Alhaji Muhammad Dangote, the father of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, was a towering figure in commerce and public life whose influence stretched across Hausa land and several parts of Nigeria. Born in 1903 and passing away in 1966, Muhammad Dangote laid the foundation of a legacy that would later shape modern African enterprise.
He was born in an area known as Gote in what is today the Republic of Niger, a fact that earned him the nickname “Dangote,” which later became the family name. Despite his birth outside present-day Nigeria, his ancestral roots trace back to Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, from where his parents originally came.
Alhaji Muhammad Dangote emerged as a prominent businessman during an era when trade networks across northern and southern Nigeria were central to economic life. His commercial activities and reputation earned him respect far beyond Kano, making him a notable figure in Hausa land and across regional markets.
Beyond business, he played a role in public service. He was a member of the House of Assembly during the time of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, a period that marked the early political evolution of Northern Nigeria.
Muhammad Dangote was also closely connected to one of the most influential mercantile families in northern Nigeria. He maintained a strong relationship with Alhassan Dantata, the legendary industrialist, and this bond was further cemented through marriage. He married Hajiya Mariya Sunusi Dantata, Dantata’s granddaughter, who later became the mother of Aliko Dangote.
He had several wives, including Hajiya Adama Garba Sharif, Hajiya Sabuwa Hadeja, Hajiya Aishatu Aliyu Waziri, and Hajiya Mariya Sunusi Dantata, among others. Through these unions, he raised a large family whose members went on to play various roles in business and society.
His children include Khadija, Garba, Ahmad (Gwadabe), Ibrahim, Kabiru, Abdullahi, Umar, Sunusi, Aminu, Aliko, Bello, Sani, Zuwaira, Rabi, and Aishatu (Mowa).
Although he did not live to witness the global rise of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Muhammad Dangote’s life reflects the values of enterprise, community standing, and leadership that continue to define the Dangote legacy today. His story remains an important chapter in the history of indigenous African entrepreneurship.
We remain resolute to frustrate drug syndicates targeting Nigeria, says Marwa
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured an order of a Federal High Court in Lagos to detain a ship, its captain and 20 other crew members following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine in the hatch of the commodity vessel from Brazil at the Apapa seaport in Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Operatives of the NDLEA acting on credible intelligence had on 6th December 2025 discovered the cocaine consignment aboard the merchant vessel MV San Anthonio from Brazil. After the full discharge of cargo from the ship, a total of 21 crew members of diverse nationalities including Russia, Phillipines, Ukraine and Azerbaijan were taken into NDLEA custody along with the drug exhibits.
This is coming on the heels of a similar interception by NDLEA officers of another commodity laden vessel- MV Nord Bosporus from the port of Santos in Brazil with no less than 20 kilograms of the Class A drug buried under its cargo on 16th November at the Apapa seaport Lagos.
Suspects taken into custody along with the latest seized cocaine consignment include the Master of the vessel, Trofymov Oleksandr; and other crew members namely: Stoychev Sergiy; Bobrov Maksim; Stupnytsky Sergiy; Bitinev Aleksei; Novruzov Teymur; Sosnov Oleg; Bondar Ihor; Klymenko Oleh; Cala Michael De Jesus; Jamir Julfikhar Jacusalem; Blanco Crus Veloso; Fajardo Ronnel Luntaao; Gumela Lolito Jr. Serojano; Toston Romulo Jr. Oling; Smirnov Viacheslav; Gorre Mar Kemmeth Tabudlong; Cruz John Vhoie Glavez; Sablan Jamille Alorro; Abesia Kelvin Belarmino; and Ubay Kenneth Biaoco.
In line with international legal protocols, the NDLEA on Friday 12th December filed an ex-parte application in suit FHC/L/MISC/1408/2025 before Justice Frida Nkemakonam Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos, for the detention of the ship and the 21 crew members pending when charges will be filed against them.
