The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has declared that the possibility of reconciliation between the Northern region and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reached a point of no return.

Despite a series of presidential appointments and infrastructure promises, Ohanaeze stated that the once-promising partnership between Tinubu and the North has now deteriorated into a mere shadow of its former self.

In a statement issued on Monday, the factional Deputy President-General of Ohanaeze, Mazi Okechukwu Isigozoro, claimed that the North has firmly abandoned Tinubu, and that the north is now actively forming alliances with leaders from the Southeast and Niger Delta with the sole objective of challenging his re-election bid in 2027.

The statement emphasized that it was crucial for President Tinubu to understand the harsh reality: without an immediate reversal of key federal government policies and the swift implementation of substantial corrective measures, Nigeria’s suffering masses will inevitably be drawn to opposition coalitions, particularly those led by Northern leaders, advocating for a transformative leadership change.

Ohanaeze urged the federal government to implement a significant shift in its approach, specifically calling for a credible National Census in 2025. The census, they proposed, should include mandatory identification of ethnicity and religion to provide an accurate representation of Nigeria’s demographics.

The group noted that current data shows that 39% of the Northern population consists of Igbo communities, while 31% are Middle Belt Christians, and the Hausa and Fulani people represent only 30%.

Ohanaeze suggested that the consistent resistance of Northern leaders to include such demographic identifiers in previous censuses reflected their awareness of this reality.

The organization also stressed the need for the federal government to prioritize the needs of the Igbo nation in its policies, which, according to them, would foster solidarity across all Nigerian Local Government Areas and form the basis for a more inclusive national dialogue.

“President Tinubu should act decisively without delay,” the statement urged, calling for the establishment of a sixth state for the Southeast, the revitalization of the Eastern Economic Corridor, and the reopening and dredging of the Calabar Seaport, which has been inactive for 57 years.

Additionally, Ohanaeze called for the full utilization of the Port Harcourt Seaport, the construction of a deep seaport in Azumiri (Abia State), and the upgrading of the Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu-Maiduguri railway to standard gauge.

The political release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was also emphasized as a critical step in rebuilding trust and fostering engagement.

“By doing so, President Tinubu can dismantle the perceived Northern numerical superiority that has long perpetuated outdated political dominance,” Ohanaeze said, emphasizing that a transparent and inclusive 2025 Census is vital for establishing a new political balance in Nigeria.

The statement also called on the federal government to extend an olive branch to non-violent Biafra agitators, urging dialogue to address the growing insecurity and violence in the Southeast.

Emerging signs, according to Ohanaeze, suggest that proponents of non-violent self-determination are ready for reconciliation.

“The federal government must act now to seize this critical opportunity for peace and stability in the Southeast,” the statement concluded. “For the well-being of Nigeria, we must choose dialogue over division and cooperation over confrontation.”

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and some modular refineries in Nigeria may spend about $8.56bn to import an estimated 122,400,000 barrels of crude oil to achieve full operational capacity in six months, The PUNCH reports.

This means the refiners may spend about $1.43bn monthly on the importation of crude oil into Nigeria.

The plants may spend this much amid the uncertainty surrounding the sustainability of the naira-for-crude policy between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and the Dangote refinery, coupled with concerns about the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation of the Federal Government.

This came as it was discovered that the meeting that was earlier scheduled on Monday between the Technical Sub-Committee on the Naira-for-Crude Policy, Dangote refinery, and other government officials did not hold as planned.

Insiders familiar with the workings of the committee said the meeting was rescheduled and may be held before the Sallah break.

“The NUPRC (Nigerian Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Commission) is not done with the assignment given to it by the committee. Hence, the meeting could not be held today.

“They are asking for more time. Hopefully, the committee can reconvene before the Sallah holiday,” a senior government official who works with the committee told our correspondent in confidence due to the lack of authorisation to speak on the matter.

The Dangote refinery has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, and the plant had repeatedly made it known that it was importing and would continue to import crude. With the latest uncertainty in the naira-for-crude deal, the plant would rely heavily on imported crude.

