NEWS
NNPC Given 7 Days To Account For ‘Missing’ Oil Revenues
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has Issue an Urgent Call for the NNPC Ltd, CEO, Mele Kyari to account for alleged missing $2.04 Billion and N164 Billion in oil revenues.
The demand follows revelations in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s latest annual report, as detailed in a statement by the SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare on February 17.
The SERAP urged Mr. Kyari to publicly identify and hold accountable those responsible for the missing oil funds.
The group advocates for imposing full surcharges on the implicated individuals and turning them over to relevant anticorruption agencies, in accordance with paragraph 3112(ii) of the Financial Regulations 2009, as endorsed by the Auditor-General’s recommendations.
The SERAP additionally implored the NNPC Limited boss to expedite the complete recovery and remittance of the alleged missing USD$2.04 billion and N164 billion into the Federation Account.
The organization highlighted the adverse impact of these missing oil revenues on the country’s fragile economy, accentuating the already elevated levels of deficit spending by the government.
The SERAP emphasized that without the complete recovery and remittance of the alleged missing USD$2.04 billion and N164 billion in oil revenues, the economic challenges could exacerbate.
The group warned that this situation may result in continued denial of access to essential public goods and services for Nigerians.
According to the SERAP, “the Auditor-General has for many years documented reports of disappearance of public funds from the NNPC. Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of these missing oil revenues.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel the NNPCL to comply with our requests in the public interest.
“Had the NNPCL and its subsidiaries accounted for and remitted the disappeared public funds into the Federation Account, it is likely that more funds would have been allocated to the fulfillment of economic and social rights, such as increased spending on public goods and services.
“The missing oil revenues have also impeded Nigerians’ ability to enjoy their economic and social rights, and denied them access to essential public goods and services, especially at the time of cost of living crisis in the country.
“Explaining the whereabouts of the missing public funds, naming and shaming those suspected to be responsible and ensuring that suspected perpetrators are brought to justice and the full recovery of any missing public funds would serve the public interest and end the impunity of perpetrators.”
“Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the disappeared oil money. Ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of oil revenues would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.”
“According to the recently published 2020 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit over USD$2 billion and N164 billion oil revenues into the Federation Account.”
“The Auditor-General fears that the money may have been diverted into private pockets, denying the government the funding needed to carry out its activities.”
“The NNPCL reportedly failed and/or refused to remit N151,121,999,966. The NNPCL without any justification deducted the money from the oil royalties assessed for 2020 by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) now Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
“The NNPCL has failed to account for the missing public funds. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted into the Federation Account.
“The NNPCL also failed to remit USD$19,774,488.15 collected as government revenue into the Federation Account. The Auditor-General wants the NNPCL to account for the money, recover and remit it into the Federation Account, and to hand over those suspected to be involved to the ICPC and the EFCC.
“The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Ltd also reportedly failed to account for USD$2,021,411,877.47 and N13,313,565,786.49 of royalties collected from crude oil and gas sales and gas flare.
“The Auditor-General wants the public funds fully recovered and remitted into the Federation Account and for those suspected to be responsible for the missing public funds to be handed over to the ICPC and the EFCC.
“These grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], national anticorruption laws, and the country’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.”
“The allegations have undermined the economic development of the country, trapped the majority of Nigerians in poverty and deprived them of opportunities.”
“SERAP is concerned that despite the country’s enormous oil wealth, ordinary Nigerians have derived very little benefit from oil money primarily because of widespread grand corruption, and the entrenched culture of impunity of perpetrators.
“Combating the corruption epidemic in the oil sector would alleviate poverty, improve access of Nigerians to basic public goods and services, and enhance the ability of the government to meet its human rights and anti-corruption obligations.
“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.
“Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.
“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] imposes clear responsibility on the NNPCL to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.
“Paragraph 3112(ii) of the he Financial Regulations 2009 provides that, ‘Where a public officer fails to account for government revenue, such officer shall be surcharged for the full amount involved and such officer shall be handled over to either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources.
“Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the NNPCL to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds. These commitments ought to be fully upheld and respected.” it added
NEWS
Again, DPRP Slashes PMS Price by N50 to N1,075/Liter
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals (DPRP) has announced another reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Biztellers reports that this marked its fourth price cut within a month, even as the company claimed in a statement in Lagos on Thursday that it continues to pass lower production costs to consumers despite still processing crude oil purchased at significantly higher international prices.
The latest N50 per litre reduction brings the cumulative decrease in the refinery’s PMS ex depot price to N200 per litre since May 30, 2026, reducing the gantry price to N1,075. Over the same period, the refinery has reduced the ex-depot price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) by N300 per litre and Jet A1 aviation fuel by N520 per litre.
The company stressed that the successive reductions demonstrate its commitment to ensuring Nigerians benefit from favourable market developments while maintaining the long-term sustainability of domestic refining operations.
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The refinery explained that petroleum product pricing cannot mirror daily movements in international crude oil markets because crude is purchased weeks, and sometimes months, before it is processed.
According to the refinery, the petroleum products currently being supplied to the market are being produced from crude inventories acquired during periods of substantially higher prices.
It disclosed that the average landed cost of crude processed stood at approximately US$124.80 per barrel in May and US$95.25 per barrel in June, compared with the current international benchmark of about US$71.01 per barrel.
The refinery also clarified that its crude procurement costs are not based solely on the headline ICE Brent benchmark commonly quoted in the media.
Rather, crude is purchased on a Dated Brent basis together with applicable market premiums, freight and logistics costs, resulting in actual feedstock costs that differ materially from benchmark prices.
