General
Unemployment: 35% of Nigerians May Slip into Poverty – NESG
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Economic Summit Group (NESG) has warned that 35 percent of Nigerians may slip into abject poverty if the government does nothing to prevent the growing unemployment rate.
It said this in its 2020 Macroeconomic Outlook, which was unveiled on Wednesday in Lagos, where the intelligence body said that said the rate of unemployment could worsen by 2030.
The NESG also projected that the service sector share could hit 54 percent as the country’s economy remained fragile despite the modest recovery recorded over the past two years following the economic recession of 2016.
NESG, in the outlook, also stressed the urgent need for government to adopt appropriate policy measures to deal with the challenges of booming population and rural-urban migration of millions of Nigerians.
It was projected that Nigeria’s economy would record a 6.4 percent growth by 2030 if current challenges facing business were tackled by government.
Providing some key solutions, the body advised federal government to address fuel subsidy, electricity, and foreign exchange market interventions policy instituted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“Continuation of these subsidy programmes usually discourages investments and inflow of needed capital in operating sectors. Hence, gradually ending these programmes and repositioning government as a regulator will help to free some funds for infrastructure development,” the group noted.
The NESG said the government should complete the power and energy sector deregulation process by opening up the transmission segment of the power value chain to private participation and investments.
The group stated: “In doing this, three criteria should be considered for willing and prospective investors – managerial experience, technical expertise and financial capabilities. These are key to the success of the power/energy sector reform road map in Nigeria.”
The NESG said despite the commitment of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to control supply in order to sustain higher prices oil price will stiffen 2020, noting that there was a need for deep reform in its oil sector.
”Nigeria will need to implement reforms in the oil and gas sector to attract large investments into the upstream subsector and ultimately shore up oil production.” It recommended in the report.
General
Dangote Unveils Phone Number to Report MRS Stations Selling PMS Above N739
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.
General
ANLCA Airport Chapter Scores Salamatu High on Stakeholder Engagement, Trade Facilitation
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.
General
FG Declares Holidays for Christmas, New Year Celebrations
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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