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Naira-for-crude: Marketers fear price hike as FG suspends sale to Dangote

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•IPMAN slams depot owners for stockpiling product, FG, Dangote resume talks today

Following the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s suspension of the sale of petroleum products in naira, some filling stations have started stockpiling Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol.

The retailers are storing the product to ensure they have enough to sell at a higher rate, having projected that the price of petrol would go up soon as a result of the failure of the Federal Government to continue the sale of crude oil to the Dangote refinery in the local currency.

However, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria warned these retailers to stop panic buying as they may run into heavy losses.

Last week, the Dangote refinery announced that it had temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in naira as the naira-for-crude talks between it and NNPCL appeared to have failed.

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The 650,000 barrels per day capacity refinery lamented that there was a mismatch between its sales proceeds and its crude oil purchase obligations, which it said are currently denominated in US dollars.

“Dear valued customers, we wish to inform you that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in naira. This decision is necessary to avoid a mismatch between our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in US dollars.

“To date, our sales of petroleum products in naira have exceeded the value of naira-denominated crude we have received. As a result, we must temporarily adjust our sales currency to align with our crude procurement currency,” the firm announced.

Immediately after the announcement, the cost of loading petrol at private depots in Lagos jumped to about N900/litre. It was less than N850/litre before the announcement.

In an interview on Sunday, the National Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, said depot owners were profiteering even as some owners of filling stations were in a rush to stockpile fuel.

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According to him, the demand for PMS has risen since Wednesday, when Dangote made the announcement. As a result, depot owners were said to have raised their prices to make more profit.

It was observed that players in the downstream petroleum sector have been left to continue speculating on the prices of petroleum products as the Federal Government had kept mute since the announcement made by the Dangote refinery.

Five days after the announcement, the refinery has yet to tell marketers how the dealers will buy PMS going forward.

Private depot owners wasted no time in jerking up their prices in anticipation of a possible hike in petrol prices. Although owners of filling stations have yet to increase their prices, they are already buying to sell for more gains when the price goes up later.

But Ukadike condemned depot owners for profiteering from the impasse between the Federal Government and the Dangote refinery, saying that is not good for the economy.

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He warned marketers not to panic-buy because the Dangote refinery may crash the price.

“Some depot owners are already increasing the price. But we are also asking our marketers not to panic-buy. Because definitely when the Dangote refinery comes back and reverses the price, it will be a huge loss for these marketers. Depot owners are using this opportunity to profiteer. This is not good for the economy.

“Some marketers are also stockpiling PMS in a bid to increase the price based on the suspension of naira sales by the Dangote refinery. They speculate that the price will go higher and they will make more money from the fuel they are buying now. It may not be so. This issue will be resolved,” Ukadike stated.

He warned all marketers against buying large volumes of petrol to avoid running into debt.

“We, the independent marketers, are asking our members not to buy so much goods because when they buy so much volume of fuel at a higher rate from the depot owners, at the end of the day, it might result in losing a lot of capital.

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“Dangote may crash the price and most of them with high volumes of PMS will run into problems. So, all marketers should be careful to avoid losses,” he advised.

The IPMAN spokesman disclosed that the Federal Government and Dangote refinery are resolving their misunderstanding to allow the resumption of the naira crude sales. He stated that stakeholders are waiting to hear the conclusion from either party.

“I have gathered that the Federal Government and Dangote refinery are almost resolving this matter.

“The two of them are reviewing the naira-for-crude deal to continue the sale of crude oil in naira to the refinery again.  But the official statement has not come out. We are waiting for the official statement,” Ukadike revealed.

Sources from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources had earlier confirmed that the Technical Sub-Committee on the Naira-for-Crude Policy would reconvene today (Monday) to deliberate on the matter.

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It was gathered that the committee had mandated the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to come up with options that would be reviewed by the panel as it struggles to return the naira-for-crude deal.

The insider familiar with the workings of the naira-for-crude said the transaction would not be halted permanently. The source, who spoke in confidence due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, pointed out that NNPCL had issues with crude availability.

Industry experts and oil marketers warned that the halt in naira sales by the Dangote refinery could increase the pressure on the foreign exchange market, as dealers would now have to access the United States dollars in large amounts to buy petroleum products.

