Business
Trump wants 50% U.S. ownership of TikTok
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday told his supporters that he wants Chinese-owned short-form video app TikTok to be at least 50 per cent owned by U.S. investors.
On the eve of his swearing-in, Trump told a rally in Washington that he would allow the app to continue operating in the U.S., “but let the United States of America own 50 per cent of TikTok.”
“TikTok is worth nothing, zero without an approval,” to operate, Trump said.
“If you do approve, they’re worth like a trillion dollars, they’re worth some crazy number.
“I’m approving on behalf of the United States, so they’ll have a partner, the United States, and they’ll have a lot of bidders and the United States will do what we call a joint venture,” Trump added.
The popular app blocked access for U.S.-based users for about 12 hours on Sunday. This was due to a new U.S. law mandating TikTok either be sold by its current Chinese owners, ByteDance, or else be banned in the country, was set to come into force.
The app came back online after Trump, who is set to take office on Monday, said that he would issue an executive order reinstating the platform in the U.S.
Business
Rite Foods Mark Corporate Compliance & Ethics Week 2025
Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director/CEO of Rite Foods Limited, says that the company’s success is deeply rooted in integrity, accountability, and respect for both people and processes
•From Left: Lekan Oladipupo, HSE officer, Mr. Godfrey Ojo, Head Internal Audit, Adeyemi Adefulorin, Risk Assurance and Control, and Adetona Olutope, Regulatory manager, all of Rite Foods Limited.
Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director/CEO of Rite Foods Limited, says that the company’s success is deeply rooted in integrity, accountability, and respect for both people and processes.
He states this during an event to mark the company’s Corporate Compliance & Ethics Week 2025, held in Lagos.
The week-long observance emphasizes the company’s belief that compliance is not just a rule to follow; it is a culture, a value, and a way of life embedded in every aspect of its operations.
“At Rite Foods, compliance is not just a requirement, it is a mindset. It defines who we are, how we operate, and the standards we uphold.
We hold ourselves accountable to the highest ethical standards, and this commitment shapes our relationships with employees, consumers, and partners alike,” he said.
Oluyemi Lawal-Daki, Head, Legal & Company Secretary, added that Compliance Week reflects the company’s proactive approach to ethics and governance.
“Our goal is not just to meet compliance obligations but to live them daily. Every employee understands that integrity and compliance form the backbone of sustainable business success,” she stated.
Business
Nigeria’s GDP growth not reflecting in citizens’ living standards – Sanusi
Sanusi noted that while headline economic indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and inflation figures may appear impressive, they often mask worsening living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
The Emir of Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Muhammadu Sanusi II, observed that Nigeria’s economic growth is not translating into improved living standards for its citizens.
Sanusi made this statement yesterday in Lagos ina keynote address during the 7th African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF), themed “Africa Emerging: A Prosperous and Inclusive Outlook.”
Daily Trust reports that the conference was organised by Metropolitan Law and Metropolitan Skills Ltd in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Sanusi noted that while headline economic indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and inflation figures may appear impressive, they often mask worsening living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
“Economists tend to take a helicopter view of GDP and inflation numbers. These are beautiful statistics, but too often we lose sight of the small numbers that are absolutely crucial.
“A GDP growth rate of 5% or 6% may look good, but if it comes from one niche sector, the vast majority of the population could be getting poorer while GDP is growing.
Sitting in Lagos or Abuja and booking loans does not improve the lives of people in rural areas .
Inflation may decline, but the prices of basic food and medicines consumed by the poor may still be rising,” he said.
The emir called on Islamic financial institutions to drive inclusive growth by targeting the informal and rural sectors.
“Islamic financial institutions need to go to the bottom of the pyramid. You cannot talk about inclusivity if you are not where the people are.
Sitting in Lagos or Abuja and booking loans does not improve the lives of people in rural areas,” he said.
Business
Dangote Assures Steady Petrol, diesel Supply
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring steady and uninterrupted supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) nationwide, with a daily production capacity exceeding the domestic demand.
Speaking on the development, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, said the refinery’s operations are driven by the company’s dedication to supporting national energy stability and consumer confidence.
