Aeesha's Blog

Category: Breaking News

  • FG’s Pi-CNG Launches New Phase Of CNG, Electric Mobility Rollout

    The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG) and Electric Vehicles on Thursday unveiled its Pi-CNG 2.0 and electric mobility programmes to accelerate nationwide transition to cleaner and more affordable transport energy.

    Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Pi-CNG, who launched the programme in Abuja, said President Bola Tinubu remained committed to ensuring Nigerians benefit from cheaper mobility options to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

    Ahmed said the Pi-CNG 2.0 programme and electric mobility roadmap would showcase various brands of electric vehicles and tricycles currently in use in the country.

    He said the new operational phase would focus on availability, affordability and acceptability of CNG and EV technologies across Nigeria.

    “Our mission remains to build a resilient multi-energy transport ecosystem that lowers costs for Nigerians and positions the country as a continental clean mobility leader,” he said.

    According to him, five Liquefied Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) stations and daughter stations will be commissioned in Kano from January 2026, ahead of expansion to Kaduna, Gombe, Maiduguri and Katsina.

    Ahmed said the initiative, originally introduced to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, had evolved into a driver of the country’s clean mobility agenda.

    He said the programme had, over the last 20 months, advanced the gas-to-transport value chain through partnerships with industry operators, state governments, financiers and automotive manufacturers.

    “Our key achievements include the rollout of the Conversion Incentive Programme in 28 states, establishment of more than 58 refueling stations, deployment of thousands of natural gas vehicles, and enlistment of over 300 conversion partners.

    “We have attracted two billion dollars in investment and trained more than 6,000 Nigerians. A major lesson from the first phase is that sustained offtake depends on reliable gas supply,” he said.

    According to him, Pi-CNG has strengthened engagements with regulators, producers and midstream operators to secure long-term feedstock and optimise logistics across the virtual pipeline network.

    Ahmed said the initiative had also recorded progress in local manufacturing, including plans for an industrial park in Ajaokuta dedicated to producing CNG components to reduce imports and boost domestic value creation.

    He said other milestones included strengthened gas infrastructure in northern states and a partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission to expand CNG stations across the region.

    Ahmed also disclosed that Pi-CNG and EV had activated a national e-mobility programme in collaboration with key Original Equipment Manufacturers to deploy electric vehicles.

    He announced that the initiative would unveil its full presence in Kano State in the first quarter of 2026, with President Tinubu expected to inaugurate the Northern Corridor CNG network.

    “This initiative is people-centred; the President’s priority is improving the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians, as cheaper transport will directly reduce the cost of goods and services.

    “We will power charging stations with CNG to address concerns about electricity supply. Nigeria has enough sunlight and gas resources to sustain large-scale clean mobility,” he said.

    Earlier at the electric vehicle fair held as part of the event, Minister of State for Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo, represented by his Special Assistant, Abel Igheghe, commended Pi-CNG for advancing Nigeria’s clean energy goals.

    He said the EV and CNG rollout aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly regarding energy security, industrial growth and environmental sustainability.

    According to him, Nigeria’s mobility future will rely on a mix of options including CNG, LPG, LNG and electric vehicles.

    “Electric vehicle development will unlock jobs, attract investments and create opportunities in assembly, battery technology and charging infrastructure.

    “The Ministry will continue to support initiatives that promote alternative fuels, deepen gas utilisation, strengthen private-sector innovation and advance the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan,” he said.

    He urged stakeholders to ensure that clean mobility solutions remain inclusive and affordable.

    Ekpo assured that the newly unveiled electric buses would be deployed within the week across several states to provide cheaper transportation during the festive period.

    “Pi-CNG has made electric mobility a reality. These buses will be on the road immediately, offering Nigerians affordable transport this Christmas,” he said.

    Stakeholders including the National Automotive Design and Development Council and several local and foreign partners showcased their EV brands at the fair. The Federal Road Safety Corps and various road transport unions were also in attendance.

  • CAC Unveils Fresh Guidelines for Business Name Online Update Requests

    The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has introduced new mandatory requirements for all Business Name Online Update requests, in a move aimed at strengthening verification processes and improving the accuracy of business records nationwide.

