Welcome to today’s roundup of Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-focused calls for government action on pressing issues that impact citizens.
1. The Guardian: 72.64 Percent of Nigeria’s petrol imported amid rivalry from new refineries
We begin with The Guardian reporting that Nigeria’s reliance on petrol imports has deepened despite the commissioning of the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery, as new data reveal that imported petrol accounted for 72.64 per cent of total national consumption in the last nine months.
Our Take: If Nigeria’s dream of becoming Africa’s refining powerhouse keeps running on imported fuel, maybe it is time we stop cutting ribbons at refineries that cannot keep their engines running and start fixing the real leaks — governance, labour disputes, and policy inconsistency. The Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) must step up to ensure local refineries actually refine, not just headline. And perhaps the presidency, too, should move beyond commissioning ceremonies to sustained oversight, because if the current trend continues, we’ll keep importing not just petrol, but excuses.
2. Vanguard: FG Directs VCs to Submit Attendance, Compliance Reports as ASUU Strike Begins
Vanguard reports that the federal government has reaffirmed its resolve to implement the ‘no work, no pay’ policy as the nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) began yesterday. It also directed vice-chancellors of all federal universities to ensure full compliance with labour law.
According to the circular, the government expressed disappointment over the union’s decision to embark on strike, despite ongoing engagement efforts.
Our Take: While the federal government dusts off its ‘no work, no pay’ hammer and ASUU tunes its strike anthem yet again, perhaps it is time both parties swapped their well-worn scripts for genuine dialogue that actually gets students back to class. The Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission, and ASUU leadership must stop treating Nigeria’s higher education system like a chessboard for ego battles, because at this rate, the only ones graduating on schedule are frustration and brain drain.
3. Punch: 2027: Opposition splits over NASS poll shift plan
A fresh bid by the National Assembly to shift the 2027 presidential and governorship elections to November 2026 has divided opposition parties.
While some described it as an attempt to extend President Bola Tinubu’s stay in office, others agreed it could strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system if properly implemented.
Our Take: If the National Assembly insists that moving elections to November 2026 will purify Nigeria’s democracy, then lawmakers and INEC must ensure that the proposed shift is about strengthening the electoral system, not job extension. After all, Nigerians have seen enough ‘reforms’ that look good on paper but vanish faster than campaign jingles after inauguration day.
