Stakeholders celebrate Guinness at 75th anniversary

GUINNESS Nigeria PlcGuinness Nigeria Plc has commemorated its landmark 75th anniversary with a dinner celebration in Lagos, delivering an experience crafted to show deep appreciation to the people and partners who have shaped the brand’s journey.

The grand event, themed “A Bold Past, A Bright Future,” took place in Lagos recently and gathered captains of industry, government leaders, trade partners, regulators, staff, royal fathers, diplomats, and the media.

Speaking at the ceremony, Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria, Girish Sharma, reflected on the brand’s rich history and profound emotional connection with Nigerians.

“We’re glad to be here with our critical stakeholders to celebrate Guinness at 75. We’re not in the business of selling beverages, but in the business of selling happiness. After going through stressful days, we are glad to brew the happiness that Nigerians return to and to have done this for 75 eventful years,” he said.

“We have faced challenges, but we have a much better future where we will be stronger, sharper, and more transformed. This success is powered by the people who stood by us — our employees, past and present, our distributors, and the regulators.”

Chairman of the Board, Prof Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), highlighted the brand’s legacy of care and community. “Guinness has shown vision, resilience, and purpose. Part of what we also celebrate today are those who have pledged allegiance to the order of the Black Bottle over the years,” he noted.

“Guinness has always been a brand built on care — care for the communities we serve, where we are, and this also finds expression in our deliberate choice of the musical band that has just performed, the Federal Nigerian School of the Blind. We care for and serve the underserved and underprivileged. From ready-to-drink innovations to heritage breweries, Guinness has earned its place in homes, celebrations, and in culture.”

The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, representing the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, emphasised the company’s cultural imprint.

“We are glad to celebrate a remarkable 75 years of Guinness Nigeria Plc, a company that has become a part of the rich history, culture, and the enduring soul of Lagos and of Nigeria. The story of Guinness Nigeria has never been just about beer — it is, above all, a story about the people, about the thousands of Nigerians employed, the communities supported, and the shared identity built over generations.”

Representing the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, lauded Guinness Nigeria’s sustained commitment to national growth.

“Guinness Nigeria’s 75th anniversary celebration is a major milestone. We recognise and celebrate its unyielding commitment to sharing happiness in Nigeria these past 75 years, and we commit to making the environment more conducive for the business to endure much longer,” he said.

“Guinness means much to Nigerians, as we not only celebrate its corporate existence but also its relationship with the people. Guinness has invested, innovated, and grown in ways worth celebrating.”

The evening was carefully curated by Guinness Nigeria as a heartfelt appreciation to its stakeholders. Guests were serenaded by the Federal Nigerian School of the Blind, while the vibrant Eminent Band energized the atmosphere at various moments, keeping the crowd engaged during interludes.

The night reached its peak with the spellbinding performance of Afro-Juju legend Sir Shina Peters, sealing the dinner as an unforgettable memory. As Guinness Nigeria looks to the future, the company reaffirms its commitment to continue brewing boldness, joy, and great possibilities for generations to come.

CBN delists non-compliant BDCs

CBN headquartersThe Central Bank of Nigeria has announced that all legacy Bureau De Change operators who failed to meet its new licensing requirements by 30 November 2025 have automatically lost their licences, effectively ceasing to operate as BDCs in the country.

This was disclosed in a Frequently Asked Questions document on the current reform of the bureau de change, published on Tuesday on the CBN website.

The PUNCH reported that the CBN confirmed on Monday that only 82 Bureaux De Change have been licensed to operate, having met its new guidelines.

The development follows an extended compliance window granted by the apex bank. Under the revised BDC Guidelines, existing operators were initially given six months, from 3 June to 3 December 2024, to satisfy the new regulatory conditions. The CBN later granted an additional six-month extension, which elapsed on 3 June 2025, to allow more operators to align with the updated standards.

According to the document, the CBN has now enforced the final cutoff, declaring that any BDC that did not meet the requirements by the end of November is no longer recognised.

“The Guidelines provided a transition timeline of six months from the effective date, 3 June 2024, with a deadline of 3 December 2024, for all existing BDCs to meet the requirement of the new Guidelines or lose their licence(s). However, the management of the CBN graciously extended this deadline by another six months, which ended 3 June 2025, to give ample time for as many legacy BDCs desirous of meeting the new requirements to do so.

Consequently, any legacy BDC that failed to meet the requirements of the new Guidelines as of 30 November 2025 has ceased to be a BDC, as its licence no longer exists. Please visit the CBN website for the updated list of existing BDCs in Nigeria,” the apex bank said.

