Bagudu: Tinubu’s Ambition is to See Nigeria Refine All Its Crude Oil In-country NMDPRA chief says president has never interfered in regulatory affairs West African nations agree to impose penalties on non-performing refinery licensees
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, yes-
terday noted that the aspiration of the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu is to ensure value-addition to the country’s God-
given resources, explaining that the ambition of Nigeria is to see that all the crude oil produced in-country is refined locally.
He explained that although two years ago Nigeria had one of the most distorted pricing of refined petroleum products, the reforms undertaken
by Tinubu have helped to stop all the distortions. He spoke on the closing day of the Global Commodity Insights
Conference on West African Refined Fuel Market, organised Continued on page 9
World Bank, Development Partners Okay Nigeria’s 90,000km Fibre Optic Network Drive... Page 6 Thursday 24 July, 2025 Vol 30. No 11064. Price: N400
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Damagum: PDP’s Problems Self-inflicted, Defectors Should Return or Leave in Peace
We won’t tolerate indiscipline, defectors left because of ambitions, says Bala Mohammed We’ll fix party, leaving not an option, Saraki declares Aliyu: most defectors are nomadic, selfish Our party will rise again, says Olawepo-Hashim Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Acting National Chairman of Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has declared that the problems of the party are self-inflicted.
Damagum appealed to those who recently left the party to come back, or exit quietly without trying
to de-market PDP. The PDP national chairman spoke at a meeting summoned by the party’s
founding fathers and stakeholders. He told the defectors to be precise on their choice of party, saying, “It
is either you are a PDP member or Continued on page 9
FG’s Half-year Tax Revenues Jump 43% to N14.27 Trillion
Edun: Rebased GDP, Q1 growth estimate signs of nation’s economic resilience, renewed momentum LCCI: Rebasing hasn’t changed harsh economic reality Analysts: With sluggish GDP growth, attaining $1trn economy a tall order Story on page 9
LAUNCH OF ₦500 BILLION OFFTAKE GUARANTEE FUND FOR LAGOS...
L-R: Governors, Umar Bago (Niger); Dr. Agbu Kefas (Taraba); Chief Host, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); and Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo (Kogi), during the official launch of the Produce for Lagos Programme and ₦500 Billion Offtake Guarantee Fund, at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday