Nigeria at 66: Tinubu Promises Lower Cost of Living

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October 1, 2026

President Bola Tinubu has used Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day address to declare that the country has reached what he described as a “turning point,” saying his administration is shifting its attention from economic reforms to reducing the cost of living and expanding prosperity.

In his October 1 address, Tinubu said the period of what he called economic “emergency treatment” had ended and that the next phase would focus on making food and transportation more affordable, creating jobs and increasing economic opportunities for Nigerians.

President Bola Tinubu delivering Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day address. — President Bola Tinubu addresses Nigerians as the country marks its 66th Independence anniversary.

The speech comes as “Nigeria independence day” and “Nigeria at 66” generate search interest on Google, with Nigerians looking for information about the anniversary, the President’s address and what the government is promising as the country begins its 67th year of independence.

Tinubu says Nigeria has reached a turning point

Tinubu argued that economic reforms introduced since his administration took office in 2023 had helped correct distortions in the Nigerian economy.

He pointed to economic growth of more than four per cent this year, lower inflation from its previous peak, increased foreign reserves, reduced oil theft and greater stability in the foreign-exchange market as signs of progress. These figures and characterisations were presented by the President as evidence supporting his assessment of the reforms.

He also said Nigeria earned more than $6 billion from non-oil exports in 2025.

The President described the next objective as “shared and widespread prosperity”, arguing that improved economic statistics would have limited meaning unless Nigerians experienced improvements in their daily lives.

Lower food and transport costs become a key promise

One of the most significant parts of Tinubu’s Independence Day message was his emphasis on the cost of living.

He said the government’s immediate priority was to reduce the cost of producing and transporting goods consumed by Nigerians.

The administration intends to expand mechanised farming, irrigation and dry-season agriculture while improving access to fertiliser, seeds, storage facilities and transportation infrastructure, according to the address.

Transportation has become another major focus. Ahead of Independence Day, Tinubu had directed states to accelerate the rollout of cheaper CNG-powered transportation, saying Nigerians should begin seeing measurable fare reductions from October 1. The government says more than 120,000 vehicles have already been converted to CNG and more than 400 conversion centres are operating nationwide.

Jobs and Nigerian production take centre stage

Tinubu also said job creation, enterprise and industrial development would form a major part of the government’s next economic phase.

The President said Nigeria’s gas resources would be used to support industries, while the government would seek to revive manufacturing centres, extend digital connectivity and provide businesses with infrastructure and financing.

He said he wanted more Nigerian farms supplying cities and factories and more businesses producing goods that could be sold both locally and internationally.

Tinubu acknowledges Nigerians are still struggling

Despite presenting an optimistic assessment of the economy, the President acknowledged that millions of Nigerians continue to struggle with food, transportation, healthcare and education expenses.

He said the government would continue programmes including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, consumer credit through CREDICORP and targeted assistance for vulnerable households while pursuing broader economic growth.

The cost-of-living debate remains significant. The Nigeria Labour Congress, in its Independence Day message, called for lower petrol prices and negotiations for a new national minimum wage, arguing that rising living costs have eroded workers purchasing power.

From reform to prosperity

Perhaps the defining message from Tinubu’s speech was his declaration that the government’s economic narrative is changing.

“The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity.”

The statement represents the administration’s stated shift from asking Nigerians to endure the short-term effects of economic restructuring toward promising more visible improvements in household living standards.

For Nigerians, however, the coming months will provide measurable indicators of that promise: what happens to food prices, transportation fares, jobs and household purchasing power.

As Nigeria marks 66 years since independence on October 1, 1960, those everyday economic questions are likely to remain central to how citizens assess the country’s next chapter.

Kimi AI Jailbreak: Moonshot Reviews Safety After Report

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September 30, 2026

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Illustration of an AI chatbot interface representing Moonshot’s Kimi models and concerns over AI safety — Moonshot’s Kimi AI models are under scrutiny after security researchers reported successful attempts to bypass their safety restrictions.

Moonshot AI is reviewing Kimi K2.6 and K3 Swarm after testers said they jailbroke the models into discussing bioweapons and assassinations.

AI safety illustration showing a chatbot with warning symbols representing attempts to bypass artificial intelligence guardrails — Moonshot AI is conducting an internal review after researchers found that its Kimi models could be persuaded to bypass safety guardrails.