The CBN added that it would continue to receive applications on its Licensing, Approval and Requests Portal from prospective promoters, and those that meet the criteria will be considered for a licence. However, the CBN reserves the right to discontinue the licensing of BDCs at any time.

The new measures form part of broader efforts by the CBN to strengthen transparency, compliance, and stability within Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.

The new CBN regulatory framework for BDCs, introduced in February 2024, mandated BDC operators to meet higher capital requirements. Tier-1 operators are required to meet a minimum capital requirement of N2bn, while Tier-2 operators must meet N500m as MCR.

NNPC, others imported 1.56bn litres petrol in November – Report

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has resumed large-scale importation of petrol, barely a year after declaring it had stopped bringing the product into the country, The PUNCH reports.

Latest figures from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority show that NNPC imported the bulk of Nigeria’s petrol needs in November, as the importers supplied 1.563 billion litres during the month.

The authority disclosed this in its latest November 2025 Fact Sheet titled State of the Midstream and Downstream Sector, released on Wednesday. The publication is part of a new monthly reporting framework the regulator introduced last month to strengthen transparency and provide real-time insight into fuel supply, consumption, and refinery performance across the country.

According to the report, NNPC Limited and other marketers imported 52.1 million litres of petrol per day in November, amounting to 1.563 billion litres for the month. This represents a near 89 per cent increase compared to the 828 million litres imported in October, highlighting a sharp rebound in fuel importation after weeks of below-threshold supply.

The sharp increase that followed in November helped push total national PMS supply to a record 71.5 million litres per day.

Despite the supply surge, the fact sheet showed that actual national petrol consumption fell to 52.9 million litres per day in November, down from 56.74 million litres per day recorded in October, reflecting a slowdown in demand even as inventory levels were being rebuilt ahead of the festive season.

The authority indicated that the surge was fuelled mainly by large-scale NNPC imports.

On November 12, 2024, NNPC’s former Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, said the national oil company has stopped importing refined petroleum products and is now off-taking fuel from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other local refineries. “Today, NNPC does not import any product, we are taking only from domestic refineries,” he stated.

But the regulator in the new report, explained that the sharp rise in petrol supply recorded in November was driven by several market factors. It noted that national supply in September and October fell well below the country’s demand threshold, creating the need for an aggressive stock build-up going into the year-end period when consumption typically spikes.

To stabilise the market, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited ramped up importation in November. Although the NMDPRA did not publish specific import tonnages, the document stated clearly that NNPC, acting as the “supplier of last resort”, was responsible for the November import surge, undertaken to rebuild inland stock and guarantee uninterrupted supply during the end-of-year demand spike.

The authority added that 12 vessels originally scheduled to discharge in October slipped into November, further swelling the month’s reported volumes. It clarified that the domestic supply figures captured in the report were based on actual import and discharge volumes, as well as refinery truck-outs, reflecting only the quantities that reached the market.

The document read, “The significant increase in PMS Supply in November 2025 was on account of the following: Low supply recorded in September and October 2025, below the national demand threshold; The need for boosting national stock level to meet the peak demand period of end-of-year festivities;

“Imports by the NNPC, the supplier of last resort, in November 2025, were made to build inventory and further guarantee supply during the peak demand period. Twelve vessels programmed to discharge in October but were shifted to November 2025. The Domestic supply volumes are based on disport/discharged figures + refinery truck-outs.”

The boost in national supply did not come from local refining. For consecutive months, the three state-owned refineries, Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna, remained shut down, contributing zero litres of petrol to the national pool.

The Fact Sheet showed that the Port Harcourt Refinery remained shut down throughout November, with no fresh production recorded. However, the NMDPRA noted that the facility continued to evacuate leftover diesel produced before its shutdown on May 24, 2025, averaging 0.349 million litres per day during the month.

“No production activities as the refinery remained in shutdown mode. However, evacuation of AGO produced while the refinery was operational before 24th May 2025 continued at an average of 0.349 million litres/day,” It noted.

The report also provided an update on the performance of the Dangote Refinery in November 2025. According to the NMDPRA, the refinery’s petrol output remained below the national target.

Although the planned domestic supply from October 2024 stood at 35 million litres per day, actual PMS evacuation from the facility in November averaged 23.52 million litres per day, leaving a supply gap of more than 11 million litres daily.

For diesel, the refinery performed more strongly, with an average domestic evacuation of 5.596 million litres per day during the month. The authority noted that these volumes contributed to national diesel sufficiency levels but were still insufficient to offset the broader shortfall in petrol supply.

On the country’s product sufficiency level, the fact sheet showed that Petrol supply stood at 17 days in November, slightly lower than October’s 18 days, while diesel sufficiency rose to 35 days from 32 days the previous month. Jet A-1 stock remained relatively stable at 15 days, compared with 14 days in October.

LPG sufficiency held at eight days, unchanged from the prior month, while low pour fuel oil increased to 51 days, up from 48 days in October, reflecting improved availability of heavier fuel products.

The regulator said the November import surge was deliberate. Apart from compensating for the supply shortfall recorded in previous months, it aimed at building a buffer stock for the Yuletide travel season, historically Nigeria’s peak period for petrol consumption.

The NMDPRA issued one new refinery establishment licence and one construction licence, while Waltersmith’s 5,000bpd Train-2 entered the commissioning phase, a sign of gradual movement within the domestic refining landscape, even as large-scale local production remains elusive.

Nigeria continues to rely heavily on petrol importation, nearly two years after removing fuel subsidy, and despite repeated government assurances that refining capacity will improve. Prolonged shutdowns at Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna have left the domestic supply chain dependent on the Dangote Refinery and NNPC cargo imports.

The November spike underscores ongoing structural weaknesses in the supply system, where import schedules, shipping delays and refinery downtime quickly translate to nationwide fluctuations in availability and sufficiency.

Commenting, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has urged regulators and oil companies to prioritise uninterrupted and affordable supply of petroleum products, amid conflicting signals over domestic output and import levels.

Chinedu Ukadike, IPMAN’s Publicity Secretary, made the call in a telephone interview on Thursday, stressing the need for clarity and stability in the downstream sector.

“Nothing is stable in this country. The NMDPRA is the policeman of the industry and I have total belief that they understand the output of both refineries and importers. They are also trying to ensure petroleum products are scarce as far as the downstream sector is concerned,” Ukadike said.

He noted the apparent contradiction between official data and private sector reports. “So if we go by their records, it is also pertinent that they continue to issue import licenses. But Dangote himself has also said he has PMS in excess.  So these two conflicting pieces of information are not what marketers are interested in; what we are interested in is ensuring that we get these products at the cheapest rate and deliver to our final consumers,” he added.

Ukadike said the focus of marketers is on availability and affordability for consumers. “We are interested in ensuring these products get to the final consumers at the cheapest rate. Anything that ensures uninterrupted supply and lowers prices is what we want.”

He further highlighted the role of foreign exchange in moderating product costs. “If the foreign exchange used is bringing the price of products down, what else do we want? The market is driven by demand and supply. If importing makes products cheaper than domestic prices, we are fine. Just make the products available and affordable,” he said.

The IPMAN official warned against actions that could trigger unnecessary inflation in the economy. “Anything that will bring unnecessary inflation in the system is what we don’t want,” he concluded

Benin: ECOWAS fears coup surge, Senate okays Nigerian troops deployment

President Bola TinubuThe Senate on Tuesday approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin as part of a rapid regional peace mission aimed at restoring democratic order after an attempted coup in the neighbouring country.

The Senate’s approval comes as the Economic Community of West African States expressed worry over the security and political challenges eroding democracy in the sub-region during the 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level in Abuja on Tuesday.

Benin Republic was thrust into turmoil on Sunday after soldiers operating under the Military Committee for Refoundation seized the state-owned television station in Cotonou and announced the removal of President Patrice Talon.

The mutineers, led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, claimed to have deposed the government, raising urgent security alarms across the sub-region.

Loyalist forces, however, regained control after a brief standoff, aided by the rapid mobilisation of Nigerian troops.

The Presidency described the intervention as proof of President Tinubu’s resolve to safeguard constitutional order in West Africa and prevent another democratic collapse within the ECOWAS region.

The Senate granted Tinubu’s request following the consideration of the President’s letter in the Committee of the Whole, after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the communication during plenary.

In the letter, Tinubu—who also chairs ECOWAS—urged lawmakers to endorse the deployment to “help restore governance” in Benin, where a faction of soldiers had attempted to topple President Patrice Talon.

But the chamber erupted into a rare open disagreement among senior lawmakers shortly after the Senate assented to the request.

Deputy Senate President and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Jibrin Barau, opened the floor with effusive praise for the President’s swift intervention.

He declared, “Democracy is the best form of government. All ECOWAS members are proud of what the president did. Mr President is a true democrat and showed leadership. We will support and stand by him.”

His remarks, however, immediately drew objections from former Bayelsa State governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, who insisted the matter ought to be debated openly.

“I actually felt there is a need for lawmakers to debate this action,” Dickson protested.

Akpabio promptly shut down the suggestion, insisting the Senate had already given its consent.

“We have given the president consent. Every person was in agreement. All the senators are aware and wouldn’t have given consent if otherwise,” he ruled.

He added that the Senate’s position was unanimous, stressing that Tinubu acted in the interest of national and regional security.

“Whatever the president has done, the Senate is in total agreement. That means he is also protecting the borders of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The president is not going to war.”

Former Edo State governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, backed Akpabio’s position and reinforced the argument that the matter had been concluded.

“Mr President, we unanimously consented to it, including Senator Dickson. It is not up for debate. He has acted well and in good faith. The Senate has endorsed and sealed it. Therefore, it cannot be opened.”

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also weighed in, providing the legal justification for the Senate’s action.

“The standing order says that in the event of a threat or national security, Mr President can intervene and seek the consent of the Senate within seven days,” he explained.

He thanked senators for acting swiftly. “We believe democracy should not be endangered in Africa.”

Dickson later clarified that he did not oppose the approval but insisted ECOWAS must also address governance deficits that often trigger coups.

“Mr President has done the right thing because democratic institutions are collapsing around us. But it has to be done the right way,” he said.

Dickson added, “We must also warn the leaders of the nations around us to stem the tide and run good governance and popular government in accordance with the constitution they run.”

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim described Nigeria’s intervention as consistent with its long-standing leadership role on the continent.

“Peace is not the opposite of war and war is not the opposite of war… Nigeria is also in line to intervene to save democracy among its close neighbours,” he argued.

He added, “I think this action is quite commendable. President Tinubu is a liberal and democrat.”

Akpabio later expanded the historical context, recalling Nigeria’s roles in Liberia and South Africa.

“Nigeria went into Liberia when it was late. That was why we lost so many soldiers. But we are glad peace was eventually restored. In South Africa, we supported the end of apartheid and brought a lot of South Africans to Nigeria to support our brothers and sisters in Africa.

“But the swiftness of this action is why the Senate gave its consent. I think it is commendable,” he noted.

Addressing the 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial level in Abuja on Tuesday, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, warned about escalating political instability and security threats across the region.

Addressing ministers, diplomats and senior officials, Touray painted a picture of West Africa’s political climate, citing recent developments as evidence of a deteriorating environment.

The commission’s president described ECOWAS as facing an average of high risk across its member states.

“Events of the last few weeks have shown the imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community.

“As you would have seen in the memoranda before you, the country-by-country analyses of our member states show different risk levels across our community, from high to medium, with an average of high risk for our community, thereby demanding immediate and concerted action.

“The risk factors are: the persistence of military interventions (Guinea-Bissau and the Republic of Benin just days ago) and non-compliance with transition norms in Guinea, as we face a military leader turning into a civilian leader;

“Growing erosion of electoral inclusivity across multiple states; expanding influence of terrorists and armed groups and criminal networks threatening regional stability; and increasing geopolitical pressures affecting member states’ diplomacy and cohesion,” he explained.

Among the most concerning developments, he emphasised that “Elections have become a major trigger of instability in our community.”

Several ECOWAS states, such as Guinea, Benin, The Gambia and Cape Verde, are headed into elections in the coming months, raising concerns about electoral tensions and constitutional violations.

Touray also cited recent attempted coups and ongoing negotiations with the Alliance of Sahel States, stressing the urgent need for a united regional response to terrorism and cross-border criminal networks.

Declaring the situation unprecedented, Touray warned, “Faced with this situation, Excellencies, it is safe to declare that our community is in a state of emergency.”

He urged that sessions of the Mediation and Security Council be convened more frequently over the next year, insisting that ECOWAS must “pool our resources to confront the threats of terrorism and banditry, which operate without respect for territorial boundaries.”

He outlined key priorities requiring constant ministerial oversight, including managing the crisis in Guinea-Bissau, ensuring peaceful transitions, addressing growing political exclusion and protecting regional unity amid external pressures.

The ECOWAS commission president also highlighted worsening humanitarian conditions across West Africa, referencing recent UNHCR data. He noted that “as of October 2025, approximately 7.6 million individuals are forcibly displaced across the region,” including over 6.5 million internally displaced persons.

Still referring to the data, the largest displaced populations are found in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, while countries such as Niger, Mali, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo host the highest numbers of asylum seekers.

Touray stressed, “We must therefore take decisions and actions that will reverse this trend.”

