PETROL prices are currently near N1,000 per litre as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) stations and other filling station outlets across the country are raising prices.
Checks by The ICIR showed some price fluctuations, with the current price ranging from N900-N1,000 per litre.
Further checks by The ICIR showed that the NNPCL sold N950+/litre on Monday, August 4, in most of its retail outlets in Abuja.
Consequently, barely 48 hours later, the NNPCL reduced it to N900 per litre.
The new pricing has been implemented at several outlets in Abuja, including those located in Gwarimpa, Kubwa Expressway, Wuse Zone 6, and Wuse Zone 4.
The development marks a N50+ per litre reduction following Monday’s sharp increase to N950+ per litre.
The pump price of petrol has witnessed a significant upward adjustment to near N1,000 per litre from about N865 per litre sold at the beginning of the week, The ICIR have observed.
In some of the filling stations visited on Thursday, August 7, the reporter observed that NNPCL and other oil markets have adjusted their pump prices.
NNPCL filling station retail outlet
The pump prices were adjusted mostly yesterday, in the early hours of today, the reporter gathered.
In some of the filing stations visited in Lagos and Ogun states, pump prices vary.
At the two NNPCL filling stations at Ojudu Berger in Lagos state, the petrol pump price is being sold at N870 per litre.
At a Petrocam filling station at Mowe, Ogun state, the pump price has been adjusted to N990, from N885 yesterday.
“We are selling fuel at N990 now. It was N885 yesterday,” a petrol attendant, Lukeman, told The ICIR.
At the Ardova (AP) opposite the Redemption City, in Mowe, the filling station is selling at N910.
Asked when the recent pump price adjustment took effect and how much the filling station was selling before, Janet, a petrol attendant, said, “We increased our pump price yesterday; it was N865 before.”
Also at a Conoil filling station beside the Redemption City, the price has been adjusted to N950 per litre.
There was no queue in all the filling stations visited, the reporter observed.
Meanwhile, independent marketers have also made downward adjustments. Ranoil and Empire Energy stations in Gwarimpa now sell petrol at N955 and N950 per litre, respectively, down from N971 and N970.
The ICIR reports that changes in international crude oil, Rockies, and refinery operations can impact pump prices.
“In a deregulated market, prices can change twice a day. Supply equation, how much available products, prevailing market fundamentals, international price, logistics, and competition inform price adjustments,” former Chairman of the Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Adetunji Oyebanji, said.
The upward and downward movement of crude oil prices in the international market are other key factors affecting the price of crude oil, The ICIR findings showed further.
THE West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced a temporary suspension of access to the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results following the discovery of ‘technical bugs during an internal post-release review.
In a statement on Thursday, August 7, the examination body disclosed that the anomalies were linked to a newly introduced feature, “paper serialisation” deployed in core subjects including Mathematics, English Language, Biology, and Economics.
The innovation, WAEC explained, was part of efforts to strengthen its fight against examination malpractice.
It said the initiative aligned with international best practices in assessment.
However, the move, according to the examination body, inadvertently caused discrepancies in the results uploaded to its result checker portal.
“An internal post result release procedure revealed some technical bugs in the results. The Council, being a responsive body that is sensitive to fairness and professionalism, has decided to urgently review and correct the technical glitches that led to the situation. As a result, access to the WASSCE (SC) 2025 results has been temporarily denied on the result checker portal,” the statement read in part.
Recall that shortly after the official release of results on August 4, many Nigerians and parents raised alarm over the mass failure of students and difficulties accessing the result portal.
Background
The ICIR reports that the announcement followed an earlier wave of criticism sparked by the 2025 WASSCE results, which showed a drastic decline in performance.
Only 38.32 per cent of candidates obtained at least five credits, including English and Mathematics, nearly 50 per cent lower than the 72.12 per cent success rate recorded in 2024.
At a press briefing earlier in the week, WAEC Nigeria’s Head of Office, Amos Dangut, attributed the decline to new reforms, including the same paper serialisation as well as efforts to combat collusion in exam halls.
“This approach drastically reduced the incidence of collusion and made examination malpractice more difficult. We observed a dip in the performance of objective papers, but essay papers remained consistent with previous years. It’s a strong signal that candidates must rely on their own preparation,” Dangut said.
