Nigerian exporters are shifting focus to China ahead of new tariff cuts on African goods, as global trade uncertainty lingers. Beijing is preparing to remove tariffs on selected agricultural and mineral goods imported from African economies from May 1.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Nigerian exporters eye China with tariffs set to drop
Nigerian exporters are shifting focus to China ahead of new tariff cuts on African goods, as global trade uncertainty lingers. Beijing is preparing to remove tariffs on selected agricultural and mineral goods imported from African economies from May 1.
Gunmen kill at least 15 in attacks on two villages in northwestern Nigeria
Gunmen killed at least 15 people on Tuesday during attacks on two villages in northwestern Nigeria, authorities said.
The villages of Falale and Kadobe — neighbouring communities in the Jibia area of Katsina State — were attacked in the early afternoon, according to Nasir Mu’azu, the state’s Commissioner for Home Affairs.
Mu’azu said local security forces had previously killed three gunmen during a firefight in the area. In retaliation, gunmen carried out a reprisal assault on Tuesday that left at least 15 people dead.
“Security forces have since restored order and stabilized the situation,” he said in a statement. “We appeal to residents to remain calm and allow security forces to complete their investigation.”
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Armed groups, known as ‘bandits’, regularly carry out raids and kidnappings for ransom in the northwest and north-central part of Nigeria.
Authorities have said the bandit groups include mostly former herders who took up arms against farming communities after clashes between them over increasingly strained resources.
Alongside attacks by bandits, Nigeria is also plagued by an insurgency fought by the Boko Haram extremist group and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province. Both groups are mostly active in northeastern Nigeria.
On Monday, suspected suicide bombings killed at least 23 people and wounded 108 others in the northeastern city of Maiduguri.
The security crisis in Africa’s most populous country has worsened recently to include other militants from the neighbouring Sahel region, including the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which claimed its first attack on Nigerian soil last year.
Several thousand people in Nigeria have been killed, according to data from the United Nations. Analysts say not enough is being done by the government to protect its citizens.
The U.S. sent troops last month to the West African nation to help advise its military on the fight against insecurity.
By Dyepkazah Shibayan, AP
The villages of Falale and Kadobe — neighbouring communities in the Jibia area of Katsina State — were attacked in the early afternoon, according to Nasir Mu’azu, the state’s Commissioner for Home Affairs.
Mu’azu said local security forces had previously killed three gunmen during a firefight in the area. In retaliation, gunmen carried out a reprisal assault on Tuesday that left at least 15 people dead.
“Security forces have since restored order and stabilized the situation,” he said in a statement. “We appeal to residents to remain calm and allow security forces to complete their investigation.”
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Armed groups, known as ‘bandits’, regularly carry out raids and kidnappings for ransom in the northwest and north-central part of Nigeria.
Authorities have said the bandit groups include mostly former herders who took up arms against farming communities after clashes between them over increasingly strained resources.
Alongside attacks by bandits, Nigeria is also plagued by an insurgency fought by the Boko Haram extremist group and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province. Both groups are mostly active in northeastern Nigeria.
On Monday, suspected suicide bombings killed at least 23 people and wounded 108 others in the northeastern city of Maiduguri.
The security crisis in Africa’s most populous country has worsened recently to include other militants from the neighbouring Sahel region, including the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which claimed its first attack on Nigerian soil last year.
Several thousand people in Nigeria have been killed, according to data from the United Nations. Analysts say not enough is being done by the government to protect its citizens.
The U.S. sent troops last month to the West African nation to help advise its military on the fight against insecurity.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Poverty forces Nigerian families into backyard mining
Across Africa, artisanal mining supports millions of families. The sector, however, remains largely unregulated, and highly dangerous, with thousands of deaths reported across the continent annually. For many of these Nigerian miners, and increasingly their children, there are few alternatives for survival.
Related stories: Toxic gas leak at mine in Nigeria kills at least 37 miners
EFCC chair seeks strong whistleblower protection law amid reprisal in Nigeria
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has urged the National Assembly to enact strong legislation to protect whistleblowers and strengthen transparency in the fight against corruption amid widespread reprisal in Nigeria.
According to a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, Mr Olukoyede made the call on Thursday in Calabar, Cross River State, during a nationwide sensitisation programme on the implementation of Nigeria’s whistleblowing policy.
Speaking on the theme, “Benefits of the Whistleblowing Policy in the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria,” Mr Olukoyede stressed the need for a strong legal framework that would shield whistleblowers from victimisation and remove bureaucratic obstacles that delay access to financial rewards promised under the policy.
“I reiterate that we need a robust Act of the National Assembly to protect those who risk their lives to disclose corruption in this country,” he said.
The EFCC chair noted that only a few countries within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have enacted whistleblower protection laws.
“I find it depressing that in a region where deeply rooted corruption undermines development efforts, only Ghana and Senegal have enacted whistleblower protection laws,” he said.
Mr Olukoyede was represented at the event by the acting Uyo Zonal Director of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Oshodi Johnson.
Mr Johnson said the whistleblowing policy should motivate citizens to expose corruption primarily to prevent the theft of public funds rather than solely for financial rewards.
“The appeal here is that citizens should be more interested in whistleblowing that prevents the stealing of public funds rather than focusing on recovery, because once funds are looted, they may never be fully recovered,” he said.
He also urged lawmakers to domesticate provisions of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), particularly Article 33, which provides measures for protecting individuals who report corruption.
By Emmanuel Agbo. Premium Times
According to a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, Mr Olukoyede made the call on Thursday in Calabar, Cross River State, during a nationwide sensitisation programme on the implementation of Nigeria’s whistleblowing policy.
Speaking on the theme, “Benefits of the Whistleblowing Policy in the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria,” Mr Olukoyede stressed the need for a strong legal framework that would shield whistleblowers from victimisation and remove bureaucratic obstacles that delay access to financial rewards promised under the policy.
“I reiterate that we need a robust Act of the National Assembly to protect those who risk their lives to disclose corruption in this country,” he said.
The EFCC chair noted that only a few countries within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have enacted whistleblower protection laws.
“I find it depressing that in a region where deeply rooted corruption undermines development efforts, only Ghana and Senegal have enacted whistleblower protection laws,” he said.
Mr Olukoyede was represented at the event by the acting Uyo Zonal Director of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Oshodi Johnson.
Mr Johnson said the whistleblowing policy should motivate citizens to expose corruption primarily to prevent the theft of public funds rather than solely for financial rewards.
“The appeal here is that citizens should be more interested in whistleblowing that prevents the stealing of public funds rather than focusing on recovery, because once funds are looted, they may never be fully recovered,” he said.
He also urged lawmakers to domesticate provisions of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), particularly Article 33, which provides measures for protecting individuals who report corruption.
Background
Nigeria introduced its whistleblowing policy in 2016 to encourage citizens to report corruption and financial misconduct.
Under the programme, whistleblowers are entitled to between 2.5 and 5 per cent of recovered funds. The policy recorded early success in 2017 when a tip led to the discovery of about $43 million in cash in an apartment in Lagos.
However, analysts say the programme still lacks a comprehensive legal framework to protect whistleblowers from retaliation.
PREMIUM TIMES had reported that whistleblowers in Nigeria and 13 other West African countries face severe risks, including harassment, job loss, and even death, due to the absence of comprehensive legal frameworks to shield them.
The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) Coordinator, Chido Onumah, described whistleblowers as “endangered species” across the region because of their relevance to the fight against corruption.
In the absence of legal protection, Mr Onumah said, whistleblowers face all kinds of retaliation ranging from stigmatisation and discrimination, dismissal from place of work, criminal sanctions and death in extreme cases for daring to take what is obviously a delicate conscious action.
Of the 15 member states in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), only Ghana has implemented legislation to protect whistleblowers.
The rest of the countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo – either lack or have insufficient legal protection for whistleblowers.
Mr Onumah said though many of these countries have adopted the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) but their lackadaisical attitude towards having a law has brought harm to many.
“We totally agree with the ECOWAS Commission that one of the best ways of giving them cover is for member states to provide a comprehensive legal framework through the whistleblowing legislation for disclosure of information and protection against any retaliation as a result of making disclosure,” he noted.
In Nigeria, many whistleblowers frequently face job termination or harassment after revealing corruption or workplace infractions, which contributed to the urgent need for legal protection.
Also, AFRICMIL has raised the alarm over an alleged attempt by officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 7 Headquarters in Abuja, to abduct whistleblower Yisa Usman from his residence on 16 July 2025.
The statement said Mr Usman, a former deputy director at JAMB, was sacked after exposing alleged procurement fraud and administrative malpractices within the agency.
Mr Onumah stated that the former deputy director has reportedly faced a string of reprisals including termination of his appointment, criminal charges, and threats to his life.
However, in a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, AFRICMIL renewed calls for a whistleblower protection law after Nigerian whistleblower Mr Usman received international recognition as the closest runner-up for the Ellsberg Whistleblower Award in Berlin, Germany.
Mr Usman was recognised for exposing alleged violations of public financial management procedures and recruitment irregularities within the examination body.
AFRICMIL said Mr Usman could not attend the award ceremony due to alleged reprisals he has faced in Nigeria, including dismissal from public service, legal battles and threats to his safety.
The organisation therefore urged the Nigerian government to urgently enact a whistleblower protection law to safeguard individuals who disclose wrongdoing in the public interest.
Participants at the EFCC event included representatives of anti-corruption agencies, lawmakers, security agencies, and other stakeholders involved in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
Nigeria introduced its whistleblowing policy in 2016 to encourage citizens to report corruption and financial misconduct.
Under the programme, whistleblowers are entitled to between 2.5 and 5 per cent of recovered funds. The policy recorded early success in 2017 when a tip led to the discovery of about $43 million in cash in an apartment in Lagos.
However, analysts say the programme still lacks a comprehensive legal framework to protect whistleblowers from retaliation.
PREMIUM TIMES had reported that whistleblowers in Nigeria and 13 other West African countries face severe risks, including harassment, job loss, and even death, due to the absence of comprehensive legal frameworks to shield them.
The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) Coordinator, Chido Onumah, described whistleblowers as “endangered species” across the region because of their relevance to the fight against corruption.
In the absence of legal protection, Mr Onumah said, whistleblowers face all kinds of retaliation ranging from stigmatisation and discrimination, dismissal from place of work, criminal sanctions and death in extreme cases for daring to take what is obviously a delicate conscious action.
Of the 15 member states in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), only Ghana has implemented legislation to protect whistleblowers.
