Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu (right) and Egyptian Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Mohammed Ibrahim in Abuja on Thursday. Photo: Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army and the Egyptian Army have moved to strengthen their military partnership as both countries seek to enhance their capacity to confront evolving security threats across their regions.
The commitment was reaffirmed on Thursday when the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, received the Egyptian Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Mohammed Ibrahim, during a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, Shaibu reiterated the Nigerian Army’s resolve to deepen cooperation with friendly nations, particularly in the area of advanced professional training designed to address modern security challenges. He described Nigeria’s military relationship with Egypt as longstanding and mutually beneficial, noting that collaboration between the two armies has played an important role in strengthening operational capability and professional development.
“Nigeria maintains a longstanding and mutually beneficial military relationship with Egypt,” the army chief said, adding that cooperation through advanced military courses, training exchanges and professional military education remains essential to preparing personnel to confront contemporary threats.
Shaibu also noted that several officers of the Nigerian Army have benefited from specialized and advanced military training programmes in Egypt over the years. According to him, the experience gained from those programmes has significantly contributed to building the professional competence of the force and enhancing its operational effectiveness.
He said the Nigerian Army is ready to expand the scope of such training opportunities to further equip personnel with the knowledge and skills required to respond to complex security threats. The army chief also emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional linkages between both militaries, particularly through strategic-level training and participation in programmes at the Nigerian Army War College.
Shaibu explained that deeper engagement between the two institutions would promote knowledge exchange, reinforce professional ties and improve the ability of both armies to jointly confront emerging threats. As part of efforts to sustain the relationship, he extended an invitation to the Egyptian Army to participate in the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2026, scheduled to hold in July.
The army chief also stressed the need to explore additional areas of cooperation, particularly in the development of aviation capabilities and operational support systems. He noted that stronger collaboration in these areas would help improve operational readiness, technological innovation and overall mission effectiveness.
Earlier in his remarks, Ibrahim said his visit was aimed at reviewing the implementation of the Nigeria–Egypt Military Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding 2024 signed between the two countries. He disclosed that notable progress had already been made in executing several aspects of the agreement, especially in the area of training cooperation.
The Egyptian defence attaché added that preparations were underway for the next Military Committee Meeting between the two countries, which is expected to take place later this year in Cairo.
Ibrahim reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to expanding its military collaboration with Nigeria, particularly in advanced training and intelligence sharing, which he said would help both nations address contemporary security challenges.
The investment banking giant Goldman Sachs has warned that the ongoing conflict involving Iran could slow economic growth and push inflation higher in the United States this year, adding fresh uncertainty to the global economic outlook as energy prices surge.
In a research note released early Thursday, economists at the Wall Street firm said the war is likely to have a sustained, though relatively modest, impact on the U.S. economy. According to the bank, the conflict could drive up energy costs, increase unemployment slightly and slow the pace of economic expansion, particularly if oil prices remain elevated in the coming months.
The bank’s revised outlook suggests that the Federal Reserve may delay interest rate cuts until September, later than previously expected, as policymakers grapple with inflationary pressures triggered by rising energy costs. The development comes as American households continue to face elevated prices for gasoline, utilities and possibly food items ahead of national elections later this year.
Prior to the outbreak of the war, Goldman Sachs had projected that inflation would gradually ease as the economic effects of tariffs imposed during the administration of Donald Trump faded. However, the bank now expects the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation to end the year at around 2.9 percent, still above the central bank’s target of 2 percent.
The forecast is based on an assumption that average oil prices will climb roughly 40 percent to about $98 per barrel during March and April. Should the conflict push prices even higher, averaging around $110 per barrel during the same period, Goldman economists estimate inflation could rise to about 3.3 percent.
The outlook reflects growing concern in global financial markets that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could disrupt energy supplies and fuel price volatility. Rising oil prices often ripple through the broader economy by increasing transportation and production costs, which can eventually translate into higher prices for consumer goods and services.
Economists say the evolving situation will remain closely tied to developments in the energy market and the duration of the conflict. For now, Goldman Sachs believes the economic impact will be manageable but significant enough to influence monetary policy decisions and the cost of living for American consumers over the coming months.
