Business
The Path to Reconciliation: Ghana’s Diplomatic Efforts to Reintegrate Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso back to ECOWAS
By: Zagazola Makama
In a diplomatic maneuver, Ghana has appointed Lt Col Larry Gbevlo-Lartey (rtd) as a special envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in an effort to mediate the reintegration of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This appointment, made on January 21, 2025, reflects Ghana’s commitment to fostering regional stability and addressing the ongoing security challenges that have plagued the Sahel region.
Despite Ghana’s proactive approach, the AES formally exited ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, citing the bloc’s perceived disregard for the security concerns of its member states and allegations of foreign influence. The departure of these nations has raised alarms about the potential for increased instability in West Africa, as the unity of ECOWAS is crucial for collective security against common threats.
Ghanaian officials remain optimistic about the possibility of the AES’s return to ECOWAS, with Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa acknowledging the bloc’s readiness to rejoin, albeit not as individual nations but as a consolidated entity. However, the AES has yet to make any formal comments regarding Ghana’s mediation efforts, leaving many questions about the future of regional cooperation unanswered.
The ongoing instability in the Sahel has been characterized as the “Elephant in the Room,” highlighting the urgent need for a unified response to the threats posed by extremist groups such as JNIM/AQIM and IS Sahel/ISIS. With the potential for these groups to launch attacks on capital cities in the AES countries, the urgency for diplomatic engagement cannot be overstated.
Ghana’s initiative could pave the way for a renewed dialogue within ECOWAS, emphasizing the importance of regional solidarity in combating extremism. The activation of previous strategies, such as the Accra Initiative and the West Africa Standby Force, is crucial for addressing the deteriorating security situation. Nigeria, with its historical role in peacekeeping through ECOMOG, must also play a pivotal role in this process by enhancing civil and military diplomacy, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian support.
The AES’s decision to seek alliances with distant powers like Russia and China may prove counterproductive in the long run. A collective approach with neighboring states, grounded in mutual support and cooperation, is essential for effectively addressing the extremist threats facing the region.
As Ghana leads the charge for reconciliation, the hope remains that the AES will recognize the benefits of rejoining ECOWAS, ultimately contributing to a more stable and secure West Africa. The path forward will require commitment and collaboration among all stakeholders, ensuring that the principles of unity and cooperation that underpin ECOWAS are upheld.
Business
Nestoil: Lagos CP dragged to court for contempt, risks imprisonment
This is certainly not a good time for the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Moshood Jimoh as he has been dragged to court for commiting contempt by defying a clear court order that he and his men must not go near the business premises of Nestoil Group which belongs to Drawcok Estates LTD.
The fresh suit by Drawcok Estates LTD followed Monday’s deployment of over fifty armed police officers by Mr. Moshood Jimoh to seal off the business premises of Nestoil Group which belongs to Drawcok Estates LTD despite an order by Justice Ofili Ajumogobia.
Also, despite a directive by the federal government that police escorts be withdrawn from VIPs, Mr. Moshood Jimoh illegally allocated several police officers to be guarding Mr. Sulu Gambari, the self-acclaimed Receiver Manager which was appointed by a former judge that was handling the case, Justice Isaac Dipeolu.
Recall that Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi vacated all the orders made by Justice Isaac Deinde Dipeolu who wrongly appointed the Receiver Manager.
Meanwhile, dissatisfied with the action of the Lagos Police Commissioner, Drawcok Estates LTD yesterday filed a case of contempt against the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh Moshood (Contemnor) before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
In Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/2385/2025, the applicant wants Police Commissioner Moshood Jimoh to be found guilty of contempt of court and also be committed to prison unless he obeys the directives contained in Justice Ofili Ajumogobia’s Order of November 24, 2025.
Recall that Justice Ofili Ajumogobia had on November 24, 2025 ordered that the building in question belongs to Drawcok Estates LTD, adding that no police officer must be seen carrying out orders of the Lagos State Police Commissioner around the premises.
The Orders made by Justice Ofili Ajumogobia on November 24, 2025 in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2385/2025 were that:
The applicant has a right to own and possess her properties as mentioned in the addresses above as guaranteed by the 34 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights..
That the sealing-off and occupation of the applicant’s properties on the addresses mentioned above by the Respondents constitute an infringement on the right of the applicant to own property, as guaranteed by Sections 43 and 44 of the he Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
That the Respondents, whether by themselves , their agents, agencies and servants, acting for it through them or any other person(s) howsoever described or claiming through them, to vacate the applicant’s properties on the addresses mentioned above, and deliver possession over to the applicant forthwith.
