General
Schneider Electric Envisions Sustainable Electrification in West Africa
By Adedapo Adesanya
Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has proffered the solution of the adoption of electrification projects in Rural West Africa as the region grapples with access to reliable and affordable energy.
Only four countries in the region — Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Senegal — have rural electrification rates above 30 per cent. Several others, including Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Niger, and Sierra Leone, among others fall below 20 per cent.
Following the World Bank approval of the Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project, funded by the International Development Association (IDA), private capital and development partners, the project aims to provide over 17.5 million Nigerians with new or improved access to electricity through distributed renewable energy solutions.
Highlighting the encouraging step taken by DARES to electrify Nigeria and its various sectors, Teina Teibowei, Commercial Lead, Microgrid, Power & Grid Business Segment, Schneider Electric, spotlights the challenges that are likely to be a stumbling block to the electrification of rural West Africa.
“The high tariffs associated with electricity use in rural areas pose a significant barrier. In communities with limited economic opportunities, even basic lighting can be prohibitively expensive, discouraging adoption.
“This reality is further compounded by the low energy consumption patterns in these communities, characterised by single lights and sockets in homes,” she said.
Speaking on the solutions to acceptance and integration of energy solutions in these communities, Teibowei said it is crucial to create economic activities that encourage and demonstrate the value of electricity.
She also highlighted its importance to growing the local economy.
“Demonstrating how electricity can improve livelihoods and bring tangible benefits will foster a shift in their perception. By providing access to electricity, for example, fishermen can utilise freezers to preserve their catch for longer, enabling them to sell more and earn higher incomes.
“Similarly, for women engaged in agriculture and grain milling, the introduction of electricity-powered milling machines can significantly improve efficiency.”.
On his part, Ajibola Akindele, Country President, Schneider Electric West Africa, added, “By addressing affordability concerns, creating economic opportunities, and fostering a culture of energy consumption, we can unlock the true potential of rural electrification in West Africa, empowering communities and lighting the way for a brighter future,” he said.
Schneider Electric is driving digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, endpoint to cloud connecting products, controls, software, and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centres, infrastructure, and industries.
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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