Category: Uncategorized

A growing wave of housing rent inflation in Nigeria is increasingly functioning as a “regressive implicit tax” on urban households, eroding real incomes and worsening multidimensional poverty, according to researchers and housing policy experts. The warning was raised by Ayinde Yemisi of Covenant University, Ota, who argued that the rapid escalation in rent prices reflects […]

,,80% of vessels grounded
By Godwin Oritse

Members of the Nigerian Trawlers Owners Association, NITOA, have said more than 80 per cent of their vessels were currently grounded due to the sharp rise in diesel prices.

At Ijora Fish Market, a sharp decline in the volume of fish supplied by Nigerian trawlers was noted, resulting in scarcity of the commodity.

The development has also triggered a sharp increase in the prices of available fish across markets.
Commenting on the development, National Executive Secretary of the Fisheries Cooperatives Federation of Nigeria, Navy Captain Oladele Robinson, retd, said both the artisanal and industrial segments of the sector were being adversely affected by the rising cost of diesel and petrol, which is impacting operators’ activities.

Robinson explained further that operators in the artisanal segment relied on Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, to power their fishing boats, while the industrial sub-sector depended on diesel to run trawlers.

He stated that operators often deployed their vessels without securing sufficient catch to justify the high cost of petrol or diesel, adding that the situation had become unsustainable for continued operations.
He said: “At times, operators go to sea but are unable to secure enough catch to justify the cost of fuel, a situation that has driven up the prices of fish and other seafood.”

Efforts to reach Mrs Ben Okonkwo, President of NITOA, was futile as she was said not to be on seat when our correspondent visited her office in the Kirikiri area of Lagos but sources close to her office told Vanguard that the cost of Automated Gas Oil, AGO, which powers fishing vessels, had surged by over 100 per cent.

The source explained that deploying a vessel for a 50-day fishing trip under current fuel costs would result in significant financial losses.

“The problem is AGO, which is diesel. The vessels run 100 per cent on AGO. Right now, the prices are so high that you can’t even think of fuelling a vessel for a 50-day trip. The vessel will come back at a very big loss.

“What has happened is that operational costs have gone far beyond what companies can handle. That’s why operators have brought their trawlers back to the jetty rather than remain at sea and continue recording losses.

“We used to get diesel at about ¦ 900 per litre. Today, it is between ¦ 1,800 and ¦ 2,000 per litre, well over a 100 per cent increase,” the source said.

The source noted that the spike in fuel prices had pushed the industry into a critical state, with operators unable to sustain vessel operations, while overhead costs remained unchanged.

“The implication is that trawlers cannot operate under these conditions. The industry is in a critical situation. Companies are going aground,” she said.

The source warned that the development posed risks to food security, stressing that fish remained an affordable source of protein for many Nigerians.

“For the economy, this affects food security. If vessels do not go to sea, there will be shortage of fish. If vessels are not running, where do the seafarers go? These vessels are meant to be at sea, not tied up at the harbour.

‘’Across the industry, both direct and indirect labour, close to 10,000 jobs are at risk if there is no immediate government intervention,” she stated.

The post Rising diesel prices cripple fishing sector appeared first on Vanguard News.

By Udeme Akpan, Energy Editor

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, CPPE, has disagreed with the World Bank over its proposed policy advocating increased importation of petroleum products and food into the country.

In its recent 2026 report, the bank called for increased importation of petroleum products and food in response to supply-side constraints.

However, in his response, the Chief Executive Officer of CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf, said: “The CPPE expresses strong reservations about the policy proposition by the World Bank in its recent Nigeria Development Update, advocating increased importation of petroleum products and food as a solution to Nigeria’s supply-side constraints.

“This recommendation is deeply troubling and fundamentally misaligned with Nigeria’s current economic realities and reform trajectory. At a time when the country is making measurable progress in restoring macroeconomic stability—evidenced by improving foreign reserves, moderating inflation, a more stable exchange rate regime, and growing capacity for the export of refined petroleum products—the policy priority should be to consolidate these gains, not undermine them.

“Nigeria is gradually transitioning towards greater self-sufficiency in petroleum product supply, driven by significant private investments in domestic refining capacity. This momentum should be strengthened through deliberate policies that support local production, enhance value addition, and deepen industrial linkages within the economy.

“Encouraging increased importation of petroleum products at this stage risks reversing hard-won gains. It would exacerbate foreign exchange pressures, weaken domestic refining investments, and heighten the economy’s vulnerability to external shocks—particularly in a global environment characterised by geopolitical tensions and energy market volatility.

