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Tinubu strips NNPC of power to deduct revenue, orders direct remittance to FAAC

Harrison EDEH
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Tinubu strips NNPC of power to deduct revenue, orders direct remittance to FAAC

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has signed an executive order on direct remittance of oil and gas revenues to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

By this order, all taxes, royalties and profits under Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) are to be fdully remitted to the federation account, effectively blocking deductions at source by the national oil company.

The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday, February 18, by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Ononuga,

The executive order, the Presidency said, will safeguard and enhance oil and gas revenues for the federation, curb wasteful spending, and eliminate duplicative structures in the oil and gas sector.

According to the order, which has been officially gazetted, the NNPC will no longer collect and manage the 30 per cent frontier exploration fund.

“NNPC Limited will ensure that the 30 per cent profit from oil and gas from production sharing, profit sharing, and risk service contracts currently earmarked for the frontier exploration fund is henceforth transferred to the Federation Account,” the Presidency said.

It added, “NNPC Limited will no longer be entitled to the 30 per cent management fee on profit oil and profit gas revenues, which should go to the federation account.

“In the same vein, all operators/contractors of oil and gas assets held under a production sharing contract shall, from the date of the Executive Order, which is February 13, 2026, pay royalty oil, tax oil, profit oil, profit gas, and any other interest howsoever described which is due to the government of the federation directly to the Federation Account.”

The Presidency said Tinubu had also suspended payments of the gas flare penalty into the midstream and downstream gas infrastructure fund.

“The Commission shall, from the date of the Executive Order, pay proceeds from all penalties imposed on operators for flaring gas into the Federation Account and cease payment of such proceeds into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF)

“All expenditure from the MDGIF shall be conducted in line with extant public procurement laws, policies and regulations.”

The president, according to the statement, signed the order in pursuance of Section 5 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“The Executive Order is anchored on Section 44(3) of the Constitution, which vests ownership, control, and derivative rights in all minerals, mineral oils, and natural gas in, under, and upon any land in Nigeria, including its territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone, in the Government of the Federation,” the statement noted further.

More revenue accruals to the federation account

According to the Presidency, the directive seeks to restore the constitutional revenue entitlements of the federal, state, and local governments, which were taken away in 2021 by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

It said the PIA created structural and legal channels through which substantial federation revenues “are lost through deductions, sundry charges, and fees”.

“Under the current PIA framework, NNPC retains 30 per cent of the Federation’s oil revenues as a management fee on profit oil and profit gas derived from production sharing contracts, profit sharing contracts, and risk service contracts.

“In addition, the company retains 20 per cent of its profits to cover working capital and future investments. Given the existing 20 per cent retention, the additional 30 per cent management fee is considered unjustified by the Federal Government, as the retained earnings are already sufficient to support the functions NNPCL performs under these contracts.

“NNPC Limited also retains another 30 per cent of its profit oil and profit gas under the production sharing, profit sharing, and risk service contracts, as the frontier exploration fund under Sections 9(4) and (5) of the PIA.”

According to the statement, a fund of this size, being devoted to “speculative exploration”, could build up idle cash and encourage inefficient exploration spending, diverting resources from urgent national priorities like security, education, healthcare, and the energy transition.

“There is also the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) under Section 52(7)(d) PIA, funded by the collection of gas flaring penalties provided under Section 104,” it said, stressing that “The fund is to be used for supporting environmental remediation and relief for host communities impacted by gas flaring.

The Presidency, however, observed that Section 103 of the PIA had already established a dedicated environmental remediation fund, administered by NUPRC, specifically designed to fund the rehabilitation of communities negatively impacted by upstream petroleum operations, including gas flaring.

“Furthermore, Section 103 already imposes a fee on lessees to contribute to this fund for precisely this purpose.”

All the deductions, the Presidency said, far exceed global standards, diverting over two-thirds of potential remittances to the federation account.

The Presidency said the ongoing decline in net oil revenue inflows was largely due to these deductions and the fragmented oversight structure under the current PIA framework.

Nurses decry fresh attack on colleague in Abuja, demand urgent security action

Mustapha USMAN
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Nurses decry fresh attack on colleague in Abuja, demand urgent security action

THE National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, has condemned the attack on a nurse by suspected “one-chance” criminals shortly after closing from duty at Wuse General Hospital.

