The Proposed Magistrates’ Law Amendment Was Not Sponsored By My Office - Lagos Attorney-General

The Lagos State Government has clarified that the proposed amendment to the Magistrates’ Law currently before the state’s House of Assembly is not an executive bill, but a private member’s initiative aimed at addressing structural issues within the state’s justice system.

The state’s Attorney-General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), said the controversy surrounding the bill had made it necessary to set the record straight on its origin, purpose and policy context.

He said that contrary to public perception, the proposed amendment was not sponsored by his office but had been introduced independently and is undergoing legislative consideration by the Assembly.

According to him, the position of the Ministry of Justice is guided by a long-standing policy that aligns with the conditions of service of law officers in those Magistrates, a framework that has been in place in Lagos since 1997 following a government circular.

Pedro explained that such harmonisation is not unique to Lagos State, noting that states, including Abia, Kogi, Benue, Imo and Kwara, have enacted similar laws to ensure parity between law officers and Magistrates in terms of remuneration and service conditions.

He added that the proposed amendment should be viewed as a continuation of this established policy rather than the creation of new privileges for a specific group of officers.

 

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The attorney-general also pointed to developments in Osun State, where legislation enacted in 2023 increased the retirement age of officers involved in the administration of justice, including state counsel and court registrars, to 65 years.

Pedro said the initiative was partly necessitated by the 2023 constitutional amendment that raised the retirement age of High Court judges from 65 to 70 years, saying that prior to the constitutional change, predictable vacancies existed on the High Court Bench, creating opportunities for the elevation of experienced Chief Magistrates and senior law officers.

However, the AG noted that the extension of the retirement age for High Court judges had reduced the frequency of such vacancies, thereby limiting career progression opportunities within the lower judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.

He said the proposed amendment seeks to address this imbalance by creating a more coherent career structure and ensuring that experienced officers are retained for a reasonable period.

The attorney-general, who stated that the reform is intended to promote fairness, enhance stability within the justice system and strengthen succession planning by allowing for mentorship and knowledge transfer, maintained that the legislative intervention, if passed, would contribute to the continued development of the justice system and ensure that the state benefits from the expertise of its most experienced judicial and legal officers.

  

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King’s College: Alausa Pauses Implementation As Unions Suspend Strike

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and labour unions in the Federal Ministry of Education have reached a two-week truce to end the immediate crisis over the proposed 35-year concession of King’s College, Lagos, and the disruption of activities in Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.

Under a five-point agreement reached at a meeting between the education ministers and representatives of the unions on Wednesday, the workers agreed to immediately suspend their industrial action, paving the way for the reopening and resumption of academic activities in more than 100 Federal Unity Colleges affected by the dispute.

The agreement also provides for a two-week pause in the implementation of the proposed takeover of the management of King’s College by its old students’ association.

Analysts say the ceasefire will give both sides time to review the contentious arrangement.

As part of the pact, the Federal Government also agreed that no worker would be victimised for participating in the industrial action, while policemen deployed to the premises of King’s College would be redeployed.

The meeting further resolved to constitute a seven-man committee to negotiate and critically examine the Federal Government’s agreement with the King’s College old students, with a view to addressing the concerns raised by the unions.

 

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The development effectively suspends the immediate confrontation between the ministry and the unions, while creating a two-week window for negotiations on the King’s College concession and other grievances raised by the workers.

Earlier in a press conference, Dr Alausa had declared that there was no going back on the Federal Government’s proposed concession despite mounting opposition from workers, parents and other stakeholders.

He stressed that the government had followed due process in arriving at the decision and remained committed to the concession as part of efforts to improve the school’s infrastructure, resources and overall management.

The minister maintained that the proposed concession was not an abandonment of the institution by the Federal Government, but a move intended to address infrastructure and management challenges and improve the quality of education at the college.

He, however, accused some directors in the Federal Ministry of Education of fuelling the controversy by mobilising workers against the government’s decision.

He alleged that misinformation about the concession was being deliberately circulated by some union members and what he described as “unscrupulous” staff of the ministry.

“Misinformation has been going around, perpetuated by union members and unscrupulous members of staff of the Federal Ministry of Education,” he said.

Alausa also took a swipe at the Parent-Teacher Association of King’s College, accusing it of turning admission into a lucrative enterprise and allegedly demanding as much as N20 million from prospective students.

