General
Oil Stakeholders Reject Dangote’s Direct Distribution, Want Joint Supply
By Adedapo Adesanya
Oil stakeholders under the aegis of Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) have called for the establishment of a joint distribution framework between the Dangote Refinery and existing downstream operators to avoid supply disruptions.
Speaking at NOGASA’s Annual General Meeting in Abuja on Thursday, its National President, Mr Benneth Korie, urged the refinery to work with industry associations rather than bypass them through direct supply to retailers.
Mr Korie argued that such collaboration would protect jobs, ensure market stability, and safeguard the nation’s fuel supply chain, proposing a model in which the refinery focuses strictly on refining and bulk sales to depot owners and marketers, while distribution to the over 50,000 filling stations nationwide remains in the hands of established operators.
“Refining and distribution are two different specialisations. The best approach is for Dangote to refine, sell to marketers, and let us handle distribution. This way, the refinery stays focused on production while marketers maintain nationwide supply,” Mr Korie said.
He warned that bypassing marketers through direct supply could lead to massive job losses in the downstream sector, disrupt existing community relationships in volatile areas, and create bottlenecks that may trigger scarcity.
Mr Korie recalled that NOGASA has strongly supported the Dangote Refinery project in its formative years, even lobbying the Federal Government for intervention to ensure its completion.
“No one has supported the Dangote Refinery more than NOGASA. But we have to be honest, direct distribution will create more problems than it solves. We are proposing a win-win arrangement where all stakeholders benefit,” he added.
The NOGASA president further urged the refinery management to convene an urgent stakeholders’ meeting involving the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and other industry players to agree on a sustainable distribution model.
Also speaking, the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Mr Billy Gillis-Harry, warned that Dangote’s plan to refine, store, transport, distribute and sell directly to the public amounts to a “forward integration strategy” that could crush competition and destabilise the downstream petroleum sector.
Mr Gillis-Harry likened the situation to the cement industry, where dominant producers now control both production and distribution, leading to steep price hikes from about N115 per bag years ago to over N10,000 today.
He alleged that Dangote was already selling fuel at below-cost prices to capture market share,a move he said could drive independent marketers out of business.
“When one company wants to refine, store, handle logistics, distribute and fix prices, it becomes both a businessman and a regulator. That is dangerous for competition and for the economy.
“This is not cement. This is PMS and AGO that run over 95 per cent of Nigeria’s energy needs. If one company controls it all, even the hairdresser will not work again,” he warned.
The PETROAN president urged the Federal Government to enforce clear role separation in the downstream petroleum sector as provided in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and to ensure regulators have the capacity to monitor and prevent anti-competitive practices.
He also called for the reservation of at least one million barrels of crude oil daily for domestic refining, saying this would ensure local refineries, including smaller, regional ones, have adequate feedstock to operate efficiently.
Mr Gillis-Harry also suggested continuous stakeholder consultations involving the refinery, marketers, transporters, labour unions and regulators to design a distribution model that supports competition, prevents job losses and guarantees nationwide fuel availability.
General
Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today
By Blaise Udunze
Momentum is gathering for the Abuja Night of Glory taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
The crusade is being hosted by Dominion City Church headed by Pastor David Ogbueli and it starts by 7pm.
The all-night programme will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani, and DC Angels.
Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel, evidenced by the miracles that have trailed his ministry, and one who champions the cause of the poor through empowerment initiatives, Dr. David Ogbueli will be joined by renowned ministers from within and outside Nigeria, including Evangelist Andres Bisonni, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Evangelist Dan Scott, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and several others.
Night of Glory has, in previous editions held across Nigeria’s cities, recorded remarkable results, such as immediate healings and freedom from chronic ailments, recovery of vision and movement after many years of paralysis, along with liberation from dependencies and emotional distress. Numerous participants have also shared testimonies of breakthroughs and big personal changes after the experience. Organisers state that this year’s event, in Abuja, is anticipated to exceed previous editions.
The event is intended for all individuals trusting God for divine intervention in any area of life.
Understanding the role of faith in the destiny of individuals and nations, a dedicated prayer session for Nigeria will take place during the crusade to tackle some of the current challenges being faced in the country and also to uplift he leaders and institutions before God.
Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged via the QR codes on event banners. Organisers expect a massive turnout as worshippers travel from across the country for what is anticipated to be a transformative encounter.
Adequate security and free transportation have been put in place ALL over the city of Abuja, while those outside Abuja are expected to join online.
General
Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the plenary on Friday, Mr Amaewhule joined the ruling party from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with 15 other members of the state parliament.
This development comes some months after they had earlier declared their support for the APC in the wake of a crisis with the state governor, Mr Sim Fubura.
The lawmakers had an issue with Mr Fubura, which led to a state of emergency declared on the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.
This embargo was only lift in September 2025 after the duration of the six-month emergency rule in the state.
A few days ago, members of the Rivers Assembly passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, backing him to remain in office till 2031, when he would have spent eight years in office if re-elected in 2027.
Announcing their defection today, the lawmakers pinned their decision on the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.
It is not certain if their political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will join them in APC.
Mr Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of instigating the crisis in the opposition PDP. He was expelled from the party last month at a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
General
Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.
The president of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja that the industry was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.
Painting an example, he said, “A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the US or Abu Dhabi,” noting that the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.
“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.
According to him, PENGASSAN has recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.
“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.
He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.
Mr Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.
He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.
“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.
On insecurity, Mr Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.
“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.
He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.
Mr Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.
He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.
“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said, urging the government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.
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