Following the recent cases of fake certifications uncovered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), examination boards in Kenya and Uganda are now reaching out to the country to verify the credentials of Nigerians applying for admission to tertiary institutions in their countries.

JAMB made this known in a document: ‘Registrar’s Report on 2023 ADMISSION & 2024 UTME Policy Meeting,’ document on Wednesday, Channels TV reports.

According to the document, JAMB stressed the need to protect Nigeria’s tertiary institutions from international disrepute, adding that it would not falsify the records of any students.

“Uganda and Kenya examination boards are now writing to JAMB to confirm records presented by candidates for admission of candidates. JAMB would not falsify record,” the Nigerian examination body stated.

The Federal Government recently suspended the verification of degree certificates from Uganda, Kenya, Benin Republic, Togo and some other countries over allegations of certificate racketeering.

This followed an investigation by a Daily Nigeria reporter, Umar Audu on how he obtained a degree within six weeks in the Benin Republic.

After his report, the Federal Government set up an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling to probe the activities of certificate racketeers.

LEADERSHIP consequently reported that JAMB threatened to sanction higher institutions that fail to submit lists of students admitted immediately after matriculation.

According to JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, the initiative is one of the recommendations made by a committee set up by the Federal Government to combat fake degree racketeering in the country.

According to a ‘Clarification On Disclosure Of Admitted Candidates Outside Caps (2017-DATE)’ by JAMB obtained, institutions are to “regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education not later than three months after matriculation ceremonies.”

The list is expected to be submitted through the dedicated channel of JAMB.

“The Board has observed a large number of candidates thronging its offices to resolve issues related to the disclosure of candidates admitted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) from 2017 to date. While we appreciate the enthusiasm, we must correct the misconception that the focus is on candidates’ actions. The true emphasis lies with the institutions, which must disclose all candidates admitted outside CAPS before the August 31st, 2024 deadline.

“This directive requires immediate attention and compliance. We urge institutions to carefully review our initial letter and ensure full compliance, as failure to disclose will result in severe consequences. Candidates are also reminded not to accept admissions outside CAPS.

“The Board reiterated that candidates not disclosed by institutions would not be entertained. The Board will not tolerate any condonement of undisclosed admissions moving forward.”

In a similar development, a memo addressed to the JAMB on July 15, 2024, the education ministry said, “You may recall that following the publication of allegations of certificate racketeering involving some foreign institutions, especially in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and other countries, the ministry constituted an inter-ministerial committee to investigate the allegations to find lasting solutions.

“The committee has submitted its report and the Honourable Minister of Education has approved its recommendations for implementation.

“In that regard, I hereby convey the request of the honourable minister for the implementation of the following recommendations of the committee:

“Enforce the mandatory requirement for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to exclusively conduct their admissions processes through the Central Admissions Processing System under the auspices of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board; mandate all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education not later than three months after matriculation ceremonies through the dedicated channel of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

“You are kindly requested to implement the above recommendations and furnish the ministry with implementation updates.”

[Leadership]

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last year’s election, Peter Obi, has asked the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to come clean on the details of the newly acquired presidential jet and those of the old ones being sold off.

He made the call on Tuesday night on his X handle.

Daily Trust reports that President Tinubu, on Monday, embarked on a working visit to France aboard a newly acquired Airbus A330 business jet, amidst controversies surrounding its purchase.

The model, typically used as a twin-aisle passenger aircraft, was purchased last month at a cost of $100m and has now been registered to the Nigerian Air Force.

The modified jet is one of the three presidential aircraft recently seized by a French court in favour of a Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, over a dispute with the Ogun State Government.

However, on Friday, August 16, Zhongshan said that it had decided to release one of the three aircraft as a gesture of goodwill, especially due to a scheduled meeting between President Tinubu and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.

Obi said that despite all the denials and back and forth over the newly acquired presidential aircraft, the jet was now here, thanks to the French court that helped Nigerians get the information.

“Now that the Jet is here, can Nigerian taxpayers whose money was used to purchase it need to be privy to how much it cost and how old the aircraft is and how long its been in operation.

“In addition, Nigerians also deserve to know about how the old jets being disposed, how many of them, how old they are, and why they are being sold. Transparency and Accountability should be the hallmark of any genuine leadership,” Obi said.

