The Dangote Refinery has received its second crude oil shipment from Ghana, signalling deepening regional supply links for the massive Lagos‑based complex. Reports say the cargo is part of a broader supply arrangement that allows the plant to process blends from multiple African producers.
Energy analysts note that regular deliveries from Ghana and other countries could strengthen West African energy integration, while helping the refinery reach full capacity and stabilise fuel supply in Nigeria. The move also underscores Dangote’s strategy of diversifying feedstock sources beyond domestic crude.
Source: Punch Newspapers – 12 Dec 2025
2025-12-12 10:00:00 Punch Newspapers – 12 Dec 2025 2025-12-12
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has revealed that Abuja played a key role in averting large‑scale bloodshed during an attempted coup in neighbouring Benin Republic. He said discreet diplomatic engagement, coordination with regional leaders and support for Benin’s legitimate authorities helped defuse the crisis before it escalated into open conflict.
The minister noted that instability in Benin would have had spill‑over effects on Nigeria’s border communities, trade routes and security operations against cross‑border crime. Nigeria’s intervention is being presented as part of its longstanding commitment to democratic governance and stability in West Africa.
Source: Punch Newspapers – 11 Dec 2025
2025-12-12 10:00:00 Punch Newspapers – 11 Dec 2025 2025-12-11
West African Gas Pipeline Company says it is moving towards full utilisation of its 470mmscf/d capacity after recording record throughput in 2025. MD Abiodun Abodunrin warned that illegal sand mining near the Nigerian segment threatens pipeline safety.
The Nigerian Government has reopened four land borders after 16 months of closure that halted economic activities with neighbouring nations along these routes.
This decision was taken at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting Wednesday in Abuja following the recommendation of a committee that four of the nation’s land borders be reopened with immediate effect while stating that others would be “reopened in due course.”
It was gathered that FEC approved the border reopening after considering the submission of a report by the committee set up to examine the implications of the closure among others, led by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.
In her address to State House Reporters after Wednesday’s FEC meeting, Ahmed confirmed that the Seme and Mfun borders in the South West, and South-South, as well as Ilela and Maigatari borders in the Northwest were approved for immediate reopening.
However, the Minister, who assured that the other borders would be reopened before December 31, disclosed that restrictions on the importation of some commodities, like rice and other products, would stand.
On his part, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo said the period of the closure afforded the authorities the opportunity to assess the security problems with a view to addressing them.
“We have many advantages to the border closure, it has given the security agencies an opportunity to access the problems at the borders, particularly with regard to smuggling.
“As you are all aware, before the border closure, a lot of petroleum products were being smuggled to West African countries and the border closures has created a situation that has tactically stopped that; they have been able to calculate the number of petroleum products being smuggled out by calculating the amount that is being lifted now compared to what was being lifted before.
“The issue of smuggling of rice to the country has reduced drastically and we are hoping that our agencies will be able to sustain that so also is the issue of poultry smuggling. “
President Muhammadu Buhari and his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta, have joined Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, in mourning the passing of the former president, Jerry Rawlings, who died at the age of 73.
Rawlings was confirmed dead on Thursday at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, two weeks after he buried his mother, Victoria Agbotui, in October. His mother had died at the age of 101.
Announcing the passing of Rawlings, Akufo-Addo directed that all national flags for the next seven days must fly at half-mast in all parts of the country.
Ex-Ghanaian President Jerry Rawllings bids the world goodbye at age 73 on Thursday November 12, 2020.
The Ghanaian leader said the seven days of national mourning from November 13 to 20, is in honour of the first president of the Fourth Republic. Akufo-Addo added that the Vice President, Mahamadu Bawumia and himself had suspended their presidential campaign activities.
He added that the government would be working closely with the family of the former president on a befitting state burial.
In his heartfelt condolence message sent to government and people of Ghana over passing of the country’s former president, Buhari affirmed that the entire African continent would sorely miss the sterling qualities of the great leader.
The Nigerian leader shared his belief in the “passion, discipline and moral strength that the former Ghanaian leader employed to reposition his country over many years continue to reverberate across the continent and beyond.”
