Supporters say the initiative represents a bold step toward economic self-reliance. The government states that the policy will be supported by an executive order to ensure the desired results.
Showing posts with label infrastructure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label infrastructure. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
'Nigeria First' policy aims to prioritize homegrown goods and services
Supporters say the initiative represents a bold step toward economic self-reliance. The government states that the policy will be supported by an executive order to ensure the desired results.
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Issah Abiola: The Railroad Dream of Nigeria’s First Female Train Driver
In 2008, Nigerian woman Issah Abiola joined China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), where she dedicated herself to mastering diverse skills through rigorous training. Her perseverance and determination propelled her to become Nigeria’s first female train driver.
As a bridge of friendship between China and Nigeria, Abiola has actively shared stories of Sino-African cooperation everywhere she went. She adopted the Chinese name Bai Yang, which means “the resilient poplar tree”. In an exclusive interview with China News Service’s “W. E. Talk”, Abiola shared her “railroad dream” and her vision of China-Africa cooperation.
Here are the excerpts of the interview:
CNS: What motivated you to become Nigeria’s first female train driver in history? What challenges did you face during this journey, and how did you overcome them?
Abiola: While working on the Abuja-Kaduna Railway project, I learned that a professional training program for train drivers was about to begin. That moment sparked something in me, and I mustered the courage to apply. During my time studying in China, I was deeply impressed by the speed and orderliness of Chinese railways — that’s when the dream of becoming a train driver first took root in my heart. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I wanted to break gender stereotypes by myself, and set an example for more Nigerian women.
Throughout the training, I faced many challenges. There was skepticism from society, as many believed women were not suited to be train drivers. The physical demands and technical requirements were also intense. But I firmly believed that ability has nothing to do with gender. With determination, hard work, and the dedicated guidance of my Chinese instructors, I gradually overcame the difficulties and proudly became Nigeria’s first certified female train driver.
CNS: You self-learned Chinese and chose the Chinese name Bai Yang which means poplar trees. What is the story and meaning behind this?
Abiola: In 2010, I came to China to study language and culture. During a train ride, I was struck by the sight of rows of tall, upright trees outside the window. A Chinese colleague told me they were poplar trees (baiyang), symbolizing resilience and the strength to stand tall in the face of adversity.
That moment deeply moved me, and I decided to adopt “Bai Yang” as my Chinese name. I hope to be like the poplar tree, standing firm in any environment. More importantly, I want to pass on this spirit of resilience and confidence to African women, encouraging them to chase their dreams and break through social barriers.
As a woman in this industry, I hope to break traditional stereotypes and inspire more women to pursue their dreams. My story shows that as long as you are willing to try, there is nothing a woman cannot achieve. For Nigerian society, especially for young women, this carries an important and positive message.
CNS: What changes do you think the BRI has brought to Nigeria? How do you see the role of Africa-China friendship and cooperation in promoting cultural exchanges and friendship?
Abiola: The BRI has brought tangible changes to Nigeria. In the past, many areas faced transportation difficulties, which affected people’s lives and regional development. Today, with the construction of railways and light rail systems by Chinese enterprises, not only has travel efficiency improved, but the local economies along the routes have also been stimulated.
Chinese technology and engineering standards have set a new benchmark for railway construction in Nigeria. From engineering design and equipment manufacturing to operations and maintenance, they are always demonstrating high quality and efficiency. These advanced experiences have provided strong support for the modernization of Nigeria’s transportation system and have greatly benefited front-line workers like me.
Transportation is the lifeline of a nation’s development. Africa-China cooperation in the transportation sector has not only improved our infrastructure, but also created opportunities for economic recovery and employment. For local young people like me, these projects have provided a chance to learn new skills, secure meaningful jobs, and even inspire more women to join the railway industry.
The significance of Africa-China cooperation goes beyond economics — it extends to cultural understanding and people-to-people connection. Through working and living with my Chinese colleagues, I’ve learned about Chinese culture, language, and cuisine, while also sharing Nigeria’s traditions. This kind of interaction brings us closer and lays a solid foundation for lasting friendship between African and Chinese people.
CNS: Promoted by the BRI, what potential do you see for future cooperation between Africa and China? How can we further strengthen Africa-China relations？
Abiola: In the future, Africa-China cooperation can further explore areas such as education and vocational training, green development, and digital infrastructure. For example, providing more scholarship programs and technical training opportunities for African youth can help us build local capacity for independent development.
At the same time, more cultural exchanges, youth visits, and joint initiatives can be carried out, shifting the focus from the “nfrastructure project level” to the “people-to-people engagement level”. I believe that as long as we uphold the principles of mutual benefit and mutual respect, Africa-China relations will continue to grow stronger and go even further.
Baiyang (Issah Abiola), Nigeria’s first female locomotive driver, joined China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria in 2008. When the Abuja Rail Mass Transit officially launched in 2018, she was received by then-President Muhammadu Buhari as the train’s driver. In 2019, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria awarded her the “China-Nigeria Friendship Contribution Award”. In 2025, she received the Friendship Envoy Award at the second Orchid Awards.
Dangote links power shortages in Nigeria to stolen funds hidden abroad
“We as a company alone are producing, group-wide for our own consumption, over 1,500 MW,” he stated.
"So, Nigeria should not be three times what we are producing as a country. Nigeria should be at about 50,000 MW to 60,000 MW,” Dangote added.
The Nigerian business mogul, whose refinery and fertilizer plants are among Africa's largest, explained that his company's investment in energy demonstrates how private sector engagement in power generating can be game-changing.
He encouraged Nigeria's government to further open up the industry to encourage private investment and involvement.
Dangote, who has spent the last decade developing the $20 billion refinery project, also stated that, while establishing the refinery was extremely tough, increasing Nigeria's power generating capacity to 30,000 MW is far easier - provided the appropriate policies and commitments are in place.
“What we have done here just shows that there’s nothing impossible. All this can be replicated in our power sector. There’s no reason why Nigeria should be doing 5,000 MW,” Dangote asserted.
“What we have actually done here is much more difficult than making Nigeria 25,000 or 30,000 megawatts of power, with transmission and distribution. But it’s not the work of the government alone,” he continued.
Dangote's comments come as his refinery, which is projected to drastically cut Nigeria's dependency on foreign petroleum products, ramps up operations.
Dangote links power shortages to a lack of investment and stolen funds hidden abroad
Much like the fact that such a facility which is typically supposed to be a government initiative is now privately owned, the Nigerian philanthropist noted that the power sector is also privatized, which presents an opportunity for investors.
“We, the private sector, Nigerians, most especially us, should stop taking our money abroad and invest the money here to make sure that we develop our own country and continent, because without us showing the confidence that, yes, we have confidence in our own economy and the leadership of the country, foreigners will not come,” Dangote explained.
“We know our leaders; we have confidence in them. So, that money they’re taking out of the country, they should leave it here so that it can benefit everybody.”
As reported by the Punch newspaper, he criticized people who stole public assets and hid them overseas rather than utilizing them to help develop the country, as he connected capital flight to stunted growth.
“I keep saying this: there’s nowhere that you will say that there’s no corruption. There are lots of countries that have more corruption than we do, but they are growing. Our biggest problem and challenge is that people who have stolen money have taken the money abroad,” he said.
“So, the money has no use to them; it has no use to their family because they cannot show their family that they have stolen money. And they are not investing here to grow the domestic economy.”
Much like the fact that such a facility which is typically supposed to be a government initiative is now privately owned, the Nigerian philanthropist noted that the power sector is also privatized, which presents an opportunity for investors.
“We, the private sector, Nigerians, most especially us, should stop taking our money abroad and invest the money here to make sure that we develop our own country and continent, because without us showing the confidence that, yes, we have confidence in our own economy and the leadership of the country, foreigners will not come,” Dangote explained.
“We know our leaders; we have confidence in them. So, that money they’re taking out of the country, they should leave it here so that it can benefit everybody.”
As reported by the Punch newspaper, he criticized people who stole public assets and hid them overseas rather than utilizing them to help develop the country, as he connected capital flight to stunted growth.
“I keep saying this: there’s nowhere that you will say that there’s no corruption. There are lots of countries that have more corruption than we do, but they are growing. Our biggest problem and challenge is that people who have stolen money have taken the money abroad,” he said.
“So, the money has no use to them; it has no use to their family because they cannot show their family that they have stolen money. And they are not investing here to grow the domestic economy.”
By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Dangote plans construction of Nigeria’s largest seaport
Aliko Dangote is forging ahead with a proposal to build a seaport in Ogun State to facilitate exports, including liquefied natural gas.
The move is expected to accelerate an expansion of Mr Dangote’s conglomerate, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing an interview with Africa’s richest man.
An application to authorities last month, according to the outlet, sought “to build the biggest, deepest port in Nigeria” in Olokola.
The free trade zone was initially considered as the host of Mr Dangote’s mega oil refinery and petrochemical plant, now situated on the outskirts of Lagos, before an impasse with the government thwarted the plan.
The port is conceived to connect the Dangote group’s logistics and export operations in Lagos, including Lekki Deep Sea Port, through which it currently ships petroleum products and fertilisers overseas.
“It’s not that we want to do everything by ourselves, but I think doing this will encourage other entrepreneurs to come into it,” Bloomberg quoted Mr Dangote as saying.
Betting on LNG exports requires the laying of pipelines from the Niger Delta, all the way to Lagos, an ambitious pursuit intended to overtake Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) as Africa’s biggest LNG exporter.
“We want to do a major project to bring more gas than what NLNG is doing today,” said Devakumar Edwin, a vice president of the group.
“We know where there is a lot of gas, so run a pipeline all through and then bring it to the shore,” he added.
