Abuja is the location of the All Progressives Congress’s National Summit.
Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, Kashim Shettima, governors who were elected under the party, and other party bigwigs attend the summit.  ,
Watch the below live broadcast:
[UPDATED] Dangote Refinery Slashes Petrol Prices Nationwide
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has made a new reduction in the national premium motor spirit (petrol) pump prices.  ,
Depending on the location, the new rates now range from 875 to 905 per litre.
A breakdown of the revised prices shows, Lagos: ₦875, South-West ₦885, North-East: ₦905, North-West &, Central: ₦895, and South-South &, South-East: ₦905
All major fuel marketers working with the refinery, including MRS, Ardova, Heyden, Optima Energy, Techno Oil, and Hyde Energy, are quoted at a 15 reduction per litre at all prices and partner retail locations.
Before the new pricing structure, residents of Lagos paid 890 per liter while North East and South-South regions saw increases in prices.
With the new adjustments, Lagos residents will now be paying 875 per litre, while those in the North-East and South-South will be paying 905 per litre.
The company stated in the notice that “our high-quality gasoline and diesel are refined to improve engine performance and are environmentally friendly.
Otedola Hails FG, CBN Reforms As Investment In First HoldCo Hits 320b
The Lekki-based refinery, which reported the naira-for-crude deal on Monday, which reduced the cost of gasoline at the pumps, announced the development.
The company stated in a press release that its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, affirmed that the company’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Nigerian economy and reducing consumer pressures caused by rising fuel prices by maintaining price stability.
The company stated that gasoline will continue to be reasonably priced.
Tinubu Sends ₦1.48trn 2025 Rivers Budget To NASS For Approval
Following the state’s House of Assembly being suspended, Governor Bola Tinubu has now officially submitted the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly for consideration.
The proposed budget totals 1.481 trillion in a letter addressed to Senator Goodwill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, with significant funding for revitalizing key industries.
The proposed funding for the health sector is 106 billion, including 5 billion for free malaria medications, while that amount is at the top of the list, which includes 324 billion for infrastructure.
75.6 billion will be allocated to the education sector, while 31.4 billion will be allocated to the development of agriculture.
READ MORE HERE: Demand Fubara’s Reinstatement, Rivers Women Rally In Port Harcourt Once More, and
With the intention of creating approximately 6, 000 new jobs, the budget, according to the proposal, focuses on strategic investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture.
President Tinubu requests an expedite review in a formal letter to the Senate.
The Senate’s Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule receives instructions to review the proposal and submit a report back to the chamber as soon as possible.
Additionally, Tinubu contacted the House of Representatives to request the Rivers State budget’s approval, letting them know that the Supreme Court had rejected the 2025 budget presented by suspended governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Rule of emergency
President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state on March 18, 2025, following months of political tussles between Rivers State House of Assembly members who are close to the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The President also announced the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all House of Assembly members for a full six-month period in a nationwide broadcast proclaiming the state of emergency.
Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) was chosen as the president’s administrator for the first six months.
According to Tinubu, who relyed on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to support his position, he can’t continue to observe the political deterioration in Rivers.
Civil society organizations and activists who have also called for their reinstatement have condemned the suspension of elected officials.
Since its declaration, there have also been protests against and for the emergency rule in Rivers State’s citizens, particularly women.
El-Rufai Commends FG’s Plan To Deploy 9,000km Fiber Optic Network
MNasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, praised the Federal Government’s plan to deploy 9, 000 kilometers of fiber optic network on Wednesday.
He praised Bosun Tijani, the minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, for doing a great job in his position, which he believes merits praise and recognition despite not being a fan of President Bola Tinubu’s administration as is well known.
El-Rufai expressed hope that the minister’s well-thought-out plans and strategies will be fully implemented for Nigerian benefit during his speech at the Arewa Tech Fest 2.0 in Katsina.
El-Rufai claims that Nigeria’s rapid communication network is the only way to unlock its full potential.
El-Rufai, who co-hosted the Arewa Tech Fest 2.0 that the Katsina State government hosted at the Continental Events Center, in Katsina, claimed the AI strategy was well thought out.
READ MORE: FG Plans Investment in 70, 000 Telecom Towers.
Because he believed there was no one else on the planet, he said the challenge was getting it done as soon as possible.
“I want to give the minister my apologies for the work that has been done so far in the country’s best interest.
I want to thank the minister, but as you all know, I don’t like the president’s Bola Tinubu administration, and I think it’s important to acknowledge and commend him. My hope and prayer is that all of his wonderful ideas, strategies, and plans will be put into action to help Nigeria.
Without a quick communication network, this nation cannot fulfill its potential.