    The directive, released on Wednesday through the commission’s official X account, requires applicants to provide additional personal and contact information before their update requests can be processed.

    According to the CAC, every Business Name Online Update submission must now include the proprietor’s date of birth, a registered office email address, the proprietor’s personal email address, a phone number for the registered office or proprietor (where different), and a valid means of identification.

    The commission stated that the revised guidelines form part of broader reforms intended to improve documentation integrity and minimise fraudulent alterations to business name records.

    “Under the new guidelines, every Business Name Online Update submission must include date of birth, registered office email, proprietor’s email address, phone number for the registered office or proprietor where different, and a valid means of identification,” the CAC said.

    The commission added that the additional details would ensure seamless communication with business proprietors, enable more accurate compliance checks, and strengthen its internal verification processes.

    It explained that the reforms were also designed to streamline the commission’s database and support its ongoing transition towards more secure and efficient digital service delivery.

    The regulatory body urged business owners to comply fully with the updated requirements to avoid delays in the processing of their applications.

    According to reports the CAC, which serves as Nigeria’s statutory authority for the registration and regulation of companies, business names and incorporated trustees, has in recent years migrated from manual operations to a digital-first system.
    This transition has improved accessibility and reduced bottlenecks in registration and post-registration services nationwide.

  • Cashless Payments, Tax Reforms, Other FG Policies To Commence In 2026

    The Federal Government says several key reforms and directives will take effect in 2026 as part of efforts to enhance transparency, boost revenue generation and modernise public service delivery.

    The measures are expected to significantly change how citizens and businesses interact with government institutions.

    A breakdown of the policies shows that the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) will replace the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) from Jan. 1, 2026, following the government’s reforms to tax administration. All taxpayers will be required to comply with the updated procedures.

    The government also announced that all federal revenue payments will become fully digital from 2026. Cash payments for services such as passports, licences and regulatory fees will no longer be accepted. The move is aimed at reducing leakages and strengthening transparency in revenue collection.

    In the area of trade facilitation, the National Single Window (NSW) platform is expected to become fully operational in the first quarter of 2026. The platform is designed to streamline trade and Customs processes and reduce bureaucracy for importers and exporters.

    Similarly, the government said the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Nigeria Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms will be rolled out early in 2026 to support e-government services and enhance data exchange among agencies.

    On budget implementation, the Federal Government directed that 70 per cent of the 2025 capital budget be rolled over into the 2026 fiscal year. The directive is intended to prioritise the completion of ongoing projects in security, infrastructure and social services in view of revenue constraints.

    In addition, the Revenue Optimisation Platform (RevOp) will centralise revenue collection, reconciliation and monitoring across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The system will integrate with the Treasury Single Account and other financial management platforms to curb leakages.

  • FG Opens Portal For Recruitment Of 50,000 Police Constables

    The Police Service Commission (PSC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has announced the commencement of recruitment of 50,000 police constables, following the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

    Torty Njoku Kalu, Head of Protocol and Public Affairs of the Commission, announced this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Kalu said the recruitment was aimed at strengthening community policing, boosting internal security and expanding the manpower capacity of the Force.

    He said the Commission had approved the opening of the recruitment portal for applications from qualified Nigerians with GCE Ordinary Level, SSCE/NECO or equivalent certificates, with a minimum of five credits including English Language and Mathematics in not more than two sittings, for the General Duty cadre.

    He added that applicants for the Specialist cadre must possess at least four credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in not more than two sittings, in addition to a minimum of three years’ experience and relevant Trade Tests.

    According to the statement, applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, medically, physically and psychologically fit, and must fall within the age brackets of 18 to 25 years for General Duty and 18 to 28 years for Specialists.

    Kalu said male applicants for General Duty must not be less than 1.67 metres in height, while female applicants must not be less than 1.64 metres.

    He said the recruitment portal would be open from Dec. 15, 2025, to Jan. 25, 2026.

    Kalu urged interested and qualified Nigerians to submit their applications within the stipulated period.

  • BREAKING: NNPCL, Others Reduce Petrol Price In Abuja

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) and several independent marketers have reduced the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory.