Another domestic refinery that is also making efforts to import crude from the US is the Edo Refinery, with a capacity of 30,000 barrels per day. The plant has sought product offtake from a US-based crude supplier, according to information from modular refiners on Monday.

It was further gathered that while other modular refineries were making alternative plans to get the commodity, the Dangote and Edo refineries would require about 680,000bpd crude daily.

This translates to about 20.4 million barrels in 30 days (one month), and 122.4 million barrels in six months. At the average cost of $70/barrel for Brent crude, it means the two plants may spend about $8.56bn to import the commodity in six months.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Crude Oil Refinery-owners Association of Nigeria, Eche Idoko, in an exclusive interview on Monday, stated that sourcing raw materials from alternative suppliers remains their sole viable option for refiners.

He said domestic refiners now find themselves effectively stranded due to the government’s failure to ensure product offtake under the domestic supply obligation or the naira-based agreement.

He revealed that the situation has forced the 30,000 Edo refinery to deepen discussions with a crude supplier from the United States of America to secure an offtake deal.

He said other refineries that don’t have the financial muscle are no longer operational.

Idoko said, “Edo refinery, which is trying to expand its plant to 30,000 barrels per day, is in talks with crude suppliers from the United States. Others, apart from Walter Smith refinery and Aradel, who are momentarily relying on crude produced from their fields, are more or less stranded. Other modular refineries have not been able to refine a litre in the last six to eight months.”

Currently, modular refineries operating in the country include the Walter Smith modular refinery, Aradel, the Omsa Pillar Astex Company refinery, the Edo refinery and the Duport modular refinery. Clairgold and Azikel refineries are at an advanced stage in their construction.

Idoko emphasised that the government’s failure to allocate sufficient feedstock represents a major setback to its efforts to stabilise the sector and carries significant political consequences.

The national officer added, “Let it be clear that the news of Dangote or any local refinery procuring crude offshore through import as a result of failure or inability to source locally is a major dent in the efforts of this government to stabilise the sector.

“Whoever is frustrating the supply of crude to the local refinery is an enemy of this government and arming opposition with weapons ahead of the 2027 elections because the manner investors in local refining, including the Dangote refinery, have been treated would definitely be a factor to consider in the coming elections.”

The local refiners decried the difficult situation that had confronted them since last week after the abrupt alleged cancellation of the first phase of the naira-for-crude arrangement.

The refiners said they had anticipated being included in the second phase of the naira-for-crude deal after a successful pilot phase with the 650,000 barrels per day capacity Dangote refinery.

Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to a lack of authorization to discuss the matter, revealed that talks broke down because of issues related to crude availability from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

Insiders familiar with the development said the national oil firm had allocated large volumes of crude to its foreign creditors to settle the loans acquired by the firm, making it difficult to sustain the naira-for-crude deal between NNPCL and Dangote refinery.

Analysed reports from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and the 2023 NNPC financial statements, had shown that 8.17 million barrels of crude had been pledged for different loan deals by the national oil firm monthly, with an additional $9.5bn forward oil sales deal in the offing.

In response to failed talks, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a temporary halt in the sale of petroleum products in naira, citing an imbalance between its sales proceeds and crude oil purchase obligations, which are denominated in US dollars.

The company explained that its naira-denominated sales had exceeded the value of naira-priced crude it had received so far. As a result, it decided to temporarily align its sales currency with its crude procurement obligations.

“Dear valued customers, we wish to inform you that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in naira. This decision is necessary to avoid a mismatch between our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in US dollars.

“To date, our sales of petroleum products in naira have exceeded the value of naira-denominated crude we have received. As a result, we must temporarily adjust our sales currency to align with our crude procurement currency,” the firm announced last week.

The development means that domestic refiners have to turn to crude oil importation as an alternative strategy to ensure their continued operations. Dangote refinery imported 654,766 metric tonnes of crude oil in three days after the announcement.

The situation, which has drawn widespread condemnation and backlash from stakeholders and Nigerians alike due to the looming threat of a petrol price increase, has also led to severe business consequences, significantly impacting production costs.

