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‘GenCos sell cheap power to neighbouring countries’

‘GenCos sell cheap power to neighbouring countries’
Some electricity Generating Companies (GenCos) sell electricity to neighbouring countries at a lower cost than the Distribution Companies (DisCos) in Nigeria, a document obtained at the weekend by The Nation has shown.
Although the document did not show the price differentials, it said the errant GenCos were carrying “unregulated sales or secret deals” to earn foreign exchange at all cost” and in defiance of an existing Federal Government directive.
The GenCos are also said to be sidelining the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), a government agency in charge of the novation of international agreements. There are 24 registered GenCos in the country.
The Federal Government has been losing revenue from the sales of electricity to the neighbouring, it was learnt.
According to the document, in Q2 and Q4 of 2022, about $16.92 million in invoices were exchanged between GenCos and international customers in Niger, Benin Republics and Togo.
Investigation showed the breaches by the few GenCos include the violation of the transfer Order made pursuant to Section 10 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP).
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Worried by non-adherence to International Power Sale Agreement (IPSA), the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari waded in to guide the GenCos.
In a memo dated July 12, 2019, the Presidency directed NBET to oversee IPSA.
An industry source, who spoke on the development, called on President Bola Tinubu to take ”a serious look at the breaches being committed by the GenCos on international power sales“
The source, who declined to be named, said: ”What has been happening is the sidelining of NBET. Electricity is now being sold to neighbouring countries in an unregulated way.
“Buhari had directed that all international sales and purchase agreements must be negotiated directly with NBET unless otherwise approved by him ( ex-President).
“The directive became necessary in order to align with the configuration of the Nigerian electricity industry after privatisation. But this is not the case.
“The sales of electricity to foreign countries were backed up by international cooperation agreements between Nigeria on the one hand and the Republic of Benin and Togo for CEB (Communaute Electrique Du Benin) and Niger Republic for NIGELEC (Societe Nigerine D’electricite)
“As a matter of fact, wheeling of electricity to these countries was being channelled through the network of the Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) as there is no dedicated network between the private generating companies and the foreign countries.
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“Prior to these directives and upon the commencement of the Transitional Electricity Market in February 2015, the TCN that received the proceeds of the sale of electricity to international customers began crediting the international customers’ receipts to the account of NBET for payment to GenCos while NBET in turn shares among all the GenCos in a transparent process and in accordance with the approved waterfall.
“The former President’s directive reinforced the earlier directive from the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to the TCN vide a letter referenced FMP/OPS/360/I dated September 7, 2016, but, despite these, Nigerians were made to purchase expensive energy by selling the cheapest ones to the foreign countries.”
Another source privy to the “secret deals” said: “The quarterly reports released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission for 2022 reveal how a few generating companies under the disguise of selling electricity to the international customers are milking Forex at the expense of other GenCos.
“The sales by the few GenCos are without any transparent procurement process known to any Nigerian Law.
“In 2022, Q 2 alone, the errant GenCos reaped in $7.98 million while $8.94 million invoice was exchanged between them for Q 4 of 2022.
“Part of the energy being sold to the international customers by Nigeria came from the Hydro Electric Generating Companies which is the cheapest cost of energy in Nigeria when compared with the thermal generating plants. The cost of energy from the latter is about six times the cost of the former.
“Prior to when the few GenCos cornered the forex from the international customers, inflows from such transactions were always shared among the entire GenCos in the portfolio of NBET to ameliorate the challenges faced by them in sourcing for foreign exchange.”
‘GenCos sell cheap power to neighbouring countries’
The Nation
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Troops destroy terrorists hideout in Taraba, kill 3 bandits

