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How I Would Have Led Nigeria Differently – Atiku Abubakar

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Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has outlined measures he would have adopted if he were President, emphasizing a targeted strategy to alleviate Nigeria’s ongoing economic hardships.

Responding to frequent inquiries from Nigerians, Atiku shared his vision in a detailed post on his X handle on Sunday, highlighting the urgency of addressing the country’s pressing economic issues.

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Atiku, who ran for President under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election, stated that President Bola Tinubu’s “trial-and-error” approach to economic policy has created “excruciating pains” for citizens.

His statement, titled “What We Would Have Done Differently,” detailed four areas he believes need immediate intervention.

Atiku emphasized that combating corruption would have been a top priority in his administration, beginning with an overhaul of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

He described the NNPCL as “a huge beneficiary of the status quo” and expressed doubts about its commitment to genuine reform, stating that reforms would likely face resistance from vested interests.

“Yes, I have always advocated for the removal of subsidy on PMS because its administration has been, mildly put, opaque with so much scope for arbitrariness and corruption. Mind-boggling rent profit from oil subsidy accrued to the cabals in public institutions and the private sector,” he wrote.

“Fighting corruption should have commenced with the repositioning of the NNPCL, which is a huge beneficiary of the status quo. Its commitment to reform and capacity to implement and enforce reforms is suspect. The subsidy regime has provided an avenue for rent-seeking, individuals, the NNPCL and its guardians will be threatened by reforms.”

Criticizing Nigeria’s inefficiency in oil refining, Atiku labeled the nation the most inefficient of all OPEC member countries. He emphasized the need to privatize state-owned refineries and set a target to refine at least 50% of its crude oil output domestically, with the aim of exporting refined products to ECOWAS member states.

“We are by far the most inefficient OPEC member country in terms of both the percentage of installed refining capacity that works and the percentage of crude refined.

“We would’ve commenced the privatization of all state-owned refineries and ensure that Nigeria starts to refine at least 50% of its current crude oil output. Nigeria should aspire to export 50% of that capacity to ECOWAS member states,” Atiku stated.

Atiku also advocated for a “gradualist approach” to subsidy removal, arguing that an abrupt removal of subsidies would disrupt the economy and hurt Nigerians.

Citing his experience as Vice President, he explained that a phased approach was more beneficial, noting that successful reforms in other countries have been implemented gradually.

“Subsidies would not have been removed suddenly and completely. It is instructive that when I was Vice President, we adopted a gradualist approach and had completed phases 1 and 2 of the reform before our tenure ended.

“The incoming administration in 2007 abandoned the reforms, unfortunately. The gradualist approach allows for adjustments, and adaptation and minimizes disruptions and vulnerability,” he said.

Additionally, Atiku outlined his plans to support Nigeria’s vulnerable populations amid economic reforms.

He proposed investing savings from subsidy withdrawals in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and agriculture to strengthen the economy and create job opportunities for Nigerian youth.

“We would’ve invested the savings from subsidy withdrawal to strengthen the productive base of the economy through infrastructure maintenance and development; to improve outcomes in education and healthcare delivery; to improve rural infrastructure and support livelihood expansion in agriculture; and develop the skills and entrepreneurial capacity of our youth in order to enhance their access to better economic opportunities,” he said.

In addition, Atiku reiterated his commitment to subsidy removal while underscoring the need for a well-thought-out, phased approach to ensure Nigerians are shielded from undue economic hardship.

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TCN Restores Power Supply to Katampe Substation After Shiroro Line Fault

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The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has restored bulk power supply to its Katampe 330kV Transmission Substation in Abuja following an earlier disruption caused by a fault on the Shiroro–Katampe 330kV Line 1.

The development was disclosed in a statement released by TCN management on Friday, October 9, 2026.

SEE ALSO: Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Power Line: TCN Begins Final Phase of Restoration

According to the statement, bulk power supply was restored to the Katampe substation at 4:15 p.m. through the Gwagwalada–Katampe 330kV Line 1.