Dealing a further blow to optimism around the reconsideration of the naira-for-crude deal, The PUNCH exclusively gathered that the much-awaited meeting between both parties didn’t hold on Monday.

A source close to the committee revealed that the meeting didn’t hold because the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission was unable to present the options required by the committee on Monday.

The committee had mandated the NUPRC  to come up with possible options that would be reviewed by the panel.

“The meeting didn’t hold today as scheduled because the NUPRC hasn’t completed its findings as directed,” the official who sought anonymity disclosed.

The official was also silent on a likely date to reconvene but noted that the committee would meet soon.

As a result of this fallout, private depot owners in Lagos State have continued to consistently implement hikes in the loading costs of petrol and other refined petroleum products at their facilities.

Also, retail petrol stations in the Federal Capital Territory raised their pump prices by N42 or 4.67 per cent to N940 per litre on Monday.

A visit by our correspondent across various stations revealed that Conoil, located along Airport Road, increased its price to N940.

AYM Shafa raised its price by N20 to N920; Matrix effected a similar change to N920. Salbas, located along the same route, increased its price to N930 per litre.

However, the NNPCL and MRS filling stations sold their products at N880 per litre, which caused a long queue.

Similarly, an analysis of data obtained by our correspondent revealing petrol price movements at loading depots on Monday showed that Rainoil Depot increased its price from N860 to N870 per litre, and WOSBAB depot effected an increase to N870 per litre.

Pinnacle Depot made a similar price change from N860 to N870 per litre, while Aiteo and Nipco changed their prices from N856 and N860 per litre, respectively, to N870.

Muhammadu Sanusi, the Emir of Kano, has appealed to residents to uphold peace, respect the law, and work together to ensure stability and harmony in the state.

Speaking at a special Iftar (breaking of fast) at his palace on Sunday, the emir denounced those opposing his reinstatement, declaring that “fire would consume those inciting unrest in the city.”

Sanusi added that those disputing his emirship are defying God’s will, adding that they would “ultimately face unfortunate consequences for opposing what has been divinely ordained”.

“We urge everyone to maintain peace. This issue is beyond us; it is about God’s will, and He needs no one’s assistance,” the Emir said in Hausa in a video seen by TheCable.

“Let us be patient and continue praying, for God will always support those on the right path.

“May fire consume anyone seeking to cause trouble in Kano. May Allah protect us and our community from all evil. Let us remain peaceful and steadfast in prayer.

“Whoever challenges God’s judgment will never succeed.”

Sanusi’s remarks come on the heels of a directive from Abba Yusuf, the governor of Kano, that emirate councils should commence sallah durbar preparations.

Yusuf asked all four emirates in Kano to commence preparations for the sallah durbar to ensure that citizens and visitors enjoy the festive period to the fullest.

Subsequently, Aminu Ado Bayero, the deposed Emir of Kano, notified security agencies of plans to hold a durbar and commemorate his fifth year as the city’s monarch.

The tussle over the emirship of Kano has lasted for months.

In May 2024, a high court in Kano restrained Bayero from parading himself as the emir following the reinstatement of Muhammad Sanusi II.

Several eminent Nigerians, former governors and past public office holders expressed fears on Monday over the falling standards of democracy in Nigeria, arguing that it left much to be desired.

They voiced their fears at a colloquium held at the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel to mark the 60th birthday celebration of former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, which was chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Also in attendance were former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; and the immediate past Governor of Katsina, Aminu Masari.

In his keynote address titled ‘Is Democracy Failing in Africa?’ Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, lamented that it seemed like Nigeria’s democracy only worked for a few selected persons.

The cleric also noted that such feeling had fuelled a debate on the suitability of the Nigerian Constitution, which had constantly put pressure on the judiciary.

He said, “We as Africans inherited a system that is not ours, but we can’t say it is not relevant to us. There are differences between democracy in Asia and that of Africa. I feel sorry for judges. At the last election, even small me, I had people calling me, complaining, talk to this, talk to that.

