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FG working against local refineries, operators cry out

Published

2 years ago

July 21, 2024

FG working against local refineries, operators cry out

Some local refinery operators have lamented that the announcement made by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, stating that the Federal Government would continue to import fuel, shows that the government had taken sides against local refineries.

The operators, under the aegis of the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria, expressed worry over the recent widely circulated interview of the Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA, Ahmed Farouk, who was quoted as having described locally produced diesel as ‘inferior’ to imported ones.

It was also reported on Friday that the Federal Government, through the NMDPRA, declared that the importation of refined petroleum products into Nigeria was going to continue alongside the production of commodities by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to prevent monopoly and ensure energy security.

The government had also warned against being over-dependent on the $20bn refinery located in the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos, stressing that the demand by the refinery that all oil marketers should buy products from the plant does not support competition.

Farouk, who had disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, was said to have stated that the diesel produced by some local refineries was inferior to the ones imported into Nigeria, a development that perturbed local refiners.

Reacting to the position of the regulator, through their umbrella body, the indigenous crude oil refiners declared that the government had taken sides against local refineries.

The Publicity Secretary of the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria, Eche Idoko, said, “We are worried that the Chief Executive of NMDPRA would make such categorical statements, suggesting strongly that he is taking sides. So much so that he even ridicules his own agency’s processes when he refers to the petroleum products produced by refineries that his agency closely regulates as inferior, thereby undermining the country’s health and safety procedures. This has huge implications for the oil and gas industry, and energy security in Nigeria.”

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The NMDPRA boss had stated that Dangote Refinery had requested the regulator to stop giving import licences to other marketers so as to be the only fuel supplier in Nigeria.

“We cannot rely heavily on one refinery to feed the nation, because Dangote is requesting that we should suspend or stop the importation of all petroleum products, especially AGO, and direct all marketers to the refinery. That is not good for the nation in terms of energy security, and it is not good for the market because of monopoly,” Farouk stressed.

However, local refiners alleged that the views of the NMDPRA boss had shown that the efforts of indigenous refineries were being discredited by many detractors.

“In the last few days, we have had a barrage of misinformation thrown at the indigenous refineries, including Dangote, Aradel, Waltersmith, and our other members, from detractors and elements working against the country’s quest to achieve self-sufficiency in domestic petroleum refining. This is not completely surprising to us as we know the agenda to keep the country perpetually dependent on foreign oil merchants, and the desire to continue to pilfer the wealth of the country by a few greedy individuals is deep.

“It is, however, surprising, and we are indeed dismayed, that a person meant to regulate a sector appears to be taking a position against players in the industry he is supposed to be regulating and is misstating the facts,” Idoko stated.

He argued that about two years ago, the NMDPRA confirmed that the Dangote refinery was over 90 per cent completed, and wondered why the agency’s boss would declare that the plant had not been completed and was operating without a licence.

“From the two reports I shared with you, you can see Farouk contradicting the organisation he oversees in an obvious attempt to discredit the efforts of local refineries in the country. This struggle is not about an individual or a particular company. It is about the country and its survival. It is about the Nigerian citizenry. At this rate, we are truly worried about the ability of NMDPRA to provide a level playing field for all stakeholders going forward,” the indigenous refiners stated.

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The NMDPRA boss had, during the interview, revealed that the Dangote refinery, which had been selling diesel and aviation fuel in Nigeria for months, had not been licensed, stating that the plant was still at the pre-commissioning stage.

Also, the Executive Secretary of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, described the NMDPRA comments as clear and direct. Isong told our correspondent that the sector needs that kind of information from the regulator.

“Clear and direct! We need this open and direct communication from time to time from the regulator to help the public dissect the issues that so seriously concern them,” he stated.

No level-playing field – IPMAN

The National Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Ukadike Chinedu, criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, International Oil Companies operating in Nigeria, and NMDPRA for allegedly frustrating indigenous refiners. He said the IOCs and NNPC were not supplying enough crude to the Dangote refinery and modular refineries, adding that the claims against indigenous refiners by NMDPRA were unnecessary.

“Those claims were unnecessary. We all know that these indigenous refiners are truly going through a lot, particularly with respect to accessing crude oil needed to produce refined products. So, they have a right to complain about this, knowing that Nigeria is a crude oil producer that exports this commodity to other refineries in foreign nations. You export the product, while your refineries are being starved. That’s not a good thing,” Ukadike stated.

FG working against local refineries, operators cry out

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UniAbuja Student Sadiya Usman Found Safe After Two Days Missing

Published

21 minutes ago

February 20, 2026

Trends Admin

UniAbuja Student Sadiya Usman Found Safe After Two Days Missing

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has confirmed that 100-level student Sadiya Usman has been found safe after being reported missing earlier this week. The university expressed relief and gratitude to the public and security agencies for their assistance in locating the student.

Sadiya Usman, who is enrolled in the Department of Accounting, was last seen leaving her residence at Kontagora Estate, Gwagwalada, Abuja, on Tuesday, 18 February 2026, at around 8:00 a.m. She was on her way to the university’s Main Campus to sit for her Computer-Based Test (GST 111) but did not arrive for the exam.

