Spotlights
NAFDAC seals illegal cosmetic factory Skincare in Lagos (Full List)

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed an illegal cosmetic production facility in Agege, Lagos State, as reported by Nairametrics.
The factory, known as Shine Shine Skincare, was found to be producing harmful bleaching cosmetics disguised as organic and safe products.
The agency disclosed the development through its official X (formerly Twitter) page, noting that the products were manufactured under poor Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) conditions.
“NAFDAC has sealed an illegal cosmetic production facility, Shine Shine Skincare, in Agege, Lagos State. The operation uncovered the illicit production of bleaching cosmetics falsely marketed as “organic” and safe for use, despite being manufactured under poor GMP conditions,” the sattemnet read.
During the raid, NAFDAC officials uncovered a range of unregistered products being manufactured and packaged for unsuspecting consumers under the false label of organic skincare. These included:
Peeling White Scrub
Glass Scrub Wash
Antiaging Radiant Glow
Customized Whitening Black Soap
10X Customized Native Soap
5D Instant Whitening Soap
Yellow Tone Whitening Body Cream
Exfoliation Soap
Customized Body Cream
The agency noted that these cosmetics, described as bleaching agents, failed to meet regulatory standards and were prepared in unsafe conditions.
NAFDAC emphasized that the facility’s operations poses significant health risks to consumers.
“Investigations revealed that such deceptively formulated products often contain unsafe levels of banned substances, including corticosteroid-based bleaching agents, which can cause severe health risks such as skin thinning, delayed healing, and increased vulnerability to injury,” the agency stated.
Following the raid, the facility was sealed to prevent further circulation of the harmful products.
NAFDAC warns that these unwholesome cosmetic products pose serious public health risks and urges Nigerians to remain vigilant when purchasing cosmetic and other regulated products. Investigations into the illegal outfit are ongoing, and appropriate sanctions will follow.
Last year, the agency shut down a counterfeit cosmetics factory at Benue Plaza, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, where officers seized over 1,200 cartons of unregistered chemicals, expired products, and fake cosmetics worth about N50 million.
Expired products were also being revalidated for sale, posing serious consumer risks. Equipment including mini-mixing containers, batch coding materials, and unlabelled chemicals was confiscated for further investigation.
In another operation at the Balogun Trade Fair Gate within the same complex, NAFDAC apprehended Mr. Pius Effiong Eyoh, owner of Pasco Global Limited.
He was accused of manufacturing, packaging, and selling counterfeit skincare products, including Skin Balance Perfect Knuckle Organic Peel Therapy and Golden Face Triple Action Concentrated Perfect Skin. The items carried deceptive French labels and a fake Cameroonian address to mislead buyers. His facility was immediately sealed, and the products marked for destruction.
Spotlights
Fubara: ‘We Won’t Wait Till 2027’ – Nigerians React as Fire Guts Rivers Secretariat Complex

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reacted to the fire that engulfed a section of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex on Monday evening, October 6, which destroyed some properties.
The fire was said to have started after office hours on the ground floor of the Podium Block and damaged part of the nine-storey building.
Fubara dissolves Rivers’ pension board
The fire outbreak came barely a week after the governor announced the dissolution of the Rivers State Pensions Board. It was gathered that the office of the board was not affected, despite being close to section of the complex gutted by the inferno.
According to The Punch, Governor Fubara and the immediate past administration of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), recently approved funds for the renovation of the secretariat.
Addressing the fire incident on behalf of the governor, the state head of service, Inyinge Brown, explained that the fire was a result of an electric fault and that there was no casualty.
Brown further explained that operatives of the Rivers State Fire Service, the Federal Fire Service, Renaissance, and the military swiftly responded to the situation to stop the blaze.
Nigerians react to Rivers fire incident
The video of the fire incident that emerged on social media has started generating mixed reactions from Nigerians. Below are some of their reactions:
Foundational Ijesa man wrote: “Because the governor says head go roll, perm secs done move into action. If we can’t solve the civil service problem, Nigeria can never be free.”
Victor Oliseh blamed the situation on corruption: “If you know how deep corruption is in this country, we won’t wait till 2027 before we decide to pay this bunch of evil beings their rewards.”
SafetyOne condemned people near the fire: “See people inhaling toxic smoke like it’s nothing. ‘People push for lack of knowledge’ Inhaling CO-contained smoke can kill you in 5 minutes, especially for someone with underlying health issues who is probably in that crowd.”