A senior Iranian official has issued a stark warning to Donald Trump, saying any attack on Iran’s electricity infrastructure could trigger a wider regional crisis, as tensions continue to escalate in the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Iran, and their regional allies.
The warning came from Ali Larijani, a top Iranian security official and secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, who responded on the social media platform X to remarks by Trump suggesting that American forces could target Iran’s electricity facilities. Larijani cautioned that striking the country’s power infrastructure could have consequences far beyond Iran’s borders.
According to Larijani, disabling Iran’s power grid could plunge large parts of the region into darkness and create new security risks for U.S. forces stationed across the Middle East. He warned that destroying Iran’s electricity system would quickly cause a regional blackout and said the darkness “would provide a good opportunity to hunt fleeing American soldiers in the region.”
The exchange reflects growing hostility between Tehran and Washington as the conflict intensifies. Trump had earlier warned that if Iran disrupted key energy routes or threatened U.S. interests, the United States would retaliate with overwhelming force and expand the range of potential targets inside Iran.
Larijani has also dismissed what he described as U.S. threats, insisting that Iran would not be intimidated. In earlier remarks posted online, he said Iran was not afraid of what he called Washington’s “empty threats” and cautioned the U.S. president to “take care of yourself not to be eliminated.”
Iran’s new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has revealed that he personally saw the body of his father following a deadly airstrike that killed several members of his family, as he vowed that Iran would pursue retaliation against its enemies amid the escalating regional war.
In a written message addressed to Iranian fighters and supporters, Mojtaba Khamenei confirmed the death of his father, Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, along with other close relatives during an airstrike earlier in the conflict. The message, which was not delivered on camera, offered a rare and emotional account of the aftermath of the strike and underscored the new leader’s determination to continue Iran’s military response.
“I had the honor of seeing his body after his martyrdom,” Khamenei said of his father. “What I saw was a mountain of steadfastness, and I was told that the fist of his intact hand had been clenched.”
The statement also confirmed the deaths of several other family members in the same attack, including his wife, one of his sisters, his niece and the husband of another sister. The revelation marks one of the most personal acknowledgements yet from Iran’s leadership since the outbreak of the conflict, which has sharply escalated tensions across the Middle East.
Addressing Iranian fighters in the message, Mojtaba Khamenei called for continued resistance against what he described as hostile forces targeting the country. “Dear combatant brothers, the demand of the masses is the continuation of an effective and regret-inducing defense,” he said, urging supporters to maintain pressure on adversaries.
He also indicated that Iran would continue to explore military options beyond the current battlefield. According to Khamenei, “The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used as well,” adding that studies had been conducted on opening other fronts where adversaries would be “highly vulnerable.” He said such steps could be activated if the war continues and depending on strategic considerations.
The new leader further vowed that Iran would pursue a broad campaign of retaliation for those killed in the conflict, including civilians. “I assure everyone that we will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs,” he said. “The retaliation we have in mind is not limited only to the martyrdom of the great leader of the Revolution; rather, every member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy constitutes a separate case in the file of revenge.”
According to Khamenei, some retaliatory actions have already taken place but further steps remain under consideration. “A limited portion of this retaliation has already taken tangible form, but until it is fully achieved, this file will remain open above other cases,” he said.
He also singled out attacks that he said had targeted civilians, including an incident involving the Shajareh-Tayyebeh school in the southern Iranian city of Minab, saying such cases would receive particular attention in Iran’s pursuit of accountability. “We will be especially sensitive regarding the blood of our children,” he said.
Khamenei warned that Iran would seek compensation from those it considers responsible for the attacks. “One point I must emphasize is that, in any case, we will obtain compensation from the enemy. If it refuses, we will take from its assets to the extent we deem appropriate, and if that is not possible, we will destroy its assets to the same extent,” he said.
He also issued a warning to countries hosting foreign military bases in the region, urging them to reconsider their positions. “These countries must clarify their position regarding those who have attacked our beloved homeland and killed members of our people,” he said. “I recommend that they shut down those bases as soon as possible, because by now they must have realized that the United States’ claims of providing security and peace have been nothing more than a lie.”
Global oil prices held relatively steady on Wednesday after the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced the largest coordinated release of emergency crude reserves in history, a move aimed at calming energy markets rattled by escalating geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.
