News
Fuel Crisis: Labour Demands Immediate Reversal Of New Pump Price

Expectedly, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the federal government’s increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), describing it as a betrayal of trust.
This development followed reports of fuel being sold above N1,000 at petrol stations across Nigeria from yesterday.
In a statement by NLC President Joe Ajaero, in Abuja, Labour expressed shock and disappointment at the government’s decision, which it claimed was made without prior consultation or notice.
It was gathered that during negotiations for the new national minimum wage, one condition for accepting the proposed N70,000 was the government’s commitment to maintain the existing fuel prices.
Labour lamented feeling a deep sense of betrayal as the federal government clandestinely increased the pump price of PMS.
Ajaero stated that one of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as the national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of PMS would not be increased, even though they knew that N70,000 was insufficient.
According to Labour, the federal government offered the option of a higher minimum wage of N250,000 with a pump price of PMS between N1,500 and N2,000 or a lower minimum wage of N70,000 with the old fuel rates, and that organised labour opted for the latter, unwilling to burden Nigerians with further economic strain.
Labour lamented that the government has violated this understanding, even when the reduced new minimum wage is yet to be implemented. Amid ongoing fuel scarcity, the increase in petrol prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) from N617 to N897 per litre at its retail outlets in Abuja, N855 in Lagos, and over N1000 in other parts of the country had caused a lot of misgiving among Nigerians.
Nigerians woke up yesterday to these changes in petrol pump prices. A directive from the NNPC Retail management indicated approval for an upward review of PMS pump prices across the country.
“This is to inform you that NNPC Retail Management has approved an upward review of PMS pump price from N617/litre to N897/litre, effective today, September 3, 2024. Please ensure all your pumps and totems (price boards)/MIDs reflect the new PMS price of N897/litre,” the message read.
Checks reveal that many NNPC filling stations in Abuja had already implemented the new prices, with downstream facilities selling at N897. At an independent filling station along Jikwoyi Road in Abuja, the commodity was sold at N960 per litre. Our correspondents went round filling stations. In Ado Ekiti, NNPC Mega Station petrol was sold at N855, Rein Oil at N930, Matrix at N935, and Bovas at N935, while others sold between N1000 and N1200 per litre.
In Borno State capital.Maiduguri, petrol at Kime Petrol Limited was N1000, Ajus Oil Ltd.’s pump price was N970, Ngarzema Petrol Station’s was N975, and Bamus Investment’s was N950. Both A. A Rano at Club Road and Danmarna Filling Station at Gwagwarwa by Airport Road in Kano sold a litre of petrol for N950. It is sold at N980 at Rainoil Filling Station along Aba Road in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
Petroleum was being dispensed at N950 at the Famab—Agoro Filling Station, Sobi Specialist Hospital Road, Alagbado, Ilorin, Kwara State.
In Delta State, specifically Asaba, Rain Oil Petrol Station sold fuel at N950 per litre. In Zamfara State, fuel was sold at different prices: Rikiji Filling Station at N950, Danmarna Filling Station at N890, and Danmaikyau Filling Station at N930. NNPCL in Ibadan sold at N865 per litre. Total was sold at N1000 per litre, Martum Filling Station Apete sold at N950 per litre, and Gmas Petrol Station Apete at N950 per litre.
In Enugu, MOOB Filling Station, opposite St. Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Awka, along Zik’s Avenue, sold fuel at N950 per litre yesterday.
Abu Kure and Imani fuel stations on Gusau Road, Sokoto State, sold fuel at N1000 and N1200, respectively. Fuel is sold at N980 per litre at EMSA Filling Station, Aka Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
In Kaduna, AA Rano sold at N950 per litre, Sharon at N920 per litre, while black market sales reached N1500 per litre.
In Rivers, NNPCL sold at N884 per litre, Oando at N970 per litre, and the black market sold at N1000 per litre.
In Rivers, NNPCL sold at N884 per litre, Oando at N970 per litre, and the black market sold at N1000 per litre.
In Imo State, fuel stations such as BGR and Cocean on Orlu Road dispensed the product at N950 per litre.
The product sold for more or less the above prices in Kebbi, Plateau, Gombe, Niger, and Adamawa states.
However, the NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, declined to comment when our correspondent contacted us.
The NNPC attributed the shortages and price increases to significant debts owed to suppliers and ongoing operational difficulties at the country’s four non-functional refineries.
As queues grow longer at filling stations, stakeholders warn that further price hikes could deepen the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians, pushing them closer to breaking point.
