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Dangote Refinery: Nigerian Govt Working to Stop Strike – PETROAN

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN has assured that the Federal Government is working to avert the looming nationwide strike.
This is according to PETROAN National President of the Association, Billy Gillis-Harry in a statement on Monday while responding to questions on ‘The Morning Brief’, a programme on Channels Television.
Gilly-Harris listed the issues that led to the strike declaration as primarily the alleged monopoly on the part of the Dangote Refinery.
He however stated that stakeholders in the downstream sector were being engaged by the government to resolve the lingering issues.
“The issue at hand is that we want the industry to operate in a way that all players are efficiently serving Nigerians.
 
“We have advocated that there be a clearly defined role for all the players. Over 50 years ago, industry players set up retail outlets, so you have several stakeholders in the industry. We have the major markets, we have the depot, the independent marketers, PETROAN, NUPENG, and NARTO.
 
“We have had a situation in the last few months. From June, we started getting fillers of the Dangote Refinery wanting to involve itself in all the tiers of the business- from refining, to storage, to logistics, and then possibly finally the retail outlets,” Gillis-Harry said.
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US Visa Policy Now Requires Interviews In Country Of Residence

The US Department of State has introduced a major policy change for non-immigrant visa applicants.

The new policy now requires them to schedule their interviews “at the US Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.”

The new guidance, effective immediately, was published on September 6, 2025, on the State Department’s official visa portal.

The update supersedes all previous instructions on designated visa processing locations.

The Department noted: “Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere.”

The list of designated locations covers nationals from conflict-affected or diplomatically restricted states such as Afghanistan (Islamabad), Belarus (Vilnius, Warsaw), Cuba (Georgetown), Iran (Dubai), Russia (Astana, Warsaw), Venezuela (Bogota), and Yemen (Riyadh).

Applicants are also warned of three critical changes:

Residence Requirement: “Applicants must be able to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying, if the place of application is based on their residency.”

Fees: “Applicants who schedule nonimmigrant interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of their country of nationality or residence might find that it will be more difficult to qualify for the visa. Fees paid for such applications will not be refunded and cannot be transferred.”

Appointment Availability: “Applicants applying outside their country of nationality or residence should expect to wait significantly longer for an appointment.” 

Existing appointments, however, “will generally not be cancelled,” and the Department emphasised that the new rules do not apply to diplomatic, NATO, or UN-related visas.

According to the Saturday release, exceptions may still be granted for “humanitarian or medical emergencies or foreign policy reasons.”

The Department urged applicants to check their local embassy or consulate websites for details on requirements and wait times.

This sweeping adjustment, officials noted, is part of efforts to streamline nonimmigrant visa adjudications while managing global backlogs and security considerations.

626BLAZE reports that the US State Department’s new directive extends explicitly to non-immigrant visas, ending a long-standing practice among nationals of travelling to neighbouring countries to secure interview appointments.

In Nigeria, for example, for years, when slots in Abuja or Lagos were unavailable, applicants often turned to consulates in Cameroon, Namibia, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Canada, or even the Dominican Republic to fast-track their chances.

Under the updated policy, Nigerians—and all other nationals—must apply strictly in their country of residence or nationality.

This shift will significantly alter how applicants navigate the already challenging process, especially given long wait times in Nigeria.

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NDLEA Smashes International Drug Cartel, Nabs 3 Kingpins

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have busted an international organized criminal group (IOCG) with networks across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates, arresting three kingpins and seizing a cocaine consignment valued at ₦5.3 billion.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the operation, conducted over two weeks across Lagos, began on August 26, 2025, when officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials bound for Sydney, Australia.

A search revealed 17.9kg of cocaine concealed in lace fabrics alongside local charms, allegedly meant to provide “spiritual cover” against detection.

A freight agent, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, was the first to be arrested. Further investigations led to the arrest of Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, described as the group’s Nigerian coordinator, and Shola Adegoke, another leader.

Ogunbiyi was picked up at an Ikeja GRA hotel, where a search of his Lekki residence uncovered 21 parcels of Canadian Loud (10.9kg) and a pump-action rifle. Adegoke was arrested during a raid on the syndicate’s packaging house at Ikeja GRA, where 9.6kg of Loud was seized from a Range Rover SUV.

Babafemi disclosed that the cartel’s ringleader, identified as Adebisi Ademola Omoyele (alias Mr. Bee), currently resides in Dubai. Investigations revealed that Adegoke had previously served a UK jail term for methamphetamine trafficking, while Ogunbiyi had served 14 years in Britain for murder before returning to Nigeria.