This came as multiple industry sources familiar with what prompted the failure in the naira-for-crude talk decried the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s humongous forward sale of crude.

They stressed that the national oil company had used large volumes of its yet-to-be-produced crude oil to acquire loans from various international financial institutions, making it tough for the oil firm to have enough crude to supply the domestic market.

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Earlier, the NNPC spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, announced that it had initiated fresh negotiations with the Dangote refinery over the renewal of the naira-for-crude agreement, as talks were underway in anticipation of the expiration of the first phase which started in October 2024 and ends this month.

Soneye said 48 million barrels of crude had been supplied to the Dangote refinery since October.

The Dangote refinery’s suspension of the sale of petroleum products in naira means marketers would have to source dollars before buying petrol from the facility.

The National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, said there could be pressure on the naira, and it would lose the stability it had gained lately.

Experts have said that the naira-for-crude deal emboldened the Dangote refinery to lower the prices of PMS repeatedly, forcing the NNPC to do so even when it was affecting its margins.

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Fuel importers lost billions of naira with the repeated reduction of fuel prices by the $20bn facility.

At a point, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, which once commended Dangote for the price slashes, kicked against it, asking the regulator to make it mandatory that prices should only be slashed after six months.

Meanwhile, industry sources said stopping the naira-for-crude deal might be a calculated attempt to reduce the influence of the Dangote refinery, which some players in the downstream accused of planning monopolistic tendencies.

Reacting, domestic crude oil refiners argued that the halt in crude supply in naira was the latest ploy to frustrate the Dangote refinery and bring back the full importation of refined petroleum products.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Crude Oil Refinery-owners Association of Nigeria, Eche Idoko, disclosed that suspending the deal defeats the efforts of all stakeholders in the sector to achieve energy security.

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Seven vessels carrying imported Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, were expected to berth at seaports along the nation’s borders between  March 17 and 23.

According to a document obtained from the Nigerian Port Authority on Thursday, these vessels carrying 115,000 metric tonnes representing 154.22 million litres of PMS will bring in products through three seaports to improve fuel supply nationwide.

An analysis of the document from NPA showed that the commodities landed at the Tincan port in Lagos, the Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos, and the Calabar port in Cross River State.

The document also revealed that the Dangote refinery imported 654,766 metric tonnes of crude oil within the same period.

Fuel crisis

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Recall that the Dangote refinery in Lekki, Lagos State, was greeted by crude challenges when it began operations last year.

The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, had cried out, saying some international oil companies were planning to sabotage the investment by refusing to supply crude.

The Dangote Group had alleged that the IOCs insisted on selling crude oil to its refinery through their foreign agents.

It said the local price of crude would continue to increase because the trading arms offered cargoes at $2 to $4 per barrel, above the official price.

The group also alleged that the foreign oil producers seem to be prioritising Asian countries in selling the crude they produce in Nigeria.

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Despite the intervention of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in July, the group insisted that the IOCs were still frustrating the refinery.

The Vice President, Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr Devakumar Edwin, said, “If the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation guidelines are diligently implemented, this will ensure that we deal directly with the companies producing the crude oil in Nigeria as stipulated by the Petroleum Industry Act.”

Edwin insisted that IOCs operating in Nigeria had consistently frustrated the company’s requests for locally-produced crude as feedstock for its refining process.

He highlighted that when cargoes were offered to the oil company by the trading arms, it was sometimes at a $2 to $4 (per barrel) premium above the official price set by the NUPRC.

The issue escalated and drew angry reactions from many Nigerians when the Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, Farouq Ahmed said local refineries were producing fuels less in quality than imported ones.

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Concerned by the controversies, President Bola Tinubu, during a Federal Executive Council meeting on July 29 proposed the sale of crude to local refineries in naira.

The Federal Executive Council adopted the proposal by Tinubu to sell crude to the Dangote refinery and other upcoming refineries in the local currency.

FEC approved that the 450,000 barrels meant for domestic consumption be offered in naira to Nigerian refineries, using the Dangote refinery as a pilot.

A media aide to the President, Bayo Onanuga, said in July that “the exchange rate will be fixed for the duration of this transaction.”

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Ogarabe Returns To Enugu As Commissioner Of Police As PSC Deploys New Commissioners To Four States

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The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the deployment of four new Commissioners of Police to Enugu, Plateau, Nasarawa and Ondo states.

