Presidency Responds to Governor Makinde’s Claim on NLNG Dividends The Presidency wishes to clarify Governor Seyi Makinde’s claim that the Federal Government is withholding ₦250 billion in NLNG dividends for each state of the Federation. At the 2027 Budget Stakeholders’ Consultative Engagement held at the Olola Ogunlana Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan,…
Do not fragment a market that is beginning to work …Why the proposed electricity act amendment risks setting back Nigeria’s renewable energy revolution -By Dr. Abba Aliyu Nigeria is at an important inflection point in its electricity-sector reform journey. For decades, our national conversation has rightly focused on a stubborn challenge:…
SEEPCO Opens Pathway to Prestigious Underwater Welding Careers for Akwa Ibom Youths …State Government commends initiative for promoting youth empowerment, local content and peaceful coexistence Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) has strengthened its partnership with the Nigerian Navy through the development of the KALI Series of security support vessels, highlighting…
NERC Tightens DisCos’ Revenue Use, Mandates Network Investment The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a revised order directing electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to allocate part of their earned Non-Administrative Operating Expenditure (Non-Admin OpEx) to critical network improvement projects. The order, which took effect from September 4, 2026, is aimed at accelerating network upgrades,…
Nigeria’s Refining Capacity Receives Boost as Azikel Refinery Enters Final Construction Phase Nigeria’s refining capacity is set to receive a boost as the $1bn Azikel Refinery in Bayelsa State advances towards completion, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo challenging the project’s promoter to deliver the facility within the next 12 months. The refinery’s progress comes amid expanding refining capacity in Nigeria, following the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s increase in crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) in June, surpassing its original nameplate design of 650,000 bpd. The country’s refining capacity could expand further with the rehabilitation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s refineries, which have a combined capacity of 445,000 bpd, alongside the construction of BUA’s proposed 200,000 bpd refinery and the operations of modular refineries. The Azikel Refinery is expected to contribute to this expansion when completed, strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to process crude oil domestically and potentially positioning the country as a major exporter of refined petroleum products in Africa. Obasanjo issued the completion challenge on October 12 during the inauguration of the refinery’s Crude Distillation Unit at Obunagha, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The former president expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress since he laid its foundation stone eight years ago, commending Azikel Group President, Dr Azibapu Eruani, for his vision and entrepreneurial courage. “My challenge to you, Dr Eruani, is to ensure that the refinery is completed within the next 12 months. With this done, you can even double the capacity,” Obasanjo said. He expressed hope that the facility would become operational before his 90th birthday in March 2027. The refinery, owned by Azikel Petroleum, a subsidiary of Azikel Group, is designed to produce 2.5 million litres of petrol and two million litres of diesel daily, alongside other refined petroleum products. The Crude Distillation Unit, inaugurated at the event, is a key component of the facility, separating crude oil into fractions for further processing. When completed and operational, the refinery is expected to create jobs, stimulate supporting businesses, expand domestic refining capacity and promote local value addition in the petroleum industry. Speaking at the event, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, described the project as an important step towards increasing the Niger Delta’s participation in the petroleum value chain. He commended Eruani and the Azikel Group for investing $1bn in the refinery, urging young people in the state to acquire technical and vocational skills to prepare for employment opportunities expected to emerge when the facility becomes operational. Diri, however, renewed calls for an increase in the 13 per cent derivation allocation to oil-producing states, arguing that the current arrangement does not adequately compensate the Niger Delta for the environmental and social costs of crude oil extraction. “As people of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, we have protested and fought because we feel that God gave us something in our land, but we are not benefiting from it. Others are benefiting and see us as second-class citizens,” the governor said. He argued that oil-producing communities had continued to demand greater benefits from their natural resources, adding that the existing resource-control framework limited their participation in managing and benefiting from resources extracted from their territories. “The Land Use Act is unfair. Surface resources belong to states, but what lies underneath belongs to the Federal Government. That law is obnoxious and not good for any just society,” Diri said. He added,“We do not want to take all to ourselves. We just want to be co-players in determining how it is done. Thirteen per cent is not enough for the states.” Obasanjo supported the governor’s call for an increase in the derivation allocation, describing the current 13 per cent as a starting point for further discussions. “You are right that the states and oil-producing communities have not got a fair deal so far. Thirteen per cent is the beginning. You can continue to talk. The most important thing is that even the little you have received, you have used it well,” the former president said. Diri also called on oil companies operating in the Gbarain-Obunagha area to rehabilitate the road leading to the refinery, stressing the importance of supporting infrastructure to industrial development. In his address, Eruani said the project was conceived to transform the Niger Delta from a region associated mainly with crude oil production and export into a centre for refining and industrial development. He thanked President Bola Tinubu, Diri, the financial institutions, contractors and technical partners for supporting the project. Obasanjo also acknowledged the contributions of the African Finance Corporation and the African Export-Import Bank, as well as the technical and engineering teams working on the refinery. A board member of Azikel Petroleum, Dr Daru Owei, and the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom and Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Bubaraye Dakolo, also commended Eruani for the investment. They expressed optimism that the refinery would contribute to economic growth in Bayelsa, the Niger Delta and Nigeria by expanding industrial activity and creating opportunities for local participation in the petroleum industry.