    According to our survey Abuja on Wednesday showed that NNPCL retail stations now dispense petrol at ₦915 per litre, down from ₦920, representing a ₦5 reduction.

    Independent marketers such as BOVAS and MRS were also seen adjusting their prices, with some outlets selling at ₦910 per litre, compared to previous rates of up to ₦945 per litre.

    Other filling stations monitored — including AYM Shafa, NIPCO, Optima, Mobil, Ranoil and Empire — sold petrol at prices ranging from ₦920 to ₦937 per litre, depending on outlet location and depot supply.

    The latest retail adjustments follow a decline in ex-depot prices from major depots and refineries. As of Wednesday, ex-depot petrol prices were listed as follows:

    ₦824.50 per litre at Dangote Refinery

    ₦823 per litre at Eterna and Aiteo depots

    ₦822 per litre at BOVAS depot

    According to reports the revised pump price by NNPCL comes after two consecutive reductions within two weeks, bringing the price down to ₦945 per litre, from ₦975 per litre.

    The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, had last week assured Nigerians of uninterrupted petrol supply during the festive season, saying the era of nationwide fuel queues was over.

  • Governors, NNPCL In Fresh Dispute Over Alleged $42bn Oil Revenue Shortfall

    Fresh tension has emerged between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Periscope Consulting, the audit firm engaged by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), over an alleged under-remittance of 42.37 billion dollars (about N12.91 trillion) into the Federation Account between 2011 and 2017.

    The development followed new submissions by both parties, which prompted the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to order a joint reconciliation session in an effort to determine the accurate revenue position and resolve the longstanding disagreement.

    The review recalled that FAAC had in October extended the ongoing investigation into remittances by revenue-generating agencies, including NNPCL, to December 2024 due to persistent discrepancies in crude proceeds and statutory payments.

    According to the committee, the audit undertaken by Periscope Consulting on behalf of the NGF alleged that NNPCL failed to remit crude oil sales and other earnings totalling 42.37 billion dollars during the six-year period.

    However, in its latest response, the national oil company dismissed the allegation, insisting that all revenues due to the Federation Account had been fully remitted.

    FAAC disclosed that NNPCL rejected the findings of Periscope Consulting, arguing that there were no outstanding payments for the period under review.

    “The NNPC Limited submitted its response regarding the alleged 42,373,896,555.00 dollars under-remittance to the Federation Account as contained in the report of Periscope Consulting. The company responded that all revenues due to the Federation have been properly accounted for,” the committee stated.

    But the consulting firm maintained its earlier position, insisting that its audit revealed significant gaps and unresolved revenue shortfalls.

    FAAC said the conflicting positions had resulted in a stalemate, adding that its sub-committee directed NNPCL and Periscope Consulting to hold a joint session to harmonise records and conclude the assignment, which it noted is still ongoing.

    The dispute marks the latest in a series of disagreements between state governments and NNPCL over oil revenue transparency. In February, FAAC suspended its monthly meeting after disagreements over an estimated N1.7 trillion in payments.

    The NGF had, in response to concerns over remittance practices, contracted Periscope Consulting to review NNPCL’s handling of crude sales, domestic allocation, subsidy deductions and joint-venture cash calls.

    Analysts say the alleged shortfall poses financial risks to cash-strapped state governments whose budgets depend significantly on monthly FAAC inflows.

    Although NNPCL has repeatedly claimed improvements in accountability following its transition to a limited liability company under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), governance groups say persistent audit gaps continue to undermine public confidence.

    A Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics, Wumi Iledare, told that the controversy reflects flaws associated with the pre-PIA structure of the former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

    He described the alleged under-remittance as a “legacy challenge”, attributing recurring reconciliation disputes to overlapping operational and regulatory roles under the defunct framework.

    “The alleged 42.37 billion dollars under-remittance simply reflects the weaknesses of the old system. The former NNPC had overlapping roles that made reconciliation difficult and prone to disputes. The way forward is disciplined implementation of the PIA and improved real-time monitoring,” he said.

    Meanwhile, FAAC said its Post-Mortem Sub-Committee also queried NNPCL over gaps in its reporting of the 30 per cent Frontier Exploration Fund, a statutory deduction for exploration activities in frontier basins.

