News

See 175 Beneficiaries of Tinubu’s Pardons (Full List)

Published

3 weeks ago

October 13, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The decision followed recommendations by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.

A list of all the 175 persons granted presidential pardon and clemency by President Bola Tinubu has been made public.

Those pardoned include, late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, nationalist Herbert Macaulay, Major General Mamman Vatsa, and Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death for killing her husband.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the decision followed recommendations by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

The list, released on Saturday, is divided into six parts: pardoned, posthumous pardon (including the Ogoni Nine), victims of the Ogoni Nine honoured, presidential clemency (clemency beneficiaries), list of inmates recommended for reduced term of imprisonment, and list of inmates on death row reduced to life imprisonment.

Below is the full list of beneficiaries as contained in the statement:

Pardoned

Nweke Francis Chibueze, aged 44, serving a life sentence at Kirikiri for cocaine

Dr Nwogu Peters, aged 67; serving a 17-year jail term for fraud. Sentenced in 2013

Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaoba, aged 63. Already served a sentence for fraud

Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar, aged 58. Sentenced in 2023 to pay a fine of N150M in the ICPC case

Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, age 63, was sentenced to seven years for bribery in 2019 and has served the sentence

Hon. Farouk M. Lawan, aged 62. Sentenced to five years in 2021 for Corrupt Practices and had served the sentence

Posthumous pardon

Sir Herbert Macaulay — banned from public office for misappropriation of funds and sentenced in 1913 by the British colonialists

Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, age 46 — sentenced in 1986 for treason (alleged coup plot)

Posthumous pardon: The Ogoni nine

Ken Saro Wiwa — sentenced for murder

Saturday Dobee — sentenced for murder

Nordu Eawa — sentenced for murder

Daniel Gbooko — sentenced for murder

Paul Levera — sentenced for murder

Felix Nuate — sentenced for murder

Baribor Bera — sentenced for murder

Barinem Kiobel — sentenced for murder

John Kpuine — sentenced for murder

Victims of Ogoni Nine honoured

Chief Albert Badey

Chief Edward Kobaru

Chief Samuel Orage

Chief Theophilus Orage

Presidential clemency

Aluagwu Lawrence, aged 47, sentenced for Indian hemp (selling), 2015

Ben Friday, aged 60, was sentenced to 3 years or N1.3 million fine for marijuana in 2023

Oroke Micheal Chibueze, aged 21, sentenced to 5 years (cannabis sativa) in 2023

Kelvin Christopher Smith, aged 42, was sentenced to 4 years for importing cocaine in 2023

Azubuike Jeremiah Emeka, aged 31, sentenced in 2021 to 5 years or N3 million fine for importing cocaine

Akinrinnade Akinwande Adebiyi, aged 47, sentenced in 2023 to 3 years for dealing in Tramadol

Ahmed Adeyemo, aged 38, sentenced to 15 years for cannabis. Already served nine years, 5 months at Kirikiri

Adeniyi Jimoh, aged 31 years, sentenced to 15 years for Drugs in 2015 and served nine years at Kirikiri

Seun Omirinde, aged 39, sentenced to 15 years for Drugs in 2015. Served nine years at Kirikiri

Adesanya Olufemi Paul, aged 61, sentenced to 14 years for theft. Had served eight years

Ife Yusuf, aged 37, was sentenced for human trafficking in 2019. Had served six years at Kirikiri

Daniel Bodunwa, aged 43, was sentenced in 2018 to 10 years for fraudulent intent to forge a land receipt. Had served six years in jail

Fidelis Michael, aged 40, sentenced to 5 years for cannabis sativa

Suru Akande, aged 52, sentenced to 5 years for cannabis sativa

Safiyanu Umar, aged 56, sentenced to 5 years without the option of a fine for possessing 5 kg of cannabis sativa, 2023

Dahiru Abdullahi, aged 46, was sentenced in 2016 to 21 years for possession of 3 pistols and had spent 10 years in jail

Hamza Abubakar, aged 37, sentenced to 5 years for Indian hemp (selling), 2022

Rabiu Alhassan Dawaki, aged 52, sentenced in 2020 to 7 years for criminal breach of trust