The group exports fertiliser to the US, Brazil, Mexico, India, and recently disclosed an aspiration to set up a fertiliser plant in Ethiopia, which will help Africa’s second most populous nation develop production capacity.
The ambition is, nevertheless, far bigger than that, given plans to topple Qatar as the foremost manufacturer of urea in the next 40 months and to also make Africa self-sufficient in fertiliser within the same time frame.
The 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery, the continent’s largest, began operations in 2024 after years of construction delays.
Construction of storage tanks to hold a minimum of 1.6 million litres of petrol and diesel in Namibia is in the works.
Mr Dangote hopes to list the petrochemical business on the local stock exchange in Lagos this year and the refinery on the bourse next year.
The move is expected to accelerate an expansion of Mr Dangote’s conglomerate, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing an interview with Africa’s richest man.
An application to authorities last month, according to the outlet, sought “to build the biggest, deepest port in Nigeria” in Olokola.
The free trade zone was initially considered as the host of Mr Dangote’s mega oil refinery and petrochemical plant, now situated on the outskirts of Lagos, before an impasse with the government thwarted the plan.
The port is conceived to connect the Dangote group’s logistics and export operations in Lagos, including Lekki Deep Sea Port, through which it currently ships petroleum products and fertilisers overseas.
“It’s not that we want to do everything by ourselves, but I think doing this will encourage other entrepreneurs to come into it,” Bloomberg quoted Mr Dangote as saying.
Betting on LNG exports requires the laying of pipelines from the Niger Delta, all the way to Lagos, an ambitious pursuit intended to overtake Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) as Africa’s biggest LNG exporter.
“We want to do a major project to bring more gas than what NLNG is doing today,” said Devakumar Edwin, a vice president of the group.
“We know where there is a lot of gas, so run a pipeline all through and then bring it to the shore,” he added.
The group exports fertiliser to the US, Brazil, Mexico, India, and recently disclosed an aspiration to set up a fertiliser plant in Ethiopia, which will help Africa’s second most populous nation develop production capacity.
The ambition is, nevertheless, far bigger than that, given plans to topple Qatar as the foremost manufacturer of urea in the next 40 months and to also make Africa self-sufficient in fertiliser within the same time frame.
The 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery, the continent’s largest, began operations in 2024 after years of construction delays.
Construction of storage tanks to hold a minimum of 1.6 million litres of petrol and diesel in Namibia is in the works.
Mr Dangote hopes to list the petrochemical business on the local stock exchange in Lagos this year and the refinery on the bourse next year.
Friday, July 11, 2025
Billions wasted on broken refineries - Africa's richest man tells his side of the story
He did this at his own oil refinery, where he gave members of the Global CEO Africa from the Lagos Business School a tour of the facility while highlighting the ludicrous amount already spent on reviving the state-owned refineries.
Dangote specified that his refinery, which he initiated after the country's 16th head of state, the late President Umar Yar'adua's cancelled his plans to acquire government refineries, now produces more than 50% of its output in the form of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), while even government refineries only devote 22% of their output to this product.
“The refineries that we bought before, which were owned by Nigeria, were doing about 22 per cent of PMS. We bought the refineries in January 2007. Then we had to return them to the government because there was a change of government,” he stated.
“And the managing director at that time convinced Yar’adua that the refineries would work. They said they just gave them to us as a parting gift or so.
And as of today, they have spent about $18bn on those refineries, and they are still not working. And I don’t think, and I doubt very much if they will work,” he added.
The Nigerian billionaire emphasized that the refineries' turnaround maintenance was similar to attempting to update a car that was manufactured forty years ago, even though technology had since evolved, as reported by the Punch.
“(The turnaround maintenance) is like you trying to modernize a car that was built 40 years ago, when technology and everything have changed.
Even if you change the engine, the body will not be able to take the shock of that new technology engine,” he elaborated.
Dangote's statement corroborated the claims of Yar’adua predecessor, former president Olusegun Obasanjo last year on the refineries, two of which were closed when Mele Kyari, the former NNPC Group Managing Director, declared them open.
The NNPC understood it was unable to handle the refineries, according to Obasanjo, who further stated that when he asked foreign oil corporations like Shell to run the facilities, they refused.
Aliko Dangote and other Nigerians had invested $750 million to gain control of the refineries, but his successor Yar'adua annulled the agreement, according to Obasanjo.
What Obasanjo had said
“So, why do we do this kind of thing to ourselves? NNPC knew that they could not do it, but they knew they could eat and carry on with the corruption that was going on in NNPC. When people were there to do it, they put pressure. In a civilized society, those people should be in jail,”
Obasanjo had stated. Again, in January, Obasanjo said, “I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2bn have been squandered on the refineries and they still will not work.
“If a company like Shell tells me what they told me, I will believe them. If anybody tells you now that it (the refinery) is working, why are they now with Aliko (Dangote)? And Aliko will make his refinery work; not only make it work, he will make it deliver.”
“So, why do we do this kind of thing to ourselves? NNPC knew that they could not do it, but they knew they could eat and carry on with the corruption that was going on in NNPC. When people were there to do it, they put pressure. In a civilized society, those people should be in jail,”
Obasanjo had stated. Again, in January, Obasanjo said, “I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2bn have been squandered on the refineries and they still will not work.
“If a company like Shell tells me what they told me, I will believe them. If anybody tells you now that it (the refinery) is working, why are they now with Aliko (Dangote)? And Aliko will make his refinery work; not only make it work, he will make it deliver.”
By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Tinubu: We’re Changing Nigeria’s Infrastructure Story Through Tangible Projects
President Bola Tinubu has declared that his administration is changing the story of infrastructure development in Nigeria through the execution of tangible projects across the country.
Tinubu restated his administration’s resolve to build a Nigeria where every community was connected, every business thrived, and every citizen enjoyed a life of dignity and opportunity.
The president made the declaration on Wednesday at the inauguration of the dualised and upgraded Ushafa to War College/Army CheckPoint roads and other ancillary roads in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, underscored the recent inauguration of infrastructure projects across the country by his administration, saying it is an expression of commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development.
He stated, “We have transformed a path of frustration into a corridor of opportunity. These dualised and upgraded roads will not only ease traffic congestion, they will breathe new life into economic activities, improve access to education and healthcare, and uplift the overall quality of life for the good people of Ushafa, Bwari, and the neighbouring communities.”
Enumerating the significance of the road projects, the president said, “There is something even more remarkable to celebrate today: this entire project was awarded to an indigenous contractor. That decision was deliberate. It was born out of our belief in the competence, resilience, and ingenuity of Nigerian professionals and businesses.
“We are not just building roads. We are building capacity. We are creating jobs. We are fostering a sense of ownership and pride within our communities. And above all, we are demonstrating unequivocally that, given the right support and enabling environment, Nigerian contractors can deliver infrastructure that rivals the best in the world.”
Earlier, Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, said the ongoing inauguration of projects in Abuja was unprecedented and a demonstration of the president’s love and care for inhabitants of the nation’s capital.
According to him, the provision of road infrastructure, as witnessed in the FCT satellite towns, is key to opening up the areas for economic development and improvement of the livelihoods of the people in all ramifications.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the conduct and capacity of the contractor that handled the project. He said the history of the project from start to finish depicted commitment and faith in local contractors and support for their growth and development.
Giving the vote of thanks, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, thanked Tinubu and Shettima for their leadership that had seen the transformation of the satellite towns in the FCT into settlements with modern infrastructure.
Mahmoud said the projects will not only improve the livelihoods of the people but will also rewrite the history of the territory and reposition the area for genuine growth and development.
In his remarks, Coordinator, Satellite Town Development Department (STDD), Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, thanked Tinubu for the deliberate and coordinated execution of infrastructure projects in the territory.
Zulkiflu said people of the satellite towns in the FCT appreciated the gesture and remained solidly in support of the Tinubu administration.
Tinubu restated his administration’s resolve to build a Nigeria where every community was connected, every business thrived, and every citizen enjoyed a life of dignity and opportunity.
The president made the declaration on Wednesday at the inauguration of the dualised and upgraded Ushafa to War College/Army CheckPoint roads and other ancillary roads in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, underscored the recent inauguration of infrastructure projects across the country by his administration, saying it is an expression of commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development.
He stated, “We have transformed a path of frustration into a corridor of opportunity. These dualised and upgraded roads will not only ease traffic congestion, they will breathe new life into economic activities, improve access to education and healthcare, and uplift the overall quality of life for the good people of Ushafa, Bwari, and the neighbouring communities.”
Enumerating the significance of the road projects, the president said, “There is something even more remarkable to celebrate today: this entire project was awarded to an indigenous contractor. That decision was deliberate. It was born out of our belief in the competence, resilience, and ingenuity of Nigerian professionals and businesses.
“We are not just building roads. We are building capacity. We are creating jobs. We are fostering a sense of ownership and pride within our communities. And above all, we are demonstrating unequivocally that, given the right support and enabling environment, Nigerian contractors can deliver infrastructure that rivals the best in the world.”
Earlier, Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, said the ongoing inauguration of projects in Abuja was unprecedented and a demonstration of the president’s love and care for inhabitants of the nation’s capital.
According to him, the provision of road infrastructure, as witnessed in the FCT satellite towns, is key to opening up the areas for economic development and improvement of the livelihoods of the people in all ramifications.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the conduct and capacity of the contractor that handled the project. He said the history of the project from start to finish depicted commitment and faith in local contractors and support for their growth and development.
Giving the vote of thanks, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, thanked Tinubu and Shettima for their leadership that had seen the transformation of the satellite towns in the FCT into settlements with modern infrastructure.
Mahmoud said the projects will not only improve the livelihoods of the people but will also rewrite the history of the territory and reposition the area for genuine growth and development.
