Beating Barca would make us Newcastle Legends – Howe

  Eddie Howe has urged his players to become Newcastle legends by emulating the club’s famous 1997 Champions League win over Barcelona when they face the Spanish giants in the last-16 first leg. Newcastle host the La Liga leaders on Tuesday in a potentially life-changing moment for Howe’s side. Fans still talk in reverential tones about Faustino Asprilla’s hat-trick and Keith Gillespie’s brilliant performance in the Magpies’ 3-2 win over Barca in the Champions League group stage 29 years ago. Howe, then starting his playing career at Bournemouth, watched that remarkable match on television as a teenager. Now, Howe and company have a chance to etch their own names in the annals of Newcastle history by defeating Hansi Flick’s star-studded team. “Yes, I watched the game. I was very focused on my playing career. But you couldn’t watch that moment. It was one of those legendary games,” Howe told reporters on Monday. “Of course, we want people in future years to be talking about this team. Tino Asprilla gets a hat-trick from those Keith Gillespie deliveries on the right. “I’d want our players to be talked about the same way in 20 or 30 years.” Newcastle have made it to the Champions League last 16 for only the second time. Howe is well aware of the magnitude of the achievement after he arrived at Newcastle in 2021 with the club in disarray. Together with the financial muscle provided by Newcastle’s Saudi owners, Howe has transformed the club from laughing stock status. – ‘A moment for us to grab’ – Newcastle won their first trophy in 56 years when they shocked Liverpool in the League Cup final last season. Beating Barcelona would be an even greater feat for Howe, who urged his players to seize what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “There are only 16 teams left, and we are one of them. It is very much an opportunity to grab a moment that we may never get again. You don’t know what life brings tomorrow, let alone future seasons,” Howe said. “We don’t want to kick ourselves, we don’t want to waste the opportunity and think what ifs. “So this is a moment for us to grab. In my time here, just over four years, we have worked to get to this point. “As long as we perform to our maximum, we have to accept the result.” Having labelled the Barca game as the biggest match in Newcastle’s history, Howe said adopting an underdog mentality could help stun the five-time European champions. “That’s very much the mentality we need, rising to the occasion, embracing the size of the game,” he said. “The underdog role to a degree in my time here has helped us in my time here, when we have been in that situation when we felt the odds were stacked against us. “We are going to need to use every psychological tool because there’s no denying we are playing a very good team, an outstandingly well-coached team. “All our Champions League games have been a great rehearsal for this moment.” Newcastle have already faced Barca this season, losing 2-1 at home in the group stage thanks to a Marcus Rashford double. “When you are playing the very best teams, you take a lot of that with you going forward,” Howe said. “We can take a lot from the performance. Hopefully, we can learn lessons from that tie.” AFP

US Warns Citizens of Possible Terror Threat to Facilities, Schools in Nigeria

  The United States Embassy in Nigeria has warned of a possible terrorist threat targeting US facilities and US-affiliated schools in the country. In a security notice issued via its website on Monday, the embassy said the alert was intended to inform American citizens in Nigeria of potential risks and advised them to take additional precautions when visiting U.S. diplomatic missions and affiliated institutions. According to the notice, U.S. citizens should exercise increased vigilance when travelling to its offices in Abuja and Lagos, as well as schools affiliated with the United States. “The U.S. Embassy in Abuja informs U.S. citizens of a possible terrorist threat against U.S. facilities and U.S. affiliated schools in Nigeria. “The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens take additional precautions when traveling to the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, and U.S. affiliated schools, to include varying times and routes,” the statement read. The embassy advised American nationals to vary their travel times and routes, avoid predictable routines, and ensure their mobile phones are charged in case of emergencies. “Be aware of your surroundings, keep a low profile, review your personal security plans, vary your regular routes, keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency, stay alert in public places, avoid crowds and demonstrations, and familiarize yourself with emergency exits when entering buildings,” it said. The embassy did not spell out the source of the threat. The warning in Nigeria also comes amid a global security warning by the United States after Washington and Israel attacked Iran, which has responded with missile and drone attacks against its U.S.-aligned neighbours. It also follows protests in Lagos and some northern states by members of the South-West leadership of the Islamic Movement, who denounced the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in strikes by the United States and Israel. The development comes as Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, wife of Iran’s Supreme Leader, reportedly died from injuries sustained during recent United States and Israeli strikes at her residence in Tehran. Recall that President Donald Trump on Christmas Day ordered U.S. bombings of Nigeria, saying he was targeting jihadists. The attack came after Trump complained that Christians were facing persecution in Africa’s most populous nation, an assessment that is contested in a country that has seen widespread violence against both Christians and Muslims.