Mujibu Muhammad, aged 30, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years, no option for a fine for cannabis

Emmanuel Eze, aged 49, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for heroin

Bala Azika Yahaya, aged 70, sentenced in 2017 to 15 years for cannabis

Lina Kusum Wilson, aged 34, sentenced to death in 2017 for culpable homicide, had spent eight years in jail

Buhari Sani, aged 33, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for possession of 558 grams of cannabis

Mohammed Musa, aged 27, was sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for possession of 16 grams of cannabis

Muharazu Abubakar, aged 37, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for selling Indian hemp. Already spent 3 years in Katsina Prison

Ibrahim Yusuf, aged 34; jailed 5 years in 2022 for possession of 5.7 grams of Indian hemp

Saad Ahmed Madaki, aged 72; sentenced in 2020 for a 419 offence. Had served 4 years in Kaduna prison

Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa, aged 72: sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in 2005. Had spent 20 years in Kaduna prison

Richard Ayuba, aged 38. Sentenced to 5 years in 2022 for Indian hemp

Adam Abubakar, aged 30 and sentenced in 2022 to five years for possession of 2 kg of tramadol

Emmanuel Yusuf, aged 34; sentenced in 2022 to 4 years for possession of 2 kg of tramadol

Edwin Nnazor, aged 60; sentenced in 2018 to 15 years for cannabis. Had spent 6 years, nine months at Zamfara prison

Chinedu Stanley, aged 34. Sentenced in 2023 to three years for fake lubricant oil

Joseph Nwanoka, aged 42: sentenced in 2022 to five years for drugs

Johnny Ntheru, aged 63, sentenced in 1989 to life imprisonment for robbery. Had spent 36 years in Umuahia Prison

John Omotiye, aged 28, sentenced to six years for pipeline vandalism

Nsikat Edet Harry, aged 37, sentenced in 2023 to 5 years for illegal possession of Indian hemp, cocaine & heroin

Jonathan Asuquo, aged 28, sentenced in 2022 to 5 years for possession of Indian hemp & other drugs

Prince Samuel Peters, aged 54, sentenced in 2020 to 7 years for obtaining money by false pretence. Had spent 4 years, 3 months in Ikot Ekpene Prison

Babangida Saliu, aged 35, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining

Adamu Sanni, aged 39, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining

Abdulkarem Salisu, aged 30, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining

Abdulaziz Lawal, aged 18, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining

Abdulrahman Babangida, aged 20, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining

Maharazu Alidu, aged 22, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining

Zaharadeen Baliue, aged 38, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining

Babangida Usman, aged 30, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining

Zayyanu Abdullahi, aged 28, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024

Bashir Garuba, aged 20, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining

Imam Suleman, aged 25, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024

Abbeh Amisu, aged 28, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024

Lawani Lurwanu, aged 20, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024

Yusuf Alhassan, aged 33, was sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining in 2024

Abdulahi Isah, aged 25, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining, 2024

Zayanu Bello, aged 35, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining

Habeeb Suleman, aged 22, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining

Jubrin Sahabi, aged 23, was sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Shefiu Umar, aged 28, was sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Seidu Abubakar, age 29, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining

Haruna Abubakar, aged 24, was sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Rabiu Seidu, aged 26, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining

Macha Kuru, aged 25, sentenced in 2024 to 3 years for unlawful mining

Zahradeen Aminu, aged 25 years, sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining

Nazipi Musa, aged 25. Sentenced to 3 years for unlawful mining in 2024

Abdullahi Musa, aged 30 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Habibu Safiu, aged 20 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Husseni Sani, aged 21 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Musa Lawali, aged 25 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Suleiman Lawal, aged 23 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Yusuf Iliyasu, aged 21 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Sebiyu Aliyu, aged 20 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Halliru Sani, aged 18 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Shittu Aliyu, aged 30 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Sanusi Aminu, aged 27 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Isiaka Adamu, aged 40 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Mamman Ibrahim, aged 50 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Shuaibu Abdullahi, aged 35 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Sanusi Adamu, aged 28 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Sadi Musa, aged 20 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Haruna Isah, aged 35 and sentenced to 3 years in 2024 for unlawful mining