The rest of the countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo – either lack or have insufficient legal protection for whistleblowers.
Mr Onumah said though many of these countries have adopted the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) but their lackadaisical attitude towards having a law has brought harm to many.
“We totally agree with the ECOWAS Commission that one of the best ways of giving them cover is for member states to provide a comprehensive legal framework through the whistleblowing legislation for disclosure of information and protection against any retaliation as a result of making disclosure,” he noted.
In Nigeria, many whistleblowers frequently face job termination or harassment after revealing corruption or workplace infractions, which contributed to the urgent need for legal protection.
Also, AFRICMIL has raised the alarm over an alleged attempt by officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 7 Headquarters in Abuja, to abduct whistleblower Yisa Usman from his residence on 16 July 2025.
The statement said Mr Usman, a former deputy director at JAMB, was sacked after exposing alleged procurement fraud and administrative malpractices within the agency.
Mr Onumah stated that the former deputy director has reportedly faced a string of reprisals including termination of his appointment, criminal charges, and threats to his life.
However, in a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, AFRICMIL renewed calls for a whistleblower protection law after Nigerian whistleblower Mr Usman received international recognition as the closest runner-up for the Ellsberg Whistleblower Award in Berlin, Germany.
Mr Usman was recognised for exposing alleged violations of public financial management procedures and recruitment irregularities within the examination body.
AFRICMIL said Mr Usman could not attend the award ceremony due to alleged reprisals he has faced in Nigeria, including dismissal from public service, legal battles and threats to his safety.
The organisation therefore urged the Nigerian government to urgently enact a whistleblower protection law to safeguard individuals who disclose wrongdoing in the public interest.
Participants at the EFCC event included representatives of anti-corruption agencies, lawmakers, security agencies, and other stakeholders involved in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
Tinubu departs for UK amid worsening insecurity in Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed Abuja on Tuesday, March 17, for a state visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The President, accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, will be hosted at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19.
The visit is considered historic, marking the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years, and the first time a Nigerian president will be received by a British monarch at Windsor Castle.
According to the Presidency, the trip is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between both countries, with key discussions expected to focus on trade, investment, immigration, and cultural exchange.
During the visit, Tinubu and his wife will view a special Royal Collection exhibition featuring items connected to Nigeria. The president is also expected to hold private talks with King Charles III and participate in engagements with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue.
A state banquet will be hosted in honour of the Nigerian delegation.
Tinubu will also meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, where both countries are expected to sign agreements covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The president is expected to witness the signing of a £746 million financing deal involving UK Export Finance and Nigerian authorities, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, to support the rehabilitation of the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
He will also attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition and engage with business leaders as well as members of the Nigerian diaspora.
Meanwhile, authorities in Windsor have rolled out tight security measures ahead of the visit. Thames Valley Police say they are working with local authorities, the Royal Household, and other agencies to coordinate security operations for the high-profile event.
The police announced that airspace restrictions over Windsor Castle would be extended on March 18, alongside road closures and parking limitations expected to take effect from March 17, which might disrupt movement in the area.
Officials said the operation would include the deployment of specialised units such as armed officers, search teams, mounted patrols, and road policing personnel. Additional measures include surveillance systems and protective barriers to ensure public safety throughout the visit.
The visit comes amid a surge in killings across parts of Nigeria, with recent incidents of violence raising concerns about the country’s security situation.
Tbe ICIR reported earlier today that at least 23 people were confirmed dead following multiple explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State capital Monday night.
The Borno State Police Command, in a statement, said 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the attacks, which were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.
According to the police, the explosions occurred at about 7:24 p.m. at three locations — Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover area.
The attacks are the latest in a chain of killings, abductions and other criminal activities in Nigeria under Tinubu’s watch.
By Esther Tomo, ICIR
The President, accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, will be hosted at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19.
The visit is considered historic, marking the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years, and the first time a Nigerian president will be received by a British monarch at Windsor Castle.
According to the Presidency, the trip is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between both countries, with key discussions expected to focus on trade, investment, immigration, and cultural exchange.
During the visit, Tinubu and his wife will view a special Royal Collection exhibition featuring items connected to Nigeria. The president is also expected to hold private talks with King Charles III and participate in engagements with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue.
A state banquet will be hosted in honour of the Nigerian delegation.
Tinubu will also meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, where both countries are expected to sign agreements covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The president is expected to witness the signing of a £746 million financing deal involving UK Export Finance and Nigerian authorities, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, to support the rehabilitation of the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
He will also attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition and engage with business leaders as well as members of the Nigerian diaspora.
Meanwhile, authorities in Windsor have rolled out tight security measures ahead of the visit. Thames Valley Police say they are working with local authorities, the Royal Household, and other agencies to coordinate security operations for the high-profile event.
The police announced that airspace restrictions over Windsor Castle would be extended on March 18, alongside road closures and parking limitations expected to take effect from March 17, which might disrupt movement in the area.
Officials said the operation would include the deployment of specialised units such as armed officers, search teams, mounted patrols, and road policing personnel. Additional measures include surveillance systems and protective barriers to ensure public safety throughout the visit.
The visit comes amid a surge in killings across parts of Nigeria, with recent incidents of violence raising concerns about the country’s security situation.
Tbe ICIR reported earlier today that at least 23 people were confirmed dead following multiple explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State capital Monday night.
The Borno State Police Command, in a statement, said 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the attacks, which were carried out by suspected suicide bombers.
According to the police, the explosions occurred at about 7:24 p.m. at three locations — Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover area.
The attacks are the latest in a chain of killings, abductions and other criminal activities in Nigeria under Tinubu’s watch.
Nigeria suicide attacks kill 23, wound more than 100
Multiple explosions staged by suspected suicide bombers rocked the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, killing at least 23 people and wounding more than 100 others, police said Tuesday.
The three blasts, which struck on Monday evening, came after an attack on a military post overnight Sunday to Monday, which authorities blamed on suspected militants.
Combined with the attack on the military position the evening prior and a mosque bombing in December, the assaults have wrecked a peaceful stretch in the city, which had become a relative oasis of calm as Nigeria's long-running insurgency was pushed to the rural hinterlands.
Fighters from Boko Haram and rival group Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have recently stepped up attacks in northeastern Nigeria.
Their 16-year campaign to establish a caliphate in the country has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced around two million.
"Preliminary investigation reveals that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers," police spokesman Nahum Kenneth Daso said in a statement.
"Regrettably, a total of twenty three (23) persons lost their lives, while one hundred and eight (108) others sustained varying degrees of injuries," he added.
An anti-extremist militia member told AFP the death toll from the explosions in the city could be as high as 31.
An AFP reporter at a city hospital on Monday evening saw dozens of wounded people seeking treatment, as well as multiple bodies covered by sheets on the sidewalk outside.
The attackers struck the city's main market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and an area around the city's Post Office flyover.
Mala Mohammed, 31, who escaped the market blast said he initially heard two explosions and saw panicked people running.
"At that moment, we were not sure what had happened. But after about two or three minutes, other people who were running along the road started shouting that it was a bomb at the market entrance.
"Many of them ran toward the Post Office area because the market entrance and the Post Office are not far apart. Unfortunately, as they were running towards Post Office, the person who had the explosive device ran into the crowd while people were still trying to escape," said Mohammed.
The three blasts, which struck on Monday evening, came after an attack on a military post overnight Sunday to Monday, which authorities blamed on suspected militants.
Combined with the attack on the military position the evening prior and a mosque bombing in December, the assaults have wrecked a peaceful stretch in the city, which had become a relative oasis of calm as Nigeria's long-running insurgency was pushed to the rural hinterlands.
Fighters from Boko Haram and rival group Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have recently stepped up attacks in northeastern Nigeria.
Their 16-year campaign to establish a caliphate in the country has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced around two million.
"Preliminary investigation reveals that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers," police spokesman Nahum Kenneth Daso said in a statement.
"Regrettably, a total of twenty three (23) persons lost their lives, while one hundred and eight (108) others sustained varying degrees of injuries," he added.
An anti-extremist militia member told AFP the death toll from the explosions in the city could be as high as 31.
An AFP reporter at a city hospital on Monday evening saw dozens of wounded people seeking treatment, as well as multiple bodies covered by sheets on the sidewalk outside.
The attackers struck the city's main market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and an area around the city's Post Office flyover.
Mala Mohammed, 31, who escaped the market blast said he initially heard two explosions and saw panicked people running.
"At that moment, we were not sure what had happened. But after about two or three minutes, other people who were running along the road started shouting that it was a bomb at the market entrance.
"Many of them ran toward the Post Office area because the market entrance and the Post Office are not far apart. Unfortunately, as they were running towards Post Office, the person who had the explosive device ran into the crowd while people were still trying to escape," said Mohammed.
'Barbaric' attacks
Police said in the early Tuesday morning statement that "normalcy has been fully restored in the affected areas" and that security forces have increased their "presence and surveillance across Maiduguri and its environs to prevent any further occurrences".
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum called the apparent bombings "barbaric" and said "the recent surge in attacks is not unconnected with intense military operations in the Sambisa forest," a known militant stronghold.
The earlier attack was launched around midnight Sunday into Monday, on a Nigerian military post in Ajilari Cross district, a southwestern suburb of Maiduguri and just a few kilometres (miles) from the city's airport.
That same evening there was an attack in the Damboa local government area, south of Maiduguri.
Police said in the early Tuesday morning statement that "normalcy has been fully restored in the affected areas" and that security forces have increased their "presence and surveillance across Maiduguri and its environs to prevent any further occurrences".
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum called the apparent bombings "barbaric" and said "the recent surge in attacks is not unconnected with intense military operations in the Sambisa forest," a known militant stronghold.
The earlier attack was launched around midnight Sunday into Monday, on a Nigerian military post in Ajilari Cross district, a southwestern suburb of Maiduguri and just a few kilometres (miles) from the city's airport.
That same evening there was an attack in the Damboa local government area, south of Maiduguri.
Monday, March 16, 2026
Nigerian traditional fabrics storm global fashion scene
Nigeria's fashion scene is gaining worldwide attention as designers transform traditional fabrics into modern styles. From Ankara to Aso-Oke, bold patterns and rich textures are now seen on international runways and red carpets, blending heritage with contemporary design.
Gas-rich Nigeria faces blackouts amid five-year high flaring
Nigeria holds one of the world’s largest untapped gas endowments, yet millions of its citizens continue to grapple with chronic electricity shortages led by grid collapses, load shedding or disturbances.
