The Federal Government is planning to negotiate a ceiling of N1,350 per litre on the ex-gantry cost of petrol in a move aimed at shielding pump prices from fluctuations in global crude oil prices and exchange rates.

Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while addressing a press conference on fuel prices and subsidy-related questions.

However, Oyedele acknowledged that the measures being proposed by the Federal Government would not completely ease the pressure on households.

He then outlined the proposed measures, including the N1,350 ceiling on the ex-gantry or landing cost of petrol, which he said was designed to reduce volatility in pump prices.

“We are introducing price modulation. Pump prices should not have to follow every swing in global crude or exchange rate. The government is negotiating a ceiling of N1,350 a litre on the ex-gantry cost of petrol to keep pump prices stable,” he said.

According to him, where the actual cost rises above the ceiling, refiners and importers would bear the shortfall and recover it later when crude prices or exchange rates become favourable, without breaching the ceiling.

“This is neither a subsidy nor a price control; it is designed to smooth prices over time, rather than suppressing them,” Oyedele said.

He explained that the objective was to prevent sharp swings in pump prices, saying, “The reason is simple: N1,400 a litre today and tomorrow is better than N1,500 today and N1,300 tomorrow, because volatility itself adds to uncertainty and fuels go up sharply; they rarely come down as fast.”

Oyedele said the ceiling would be reviewed monthly, with adjustments made where necessary and the figures published for transparency.

He also announced a 30-day discount on petrol dispensed by NNPC Limited, with priority given to public transporters nationwide, while insisting that the measure was not a subsidy.

The NNPC limited had announced a ₦66 fuel discount for customers using the NNPC Fuel App at its stations nationwide.

“We are offering a discount on petrol dispensed by NNPC Limited for the next 30 days in the first instance with priority for public transporters nationwide. It’s not a subsidy; the government is saying we sell to you at a cost,” he said.

The minister said the government was also working on forward crude sales to domestic refiners, adding that rising production would help shield pump prices from volatility in the international market.

“We’re working with the states across the federation under the new tax laws. We are reigning in the taxes and levies that inflate fuel and logistics costs,” he added.

Oyedele said the government was also increasing funding for cash transfers to vulnerable households and subsidising credit for small businesses and consumers, while working with state governments to accelerate the rollout of compressed natural gas.

The proposed measures come amid a renewed political debate over fuel subsidies, with African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi promising to restore the subsidy if elected in 2027.

A passenger has died aboard a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Lagos after becoming unresponsive about 20 minutes before the aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Kenya Airways confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, saying the medical emergency occurred at about 9:20 p.m. Nigerian time on Tuesday.

The airline said its crew administered first aid to the passenger in line with their training and followed emergency procedures before the aircraft landed at 9:41 p.m.

“Upon landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 21:41 hrs, the aircraft was met by medical personnel, and upon further examination, the medical personnel confirmed that the passenger had passed away,” the airline said.

Kenya Airways expressed condolences to the passenger’s family and friends and said it was providing support in coordination with the family, local authorities and aviation regulators.

The airline did not disclose the identity of the passenger or the cause of death, saying it would respect the privacy and dignity of those involved.

NCAA responds

Responding to the incident, Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said the police have taken over the investigation.

Mr Achimugu said he was briefed by Kenya Airways’ country manager on Wednesday morning.

According to him, the passenger had reportedly been picked up in Madagascar after authorities there denied him entry and was being returned to Nigeria by Kenya Airways.

He said the airline was expected to return the passenger because it had transported him to Madagascar.

“The country manager said he was picked from Madagascar, after customs had earlier denied him entry into the country, and as expected, the airline that brought him into the country take him back,” Mr Achimugu said.

He further said the passenger allegedly became restless and aggressive during the return flight, attempted to gain access to the cockpit and later tried to open the rear door of the aircraft.

He explained that the passenger was subsequently restrained by members of the crew.

“When he got into the aircraft, he became restless and aggressive inside the aircraft, wanted to enter the cockpit and later wanted to open the rear door, but was later tied down. His hands were tied to his back to ensure that he stopped the troubles,” he said.

Mr Achimugu said the passenger was pronounced dead after the aircraft arrived in Lagos.

“But when he got to Nigeria, he was declared dead on arrival. I don’t want to pre-empt the police investigation, but they have taken it over for now,” he said.

