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The Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) has stepped up efforts to curb illegal street activities. During a recent operation at Eleyele Market, the agency seized ten motorcycles and arrested several offenders. This action is part of its broader plan across the state to eliminate illegal street trading and keep public walkways clear. […]

No fewer than 100 families of children with disabilities have benefitted from a free medical outreach organised by OAKonsult Disabilities Outreach in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, bringing hope and relief to many caregivers struggling with the rising cost of healthcare. The outreach, held at the permanent site of the organisation in Ogbomoso, was designed to provide […]

CP has given assurance that the matter would be investigated — Oba Ladoja SUSPECTED herders have killed a 47 year old farmer in Asa village in Okelade area, in Ido Local Government Area. The victim, who was identified as Chief Mutairu Oladosu, Otun Balogun Oluode Okelade, was murdered while working on his tomatoes farm. The […]

As apex court hears Mark’s appeal Party fails to secure Eagle Square for venue, gets alternative location THE opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) holds its much anticipated National Convention today in Abuja despite contrary position taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against the exercise. The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed […]

Energy experts have criticised recent recommendations by the World Bank urging Nigeria to deepen fuel importation and fully liberalise its downstream petroleum sector, warning that the advice is ill timed, economically regressive and in direct violation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

An energy economist and professor, Ken Ife, faulted the position during a televised interview on Nigeria’s economic outlook, noting that while parts of the World Bank’s latest Nigeria Development Update were analytically sound, its prescription on fuel importation threatens Nigeria’s strategic push for energy independence and local value addition.

“You cannot come to a country that is struggling, and which has just developed a vision of economic self-reliance and then advise it to reverse course and return to fuel importation,” Ife said. “That kind of recommendation undermines everything Nigeria is trying to achieve.”

He stressed that the advice directly contradicts the Petroleum Industry Act, which mandates priority supply of domestic crude to local refiners under the Domestic Crude Obligation framework.

“The law is very clear. Domestic refining must come first. Advising Nigeria to abandon that path is not just against government policy; it is a clear violation of the PIA,” Ife stated.

The economist warned that increased fuel importation would leave Nigeria more vulnerable to global supply disruptions, accelerate foreign exchange depletion and discourage ongoing investments in local refining, particularly at a time when private sector participation is expanding capacity.

“We are on track to build refining capacity that will exceed domestic demand and position Nigeria as an energy exporter. How can anyone credibly suggest that we abandon this progress and return to reckless import dependence?” he asked.

Ife also questioned the empirical basis of the World Bank’s fuel import recommendation, describing it as an unsupported addition to an otherwise rigorous report.

“This conclusion was strangely parachuted into what was largely a strong analysis. There is no evidence supporting a return to imports at a time when major refining countries are restricting exports,” he said.

While acknowledging the World Bank’s accurate assessment of Nigeria’s macroeconomic indicators, including GDP growth projections and sectoral performance—Ife cautioned that its fuel policy stance could worsen rather than improve economic conditions.

Echoing similar concerns, another energy expert, Kelvin Emmanuel, also criticised the World Bank’s position, describing it as flawed and disconnected from prevailing market realities.

Speaking during a televised interview, Emmanuel disclosed that the World Bank had reportedly withdrawn the contested Nigeria Development Update from its website.

“The World Bank has retracted the report. If you check the World Bank Nigeria website, you will see that the document has been taken down,” he said.

Emmanuel dismissed claims that imported petrol could be cheaper than locally refined fuel, insisting that current global market conditions make such assumptions unrealistic.

“There is no marketer today that can land petrol into Nigeria at less than N1,759 per litre when you factor in freight, insurance and supply chain risks,” he said

He explained that rising crude oil prices—driven largely by tensions in the Middle East, have fundamentally altered pricing dynamics, noting that while futures prices hover around $100 per barrel, spot prices are significantly higher.

“Dated Brent is trading at about $144 per barrel, which translates to roughly N1,249 per litre before distribution and other costs,” Emmanuel stated.

According to him, any suggestion that imported fuel is cheaper could only be explained by quality compromises.

“The only way imported petrol can appear cheaper is if standards are compromised, which, historically, has been the case,” he said.

Emmanuel also rejected claims that fuel prices in Nigeria are excessively high, noting that petrol remains cheaper domestically than in neighbouring African countries.

“There is nowhere in the region where petrol is sold as cheaply as it is in Nigeria,” he said.

On inflation and the rising cost of living, Emmanuel argued that Nigeria’s challenges stem from inconsistent enforcement of domestic supply frameworks rather than resource scarcity.

“Fuel price pressures in Nigeria are largely contrived. If local refiners receive crude supply as stipulated by law, prices will stabilise and volatility will reduce,” he explained.

He further criticised the World Bank’s advocacy for expanded social safety nets funded through borrowing, warning that such measures conflict with Nigeria’s fiscal responsibility laws.

“Social safety nets are important, but you do not borrow money to share. Borrowing is meant for capital projects and human development, not consumption. If support is needed, it should come in the form of grants, not loans,” he said.

The post World Bank advice risks dragging Nigeria back into fuel import trap — Energy experts appeared first on Vanguard News.

The Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Abia State Command, CN Chilee Chigbu says the Command operates one of the largest and most effective rehabilitation centres in Nigeria, where rehabilitation of individuals affected by drug abuse is handled.

The Commander, who stated this during her visit to the State Coordinator of National Directorate of Employment, NDE, Mrs Nwachukwu Tessy, emphasized the need for sustained support in the recovery process of rehabilitated drug addicts.

She stressed that rehabilitation alone is not enough without proper reintegration into society and appealed to the NDE to introduce skill acquisition programmes for individuals currently undergoing treatment at the NDLEA rehabilitation centre.

According to CN Chilee, equipping the rehabilitated drug users with practical skills will help them cope better during and after their recovery from addiction.

He further urged the NDE to consider providing employment opportunities for rehabilitated individuals, noting that gainful engagement is key to preventing relapse and ensuring they remain productive members of society.

In her response, the State Coordinator of the NDE, Abia State, assured the NDLEA of the agency’s readiness to collaborate effectively.

She stated that the NDE has professional trainers spread across the State who are well-equipped to support skill acquisition programmes covering over eighty different vocational skills.

NDLEA, NDE partner to rehabilitate drug addicts in Abia

Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former petroleum minister accused of benefitting form proceeds of corruption in the UK in exchange for granting government contracts has denied taking bribes.

Diezani, 65, told Southwark Crown Court on Monday that she had “tried to push back on corruption” in a country plagued by it since the days it was a British colony, BBC reports.

Several Nigerian businessmen are alleged to have bankrolled huge spending sprees, including more than £2m at luxury store Harrods and £4.6m on refurbishing homes in London and Buckinghamshire.

However, Diezani Alison-Madueke said that the cost of services laid on for her while on official duties were later repaid.

“I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe of any sort from these persons and did not abuse my office,” Alison-Madueke told the court.

“I always sought to act impartially.”

NNPC

She said money spent on her behalf was reimbursed by the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC.

She added that that a service company was set up in London to handle the logistics because the financial structure of the NNPC was in a mess.

“They paid for all my hotels, chauffeurs… to allow me to perform the job that I did,” she said.

In court on Monday, the former minister said she was not aware at the time that one of her chauffeurs had delivered £100,000 in cash to her, adding that the money had had nothing to do with her.

The court heard how Alison-Madueke had risen quickly through the ranks at Shell, becoming the first senior female executive in its Nigerian operation.

This was despite her not wanting to work for the multinational company because of its treatment of her father, she said, who had once also been a senior employee.

At Shell

“I found the job uncomfortable to put in mildly, ” she said, explaining that her father, who was a tribal leader, had once unsuccessfully taken legal action against Shell “for apartheid practice in West Africa.”

She told the court how when she worked at Shell, the company was having big problems dealing with oil spills in the Niger delta area where her family was from. She didn’t believe the company had done enough “to make good on the devastation that they had caused”.

Asked about concerns with her own security, she said Nigeria was a “very patriarchal society” so to have a “woman sitting at the helm was a major no no.”

She added that she was “under dire threats of kidnap” and that members of her family had been seized.

Alison-Madueke denies five counts of accepting bribes and a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Also on trial, oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, denies one count of bribery and another count of bribing a foreign public official.

Meanwhile, Alison-Madueke’s brother, former archbishop Doye Agama, 69, denies conspiracy to commit bribery.

From Kehinde Akintola, Sunday Ejike and Yekini Jimoh | Lokoja THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) Caucus in the House of Representatives on Monday called for prosecution of Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan over allegation bothering on partiality and inconsistencies as election umpire. Chairman of ADC caucus, Honourable Victor Ogene disclosed […]

•To shed light on Nigeria’s food security roadmap

By Emeka Anaeto, Business Editor

Nigeria’s agriculture value chain and food security would take the center stage of economic discussions set to happen at the 2026 edition of Vanguard Economic Discourse. 

The Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, is headlining the event as the Chairman while using the platform to shed light on the challenges and prospects of sector.

The theme of this year’s edition of the Vanguard Economic Discourse is ‘‘Food Security and Socio-economic Stability: Options for Nigeria’s Agriculture Sector Rebound’’.

The 2026 event is scheduled to hold next week, Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos starting by 9am.

Sen. Abubakar Kyari would be joined at the event by key stakeholders in the sector comprising of both national and international key leaders in public and private sectors. 

Dr. Hussein Gadain, ECOWAS/ Nigeria Resident Representative of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN/ FAO) is setting the stage for incisive discussion as the Keynote Speaker.

A group of eminent stakeholders in the Nigeria’s agriculture and food value chain have been assembled as panelists.

The Panel session would be headed by the Honorable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Muktar Maiha. 

Other Panel members are: Mrs Dede Ekoue, Country Director, International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, in Nigeria; Dr Mrs Moji Davids, Managing Director, Xtralarge Farms & Resorts; Mohammed Magaji, President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN; and Arc. Kabir Ibrahim, President of Nigeria Agribusiness Group, NABG. 

The eminent stakeholders would also include representatives of financial institutions with the Agric Desks of Commercial Banks in the formal and networking sessions.

Sen. Abubakar Kyari, an accomplished public sector executive, is known to have brought some clarity in Nigeria’s agro-sector policy initiatives and several programmes have been initiated to address the difficulties faced by farmers and food entrepreneurs under his mandate. 

In August 2023, he was appointed the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. 

Since assuming office, Kyari has driven Nigeria’s food systems transformation through mechanization, partnerships, climate-smart agriculture, large-scale dry-season farming, fertilizer distribution, and policy reforms that strengthen value chains development and encourage private sector investment growth. 

He actively collaborates with global partners such as AfDB, FAO,  IFAD, ISDB, GIZ, AGRA and the World Bank, and serves as Vice Chair of the 48th IFAD Governing Council, shaping international dialogue on sustainable agriculture and food security.

The Vanguard Economic Discourse has gained traction in the past eight years as a major public-private sector platform for reviews and cross-fertilization of economic development ideas by Nigeria’s public and private sector leaders.

The post Agric Minister headlines Vanguard Economic Discourse  appeared first on Vanguard News.

The Federal Government has tasked the Technical Working Group on Contagious Bovine Pleuro-Pneumonia (CBPP) to intensify nationwide vaccination efforts aimed at achieving total eradication of the disease across the country. CBPP a bacterial disease of cattle that causes severe pneumonia, is often fatal, and leads to significant livestock production losses in affected regions globally. Its […]