Winpart by CFAO, CFAO Solidarity Advance Child Welfare Through Bethesda Foundation Initiative

Winpart by CFAO, in collaboration with CFAO Solidarity, has reinforced its commitment to community development and social impact by supporting the Bethesda Child Support Foundation, a gesture aimed at expanding care, education and empowerment opportunities for vulnerable children while strengthening sustainable development initiatives across the communities where the CFAO Group operates.

The donation forms part of a broader corporate social responsibility initiative designed to support organisations making measurable differences in the lives of disadvantaged people.

Through the intervention, CFAO Solidarity and Winpart by CFAO presented €7,000 and ₦1 million to the Foundation to bolster its programmes focused on child care, protection, education and holistic development.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony, the Deputy Managing Director of CFAO Mobility Nigeria, Kunle Jaiyesimi, said the company believes business growth must be accompanied by meaningful contributions to society.

“At CFAO, we believe that business success must go hand in hand with social responsibility. Our support for the Bethesda Child Support Foundation reflects our commitment to backing initiatives that create meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of children and communities,” he said.

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Jaiyesimi noted that the intervention aligns with the company’s broader vision of promoting sustainable community development through strategic partnerships with organisations delivering tangible social impact.

The project is one of several initiatives selected and funded by CFAO Solidarity, the Group’s employee-led solidarity programme, which supports impactful community projects across the countries and communities where CFAO operates. Working with credible partner organisations, the programme seeks to improve the lives of vulnerable populations while driving positive and lasting social change.

Also speaking at the event, the General Manager of Winpart by CFAO, Eric Fantodji, said the company was proud to support an organisation dedicated to giving vulnerable children hope and opportunities for a better future.

“The work being done by the Bethesda Child Support Foundation is truly inspiring. We are honoured to support a cause that provides care, hope and opportunities to children who deserve the chance to build brighter futures. Through CFAO Solidarity, we are proud to be part of a wider movement supporting impactful community projects across our areas of operation,” he said.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the Foundation, Olamide Adeleye expressed gratitude to Winpart by CFAO and CFAO Solidarity, describing the support as a significant boost to the Foundation’s mission.

“We are deeply grateful to Winpart by CFAO and CFAO Solidarity for their generosity and belief in our mission. This support will contribute significantly to the welfare, development, and empowerment of the children under our care,” she said.

The initiative further underscores CFAO’s commitment to sustainable development and community engagement, highlighting the value of partnerships between the private sector and social institutions in creating lasting benefits for vulnerable communities.

Through interventions such as this, CFAO Mobility Nigeria and CFAO Solidarity continue to strengthen their commitment to building resilient communities, supporting vulnerable groups and advancing inclusive, sustainable development across the regions where the CFAO Group operates.

Winpart by CFAO, CFAO Solidarity Advance Child Welfare Through Bethesda Foundation Initiative

Auto Tariff Reforms Must Not Undermine Nigeria’s Manufacturing Drive, NAMA Warns

The Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) has urged the Federal Government to align its 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures with stronger industrial protection policies, warning that tariff liberalisation without adequate safeguards could undermine years of investment in Nigeria’s automotive manufacturing sector.

In a policy position submitted to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and copied to the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the association said while the new fiscal measures support regional trade integration, they could weaken local vehicle assembly if not complemented by incentives that protect domestic manufacturers and encourage further investment.

The position paper, signed by NAMA Chairman, Mr. Bawo Omagbitse, and Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Harpreet Singh, commended the Federal Government for pursuing economic reforms and aligning trade policies with the ECOWAS Common External Tariff and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It also welcomed initiatives promoting locally assembled vehicles, the End-of-Life Vehicle Policy and the Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme.

However, NAMA expressed concern that the reduced duty gap between imported fully built vehicles and locally assembled units could erode the competitive advantage required for Nigeria’s emerging automotive industry to grow.

“Nigeria’s automotive industry is still at an infant to intermediate stage. Affordability for buyers and protection for the investment that creates jobs are not in conflict, and our appeal is that the two move together,” Omagbitse said.

The association cited Nigerian Ports Authority figures showing vehicle imports increased by 67 per cent, from 35,262 units in the first quarter of 2025 to 58,870 units during the same period in 2026. According to NAMA, the sharp rise suggests importers anticipated lower tariffs on fully built vehicles even before the latest fiscal measures took effect.

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It warned that accelerated liberalisation could further increase vehicle imports, reduce local assembly volumes, weaken capacity utilisation and discourage investment in assembly plants and component manufacturing, including tyres, batteries, plastics, automotive glass and other locally sourced parts.

While reaffirming support for the government’s objectives of improving affordability, boosting revenue and promoting regional integration, Dr. Singh stressed that successful automotive nations first strengthened domestic manufacturing before opening their markets.

“Our request is simply that these gains be sequenced with the industrial incentives that every successful automotive economy put in place before opening its market,” he said.

NAMA pointed to countries such as Thailand, Morocco, South Africa and China as examples of economies that built competitive automotive industries through a combination of tariff protection, production incentives, supplier development programmes, export support and improved infrastructure before embracing wider market liberalisation.

Reviewing Nigeria’s automotive policy between 2014 and 2020, the association noted that local content development and production capacity remained below expectations largely because the Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) lacked legislative backing and investors had insufficient long-term policy certainty.

To strengthen the industry, NAMA recommended restoring a wider tariff differential between imported and locally assembled vehicles, making consultation with NADDC and the Ministry of Industry mandatory before future automotive fiscal policy changes, and urgently passing the NAIDP into law.

