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World Entourage Magazine, No4, Suite 58 Jam Nab Plaza, Akintola Boulivard, Garki II, Abuja, Garki (2026)

07/10/2026

Port Harcourt Refinery Support Staff Issue 48-Hour Ultimatum, Threaten Total Shutdown Over Seven Months’ Unpaid Salaries

Support staff of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) in Eleme, Rivers State, on Monday staged a protest and issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), threatening a complete shutdown of the facility if their demands are not met.

Members of the Support Staff Union of the Port Harcourt Refining Company barricaded the main entrance of the refinery complex, displayed placards with inscriptions such as “Workers deserve dignity: Fair pay is our right” and “Stop the delay, no more postponement,” and erected tents outside the gate. The action temporarily disrupted activities at the plant.

The workers are protesting the non-payment of seven months’ salaries and the failure to implement a new salary structure and remuneration package that was recently approved by NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari and was supposed to take effect from 1 October 2026.

Union Chairman Bennett Isy told journalists that the Refinery Coordinator had refused to implement the approved package despite the GCEO’s directive. He warned that the workers would completely shut down the refinery if their demands were not met within 48 hours.

“You cannot tell us that the GCEO of the NNPCL approved something and the RC will say no. The RC should stop using the powers of Aso Rock to intimidate workers,” Isy said. “We are saying that we are not backing down. We are following all due process to ensure that what rightly belongs to us gets to us; but if it is not implemented in the next 48 hours, to God, we are going to shut down this refinery. Not one soul will gain access to these premises. That I assure you.”

In addition to the implementation of the new salary structure, the union is demanding the urgent payment of the seven months’ outstanding salaries and other entitlements, approval of a one-time ₦1 million housing or rent relief for eligible support staff, and improved consultation between the Refinery Coordinator, managing directors and recognised labour representatives on workers’ welfare matters.

Some of the protesters also called for the removal of the Refinery Coordinator, accusing him of delaying the payment of salaries and welfare benefits. A female union member, Joy Osueiya, rejected suggestions that the workers should wait until January 2027, describing the proposed timeline as too late.

The protest follows earlier complaints by support staff at the Port Harcourt Refinery over prolonged salary delays and welfare issues. As of the time of the demonstration, management had not issued an official response to the ultimatum.

06/10/2026

Nigeria’s electricity crisis deepens as 16 power plants shut down, plunging homes and businesses into prolonged blackouts

Nigeria’s chronic power shortages intensified on Monday as 16 major generating stations recorded zero output, driving national electricity generation sharply lower and leaving households and businesses across the country facing extended blackouts.

Data from the Nigeria Independent System Operator (NISO) showed total real-time generation had fallen to just 2,033.66 megawatts by 3 p.m., with only 13 plants still producing power. The figure marks a steep decline of more than 3,300 MW—or about 62 per cent—from the 5,403 MW available on September 24.
Among the stations forced offline were several of the country’s largest facilities, including Egbin, Geregu NIPP, Olorunsogo NIPP, Jebba, Kainji, Okpai, Rivers IPP, Trans Afam Power, Afam III Fast, Alaoji NIPP, Delta, GPAL, Ihovbor, MEPP and TAOPEX.

The sharp drop in supply has hit major urban centres particularly hard. In Lagos, communities under the Ikeja Electric franchise remained without power into the evening, forcing many residents and businesses to rely on expensive diesel generators. Operators of small and medium enterprises reported rising operating costs and disrupted production as a result of the prolonged outages.

The latest deterioration comes despite recent assurances from Power Minister Joseph Tegbe that supply was beginning to improve in some areas. The minister had pointed to incremental gains in generation and the return of previously idle plants as signs of progress.
Nigeria’s electricity sector has long struggled with low plant availability, gas supply constraints, ageing infrastructure and frequent grid disturbances. With average available capacity routinely far below installed capacity of more than 13,000 MW, millions of Nigerians continue to endure unreliable supply, relying heavily on private generators to power homes, factories and essential services.

Authorities have not yet provided a detailed timeline for full restoration, leaving consumers uncertain about when stable electricity will return.

06/10/2026

Naira edges lower to ₦1,332.90 per dollar amid mixed foreign exchange trading

The Nigerian naira closed slightly weaker against the US dollar on Monday, October 5, 2026, settling at ₦1,332.90/$ at the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), as trading activity showed mixed signals at the start of the new month.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria indicated that the local currency depreciated by 90 kobo from the ₦1,332/$ recorded on October 2. During the session, the naira traded in a narrow band between ₦1,329 and ₦1,333.50, with a weighted average rate of ₦1,331.6875/$.

