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Competition Tribunal Orders Coca – Cola to pay N190 million misleading Fines Within 60 Days

Upholding the FCCPC’s five-year investigation, findings, and imposed penalties, the tribunal ruled that NBC’s conduct constituted misleading practices in violation of Nigerian law.

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The tribunal criticised the FCCPC’s acceptance of the post-judgment settlement, saying it conflicted with the commission’s regulatory obligations.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal ( CCPT) has ordered the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), also known as Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited to pay the N190 million administrative penalty imposed on the company for misleading packaging, within 60 days .

This was contrary to the settlement reached between the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the NBC in the case that stemmed from an August 2024 announcement by the FCCPC in which it accused Coca-Cola and NBC of engaging in unfair marketing tactics and misleading consumers.

In a judgment delivered on Monday, April 28, a three-member panel led by presiding judge Thomas Okosun dismissed NBC’s application to adopt the settlement terms as judgment, describing it as an “attempt to arrest judgment.”

NBC’s counsel, O. Ogunride, had informed the tribunal of a settlement agreement reached with the FCCPC, requesting its adoption as a consent judgment.

The FCCPC’s representative, Abimbola Ojenike, confirmed the existence of the settlement, stating that discussions had been finalised with Akoji Achimugu, the commission’s legal director.

However, the tribunal pointed out that the terms of settlement were filed after judgment had been reserved and both parties had submitted their final written arguments.

Okosun ruled that “the notion of arrest of judgment is unknown to Nigerian law,” stressing that entering a settlement at this stage exceeded the FCCPC’s statutory authority and undermined its role as a regulator.

The tribunal criticised the FCCPC’s acceptance of the post-judgment settlement, saying it conflicted with the commission’s regulatory obligations.

The tribunal emphasized its constitutional duty to the public, asserting that it could not engage in private compromises between parties.

The panel also criticized the FCCPC’s sudden shift from its earlier position, noting that the proposed settlement declared “there is no penalty,” directly contradicting the commission’s findings from its investigation.

Consequently, the tribunal rejected the settlement and proceeded to deliver its final judgment.

Upholding the FCCPC’s five-year investigation, findings, and imposed penalties, the tribunal ruled that NBC’s conduct constituted misleading practices in violation of Nigerian law.

It affirmed that the ₦190 million administrative penalty was consistent with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

NBC’s appeal was dismissed for lack of merit, and the company was ordered to pay the fine within 60 days.

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Dangote exported 434m litres petrol in March – NMDPRA

A breakdown of the figures showed that the refinery produced an average of 48.2 million litres of petrol per day, translating to 1.49 billion litres for the 31-day period. Of this volume, 34.2 million litres per day, totalling 1.06 billion litres, was supplied locally.

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• Dangote Petroleum Refinery / Credit: Instagram

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery exported about 434 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) in March 2026.

Data obtained from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)’s March 2026 fact sheet on the state of the downstream sector on Wednesday revealed that the refinery produced a total of 1.49 billion litres of petrol during the month, while only 1.06 billion litres were supplied to the domestic market, leaving a substantial export surplus.

A breakdown of the figures showed that the refinery produced an average of 48.2 million litres of petrol per day, translating to 1.49 billion litres for the 31-day period. Of this volume, 34.2 million litres per day, totalling 1.06 billion litres, was supplied locally.

This implies that about 434 million litres of petrol were exported within the period.

The export of excess petrol reflects a major shift in Nigeria’s downstream sector, which has historically depended on imports to meet local demand. This development was further confirmed in a statement issued by the refinery earlier this week.It stated that, “Nigeria recorded a historic shift in its downstream petroleum trade in March, emerging as a net exporter of gasoline for the first time, driven largely by rising output from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals.

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Nigeria Unveils 20-Year Aviation Master Plan at ICAO Global Symposium In Morocco

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Nigeria has taken a major step toward transforming its aviation industry, as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, formally received the country’s Civil Aviation Master Plan from the International Civil Aviation Organization during the opening of the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium in Marrakech.

The Minister also participated as a special guest at a high-level Ministerial Round Table, where he addressed the “Future of Aviation Workforce in Nigeria,” outlining government efforts to close the skills gap and strengthen human capital development within the aviation sector.

The Civil Aviation Master Plan (CAMP) represents a landmark framework designed to guide the development of Nigeria’s aviation industry over a 20-year period, from 2025 to 2045.

It reflects a structured and forward-looking strategy aligned with the country’s National Development Plan and broader economic priorities.

Developed in collaboration with ICAO’s Capacity Development and Implementation unit, the initiative began in September 2024 with extensive stakeholder engagement and technical training, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive planning process across the aviation ecosystem.

The Master Plan focuses on critical pillars including infrastructure modernization, adoption of advanced technologies such as unmanned aerial systems, and strict adherence to global safety and security standards to achieve a zero-fatality aviation environment.

It also envisions the transformation of Nigerian airports into aerotropolis hubs to boost economic growth, job creation, and connectivity.

Additionally, the plan emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and private sector participation, particularly in areas such as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities and cargo development, while aligning Nigeria’s aviation growth with global environmental standards.

The presentation of the CAMP at the ICAO symposium highlights Nigeria’s commitment to international best practices and its rising profile in global aviation development.

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Dangote Refinery Targets $5bn from IPO

On 1 April, the Nigerian Exchange Group and the African Securities Exchanges Association convened senior executives from leading exchanges across the continent to discuss the structure of the planned listing.

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals is seeking to raise up to $5 billion from investors across African market during it’s upcoming initial public offering on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX).

The share sale is expected to open as early as May, with analysts valuing the company between $40 billion n and $50 billion, making it one of the most significant capital market events in Africa’s history.

The offer is expected to cover between 5 percent and 10 percent of the company’s equity, creating an opportunity for both local and international investors to participate in the continent’s largest refining project.

Market stakeholders have continued to position the listing as a major milestone that could deepen liquidity and expand participation across African financial markets.

On 1 April, the Nigerian Exchange Group and the African Securities Exchanges Association convened senior executives from leading exchanges across the continent to discuss the structure of the planned listing.

The meeting focused on how the Dangote Refinery IPO could serve as a model for cross-border capital mobilisation and improve investor access across multiple African markets.

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