The New Diplomat

PENGASSAN-Dangote war: Nigeria lost billions of naira, 16% oil output, 30% gas sale, -NNPC

Abiola Olawale — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 13:54:21 +0000

By Obinna Uballa The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has revealed that the recent three-day strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) caused 16 percent of national oil production, 30 percent of marketed gas, and 20 percent of power supply to be lost, putting severe pressure on the […]

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OpenAI seals $6.6bn share deal of $500bn, outpaces SpaceX

Abiola Olawale — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 13:50:59 +0000

By Obinna Uballa OpenAI has completed a $6.6 billion secondary share sale, valuing the company at a staggering $500 billion, according to an insider familiar with the deal, CNBC reported on Thursday. The transaction allowed current and former employees to sell shares, solidifying OpenAI’s position as the world’s most valuable private company, overtaking SpaceX’s $456 […]

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US shutdown won’t affect visa, passport services in Nigeria – Embassy

Abiola Olawale — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:25:35 +0000

By Obinna Uballa The United States Embassy in Nigeria has reassured applicants that visa and passport services will continue uninterrupted, despite the ongoing partial shutdown of the US government. In a notice issued Wednesday via its official X handle, the embassy said: “Due to the lapse in appropriations, this X account will not be updated […]

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Maduagwu: FCT police launch manhunt for attackers, say doctors tried to resuscitate late Arise TV anchor

Abiola Olawale — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:20:17 +0000

By Obinna Uballa The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command announced on Wednesday that it has launched a manhunt for armed robbers behind the tragic death of Arise News correspondent, Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, even as President Bola Tinubu, Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, and several prominent Nigerians mourned her passing. Maduagwu, 29, died on Monday […]

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Lagos Govt, Peter Obi clash over Trade Fair demolition

Abiola Olawale — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:14:56 +0000

By Obinna Uballa The Lagos State Government and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, have clashed over last week’s demolition of more than 19 buildings at the ASPAMDA Market within the Lagos Trade Fair Complex. Obi, who visited the site on Tuesday in company of senators, House of Representatives members, and Labour Party […]

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Dangote Refinery: PENGASSAN Suspends Strike After FG’s Intervention

Abiola Olawale — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:10:28 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has announced its decision to suspend its ongoing strike. The decision was announced by PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo on Wednesday. Osifo explained that the union was taking the “moral high ground” by bowing to government persuasion despite strong doubts about the […]

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Nigeria @65: Obi blames APC for economic decline, rising poverty, calls for competent leadership

Abiola Olawale — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 18:55:46 +0000

By Obinna Uballa Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has said that Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary should serve as a moment of sober reflection, lamenting that the country has been gravely diminished under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) despite its enormous potential. In a statement issued on Wednesday […]

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NUPENG dues is N7,000 not N54,000, By Owei Lakemfa

Abiola Olawale — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:09:56 +0000

By Owei Lakemfa I have, given my experience as a retired labour leader, journalist, patriot and human rights activist, risen in the last few weeks to defend the fundamental rights of workers in the oil industry. I did this because I cannot fold my hands as Dangote Plc dumps huge funds on the mass and […]

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Ranked: Gas Prices Around the World in 2025

The New Diplomat — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:14:06 +0000

Key Takeaways Fuel prices in Hong Kong rank as the highest globally, at $3.07 per liter in 2025. Several European cities rank among the world’s most expensive for gasoline, driven by energy supply shocks. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has seen the fastest price increase since 2020 across 69 cities analyzed, with fuel costs up nearly 49%. […]

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Oil Prices Edge Higher After Steep Two-Day Selloff

The New Diplomat — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:07:15 +0000

Oil prices recovered slightly in early Asian trading on Wednesday after two straight sessions of steep declines, as traders weighed the prospect of a larger OPEC+ output increase against signs of tighter U.S. crude inventories. At the time of writing, Brent futures for December delivery had climbed to $66.17 while WTI was trading at $62.50, up 0.21% on the […]

