Author: Press Room

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has purchased two cargoes of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates, marking its first-ever procurement of Middle Eastern crude as it expands its feedstock sources amid persistent domestic supply constraints. According to a report by S&P Global Commodity Insights, the two cargoes will be the first sourced by the 700,000-barrels-per-day refinery from any Middle Eastern supplier, signalling a shift from its traditional reliance on Nigerian, African, and United States crude grades. The report said the purchases followed the resumption of oil exports from the Middle East after the United States and Iran reached an interim…

Hussaini Ibrahim The African Agricultural Technology Foundation has intensified efforts to boost maize production in Kano State by sensitising farmers to the benefits of TELA hybrid maize, a climate-smart seed technology designed to increase yields, reduce crop losses and strengthen food security. The sensitisation programme, held on Saturday in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, brought together farmers, agricultural extension workers and community members to raise awareness about the improved maize variety and recommended agronomic practices aimed at improving productivity. Speaking during the programme, the Hybrid Seed Market Development Manager of AATF, Mr Olawale Ojo, said the initiative was designed to…

Nigeria exported an estimated 148.9 million barrels of crude oil valued at about N20.22tn in the first five months of 2026, showcasing the scale of the country’s oil trade despite persistent concerns over production levels. The crude barrels were exported by both international and indigenous oil companies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. While the export of crude oil may lead to a lack of sufficient domestic feedstock for Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other local refineries, it boosts the country’s foreign exchange earnings. An analysis of crude oil production and export data for January to May 2026 showed that…

Tanzania, Nigeria, and Ethiopia have emerged as the biggest beneficiaries of a major World Bank-backed electrification drive across Africa, helping to connect more than 50 million people to electricity in less than three years, an analysis of the Mission 300 Progress Report obtained by our correspondent has shown. The report, which tracks electricity connections delivered through World Bank Group-financed operations between July 1, 2023, and April 30, 2026, revealed that 40 African countries have benefited from 85 electricity access projects, bringing power to homes, businesses, schools, and health facilities across the continent. However, the report also exposed persistent gaps in…

Agency Report The Tomatoes Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria has assured Nigerians that the current high prices of tomatoes are expected to decline considerably from August as the wet-season harvest reaches the market. The Kaduna State Chairman of TOPAN, Mr Rabiu Zuntu, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday. NAN reports that tomato prices have risen sharply since early May, following the end of the dry-season harvest and reduced supply. A 50kg basket of tomatoes, which sold for between N18,000 and N20,000 in January, now costs between N100,000 and N130,000, depending on…

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have killed two suspected Lakurawa terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition during an operation in Kebbi State. The operation was carried out on June 27, 2026, in the Sabarumawa area as part of ongoing military efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and improve security across the North-West. The Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. According to Danja, the troops acted on credible intelligence that the terrorists were planning an attack on the Sabarumawa community. He said troops…

The Bayelsa State Police Command on Saturday arrested Mr Ibobuminate Oweifa, son of the traditional ruler of Okodi community in Ogbia Local Government Area, over the alleged burning of a man accused of attempting to steal firewood. The victim, identified as Godgift Biko, reportedly sustained severe burns during the incident and is currently receiving treatment at the emergency ward of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa. Confirming the arrest in a telephone interview on Sunday, the Commissioner of Police, Iyamah Edebor, said officers swiftly responded to the incident after it was reported. According to him, the Divisional Police Officer immediately rescued…

Chima Azubuike The management of the State Specialist Hospital, Gombe, has strongly denied allegations circulating on social media that its doctors unlawfully removed the kidney of a patient, Mrs Barira Alhassan, during a Caesarean section performed in May 2026. In a statement obtained on Sunday, the hospital described the allegation, made by the patient’s brother, Mr Zakaria Alhassan, as “false, malicious, reckless and unsupported by medical evidence.” “The allegations are entirely false, misleading and unsupported by medical facts, clinical evidence and the hospital records,” the management stated. According to the hospital, theatre records show that Mrs Alhassan only underwent an…

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle saw his contract extended for another four years by the Nigeria Sports Commission four days ago, but that decision has not gone down well with many, Soccernet.ng reports. The 48-year-old’s salary has now doubled, going from $50,000 monthly to earning $100,000, but so has his workload. The Franco-Malian tactician will also take charge of Nigeria’s U-23 team, adding to his Super Eagles responsibility. Former Super Eagles midfielder Garba Lawal already raised questions regarding the payments, admitting he’s unsure if the NFF can sustain forking out that amount of money, long-term. Éric Chelle’s new deal,…

The National Revenue Service has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening voluntary tax compliance one year after the implementation of Nigeria’s landmark tax reforms, saying taxpayer education remains critical to building a sustainable revenue system. The revenue agency made the commitment during the maiden edition of the 2026 National Tax Awareness Day, held to assess progress since the reforms were signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in 2025. According to a statement issued by the management on Sunday, the nationwide campaign featured activities aimed at promoting taxpayer education, encouraging voluntary compliance and deepening public understanding of Nigeria’s tax laws. The…