• States oppose Electricity Act Amendment, warn of ₦5tn subsidy burden
• ADC demands full audit of refineries, questions $18bn spending
• Tinubu renames UNIMAID after Buhari, praises late president’s legacy
• Dangote Refinery halts discounted fuel scheme over diversion scandal
• APGA youth leader urges Tinubu to create more states for geopolitical balance

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

States oppose Electricity Act Amendment, warn of ₦5tn subsidy burden

States have called for an immediate stop to the proposed amendment of the Electricity Act, warning that it could shift a ₦5 trillion subsidy burden onto already struggling consumers.

Under the Forum of Commissioners of Power and Energy (FOCPEN), the states criticised the federal government and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for allegedly failing to consult them on the matter.

With over 16 states having enacted their own electricity laws since the passage of the current Act, the states argue that the amendment would strip them of the powers granted by the existing legislation.

ADC demands full audit of refineries, questions $18bn spending

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for a comprehensive audit of Nigeria’s refineries following reports that nearly $18 billion has been spent on their rehabilitation over the years.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC questioned the Tinubu administration’s sincerity after spending over $2.8 billion before declaring the refineries moribund, only to proceed with plans for their full privatisation.

The party expressed concern over the federal government’s recent claim that the refineries were operational, describing it as contradictory and demanding transparency on the status and expenditure surrounding the facilities.

Tinubu renames UNIMAID after Buhari, praises late president’s legacy

President Bola Tinubu has renamed the University of Maiduguri in honour of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as “a good, decent, and honourable man” whose values will inspire future generations.

Speaking during a Special Federal Executive Council session held in Buhari’s honour at the State House on Thursday, Tinubu acknowledged the late president’s flaws but praised his unwavering patriotism and integrity.

“His record will be debated, as all legacies are,” Tinubu said, “but the moral force he carried and the incorruptible standard he represented will not be forgotten.”

Dangote Refinery halts discounted fuel scheme over diversion scandal

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has suspended its discounted fuel supply scheme after uncovering a diversion racket involving some affiliate marketers and partners.

Investigations revealed that marketers granted discounted products were re-routing fuel-laden trucks to unregistered third parties, instead of supplying designated retail outlets as intended.

The scheme was introduced to help registered affiliates remain competitive amid price pressures from fuel importers, while ensuring nationwide availability of Dangote’s refined products.

APGA youth leader urges Tinubu to create more states for geopolitical balance

Eze-Onyebuchi Chukwu, National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has urged President Bola Tinubu to initiate the creation of additional states to correct what he described as a structural imbalance in Nigeria’s geopolitical arrangement.

In an open letter on Friday, Chukwu highlighted the uneven distribution of states across the six geopolitical zones, noting that while some zones have seven states, others have only six or five.

He argued that this disparity leads to unequal representation in the National Assembly and disproportionate access to federal resources, appointments, and developmental projects, stressing that no zone should wield more federal influence due to a higher number of states.