In his remarks, Coordinator, Satellite Town Development Department (STDD), Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, thanked Tinubu for the deliberate and coordinated execution of infrastructure projects in the territory.
Zulkiflu said people of the satellite towns in the FCT appreciated the gesture and remained solidly in support of the Tinubu administration.
By Deji Elumoye, Arise News
Friday, June 13, 2025
President Tinubu unveils Chinese-built arterial road in capital city
Tinubu on Wednesday commissioned the 3.64-km arterial road N16, built by CGC Nigeria Limited.
The commissioning was listed as one of the landmark projects of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, marking the president's second year in office.
The N16 connects several parts of Abuja, along with accompanying interchanges and feeder roads in the Maitama District, one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the city.
"What was once a missing link is now a modern, functional, and durable infrastructure, an artery fully realized," Tinubu said, noting that the construction project affirmed his administration's commitment to transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
"This road will ease traffic congestion around Central Abuja and improve connectivity to developing districts such as Katampe, Jahi, and Bwari. It will stimulate housing and business growth while serving as a foundation for future city integration," the president said.
Tinubu commended the smooth relocation of local communities and compensation of residents affected by the development, urging citizens to protect and use the infrastructure wisely to bring about growth, social integration, and economic opportunity.
Nigeria's Federal Executive Council awarded the contract to CGC Nigeria in September 2024, and the construction commenced a month later. The project was completed in eight months, four months ahead of the one-year working period.
Zhong Xiang, managing director of CGC Nigeria, told Xinhua that the spirit of trust and friendship between China and Nigeria buoyed their confidence.
"Throughout the construction, we created over 1,300 direct and indirect jobs, significantly boosting local economic activities," he said. "The completion of this road project reflects our commitment to excellence and aligns with the Nigerian president's Renewed Hope Agenda on infrastructural development."
Monday, May 19, 2025
World’s largest electric vehicle-producing country set to establish an EV plant in Nigeria
The initiative is a huge step forward for Nigeria's industrialization aspirations and reinforces Beijing's expanding presence in Nigeria, in a year when the East Asian country has been very active within Africa’s largest oil-producing country.
This new development was made known during a courtesy visit by China's Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, to Dr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
During the visit, Ambassador Dunhai underlined the need for further collaboration between the two countries in unleashing Nigeria's solid minerals potential, a crucial component in EV battery production, and propelling Nigeria's industrial growth.
Dunhai also stated that China has always recognized Nigeria as an important partner in its foreign strategy.
The Chinese ambassador mentioned the recent meeting between Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Xi Jinping, during which both leaders decided to upgrade Nigeria-China bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, paving the way for considerable economic and technical collaboration.
Dr. Alake, in response noted that the Federal Government has granted authority for China to develop electric car manufacturing factories in Nigeria, as he emphsized the idea that Nigeria is open for business.
He asked that the ambassador persuade Chinese businesses to make full-cycle investments in Nigeria, from extraction to processing, as reported by the Punch.
“For years, our minerals have been exported raw to fuel foreign industrialisation. That must change, Dr. Alake stated.
“We now prioritise local processing to drive Nigeria’s development. For instance, with the abundance of lithium, we want to see local manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries,” he added.
“Plans are underway to establish electric vehicle factories and other manufacturing ventures in Nigeria.
Chinese companies are already deeply involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing,” Dr. Alake continued.
“We aim to deepen this collaboration, especially in line with President Tinubu’s eight priority areas, notably economic diversification through solid minerals,” he added.
This new development was made known during a courtesy visit by China's Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, to Dr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
During the visit, Ambassador Dunhai underlined the need for further collaboration between the two countries in unleashing Nigeria's solid minerals potential, a crucial component in EV battery production, and propelling Nigeria's industrial growth.
Dunhai also stated that China has always recognized Nigeria as an important partner in its foreign strategy.
The Chinese ambassador mentioned the recent meeting between Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Xi Jinping, during which both leaders decided to upgrade Nigeria-China bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, paving the way for considerable economic and technical collaboration.
Dr. Alake, in response noted that the Federal Government has granted authority for China to develop electric car manufacturing factories in Nigeria, as he emphsized the idea that Nigeria is open for business.
He asked that the ambassador persuade Chinese businesses to make full-cycle investments in Nigeria, from extraction to processing, as reported by the Punch.
“For years, our minerals have been exported raw to fuel foreign industrialisation. That must change, Dr. Alake stated.
“We now prioritise local processing to drive Nigeria’s development. For instance, with the abundance of lithium, we want to see local manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries,” he added.
“Plans are underway to establish electric vehicle factories and other manufacturing ventures in Nigeria.
Chinese companies are already deeply involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing,” Dr. Alake continued.
“We aim to deepen this collaboration, especially in line with President Tinubu’s eight priority areas, notably economic diversification through solid minerals,” he added.
Deals between China and Nigeria in 2025 so far
The EV announcement follows a flood of Chinese investments and strategic engagement with Nigeria so far in 2025.
In April, the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) inked a $1 billion agreement with Chinese company SINOMACH to build a large-scale sugarcane production and processing facility.
Mr. Kamar Bakrin, NSDC Executive Secretary, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the investment will alter Nigeria's sugar sector and strengthen China's strategic footprint in the nation.
216 Chinese businesses traveled to Nigeria in March to look for potential investment opportunities. Interestingly, 74 of them specifically indicated interest in Nigeria's oil industry, indicating China's intention to diversify its holdings in the nation's important sectors.
A new shipping route that provides an exceptional 27-day transit time between Shanghai and Lagos began in February when the MV Great Cotonou, a Con-Ro vessel from China, arrived at the PTML facility in Lagos, West Africa's largest multipurpose RO/RO facility.
It is anticipated that this innovation would transform the logistics of regional trade.
In January, the China Development Bank approved a $254.76 million loan for a major railway project in Nigeria, expanding the country's railway modernization program as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
The EV announcement follows a flood of Chinese investments and strategic engagement with Nigeria so far in 2025.
In April, the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) inked a $1 billion agreement with Chinese company SINOMACH to build a large-scale sugarcane production and processing facility.
Mr. Kamar Bakrin, NSDC Executive Secretary, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the investment will alter Nigeria's sugar sector and strengthen China's strategic footprint in the nation.
216 Chinese businesses traveled to Nigeria in March to look for potential investment opportunities. Interestingly, 74 of them specifically indicated interest in Nigeria's oil industry, indicating China's intention to diversify its holdings in the nation's important sectors.
A new shipping route that provides an exceptional 27-day transit time between Shanghai and Lagos began in February when the MV Great Cotonou, a Con-Ro vessel from China, arrived at the PTML facility in Lagos, West Africa's largest multipurpose RO/RO facility.
It is anticipated that this innovation would transform the logistics of regional trade.
In January, the China Development Bank approved a $254.76 million loan for a major railway project in Nigeria, expanding the country's railway modernization program as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Starlink Implements 50% Price Increase for Nigerian Residential Plans
The new pricing immediately affects new customers, while existing subscribers will begin paying the revised rates from May 30, 2025.
Starlink’s latest price revision aligns with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) January 2025 approval of a 50% tariff increase for telecom operators, the first such adjustment in over a decade. The NCC’s decision came amid growing pressure on the telecom sector, driven by naira devaluation, rising inflation, and steep operational costs.
This isn’t the first time Starlink has attempted to raise its prices in Nigeria. In October 2024**, the company proposed increasing its monthly subscription to NGN 75,000 (USD 46.78), a move that was swiftly met with regulatory resistance. The NCC, through its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, criticised the hike as unilateral and violating sectoral guidelines. The backlash forced Starlink to suspend the planned price adjustment.
With the NCC’s official backing for broader telecom tariff increases, Starlink appears to be acting within a more acceptable regulatory framework.
The company maintains that customers can cancel anytime, stating in its email: “If you do not wish to continue service, you can cancel at any time on your account page. If you return your Starlink within 30 days of purchase, we’ll refund your full hardware and service costs. If you return hardware purchased within the last year, we’ll refund 50% of the hardware cost.’
Meanwhile, Starlink’s service capacity in Nigeria continues to evolve. Two major southern cities, Port Harcourt and Benin City, have now been freed up for new Residential Plan activations, thanks to a newly activated ground station at Okun Aja, Lagos State. The station features 20 antennas installed, with room for 36 more, assuming regular spacing, and is located adjacent to the new Medallion Data Centre facility. Following a recent surge in internet exchange point (IXP) capacity – from 200G to 600G – this development appears to be live, indicating improved Starlink throughput in the region. New customers in these cities can now sign up and begin using the service without joining a waitlist.
Starlink’s service remains at full capacity in other parts of Nigeria and several other African countries. New users outside newly opened areas can still deposit to join the waitlist and will be notified once additional capacity becomes available. However, Starlink has not confirmed a timeline. “Our teams are working as quickly as possible to add more capacity to the constellation so we can continue to expand coverage for more customers worldwide,” the company stated.
Starlink cited Nigeria’s inflation and currency instability as key reasons for the new pricing structure. As the company ties its price directly to macroeconomic conditions, a recovery in the naira’s value could lead to more affordable pricing in the future.
Until then, the elevated cost may continue to limit Starlink’s accessibility to higher-income earners in urban areas, even as the service continues to outperform traditional broadband offerings in speed and coverage.
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Nigeria’s Arnergy Solar Secures $18 Million Series B Round to Scale Solar Deployments, Expand Access in Key Sectors
Arnergy Solar, a leading Nigerian renewable energy company specializing in distributed solar power solutions, has successfully closed an $18 million Series B funding round to accelerate its solar deployment initiatives and expand its footprint across critical sectors.
The funding round was led by CardinalStone Capital Advisers Growth Fund (CCA-GF), with British International Investment (BII) joining as a new investor with a $3 million commitment. The round also drew continued backing from existing investors including Norfund (the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries), Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV)—founded by Bill Gates, EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC), and Shell-backed All On.
