Energy

FEC Orders Full Implementation of Naira-for-Crude agreement

By Web News 157

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has officially directed the full implementation of the suspended Naira-for-Crude agreement with local refiners.

The Ministry of Finance disclosed this on its official X handle titled “Update on the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira Initiative,” on Wednesday.

Recall that the first phase of the six-month deal involving the Federal Government, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and Dangote Petroleum Refinery ended March 31, 2025.

It has not been renewed and the Dangote refinery has since stopped selling refined petroleum products in naira due to the non-renewal of the naira-for-crude deal.

In a new update on Wednesday, the committee said the policy is not temporary but a long-term plan to cut Nigeria’s dependence on foreign exchange for petroleum.

This came after a key meeting on Tuesday to review progress and tackle ongoing issues.

It added that the initiative is not a temporary or time-bound intervention, but a key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining, and bolster energy security.

The statement read, “The Technical Sub-Committee on the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative convened an update meeting on Tuesday to review progress and address ongoing implementation matters.

“The stakeholders reaffirmed the government’s continued commitment to the full implementation of this strategic initiative, as directed by the Federal Executive Council.

“Thus, the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative is not a temporary or time-bound intervention, but a key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining, bolster energy security, and reduce reliance on foreign exchange in the domestic petroleum market.”

The policy, which mandates the transaction of crude oil and refined petroleum products in Naira, is aimed at strengthening the country’s economic sovereignty, enhancing local refining capacity, and stabilising the foreign exchange market by reducing the demand for dollars in domestic petroleum transactions.

The ministry explained that this policy is structured to foster energy security and encourage investment in domestic refining infrastructure.

While acknowledging that the transition involves complexities, the government admitted that existing challenges are being systematically addressed.

“As with any major policy shift, the Committee acknowledges that implementation challenges may arise from time to time.

“However, such issues are being actively addressed through coordinated efforts among all parties. The initiative remains in effect and will continue for as long as it aligns with the public interest and supports national economic objectives,” it noted.

The statement added that the meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Implementation Committee, Hon. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; the Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee and Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Zacch Adedeji; the Chief Financial Officer of NNPC Limited, Mr. Dapo Segun; the Coordinator of NNPC Refineries; Management of NNPC Trading.

Also present were representatives from Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Ports Authority, Afreximbank, and the Secretary of the Committee, Hauwa Ibrahim.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Education

FEC Unveils New Private Universities

By Web News 1100

Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved the establishment of 37 new universities across the country.

Briefing State House Correspondents after the extraordinary meeting presided over by Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa Abuja, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu said the approval followed a memo presented to FEC by the ministry.

He said the approval became imperative based on the importance of Education to the economic development of the country.

FEC also approved the Universal Implementation of the Employee Compensation Act, ECA, 2010.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige said the law was operated by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, noting that it was a replacement of the old Employee Compensation Act that was known as “Workmen Compensation.”

According to him, the Council approved it for universal implementation, meaning that apart from the private sector, which is already implementing, the public sector, which comprises the federal, state, and local governments, will adopt it for the protection of their workers.

On the warning strike threatened by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Chris Ngige said it was unnecessary since the government was already engaged with the Nigerian Medical Association, their umbrella body.

FRCN Abuja/Adetutu Adetule

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Education

FG Makes Instruction in Mother Tongue Mandatory in Primary Schools

By Web News 498

The Federal Executive Council has approved a new National Language Policy making the various mother tongues compulsory medium of instruction from Primary one to six.

Briefing state house correspondents, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who noted that the policy takes immediate effect, stated that the government is aware that its implementation will be difficult, but necessary to promote the cultivation and use of all Nigerian languages.

He revealed that as of today 29 languages have become extinct, leaving the country with 625 languages.

For this reason, he disclosed that the mother tongue will be used exclusively for the first six years of education, and then combined with the English language from Junior Secondary School.

Adamu said even though the policy has officially taken effect, it can only be fully implemented when government develops instructional materials and qualified teachers are available.

He further explains that the mother tongue to be used in each school will be the dominant language spoken by the community where it is located.