He said that the federal government would lose nothing but respect, if it failed to provide adequate information about its leadership to the people whose money was being deployed and whose mandate the President was holding.

“A presidential jet is a major symbol of national sovereignty and state power. How much it costs to transport the president, is a major issue of public accountability. I hope that Nigerians will not be denied the right of full disclosure on the new presidential jet,” Obi added.

[DailyTrust]

There is widespread anger following the unveiling of the new Airbus A330 presidential jet purchased by President Bola Tinubu’s government.

DAILY POST recalls that the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga had on Monday night, released the pictures of the presidential jet via his verified X handle.

According to him, the new jet replaces the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 (BBJ) which was acquired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo during his tenure.

Tinubu’s aide claimed that the new jet saved Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars annually.

Countering the claim that the jet was acquired without approval by the National Assembly, Onanuga said “the Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee recommended replacing the ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet to reduce downtime and operational expenses”.

Our correspondent, however, reports that the claim does not align with earlier reports from the Nigerian Senate.

DAILY POST recalls that the Senate President Godswill Akpabio on June 27, declared that the upper chamber did not receive any request for the purchase of new aircraft for the president.

Nigerians had perceived the move by the presidency to get a new jet, but the Senate President vehemently debunked the report, saying there was nothing like that in their table.

Akpabio, who spoke after a closed-door meeting, said, “I have never had that correspondence to approve the purchase of a plane. We care about the President, we care about Nigerians.

“We will approve things that will benefit the people. There is nothing before us”.

Similarly the Senate leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) said, “There is no such request, if the request comes, not only the Senate will debate it, we are 469 here. So this is the handiwork of the fifth columnist and propagandists.”

DAILY POST reports that there was no parliamentary debate prior to the arrival of the exotic presidential jet.

Although the presidency deliberately omitted the price of the jet, it was gathered that the Nigerian government spent over $100 million (N159 billion) to acquire the Airbus A330.

This is coming amid the ravaging economic downturn that has relatively made feeding difficult for millions of citizens.

Recall that Nigerians had earlier in the month staged a 10-day nationwide protest over hunger.

The untoward hardship was birthed by some unfavorable policies of the President Tinubu-led administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy which was announced on May 29, 2023.

Concerned citizens who reacted to the procurement of the new jet, accused the government of neglecting the plight of the citizens.

No argument can justify this latest profligacy – Ezekwesili

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili on Wednesday said President Bola Tinubu has no argument to justify the purchase of the Airbus A330

Ezekwesili said no argument from Tinubu will persuade Nigerians into justifying what she termed “latest profligacy.”

Posting on X, Ezekwesili wrote: “No argument justifies the purchase of a 14 year old Airbus plane by the @NGRPresident @officialABAT for his indulgence.

“No argument that can persuade reasonable people justifies this latest profligacy.

“Continue with your obscene indulgence until the Day your hungry citizens can no longer bear to sleep on their empty stomachs.

Tinubu acting like Sani Abacha pro max – Adeyanju

Activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju on Wednesday while reacting to the purchase of the new Presidential jet, an Escalade bulletproof vehicle, and a Yacht accused President Tinubu of acting like former Military Head of State, Sani Abacha pro max within one year of assuming power.

Posting on his Facebook page, Adeyanju wrote: “Critics don’t make good leaders. If in doubt, just look at Tinubu. The guy is acting like a Sani Abacha pro max just under one year. A hypocrite that can’t take what he gives.

“Just got back to Abuja from Lagos and saw Tinubu’s outrageously huge presidential jet.”

Tinubu bought private jet, bulletproof car in one year but Nigerians suffering – Sowore

A former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, on his part, knocked Tinubu’s government for procuring a Presidential jet and a bullet proof vehicle within one year in office despite the failure to tackle the economic crisis bedeviling Nigerians.

Sowore said Nigerian leaders were only concerned about meeting their personal desires and not what the citizens were going through.

The activist cum politician, who was one of the key organizers of the just concluded EndBadGovernance protests, disclosed this in a series of posts on his X page.

According to Sowore: “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said one year isn’t enough for Nigerians to enjoy a better country but look at what he bought for himself in just one year.

“Yacht, jet, Bulletproof Escalade, mansion for VP #RevolutionNow.