The $18 million raise includes a $15 million Series B extension and a previously closed $3 million Series B1 round led by All On. This brings Arnergy’s total capital raised to date to over $27 million, following its $9 million Series A in 2019 that included support from BEV, Norfund, ElectriFI, and All On.
The new capital is earmarked for deployment of 12,000 additional solar systems by 2029, expansion of Arnergy’s rent-to-own solar financing model, and sector-specific growth in healthcare, education, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The company also plans to leverage strategic partnerships to strengthen its distribution network and increase energy access across Nigeria.
Legal advisory on the deal was provided by Aluko & Oyebode, with Partner Oludare Senbore leading the transaction, supported by Zacheus Akanni, Esther Yugbovwre, and Precious Odina.
Arnergy’s solar systems play a vital role in closing Nigeria’s energy access gap by offering clean, reliable, and affordable off-grid power to underserved communities and businesses. This latest investment underscores investor confidence in the company’s scalable model and its role in driving Nigeria’s energy transition.
By Kavitha, Solar Quarter
The funding round was led by CardinalStone Capital Advisers Growth Fund (CCA-GF), with British International Investment (BII) joining as a new investor with a $3 million commitment. The round also drew continued backing from existing investors including Norfund (the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries), Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV)—founded by Bill Gates, EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC), and Shell-backed All On.
The $18 million raise includes a $15 million Series B extension and a previously closed $3 million Series B1 round led by All On. This brings Arnergy’s total capital raised to date to over $27 million, following its $9 million Series A in 2019 that included support from BEV, Norfund, ElectriFI, and All On.
The new capital is earmarked for deployment of 12,000 additional solar systems by 2029, expansion of Arnergy’s rent-to-own solar financing model, and sector-specific growth in healthcare, education, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The company also plans to leverage strategic partnerships to strengthen its distribution network and increase energy access across Nigeria.
Legal advisory on the deal was provided by Aluko & Oyebode, with Partner Oludare Senbore leading the transaction, supported by Zacheus Akanni, Esther Yugbovwre, and Precious Odina.
Arnergy’s solar systems play a vital role in closing Nigeria’s energy access gap by offering clean, reliable, and affordable off-grid power to underserved communities and businesses. This latest investment underscores investor confidence in the company’s scalable model and its role in driving Nigeria’s energy transition.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Nigeria cuts petrol imports as local production rises
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says the importation of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, into Nigeria, reduced by 29.9 million litres in over eight months.Farouk Ahmed, chief executive officer (CEO), NMDPRA, spoke during a press briefing organised by the presidential communications team (PTC) at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to the NMDPRA CEO, the country’s daily petrol importation decreased from 44.6 million litres in August 2024 to 14.7 million litres as of April 13.
He attributed the drop in imports to increased contributions from local refineries.
Nigeria is making more of its own petrol
Nigeria is bringing in much less petrol from other countries because local refineries are making more. Daily imports dropped from 44.6 million litres last August to just 14.7 million litres by mid-April – that’s a huge decrease of 29.9 million litres.
At the same time, local petrol production has jumped by 670% – meaning Nigeria is now making about 7 times more of its own petrol than before. This big increase happened because the Port Harcourt Refinery started working again in November 2024, and small local refineries across the country are producing more.
Local refineries now make 26.2 million litres of petrol per day. This is a big change from August 2024, when they weren’t producing anything meaningful.
Even with fewer imports, Nigeria still has enough petrol. The government says the country needs about 50 million litres per day. The total supply (local production plus imports) has mostly stayed above this level, though it’s been dropping lately. In November 2024, supply reached 56 million litres per day, then 52.3 million litres in February 2025, followed by 51.5 million litres in March, and recently dropped to 40.9 million litres in early April 2025.
Mr. Ahmed called for everyone to help protect Nigeria’s oil and gas facilities. He said security agencies, political leaders, traditional rulers, young people, and oil companies all need to work together to keep these important assets safe.
“It takes all of us — government, traditional institutions, companies, and the youth—to collaborate and resist criminal activities that threaten our infrastructure,” he said.
He also stressed that the NMDPRA is committed to being transparent and accountable in how it regulates the oil industry.
By Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe, Business Day
According to the NMDPRA CEO, the country’s daily petrol importation decreased from 44.6 million litres in August 2024 to 14.7 million litres as of April 13.
He attributed the drop in imports to increased contributions from local refineries.
Nigeria is making more of its own petrol
Nigeria is bringing in much less petrol from other countries because local refineries are making more. Daily imports dropped from 44.6 million litres last August to just 14.7 million litres by mid-April – that’s a huge decrease of 29.9 million litres.
At the same time, local petrol production has jumped by 670% – meaning Nigeria is now making about 7 times more of its own petrol than before. This big increase happened because the Port Harcourt Refinery started working again in November 2024, and small local refineries across the country are producing more.
Local refineries now make 26.2 million litres of petrol per day. This is a big change from August 2024, when they weren’t producing anything meaningful.
Even with fewer imports, Nigeria still has enough petrol. The government says the country needs about 50 million litres per day. The total supply (local production plus imports) has mostly stayed above this level, though it’s been dropping lately. In November 2024, supply reached 56 million litres per day, then 52.3 million litres in February 2025, followed by 51.5 million litres in March, and recently dropped to 40.9 million litres in early April 2025.
Mr. Ahmed called for everyone to help protect Nigeria’s oil and gas facilities. He said security agencies, political leaders, traditional rulers, young people, and oil companies all need to work together to keep these important assets safe.
“It takes all of us — government, traditional institutions, companies, and the youth—to collaborate and resist criminal activities that threaten our infrastructure,” he said.
He also stressed that the NMDPRA is committed to being transparent and accountable in how it regulates the oil industry.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
How Starlink took over Africa’s largest internet market
In the sprawling electronic market of Lagos’ Computer Village, an item is flying off the shelves: the Starlink kit.
These satellite dishes, with their distinctive white faces and plug-and-play simplicity, represent more than just easy internet availability in Nigeria. They symbolize a technological coup in Africa’s most populous nation, where terrestrial broadband or wireless options are unreliable or inaccessible.
“I have about 20 pieces in the store, but I’m sure they will go before today ends or at the latest tomorrow morning,” Quadri AbdulFatai, a local electronics vendor who claims to have sold more than a thousand units in just 13 months, told Rest of World. “Starlink is very hot now.”
In January 2023, Nigeria became the first African market that Starlink entered. Two years later, it now ranks second among internet service providers, which are classified separately from large telecom players by the Nigerian authorities. With over 65,500 users at the end of the third quarter last year, Starlink is second only to 16-year-old Lagos-based ISP Spectranet, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the country’s telecom regulator.
At current growth rates, analysts predict Starlink will become Nigeria’s top internet service provider by mid-2026.
The secret to Starlink’s meteoric rise lies in a simple market reality: Nigerians are desperate for reliable, high-speed internet, which local providers have consistently failed to deliver, according to Temidayo Oniosun, managing director at Space in Africa, a market intelligence company focusing on the continent’s space and satellite industry.
Telecom companies and traditional ISPs in Nigeria suffer from frequent outages, sluggish speeds, and spotty coverage, especially in rural areas where terrestrial infrastructure is limited or nonexistent.
“Nigerians want high-speed and reliable internet, and Starlink’s technology offers that better than anyone else,” Oniosun told Rest of World. “That’s why it is growing at an incredible speed. While the services aren’t the cheapest, launching with different pricing in different African markets shows that Starlink understands the markets.”
Starlink has made investments in building infrastructure in Nigeria. It has built a base station in Lagos and plans to add facilities in neighboring Abeokuta and Port Harcourt, Nigeria’s oil hub. These stations will enable the company to beam low-latency internet directly to its rapidly growing user base throughout the country. Low latency is the ability of a network to respond with minimal delay.
Starlink’s success has unsettled competitors. When the company increased subscription prices last October, local operators cried foul, accusing regulator NCC of applying double standards by ignoring their requests for tariff reviews.
The regulator eventually granted local providers a 50% tariff increase in January, but customer perception had been damaged.
The regulator has fostered a fair and enabling environment that empowers all licensed operators, including Starlink, “to compete, innovate, and grow in response to market needs,” an NCC spokesperson told Rest of World.
The regulator has fostered a fair and enabling environment that empowers all licensed operators, including Starlink, “to compete, innovate, and grow in response to market needs,” an NCC spokesperson told Rest of World.
The regulator has licensed over 27 satellite-based communications services providers and issued over 90 landing rights to space segment operators, which include established providers like Eutelsat, SES, Viasat, and YahClick.
“In recent times, the commission has observed growing interest from both established global players and new entrants (especially those providing emerging satellite services) seeking to enter the Nigerian market,” the spokesperson said. “This level of engagement reflects growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy and the enabling environment provided by the commission.”
Nigeria has 241 licensed ISPs, of which only 124 had active users as of the third quarter of 2024, collectively serving more than 300,000 subscribers, according to NCC data.
Starlink’s arrival has been nothing short of catastrophic for incumbents. Market leader Spectranet lost 8,428 subscribers between the last quarter of 2023 and the third quarter of 2024, while Tizeti lost about 700 in the same period.
While the losses appear modest, they are significant in the context of the small size of the market served by Nigeria’s ISPs. The internet landscape is more dominated by mobile network operators MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile, which collectively serve 132.4 million subscribers, providing both internet access as well as traditional phone services.
The playing field is fundamentally uneven, said Temitope Osunrinde, chief marketing officer at Tizeti. The challenges for local operators include buying spectrum and building local capacity, hiring talent, and paying multiple taxes. If digging for fiber, they have to contend with multiple local government right-of-way permits and also area goons.
