News
Thank God for Dangote, NNPCL CEO urges Nigerians
Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has asked Nigerians to thank God for the Dangote refinery, saying it provided a “breathing space” when state-owned refineries were shut down.
Ojulari spoke during the Nigerian International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026.
He said because NNPC was the supplier of last resort, there was significant pressure to ensure continuity of the state-owned refineries.
However, he said the Dangote refinery provided relief as it was functional during the period when NNPC decided to shut down its refineries
“Thank God for Dangote refinery. Whether you love Dangote or you hate him, say whatever you want to say. And thank God he’s a Nigerian; he’s not someone from another continent or another planet,” Ojulari said.
The NNPC executive said the Dangote refinery provided relief, and “that gave us an opportunity because we have a refinery that is working”.
“Yes, it may not meet our full needs, but it gives us breathing space. And luckily, we are shareholders in that refinery as well,” Ojulari said.
“So we said, what’s the hurry? We have a refinery that is working. It’s not owned by NNPC, but it’s built in Nigeria, working in Nigeria.”
He said the NNPC decided to collaborate with the refinery while continuing its role as the supplier of last resort.
“Dangote is not the supplier of last resort by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). So our responsibility is whatever we do, we have to ensure that that is held in competition as well,” the NNPC boss said.
“So once we secured that part, we were a little bit more relaxed to ensure that we found out what was going on around the [Port Harcourt] refinery.”
After a two-month review, Ojulari said “we saw that it’s just one way”, which he described as a way of “value destruction for the next 30 years”.
Consequently, he said the NNPC decided to completely stop the revamp of the state-owned refineries and undertake a comprehensive review.
In July 2025, the GCEO said NNPC was considering the sale of the refineries, as revamping them was becoming a ‘bit more’ complicated.
He later announced the NNPC’s plans to partner with private refinery operators to repair the state assets, noting that “agreements will be finalised by mid-2026”.
On September 3, 2024, Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, officially announced the commencement of petrol production at his refinery — with diesel and aviation fuel production starting eight months earlier.
The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) was shut down in May 2025 for maintenance, after reopening for ten months.
The closure of the Warri and Kaduna refineries quickly followed to allow for repair work.
News
Supreme Court to rule on ADC, PDP cases Thursday
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
News
Tinubu to reconstitute NHRC board, retains Ojukwu as ES/CEO
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
News
Breaking: EFCC investigates Pastor Jerry Eze over alleged money laundering
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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