“Day of fun at the expense of suffering Nigerians, @officialABAT jumbo luxury Presidential Jet arrives Nice, France. #France #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #FearlessInOctober #RevolutionNow

“The only thing that makes these thieving rulers in Nigeria happy is when they fulfil their personal desires; they don’t care about the people.

“It is the time for the people to bond and take them head-on. #FearlessInOctober #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria 2.0.”

They don’t care about us – LP chieftain, Okon Fredrick

Similarly, a chieftain of the Labour Party, Mr Okon Fredrick said the move by the government to purchase an exotic jet amid the hardship in the country showed that the government officials did not care about the citizens.

In a chat with DAILY POST, Okon said, “leadership is by example. Tinubu had consistently appealed to Nigerians to be patient with his government, yet he is not patient enough to continue using the old jet.

“Like the singer Micheal Jackson once said, ‘they don’t really care about us’, we are on our own. Nothing about us matters to them

“This is obviously the wrong time to be buying a presidential jet with such a huge amount of money. We just finished a round of protest trying to tell the government that we are dying of hunger.

“Just a few days after the protest was halted, the executive is flying a new jet of over N100 billion.

“The citizens are watching and one day, like Charly Boy usually says, their mumu go do.”

[DailyPost]

Price of petrol is being moderated by the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to guarantee stability, the oil giant has said.

The NNPCL said it has been making PMS available for retail distribution at about half of the landing cost under an agreement with the government to safeguard Nigerians from the global fluctuation in oil prices.

Its Chief Financial Officer Umar Ajiya explained that the company has been offsetting the shortfall in landing price and sale price through a reconciliation arrangement between the government and the company.

He said the company had not paid any money to any marketer in the name of petrol subsidy in the last eight to nine years.

While the official pump price of petrol is about N600 per litre, average landing cost is about N1,200.

Ajiya said the company covered about N7.8 trillion in “shortfall” in the first seven months of this year, making a distinction between the current arrangement and the inglorious past of “subsidy scam”, known for payments to third parties for sometimes frivolous claims on supply.

“I think there is one fact that I need to make very clear that in the last eight or nine years, that this company, even as a corporation as it were, has not paid anybody a dime or one naira as subsidy.

“No one has been paid a kobo by NNPC in the name of subsidy. No marketer has received money from us by way of subsidy,” Ajiya said at a news conference.

He said the government directs NNPCL to sell the petrol it imports, at a price that is half of the landing price.

He said the reconciliation of the shortfall has been between the federation and NNPCL.

According to him, at times the Federal Government pays the money and it could as well net off for it.

“What has been happening is that we have been importing PMS, landing at a certain price, and government is telling us to sell it at half price. So, that gap between that landed price and half price is what we call shortfall or we call it subsidy.

“And the deal is between the federation and ourselves to reconcile. Sometimes they give us money, sometimes we do net off. So, there is no money exchanging hands to any marketer or to anybody in the name of subsidy,” Ajiya said.

President Bola Tinubu on inauguration day May 29, last year, announced that fuel subsidy is gone. Prior to the removal, Nigeria was spending more than N400 billion on subsidy monthly with national consumption volume of over 60 million litres per day.

The figure was on the upward swing due to smuggling of the product which is of the highest grade in West and Central Africa to neighbouring countries.

Upon the phasing out of the payment, which was also in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) that fully deregulated the product price, the national consumption officially reduced to 50 million litres per day.

Prior to this, NNPCL had been enmeshed in what was known as “subsidy scam” under which huge payments were found to have been made to third parties as subsidy to bridge landing and sale prices. Several claims of product supply were found to be untrue.

Many oil chiefs were arraigned by the government over allegations of bogus subsidy claims.

Ajiya spoke at the presentation of the audited report and accounts of NNPCL for the 2023 business year in Abuja.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mosimi Depot, yesterday attributed the current fuel scarcity in Ogun State and other Southwest states to the inability of NNPCL to make petroleum products available to its members three months after they had paid for the product.

IPMAN appealed to the Federal Government, as well as other critical stakeholders in the industry to prevail on NNPCL management to arrest the current situation, which has compounded the economic challenges residents, motorists and commuters are facing in the region.

Chairman, IPMAN, Mosimi Depot Otunba Femi Adelaja, who made this known while speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said his members had since June made deposit payment of N75.142 billion to NNPCL for supplies through the Lagos Private Depot Owners (PDO) but NNPCL is yet to make the product available to its members.

Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPCL, Dapo Segun , said it was not uncommon for the company to be in an open credit agreement with PMS suppliers, as it is a global practice in the industry.

He said that establishing an open credit agreement with suppliers spoke volume of the credibility which the national oil company had built over a period of time.

“Concerning the outstanding to the suppliers, it is not in that magnitude that has been put out, it is actually lower than the N6.8 billion.

“What matters really is the relationship between us and our suppliers to ensure that we keep faith in making these payments to our suppliers which we have done overtime.

“You would understand that it is not a static figure and I wouldn’t want to be quoting any figure, when we make payments it goes down, when they supply products it goes up.

“It is a dynamic way, but the most important thing is to ensure that we continue to make PMS available across the country,” Segun said.

[TheNation]

The Katsina State Police Command has initiated a manhunt to apprehend the killers of a member of the Nigerian Hunters Association, Aliyu Yahaya, who was murdered in the Jibia local government area of the state.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, confirmed the ongoing investigation to the PUNCH on Wednesday morning, stating, “Efforts are ongoing to arrest the perpetrators as the investigation proceeds.”

On August 13, suspected terrorists attacked Yahaya’s residence in Magamar-Jibia, within the Mazanya district of Jibia LGA. They shot him, set his body ablaze and abducted his wife, son and three neighbours.

A family member, Salisu Yahaya, recounted the harrowing incident, saying, “Around 2:00 a.m. on August 13, 2024, armed terrorists scaled the wall of Aliyu’s home, shot him dead, and set his body ablaze inside his room. Despite being fatally wounded, he tried to protect his family from being kidnapped, but the assailants overpowered him and whisked away his family.” 

A colleague of the deceased, Basiru Muhammad, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing Yahaya as a patriotic young man who died while serving his community.

Muhammad also called for urgent security measures to prevent such tragedies in the area and across the state.

A neighbour, Amadu Bello, whose two wives and mother-in-law were also abducted, pleaded with authorities to prioritise the rescue of his family members.

“I urge the government to take immediate action to safeguard residents from terrorist activities. The lack of adequate security personnel has contributed to the frequency of such attacks in our communities,” he lamented.

Adding his voice, a traditional titleholder in the area, Aminu Dan Mugyanbo, stressed the importance of decisive action from the state governor, Dikko Radda, to address the security challenges plaguing Magamar-Jibia and other parts of the Jibia Local Government Area.

“As we grapple with the devastating impact of this and many other attacks on our community, we will continue to support the efforts of local vigilante groups in protecting lives,” he stated.

[Punch]

The British government on Wednesday announced new measures to crack down on high numbers of asylum seekers arriving illegally on small boats from France.

It said 100 “new specialist intelligence and investigation officers” would be recruited to the National Crime Agency (NCA) to help dismantle smuggling gangs that run the dangerous crossings.

The interior ministry added that the government aims over the next six months to achieve the highest rate of deportations of failed asylum seekers for five years. 

The Labour government, which won an election last month, intends to increase detention capacity at removal centres and sanction employers who hire people with no right to work in the UK, the Home Office said.

“We are taking strong and clear steps to boost our border security and ensure the rules are respected and enforced,” interior minister Yvette Cooper said in a statement.

Stopping the small boat arrivals was a key issue in the July 4 election, in which Labour won a thumping majority.

Within days of taking power, Prime Minister Keir Starmer scrapped a controversial scheme to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda, which had been a flagship policy of the last Conservative government.

Starmer has instead pledged to dismantle the people-smuggling gangs who organise the crossings and are paid thousands of euros by each migrant.

The Home Office is recruiting a so-called Border Security Commander who will work with European countries against the people-smuggling gangs.

Starmer has also pledged with French President Emmanuel Macron to strengthen “cooperation” in handling the surge in undocumented migrant numbers. 

More than 200 people crossed the Channel in three boats on Monday, taking the provisional total for the year so far to 19,294, according to Home Office figures.

This is a 10 percent increase on the number recorded last year, which was 17,620, but down on the 21,344 crossings recorded in the same period of 2022.

The Home Office said the NCA is pursuing about 70 investigations against criminal networks involved in people trafficking.

It said the government would issue financial penalty notices, business closure orders and bring possible prosecutions against anyone employing illegal workers.

