Despite being one of Africa’s top oil producers, Nigeria remains heavily reliant on imported petrol. Even with increased domestic refining capacity driven by the Dangote Refinery, over half of the country’s fuel consumption is still sourced from abroad. This mismatch is raising renewed concerns about supply chains, pricing pressures, and the pace of Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy.
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Nigeria’s oil demand-supply imbalance raises questions about energy transition
Despite being one of Africa’s top oil producers, Nigeria remains heavily reliant on imported petrol. Even with increased domestic refining capacity driven by the Dangote Refinery, over half of the country’s fuel consumption is still sourced from abroad. This mismatch is raising renewed concerns about supply chains, pricing pressures, and the pace of Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy.
Nigeria's non-oil exports surge to record high of $6.1 billion in 2025
Efforts by the Nigerian government to boost non-oil exports appear to be paying off as new data from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council shows non-oil exports climbed to a record $6.1 billion in 2025. Authorities say the figure marks an 11.5 percent increase from the $5.4 billion recorded in 2024.
Nigerian Army rescues 11 kidnapped persons after 92 days in captivity, foils terrorist escape
The Nigerian Army yesterday said it rescued 11 kidnapped persons during a late-night operation along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway after foiling an attempt by terrorists to move their captives through a bush route.
The army said the operation, carried out on January 26, 2026, was executed by troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Doka, following intelligence obtained through surveillance.
In a statement, the army said its troops detected armed terrorists attempting to transport their captives through the Gidan Duna–Amale bush track under the cover of darkness.
It added that soldiers launched a swift pursuit using tactical vehicles and motorcycles, forcing the terrorists to abandon the victims and flee into nearby scrubland.
Five adult males, three adult females and three children were rescued during the operation. The army said the victims had been in captivity for 92 days, having been abducted from Gada Mallam Maman Community on October 26, 2025.
“The operation resulted in the successful rescue of five adult males, three adult females, and three children, who had been held in captivity since their abduction from Gada Mallam Maman Community on 26 October 2025,” the statement added.
The army described the operation as a demonstration of its effective use of modern surveillance technology combined with agile ground operations, stressing its commitment to denying criminal elements freedom of movement.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, yesterday announced a renewed alliance between the Nigerian Army and the Taraba State Government in an all-out push against terrorism and other forms of insecurity.
He spoke while receiving the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, alongside federal lawmakers and members of the Executive Council of the International Institute for African Defence, Security and Governance during a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Lieutenant General Shaibu said the army remained resolute in its constitutional mandate to support civil authorities in maintaining peace and security, noting that Taraba State occupies a strategic position within Nigeria’s security architecture because of its terrain and security dynamics.
He commended Governor Kefas for what he described as decisive leadership and effective coordination with security agencies, adding that the state government’s support — including the donation of land and provision of operational equipment — had served as critical force multipliers, significantly enhancing the tempo, reach and effectiveness of military operations in the region.
By Victor Gbonegun, The Guardian
The army said the operation, carried out on January 26, 2026, was executed by troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Doka, following intelligence obtained through surveillance.
In a statement, the army said its troops detected armed terrorists attempting to transport their captives through the Gidan Duna–Amale bush track under the cover of darkness.
It added that soldiers launched a swift pursuit using tactical vehicles and motorcycles, forcing the terrorists to abandon the victims and flee into nearby scrubland.
Five adult males, three adult females and three children were rescued during the operation. The army said the victims had been in captivity for 92 days, having been abducted from Gada Mallam Maman Community on October 26, 2025.
“The operation resulted in the successful rescue of five adult males, three adult females, and three children, who had been held in captivity since their abduction from Gada Mallam Maman Community on 26 October 2025,” the statement added.
The army described the operation as a demonstration of its effective use of modern surveillance technology combined with agile ground operations, stressing its commitment to denying criminal elements freedom of movement.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, yesterday announced a renewed alliance between the Nigerian Army and the Taraba State Government in an all-out push against terrorism and other forms of insecurity.
He spoke while receiving the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, alongside federal lawmakers and members of the Executive Council of the International Institute for African Defence, Security and Governance during a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Lieutenant General Shaibu said the army remained resolute in its constitutional mandate to support civil authorities in maintaining peace and security, noting that Taraba State occupies a strategic position within Nigeria’s security architecture because of its terrain and security dynamics.
He commended Governor Kefas for what he described as decisive leadership and effective coordination with security agencies, adding that the state government’s support — including the donation of land and provision of operational equipment — had served as critical force multipliers, significantly enhancing the tempo, reach and effectiveness of military operations in the region.
By Victor Gbonegun, The Guardian
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Nigeria urges value-driven growth as Davos Forum concludes
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar outlined the country’s foreign policy priorities and efforts to deepen regional and global engagement.