Abiodun Elemero, aged 43. Sentenced to life imprisonment for cocaine hawking in 2014. Had spent 10 years plus in Kirikiri

Maryam Sanda, aged 37, was sentenced to death in 2020 for culpable homicide and had spent six years, eight months at Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre

List of inmates recommended for reduced term of imprisonment

Yusuf Owolabi, aged 36. Sentenced to life in 2015 for manslaughter. Had spent 10 years at Kirikiri. Prison term reduced to 12 years

Ifeanyi Eze, aged 33. Sentenced to life in 2021 for manslaughter and had spent four years at Kirikiri. Prison term reduced to 12 years

Malam Ibrahim Sulaiman, aged 59. Sentenced to life in 2022 for armed robbery & possession of illegal firearms. Sentence cut to 10 years

Shettima Maaji Arfo, aged 54. Sentenced in 2021 to seven years for corrupt practices. Sentence reduced to four years, because of good conduct and ill-health

Ajasper Benzeger, aged 69 and sentenced in 2015 to 20 years for culpable homicide. Sentence reduced to 12 years, based on old age and ill-health

Ifenna Kennechukwu, aged 42. Sentenced in 2015 to 20 years for drugs (cocaine import) and had spent close to 10 years in Kirikiri. Prison term reduced to 12 years

Mgbeike Matthew, aged 45. Sentenced to 20 years in 2013 for the import of 3.10 kg. Following remorsefulness and the acquisition of vocational skills at Kirikiri.

Sentence reduced to 12 years

Patrick Mensah, aged 40. Sentenced in 2015 to 17 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 11 years

Obi Edwin Chukwu, aged 43 and sentenced in 2017 to 15 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years

Tunde Balogun, aged 32 and sentenced in 2015 to 15 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years

Lima Pereira Erick Diego, aged 27 and sentenced in 2017 to 15 years or a fine of N20 million for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years

Uchegbu Emeka Michael, aged 37. Sentenced in 2017 to 15 years or a fine of N20 million for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years

Salawu Adebayo Samsudeen, aged 46 and sentenced in 2016 to 15 years for drugs. Sentence reduced to 10 years

Napolo Osariemen, aged 61 and sentenced in 2022 to 15 years for 2 kilos of Indian hemp. The sentence was reduced to seven years

Patricia Echoe Igninovia, aged 61 and sentenced in 2023 to seven years for trafficking in persons. Sentence reduced to five years

Odeyemi Omolaram, aged 65 and sentenced in 2017 to 25 years in prison for drugs. Sentence reduced to 12 years based on the defendant’s remorsefulness and
advanced age

Vera Daniel Ifork, aged 29 and sentenced in 2020 to 10 years for trafficking in persons. Sentence reduced to eight years

Gabriel Juliet Chidimma, aged 32 and sentenced in 2022 to six years for drug (cocaine). Sentence reduced to four years

Dias Santos Marcia Christiana, aged 44 and sentenced in 2017 to 15 years for import of cocaine. Sentence reduced to 10 years

Alh. Ibrahim Hameed, aged 71 and sentenced in 2023 to seven years for illegal property (obtaining property under false pretence). Sentence reduced to five years

Alh. Nasiru Ogara Adinoyi, 65, was sentenced in 2023 to 14 years for obtaining property by false pretence. Sentence reduced to seven years

Chief Emeka Agbodike, aged 69, was sentenced in 2023 to seven years for obtaining property by false pretence. Sentence reduced to 3 years

Isaac Justina, aged 40. Sentenced in 2022 to 10 years for cannabis sativa and had spent 3 years in the Abeokuta Custodial Centre. Sentence reduced to four years

Aishat Kehinde, aged 38 and sentenced in 2022 to five years for unlawful possession of cannabis. The prison term being served in Abeokuta has been reduced to four years

Helen Solomon, age 68. Sentenced in 2024 to five years for cannabis sativa. Sentence reduced to three years

Okoye Tochukwu, aged 43 and sentenced in 2024 to six years for cannabis sativa. Sentence reduced to 3 years

Ugwueze Paul, aged 38 and sentenced in 2024 to six years for cannabis sativa. Sentence reduced to three years

Mutsapha Ahmed, aged 46 and sentenced in 2022 to seven years without a fine option for criminal breach of trust. The sentence was reduced to five years

Abubakar Mamman, aged 38 and sentenced in 2020 to 10 years in Kebbi Custodial Centre for possession of firearms. Sentence reduced to seven years

Muhammed Bello Musa, aged 35. Sentenced in 2020 to 10 years in Kebbi Custodial Centre for illegal possession of firearms. Sentence reduced to seven years

Nnamdi Anene, aged 67 and sentenced in 2010 to life imprisonment at Katsina Custodial Centre for illegal dealing of arms. Sentence reduced to 20 years

Alh. Abubakar Tanko, aged 61, was sentenced in 2018 to 30 years at the Gusau Custodial Centre for culpable homicide. Sentence reduced to 20 years

Chisom Francis Wisdom, aged 30; sentenced in 2018 to 20 years in Umuahia Custodial Centre for kidnapping. Sentence reduced to 12 years

Innocent Brown Idiong, aged 60, sentenced in 2020 to 10 years for possession of 700 grams of Indian hemp. Has already spent 4 years and 3 months at Ikot Abasi

Custodial Centre. Jail term reduced to six years

Iniobong Imaeyen Ntukidem, aged 46, was sentenced 2021 to seven years in jail at the Uyo Custodial Centre. Prison term reduced to five years

Ada Audu, aged 72, was sentenced in 2022 to seven years in Kuje Custodial Centre and had spent 2 years and 7 months in prison. Prison term reduced to 4 years because of old age

Bukar Adamu, aged 40 and sentenced to 20 years in 2019 for advance fee fraud. Prison term reduced to nine years

Kelvin Oniarah Ezigbe, 44, was sentenced in October 2023 to 20 years for kidnapping, which took effect in 2013. The sentence was reduced to 13 years

Frank Azuekor, aged 42. Sentenced in 2023 for kidnapping and jailed in Kuje Custodial Centre for 20 years, and had spent 12 years behind bars from 2013. The sentence was reduced to 13 years

Chukwukelu Sunday Calisthus, aged 47 and sentenced in 2014 to life at Kuje Custodial Centre for drugs. He had spent 11 years at Kuje. Sentence reduced to 13 years

Professor Magaji Garba, aged 67. Sentenced in 2021 to seven years for obtaining money by false pretence and had spent 3 years at Kuje Custodial Centre. The prison term was reduced to four years due to good conduct and advanced age

Markus Yusuf, aged 41. Sentenced in 2023 to 13 years for culpable homicide. Sentence reduced to 5 years based on ill-health

Samson Ajayi, aged 31 and sentenced in 2022 to 15 years for drugs. He had spent five years at Suleja Custodial Centre. The sentence was reduced to seven years

Iyabo Binyoyo, aged 49. Sentenced in 2017 to 10 years for drugs and sentenced to nine years at Suleja Custodial Centre, due to good conduct

Oladele Felix, 49, was sentenced in 2022 to five years without a fine option for conspiracy and exploitation. Based on good conduct and remorsefulness, the sentence was reduced to four years. Felix is serving the term at Suleja

Rakiya Beida, aged 33 and sentenced in 2021 to seven years, without a fine option, for theft and cheating. The sentence, being served at Suleja, was reduced to three years based on good conduct

Nriagu Augustine Ifeanyi, aged 44 and sentenced in 2018 to 10 years in Ikoyi Custodial Centre, for exporting cocaine. The sentence was reduced to eight years

Chukwudi Destiny, aged 36 and sentenced in 2022 to six years in Ikoyi Custodial Centre for heroin import. The sentence was cut to four years

Felix Rotimi Esemokhai, aged 47 and sentenced in 2022 to five years for heroin. The sentence was reduced to four years

Major S.A. Akubo, aged 62, was sentenced in 2009 to life at Katsina Custodial Centre for illegally removing 7,000 assorted weapons. Following good conduct and remorsefulness, the sentence was commuted to 20 years

