By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Navy has issued a strong warning to maritime criminals, reaffirming its resolve, capability, and commitment to ending crude oil theft and securing the nation’s maritime domain.

Speaking at the flag-off of Exercise Fleet Sentinel, the Chief of Naval Safety and Standards, Rear Admiral Pakiribo Anabraba, who represented the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, described the exercise as a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen the Navy’s operational capability.

Rear Admiral Anabraba explained that the exercise is aimed at assessing the operational state and combat readiness of the Navy in addressing emerging maritime threats, in line with its constitutional mandate.

“This exercise will significantly enhance the Nigerian Navy’s capacity to effectively conduct fleet operations and other maritime tasks. It provides an invaluable opportunity for practical training, enabling participating units to rehearse procedures, validate operational concepts, and sharpen their tactical responses in realistic environments,” he said.

Also speaking, the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, said the joint exercise, conducted in collaboration with the Eastern and Central Naval Commands, is designed to curb crude oil theft, dismantle illegal refining networks in the Niger Delta, and ensure a safe maritime environment for commercial activities.

Rear Admiral Ibrahim noted that in an era of evolving and asymmetric maritime threats, the Navy must remain fully prepared to support national and regional maritime security initiatives of the federal government.

He added that the exercise reflects the Navy’s resolve to maintain constant vigilance, noting that the term “Sentinel” symbolises a steadfast guardian, ever alert and ready to defend.

According to him, the exercise is structured to enhance cooperation and coordination among participating ships and units, while improving proficiency in maritime operations.

He also stated that it builds on lessons learned from Exercise Obangame Express 2026, recently conducted within the Eastern Naval Command’s area of responsibility, ensuring continuity in training and sustained performance improvement.

The two-day exercise featured a series of tactical operations involving naval assets and platforms, designed to test operational readiness, enhance interoperability, and strengthen joint capabilities.

The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft and bolster security within Nigeria’s maritime domain.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Latest data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) showed that Nigeria’s electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) recorded an N80.49 billion collection shortfall in February 2026.

According to NERC’s February factsheet on DisCos’ commercial performance, the 11 companies received N277.09 billion worth of electricity from the national grid.

The total energy received by the energy distribution firms increased by 17.64 per cent from January’s N235.53 billion. However, the DisCos billed customers N242.29 billion and collected only N196.68 billion.

This reflected a collection efficiency of 81.17 per cent and a billing efficiency of 87.44 per cent. Average recovery efficiency across all DisCos was 80.67 per cent.

The report also detailed a reduction in government subsidies to N24.03 per unit from N38.33 in January, indicating a N14.30 drop, so customers paid an average of N100.27 per unit against an allowed tariff of N124.30.

The commission further highlighted gains in tariff realisation, stating that “the actual average collection per kilowatt-hour increased to N100.27, representing a 16.64 per cent improvement compared to January 2026.”

This, it said, pushed recovery performance upward, noting that “overall revenue recovery efficiency rose to 80.67 per cent, an increase of 11.51 percentage points month-on-month.”

Providing a breakdown across utilities, the Commission stated that “Eko, Kano, and Abuja DisCos recorded the highest billing efficiencies at 97.20 per cent, 99.04 per cent, and 93.70 per cent, respectively.”

Conversely, it noted that “Yola and Kaduna DisCos recorded the lowest billing efficiencies at 66.09 per cent and 72.46 per cent respectively.”

On collections, the report said “Eko DisCo led with 94.12 per cent collection efficiency, followed by Abuja at 89.28 per cent,” while “Kaduna DisCo recorded the lowest collection efficiency at 49.27 per cent.”

In terms of cost recovery, the commission disclosed that “Eko DisCo achieved a recovery efficiency of 100.67 per cent, exceeding the allowed tariff benchmark,” while “Kaduna DisCo recorded the weakest recovery performance at 41.20 per cent.”

An analysis of the figures shows that compared to January, energy received rose by N41.56 billion (17.64 per cent), Billings fell by N25.79 billion (9.66 per cent), and Collections declined by N8.09 billion (3.94 per cent).

This indicates that although DisCos are becoming more efficient operationally, the sector is still grappling with weak demand, collection losses, and customer liquidity constraints.

The commission also disclosed that “reduced ATC&C loss targets averaging 16.64 per cent have been approved for 2026 to reflect the expected impact of DisCo investments made in 2025.”

It added that the February performance “demonstrates gradual improvements in commercial efficiency, though significant gaps remain in revenue realisation across the industry.”

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A group known as Naija Lives Matter (NLM), established by Mr Ope Banwo, has expressed optimism that the Ogun State government will obey the judgment of Justice Abiodun Adeyemi of the Federal High Court in Abeokuta on the release of the full details of a 45-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP).

NLM had approached the court under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, to compel the state government under Governor Dapo Abiodun to release details of the Remo Economic Industrial Cluster project in Sagamu.

The organisation, through Mr Yemi Salman, filed the suit after the state government refused to provide key details of the project.

While delivering the judgment, Justice Adeyemi ordered the Ogun State Government and its key ministries to release critical documents and information relating to the agreement to NLM and Mr Banwo.

Reacting to this, the founder of the group said, “This is about the right of the people to know how a long-term agreement involving public resources was structured.

“We believe the Governor has an opportunity to demonstrate that, despite all the drama about him, he still respects the rule of law by choosing transparency over secrecy; accountability over avoidance; and respect for the rule of law over resistance, because at this point, disobedience of a lawful court order is not just a legal issue—it is a public accountability issue.

“And we at Naija Lives Matter are hopeful that Governor Dapo Abiodun will not add disregard for judicial authority to the list of questions already before the people of Ogun State. We expect all documents regarding the Ogun State–ARISE IIP project within 14 days, as ordered by the court.

“We hope other organisations fighting for transparency and accountability from our governments will be encouraged by this bold ruling to keep up the fight for justice in our nation.”