“There was pressure on judges to deliver justice. I agree that there’s an urgent need to clean up the mess. Democracy is about everything, and it’s about justice. Democracy and its principles are endless contestations. There are certain things God has given us which people can’t control.”

Kukah urged politicians to borrow a leaf from the cat-and-mouse relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku, which he said also helped to deepen democracy.

“The relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku is like a Catholic marriage. You will quarrel without breaking up. No constitution will be better than the Bible and Koran. Yet, we are still living in sin. The weaponisation of religion is a big problem in Nigeria.

“Democracy is a work in progress. God doesn’t discriminate against either Christian or Muslim prayers. If we are not treating each other rightly, one must be a bastard.”

But Obi disagreed with Kukah’s assertion that Nigeria’s democracy was a work in progress.

According to him, many progressive minded leaders from 1999 have been striving to raise the bar of the country’s democracy to an enviable height.

“They started in 199, and laid the foundation. Some people came and took it to the decking while others were trying to raise it to the first floor. And then, some people came and knocked everything down.

“That is the situation we are now. Everything has been knocked down. Nothing works. I am somebody who can say this exemplarily. I became a governor through the court when President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku Abubakar were in government.

“I did not pay the court one naira. I was sitting in my office and the court declared me the winner when the governor was hosting them. It can’t happen in Nigeria today,” he bemoaned.

To buttress how low the country had gone, Obi recalled the incident that transpired during his impeachment as Anambra governor, saying he was surprised to see the emissaries former President Obasanjo sent to intervene on his behalf.

The former LP presidential candidate noted that the likes of Ken Nnamani, a former Senate President, came pleading profusely with the state House of Assembly members not to impeach him.

He said, “Today, the President will impeach the person. So, it has collapsed and failed. These people were begging the House of Assembly not to impeach me. They were in PDP and I was in APGA. President Obasanjo was calling me, asking ‘Peter, are you okay?’ Even when I was impeached, Obasanjo called me and said ‘Are you safe?’

“When the court eventually declared me winner, President Yar’ Adua called me while I was in London and said, ‘congratulations.’ I said, ‘Mr President, I can’t come back. He said, ‘tell me the flight you are coming back with.’ I told him. When I came back, the military came to receive me at the airport. I couldn’t believe it.

“They took me straight to him (Yar’ Adua). Now, the President would ask me not to come back here again. So, democracy has failed. Let’s talk about how to rebuild it because it is collapsing.”

On his part, Obasanjo said what Africawas practising today was a mere reflection of ‘representative democracy.’

“Abraham Lincoln describes it as a government of the people, by the people and for the people. But what do we have today? The Greek democracy affects everyone. Democracy has now become representative democracy and it hasn’t taken care of everyone.

“Democracy in Africa has failed because it’s not African, it didn’t have our culture and way of lives. You will say, ‘go to court’ when you know that you can’t get justice. Democracy is dying in Africa and to save it, it should be made in the context of Africa,” Obasanjo said.

Speaking at the event, Atiku reflected on the price many leaders paid for the realisation of democratic rule.

“In my case, I ran into exile because Abacha was very hostile,” he said.

The former Vice President, however, praised Ihedioha for remaining loyal despite belonging to different political platforms.

“Emeka and I have kept this relationship and till today I have found him extremely loyal, dedicated and focused even though sometimes we found ourselves on different political divides but we kept our relationship and I think that testifies with the kind of person Emeka is,” he said.

Former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal believes Nigerians can make democracy thrive as long as everybody is willing to play their roles.

An emotional Tambuwal, who condemned the recent state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, criticised the National Assembly for the unconstitutional manner it approved it.

He said, “Democracy will work if the actors play by the rules. It’s work in progress. Under OBJ (Obasanjo), state of emergency was declared. The NASS worked together to ensure that 2/3 majority passed the emergency. Each member had to vote.

“In this same NASS we have same constitution. What happened in the last one? We need to chase out the bad operators in democracy.”

Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, however, said it was high time Nigeria reviewed the 1999 Constitution to address the plethora of problems plaguing its structure.

According to him, the country cannot afford to lose its enviable status in the international community.

“As Commonwealth Secretary-General, I helped members to transit to multi-party democracy. We need a new constitution to address many challenges. True federalism is the answer to the management of national issues. The recent coups in Mali and Niger tend to take us back.

“The nature of our politics and the conduct of our politicians is another problem of our democracy. They have become instruments of capturing political power. It’s only true, stable democratic governance that can rid our country of the crises which impede development.

“I believe that Nigeria can change this Eurocentric narrative. We in Africa and Nigeria have a responsibility to get a stable democracy and change the Eurocentric narrative,” he stated.

However, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, holds a contrary view.

While acknowledging Nigeria is plagued by significant challenges, Abbas emphasised that the country was making steady progress.

He said, “For me, it depends on what we make of democracy in Africa. Only by understanding that, and deeply reflecting on it, can we be in a position to say if democracy has added value to development and growth in the continent or not.

“For me and the 10th House of Representatives, democracy has come to stay in Africa and indeed Nigeria. It is a process which over the past two decades has crystalised into an acceptable model of leadership and it is being consolidated in our nation. Nigeria is making steady progress despite varying challenges characteristic of a developing nation.

“One of the basic features of democracy is the periodic conduct of elections to choose leaders. This is the essence of democracy.”

The Federal Capital Territory  Police Command has intercepted a large cache of live ammunition cleverly concealed in jerrycans filled with palm oil and arrested a suspect linked to the smuggling operation.

The breakthrough came after operatives from the Nyanya Division, in collaboration with officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, apprehended Nuhu Aminu, a 32-year-old man from Katsina State, at the Nyanya bus terminal.

A statement on Monday by the command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said upon searching his consignment, officers discovered 488 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition hidden in two 25-litre jerrycans.

She said, “The FCT Police Command, in its unwavering commitment to public safety and proactive crime prevention, has intercepted a major illegal ammunition shipment and apprehended a suspect in connection with the crime.

“Acting in synergy with officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, police operatives from the Nyanya Division, FCT Command, tracked and arrested Nuhu Aminu, a 32-year-old man from Katsina State, at the Nyanya bus terminal on March 24, 2025.

“The suspect was caught in possession of 488 AK-47 live rounds of ammunition, ingeniously concealed in two 25-litre jerrycans filled with palm oil to evade detection.”

She said during interrogation, Aminu confessed that he had been recruited by Yakubu Kachalla, a resident of Funtua, Katsina State.

Adeh said he revealed that he was paid N100,000 to collect the illegal cargo from an unidentified contact in Nasarawa State and deliver it to Katsina.

She said, “Upon interrogation, Aminu confessed that he was recruited by one Yakubu Kachalla of Funtua, Katsina State, who allegedly paid him N100,000 to collect the illegal cargo from an unidentified contact in Nasarawa State and deliver it to Katsina.

“This arrest highlights the relentless efforts of the FCT Police Command in dismantling criminal networks and preventing the proliferation of illegal arms that fuel violent crimes. The suspect is in custody, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices and uncover the full extent of this arms-smuggling operation.”

She assured residents that investigations are ongoing to track down Aminu’s accomplices and dismantle the arms smuggling network.

“The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), FCT Command, DCP Isyaku Sharu, urges residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities. The Command remains steadfast in ensuring the safety of all citizens and will not relent in its fight against crime,” Adeh added.

Meanwhile, the police have said over 2,300 arrests were recorded in various operations conducted across the country from February 2025 to date.

A breakdown of the figure showed that 602 were armed robbery suspects, 385 kidnapping suspects, 557 murder/homicide suspects, 215 individuals involved in unlawful possession of firearms, 286 rape suspects, and 276 suspected cultists.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi said operatives also recovered 333 firearms, 6,422 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, and 200 stolen vehicles.

He added that a total of 324 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued during these operations.

