Oil Subsidy Removal: FG Gets N5.43 Trillion, States N6.52 Trillion, LGs N3.88 Trillion In Three Years

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August 19, 2026

Alice Allen Tangi, Chairman of Sagbama local government.

By Ayodele Oni

Citing allegation of gross misconduct, the Bayelsa State House of Assembly has approved the removal of the Chairman of Sagbama local government, Alice Allen Tangi, and her deputy, Sufade Jefferson Tobi,

The decision was reached during Tuesday’s plenary after the lawmakers considered a petition against the two elected council officials.

Speaker of the Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, explained that the lawmakers acted under the Bayelsa State Local Government Administration Law, 2000, alongside other relevant legal provisions.

In the petition, Tangi was accused of failing to provide the House with regular financial briefings and the annual budget before carrying out government spending.

She was also accused of repeatedly failing to honour invitations from the Assembly to respond to the allegations.

The Speaker revealed that the required two-thirds majority was obtained for the removal of the council leaders.

Seventeen out of the 20 lawmakers present voted in favour of the resolution.

The Assembly said the decision would be forwarded to the executive arm of the state government for further action.

The affected officials were also said to have failed to appear before the House despite several invitations issued to them.

Lawmakers relied on provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Bayelsa State Local Government Administration Law in reaching the decision.

Ado-Akure Highway, Works Minister, Umahi Says Work Ongoing, Orders Contractor Back To Site

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August 19, 2026

Dave Umahi - Works Minister — Engr. Dave Umahi

By Ayodele Oni

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has doused public anxiety as he directed the contractor handling the N95.9 billion Akure-Ado-Ekiti dual carriageway project to immediately return to site and complete the outstanding section of the road.

The directive followed concerns over the delay in the completion of the 50-kilometre highway, which was re-awarded by the Federal Executive Council in March 2023 as a dualisation project.

Former Ekiti central senator, Femi Ojudu has raised the alarm that the highway, which was awarded as a dualized road has been turned to one lane as the contractor on completion of work on single lane, exited the site.

The Controller of Works in Ondo State, Olajide Hussein, while responding to concerns over the stalled construction of the second carriageway,

said the Minister has ordered the contractor to resume work immediately, assuring residents and motorists that construction would recommence soon.

“The Honourable Minister has directed the contractor to resume work at the site immediately. So we should be expecting commencement any moment from now.”

According to him, the Federal Government has also reviewed the construction method for the remaining section of the project, with concrete now to be used instead of asphalt.

“You know the federal government has re-awarded the other section to be on concrete instead of asphalt for the first section. So any moment now, the contractor will resume work on site.”

He further disclosed that the contractor has approximately 12 months to complete the second carriageway once work resumes.

“The contractor has about twelve months to complete that second carriageway. So I believe when they resume, it will be at a very, very fast pace.”

The Akure-Ado-Ekiti road was originally awarded to Dantata & Sawoe in November 2019 at about N30 billion, but the contract was later cancelled.

On March 29, 2023, the Federal Executive Council approved its re-award as a 50-kilometre dualisation project for N95.98 billion.

The Akure-Ondo State boundary section was awarded to Samchase Nigeria Limited and Horizon Construction Company Limited for N46.68 billion, with a 24-month completion period, while Kopek Construction Limited received the Ekiti boundary-Ado-Ekiti section for N49.29 billion, with a 30-month completion timeline.

FCCPC Investigates Cement Price Manipulation By Dangote, Others

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August 19, 2026

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has raised fresh concerns over the soaring price of cement in Nigeria, saying preliminary findings from its investigation suggest that the commodity’s prices may be subject to manipulation.

The commission’s disclosure has placed major cement manufacturers, including Dangote Cement and other industry players, under increased scrutiny as regulators seek to determine why cement prices remain high despite Nigeria’s substantial production capacity and abundant limestone deposits.

The agency said its Anticompetitive Practices Department conducted a three-month cross-border study following widespread complaints about the rising cost of cement. The investigation compared Nigeria’s market with those of Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Togo.

According to the commission, Nigeria has an installed cement production capacity of between 60 million and 65 million metric tonnes annually, while domestic consumption is estimated at only 25 million to 30 million tonnes.

Ordinarily, such excess capacity would be expected to create competitive pressure and help moderate prices. Instead, the commission observed that cement prices had continued to climb.