John Ibiam, aged 39, was sentenced in 2016 to 15 years for manslaughter and served 9 years and one month in the Afikpo Custodial Centre. The sentence was reduced to 10 years after the individual showed remorse and acquired vocational skills

Omoka Aja, aged 40 and sentenced in 2016 to 15 years for manslaughter, served 9 years and 1 month in Afikpo Custodial Centre. The sentence was commuted to 10 years

Chief Jonathan Alatoru, aged 66, was sentenced in 2021 to seven years for conspiracy to cheat. The sentence served in Port Harcourt Custodial Centre has been reduced to five years

Umanah Ekaette Umanah, aged 70 and sentenced in 2022 to 10 years in Port Harcourt Custodial Centre for forgery. Sentence reduced to five years due to old age and remorsefulness

Utom Obong Thomson Udoaka, 60, was sentenced in 2020 to seven years in Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre for obtaining money by false pretence. He had served four years and two months at Ikot Ekpene. Due to his old age and good conduct, the initial sentence has been reduced to five years

Jude Saka Ebaragha, aged 44. Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years at Ikoyi Prison and a fine of N1 million for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. The sentence was commuted to six years, and the N1m fine was waived

Frank Insort Abaka, 46, was sentenced in 2020 to 12 years and a N1M fine at Ikoyi Custodial Centre for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. The sentence was reduced to six years, and the fine was waived

Shina Alolo, 42, was sentenced in 2020 to 12 years and a N1M fine at Ikoyi Custodial Centre for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. Like others, the N1m fine was waived, and the sentence was reduced to 6 years

Joshua Iwiki, aged 50: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years at Ikoyi Prison and a fine of N1M for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. The N1m fine was waived, and the sentence was commuted to six years in prison

David Akinseye, aged 44: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years & N1M fine for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. His sentence was commuted to 6 years, and the fine was waived

Ahmed Toyin, aged 46: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years & N1M fine for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. Sentence also commuted and fine waived

Shobajo Saheed, age 57: Sentenced in 2020 to 12 years and a fine of N1M for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. He got a similar reprieve like the others

Adamole Philip, aged 52 years: Sentenced to 12 years & a N1M fine for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel, 2020. Philip also got his term reduced to seven years and the fine waived

Mathew Masi, aged 39: Also sentenced to 12 years and a fine of N1 million for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. The sentence was reduced to six years, and the fine was waived

Bright Agbedeyi, 46, was also sentenced in 2020 for conspiracy to hijack a fishing vessel. Like the others in his category, he got a reprieve

List of inmates on death row reduced to life imprisonment

Emmanuel Baba, aged 38: sentenced to death in 2017 for culpable homicide. On death row in Kuje Custodial Centre for the past 8 years. The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment based on good conduct and remorsefulness

Emmanuel Gladstone, aged 45, was sentenced in 2020 to death for murder and had spent five years at Katsina Custodial Centre. Death sentence commuted to life imprisonment due to good conduct and remorse

Moses Ayodele Olurunfemi, aged 51: sentenced to death in 2012 for culpable homicide and had spent 13 years on death row in Katsina. President Tinubu commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment

Abubakar Usman, aged 59: sentenced to death in 2014 and had spent 14 years on death row in Katsina. His sentence was commuted to life because of his remorse and good conduct

Khalifa Umar, aged 37: sentenced to death in 2014 and had spent 11 years on death row in Kano Custodial Centre. His sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment

Benjamin Ekeze, age 40: sentenced to death in 2017 for armed robbery and conspiracy, and had spent 12 years on death row at Kirikiri, Lagos. The sentence was also commuted to life

Mohammed Umar, aged 43: sentenced to death in 2018 for culpable homicide and had spent seven years on death row in Onitsha Custodial Centre. He got the Presidential reprieve, commuting the death sentence to life imprisonment.

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Oil output slumps as Nigeria, Libya, Venezuela drag OPEC+ targets

Published

13 minutes ago

November 5, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

Nigeria, Libya and Venezuela recorded drops in crude oil production in October, undermining the output levels set by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, OPEC+, for the month.