The ICIR earlier reported that the decline in pass rate might also be linked to operational lapses during the examination period.
In May, this organisationreported that WAEC kept students in exam halls as late as midnight in several states, including Kwara and Osun, after the leak of the English Language paper.
Some students were forced to write the paper using torchlights, with many parents and rights groups criticising the Council for what they called ‘inhumane’ treatment.
The WAEC initially declined to comment but later admitted the delay was intended to “protect the integrity of our examinations.”
The fallout from these incidents led to increased scepticism from parents, education advocates, and Nigerians, many of whom have accused WAEC of failing students.
The Council, in what it described as a ‘responsive’ and ‘fair’ approach in its latest statement, assured stakeholders that the issues were being addressed with urgency and transparency.
The Council said the technical bugs were expected to be resolved within 24 hours, while also urging candidates who previously checked their results to do so again after the correction window.
“On this note, candidates who have previously checked their results are advised to re-check after 24 hours from now. WAEC remains committed to upholding excellence, fairness and transparency in all our assessment processes,” the statement added.
The WAEC’s troubles echo a similar scandal involving the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which also reviewed the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results following the initial mass failure recorded in this year’s examination.
Recall that, on Monday, May 12, JAMB said it had launched an investigation into numerous complaints regarding the recently released 2025 UTME results.
This followed candidates’ poor performance and protests that greeted the release of the results, as 78.5 per cent of the candidates scored below 200, a benchmark commonly used for admission into competitive programmes in Nigerian federal universities.
According to JAMB, of the 1,955,069 registered candidates, 1,534,654 scored below 200, while the results of 39,834 candidates were withheld for various reasons.
Meanwhile, following the review of the examination, JAMB said that 117,373 or 6.08 per cent scored above 250 points and 565,988 or 29.3 per cent scored above 200 points.
It also added that 1.3 million candidates, or 70.7 per cent, scored less than 200 points in the UTME.
THE Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has blacklisted popular Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, widely known as K1 De Ultimate, from flying within Nigeria for six months over an alleged breach of security protocols at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this on Thursday, August 7, at a press briefing.
He assured the public that everybody involved in the scandal would be brought to book.
“As we speak, the passenger is going to be blacklisted for the next six months from flying in Nigeria, Achimugu said.
Aviation rules are global and made for the safety of all, he said, adding that no individual would be exempted from accountability.
He further disclosed that the agency was writing to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to initiate legal proceedings against the musician.
Wasiu Ayinde speaks out, says he held water, not alcohol at airport
Meanwhile, K1 De Ultimate has denied allegations by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) that he breached security protocols the Abuja Airport.
Recall that FAAN, in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 6, signed by the FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, accused the musician of breaching airport security when he reportedly tried to board a ValueJet flight to Lagos, allegedly with a flask of alcohol, violating aviation security regulations that prohibit liquids over 100 ml in hand luggage.
The FAAN said when security personnel and the flight captain warned him, K1 De Ultimate reportedly refused to comply, spilt the liquid on an officer, and resisted intervention.
The organisation added that preliminary investigations confirmed that the musician was scheduled to board the morning flight to Lagos operated by ValueJet Airlines (Flight VK 201).
“During boarding, the passenger attempted to carry an unidentified liquid substance on board despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security personnel and the flight captain,” FAAN stated.
The regulatory agency said in accordance with international aviation security standards, specifically Nigeria’s National Civil Aviation Security Programme and ICAO Annexe 17, liquids exceeding 100 ml are not permitted through security screening unless medically necessary and properly declared.
The FAAN said it would not tolerate any action that compromised operational integrity or undermined aviation safety standards, regardless of the individuals involved.
It also assured the public that all parties found culpable would be held accountable according to the law.
However, responding to the allegation in a statement released by Kunle Rasheed, his media assistant, the musician said the incident was “not only exaggerated but also misleading”.
He argued that the substance was “plain drinking water” given to him at the airport lounge while awaiting boarding and “not alcohol”.
Ayinde stressed that he “adhered to protocols” and sought to clarify the misunderstanding ‘peacefully,’but it was ‘unnecessarily escalated.