Foreign exchange turnover at the interbank segment fell sharply. NFEM interbank volume dropped by more than 50% to $72.12 million across 103 deals, down from $154.02 million previously. Market participants attributed the reduced activity to routine demand-supply dynamics as the new trading month began.

In the parallel market, the naira showed relative strength, appreciating to around ₦1,357/$ from about ₦1,362/$ at the previous weekend. This narrowed the gap between the official and parallel rates to roughly ₦24 per dollar, signalling continued convergence in the foreign exchange market.

The naira has remained relatively stable around the ₦1,330/$ level in recent sessions, following fluctuations through September. Nigeria’s external reserves have also provided support, recently climbing toward $55 billion, giving the Central Bank additional capacity to manage liquidity.

Analysts note that while daily trading volumes can swing, the currency’s performance continues to reflect ongoing reforms aimed at improving transparency and liquidity in the FX market. Businesses and importers remain watchful of further movements as demand pressures persist.

06/10/2026

Court of Appeal Reserves Ruling on Nasir El-Rufai’s Bail Appeal

The Court of Appeal in Kaduna has reserved its judgement on an appeal by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai challenging the High Court’s refusal to grant him bail.

Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, who presided over the proceedings, reserved the ruling after hearing submissions from lawyers representing both the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and El-Rufai. No date was fixed for the delivery of the judgement.

ICPC lead counsel Ayodeji Adedipe urged the appellate court to dismiss the appeal, insisting that the Kaduna State High Court was correct in denying bail.

He told reporters after the session that El-Rufai had filed three separate bail applications at the trial court, all of which were refused. The first was dismissed, the second was rejected for lack of exceptional circumstances, and the third was also turned down. Adedipe noted that El-Rufai appealed only the second refusal and failed to inform the Court of Appeal that the third application had likewise been dismissed. He described the appeal as lacking merit.

Defence counsel Paul Erokoro, SAN, asked the court to set aside the lower court’s decision and grant his client bail pending the determination of the charges. He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that bail is a constitutional right except in capital cases.

Erokoro said El-Rufai’s continued detention in ICPC custody has hindered his ability to properly prepare his defence, limited access to his lawyers and witnesses, and restricted confidential communication with his legal team. He also described the former governor as a prominent opposition figure and suggested the timing of the charges, close to an election period, was not coincidental.

The Court of Appeal reserved judgement after considering the arguments from both sides.

05/10/2026

Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 Crashes in Ondo; Occupants Feared Dead as Rescue Efforts Underway

A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed early Monday in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, with those on board feared dead.

The plane, on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos, went down in a swampy terrain opposite a naval base. The aircraft was extensively damaged by fire and reduced to rubble, according to local accounts.

The Nigerian Air Force confirmed ownership of the aircraft and said it had immediately activated search-and-rescue operations in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies. Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, stated that further details would be provided in due course. The force expressed commitment to the success of the ongoing efforts and concern for the safety of its personnel.

Earlier reports had described the aircraft as a suspected military helicopter. Ilaje Local Government Chairman Maurice Oripelaye confirmed the crash and noted that military gear was recovered at the scene, though the number of people on board could not immediately be determined because of the extent of the damage.

The Ondo State Police Command also confirmed the incident, saying details were still emerging. Police urged residents of Igbokoda and surrounding communities to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.

Residents reported hearing a loud sound and seeing smoke rising from the crash site, which triggered panic in the coastal community. Emergency responders, security agencies, and naval personnel from the nearby Forward Operating Base have mobilised to the area.

As of the latest updates, the exact number of occupants, confirmed casualties, and the cause of the accident have not been officially released. Search-and-rescue operations continue.

05/10/2026

Tinubu Keeps Promise on Military Pay Rise, Says Ndume as Armed Forces Salary Hike Takes Effect

Senator Ali Ndume has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for delivering on his commitment to raise salaries for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, describing the move as proof that the president follows through on his pledges.

In a statement issued over the weekend, the senator representing Borno South and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Army said the implementation of the long-awaited pay increase demonstrated the administration’s seriousness about improving the welfare and morale of troops fighting insecurity across the country.

“Making a pronouncement is one thing; redeeming your pledge is a different ball game entirely,” Ndume said. “President Tinubu has shown, times without number, that he keeps to his words. It is heartwarming to note that the salary increment he promised the Nigerian Army has been redeemed.”