“The PTA of King’s College has turned admission into King’s College into criminal enterprise,” he alleged.

His declaration came amid escalating opposition by workers in the ministry and other stakeholders, who have raised concerns over concession of the 117-year old institution to the King’s College Old Boys Association.

According to him, the alumni had spent over N2billion on the institution with nothing to show for it.

He explained that, contrary to reports circulated by the workers, the school was not for sale, stressing that the Federal Government would retain full ownership of the school despite the proposed management arrangement with the Old Boys Association. “We haven’t sold it to them. The property still remains Federal Government property,” Alausa said, insisting that the government retains 100 per cent ownership of the school.

Alausa also assured workers that the proposed management arrangement would not result in job losses or demotions, stressing that affected staff would retain their appointments and existing levels within the public service.

He said the government had considered the concerns of the workers and would ensure that their employment rights and benefits were protected throughout the process.

He explained that workers who might be affected by the arrangement would have the option of being redeployed to other federal institutions within the education sector where their services were needed.

According to him, teachers and non-academic staff could be posted to other Unity Colleges and federal institutions, with the government maintaining that no worker would be forced out of employment as a result of the proposed concession.

  

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Legal Recognition Of Disability Rights In Africa Is Not Enough To Guarantee PWDs Full Inclusion In Electoral Process - Stakeholders

INEC Chairmen, Prof Joash Amupitan        

A clarion call has been made to electoral policy makers across Africa to go beyond the legal recognition of disability rights, and build the capacity needed to implement those rights in order to ensure full participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process on the continent.

The call was made at a webinar organised by the Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa (CDIA) to commemorate the International Day of Democracy.

According to a press release from CDIA, made available to Lagos Today Extra!, The virtual event brought together disability advocates and electoral stakeholders from Nigeria and Kenya to examine barriers confronting persons with disabilities throughout the electoral cycle.

Stakeholders noted that Nigeria, for instance,  has made progress in recognising the electoral rights of persons with disabilities, but gaps in data, accessibility, funding and implementation continue to limit their full participation in the democratic process.

Speaking at the event, Mr Yisa Usman said legal recognition of disability rights would have limited impact if electoral institutions lacked the capacity to implement those rights. He identified disability-disaggregated data, policy development, budgeting, procurement, training, deployment of personnel and materials, accessibility, participation and accountability as key elements required to translate legal provisions into meaningful participation.

 

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Nigeria's legal framework has recently expanded protections for voters with disabilities. Under the Electoral Act 2026, disability status, disaggregated by type of disability, is to be included in the National Register of Voters. The law also provides for reasonable measures to assist voters with disabilities, including Braille, large embossed print, electronic devices and sign-language interpretation.

However, participants at the event said legal provisions alone would not guarantee accessibility at polling units without adequate planning and resources. The issue of reliable disability data was highlighted as a particular challenge. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently reported that 137,487 persons with disabilities had been captured in registration data before its Automated Fingerprint Identification System exercise.

Stakeholders cautioned that the figure should not be interpreted as the total number of registered voters with disabilities in Nigeria. They said accurate, disability-disaggregated data was necessary to determine the type and quantity of assistance required and where such support should be deployed. They further argued that such data would have greater operational value if it directly informed electoral budgets, procurement, training and logistics.

Sharing his experience from the recent Osun State governorship election, Lanre Olakusibe, a person with a mobility challenge, acknowledged improvements in electoral inclusion but identified continuing challenges relating to public awareness, physical accessibility, transportation, assistive materials and the preparedness of polling officials.

The discussions also focused on the involvement of persons with disabilities in electoral planning. Participants said organisations representing persons with disabilities should be involved not only in consultations but also in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. They argued that such organisations often have practical knowledge of barriers that may not be readily identified by electoral officials during institutional planning.

Beyond voting, stakeholders raised concerns about the participation of persons with disabilities as candidates for political office. The cost of political party nomination and application forms was identified as one potential barrier to political participation. Participants called for consideration of measures that could reduce or waive such costs for persons with disabilities.

The webinar also featured the experience of Kenya, with Karen Muruiki highlighting challenges facing disability inclusion in that country's
electoral process. Participants said the experiences of Nigeria and Kenya reflected a broader, common  issue across Africa: the need to strengthen the capacity of electoral institutions to turn legal protections for persons with disabilities into practical participation.