Troops destroy terrorists hideout in Taraba, kill 3 bandits
Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have neutralised three bandits, destroyed several camps, and recovered arms and ammunition in a daring clearance operation in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The operation which took place yon April 5, 2025 is in continuation of the ongoing military operations codenamed Operation Lafiya Jamaa aimed at flushing out criminal elements from Taraba State.
This is contained in a press statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, Captain Olubodunde Oni.
According to the statement, the operation, which targeted suspected bandits’ hideouts, saw troops advancing to Achalle where they thoroughly cleared the general area before projecting further force into Chibi.
“On arrival at Chibi, the troops made contact with the bandits, who began fleeing upon sighting the advancing forces,” the statement read.
“In the engagement that ensued, three bandits were neutralized, and several makeshift camps used by the criminals were destroyed. Troops also recovered 2 motorcycles, 1 AK-47 magazine, and 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition from the scene.”
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The troops also conducted a thorough combing of the Dutsen Zaki and Achalle axis where over seventy criminal camps have been dismantled in recent weeks.
Oni stated that no human activity was observed during this latest sweep, indicating the sustained success of previous operations.
While commending the troops for their resilience and tactical success, the Commander 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, reassured the people of Taraba State that there would be no haven for terrorists and criminal elements in the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and law-abiding while continuing their lawful daily activities without fear or intimidation.
General Uwa further encouraged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that such collaboration remains vital to supporting ongoing operations and enhancing the safety and security of communities.
Troops destroy terrorists hideout in Taraba, kill 3 bandits
metro
Ban smartphones, social media in varsities, don advises authorities

Ban smartphones, social media in varsities, don advises authorities
Dr Saeed Olorunnisola, the interim Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin, Kwara State, has urged the federal and state governments to prohibit the use of smartphones in secondary and tertiary schools.
Olorunnisola stated that the prohibition will help students concentrate in class.
During the Mission for the Eradication of Examination Malpractice’s second national symposium in Osogbo, Osun State, on Saturday, Olorunnisola expressed concern about the impact of examination malpractices on education and national development, citing social media as a major impediment to students’ concentration even in secondary schools.
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“Social media is causing distraction in secondary schools. Tertiary institutions are the worst. Students don’t care any longer. Some of them are taking photo shot of notes and they will not read them. They are usually on social media.
“What we have right now is a misuse of technology and it must be taken away. We have a university that has banned their undergraduate from using mobile phones,” he said.
Speaking on the need for government to act and assist young learners to concentrate in class, the don said ban on the use of smartphones by a particular university that he did not disclose eventually assisted its students to concentrate more in class.
In his remarks, Prof Buniyameen Abdulkareem, Chairman of the MEEM Board of Trustees, stated that the group, a non-governmental organisation founded by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria B-Zone, organised the symposium for policymakers, students, and teachers after realising the need to stem the tide of rising examination malpractices in the country.
Ban smartphones, social media in varsities, don advises authorities
metro
Nurse leaves US, seeks new life in Nigeria, says everything not money

Nurse leaves US, seeks new life in Nigeria, says everything not money
A Nigerian nurse, Judith Okoli, has made headlines after leaving her nursing job in the United States and relocating permanently to Nigeria in pursuit of a more fulfilling and balanced life.
At a time when many Nigerians are seeking greener pastures abroad, Okoli’s decision has stunned many and sparked intense conversations about wealth, happiness, and the true meaning of a good life.
“Everyone is asking me, ‘Why did you leave America? Are you okay? You want to suffer in Nigeria?’” she said in Pidgin English in a heartfelt video shared online. “But I hope you guys know that money is not everything — at least, to some people. At least, to me.”
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According to Okoli, her decision was not a spontaneous one but born out of deep reflection and an increasing awareness that wealth doesn’t always equate to wellness or fulfillment.
“Someone can make N100 but be miserable — insulted at work, restless, disconnected from life. Then another person makes just N50, but they are happy, they spend quality time with their family, they sleep well, they enjoy peace of mind. For me, it’s about quality of life.”
She lamented how the pursuit of economic gain in the West often strips people of the things that matter most — community, connection, and contentment.
“Look at what the Western world is doing to us,” she said. “Families are scattered. One child is in Germany, another in Canada, another in Dubai. Six siblings haven’t seen each other in three years — all in the name of seeking a better life, but forgetting about the quality of life.”
Nurse leaves US, seeks new life in Nigeria, says everything not money
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