“Our refinery is currently loading over 45 million litres of PMS and 25 million litres of diesel daily which exceeds Nigeria’s demand,” Mr Chiejina said. “We are working collaboratively with regulatory agencies and distribution partners to guarantee efficient nationwide delivery. Dangote remains steadfast in its commitment to meeting the energy needs of Nigerians. This significant production capacity not only guarantees local supply but also enhances energy security and reduces dependence on imports.”
He noted that improved local production of petroleum products has helped stabilise the exchange rate and strengthen the naira.
“We have reduced foreign exchange outflows and increased inflows, which in turn supports the naira and strengthens the economy,” he added.
He further explained that it would be unpatriotic for anyone to criticise the recently announced tariff, which, according to him, is a good start. He emphasised that the tariff is designed to protect domestic industries from unfair competition and safeguard local production.
“Dumping engenders poverty, discourages industrialisation, creates unemployment and leads to revenue loss for the government. Across the world, nations protect their local manufacturers and industries from the threat of dumping. Dumping destroyed our textile industry, which was once a major employer of labour and creator of wealth,” he said.
He noted that beyond the tariff, the government should strengthen its monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to prevent the dumping of substandard and toxic petroleum products by unscrupulous and rent-seeking individuals who prioritise profiteering at the expense of Nigerians, often undermining well-intentioned government policies for their selfish interests.
He added that the prevalence of dumping in past years discouraged investors from establishing industries in Nigeria, as imported products flooded the market at unsustainable prices, undermining local production. The new tariff policy, he noted, would benefit local refiners and encourage fresh investments in the downstream oil sector, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base and creating more jobs.
He commended the foresight of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the tariff policy aimed at strengthening and transforming Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector. He noted that the decision reflects the administration’s commitment to creating a stable, business-friendly environment that supports local investment and enhances energy security.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu continues to embody courageous and visionary leadership, renewing the hope of Nigerians and restoring investor confidence in the nation’s economy. His administration’s bold and business-friendly reforms are reshaping the downstream oil and gas sector, unlocking new opportunities for industrial growth and national prosperity. The latest policy initiative stands as a testament to his foresight — one of the most transformative steps yet toward securing Nigeria’s energy future and empowering local industries to thrive,” he said
He warned that failure to protect local industries could lead to large-scale dumping from countries in Asia and Europe with excess production capacity. Such practices, he said, would strangulate domestic refineries, cripple allied industries, and undermine the laudable policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration aimed at promoting industrial growth and economic stability.
Chiejina urged rent-seekers to reconsider their business practices and align with the Federal Government’s vision for a self-sustaining energy sector, rather than promoting the dumping of petroleum products in Nigeria. He emphasised the need for a collective sense of patriotism and responsibility among industry stakeholders, noting that national progress can only be achieved through shared commitment to policies that strengthen local industries and protect the economy.
Equipped with advanced technology and extensive infrastructure, the refinery is expected to significantly eliminate reliance on fuel imports, enhance supply chain stability, and alleviate pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, recently assured Nigerians that the prices of petrol will not be hiked during the ember months, despite recent global price increases. “I want to assure Nigerians that the Dangote Refinery is fully committed to maintaining an uninterrupted supply of petrol throughout the festive period. Nigerians can look forward to a Christmas and New Year free of fuel anxiety.”
Since commencing petrol production in September 2024, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has played a pivotal role in ensuring price stability, reducing the cost of petrol, aimed at stabilising the market and easing the burden on consumers. It has also eliminated the recurring fuel scarcity and long queues at filling stations that Nigeria often experienced, particularly during festive periods.
He noted that the average price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in September 2024 was about N1,030 per litre, compared to an average of N841–N851 per litre in September 2025, following the implementation of the Dangote Refinery’s Direct Delivery Scheme.
Similarly, as of September 2024, the pump price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) ranged between N1,400 and N1,700 per litre, depending on the state, with prices reaching up to N1,700 in most northern states. By September 2025, however, the average price had dropped significantly to around N1,020 per litre, reflecting the refinery’s impact on stabilising the market and reducing logistics costs.
In comparison, petrol prices in neighbouring West African countries range between $1.20 and $2.00 per litre, while the average price in Nigeria remains around $0.60 per litre, a clear indication of the refinery’s profound impact on affordability and supply stability.
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