Among the measures proposed were accessibility-readiness checklists for polling units, practical disability-competence training for frontline electoral officials, and the use of disability data to guide budgeting, procurement and deployment. Stakeholders also called for post-election assessments to examine accessibility outcomes, rather than focusing solely on expenditure, and urged electoral authorities to establish mechanisms for sustained participation by persons with disabilities throughout the electoral cycle. They further identified civic and disability education as a long-term component of inclusion, suggesting that disability rights and inclusion should be incorporated into school education to help address misconceptions and barriers associated with disability.

The discussions ultimately underscored a central challenge for Nigeria's electoral system: translating legal guarantees into practical access. For persons with disabilities, stakeholders said, meaningful democratic participation will depend not only on the existence of rights in law but also on whether electoral institutions have the resources, systems and processes required to implement those rights. 

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The Battle For The Soul Of King’s College Lagos Gears Up As Parents, Teachers, Other Stakeholders Mobilize Against Secret Concession Of School

A couple of years ago, 12-year-old Tunde spent his evenings reading by the flickering light of a rechargeable lamp in a single room in Ajegunle. His father, a commercial bus driver, and his mother, a petty trader, could barely afford three meals a day. Yet, when the National Common Entrance Examination results were released, Tunde had achieved one of the highest scores in the state. His reward was a golden ticket: admission to King’s College, Lagos. For Tunde, the school was not just a campus of red brick and colonial history; it was a rescue boat. Because it was a federal institution, his tuition was free, allowing a boy from the slums to receive the same elite education as the sons of senators.

Today, that rescue boat is navigating turbulent waters as a recent federal concessioning agreement has handed over the management of Nigeria’s premier secondary school to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) that transfers all forms of funding from the federal government to KCOBA. While the decision aims to rescue the institution from decades of systemic decay and neglect from the government, it has ignited a fierce national debate over whether the country’s brightest, poorest children are about to be priced out of their future.

The concession of KCL is contained in a letter signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education  by the Director Overseeing Office of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. (Mrs.) Folake Olatunji-David. 

In  the letter dated September 4, made available to Lagos Today Extra!,  and addressed to the Principal of KCL, the ministry said all necessary processes leading to the signing of the concession agreement had been concluded and that the college had consequently been conceded to KCOBA. The ministry also stated that arrangements had been concluded to hand over the college to the association with immediate effect for the implementation of the agreement.

As part of the transition process, a transition committee is to be constituted to ensure a seamless transfer of the college’s management to KCOBA.

The  committee was given a six-month window within which to facilitate the transition, after which funding of the college from the Federation Account will cease. The principal was also directed to make available to the transition committee a list of staff members  willing to remain in the employment of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

Secret Concessioning Without Stakeholders Involvement

One of the big issues arising from the concessioning of the school is that the process was shrouded in secrecy as stakeholders were not carried along in the build up to the concessioning. Observers of the unfolding event say this is a huge drawback against a feasible and practicable implementation. The major question on their lips is: if the inputs of parents, teachers and other critical stakeholders are not considered before the concessioning, how can all interests be represented within the new management?

As expected, the announcement of the concession triggered an emergency meeting between the school’s management and staff union, after which the institution was shut down.

“Following the meetings with the school management and workers to notify everyone of the development, the staff union immediately announced a plan to shut down the college”, said the union in a statement on decisions reached at the meeting. The statement warned that neighbouring schools would start shutting down in solidarity with the union.

“This shutdown might spread nationwide if positive feedback is not received on time from the FME,” the union said.

With the college now shut indefinitely, the dispute could disrupt the academic calendar of the school; it has also renewed concerns about the future of Nigeria’s Federal Government Unity Colleges under concession arrangements.

Parent-Teacher Association Reacts

The secret concession of the College has been vehemently condemned by  the  National Parent- Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) and staff members of the 116-year-old institution. They questioned the rationale for relinquishing control of a premium unity school and demanded clarity on the real motive behind the concession.

 

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The staff members, under the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), had also protested shortly after the Federal Ministry of Education(FME) announced the transfer of the school to the old boys association.  

In rejecting the concession, NAPTAN, through its Board of Trustees  Chairman,   Adeolu Ogunbanjo, described it as worrisome. According to Ogunbanjo, the development could undermine access to the college, particularly if the new management substantially increases school fees.

