EMBATTLED Lagos lawmaker, Mudashiru Obasa, has challenged his suspension as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly in court.
Obasa filed a suit against the Assembly and the new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, arguing that his suspension was improper since the Assembly was in recess at the time.
In a motion dated February 12, 2025, his legal team, led by Afolabi Fashanu-a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN), requested an accelerated hearing of the case. Obasa, who was out of the country when 36 lawmakers voted him out on January 13, 2025, insisted upon his return that he would remain the legitimate Speaker.
Among the reliefs sought, Obasa is asking the court to fix an expedited hearing date and to shorten the time for the defendants to file their response to seven days. He also requested that his reply on points of law be filed within three days.
His application is based on nine legal grounds, including the interpretation of key constitutional provisions such as Sections 36, 90, 92(2)(c), 101, and 311 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), alongside relevant rules and standing orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Part of the motion reads, “This action challenges the constitutionality of the sitting and proceedings of the Lagos State House of Assembly to sit during recess without the Speaker reconvening the House or giving any other person powers to reconvene the House.
“Public interest requires the case to be heard and determined speedily and expeditiously so that legislative activities in the state are not stalled.
“The legality of the continued sitting of the 1st defendant under the present leadership in violation of the aforementioned laws and rules calls for an urgent determination.”
“This Honourable Court is imbued with inherent powers to grant accelerated hearing and abridgment of time,” the motion stated.
However, a date has not been fixed for the suit as of the time of filing this report.
On January 13, Obasa who had served for nearly 10 years as the state speaker from June 2015 to January 2025, was suspended by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offenses, The ICIRreported.
However, during a welcome rally at his residence in GRA, Ikeja held on Saturday, January 25, Obasa declared that he remained the speaker despite his replacement by his deputy, Mojisola Meranda.
MINISTER of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, on Saturday, February 15, said that the recent Canadian visa denial to senior Nigerian military officials constituted a “serious affront” to the nation’s dignity.
The decision, which prevented the Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa and other top military leaders from attending a veterans’ event in Canada, has continued to generate national backlash.
The officers were due to attend an event in Canada to honour war veterans but only a portion of the delegates were granted visas. The development angered senior Nigerian officials.
The ICIR had reported how the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, slammed the Canadian Embassy in Nigeria for denying visas to Nigeria’s chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, a general, and other top military officers.
Ribadu expressed frustration at the Canadian embassy’s action on Thursday, February 13, while speaking at the inaugural annual lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja.
The event, attended by security experts and government officials, focused on national security challenges and international cooperation.
Commenting on the visa denial earlier at the event, the CDS had said his team was invited to the veterans’ event but faced an unexpected setback when some members of the delegation were denied visas.
He described the situation as disappointing but saw it as a reminder for Nigeria to strengthen its independence and resilience.
“We were invited with our team. Half of us have gone, and half have been denied. It’s very disappointing.,” the CDS stated.
According to him, it is a clear reminder that Nigeria must stand on its own as a nation and should no longer be taken for granted, as he described the visa denial as disrespectful.
Canadian Commission declines to comment for ‘privacy reasons’
Meanwhile, on Friday, February 14, the Canadian high commission in Nigeria, via its X handle, stated that it was aware of the media reports on the incident but would not comment on the status of the visa applications.
“The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria is aware of media reports related to planned travel to Canada by senior officials.
“However, for privacy reasons, we are unable to provide any comment on the status of visa applications of specific individuals,” the commission wrote.
Defence Minister vows ‘assertive’ response
In a follow-up statement issued on Saturday, February 15, by Sunday Iyogun, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, who quoted Matawale said the government ‘must be prepared to respond appropriately and assertively.’
Matawalle noted there is a need to probe the reasons for the visa denial as it’s a serious affront to Nigeria’s integrity.
“This incident is not merely a bureaucratic oversight; it is a serious affront to our national dignity and integrity.
“If no satisfactory explanation is provided, we must be prepared to respond appropriately and assertively,” the minister said.
THE National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has opposed the plan to convert Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a university.
The association argued that the move will dilute the institution’s unique, hands-on approach to technical education.
The NAPS, in a statement issued on Saturday, February 15, argued that such a conversion would erode the core strengths that make polytechnic training indispensable to Nigeria’s industrial growth.
Background
During a working visit to the institution on Friday, February 14, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa confirmed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a university.
“The Rector mentioned earlier that they have been eagerly awaiting this conversion. While I wasn’t fully prepared for this announcement today, I can confirm that when I discussed the matter with President Tinubu, he quickly gave his approval. I am now just awaiting the official memo and necessary procedures from the relevant authorities,” he said.
On his part, the Rector of the College, Abdul Ibraheem, while expressing excitement over the minister’s visit, said that with over 200 PhD holders in its services, YABATECH was more than qualified to become a university.
“While we are praying that we become a university, we don’t want to become just one of those universities. We want to be a university of Technical and Vocational Education ( TVE) that would bring innovation and also solve societal problems and challenges and contribute greatly to the advancement of our dear country. We have the manpower and we just need the support of the government in this regard,” he stated.
NAPS condemns move
The Association President, Eshiofune Oghayan, in a statement, said it has rejected the move, noting that polytechnics like Yabatech play a crucial role in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and industrial application.
Oghayan insisted that Nigeria should fully implement the HND to B.Tech transition rather than convert polytechnics into universities.
According to him, this pathway would award polytechnic graduates internationally recognised degrees while preserving the technical, practical focus that sets polytechnics apart.
He stressed that countries like Germany, China, Canada, and the United Kingdom, have bolstered their technical and vocational education systems instead of dismantling them.
“We reject the proposed conversion of YABATECH into a university. Polytechnic institutions like YABATECH play a crucial role in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and industrial application. They emphasise hands-on experience, problem-solving, and innovation, which are essential for Nigeria’s industrialisation and economic diversification.
“This move contradicts global best practices, where developed nations continue to strengthen and expand polytechnic education rather than eliminate it. Countries like Germany, China, Canada, and the United Kingdom have thriving technical and vocational education sectors that fuel their industrial economies.
“The HND to B.Tech transition is the most viable path to improving the status of polytechnic education while preserving its technical essence. This would ensure that polytechnic graduates receive the recognition they deserve without compromising the practical and industry-focused training that makes them valuable to the economy,” the president said in a statement.
NAPS also called for transforming the National Board for Technical Education into a Polytechnic Education Commission.
The association argued that this reform will boost the status of polytechnic education in national planning, secure better funding, and create clearer career paths for graduates.
“We will not fold our arms and watch as the government undermines the future of polytechnic education in Nigeria. We will mobilize our members to resist this move and ensure that the government prioritizes the development of polytechnic education,” Oghayan added.
THE Federal Government has dismissed allegations by a Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, accusing Nigerian officials of demanding bribery from him and his firm during the period he faced trial in Nigeria in 2024.
The government described the allegations as ‘falsehoods’ aimed at discrediting its officials.
In a statement on Friday, February 15, minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed concerns over what he called “outrageous allegations, misinformation, and defamatory statements” by Gambaryan following his release from Nigerian custody.
Gambaryan and another Binance official, Nadeem Anjarwalla,were detained by the Nigerian government, which accused their firm of money laundering and encouraging criminality in Nigeria.
After a couple of weeks, Anjarwalla reportedly escaped from custody while Gambaryan was held for several months before his release.
“While the Federal Government of Nigeria is hesitant to engage Mr. Gambaryan, given the high-level diplomatic intervention that resolved his case, we are obliged to set the records straight to stop his falsehoods from gaining grounds,” the statement read.
According to the government, the Binance personnel’s first visit was made on his own accord. Although the government was not formally involved, an investigation was swiftly initiated when an alleged bribery demand surfaced during the trip.
The minister noted that his subsequent visit was part of a broader investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading platforms like Binance.
“Mr. Gambaryan was released by the Nigerian government in October 2024 on humanitarian grounds and following a high-level diplomatic intervention that ended with tangible benefits for Nigeria. The government rejected Binance’s offer of a $5 million down payment in exchange for Mr. Gambaryan’s freedom, in favour of a more beneficial settlement with the American government,” the minister wrote.
