News
N1,030 PMS: Petrol price may go up again, experts warn
Against the backdrop of the presumed full deregulation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, which was believed to have led to the hike in the price of the product, last week, the price may go up again very soon, experts have warned.
The experts predicted their warning on further depreciation of the foreign exchange rate and an increase in the price of crude in the international market.
“And the increase in the price of crude is a very high possibility, given what is going on now in the Middle East, the geo-political tensions, the looming war between Iran and Israel”, Dr. Muda Yusuf, a renowned economist and Chief Executive Officer of Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, CPPE, said.
On his part, another economist, Mr Teslim Shitta-Bey, Managing Director of Proshare, said: “The escalation of conflict in the Middle East could lead to rising global oil and gas prices, which could further raise the local retail price of petrol in Nigeria”.
Also speaking, Eze Onyekpere, Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice, CSJ, said the rising cost of PMS will increase the misery and poverty in the country
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, had, on Thursday, raised the pump price of PMS by 15 per cent across Nigeria.
The development confirmed Vanguard’s report that plans were underway to fully deregulate the sector and that subsidy would no longer apply.
However, the complete deregulation effect pushed the price of the product to N1,030 per litre, from N897 in Abuja, while the price rose to N998 per litre, from N855, in Lagos.
Checks by Vanguard indicated that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery price also increased by 8.8 per cent to N977 per litre, from N898 per litre.
The latest price increase made it the second time the petrol price had been hiked in the past month.
This showed that the pump price of petrol has risen by more than 411 per cent since President Bola Tinubu came into office in May 2023.
Specifically, from N195 per litre before the President assumed office on May 29, 2023, the price of the product was increased to N448 (Lagos) and N460 (Abuja) in May 31, 2024; N557 (Lagos) and N617 (Abuja) in September 2024; N610 (Lagos) and N897 (Abuja) in September 2024 before the latest increase to N998 (Lagos) and N1,030 (Abuja) in October 2024.
The latest increase, which came against expectations that the crude-for-Naira deal between the Federal Government and Dangote Refinery might lead to a reduction in the pump price beginning from October 1, 2024, has left many citizens, especially motorists, in anger.
Oil markets
Oil markets were on edge throughout last week, dealing with rumors of an imminent Israeli attack on Iranian oil infrastructure. Ultimately, Israel’s attack failed to materialize. Consequently, Brent futures settled just below the $79 per barrel mark. “Prospects of further PMS price hikes are high if some of the major variables driving prices go up”, Yusuf told Sunday Vanguard at the weekend.
“If we see a further depreciation in the exchange rates, that may cause a further hike in price. “If there is an increase in the price of crude in the international market, that may also cause a further hike in price.
“And the increase in price of crude is a very high possibility, given what is going on now in the Middle East, the geo-political tensions, the looming war between Iran and Israel. “So, those geo-political concerns are things that can lead to a further hike in crude oil price which will invariably lead to an increase in PMS price. “These are the risks that we face when we talk about complete deregulation of PMS price. The risk and the possibilities are very high at this time”.
Caution
Yusuf, who is the immediate past Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, cautioned, “That is why we have to be extremely careful when we are pushing for a complete deregulation of PMS.
“The economy is highly sensitive, you know, to increases in PMS price. The citizens’ welfare is highly sensitive to movements in PMS prices.
“So, there’s a need to be extremely very careful because of the social consequences of further increases in PMS price”.
Dangote Refinery intervention
On the extent to which Dangote Refinery can ameliorate PMS price hikes, the economist said: “As to what Dangote can do, this is beyond Dangote. “Dangote Refinery is a business entity. It is the condition that we create either in terms of the foreign exchange environment or in terms of the crude oil sales to Dangote, that is what can make any difference in terms of price. “Dangote Refinery, on its own, cannot significantly determine the direction in which prices will go. “The best it can do is to try to be more efficient, try to be more competitive, and take advantage that the refining is taking place here.
“I think that is the best that can happen from Dangote. “If we want any significant impact on price through Dangote, then, the government policy must come into play.
“As to what the government should do with the removal of the subsidy, well, my take is that we should just relax all the pressures the citizens are facing, which may entail a trade-off in revenue.
“We should relax measures, especially around trade, around importation, around taxes.
“If you look at sectors that can impact welfare, on productivity, let us reduce their taxes drastically. Look at sectors that can impact the welfare of the people and business productivity.
“Let us reduce the import duty drastically. So whatever we are getting from this hike, let us give it back. Not through the Federation Account.
“But through concessions, through fiscal policy channels, that way I think the economy will be better. “There is no guarantee that if the government puts this money in the Federation Account, the benefits will cascade down to the people, there is no guarantee. “Many of these state governments have different priorities. Don’t forget, we are talking about the three tiers of government, not just the Federal Government.
“There’s a limit to which the Federal Government can dictate to the states and local governments on how they will spend their money. “So, the chances that the benefits will cascade or trickle down to the ordinary citizens that are bearing the burden of this hike in energy are very slim. “This is why I believe that it’s better to give concessions in other areas, particularly around taxes, around importation”.
Son of the late head of state and former Minister of Defence, Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, in a letter of remembrance and solidarity written on behalf of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family to the Fajuyi family, marking the 60th anniversary of his death, said July 29, 2026, will be a solemn occasion to honour a soldier they described as “a war hero who offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the unity and integrity of the nation.”
The family recalled that Lt Col Fajuyi, then Military Governor of the Western Region, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1966 when mutinous soldiers abducted him alongside Maj Gen Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan during the military counter-coup.
They stated that Fajuyi, in a defining moment of conscience, chose honour over personal safety and refused to abandon his guest and superior, a decision the family said reflected the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity, and military brotherhood.
According to the statement, his action transformed him into a national martyr whose legacy continued to inspire unity, courage, and selfless service.
The Aguiyi-Ironsi family also expressed sympathy with the Fajuyi family, acknowledging the enduring pain of their loss, while praying for continued strength, comfort, and peace.
The statement further stated, “He did not run. He did not hide. He chose to stand. In that sacrificial decision lay the essence of his greatness.”
The family called on government institutions, military authorities, and custodians of national memory to ensure sustained recognition and support for the Fajuyi family, stressing that his sacrifice remained a national responsibility to remember and honour.
It urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from his life and death, noting that his legacy continues to challenge the nation to uphold unity, courage, honour, and selfless service.
Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, during the military counter-coup in Ibadan alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
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