Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as fuel or petrol, is currently sold at N1000 per litre in some parts of the country.

Naija News understands that the black market is taking advantage of the recent strike actions by tanker drivers, resulting in a significant increase in the price of petrol.

Journalists inspecting the development observed on Wednesday morning that many filling stations owned by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria in Lagos State, Ogun State, and surrounding areas were closed.

Also, long queues were observed at stations owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria.

While the black market is selling petrol at N1000 per litre, MEMAN stations such as Eterna, NorthWest, TotalEnergies, Mobil, Capital Oil, Enyo, Conoil, ForteOil, MRS, and others are offering varying prices ranging from N599 to N615 per litre, according to Channels Television.

As a result, more vehicles are flocking to MEMAN stations as consumers search for the stations with the most affordable prices.

Currently, most IPMAN stations are closed due to low product supply. The few stations that have products available are selling petrol for no less than N650 per litre.

Speaking on the development, Chairman Satellite Depot, IPMAN Lagos State, told journalists on Wednesday morning that NNPCL no longer supplies its members with products.

“NNPCL no longer give us products despite the fact that the pipeline in our area has been repaired. We don’t know why they stopped using the pipeline to supply us with products.

“Maybe they fear vandalism. We now rely on private depots who sell to us at an ex-depot price of between N620/N622 per litre. By the time we take the products to our stations, the landing cost will be around N630 or more, depending on the distance from the depot to our stations.

“Some people are selling around N650. It would have been cheaper if we bought directly from NNPCL at around N555 per litre,” he said.

Naija News reports that following strike actions, due to operational challenges faced by members of the National Association of Road Transport Owners and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, the drivers decided to end the strike on Tuesday.

This decision came after a meeting with the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, oil marketers, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

NARTO National President, Othman Yusuf, instructed members to promptly resume petroleum loading activities following a meeting in Abuja.

Minister of budget and economic planning, Atiku Bagudu, has urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and keep faith with the government claiming that President Bola Tinubu’s policies aimed at transforming the nation are already bearing fruits and delivering results.

Bagudu, a former governor of Kebbi State, spoke at a national policy summit themed “Activating the Policies and Promises in the Renewed Hope Agenda” organised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (P-BAT) Academics and Professionals in Abuja.

He said that Nigerians have a reason to be optimistic because they have found a leader in Tinubu who had succeeded before in a leadership capacity by transforming Lagos from what it used to be through inclusive leadership.

“Today, there is a cry for inclusion across the country and we have a leader who believes in inclusion and has practised it in Lagos by creating a state that worked for all, carrying everyone along and allowing them to excel,” he said.

The convener and national coordinator of P-BAT Academics and Professionals, Prof Yemi Oke, informed that P-BAT Academics and Professionals is a group of academics, intellectuals and intellectually minded professionals, whose aim is to volunteer its time, efforts and resources to support President Bola Tinubu.

Oke noted that the group’s views and suggestions have been implemented by some agencies and ministries of government.

He said, “Ahead of this Summit, we organized ‘Pre-Conferences’ and ‘Mini-Summits’ along the 8-point agenda of the Tinubu administration. Those Pre-Conferences and Mini-Summits gave us the opportunity to push out some of our views as ‘Policy Advisors’.

“We are happy to report that a lot of our views and suggestions in those ‘Policy Advisories’ are being implemented by some of the agencies and ministries of government,” he said.

In the same vein, spokesperson of the group, Mrs Mary Ikoku, said: “Nigeria is not absolved from what is happening globally.”

While calling for calm amid hardships caused by the ongoing economic reforms, she said “in the UK you see people who can’t even warm up their homes, they can’t warm themselves from the cold, and that is a country where you could say they don’t have a lot of poor people. They don’t have the multidimensional poverty that you can say Nigeria is trying to work its way out of.”

“Other countries are struggling. We need to give this government time. With the support that people like these academics and professionals are doing, more people should actually do what this group is doing to support the country,” she added.

A retired police commissioner and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Chief Osato Iredia, has said by his action, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) is setting the stage for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to produce Godwin Obaseki’s successor.

He alleged that the lawmaker, who served as governor of the state for eight years, is working behind the scene to make PDP favoured aspirant Asuen Ighodalo to win the governorship election in the September 2024.

He told newsmen in Abuja yesterday that there was a bond among Oshiomhole, Obaseki and Ighodalo to govern the state one after the other.

