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Nigerians Will Soon Be Able To Buy Dangote Refinery Shares Soon – Dangote Announces

President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, announced on Saturday that Nigerians will, within the next four to five months, have the opportunity to buy shares in the Dangote Refinery.

Dangote disclosed this while speaking with journalists during a tour of the refinery by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari.

‎“Individually, Nigerians too will have an opportunity… in the next maximum four or five months, they will actually be able to buy their shares,” Dangote said.

He added that investors would have flexibility in receiving returns on their investments.

‎“People will have a choice either to get their dividends in naira or to get their dividends in dollars because we earn dollars,” he stated.

‎Highlighting what he described as the national ownership dimension of the project, Dangote revealed that NNPC currently holds a minority stake in the refinery on behalf of Nigerians.

‎“They are holding 7.25 per cent of the shares that we have here… and they are holding that on behalf of Nigerians,” he said.

‎Beyond public participation, Dangote said his company would deepen cooperation with NNPC to strengthen operations at the refinery and expand Nigeria’s energy and industrial capacity.

‎“I think the sky is the limit and we [NNPC and Dangote Refinery] will cooperate and also make sure that we work together to make sure that we make Nigerians proud,” he said.

‎He noted that discussions were ongoing on additional areas of collaboration, including possible joint ventures across the oil and gas value chain.

‎“Most likely, depending on our own discussions with them, we will partner with them, maybe in some of the upstream. They, too, will partner with us here because here is not a refinery. It’s an industrial hub,” Dangote explained.

‎The billionaire businessman also spoke about new industrial projects within the refinery complex, including the production of linear alkylbenzene, a key raw material used in detergents.

‎According to him, the facility is being positioned as a major supplier across the continent.

‎“That raw material for detergent will be sufficient for the entire African continent… and we will deliver all this in the next 30 months,”he added.

Dangote emphasised that both organisations share a common objective of advancing Nigeria’s energy security and boosting industrial development.

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FCT Polls: INEC Declares Winner Of AMAC Chairmanship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced Christopher Maikalangu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

The Collation Officer for AMAC, Prof. Andrew Abue, announced the result at the collation centre, stating that Maikalangu, the incumbent chairman, scored the highest number of votes cast in the election.

According to Abue, Maikalangu polled 40,295 votes out of a total of 62,861 valid votes cast to emerge winner.

“That Maikalangu of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,”he said.

ADC, PDP Trail Behind

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) came second with 12,109 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 3,398 votes.

Other results announced by the collation officer include:

Accord (A) – 403 votes

Action Alliance (AA) – 108 votes

Action Democratic Party (ADP) – 588 votes

All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – 1,111 votes

Allied Peoples Movement (APM) – 122 votes

Action Peoples Party (APP) – 32 votes

Boot Party (BP) – 43 votes

New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) – 1,694 votes

National Rescue Movement (NRM) – 73 votes

Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) – 90 votes

Social Democratic Party (SDP) – 2,185 votes

Young Progressives Party (YPP) – 421 votes

Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) – 189 votes

Breakdown of Votes

Abue disclosed that 2,336 votes were rejected, while total votes cast stood at 65,197.

He added that AMAC has 837,338 registered voters, while 65,676 voters were accredited for the election.

Party Agents Hail Process

Reacting to the outcome, the APC Collation Agent, Gambo Babale, described the election and collation process as credible and transparent.

“INEC have done so well. We’ve seen the processes across all the polling units, the ward collation centres and here at AMAC area council collation centre. Everything was done perfectly well,” he said.

“They’ve tried. They’ve done everything humanly possible. I believe this high level of transparency occurred in all the collation exercises that took place in AMAC.”

Babale noted that the PDP won about two ward councillorship seats in Karu and Karishi, which he said reflected the credibility of the exercise.

“That is to tell you the level of transparency that happens in this election,” he added.

He congratulated Maikalangu and expressed confidence that the victory would translate into improved dividends of democracy for residents of AMAC.

The YPP Ward Collation Agent, Abdullahi Ibrahim, also commended the transparency of the process and congratulated the winner.

