By Adedapo Adesanya

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria has proposed that the federal government deploy at least 60 per cent of excess crude oil revenue above the budget benchmark to subsidise feedstock for local refineries, including the Dangote Refinery.

The President of the group, Mr Festus Osifo, made the proposal in Abuja yesterday, warning that the rising cost of petrol has placed unbearable pressure on households and businesses and that such urgent measures remain necessary to ease economic hardship on Nigerian workers.

Mr Osifo explained that crude oil prices above the budget benchmark of $64.85 per barrel currently generate excess revenue shared among the three tiers of government.

He argued that redirecting a significant portion of this surplus into subsidising crude supply for domestic refining would reduce production costs and translate quickly into lower pump prices for petrol, diesel and aviation fuel.

The labour leader noted that the sharp increase in fuel prices, exacerbated by global supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions, has worsened transportation costs and manufacturing expenses, ultimately driving up the prices of goods and services.

According to him, the situation risks reversing the modest decline in inflation recorded in recent months.

He said, “We are seeing that the cost of petroleum is edging towards N2,000 per litre, and Nigerian workers are facing excruciating pain as we speak. What we are saying is that if crude oil prices exceed the budget benchmark, let the government take at least 60 per cent of that excess and use it to subsidise crude supplied to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries.

“When you subsidise production directly, it reduces the cost of feedstock, and that will translate immediately to a reduction in the pump price of petroleum products. When this is done, I can assure you that within one to two weeks, the prices of PMS, AGO, and jet fuel will go down, and Nigerians will begin to feel relief.”

Mr Osifo also stressed the need for immediate relief measures, alongside long-term investments in alternative energy such as compressed natural gas (CNG). While acknowledging government efforts to introduce CNG-powered buses, he said inadequate infrastructure remains a major challenge limiting their impact.

He also expressed concerns over the persistent insecurity across the country, urging the government to prioritise investment in modern security equipment and technology while commending security agencies for their ongoing efforts.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has ordered the suspension of senior officers overseeing key commands along the Lagos-Seme corridor following allegations of extortion.

The suspension follows the circulation of online reports accusing immigration personnel at the busy border route of misconduct “bordering on extortion,” prompting immediate intervention from the agency’s leadership.

According to a spokesperson of the border controller, Akinsola Akinlabi, in a statement on Friday, April 10, the NIS Comptroller-General, Mrs Kemi Nandap, had “temporarily relieved the Comptrollers in charge of the affected Commands of their duties” pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.

The service distanced itself from the alleged conduct, with Mrs Nandap condemning the actions in strong terms, describing the incidents as “unacceptable” and in “direct violation of the core values, ethics, and operational standards of the Service”.

According to the statement, a full-scale probe has been launched to uncover the extent of the нарушения, identify officers involved, and enforce sanctions without delay.

“The investigation will be comprehensive… ensuring appropriate disciplinary measures are applied with immediate effect,” the statement said.

While the probe continues, the Service sought to reassure the public of its commitment to professionalism at Nigeria’s borders.

“The service wishes to reassure the general public that it remains committed to delivering professional, transparent, and efficient services at all points of entry and exit,” it stated.

“It will not condone any act that undermines public trust or tarnishes the integrity of the service.”

The agency also called on Nigerians to report misconduct through its official complaint channels, including social media platforms and its 24-hour contact centre, noting that internal oversight mechanisms are being strengthened.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains resolute in its mission to serve with integrity, discipline, and professionalism while facilitating lawful migration,” the statement added.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), the entity established to manage Nigeria’s electricity grid, has said that it was working to accelerate the implementation of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to enhance grid monitoring.

The SCADA is a software and hardware system that enables industrial organisations to remotely monitor, control, and collect real-time data from machines and processes.

The Managing Director of NISO, Mr Abdul-Mohammed Bello, in a statement to outline some of the achievements the organisation recorded within one-year of its establishment, said efforts are being made to ensure completion to enhance the grid monitoring infrastructure, adding that this is in collaboration with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

”We are doing this to ensure that SCADA, which is a veritable tool for system operation, is completed.

“It is a work in progress, and we have also reached advanced stages in the deployment of the telemetry system across the grid at the electricity trading points,” he said.

Mr Bello said that the telemetry system would enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the electricity market, thereby enabling settlements in real-time.

“This is very critical for us to have accurate data and management aspects of the system.

“We have also been able to install substantial IoT metering systems on most parts of the generating units and at the interfaces between transmission and generation, and substations,” he said.

Mr Bello said that the IoT application was an ongoing project that NISO was prioritising.

He said that when the project is completed before the end of the year, there would be visibility of the national grid from generation through transmission lines, substations, and distribution.

“We are going to make sure that the approved transmission expansion plan is religiously implemented to add value to the system,” he said.

He also said that the board of NISO had been able to strengthen and execute Institutional development in the electricity regulatory sector.

He said that the system operator had prioritised the building of a strong and credible institution over the past year, and had already established governance and management structures to support independent system operations.

“We have been able to establish governance and management structures to support independent system operations both at the board level and at the management level.

“We have also strengthened institutional coordination across the electricity value chain, from generation to transmission, distribution, and energy cost management. This is to foster a culture of accountability, professionalism and performance throughout the sector value chain,” he said.