsidy removal, the government said the reform should be understood primarily as a measure to ease pressure on public finances, rather than as a sudden revenue windfall.

It added that the benefits were not limited to the Federal Government, as states and local governments received substantially higher allocations from the Federation Account. These funds, according to the ministry, supported salaries, pensions, infrastructure and other public services, with states taking the largest effective share.

The government also addressed concerns surrounding the N7.13 trillion energy-security expenditure recorded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in 2024. The expenditure was contained in the company’s audit report released in November 2025, although NNPCL did not specify its purpose. Some experts have linked the spending to subsidy-related payments or the protection of gas pipelines.

The ministry said that despite increased revenues following the reforms, government continued to borrow because additional spending requirements exceeded the new resources available.

‘Subsidy removal, therefore, cut the borrowing that would otherwise have been needed. All borrowing remains subject to National Assembly approval,’ it stated.

The government disclosed that about N6.47 trillion, in additional spending, was directed towards strategic infrastructure, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and Trans-Sahara Superhighway. The projects, it said, are designed to address infrastructure constraints and support investment and economic growth.

According to the government, the fiscal situation had become increasingly difficult by early 2023. A full year of petrol subsidy was projected to cost about N6.7 trillion, equivalent to roughly 70 percent of federal revenue. The 2023 budget made provision for only six months of subsidy, indicating that its removal was already being planned.

The government argued that the subsidy disproportionately benefited wealthier households and cross-border smugglers rather than poor Nigerians.

It acknowledged that a phased removal would have been preferable but said the country no longer had sufficient fiscal space to sustain such an approach. To cushion the impact, the government introduced measures including a temporary wage award, state palliatives, cash transfers, NELFUND student loans and the compressed natural gas (CNG) transport programme.

It said subsidy savings now flow through the Federation Account, allowing states and local governments to benefit from the additional resources.

On the decision to float the naira, the government said the policy was necessary to end a multiple-exchange-rate system that had become vulnerable to arbitrage and patronage.

It said net foreign reserves had become critically low, while unmet foreign exchange obligations exceeded $7 billion, making continued defence of the official exchange rate unsustainable.

Jigawa State Hisbah Command has distributed 27 Hilux operational vehicles to its commands in the state’s 27 local government areas to strengthen its operations and improve its reach to remote communities.

Presenting the vehicles at the Hisbah headquarters in Dutse, the Commandant-General of the Jigawa State Hisbah Board, Dr Fa’iz Bashir Haroun, said the vehicles were purchased and donated to the board by the state government to enhance the efficiency of Hisbah personnel in the discharge of their duties.

He said each local government command had been directed to commence patrol operations immediately in its area of jurisdiction.

Fa’iz urged the local commands to identify places where immoral activities take place and take appropriate measures to promote sanity, and responsible behaviour in the state.

The commandant-general, warned the beneficiaries against using the vehicles for purposes other than official Hisbah operations.

He stressed that only properly uniformed officers are authorised to use the vehicles during patrols, urging the officers to maintain discipline and ensure that the vehicles are used strictly for their intended purpose.

He directed zonal officers to closely monitor the use of the vehicles in their respective local government areas, expressing optimism that the new operational support will bring positive changes to Hisbah activities across the state.

Dr Fa’iz commended Governor Umar Namadi for what he described as his administration’s unwavering support for the Hisbah command, as the assistance hasstrengthened the board’s capacity to discharge its responsibilities effectively.

He explained that the primary responsibility of Hisbah is to prevent immoral acts and promote good moral conduct in order to establish a peaceful and decent society.

The commandant-general also assured that the Hisbah command will continue to collaborate with other security agencies in the state to promote peace, security and responsible behaviour, among residents.

He later handed over the vehicle keys and other essential office materials to the respective local government Hisbah commanders.

The Citizens Forum for Energy Accountability and Development (CFEAD) has commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) over reported increases in investment and oil and gas production.

The group said the recent figures announced by the NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, and the NUPRC Commission Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, indicated improved confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Executive Director, Patriot Unazi Gideon, CFEAD said the reported $20 billion worth of gas sale and purchase agreements secured by NNPC in the past year represented a significant development for the sector.

‘The signing of gas sale and purchase agreements worth more than $20 billion is not simply a commercial achievement for NNPC. It is a strong signal to the international investment community that Nigeria remains open for business and is capable of providing the policy direction, resources and commercial opportunities required for long-term energy investments,’ Gideon said.

