Energy

By Ali Elias NEWS Submissions have opened for the 2025 Nigeria Prize for Science and the Nigeria Prize for Literature, two of Africa’s most prestigious awards, each valued at $100,000.  This year, the Science Prize focuses on breakthroughs in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Technologies that can drive development. The Literature Prize, meanwhile, is calling for Prose Fiction entries.  “The rapid evolution of AI and digital technologies provides a unique opportunity for Nigeria and other developing nations to leapfrog traditional development trajectories. Our goal is to celebrate groundbreaking solutions that can directly impact Nigeria’s journey toward sustainable development,” said Professor Barth Nnaji, Chairman o...

By Ali Elias The Nigerian fuel market is undergoing a significant transformation as independent marketers abandon their franchise agreements with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in favor of cheaper alternatives from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. Across Lagos and its environs, filling stations that once bore the NNPCL logo are being rebranded under private ownership, marking a shift in the nation’s downstream oil sector. This move is driven by the refinery’s recent reduction in its ex-depot price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N950 to N890 per litre, making it a more attractive supplier compared to imported fuel. Industry insiders confirm that oil marketers, eager to maximize profit margins, are severing ties with NNPCL, which no longer holds a monopo...

Photo credit: Realnews By Ono Yima A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled March 18, 2025, to deliver its ruling on the preliminary objection filed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) against a lawsuit brought by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE. The case revolves around the issuance of petroleum import licenses and its implications for the local oil industry. The dispute centers on Dangote Refinery’s challenge to the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and NNPCL over the continued issuance of import licenses for refined petroleum products. The refinery argues that, under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, such licenses should only be issued in cases of product shortages, which it claims are not p...

By Els William HEALTH In a continued commitment to improving healthcare access and well-being, the NNPC Ltd/FIRST E & P Joint Venture (JV) has successfully carried out its 2025 health outreach program across eleven KEFFESO communities in Bayelsa State. The initiative, which aligns with the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, underscores its dedication to addressing critical healthcare challenges in its host communities. Thousands of residents benefited from the program, which took place from January 29 to February 1, 2025. The outreach covered the KEFFESO communities, which include Koluama 1, Koluama 2, Ezetu 1, Ezetu 2, Foropa, Fish Town, Ekeni, Sangana, Opu Okumbiri, Okumbiribeleu, and Oginibiri. ...

Operations at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries are now fully operational, with members of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) actively loading their trucks at these facilities. This development marks a significant shift, dispelling previous doubts about the partial operation of the refineries owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). PETROAN spokesperson Joseph Obele confirmed that members are now loading petroleum products, including Dual-Purpose Kerosene (DPK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and Premium Motor Spirits (PMS). He further explained that while the Port Harcourt refinery is supplying petrol, diesel, and kerosene to retailers, the Warri refinery is focusing on diesel and kerosene, as reported by The Punch. ...

By Ali Elias The Department of Mass Communication at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State, has invited Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, Manager of Media and Publicity at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), to serve as the Guest Speaker for its 14th Jackson Annual Lecture in 2025. Dr. Ezeobi, an alumnus of UNN, will deliver a lecture titled “Local Content, National Development, and Strategic Communications Imperative” on February 20, 2025, at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, UNN. In an invitation letter, the Head of the Mass Communication Department, Prof. Michael Ukonu, highlighted that the Jackson Annual Lecture is an academic event designed to bring together media scholars, practitioners, policymakers, students, and the general public. The aim is t...

NCDMB Executive Secretary Engr. Felix Ogbe (Middle) By PR The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe on Friday received a delegation from the Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria (SHIN), led by their new Managing Director, Mr. Jin Lee. The meeting was held at the Board’s Lagos liaison office and discussions focused on the firm’s in-country capacities, which include heavy fabrication and FPSO integration quayside at the SHI MCI free zone, Takwa Bay Lagos.  The company sought the Board’s assistance to attract new projects to the facility, highlighting their experience to execute major oil and gas projects and pledging support to the Federal Government’s mantra of fast tracking crude oil production and creat...

NCDMB ES, Engr. Ogbe, (3rd Left) By PR The tour to the company’s facilities at Choba, Port Harcourt, and Emohua in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State was a follow up to the NCDMB’s boss earlier visit to the company and some pipe coating facilities in May 2024. At that visit he pledged the Board’s support for local service companies, giving them opportunities in the oil and gas industry and creating jobs in the economy.   The latest visit was to assess Brightwaters Energy’s upgrade of its technical capabilities, which would position them for upcoming industry projects. Speaking ahead at the visit, Engr. Ogbe conveyed the Board’s determination to ...

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has issued a stern warning to oil companies, stating that export permits for crude oil cargoes designated for domestic refining will be denied if companies fail to meet their domestic crude supply obligations. The Commission emphasized that any changes to cargoes meant for local refineries must receive explicit approval from the Commission Chief Executive (CCE). In a letter dated February 2, 2025, addressed to exploration and production companies and their equity partners, the CCE, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, reiterated that diverting crude oil intended for domestic refineries constitutes a legal violation. "Kindly note that the diversion of crude cargo designated for domestic refineries is a contravention of the law and the Commi...

By PR The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has pledged to partner with Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) on research and development. The Board made the pledge at the official commissioning of the NAS-TY Danjuma Science Museum and Library Building at the NAS headquarters in Abuja on Monday. The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe noted that the Board would work closely with the Nigerian Academy of Science. He mentioned that promoting research and development is one of key thrust of the NOGICD Act and the Board is actively pursuing it. Represented at the event by the General Manager Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Barr. Esueme, Dan Kikile reiterated that the Board is championing the construction of the Oloibiri Oil Museum and Rese...