He added that the deceased’s family could request an autopsy as the investigation progresses.

Police begin investigation

The spokesperson for the Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Muhammed Adeola, confirmed that an investigation had commenced.

Mr Adeola said the incident involved an “inadmissible passenger” and that complications reportedly developed during the return flight.

“Yes, it’s true, and investigations have commenced. It’s an issue of an inadmissible passenger, and the said complications arose on their way back,” he said.

He said the passenger became unable to breathe before medical personnel were alerted ahead of the aircraft’s arrival.

Mr Adeola said the police have taken statements from members of the flight crew, including the captain.

He added that the body had been deposited at a morgue in Ikeja.

Similar incident

The death is not the first reported case of a passenger dying aboard an international flight bound for Lagos.

In March 2019, a 54-year-old passenger aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta, United States, to Lagos was found unresponsive shortly before the aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The passenger was confirmed dead after the aircraft landed, with medical personnel meeting the flight at the airport.

Medical emergencies have also led to international flights returning to Lagos.

In September 2025, reports said a that a United Airlines flight from Lagos to Washington, D.C., returned to Lagos after a passenger suffered a medical emergency about 90 minutes into the journey. Medical personnel attended to the passenger after the aircraft landed.

Kenya Airways said it is providing the necessary support in coordination with the deceased passenger’s family, local authorities and aviation regulators.

The airline also apologised for any inconvenience the incident may have caused other passengers.

…As Mbah pushes for lower tariffs, speedy delivery

In a major boost to the state’s drive to expand electricity supply, attract clean-energy investments and provide more reliable power for homes and businesses, Enugu State Government has secured a $200 million investment for a 100mw solar power programme.

The investment, estimated at about N300 billion, was disclosed during a meeting between Governor Peter Mbah and a delegation from Eauxwell Nigeria Limited led by the Managing Director, Mr. Edwin Enwegbara, at Government House, Enugu.

The investment engagement, brokered through the state’s Climate and Development Investment Platform (CDIP) coordinated by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate and Sustainable Development, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, is the first major investment breakthrough facilitated by the platform established by the Mbah Administration to connect investors with government institutions, regulatory agencies and communities.

The Governor, while welcoming the investment, stressed that the state government’s interest went beyond attracting capital.

He insisted that the ultimate objective was to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to residents and businesses in the state at affordable cost.

“We want an electricity market that encourages competition and gives consumers the benefit of competitive pricing,” he said.

Governor Mbah said the tariff assumptions and financial model presented by the investors needed to be reviewed, emphasising the need to balance legitimate cost recovery by investors with electricity prices that households and businesses can afford.

“Cost recovery is important, but we must also ensure that the tariff is affordable to our people and businesses,” Mbah said.

He also called for a shorter implementation timeframe, pledging the state government’s support in removing bureaucratic and institutional bottlenecks that could delay delivery.

Speaking, Mr. Enwegbara acknowledged the need to strike that balance and said the final tariff would be determined in collaboration with the relevant electricity regulators.

He said that the proposed 100MW programme would deploy distributed solar generation, supported by battery storage, providing more dependable electricity for communities and businesses while also supporting productive activities, including agricultural processing, small businesses and other enterprises whose operations depend on reliable power.

Governor Mbah’s intervention comes against the backdrop of Enugu’s ongoing electricity-sector reforms and the state’s assumption of regulatory oversight of its intrastate electricity market.

The administration seeks to create a competitive electricity market capable of attracting further private investment.

Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme at the Rural Electrification Agency, who joined the meeting virtually, explained the structure, objectives and implementation processes of the DARES programme.

The meeting had in attendance the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, who also chairs the CDIP Steering Committee; the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze; the Commissioners for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu; Trade and Investment, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo; and Lands, Barr. Chimaobi Okorie; as well as the Special Advisers to the Governor on Project Delivery and Power, Ozurumba Afigbo and Joe Aneke, respectively, and the Chairman of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC), Mr. Chijioke Okonkwo.

Also on the Eauxwell team were the Director of Business Development, Mr. Kingsley Okenyi; the Head of Project Management, Mr. Lazarus Agu; and Project Engineer, Victoria John.

The meeting also addressed the separate Aninri electrification project.

Following the discussion, Mbah requested an urgent meeting with the President-General of the community and its traditional ruler to resolve the land-related issues and facilitate commencement of the project.