Despite sitting on an estimated 600 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of unproven gas reserves, the country has recorded persistent power outages in recent weeks, largely driven by gas supply shortfalls to generation companies (GenCos).
Major cities across Nigeria have experienced worse-than-usual electricity disruptions since last week, as power outages grow more frequent and prolonged.
Data from the Nigerian Oil Spill Monitor, corroborated by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), paints a less encouraging picture of gas utilisation efforts in the country.
According to the data, oil and gas companies flared an estimated 323.2 million standard cubic feet (scf) of gas in 2025, highlighting persistent inefficiencies in Nigeria’s upstream operations and ongoing challenges in fully commercialising associated gas resources.
Flaring figures stood at 349.3 million scf in 2020. Since then, Nigeria has recorded volatility, recording 264.6 in 2021, 230.1 million scf in 2022, 278.3 million scf in 2023, and 301.3 million scf in 2024.
“Are we truly prepared for significant gas uptake and usage, especially considering the ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative from 2020 to 2030, with 40 percent of this period already elapsed and little tangible progress in flare reduction,” asked Oyinkepreye Orodu, a subface and energy researcher.
The rise in gas flaring comes at a time when Nigerian residents and local manufacturers are grappling with soaring energy costs, persistent gas shortages, and erratic power supply– factors that have forced many firms to scale down operations or shut down entirely.
Many gas-fired power plants are also operating below capacity due to fuel shortages, worsening electricity shortages across the country.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria confirmed that reduced gas supply has significantly cut electricity generation, leaving distribution companies with less power to deliver to homes and factories.
“With thermal plants forming the dominant share of Nigeria’s generation mix, any disruption in gas supply directly impacts grid output,” the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) said.
Thermal plants, which account for the bulk of Nigeria’s generation mix, require an estimated 1,629.75 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas per day to operate at optimal capacity.
However, as of February 23, 2026, actual gas supply stood at approximately 692 MMSCF per day, representing less than 43 percent of daily requirements.
Industry analysts have warned that without stronger regulatory enforcement and better investment incentives, oil companies operating in Nigeria will continue to flare gas as a cheaper alternative to processing or reinjecting it.
Jide Pratt, country manager of TradeGrid, expressed concern over the persistent rise in gas flaring despite several government interventions aimed at curbing the practice.
According to him, weak penalties and the high cost of building gas infrastructure remain the primary reasons companies continue to flare associated gas.
Data from the NOSDRA showed that oil and gas companies incurred $646.3 million in penalties for gas flaring in 2025.
Pratt, who also serves as chief operating officer of AIONA, noted that incentives such as those introduced under Executive Order 40, which targets investments in non-associated gas, could help drive progress in reducing flaring.
“Fines for flaring should be increased to make reinjection more attractive,” he added. “Most companies take the cheaper option of paying fines rather than investing in extraction and piping.”
Nigeria has introduced several legislative measures to curb gas flaring since 1969. Since 1984, it has been illegal to flare gas without written approval from the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
Under current regulations, companies producing more than 10,000 barrels per day pay a penalty of $2 per 1,000 standard cubic feet (scf) of gas flared, while those producing below that threshold pay $0.50 per 1,000 scf.
Elijah Wisdom, chief executive officer and founder of Creek Transitway Ltd, said the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) should allow international oil companies to choose their own flare gas offtakers rather than having them assigned by regulators.
Wisdom also downplayed concerns over gas pricing, arguing that the key challenge lies in infrastructure and cost-reflective tariffs. Gas prices in the United States vary widely depending on location. The key issue is infrastructure and cost-reflective tariffs, he said.
He added that recent adjustments under the Domestic Gas Delivery Obligation (DGDO) have made pricing more reasonable, but outstanding debts within the sector, including obligations owed by NNPC Limited to the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, continue to affect operations across the gas-to-power value chain.
By Abubakar Ibrahim, Business Day
Despite sitting on an estimated 600 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of unproven gas reserves, the country has recorded persistent power outages in recent weeks, largely driven by gas supply shortfalls to generation companies (GenCos).
Major cities across Nigeria have experienced worse-than-usual electricity disruptions since last week, as power outages grow more frequent and prolonged.
Data from the Nigerian Oil Spill Monitor, corroborated by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), paints a less encouraging picture of gas utilisation efforts in the country.
According to the data, oil and gas companies flared an estimated 323.2 million standard cubic feet (scf) of gas in 2025, highlighting persistent inefficiencies in Nigeria’s upstream operations and ongoing challenges in fully commercialising associated gas resources.
Flaring figures stood at 349.3 million scf in 2020. Since then, Nigeria has recorded volatility, recording 264.6 in 2021, 230.1 million scf in 2022, 278.3 million scf in 2023, and 301.3 million scf in 2024.
“Are we truly prepared for significant gas uptake and usage, especially considering the ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative from 2020 to 2030, with 40 percent of this period already elapsed and little tangible progress in flare reduction,” asked Oyinkepreye Orodu, a subface and energy researcher.
The rise in gas flaring comes at a time when Nigerian residents and local manufacturers are grappling with soaring energy costs, persistent gas shortages, and erratic power supply– factors that have forced many firms to scale down operations or shut down entirely.
Many gas-fired power plants are also operating below capacity due to fuel shortages, worsening electricity shortages across the country.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria confirmed that reduced gas supply has significantly cut electricity generation, leaving distribution companies with less power to deliver to homes and factories.
“With thermal plants forming the dominant share of Nigeria’s generation mix, any disruption in gas supply directly impacts grid output,” the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) said.
Thermal plants, which account for the bulk of Nigeria’s generation mix, require an estimated 1,629.75 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas per day to operate at optimal capacity.
However, as of February 23, 2026, actual gas supply stood at approximately 692 MMSCF per day, representing less than 43 percent of daily requirements.
Industry analysts have warned that without stronger regulatory enforcement and better investment incentives, oil companies operating in Nigeria will continue to flare gas as a cheaper alternative to processing or reinjecting it.
Jide Pratt, country manager of TradeGrid, expressed concern over the persistent rise in gas flaring despite several government interventions aimed at curbing the practice.
According to him, weak penalties and the high cost of building gas infrastructure remain the primary reasons companies continue to flare associated gas.
Data from the NOSDRA showed that oil and gas companies incurred $646.3 million in penalties for gas flaring in 2025.
Pratt, who also serves as chief operating officer of AIONA, noted that incentives such as those introduced under Executive Order 40, which targets investments in non-associated gas, could help drive progress in reducing flaring.
“Fines for flaring should be increased to make reinjection more attractive,” he added. “Most companies take the cheaper option of paying fines rather than investing in extraction and piping.”
Nigeria has introduced several legislative measures to curb gas flaring since 1969. Since 1984, it has been illegal to flare gas without written approval from the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
Under current regulations, companies producing more than 10,000 barrels per day pay a penalty of $2 per 1,000 standard cubic feet (scf) of gas flared, while those producing below that threshold pay $0.50 per 1,000 scf.
Elijah Wisdom, chief executive officer and founder of Creek Transitway Ltd, said the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) should allow international oil companies to choose their own flare gas offtakers rather than having them assigned by regulators.
Wisdom also downplayed concerns over gas pricing, arguing that the key challenge lies in infrastructure and cost-reflective tariffs. Gas prices in the United States vary widely depending on location. The key issue is infrastructure and cost-reflective tariffs, he said.
He added that recent adjustments under the Domestic Gas Delivery Obligation (DGDO) have made pricing more reasonable, but outstanding debts within the sector, including obligations owed by NNPC Limited to the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, continue to affect operations across the gas-to-power value chain.
New grid asset company proposed to fix Nigeria’s power Bottleneck
President Bola Tinubu initiated plans to establish a Grid Asset Management Company (GAMCO) as part of efforts to address persistent challenges in Nigeria’s power sector, particularly within the transmission segment.
He disclosed this while briefing journalists at the State House in Abuja after a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by the president.
Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation, said the council approved the setting up of a panel to drive the initiative following a memorandum presented by Tinubu for deliberation.
According to him, the proposal is aimed at strengthening the transmission component of Nigeria’s electricity value chain, which the government considers the most critical bottleneck to achieving stable and reliable power supply across the country.
He noted that following the deregulation of the power sector, the industry was unbundled into three key segments, generation, transmission and distribution, but the transmission arm has remained the weakest link.
“The proposed Grid Asset Management Company will be responsible for managing and strengthening the national electricity grid to improve efficiency and enhance power delivery nationwide,” Idris said.
To advance the plan, the FEC approved the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee tasked with developing the operational framework for the proposed company.
President Bola Tinubu initiated plans to establish a Grid Asset Management Company (GAMCO) as part of efforts to address persistent challenges in Nigeria’s power sector, particularly within the transmission segment.
He disclosed this while briefing journalists at the State House in Abuja after a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by the president.
Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation, said the council approved the setting up of a panel to drive the initiative following a memorandum presented by Tinubu for deliberation.
According to him, the proposal is aimed at strengthening the transmission component of Nigeria’s electricity value chain, which the government considers the most critical bottleneck to achieving stable and reliable power supply across the country.
He noted that following the deregulation of the power sector, the industry was unbundled into three key segments, generation, transmission and distribution, but the transmission arm has remained the weakest link.
“The proposed Grid Asset Management Company will be responsible for managing and strengthening the national electricity grid to improve efficiency and enhance power delivery nationwide,” Idris said.
To advance the plan, the FEC approved the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee tasked with developing the operational framework for the proposed company.
Could Nigeria become an alternative oil supplier to the Middle East?
As the conflict in the Middle East continues to take a significant toll on the world's oil supply, Nigeria's foreign minister has invited the Gulf countries and oil producers to look at Nigeria as a partner in supplying the global market. Story by Clémence Waller and Gabrielle Nadler.
Nigeria accuses mining firm of smear campaign ahead of Tinubu’s UK visit amid lithium dispute
Nigeria’s government has accused a mining firm, Jupiter Ltd, of planning to spread false claims about the country’s mining sector as a dispute over revoked mineral licences escalates ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the United Kingdom.
In a statement on Sunday, Segun Tomori, special assistant on media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the company was allegedly preparing to circulate misleading information following a report titled “Nigeria Seizes British Lithium Project Under Armed Guard.”
The publication claimed Nigerian authorities had taken control of a lithium project linked to the firm and handed it over to Chinese operators.
Tomori rejected the claim, saying the government has no relationship with any company operating under the name Jupiter Lithium.
