In a major shake-up in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, Heirs Energies Limited, chaired by billionaire Tony Elumelu, has agreed to acquire the entire 20.07% equity stake in Seplat Energy Plc from French oil company Etablissements Maurel & Prom S.A.

The transaction involves the sale of 120.4 million ordinary shares at approximately £3.05 per share, valuing the deal at around $496 million to $500 million.

The binding agreement was signed on December 30, 2025, after market close, marking Maurel & Prom’s exit from its long-held position in Seplat, one of Nigeria’s leading independent energy producers listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the Nigerian Exchange.

Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Energies and its parent Heirs Holdings, described the acquisition as a “long-term investment in Nigeria’s and Africa’s energy future,” emphasizing its alignment with goals of energy security, industrialization, and shared prosperity.

Maurel & Prom CEO Olivier de Langavant stated that the sale allows the company to monetize its stake and redirect resources toward direct investments in oil and gas assets, while expressing confidence in Heirs Energies as a strong, long-term shareholder for Seplat.

Seplat Energy, a key player in Nigeria’s energy transition with significant oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta, recently bolstered its portfolio through acquisitions, including ExxonMobil’s shallow-water assets.

This deal further consolidates indigenous ownership in Nigeria’s upstream sector, following Heirs Energies’ own growth as a major gas supplier powering domestic electricity generation.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

•(Credit: Idrees Abbas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Google says it’s coming out with a support feature that allows users to change their Gmail usernames.

The discovery came from a Google Account support page, initially spotted in Hindi, that outlines the option for eligible users to modify their Gmail address while keeping the same account.

“The email address associated with your Google Account is the address you use to sign in to Google services. This email address helps you and others identify your account. If you’d like, you can change your Google Account email address that ends in gmail.com to a new email address that ends in gmail.com,” the page reads, as translated by Google.

How to check if you can change your Gmail address

According to the support page, the option isn’t available to everyone just yet. To see if your account qualifies, you’ll need to access your Google Account on a computer. From there, head to Personal info, select Email and tap Google Account email. If the setting can’t be opened, it likely means your account isn’t eligible at this time.

Accounts tied to workplaces, schools or organizations may require administrator approval, while most standard Gmail users will have to wait until the feature reaches their region.

How to edit your email address

If the option appears, users can edit their email address by selecting Edit next to their current Gmail.

The new username must not already be in use by another Google Account. After entering the new address, Google will send a verification link to confirm the change.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu affirmed on Tuesday that Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws would commence as scheduled on January 1, 2026, dismissing calls for delays amid ongoing controversies.

In a State House press statement personally signed by the President, he declared that the reforms—including provisions already in effect since June 26, 2025, and the remaining acts set for the new year—would continue without disruption.

Tinubu described the measures as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to establish a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for the country. He emphasized that the laws were not intended to increase tax burdens but to facilitate a structural reset, promote harmonization, protect citizens’ dignity, and strengthen the social contract between government and the people.

The President urged stakeholders to support the implementation phase, now in its delivery stage, while acknowledging public discourse over alleged alterations to certain provisions.

He stated that no substantial issues had been identified to justify halting the process, adding that trust in governance is earned through consistent, principled decisions rather than reactive changes.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to due process and the integrity of enacted legislation, Tinubu pledged collaboration with the National Assembly to promptly address any legitimate concerns.

He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would always prioritize the public interest, delivering a tax system that fosters prosperity, fairness, and shared responsibility.

The statement came amid debates surrounding the four tax reform acts signed into law earlier in 2025, with two already operational and the others poised to take effect in the new year.