This rebuttal came on the heels of several allegations by Gambaryan, accusing that three Nigerian lawmakers demanded a $150 million bribe from him to free him from arrest and prosecution.
In a post on his X handle on Friday, February 14, Gambaryan, listed three lawmakers involved in the bribe solicitation.
Gambaryan also alleged in his post that the State Security Service (SSS), also known as the DSS, played a role in the meeting where the House members demanded the bribe.
The Binance executive further accused Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, of demanding a bribe from the cryptocurrency platform to fund his political ambition.
However, Philip Agbese, one of the three lawmakers Gambaryan named, dismissed the bribery allegation against him.
He said, “These allegations are false. I was not part of any meeting with any Binance executive regarding money for any purpose. The leadership of the committee took the matter to court, and Binance has already apologised.”
Also, dismissing Gambaryan’s claims, the government urged the public to disregard his claims entirely, adding that it’s an attempt to “intimidate those who ensured he faced justice,”
The government emphasised that Gambaryan’s allegations remain unproven and suggested that he will have the opportunity to substantiate them through the judicial systems of both Nigeria and the United States.
Backstory
The ICIR reported that Gambaryan, a US national who was detained on February 26, 2024, was released on October 23, after the Nigerian government dropped the money laundering charges filed against him through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The trial judge, Emeka Nwite, discharged Gambayran on health grounds.
The EFCC had informed the court that the case could not proceed on the last adjourned date due to Gambayran’s health condition.
In early 2024, Gambaryan travelled to Nigeria to address regulatory concerns between Binance and the Nigerian government. During this visit, Gambaryan and his colleague, Anjarwalla, were detained by Nigerian authorities on allegations of money laundering and tax evasion.
While Anjarwalla managed to escape in mysterious circumstances, Gambaryan was held in Kuje Prison for eight months.
He was eventually released in late 2024 following diplomatic interventions from the U.S. government.
ELDER statesman and Afenifere chieftain, Ayo Adebanjo, is dead.
He died on Friday, February 14, at his Lekki home in Lagos State aged 96.
A statement jointly signed by his children, namely, Ayotunde Atteh, Adeola Azeez, and Obafemi Ayo-Adebanjo said he died peacefully.
“With a heart full of gratitude for a selfless life spent in the service of God, the nation, and humanity, we announce the passing on of our beloved patriarch, Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo.
“He died peacefully this morning, Friday, February 14, 2025, at his Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria, home at the age of 96. We will forever cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity, and justice.
His belief and struggle for a truly independent and progressive Nigeria was total, and this he fought for until he breathed his last breath,”the family stated.
The statement described him as a foremost nationalist, elder statesman, distinguished lawyer, distinct politician, and a true apostle of federalism.
Adebanjo, a former organising secretary of Action Group and the national leader of Afenifere, was survived by his 94-year-old wife, Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Among others, Adebanjo will be remembered for his role in the 2023 election, where he led a faction of Afenifere to support the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.
According to him, Obi was the man that the group could trust to restructure the country.
AS Nigerians mark Valentine’s Day, public health experts have raised concerns about the possible risks of unsafe sex.
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) also warned about the dangers of unprotected intercourse, which could result in unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The ICIR reports that while the day is traditionally associated with expressing love, many see it as an occasion for demanding sex.
In response, NACA, on Friday, February 14, launched an awareness campaign, urging Nigerians to make informed decisions about their sexual health.
“Love is powerful when it’s safe and informed! This Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate love while spreading awareness about HIV/AIDS. Get tested, stay educated, and support those living with HIV. Love with knowledge, care with compass,” the organisation wrote on its social media handles.
Growing concerns over HIV, other infections
Nigeria bears the heaviest HIV burden in Sub-Saharan Africa, with about two million people living with HIV in the country, according to NACA.
In 2020 alone, AIDS-related deaths in Nigeria were estimated at approximately 49,000 across all age groups.
While antiretroviral therapy has improved the quality of life for many, health officials believe prevention remains the best strategy.