“At no point did K1 act in a manner that endangered lives or breached safety regulations. The substance in question — which was wrongly sensationalised — was nothing more than plain drinking water, given to him at the airport lounge while he waited to board the aircraft. Despite his respectful effort to clarify this, the situation was unnecessarily escalated.
“Claims that K1 blocked the aircraft or attempted to disrupt operations are completely unfounded. The veteran artiste, who is globally respected and frequently travels both locally and internationally, understands and strictly adheres to aviation protocols,” K1 De Ultimate stated.
The musician said that if he had misbehaved, top officials from FAAN, NCAA, and the airline wouldn’t have apologised and offered a private jet to fly him to Lagos.
He claimed that he was the victim and that the suspended pilot was the one who endangered lives.
“In light of recent developments, it is important to note that the pilot involved now has her license suspended. Given the circumstances, it is no surprise if she attempts to deflect blame — surely, she must lie to cover herself up,” said.
He added that the pilot’s decision was not only misguided but also endangered the lives of K1 and others trying to resolve the issue.
He urged the media and public to “avoid sensationalism” and base judgments on facts rather than assumptions.
He also asserted his integrity, emphasising cooperation with authorities to resolve the matter.
Residents in some parts of Lagos and Ogun states have been plunged into total darkness for the past 24 hours, following a recent fire incident that engulfed the Egbin Power Plant in Lagos, The ICIR has observed.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. on August 5, affected the 150MVA power transformer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) at its Egbin Transmission Substation.
It has temporarily led to a reduction in bulk power supply to Ikorodu and Odogunyan 132/33kV transmission substations, which supply Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for some parts of their franchise areas, TCN confirmed in a statement late Wednesday, August 6 night.
“The fire, which originated from one of the power station’s service transformer owned by Egbin Power Plc, is directly connected to the 33kV side of one of TCN’s power transformer- a 150MVA 330/132/33kV Inter-Bus Transformer II.
“Investigations traced the cause of the fire to a faulty 33kV instrument transformer (CT/VT) installed by Egbin Power Plc, which was engulfed by fire, “TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said.
She explained that the incident ultimately led to damage to a 150MVA power transformer belonging to TCN, causing oil leakage from the transformer due to a tear in its main tank.
“As a result of the incident, there is a temporary reduction in bulk power supply to Ikorodu and Odogunyan 132/33kV transmission substations, which supply IKEDC and IBEDC for some parts of its franchise areas, as well as Sagamu Line 1, Sagamu Line 2, and Maryland Line 2 on the 132kV network within Lagos State.
“At the time of the incident, a total load of 47MW was affected. This load was immediately diverted to the second available 150MVA power transformer within the substation, which is now operating under strain,” Mbah said.
According to her, since then, the capacity deficit has increased and remains high, resulting in load-shedding across all affected areas.
“Please bear with us as we work diligently to replace the damaged transformer and restore normal power supply as soon as possible,” Mbah urged.
She noted that the TCN has already notified the IKEDC and EKEDC to assist in load management within their franchise areas.
“On our part, TCN is already making urgent arrangements to source the replacement transformer.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this is causing the two distribution companies and electricity customers in the affected areas and pledge to work hard to ensure full restoration of bulk supply to the substations in the shortest possible time,” she maintained.
The ICIR reports that the total blackout comes amid Ikeja Electric’s recent announcement of a 25-day scheduled power outage across sections of Lagos and environs to enable critical maintenance work by the TCN.
According to the company, residents are expected to suffer a power interruption that is expected to take place daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, beginning Monday, July 28, 2025, and continuing through Thursday, August 21, 2025.
“During this period, customers may experience intermittent power supply and load shedding across our network due to the planned TCN outage,” it stated.
UKRAINIAN President Volodymyr Zelensky is seeking a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to help bring an end to the war between the two nations, following talks between President Donald Trump’s special envoy and the Russian leader in Moscow.
Zelensky announced this on Thursday, August 7, revealing plans to hold ‘several’ discussions at the meeting, including talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as officials from France and Italy.
“There will also be communication at the level of national security advisors. The main thing is for Russia, which started this war, to take real steps to end its aggression,” Zelensky added.
