Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has entered a new phase of full-scale production, raising expectations of improved fuel supply, reduced import dependence and stabilised pump prices across Nigeria. Speaking at a press conference on the state of the $20bn Lekki-based facility on Wednesday, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, David Bird, said the refinery was steadily ramping up output across key product lines, including petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and LPG, describing the development as a major boost to the nation’s energy security. Bird said the refinery, with a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, was designed not only to meet domestic demand…

Nigeria’s active mobile telephone subscriptions climbed to 179.64 million at the end of December 2025, underscoring sustained growth in connectivity and a sharp rise in data consumption, figures released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have shown. The latest industry statistics indicated that active lines increased from 177.43 million in November to 179.64 million in December, pushing national teledensity to 82.87 per cent — a key benchmark that measures the number of active telephone connections per 100 people and reflects the depth of telecom penetration across the country. The data further showed that MTN Nigeria maintained its market dominance with…

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has accused the Chairman of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, Mr Kehinde Adeyemi Amanda, of leading an alleged coordinated attack on federal railway assets in Ibadan, Oyo State. In a statement on Tuesday, the corporation said the incident occurred on Monday at the Mile One-Ten axis along the NRC right-of-way, where the council boss reportedly arrived with a group that included suspected thugs, individuals dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms and operatives of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun. NRC spokesperson, Mr Callistus Unyimadu, said the group allegedly vandalised and carted away critical railway infrastructure,…

No fewer than dozens of residents were killed on Tuesday night when suspected terrorists stormed Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, leaving the Emir of the town, Alhaji Saliu Bio Umar, missing and his palace in ruins. Among those killed were two wives of the monarch, several of his children, the Chief Imam of Woro, a school principal, a headmistress and pupils who had just returned home from school, residents and security sources said on Wednesday. Witnesses said the attackers, believed to be linked to a Sadiku-led Boko Haram faction with ties to Sahel-based terror networks,…

Two residents of Adamawa State who allegedly booed Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri during a political gathering in Ganye have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court, sparking outrage among civil rights advocates and renewed debate over freedom of expression in Nigeria’s political space. The defendants were brought before Magistrate Bapetel on Monday on a two-count charge of conspiracy and disturbing public peace, following the January 28 incident in which the governor was openly jeered by supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at a rally in the town. Although the court granted them bail on Wednesday, their lawyer, Barrister Naptoye…

CSOs Warn Decision May Revive ‘Manual Miracles’, Erode Public Trust INEC Cautions Delays Could Disrupt 2027 Polls Timetable Daud Olatunji The Senate on Wednesday rejected a proposal to make the electronic transmission of election results compulsory, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups and electoral reform advocates who say it could undermine the credibility of future polls. The amendment sought to alter Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to remove the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) discretion over how results are transmitted. Had it passed, presiding officers would have been mandated to upload polling…

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old woman, Mrs Edeh Osinachi, for allegedly torturing her 17-year-old domestic worker by pressing a hot electric iron on her body in Awka, the state capital. The police said the suspect was handed over to them on Wednesday by officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Education after school authorities raised alarm over the teenager’s severe injuries. Confirming the arrest in a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said teachers noticed the burns on the girl during a school session and immediately reported the matter, prompting further investigation. “Preliminary…

The Independent National Electoral Commission has uncovered the names of deceased Nigerians on the national voters’ register, raising fresh concerns about the integrity of the country’s electoral database. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during the commission’s first quarterly meeting with civil society organisations, saying the discovery followed an internal audit of the register. Amupitan said the presence of dead persons’ names on the roll undermined public confidence in elections and made a comprehensive cleanup unavoidable. “Our review shows that some people who passed on long ago are still listed as eligible voters. This is…

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bayo Ojulari, on Wednesday said Nigerians should be grateful for the operational Dangote Refinery, describing it as a major relief to the country’s fragile fuel supply system. Ojulari spoke at the International Energy Summit 2026 in Abuja, where he said the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery had helped cushion the impact of supply disruptions and reduced Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products. “Thank God for Dangote Refinery. Thank God. Whether you love Dangote or you hate him, Nigerians should thank God for Dangote,” he said to applause from participants. He…

The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola,  Otileta VII, has commended the Ogun State chapter of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters’ Association of Nigeria for conducting a peaceful and orderly leadership transition, describing the development as a model for professional bodies in the state. The monarch gave the commendation on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the newly inaugurated Ogun FIBAN executive, led by its Chairman, Chief Olalekan Shoyinka, popularly known as Ayinla Egba, at his palace in Oke Ago-Owu, Abeokuta. Oba Matemilola praised the association for restoring unity among its members and urged the new leadership…