“You can’t compare Starlink with local companies because they don’t have to set up local capacity, nor hire and set up an office,” Osunrinde told Rest of World.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), believes Starlink’s success reflects not a failure of local providers but “a challenging operating environment, which includes issues such as multiple taxes, multiple regulations, high right-of-way charges, infrastructure vandalism, and the rising cost of foreign exchange.”
Yet for ordinary Nigerians, these industry complaints hold little water compared with the tangible benefits of reliable connectivity. “For me, it was less speed and more concern about constant internet blackouts during meetings,” Olumide Lewis, a Lagos-based tech worker who recently installed Starlink, told Rest of World. “Since we bought our Starlink, we have had some peace of mind. We don’t spend our time thinking about the bad internet again because everything just works.”
Starlink’s march appears unstoppable. Besides direct distribution via its website, the company distributed its kits through Jumia, Africa’s largest e-commerce platform. By late 2024, it had reached full capacity in major Nigerian cities, including Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, creating a flourishing secondary market of resellers who continue to import the coveted hardware at premium prices.
Starlink’s rapid growth has raised national security concerns.
“It’s very concerning if we allow a foreign company, knowing who owns it, to have that much power over critical communication infrastructure,” Oniosun said. “If Starlink continues at this pace, and, in a couple of years, they become the leading ISP, servicing hundreds of thousands of people and businesses, what happens when they decide to cut access?”
Starlink did not respond to Rest of World’s request for comment.
Nigerian officials appear cognizant of these risks, and critical institutions avoid using Starlink’s network, Yoosuf Temitope, technical adviser at state-owned Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited, told Rest of World. NigCommSat provides satellite internet to major government agencies and also serves private individuals and businesses.
“The military is not meant to ride on Starlink because its data would go to the United States, which can easily mine and cook the data,” he said. “Starlink has its business model and strategy, and we have ours.”
Nevertheless, Nigeria’s “open skies” policies continue to welcome foreign rivals. And as Starlink’s dishes enter more African homes, local providers face an existential choice: adapt or perish. Tizeti is responding by adding fiber internet to its wireless offering, which had been its mainstay for 11 of its 12 years of existence, joining other wireless brands like Spectranet that are pushing their fiber services more aggressively. Others may be forced to merge or exit the market entirely, Oniosun said.
By Damilare Dosunmu, Rest of World
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Nigeria launches drone surveying pilot project to map capital Abuja
Nigeria is set to launch a pioneering drone survey project, aimed at creating digital twin maps of the country's capital Abuja, marking one of the first such initiatives in Africa. The project will utilize drone technology to capture 3D representations of buildings, providing an accurate and real-time digital model of the city’s landscape.
The project, which will be carried out over a timespan of three weeks, aims to advance land surveying and geospatial capabilities. With the growing importance of accurate geospatial data, this initiative will help modernize surveying practices and support urban planning and development efforts.
Collaboration with international experts will provide the technical support needed to process the data, further enhancing the country’s ability to leverage the latest technologies in geospatial information management. The project is also aligned with the broader goals of sustainable development, as surveying plays a key role in achieving 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Geospatial modernization strategy
In addition to the ongoing project, Nigeria has experienced recent successes in staff development, including the training of over 100 personnel through collaborations with the United Nations. These trained staff will serve as focal points for the office’s continued modernization efforts. Furthermore, the office has made strides in creating a National Repository of Metadata for gathering and handling geospatial data and is working to support federal ministries with mapping and geo-spatial information services.
A review of the Survey Coordination Act of Nigeria may also be beneficial to ensure that the office operates with the most relevant and effective legal framework.
If successful, this project could pave the way for similar mapping initiatives in other Nigerian cities, while also serving as a model for other African countries. It would further enhance the country’s geospatial capabilities and support its urban development goals.
The project, which will be carried out over a timespan of three weeks, aims to advance land surveying and geospatial capabilities. With the growing importance of accurate geospatial data, this initiative will help modernize surveying practices and support urban planning and development efforts.
Collaboration with international experts will provide the technical support needed to process the data, further enhancing the country’s ability to leverage the latest technologies in geospatial information management. The project is also aligned with the broader goals of sustainable development, as surveying plays a key role in achieving 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Geospatial modernization strategy
In addition to the ongoing project, Nigeria has experienced recent successes in staff development, including the training of over 100 personnel through collaborations with the United Nations. These trained staff will serve as focal points for the office’s continued modernization efforts. Furthermore, the office has made strides in creating a National Repository of Metadata for gathering and handling geospatial data and is working to support federal ministries with mapping and geo-spatial information services.
A review of the Survey Coordination Act of Nigeria may also be beneficial to ensure that the office operates with the most relevant and effective legal framework.
If successful, this project could pave the way for similar mapping initiatives in other Nigerian cities, while also serving as a model for other African countries. It would further enhance the country’s geospatial capabilities and support its urban development goals.
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Africa’s richest man to build Nigeria’s biggest port
The president of Nigerian conglomerate Dangote Group plans to build Nigeria’s biggest seaport at the Olokola Free Trade Zone in Ogun State.
He said it was because of an improved political climate in the state during a visit to its governor, Dapo Abiodun, Business News Nigeria reports.
“We earlier on abandoned our vision of investing in the Olokola Free Trade Zone, but because of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s policies and investor-friendly environment, we are back and … plans are under way to construct the largest port in the country,” he said.
He did not give any further details of the project.
He also said his company had restarted work on an $800m cement factory located on 533ha of land near the city of Itori, in Ogun State, north of Lagos.
The factory is expected to open by November 2026, with an annual output of up to 6 million tonnes.
Dangote attributed the interruption to opposition from former governor Ibikunle Amosun, despite the fact that Ogun State already has a 12 million tonne cement plant in Ibese.
When the Itori project is complete, Ogun will be the largest cement-producing region in Africa.
The Dangote group operates in 17 industrial and agricultural sectors.
Dangote himself is billed as “Africa’s richest man”. A recent article by Forbes magazine estimated his personal wealth at $24bn, due largely to his 92% stake in Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals.
He said it was because of an improved political climate in the state during a visit to its governor, Dapo Abiodun, Business News Nigeria reports.
“We earlier on abandoned our vision of investing in the Olokola Free Trade Zone, but because of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s policies and investor-friendly environment, we are back and … plans are under way to construct the largest port in the country,” he said.
He did not give any further details of the project.
He also said his company had restarted work on an $800m cement factory located on 533ha of land near the city of Itori, in Ogun State, north of Lagos.
The factory is expected to open by November 2026, with an annual output of up to 6 million tonnes.
Dangote attributed the interruption to opposition from former governor Ibikunle Amosun, despite the fact that Ogun State already has a 12 million tonne cement plant in Ibese.
When the Itori project is complete, Ogun will be the largest cement-producing region in Africa.
The Dangote group operates in 17 industrial and agricultural sectors.
Dangote himself is billed as “Africa’s richest man”. A recent article by Forbes magazine estimated his personal wealth at $24bn, due largely to his 92% stake in Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals.
By David Rogers, GCR
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Bid by Nigeria's NNPC to halt Dangote refinery lawsuit rejected by judge
A Nigerian judge on Tuesday dismissed state oil company NNPC Ltd's objection to its inclusion in a lawsuit brought by Dangote Oil Refinery, which is seeking to halt imports of gasoline into the West African nation.
The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery built by billionaire Aliko Dangote in Lagos has been touted as having the potential to secure energy independence for Nigeria, which, though a major oil producer, has long been forced to import refined products.
The refinery's lawsuit argues that sector regulator Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) is violating the law by continuing to issue gasoline import permits to NNPC and other fuel traders.
It says in its suit, filed at Nigeria's Federal High Court, that the law allows only imports in order to address production shortfalls. It is seeking 100 billion naira ($65 million) in damages from NMDPRA, NNPC and five smaller fuel marketers.
The Dangote refinery, which began processing crude into diesel, naphtha and jet fuel in January last year and gasoline in September, says its output is sufficient to meet domestic demand.
NNPC had objected to the suit that domestic consumption still outstrips the refinery's production and gasoline imports remain necessary.
It also said Dangote's filing cited a non-existent company, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.
The state oil firm officially changed its name to Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited in 2022 when it became a limited liability company.
Judge Inyang Ekwo, however, dismissed those objections, adjourning the case until May 6 when he is expected to weigh NMDPRA and NNPC's request that the suit be dismissed due to a lack of merit and their counter-argument that the refinery is seeking to create a monopoly.
NNPC, NMDPRA and Dangote Oil Refinery declined to comment on the case.
Nigeria has one of Africa's largest gasoline markets and last year spent 15.42 trillion naira ($10 billion) on imports, according to the statistics bureau.
The lawsuit is the latest row between Dangote, one of Africa's richest individuals, and Nigerian regulatory authorities.
The Dangote refinery has previously accused NMDPRA of allowing imports of substandard fuels and criticised the upstream regulator for not enforcing laws that mandate oil producers to prioritise crude to domestic refineries.
Both regulators have denied the accusations.
By Camillus Eboh, Reuters
The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery built by billionaire Aliko Dangote in Lagos has been touted as having the potential to secure energy independence for Nigeria, which, though a major oil producer, has long been forced to import refined products.
The refinery's lawsuit argues that sector regulator Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA) is violating the law by continuing to issue gasoline import permits to NNPC and other fuel traders.
It says in its suit, filed at Nigeria's Federal High Court, that the law allows only imports in order to address production shortfalls. It is seeking 100 billion naira ($65 million) in damages from NMDPRA, NNPC and five smaller fuel marketers.
The Dangote refinery, which began processing crude into diesel, naphtha and jet fuel in January last year and gasoline in September, says its output is sufficient to meet domestic demand.
