Energy

By Ali Elias Champions of Nigerian Content AwardsDate: Wednesday, May 21st, 2025Time: 7:00 PM In a landmark move to spotlight excellence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) will unveil the inaugural Champions of Nigerian Content Awards during NOGOF 2025.Scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, at 7 PM, the awards will honour individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to advancing Nigerian Content and promoting indigenous capacity.According to the Board, the initiative is designed to “recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the development of Nigerian content.” The awards aim to encourage greater accountability and reward exemplary compliance with Ni...

By PR The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, on Friday undertook a facility visit to Caverton Helicopters, Lagos, expressing amazement at the advanced state of its technical capabilities for aviation-related services in the oil and gas sector. He commended the company for its track record of performance and huge investments toward maintenance of helicopters within Nigeria, which he described as a milestone, assuring its Management that NCDMB was prepared to partner the company meaningfully in its ventures. According to the NCDMB boss, “This is what President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants: Nigeria First,” adding that “We can change the narrative; we can be what we want to be as a nation without relying on outsi...

By PR About 1,000 delegates are expected at the 5th Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) 2025 to be hosted by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), at the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, between May 20 and 22, 2025.   The biennial event which offers a unique platform to present upcoming project opportunities in the oil and gas industry – upstream, midstream, and downstream – fostering investments, and advancing local content, will have federal ministers, industry regulators and chief executive officers of international and indigenous operating and oil and gas service companies in attendance. Over 50 exhibition stands by players in the industry, manufacturers and researchers are also expected at the event. ...

The Depot And Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has expressed concern over a growing monopoly in the downstream petroleum sector, citing the dominance of the Dangote Refinery as a potential threat to market stability. In a recent interview, DAPPMAN Executive Secretary Olufemi Adewole clarified that while there’s no “cabal” in the sector, private depot owners have “vested interests” after investing billions to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply. “They were there when nobody else was,” Adewole said. “They bridged the gap and ensured Nigerians had access to fuel. They deserve returns on their investments.” His remarks followed claims by Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote that entrenched interests were sabotaging his $20 billion refinery, which has been “f...

By Ali Elias Newly Promoted Executive Recently Launched Landmark Book on Nigeria’s Local Content Strategy The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced the promotion of Dr. Obinna Joseph Ezeobi to the position of General Manager, Corporate Communications Division. His elevation, which took effect on May 7, 2025, has been met with widespread commendation within the oil and gas industry and beyond. Dr. Ezeobi, a seasoned communication strategist and scholar, has been instrumental in shaping the Board’s strategic communication approach and driving its visibility across critical stakeholders. With over a decade of progressive service at NCDMB, he has earned a reputation for professionalism, strategic insight, and effective engagement. The newly appoint...

By Ali Elias The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Monday, May 6, 2025, carried out a joint assessment visit to the Centre of Excellence on Local Material Substitution at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), as part of efforts to deepen research and innovation in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.The visit was led by the General Manager, Research and Statistics, Mr. Silas Ajimijaye, and focused on evaluating progress at the centre, sharing technical knowledge, and ensuring contractors working on similar centres align with global standards.Mr. Ajimijaye also held discussions with the Deputy Vice Chancellor of FUTO, during which he reaffirmed NCDMB’s commitment to the operational success of the centre. He emphasized the Board’s expectation that FUTO ...

By Ali Elias Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest man and President of the Dangote Group, has reiterated his commitment to the survival of his $20 billion refinery in Lekki, Lagos, amidst ongoing challenges. Speaking at an investor forum in Lagos, Dangote expressed confidence in overcoming obstacles posed by entrenched interests benefiting from Nigeria's long-standing fuel importation regime. "We're fighting, and the fight is not yet finished. But I have been fighting all my life, and I am ready and 100 percent sure I will win at the end of the day," Dangote stated. The 650,000 barrels per day refinery, which began petrol production in September 2024, aims to reduce Nigeria's reliance on imported refined fuel. However, Dangote has accused certain groups of sabotaging the refinery's ...

By PR Yenagoa, Nigeria – The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Sweetcrude Limited, has announced the detailed selection criteria for the inaugural Champions of Nigerian Content Awards, designed to honor outstanding contributions to local content development in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Scheduled for May 21, 2025, at the NCDMB Conference Hall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the awards will recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing Nigerian Content in 2024. The ceremony will coincide with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), further spotlighting industry excellence and contributions to national economic transformation. The 12 Award Categories are: Nigerian Conte...

By Ali Elias LAGOS : Seplat Energy Plc has reactivated 10 previously idle oil wells, boosting Nigeria’s crude output by approximately 11,000 barrels per day (bpd), the company revealed in its Q1 2025 audited financial results. According to the report, the Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU) initiative—formerly Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU)—revived the wells under its idle well restoration programme, significantly enhancing the company's joint venture (JV) production capacity. “SEPNU idle well restoration programme added approximately 11,000 bpd gross JV production from the first 10 wells restored,” the company said. Financial Performance Surges Seplat posted N1.228 trillion in revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2025—an almost fivefold increase f...

By Ali Elias Shell plc has reported $5.6 billion in adjusted earnings for Q1 2025, a 52% jump from the previous quarter but still 27% lower year-on-year. The performance beat analysts’ expectations of $5 billion and was supported by strong results across all business segments. The oil major also announced a $3.5 billion share buyback, continuing a streak of quarterly repurchases since 2021. However, free cash flow fell to $5.3 billion, down from $9.8 billion in Q1 2024, mainly due to softer oil prices. Shell’s Integrated Gas division led the way with $2.5 billion in earnings, followed by Upstream at $2.3 billion and Chemicals and Products at $449 million. CEO Wael Sawan said in a statement:"Shell delivered another solid set of results in the first quarter of 2025. We further st...