News
Petrol may drop to N800/litre as oil prices tumble
This comes as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery reduced its ex-depot price for PMS to N835 per litre, its second downward adjustment in less than seven days.
The industry players, however, pointed out that the N800 per litre price could be achieved if crude drops further to $50 per barrel and marketers depend less on foreign exchange to buy products. Brent, the global benchmark for crude, was about $65 per barrel on Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, the Dangote refinery again slashed its refined product prices to make them cheaper, cutting its ex-depot rate for petrol to N835 per litre.
The new price represents a N30 reduction from N865 per litre implemented six days ago, marking a 3.5 per cent decrease, and a N45 reduction from the N880 per litre sold by the facility last Wednesday.
This price cut marks Dangote’s third downward price adjustment in six weeks. A pro forma invoice sighted by our correspondent, and checks on petroleumprice.ng confirmed the development.
Confirming this, a statement signed by the Group’s Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said the refinery reduced its gantry price to reaffirm its commitment to providing high-quality petrol at affordable rates, benefiting consumers across the nation.
It stated that the new price is inclusive of charges by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
The document detailing the revised price structure shows that PMS at the gantry will now sell for N835 per litre, inclusive of NMDPRA statutory levies, while coastal sales remain on hold. The diesel gantry price is set at $608 plus a $70 surcharge, payable either in naira at N1,650/$ or in USD.
Coastal sales are also on hold. Jet fuel will be sold at $664.75 with a $42 gantry surcharge and a $22 coastal surcharge. Prices for cooking gas at both gantry and coastal points are currently on hold.
The statement added that its partners will sell the products between N890 and N920. These partners include MRS, AP (Ardova), Heyden, Optima Energy, Hyde and Tecno Oil.
The statement read, “Dangote Petroleum Refinery is pleased to announce a reduction in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, from N865 to N835, effective from Wednesday, 16th April 2025. This marks the second price reduction within a week.”
“Key partners, including MRS, AP (Ardova), Heyden, Optima Energy, Hyde and Tecno Oil, will offer petrol at N890 per litre, down from N920 in Lagos. In the South-West, the price will be N900 per litre, reduced from N930.
“In the North-West and North-Central, the price will be N910 per litre, lowered from N940. In the South-East, South-South, and North-East, the price will be N920 per litre, down from N950.”
Continuing, Chiejina anticipated that the latest reduction in PMS prices would generate a positive ripple effect throughout various sectors of the economy, providing much-needed relief to consumers and contributing to broader economic growth.
He added, “Dangote Petroleum Refinery has consistently worked to reduce the prices of petrol and other refined petroleum products, ensuring the continued benefit of Nigerian consumers. For example, in February, the refinery reduced prices twice by N125. In addition, products such as diesel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas have also experienced significant price reductions due to the refinery’s sustained efforts.
“We anticipate that this latest reduction in PMS prices will generate a positive ripple effect throughout various sectors of the economy, providing much-needed relief to consumers and contributing to broader economic growth, particularly during the Easter season.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring a steady supply of premium-quality petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand, along with a surplus for export. This strategy is designed to support the stability of the domestic market while also contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.
“Furthermore, Dangote Petroleum Refinery calls on industry stakeholders, including marketers and distributors, to continue sourcing their products from the refinery, ensuring that the benefits of these price reductions are fully realised across the country.”
Earlier on Wednesday, PUNCH Online hinted at a possible price cut after the landing cost of imported petrol dropped to N853 per litre on Tuesday.
This development comes as marketers secured regulatory approval to import 117,000 metric tonnes—equivalent to 156.897 million litres—of petrol within eight days, from 8 to 16 April 2025, to boost fuel supply nationwide.
These figures were revealed in separate documents obtained by our correspondent from the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria.
The document showed that on-the-spot sales at the NPSC-NOJ terminal dropped to N853.12 per litre, while the 30-day average cost also declined to N844.84 per litre.
Within the period, marketers brought in six vessels conveying 117,000 metric tonnes through Tin Can Port in Lagos and Calabar Port in Cross River State.
Importantly, the continued price drop coincides with the restart and full implementation of the Naira-for-Crude agreement with local refiners after an earlier suspension.
The Ministry of Finance disclosed this in a statement published last week on its official X handle, titled: “Update on the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira Initiative.”
The statement followed a meeting on Tuesday between the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and representatives from Dangote Refinery—a major beneficiary of the agreement — to review progress and address ongoing implementation issues.
The committee stated that the policy is not a temporary measure but a long-term strategy to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign exchange for petroleum.
It added that the initiative is a key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining and strengthen energy security.
Despite these price adjustments, oil marketers have yet to pass on the savings to consumers, with retail pump prices remaining largely unchanged across much of the country.
Commenting, the National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, said the development was a direct implication of the revamped naira for crude deal.
Ukadike, speaking in a telephone interview, said, “Yes, the reduced price is a direct implication of the naira-for-crude deal. Global crude price is also a key factor. And I can tell you that if this continues, and prices continue to dwindle in the international market, the impact shall be felt domestically in the prices of refined products.
“When crude price reaches $50 per barrel, then it is possible to reach between N650 to N700 per litre petrol price.”