Tal Ebraheem John commented: “This tells you how insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, killings and other sundries thrive in a country.”
Mohammed Inde commented: “Records which Fubara set eyes on as evidence are gone! So none of the perm sects would be unhappy.”
Spotlights
Forgery Scandal: Pressure Mounts on Tinubu to Break Silence over Nnaji’s Controversial News

Pressure has continued to mount on President Bola Tinubu to break his silence on the forgery case against the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, as senior lawyers, activists, as well as opposition political parties and leaders called for a thorough probe and resignation or removal of the presidential aide, as reported by ThisDay.
This followed revelations that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) disowned the academic and service certificates he presented during his Senate screening in 2023.
But the minister yesterday refuted allegations of certificate forgery against him, alleging that it was politically motivated, and well-crafted by a governor to tarnish his reputation ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Enugu state.
The alleged forgery gained national attention after UNN, in a letter dated October 2, 2025, stated that it did not issue the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree certificate in Biochemistry and Microbiology, which the minister claimed to have obtained in July 1985.
The letter, signed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, explained that while Nnaji was admitted into the university in 1981 to study Biochemistry and Microbiology, he did not complete the programme and therefore could not have been issued a graduation certificate.
“From every available record and information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, we are unable to confirm that Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji graduated from the University in July 1985, as there are no records of his completion of study,” the university stated.
Reacting to the development, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Seyi Sowemimo, described the allegations as serious and called for an independent investigation.
“I don’t see how the minister would tender a forged certificate. That would be criminal conduct—something that should be investigated. If it is found that the certificate is indeed forged, then this would amount to criminal conduct, and we would demand that he be removed from office,” Sowemimo said.
Similarly, Prof. Konyinsola Ajayi (SAN) advised that the minister should “do the honourable thing and resign” if the allegations are substantiated after due inquiry.
Similarly, in a statement by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Monday, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) blamed President Bola Tinubu for the continued stay in office of the minister, saying that if the minister is not honourable enough to resign, the Tinubu administration should remove him from office.
“A ministry whose mandate is to drive innovation, research, and the advancement of knowledge is now tainted by the dubious credentials of the man that President Tinubu has found fit to serve,” it added.
Also, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN) has said that any public officer accused of certificate forgery owes Nigerians a duty to come clean.
Also, the Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi, described forgery as a serious offence which should not be treated with kid gloves.
Osigwe, responding to a question, said that while he may not want to comment on the issue because he was not seized of the facts of the allegation, any public servant accused of forgery should prove his innocence.
“However, where the minister or whoever is alleged does not come out openly to either rebuff or prove that the certificate he is carrying is authentic, the matter should be referred for investigation because the public has the right to know whether the certificate being used by such a person is indeed forged or authentic,” he said.
Also, Obi, the LP presidential candidate, in a post on his X handle, said the country was not firm enough on public office holders, who were found to have forged their certificates.
According to him, whenever he talks about Nigeria being a crime scene, those who are part of the criminality and their hirelings will quickly start their noise-making, attacking and blackmailing him.
He said: “How do you tell young Nigerians to be honest and upright when those they are supposed to emulate are the least to be emulated because they are criminals and dishonest? Certificate forgery is a serious criminal offence in all countries of the world. It is one of the most corrupt practices heavily punished.”
Speaking further on the need for proper verification of certificates, Obi alleged that many public office holders today are parading forged certificates backed by fraudulent affidavits, which they used in 2023, after “scaling through” both INEC, security and Senate screening with forged documents.
“How do you tell young Nigerians to be honest and upright when those they are supposed to emulate are the least to be emulated because they are criminals and dishonest? Certificate forgery is a serious criminal offence in all countries of the world. It is one of the most corrupt practices heavily punished,” he said.
The former Anambra State Governor referenced Indonesia where if there’s forgery of educational qualifications required to participate in elections from local government to the state legislature, governorship, and up to the presidential level, they will be prosecuted.
“But in my country Nigeria, though the laws are same as in other countries, that forgery is punished by immediate disqualification, the INEC makes no effort to scrutinise certificates before the elections, overlooks complaints of forgery and when you challenge them after the elections, court will dismiss the serious criminal issues as ‘pre-election matters’ without giving this criminal act appropriate punishment.
“INEC, even after the elections, does not bother to revisit or investigate these serious offences before the next election. The other concerning issue from all these is how criminals and dishonest people scale through all the scrutiny layers -security, parliament and government apparatus set to handle such.