Appeal Court dismisses Aiyedatiwa’s Appeal on Re-election Eligibility

  The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, challenging a ruling of the Federal High Court in Akure in a suit questioning his eligibility to contest the next governorship election in the state. In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel on Monday, the appellate court held that the trial court properly exercised its discretion when it granted an application by the plaintiff, Dr Akindele Egbuwalo, to amend his originating summons in the case. Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who read the lead judgment, ruled that Aiyedatiwa failed to show that the Federal High Court’s decision to allow the amendment occasioned any miscarriage of justice or denied him the right to a fair hearing. The appellate court therefore dismissed the appeal for lacking merit and awarded N2m in costs against the governor. The ruling affirmed the November 24, 2025, decision of the Federal High Court in Akure, which granted Egbuwalo leave to amend the originating summons in his suit challenging Aiyedatiwa’s eligibility for re-election. Earlier in the proceedings, the Court of Appeal also dismissed an application filed by Aiyedatiwa seeking to set aside an order it made on January 27, 2026, staying further proceedings in the suit before the Federal High Court. The court held that the stay of proceedings did not amount to arresting the judgment of the trial court but was a lawful exercise of the appellate court’s jurisdiction aimed at protecting the integrity of its proceedings. According to the court, the appeal had already been entered, records compiled, and briefs filed as of the time the order was made. The panel further held that “the order was necessary to preserve the res in the matter and prevent the appellate proceedings from being rendered nugatory.“ It added that asking the Court of Appeal to set aside the order it validly made on January 27, 2026, would amount to inviting the court to sit on appeal over its own decision. The court noted that the option available to the governor was to challenge the decision before the Supreme Court. The panel subsequently awarded another N2m in costs against Aiyedatiwa.  

BREAKING: Again, Dangote Refinery Hikes Petrol Price to N1,175

  The cost of goods and services across Nigeria is expected to rise further following a fresh increase in petrol prices after the Dangote Petroleum Refinery raised the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit to N1,175 per litre, marking the third upward adjustment within a week. The latest price revision comes hours after The PUNCH projected that petrol prices could rise for the third time within a week following the temporary suspension of petrol sales at the refinery on Sunday. The refinery announced the price hike to marketers on Monday, raising the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit to N1,175 per litre from N995 per litre announced on Friday, representing an increase of N180 or about 18.1 per cent within three days. It also revised the gantry price of Automotive Gas Oil, commonly known as diesel, to N1,620 per litre. A senior official of the refinery, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, confirmed the adjustment to our correspondent, stating that the revision had already been communicated to marketers and depot operators. “Yes, the gantry prices have been adjusted. PMS is now N1,175 per litre while Automotive Gas Oil is N1,620 per litre,” the official said. “The market has been extremely volatile, and replacement costs have shifted significantly in recent days. These adjustments reflect prevailing market fundamentals and the cost environment we are currently operating in.” Checks by our correspondent on the industry pricing platform, petroleumprice.ng showed that the revised rates had already been updated across petroleum depot pricing systems, indicating a shift in the benchmark price used by downstream marketers. The new price is the third surge in petrol prices within a week, following adjustments that pushed gantry prices from N774 to N995 per litre. As a result, retail pump prices in several states now exceed N1,000 per litre, as some stations now dispense petrol at about N1,200/litre, intensifying economic pressures on Nigerians. The latest hike is expected to trigger another round of increases at filling stations nationwide, as higher fuel costs typically translate into higher transportation, logistics, and production costs for businesses. It also betrays efforts by the Federal Government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, to secure crude oil supply for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery through third-party international traders, in a bid to sustain domestic refining operations. Officials, however, warned that the intervention may not immediately translate into lower petrol prices for consumers. Nigerians currently grapple with high fuel prices, following the recent hikes in the cost of the commodities by the $20bn Lekki-based refinery.  

