Economy
Badagry Expressway construction comes alive with NNPC funding

Eyewitness reporter
Works are expected to resume on the abandoned Badagry Expressway following the mobilisation of funds by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The NNPC involvement was part of its N621.23billion funding of 21 Federal roads under the Federal government’s Tax Credit Scheme.
According to Mr. Olukayode Popoola, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, his ministry is fine-tuning modalities for NNPC to mobilize funding for the road project.
Popoola, who briefed Journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, said that the highway would henceforth get lots of attention because of NNPC’s involvement in the project.
“Lagos-Badagry Expressway project is part of the projects NNPC is funding under the Tax Credit Scheme among the 21 roads selected nationwide.
“So, it is going to receive a lot of attention more than what it has been receiving before,” Popoola declared.
He explained that the funds were already available but that NNPC was perfecting documentation towards mobilizing fully to the site.
“In a couple of days, we should be done with documentation. This month, give us another one week more, NNPC funds will be on the road, you will see the effect in a week’s time.
“The contractors are on-site and have never left, so, if this fund comes now, it is another way of strengthening them and they will move faster,” he said.
According to him, the construction would be evaluated the same way the SUKUK funds were monitored for monies to be released based on the valuation of the actual construction done on the site per time.
He, however, declined comment on the total sum voted for the highway because he did not have the figures handy.
Lagos State Government is responsible for the Iganmu – Okokomaiko section of the highway, while FERMA is handling the Okokomaiko – Agbara axis of the road.
Also, the federal government had on Oct. 24, 2018, awarded the reconstruction of the 46km Agbara – Seme section of Badagry expressway to CGC Nigeria Limited at a sum of N63.2 billion.
Economy
News Alert! Tinubu sacks Wale Edun as Finance Minister in cabinet reshuffle, appoints Taiwo Oyedele as replacement

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.According to the memo, Taiwo Oyedele has been appointed as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
The memo directed the outgoing ministers to complete handover processes to their respective successors or supervising officials.It stated that all handing over and taking over activities must be concluded on or before the close of business on Thursday, 23rd April, 2026.
Explaining the decision, Akume said the changes were aimed at improving coordination and strengthening delivery across key sectors of the economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Akume stated.
He added that President Tinubu acted in line with his constitutional powers as provided under Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The SGF also conveyed the President’s appreciation to the outgoing ministers for their service to the nation and wished them well in their future endeavours, noting that the process of cabinet reinvigoration would remain continuous.
The statement further noted that Taiwo Oyedele was appointed as Minister of State for Finance in March 2026, while Edun was among the ministers appointed on August 16, 2023.
Economy
Tinubu assents to 2026 Appropriation bill , extends 2025 budget implementation

Economy
NNPC attributes increased crude oil production to enhanced security surveillance of pipelines in Niger- Delta

Funso OLOJO, Editor
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has confirmed that national crude oil production has grown from a historic low of 960,000 barrels per day in 2022 to an average of 1.71 million barrels per day and a peak production of 1.84 million barrels per day in 2025, owing to the establishment of the integrated energy security for pipelines in the Niger Delta.
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, made the disclosure at the Parliamentary Roundtable on the State of Pipelines Security which held at the National Assembly, in Abuja, on Wednesday, April 8th, 2026.
Speaking on the success of the security arrangement, Ojulari explained that it was not accidental, and that it involved an “integrated energy security model that combines legislative and executive policy alignment, actionable intelligence, kinetic deployment capabilities, regulatory oversight, industry cooperation, and community‑embedded surveillance mechanisms”.
He said the resurgence of production due to the effective tackling of the twin menace of oil theft and pervasive pipeline sabotage has led to the restoration of investors’ confidence in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
In his welcome address, the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, called for collaboration among agencies and stakeholders in resolving all challenges impeding production growth.
On his part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who was represented by the Leader of the House, Hon. (Prof.) Julius Ihonvbere, urged the forum to evaluate the progress made so far with a view to ensuring fairness and equity.
The Parliamentary Roundtable on the State of Pipelines Security was convened by the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources.
It had in attendance the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Security Adviser, Minister of Defence, and representatives of oil industry regulatory agencies.
The Roundtable also featured presentations by the Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector General of Police, Director General of the Department of State Services, Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, and private security companies.
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