“Even more disturbing, amounting to double tragedy, is that most of these dishonest people swore an affidavit before a law court attesting to the authenticity of the documents they presented. We are now preparing for the 2027 general elections. INEC has enough time to investigate past complaints about various forms of forgery and false claims.
“Our electoral amendments must include that anyone intending to contest for any public office, whether an incumbent or a new candidate, must submit all academic certificates to the electoral body immediately after party primaries, at least six months before the election.
“These certificates, alongside details of schools attended, what was studied, and years of study, should be made public for verification within 90 days. This process must also apply to appointed officials, ministers, and even aides, because when dishonesty starts from the top, it spreads to every level of governance, just like it’s happening now,” Obi argued.
In his intervention, human rights advocate Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, commented on the broader implications of the case:
“This story might shock the rest of the world, but in Nigeria, it seems par for the course. The Minister of Innovation, Science & Technology appears to have decided that innovation should start with himself—by allegedly forging a university degree and claiming one from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
“In reality, he is a university dropout. Importantly, Nigerian law does not require Ministers to hold a university degree, making this a gratuitous act of deceit rather than a legal necessity.
“He is neither the first nor likely the last in the current administration to present questionable credentials. The government is reportedly full of individuals with forged documents, criminal records, or sometimes both. Ultimately, this administration may be remembered for making it abundantly clear that, in its view, the only standards that seem to matter are criminal ones,” he stated.
However, Nnaji, has refuted allegations of certificate forgery against him as reported by a section of the Nigerian media.
Nnaji, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, alleged that it was politically motivated, and well-crafted by the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to tarnish his reputation ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the state.
Represented by his Special Adviser, Media, Dr. Robert Ngwu, the minister threatened legal action against those he said were spreading what he described as fake news.
Ngwu stated that the minister was admitted into UNN to study Microbiology/Biochemistry in 1981 and graduated in 1985 with Second class Honours (Lower Division) contrary to some media reports that he did not obtain any certificate in 1985.
The media aide flaunted a document dated December 21, 2023 issued from the office of the UNN Registrar, Dr. Celine Ngozi Nnebedum, and signed by IAS Onyeador on behalf of the former.
The document, he stated, was in response to an inquiry by Samuel Ogundipe of the People’s Gazette seeking for the minister’s academic records.
The document read: ”This is to confirm that Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji with registration number 1981/30725 was admitted in 1981 to study Microbiology/ Biochemistry in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
“Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985 with Bachelor of Science in Microbiology/ Biochemistry, Second Class (Hons) Lower Division.”
He added that the document was the official position of the university, noting that it remains very much valid.
The ministerial aide added that the document relied upon by the online platform for its “malicious and false narrative” was issued in May 2025, allegedly written by the university claiming that there were no records of the minister’s graduation.
He said: “Starting from May 2025, a purported letter surfaced allegedly written by the university suddenly claiming that there were no records of the ministers’ graduation. The question every Nigerian should ask is simple and logical: what changed between December 2023 and October 2025?”
He accused the then acting VC and the incumbent VC of orchestrating the purported new document, alleging that they are card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), hired by the governor to do a hatchet job.
“By Academic convention worldwide, the Registrar and not the Vice Chancellor is the custodian of all examination and graduation records. Any attempt by the Vice chancellor to assume that role is an aberration in the university protocol and in his case an obvious political overreach,” he said.
The minister’s spokesman said that when his principal got wind of an attempt to tamper or alter his academic files, he immediately sought legal redress by approaching the Federal High Court In Abuja in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, presided by justice HJ Yilwa.
According to him, on September 22, 2025, the court granted a series of protective orders, including an injunction restraining the Vice Chancellor and management of UNN from tampering or continuing to tamper with Nnaji’s academic records.
The second order, he said, was an order of Mandamus compelling the university to release his academic transcripts, while a third order was a directive to the supervising authorities to ensure compliance through their disciplinary power.
“These are not speculative claims, they are certified orders of the Federal High Court of Nigeria and that alone should settle the matter. Unfortunately, instead of adhering strictly to the valid court order, the Vice Chancellor of the UNN, a lawyer by profession, resorted to cyber bullying and politically-motivated media trial against Chief Nnaji,” the media aide alleged.
He stressed: “It is increasingly clear that this entire episode is not about education or integrity, it is about political desperation disguised as academic inquiry. The timing, the sources, the false documents and the paid narratives all point to a coordinated campaign to drag a reputable public servant into the mud of partisan politics. But Nigerians are wiser than that.