The department also said it was adding 290 beds to two removal centres and redeploying staff to try to remove failed asylum seekers at the highest rate since 2018. The ministry did not give figures on the numbers involved.

[Vanguard]

A Chinese investment group is moving to sell two residential properties seized from Nigeria on global marketplace eBay in an effort to recover up to $70 million in arbitration awards.

Zhongshang Fucheng Industrial Investment Ltd took possession of the two properties in Liverpool, United Kingdom, in June 2024, after Nigeria failed to settle a 2021 arbitration ruling.

The properties, located at 15 Aigburth Hall Road and Beech Lodge, 49 Calderstones Road, were targeted following a December 2021 British court order that permitted Zhongshang to seize Nigerian assets in the UK to recoup the $70 million debt, which remains unpaid as of August 2024, with interest accumulating at two per cent per month.

Court records indicate that Zhongshang was awarded $55.7 million, plus $9.4 million in interest, and £2.86 million in legal costs, as part of a dispute stemming from a 2001 trade agreement between Nigeria and China. The conflict arose when Ogun State revoked Zhongshang’s rights to a free trade zone in 2016, a move the company argued violated the treaty.

In 2018, Zhongshang initiated arbitration proceedings against Nigeria in the UK, accusing Nigerian federal agencies, including the police and immigration authorities, of acting on behalf of Ogun State without due process. The firm also alleged that two of its executives were expelled from Nigeria in 2016, with one reportedly detained and tortured by local police.

This latest development adds to Nigeria’s legal challenges abroad, coming only months after the country narrowly avoided a disastrous $11 billion arbitration ruling in favor of Process & Industrial Developments Ltd (P&ID). That ruling was overturned after evidence of bribery and corruption surfaced. However, the Zhongshang case presents a tougher challenge, with courts across Europe, including the UK, Belgium, and France, granting enforcement orders that allow the seizure of Nigerian assets. Efforts to protect Nigeria through sovereign immunity have so far failed, even in the United States.

A consultant working with Zhongshang revealed that the firm is preparing to list the seized Liverpool properties for sale on platforms like eBay, with an estimated value of $2.2 million.

“They’ve decided to sell them through online channels like eBay, as that might attract buyers more quickly,” the consultant told Peoples Gazette.

Although the properties are owned by Nigeria, they were not classified as diplomatic or consular assets, making them vulnerable to seizure.

It’s unclear when the Nigerian government acquired the properties, but court filings indicate that they had been rented out to private tenants unconnected to Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in the UK.

In a June 2024 ruling, Master Lisa Sullivan of the UK High Court, King’s Bench Division, ruled in favor of Zhongshang’s claim, stating, “The properties are currently leased to residential tenants with no ties to Nigeria’s mission, making them eligible for seizure under commercial purposes outlined in section 13(4) of the State Immunity Act.”

Zhongshang has assured that the sales process will be transparent, with the proceeds being made public in light of strong Nigerian interest in the case. “Zhongshang is committed to keeping the Nigerian people informed about the recovery process,” the consultant added.

[NaijaNews]

Nigeria’s state oil company, NNPC Limited, has released its 2023 full-year audited results, showing a profit after tax of N3.29 trillion.

This represents a significant increase from the N2.5 trillion profit reported in 2022, marking a 31.6% year-on-year growth and the largest corporate profit reported by any Nigerian company, according to Nairametrics records.

Total revenue generated for the year was N23.9 trillion or $26.4 billion using the exchange rate of N907/$1 which was the closing rate used for the year 2023.

Revenue from Nigeria amounted to N21.3 trillion , representing 89.1% of total revenue, indicating that the corporation earned the majority of its income domestically rather than from international operations.

Key highlights

• Revenue – N23.9 trillion vs N8.8 trillion (171.5%)
• Gross Profit – N7 trillion vs N2.1 trillion (233%)
• Operating Expenses – N3.1 trillion vs N1.7 trillion (80.9%)
• Operating Profit – N4.3 trillion vs N694.2 billion (525%)
• Pre-tax Profit – N5.9 trillion vs N1.8 trillion (227%)
• Income Tax – N2.69 trillion
• Profit after tax – N3.29 trillion vs N2.5 trillion (30.6%)
• Total Assets – N246.8 trillion vs N58.5 trillion (321%)
• Net Assets – N28.5 trillion vs N9.2 trillion (200%)
• Cash and Bank Balances – N7.1 trillion vs N2.3 trillion (200%)
• Cash flow from operations – N10 trillion vs N4.6 trillion (117.3%)
• Cash flow from investing – N3.7 trillion vs N2.1 trillion (76.1%)
• NNPC Ltd reported that it does not have any external loans.

