IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The US Congress is debating a bill to sanction 12 northern Nigerian governors, judges, and traditional rulers accused of enabling Christian persecution through blasphemy laws.

Spearheaded by Senator Ted Cruz and backed by Donald Trump, the bill seeks visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Act.

Nigeria’s government dismissed the claims, while CAN backed the probe and MURIC warned against bias. Analysts say the move could strain US–Nigeria relations.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Wednesday met with officials of domestic airline operators in the country. The meeting held in Abuja followed concerns raised about flight disruptions, the attitude of some airline staff, among other issues.

According to sources in the Authority, the purpose of the engagement was to speak to regulatory issues around unruly passenger behaviour and passenger handling protocols, unresolved refund or compensation issues, as well as the enforcement of phone switch-off instructions, protection for cabin crew, and improved travel experience for passengers.

Core TV News reports that the engagement stems from the increasing concerns from some recent confrontations between air customers, crew members, and airline operators.

NCAA stated that there has been an increase in the number of complaints from customers. The regulator urged operators to stick to its regulations in their operations. 

The National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and several upstream gas suppliers have signed long-term Gas Supply Agreements (GSAs) with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) for the delivery of 1.29 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscf/d) of Feedgas.

The 20-year agreements, with extension options, were signed at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Friday by the NLNG and Amni International Petroleum Development Company Limited; Sunlink Energies and Resources Limited; First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited; SNEPCo; NNPC Gas Marketing Limited; NNPC E&P Limited; Shell Nigeria Gas Solutions Limited; Oando Group; and Aradel Holdings.

The agreements, aimed at bridging the prolonged shortfall in upstream gas availability, mark a major boost for Nigeria’s energy transition agenda and the Federal Government’s gas reforms aimed at strengthening the nation’s economic prosperity and energy security. Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Ojulari commended NLNG’s shareholders and the Federal Government for their long-term commitment to value delivery despite the challenges faced over the years.

He described the agreements as a giant step towards value creation and sustainable gas supply. “These GSAs have opened up opportunities for the growth of our industry, both for local and international development. They’re hinged on collaboration, synergies and opportunities. We need to leverage economies of scale, share risks and opportunities for us to attain Mr. President’s Decade of Gas vision,” he said.

Ojulari lauded the enabling environment and private sector support fostered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “It is important to commend the President’s tremendous effort that has enabled the business through the issuance of Executive Orders targeted at gas developments and ease of doing business,” he added. The GCEO reaffirmed NNPC Ltd.’s readiness to accelerate the realisation of the Presidential Executive Orders for the industry, pledging to work with partners to unlock opportunities for collective prosperity, in line with the national gas development targets for incremental production. 

The Federal Government is currently discussing a loan funding of $238 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to expand Nigeria’s national electricity grid network, especially the transmission segment of the power value chain. This was part of the outcome of deliberations at the just-concluded Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Japan, where the Nigerian delegation was led by President Bola Tinubu, and attended by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and others.

The national delegation held high-level engagements with Japanese stakeholders, including Toshiba, Hitachi, Japan’s Transmission & Distribution Corporation, and Energy Exchange corporations, focusing on transmission infrastructure, operational efficiency, and strategies to reduce system losses. The proposed loan was built on the recent Federal Executive Council (FEC) approvals for counterpart funding of ₦19 billion to catalyse a loan funding of $238 million from the JICA.

The loan funding will support the expansion of the national grid with the addition of 102.95km of new 330kV double circuit (DC) line, 104.59km of new 132kV double circuit (DC) line, four 330/132/33kV substations, two132/33kv substations, two 330kV line bays extension, two 132kV line bays extension, and one 132kV Substation. The Minister also announced that Nigeria is advancing a $190 million renewable energy loan facility supported by the JICA, designed to scale distributed renewable energy solutions across underserved communities. This builds on the recently launched $750 million World Bank Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme under the Mission 300 Compact, which aims to bring clean and reliable electricity to more than 17 million Nigerians.

