General
Nigeria Seeks US Support to Deepen Energy Investment, Plans
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has highlighted key sector reforms at the inaugural US-Nigeria Strategic Energy Dialogue, which include closing the energy gap for 100 million people and cutting the cost and time of contracting for gas projects
The Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Ms Olu Verheijen, said the major energy reforms introduced in Nigeria since June 2023 have focused on improving energy security, attracting investment and deepening collaboration with key partners like the United States government.
Ms Verheijen stated this in remarks delivered at a luncheon organised as part of the inaugural US-Nigeria Strategic Energy Dialogue, hosted by the US State Department, in Washington, DC.
The dialogue, established in June 2023, aims to create a platform for the US and Nigerian governments and private sector to deepen bilateral cooperation to advance the implementation of shared energy and climate action ambitions.
She said Nigeria seeks to create a robust regulatory framework and attract new investments for the production of gas for power, transportation and clean cooking and called on the US government and investors to support these plans.
“I cannot overstate the importance of our longstanding relationship with the US and this inaugural dialogue. The goal of this dialogue is for us to jointly proffer solutions that will close the energy access gap for close to 100 million Nigerians who still lack reliable power, we want existing and potential partners to better understand our areas of priority so that our collaboration can be better targeted, and with tangible outcomes,” Ms Verheijen said:
She highlighted key reforms that the government of Nigeria has launched to improve the viability of the gas-to-power value chain since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office. These include initiatives to improve cash flows in electricity distribution through smart metering, the payment of outstanding debts owed to investors, and the reduction of carbon emissions from gas production.
To support the reform efforts, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued five new executive orders aimed at providing fiscal incentives for investment and reducing the cost and time of finalizing and implementing contracts to develop and expand gas infrastructure. The directives aim to unlock up to $2.5 billion in new oil and gas investments in the country immediately.
Ms Verheijen added that the reforms have since started yielding results, with the recent announcement of the Final Investment Decision on a new $550 million upstream gas project that will deliver 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day when operational.
She acknowledged the support of financing and technical partners like the United States government, the World Bank and the African Development Bank towards Nigeria’s ambitious goals to expand electricity access and reliability through grid and off-grid solutions.
Ms Verheijen affirmed her optimism about the bright prospects for Nigeria’s energy sector, especially with the renewed focus on gas as a transition fuel in the race to meet the country’s commitments to the Paris climate agreement.
“We see resilient demand for gas through the energy transition as it is a readily available, cost-effective backup to renewables while cutting emissions by half immediately,” she said.
On his part, Mr Geoffrey R. Pyatt, Assistant Secretary of the State Department’s Bureau of Energy Resources stated, “The inaugural U.S.-Nigeria Strategic Energy Dialogue sets the stage for strengthened energy collaboration between the United States and Nigeria. Together, we’re advancing shared energy security, decarbonisation, and economic growth goals.”
The dialogue saw the launch of a new Nigeria-focused initiative, the Clean Energy Alliance of Nigeria (CLEAN), by the US State Department, to mobilise stakeholders to support and promote investment in clean energy in Nigeria.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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