The Paris-based energy watchdog said its 32 member countries had agreed to release about 400 million barrels of oil from strategic stockpiles, a record intervention designed to stabilize prices that surged sharply following the ongoing conflict involving Iran and disruptions to shipping routes in the Middle East.
Oil futures initially fluctuated before stabilizing as traders assessed whether the unprecedented release would be sufficient to offset supply losses and prevent further price spikes. Prices had earlier climbed from the mid-$60 range to nearly $120 per barrel within days, reflecting fears of a prolonged disruption to global energy supplies.
Announcing the move, the IEA said the coordinated action had received unanimous backing from its member states as governments sought to cushion the global economy from the impact of soaring energy costs. The planned drawdown is expected to exceed previous emergency releases, including the roughly 182 million barrels released during the 2022 energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Energy officials said the intervention is intended to inject additional crude into the market while diplomatic and military efforts continue to address disruptions in key shipping lanes. Much of the concern centers on instability around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes.
Despite the announcement, analysts remain cautious about the effectiveness of the measure, noting that the pace of daily releases may fall short of the scale of current supply disruptions. Estimates suggest that even a release of around 3.3 million barrels per day would represent only a fraction of the volumes affected by the crisis.
Some government officials have defended the intervention as a necessary step to prevent further volatility. U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the move could help ease market pressure, telling Fox News that “this is the perfect time to think about releasing some of those to take some pressure off of the global price.” He added that the situation reflects a temporary disruption to oil transport rather than a long-term shortage of supply.
The emergency release also coincides with discussions among leaders of the Group of Seven nations, who are weighing additional measures to stabilize global energy markets and prevent the crisis from fueling broader inflation and economic instability.
Strategic petroleum reserves are government-controlled stockpiles designed to protect economies from sudden supply shocks and energy crises. Countries participating in the IEA are generally required to maintain reserves equivalent to at least 90 days of net oil imports, allowing coordinated responses when global markets face severe disruptions.
Iran women's football team with Australia PM Anthony Albanese. Photo: AP
A member of the Iran women’s national football team has reversed her decision to seek asylum in Australia after the country granted humanitarian protection to several members of the visiting squad, triggering fresh diplomatic tensions and security concerns surrounding the athletes.
The player had initially been among members of the Iranian delegation who sought refuge in Australia following the team’s participation in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Australian authorities granted humanitarian visas to several of the players after they expressed fears of persecution if they returned to Iran. However, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, confirmed that one of the footballers later decided to withdraw her asylum request and return home.
“In Australia, people are able to change their mind, people are able to travel,” Burke told parliament, adding that the government respected the athlete’s decision despite the complex circumstances surrounding the case.
The change of heart came shortly after Australian authorities had granted humanitarian visas to two additional members of the delegation, bringing the number of players and staff seeking protection to seven. According to officials, the player who reversed her decision contacted the Iranian embassy in Canberra, a move that raised security concerns for the remaining asylum seekers.
Australian authorities subsequently relocated the remaining six players to a secure location after their original safe house was compromised. Officials said the relocation was necessary to protect the athletes from potential threats after their location became known.
The asylum requests followed controversy during the Asian Cup tournament in Australia, where several Iranian players reportedly declined to sing the national anthem before a match. Iranian state media later branded the players “traitors,” intensifying fears that they could face punishment or retaliation if they returned home.
Some members of the squad, including captain Zahra Ghanbari and players such as Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramezanizadeh and Mona Hamoudi, were among those who sought refuge in Australia after leaving the team’s training camp following the tournament.
The episode has sparked a diplomatic row between Tehran and Canberra. Iranian officials accused Australia of improperly influencing the athletes and even alleged that the country was holding them “hostage,” claims rejected by Australian authorities.
Burke said Australian officials had taken deliberate steps to ensure that each member of the delegation could make an independent decision about seeking asylum. He explained that players were spoken to individually and offered interpreters so they could decide freely whether to stay in Australia or return to Iran.
Despite the defection of several players, the majority of the Iranian delegation departed Sydney earlier in the week en route to Iran via Kuala Lumpur after their elimination from the tournament. Those granted humanitarian visas are expected to remain in Australia while exploring pathways to longer-term residency.
