Economy
Russia’s Lukoil Agrees to Sell International Assets in Nigeria, Others to Carlyle
By Adedapo Adesanya
US sanctioned Russian oil giant Lukoil, will sell its foreign assets, including those in Nigeria and five other countries, to the US investment firm, The Carlyle Group.
According to an announcement on Thursday, Lukoil reached an agreement with the US investment firm on the sale of Lukoil International GmbH, the holding company that owns the group’s non-Russian international assets.
These foreign assets include shares in oil fields and refineries across the globe, including in Iraq, Azerbaijan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nigeria, and Mexico.
The sale follows the US sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft, “as a result of Russia’s lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine.”
The Donald Trump administration in October 2025 had carried out the decision to put pressure on Russia’s state finances, adding the country’s two largest oil producers, Lukoil and Rosneft, to its blacklist of sanctioned entities. The US had initially given the oil firm one month to sell the holdings before gradually extending it as negotiations dragged on.
Lukoil had announced that same month that it would sell all of its international assets, initiating a formal process to receive bids from potential buyers.
After months of negotiations with potential buyers and one preliminary agreement with Gunvor blocked by the US Treasury, which described the trading group as “the Kremlin’s puppet”, it has now signed an agreement to sell Lukoil International GmbH to Carlyle.
Companies working with the sanctioned firms risk secondary sanctions that would deny them access to US banks, traders, transporters, and insurers.
The agreement is not exclusive and is subject to conditions such as the procurement of necessary regulatory approvals, including permission from the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for the transaction with Carlyle.
Carlyle said that the agreement “has been structured to be fully compliant” with US Treasury policies and that it was “conditional upon Carlyle’s due diligence and regulatory approvals”.
Prior to the Carlyle news, other US oil and gas supermajors Chevron and ExxonMobil, and International Holding Company (IHC) of Abu Dhabi expressed interest to the US Treasury to potentially acquire Lukoil’s international assets.
The sale would further dent Russian economy which has been struggling because of its war in Ukraine and Western sanctions have increased inflation and slowed economic growth. In 2025, the country’s oil and gas revenues, which make up about a quarter of government income and help fund the war, fell to their lowest level in five years.
Economy
Tinubu Removes Wale Edun, Elevates Taiwo Oyedele as New Finance Minister
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Mr Taiwo Oyedele has become the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy after the exit of Mr Wale Edun.
This announcement was made on Tuesday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation via a statement signed by Mr Yomi Odunuga, the Special Adviser of Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr George Akume.
It was disclosed that President Bola Tinubu approved the removal of Mr Edun as Finance Minister as well his counterpart in the Housing and Urban Development Ministry, Mr Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.
According to Mr Akume, “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
In approving the cabinet reshuffle, the President has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended), he added.
Before this minor cabinet reshuffle in the membership of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Mr Oyedele the Minister of State for Finance.
Mr Muttaqha Rabe Darma has now been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.
Mr Tinubu thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours, reminding others that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”
Economy
Dangote Eyes Crude Oil Production to Ease Shortfalls
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Dangote Group has announced plans to begin its own crude production, to help cover shortfalls in local crude feedstocks, in the coming weeks through its upstream assets.
According to Mr Devakumar Edwin, the Vice President of the Dangote Group, the company has commenced early testing on crude from its Niger Delta licenses.
In an interview with Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, the official said the company has already begun standard well testing and is preparing to scale up output.
“We have opened a well and begun standard testing, which should be completed in the next three to four weeks, maximum.
“After that point, oil can start to be pumped in larger volumes, and the company can begin work on drilling new wells,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr David Bird, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Dangote refinery, said the upstream assets could provide a more stable crude supply for the refinery.
“Alongside its upstream interests, the company is seeking to establish its own shipping presence to help reduce logistics costs and improve the reliability of its crude sourcing,” Mr Bird said.
While confirmation has come from the company, the Nigerian government or the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is yet to officially confirm the development.
The 650,000 barrels-per-day facility has been able to get enough feedstock locally under the federal government’s Crude-for-Naira initiative, leading it to source crude from international markets at a premium, which is partly responsible for the high cost of petrol and other fuels.
However, in April 2026, the NNPC said it would increase its crude supply to Dangote Refinery to seven cargoes.
The refinery, on several occasions, has stated it sources the majority of its crude oil outside Nigeria despite being the country’s Naira-for-crude sale deal.
Last month, it said the NNPC only gave it four to five cargoes, which is less than 50 per cent of expected volumes. The majority of Nigeria’s crude is tied to joint ventures with international oil companies.
