By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government, through the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), has signed an investment agreement with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) to jointly fund three major mining initiatives, including a $1.3 billion alumina refinery project.

Alumina is a chemical compound extracted from bauxite. It is composed of two elements: oxygen and aluminium. It has wide applications across metallurgy, ceramics, electronics, and chemical processing.

The agreement also covers a comprehensive geoscience mapping exercise and the establishment of a joint strategic investment vehicle to drive exploration and development across the sector.

According to a statement on Sunday by Mr Segun Tomori, the Special Assistant on media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, the refinery will utilise a modern Bayer-process flowsheet and feature an on-site gas-fired cogeneration plant for steam and power generation.

The ministry said the agreement is the culmination of discussions between AFC and SMDF to co-finance the construction of a $1.3 billion alumina refinery expected to process about one million tonnes of bauxite ore per annum.

“The facility is designed to operate for approximately 20 years at 95 per cent utilisation, with total alumina output projected at 19 million tonnes over its lifespan,” the statement reads.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, described the deal as a landmark transaction that will transform the mining sector and increase its contribution to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Mr Alake said the deal aligns with the ministry’s reform agenda, noting that efforts to modernise the regulatory framework and strengthen the mineral licensing regime have begun attracting significant private capital.

Demonstrating the federal government’s commitment to fast-tracking the investments, the minister said all necessary approvals have been granted to accelerate implementation of the agreement.

He directed relevant agencies under the ministry to ensure seamless processing of permits, titles, and regulatory clearances.

On her part, Mrs Fatima Shinkafi, the Executive Secretary of the SMDF, said the transaction represents the agency’s largest funding project since inception.

“We are very proud and honoured to facilitate this phenomenal milestone, which is quite unprecedented since the inception of SMDF,” Mrs Shinkafi said.

“It is a $1.3 billion CAPEX. SMDF has come of age and can sit here and sign this deal with AFC. I thank the AFC for collaborating with us to boost the value addition policy of my boss, Dele Alake.”

On his part, Mr Farouk Yabo, permanent secretary of the ministry, said the development could position Nigeria more prominently on the global mining map.

The ministry further said the project is projected to be Nigeria’s largest private investment in the mining sector and will contribute about “$1.2 billion to GDP annually, inject over $25 billion into the national economy across its lifecycle, and generate $8 billion in foreign exchange earnings”.

The statement said initial feasibility studies conducted by the AFC and SMDF confirmed the project’s competitiveness and commercial viability, reinforcing efforts to position Nigeria as a globally competitive minerals destination.

“As part of the agreement, both parties will undertake a comprehensive geoscience mapping exercise aimed at generating mineral data, de-risking exploration for investors, and unlocking the sector’s full potential,” the statement further reads.

“AFC and SMDF also agreed to set up a joint strategic investment vehicle to accelerate the development of identified exploration assets across Nigeria, to drive rapid exploration, development, and production of selected exploration leases upon the execution of a successful exploration campaign.”

Mrs Shinkafi signed the deal on behalf of the federal government, while Mr Franklin Edochie, deputy director and head of metals and mining at AFC, signed for the corporation.

The statement added that Mrs Samaila Zubairu, president and chief executive officer of AFC, witnessed the ceremony alongside the minister.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has attributed the poor power supply facing a considerable number of Nigerians to inadequate gas supply to thermal power plants.

Business Post reports that epileptic power supply has plagued consumers in Lagos, Oyo, Abuja, and Osun, among others, this month, leading to worries. Also, some businesses have recorded losses due to the epileptic power supply in their areas.

In a statement posted on its X handle, NISO disclosed that average available generation on the national grid currently stands at about 4,300 megawatts (MW), with the low output primarily attributed to gas supply constraints.

The system operator noted that thermal power plants, which account for the dominant share of Nigeria’s electricity generation mix, require an estimated 1,629.75 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas per day to operate at optimal capacity. However, as of February 23, 2026, actual gas supply to the plants was approximately 692.00 MMSCF per day.

The available supply represents less than 43 per cent of the daily gas requirement, resulting in constrained generation output and reduced electricity allocation to Distribution Companies (DisCos).

NISO, which independently manages the nation’s electricity grid, explained that any disruption or limitation in gas supply directly affects available generation capacity and overall grid output, given the heavy reliance on thermal plants.

It added that when total system generation drops significantly, the operator is compelled to implement load shedding across the network while dispatching available energy in line with allocation percentages approved under the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) framework of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to maintain grid stability and prevent system disturbances.

While expressing regret over the inconvenience to electricity consumers and market participants, NISO said it is working closely with relevant stakeholders to restore full energy allocation once gas supply improves and generation capacity returns to normal levels.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), his wife, Mrs Asabe Bashir, and son, Mr Abdulaziz Malami, on money laundering charges.

They were brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, following the re-assignment of the case to the new trial judge.

Upon resumed hearing, EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that the matter was scheduled for defendants’ re-arraignment.

“The matter is coming before your lordship this morning for the very first time. I will be applying for the plea of the defendants to be taken,” he said.

Mr Okutepa equally applied that the sums listed in Counts 11 and 12 be corrected to read N325 million instead of N325 billion for Count 11, and N120 million instead of N120 billion for Count 12.

When it was not opposed by the defence lawyer, Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN), Justice Abdulmalik granted the oral application by Mr Okutepa.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the 16 counts preferred against them by the anti-graft agency bordering on money laundering.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu had, on February 12, withdrawn from the case shortly after the civil case filed by the EFCC was brought to him.

The case was formerly before Justice Emeka Nwite, who sat as a vacation judge during the Christmas/New Year break.

After the vacation period, the CJ reassigned the cases to Justice Egwuatu, who had now recused himself, before it was reassigned to Justice Abdulmalik.

The former AGF, his wife, and son were earlier arraigned before Justice Nwite on December 30, 2025.

While Malami and his son were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, Asabe was remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre before they were admitted to N500 million bail each, on January 7, with two sureties each in the like sum.