“The emphasis, therefore, should be on expanding and stabilising domestic production capacity, ensuring reliable crude supply to local refineries on competitive terms, and fostering an enabling environment for downstream sector investments. This is the pathway to sustainable energy security, economic resilience, and long-term industrial development—not a return to import dependence.”

Dr. Yusuf, who made a case for industrialisation and energy security, called for strategic protection of the nation’s economy.

He said: “It is therefore paradoxical—and indeed worrying—that the World Bank is urging developing economies such as Nigeria to embrace policy prescriptions that many advanced economies are increasingly retreating from. Across the developed world, there is a clear resurgence of strategic protectionism and supply chain reconfiguration—driven by lessons from recent global disruptions, including the pandemic and ongoing geopolitical tensions.

“Major economies are prioritising domestic production, safeguarding critical industries, and deploying subsidies, tariffs, and localisation policies to strengthen economic resilience and national security. In contrast, recommending import liberalisation for countries still grappling with structural deficits and industrial fragility risks entrenching dependence, undermining local capacity, and stalling the industrialisation process.”

He added: “Import liberalisation is not a sustainable solution to Nigeria’s supply-side challenges. On the contrary, it risks deepening structural vulnerabilities, accelerating de-industrialisation, and exposing the economy to greater external shocks.”

The post CPPE disagrees with World Bank over fuel, food imports appeared first on Vanguard News.

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA—African Democratic Congress, ADC, has fixed May 12, 2026, for the inauguration of its newly elected state executives, as the David Mark-led leadership pushes ahead to consolidate its hold on the party, despite ongoing internal crisis.
By proceeding with the inauguration, the Mark camp is moving to formalise its authority across the states, even as disputes, court cases and rival claims continue to trail the congresses in parts of the country.
The announcement was contained in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who spoke on behalf of the leadership yesterday.
“African Democratic Congress, ADC, congratulates all newly elected state executives and state chairmen across the federation on the successful and peaceful conduct of their congresses.
“These elections, carried out in line with the provisions of the law and the party’s constitution, reflect the ADC’s enduring commitment to internal democracy, transparency and the rule of law.
“We commend all party members and stakeholders for exercising their democratic rights with maturity, discipline, and a shared sense of purpose,” Abdullahi said.
The party also said the inauguration would go ahead as scheduled, with changes to be communicated by its National Working Committee, NWC.
Speaking further, Abdullahi said: “The party is pleased to announce that the formal inauguration of the newly elected State Executives is scheduled to take place on May 12, 2026, or on a later date to be duly communicated by the National Working Committee.
“As you prepare to assume office, we urge all elected officials to remain steadfast in their dedication to the ideals and vision of the party.”
The task ahead requires unity, discipline and a continued commitment to building a strong, credible alternative for the Nigerian people.
“The ADC remains confident that under your leadership at the state level, the party will continue to grow, deepen its structures, and strengthen its connection with citizens across the country.’’
The move comes against the backdrop of a deepening leadership dispute within the party, with parallel congresses, court interventions and suspensions reported in several states, raising questions about the uniformity of the process nationwide.
Despite this, the Mark-led leadership has insisted the congresses conducted under its watch were valid, pressing ahead with the inauguration as it seeks to stabilise the party and position it ahead of future elections.

The post ADC fixes May 12 inauguration as Mark camp tightens grip on state excos appeared first on Vanguard News.

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA—AMID rising insecurity across the country, the United States, civil society organizations, CSOs, and a senior lawyer have hailed the conviction and sentencing of Boko Haram terrorists to life imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

They described the landmark judgment by Justice James Omotosho as a step in the right direction.

US commends Nigeria over 386 terrorism convictions

On its part, the United States commended the federal government for securing 386 convictions in terrorism-related cases, describing the development as a significant step towards justice and accountability.

U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulosin, a statement he shared via X yesterday, said: “The United States commends the Nigerian government for its strong commitment to expediting trials addressing terrorism and related crimes.

“We welcome the convictions of 386 Islamist militants in cases that had previously faced significant delays in the courts, and we recognise this as an important step toward accountability and justice.’’

The U.S. further stressed the importance of transparent legal processes in tackling extremism, saying: “we believe that timely and transparent legal processes are critical in confronting extremism and reinforcing public trust in judicial institutions.

‘’Upholding the rule of law remains essential to ensuring the safety, stability, and long-term security of all Nigerians.’’

Judgment will restore Nigerians’ faith in justice system – Global Rights

The Executive Director, Global Rights Nigeria, Abiodun Baiyewu, said the judgment would give more confidence in the nation’s justice system.

