Fuji and Apala fans are in for a treat as contemporary Apala-Fuji star, Wasiu Haruna Ishola L1, prepares to release his highly anticipated double album, Masterpiece, in Lagos this November. Supported by Big Bodeyy Promotions, the launch is scheduled for the second week of the month.

The album offers two distinct listening experiences — one side rooted in Fuji rhythms and the other in pure, original Apala music — giving audiences a fresh yet authentic take on indigenous Nigerian sounds.

Popularly known as Lagunja 1, Wasiu Haruna Ishola is the son of late Apala legend Haruna Ishola Bello and brother to renowned musician Musiliu Babatunde Haruna Ishola. With Masterpiece, he both honours his lineage and recognises the influence of his mentor, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde K1 De Ultimate, whose artistry helped shape his approach to music.

“This album is both a tribute to tradition and a bold step into the future,” Lagunja 1 said. “It is dedicated to my late father and to my mentor, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde K1 De Ultimate, while embracing digital innovation.”

He stressed that Nigerian musicians must embrace global advancements to rejuvenate audience tastes:

“We have to explore more, acquire new knowledge and take advantage of the ever-evolving digital world,” he added.

With its seamless blend of heritage and modern artistry — and inspired by K1 De Ultimate’s groundbreaking style — Masterpiece is positioned to be one of the standout Nigerian music releases of the year.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a 4.23 per cent growth in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter of 2025, indicating an improvement from the 3.48 per cent recorded in the same period last year. However, labour unions and stakeholders in the real sector have questioned the relevance of the figures, citing a disconnect between economic data and the realities faced by Nigerians.

The NBS attributed the improvement to the recent rebasing of the GDP, using 2019 as the new base year. The agency stated that previous quarterly estimates were adjusted to reflect the rebased series, offering more accurate sectoral comparisons.

“This procedure provided a new quarterly GDP series, which is compared to the 2025 second quarter estimates,” the NBS noted. “GDP grew by 4.23 per cent (year-on-year) in real terms in the second quarter of 2025.”

Labour Rejects GDP Figures, Cites Harsh Economic Conditions

Despite the reported growth, senior officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expressed skepticism about the accuracy and practical impact of the data. One official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, argued that the figures fail to reflect worsening conditions for workers and average citizens.

“When we talk about GDP growth, the key question is how it impacts the lives of the people. If it does not translate into better living conditions, then it is meaningless,” the official said. “This is what we call growth without development.”

He also questioned the basis of the GDP calculations, claiming they were being manipulated ahead of elections. “Statistics that don’t reflect on-ground realities are useless to the citizenry,” he added.

Attempts to get a response from the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, were unsuccessful.

Another senior NLC official criticized the reported unemployment rate of about four per cent, calling it “a falsehood” driven by neoliberal policies. He insisted that unemployment remains far higher than official figures suggest and warned that such discrepancies undermine economic planning.

“Do you see the 4.23 per cent GDP growth in your life? I don’t,” the official stated. “Conditions are worsening, workers are suffering, yet officials claim the economy is growing.”

Oil Sector Fuels GDP Rebound

According to the NBS report, the nominal value of Nigeria’s economy reached ₦100.73 trillion in Q2 2025, up from ₦84.48 trillion in the same period of 2024, marking a 19.23 per cent year-on-year increase. The surge was driven largely by the oil sector, which saw average daily crude oil production rise to 1.68 million barrels per day, compared to 1.41 million barrels per day in Q2 2024.

The oil sector recorded real growth of 20.46 per cent, a significant turnaround from 1.87 per cent in the previous quarter. Its contribution to overall GDP rose to 4.05 per cent, up from 3.51 per cent a year earlier. The mining and quarrying sector, which includes crude petroleum, coal, and other minerals, also posted real growth of 20.86 per cent. Coal mining expanded by 32.59 per cent, while quarrying rose by 50.41 per cent.

Non-Oil Sector Remains Economic Anchor

Despite strong oil performance, the non-oil sector remained dominant, contributing 95.95 per cent to GDP. It grew by 3.64 per cent in Q2 2025, compared with 3.26 per cent in Q2 2024 and 3.19 per cent in Q1 2025.

Growth in the non-oil sector was driven by agriculture, telecommunications, real estate, trade, construction, finance, and energy services. Agriculture grew by 2.82 per cent, rebounding from just 0.07 per cent in the previous quarter, though its share of GDP declined to 26.17 per cent from 26.53 per cent.

Industrial growth more than doubled to 7.45 per cent, while the manufacturing sector slowed to 1.60 per cent, with its contribution dropping to 7.81 per cent.

Mixed Sectoral Performance

The construction sector expanded by 5.27 per cent year-on-year but contracted sharply on a quarterly basis. The services sector grew by 3.94 per cent, slightly higher than the 3.83 per cent recorded a year earlier.

