The European Union has restated its commitment to respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and pledged continued cooperation with the country in areas such as peacebuilding, interfaith relations, and human rights promotion.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, made the clarification in Lagos during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, where he addressed recent comments made about Nigeria by former United States President Donald Trump.

According to Mignot, the EU’s relationship with Nigeria is guided by its long-standing strategic partnership with the nation and is not influenced by the positions of other countries.

He said, “Our position is one of solidarity with Nigeria – solidarity with victims of violence, with authorities working to protect citizens, and with the Nigerian people who overwhelmingly desire peaceful coexistence beyond ethnic and religious divides.”

The ambassador emphasised that the EU and its member nations respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and acknowledge its constitutional commitment to religious neutrality.

He noted that the EU remains willing to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria in peace, security, and defence, while also engaging key actors including civil society organisations, traditional institutions, and religious leaders.

Mignot confirmed that the EU continues to implement peace and social cohesion programmes across Nigeria aimed at promoting harmonious living among citizens.

He added, “We also support programmes on deradicalisation, demobilisation and reintegration of ex-members of non-state armed groups in the North-East.”

The diplomat further stressed the EU’s commitment to safeguarding all communities in Nigeria, particularly minority groups, and upholding freedom of religion and belief.

Acknowledging challenges in the human rights space, Mignot said Nigeria has a legal foundation that guarantees fundamental liberties. “The situation is not perfect, as in any country, but there exists a constitutional basis for the protection of human rights. It is up to Nigerian authorities and society as a whole to uphold and strengthen this environment of peaceful coexistence,” he stated.

He explained that the EU collaborates closely with civil society organisations on initiatives aimed at fostering interfaith understanding and building stronger relations among religious communities.

Mignot added that EU support remains non-discriminatory and is designed to assist all victims of violence, regardless of the motives behind such incidents.

According to him, the union’s engagement with Nigeria remains stable and predictable, driven by “shared interest in a stable, prosperous, and democratic Nigeria,” rather than the actions or positions of other global actors.

Mignot also revealed that discussions between Nigeria and the EU on peace, security, and defence are expected to take place soon to further enhance bilateral cooperation.

He emphasised that the EU’s priority is to support Nigeria’s efforts toward peace and prosperity, noting that the country’s long-term progress “lies firmly in the hands of Nigerians themselves.”

His comments followed threats by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently suggested punitive measures against Nigeria over alleged anti-Christian violence and labelled the country a “Country of Particular Concern” in social media posts.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on Tuesday disclosed plans to raise its equity stake in the $20bn Dangote Petroleum Refinery to 20 per cent, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity and consolidate its position in the downstream oil sector.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Bayo Ojulari, made the disclosure while speaking at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2025. Ojulari said the move aligns with NNPCL’s long-term strategy to deepen local participation in the energy value chain and ensure energy security.

“The company is working towards increasing its stake in Nigeria’s Dangote refinery to 20 per cent,” Ojulari said as reported by Reuters.

His remarks come just weeks after the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, revealed plans to list between five and 10 per cent of the refinery’s shares on the Nigerian Exchange within the next year, mirroring the public listing model of its cement and sugar subsidiaries.

“Within the next year, the refining business will list five per cent to 10 per cent of its shares on the Nigerian stock exchange,” he said, mirroring a playbook established by the group’s cement and sugar businesses. We don’t want to keep more than 65 per cent to 70 per cent,” Dangote said, explaining that shares will be offered incrementally subject to investor appetite and market depth.

“I want to demonstrate what this refinery can do, then we can sit down and talk,” Dangote said. This move would represent a fresh investment of almost 13 per cent above its current 7.2 per cent stake.

The announcement also comes on the heels of NNPC’s ongoing search for technical and equity partners to revive its three dormant state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. Despite years of rehabilitation funding, the refineries have remained idle, forcing the country to rely heavily on imported petroleum products.

It is believed that if the Dangote refinery reaches full operational capacity and NNPCL completes its refinery rehabilitation programme, Nigeria could finally achieve self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products, a goal that has eluded Africa’s biggest crude producer for decades.

