General
28 States Receive $68.36m from World Bank
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has announced that 28 states have received $68.36 million in disbursements under the World Bank-assisted SABER programme.
The federal government announced on Tuesday that 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had signed the Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA) under the programme, with 28 states so far receiving disbursements totalling $68.36 million.
The SABER programme seeks to enhance private investment in fibre optic deployment, strengthening regulatory frameworks to support this growth.
This comes months after the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, in November 2023 announced SABER as the successor programme of the States Fiscal Transparency and Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS).
SFTAS was another World Bank-assisted $1.5 billion programme which was designed to nudge the sub-nationals into inculcating the virtues of accountability and transparency in governance.
According to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) signed the Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA) under the SABER programme.
A statement issued Tuesday night by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Finance, Mr Mohammed Manga noted that 28 states had received between $1 million and $4 million in prior results disbursements, totalling $68.36 million.
“In its avowed determination to improve the business environment in the country, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the World Bank has declared the 2025 National Sensitization Workshop on the States Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme-for-Results open in Abuja – a $750 million initiative aimed at incentivizing state-level reforms to improve Nigeria’s business climate.
“The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya, while declaring the event open, emphasized the significance of the programme in fostering economic growth through business-friendly reforms.”
The statement quoted the Permanent Secretary as saying: “We are committed to creating an enabling environment that promotes business competitiveness and attractiveness.”
“The Permanent Secretary highlighted the progress made so far, with 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) signing the Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA) under the SABER programme.
“Mrs Jafiya informed that 28 states have received between $1 million and $4 million in prior results disbursements, totalling $68.36 million.
“She acknowledged the challenges faced by states in implementing reforms but encouraged them to persevere,” the statement added.
It stressed that Mrs Jafiya assured that the government would continue to support states in their efforts to improve the business environment and attract investments.
The Permanent Secretary also emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the SABER programme, saying, “we must ensure that the programme’s objectives are achieved in a transparent and accountable manner.”
By streamlining processes for land acquisition and ownership, the Permanent Secretary further disclosed that the programme aims to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and make it easier for businesses to operate.
The programme also prioritizes the strengthening of investment promotion agencies and public-private partnership units, recognizing the critical role these entities play in attracting investment and driving economic growth.
SABER slso aims to improve transparency and efficiency in government-to-business services, reducing the complexity and uncertainty that can often hinder business operations.
According to the statement, the programme builds on the successes of the States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) initiative, which promoted fiscal transparency and accountability at the sub-national level.
The SABER programme’s disbursements are contingent upon annual verification by an Independent Verification Agent (IVA), ensuring that states meet agreed reform milestones.
Programme Leader for Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions at the World Bank, Mrs Bertine Kamphuis, underscored the need for additional technical assistance, including in-person and smaller technical group meetings.
Also, National Programme Coordinator of the SABER Programme, Mr Ali Mohammed elaborated on the program’s financial structure, emphasizing that the $750 million budget encompasses not only Programme-for-Results (PforR) disbursements but also capacity building for state officials and implementation partners.
Under the now-ended SFTAS Programme introduced by former President Muhammadu Buhari administration,eligibility and clear-cut criteria were outlined for states to get disbursement from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).
The criteria were open to civil society organisations and the media, who also assessed benefiting states based on their performance.
General
Dangote Refinery Commences Free Delivery of PMS January 2026
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The free delivery of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, across the country by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will finally begin in January 2026. This was earlier scheduled for August 2025
This move, according to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), will bring down the price of the product in Nigeria.
The group has, therefore, urged all its members nationwide to patronise the Lagos-based private oil facility because it offers the best affordable price for all marketers.
Dangote Refinery has agreed to directly supply PMS to registered members of IPMAN, according to a statement signed and issued by the organisation’s president, Mr Abubakar Maigandi Shettima.
At a press conference held in Abuja yesterday on recent happenings in the oil and gas sector, IPMAN also applauded the support of the Chairman of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Mr Aliko Dangote towards the federal government, which it noted has become evident in the regular reduction of the petroleum pump price.
“The association has the highest percentage of the supply chain of the PMS downstream sector, controlling over 80 per cent of the petrol retail market. We therefore declare that there will be no gap or scarcity in PMS supply to Nigerians.
“We are also excited at the recent agreement by the Dangote Refinery to begin the supply of PMS products directly to registered IPMAN members, and its free delivery to our filling stations anywhere and everywhere in Nigeria which will commence in January 2026.
