Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Federal Government plans to deduct N3.6 trillion from the Federation Account to fund electricity subsidies for 2026-2028, addressing the rising electricity subsidy debt that affects liquidity in the power sector. This initiative aims to ensure fiscal transparency and distribute costs among federal, state, and local governments. The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework indicates an electricity subsidy of N1.2 trillion annually through 2028. The Budget Office, aligned with President Tinubu's directive, emphasizes that future subsidy costs must be explicit and shared across all governmental levels, as accumulating debts have stressed federal finances. The current subsidy system, where the Federal Government finances gaps via the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, is deemed unsustainable and will be revised to prevent hidden liabilities and liquidity crises in the sector.

The Federal Government has proposed spending N3.23tn on the construction and rehabilitation of federal roads in the 2026 budget, marking a sharp increase in capital allocation to the transport sector as it intensifies efforts to complete long-delayed highways and repair critical corridors nationwide.The proposed spending represents an increase of about 489 per cent in two years compared to N548.56bn allocated to road projects in the 2024 budget, highlighting a significant shift in fiscal priority towards road infrastructure.Budgetary documents further show that the Ministry of Works received N1.013tn for the construction and rehabilitation of 468 federal roads in the 2025 budget, up from the 2024 allocation.The government has repeatedly said improved road infrastructure is critical to lowering transport costs, boosting trade, and supporting economic growth, amid rising concerns over the state of key federal highways.The 2026 budget proposal is expected to undergo legislative scrutiny in the coming weeks, with lawmakers likely to interrogate project prioritisation, regional balance, and the capacity of the ministry to deliver on its expanded road works programme.

The Federal Government of Nigeria plans to establish 500 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refueling stations over three years to transition to cleaner fuels and reduce petrol consumption. This initiative stems from an agreement between the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund and Chinese manufacturer Endurance Group, creating a special purpose vehicle called Compressed Natural Gas Auto Mobility Infrastructure Company. This company will manage the deployment of refueling stations, develop gas supply infrastructure, and enhance logistics, aiming to minimize long queues at existing CNG stations. The move aligns with the government's goal to stabilize transportation costs and reduce foreign fuel dependence, part of the broader Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative launched in 2023, which aims to enhance energy security and create jobs in the gas sector. The infrastructure will utilize a virtual pipeline network for consistent gas delivery and support the nationwide use of auto-CNG.

The Federal Government has expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of construction work on the Lokoja–Abuja highway, warning contractors handling sections of the critical corridor to urgently improve performance or risk sanctions.The Presidency’s Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, North Central, Abiodun Essiet, gave the warning during an inspection tour of ongoing federal road projects in Kogi State, where she described progress on key sections of the highway as far below expectations.In a statement issued by the Ministry of Works on Tuesday, Essiet said she was disappointed by the level of work done months after contractors were directed to scale up deployment and accelerate construction.She recalled that the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, had last year terminated four road contracts in Kogi State due to poor performance, warning that similar actions could be taken if contractors failed to meet agreed timelines.Representing the President at the ceremony, Essiet described the completed project as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring vital road infrastructure.Community leaders and professional bodies, including representatives of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, commended the intervention, citing improved safety and a reduction in accidents since the works were completed.

Petrol importation remained the dominant source of fuel consumed in Nigeria in 2025, accounting for 62.47 per cent of the country’s total Premium Motor Spirit consumption, The PUNCH reports.This trend persisted despite the commencement of operations, steady ramp-up in production and distribution of petrol by domestic refineries, notably the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, alongside state-owned refineries and several modular facilities, as revealed in the latest midstream and downstream sector factsheet released by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.According to the newly released NMDPRA factsheet on the state of the midstream and downstream petroleum sector, as analysed by our correspondent on Sunday, total national petrol consumption by Nigerians stood at approximately 18.97 billion litres in 2025, with oil marketing companies accounting for 11.85 billion litres through imports, highlighting the market’s continued dependence on foreign supply.“If you put those figures together, it suggests Dangote alone is doing about 60 to 70 per cent of our daily consumption,” Olatide said.However, he noted that official figures from the NMDPRA paint a different picture. “NMDPRA is saying local refineries, including Dangote, are doing between 37 and 40 per cent. So clearly, there are conflicts in the reporting.”

The recent Executive Order signed by President Bola Tinubu mandates that various oil and gas revenues, including royalty oil, tax oil, and profit gas, be paid directly into the Federation Account. This change is projected to increase allocations by approximately N14.57tn, based on 2025 revenue forecasts. Key alterations include the cessation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company's (NNPC) collection of certain fees, including the 30% Frontier Exploration Fund and management fees on profit oil. The directive aims to enhance revenue remittances and ensure these funds serve federal, state, and local governments effectively, promoting fiscal responsibility and addressing structural issues in the oil sector. Implementation began in January 2026, with immediate effects expected on revenue allocations. Tinubu emphasized the necessity for transparency in revenue management to support national development.