₦airaland Forum

The Federal Government has approved the construction of a 10,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery in Delta State. The licence was granted by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to MRO Energy Limited.

The refinery, to be situated in Imode, Ughelli, Delta State, marks another step towards reducing Nigeria’s dependency on imported petroleum products. The announcement follows a similar approval two months ago for Process Design and Development Limited to construct a 27,000 bpd refinery in Gombe State.

NMDPRA’s Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, who presented the licence to MRO Energy Limited, emphasized the significance of such initiatives in improving the nation’s refining landscape. “The authority Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed presented a Licence To Establish a 10,000 Barrels Per Stream Day Refinery at Imode In Ughelli, Delta State, to MRO Energy Limited,” the agency noted via its official official X handle.

Dangote Refinery begins production
Despite the uptick in refinery approvals, the reality on the ground paints a more complex picture. Nigeria currently has about 11 modular and regular refineries, but many remain underutilized or non-functional, raising questions about the overall efficiency of the sector.

Earlier this month, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) also revealed plans to establish a 50,000 bpd refinery, signaling growing interest in expanding domestic refining operations.


However, experts argue that these developments must be complemented by efforts to address the underlying issues plaguing the industry, such as operational inefficiencies and inconsistent crude oil supply.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has set a target of 770,500 barrels of oil per day for domestic refining. Whether this target can be met amidst the challenges remains to be seen.

Arbiterz.com All right reserve

Oakenshield:
But better than Nigeria and Africa governments combined

yes,agreed, but I am using their standards

Bobloco:
Just as Wike is being used, he will also be dumped.

Wike's own will be worse

Joe Biden was a docile president.America was virtually sleeping during his tenure.His tenure was not eventful.

Smartcitizen:
We are still waiting for Solodo's investment.

with insecurity, existing businesses cannot thrive and new one's cannot be established

zero8zero:
We have not seen Ameachi in the North since the last election was over. He was turbaned as the Dan Amanar Daura - the trusted son of Daura. Why has he not gone to re-dedicate his loyalty at the emirate.

A butterfly can never be a bird even if it's pretends to be.He has been used and dump.

givedemwotowoto:
Nigeria joining BRICS was a very big mistake!!! Now Trump will probably punish them with sanctions and trade and restrictions.

How much money have you made from Russia and China and other larger BRICS nations, that your country has to risk sanctions to join this rival alliance that doesn’t benefit its citizens?

It was a wrong timing by the economic advisers

hexDeg:
The irony of Nigerians and ponzi schemes

You would think that with all the losses Nigerians have experienced with ponzi schemes they will dislike it right? Well the shocker is Nigerians cherish it, all you have to do is sell a get rich quick fantasy and you will sell in Nigeria.

When I was still studying in the university alot of my course mates invested > 100,000 Naira in the then MMM and various other ponzi that swept off these good Nigerians their hard earned money, why? Because they were promised a quick double or triple.

Looking back at 2018, if you had invested that 100,000 naira in the Nigerian Stock Market, a lot of companies have done more than 10x ... You should have atleast a million naira and still potential to grow into 10 million.

This is truly how wealth is built. This is the part where I like to ask a realistic question, Look around you have you ever seen anybody that made it out of gambling? Honestly?

To learn more about Stocks Investing in US/Nigerian market contact me on WhatsApp at 0.7.0.2.5.5.2.9.0.2.3

Life itself is a risk,take it.What if they have succeeded,some did anyway.

A state with less resources, doing far better than those with humonguous capital and resource.What an irony.
Kudos to the governor

illicit:
We will 'unsovereign them'

They are too small...

That word is unknown in government,it is tantamount to encroachment into anothers territory.

illicit:
We will 'unsovereign them'

They are too small...

That word is unknown in government,it is tantamount to encroachment

illicit:
Nigeria should just invade those little hamlets and incorporate them...

Togo is a sovereign state

Togo is considering joining the Alliance of the Sahel Region (AES).
Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Dussey, expressed openness to the idea.
Togo's potential integration into the AES may lead to its withdrawal from
While this is not officially in the works yet, a member of the West African country’s administration, recently threw out the idea.

He, the Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Dussey, noted that the suggestion of Togo being intergrated into the young regional group is not far fetched.

"It is the decision of the president of the republic, but it is not impossible," he said to Voxafrica during an interview on Thursday.

Speaking further on the subject, the Togolese minister also deplored the absence of true sovereignty on the continent, noting that "Africa is only used to serve the great powers, and this is not normal."

Assimi Goïta's ascension to power in Mali "is an opportunity" for the Sahelian country, the minister also emphasized, as seen on Sputnik.

"Ask the Togolese people if they want to join the AES, I think they'd say yes," Dussey added.

