President Bola Tinubu has forwarded fresh requests to the Nigerian Senate, seeking confirmation of new chief executives for two key petroleum regulatory agencies following the resignation of their current heads. The requests were sent in separate letters to the Senate on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, according to an official statement released by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, has resigned from his position. Also stepping down is Gbenga Komolafe, who served as the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.…
Author: Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, has denied issuing any public response to allegations made against him by the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote. In a brief statement released on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, Ahmed said a message circulating on social media and attributed to him did not come from his office and was not authorised by him. The controversy followed comments made by Dangote during a press briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Sunday, where he called for a full investigation into Ahmed’s finances. Dangote urged the regulator…
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has received a petition seeking the investigation and prosecution of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, over alleged abuse of office, corruption and financial impropriety. The petition, dated December 16, 2025, was submitted by the law firm Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN & Associates and was officially stamped as received by the Office of the ICPC Chairman on the same day. The legal practitioners said they acted on the instructions of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, described in the petition as…
Nigeria is preparing to receive 24 M-346 fighter jets from Italy as part of a major effort to strengthen its air power and security capacity. The agreement was reached in November 2023 when the Nigerian Air Force signed a supply deal with Leonardo, an Italian defence firm. The contract covers the delivery of 24 M-346 aircraft and is valued at about €1.2 billion, making it the largest single military aircraft purchase in West Africa. Beyond the aircraft supply, the deal includes 25 years of logistics support. Leonardo will also handle maintenance and technical services for the jets during this period.…
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been thrown into fresh internal confusion following the emergence of two conflicting official documents on the party’s proposed congresses and conventions, with the party’s Chairmen’s Forum publicly disowning a circular allegedly issued by the National Secretariat. In a disclaimer dated Monday, 15 December 2025, the ADC Chairmen’s Forum rejected a document titled “Circular 002/11/2025”, which outlined a nationwide timetable for congresses at polling unit, ward, local government, and state levels, as well as a non-elective national convention scheduled for Thursday, 12 February 2026 in Abuja. The disputed circular, purportedly signed by the National Secretary,…
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has formally called for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman to recuse himself from an ongoing investigation against him. Malami alleged that the probe is biased, politically motivated, and driven by personal grudges related to his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a statement released on Monday through his media aide, Muhammad Doka, Malami accused the EFCC of engaging in “illegal detention, media harassment, and procedural abuse.” He insisted that the investigation is not based on legitimate law enforcement concerns but on “deep-seated…
The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that it carried out targeted airstrikes against terrorist positions at Dabar Masara, a known hideout in the Southern Tumbuns area of Borno State, killing several fighters and destroying key facilities. The operation took place on Sunday, 14 December 2025, and was executed by the Air Component of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI as part of ongoing military efforts to weaken terrorist groups operating in the North East. In a statement released on Monday, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the mission followed…
In a video that is currently circulating widely on social media, Nigerian politician Peter Obi was recorded making remarks that have sparked significant controversy, with many interpreting his comments as characterising Nigerian Muslims as “beggars” and suggesting that begging is part of their religious culture. According to multiple social media posts referencing the clip, Mr Obi was filmed saying that “Nigeria Muslims are beggars” and asserting that “the begging is part of their religion” — statements that have triggered a flurry of reactions online. In the video, Obi reportedly shared an anecdote from a visit to Indonesia, where he noted…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced a state of emergency across the region. The update was given on Tuesday by Omar Touray, president of the ECOWAS Commission, during the 55th session of the mediation and security council at the ministerial level in Abuja. Touray explained that the decision followed the recent rise in coups and attempted mutinies in several West African countries. According to him, the situation has created serious concerns for the stability of the sub-region. He said the declaration became necessary because of “the growing number of coups and failed mutinies across our region…
The Nigerian Air Force has explained why one of its C-130 transport aircraft landed in Burkina Faso after reports claimed the plane was held for an airspace violation. In a statement on Tuesday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft was flying to Portugal for a ferry mission when the crew noticed a technical issue shortly after leaving Lagos. He said the pilots diverted to Bobo Dioulasso in Burkina Faso because it was the closest airport where a safe landing could be made. He noted that this action followed standard global aviation safety…