Families in Nigeria’s Borno State continue to search for loved ones who have disappeared, as the world marks the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The annual observance highlights people whose whereabouts remain unknown after abduction, arrest, detention or other unlawful deprivation of liberty.
Monday, August 31, 2026
Video - Families search for missing loved ones in Nigeria
Families in Nigeria’s Borno State continue to search for loved ones who have disappeared, as the world marks the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The annual observance highlights people whose whereabouts remain unknown after abduction, arrest, detention or other unlawful deprivation of liberty.
Video - Nigeria football federation undergoes leadership shake-up
Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee have resigned amid mounting pressure over the recent poor performance of the country’s national teams.
Video - Nigeria subsidy debate returns ahead of elections
As Nigeria prepares for general elections in January 2027, petrol subsidies have emerged as a key campaign issue. President Bola Tinubu’s government scrapped the subsidy in 2023, triggering a sharp rise in fuel prices. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has now pledged to reinstate petrol subsidies if elected president.
Africa’s largest refinery faces fresh challenge at home as Dangote threatens to cut off petrol importers
Dangote Petroleum Refinery is considering restricting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) sales to major Nigerian marketers that continue to import petrol, as the refinery raises concerns over product quality, market transparency and the protection of its brand.
The proposed measure could take effect as early as this week, subject to further consultations and any last-minute intervention, according to sources familiar with the refinery’s position.
The potential restriction comes as Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market undergoes a major shift from decades of dependence on imported refined products towards increased domestic production.
At the centre of Dangote Refinery’s concerns is the alleged blending of imported petrol with products purchased from the refinery before the mixture is distributed to consumers.
The refinery is concerned that if imported PMS of uncertain quality is mixed with its products, consumers may be unable to distinguish between fuel supplied directly by Dangote and products subsequently blended or handled by marketers.
The Punch reported that a source familiar with the refinery’s position said, “It is difficult to understand why we would invest heavily in producing high-quality petroleum products for Nigerians, only for those products to be mixed with imported products of uncertain quality and the resulting product to be associated with the refinery.”.
The proposed measure could take effect as early as this week, subject to further consultations and any last-minute intervention, according to sources familiar with the refinery’s position.
The potential restriction comes as Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market undergoes a major shift from decades of dependence on imported refined products towards increased domestic production.
At the centre of Dangote Refinery’s concerns is the alleged blending of imported petrol with products purchased from the refinery before the mixture is distributed to consumers.
The refinery is concerned that if imported PMS of uncertain quality is mixed with its products, consumers may be unable to distinguish between fuel supplied directly by Dangote and products subsequently blended or handled by marketers.
The Punch reported that a source familiar with the refinery’s position said, “It is difficult to understand why we would invest heavily in producing high-quality petroleum products for Nigerians, only for those products to be mixed with imported products of uncertain quality and the resulting product to be associated with the refinery.”.
Dangote challenges continued petrol imports
The refinery has also raised concerns about Nigeria’s ability to independently test and certify imported petroleum products.
The Punch further reported that sources familiar with the refinery’s position said the regulator lacks a standard laboratory and sufficient quality-control infrastructure to independently verify the specifications of some imported petroleum products
That concern has become more significant as Dangote’s 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery has expanded domestic production and emerged as a major supplier of refined products in Nigeria and international markets.
The refinery’s position reflects a broader argument that continued petrol imports are becoming increasingly difficult to justify as Nigeria develops substantial domestic refining capacity.
The United States Energy Information Administration recently highlighted the transformation in Nigeria’s refined-product trade, identifying the Dangote refinery as a major contributor to the country's rising seaborne petroleum-product exports.
Nigeria’s seaborne petroleum-product shipments averaged about 561,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of 2026, compared with an annual average of just 79,000 barrels per day in 2023.
The development underscores how rapidly Nigeria’s role in the international refined-products market has changed since the Dangote refinery began ramping up operations.
The refinery has also gained a growing presence in international aviation-fuel markets. Its jet fuel has been supplied to major overseas markets, including Europe and the US, where its exports have become increasingly significant.
For Dangote, the dispute is therefore not simply about controlling who buys its petrol. It is also about protecting the reputation of products carrying the refinery’s name at a time when it is seeking to establish Nigerian refined petroleum products as a competitive alternative to imports.