“Affordability will become a major concern for parents, potentially denying many families access to King’s College if fees increase substantially,” he  said.

He questioned whether the Federal Government had decided it could no longer manage unity schools and demanded clarity on the reasons behind the decision.

The PTA of the college  is  demanding that, if the concession must proceed, existing students should be allowed to complete their education under the present arrangement, proposing a minimum six-year transition period before the new operators begin admitting students.

“If concession is going to take place, at least you should give it a period of a minimum of six years to consummate,”  said the association’s chairman, Peter Oluwaleye.

Oluwaleye also said the new operators could begin admitting their own students after the existing students  graduated. 

He  argued  that children already admitted into the school cannot be transferred from a government institution into a privately operated one midway through their education.

According to him, members of the association are  particularly worried that the concession would eventually trigger a sharp increase in school fees, potentially defeating the purpose of the Federal Government’s Unity School system.

“If we had wanted to put our children in private school, most of us are not capable of doing that,” Oluwaleye said.

Oluwaleye argued that many parents chose   King’s College because it provides quality education at a subsidised cost, adding that handing the institution to a private entity could make it inaccessible to families who cannot afford high private school fees.

School Fees To Rise Up to N5 Million Per Student

Unit Chairman of ASCSN,   Samuel Enang, also  argued  that fees could  rise to between N4 million and N5 million per student if the old boys association eventually took  over the school’s ownership.

“How many parents in this present economy of the country can afford such education for their children?” Enang asked.

 He  alleged that  the old boys association intends to commercialise portions of the college’s property, into hotels, shopping malls and car parks.

Even though this allegation has not been independently verified, observers who spoke with Lagos Today Extra! say those are measures usually put in place to ensure continued inflow of revenue to run the operations and also fulfil personal interests that might not be in favour of the students themselves.

Staff Of The College In A Dilemma

Apart from the fear that the new arrangement could trigger school fees out of the reach of students from poor homes, the teachers of King’s College have found themselves in a tight dilemma. The letter from the Federal Ministry of Education asked the teachers to indicate whether they want to remain with the federal civil service or move over to the new management, the KCOBA. One of the teachers who spoke with Lagos Today Extra! on the condition of anonymity said the choice is like choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea.

“if you decide to go with the KCOBA, you might lose the emoluments of unpaid salary and other promotional arrears which the federal government has been owing us for many years. What about gratuity, what about pension? And if you decide to stay with the federal civil service, you might be deployed to other locations where you will need to start hunting for a new accommodation at this time that rents have spiraled out of control for the ordinary people, including teachers. Don’t forget that the accommodations in the school you are redeployed to have been filled up with staff in that institution,” he said, adding that all these issues would have been adequately presented  and addressed if the concessioning was not secretly done, without inputs from critical stakeholders.

Another member of the college staff who spoke with our correspondent said the secret manner in which the process was carried out suggests there might be some hidden personal interests at the heart of the concession.

“I don’t know why they had to do everything in secrecy. What are they trying to hide? Is there some vested personal interests of the new owners they wanted to protect at all costs. Who are the big boys in KCOBA and what influence do they have in the present administration? Why the rush to concession the school before the 2027 general election? Questions upon questions without answers. All these issues would have been addressed if critical stakeholders were carried along in the process of the concession,” he told our correspondent.

We Still Own King’s College -  FG

Confronted with all the backlash, the Federal Government came out with a statement that King’s College, Lagos, has not been sold or privatised, saying it retains legal ownership of the institution.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Friday, to clarify the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession agreement with the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA).

In the statement, signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the minister explained that the concession only transferred responsibility for financing, rehabilitating, modernising, operating and maintaining the school to KCOBA.

He stressed that the Federal Government retained its statutory, regulatory, monitoring, inspection and enforcement powers over the institution.

“Let me assure Nigerians, particularly the King’s College community, that this concession is not a sale of King’s College. The government has retained legal title to the institution and will continue to exercise its oversight responsibilities.

Alausa also claimed that the agreement did not prescribe an automatic increase in school fees even though he did not say whether the agreement established a temporary or permanent fee freeze for students.

