Tinubu arrives in Saudi Arabia to 'pray for Nigeria's Peace, Stability, Unity'

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia ahead of his scheduled pilgrimage to Makkah to perform Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage, and pray for Nigeria’s peace and stability.

The President is expected to use the sacred Islamic rite to pray for the country’s peace, unity, stability and continued development.

Tinubu was received at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo, and the Saudi Head of Royal Protocol, Ahmad bin Thafir.

Tinubu departed Abuja from the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after a brief ceremony attended by state governors and senior government officials.

Before his departure, the President inaugurated five newly acquired Nigerian Air Force helicopters to strengthen military operations against terrorism and other security threats.

According to a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria next week.

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Oil Exploration: NNPCL seeks urgent return to Borno Turf

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has expressed readiness to fast-track the resumption of oil exploration in Borno, following discussions with Governor Babagana Zulum on the state’s energy development.

The commitment was made when Zulum received a delegation of the company’s top management, led by its Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida in Maiduguri.

The meeting focused on the resumption of exploration activities in the Borno Basin and the delayed upgrade of the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant.

Zulum, while welcoming the delegation, emphasised the strategic importance of restarting oil exploration in the state, describing Borno as a location with significant commercial potential and strategic advantages due to its borders with three countries.

He expressed optimism that renewed exploration activities would unlock the state’s hydrocarbon resources, attract investment and stimulate economic development.

The governor, however, expressed concern over the slow pace of work on the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant, a critical infrastructure expected to improve electricity supply in the state.

He noted that in spite of the availability of necessary materials at the project site for about two years, the upgrade remained incomplete.

He, therefore, urged the NNPCL management to intervene and address the delays, stressing that the project was vital to the socio-economic well-being of residents of Maiduguri and its environs.

He said improved electricity supply would support businesses, enhance public services and contribute to the state’s economic recovery.

Responding, Kida assured the governor of the company’s readiness to fast-track the resumption of oil exploration in the Borno Basin.

He also pledged to address the bottlenecks delaying the completion of the emergency power plant.

The NNPCL chairman commended Zulum for his continued support and efforts towards creating conducive environment for investment and energy development in the state.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Umar  Kadafur, Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani, Acting Chief of Staff, Babagana Mallumbe and other senior government officials.

Members of the NNPCL delegation included Udy Ntia, the Executive Vice President, Upstream and Olalekon Ogunleye, the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy.

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Payment of N1.2trn of Nigeria’s N2.3trn outstanding Power Sector Debt to address Liquidity Challenges - Minister

The Federal Government has paid N1.2 trillion of Nigeria’s N2.3 trillion outstanding power sector debt to ease liquidity pressures and improve electricity supply.

Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.

The meeting was presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House.

Tegbe said the payment formed part of broader efforts to address liquidity challenges, particularly those affecting gas supplies to electricity generation companies.

He said the government was also pursuing measures to stabilise the national grid, strengthen transmission infrastructure and improve electricity delivery to consumers.

According to him, Lagos and adjoining areas account for approximately 50 per cent of national electricity demand, while Abuja, Kano and other locations require infrastructure improvements.

Tegbe said the government planned to expand national transmission capacity from the current 5,000 megawatts to more than 19,000 megawatts.

He said the expansion would bridge infrastructure gaps and accommodate the country’s electricity generation capacity, estimated at more than 13,000 megawatts.

The minister also said prolonged detention of consignments had affected the availability of essential materials needed for electricity infrastructure development.

He said efforts were underway to resolve the outstanding clearance issues.

Tegbe revealed that construction had commenced on a modern National Control Centre in Osogbo, Osun, to replace the existing facility, which had operated for 64 years.

He said the new centre would feature advanced monitoring and control systems to improve grid coordination, operational efficiency and nationwide transmission management.

Tegbe reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to settling outstanding financial obligations, modernising transmission infrastructure and expanding alternative energy solutions to ensure more stable and reliable electricity nationwide.

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