The finding

Moonshot is conducting an internal review after Mindgard, a UK company that tests AI systems for security weaknesses, told the BBC that researchers persuaded two of Moonshot’s widely used models — Kimi K2.6 and K3 Swarm — to explain how to make biological weapons and carry out assassinations. Mindgard said it made the discovery in July. The method was jailbreaking: assembling a series of complex instructions designed to test whether an AI tool will abandon the guardrails its developer built in. Mindgard’s position is that those guardrails should have stopped Kimi from entering the conversation at all, regardless of what it said next.

Why the caveat matters

Mindgard has not demonstrated that the answers it extracted would actually work. That distinction is the load-bearing part of the story. The claim is not “an AI handed out a functional bioweapons recipe”; the claim is that a widely available model would discuss prohibited subject matter at length once its refusals were engineered away. Founder Peter Garraghan described the behaviour as open-ended, telling BBC World Service programme Tech Life: “Once the jailbreak works it will talk about any topic, it will even freely offer up recommendations about other topics that are also nefarious and it will be inventive and creative.”

A different class of risk

Jailbreaking is a distinct threat from the recent wave of incidents in which autonomous AI agents built by OpenAI, Meta and Anthropic were reported to have hacked online services. Jailbreaks are laborious and can demand significant time and determination, but some experts fear hackers and other malicious actors will invest that effort. The picture is not confined to one lab: Anthropic has said it identified and disrupted attempts to use one of its models for malicious activity that could support biological weapons development.

Moonshot’s Kimi models and concerns over AI safety. — Researchers said Kimi AI models provided information on biological weapons and assassination after being subjected to jailbreak attempts.

The compute problem

Mindgard’s sharpest technical claim is separate from content at all: that it was confident a jailbroken Kimi 2.6 could allow hackers to run code on the model’s own computing resources and establish an internet connection, turning an AI service into a launchpad for cyber-attacks.

Disclosure and response

Mindgard emailed Moonshot on 27 July and followed up about a week later, then published a blog on 12 September. It says Moonshot only made contact recently, after the BBC sought comment. In an email asking for more detail — shared with the BBC by Moonshot — the company said its model had generally shown “a high refusal rate for these types of requests” in internal evaluations. Moonshot said it welcomed third-party input “as a key pillar for building better and safer AI” and was in discussion with Mindgard.

The structural question

Kimi is an open-weight model: the weights can be taken and run on someone else’s infrastructure. That is why the industry’s split between closed, proprietary systems and open tools sits at the centre of this story. Prof Alan Woodward of the University of Surrey said open-source models carry a risk of falling into the wrong hands but can also be harnessed for cyber-defence, noting that Hugging Face used a Chinese open-source model to understand a hack later found to have been carried out by OpenAI agents. He was bleak about governance — “it’s taken us decades to agree on the format of telephone numbers” — and argued, with Garraghan, that effort should go into identifying and prosecuting the humans who misuse AI.

Flydubai Flight to Tel Aviv Diverts to Saudi Arabia After A Reported Cockpit Fight Between Pilots

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September 30, 2026

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Flight tracking map showing Flydubai flight FZ1073 descending sharply over Saudi Arabia and diverting from its Dubai–Tel Aviv route to Tabuk Airport. — Flightradar24 data shows flight FZ1073 dropping more than 17,000ft in under two minutes before diverting to Tabuk

A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an apparent altercation between the pilots triggered emergency alerts during the journey. Flight FZ1073, carrying about 150 passengers, most of them Israeli, was initially headed for Ben-Gurion Airport before landing at Tabuk Airport in northeastern Saudi Arabia.

According to flight-tracking data, the aircraft issued an emergency signal about two hours after departing Dubai International Airport. It subsequently transmitted a code associated with a hijacking before returning to a general emergency signal. Israeli officials said the incident was not believed to be a hijacking, while local reports attributed the alerts to a confrontation between the pilot and co-pilot.

A Flydubai passenger jet taxiing at Dubai International Airport, the departure point of flight FZ1073. — A Flydubai aircraft similar to the one operating flight FZ1073. The airline has confirmed only that the flight “experienced an incident while en route.”

Passengers reportedly described moments of panic as the aircraft made a rapid descent. Flightradar24 data indicated that the plane descended more than 17,000 feet in less than two minutes shortly after 05:21 UTC. The aircraft briefly entered Jordanian airspace before turning back toward Saudi Arabia and beginning its descent into Tabuk.

