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Update: Energy crisis: Petrol scarcity to persist
….Petrol subsidy could hit N6trn by end of year, IMF warns
…PENGASSAN cites bridging cost, says high diesel price affecting trucking of petrol by tankers
…Adds sole importation, inadequate funds, others can’t guarantee supply
…As MOMAN canvasses full downstream deregulation, says inadequate supply responsible for scarcity
Indications emerged yesterday that the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country may not abate soon, as major stakeholders in the sector are currently expressing divergent views as to the cause(s) of the crisis.
While the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, said there is sufficient stock of the product to serve the nation for some weeks, which seemed to be the position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, another major stakeholder, the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, said the product available is inadequate to serve the nation, noting that the shortage was fueled by fundamental issues and problems in the sector.
PENGASSAN blamed the current scarcity on difference in the bridging gap cost between when the cost of diesel was N250 per litre and now that it had risen to as much as N820.
Speaking at an electronic medium monitored in Lagos yesterday, President of PENGASSAN, Mr. Festus Osifo, said: “Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA and truck drivers are the ones administering the bridging fund.
“At a particular time, they agreed with truck drivers that the bridging fund is going to be about N10 per litre, depending on the destination you are going to all over the country.
“As at when they agreed, the cost of diesel was about N250, so it was fashionable and the N10 was okay, but today, the cost of diesel is over N700. It has tripled.
“So, the expectations from the tanker drivers is that since the cost has gone up, instead of paying N10.40 kobo as the case may be, you have to multiply it by three. This is a major problem. As at today, we have close to two billion litres of PMS, so the problem is not the stock.’’
He explained that while the stock is available, most truck drivers are not willing to move these products, “because of the previous problem I just enumerated.
“One of the issues again is that today, NNPC is the sole importer of PMS, so they import PMS into the country, and this PMS is brought to the high sea, so they rent some smaller vessels to bunker the PMS and take to the various tank farms or depots.
“So, if it’s the NNPC depots and you are loading from the NNPC depots, you are going to pay about N148 as the ex-depot price. But some of the PMS are also stored in private depots and those private depots don’t sell to retailers for N148; they add some premium to it. At the end of the day, they sell between N152, N155, N160 and N162.”
Inadequate supply, other challenges abound — MOMAN
Countering this at a virtual meeting monitored yesterday in Lagos, the Chairman of MOMAN, Mr. Olumide Adeosun and the Chief Executive Officer, MOMAN, Mr. Clement Isong, jointly observed that the current scarcity of petrol was occasioned by supply inadequacy in the last few weeks, which was worsened by the scarcity and rising price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), which tanker drivers depend on to move petrol from the depots to the filling stations.
They said: “MOMAN, as an association, fears that the current supply framework cannot guarantee steady and consistent supplies to the country, given the current state of government finances and unpredictable international supply shortages.”
Full downstream deregulation is key
The duo, who canvassed deregulation, said: “We recommend a gradual price deregulation with targeted palliatives (e.g. transport and agricultural subsidies) to the public to ease implementation.
“However, in the interim, MOMAN recommends that the current single supplier strategy be reviewed. The Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and other relevant MDAs, should set up a task force to immediately focus on increasing diesel supply through accelerated initiatives to increase local modular refining capacity. This move will tackle the supply and distribution challenges.
“There should be phased rehabilitation of existing NNPC refineries to hasten supply of middle distillates (AGO & ATK). MOMAN recognizes and closely associates with the need to ease challenges, with respect to high energy and transportation costs occasioned by extraneous circumstances.
“MOMAN shall continually do its best to distribute petrol to its customers across the country and keep exploring opportunities to partner with industry stakeholders, The Authority and the government should ensure the sustainability and institutionalization of a viable petroleum downstream sector in Nigeria.
“The full deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector and full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 clearly remains the most viable long-term solution to the country’s supply and distribution challenges.”
Ukraine-Russian war factor
In any case, an investigation by Vanguard indicated that the outbreak of the Ukraine – Russian war and ban on Russian oil and gas, have culminated in scarcity and rising prices globally.
Consequently, Nigeria remains one of the most affected nations because of its over-dependence on imported petroleum products at the expense of the nation’s scarce foreign exchange, thus over-stretching the capacity of government to import.
Legislators postpone dialogue with stakeholders
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday postponed its meeting with the major stakeholders in the downstream sector from yesterday to Friday this week, following the taking of permission and absent of major stakeholders.
However, the meeting was targeted at finding lasting solution to the nation’s prolonged energy crisis.
Specifically, those expected at the public hearing include the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Company limited represented by the GMD, Mr. Mele Kyari, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) and that of the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC), two subsidiaries of NNPC Limited and others.
The lawmakers had in a letter signed by the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) Hon. Mahmud Gaya, invited the heads of the organisations for the hearing.
But addressing the House, the Chairman of the joint committee, Gaya said he received communication from the GMD and the minister who said they would not be able to make it because they were also in another meeting at the time.
Long fuel queues, other woes remain
However, the queues remained visible at many filling stations across the nation, yesterday, due to lack of adequate supply.
Transporters, who managed to get supply at the prevailing black market price, ranging from N200 to N300, increased fares to cover cost.
This, it was gathered, has already culminated in the general increase in the prices of basic services and goods, including commodities, a development worsened by epileptic power supply and high prices of cooking gas as well as aviation fuel.
President Bola Tinubu has accepted the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and approved the appointment of Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.
