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Passage of 2023 Budget Suffers Setback

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Lawan's alleged defection in Viral video false, mischievous says media aide

 

The January-December budget cycle which came into force three years appears to have run into a hitch.

Information from the Senate and the House of Representatives reveals that the National Assembly (NASS) is yet to complete work on reconciling the figures on the various budgetary subheads.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan averred that irreconcilable figures were detected by the Appropriations Committee of the NASS, which necessitated the deliberations and passage being shifted from Wednesday this week to Thursday next week.

“The Appropriation Bill came to the National Assembly with some hurdles and when our Committees on Appropriation in the Senate and House started to reconcile the figures of what we have done and what was presented, the hurdles became obvious and they were not easy to deal with and therefore, our Committees had to start a process of cleaning up the Bill first.

“That process also engaged the Executive arm because the problem came from there. It was concluded only yesterday and our committee secretariat are not able to finish processing the Budget for us to take today,” Senator Lawan said.

Aligning with Senator Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, affirmed at the close of plenary on Thursday, that there passage of the 2023 Budget would be delayed.

Hon Gbajabiamila said, “By the way, there should have been an announcement earlier; we were meant to close today but, unfortunately, work has to continue.

“There are some things that need to be done and we will adjourn today till Wednesday when we will pass the budget and close for the year.

“We were meant to close today but you know our work is a very tough one. We will come back on Wednesday. We will adjourn today and come back on Wednesday, just for that one item – pass the budget and the Finance Bill.”

concurring, Senator Lawan added, “We can only receive the report and consider it on Wednesday, December 28th. So far, this Ninth National Assembly has done so much to pass the previous Appropriations since 2019 before the end of the year.”

While both arms of the National Assembly are focused on finalising the passage of the 2023 budget, albeit, hurriedly, those who know, however, maintain that their output is the input of the relevant arms of the Executive before the assent of President, which might take weeks or months.

The standard of passing the Appropriation Act is that when the National Assembly is done with its work, it transmits the budget back to the Executive.

At this level, the relevant ministries, especially the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, usually peruse the content before it is tabled before President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

The movement of the budget from the NASS to the Executive arm for review before getting to the table of the President might take weeks.

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Elohor Aiboni Honoured with DTN@100 Changemaker Award

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Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni was among 100 people honoured with the DTN@100 Award.

She joined a list of distinguished recipients recognised by the Daily Times newspapers. The contributions of the awardees to national development will be documented in a special publication, titled Nigerian Grand Book.

Daily Times which started publication in 1926 gave the awards as part of its centenary celebrations in Lagos. The centenary theme is: “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future.” Chairman, Folio Media Group and Publisher Daily Times of Nigeria Fidelis Anosike said: “We proudly celebrate Elohor Aiboni, Executive Vice President and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, for her well-deserved recognition at the Daily Times Heroes Award. As a visionary female leader, Elohor has shown that true leadership is defined by action. Her forward-thinking policies continue to drive real, positive change across our nation.”

In her response, Elohor said: “Although this award is presented to me, I do not regard it as mine alone. I share it with my colleagues across the Shell Companies in Nigeria, our partners, and the many people I have had the privilege of working with and learning from over the years.”

Elohor was commended for her achievements in a career in the energy industry that started in Shell in 2002. In addition to serving in operational roles within and outside Nigeria, she has worked as asset manager for Bonga, leading up to her appointment as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) in 2021, the first female to hold the post. Early this year, she took up the role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, also the first female and Nigerian to hold both roles.

READ ALSO: “8216;The Panic Is Real” Atiku Accuses APC of Plot to Weaken ADC

In her acceptance speech, Elohor also called for concerted efforts towards educating the girl-child. She said: “If we are serious about shaping Nigeria’s future, we must be equally serious about educating and empowering the Nigerian girl child. Education provides not only knowledge, but also confidence, choice and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to her community and country.”
Photo Caption – L-R: Energy and Investment Solicitor, Sam Aiboni; Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni; actress Rita Dominic; and Daily Times Chairman, Fidelis Anosike, during the award presentation at Harbour Point, Lagos.