The price hike comes as Nigerians are already grappling with high inflation, currently at its highest level in 28 years, and a weakening economy. The increase in petrol prices is likely to lead to a sharp rise in the cost of basic food items and transportation, further straining household budgets.
Many Nigerians have expressed frustration with the current situation.
The NNPC, the sole importer of petrol into Nigeria, had attributed the price increase to financial strain caused by the high cost of importing the commodity. The company has acknowledged significant debts owed to petrol suppliers, which has placed considerable pressure on its operations.
Despite the government’s efforts to remove subsidy and allow private firms to import petrol, the NNPC remains the sole importer due to foreign currency shortages and a cap on the price of petrol. Some outlets have taken advantage of the situation to maximize profits, further exacerbating the crisis. As the cost of living continues to rise, many Nigerians are calling for urgent action from the government to address the ongoing petrol crisis and its impact on the economy.
Experts have called on the government to roll out incentives to alleviate the suffering caused by the fuel price hike. The experts, who spoke in various interviews with LEADERSHIP yesterday, also urged the government to increase its support for the adoption of renewable energy in the country.
An impeccable industry source told our correspondent that the NNPCL is about to raise the ex-depot price to N850 per litre, which will force independent retailers to sell at above N900 to N1,000 per litre, considering other costs. This adjustment is connected to the NNPC’s disclosure that petrol importation has caused financial strain and poses a threat to the sustainability of the fuel supply.
Dr. Muda Yusuf, director/CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), said, “The reality is that this is a very difficult situation for the government and the NNPC. I hope that as citizens, we should show some understanding at this time. If the situation improves, the price may be further moderated.”
On his part, the group executive chairman of Lancelot Group, Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, noted that the fraud characterizing NNPC operations has fully matured. “Why were they fighting Dangote over the refinery? They know that one man’s success will demystify them. What do you do when you owe? You pay up. They should pay.”
Similarly, David Adonri, vice president of Highcap Securities Limited, expressed concern over whether the new PMS price is market-determined.
“NNPC has a monopoly over the supply of PMS. An abuse of monopoly power may be what we are currently witnessing,” he said.
“Several things have already gone wrong, which signals a rollback on market reforms. Whenever prices increase astronomically, it fuels galloping inflation. The drive by NNPC to hike fuel prices may be responsible for the current excruciating fuel scarcity. Some people also think that the measure is geared towards preparing the market for the entry of Dangote’s PMS at international prices.”
FG Denies Ordering NNPC To Increase Petrol Prices
Meanwhile, the federal government has addressed reports circulating on social media, claiming that the minister of state for petroleum resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to inflate petroleum prices to N1000 per litre above the approved pump price.
The federal government, in a statement signed by the special adviser to the minister, Nneamaka Okafor, said the report was concocted and ill-conceived to sow discord and confusion in the oil industry.
“There was never a time the federal government interfered with petroleum pricing at NNPC, let alone give directives for price increment. The federal government is compelled to address the outright falsehoods currently being circulated on social media, which claim that the minister of petroleum resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to inflate petroleum prices above the approved pump price.”
“We categorically condemn these claims as baseless, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to incite public discontent.”
“We challenge anyone in possession of any evidence—be it written documents, audio, or video recordings—that supports these fabrications to make it public. Such a claim is entirely untrue and should be recognised as an intentional effort to mislead the public.”
News
How soldiers damaged my house for doing my job – ECTDA Chair, Hon. Uche Anya

The Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, Rt. Hon. Uche Anya has narrated how soldiers from 82 Division of the Nigeria Army invaded his residence by 2.30am and destroyed his residence for carrying out a town planning regulation on an army property in Enugu.
According to Anya, the soldiers who some of them were on mufti, in the wee hours of Sunday morning, invaded his residence with armoured personnel carriers, forcefully jumped into his compound and destroyed most parts of his house and abducted him.
His offence, he explained, was that he demolished a fence that was being made round an army property at GRA area of the Coal City, which the army did not obtain approval plan and permit from his office before embarking on the construction.
“We pleaded with them that we are from the ECTDA and needed to see their approved plan and permit but they asked me to call the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu.
“We insisted on seeing their approval, which they did not provide, leading to our stopping them from working and marking the place with ‘Stop Work’ notice immediately.”
He said that he thereafter reached out to the GOC and informed him about what transpired, but that the army said that they were trying to secure their land.
“I told him that under our law, once a development is taking place in the capital territory, there must be permission. So, three days later, in the course of our routine work, we discovered that they had wiped out our stop work order and proceeded with the work. We rolled down our equipment and pulled down the fence because they reneged on our agreement,” Anya narrated.
