By Adedapo Adesanya

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to court over its alleged failure to account for N5.9 billion reportedly spent on its rebranding and transitioning from a corporation to a liability company.

In the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking an order compelling the national oil firm to explain how the funds were spent and disclose the officials and contractors involved in the process.

According to the organisation, the NNPC allegedly spent N2.9 billion from petroleum product proceeds on incorporation expenses, while the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) reportedly charged another N2.9 billion to crude oil revenue for the same purpose, bringing the total expenditure to about N5.9 billion.

SERAP said it is seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the NNPCL to account for about N5.9 billion allegedly spent on the rebranding of the NNPC to the NNPCL.”

The group also asked the court to compel the company to provide “a comprehensive reconciliation statement detailing the specific financial transactions relating to the N5.9 billion expenditure, including the identities of the contractors involved and how the funds were utilised.”

It further requested the disclosure of the names and official positions of government officials who authorised and approved the expenditure, as well as clarification on whether the spending complied with procurement laws and due-process requirements.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1248/2026, was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

The legal action was filed on behalf of SERAP by lawyers, Ms Oluwakemi Agunbiade, Ms Kehinde Oyewumi and Mr Andrew Nwankwo.

According to SERAP, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts had reportedly raised concerns over the expenditure categorised as incorporation and transition costs during the transformation process.

“The Committee described the spending of the ₦5.9 billion as excessive, unjustifiable and deserving of further explanation, investigation and legislative scrutiny in the public interest,” the organisation stated.

SERAP argued that the public has a right to know how the funds were spent, insisting that transparency and accountability must guide the operations of the state-owned oil company.

“The NNPCL has a legal responsibility to explain whether the ₦5.9 billion expenditure represents value for money, constitutes lawful spending of public funds, and complies with applicable due-process requirements,” SERAP said.

“There ought to be full transparency and accountability regarding the reported ₦5.9 billion spent on rebranding NNPC to NNPCL. Nigerians have the right to know who approved the expenditure, who received the funds, the nature of the services rendered, and whether due process and procurement requirements were strictly followed.”

The organisation added that disclosing the identities of the officials involved and the approval process would enable Nigerians to assess whether the expenditure was properly authorised and in line with extant laws.

SERAP further argued that the alleged failure to account for the funds reflects broader accountability concerns within the NNPCL.

“The failure to account for the spending of the ₦5.9 billion on the rebranding from NNPC to NNPCL reflects a broader failure of accountability and is directly linked to the institution’s continuing inability to uphold transparency and accountability principles,” it stated.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has reassured residents that his administration remains committed to securing the safe release of the pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area about a month ago.

In a message contained in his monthly newsletter, the governor acknowledged the pain and anxiety experienced by families and communities since the victims were abducted from schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities almost 30 days ago.

He described the incident as a difficult period for the state, noting that many families have continued to endure uncertainty over the fate of their loved ones.

According to the governor, although repeated assurances may have left some residents doubtful, efforts to rescue the victims have not relented, stressing that security agencies are pursuing every credible lead and deploying all lawful means necessary to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

Mr Makinde explained that intelligence reports indicate the victims are still within the wider Old Oyo National Park axis, a vast terrain stretching across about 10 local government areas and covering approximately 2,500 square kilometres.

He noted that the difficult terrain poses operational challenges for security agencies, requiring patience, coordination and sustained efforts to ensure a successful rescue mission.

The governor urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the state’s toll-free emergency line, 615, while also cautioning against the spread of unverified information that could undermine ongoing security operations.

Mr Makinde assured families that their loved ones have not been forgotten, stressing that the safe return of the victims remains a top priority for both the state government and security agencies.

“We are doing everything within our power to bring them home safely,” the governor said, while calling on residents to continue praying for the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers,” he promised.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The United Kingdom and Nigeria have launched a £15 million growth programme aimed at unlocking investment and accelerating economic transformation as both nations deepen their partnership.

This was announced as the UK Minister for Africa and International Development, Ms Jenny Chapman, concluded a two-day visit to Nigeria, during which she announced the new £15 million Growth Programme, deepened cooperation on digital transformation and health, and visited communities benefiting directly from UK investment on the ground.

The visit, spanning Abuja and Kaduna, underscored the breadth and depth of the UK–Nigeria Strategic Partnership and marked a significant step towards both countries’ shared priorities.

According to a statement, the centrepiece was the meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele. During their meeting, they discussed the new UK–Nigeria Growth Programme.

Over three years, it will accelerate economic transformation, unlock private investment and support Nigeria’s transition from macroeconomic stabilisation to sustained, reform-led growth. Alongside the Growth Programme, the UK announced deeper collaboration on Nigeria’s digital economy through the SPRIRET initiative, delivered under the UK’s Digital Access Programme. SPRIRET will support digital governance reforms across five Nigerian states, reducing regulatory barriers and enabling greater investment and innovation in broadband, digital services and emerging technology.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr Oyedele said, “We continue to value the UK–Nigeria relationship, one of the most important partnerships for both our countries. Today, that relationship extends beyond traditional ties and now focuses on development, growth, and shared prosperity.

“The UK–Nigeria Growth Programme helps bring this partnership to life—supporting capital market development, technology investment, small businesses, and technical assistance. We look forward to seeing how these opportunities deliver lasting benefits and drive progress for both countries.”

During the visit, Ms Chapman met with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Jumoke Oduwole and discussions covered progress under the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), including boosting exports via the Developing Countries Trading Scheme, fintech and capital markets links.

In Kaduna, she met with Governor Uba Sani to take stock of over 20 years of UK–Kaduna partnership and explore how cooperation can deepen shared priorities.

She also heard from the business community and key institutional investors about their investment aspirations and the role of the UK in supporting investment mobilisation and enabling climate finance, and met with community animal health workers and livestock breeders to discuss the UK’s support on breeding techniques, animal health and livestock vaccines.

The UK minister also visited Unguwan Sanusi Primary Health Care Centre, which serves approximately 20,000 people in Kaduna South, hearing directly from patients and frontline health workers about the impact of UK-supported health programmes.

At the end of the visit, she said, “This visit has reinforced everything I believe about the UK–Nigeria partnership. That it is deep, it is real, and it is moving in the right direction. From launching our new Growth Programme with Honourable Minister Oyedele, to meeting from frontline health workers in Kaduna — every conversation this week has shown me a country full of ambition and a partnership that is genuinely delivering for both sides.

“Nigeria is a partner that the UK is proud to stand alongside and I leave more convinced than ever that the next chapter of this partnership is its most exciting yet. The UK is here for the long term, and we are ready to grow together.”