The result sheets were subsequently signed by party agents of the ADC, APC, APGA, YPP and NNPP present at the collation centre.

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FCT Polls Holiday Stalls Malami, Son’s Re-Arraignment For Terrorism, Illegal Arms Possession

The work-free day declared by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, ahead of Saturday’s area council elections has disrupted the Department of State Services’ (DSS) plan to re-arraign former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, on a five-count charge related to terrorism and illegal firearms possession.

The arraignment, slated for the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, February 20, was abruptly put off when it became clear that workers including those of the court would not be at work.

Operatives of the DSS had taken over security at the court as early as 7: 00 am ahead of the arraignment.

However, by 9:00 am when Malami and his son were to be brought before Justice Peter Lifu, information filtered round that the workers would not be on duty.

The development prompted the DSS to shelve bringing the two defendants to the court.

It will be recalled that Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and his son were earlier arraigned before a vacation judge on the same charge.

The vacation judge eventually returned the case file to the Chief Judge, Hon Justice John Tsoho for re-assignment to a regular judge.

Although the matter was re-assigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu for fresh arraignment, the judge declined to proceed with the matter for personal reasons.

Meanwhile, sources confirmed that the former AGF and his son would now be arraigned on Monday, February 23, 2026.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami is accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were handed to him while he served as the AGF and Minister of Justice.

Malami and Abdulaziz are equally accused of warehousing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birain Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State without lawful authority.

Malami and Abdulaziz had during their earlier arraignment pleaded not guilty when the counts in the charge sheet were read to them.

Counts in the charge read:

Count 1

That you, Abubakar Malami of Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, Adult, male, sometime in November, 2022 at Federal Ministry of Justice, Maitama, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did knowingly abet terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose casefiles were brought to your office as the Attorney-General of the Federation, for prosecution, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26 (2) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Count 2

Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami of Gesse Phase II, Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, adults, males, sometime in December, 2025, in your res:dence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did engage in a conduct in preparation to commit act of terrorism by having in your possession and without licence, a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5°20 live rounds of Cartridges and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 Cartridges, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 .

Count 3

That you, Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, of Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, adults, males, sometime in December, 2025, in your residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without licence, did have in your possession a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 of Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act.

Count 4

That you, Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, of Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, adults, males, sometime in December, 2025, in your residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without licence, did have in your possession sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(1) of Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act.

Count 5

That you, Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, of Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, adults, males, sometime in December, 2025, in your residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without licence, did have in your possession twenty-seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(1) of Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act.

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Gunmen Storm Palace, K!ll Ondo Monarch In Failed Abduction Attempt

Suspected armed bandits have k!lled Oba Kehinde Falodun, the Alagamo of Agamo community, in a violent attack on his palace in Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State.

The attackers, reportedly about 10 in number, were said to have stormed the monarch’s residence on Wednesday evening in what residents described as an attempted abduction of the royal father and members of his household.

According to the Olori, who narrowly escaped, the gunmen initially attempted to whisk the monarch away but encountered resistance before the situation escalated.

“The bandits just came and started shooting. They were about 10. Three stayed at the entrance while others came inside. I ran into the bush. They shot at me, but it did not affect me,” she said.

She added that when the kidnappers failed to subdue the monarch, they resorted to violence.

“They kept dragging my husband, and I kept shouting for help. Later, they hit something on his head and stomach. He has been k!lled,”she said.

Confirming the incident on Thursday, the spokesman for the Nigeria Police Force in Ondo State, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command received distress information around 7:50 p.m. from a community leader.

He said about six armed men invaded the palace, forcefully took the monarch from his compound, and fled.

“The victim was later found a few metres away with gunshot wounds. He was confirmed de@d at the scene,” Jimoh stated.

He disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer, alongside tactical teams, immediately mobilised officers and local security groups, including Amotekun Corps, hunters, and Atuluse vigilantes, to comb nearby bushes in search of the attackers.

According to him, surveillance has been intensified across the area while efforts continue to track and apprehend the suspects.

“The Command assures residents that no stone will be left unturned in bringing those responsible to justice,” he added.

