NNPC denies operating secret account, says fuel subsidy gulps N2.6tn - Newstrends
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NNPC denies operating secret account, says fuel subsidy gulps N2.6tn

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has not remitted any amount to the federation account since the beginning of this year as the company’s deduction for petrol subsidy rose to N2.565 trillion at the end of August 2022.

A new report by the NNPC revealed this even as the company denied any involvement in the operation of any secret bank account, stating that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) was aware of its financial transactions.

An analysis of NNPC’s monthly presentation to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) at the weekend, further showed that the NNPCL has so far spent N2.565 trillion on the controversial subsidy this year.

Information from the FAAC meeting had earlier revealed that the money available for distribution among the three tiers of government for the month slumped by N280.948 billion to N673.137 billion when put aside the N954.085 shared in July.

Of the amount, the Federal Government received N259.641 billion; the states received N222.949 billion, while the local governments got N164.247 billion.

“The sum of N525,714,373,874.60 being federation account share was used to defray value shortfall/subsidy for the month,” the NNPCL stated in a document quoted by TheCable.

According to the national oil firm, in January, February, March, and April 2022, the petrol subsidy gulped N210.38 billion, N219.78 billion, N245.77 billion and N271.13 billion respectively.

Furthermore, in May, June, and July, the country spent N327.07 billion, N319.18 billion and N448.78 billion respectively before the hugest deduction of N525.71 billion in the latest instance.

The NNPCL also on Saturday said it was not involved in the operation of any secret bank account.

It said that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) was aware of its financial transactions.

In a thread on its verified Twitter handle last night, signed by the spokesman for the national oil company, Mr Garba Muhammad, the company explained that it was unaware of the existence of any such account.

The House of Representatives a few days ago said it was probing the structure and accountability of the joint venture businesses and Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) of the NNPCL in the last 32 years.

The lawmakers had alleged that they had uncovered a secret account owned by the NNPCL allegedly in breach of due process.

The report stated that an official of the OAGF, Mr Chize Peters, disclosed to the Abubakar Fulata-led Adhoc committee probing the matter.

The committee was said to have directed the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, to appear before it to offer explanations on the issue.

But in a series of tweets, the spokesman of NNPCL said, “The NNPCL, directly or through its upstream arm, the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), does not operate secret accounts at all.

“The joint venture cash call accounts denominated in US Dollars and Nigerian Naira are all domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria in line with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy.

“The Joint Venture Cash Call (JVCC) NGN and USD accounts were created to cater for the funding of cash calls for the various Joint Ventures managed by NNPCL on behalf of the Federal Government,” the company said.

The statement added that the ‘Joint Venture Proceeds Accounts’ were opened for the individual JVs to implement the self-funding strategy which aims at making them be self-reliant.

“The Office of the Accountant-Gen. of the Federation (OAGF) is fully aware of the JVCC accounts as the OAGF regularly sanctions & approves the updates/change of signatories to the accounts.

The NNPCL has documents where these correspondences with the OAGF were acknowledged.

“The NNPC/NAPIMS books of accounts in respect of the federations upstream petroleum activities are audited annually by independent external auditors,” the national oil company said.

According to the NNPCL, a critical part of the independent statutory audit is sending ‘circularisation’ to banks to confirm balances and bank accounts belonging to NNPC/NAPIMS.

It stressed that Audited Financial Statements (AFS) are submitted to all stakeholders including the National Assembly.

In addition, the company stated that the OAGF conducts periodic (yearly) checks on the activities of NNPC/NAPIMS, maintaining that the activities of the NNPCL and NAPIMS are audited yearly by the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

“NNPCL has documented evidence of the correspondences between the company and the OAGF before the accounts were opened with the @cenbank, in line with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy.

“We also have evidence of reconciliations carried out with the @cenbank for the year ended 31-12-2021 in respect to the JV Cash Call Accounts.

“Thus, with such multiple layers of checks and balances, it is impossible for @nnpclimited to operate secret accounts until the ad hoc Committee, with due respect to its competencies, discovers it.