Baiyewu said: “This is certainly a move in the right direction. This will help restore the public’s faith in the justice system. Prior rhetoric of amnesty and rehabilitation have been very detrimental to the psyche of communities that have borne the brunt of terrorism for the past 15 years. Hopefully, it would deter other would-be criminals’ intent on chaos.”

We don’t need special courts to prosecute terrorism cases

According to her, “terrorists should be prosecuted by regular courts. These are internal security/criminal matters, and should be treated as such. You could have a special investigations unit, but the regular courts are equipped to manage them once charged with a crime.

“The one thing they can do differently is to ensure that the justice system is overhauled to ensure criminal matters are adjudicated on time.”

Judgment reaffirms no one is above the law – ActionAid

In his reaction to the judgments, the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, Dr Andrew Mamedu, said: “ActionAid Nigeria believes this is a significant step in the right direction. Holding individuals accountable for acts of terrorism reinforces the principle that no one is above the law, and that the state remains committed to protecting citizens from violent extremism.

“We strongly support the idea that it is better for terrorists to serve the right and commensurate punishment within the framework of the law, while simultaneously participating in rehabilitation programmes.

“Such rehabilitation ensures that convicted individuals have the opportunity to reintegrate into society safely where applicable and reduces the likelihood of re-offending.

“At the same time, we recognise that justice is not only about convictions. Sustainable impact requires a holistic approach that addresses the structural drivers of terrorism, including poverty, social exclusion, lack of education and weak governance.

“Convictions should, therefore, complement community-based interventions, psychosocial support for victims, and long-term prevention strategies. In this sense, the court’s decision is a positive signal but it must be embedded in a broader framework that ensures lasting security and societal healing.”

We’ve confidence in conventional courts

Speaking further, Mamedu said: “ActionAid Nigeria recognises that conventional courts are an important avenue for handling terrorism cases. They demonstrate confidence in civilian judicial institutions, reinforce the rule of law, and allow for open and transparent proceedings, which promote public accountability and adherence to human rights standards.

“Conventional courts ensure that terrorism cases are treated like any other criminal matter under the law, maintaining procedural fairness and due process.’’

Sound judgment, step in right direction – Lawyer

Lawyer and Principal Counsel, Idris Faro & CO, Idris Faro, described the judgment as sound and a step in the right direction.

He said: “The judgment of Hon. Justice Omotoso of the Federal High Court, convicting and sentencing some defendants who pleaded guilty to terrorism and other offences, is a sound judgment. It is a step in the right direction. There must be punishment for those who commit crimes, especially heinous crimes.

“Administration of Criminal Justice is nothing without the imposition of custodial sentence on violent criminals. They must be taken to the penitentiary for punishment and correction as necessary.

“There has been a recurrence of violent crimes in the country because criminals get away with their crimes. When criminals are jailed or sentenced to death as the law still provides, it sends a strong message to would-be criminals or the lucky ones who escaped arrest that crime does not pay.

‘’By diligently prosecuting terrorists, the the level of insecurity will drastically reduce. There should be no sacred cows at all. Terrorists and their financiers or those who abet them must have their day in court.”

The post Conviction of terrorists ‘ll give hope to victims — US, CSOs, lawyer appeared first on Vanguard News.

THE Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has clarified that the Minister of Finance does not have the authority to interfere in specific tax enforcement actions, stressing the agency’s operational independence under the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act No. 4. In its recently released “100 Frequently Asked Questions” on the new tax framework, the NRS explained that […]

•Warns against fake news
By Dapo Akinrefon

The media team of the Sultan of Sokoto, yesterday, debunked a misleading post circulating on social media platforms linking the Sultan to the crisis in Benue State.

The team in a statement by Prince Bashir Adefaka, titled ‘Re: False and misleading claims circulating on social media,’’ said the misleading content attempted to introduce a divisive religious and ethnic narrative.

It stated that the Sultan had consistently promoted peace, interfaith harmony and national cohesion, noting that efforts to tarnish his legacy through fabricated content must be rejected.

The statement read: “The Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto has been alerted to a misleading post circulating across WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms, titled ‘leaked photo of Governor Hyacinth Alia worshipping the Sultan of Sokoto.’

‘’The content attempts to introduce a divisive religious and ethnic narrative into the ongoing security challenges in Benue State.

“We wish to categorically state that the image in question is fake, likely AI-generated, and deliberately crafted to misinform the public. It is also a mischievous and dangerous attempt to associate the revered leadership of Muslims in Nigeria, particularly the Sultan of Sokoto, with issues unrelated to his office or person.

“The accompanying commentary falsely alleges religious bias and attempts to inflame tensions by linking the Sultan to the crisis in Benue State. Such claims are not only baseless but also constitute a serious threat to national unity and security.