Ruling on the application, the judge said “an order of court is hereby made extending the detention of the Vessel MV San Antonio being investigated by the Applicant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for fourteen days (14) in the first instance following the seizure of 25.5 kilograms of cocaine aboard the said Vessel on 6th December, 2025 at Apapa seaport, Lagos, pending the conclusion of investigation and or filing of criminal charge and prosecution.” The court thereafter adjourned the matter to 29th December 2025.
In his reaction to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) said the latest seizure reinforces his earlier warning to international drug cartels and their local collaborators that they will never get a foothold in Nigeria.
While commending the officers of the Apapa Strategic Command of the Agency for the back-to-back successful operations, he said “this is no doubt a testament to NDLEA’s heightened capacity and unwavering resolve to frustrate the drug syndicates targeting the West African sub-region especially Nigeria.” He said the Agency will continue to collaborate with local and international partners to ensure zero tolerance for substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.
Omniversity: Redefining professional competence with academic validation
Quote:
“This is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a stronger *network of recognized professionals shaping the future of education, leadership, and enterprise across Africa and beyond*.
-Prof.Tokunbo Akeredolu-Ale ( President/Chairman BoT,Omniversity Missouri USA and Lagos Nigeria
It pays to drive one’s vision with unwarying intention, propelled by a firm purpose, passion and pragmatic partnerships, especially with those who share in it. It pays to make the desired difference in one’s chosen professional landscape with a different approach to the normally accepted narrative by a futuristic objective. Yes, indeed it pays to be pro- people,especially in the engagement to create an impact on the Human Development Index (HDI), more so built on the solid foundation of skills-piloted educational foundation. And that is better still with the larger picture of that same vision not just meant for the Nigerian nation, or the African continent but on the global spectrum .
Interestingly, that is exactly what the Prof. Tokunbo Akeredolu-Ale-led Omniversity Missouri USA and Lagos Nigeria has done by “taking another bold step in *redefining competence* through *practice-based qualifications, accreditation of prior learning, skill recognition, and ISO-aligned credentials* as tools for Africa’s educational and economic development”.
All these and more came to the limelight at the *African Education Innovation Workshop and ISO-Aligned Practice Qualifications Conferment 2025* held on December 12, 2025 at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. As he aptly reinforced in his Welcome Address at the Workshop it goes beyond mere rhetoric. It is a new way of doing things. While it might sound idealistic, it is innovative with a deep feeling of transformation beyond academic based theoretical knowledge.Admitted that well researched thesis are good for knowledge acquisition “but practice is better,” he emphasized. That rings true as Benjamin Franklin rightly noted:
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
In fact, it has become a new framework to access the impact the acquired knowledge makes on humanity. From topnotch citadels such as Harvard,Yale to Kingston Universities, it has been discovered that is the missing link on bringing applicable knowledge to the doorstep of the beneficiaries. So, “it is not how much you know that matters as much as its practical demonstration.”
For instance, the increasingly impactful field of Artificial intelligence,AI is not about theories but the practical creation of systems and tools. Now is therefore, the best of times to take the bull by horn and bring them to the public sphere. That is better still in the evaluation of individuals through practice-based qualifications, accreditation of prior learning, skill recognition, and ISO-aligned credentials.
What it all attests to is that certificates issued by Omniversity to professionals are legal and valid for employment anywhere in Nigeria,, Africa and beyond.
The idea through Omniversity Missouri USA for the past one engaging year and that of Lagos over the past one and a half months,: through sacrificial, sleepless nights of toil is paying off with evidence- based practicality, as witnessed during the insightful workshop.
In a similar vein, this line of thought was echoed loud and clear in the Keynote Address by Nigeria’s first Professor of Practice, Prof.Francis Toromade. He emphasized that the game – changing role of Omniversity revolutionalising the nation’s workspace through APEL, CBE and SR which he strongly canvassed should be integrated into the national education framework.He highlighted the fact that Nigeria and the African continent are currently sitting on the massive treasure-not pf oil and gas or solid minerals -but on that of the people who are unfortunately under utilized.