The Issues At Stake

While the Federal Ministry of Education maintains that the school remains public property, private administrative management requires financial sustainability. To maintain world-class facilities and recruit premium teaching talent, the baseline cost of attendance is expected to adjust. For families living on the economic margins, even a modest increase in utility, boarding, or developmental fees can transform an admission letter from a triumph into a heartbreak.

Education advocates warn that this shift could fundamentally distort the school's historic admission structure. If the financial threshold for enrollment rises, the entry system ceases to be purely about academic brilliance. Instead, the pool of candidates naturally narrows to those who can afford the premium, turning an institution founded to groom nation-builders into an exclusive enclave for the wealthy.

To preserve the soul of King’s College, stakeholders argue that the new management framework must treat accessibility not as an afterthought, but as a core metric of success. The KCOBA’s ambitious funding models will need to build robust, ironclad endowment funds specifically earmarked for full-ride scholarships, ensuring that no brilliant mind is turned away due to an empty pocket.

Analysts say the future of staff of the college who choose to go with the KCOBA should also be protected in terms of ensuring that salary and promotional arrears owed them are duly paid, while those who choose to remain with the federal civil service and are redeployed to other schools, should be adequately supported to a get a good accommodation wherever they are deployed to.

The walls of King’s College may desperately need a coat of paint and structural repair, but its true legacy lies in the diversity of its classrooms. As the concession takes effect, Nigeria watches closely to see if the institution can modernize its infrastructure without sacrificing the very egalitarian principles that gave boys like Tunde (earlier mentioned) a seat at the table.

  

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I Would Not Have Married Simi If Her Genotype Was Not AA - Adekunle Gold

Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold, has revealed that genotype played a major role in his decision to marry his wife, fellow singer Simi.

Adekunle, who has disclosed that he is genotype SS, said he made it a priority to know his partner’s genotype before committing to the relationship.

Speaking in a recent episode of the One54 Podcast, the singer said he would not have proceeded with the relationship if Simi had been AS or SS.

“I wouldn’t have married my wife if she were SS or AS. Forget love. I don’t think it makes sense to bring a child into this world and they would be sickly,” he said.

According to him, knowing Simi’s genotype gave him the confidence to proceed with the relationship.

 

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“When me and my wife first met, the first thing I did was to know her genotype. She is AA. That was why I proceeded with the relationship,” he said.

Adekunle Gold has continued to advocate for sickle cell awareness, particularly since publicly revealing his SS genotype.

He married Simi in January 2019, and the couple have two children.

A few years ago, fellow entertainer, Actress Eucharia Anunobi, was engulfed in the battle to save the life of her only child, Raymond Ekwu, who was down with sickle cell disease. The intense emotional and financial toll of managing his illness eventually strained her marriage to her ex-husband, Charles Ekwu, whom she stated contributed nothing financially. They divorced in 2006, leaving her as the sole provider and caregiver.Eucharia dedicated her life to managing his condition, spending millions on organic foods, specialized care, and avoiding environmental triggers like dust and heat. Her intense care allowed him to stay healthy and avoid hospitalization for many years.

However, the actress eventually lost Raymond, in 2017 after a 16-year battle with the disease, compounded by a tragic medical error. 

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2027: SWAGA Regroups In Lagos, Begins Massive Mobilisation For Tinubu, Hamzat

A group of former lawmakers from the South-West under the aegis of the South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA) are set to converge in Lagos to officially launch what they term “Lagos SWAGA 2.0”, a platform under which they hope to campaign for the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The group has also expressed its resolve to campaign for the election of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, to succeed incumbent Babajide Sanwo-Olu come 2027.

Prior to the election of President Tinubu in 2023, SWAGA was the first pressure political support group that endorsed him.

With the 2027 presidential election less than six months away, SWAGA said it is ready to engage in an effective and massive re-election campaign for the President.

A statement issued by the chairman of the Steering Committee of SWAGA, Afis Olaseinde Kasumu, stated that the formal inauguration of the group’s Zonal, Local Government (LG), and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) structures will take place at the Eko FM Multi-Purpose Hall, LTV Compound, Coca-Cola Bus Stop, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

According to the statement, the initiative is tagged “LAGOS SWAGA 2.0: Consolidating Grassroots Mobilisation and Deepening Political Engagements for The RENEWED HOPE AGENDA.” This pivotal event marks a strategic expansion of the movement’s footprint across Lagos State.

