General
CNPP Accuses FG of Deceit in Subsidy Implementation

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Leaders of the Nigerian labour unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have been accused of “representing their personal interests and not that of their members.”
This accusation was made by the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by its Secretary General, Mr Willy Ezugwu.
The group said it was prepared to lead the anti-subsidy struggle when Nigerians are ready to take their future into their hands.
It also accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the federal government of being deceitful in implementing the subsidy regime, saying that “what the federal government wants to do is fuel price increment, not subsidy removal.”
The CNPP noted that “it is disheartening that the Nigerian labour unions have joined the All Progressives Congress led federal government in its deceitful and manipulative tendencies since the APC government came to power.
“Before they won the election in 2015, the APC made Nigerians to believe that fuel subsidy does not exist, tagging it a scam. But immediately after they won the election, the APC led federal government swiftly increased the pump price of petrol.
“The former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Ibe Kachikwu in December 2015 revealed that the federal government has concluded plans to remove the subsidy on fuel by 2016.
“By May 2016, the Federal Government announced that it had removed fuel subsidy and petrol was to sell for N145 per litre. In fact, NNPC made Nigerians believe that marketers were free to bring in fuel cargoes and sell, subject to meeting standard quality control.
“But in the deceitful character of the federal government, the NNPC then insisted on a benchmark of N145 per litre as a recommended pump price. Do you remove subsidies and dictate or suggest prices at the same time if you are sincere?
“The CNPP at the time queried the rationale behind removing the subsidy and at the same time interfering in pump price by fixing a benchmark of N145 per litre of petrol.
“While highlighting the contents of a briefing after a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in 2016, Kachikwu said: “We have just finished a meeting with various stakeholders presided over by His Excellency, the Vice President. The meeting had in attendance the leadership of the Senate, House of Representatives, Governors Forum, and Labour Unions (NLC, TUC, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN)”, the then minister told Nigerians.
“But at a point, the federal government made a U-turn on the fuel subsidy removal when, contrary to viral media reports in 2016 that the federal government has ended fuel subsidy, Vice President Yemi Osinabjo said it was not true, explaining that what the government did was to withdraw the monopoly enjoyed by the NNPC to allow free market sales.
“The free market sales and importation of petrol by the independent marketers never happened because the federal government simply deceived Nigerians that subsidy was removed. Nigerians endured but till date, there has not been any meaningful improvement in the lives of the poor.
“This cycle of deceit has continued till date as the federal government has hinted on yet another fuel price increment which it has again tagged fuel subsidy removal. How many times will the government remove fuel subsidies?
“The same labour unions leaders who were part of the earlier negotiations are the same ones negotiating with the federal government today in another cycle of personal enrichment while Nigerians are to pay N340 per litre of petrol and at a time cooking gas is already out of the reach of the ordinary citizens.
“It is laughable that the only palliative from the federal government is N5, 000.00 naira to a few Nigerians, which government officials will eventually siphon into private pockets like the COVID-19 conditional cash transfer.
“With the level of infrastructure decay in the country, where all federal roads are not motorable, the federal government is talking about cash transfer because it is the new safe way to siphon our commonwealth.
“The CNPP is ready to lead Nigerians anytime they want to end this series of subsidy removal deceit by the federal government in connivance with labour leaders in the country”, the CNPP concluded.
General
EFCC Nabs Seven Chinese, Four Nigerians Over Illegal Ilmenite Mining

By Adedapo Adesanya
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 11 individuals, including seven Chinese nationals, for engaging in illegal mining of ilmenite in the Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Ilmenite, the mineral allegedly mined illegally, is a key source of titanium and is in high demand globally for use in aircraft manufacturing, paints, and electronics.
According to the EFCC, the suspects were apprehended at Emem-Asuk community, where they were reportedly operating two unauthorized mining sites.
The group was caught while setting up equipment at a second location, having already begun the illegal extraction of ilmenite, at their first site.
Those arrested included Chinese nationals Yang Chaobao (32), Zhong Dun Yi (33), Cheng Jiang (35), Zhong Dun Long (37), Pan Peiming (33), Lai Yiping (37), and Zhu Lekun (35). Their Nigerian collaborators are David Israel (18), Jonah Bartholomew Jim (24), Samuel Samuel Timothy (20), and a female interpreter, Comfort Gabriel Ajaga (23).
In her statement to investigators, Ms Ajaga, the only female suspect, claimed she had no direct role in the mining operations.
“I am a student studying Chinese language at a Learning Centre in Anambra State. I only work with them as a translator,” she told EFCC operatives.
Preliminary findings indicate the suspects lacked the requisite permits or licences to carry out mining operations at either location.
The EFCC says the arrests are part of its ongoing efforts to clamp down on economic sabotage and environmental crimes in Nigeria’s extractive industries.
“The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation,” the EFCC said in a statement posted on X.
This development underscores growing concerns over the influx of illegal mining operations in Nigeria, often run by foreign syndicates with local collaborators, leading to revenue losses and ecological degradation.
The EFCC has stepped up efforts to enforce the laws against illegal mining as part of a wider national effort to curb the activity.
General
Popoola Celebrates Diana Chen, Highlights Power of Relationships, Networks

