Dangote Refinery has lowered the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit by N25 per litre.
As a result, the ex depot price has decreased from N799 to N774 per litre.
The price adjustment was announced in a notice issued to marketers by the Group Commercial Operations Department of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, stating that it takes effect immediately.
“This is to notify you of a change in our PMS gantry price from N799 per litre to N774 per litre,” the notice read.
The refinery also informed marketers that its PMS lifting incentive programme has been discontinued.
The price revision is expected to enhance the competitiveness of locally refined petroleum products.
The reduction in the ex depot price announced on Tuesday marks the latest adjustment in the cost of the essential commodity, which analysts say is largely influenced by exchange rate movements and global crude oil prices, among other factors.
In the previous year, the ex depot price fluctuated mostly between N700 and above N800 per litre, impacting the retail pump price of PMS.
The 650,000 barrel per day Dangote refinery, the largest in Africa, commenced petrol distribution in 2024.
In January of that year, the facility established by Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote began producing diesel and aviation fuel.
Nigeria has historically exchanged crude oil valued at billions of dollars for imported petrol, which was subsidised for years to keep domestic prices low.
Fuel imports and subsidy payments significantly depleted foreign exchange reserves at a time when the country has been facing declining oil revenues and shortages of foreign currency.
Since assuming office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu has removed longstanding fuel subsidies and allowed the naira to float as part of economic reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment and fostering sustainable growth.
However, in the immediate term, fuel prices have more than doubled, and inflation reached a 30 year high of 34 percent in June 2024.
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has introduced a major initiative to support small businesses across Nigeria, offering free business name registration to 3,500 enterprises across the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Registrar-General of the commission, Hussaini Magaji, shared the announcement in a post on the CAC’s X handle on Monday.
Magaji explained that the programme is intended to reduce the cost of business formalisation for micro and small enterprises and to encourage more entrepreneurs to operate within the formal economy.
“In the spirit of the celebration, the CAC has announced free business name registration for 3,500 small businesses, to be distributed across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory,” the commission said in a statement.
He added that the initiative seeks to motivate small businesses to formalise their operations, giving them access to government services, financing opportunities, and broader participation in the economy.
Reflecting on the commission’s 35-year history, the registrar-general described the CAC as a product of “vision, innovation, and sustained commitment to national development.”
He noted that the agency has evolved into a technology-driven organisation prioritising efficiency, transparency, and adherence to global best practices.
As part of efforts to advance digital transformation, Magaji revealed that the CAC would sign a collaboration letter with Google to strengthen its digital infrastructure and service delivery. He said the partnership is expected to enhance portal performance and further simplify the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Magaji also disclosed the launch of a redesigned CAC website featuring new digital tools, including an AI Lawyer and a business name generator.
He explained that the AI Lawyer will provide instant guidance on CAC laws and procedures, while the business name generator will make reserving scalable business names easier.
In a move to end years of bloodshed, farmers and herders from six rural communities in Bokkos and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State have formalised 25 peace agreements designed to restore calm and rebuild mutual trust.
The deals were signed by representatives, both men and women, from Sha, Bum and Sopp communities, areas that have repeatedly witnessed deadly clashes and extensive destruction of property.
The agreements emerged after a series of dialogue and reconciliation meetings organised by the Institute for Integrated Transitions as part of broader efforts to promote unity and secure lasting peace in conflict affected rural areas.
Lazaros David, a senior district head from Bokkos Local Government Area who took part in the process, described the initiative as both timely and necessary in light of the serious challenges confronting the communities.
He said the facilitators were able to unite residents at the grassroots level through consistent and sustained engagement.
“They followed the programme time after time to ensure its success. They identified our problems and discussed them together with us,” he said.
David expressed optimism that the resolutions would be carried out faithfully, noting that community leaders plan to use gatherings in churches and mosques to reinforce the peace message.
“Where you often see your people, we’ll make sure this peace holds,” he added.
Another participant, Chiroma Haruna Idris, said the effort would significantly help to rebuild stability and harmony between farmers and herders.