The ICIR reports that Zelensky and Putin have not held a meeting since December 2019 and have consistently shown open hostility toward each other.
Putin had set some conditions for ceasefire, however, Zelenskiy has consistently said that the sovereignty of his country is not negotiable and that Russia must surrender the territory it has seized from Ukraine.
While President Trump praised Wednesday’s talks between his envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Vladimir Putin as “highly productive,” United States officials said that Trump could meet Vladimir Putin next week.
“There’s a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon,” Trump told reporters.
Zelensky said he had spoken by phone with Trump, who said he could meet with Putin “very soon,” and that European leaders had been on the call.
“We in Ukraine have repeatedly said that finding real solutions can be truly effective at the level of leaders,” Zelensky wrote on social media.
“It is necessary to determine the timing for such a format and the range of issues to be addressed,” he added.
A face-to-face meeting would mark the first encounter between a sitting US and Russian president since Joe Biden met with Putin in Geneva in June 2021, eight months before Russia launched the largest assault on Ukraine since World War II.
Trump’s diplomatic efforts come just two days ahead of a deadline he set for Russia to agree to a peace deal in Ukraine or face additional sanctions.
Trump has voiced frustration with Putin over the stalled progress toward peace and has warned of imposing steep tariffs on nations that purchase Russian exports, including oil.
On Wednesday, Trump also indicated he might impose additional tariffs on China, similar to the 25 per cent duties recently announced on India for its purchases of Russian oil.
HUMAN rights activist and the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, remains in police custody nearly a day after honouring an invitation by the Nigeria Police Force’s IGP Monitoring Unit in Abuja.
Sowore had on Wednesday, August 6, disclosed that he would appear before the unit at 11:00 a.m. on the same day, following a letter of invitation from the police dated August 5 and signed by DCP Akin Fakorede, the Head of the IGP Monitoring Unit.
The invitation, which followed a request from Sowore’s legal team to reschedule a prior appointment, did not include a copy of the petition against him, a move the activist described as an attempt by the police to conceal a sinister plot.
Sowore had questioned the legality of the initial police summons and requested that a fresh invitation be issued, adding that the police must clearly state the legal grounds and include prior access to the petition against him.
While the Force rescheduled the appointment, it failed to detail the content of the petition against the activist.
“The IGP Monitoring Unit has scheduled my interview for tomorrow at 11:00 AM, yet they have refused to provide a copy of the purported petition against me. It is now clear that their intention is to conceal the sinister plan of the illegal IGP and continue operating in darkness.
“Despite this, I will honour the invitation — but not alone. I will be going with a full house,” Sowore wrote on his X page.
Hours after appearing before the police, his handle posted that two petitions were presented to him, one alleging forgery and another allegedly written by a senior female police officer accusing him of “criminal defamation.”
He claimed the officer, Bukola Yemisi Kuti, had recently been promoted to ACP due to her ties with the top police hierarchy.
Sowore consequently slept in police custody following hours of questioning.
On Thursday, August 7, his social media account alleged that a special unit led by CSPs and former SARS commander Akin Fakorede stormed his detention cell at the Force Investigation Department (FID), broke his right hand, and whisked him away to an undisclosed location.
The post accused the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, and Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, of complicity.
There has been no official statement from the police regarding Sowore’s location or condition at the time of this report, with attempts to reach the police spokesperson also proving abortive.
Human rights group, lawyers condemn detention
Meanwhile, the development has triggered concern among human rights groups, Nigerians and lawyers, who are calling for his immediate release.
Reacting to this in a statement released on Wednesday, Amnesty International condemned the action as arbitrary and a violation of Sowore’s human rights.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of human rights activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore, who has been facing ongoing harassment and intimidation by the Nigerian Police,” the statement read.
It urged the government to release Sowore without conditions and to dismiss what it termed as baseless and politically driven allegations against him.
Amnesty further advised the authorities to engage constructively with dissenting voices rather than resorting to the misuse of state power to suppress them.
Also, a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, warned that “Nothing should happen to Sowore. This lawless IGP should be careful; his atrocities have gotten worse. He should know that he is not above the laws of this country,” he wrote on X.
