Big Gist Africa

The Federal Government’s celebration of the alleged resolution of the long-running OPL 245 dispute has suffered a major setback, as Malabu Oil and Gas Limited has issued a formal pre-action notice challenging any regulatory move to implement the controversial agreement. The development casts fresh doubts on official claims that the dispute has been conclusively settled and raises new legal questions over the Federal Government’s recent public declarations on the oil block. In the pre-action notice dated March 17, 2026, and addressed to the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Malabu, acting through its counsel, warned against any regulatory recognition, approval or implementation of arrangements concerning OPL 245 while several suits over the asset remain pending in court.  The letter, written by R. O. Atabo, SAN, LL.D, on behalf of the majority shareholders and directors of Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, stated that the comp...

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has launched a scathing attack on both the Nigerian and United Kingdom governments over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing state visit, describing it as “insensitive” and “an embarrassment” in the wake of deadly attacks in Maiduguri. Frank, in a strongly worded statement, accused the UK government of being “complicit” in Nigeria’s challenges, insisting that the timing of the visit, barely 24 hours after reported killings, showed a lack of empathy for grieving Nigerians. “I wonder how President Tinubu could travel barely 24 hours after people were killed,” Frank said. “At a time when the whole world is expressing concern over the tragedy in Nigeria, he and his retinue of Ministers and top security officials chose to go on a state visit - celebrating and drinking champagne - while Nigerians are dying.” He described the trip as one that had caused ...

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, NAIC, Yazeed Shehu Danfulani has distributed Sallah food and non food items to thousands of families across Zamfara State. The donation is to help families in need to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr Sallah with joy and smiles on their faces. The gesture underscores Yazeed Danfulani’s unwavering commitment to uplifting living standard of the vulnerable groups, particularly widows, the less privileged, orphans and other members of the society while promoting love, unity, compassion among others. It also reflects the broader vision of national service championed by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda, as well as that of a focused and determined  leader, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. The distribution of the items which brought relief to thousands of Muslim faithful, took place at  Danfulani's residence in Gusau, the capital cit...

A Magistrates’ Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has adjourned to April 16, 2026, a suit filed by the National Association of Private School Owners (NAPS) against the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) over alleged multiple taxation. The court, after preliminary proceedings on Wednesday, advised all parties to explore amicable settlement through dialogue, stressing the need for restraint and constructive engagement. NAPS is challenging what it described as overlapping tax demands imposed on private schools by both the FCTA and area councils, particularly AMAC. Counsel to the association, Alexander N. Ogbo, told journalists that the dispute stems from institutional overlaps, with both authorities issuing similar levies on schools. “This overlap is disrupting school operations and creating confusion,” he said. Ogbo noted that private schools are caught between competing authorities, calling for harmonisation of regulatory re...

*Unit intercepts live pangolins along Kano–Jigawa axis The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’, has intercepted two live pangolins being illegally transported along the Kano–Jigawa axis.   This was disclosed in a statement signed by the  CPRO  FOU Zone B, CSC NA Saidu, made available on Tuesday.   It informed that the arrest occurred on March 12, 2026 at about 10:00 hours. Operatives of the Unit, during a stop-and-search operation, flagged down the vehicle as part of a proactive enforcement sweep.   The seizure was effected pursuant to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement that prohibits trade threatening the survival of wild species.   Upon interception, the animals were secured in appropriate cages and conveyed to the FOU Zone ‘B’ headquarters in Kaduna. Physical examination showed each pangolin weighed approximate...

As Nigerians await the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to lift ban on political campaign, about one thousand five hundred (1,500) registered support groups of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) has endorsed The Renewed Hope Network (TRN) as a Special Purpose Vehicle established to galvanize robust and broad-based grassroots support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential elections.   In a statement signed in Abuja by the Deputy Director General of the APC Support Groups Council, Dr. AK Peter's, said the decision was taken after a strategic meeting with the tecnical team of the TRN led by a seasoned APC mobilizer and a former Senior Special Assistant to the APC National Chairman on Civil Society and Support Groups,  Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi and an international diplomat, Prof. Tunji John Asaolu.  Peters expressed confidence in the growing momentum of TRN nationwide.  The TRN is powered by the forme...