General
Nigeria Aims to Become Self-Sufficiency in Energy by 2026
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in energy by 2026 and becoming a net exporter of energy resources.
Mr Bala Wunti, Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Services (NAPIMS), said this at the 2022 Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) on Tuesday in Lagos.
He said though the government has pledged to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2060, its priority remains to reduce energy poverty in the country with its abundant hydrocarbon resources.
Speaking during a panel session on Sustainable Energy Transition Strategy: The Role of Legislative Frameworks and Investment Programmes, he said the government’s target was to attain zero dependence on imported energy, both primary and secondary, as well as to become a net exporter of secondary energy resources by 2026.
Mr Wunti said the plan was to provide access to energy to 100 per cent of the population through the gas to power initiative which would spur industrialisation and economic growth.
He, however, maintained that this could only be achieved through effective legislative frameworks and investment programmes needed to maximise the opportunities in the oil and gas sector.
Mr Wunti said there was a need to create a platform where market investment and financing come together with regard to the delivery of energy in a more sustainable manner.
He noted that unfortunately, the industry had witnessed a decline in investments in recent years which had plunged the world into the global energy crisis.
According to him, available statistics from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) show that the world requires $11.8 trillion to meet its energy needs.
Mr Wunti said the current global energy crisis was due to energy imbalance with supply falling short of demand which had driven the price of energy resources upward.
Also, Mr Austin Avuru, Chairman, AA Holdings Ltd., said Africa must design homegrown solutions to the divestment of assets by International Oil Companies across the continent.
Mr Avuru said the move was largely responsible for Nigeria being unable to meet its OPEC quota, adding that there was a need to grow indigenous companies to fill the void created by the divestment of the IOCs.
He said the way forward was for the companies to get access to funding from within the continent for oil and gas exploration.
Mr Avuru also called for the deployment of technologies, production of more natural gas, and encouragement of tree planting to achieve decarbonisation while maximising the continent’s abundant oil and gas resources.
Earlier in his remarks, Professor Olalekan Olafuyi, Chairman, SPE Nigeria Council, decried the lack of access to energy by many Africans.
Prof. Olafuyi said building a sustainable energy sector was fundamental for the African continent to power sustainable industrialisation and trade.
He said this underpins the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) plan and thus highlights further the need for regional integration to solve Africa’s energy and climate challenges.
“Ramping up sustainable energy generation capacity by 2030 according to the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) New Deal on Energy for Africa requires a minimum of $44 billion of annual financing.
“Maintaining and extending the pace of progress will thus require strong political commitment and sound governance, long-term energy planning, adequate political and fiscal incentives as well as public and private financing,” he said.
General
Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today
By Blaise Udunze
Momentum is gathering for the Abuja Night of Glory taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
The crusade is being hosted by Dominion City Church headed by Pastor David Ogbueli and it starts by 7pm.
The all-night programme will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani, and DC Angels.
Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel, evidenced by the miracles that have trailed his ministry, and one who champions the cause of the poor through empowerment initiatives, Dr. David Ogbueli will be joined by renowned ministers from within and outside Nigeria, including Evangelist Andres Bisonni, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Evangelist Dan Scott, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and several others.
Night of Glory has, in previous editions held across Nigeria’s cities, recorded remarkable results, such as immediate healings and freedom from chronic ailments, recovery of vision and movement after many years of paralysis, along with liberation from dependencies and emotional distress. Numerous participants have also shared testimonies of breakthroughs and big personal changes after the experience. Organisers state that this year’s event, in Abuja, is anticipated to exceed previous editions.
The event is intended for all individuals trusting God for divine intervention in any area of life.
Understanding the role of faith in the destiny of individuals and nations, a dedicated prayer session for Nigeria will take place during the crusade to tackle some of the current challenges being faced in the country and also to uplift he leaders and institutions before God.
Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged via the QR codes on event banners. Organisers expect a massive turnout as worshippers travel from across the country for what is anticipated to be a transformative encounter.
Adequate security and free transportation have been put in place ALL over the city of Abuja, while those outside Abuja are expected to join online.
General
Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the plenary on Friday, Mr Amaewhule joined the ruling party from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with 15 other members of the state parliament.
This development comes some months after they had earlier declared their support for the APC in the wake of a crisis with the state governor, Mr Sim Fubura.
The lawmakers had an issue with Mr Fubura, which led to a state of emergency declared on the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.
This embargo was only lift in September 2025 after the duration of the six-month emergency rule in the state.
A few days ago, members of the Rivers Assembly passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, backing him to remain in office till 2031, when he would have spent eight years in office if re-elected in 2027.
Announcing their defection today, the lawmakers pinned their decision on the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.
It is not certain if their political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will join them in APC.
Mr Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of instigating the crisis in the opposition PDP. He was expelled from the party last month at a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
General
Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.
The president of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja that the industry was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.
Painting an example, he said, “A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the US or Abu Dhabi,” noting that the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.
“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.
According to him, PENGASSAN has recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.
“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.
He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.
Mr Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.
He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.
“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.
On insecurity, Mr Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.
“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.
He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.
Mr Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.
He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.
“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said, urging the government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.
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