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NNPCL: EFCC investigates Mele Kyari, 13 others over $2.9bn refinery funds [FULL LIST]

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has commenced investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds and abuse of office by some former senior officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd.

Former chief executives of the company, Mele Kyari, Abubakar Yar’Adua and others were alleged to have misappropriated about $2.96 billion earmarked for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries.

The development was disclosed in a letter dated 28 April and addressed to the Group Managing Director, NNPC Towers, Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District, Abuja.

It was gathered that the anti-graft agency is specifically investigating the disbursements of $1.56 billion for the Port Harcourt refinery, $740 million for the Kaduna refinery, and $657 million for the Warri refinery.

Those under investigation include:

Abubakar Lawal Yar’Adua

Mele Kolo Kyari

Isiaka Abdulrazak

Umar Ajiyap

Dikko Ahmed

Ibrahim Onoja

Ademoye Adeniyi Jelili

Mustapha Magaji Sugungun

Kayode Olusegun Adetokunbo

Efiok Michael Akpan

Babatunde Bakare

Jimoh Olasunkanmi

Bello Kankaya

Desmond Inyama

Business

Why People Like to Live in Ojo, Lagos by Dennis Isong 

People are renting rooms, apartments, self-cons, and even shared spaces. If you’re an investor reading this, take note. The rental demand in Ojo, especially near LASU and major roads, is not child’s play.

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Ojo. That name rings a certain kind of Lagos bell — the kind that echoes both old-time charm and present-day promise.

Located on the western flank of Lagos State, Ojo has quietly but consistently won the hearts of many Lagosians looking for a place to call home.

In fact, when people say they’re relocating to the Lagos mainland but don’t want to “suffer,” Ojo is often their silent dream.

But what exactly makes this place tick? Why is it that people from different walks of life — from the everyday hustler to the savvy investor — are drawn to Ojo, like suya, to charcoal? It’s not just about the affordability, even though that’s a major sugar in the garri. It’s something deeper. Something a little emotional.

Ojo may not always be the loudest name on the Lagos real estate radar, but those who know… know. And trust me, many know.

Let’s start with the vibe. Ojo has a rhythm of life that somehow balances the Lagos bustle with a bit of hometown calm.

You see people moving, markets booming, buses shouting destinations in that dramatic conductor voice — yet you don’t feel overwhelmed. There’s room to breathe. Room to plan. Room to build.

That alone is gold in a city like Lagos where everything feels like a race. And speaking of building, the Ojo Lagos real estate scene has been buzzing, slowly but steadily.

The land here still gives you that hope — the hope that you can buy now, build small, and grow big without selling your grandfather’s inheritance. While some parts of Lagos make you feel like you need to be Dangote’s nephew to afford anything decent, Ojo gently whispers, “Relax, you can afford me.”

Ojo may not always be the loudest name on the Lagos real estate radar, but those who know… know. And trust me, many know.

Now, let’s not pretend that Ojo is some fantasy land where all your problems vanish. No, Lagos will be still Lagos. But Ojo gives you a softer landing.

It’s the kind of place where your Naira stretches just a little further. You buy a piece of land and still have money for block, cement, and maybe even a small naming ceremony afterward. That’s the subtle magic of Ojo Lagos real estate — it feels within reach.

Of course, we can’t talk about Ojo without mentioning its iconic market — Alaba International Market. It’s not just a market, it’s a city on its own. Electronics, appliances, gadgets, and goods of all kinds — if it plugs, charges, lights up or plays music, Alaba probably has it.

For many residents, living close to Alaba is not just convenient, it’s smart business. Imagine saving transport fare daily while your shop is booming.

That’s not just living, that’s strategic living. And then there’s the presence of Lagos State University — LASU.

The campus draws students, lecturers, and business people from across Nigeria. This means two things: First, it adds to the vibrant life of the community, and second, it feeds the rental economy like well-cooked jollof.

People are renting rooms, apartments, self-cons, and even shared spaces. If you’re an investor reading this, take note. The rental demand in Ojo, especially near LASU and major roads, is not child’s play.

Transport is another thing Ojo handles with surprising ease. From here, you can connect to FESTAC, Mile 2, Badagry, and even the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, which is slowly transforming into a world-class express corridor.

When that road fully hits its prime, let’s just say those who bought land in Ojo early will be smiling like politicians during campaign season. Ojo is also home to a rich mix of people.

There’s the core Lagos crowd, the business-savvy Igbo families, the student population, and a sprinkle of other tribes just doing their thing. It’s a cultural pot that simmers nicely, and somehow, people coexist. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys knowing your neighbor and greeting “Good morning, sir” with a smile, Ojo will feel at home.

Security?

It’s Lagos — we’re always watching our back. But Ojo holds its own. There are community vigilantes, police presence, and a population that looks out for itself. It’s not paradise, but it’s not chaos either.

With more estates springing up and more people investing in fencing, lighting, and organized structures, the environment is gradually evolving into a neater, safer version of itself.Let’s talk environment.

Ojo has water views. Not the fancy Lekki kind, but real water — the kind that reminds you of riverside childhoods, of fresh fish, and simple joys. Places like Iba and Iyana School have a mix of urban and rural beauty that makes for interesting real estate development.

