Headlines
Failure of Oil, Gas Sector Reason for Poverty, Hunger in the Country, Says Agbakoba, Threatens to Sue FG
A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has threatened to drag the Federal Government to court to determine the constitutionality of continuing outsourcing of oil and gas management to International Oil Companies (IOCs) through Joint Ventures (JVs) and Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs).
Agbakoba also called for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, insisting that the current system has ‘completely failed’ and is responsible for poverty and hunger across the country.
The human rights lawyers, who stated this at a press conference in Lagos, argued that the current Contract Oil model directly contradicts Sections 16 and 44(3) of the Nigerian Constitution.
He maintained that the law mandates the government to manage Nigeria’s natural resources in a manner that secures the maximum welfare, freedom, and happiness of every citizen and that the current arrangement, which primarily benefits IOCs, falls far short of this constitutional requirement.
Agbakoba also stated that it is a fundamental principle of administrative law that statutory bodies, including the government, can not delegate their core functions without express legal authorisation. Without such express authority, the current arrangements may be ultra vires and potentially void.
The lawyer said, “These responsibilities, fundamental to the nation’s sovereignty and economic well-being, may be inherently governmental and thus incapable of being lawfully delegated to private entities. Furthermore, it is dubious whether the federal government has the authority to delegate the inherent rights of Nigerians to their natural resources to third parties.
“While the federal government is reluctant to consider shared or joint ownership with state governments, who represent Nigerians more directly, it sees no issue in delegating, outsourcing, and sharing joint ownership with IOCs. This inconsistency raises questions about the government’s interpretation and application of its constitutional mandate.
“We will approach the court to declare that the PIA, the current legal framework for the continued outsourcing or unlawful delegation of the management of Nigeria’s oil and gas to IOCs, is unconstitutional.
“The dominance of IOCs in the sector has historically limited opportunities for developing local content and building domestic capacity in the oil and gas industry,” he said.
Agbakoba also said that the current system of JVs and PSCs, which was initially justified by a lack of funds, now appears to violate the inherent rights of Nigerians over their natural resources.
He stated that if the country adopts a “Development Oil” approach, it can reclaim control over its vital oil and gas sector and transform it into a powerful engine for national development.
The senior lawyer insisted that this paradigm shift requires bold policy changes, including securitising oil reserves through a Sovereign Oil Fund, allowing Nigeria to finance its oil and gas operations.
He said, “The current exit of IOCs presents both a challenge and an opportunity for new Nigerian actors in the oil and gas sector. In collaboration with the federal government, these actors must rise to the occasion and build a new strategy for oil and gas exploration based on development oil principles.
“By aligning the oil and gas sector with broader national interests and constitutional obligations, Nigeria can create a more diversified, resilient, and prosperous economy that truly benefits all its citizens. This approach not only promises economic growth but also reaffirms Nigeria’s sovereignty over its natural resources, ensuring that they are managed for the welfare and security of all Nigerians, as mandated by the constitution,” Agbakoba stated.
Leadership
United States Representative Riley Moors has said further military strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria could follow recent operations ordered by President Donald Trump, describing the actions as aimed at improving security and protecting Christian communities facing violence.
Moore made the remarks during a televised interview in which he addressed U.S. military strikes carried out on Christmas Day against militant targets in North-west Nigeria.
The strikes were conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government, according to U.S. and Nigerian officials.
“President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria, he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death,” Moore said.
He said the Christmas Day strikes against Islamic State affiliates had provided hope to Christians in Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by repeated attacks during past festive periods.
According to U.S. authorities, the strikes targeted camps used by Islamic State-linked groups operating in parts of north-west Nigeria.
Nigerian officials confirmed that the operation was carried out with intelligence support from Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation between both countries.
The United States Africa Command said the operation was intended to degrade the operational capacity of extremist groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces.
Nigerian authorities have described the targeted groups as a threat to national security, noting their involvement in killings, kidnappings and raids on rural communities.
Moore said the strikes marked a shift from previous years in which attacks were carried out against civilians during the Christmas period. He said the U.S. administration was focused on preventing further violence by targeting militant groups before they could launch attacks.
U.S. officials have said the military action was carried out with the consent of the Nigerian government and formed part of broader security cooperation between the two countries. Nigeria has received intelligence, training and logistical support from international partners as it seeks to contain militant activity.
Moore had previously called for stronger international attention to attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria and has urged continued U.S. engagement in addressing extremist violence. He said further action would depend on developments on the ground and continued coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Nigerian officials have maintained that counter-terrorism operations are directed at armed groups threatening civilians, regardless of religion, and have reiterated their commitment to restoring security across affected regions.
World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua on Monday survived a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State.
Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.
Joshua reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two persons were said to have died on the spot.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that any attempt to hurriedly re‑gazette Nigeria’s new tax laws could undermine parliamentary oversight and set a dangerous constitutional precedent.
Atiku’s warning follows public scrutiny over reports that the Tax Reform Acts signed by President Bola Tinubu differ from the versions passed by the National Assembly. Lawmakers, including Abdussamad Dasuki, raised concerns that the alterations could pose serious legal and constitutional risks, noting that they were not backed by any constitutional framework.
In a statement on X, Atiku said the directive to re-gazette the Acts effectively confirms “that the gazetted version of the Tinubu Tax Act does not reflect what was duly passed by the National Assembly,” calling it “a grave constitutional issue.”
He emphasized that under Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, a bill only becomes law after passage by both chambers, presidential assent, and gazetting.
“Gazetting is merely an administrative act of publication. It does not create, amend, or validate a law,” Atiku said, adding that any post-passage insertion, deletion, or modification without legislative approval constitutes forgery rather than a clerical error.
Atiku further warned that rushing a re-gazetting while legislative investigations are ongoing “undermines parliamentary oversight and sets a dangerous precedent,” stressing that the only lawful approach is “fresh legislative consideration, re-passage by both chambers, fresh presidential assent, and proper gazetting.”
The former vice president clarified that his position is not opposition to tax reform but a defence of constitutional order.
“This is a defence of the integrity of the legislative process and a rejection of any attempt to normalise constitutional breaches through procedural shortcuts,” he said.
The Federal government has denied wrongdoing, insisting the laws will take effect as scheduled on January 1, 2026, while the National Assembly has directed the issuance of Certified True Copies of the Acts to ensure clarity and accuracy.