Meanwhile, elders and traditional chiefs in Agamo have condemned the k!lling, describing the late monarch as a peace-loving leader who played a major role in resolving disputes and promoting development in the community.

A community leader, who asked not to be named, said the attack has created fear and a leadership vacuum.

“This is a painful loss to us. Kabiyesi was very close to the people. We appeal to government and security agencies to act fast and ensure those behind this are arrested,” he said.

The incident adds to growing security concerns in the state, where kidnappings, attacks on farmers, and assaults on rural communities have increased in recent months.

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There Will Be No Extension For 2026 UTME Registration – JAMB Declares

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed that there will be no extension to the registration deadline for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Candidates have been urged to complete their registration by February 26 to avoid missing the examination.

In a notice issued on Tuesday, the examination body announced that the sale of e-PINs, a mandatory requirement for registration, will close at midnight on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

According to the board, registration at accredited Computer-Based Test centres for candidates who have already purchased their e-PINs will end two days later, on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

As of February 17, JAMB disclosed that more than 1.5 million candidates had successfully registered nationwide.

Despite the figure, the board expressed concern that many eligible applicants had yet to take advantage of the exercise, noting that registration centres across the country were operating at barely 30 per cent of their daily capacity.

JAMB stated that it has the capacity to register about 100,000 candidates daily, far above the current turnout at centres.

“The Board wishes to clearly state that there will be no extension of the registration deadline,” the statement emphasised.

The examination body explained that its timetable forms part of a nationally coordinated calendar agreed upon by all examination agencies in the country.

It added that the UTME registration window was carefully structured to ensure a seamless transition to other public examinations scheduled to follow.

“Consequently, there is no available window for any extension, even if the Board were inclined to consider one,” it said.

JAMB cautioned that candidates who delay registration until the final days may encounter avoidable challenges, stressing that appeals would not be entertained once the deadline expires.

The board described the early warning as a proactive step to ensure that no serious candidate is shut out of the process due to procrastination.

With only days left before the vending deadline, prospective candidates were urged to obtain their e-PINs and proceed to accredited centres to complete their registration.

“All prospective candidates are urged to act now,” the statement concluded.

The 2026 UTME is expected to attract millions of applicants seeking admission into tertiary institutions across Nigeria, making strict adherence to the registration timeline crucial for aspirants nationwide.

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2026 Ramadan Fast Begins On Wednesday(Today) As Moon Is Sighted In Nigeria

The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has announced the sighting of the moon, marking the beginning of the 2026 Ramadan fast in Nigeria on Wednesday, 18 February.

The confirmation was issued on Tuesday by the Shehu of Borno, Shehu Abubakar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi, who represented the Sultan.

He disclosed that verified reports of moon sightings were received from various parts of the country and were carefully authenticated and accepted by the Sultanate Council, thereby confirming the commencement of the holy month.

“After due verification and authentication of the reports received from across the country, the Sultanate Council has accepted the sighting of the new moon. Consequently, Wednesday, 18th February 2026, marks the first day of Ramadan 1447AH,” the statement said.

The statement from the sultanate explained that the Shehu of Borno, in line with established tradition, acted on behalf of the Sultanate Council, in announcing the date for the commencement of the Ramadan fast due to the temporary absence of the Sultan.

The Sultan urged Muslims nationwide to dedicate the holy month to fervent prayers, spiritual reflection, and acts of charity, while seeking divine guidance and peace for Nigeria.

“Ramadan is a period of sacrifice, self-discipline and compassion. I call on all Muslims to use this sacred month to pray for the unity, stability and progress of our dear country, and for wisdom and guidance for our leaders at all levels,” he said.

Ramadan is a month-long fast observed daily from dawn to sunset by millions of Muslims across Nigeria and the world, during which there are increased religious activities including prayers, charity works and deep reflection.

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WAEC releases 2025 second series CB‑WASSCE results for private candidates

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the results of the 2025 Second Series Computer‑Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB‑WASSCE) for private candidates.

