Russia is set to initiate new shipping line with Nigeria

The service, which is scheduled to begin operations in mid-June, will be operated by Russia's A7 African Cargo Line.

Initially, two 700-TEU container ships will service the route, with future development plans aimed at Senegal, as reported by Sputnik.

According to Maxim Petrov, Russia's Trade Representative in Nigeria, the shipping line would facilitate the sale of Russian agricultural products, machinery, and transportation equipment to Nigeria.

In return, it will allow Russia to purchase cotton from fellow West African state, Mali, a crucial regional product with an annual yield of over 650,000 tons.

Simultaneously, Nigeria and Russia are strengthening military relations.

Russia and Nigeria’s growing ties in 2025 so far

In March 2025, Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Yunus-bek Yevkurov and Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, met to explore the extension of the two nations' current defense cooperation.

This military partnership stems from a 2021 deal under which Russia would supply training, logistics, and equipment to the Nigerian military.

Financial relations have also improved. In February 2025, Russia officially added Nigeria to the list of countries eligible for currency trading in its banking system.

Tunisia and Ethiopia were also included, bringing the total number of eligible African countries to seven and further integrating the region into Russia's financial efforts.

The previous list, authorized in September 2023, comprised Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa.

This inclusion corresponds with Nigeria's admission to the BRICS group of nations as a partner country. Following South Africa, Nigeria became the second African nation and ninth member to achieve BRICS partner status in January 2025.

These initiatives, taken together, provide a picture of Russia and Nigeria's quickly changing relationship, one that is moving beyond rhetoric and into tangible cooperation.

By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa

Nigeria cuts electricity subsidies by 35% after tariff hike

Nigeria has achieved a 35% reduction in electricity subsidies following a tariff increase implemented last year for some users, Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu said on Thursday, easing some pressure on public finances in Africa's most populous nation.

Nigeria's power sector is burdened by a failing grid, gas shortages, high debt and vandalism, leading to a reliance on expensive generators for many.

The country was spending nearly 200 billion naira ($125.01 million) monthly on electricity subsidies because existing tariffs were not commercially viable.

The government last year eliminated subsidies for the 15% of customers classified as heavier users, including households and businesses consuming larger amounts of electricity.

Adelabu told a press briefing in Abuja that this targeted tariff adjustment has yielded significant results, with "the market generating an additional 700 billion naira in revenue, reflecting a 70% increase".

This has helped alleviate the substantial financial strain on public finances, improve generation, and reduce the government's tariff shortfall from 3 trillion naira to 1.9 trillion naira.

But the power sector still faces deep-rooted challenges. The country has an installed capacity of 13,000 megawatts, but typically produces only about a third of that, exacerbating the reliance on costly alternatives.

This situation is compounded by state-controlled power tariffs that have historically been too low for distribution companies to cover their costs and pay generating companies, leading to ballooning debts within the sector.

Debt owed to power generating companies has reached 4 trillion naira ($2.50 billion), prompting threats of plant shutdowns.

Adelabu said there were plans underway to help ease the debt burden, with the government intending to pay half of the debt this year through budgetary allocations and promissory notes that companies can discount as needed.

By Isaac Anyaogu, Reuters

Nigerian navy navy shuts down seven illegal refining sites in Delta

In support of ongoing efforts to boost Nigeria’s daily crude oil production, Nigerian Navy personnel attached to Forward Operating Base (FOB) ESCRAVOS have continued to sustain the fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other acts of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.

Specifically, on 29 March 2025, personnel of FOB ESCRAVOS discovered and deactivated three illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The sites contained approximately 1,070 litres of stolen crude oil and 960 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), concealed in two ovens, 19 dug-out pits, and 18 polythene sacks.

Subsequently, on 11 April 2025, two additional illegal refining sites were uncovered and dismantled in the same location.

During this operation, about 2,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,450 litres of illegally refined AGO were discovered, stored in three ovens, 12 dug-out pits, and 20 polythene sacks.

Continuing this momentum, on 16 April 2025, another two illegal refining sites were located and destroyed at Obodo Omadino.

The sites held approximately 2,410 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,400 litres of illegally refined AGO, contained in three ovens, 19 dug-out pits, and 29 polythene sacks.

Cumulatively, the three operations led to the deactivation of seven illegal refining sites, with the seizure of about 5,980 litres of stolen crude oil and 3,810 litres of illegally refined AGO.

These materials were found across eight ovens, 50 dug-out pits, and 67 polythene sacks.

These successful operations, carried out based on credible intelligence and in support of Operation DELTA SANITY II, underscore the commitment of FOB ESCRAVOS to the strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral E.I. Ogalla, Admiralty Medal, aimed at eradicating all forms of illegalities within Nigeria’s maritime environment.

Nigerian Tribune

Nigeria signs minerals pact with South Africa in diversification push

Nigeria and South Africa have signed an accord to boost cooperation in mining, Nigeria’s mines minister said on Thursday, highlighting Abuja’s push to diversify its economy away from oil.

Mines Minister Dele Alake said the two countries will partner on mining, including geological mapping using drones, share mineral data, and jointly explore agro and energy minerals in Nigeria.

Besides oil, Nigeria is also rich in gold, limestone, lithium, iron ore and zinc. Nigeria has around 23 mineral deposits in commercial quantities.

Nigeria is seeking to revamp a mining sector that has long been underdeveloped, contributing less than 1% to its gross domestic product.

South Africa’s established mining expertise makes it a key partner in this effort, Alake said.

Reuters

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