General
Presidential CNG Initiative Attracts $50m Investments in Five Months
By Adedapo Adesanya
The programme director of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PI-CNG), Mr Michael Oluwagbemi, has disclosed that the scheme has attracted $50 million in investments in the last five months.
He disclosed at a southwest stakeholders’ forum in Lagos yesterday, noting that the programme was launched to ease the impact of fuel subsidy removal and create investment opportunities in Nigeria’s gas sector.
Mr Oluwagbemi said the government has continued to mobilise the private sector for compressed natural gas use and investments, adding that the investment inflow to the sector showed the level of commitment by the present administration to boosting cleaner energy and promoting a more efficient energy sector.
“Since December till date, over $50 million have been mobilised directly by the sector, much more than any amount of money that has been mobilised in the sector in the last eight years combined.
“Thousands of Nigerian companies are investing in the sector because they see that the present administration is serious about leveraging our gas resources,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said the initiative represents hope for Nigeria’s transport sector.
“The Presidential CNG Initiative stands as a testament to the vision of this administration, as it not only seeks to revolutionise Nigeria’s transport sector with cleaner energy but is also committed to up-skilling and training 25,000 auto technicians in the process.”
She lauded the leadership behind the initiative for the dedication to innovation and progress, adding that such initiatives truly drive the nation towards a brighter future.
She revealed that the PI-CNG and her ministry have partnered, ensuring that every job created, and every skill imparted, is not just a statistic but a step towards empowerment and progress.
“I want to address a fundamental issue that often plagues government-led initiatives – the lack of proper metrics to measure their impact.
“Historically, governments have been involved in numerous job creation programs, yet the true extent of their success is often overshadowed by inadequate measurement and reporting,” she said.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, however, we are committed to a paradigm shift. We recognize the importance of accountability and transparency in governance. That is why we are determined to not only create meaningful change but also to showcase our achievements with pride.
“As we embark on this journey together, it’s imperative that we keep proper track of the jobs our programs create. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment is committed to this task, ensuring that the impact of initiatives like the Presidential CNG Initiative is not just measured in numbers but in the lives transformed,” she explained.
During a presentation, the Head of Commercial at PI-CNG, Mr Tosin Coker, said 590 CNG-compliant buses purchased by the Ministry of Finance will be delivered to the people within this month, adding that distribution of the buses will be based on access to CNG.
He said an unspecified number of electric vehicles and 5,500 tricycles would also be provided to alleviate Nigeria’s transport challenges and support the masses, adding that the government is also working on getting more people to convert their petrol vehicles to CNG.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Mr Oluwaseun Osinyemi, said the initiative will encourage more investments in CNG, adding that Lagos state has already invested in electric vehicles, with some BRT meant to become CNG enabled.
Adding his input, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said Nigeria is currently at the stage of revolution in the transport sector, adding that PI-CNG will support the sector’s quest for excellence and growth. He said more acceptance and promotion of CNG initiatives will continue to support economic growth.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on conducting a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death of Miss Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The demise of the deceased, which occurred in late June, recently became public and has sparked calls for a probe from many quarters.
Meanwhile, the family of the deceased has approached the court to stop the autopsy, but experts tell Business Post that the family has no authority to file an affidavit, as this is a case of suspected murder against the state and not the family.
Mr Umahi has also called for a probe.
The Ebonyi Police Command said the autopsy was necessary to establish the cause of death and support its ongoing investigation, despite objections from the deceased’s family.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, stating that the police had commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Habila’s death.
Mr Ukandu said preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased and a colleague were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she later died in a room within the compound of his residence.
According to him, detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) have visited the scene, documented relevant evidence and obtained statements from persons connected to the incident.
He added that the command had concluded arrangements to engage a qualified pathologist to carry out a post-mortem examination, which it considers crucial to determining the actual cause of death.
Mr Ukandu explained that the police became involved in the matter after receiving a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ohaozara Division, informing the command of a medical emergency involving Habila and requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
“On arrival, the DPO was informed by hospital authorities that Miss Mary Habila had been brought in dead.