You can literally build a bungalow beside a stream and still get Uber rides to your gate. Where else does that happen?

Then there’s something else — something less tangible but deeply felt. A spirit of growth. Ojo gives people the feeling that life can move forward. That a house isn’t just a roof over your head, but a sign that you’re progressing.

People don’t just live here; they thrive. They build. They plan weddings. They raise children. They retire in homes they built brick by brick.

The Ojo Lagos real estate market is not screaming headlines every day, but the smart ones are paying attention.

Plots of land are getting picked up quietly. Developers are carving out estates. New roads are being graded.

And one day soon, Ojo might just surprise everyone and become the new goldmine people wished they had entered early.

So yes, people like to live in Ojo. And it’s not just because of affordability, accessibility, or community.

It’s also because Ojo allows dreams to grow without choking them. In a city like Lagos where many live in survival mode, Ojo offers the rare chance to actually plan a life.

And if you ask me — or any of the sharp agents that roam that axis with their rolled-up trousers and unbeatable gist — they’ll tell you: If you miss Ojo now, you might be buying back in a few years at twice the price, with half the peace of mind.

Ojo is not just a place. It’s an opportunity. And in Lagos, opportunities like this don’t wait forever.

STOP LOSING MONEY IN LAGOS REAL ESTATE!

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Your future deserves the assurance of due diligence.

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JUST IN: NNPCL reduces fuel price to N910 per litre

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Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has reduced its retail price of Premium Motor Spirit.

It was observed on Saturday that NNPCL retail outlets along Kubwa Express Way, Zone 4 Abuja, and Gudu, all in the Federal Capital Territory, have adjusted their fuel pump price to N910 per litre from N935.

This showed that the state-owned firm reviewed its petrol price downwards by N20.

Fresh price drop in NNPCL retail prices has resulted in motorists trooping to NNPCL filling stations as of Saturday.

The latest price drop by NNPCL retail outlets is the latest outcome of the ongoing ‘price war’ in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

MRS filling stations and other Dangote Refinery partners currently sell petrol for N910 per litre.

Recall that Dangote Refinery announced a drop in its petrol ex-depot price to N835 per litre.

Thereafter, the 650,000-barrel refinery announced that its partners, including MRS, AP (Ardova), Heyden, Optima Energy, Hyde, and Techno Oil, will sell petrol at N890 to N920 in Lagos, Abuja, and other parts of the country.

The development caused price disruption in the country’s petroleum downstream sector.

Other filling stations sell petrol between N930 and N950 per litre, depending on the location.

On April 20, 2025, NNPCL reviewed its petrol retail price downwards to N935 per litre.

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BUA Foods reports 24% revenue growth as Q1 profit hits N125bn

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BUA Foods Plc has announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2025, demonstrating robust growth across key financial indicators.

The company recorded a revenue growth of 24 per cent to N442.1bn in Q1 2025, up from N356.9bn in the corresponding period of 2024.

The performance was driven by increases in revenue from Flour, which soared 145 per cent to N176.2bn, Pasta rose 12 per cent to N41.5bn, and Rice recorded a 1617 per cent to N13.02bn.

Sugar revenue, however, saw a slight 11 per cent quarter-on-quarter decrease to N211.3bn (Q1 2024: N238.2 billion).

BUA Foods, in a statement on Thursday, said it also reported a gross profit of N160.91bn in Q1 2025, a 39 per cent increase compared to N115.42bn in Q1 2024.

This growth led to an improved gross profit margin of 36.4 per cent, a 406 basis point increase from 32.3 per cent in the prior quarter.

Total operating expenses for the period increased by 56 per cent to N22.39bn (Q1 2024: N14.37 billion), due to increases in selling and distribution expenses, which rose 13 per cent to N11.08bn driven by logistics costs, and administrative expenses up 147% to N11.32bn.

Despite the increase in operating expenses, BUA Foods achieved a 124% in profit after tax to N125.28bn in Q1 2025, compared to N55.82bn in Q1 2024.

Consequently, Earnings per Share also saw a significant increase of 125% to N6.96 from N3.10 in the corresponding period.

The company’s total equities stood strong at N554.34bn as of Q1 2025, representing a 29.2% increase from N429.06bn in FY 2024.

This growth was mainly driven by a 30 per cent increase in retained earnings.

Commenting on the results, the Managing Director, BUA Foods, Dr Ayodele Abioye, said, “We are pleased to begin 2025 on a strong note, as our business continued to demonstrate resilience and adaptability amidst a still-evolving macroeconomic landscape.

Despite operating in a high-cost environment, our proactive supply chain measures and improved internal efficiencies enabled us to sustain strong operational momentum.”

“Revenue increased by 24%, while Net Profit leaped by 124% to N125Billion further re-affirming our position as a leading food business on the Nigerian Exchange Limited.

Our ongoing investments in production capacity, product/package innovation and route-to-market development continue to impact our results positively, enabling fulfilment of customer and consumer demand.”

“As we look ahead, we remain focused on deepening our market penetration and accelerating innovation to meet changing consumer needs.

With a stabilizing economy and growing emphasis on food security, we are confident that our unique and integrated business model, strong financial position, and robust execution will continue to enhance our strategic growth and create lasting value for all stakeholders throughout 2025.”

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