It also proposed production-linked incentives, the establishment of an automotive supplier development fund, priority access to foreign exchange for industrial inputs, and dedicated energy and logistics support for manufacturers.

“Nigeria risks becoming a large vehicle consumption market without becoming a meaningful automotive manufacturing economy,” the association warned.

NAMA reaffirmed its readiness to work with the Federal Government, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Director-General of NADDC to ensure ongoing economic reforms strengthen local manufacturing while advancing Nigeria’s long-term industrialisation agenda.

Auto Tariff Reforms Must Not Undermine Nigeria’s Manufacturing Drive, NAMA Warns

Dangote, marketers slash petrol depot prices amid FG pressure

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and several major fuel marketers have reduced their petrol depot prices following mounting pressure from the Federal Government for cost-reflective fuel pricing, a move that could pave the way for lower petrol pump prices across Nigeria.

The latest price cuts come amid increasing competition in the downstream petroleum sector, improved domestic refining capacity and sustained moderation in global crude oil prices, all of which are reshaping the country’s deregulated fuel market.

The development followed a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened in Abuja by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to address concerns over the disconnect between falling international crude oil prices and the relatively high retail price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN).

Addressing industry stakeholders, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said the current petrol price no longer reflects prevailing international market realities.

According to him, when Brent crude traded above $100 per barrel, marketers quickly adjusted pump prices upward. Therefore, he argued, Nigerian consumers deserve to benefit now that global crude prices have dropped below $70 per barrel.

Lokpobiri stressed that while Nigeria operates a fully deregulated downstream petroleum market under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), deregulation should not become an avenue for excessive profiteering. He noted that the law also empowers the NMDPRA to prevent unfair pricing practices and protect consumers from unreasonable fuel costs.

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The minister disclosed that discussions with marketers were frank and productive, adding that further engagements would continue until a pricing framework that reflects prevailing crude oil prices is achieved.

“We presented the concerns of Nigerian consumers, and marketers have agreed to review the issues raised. Discussions are ongoing, and we believe meaningful progress is being made,” he said.

Following the meeting, fresh depot pricing data showed that Dangote Petroleum Refinery reduced its Lagos ex-depot petrol price by ₦3 per litre, lowering the price from ₦1,079 to ₦1,076 per litre. The refinery, however, retained its diesel ex-depot price at ₦1,500 per litre.

The latest adjustment adds to a series of recent reductions by the refinery as it continues to leverage increased production efficiency and stronger domestic supply to compete aggressively in Nigeria’s fuel market. Industry observers say Dangote’s pricing strategy is compelling marketers and depot operators to review their prices in order to retain market share.

Several petroleum marketers also announced fresh reductions in their depot prices.

In Lagos, NIPCO reduced its petrol depot price by ₦2 to ₦1,076 per litre, while Pinnacle lowered its price by ₦3 to ₦1,075 per litre. Similarly, Sahara, AIPEC and African Terminal each reduced their depot prices by ₦4, bringing their petrol prices to ₦1,075 per litre, while Aiteo maintained its price at ₦1,075 per litre.

Diesel prices also recorded noticeable declines. Rain Oil cut its Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) price by ₦15 to ₦1,430 per litre, while Ibeto, Duport and Ibachem all reduced their diesel prices to ₦1,430 per litre. Dangote Refinery retained its diesel price at ₦1,500 per litre.

The downward pricing trend extended to other parts of the country.

In Port Harcourt, Matrix reduced its petrol price by ₦8 to ₦1,087 per litre and slashed diesel by ₦55 to ₦1,465 per litre, the largest diesel reduction recorded during the trading session. Sigmund also lowered its petrol price by ₦12 to ₦1,082 per litre, although it marginally increased diesel by ₦2 to ₦1,463 per litre.

In Calabar, Fynfield reduced its petrol price by ₦7 to ₦1,090 per litre, while Soroman lowered its price by ₦5 to the same level.

In Warri, Matrix and Prudent both reduced petrol prices by ₦5 to ₦1,085 per litre. On the diesel side, Prudent cut its price by ₦25 to ₦1,475 per litre, while A.Y.M. Shafa reduced its diesel price by ₦3 to ₦1,455 per litre.

Energy analysts believe the latest reductions underscore how competition is transforming Nigeria’s deregulated downstream petroleum sector. The commencement of large-scale operations at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has significantly improved domestic fuel availability, reduced dependence on imported petroleum products and compelled depot owners and marketers to compete more aggressively on price. The trend has also been supported by relatively stable international crude oil prices, easing pressure on the cost of refined petroleum products.

The Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, Mallam Rabiu Umar, said government engagement with marketers became necessary because retail petrol prices had not fallen in line with declining global crude oil prices. According to him, deregulation should promote both investor confidence and consumer protection, stressing that sustainable profitability for marketers and affordable fuel prices for Nigerians can coexist within a transparent and competitive market.

Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) expressed optimism that petrol pump prices could eventually fall below ₦800 per litre.

IPMAN National President, Abubakar Garima, attributed the projection to plans by independent marketers to begin purchasing products directly from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, eliminating several intermediary costs that currently push up retail prices. According to him, the association has already reduced petrol prices by about ₦125 per litre in several parts of the country and will continue to lower prices whenever acquisition costs decline.

Industry stakeholders believe that if global crude oil prices remain stable and domestic refining capacity continues to improve, Nigerians could witness additional reductions in petrol prices in the coming weeks, providing much-needed relief for households, transport operators and businesses grappling with high energy costs.

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Dangote, marketers slash petrol depot prices amid FG pressure