“We made it unequivocally clear that the allegations are baseless and unfounded. The Federal Government, through the Ministry and the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office (NMCO), has no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as Jupiter Lithium, as the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA 2007) expressly prohibits the granting of mining licences to foreign companies,” he said.
Licence revocation
According to the government, the controversy stems from the cancellation of mineral titles held by Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company linked to Australian national Steve Davis.
Tomori said the licences were withdrawn after the company failed to pay statutory annual service fees required under Nigeria’s mining regulations.
“The revocation was done after due notice was served on the company in line with extant laws on default in payment of annual service fees,” he said.
“Hence, the mineral titles were revoked due to failure to pay statutory annual service fees amounting to Two Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety-Four Million Naira (₦2,494,000,000) for mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML, and 40533ML for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.”
The ministry also dismissed claims that the licences were reassigned to a Chinese operator.
“Jupiter, though unknown to the mining authorities, peddled falsehoods by claiming that its titles were revoked in favour of a Chinese firm. This is a complete fabrication!” Tomori said.
Company’s claims
In a statement issued on 12 March, Stephen Davis, chairman of Jupiter Lithium Ltd, alleged that Nigerian authorities had revoked the company’s mining rights and allowed Chinese operators to take control of the project.
The firm said it had spent years exploring and developing what it described as a major lithium deposit in Nigeria after securing mining rights in 2006. It also claimed security personnel escorted Chinese operators to the site following the revocation, allowing them to begin extracting lithium ore.
Jupiter warned that the dispute could raise questions about investor protection in Nigeria and potentially affect the country’s efforts to attract Western investment into its mining sector.
Speculative licences
Nigeria’s government rejected the allegations and said the dispute was strictly about regulatory compliance.
Tomori also alleged that Davis is linked to several companies operating in Nigeria’s mining industry, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Basin Mining Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.
Authorities say some operators obtain mineral titles but fail to develop them, a practice that limits opportunities for serious investors and contributes to illegal mining.
“Such practices worsen Nigeria’s challenge of illegal mining, as speculators obtain licences without undertaking actual mining operations, thereby denying serious investors with genuine capital the opportunity to develop the sector,” Tomori said.
Global lithium race
The dispute comes as global demand for lithium continues to rise due to its critical role in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage technologies.
Countries are increasingly competing for access to the mineral as the transition to cleaner energy accelerates. Nigeria has attracted growing investor interest after lithium deposits were identified across several central and northern states.
The government has been introducing reforms aimed at tightening oversight of mineral licences, encouraging local processing and attracting long-term investment into the sector as part of efforts to diversify the economy beyond oil.
Despite the dispute, officials said the reforms will continue.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria cannot and will not be intimidated or blackmailed into abandoning reforms by the antics of any individual or company,” Tomori said.
He added that Nigeria remains open to investors willing to operate within its legal and regulatory framework, noting that incentives such as tax waivers on imported mining equipment and the repatriation of profits are designed to support responsible investment.
In a statement on Sunday, Segun Tomori, special assistant on media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the company was allegedly preparing to circulate misleading information following a report titled “Nigeria Seizes British Lithium Project Under Armed Guard.”
The publication claimed Nigerian authorities had taken control of a lithium project linked to the firm and handed it over to Chinese operators.
Tomori rejected the claim, saying the government has no relationship with any company operating under the name Jupiter Lithium.
“We made it unequivocally clear that the allegations are baseless and unfounded. The Federal Government, through the Ministry and the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office (NMCO), has no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as Jupiter Lithium, as the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA 2007) expressly prohibits the granting of mining licences to foreign companies,” he said.
Licence revocation
According to the government, the controversy stems from the cancellation of mineral titles held by Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company linked to Australian national Steve Davis.
Tomori said the licences were withdrawn after the company failed to pay statutory annual service fees required under Nigeria’s mining regulations.
“The revocation was done after due notice was served on the company in line with extant laws on default in payment of annual service fees,” he said.
“Hence, the mineral titles were revoked due to failure to pay statutory annual service fees amounting to Two Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety-Four Million Naira (₦2,494,000,000) for mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML, and 40533ML for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.”
The ministry also dismissed claims that the licences were reassigned to a Chinese operator.
“Jupiter, though unknown to the mining authorities, peddled falsehoods by claiming that its titles were revoked in favour of a Chinese firm. This is a complete fabrication!” Tomori said.
Company’s claims
In a statement issued on 12 March, Stephen Davis, chairman of Jupiter Lithium Ltd, alleged that Nigerian authorities had revoked the company’s mining rights and allowed Chinese operators to take control of the project.
The firm said it had spent years exploring and developing what it described as a major lithium deposit in Nigeria after securing mining rights in 2006. It also claimed security personnel escorted Chinese operators to the site following the revocation, allowing them to begin extracting lithium ore.
Jupiter warned that the dispute could raise questions about investor protection in Nigeria and potentially affect the country’s efforts to attract Western investment into its mining sector.
Speculative licences
Nigeria’s government rejected the allegations and said the dispute was strictly about regulatory compliance.
Tomori also alleged that Davis is linked to several companies operating in Nigeria’s mining industry, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Basin Mining Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd.
Authorities say some operators obtain mineral titles but fail to develop them, a practice that limits opportunities for serious investors and contributes to illegal mining.
“Such practices worsen Nigeria’s challenge of illegal mining, as speculators obtain licences without undertaking actual mining operations, thereby denying serious investors with genuine capital the opportunity to develop the sector,” Tomori said.
Global lithium race
The dispute comes as global demand for lithium continues to rise due to its critical role in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage technologies.
Countries are increasingly competing for access to the mineral as the transition to cleaner energy accelerates. Nigeria has attracted growing investor interest after lithium deposits were identified across several central and northern states.
The government has been introducing reforms aimed at tightening oversight of mineral licences, encouraging local processing and attracting long-term investment into the sector as part of efforts to diversify the economy beyond oil.
Despite the dispute, officials said the reforms will continue.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria cannot and will not be intimidated or blackmailed into abandoning reforms by the antics of any individual or company,” Tomori said.
He added that Nigeria remains open to investors willing to operate within its legal and regulatory framework, noting that incentives such as tax waivers on imported mining equipment and the repatriation of profits are designed to support responsible investment.
By Ayodeji Adegboyega, Business Insider Africa
Friday, March 13, 2026
Nigeria positions oil sector amid Iran conflict
Nigeria positions oil sector amid Iran conflict With the Strait of Hormuz partially blocked and oil prices volatile, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister is engaging directly with Gulf producers. He urged them to view Nigeria not as a competitor but as a strategic diversification partner, arguing that the current market uncertainty presents a prime opportunity for Nigeria to leverage its position on the global stage.
Four in 10 Nigerian adults live with hypertension
At least 40 per cent of Nigerian adults live with hypertension, highlighting the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in the country.
This is according to the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Sunday.
The report, produced in line with the National Health Act 2014, highlights the persistent public health challenge posed by high blood pressure while noting some progress in awareness, screening and prevention efforts.
The report shows that while the prevalence of hypertension remains high, awareness of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases improved in 2025 compared with 2024.
The report attributed the improvement partly to intensified public health campaigns led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and professional health bodies.
These campaigns focused on educating Nigerians about the risks associated with high blood pressure and encouraging routine health checks.
By Zainab Adewale, Premium Times
This is according to the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Sunday.
The report, produced in line with the National Health Act 2014, highlights the persistent public health challenge posed by high blood pressure while noting some progress in awareness, screening and prevention efforts.
The report shows that while the prevalence of hypertension remains high, awareness of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases improved in 2025 compared with 2024.
The report attributed the improvement partly to intensified public health campaigns led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and professional health bodies.
These campaigns focused on educating Nigerians about the risks associated with high blood pressure and encouraging routine health checks.
Hypertension burden in Nigeria
Hypertension, commonly called high blood pressure, is one of the world’s leading causes of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. It is dubbed a “silent killer” because it often presents no symptoms until serious complications set in.
It remains one of the most common non-communicable diseases in Nigeria and a leading risk factor for cardiovascular complications such as stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 1.28 billion adults, aged 30-79 live with hypertension globally, with only one in five having it under control either through medication or addressing modifiable health risks.
The global health body also estimates that two-thirds of hypertensive adults live in low- and middle-income countries, where preventive screening and treatment remain limited.
While national data shows that about one in three Nigerian adults lives with high blood pressure, detailed breakdown for younger adults (20-35) remain limited.
However, doctors report increasing cases of hypertension in younger adults, signalling a shift in the pattern.
The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2023-2024, also confirm that approximately 30 per cent to 40 per cent of adults are living with high blood pressure.
Non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, are responsible for a growing share of deaths in the country. Cardiovascular diseases alone account for a significant proportion of these fatalities.
Health researchers also note that stroke, one of the most severe complications of uncontrolled hypertension, is a leading cause of death and disability in Nigeria.
Studies reported that hypertension is responsible for up to 80 per cent of stroke cases in some Nigerian hospital studies, highlighting the strong link between high blood pressure and stroke mortality.
Despite the high burden, awareness and treatment levels remain relatively low.
Health experts attribute the rising prevalence of hypertension to several lifestyle and environmental factors, including high salt consumption, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, harmful alcohol intake, physical inactivity and increasing rates of obesity associated with urbanisation.
Hypertension, commonly called high blood pressure, is one of the world’s leading causes of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. It is dubbed a “silent killer” because it often presents no symptoms until serious complications set in.
It remains one of the most common non-communicable diseases in Nigeria and a leading risk factor for cardiovascular complications such as stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 1.28 billion adults, aged 30-79 live with hypertension globally, with only one in five having it under control either through medication or addressing modifiable health risks.
The global health body also estimates that two-thirds of hypertensive adults live in low- and middle-income countries, where preventive screening and treatment remain limited.
While national data shows that about one in three Nigerian adults lives with high blood pressure, detailed breakdown for younger adults (20-35) remain limited.
However, doctors report increasing cases of hypertension in younger adults, signalling a shift in the pattern.
The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2023-2024, also confirm that approximately 30 per cent to 40 per cent of adults are living with high blood pressure.
Non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, are responsible for a growing share of deaths in the country. Cardiovascular diseases alone account for a significant proportion of these fatalities.
Health researchers also note that stroke, one of the most severe complications of uncontrolled hypertension, is a leading cause of death and disability in Nigeria.
Studies reported that hypertension is responsible for up to 80 per cent of stroke cases in some Nigerian hospital studies, highlighting the strong link between high blood pressure and stroke mortality.