In a statement on Wednesday, February 18, the association said the nurse had stayed behind after her afternoon shift to assist a colleague on night duty in  stabilising a patient at the intensive care unit before boarding a vehicle home.

She was allegedly attacked, beaten and left seriously wounded. Her colleagues said she is currently receiving treatment.

The union described the development as part of a troubling pattern of attacks targeting healthcare workers across the FCT.

According to the statement, nurses working in the FCT now operate under constant fear, particularly when commuting during early mornings and late evenings.

The association called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the latest assault, urging security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible.

It also appealed to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to direct the police, the State Security Services (SSS) and other security agencies to strengthen surveillance around hospitals and patrol vulnerable bus stops.

“No healthcare worker should risk their life simply for serving humanity. Nurses, especially the female gender are no longer safe commuting to and from work. Bus stops around hospitals have become death traps, and fear now shadows our daily duties. Nurses cannot continue to serve under constant threat to their lives.

“We demand immediate, decisive, and sustained action to guarantee the safety and security of all nurses and healthcare workers in the Territory,” the statement added.

The latest attack comes weeks after two women were found dead in separate locations in Abuja in incidents suspected to be linked to one-chance criminal gangs.

One of the victims, Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem, a nurse at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, was killed after reportedly boarding a vehicle home from work on January 3, 2026.

Her body was later dumped and discovered by the roadside.

The killing drew condemnation from the FCT council of the nurses’ association, which described it as not only an attack on the nursing profession but “an assault on healthcare workers and humanity at large.”

On the same day, another woman, Princess Ochigbo, was found lifeless at a different location in Abuja under circumstances also suspected to be linked to one-chance operations.

Investigations and previous reports have shown that criminals often pose as commercial drivers, lure unsuspecting passengers into vehicles, rob them and, in some cases, assault or abandon them along isolated roads.

Security analysts have linked the continued prevalence of the crime to gaps in organised public transportation within the capital. The decline in operations of the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company Limited (AUMTCO), alongside insufficient commercial buses, has forced many residents to rely on unregistered taxis and private vehicles, especially during off-peak hours.

Reacting to the earlier killing, the nurses’ association had urged authorities to strengthen security around hospitals and major junctions and to provide safe and organised transport options for healthcare workers on shift duty.

Group tasks UniAbuja students on justice, civic duty, distributes food items

Mustapha USMAN
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Group tasks UniAbuja students on justice, civic duty, distributes food items

STUDENTS of the University of Abuja have been charged to uphold justice, demand accountability and contribute actively to nation-building.

A non-governmental organisation, the Nation of Justice (NOJ) made the call while concluding a two-day enlightenment and humanitarian outreach at the institution on Wednesday, February 18.

The programme focused on educating students about the rule of law, constitutional responsibility and social justice.

Addressing participants while distributing palliatives to the students, NOJ founder, Jyde Adelakun, urged students to see civic responsibility as a constitutional obligation.

He said supporting the government should not be through blind loyalty, silence or fear, but through responsible questioning and active contribution to national development.

“This call is not optional. It is your constitutional duty and my constitutional duty as well,” ” he told the students.

Citing Section 24 of the Constitution, he said every Nigerian is obligated to abide by the Constitution, promote national interest, assist lawful authorities in maintaining law and order, and contribute positively to the well-being of the nation.

According to him, discipline, integrity, dignity of labour, social justice, religious tolerance, self-reliance and patriotism are binding moral and civic responsibilities for every youth.

Adelakun further challenged the students to reflect deeply on the meaning of justice.

“Justice is not a slogan. Justice is not selective enforcement. Justice is not delayed until it loses meaning,” he said.

He described justice as freedom under the rule of law, where rights are protected, duties are enforced and power is held accountable.

“True freedom does not mean the absence of responsibility. It means the courage to act rightly, the discipline to obey the law and the sacrifice to serve the common good,” he added.

Quoting former United States President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, he urged the youths to ask what they could do for their country rather than what the country could do for them.

