The United States Embassy has urged visa applicants with interviews scheduled after January 1, 2025, to make at least two visits to the Consulate General in Lagos as part of their immigration visa process.

The US Embassy announced this directive in a post on its X (formerly Twitter) page on Tuesday.

It reads: “For applicants with interviews scheduled after January 1, 2025, you are required to visit the Consulate General in Lagos at least twice during the immigrant visa process.

“This new process is designed to help you prepare for your visa interview and to prevent significant delays in processing your immigrant visa.”

According to information on the embassy’s website, the first visit will include an “In-Person Document Review” with a consular officer.

“This review ensures that applicants are prepared for their visa interviews. The review allows applicants to retrieve any missing documents ahead of their visa interviews, helping to avoid delays in application processing,” the embassy explained.

“The second interview, on the other hand, is with a Consular Officer. The date for this interview will be scheduled for applicants by the National Visa Center (NVC).

“If you do not complete the In-Person Document Review before your visa interview, you will be required to reschedule your appointment.”

The embassy stated that these changes are intended to improve efficiency and minimize delays caused by incomplete documentation.

[Vanguard]

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has denied reports suggesting it is opposing President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills, describing the claims as “grossly misleading, false and malicious.”

RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Bello Shehu said that the commission is fully engaged in the reform process and is aligned with President Tinubu’s vision for an equitable and sustainable fiscal framework.

He also noted the importance of the proposed tax reform bills in addressing Nigeria’s fiscal challenges.

“We applaud President Tinubu’s strong commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s revenue base through bold initiatives. The proposed tax reform bills are a significant step towards integrating untapped revenue sources, enhancing Nigeria’s revenue-to-GDP ratio, and positioning the country favourably among nations with high fiscal performance,” Shehu said during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

Shehu also spoke on concerns surrounding Value Added Tax (VAT) allocation and derivation and assured Nigerians of the Commission’s proactive involvement in ensuring that global best practices guide the reform process.

“As a responsible and patriotic institution, we have submitted a comprehensive memorandum that emphasises adherence to global best practices. This position aligns seamlessly with Mr. President’s vision,” he added.

Shehu condemned the spread of misinformation, emphasizing that the RMAFC has never opposed the bills but has instead provided professional advice to support their refinement.
He called on Nigerians to disregard baseless reports and urged the media to uphold ethical standards in their reportage.

“It is disheartening to note that, despite our explicit support for the proposed legislation, some individuals have chosen to peddle falsehoods for reasons best known to them,” he said.

“These inaccurate statements can undermine the ongoing efforts of patriotic Nigerians tirelessly working to support the President’s vision for the country.”

The Chairman further explained that the proposed tax reform bills are currently undergoing consultations, with inputs being sought from expert bodies.

He cautioned against misinterpretation or misrepresentation of professional advice during this process.

“The Commission is a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s fiscal framework, and we take our responsibility to provide expert advice seriously. We have been working closely with the National Assembly to ensure the proposed legislation is robust, effective, and aligned with global best practices,” he said.

He noted that the proposed bills aim to promote fiscal equity, reduce tax evasion, and increase revenue generation—objectives that align with the RMAFC’s mandate.

However, he acknowledged concerns about potential impacts on businesses and individuals, assuring stakeholders that the Commission remains committed to addressing these through constructive engagement.

Shehu stressed the importance of relying on factual information to avoid unnecessary controversies and called on all Nigerians to support the president’s bold fiscal reforms.

“At this critical juncture, the President needs the support of all Nigerians. Let us work together to support his vision for a more prosperous Nigeria,” he noted.

[Guardian]

The House of Representatives has expressed concern over the ongoing cash crunch in commercial banks across the country, calling on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to address the situation, which has disrupted economic activities and imposed significant hardship on citizens.

The call by the House is coming on the heels of the directive by Vice President Kashim Shettima to the CBN and commercial banks in the country to swiftly resolve issues of cash scarcity and arbitrary charges by point-of-sale (POS) operators.

The CBN last week issued a directive mandating Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to prioritise efficient cash disbursement to customers both over the counter and through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

The directive, which took effect on December 1, 2024, forms part of the apex bank’s continued efforts to enhance currency circulation and address cash shortages across the nation.

In a motion brought under Matters of Urgent Public Importance by Hon. Uguru Emmanuel, the House highlighted the economic and social implications of the cash scarcity, which has left many Nigerians unable to access funds even for basic needs.

Hon. Emmanuel noted that while economic growth relies heavily on consumer spending and business investment, the persistent cash shortage has become a major impediment to these activities.

The lawmaker recalled that the CBN, in its policy directive of December 21, 2022, set cash withdrawal limits of N500,000 for individuals and N5 million for corporate entities.

However, he observed that commercial banks have largely disregarded this policy, often limiting cash withdrawals to as little as N10,000 or nothing at all.

He further raised alarm over the apparent disconnect between commercial banks and Point of Sale (POS) operators, who seem to have unlimited access to cash, often selling it at exorbitant rates.

The lawmaker warned that unless the CBN takes immediate action, the situation could worsen, especially with the approach of the festive season, leaving businesses frustrated and citizens plunged into deeper economic hardship.

In its resolution, the House mandated the Committee on Banking Regulations to investigate the cash crunch in commercial banks and report back within one week.

The House directed the CBN to urgently address the cash scarcity if it is not responsible for the shortage.

Our correspondents report that Nigerians are increasingly finding it difficult to get naira notes for their daily transactions.

The situation is more severe in rural communities, where access to banks and other financial transaction platforms is limited.

In towns and cities, Point of Sale (POS) operators have gone overboard by charging customers more than expected to give them naira notes.

“I paid N500 to get N10, 000 at the Jabi Park,” said Jennifer Samuel, a civil servant.

“I need cash to pay for transportation to Mararaba because the taxi drivers don’t accept transfer, but it is not fair for me to pay N500 just to get N10, 000,” she said.

