Politics
Prof Iledare Tells Tinubu to Fix Refineries Instead of Rushing to Sell Them
Professor Wumi Iledare, a respected expert in petroleum economics, has cautioned against rushing to sell Nigeria’s state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. He advised President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to adopt a more strategic and transparent approach that puts national interest first.
His warning follows comments by NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, who recently hinted in an interview that the refineries may be sold after their ongoing reviews. Responding to that, Iledare argued that the major issue isn’t government ownership but poor efficiency and management.
“Selling them off without addressing deeper governance failures could lead to the same problems we’ve seen in the past and also risk our energy security,” he said. He recommended public-private partnerships and performance-based agreements as better alternatives, aligning with the spirit of the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021. He also warned that privatisation shouldn’t become a tool for monopoly or be controlled by a privileged few.
According to him, the focus should be on unlocking value and reviving the downstream oil sector in a sustainable way. This comes after NNPCL shut down the Port Harcourt Refinery in May 2025 for maintenance. Despite large sums spent on reviving the Warri and Kaduna plants, both remain inactive. Meanwhile, Aliko Dangote recently stated that those refineries may never function again.
Media personality Dele Momodu reacts and shares his thoughts regarding First Lady Remi Tinubu interrupting the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, during a recent event.
The event was the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. In the scene, while Governor Adeleke was giving a speech, he began with a worship song. But while singing, the First Lady stood up and met him to inform him to stop singing and go directly to his speech instead.
Media personality Dele then reacted and questioned why she would do something like that, asking if she would have done the same kind of interruption if it were the recitation of the Qur’an.
First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has shared that she has forgiven those who betrayed her husband during the 2023 general elections.
She revealed this as she marked a new age, reflecting on what the future holds. She emphasized that she holds no grudge against anyone.
“I do not have anything against anyone. The question is how I stopped feeling the betrayal? I knew the grace factor was evident, and the Holy Spirit continually comforted me. I chose never to avenge myself, understanding that it is God’s prerogative. Mine is to thank Him for fighting for us. If God decides to fight your battles and you have won, is there anything else that God missed and you wanted to fix? Nothing. So, let it go.”
Paul Ibe, spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of laying the groundwork to manipulate the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a YouTube interview, Ibe alleged that the ruling party, led by President Bola Tinubu, has run out of achievements to show after more than two years in office. This has resorted to silencing opposition voices and critical institutions.
According to him, APC is working to weaken independent media, civil society groups, and political opponents. They insists that the clampdown is part of a wider strategy to retain power.
“They have nothing to offer after two years of holding on to the mandate,” Ibe said. “The only way left for them is to start preparing to rig, and the process is already in motion.”
Additionally, he went on to describe Nigeria’s current political climate as a drift into dictatorship, recalling the heavy price paid by activists who fought for democracy in the past.
“The democracy we’ve had since 1999 came at a huge sacrifice. Many lives were lost in the struggle,” he said. “Those heroes would be turning in their graves to see what is happening now. People like Sowore are being harassed and intimidated, and that shows where we are heading.”
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