ActionAid Nigeria Says Relentless Fuel Price Hikes Have become A Ticking Time Bomb for Poor and Vulnerable Nigerians

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria has cried that the persistent increases in fuel prices have brought Nigerians to their knees, and worsening the already dire situations of poverty and hunger in the country, raising the alarm that as Nigerians continue to eke a living with the present situation of things in the country there may be increase in kidnapping, armed robberies, and other violent crimes,

Speaking in Abuja, ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu lamented that the latest series of increases has made life unbearable for struggling families, small business owners, and vulnerable communities who are barely managing to make a living.

He said: “We foresee that this economic hardship and hopelessness may likely create a fertile ground for crimes to thrive, with kidnapping, armed robberies, and other violent crimes, especially during the festive season. Transportation costs have also more than doubled, and food has become a luxury that many cannot afford. As it stands, Nigeria’s healthcare system is also affected, with recent reports indicating that at least 50% of private hospitals have been forced to shut down, while those that remain are barely surviving due to high operating costs. This has devastating consequences for Nigerians, leaving many without access to proper healthcare services. The government’s inadequacies in providing pro-poor policies have created an economic and social crisis that threatens all spheres of our society.’’

Mamedu also lamented that despite a recent drop in global crude oil prices, fuel prices in Nigeria continue to soar due to the naira’s persistent decline against the US dollar.

He also reiterated that within less than a year, the price of crude oil has reduced from $80.36 in August 2024 for a barrel to $74.05 in October 2024. However, Nigerian consumers are not benefiting from this decline due to the country’s volatile currency exchange rates

ActionAid Nigeria questions the Federal Government’s decision to refrain from purchasing petrol from Dangote Refinery, noting that: “In a free-market economy, consumers naturally gravitate toward the most affordable option. So, is Dangote Refinery’s fuel truly not cheaper? If so, why? Or are there underlying policies or regulatory factors in Nigeria that inflate the cost of this petrol, making imports more favourable?”

Mamedu further decried that Nigeria’s ranking in the 2024 Ibrahim Index of African Governance has dropped to 33rd out of 54 African countries, highlighting the corrosive impact of corruption and poor governance on the country’s development, “with alarming scores in inclusion (47%), equality (43%), and infrastructure (41%), the report underscores the urgent need for institutional reforms. The entrenched corruption and weak institutions perpetuate poverty, affecting 62.8% of Nigerians, while hindering economic growth and undermining national progress.”

He noted that: “To break this cycle, Nigeria must prioritise transparency, invest in critical infrastructure, and implement social protection policies to address disparities in healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, ultimately unlocking its potential for inclusive growth and development.”

The Country Director said: “The nation is witnessing unprecedented levels of poverty, inequality, and hardship. The slow and inadequate response of the Nigerian Labour Union and civil society is also concerning. The situation in Nigeria right now is multidimensional, and to address the worsening economic situation, ActionAid Nigeria demands that the federal government makes fuel prices affordable for Nigerians, improves transparency and accountability in the oil sector, and better manages the exchange rate to stabilize fuel costs. We cannot afford to continually endure the Federal Government’s lack of pro-poor actions. The government must take concrete steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and ensure that the country’s resources benefit its citizens.”

ActionAid Nigeria is a national non-governmental, non-partisan, non-religious, civil society organisation, and an affiliate member of the ActionAid International Federation with presence in 45 countries. It works in solidarity with people living in poverty and exclusion to achieve social justice, gender equality and poverty eradication towards achieving a just, equitable and sustainable world in which every person enjoys the right to a life of dignity, freedom from poverty and all forms of oppression.

ActionAid Nigeria Says Relentless Fuel Price Hikes Have become A Ticking Time Bomb for Poor and Vulnerable Nigerians

Tinubu Says Resources Need to be Mobilized to Achieve Nation’s Climate Goals

By: Michael Mike

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday called for collaborate efforts from all stakeholders and insist that there is need to accelerate and mobilize the necessary resources to achieve the nation’s climate goals.

The President stated this at a Climate Security Summit in Abuja organized by the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat in collaboration with stakeholders and development partners.

Represented by the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, the president noted that climate poses threats to the world including Nigeria.

He listed some of the efforts towards addressing climate change to include Nigeria’s Paris Agreement pledge which is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2030.

He lamented that: “The climate crisis is no longer looming threat but a present and undeniable danger inflicting devastation upon our nation.”

The President added that “it’s merciless actio. Is evidence nationwide from the relentless surge of the sea level threatening our coastal communities to creeping drought that ignores farmers/herders crisis that has brought insecurity upon Nigeria.

“The frequent and extreme weather effect such as flood and heatwave and harsh weather effect that have ravaged our economy and displaced vulnerable populace and destroyed infrastructure.”

He said: “Climate crisis are existential threat to our nation, continent and indeed the entire world. It is a threat that increase problems in our development plan,” stating that “with urgency, we must act now to address this very crisis.”

He however noted that: “Recognizing this urgent challenge, Nigeria has demonstrated its commitments to climate action through various initiatives most notably our promise through Paris Agreement.”

Also speaking the Director General, National Council on Climate Change, and the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change, Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe noted that the law provides for the establishment of climate change fund to enable Nigeria to strengthen her resilient and safeguard the people from the impact of climate change, but Nigeria is yet to operationalize the fund.

She noted that one of the reasons for the meeting was to bring together stakeholders to plan useful strategies that would ensure Nigeria is able to benefit from the fund.

She equally noted that the meeting would device Nigeria’s strategies at the upcoming COP 29, insisting that Nigeria should expect positive outcomes from the global meeting.

Maduekwe said already in place a trained negotiators which would be on attendance at the COP 29 for Nigeria so that the nation can come out from the meeting with goodies.

Tinubu Says Resources Need to be Mobilized to Achieve Nation’s Climate Goals

Tinubu’s Daughter Appointed Ambassador for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education

By: Our Reporter

The first daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief Dr. Mujidat Folasade Tinubu-Ojo has been appointed Ambassador of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE).

This announcement was made by the Executive Secretary of the commission, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idriss Elbulaturee during a courtesy visit to the Iyaloja-General’s palace in Lagos.

Dr. Idris cited Chief Tinubu Ojo’s passion for supporting disadvantaged communities, particularly almajiri and out-of-school children, as the reason for her appointment.

He praised her efforts in promoting trade and commerce, ensuring market women’s access to resources and opportunities.

Chief Tinubu-Ojo expressed excitement and gratitude for the honour, pledging to alleviate the plight of these vulnerable Nigerians.

She emphasized her father’s commitment to education as a lasting legacy for Nigerian children, evident in his own children’s lives.

She commended the Executive Secretary for his service to Nigeria and prayed for him to succeed in the task ahead.

As Ambassador, Chief Tinubu Ojo is expected leverage her position to expand services to almajiri and out-of-school children, aligning with the commission’s goals.

Tinubu’s Daughter Appointed Ambassador for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education