Abdulmumini Ibrahim, a businessman, said he paid N800 to POS operator in order to collect N20, 000 cash.

“It is true that cashless society is the way forward for any society that wants to grow but Nigeria is not ripe for that.

“Government must invest in infrastructure in order to convince people to accept the new norm. For now, they should make more cash available,” he said.

Apex bank tightens noose on fintechs

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has fined two of the country’s most prominent unicorns, Moniepoint and OPay N1 billion each in the second quarter of 2024, sources with direct knowledge of the matter told TechCabal.

The sources also confirmed that several other fintech companies were penalised, but that the two firms were the hardest hit, following a routine CBN audit of the fintech sector, which revealed compliance issues.

Daily Trust could not independently verify the claim despite many efforts.

When contacted, OPay said no such levy has been imposed on it.

Two sources familiar with the development told TechCabal that at least four other fintech companies were similarly penalised, though the details of these fines remain unknown.

The CBN has increasingly relied on fines to enforce regulatory compliance.

In 2023, Nigerian banks paid a combined N678 million in penalties. In October 2024, the CBN and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) imposed a N1.5 billion fine on ten commercial banks, including Zenith and GTBank, for various infractions in the first half of the year.

Until recently, Nigeria’s rapidly growing fintech sector largely operated without CBN interference. However, the rapid expansion of fintechs like OPay and Moniepoint, which now serve millions of users, has invited greater scrutiny.

OPay, for instance, claims a customer base of around 40 million, while Moniepoint, which processed N5.2 billion transactions in 2023, does not disclose specific customer numbers but is similarly large.

According to the report by TechCabal, beyond licensing, the CBN has also expressed concerns about the fintechs’ compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) processes.

In April 2024, the central bank imposed a two-month ban on customer onboarding for several fintech companies, including Kuda Bank and Palmpay, citing non-compliance with KYC standards. The ban forced fintechs to overhaul their onboarding procedures and commit to improving their compliance measures.

In a statement to TechCabal, OPay said: “We categorically refute the claims that OPay Digital Services was fined by the Central Bank of Nigeria to the tune of N1 billion for regulatory infractions. These claims are entirely false.”

When Daily Trust reached out to the North-east Regional Manager of Moniepoint, Alamin Jamil, he said: “I have seen the story on some online platform and it appears false to me. I don’t have all the details but I don’t think it is true.”

He promised to get back to our reporter once he gets the true position of things.

However, a senior management source with Moniepoint who prefers anonymity confirmed the fine but was uncertain about the actual amount.

CBN’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi Ali, could not be reached for comment as of press time.

[DailyTrust]

The National Assembly has hinted at its plans to amend the 2023 Electricity Act.

It said the amended act will seek to recognise the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency as the sole regulatory agency to enforce technical standards and regulations in the power sector.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Eyinnaya Abaribe, disclosed this plan at the fourth Edition of The Stakeholders Roundtable for the Enforcement of Technical Standards, Regulations, and Mandates held on Tuesday in Abuja.

Recall that last year, President Bola Tinubu assented to the 2023 Electricity Act as a replacement for the Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act of 2005.

The act approved the de-monopolization of Nigeria’s electricity generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity at the National level and empowered states, companies, and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.

It also enabled the states to issue licenses to private investors who can operate mini-grids and power plants.

However, against the law, some states approved the establishment of technical and safety standards carrying out technical enforcement in NEMSA’s areas of specialisation.

But speaking in his goodwill address, the senator representing Abia South, said the amended law will explicitly prevent states from enforcing technical standards.

He stated that the 2023 Electricity Act (2023 EA) does not grant states the authority to enforce technical electricity standards.

Abaribe stressed the need for federal law to supersede state law in this area, warning that a clear legal framework is necessary to prevent individuals from arbitrarily setting technical standards.

He said, “The national assembly wants things to be better in the power sector and I don’t think any Nigerian would be very happy with the power sector as it is.

“It’s our pleasure to be here at this critical roundtable that is focused on optimizing executive, legislative and judicial rule in enforcing technical standards and regulations in the power sector. This roundtable has been organized by NEMSA at a time when the use of substandard and very inadequate electrical equipment is considered one of the major culprits for frequent grid collapse in Nigeria.

“But I think to answer the issues, there is nowhere in that law that gives states the right to enforce standards of our electrical equipment, supplies, and everything. There is none.

“And so we think that, and I think we discussed it with the legal community last time, that we may need to, in trying to amend the 2023 electricity act, make it far more explicit that just like the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, that for a question of safety, Nigeria must have one standard. We cannot have multiple standards and NEMSA will be in charge.”

He further said with the decentralization of electricity regulatory responsibilities ushered in by the enactment of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) (No.17) Act and the Electricity Act, 2023, the challenge of enforcing electrical standards and safety at the sub-national levels of Government may even become more daunting for NEMSA.

“And so to make sure that state government don’t mischievously go to set up their standards and then we have a conflict, we will make sure that it will be stated explicitly in the law. And as you know, it’s an idea that a federal law would often supersede a state law.

“The centralisation of the regulatory responsibilities that were ushered in through the enactment of the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria in 1999 and the Electricity Act now poses a big challenge to everyone, and especially NEMSA.

“What is the nexus between you and the standard organizations of Nigeria? But we already continue having all these types of issues, and I think that this roundtable should focus and look at how we can actively contribute our insights into how to make sure that everyone will adopt a particular standard,” he added.

Abaribe said that given the enormity of NEMSA’s mandate in enforcing electrical standards and ensuring safety in the NESI, the regulator, contractors, operators/licensees, customers and other critical stakeholders need to support NEMSA to deliver on this mandate, hence the justification for this multi-stakeholder roundtable.

The Senator also promised strict regulatory oversight to ensure the implementation of safety measures in the sector.