Buhari noted, with commendation, “the unique role the former president “played in strengthening political institutions in his country and Africa, stimulating the economy for sustainable growth, and vociferously championing the African cause by urging many leaders to work towards interdependency on the global stage, especially in areas of competitive advantage.”
He joined family, friends and associates of the former Ghanaian leader in mourning his departure, assuring that the ideas that Rawlings postulated, particularly for development in Africa, and his sacrifices in working in various countries as an envoy for peace and democracy would always be remembered.
Buhari prayed God to grant the Ghanaian leader eternal rest, and comfort all his loved ones.
Kenyatta has also mourned former Ghanaian President, describing him as “a true Pan-Africanist who firmly believed and cared for the interests of the citizens of this continent.”
He said Rawlings “is credited for his efforts of restoring political stability in Ghana after a series of coups in the 1960s and 1970s.”
In his message of encouragement to Akufo-Addo, the government and the Rawlings family, Kenyatta said Africa has lost “an icon and a great statesman whose contribution to peace and prosperity of the continent will be remembered for generations to come.”
According to him, “On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Kenya, and on my own behalf, I wish to express my sincere and profound sympathy to the government and people of Ghana and the Rawlings family for the death of this great son of Africa.
“We will forever be grateful for his efforts to open the eyes of Africans especially on the management of their resources to develop their own countries. His leadership style transformed the minds of many people of this continent to see their possibilities in achieving the best with what they have.”
He added that the “servant leadership” of Rawlings ensured that Ghana steered back to its foundations of a free, fair and just society.
Kenyatta prayed God to comfort the Rawlings family and the people of Ghana at this time of mourning.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also mourned the passing of Rawlings.
In his condolence message, Atiku said: “Jerry Rawlings was an African giant. His tenure as leader of Ghana remains emblematic with the restoration of that country. Even after office, he stood tall for African unity and renaissance.
“He represented a generation of leaders who gave their all for the rebirth of his country and Africa at large.
“I pray for a pleasant repose of his soul and console with the people of Ghana; his contemporaries and current leaders in Africa on the loss of a worthy patriot.”
Commiserating with the government and people of Ghana over the death of former the president, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it received the news of Jerry Rawlings’ death with rude shock and immense sadness given the roles he was playing to ensure the unity, stability and development of the African sub-region and the continent at large.
“Former President Rawlings was a courageous patriot whose policies repositioned his country to attain greater heights in critical sectors of her national life.
“Indeed, Jerry John Rawlings was loved not only by Ghanaians but also by Nigerians, and indeed by Africa and the global world, for his candor, patriotism and quest for development, equity and fairness.
“Our party commiserates with the President of Ghana, His Excellency, Nana Akufo Addo, the widow of Jerry Rawlings, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the Rawlings family as well as the people of Ghana and prays God to grant fortitude to the bereaved and eternal rest to the departed leader,” PDP said.
Rawlings came to power in Ghana as a Flight Lieutenant of Ghana Air Force following a coup d’état in 1979. In 1992, Rawlings resigned from the military and founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and became the first President of the Fourth Republic.
President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday met in Abuja over the political crisis in Mali.
Giving updates on the considerable improvement in the management of the crisis in Mali, Jonathan, who is the Special Envoy/Mediator to the West African country, said the mission given to him by the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was almost fully done, as a transition government with a largely civilian face has been inaugurated in Mali.
He said: “The President has been sworn in, the Prime Minister, and Ministers too. The military has only four portfolios for serving officers, and the government has taken off.
According to him, “We can’t do hop, step and jump like other developed nations of the world, but one is delighted at the successes recorded.”
It would be recalled that after the intervention by the military in Mali, ECOWAS leaders had insisted on a transition government led by a civilian, and return to constitutional order within 12-18 months, among other demands.
Despite being at what he calls “the low ebb of resources caused by COVID-19 and fallen oil prices,” Nigeria will continue to provide support for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) based in N’djamena, Chad Republic, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured.