Despite the high burden, awareness and treatment levels remain relatively low.
Health experts attribute the rising prevalence of hypertension to several lifestyle and environmental factors, including high salt consumption, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, harmful alcohol intake, physical inactivity and increasing rates of obesity associated with urbanisation.
Expanded screening at primary healthcare level
The report noted that the inclusion of non-communicable disease screening in selected primary healthcare facilities and community outreach programmes contributed to modest gains in early detection of hypertension and diabetes.
According to the report, these efforts were particularly targeted at men aged between 15 and 59 years, a group health authorities say often underutilises preventive health services.
It added that the ministry’s Family Health Department began integrating men’s health more deliberately into national health programmes to address specific risks affecting the male population.
The report noted that the inclusion of non-communicable disease screening in selected primary healthcare facilities and community outreach programmes contributed to modest gains in early detection of hypertension and diabetes.
According to the report, these efforts were particularly targeted at men aged between 15 and 59 years, a group health authorities say often underutilises preventive health services.
It added that the ministry’s Family Health Department began integrating men’s health more deliberately into national health programmes to address specific risks affecting the male population.
Mental health, substance abuse concerns
Beyond cardiovascular diseases, the report highlighted the growing burden of mental health and substance abuse disorders, particularly among men.
It estimated that about 14 million Nigerians live with a history of drug use, indicating a major public health challenge that requires coordinated interventions.
The report said prevention campaigns led by government agencies were intensified in 2025, with increased collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to strengthen public awareness and early intervention.
The report also recorded progress in efforts to integrate mental health services into primary healthcare.
According to the document, more than 3,000 primary healthcare workers across states were trained to identify common mental health conditions and strengthen referral systems.
The initiative aims to improve early detection and treatment of mental health disorders, especially in communities with limited access to specialised services.
Despite improvements in awareness and screening efforts, the report warned that significant gaps remain in early diagnosis, service utilisation and screening coverage, particularly for non-communicable diseases among men.
It emphasised the need for sustained investment in primary healthcare, health promotion and preventive services to reduce the growing burden of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.
Beyond cardiovascular diseases, the report highlighted the growing burden of mental health and substance abuse disorders, particularly among men.
It estimated that about 14 million Nigerians live with a history of drug use, indicating a major public health challenge that requires coordinated interventions.
The report said prevention campaigns led by government agencies were intensified in 2025, with increased collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to strengthen public awareness and early intervention.
The report also recorded progress in efforts to integrate mental health services into primary healthcare.
According to the document, more than 3,000 primary healthcare workers across states were trained to identify common mental health conditions and strengthen referral systems.
The initiative aims to improve early detection and treatment of mental health disorders, especially in communities with limited access to specialised services.
Despite improvements in awareness and screening efforts, the report warned that significant gaps remain in early diagnosis, service utilisation and screening coverage, particularly for non-communicable diseases among men.
It emphasised the need for sustained investment in primary healthcare, health promotion and preventive services to reduce the growing burden of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.
Nigeria begins evacuation of Its citizens stranded in Iran
Authorities say no Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the conflict so far and that officials are stationed at the Armenian border to assist all evacuees. The Nigerian government has begun evacuating its citizens stranded in Iran as Israeli and US bombings continue in Tehran and other Iranian cities.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission said Tuesday that no Nigerian in Iran has, so far, been affected by the conflict and that officials are posted at the Armenian border to receive and assist all evacuees. "Nigerians who wish to leave Iran are being safely escorted across the Armenian border by officials from the Nigerian embassy in Tehran, ensuring a smooth and secure passage for those wishing to depart," the Commission said in a statement.
It did not specify the number of Nigerians living in Iran nor the number of citizens already evacuated. African countries have rushed to repatriate their nationals from the Middle East. Tanzania evacuated the first group of its citizens from the United Arab Emirates on Monday. The evacuees expressed relief as they reunited with their families at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. Iran says the war has killed more than 1,255 people and injured about 10,000.
By Dominic Wabwireh, Africa News
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Nigeria Overhauls Cosmetic Safety Standards to Stem Health Crisis
Nigeria has launched a new national policy to regulate cosmetic safety, aiming to curb toxic chemical exposure and protect public health across the nation.
A shopper in a bustling market in Kano, seeking a solution for minor skin blemishes, purchases an unlabeled brightening oil from an unmarked vendor. She believes the product is organic, yet within weeks, the skin barrier is compromised, and the chemical composition—unknown to both the buyer and the seller—begins to leach heavy metals into her bloodstream. This scenario, repeated in millions of daily transactions across Nigeria, has become the catalyst for a radical shift in federal regulatory oversight.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially inaugurated the National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health, a landmark regulatory framework designed to sanitize an industry long plagued by the proliferation of toxic, counterfeit, and hazardous products. This policy, launched following approval at the 66th National Council on Health in Calabar, aims to dismantle the informal economy of dangerous substances that threaten public health. With the cosmetics sector in Nigeria valued at billions of naira, the initiative represents the most significant state intervention in the country’s beauty industry in two decades, positioning Abuja to curb a quiet health crisis that has fueled rising rates of skin diseases, kidney damage, and endocrine disruption across the nation.
A shopper in a bustling market in Kano, seeking a solution for minor skin blemishes, purchases an unlabeled brightening oil from an unmarked vendor. She believes the product is organic, yet within weeks, the skin barrier is compromised, and the chemical composition—unknown to both the buyer and the seller—begins to leach heavy metals into her bloodstream. This scenario, repeated in millions of daily transactions across Nigeria, has become the catalyst for a radical shift in federal regulatory oversight.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially inaugurated the National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health, a landmark regulatory framework designed to sanitize an industry long plagued by the proliferation of toxic, counterfeit, and hazardous products. This policy, launched following approval at the 66th National Council on Health in Calabar, aims to dismantle the informal economy of dangerous substances that threaten public health. With the cosmetics sector in Nigeria valued at billions of naira, the initiative represents the most significant state intervention in the country’s beauty industry in two decades, positioning Abuja to curb a quiet health crisis that has fueled rising rates of skin diseases, kidney damage, and endocrine disruption across the nation.
The Hidden Toxicity in Everyday Products
For decades, the Nigerian beauty market has operated with limited standardized supervision, allowing unscrupulous manufacturers and importers to flood the market with products containing banned preservatives and heavy metals. Public health experts have long warned that the cumulative exposure to these chemicals—often applied daily over years—creates long-term systemic risks far more dangerous than occasional pharmaceutical use. The new policy identifies specific threats that have become endemic to the local market:
For decades, the Nigerian beauty market has operated with limited standardized supervision, allowing unscrupulous manufacturers and importers to flood the market with products containing banned preservatives and heavy metals. Public health experts have long warned that the cumulative exposure to these chemicals—often applied daily over years—creates long-term systemic risks far more dangerous than occasional pharmaceutical use. The new policy identifies specific threats that have become endemic to the local market:
Formaldehyde-releasing agents: Used in some hair products, these are known carcinogens that have slipped past basic inspections.
Heavy metal contamination: Mercury and lead, frequently found in skin-lightening creams, have been linked to irreversible neurological and organ damage.
Endocrine disruptors: Parabens and phthalates in lotions and perfumes interfere with hormonal functions, impacting reproductive health and developmental outcomes.
Unregulated manufacturing: Back-alley mixing of potent chemicals has created a category of products that are effectively poison sold as wellness.
These substances are not merely irritants they are vectors for chronic illness. Research suggests that the informal beauty sector has thrived on a lack of transparency, where ‘organic’ labels are frequently used as marketing camouflage for synthetic, caustic ingredients. The new policy mandates a shift toward rigorous laboratory testing, clear labeling, and enforced manufacturing standards that align Nigeria with international benchmarks for consumer safety.
Heavy metal contamination: Mercury and lead, frequently found in skin-lightening creams, have been linked to irreversible neurological and organ damage.
Endocrine disruptors: Parabens and phthalates in lotions and perfumes interfere with hormonal functions, impacting reproductive health and developmental outcomes.
Unregulated manufacturing: Back-alley mixing of potent chemicals has created a category of products that are effectively poison sold as wellness.
These substances are not merely irritants they are vectors for chronic illness. Research suggests that the informal beauty sector has thrived on a lack of transparency, where ‘organic’ labels are frequently used as marketing camouflage for synthetic, caustic ingredients. The new policy mandates a shift toward rigorous laboratory testing, clear labeling, and enforced manufacturing standards that align Nigeria with international benchmarks for consumer safety.
NAFDAC and the Teeth of Enforcement
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has moved rapidly to operationalize the policy. Under the new directive, the agency has initiated a comprehensive sweep of imported and locally manufactured goods. Princewill Nsofor, the Deputy Director in charge of Cosmetics and Household Products, has issued a clear warning to stakeholders: no cosmetic product will circulate within the Nigerian market without stringent regulatory clearance. This represents a pivot from reactive policing—responding to outbreaks of skin damage—to proactive market surveillance.
The policy establishes a National Cosmetics Safety Management Technical Working Group, a body mandated to harmonize the efforts of various agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Health. This institutional collaboration is intended to close the enforcement gaps that previously allowed unsafe products to migrate from ports of entry to rural markets unchecked. For the NAFDAC inspectors on the ground, the mandate is clear: identify, intercept, and eliminate substandard products. The agency has communicated that enforcement extends beyond major distributors to the micro-level markets, where the most vulnerable populations are often the primary consumers of high-risk items.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has moved rapidly to operationalize the policy. Under the new directive, the agency has initiated a comprehensive sweep of imported and locally manufactured goods. Princewill Nsofor, the Deputy Director in charge of Cosmetics and Household Products, has issued a clear warning to stakeholders: no cosmetic product will circulate within the Nigerian market without stringent regulatory clearance. This represents a pivot from reactive policing—responding to outbreaks of skin damage—to proactive market surveillance.
The policy establishes a National Cosmetics Safety Management Technical Working Group, a body mandated to harmonize the efforts of various agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Health. This institutional collaboration is intended to close the enforcement gaps that previously allowed unsafe products to migrate from ports of entry to rural markets unchecked. For the NAFDAC inspectors on the ground, the mandate is clear: identify, intercept, and eliminate substandard products. The agency has communicated that enforcement extends beyond major distributors to the micro-level markets, where the most vulnerable populations are often the primary consumers of high-risk items.