In parallel, three substations funded by JICA through a $32 million grant are set for commissioning in Apo (FCT), Keffi (Nasarawa State), and Apapa (Lagos State). The projects will directly strengthen supply reliability to households, businesses, and industrial clusters, including critical facilities such as the Lagos Port and surrounding industrial areas. In addition, through the partnership with JICA, Adelabu said the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) has commissioned a state-of-the-art training equipment in Abuja to strengthen the skills of distribution engineers and tackle network losses.

The facility is designed to deepen local expertise and promote long-term sustainability in sector operations through capacity development, which remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s power sector strategy. 

The Federal Government has signed a $62.8m MoU with the Kuwait Fund to support Kaduna’s Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) project—Kuwait Fund’s first intervention in Nigeria. 

The project will deliver 102 schools and rehabilitate 170 learning centres across the state. 

NITDA DG Kashifu Inuwa says bridging Nigeria’s digital gender gap could unlock $13bn in GDP growth over the next decade. 

Speaking at the IgniteHer Bootcamp in Abuja, he emphasized empowering women for inclusive development. The event, backed by JICA, also featured Women Affairs Minister Imaan Sulaiman and Japanese Ambassador Matsunaga Kazuyoshi. 

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has confirmed it will not sell the Port Harcourt Refining Company. Instead, it will focus on completing its rehabilitation and retaining ownership. 

Group CEO Bayo Ojulari announced the decision during a town hall meeting, stating that selling the refinery would result in value loss and hinder ongoing technical upgrades. 

The Federal Government has appealed to the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) to suspend its planned seven-day warning strike over welfare concerns.

Labour Minister Muhammad Dingyadi made the appeal during a meeting in Abuja, urging dialogue over industrial action. Talks are set to continue Friday at the Federal Ministry of Health. 

Aliko Dangote has urged President Bola Tinubu to ban fuel imports, claiming they threaten local refining and discourage investment. Speaking at a Lagos conference, he argued his $20bn refinery can meet Nigeria’s fuel needs, citing recent exports of 1.35 billion litres.

Petroleum marketers and experts rejected the call, warning it could create a monopoly, drive up prices, and breach trade rules. They stressed the need for competition and diverse supply sources to protect consumers and the economy. 

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has warned that Nigerians traveling primarily to give birth and secure U.S. citizenship for their children will be denied visas.

In a post on X, the mission emphasized that “birth tourism” violates immigration rules and consular officers will deny applications suspected of this intent.

The warning follows increased scrutiny of visa use and a recent shift to single-entry, three-month validity visas for most Nigerian non-diplomatic applicants. 

Thousands of UK doctors launched a five-day strike early Friday after talks with the Labour government for a new pay increase failed to reach a deal.

Doctors were out on picket lines outside hospitals after negotiations with the government went down the wire late Thursday, without reaching an accord.

The move comes after the doctors accepted a pay rise offer totalling 22.3 percent over two years in September, soon after Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour party took power. Resident doctors — those below consultant level — have said they felt they had “no choice” but to strike again to reverse “pay erosion” since 2008.

Starmer on Friday appealed to the doctors, saying patients were being put at risk and the strikes would “cause real damage”. Launching a strike “will mean everyone loses,” Starmer wrote in the Times, highlighting the added strain it would put on the already struggling National Health Service (NHS).

He appealed to the doctors not to “follow” their union, the British Medical Association (BMA) “down this damaging road. Our NHS and your patients need you”. “Lives will be blighted by this decision,” Starmer warned. 

The Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) has partnered with China-Africa Geoscience Cooperation Center and Yangtse Automotive Group to attract Chinese investments in Nigeria’s mining and electric vehicle sectors. 

NCSP DG Joseph Tegbe emphasized reindustrialization through EV value chain development. Chinese officials confirmed readiness to invest, with joint plans for regulatory alignment and technical assessments underway. 