He, however, lamented the new challenge of losses to be absorbed by business owners.
“It is affecting marketers, but based on the naira-for-crude, the effect must be reflected in the pump price. The issue of exchange has been discounted because the government has started supplying Dangote crude. It won’t be fair for him to remain at the former price.
“Because of the new decision of the New Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, there must be a reflective impact on the price of petroleum products to show that the government has implemented as discussed,” Ukadike stated.
An oil and gas expert, Olatide Jeremiah, said the pump price of petrol would have reached N700 if the local arrangement deal hadn’t been suspended.
He said, “The crude oil decline and renewal of naira-for-crude policy is a double-edged advantage for Nigerians, as pump price may hit N700/litre soon.
“Today’s decline from N865/litre to N830/litre just triggered a price war between Dangote and private Depot owners. As I speak, oil importers are jittering as this price decline will force them to compete, thus pushing them into losses since their landing cost is about 860/litre, and most of them still have stocks in their tank farms.
“For both blocs, it’s all about who has the largest share and dominates the petroleum market, but for Nigerians, they should expect and enjoy a continuous reduction of fuel pump prices.
“If not for the suspension of naira-crude policy that gave private depot owners the autonomy to jack up prices, petrol pump price would have dropped to around N700/litre.”
However, President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, offered a different perspective on the development, noting that the arbitrary change of price is causing significant instability in the sector.
The Service stated this in a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday.
According to the NIS, the only authorised platform for passport payments by Nigerians, both within the country and in the diaspora, is its official passport portal.
It added that foreigners seeking Nigerian visas should use only its official visa portal for embassy applications or the designated e-visa portal for electronic visa applications.
It said, “The Nigeria Immigration Service wishes to reiterate that the only authorised platforms for passport payments for Nigerians (at home and in diaspora) is https://passport.immigration.gov.ng.
“For foreigners wishing to apply for visa, https://visa.immigration.gov.ng (for visa at the Embassy) and https://evisa.immigration.gov.ng (for e-visa) are the official links.
The NIS urged applicants who require clarification or assistance with passport or visa applications to contact its verified communication channels.
It listed its official X accounts as @nigimmigration and @InquireAtNaija, while its verified Facebook and Instagram handles are @nigimmigration.
The Service also provided WhatsApp numbers 09160878000 and 09117717772 for enquiries and support.
The statement reiterated the Service’s commitment to ensuring secure and transparent passport and visa application processes, urging the public to avoid fraudulent intermediaries.
The US Department of State said the move is aimed at centralising routine visa services in regional hubs to enhance national security, reduce government spending, and ensure greater consistency in visa screening, vetting and adjudication.
In a statement on the US Department of State website on Wednesday, the department said the reorganisation aligns with the President Donald Trump’s administration’s priority of placing America’s interests and security first.
“The Department of State is constantly evaluating its overseas operations in order to advance America’s priorities as efficiently and effectively as possible. This includes a visa process that maintains rigorous standards of security screening and vetting and aligns resources and operational capacity with America’s national interests.
“The Trump administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans, and the State Department will continue to provide Americans with appropriate consular services and assistance at diplomatic posts around the world,” the statement read.
Besides Abuja, the affected diplomatic posts are located in Asmara, Bamako, Banjul, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Conakry, Cotonou, Durban, Freetown, Gaborone, Harare, Juba, Libreville, Lilongwe, Lusaka, Maputo, Maseru, Mbabane, N’Djamena, Niamey, Nouakchott, Ouagadougou and Windhoek.
It also emphasised that all diplomatic missions will continue to provide consular services and carry out their regular functions on behalf of the United States.
The department further assured travellers that the policy does not invalidate visas that have already been issued.
The United States periodically reviews its global diplomatic operations to reallocate resources and streamline consular services.
Under the new arrangement, applicants in countries affected by the policy are expected to access routine visa services through designated regional processing hubs, while embassies and consulates continue to provide other diplomatic and consular assistance.
The Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) has condemned the alleged rape, severe domestic violence, mob torture and attempted murder of a 34-year-old mother of six in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State.
WACOL, in a statement signed by its Senior Communication Officer, Ezugwu Bethel, said it received the reports with “profound shock, outrage and deep sorrow,” describing the incident as a gross violation of human dignity, fundamental human rights and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2019 of Enugu State.
According to the organisation, the survivor had allegedly endured years of domestic violence at the hands of her husband, who reportedly physically assaulted her and her mother.
WACOL said the woman, in an attempt to escape the abuse, rented a separate apartment, but her husband allegedly tracked her down and attacked her on the night of July 17, forcing her to flee to her mother’s residence.
The organisation alleged that the husband followed her there and threatened to kill her if she remained, forcing her to seek refuge with a male palm kernel trader.
According to WACOL, because the trader was married, he took the woman to a friend’s house for temporary shelter. However, the organisation alleged that the friend and another resident connived to restrain the trader and raped the woman.
WACOL further alleged that the attackers subsequently locked the woman and the trader inside the house before informing her husband of their whereabouts.
The organisation claimed that the husband arrived with a mob, broke down the door and allegedly subjected the woman and the trader to severe physical abuse.