In his welcome remarks, the NEMSA Managing Director, Aliyu Tahir highlighted the indispensable role of the legislative and judicial arms in shaping and upholding regulatory frameworks for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

He emphasized that NEMSA’s core mandate, established under the NEMSA Act 2015 and the Electricity Act 2023, revolves around enforcing technical standards, inspecting and certifying electrical installations, and ensuring the safety of lives and property.

“Our mission is to guarantee that electrical materials, equipment, and installations meet the required quality, standards, and specifications to deliver safe and sustainable electricity across Nigeria,” Engr. Tahir stated.

Tahir stressed that robust legislative oversight, judicial interpretation, and stakeholder engagement are critical to addressing the proliferation of substandard electrical materials and ensuring compliance across the power sector.

“The safety of lives and property within grid and off-grid networks hinges on strict adherence to technical standards,” he noted.

He also called for active participation and innovative contributions from attendees to resolve legal and regulatory challenges impeding progress in the sector.

This event reaffirmed NEMSA’s commitment to maintaining the highest safety and technical integrity standards while ensuring a reliable electricity supply for all Nigerians.

“Together, we can build a safer and more resilient electricity industry,” Engr. Tahir concluded, expressing gratitude for the ongoing support of the Legislature and Judiciary.

[Punch]

In an interview with Time newsmagazine in 1975, abrasive Italian journalist, Oriana Fallaci, was accused of sometimes fabricating quotations that she attributed to her interviewees, for which she was derogatively nicknamed “Oriana Fallacious!”

In her response to the Time magazine interviewer, Oriana retorted that the accusation was vulgar, because it was untrue, saying, “It’s ridiculous. If I have the tape (recording) with the voice, how can they claim they never said what they did?”

Though Oriana Fallaci may not have been a fabricator of lies reported in the form of news, the phrase, “Oriana Fallacious”, has probably become a metaphor for journalists, mostly on online platforms, who fabricate stories, or fake news, usually to serve some purposes.

In Nigeria, some of these media houses and amateur citizen journalists, who are usually armed with cellphones, are paid to spread fake news, or outright lies, to deceive the public or publish hate speech that puts unwary victims in the line of physical or verbal attacks or discriminations.

Sometimes they spread falsehoods to mislead people. At other times, they report a true and accurate story, but in a manner that could be inimical to the subject of the story. This is common during political campaigns that mostly resemble war propaganda.

Perhaps the vilest lie told in recent times about the obviously “sexed up” story of possession of Weapons of Mass Destruction against Iraqi strongman, Saddam Hussein, by European and American superpowers under America’s President George Walker Bush, Jr., and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Weapons of Mass Destruction imply chemical and biological weapons of war that include nuclear-grade missiles with launch ranges exceeding the extent imposed by the United Nations. Some of the chemical weapons that Iraq was said to possess included mustard gas, sarin, cyclosarin and VX.

After prosecuting a devastating war against probably bewildered citizens of Iraq, American G.I.s ferreted Hussein out of an underground bunker, after which, he and his Minister of Defence, Ali Majid “Chemical Ali” al-Tikriti, were hanged in a Bagdad prison.

But later, Prime Minister Blair expressed “sorrow, regret, and apology” for the needless war and accepted “full responsibility without exception or excuse, for the consequences of the war”. But he neither confirmed nor denied that Iraq truly had WMD, beyond saying that there appeared to be mounting evidence of WMD.

In explaining the real he joined America in prosecuting the war, a partially repented Blair said “…because I thought it was right”, and, in the mode of Captain America, wanted to set the Iraqi people free from the tyranny of despot Hussein.

Such a good and generous heart. The spokesman and Director of Communications and Strategy of the Tony Blair Administration, Alistair Campbell, who denied that was a “sexing up” of intelligence reports, however, said that the issue would haunt Tony Blair till his dying day.

The phrase, Weapon of Mass Destruction, has become so notorious that America’s Lake Superior University describes it as the height of aggression, before banishing it into its list of terms of “misuse, overuse and general uselessness”.

Lately, to convince their citizens of the need to send military hardware to Ukraine, the West invented the story that Russia was about to invade the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation military alliance of North America, Western and Central European countries.

NATO conveniently omitted to add that Russia, led by Mikhail Gorbachev, only agreed to the pulling down of the Berlin War in 1989 for the unification of Germany in 1990 on the condition that NATO would not expand eastwards towards Russia.

Ukraine, the theatre of the Ukraine-Russian War now wants to join NATO, like Poland, another member of the defunct Warsaw Pact nations led by Russia. Russia strongly objects to that because of its common border with Ukraine. America’s Secretary of State James Baker, during the second term of President Ronald Reagan, had promised that NATO would expand “not one inch eastward.”

Just 11 days before America’s 2016 presidential election, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, James Comey, unnecessarily told the American electorate that the FBI was looking into newly discovered emails of Hilary Clinton, who was contesting to be America’s President.

She lost the election because the disclosure might have affected voters’ assessment of her integrity. In 2019, four years after the deed had been done, America’s State Department reported that “None of the emails at issue were marked as classified!”

Take a look at recent incidences of outright lies peddled as the truth in Nigeria, starting from the hoax on social media that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was dead. Understandably, Obasanjo, who wondered why anyone would wish him dead, had pronounced, “Those who harbour such thoughts will not escape such tragedy themselves.”

This is a reminiscence of the rumour of the death of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first (ceremonial) President of Nigeria in 1989. A committee of friends was even formed for his burial. Just as Obasanjo had done, Azikiwe cursed those who had spread the rumour, and two prominent members of his political family involved in that perfidy predeceased him.

A local stakeholder, lacking knowledge of the technicalities of the operation of a petroleum refinery, came on TV to declare a hoax, the announcement by Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited that the smaller Port Harcourt refinery was now operational. People believed him because of numerous false claims of the refinery rehabilitation by NNPCL.

A professor of medicine, who appears to be a lobbyist of Sahel nations, is suggesting that France is cosying up to Nigeria to establish a military base in Northern Nigeria, obtain rights to Nigeria’s mineral resources and obtain petroleum and gas concessions. The Chief of Defence Staff denied any plans for a French military base in Nigeria.

