A group, The Renewed Hope Ambassadors Network (RHAN), has commended the leadership of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and its Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe.
The group, consisting of loyalists of President Bola Tinubu, praised Komolafe’s efforts in driving reforms in the petroleum industry, in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
According to RHAN’s assessment report, the NUPRC has made significant strides in implementing the PIA, which has led to improved operational effectiveness, reduced misconduct, and increased revenue generation for the government.
The report highlighted the commission’s efforts in streamlining regulatory processes, enhancing transparency, and promoting a more investment-friendly environment.
Speaking at a briefing, the national secretary of the group, Dr. Opialu Fabian, praised Komolafe’s leadership style, which he says, has brought about a strong commitment to regulatory excellence, innovation, and transparency.
He noted that Komolafe’s initiatives, such as technology-driven regulation, review of crude oil handling agreements, and commitment to local content development, have helped to curb oil theft, promote gas utilization, and attract investment in deepwater exploration.
RHAN also commended Komolafe’s commitment to local content development, which has strengthened engagement with host communities.
According to Fabian, this has ensured that the benefits of oil production reach local populations, promoting socio-economic development and reducing conflicts.
Furthermore, the report acknowledged the challenges still facing the NUPRC, including oil theft, regulatory bottlenecks, and security threats.
However, RHAN expressed confidence that with consistent implementation of reforms and a commitment to global best practices, the PIA and the efforts of the NUPRC will continue to shape Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Fabian added: “Undoubtedly, Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has undergone a dramatic transformation since the Petroleum Industrial Act (PIA) was passed. It has contributed to the establishment of a well-organized regulatory environment with the goal of improving investment opportunities, efficiency, and transparency.
“In addition to ensuring that regulatory oversight is reinforced to support sustainable growth in the upstream petroleum sector, the establishment of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has been crucial in advancing these reforms.
“However, with Engineer Gbenga Komolafe strategic foresight in increasing operational efficiency in NUPRC, it can be conclusively said that, better than before, an atmosphere that is favorable to investment and economic expansion now exists.
“Despite putting policies like security enhancement, digitization, stakeholder engagement, and revenue optimization in place, challenges such as bureaucratic hurdles, host community concerns, and oil theft, though now at minimal, still remain issues that require continuous attention and strategic interventions.
“We are convinced that with consistent implementation of reforms and a commitment to global best practices, the PIA and the efforts of the NUPRC will continue to shape Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, ensuring it remains a vital contributor to national economic development.”
Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has said the Dangote 650,000-barrel-per-day Integrated Refinery and Petrochemical Company afford Nigeria and other African countries partnership opportunities for sourcing petroleum products and fertiliser.
Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said this at the ongoing 9th Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), in Lagos.
Ogbe said similar projects capable of leveraging collaborations included Kenya’s Konza Technology City, Grand Ethiopian Dam, Lekki Free Trade Zone (Lagos), and facilities like the SHI-MCI FPSO Fabrication/Integration Yard, in Lagos.
He also said the NCDMB’s Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme, NOGAPS, being developed in seven locations in Nigeria, has invited interested businessmen and investors seeking to manufacture industry-related equipment, components and spares to apply.
He disclosed the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, AfCFTA, as a critical legal framework that could be leveraged to achieve collaborative local content strategy in Africa, given the free trade area it has created by integrating 1.3 billion people across 54 African countries with a combined gross domestic product of over $3 trillion.
Ogbe therefore charged sub-Saharan African nations to keep pace with unfolding trends in the global oil and gas industry and adopt a unified approach in strengthening local content development, advancing industrialisation and fostering sustainable continent-wide economic growth.
According to him, nations like Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana had made notable strides in the local content development by boosting indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector, but expressed the regret that “fragmented implementation continued to hinder collective progress.”
He called for a collaborative strategy among petroleum-producing nations in sub-Saharan Africa that would foster the sharing of best practices and enhance cross-border partnerships that could drive the competitiveness of indigenous players.
Professor Muyiwa Oyinlola, Director of the Renewable Centre and Professor of Innovation for Sustainable Development at De Montfort University, has announced that the Circular Economy Powered by Renewable Energy Centre (CEPREC) has allocated £3.5 million to address Africa’s energy and e-waste challenges.
CEPREC, a Pan-African, multisectoral, and interdisciplinary research hub, brings together academia, government, and industry to drive innovation, research, and capacity building.
According to Prof. Oyinlola, the Centre is dedicated to advancing knowledge and skills that integrate circular economy principles into Africa’s energy transition. The initiative is funded by the UK Government’s Ayrton Fund, a £1 billion commitment to clean energy research and development.
“This initiative is backed by a robust network of over 30 stakeholders spanning government, industry, and academia in the UK and sub-Saharan Africa. CEPREC will initially operate in six African nations—Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Namibia, and Rwanda—before expanding further across the continent,” he said.
Frances Wood, Director of UKRI International, highlighted the Ayrton Challenge Programme’s role in driving research and innovation to solve global challenges.
“These projects demonstrate how equitable, interdisciplinary collaboration can unlock transformative solutions for a sustainable and inclusive energy future,” she stated.
CEPREC aims to equip local researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs with the skills to develop and scale circular microgrid projects through training workshops and knowledge-sharing programmes.
Professor Layi Alatise, Deputy Director of Engineering at CEPREC and a Power Electronics Professor at the University of Warwick, emphasized the importance of local capacity building.
“Technology without local expertise for maintenance and expansion compromises sustainability. By embedding circular economy principles in Africa’s energy sector, we are creating a resilient and sustainable future,” he said.
Renewable energy advocate Christopher Ononukwe has called on the Imo State Government to prioritize the development of small hydropower (SHP) as a sustainable solution to the state’s persistent electricity challenges.
Speaking on Friday in Owerri, Ononukwe highlighted the untapped potential of Imo’s abundant water resources, including Njaba River, Oguta Lake, Imo River, Otamiri River, Nwaorie River, and the moribund Inyishi Dam.
He noted that SHP offers a reliable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel-based power generation and other renewables like solar and wind.
He also emphasized the long lifespan and low maintenance costs of hydropower plants, which can operate for over 50 years, compared to solar panels and wind turbines that degrade faster due to harsh weather exposure.
Ononukwe, who recently attended a two-week seminar on small hydropower in China, urged Imo to leverage its natural resources for energy security and economic growth.
The seminar, organized by the National Research Institute for Rural Electrification (Hangzhou Regional Center, Asia-Pacific) and sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, provided theoretical and practical insights into China’s successful SHP sector.
“China is leading the world in small hydropower through strategic planning, research, innovation, and implementation. Imo State has similar potential, with numerous water bodies that can be harnessed to generate clean, renewable electricity. What we need is the political will and strategic action to make this a reality,” he stated.
Ononukwe urged the Imo State Government to take decisive steps to harness the potential of small hydropower. He called for the development of a robust legal and regulatory framework, strengthened policies and institutions like the Ministry of Water Resources.
“The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) provide a solid foundation for renewable energy development,” he said. “Imo State can build on this by creating favorable policies, streamlining licensing processes, and providing incentives for private sector participation.”
He also emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and international collaborations, particularly with countries like China, which have advanced small hydropower systems. “Knowledge and technology transfer from China can accelerate the development of this sector in Imo State,” he added.
The Imo-born advocate expressed confidence in Governor Uzodimma’s leadership, citing his administration’s efforts to improve infrastructure, security, and economic revitalization.
“Small hydropower is not just a solution to Imo State’s energy challenges; it is a pathway to economic prosperity, social harmony, and environmental sustainability. By prioritizing small hydropower, Governor Uzodimma can transform Imo State into a model of renewable energy adoption in Nigeria.”
Access to reliable energy is a key component in driving industrialization, improving healthcare, opening the door for economic transformation and ultimately trigger income generation. Many countries in Africa grapple continue to yoke under this huge challenge.
To bride this gap, some international multilateral organizations, recently unveiled the Mission 300 initiative, aimed at providing electricity access to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, by 2030.
The enthusiasm by African countries to push for rapid socio-economic transformation via the route of industrialization is facing a litany of hurdles requiring governments, players and operators as well as developmental partners to reboot the debate on what steps are needed to turn the curve.
Turning the curve, experts have agreed may be one of the options required for the continent, especially Sub-Sahara Africa countries to optimize the expected benefits of access to energy.
Their argument is predicated on the fact that – no economy can grow, industrialize or be competitive in the dark. Access to electricity is not just about power, it’s about creating jobs, improving healthcare, and fostering education.
It is in recognition of this that some international organizations, including: the African Development Bank (AfDB), in partnership with the World Bank and other development partners, recently unveiled the Mission 300 initiative.
Mission 300 represents an unprecedented collaboration between the African Development Bank and the World Bank Group, along with other development partners.
This initiative comes at a critical time, as nearly 600 million Africans, representing 83 percent of the world’s energy-deprived population, lack access to electricity.
At the African Energy summit in Tanzania, twelve countries, including Nigeria Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia presented their energy compacts.
These efforts, experts say will support the implementation of the Continental Master Plan and the African Single Electricity Market.
The new move, experts say represents a bold step towards lighting up and powering Africa.
This initiative aims to provide electricity access to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
The collaborators emphasized that Mission 300 is more than just a numerical goal as it symbolizes lives transformed, economies rejuvenated, and communities empowered.
Furthermore, the initiative is aimed at accelerating electrification by combining grid expansions with decentralized renewable energy solutions like mini-grids and stand-alone solar home systems. These solutions are especially useful in reaching vulnerable and remote regions where traditional grid infrastructure is not feasible.
Alongside these efforts, there are investments in generation, transmission, regional interconnection, and sector reform that are made to guarantee that the power supply is reliable, affordable, and sustainable.
Mission 300’s approach combines traditional grid expansion with innovative off-grid solutions to connect remote communities. The programme also focuses on sustainable financing models and tackles critical challenges, including currency mismatches in project funding.
Importantly, private sector involvement is essential in tackling Africa’s energy challenges, especially given the continent’s rapidly growing population and the urgent need for increased investment.
Experts say without access to electricity, Africa cannot achieve its developmental aspirations or secure its rightful place in the global economy as energy access is the cornerstone of economic transformation, opening doors to education, healthcare, and income generation.
Across Africa, electrification efforts have been tepid, failing to keep pace with rapid population growth, especially in rural and remote areas where outdated energy infrastructure is struggling to meet current demand, let alone expand to underserved areas.
Without access to reliable power, economic opportunities remain constrained, with households and small businesses bearing the brunt of the challenge.
The reliance on alternative energy solutions, such as diesel power generating plants places significant strain on household budgets and stifles the growth of small enterprises due to high operational costs.
In rural areas, the lack of extensive power infrastructure is also forcing families to depend on kerosene lamps, which aside from being expensive, expose them to serious health risks as a result of indoor air pollution.
According to Statista, the number of people without electricity in sub-Saharan Africa steadily increased from 2000 to 2013, reaching a peak of approximately 612 million.
However, between 2014 and 2019, several countries on the continent made some strides towards increasing access to electrical energy and improving overall conditions.
Statista reported a decline in electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa in 2021, with approximately 597 million people lacking electricity connections, compared to 581 million in 2020. This indicates that nearly five out of every 10 individuals in the region lived without access to power. The situation was even more severe in rural areas, where over 70 per cent of the population lacked electricity.
The World Bank’s 2024 report highlighted that Central and West Africa have some of the lowest electrification rates globally, with 220 million people in West Africa living without power, representing an electrification rate as low as 8 per cent in some areas.
Similarly, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, out of a population of over 1.3 billion, accounting for approximately 83 per cent of the global energy deficit.
What makes this challenge particularly significant in Africa is that, for many years, the power sector has been plagued with challenges that are interconnected, including low access rates, poor maintenance, inadequate investment, non-cost-reflective tariffs, unsustainable subsidies, and financial instability.
Most public utilities in Africa are financially strained. They struggle to meet their operating expenses and are unable to fund necessary capital investments to sustain their operations, leaving them heavily dependent on government subsidies.
Stakeholders, therefore, emphasize that the success of Mission 300 hinges on the collective efforts of governments, private sector players, and international partners, adding that governments must take the lead by implementing essential reforms to enhance sector efficiency and strengthen utilities.
They stressed that transparent, competitive processes for generating new capacity, along with cost-recovery frameworks for utilities, are vital as regulators would need to adapt quickly and innovatively to keep pace with the rapidly evolving technological and business landscape.
Governments and development partners, the stakeholders noted, should advocate for regional electricity trade to move away from the single-buyer model and facilitate the sustainable integration of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) into fragile grids, thereby supporting energy transition in African nations.
With the private sector already playing a crucial role in expanding renewable energy access, particularly by implementing decentralized energy solutions, this approach is highly commendable, because of its effectiveness in areas where traditional utility-scale projects struggle due to infrastructure limitations.
Meanwhile, multilateral development banks and philanthropic organizations must increase their efforts to unlock private capital for the energy sector.
This, experts note, can be achieved through targeted financing instruments, risk mitigation tools, technical support, and policy advocacy.
In addition to all these, regulatory authorities in many African countries face political interference, which undermines their decision-making processes and hinders their ability to implement policies that are crucial for the long-term development of the energy sector.
In emphasizing the transformative role of electricity in fostering development, the President of AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina said: “No economy can grow, industrialize or be competitive in the dark. Access to electricity is not just about power, it’s about creating jobs, improving healthcare, and fostering education. Mission 300 represents a bold step towards lighting up and powering Africa.”
On his part, the Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth at the AfDB Group, Kevin Kariuki, stated that Mission 300 goes beyond being an energy initiative to even “a moral obligation. It embodies a shared commitment to lifting millions out of poverty, promoting inclusive economic growth, and building a resilient, green future.
He further emphasized that the success of the initiative depends on strong support from all stakeholders, including governments, development partners, the private sector, and civil society.
Kariuki, therefore called for a unified focus on prioritizing reforms, mobilizing investments, and leveraging partnerships to transform Africa’s energy landscape.
“Energy access is the cornerstone of economic transformation, unlocking opportunities for education, healthcare, gender equality, and income generation. It is a prerequisite for creating a green and resilient future, one where poverty is a relic of the past.
“The road ahead may be challenging, but it is also filled with opportunity. With determination, innovation, and collaboration, we can achieve universal energy access in Africa. This is our moment to make history,” he said.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, highlighted Nigeria’s advancements in the energy sector during the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. He noted that Tinubu has accelerated key initiatives to enhance energy access nationwide.
He emphasised Nigeria’s dedication to renewable energy, highlighting ongoing efforts in solar and clean energy under President Tinubu’s administration. Dare noted that the President is set to unveil a compact initiative aimed at advancing this agenda.
Dare highlighted that existing partnerships are yielding results, citing the AfDB’s commitment of N75 billion to Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to enhance renewable energy development.
He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to meet its energy commitments, emphasizing the key pillars of President Tinubu’s energy policy: sustainability, affordability, and accessibility, which align with the broader objectives of the summit.
“Africa coming together to pool its resources, whether it’s hydro, solar, wind, or the emerging green hydrogen is commendable. With our enormous gas deposits and tropical sunlight, we have what it takes to power the continent, Tinubu is a president who can make a pitch for his country, win deals, and secure solid commitments for foreign direct investments. Look at what happened in Brazil and what’s happening in agriculture. He’s bringing that same determination to energy,” he said.
Daniel Schroth, the Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at AfDB, highlighted the urgent need for implementation to tackle Africa’s energy crisis.
“It’s a tight journey because 2030 is only five years away and we have to deliver, not expected connections, but actual connections to 300 million by 2030,” he said.
Also, AfDB’s Director of Energy financial solutions, policy, and regulation, Wale Shonibare, emphasized that investments in generation, transmission, regional interconnection, and sector reform must complement efforts to ensure that the power supply is reliable, affordable, and sustainable.
“The recently launched Technical Facility Accelerator Fund is a promising step in this direction, providing technical assistance to governments and helping streamline processes to achieve Mission 300 targets. By working together, we can transform the energy landscape of Africa and, in doing so, create a brighter, more prosperous future for millions,” he said.
The World Bank Group President, Ajay Banga emphasised that the partnerships forged and commitments made will shape the continent’s journey toward achieving universal energy access, transforming millions of lives, and driving sustainable development.
There is a raging concern that the Naira-for-Crude initiative, which ensures local refineries receive crude oil in Naira and sell refined products to marketers in the local currency, may be threatened over inadequate crude supply to domestic refiners, findings have shown.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed the sale of crude oil to Dangote in naira as part of move to bring down the cost of premium motor spirit (pms) otherwise known as petrol.
In October 2024, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved that 450,000 barrels intended for domestic consumption be offered in Naira to Nigerian refineries, with the Dangote Refinery acting as a pilot project.
Under the scheme which commenced in the first week of October 2024, the NNPCL was expected to supply 385,000 barrels of crude oil to the 650,000 bdp Dangote Refinery located in Ibeju-Lekki Lagos.
However, findings showed that there has been a consistent low supply of allocations to Dangote Refinery, forcing it to resort to importation.
Official documents reviewed by our correspondent revealed that while Nigeria’s crude oil production has marginally increased, exceeding 1.8mbpd, there has been a sharp decline in the volume of crude allocated to the Naira-for-Crude scheme.
The document revealed that for February 2025, the scheme has been allocated only four cargoes, and for March, just two cargoes totalling 950,000 barrels (1.9 million barrels in total for the month). This represents an allocation of 61,290 barrels per day – far below the 385,000 bpd target under the scheme.
The Dangote refinery is set to receive 12 million barrels of crude oil from the United States, as local supply constraints have hindered its bid to attain full refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
Amidst this challenge, it was learnt that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited and allied marketers continue importing petroleum products into the country, spending over N5 trillion on importing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel (AGO) within 110 days.
An oil and gas expert in the public sector, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, warned that the Naira-for-Crude initiative might be undermined and threatened the potential for improving energy security in Nigeria.
He emphasised that these products, paid for entirely in Naira, are crucial to the government’s efforts to stabilise and strengthen the currency.
“The refineries pay fully for these products at international rates, but in Naira. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other domestic refineries then sell to marketers in Naira, thus eliminating currency or forex risks and reducing reliance on the dollar for domestic transactions.
By aligning domestic transactions with Naira payments, the government is effectively reducing Nigeria’s dependency on the US dollar, particularly in the oil sector, where a large portion of Nigeria’s foreign reserves has traditionally been spent on oil imports,” he explained.
He added: “Undoubtedly, its success is a testament to the visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council, who, despite persistent opposition, have ensured its successful implementation. This initiative, which is critical to Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, must not be derailed”.
According to the motor tanker vessels report from the Nigerian Ports Authority, a total of 2,846,499.41 metric tonnes of PMS and 791,619.00 metric tonnes of diesel were imported between October 1 and December 31, 2024.
In addition, a total of 342,199mts of PMS and 146,866mts of AGO were imported into the country between January 1 and 29, 2025.