With the latest development, it would help reduce the dependency on international crude as well as allow Dangote to ease some of its import costs.
Economy
A $108 Welcome Bonus Is Helping More Users Explore Cloud-Based Crypto Access in 2026 as Major Digital Assets Remain in Focus
As the digital asset market continues to expand, more users are paying attention not only to which cryptocurrencies are trending, but also to how they can take part in the market with less complexity. For many people, traditional mining has started to feel too expensive, too technical, and too demanding to manage. That is why cloud-based participation is becoming more visible as a practical alternative.
In this environment, BM Blockchain is attracting attention as a platform designed to simplify crypto participation. By offering new users a $108 welcome bonus, the platform is creating a more appealing first step for people who want to explore digital asset opportunities without dealing with hardware ownership, complicated setup, or long-term maintenance.
Why More Users Want a Simpler Path Into Crypto
Interest in digital assets remains strong, but many users no longer want to enter the market through methods that require specialized machines and technical expertise. Traditional mining often involves high upfront equipment costs, electricity use, cooling demands, and continuous system management. These challenges can make direct participation difficult for people who are curious about crypto but do not want the operational burden.
Cloud-based models help change that experience. By allowing users to access participation through an online structure instead of running hardware themselves, they make the process feel more manageable and less intimidating. For many users, that shift is becoming one of the most important reasons to consider cloud-based crypto access in 2026.
This approach can be especially attractive because it offers:
- a more accessible starting point
- less technical responsibility
- no need to purchase and manage hardware
- easier access to crypto-related participation
- more flexibility when following different digital asset stories
Why Bitcoin, XRP, Ethereum, and Dogecoin Still Matter
Even as participation models evolve, user attention continues to center on a few major digital asset names.
Bitcoin remains the most recognized mining-related asset in the market and continues to shape how many people think about crypto participation. Its long-standing market position makes it the reference point for many users exploring digital assets.
XRP remains highly visible because of its familiarity and strong public recognition. For many users, it feels easier to follow than more technical blockchain narratives, which helps it maintain broad appeal.
Ethereum continues to matter because of its importance to blockchain utility, smart contracts, and the wider crypto ecosystem. It remains one of the strongest technology-linked narratives in the market.
Dogecoin continues to attract attention because of its approachable image, broad retail popularity, and strong public visibility. It remains one of the most familiar crypto stories for everyday users.
Together, these digital assets show why the market continues to attract a wide range of participants. Some users are drawn by mining history, some by utility, some by familiarity, and others by community-driven popularity. What many now share, however, is a growing interest in simpler participation methods.
Why Cloud-Based Participation Feels More Relevant in 2026
One of the biggest changes in the market is that users are paying more attention to convenience. Instead of focusing only on price movements or older mining models, they are also comparing how easy a platform feels to use. This is where cloud-based participation has gained an advantage.
Rather than requiring users to become equipment operators, cloud-based platforms give them a route into the market through a simpler and more service-led format. That makes the experience feel closer to a digital platform model than a technical infrastructure project. In 2026, this difference is becoming more important as new users look for ways to participate without facing unnecessary complexity.
How BM Blockchain Positions Itself
BM Blockchain is aligning itself with this trend by emphasizing easier onboarding and a more accessible participation model. Instead of asking users to take on the full burden of traditional mining, the platform presents a cloud-based structure designed to lower barriers from the beginning.
This may be especially appealing to users who want exposure to major digital asset themes such as Bitcoin, XRP, Ethereum, and Dogecoin while avoiding the technical demands of direct mining. By reducing friction and simplifying entry, BM Blockchain presents itself as a more approachable option for people exploring digital assets for the first time.
The $108 Bonus Adds More Value at the Start
For many first-time users, a welcome incentive can make the difference between passive interest and actual registration. BM Blockchain’s $108 welcome bonus gives new users a clear reason to explore how the platform works and what cloud-based participation can offer.

In a competitive market, this kind of onboarding benefit can help reduce hesitation, create a stronger first impression, and make the platform feel more worthwhile from the beginning. It also reinforces the broader message that entering crypto does not always need to start with complexity.
Conclusion
The digital asset market is becoming more accessible as user expectations continue to change. More people are now looking for flexible and convenient ways to explore crypto opportunities without the operational burden of traditional mining.
As Bitcoin, XRP, Ethereum, and Dogecoin continue to hold user attention in 2026, cloud-based participation models are becoming increasingly relevant for those who want a simpler route into the market. With its cloud-based structure and $108 welcome bonus for new users, BM Blockchain is positioning itself as a practical choice for people who want to explore digital asset opportunities through a more manageable path.
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