That the Respondents, whether by themselves, their agents, agencies, and servants, acting for or through them or any other person(s) howsoever described or claiming through them, to provide security for the applicant to take back possession of her properties on the addresses mentioned above.
That the Respondents is restrain, whether by themselves, their agents, agencies and servants, acting for or through them or any other person(s) howsoever described or claiming through them, from harassing the applicant and refusing her access to her properties on the addresses mentioned above.
Nigerian Concord Newspapers reporters that visited the business premises yesterday reported that pollice officers have been denying workers of several companies access to their offices located within the Nestoil building in Lagos on the order of Moshood Jimoh, despite a subsisting court order directing that they be allowed into the premises.
The affected workers had resumed duties following a court order delivered by Hon. Justice Ofili Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Abuja on November 24, which directed that they be granted access to their offices.
Business
Dangote Refinery Boosts Fuel Exports as Gulf Refineries Shut Down
By: Fabian Apechihin
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has ramped up fuel exports to international markets amid widespread refinery shutdowns in the Middle East, industry sources confirmed.
A senior official at the $20bn Lagos-based plant told The PUNCH that the facility exported significant volumes of petrol (PMS), diesel (AGO), and aviation fuel (Jet A1) to foreign buyers in August, following earlier shipments in June and July.
The surge comes as Saudi Aramco and other regional producers face heavy maintenance schedules, tightening fuel supply. Aramco has already shut down two plants and plans further closures, including its 460,000 b/d Satorp refinery in Jubail for a 60-day turnaround in November–December. Kuwait and India are also scaling back capacity for maintenance and seasonal demand.
According to Argus Media, these shutdowns are pushing Gulf nations to import record volumes of gasoline, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE sharply increasing purchases from Europe and other markets in recent months.
While some reports pointed to operational constraints at Dangote’s 650,000 b/d facility, the company dismissed such claims, insisting production is on track to reach 700,000 b/d by December. Earlier this year, Aliko Dangote announced the refinery had sold two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco and recently achieved exports of about 1 million tonnes of petrol between June and July.
“With Gulf refiners offline, Nigeria has now emerged as a net exporter of refined products,” Dangote said.
Analysts suggest the extended refinery outages in the Middle East will further strengthen demand for Dangote’s output, positioning the Nigerian plant as a key supplier in regional fuel markets.
Would you like me to tighten this further into a 5–6 paragraph wire-style news brief, or keep it as a detailed feature-style report with more context on Gulf refinery shutdowns?
Business
US Oil Exports to Nigeria, Others Fall to 3.3m bpd as Local Output Rises
By: Fabian Apechihin
The United States’ crude oil exports to Nigeria and other African countries fell for the fifth consecutive month in July 2025, averaging 3.3 million barrels per day (bpd), the lowest level since March 2022.
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) disclosed this in its August 2025 Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR), attributing the decline to weaker flows to Europe and Africa, particularly Nigeria, but without giving further details.
Industry analysts link the slowdown to the ramp-up of local refining capacity, especially the 650,000 bpd Dangote Refinery, which has reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imported crude, including from the US. Vanguard checks also show that crude importation has slowed further in recent months due to improved domestic production.
According to OPEC data, Nigeria’s crude oil output—excluding condensates—rose by 11 per cent year-on-year to 1.559 million bpd in July 2025, up from 1.386 million bpd in the same period of 2024. This marks the country’s highest monthly production level so far this year.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) corroborated the figures, stating that overall output, including condensates, exceeded 1.8 million bpd in July.
Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the NUPRC, said the milestone was achieved through the agency’s “Project 1 MMBOPD Incremental” initiative, supported by a multi-stakeholder collaborative framework.
“We are glad to report that we crossed the 1.8 million bpd mark on peak production last month, with average production hovering at 1.78 million bpd,” Komolafe stated.
He added that the Commission is working to sustain production growth by optimising the Maximum Efficient Rate (MER) framework, improving produced water management, and aligning operational shutdowns and maintenance schedules to minimise disruptions.
“With these measures and continued collaboration, the presidential mandate on production increase is well within reach,” he said.
Do you want me to make this rewrite more concise for a newspaper front-page brief or keep it detailed like a full energy market report?
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