About 90 per cent of people living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) as of 2021, according to data from Statista.
It also noted that the number of people living with HIV in Nigeria rose in the past years.
Access to effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care has made HIV a manageable chronic health condition, enabling people living with the virus to lead long and healthy lives. However, with the recent policy shift by U.S. President Donald Trump and the uncertainty around funding, many Nigerians are beginning to worry.
In addition to HIV, other STIs such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia are also on the rampage. The latest data published by Statista shows that as of 2020, about 7.5 million people in Africa had gonorrhea.
The report shows that the prevalence was higher among females, with about 4.3 million people infected, whereas the number of infections among males was 3.2 million.
On Chlamydia, the report highlighted that as of 2020, about 25.5 million people in Africa had the disease, with a higher prevalence among females of about 14.7 million people infected, whereas the number of infections among males was 10.8 million.
Dr. Michael Olarewaju, a public health expert, noted that many people engage in impulsive sexual activities, often under the influence of alcohol or ‘drugs’, leading to a rise in unwanted pregnancies.
“We know that engaging in unprotected sex always carries risks – significant risks, for that matter. And on a day like this, when emotions are running wild, some people drink a lot of things and they behave in an impulsive manner, the risks can be even greater than usual. The Impulsive behaviour may be a result of drinking and all that. Drinking is a surrogate marker for other dangerous behaviours, like risky sexual behaviour.
“So, what are the risks associated with this? First, they have the risk of picking up sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV – the most dreaded of them all – chlamydia, herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to cervical cancer in the future.
“So the second thing is an unplanned pregnancy. Aside from the possibility of sexually transmitted infection, the next thing is an unplanned pregnancy. Some people would say it’s just once and all that but then on a day like this, you can’t tell how many people will get pregnant,” he said.
Beyond pregnancy, the risks, he noted, extended to unsafe abortions and potential complications, especially for individuals with co-existing STIs.
Olarewaju stressed that psychological distress was another major concern, adding that many might experience regret, anxiety, and even symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after engaging in unplanned sexual encounters.
’Love in the air’
In previous years, February 14 was characterised by extravagant displays of items associated with love, lavish dinners, gift exchanges, and street decorations with people donning red attires.
However, with soaring inflation, many would think Nigerians would find it difficult to spend on Valentine’s Day. The SBM Intelligence report ‘Love in the Air: How Nigerian Consumers Are Driving Valentine’s Day Growth in 2025,’ reveals otherwise.
The report, published on February 10, shows that many Nigerians are still willing to spend on Valentine’s Day celebrations.
According to the findings, 85.6 per cent of respondents indicated plans to mark the occasion, with some setting aside as much as N500,000 for gifts, outings, and other romantic gestures.
The survey examined Valentine’s Day spending habits among Nigerians aged 18 to 65.
THE management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has expelled third-year student Goddy Mbakwe Precious following a viral video that captured her assaulting a lecturer Chukwudi Okoye in the university’s Theatre Arts and Film Studies department.
The expulsion was confirmed through a letter signed by the acting registrar, Victor I. Modebelu, on behalf of the acting vice-chancellor.
According to the expulsion, Precious was found guilty of gross misconduct in violation of the institution’s disciplinary regulations.
“Consequently, the acting vice-chancellor on behalf of the University Senate approved the committee’s recommendation that you be expelled and you are hereby expelled from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
“The expulsion takes immediate effect,” the letter read.
The letter, issued on February 13, 2025, directed the student to vacate the university premises immediately and return any property in her possession.
The university noted that the decision came after a full review by the university’s disciplinary committee and subsequent approval by the university’s Senate.
Recall that the management said it had on February 11, launched an investigation into the viral video of the altercations, which sparked mixed reactions on social media.
Backstory
The events leading to the expulsion began on February 11, when a series of videos posted on social media showed a tense encounter between Precious and Okoye.
The altercation began when Okoye walked into Precious who was taking a video along the university hallway.
Footage showed Okoye tapping the student on the shoulder, saying “Excuse me” as he passed, but Mbakwe reacted, saying “Can you imagine? He just hit me.”