Among the newly deployed officers is CP Fidelis Ogarabe, who has been appointed Commissioner of Police for Enugu State.

Ogarabe was formerly the Commissioner of Police in charge of the INTERPOL Annex, Lagos.

Other officers affected by the deployment include CP Sunday J. A. Okoebor, formerly Commissioner of Police, Police Accounts and Budget, Force Headquarters, who has been posted to Plateau State.

CP Sheikh Mohammed Danko, formerly Commissioner of Police, Force Intelligence Annex, Lagos, has been deployed to Nasarawa State, while CP Johnson Ayodeji Babalola, formerly of the Special Inquiry Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja, has been posted to Ondo State.

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The appointments followed a series of interviews conducted by the commission to assess the officers’ fitness, competence and suitability for their new responsibilities.

The deployment was approved on Thursday at the Solomon Arase Conference Hall, Police Service Commission Headquarters, Abuja.

In a statement signed by the commission’s Head of Protocol and Public Relations, Torty Kalu, the PSC said the appointments were made in accordance with its constitutional mandate.

The Chairman of the commission, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu, said the appointments were consistent with Section 215(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for the commission’s authority in the appointment of Commissioners of Police for the states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Argungu, who was represented by a board member, Justice Paul Adamu Galumje (JSC, rtd.), said the officers had been found worthy in learning and character following the assessment.

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He charged the newly deployed commissioners to discharge their responsibilities with impartiality, professionalism and a strong commitment to the expectations of their respective offices.

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Failed Government: Nwifuru Praises Mbah’s Achievements in Enugu, Fails to Highlight Own Projects at APC Rally

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The Anyichuks Campaign Office has criticised Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, for failing to showcase any significant achievements of his administration during the Southeast presidential campaign flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women’s Mobilisation held at Okpara Square, Enugu, describing his remarks as another indication of the absence of tangible accomplishments to justify his four years in office.

The campaign office expressed disappointment that while the governors of Imo and Enugu states used the opportunity to reel out projects and development initiatives executed with their respective states’ resources and federal allocations, Governor Nwifuru chose to devote his speech to praising his Enugu counterpart, Governor Peter Mbah.

According to the campaign office, the contrast was particularly striking because the event provided an opportunity for the three governors to demonstrate what their respective administrations had achieved and how they had deployed public resources to improve the lives of their people.

“But when the microphone got to Governor Nwifuru, what did Ebonyi people hear? Instead of telling the audience what he has done with the enormous resources accruing to Ebonyi State, he chose to commend Governor Peter Mbah for his achievements in Enugu State.

“Why couldn’t he tell the gathering what he has done with Ebonyi people’s money? Why was he more interested in celebrating another governor’s achievements than presenting his own scorecard to the people he was elected to serve?” the campaign office queried.

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It recalled that Nwifuru, in his remarks, praised Governor Mbah for initiatives aimed at promoting unity, developing skills and introducing innovations to women, but offered no comparable account of what his administration had done to advance the welfare and economic fortunes of Ebonyi residents.

The campaign office said the governor’s decision to focus on another state’s achievements, rather than present his own administration’s record, was a missed opportunity that had further reinforced public concerns about his performance.

“It is particularly unfortunate that a governor who has spent almost four years in office could stand before an audience of political leaders and party faithful without identifying concrete achievements of his administration that ordinary Ebonyi people can relate to.

“Ebonyi people deserve more than political slogans, praise-singing and repeated appeals for votes. They deserve leadership that can point to measurable improvements in their living conditions, infrastructure, education, healthcare, employment and economic opportunities.”

The campaign office further argued that Nwifuru’s remarks were symptomatic of what it described as an administration that had failed to add sufficient value to the lives of ordinary men and women in Ebonyi State.

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It said the governor’s appeal to women to support the APC and his declaration that the party had an open manifesto would mean little to citizens who, according to the campaign office, were more interested in the practical benefits of governance than political promises.

The office said the growing clamour for Anyichuks to emerge as Ebonyi State’s next governor was rooted in the people’s desire for a departure from what it described as years of disappointing leadership and unfulfilled expectations.

It maintained that Ebonyi could not afford another administration that would merely occupy the Government House without delivering meaningful improvements in the lives of its citizens.

