By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.

The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.

The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.

He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government’s approval of N185 billion as the settlement for long standing debts owed to gas producers in the country has been described as a major boost for Nigeria’s gas industry and power generation value chain.

The decision, endorsed by the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, followed the authorisation by President Bola Tinubu and represents one of the most significant fiscal interventions in the energy sector in recent years.

The legacy debts, accumulated over years for gas supplied to power plants, have constrained cash flow for producers, discouraged new investments and reduced gas supply to electricity generation, worsening Nigeria’s chronic power shortages.

Under the approved framework, the debts will be settled through a royalty-offset arrangement, a mechanism expected to ease government liabilities while restoring confidence among domestic and international gas suppliers.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the approval as a turning point for the sector.

“This is a decisive step towards revitalising Nigeria’s gas sector and strengthening its power-generation capacity in a sustainable manner,” Mr Ekpo said, adding that the move aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment to resolving structural bottlenecks in the energy industry.

He noted that clearing the arrears would help rebuild trust between government and gas producers, many of whom had slowed investments due to persistent payment uncertainties.

“Settling these debts is critical to restoring investor confidence, reviving upstream activities and accelerating exploration and production,” Mr Ekpo stated.

According to him, increased gas output would directly translate into improved power generation, helping to address electricity shortages that have long constrained industrial productivity and economic growth.

The gas minister further explained that the intervention supports the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative, which targets unlocking more than 12 billion cubic feet per day of gas supply by 2030.

On his part, the Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Mr Ed Ubong, said the decision sends a strong signal to investors across the gas-to-power value chain.

“This approval underlines the Federal Government’s determination to clear legacy liabilities and assure gas producers that supplies to power generation will be honoured,” Mr Ubong said.

He added that the move could unlock stalled projects, revive investor interest and rebuild momentum toward Nigeria’s transition to a gas-driven economy.

The settlement could mark a critical step in stabilising gas supply to power plants, improving electricity reliability and positioning gas as a catalyst for industrialisation and long-term economic growth.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Popular Nigerian prophet and founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church Lagos, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has called on the Nigerian government to be careful and watchful of economic hardship in the new year.

He made this warning and others at his End of the Year 2025 Press Conference, where he gave prophecies for Nigeria and the world.

According to the man of God, the government will do its utmost best to stabilize things but the balancing will be very difficult.

“The country will face so many political upheaval that will frustrate the efforts of the government in all fronts. I foresee the government in the process will take a lot of wrong steps. There will be wrong pieces of advice,” he said.

“The Lord revealed to me that the efforts of the President will be frustrated with wrong pieces of advice. These are the words of the Lord,” he added.

Primate Ayodele noted that “The spirit of God says in the year 2026, the President must be watchful for what is tagged political nemesis in the country. He needs fervent prayers in this regard.”

He warned President Bola Tinubu to be wary of several advices from different quarters, noting that Nigeria’s opposition groups will frustrate all his efforts unless he is able to take decisive steps to scuttle and scatter the plans, particularly that of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“I foresee the ADC members are ready to fight in order to wrestle for the political control of the country from the ruling APC. The main obstacle will be if the ADC is fielding a weak candidate. The ADC will want to use all the apparatus at its command to achieve what they want to do in order to achieve victory at the polls.”

On the 2027 polls, he said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would do everything possible to make sure they use the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other things within their powers to secure victory.

“The ADC as a political party must watch carefully the unfolding drama. I foresee that all areas where the ADC can have an upper hand during polls will be blocked.”

The prophet as part of his prophecies also foresaw the crude oil from the Nigeria not being of quality grades expected in the international oil and gas market in the next 20 years from now.

On the tax reforms due to start in the new year, Primate Ayodele said this would cause misconceptions and the government needs to explain.

“I foresee our budget will not be properly implemented. They will use budget to fight inflation and hunger yet Tinubu will still borrow surplus money. People will be frustrated,” he said in the prophecies.