The Nation Newspaper

Category: Energy

  • Stakeholders laud Komolafe, NUPRC for entrenching transparency in oil, gas sector

    Stakeholders laud Komolafe, NUPRC for entrenching transparency in oil, gas sector

    …say commission anchoring Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

    Experts and civil society representatives have commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for driving transparency in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), describing the Commission under Gbenga Komolafe’s leadership as key to realising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda in the oil and gas sector.

    The commendation was made during a recent one-day stakeholder forum held in Warri, Delta state, themed ‘Situation Room on Monitoring of PIA’. The event was organised by the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) in partnership with Shafana Enterprises Limited.

    The forum brought together policy experts, petroleum law scholars, traditional rulers, students and civil society groups to assess the implementation of the PIA and identify opportunities to strengthen transparency, regulatory oversight, and community engagement.

    In his keynote address, Dr. Henry Efemona Idudje of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, said NUPRC has emerged as a stabilising force in the petroleum sector and has made significant strides in implementing the transparency provisions of the PIA.

    “Under Komolafe, the Commission has taken visible steps to end the era of opaque regulation in the upstream sector. From transparent licensing rounds to clearer fiscal disclosures, we are seeing improvements in how the sector is managed,” Idudje said.

    He added that effective implementation of the PIA could unlock long-term investments and reduce tensions in oil-producing regions if transparency is sustained.

    Also speaking at the forum, Dr. Arisabor Lucky, a petroleum law expert from the same university, said the legal and institutional frameworks of the PIA are being strengthened by the Commission’s “visible commitment to due process and accountability”.

    “The law is only as effective as its enforcers. What we’ve seen from the NUPRC so far, particularly with respect to host community provisions and reporting obligations, is commendable,” he said.

    A representative from the Nigeria Maritime University, Delta State, said sustained stakeholder participation — especially civil society involvement — is crucial in holding regulators accountable.

    “NUPRC’s openness to civic participation and data sharing represents a major departure from the past. We urge the Commission to keep that door open,” he said.

    Read Also: NUPRC issues new guidelines on oil export

    Mallam Nasir Abdulquadri, Project Manager at Shafana Enterprises, said the purpose of the forum was to evaluate how far institutions like the NUPRC have gone in delivering on the objectives of the PIA.

    He said the Commission’s role in anchoring the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope agenda in the petroleum sector was evident through systematic reforms and enforcement of compliance measures.

    “The PIA is one of the most consequential legislative interventions in Nigeria’s oil and gas history. What we need now is consistency and openness. NUPRC, under Komolafe, is showing that commitment,” Abdulquadri said.

    He added that stronger monitoring, improved community feedback, and inter-agency collaboration would consolidate the early gains.

    Traditional rulers at the forum also praised the Commission’s outreach efforts. Chief Ekeme Otuedon, a monarch from Delta State, said the Commission’s engagement with host communities has helped ease longstanding tensions.

    “We have seen more consultation, more visits, and better communication from the regulator in the past year. That makes a difference in how communities respond to government presence,” he said.

    A student representative from the Delta State University, Fejiro Oghenegivwe, said transparency and openness in petroleum sector governance matter to young professionals.

    “As future engineers and scientists, we are inspired by how regulatory standards are being strengthened. It gives us hope that merit and accountability are possible in this industry,” she said.

    Participants at the forum called for the institutionalisation of such multi-stakeholder situation rooms across oil-producing regions, with quarterly reviews to ensure the PIA continues to serve the interests of citizens and communities.

  • Naira for crude: The steady progress

    Naira for crude: The steady progress

    By Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi

    The naira for crude policy is one of the smartest and most realistic steps taken to fix Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. It is not just about money. It is a well-planned effort to grow local value, depend less on foreign currency, and strengthen our ability to refine oil here at home (Nigeria).