The NBA world was left stunned Tuesday night after Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo delivered what many are calling one of the most jaw-dropping offensive outbursts in league history, pouring in a record-breaking 83 points.
Bam Adebayo produced the second-highest single-game scoring total in NBA history, putting up 83 points as the host Miami Heat beat the Washington Wizards 150-129 on Tuesday night. The 28-year-old centre scored 31 points in the first quarter en route to passing Kobe Bryant (81 points in 2006) for second place on the single-game list. Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point outing has stood as the record since March 2, 1962.
Adebayo set Heat records for the highest-scoring game and the highest-scoring quarter. The old club mark for a game was 61 points, set in 2014 by LeBron James. Adebayo’s previous career best was 41 points on January 23, 2021, against the Brooklyn Nets.
In 42 minutes on Tuesday, Adebayo shot 20-for-43 from the floor, 7-for-22 from 3-point range and 36-for-43 at the free-throw line. He also grabbed nine rebounds.
The viral news first broke via @NBAScore, which posted: “Bam Adebayo has just broken the NBA single-game scoring record with 83 POINTS!” The post quickly spread like wildfire across X, complete with eye-popping stats from the dominant performance.
Fellow NBA superstars wasted no time reacting, turning the platform into a live celebration of disbelief, awe, and respect.
Golden State Warriors veteran Klay Thompson responded with a simple but explosive “What the f**k,” attaching a photo of himself looking utterly shocked.
His teammate Draymond Green echoed the sentiment with an equally blunt “WTF.”
Warriors superstar Stephen Curry added a touch of playful skepticism, tweeting “Nah this gotta be cap” alongside a wide-eyed emoji.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James kept it all the way positive, declaring “This man is him.”
The flurry of reactions from across the league highlights just how historic the moment feels, with players capturing the collective “no way” energy that swept through basketball Twitter in real time.
A follow-up post from @NBAScore further fueled the frenzy, declaring “BREAKING: Bam Adebayo has just scored 83 points in a single game,” amplifying the buzz among fans and analysts alike.
Whether it was the sheer volume of points or the way Adebayo took over the game, one thing is clear: the league is still processing what just happened. As clips and highlights continue to circulate, Adebayo’s 83-point masterclass has instantly cemented itself as one of the most talked-about nights in modern NBA history — and his peers are leading the applause.
In a major relief for Nigerian motorists and businesses, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced sharp reductions in the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS, commonly known as petrol) and diesel, with the new rates taking effect immediately.
According to a statement released by the refinery, the ex-factory price of PMS has been slashed from ₦1,175 to ₦1,075 per litre — a reduction of ₦100 — while the coastal price has dropped from ₦1,150 to ₦1,028 per litre, representing a ₦122 cut. Diesel prices have also been lowered from ₦1,620 to ₦1,430 per litre, a substantial decrease of ₦190.
“This decision is intended to assure Nigerians that the pricing mechanism remains responsive to global market dynamics and indicative of our fair pricing system,” the refinery stated.
The move comes amid a decline in global crude oil prices. The statement explained that all crudes processed at the facility are priced on global benchmark rates plus a modest premium, with forex handled at the prevailing market rate without subsidies.
“As responsible corporate citizens operating in a high-governance code and ethical environment, we believe it is imperative to reduce the price of our products as a reflection of the decline in global crude oil prices,” the refinery added.
The announcement highlighted the company’s consistent approach to pricing throughout 2025. “In 2025, we reduced our gantry price not less than eight times, while increasing it only twice,” the statement noted. “This is borne out of a sense of economic patriotism and a duty to the people of Nigeria.”
Dangote Petroleum Refinery reaffirmed its commitment to passing on the benefits of refined products to consumers nationwide. “We affirm our commitment to set prices of refined products by passing on the benefits to all Nigerians across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory,” it said.
The refinery also emphasised its broader national role: “Dangote refinery is fully committed to strengthening national energy security while remaining mindful of the economic realities faced by Nigerians.
”The price cuts are expected to ease transportation and production costs across the country, providing welcome relief to households and industries already grappling with inflationary pressures.