NNPC had objected to the suit that domestic consumption still outstrips the refinery's production and gasoline imports remain necessary.
It also said Dangote's filing cited a non-existent company, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.
The state oil firm officially changed its name to Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited in 2022 when it became a limited liability company.
Judge Inyang Ekwo, however, dismissed those objections, adjourning the case until May 6 when he is expected to weigh NMDPRA and NNPC's request that the suit be dismissed due to a lack of merit and their counter-argument that the refinery is seeking to create a monopoly.
NNPC, NMDPRA and Dangote Oil Refinery declined to comment on the case.
Nigeria has one of Africa's largest gasoline markets and last year spent 15.42 trillion naira ($10 billion) on imports, according to the statistics bureau.
The lawsuit is the latest row between Dangote, one of Africa's richest individuals, and Nigerian regulatory authorities.
The Dangote refinery has previously accused NMDPRA of allowing imports of substandard fuels and criticised the upstream regulator for not enforcing laws that mandate oil producers to prioritise crude to domestic refineries.
Both regulators have denied the accusations.
By Camillus Eboh, Reuters
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Nigeria strikes $200 million deal to power rural areas with renewable mini grids
Nigeria has agreed to $200 million deal with WeLight, a pan-African Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) company to deploy hundreds of renewable mini grids, aimed at bringing reliable electricity to millions in rural communities and those surrounding urban centres.
Africa's most populous country, seeking to increase its renewable energy share of its electricity mix from 22% to 50% and securing financing from private investments for this purpose, sees this deal as an important step in this regard.
The project backed by the World Bank and the African Development Bank will develop and operate 400 mini grids and 50 MetroGrids across Nigeria's mostly rural areas to improve electricity access to an estimated 1.5 to 2 million people and boost local economies.
WeLight, backed by major international players like Axian Group, Sagemcom, and Norfund said it signed on Monday a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nigeria's Rural Electrification Agency (REA), a government agency tasked with helping millions of Nigerians without electricity.
“This MOU not only represents a leap toward providing clean electricity to millions in Nigeria but also supports WeLight’s ambition to become a truly pan-African company,” said Romain de Villeneuve, Chief Executive Officer of WeLight in a statement.
By Isaac Anyaogu, Reuters
Africa's most populous country, seeking to increase its renewable energy share of its electricity mix from 22% to 50% and securing financing from private investments for this purpose, sees this deal as an important step in this regard.
The project backed by the World Bank and the African Development Bank will develop and operate 400 mini grids and 50 MetroGrids across Nigeria's mostly rural areas to improve electricity access to an estimated 1.5 to 2 million people and boost local economies.
WeLight, backed by major international players like Axian Group, Sagemcom, and Norfund said it signed on Monday a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nigeria's Rural Electrification Agency (REA), a government agency tasked with helping millions of Nigerians without electricity.
“This MOU not only represents a leap toward providing clean electricity to millions in Nigeria but also supports WeLight’s ambition to become a truly pan-African company,” said Romain de Villeneuve, Chief Executive Officer of WeLight in a statement.
Monday, February 24, 2025
Starlink Surges To Become Nigeria’s Second-Largest Internet Service Provider
As of Q3 2024, Starlink Internet Services Nig. Ltd has emerged as Nigeria’s second-largest internet service provider (ISP), amassing 65,564 subscribers. This achievement, evidenced by data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), highlights Starlink’s rising prominence and competitive edge in one of Africa’s most dynamic internet markets.
Since entering the Nigerian market in January 2023, Starlink has seen remarkable growth in its subscriber base, climbing from 11,207 in Q3 2023 to 23,897 by Q4 2023. In the first three quarters of 2024 alone, the company added an impressive 41,667 subscribers, surpassing FiberOne Broadband Ltd, which previously held the second-largest position.
Although Starlink is rapidly gaining ground, Spectranet continues to lead as the top ISP in Nigeria, with 105,441 subscribers as of Q3 2024. However, it has faced a decline, losing 8,428 subscribers since Q4 2023. This shift illustrates the evolving dynamics of Nigeria’s internet market, where satellite connectivity is increasingly competing with traditional fixed wireless and fibre broadband services.
The NCC reports that 124 ISPs operate in Nigeria, serving 307,946 subscribers. This number, while indicative of growth in the sector, pales compared to the four major mobile network operators (MNOs)—MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile—which collectively boast 132.4 million subscribers as of Q3 2024. This discrepancy underscores the ongoing dominance of mobile broadband as the primary connectivity choice for many Nigerians.
Despite this, the swift adoption of Starlink suggests that its high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband is drawing users away from fixed wireless access (FWA) and wireless-to-the-x (WTTx) services, which are often hampered by coverage issues and inconsistent performance, particularly in underserved areas.
Several elements contribute to Starlink’s growing popularity in Nigeria:Superior Performance:
Since entering the Nigerian market in January 2023, Starlink has seen remarkable growth in its subscriber base, climbing from 11,207 in Q3 2023 to 23,897 by Q4 2023. In the first three quarters of 2024 alone, the company added an impressive 41,667 subscribers, surpassing FiberOne Broadband Ltd, which previously held the second-largest position.
Although Starlink is rapidly gaining ground, Spectranet continues to lead as the top ISP in Nigeria, with 105,441 subscribers as of Q3 2024. However, it has faced a decline, losing 8,428 subscribers since Q4 2023. This shift illustrates the evolving dynamics of Nigeria’s internet market, where satellite connectivity is increasingly competing with traditional fixed wireless and fibre broadband services.
The NCC reports that 124 ISPs operate in Nigeria, serving 307,946 subscribers. This number, while indicative of growth in the sector, pales compared to the four major mobile network operators (MNOs)—MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile—which collectively boast 132.4 million subscribers as of Q3 2024. This discrepancy underscores the ongoing dominance of mobile broadband as the primary connectivity choice for many Nigerians.
Despite this, the swift adoption of Starlink suggests that its high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband is drawing users away from fixed wireless access (FWA) and wireless-to-the-x (WTTx) services, which are often hampered by coverage issues and inconsistent performance, particularly in underserved areas.
Several elements contribute to Starlink’s growing popularity in Nigeria:Superior Performance:
Starlink provides download speeds of 100–200 Mbps, significantly outpacing the 10–50 Mbps typically seen with FWA/WTTx networks.
Wider Coverage: Starlink’s technology can reach remote and underserved regions where fixed networks are unreliable or nonexistent, avoiding the extensive infrastructure challenges that fibre networks face.
Quick Installation: The DIY installation process of Starlink’s systems makes them an appealing option for consumers frustrated by the complexities often associated with traditional satellite internet services. This plug-and-play setup lowers barriers for mainstream consumers seeking reliable connectivity.
These features make Starlink especially attractive to businesses and high-income households that demand consistent, high-quality internet and are prepared to invest in reliable service.
Starlink is grappling with capacity challenges in Nigeria and other major African markets despite its impressive growth. Since October 2024, its terminals have sold out in key urban areas across five African countries, including Nigeria, limiting new subscriber registrations in major cities such as Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Warri. This ongoing limitation—from regulatory issues rather than a decrease in demand—is anticipated to impact Starlink’s growth in Q4 2024 and Q1 2025.
If these regulatory hurdles are not addressed, Starlink’s momentum in Nigeria may slow, potentially hampering its expansion opportunities. However, given the sustained interest in high-speed satellite connectivity, demand will likely resume if these limitations are lifted.
Users currently experience latency issues ranging from 100ms to 200ms, primarily due to the location of Starlink’s ground infrastructure, called points of presence (PoPs). It’s important to note that merely launching additional satellites will not resolve these latency concerns; instead, enhancing the proximity of PoPs is crucial.
Starlink is actively developing new PoPs to respond to these challenges across Africa. A recently established PoP in Kenya has yielded positive results, reducing global customer latency from 57ms to 44ms. This strategic enhancement reflects Starlink’s commitment to optimizing its service and meeting the needs of its growing subscriber base in Nigeria and beyond.
Related story: Starlink Increases Subscription Prices in Nigeria
Monday, February 10, 2025
Nigeria's Dangote Refinery to operate at full capacity in 30 days
Nigeria's Dangote Oil refinery, Africa's largest, could begin operating at full capacity in 30 days, the head of the refinery said on Monday.
The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery built by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote in Lagos began processing crude into products, including diesel, naphtha and jet fuel, in January last year and started processing petrol in September.
It aims to compete with European refiners when operating at full capacity but had been struggling to secure sufficient crude locally.
Edwin Devakumar, head of the Dangote oil refinery said it was currently operating at 85% capacity and "we can go 100 percent in 30 days."
Last year, the refinery turned to importing crude after it was unable to secure sufficient volumes despite an agreement with the Nigerian government to buy crude in the local naira currency.
It has asked for 550,000 bpd of crude for January-June this year from oil producers in Nigeria, according to the oil regulator, which has also said it would block export permits for oil cargoes from producers who fail to meet their stipulated supply quota to local refineries.
The Dangote Oil Refinery is exploring new markets for its refined products. Founder Aliko Dangote told a group of Nigerian professionals who visited last week that it was sending two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco as part of its plans to expand.
"We are looking at all the markets right now," said Devakumar.
By Isaac Anyaogu, Reuters
The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery built by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote in Lagos began processing crude into products, including diesel, naphtha and jet fuel, in January last year and started processing petrol in September.
It aims to compete with European refiners when operating at full capacity but had been struggling to secure sufficient crude locally.
Edwin Devakumar, head of the Dangote oil refinery said it was currently operating at 85% capacity and "we can go 100 percent in 30 days."
Last year, the refinery turned to importing crude after it was unable to secure sufficient volumes despite an agreement with the Nigerian government to buy crude in the local naira currency.