In a statement he issued after the press conference, which was released to LEADERSHIP, the APC leader in Oredo local government area, said he was not surprised about the development.

He said Oshiomhole was imposing an unpopular candidate in the person of Dennis Idahosa from Edo South, on the party at this time, when it was not justifiable.

He added that Oshiomhole’s idea was to present a weaker APC governorship candidate against PDP’s Asuen Ighodalo so that the later could win the election easily.

“If Governor Obaseki had not left the APC, Asuen who is the governorship aspirant of PDP would have been the candidate of APC. Remember how Obaseki left APC? He left with their Lagos friends to PDP.”

Iredia called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of APC to disregard the Governor Hope Uzodinma result that declared Hon Idahosa as the governorship candidate of APC if the party was serious about winning the September election.

Iredia said, “Oshiomhole from Edo north, Obaseki from Edo South and Ighodalo from Edo Central want to complete the circle in 2024 as they planned it many years ago.

“The people of Edo State across the three senatorial districts are in consonance with zoning except for Oshiomhole who kept encouraging aspirants from across the state to join the race.”

“The only way the party can win the governorship election in September is to adhere to the APC primaries that produced Senator Monday Okpebholo from Edo Central,” he said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has added a new twist to the controversial primaries for the Edo State Governorship election scheduled for September 21 saying it is yet to be concluded.

The party therefore fixed Thursday, February 22, 2024 for the completion of the process.

The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, stated these while reading the decision of its National Working Committee (NWC) in a meeting held on Tuesday night.

He said, “At its emergency meeting held today, Tuesday, February 20, 2024, to consider the report on the Edo State Governorship Primary Election, the National Working Committee (NWC) deliberated on the report and resolved that the Edo State Governorship Primary Election has not been completed, and has now fixed Thursday February 22, 2024 for the completion of the Primary Election Process.”

The poll, which was conducted on February 17 had produced three winners.

The Chairman of Electoral Committee of the primary, Governor Hope Uzodimma, had announced Dennis Idahosa as winner, while returning officer, Stanley Ugboaja, declared Monday Okpebholo as winner.

Elsewhere, Ojo Babatunde, who claimed to be representing the returning officers in all the local governments declared Anamero Dekeri as the winner of the election.

Following the confusion that ensued, both Dekeri and Okpebholo had written the appeal committee of the party to demand their certificates of return.

Another aspirant, Prof Oserheimen Osunbor, insisted on Tuesday that no election held in the state contrary to results that were announced.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Morka disclosed that the election has not been completed, adding that the process will continue on Thursday.

He said, “I am here to give you the outcome of the emergency meeting of the National Working Committee of our party held today regarding Edo State governorship primary election.

“At its emergency meeting held today, Tuesday, February 20, 2024 to consider the report on the Edo governorship primary election, the National Working Committee of our party deliberated and resolved that the governorship primary election has not been completed and has now fixed Thursday, February 22 for the completion of the APC Edo State” primary election process.”

Meanwhile, the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, had earlier congratulated Idahosa on this emergence as the party’s candidate.

It was nor clear as of press time what led to the decision of the party’s NWC led by Ganduje.

President Bola Tinubu has directed immediate settlement of outstanding electricity bill due to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that Tinubu’s directive followed the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and AEDC.

According to the statement, “Contrary to the AEDC’s initial claim of N923million debt in paid advertorial in newspapers, the State House outstanding bill is N342, 352, 217.46, according to a letter by the management of AEDC to the State House Permanent Secretary dated February 14, 2024.

“Having reconciled the position to the satisfaction of both parties, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has given assurance that the debt will be paid to AEDC before the end of this week.

“Following the example of the Presidency, Chief of Staff also urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with AEDC and pay their electricity bills.”

President Bola Tinubu’s government is targeting $10 billion in revenue generation to increase foreign exchange liquidity and stabilize the naira, Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed on Tuesday.

Addressing the inaugural Public Wealth Management Conference in Abuja, Shettima outlined the administration’s plans to optimize management of federal assets and investments towards unlocking their revenue potential.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) with the theme, “Championing Nigeria’s Economic Prosperity”.