The situation escalated, with other videos showing Precious grabbing Okoye’s shirt and tearing it. She also bit the man on the wrist.
Throughout the process, Okoye was seen as maintaining his composure and not retaliating.
The ICIR, however, could not independently confirm how the incident degenerated as the lecturer was seen to have passed by the student in the first footage.
However, social media posts attributed to the lecturer and Precious provided differing accounts of the incident.
Precious, in a post attributed to her, claimed that someone attempted to grab her phone from behind, and eventually realised it was the same lecturer who had interrupted her video.
She further alleged that Okoye grabbed her “breast region,” and scratched her chest with his nail.
“I was devastated and at the same time still lamenting in pain as I picked up the pieces of my shattered phone. But the situation took a dark turn when the lecturer grasped my breast region, saying unspeakable things.
“I was left stunned, trying to comprehend the horror unfolding before me. As I realised my cleavage was exposed, I begged him to let me go, but he ignored my pleas, holding me firmly. His nails and clutches left certain prints and scratches on my chest rather.
“I was mortified. I tried to cover myself, pulling my dress together, and exclaimed in desperation, ‘Sir, I’ll hold you oh!’. I didn’t mean to threaten him; I just wanted him to release me. But he wouldn’t budge. In a split second, I bit his hands, hoping he’d let go. That was when I held his clothes and accidentally tore his shirt,” she reportedly said.
However, the lecturer, in a post linked to him, claimed that he overheard her insulting him and decided to return to ascertain if she was one of his students and also to demand that she delete the video that showed him passing by.
“My theatre Arts people, I had just left Hall 19, where Dr Ebekue (another lecturer) was teaching. Walking along the passage, I saw a girl doing a video with her phone,” he said.
He added, “Tapping her slightly, I asked her to excuse me as I walked past. After about two or three steps, I heard her say, ‘Who does this man think he is?’ I walked back to ascertain first if she was my student and second to make sure she deleted the video showing where I passed.”
According to him, the student bit him on both arms, tore his clothes, slapped him, and scratched his face in the process.
THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again assured depositors and the public of the financial health of Keystone Bank Limited, triggered by recent developments that led to a full takeover of the bank by the Federal Government.
The growing concerns over Keystone Bank’s stability were recently heightened following a court order that dissolved the stake of the bank’s former shareholder, Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited, and forfeited them to the federal government.
Through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the federal government had filed a court action at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, against the former owners challenging its acquisition of Keystone Bank’s shares.
In a statement on Friday, February 14, signed by its acting director of corporate communications, Hakama Sidi Ali, the apex bank acknowledged the public concerns, stating that Keystone Bank is financially stable.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) wishes to reassure the public that Keystone Bank Limited remains safe, sound, and fully operational.
“We acknowledge that this development may have triggered customer concerns; however, we wish to underscore that the stability of the banking system and the safety of depositors’ funds remain our top priorities,” CBN stated.
It maintained that Keystone Bank’s operations are entirely secure, and there is no reason for concern.
It said the Court Order merely reaffirmed its prior decision to take over the management of Keystone Bank in January 2024, following a change in its leadership.
Since then, the apex bank has closely monitored its operations to ensure it is in full compliance with regulatory standards and operational transparency and in the interests of depositors.
“As part of our commitment to safeguarding the financial system and building public trust, we shall continue to monitor the bank’s performance.
“We will take all necessary steps to protect the interests of depositors, staff, and stakeholders. Customers are also encouraged to contact Keystone Bank’s customer support or visit any Keystone Bank branch for inquiries or concerns,” CBN maintained.
The ICIR reported in October 2024 that following public concerns, the apex bank claimed Keystone Bank was financially healthy.
Its defence of the bank’s health came after it revoked the operating licence of Heritage Bank Plc, and news festered that it might withdraw the licence of some other struggling banks.
In a statement it issued at the time, CBN said it had no plan to withdraw the operating licence of Keystone Bank amid growing concerns over the bank’s financial health, The ICIRreported.
THE head of financial crime at crypto firm Binance, Tigran Gambaryan, has said three Nigerian lawmakers allegedly demanded a $150 million bribe from him.