Economic Implications for a Growing Sector
Nigeria’s beauty industry is a powerhouse of the African economy, serving as a critical entry point for international brands and a fertile ground for local entrepreneurship. However, the unchecked expansion of the sector has created a duality: a formal, regulated market and a parallel, shadow market that thrives on opacity. Industry analysts argue that the new policy, while initially disruptive, may provide the long-term infrastructure required for the sector to scale globally. By mandating safety compliance, the government is essentially raising the barrier to entry, which may squeeze out fly-by-night operators while providing a competitive advantage to legitimate, standardized Nigerian brands.
Development partners, including the World Health Organization and Resolve to Save Lives, have praised the policy as a pro-health and pro-industry framework. They contend that a safer, more transparent industry will increase consumer confidence, which is currently eroded by reports of cosmetic-related injuries. If Nigeria successfully executes this, the country could set a precedent for other nations in the Economic Community of West African States, demonstrating that strict safety regulation does not stifle growth but rather matures it into a sustainable, export-ready enterprise.
Nigeria’s beauty industry is a powerhouse of the African economy, serving as a critical entry point for international brands and a fertile ground for local entrepreneurship. However, the unchecked expansion of the sector has created a duality: a formal, regulated market and a parallel, shadow market that thrives on opacity. Industry analysts argue that the new policy, while initially disruptive, may provide the long-term infrastructure required for the sector to scale globally. By mandating safety compliance, the government is essentially raising the barrier to entry, which may squeeze out fly-by-night operators while providing a competitive advantage to legitimate, standardized Nigerian brands.
Development partners, including the World Health Organization and Resolve to Save Lives, have praised the policy as a pro-health and pro-industry framework. They contend that a safer, more transparent industry will increase consumer confidence, which is currently eroded by reports of cosmetic-related injuries. If Nigeria successfully executes this, the country could set a precedent for other nations in the Economic Community of West African States, demonstrating that strict safety regulation does not stifle growth but rather matures it into a sustainable, export-ready enterprise.
The Regional Mirror
The ripple effects of this policy will likely be felt far beyond Abuja. As a regional economic hub, Nigeria’s regulatory stance on consumer goods often dictates the flow of products across West Africa. For observers in Nairobi and other East African capitals, the Nigerian experiment offers a blueprint for balancing the demands of a rapid-growth consumer market with the necessity of public health protection. The challenges identified by Nigerian officials—specifically the difficulty of policing decentralized, informal markets—are common across the continent, where cross-border trade frequently outpaces regulatory capacity. Whether Nigeria can successfully translate policy into meaningful, on-the-ground change over the next five years will determine if this serves as a model or a missed opportunity.
As the National Cosmetics Safety Management Technical Working Group begins its five-year tenure, the true test will not be the policy document itself, but the persistence of the enforcement teams on the streets of Lagos, Kano, and beyond. Every bottle of cream removed from a shelf or warning label enforced represents a potential medical crisis averted, marking a significant, albeit difficult, transition toward a more accountable consumer economy.
The ripple effects of this policy will likely be felt far beyond Abuja. As a regional economic hub, Nigeria’s regulatory stance on consumer goods often dictates the flow of products across West Africa. For observers in Nairobi and other East African capitals, the Nigerian experiment offers a blueprint for balancing the demands of a rapid-growth consumer market with the necessity of public health protection. The challenges identified by Nigerian officials—specifically the difficulty of policing decentralized, informal markets—are common across the continent, where cross-border trade frequently outpaces regulatory capacity. Whether Nigeria can successfully translate policy into meaningful, on-the-ground change over the next five years will determine if this serves as a model or a missed opportunity.
As the National Cosmetics Safety Management Technical Working Group begins its five-year tenure, the true test will not be the policy document itself, but the persistence of the enforcement teams on the streets of Lagos, Kano, and beyond. Every bottle of cream removed from a shelf or warning label enforced represents a potential medical crisis averted, marking a significant, albeit difficult, transition toward a more accountable consumer economy.
Nigeria to recover $13.6mn from international airlines
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has given the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) two weeks to recover more than NGN18.98 billion naira (USD13.6 million) that foreign airlines owe to the government, according to multiple news reports.
The ultimatum was issued by the House Committee on Finance during a revenue monitoring session covering the 2023-2025 fiscal years, aimed at strengthening accountability among government agencies, as reported by newspapers such as Leadership, Vanguard, Daily Trust, and Punch.
They reported that the committee chairman, James Abiodun Faleke, had expressed concern that several international carriers had allegedly accumulated large debts for airport services despite a two-week payment deadline.
FAAN CEO Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku told lawmakers that the outstanding debt reflects service charges processed through the IATA Clearing House settlement platform and includes both current and overdue balances.
According to Kuku, airlines with significant outstanding payments include Qatar Airways and Lufthansa, each owing about NGN1.5 billion (USD1.1 million) and Virgin Atlantic with about NGN1.35 billion (USD970,000). KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, EgyptAir, and Ethiopian Airlines allegedly each owe more than NGN1 billion (USD718,000) in various charges.
Other airlines listed among the debtors include British Airways, Air France, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines, and Africa World Airlines, with debts ranging from NGN700 million (USD502,000) to NGN1 billion.
ch-aviation has reached out to IATA and each of the airlines for comment. The latest IATA ICH membership list includes all the above carriers, while only two from Nigeria, Air Peace and Overland Airways, are included.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: "We’re working closely with our partners at FAAN to ensure any outstanding payments are resolved in line with agreed processes."
By Hilka Birns, ch-aviation
The ultimatum was issued by the House Committee on Finance during a revenue monitoring session covering the 2023-2025 fiscal years, aimed at strengthening accountability among government agencies, as reported by newspapers such as Leadership, Vanguard, Daily Trust, and Punch.
They reported that the committee chairman, James Abiodun Faleke, had expressed concern that several international carriers had allegedly accumulated large debts for airport services despite a two-week payment deadline.
FAAN CEO Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku told lawmakers that the outstanding debt reflects service charges processed through the IATA Clearing House settlement platform and includes both current and overdue balances.
According to Kuku, airlines with significant outstanding payments include Qatar Airways and Lufthansa, each owing about NGN1.5 billion (USD1.1 million) and Virgin Atlantic with about NGN1.35 billion (USD970,000). KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, EgyptAir, and Ethiopian Airlines allegedly each owe more than NGN1 billion (USD718,000) in various charges.
Other airlines listed among the debtors include British Airways, Air France, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines, and Africa World Airlines, with debts ranging from NGN700 million (USD502,000) to NGN1 billion.
ch-aviation has reached out to IATA and each of the airlines for comment. The latest IATA ICH membership list includes all the above carriers, while only two from Nigeria, Air Peace and Overland Airways, are included.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: "We’re working closely with our partners at FAAN to ensure any outstanding payments are resolved in line with agreed processes."
Two-week window
According to the reports, the Nigerian lawmakers questioned why airlines were allowed to exceed the two-week payment window, with some debts reportedly exceeding 30 days, 90 days, or more than a year. They also asked whether penalties or interest were imposed on overdue payments and why airlines with longstanding debts are still allowed to operate in Nigeria.
Kuku said that international airline payments are processed through the global clearing system managed by IATA, which can sometimes delay settlements. She added that FAAN monitors outstanding balances and increases engagement with airlines once debts exceed 30 days, with stricter measures after 90 days.
She also claimed that FAAN had grounded some airlines that failed to meet payment obligations, particularly domestic carriers that do not operate under the same global credit arrangements.
Despite the explanation, the airport authority was told to recover the debts within two weeks and submit documentation on all debtor airlines. The committee warned that airlines could be summoned to appear before the House if the debts remain unpaid. "We need every kobo that belongs to this country," Faleke said.
According to the reports, the Nigerian lawmakers questioned why airlines were allowed to exceed the two-week payment window, with some debts reportedly exceeding 30 days, 90 days, or more than a year. They also asked whether penalties or interest were imposed on overdue payments and why airlines with longstanding debts are still allowed to operate in Nigeria.
Kuku said that international airline payments are processed through the global clearing system managed by IATA, which can sometimes delay settlements. She added that FAAN monitors outstanding balances and increases engagement with airlines once debts exceed 30 days, with stricter measures after 90 days.
She also claimed that FAAN had grounded some airlines that failed to meet payment obligations, particularly domestic carriers that do not operate under the same global credit arrangements.
Despite the explanation, the airport authority was told to recover the debts within two weeks and submit documentation on all debtor airlines. The committee warned that airlines could be summoned to appear before the House if the debts remain unpaid. "We need every kobo that belongs to this country," Faleke said.
Cleared funds
The situation reverses the conundrum international airlines serving Nigeria faced in recent years when the country topped the list of states worldwide blocking the repatriation of airline revenues in US dollars. At its peak in June 2023, Nigeria's blocked funds amounted to USD850 million, resulting in some airlines reducing their operations. However, in 2024, IATA reported that the blocked funds had been returned through constructive engagement and phased repatriation.
The situation reverses the conundrum international airlines serving Nigeria faced in recent years when the country topped the list of states worldwide blocking the repatriation of airline revenues in US dollars. At its peak in June 2023, Nigeria's blocked funds amounted to USD850 million, resulting in some airlines reducing their operations. However, in 2024, IATA reported that the blocked funds had been returned through constructive engagement and phased repatriation.
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
US warns citizens of fresh terror threat in Nigeria
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has warned of a possible terrorist threat targeting US facilities and US-affiliated schools in the country.
In a security notice issued via its website on Monday, the embassy said the alert was intended to inform American citizens in Nigeria of potential risks and advised them to take additional precautions when visiting U.S. diplomatic missions and affiliated institutions.
The notice asked US citizens to exercise increased vigilance when travelling to its offices in Abuja and Lagos, as well as schools affiliated with the United States.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja informs U.S. citizens of a possible terrorist threat against U.S. facilities and U.S.-affiliated schools in Nigeria.
“The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens take additional precautions when travelling to the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, and U.S.-affiliated schools, to include varying times and routes,” the statement read.
The embassy advised American nationals to vary their travel times and routes, avoid predictable routines, and ensure their mobile phones are charged in case of emergencies.
“Be aware of your surroundings, keep a low profile, review your personal security plans, vary your regular routes, keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency, stay alert in public places, avoid crowds and demonstrations, and familiarise yourself with emergency exits when entering buildings,” it said.
The embassy did not spell out the source of the threat.
The warning in Nigeria also comes amid a global security warning by the United States after Washington and Israel attacked Iran, which has responded with missile and drone attacks against its U.S.-aligned neighbours.
It also follows protests in Lagos and some northern states by members of the leadership of the Islamic Movement, who denounced the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in strikes by the United States and Israel.
