By Adenike Lawal

Amid mounting pressure from marketers and fuel retailers, the Federal Government has announced a national stakeholder forum on petrol pricing, scheduled for July 23 – 24, 2025.

The summit, organized by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), aims to address persistent concerns over price transparency, feedstock availability, and regulatory reforms in Nigeria’s deregulated downstream sector.

The announcement follows complaints from independent marketers who have decried sudden price changes, particularly from major suppliers like the Dangote Refinery that have left them with unsold fuel bought at higher costs.

These unpredictable fluctuations, they warn, are eroding confidence in the deregulated market.

Speaking at the 24th Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week in Abuja, NMDPRA’s Executive Director for Hydrocarbon Processing Plants and Infrastructure, Mr. Ogaree, acknowledged the turbulence in the fuel market and affirmed the Authority’s commitment to creating a stable and transparent pricing framework.

Key discussions at the upcoming forum will focus on fuel pricing mechanisms, feedstock sufficiency, protection of small-scale operators, and long-term stability strategies.

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, which has led calls for regulatory protection, warned that continued price instability could cripple small and medium retailers.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), also raised concerns over inflated pump prices, calling for price regulation within a ₦700 – ₦750 per litre range.

The union urged the government to intervene against what it called exploitative pricing.

In response, Ogaree said NMDPRA is pushing reforms to attract more investment in domestic refining and noted that while uniform pricing remains difficult due to market complexities, the forum will be key to aligning industry expectations.

He also disclosed that Nigeria now has 10 operational or near-operational refineries, including the three state-owned NNPC refineries, the 650,000 bpd Dangote refinery, and six modular plants.

However, he highlighted ongoing crude supply challenges, warning that without a boost in national oil production, refining expansion could be hampered.

As Nigeria advances its post-subsidy fuel economy, the July forum is expected to be a turning point in shaping a more predictable, investor-friendly downstream petroleum sector.

By Samuel Adeola

Telecom operator 9mobile has entered into a strategic roaming partnership with MTN Nigeria to enhance nationwide coverage and improve service quality for its subscribers.

The full rollout is expected to be completed before the end of July.

The three-year commercial agreement, signed between MTN and Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services (EMTS), owners of 9mobile, was officially announced on July 2.

Under the deal, 9mobile customers will be able to connect seamlessly using MTN’s extensive network infrastructure across the country.

At a press briefing, 9mobile CEO, Obafemi Banigbe, disclosed that pilot tests are already underway in select locations.

“We expect that within the month of July, we will be able to have a rollout across the country based on the outcome of the tests that we have done,” he said.

Banigbe emphasized that the roaming process will be automatic. “All you need to do is switch on your phone. If your line is active and has been recharged in the last 90 days, you don’t need to do anything else,” he assured.

Subscribers will retain their 9mobile numbers and billing structures. Banigbe described the agreement as “profitable to MTN and affordable to 9mobile,” clarifying that both companies remain competitors but are collaborating to reduce infrastructure costs, improve operational efficiency, and attract foreign investment.

He also linked the initiative to the federal government’s ongoing push to position Nigeria as a leading destination for foreign direct investment, particularly in the technology sector.

MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola, represented by Chief Enterprise Business Officer Lynda Saint-Nwafor, praised the partnership as a groundbreaking development in the country’s telecom landscape.

He described it as a shift from competition to “co-opetition,” where industry players collaborate to deliver better services.

Toriola also commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, for fostering a regulatory environment that encourages such innovative collaborations.

By Onilede Titi Faith

The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), has approved $100 million to support the construction of Nigeria’s Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a major infrastructure project aimed at boosting regional integration and economic growth.

Announced this week, the funding is part of EBID’s broader commitment to advancing key infrastructure across West Africa.

The highway, designed to link Lagos in the southwest to Calabar in the southeast, will traverse several coastal states and economic hubs, improving mobility and reducing travel time for millions.

In a statement, the bank emphasized that the highway will enhance regional trade and connectivity under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), while supporting Nigeria’s economic development agenda.

The $100 million package will fund critical components such as roadworks, bridges, and other essential infrastructure, ensuring compliance with international standards.

Nigerian government officials welcomed the development, describing it as a strong endorsement of the project’s viability.

The Minister of Works reiterated the federal government’s commitment to timely completion and to ensuring the highway delivers long-term value to citizens and businesses.

Construction is already underway on parts of the project, while other sections are in the procurement phase.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to create thousands of jobs and unlock economic opportunities along its route.