“Our coming here has helped us understand the challenges, and we’re confident that what we’ve learned will assist us in addressing our common concerns peacefully without further disruption and confusion,” Idris said, adding that the agreements would address longstanding grievances between the groups.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has confirmed the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Nigerian Senate. In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday, February 9, 2026, a three member panel of justices held that the Senate acted within its constitutional and procedural authority when it imposed a six month suspension on the lawmaker over alleged misconduct.
The appellate court ruled that the suspension did not breach Senator Akpoti Uduaghan’s parliamentary privileges or her fundamental constitutional rights.
However, the court overturned the contempt proceedings and the five million naira fine earlier imposed on her by the Federal High Court following a satirical apology she directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Background of the Suspension
The dispute originated from an incident that occurred on February 20, 2025, during a Senate plenary session. At the sitting, the Senate President reassigned Senator Akpoti Uduaghan’s seat and instructed her to move to a different location.
She declined to comply with the directive and insisted on addressing the chamber from her former seat. As a result, the Senate President refused to grant her the floor, relying on Senate Rules which require lawmakers to speak only from their officially assigned seats.
Her continued refusal to obey the instruction, along with her failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Petitions, and Privileges to which the matter had been referred, prompted disciplinary action. The Senate subsequently imposed a six month suspension on her.
Senator Akpoti Uduaghan challenged the suspension before the courts, contending that it violated her rights and parliamentary privileges.
The Federal High Court initially entertained the suit, but aspects of the case, including the contempt findings, were later taken on appeal.
Key Rulings from the Appeal Court
In its decision, the Court of Appeal affirmed the Senate’s authority to discipline its members. In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Abba B. Muhammed, also identified in some reports as A. B. Muhammed or Abba Bello Mohammed, the court held that the Senate is empowered under its Standing Rules, including Section 66(4), to sanction erring lawmakers in order to maintain order and ensure smooth legislative proceedings.
The justices also ruled that the Senate President has the power to allocate seats within the chamber and that prior notice is not required before such changes are made.
The court found that Senator Akpoti Uduaghan was wrong to refuse to move to her newly assigned seat, noting that her action justified the enforcement of Senate orders.
On the issue of rights, the court held that there was no violation of parliamentary privilege or constitutional guarantees. According to the judgment, the senator failed to properly position herself in accordance with Senate procedures to exercise her right to speak.
The appellate court, however, criticized the Federal High Court’s handling of the contempt proceedings. It identified procedural defects, including the failure to properly serve Forms 48 and 49, and on that basis set aside the contempt finding and nullified the five million naira fine imposed on the senator.
The court also dismissed claims that the suspension violated an earlier order made by Justice Obiora Egwuatu. It held that the judge’s recusal from the case and the recommencement of proceedings before Justice Binta Nyako meant that any prior order was no longer in effect.
The appeal, identified as CA ABJ CV 1107 2025, was filed against the Clerk of the National Assembly and other parties.
Implications for Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan
The decision of the Court of Appeal carries far reaching consequences for the suspended lawmaker.
The six month suspension remains in effect, meaning that Senator Akpoti Uduaghan will continue to be barred from participating in Senate sittings, debates, committee assignments, and the receipt of legislative allowances for the duration of the suspension.
This effectively removes her from active legislative duties until the suspension period ends, unless further legal steps alter the outcome.
Politically, the ruling reinforces the authority of the Senate to manage its internal affairs and limits the scope of judicial intervention in legislative discipline, except where clear constitutional violations are established. This outcome may weaken the senator’s standing in ongoing political disputes within the Senate and among her constituents.
The decision nevertheless provides partial relief, as the setting aside of the contempt charge and fine removes the financial burden of the five million naira penalty and clears her of the stigma associated with a contempt finding.
As the judgment was delivered by the Court of Appeal, Senator Akpoti Uduaghan retains the option of approaching the Supreme Court. Any further appeal would depend on her ability to establish substantial errors of law or jurisdiction in the appellate court’s decision.
Beyond the individual case, the ruling strengthens the precedent affirming the autonomy of the National Assembly in regulating its internal conduct, a position that could influence the handling of future disciplinary matters within the legislature.
The Senate has welcomed the judgment, describing it as a validation of its disciplinary powers.