Gambaryan and another Binance official, Nadeem Anjarwalla,were detained by the Nigerian government, which accused their firm of money laundering and encouraging criminality in Nigeria.
While in detention, the Binance chief said some lawmakers solicited bribes from him to free him from arrest and prosecution.
He was eventually released after the government dropped the charges against him following the intervention of the US government led by former president Joe Biden.
But in a post on his X handle on Friday, February 14, Gambaryan, whowas detained in Nigeria for several months listed some lawmakers as involved.
He added that, “At the House meeting, there were three members present.”
“There was a third House member, but I don’t recall his name. They set up fake cameras and media to make the meeting appear official, but the cameras weren’t even plugged in. As you may already know, this ended with them asking for a $150 million bribe, paid in cryptocurrency into their personal wallets. A Mickey Mouse operation at its best,” he tweeted.
Gambaryan also alleged in his post thatthe State Security Service (SSS), also known as the DSS, played a role in the meeting where the House members demanded the bribe.
He stated that a meeting was held with the SSS at its office on January 5, 2024, as a prerequisite to the subsequent meeting with the House of Representatives.
The ICIR reported that Gambaryan, a US national who was detained on February 26, 2024, was released on October 23, after the Nigerian government dropped the money laundering charges filed against him through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The trial judge, Emeka Nwite, discharged Gambayran on health grounds.
The EFCC had informed the court that the case could not proceed on the last adjourned date due to Gambayran’s health condition.
In early 2024, Gambaryan travelled to Nigeria to address regulatory concerns between Binance and the Nigerian government. During this visit, Gambaryan and his colleague, Anjarwalla, were detained by Nigerian authorities on allegations of money laundering and tax evasion.
While Anjarwalla managed to escape in mysterious circumstances, Gambaryan was held in Kuje Prison for eight months.
He was eventually released in late 2024 following diplomatic interventions from the U.S. government.
Update:
Provide evidence, lawmaker tells Binance chief
Philip Agbese, one of the three lawmakers Gambaryan named has denied the bribery allegation against him.
He said, “I am outraged by the false allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of the controversial crypto firm Binance, claiming that I was among those who demanded a $150m bribe from him.”
“These allegations are false. I was not part of any meeting with any Binance executive regarding money for any purpose. The leadership of the committee took the matter to court, and Binance has already apologised.”
He also explained that he is not a member of the Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes.
THE Port Harcourt Refinery, located in the Alesa-Eleme community, continues to operate at a minimal capacity months after its commissioning. A visit by The ICIR reveals that economic activities have yet to resume optimally, contradicting claims by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of full operational status.
Residents of Alesa-Eleme, who previously depended on the refinery for their livelihoods, report that business remains slow. Boma Dokubo, a local food vendor, recalls how, before the refinery’s collapse, she would sell out her meals to depot workers before midday.
However, the downturn in operations has left her and others struggling to make ends meet.
Community leaders also express concerns. The Secretary-General of Alesa-Eleme, Timothy Mgbere, states that while the refinery was once loading over 100 trucks of petroleum products daily, current output struggles to reach 30 trucks.
“If the depot is fully functional, only PMS will load hundred trucks and above. Currently, the refinery is struggling to load with many marketers unable to access paid products,” he said.
“NNPCL for more than a week now is unable to load 30 trucks (AGO, PMS, DPK) all products put together. How would you tell us it’s 100 per cent functional. We are in the community, and we know what’s happening”, Timothy noted, this was at the point when media reports indicate that the refinery had stopped operation.
Timothy Mgbere-the Secretary -General of Alesa Community
Claims of full operation in question
The NNPCL commissioned the Port Harcourt Refinery on November 26, 2024, with promises of full-scale operations. However, an on-the-ground cehecks by The ICIR suggests that significant work remains incomplete. Despite official claims, skeletal loading and ongoing rehabilitation work indicate the refinery is not yet functioning at full capacity.
“We are not saying the refinery is non-functional, but the repairs are incomplete,” Timothy added.
Checks at the site confirm ongoing work.
