By Huldah Shado

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to participate in the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum (2025APCS) holding this week.

His Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Dubai on Monday.

Wike, who departed Abuja on Sunday, arrived in Dubai around 4 a.m. on Monday and was received by Ambassador Zayyanu Ibrahim, Nigeria’s Consul General in Dubai, along with senior officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The minister’s delegation includes Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda (Acting Executive Secretary, FCDA), Benedict Daudu (SSA on Legal and Multilateral Cooperation), Mukhtar Galadima (Director, Development Control), Engr. Chuks Udeh (Director, Engineering Services), and Sani Musa Daura (Director, Protocol).

On Tuesday, Wike is expected to join a panel discussion where he will address questions about the Federal Capital Territory and share insights with other mayors and city leaders attending the summit.

Organised by the Brisbane City Council, Australia, the Asia Pacific Cities Summit fosters dialogue and trade collaboration among mayors, business leaders, and young professionals from across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

By Salihu Mohammed

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, already recognized as the world’s largest single-train facility, is set for a massive expansion that will nearly double its capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) within the next three years.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited, made the ambitious announcement at a media briefing in Lagos, explaining that the decision is fueled by emerging opportunities across Africa, the growing regional demand for cleaner fuels, and Nigeria’s supportive policy environment.

“This expansion reflects our confidence in Nigeria’s future, our belief in Africa’s potential, and our commitment to building energy independence for our continent and the world,” Dangote stated. He noted that the move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dream for Nigeria to become a major global supplier of petroleum products.

Vision for African Energy Security
The expansion, which will cement Nigeria’s position as a global refining hub and surpass India’s Jamnagar Refinery, is backed by a financial strategy combining cash flow, public listing, and strategic investors.

Dangote emphasized that the project is a transformational step towards achieving energy security for Africa and transforming the continent from an exporter of raw crude to a hub for refined products.

Key highlights of the expansion include:

Fuel Standards: The refinery will transition from producing Euro V to Euro VI fuel standards, meeting the highest global environmental benchmarks for cleaner energy.

Polypropylene Boost: Polypropylene production capacity will surge from 900,000 metric tonnes to 2.4 million metric tonnes per annum.

Manufacturing Inputs: The facility will boost the output of linear alkylbenzene (a key ingredient in detergent manufacturing) and additional base oils.

Power Self-Sufficiency: Power generation capacity will be expanded to 1,000 megawatts, ensuring complete operational self-sufficiency.

Economic and Local Impact
Dangote projected that the expanded refinery’s annual revenue could exceed $55 billion, making it one of Africa’s most valuable industrial assets.

He underscored the profound economic benefits for Nigeria, including further strengthening energy security, drastically reducing foreign exchange outflows, and saving the country billions of dollars annually that would otherwise be spent on importing refined products.

On local participation, Dangote affirmed: “More than 85% of our workforce will be Nigerians, with continuous investment in skills development and technology transfer.” He concluded that the commitment to safety, sustainability, and local participation remains unwavering throughout every phase of the expansion.

By Samson Adeyanju

The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), in collaboration with the Committee of Vice-Chancellors Training Institute (CVCTI), concluded its 2025 Business Clinic on Wednesday, with a highlight session on developing and presenting compelling business pitch decks led by Sir Austin Ijere, MD/CEO of ACDC MGT. and Resources Limited.

The two-day programme, held at the CVCNU Secretariat in Wuse 2, Abuja, brought together university leaders, industry experts, and policymakers under the theme: “Unlocking University-Driven Business Ecosystems: Innovation, Partnerships, and Sustainable Enterprise Models.”

It is worthy to note that over 100 Nigerian VCs were in attendance for the event.

Sir Ijere, a seasoned business strategist with over 26 years of experience in enterprise development and financial management, guided participants through practical exercises designed to translate research and university-driven initiatives into viable business solutions.

The session emphasized hands-on development of pitch decks to attract investments and foster sustainable enterprise models within the higher education system.

Other notable sessions included strategic partnerships and enterprise development by Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, universities as enterprise hubs by Prof. Michael Adikwu, research commercialization and IP management by Dr. John O. Asien, and innovative funding sources like blended finance and micro-insurance by Mrs. Ummanhani Amin.

CVCNU Chairman, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, and Secretary-General, Prof. Andrew Haruna, commended the interactive and practical nature of the clinic, highlighting its potential to enhance academia-industry collaborations and promote entrepreneurship among Nigerian universities.

Participants received certificates of appreciation, with Sir Austin Ijere specifically recognized for his pivotal role in ensuring the success of the pitch deck session.

The clinic concluded with calls for universities to adopt innovative, partnership-driven approaches to leverage their research for economic growth and sustainable enterprise development.

The 2025 CVCNU Business Clinic marks a significant step toward equipping Nigerian universities with the tools and knowledge to transform academic research into impactful business ventures.