Our correspondent had earlier reported that Egbetokun tendered his resignation letter on Tuesday, citing pressing family considerations.
Appointed in June 2023, Egbetokun was serving a four-year term scheduled to conclude in June 2027, in line with the amended provisions of the Police Act.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President received the letter earlier on Tuesday and expressed appreciation for his service to the nation.
He also commended Egbetokun’s “decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation,” acknowledging his “dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to strengthening internal security architecture during his tenure.”
“In view of the current security challenges confronting the nation, and acting in accordance with extant laws and legal guidance, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to serve as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.
“The President is confident that AIG Disu’s experience, operational depth, and demonstrated leadership capacity will provide steady and focused direction for the Nigeria Police Force during this critical period,” the statement read.
It added that in compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, the President will soon convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider Disu’s appointment as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing national security, strengthening institutional capacity, and ensuring that the Nigeria Police Force remains professional, accountable, and fully equipped to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law, days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The signing ceremony took place at the State House, Abuja, at about 5:00pm on Wednesday, with principal officers of the National Assembly in attendance.
The National Assembly had on Tuesday passed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill.
The latest amendment comes amid intense public debate over the electronic transmission of election results in real time.
Last week, protests erupted at the National Assembly complex as civil society organisations and opposition figures mounted pressure on lawmakers to mandate live transmission of results from polling units directly to INEC’s central server.
The protesters argued that real-time transmission would reduce result manipulation and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and some stakeholders have raised concerns about the technical feasibility of live transmission, particularly in communities with weak telecommunications infrastructure. They have argued for a phased or hybrid approach that would allow manual collation where electronic systems fail.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday spent the second night in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, as his lawyer, A.U Mustapha (SAN), pushes for his release on bail.
There are, however, indications that the commission may seek a remand order to extend his stay in custody to enable him to respond to questions posed by investigators handling his matter.
The former governor arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday around 10 a.m. for questioning in connection with an alleged N432bn corruption probe. He was, however, detained at the commission, where investigators continued to grill him.
An official of the commission who pleaded anonymity said the anti-graft agency was considering obtaining a remand order after the expiration of the hours allowed by law to enable investigators conclude questioning him.
“Forget the speculations being peddled on social media that he has been released. He has not. El-Rufai is still with us and will be spending another night in custody.
“He is very much with us and will remain so because the investigators are considering getting a remand order after the expiration of the 48 hours allowed by law.
“The investigators need some time with him to answer questions arising from his eight years as governor in Kaduna State,” the source said.
Speaking in a telephone conversation with The PUNCH on Tuesday, El-Rufai’s counsel, Mustapha, confirmed that the former governor remained with the anti-graft agency, while insisting that his client had fully cooperated with investigators.
He described his client as a responsible citizen who is not a flight risk if granted bail.
Mustapha said, “Well, as a responsible citizen, he was invited and, true to his word, he honoured the invitation.
“As we speak, he is still with the EFCC. He is cooperating to the best of his capacity, and we hope that the EFCC, given its integrity, will be kind enough to admit him to bail because he is presumed innocent, and I am sure if he is granted bail, he will not jump bail.
“He is a responsible citizen, and everybody knows him. He came to Nigeria on his own volition. He wrote a letter that he was going to honour the EFCC invitation, and he kept his word as a man of integrity. We’re hopeful that very soon he will be granted bail.”
When asked about the specific allegations against his client, Mustapha declined to offer details.
“You’re asking the right question from the wrong person. That question can only be answered by the EFCC and not by me. I would just be speculating, and lawyers don’t do that.”
Pressed further on whether he witnessed parts of the interrogation and what it was about, Mustapha responded, “That would be prejudicial. It’s a confidential matter and not meant for public consumption.”
The EFCC’s interrogation is linked to the report of an ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly set up in 2024 to probe finances, loans, and contracts awarded between 2015 and 2023 during El-Rufai’s administration.
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Rep backs real-time electronic transmission of election results
The committee, chaired by Henry Zacharia, had alleged that several loans obtained during the period were not utilised for their intended purposes.
While presenting the report, the Speaker, Yusuf Dahiru Leman, claimed that about N423bn was allegedly siphoned under the former governor’s administration.
The committee recommended the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai and some former cabinet members over alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds, money laundering, contract awards without due process, and reckless borrowing.
The Assembly subsequently forwarded petitions to the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
El-Rufai has denied the allegations, describing the probe as politically motivated, and insisted that loans obtained during his tenure were properly appropriated and used for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security.
On Monday, an EFCC source said the commission had been investigating the matter for about a year, noting that suspects are usually invited after investigations have reached an advanced stage.
“The commission has been investigating him for about a year now. As a commission, we don’t just rush to invite suspects. Persons accused are always the last; that is, after we might have done our investigation to an advanced stage.
“We are investigating him on the allegations against him by the Kaduna State Assembly,” the source said.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Department of State Services has filed criminal charges against El-Rufai before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged unlawful interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The three-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, was filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
According to the charge sheet, El-Rufai allegedly admitted during a February 13, 2026, appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme that he and unnamed associates unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s communications.
Count One alleged that El-Rufai “did admit during the interview that you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu,” an offence said to be punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act.
Count Two accused him of acknowledging knowledge of an individual involved in the alleged interception without reporting it to security agencies, while Count Three alleged that he and others still at large used technical equipment that compromised public safety and national security.
The prosecution further claimed that the alleged act, reportedly admitted during the television interview, caused “reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians.”
He is yet to be arraigned.
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