“As an indigene, I can tell you what I have observed; loading has been skeletal. You cannot load PMS three trucks a day and you say the refinery is doing 100 per cent.
“If your output keeps coming three, five or seven trucks in a day, then there’s a question mark about the 100 per cent functionality as claimed by the NNPCL,” Timothy said.
Impact on petroleum supply and pricing
Findings show that the Port Harcourt depot, which supplies products to Makurdi, Calabar, and Aba, is not meeting demand. Many marketers have resorted to sourcing petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery instead.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chiedu Ukadike said, “Our findings showed the rehabilitation work is incomplete and loading is still skeletal, contrary to what we have been told.”
“We are currently not accessing products from the Port Harcourt refinery,” Ukadike had stated earlier in the year.
Although, shortly after a tour of the facility invitation was extended to former president Olugsegun Obasanjo, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) noted that its members are now loading petroleum products from the Port Harcourt refinery.
Production and refinery capacity concerns
Despite reports of operational status, refinery insiders confirm that output remains limited.
The refinery, with an installed capacity of 210,000 barrels per day (bpd), is currently struggling to meet expectations. Insiders also disclosed that the refinery has been relying on Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited for the further processing of Naphtha, raising questions about its ability to refine crude oil independently.
This development, petroleum experts say, will be causing intermittent glitch in the production which has overtime stirred criticisms with so many Nigerians cynical about the production level of the refinery.
The Portharcourt Refinery view at night.
Insider sources confided in The ICIR that although the rehabilitation work has been ‘fairly’ completed, the refinery still lacks capacity to meet with its crude supply with rehabilitation work still ongoing.
Energy analysts argue that the Port Harcourt Refinery’s delayed ramp-up is inadvertently boosting Dangote Refinery’s market dominance.
“The refinery is still at a completion stage,” said oil sector governance expert Henry Ademola Adigun. “What they have done have not worked effectively well. There are some setbacks to be corrected in the refinery for maximum production.”
The road leading to the refinery showing rehabilitation work ongoing.
NNPCL faces mounting scrutiny
Following criticisms over the refinery’s operational status, the NNPCL has been under intense scrutiny.
For instance, in a monitored interview on Arise Television on Thursday, November 28, the secretary of the Alesa community stakeholders, Timothy Mgbere, who appeared as a guest alleged that the 60,000 barrels per day had yet to become fully operational, contrary to the position of the NNPCL.
Reports surfaced that some of the fuel being sold was not newly refined but rather old stock stored at the facility for years.
“It is producing other additives and has not got to the level of petroleum production till the first quarter (Q1) next year (2025),” Adigun told The ICIR.
PETROAN’s spokesman, Joseph Obele, in November last year said that official communication indicated that fuel from the Port Harcourt Refinery would be sold at N1,030 per litre.
However, the NNPCL later stated that these were misleading claims and that its retail portal had not been fully opened for sales at the time. It clarified that bulk sales from the refinery had not yet commenced.
Shortly after, on December 21, 2024, the NNPCL said the Port Harcourt Refinery had commenced production after years of rehabilitation and began truck loading of petroleum products the same day, while noting that it was “fully operational”.
The Port Harcourt Refinery comprise two units, with the old plant having a refining capacity of 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) and the new plant 150,000 bpd, both summing up to 210,000 bpd.
The refinery was shut down in March 2019 for the first phase of repair works after the government secured the service of Italy’s Maire Tecnimont to handle the review of the refinery complex, with Eni appointed technical adviser.
The ICIR reported that the board and management of the NNPCL said the 60,000 barrels-per-day Port Harcourt Refinery was operating at 70 per cent of its installed capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90 per cent.
The NNPCL in a statement issued on Tuesday, November 27, said the refinery was producing the following daily outputs: straight-run gasoline (naphtha): blended into 1.4 million litres of premium motor spirit (PMS or petrol); kerosene: 900,000 litres; and automotive gas oil (AGO or diesel): 1.5 million litres.
The refinery also produces low-pour fuel oil (LPFO): 2.1 million litres and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
The clarification by the national oil company followed myriads of controversies that followed the official opening of the refinery with some information dished out by the NNPCL considered as half-truths and lies.