    For decades, we watched as our crude oil left Nigerian shores only to return as expensive imported fuel. We lost value and billions of dollars in foreign exchange every year. That cycle had to end. With the introduction of this policy, the federal government made a point: Nigeria will now prioritize local refining, pay for its crude in naira, and keep more of its resources within its economy.

    The recent meeting of the Technical Sub-Committee on Domestic Crude Sales in Naira (ICONS) focused on reviewing how the naira-for-crude policy is being put into action. 

    The meeting was chaired by Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, and attended by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun. Also present were representatives from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Dangote Refinery, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). 

    The meeting reviewed the progress made so far. More than 48 million barrels of crude oil have been supplied to local refineries and paid for in naira. Monthly supply schedules are now in use, helping refineries plan better and avoid disruptions. 

    Officials also discussed how the One-Stop Shop is making it easier for stakeholders to follow procedures and obtain approvals. Overall, the meeting helped to strengthen the policy and support efforts to grow Nigeria’s local refining and reduce reliance on foreign exchange.

    This is how reform should work: with regulators and operators facing each other, not avoiding one another. For once, the silence between agencies is being filled with coordination.

    Read Also: Refinery owners urge Tinubu to accept naira for crude oil

    The Dangote Refinery, a major player in the sector, is already receiving crude under the new arrangement. Its participation provides an early signal that the policy can work at scale. As other refineries complete their preparations, they are expected to be included as well. 

    What is important is that Nigeria is taking steady, well-considered steps to change from an import-dependent petroleum economy to one that adds value locally and supports job creation within its borders.

    Nigerian refineries are now tapping into a more consistent pipeline of crude supply, which is helping to reduce downtime and improve throughput. 

    This is what the Renewed Hope agenda represents, making the most of what we have to build a future for Nigerians. The naira-for-crude policy is not just a change in how oil is paid for. It shows that government and industry can work together to solve problems. It is a step toward building an economy that focuses on local production, stable systems, and better opportunities for the peopl3 of our great nation.

    _Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi is the technical assistant on broadcast media to the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service_

  • REA partners FCMB to accelerate electricity access for two million households

    REA partners FCMB to accelerate electricity access for two million households

    In a landmark move to bolster electricity access for millions of Nigerians, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and First City Monument Bank (FCMB) have on Thursday 19th June, 2025, at the bank’s head-quarters in Marina, Lagos, entered into a strategic collaboration to provide a ₦100 billion loan facility targeted at accelerating private sector-led deployment of renewable energy solutions across the country.

    The agreement supports the implementation of the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) initiative. It will enable the deployment of decentralised renewable energy projects aimed at delivering reliable power to approximately 2,000,000 households in unserved and underserved areas across the country.

    The signing of these agreements between REA and FCMB signifies the commencement of private sector investment in the Rural Electrification Agency’s renewable energy space, which was catalysed by the $750 million DARES World Bank funding.

    The approval of DARES funding by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, its commencement, and the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Power will undoubtedly lead to increased private sector funding, accelerating the intended impact of supplying electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians in unserved and underserved communities.

    Read Also: FCMB promotes youths’ literary, creative skills

    Under this partnership, FCMB will provide a revolving loan facility of ₦1 billion per eligible mini-grid developer for a period of two years, with potential for scale-up. The facility will serve as a critical financial instrument for developers engaged under REA’s DARES programme, which is an initiative designed to expand inclusive energy access and stimulate economic growth through the deployment of interconnected and isolated mini-grids, as well as productive-use applications.

    Speaking at the event, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director and CEO of REA, emphasised the strategic importance of the collaboration. He stated, “This partnership signifies a significant milestone in addressing one of the biggest challenges in decentralised renewable energy deployment—access to finance. Through this facility, developers will have better access to funding that will enable them to scale and meet electrification targets, thus improving the quality of life in rural and peri-urban communities.”

    Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and CEO of FCMB, stated,” Our partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency represents a pivotal step in our commitment to powering inclusive growth and economic resilience across Nigeria. Access to reliable energy is a catalyst for enterprise, education, and improved livelihoods, making it a critical development goal. Through this collaboration, we are combining financial innovation with infrastructure delivery to ensure underserved communities are not left behind. Together, we are building pathways for people to thrive by unlocking the power of energy to transform homes, businesses, and entire communities.”

    A key highlight of the launch was the introduction of a “Deal Room”. This is a dedicated platform for project developers to engage with REA and FCMB on project financing, structure, and disbursement processes. This will enable developers to better understand the eligibility criteria and project evaluation mechanisms.

    The partnership structure provides that FCMB will finance up to 70% of approved project costs, while REA will domicile performance-based grant payments into a reserve account within FCMB to further de-risk the transactions.

    Through this collaborative approach, REA and FCMB reaffirm their commitment to bridging Nigeria’s energy access gap, promoting private sector participation, and unlocking investment opportunities within the renewable energy sector.

  • OML 42: Neconde raises oil production to 50,000 barrels daily

    OML 42: Neconde raises oil production to 50,000 barrels daily

    Nigeria’s crude oil production has received a major boost, with Neconde, a subsidiary of Nestoil and one of the country’s foremost indigenous independent producers hitting 50,000 barrels per day on Oil Mining Licence (OML) 42 as of May 2025.

    With the company’s Financial and Technical Services Agreement (FTSA) solidly in place, industry data obtained showed that Neconde has now steadily increased output in the last 24 months by over 100 per cent.

    The data indicated that the implementation of the FTSA solution raised production from an average of 15,000 bpd in 2023 to 25, 000 bpd in 2024 and to 2025 year-to-date of 50,000 bpd and aspiration to exit this year at over 70,000bpd.

    Besides, the company is expected to hit 120,000 bpd in the next 48 months, deploying its massive human resource and technical expertise to grow the asset.

    It was learnt that the company has mostly been able to increase this output, with its philosophy of excellence in service delivery, fair market price, focus on cost discipline as well as optimisation and elimination of non-value adding processes.

    Furthermore, whilst developing and empowering local capacity development as well as working with local communities, the FTSA is enabling the company to put in place the desired governance in terms of processes and procedures.

    The arrangement, it was understood, is also ensuring transparency and accountability, direct access to international oilfield services like Shlumberger (SLB) and Haliburton as well Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), a strategic advantage that will help the company achieve its target crude production in the coming years.

    The initial aggressive development and intervention campaign successfully executed in 2024 also enabled a second campaign in 2025, with imminent mobilisation workovers and infill drilling to support the production growth aspiration of over 120,000 bpd.

    Set to commence in June 2025, its first rig-based production growth programme since the acquisition of the asset by Neconde in 2011, will enable rapid facility upgrades and life extension. Also, the asset is opening up one of the fields that have not been re-entered and produced since acquisition in 2011, Egwa 2 field, with huge oil and gas reserves.

    Although before Shell exited, OML 42 had reached a daily production of circa 250,000, however it was dormant by the time Neconde took it over, after community disturbances that led to facility shutdown around 2005/ 2006.

    Specifically, in the last few years, the company, according to available information, has built capacity, especially helped by the FTSA model which was activated in 2022, and could do even more with a little encouragement.

    Nigeria currently faces several challenges in raising its oil production, a development that has reduced the volume of crude reaching export terminals and has frequently disrupted operations. Underinvestment in upstream infrastructure is also a significant issue which has led to facility integrity degradation, extending downtime and production deferments due to frequent equipment failures and poor maintenance practices.

    While revitalising the existing but non-functional gas compression facility, it was learnt that the drilling programme also involves gas developments to support the local gas supplies, eliminate gas flare and improve stakeholder value extraction, as the asset has huge untapped gas reserves. Many oilfields and facilities suffer from neglect, with limited capital expenditure on exploration and maintenance.