    It said although NNPCL submitted utilisation records covering 2008 to 2024, the documentation lacked project-specific breakdowns. The committee noted that it has written to the company requesting details linking each exploration project to expenditure and is awaiting its response.

    The committee further identified outstanding liabilities owed by NNPCL to the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission between June and December 2023. The liabilities, estimated at N2.03 trillion, have been incorporated into an ongoing reconciliation process being coordinated by the Stakeholders Alignment Committee.

    Data in the FAAC report indicated that NUPRC royalties accounted for N1.19 trillion of the outstanding amount, while FIRS taxes totalled N843.28 billion.

    In a separate assessment, the World Bank faulted NNPCL for alleged failure to fully remit oil revenue to the Federation Account. It said despite the removal of the Premium Motor Spirit subsidy in October 2024, the company remitted only 600 billion naira out of an estimated 1.1 trillion naira revenue for 2024, leaving a gap of 500 billion naira.

    The bank said NNPCL still maintains monopolistic control over crude sales, which it argued contributes to revenue leakages and fiscal instability.

    Since assuming office, the NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, has pledged to deepen transparency and strengthen financial disclosure, insisting that the company is committed to full compliance with remittance rules.

    Despite these assurances, FAAC, state governments and international institutions say unresolved legacy issues continue to cast doubt on remittance practices.

  • Probe: EFCC Detains Ex-AGF Malami

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for failing to meet the bail conditions earlier granted to him.

    A senior official of the commission told NAN on Tuesday in Abuja that the former minister would remain in custody until he fulfils all requirements attached to the bail.

    “We arrested him for not meeting his bail conditions and he will remain in our custody until he meets those conditions,” the official said.

    Another EFCC source confirmed the detention, explaining that Malami was undergoing investigation for multiple offences.

    “He is presently in our custody. He was initially granted bail but did not meet the conditions. The offences against him are many. At the moment, we are investigating him for 18 different offences. Some of them include money laundering, abuse of office and terrorism financing.

    “We cannot put a figure to the amount involved now because we keep uncovering some of the deals as the investigation progresses,” the source added.

    Efforts to obtain comments from the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as he could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

    Malami had earlier confirmed his engagement with EFCC investigators in a post on X on Nov. 29, describing the session as productive. He maintained that the allegations against him were fabricated.

  • Senate Summons Education Minister, WAEC Over SSCE Subject Changes

    The Senate on Tuesday summoned the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Head of the National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Dr Amos Dangut, to provide clarification on the recent modifications to the 2025/2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) subject structure.

    The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Sen. Sunday Karimi (APC–Kogi West), who expressed concern that the revised structure could destabilise students preparing for the May/June 2026 examinations.

    Karimi told the chamber that the new rules reportedly altered core subject requirements and introduced additional subjects for which many schools currently lacked teachers and instructional facilities.

    He warned that the sudden policy shift could trigger widespread failure next year, noting that some candidates might be compelled to sit for subjects they neither registered for nor received adequate instruction in.

    Contributing to the debate, several senators stressed that although curriculum review is routine, such revisions must not jeopardise learning outcomes or put candidates at a disadvantage.

    Lawmakers urged that candidates for the 2025/2026 examination cycle be exempted from the new guidelines and recommended that the implementation commence from the 2027/2028 academic session. They said the adjustment period would enable schools, teachers, and examination administrators to prepare adequately.

    Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC–Edo North) faulted the abrupt rollout, insisting that introducing new subjects without adequate preparation could further complicate the education system.

    “We wake up and think of an idea and begin to implement it. For a new subject to start, citizens should be informed to prepare. Do we have enough teachers? Have we prepared the laboratories? That evidence doesn’t exist,” he said.

    Similarly, Sen. Idiat Adebule (APC–Lagos West), a former education commissioner, said the National Council on Education — which comprises all state education commissioners — is normally involved in decisions relating to curriculum and examination changes. She called for a thorough investigation into the process leading to the revised structure.

    Sen. Adeola Olamilekan (APC–Ogun West), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, said students could not be examined on subjects for which they had not been taught. “The Minister of Education has some questions to answer,” he said.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio queried the rationale for reportedly removing Computer Studies and Civic Education from the list of examinable subjects.