A 50kg bag of cement, which sold for between N9,300 and N9,700 in January, reportedly rose to between N10,500 and N13,000 by mid-year, with prices reaching N13,000 to N15,000 in some parts of the country by July.

The price disparity became more striking when the FCCPC compared Nigeria with other African markets.

In Kenya, where the population is about 58.6 million and cement demand was estimated at 9.3 million tonnes in 2025, a 50kg bag sold for about $5.40, equivalent to approximately N7,344.

In Tanzania, the same quantity sold for about $4.80, or N6,528, while in Togo, which the FCCPC noted has no limestone deposits, cement retailed at about $6.75, equivalent to N9,180.

The findings have therefore prompted the commission to question why Nigeria’s enormous production capacity and local availability of limestone have failed to translate into lower prices for consumers.

Cement manufacturers and other industry stakeholders have attributed the high prices to a combination of rising energy costs, naira depreciation, expensive imported machinery and spare parts, as well as transportation and logistics expenses.

But the FCCPC said it was not prepared to accept those explanations without verification.

The commission said it was testing the claims against information on actual production costs, pricing structures, capacity utilisation and prevailing market conditions.

It said the next phase of the investigation would determine whether cement prices were the result of legitimate commercial costs or whether anti-competitive practices were also involved.

Among the issues under investigation are possible coordinated conduct among industry players, abuse of market power, restriction of domestic supply and anti-competitive distribution practices.

To advance the probe, the FCCPC has issued Notices of Commencement of Investigation and Summons to Produce to key players in the cement industry, demanding records covering pricing methodologies, production levels, capacity utilisation, exports and commercial relationships.

FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said the investigation was necessary because of the strategic importance of cement to the Nigerian economy.

He noted that the price of cement directly affects the cost of housing, commercial property, public infrastructure and, ultimately, the cost of doing business.

Bello, however, stressed that the investigation was not an attempt to dictate how companies should operate or prevent them from making legitimate profits.

Rather, he said the commission’s responsibility was to ensure that prices and other market outcomes were determined by genuine competition rather than practices that unlawfully restrict competition.

2027: Tinubu Sues For Peace, Says Election Not Do Or Die

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August 19, 2026

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian political actors not to pursue the 2027 elections in a desperate manner, saying election should not be a do -or die affair.

The president also urge key political leaders in the country to shun violence during the election, saying personal ambitions should not be allowed to override national interest.

He spoke on Wednesday at the signing of the peace accord ahead next year’s election. The event was attended by some presidential candidates of key political parties in the country, who signed the peace accord.

Tinubu who was represented at the vent by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume urged political parties to close ranks in ensuring that the 2027 election is peaceful.

The president noted that It is natural during campaigns to disagree as opponents, he however advocates competing governing visions for our country, saying occasional exchange of political “jabs” among politicians cannot be totally ruled out.

“But as members of the same household, the same national family, we must never resort to divisive or primordial sentiments of ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking power.

“Let us campaign on superior ideas. Let us debate issues and promote the best policies to expand opportunities for our people and accelerate Nigeria’s journey from a developing nation to a first-world country,” Tinubu said.

Recall that President Tinubu recently came under trenchant criticism from not a few Nigerians after he said “all is fair” in politics, a remarks described his opponents said is not expected of him as the country’s leader.

He made the remark when catholic Bishops visited him in Aso rock, Presidential Villa, Abuja, the nation’s capital.

“All is fair in politics, and everyone has equal opportunities. INEC is neutral and has never intimidated anyone. If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows and the company they keep — not me,” he said.

Zenith Bank Hosts Int’l Leaders Trade Seminar To Unlock Non-Oil Export Potentials

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August 19, 2026

Zenith Bank Plc will host the 10th edition of its International Trade Seminar on Non-Oil Export on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, bringing together leading policymakers, regulators, exporters, manufacturers, investors and other key stakeholders to explore practical strategies for unlocking value and accelerating growth in Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.

Themed “Unlocking Value and Harnessing Growth in Non-Oil Export”, the virtual seminar will examine how Nigeria can move beyond exporting raw commodities to build globally competitive value chains, expand market access, strengthen trade infrastructure and financing, and deepen the contribution of non-oil exports to sustainable economic growth.