Senator Akpoti Uduaghan and her supporters have continued to frame the case as a struggle against what they view as institutional overreach, although the appellate decision clearly favors the position of the upper legislative chamber.
The ruling represents a significant moment in the high profile confrontation between the senator and the leadership of the Senate, with her suspension now firmly upheld at the appellate level.
Israel’s Security Cabinet on Sunday approved a series of measures aimed at significantly changing the legal and civil framework in the occupied West Bank, boosting Israeli control and facilitating settlement expansion, Israeli media reported.
According to public broadcaster KAN, the decisions, driven by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, include repealing a Jordanian-era law that prohibits the sale of Palestinian land to Jews in the West Bank, unsealing land ownership records, and transferring authority over building permits in a Hebron settlement bloc from the Palestinian municipality to Israel’s Civil Administration.
Yedioth Ahronoth noted that these steps are expected to transform land registration and purchase processes in the West Bank. Opening land records will publicly reveal property owners’ names, allowing Israeli buyers to contact them directly and streamlining land acquisitions and settlement expansion.
The cabinet also eliminated the need for a special “transaction permit” to finalize land purchases and reduced the Civil Administration’s oversight to basic registration requirements, a move the newspaper described as a significant legal shift that would be challenging to reverse.
Additionally, the measures expand Israeli enforcement powers into Areas A and B, citing alleged violations such as unlicensed construction, water-related issues, and damage to archaeological and environmental sites. This could allow Israeli authorities to demolish or seize Palestinian property even in areas under Palestinian civil and security control, the reports said.
Some of the decisions directly impact Hebron, transferring planning and construction authority at the Ibrahimi Mosque and surrounding religious sites from the Hebron municipality to Israel’s Civil Administration planning bodies. This change would conflict with arrangements under the 1997 Hebron Protocol between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization.
KAN quoted Katz as saying the decisions “reflect a clear policy to strengthen the Israeli presence in Judea and Samaria,” using the Hebrew term for the West Bank. Smotrich added that the measures “end discrimination against settlers,” according to the broadcaster.
Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, Area A is under full Palestinian civil and security control, Area B under Palestinian civil control with Israeli security oversight, and Area C under full Israeli control.
Israeli authorities have continued demolishing Palestinian homes and structures across the West Bank due to lack of permits, amid what Palestinians describe as restrictive policies making it extremely difficult to obtain building approvals.
According to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, Israel carried out 538 demolitions in 2025, affecting roughly 1,400 homes and structures—an unprecedented rise compared with previous years.
The Senate has approved the electronic transmission of election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV), while also allowing manual collation as a fallback in cases where technology fails.
The decision came after lawmakers revisited a contentious provision of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill during an emergency plenary session on Tuesday.
Although the upper chamber endorsed electronic transmission, it stopped short of making it mandatory and rejected a proposal for real-time uploading of results.
Under the amended section, presiding officers are required to electronically transmit polling unit results to the IReV portal once voting concludes and the prescribed documentation is completed.
However, the provision states that if electronic transmission cannot be carried out due to communication or network challenges, the manually completed result sheet, Form EC8A, will serve as the primary basis for collation and declaration of results.
While putting the amendment to a voice vote, Senate President Godswill Akpabio called on any senator opposed to the proposal to present a counter-motion. He clarified that the motion before the chamber sought to rescind an earlier decision on Section 60, Subsection 3 of the Electoral Act.
Reading the revised clause, Akpabio explained that presiding officers must electronically transmit results after Form EC8A has been signed and stamped, and countersigned by candidates or polling agents where available. He noted that the amendment also makes provisions for instances where agents may not be present.
He further stated that in the event of electronic transmission failure due to network or communication issues, the signed and stamped Form EC8A would become the authoritative document for result collation and declaration.
The amendment has drawn criticism from civil society groups and opposition stakeholders, who warn that allowing manual results to take precedence in certain circumstances could undermine transparency and open the door to possible manipulation, particularly in areas with limited network coverage.
In Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to address the massive metering gap and eliminate estimated billing, confusion persists among electricity consumers about whether prepaid meters are provided free of charge.