Similarly, in a series of posts made on X, another human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, condemned the arrest and detention of Sowore, describing the move as a gross abuse of power and a blatant violation of fundamental human rights.
Ogun criticised the NPF for what he called an “unprecedented attack” on Sowore’s rights to dignity, personal liberty, and freedom of expression.
Ogun called for accountability, demanding that all officers involved, including the magistrate who issued the ‘suspicious’ detention order, face disciplinary action.
“Egbetokun and his co-travellers are forbidden by law to use the police in settling personal scores. How did the police obtain a detention order against Sowore prior to his arrest? All officers involved, including the magistrate who granted the suspicious order, should be thoroughly disciplined,” he said.
THE National Press Foundation (NPF) has called for applications for the Hinrich Foundation Award for Distinguished Reporting on Trade.
The award recognises exemplary journalism that illuminates and advances the public’s understanding of international business and trade.
Journalists with work that exemplifies the highest standards of journalism and is published by a reputable news organisation are required to submit entries.
Print, broadcast, and digital journalists worldwide will be competing for a $10,000 prize.
Award winners participate in the National Press Foundation’s (NPF’s) annual awards event.
The organisers said the jury for this award comprisesfour distinguished journalists.
The 2023 winner was Bloomberg News Staff for a series of comprehensive reporting on a variety of trade issues — from AI advancements to Brazil choosing China over the U.S. for a factory plant, and an in-depth analysis on decoupling from China.
Works published or broadcast from September 30, 2024, to September 30, 2025, are eligible for submission.
Applicants will require a letter of support andwork sample(s), and all submissions must be in English.
The deadline for the application is September 30, 2025.
THE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched an investigation into an alleged breach of airport protocol by Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, widely known as K1 De Ultimate.
He was said to have breached airport security protocols at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Wednesday, August 6.
The musician reportedly tried to board a ValueJet flight to Lagos, allegedly with a flask of alcohol, violating aviation security regulations that prohibit liquids over 100 ml in hand luggage.
When security personnel and the flight captain warned him, K1 De Ultimate reportedly refused to comply, spilt the liquid on an officer, and resisted intervention.
In a video circulating on social media, he was seen in front of the aircraft and refused to vacate the area, thereby escalating the situation, prompting AVSEC’s crime unit to escort him away for further investigation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 6, signed by the FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, the organisation said it the confrontation occurred on Monday, August 5, during boarding procedures for a ValueJet Airlines flight (Flight VK 201) heading to Lagos.
The FAAN said that preliminary investigations confirmed that the musician was scheduled to board the morning flight to Lagos operated by ValueJet Airlines (Flight VK 201).
“During boarding, the passenger attempted to carry an unidentified liquid substance on board despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security personnel and the flight captain,” FAAN stated.
The regulatory agency said in accordance with international aviation security standards, specifically Nigeria’s National Civil Aviation Security Programme and ICAO Annexe 17, liquids exceeding 100 ml are not permitted through security screening unless medically necessary and properly declared.
“The passenger was informed of this regulation but reportedly declined to comply.
“As boarding continued, an airline security officer asked the passenger to step aside for further clarification. The passenger allegedly refused and spilt the contents of the flask on the officer, which turned out to be alcohol. The flight captain intervened but faced similar resistance,” the statement read.
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The FAAN added that, confirming that boarding was complete, the crew instructed the closure of the aircraft door.
“He was ultimately escorted away by the AVSEC crime unit for further investigation, after which he was released,” the statement read.
The FAAN reiterated its uncompromising commitment to the safety and security of all passengers, crew, and airport personnel.
The agency said it would not tolerate any action that compromised operational integrity or undermined aviation safety standards, regardless of the individuals involved.
It also assured the public that all parties found culpable would be held accountable according to the law.
THE Ghana Armed Forces have confirmed that the remains of the victims of the Z-9 military helicopter crash, which claimed the lives of the country’s Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, and others, arrived in Accra on Wednesday.
A statement issued by the Acting Director General, Public Relations, Ghana Navy, Captain Veronica Arhin, revealed that all eight bodies were recovered from the crash site located in the Sikaman area, near Adansi Akrofuom in Ghana’s Ashanti Region and transported aboard a Ghana Air Force Casa aircraft.