“The facts are before the court, the document is in public domain and the truth cannot be buried under political propaganda.”
The minister, he added, cannot be distracted by those who want to weaponise institutions and media platforms for political He said that this was also reflected in the institution’s convocation brochure which remains part of the UNN archives, stressing that any other claim or document to the contrary is false, malicious and politically motivated.
However, there was a seeming inconsistency in the names presented in the document and the university convocation brochure.
In the document presented, the minister’s name was given as Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, while the brochure had Nnaji GG Uchenna, which the media aide dismissed as inconsequential.
When pressed further on the need to make his certificate public to clear any doubt on the controversy, he claimed the minister had made it public by submitting to the Department of State Services(DSS) during the ministerial screening .
In the same vein, hearing in the suit filed by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Nnaji, before a Federal High Court in Abuja, failed to proceed as scheduled, due to the inability of the lawyer to the UNN and its officials to file their responses against the suit.
Trial judge, Justice Yilwa subsequently adjourned the matter until November 10 for hearing.
The minister had dragged the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), UNN and its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ortuanya, to court, following allegations of certificate forgery levelled against him.
While the Education Minister, NUC, UNN and Prof. Ortuanya are the 1st to 4th respondents, the 5th to 7th respondents are the Registrar, UNN; a former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oguenjiofor Ujam; and the Senate respectively, in the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025.
Nnaji, in an ex-parte motion, had sought an order granting him leave to issue prerogative writs prohibiting the university and its officials from “tampering with” or continuing to “tamper with” his academic records.
The applicant in addition also sought leave to issue a prerogative writ of mandamus compelling the university and its officials to release his academic transcript to him, and asked the Minister of Education and the NUC to exercise their supervisory powers to compel UNN to do so.
In another relief, the minister also sought an interim injunction restraining UNN and its officials from “tampering” with his academic records pending the determination of the substantive suit, among others.
But in her ruling on September 22, the judge granted three of the reliefs sought by Nnaji but declined to issue any injunctive order against the respondents, before adjourning the matter to October 6, for further hearing.
Meanwhile, when the matter was called on Monday, Nnaji was represented by Sebastine Hon, SAN, while E.M. Asogwa appeared for the 3rd to 7th respondents (UNN and its officers). However, no lawyer appeared for either the Minister of Education or NUC (1st and 2nd respondents). Hon, therefore, told the court that all the parties in the suit had been served.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has demanded that President Bola Tinubu urgently sanitise his cabinet by sacking and suspending ministers entangled in alleged corruption and forgery scandals.
The rights group warned that the President’s silence in the face of mounting allegations and presumed evidence of alleged misconduct portrays him as indifferent to accountability, transparency, and the fight against corruption.
In a statement issued, by Emmanuel Onwubiko National Coordinator, said that by keeping silence, Tinubu is aiding corruption
HURIWA described Tinubu’s refusal to act despite weighty allegations against members of his cabinet as “disrespectful to Nigerians who are the rightful custodians of national sovereignty.” It stressed that allowing allegedly tainted officials to remain in office makes the administration complicit in shielding wrongdoing at the highest levels of government.
It said what a good government does when such allegations come up is to take open, transparent and visible measures to investigate and then act swiftly if the accusations are proven.
ThisDay
Spotlights
Court Freezes Fidelity Bank Account Of Firm ‘linked’ To Atiku’s Son-In-Law, Over Money Laundering Allegations Connected To NNPC

A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of a Fidelity Bank account belonging to Mars Aviation Limited over money laundering allegations connected to Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), according to TheCable.
Musa Liman, the presiding judge, granted the order following an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1299/2025, was filed on July 1 and moved by Geraldine Ofulue, the EFCC counsel.
Ofulue told the court that the account is under investigation in a case involving alleged criminal misappropriation and money laundering. She prayed the court to freeze the account pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Ruling on the motion, Liman held that the EFCC’s application had merit and accordingly granted the request. Although the order was made on September 22.
The EFCC had asked the court to empower its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, or any other authorised officer to direct the managing director of Fidelity Bank to freeze the account.
According to the motion, the account number 5250350283 (C03651082) is held by Mars Aviation Limited.
In an affidavit supporting the motion, Abdulganiyu Olayide, an EFCC investigator attached to the commission’s special duties committee, said his team was assigned to probe the matter.
Olayide said the investigation followed intelligence alleging that NNPCL had made several payments to Mars Aviation for purported contracts that were phoney and granted in default of the provisions of the Procurement Act.
