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Omokri, Followers Bicker on Tinubu’s Tax-Driven Economy

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Tinubu behaves like Tonto Dikeh, Nkechi Blessing - Reno Omokri

 

With the first month of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu throwing up a tax-driven, citizen funded economy, activist, Reno Omokri and his followers appear to have been dissecting Tinubu’s economic strategies.

 

In a move that might be perceived as backing the president, Omokri, who boasts of over 2.3 million followers on Twitter, took to his verified Twitter handle, @renoomokiri to declare that Nigerians should wean themselves of lax lifestyles and face present globl economic realities.

 

He wondered how a country with one of the highest population growths globally could convince the world that the same citizens multiplying at an alarming rate were being confronted with stifling cost of living.

 

He tweeted, “We say fuel is expensive. We complain that food is too costly. We cry that ₦1000 Proof of Vehicle Ownership fee is too high. We lament that the cost of living in Nigeria is too high.

 

“Yet, Nigeria has one of the highest population growth rates on planet Earth. Only few countries, …”.

 

But one of his followers, Sir Dynamic, @mn_almustapha, countered that uncontrolled population growth had little to do with the populace.

 

Dynamic charge government with the responsibility of creating systems that will accommodate our population.

 

“This has nothing to do with the people but the government. The government are the ones responsible to make systems that will accommodate our population, … though Nigerians have share in this situation. Imagine increasing a salary of a man only for him to add wife,” @mn_almustapha, replied.

 

Omokri and Dynamic tend to agree that citizens’ lifestyles have a telling impact on how the economic policies reflect on the populace.

 

Consequently, Omokri charged the citizenry to wean itself of the long-held entitlement mentality because Nigeria’s economy had been oil-dependent for so long, while the human numbers had been on the rise.

 

He added, “Perhaps it is time for us to curb our entitlement mentality. It has gone on for too long. How much taxes do Nigerians pay? We have one of the lowest tax bases on Earth.

 

“We have an oil income of $30 billion to a population of almost 250 million.

 

“Stop blaming the government. We, as citizens have to take responsibility. Nigeria is like a cow that everyone is milking, and no one is feeding. It is only a matter of time for that cow to die!”

 

However, another of his followers, Hon Richard Benjamin, @Nwabrije1 disagreed with Omokri on the tax base. He pointed at the minimum wage, the cost of petrol per litre, and high rate of unemployment as critical areas the government need to look into to achieve balance in the taxes being imposed.

 

Benjamin tweeted, “Stop saying we have one of the lowest tax base in the world, how about $40 as minimum wage? And a litre of fuel is almost $1. People are suffering, no jobs.”

 

Recall that the high point of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address on May 29 when he took over the baton from Muhammadu Buhari was the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

 

The Federal Government has gone ahead to discontinue funding for professiona bodies, impose consumption tax of 7.5% on other petroleum products, impose annual renewal charges on proof of ownership.

 

The FG has also tinkered with the monetary policy, which has merged the forex windows, allowing a free market determination of rates. The local currency, the naira, has been at the receiving end since.

 

Sources at the petroleum sector are already mooting that the pump prices of products would soon reflect the forex situation. This would mean that petrol might move from between N490 – N600 per litre where it is to between N750 – N1100 within the next 100 days.

 

The proposed 40% increase on electricity charges, which would have come into force on July 1, 2023 has been put on hold.

 

Biztellers reports that all these taxes are coming into force, without any form of palliative to the citizenry, hence, the public outcry.

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Again, Aradel Shifts Results Release Forward

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After failing to meet its previously announced May 29, 2026 target, Aradel Holdings Plc has extended the filing and publication deadline for its 2025 audited financial statements and first-quarter 2026 unaudited financial statements.

This was detailed in a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), shareholders and the investing public, which had it that both reports will now be released on or before June 19, 2026.

The company blamed challenges arising from the consolidation of its recently acquired additional 40 per cent equity interest in ND Western Limited.

Aradel had earlier informed the market on March 2, 2026, that the delay in filing its financial statements was linked to the acquisition and had subsequently indicated that the reports would be released on or before May 29, 2026.

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Explaining the latest postponement, the company said unforeseen complexities emerged during the consolidation process following the integration of the newly acquired stake into the Group’s reporting framework.

According to the notice, “The delay is due to unforeseen complexities encountered in the consolidation process arising from the integration of the newly acquired interest in ND Western Limited into the Group’s reporting framework. Additional time is required to ensure that the consolidated results fairly present the financial position of the enlarged Group in line with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.”

“The Company is working closely with its external auditors to complete the process without compromising the quality, accuracy or integrity of the financial statements. Both the FY 2025 Audited Financial Statements and the Q1 2026 Unaudited Interim Financial Statements will now be released on or before 19 June 2026,” Aradel said.

The extension means the company’s closed period, which commenced on January 1, 2026, will remain in effect until 24 hours after the financial statements are released to the market. During the closed period, insiders and other restricted persons are prohibited from trading in the company’s shares.

The company noted that trading in its securities by affected persons would resume after the expiration of the extended closed period. Aradel further reiterated its commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency in its financial reporting.