Adejobi said, “Focusing on operations conducted from February 2025 to date, the Nigeria Police Force has made substantial progress in combating crime across the nation. Numerous arrests were made in connection with various heinous crimes.

“The Force recorded the arrest of 602 armed robbery suspects, 385 kidnapping suspects, 557 Murder/homicide suspects, 215 suspects connected with the unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, 286 rape suspects, 276 suspected cultists and recovery of 333 various firearms, 6422 ammunition of various calibres. The Force was also able to recover 200 stolen vehicles and rescue 324 victims of kidnapping.

“On display in today’s briefing are several exhibits connected to these crimes, including, 89 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, 6 AK-47 rifles, 1 AK-49 Rifle, 1 Israeli Pump action rifle, 2 pump action rifles, 1 single barrel rifle.”

The United States government has issued a stern warning to Nigerian travellers about the severe consequences of overstaying their visa, emphasising that violators could face permanent bans from re-entering the country.

The US Mission in Nigeria posted the warning via its X on Monday.

The immigration authorities clarified that consular officers can access an individual’s full immigration history, making it nearly impossible to avoid penalties for past violations.

They further emphasised that travellers are responsible for adhering to the terms of their visa and that ignorance of visa regulations will not be accepted as an excuse.

“If you overstay your US visa, you could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States. Consular officers have full access to your immigration history and will know about past violations. There is no such thing as an ‘honest mistake’ – it is your responsibility to use your visa correctly,” the US Mission stated.

It is learnt that those who overstay their visa for more than 180 days but less than a year may face a three-year re-entry ban.

If the overstay exceeds one year, the penalty could be a 10-year ban.

Repeat offenders or those with serious violations risk a permanent lifetime ban.

Since the return of Trump as US President, America has become stricter with its immigration policies.

On February 16, 2025, the Federal Government raised serious concerns about the deportation of its nationals from the United States, urging Washington to adhere to international conventions and ensure a dignified repatriation process.

During a meeting with the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, emphasised the emotional and financial strain these deportations are placing on Nigerians in the US and their families back home.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted that “about 201 Nigerians are currently detained in US immigration centers, with around 85 cleared for deportation,” adding that the government was advocating for a more humane approach to the process.

“With the new US administration in place, we expect commitments to ensure that, if repatriation occurs, it will be done with dignity,” she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu further pointed out that many Nigerians in the US play a crucial role in supporting their families back home through vital remittances, which help sustain their livelihoods and fund their education.

She noted that these deportations, especially for those with no violent criminal history, should not be sudden or traumatic.

“We are asking as a country whether they will be given ample time to handle their assets or will they just be bundled into planes and repatriated?” she questioned.

The Federal Government said it is taking necessary steps to offset the N4.7tn debt owed to power generation companies to avert a possible nationwide blackout.

This came as stakeholders expressed fears that some power generation companies might be forced to shut down due to a lack of liquidity in the sector unless there is an urgent intervention by the Federal Government to clear the debts to Gencos.

However, the Federal Government said it would do everything possible to prevent Gencos from shutting down their plants as the issue is getting attention.

In an interview with our correspondent, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, assured Nigerians that the government would take action to prevent power plants from shutting down as a result of financial crises.

Speaking through his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, the minister disclosed that efforts are ongoing to pay the power generation companies and the gas suppliers.

Faced with N4.7tn debt, our correspondent gathered that generation companies are facing challenges in running their power plants.

Our correspondent gathered that gas-fired thermal plants are mostly affected as they are unable to pay gas companies supplying them with feedstock.

Recently, Transcorp Power lamented that it was being owed about N650bn for the power it generated, saying the lack of liquidity affected its ramp-up plans.

In December 2024, it was reported that gas companies formally notified all Gencos of their planned suspension of gas supply due to mounting debts. However, the intervention of the Federal Government appeared to have saved the country from another darkness like the one witnessed in the first quarter of 2024.

Sources in the power sector told our correspondent that generation companies are struggling to make ends meet, following the Federal Government’s failure to clear the N4.7tn debt.