Ojulari had disclosed that the agreements covered 1.29 billion standard cubic feet per day of long-term LNG feed gas and 750 million standard cubic feet per day of domestic industrial gas supply to DFL FZE and Dangote Refinery, with seven additional commercial transactions in the pipeline.

CFEAD also commended NNPC for reportedly reducing operating costs by $3.4 billion through contract restructuring and optimisation, alongside a six per cent increase in crude oil production and an 8.1 per cent rise in gas production.

The group said the reported increase in crude production to about 1.71 million barrels per day was particularly significant, given the production challenges that have affected the sector in recent years.

‘The increase in crude production to about 1.71 million barrels per day should matter to every Nigerian because production is directly connected to national revenue and economic stability.

‘When the industry produces more efficiently, the country has greater capacity to earn revenue, fund public services, support infrastructure and create opportunities for businesses and workers,’ Gideon said.

CFEAD also cited the reported production of 365,000 barrels per day by NNPC Exploration and Production Limited and an average 98 per cent recovery across NNPC’s five crude oil export terminals between April 2025 and May 2026.

According to the group, the figures showed the potential benefits of improving operational efficiency and reducing production losses.

It also commended the NUPRC for policies aimed at attracting investment into deep offshore oil and gas projects.

The group welcomed the Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Project Incentives (Tax Remission) Executive Order 2026, which NUPRC said could unlock about $50 billion in investment and increase crude oil and condensate production by an additional one million barrels per day over the coming years.

‘The deep offshore incentive is potentially transformative because it addresses one of the biggest problems facing the petroleum industry: the enormous capital requirement and long investment cycle associated with offshore developments.

‘If properly implemented, the policy can unlock projects that have remained on the drawing board, attract billions of dollars in capital and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs,’ the group said.

CFEAD, however, said increased production and investment should ultimately translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians.

‘The real test of every petroleum reform is not how impressive the figures look at a conference. The real test is whether the benefits eventually reach the ordinary Nigerian.

‘More production should mean stronger government revenue, more jobs, greater energy security, increased industrial activity and a more stable economy,’ it said.

The group specifically cited the $10 billion Bonga South project, expected to commence production in 2027, as an example of the investments that could emerge from a more predictable regulatory environment.

It said the benefits of deep offshore projects could extend beyond crude production to the marine economy, logistics, engineering, technology transfer and skills development.

‘Projects such as Bonga South are important not only because of the barrels they will produce but because of the ecosystem they can create around them.

‘Nigeria needs a petroleum industry that builds Nigerian expertise, strengthens local businesses, develops technology and creates sustainable employment rather than one that simply extracts crude and exports value,’ Gideon said.

CFEAD urged NNPC and NUPRC to sustain the reported reform momentum while maintaining transparency, accountability and institutional independence.

It also called on oil-producing communities, operators, investors, security agencies and other stakeholders to support efforts to increase production and attract investment.

‘Nigeria cannot afford another cycle of reform followed by policy reversal. The progress currently being recorded must be protected from political interference, institutional rivalry and unnecessary bureaucracy.

‘What the country needs now is consistency, transparency and collective support for reforms that are delivering measurable results,’ Gideon said.

The group urged the Federal Government to deepen reforms across the petroleum value chain and maintain an investment-friendly environment.

It also called on NNPC and NUPRC to improve communication of their activities and achievements to Nigerians, saying public understanding and confidence were important to sustaining support for reforms in the sector.

‘Nigerians have heard promises about the oil sector for decades. What makes the current moment different is the emergence of measurable indicators of recovery in production, investment and operational efficiency.

‘We commend the leadership of NNPC and NUPRC, but we also expect them to remain accountable to the Nigerian people and ensure that the gains being recorded become a foundation for broader prosperity,’ the group said.

The crisis over the governorship ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State has taken a new turn as another aspirant; Dr Azeez Adeduntan has confirmed that the name of Olooye Adegboyega Adegoke was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the leadership of the party.

The conformation followed a suit instituted by Adeduntan at Federal High Court Abuja challenging the nomination of Adegoke as the validly elected candidate of the party in Oyo State.

The suit has as defendants INEC as 1st respondent, ADC as 2nd respondent; Chinedu Idigo, National Organising Secretary of the ADC as 3rd respondent; Harrison Akpojero, Chairman, Oyo State Electoral Committee of the ADC as the 4th respondent and Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke as the 5th respondent.

Following the development, the Oyo Youth Alliance, (OYA), noted that Adeduntan has further punctured the argument of Gbemileke Alagbe that he is the governorship candidate of the party.