The salary review, approved earlier by the Tinubu administration and confirmed as implemented by the Director of Defence Information, Major-General Samaila Uba, provides increases ranging from 30 to 80 per cent depending on rank. Officers above the rank of colonel (including brigadier-generals, major-generals, lieutenant-generals and generals) receive a 30 per cent rise. Personnel from colonel down to warrant officer get 50 per cent, while those from private to staff sergeant benefit from an 80 per cent increase.

The adjustment raises the annual salary bill for the Armed Forces from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion and is expected to benefit more than 250,000 personnel.

Ndume noted that the pay rise forms part of broader efforts by the administration over the past three years to strengthen the military. These include increased funding for arms and am******on procurement and the recent expansion of army divisions and recruitment of additional troops.

He urged officers and men to reciprocate the improved welfare package by intensifying operations against insurgency, banditry and kidnapping. “I want to urge our officers to redouble their efforts to curtail insecurity since the present administration is doing everything to boost their morale. They should do more now that they also have more troops on the ground with the recent recruitment,” he said.

The senator also expressed optimism that the activation of the Army Aviation unit, alongside the presence of attack helicopters across the six geopolitical zones, would further enhance the military’s operational effectiveness in complementing the Nigerian Air Force.

05/10/2026

Ajaero: Tinubu’s ‘Age of Prosperity’ Yet to Reach Nigerian Workers

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has said President Bola Tinubu’s declared “age of prosperity” has not yet translated into improved living conditions for Nigerian workers.

Speaking on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, Ajaero argued that sharp rises in the cost of petrol, food, transportation and accommodation have significantly eroded the value of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage.
“Prosperity is not with the Nigerian worker,” Ajaero stated, while expressing hope that the government’s promise could eventually become a reality.

He noted that although inflation may be slowing, ordinary Nigerians continue to bear the burden of the high prices created by earlier inflationary spikes. A lower inflation rate, he stressed, does not mean citizens are paying less for goods and services.

Ajaero challenged the administration to show where workers are feeling the gains of its economic reforms, particularly after the removal of the petrol subsidy and the subsequent increase in pump prices. He emphasised that workers’ welfare depends not only on nominal salary increases but also on the real cost of living and the value of the naira.

“If I get ₦500,000 minimum wage, and I can’t pay my house rent, of what use?” he asked. On fuel pricing, the NLC president maintained that petrol could sell for about ₦500 per litre if locally produced crude oil were supplied to domestic refineries at favourable rates.

Ajaero also accused the federal government of failing to adequately engage organised labour on policies affecting the working population. He further observed that President Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi share similar market-driven views on subsidy removal, describing them as “market people from the far right.”

Tinubu had declared the shift to an “age of prosperity” in his Independence Day broadcast on October 1, 2026, stating that the emergency phase of economic reforms was over and that the foundation of the economy had been repaired.

05/10/2026

Atiku Demands Tinubu Publish NNPC’s ₦11.2trn Records, Contracts and Campaign Funding Details

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to publish full details of contracts, payments and outcomes linked to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) ₦11.2 trillion in other receivables from the Federation, and to disclose the sources of his re-election campaign funding.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said Nigerians deserve clear answers on how the huge sum recorded in NNPCL’s 2025 accounts was spent, particularly any portions tied to advances and the protection of oil and gas assets, including pipeline surveillance.

He noted that NNPCL’s 2024 accounts recorded roughly ₦17.5 trillion across different claims on the Federation, covering petrol under-recovery and other receivables linked to advances and asset protection. The 2025 accounts now show approximately ₦11.2 trillion in other receivables from the Federation.

“Nigerians cannot tell from these totals what was spent on pipeline surveillance. What was paid? Who was paid? For what work? Where are the results?” Atiku asked.

He described the scale of the figures as indefensible, pointing out that the ₦11.2 trillion in NNPCL receivables exceeded the roughly ₦3.1 trillion allocated to the Ministry of Defence in 2025 by more than three times. While acknowledging the amounts fall into different accounting categories, he said the contrast was stark: under the current administration, sums linked to the oil sector dwarf resources allocated to defend the country.

Atiku extended his demand for transparency to the relationship between major government contractors and Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. He specifically referenced Tantita Security Services, which holds a pipeline security contract, noting that its founder had reportedly sent campaign vehicles in support of another term for the President. He also questioned the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract awarded to a company linked to the Chagoury family, alleging it was given without an open public tender, and cited footage of the Minister of Works greeting a Chagoury as “my chairman.”