According to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President spoke Friday at State House, Abuja, while receiving Ambassador Mamman Nuhu , Executive Secretary, Lake Chad Basin Commission and Head of Mission, MNJTF.
President Buhari said despite paucity of resources, security of Nigeria and that of her neighbours must have pride of place, “so I will consult with all the relevant officials, and we will do our best.”
Ambassador Nuhu gave the President updates on the proposed recharge of Lake Chad, which he said was one of the priorities of Lake Chad Basin Commission, “and for which you have great passion,” informing that the governments of China and Italy were of great support, and positive action should commence soon.
He also commended countries which have contributed troops to MNJTF, adding, however, that kinetic military approach alone would not eradicate insurgency, and emphasis must also be placed on the root causes, particularly poverty.
Another round of ‘retail trade war’ is now brewing between Nigerian traders and their Ghanaian counterparts over the legal status of traders that should operate at the retail market located at Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Circle) in Ghana.
While Nigerians under the aegies of the Nigerian Union of Traders Association Ghana (NUTAG) expressed shock at the Ministry of Trade and Industry for locking up nearly 50 shops of its members in Accra on Thursday under what it described as questionable circumstances, the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) claimed that majority of foreign retailers in the country do not have permits to engage in retailing.
But, NUTAG President, Chukwuemeka Nnaji, said his members have the right documentation to operate in the retail market and they also comply with the taxes they are expected to pay.
Nnaji, in an interview, said the Nigerian traders were not treated fairly, even with their official and legal documentations to support their business operations in Ghana.
According to him, “We got a notice that a Ghanaian committee will come to inspect the documentations of the Nigerian traders. We alerted all our members to get ready for the inspection.
“The Ghanaian Task Force began the inspection at Abossey Okai and arrived at Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Circle) on Thursday.
“But we were shocked to see the task force forcefully try to lock up our shops even though we have the right documents to operate in Ghana.”
It’s alleged that Ghanaian traders have been mounting pressure on their Nigerian counterparts to pay more for their business operations in Ghana.
The Nigerian traders were initially asked to pay a sum of $300,000 to register for retail trade in Ghana, which runs contrary to the treaty of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). For them to remain in business, the traders rallied round themselves and put resources together to get a group licence with which they were able to secure different shop outlets.
The latest information alleged that Ghanaian government is now demanding for a sum of $1 million to be paid by the Nigerian traders in order to remain in business.
It would be recalled that GUTA had been accusing majority of foreign retailers in Ghana of not having permits to engage in retailing.
Relying on the GIPC Act, 2013 (865), GUTA argued that the law spells out the terms and conditions under which foreigners can engage in retailing in Ghana.
The law bars the “sale of goods or provision of services in a market, petty trading or hawking or selling of goods in a stall at any place” by foreigners.
GUTA recently warned Ghanaian government of an impending massive job losses in the retail market if proposals to review restrictions in that space are allowed.
In November 2019, GUTA closed about 600 shops owned by foreigners, mainly Nigerians, relying on the GIPC Act.
The shops were reopened after months of closure. In order to address all the grey areas, a Presidential Committee on Foreign Retail Trade was instituted in February 2020.
Speaking on the matter on February 4, 2020, a representative of the Minster of Trade, Ntim Odonkor, said: “The issue of foreigners taking over trading activities reserved for Ghanaians which has been your concern sometime has also come to the notice of government.
“As directed by his Excellency, a technical sub-committee has been put together to ensure the implementation of the president’s directives on this matter.
“Secondly, parliament has charged its subsidiary committee on Trade, Industry to study and make recommendations in a by-partisan manner with a view to finding a sustainable solution to this issue.”
It’s not cleared if the the Ghanaian Task Force is implementing the modified directives of Mr. President (Nana Akufo-Addo) or fresh recommendations by the subsidiary committee on trade and industry in the parliament.
Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has adopted a declaration of formation of a Government of National Unity towards resolving the lingering crisis in Mali.