Ghana’s Mining Contractor Deadline Faces Uncertainty After Suspension Ghana’s deadline requiring multinational mining operators — Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti and Zijin Mining — to transfer mining operations to local contractors by December 2026 faces uncertainty following a temporary suspension of the directive and subsequent reaffirmation of the deadline by the country’s mining regulator. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources agreed to temporarily suspend the directive in May following consultations with the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union, which raised concerns about potential job losses, reduced wages and weaker employment benefits under local contracting arrangements. According to the union, the government also agreed to establish a committee to review the local content policy and incorporate workers’ concerns into its implementation. The suspension was announced on May 26. However, the Minerals Commission reaffirmed its position in September, with its Director of Local Content, Ben Birch-Mensah, describing the December 31, 2026 deadline as “non-negotiable”. In a report published on September 10, Reuters said the Commission was still pressing for compliance, identifying Newmont, Zijin and Ghana Manganese Company among the firms yet to meet the requirements. The report did not clarify whether the government had formally lifted the earlier suspension. Under regulations introduced in January 2025, surface mining operations must be undertaken by fully Ghanaian-owned companies, while underground mining must be carried out by companies with at least 50 per cent Ghanaian ownership. The requirements cover activities including blasting, loading, hauling and dumping, with the government seeking to strengthen local participation in the mining industry and retain more value from the country’s mineral resources. In April, the Minerals Commission directed Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti and Zijin to complete the transition by December 2026 or face sanctions, including possible mine shutdowns. Newmont had requested an extension until 2027, citing additional regulatory and governance requirements associated with its status as a publicly listed company. The Commission rejected the request, according to Reuters. AngloGold Ashanti said it had already engaged a contractor through a 50/50 joint venture at its Iduapriem gold mine and had begun the process of transitioning fully to a local contractor. Zijin, meanwhile, said it was preparing tenders and technical frameworks to comply with the rules. The policy has faced opposition from mineworkers, who argue that local contractors may offer lower wages and weaker job security than multinational mining companies. The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union has warned that the transition could undermine workers’ livelihoods unless adequate protections are introduced. Meanwhile, the Minerals Commission is developing minimum wage benchmarks and tender requirements for mining contractors to prevent unsustainable bidding practices and protect workers’ earnings. The Ghana Chamber of Mines has questioned making contract mining compulsory, arguing that the decision should be commercially driven, while supporting measures to prevent contractors from undercutting one another at the expense of wages, training and safety. With the December deadline approaching, the unresolved status of the temporary suspension leaves questions over the implementation of the policy and the obligations of the affected mining companies.
FG Flags-off Construction for 16MW Mini-Grid, Commissions 1MW Project in Gombe The Federal Government has commissioned a 1 megawatt solar mini-grid project equipped with a 2.4 megawatt battery energy storage system in the Tallasse community of Balanga Local Government Area, Gombe State. The commissioning event held on Saturday also marked the official groundbreaking for…
NCDMB, Heritage Energy Train 48 Nigerians in Subsea Engineering The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) and Global Oceon Engineers Nigeria Limited, has launched a Human Capacity Development programme to train 48 Nigerians in subsea engineering. The kick-off ceremony took place on Friday, October 16,…
FG, REA Advance Reliable Power Supply with Ground-Breaking of 17.7mw Ibadan Interconnected Mini-Grid …Project builds on growing pipeline of interconnected mini-grids designed to strengthen electricity supply and catalyse local economic development The Federal Ministry of Power, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a 17.7MW interconnected mini-grid in Ibadan,…
Falcon Corporation Receives Long Service Partnership Award from NNPC Gas Marketing Limited …Celebrating Over Two Decades of Trusted Partnership Falcon Corporation Limited (FCL), one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous Natural Gas distribution companies, has received a Long Service Partnership Award from its principal partner, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML), in recognition of more than 20…