While many were wondering if Seyi, the son of President Bola Tinubu, indeed wanted to be Governor of Lagos State in 2027, it took a swift announcement to debunk the fake news that was already taking the shape of the holy grail.

The semblance of fake news is turning up even in unexpected places, in the defamation tango between two attorneys, nonagenarian Afe Babalola, and civil rights activist Dele Farotimi, who published a book with content that Babalola thought was a defamation of his character and reputation.

Farotimi alleged that Babalola got the Supreme Court of Nigeria to reverse its judgment by correcting what amounted to a clerical error, which Farotimi, lawyer to one of the other parties, probably considered to be a substantially corrupt variation of the earlier judgement.

The police probably charged Farotimi to court on criminal grounds by relying on the article, “When False Publications May Amount to Criminal Libel”, wherein Babalola was said to have argued that, apart from civil claims, “a publication of false and misleading information can give rise to criminal prosecution”.

Though Babalola acknowledged that “defamation is a dual-nature offence, and it can be a civil wrong as well as a criminal act”, the Ekiti State Police Command may want to stretch and test the efficacy of criminal sanction that the Cybersecurity Act prescribes for online defamation.

One thing is clear: The outcome of the criminal suit will help define fake news and its consequences, as one wonders if the defamatory act attributed to Farotimi was his way of getting justice after a judgment.

…As Seadogs frowns at increasing abuse of human rights

Farotimi was arrested in Lagos and transferred to Ekiti State, where he was arraigned on a 16-count charge of defamation against Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, in his book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,’ where he accused Babalola of corrupting Supreme Court judges.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The police prosecutor requested his remand in prison custody pending further investigation, while his counsel argued for bail on liberal terms, citing the presumption of innocence.

Counsel to the police, Samson Osobu, said Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, who is the lawyer of the defendant, said a SAN does not have the right to appear as a representative of the defendant.

He reminded the court of the Magistrate’s Law of 2014 (as amended), citing a case of Abiodun Bamigboye vs COP with Appeal No CA/IP/2256C/2021, where an agreement was reached that no SAN has the constitutional right to appear or file any process in an inferior court.

On his part, Olumide-Fusika cited the Oyo Magistrate’s law, which explained that any qualified lawyer can appear in the court majorly if the matter is related to criminal cases and any suspect or defendant is entitled to any legal representative in court.

However, the presiding magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, asked Olumide-Fusika to step down. At the same time, another lawyer, who is not a SAN proceeded, while the court decided based on the argument afterwards.

Taiwo Adeniji, who took over from Olumide-Fusika, applied for bail of the defendant, saying the defendant’s offences are bailable, according to section 36 (5) of the 1999 Nigerian constitution (as amended) and Act 6 of the African Charter and People’s Rights. He said the bail application is based on hearsay and lack of facts.

Osobu urged the court to review the bail application submitted before the court, stressing that the defendant doesn’t merit it and that the application is incompetent and irregular.

In his ruling, the presiding magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun adjourned the bail application to December 20 as a result of a prolonged disagreement between the two counsel and the lawyer of the defendant.

Support groups clash within court premises

Shortly after the court proceedings, some support groups clashed outside the courtroom, alleging the court of violating the rule of law.

While a pro-Afe Babalola group confronted the opposing party not to constitute any nuisance, Farotimi’s side pledged to stage the protest as soon as they get to Lagos state for the release of the human rights activist.

Farotimi’s plight poignant reflection of Nigeria’s pervasive impunity—Atiku

Reacting to the ongoing travail of Dele Farotimi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, described it as a sad reminder of Nigeria’s pervasive culture of impunity.

He said there was no better time to remind our leaders at all levels of their oaths of office, part of which is to protect the constitutional rights of citizens.

Atiku, who wrote on his tweet on his X (formally twitter) handle, said: “Dele Farotimi, a lawyer and tireless advocate for human rights, now languishes in prison custody not for any crime but for the supposed ‘crime’ of persistently speaking truth to power.

“His only offence lies in his unflinching commitment to exposing the truths that the government and its collaborators would rather remain hidden.

“More troubling still is the fact that he is detained and prosecuted under the guise of a law that does not even exist in Ekiti State.

“His plight serves as a poignant reflection of the pervasive climate of impunity and the blatant violation of citizens’ rights that has become all too common in Nigeria.

“Yet, perhaps the most alarming of all is the weaponization of the cyberbullying law, which is being used as a tool to harass, intimidate and silence dissenting voices in the opposition and the press.

“On this solemn occasion of International Human Rights Day, let us take a moment to remind our leaders at every level of government to honour the oaths they have sworn to protect and uphold the constitutionally enshrined rights of the people. Only through this commitment can we hope to nurture and strengthen our democracy..”

Seadogs Confraternity frowns at increasing abuse of human rights

Meanwhile, the National Association of Seadogs and Pyrates Confraternity, Dutse Deck have frowned at what they termed as heightening cases of human rights abuses in Nigeria and called for the government’s urgent actions in protecting the rights of citizens.

The confraternity particularly mentioned the arrest and detention of Dele Farotimi as well as what it termed a harsh bail condition given to him, saying such is a case of human rights abuse.

Marching through the highway in Jos, Plateau State in celebration of this year’s World Human Rights Day, the association sensitised citizens on their rights as human beings.

Speaking during the procession, Chairman of Typhoon Blasted Seadogs Forum, Jos Chapter, Charles Uwechia, said: “We are here to sensitise citizens about human rights because a lot of people don’t know their rights and how they are being abused. Our organization is humanitarian and issues of human rights abuses are coming up. A typical example is the issue of Dele Farotimi.

“The National Association of Seadogs believes that his rights are abused, putting him in chains; he is not a criminal; the matter is a civil one, and the bail condition of N50 million is outrageous. Governments should renege on some of these abuses and make some changes in the human rights approaches in the country.”