The sources, who preferred not to be mentioned due to the matter’s sensitivity, disclosed that some Gencos declare profits in anticipation that the Federal Government would pay the money but the debt had continued to increase by the day.

Our correspondent gathered that at the end of every month, over N200bn is added to the debt burden owed to the Gencos.

According to a document sighted by our correspondent, the total invoice from January to December 2024 was N2.7tn, out of which N762.1bn was paid, leaving an outstanding of N1.94tn.

This indicates that the Gencos were only able to recover 28.18 per cent of their total debt for the first 11 months of 2024.

For instance, in January 2024, Gencos’ invoice was N281.33 but only 33.80 per cent was paid. In February when the invoice read N208bn, the Gencos received 9.3 per cent. From January to December 2024, the trend continued and the debts piled up daily.

Operators who pleaded anonymity stated that though some Gencos like Transcorp and Geregu declared profits at the end of the year, the money was being held on to by the Federal Government.

“People say we make money and they are always quick to mention two generation companies. But if you have sold your goods and the money is not coming to you, how will you break even? You make sales but the debtor refuses to pay. That’s the challenge Gencos face,” an operator said.

Another source added that generation companies are at the mercy of the Federal Government.

“We are making profits in the expectation that the government will pay us, even without any clear line of sight on payment options. As of December 2024, N4tn is owed to Gencos. The government has refused to pay electricity subsidies,” he stated.

The operators feared that if nothing is done urgently, many power plants might stop running or be denied access to gas supply to avoid incurring more debts.

Some wonder how the Federal Government plans to offset the debt with a budget of N900bn for the sector.

“Gencos are only struggling, we don’t know how the government will clear the N4.7tn debt with a budget of N900bn. I just pray Nigeria will get it right. But sustainability is not possible without money,” another source stated.

However, the minister of power, Adelabu, through his media aide, said the issue is currently getting the required attention, promising that all the players in the value chain will be paid.

“We are always intervening. I can assure you that no power plant will shut down; nothing like that will happen because of the effect of that on the economy.

“The minister has already made a case for them for the government to pay the outstanding and the legacy debt. The government will not allow things to get to where the Gencos will now say they can no longer generate electricity.

“Both Gencos and gas suppliers; all the value chain (will be paid). The government will not allow anything to happen that will cause a problem for the economy,” he said.

Speaking with our correspondent recently, the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Dr Joy Ogaji, disclosed that the Gencos are suffering, and they need urgent and pragmatic solutions to ease their liquidity crisis, stressing that the liquidity crisis is N4.7tn.

“As for liquidity, Gencos are seriously suffering and urgently need pragmatic solutions to ease the liquidity crisis, totalling N4.7tn,” Ogaji stated.

The President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Plc, Owen Omogiafo, lamented that Transcorp Plc as a group has an installed capacity of 2,000 megawatts, but it is currently generating about half of that due to illiquidity.

“For Transcorp Plc as a group, our installed capacity is 2,000 megawatts but available capacity today is about a thousand of that. Why? Is it because we don’t want to put in more? Is it that we don’t have the wherewithal to increase that? No!

“But when you look at the liquidity challenges that we’re facing, it’s interesting to know that Transcorp Group alone is owed about N650bn by the government.

“We’re owed about N650bn from the power that we’ve generated. So, if you look at it as an investor, I want to be able to do more. I want to run a sustainable business. But at the same time, we need to be able to ensure that there’s liquidity, and the money is coming back so I can continue to reinvest,“ Omogiafo said during a TV interview recently.

The minister of power had earlier confirmed that the Federal Government owed electricity generation companies and electricity distribution companies over N4tn.

Giving a breakdown, the minister said N2tn was owed to Gencos as legacy debt and another N1.9tn was owed to them as part of electricity subsidy for 2024. He disclosed that the Discos were owed N450bn for the 2024 electricity subsidy.

