Economy
NNPC Will Still Control Refineries after ‘Concessioning’—Kachikwu
By Dipo Olowookere
Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr Ibe Kachikwu, has disclosed that the control of refineries across the country would still be under the state-owned oil firm, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), even after having private investors to revamp them.
But Mr Kachikwu said at the moment, none of the refineries has its ownership transferred to a new owner.
However, he confirmed that the government was trying to emplace a funding mechanism to revamp the refineries for them to compete effectively.
He explained that the private funding investment coming into the refineries would go through a transparent process of the NNPC Board and the Federal Executive Council (FEC), assuring that the management of the refineries would remain in the control of NNPC.
Mr Kachikwu made these assertions when he represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the 5th Triennial National Delegates’ Conference of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
The 5th Triennial National Delegates’ Conference of the association had the theme ‘Emerging Trends in the Oil and Gas Industry and its impacts on Labour Movement in Nigeria.’
He praised the association for its role in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, saying, “No one can forget your resilience and support which enabled the restoration of normalcy to the downstream sector in 2016.
“We can also not forget your solidarity and cooperation in achieving the giant stride of emplacing the new Joint Venture cash call framework and indeed your sacrifice in many other ways including the NNPC reforms.”
The Minister said the oil and gas industry was being challenged from shale oil, low oil price environment, alternative energy sources, new frontiers and militancy in the Niger Delta.
According to him, the global impact of shale gas on the natural gas industry was imminent with the energy policy shift in the United States and commercial quantities discovery in China, Australia and North Africa regions.
“Closer home, new exploration plays have been and will continue to be discovered in neighbouring West African countries and East Africa, with many producing countries already reviewing their fiscal terms to capture profits and increase government take,” he said.
He admonished that the Federal government and PENGASSAN must work together to overcome militancy, change status quo and policies to meet the changing dynamics of the times in the Oil and Gas Industry.
In his contribution as Guest speaker at the event, NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru, said despite the low oil prices and decreasing reserves, the NNPC was ready to work with the union to ensure efficiency and create an enabling environment for the Oil and Gas industry in the country.
Dr Baru noted that the NNPC management sees the unions as partners in progress and urged them to sustain the cordial industry harmony to help the country get out of the current challenges.
The GMD stated that in the last few months, the corporation has stabilized and ensured steady supply of petroleum products and executed the revamp of Mosimi, Ejigbo and Kano depots.
Speaking at the occasion, PENGASSAN President, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, looked back at the last three years that he had led the association, saying the period had been challenging due to global industry developments, adding that despite the impediments, the Union had forged ahead to achieve a lot for the benefit of its members and the nation.
He listed safe guard of members’ jobs, building a cohesive Association, contribution to events that led to the JV Cash Call Exit, among others, as the major achievement of the Union under his leadership.
Mr Johnson called on the Federal Government to ensure stable power supply in the country as a way of transforming the nation’s economy.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has expressed worry over plans by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to spend about $11.6 billion on debt servicing.
In a post on his social media platform on Monday, the opposition politician criticised this move, saying it is not good for the country.
He also said this action “should concern anyone interested in the country’s economic future and long-term development.”
The former Governor of Anambra State kicked against the penchant of the government to borrow from various sources without anything to show for it.
“There is nothing inherently wrong with borrowing when it is guided by prudence and directed toward productive investment, he noted, stressing that countries such as Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Indonesia are all heavily indebted, yet their borrowings are largely channelled into education, healthcare, infrastructure, and innovation – sectors that generate long-term economic returns and sustain repayment capacity.”
According to him, “despite high debt levels, their obligations remain more manageable because they are tied to measurable productivity.”
He said, “Nigeria’s situation, however, is markedly different. A huge proportion of past borrowing has been directed toward consumption, with limited visible or sustainable developmental outcomes to justify the scale of indebtedness.”
“It is also important to note that a huge portion of the debt currently being serviced was accumulated under the Tinubu administration itself, while borrowing has continued at a significant pace. The administration’s recent external borrowing alone includes about $6 billion (from First Abu Dhabi Bank in the UAE—$5 billion, and UK Export Finance via Citibank London—$1 billion), a further $1.25 billion under consideration from the World Bank, and an additional $516 million arranged through Deutsche Bank, bringing the latest known external loan commitments to roughly $7.8 billion. In addition, domestic borrowing through monthly bond issuances continues to add to the overall debt stock,” the businessman also stated.
“Against this backdrop, Nigeria’s 2026 budget shows that health is N2.46 trillion, education is N2.56 trillion, and poverty alleviation is N865 billion, giving a combined total of about N5.885 trillion for these three critical sectors.
“By comparison, debt servicing at about $11.6 billion (approximately N17–N18 trillion, depending on exchange rate assumptions) is almost three times higher than the total allocation to health, education, and social protection combined. This imbalance highlights a troubling fiscal reality in which debt obligations increasingly crowd out investment in human capital and poverty reduction.