ECOWAS Heads of State and Government unanimously agreed to the formation of a Government of National Unity in which 50 per cent nominees would come from the government of the day headed by President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita; 30 per cent would come from the opposition; while 20 per cent nominees would be made by the civil society organisations (CSOs).
These were some of the highlights reached at a virtual Extraordinary Session of the leaders of the sub-regional body on Monday.
The meeting adopted positions to resolve crisis sparked off by disputed parliamentary elections held in Mali, which had led to widespread riots, arson and killings in the West African country.
It was agreed that given the numerous challenges facing the country, some members of government would be nominated before the National Unity Government is formed. These include: the Ministers in charge of Defense, Justice, Foreign Affairs, National Security and Finance.
The Malian President was equally mandated to ensure the stepping down of the 31 parliamentarians who emerged from the disputed polls, while a by-election would be held as speedily as possible.
Also agreed was that steps should be taken to reconstitute the Constitutional Court in the country as soon as possible, while a commission of enquiry would determine and identify those responsible for the violence that led to deaths and casualties as well as public properties destroyed between July 10 and 12.
Equally resolved was that the government would step up efforts to secure the release of opposition figure, Soumaila Cisse, kidnapped since March, among others.
ECOWAS Commission is to put in place a monitoring committee for the implementation of all the above measures.
This declaration, which is expected to be communicated to relevant organs of African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN), also agreed to support Keita in restoring peace and order to Mali, noting that no anti-constitutional change of government would be accepted anywhere in West Africa.
The virtual Extraordinary Session of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government was attended by Presidents of Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Mali, Senegal, Liberia, Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Burkina Faso, Guinea Conakry, Cape Verde, The Gambia, and Niger Republic, who is the ECOWAS Chairman.
Equally present was President of ECOWAS Commission, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou.
President Muhammadu Buhari at the virtual meeting of ECOWAS leaders. July 27, 2020. Photo: Femi Adesina
In his remarks, President Muhammadu Buhari appealed to government and people of Mali to consider recommendations of ECOWAS Special Envoy, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and his team, in resolving the political crisis, saying a government of national unity would provide inclusivity and ensure peaceful co-existence.
Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, urged Malian political leaders to consider the fragile peace in the country and the likely spiraling effect on the sub-region.
“I wish to place on record, my commendations for the various layers of efforts, and especially, of former President Goodluck Jonathan, whose painstaking engagements as Special Envoy and Mediator, provided clear road-map to contain the crisis in Mali.
“I appeal therefore, to all the Malian stakeholders to consider the proposals for the reform of the Constitutional Court and the established modalities for resolving the continuous 31 seats issue at the National Assembly.
“Equally significant, is the need to address governance challenges, whose manifestations are at the core of restiveness across the country. In order to address these matters holistically, it is important that all Malians embrace the call for a Government of National Unity where inclusivity of participation in the affairs of governing their country will be a responsibility of each and every Malian actor.
“I wish to reiterate the imperative of compromise and concessions for a peaceful resolution of the current crisis which would be acceptable to all parties,” Buhari said.
The President commended the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for convening the Extraordinary Session to discuss the socio-economic, political and security developments in Mali, especially, following the outcome of the Parliamentary elections in the country, last March 2020.
He said: “Excellencies, dear colleagues and brothers, may I recall that last March, Parliamentary elections took place in Mali. Regrettably, results of 31 seats arising from those elections, provoked the spate of unrest and protests that became violent with tragic consequences in July 2020.
“We are still living and contending with the negative fallout from those incidents. Our organisation, the ECOWAS, using its instrumentality of peaceful resolutions of crisis and in the context of our Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, embarked upon a series of efforts to address this crisis, at the levels of Ministerial Committee, Special Envoy and Mediator and to a select-group of Heads of State and Government and now, the Authority of Heads of State and Government, at this Extraordinary Session, today.”
Buhari thanked Development Partners, the European Union, France, AU and the UN, urging them to continue to support efforts for national-regional security and stability of West Africa.
All ECOWAS leaders at the summit appreciated Goodluck Jonathan, who had been appointed Special Envoy and Mediator in the crisis.
Idowu Sowunmi
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