Business
JUST IN: NUPENG, LASG in discussion over towing issues- Official
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) says it is engaging the Lagos State Government to resolve the ongoing issue of towed trucks.
It said that the negotiation aims to prevent disruptions in fuel distribution, which could lead to widespread scarcity.
In an interview on Tuesday in Lagos, General Secretary, NUPENG, Mr Olawale Afolabi, explained that the union had withdrawn its services in response to the recent attacks and arrests of tanker drivers by security personnel from the Lagos State Government.
Afolabi reassured that the situation would be resolved with the state authorities and that the towed trucks would be released to the union as promised by the government.
On Feb. 22, the Lagos State Task Force towed away several trucks and arrested several members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Association, a branch of NUPENG, near the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki for parking on the highways.
Afolabi added that a meeting is ongoing between NUPENG and the Lagos State Government, with both parties hopeful of reaching an agreement that will enable depot operations to resume.
He, however, said that the outcome of these talks remains uncertain, and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting further updates.
Similarly, Mr Tayo Aboyeji, the Chairman of NUPENG, Lagos branch, confirmed that the service withdrawal was in response to the mistreatment and arrest of tanker drivers by security personnel.
He clarified that the union had previously instructed drivers not to operate at night to avoid accidents and hijackings.
He said that in spite of this, drivers who stopped to rest were reportedly targeted by security officers.
“We had instructed tanker drivers not to travel at night to avoid accidents and hijackings.
“But when drivers parked to rest, security personnel towed their vehicles, arrested our members, and even damaged the union’s patrol vehicle,” Aboyeji said.
He added, “As a result, we decided to suspend services in the state until the government is ready to provide a safe and convenient space for tanker drivers, ensuring that such incidents do not occur again.”
Aboyeji assured that the national leadership of the union is in talks with the state government and that the matter would be resolved once discussions are concluded.
“There are ongoing discussions, and if they are completed today or tomorrow, the issue will be resolved,” he stated.
Business
President Tinubu to present 2026 budget to N/Assembly Friday
The 2026 budget is projected at N54.4 trillion, according to the approved 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will, on Friday, present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly.
The presentation, scheduled for 2:00 pm, was conveyed in a notice issued by the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly.
According to the notice, all accredited persons are required to be at their duty posts by 11:00 am on the day of the presentation, as access into the National Assembly Complex will be restricted thereafter for security reasons.
The notice, signed by the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Essien Eyo Essien, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, urged all concerned to ensure strict compliance with the arrangements ahead of the President’s budget presentation.
The 2026 budget is projected at N54.4 trillion, according to the approved 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has issued a disclaimer distancing himself from a purported response circulating online regarding recent corruption allegations levelled against him by billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote.
In a statement titled “DISCLAIMER/CLARIFICATION” personally signed by Ahmed, he categorically denied authoring or authorising any prior public response to the claims.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to a purported response I was said to have made on the recent allegations against my person,” the statement read.
“I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me.
“Ahmed acknowledged awareness of what he described as “wild and spurious allegations” targeting him and his family, which have sparked significant public attention. However, citing his role as regulator of a sensitive industry, he said he has deliberately avoided engaging in public exchanges or “brickbats.”
“Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken it to a formal investigative institution,” Ahmed noted. “I believe that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distill the issues and to clear my name.
“The disclaimer comes amid escalating tensions in Nigeria’s petroleum sector. Dangote, president of Dangote Industries Limited, recently petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Ahmed over claims of living beyond legitimate means, including alleged multi-million-dollar expenditures on his children’s education abroad.
The ICPC has confirmed receipt of the petition and stated it will be duly investigated.Ahmed’s statement signals his preference for the matter to be resolved through official channels rather than media debates.
Business
Adesanya joins FrieslandCampina from Guinness Nigeria
Adesanya announced the move on his LinkedIn page, stating, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Director of Group Sales at FrieslandCampina.
FrieslandCampina WAMCO has appointed former Guinness Nigeria Commercial Director, Olusanya Adesanya, as its new Group Director of Sales, marking a significant talent shift in Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods sector.
Adesanya announced the move on his LinkedIn page, stating, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Director of Group Sales at FrieslandCampina.”
Adesanya, regarded as one of the country’s foremost commercial strategists, has been instrumental in Guinness Nigeria’s resurgence.
His exit was confirmed in a statement signed by the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Girish Sharma, who hailed his “twelve remarkable years of positive impact and growth.”
According to Guinness Nigeria, Adesanya joined the company in 2013 as a sales representative and rose through the ranks across the South-East, Lagos and South-West regions, ultimately becoming commercial director in 2023.
Over the years, he led retail expansion initiatives, including the launch of Project REAP, which transformed retail execution and broadened the company’s distribution footprint.
Under his leadership, Guinness recorded double-digit topline growth, improved margins, enhanced trade spend efficiency and strengthened distributor profitability.
His performance earned him several awards, including the African President Awards (2021) and MAD Awards (2014 and 2015).
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