Business
FG Clarifies $5bn Aramco Loan Status

Amid ongoing conversations around a proposed crude-for-loan arrangement with Saudi oil giant Aramco, the federal government says it remains committed to deploying innovative and fiscally responsible financing strategies to optimise Nigeria’s oil assets, enhance external liquidity, and strengthen macroeconomic stability.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Federal Ministry of Finance addressed recent media reports suggesting that discussions over a $5 billion oil-backed loan deal with Aramco may have collapsed. The ministry stated that no final decision has been taken on the matter and urged the public to disregard speculations about the status of the negotiations.
“While market speculation is not uncommon in the context of ongoing economic reforms and transactions, no final decision has been announced by the Government, and commentary suggesting the collapse of any such initiative is unfounded,” the ministry said.
This clarification follows a report earlier in the week by Reuters, which indicated that the proposed oil-for-loan deal between Nigeria and Aramco had stalled. The report, citing four unnamed sources, said the deal was experiencing delays due to a recent downturn in global crude oil prices, which had raised concerns among prospective financiers.
According to the report, the deal, potentially Nigeria’s largest oil-backed loan, would have been the first of its kind involving Aramco at such a scale in the country. However, the sharp drop in global oil prices, along with evolving market indices, reportedly dampened interest among Gulf and African banks expected to co-fund the facility.
The proposed $5 billion loan is part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader external borrowing strategy, which includes a recent request to the National Assembly for approval to borrow $21.5 billion to support the 2024 budget. Sources familiar with the deal said President Tinubu first initiated talks during a bilateral meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh at the Saudi-African Summit in November 2023.
As part of the loan terms, Nigeria would be required to allocate at least 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day to back the facility. However, oil price volatility and output constraints are reportedly complicating the structure of the arrangement.
Bonny Light, Nigeria’s flagship crude blend, is currently trading at around $78 per barrel, slightly above the $75 per barrel benchmark in the 2024 federal budget. Despite this, actual production remains below target. The May report from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) shows Nigeria produced just under 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in April, falling short of the 2 million bpd budgeted output.
Years of underinvestment in the oil sector have hindered Nigeria’s ability to ramp up production. At the same time, the country is using a significant portion of its oil output, estimated at 300,000 bpd, to service existing oil-backed loans, primarily through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd). While one of these facilities is expected to be paid off this month, lower oil prices mean Nigeria may need to allocate more barrels for debt servicing, which in turn affects its capacity to secure new deals.
The slow progress in the Aramco discussions is also attributed to concerns from participating banks over delivery commitments. Some of the lenders involved — said to include Gulf banks and at least one African financial institution — reportedly fear there may not be enough crude available to meet the loan terms due to existing obligations and rising joint-venture costs.
To address production shortfalls and increase oil revenue, the federal government has issued executive orders aimed at lowering production costs and incentivising upstream investments.
These efforts are part of a broader push to stabilise the country’s fiscal outlook amid mounting budgetary needs and global market headwinds.
Despite the current challenges, the federal government maintains that its financing decisions will remain anchored on transparency, accountability, and the effective utilisation of the country’s oil resources.
Thenationonlineng.net
Business
After Petrol, Dangote Refinery Slashes Cooking Gas Price Lowest In Nigeria [Price Per State Emerges]

Africa’s largest refinery, Dangote Refinery, has slashed the price of liquified natural gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas to the lowest in 2025, a few hours after cutting petrol rate, a move that has sent joy to Nigerian households.
This move came barely 24 hours after the refinery reduced its petrol prices to N820 per litre from N854.
Checks showed Dangote Refinery lowered the cooking gas price, easing hardship for Nigerians.
Checks by Legit on petroleumpriceng’s price data show that the refinery slashed the LPG price to N740 per kg, the lowest among depot operators and cheapest in Nigeria.
The latest price is also the cheapest the refinery has sold cooking gas in 2025 after rates jumped above N1,000 per kilogramme.
Experts have hailed the move as exemplary, urging other operators to follow suit. They also attributed the latest price cut to the declining crude oil prices in the international market.
Where it’s cheapest and costliest
Oyo, Plateau, and Yobe currently offer the lowest 5kg refill costs at ₦7,100, ₦7,200, and ₦7,600, respectively. For the 12.5kg size, Yobe leads with ₦19,000, followed by Niger (₦19,242.48) and Jigawa (₦20,025.94).
At the other extreme, the South-South zone records the highest average: ₦8,871.63 for a 5kg cylinder and ₦22,179.08 for a 12.5kg refill. In contrast, the South-West pays the least regionally—₦7,960.42 and ₦20,402.42, respectively.
A reversal of fortune for Nigerians
This development came after Legit.ng reported that cooking gas prices are on the rise again.
For the fifth straight month, cooking gas prices in Nigeria have risen, tightening the squeeze on household budgets.
According to fresh data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), refilling a 5kg cylinder now costs ₦8,323.95—up 1.92% from May’s ₦8,167.43 and a hefty 19.49% more than in June 2024.
The pain is sharper for larger households. A 12.5kg cylinder refill now costs an average of ₦21,010.56, marking a 1.46% rise from May and a staggering 33.52% jump compared to last year’s ₦15,736.27.
Crude oil prices slump
“International crude oil price is a great factor in setting petroleum product prices globally,” energy analyst and Team Lead at Platforms Africa, Adeola Yusuf, said.
According to him, falling crude prices mean falling petroleum product prices, and vice versa. Findings show that Brent Crude slumped 0.66% on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, to sell at $65.46 per barrel.
WTI fell 0.75% to sell for $62.35 per barrel, while Murban Crude sold for $67.52 per barrel, recording a 0.89% decline.
Why the surge won’t stop
Despite being Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria imports much of its cooking gas.
This dependence makes local prices vulnerable to swings in the global market. Disruptions in supply chains, increased global demand, and geopolitical tensions have driven up costs worldwide.
The naira’s persistent weakness worsens the situation, as importers pay more to secure foreign exchange, passing the burden to consumers.
Business
Fuel Scarcity: Petrol Price Rises Above N1,500 As Marketers Shut Filling Stations To Support Strike

A litre of petrol is selling for as high as N1,700 as fuel scarcity has hit residents of Benue state following the petrol tankers’ protest over unfulfilled compensation
Several filling stations are closed, and black market operators have taken advantage of the situation to hike prices
The sudden shutdown has sent petrol prices skyrocketing to hit new levels as black market operators have taken advantage of the situation.
The state governor has pleaded with the petrol tankers to suspend their strike and return to work.
Petrol Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is currently on a 3-day warning strike in Benue state.
In solidarity, petrol station owners in the state shut their doors.
The sudden shutdown has sent petrol prices skyrocketing to hit new levels as black market operators have taken advantage of the situation.
Vanguard reports that desperate motorists and commercial motorcycle operators who have been left stranded are resorting to black market operators who are selling petrol for as high as N1,700 perlitre.
Prices vary depending on the location within the town, with some areas seeing prices at N1,600.
The price is a massive N775 difference when compared to N945 it was sold before the showdown.
According to a member of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Benue State, who was quoted in the report said the strike action was taken following unresolved grievances.
“A few years ago, youths attacked a etrol-laden truck on the Makurdi-Aliade road and siphoned its contents. Promises of ompensation by the former administration were never fulfilled.”
He added that efforts by NUPENG and IPMAN to engage the current administration for redress reportedly met with resistance, prompting the decision for a warning strike.
All fuel station managers were instructed to cease operations during this period. “Heavy penalties of up to N500,000 were threatened for non-compliance, leaving no stations perational.”
Meanwhile, the Benue State Government has urged NUPENG to call off the strike, noting that the strike was uncalled for.
Deborah Aber, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), stated that the government received a letter from NUPENG requesting payment of over N40 million as compensation for the vandalised PMS tank in 2022.
“In the letter, they were asking for payment for their 45,000 litres of PMS they lost through the activities of vandals in 2022 at Aliade.
“We needed to sit down and look at the whole scenario and how it played out. To us, it seemed like a straightforward case of theft and vandalism, with no government involvement.
“We have held several meetings with them. Surprisingly, we woke up today to find that the stations were locked. The government too is surprised because we are still. t the discussion at table.
“When we received the letter, we wrote to the police and DSS to furnish us with what happened that time.
In the letter they were claiming payment of over N40m for the loss of their goods in 2022.”
NNPC increase petrol prices
The new price follows changes announced by petrol importers and the Dangote Refinery amid the global oil price increase
NNPC Limited retail outlets are now selling nigher rate than the rate offered by Dangote refinery partners.
Business
What God Showed Me About NNPC GMG Ojulari -Primate Ayodele Reveals

Spiritual leader and founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has sounded an alarm over impending challenges for a top executive at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), warning that powerful cabals are working behind the scenes to frustrate and destabilize him.
In a recent video prophetic message from 00:02:07, Ayodele revealed that the General Managing Director (GMG) of NNPC is facing spiritual and political sabotage that could lead to serious complications in the months ahead.
“NNPC GMG—the problem has just started,” the cleric declared. “They want to frustrate him. Frustrate him. Because there are cabals that have tied his life.”
Ayodele explained that these internal forces are not just opposing the GMG’s reforms or leadership style, but are spiritually plotting to discredit and dismantle his influence. According to the prophet, these groups are determined to undermine the GMG’s success and force him into conflict and confusion within the organization.
“If he’s not careful, they will create commotion for him,” Ayodele warned. “They are not just fighting his position; they are fighting his peace and his purpose.”
The renowned prophet called on the GMG to be prayerful and spiritually alert, urging him not to rely solely on political loyalty or official power to withstand the coming storm. He emphasized that the battle was more spiritual than administrative.
“This is a time to seek divine protection and guidance,” Ayodele advised. “Those around him are not all loyal. Some are pretending while planning his fall.”
Ayodele’s message adds to growing concerns about internal politics and power struggles within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, especially as the government pushes for reforms, transparency, and accountability at the NNPC.
Though the cleric did not mention a specific name, his warning has sparked speculation about tensions within the corporation and what steps leadership must take to avoid disruption.
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