The incident prompted a security response, with the Israeli Air Force reportedly dispatching fighter jets and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holding urgent consultations. Flydubai confirmed that the aircraft had experienced an incident while en route and said it was working with the relevant authorities as further details emerged. The exact circumstances of the reported cockpit altercation and the cause of the aircraft’s rapid descent remain subject to investigation.

As of 30 September 2026, late afternoon (Gulf/Israel time), the incident has moved decisively from “pilot dispute” to a suspected deliberate attack — though not every claim is confirmed.

The airline has now given a clear status

A Flydubai spokesperson said the aircraft landed safely at Tabuk Airport and all passengers are safe and accounted for, with teams working closely with the relevant authorities and further updates to follow as confirmed details emerge. This is the most important line in the file and should lead any headline.

The “fight” is now reported as a stabbing

Multiple outlets, citing Israeli media, report that the co-pilot repeatedly stabbed the captain, and that crew members and passengers broke through the cockpit door and subdued the attacker. A passenger identified as Tzvika Manes, who heads Barak Capital Underwriting under Bank Leumi, told Israeli media he was among those who helped restrain him, describing the scene as “insane.” Reports describe the captain as an Indian national and the co-pilot as an Omani national.

Israel’s position has hardened

The prime minister’s office earlier said a hijacking was not believed to have occurred. Israel’s security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has since characterised the incident as a terror attack, stating the suspect intended to crash the plane and kill the Israelis on board. Israeli journalist Amit Segal reported a senior official saying evidence was mounting that the man meant to take control and crash the aircraft, and that he was being questioned. Saudi and US allies scrambled jets during the episode.

Joseph Tegbe’s 24-Hour Power Zones Explained

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September 30, 2026

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Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe discusses plans to improve electricity supply and develop 24-hour power zones in Nigeria. — Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, as the Federal Government pushes new measures aimed at improving electricity reliability across major economic corridors.

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, is attracting fresh attention after the Federal Government disclosed plans for special Energy Zones intended to provide stable, 24-hour electricity to homes, businesses and industries in some of the country’s busiest economic corridors.

joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe outlines Nigeria’s proposed 24-hour power zones for major cities. — Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe is at the centre of the Federal Government’s plan to develop 24-hour power zones aimed at improving electricity supply in major Nigerian economic corridors.

The proposal covers the Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor, according to a statement following Tegbe’s meeting with selected electricity distribution companies.

But what would an Energy Zone actually change for Nigerians — and how close is the proposal to becoming reality?

What are the proposed 24-hour Energy Zones?

The idea is to concentrate electricity infrastructure and distribution capacity in areas with particularly high residential, commercial and industrial demand.

According to the government, Nigeria’s electricity challenge does not stop at generating or transmitting power. Distribution companies must also have enough capacity to receive electricity and deliver it reliably to customers. Tegbe said the proposed zones are intended to address that distribution bottleneck.

The companies represented in the discussions included Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Sahara Energy Group.

Why Lagos, Abuja and other major corridors?

The selected areas contain some of Nigeria’s biggest concentrations of businesses, industries and electricity consumers.

The government says improving supply in these locations could support commercial activity while helping distribution companies improve electricity sales and collections.

For businesses that currently depend heavily on diesel generators, petrol generators, solar systems or other backup sources, more dependable grid electricity could materially change operating costs. How large those benefits would be, however, will depend on the eventual design, pricing and reliability of the zones.

There is one major detail missing: when?

Despite the 24-hour electricity target, the government has not announced an implementation date.

It has also not publicly specified the generating capacity required for the proposed zones or the full infrastructure investment needed to guarantee round-the-clock supply.

That means the proposal should currently be understood as an initiative under development rather than a guarantee that the affected cities are about to receive uninterrupted electricity.

Tegbe is also turning attention to off-grid electricity

The Energy Zone proposal comes alongside another government initiative: an Off-Grid Coordination Secretariat established to improve coordination between electricity projects.

The secretariat is expected to track commitments, share information and reduce situations in which several programmes target the same communities while other underserved locations receive little attention.

The Rural Electrification Agency said the framework is intended to improve coordination among government agencies, private operators and development partners from project planning through financing and implementation.

Why Nigerians remain cautious about power promises

Tegbe himself acknowledged on September 22 that many Nigerians still do not have reliable electricity.