By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chief executive of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group Plc, Mr Temi Popoola, has joined others to celebrate the chairman of Choice International Group (CIG), Ms Diana Chen, on her birthday.
Mr Popoola described the business magnate and philanthropist as “a powerful bridge-builder whose life reflects the influence of networks built on trust, loyalty, and shared vision.”
Speaking at a high-level panel session held in her honour, the NGX Group chief praised Ms Chen as a living testament to the impact of purposeful connection, reflecting on the enduring power of relationships and networks in leadership and legacy-building.
He emphasized that in Africa’s evolving economic and social landscape, success is not just measured by milestones or material wealth, but by the quality of one’s relationships and ability to empower others.
“In a world that is constantly changing, one thing that remains timeless is the strength of your relationships and the quality of your network. These connections are the true capital that sustain us, both in business and in life,” he said.
Mr Popoola also reflected on the power of mentorship, sharing personal insights and stories from Nigerian students in China whose lives have been positively shaped by Chief Chen’s work.
“There’s a kind of calmness, clarity, and drive that comes from living with purpose,” he added, noting that, “Mentorship is not always structured; often, it is embedded in how people feel seen, supported, and guided.”
He stated that true leadership is about intentional impact, shaping people and systems through vision, service, and relationships that endure.
In a country like Nigeria, where challenges often intersect with opportunity, he said leaders must be grounded in purpose and committed to lasting influence.
Ms Chen has consistently championed a model of growth that blends commerce with community, and industry with identity.
In Nigeria, her vision is most evident in sectors such as mobility, renewable energy, education, and public infrastructure, where CIG is actively helping to redefine the landscape of industrial development.
General
Discos Face Billing Inefficiency Despite Increase in Power Distribution

By Adedapo Adesanya
Power distribution companies (Discos) are still falling short when billing customers despite receiving more electricity for distribution, according to the latest report released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
An analysis by Business Post on the May 2025 factsheet shows that while Discos received 2,774.49 GWh of electricity, which translates to a 5.80 per cent increase compared to April, and billed out 2,255.51 GWh, billing efficiency dropped by 2.01 percentage points, settling at 81.29 per cent.
This means nearly 19 per cent of the electricity distributed to consumers remains unbilled, compounding the financial woes in the power sector.
Billing efficiency reflects the ratio of energy billed to the total energy received by Discos. The decline indicates that a significant portion of the energy supplied is either not recorded, lost, or distributed to customers without proper metering, all of which contribute to revenue loss.
The data from NERC during the review month also showed that out of the N261.82 billion billed to customers in May, only N191.57 billion was collected. This reflects a collection efficiency of 73.17 per cent, down by 4.42 per cent from April.
In terms of revenue recovery, Discos were allowed to collect an average of N116.25/kWh, but they managed to recover only N82.05/kWh, pushing recovery efficiency down to 70.58 per cent, a 7.32 per cent drop from the previous month.
On the billing front, Benin, Ikeja, and Eko Discos led the pack, maintaining high billing efficiencies of 88.73 per cent 87.44 per cent, and 87.62 per cent, respectively.
The factsheet showed that Eko Disco also recorded one of the highest improvements in collection performance, suggesting a solid overall commercial strategy.
On the other end, Yola Disco fared the worst, with a billing efficiency of just 63.45 per cent, and a collection efficiency of 50.59 per cent. Jos and Kaduna Discos also reported worrying figures, showing deep cracks in their billing and revenue structures.
An improvement in Nigeria’s billing and collection efficiency could help mitigate challenges amid efforts to increase power generation and supply.
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