‘’These actions reflect a pattern of disinformation designed to incite division and undermine peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

“As custodians of the image and public communication of the Sultan of Sokoto, who also serves as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Chairman of the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council and Co-President of the World Religions for Peace, New York, we condemn these acts in the strongest terms.

‘’For nearly two decades, the Sultan has consistently promoted peace, interfaith harmony, and national cohesion. Efforts to tarnish this legacy through fabricated content must be rejected by all well-meaning Nigerians.

“We also note with concern that similar false narratives have been propagated over time by identifiable individuals on social media. Such activities risk exacerbating existing tensions and destabilising the fragile security environment in parts of the country.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Sultan of Sokoto does not appear in the manner depicted in the circulated image whatsoever. Furthermore, Islamic teachings clearly establish that prostration is an act of worship reserved solely for Almighty Allah, making the claims in the post not only false but also fundamentally inconsistent with the Sultan’s faith and principles.

“We call on the federal government and relevant security agencies to take decisive action against the spread of disinformation and those responsible for inciting division through such harmful content, some of whom we shall start profiling for actions any time soon.

“We also urge religious and community leaders across all faiths to promote responsible communication among their followers, particularly on social media platforms. ‘’Safeguarding Nigeria’s unity and stability is a shared responsibility that transcends religious and ethnic boundaries.”

The post Sultan of Sokoto debunks AI image on Benue crisis appeared first on Vanguard News.

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA—Former presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Hashim, has raised fresh alarm over the wave of killings spreading across parts of Nigeria, warning that many of the deaths were not being fully reported and that the country’s security crisis was worsening.
According to him, attacks are spreading across more states, happening more frequently, and barely making it beyond local headlines, leaving victims unseen and the scale of the violence poorly understood.
In a statement issued yesterday, Hashim said more than 40 people were reportedly killed in the past week in Shanga Local Government Area, with homes destroyed and the death toll still rising as new casualties were recorded.
Recall that the same community had earlier suffered another attack that left seven people dead, amid repeated assaults by terrorists without any meaningful security response.
He also pointed to Kwara State where coordinated attacks in Kaiama, Baruten and Ifelodun had left between 20 and 50 people dead in recent weeks, including five forest guards.
According to him, many of these incidents received little attention beyond local reports.
He said across the north central region, the pattern appeared even more severe, noting that in Benue State, between 50 and over 100 people were reportedly killed within weeks.
Hashim also noted that in Plateau State, coordinated night attacks left 30 to 80 people dead, while Niger State recorded 20 to 50 deaths, with Nasarawa State seeing between 10 and 20 people killed in related violence.
“Taken together, these reports suggest that between 130 and 300 people may have been killed within weeks across a single region, a scale of mass casualty that is being met with selective attention and dangerous silence,” he said.
Beyond the figures, he warned that the real danger was how quickly the killings were becoming routine, absorbed into daily news cycles with little, sustained outrage or action.
He also highlighted the continued presence of armed groups, such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, as well as expanding bandit networks taking advantage of weak security presence, difficult terrain and slow response times.
According to him, the repeated attacks across multiple states point to a deeper problem in how security is being coordinated at the national level.
“The true scale of killings is being dangerously under-reported and increasingly normalised,” Hashim said.
He also criticised what he described as a subdued reaction from global bodies, saying both the United Nations and African Union had not matched their response to the scale of the violence.
He added that, apart from Donald Trump, who he said had shown consistent concern, most countries appeared to have grown indifferent, despite Nigeria’s long-standing role in international peacekeeping.
He expressed particular concern about the silence of African countries that had benefited from Nigeria’s support in the past.
“There is now a growing perception that Nigerian lives have been so devalued in global consciousness that even routine expressions of condolence are no longer made.
“Why has the world become de-sensitised to mass killings in Nigeria? Why do Nigerian deaths no longer trigger sustained global outrage or urgency? And how many more must die before silence itself is treated as complicity?
“These questions are no longer rhetorical, but reflect what appears to be a global system increasingly selective in its moral attention,” Gbenga Hashim said.
He warned that the trend risked normalising mass death, with urgency fading, even as lives continue to be lost.
“For now, the reality remains unchanged: the killings continue, the numbers rise, and too many victims remain unseen and uncounted,” Hashim said.

The post Killings under-reported, security crisis deepening —Gbenga Hashim appeared first on Vanguard News.

On May 29, 2023, there was a change of guard in Abuja as Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over from Muhammadu Buhari, now late. After the latter completed the constitutionally approved two terms of eight years. Tinubu has been managing the economy for about three years now. His economic policies are a mixture of love and […]

By NICK DAZANG 

On Sunday, April 5, 2026, the Special Adviser on Information, Bayo Onanuga, said, through a statement, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had approved a payment plan to settle N3.3 trillion outstanding debt in the power sector under the presidential power sector financial reforms programme.