Any decision to restrict supplies to marketers that continue importing PMS could further reshape Nigeria’s downstream market, putting additional pressure on major fuel distributors to choose between domestic supply and imported petrol.
It could also intensify the debate over whether Nigeria should continue allowing significant petrol imports while one of Africa’s largest refineries is operating at scale and increasingly supplying both domestic and international markets.
The refinery has also raised concerns about Nigeria’s ability to independently test and certify imported petroleum products.
The Punch further reported that sources familiar with the refinery’s position said the regulator lacks a standard laboratory and sufficient quality-control infrastructure to independently verify the specifications of some imported petroleum products
That concern has become more significant as Dangote’s 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery has expanded domestic production and emerged as a major supplier of refined products in Nigeria and international markets.
The refinery’s position reflects a broader argument that continued petrol imports are becoming increasingly difficult to justify as Nigeria develops substantial domestic refining capacity.
The United States Energy Information Administration recently highlighted the transformation in Nigeria’s refined-product trade, identifying the Dangote refinery as a major contributor to the country's rising seaborne petroleum-product exports.
Nigeria’s seaborne petroleum-product shipments averaged about 561,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of 2026, compared with an annual average of just 79,000 barrels per day in 2023.
The development underscores how rapidly Nigeria’s role in the international refined-products market has changed since the Dangote refinery began ramping up operations.
The refinery has also gained a growing presence in international aviation-fuel markets. Its jet fuel has been supplied to major overseas markets, including Europe and the US, where its exports have become increasingly significant.
For Dangote, the dispute is therefore not simply about controlling who buys its petrol. It is also about protecting the reputation of products carrying the refinery’s name at a time when it is seeking to establish Nigerian refined petroleum products as a competitive alternative to imports.
Any decision to restrict supplies to marketers that continue importing PMS could further reshape Nigeria’s downstream market, putting additional pressure on major fuel distributors to choose between domestic supply and imported petrol.
It could also intensify the debate over whether Nigeria should continue allowing significant petrol imports while one of Africa’s largest refineries is operating at scale and increasingly supplying both domestic and international markets.
By Solomon Ekanem, Business Insider Africa
Huawei Launches Agentic AI Cloud in Nigeria to Accelerate AI Adoption
Huawei has launched its Agentic AI Cloud and related artificial intelligence solutions in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s AI capabilities and accelerate the adoption of AI agents across key sectors.
The solutions were unveiled at the Huawei Nigeria AI & Cloud Summit held in Lagos on August 27, where government officials, industry stakeholders and technology partners discussed opportunities for advancing Nigeria’s digital and intelligent transformation.
Huawei said its local cloud infrastructure, supported by data residency, security, compliance and low-latency capabilities, will enable organisations to develop and deploy AI agents more efficiently across sectors including finance, telecommunications, internet services, government and enterprises.
Speaking at the summit, Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat said AI readiness requires more than advanced models and algorithms, highlighting the importance of reliable connectivity, cloud and digital infrastructure, secure data, digital talent and collaboration.
“Lagos is not a city waiting for the AI future to arrive. We are building the digital foundations and real-world conditions in which that future can take root.”
– Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Lagos State
He said Lagos aims not only to become a market for emerging technologies but also to serve as a platform for technological innovation, solution validation and large-scale deployment.
NITDA Director-General and CEO Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi also stressed the importance of infrastructure, data, talent, funding, governance and partnerships in determining Nigeria’s AI future.
He said the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative is intended to create a secure, resilient and competitive ecosystem capable of attracting investment and helping Nigeria transition from a technology-consuming country into a leading African hub for AI and cloud innovation.
Huawei Nigeria CEO Austin You, in a keynote titled Advancing Nigeria’s AI Future, Together, said the country has the necessary foundation to take a leading position in Africa’s AI development.
“Nigeria has the foundation to lead Africa’s AI era. Huawei’s commitment is to turn that foundation into intelligent productivity through All Intelligence, deep local capabilities, an open ecosystem and build the next chapter of Nigeria’s growth, together.”
– Austin You, CEO, Huawei Nigeria
Huawei said it has operated in Nigeria for 27 years, expanding its presence from network connectivity and digital infrastructure into cloud computing and AI technologies.
The company said Huawei Cloud launched its first hyperscale local cloud in Nigeria in 2024, enabling local data storage and computing while supporting data residency requirements.