This equates to the importation of over four billion (4,276,044,567.81) litres of PMS and over one billion (1,103,658,360) litres of diesel within 121 days, using a conversion factor of 1,341 litres per metric tonne for PMS and 1,176 litres per metric tonne for AGO.
At an average landing cost of N940 per litre for PMS and N920 per litre for AGO, Nigeria has spent over four trillion Naira (N4.019 trillion) importing petrol and over one trillion Naira (N1.015 trillion) on diesel imports during the period.
This continued importation despite the huge local refining capacity is targeted at crippling local refineries, especially the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, another source said.
Oil and gas expert, Dr. Ayodele Oni in a chat with our correspondent, noted that despite improved crude oil production, the forward sale arrangements had made it difficult for the NNPC to fulfill obligations to the local refiners.
He stated that the divestment by the IOCs is also responsible for the challenge, saying there must be improved production to sustain the naira for crude scheme.
The expert however stated that it is strange that Nigeria continues to import so much despite the increased refining capacity through Dangote Refinery, Aradel, and the recently revived government-owned refineries.
A source at the Dangote Refinery who spoke on the condition of anonymity explained that in line with its commitment to serving Nigerians and keeping prices affordable, the refinery continues to sell products to marketers in Naira, while absorbing logistics costs to ensure uniform pricing across the country.
“The Refinery generously assumes equalisation status, which only the government does undertake. This has been met with enthusiasm by our partners, such as MRS, Heyden, and Ardova. The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association has entered into an agreement with the refinery to distribute its PMS nationwide at a uniform price across all its filling stations,” he said.
Isaac Ademola Agoro Engineering Foundation has embarked on training young engineers in area of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion.
The initiative is to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Federal Government-led administration towards conversion of vehicles to CNG across the nation.
Speaking with newsmen, the founder of the Foundation, Engr. Ademola Agoro, said the essence of the training was to complement effort of federal government in conversion to CNG so as to cushion effect of fuel subsidy removal.
Agoro, who is also the Chairman, Protogy Global, explained that the foundation is set up to empower young people on engineering.
“To fulfill President Tinubu mandate. We have capacity to bring in a lot of conversion kits to this country and in support of federal government initiative, so when we train people, anybody that want to work with us, we will be able to employ them.
“And if they want to go and set up, anywhere in Nigeria, we will be supporting them. Trainees come from everywhere in the country, and we will encourage them to have small workshop that can do the convertion, so if they need support, we will be happy to supply them with every necessary engineering backing.
“We are not doing it for ourselves but to have a lot of this all over Nigeria.”
Commenting on Nigeria readiness to be CNG compliance, Agoro assured that the country has more than what it takes to be CNG compliance.
“Nigeria has all the necessary ingredients and facilities to be compliant.”
The facilitator, who also doubles as the Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Oluyole Branch Engr (Dr.) Adewale Ikotun said the training was in line with President Tinubu mandate of converting one million vehicles to CNG Auto gas.
“For some, they may think it’s on the high side, but you recover your money within a short time. For example, I drive on this Pathfinder, I complete this installation with N1.3m, and I confirmed that within six months, I had recovered my money back because I travel a lot with it.
“A journey that will take me fifty thousand naira petrol will take me five thousand naira gas. In terms of the safety, the notion that gas is dangerous .But we actually use gas to cook in the house, even women in the village, they use gas. Who can use petrol to cook in the house?
“The CNG cylinder comes with a lot of safety devices. It’s very difficult for it to explode. It has what it is called pressure relief gas. The only thing that can explode cylinder is when it goes over pressure, but they had incorporated a pressure relief verb that will release the gas, and the gas will flare in the atmosphere.
“The CNG we are talking about is lighter than air. He doesn’t come together as a cloud, it disappear into the air. It also comes with a temperature relief verb.