2027: Sani, Abbas ask Kaduna APC to Deliver Two Million Votes

  Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Tuesday charged the newly elected State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress in the state to deliver no fewer than two million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. The directive came as Isaac Atiku Sankay emerged as the consensus chairman of the party during the state congress held at Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna. Sankay, born in 1983, is the current Special Adviser on Peace and Conflict Resolution to the Governor and was adopted by stakeholders after consultations across the 23 local government areas of the state. Addressing delegates at the congress, Sani described the exercise as a defining moment in the continued consolidation of the APC in the state. “This congress reflects our internal cohesion and democratic discipline. It shows that Kaduna APC is united and prepared for the future,” the governor said. He disclosed that 6,885 ward executives were elected across the 255 wards in the state during the ward congresses. According to him, 621 local government executives also emerged from congresses conducted across the 23 local government areas. “At the state level, 36 executive members have been affirmed and sworn in. This underscores the strength of our party structure and our presence in every community,” Sani added. The governor maintained that the adoption of consensus candidates was not a sign of weakness but an indication of political maturity and unity. “Our focus is governance, development and electoral victory. We must begin mobilisation from the polling units and ensure alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he stated. In his remarks, Abbas urged the new executives to immediately swing into action and unite all factions within the party. “You must deliver over two million votes for President Tinubu and the same for Governor Uba Sani in 2027. That is the task before you,” the Speaker said. He commended the outgoing leadership for securing victories for the party in the 2015 and 2023 elections, expressing confidence that the 2027 target was achievable. In his acceptance speech, Sankay thanked God and party leaders for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to justify the trust. “I will serve with discipline, courage and measurable results. We will strengthen internal democracy, deepen grassroots mobilisation and create opportunities for youth and women participation,” he said. The outgoing State Chairman, Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekada (retd.), thanked party faithful for their support during his eight-year tenure, noting that he was leaving behind a more united and formidable APC in Kaduna State.