Recent clarifications from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and related government initiatives shed light on the situation, particularly as the World Bank-supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP)continues its rollout.
Government Rollout Program
The DISREP, a $500 million intervention funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the Federal Government through the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), targets improving the financial sustainability of electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).
Key focuses include reducing Aggregate Technical, Commercial, and Collection (ATC&C) losses, currently around 33% nationally and closing the metering deficit, estimated at about 5.3 million unmetered customers.
Under DISREP, the program aims to deploy over 3.2 million smart meters over four years. As of recent updates, nearly 700,000 meters have been delivered, with installations progressing, though slower than anticipated (around 150,000–200,000 installed so far).
The Federal Government fully funds these meters through concessional financing, meaning they are provided and installed free of charge to eligible customers at the point of installation.
NERC Chairman Musiliu Oseni and BPE officials have emphasized that DisCos are prohibited from charging customers any upfront fees for DISREP meters. DisCos will repay the government loans over time at minimal interest rates, with recovery potentially built into broader sector tariffs rather than direct consumer payments for the meters themselves.
Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu has reinforced this, stating during inspections that demanding payments for these meters is an offence.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Clarification
Amid public confusion and reports of some DisCos or agents attempting charges, NERC has clearly stated that “not all meters are free.” Only those supplied under government-funded programs like DISREP are 100% free at installation.
In a recent radio interview on Fresh FM, Chairman Musiliu Oseni explained: “The meter provided by the government is 100 per cent free. The DISREP meter is free because it is paid for by the government. Through the tariff, DisCos are not going to charge customers because of the meter. They are to provide it free of charge.”
He added that previous customers who paid upfront under approved schemes may be entitled to refunds in certain cases.
NERC has warned against illegal collections and stressed vigilance, aligning with the Minister’s directive that meters under DISREP must be installed free regardless of tariff band.
How To Get An Electricity Meter
Consumers have options depending on urgency and availability:
Free DISREP Meter (Government-Funded)
•Wait for rollout in your area, DisCos handle deployment.
•No payment required at installation.
•Check for “DISREP” marking to confirm.
•Report delays or demands via your DisCo’s customer channels or NERC.
Paid Option via Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Scheme
For those unable to wait due to timing or logistics.
• Apply through your DisCo’s office, website, approved agents, or registered MAP companies (NERC-approved).
• Pay upfront or via approved financing (costs vary; recent examples show single-phase meters around ₦100,000–₦130,000+ VAT, three-phase higher, depending on provider and DisCo, prices are periodically updated and deregulated in some cases).
• Ensure payments go to registered companies, not individuals.
• Installation typically occurs within 10 working days of payment under MAP rules.
• Refer to your DisCo’s website or NERC guidelines for detailed procedures and approved MAP lists.
The government remains committed to ending estimated billing through accelerated metering, but rollout pace varies by region and DisCo.
Consumers should stay informed via official NERC or DisCo channels and avoid unofficial agents to prevent fraud.
To identify genuine DISREP meters and avoid exploitation, consumers should look for the “DISREP” inscription (often following the DisCo’s name) on the device.
Customers are urged to report any illegal demands to NERC or their DisCo.
As DISREP progresses, more households are expected to benefit from free smart meters, enhancing transparency and service delivery in the sector.
China has firmly rejected accusations from the United States that it carried out covert nuclear explosive tests, dismissing the claims as false and accusing Washington of using them to justify restarting its own nuclear weapons testing programme.
The denial came on Monday after the US raised the allegations at the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. Speaking on Friday, Thomas DiNanno, the US under secretary of state for arms control, alleged that China had conducted secret nuclear tests, including one on 22 June 2020, and was preparing for further tests involving large explosive yields.
In response, China’s foreign ministry strongly pushed back. “The US allegations are completely groundless and are outright lies. China firmly opposes the US attempt to fabricate excuses for its own restarting of nuclear tests,” the ministry said in a statement to AFP on Monday. It also called on Washington to “immediately stop its irresponsible actions”.
US President Donald Trump had previously said in October that the United States would resume nuclear weapons testing “on an equal basis” with Russia and China, though he did not specify the nature or scope of the tests being considered.
