• Nigeria’s public debt hits ₦142 trillion
• NNPCL increases fuel price to ₦960 and ₦990 per litre
• Minister of Interior reveals that FG is set to digitalise passport applications from March 1
• NLC requests the resignation of the Minister of Power over the constant national grid collapse
• Tinubu announces resumption of oil exploration from Ogoni

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

Nigeria’s public debt hits ₦142 trillion

As of September 30, 2024, Nigeria’s total public debt has reached ₦142.3 trillion. This marks an increase of 5.97% (₦8.02 trillion) compared to ₦134.3 trillion in June 2024.

The debt includes external and domestic obligations, highlighting the significant effect of exchange rate depreciation on external borrowings when converted to naira.

According to a report from the Debt Management Office, external debt in dollar terms saw a slight increase of 0.29%, rising from $42.90 billion in June to $43.03 billion in September. 

However, when measured in naira, external debt surged by 9.22%, increasing from ₦63.07 trillion to ₦68.89 trillion over the same period.

NNPCL increases fuel price to ₦960 and ₦990 per litre

Fuel stations under the banner of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have increased the prices of petrol from ₦925 to ₦960/litre in Lagos State and from ₦965 to ₦990/litre in FCT.

The price increase is due to the hike in the price of crude oil as Dangote Refinery also increased its selling rate to ₦970/litre quoted for its partnering fuel stations, MRS, Ardova and Heyden.

However, other filling stations have sold fuel at rates from ₦990 to ₦1,030 per litre.

Minister of Interior reveals that FG is set to digitalise passport applications from March 1

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that the federal government is working towards digitising passport applications for all Nigerians from March 1, 2025.

He revealed this in an interview, stating that creating a centralised passport approval centre will improve security and replace human interference in the application process.

“With what we have now, over 100 people can apply for a passport at a time without any physical intervention or appearance or queue,” Tunji-Ojo said.

”We’ve been able to open up a space and relocate immigration offices to everybody’s phone, and that is what technology is all about.”

NLC requests the resignation of the Minister of Power over the constant national grid collapse

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the resignation of the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, over his incompetency and the constant collapse of the national grid.

The NLC questioned the minister’s proposal to the Senate about ₦8 billion for the power sector to sensitise the Nigerians on how to pay their electricity bills.

“The power sector in Nigeria is at the brink of collapse as the helmsmen have repeatedly shown gross incompetence. It is a sector where the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), despite the enormous power invested in it by the Electricity Act of 2023, has continuously demonstrated incapacity to regulate or outrightly refused to discharge its responsibilities to electricity consumers in Nigeria while the Minister in charge is enamoured with seeking about N8 billion to teach Nigerians how to pay electricity bills,” NLC President, Joe Ajero said.

Tinubu announces resumption of oil exploration from Ogoni

President Bola Tinubu called for unity and collaboration among the people of Ogoniland, urging them to embrace mutual trust, increase consultations, and work together to achieve peace, development, and environmental restoration in the region.

President Tinubu called for unity and reconciliation, requesting that the Ogoni people set aside historical grievances and instead work together to achieve peace, development, and a clean environment.

“We cannot in any way rewrite history, but we can correct some anomalies of the past going forward. We cannot heal the wounds if we continue to be angry.”