The development comes as Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, wife of Iran’s Supreme Leader, reportedly died from injuries sustained during recent United States and Israeli strikes at her residence in Tehran.
Recall that President Donald Trump on Christmas Day ordered US bombings of Nigeria, saying he was targeting jihadists.
By Saheed Oyelakin, Punch
In a security notice issued via its website on Monday, the embassy said the alert was intended to inform American citizens in Nigeria of potential risks and advised them to take additional precautions when visiting U.S. diplomatic missions and affiliated institutions.
The notice asked US citizens to exercise increased vigilance when travelling to its offices in Abuja and Lagos, as well as schools affiliated with the United States.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja informs U.S. citizens of a possible terrorist threat against U.S. facilities and U.S.-affiliated schools in Nigeria.
“The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens take additional precautions when travelling to the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, and U.S.-affiliated schools, to include varying times and routes,” the statement read.
The embassy advised American nationals to vary their travel times and routes, avoid predictable routines, and ensure their mobile phones are charged in case of emergencies.
“Be aware of your surroundings, keep a low profile, review your personal security plans, vary your regular routes, keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency, stay alert in public places, avoid crowds and demonstrations, and familiarise yourself with emergency exits when entering buildings,” it said.
The embassy did not spell out the source of the threat.
The warning in Nigeria also comes amid a global security warning by the United States after Washington and Israel attacked Iran, which has responded with missile and drone attacks against its U.S.-aligned neighbours.
It also follows protests in Lagos and some northern states by members of the leadership of the Islamic Movement, who denounced the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in strikes by the United States and Israel.
The development comes as Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, wife of Iran’s Supreme Leader, reportedly died from injuries sustained during recent United States and Israeli strikes at her residence in Tehran.
Recall that President Donald Trump on Christmas Day ordered US bombings of Nigeria, saying he was targeting jihadists.
Monday, March 9, 2026
Nigeria's gas shipment diverted to Asia as US-Iran tensions squeeze global LNG supply
A shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Nigeria has been redirected from Europe to Asia after a sharp spike in Asian gas prices created a lucrative arbitrage opportunity for traders, highlighting how rapidly shifting global energy markets can reshape trade routes.
Shipping data from analytics firm Kpler showed that the LNG tanker BW Brussels, which loaded a cargo at the Nigeria LNG Bonny Island Terminal on 27 February, initially signalled a westward journey towards Europe before changing course and sailing south towards Asia via the Cape of Good Hope.
The diversion came as Asian spot LNG prices surged amid tightening global supply, driven partly by geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran and by a production suspension in Qatar, according to a Reuters report.
Benchmark prices in Asia have climbed sharply in recent days. Data from S&P Global Platts shows the Japan Korea Marker, Asia’s main spot LNG benchmark, jumped by 68.52 percent to about $25.39 per million British thermal units for April delivery last week, its highest level in three years.
By comparison, spot LNG prices for north-west Europe rose to roughly $15.48 per mmBtu for April delivery. Although that represents a strong rally, the widening price gap means Asia has become the more profitable destination for flexible LNG cargoes.
Widening arbitrage between Asia and Europe
Market analysts say this widening spread between Asian LNG prices and Europe’s benchmark gas hub, the Title Transfer Facility, has opened a clear arbitrage window for traders.
“So far, one LNG tanker that loaded in Nigeria last week has diverted to Asia from its initial Atlantic-bound course after spot prices surged,” said Go Katayama, a principal insight analyst at Kpler.
“BW Brussels appears to have changed course from an initial signal toward France and is now heading toward Asia via the Cape of Good Hope.”
The shift illustrates how quickly global gas trade flows can change when price signals favour one region over another.
According to Qasim Afghan, an analyst at Spark Commodities, global front-month arbitrage opportunities have “increased significantly” and now favour Asian markets across several major LNG export locations.
The tightening supply environment has also prompted Asian buyers to scramble for alternative LNG sources.
Government officials told Reuters that India is exploring new LNG suppliers to offset reduced Qatari volumes, while state-owned energy firm Petrobangla plans to issue tenders for immediate LNG deliveries.
Despite Asia’s price advantage, analysts note that Europe could still attract some flexible cargoes because of the deep liquidity of its gas trading market, which allows traders to hedge risks more easily.
The disruption in Qatari supply has intensified competition between buyers in the Atlantic and Pacific basins for available LNG shipments. Asian buyers account for more than 80 percent of Qatar’s LNG exports, making the region particularly sensitive to supply shocks.
For Nigeria, the rerouted cargo underscores the growing importance of flexible destination clauses in LNG contracts and the powerful influence of global price signals on energy trade flows. If Asian prices remain significantly higher than European benchmarks in the coming weeks, analysts say more Atlantic Basin cargoes could follow the same eastward path.
Shipping data from analytics firm Kpler showed that the LNG tanker BW Brussels, which loaded a cargo at the Nigeria LNG Bonny Island Terminal on 27 February, initially signalled a westward journey towards Europe before changing course and sailing south towards Asia via the Cape of Good Hope.
The diversion came as Asian spot LNG prices surged amid tightening global supply, driven partly by geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran and by a production suspension in Qatar, according to a Reuters report.
Benchmark prices in Asia have climbed sharply in recent days. Data from S&P Global Platts shows the Japan Korea Marker, Asia’s main spot LNG benchmark, jumped by 68.52 percent to about $25.39 per million British thermal units for April delivery last week, its highest level in three years.
By comparison, spot LNG prices for north-west Europe rose to roughly $15.48 per mmBtu for April delivery. Although that represents a strong rally, the widening price gap means Asia has become the more profitable destination for flexible LNG cargoes.
Widening arbitrage between Asia and Europe
Market analysts say this widening spread between Asian LNG prices and Europe’s benchmark gas hub, the Title Transfer Facility, has opened a clear arbitrage window for traders.
“So far, one LNG tanker that loaded in Nigeria last week has diverted to Asia from its initial Atlantic-bound course after spot prices surged,” said Go Katayama, a principal insight analyst at Kpler.
“BW Brussels appears to have changed course from an initial signal toward France and is now heading toward Asia via the Cape of Good Hope.”
The shift illustrates how quickly global gas trade flows can change when price signals favour one region over another.
According to Qasim Afghan, an analyst at Spark Commodities, global front-month arbitrage opportunities have “increased significantly” and now favour Asian markets across several major LNG export locations.
The tightening supply environment has also prompted Asian buyers to scramble for alternative LNG sources.
Government officials told Reuters that India is exploring new LNG suppliers to offset reduced Qatari volumes, while state-owned energy firm Petrobangla plans to issue tenders for immediate LNG deliveries.
Despite Asia’s price advantage, analysts note that Europe could still attract some flexible cargoes because of the deep liquidity of its gas trading market, which allows traders to hedge risks more easily.
The disruption in Qatari supply has intensified competition between buyers in the Atlantic and Pacific basins for available LNG shipments. Asian buyers account for more than 80 percent of Qatar’s LNG exports, making the region particularly sensitive to supply shocks.
For Nigeria, the rerouted cargo underscores the growing importance of flexible destination clauses in LNG contracts and the powerful influence of global price signals on energy trade flows. If Asian prices remain significantly higher than European benchmarks in the coming weeks, analysts say more Atlantic Basin cargoes could follow the same eastward path.
By Segun Adeyemi, Business Insider Africa
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Nigeria: ‘Renewed Hope’ or ‘Hopelessness’?
Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu was elected on promises to tackle the nation’s widespread violence and address two of its root causes: Poverty and corruption. But with the country going to the polls next year, has he delivered on his "Renewed Hope" agenda? Mehdi Hasan goes head-to-head with Daniel Bwala, Tinubu’s once staunch critic-turned-Special Adviser on Media and Policy Communications, on the administration’s record in office and where he stands on his past accusations against his current boss.
Friday, March 6, 2026
How Nigeria spent over N8bn on abducted school children in a decade
Nigeria’s worsening insecurity has continued to place school children among the most vulnerable targets of criminal gangs.
SBM Intelligence reveals a new analysis, showing that Governments in Nigeria have paid nearly N8 billion in ransom linked to school abductions between 2014 and 2025, reinforcing a cycle that continues to make schools attractive targets for armed groups.
The analysis, entitled “Monkey Business: Timeline of Nigeria’s Government Funding of School Abductions (2014–2025)”, tracks publicly reported ransom payments made by federal and state authorities following major school kidnapping incidents across the country.
The timeline shows how ransom payments have gradually become embedded in the response to mass abductions, even though Nigerian law formally prohibits negotiating with kidnappers.
The timeline begins with the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, after which the federal government reportedly paid N5 billion as part of negotiations.
In 2018, another set of 276 school girls were kidnapped in Yobe, and an undisclosed ransom was paid.
In 2020, 275 school girls were kidnapped in Katsina State and the Government paid N30 million, while in 2021, in Niger State 200 girls were abducted and the government paid N50 million, the same year in Niger State another 42 girls were abducted and a ransom of N15 million was paid.
In Kaduna State 39 school girls were kidnapped in 2021, and the sum of N32 million was paid, and in Zamfara in the same year 279 were kidnapped and N60 million paid.
In 2024, Kaduna State witnessed another school children abduction with 287 kidnapped and a ransom of N1 billion paid and in 2025, 327 school children were abducted in Niger State and the government paid N2 billion.
SB Morgen Intelligence report shows that more than N8 billion has been expended through ransom payments, security operations, negotiations, and emergency responses following a wave of mass school kidnappings that has shaken communities and disrupted education nationwide.
In Febrauary 2026, an AFP investigation report alleged that the Nigerian Government paid a huge ransom estimated at N2 billion or up to $7 million, to secure the release of 230 pupils abducted from St, Mary Catholic School in November 2025.
Intelligence sources told AFP the money was flown by helicopter to Boko Haram commander, Ali Ngulde in Gwoza, with two militant commanders freed as part of the deal.
The Government has strongly denied the claims. However, there is a history, since 2014, Nigerian governments have paid nearly N6 billion ($4.4million) in confirmed ransom payments to armed groups for kidnapped school children.
Federal and State Authorities both participated, despite laws prohibiting such payments. Each ransom funds the next abduction, turning education into a target and ensuring the cycle of violence continues.
Ike Chilaka-Osuagwu, an Educationist, described the scenario as worrisome, and a point to the fact that the government lacks the political will to curb banditry and kidnapping, especially against school children in the country.
Besides, he emphasised that as far as the Government continues to divert resources to pay ransom, economic development will continue to elude the country.