The Federal Government’s plan to deploy 9, 000 kilometers of fiber optics is a very commendable step. The challenge is to get the AI strategy put into use as soon as possible because “the world is waiting for no one,” El-Rufai said.
Bosun Tijani, the country’s minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, revealed at the event that the Federal Government is planning to invest in 70 000 telecommunications towers, with over 80% of those based in the northern region.
According to him, the goal is to close the current connectivity gap and make Nigeria the continent’s most inclusive digital economy without any marginalization.
He added that the Federal Government’s biggest investments in the digital space are still the 90, 000 kilometers of fiber optic network, which is designed to connect every corner of Nigeria.
His Ministry has focused on fundamental initiatives that can increase the national productivity, according to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
This tech festival today is more than just an event; it also sends a strong message to Katsina, the Arewa States, and that Arewa is prepared.
Therefore, I tell participants, especially the room’s innovators, that all you need to do is move to Lagos or Abuja, and that all you need is formation, both for yourself and for yourself.
Being born in Katsina or Kano gives the country a “smart advantage” rather than a disadvantage.
Otedola Hails FG, CBN Reforms As Investment In First HoldCo Hits ₦320b
Femi Otedola, the president of First Holdco Plc, cited the Federal Government’s policies and the Central Bank’s economic reforms as the main drivers of his $ 320 billion personal investment in First Bank.
At First Holdco Plc’s 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM), Otedola made the remarks on Thursday.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold and visionary leadership, which merits praise for advancing the difficult but necessary reforms in our economy, is at the heart of this journey, Otedola said.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s “heart and visionary leadership” and the bank’s strategy “deserve praise for championing the difficult but necessary reforms in our economy.”
He also praised Olayemi Cardoso, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for his “courageous and pragmatic” policy changes.
“I also commend Mr. Yemi Cardoso, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, for his tenacious and pragmatic policy changes. His actions give the financial system new life and inspire investors like me to invest in this nation for the long term.
This development comes after the bank’s initial 150 billion rights issue capital raising exercise in March is complete. The process generated subscriptions worth more than 25% than the initial target. First HoldCo made known its intentions for a second stage of a capital raising exercise, which would aim to target about 350 billion through private placement, despite no specific release date.
The billionaire stated at the AGM that the company’s strategy for repositioning was to start with acquiring a “significant” stake in 2021.
He noted that the purchase was made as he planned to leave the corporate world in the wake of Forte Oil Plc’s (former African Petroleum) sale in 2019.
The acquisition of additional shares and assuming a leadership position to consolidate these goals “made the intentional drive to rebuild and reposition First Bank stronger,” Otedola said.
The rebuilding of First Bank into a modern, well-run, and highly profitable institution was not a gamble; it was a deliberate, strategic decision. This does not end here.
By the time the next capital raise phase was over, I would have personally invested more than $ 320 billion in cash without taking a single Naira to borrow.
READ ALSO: Year-on-Year, Nigeria’s Foreign Debt Repayment Increases By 49%.
Otedola added that Cardoso’s actions gave investors confidence to invest long-term and strengthened the financial system.
“I must not forget to acknowledge the enormous contributions of the board of directors and the institution’s management, who have spearheaded this overall vision and worked tirelessly to make sure that it is realized,” he said.
Our valued 40 million+ customers have been our unwavering support for over 130 years, keeping us relevant and influential. They are very much appreciated.
My role as an activist shareholder is clear: stop unnecessary spending on private jets, unchecked executive luxuries, protect depositors’ funds, deliver strong returns to shareholders, and make a significant contribution to the society/environment we serve and operate in.
Following the success and oversubscription of its most recent offer, he declared his willingness to make more investments as the bank gears up for the bank’s next capital raise.
Governor Sani Reinstates Information Ministry Scrapped By El-Rufai
The state’s Ministry of Information, which was removed by the administration of his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been reinstated by governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.  ,  ,
Additionally, Professor Mohammed Sani-Bello, the governor’s new minister, has been appointé as the new commissioner of education, and Professor Abubakar Sani-Bello, the former director general of Nigeria’s energy commission, has been appointed.
Sambo was the president’s former energy adviser and former director general of the Nigerian Energy Commission.
Read more recently: Uba Sani claims that Poverty Is Fueling Insecurity in Northern Nigeria.
Ibraheem Musa, the governor’s chief press secretary, claimed Gloria Ibrahim had also been chosen as the commissioner for youth development.  ,
The statement further stated that the redeployments and appointments were made right away.
Governor Uba Sani congratulates the nominees and says he anticipates Professor Sambo to reinvigorate the Kaduna State Education Ministry in order to accomplish his administration’s goals, which are aimed at enhancing teacher capacity, boosting the capacity of ICT, granting priority to girl-child education, and boosting security in schools.  ,