 

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The statement also added that the initiative aims to solidify political structures at the foundational level, ensuring that the progressive ideals and achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda are effectively communicated and felt by every citizen at the grassroots.

“Since its inception, SWAGA has been at the forefront of championing visionary leadership and political inclusion. Building upon the monumental successes of its initial phases, SWAGA 2.0 shifts its focus towards deepening community engagement, fostering inclusive governance, and creating a unified front ahead of future political milestones,” the statement reads.

Expected to chair the event is the Lagos State chairman, Hon Mosuru Owolabi, as well as other notables such as Hon Funmilayo Tejuoso as well as Hon Remi Adebowale, a former special adviser, civic engagement to the Lagos State governor.

The major highlight of the event will feature the official swearing-in of newly appointed zonal coordinators and local administrators comprising past legislators both in Lagos State and at the federal level.

The statement further added that important stakeholders such as serving and past federal and state functionaries

“These leaders will be charged with driving the movement’s advocacy, mobilising communities and serving as the direct link between the leadership and the electorate across all 57 LGAs and LCDAs in Lagos State.

“Political leaders, party stalwarts, community influencers, and grassroots mobilisers from across the South-West region are expected to grace the occasion. Members of the press are cordially invited to cover this event.”

  

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Nigerians Brace Up For More Hardship As Petrol Price Soars To N1,500 Per Litre

Nigerians are now bracing up for fresh hardship as the increase in petrol and diesel prices threatens to trigger another wave of higher costs across the economy.

Specifically,   Abuja and other northern cities are set to face prices as rising crude oil prices and transportation costs increase the cost of supplying petroleum products to inland markets.

This followed the decision of Dangote Petroleum Refinery to raise its Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, gantry price by 6.7 per cent to N1,350 per litre from N1,265.

In a memo to customers, the refinery said: “Dear valued customer, please find below the revised DPRP PMS gantry and coastal price, which is effective   September 12th, 2026.”

It also directed customers with existing loading arrangements to return their Automated Truck Certificates, ATCs, for repricing.

It said: “You are advised to return all ATCs for repricing and a new volume contract will be issued for immediate loading resumption.”

The increase is expected to raise acquisition costs for marketers sourcing petrol from the refinery and could trigger further pump-price adjustments.

The latest Energy Bulletin by the Industry Competency Centre, Lagos, showed that the seven-day average Brent crude price stood at $98.74 per barrel, while Bonny Light averaged $104.65. The seven-day average exchange rate was N1,323.12/$.

 

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The bulletin put the seven-day average domestic petrol price at N1,308.33 per litre and diesel at N1,855.97 per litre.

With coastal ex-depot petrol prices currently ranging from N1,265.50 to N1,285 per litre, inland markets are expected to record higher prices because of additional trucking and distribution costs.

Industry estimates indicate that petrol could sell for N1,400-N1,500 per litre in Abuja, with prices potentially exceeding N1,500 at some filling stations, depending on supply costs and marketers’ margins.

The impact could be greater in northern cities farther from coastal supply centres. Petrol prices in Kano, Kaduna, Jos and other inland markets could rise to between N1,450 and N1,600 per litre, depending on availability, transportation costs and supply routes.

Diesel prices are also expected to remain elevated. The bulletin showed Lagos diesel ex-depot prices ranging between N1,790 and N2,100 per litre, suggesting that inland prices could reach N2,100-N2,400 per litre or higher after transportation and other distribution costs.

The widening gap between coastal and inland prices highlights the impact of logistics on Nigeria’s deregulated downstream petroleum market.

While Lagos, Port Harcourt and Warri have relatively close access to refineries, terminals and other supply centres, Abuja and northern markets depend heavily on products transported over longer distances.

The pressure could intensify if crude oil remains above $100 per barrel, the naira weakens or transportation costs rise. Conversely, lower crude prices, a stronger naira and reduced logistics costs could ease pressure on consumers.

Oil price, freight rate spikes challenge refineries — Expert

Reacting in an interview with Sunday Vanguard, Olatide Jeremiah, Chief Executive Officer, Petroleumprice.ng, said the increase reflected developments in the international oil market.

He said: “Oil price and freight rate spikes are universal challenges for refineries, except where the Federal Government intervenes. Gantry and pump prices will ultimately be determined by the impact of the Middle East crisis.