Lawyers’ Absence Stalls El-Rufai’s N1bn Suit Against ICPC, Others

  The fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and others was on Tuesday, stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja due to the absence of counsel for the respondents. El-Rufai is seeking N1bn in damages over what he described as an unlawful search of his Abuja residence. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, is before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. When the matter was called, only Ubong Akpan appeared in court for the applicant. There was no representation for the respondents. Akpan informed the court that although the case was slated for mention, the respondents had yet to be served with the court processes. He, therefore, sought an adjournment to enable proper service. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until March 11 for further mention. El-Rufai had dragged the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate’s Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation to court as 1st to 4th respondents, respectively. In the originating motion dated and filed on February 20, by his lead counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, the former governor is praying the court to declare that the search warrant issued on February 4, by the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate’s Court, authorising the search and seizure at his residence is invalid, null and void. He is also asking the court to hold that the warrant lacked particularity, contained material drafting errors, was ambiguous in its execution parameters, overbroad in scope and unsupported by probable cause, thereby amounting to an unlawful and unreasonable search contrary to Section 37 of the Constitution. The applicant further prayed the court to declare that the invasion and search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 at about 2pm by operatives of the ICPC and the police constituted a gross violation of his fundamental rights. According to him, the action breached his rights to the dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution. El-Rufai also urged the court to declare that any evidence obtained pursuant to the allegedly invalid warrant is inadmissible in any proceedings against him, having been procured in breach of constitutional safeguards. He is seeking an order restraining the respondents and their agents from further relying on, using or tendering any evidence or items seized during the search in any investigation, prosecution or proceedings involving him. The former governor further asked the court to direct the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to immediately return all items seized from his residence, alongside a detailed inventory. He is equally seeking N1bn as general, exemplary and aggravated damages. The breakdown of the claim includes N300m as compensatory damages for psychological trauma, emotional distress and loss of personal security; N400m as exemplary damages to deter future misconduct by law enforcement agencies; and N300m as aggravated damages for what he described as the malicious, high-handed and oppressive conduct of the respondents. He also claimed N100m as the cost of filing the suit, including legal fees and associated expenses. In his grounds of argument, Iyamu contended that the search warrant was fundamentally defective for allegedly lacking specificity in the description of items to be seized, containing typographical errors, ambiguous execution terms and overbroad directives without verifiable probable cause. He argued that the alleged defects contravened Sections 143 to 148 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Section 36 of the ICPC Act, 2000, and constitutional provisions protecting citizens from arbitrary intrusion. Specifically, counsel submitted that Section 143 of the ACJA requires that an application for a search warrant be supported by information in writing and on oath setting out reasonable grounds for suspicion, which he claimed was absent in the instant case. He further argued that Section 144 mandates a particular description of the place to be searched and the items sought in order to prevent the issuance of general warrants, but that the warrant in question vaguely referred to “the thing aforesaid” without adequate detail. Iyamu maintained that the execution of the warrant on February 19 resulted in an unlawful invasion of his client’s residence and inflicted humiliation and distress. The case is expected to come up again on March 11.   Punch

Khamenei Killed by Israeli Strike, not US Operation – Pentagon

  The Pentagon’s policy chief on Tuesday distanced the United States from the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying he was killed by an Israeli strike. Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Elbridge Colby said the strike that killed Khamenei and other senior Iranian leaders was not part of the American military campaign. “Those are Israeli operations,” Colby said, pushing back when pressed by lawmakers about whether regime change was an objective of US action. Colby’s restrained tone contrasted with that of President Donald Trump, who has framed the conflict in sweeping and triumphant terms since the strikes began. “For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted death to America and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder,” Trump said Saturday. In a social media post, Trump said Khamenei was “unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems” and that, “working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.” The divergence in tone underscored broader questions about the administration’s aims in Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that Washington acted only after learning Israel was preparing to strike, suggesting the US role was reactive rather than part of a broader plan. Colby sought to narrow the scope of US objectives. “The objectives of the military campaign… are focused on addressing the ability of the Islamic Republic to project military power against us, our bases, our forces, et cetera, as well as our allies and partners in the region and beyond,” he said. He described the primary targets as Iran’s missile firepower — which he said had grown substantially — as well as its capacity to produce those weapons and elements of the Iranian navy. Those goals, he argued, were “scoped and reasonable objectives that can be attained.” Pressed by Jack Reed, the panel’s top Democrat, on how the killing of Iran’s top leader fit with those objectives, Colby reiterated that he was “talking about the goals of the American military campaign,” adding that the leadership strikes were Israeli actions. While Trump has publicly urged the Iranian people to seize an “unprecedented opportunity” to overthrow the government, Colby maintained that the US military campaign is focused on degrading Iran’s power projection capabilities — not explicitly on regime change.   AFP  