He immediately briefed the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation,” the statement read.
The police spokesperson disclosed that while the family of the deceased had opposed the conduct of an autopsy, the command considered the procedure necessary in view of the circumstances surrounding the death.
“The Command therefore awaits the attendance of the family or their duly appointed representative, as their presence is essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination,” Mr Ukandu said, assuring the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally, transparently and without bias, stressing that every necessary step would be taken to uncover the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.
Mr Ukandu further assured that the command would continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
Family Seeks to Stop Autopsy
The family of the deceased, who is a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and was seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works, formally requested the withdrawal of further investigation into her death and declined an autopsy.
In an affidavit titled Affidavit of Withdrawal of Case filed before the High Court of Justice of Ebonyi State, her father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, said the family was not alleging any foul play in her death and wished to proceed with her burial.
According to the affidavit, Mary Habila died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The deponent stated that before her death, Habila was a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, where she served in the Office of the Minister of Works for about three years.
By Adedapo Adesanya
A Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, has ordered the final forfeiture of billions of Naira worth of assets linked to businesswoman and socialite, Ms Aisha Achimugu, to the federal government.
Justice Jude Onwugbuzie granted the order following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), directing the permanent forfeiture of jewellery valued at N4.645 billion, 11 exotic vehicles worth N4.293 billion, $50,000 and N30 million in cash.
The ruling followed the EFCC’s request for the final forfeiture of the assets, which the commission said were linked to Ms Achimugu.
The forfeited assets include: Jewellery valued at N4,645,170,294.90; 11 exotic vehicles worth N4,293,000,000; $50,000 in cash; and N30,000,000 in cash.
The court’s judgment vests ownership of the assets in the federal government, bringing the forfeiture proceedings to a close.
In March, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to the Lagos socialite. However, in an interview in April, she denied that $13 million was discovered by the EFCC in her residence, describing the claim as inaccurate and misleading.
Justice Nwite had, on August 22, 2025, granted the anti-graft agency’s motion ex parte for an interim order forfeiting the sum of $13 million linked to Oceangate Ltd to the federal government over allegations that the fund was proceeds of unlawful activity.
The judge had then directed the commission to publish the order in a national daily for interested people to show cause within 14 days why the fund should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
In 2024, the businesswoman gained significant media attention for a seven-day birthday celebration in Grenada, which was attended by high-profile guests, reportedly including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The socialite also defended her widely publicised birthday celebration, noting that it had been “planned for 10 years” and was not funded with any money under investigation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
To boost fertiliser production, strengthen food security and advance Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has signed a 16-year Gas Sale Agreement (GSA) with Indorama Fertiliser FZE for the supply of up to 60 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day from the Assa North Ohaji South (ANOH) Gas Processing Facility.
The agreement was signed by the chief executive of Renaissance, Mr Tony Attah, and Indorama’s counterpart, Mr Manish Mundra, with both executives describing the deal as a significant milestone in advancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, industrial development, and agricultural growth aspirations.
“This agreement reflects our commitment to unlocking the value of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources through partnerships that create real and lasting impact,” Mr Attah said, adding: “By supplying natural gas to a major fertiliser producer such as Indorama, we are supporting a value chain that is critical to food security, agricultural productivity, industrial growth, and economic development.”
The agreement will provide Indorama Fertiliser with a secure and reliable source of natural gas to support uninterrupted production and enable the company to meet growing domestic and regional demand for fertiliser products.
The resulting increase in fertiliser availability is expected to contribute to improved crop yields, enhanced agricultural productivity, and strengthened food security across Nigeria and Africa.
Commenting on the agreement, Mr Mundra said the deal was an important milestone for the company in its ambition of supporting Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.
“Reliable access to natural gas is fundamental to fertiliser production, and this long-term arrangement provides a strong foundation for sustainable operations and future growth,” Mr Mundra said. “We appreciate the partnership with Renaissance and look forward to leveraging this collaboration.”
The transaction aligns closely with Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative and further demonstrates the strategic role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, supporting manufacturing, enhancing energy security, and enabling economic diversification.