The group in a statement issued on Thursday August 20, 2026 and signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Busari and Secretary, Comrade Segun Adedeji, said the suit filed by Adeduntan with Adegoke as one of the respondents had shown that the claim by Alagbe was false.

It could be recalled that Alagbe had a few days ago appointed a deputy governorship candidate, insisting that the primary election of the party produced him as the candidate.

OYA said, ‘In the originating summon, Adeduntan through his lawyers confirmed that ADC submitted Adegoke’s name to the INEC as its candidate in Oyo State on 5th of August 2026’.

The group further asked: ‘Why is it that it is Adegoke that Adeduntan joined in his suit? Why did Adeduntan state in his Motion that ADC submitted Adegoke’s name on the 5th of August and not Alagbe’s name?’

It however advised Alagbe to stop creating confusion in the ADC as he was not recognised by the national leadership of the party

African Democratic Congress (ADC) Governorship Candidate in Oyo, Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke, on Thursday night had a closed-door meeting with the Chieftain of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and grassroots Politician, Alhaji Abdul-Rasheed Adebisi Olopoeyan, at his Basorun, Ibadan residence.

Olooye Adegoke was accompanied to the meeting by the ADC Deputy National Women Leader (Southwest), Alhaja Kafilat Omolabake Olayiwola, popularly known as Aje-Iya.

Though the meeting was held behind closed doors and both Olopoeyan and Adegoke did not disclose the issues discussed to journalists, it was gathered that the issues of discussion will not be unconnected with the 2027 Governorship race in the Pace-Setter State.

Both Olopoeyan and Adegoke were political allies in the days of the Peoples Democratic Party before they moved to APM and ADC, respectively. Therefore, working together by both political juggernauts cannot be overemphasised.

It be recalled that the smooth relationship between Alhaji Olopoeyan and the Oyo State Governor and the Presidential Candidate of the APM, Engr Seyi Makinde, got sour recently over a dispute on the emergence of Candidates of the APM for the December 2026 Local Government Elections.

It was gathered that both Alhaji Olopoeyan and Makinde have parallel candidates ahead of the local government poll, which would herald the 2027 general election.

Kaduna State Police Command has commenced investigations into a viral video, showing some police officers allegedly conducting stop-and-search operations and extorting money from motorists and cyclists.

In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, ordered that the officers involved be immediately identified and invited for a full-scale investigation. Those found culpable will be sanctioned appropriately.

The statement said the command wished to clarify that routine roadblocks and stop-and-search operations had been curtailed, except where there was credible intelligence regarding the movement of criminals, arms or other prohibited items.

‘The command, however, notes that the route in the video has previously been used by criminal elements. It is a suburb of Millennium City, and it was on the same route that police operatives previously recovered 20 AK-47 rifles.

‘Notwithstanding these security concerns, the commissioner has made it clear that no police officer is permitted to use legitimate security duties as an avenue for extortion, harassment or any form of misconduct. Any officer found culpable will face disciplinary and legal action,’ he said.

The commissioner commended members of the public for their vigilance and urged them to continue reporting unprofessional conduct by police officers.

Complaints can be made to the police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) on 09049498983, 08075391105 or 07039675856.

The command said it remained committed to professional policing, accountability and the protection of the rights and safety of all residents in the state.

The Strong Tower Foundation has empowered 30 vulnerable children as part of efforts to restore their dignity, improve their well-being and create pathways to a better future.

The foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to transforming the lives of children and young adults facing poverty, neglect, trauma and limited opportunities, said every young person deserves a chance not only to survive but also to succeed.

As part of the initiative, the 30 beneficiaries received back-to-school materials, including school bags and educational materials, to support their education and ease the burden on their families.

Speaking at the inauguration and empowerment programme at ANCE Building on Thursday in Ibadan, the founder of the foundation, Mrs. Nike John, said the organisation was established to uplift vulnerable, helpless and underprivileged children and young adults by providing access to essential resources, education, mentorship and emotional support.

She said the foundation was inspired by the values and humanitarian spirit of her late father, who, according to her, consistently provided shelter, clothing and other forms of support to people in need.

The founder explained that her father’s commitment to helping the less privileged had deeply influenced her life and motivated her to establish the organisation as a way of continuing his legacy.

She said, ‘My dad was a great man. He was always identifying the less privileged, providing shelter and clothing for them. His commitment to helping people in need inspired me greatly, and establishing this organisation is my way of continuing his vision.’