In 2025, Huawei Cloud expanded its local data and cloud services with industry-focused capabilities for the finance, internet, government and enterprise sectors, with emphasis on data security, compliance and digitalisation.
The launch of Agentic AI Cloud in 2026 represents the latest stage of that development, with Huawei positioning its local cloud infrastructure as a platform for delivering intelligent services rather than primarily hosting data.
Roc Bai, Managing Director of Huawei Cloud Nigeria, said the technology could help organisations convert local data, industry expertise and business requirements into practical AI applications.
“With Huawei Cloud as a trusted local foundation, AI can turn local data, industry knowledge, and business needs into real intelligence and lasting value.”
– Roc Bai, Managing Director, Huawei Cloud Nigeria
At the summit, Huawei Cloud also showcased AI-native technologies covering big data, artificial intelligence and AI agents, while holding discussions with Nigerian ecosystem partners on joint innovation and industry applications.
Huawei said it will continue working with the Nigerian government, customers, partners and developers to strengthen local cloud and AI capabilities, accelerate the integration of cloud and AI technologies, and support the growth of intelligent industries in Nigeria.
By Jennifer Onyeagoro, Tech Africa News
The solutions were unveiled at the Huawei Nigeria AI & Cloud Summit held in Lagos on August 27, where government officials, industry stakeholders and technology partners discussed opportunities for advancing Nigeria’s digital and intelligent transformation.
Huawei said its local cloud infrastructure, supported by data residency, security, compliance and low-latency capabilities, will enable organisations to develop and deploy AI agents more efficiently across sectors including finance, telecommunications, internet services, government and enterprises.
Speaking at the summit, Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat said AI readiness requires more than advanced models and algorithms, highlighting the importance of reliable connectivity, cloud and digital infrastructure, secure data, digital talent and collaboration.
“Lagos is not a city waiting for the AI future to arrive. We are building the digital foundations and real-world conditions in which that future can take root.”
– Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Lagos State
He said Lagos aims not only to become a market for emerging technologies but also to serve as a platform for technological innovation, solution validation and large-scale deployment.
NITDA Director-General and CEO Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi also stressed the importance of infrastructure, data, talent, funding, governance and partnerships in determining Nigeria’s AI future.
He said the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative is intended to create a secure, resilient and competitive ecosystem capable of attracting investment and helping Nigeria transition from a technology-consuming country into a leading African hub for AI and cloud innovation.
Huawei Nigeria CEO Austin You, in a keynote titled Advancing Nigeria’s AI Future, Together, said the country has the necessary foundation to take a leading position in Africa’s AI development.
“Nigeria has the foundation to lead Africa’s AI era. Huawei’s commitment is to turn that foundation into intelligent productivity through All Intelligence, deep local capabilities, an open ecosystem and build the next chapter of Nigeria’s growth, together.”
– Austin You, CEO, Huawei Nigeria
Huawei said it has operated in Nigeria for 27 years, expanding its presence from network connectivity and digital infrastructure into cloud computing and AI technologies.
The company said Huawei Cloud launched its first hyperscale local cloud in Nigeria in 2024, enabling local data storage and computing while supporting data residency requirements.
In 2025, Huawei Cloud expanded its local data and cloud services with industry-focused capabilities for the finance, internet, government and enterprise sectors, with emphasis on data security, compliance and digitalisation.
The launch of Agentic AI Cloud in 2026 represents the latest stage of that development, with Huawei positioning its local cloud infrastructure as a platform for delivering intelligent services rather than primarily hosting data.
Roc Bai, Managing Director of Huawei Cloud Nigeria, said the technology could help organisations convert local data, industry expertise and business requirements into practical AI applications.
“With Huawei Cloud as a trusted local foundation, AI can turn local data, industry knowledge, and business needs into real intelligence and lasting value.”
– Roc Bai, Managing Director, Huawei Cloud Nigeria
At the summit, Huawei Cloud also showcased AI-native technologies covering big data, artificial intelligence and AI agents, while holding discussions with Nigerian ecosystem partners on joint innovation and industry applications.
Huawei said it will continue working with the Nigerian government, customers, partners and developers to strengthen local cloud and AI capabilities, accelerate the integration of cloud and AI technologies, and support the growth of intelligent industries in Nigeria.
By Jennifer Onyeagoro, Tech Africa News
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