Despite the daunting challenges, Touray pledged ECOWAS’s continued commitment to the region’s citizens.

“Let me assure our community citizens that we will not rest on our oars. We will continue to work harder to promote a peaceful, stable and stronger region for the overall benefit of community citizens,” he noted.

He called on member states to uphold constitutional norms and maintain unity: “Let us all remain committed to preserving regional unity, advancing peace and upholding the community’s constitutional convergence principles.”

He praised President Bola Tinubu for his prompt military response in the Benin Republic following the failed coup attempt.

Concluding his address, he welcomed new ministerial representatives attending for the first time.

“May I extend a warm welcome to the new Ministers of Defence of Nigeria, Rtd. General Christopher Musa, and Foreign Affairs of Cabo Verde, José Luis Livramento, who are joining today for the first time,” he concluded.

In his remarks, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Council of Ministers, Timothy Kabba, urged West African leaders to take decisive action to protect democratic governance in the region amid recent political instability.

Kabba highlighted the fragility of democracy in West Africa, pointing to recent political crises in Guinea-Bissau and Benin.

“The recent coup in Guinea-Bissau and the attempted coup in the Benin Republic are sobering reminders of the fragility of our democratic gains,” Kabba said.

He detailed Sierra Leone’s diplomatic efforts, noting that he and a high-level delegation visited Guinea-Bissau on December 1, 2025, to engage with the military leadership and political stakeholders.

“His Excellency’s engagement helped ese tensions and opened the door for continued dialogue under ECOWAS’s guidance.

“These actions reflect our collective position. ECOWAS cannot and will not accept this development. They undermine everything our community stands for, and they threaten the peace and security of our citizens,” he explained.

The minister stressed the urgent need for practical outcomes from the summit.

“The discussions we have today must move beyond just reaffirming principles. They must generate decisions that offer real hope and strengthen the credibility of our institutions.

“Our people no longer have patience for commitments that remain unpaid. They expect us to confront these challenges with seriousness, unity and purpose,” Kabba said.

The meeting of the Mediation and Security Council precedes the gathering of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, who are expected to deliberate on the Council’s recommendations amid mounting pressure to restore stability in a deeply troubled region.

West Africa is facing escalating political instability and security challenges, with several ECOWAS member states experiencing coups, attempted coups and fragile political transitions.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso remain under military rule, while Guinea-Bissau recently joined this group following a military intervention. On Sunday, an attempted coup in the Benin Republic was foiled, further highlighting the fragility of democratic governance across the region

NCAA delays request to reopen Ibadan airport

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has refused to reopen the Ibadan airport despite pleas from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria calling for the reopening of the aerodrome, after confirming that, by the level of work done at the airport, flight operations can commence, The PUNCH reports.

In February, the NCAA announced that the Ibadan airport would be shut down for six months to enable the commencement of maintenance and upgrade works. Upon the announcement, the airport was shut down, and the state government commenced rehabilitation work on the aerodrome to meet international standards.

The PUNCH gathered that upgrade works were not the only reason for the closure order, but also gaps discovered by the regulators.

In September, the Oyo State Government held an official flag-off of a N41bn upgrade of the airport, which was named Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, in a major push for its international status

The PUNCH, however, gathered that on September 22, the NCAA wrote to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria after an inspection exercise of the airport, curating a list of gaps noticed by the authority at the aerodrome.

In response, FAAN, in a letter dated November 18 and obtained by our correspondent, appealed to the NCAA to reopen the airport after some of the gaps raised in its earlier complaint letter had been closed.

The letter, referenced FAAN/HQ/MD/PA/VOL.37/7, with the heading: ‘‘Submission of corrective action plans (caps) on findings of NCAA inspection of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan and request for recertification of the airport for scheduled flight operation,’ appealed to the regulator for the immediate reopening of the airport, adding that the working hours at the airport would be reduced until all the complaints raised by the NCAA are fully rectified.

The FAAN letter said, “The purpose of this letter is to refer to the inspection conducted by the NCAA team on 11–12 September 2025, of Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, and subsequent findings communicated to us. While appreciating the effort of the NCAA team, we are pleased to submit the Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), as attached.

“The Authority is further pleased to inform the Director General that a significant number of the findings highlighted in the NCAA report have been closed, while efforts are ongoing to address the remaining ones. With the initiatives deployed, we are confident that with the implementation of the CAPs, Ibadan Airport will continue to operate efficiently and safely.”