According to a Reuters report on Tuesday, OPEC’s overall output rose by just 30,000 barrels per day in October, a sharp contrast to the 330,000 bpd increase recorded in September, despite earlier agreements to boost supply.

Data from OPEC’s Monthly Oil Market Report for October, obtained by Channels Television, showed that Nigeria’s crude production, which fluctuated between 1.3 million and 1.4 million barrels per day from January to June 2025, rose briefly to 1.5 million bpd in July before sliding back to 1.4 million bpd in August and 1.3 million bpd in September.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bayo Ojulari, attributed the production decline to the “crisis between the Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers as well as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.”

Oil prices slipped on Wednesday amid global market weakness and a stronger US dollar as investors reassessed supply dynamics.

Brent crude futures fell by 6 cents (0.1%) to $64.38 per barrel by 5:08 a.m. WAT, hitting a near two-week low. U.S. West Texas Intermediate also declined by 10 cents (0.17%) to $60.46, while the OPEC Basket shed 0.26 cents (0.39%) to $66.72 per barrel.

“The risk-off tone across markets saw investors exit energy markets,” ANZ analysts wrote in a client note quoted by Reuters.

“Crude oil is trading lower … as risk sentiment shifted sharply negative, boosting the safe haven U.S. dollar, both of which weighed on the crude oil price,” IG market analyst Tony Sycamore stated.

Further pressure came after the American Petroleum Institute reported a rise in U.S. crude inventories for the week ending October 31.

On the supply front, OPEC+ announced plans to raise production by 137,000 bpd in December but said it would pause further increases during the first quarter of 2026.

However, analysts at LSEG cautioned that the pause was “unlikely to offer meaningful support to November and December prices.”

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Nigeria, Africa must pursue energy transition on own terms — Minister

Published

21 minutes ago

November 5, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr Ekperikpe Ekpo, says Nigeria and Africa must pursue energy transition based on national realities.

Ekpo said this on Wednesday during a ministerial panel session on “Global Shifts: Navigating an Era of Diverging Priorities” at the ongoing 2025 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference.

He said that Nigeria and indeed Africa must be allowed to use their resources responsibly rather than externally imposed pathways that could undermine economic stability.

”Our position is clear; Nigeria and Africa cannot decarbonise to poverty. We must be allowed to use our resources responsibly to provide energy security, drive industrialisation, and ensure sustainable growth,” he said.

He emphasised that while Nigeria supports global decarbonisation goals, energy transition must be ”sequential, just, and balanced,” adding that the continent could not afford to decarbonise at the expense of development.

”For Nigeria today, about 80 million people are without access to electricity, and across Africa, more than 600 million still live without power.

“Millions also rely on biomass for cooking, which is not clean. Gas remains central to Nigeria’s energy strategy, serving as a low-emission fuel for power generation, industrialisation, transportation, and clean cooking,” he said.

The minister revealed that Nigeria was expanding renewable energy deployment in viable areas to complement natural gas utilisation and reduce carbon emissions.

He said that while renewables were part of the country’s energy mix, heavy industrial and power loads could not yet be met solely through renewable sources.

”We are therefore taking advantage of our abundant natural gas to power our economy and ensure a just and inclusive energy transition,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the global energy industry is entering a new phase, defined by recalibration rather than acceleration, as governments seek to reconcile sustainability targets with the realities of affordability, access, and security.

Amid this complexity, energy leaders are reshaping their strategies to sustain economic resilience, advancing renewables and power sector reform while modernising legacy systems to ensure reliability and investment continuity.

The resurgence of hydrocarbons, volatility in critical minerals, and renewed regional competition for energy supply are further compelling governments to strengthen domestic capacity and pursue pragmatic cooperation across borders.

Against this backdrop, the core question is not whether to decarbonise, but how to align goals with growth, fiscal stability, and social development.

punch.ng

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Southern Leaders, Others Oppose US Military Intervention In Nigeria

Published

45 minutes ago

November 5, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The National Caucus of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has strongly opposed any unsolicited foreign military intervention in Nigeria over any matter by the United States of America.