“The Government lacks the political will to end this nonsense. It will continue to affect productivity, and encourage diversion of funds and energy required to improve the economy,” he said.
Abductions are a long-standing pattern in Nigeria. Between July 2023 and June 2024 alone, SBM Intelligence, an Africa-centric security analysis and strategic consulting firm, found that at least 7,568 people were kidnapped in 1,130 cases across the country.
During this period, the kidnappers demanded approximately N11 billion (about $7.5 million) as ransom, and received N1 billion (about $0.65 million).
This is despite the fact that the Nigerian Senate outlawed ransom payments to kidnappers in 2022 and made abduction punishable by death.
According to the report, all these payments illustrate how kidnapping for ransom has evolved into a structured criminal economy targeting schools in the country.
SBM Intelligence reveals a new analysis, showing that Governments in Nigeria have paid nearly N8 billion in ransom linked to school abductions between 2014 and 2025, reinforcing a cycle that continues to make schools attractive targets for armed groups.
The analysis, entitled “Monkey Business: Timeline of Nigeria’s Government Funding of School Abductions (2014–2025)”, tracks publicly reported ransom payments made by federal and state authorities following major school kidnapping incidents across the country.
The timeline shows how ransom payments have gradually become embedded in the response to mass abductions, even though Nigerian law formally prohibits negotiating with kidnappers.
The timeline begins with the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, after which the federal government reportedly paid N5 billion as part of negotiations.
In 2018, another set of 276 school girls were kidnapped in Yobe, and an undisclosed ransom was paid.
In 2020, 275 school girls were kidnapped in Katsina State and the Government paid N30 million, while in 2021, in Niger State 200 girls were abducted and the government paid N50 million, the same year in Niger State another 42 girls were abducted and a ransom of N15 million was paid.
In Kaduna State 39 school girls were kidnapped in 2021, and the sum of N32 million was paid, and in Zamfara in the same year 279 were kidnapped and N60 million paid.
In 2024, Kaduna State witnessed another school children abduction with 287 kidnapped and a ransom of N1 billion paid and in 2025, 327 school children were abducted in Niger State and the government paid N2 billion.
SB Morgen Intelligence report shows that more than N8 billion has been expended through ransom payments, security operations, negotiations, and emergency responses following a wave of mass school kidnappings that has shaken communities and disrupted education nationwide.
In Febrauary 2026, an AFP investigation report alleged that the Nigerian Government paid a huge ransom estimated at N2 billion or up to $7 million, to secure the release of 230 pupils abducted from St, Mary Catholic School in November 2025.
Intelligence sources told AFP the money was flown by helicopter to Boko Haram commander, Ali Ngulde in Gwoza, with two militant commanders freed as part of the deal.
The Government has strongly denied the claims. However, there is a history, since 2014, Nigerian governments have paid nearly N6 billion ($4.4million) in confirmed ransom payments to armed groups for kidnapped school children.
Federal and State Authorities both participated, despite laws prohibiting such payments. Each ransom funds the next abduction, turning education into a target and ensuring the cycle of violence continues.
Ike Chilaka-Osuagwu, an Educationist, described the scenario as worrisome, and a point to the fact that the government lacks the political will to curb banditry and kidnapping, especially against school children in the country.
Besides, he emphasised that as far as the Government continues to divert resources to pay ransom, economic development will continue to elude the country.
“The Government lacks the political will to end this nonsense. It will continue to affect productivity, and encourage diversion of funds and energy required to improve the economy,” he said.
Abductions are a long-standing pattern in Nigeria. Between July 2023 and June 2024 alone, SBM Intelligence, an Africa-centric security analysis and strategic consulting firm, found that at least 7,568 people were kidnapped in 1,130 cases across the country.
During this period, the kidnappers demanded approximately N11 billion (about $7.5 million) as ransom, and received N1 billion (about $0.65 million).
This is despite the fact that the Nigerian Senate outlawed ransom payments to kidnappers in 2022 and made abduction punishable by death.
According to the report, all these payments illustrate how kidnapping for ransom has evolved into a structured criminal economy targeting schools in the country.
By Charles Ogwo, Business Day
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Nigeria and Ethiopia listed among countries to benefit from Dangote’s $1 billion plan
Dangote Cement, controlled by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, currently boasts an estimated production capacity of 55.17 million tons.
With the $1 billion investment, the cement manufacturer, in the span of four years, intends to boost production capacity by 45% to 80 million tons.
This information was disclosed by the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Gbenga Fapohunda, on Wednesday, during an investor conference call in the country’s commercial hub, Lagos.
He noted that the fund would be channeled in “Nigeria, Ethiopia, and some other countries.”
In February, the company disclosed that it had signed a $1 billion agreement with China’s Sinoma International Engineering to construct new plants and expand existing facilities across Africa.
The landmark deal, signed in Lagos, covers 12 projects across seven African countries and is part of DCP’s plan to raise production capacity to 80 million tonnes per annum by 2030.
This new initiative follows a similar plan established by Dangote to increase exports of cement and clinker to 10 million tons by 2030, in contrast to 1.4 million tons in 2025.
Dangote Cement recently reported an 18.6 per cent rise in cement and clinker exports from Nigeria, dispatching 34 shiploads of clinker to Cameroon and Ghana during the year.
As seen on Bloomberg, the company’s CFO noted that the expansion plan would be financed with operating cash flow, supplier credit, commercial papers, bonds, and bank loans.
This initiative had earlier been spoken about by the company's Group Managing Director, Arvind Pathak, who noted that the cement company would continue to commission new capacity and advance projects across several African markets.
“We are confident in our growth trajectory and our ability to capitalise on Africa’s robust cement demand fundamentals,” Mr Pathak said in an earnings release filed with the Nigerian Exchange.
“We will continue commissioning new capacity, including the transformational 6 metric tonne per annum (Mta) Itori plant, while advancing expansion projects in Ethiopia, Cameroon, South Africa, Zambia, and Senegal.”
A few days back, Dangote Cement reported its highest profit on record.
Dangote Cement's recent milestones
The company disclosed that net profit for 2025 increased to N1 trillion, or almost $730 million at an exchange rate of N1,369.06 to $1, more than doubling the previous year's performance.
Revenue increased by 20.3% to N4.3 trillion, or nearly $3.14 billion, thanks mostly to stronger pricing and solid domestic demand.
The record earnings come despite a minor drop in sales volumes, highlighting the group's pivot toward margin protection, cost efficiency, and export growth as it positions Nigeria as a regional manufacturing hub.
In February 2026, Dangote Cement Plc became the first company to list Commercial Papers (CPs) on Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).
The listing follows the opening of a Commercial Paper window by NGX on December 3, 2025, after gaining approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Dangote Cement's Series 1 and Series 2 Commercial Papers were admitted to its N500 billion Commercial Paper Issuance Programme.
The 181-day Series 1 CP for N19.95 billion will mature on May 20, 2026. The N99.92 billion Series 2 CP has a tenor of 265 days and will mature on August 12, 2026.
Both instruments were issued at a discount and will be repaid at their par value of N1,000 upon maturity. Series 1 and Series 2 provided indicated yields of 17.50% and 19%, respectively.
In October last year, the cement company commissioned a $160 million plant in Attingué, about 30 kilometres north of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire’s commercial hub.
The 50-hectare facility can produce three million metric tonnes per year, making it one of the company's largest sites outside Nigeria.
With the $1 billion investment, the cement manufacturer, in the span of four years, intends to boost production capacity by 45% to 80 million tons.
This information was disclosed by the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Gbenga Fapohunda, on Wednesday, during an investor conference call in the country’s commercial hub, Lagos.
He noted that the fund would be channeled in “Nigeria, Ethiopia, and some other countries.”
In February, the company disclosed that it had signed a $1 billion agreement with China’s Sinoma International Engineering to construct new plants and expand existing facilities across Africa.
The landmark deal, signed in Lagos, covers 12 projects across seven African countries and is part of DCP’s plan to raise production capacity to 80 million tonnes per annum by 2030.
This new initiative follows a similar plan established by Dangote to increase exports of cement and clinker to 10 million tons by 2030, in contrast to 1.4 million tons in 2025.
Dangote Cement recently reported an 18.6 per cent rise in cement and clinker exports from Nigeria, dispatching 34 shiploads of clinker to Cameroon and Ghana during the year.
As seen on Bloomberg, the company’s CFO noted that the expansion plan would be financed with operating cash flow, supplier credit, commercial papers, bonds, and bank loans.
This initiative had earlier been spoken about by the company's Group Managing Director, Arvind Pathak, who noted that the cement company would continue to commission new capacity and advance projects across several African markets.
“We are confident in our growth trajectory and our ability to capitalise on Africa’s robust cement demand fundamentals,” Mr Pathak said in an earnings release filed with the Nigerian Exchange.
“We will continue commissioning new capacity, including the transformational 6 metric tonne per annum (Mta) Itori plant, while advancing expansion projects in Ethiopia, Cameroon, South Africa, Zambia, and Senegal.”
A few days back, Dangote Cement reported its highest profit on record.
Dangote Cement's recent milestones
The company disclosed that net profit for 2025 increased to N1 trillion, or almost $730 million at an exchange rate of N1,369.06 to $1, more than doubling the previous year's performance.
Revenue increased by 20.3% to N4.3 trillion, or nearly $3.14 billion, thanks mostly to stronger pricing and solid domestic demand.
The record earnings come despite a minor drop in sales volumes, highlighting the group's pivot toward margin protection, cost efficiency, and export growth as it positions Nigeria as a regional manufacturing hub.
In February 2026, Dangote Cement Plc became the first company to list Commercial Papers (CPs) on Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).
The listing follows the opening of a Commercial Paper window by NGX on December 3, 2025, after gaining approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Dangote Cement's Series 1 and Series 2 Commercial Papers were admitted to its N500 billion Commercial Paper Issuance Programme.
The 181-day Series 1 CP for N19.95 billion will mature on May 20, 2026. The N99.92 billion Series 2 CP has a tenor of 265 days and will mature on August 12, 2026.
Both instruments were issued at a discount and will be repaid at their par value of N1,000 upon maturity. Series 1 and Series 2 provided indicated yields of 17.50% and 19%, respectively.
In October last year, the cement company commissioned a $160 million plant in Attingué, about 30 kilometres north of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire’s commercial hub.
The 50-hectare facility can produce three million metric tonnes per year, making it one of the company's largest sites outside Nigeria.
By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa
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