The announcement was made on Monday by Moyosola Adesina, Acting Head of the Public Affairs Unit at the WAEC National Office in Lagos.

A total of 69,604 candidates registered for the examination, marking a 1.8% increase compared to the 2024 figure of 68,342. Out of these, 65,752 candidates sat for the exams at 370 centres nationwide.

Of those who wrote the exams, 51.69% (33,989 candidates) obtained credit and above in at least five subjects, with or without English and Mathematics, while 42.17% (27,727 candidates) secured credits in five subjects including English and Mathematics — a key benchmark for many university admissions and job requirements.

Among these successful candidates, 13,416 were male (48.39%) and 14,311 were female (51.61%).

The 2025 Second Series CB‑WASSCE also saw participation by candidates with special needs, including those with visual and hearing impairments and albinism, with accommodations provided throughout the examination process to ensure inclusivity.

However, WAEC stated that 1,899 candidates (2.89%) had their results withheld due to reported cases of examination malpractice.

Investigations are ongoing, and decisions will be communicated directly to the affected candidates.

Candidates can check their results via the WAEC Direct Portal at www.waecdirect.org. After checking their scores, candidates can also access digital copies of their certificates on the WAEC website at www.waec.org.

Those who prefer hard copy certificates can apply online through the WAEC Certificate Request Portal (e‑Certman) at certrequest.waec.ng.

This release gives private candidates the opportunity to see how they performed in the 2025 Second Series CB‑WASSCE.

While many students achieved solid results, challenges remain, especially as WAEC continues to work on improving examination integrity and performance tracking across Nigeria.

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Electronic Transmission: If India Can Do It, Nigeria Has No Excuse – Peter Obi

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi stated that if large countries such as India can conduct elections and transmit results electronically, Nigeria has no reason not to adopt the same approach.

In a statement posted on his verified X handle on Tuesday, Obi said India, the world’s largest democracy, with nearly one billion registered voters and more than 60 percent actively participating in elections, remains a model.

According to him, the country has over one million polling stations and thousands of political parties, and conducts elections using technology that enables electronic transmission of results within days.

According to him, Nigeria, with only one-seventh of India’s population, has about 93 million registered voters, which is less than 10 percent of India’s voter base.

He added that with fewer than 20 percent of the polling stations and only about 1 percent of the political parties compared to India, it is deeply troubling that Nigeria still struggles to conduct elections, even when it records voter turnout below 20%.

The former Anambra State governor lamented that Nigeria still remains unable to consistently deliver free, fair, and credible elections or transmit results promptly, especially when compared to countries with far larger numbers than ours.

“The difference is leadership. In India, political leaders, legislators and judiciary work tirelessly for the welfare of their people and the future of their children, to do the right thing for the betterment of society, even amidst challenges.

“In Nigeria, many political figures instead implement policies that impoverish the people and threaten the future of our children.

“If we are to transform Nigeria, we must demand leaders who put the people first, govern with integrity, and plan for a better tomorrow,” he wrote.

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I Have Your Mate At Home – Senator Natasha Engages In Heated Confrontation With Another Senator (Video)

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, has once again been involved in a tense clash with a fellow legislator.

The latest confrontation reportedly took place in the office of Benue West senator, Titus Zam.

In a video of the incident, Natasha was heard saying, “I have your mate at home.”

This is coming barely one week after the female lawmaker engaged in a heated exchange with Imo North senator, Patrick Ndubueze.

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Commotion As Fuel Tanker Catches Fire While Offloading In Imo (Video)

A fuel tanker caught fire on the Owerri–Umuahia Road in Mbaise, Imo State, on Sunday while offloading petroleum products at a filling station.

Eyewitnesses reported that the fire broke out around midday during routine offloading operations.

Videos circulating online showed thick black smoke rising into the sky as flames engulfed the tanker and spread to sections of the station.

Emergency responders, including personnel of the Imo State Fire Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other security agencies, were deployed to the scene to contain the blaze and prevent it from extending to nearby buildings and vehicles.

As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire and the number of casualties had not been officially confirmed, although initial reports indicated that some persons sustained injuries.

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