Should Togo opt to join the AES, its is very likely that the city and port of Lome, Togo, would be open to maritime cooperation with the three landlocked countries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, that currently make up the AES.

Also, should the idea come to fruition, it almost certainly means that Togo, which is currently a member state of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), would be pulling out of the group, given its socio-political differences with the AES.

ECOWAS vs the AES
The three West African countries that make up the AES sharply exited ECOWAS in January of this year, citing the organization's alleged lack of support for their efforts to combat terrorism, and its subservience to former colonial power France.

The three nations that they have overthrown previous governments through coups and concluded that they no longer wish to be part of the West African Bloc.

ECOWAS immediately responded to their secession by declaring that it will take the necessary steps to bring the nations back to their original bloc, including enforcing economic sanctions against them.


However, in December, the Alliance of Sahel States officially received approval from ECOWAS confirming their withdrawal from ECOWAS.

The announcement was made by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Alieu Touray, on the 15 of December during the 66th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government in Abuja.

© 2025 africa.businessinsider.com

Iamdbull:
My life is that bad but the problem is am very ambitious full of energy but nothing I lay my hands on prospers, no help, no support, no family all I do is waste the little money i make on my unproductive hustle.


I regret chasing dreams not everyone is destined to succeed.

The environment I find myself is one where you only prattle away your time as an hedonist or epicurian

Death is my only remedy right now.

You can mock my situation but remember you never know what situation you can find yourself.

Self pity is not a solution.keep going, there's light at the end of the tunnel.

I have lived in Lagos, a seaside megacity of over 20 million people, since early 2022. Before moving to the Nigerian capital, I was a correspondent for Reuters in my native Harare, Zimbabwe.
When I first arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport here, I was almost knocked off my feet by the heat and humidity. But I've since grown to love this busy financial, artistic and cultural capital.
As the Reuters Nigeria bureau chief, I oversee a team of people responsible for covering everything from the humanitarian impact of a long-running Islamist insurgency to the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu to the completion of Africa's largest petrochemical plant, the Dangote Refinery.
When visitors ask me about Lagos, here's what I tell them:
Getting around: The "Danfo" yellow minibus is ubiquitous here and used by a majority of Lagosians. It is idolised in songs, and a restaurant in the affluent Ikoyi neighbourhood is even named after it. Many of the vehicles are battered and creaky, and some have been on the road since the 1970s. I have yet to summon the courage to ride in a Danfo because of their little regard for road rules. For a visitor to the city, Uber or Bolt is a better and safer option.
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What to eat: Jollof rice and pepe is a permanent feature of every menu, holding pride of place in the hearts of Nigerians. Jollof is typically made in one pot with long-grain rice and spices, often including the extremely hot chilli known as "pepe." Foodies Hot & Spicy restaurant on Admiralty Way in the Lekki suburb, near the business district of Victoria Island, serves nice jollof, which is even better with their roasted turkey. You can order online, takeaway or sit in and eat for 8,000 naira ($5) a plate.
Books: When growing up, I immersed myself in the literary works of Nigerian authors Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe, but my two favourite books are light reading. "Nearly All The Men in Lagos Are Mad" is a 2021 collection of short stories by Damilare Kuku exploring relationships in the melting pot that is Lagos, and "Becoming Nigerian: A Guide" by Elnathan John is a humorous look at how power in Nigeria operates in politics, business, religious institutions and in homes. Two well-stocked bookstores I enjoy are Roving Heights in Victoria Island and in Surulere on the mainland.
Ordering online: One of the beauties of living in Lagos is the ease with which you can order and pay for anything from food to fashion online. When ordering food, OyaNow is among the best apps. I love informal dressing, especially T-shirts, and I recently bought some decent ones on Hingees.com for 9,000 naira ($6) apiece.
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Big cars: The "Ogas" ("bosses", including politicians and business executives) of Lagos can be spotted by their big cars, especially Mercedes-Benz G-Wagons and Toyota Land Cruisers. In tow are security convoys with ear-splitting sirens and often limited obedience of traffic laws. Decades of cheap gasoline made it easy for Nigerians, the rich and middle class, to own fuel-guzzling cars, and the gradual removal of the petrol subsidy since 2023 has not changed the habit. In Lagos, petrol costs as low as 925 naira a litre ($0.60, or about $2.30 a gallon.)
Delis Cafe, The Flowershop Cafe or Art Cafe are great spots to meet for coffee. For $8 or less, you can get a cappuccino and piece of chocolate cake, my favourite.

Afrobeat: Whether I'm in a bar, restaurant, market, or roadside eatery that sells "suya" (grilled meat), there is no escaping the Afrobeat sound. Nigerian music artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Tems and Tiwa Savage have enjoyed global success in recent years as proponents of the Afrobeat sound. I stream most of my music, but Classic 97.3 FM also has a great music selection. "Rush," by young musician Ayra Starr, is one of my favourites.
Communicating: Nigerian Pidgin, an English-based creole language, is widely spoken in Lagos and across Nigeria. In many respects, it showcases the creativity of Nigerians. Some common words and phrases include "wahala" (trouble), "abeg" (please) and "Wetin dey happen" (What's going on?). On a Friday, when most employees head home from the business district, you are likely to hear a security guard asking for money: "Anything for the boy?" to which you can say, "I dry well well" (I have nothing).
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Out and about: From private beaches to lagoonside cafes, art galleries to nature reserves, Lagos caters to many tastes. Lagosians take partying seriously, and, at night, partygoers flock to beachside hangouts, jazz clubs or Irish pubs. Victoria Island is the centre of entertainment for visitors and is easily accessible by Uber or Bolt. Delis Cafe, The Flowershop Cafe or Art Cafe are great spots to meet for coffee. For $8 or less, you can get a cappuccino and piece of chocolate cake, my favourite. If you love outdoors and live bands, Bature Brewery is a nice pick. It has craft beer and delicious pub grub; the pulled pork pizza is a good choice.


Escaping: To get away from the frenetic pace of Lagos city, I usually go to Jara Beach Resort, some 50 km (30 miles) from Victoria Island. It is private and clean. For 40,000 naira ($26) you can get a five-hour day pass that includes lunch and drinks, including cocktails! You will need a car, though, which means navigating the traffic along the Epe Expressway. Jara also offers a pick-up and drop-off service.
What's annoying: Lagos is hot and humid most of the year, and the pollution level is twice the World Health Organisation's annual air quality guideline. The combination can be choking. Wear light clothing, drink lots of water and look out for places with functional air conditioners or big fans.

© 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved

Bobodee09:
The man who always put himself out there as a saint.

ObJ is the foundation of the problem we are facing today.

A very greed and selfish man. No one must outshine him ,he always has problem with anything good coming from other people.

And he still has the effrontery to criticize others

The Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development became a battleground of accusations and counterarguments on Wednesday as lawmakers scrutinised the Ministry of Housing over its N92 billion contractor debt and alleged lack of project visibility under its 2024 budget performance.

Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) spearheaded the critique, lambasting the ministry for failing to deliver tangible housing projects in Bauchi State and other regions.

“This is music to our ears,” Ningi declared, expressing disbelief at the ministry’s claims of constructing 7,522 housing units nationwide, of which 3,388 have been completed. “I’ve been a senator for over a year, and I’ve never seen or heard of these projects in my constituency. Are these housing units a reality for Nigerians or just on paper?”


He also questioned the ministry’s transparency, citing N22.6 billion unaccounted for from the 2023 supplementary budget.

“How can we approve the 2025 budget when the 2024 allocations remain unfulfilled?” Ningi asked, demanding clarity on project locations and financial accounting,” he said.


Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South) countered Ningi’s criticism, defending the ministry’s performance and project timelines.

“You don’t acquire land, do surveys, and build houses in one day,” Ibrahim argued. “The ministry was granted an extension for capital projects in 2024. Let’s wait before dismissing their efforts.”

However, his remarks provoked an uproar, with senators accusing him of acting as a spokesperson for the ministry rather than letting its representatives respond.
Several senators highlighted the plight of 6,455 contractors owed a total of N92 billion by the ministry.


Sen. Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West) lamented the financial struggles of contractors who borrowed funds to execute government projects.

“These hardworking Nigerians have been abandoned and rendered useless because the ministry failed to honor its obligations,” Ngwu said, calling for a special intervention fund to clear the backlog.

Amid the heated exchanges, Committee Chairman Sen. Aminu Tambuwal intervened, criticizing the ministry’s lack of preparedness and ordering its representatives to return on Monday with detailed reports.

“This committee will not tolerate half-baked presentations,” Tambuwal stated. “You must come back with comprehensive data on project locations, financial breakdowns, and plans to address contractor debts.”


The contentious session left several unresolved issues included where the housing units being constructed are located, and why are some states excluded? What happened to the N22.6 billion from the 2023 budget? and how the ministry will address the N92 billion owed to contractors?

The clash underscored growing concerns over Nigeria’s housing deficit and the effectiveness of government programs.

While some senators defended the ministry’s efforts, others insisted on concrete results to restore public trust.

As the debate continues, the ministry faces heightened scrutiny ahead of its next appearance before the Senate.


© 2025 GUARDIAN Newspapers. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday, recalled how late former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter stuck out his neck to save his life by seeking his release from prison under the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

He also reflected on the similarities he shared with the late Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States, during a funeral service held in Carter’s honour at the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King in Abeokuta.