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Savannah Energy Posts Strong Four-Month Performance

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Ahead of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) billed for June 1, 2026, Savannah Energy, has provided a trading update on its Nigerian operations and other markets in Africa for the four months to April 30, 2026, reflecting continued operational progress and a strong focus on cash discipline.

It reports that following the completion of the SIPEC Acquisition in March 2025, the production expansion programme underway at its Stubb Creek has delivered an 8% increase in average gross daily production to 3.1 Kbopd for the period, compared to 2.8 Kbopd during the same period in 2025.

Its group average gross daily production for the four-month period stood at 15.7 Kboepd (FY 2025: 18.8 Kboepd) with gas production volumes constrained as a result of the ongoing drilling and operational activity, and customer gas demand.

The update shows that its Revenues increased by 17% year-on-year to US$104.1 million, compared to US$89.1 million in the same period last year. It also shows that its trade receivables balance declined by 22% to US$395.2 million from US$507.2 million at year-end 2025.

It also reported cash balances of US$64.7 million during the four-month period, compared to the 31 December 2025 figure of US$42.8 million, with its net debt standing at US$641.7 million compared to the 31 December 2025 figure of US$658.6 million.

According to the update, Savannah’s cash collections for the four months ended April 30 amounted to US$183.5 million, a 48% increase from the US$89.1 million it received during the same period in 2025.

Savannah also reported that it has entered into a new £32 million unsecured loan facility with NIPCO plc, its largest shareholder. The facility is structured in two tranches: £20 million available immediately and £12 million available from July 1. The loan carries a 4.5% annual interest rate and has a 36-month term.

The facility includes a conversion option that allows Savannah to repay the loan through the issuance of new shares at 8 pence per share. NIPCO cannot require conversion, and Savannah is under no obligation to issue shares. The transaction constitutes a related party transaction under AIM rules.

ALSO READ: NNPC Ltd Posts N481bn Profit

The report highlighted the operational progress being made across key African assets, including Uquo and Stubb Creek, as well as continued advancement of its wind, solar and hydropower projects. It reports that drilling and completion activities at the Uquo NE well location have now been concluded, with rig-down operations currently underway ahead of mobilisation to the next well.

It also reports that the flowline installation is in its final stages, with tie-in activities ongoing at the Uquo CPF, while tie-in works at the well pad are expected to commence shortly, with first gas targeted for early July 2026, supporting the higher forecast gas production expected in H2 2026. Site construction activities at the Uquo South exploration well location, it said, are progressing well, with the site expected to be ready by early June 2026, just as conductor piling operations are also ongoing in preparation for the rig move from the Uquo NE location.

In Niger, Savannah reports that its Parc Eolien de la Tarka project has made significant progress to date, with the Minister of Energy confirming that the project is on the Government’s list of priority projects. It expects the timing and sequencing of further development activities in relation to the project to be linked to the timing and outcome of the Company’s ongoing discussions with the Government of Niger regarding the R1234 PSC and the potential recommencement of oil activities.

In Cameroon, negotiations with the Government are at an advanced stage regarding a Joint Development Agreement for the up to 95 MW Bini, a Warak hybrid hydroelectric and solar project. This is expected to replace the Memorandum of Agreement signed in April 2023 and secure the terms under which Savannah will collaborate with the Government of Cameroon to further develop the project.

Andrew Knott, CEO of Savannah Energy, said: “Savannah continues to deliver against the nine core focus areas we set out for the business at the start of 2025. In Nigeria, we have seen a significant improvement in cash collections, with a 48% year-on-year increase in the first four months of the year, alongside a 17% year-on-year increase in Revenues and a 22% reduction in our trade receivables balance since year-end 2025. This reflects our ongoing focus on disciplined cash collections and receivables management, which remains a key priority for the business this year.

“Operationally, we are advancing a number of important projects, including the drilling of two new gas wells at the Uquo field, and the production expansion programme at Stubb Creek which has already delivered an 8% increase in average daily production (compared to the first four months of 2025). In our power division, we continue to progress our greenfield wind, solar and hydro portfolio.

“Alongside this, we continue to pursue further value-accretive acquisitions across both hydrocarbons and power, with several opportunities under active discussion. We are also pleased to have secured a new £32 million loan facility from NIPCO plc (“NIPCO”), our largest shareholder, strengthening our financial flexibility and further underpinning our confidence in delivering continued operational, financial and strategic progress through 2026 and 2027.”

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Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol, Diesel Prices Again

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In a move reinforcing its commitment to making refined petroleum products more affordable and supporting economic activities across Nigeria, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has announced a fresh reduction in the ex-depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

Under the latest price adjustment, the refinery reduced the ex-depot price of PMS, commonly known as petrol, to N1,250 per litre from N1,275 per litre, while the price of AGO (diesel) was cut to N1,700 per litre from N1,800 per litre.

The price review comes amid the refinery’s continued efforts to improve supply efficiency, deepen domestic refining, and provide cost relief to consumers and businesses that depend heavily on petroleum products for transportation, power generation and industrial operations.

ALSO READ: Tinubu Orders Nationwide School Security Overhaul After Fresh Wave of Abductions

Since commencing operations, the 650,000 barrels per day refinery has increasingly supplied the domestic market with refined products aimed at eliminating the country’s dependence on imported fuels.

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