The NOJ founder further listed practical expressions of justice to include adequate facilities in universities, campus security, access to food, healthcare and shelter, stable food prices, electricity supply, good roads, and credible elections where votes count.

He called for zero tolerance for corruption, abuse of power and unconstitutional prosecution, warning that a democracy that tolerates selective justice and judicial delay is merely “performing democracy.”

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said, urging students not to be too young to matter in shaping Nigeria’s future.

Support for students

The enlightenment programme was followed by the distribution of food packs to more than 1,000 students, who are currently sitting for examinations.

Each beneficiary either received 3.5kg of garri, beans or rice, alongside sachets of cornflakes, milk, vegetable oil, instant noodles, notebooks and pens.

Some students, who spoke with The ICIR described the gesture as timely, while also noting the importance of youths’ engagement and involvement in politics.

A 100-level student, Steven Blessing, said the support would ease the pressure of feeding during exams. “This is a big offer to me. This will really help. I am very grateful,” she said.

Blessing, a Public Administration student, called on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate institutions in the country to support people in need.

Another student, Favour Abeh, said the message of unity across ethnic and religious group stood out to her during the programme.

 

Tinubu signs amended Electoral Act into law

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Tinubu signs amended Electoral Act into law

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill into law.

The bill was passed on Tuesday by the National Assembly following weeks of intense debates, reviews, and amendments by both chambers.

The signing ceremony was held at the State House on Wednesday at about 5:00 p.m., with principal officers of the National Assembly in attendance.

The ICIR reported that Tinubu signed the Act just about 24 hours after it was passed by the National Assembly, against the wishes of many lawmakers.

The House of Representatives revisited some clauses of the Act on Tuesday during an executive session convened after opposition lawmakers attempted to block the move to reverse the earlier passage in December 2025.

Opposition lawmakers staged a walkout and proceeded to the House of Representatives Press Centre, following the rejection of the amendment of the Act demanding that votes should be transmitted electronically and real time to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) IReV portal immediately after they are counted at the polling unit.

The Minority Leader, Chinda led the lawmakers to chant “APC, Ole (thief)” and alleged that the process was driven by partisan interests rather than national good. Some claimed that certain members had collected money, although no names or parties were mentioned.

Chinda said opposition members opposed the approved versions of Sections 60 and 84. On Section 60, he maintained that results should be “transmitted electronically without any proviso that reverts to manual collation in the event of transmission failure.”

The ICIR reported a similar rowdy session in the Senate last week over the Electoral Act, a development that prompted the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to reconstitute the harmonisation committee to resolve outstanding differences between both chambers.

Akpabio subsequently reappointed Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South) as chairman of the committee.

Meanwhile some Nigerians, including the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, have joined the coalition of civil society organisations to demand the inclusion of a compulsory provision for real-time electronic transmission of election results in the Act, warning that Nigeria’s democracy would not survive without credible polls.

They made their demand in a peaceful demonstration at the National Assembly in Abuja all through last week.

WSCIJ seeks entries for AI RUSH training

Blessing OTOIBHI
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WSCIJ seeks entries for AI RUSH training

THE Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) is seeking entries from local radio and audio journalists across Nigeria for its RUSH with AI: Strengthening Your Radio and Audio Stories Beyond First Air.

The one-day virtual training is scheduled to hold on Thursday, February 26, 2026, in commemoration of World Radio Day 2026.

It is designed to equip radio reporters, producers, editors, podcasters, and print journalists working in audio storytelling with practical artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance accountability reporting and deepen the impact of their stories beyond first broadcast.

The organiser says, “As the media landscape continues to evolve, the programme aims to support journalists in responsibly integrating AI into their workflows, not as a replacement for editorial judgment, but as a tool to strengthen investigation, tracking, follow-up reporting, and audience engagement.

“Radio remains one of the most accessible and trusted mediums for reaching diverse communities. However, many accountability stories lose momentum after initial airing. RUSH with AI seeks to address this gap by providing participants with hands-on guidance on how to use AI tools for monitoring developments, analysing data, generating follow-up angles, expanding distribution, and sustaining public engagement around critical issues.”

The training is open to local radio journalists (reporters, producers, editors), podcasters and audio journalists, and print journalists engaged in audio storytelling.