“Moreover, even within the limited allocations to these sectors, funds may not be fully released, and a significant portion of what is eventually released could be misappropriated,” he further stated.
Mr Obi said, “The central issue is not borrowing itself, but whether borrowed funds are being converted into measurable productivity, inclusive growth, and improved living standards. Without this, debt servicing shifts from being a temporary fiscal obligation to a long-term structural burden that constrains development and deepens economic vulnerability.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
Pathway Advisors Limited, an issuing house and financial advisory firm, has announced the successful completion of the Series 2 Commercial Paper issuance for Veritasi Homes & Properties Plc.
The Series 2 offer, issued under Veritasi Homes’ newly registered N20.00 billion Commercial Paper Programme, raised N16.76 billion, significantly above its initial N12.00 billion target on the back of strong institutional demand.
This issuance builds on the company’s track record in the Nigerian debt capital market and follows the recently concluded N10 billion 3-year 20 per cent Series 1 Fixed Rate Bond Issuance, further reinforcing investor confidence in Veritasi Homes’ strong credit profile.
The 364-day tenor instrument attracted robust participation from a diverse pool of institutional investors, underscoring sustained confidence in the Company’s financial strength, operating model, and governance standards.
Commenting on the deal, the Founder/CEO of Pathway Advisors Limited, Mr Adekunle Alade (MBA, FCA, M.CIod), noted that the outcome further validates investor appetite for well-structured transactions in the Nigerian capital market.
“The strong oversubscription speaks to the market’s confidence in Veritasi Homes’ performance, governance, and repayment track record. We are pleased to continue supporting issuers with strong fundamentals in accessing efficient funding.’’
He further highlighted that Veritasi Homes’ consistent market activities since 2022, including successful issuances and full redemption of matured obligations, continue to strengthen its reputation among institutional investors.
“Pathway Advisors Limited remains committed to maintaining its leadership position within Nigeria’s capital markets through the origination and execution of transformative, value-driven, and commercially viable transactions by deploying innovative financial solutions and facilitating strategic capital formation across critical sectors.
“We are committed to supporting credible corporates in accessing efficient short-term and long-term financing solutions within the Nigerian capital market,” he said in a statement on Monday.
Speaking on the transaction, the Managing Director/CEO of Veritasi Homes & Properties Plc, Mr Nola Adetola, described the outcome as a strong endorsement of the company’s fundamentals.
“This result reflects the resilience of our business model, our growing market reputation, and the continued trust of the investment community. We are grateful to all institutional investors for their confidence in Veritasi Homes.”
He added that the proceeds from the issuance will be deployed to support the company’s working capital requirements, enhance liquidity, and complete the ongoing development activities across its real estate portfolio.
Mr Adetola also commended Pathway Advisors Limited for its advisory and arranging role in the successful execution of the transaction.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the transition to the T+1 settlement cycle for capital market transactions from June 1, 2026.
This is coming some months after Nigeria moved from the T+3 settlement cycle to the T+2 settlement cycle.
The T+ settlement cycle is the number of working days required to complete a capital market transaction, such as the trading of securities, shares, and others, from the first day the trade was executed by an investor.
In a notice on Monday, the SEC, which is the apex capital market regulator in Nigeria, said it was authorising the new system to “promote an efficient, fair, and transparent capital market.”
Under the new arrangement, equities and commodities traded by investors at the market would be cleared and settled by the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) within one day.
The agency noted that the migration to a T+1 settlement cycle forms part of its ongoing market modernisation initiatives aimed at enhancing market efficiency and strengthening risk management. reducing counterparty exposure, improving liquidity, and aligning the Nigerian capital market with international standards and global best practices.
“Accordingly, all eligible trades executed in the Nigerian capital market shall settle one business day after the trade date (T+1),” a part of the statement noted.
It was stressed that “Friday, May 29, 2026, shall be the final trading day under the existing T+2 settlement cycle. Trades executed on Friday, May 29, 2026, and Monday, June 1, 2026, shall both settle on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. All trades executed from Monday, June 1, 2026, onward shall be subject to the T+1 settlement cycle.”
SEC tasked all capital market operators, securities exchanges, clearing and settlement infrastructure providers, custodians, registrars, issuers, and other relevant stakeholders to take all necessary measures to ensure full operational readiness and compliance with the new settlement framework.
“Market participants are expected to review and align their systems, processes, controls, and operational workflows ahead of the implementation date,” it further stated, promising to continue to engage stakeholders and monitor the implementation process to ensure an orderly and seamless transition.
The regulator said it remains committed to strengthening market integrity, enhancing investor confidence, and fostering the development of a modern. resilient and globally competitive Nigerian capital market.
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