Nigeria’s football community awoke on Tuesday to the news that one of its founding pillars had fallen. High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, the first indigenous coach of the Super Eagles and a tireless architect of the nation’s football identity, passed away on the evening of 9 March 2026 at the age of 88 in his hometown of Modakeke, Osun State.
His family’s statement, signed by Mrs Bolade Adesuyi, captured the essence of a life devoted to the round leather game: “With great gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of this great man: a Modakeke High Chief, the first indigenous Nigerian Super Eagles football coach, father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend.”
Onigbinde’s story is not merely one of matches won or lost; it is the chronicle of how a son of Modakeke helped Nigeria believe that its own sons could lead its greatest sporting export on the world stage.
Roots in Modakeke: From Classroom and Pitch to the Bench
Born on 5 March 1938 in Modakeke, Osun State (then part of the old Western Region), Festus Adegboye Onigbinde grew up in an era when football in Nigeria was still finding its post-independence voice. He attended St Stevens Primary School, Modakeke, before proceeding to St Peter’s College, Ilesa (1956–57), St Luke’s College (1960–61) and Akure Rural Education College. His formal entry into the game came through a coaching course organised in Ibadan in 1961 by Bet Halemi, followed by further certificates and attachments in Germany (MSV Duisburg) and Brazil, where he observed preparations for the 1982 World Cup.
Before he ever blew a whistle as a coach, Onigbinde was a Grade One referee from 1967 and an active member of the Referees’ Association. He also found artistic expression in the University of Ife Theatre and Music Group, performing in plays such as Obaluaye, Kurunmi and Rere, and representing Nigeria at cultural events in Germany (1972) and Senegal (1972). These diverse experiences — discipline on the field, creativity off it — would later shape a coaching style that blended tactical rigour with an almost professorial patience.
Rise Through the Domestic Ranks
Onigbinde’s club coaching journey began in earnest with Water Corporation FC of Ibadan in 1970. His breakthrough at the highest domestic level came in 1984 when he took charge of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan and guided them all the way to the final of the African Club Champions Cup, only to lose to Egypt’s Zamalek. That run remains one of the high-water marks of Nigerian club football on the continent and underscored his ability to extract maximum performance from home-grown talent.
The National Team: Two Eras, One Enduring Pioneer
Onigbinde first answered the national call between 1981 and 1984, becoming the first Nigerian to lead the senior men’s team (then still known in some quarters as the Green Eagles). His crowning achievement in that spell was steering Nigeria to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire. The Super Eagles fell 3-1 to Cameroon in the decider, yet the silver medal marked the first time an indigenous coach had taken the nation to an AFCON final.
Nigeria’s Nwankwo Kanu in the game against Argentina at the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup
Eighteen years later, in March 2002, he was recalled after the sacking of Shuaibu Amodu’s technical crew following a disappointing third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations. With just months to prepare, Onigbinde assembled a young, largely inexperienced squad and guided Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan — becoming the first indigenous Nigerian (and, by some accounts, the first Black African coach) to lead the Super Eagles at football’s global showpiece.
The tournament itself proved difficult: Nigeria lost 0-1 to Argentina, 1-2 to Sweden after leading 1-0, and drew 0-0 with England, exiting at the group stage. Critics, including some players, questioned squad selection. Yet Onigbinde’s appointment itself was historic — a powerful statement that Nigerian football no longer needed to look exclusively overseas for leadership.
The Teacher: Philosophy Rooted in Discipline and Development
Colleagues and players alike knew him as “The Teacher,” a nickname that perfectly captured his approach. Onigbinde’s philosophy centred on tactical awareness, iron discipline, meticulous preparation and — above all — the nurturing of young talent. He insisted that football education was as important as physical conditioning; players were expected not merely to execute instructions but to understand why they were executing them.
As a long-serving CAF and FIFA technical instructor — delivering courses in Malaysia (1997), France (1998) and the USA (1999) among others — he helped professionalise coaching across Africa. He also served as the Nigeria Football Federation’s Technical Director, shaping curricula and youth policies that influenced generations of coaches and administrators.