The forum comprises the South-West’s Afenifere, the South-East’s Ohanaeze Ndigbo,, the Pan Niger Delta Forum and the Middle-Belt Forum.

SMBLF also considered the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern a wake-up call to the Federal Government to pursue with a sense of urgency and responsibility halting the ongoing mayhem and killings.

A communique issued at the end of the National Caucus Meeting of the Forum held at the weekend urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reshuffle the offices of the National Security Adviser, Minister of Defence and Minister of State for Defence who are all Northerners to include Southerners.

The communique reads further, “Furthermore, the SMBLF acknowledges the recent reshuffling of the Service Chiefs and welcomes the appointment of new ones. However, we urge the President to extend this reform to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of State for Defence all of whom are presently from one section of the country. This will not only ensure a comprehensive overhaul of the national defence architecture but also reflect the diversity of the country”

The SMBLF’s communique signed by Afenifere leader, HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan, President, Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata and National Chairman, PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Igali, appealed to Tinubu to adopt a nationalist approach by which the Attorney-General of the federation is empowered to set necessary constitutional machinery to effect Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

SMBLF said the release of Nnamdi Kanu would be a salutary directive in the interest of the most needed national rehabilitation and peace.

On the 2027 presidential poll, SMBLF recalled its decision in 2021 that the President of Nigeria in the 2023 election should be from the Southern part of the country in demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to restructuring and national stability, “and now further resolves that the decision should remain applicable to the 2027 Presidential Election for the same reasons”

The communique reads in parts, “On the Designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern: The SMBLF notes with very serious concern the designation by the US President Donald Trump of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious persecution against Christians.

“The SMBLF affirms its opposition to any unsolicited foreign military intervention in Nigeria over any matter.Furthermore face the issues on ground in disarming and prosecuting the known militias and killer herdsmen and Islamists terrorists responsible for this, and restore occupied lands to their rightful owners of all faiths and ethnic nationalities especially in Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, Gombe, Southern Bornu, Southern Kebbi and all over the rest of the country”

However, prominent Nigerian Christian leaders in the Southern part of Kaduna State have hailed United States President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” describing it as a “long-overdue moment of truth” that exposes the federal government’s failure to protect its Christian citizens.

They made their position known in a statement signed by the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association (SKCLA) chairman, Apostle Emmanuel Nuhu Kure on Tuesday.

They accused successive Nigerian governments of abandoning Christians in the North to systematic persecution and land seizures while paying lip service to peace and unity.

Kure alleged a coordinated campaign to disenfranchise northern minorities, claim their lands, steal their quotas, debase their traditional institutions and exclude them from political representation.

“At last, someone, somewhere, has taken notice of the plight of Christians in Northern Nigeria, a plight our own government has consistently failed to acknowledge, let alone address.

“For far too long, Christians in the North have been abandoned by the very nation that should protect them. Successive governments, northern Muslim leaders, and even some Christian leaders and governors have paid lip service to peace, human rights, and unity.

“Meanwhile, the systematic rewriting of the history of northern minorities continues, with their lands seized, quotas stolen, traditional institutions debased, and political representation denied,” he said.

The former national secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) pointed to what he called institutionalised religious bias, citing northern universities like Bayero and Sokoto, where churches are allegedly forbidden.

“In many northern cities and institutions of learning, such as Bayero and Sokoto Universities, and in several other northern establishments, churches are not permitted to be built, while mosques abound, thereby encouraging jihadist ideologies that are hostile to the Christian faith.

“This is not so in the South, which is raising the question of whether we have a separate government from the South. What tradition or otherwise permits one sector to be enslaved by the other in these modern times? These are the realities of the North that the Trump question is raising that the government must answer,” he stated.

The clergyman outlined a sustained pattern of persecution, including the “sponsorship and protection of jihadists, forced marriages that destroy Christian homes, and denial of equal opportunities.

“The federal government must no longer deny these realities. It must establish a credible, independent inquiry led by courageous and impartial Nigerians who will be tasked with investigating these allegations.

“The killings in Benue and Plateau States, where there is no evidence of theft or criminality, reveal a scorched-earth campaign targeted at persecuted Christian communities.

