Author: Mujeedat

…Says Openness to Oversight, Merit-Based Promotion Underscore Modernisation Drive As Nigeria’s trade corridors continue to expand in volume and complexity, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its ongoing digital transformation agenda is steadily closing the gaps that have historically made revenue leakage and procedural abuse possible, even as the Service faces renewed public scrutiny over its enforcement and administrative practices. The Service’s position was outlined this week in response to questions raised in an investigative report published by SaharaReporters on August 7, 2026, which examined enforcement activity along several border corridors in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States and raised questions…

The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) has donated 50 ballistic helmets, 50 bulletproof vests and 100 raincoats to the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT as part of efforts to strengthen operational capacity and improve security across Lagos State and its maritime domain. The donation was presented on 11 August 2026 during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the LSSTF, led by Executive Secretary Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, to the Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore A Adams-Aliu. Ogunsan said the intervention was intended to bridge identified gaps within the state’s security architecture and enhance the capacity of security agencies…

The Nigerian Navy (NN) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have renewed their strategic partnership through a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening maritime safety and security across Nigeria’s maritime domain. The agreement was signed at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja by NIMASA’s Director-General/CEO, Dr Dayo Mobereola, and the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, in the presence of principal staff officers and senior officials of both organisations. The renewed MoU consolidates a relationship that began in 2007 and has been sustained through successive renewals. Under the framework, the two…

West African countries are exploring ways to harmonise regulations and fuel quality standards across the region to ease cross-border trade and improve market integration, with the West Africa Regulatory Forum (WARF) leading the call for increased investment in oil and gas infrastructure and improved operational efficiency to support the development of credible regional fuel price benchmarks. The Chairman of WARF and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Rabiu Umar, made the call at the 2026 West Africa Refined Fuel Market Conference in Abuja, which was themed “Funding West Africa Infrastructure and Distribution…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has reiterated that it is willing to buy Nigerian crude oil, but only if supplies are available in adequate volumes and offered at commercially competitive prices aligned with prevailing market benchmarks. The statement comes after recent reports citing data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) suggesting the refinery rejected 15.5 million barrels of crude oil offered by local producers in the second quarter of 2026. Dangote disputed the framing of those figures, saying the central issue is not the volume nominally offered under the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO) but the quantity genuinely…

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has clarified that it is not involved in the National Association of Nigerian Students’ (NANS) proposed ₦200 student levy and has no agreement with the association linking the payment to mobilisation for national service. In a statement issued on 11 August 2026, NYSC said it had not discussed, agreed to, or signed any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NANS for the collection of any levy related to mobilisation. The scheme described circulating reports titled “NANS Moves to Collect N200 Levy from Nigerian Students, Links Dues to NYSC Mobilisation” as false and urged students…

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Healthcare Equipment and Allied Products Providers Association of Nigeria (HEPAN) have resolved to deepen collaboration to strengthen standards, regulatory compliance and safety in Nigeria’s medical devices and healthcare equipment sector. The resolution was reached during a strategic engagement between both organisations held in Abuja. The Director-General and Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, was represented at the meeting by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Uchenna Okafor, while the HEPAN delegation was led by its President, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwankwo. HEPAN proposed collaboration with SON on joint campaigns against substandard and counterfeit…

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has reaffirmed its support for Venezuela’s efforts to attract upstream oil and gas investment following recent reforms to the country’s hydrocarbons sector. The chamber’s position was stated during high-level meetings in Caracas with government and industry officials. An AEC delegation led by Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk and Senior Vice President Verner Ayukegba met with Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, Minister of Hydrocarbons Paula Henao, PDVSA President Héctor Obregón and other senior officials to discuss expanding international cooperation, accelerating upstream investment and advancing project development. The talks followed the publication in July of regulations implementing…

Global airlines are struggling to secure enough jet fuel to maintain regular flight schedules as the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt energy trade and tighten supply worldwide. The months-long shutdown of the strategic waterway, which normally carries about 20 per cent of the world’s oil and a large share of jet fuel exports, has led to severe fuel shortages in several regions, forcing carriers to cut flights, add refuelling stops and raise fares. The U.S.–Israeli military campaign against Iran triggered the closure of the strait, a key corridor linking the Persian Gulf with…

Heirs Life Assurance, the specialist life insurance company of Heirs Insurance Group, has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director on its Board, effective August 10, 2026. The appointment reinforces Heirs Life Assurance’s commitment to expanding financial inclusion and accelerating insurance adoption by strengthening public trust, consumer education, and long-term financial resilience across Nigeria. Despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria’s insurance penetration remains below one percent, among the lowest globally, highlighting the need to expand financial protection and build greater public trust in insurance. As Heirs Life continues to pursue its mission of making insurance accessible…