While speaking of measures to ensure smooth resumption of flight operations, FAAN further stated that, “In further demonstrating the progress made in the implementation of the Corrective Action Plans, we wish to request for the recapsing of the airport for the resumption of scheduled flight operations, under the Visual Flight Rules (VFR), on the following operational conditions: The daily flight operations hours have been limited to 07:00hrs – 17:00hrs only.

“Chief operations officer/work hours are extended so the airfield will be reopened by 18:00hrs – 20:00hrs of the following day. This measure is intended to mitigate construction-related risks to flight operations. The threshold of Runway 04 will be displaced by 300 meters to establish a safe distinction between the Runway End Safety Area, meteor work site, and flight operations.”

The Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, reassured the NCAA DG, Capt Chris Najomo, of continuous adherence to regulatory requirements in aerodrome work, as well as coordinating with the project team to achieve the timely completion of the airport upgrade project. Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, said he would have to speak with the Director of Aerodromes to have proper knowledge of the issue at hand before getting back to our correspondent.

“Although what I can say is, the NCAA under Capt Chris Najomo will not give anything to chances, adding that as far as all the gaps pinpointed are yet to be taken care of, I doubt the NCAA will give its nod, but I will get back to you much later after I must have contacted the Director of Airworthiness and Director of Aerodromes.”

NNPC sets 36-year oil production record at 355,000bpd

NNPC LimitedThe Nigerian National Petroleum Company’s upstream subsidiary, NNPC Exploration and Production Limited, has recorded its highest daily crude oil production in more than three decades, hitting 355,000 barrels per day on December 1, 2025.

The milestone, confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by NNPC Limited’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, marks the company’s biggest output since 1989 and signals renewed momentum in Nigeria’s upstream recovery efforts.

According to the statement, NNPC E&P Limited’s average daily output has surged by 52 per cent in just two years, rising from 203,000 barrels per day in 2023 to 312,000 barrels per day in 2025, a performance the company attributed to strengthened operational systems, disciplined asset management and structured field development.

“On December 1st, 2025, NNPC E&P Limited, the flagship upstream subsidiary of NNPC Limited, achieved a record production level of 355,000 barrels of oil per day, its highest daily output since 1989. The milestone marks a significant step forward for Nigeria’s upstream sector and reflects the company’s ongoing transformation anchored on efficiency and discipline.

“The figures show genuine transformation: average daily production surged 52 per cent, rising from 203,000 barrels per day in 2023 to 312,000 in 2025.

“This record growth is no coincidence; it stems from a clear strategy anchored on operational excellence, strong asset management, and structured field development,” the statement said, stressing that the achievement reflects a “genuine transformation” underway within the company.

Commenting on the achievement, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bayo Ojulari, described the accomplishment as fresh evidence that Nigeria’s energy revival “is not a dream but already happening.”

Ojulari noted that by exceeding its own production benchmarks, NNPC E&P has demonstrated that the essential building blocks needed to scale national output are being firmly established.

“By showing its ability to exceed its own production benchmarks, NEPL confirms that the essential building blocks for scaling national output are being firmly established. The achievement signals that the machinery of production, equipment, processes, capabilities, and partnerships can be driven with commercial discipline to produce real and positive outcomes.

“The achievement converts national ambition into measurable momentum. The presidential targets of two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million by 2030 have often appeared aspirational. NEPLs’ delivery brings them closer to reality,” he added.

Ojulari said the accomplishment boosts investor confidence and reassures global partners that Nigeria remains committed to reclaiming its place as a stable, dependable crude supplier.

The Executive Vice President, Upstream, Udy Ntia, said the milestone represents more than a production figure, stressing that NEPL’s growth is anchored on responsible and sustainable operations.

“In a sector where shortcuts can yield short-term wins but long-term damage, NEPL is making a different point: sustainable progress must rest on responsible operations. This ensures that scaling production does not compromise worker safety, community wellbeing, or environmental protection. It reinforces a shift away from extraction at any cost towards sustainable value creation, a core requirement for any modern energy company seeking global relevance,” Ntia said.

According to him, the company’s approach ensures that scaling output does not undermine worker safety, environmental protection or community wellbeing.

Similarly, the Managing Director of NNPC E&P Limited, Nicolas Foucart, said the new production record reflects the broader transformation sweeping through NNPC Limited.

“This is a story shaped by leadership that charts a clear course; by partnerships built on alignment and accountability; and by a workforce whose hard work is turning goals into measurable progress. Our people, our processes, and principles are the real engines behind this success. We are building for tomorrow, not just celebrating today,” Foucart noted.

He added that the gains translate into increased national revenue, stronger energy security and a more resilient economic foundation.

