Business

FG Approves N11bn Monthly Wage For PHCN

Published

14 years ago

September 21, 2011

The Federal Government has approved a new monthly wage bill of N11billion for employees of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Vice-President Namadi Sambo stated this on Monday in Abuja while declaring open a two-day Power Sector Reform Workshop at the State House.

He said that the new wage bill followed the approval of a 50 per cent increase in the salary structure of the staff of the company.

“As a further demonstration of our interest in the welfare of electricity workers, we have also favourably considered the recommendation for a 50% increase in the salary structure of the PHCN staff, in spite of the enormous economic challenges of the moment.

“Suffice it to state that we inherited a huge wage bill of over N7 billion monthly for the PHCN staff.

“However, with the new increase, the monthly salary will escalate to over N11 billion. This figure is interestingly about the same amount the PHCN generates monthly.”

He noted that N57 billion was spent by the Federal Government on the payment of the monetised benefits to all PHCN employees.

He added that more than 99 per cent of the staff, both serving and retired, had received the benefits.

According to him, those with incomplete records or whose next of kin have not been ascertained, make up 0.9 per cent of those yet to be paid.

“Once each case is sorted out, the payment shall be made as enough funds still exist with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the settlement of this outstanding liability.”

Sambo said the Federal Government was committed to promoting the interest of electricity workers.

He disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan had directed that, a percentage of shares in the PHCN successor companies being privatised, be reserved for the workers.

The Vice-President assured the participants of government resolve to appropriate adequate funds for the immediate payment of retirement benefits to all PHCN staff as soon as the unbundling programme was completed.

He stated that the ongoing Power Sector Reform has been embraced by Nigerians, the African Union and the International Community.

He revealed that the National Council on Privatisation had short-listed 40 firms that would benefit from the concessioning of hydro-power stations in the country.

Sambo further explained that 87 other companies would be short-listed for the thermal stations while 80 others would be lined up for the electricity companies.

He expressed optimism that the change of the status of the Federal Government from being the sole owner of the 17 generation and distribution companies, to a minority shareholder would benefit the country.

He described as instructive and revealing, a situation where most of the Federal Government’s plants did not produce up to half of their installed capacities whereas private electricity producers used up their installed capacities.

“The Power Sector Reform will change Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape, far more than we have witnessed in telecommunications sector following the sector’s liberalisation.

“The power sector reform will not only provide Nigerian people with uninterrupted and quality electricity, but will also attract Foreign Direct Investment, create employment and business opportunities, enhance the living standards of electricity workers, like those of their counterparts in the telecoms sector, enable power sector employees to work with state-of-the-art technology and to regularly undergo domestic and international courses.

“It is obvious that the reform will create thousands of job opportunities for the electricity workers through the development of new power infrastructure that will include but not limited to the NIPP 10 new power plants, 4,000km of transmission lines and several hundreds of substations.”

Sambo, therefore, assured that the power reform was “a win-win deal” for all, and urged Nigerians, including trade unions in the sector to embrace the reform programme wholeheartedly.

On electricity tariff, the Vice President said Nigerians should always be ready to pay the appropriate tariff in view of the huge investments being made by both government and the private investors.

In his remarks, the Chief Negotiator/Conciliator between the Federal Government and the Labour Unions of PHCN, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, commended the Government for implementing the agreements reached between it and the unions.

Sunmonu who is also the Secretary-General, Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), challenged Nigerian leaders to bring tens of millions of Nigerians out of poverty, and another 30 million into the middle class, within the next 20 years.

“With our enormous human and natural resources, yes, it is possible. If we fix our power sector, yes it is possible.”

Goodwill messages were delivered at the occasion by Ministers of Labour and Productivity, Power and Trade Unions’ Leaders.

Transport

Nigeria Rates 7th For Visa Application To France —–Schengen Visa

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria was the 7th country in 2024, which filed the most schenghen visa to France, with a total of 111,201 of schenghen visa applications made in 2025, out of which 55,833, about 50.2 percent submitted to France

Although 2025 data is unavailable, these figures from Schengen Visa Info implies that France is not merely a preferred destination, but has been a dominant access point for Nigerian short-stay travel into Europe.

France itself has received more than three million Schengen visa applications, making it the most sought-after Schengen destination globally and a leading gateway for long-haul and third-country travellers. It was the top destination for applicants from 51 countries that same year, including many without visa-exemption arrangements with the Schengen Zone, and the sole destination for applicants from seven countries.

Alison Reed, a senior analyst at the European Migration Observatory said, “France’s administrative reach shapes applicant strategy, but it also concentrates risk. If processing times lengthen or documentation standards tighten in Paris, the effects ripple quickly back to capitals such as Abuja.”

The figures underline that this pattern is not unique to Nigeria. In neighbouring West and Central African states such as Gabon, Benin, Togo and Madagascar, more than 90 per cent of Schengen visas were sought via French authorities in 2024, with Chad, Djibouti, the Central African Republic and Comoros submitting applications exclusively to France.