The Capital Territory Chairman said that two hours later, he started noticing strange movement around his street, with some people taking photographs.
“So, around 2:30a.m, two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) arrived on my street. Some people in mufti with guns jumped into my compound and I was seeing them through my CCTV. They tried to break into the house but it took them almost 90 minutes to break in through the kitchen.”
When our correspondent visited Anya’s residence, there was a total smash of most properties in the house starting from the gate to the entrance door and windows, television sets, CCTV cameras and so many other things were in complete ruin.
News
Ooni’s Ex- Wife, Naomi, 7 Others, In Trouble As 35 Kids Killed In Oyo Stampede

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and seven others for the Christmas party tragedy in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The police also in a statement by SP Osifeso Adewale, added that 35 children had been confirmed dead so far with six others critically
Recall that Agidigbo FM, a prominent private radio station, disclaimed involvement in the ill-fated children’s festive party that tragically resulted in multiple deaths on Wednesday morning in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
SaharaReporters earlier broke the news about how tragedy struck on Wednesday morning at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan when a stampede occurred during a children’s Christmas party.
The station’s management clarified they were not sponsors or organisers of the event, contrary to initial reports. It identified the organiser as WINGS (Women In Need Of Guidance and Support), whose founder is Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
Eyewitnesses report that many children were trampled in the chaos, with several others injured.
Meanwhile the police statement said, “Sequel to the stampede incident recorded on Wednesday 18/12/2024 at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan venue of the family event Organized by Wings Foundation and Media partners Agidigbo FM, the Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the good people of the State that (8) Persons have since been arrested for their various involvements.
“These persons include the main event sponsor, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola ’f’ age 31yrs, Fasasi Abdulahi, ’m’ age 56yrs (School Principal Islamic High School, Ibadan), Genesis Christopher, ’m’ age 24yrs, Tanimowo Moruf,’m’ age 52yrs, Anisolaja Olabode, ‘m’ age 42yrs, Idowu Ibrahim, ‘m’ age 35yrs and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, ’m’ age 25yrs.
“So far (35) Thirty-Five Minors have been documented Dead while (6) Six others are critically injured and on various Medical Interventions.
“In furtherance of the above, the case has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge leading the investigations.
“So also, residents around the axis are advised not to panic as they would witness high level patrols and visible Police presence to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation.
“Finally, the Oyo State Police Command sympathizes with all the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy and assures the good people of the State that Justice will be served accordingly.”
News
Rashford leaving Man United could bring him to form-Keane

Roy Keane believes leaving Manchester United could do Marcus Rashford the “world of good” as he fears the forward will never regain his hunger at Old Trafford.
Rashford’s future appears to be in the balance after the 27-year-old, a product of United’s youth system, was left out of the Manchester derby.
United won 2-1 at Manchester City on Sunday, with Rashford telling journalist Henry Winter on Tuesday that he was “ready for a new challenge and the next steps”.
“I don’t mind what he said. I think it’s spot on,” former United captain Keane told the Stick to Football podcast.
“Sometimes a deal just works for everybody. It’s been going on for a year or two now, there’s obviously a bit of talent in there, he’s been at the club since he was a kid.
A change would probably do him the world of good, for him and his team and his family. Just go and play, maybe go abroad or whatever it might be.”
Rashford’s current contract at Old Trafford runs until 2028 and although he has been linked to several other clubs, United manager Ruben Amorim is keen for the England forward to stay.
But Keane said: “I always think if you lose that hunger, it is hard to get it back.
“Forget about the few bob (pounds) he’s earned over the years — and listen, good for him — but we know, the great players, it’s nothing to do with that.”
Keane added that leaving United could revive Rashford’s “real hunger” for on-field success.
“I think there’s a good chance he might get it back with a change of a club and scenery, a new country, a new league, whatever, but I don’t think he’ll get it back at United.”
Amorim, talking to reporters ahead of Thursday’s League Cup quarter-final at Tottenham, urged Rashford to “speak with the manager” rather than air his grievances publicly.
Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for the club since making his senior debut in 2016.
However, he has lost form over the last 18 months with United and was also axed from England’s Euro 2024 squad.
Rashford has scored just 15 goals in 67 appearances since signing a lucrative new contract 18 months ago, with speculation over his future increasing in recent days.
The forward, who was absent from training on Monday through illness, is set to miss the League Cup quarter-final at Spurs.
Amorim is keen to keep Rashford but he admitted he would have handled the situation differently when he was a player.
“If this was me, probably I will speak with the manager,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “But, guys, let’s focus on Tottenham. Tottenham is the most important thing.”
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