Business
NUPRC Grants 247 Permits for Export of 480m Barrels of Crude Oil, Others
•47 marginal field awardees get Petroleum Prospecting Licences
•Nigeria’s crude oil to last 60 years, gas 88 years
Between the last quarter of 2021 and the third quarter of 2022, 274 export permits were granted to various firms for a total of 480,863,863 barrels of crude oil and condensates, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said yesterday.
Speaking during a briefing to mark the commission’s one-year anniversary, the Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, stated that during the period, 47 Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) were granted winners of the last marginal field awards. At the time , 57 oil fields were put up for bidding.
The commission’s chief executive explained that the team has been focused on laying a solid foundation for its regulatory functions and in pursuing that, has drafted Environmental Remediation Fund Regulation and the Upstream Environmental Regulation and Upstream Petroleum Safety Regulation, both of which have been subjected to stakeholders’ review.
In addition, Komolafe noted that the commission also successfully launched the Host Communities Regulations to guide the implementation and operationalisation of the Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
With the declaration of the nation’s oil reserves which stands at 37.046 billion barrels, indicating an increase of 0.37 per cent compared to 2020 figures, the chief executive explained that the life index now stands at 60 years.
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Furthermore, Komolafe said that Nigeria’s gas reserves had been pegged at 208.62 TCF, indicating an increase of 1.01 per cent compared to 2020 figures, with a life index of 88 years. That would be without new discoveries.
He explained that the NUPRC had also almost completed the automation of upstream work processes which would improve the efficiency and become operational before the end of year 2022.
Other achievements in the last one year, Komolafe said, included the Ikike first oil which was officially celebrated in September 2022 and expected to deliver peak production of 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day by the end of the year.
He stressed that the deployment and commissioning of Aiteo 120kbd barge mounted crude oil processing facility to minimise crude oil theft and vandalism as well as the deployment and commissioning of Tenoil 10kbd Early Production Facility (EPF) were some of the milestones during the period.
In addition, Komolafe listed the regularisation and commissioning of Halkin 5kbd EPF at Atala OML-46 as well as the inauguration of an integrated industry-wide study to ascertain shut-in wells as part of the achievements in the last one year.
According to him, the primary aim of the study is to boost production and guide investment planning and recommend low hanging potential to boost national production, with the report now at the writing stage.
The development of the Advanced Cargo Declaration Regime, Crude Oil and LNG Tracking (COLT) and the establishment of ELI-AKASO crude oil export terminal as well as publishing of up-to-date data on national crude oil production on the commission’s website , he noted , were also key triumphs for the NUPRC.
“In line with the provisions of Section 108 of the PIA 2021, we have commenced engagement and sensitisation of all operators to submit gas flare elimination and monetisation plan.
“Ten high impact technologies, innovation, and solutions have been successfully qualified and adapted into the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The high impact technologies aim to increase oil discovery and production, reduce cost of pipeline maintenance and integrity threshold etc.
“In the area of exploration and acreage management , the commission has so far achieved the following: Award of 47 PPLs to winners of marginal fields during the 2020 marginal field bid round.
“Also is the development of model licence and model lease in conjunction with Legal and Compliance and Enforcement (C&E) SBU and renewal of OMLs 128, 130, 132, 133 and 138,” he pointed out.
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Noting that the Host Communities Development Trust Fund (HCDTF) is now law, he explained that an automated reporting, monitoring, and data management portal has also been launched.
“Settlors have already commenced submission of applications on the portal; we have had successful engagements for the assignment of littoral communities to deep water operators with reference to regulation 6(1) (d) of the Host Communities Development Regulations (2022).
“Modalities for the assignment of littoral host communities to deep offshore operators have been worked out. Also, the Commission is working in synergy with the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to map the littoral host communities to deep water operations,” he informed.
Under his stewardship, Komolafe stated that a new model to estimate the value of assets and determine the signature bonus, renewal bonus and good and valuable consideration was developed with the renewal bonus valuation completed for OML 125, 128, 132, 133, 138 and 130.
Looking ahead, he stated that the commission projects in the next one year to embark on the development of a regulatory framework to reduce facilities development projects delivery costs through effective participation and regulation of concept, design and equipment selection.
He stated that when the new host communities development law which is already in operation, is implemented under the new PIA, many of the communities who are currently agitated will be taken care of, promising that the host communities will be carried along and will see that government reckons with them as critical stakeholders.
He stated that by December the committee set up to aggregate the accurate quantity of oil produced, exported or stolen will submit its report, stressing that the NUPRC remains committed to transparency in the sector.
