Burundi Presses Nigeria to Resume Crude Oil Supply, Seeks Deeper Economic Partnership

By: Michael Mike

The Ambassador of Burundi to Nigeria, Edward Nduwimana, has urged Nigeria to urgently resume the supply of crude oil to his country, warning that the suspension of the long-standing energy arrangement has continued to impact Burundi’s ability to address its energy deficit.

Nduwimana made the appeal during an interaction with journalists in Abuja, where he also called for the immediate convening of the Permanent Mixed Commission for Cooperation between both countries to revive stalled agreements and unlock new economic partnerships.

Nigeria had supplied Burundi with about 45,000 barrels of crude oil per day under a bilateral arrangement that ran between 2008 and 2014 before the agreement was halted amid reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

The envoy said the arrangement had played a crucial role in stabilising Burundi’s energy supply and supporting economic activities, stressing that its suspension created a significant gap in the country’s energy needs.

“Burundi wishes to express its gratitude to the Nigerian people, through their institutions, for the support provided since 2008 through the supply of crude oil,” he said.

“This support helped mitigate the effects of the energy deficit in my country. We understand that the suspension that occurred in 2014 took place in a particular context, driven by the government’s desire to restructure the sector.”

Despite the interruption, the ambassador expressed confidence that Nigeria would consider restoring the cooperation in the spirit of African solidarity and mutually beneficial partnership.

According to him, discussions are already underway to revive the arrangement as part of broader efforts to deepen bilateral relations between the two countries.

Nduwimana stressed that reconvening the Permanent Mixed Commission for Cooperation in 2026 has become urgent, noting that the last session of the commission was held in Bujumbura in 2021.

He explained that the proposed meeting would provide a platform for both governments to review previous commitments, resolve outstanding issues and chart a new roadmap for cooperation.

“The second session will represent an important step in strengthening bilateral cooperation between Burundi and Nigeria,” he said.

The envoy added that the meeting is expected to drive concrete progress in key sectors including trade, education, tourism, mining and agro-industry.

He said the discussions would also focus on strengthening legal frameworks and sector-specific agreements needed to accelerate joint projects and investment flows.

“Our ambition is to achieve concrete commitments that deliver tangible results for our two countries and their populations,” Nduwimana added.

Beyond diplomatic engagement, the ambassador extended an open invitation to Nigerian businesses and investors to explore opportunities in Burundi, which he described as an emerging investment destination in East Africa.

According to him, Burundi serves as a strategic gateway to the regional market of the East African Community and offers promising prospects in sectors such as agriculture, mining, energy, infrastructure and tourism.

“Burundi is a stable country, open for business, and committed to improving its investment climate,” he said.

“We invite economic operators from the West African region in general, and Nigeria in particular, to explore these opportunities and establish lasting and mutually beneficial partnerships.”

The renewed push for cooperation signals Burundi’s determination to revive its energy partnership with Nigeria while expanding economic ties beyond oil into trade, investment and regional market access.

Burundi Presses Nigeria to Resume Crude Oil Supply, Seeks Deeper Economic Partnership

Former Kaduna governor El-Rufai loses mother

By: Zagazola Makama

The former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has lost his mother, Hajiya Umma, who passed away on Friday.

The announcement of her death was announced by the Elrufai Family on Friday.

Family sources said the deceased had been battling age-related health challenges, which worsened in recent times.

According to the sources, her condition reportedly deteriorated further after she learned of the detention of her son by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

They noted that El-Rufai had been closely managing his mother’s health prior to her demise.

The family prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive her shortcomings and grant her Aljannatul Firdaus.

Former Kaduna governor El-Rufai loses mother

NSCDC Unveils Five-Year Strategy to Strengthen National Security

By: Michael Mike

The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abubakar Audi has unveiled a comprehensive five-year strategic roadmap aimed at strengthening national security, boosting operational efficiency and enhancing professionalism within the Corps.

Speaking at a high-level meeting with commanding officers from state formations across the country, Audi described the gathering as both “historic and strategic,” noting that it signaled the beginning of the second phase of his leadership following his reappointment.

The NSCDC boss expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving his reappointment and to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for recommending him for the position.

According to him, the renewed mandate provides the opportunity to deepen reforms and reposition the Corps for greater efficiency and national relevance.

Reflecting on his previous tenure, Houdi highlighted reforms introduced to tackle internal challenges within the organisation, particularly the issue of staff stagnation that had affected morale among personnel.

He noted that his administration addressed long-standing promotion delays and salary arrears, adding that efforts were ongoing through a presidential committee responsible for settling outstanding payments across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The Commandant-General also underscored the importance of capacity building, revealing that the Corps had developed a standardised curriculum for its training institutions. He described the initiative as a major step toward strengthening professionalism and operational discipline within the agency.

He said more senior officers have also been sponsored to attend strategic leadership programmes, including courses at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), aimed at improving institutional leadership and policy competence.

“Training remains central to discipline, professionalism and productivity,” Houdi said, adding that the next phase of his leadership would prioritise retraining and ethical reorientation of personnel.

He also highlighted operational achievements recorded by the Corps, particularly in the fight against oil theft and illegal mining across the country.

According to him, the Corps’ Special Intelligence Squad has dismantled more than 400 illegal refineries, arrested and prosecuted over 1,000 suspects, and secured between 400 and 500 convictions.

Similarly, the Mining Marshals initiative has shut down more than 1,000 illegal mining sites nationwide and facilitated the arrest and prosecution of numerous offenders, including foreign nationals.

Audi said these achievements were made possible through collaboration with other security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Army, as well as partnerships with private sector actors.

The Corps has also expanded its operational infrastructure, with new command facilities constructed in several locations and modern surveillance and communication equipment deployed to formations across the country.

He further disclosed that the agency is establishing a hydrocarbon and maritime surveillance centre in partnership with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, alongside an ICT centre project expected to be completed within the next few months.

As part of the new strategy, the NSCDC will increasingly deploy advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and drone surveillance, to enhance monitoring and protection of critical national assets.

Aidi outlined key priorities for the next five years, including strengthening discipline within the Corps, expanding training and retraining programmes, deploying modern surveillance technologies and enhancing protection of critical infrastructure.

He also announced plans to establish specialised units dedicated to safeguarding power infrastructure and tackling vandalism in the electricity sector.

The Commandant-General warned that the Corps would maintain zero tolerance for indiscipline and misconduct among personnel.

“We must restore professionalism and discipline. Any conduct outside our code will not be tolerated,” he said.

He urged officers to remain committed to protecting critical national infrastructure and to deepen intelligence sharing and collaboration with other security agencies in strengthening the country’s security architecture.

Audi challenged personnel to demonstrate the Corps’ relevance through tangible results.

“We must prove that we are ready to serve the nation with loyalty, commitment and professionalism,” he added.

NSCDC Unveils Five-Year Strategy to Strengthen National Security