Libya overtook Nigeria as the top African crude oil producer for March, data from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has shown. According to the April 2024 Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR), Libya recorded 1.236 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude production in March, up from 1.173 million bpd in February.
Meanwhile, Nigeria recorded an output of 1.23 million barrels per day in March 2024, compared to 1.32 bpd in February 2024. Despite the drop in output by 6.8 per cent, Nigeria retained its leadership position on the continent, producing 1.398 million bpd, while Libya produced 1.161 million bpd during the period.
“According to secondary sources, total OPEC-12 crude oil production averaged 26.60 mb/d in March 2024, 3 tb/d higher, m-o-m. Crude oil output increased mainly in IR Iran, Saudi Arabia, Gabon, and Kuwait, while production in Nigeria, Iraq, and Venezuela decreased.”
According to direct communications from OPEC, the recent drop in the country’s crude production can be attributed to a surge in pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft incidents in its oil-producing region.
Experts weighed in, saying that this has led to a decline in business activity and subdued consumer spending, high input-cost inflation, and lower employment levels compared with the previous year.
In other news, the Dangote oil refinery in Nigeria has started supplying petroleum products to the local market, a major step in the country's journey towards energy self-sufficiency. Devakumar Edwin, an executive at Dangote Group, confirmed the arrival of diesel and jet fuel shipments in the local market.
Abubakar Maigandi, head of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, also said that local oil marketers reached an agreement on the price of diesel at 1,225 naira ($0.96) per litre following a bulk purchase deal. Maigandi noted that the association's members oversee about 150,000 retail stations throughout Nigeria.
Teachers and others employed in the education sector want Nigeria's government to do something to reduce kidnapping incidents at the country's schools. They say the abductions are violations of a child's right to an education.
Nigeria is struggling to contain rising cases of kidnappings for ransom. Security experts say criminal elements are taking advantage of vacuums created in ungoverned spaces to profit from the kidnappings.
A woman who travelled solo from London to Lagos by road in under three months has been given a hero's welcome in the Nigerian state. The Lagos born, London raised travel influencer - Pelumi Nubi, 29 - began the adventure on January 24 with nothing but her trusted purple Peugeot 107, which she fondly named Lumi. Taking to her Instagram page, she documented the journey which took her across 17 countries including France, Spain, Morocco and Ghana.
Pelumi said she attempted the record-making journey in order to inspire 'solo black female travellers' and show them 'adventures like this are possible'.
Yesterday she arrived in Lagos to a grand homecoming lead by governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who awarded her a brand new house and car on behalf of the state.
In a video posted to her page, the content creator was close to tears as the governor presented her with a brand new ride.
In the same post, she informed fans that her efforts had been crowned with a tourism ambassador role, while the state has also offered to reimburse her travel costs.
She wrote: 'This is getting too much! Lagos my city. Lord how did we get here? Thank You Jesus. Meet the newest brand ambassador of tourism in Lagos state.
'Grateful to His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State Jide Sanwoolu, for the warm reception, generous gift of all expenses on my London to Lagos trip paid for, new car with my customised plate number, a beautiful home in Lagos!
'Truly, God’s blessings overflow! Congratulations to us guys!!!! Lumi now has a sister'.
Before embarking on the months-long journey to Nigeria's largest city Pelumi revealed that she had dyslexia, and that she was determined to see the trip through without having to rely on anyone.
Calling it a 'crazy idea', she shared her excitement at attempting the feat and hoped to show others that 'impossible is just a word'.
She wrote: 'For months, I’ve been chatting with folks who’ve tackled similar adventures. As far as I know, no black woman has made this journey before. But hey, this isn’t about breaking records.
'It’s about showing the world that “impossible” is just a word, especially when you’ve got enough grit and determination. I can’t fully describe my emotions right now but I am just so excited to finally put it out there - no matter the outcome!
Pelumi - who kitted her tiny Peugeot with a sleeping and kitchen space for the trip - has been brimming with emotion since beginning the voyage.
Speaking to CNN Travel shortly afterwards, she said: 'When I crossed into Morocco, I literally broke down crying. And it wasn’t sadness.
'It was just this overwhelming feeling of [realizing] wow, I overcomplicated this process in my head. I really thought it would be more difficult than it was. And it made me wonder what else in my life I was overthinking'.
Pelumi's trip was also spiked with adversity, including multiple breakdowns and a frightening car crash.
On March 26, the travel blogger took to her page to share the aftermath of what appeared to be a front-on collision.
Her beloved Lumi received massive damage to its front side while Pelumi filmed herself laying inside an ambulance and in a hospital bed receiving treatment.
She later explained that the crash occurred in Ivory Coast after a driver allegedly parked his truck in the middle of a highway.
Speaking on the crash she said: 'I am deeply thankful to be alive! This kind [of] incident comes with a deeper appreciation life.
'It also brought me a lot of joy that Lumi is getting fix[ed]. Thank you all once again for your kind wishes'.
Fans learned that she was forced to take time out to 'mend' before resuming the trip, inevitably delaying its completion date.
On another occasion and enroute to her second to last country, Pelumi's car broke down.
In the video, the purple car can be seen still in the middle of a busy major road before a few locals step in to help the influencer move the car.
'This is mad she just stopped working' she said. 'I'm not going to lie this is really stressful'.
She accompanied the post with an uplifting message to herself: 'One minute I am 30 mins away from crossing the borders into my second to final country, and the next, it feels like it might never happen.
'But as usual, giving up is never an option. We must keep pushing through for when we get knocked down 7 times, we rise the 8th'.
Also at the finish line were her parents, who she said were at first were reluctant to let their daughter explore the globe by road.
However she thanked them for their unwavering support. She gushed: 'Daddy! Mummy! I did it!!!! I solo drove from London to Lagos.
'I’ll never forget the look on mummy’s face when I first shared my crazy idea with her a year ago. Oh, the typical African mother reaction!
'Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with the most supportive parents and family. Your approval and encouragement meant everything to me, and I’m forever grateful.
'I’m proud to be your daughter, and I promise to keep making you proud. I love you both so much'.
Upon completing her journey across the continents, she wrote: 'It’s a wrap, everyone! We made it! London to Lagos is officially completed. I had a fantastic night’s sleep, no exaggeration.
'Huge thanks to everyone who came out yesterday. I genuinely appreciate your support and don’t take any of it for granted. Thank you, Lagos. Thank you, Nigeria!'