Mr. Onanuga further said: ”The long-standing debts accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025. Following verification, N3.3 trillion has been agreed as a full and final settlement, ensuring a fair and transparent resolution”.

To reinforce and shed more light on Mr. Onanuga’s statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Arowolo-Verheijen, said the programme would go beyond settling legacy debts to restoring confidence in the power sector.

The announcement was a huge relief to Nigerians. Before then the power sector was in comatose mode. For more than six months, the country, from one expanse to the other, was in pitch darkness. Big and small businesses ground to a halt. Coinciding with the heat that ushers in the rainy season, Nigerians were thrown into untold misery.

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who ought to be, front and centre, addressing the challenges of this crucially important sector, was simply overwhelmed. His incompetence and helplessness were defined by an in-eloquence only reminiscent of the incoherent Oracle at Delphi. A picture, which trended on social media, showed the Minister speaking on a handset which was connected to a power bank.

If the N3.3 trillion settlement is viewed as a victory of sorts, and one that is fair, available data not only knock the bottom out of this early triumph, they render it Phyrric and transient. This is because as at 2026, the debt owed Generating Companies, GenCos, which stemmed from unpaid invoices by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company, NBET, had stood at N6.8 trillion.

And contrary to the government’s claim that the payment of the N3.3 trillion debt followed “verification” and that the figure was “agreed as a full and final settlement”, the last reconciliation between government and key stakeholders in the power sector agreed at N4 trillion.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Association Power Generation Companies, APGC, Joy Ogaji, not only attests to this, she disclaims the latest figure(of N3.3 trillion) being bandied in these clear and unmistakable terms: ”We are not aware of any such verification outside the last reconciliation concluded in March 2025”.

Government has also not been forthcoming as to how the N3.3 trillion will be disbursed to the GenCos. Neither has it issued any timelines to undergird payment.

Even though government had earlier issued bonds to the tune of N501 billion to the GenCos, the payment is insignificant when viewed against the debts they owe gas suppliers. Besides, the conditions of disbursements are said to be stringent. These have failed to impress or incentivise gas suppliers to increase their supplies to thermal plants being run by the GenCos.

The payment of N3.3 trillion thus comes short of addressing the challenges of the power sector which cuts across generation, transmission and distribution. It also fails woefully to address concerns being voiced on the privatisation process that had informed the atomisation of the sector.

Like the privatisation exercise that took place on the watch of former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, best practices were observed only in the breach. Patronage, rather than technical expertise and capacity to deliver, governed and suffused the process.

Until now, and due to the huge debts owed GenCos, they faced severe liquidity challenges. They also suffered from acute operational and maintenance difficulties.

The transmission companies are equally hamstrung. They have difficulty transmitting the paltry electricity being generated by thermal and hydroelectric plants. Grid collapse has since become a monthly affair.

As at 2020, electricity distribution companies, DisCos, owed the Federal Government N2.6 trillion. The debt was due to unpaid remittances to NBET. The DisCos have had other issues spanning foreign exchange and operational inefficiency. For instance, in spite of a 76.34 per cent collection efficiency in January 2026, they nonetheless, suffered a revenue shortfall of N63.46 billion.

Several of the DisCos are under receivership either of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, or the banks. This is on account of debt-related insolvencies. Key DisCos reportedly under management receivership include those of Ibadan, Kano, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt. Due to their massive debts and insolvencies, DisCos have been subjected to legislative summonses.

To put the power sector in good stead, the government must adopt a holistic and comprehensive approach. Generation, transmission and distribution must work optimally and in sync. Government must engage and agree with critical stakeholders in the generating sector as to what it owes and how it intends to pay. It cannot foist a figure on them by presidential fiat.

Additionally, alternative forms of power generation, other than thermal and hydro-electricity, should be aggressively invested in. Solar power, which is clean, cheap and available, should be harnessed. It should then be put on a separate grid to power homes and offices. Thermal and hydro power should thereafter be dedicated to manufacturing, the Organized Private Sector, hospitals and schools.

The N3.3 trillion payment, no doubt, is a shot in the arm. But it is a short term measure and it is not all-encompassing. It is probably calibrated to save face, especially for a president who once vowed that Nigerians should not re-elect him if he did not provide electricity.

We must go the whole hog. We must address the challenges that ail all facets of the power sector. As it is, it is not yet Uhuru for the power sector.

•Dazang, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja. 

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