It alleged that the husband publicly raped the woman while members of the mob restrained the trader, who had reportedly attempted to help her.
WACOL further alleged that the husband took the woman’s money, used it to buy drinks for youths and other members of the community, and allegedly incited them to attack the woman and the trader.
The organisation said the mob stripped the two victims naked, spat on them and beat them severely. It further alleged that some female members of the mob used broken bottles to shave the woman’s hair, while the victims were also allegedly inflicted with multiple cutlass wounds.
According to WACOL, the severely injured woman was subsequently dragged into an “evil forest” and abandoned.
The organisation said the woman spent three days in the forest before, despite her injuries, crawling to the main road, where she was discovered by Good Samaritans who contacted her sister and facilitated her rescue.
WACOL said the survivor is currently receiving medical treatment at a police clinic while remaining in hiding for fear of further attacks.
The organisation also raised concerns over the whereabouts of the male palm kernel trader, who was allegedly tortured alongside the survivor, saying his current location remains unknown.
WACOL said the police had arrested the woman’s husband and some female accomplices, but alleged that several other suspects remained at large.
The organisation also expressed concern over alleged interference by community leaders, claiming that the traditional ruler and President General of the community had banished the survivor and her family after they reported the incident to the police.
WACOL described the alleged banishment as victim-blaming and an abuse of power, adding that the community leaders must be held accountable if found to have obstructed justice or aided criminal suspects.
The organisation commended the Enugu State Police Command for its intervention but called on the Commissioner of Police to ensure that all fleeing suspects are arrested and prosecuted.
WACOL also demanded an immediate search and rescue or recovery operation for the missing palm kernel trader.
It further called on the Enugu State Government and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters to investigate the alleged roles of the traditional ruler and President General, while demanding adequate security for the survivor, her sister and other family members.
WACOL said its legal and psychosocial teams had been activated to support the survivor in her recovery and pursuit of justice.
The organisation called on Nigerians, human rights groups and the media to join the campaign for justice for the mother of six.
Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has warned Nigerian youths against depending on sports betting as a pathway to wealth, saying lasting success can only be achieved through hard work, patience and integrity.
Speaking during a message to members of his congregation, the cleric described betting as a dangerous distraction capable of destroying the future of young people and preventing them from fulfilling their God-given potential.
Oyedepo urged youths to resist the growing temptation of seeking quick riches through gambling, stressing that genuine prosperity is built on diligence, discipline and purposeful living.
“Young people, 9jabet is not the way to financial fortune. Stop wasting your destiny,” he declared.
He emphasised that although the journey to success may sometimes appear slow, honest labour and consistency ultimately produce more enduring rewards than relying on luck or shortcuts.
“It may be slow, but it’s sure,” he added.
The bishop also reflected on his personal life, recalling how his mother’s unwavering faith influenced his decision to become a Christian at the age of 15.
He recounted how he later expressed his gratitude by buying her a car while she was living in the United States, describing the gift as one that brought her immense joy before her passing at the age of 92.
Using the experience to encourage young people, Oyedepo urged them to embrace faith, perseverance and gratitude instead of pursuing instant wealth through betting.
He concluded his message by urging Nigerian youths to rethink their priorities and make choices that would guarantee a brighter future.
“You better wake up,” he said.
Family members have launched a fundraising campaign to repatriate the remains of a Nigerian woman, Christiana Nwosu, who reportedly died of cardiac arrest while visiting the United Kingdom.
The information came on Monday from a GoFundMe appeal signed by Chijioke Metuka on behalf of the Nwosu family.
According to Metuka, Nwosu died on July 19, 2026, leaving her children and loved ones devastated by the sudden loss.
Metuka described the deceased as “a beacon of light, love and warmth” whose passing had created an irreplaceable void in the lives of those who knew her.
The family said its greatest wish was to honour her memory by returning her body to Nigeria for burial, where she would be laid to rest among her extended family and ancestral roots.
The appeal read, “During this time of immense grief, Izuchukwu and his family’s deepest wish is to honour her memory by laying her to rest in her homeland of Nigeria, surrounded by her extended family and roots.
“Repatriating a loved one from the UK to Nigeria comes with significant and unexpected financial burdens.”
However, the family noted that repatriating her remains from the UK would cost about £10,000, covering funeral director fees, specialist repatriation services and documentation, air freight charges, transportation, and funeral and burial expenses in Nigeria.
“We have set up this fund to support Izuchukwu and his family during this incredibly difficult time. Every single donation, no matter the size, will go directly towards covering these repatriation and funeral expenses to help ease the financial strain on the family,” the appeal read.
The organisers appealed to members of the public to support the family through donations or by sharing the fundraising campaign with others.
“If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page with others and keeping Izuchukwu and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, generosity and support,” the statement added.
As of the time of filing this report, a sum of £7,941 had been raised out of the £10,000 target.
In February a Nigerian woman, Oluranti Akinyemi, died in the UK shortly after arriving in the country for her son’s graduation ceremony.
Her family had launched a fundraising campaign on JustGiving to raise £20,000 to repatriate her remains to Nigeria and cover related expenses.
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