“The persistent killing of pastors in Southern Kaduna, the neglect of dangerous roads, and the half-hearted measures in Borno all prove that there is knowledge of the truth, but no political will to confront it,” Nuhu stated.

Trump’s Stand Based on Purported 2010 Report – Akpabio

For his part, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has stated that the US President’s stand on Nigeria is based on a purported 2010 report on the killings in Nigeria, especially Plateau and Benue States.

According to Akpabio, the Senate will deliberate on recent comments made by United States President Donald Trump regarding Nigeria, in collaboration with the executive branch of government.

Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Akpabio said the matter concerns foreign policy and diplomatic relations, and therefore requires a coordinated national response.

He said, “We have not discussed the issue of President Trump yet in chambers.

We shall do so in combination with the executive because we believe it is a matter of foreign policy and diplomatic relations.

I have refrained from taking any motion on it until we know the direction of the government and what the government intends to do.”

Akpabio noted that Trump’s position on Nigeria was not based on current realities but on an outdated report from 2010.

He said, “The position that President Trump is taking is not based on current realities.

It is based on a purported 2010 report — 15 years ago — where some people came on a fact-finding mission from the US Congress. They visited only Plateau and Benue; they did not go to Zamfara or other areas.”

We’re Open to Dialogue with International Partners – Federal Government

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains calm and focused amid recent threats and concerns from the United States, assuring that Nigeria is working to clarify its security efforts to the international community.

Speaking to State House correspondents after visiting the President at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, Idris described the meeting as part of his routine consultations with the President but confirmed that the issue of the United States’ comments also came up during their discussions.

He said, “Well, it is a routine that we always have with Mr. President. As the Minister of Information, I need to consult with Mr. President from time to time, and this is exactly what we have done.

Of course, the issue of the U.S. threats also came up, and we discussed that extensively with Mr President, and Mr President is calm. He is looking at the whole situation and looking for ways and means of ensuring that the international community understands what Nigeria has been doing.”

Don’t interfere in Nigeria’s affairs, China tells US

Nigeria may become another arena of diplomatic tension between China and the United States, which could further strain relations between the two major superpowers, experts have suggested.

The threat of US military intervention in Nigeria over the perceived failure of the Nigerian government to tackle alleged genocide against Christians by militant Islamic jihadists has triggered a reaction from the Chinese government, which warned against such action, saying it would violate Nigeria’s sovereignty.

On Tuesday, China urged the international community to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty following the US threat of military action.

A statement on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China quoted the spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, as saying this during a press briefing on Tuesday in Beijing.

She said, “As Nigeria’s strategic partner, China opposes any attempt by foreign powers to use religion or human rights as a pretext to meddle in another country’s internal affairs or impose sanctions and military threats.”

She restated China’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, commending the government for guiding the country along a development path tailored to its national conditions.

Reacting to this development, Nigerian experts in international affairs have said that China’s reaction was based on the recent Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement both countries signed last year in Beijing, which was an upgraded version of the two countries’ diplomatic relations.

Speaking on Tuesday, director of the Centre for China Studies, an Abuja-based intellectual think tank, Charles Onunaiju, said the Chinese government “extended solidarity to Nigeria during trying times based on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” adding that China does not want a misjudgement of the Nigerian situation to levy war in the country, which would complicate things further.

He added that, “China denounces the method of US President Donald Trump, which does not align with the standard of the international community based on rules.”

Also speaking on Tuesday, another expert in international affairs and diplomacy, Dr Austin Maho, noted that Beijing’s reaction to the US threat of interference reflects China’s quest for Nigeria’s sovereign right and the need to protect its strategic partner from the chaos that may ensue from military intervention.

He said, “Based on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, China sees it as a duty to protect Nigeria from external aggression disguised as fighting insecurity.”

In September 2024, China and Nigeria established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, following the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two sides in 2005. The two countries held their first strategic dialogues in 2009. In January 2021, the two countries established the China–Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee mechanism.

In the event of any US military action against Nigeria, however, China will not provide military assistance to Nigeria, as the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is not a military pact that would entail China defending Nigeria in such an event. Nigeria can only rely on China’s diplomatic support.

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