DiNanno’s remarks were made as he unveiled a new US proposal for trilateral talks with Russia and China aimed at setting fresh limits on nuclear arsenals. The proposal follows the expiration of New START, the final remaining nuclear arms control treaty between Washington and Moscow which ended last Thursday.
China, however, has already ruled out joining such disarmament negotiations “at this stage”, maintaining its long-held position on the issue.
Senegalese authorities say they have arrested 14 people and dismantled an alleged paedophile network operating between Senegal and France. According to police, all of those detained are Senegalese nationals and were part of a “transnational” criminal group that has reportedly been active since 2017.
In a statement, police said the suspects are accused of “organised paedophilia, pimping, rape of minors under 15, sodomy, and intentional transmission of HIV/Aids”. Investigators allege the group repeatedly coerced boys into having “unprotected sex” with men many of whom were reportedly HIV-positive and recorded the abuse.
Authorities said four of the suspects acted “on the instructions” of a French national who was arrested in France in April 2025, allegedly receiving money transfers in return. The 14 suspects appeared before a judge on Friday following coordinated searches in several areas of Dakar and in Kaolack, about 200km (124 miles) south-east of the capital.
Police said the raids led to the seizure of items believed to be connected to the alleged crimes. “The DIC [Criminal Investigations Division] carried out a major operation, dismantling a transnational organised criminal group whose members are based primarily between France and Senegal,” the statement said. The operation was conducted in collaboration with French authorities, with a delegation of French officers taking part.
Senegalese police said investigations are ongoing and pledged to continue tracking and dismantling similar criminal networks. A toll-free hotline has also been made available for members of the public to share information related to the case.
The UK government has announced an expansion of its immigration pathway for people from Hong Kong, opening the door to thousands more migrants. Under the new rules, adult children of British National (Overseas) status holders and their families will be able to apply to move to the UK independently.
The decision comes against the backdrop of continued restrictions on rights and freedoms in Hong Kong and follows the sentencing of British citizen and pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison under Beijing’s National Security Law.
Under the expanded scheme, adult children of BN(O) status holders who were under the age of 18 at the time of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China will now qualify to apply on their own, without relying on their parents’ applications. Their spouses and children will also be eligible, with the government estimating that around 26,000 people could relocate to the UK over the next five years.
A statement published on the UK government’s website on Monday said the move reflects Britain’s long-standing commitment to the people of Hong Kong, particularly as conditions in the territory continue to worsen.
Officials pointed to Jimmy Lai’s sentencing as a clear sign of increasing repression. “The Prime Minister raised Mr Lai’s case directly with President Xi during his visit, opening up discussion of the UK’s most acute concerns directly with the Chinese government, at the highest levels. Now that the sentencing has happened, the government will rapidly engage further on Mr Lai’s case,” the statement said.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reaffirmed the UK’s position, saying: “This country will always honour its historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong. We are proud to have already provided a safe haven to almost 170,000 Hong Kongers since 2021.
“In the face of the continued deterioration of rights and freedoms, we are now expanding eligibility so more families can build new lives here. While we must restore order and control to our borders, the British people will always welcome those in genuine need of sanctuary.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also stressed the government’s ongoing support: “Though Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms continue to erode, this government’s support for its people remains steadfast, and that’s why we are ensuring that young people who missed out on resettlement protection because of their age will now be covered.”
Since the BN(O) visa route was introduced, more than 230,000 visas have been issued, with nearly 170,000 people already settling in the UK. Officials said the latest expansion addresses gaps in the system that previously resulted in “unfair outcomes within families, with some children able to resettle and others not.”
The announcement is part of wider reforms to the UK’s asylum and immigration system, aimed at creating additional humanitarian pathways for those escaping conflict and persecution. These capped routes are intended to provide safe, legal alternatives to dangerous small boat crossings and will be rolled out once border controls are strengthened.
The government also highlighted related initiatives, including extending the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme for another year, offering protection to 310,000 Ukrainians and their families, and the resettlement of more than 37,000 Afghans since 2021 over 12,000 of whom assisted British forces during operations in Afghanistan.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