“The cylinder itself is a bullet-proof cylinder. Overall, it is very safe. They had been using this technology in Malaysia and Europe for the past thirty years.”
He added that Nigeria is lucky to have President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who says subsidy must go and that we go back to gas.
He disclosed that since the launch of CNG, Nigeria has converted over fifty thousand vehicles and has not yet been a single accident.
He said that the training is one of its kind, adding that more are still coming.
“Ademola Agoro will continue to build capacity as long as he lives. He has an interest in building the youths. He’s one of the top notch engineer in Nigeria. The cost of the training is a phenomenon.”
Also, the project manager, Sylvia Innocent, said the essence of the training was to empower the youths.
According to her, “Engr Agoro is passionate about empowering the youths. He believes everybody should be relevant. He does not like it when people are non challant.
“It’s for them to be useful to themselves and add value to society. At the end, some will be employed, and those that want to be on their own will be assisted. Everything is free, the accommodation, transportation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and others.
“Engr Ademola Agoro is an Engineer, he’s passionate about empowering the youth, he made this opportunity open to open, it’s actually while you pick your preference.”
Some of the trainees expressed their excitement and commended the foundation for giving them a platform to contribute their quota to national development.
They pledge to take advantage of the training to equip themselves and also to assist others.
In a landmark development for Nigeria’s energy sector, Transgrid Enerco Limited has signed the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) to acquire a 60% equity stake in Eko Electricity Distribution Company (Eko DisCo).
This transaction represents the first market-driven acquisition in the power sector, signaling a bold new era for electricity distribution in Nigeria.
Transgrid Enerco is a strategic alliance formed by North South Power Company Limited (NSP), Axxela Limited, and the Stanbic IBTC Infrastructure Growth Fund (SIIF). Each partner brings a wealth of expertise to this transformative venture. NSP is a leader in hydroelectric power generation, Axxela specializes in gas infrastructure and energy solutions, and SIIF is Nigeria’s largest infrastructure-focused fund, providing robust financial strategies for large-scale projects.
Eko DisCo currently serves the southern part of Lagos State and the Agbara community in Ogun State—regions critical to Nigeria’s industrial and commercial growth. Transgrid Enerco has outlined an ambitious vision to modernize Eko DisCo’s operations, enhance customer service, and expand its electricity distribution capacity from 513MW to 1,500MW within the next few years.
Transforming Nigeria’s Energy Sector Speaking at the signing ceremony, Engr. Olubunmi Peters, PhD., Chairman of Transgrid Enerco, emphasized the significance of this milestone:
”Today’s signing marks more than a transaction—it is a commitment to addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges. With this acquisition, Transgrid Enerco is poised to lead the transformation of electricity distribution by delivering reliable, sustainable, and innovative solutions. Together, we will modernize infrastructure, improve access, and support economic growth.”
This acquisition aligns with Transgrid Enerco’s mission to empower communities, promote sustainability, and drive economic advancement through reliable power supply.
By integrating renewable energy solutions such as solar and hydropower, the company aims to set a new benchmark for efficiency and environmental responsibility in the power sector.
A New Era of Collaboration and Growth The acquisition also reflects a shared commitment to collaboration. With support from regulators, stakeholders, and the wider community, Transgrid Enerco envisions a future where Nigeria’s energy infrastructure meets the needs of its people and industries.
Scheduled to be finalized by April 2025, the transaction underscores the importance of private sector investment in transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape.
The leadership at Transgrid Enerco has pledged transparency, operational excellence, and a customer-first approach as key priorities moving forward.
Africa -Transformative renewable energy platform established by PowerGen and leading investors to scale clean energy access across the continent, have partnered with leading international investors to establish a scalable, distributed renewable energy platform, targeting the deployment of 120MW of renewable power solutions, including battery energy storage, across Africa.
PowerGen, a firm which develops and installs on-grid pans off-grid renewable energy systems in Africa, made this known in a statement on Monday.