Ojulari further noted that the state-owned oil company had made significant progress in enhancing transparency across its operations as it prepares for its much-anticipated initial public offering.

“The IPO journey is by law. The Petroleum Industry Act prescribes that NNPC must move towards becoming a publicly listed company. It’s not an option for us,” the NNPC boss noted. “Since May this year, we have started publishing our monthly performance reports, and that has continued as part of our efforts to build public trust and accountability.”

With the company’s IPO plans still in view, Ojulari said NNPC was positioning itself as a globally competitive energy company driven by efficiency, transparency, and profitability. “We are building an institution that Nigerians can be proud of, one that is commercially driven, transparent, and ready to compete globally,” he said.

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✅ Rephrased News Report

BUSINESS: NNPC Eyes 20% Stake In Dangote Refiner

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has announced plans to increase its equity share in the $20bn Dangote Petroleum Refinery to 20 per cent, a move aimed at boosting domestic refining capacity and strengthening its position in the downstream oil and gas sector.

Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Bayo Ojulari, made the announcement during the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2025. He explained that the decision aligns with the company’s long-term objective to expand Nigeria’s participation in the energy industry and ensure sustained energy security.

According to Ojulari, “The company is working towards increasing its stake in Nigeria’s Dangote refinery to 20 per cent,” as reported by Reuters. His statement follows recent developments regarding ownership plans for the facility.

Only weeks earlier, Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote, disclosed plans to list between five and 10 per cent of the refinery’s shares on the Nigerian Exchange in the next year. He said the move follows the model used for the group’s cement and sugar companies.

Dangote explained, “Within the next year, the refining business will list five per cent to 10 per cent of its shares on the Nigerian stock exchange,” adding that his group intends to retain between 65 and 70 per cent ownership. He noted that the remaining shares would be offered gradually based on market demand. “I want to demonstrate what this refinery can do, then we can sit down and talk,” Dangote said.

The development coincides with NNPC’s efforts to secure technical and equity partners for the rehabilitation of its non-operational refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. Despite considerable investment over the years, the refineries have remained idle, leaving Nigeria dependent on imported fuel.

Industry observers believe that achieving full operation at the Dangote refinery, combined with successful rehabilitation of NNPC’s refineries, could finally lead Nigeria to self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products — an objective that has long been unattained.

Ojulari also highlighted advancements in transparency as NNPC moves toward a public listing. He noted that the transition to a publicly listed company is mandated by law under the Petroleum Industry Act. “The IPO journey is by law. The Petroleum Industry Act prescribes that NNPC must move towards becoming a publicly listed company. It’s not an option for us,” he said.

He added that NNPC has been publishing monthly performance reports since May as part of efforts to enhance accountability. With its IPO plans progressing, Ojulari stated that NNPC is positioning itself for global competitiveness. “We are building an institution that Nigerians can be proud of, one that is commercially driven, transparent, and ready to compete globally,” he said.

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has rejected claims by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central that its personnel seized her passport in an alleged attempt to stop her from travelling.

Speaking to Channels Television on Tuesday, NIS spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi responded shortly after the senator released a video alleging she was being prevented from flying. He explained that the situation was a normal part of airport immigration clearance.

According to Akinlabi, “NIS didn’t seize the distinguished senator’s passport, but rather she went through routine immigration checks and was allowed to travel.” He emphasized that the officers were carrying out standard duties and acted within the law.

He further stated that immigration officials sometimes take passports temporarily to conduct necessary checks, but that does not amount to confiscation. “The NIS officers needed to conduct their checks. They may take your passport to do so, but that doesn’t mean it was seized as alleged.”

Akinlabi noted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan completed her checks and travelled as planned. He added that the senator may have assumed she was being stopped because she was waiting for the process to be concluded. “She has since been allowed to travel. Perhaps while waiting for the checks to be completed, she assumed she was being stopped from travelling.”

He pointed out that the senator’s video was recorded during the routine process, and she did not provide an update after clearance was granted. “She has travelled since then. The video was made while she was going through the checks, not after. The passport was never seized,” he said.