Reps move to recover $7bn from foreign airlines

  The House of Representatives has commenced moves to recover over $7bn allegedly owed to the Federation Account by some foreign airlines operating in the country since 2023. The Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Abiodun Faleke, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the flag-off of the review of the 2023–2025 revenue monitoring exercise of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. Faleke, who represents Ikeja Federal Constituency of Lagos State, expressed concern over the scale of indebtedness by both foreign and domestic airlines, following submissions made by FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku. Kuku told the committee that out of N25.86bn owed by airline operators in 2023, the agency recovered N8.08bn, representing 31.25 per cent, leaving an outstanding balance of N17.78bn. She did not provide details of recoveries made in 2025. Documents submitted to the committee showed that out of an approved revenue target of N292.93bn for the period under review, FAAN generated N191.43bn, representing 65.35 per cent performance and a shortfall of N101.5bn. The FAAN boss explained that the debts were owed by both foreign and domestic airlines, including moribund carriers. She added that the International Air Transport Association is responsible for remitting certain revenues accruing from foreign airlines, a process she said has contributed to delays in payments. Lawmakers, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations, especially against the backdrop of Nigeria’s rising public debt and continued foreign borrowing to finance the national budget. They also questioned the accounting framework used by the agency and pointed to inconsistencies in the revenue performance figures presented. While reacting, Faleke said, “We are aware that when President Bola Tinubu took over, there was over $7bn owed in the international carriers. So, we want a full record of all your debts in 2023, 2024, and 2025. And when the call is made, those who are owing, we want to know them. The issue of passenger data is critical. Apart from this, we want to know how many airlines are actually coming to Nigeria. How many flights did you receive in 2023, 2024, and 2025? How many passengers? And I’m sure you have the manifests.” He subsequently directed the FAAN management team to reappear before the committee with a comprehensive statement of indebtedness from 2023 to 2025, including detailed manifests of foreign and domestic airlines operating within the period under review. Airlines operating in Nigeria are required to remit various statutory charges to the Federal Government through FAAN and other aviation agencies. These include landing and parking fees, passenger service charges, terminal navigation charges and other regulatory levies. Over the years, however, concerns have persisted over delayed remittances and accumulation of debts by both local and international carriers. Some domestic airlines that have ceased operations reportedly left behind significant unpaid obligations, while foreign airlines’ payments are often processed through international clearing systems coordinated by global aviation bodies. The issue of outstanding payments has gained renewed attention amid intensified revenue oversight by the House Committee on Finance. “The committee has, in recent months, embarked on a broad revenue monitoring exercise targeting government agencies with a view to improving remittances into the Federation Account and reducing reliance on borrowing. With Nigeria facing fiscal pressures and a widening budget deficit, lawmakers say plugging revenue leakages, including unpaid aviation charges, is critical to strengthening public finances and funding infrastructure development without resorting to excessive debt.

Sophia Momodu’s Lawyer Demands N1bn from Davido Over Harassment Allegation

  A Lagos-based law firm, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, has issued a pre-action notice to music star Davido, whose real name is David Adedeji Adeleke, over alleged harassment, threats to life, cyberbullying and defamation of one of its partners, Ebelechukwu Enedah. In a letter dated February 24, 2026, which was seen by our correspondent today, and addressed to Adeleke, the firm stated that it was acting on the instruction of Mrs Enedah and formally notified him of her intention to commence legal action. The letter was signed by Decency Nkume, Associate, and Nnamdi Oragwu, Partner, on behalf of Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors. “We are Counsel to Mrs Ebelechukwu Egeonu Enedah (hereinafter referred to as ‘Our Client’), on whose unequivocal instruction, we notify you of her intention to commence legal action against you,” the letter read. The firm alleged that the dispute began during proceedings in Suit No: LD/1587PMC/2024, David Adeleke v. Sophia Momodu, at the Lagos State High Court on February 12, 2026. According to the letter, Adeleke allegedly conducted himself in a manner unbecoming of a litigant by becoming aggressive and verbally abusive towards Mrs Enedah, who appeared as counsel for the respondent, Sophia Momodu. “Your conduct deteriorated to such a degree that physical restraint became necessary to prevent further disruption to the proceedings,” the firm stated. It further claimed that the court directed him to apologise in open court, but that he failed to comply. “The Honourable Court directed you to apologise to Our Client in open court for your conduct, which directive you disobeyed,” the letter added. The firm also alleged that the incident spilt onto social media, accusing Adeleke and accounts allegedly affiliated with him of publishing posts that exposed Mrs Enedah to public harassment and threats. Among the statements attributed to Adeleke in the letter were: “I disgraced you in the courtroom… I was teaching you your work, you couldn’t even take it… You are a wicked human being, UR THE WORST LAWYER EVER! I BEAT YOU IN COURT!” Describing the publications as deliberate and malicious, the firm stated, “To publicly brand a lawyer of her standing as ‘THE WORST LAWYER EVER’ is not the expression of grievance. It is a deliberate and malicious act of reputational destruction.” It added that the consequences of the posts were severe. “The consequences were swift and severe. Our Client was immediately subjected to a torrent of abusive text messages, threatening telephone calls, and explicit threats to her safety and the safety of her family,” the letter read. The firm stressed that legal practitioners are entitled to carry out their professional duties without intimidation, harassment or public ridicule, particularly in matters involving the custody and welfare of a minor. In addition to demanding an immediate cessation of further commentary on the pending suit, the firm called for a public apology. “You are hereby required to issue a clear and unequivocal public statement withdrawing the defamatory statements and offering an unreserved apology to Our Client,” it stated. The law firm further said its client was demanding compensation in the sum of one billion naira (₦1,000,000,000) as damages for the alleged harassment, defamation and emotional distress. It warned that failure to comply within seven days of receipt of the letter would result in legal action. “Should you fail, refuse, or neglect to comply with the above demands within seven (7) days of receipt of this letter, Our Client shall, without further recourse to you, commence an action at the High Court of Lagos to seek the reliefs outlined herein,” the letter stated. PUNCH Online reports that Davido had in recent years been involved in a protracted custody and child support dispute with Sophia Momodu, the mother of his daughter. The matter has generated significant public attention, with both parties previously exchanging claims in court and in the media. The latest controversy appears to have stemmed from a court session linked to the ongoing custody proceedings. Following the February 12 hearing, social media posts attributed to Davido criticised the opposing counsel, triggering widespread online reactions and sparking debate over professional conduct, freedom of expression and the limits of public commentary on sub judice matters. As of the time of filing this report, Adeleke had yet to publicly respond to the allegations or the demands contained in the pre-action notice.

Dangote Refinery Raises Petrol Price to N875

  The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has increased its Premium Motor Spirit gantry price by N101, raising the ex-depot rate from N774 to N875 per litre, heightening concerns over fresh fuel price increases across the country. A senior official at the refinery confirmed the development to The PUNCH on Monday, noting that the adjustment followed recent volatility in global crude oil prices. “Yes, the price has been reviewed. The new gantry price is now N875 per litre from N774. The review became necessary due to changes in global crude fundamentals and replacement costs,” the official said. Checks by The PUNCH on petroleumprice.ng confirmed that the revised price had already been reflected, indicating a shift in downstream pricing benchmarks. The price increase came shortly after the refinery suspended petrol loading operations effective midnight on March 2, 2026, following a sharp surge in international crude oil prices, which crossed the $80 per barrel threshold overnight. Data obtained from industry sources showed that Premium Motor Spirit loading stopped at exactly midnight, halting product lifting and the issuance of Proforma Invoices, an indication that fresh transactions were temporarily paused. However, the suspension applied strictly to petrol, as Automotive Gas Oil, popularly known as diesel, continued to load. The refinery’s action also triggered a coordinated response across the downstream sector, as several private depot owners nationwide halted petrol sales during the trading day. “Several depot owners suspended PMS sales because of the crude rally. The market is already factoring in risk premiums. Nobody wants to sell below replacement cost,” a downstream operator said. The development comes amid heightened global oil market volatility linked to tensions between the United States and Iran, which have raised concerns about supply disruptions, particularly in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Five energy experts, in separate interviews with The PUNCH on Sunday, warned that Nigeria could witness further increases in petrol and diesel prices if crude oil prices climb above $90 per barrel. They said sustained hostilities in the Middle East could disrupt global supply chains, increase shipping and insurance costs, and raise import and refining costs for products despite Nigeria’s growing local refining capacity.