Despite the sharp increase in crude acquisition costs during the period, the Dangote Refinery said it deliberately refrained from transferring the full impact to consumers, choosing instead to absorb a significant portion of the additional costs in order to support market stability and cushion Nigerians from the volatility in global energy markets.
The company noted that this pricing approach has helped to keep petroleum product prices in Nigeria below those prevailing in neighbouring countries, even after accounting for applicable taxes. It added that as lower priced crude cargoes progressively enter its production cycle, the refinery has begun systematically passing the benefits to the market through phased price reductions.
“Today’s N50 per litre reduction is the fourth price cut in one month, bringing cumulative reductions to above N200 per litre on PMS. This approach ensures that pricing decisions are anchored on actual production economics and inventory costs rather than short term fluctuations in international oil markets,” it said. “Nigeria today benefits from the stabilising role of domestic refining capacity. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery currently supplies volumes sufficient to meet national demand, helping to strengthen energy security, eliminate dependence on imports, conserve foreign exchange and provide greater price stability for consumers and businesses”.
The company expressed confidence that if international crude prices remain favourable and lower cost feedstock continues to replace higher priced inventories, Nigerians should expect further moderation in petroleum product prices.
The DPRP reiterated its commitment to supplying high quality, internationally certified petroleum products at competitive prices while supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and the long-term development of the country’s downstream petroleum sector.
NEWS
‘Adire Was Only a Proposal, Not the New NYSC Uniform’ – Youth Minister Clarifies
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has clarified that the Federal Government has not approved Adire as the new uniform for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying reports suggesting otherwise were based on a misunderstanding of his earlier comments.
The clarification came after media reports claimed the minister had announced the replacement of the NYSC’s iconic khaki uniform with Adire during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday.
In a statement posted on his official social media account, Olawande explained that he only mentioned Adire and Ankara as examples of proposals currently being considered as part of the ongoing reforms of the NYSC scheme.
SEE MORE: No More Khaki! FG Unveils Adire as New NYSC Uniform
“My attention has been drawn to some media reports following my brief appearance earlier this morning on Channels TV regarding the ongoing reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), particularly on the issue of the proposed uniform,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, yes, I mentioned Adire during the discussion. I also mentioned Ankara. My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform.”
The minister stressed that no final decision has been taken on the proposed uniform, noting that the government is still evaluating different options based on professional appearance, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, national identity and the promotion of local industries.
“For the record, what we are considering are different options that tick all the right boxes in terms of professional outlook, a unique national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and the projection of national pride,” Olawande said.
“No final decision has been taken on the fabric or design.”
During his earlier interview on Channels Television, Olawande had responded to a question on whether a new NYSC uniform would be produced locally by saying: “It’s Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun; we have them in Kwara; we have textile industries. Let’s put our money back into the country.”
The remark triggered widespread speculation that the Federal Government had officially approved Adire to replace the traditional khaki uniform worn by corps members.
However, the minister urged Nigerians not to allow the debate over the proposed uniform to overshadow the broader objectives of the ongoing reforms.
According to him, the reforms are aimed at making the NYSC scheme more relevant by improving the employability of corps members, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national integration, enhancing service delivery and ensuring a smoother transition from education to productive careers.
“While conversations around the uniform are understandable, they should not overshadow the far-reaching reforms aimed at empowering millions of Nigerian youths and positioning the NYSC as a stronger platform for national development,” he added.
NEWS
Makinde Orders Schools to Recover Lost Learning Time After Orire Kidnappings
The Oyo State Government has directed all public schools across the state to intensify efforts to recover academic time lost during the recent industrial action triggered by the abduction of teachers and students in Orire Local Government Area.
The directive was issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Olayiwola, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the ministry’s conference hall to develop a coordinated recovery plan for restoring normal academic activities.
SEE ALSO: Ibadan Chief Knocks Fayose Over Attacks on Makinde, Issues Strong Warning
The meeting brought together representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), and the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Addressing stakeholders, Olayiwola stressed the need for urgent academic recovery, urging school administrators and teachers to prioritise effective teaching and learning to reduce the impact of the disruption.
“Schools must intensify efforts to recover the academic time lost during the industrial action. We cannot allow our students to be academically disadvantaged by the recent disruption,” he said.
The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to strengthening the education sector through policies that improve learning outcomes across the state.
“The Oyo State Government remains committed to providing the best learning environment for our students. Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration will continue to implement policies that enhance the quality of education across the state,” Olayiwola added.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Baale Kamorudeen Aderibigbe, commended teachers’ unions for suspending the industrial action in the interest of students.
“We appreciate the leadership of the teachers’ unions for putting the interest of students first by suspending the industrial action,” Aderibigbe said.
“Continued collaboration between government and education stakeholders is essential to moving the sector forward.” he added
However, representatives of the NUT, ANCOPSS and AOPSHON urged the state government to intensify efforts to secure the safe release of the teachers and students abducted in Orire Local Government Area.
The unions said, “We appeal to the government to sustain every effort toward the safe release of our abducted colleagues and students while we remain committed to supporting quality education in Oyo State.”
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Education Intervention, Suraju Tiamiyu, expressed optimism that the abducted teachers and students would soon regain their freedom.
“We are optimistic that the abducted teachers and students will soon regain their freedom. The government is making sustained efforts to ensure their safe release,” Tiamiyu said.
The industrial action was triggered by the abduction of teachers and students in Orire Local Government Area, disrupting academic activities in public schools before the strike was suspended.
With schools back in session, the Oyo State Government says recovering lost classroom hours remains a top priority while security agencies continue efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted victims.