Participants will benefit from an interactive learning experience that blends practical demonstrations with strategic conversations on the ethical and responsible use of AI in journalism.

The deadline for the application is February 20, 2026. Interested applicants can apply here.

Gabon suspends social media amid rising protest

Esther Tomo
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Gabon suspends social media amid rising protest

GABON has suspended social media platforms “until further notice” due to concerns over content allegedly causing conflict and division in the country.

The country’s High Authority for Communication cited “inappropriate, defamatory, hateful, and insulting content” was undermining human dignity, public morality, the honour of citizens, social cohesion, the stability of the Republic’s institutions and national security”.

The government also linked the suspension to issues including spread of false information, cyberbullying, and unauthorised disclosure of personal data.

The regulator’s spokesperson, Jean-Claude Mendome, said the suspension was necessary.

“These actions are likely to generate social conflict, destabilise the institutions of the Republic, and seriously jeopardise national unity, democratic progress, and achievements,” he stated.

Despite the ban, the government claimed that “freedom of expression, including freedom of comment and criticism,” remains “a fundamental right enshrined in Gabon“.

The move comes as President Brice Oligui Nguema faces growing social unrest. Teachers have been on strike since December over poor pay and working conditions, with other public sectors joining the protests.

The government assured that the suspension would be temporary, stressing that the decision aimed to protect the country’s stability and democratic values.

FCT poll: Police restrict movement from 6am to 6pm

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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FCT poll: Police restrict movement from 6am to 6pm

THE Nigeria Police Force, Federal Capital Territory Command, has announced the deployment of officers and assets across the nation’s capital ahead of the Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday, February 21.

The Command also declared a restriction of movement on the election day from 6am to 6pm, except for accredited officials and essential service providers.

In a statement on Wednesday, February 18, the FCT Police Commissioner, Miller Dantawaye, assured residents that the measures were aimed at guaranteeing a peaceful, free, and fair electoral process.

Dantawaye said the operation would be carried out in collaboration with sister security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)

“Consequently, FCT residents are urged to co-operate fully with security personnel and comply with security operations guidelines during this period. The Command also uses this opportunity to enjoin all residents of the FCT to remain law-abiding and come out to exercise their civic responsibility peacefully and without fear, as adequate security measures have been put in place,” he added.

While urging all personnel to exhibit the highest level of professionalism and neutrality while providing adequate security at polling units and collation centres, he warned that officers must remain vigilant, impartial, and courteous in the discharge of their duties while respecting the rights of all citizens

“Members of the public are also encouraged to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious persons or activities to the police through the following emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08061581938,” Dantawaye said.

The ICIR reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed February 21, for the poll across the six councils namely Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.

Political parties started campaigns after INEC released the final candidates list in September 2025.

The contest is expected to shape grassroots governance in the nation’s capital, where the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) shared the councils in previous elections.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and others are fielding candidates in the poll.

The INEC had cleared more than 1.6 million registered voters to participate in electing six chairmen and 62 councillors across the councils.

According to the figure released by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the FCT, Aminu Idris, the expected voters stand at 1,680,315.

Pulitzer Centre invites proposals for journalism grants

Blessing OTOIBHI
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Pulitzer Centre invites proposals for journalism grants

THE Pulitzer Centre is launching a special call for journalism grants focusing on transparency and governance topics in the environmental sector.

Journalists, editors, and media organisations are invited to submit proposals.

The Centre aims to support projects that shed light on how the global environment and ecosystems are regulated, the impact of regulation on communities that depend on ecosystems, the interests that endanger these ecosystems, and key policies and actions that need enforcement.

The organiser says, “The special call for grants seeks journalism proposals that focus on how governments manage natural resources; harmful industrial and corporate practices; potential conflict of interest and corruption; and the impact on biodiversity, nidigenous communities, human rights, and climate”.

“We particularly welcome applications from the Global South and seek reporting from Africa, Latin America, and South and Southeast Asia.

The Centre is interested in stories that expose financial institutions, investors, and companies that are financing unsustainable deforestation, mining, fishing, or other natural resource exploitation.