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After her disappearance, her guardian reported her missing when all attempts to reach her by phone were unsuccessful. The university promptly activated internal safety protocols and collaborated with security agencies, campus authorities, and the public to ensure her safe recovery.

The student was eventually located late on Thursday, 20 February 2026, around 11:49 p.m., and is reported to be safe, unhurt, and in stable condition. Authorities confirmed that coordinated efforts between the university, law enforcement, and concerned members of the public were instrumental in her recovery.

The university reaffirmed its commitment to student safety and welfare, promising continuous updates as necessary. It also thanked those who responded to the public appeal for information and urged students and parents to remain vigilant about safety.

This incident highlights the importance of campus security measures, timely reporting of missing persons, and the role of community involvement in safeguarding students.

UniAbuja Student Sadiya Usman Found Safe After Two Days Missing

News

Police to Arrest TikToker Mirabel After She Recants False Rape Claim

Published

9 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Trends Admin

Police to Arrest TikToker Mirabel After She Recants False Rape Claim

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed plans to arrest and prosecute TikTok user Mirabel after she admitted that her viral rape allegation was false, authorities and investigative reports indicate.

Mirabel, a social media influencer, first sparked national attention after posting videos alleging she had been sexually assaulted in her home in Ogijo, Ogun State. The posts quickly went viral, drawing widespread outrage, calls for justice, and prompting the police to launch an immediate investigation.

An audio recording of a phone conversation, shared online by social media personality VeryDarkMan (VDM), reportedly captures Mirabel acknowledging that parts of her story were fabricated. In the recording, she apologises and admits creating a threatening TikTok account to support her narrative, claiming she had been taking drugs at the time and “was not thinking clearly” when posting the videos.

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A police source said senior officers, including the Divisional Police Officer, were at the hospital where Mirabel was receiving medical care. Once she is discharged, she will be taken into custody and formally charged under provisions of Nigeria’s Criminal Code relating to false reporting of sexual offenses. “The essence is to serve as a deterrent to others,” the source added.

The Ogun State Police had earlier ensured that Mirabel received medical treatment and support, following procedures to protect her health while the investigation continued. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) confirmed that the incident fell outside its jurisdiction and forwarded all relevant information to the Ogun authorities.

This development has sparked public debate about the responsible use of social media, the impact of false allegations, and the importance of evidence-based reporting. Legal experts warn that fabricating sexual assault claims can carry serious criminal penalties and may undermine the credibility of genuine victims.

Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid spreading unverified claims and to cooperate with law enforcement in ongoing investigations. Updates on the case will be issued by the Ogun State Police Command as formal legal proceedings begin.

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Tinubu Reduces Reliance on U.S, Strengthens Defence Partnerships With Turkey, EU

Published

9 hours ago

February 20, 2026

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Tinubu Reduces Reliance on U.S, Strengthens Defence Partnerships With Turkey, EU

President Bola Tinubu has commenced a strategic expansion of Nigeria’s defence diplomacy, engaging the European Union (EU) and Turkey to strengthen the nation’s security architecture while reducing overreliance on the United States. The initiative comes as Nigeria faces multiple security threats, including Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east, farmer-herder clashes in the north-central region, separatist violence in the south-east, and escalating banditry in the north-west.

The move coincided with a visit to Brussels by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who led discussions at the first EU-Nigeria Peace, Security, and Defence Dialogue. Both sides agreed to deepen collaboration on regional stability, counter-terrorism, and violent extremism, while enhancing intelligence sharing, maritime security, and cybersecurity cooperation. An EU diplomat in Abuja emphasized that the bloc would provide non-lethal military support, while respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty, describing the EU as “more consistent, more reliable, and more coherent than the United States” in delivering security assistance.

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During his state visit to Turkey in January 2026, President Tinubu also held defence discussions with Turkish officials. Turkish companies pledged to supply military equipment, advanced systems, and tactical hardware, while exploring joint local production arrangements with Nigeria. Türkiye is currently regarded as a global leader in armed drones, which could bolster Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations and reconnaissance capabilities.

Despite these new partnerships, Nigeria continues security cooperation with the United States, including deployments by United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) to support training, intelligence sharing, and operational planning. Recent U.S. personnel arrivals in Bauchi State aim to enhance counter-terrorism capacity without taking direct combat roles, operating under Nigerian command structures.

Analysts say Nigeria’s diversified defence diplomacy seeks to reduce dependency on a single partner, while providing access to a wider range of technology transfer, training opportunities, procurement options, and operational expertise. The strategy also reflects a broader trend of African nations balancing traditional defence alliances with emerging strategic partners to better address evolving security threats.

With regional instability and domestic insurgency on the rise, Nigeria’s engagement with Turkey, the EU, and other partners is expected to strengthen the Nigerian Armed Forces, enhance counter-terrorism operations, and secure national and regional stability.