• Nigerian govt shares intent to repay its debts in 2025
• Dangote Refinery partners with Heyden and Ardova for fuel supply
• Abuja residents face a 16-day blackout
• Obasanjo describes NNPCL’s invitation as disrespectful
• CBN explains the reason behind the retirement of 1,000 workers

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

Nigerian govt shares intent to repay its debts in 2025

The Nigerian government has expressed its desire to begin repaying its debt to all countries and organisations it has borrowed from, selecting 2025 as the year to kick-start the repayments.

The Debt Management Officer (DMO) made the statement, assuring Nigerians that the nation’s debts to China, France, the World Bank, and the IMF would be paid, as would its domestic debts.

According to the DMO, there is an alleged sufficient budgetary provision in the ₦47.9 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill to cover some of the debts owed locally and internationally.

Dangote Refinery partners with Heyden and Ardova for fuel supply

Dangote Refinery has extended its partnership with Heyden Petroleum and Ardova PLC, entering a bulk fuel purchase to ensure a steady supply of petroleum products at affordable rates for Nigerians.

The partnership also promises to stabilise Nigeria’s fuel market, boosting the energy security for all Nigerians.

The partnership between these three is similar to the collaboration between Dangote Refinery and MRS Oil Nigeria, as MRS Oil now sells its fuel at the rate of ₦935/litre across the country due to the partnership’s fruitful result.

Abuja residents face a 16-day blackout

Residents in Abuja have been notified of the incoming 16-day blackout due to the FCDA relocating the 33KV DC Airport Feeder and 132KV Kukwaba-Apo Transmission Line Towers along the Outer Southern Expressway.

The public announcement was published on January 3, saying, “Please be informed that there will be power interruptions from January 6-21, 2025, due to FCDA relocating the 33KV DC Airport Feeder and 132KV Kukwaba-Apo Transmission Line Towers along the Outer Southern Expressway.”

The places set to be affected by the blackout are: Lugbe & environs, Airport Road, Kapwa, NNPC, Games Village, National Stadium, Eye Clinic, Indoor Complex, Christ Embassy Church, American International School, Spring Court, American Embassy Quarters, EFCC HQ, Coca Cola, Railway, FMC, Parts of Apo, Parts of Gudu, Gbazango & environs, Parts of Kubwa, Bwari & environs, Parts of Jahi, Parts of Jabi, Karu, Nyanya, Mararaba, Keffi & environs, and other parts of Abuja.

Obasanjo describes NNPCL’s invitation as disrespectful 

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has described the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) invitation to visit its refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

Obasanjo had earlier voiced his thoughts about the poor management of refineries, stating that since significant changes were made in 2007, nothing of tangible worth has been done.

CBN explains the reason behind the retirement of 1,000 workers

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has opened up about the controversial retirement of 1,000 employees.

When word that about a thousand employees were leaving the company in December 2024, President Bola Tinubu requested that the Governor of CBN explain the reasons behind such a drastic move by all the members, to which the Governor, Yemi Cardoso had claimed that all employees had willingly retired under the ₦50 billion severance package.

According to the Governor of CBN, represented by Deputy Director of Corporate Services, Bala Bello, the 1,000 employees all left through an Early Exit Programme (EEP).

“The Early Exit Programme, restructuring, and reorganisation are mechanisms through which the performance of an organisation is optimised. The initiative ensures the bank’s workforce requirements align with its operational needs, balancing human resource demands with skill and IT requirements.”