According to her, the foundation’s vision is to ensure that every child and young person, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to the opportunities and support needed to live a meaningful and productive life.

She called on individuals, organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support the foundation’s mission of reaching more vulnerable children across the country.

The founder stressed that the empowerment of the 30 beneficiaries was only part of a broader commitment to building a society where vulnerable children are protected, supported and given opportunities to realise their potential.

The keynote speaker at the Strong Tower Foundation empowerment programme, Ms Omosewa Ogundare, has called for greater attention to trauma, emotional wellbeing and the power of positive words in rebuilding the lives of vulnerable children and young adults.

Ogundare, who spoke on the theme, ‘Rebuilding Lives,’ said rebuilding a person’s life goes beyond providing immediate financial assistance, stressing that many people live with trauma without understanding its impact on their lives.

She said some children and adults grow up in difficult environments and may not recognise that experiences from their past have affected their confidence, aspirations and perception of life.

‘Some people don’t know that they have trauma. Some people live every day for survival. They just want to survive the moment. So, when you ask them, ‘What do you want to be in the future?’ that is not their problem right now. Their problem is survival,’ she said.

The inauguration also saw Board of Directors which includes; Dr Olusegun John (Chairman), Mrs Nike John (President), Mr Gbenga Oluniyi (Vice President), Ms. Hadassah Wealthy (Secretary) and Olayemi Oluniyi (Treasurer).

Also speaking at the event, the Special Guest of Honour and Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Oyo State, Honourable Olatun Yusuf, pledged her support for the Foundation, saying its mission resonates strongly with her personal passion for supporting vulnerable people in society.

Yusuf said her commitment to humanitarian activities predates her appointment, stressing that her involvement was not politically motivated.

She, therefore, pledged to support the foundation within the capacity of her office and personal resources, assuring the organisers that she identified with its vision of reaching vulnerable people and communities in need.

‘I am supporting this foundation and I am going to continue to support it because its vision resonates with me. In my own way, I will definitely support the foundation,’ Yusuf added.

Convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG), Comrade Bamidele Atoyebi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently deploy Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses across federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to cushion the impact of rising transportation costs on civil servants.

Atoyebi made the call following encounters with federal workers in Abuja, which, he said, exposed the growing transportation difficulties faced by civil servants despite earning regular salaries.

He said the situation became evident on Wednesday, August 12, when he visited the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to obtain a licence for an upcoming media and podcast studio.

According to him, NBC workers complained that transportation costs were consuming a significant portion of their salaries.

He said one worker living in Kuje lamented the increasing cost of commuting to work, while an Assistant Director disclosed that, although she owned a car, rising petrol prices had made it difficult for her to drive to work.

Atoyebi said the complaints prompted him to propose CNG buses for NBC workers, beginning with junior staff and subsequently extending the arrangement to senior employees.

He said he had directed his staff to prepare a letter to the Executive Chairman of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, Ismail Ahmed, requesting CNG buses for NBC workers from the managerial level downward.

He added that a Chief Medical Director of a military hospital also raised concerns about transportation difficulties faced by hospital workers and appealed for similar support.

Atoyebi said another encounter later that day, when a man working around the Senate sought financial assistance to return home, further reinforced the need for urgent intervention.

He said the experiences supported an earlier position attributed to Bishop David Oyedepo that reducing transportation costs would help cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, noting that transportation costs affect the prices of food, goods and services.

Atoyebi also referenced comments by Professor Peter Kpakol on Arise News TV, where he advocated measures to reduce transportation costs and expressed support for the CNG initiative.

‘All these people cannot be wrong. The President must act now,’ he said.

The BAT-IG convener urged the President to expand the CNG initiative beyond individual vehicle conversion by deploying affordable staff buses across federal MDAs.

He also called for CNG conversion centres at ministries and other government locations to enable civil servants convert their vehicles from petrol to CNG.

Atoyebi urged state governors and local government chairmen to adopt similar measures, arguing that affordable transportation would reduce pressure on workers’ salaries and improve productivity, punctuality and morale.

He acknowledged existing government efforts on CNG buses but stressed that civil servants should be adequately supported, saying reduced transportation costs would provide practical economic relief at a time when rising fares continue to erode household incomes.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revived the ‘Half Salary’ nickname associated with former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola while criticising former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore fuel subsidy if elected president in 2027.

Tinubu made the remark on Thursday while receiving Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, few days after Adeleke secured victory in the August 15 governorship election.