The high-level event will feature an impressive line-up of guest speakers, including the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, H.E. Wamkele Mene; the Chief Executive Officer of Plot Enterprise Ghana Limited, Mrs Patricia Poku-Diaby; and the immediate past President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Professor Benedict Oramah.

The seminar will also convene leading voices from the public and private sectors in two panel discussions. The first panel, dedicated to public sector perspectives, will bring together key stakeholders driving Nigeria’s trade, export, investment and economic development agenda. It will feature the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Mr Abba Bello; the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Adewale Adeniyi; the Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Ms Aderinola Shonekan; the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs Aisha Rimi; and the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs Nonye Ayeni.

The second panel, focused on private sector perspectives, will feature the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Starlink Global & Ideal Limited, Alhaji Adeniji Adeyemi; the Group Executive Director, Dangote Group, Alhaji Sada Ladan-Baki; Senior Consultant at 3T Impex Trade Centre, Mr Bamidele Ayemibo; the Managing Director of Terra Aqua Environmental Consultancy Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Mobolaji Salako; the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of RMM Global, Mr Ramzi Taher; and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lelook Nigeria Limited, Chief Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa.

The discussions will offer practical perspectives on trade facilitation, export financing, customs and port efficiency, regulation, market access, and the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses in regional and global markets.

A key focus of the seminar will be the African Continental Free Trade Area and its potential to open up a larger market for Nigerian goods and services while deepening intra-African trade. With the AfCFTA offering businesses access to a market of more than one billion people, the discussions will examine how Nigerian enterprises can leverage regional integration, build competitive value chains and seize emerging opportunities across the continent.

Zenith Bank has consistently championed conversations around trade and economic development. It remains at the forefront of efforts to support businesses seeking to participate more effectively in regional and international commerce. The Bank has also partnered with the AfCFTA Secretariat on initiatives to facilitate cross-border trade and expand access to opportunities across Africa.

Now in its 10th edition, the Zenith Bank International Trade Seminar has evolved into a leading platform for high-level dialogue on Nigeria’s trade and export ecosystem. Over the years, the seminar has brought together government, regulators, businesses, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to examine emerging trends, identify challenges, and proffer practical solutions to strengthen Nigeria’s position in global commerce.

The 2026 edition will build on this legacy, convening some of the most influential voices shaping Nigeria’s trade, investment and economic landscape around one critical question: how can Nigeria unlock greater value from its non-oil exports and translate its vast productive potential into sustainable economic growth?

The seminar will be held virtually and streamed live on Zoom, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok, enabling participants in Nigeria and around the world to join the conversation. Interested participants can register at www.zenithbank.com/exportsem

US Lifts 12yr Embargo On Nigerian Vessels

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August 19, 2026

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s maritime sector, following the decision by the United States Coast Guard, USCG, to lift the Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria.

The development brings to an end a 12-year regime of enhanced security requirements on vessels calling at Nigerian ports before entering the United States and marks a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen maritime security, improve port competitiveness and enhance Nigeria’s standing in the global maritime industry.

The Condition of Entry, which took effect on June 25, 2014, required vessels destined for the United States that had called at designated Nigerian ports within their previous five port calls to undergo additional security measures and enhanced scrutiny before gaining access to U.S. waters.

Announcing the development, Oyetola said the lifting of the restriction was a strong affirmation of the progress made by Nigeria in strengthening its maritime security architecture and implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security, ISPS, Code across the country’s ports and maritime facilities.

He attributed the achievement to sustained efforts by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, in collaboration with relevant government agencies, port operators, terminal and facility operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders.

According to the Minister, the coordinated efforts were aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime security framework, addressing identified gaps and demonstrating sustained compliance with internationally accepted maritime security standards.

Over the past two years, the United States Coast Guard conducted four comprehensive assessments of Nigeria’s national maritime security framework and port facilities. The assessments were carried out from March 11–13, 2024; April 15–19, 2024; March 15–21, 2025; and April 13–17, 2026.

The results of the assessments demonstrated significant progress in Nigeria’s maritime security performance and implementation of the ISPS Code, ultimately leading to the lifting of the Condition of Entry.

The minister described the development as a significant achievement for Nigeria’s maritime sector, noting that it reflects the impact of sustained regulatory oversight, institutional collaboration and NIMASA’s commitment to strengthening maritime security.

“The lifting of the Conditions of Entry is a major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector. It is a strong affirmation of the progress we have made in strengthening maritime security and implementing the ISPS Code across our ports and facilities,” the Minister said. “We are committed to sustaining this momentum and ensuring that Nigeria remains a safe, secure and competitive destination for international shipping.”

The Minister also commended the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and his team for their contribution to the achievement, describing the lifting of the restriction as evidence of the positive impact of effective regulation, stakeholder collaboration and sustained investment in maritime security.

He stressed that the significance of the development extends beyond maritime security, with the potential to improve the competitiveness and efficiency of Nigerian ports and strengthen Nigeria’s position within the global maritime economy.

The lifting of the CoE is expected to facilitate faster vessel turnaround and improve schedule reliability, while reducing costs associated with additional documentation, inspections, security measures and entry-related delays.

It is also expected to make Nigerian ports more attractive to international shipping lines, encourage increased shipping activity and contribute to greater trade, investment, employment opportunities and port revenues.

For more than a decade, vessels trading between Nigeria and the United States were subjected to additional security and operational requirements as a result of the CoE. These measures had implications for shipping operators, including increased security and operating costs, additional inspections and documentation, delays in vessel turnaround, and higher freight and insurance costs.

The restrictions also raised broader concerns about the competitiveness of Nigerian ports and their perception within the international shipping community.

With the lifting of the CoE, vessels calling at Nigerian ports and subsequently proceeding to the United States will no longer be subjected to the additional USCG security requirements imposed specifically under the restriction.

FCT Flooding: Wike Orders Demolition Of Houses Blocking Water Channels

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August 19, 2026

Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister — Nyesom Wike

By Ayodele Oni

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of houses found obstructing designated water channels in Maitama and other flood-prone areas of Abuja.

Wike, who issued the directive after inspecting flood-affected areas in Maitama on Tuesday, said the demolition would commence immediately and continue until Saturday, regardless of the ongoing political activities or the status of the owners of the affected properties.

The minister vowed that the government would no longer tolerate the obstruction of waterways by property owners, warning that the exercise would affect all structures found to have been built on designated water channels, irrespective of the status of their owners.

“We will demolish all those houses found on the water channel. Some of them are senators. Some of them are big men.

“Whether there’s election or there’s no election, all those houses will go down. Heaven will not fall. Rather, heaven will be at peace that the right thing has been done.”

The FCT minister stated that the recent incident has exposed several man-made factors contributing to flooding in the capital city, including the construction of buildings on waterways, blockage of drainage channels, indiscriminate dumping of refuse and failure by relevant officials to properly supervise developments and desilt drainage infrastructure.

According to him, the government has inspected the affected locations and discovered that some property owners deliberately blocked channels designated in the Abuja Master Plan for the passage of stormwater.

“Unfortunately, we have gone there, and we have seen how people have blocked channels where, in the Master Plan, that is the right way where the water is supposed to be channelled.”

Wike observed that the affected structures were not recently constructed and were largely owned by wealthy Nigerians, stressing that the government would no longer allow social status to prevent enforcement of development regulations.

“All those built-up areas that were not supposed to be built up, not a single poor person will live there. Those houses are houses built by well-to-do Nigerians.

“Those houses are not houses that were built last week. Those houses have been there 10 years ago, eight years ago.”

The minister said previous administrations might not have had the political will to enforce the regulations, while some government officials may also have failed to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

He, however, insisted that the present FCT Administration has the political will to tackle the situation.

“And let nobody make the mistake that this government lacks the political will to do anything. The person must be making a very big mistake.

“If there is one minister that has that political will, I have. I have the political will.”

Wike also rejected attempts to politicise the recent flooding, arguing that flooding was not a new phenomenon in Abuja or other major cities around the world.

He said while the intensity of rainfall experienced recently could be linked partly to climate change and natural factors, human activities had also contributed significantly to the flooding.

“Flood could be a natural disaster,” he added, citing flooding incidents in cities such as Dubai, the United States and the United Kingdom.

“We are in a climate change period. The kind of rains we have experienced, or we are experiencing now, we have not experienced before. But that is not that there are no man-made factors. There are.”

Wike identified the construction of buildings on waterways, development in areas not designated for construction, failure to desilt drainage systems and indiscriminate disposal of waste as major human factors responsible for flooding.

He therefore directed the relevant FCT authorities to commence immediate desilting of identified drainage systems.

“The facility management is not here. Director is not here. Yes, we have to immediately start desilting some of the areas we have identified.”

The minister also appealed to residents, traders and other members of the public to stop dumping refuse into drainage channels.

The minister dismissed criticism from political commentators over the flooding and the administration’s response, saying he would not be distracted by political considerations.

“I don’t want to reply to political commentators. I don’t want to reply to people who think that appearing on TV, in their houses, will give them an edge to win an election that they have lost. No,” he said.

Wike maintained that the FCT Administration had recorded significant achievements in the past three years, while acknowledging that more challenges remained to be addressed.

“Nobody can diminish what this administration has done in the past three years. Nobody can diminish it,” he said.

“This administration has done very well as far as the Federal Capital Territory is concerned. That does not mean that I can claim that it has solved all problems, no. Are there problems? Yes. Have they solved major problems? Yes. Will they continue to solve problems? Yes.”

He also defended the administration’s record on the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (Cs-of-O), saying 26,272 Cs-of-O had been signed within the past three years, compared with about 7,000 signed by two previous administrations over 13 years.

According to him, critics should assess the administration based on its overall performance rather than use the flooding incident to discredit its achievements.

Wike further dismissed anticipated criticism that the demolition exercise was politically motivated because of the election season.

He said enforcement of development regulations should not be suspended because of political activities.

“Now you have done your own by blocking the water channel and nothing has happened. Thank God the flood has come. It has drawn our attention to the place. Now something will happen,” he said.

“I’m going to bring those houses down. Any house that’s found on the water channel will go down.”

He directed the FCT Development Control Department to ensure that there was no delay in carrying out the demolition.

“From today to Saturday, if Development Control delay, let them find any excuse to run away. They cannot,” Wike warned.

The minister also criticised the conversion of designated green areas in the capital into other uses, insisting that the administration would protect Abuja’s environmental assets.

He said the government would continue to enforce planning regulations irrespective of the length of time illegal developments had existed.

“Something that was done wrongly will not be corrected? No, we will not allow that. We won’t,” he said.

Wike said the administration would continue to focus on solving problems in the FCT rather than engaging in political arguments, adding that residents who genuinely drew the government’s attention to problems in their communities would be listened to.

“My interest is we’ll continue to do the right thing in FCT, where no one will stop,” he said.

APC Candidate In Osun Poll, Oyebamiji, Backs Party Decision On Outcome Of Election

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August 19, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last Saturday’s election in Osun state, Bola Oyebamiji, has said that he supports the decision of the party in its ongoing review of the outcome of the election.

In a reaction on Tuesday, Oyebamiji pointed out that he also respected the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) in declaring Governor Ademola Adeleke winner of the poll.

In a short remark, the APC candidate stated “Dear supporters, members and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, I commend you all for your steadfastness, commitment, sacrifice, and tireless efforts throughout the just-concluded governorship election.

“Your unwavering support for my candidacy and your belief in the prosperity agenda we presented to the people of Osun are experiences I will forever cherish.

“Although, we had hoped for a different outcome in the election, in the meantime, we respect the position of the electoral umpire and I totally support the decision of our party in its ongoing review of the outcome of the election.

“Consequently, I appreciate the many people who believed in and supported the alternative vision we articulated.

“I am deeply grateful to every voter who placed their trust in our vision, to the volunteers who gave their time and energy, and to you committed party members and leaders across the state who turned out to energize our campaign.

“However, the campaign has come to an end and the election is over, but the values and causes we championed are alive.

“We would continue to work for effective, inclusive and rapid development of our dear Osun.

“I urge all of you who stood by our party and campaign to keep working for our community, to stay engaged, to continue to organize and to remain vigilant for the collective good of our state.

“As events unfold, I urge all of you to remain calm and peaceful as you go about your daily activities in the post-election period.

“At the same time, I wish to alert the State Government and security agents to the growing trend of hostility and violence against our members and supporters.

“The violence attacks on our members witnessed in the build-up to the election has taken another dimension in the last 24 hours. Consequently, I urge the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to intervene and arrest this ugly trend without delay.

“Once again, I thank every voter, supporter, party member and leader for your unwavering commitment, sacrifice, and support. I remain proud of the campaign we ran and grateful for the confidence you reposed in me.”

Ahead 2027 Polls; Wike Mocks Opposition Parties Says They’re Fragmented

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August 19, 2026