Trade accounted for 18.28 per cent of GDP but saw a slowdown in growth to 1.29 per cent from 1.82 per cent the previous year. Information and communication services grew by 6.61 per cent, contributing 11.18 per cent to GDP, while finance and insurance surged by 16.13 per cent.

Transport and storage grew significantly by 22.09 per cent, while electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning rose by 11.47 per cent. Water supply, waste management, and remediation services expanded by 10.60 per cent, reflecting broad growth in the utilities subsector.

Finance Minister Stresses Need for Higher Growth

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has previously stressed the need for higher growth to lift the poorest Nigerians out of poverty. In July, Edun reiterated that Nigeria must sustain at least seven per cent annual growth to make a tangible impact on the lives of vulnerable citizens.

“To really help the poorest and most vulnerable, we need to be doing around seven per cent per annum,” Edun said during a policy meeting in May.

Private Sector Voices Concern Over Economic Disconnect

Members of the organised private sector also expressed caution despite the reported GDP growth. In separate interviews, they warned that the macroeconomic gains were not being felt by businesses or households.

Dr. Femi Egbesola, President of the Association of Small Business Owners, said: “GDP is growing, and that is a sign of hope. However, it is not translating into the daily realities of businesses and households. That is not happening at the moment.”

He described the challenges facing the manufacturing sector as alarming and warned that the collapse of small businesses could lead to worsening hardship.

“When the manufacturing sector is under pressure, it’s a red flag. If this continues, we may see growth in large corporations, but small businesses will collapse, and households will suffer,” Egbesola added.

He also pointed to declining trade activity, citing low consumer purchasing power and trade barriers as contributing factors. He urged the government to look beyond headline numbers and address the economic struggles of ordinary Nigerians.

Segun Kuti-George, National Vice President of the National Association of Small-Scale Industrialists, echoed similar sentiments. While acknowledging the GDP growth as a positive sign, he stressed that real progress must come from the real sector.

“Growth in services is good, but sustainable economic development hinges on real sector expansion. If that sector is not growing, more policy attention should be directed there,” he said.

Credit: The Punch

Bulk fuel buyers and filling station operators across the country are abandoning intermediaries in favour of direct delivery from the Dangote Refinery, following the launch of its free logistics fuel distribution initiative.

This development was disclosed by the President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Yusuf Othman, during a live interview on TVC News. Othman criticised the refinery’s free delivery system, saying it is undermining existing agreements between bulk fuel users and transporters affiliated with NARTO.

Othman explained that NARTO members operate approximately 30,000 trucks and cannot afford to provide fuel transportation services at no cost. He noted that many of the agreements—both formal and informal—entered into with clients are now being jeopardised.

According to him, many companies had entered into service agreements with NARTO members, some of which were used as collateral to secure bank loans for the purchase of delivery trucks. He lamented that those deals are now under threat, as Dangote Refinery offers free direct delivery to customers.

“Although there has been no formal notification, we have received credible information that customers are being supplied directly, in violation of existing contracts. This has sparked widespread concern among our members,” Othman said.

He called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intervene, citing Section 212 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which he claims prohibits such practices.

Othman urged the Dangote Group to consider the broader implications for other stakeholders in the industry, stating that while the refinery’s success is desirable, it should not come at the expense of other operators’ survival.

When contacted for further comments on Sunday, Othman declined to speak further, revealing that a truce was being considered to allow room for ongoing negotiations.

Prior to this development, middlemen typically procured fuel from depots or refineries and resold to bulk consumers. However, Dangote’s direct-to-customer supply strategy has shifted that model, with buyers now opting for cost-saving direct delivery.

The Dangote Refinery officially commenced its free fuel logistics programme last Monday. The initiative includes the deployment of over 1,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks to distribute fuel across key states.

According to the Dangote Group, the first phase of distribution will cover Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Kwara, and Abuja. Plans are underway to expand nationwide as more trucks are added to the fleet.

The new scheme also includes a reduction in pump prices. In Lagos and other South-West states, fuel will retail at N841 per litre, while in Abuja, Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Kwara, the price will be N851 per litre.

In a statement, Dangote Group confirmed that the first deployment phase includes the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Kwara, Delta, Edo, Rivers, and South-West states, with nationwide coverage planned as truck availability improves.

Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) President, Abubakar Shettima, confirmed on Friday that deliveries had already commenced. He said Dangote’s trucks were discharging fuel at no cost in several Western states.

Shettima stated that the scheme is operational in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Oyo, adding that the proximity of these areas to the refinery has facilitated early rollout.

He added that marketers under IPMAN were pleased with the arrangement, and confirmed that his members have started receiving products under the free delivery initiative.

Speaking on the pricing, Shettima explained that fuel prices would drop from N865 to N841 per litre at the pump once the Dangote-supplied fuel reaches more stations.