[Vanguard]

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has appointed Ademola Adeyemi-Bero as the chairman of its board of governors for 2025.

Adeyemi-Bero was also appointed as Nigeria’s OPEC governor for next year.

Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources (oil), said Adeyemi-Bero’s appointment was confirmed at the 189th meeting of the OPEC conference.

In a statement by his media aide, Nneamaka Okafor, the minister hailed Adeyemi-Bero’s elevation as a testament to Nigeria’s active contributions to the global oil industry.

Lokpobiri added that the appointment provides Nigeria with a vital platform to advocate for balanced energy policies that benefit oil producers, consumers, and the global economy.

The minister also appreciated Gabriel Aduda, permanent secretary of the federal ministry of women affairs, who is also the outgoing Nigerian OPEC governor, for his exemplary service. 

“Ambassador Aduda played an instrumental role in advancing Nigeria’s interests within OPEC and ensuring the country’s influential presence in global energy discussions,” Lokpobiri said.

According to the statement, OPEC also appointed Adeeb Al-Aama as governor of Saudi Arabia for OPEC, and as the alternate chairman of the board of governors for 2025.

“The OPEC conference brought together representatives from member countries to address significant issues, including reports from the secretary-general and the Economic Commission Board (ECB), and to deliberate on critical internal matters,” Okafor added.

“The conference also extended the tenure of His Excellency Haitham Al Ghais as OPEC Secretary General for another three years, effective August 1, 2025.

“Member nations commended his exceptional leadership and the Secretariat’s unwavering commitment to the organization’s objectives.”

At its last meeting, OPEC had extended Nigeria’s oil production quota of 1.5 million barrels of crude per day (bpd) to 2026.

The oil alliance also extended the level of overall crude oil production for OPEC and non-OPEC participating countries “in the DoC as agreed in the 35th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting, as per the attached table until 31 December 2026”.

[TheCable]

In 2015, my friend, a retired federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Goke Adegoroye from Akure Oloyemekunin Ondo state,  wrote a book titled “RESTORING GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA”. The book is well researched and a guide to good governance in this country. Dr. Adegoroye was director general of Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) between 1996 and 1998.  He became Director of Special Duties in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation between 1999 and 2005.

Dr Adegoroye was appointed Director General to head the bureau of civil service reforms by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005.

On page 219 of that book, he wrote:  “flowing from the argument above, it would also become necessary to take a second look at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, in view of the mandate of the super-agency Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The current situation in the North East of Nigeria makes it imperative to review the establishment of the ministry. Otherwise, are we going to create a similar ministry for the North East? Whatever the case, an agency to commence addressing the rehabilitation of the region appears to be something that we cannot run away from in the immediate term. However, it would be appropriate to recognize that, apart from the resource derivation angle of the Niger Delta region, the root causes of the issues in the two regions are related and derive from youth restiveness, which must be comprehensively addressed as a national issue”.

Nine years after the publication of Dr. Adegoroye’s book, the Ministry of Niger Delta was scrapped and renamed Ministry of Regional Development incorporating all regional development bodies such as North East, North West and other development commissions.

Details for the establishment of that Ministry are still being worked out.

The Ministry of Niger Delta Development was created in December 2008 by President Musa Umaru Yar’adua (16 August 1951- 5 May 2010). The pioneer minister of that Ministry was my late boss, Chief Ufot Ekaette (1939-2019), who served as Secretary of the Government of the Federation between 29 May 1999 – 28 May 2007.

In creating the Ministry at that time, President Yar’adua explained then that the Ministry would have a Minister in charge of the development of Niger Delta area, and a Minister of State in charge of youth empowerment. The existing Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was to become a parastatal under the ministry.  President Yar’Adua said that the Ministry would coordinate efforts to tackle the challenges of infrastructural development, environment protection and youth empowerment in the Niger Delta.

In November 2009, President Yar’Adua allocated N64bn to the Niger Delta ministry for its 2010 budget. Defending the proposed budget in December 2009 before the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, chaired by Senator James Manager, Obong Uffot Ekaette explained that the ministry had difficulties achieving targets in 2009 because the N19.5bn allocated for its projects was unevenly spread.

Chief Ekaette was from  Ikot Edor, Onna Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State and I served under him for eight years. He was an Ibibio and a hardworking public servant, the like of which are not common in the public service today.  As they say, once in government, always in government. It may be by coincidence that Dr. Adegoroye’s suggestion is being implement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. I have toured many parts of Niger Delta. Any time I am in that region, I am full of pity. Pollution is not only destroying their lives but making lives unbearable. One needs to be there.

In most parts of Niger Delta, because of oil pollution and other environmental problems, you are only lucky to be above fifty.

Almost every Nigerian leader had attempted to ameliorate the problems of the people of Niger Delta.

The current President’s action could be interpreted to mean that there is nothing special about Niger Delta after all. That would be very unfortunate.

Before and after independence, Niger Delta has always been a special area. In fact, agitations from that region had always impacted on the government of Nigeria. As we all know in 1957, the minority question in the Eastern Region of Nigeria and other parts of the country came to the front burner and culminated in the appointment of the Willink’s Minority Commission by the British colonial government to enquire into the fears of the ethnic minorities and the means of allaying them. Although the commission did not recommend the creation of states as strongly advocated by the minority ethnic groups, especially the Ibibio, the Ijaws, the Calabars and the Urhobos it however, accepted the fact that genuine fear of domination existed among the minorities.

The sitting of the Commission was to demand for the creation of Calabar-Ogoja-Rivers (COR) State, in a bid to bring succor to the marginalized minorities.