Furthermore, speaking on both the importance and imperative of certification he touched on professions such as accountancy, banking, marketing and law whereby for full recognition to practise they have to sit for the professional examinations to become certified chartered accountants, bankers, and lawyers.That situation underscores the significance of the practical application of the theoretical knowledge acquired. As he stated, ” millions of Nigerians assume that they can do the job but few can prove it. “
On a plain yet brutal premix focus should therefore, shift to both relevant skills acquisition and its validation. And that is because skills are visible, verifiable and portable. That explains why if you remove the ‘s’ from ‘skill’ it becomes ‘kill’ and if the ‘k’ is taken away it becomes ‘ill’. Interesting, is it not? Of course, it is.
Worthy of note and as determined efforts would have it, Omniversity has formally secured *Corporate Membership and Practice License* of the Chartered Institute of Loan and Risk Management of Nigeria (CILRMN) — Nigeria’s federally chartered authority for loan and risk management practice. This achievement confers *national legitimacy, regulatory validation, and professional recognition on Omniversity.
In a similar vein, the wave-making university has acquired Corporate Membership of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development ( NITAD ) which is Nigeria’s federally chartered authority for training, learning and professional development. The import of this is that this milestone confers national legitimacy, regulatory validation and recognition on the university. But that was not all.
Taking another giant step forward, it has received institutional approval from the Lagos state Ministry of Tertiary Education as a legally acknowledged provider of professional training, evaluation and certification programs within the state. This empowers it for training, capacity building and professional development initiatives. In fact, according to Ibidapo-Obe, a Director at the Ministry who represented the Permanent Secretary, the University performed excellently well all through the thorough verifications of its capacity to deliver on its vision and mission statements through the programs and was full of accolades for the institution.
In specific term she explained that with Nigeria’s youth population projected to escalate to 250 million by 2050, and having millions of them as graduates lacking the needed skills in the workplace space this
presents a challenge and an opportunity which Omniversity, buoyed with a futuristic mission is out to resolve. Ibidapo-Obe therefore, emphasized the need for integration of knowledge and skills, up-skilling and inclusivity for economic growth:
“Together let us break barriers, build bridges, and shape a future where Nigeria’s youth are not just educated, but also are empowered,” Mrs Ibidapo-Obe stated.
On his part, the former Director-General/CEO, NIMASA and Maritime Consultant, Dr Dakuku Peterside, explored the value of practice-based qualifications as a framework for advancing and validating maritime expertise in Nigeria, using a question-driven approach. This method was chosen for several reasons. As he explained,
questions are essential to learning, innovation, and effective communication—they spark curiosity, promote critical thinking, and open doors to deeper understanding. By asking questions, we can clarify uncertainties, address misconceptions, and steer conversations toward meaningful and productive outcomes.
For Dr. Peterside, who has over the years rejected several chieftaincy titles and honourary doctorate degrees from traditional and educational organizations respectively to have openly accepted the Fellowship from Omniversity speaks volumes about validity.
Amongst other awardees are HRH Oba Clement Olusegun Akinyemi (Ajana of Ijana Ota)
in the Category of Distinguished Fellowship while in the Category of Honorary Fellowship Awardees are, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Archbishop Dr. Taiwo Akinola,
Ogunlade Adeleke Kehinde
Pst. (Mrs.) Janet Onaolapo, Ambassador Onuche Kingsley Itodo.and ten other distinguished Nigerians.
Furthermore, in the
*Category of Professor of Practice (Prof.Prac.) Awardees are Capt. (Dr.) Oladeji Folayan, Dr. Ibukunoluwa Jonathan Oremodu, DC (Dr.) Aliyu Abubakar Lucky, psc, Sfifs, ecrmi, Amb, PhD and Dr. Stephen Adetutu Oniya. Other awardees include Dr. Colin Udo Enim and Rev. (Dr.) Gabriel Oyedeji in the Category of : Doctor of Practice (D. Prac.)