    But despite the significant bottlenecks, Nigeria has embarked on an ambitious initiative known as ‘Project 1 Million Barrels Per Day’, aiming to significantly boost its crude oil production. This project seeks to elevate daily output from a baseline of approximately 1.46 million barrels in October 2024 to a long-term target of 3 million barrels bpd. It is believed that with some support, firms like Neconde could help achieve this target.

    With a new NNPC management team led by Mr Bayo Ojulari in place, with a track record of performance in their previous endeavours in the sector, it is believed that to achieve the targets set by President Bola Tinubu, there may be the need to look inwards.

    Tinubu had outlined ambitious targets to revitalise Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and bolster the nation’s economy. The key objectives set for the new NNPC leadership include: Elevating crude oil production, expanding gas output; enhancing refining capacity as well as attracting the right investment to the sector.

  • UI hosts maiden hybrid conference on renewable natural resources

    UI hosts maiden hybrid conference on renewable natural resources

    The Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Ibadan, has organised the maiden hybrid conference on Renewable Natural Resources, marking a significant milestone for Nigeria’s journey towards ecological resilience and sustainable prosperity.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, while addressing participants at the opening ceremony of the conference, said the path to sustainable development is paved with the wise management of renewable natural resources.

    According to him, poverty eradication, zero hunger, climate action, life on land, and below water all hinge on how wisely humans steward these gifts of nature.

    He called on researchers in Nigeria and Africa at large to manage the natural resources with courage, innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to intergenerational equity.

    Professor Adebowale reiterated that Nigeria and Africa’s rich endowment of natural resources forms the bedrock of economies, cultures, and ecosystems, yet the resources face unprecedented pressure such as deforestation, desertification, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, water scarcity and the pervasive impacts of climate changes.

    The VC asserted that sustainable management and innovative use of renewable natural resources are not optional ideas but the only viable path to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    He advised participants at the conference to think interdisciplinary, focus on solutions, embrace collaboration, champion innovation, and advocate relentlessly.

    In her remarks, the Dean, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Professor Adejoke Akinyele said the conference tagged “Renewable 2025” provides a vital platform for scientists, foresters, wildlife experts, extension workers, trainers, fishery professionals, government officials, NGOs and other stakeholders to share their researches, discuss challenges and forge meaningful collaborations.

    Professor Akinyele noted that renewable natural resources such as water, soil, forests, fisheries, and wildlife are essential to human well-being and economic development, adding that sustainable management and utilisation of these resources are critical to ensuring their long-term availability and maintaining ecosystem health.

    She said the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources is poised to make a significant impact, increase scholarly influence and popularise sustainable natural resource management on the global stage with research outputs and intellectual contributions that enrich knowledge while its graduates make remarkable strides worldwide.

    The keynote Speaker, a Professor of Forest Economics and Sustainable Development at the University of Ibadan and Executive Secretary-CEO of the African Forest Forum, Nairobi, Kenya, Prof. Labode Popoola said renewable natural resources are not infinite, noting that when managed wisely, they regenerate and continue to provide essential goods and ecosystem services that sustain human life and economic growth.

    He asserted that renewable natural resources are central to six transformations; education, gender and inequality; health, wellbeing and democracy; energy decarbonization and sustainable industry; sustainable food, land, water, and oceans; sustainable cities and communities and digital revolution for sustainable development.

    The keynote speaker said that renewable resources are at the core of the survival and satisfaction of humans on planet Earth, performing environmental service functions, providing socio-cultural services, scenic and landscape services, and socio-economic services.

    He urged researchers to collaborate with the broad spectrum of actors, including multinational corporations, local governments, regional and international institutions, and civil society organizations.

    Professor Popoola stressed that accountability and transparency should be prioritised at all levels, advancing that enhancing regulatory frameworks, which are needed to safeguard human rights, civil liberties and environmental standards for collaborative and transnational research of renewable natural resources are also key.

