…Say Timely Disclosure on Jet A1 Pricing and Supply Has Helped Avert Operational Disruption by Airlines

An oil sector advocacy group has commended the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for stabilising the aviation fuel market, saying the regulator’s recent intervention helped to ease tensions across the aviation sector and avert a potential disruption to air travel operations.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Centre for Energy Market Integrity and Sustainability (CEMIS) said the NMDPRA’s clarification on fuel availability and pricing came at a critical moment when uncertainty over Jet A1 costs had heightened anxiety among airline operators and industry stakeholders.

The statement, signed by the centre’s executive director, Dr. Tunde Adeyemi, noted that confirmation of over 70 days of aviation fuel sufficiency reflects a strong supply position and underscores the resilience of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum framework.

Adeyemi said the regulator’s data-backed disclosure helped to counter widespread speculation, including claims of a possible surge in aviation fuel prices to unsustainable levels, which had triggered concerns about flight disruptions and fare increases.

“The timely intervention by the Authority provided much-needed clarity and helped to calm frayed nerves within the aviation ecosystem. At a time when misinformation could easily have escalated into a crisis, the regulator chose transparency and facts, which is commendable,” Adeyemi said.

He added that aviation fuel remains one of the most significant cost drivers for airlines in Nigeria, making stability in supply and pricing critical to the sustainability of the sector.

According to him, the NMDPRA’s emphasis on the deregulated nature of the Jet A1 market is also important in shaping realistic expectations among stakeholders, noting that pricing is influenced by global oil trends, foreign exchange fluctuations, and logistics costs.

“It is essential for industry players to understand that aviation fuel pricing is not arbitrary but driven by market dynamics. What the regulator has done is to provide a clear picture of the situation, which helps to guide informed decision-making,” he observed.

The group also pointed to the role of domestic refining in moderating fuel prices, describing it as a positive development that could reduce Nigeria’s exposure to external shocks.

CEMIS said indications that locally refined aviation fuel is being sold at rates slightly below international benchmarks highlight the growing impact of domestic capacity on price stability.

The centre further commended the NMDPRA’s commitment to monitoring supply and pricing trends nationwide, noting that proactive oversight is key to preventing profiteering and ensuring that consumers are not subjected to undue costs.

It urged stakeholders across the aviation fuel value chain to engage constructively and avoid amplifying unverified claims that could distort market realities or undermine confidence in the sector.

“Responsible engagement is critical at this time. All parties must work together to sustain stability and ensure that the gains recorded are not reversed by panic or misinformation.”

Adeyemi also praised the leadership of Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, the Authority Chief Executive (ACE), for what he described as a steady and reassuring approach to regulation.

“Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed has demonstrated that calm, informed leadership can make a significant difference in moments of uncertainty. His approach to addressing the aviation fuel concerns reflects a commitment to transparency, coordination, and market stability, which has helped to reinforce confidence in the regulatory system,” he said.

CEMIS called on the federal government to continue supporting regulatory institutions in the energy sector, stressing that strong oversight and consistent policies are essential to sustaining progress.

The group maintained that the recent intervention by the NMDPRA highlights the critical role of effective regulation in safeguarding both economic activity and public confidence, particularly in sectors as interconnected as energy and aviation.

The 2 Division Inter-Brigade Corporals and Below Competition 2026 commenced on Monday at the Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ekehuan Barracks, Benin City, with 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, serving as host of the week-long event.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Commander of 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, welcomed participants from various formations and expressed gratitude for their safe arrival.

He noted that the competition comes at a critical time when Nigeria faces evolving security challenges, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the operational readiness of personnel.

Balogun stated that the exercise is designed to enhance combat proficiency, leadership capacity, teamwork, endurance, and organisational skills among junior soldiers.

He added that the competition would also promote esprit de corps and better prepare participants to respond effectively to emerging threats.

Events scheduled for the competition include drill, weapon handling and firing, combat cross-country run and obstacle crossing, map reading, and combat swimming.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, represented by the Commander 32 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Justin Ifeanyi, urged participants to maintain professionalism throughout the exercise.