All these practice-based demonstration of professional competence should serve as food – for – thought to the doubting Thomases still unable to understand Omniversity’s mission of bridging professional practice with academic validation.
In a bid to promote wellness, strengthen community ties, and bring its leadership closer to the consumers it serves, Smile Communications has announced a five-day health initiative tagged “Walk for Life.” The programme, scheduled to run from Monday, 15th to Friday, 19th December 2025, will see the company’s senior executives walk through selected routes across Lagos, engaging directly with residents and small businesses along the way.
Leading the initiative is Smile’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Abhulime Ehiagwina, joined by the Chief Technical Officer, Mr. Akin Alayoku, and the Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Muhammad Shahzad. The walk will commence daily from Smile’s Head Office in Ikoyi and extend toward key mainland communities over the course of the week.
Speaking ahead of the programme, Mr. Ehiagwina noted that Walk for Life reflects Smile’s broader commitment to fostering wellbeing both inside and outside the workplace.
“This initiative goes beyond physical activity — it is about connecting with the communities we serve, encouraging healthier lifestyles, and demonstrating that leadership is at its best when it steps forward with people, not just for them,” he said.
As part of the walk, Smile executives will share friendly, conversational information about the company’s newly improved Smile MINI, MIDI, JUMBO, MAXI and ANNUAL plans — designed to offer Nigerians more data at lower prices. Residents and small business owners will also have the opportunity to engage the team directly, ask questions, take photos, and even make instant purchases where desired.
According to Olagoke Olaleye, Head of Marketing Operations at Smile Communications, the initiative aligns with the brand’s vision of deeper consumer understanding and engagement.
“For over a year, we have committed ourselves to listening to Nigerians — understanding how they work, stream, learn and stay connected.
‘Walk for Life’ is an extension of that commitment. It is an opportunity to meet consumers on their own turf and sensitise them to the new, more valuable Smile plans in the most human and genuine way possible,” he explained.
Beyond leadership visibility and consumer engagement, ‘Walk for Life’ has been structured to also promote employee wellness and organisational culture. Speaking on this internal dimension of the programme, Mrs. Linda Olumide, Head of Talent at Smile Communications, offered a simple but powerful remark:
“Healthy teams build healthy companies.”
Throughout the five-day activity, the Smile team is expected to stop at various points to interact with traders, commuters, corporate workers, artisans and young people who depend on internet connectivity for daily productivity.
By using a community-focused approach, Smile aims to create meaningful moments of connection while raising awareness of the newly enhanced data plans launched during the Yuletide season as a year-end gift to its customers.
Walk for Life represents a refreshing blend of leadership visibility, wellness promotion, and consumer education — reinforcing Smile’s belief that strong brands are built not only through technology, but through active human presence.
The Anambra State Police Command has recorded another major operational success as operatives of the Commissioner of Police (CP) Special Patrol recovered arms, suspected stolen cash, and other incriminating items during a hot pursuit in Abagana.
The incident occurred at about 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, during an offensive security operation aimed at flushing out criminal elements and strengthening public safety across the state.
According to police sources, the operatives encountered suspected criminals who attempted to evade arrest upon sighting the patrol team, triggering a high-speed chase through the area.
In the course of the pursuit, the suspects’ operational vehicle was involved in an accident, forcing the occupants to abandon the vehicle and flee into the surrounding environment.
A thorough search of the abandoned ash-coloured Toyota Highlander with registration number UWN 680 PE led to the discovery of dangerous weapons and other items suspected to be linked to criminal activities.
Among the items recovered were one pump-action rifle and one locally fabricated single-barrel rifle, raising serious concerns about the intentions of the fleeing suspects.
Police operatives also recovered a sum of Six Hundred and Thirty-Six Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira (₦636,700.00), believed to be suspected proceeds of crime.
Other incriminating items found inside the vehicle are currently being analyzed as part of ongoing investigations by the Command.
Although the suspects escaped during the incident, the Police Command has confirmed that their identities are being traced through intelligence gathering and coordinated tracking efforts.