    Read Also: NUPRC issues new guidelines on oil export

    He recommended that government must prioritize integrated policies that promote the sustainable use and stewardship of renewable resources, invest in innovation, science and capacity building, support circular and inclusive green economies, promote sustainable production and consumption, integrate renewable resources into the global sustainability agenda, and strengthen renewable natural resources and sustainability education and research amongst others.

    The Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Siyanbola Omitoyin said the conference with the theme “Renewable Natural Resources Management and Use: A Path to Sustainable Development” was relevant today as the impact of climate change seen in flooding, desertification, increased temperature and others are on the increase.

    She stated that the conference, being the first of its kind in the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, is of international standard, disclosing that it was organised in a hybrid mode to accommodate international participants.

    The opening ceremony of the five-day conference, was attended by the university management team, deans of other faculties, retired professors of the faculty, government officials, researchers, scholars, international participants, NGOs, early researchers and students.

  • Civil society groups pass vote of confidence in NMDPRA boss

    Civil society groups pass vote of confidence in NMDPRA boss

    A group of 22 civil society organisations has passed a vote of confidence in Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), praising his exceptional leadership and reforms in the petroleum sector.

    The endorsement came at the end of a Civil Society Roundtable Engagement on Appraisal of Reforms and Developments in the NMDPRA under Engr. Farouk Ahmed.

    A communique signed by Igwe Ude Umanta and Kennedy Tabuko  among others on behalf of the groups said: “There is a general, though unsubstantiated belief, that all sectors of the petroleum industry is corrupt and operates in an opaque manner.

    “The regulatory bodies under the petroleum industry often come under unfair attacks and outright blackmail. The regulatory bodies lack adequate public engagement and are therefore, reactionary to allegations or concerns.

    “However, in the specific case of the NMDPRA under the leadership of Engr. Farouk Ahmed, while we continue to urge him to keep the bar raised, a lot of achievements have been recorded”. 

    The groups, which represent a broad spectrum of Nigerian society, commended Ahmed’s efforts to reposition the NMDPRA as a regulatory body of global standard and recognition.

    The civil society groups noted that Ahmed’s leadership has brought stability and noticeable progress to the midstream and downstream sectors of the petroleum industry.

    The CSOs said his introduction of key reforms has ensured energy security for the country, promoted gas utilisation, and supported industrialisation and economic growth.

    According to them, some of the notable achievements recorded under Ahmed’s leadership include the issuance of gas licenses for Gas Clearing House and Settlement Platform, which is considered the best of its kind in Africa for gas trading.

    Additionally, they said regulatory support to various gas programs, including the Presidential CNG Initiative and Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, has been instrumental in driving growth in the sector.

    Read Also: NMDPRA reaffirms FG’s commitment to steady fuel supply, distribution

    The groups also commended Ahmed’s efforts to ameliorate the negative effects of the removal of petroleum subsidy through price stability, adequate product supply, and total elimination of queues.

    They noted that his leadership has earned him several notable awards, including Executive Board Member of Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), Transformational Leader of the Year 2025 at Energy Times Award, and Top 10 Regulatory Leaders of the Year, 2025 by Top 10 Magazine.

    The civil society groups concluded that the NMDPRA is in safe hands under Ahmed’s leadership and recommended that he be awarded the prestigious Certificate of Credence of the Civil Society Roundtable for encouragement and to remain on track.

  • Stakeholders to unlock potential of African gas resources

    Stakeholders to unlock potential of African gas resources

    The Chairperson, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigeria Council, Amina Danmadami, has called on all stakeholders in the African gas sector to unlock the full potential of Africa’s gas resources, stating that this is a call to action, a strategic convergence of ideas, expertise, and ambition.

    Danmadami made this call at the Africa Gas Innovation Summit (AGIS) 2025, with the theme, “Building a Resilient African Gas Economy through Innovation and Collaboration”, stating that Africa’s gas sector is at a defining moment.