Aliko Dangote has called on the NMDPRA to revoke refinery licenses that remain unused or impose annual penalties on holders. He urged the Authority to compel licensees to either build their refineries or forfeit their permits. 

The House of Representatives has approved a ₦105.14 billion budget for the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for 2025. 

The budget includes ₦20.6bn for personnel, ₦8.9bn for overheads, and ₦75.5bn for capital projects. Chairman James Faleke said the committee found the proposal satisfactory and pledged strict oversight on implementation. 

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has warned international airlines to comply with currency declaration rules for inbound passengers or face sanctions. Airlines must announce the $10,000 declaration limit and distribute forms onboard, as part of Nigeria’s anti-money laundering efforts. 

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) is now recruiting qualified Nigerians into four federal services.

Available Positions:

**Superintendents – BSc, HND, MSc

**Inspectors – NCE, ND or equivalent

**Assistants – SSCE

Eligibility:

* Nigerian by birth

* Age: 18–35 years

* Minimum height: 1.65m (male), 1.60m (female)

* Physically & mentally fit

* No criminal record

Application Deadline: August 4, 2025

Apply at: [recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng](https://recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng)

Note: Apply to only one service. 

Aero Contractors MD, Capt. Ado Sanusi, has criticized the $300 helicopter landing fee approved for NAEBI Dynamic Concept Limited, stating it lacks regulatory backing and offers no value-added service. 

He urged the federal government to rescind the fee, saying the firm has made no investment justifying such charges and warning against arbitrary levies in the aviation sector. 

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its alleged failure to account for N825 billion and $2.5 billion meant for refinery rehabilitation and oil revenues.

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, follows revelations in the Auditor-General’s 2021 report, which flagged multiple unaccounted funds linked to the NNPCL. SERAP is seeking a court order compelling the company to recover and remit the funds, identify those responsible, and hand them over for prosecution.

This comes days after Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote, declared that NNPCL refineries may never work again, despite $18 billion already spent.

No date has been fixed for the hearing. 

Nigeria’s architectural community is applauding a homegrown brand for raising the bar in bathroom and kitchen fittings. Utopia Bath and Kitchen Nigeria received high praise from members of the Association of Consulting Architects Nigeria and the Nigerian Institute of Architects during a recent industry event in Abuja.

The setting was stylish, the conversations insightful architects, consultants, and industry leaders gathered in Abuja for the first Sundown Cocktail of the year outside Lagos, hosted by Utopia Bath and Kitchen in collaboration with ACANigeria. Themed “Staying Connected Through Industry Collaboration,” the event provided a relaxed space for professionals to exchange ideas and explore new innovations in design and construction.

Arc. Olusegun ladega who is also Managing Director of Interstate Architects Ltd, praised the quality and durability of Utopia’s products a sentiment echoed across the evening. Utopia Bath and Kitchen, originally founded in the UK, is now expanding across Africa. Its Nigerian franchise, launched in 2022, has rapidly gained traction among professionals. Architects described the product range as both innovative and affordable making Utopia a strong ally in a market where quality often comes at a premium.

The event also served as a reminder of the evolving role of architects not just as designers, but as decision-makers in material selection and quality assurance. With showrooms already in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Enugu, Utopia is positioning itself as a key player in the built environment and a partner of choice for Nigerian architects. 

GCEO of NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari, says the company plans to go public by 2028 as part of its transformation into a limited liability entity.

Speaking at the 9th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Ojulari said the Petroleum Industry Act laid the foundation for reforms that have brought stability, attracted investment, and positioned NNPC for global relevance.

He highlighted aggressive infrastructure investments in refineries, pipelines, and gas, aiming to boost oil output to 3 million barrels per day and gas production to 12 BCF/day by 2030.

Ojulari urged global investors to engage with the “new NNPC” and “new Nigeria,” promising action over words.