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Economy

Brent Hits $76 as Omicron Fears Subside Amid Rising Cases, Restrictions

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By Adedapo Adesanya

Brent crude traded at $76.85 per barrel on Thursday after rising by $1.56 or 2.1 per cent on signs that the worst effects of the Omicron variant might be more containable than previously feared, even as countries imposed travel restrictions on surging infection levels.

Also, the United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude appreciated by $1.03 or 1.4 per cent during the session to settle at $73.79 per barrel.

The oil market has wavered in recent days over how seriously to take the threat of another slump in fuel demand largely influenced by the latest discovered COVID-19 mutation.

The Omicron variant is more transmissible than previous coronavirus variants, but early data suggests it causes a milder level of illness.

Analysts believe that the demand destruction everybody thought was going to happen might not occur and this has increased investors’ risks.

However, some governments are imposing tighter travel restrictions to slow the spread of the variant, which could hit demand even if Omicron causes a lower level of hospitalization, particularly among the vaccinated.

Early evidence out of the United Kingdom and South Africa suggests Omicron doesn’t make as many people as seriously sick as Delta but based on how fast it has been spreading, health officials are still warning about overwhelmed hospitals and a breakdown of public services.

The Chinese city of Xian ordered its 13 million residents to stay home, while Scotland imposed gathering limits from December 26 for up to three weeks, and two Australian states reimposed mask mandates.

In other European countries – Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands partial or full lockdowns or other social distancing measures have been reimposed in recent days.

Greece, Italy and Spain have reintroduced outdoor mask mandates. In Austria, people without proof of vaccination or covid-19 recovery can leave home only for essential reasons.

Europeans are being urged in some places required to keep holiday gatherings small to reduce spreading the virus.

The United States authorized separate antiviral COVID-19 pills manufactured by both Pfizer and Merck, and officials from the US Food and Drug Administration said the medications are both effective against the Omicron variant. read more

AstraZeneca said a three-dose course of its COVID-19 vaccine was effective against Omicron, citing data from an Oxford University lab study.

Meanwhile, four people were injured at a fire at Exxon Mobil’s Baytown refinery, one of the largest in the US. The fire is out, and the refinery is adjusting production at the facility, which has the ability to process up to 560,000 barrels per day, with minimal effect on prices.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

Economy

Zichis Confirms Intention to Borrow from Capital Market

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

One of the newest members of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, Zichis Agro-Allied Industries Plc, has confirmed its intention to approach the capital market to raise funds, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.

However, it denied reports suggesting it’s “set to undertake an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or related capital raising activity.”

In a notice on Monday, the firm affirmed proposing “to seek shareholders’ approval at its forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) to raise additional capital, which may be through equity, debt, or a combination of both, subject to regulatory approvals and market conditions.”

“At this stage, the structure, timing, and details of any such capital raising have not been finalised, and no specific transaction has been concluded,” a part of the statement signed by the company secretary, Solomon Itsede, stressed.

Zichis expressed its commitment to upholding “the highest standards of corporate governance, transparency, and timely disclosure.”

“Accordingly, any material corporate actions or capital market activities will be formally communicated through the appropriate regulatory channels,” it said, advising shareholders and the investing public “to rely solely on official disclosures and filings made by the company through the NGX and other authorised regulatory platforms when making investment decisions.”

Zichis welcomed the “continued interest of investors and market participants in its operations and performance,” promising to remain focused on delivering sustainable value through disciplined strategic execution.

It also lauded the continued support of its shareholders, saying it remains committed to maintaining transparency in all its communications.

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Economy

NERC Orders Transparent Reporting of Transmission Loss Factors

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a directive to ensure transparency in reporting the Regional Electricity Transmission Loss Factor, as it remains above the 7 per cent threshold.

In a public notice posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the order, contained in No. NERC/2026/026 is aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s power grid through enhanced reporting of Regional Transmission Loss Factors (TLF).

The regulator disclosed that the order is backed by the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which enables the commission to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the power sector.

According to the statement, the Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) indicate that the national average TLF was 8.71 per cent in 2024 but was reduced to 7.24 per cent in 2025.

The statement added that the report exceeds the 7 per cent benchmark approved by NERC in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).

The statement reads, “The Order dated 8 April 2026 establishes a formal framework for reporting transmission losses across regions operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

“Taking effect from 13 April 2026, the Order is backed by provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which empower NERC to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the electricity market.”

The directive reads, “NISO to install smart meters at all boundary regional interconnection points by December 2026 to accurately measure energy flows for each region of the transmission network.

“NISO to measure and document all energy flow of power transformers at transmission substations.

“NISO to file quarterly reports on TLF to NERC on a regional basis.”

It added, “TCN to file an action plan by July 2026 on the reduction of TLF to a value within the 7 per cent approved benchmarks in the regions.

“TCN to ensure that TLF across transmission regions shall not exceed 6.5 per cent by December 2026.”

NERC concluded that the order is designed to strengthen accountability in transmission operations and support better grid performance through structured loss reporting.

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Economy

Dangote Refinery Plans Cross-border Listing of Shares

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Dangote Refinery Crude Supply to Local Refineries

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigerian businessman, Mr Aliko Dangote, is planning to list shares of his $20 billion oil refinery on multiple African stock exchanges.

The landmark cross-border public offering on the continent was disclosed by the chief executive of the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Mr Frank Mwiti, following a meeting held last week in Lagos between Mr Dangote and several heads of African exchanges.

Last year, Mr Dangote unveiled plans to list a 10 per cent stake in his Lagos-based refinery on the Nigerian Exchange this year.

According to a Bloomberg report, citing an email from the chief executive of FirstCap, Mr Ukandu Ukandu, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Vetiva Advisory Services Limited, and FirstCap Limited have been appointed as advisers for the initial public offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.

Mr Mwiti said the proposed listing is designed to cut across multiple markets and deepen investor participation across the continent.

“The plan is to structure a pan-African IPO,” he said.

Bloomberg also reported that a spokesman for the Dangote Group confirmed that discussions had taken place between Mr Dangote and exchange officials but declined to provide further details.

In February 2026, Mr Dangote said that the IPO could be launched within the next five months.

“But individually Nigerians too will have an opportunity in the next maximum four or five months, they will actually be able to buy their shares,” he said at the time.

He added that investors would have flexibility in how they receive returns.

“People will have a choice either to get their dividends in naira or to get their dividends in dollars because we earn in Dollars.”

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