He said the ministry had been working on grid stability, metering and infrastructure, including the restoration of the 375MW Alaoji power plant, increased transmission capacity in Lagos and Abuja, and deployment of more than 350,000 meters. Those figures are claims reported from the minister’s own account of his administration’s work.

That distinction matters: improvements announced at ministry level do not automatically mean households in every location are already experiencing better supply.

What Nigerians should watch next

The real test of the proposed Energy Zones will come when the government provides measurable implementation details: which neighbourhoods will be included, when the zones will become operational, how much additional electricity will be available, what infrastructure upgrades are required and what consumers will pay.

Until those details emerge, the plan represents a potentially significant change in how electricity is prioritised in high-demand parts of Nigeria, but its impact will depend on execution.

From Independence To Influence: Is Nigeria Still Shaping Africa?

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Angel Gimalo

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September 30, 2026

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On October 1, 1960, Nigeria stepped into independence with a new identity and a growing place on the African stage.

Over the decades, the country has played roles that extend far beyond its borders. From supporting African liberation movements and contributing to peacekeeping missions to influencing diplomacy, business, music, film and culture, Nigeria has long been a significant part of the continent’s story.

Today, Nigerian music fills airwaves across Africa. Nollywood productions reach audiences in countries around the continent. Nigerian businesses operate across borders, while Nigerian professionals, entrepreneurs and creatives continue to contribute to Africa’s economic and cultural landscape.

But as Nigeria marks another Independence Day, an important question emerges: Is Nigeria still shaping Africa, or is Africa increasingly shaping Nigeria?

That question goes beyond politics. It touches on Nigeria’s diplomatic influence, economic relationships, cultural reach, tourism potential and ability to translate its enormous human and natural resources into sustained continental influence.

FROM DIPLOMACY TO PEACEKEEPING: NIGERIA’S AFRICAN FOOTPRINT

Since independence, Nigeria has maintained a strong interest in African affairs.

The country has participated in regional diplomacy, contributed to peacekeeping operations and played significant roles in efforts aimed at addressing conflicts across the continent. Through regional organisations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeria has also been involved in efforts to promote regional cooperation, security and stability.

Nigeria’s foreign policy has historically been influenced by the belief that its prosperity and security are closely connected to the stability of the wider African region.

But Africa is changing.

Regional powers are emerging. New alliances are developing. Countries are increasingly pursuing their own strategic interests, while the balance of influence within African institutions and regional blocs continues to evolve.

This raises questions about Nigeria’s current position.

How significant has Nigeria’s diplomatic influence been in shaping Africa since independence? Has the country’s contribution to peacekeeping translated into lasting political influence? And with changing dynamics within ECOWAS and across West Africa, what role should Nigeria be playing today?

There is also another question worth considering: has Nigeria sometimes invested more in solving Africa’s problems than in leveraging those efforts to advance its own long-term strategic interests?

These questions form part of the broader conversation about Nigeria’s place in Africa today.

Also Read: FG Cancels Independence Day Parade

AFRICA THROUGH NIGERIA: CAN TOURISM BRING THE CONTINENT CLOSER?

Nigeria’s influence in Africa is not limited to diplomacy and politics.

The country possesses a diverse cultural and natural heritage, with festivals, historic sites, landscapes and communities that form part of the wider African story.

From the hills of Obudu to the waterfalls of Erin-Ijesha, the ancient city of Kano, the cultural heritage of Osogbo and the coastal communities of Lagos and Cross River, Nigeria has destinations with the potential to attract visitors from across Africa and beyond.

Yet the country’s tourism story raises a larger continental question: Can tourism help Africans discover Africa for themselves?

For decades, much of the conversation about African travel has focused on international visitors coming to the continent. But there is significant potential in Africans travelling within Africa — discovering the history, cultures, landscapes and traditions of neighbouring countries.

Stronger tourism connections could create economic opportunities while also encouraging greater cultural understanding among African countries.

For Nigeria, that could mean developing its infrastructure, improving access to tourist destinations, strengthening security, investing in hospitality and promoting its attractions more strategically to African travellers.

The question is not simply how many tourists Nigeria can attract.

It is also whether Nigeria can use tourism and cultural exchange to strengthen its connections with the rest of the continent.

THE NEXT CHAPTER: CAN NIGERIA CONVERT ITS POTENTIAL INTO CONTINENTAL POWER?

Nigeria has many of the ingredients associated with continental influence.