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Details as Nigerian Immigration Begins Clampdown on Foreigners with Expired Visas

The New Diplomat — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:02:39 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced its decision to kick off a sweeping nationwide crackdown on foreign nationals overstaying their visas or breaching entry conditions. The NIS said the enforcement action began immediately following the expiration of a generous amnesty program on September 30, 2025. The New Diplomat reports that the […]

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Trump Threatens Massive Layoffs as US Government Shutdown Begins

The New Diplomat — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:07:44 +0000

By Abiola Olawale United States President Donald Trump has warned of sweeping federal layoffs as the US government officially entered a shutdown at midnight, marking the first such impasse since 2019. The development came after the US Congress failed to pass a funding bill amid disagreement over healthcare costs and spending priorities. The shutdown, triggered […]

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Nigeria @65: Sterling Bank abolishes account maintenance fees, vows to free Nigerians from hidden charges

The New Diplomat — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:41:41 +0000

By Obinna Uballa Sterling Bank has scrapped account maintenance fees on all personal accounts, describing the move as a “gift” to Nigerians in celebration of the country’s 65th Independence Day. The announcement, made in a statement on Wednesday, comes just six months after the lender eliminated transfer fees on local online transactions in April 2025. […]

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Nigeria at 65: Atiku blasts Tinubu, says he is “unbothered” about Nigerians

The New Diplomat — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:06:53 +0000

By Abiola Olawale As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence Day today, October 1, 2025, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, accusing him of abandoning the people. Atiku described the nation as a “giant moving painfully slow on the feet of clay,” blaming decades of mismanagement and what he called the current […]

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Dangote Refinery to Redeploy 800 Sacked Workers Amid Union Dispute, FG Confirms

The New Diplomat — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 08:49:03 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Federal Government has announced that it has been able to broker an agreement between the Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, confirmed that Dangote will […]

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Tinubu Hails Reforms, Defends Subsidy Removal in 65th Independence Day Address

The New Diplomat — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 08:44:58 +0000

By Obinna Uballa President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday used his Independence Day broadcast to highlight his administration’s achievements in the last 28 months, insisting that Nigeria has “turned the corner” and is on a path to sustainable growth. In his nationwide address to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Tinubu defended the removal of fuel […]

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Ooni, Oluwo in War of Words as Osun Royal umble Escalates

The New Diplomat — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:56:57 +0000

…Oluwo to Ooni: You plotted with my ex-wife to poison, kill me …Ooni to Oluwo: I hope you reported to the police By Obinna Uballa The age-long rivalry between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has once again escalated into an open war of words, with […]

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OPEC Rejects Media Reports of Major Output Hike Ahead of G8 Meet

Abiola Olawale — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 17:23:50 +0000

OPEC has slammed the brake on speculation, flatly rejecting media reports that the G8 is preparing to hike crude oil production by half a million barrels per day. In a statement from Vienna on Tuesday, the OPEC Secretariat called the claims “wholly inaccurate and misleading,” stressing that discussions among ministers for the upcoming meeting haven’t […]

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Ranked: Countries Losing the Most (and Least) from Trump’s Tariffs

Hamilton Nwosa — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:02:04 +0000

Trump’s tariffs are hitting all of America’s major trading partners. But in U.S. trade, what matters isn’t just the tariffs a country faces—it’s how they stack up against competitors. This visualization, made with the Hinrich Foundation, shows which countries are losing the most, and the least, from Trump’s tariffs. The data seen here is sourced from […]

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Emergency in Rivers: Romancing impunity?, By Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa

Abiola Olawale — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 12:59:14 +0000

By Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN “I urge every Nigerian home and abroad to try and live within the confines of the law of the land and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If we are able to do just that, we will be sure of ensuring that peace and unity reign in the country. […]

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Rethinking Retirement in Nigeria: The Case Against Age Discrimination, By Sonny Iroche