“For Nigerians, this accomplishment means far more than increased barrels; it translates into greater national revenue, stronger energy security, and a more resilient economic foundation. NEPL has not only produced more hydrocarbons; it has reignited belief in what Nigeria’s energy sector can achieve with the right systems, culture, and dedication.”

Nigeria’s crude oil sector has struggled over the past decade, with output frequently dropping below OPEC quotas due to pipeline vandalism, crude theft, underinvestment, deferred maintenance and declining performance of mature fields.

At several points between 2021 and 2023, the country’s production fell to multi-decade lows, raising concerns about revenue losses and the long-term viability of the industry.

Reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act, the unbundling of NNPC into a commercial entity and renewed upstream interventions have aimed to reverse the decline.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration has set ambitious production targets of two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030, goals industry players previously considered optimistic.

NNPC E&P Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary responsible for several joint venture and production-sharing assets, has been positioned as a critical driver of this revival. The company has implemented field optimisation strategies, renewed contractor alignment, strengthened governance structures and ramped up previously underperforming assets.

The latest 355,000 bpd performance, the company’s highest since 1989, is a significant step toward stabilising national output and rebuilding investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil industry.

Marketers laud Dangote Sugar packs at Kano fair

Dangote sugarMarketers and participants at the just-concluded Kano International Trade Fair have endorsed the newly unveiled Dangote Sugar packs, describing them as convenient, consumer-friendly, and well-suited for both household use and retailing.

Dangote Sugar said in a statement on Tuesday that it recently introduced new pack sizes, including 100g sachets and 25kg bags, aimed at increasing affordability and market penetration.

“The Dangote new sugar packs will greatly make it more affordable to the average northern population,” a monarch who participated in the Fair, Alhaji Isyaku Umar Tofa, Makaman Bichi, told newsmen on the sidelines of the company’s Special Day, according to the statement.

According to him, the redesigned and reasonably priced packs will enable more households, small retailers, and food vendors to access quality sugar without financial strain, thereby supporting both daily consumption needs and small-scale commercial activities.

Reacting, prominent businessman and Chief Executive of Sambajo General Enterprises Limited, Alhaji Salisu Sambajo, said the 25kg pack is ideal for SMEs, bakeries, restaurants, and distributors who require bulk but affordable quantities, making it easier for them to access quality sugar without high upfront costs.

On the other hand, he said, the 100g pack targets low-income households, retail kiosks, and on-the-go consumers. “Together, these new pack sizes broaden our reach across all consumer segments, improve product visibility in open markets and retail outlets, and ultimately enhance our market share in the North.”

Dangote is one of the major sponsors of the Kano Trade Fair, with the theme: Empowering SMEs for Sustainable Growth. He said the Dangote Group’s continuous investment in critical sectors such as sugar, petroleum, cement, fertilizers, and more has tremendously supported national development and improved livelihoods.

Sambajo urged Dangote to maintain this commitment to quality, innovation, and local empowerment, especially across northern communities. “Alhaji Aliko’s contributions remain invaluable, and we look forward to more breakthroughs that will support Nigeria’s growth and self-reliance,” he said.

He added that the government should continue to create an enabling environment for large-scale industrialists like the Dangote Group. “We need a supportive policy on transportation, taxation, energy supply, and ease of doing business to allow these industries to operate optimally and remain competitive,” he said.

A female trader from Maiduguri, Hajiya Y’agana Babagana, who participated in the Kano International Trade Fair, described the company’s initiative to introduce affordable 100g and 25kg sugar packs as a welcome development for consumers.

“I sell locally made incense, known as turaren wuta, and sugar is an essential ingredient in producing it; you simply cannot make turaren wuta without sugar,” Y’agana explained. She spoke enthusiastically about the new range of Dangote Sugar, adding, “You can see why we flocked to the Dangote pavilion to buy, especially the 25kg pack.”

CBN moves to boost lending for farmers

CBNThe Central Bank of Nigeria hopes to lift agricultural lending above the current level of less than five per cent of banks’ credit, with Governor Olayemi Cardoso declaring that agriculture must receive its “rightful place in our financial system and national priorities.”

Cardoso spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at the inauguration of the newly constituted Board of the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund. He told the audience that the event marked “a defining moment — a bold statement of intent that signals a new dawn for agricultural financing in Nigeria.”

He said agriculture remained the backbone of the economy, contributing more than one-fifth of GDP and employing most Nigerians, yet “it receives only a small fraction of formal credit — less than 5 per cent of banks’ lending goes to the agricultural sector.”

According to him, this chronic underfunding has stifled productivity and expansion for millions of farmers. “It is a reassessment of norms: we will no longer accept business-as-usual,” he said. “Instead, we embrace a future where agriculture is accorded its rightful place.”

Cardoso said the fund, which guarantees up to 75 per cent of the value of agricultural loans, had helped banks lend to farmers for decades, including those considered “unbankable.”

He noted that the scheme had been strengthened following a 2019 amendment that expanded its share capital from N3bn to N50bn and broadened its mandate. He said the reform was designed to deepen inclusivity, adding that the revised Act now provides for a board composed not only of government officials but also of farmers’ representatives.

“Such inclusivity is strategic: it enshrines partnership between policymakers, financiers, and the farming community in guiding the Scheme’s activities,” he said. Cardoso described the sector as standing at the “crossroads of unprecedented opportunity” under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda.

He said the vision was to build a resilient, technologically advanced, and inclusive agricultural economy that “ensures food security, reduces poverty, and creates wealth for millions of Nigerians.”

According to him, smallholder farmers constitute 80 per cent of Nigeria’s farmers and produce about 90 per cent of food, yet they continue to face high barriers to credit. “Many lack collateral or credit history — a situation we can no longer afford, given that these same smallholders feed our nation and drive our rural economy,” he said.

Also speaking, the chairman of the newly inaugurated board, Dr Olusegun Oshin, said the scheme must focus on the grassroots, where the majority of farmers struggle without credit or storage facilities.

He told the gathering that “those that feed us are those weak, poor farmers very far away in the villages and who don’t have access to credit,” adding that even when they manage to raise funds, “they don’t even store it properly because they don’t have the capacity for storage.”

Niger school abduction: We aren’t officially aware of 100 students release – CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Niger State chapter, said it has not received any official confirmation regarding reports that 100 of the students abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri have been released.

In a statement issued on Monday, the state chairman of CAN, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, said the association and affected communities have not been formally notified of any release.

“It will be a thing of joy if some of our children have been released. We have been praying and waiting for their return,” Yohanna said.

“If it is true, then it is cheering news. However, we are not officially aware and have not been duly notified. We hope and pray it’s true and look forward to when the remaining will be released,” he added.

DAILY POST recalls that the abduction occurred on November 21, 2025, when bandits attacked the school and kidnapped 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers.

However, about 50 pupils escaped within the first 24 hours and were reunited with their families.

Last week, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, visited the school and assured parents that the remaining abductees were safe and would soon return home.

Reacting to reports of the release during a Channels Television programme on Sunday, former Director of Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche (retd.), commended the Federal Government and security agencies for what he described as a significant breakthrough.

“My take is that the government and the security agencies have done a lot, and I believe that Nigerians will be happy for this.

“I can tell you that it is not easy, whichever way or means were used to get these children out,” Enenche said.

Renaissance Africa Company Boosts Domestic Gas Supply In Nigeria

In a deliberate bid to sustain local gas utilization and curb routine gas flare, the Renaissance Africa Company Limited has inaugurated its Southern Swamp Associated Gas Solutions (SSAGS) Project in Delta State.

The project is supporting injection of approximately 100 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMScf/d gas) to the domestic market and about 820 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe).

IRenaissance spokesperson, Michael Adande, in a statement explained that the the project is successful implementation of the company’s strategy for ending routine flaring in its Tunu Node operations and boosting industrialisation.

The project is within oil mining leases 35 and 46 fields, located in the coastal swamp region, south of Warri, and establishes anchor infrastructure necessary for future development of substantial discovered and undiscovered potential within the node, currently estimated at about 820 million barrels of oil equivalent.

Adande said “when used for electricity, 100 million standard cubic feet of natural gas will power about 6,700 Nigerian households for one year, with an expected ripple effect that benefits businesses, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs across different phases of the gas supply chain”.

Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance, Mr. Tony Attah, described the inauguration as, “A milestone that marks a significant achievement in our commitment to delivering sustainable energy solutions and advancing associated gas utilisation. It highlights our vision to ensure energy security and industrialisation in the nation delivered through our core values of Collaboration, Respect, Integrity, Safety, and Performance”.

Speaking on the significance of the project to environmental performance of Renaissance, the company’s Chief Production Officer, Mr. Mesh Maichibi, noted the SSAGS project would route all production into four flow stations in Tunu, Ogbotobo, Benisede, and Opukushi, and evacuate oil via the Trans Ramos Pipeline to the Forcados Export Terminal, thereby providing Nigeria with the latest success story in the country’s commitment to ending flaring in oil and gas operations.