In related operations, NDLEA seized 160,200 bottles of codeine syrup worth ₦1.1bn from a 40ft container at Onne Port, Rivers State, and recovered 653kg of cannabis derivatives during raids in Lagos, Abuja, Kogi, Edo, Anambra, Niger, Kaduna, and Taraba.

Highlights include:

Arrest of a Milan-based Nigerian, Gabriel Michael, at Lagos Airport with 24,480 tramadol pills.

Interception of a dispatch rider in Abuja with 3.1kg of Colorado.

Recovery of 625kg of Loud and Colorado from a distribution hub in Surulere, Lagos.

Arrest of a couple in Ajegunle, Lagos, with 24.4kg of skunk.

Destruction of 18.7 tonnes of cannabis farms in Taraba State.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers involved, urging them to intensify the agency’s “balanced approach” combining enforcement with advocacy under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.

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Lunar Eclipse Set To Hit Nigeria, Moon To Turn ‘Blood Red’ On Sunday

A rare lunar eclipse will be visible across Nigeria and several other African countries on Sunday, September 7, starting at about 8:00 PM West Africa Time.

The event, which will last for about 83 minutes, will give the Moon a reddish glow known as a “blood moon.”

According to NTA, people across Nigeria will be able to watch the spectacle, though some western parts of the continent may miss the early stages since the Moon will rise during totality.

Countries expected to witness the eclipse include Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Togo, Niger, Chad, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

In Nigeria, areas with less light pollution such as Yobe and Borno are likely to provide clearer views of the sky.

Scientists described a lunar eclipse as the result of the Sun, Earth, and Moon aligning in a straight line, with Earth’s shadow covering the lunar surface.

Unlike solar eclipses, this event does not pose any danger to the eyes and can be viewed safely without protective glasses.

NASA confirmed that the total eclipse will also be seen in parts of Europe, Asia, and Australia.

The red appearance of the Moon is caused by sunlight bending through Earth’s atmosphere, a natural process that also influences the Moon’s temperature during the eclipse.

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N70,000 Is No Longer Sustainable – NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and federal government workers have called for an immediate review of the national minimum wage, arguing that the current N70,000 is no longer sustainable.

They made the demand following the bold steps taken by several states across the country to increase the minimum wage of their workers above the N70,000 benchmark, in response to the prevailing economic realities.

The labour unions and workers who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in separate interviews, contended that in the face of galloping inflation, rising costs of food, transportation, housing, and other essential services, the N70,000 minimum wage could no longer sustain them.

It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu signed the new National Minimum Wage Bill into law in July 2024, raising the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.

The amended law applies to the entire country, including the federal government, states, local governments, and the private sector.

However, on August 27, 2025, Imo increased the minimum wage from N70,000 to N104,000, along with corresponding increases in the entire salary structure for the state’s civil servants.

The state Governor, Hope Uzodinma, had said that the salary review, arrived at during a meeting with organised labour, was part of efforts to improve the welfare of workers.

Before the bold and applauded step by Uzodinma, some other states had implemented higher minimum wages for their workers.

On October 16, 2024, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State announced a minimum wage increase to N85,000, with a promise to further raise it to N100,000 in 2025.

Rivers State equally approved N85,000 minimum wage on October 18, 2024, while Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu, and Akwa Ibom states approved N80,000 for their workers. Ogun and Delta states are implementing N77,000 minimum wage, Benue and Osun states raised the wage to N75,000, while Ondo State pegged its own at N73,000.

Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Mr. Benson Upah, told NAN on Sunday in Abuja that inflation has eroded the value of the N70,000 minimum wage, leaving many workers unable to meet basic needs.

“The truth is that N70,000 is not sustainable under the present economic situation.

“Workers are under immense pressure, and unless the government responds quickly, the crisis of survival will only worsen.

“We have since engaged the Federal Government on this matter at different times and fora,” he said.

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NNPP Expels Abdulmumin Jibrin

The Kano State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has expelled Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, the House of Representatives member for Kiru/Bebeji constituency, citing anti-party activities and failure to meet his financial obligations to the party.

The Chairman of NNPP in Kano, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, who made the disclosure while briefing journalists in Kano on Saturday, said the decision followed Jibrin’s repeated media outbursts against the party and its leadership.

Daily Trust reports that this is coming barely 24 hours after the member said it shouldn’t come as a surprise if he dumps the party.

He also said he is old enough to take a stand independently what is best for him politically.

Reacting, Dungurawa described Jibrin as a “weak politician” whose electoral success was only made possible through the Kwankwasiyya movement and NNPP platform, not personal strength.

