Index to Nigerian Newspapers

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Senator Margrey Chuba-Okadigbo as Board Chairman of NNPC, replacing Senator Ifeanyi Ararume. Other board members include Mele Kolo Kyari, Umar Ajiya, Dr. Tajudeen Umar, Mrs. Lami Ahmed, Mallam Mohammed Lawal, Henry Obih, Constance Harry Marshal, and Chief Pius Akinyelure. The PDP has described the appointment of Dr. Doyin Salami as a "scapegoat" for the APC government's failures. The main opposition party, the APC, has appointed Executive Commissioners of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. These include Francis Alabo Ogaree, Mustapha Lamorde, Mansur Kuliya, Bashir Sadiq, and Dr. Zainab Gobir. New council members for the Midstream and Downstream Infrastructure Fund include Effiong Abia, Bobboi Ahmed, and Abdullahi Bukar.

NGF, Labour leaders seek forensic probe of NNPC's figures, alleging fraud. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited has presented a bill of N3 trillion for deliberations at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari. This is the amount required to continue to subsidise petroleum products for the 18 months extension recently approved by the Presidency. The Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, explained that FEC considered the request so as to make additional funding provisions that will enable government meet incremental fuel subsidy payment in the 2022 budget. However, the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have blamed the NNPC for the mismanagement of the proceeds accruing from oil. The Council directed the ministry to approach the National Assembly for an amendment to the fiscal framework, including the budget.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to honour their part of an October 2, 2023 agreement to address the "massive suffering" caused by the hike in petrol prices and naira devaluation. The ultimatum, which starts counting today, is in response to the National Association of Nigerian Students' ultimatum for the government to address inflation and make food prices out of the reach of citizens or face mass demonstrations. The labour movement claims that the government's failure to uphold its end of the bargain is regrettable and unacceptable, as widespread hunger is affecting millions of Nigerians, and insecurity has increased. Meanwhile, Kano residents have taken to the streets in protest against the high cost of food items and other essential commodities. The apex Islamic body in the North, Jama’at Nasir Islam (JNI), has called on the Federal and state governments to intervene before the situation worsens and to avoid future recurrence through synergy and prompt interventions.

Nigerians mourned the death of former Head of Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan, who passed away in Lagos, aged 85. President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast from today till Friday as a mark of respect for the former elder statesman, who left his flourishing business career to become Head of Government at a delicate time when the country needed someone of his calm mien and pedigree to save the ship of state from sinking. Former military President Ibrahim Babangida said Shonekan was a patriot, an urbane and refined gentleman, a thoroughbred boardroom maestro and a cosmopolitan mind who was devoted to his country. Senate President Ahmad Lawan described Shonekan as a lawyer, business captain, boardroom guru and statesman. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo described Shonekan as "a unifying force for the nation" and former President Goodluck Jonathan described him as "an elder statesman, well-loved for his sincerity and sense of purpose". Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said Shonekan's sad exit came at a time the country needed his leadership, wealth of experience and wisdom to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing the nation.

The National Assembly resumes plenary today after the Yuletide break, and governors elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called on legislators not to sustain President Muhammadu Buhari's veto of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021. They re-echoed the position of the former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, that the early conclusion of the amendment is vital for credible elections. They also lamented the continued state of insecurity in the country, persistent and ceaseless flow of Nigerians' blood on a daily basis, and the near collapse of security situation. They urged Mr President to reconsider his position and consider decentralisation and restructuring of the security architecture as the most viable solution, together with proper arming, funding and training requirements for security agencies. The governors and CSOs have called on the legislature and President Buhari to conclude the process of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill by January 31, first by retransmitting the bill to the President for assent by Friday, January 21, and then by assenting to the bill within one week. The CSOs warned that further delay on the conclusion of the amendment process was inimical to the preparations for Ekiti and Osun elections.

Nigerians may need to adjust their expectations ahead of possible removal of subsidy as the rising price of crude oil may push Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N403 per litre. The Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) has initiated talks with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on the proposed removal of subsidy on petrol. The National Economic Council (NEC) has disclosed that a decision on the removal of petrol subsidy will be made in June when the provision for its payment in the 2022 budget expires. The NLC has mandated all states organs to intensify mobilisation for next Thursday's nationwide protest against the Nigerian government over its proposed increase in the pump price of petrol. Stakeholders have insisted that liberalisation of the downstream sector, including removal of subsidy, were necessary steps if the country must end its borrowing and revive the downstream segment of the nation's petroleum industry. The Federal Government had opted for deregulation of the downstream, partially removing subsidy from petrol, resulting in a doubling of the pump price. In December 2021, the NLC and TUC forced the Federal Government to a dialogue, where the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) agreed to slash N5 from N167.44 to N162.44. This was in contrast to expectations that the signing of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) would automatically commence deregulation.