    She noted that, “This summit is not just an event, it is a call to action. It also reflects our collective aspiration to shape a gas-driven future which is not only profitable, but also inclusive, technologically advanced, environmentally responsible, and resilient to global shocks.

    “We possess abundant reserves, yet we must overcome legacy challenges, infrastructure gaps, fragmented markets, underinvestment, and policy uncertainties. The solution lies in innovation and collaboration.

    Read Also: Bayelsa communities, stakeholders back FG on oil theft, pipeline vandalism 

    “Over the next two days, AGIS 2025 will showcase how digitalisation, infrastructure modernisation, gas-to-power strategies, clean cooking solutions, and regional integration can position Africa as a global gas powerhouse. We will hear from trailblazers—regulators, innovators, financiers, policymakers, and youth—working together to shape the energy future we envision”.

    Speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, said Nigeria has been blessed with abundant natural gas resources, yet continues to face challenges that hinder its ability to convert this potential into inclusive and sustainable growth.

    From infrastructure and financing constraints to policy harmonisation and energy access disparities, the call for innovation and regional collaboration has never been louder, even though Africa is at an inflexion point in its energy journey. For Nigeria, the “Decade of Gas” initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is our national response to this opportunity.

    We are focused on unlocking gas for power, transportation, cooking, and industrial development. Just last year, we advanced infrastructure projects, rolled out the LPG Penetration Programme across the geo-political zones, and deepened domestic supply reforms, all anchored on the belief that gas is not just a fuel, but a catalyst for prosperity.

  • PCNGI flags off implementation of concessionary pricing framework

    PCNGI flags off implementation of concessionary pricing framework

    The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) yesterday flagged off the implementation of the concessionary pricing framework for the CNG.

    The framework has insulated the CNG autogas from competing with the pricing for CNG for power, industry and other usages.

    Its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi made this known to reporters during “The Mobility CNG Framework Kick-Off Event, in Abuja.

    He said: “What we are doing here today is to flag off the implementation of that concessionary pricing framework, because it was necessary, as you can imagine, that in an economy where gas is being used for various purposes, that it is possible for someone to say, I want to make demands of gas for auto CNG, since it is priced lower, and then go and use it for power.”

    Oluwagbemi further noted that  since there was a potential opportunity for arbitrage, the PCNGI has created the proper marketplace where people can demand and pay for CNG, use it in the auto CNG market. 

    He recalled that last year the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Chief Executive, Engr. Farouk Ahmed approved the concessionary pricing for autogas CNG.

    He explained that the framework is an incentive that allows CNG for autogas to be priced lowed than that of other usage as power and industry.

    Read Also: 175 new CNG stations coming, says PCNGI boss

    According to him, it is one of the leverages President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved for the autogas CNG sector.

    His words “It allowed autogas CNG to be priced as a strategic industry, much lower than, say, gas for power or gas for industries, enabling, as one of the incentives Mr. President has approved for the autogas CNG sector, on the back of his reforms, energy reforms, including the institution of the Presidential CNG initiative.”

     He said the market has been growing tremendously since the last year from  just 20 daughter stations in the country to well over 65 as at  (today) Tuesday.

     He revealed that two new stations were opened by 

    BOVAS in Ibadan on Monday.

    According to him, about 28 stations are springing up in the next 45 weeks.

    Stressing the rate at which the market is growing, he recalled that in addition to the 175 stations at construction stage, the Dangote Refinery has announced the establishment of 100 daughter stations.

  • New clean energy start-up set for pilot rollouts

    New clean energy start-up set for pilot rollouts

    A new clean energy company focused on mobile Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) solutions for Nigeria’s transport sector, Adesa Energy, is currently preparing for pilot rollouts, stakeholder engagement, and partnership development.