At the 1957 Constitutional Conference held in London, the leaders of the COR State Movement held a private meeting with the British Secretary of State for the Colonies, Mr. Lennox Boyd. Also present at the meeting were, the then Governor-General of Nigeria, Sir James Robertson as well as the Governor of the Eastern Region of Nigeria, Sir John Stapledon. The Secretary of State for the Colonies assured the COR State advocates of the sympathy of the Colonial Office on the issue of the creation of states. Eventually, at the Conference, the decision to set up the Minorities’ Commission of Enquiry to look into the fears of the minorities and the means of allaying such fears, including the exercise of the creation of states, was reached.

Sir Henry Willink was named as the Chairman of the Commission. Other members of the Commission were, Gordon Hadow, Philip Mason, J.S. Shearer and K.J. Hilton who served as the Secretary. On the 26th of September, 1957, the Commission was inaugurated with the following terms of reference: 1. to ascertain the factors about the fears of minorities in any part of Nigeria and to propose means of allaying those fears, whether well or ill-founded; 2. to advise what safeguards should be included for the purpose in the constitution of Nigeria; 3. If, but only if, no other solution seems to the Commission to meet the case, then as a last resort to make detailed recommendations for the creation of one or more new states, and in that case: a) to specify the precise areas to be included in such state or states; b) to recommend the governmental and administrative structure most appropriate for it; and c) to assess whether any state recommended would be viable from an economic and administrative point of view and what the effect of its creation would be on the region or regions from which it would be created and on the federation. 4. to report its findings and recommendations to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The Commission began its work in November 1957. Its sittings were held in all parts of the country and sat in Calabar for seven days in January 1958.

The COR State Memorandum to the Willink’s Commission in its memorandum to the Commission, defined the Calabar-Ogoja-Rivers (COR) area to embrace 15 administrative divisions, seven of which were located in the administrative province of Calabar, three in Ogoja and 5 in the Rivers Province. 1. Calabar Province – Abak, Calabar, Eket, Enyong, Ikot Ekpene Opobo (Ikot Abasi) and Uyo 2. Ogoja Province – Ikom, Obubra, Ogoja and Obudu 3. Rivers – Ahoda, Brass, Degema, Ogoni and Port Harcourt.

As a result of the Willink’s Commission report, the Federal Government refused to create states for the minority. Instead, the then Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (December 1912 – 15 January 1966) created the Niger Development Board which was an acknowledgement of how important the Niger Delta was to Nigeria.

Section 159 of the 1963 Constitution states that “(1) There shall be a board for the Niger Delta which shall be styled the Niger Delta Development Board. (2) The members of the Board shall be – (a) a person appointed by the President, who shall be Chairman; (b) a person appointed by the Governor of Eastern Nigeria; (c) a person appointed by the Governor of Mid-Western Nigeria; (d) such other person as may be appointed in such manner as may be prescribed by the Parliament to represent the inhabitants of the Niger Delta. (3) A member of the Board shall vacate his office in such circumstances as may be prescribed by Parliament. (4) The Board shall be responsible for advising the Government of the Federation and the Governments of Eastern Nigeria and Mid-Western Nigeria with respect to the physical development of the Niger Delta, and in order to discharge that responsibility the Board shall – (a) cause the Niger Delta to be surveyed in order to ascertain what measures are required to promote its physical development; (b) prepare schemes designed to promote the physical development of the Niger Delta; together with estimates of the cost of putting the schemes into effect; (c) submit to the Government of the Federation and the Government if Eastern Nigeria and Mid-Western Nigeria annual reports describing the work of the Board and the measures taken in pursuance of its advice. (5) Parliament may make such provision as it considers expedient for enabling the to discharge its functions under this section. (6) In this section, “the Niger Delta” means the area specified in the proclamation relating to the Board which was made on the twenty-six day of August, 1959. (7) This section shall cease to have effect on the first day of July, 1969 or such later date as may be prescribed by Parliament”.

In addition, the Balewa government created Mid-Western region out of Western region in June 1963. The region comprised Benin and Delta Provinces of the Western Region with Benin City as the capital.

On May 27, 1967, the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (90) created Rivers State in the Niger Delta Region of Southern Nigeria and South Eastern State. The two states were created out of the old Eastern Region. General Gowon named Brigadier General Udukaha Jacob Esuene (1936-1993) from Eket as governor of South Eastern state. He also named Lieutenant Commander Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff (82) who was then twenty-five, as governor of Rivers state.  No other Nigerian leader did anything for that region until General Ibrahim Babangida (83) GCFR created Akwa Ibom out of Cross River state on 23 September 1987. He then named my friend HOMEBOY, Brigadier General (rtd.) Jonathan Anene Tunde Ogbeha from Lokoja who was born on September 1, 1947 as the pioneer Military Governor of the state. General Babangida went further to create Delta state on August 27, 1991. He named Air Commodore (retired) Luke Chijuba Ochulo from Okpofe Ezinihitte Local Government Area in Mbaise in Imo state as governor.

On July 9, 1992, same General Babangida established Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) through decree No 23. The objectives of the Commission shall be—

(a) to receive and administer the monthly sums from the allocation of the Federation Account in accordance with confirmed ratio of oil production in each State—

(i) for the rehabilitation and development of oil mineral producing areas, (ii) for tackling ecological problems that have arisen from the exploration of oil minerals; (b) to determine and identify, through the Commission and the respective oil mineral producing States, the actual oil mineral producing areas and embark on the development of projects properly agreed upon with the local communities of the oil mineral producing areas;

(c) to consult with the relevant Federal and State Government authorities on the control and effective methods of tackling the problem of oil pollution and spillages; (d) to liaise with the various oil companies on matters of pollution control (e) to obtain from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation the proper formula for actual oil mineral production of each State, Local Government Area and community and to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of projects, services and employment of personnel in accordance with recognised percentage production; (f) to consult to the Federal Government through the President, the State, Local Governments and oil mineral producing communities regarding projects, services and all other requirements relating to the special fund;