“The upward review of petrol prices to N1,350 per litre by the Dangote Refinery is expected as oil prices approach $110 per barrel.

“Pump prices could hit N1,500 per litre in major cities across Nigeria if the crisis persists.”

High fuel prices mean hardship for Nigerians — OGSPAN

Also speaking, Lawal Kamaldeen, Vice President, Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria, OGSPAN, said the latest increase would further pressure households and businesses.

He said: “The ¦ 85 increase represents approximately 6.7 per cent, while the refinery’s cumulative increase since August 21 has reached ¦ 185 per litre, representing about 15.9 per cent. The latest adjustment comes at a particularly difficult time for Nigerian households and businesses, which are already facing significant increases in the cost of living and doing business.

“We recognise that Dangote Refinery is operating in a market increasingly affected by international crude oil prices, product replacement costs and geopolitical disruptions arising from the conflict involving Iran and the United States. Recent developments in the international oil market have created genuine cost pressures for refiners and petroleum marketers.

“However, from the perspective of the domestic economy, we are concerned about the likely consequences of another increase in the cost of petrol.”

Kamaldeen said higher petrol prices would affect transportation, distribution, agriculture, small businesses and other economic activities.

“Petrol remains a major input for transportation, distribution, agriculture, small businesses and general economic activity in Nigeria. An increase in the wholesale price will inevitably create pressure across the downstream petroleum value chain,” he said.

According to him, the impact could include higher transportation and logistics costs, food and agricultural distribution costs, prices of essential goods and services, operating costs for small and medium-sized businesses, school transportation expenses and broader inflationary pressure.

He said OGSPAN was proposing a targeted, production-based support mechanism for locally refined petroleum products rather than a return to broad, import-based fuel subsidy.

“Such an intervention could include increasing the allocation of crude oil to qualified domestic refineries at competitive terms, particularly during periods of exceptional international price volatility,” he said.

He also called for a review of applicable taxes, levies and government charges on locally refined petroleum products, where necessary, as well as a transparent and time-bound domestic refining support framework linked to actual production and supply.

Kamaldeen added that any government intervention should be independently monitored and subject to clear performance benchmarks.

Also,   Executive Director, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Spaces for Change, warned that sustained increases in fuel prices could deepen pressure on households and businesses.

She said: “For households, the most immediate concern is likely to be higher transportation and food costs. Higher fuel and logistics costs can raise the cost of moving people and goods, while households and businesses that rely on petrol- or diesel-powered generators may face additional energy expenses.

“These pressures could further reduce purchasing power, particularly for low- and middle-income households. Nigeria’s headline inflation rate currently stands at 15.43%, while food inflation is 20.31%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

“Businesses across manufacturing, agriculture, construction, retail and logistics are similarly exposed to higher energy, transportation and input costs.  

If the shock persists, firms may pass additional costs on to consumers, absorb lower profit margins, postpone investment or reduce employment. Consequently, a prolonged oil-price shock could constrain the recovery of the non-oil economy even as the oil sector benefits from higher crude prices.

“In the coming weeks, volatility is likely to remain the central concern. Continued conflict and disruption to major shipping routes could keep crude and refined petroleum prices elevated. Recent disruptions have already reduced oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz and contributed to higher shipping and fuel costs.”

She added: “Nigeria should therefore avoid treating the current price increase simply as a revenue windfall. First, government should preserve part of any additional oil revenue as fiscal and external buffers rather than immediately expanding recurrent expenditure.

“Second, support should be targeted at households and sectors most exposed to the shock. This could include temporary expansion of well-targeted cash transfers, transport support and measures that reduce the cost of moving food from farms to markets. Support for agricultural production, storage, irrigation and affordable financing should also be prioritised to reduce the risk that higher energy and transport costs translate into further food-price increases.

“Third, government should accelerate measures that reduce Nigeria’s exposure to petroleum-price volatility. Greater domestic gas utilisation, more reliable electricity, renewable energy, efficient transport systems and improved logistics can reduce the cost of energy across the wider economy.”

Earlier, an economist and communications expert, Clifford Egbomeade, said the immediate effect of higher crude prices would be a cost shock across the economy.

“The immediate effect on Nigeria is a cost shock. Higher crude prices will raise the cost of diesel, transport, freight and other energy-intensive inputs, putting pressure on business margins and household incomes,” he said.

  

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