According to the president, his administration will generate millions of jobs by leveraging Nigeria’s extensive public assets to maximize and double the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

What the President is Saying

Reading the President’s Keynote address, VP Shettima stated:

“The Federal Government set a goal to raise at least $10 Billion in order to increase foreign exchange liquidity, a key ingredient to stabilise the Naira and grow the economy.
“At the core of this is ensuring optimal management of the assets and investments of the Federal Government towards unlocking their revenue potential. This includes our bold and achievable plan to double the GDP growth rate and significantly increase the GDP base over the next 8 years.”

However, Tinubu pointed out that years of mismanagement and underutilization have affected Nigeria’s assets, both within and beyond its borders, resulting in revenue losses that have impeded economic growth.

Meanwhile, he assured that the newly restructured Ministry of Finance Incorporated, which is to act as custodian and active manager of these assets, will now take the center stage.

The President further emphasised transparency and accountability as key principles, believing that improved corporate governance, innovative partnerships, and attracting alternative investment capital will significantly increase returns.

What you should know

President Tinubu’s government’s move to merge the forex windows in mid-2023 triggered a significant drop in the Naira’s value, with its exchange rate against the Dollar escalating from roughly N700/$1 to an unprecedented level of over N1,500/$1.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, has partly attributed the significant foreign exchange challenges facing Nigeria to the absence of inflow of foreign exchange into the country due to lack of confidence from investors.

To address these challenges, the CBN revised the operations of International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs), restricting them to inbound transfers only and mandating that international transfers be paid out in Naira.

This policy impacts major IMTOs, including Western Union and MoneyGram, and is part of broader efforts to stabilize the foreign exchange market.

  In a presentation to the Senate two weeks ago, Cardoso revealed that around $1 billion has been invested in the FX market over the past couple of weeks, adding that CBN’s recent policies have contributed to this positive trajectory.

Arising from a stakeholder meeting on February 20, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) confirmed that it has resumed operations after down tooling for two days.

Its national president, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, broke the news in Abuja after a meeting with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA); representatives of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and others.

The NARTO boss also confirmed that the marketers have increased the freight rate of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N32.

He said since the marketers were still calculating the actual figure, he could not state a particular amount of the new freight rate.

He noted that the association would direct its members to start lifting petrol immediately.

During a Senate session on Tuesday, President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio stated that many of the recent protests over Nigeria’s economic hardship have been sponsored campaigns.

“You can see a lot of sponsored protests here and there. Most of those sponsored protests are not aware of the kind of efforts being made by this Senate to tackle the situation,” Akpabio declared.

“There is no father that wants to see his child sleep in the night without food, with their stomach grumbling. So we must provide.”

The Senate President did not provide evidence to back up his claim that the protests have sponsors behind them.

The comments come amid widespread demonstrations and civil actions across Nigeria over surging costs of living, unemployment, and hunger.

Nigeria has a new crop of digital television stations, in their hundreds and possibly thousands, that are giving terrestrial, cable/pay, and free-to-air TV operators a run for their money. These unlicensed, unregulated, and mostly untrained TV stations comprise the numerous digital content pages that litter the country’s social media space. From regular everyday happenings to the seldom seen and unheard of, these digital stations offer an array of creative content, featuring comical and sidesplitting moments, junk journalism, societal trends, loyalty tests, blind dates, pranks, and all sorts of citizens’ reportage and social experiments that reflect the appetite of its audience, and exposes the underbelly of a weakening social fabric. This piece discusses the proliferation of digital content creators in Nigeria, from the perspective of seven distinct categories. It also highlights key creative clusters and interesting sectoral nuances based on observation.

In January 2021, Africa Polling Institute (API), an Abuja-based opinion research think-tank, released its first study on Nigeria’s digital content space, titled:  Skit Economy: An Assessment of Digital Content Creators in Nigeria. I served as principal investigator on the study, which sought to examine the ubiquity of digital content creators, especially amongst the protuberant youth demography. The study adopted a mixed methods approach, gathering quantitative and qualitative data to explore the potential of skit-making to create jobs, generate wealth, and stimulate the economy; while examining the challenges faced by creatives. Firstly, we highlighted the huge appetite for digital content in Nigeria, as two-thirds of citizens affirmed that they watched comedy skits, as a way to relax and de-stress. Secondly, social media platforms like Facebook (58%), Instagram (34%), and YouTube (18%) are the channels through which people watch digital content. Thirdly, content creators have evolved from producing content for merely fun and comedy, to disseminating information, marketing commercial brands, and advocating social change. Fourthly, Broda Shaggi (35%), Mark Angel (26%), Mr. Macaroni (15%), Taaooma (12%), and Lasisi Elenu (11%) were ranked the top five skit-makers in Nigeria.

Following the release of the publication and the traction generated, API constituted a Digital Content Observatory that has continued to monitor trends within the new media space in Nigeria, and this piece draws extensively from our observations. We have observed, for example, that the sub-sector has become highly proliferated, growing exponentially over the last two years, with hordes of new entrants now making a living, and addressing themselves, as Content Creators. In addition, many digital content creators, especially on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, now focus on specific niches of creative content, as opposed to being jacks of all trades. Consequently, within these niches, consumers are exposed to the good, bad, and ugly; from the funny, informative, and inspiring, to the ridiculous, uncouth, offensive, and outrightly unbelievable. The Observatory has identified at least seven distinct categories of digital content pages on Facebook alone, discussed below, consistently dishing out creative content, keeping viewers hooked, and fiercely competing for screen time with other television outlets.

Comedy Skits – Traditional comedy skits from the likes of Broda Shaggi, Mr. Macaroni, Lasisi Elenu, Taaooma, Sydiwundi, Josh2Funny, Nasboi, TriClowns, Davidsyn Comedy, and AshMusy, constitute the first distinct category of digital content pages you’ll find on Facebook. These folks produce skits mainly for entertainment; and often for marketing and informational purposes, such as EgungunOfLagos, whose skit attempts to cost the outfits of his celebrity guests; OlaofLagos, who advertises luxury cars; and Gehgeh, who offers entrepreneurship and financial counseling in pidgin English. Interestingly, over the last couple of years, artists like Sabinus, Brain Jotter, Layi Wasabi, and GorosoEkiti have honed their arts to gain significant influence within the social space.

Movies – The second category comprises social media pages that regularly post content from Nigeria’s movie industry, Nollywood. Often, these Facebook pages upload short captivating clips from recent Nollywood movies, while directing the public to their YouTube pages to watch the full movie. They include Confirm Nollywood, Nollylove Movies, NollyMateTv, NollyVision, and Mirian Movies on Facebook. This is not forgetting the likes of RuthKadiriTv, OmoniOboliTv, DestinyEtikoTv, AdaKirikiriTv, and UchennaMbunaboTv among others consistently dishing out great Nollywood movies on YouTube. I will leave these for a future piece.

Pranks – The third category are tricks and mischievous acts targeted at the unsuspecting public. While some people may find them funny, others find them quite offensive, as they often constitute public nuisance. Imagine raising false alarms to scare people, disguising as a madman to irritate passersby, eating a stranger’s food without invitation, or fooling around with the ubiquitous cucumber-in-pant ruse termed Gbola prank. The main culprits in this category are Machigoldpranks, Untouchable Comedies, Flowerboy Comedy, Teaserprank, Bob2funny Comedies, DerexxTv, McNoni, Iamtrinityguy, TwinsOfAfrica, and CheffingKing, whose latest escapade has been the phony and raunchy character, Dr. Akajiukwu, who specializes in ladies' massage. Creatives in this category are merchants of [vawulence] as they call it, and their slogan is “I don’t want peace, I want problems always”.

Blind Dates and Loyalty Tests – These are pages that help singles find love and match-make those in search of relationships. The frontliners are Playmate Comedy, Blind Date TV, NonsMiraj, Splendor’s Diary, NaijaNicki, and Freshwin_Officiall. A subset of this category specializes in matching older ladies/sugar mummies with younger sugar boys, as seen on Sweet.Curlins, Qualityc Comedian, and Chidera Comedy. Interestingly, while some persons have been lucky to find their soul mates on these platforms, others have ended up in rather unpleasant gbas-gbos. Yet, there are persons already in relationships who seek to test the loyalty of their partners, thus reaching out to content creators like - The Honour, Officialjulezz, The Help House TV, and Keezynasion.

Conflict Resolution – Yet again, some digital content pages have become experts in conflict resolution, especially as it pertains to relationship issues, family disagreements, and dealing with life’s challenges. These content creators are filling a major gap in alternative dispute resolution, as you would often find cases that should ordinarily be reported to the police or taken to the courts being treated and settled amicably. The leading lights in this category are MC Reality, Deacon_Famous, Chiamaka Ugoo Tv, Maryjanetv, Ada Uli, Sonia Official, IpallyTalker, JattoTV, PavicTv, AnnyCourage, OG Baba1, Theo Ayoms, and Spartacuz Nation.

Confessions – If you think you’ve heard unbelievable stories, you may need to check out this category of digital content. They present shocking, unbelievable, and even dreadful happenings; similar to confessions one would find on Nkan Mbe, the now-rested 1990s Yoruba show that presented strange occurrences back in the day. On these Facebook pages, you’ll hear about confessions and exposés that would make your ears tingle, from persons in distress as a result of the repercussions of past deeds, who consider these content pages appropriate for public confession. The heavyweights are UncleNasco, Skitlord Comedy, Rosy TV, Nobodybunu, De RealOma, Alamnaco, and Comedian Gwagon.

Philanthropy – The seventh distinct category of digital content are pages that engage in charity and philanthropic activities. The impact of these content creators on the lives of their beneficiaries can be instantly seen and felt. Although most content creators often do “giveaways” as a way to reward loyal fans and drive followership, pages under this category exist purely for charitable causes. OsitaPopcorn is a leading philanthropist in this space. He has recently incorporated the OsitaPopcorn Foundation and acquired a bus to enhance his charity operations. Other pages under this category include: Oga Amos and A. A. Clown, who continue to put smiles to the faces of ordinary Nigerians through their extraordinary acts of kindness.

In conclusion, we’ve observed that most content creators have unique straplines that differentiate them from others. For instance, MC Reality would say, “What’s up everybody, my name is MC Reality, the sugar daddy of Lagos. Normally I don’t do this, and all of una know say this kind thing, I no dey do am”. Naija Nicki would say “What’s up my people, it's your girl Naija Nicki, you like what you see? If I give you, you no go like chop am? Ah yin ah, Anya”. Besides, content creators operate in clusters, where newbies have the opportunity to be mentored by more experienced creators. As expected, Lagos has the largest cluster of content creators, where the likes of Lasisi Elenu, MC Reality, and Untouchable Comedies operate. Portharcourt cluster has the likes of Sabinus, Romeo_wj, Wonderdtalk_ (Ndubaby), Mr_Lyfe, Freshalbino_1, and Twizzy; and Bayelsa cluster has Rosy TV, Alamnaco, Tumomo aka Nobodybunu, IpallyTalker’s Gabriel the Voice Note Guy, Steven Blinkz, and Edwin Neyo. Others include the Abuja, Enugu, Benin, Asaba, and Calabar clusters. Without a doubt, the proliferation of these digital TV stations has come to stay, given the extremely low barriers to entry. Nigeria’s Facebook population alone has been projected to hit 51.8 million in 2024. We live in an era where content is king. Thus, as long as these digital content stations continue to dish out great content, they will continue to keep regular TV stations on their toes.

Bell Ihua mni, is a Visiting Professor of Practice at Coal City University, Enugu, and Executive Director at Africa Polling Institute. He can be reached on X @Bellemskey or via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced plans to distribute seized food items to Nigerians to curb the worsening hardship being witnessed in the country.

Recall that many Nigerians had taken to the streets in some parts of the country to protest the current hardship and the high cost of food items.

Responding to the critical challenges of food security and the soaring costs of essential food items in Nigeria, Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in a statement issued by the service National Public Relations, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, expressed readiness to dispose of food items forfeited to the Federal Government.

The Comptroller General said the distribution will be done after all the food items have been certified fit for human consumption.

According to him, the commitment is deeply rooted in the Service core mandate of serving Nigeria’s best interests and fostering economic stability.

He said the urgent imperative fuels the need for a proactive stance to safeguard food availability within Nigeria and alleviate the detrimental effects of scarcity on citizens.

He added, “Furthermore, to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians and improve access to essential food items, the Nigeria Customs Service will facilitate the direct disposal of food items forfeited to the Federal Government. These items will be certified fit for consumption by relevant agencies and made available to ordinary Nigerians nationwide through equitable distribution in our Areas of Operations.

“The modalities for the disposal will be communicated through NCS formations nationwide, with a firm commitment to transparency, fairness, and public safety. It is our pledge that this exercise will be managed diligently to ensure that the benefits reach those most in need.

“The NCS remains resolute in its dedication to safeguarding the nation’s food security and advancing the economic well-being of all Nigerians. With the unwavering support and cooperation of the public, we will surmount these challenges and pave the way for a more prosperous future for our beloved nation.”