“This will again, certainly lead to further decrease in the pump price of the products at our filing stations.
“Therefore, I am calling on all IPMAN members nationwide to prioritise patronising the Dangote Refinery in their purchase of PMS products, as they already offer the best affordable prize for all marketers today,” the group stated.
“At IPMAN we have no doubt as to the viability of the oil and gas policies being initiated by the federal government, and we have ceaselessly called and sought for enhanced cooperation across all levels of governance in the oil and gas sector. Hence, our repeated persuasion to always partner the Dangote refinery, to ensure the steady availability of PMS products.
“The focus of the Dangote & IPMAN partnership, has always been geared towards making life better for Nigerians. And of course, this blooming partnership would never have been possible without the pragmatic leadership of President Bola Tinubu, and his sound judgment in readjusting the leadership of the NMDPRA and the NUPRC.
“Our position has always been to deepen domestic refining in order to eradicate imports of petroleum products. Continuous import is NOT an acceptable parallel business model, because issuing import licenses recklessly distorts market dynamics, drains foreign exchange, enthrones poverty, destroys jobs, and scares potential investors away,” Mr Shettima was quoted as saying in the statement.
General
Swedfund Puts Down $20m for Green Business Growth in Africa
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About $20 million has been put down by Swedfund to support efforts that limit climate change in Africa and help communities adapt to its effects.
The funds would be deployed by the Helios Climate, Energy, Adaptation and Resilience (CLEAR) Fund to back African companies that reduce emissions, strengthen resilience and create green jobs.
Swedfund’s investment is expected to contribute to significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and to help businesses and small farmers adapt to a changing climate.
The investment strengthens Swedfund’s work to drive a sustainable and inclusive green transition in Africa.
Africa contributes less than 3 per cent of global carbon emissions but faces some of the most severe climate impacts. At the same time, the continent’s energy demand is expected to triple by 2050.
Swedfund’s investment in Helios CLEAR will help channel capital to businesses that drive low-carbon growth in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable transport, climate-smart farming, efficient use of resources and digital climate solutions.
“By investing in this sector, we can reduce emissions, build resilience and create green jobs, all vital for sustainable growth that benefits more people.
“Africa currently receives only a small share of global climate investment, yet the potential for climate-smart business is enormous.
“Through Helios CLEAR we help build the next generation of African climate-focused businesses,” the Investment Director for Energy and Climate at Swedfund, Ms Gunilla Nilsson, stated.
Helios CLEAR Fund is a Pan African growth equity fund managed by Helios Investment Partners, one of Africa’s leading private equity firms.
The fund targets investments that deliver measurable climate mitigation and adaptation outcomes. The fund is supported by multiple development finance institutions.
General
Lawmaker Alleges Alterations in Gazetted Tax Laws
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Abdussamad Dasuki, has alleged that the gazetted tax laws are different from the ones passed by the National Assembly.
Speaking on Wednesday during plenary at the green chamber, the opposition lawmaker the emphasised that content of the tax laws as gazetted was not what members of the parliament debated, voted on and passed.
In June 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed the four tax reform bills into law, becoming an act. The new laws are the Nigeria Tax Act (NTA), 2025, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), 2025, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (NRSEA), 2025, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act (JRBEA), 2025.
In September, they were gazetted by the federal government.
On the floor of the House yesterday, presided over by the Speaker, Mr Tajudeed Abbas, Mr Dasuki, while raising a matter of privilege, after reviewing the gazetted law and what was passed, he found out some discrepancies, appealing to the Speaker to ensure that all relevant documents, including the harmonised versions, the votes and proceedings of both chambers, and the gazetted copies currently in circulation, are brought before the Committee of the Whole for scrutiny by all members.
He warned that allowing laws different from those duly passed by the National Assembly to be presented to Nigerians would undermine the integrity of the legislature and violate constitutional provisions.
“Mr. Speaker, I will be pleading that all the documents should be brought before the Committee of the Whole.
“The whole members should see what is in the gazetted copy and see what they passed on the floor so that we can make the relevant amendment. Mr Speaker, this is the breach of the Constitution.
“This is the breach of our laws, and this should not be taken by this House,” Mr Dasuki said when rising under Order Six, Rule Two of the House Rules on a Point of Privilege.
In his remarks, Mr Abbas promised that the parliament would look into the matter.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn











