Some residents in Abuja have decried the high cost of food in most restaurants in Abuja.

The residents spoke on Wednesday in Abuja.

A market survey conducted across major markets in the FCT showed that while the prices of several staples declined after the festive season, some food items remain expensive.

It was also observed notable price drops in several food items between November 2025 and January 2026

Simon Uzor, a resident, said that food stuff had reduced in prices while the food vendors refused to reduce their prices.

Another resident, Uju Phlip, said that the cost for a plate of food within the city was still high despite the reduction in prices of food stuff and transportation.

“I hardly eat outside because with that amount I should be able to make a good meal at home.

“Some business owners like to take advantage of Nigerians in all situations, not minding how it affects the citizens or their business,” she said.

Also, Yusuf Ali urged the authorities in charge of price control to take steps tocheck the situation.

“I believe that food stuff should reduce the prices of food in restaurants.

“Even buka restaurants are doing the same, we need to caution ourselves,” he said.

A civil servant, Wale Johnson, said that the lowest cost of food in his office area was from 4,500 per plate.

“I earn N165,000 every month, I have not added transportation, house rent, and I am married with children who need to feed and go to school.

“I appeal to the government to look into our matter because it is not easy to survive,” he said.

A business woman in Wuse market, Marie Nwafor, said that her concern was the high rate of transportation despite the reduction in fuel prices.

“What is happening, fuel has reduced in price but taxi drivers did not reduce their prices.

“Transport unions need to talk to their members, the hardship is too much,” she said.

Bisi Ojo said that some drivers with CNG still charged high transportation prices, which is unfair to the citizens.

“Cars with CNG are supposed to be lesser but they take advantage of the situation.

“I recently ordered a ride and needed to put something in the trunk only to discover it was a CNG car but the price was for the normal petrol car.

“I asked him and he said that if I was not comfortable I should cancel the ride. Relevant authorities need to check these drivers,” she said.

Ojo said that some of the CNG cars that were given stickers removed it just to charge higher.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has inspired accountants to pursue chartered status to practise across the various branches of accounting and avoid being labelled mere bookkeepers.

A chartered accountant, Adeyemi Salau, advised on Wednesday when ICAN, Ilorin and District Society, visited the Queen Elizabeth Secondary School and the Government Secondary School, Ilorin.

The Catch-them-young visit was to encourage secondary students, not only to pursue the profession, but also to become chartered at a young age.

Salau encouraged early education, explaining that the district aimed to create ICAN consciousness in the students’ subconscious minds.

According to Salau, the Chief Executive Officer of Springboard Associates, being a chartered accountant is not restricted to commercial students alone, but also to science and arts students.

He said the only requirement was a minimum of five credits in O-level results, including Mathematics and English Language.

“For those who have the dream of being an accountant in future, it is not enough to be an accountant; you have to be a smart accountant and to achieve that, you must be chartered.

“This is because being a chartered accountant gives room to practise various branches of accounting like Management Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Forensic Accounting, Cost Accounting and others.

“An accountant that isn’t chartered yet is just a bookkeeper,” Salau said.

According to him, three levels qualify one as a junior accountant.

Salau urged the students to utilise the opportunity to break the record of the present youngest chartered accountant in Nigeria, who became chartered at the age of 17.

Earlier, the District Chairman, Bose Fagbile, had said the essence of the campaign was to catch them young.

Fagbile urged the students not to wait till they secure admission into higher institutions before starting the process.

“You can start right after secondary school,” she said.

To encourage the students, the district’s General Secretary, Toyin Alabi, offered to sponsor the first five students to register for the Accounting Technician Scheme (ATS) examination.

The Principal of Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, Rashida Abdul, appreciated ICAN for finding the school worthy to gain from their knowledge.

She urged the students to utilise the opportunity to make a decision that will shape their future.

On his part, the Principal of Government Secondary School, Babatunde Kuranga, said the school was privileged to be a beneficiary.

He commended the district for encouraging the students to be professionals.

The Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), has called for coordinated action to build a resilient and self-sustaining energy industry capable of delivering long-term national prosperity for Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Group, Adegbite Falade, in his maiden address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), emphasized the urgent need for strategic reforms, stronger collaboration, and enhanced value creation within the domestic energy ecosystem.

Addressing global and regional dignitaries, industry leaders, and policymakers, Falade welcomed Adama Barrow, President of The Gambia, and acknowledged representatives of the international energy community, including leadership from the Gas Exporting Countries Forum and the African Petroleum Producers Organisation.

Falade highlighted progress across the value chain, including improved upstream output, expanding gas infrastructure, and rising domestic refining capacity. Average liquids production increased to approximately 1.64 million barrels per day in 2025, with indigenous producers now accounting for more than half of national output, a milestone reflecting strengthened local ownership and supportive policy actions.

In the midstream segment, gas infrastructure projects advanced through targeted funding support, alongside continued work on key pipeline networks and near-completion of major LNG expansion efforts. Domestic refining capability also strengthened as increased operational capacity from Nigeria’s newest large-scale refinery began reducing reliance on imports.

Despite these gains, Falade cautioned that structural challenges remain. He emphasized the need for regulatory and fiscal stability, improved access to affordable long-term capital, stronger security in producing regions, and accelerated infrastructure investment through public-private partnerships. He also called for streamlined administrative costs and competitive frameworks to address operating cost premiums affecting industry participants.

Referencing the summit’s theme, Energy for Peace and Prosperity: Securing Our Shared Future, Falade underscored energy security as foundational to stability and development across Africa. He urged stakeholders to commit to collaboration across operators, regulators, service providers, and investors to shape a sustainable energy trajectory.

Reaffirming IPPG’s alignment with national policy objectives, Falade pledged continued partnership with government and industry stakeholders to advance sector transformation. He expressed confidence that dialogue and action emerging from the summit would accelerate progress toward a more secure and prosperous energy future.

The Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) represents indigenous Nigerian exploration and production companies committed to advancing national energy development, encouraging investment, and promoting sustainable growth across the oil and gas value chain.