Total Assets surpass Nigeria’s nominal GDP

Even more remarkable is the company’s total assets, which were reported at a staggering N246.8 trillion ($272 billion using N907/$1 or $154 billion using N1,600/$1 as of August 2024) surpassing Nigeria’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP).

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s nominal GDP was N229.9 trillion in the year ended December 2023.

While GDP and total assets refer to two different things in the realms of finance and an economy, it however highlights just how large the size of NNPC is.

A more relatable proxy is the company Net asset of N28.5 trillion which is the book value of NNPC. This represents around 12% of GDP more than the oil and gas contribution to GDP as of 2023.

The significant size of the oil company’s total assets was driven by its trade and other receivables, which stood at N162.9 trillion, and fixed assets (property, plants, and equipment) valued at N67.8 trillion, bringing the total to N230.7 trillion.

The increase in the value of trade and other receivables, as well as fixed assets, can be attributed to the impact of foreign currency translation, as most of the company’s assets are denominated in dollars.

Additionally, NNPC Ltd’s revenue from crude oil sales is also dollarized, which likely contributed significantly to the rise in naira terms.

The company reported that its currency translation rate for fixed assets was N907.1/$1 compared to N448.4/$1 in 2022.

For revenue, the company used an average rate of N644.2/$1, compared to N431.3/$1 in the previous year.

Analysis

A cursory review of the results reveals that the company’s revenue of N23.9 trillion is the largest it has ever reported.

Crude Oil Sales – The company generates revenue from crude oil sales, petroleum product sales, natural gas, power, and services.

• Revenue from crude oil sales reached N14 trillion, a significant increase from the N3.5 trillion reported the previous year.
• Interestingly, in terms of geographical markets, Nigeria generated N12 trillion in revenue, with Panama coming in second at N2 trillion.
• Crude oil sales revenue in 2022 was also higher from Panama, amounting to about N2.9 trillion, compared to Nigeria’s N545.3 billion.

Petroleum Product Sales – The company reported revenue of N7.1 trillion from petroleum product sales, up from N4.5 trillion the previous year.

• Petroleum product sales include the sale of fuel, kerosene, diesel, naptha, and other related products.
• Once again, Nigeria led in terms of geographical markets, generating N6.9 trillion compared to N4.3 trillion the previous year. This represents around 97% of total petroleum product sales, with sales to the Bahamas generating just N151.7 billion (up from N129.5 billion a year earlier).
• The NNPC has been the sole importer of petroleum products in Nigeria for years, relying on imports through its controversial Direct Sale, Direct Purchase (DSDP) structure.
• Following the removal of the fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, NNPC Ltd’s profits from this division were expected to rise as product sales reflect higher prices for the majority of the year.

Revenue from Natural Gas – This category represents the invoice value of natural gas sold to third parties, generating about N2.3 trillion in the year under review, compared to N683 billion reported the previous year.

• Nigeria was again the major source of revenue, contributing N1.9 trillion (up from N638.7 billion in 2022), accounting for 82.6% of total revenues.
• The Cayman Islands also contributed to gas revenue, generating N402.7 billion, compared to N3.9 billion, N24 billion, and N16.3 billion from the UK, Panama, and the Cayman Islands respectively in the previous year.

Revenue from Services – This includes revenue from seismic contracts, time-based contracts, gas transmission tariffs, shipping, marine, and engineering services.

• The company generated a total of N464 billion during the year, up from N100.5 billion the previous year.
• Nigeria contributed N379.2 billion towards revenue from services, compared to zero in 2022. Another significant contribution came from Cyprus, which generated N80.49 billion.
• Interestingly, the entire revenue of N100.5 billion generated in 2022 came from the Cayman Islands. However, in 2023, the Cayman Islands contributed nothing to revenue.

Cash Payments – NNPC Limited reported a massive increase in its cash and cash equivalents by N5.232 trillion during the year, ending with a cash balance of N7.7 trillion.