    This followed the official launch of Adesa Energy, during the week, by seasoned media entrepreneur and founder of Adesa Media, Femi Adeleye. The start-up aims to reduce the country’s reliance on petrol and diesel by offering CNG vehicle conversions, refueling support, and clean energy training.

    It was designed to serve commercial fleet operators and individual motorists, with long-term plans to scale across Africa.

    Accordingly, the company said it has positioned itself to power Nigeria’s green future by contributing to the country’s clean energy goals.

    The unveiling, which coincided with Adeleye’s 30th birthday, marked a bold shift from brand storytelling to sustainable innovation.

    READ ALSO; June 12: Remembrance and omissions

    Speaking during the soft launch of Adesa Energy, Adeleye said the new company was born out of a desire to create meaningful change.

    “Turning 30 isn’t just personal — it’s purposeful,” he said, adding, “This is about building something that matters, something that can help solve real energy problems while creating jobs and cleaner cities.”

    The new business operates under the Adesa HQ umbrella, expanding Adeleye’s work from the communications sector into the energy-tech space.

    For years, he ran Adesa Media, a strategy-focused firm that has helped Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), start-ups, and corporates craft impactful narratives.

    “Adesa Media taught me how to shape perception,” he said, pointing out that “Adesa Energy is about shaping solutions.”

    The launch was marked quietly, with Adeleye choosing a reflective moment with close family over a public celebration.

    He noted that beginning this new journey on his birthday was his way of expressing gratitude and embracing the future.

    The company says its mission goes beyond fuel — it’s about future-proofing transport, creating green jobs, and improving air quality in congested urban areas.

  • IPPG commends NUPRC’s regulatory reforms

    IPPG commends NUPRC’s regulatory reforms

    The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has welcomed a delegation from the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) at its headquarters in Abuja.

    The visit was led by IPPG Chairman, Mr. Abdulrazaq Isa, who also serves as the Chairman of Waltersmith Group, an indigenous oil and gas company.

    The visit was a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Commission and indigenous producers. 

    It also served as an opportunity for the IPPG to formally express its appreciation to the NUPRC for the critical role it played in facilitating the recent divestment of assets by international oil companies. These divestments, which were closely overseen by the Commission, have enabled a significant transfer of upstream oil and gas assets to indigenous operators. This transition marks a pivotal shift in Nigeria’s energy landscape, creating new opportunities for local companies to scale up operations.

    During the meeting, the IPPG reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Commission’s “Project One Million Barrels Incremental” initiative—a program designed to boost Nigeria’s daily crude oil production. The group emphasized its readiness to align with this national objective and highlighted its dual focus on both oil and gas development.

    In his remarks, the Commission Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, welcomed the delegation and reiterated the NUPRC’s dedication to creating an enabling business environment. He outlined several key policies implemented since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), including the automation of regulatory processes such as granting of licenses and permits which has significantly reduced bureaucratic delays and improved operational efficiency across the sector.

    Read Also: NUPRC receives audit of oil, gas measurement systems

    Engr. Komolafe also discussed the implementation of the “drill or drop” policy which requires operators to either begin production within a specified timeframe or relinquish their licenses. This policy aims to revitalize the oil sector, ensure optimal use of assets, and boost government revenue.

    The CCE noted that these policies have already begun to yield tangible results, citing a significant increase in rig activity—from 11 rigs prior to the PIA to 42 rigs currently in operation. This surge reflects growing investor confidence and a revitalized upstream sector. He also emphasized the Commission’s ongoing efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption measures across the industry.

    The CCE encouraged continuous dialogue and honest feedback from industry stakeholders, stressing that such engagement is vital for finetuning regulatory frameworks and ensuring that policies remain responsive to the evolving needs of the sector.

    In response, the IPPG acknowledged the positive impact of these reforms, noting increased confidence in the Nigerian upstream sector both domestically and internationally.

    The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration between regulators and indigenous producers in achieving Nigeria’s energy and economic aspirations.