“If such ‘secret account’ does exist, then @nnpclimited certainly is not aware of, and has absolutely nothing to do with it,” the statement concluded.

 

 

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NAJA Holds 3rd Auto Industry Summit July 30 on Nigeria’s EV, CNG Future

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NAJA Holds 3rd Auto Industry Summit July 30 on Nigeria’s EV, CNG Future

NAJA Holds 3rd Auto Industry Summit July 30 on Nigeria’s EV, CNG Future

As Nigeria navigates the high-cost reality of post-subsidy transportation, the path toward a more affordable and sustainable future is coming into focus. On July 30, 2026, industry titans and top policymakers will converge at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, for the 3rd Nigeria Auto Industry Summit, aiming to turn the promise of electric vehicles and CNG into a practical, everyday reality for Nigerians.

The summit, scheduled for the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, is themed: “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration”, according to a press release by the summit organising committee.

It specifically stated that the high-level forum would bring together policymakers, regulators, vehicle manufacturers, energy providers, transport operators, financiers and industry experts to assess the progress, opportunities and challenges associated with the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles in Nigeria.

Chairman of NAJA, Theodore Opara, said the summit is designed to provide practical solutions for reducing transportation costs, strengthening energy security and accelerating economic growth through clean mobility initiatives.

“Nigeria possesses one of Africa’s largest gas reserves. Expanding CNG infrastructure can provide a practical bridge towards a cleaner mobility future while supporting energy security and reducing pressure on foreign exchange used for fuel imports,” he said.

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He noted that collaboration among government agencies, vehicle manufacturers, financial institutions and transport operators would be essential if Nigeria is to achieve affordable, environmentally friendly and sustainable transportation.

Among key speakers expected at the event are the Chairman, Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi – CNG and EV); Barrister Ismael Ahmed; Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, and the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, with other leading stakeholders from the public and private sectors.

Participants will examine critical issues including policy implementation, infrastructure development, financing models, safety standards, local vehicle assembly, investment opportunities and consumer adoption strategies needed to drive Nigeria’s clean-energy transportation agenda.

The summit comes amid growing government support for alternative fuels following the removal of fuel subsidies and the rollout of initiatives by the PCNGI which have placed EV and CNG mobility at the forefront of national economic and environmental discussions.

According to Opara, deliberations will also focus on expanding charging and refuelling infrastructure, promoting environmental sustainability and leveraging the media to accelerate public awareness of cleaner transportation technologies.

Chairman of the Summit Planning Committee, Rasheed Bisiriyu, said industry leaders would present case studies from emerging EV and CNG projects while outlining strategies for overcoming challenges such as high vehicle acquisition costs, inadequate infrastructure and limited technical expertise.

He noted that the successful development of a robust EV and CNG ecosystem could significantly lower logistics and transportation costs, improve public mobility and reduce pressure on foreign exchange spent on fuel imports.

“Government incentives alone will not guarantee success. Investment in charging stations, CNG conversion centres, maintenance facilities and technical training will determine how quickly adoption can scale nationwide,” he explained.

With rising public interest in alternative-energy vehicles and increasing policy support from the Federal Government, the 3rd NAJA Auto Summit is expected to provide a roadmap for advancing Nigeria’s clean mobility transition and making transportation more affordable for citizens.

 

NAJA Holds 3rd Auto Industry Summit July 30 on Nigeria’s EV, CNG Future

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US-Iran Ceasefire: Why Petrol Still Costs N1,200/Litre Despite Crude Crash to $70

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US-Iran Ceasefire: Why Petrol Still Costs N1,200/Litre Despite Crude Crash to $70

US-Iran Ceasefire: Why Petrol Still Costs N1,200/Litre Despite Crude Crash to $70