To the Government

• Income tax paid was N497.2 billion in 2023, compared to N102.5 billion in 2022.
• Royalties paid in cash amounted to N669 billion, up from N76.5 billion in 2022.
• Dividends paid to its sole shareholder, the Federal Government, were N546.6 billion, compared to zero a year earlier.

Investing

• The company earned N230.9 billion from the sale of property, plants, and equipment.
• However, it paid N2.5 trillion for the purchase of property, plants, and equipment.
• An additional N370.2 billion was spent on the purchase of exploration and evaluation assets.
• Another N1.2 trillion was paid for the purchase of oil and gas properties.

Interest Payments

• NNPC Limited reported that it does not have any external loans, so the interest payments appear to be for legacy loans.
• During the year, it paid N441.45 billion in interest payments.

[Nairametrics]

Karl Marx once told us that history repeats itself, first as a tragedy and second as a farce. George Santanya put it differently. ‘’Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it’’. Does history repeat itself in Nigeria? Let’s examine recent developments. General Ibrahim Babangida came to power in August 1985 and in 1986, he launched an ambitious economic policy known as Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). The core thrust of SAP was to diversify the economy away from hydrocarbon; create an industrial base that relies on domestic raw materials; deregulate the economy and liberalize the foreign exchange market. Privatization and commercialization were also integral its integral component.

At the first auction of the dollar at the newly introduced foreign exchange market (FEM) late 1986, the Naira plummeted from 0.8 Naira to the dollar to N4.0 to the dollar. It was the first official devaluation of the Nigerian currency since it was introduced and adopted as our legal tender on January 1, 1973. The steady depreciation of the Naira against the dollar and other major international currencies under SAP brought considerable hardships to businesses and the people, just as we have today. Raw materials and manufacturing inputs became too expensive to import, leading to factory closures; massive layoffs and departures of foreign-owned companies. Notable foreign businesses like Pfizer; Hoechst AG and the Dutch electronics giant, Philips left the country, similar to what’s going on now.

Nigerians were groaning as SAP bit harder and harder and there were complaints and grumblings all over the country, just as today, as local businesses were closing in droves. Meanwhile, the military top brass in government continuously asked people to bear with the government, make sacrifices and tighten their belts, but at the same time, they were wallowing in comfort and luxury. In 1989, violent riots broke out spontaneously in Lagos, Ibadan and some parts of the country.

Tagged ‘’SAP riots’’, the protests spread rapidly, but there were no known organizers or leaders. There was no social media then; but words moved around quickly through the whisper network.

Suddenly, a huge rumour emerged that Ebony magazine, the American celebrity magazine, had published an interview with Dr. Tai Solarin in which the social critic and human rights crusader had reportedly divulged that huge amount of dollars had been found in General Babangida’s foreign account. Nigerians rushed and bought off copies of the magazines, but it turned out that there was no such interview in it.

The military government went into an overdrive, trying to manage the crisis. The government reached out to the editors of the publication in Illinois, Chicago, and convinced them to issue a disclaimer. The magazine obliged, stating categorically that no such interview was carried. But the damage has been done. Mind you, Ebony has before then been enjoying generous advertising support from the government. Founded in November, 1945, Ebony focuses on chronicling and promoting the life and contributions of African Americans in the US. It used to be very popular in Nigeria, together with Time and Newsweek. It is an incredible turn of events that these magazines are no longer circulating in Nigeria due to the foreign exchange crisis which started with SAP.

The Babangida regime was rattled by SAP riots, just as the Tinubu administration was unsettled by the recent protests tagged ‘’End Bad Governance Protests’’. The following year (1990), there was a bloody military coup attempt to decapitate the IBB junta, hastening the movement of the nation’s capital to Abuja in 1991. Now, what are the striking similarities between the two epochs and what historical lessons can we draw?

First: The technocrats in the SAP era persistently assured us that the programme was the only panacea Nigeria had. ‘’There is no alternative to SAP’’ was the common refrain. IBB’s first Finance Minister, Dr. Idika Kalu Idika, who was later succeeded by Dr. SP Chu Okongwu, was an ardent SAP advocate. Both were Ivy League-trained economists and IMF and World Bank-honed technocrats. They preached and believed in the wonders of neoliberal economic theories. Complementing their efforts was Chief Olu Falae, who was the Secretary to the Military Government. A Yale alumnus, he was also an unrepentant SAP apostle. Together, they sold SAP to Nigerians like proselytizing clergies, telling us that SAP would work. They asked Nigerians to continue to make sacrifices, bore the pains and tightened their belts. Today, the two main technocrats in the Tinubu administration, Wale Edun and Yemi Cardoso as well as other professionals are busy assuring us that the Renewed Hope hardships would soon fade away, to give way to an era of economic boom. I don’t know if anybody believes them, but selling hope is always the easiest part of governance in this country, and more often than not, the technocrats are the major salesmen.

