The previous week in Nigeria was notable for substantial advancements and events spanning multiple domains, encompassing key shifts in leadership, financial hurdles, political clashes, and societal occurrences.
These are the significant occurrences that molded the country between March 30 and April 4, 2025:
1. Tinubu removes NNPCL chief Mele Kyari in significant restructuring
President Bola Tinubu has dismissed Mele Kyari from his position as Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
In the wake of this development, Bayo Ojulari was appointed as the new Group CEO, alongside an 11-person board comprising experts from various industries.
The President has assigned the newly appointed leaders with the responsibility of ramping up crude oil production to 3 million barrels daily by 2030. They also aim to reassess Nigeria’s oil blocks for enhanced efficiency and increase gas production to 10 billion cubic meters.
As per his statement, this overhaul is designed to rejuvenate Nigeria’s faltering oil industry and guarantee that the nation achieves its OPEC output goals, a target that has not changed significantly over many years.
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2. Petrol costs rise to ₦930 in Lagos and reach ₦960 in the Northern region.
Once more, the cost of petrol has increased nationwide after Dangote Refinery halted sales in Nigerian Naira.
MRS and other fuel stations revised their prices, resulting in Lagos residents paying N930 per litre and people in the Northern region facing rates as high as N960 per litre.
Regional Pricing Breakdown
Lagos & South-West: N930 to N940 per litre
South-South & South-East: ₦960 per litre
Northern States: 950-960 N for each liter
The increase in prices worsens the cost-of-living crisis, impacting businesses and driving up transportation costs across the country. As a result, many Nigerians must reassess their travel plans and everyday expenditures.
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3. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims ignite political strain in Kogi
Former Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan disregarded governmental limitations to travel to her constituency in Kogi State.
She alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Governor Usman Ganduje, and ex-Governor Yahaya Bello conspired to have her killed.
The state government along with Akpabio refuted her allegations, charging her with instigating disorder. Prior to this, the police had prohibited political meetings in Kogi Central due to safety issues.
Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that her political opponents were trying to remove her from the Senate using deceptive tactics. She asserted that INEC was backing this effort and declared she would fight against it.
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4. Lynchings of Edo travelers and concerns over retaliation
This week saw noticeable concerns about potential retaliation in certain areas of the nation after an unfortunate event involving 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State.
On Friday, March 28, sixteen hunters traversing Edo State were attacked and killed by an angry crowd who mistakenly believed they were abductors.
They were stopped during transit in a Dangote Cement vehicle, and upon discovery of Dane firearms amongst their possessions by local security personnel, an alert was triggered, resulting in their merciless execution.
A somber funeral took place in Uromi, Edo State, with the deceased being interred in a communal burial site. Clips from the event depicted sorrowful relatives and community members in deep grief.
Subsequent reports indicated that the total number of casualties was 19, including three additional bodies that were found.
On Monday, during further developments, the Edo State government collaborated with northern governors to reach out to the families of the victims and community leaders. Their aim was to ease tensions and avoid potential retaliatory actions.
On Wednesday, agents from the Department of State Security apprehended two main suspects implicated in the murder.
As stated by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary for Governor Monday Okpehbolo, the suspects were apprehended by agents from the Department of State Services (DSS) in Uromi, based on reliable information.
He observed that agents from multiple security organizations were searching for additional crucial suspects linked to the regrettable events.
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5. Defence Chief Orders Crackdown on Mobs That Lynched Hunters
Regarding the lynching of 16 hunters in Edo State, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa denounced the incident and pledged to ensure the culprits face legal action.
Up until now, authorities have apprehended 14 individuals suspected of involvement in the murders, as investigations into the event remain ongoing.
The CDS stressed that security issues should be managed by official agencies rather than vigilante groups or crowds, cautioning against extrajudicial executions and mob rule.
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6. Eid-al-Fitr festivities overshadowed by financial struggles
As Muslims observed Eid-al-Fitr, numerous people found it challenging to mark the occasion because of severe economic hardships.
Soaring expenses for food, energy, and transport led households to scale back on customary celebrations.
In Zamfara and other northern regions, PUNCH noted that the turnout for Eid prayers was considerably less compared to earlier years.
A lot of households were unable to purchase fresh attire, festive dinners, or partake in their customary present-exchanging customs.
Leaders from political and religious spheres called upon Nigerians to pray for relief from financial struggles and safety concerns.
Senator Lawal Usman and other officials highlighted the importance of solidarity and fortitude.
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