Economy
Economic Diplomacy: ACCI wants implementation policy reviewed.
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), has called for a review of the implementation of economic diplomacy critical in attracting investments into the country.
The President of ACCI, Dr Al-Mujtaba Abubakar made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at a Roundtable on Economic Diplomacy with Nigerian Ambassadors.
While identifying economic interests of nations as driving force for national diplomatic focus and attention, Abubakar said that increasing pressure on Nigeria’s economy implies urgency of a productive implementation of the policy
He urged that the review should design a partnership model between the embassies and chambers of commerce on economic diplomacy and share best practices among business chiefs and ambassadors.
“As you are aware, the economic interests of nations are now the driving force for national diplomatic focus and attention.
“Toward this end, Nigeria has adopted economic diplomacy as a major plank of her foreign affairs and activities at regional, continental and global levels.
“This entails direct promotion of enhanced trade prospects, facilitation of business opportunities and widening of export market,’’ he said.
He said that it necessitated the protection of Nigerian businesses in foreign countries handling trade disputes and promotion of Nigerian private sector.
“There is no doubt that the policy has recorded successes in many areas.
“Nigerian foreign missions and embassies in spite logistic constraints have done a lot to promote and protect national business interests,’’ Abubakar said.
On their part, the Ambassadors and the High Commissioners at the meeting promised to continue to raise the flag of the nation high in their pursuit of national mandate on economic projection and expansion.
They, however, identified areas of urgent attention in the implementation of the policy.
Amb Safiya Nuhu, the Nigerian Ambassador to Romania, Bulgeria and Slovenia, emphasised the need for economic diplomacy to fully integrate the organised private sector.
According to her, economic diplomacy as a concept has not fully integrated the nation’s organised private sector.
She expressed concern that business delegations were still largely populated by public sector representatives.
“There is the need for robust discussions and engagements with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various other sectors on effective implementation of economic diplomacy policy .
“We need to push that beyond the policy realms and see that this actually gets to the audience that we want.
“We need to motivate our people in Nigeria, the private sector as well as the all the stakeholders to be aware of the economic priorities.’’
The Nigerian Ambassador to Ukraine, Shina Alege, said there was the need to rebrand Nigeria to attract more investments.
“We need to rebrand to make our country attractive to foreign direct investments,’’ Alege said.
While calling for chamber to chamber partnership between Nigeria and foreign nations, Alege said there was the need to strengthen trade facilitation.
By: Fabian Apechihin
Nigerians are facing yet another spike in fuel prices as premium motor spirit (petrol) now sells for between ₦905 and ₦945 per litre across several filling stations in Abuja.
Checks on Monday, October 6, 2025, revealed that Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets, along with Empire, AA Rano, and Shema filling stations, adjusted their pump prices upwards. Empire Filling Station in Gwarimpa reportedly sold petrol at the highest rate of ₦945 per litre.
Other stations, including MRS, Emedeb, Ranoil, and Eterna, dispensed petrol between ₦885 and ₦910 per litre.
Marketers Blame PENGASSAN Strike for Price Surge
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) attributed the sudden hike to disruptions caused by last week’s strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
IPMAN President, Abubakar Maigandi, explained that the price increase was largely due to supply interruptions. He noted that stations receiving supplies from Dangote Refinery were still selling between ₦885 and ₦895 per litre, adding that prices were expected to stabilize soon.
“The feud between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN may have triggered panic buying and artificial scarcity. I can assure you that prices will drop and return to normal in the coming days,” Maigandi said.
IPMAN spokesperson Chinedu Ukadike also confirmed that the PENGASSAN strike caused temporary shortages in Lagos and Abuja but expressed optimism that availability would improve as supply chains normalize.
Depot Prices Edge Up
Depot prices have reportedly risen slightly, with Dangote Refinery selling petrol at ₦844 per litre, Ranoil and Aiteo at ₦845, and NIPCO at ₦850 in Lagos.