The Command disclosed that intelligence-led operations have since been intensified across Abagana and adjoining communities to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects.
Security presence in the area has also been strengthened to prevent any further criminal activity and to reassure residents of the police’s readiness to respond swiftly to threats.
The Anambra State Police Command described the recovery as a testament to its proactive policing approach and sustained commitment to combating crime in the state.
Residents have been urged to remain calm but vigilant, and to promptly report any suspicious movement or information that could assist security agencies.
The Police Command reaffirmed that the safety of lives and property remains its top priority, stressing that criminal elements will find no hiding place in Anambra State.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, the Command assured Ndi Anambra that further developments on the operation will be communicated as investigations continue.
Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (retd.), is dead.
Tanko was said to have died on Tuesday morning at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.
His death was confirmed in an official condolence statement issued by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), National Headquarters, Abuja, dated December 16, 2025.
In the statement titled “NAMLAS Condolence Message on the Passing of Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria,” the association described his death as a major loss to the country.
“Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return,” the statement read.
“The Nigeria Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), National Headquarters, Abuja, receives with profound sorrow the news of the passing of Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, former Chief Justice of Nigeria. His demise is a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim Ummah, and the nation at large.”
Justice Muhammad, who served as the Chief Justice of Nigeria before his retirement, was described by the association as “a towering figure of integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to justice.”
According to NAMLAS, throughout his judicial career, the former CJN “exemplified the highest ideals of the Bench—fairness, courage, and fidelity to the rule of law.”
The statement added, “As Chief Justice of Nigeria, he discharged his responsibilities with wisdom and restraint, leaving behind a legacy of service that will continue to guide generations of legal practitioners.”
Beyond his role on the Bench, NAMLAS said the late jurist played a significant mentorship role, particularly among young Muslim law students across the country.
“To NAMLAS, the late Chief Justice was more than a jurist; he was a fatherly pillar and a source of encouragement to Muslim law students across the country,” the association said, noting that his “support, moral guidance, and openness to the aspirations of young Muslim legal minds reflected his deep belief in mentorship, continuity, and the nurturing of future custodians of justice.”
The association extended condolences to his family, the Nigerian judiciary, and the country at large.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, the Nigerian Judiciary, the Government and people of Nigeria, and the entire Muslim Ummah,” the statement said.
NAMLAS also offered prayers for the repose of his soul, praying that Allah forgives his shortcomings, accepts his good deeds, and grants him “the highest abode in Jannatul Firdaus.”
Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad served Nigeria’s judiciary for decades and rose to the highest judicial office in the country, leaving behind a career that shaped key moments in the nation’s legal history.
The Edo State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on cult-related violence, neutralising a suspected cultist and arresting 27 others during a late-night raid that disrupted an alleged initiation ceremony.
Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the operation in a statement issued on Monday in Benin City. She explained that the raid was based on credible intelligence that members of the Neo Black Axe Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as Black Axe, had gathered in Urohi village, Esan-West Local Government Area, about 18 kilometres from Ekpoma, for an initiation exercise.
The raid took place at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Saturday and was led by the Divisional Police Officer of Ekpoma Division, SP Nelson Igbinoba. The combined team included police tactical operatives, local vigilantes, and hunters.
According to Ikoedem, the operatives came under gunfire while attempting to make arrests. “One of the cultists opened fire on the police and, in the ensuing gun duel, the suspect was neutralised,” she said.
Recovered items from the scene included firearms, dangerous weapons, vehicles, mobile phones, and substances suspected to be hemp.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) for thorough investigation and prosecution. He commended the operatives for their swift response and professionalism during the operation.
Agbonika reassured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to combating cultism, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality across Edo State.
ASP Ikoedem urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, stressing that community cooperation is vital to sustaining the offensive against cult-related violence and other threats to public safety.
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of 11 passengers who were among 18 kidnapped along the Benin–Akure highway near Obarenren village in Ovia North East Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed the development on Monday in Benin City, explaining that the victims were abducted on December 12, 2025, when gunmen ambushed their vehicle and forced it to a halt at gunpoint.