He added that preliminary findings revealed that huge sums of money were paid into the company’s Fidelity Bank account by NNPCL in multiple instalments.
The EFCC official said freezing the account was necessary to preserve the funds and prevent any transactions while the investigation continues.
“That I make this affidavit in good faith, believing its contents to be true and correct and in accordance with the Oaths Act,” Olayide said.
There are reports that Mars Aviation Limited is allegedly owned by Abdullahi Bashir-Haske, the founder and group managing director of AA&R. Bashir-Haske is married to the daughter of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
In August, Haske was placed on EFCC’s wanted list over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
TheCable
Spotlights
Tinubu Gives Standing Order On 2026 Hajj Fares

President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to immediately review the 2026 Hajj fares.
The directive comes after the naira’s continued appreciation against the dollar, a key factor in determining the cost of Hajj.
According to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the review is necessary to ensure that the benefits of the improved exchange rate are reflected in the fares.
The previous fares were N8.1 million for pilgrims from the Maiduguri zone, N8.2 million for other northern states, and N8.5 million for southern states.
NAHCON has been given two days to submit a new fare proposal. The Vice-President emphasized the need for close coordination between national and state officials to ensure uniformity in adopting the revised rate.
He also called for quick payment and remittance of funds to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure a smooth and timely operation.
Ibrahim Hadeija, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, said the discussion focused on finalizing arrangements for the 2026 Hajj, particularly on reducing fares for intending pilgrims.
He noted that the government’s economic reforms have strengthened the naira and that the president expects the benefits to be passed on to prospective pilgrims.
Spotlights
Why We Established N200bn Intervention Fund for MSMEs – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has explained why his administration established the N200 billion intervention fund to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and manufacturers.
Tinubu, represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, stated this in Abuja on Monday at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit, organised by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.
The president said it had become necessary to assist them in boosting competitiveness and addressing structural challenges.
He said beyond the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 4.23 per cent recorded in September 2025, the economic reforms spearheaded by his administration had started yielding tangible results across sectors.
According to him, it has surpassed projections from multilateral agencies and indigenous economic experts.
The president maintained that all the decisions taken by his administration had been “guided by the pursuit of balance between economic logic and public expectation.”
Tinubu restated his administration’s resolve to rekindle hope for poor, vulnerable and jobless Nigerians by creating corridors for them, especially the youth, to access loans, grants and equity investments.
He said, ” As a people-oriented government, our priority remains restoring hope to the unemployed, the poor, the excluded, and the vulnerable.
” We have created pathways for young Nigerians to access grants, loans, and equity investments of up to 100,000 dollars to scale their enterprises, innovate, and build sustainable livelihoods.
“We established a N200 billion intervention fund to support micro, small, and medium enterprises and manufacturers, helping them overcome structural challenges and enhance competitiveness.
“Our expansion of digital micro-loan access has improved financial inclusion, empowering small businesses and stimulating community-level productivity.
“These efforts underline our commitment to an economy that works for all Nigerians.”
The Nigerian leader attributed the significant progress his administration has made so far in stabilising Nigeria’s economy and rescuing public finance to the patience and sacrifices made by Nigerians.
“As experts in the economy, you know more than the average citizen that the stability in our foreign exchange market is not accidental.
” It reflects deliberate choices guided by the same economic wisdom that gatherings such as this embody.
“Along with subsidy removal, these decisions have rescued our public finances, stabilised the economy, and reassured investors at home and abroad.
” We owe this progress to the sacrifices of Nigerians, whose patience and understanding have been the bedrock of our endurance.
“To them, I say: the better days we promised are already within sight,” he stated.
Tinubu acknowledged what he described as a “resounding consensus” that ongoing reforms by his administration had stabilised the nation’s macroeconomic environment, with the economy “expanding to N372.8 trillion in 2024, up from N309.5 trillion in 2023.”
Tinubu said, “Our total revenue collection also rose from N19.9 trillion in 2023 to N25.2 trillion in 2024, and as of August 2025, it had reached N27.8 trillion, surpassing the revenue target of N18.32 trillion.
“These triumphs and projections are guided by the promise we have made to the nation — to grow Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio from 97 per cent, where we met it, to a sustainable level.
“Aside from the good news that this ratio has now reduced to less than 50 per cent, I am proud to share that this performance, in our early days in office, inspired Fitch to upgrade Nigeria’s sovereign rating to B, with a stable outlook, and Moody’s to lift our issuer rating to B3 with a stable outlook.