Adelabu had said in February, “One of the major issues that concerns me is the huge debt in the sector. We are talking about legacy debt, which is across the board, over N2tn, and we still have an unpaid subsidy for 2024; we have another N1.9tn owed to them as part of electricity subsidy for 2024, while Discos are owed N450bn for 2024 electricity subsidy.

“How do you expect the Gencos to perform optimally? How do you expect them to pay for gas, services, and maintain their turbines and other infrastructure as well as pay their staff if a total of N4tn is being owed to them? I do not deceive myself. The government cannot afford to continue to fund the level of subsidy that our consumption pattern is throwing up because we have seen increasing consumption of electricity.”

Speaking, the Executive Director of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, Sunday Oduntan, disclosed that the failure of customers like the military and other government agencies to pay their bills is affecting the electricity value chain.

According to him, military organisations like the Air Force which attacked Ikeja Electric despite a N4bn debt pose a serious threat to the sector.

“These military and the MDAs are among the major customers responsible for the epileptic power supply we face in Nigeria. Imagine an Air Force Base alone, owing over N4bn. How do we pay the market? Our own is only 20 per cent of all the tariffs we collect. How can a generation company generate more power when the Discos are not able to remit money because they are not being paid? These are the problems. It’s a vicious cycle,” he stated

Oduntan further noted that the “Discos owe the generation companies money due to a lack of payments.”

He stressed, “Every money that accrues to the market every month goes to the Central Bank of Nigeria; then the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, everything they do is from the market, even their salary is paid from this tariff; the Transmission Company of Nigeria; the generation companies; and the gas suppliers.

“Gas suppliers are paid by the generation companies. Generation companies cannot pay the gas suppliers unless we remit upstream in the market. The debt to the Gencos rises every day. Every time you see power on, it is naira and kobo. The generation companies run their machines daily by burning gas or any other feedstock.”

Our correspondent recalls that in the first quarter of 2024, the country was plunged into darkness as gas companies refused to supply gas to the thermal plants due to debts. This was resolved after the Federal Government showed some commitment to pay in on the debts.

Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba has backed Victor Osimhen to break Rashidi Yekini’s all-time Super Eagles goal-scoring record, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Osimhen took his Eagles goal tally to 25 after his brace in Rwanda to become the most prolific Nigeria international after Yekini, who scored 37 goals.

“By the way he is going, Osimhen will soon eclipse the record of Yekini,” Ikpeba said.

“He’s a fantastic lad and a committed player, who gives everything for the country. We will soon see when he breaks this record.”

The 26-year-old striker moved to second place on Nigeria’s all-time scorers list after scoring twice in Friday’s 2-0 victory over Rwanda in the 2026 World Cup qualifier in Kigali.

This achievement surpassed Segun Odegbami’s long-standing record of 23 goals, which had stood for 44 years since the legendary winger retired from international football in 1981.

“Osimhen has finally overtaken me and I think that is good because the record has been hanging on for a very long time. I am very happy for him and I want to say good luck to him,” Odegbami told PUNCH Sports Extra.

“He is still young and he has a long way to go.”

Osimhen, who is currently enjoying remarkable form with Galatasaray where he has scored 20 goals and provided four assists in 20 Super Lig games, now needs 12 more goals to equal Yekini’s record of 37 goals, which has stood since the striker’s last game for Nigeria in 1998.

The Nigerian talisman made his Super Eagles debut in June 2017 in a 2-0 defeat against South Africa and has since established himself as the team’s main attacking threat, including notable performances in AFCON qualifiers where he scored two hat-tricks in 2023.

Following the victory against Rwanda, Osimhen has issued a warning to Zimbabwe ahead of their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier scheduled for Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

“We are ready. The remaining matches are wars and we must fight them with all that we have to win,” he told reporters at the Victor Attah Airport as the team arrived on Saturday.

A victory against Zimbabwe on Tuesday (today) will take Nigeria to nine points in their World Cup qualification campaign, putting them in firm contention for the ticket, especially if Benin Republic and South Africa cancel each other out in their fixture inside Abidjan’s Stade Félix Houphouet-Boigny.