It has one of Africa’s largest populations, a substantial economy, significant natural resources and a large population of young people, entrepreneurs, professionals and creatives.

But size alone does not automatically translate into influence.

Sustained influence requires economic strength, effective institutions, infrastructure, innovation, security, trade relationships and the ability to build strategic partnerships.

For Nigeria, this raises an important question: What does it need to do at home to strengthen its position abroad?

A stronger Nigerian economy could deepen the country’s ability to invest across Africa. Improved infrastructure could make it easier to trade with neighbouring countries. Greater innovation could strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in emerging industries, while stronger institutions could enhance confidence in its partnerships.

The African Continental Free Trade Area also creates a wider framework for African countries to increase trade and economic integration.

For Nigeria, the opportunity is significant.

The country could potentially deepen trade and investment relationships across the continent while allowing Nigerian businesses, products and services to reach larger markets.

But turning potential into influence requires more than ambition.

It requires consistent policies, stronger domestic foundations and a clear understanding of the kind of role Nigeria wants to play in Africa.

CULTURE: NIGERIA’S MOST VISIBLE EXPORT?

Perhaps nowhere is Nigeria’s continental influence more visible than in culture.

Nigerian music, film, fashion, literature and entertainment have become major components of Africa’s popular culture.

From Afrobeats to Nollywood, Nigerian creative products have travelled far beyond the country’s borders and created connections between Nigerians and audiences across the continent.

This cultural influence has also created an important form of what is often described as soft power — the ability of a country to influence perceptions and relationships through culture, ideas and attraction rather than through political or economic pressure.

For Nigeria, the challenge is how to convert cultural visibility into broader opportunities.

Can the country’s entertainment industry strengthen tourism? Can Nigerian creative businesses expand further into African markets? Can cultural influence contribute to stronger relationships between Nigeria and other African countries?

These questions point to an increasingly interconnected African continent in which influence is no longer defined only by political power.

WHAT SHOULD NIGERIA’S NEXT AFRICAN CHAPTER LOOK LIKE?

As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, the country’s relationship with Africa deserves another look.

From diplomacy and peacekeeping to business, tourism, music, film and culture, Nigeria’s African story has taken many forms.

But influence is never permanent.

It has to be renewed, strengthened and translated into meaningful impact.

The question, therefore, is not simply whether Nigeria has influenced Africa in the past.

It is whether Nigeria can continue to build the economic strength, institutions, partnerships, infrastructure and cultural connections necessary to remain an important force in Africa’s future.

And perhaps the bigger question is this:

What kind of Nigeria does Africa need — and what kind of role does Nigeria want to play in the Africa of tomorrow?

As the country celebrates another Independence Day, the answers may help define not only Nigeria’s next chapter, but also its place in the continent it has helped shape for more than six decades.

THE AGENDA

From Independence to Influence: Is Nigeria Still Shaping Africa?

A special Independence Day edition of The Agenda on LN247.

Trump’s ‘Super Intelligence’ Summit: Self-Regulation, Data Centres, And A Renamed Technology

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September 30, 2026

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Donald Trump with technology executives during a White House summit on artificial intelligence and Super Intelligence — US President Donald Trump meets leading technology executives at the White House to discuss artificial intelligence, AI safety, and the expansion of data centre infrastructure

The guest list at Tuesday’s White House meeting read like a directory of American computing power — OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, Nvidia and SpaceX — and the summit produced one document, one executive order and one unresolved political problem.

Donald Trump with technology executives — US President Donald Trump meets leading technology executives at the White House

The accord

Trump said the executives signed a “morally binding” agreement that would serve as “a form of protection” from AI’s risks, adding that he would establish a board to oversee AI safety without specifying its membership; POLITICO reported he floated a 10-person committee. Signatories named in the released accord were Trump, Sundar Pichai, Dario Amodei, Mark Zuckerberg, Greg Brockman, Jensen Huang, and Elon Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos attended the meeting but does not appear on the signing list. Under the text, companies remain responsible for the safety of their own systems, must implement safeguards to keep models operating as intended, must detect and fix problems quickly, and must engage independent auditors to verify that platforms do not “hack or access technical systems in unintended ways.” Reuters reports the accord concedes that “over time, it may make sense to codify these steps into laws or regulations.”

