Nigeria

Dangote refinery, Congo oil firm explore strategic partnership

Dangote Industries and Congo’s national oil company, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), have opened talks on a strategic partnership aimed at improving refined petroleum product supply and strengthening energy cooperation across Africa. According to Channels Television, discussions focused on refining, petroleum product supply, energy security, industrial development and knowledge sharing. The talks followed a visit by an SNPC delegation to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals in Lekki, Lagos, where SNPC Managing Director Maixent Raoul Ominga described the refinery as a major industrial asset for Africa. Ominga said the Republic of the Congo is keen to build long-term cooperation with Dangote to strengthen the supply of refined petroleum products while creating value for both organisations. “We have visited this remarkable refinery, which represents a major industrial achievement for Africa. The Republic of the Congo has refining capacity, and we are keen to explore strategic cooperation,” he said. He also praised Dangote Group’s investments in Congo, particularly in the cement sector, saying they have boosted industrial capacity and improved access to construction materials. President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Africa’s industrial growth through regional partnerships and investment. “We are for Africa, not just Nigeria. Tell us what you need, and we will see how we can work together,” Dangote said. Dangote noted that the refinery is helping to improve fuel quality standards in Africa by producing petroleum products that meet international specifications while reducing dependence on imported refined products. During the meeting, Group Vice President for Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries, Devakumar Edwin, revealed plans to expand the group’s total refining capacity to 2.1 million barrels per day. The expansion includes 1.4 million barrels per day in Nigeria and a planned 700,000 barrels per day refining complex in Kenya to serve East African markets. Edwin also disclosed that Dangote plans to invest an additional $46 billion between 2026 and 2028 across its refining, cement and fertiliser businesses to accelerate industrialisation across Africa. The engagement highlights growing efforts by both organisations to deepen African energy cooperation, strengthen regional value chains and improve self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products. Source: Channels Television Tags: Dangote Refinery, Congo oil company, Aliko Dangote, African energy partnership, petroleum supply in Africa, SNPC Alternative Headlines: 1. Dangote, Congo Oil Firm Begin Talks on Petroleum Supply Partnership 2. Dangote Refinery, SNPC Seek Deal to Boost Africa’s Energy Security ALT TEXT: Aliko Dangote welcomes Maixent Raoul Ominga during Congo delegation’s visit to Dangote Refinery in Lekki, Lagos.

A student hostel at UNIOSUN following allegations of assault during a military invasion in Osogbo.

UNIOSUN student says soldier pinned, assaulted her

A female student of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has alleged that a soldier attempted to sexually assault her during the invasion of student hostels by military personnel in Osogbo. The student, identified simply as Ademola, recounted her experience in a video shared by OsunDefenderNG. She said she was alone in her hostel room preparing a meal when soldiers returned to the area after she initially believed the disturbance had ended. According to her, the soldiers shone flashlights into her room and ordered her to open the door. After complying, she was questioned about how many people were inside the room. Ademola said she informed one of the soldiers that she was alone because her roommate was away. She alleged that the soldier then became physically aggressive, pinned her against the bathroom door and warned her not to shout. The student further claimed that another soldier entered the room and also tried to restrain her while telling her to remain calm. She said she managed to break free, screamed for help and forced the two men to leave before locking her door. She added that a fellow hostel resident later knocked on her door after hearing the commotion to check on her welfare. The incident follows Monday night’s reported invasion of student hostels by soldiers from the Army Depot, Osogbo. Students alleged that several occupants were assaulted and more than 60 mobile phones and other electronic devices were taken during the operation. Some female students also alleged they were stripped naked and forced to dance unclothed. On Tuesday, the Army Depot, Osogbo, announced that it had opened an investigation into the allegations after receiving a complaint from the National Association of Nigerian Students, South West Zone D. The Army said the probe would establish the facts surrounding the incident and assured the public that any personnel found culpable would be brought to justice.

DSS arrests former minister Uche Nnaji at Enugu airport

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu. According to Punch, Nnaji was apprehended in the early hours of Wednesday while preparing to board a private jet bound for Abuja. Security sources told the newspaper that the arrest was carried out at the request of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which is investigating allegations linked to the former minister’s tenure in office. The sources said Nnaji was subsequently handed over to the ICPC for further investigation. One source said the DSS acted on the ICPC’s request, adding that the former minister was intercepted at the airport before boarding the aircraft. The sources also disclosed that the ICPC had previously invited Nnaji several times over petitions alleging irregularities in the management of the Ministry of Science and Technology. They claimed he did not honour those invitations, prompting the anti-graft agency to seek the DSS’s assistance in effecting his arrest. Nnaji resigned as Minister of Science and Technology in October 2025 under circumstances that attracted public attention. As of the time of reporting, neither the DSS nor the ICPC had issued an official statement on the arrest, while Nnaji had not publicly responded to the allegations. Calls to the ICPC spokesperson, John Odeh, were not answered at the time Punch filed its report.

A vintage landline telephone symbolising Finland's decision to end fixed-line telephone services after nearly 150 years.

Finland ends landline era after nearly 150 years of telephone service

Finland has officially ended an era in telecommunications, switching off its final landline telephone network nearly 150 years after fixed-line services were first introduced. According to TheCable, citing developments in Finland, telecom operator Elisa ended its landline service on Tuesday with a symbolic final call between the company’s chief executive officer, Topi Manner, and Jarkko Saarimäki, head of Finland’s communications and transport agency. During the call, the two reflected on the role landline telephones once played in everyday life. Manner recalled living in London as a teenager during the 1980s, when he would arrange a weekly call home so his family would be available to answer. The conversation ended with the Finnish farewell “kuulemiin”, meaning “speak later”. Finland’s landline network dates back to the 1880s and became a key part of the country’s communications infrastructure. By the 1960s, Finland ranked seventh in Europe for landline subscriptions, with household connections reaching their highest levels in the early 1990s. The rapid rise of mobile phones, however, led to a steady decline in landline use. Finland, the home of mobile phone pioneer Nokia, became one of the world’s earliest adopters of mobile technology, accelerating the shift to wireless communication. Most major telecom operators began phasing out landline services from 2019, while another provider stopped supporting fixed-line networks earlier this year. Elisa said it had not sold new landline subscriptions for several years because customers had increasingly embraced digital and mobile services. The company said private customers can retain their existing landline numbers by transferring them to mobile-based subscriptions. It also said it would work with business customers to provide suitable replacement communication solutions. The shutdown marks the end of one of the world’s longest-running national landline networks and reflects the continued global transition towards mobile and digital communications.