    “Everything is going digital. Why are we removing Computer Studies and Civic Education? Children need to know their national anthem and their civic obligations. We must investigate to confirm the accuracy of this information,” he said.

    The Senate subsequently referred the matter to the Committee on Basic and Secondary Education and directed it to submit its report within two weeks.

    Tuesday’s development came five days after the House of Representatives condemned the removal of Civic Education, Computer Studies, Electrical Installation and several other subjects from WAEC’s examination portal.

    During Thursday’s plenary, the House urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, to review and reverse the decision, describing the subjects as critical to national development.

    The motion, moved by Hon. Oboku Oforji (Yenagoa/Opokuma, Bayelsa), emphasised that while periodic curriculum review is necessary, eliminating foundational subjects could weaken learning outcomes and undermine digital literacy.

    The controversy has sparked reactions from parents, school owners and education stakeholders, who are demanding clarity

  • West Africa Oil, Gas Devt Firm Opens 2025/2026 Undergraduate Scholarship For Nigerian Students

    The West Africa Oil and Gas Development Programme (WESTAFRICAOIL) has announced the commencement of applications for its 2025/2026 Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme for Nigerian students.

    In a statement on Tuesday, the organisation said the annual programme was designed to support high-performing undergraduates in public universities by providing financial support, learning tools and capacity-building opportunities.

    According to the statement, the scholarship carries a ₦250,000 annual grant in addition to a brand-new laptop to enhance academic work.

    WESTAFRICAOIL said the initiative formed part of its broader mandate to build capacity in science, engineering and technology through training, institutional support and educational sponsorship.

    Eligibility
    The organisation outlined the criteria for applicants as follows:
    -Must be a Nigerian citizen;
    -Must be in the first or second year of full-time studies in a recognised Nigerian university;
    -Must possess a verified University Matriculation Number or UTME ID (VerifyID charges apply);
    -Must maintain a strong academic record.

    *Benefits
    WESTAFRICAOIL said successful candidates would receive:
    -₦250,000 yearly scholarship support;
    -A new laptop;
    -Access to internship opportunities;
    -Development resources and academic exposure.

    *Required Documents
    Applicants are expected to upload the following documents during the application process:
    Completed application form;
    -Recent passport photograph (white background);
    -O-Level and UTME results;
    -JAMB and University Admission Letters;
    -University student identity card;
    -Birth certificate issued by the National Population Commission (NPC);
    -Local government identification letter;
    -National Identification Number (NIN) slip.

    *Application Procedure
    A AThe organisation urged interested candidates to apply through its official scholarship webpage.
    Steps include:
    1. Visit the WESTAFRICAOIL scholarship portal;
    2. Create an account using a valid email address;
    3. Verify the email;
    4. Log in and complete the online form;
    5. Upload all required documents;
    6. Submit the application and await confirmation.

    The deadline for submission is Dec. 23, 2025.

    WESTAFRICAOIL encouraged eligible students to take advantage of the opportunity, noting that the scholarship aims to promote human capital development and academic excellence across Nigerian universities.

  • ECOWAS Declares State Of Emergency Over Coups, Instability In West Africa

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday declared a state of emergency across the sub-region in response to the rising wave of coups, attempted mutinies and political instability in member states.

    The declaration was made by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, at the 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council at ministerial level held in Abuja.

    Touray said the meeting was convened to address the growing threats to constitutional order, noting that recent developments had raised fresh concerns about the region’s democratic future.

    According to him, the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government underscored the “imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community.”

    He said the decision to declare a state of emergency was part of ECOWAS’ broader efforts to strengthen its collective security framework, enhance crisis-response mechanisms and support member states experiencing political disruptions.

    Touray also emphasised the need for coordinated regional action, stressing that instability in any member country poses significant risks to the entire community.

    The ministerial session brought together defence, foreign affairs and security chiefs from across West Africa to review the security situation, assess threats and proffer immediate and long-term interventions.

    According to reports that the sub-region has in recent years recorded multiple coups, attempted takeovers and political tensions, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Guinea, prompting calls for renewed commitment to democratic governance.

    Details of the emergency measures approved by the council are expected to be released at the end of the meeting.

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