The criticism

Legal and governance scholars were sharply unconvinced. Kimberlee Weatherall of the University of Sydney said the agreement lets firms define what counts as safety and specifies no consequences for breaches. Jeannie Paterson of the University of Melbourne warned self-regulation risks “only minimal safeguards.” Jose Miguelito Enriquez of Nanyang Technological University said the pact shows emerging consensus but sidesteps accountability for incidents. The scepticism lands amid genuine scrutiny: OpenAI cancelled the release of its flagship GPT-6.1 Astra model over safety concerns on Monday, and its controls have faced examination after incidents involving unauthorised access to Australian government platforms.

Data centres

Trump defended accelerated construction, saying firms would make communities “happy” through “massive contributions.” Jensen Huang reframed the facilities as “super intelligence factories” that are “reindustrialising the United States.” The politics are less comfortable: a Marist/NPR/PBS survey found 65% of registered voters oppose data centres in their area, and construction has become an obstacle for Republicans before November’s midterms.

The renaming. A separate executive order directs federal departments and agencies to adopt “SI” and “Super Intelligence” in official correspondence, websites, and reports, and to stop using “artificial intelligence.”” The State Department has already instructed diplomats accordingly. Some experts doubt the term will hold, since “super intelligence” conventionally describes systems far beyond today’s capabilities — though Paterson noted the US “may well be able to set the nomenclature.”

NNPC Profit Hits ₦7.2tn Despite 24% Revenue Drop

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September 30, 2026

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NNPC profit 2025 rises to ₦7.2 trillion despite revenue decline — NNPC recorded ₦7.2 trillion profit after tax in 2025 despite a 24% decline in revenue.

Nigeria’s state-owned oil company has posted a striking set of numbers: revenue fell sharply, but profit increased.

NNPC Limited reported a profit after tax of ₦7.2 trillion for 2025, up 33% from ₦5.4 trillion in 2024. At the same time, revenue dropped 24% to ₦34.5 trillion.

That apparent contradiction is one reason NNPC has become a major search topic.

NNPC profit rises to ₦7.2 trillion in 2025 as revenue falls by 24% in Nigeria. — NNPC recorded a ₦7.2 trillion profit in 2025 despite a 24% decline in revenue, highlighting the company’s improved profitability amid lower earnings.

So how can a company make less revenue but significantly more profit?

NNPC Made Less Money From Sales

NNPC attributed the fall in revenue mainly to lower international crude oil prices and reduced volumes of refined petroleum products following changes in Nigeria’s downstream market.

Revenue dropped from about ₦45.1 trillion to ₦34.5 trillion, according to figures discussed during the presentation of the company’s audited results.

Normally, a fall of that scale could put considerable pressure on profitability.

But other parts of NNPC’s finances moved in the opposite direction.

So Why Did NNPC Profit Rise?

The company says cost control played an important role.

NNPC Chief Financial Officer Adedapo Segun said management focused on expenses it could control as crude prices weakened. General and administrative expenses reportedly fell by 25%, while their share of revenue dropped from 8% to 7%.

Another factor was debt recovery.

NNPC intensified efforts to collect money owed by companies that had received crude oil and gas but had yet to make full payment. Recovering some of those receivables also allowed the company to reverse provisions previously made for debts considered difficult to recover.

Put simply, NNPC sold less but retained more of what it earned while recovering money previously owed to it.

Oil and Gas Production Also Improved

Operational performance strengthened during the year.

NNPC said crude oil and condensate production averaged 1.77 million barrels per day, its highest level in five years.

Natural gas production averaged 7.2 billion standard cubic feet per day, described by the company as a three-year high.

Its EBITDA — earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation — increased 22% to ₦18 trillion, while operating cash flow rose 16% to ₦12.8 trillion. NNPC also declared a ₦5.8 trillion dividend, 35% higher than the previous year.

Why Fuel Subsidy Is Back in the NNPC Conversation

The financial results have also become part of Nigeria’s continuing debate over petrol subsidies.

Presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga argued on September 29 that returning to the previous subsidy arrangement could damage NNPC’s finances, while commenting on the company’s 2025 performance. His comments represent the Presidency’s position in the ongoing policy debate.

That discussion helps explain why searches around NNPC are currently combining questions about company profits, petroleum prices and fuel subsidies.

What Nigerians Should Watch Next

The bigger question is whether NNPC can sustain the performance.

The company is targeting crude production of 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and 3 million barrels per day by 2030. It also says it plans to mobilise about $60 billion in investment across its upstream, midstream and downstream businesses by 2030.