‘In your state, I know a man that I raised who is nicknamed half salary,’ the president said.

The president was referring to Aregbesola, who governed Osun State between 2010 and 2018 and was previously a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a close ally of Tinubu.

Aregbesola, who is now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), became associated with the ‘Half Salary’ label during his tenure after the Osun government faced difficulties paying full salaries to civil servants.

Tinubu brought up the nickname while responding to Atiku’s position on fuel subsidy, describing the former vice president’s proposal as evidence of what he called a lack of understanding of governance and the economy.

‘I saw one of my opponents (Atiku Abubakar) now say he will go back to subsidy. I read it,’ Tinubu said.

‘That is a demonstration of a serious ignorance on governance and economy. Before I came here, 27 states were unable to pay salaries, not to even talk of pensioners, salary of workers.’

Tinubu, who removed petrol subsidy after assuming office in May 2023, has consistently defended the policy, arguing that ending the subsidy would release funds for infrastructure and other public services.

He said the previous subsidy system had left several state governments dependent on financial support from the Federal Government because of their inability to meet salary and other obligations.

‘They come to the federal, capping hand, unable to do anything. Salary you pay for each families. They were at the local governments.

‘They are in the states. We are at the concentration of population. They are in the states.’

According to the president, money previously committed to subsidising petrol could instead be directed towards roads, housing, schools, hospitals and healthcare.

‘Take out the president. We got every other person. Ask common men, their families, to feed the infrastructure you embark upon on the road network, housing, school rehabilitation, hospital, health care pronouncements, resuscitation of health care, training of teachers, training of health workers to protect our vulnerable families,’ he said.

Atiku has called for a review of the subsidy policy as part of his criticism of the Tinubu administration’s handling of the economy.

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has called on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to intensify investment in research and innovation that can generate practical solutions to Nigeria’s economic and developmental challenges.

Ododo made the call while serving as Chief Host of the 2026 TETFund North Central Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting held at the Glass House, Kogi State Government House, Lokoja.

The meeting, themed ‘The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Its Impact on Tertiary Institutions in North Central Nigeria,’ brought together key stakeholders in the education sector across the region.

The governor described education as the foundation of national prosperity, stressing that sustained investment in the sector was essential to building a productive and innovative society.

According to him, ‘Every prosperous nation is first built in the classroom before it is built in the marketplace.’

He noted that education should not be limited to the acquisition of academic qualifications but must equip citizens with the knowledge and skills required to address emerging challenges.

Ododo specifically urged TETFund to channel more resources into research areas such as agriculture, mining, healthcare, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and security.

He said tertiary institutions in the North Central should evolve into solution-driven centres capable of transforming the region’s agricultural, mineral and human resources into food security, industrialisation, employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth.

The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to strengthening TETFund and the tertiary education sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He also praised TETFund for its interventions in infrastructure, research, academic staff development and institutional capacity building, assuring that the Kogi State Government would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving teaching, research, innovation and skills development.

Ododo also congratulated Dr Abdulrahman Hassan Ocholi, the TETFund Board of Trustees member representing the North Central Zone, for organising the stakeholders’ forum shortly after his appointment.

He described the initiative as evidence of purposeful leadership and commitment to improving tertiary education, noting that the gathering of vice chancellors, rectors, provosts, education commissioners, students, traditional rulers and other stakeholders would help generate practical responses to challenges facing the sector.

The governor stressed that collaboration among stakeholders remained essential to achieving meaningful progress in education.

Earlier, Ocholi said the town hall meeting was designed to provide a platform for dialogue, accountability and collaboration between TETFund, beneficiary institutions, governments, students and host communities.

He highlighted several interventions under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including academic staff development, innovation and entrepreneurship hubs, research support, digital transformation, postgraduate scholarships, infrastructure development, robotics and coding facilities, artificial intelligence laboratories and renewable energy projects.

At the meeting, stakeholders endorsed President Tinubu for a second term, citing his administration’s education reforms and interventions. They also endorsed Governor Ododo for a second term and expressed support for APC governorship candidates across the North Central Zone.

The forum subsequently appointed Governor Ododo as its Patron and resolved to commence peaceful grassroots mobilisation.

The stakeholders also commended the Federal Government for its support for TETFund and the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), while calling for increased funding for TETFund.

Votes of confidence were equally passed in the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; TETFund Chairman, Rt Hon Aminu Bello Masari; and Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny St Echono.