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Tinubu Hails Flamingos After Historic World Cup Final Qualification, Urges Team to Win Trophy

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic qualification for the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The President commended the team for their impressive 3-1 victory over Brazil in Wednesday’s semi-final, describing their achievement as a remarkable milestone that has brought immense pride and joy to Nigerians at home and abroad.

In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu also praised the coaching crew and everyone whose hard work and support contributed to the team’s successful campaign.

SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Lafia to Rally Support for Tinubu’s Re-election

With the Flamingos set to face Japan in the final, the President urged the players to remain focused, confident and determined as they pursue the historic world title.

“I encourage you to approach the final with the same fighting spirit and belief that have brought you this far. I have confidence in your ability to make history by winning the coveted world title,” he said.

Tinubu also called on Nigerians to rally behind the young players, describing them as national ambassadors whose achievements continue to showcase the country’s sporting excellence.

He said the team’s performance would inspire a new generation of girls to pursue their dreams without limitations.

“Once again, Nigeria is proud of you. Go for the trophy, Flamingos!” the President added.

 

 

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NNPC Reveals Sokoto Healthcare Intervention as September Profit Hits ₦509bn

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has disclosed its support for healthcare infrastructure in Sokoto State through the donation and subsequent handover of an Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) to the state government.

The development was contained in the company’s September 2026 Monthly Operations and Financial Report, which also highlighted its financial performance, oil and gas production, pipeline infrastructure and other operational activities.

According to the report, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health visited the NNPC Foundation and NNPC Limited on September 1, 2026, to present a letter of appreciation to the Foundation for donating the Infectious Diseases Hospital and handing it over to the Sokoto State Government.

SEE MORE: Tinubu Promises to Boost Local Production with NNPC Refineries

The engagement provided an opportunity for the state government to formally acknowledge the Foundation’s intervention and support towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Sokoto State.

The report identified the engagement as part of the NNPC Foundation’s public impact initiatives.

NNPC Records ₦509bn September Profit

On its financial performance, NNPC recorded a profit after tax of ₦509 billion in September 2026, representing an 18.1 per cent increase compared with the previous month.

The company’s revenue also rose to ₦4.608 trillion from ₦3.74 trillion recorded in August, representing an increase of approximately 23.2 per cent.

Cumulative statutory payments to the Federation increased by 17.4 per cent, rising from ₦9.49 trillion between January and August to ₦11.14 trillion between January and September 2026.

Crude Oil and Gas Production

The report showed that average crude oil and condensate production stood at 1.70 million barrels per day during the period.

Natural gas production increased to 7,789 million standard cubic feet per day, while total hydrocarbon production reached 3.04 million barrels of oil equivalent per day.

The monthly operational summary also presented production and sales trends for crude oil, condensate and natural gas.

Pipeline Infrastructure Records Progress

On infrastructure development, NNPC reported 100 per cent availability of its upstream pipelines.

The company also disclosed that the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline had reached 100 per cent completion, while the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline stood at 95 per cent completion.

According to the report, the OB3 River Niger Crossing pipeline had been commissioned and operationalised.

For the AKK pipeline, NNPC said sustained collaboration with stakeholders was helping to accelerate construction and pre-commissioning activities towards achieving early gas delivery to Abuja in 2026.

NNPC Reports 54% Retail Station Availability

The report also highlighted the availability of petrol at NNPC retail stations across the country, putting the nationwide Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) availability level at 54 per cent.

A geographical map showing retail station availability across different parts of Nigeria was included in the monthly operational summary.

NNPC Outlines Strategic Production Efforts

On efforts to sustain production growth, NNPC listed accelerated restoration of shut-in wells and facilities, production optimisation and well interventions among its priorities.

The company also highlighted efforts to strengthen facility reliability and preventive maintenance, address infrastructure and operational constraints, improve community engagement and resolve storage, tank-top and export infrastructure challenges.

These measures, according to the report, are aimed at sustaining production growth and improving operational efficiency across its oil and gas assets.

 

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