What to know about the Port Harcourt Refinery
The ICIRreported that NNPCL in 2021 used $1.5 billion on the financially battered Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC), signing a contract with an Italian firm Maire Tecnimont S.p.A for the rehabilitation of the inefficient company.
Rather than privatise the refinery, the NNPCL has chosen to pump an equivalent of 4.5 percent of Nigeria’s 2021 budget into the refurbishment of a refinery that comprehensively lost N152.89 billion between 2017 and 2019.
Portharcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC) is a refinery complex in Alexa-Eleme, Rivers State Nigeria that includes two oil refineries.
The refinery has a combined capacity of two refineries which is 210,000 barrels per day. The old refinery was designed to process 60,000 barrels per day of TNP- a blend of Medium Nigerian crude Oil, whilst the new refinery is capable of processing third party is capable of processing third party crude oil.
The rehabilitation work in 2021 was contracted to an Italian giant Technimont at the cost of $1.5 billion which the government announced has been was completed in November, but our findings in December showed truck loading and other economic activities are yet to pick up at the refinery.
Naphta is equally being refined (Naphta is the refining crude oil to various derivatives). It would be noted that the Naphta is currently heated with superheater with the help of Indorama Petrochemcial to a certain temperature for PMS to come out.
The Refinery is currently producing Naphta and Indorama Petroechemical is producing crack 65 for the refinery to enable a perfect blend of PMS.
“You need super heater to heat it to a certain temperature for PMS to come out,” a source with deep knowledge of the refinery who pleaded anonymity told The ICIR.
“What the refinery is doing now is Naphtha and Indorama is producing crack 65 for us. To get PMS, we are doing blending in partnership with Indorama nearby to us.
The colour of the fuel at the Port Harcourt Refinery sampled by hawkers at the Okirika community in Rivers State
He added, “Other derivatives are currently being produced easily but the refinery has to rely on Indorama since it’s producing Naphtha to blend and get PMS.”
The ICIR findings showed that there’s pipeline linking Indorama and the refinery for the cracking since the super heater is yet not available.
Economic activities
Findings showed economic activities are still dearth around the refinery community, although there are hope of gradual revival with the refinery coming back to life.
For Chukwudi Ezeoba who has worked at the refinery as a sub-contractor with some indigenous company in the past, he has his doubts about the full coming alive of the Refinery.
“No, I don’t believe yet. I know how the Eleme axis used to be alive with lots of economic activities once the refinery comes alive fully. I had worked there before and I can tell you the economic strengths.
Like Chukwudi, most Nigerians are still cynical about the true picture of what’s happening at the refinery with their Nigerian government also struggling with some ‘vital information’.
Doubts persist over refinery viability despite NNPCL’s explanations
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently criticised the government’s handling of the refinery.
In a televised interview on Channels Television January 2, he disclosed that a proposal by Aliko Dangote to manage the refinery was rejected in 2007, with the government opting for NNPCL control instead.
He questioned the wisdom of continued state management of the facility given its inefficiencies.
The former President had criticised the functionality of the rehabilitated refinery and accused the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of lacking in capacity to manage the nation’s refineries.
“When I was president, I wanted to do something about the three refineries we have: Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. Aliko got a team together after I asked Shell to come and run it for us. And Shell said they wouldn’t,” Obasanjo said.
Community development chairman of Okirika,Victor George, wearing singlet and complaining of neglect in employment of his people
Communities alleged neglect
Community members remain concerned about the refinery’s employment policies and economic impact, although some roads are currently being rehabilitated.
A community development chairman in Okrika, Victor George, expressed frustration over a lack of job opportunities for skilled locals.
“I have worked as a contract staff at the refinery before the commencement of the rehabilitation. I have a machine fabrication experience and there are members of my community who are also trained in certain skills and need to be employed,” he lamented.
He said the community will officially write to the government relations representatives a the refinery and follow up with the employment complaints.
On the flip side, Nigeria’s average daily crude oil production increased significantly to 1.539 million barrels per day (bpd) in January, exceeding the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota.