“The growing support for Anyichuks is a reflection of the people’s hunger for a government that understands their struggles and is prepared to translate public resources into tangible benefits.

“Ebonyi people cannot continue to endure an administration that adds little or no value to the everyday lives of ordinary citizens. They want a government that will create opportunities, empower families, support businesses and ensure that the state’s resources work for the people.

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“Leadership is not about praising another governor for what he has accomplished. It is about being able to stand before your own people and account for what you have done with the mandate and resources entrusted to you.”

The campaign office therefore urged Ebonyi residents to look beyond party slogans and political endorsements and begin demanding accountability, measurable performance and leadership that places the welfare of the people above political interests.

It said Anyichuks represented the aspiration for a new direction in Ebonyi State, insisting that the state deserved leadership capable of converting its resources and enormous human potential into prosperity for its people.

 

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Njikoka Records Early Governance Milestones As Okakpu, Nwanadile Mark One Month In Office

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By Ugoo Aniagoh

From the restoration of electricity at the local government secretariat after 13 years to renewed road, water, sanitation and security initiatives, the Okakpu-led administration is setting its governance agenda in motion.

The administration of Hon. (Dr.) Ikechukwu Okakpu, popularly known as OKD Jnr, and his Deputy, Hon. Ifunanya Nwanadile, has recorded a number of developmental milestones as the duo mark their first 30 days in office as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Since assuming office on October 3, 2026, the administration has initiated interventions across critical sectors, including infrastructure, environmental sanitation, water supply, grassroots governance and community security.

One of the notable achievements recorded within the period is the restoration of electricity at the Njikoka Local Government Secretariat after 13 years without public power supply. The development marks a significant improvement in the working environment at the council headquarters and is expected to enhance administrative efficiency.

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In the area of water infrastructure, rehabilitation of pipe-borne water facilities across the local government has commenced, reflecting the administration’s commitment to improving access to basic amenities.

The administration has also strengthened its governance structure through the appointment and inauguration of elected councillors, Supervisory Councillors and Special Advisers to support grassroots representation, policy implementation and effective service delivery.

 

Environmental sanitation has received considerable attention, with over 100 ad-hoc workers engaged to support waste management, routine cleaning and general environmental sanitation across the local government.

On infrastructure development, the administration has commenced a Public-Community-Private Partnership (PCPP) road project along the Awovu–Osili axis in Enugwu Ukwu. An assessment of Ezi Norbert Road has also been conducted as part of efforts to identify infrastructure needs and explore possible interventions.

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Security has equally featured prominently in the administration’s first-month activities. Adopting a zero-tolerance stance towards insecurity, the council has mounted CCTV cameras at strategic locations to strengthen surveillance and improve security monitoring.

In a grassroots-driven security initiative, local traders and street operators have also been engaged as Community Safety Marshals. Equipped with walkie-talkies, the marshals are expected to serve as additional sources of community security intelligence, promptly reporting suspicious movements and activities to the appropriate authorities.

These initiatives represent some of the administration’s early efforts to address longstanding challenges while laying the groundwork for sustained development across Njikoka’s six communities.

Speaking through its first-month performance record, the administration maintains that its focus remains on practical governance, improved public services, environmental responsibility, infrastructure development and a safer community.

Although the administration is still in its early days, its first 30 days have provided an indication of its immediate priorities and development direction.

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For residents of Njikoka, the expectation will now be to see these initial interventions translated into sustainable projects, measurable improvements and lasting impact across the local government.

Thirty days down, more work ahead. Njikoka First.

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FG N50,000 Grant: How Nigerians Can Check Eligibility, Claim Payment

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The Federal Government has released guidelines explaining how Nigerians selected for its N50,000 relief grant can confirm their eligibility, accept the offer, access the funds and withdraw the money.

The government also warned beneficiaries against fraudsters seeking to exploit the intervention by demanding money or sensitive personal information.

The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) is designed to support vulnerable households struggling with rising living costs.

The programme, managed by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, provides a one-off grant of N50,000 to selected beneficiaries through mobile wallets operated by five approved payment providers.

According to the frequently asked questions published on the programme’s website and sighted by PUNCH Online on Thursday, the grant is not a loan, requires no repayment and can be accessed without a smartphone or internet connection.

