News

Soaring world oil prices: Ghana, South Africa turn to Nigeria

Published

3 months ago

March 21, 2026

The crisis in the Middle East is likely to be a blessing to Nigeria as some countries in Africa have turned to Nigeria for their oil supply.

World oil prices are experiencing high volatility and upward pressure in March 2026, driven by , with Brent crude surging over $100 per barrel .

According to Bloomberg, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya are among the countries seeking to purchase petroleum products from the refinery.

“African nations that have long been reliant on giant refineries in the Persian Gulf for fuel are in a bind as the Iran war chokes off supplies,” the publication said.

“Some are now turning to Aliko Dangote, the continent’s richest person, for help.

“The Nigerian billionaire owns a 650,000-barrel-a-day refinery outside Lagos, a plant he’s described as a “monster” that he would never have built if he’d known how tough the undertaking would be.

“The $20 billion project was eventually brought online in 2024 after a series of delays and massive cost overruns and has been ramping up since then.”

According to the report, this shift has brought an end to the country’s long-standing practice of exporting crude oil for refining and then re-importing it at a significantly higher cost.

Reports disclosed that there is sufficient demand for petrol and diesel within Nigeria to soak up about three-quarters of the refinery’s output, leaving the rest available for export.

Ghana, South Africa and Kenya are among the African countries that have indicated their interest in patronizing Dangote.

“The plant won’t be able to fully meet the regional fuel-supply deficit, and most countries don’t hold sufficient strategic reserves to buffer consumers against extended shortages,” the publication said.

“Some governments and firms are already making contingency plans.

“Ethiopia is urging citizens to use fuel sparingly and says public-transport providers will get priority access, while South African coal miner Exxaro is taking steps to ensure it can power its vehicles and operations.”

The report added that the jockeying that is set to take place for fuel is expected to boost Dangote’s profits.

News

Edo cracks down on cultists, kidnappers

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2026

The Exclusives

Monday Okpebholo

Edo State Government has established a Special Criminal Court to expedite the prosecution of cultists, kidnappers and other criminal offenders as part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity in the state.

The Chief Registrar of the Edo State Judiciary, Benson Osawaru, disclosed on Friday that the court was established at the request of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

According to Osawaru, the Special Criminal Court will handle cases relating to cultism, kidnapping and other matters that may be assigned by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.

He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring speedy dispensation of justice and curbing the growing wave of cult-related violence and abductions across the state.

“The move is expected to address the rising cases of cult-related violence and kidnappings by ensuring quick prosecution of offenders and serving as a deterrent to criminal elements,” Osawaru stated.

Edo State has in recent months witnessed a surge in violent crimes, particularly incidents of kidnapping and cult clashes in several communities.
Meanwhile, Governor Okpebholo has reiterated his administration’s commitment to eliminating kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality from the state.

Speaking at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government election campaign for the Edo Central Senatorial District at the Uromi Town Hall in the Esan North-East Local Government Area, the governor assured residents that decisive measures were being taken to restore security and public confidence.

He said efforts were underway to create a safe environment that would enable farmers displaced by insecurity to return to their farmlands without fear.

The governor stressed that criminal elements terrorising communities would be made to face the full weight of the law.
“Governors are ready to fight insecurity across the nation. The perpetrators will be exposed, and they will run away from the country. In Edo State, there will be security, and our farmers will be able to return to their farms,” he said.
Okpebholo added that his administration would not allow kidnappers and bandits to find refuge in the state.

“I am determined to ensure that kidnappers and bandits do not find a haven in Edo State. Our decisive action against criminals will serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.

The governor further declared that tough measures against convicted criminals would discourage others from engaging in crime.

“I am serious about the fight against insecurity. By the time we execute one, two, three and more of these criminals, others will run away from Edo State,” he stated.

News

Why insecurity persists in the north, by Nasarawa governor

Published

3 days ago

June 26, 2026

The Exclusives

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has identified some of the reasons for the incidences of insecurity and out-of-school crisis in the northern part of Nigeria.

Speaking at a Summit on enhancing human capital development in Northern Nigeria in Abuja, Sule said the Almajiri system is “the single largest structural contributor” to Nigeria’s education emergency.

The Almajiri is a traditional system of Islamic education prevalent in northern Nigeria, where young boys leave their families to study the Quran under the guidance of religious teachers (Mallams). Originally a respected scholarship tradition, it has devolved into a socio-economic crisis, leaving millions of out-of-school children vulnerable to destitution and exploitation.

The country has an estimated 18.3 million out-of-school children, and recent data shows Almajiri children make up roughly 72% to 81% of that total, concentrated in the North.

He, therefore, urged the National Assembly to permanently outlaw the Almajiri system.
“Many minors recruited into banditry graduated from the Almajiri system,” Sule said.

Nasarawa accounts for about 430,000 out-of-school children.

At the event, the governor recalled the 2020 mass repatriation of Almajiri children by Nasarawa and Kaduna states but said enforcement alone isn’t enough without alternatives.

He is proposing a total ban on the Almajiri system, replaced with mandatory formal education and skills acquisition.
Sule is seeking total collaboration of the Northern intelligentsia, the political class, and the traditional system.

He urged Northern leaders to turn summit discussions into actionable draft bills, arguing that “policy changes are the only way to defeat regional poverty.”