He assured that a team of impartial judges had been constituted to ensure fairness and transparency, stressing that no team would be favoured or disadvantaged.

Nnebeife also disclosed that adequate arrangements had been made to guarantee a smooth and successful competition.

He called on all participants and officials to adhere strictly to the rules and take the exercise seriously.

He further appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for providing the necessary resources for the competition, as well as the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training for its continued support in improving the annual event.

Participating formations in the 2026 competition include 4 Brigade, 12 Brigade, 32 Artillery Brigade, 22 Armoured Brigade, 42/52 Engineers and Signals Brigade, and 2 Division Garrison.

The opening ceremony was attended by heads of security agencies in Edo State and other invited guests. Highlights of the first day included drill competitions among participating formations, presentation of souvenirs, and group photographs.

A coalition of Nigerians in the United States has strongly criticised recent remarks by US lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, describing her call for the removal of Bello Matawalle as “ill-informed, externally influenced, and injurious to Nigeria’s sovereignty”.

Operating under the banner of the Nigerian-American Coalition for Strategic Stability (NACSS), the group said the intervention by the US lawmaker reflects a troubling pattern of foreign commentary shaped by actors with little understanding of Nigeria’s complex security environment.

In an e-statement issued on Thursday and signed by its convener, Dr Maxwell Akarachi, the coalition warned that attempts to scapegoat key officials within Nigeria’s defence architecture risk distorting facts and emboldening those working against the country’s stability.

Akarachi said Daniels’ position appeared “curiously aligned with narratives long promoted by vested interests intent on discrediting Nigeria’s security institutions,” raising concerns about the motivations behind her claims.

“It is deeply concerning that a foreign legislator would adopt such a narrow and accusatory stance without engaging the full spectrum of stakeholders or appreciating the progress being made under extremely difficult circumstances,” he said.

The group argued that Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly in the north-central and north-west regions, are the result of years of structural vulnerabilities, cross-border criminal networks, and evolving asymmetric threats that cannot be reduced to the actions of a single office holder.

According to Akarachi, portraying Matawalle as a liability based on “unproven and recycled allegations” not only undermines ongoing security efforts but also risks legitimising misinformation at a time when coordinated action is most needed.

“Those pushing these narratives know exactly what they are doing. They are attempting to fracture confidence in Nigeria’s defence leadership by amplifying half-truths and presenting them as established facts,” the statement read.

The coalition maintained that since his appointment under the administration of Bola Tinubu, Matawalle has been part of a broader, coordinated push to strengthen military operations, enhance intelligence sharing, and stabilise troubled regions.

While acknowledging that security incidents continue to occur, the group noted that there have been incremental but significant gains in disrupting armed groups and restoring access to communities previously overrun by bandits.

Akarachi also questioned the timing of Daniels’ remarks, suggesting they could be exploited by groups seeking to internationalise Nigeria’s internal security discourse for political or strategic gain.

“When foreign voices echo unverified claims and prescribe drastic actions, it raises legitimate questions about whose interests are truly being served. Nigeria must not become a theatre for externally driven narratives that weaken its institutions.”

The coalition further emphasised that accountability within Nigeria’s security sector must be pursued through established legal and institutional frameworks, not through what it described as “public campaigns orchestrated from afar”.

It urged international partners to exercise caution and responsibility in their engagements with Nigeria, stressing that constructive collaboration, not accusatory pronouncements, is essential in addressing shared security concerns.

“We welcome global partnerships, but such partnerships must be grounded in respect, accuracy, and a genuine commitment to solutions,” Akarachi added.

The group concluded by calling on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to remain vigilant against what it termed “coordinated attempts to delegitimise national institutions,” insisting that the country’s security challenges require unity, resilience, and strategic clarity.

“Hard times demand steady leadership, not opportunistic criticism. Nigeria’s path to stability will not be dictated by external pressure, but by the strength and coherence of its own institutions,” the statement added.