Here are the key things Nigerians need to know about the programme.

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1. Who qualifies for the N50,000 grant?

The government said beneficiaries were selected from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.

It explained that individuals cannot apply directly or pay anyone to secure a place on the beneficiary list.

Selection is based on need, with beneficiaries drawn from the six geopolitical zones, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.

The government also clarified that payments would be made in phases, meaning not everyone would receive a notification at the same time.

2. How can you check if you are eligible?

Selected beneficiaries will receive SMS notifications from one of the five approved payment providers: ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.

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The messages will confirm their selection and provide a USSD code to dial to accept the grant.

Beneficiaries can also dial their assigned provider’s USSD code and select the eligibility-check option to confirm their status.

Those who are not selected will receive a notification informing them that they are currently not eligible for the relief support.

3. How do beneficiaries claim the N50,000?

Recipients are required to dial the USSD code contained in the notification from their payment provider and follow the instructions.

The process activates a mobile wallet, after which the N50,000 is credited and a confirmation SMS is sent.

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The government stressed that receiving a selection message does not automatically mean the money has been paid. Beneficiaries must first accept the offer.

Those who mistakenly reject the offer can dial the code again and select the acceptance option.

4. Can people without smartphones receive the grant?

Yes. The government said beneficiaries do not need smartphones or internet access to receive the money.

A basic mobile phone is sufficient because the USSD codes work without an internet connection.

However, customers of OPay, Moniepoint and MoMo PSB can also use their providers’ official mobile applications to access their wallets and carry out transactions.

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5. How can beneficiaries withdraw the money?

Beneficiaries can withdraw their funds through Point of Sale agents by transferring money from their mobile wallets and collecting cash.

Each approved payment provider also offers alternative withdrawal and transfer options.

The available USSD codes include:

  • ALAT: Dial 94523Account NumberAmount# to transfer funds.
  • MoMo PSB: Dial 6710# or use the MoMo NG application.
  • NairaGram: Dial 72600#.
  • OPay: Dial 95520# or use the OPay application.
  • Moniepoint: Dial 557327# or use the Moniepoint application.

Beneficiaries can withdraw the entire N50,000 or take only part of it, leaving the balance in their wallets.

They can also transfer the money to personal bank accounts or other beneficiaries through the available channels.

6. Are there charges for receiving the grant?

The government said accepting the grant, receiving the money and responding to programme SMS notifications are free.

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However, POS operators may charge their usual withdrawal fees when beneficiaries collect cash.

Recipients are therefore advised to confirm the applicable charges before completing transactions.

7. What if you have not received an SMS?

The government explained that payments were being made in phases, with payment providers contacting beneficiaries in batches.

Therefore, not receiving an SMS does not necessarily mean an individual has been permanently excluded.

Interested persons can check their eligibility through their assigned provider’s USSD code.

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The government, however, warned that nobody could add an individual to the beneficiary list or accelerate payment in exchange for money.

8. How can beneficiaries avoid fraud?

The government warned Nigerians against individuals claiming they could help them secure or release the N50,000 grant for a fee.

It stressed that programme officials and payment providers would never request beneficiaries’ PINs, one-time passwords or Bank Verification Numbers.

Genuine messages will come only from the official sender names of the five approved payment providers and will not contain links.

Beneficiaries were also advised against clicking unfamiliar links, downloading unknown applications or forwarding WhatsApp messages claiming that sharing them would guarantee access to the grant.

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The government further warned recipients not to refund money to anyone claiming that the payment was made in error. Such claims should first be verified through the provider’s official customer service channels.

9. What happens if you lose your phone or SIM card?

Beneficiaries who lose their phones or SIM cards should immediately contact their payment providers to secure their wallets.

They should also obtain replacement SIM cards bearing the same phone numbers from their network operators.

The government assured beneficiaries that their money would remain in their mobile wallets even if they lost their phones or SIM cards.

10. What should beneficiaries do if their USSD codes stop working?

The programme advised beneficiaries to check their network signals and retry if their USSD codes fail.

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If the problem persists, they should contact their payment providers through their official customer service channels.

