• Dangote expresses doubt on revival of NNPC refineries
• FG rejects U.S. visa restriction justification, denies policy change
• One year after Supreme Court ruling, LG funds still routed through states
• FG yet to fulfil electricity subsidy promise to public institutions
• Jonathan: My administration was targeted after 2015 exit

Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the top five Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.

Dangote expresses doubt on revival of NNPC refineries

President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has expressed skepticism over the likelihood of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries ever functioning again.

Speaking on Thursday during a visit by members of the Global CEO Africa from the Lagos Business School to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, Dangote lamented that despite consuming up to $18 billion, the state-owned refineries under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) remain non-operational.

He questioned the viability of reviving the refineries, suggesting that the massive investments have yielded little to no results.

FG rejects U.S. visa restriction justification, denies policy change

The Federal Government has dismissed the United States’ claim that its recent visa restriction on Nigerians is based on reciprocity, calling it false and misleading.

Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar suggested the U.S. policy may instead be linked to Nigeria’s refusal to accept 300 prisoners from Venezuela. He clarified that Nigeria has not stopped issuing five-year multiple-entry visas to U.S. citizens.

Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga also reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration maintains its current visa policy in accordance with existing bilateral agreements, insisting that five-year non-immigrant visas are still being granted to Americans.

One year after Supreme Court ruling, LG funds still routed through states

One year after the Supreme Court ordered that allocations to Nigeria’s 774 local government areas be paid directly from the Federation Account, the Federal Government has yet to fully implement the ruling.

On July 11, 2024, the apex court declared it unconstitutional for state governments to control local government funds and directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to create individual accounts for each council. An inter-agency panel was also set up to oversee the process.

Despite these steps, local government funds are still being routed through state governments. Delays and disputes involving the CBN, state authorities, and local councils continue to hinder compliance with the court’s directive.

FG yet to fulfil electricity subsidy promise to public institutions

One year after the federal government pledged a 50% electricity subsidy for public institutions, including hospitals and tertiary institutions, the promise remains unfulfilled.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, initially announced the subsidy during a radio programme in Ibadan, stating it would ease the financial burden on public universities and health facilities. He clarified that private businesses operating within these institutions would not benefit from the initiative.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, later confirmed the plan, describing it as a 50% subsidy on electricity payments. However, despite acknowledging the financial strain faced by these institutions, the government has yet to implement the support.

Jonathan: My administration was targeted after 2015 exit

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that officials from his administration were targeted by the government that succeeded him in 2015, led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Jonathan made the remark on Thursday in Abuja at the public presentation of “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3bn Nigerian Oil Block,” a memoir written by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Bello Adoke. He was represented at the event by ex-Senate President Pius Anyim.

The book explores the controversial OPL-245 case, widely known as the Malabu Oil scandal, involving the 2011 sale of a lucrative oil block to Shell and Eni for $1.3 billion.