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PETROAN Backs Naira-for-Crude Policy, Hails Potential For Lower Fuel Prices
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has expressed strong approval for the Federal Executive Council’s decision to continue the Naira-for-Crude policy, calling it a potential turning point for Nigeria’s energy sector.
In a statement to journalists in Abuja, PETROAN’s National Public Relations Officer, Joseph Obele, said the association is confident that the policy, combined with recent declines in global crude oil prices, could lead to a reduction in fuel costs for Nigerian consumers.
“We want to sincerely commend the Federal Executive Council for its decision to fully implement the Naira-for-Crude policy,” Obele said.
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“This is a strategic move aimed at reducing our dependence on foreign exchange, enhancing local refining capacity, and ultimately stabilizing the downstream sector.”
The Naira-for-Crude policy allows domestic refineries, including the Dangote Refinery, to purchase crude oil in Naira instead of U.S. dollars.
PETROAN believes this shift will relieve pressure on the foreign exchange market and foster increased investment in Nigeria’s refining infrastructure, ultimately strengthening the nation’s energy security.
Obele also praised President Bola Tinubu and other key leaders, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and top executives at NMDPRA and NUPRC, for their commitment to reforms that prioritize the welfare of Nigerian consumers.
“This is a policy that supports local production and shields our economy from the volatility of the global oil market,” Obele said.
“When our refineries buy crude in Naira and process it locally, the cost of production reduces significantly, and that benefit can and should be passed on to end users.”
Obele also pointed out that the current global decline in crude oil prices — driven by reduced demand in major economies and increased output from non-OPEC producers — provides a unique opportunity for Nigeria to adjust local fuel prices.
He attributed the drop in oil prices to broader international economic shifts, including past U.S. trade policies that contributed to a global economic slowdown.
“President Trump’s policy of reciprocal tariffs in the past contributed to the global economic slowdown, which in turn has had a deflationary impact on oil prices,” Obele added.
Despite fluctuations in the international oil market, PETROAN remains optimistic that the Naira-for-Crude policy will shield Nigeria from external shocks.
The association expressed hope that Nigerian consumers will soon begin to experience both more stable fuel supply and reduced prices at the pump.
“With the Naira-for-Crude policy in place, we are hopeful that Nigerian consumers will soon start to feel the positive effects — not just in terms of stable supply, but in actual price reductions at the pump,” Obele concluded.
PETROAN reiterated its commitment to supporting policies that encourage local refining, conserve foreign exchange reserves, and ultimately provide lasting relief to Nigerian fuel consumers.
The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has assured corps members deployed to the state of their safety, despite rising security concerns across the region.
Speaking on Friday through the Commissioner for Youth, Sports Development and Creativity, Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange, Governor Alia said his administration is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of all National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members throughout their service year.
“Sadly, our nation is currently bedevilled with security challenges, and Benue State is not exempt,” the governor stated.
“However, let me quickly allay your fears and assure you that, as a government, we are committed to ensuring that your safety is guaranteed throughout your stay in the state.”
He noted that comprehensive protective measures have been implemented across corps lodges and other areas occupied by corps members in the state.
Governor Alia also encouraged the new corps members to take full advantage of the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, describing it as a “gateway to great opportunities.”
He further urged them to use their God-given talents to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
In her remarks, the State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Veronica Garba, thanked the governor and the people of Benue for their continued support of the scheme.
She charged the new inductees to actively participate in the four cardinal components of the orientation course: physical training, motivational lectures, sporting activities, and SAED.
The orientation exercise welcomed a total of 1,600 corps members, officially inducted into the programme by Justice Peter Ukande, who represented the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambeae.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has approved the appointment of a new Acting Director of Administration for the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Uburu.
This was contained in a statement in Uburu on Thursday by the DUFUTH’s Public Relations Officer, Agwu N. O.
According to Agwu, the new appointee is Edith Anih, an indigene of Enugu State with relevant working experience, having worked at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, where she was Deputy Director of Administration.
It was gathered that the approval was conveyed in a letter dated April 23, 2025, addressed to the Chief Medical Director.
Prior to her appointment, Anih held the position of Deputy Director of Administration at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu.
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He wrote, “Mrs. Anih Edith Ndidi is a seasoned administrator born on May 22, 1973. She is married and hails from Enugu State, specifically Enugu South Local Government Area.
“She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management. She is also an associate member of the Institute of Health Service Administrators of Nigeria (IHSAN).
“The Management of DUFUTH extends a warm welcome to the new DA and looks forward to collaborating with her as she brings a fresh perspective to the hospital’s administrative leadership.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to launch a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), in a major move aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
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Edun explained that the upcoming audit, along with recent changes in NNPCL management, is part of a broader effort to reform the state-owned oil company and rebuild trust in Nigeria’s economic institutions.
Addressing top global investors, including representatives from financial giant J.P. Morgan, Edun outlined a series of bold economic reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He said the measures are already yielding positive results and have laid a strong foundation for future growth.
“Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it,” Edun said. “We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
According to Edun, Nigeria’s economy grew by 3.84% in the fourth quarter of 2024, with an overall annual growth rate of 3.4%.
He described the government’s economic strategy as “unprecedented,” adding that key indicators such as the budget deficit, trade balance, and exchange rate have all shown signs of improvement.
“We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course,” he emphasized.
The minister also highlighted the government’s focus on agriculture as a critical driver of economic growth, saying efforts are underway to close the food supply gap by empowering local producers.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
In the area of infrastructure, Edun announced that 90,000km of fibre optic cable has been rolled out to boost internet connectivity, especially for young Nigerians and the tech ecosystem.
Additionally, 4,000km of roads have been earmarked for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.
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