The following helplines were provided:

  • ALAT by Wema: 0803 900 3700
  • MoMo PSB: 671 or 0803 106 7100
  • NairaGram: 0201 330 0880 or 0201 330 0881
  • OPay: 0700 888 8328 or 0201 888 8328
  • NERSI programme: 0700-022-2222

Enquiries concerning mobile wallets and payments should be directed to the respective providers, while questions about the intervention can be addressed to the programme’s helpline.

11. Which organisations are authorised to disburse the grant?

The Federal Government identified five approved payment providers for the N50,000 intervention.

They are ALAT, the digital banking platform of Wema Bank; MoMo PSB, a licensed Payment Service Bank; NairaGram, a digital money transfer service; OPay, a licensed mobile money operator; and Moniepoint, a licensed microfinance bank.

Beneficiaries were advised to deal only with their assigned providers and use official channels for enquiries and transactions.

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The government reiterated that beneficiaries do not need to pay anyone, click external links or download unfamiliar applications to access the grant.

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2027: Biafran Agitators Challenge Tinubu, Obi, Atiku Over Plight of Civil War Victims

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By Okey Maduforo, Awka

Pro-Biafran agitators based in the United Kingdom have challenged the three leading presidential contenders ahead of the 2027 general elections to address the lingering consequences of the Nigerian Civil War and the plight of families affected by the conflict.

The agitators, operating under the platform of the Biafran Diaspora Movement (BDM), specifically challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to make the Biafran question and the concerns of affected families part of their political conversations.

The group expressed displeasure over what it described as the continued reluctance of political leaders to openly discuss measures aimed at addressing the historical grievances surrounding the Biafran struggle.

Speaking with reporters in Awka on Thursday, the BDM Luton Zonal Officer, Adeze Vivian Nzelu-Iheanacho, argued that the campaigns of the presidential contenders should address the political foundations of the country and offer concrete commitments towards healing the wounds of the civil war.

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According to her, the Nigerian Civil War of 1967–1970 left behind unimaginable suffering, broken families and painful memories, particularly among Igbo communities.

“The Nigerian Civil War of 1967–1970 left behind unimaginable suffering, broken families and painful memories. For many Igbo families, the consequences of that war are not simply a chapter in history books.

“Decades later, concerns about marginalisation, political representation, insecurity and belonging continue to shape conversations across the Southeast.

“We cannot keep asking why people feel angry or unheard without being willing to listen to what they are saying,” she stated.

Nzelu-Iheanacho noted that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had become a prominent voice in the campaign for Biafran self-determination, adding that its supporters view the movement as an avenue for expressing concerns about identity, political exclusion and the future of the Southeast.

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She, however, maintained that the Biafran question transcended any individual or organisation, insisting that changes in political leadership and continued security operations would not automatically resolve the historical and political grievances associated with the struggle.

“The Biafran question is bigger than any individual or organisation. Even when political leaders change or security operations continue, the historical and political questions surrounding Biafra do not automatically disappear,” she said.

She urged the Federal Government to distinguish between legitimate political grievances and criminal activities, arguing that security measures alone could not provide a lasting solution to the concerns driving agitation in the region.

“A government can disagree with IPOB’s demands, challenge its ideas and act against criminal conduct where evidence supports doing so. But these actions do not remove the need to address the deeper issues that keep political grievances alive.

“A problem left unresolved today may become more difficult to address tomorrow,” she added.

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The BDM official observed that while political leaders engage in debates, security operations continue and various movements advance their demands, ordinary citizens bear the consequences of the prevailing situation.

She identified mothers worried about the safety of their children, traders afraid of losing their livelihoods, young people uncertain about their future and families struggling to go about their daily activities as among those affected.

“There are mothers who worry about their children, traders who fear losing their livelihoods, young people who wonder what the future holds, and families who simply want to go to work, send their children to school and return home safely,” she said.

Nzelu-Iheanacho maintained that the group’s position was anchored on justice, protection of human life, respect for peaceful voices and the need for government to address genuine grievances.

“Our position is simple: justice must be fair, human life must be protected, peaceful voices must be heard, and genuine grievances must not be ignored.

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“Let justice be done. Let innocent lives be protected. Let the people be heard. And let peace be built on truth, not silence.

“Because at the end of the day, beyond the politics and arguments, ordinary people simply want to live, raise their children and grow old in peace. Surely, that is not too much to ask,” she said.

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