General
Nigeria Eyes $25bn Undersea Gas Pipeline to Drive Investment
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria is eyeing an ambitious $25 billion undersea gas pipeline to Morocco and Europe as part of its strategic push to harness gas reserves and attract global investment into its energy sector.
The Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, disclosed the move during a meeting with executives of Vitol Group, the world’s largest independent commodity trader, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Mr Shettima said the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project reflects President Bola Tinubu’s bold economic direction and growing investor appeal.
He said, “This is an expensive venture requiring about $25 billion and, of course, the technical expertise. We need you more for your technical expertise than for your money.
“We are seriously exploring the option of taking our gas to Europe. Gas supply stability counts, that’s why we’re considering an undersea gas pipeline.”
The Vice President described Nigeria’s gas sector as “a beacon of stability and transparency,” noting that the country has the world’s eighth-largest gas reserves and is shifting focus from oil to gas.
“Ours is actually a gas, not an oil economy. The Nigeria LNG has been largely insulated from government interference. What we are getting from NLNG is predictable. That’s the kind of environment investors can trust,” he added.
Mr Shettima praised President Tinubu’s bold economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, and tax policy changes, as steps that have repositioned Nigeria for global investment.
“In the past 25 years, we have not had a leader who has the courage to take far-reaching decisions as he has taken. He’s putting Nigeria on a new trajectory. This is where the action is, invest in Nigeria,” the VP stated, urging Vitol to bring its global reach and deep technical knowledge to bear on Nigeria’s gas infrastructure expansion.
“Use your influence, contacts, and goodwill to mobilise resources for this project. It will be a completely transparent management structure.”
In response, Vitol’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr Jeffrey Dellapina, affirmed the company’s commitment to Nigeria, saying, “This has been an incredibly close and important country for Vitol for a very long time. We want to stay in this country and evolve with you.”
Vitol’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr Murtala Baloni, also highlighted the firm’s financial support for Nigeria, including the $300 million it committed to Project Gazelle, a crude-backed financing initiative by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited during the COVID-19 crisis.
“We support the business of the government in ways that we can in the deployment of capital,” Baloni added.
Also in attendance was Vitol Group’s Nigeria Country Manager, Mr Thomas de Montulé.
The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, when completed, is expected to traverse several West African countries and link up with European markets, solidifying Nigeria’s role as a major gas supplier amid global energy transitions.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has approached the court against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over an alleged N800 billion campaign fund diversion.
The organisation is seeking to compel the electoral body to investigate allegations that about N800 million from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations was diverted by governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to finance political and campaign activities.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja last week, but no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus directing INEC to investigate the claims that the governors channelled public funds into a dedicated campaign account allegedly meant to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The organisation is also requesting an order compelling INEC to demand full disclosure from the governors and the APC on any contributions made to such a campaign fund, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the funds.
In addition, SERAP wants the electoral commission to commence a comprehensive review of compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by political parties and candidates, particularly regarding campaign financing and the sources of political donations.
According to SERAP, the allegations raise fundamental concerns about transparency in political financing, electoral fairness and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to participate freely in democratic governance.
The organisation argued that opaque campaign financing remains a major avenue for corruption and weakens public confidence in democratic institutions.
It maintained that the alleged misuse of public funds for political purposes threatens the credibility of the 2027 general election and undermines public trust in the electoral process.
In the suit filed by its lawyers, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Kehinde Oyewumi, SERAP argued that the reported diversion of public resources for campaign activities warrants immediate action by INEC under its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
The group stated: “The abuse of state resources for electoral advantage undermines democratic integrity and public trust. Fairness, transparency, and accountability in political or campaign finance are essential safeguards against corruption, state capture, and undue influence in democratic processes.”
SERAP further argued: “The allegations of diversion or opaque use of public funds pose a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.”
The organisation said large-scale public financial allocations, combined with weak oversight and limited transparency, provide sufficient grounds for INEC to activate its investigative powers.
Referring to Section 91 of the Electoral Act, SERAP noted that the law empowers INEC to regulate political donations, enforce contribution limits, demand disclosure of funding sources and impose sanctions where violations occur.
The organisation explained that political parties found to have exceeded donation limits risk fines of up to ₦10 million and forfeiture of excess funds, while individuals who exceed prescribed limits are liable to penalties amounting to five times the excess contribution.
SERAP also contended that campaign financing derived from public resources distorts electoral competition and violates constitutional principles guaranteeing free, fair and transparent elections.
According to SERAP, INEC has a constitutional duty to ensure compliance with campaign finance regulations and to investigate allegations that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shifted the deadline for political parties to submit the names and credentials of candidates seeking to contest the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The electoral body announced that parties now have until midnight on Tuesday, July 14, to complete the process, extending the earlier deadline of Saturday, July 11.
Under INEC’s timetable for the 2027 general election, political parties were expected to upload the names and personal particulars of their presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates before the initial cut-off date.
Explaining the decision, INEC said the extension followed appeals from political parties that had encountered difficulties meeting the deadline.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Mohammed Haruna, said the request was formally conveyed through the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
According to him, IPAC sought additional time on behalf of parties that were yet to complete the submission of their candidates’ details through the commission’s portal.
“The decision to extend was based on an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council, on behalf of political parties who were unable to upload the names and personal particulars of their candidates within the scheduled timeline,” Mr Haruna stated.
INEC noted that the extension is intended to give all eligible parties a fair opportunity to comply with the requirements of the electoral process while remaining within the framework of the law.
The commission also urged political parties to utilise the extra period to finalise and upload all required information ahead of the revised deadline.
“The commission enjoins political parties to take advantage of this window of opportunity and ensure that all necessary details are uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline,” the statement added.
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.