PowerGen, according to the statement, has developed 16 operational mini-grids in Nigeria that provide electricity supply to over 12,000 households.
The energy firm said: “PowerGen Renewable Energy in Nigeria developed the first mini-grid under the Nigeria Electrification Programme in Rokota, Niger State and also the first interconnected mini-grid in Toto, Nasarawa State.
“PowerGen now has 16 operational renewable mini-grids across the country providing electricity to over 12,000 households.
The statement further noted that PowerGen has also developed Commercial and Industrial Solar hybrid systems on a Power Purchase Agreement with CSS Integrated Farms, Eye Foundation Hospitals, and has over 50MW of C&I projects with leading manufacturing companies in Nigeria at different stages of development.”
The Renewed Hope Ambassadors Network (RHAN) has commended Dangote Refinery for its proactive role in enhancing the economic transformation policies of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
The group said that the refinery’s bulk-purchase agreement incentives have attracted more oil marketers, seeking to benefit from guaranteed price stability and a steady supply of petroleum products.
According to a statement by its secretary-general, Dr. Opialu F. Opialu, this strategic move is poised to further stabilise the nation’s fuel market and enhance energy security for consumers.
Opialu said the partnership between Dangote Refinery, Ardova Plc, and Heyden Petroleum has already yielded positive results, with MRS Oil Nigeria Plc lowering its fuel prices to N935 per litre across all its stations nationwide.
He said the reduction in fuel prices has brought relief to Nigerians, who have been grappling with the challenges of high fuel prices.
Opialu said the benefits of the bulk-purchase agreement are far-reaching, as it ensures that marketers can purchase petroleum products at a fixed price, reducing the risk of price fluctuations.
By providing a stable and affordable supply of fuel products, he added that the refinery is helping to alleviate the recurring issue of fuel scarcity, promote economic growth, and enhance the overall quality of life for Nigerians.
According to him, the impact of this agreement will be felt across various sectors, including transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture, as reduced fuel prices will lead to lower production costs and increased economic activity.
“The Renewed Hope Ambassadors Network (RHAN) commends Dangote Refinery for its proactive role in enhancing the economic transformation policies of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration,” the statement released in Abuja on Friday said.
“The refinery’s bulk-purchase agreement incentives have attracted more oil marketers, seeking to benefit from guaranteed price stability and a steady supply of petroleum products. This strategic move is poised to further stabilize the nation’s fuel market and enhance energy security for consumers.
“The partnership between Dangote Refinery, Ardova Plc and Heyden Petroleum has already yielded positive results, with MRS Oil Nigeria Plc lowering its fuel prices to N935 per litre across all its stations nationwide.
“This reduction in fuel prices has brought relief to Nigerians, who have been grappling with the challenges of high fuel prices. The benefits of the bulk-purchase agreement are far-reaching, as it ensures that marketers can purchase petroleum products at a fixed price, reducing the risk of price fluctuations.
“By providing a stable and affordable supply of fuel products, the refinery is helping to alleviate the recurring issue of fuel scarcity, promote economic growth, and enhance the overall quality of life for Nigerians.
“The impact of this agreement will be felt across various sectors, including transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture, as reduced fuel prices will lead to lower production costs and increased economic activity.
“The agreement also ensures a consistent supply of petroleum products, which will help to reduce the stress and hardship associated with fuel scarcity. Additionally, the refinery’s commitment to providing refined products at competitive prices will benefit consumers across the country, as they will have access to affordable fuel prices. This, in turn, will help to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty.”
The RHAN believes that the Dangote Refinery’s bulk-purchase agreement is a game-changer for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and urged the company to sustain its efforts in providing affordable and stable fuel prices while exploring more innovative solutions that will further enhance the nation’s energy security and promote economic development.
The group, however, called on other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to emulate Dangote Refinery’s proactive approach to create a more competitive and vibrant oil and gas sector that benefits all Nigerians.