President Muhammadu Buhari presided over the Federal Executive Council Meeting on Wednesday.

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo as well as a number of cabinet members were physically in attendance.

The Ministers include that of Transportation, Muazu Sambo; Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; Education, Adamu Adamu; Power, Abubakar Aliyu; state for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva.

Others are Ministers of Niger Delta affairs, Umana Umana; Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo.

Before the Council meeting, members observed a minute silence in honour of elder statesman and former Minister of Steel Development, Dr. Paul Unongo.

Dr Unongo had held several political positions and was involved in constitutional conferences. Until his death, the late Unongo was Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC)

Radio Nigeria Ibadan had in October raised concerns through a publication on the neglect of Mother Tongue and its implications

Channels TV/Simeon Ugbodovon

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News

PMB Chairs Virtual FEC Meeting

By Web News 500

The virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council is going on at the Council Chambers of the presidential villa, Abuja, with President Muhammadu Buhari chairing the meeting.

Physically present at the meeting are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari and Head of the Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan.

Also present are Ministers of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello and Education, Adamu Adamu.

Others are the Ministers of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, as well as Ministers of State for Agriculture, Mustapha Shehuri, Budget and National Planning Clement Agba and Environment, Udi Odum.

The rest cabinet members are participating virtually from their respective offices in Abuja.

Bello Wakili/Adetutu Adetule

News

FG Approves Four New Projects

By Web News 641

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved approximately N600 million for the purchase of four customized armoured carriers for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

Briefing newsmen on the development, the Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abubakar Malami, said the delivery period of the vehicles was 16 weeks.

According to the Minister, the purchase is intended to protect agency personnel from recent attacks stemming from the agency’s successes against drug traffickers.

He said the agency’s successes have positively influenced Nigeria’s international reputation.

The FEC also gave the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development approval to construct a 27-kilometre retaining wall around the salt lake project in Ebonyi State to prevent the commodity from eroding during the rainy season.

The Minister, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, who explained that with the approval, Nigeria would be able to save a significant amount of foreign exchange, stated that the contract was awarded for about N2 million and would be completed in six months.

The FEC also approved a memorandum requesting the continuation of the second phase of the National Sugar Masterplan for another ten years, with the goal of making Nigeria self-sufficient in sugar production.

Mr Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, stated that the initiative would create thousands of new jobs.

The FEC also approved over N27 billion for the rehabilitation of the Iduane-Okiwo road, which connects Ondo and Edo states.

Abdullah Bello/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Politics

Resign if You Have Political Ambition; Buhari Tells Appointees

By Web News 511

The President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered all members of his cabinet and appointees vying for electoral offices to resign on or before May 16, 2022.

The order came at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by the President at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.

Minister of information, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this to State House correspondents shortly after the meeting.

Cabinet members affected include Ministers of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio; Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; Justice minister and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

Others include the Minister of State, Mines and Steel, Uche Ogar, who is running for the governorship position in Abia State; Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, who declared her ambition to contest the senatorial seat in Plateau State.

In the meantime, The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, has followed the directive of the President.

 Highly reliable sources within the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Ministry of science and technology confirmed to The PUNCH that the minister had indeed dropped his resignation.
“The minister was at the office of the SGF to drop his resignation. That was expected seeing as the president asked that they all should resign”, one source said.

Onu had on May 6, 2022, declared for the presidency under the ruling All Progressives Congress.

He follows the footstep of  the minister of state for education, Emeka Nwajiuba whose resignation was announced by the President during the FEC meeting.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

News

BREAKING: FEC Approves 14-Day Paternity Leave

By Web News 651

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the right to 14-day paternity leave for male Federal civil servants to allow them to bond with their infants.

This was disclosed to State House Correspondents on Wednesday by the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, after the week’s virtual FEC meeting presided over by Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

She said this is to enable for proper bonding between the father and a newborn, either natural-born or adopted, especially at the early stages of the child’s life.

Mrs. Yemi -Esan further explained that fathers of adopted babies of less than four months will also enjoy this gesture.

The Nation