(g) to render annual returns to the President, Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and copy the State and Local Governments on all matters relating to the special fund; (h) to advise the Federal, State and Local Governments on all matters relating to the special fund; (i) to liaise with the oil producing companies regarding the proper number, location and other relevant data regarding oil mineral producing areas; and (j) to execute other works and perform such other functions which in the opinion of the Commission is geared towards the development of the oil mineral producing areas

(2) The sums received by the Commission under subsection (1) (a) of this section shall –

(a) be used for the rehabilitation and development of the oil mineral producing areas on the basis of the ratio of the oil produced in the particular State, Local Government Area or community and not on the basis of the dichotomy of on-shore or off-shore oil production and

(b) constitute a special fund which shall be maintained in an account with the branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria at Moscow Road, Port Harcourt

(1) The Commission shall consist of—(a) a Chairman;(b) one member to represent each of the oil mineral producing States, that is – (i) Rivers State, (ii) Delta State, (iii) Akwa-Ibom State, (iv) Imo State, (v) Edo State, (vi) Ondo State, (vii) Abia State and (viii) Cross River State.

On October 1, 1996, General Sani Abacha GCFR (20 September 1943 – 8 June 1998) created Bayelsa state out of Rivers state and named Yenagoa as the state capital. He also named my friend, Captain Phillip Oladipo Ayeni (1949-April 21, 2017) from Oke-Imesi in Ekiti state as the pioneer governor. On June 5, 2000, President Olusegun Obasanjo (87) GCFR established the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The NDDC mandate is Formulation of policies and guidelines for the development of the Niger Delta area, conception, planning and implementation, in accordance with set rules and regulations, of projects and programs for sustainable development of the Niger Delta area in the field of transportation including roads, jetties and waterways, health, employment, industrialization, agriculture and fisheries, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity and telecommunications, Surveying the Niger Delta in order to ascertain measures necessary to promote its physical and socio-economic development, Preparing master plans and schemes designed to promote the physical development of the Niger Delta region and the estimation of the member states of the commission.

It also mandates the Implementation of all the measures approved for the development of the Niger Delta region by the Federal Government and the states of the commission, Identify factors inhibiting the development of the Niger Delta region and assisting the member states in the formulation and implementation of policies to ensure sound and efficient management of the resources of the Niger Delta region, Assessing and reporting on any project being funded or carried out in the region by oil and gas companies and any other company, including non-governmental organizations, as well as ensuring that funds released for such projects are properly utilized.

NDDC also has mandate in Tackling ecological and environmental problems that arise from the exploration of oil mineral in the Niger Delta region and advising the Federal Government and the member states on the prevention and control of oil spillages, gas flaring and environmental pollution, Liaising with the various oil mineral and gas prospecting and producing companies on all matters of pollution, prevention and control and Executing such other works and performing such other functions, which in the option of the commission are required for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region and its people.

The people of that region owe a great debt of gratitude to President Umaru Musa Yar’adua GCFR who on June 25, 2009 established the Amnesty Programme to militants who directly or indirectly participated in militancy. President Yar’adua also sustained the NNDC and in addition as earlier mentioned created the Ministry of Niger Delta. He did a lot for that region. Not only because it is the hen that lay the golden eggs for the country but because of the plight of the people of that region. President Yar’adua named Air Vice Marshal(retired) Lucky Ochuko Ararile (70), the Ovie of Umiaghwa-Abraka Kingdom in Ethiope-East Local Government Area of Delta State as the pioneer coordinator of the programme.

The scrapping of the Niger Delta is a big setback.

In the struggle for full emancipation of the Niger Delta, several men and women were in the fore front. They include Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro (10 September 1938 – 9 May 1968), known as “Boro”, Ken Saro Wiwa (10 October 1941- 10 November 1995), Dr. Okoi Arikpo (20 September 1916 – 26 October 1995), Sir Egbert Udo Udoma, KBE, (21 June 1917 – 2 February 1998), John Togo, Chief Wenike Opurum Briggs  (10 March 1918 – 21 April 1987), Chief Eyo Ita Esua (14 January 1901 – 6 December 1973), Obong Victor Bassey Attah (86), late Captain Samuel Timinipre Owonaro (Rtd), Nottingham Dick, Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye (1920-2005), Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (born 1971), Chief (Dr) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark (97), Asari Dokubo, Jaja of Opobo, Nana Oadelomu  (1852–1916), Henry Okah (65), Ateke Tom(60), Farah Dagogo(42), Soboma George, John Togo, Solomon Ndigbara and many others.

Between February 20, 1966 and March 7, 1966, at Yenogoa in the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, Samuel Timipre Owonaru and Nottingham Dick appeared before Justice John Aniemeka Phil-Ebosie from Anambra state, for treason, contrary to section 37 (1) of the Criminal Code (Federation). The same Justice Phil-Ebosie later became Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal.

The case was retried on December 5, 1966 in the Supreme Court with the then Chief Justice of the Federation, Sir Adetokunbo Adegboyega Ademola (1 February 1906-29 January 1993), Justice Charles Dadi Omeha Onyeama(26 April 1916- 5 September, 1999) and Justice George Baptist Ayoola Coker (27 January 1917-7 February 1981), presiding.

By Section 108 of the Electoral Decree 1977, the fourth Chief Justice of the Federation, Hon. Justice Darnley Arthur Alexander GCON, named Justice Ebosie along with Justice S.J. Ete and Justice Alkali Alhaji Abubakar as a member of the Gongola state electoral tribunal on July 2, 1979.

In 1982, Justice Phil-Ebosie was awarded the Commander of the Order of the Niger by President Aliyu Usman Shehu Shagari GCFR.

Before pronouncing judgment on June 21, 1966, Justice Phil-Ebosie requested Adaka Boro to make his speech, he said “Today is a great day’ not only in your lives, but also in the history of the Niger Delta. Perhaps, it will be the greatest day for a long time. This is not because we are going to bring the heaven down, but because we are going to demonstrate to the world what and how we feel about oppression….Remember your 70 year old grandmother who still farms to eat, remember too, your petroleum which is being pumped out daily from your veins, and then fight forever your freedom”. My people “had long sought a separate state, not because they loved power but because their conditions were peculiar and the authorities did not understand their problems. There is nothing wrong with Nigeria. What is wrong is the total lack of mercy in our activities”.