It encourages projects that reveal how the lack of regulation and enforcement is facilitating criminal activity such as smuggling, illegal logging, greenwashing, poaching, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU)

“We will prioritise clear investigative and data-driven methodologies that approach a topic systemically to expose wrongdoing, loopholes, corruption, and other abuses in the management of natural resources”.

Successful applicants will be notified by March 20, 2026. For approved projects, half of the grant amount is generally paid after the contract is signed, and the remaining will be paid upon submission of the principal material for publication or broadcast.

Submission deadline is February 28, 2026. Interested applicants can apply here.

Ramadan, Lent begin today

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Ramadan, Lent begin today

MUSLIMS and Christians in Nigeria, on Wednesday, February 18, joined their counterparts globally to commence the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and Lent respectively.

Leader of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, made the announcement on Tuesday, following the sighting of the crescent moon in various places in the country.

“The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moonsighting Committee received reports from various Moonsighting Committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan 1447AH, on Tuesday,” a statement signed by the Chairman Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council, Sambo Wali Junaidu, said.

The Sultan congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and urged them to use the holy month to pray for peace and progress of the nation.

“His eminence, the Sultan felicitates with the Nigeria Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings. The Sultan while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country also wishes all Muslims a happy Ramadan kareem. May Allah (SWT) accept our religious deeds. Amen.”

The ICIR reports that Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

During the period, Muslims are required to spend a period of 29 or 30 days abstaining from food and drink, including water, during daylight hours, as a means of celebrating and reflecting on their faith.

The Holy Month usually ends with Eid-al-Fitri.

Lent

Lent, a significant season in the Christian liturgical year, begins today with Ash Wednesday.

The liturgical year is the Church calendar observed by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Orthodox Christians, and several other denominations.

On Ash Wednesday, worshippers receive a cross-shaped mark on their foreheads made from ashes. These ashes are obtained by burning palm fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday, according to the Catholic News Agency.

The 40-day duration mirrors the fasting periods of Jesus Christ before his public ministry, as well as those of prophets Elijah and Moses, who each fasted for 40 days at different times.

The devotion progresses into the Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. It is marked by the use of palm fronds, which worshippers wave during processions or fashion into crosses to take home.

This tradition marks Jesus Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem when his followers laid palm branches before him, as recounted in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The week ushers in the Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Monday, when faithful commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

You can find more details on Lent here.

 

 

 

 

 

Opposition lawmakers walk out as House endorses manual backup in Electoral Act review

Esther Tomo
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Opposition lawmakers walk out as House endorses manual backup in Electoral Act review

OPPOSITION lawmakers in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, staged a walkout after disagreeing with the ruling party members’ position on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. 

The development arose from the proposed change to Section 60(3) of the bill which requires that election results be sent electronically to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing (IReV) portal, The section also allows manual transmission if electronic transmission fails.

It states: “The presiding officer shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to REV portal and such transmission shall be done after the prescribed Form ECSA has been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and/or countersigned by the candidates or polling agents where available at the polling unit.

“Provided that if the electronic transmission of the result fails as a result of communication failure and it becomes impossible to transmit the result contained in form: EC&A signed and stamped by the presiding officer and countersigned by the candidates or polling agents where available at the polling unit, the form EC&A shall remain the primary source of collation and declaration of the result”.

Opposition members demanded that this condition be deleted. They argued that election results should only be uploaded electronically, without alternative method or a backup. Their pleas were rejected, leading to the walkout.

The House eventually had its way and concurred with the Senate’s position on the amendment.

The House had in 2025 passed a bill requiring election results to be sent to IReV in real-time.

The clause stated that the “presiding officer shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the IReV portal in real time, and such transmission shall be done after the prescribed form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and/or countersigned by the candidates or polling unit agents, where available at the polling unit”.

Prior to the walkout by the lawmakers, The ICIR reported that the House was thrown into chaos on Tuesday as lawmakers clashed over a motion seeking to reconsider the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025.

Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, moved to withdraw the bill passed on December 23, 2025, citing the need to address irregularities in the electoral system before the 2027 general elections.

Even with the ‘nays’ exercising dominance over the voice vote, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas ruled in favour of the ‘ayes’, leading to protests from lawmakers. The session was eventually moved to an executive session, in the face of opposition from some members.

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