The bodies were received at the Air Force Base in Accra on August 6, 2025.
“At the Air Force Base, Accra, to receive the bodies were government functionaries, led by Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Julius Debrah, the High Command and well wishers. The bodies have since been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital in preparation for interment later” Arhin said.
The ICIR reported that Boamah and the country’s Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala died in the crash on Tuesday, in the Central Ashanti Region.
The helicopter had left Accra at 09:12am and was heading to Obuasi for an official engagement when it suddenly went off radar.
Other passengers on the ill-fated aircraft include the Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister, Muniru Mohammed; and Vice-Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress party, Samuel Sarpong.
The helicopter’s crew were named as squadron leader Peter Bafemi Anala, flying officer Malin Twum-Ampadu and Sgt. Ernest Addo Mensah.
In its latest statement, the Ghana Armed Forces expressed gratitude to the people of Sikaman and the security services for their support during the recovery efforts.
“The Deputy Minister for Defence, Hon. Brogya Genfi, and the Military High Command extend their deepest condolences to the families in this difficult national tragedy,” the statement added.
The ICIR reported that as a trained medical doctor, Boamah held several key positions in government, including serving as Communications Minister during President Mahama’s 2012–2017 administration. Before then, he was Deputy Minister for the Environment.
Boamah was leading Ghana’s Defence Ministry at a time when armed groups along the country’s northern border with Burkina Faso were growing increasingly active.
He led a delegation to Ouagadougou in May, as Ghana intensified its diplomatic efforts with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, now governed by military regimes that have distanced themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc.
He was preparing to release a book titled “A Peaceful Man in an African Democracy”, which chronicles the life of former President John Atta Mills, who passed away in 2012.
THERE is growing concern over the health of President Bola Tinubu, with credible sources confirming to The ICIR that preparations are underway by his medical team to potentially fly him abroad for urgent medical attention. However, the presidency has dismissed these concerns, describing them as mere “rumours.”
According to information gathered by The ICIR, the President has reportedly been bedridden for several days, resulting in his absence from key state functions. In his stead, Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented the Presidency at some official engagements.
An Aso Rock insider revealed to The ICIR that several of President Tinubu’s scheduled activities have been cancelled since the beginning of the week. It is also believed that the remainder of his weekly agenda has been cleared to allow his medical team to monitor his condition closely.
Responding to inquiries, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told The ICIR that “people just tell you all kinds of rumours that have no basis at all.”
He insisted that the president was working. “He was in his office yesterday (August 5). I was with him. I went to see him. He came to work.”
Tinubu’s last known public appearance
President Tinubu’s was last seen publicly on Friday, August 1, where he attended the opening of the Progressive Media Summit, themed “Unveiling the Critical Role of New Media in National Development.” He appeared healthy during the event, where he encouraged young Nigerians in the digital media space to leverage their platforms for national progress.
Days earlier, on July 29, the president led the reception for the Super Falcons upon their return to Nigeria after a remarkable victory at the WAFCON Championship in Morocco. The president stood for an extended period, personally congratulating the team before announcing generous rewards for both players and their coaches. The rewards stirred public debate and critcism from some quarters.
His absence at a similar reception for the victorious D’Tigress team on August 3 raised questions, especially as Vice President Shettima stood in for him at the event.
Despite the President’s absence, the presidency has continued issuing official statements. One such release on August 6 announced Tinubu’s directive for the rollout of free healthcare for low-income retirees and an increase in pensions. The release included a photograph of the President with the Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Omolola Oloworaran, though it did not specify when the meeting occurred.
The ICIR investigation revealed that the meeting had taken place days earlier before it was sent out as a press release at the President’s private residence, not his office. Onanuga later confirmed this
Despite the President’s absence, the presidency has continued issuing official statements. One such release on August 6 announced Tinubu’s directive for the rollout of free healthcare for low-income retirees and an increase in pensions.
On the same day, another press release conveyed Tinubu’s condolences to Ghana following a tragic air crash that claimed the lives of the Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and several others.
Onanuga told The ICIR that Tinubu personally called and asked for the condolence to be sent.