Obasanjo, joined by his family, friends, and associates, paid tribute to Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.

The service was held to celebrate the life and selfless service of Carter, particularly his work through the ‘Carter Centre’.

In his tribute, titled ‘Jimmy Carter: The Departure Of A Titan’, Obasanjo highlighted several commonalities between his life and Carter’s, emphasizing their shared early experiences.

“In terms of early life background, I shared similarity with President Jimmy Carter,” Obasanjo stated.


He continued, “He was born into a farming family in Plains, Georgia, and I was born into a farming family in the rural village of Ibogun-Olaogun in Ogun.”

Obasanjo noted that both men were raised by disciplinarian parents who instilled values such as morality, hard work, integrity, kindness, humility, and compassion for the poor.

“My parents inculcated similar attributes in me as I was growing up in a rural area that had no pipe water, no electricity just as it was in Plains, Georgia, while Carter was growing there,” he explained.


However, Obasanjo humorously pointed out a difference, adding, “He beat me, though, in one respect, there was a road to his settlement, there was no road to my village. We walked to every place or, at best, we were carried on bicycles.”

Obasanjo also noted their shared military background, recalling their meeting when he served as Nigeria’s military Head of State.

“President Carter had a military background which I had, and in fact, we met when I was a military Head of State. But if not that we were both in politics, our paths may not have crossed,” Obasanjo said.

Reflecting on the loss, Obasanjo said, “I will miss Carter, a great and true friend, but I know we shall meet again in paradise.”


Obasanjo further explained that despite Carter’s distance of nearly 5,000 miles, his memorial service was a tribute to a world leader of remarkable integrity and compassion.

“He was a righteous man whose righteousness spread over the whole world,” Obasanjo remarked. “He was a lover of humanity, a man of God; and he was a great and true friend of mine.”

Obasanjo also recalled how Carter played a pivotal role in advocating for his release from prison under the regime of the late General Abacha.

“Carter stuck out his neck to save my life by seeking my release from prison,” he said.

During the sermon, Rev. Israel Akanji, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, spoke of Carter’s unwavering humility and compassion, which remained with him throughout his life.

“Carter believed in the philosophy of ‘What is mine is yours if you need’,” Akanji said, urging leaders to be compassionate and proactive in addressing the welfare of their people. (NAN)


Copyright © 1994 - 2025 PM NEWS |

Jaylord12:
Hmmmmm

All the political elite in Rivers state are now aware of wike antics,The few followers of wike are fake, they will soon fade away.

Wike should be humble and retrace his steps now bu begging Fubara for forgiveness

yarimo:
Post evidence here for everyone to read when WIKE said that or keep quiet

evidence, when it is known in the public domain, okay I should also post evidence that there's disagreement between wike and Fubara

Godjone:


How many more Nigerians will die before we see an end of this catastrophe? What is happening Mr mandate grabber and snatcher

The rate people kpai in the west on suicide account is alarming

The rate of excruciating poverty on the south west is high

yarimo:
Post prove where WIKE said he wants to control the resources of rivers state or keep quiet

didn't you hear the amount of money wike said fabura should be giving to him as a godfather

If he does that, nothing will be left to run the state

dollyj1996:
thanks but I can't get any app by that name

sorry it's thrift2u

CodeTemplarr:
But there is a corresponding reduction in old wornout notes too. I think it is more of currency renewal than increase in money circulating.

but there's more old notes in circulation than new ones

dollyj1996:
Hello guys, I need an app that I can use for my thrift business

ho to playstore and download thrift2me

wifeesnatcher:
You believe Tinubu will lose 2027 seeing this?


Those who criticize him online will be the one fronting for him when the time comes

The masses are the problem of this country, not the leaders.

If you can bring the loot back home, you will be celebrated and voted for

Frenzyboy:
Only a useless brain will gather there... Nigerians celebrating a thief

you are only pretending because you've not gotten the opportunity

WhoDeyThere:
Don't say kogi people, be specific, ebira people or kogi central people.

It is a Nigerian thing, not state or tribe,

I always say it here on this forum, that the value system in Nigeria is that a looter of government resources is not seen as a thief by his people.

He is being celebrated for bringing the loot home so that they can taste some of it.

Nigerians deserved the type of leader they had.

yarimo:
what is he doing in rivers state?

He want to control the governor and state resources even when he's no longer the governor.

Nobody will accept that, Fubara refused,and wike will not let him be,even when all the stakeholders in the state has accepted Fubara.

Wike actions has brought problem and lack of development in the state

yarimo:
Anyone that one to milk FUBARA will just come up with different rascality against WIKE to the mumu Governor

so you are in support of what wike is doing in Rivers state.