Second: Just as IBB, the Tinubu administration is bent on pushing through his agenda, no matter the agonies. The withdrawal of fuel subsidy and the massive depreciation of the Naira by last year have wrought the severest economic crisis this country have ever seen. In his eight-year rule, IBB withdrew fuel subsidy three times, (there were calls for ‘’SAP to have a human face’’), but the hunger, desperation and despondency in the population were not this brutal. Or is my memory failing me?

Third: This is not the first time there’ve been exodus of foreign firms from the country due to economic meltdown. By the very nature of their operations, these foreign businesses rely solely on imported raw materials, imported packages and imported inputs - without the slightest effort at backward integration – to conduct their businesses in Nigeria. To that extent, they are prone to serious exchange rate risks that crystallize whenever there are some external shocks in the economy. They are not here to stay because they are fair weather friends (assuming you can even call them friends). It’s therefore not a surprise that they’re taking off again. I’m rather surprised that Nigerian investors are not moving quickly to take their places.

Four: As SAP bit harder and harder, IBB was spending heavily and lavishly to maintain his stay in office. But in those days, the official vehicle of the Head of State was Peugeot 504 salon car! I don’t know what they drive these days, but with recent acquisitions, President Tinubu is indulging in the most lavish lifestyle unseen since 1999. New presidential aircraft; new presidential limousines; new residence for the Vice President, frequent foreign medical trips, etc; and the citizens are told to keep sacrificing!

Looking back, historians believe that SAP would have succeeded but for the pervasive corruption of that era. What will they write about Renewed Hope?

The Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Emomotimi Agama has revealed its plans to issue licenses to crypto exchanges in the country to complement the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies in the country.

In June the Nigerian SEC launched a new program aimed at speeding up the registration process of Virtual Assets Providers (VASPS).

SEC also announced amendments to its rules on Digital Assets Issuance, offering platforms, Exchanges, and Custody.

In an interview today on Bloomberg, Nigerian SEC Chief Emomotimi Agama reiterated his commitment to regulating cryptocurrency in Nigeria for the sake of young Nigerians who are neck deep into the industry.

“Being a crypto enthusiast and fintech enthusiast, I can tell you without doubt that this is going to happen sooner than you think.” 

“We must support the youths of this country to be able to achieve the benefit that is accruable in fintech. The market size is huge and it is growing,”

Fast-growing crypto economy  

Nigeria has one of the fastest-growing crypto economies in the world with a very high demand for crypto assets. This statistic has forced the hand of the Central Bank of Nigeria to lift restrictions on Nigerian banks facilitating cryptocurrency transactions after a ban that lasted for two years.

The Apex bank stated that it was improper to continue upholding stringent measures in a sector that is growing so fast and has massive potential.

Nigeria was named the second biggest economy in terms of crypto adoption last year and in August 2022 was named the most crypto-crazy country by volume of Google searches.

Crypto entities delist Naira peer-to-peer  

Following the crackdown on crypto entities earlier this year, top exchanges have closed down Naira P2P and Naira withdrawals on their platforms.

Big crypto exchanges like OKX and Binance have delisted their Naira p2p trading following accusations of currency manipulation and money laundering from Nigerian Authorities.

The Nigerian SEC in its latest move to issue licenses to crypto exchanges is a 360-turnaround in policy following earlier crackdowns on crypto entities.

The SEC chief explained in his Bloomberg interview that the regulatory body wants to provide a platform where crypto dealings will be transparent and devoid of bad actors.

“The SEC wants to provide a platform where people can formally do these things and we are able to get all of the information that we need,”

“What we will not encourage is the use of cryptocurrency to manipulate our currency,” Agama said.

What to know : The Nigerian authorities are still locked in a spat with Binance Ltd over claims of money laundering and tax evasion. Tigran Gambaryan a Binance executive is still been detained by Nigerian authorities at the time of the report.

[Nairametrics]