According to Ikoedem, the police received a distress call immediately after the incident and mobilised a combined team of police operatives, army personnel, and local vigilante groups. The joint team combed the surrounding bush in search of the abducted passengers.
On Sunday, 11 of the victims were rescued while seven others are still in the captivity of their abductors,” she said.
Recovered victims have since been reunited with their families, while security operatives continue intensive operations to secure the release of the remaining seven passengers.
ASP Ikoedem reassured residents that the command is doing everything possible to ensure the safe return of those still held by the kidnappers. She urged members of the public to remain calm and continue to support security agencies with credible information.
“The command remains committed to rescuing the remaining victims unharmed and sustaining the fight against kidnapping and other criminal activities across Edo State,” she added.
… Says petrol pump price to fall below N740 per litre before Christmas
(Top) President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr Farouk Ahmed
By SAM POPOOLA, Lagos
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has called for an investigation and prosecution of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr Farouk Ahmed, accusing him of economic sabotage, which he said is undermining domestic refining in Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Sunday, Dangote accused the leadership of the NMDPRA of colluding with international traders and oil importers to frustrate local refining through the continued issuance of import licences for petroleum products.
Dangote alleged that Engr Ahmed was living beyond his legitimate means, claiming that four of his children attend secondary schools in Switzerland at costs running into several million dollars. He said such expenditure raised serious questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum sector.
The Dangote Group chairman assured Nigerians that the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) would fall further, stating that petrol would sell at no more than N740 per litre from Tuesday, beginning in Lagos, due to his refinery’s reduction of the gantry price to N699 per litre. He said MRS filling stations would be the first to reflect the new pricing.
Expressing concern over the state of the downstream sector, Dangote said Nigeria’s continued reliance on fuel imports was harming local production and discouraging investment in domestic refining. He disclosed that import licences covering approximately 7.5 billion litres of PMS had reportedly been issued for the first quarter of 2026, despite the availability of significant domestic refining capacity.
According to him, modular refineries are already struggling under the current policy environment and on the brink of extinction, while the persistent issuance of import permits further weakens the sector.
“I am not calling for his removal, but for a proper investigation. He should be required to account for his actions and demonstrate that he has not compromised his position to the detriment of Nigerians. What is happening amounts to economic sabotage,” Dangote said.
He further alleged that Farouk paid as much as five million dollars in tuition fees for his children’s secondary education in Switzerland, questioning how many Nigerians could afford such costs.
“The Code of Conduct Bureau, or any other body deemed appropriate by the government, can investigate the matter. If he denies it, I will not only publish the tuition he paid at those secondary schools, but I will also take legal steps to compel the schools to disclose the payments made by Farouk. I sent my own children to secondary schools here in Nigeria. How many Nigerians can afford to pay five million dollars for secondary school tuition, not university education? In his home state of Sokoto, many parents are struggling to pay as little as N10,000 in school fees,” Dangote said.
He described the downstream petroleum sector as being under severe strain, alleging the presence of entrenched interests that profit from fuel imports at the expense of national development.
“There are powerful interests in the oil sector. It is troubling that African countries continue to import refined products despite long-standing calls for value addition and domestic refining. The volume of imports being allowed into the country is unethical and does a disservice to Nigeria,” he added.
Dangote stressed the need for a clear separation between regulatory oversight and commercial interests, warning that allowing traders to influence regulation would undermine the integrity of the sector.
“The downstream sector must not be destroyed by personal interests. A trader should never be a regulator. Forty-seven licences have been issued, yet no new refineries are being built because the environment is not conducive,” he said.
He maintained that Nigerians would ultimately benefit from local refining, even as fuel importers incur losses. Dangote said he would not relent in ensuring that Nigerians enjoy the benefits of domestic refining, noting that the company was working around the clock to ensure that recent reductions in the gantry price were fully reflected at the retail level.
