Business
JUST IN: FG To Meet NLC Today Over Fuel Subsidy Removal
Federal Government representatives are expected to meet with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) today by 2pm over the planned removal of fuel subsidy.
“Government seems to have shown interest in discussion. As at last night, they reached out and we have fixed 2pm today (Wednesday) to commence discussion,” NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Wednesday.
“There, all other issues will discussed because you can’t just say there no subsidy and then you are not producing and leave us to the vagaries of the market, to people who want to sell the product they bought for N10 for N100 to maximise profit. If there is no more garri, we must find out what to eat.”
He said the position of Labour has been clear that even if President Bola Tinubu has a good intention, alternatives must be provided.
He said the President should have asked questions and find out the implications of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians on the streets.
The NLC boss listed the alternatives to include the repair of the nation’s four refineries, provision of transportation of alternatives for the Nigerian workers, amongst others.
“The pronouncement by Mr President is as good as law and if in the process we make a law that is not practicable, the same people that made the law can look at it,” Ajaero said while calling for a review of the President’s pronouncement.
“Does it bring pleasure to us to say subsidy is gone and people start suffering? Is it not part of leadership for us to look at how the suffering of the people can be reduced?” he asked.
Subsidy Removal Only Answer To Make Nigeria Great – IPMAN
Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has said that the deregulation of the oil sector and subsidy removal is the only way to make Nigeria great.
“Removing subsidy is the only answer to make Nigeria great,” IPMAN National Public Relations Officer, Yakubu Suleiman said on Wednesday.
On Monday during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja, Tinubu said the era of subsidy payment on fuel has ended, adding that the 2023 Budget made no provision for fuel subsidy and more so, subsidy payment is no longer justifiable.
“The fuel subsidy is gone,” Tinubu said, noting that his government would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas to strengthen the economy.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has since backed Tinubu on the removal of fuel subsidy.
However, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said the President cannot unilaterally take a decision on subsidy removal, saying that there was a reason the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari pushed the “sensitive issue” to the new government.
Fuel queues have since resurfaced across the country since the presidential pronouncement as Nigerians forage for the premium product which is now sold from N300/litre and above.
Business
Zenith Bank Opens Côte d’Ivoire subsidiary tomorrow
Group Managing Director, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, said the expansion reflects the vision of the bank’s Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, to build a global brand with a strong presence across Africa and key international markets.
• Zenith Bank GMD, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji
An official opening ceremony of Zenith Bank Plc Côte d’Ivoire is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026, and is expected to draw senior government officials and regulators from Nigeria and , as well as business leaders and members of the diplomatic community.
The subsidiary will be led by Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Cédric Tano, who said the bank’s entry into Côte d’Ivoire comes at a time of strong economic growth and increasing regional integration, adding that it aims to combine global best practices with local market insight to support businesses, facilitate cross-border trade and contribute to economic growth in Côte d’Ivoire and the wider WAEMU region.
In a statement, the bank said that the subsidiary was licensed in December 2025 by the Ministry of Finance and Budget of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and regulated by the UMOA Banking Commission, will operate from its headquarters at SCI Wall Street, Avenue Noguès, Plateau, Abidjan.
The bank said that the new subsidiary is positioned to support cross-border trade and investment, with a focus on corporate banking, trade finance, local and offshore banking services, and structured financial solutions for businesses operating across Africa and internationally.
Group Managing Director, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, said the expansion reflects the vision of the bank’s Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, to build a global brand with a strong presence across Africa and key international markets.
Business
NACCIMA Set Up Export Express Support Center To Boost Non-oil Exports Trade
Chairman of the NACCIMA Export Group, Kola Awe, said that the initiative was driven by the need to improve export performance, noting that only a small fraction of registered exporters accounts for a significant share of the country’s export value.
NACCIMA has established an Export Express Support Centre as a practical intervention to simplify export processes and provide direct support to businesses.
At the event, Polaris Bank Plc donated equipment to support the take-off of the centre, a move stakeholders described as critical to building the infrastructure needed for export development.
Chairman of the NACCIMA Export Group, Kola Awe, said that the initiative was driven by the need to improve export performance, noting that only a small fraction of registered exporters accounts for a significant share of the country’s export value.
“The centre is built on knowledge, training, innovation and support. We are not charging anybody for knowledge. It is a platform for exporters to get the information and assistance they need,” said Awe.
Awe explained that the centre would go beyond advisory by offering hands-on support to resolve issues related to logistics, documentation, procurement and regulatory compliance.
NACCIMA National President, Dr Jani Ibrahim,added that the centre was designed as a one-stop hub to guide exporters and strengthen their capacity to compete in regional and global markets.
“It will serve as a one-stop hub providing guidance, tools and technical support to exporters, helping them navigate documentation, meet standards and access new markets with confidence.
“It will serve as a one-stop hub providing guidance, tools and technical support to exporters, helping them navigate documentation, meet standards and access new markets with confidence,” he said.
Business
Presidency replies Emir Sanusi on “Why are we still borrowing and borrowing?”
Bwala wrote on X, “Your Royal Highness, we are simply borrowing to invest in the critical sectors of our economy, the chiefest of which is INFRASTRUCTURE.
The infrastructure deficit requires a yearly investment of at least $30B-100B, and what we have is insufficient, hence the borrowing “
•Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, on Friday, responded to a question asked by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, about a fresh $516 million foreign loan President Bola Tinubu was seeking the Senate ‘s approval to borrow.
Emir Sanusi’s remarks come amid reports that the Federal Government has increased its 2026 borrowing plan by ₦11.31 trillion, pushing total projected borrowing to ₦29.20 trillion.
Speaking during an interview published by News Central TV on Friday, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said : ” We’ve removed the subsidy. We’re now spending it. .. If you’re not paying the subsidy and you’ve got the money, why are we still borrowing and borrowing? What are we borrowing for?”
In response, the presidency stated that the Tinubu administration is borrowing to invest in the critical sectors of the economy, especially infrastructure.
Bwala wrote on X, “Your Royal Highness, we are simply borrowing to invest in the critical sectors of our economy, the chiefest of which is INFRASTRUCTURE. The infrastructure deficit requires a yearly investment of at least $30B-100B, and what we have is insufficient, hence the borrowing “
Gateman flees after murder of a manager with Okeyson Transport
Zenith Bank Opens Côte d’Ivoire subsidiary tomorrow
NACCIMA Set Up Export Express Support Center To Boost Non-oil Exports Trade
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Politics1 day agoWhat Does Makinde’s ‘Operation Wetie’ Allusion Mean in Nigerian Politics?
-
News23 hours agoKogi Govt Warns of Establishing Schools, Orphanages At Unsecured Locations
-
International2 days agoBREAKING: Trump, Wife Narrowly Escape Assassination (Video)
-
Business3 hours agoNACCIMA Set Up Export Express Support Center To Boost Non-oil Exports Trade
-
News22 hours agoAll Schools in Nigeria to Use Only NERDC Approved Textbooks, says Alausa
-
Politics19 hours ago2027: Sanwo-Olu endorses deputy governor Hamzat for successor
-
Business2 hours agoZenith Bank Opens Côte d’Ivoire subsidiary tomorrow
-
Crime1 hour agoGateman flees after murder of a manager with Okeyson Transport