It has asked for 550,000 bpd of crude for January-June this year from oil producers in Nigeria, according to the oil regulator, which has also said it would block export permits for oil cargoes from producers who fail to meet their stipulated supply quota to local refineries.
The Dangote Oil Refinery is exploring new markets for its refined products. Founder Aliko Dangote told a group of Nigerian professionals who visited last week that it was sending two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco as part of its plans to expand.
"We are looking at all the markets right now," said Devakumar.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
‘Over 400 Killed in 6 Months’: The Sorry Cases of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria
No fewer than 452 people have died from boat mishaps across various waterways in Nigeria. From July to Dec. 2024 alone, incidents were recorded in Niger, Kwara, Kogi, and Bayelsa States.
Over the years, boat mishaps have occurred with alarming regularity, each accompanied by tragic losses. According to the Marine Crafts Builders Association of Nigeria (MCBAN), Nigeria recorded over 3,000 boat accidents in just a decade.
The country’s waterways are estimated to be about 10,000 km, with over 3,000 km of navigable waterways. These waterways connect the country with five neighbouring states and provide access to 28 of the 36 states in Nigeria.
For many coastal communities surrounded by rivers, creeks, and other water bodies in Nigeria, boats are often the most viable means of transportation. Yet, these journeys are fraught with danger, as seen in the alarming frequency of boat mishaps claiming countless lives yearly.
A breakdown of the data collected between July and December 2024 revealed that most of the boat accidents resulted from inefficiency and the lack of proactive rescue measures to ensure the safety of water transport.
Captain Ahmed Hambali, a maritime expert, confirmed this, noting that common causes of such accidents often include poor operator experience, operational inefficiencies, lack of safety measures — such as life-saving appliances — overloading, inadequate boat maintenance, and weak regulatory oversight.
“These factors highlight the need for immediate and comprehensive action to restore safety and public confidence in waterways transportation,” he said.
The recurring issue of boat mishaps raises concern about the inefficiency of the measures taken by the National Inland Waterways Authority [NIWA]. To curb the menace of boat accidents in the country, NIWA’s waterways regulation stipulates a seven-year imprisonment for violators, but the problem persists.
Regional breakdown
When the Nigerian flag stood high for the independence celebration, tragedy knocked on the country’s door in the north-central region. A boat conveying over 300 passengers from the Mundi community in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State capsized, and about 150 of them died.
The victims were returning from an annual religious celebration. State authorities confirmed that local divers were swift to rescue 150 out of the 300 passengers alive.
Days later, a boat carrying over 200 passengers also drowned in the Gwajibo Mudi community in Kaima LGA of Kwara, leaving at least 169 passengers dead. Only 31 people were reportedly rescued when the boat struck a tree submerged by the rising water levels. Niger and Kwara States have been the most affected in Nigeria.
Another boat accident that occurred in Nov. 2024 resulted in the deaths of 22 commuters, mostly farmers and traders, who were sailing from Kogi State to Katcha weekly market in the Agaie area of Niger State.
In Benue State, about 20 people were killed in a boat accident that occurred in Agatu LGA when a boat conveying women and children capsized. Authorities confirmed that 76 passengers were onboard when the incident occurred.
A tragic boat accident in Lafia East LGA of Nasarawa State resulted in the deaths of four persons. The victims – a man and three women– were farmers travelling to the Ashange market from Alogami village when the overloaded boat sank with 25 passengers, four motorcycles, and bags of melon seeds.
Findings revealed that a lack of an efficient road network to connect commuters to these markets has compelled farmers and traders to adopt boats as a viable means of transportation.
The Northwest region recorded the second-highest fatalities. Data compiled by HumAngle revealed that Jigawa, Zamfara, and Sokoto States recorded 52 fatalities and 18 missing victims.
On July 7, two people died, and two others were reported missing in a boat accident in the Kwalgi village situated in the Auyo area of Jigawa State. The state revealed that the boat was travelling to Hadin village from Kwalgi when it drowned with 20 passengers onboard after a powerful wave hit the overloaded boat.
Another boat mishap at the Nahuce area in Taura LGA in Jigawa claimed five lives, leaving 15 others unaccounted for. Authorities confirmed that the boat was conveying 20 passengers crossing over the Gamoda River when it capsized.
An overloaded boat conveying over 50 passengers capsized in the Gummi LGA of Zamfara State, leaving 41 persons dead. Only 12 people were rescued alive.
In the Dundaye community in the Wamako area of Sokoto State, four people died when a boat conveying 24 passengers capsized. Nineteen of the passengers were rescued, but one of them was declared missing.
In the South-south, Bayelsa State recorded the highest number of fatalities with 21 deaths, followed by five deaths recorded in Delta. No fewer than 20 passengers were killed in a boat accident along the Ezetu I community in the southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa.
Reports indicated that the boat, conveying mostly women, had a faulty engine that exploded on its way to Swali in Yenagoa, which led to the deaths of passengers. A boat accident in the Okibie community of the Southern Ijaw in Bayelsa also resulted in the deaths of an individual when a 15-seater speedboat capsized.
Five people were killed in a boat mishap along Bennett Island in the Warri-South LGA of Delta State. The accident left six passengers injured, with one missing and 19 rescued. The recurrence of boat accidents prompted the Bayelsa State government to implement new safety measures, including the compulsory use of life jackets by passengers, among others, to curb the menace.
In the Northeast, however, four lives were lost after a boat mishap occurred in the Mayo Ranemo area in Taraba. The victims, over 30 of them, were in transit to Balengo town in Karin-Lamido when the engine boat capsized in the Benue River, leading to four fatalities.
As for the southwest, a boat collision in Lagos State claimed the lives of five passengers sailing from Ebutte Ero to Badagry when an ill-fated wooden boat collided with a fibre boat with 10 and 15 passengers onboard, respectively.
Ahmad Hambali, a maritime expert, said the frequent boat accidents occurring in the Nigerian waterways, especially in Northern Nigeria, are deeply concerning.
“Although I have not come across any investigation reports to determine the root causes of these incidents, it is important to note that boats, historically, have been regarded as a safe mode of transportation.”
“It is therefore alarming to witness the increasing frequency of these tragic incidents, which continue to claim so many lives. This calls for urgent intervention by the government to address this issue,” he said.
Hambali noted that the services of industry experts must be employed to conduct thorough investigations into these accidents, identify their root causes and implement effective preventive measures, or else the menace will persist.
“By addressing these issues systematically, lives can be saved, and waterways transportation can once again fulfil its vital role in the region’s economic and social life,” he added.
In October last year, while commiserating with the victims of the tragic boat mishap on Independence Day, President Bola Tinubu directed NIWA to investigate the spate of boat mishaps in the country and devise modalities to curtail the trend.
The president also urged them to expand their surveillance of inland waters to ensure safety and prosecute boat owners who violate the ban on night sailing.
However, HumAngle reached out to Bola Oyebamiji, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), to understand the latest modalities on the ground aimed at safeguarding the lives of Nigerians commuting via waterways, as per President Tinubu’s directive, but the message was met with silence.
Several calls made to him were unsuccessful because his number was unreachable.
By Isah Ismaila, HumAngle
Video - 17 bodies recovered after boat capsizes in eastern Nigeria
Over the years, boat mishaps have occurred with alarming regularity, each accompanied by tragic losses. According to the Marine Crafts Builders Association of Nigeria (MCBAN), Nigeria recorded over 3,000 boat accidents in just a decade.
The country’s waterways are estimated to be about 10,000 km, with over 3,000 km of navigable waterways. These waterways connect the country with five neighbouring states and provide access to 28 of the 36 states in Nigeria.
For many coastal communities surrounded by rivers, creeks, and other water bodies in Nigeria, boats are often the most viable means of transportation. Yet, these journeys are fraught with danger, as seen in the alarming frequency of boat mishaps claiming countless lives yearly.
A breakdown of the data collected between July and December 2024 revealed that most of the boat accidents resulted from inefficiency and the lack of proactive rescue measures to ensure the safety of water transport.
Captain Ahmed Hambali, a maritime expert, confirmed this, noting that common causes of such accidents often include poor operator experience, operational inefficiencies, lack of safety measures — such as life-saving appliances — overloading, inadequate boat maintenance, and weak regulatory oversight.
“These factors highlight the need for immediate and comprehensive action to restore safety and public confidence in waterways transportation,” he said.
The recurring issue of boat mishaps raises concern about the inefficiency of the measures taken by the National Inland Waterways Authority [NIWA]. To curb the menace of boat accidents in the country, NIWA’s waterways regulation stipulates a seven-year imprisonment for violators, but the problem persists.
Regional breakdown
When the Nigerian flag stood high for the independence celebration, tragedy knocked on the country’s door in the north-central region. A boat conveying over 300 passengers from the Mundi community in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State capsized, and about 150 of them died.
The victims were returning from an annual religious celebration. State authorities confirmed that local divers were swift to rescue 150 out of the 300 passengers alive.
Days later, a boat carrying over 200 passengers also drowned in the Gwajibo Mudi community in Kaima LGA of Kwara, leaving at least 169 passengers dead. Only 31 people were reportedly rescued when the boat struck a tree submerged by the rising water levels. Niger and Kwara States have been the most affected in Nigeria.
Another boat accident that occurred in Nov. 2024 resulted in the deaths of 22 commuters, mostly farmers and traders, who were sailing from Kogi State to Katcha weekly market in the Agaie area of Niger State.
In Benue State, about 20 people were killed in a boat accident that occurred in Agatu LGA when a boat conveying women and children capsized. Authorities confirmed that 76 passengers were onboard when the incident occurred.
A tragic boat accident in Lafia East LGA of Nasarawa State resulted in the deaths of four persons. The victims – a man and three women– were farmers travelling to the Ashange market from Alogami village when the overloaded boat sank with 25 passengers, four motorcycles, and bags of melon seeds.
