The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has cautioned banks and insurance companies against allowing workers to bear the brunt of the ongoing recapitalisation and restructuring in the financial sector.

The Ministry made the call during the 2026 World Day for Decent Work celebration organised by the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), at ASSBIFI House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the Zonal Director, South-West, and State Controller of the Ministry, Mienye Badejo, said the post-recapitalisation era presented both opportunities and challenges, particularly for young workers who constitute the future of the banking and insurance industries.

Represented by an official in the ministry, Franca Shaahu, Badejo said among others: “Recapitalisation is reshaping the landscape of the banking and insurance industries across the financial sector. Young workers are at the centre of this transition and the reforms that accompany it. While these reforms are necessary to strengthen capital bases, improve technological capacity and enhance market performance, they should not come at the expense of workers’ rights, job security, fair wages, career development and respect for decent work.

“Young workers, who represent the future of the industry, face a number of challenges arising from this transition. These include potential job displacement resulting from automation and restructuring, rapid technological changes, increasing performance pressures and uncertainties associated with evolving workplace arrangements.

“The post-recapitalisation era presents both opportunities and uncertainties for young workers in the banking and insurance industries. It is therefore imperative that young workers become active participants in decision-making, policy discussions, workplace reforms, technological transitions and broader industry development.

“They should also be provided with secure employment, continuous opportunities for skills development and decent work opportunities that enable them to build sustainable careers.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s bilateral relations with Germany, with renewed focus on economic cooperation, investment promotion, energy partnerships, and the effective implementation of existing agreements.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, made this statement during a  visit to the Ministry in Abuja on Monday by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria, Stefan Rössel.

The minister welcomed the ambassador and his delegation, expressing Nigeria’s appreciation for Germany’s longstanding partnership and support for the country’s economic reform programme, particularly in the early stages of implementation.

He recalled that when German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Nigeria, the Federal Government was pursuing significant economic reforms that required support from international partners, including Germany, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.

The minister said Germany’s support has contributed to Nigeria’s progress in its reform efforts, adding that the country remains grateful for the cooperation and assistance it has received from its development partners.

He also acknowledged Germany’s role in facilitating high-level engagements between the two countries, particularly in trade, investment and energy cooperation, noting that discussions during the Nigerian President’s visit to Germany advanced talks on key energy agreements.

Senator Bagudu further commended Germany’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and international engagement, emphasising the importance of sustained partnerships to address evolving global economic and political challenges.

He noted that Nigeria and Germany had built a strong foundation for bilateral cooperation over the years, with significant opportunities to expand their partnership in areas that support economic growth and development.

The minister disclosed that discussions had covered cooperation involving €25 million and €300 million in export credit guarantees, identifying these as important areas for continued engagement as Nigeria seeks to expand investment opportunities and strengthen its capacity to utilise available resources effectively.

According to him, Nigeria’s reform efforts have created an opportunity to place greater emphasis on attracting investment, strengthening productive capacity, and translating international partnerships into tangible economic outcomes.

He assured the German ambassador that the ministry was prepared to work closely with the German government and its relevant institutions to deepen bilateral relations and broaden areas of mutual interest.

Earlier, Ambassador Rössel expressed appreciation for the warm reception he received, describing the relationship between Nigeria and Germany as strong and longstanding.

The ambassador, who arrived in Nigeria a few weeks ago, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to building on the partnership’s achievements and to exploring opportunities for further cooperation.

He acknowledged that both countries were operating in an increasingly complex global environment characterised by evolving strategic, political and economic challenges.

Despite these circumstances, Ambassador Rössel expressed confidence that the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Germany would provide a solid foundation for addressing emerging issues and sustaining mutually beneficial cooperation in the years ahead.

He also welcomed the ministry’s readiness to continue working with Germany, noting the importance of maintaining established partnerships while adapting to evolving circumstances.

In her remarks, the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, congratulated Ambassador Rössel on his appointment, welcomed him to Nigeria, and expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with him and with relevant German agencies.

She emphasised the importance of translating bilateral agreements and shared commitments into practical outcomes, noting that effective implementation remained critical to achieving the partnership’s objectives.

Dr Uzoka-Anite assured the ambassador that the ministry would continue to facilitate collaboration and support efforts to ensure joint initiatives progressed efficiently and delivered meaningful results.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Deborah Odoh, also welcomed the German delegation, describing Germany as a reliable partner whose technical expertise, knowledge exchange and experience had contributed to Nigeria’s development.

She said the ministry expects the ambassador’s tenure to create further opportunities to strengthen cooperation and to advance the longstanding relationship between the two countries.

The courtesy visit reaffirmed Nigeria and Germany’s shared commitment to sustaining bilateral engagement, deepening economic cooperation, and exploring opportunities for expanded investment and development collaboration.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has finally stopped the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to major marketers importing petroleum products into Nigeria.

An official of the refinery confirmed this to our correspondent, saying the refinery would no longer sell petrol to those blending Dangote fuel with imported grades.

Another source told our correspondent that the refinery now prefers to sell its petrol to members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and others not known for importing.

It was learnt that the development informed why some marketers went to court to get an order that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority should continue to grant them import licences.

The marketers feared that they might be left stranded if they could not import fuel at a time when the Dangote refinery had halted petrol sales to them. Dangote had earlier threatened to stop transacting business with fuel importers, whom it accused of blending its Euro-5 petrol grade with imported grades.

It is concerned that such practices could make it difficult to distinguish between products supplied directly by the refinery and products subsequently blended or handled by third parties.

Reacting, importers and petroleum marketers kicked against the restriction of petrol sales to marketers who import petrol, describing the move as an attempt to block imports. The marketers also challenged the refinery to provide evidence that imported petrol entering the Nigerian market is below the required quality standard.

The marketers, who preferred not to be mentioned, accused Dangote of trying to prevent the importation of petrol. “We know what Dangote is trying to do. He is just trying to block imports,” one of the marketers said. The marketer argued that a company that sells petrol could not dictate whether a consumer should combine its product with fuel purchased from another supplier.

Using the example of motorists buying petrol from different filling stations, the marketer said Dangote could not prevent consumers from combining products sourced from different suppliers.

Another marketer also argued that the Federal Government had a responsibility to ensure an adequate petrol supply and protect consumers, insisting that imports remain necessary when domestic production drops.

Speaking, the National Vice Chairman of the IPMAN, Hamed Fashola, stated that the Dangote refinery is selective about who it sells petrol to because not all major marketers import.

Clarifying IPMAN’s purchasing position amid market competition, Fashola noted that independent marketers operate flexibly to secure the most competitive pricing, sourcing supply indiscriminately from both local refineries and importers.

Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, expressed the belief that the Dangote refinery is open to doing business with anyone.

Ukadike noted that independent marketers are ready to buy and sell petrol from all suppliers, stressing that they were not currently involved in importing the product.

While saying he would not know if importers truly blend Dangote’s petrol with imported petrol, he concluded that Dangote is in the best position to determine whatever it can do to discourage blending.

 “So, if there is any measure to discourage adulteration of petroleum products by Dangote, I think the refinery and its experts know best. They know the best way to deal with that. But our own is to continue to buy and sell to marketers. If there is a way to discourage adulteration of petroleum products, I won’t stop Dangote from doing so,” Ukadike added.