PayPal Goes Live In Nigeria Through Paga, Enabling Global Payments And Local Withdrawals
Paga, Nigeria’s pioneering fintech company, and PayPal, the global payments and commerce platform, today announced the availability of live account linking for customers in Nigeria. The integration enables users to access PayPal-supported cross-border payments directly through Paga’s digital wallet, allowing them to receive international payments and withdraw funds locally in Naira.
With this integration, users in Nigeria can link their PayPal accounts directly to their Paga wallets to receive cross-border payments from PayPal supported markets, shop with global PayPal merchants, and access their funds locally. The service also enables Nigerian merchants and entrepreneurs to reach PayPal’s global network of over 400 million users worldwide, and grow their businesses internationally.
Through Paga, users can easily access their PayPal balances and withdraw funds across everyday financial needs, including spending via card, transferring to local bank accounts, or paying bills and merchants within the Paga ecosystem, providing a seamless bridge between global earnings and local use. The collaboration strengthens Nigeria’s financial services ecosystem by promoting cross-border commerce, empowering merchants and small business growth, and supporting the country’s digital economic infrastructure.
“We are proud to make this integration live and available to users across Nigeria,” said Tayo Oviosu, Founder and Group CEO of Paga. “Whether you’re a freelancer receiving international payments, a business selling online, or a consumer shopping globally, this collaboration makes it easier to access and use global funds locally, in a way that’s simple, secure, and built for our markets.”
“We’ve been intentional about partnering with local innovators like Paga and developing solutions that help Nigerians earn, spend, and grow,” said Otto Williams, Senior Vice President, Regional Head and General Manager of PayPal Middle East and Africa. “This collaboration helps strengthen the broader payments ecosystem by supporting local innovation, expanding financial inclusion, and enabling more consumers and businesses to participate confidently in the digital economy.”
Nigeria’s digital payments market continues to expand rapidly, with transaction values reaching ₦657.8 trillion in 2023 and more than 30 million active mobile wallet users (Novatia Consulting, 2024). With over 21 million users and a fast-growing API infrastructure, Paga is uniquely positioned to scale PayPal’s services to both consumers and businesses across the country, leveraging its local settlement network, digital wallet, and Visa card integrations positioning it as a secure and trusted local partner for cross-border digital payments.
To access PayPal services through Paga, users can log in to the Paga app or www.paga.com, link their PayPal account, and start receiving international payments into their Paga wallet and use those funds to pay bills, transfer to bank accounts, or shop online.
With this integration, users in Nigeria can link their PayPal accounts directly to their Paga wallets to receive cross-border payments from PayPal supported markets, shop with global PayPal merchants, and access their funds locally. The service also enables Nigerian merchants and entrepreneurs to reach PayPal’s global network of over 400 million users worldwide, and grow their businesses internationally.
Through Paga, users can easily access their PayPal balances and withdraw funds across everyday financial needs, including spending via card, transferring to local bank accounts, or paying bills and merchants within the Paga ecosystem, providing a seamless bridge between global earnings and local use. The collaboration strengthens Nigeria’s financial services ecosystem by promoting cross-border commerce, empowering merchants and small business growth, and supporting the country’s digital economic infrastructure.
“We are proud to make this integration live and available to users across Nigeria,” said Tayo Oviosu, Founder and Group CEO of Paga. “Whether you’re a freelancer receiving international payments, a business selling online, or a consumer shopping globally, this collaboration makes it easier to access and use global funds locally, in a way that’s simple, secure, and built for our markets.”
“We’ve been intentional about partnering with local innovators like Paga and developing solutions that help Nigerians earn, spend, and grow,” said Otto Williams, Senior Vice President, Regional Head and General Manager of PayPal Middle East and Africa. “This collaboration helps strengthen the broader payments ecosystem by supporting local innovation, expanding financial inclusion, and enabling more consumers and businesses to participate confidently in the digital economy.”
Nigeria’s digital payments market continues to expand rapidly, with transaction values reaching ₦657.8 trillion in 2023 and more than 30 million active mobile wallet users (Novatia Consulting, 2024). With over 21 million users and a fast-growing API infrastructure, Paga is uniquely positioned to scale PayPal’s services to both consumers and businesses across the country, leveraging its local settlement network, digital wallet, and Visa card integrations positioning it as a secure and trusted local partner for cross-border digital payments.
To access PayPal services through Paga, users can log in to the Paga app or www.paga.com, link their PayPal account, and start receiving international payments into their Paga wallet and use those funds to pay bills, transfer to bank accounts, or shop online.
By Grace Ashiru, Tech In Africa
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