Business
‘I refuse to pray for Nigeria because Prayer cannot solve our Problem’ – Frustrated Nigerian says as Fuel Crisis Lingers
Commuters, motorists and other users of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) faced tougher conditions on Tuesday as the latest round of fuel scarcity in the country got worse, with its attendant negative impacts on transportation and businesses.
Some frustrated Nigerians narrated to our correspondents their ordeals while trying to get petrol at the few filling stations that were selling the product in Lagos, Ogun, Abuja and Owerri.
Our correspondent who visited the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation depot in Ejigbo, Lagos, learnt that only 28 tankers loaded PMS on Tuesday, down from between 40 and 50 tankers daily before the scarcity began, while many private depots in Apapa were still without the product.
Commuters were seen at many bus-stops struggling to get commercial vehicles to different destinations, even as transport operators increased the fares by as much as 100 per cent on most routes.
The long queues of desperate motorists at some filling stations in parts of Lagos spilled onto the roads and caused gridlock, making commuters to suffer more pain.
A commercial vehicle driver, Mr. Obinna Jonathan, said, “We don’t know where this country is heading to because we experience fuel scarcity every year, especially in December. Since morning, I have been looking for fuel. Even yesterday (Monday), I know how I struggled to get N3,000 worth of fuel, which I used to convey passengers.
“It is really affecting my work because as a commercial driver, if I don’t have fuel in my vehicle, I can’t work; I am not going to put water in the tank. The government should really look into this issue because we are suffering in this country. I am even tired of this country; if I see a way to get out of this country, my brother, I will just vanish from Nigeria. Believe me, we are suffering in this country.”
Another transporter, Mr. Muftau Badmus, who was seen pouring petrol from a jerry can into his tricycle at Cele Bus-Stop, along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, said he got to a filling station at around 5:30am and did not get fuel until around 2pm.
“I have told myself that after using up the fuel I bought today, I won’t come out tomorrow. The government should help us to solve this scarcity because the poor people are the ones suffering now. All the government people are not suffering but we that voted for them are the ones feeling the pain,” he lamented.
With sweat running down her face as she sat in her car waiting at a filling station along Okota Road to get petrol, Mrs. Kate Chukwu did not hide her frustration over the situation in the country.
She said, “I have been in the queue for over one and half hours just to get fuel. It is really outrageous and frustrating that we even have to pay an extra N200 to get the fuel. It is really bad because now I am supposed to be at home cooking, but I am here waiting to get fuel.
“Last Sunday, in my church, they said we should pray for our country. But I refused to pray because I know that my prayer cannot solve Nigeria’s problems; we have a lot of things that are not in order.”
A motorist, Mr. Sunday Isong, said the struggle to get petrol had disrupted his plan to travel to Cross River.
He stated, “Today, I am very confused and tired; I have been running up and down the whole day to get fuel. My car stopped at a particular point because of fuel. I started moving up and down with a jerry can, looking for fuel. I was eventually able to buy five litres of fuel for N1,200, which I put in the car to enable me to run around to see where I can get more fuel.
“I don’t know what is happening in this country. In some stations, they are not selling to vehicles but to those with jerry cans so that they can get extra money. The government should quickly do something about this. Our country has crude oil; so I don’t know what is causing fuel scarcity.”
Mr. Yemi Adewole, who runs a laundry business, alleged that many of the filling stations had the product but were reducing the rate at which they sold it so as to profiteer from the situation.
Meanwhile, the Department of Petroleum Resources said in a statement that it had come to its notice that some depot owners were selling PMS to unlicensed bulk buyers and some retailers at prices above the approved ex-depot prices, adding that some retail outlets were hoarding the product or selling at above the industry-set cap price.
The Zonal Operations Controller, Lagos, DPR, Mr. Wole Akinyosoye, said, “These actions are clear violations of the Petroleum Act, 1969 and extant regulations, and they exacerbate the current supply challenges by bringing unnecessary hardships on the consumers.”
He added that the agency had been punishing the errant operators and warned that penalties would be imposed on any operator engaging in illicit acts.
“We are also assuring the public that the government is doing everything to ensure the restoration of normalcy to the sector,” he added.
In Owerri, the Imo State capital, a litre of petrol sold for N200 on Tuesday instead of the approved price of N145.
This is even as the prices of goods and services, especially transportation fares, have increased by between 80 per cent and 100 per cent.
Most residents of the city called on the Federal Government, through the DPR and the state’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources, to caution the independent petroleum marketers in the state.
A commercial driver in Owerri, who gave his name as Johnson Emmason, flayed the owners of filling stations in the state for what he called arbitrary increase in the pump price.
Meanwhile, the NNPC said on Tuesday that it had started releasing 470 trucks of PMS to Abuja and Lagos despite the persistent queues for the product by motorists at the few filling stations that dispensed it.
