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FG Contemplates Fuel Price Hike … Amid Conflicting Signals
Two government officials yesterday gave diverse indications on what government is considering to resolve the current petrol scarcity.
While a state governor who briefed journalists after a meeting presided by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo hinted at a possible price increase, the Minister of State for Petroleum said such was not being contemplated.
The federal government and the state-owned NNPC have repeatedly vowed that there was no plan to increase the N145 per litre official price of the product despite the scarcity. This is despite the fact that most Nigerians across the country pay about N200 per litre to buy the scarce commodity.
An indication of the possible price increase was provided by a state governor who briefed journalists at the end of the National Executive Council, NEC meeting. The meeting, attended by most state governors, was presided by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi told journalists that the NEC asked one of its committees, interfacing with revenue agencies in the country, to work on getting the correct price for petroleum products.
He said the committee is headed by the Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo.
Mr. Abubakar said the committee “has been charged with the responsibility of interfacing with NNPC with a view to determining the correct price for PMS (petrol) considering the price of the product especially in countries that are bordering Nigeria.”
The Bauchi governor said the NEC realised that the price differential between Nigeria and her immediate neighbours is one of the reasons why the product is being smuggled, thereby causing its scarcity in the country.
While Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer keeps its official price at N145 per litre, the price is as high as N375 per litre in neighbouring countries like Chad, according to a petrol price monitoring website, globalpetrolprices.com. The NNPC and other government agents and officials have blamed this price differential for the large scale smuggling of petrol to neighbouring countries. Critics have however described such large scale smuggling as failure of government that has failed to secure the country’s borders.
He said Mr. Baru told the council that the scarcity is also partly caused by an inter-play of the exchange rate of the naira to the dollar and the price of crude oil at the international market which affects the landing cost of refined products in Nigeria.
He said the process makes the operation of the N145 price almost impossible without some measured assistance. The NNPC had recently said it was bearing the loss on behalf of Nigerians for petrol to be sold at N145 per litre.
“As at today, most, if not all independent marketers have stopped importing refined products into Nigeria. It is only the NNPC that has been doing it. And the NNPC has been suffering a lot of setbacks.
“If the product lands at N170 for example and you sell at N145, immediately you know that you have an under recovery of about N25 for each litre of fuel,” the Bauchi governor said.
The Minister of State for Petroluem Resource, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, also yesterday, however, said the government was not considering a price hike.
He said the federal government is set to finalise the decision on the private sector financiers for the rehabilitation of the country’s three refineries in Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri.
Kachikwu had said last October that government was planning to select, this February, successful bidders from the list of 26 firms that submitted bids to refurbish the four refineries.
“We are almost at a threshold of finalising the process of selection (of bid winners). The successful bidders could be announced by January or February next year,” Mr. Kachikwu said.
Yesterday, Kachikwu said the overhaul of the refineries would see Nigeria become a net exporter of petroleum products by 2019.
He lamented the lingering fuel scarcity across the country, blaming the inability of government to address the problem on logistics and policy issues.
He spoke in Abuja while addressing reporters on his ministry’s plan to host the Nigerian International Petroleum Summit (NIPS), a new oil and gas conference and exhibition scheduled for next week in Abuja.
To resolve the current fuel supply crisis, which resurfaced in the country in November last year, he said government would need to address certain fundamental policy issues, especially with regards to petrol pricing.
“Behind the scenes, a lot of meetings are taking place, because the fuel queue issue borders on both logistics and policy issues,” he said.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol
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