From Tuesday, he said, all MRS filling stations would begin selling PMS at prices not exceeding N740 per litre, starting in Lagos. He added that the refinery had reduced its minimum purchase requirement from two million litres to 500,000 litres to enable more marketers, including members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), to participate.
“So if you come to the refinery today, you will get PMS at N699 per litre,” he said.
Dangote disclosed that despite frustration and sabotage, the refinery would deploy its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks in the coming days and was prepared to procure additional units beyond the initial 4,000 if required to sustain affordable pricing nationwide.
Responding to complaints from oil importers that the recent price reduction would result in losses, Dangote said the refinery was established primarily for the benefit of Nigerians.
“Anyone who chooses to continue importing despite the availability of locally refined products should be prepared to face the consequences,” he said.
He also highlighted quality differences, noting that products supplied through MRS and other offtakers from the refinery were straight-run fuels, unlike blended products imported from overseas markets.
“Nigerians have a choice to buy better quality fuel at a more affordable price or to buy blended PMS at a higher rate. Importers can continue to lose, so long as Nigerians benefit,” he added.
Dangote said the refinery was driven more by legacy than profit, noting that he could have invested the 20 billion dollars elsewhere if financial gain were his sole objective. He revealed plans to list the refinery on the Nigerian Exchange to allow Nigerians to own shares in the facility.
“We want every living Nigerian to have the opportunity to benefit, no matter how small their holding. If the market takes 55 per cent and I retain 45 per cent, I am satisfied,” he said.
He disclosed that discussions were ongoing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to enable Nigerians to purchase shares in naira while receiving dividends in dollars.
Dangote accused the NMDPRA of misrepresenting the refinery’s capacity by publishing offtake figures rather than actual production levels.
“We have the capacity to meet local demand, and we have sufficient refined products in stock. But to keep prices high, imports are deliberately encouraged,” he said, adding that attempts were being made to push the refinery into exporting products only for them to be re-imported into Nigeria at higher prices.
“This refinery is for Nigerians first, and I am not giving up,” he said.
Dangote also disclosed that the refinery imports an average of 100 million barrels of crude oil annually from the United States, a figure expected to rise to 200 million barrels following expansion, due to insufficient domestic crude supply. He added that the refinery also sources crude from Ghana and other countries, while exporting jet fuel and gasoline to the United States.
He further alleged that domestic refiners are forced to buy Nigerian crude at premiums of up to four dollars per barrel from the trading arms of international oil companies, placing them at a competitive disadvantage.
He called on the government to ensure crude oil taxes are assessed based on actual transaction values, warning that the current system allows under-declaration and revenue losses.
“Edo State police have arrested a 49-year-old man for allegedly killing his 15-year-old son and secretly burying him in their family compound in Igueben LGA. Authorities say investigations are ongoing.”
A 49-year-old man from Edo State, whose identity has been withheld, has been arrested by the police for allegedly killing his 15-year-old son and secretly burying his remains within their family compound.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Edo State Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Benin City
The disturbing incident occurred in Uhe community, Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State.
According to the statement, the suspect was arrested following credible intelligence received by the police on December 6. Acting on the information, operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer visited the suspect’s residence, where the report was confirmed.
Ikoedem explained that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly assaulted the teenager with a stick on December 5 at about 7:00 p.m., an attack which reportedly led to the boy’s death.
“The suspect allegedly dug a grave within the family compound and secretly buried the corpse,” she said.
She added that critical information provided by the deceased’s grandmother—an 82-year-old woman and the suspect’s mother who resides in the same household—greatly aided the investigation.
The police spokesperson further stated that, following due administrative procedures, officers exhumed the grave, documented the scene with photographs, and recovered the stick allegedly used in committing the offence as an exhibit.
She noted that the suspect has been taken into custody, while investigations are ongoing to fully unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Ikoedem disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Monday Agbonika, has ordered the transfer of the case to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation and prosecution.
She added that the Commissioner warned against all forms of violence and urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
“The command remains committed to protecting lives and enforcing the rule of law,” she said.