“If he was truly strong politically, he would have won his election under the APC, but he failed. It was when he joined NNPP through Kwankwasiyya that he became a House of Reps member. Now he is deceiving himself thinking he is strong,” Dungurawa said.

He explained that a reconciliation committee had initially been set up to engage Jibrin after his interview with Channels Television, but said a subsequent media outing proved he had crossed the line.

“Instead of dialogue, he went further to work against our interest, openly declaring loyalty outside the party. That is why we expelled him. He has no value to add,” the chairman said.

Dungurawa further accused Jibrin of defaulting in the payment of mandatory party dues, vowing that NNPP would institute legal action to recover the funds.

“We will drag him to court to recover what he owes the party. It is a constitutional requirement for every member to pay dues, but he has consistently failed to do so,” he added.

On speculations that Jibrin may return to the APC, Dungurawa said such a move would not affect NNPP’s strength, stressing that “politics is about groups and coalitions” and Kwankwasiyya remains solidly behind its leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

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Nigerians Top List Of Asylum Seekers In Ireland

Data from Ireland’s Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration shows that Nigeria now ranks as the leading country of origin for asylum seekers in Ireland.

Asylum refers to the protection granted by a country to individuals fleeing persecution in their home nations.

An asylum seeker is someone who has applied for this protection and awaits a decision on their refugee status.

The latest report, published in August, shows Ireland is experiencing a decline in new asylum applications. Authorities recorded 1,164 applications in July 2025, down from 1,735 in July 2024, marking a significant slowdown in fresh claims.

Between January and July 2025, asylum applications totalled 7,207, a 42 percent drop compared to 12,236 recorded in the same period last year.

Nigeria tops the list of countries of origin with 1,083 applications, followed by Pakistan (945), Somalia (933), Afghanistan (767) and Georgia (462).

“The number of applications pending in the IPO has been reducing since the end of September 2024, when it stood at 23,863. As of July this year, there were 18,323 applications pending,” the department reported.

It added that compared to last year, there has been “an increase in the number of applications where the IPO made a recommendation or otherwise closed off a case.”

In July 2025, 1,755 cases were closed, compared to 1,294 in July 2024.

The department clarified that the figures, extracted on August 8, are operational and may be updated as cases continue to be processed.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is facing record-high asylum numbers, with nearly 89,000 applications lodged in the year to June 2025, and a backlog of over 224,000 cases awaiting decisions or appeals.

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Corper Raye Petitions Tinubu Over ‘Unlawful’ NYSC Service Year Extension

Embattled corps member, Rita Uguamaye has written a petition asking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in her “unlawful and politically motivated” service year extension.
Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye wrote the petition through her lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, Esq.
She accused the NYSC of victimisation and abuse of power, claiming she was deliberately targeted for publicly criticising some policies of the Tinubu administration.
In a petition addressed to the President and copied to the NYSC Director-General, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and other stakeholders, Uguamaye demanded the immediate reversal of the two-month extension and the issuance of her discharge certificate.
The petition, titled “Appeal Against the Unlawful Extension of the Service Year of Corps Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye with State Code Number LA/24B/8325,” reads in part:
 
“We are Solicitors to Ms. Ushie Rita Uguamaye (hereinafter referred to as ‘our Client’), a Corps member whose service year was unlawfully extended under the National Youth Service (NYSC) scheme, and upon whose firm instruction and behalf we write this letter to you.
 
“Our Client has drawn our attention to the arbitrary and punitive decision of the NYSC to extend her service year by two (2) months on the unfounded allegation that she failed to present herself for the April 2025 biometric monthly clearance. We state emphatically that this allegation is false, malicious, and a clear act of victimization.
 
“For the record, our Client duly presented herself for the said April biometric monthly clearance on the 7th day of April, 2025. However, her Local Government Inspector (LGI), Ms. Veronica Abela, in an act of deliberate and targeted victimization, refused to screen her. This act was not due to any dereliction of duty on our Client’s part, but rather in retaliation for her exercise of her constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression, after she had publicly criticized certain policies of the current Tinubu-led administration.
 
“It is further disturbing that following this criticism, the Lagos State Coordinator of NYSC threatened our Client with an extension of her service year. That threat has now been carried out, in clear abuse of power, violation of the Constitution, and breach of the NYSC Act.
 
“Despite writing a detailed petition dated 11th August, 2025 to the Director-General (DG) of the NYSC, who is statutorily obligated to ensure fairness, discipline, and impartiality within the scheme, no redress has been given till date. The DG has failed to accede to our Client’s legitimate demand for reversal of this manifestly unjust decision. This has made it necessary for us to seek the intervention of the Presidency. Please find attached herewith the petition written to the Director-General of NYSC dated 11th August 2025.”
Effiong argued that the case violates Raye’s constitutional rights to freedom of expression and fair hearing, warning that allowing such practices to stand would set a “dangerous precedent for democracy.”
The human rights lawyer urged Tinubu to intervene immediately, stressing that failure to do so could be seen as tacit approval of political victimisation within the NYSC. He further hinted that the corps member may head to court if no action is taken.
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Nigerian Man Convicted for Defrauding U.S-based NGO of Over $71,000

A Nigerian man, Dennis Tamarakuro has been convicted for defrauding a U.S.-based non-governmental organisation, Pregnancy Support Network, of $71,795.41.
He was charged and prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, delivered the judgment after Tamarakuro pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of cybercrime.
The charge stated that Tamarakuro, in December 2024, falsely represented himself as Keisha Reynolds, a U.S.-based private investor, and in that character obtained $71,795.41 from one Philbert via Bybit. The act contravened Section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrime Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), and is punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(iv).
Prosecution counsel, Maryam Aminu Ahmed, called EFCC investigator, Ogunjobi Olalekan, who revealed that intelligence from the Jackson Township Police Department in the U.S. showed the NGO’s funds were diverted through a romance scam turned money mule scheme.
According to Olalekan, the stolen funds passed through intermediaries, including a suspect named Libson Junior, before being converted to cryptocurrency and traced to Tamarakuro’s Bybit wallet.
Upon his arrest, Tamarakuro admitted the allegations in the presence of his lawyer and made a voluntary statement under caution.
Investigations confirmed Tamarakuro received 0.27 Bitcoin twice from Libson Junior, later withdrawing $18,000 worth of cryptocurrency via Busha exchange.
The EFCC recovered $22,157.40 from Bybit and $20,121.41 from Busha, totaling over $42,000. The balance was blocked by a U.S. bank. Documents, including Tamarakuro’s statements and correspondence with the exchanges, were admitted as exhibits.
Justice Nwite sentenced Tamarakuro to one year in prison with an option of a N1 million fine, ordered the forfeiture of recovered funds to the victim, and directed the convict to swear an affidavit of good conduct.
Defence counsel, Laye Aeemokoya, pleaded for leniency, noting that Tamarakuro is a first-time offender, a father, and caregiver to his aged mother.
The conviction comes amid EFCC’s intensified efforts against fraud. In recent months, the Commission arrested Ahamba Tochukwu, CEO of Gavice Logistics Limited, accused of running a Ponzi-style scheme that allegedly defrauded over 400 investors of more than N2 billion.
Earlier this year, EFCC also arraigned Precious Williams, a director at Glossolalia Nigeria Ltd and Pelegend Nigeria Ltd, in connection with a N13.8 billion Ponzi scheme linked to Maxwell Chizi Odum of MBA Trading and Capital Investment Ltd, who remains at large.
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Tinubu Seeks Fresh $1.75bn World Bank Loan

The Federal Government has said it plans to secure fresh loans of $1.75bn from the World Bank.
This is coming days after president Bola Tinbuu had boasted that the government recorded a 40.5 per cent rise in revenue during the first eight months of 2025.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga had on Wednesday claimed that the government revenues between January and August 2025 rose to N20.59tn, up from N14.6tn in the same period last year. Non-oil earnings now account for 75 per cent of the total collections, surpassing earlier projections.
Onanuga noted that the strong revenue performance places the country on track to achieve its annual non-oil revenue target.
“From January to August 2025, total collections reached N20.59tn, a 40.5 per cent increase from N14.6tn recorded in 2024. This strong performance aligns with projections, placing the government firmly on course to achieve its annual non-oil revenue target,” the statement partly read.
However, despite this increase, the government says borrowing remains necessary to bridge gaps in critical sectors, especially infrastructure.
On Wednesday, members of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria protested at the Ministry of Finance in Abuja, demanding the payment of about N4tn for projects carried out in 2024. To bridge such gaps, the government is turning to external financing.
Documents on the World Bank’s website show that Nigeria is in line to receive four major loans before the end of 2025. These include funding for agriculture, digital infrastructure, healthcare, and support for small businesses.
Each of the projects is scheduled for approval between September and December, with disbursements expected to begin once the processes are completed.
The latest loans will add to the $8.40bn already approved for Nigeria by the World Bank between June 2023 and August 2025. These earlier funds were committed to projects in energy, education, healthcare, rural development, and governance reforms.

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