I think Major Adaka Boro was right afterall. We don’t understand the people of Niger Delta. We tend to judge the people of that region by the bluff, blusters, lifestyle, threats and uncoordinated efforts of some their leaders. We assumed that since we made one of them, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (67) who served as President between 9 February, 2010 and 29 May, 2015, that we have found solutions to their problems. Not at all. A lot of mystery has enveloped that region. Real distress. The page is not turning there.

Real suffering is still going on in that region. Very terrible suffering.

If we are to go with the argument that the huge budgetary allocations to the Niger Delta Ministry, the Amnesty Programme and the NDDC can’t be justified then there is no Ministry or agency in the centre, that can escape the hammer.

By Presidential fiat, President Muhammadu Buhari on August 21,2019 established the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. He then put the following Agencies under the Ministry. National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, North-East Development Commission (NEDC), National Emergency Management Agency, National Agency for Prohibition and Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Senior Citizens Centre and National Commission for Person with Disabilities.

The impact of that Ministry has not been fully felt in most parts of the country. All we read about of the Ministry are scandals upon scandals of high proportion.

On October 23, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR established the Ministry of Livestock Development by a fiat. The same government that scrapped the Ministry of Niger Delta, the area that produces the goose that lay the golden eggs, has not only sustained the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development but has established the Ministry of Livestock Development.

It is very complex understanding the government these days.

Every December, we mark three international observances that are at the heart of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership: World AIDS Day, International Anti-Corruption Day, and Human Rights Day.  While distinct, these commemorations underscore a simple truth – Nigeria’s path forward requires progress on health, good governance, and human rights.  The United States remains your steadfast partner on this journey.

For two decades, the United States has stood with Nigeria in the fight against HIV/AIDS under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  The U.S. government has invested more than $8.3 billion in Nigeria’s health sector and provided life-saving anti-retroviral treatment to more than 1.5 million people.  These numbers represent improved life expectancy and quality of life for these Nigerians and their families.  In clinics across Nigeria, I’ve met dedicated healthcare workers who deliver HIV prevention, treatment, and care, supported by the resources of the American people.  This work has done more than save lives – using HIV as an entry point, Nigeria’s health system has also benefited.  As Nigeria’s health system is strengthened, this important work will be led by government and engagement with the private sector to sustain the gains.  This commitment was reinforced during Ambassador Nkengasong’s recent visit, where his discussions with Nigerian health officials focused on how the Government of Nigeria would sustain the HIV health programs with strengthened Nigerian leadership and local ownership.

But positive health outcomes depend critically on good governance.  When medical supplies are diverted, when healthcare workers go unpaid, when facilities buy dangerous, counterfeit medications or lack resources due to mismanaged funds, it costs lives.  This is why the United States supports numerous initiatives, not only in the health sector, to enhance transparency and accountability in Nigeria.  Our programs work directly with government agencies and civil society organizations to strengthen fiscal responsibility with the goal of the state ensuring resources reach their intended beneficiaries.

The success of these efforts rests on respect for human rights and civic engagement.  When members of marginalized communities face discrimination in accessing healthcare, when citizens fear reporting blatant corruption like the need to pay for appointments or ‘free’ healthcare, or when vulnerable populations cannot advocate for their needs, development falters.  Through our partnership with Nigeria, we promote the rights of every person to access essential services and enjoy fundamental freedoms without fear or discrimination.

These three areas – health, transparency, and human rights – reinforce each other.  Consider the results: U.S.-supported initiatives have helped strengthen pharmaceutical supply chains, reducing theft and ensuring safe medicines reach patients.  Our human rights programming has empowered civil society organizations to advocate for marginalized communities, leading to better access to health services.  Our health system investments have created platforms for transparency that benefit all sectors.  And, perhaps most importantly, according to a recent survey by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Nigerians are both more frequently refusing to pay bribes and reporting bribe seekers to investigative journalists and rule of law authorities.  A shift in norms is beginning to take root and must continue.   

The U.S. Embassy stands ready to support Nigerian voices pressing the fight against corruption in Nigeria.  To Nigeria’s government officials, civil society leaders, healthcare workers, and citizens:  your dedication to building a stronger nation inspires us.  Together, we can continue to advance the interconnected goals of better health outcomes, good governance, and human rights for all Nigerians.  Challenges remain, but the work we’ve done together shows what could be possible on a larger scale across these crucial domains.

As we mark these December observances, let us use this moment not just for reflection, but for renewed commitment and action.  The United States continues to stand with the Nigerian people as they carry out this essential work with their elected government.

•Ambassador Richard M. Mills is U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the Acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGF).

His appointment is effective immediately following the pre-retirement leave of the incumbent AGF, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein.

In announcing Madein's successor, President Tinubu ensures a seamless transition in the administration of Nigeria's treasury and consolidates the implementation of the present administration's treasury policy reforms.

As a career civil servant and the most senior director in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr Ogunjimi brings over 30 years of extensive experience in financial management across the public and private sectors.

He has held significant positions, including Director of Funds at the OAGF and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A chartered accountant, certified fraud examiner, chartered stockbroker, and chartered security and investment specialist, Mr Ogunjimi's academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Accountancy and a Master's in Finance and Accounting.

In a remark on the appointment, President Tinubu expresses his confidence in Mr. Ogunjimi, saying, "The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation is pivotal to our nation's treasury management operations. Mr Ogunjimi's wealth of experience and notable competence will ensure the continued effectiveness of this vital institution as we advance our economic reform agenda."

President Tinubu commends the outgoing Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Madein, for her dedication and selfless service to the nation.

After reaching the civil service's statutory retirement age, Dr Madein is retiring effective March 7, 2025.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)