The sharp decline in global crude oil prices following the ceasefire agreement that ended months of hostilities between the United States and Iran has renewed questions over why petrol prices in Nigeria remain around N1,200 per litre despite the easing of pressures that had pushed up energy costs during the conflict. Brent crude, the international benchmark against which Nigeria’s Bonny Light is priced, has fallen to around $70 per barrel from a peak of about $126 recorded during the height of the conflict, representing a decline of more than 42 per cent. The latest oil price slump has effectively erased the war premium that had built into the market amid fears that hostilities could disrupt supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s crude and liquefied natural gas shipments transit. The three-month conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, sent shockwaves through global energy markets as traders feared a blockade of the strait and a possible escalation involving Gulf producers. The uncertainty pushed crude prices sharply higher, with Brent crude climbing from around $68 per barrel before the crisis to above $120 and peaking near $126 per barrel in April. The rise translated into higher prices for refined products worldwide and put upward pressure on petrol prices in importing countries, including Nigeria. Before the outbreak of the conflict, petrol sold for between N830 and N900 per litre across much of Nigeria. As crude prices surged by approximately 85 per cent, pump prices climbed to around N1,360 per litre, representing an increase of about 54 per cent. However, while crude oil has surrendered much of its war-induced gains, domestic petrol prices have been far slower to follow suit.

Analysts say the discrepancy highlights an asymmetry that has long characterized fuel markets globally—what experts describe as the “rockets and feathers” effect, where prices rise like rockets when crude increases but descend like feathers when oil prices retreat. The de-escalation of tensions and diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran have eased concerns over supply disruptions, leading to a broad sell-off in oil markets. Additional downward pressure came from expectations that Iranian exports could return more fully to international markets and that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would normalize. Concerns about weaker global demand and rising output from non-OPEC producers have also contributed to the decline. Based on analysis of the price transmission mechanism, when crude prices climbed from $68 to $126 per barrel, petrol prices rose from roughly N850 to N1,300 per litre. Using the same mechanism, the current decline in crude prices of more than 41 per cent should ordinarily place petrol prices between N900 and N1,000 per litre. However, analysts caution that crude oil accounts for only part of the final cost of petrol. Exchange rates, shipping charges, storage costs, transportation expenses, dealer margins, and taxes all influence the retail price. Even after accounting for these variables, energy experts say Premium Motor Spirit should realistically retail around N1,000 per litre.

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Following the de-escalation of tensions, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery cut its petrol gantry price by N75 per litre from N1,250 to N1,175, effective June 16, and also lowered diesel and aviation fuel prices. The refinery attributed the reduction to improved market fundamentals following the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East. It also lowered its coastal supply price from N1,595,790 to N1,495,215 per metric tonne, reducing procurement costs for marketers. The move strengthened expectations that pump prices would decline further. However, many Nigerians argued that the reductions did not fully reflect the sharp decline in crude oil prices. A source within the Dangote Group noted that the refinery was still observing market developments while processing crude purchased during the crisis period, adding that prices could still drop to as low as N900 per litre, “but we still have the expensive crude in our tanks.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chief Chinedu Ukadike, explained that lower ex-depot prices are already easing pressure on marketers and improving their capacity to stock products. According to him, the decline in supply costs has reduced the amount of working capital required to sustain operations. Ukadike noted that marketers who previously struggled to finance product purchases would now be able to increase stock levels, thereby improving product availability across retail outlets. Ukadike also dismissed concerns that marketers could hoard products in anticipation of future price increases, noting that intense competition within the deregulated downstream sector would make such practices difficult to sustain. “Competition will force marketers to sell at prevailing market prices. Nobody can afford to hold products indefinitely because other operators will undercut them,” he said. He projected that petrol could sell for between N1,200 and N1,250 per litre in Lagos once new stock enters the market, while prices may remain slightly higher in other parts of the country due to transportation costs. Ukadike urged consumers to be patient, noting that immediate reductions would expose marketers to losses on existing stock.

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The issue is not peculiar to Nigeria. In the United States, President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Justice to investigate major oil companies over allegations that they are failing to reduce pump prices in line with falling crude oil costs. In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused oil companies of exploiting consumers, writing: “The big Oil Companies are not dropping their price at the pump commensurate with the sharply lower prices they are paying for Oil. Those prices are dropping like a rock! In other words, customers are being ‘gouged’.” The American Petroleum Institute rejected allegations of price manipulation, arguing that retail fuel prices do not instantly mirror changes in crude oil prices because refining costs, inventories and supply chain dynamics influence final prices. Analysts describe this phenomenon as the “rockets and feathers” effect.

Industry observers say increased liquidity among marketers could intensify competition and ultimately accelerate the transmission of lower crude prices to consumers. They note that the growing influence of Dangote Refinery, coupled with increasing rivalry among importers and independent marketers, is changing pricing dynamics in the downstream sector. Some analysts believe that if Brent crude remains below $75 per barrel and geopolitical stability is sustained, petrol prices could gradually decline below N1,000 per litre and possibly approach N900 per litre in the coming days. The expected decline could provide much-needed relief for households and businesses battling elevated transportation and energy costs. Since the removal of subsidy by President Bola Tinubu in May 2023, petrol prices have remained one of the major drivers of inflation, affecting food prices, manufacturing costs and the overall cost of living. The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has called on refiners, depot owners, and importers to reduce fuel prices following the decline in global crude prices, urging the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to continue issuing import licences to qualified marketers to encourage competition. However, experts caution that the ceasefire is not yet permanent—a 60-day extension has been agreed while negotiations continue over Iran’s nuclear programme. Market observers also note that the restoration of full oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz may take months, as vessel operators and insurers remain cautious, preferring to observe sustained safe transits before re-engaging the route.

US-Iran Ceasefire: Why Petrol Still Costs N1,200/Litre Despite Crude Crash to $70

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Jetour Puts Customer Peace of Mind at the Centre of X70 PHEV Rollout

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Jetour Puts Customer Peace of Mind at the Centre of X70 PHEV Rollout

Jetour Nigeria has reinforced confidence in its X70 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), highlighting a comprehensive after-sales support system, nationwide service network and extended warranty package designed to deliver long-term reliability and peace of mind for owners.
The automaker said the X70 PHEV is not only engineered for fuel efficiency and lower emissions but is also backed by readily available genuine spare parts, dedicated technical support and trained service personnel, underscoring its commitment to customer satisfaction beyond the point of sale.

The auto company lists its accredited dealers spread across Nigeria as Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Tab Autos Limited, R. T. Briscoe Motors and Mandilas Autos.

To further boost customer confidence, the brand is offering an extensive warranty of five years or 150,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.

The X70 PHEV is engineered to reduce ownership concerns commonly associated with electrified vehicles. Its multiple charging options—fast charging, slow charging, engine charging and brake force charging—help minimize reliance on external charging infrastructure while ensuring the battery remains optimally charged during regular driving.

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According to Jetour, this design not only improves convenience but also reduces long-term maintenance costs.Supporting the vehicle’s reliability is a robust hybrid powertrain that combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology, a 19.43kWh battery and dedicated hybrid transmissions.

Jetour notes that the system is built for durability and efficiency, helping owners save on fuel while benefiting from reduced emissions and improved performance.In addition to mechanical reliability, Jetour’s after-sales framework extends to vehicle safety systems and advanced technology.

Features such as electronic stability systems, multiple airbags, driver-assistance technologies and smart electronic components are supported by trained technicians and specialized diagnostic tools within the brand’s service network.

Jetour’s growing reputation in the Nigerian market was further highlighted by its recognition as the “Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year” at the 2024 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association awards.

The honour, according to the organizers, reflects the brand’s rapid acceptance, strong customer patronage and commitment to innovation and service excellence.

With the X70 PHEV, Jetour continues to pair advanced technology with dependable after-sales support, positioning itself as a brand focused not only on efficient mobility but also on long-term customer value and peace of mind.

 

Jetour Puts Customer Peace of Mind at the Centre of X70 PHEV Rollout

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