The fuel price increase comes just days after Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN resolved their dispute over the alleged mass dismissal of Nigerian workers, which led to a two-day strike. Federal Government intervention helped broker peace between both parties.
Dangote Refinery later thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other mediators for their role in ending the strike.
Shettima, PENGASSAN Trade Words
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) on Monday, criticized PENGASSAN, declaring that “Nigeria is bigger than the union.”
In response, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo countered, saying the country is also “bigger than Dangote Refinery and the presidency,” emphasizing the union’s commitment to protecting Nigerian workers’ rights.
- Urges Kwarans, foreigners to embrace it Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Kwara State Government has continued to showcase the beauty of culture and traditional assets and its uniqueness in the daily lives of the citizens, urging the people to embrace it for development.
The State Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, had earlier in a broadcast, enjoined the people of the State, at home and in the diaspora, to embrace tourism as a tool for developmental progress to sustain transformational growth in line with the policy thrust of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s-led administration.
The Commissioner made the call to mark the 2025 World Tourism day with the theme, ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’, as declared by the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization(UNWTO).
According to Olukoju, tourism is more than travel, it is actually a way of supporting people, culture, and the environment while driving economic growth, urging all and sundry to explore the various tourist sites around them.
“Tourism is not just travel, it is about building a future where every journey contributes to people, culture and planet, it is about hospitality that opens our heart and also helps to preserve our heritage and create opportunities for growth and development”, She said.
The Commissioner, who was delighted that the Ilorin Emirate Durbar was recently ranked among the top ten festivals in Nigeria, celebrated Hajia Faridah Shagaya, who was recognised among Africa’s top tourism personalities, describing the recognitions as sources of pride for the state.
She commended the administration of Governor AbdulRazaq for investing in tourism and hospitality, citing projects such as the Visual Arts Centre, Flower Garden, and Sugar Factory Film Studios, among others, as commendable efforts.
She also announced that this year’s celebration includes a roundtable with stakeholders to advance discussions on the future of tourism in Kwara State.
“Tourism is wearing a new face, from the Sugar Factory Film Studio, the Visual Arts Centre and the improved road network to Owu Waterfalls and many more which are evident of his work and is gradually opening Kwara to the World”, she added.
The Commissioner, who was represented at the event by the Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply, Hajia Salamat Yahaya, assured that tourism will continue to receive priority attention under the present administration and urged all stakeholders to support the ongoing efforts to make Kwara a leading destination for culture, heritage, and hospitality.
In her remarks, the Secretary, kwara State Hospitality and Tourism Development Board, Hajia Ramat Akanni, applauded the present administration for priority attention given to the Board.
Hajia Akanni expressed optimism towards an enviable tourism and hospitality driven state, which she assured, would attract prospective investors and enhance revenue generation for the state.
She sought support and utmost compliance from hoteliers and relevant stakeholders to achieve the desired goals, pointing out that violators will face the full wrath of the law.
Relevant stakeholders and participants at the one-day event later visited Sobi Hills and the Kwara Sugar Film Factory as part of activities marking the celebration.
End
By: Fabian Apechihin
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has introduced a new contactless and cashless payment system, tagged Operation Go Cashless, in partnership with Paystack.
In a statement on Thursday, FAAN announced that the initiative will take effect from September 29, 2025, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
“Effective September 29, 2025, all payments at FAAN revenue points, including airport access gates, car parks, and FAAN VIP and protocol lounges, will go cashless. This means we will be phasing out cash collection at these points,” the statement read.
According to FAAN, the new system will provide travellers and airport users with faster, more seamless services through a secure, contactless platform. The agency explained that the shift responds to rising demand for modern, transparent payment methods and aligns Nigeria’s airports with global digital standards.
FAAN added that reducing cash handling will enhance efficiency, strengthen revenue assurance, and improve customer experience. It also noted that the cashless policy will be gradually extended to other airports nationwide.
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