TCN explained that the Shiroro–Katampe 330kV Line 1 remains out of service due to a fault, necessitating the use of the Gwagwalada–Katampe line to restore supply to the substation.

The company also announced the suspension of planned maintenance work on the Gwagwalada–Katampe 330kV Line 1 to enable the line to continue supplying the Katampe substation.

The suspended maintenance work involved replacing defective line isolators and the associated earthing switch.

TCN apologised to electricity consumers in the affected areas for any inconvenience caused by the disruption and maintenance arrangements.

 

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2027 Elections: FG Warns Politicians Against Promises on Fuel Subsidy

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The Federal Government has warned politicians against making promises that could reverse Nigeria’s economic reforms, insisting that it will not restore fuel subsidy amid renewed debate over the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC) petrol discount.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, saying the government would not bring back subsidies on petroleum products.

“This government is not bringing back subsidy on fuel products. We need to be clear,” Oyedele said.

ALSO READ: NNPC Petrol Discount: Oyedele Explains How Lower Margins Could Boost Profits

The minister also criticised politicians who, according to him, make promises to win elections without fully considering the implications of implementing them.

He suggested that some politicians make sweeping promises during election campaigns only to offer excuses when confronted with the realities of governance.

“I think I would pardon people who say all manner of things because they want to get elected. It’s almost like ‘whatever I need to say, when I get there, I’ll give excuses.’ But we have the data,” he said.

Oyedele added that he felt a personal responsibility not to remain silent about the economic realities known to the government or allow populist positions to push Nigeria in the wrong direction.

“I feel the personal responsibility that I cannot see what I see and keep quiet, or populism to move our country in the wrong direction,” he said.

NNPC Petrol Discount Sparks Fresh Subsidy Debate

The minister’s remarks come amid renewed debate over fuel subsidy following the Federal Government’s announcement of a 30-day petrol discount at NNPC retail stations.

The initiative was introduced as a temporary measure to provide relief to Nigerians amid elevated global crude oil prices and concerns about the cost of petroleum products.

NNPC Retail had also announced a N66-per-litre petrol discount to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, with the offer scheduled to run until October 31, 2026, across its retail stations nationwide.

The company maintained that the discount was a customer-relief initiative and did not represent a return to the petroleum subsidy regime.

The distinction has become central to the debate, with the government insisting that temporary price relief at NNPC stations does not amount to restoring the subsidy policy abolished in May 2023.

The administration has maintained that the current arrangement differs from the former subsidy system, under which the government intervened to cover part of the cost of petrol.

FG Defends Economic Reforms

During the interview, Oyedele also referred to a World Bank update, saying the institution had acknowledged a reduction in poverty levels and increased spending on infrastructure, particularly roads.

He urged Nigerians not to reverse the progress he said had been made, arguing that the country was approaching a point where the benefits of ongoing reforms should begin to emerge.

 

 

 

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Kaduna Moves to Clear 5-Year Promotion Backlog for 24,000 Teachers

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The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has commenced a promotion exercise for 24,000 eligible staff as part of efforts to clear outstanding teachers’ promotions dating back to 2021.

The development was disclosed on Friday as the administration of Governor Uba Sani intensifies efforts to address promotion backlogs, recognise teachers’ years of service and improve staff welfare across the state.

The exercise covers outstanding promotions from 2021 to 2026 and is expected to provide eligible teachers and other staff with opportunities for career progression.

SEE ALSO: Kaduna Clears N18bn Pension Arrears, Raises Agric Funding to N100bn

According to the announcement, eligible personnel will undergo an assessment process, after which promotions will be implemented for those who successfully meet the requirements.

The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the education sector by recognising the contributions of teachers and supporting their professional development.

The state government has emphasised the importance of investing in teachers, noting that a motivated and valued teaching workforce is essential to building a stronger education system.

The exercise is also expected to address long-standing staff concerns relating to career advancement within the state’s basic education sector.

 

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