Findings revealed that a lack of an efficient road network to connect commuters to these markets has compelled farmers and traders to adopt boats as a viable means of transportation.
The Northwest region recorded the second-highest fatalities. Data compiled by HumAngle revealed that Jigawa, Zamfara, and Sokoto States recorded 52 fatalities and 18 missing victims.
On July 7, two people died, and two others were reported missing in a boat accident in the Kwalgi village situated in the Auyo area of Jigawa State. The state revealed that the boat was travelling to Hadin village from Kwalgi when it drowned with 20 passengers onboard after a powerful wave hit the overloaded boat.
Another boat mishap at the Nahuce area in Taura LGA in Jigawa claimed five lives, leaving 15 others unaccounted for. Authorities confirmed that the boat was conveying 20 passengers crossing over the Gamoda River when it capsized.
An overloaded boat conveying over 50 passengers capsized in the Gummi LGA of Zamfara State, leaving 41 persons dead. Only 12 people were rescued alive.
In the Dundaye community in the Wamako area of Sokoto State, four people died when a boat conveying 24 passengers capsized. Nineteen of the passengers were rescued, but one of them was declared missing.
In the South-south, Bayelsa State recorded the highest number of fatalities with 21 deaths, followed by five deaths recorded in Delta. No fewer than 20 passengers were killed in a boat accident along the Ezetu I community in the southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa.
Reports indicated that the boat, conveying mostly women, had a faulty engine that exploded on its way to Swali in Yenagoa, which led to the deaths of passengers. A boat accident in the Okibie community of the Southern Ijaw in Bayelsa also resulted in the deaths of an individual when a 15-seater speedboat capsized.
Five people were killed in a boat mishap along Bennett Island in the Warri-South LGA of Delta State. The accident left six passengers injured, with one missing and 19 rescued. The recurrence of boat accidents prompted the Bayelsa State government to implement new safety measures, including the compulsory use of life jackets by passengers, among others, to curb the menace.
In the Northeast, however, four lives were lost after a boat mishap occurred in the Mayo Ranemo area in Taraba. The victims, over 30 of them, were in transit to Balengo town in Karin-Lamido when the engine boat capsized in the Benue River, leading to four fatalities.
As for the southwest, a boat collision in Lagos State claimed the lives of five passengers sailing from Ebutte Ero to Badagry when an ill-fated wooden boat collided with a fibre boat with 10 and 15 passengers onboard, respectively.
Ahmad Hambali, a maritime expert, said the frequent boat accidents occurring in the Nigerian waterways, especially in Northern Nigeria, are deeply concerning.
“Although I have not come across any investigation reports to determine the root causes of these incidents, it is important to note that boats, historically, have been regarded as a safe mode of transportation.”
“It is therefore alarming to witness the increasing frequency of these tragic incidents, which continue to claim so many lives. This calls for urgent intervention by the government to address this issue,” he said.
Hambali noted that the services of industry experts must be employed to conduct thorough investigations into these accidents, identify their root causes and implement effective preventive measures, or else the menace will persist.
“By addressing these issues systematically, lives can be saved, and waterways transportation can once again fulfil its vital role in the region’s economic and social life,” he added.
In October last year, while commiserating with the victims of the tragic boat mishap on Independence Day, President Bola Tinubu directed NIWA to investigate the spate of boat mishaps in the country and devise modalities to curtail the trend.
The president also urged them to expand their surveillance of inland waters to ensure safety and prosecute boat owners who violate the ban on night sailing.
However, HumAngle reached out to Bola Oyebamiji, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), to understand the latest modalities on the ground aimed at safeguarding the lives of Nigerians commuting via waterways, as per President Tinubu’s directive, but the message was met with silence.
Several calls made to him were unsuccessful because his number was unreachable.
By Isah Ismaila, HumAngle
Related stories: At least 20 feared dead in Nigeria boat accident
Video - 17 bodies recovered after boat capsizes in eastern Nigeria
Thursday, January 23, 2025
The Nigerian family who have spent five decades as volunteer grave-diggers
For more than 50 years, one family has dedicated itself to caring for the biggest graveyard in Nigeria's northern city of Kaduna - much to the gratitude of other residents who do not fancy the job of dealing with the dead.
Until a few weeks ago, they did it for no formal pay - digging graves, washing corpses and tending to the vast cemetery, receiving only small donations from mourners for their labour.
The vast Tudun Wada Cemetery was set aside for the Muslim residents of the city by the authorities a century ago.
The Abdullahi family became involved in the 1970s when two brothers - Ibrahim and Adamu - began working there.
The two siblings now lie beneath the soil in the graveyard, and their sons have become the cemetery's main custodians.
"Their teachings to us, their children, was that God loves the service and would reward us for it even if we don't get any worldly gains," Ibrahim Abdullahi's oldest son Magaji told the BBC when asked why they had chosen to continue as unpaid undertakers.
The 58-year-old is now in charge at Tudun Wada - shepherding operations and the 18 members of staff or until recently - volunteers.
He and his two younger cousins - Abdullahi, 50, and Aliyu, 40, (Adamu Abdullahi's sons) - are the three full-time workers, all reporting in by 07:00 for a 12-hour shift, seven days a week.
They always need to be on call because, according to Muslim rites, a burial must be organised within a few hours of someone's death.
Magaji tends to get the call on his mobile, either directly from a relative or an imam - all religious clerics in the city have his number.
"A lot of people have our numbers and as soon as someone dies, we get a call and immediately we get to work," he says.
One of the trio goes to tend to the corpse, which may include washing it and wrapping it in a shroud.
The body is measured and those details are texted back to the others so that a grave can be dug.
This can take around an hour - with two people taking it in turns to dig down 6ft (1.8m) into the earth - sometimes longer when it is in a stony area of the graveyard.
They can dig around a dozen graves in a day - hard work in the Kaduna heat.
"Today alone we have dug eight graves and it's not even noon, some days are like that," says Abdullahi, who began work at the cemetery when he was aged 20.
The cousins have experienced very stressful times - especially during religious violence when tensions flare between the city's Christian and Muslim residents. The two communities tend to live on opposite sides of the Kaduna River.
"We have had a couple of religious clashes in Kaduna but the one that sticks the most for me was one in the early 1990s. A lot of people were killed," says Magaji.
"We went round gathering the corpses and taking them off the streets."
Muslims were taken to Tudun Wada in the north of the city and Christians to graveyards in the southern suburbs.
"It was such a troubling time personally and I wasn't long in the job then but that helped enhance my resolve to continue," he says.
Usually, while the team digs a grave, at the local mosque the imam announces during one of the five daily prayers that a funeral will be taking place.
Many of the worshippers then go to where the body has been prepared for prayers - it is then transported to the graveyard for burial, often thronged by the mourners.
Once by the graveside, the shrouded body is lowered - it is covered with a layer of sticks and broken clay pots as a mark of respect. The grave is then filled to form a slightly raised bed.
After the rituals are complete and before the mourners leave, the graveyard keepers appeal for donations.
This is usually done by 72-year-old Inuwa Mohammed, the oldest worker at the cemetery, who explains the importance of Abdullahi family to the community.
He used to work with the cousins' fathers: "They were amazing people who loved what they did and have imbibed their children with this altruistic behaviour."
The little money collected will sometimes buy lunch for the crew - but is never enough for anything else. In order to survive, the family also has a small farm where they grow food.
The graves are recycled after 40 years, meaning land is not a big issue - but maintenance is.
"There is a lot that is lacking at the moment - we don't have enough equipment to work with, or good security," says Aliyu, the youngest of the cousins and who has worked there for 10 years.
He explains how part of the wall has collapsed, allowing those on the look-out for scrap metal to steal the grave markers.
Some of the graves have metal plates inscribed with a name and date of birth and death – though many do not as Islamic clerics do not encourage ostentation. Most are just outlined by stones and bricks or with a stick.
Either way, the cousins remember the location of everyone buried at the cemetery and can direct people if they have forgotten the location of a relative's grave.
Following the BBC's recent visit to the graveyard, they have seen a dramatic change in fortune.
The new local council chairman, whose office oversees the site, has decided to put them on the payroll.
"They deserve it, given the massive work they do every day," Rayyan Hussain tells the BBC.
"Graves are the final homes for us all and people who do this kind of hard work deserve to be paid, so my office would pay them as long as I am chairman."
Magaji confirms that the staff have started receiving a monthly salary for the first time:
.The five oldest, including himself, are getting 43,000 naira ($28; £22.50)
. The others, including Abdullahi and Aliyu, are receiving 20,000 naira ($13; £10.50).
This is well below the national minimum wage of $45 a month, but Mr Hussain says he hopes to increase their allowance "with time".
He says it is regrettable that the graveyard was abandoned for years by previous local council heads.
He has plans to repair parts of the fencing, install solar lights and add security, the chairman adds.
"I am also building a room in the graveyard where corpses could be washed and prepared for burials, before now all of this had to be done from homes."
For the Abdullahi family, it is all welcome investment - and Magaji hopes it will ensure that one of his 23 children will one day become a custodian of the cemetery.
. The others, including Abdullahi and Aliyu, are receiving 20,000 naira ($13; £10.50).
This is well below the national minimum wage of $45 a month, but Mr Hussain says he hopes to increase their allowance "with time".
He says it is regrettable that the graveyard was abandoned for years by previous local council heads.
He has plans to repair parts of the fencing, install solar lights and add security, the chairman adds.
"I am also building a room in the graveyard where corpses could be washed and prepared for burials, before now all of this had to be done from homes."
For the Abdullahi family, it is all welcome investment - and Magaji hopes it will ensure that one of his 23 children will one day become a custodian of the cemetery.
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