“Both praised our improved economic foresight and clearer policy direction as their barometers.”
For non-oil revenues, the president said it grew by 411 per cent year on year in August this year, with tax-to-GDP ratio now nudging 13.5 per cent, up from barely seven per cent a few years ago.
The president assured that the four Tax Reform Acts he recently signed into law would boost domestic revenue mobilisation, reduce dependence on oil, and simplify compliance.
“These reforms protect low-income earners, ensure fairness in corporate taxation, and strengthen digital innovation in tax administration.
” By promoting transparency and coordination among all tiers of government, we are laying the foundation for a fairer and more prosperous Nigeria,” Tinubu added.
The Chairman of the NESG, Mr Olaniyi Yusuf, advised the relevant stakeholders and authorities to address security as an enabler of reforms.
He said that without peace, reforms cannot take root, investors cannot take risks, and Nigerian youths cannot find opportunities for prosperity.
“Tackling insecurity in rural and urban areas alike is vital to unlock productivity and restore confidence,” he added.
Spotlights
‘Judas Iscariot’ – NUPENG Goes Dirty With Oshiomhole

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has criticised the former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, over his recent comments on the dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the management of Dangote Refinery.
Speaking last Friday on Arise TV, Senator Oshiomhole faulted the industrial action embarked upon by PENGASSAN in protest against the Dangote Refinery, which led to a nationwide shutdown of oil facilities. He described the move as “hasty” and “unfair to other workers.”
Oshiomhole noted that while unions have the right to defend workers, they must do so in ways that do not worsen the country’s economic situation.
“I think that in seeking to protect a particular set of workers, you do not then risk the jobs of several other workers. When you are pursuing a dispute, the tools you deploy must be such that they do not undermine other people’s jobs,” he said.
However, in a statement signed by Comrades Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG President and General Secretary respectively, the union expressed disappointment over Senator Oshiomhole’s remarks, describing them as a betrayal of labour principles and a distortion of established laws.
“We witness with utter disappointment a former labour leader now transformed into a vocal advocate for corporate oppression, actively campaigning against the very rights he once championed. His attempts to rationalise the victimisation of workers for exercising their fundamental rights of association and peaceful action are not only nauseating but represent a flagrant misrepresentation of Nigerian Labour Law and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions,” the statement read.
In the statement titled “Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole’s Undistinguished Anti-Worker Vitriol,” NUPENG accused Oshiomhole of betraying the cause of Nigerian workers by ignoring the sack of over 800 employees while faulting PENGASSAN’s strike method.
“Adams Oshiomhole’s criticism of PENGASSAN’s strike is an act of profound historical revisionism and political amnesia.
Section 31 of the Trade Unions Act, Cap T14, LFN 2004, legally recognises trade disputes, including industrial actions undertaken in sympathy with other workers.
PENGASSAN’s solidarity action with its members at Dangote Refinery is therefore a protected legal action.
The principle that ‘an injury to one is an injury to all’ is the foundational ethic of trade unionism globally,” NUPENG stated.
The union further described Oshiomhole’s stance as hypocritical, noting that he once led similar strikes as NLC President.
“Shockingly, this was a man who served several times on the Governing Council of the ILO and in the Committee on Application of Standards that reviews violations of workers’ rights globally. It is unfortunate that Senator Oshiomhole, by his comments, has demonstrated monumental ignorance of trade unionism,” it added.
NUPENG declared that it would no longer participate in any labour-related event where Senator Oshiomhole is present, describing him as persona non grata among oil and gas workers.
“The leadership of NUPENG hereby declares Senator Adams Oshiomhole persona non grata within the ranks of Nigerian oil and gas workers for his undistinguished denunciation of PENGASSAN’s strike against the unjustifiable sack of 800 engineers.
Henceforth, we will not participate in or lend legitimacy to any event featuring Senator Oshiomhole. The NLC, TUC, and all conscionable civil society organisations should kindly take notice,” the statement said.
The union concluded by describing Oshiomhole’s position as “a dangerous toxin designed to weaken the working class,” adding that his comments amount to a “monumental betrayal.”
“The undistinguished position of Adams Oshiomhole on the PENGASSAN strike qualifies him as the Judas Iscariot of Nigerian trade unionism. What a monumental betrayal of the cause of the working class! We advise Senator Oshiomhole to retire from commenting on labour matters, as he has irretrievably lost the moral right and legitimacy before Nigerian workers, especially those in the oil and gas sector,” NUPENG stated.
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