“France acts as the central enumeration point for many African and Asian applicants,” said Manish Khandelwal, founder of Travelobiz.com, which reported the consolidated statistics. “Historical ties, language networks and established diaspora communities all play into that concentration. But volume inevitably invites scrutiny, and that affects refusal rates and processing rigour.”

That scrutiny is visible in the rejection statistics. Of the more than three million French applications in 2024, approximately 481,139 were denied, a rejection rate of about 15.7 per cent. While this rate is lower than in some smaller Schengen states, the sheer volume of applications means France contributes significantly to the total number of refusals within the zone.

For Nigerian applicants and policymakers, one implication is the need to broaden engagement with other Schengen consular hubs. “Over-reliance on a single consulate creates what one might call administrative bottleneck effects,” said Jean-Luc Martin, a professor and expert in European integration and mobility law at Leiden University. “If applicants from Nigeria default to France without exploring legitimate alternatives in countries like Spain, Germany or the Netherlands, they expose themselves to systemic risk

Martin added that the broader context of Schengen visa policy is evolving, with the European Commission’s preparing roll-out of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) aimed at harmonising pre-travel screening across member states.

For Nigerians seeking leisure, business or educational travel to Europe, these trends suggest that strategic planning and consular diversification could become as important as the completeness of documentation and financial proof. Governments and travel consultancies in Abuja, Lagos and beyond are already advising clients to explore alternative consular pathways and to prepare for more rigorous screening criteria across all Schengen states

By: Enoch Epelle

Transport

West Zone Aviation: Adibade Olaleye Sets For NANTA President

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Prince Abiodun Ajibade Olaleye, a former Welfare Officer and Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), has formally declared his intention to contest for the position of Vice President of NANTA Western Zone, ahead of the zonal elections scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026.

In a New Year message to members of the association, Olaleye expressed optimism about the prospects of the travel and tourism industry in 2026, despite the economic headwinds and migration policy challenges that affected operations in the previous year.

He acknowledged that reduced patronage and declining trade volumes had placed significant financial pressure on many travel agencies, but urged members to remain resilient and forward-looking.

According to him, the challenges confronting the industry should be seen as opportunities for growth, innovation and institutional strengthening.

He stressed the need for unity and collective action among members of the association, noting that collaboration remains critical to navigating the evolving global travel environment.

Unveiling his vision for the NANTA Western Zone, Olaleye said his aspiration is to consolidate on the achievements of past leaders while expanding the zone’s relevance, influence and impact “beyond imagination.” He promised a leadership focused on commanding excellence, improved member welfare and stronger stakeholder engagement.

Drawing from his experience in previous executive roles within NANTA, the vice-presidential aspirant said he is well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to the association, particularly in areas of member support, public engagement and institutional growth.

“I believe that together, we can take our association to greater heights and build a stronger, more prosperous NANTA Western Zone that benefits all members,” he said, while appealing to delegates for their support and votes.

Olaleye concluded by offering prayers for good health, peace and prosperity for members in 2026, expressing confidence that the new year would usher in renewed opportunities for the travel industry and the association at large.

By: Enoch Epelle

Business

Sugar Tax ‘ll Threaten Manufacturing Sector, Says CPPE

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has warned that renewed calls for a sugar tax on non-alcoholic beverages could hurt Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, threaten jobs and slow the country’s fragile economic recovery.

In a statement, the Chief Executive Officer, CPPE, Muda Yusuf, said while public health concerns such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases deserve attention, imposing an additional sugar-specific tax was economically risky and poorly suited to Nigeria’s current realities of high inflation, weak consumer purchasing power and rising production costs.

Yusuf who insisted that the food and beverage sector remains the backbone of Nigeria’s manufacturing industry, said the industry supports millions of livelihoods across farming, processing, packaging, logistics, wholesale and retail trade, and hospitality.

He remarked that any policy that weakens this ecosystem could have far-reaching consequences, including job losses, lower household incomes and reduced investment.

Yusuf argued that proposals for sugar taxation in Nigeria are often influenced by global policy templates that do not adequately reflect local conditions.

According to him, manufacturers in the non-alcoholic beverage segment are already facing heavy fiscal and cost pressures.

“The proposition of a sugar-specific tax is misplaced, economically risky, and weakly supported by empirical evidence, especially when viewed against Nigeria’s prevailing structural and macroeconomic realities.

“Existing obligations include company income tax, value-added tax, excise duties, levies on profits and imports, and multiple state and local government charges. These are compounded by high energy costs, exchange-rate volatility, elevated interest rates and expensive logistics,” he said.

The CPPE boss noted that retail prices of many non-alcoholic beverages have risen by about 50 per cent over the past two years, even without the introduction of new taxes, further squeezing consumers.

Yusuf further expressed reservation on the effectiveness of sugar taxes in addressing the root causes of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.

By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu