General
High Electricity Tariffs Affecting Our Operations—Manufacturers
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has stated that the high electricity tariffs are hindering the performance of the manufacturing sector amid disputed claims that an increment is looming.
The Director-General of MAN, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos, stressed that electricity is a crucial input in manufacturing, significantly affecting production costs and product prices.
He emphasised that no nation could achieve substantial industrial development without ensuring energy security.
According to him, any increase in tariff will harm the competitiveness of Nigerian products and businesses, warning that the such would worsen production costs, intensify inflationary pressure, and further reduce consumers’ disposable income.
Mr Ajayi-Kadir added that it would increase manufacturers’ unsold inventory, erode profit margins, raise unemployment, and force more private businesses to shut down.
“It was due to the critical role of energy security in Nigeria’s industrial aspirations that the power sector was privatised in 2013.
“Unfortunately, this privatisation has not delivered the expected results,” he said.
The MAN DG noted that the sector struggles because operators lack both technical and financial capacity to ensure optimal performance.
He highlighted that Nigeria’s installed electricity capacity has consistently been around 10,000MW.
Yet, he noted, this capacity remains underutilised due to the limited ability of GenCos and DisCos to generate and distribute sufficient electricity nationwide.
“Despite failing to meet demand, there have been continuous tariff increases without a corresponding improvement in supply quality.
“According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), electricity supply was 5,909.83GWh in Q2 2023 but dropped to 5,769.52GWh in Q1 2024 and 5,612.52GWh in Q2 2024.
“This decline followed the implementation of a tariff increase exceeding 230 per cent.
“This represents a 5.03 per cent year-on-year decrease and a 2.72 per cent quarter-on-quarter decline,” he said.
Mr Ajayi-Kadir noted that MAN has repeatedly called for an increase in electricity supply beyond the average 4,000MW provided daily to over 200 million Nigerians.
He stressed that Nigeria requires more than 30,000MW to adequately meet the growing demand from businesses and households.
The MAN DG urged the government to review the performance of DisCos following the recent tariff increase.
He called for a study on its impact on the manufacturing sector, businesses, and households.
He also urged the government to critically assess DisCos’ cost-reflective tariff model and audit their investment in distribution infrastructure.
The federal government, however, debunked reports suggesting an imminent 65 per cent increase in electricity tariffs.
The government clarified that its focus remains on improving power supply, ensuring targeted subsidies, and expanding metering nationwide.
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, will run as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
President Bola Tinubu retained Mr Shettima as his running mate for re-election next year, according to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda.
In a post on Friday on X, the ruling party chairman described this as “another significant milestone in the journey of our great party.”
He also said it reaffirms the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.
It was gathered that Mr Tinubu submitted his presidential nomination forms today through his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Mr Ibrahim Masari.
The submission was done ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, attended by several party chieftains, including The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodimma; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.
“The All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the party leader stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on X. He revealed that eight of the kidnappers have been arrested and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while some others were neutralised during the operation.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
He said no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the freedom of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Mr Onanuga explained that the kingpin whose release the kidnappers had demanded was neither freed nor spared, as he remains under prosecution for offences linked to his terrorist activities.
The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools: Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attacks. During the attack, a teacher, Mr Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape.
Another teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded in the kidnappers’ den.
The terrorists holding the victims had reportedly made a four-point demand before agreeing to free the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
The Oyo State Government had consistently maintained that no ransom would be paid to secure the release of any victims.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) embarked on a month-long strike in the state to press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.
It also drew federal intervention, with military and police authorities repeatedly assuring Nigerians that operations to secure the victims’ freedom were ongoing.
The President’s spokesperson said that security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive account of the operation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The board of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has approved a $260 million financing package for the construction of a 123-kilometre section of the Trans-Saharan Highway in Nigeria as part of more than $417 million earmarked for strategic projects across West Africa.
The approval was granted during the bank’s 99th Ordinary Session, chaired by its President, Mr George Donkor, according to a statement issued after the meeting. It was noted that the total financing will support five public and private sector projects spanning infrastructure, healthcare, housing, mining, financial resilience and regional connectivity.
EBID said the approved investments underscore its commitment to funding high-impact projects that drive economic growth, create jobs and improve living standards across the sub-region.
“The projects approved during this 99th Board Session demonstrate EBID’s unwavering commitment to financing development solutions that directly improve the lives of West African citizens.
“From clean energy and transport infrastructure to healthcare, housing and financial sector resilience, these investments will strengthen regional competitiveness and support sustainable and inclusive growth across our community,” said Mr Donkor.
That of Nigeria is to improve connectivity, facilitate trade, reduce logistics costs and support economic integration; West African CFA franc (XOF) 10 billion in a line of credit to Banque de l’Habitat de Côte d’Ivoire (BHCI) to expand housing finance and support SMEs operating across the housing and construction value chain; €80 million for the design, construction, equipment and maintenance of the 150-bed Regional Hospital of Ferkessédougou in Côte d’Ivoire under a public-private partnership;
XOF 12.82 billion (West African CFA Franc) for the renovation, operation and maintenance of the Symphonie Building in Abidjan under a public-private partnership and $47.4 million for Azumah Resources Ghana Limited to finance the procurement of long-lead process plant equipment and critical early-stage development activities for the Black Volta Gold Project.
“These approvals advance EBID’s Growth, Resilience and Optimisation (GRO) Strategy, which prioritises transformative infrastructure, human capital development, private sector growth and regional integration. Through these investments, the Bank continues to promote sustainable development and shared prosperity across West Africa,” the statement said.