“Look at the company Tinubu keeps,” Atiku said. He called on the President to publish the relevant contracts, bidding documents, evaluation records and payment details, and to disclose whether these contractors or their associates had provided money, vehicles or any other support to his re-election activities.

“Tinubu must disclose what these contractors have received from the government and whether they have given a naira, a vehicle or any other support to his re-election. Nigerians will not tighten their belts while the President’s associates collect contracts and the money behind his campaign remains hidden,” he stated.

Atiku argued that a mother should not have to pray her child survives the journey to school while the government cannot plainly explain the billions it spends on security, insisting Tinubu must answer to the people living with the consequences of these choices.

04/10/2026

Nigeria Pays $22.5 Million in Fees on Controversial $1.5 Billion UAE Financing Deal

The Federal Government of Nigeria paid $22.5 million in charges on its $1.5 billion Total Return Swap facility with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) during the second quarter of 2026, according to data from the Debt Management Office (DMO).

The payment, made between April and June, was recorded entirely as “other charges,” with no principal repayment or interest payment listed against the facility in the period. It equates to 1.5 percent of the amount drawn so far from the broader $5 billion financing programme approved with the United Arab Emirates-based lender.

DMO figures show that Nigeria recorded a total of $39.25 million in “other charges” across its entire external debt portfolio in the quarter. The FAB swap alone accounted for about 57.3 percent of that total and roughly 68.5 percent of miscellaneous charges linked to commercial external borrowing.

The $1.5 billion drawdown, completed in June 2026, remains outstanding and is classified under “Other Commercial” debt. The facility forms part of a programme that allows the government to access dollar funding while pledging naira-denominated Federal Government securities as collateral, potentially up to 133.3 percent of the amount drawn. It carries a six-year tenor with a break option after three years and is priced with reference to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR).

The arrangement has drawn scrutiny from the International Monetary Fund and rating agencies such as Fitch, which have flagged the opacity, complexity, and potential risks of Total Return Swap structures used by emerging-market sovereigns. Critics have questioned the true cost, collateral requirements, and exposure to market movements.

Nigeria also serviced a separate syndicated loan from the same bank during the quarter, paying $33.38 million in interest. Combined exposure to FAB stood at approximately $3.37 billion as of end-June, or about 6.2 percent of the country’s $54.52 billion external debt stock.

The government has said the facility supports the 2026 budget, infrastructure projects, and refinancing of more expensive debt, with funds accessed in phases to manage costs. The DMO report did not provide a detailed breakdown of what the $22.5 million charges specifically covered.

03/10/2026

20 killed in multi-vehicle crash on Plateau’s Hawan Kibo–Jos route after truck brake failure

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that 20 people died in a multiple-vehicle crash along the Hawan Kibo–Jos route in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Friday, October 2, 2026.
According to FRSC Corps Public Education Officer Osondu Ohaeri, the accident occurred at about 3:32 p.m. shortly after Sopp Water Falls. Preliminary findings point to brake failure and loss of control as the likely causes.

Four vehicles were involved: a Howo Sino truck (registration AGL 525 YN), a Toyota Corolla (AB 129 M), a Toyota Hummer bus operated by Yankari Express, and a motorcycle whose registration details were unavailable. Twenty-five people were involved in the crash—23 males and two females. All 20 fatalities were male; five others (three males and two females) sustained injuries.

FRSC Plateau Sector Commander Corps Commander Adelaja Ogungbemi earlier confirmed the death toll, attributing the crash to brake failure on the truck, which rammed into other vehicles travelling towards Jos. Reports indicated the passenger bus caught fire after the impact, contributing to the high number of deaths. Some accounts noted that 18 of those killed were passengers on the Yankari Express bus, with the remaining two on the motorcycle.

Injured victims were evacuated to Riyom General Hospital and Vom Christian Hospital. The bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) mortuary. FRSC rescue personnel cleared the wreckage and restored traffic on the affected section of the highway.

FRSC Corps Marshal Malam Shehu Mohammed expressed sadness over the loss of lives, extended condolences to the families of the deceased, and directed a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the crash, particularly the reported brake failure. He urged motorists—especially operators of commercial and heavy-duty vehicles—to prioritise vehicle roadworthiness, proper maintenance, speed management, and responsible driving.

The Hawan Kibo route, known for its steep bends and descending sections, has previously been associated with serious accidents, underscoring the need for caution in the area.

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