“Even today (August 6), We issued a press release about Ghana. He (Tinubu) called me from the house and said something has happened in Ghana, I didn’t even know. He said I should issue a statement. He was the one that called me hismelf,” Onanuga said.
Weekly FEC meeting fails to hold
The ICIR investigation also revealed that the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting has failed to hold this week, either on Monday or Wednesday, as has been the tradition since the inauguration of the current ministers.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had hinted to state house correspondents last Thursday that the next meeting would hold Wednesday, August 6.
The ICIR gathered that the ministers and members of council had been reached to inform them of the postponement as none of them came around the villa around the usual hours of the meeting.
Onanuga clarified that no FEC was scheduled for Monday, while Wednesday’s session was postponed by the President.
“Yes, he postponed it. It’s not an issue,” he said.
He explained that, “There is no certain time for FEC. The FEC meeting can be held on Monday, it can be held on Wednesday. It can be held on a Thursday.”
Tinubu’s discreet work style or health decline?
Following the August 1 media event, Tinubu has not made any public appearances. His absence during D’Tigress championship celebration and the cancellation of several high-level meetings have fueled speculation about a possible health decline.
The ICIR investigations revealed that several high-level meetings were quietly shelved. Among them was a scheduled engagement with close associates of former President Muhammadu Buhari within the All Progressives Congress (APC), originally set for the afternoon of Tuesday, August 5. The meeting was abruptly cancelled.
When asked why Tinubu skipped the D’Tigress event, Onanuga responded, “Why must he be at all functions? Is it compulsory he must me at all functions? He has a deputy. He can delegate.”
On his lack of public appearances, he said, “I said he was in the office yesterday (August 5). I was with him. Do you want him to be doing public parade or something?”
Absence responsible for silence surrounding NNPC’s leadership
Speculation has for a while also surrounded the fate of Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), who was appointed by Tinubu in early April.
Reports suggest that Ojulari may have resigned, but the presidency and NNPCL have remained silent on the matter. Efforts to confirm or deny the reports with the Presidency have yielded no response.
A senior presidency official, who wishes to remain anonymous, stated that the matter did not fall under the remit of the Presidential Villa and advised journalists to reach out directly to NNPCL. However, attempts to contact NNPCL were also unsuccessful.
A source said that while the resignation rumors might indeed be true, the final confirmation depends on President Tinubu, who, due to his current health, has been unable to make any decisions.
Tinubu’s medical trips to france: a pattern of concern
Since taking office in 2023, President Tinubu has made frequent trips to France, sparking ongoing concerns about the transparency surrounding his health. He has reportedly spent over 50 days in France across several visits, often described as private or working trips.
June 2023: Attended the New Global Financial Pact Summit in Paris, spending around 4–5 days
January 2024: Tinubu took a 14-day private trip to France, returning to Nigeria in early February.
August 2024: He took another brief trip to France, returning after four days.
October 2024: In early October, Tinubu travelled to the UK for a two-week working vacation as part of his annual leave.Reports indicate that during this time, he also traveled to France.
November 2024: Three‑day state visit at Macron’s invitation, during which business and infrastructure agreements were signed; total stay about 5 days
February 2025: Officially described as a private visit en route to Addis Ababa for AU meetings; stayed around 7–8 days
April 2025: Two‑week working visit with time also spent in London; stay around 14 -19 days.
As Nigerians await clearer updates on the President’s health, the political and economic implications of his continued absence remain uncertain. The frequency of his medical trips and the current lack of public appearances only add to the growing concerns over his leadership and the transparency of his administration.
Onanuga maintains that the President is working. “He is working. Tinubu has a different style of working. Sometimes he works from home. in fact he does more work from home than even in the office”.
“Whoever is raising the concerns is spreading rumours”.
Read The ICIR series on Tinubu’s two years in office HERE.
![[EXCLUSIVE] Concerns over President Tinubu’s health as he misses key state functions, Presidency dismisses rumours](https://www.icirnigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/130271259_488bcf19-c61b-4a27-9fd2-bdaaddf5507b.jpg.webp "[EXCLUSIVE] Concerns over President Tinubu’s health as he misses key state functions, Presidency dismisses rumours")