The New Diplomat — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 12:02:44 +0000

By Sonny Iroche Introduction I have always believed that there should be no discrimination on the basis of age. Just as in the United States and many other advanced democracies, ability, competence, and health, not the calendar, should determine whether a person continues to serve their nation or profession. Nigeria, ironically, has consistently entrusted its […]

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Dangote Vs PENGASSAN Face-off Escalates as NLC Orders Nationwide Strike

Abiola Olawale — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 20:27:57 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The face-off between Dangote Refinery, owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has continued to escalate as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has ordered full-scale mobilization of its affiliate unions for a nationwide strike. The NLC said it ordered the […]

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PSC warns senior officers: fail promotion exam three times, face retirement

Abiola Olawale — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 20:23:02 +0000

By Obinna Uballa The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Monday conducted a compulsory promotion examination for 30 senior police officers in Abuja, with a stern warning that those who fail the test three times will be forced into retirement. The exercise, held at the Commission’s headquarters, involved one Assistant Inspector-General of Police, two Commissioners of […]

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Brent Prices Retreat below $70 as OPEC+ Mulls Another Output Hike

Abiola Olawale — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 19:57:19 +0000

Brent Crude prices dropped below $70 per barrel, and WTI Crude slipped below $65, due to increased supply and expectations of further output hikes from OPEC+. Iraq resumed crude oil exports from Kurdistan via a pipeline to Turkey, adding an estimated 230,000 barrels per day to the global oil market after a two-and-a-half-year halt. OPEC+ […]

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2026 WCQ: Super Eagles back in the race as FIFA strips South Africa of three points

Abiola Olawale — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:52:57 +0000

By Obinna Uballa Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup received a major boost on Monday after the world football governing body, FIFA, deducted three points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that midfielder Teboho Mokoena was not eligible to play in the preliminary qualifier […]

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Concerns Heighten as ASUU Issues 14-Day Ultimatum to FG, Signals Imminent Universities Shutdown

Abiola Olawale — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:33:11 +0000

By Abiola Olawale The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has handed the Federal Government of Nigeria a 14-day ultimatum to address its demands. The union announces this ultimatum during a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja. The national president of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, in a press statement issued […]

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TUC, Sani, others tell Dangote:reinstate sacked workers as PENGASSAN strike ‘ll cripple fuel supply

Abiola Olawale — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:29:45 +0000

By Obinna Uballa Labour leaders, civil society voices and political actors have called on Dangote Petroleum Refinery to reinstate more than 800 Nigerian workers allegedly dismissed for joining trade unions, warning that the company’s stance risks plunging the country into an industrial crisis with dire economic consequences. The controversy erupted after the Petroleum and Natural […]

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Choosing between the death of Nigerian democracy and electoral reforms, by Owei Lakemfa

Abiola Olawale — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 12:12:36 +0000

By Owei Lakemfa When doctors recommend 16 major surgeries and 21 minor ones for a patient, no divination is needed to tell you the patient is in a grave situation. This is the situation with the Nigerian electoral process where teams of civil society associations have recommended 21 constitutional and 16 Electoral Act amendments. These […]

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Court voids Pat Utomi’s shadow govt, says concept alien to Nigeria’s system

Abiola Olawale — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 12:08:02 +0000

By Obinna Uballa A federal high court in Abuja on Monday restrained Pat Utomi, professor of political economy, and his associates from proceeding with their plan to establish a shadow government in the country. Delivering judgment in a suit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday, Justice James Omotosho declared that the […]

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Reactions as FG Makes Thesis Submission prerequisite for NYSC participation

Abiola Olawale — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 12:05:04 +0000

By Abiola Olawale Mixed reactions have begun to trail the decision of the Federal Government to make thesis and project submission mandatory for all prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. This comes as the policy, effective from October 6, 2025, ties NYSC mobilisation and exemptions directly to compliance with the National Policy for the […]

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