For Nigerians, the important numbers to watch will therefore extend beyond headline profit.

Future results will show whether higher production, lower operating costs and better debt collection can continue — and whether stronger corporate earnings ultimately translate into more reliable domestic energy supply and higher returns to the government.

Phishing, Spoofed Emails, $2.4M Stolen: Two Nigerians Get 189 Months in US Prison

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September 30, 2026

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Federal courthouse where two Nigerian men were sentenced to 189 months for a $2.4 million cyber fraud scheme. — The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentencing of Chijioke Timothy Odimegwu and Harafat Mogaji on September 25, 2026.

Two Nigerians in the US, Chijioke Odimegwu and Harafat Mogaji, get 189 months in prison and restitution over a $2.4M phishing and wire-fraud scheme.

Two Nigerian nationals living in the United States have been sentenced to a combined 189 months in federal prison for an international cyber fraud scheme that cost businesses more than $2.4 million.

Chijioke Timothy Odimegwu, 25, and Harafat Mogaji, 26, both Delaware residents and U.S. Air Force members at the time of the offences, were sentenced on September 25, 2026, in the Southern District of Iowa.

For nearly two years, the pair and co-conspirators in the U.S. and abroad ran email spam and phishing campaigns that harvested usernames and passwords from company employees. They then created spoofed email addresses mimicking victims and their business partners to trick firms into redirecting legitimate payments into accounts the group controlled.

llustration showing phishing emails and spoofed business emails diverting wire transfers into fraud-controlled bank accounts — Phishing emails stole staff login credentials, and spoofed addresses tricked businesses into redirecting genuine payments to fraudster-controlled accounts.

More than $1.68 million sent by an Iowa City business was diverted to a Chicago account, and over $720,000 from an Ohio victim was stolen the same way. Bank details, PINs and card data were also harvested, including card details belonging to a non-profit in Pella, Iowa.

Odimegwu got 111 months and $366,617.59 restitution; Mogaji got 78 months and $995,680.45. Each will serve three years of supervised release.

Travel Visa: 4 Countries Nigerians Can Visit Without Visa

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September 30, 2026

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Nigerian passport representing travel visa options for Nigerians in 2026 — Nigerian passport holders have several destinations they can visit without completing a conventional embassy travel visa process.

For many Nigerians planning an international trip, one question comes before the flight ticket or hotel booking: Will I need a visa?

Interest in “travel visa” has risen on Google as travellers search for destinations with less complicated entry requirements.

While Nigerian passport holders still need advance visas for many popular destinations, there are countries where the process is considerably simpler.

Here are four destinations in the Americas that Nigerian travellers can consider in 2026.

1. Barbados

Nigerian passport holders travelling to Barbados for tourism do not need to obtain a visitor visa before arrival.

Barbados travel destination for Nigerians seeking visa-free entry in 2026 — Barbados is among the Caribbean destinations Nigerian passport holders can visit without applying for a conventional tourist visa before travelling.

Barbados Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists Nigeria among countries whose nationals can enter without a visa, with Nigerian visitors permitted to stay for up to six months for tourism.

That does not mean travellers can simply arrive without documentation. Immigration officials can still request proof of accommodation, sufficient funds, return travel and other supporting documents.

2. Dominica

Dominica is another Caribbean destination with relatively straightforward entry rules for Nigerian travellers.

The Government of Dominica says citizens of Commonwealth countries can visit for up to six months without obtaining a visa. Nigeria is a Commonwealth member, making Nigerian passport holders eligible under that provision.

Travellers are expected to have a valid passport, return ticket, sufficient funds and a local address during their stay.

3. Haiti

Haiti is currently listed among destinations Nigerian passport holders can access without obtaining a conventional visa before travelling, with current passport data indicating stays of up to 90 days.

However, entry conditions and the security situation can change, so travellers should verify the latest official travel and immigration requirements before purchasing tickets.

4. Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis works slightly differently.

Nigerians may not need a conventional embassy visa for the applicable short stay, but travellers are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before departure.

Current information lists stays of up to 90 days under the applicable arrangement.

That distinction is important because an eTA is still a pre-travel requirement, even though it is different from going through the traditional visa application process.

Visa-free does not mean document-free

One mistake travellers often make is assuming that “visa-free” means the only thing they need is a passport.

Immigration authorities may still request documents such as:

* A valid Nigerian passport

* Return or onward flight ticket

* Hotel reservation or confirmed accommodation

* Evidence of sufficient funds

* Travel insurance where applicable

* Yellow fever vaccination certificate where required

Airlines may also verify entry requirements before allowing passengers to board.

What Nigerian travellers should check before paying for a flight

Visa and immigration rules can change quickly.

Before booking, travellers should check the destination country’s official immigration or foreign affairs website and confirm whether the requirement is visa-free entry, visa on arrival, an eVisa or an electronic travel authorisation.

This matters because these terms are often grouped together online even though they involve different procedures.

The bottom line

For Nigerians searching for an easier travel visa, destinations such as Barbados and Dominica provide alternatives to countries that require lengthy embassy applications.

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Burkina Faso Opens First Gold Refinery: What It Means For Africa?

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September 30, 2026

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Captain Ibrahim Traoré with guests at the opening of Raffinor-BF, Burkina Faso's first gold refinery, in Ouagadougou — Captain Ibrahim Traoré at the inauguration of Raffinor-BF, Burkina Faso's first gold refinery, in Ouagadougou on Monday.

“Our gold will no longer be used to create added value for others while our people remain in need.” — Mines Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba”

Captain Ibrahim Traoré addressing guests at the opening of Raffinor-BF, Burkina Faso's first gold refinery, in Ouagadougou — Captain Ibrahim Traoré speaks at the inauguration of Raffinor-BF, Burkina Faso’s first gold refinery, in Ouagadougou on Monday.

Burkina Faso has commissioned its first gold refinery, the Raffinor-BF plant in Ouagadougou, as the military government moves to process more of its mineral wealth domestically and tighten state control over the mining sector.

Junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, speaking at Monday’s inauguration, said the country aims to “refine all our metals on site” and host the entire value chain at home, positioning the landlocked nation as a regional gold-refining hub.

The facility cost more than 11bn CFA francs ($19m), financed by the state through the National Precious Metals Company, Sonasp, with private-sector partners. It will initially refine 164 tonnes of gold a year — well above current national output — with planned capacity of 515 tonnes.

Foreign miners must now cede a 15% state stake and train local workers. Authorities say unregulated artisanal mining and smuggling, partly funding jihadist insurgents, remain the sector’s biggest challenge.

What It Means for Africa

1. The real prize for Africa is a challenge to the refining oligopoly.

Most African gold has historically been exported as doré to Switzerland, the UAE and Singapore, where the value-chain services — refining, branding, financing, certification, ETF custody — are booked. Shifting refining onshore moves technical jobs, assay labs, skilled chemists, insurance and logistics ecosystems onto the continent. That is a genuine capability transfer.

Interior view of the new Raffinor-BF gold refinery plant on the edge of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso — The Raffinor-BF refinery, built at a cost of over 11bn CFA francs ($19m), can refine 164 tonnes of gold a year.

2. But Africa still has to clear two hard gates.

Accreditation: A bar from a new refinery is only worth a premium if it achieves good-delivery status on the international market. Without it, bars trade at a discount and the whole exercise becomes a costly middleman step. This is where most African “value addition” projects quietly fail.

Feedstock discipline. Refineries die when they don’t have metal. Five competing West African refineries with combined nameplate capacity well north of 1,000 tonnes against a region whose formal, declared output is only a fraction of that, means a scramble for feedstock — and a temptation to ask fewer questions about its provenance.

3. The collective-action test.

This is the pivotal question for the continent. If Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, Ghana, Niger and Côte d’Ivoire harmonise standards, share assay infrastructure and set common terms for buyers, they hold real leverage over global refiners — the closest thing mining has to a cartel in a commodity Africa already dominates on the supply side. If they compete, they will undercut each other on fees to attract the same gold and the same buyers, and the incumbents in Europe and the Gulf lose nothing.

Stacks of refined gold bars produced at Burkina Faso's new national gold refinery — Refined gold at the Ouagadougou plant, which the government says could eventually process 515 tonnes annually.

4. Geo-politically, it is another step westward-outward.

Russian technical involvement in Mali’s refinery, the absence of French and Western partners, and the Sahel states’ push for their own currency arrangements all point to Burkina Faso building economic institutions outside the franc-zone architecture. Gold is the natural collateral for that project — which is why a refinery is as much a political declaration as an industrial one.