In Abuja and neighbouring states of Kaduna and Nasarawa, the queues for petrol persisted on Tuesday, as hundreds of motorists struggled to get the product.
*PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status
To prevent any misunderstanding regarding our affiliation with the United Nations, we hereby provide a formal clarification on the status and identity of the United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), formerly known as IPGC.
UNIPGC is an independent Civil Society Organization and Non-Governmental Organization with continental chapters registered in the United States, Germany, Canada, and several countries across Africa. The organization is committed to promoting the values and principles of the United Nations, particularly in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), as well as advocating for good governance globally.
In furtherance of its mandate, UNIPGC has established partnerships with reputable diplomatic civil society organizations, including the United Nations Association of Nigeria and the United Nations Association of Ghana. These collaborations are aimed at strengthening its engagement with initiatives aligned with United Nations ideals.
Additionally, UNIPGC has entered into diplomatic relations with the International Organization for Economic Development (IOED), an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), to enhance its capacity for international cooperation and diplomatic engagement.
We wish to clearly state that UNIPGC is **not** an entity, agency, or organ of the United Nations.
Members of the public and media practitioners are respectfully advised to refer to the organization by its full and correct name: **United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC)**, and not as the United Nations.
Thank you.
Business
Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour
Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour
Laffmattazz, one of Nigeria’s foremost comedy and live entertainment brands, is pleased to announce its official partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for the highly anticipated Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour, themed “Next Chapter: A New Season of Laughter.”
Now in its 15th year, Laffmattazz—the brainchild of renowned Nigerian comedian Gbenga Adeyinka (Gbenga Adeyinka 1st)—has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its seamless fusion of comedy, music, and live stage performances.
The 2026 tour, which kicked off on Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey. Building on over a decade of success across Nigeria, this year’s edition signals a bold expansion into the international market, with a multi-city run in Canada, alongside major stops in Akure, Abeokuta, and Lagos.
This strategic partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited underscores a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. It is also aligned with FirstBank’s First@Arts initiative—a significant and ongoing program dedicated to supporting the creative arts, entertainment, and cultural sectors. Through this initiative, FirstBank provides financing, advisory services, and actively fosters a sustainable value chain for artists and creative entrepreneurs, while supporting key industry platforms such as the Nigerian Entertainment Conference.
Speaking on the collaboration, the Laffmattazz team stated:
“We are delighted to welcome First Bank of Nigeria Limited as a strategic partner for the Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour. As we mark 15 remarkable years of Laffmattazz, this partnership reinforces our vision to take premium Nigerian entertainment beyond borders, while delivering even bigger, better, and more memorable experiences for our audiences.”
As a key partner, First Bank will enrich the tour through innovative customer engagement initiatives, experiential activations, and exclusive fan experiences across all tour locations.
With its distinctive blend of humor, culture, and live entertainment, the Laffmattazz 2026 Tour is poised to connect audiences across cities and continents, bringing laughter to thousands of fans worldwide.
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About Laffmattazz
Laffmattazz is a premier Nigerian comedy and entertainment brand, now in its 15th year, renowned for its vibrant live shows and nationwide tours. Founded by Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, the brand continues to deliver high-quality experiences that celebrate creativity, culture, and laughter.
About First Bank of Nigeria Limited
First Bank of Nigeria Limited is Nigeria’s oldest financial institution, widely respected for its legacy of trust, innovation, and customer-centric financial solutions that support economic growth and development. Through its First@Arts initiative, the Bank continues to play a pivotal role in empowering the creative industry and driving sustainable growth across the sector.
Business
MREIF is Better: FirstBank’s Mortgage Loan Is the Game-Changer for Home Ownership in Nigeria
MREIF is Better: FirstBank’s Mortgage Loan Is the Game-Changer for Home Ownership in Nigeria
Anyone who has tried to get a loan to buy a house in Nigeria knows the drill: endless forms, property valuation, and eventual down payment of a minimum 25% or more on the property. Sometimes, interest rates could go as high as 30% per annum, while the typical loan limit is N50 million.
Now, FirstBank is making homeownership more attractive.
FirstBank, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), has introduced the MREIF Home Loan. MREIF loan is a game-changer, offering a single-digit interest rate of 9.75% per annum, with a loan amount of up to ₦100 million and a repayment period of up to 20 years. This is perfect for salaried individuals, including Nigerians in the diaspora, looking to purchase homes in approved locations.
The MREIF loan stands out with its lower interest rate, higher loan amount, and flexible equity contribution as low as 10%. This makes it an attractive option for those seeking affordable homeownership.
You are one quick decision away from being a landlord.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy a home, FirstBank’s MREIF Home Loan is the smartest route to owning property in Nigeria today. Visit the FirstBank website https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal/loans/mreif-home-loan/ to get started.
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