Contributions Beyond the Touchline
Onigbinde’s impact extended far beyond match days. He was a passionate advocate for grassroots football and indigenous talent at a time when foreign coaches still dominated high-profile appointments. His insistence on building from home — scouting widely, developing local technical staff and demanding administrative accountability — helped lay the intellectual foundation for later successes under coaches such as Stephen Keshi.
At club and federation level he mentored countless young coaches, many of whom now occupy influential positions in the Nigerian Premier Football League and the national team setup. His quiet, methodical work in youth development and coaching education remains one of the least-celebrated but most enduring strands of his legacy.
Tributes Pour In
The outpouring of grief has been national. President Bola Tinubu described Onigbinde’s death as “a great loss to Nigerian football and the nation’s sporting community,” praising his “discipline, integrity, foresight and passion” and commending his historic leadership at the 1984 AFCON final and his contributions to grassroots football and administration.
The Nigeria Football Federation, through General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi, spoke for many when it declared: “A big tree has fallen… Chief Onigbinde ate, drank, breathed, slept and lived football development. We will miss him greatly, as he was never tired of giving advice on the game’s development even at his ripe old age.” Sanusi added that Onigbinde was “an extraordinary achiever who impacted positively not only on Nigeria football, but on the African and the global game at large.”
The Super Eagles themselves issued a heartfelt statement: “We commiserate with the family of our former coach, Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, following his passing. A respected leader and a true servant of Nigerian football. Rest in peace, Coach.”
Legacy: The Road He Paved
Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde lived long enough to see the fruits of his labour. Indigenous coaches are now the norm rather than the exception; Nigerian technical staffs routinely lead the Super Eagles at World Cups and AFCONs; and the conversation about building football from the grassroots — the very conversation he started decades ago — continues at the highest levels of the NFF.
He never won an AFCON or advanced beyond the World Cup group stage, yet his true victory was structural. He proved that Nigerian football could trust its own. In an era when many still believed excellence required a foreign accent, Onigbinde’s quiet authority and unshakeable belief in local capacity changed mindsets permanently.
The Final Whistle
On March 9th, 2026, just four days after celebrating his 88th birthday, the Teacher blew his final whistle. But the lessons he taught — discipline over drama, development over shortcuts, pride in indigenous excellence — will echo every time a Nigerian coach stands in the technical area at a major tournament.
High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde did not simply coach the Super Eagles. He helped birth a football nation that could coach itself. For that, Nigerian football — and indeed African football — will remain forever in his debt.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has reported a profit after tax of ₦5.76 trillion, underscoring the strong financial performance of the state-owned energy company as it continues to play a central role in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The figures were disclosed in the company’s January 2026 Monthly Report, which outlines operational and financial performance across the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the country’s petroleum industry.
According to the report, the company generated total revenue of ₦60.517 trillion during the period under review, while statutory payments to the government and industry partners amounted to ₦14.706 trillion. The performance highlights the continued importance of the oil and gas sector to Nigeria’s fiscal stability and economic growth.
The report also showed that crude oil and condensate production remains a key contributor to the company’s earnings. Nigeria’s oil output averaged about 1.62 million barrels per day in 2025, reflecting the steady contribution of upstream operations to the country’s export earnings and government revenues.
NNPC noted that operational activities across the energy value chain remained stable during the reporting period, with strong pipeline availability helping to ensure efficient crude evacuation and gas distribution. The company said improvements in operational reliability have helped sustain production and strengthen the country’s energy supply chain.
In the gas sector, the national oil company continues to prioritise expansion of domestic supply as part of broader efforts to deepen gas utilisation across the economy. Major infrastructure initiatives, including the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano pipeline project, are expected to deliver natural gas to industries, fertiliser plants and power generation facilities, particularly in northern Nigeria.
The report further highlighted ongoing improvements in the downstream segment, with increased availability of petroleum products across the company’s retail network. NNPC said the improved distribution of petrol and other products has helped stabilise supply in parts of the country.
The company’s monthly operational report forms part of a transparency initiative introduced after its transition into a commercially driven entity under Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act. The regular disclosures are intended to provide insight into the performance of the national oil company while strengthening investor confidence in the country’s energy sector.
As Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria continues to rely heavily on petroleum revenues to support government spending and foreign exchange earnings, making the financial performance of NNPC a key indicator of the country’s broader economic outlook.