Komolafe explained that the commission despite sundry challenges has met and exceeded its revenue projections to the federation, but revealed that the biggest challenge so far remains oil theft in the country.
He stressed that the nation has the capacity to meet its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production quota, adding that between 80,000 bpd to 100,000 bpd were lost to direct theft, while the rest was as a result of shut-ins.
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Transport Expert Segun Musa to Chair 12th Nigeria Transport Lecture
Transport Expert Segun Musa to Chair 12th Nigeria Transport Lecture
Renowned transport and logistics expert, Dr. Segun Musa, has been named chairman of the 12th edition of the Nigeria Transport Lecture scheduled to hold in Lagos on June 18, 2026.
Organised by Transport Day newspaper, this year’s lecture will focus on the theme, “Multi-modal Transportation Safety in Nigeria: Prospects, Challenges and Contribution to National Growth.”
Musa, Chairman and Managing Director of Widescope Logistics International, is widely respected for his extensive experience in transportation, logistics and supply chain management spanning several decades.
The event will also feature a keynote presentation by the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Mr. Kingsley Onyekachi Igwe.
Scheduled to take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, the lecture is expected to attract key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to deliberate on critical safety issues, policy reforms and strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s multi-modal transportation network.
Other notable speakers include the National President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation (CILT), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, and the Dean of the School of Transportation and Logistics, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ogochukwu Ugboma.
Over the years, the Nigeria Transport Lecture has evolved into a leading industry platform, bringing together policymakers, regulators, academics and business leaders to discuss solutions to challenges confronting the transport and logistics sector.
Previous editions have featured distinguished personalities such as former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside; former Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Anthonia Ekpa; and Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, among others.
Ahead of the gathering, the Editor of Transport Day Media, Mr. Frank Kintum, said the annual lecture has become an important platform for industry stakeholders to examine emerging issues and develop practical solutions for the transport sector.
He noted that this year’s focus on multi-modal transportation safety was informed by the increasing integration of road, rail, maritime and air transport systems, stressing that safety must remain at the centre of efforts to modernise the sector.
“As governments continue to invest in transport infrastructure and interconnectivity, safety cannot be treated as an afterthought. The success and sustainability of these investments depend largely on how effectively safety concerns are addressed across all modes of transport,” Kintum stated.
He further explained that the lecture forms part of Transport Day Media’s broader mission to encourage policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and industry collaboration aimed at building a safer, more efficient and globally competitive transport and logistics ecosystem in Nigeria and the wider African region.
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Business
NERC Orders Compensation for Band A Customers Over Power Supply Shortfalls
NERC Orders Compensation for Band A Customers Over Power Supply Shortfalls
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved a special compensation package for eligible Band A electricity customers affected by power supply shortfalls between February and March 2026.
The regulator announced the measure in a public notice issued on Thursday, citing widespread generation constraints that prevented electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) from meeting the minimum service levels promised to some Band A customers during the period.
According to NERC, the disruptions were largely triggered by inadequate gas supply as well as vandalism of critical gas and transmission infrastructure, factors it said were beyond the control of the DisCos.
Under the directive, Band A feeders that maintained an average daily supply of between 18 and 20 hours will continue to receive compensation under the existing framework contained in Addendum No. NERC/2024/003, covering both Maximum Demand (MD) and Non-Maximum Demand (Non-MD) customers.
For feeders that recorded less than 18 hours of daily electricity supply, NERC ruled that they would not be downgraded during the affected period.
Instead, eligible Non-MD customers will receive compensation equivalent to 20 per cent of the approved February 2026 energy cap for their feeders, while MD customers will receive credits equal to 20 per cent of the average energy billed per MD customer in February 2026.
The commission said prepaid customers would receive the compensation through energy token credits, while postpaid customers would benefit through adjustments to their electricity bills.
NERC directed all DisCos to complete compensation for February 2026 by May 31, 2026, and for March 2026 no later than June 30, 2026.
The regulator also barred DisCos from using the compensation to offset outstanding customer debts and instructed them to clearly communicate the value and period of the credits granted to beneficiaries.
Reaffirming its commitment to consumer protection, NERC said it would continue to monitor implementation of the directive and verify compliance across the industry to ensure that all eligible customers receive the compensation due to them.
The commission added that the intervention is aimed at safeguarding consumer interests while supporting the stability and long-term sustainability of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
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Business
Petrol Prices Fall Nationwide as Dangote Refinery Cuts Ex-Depot Rate
Petrol Prices Fall Nationwide as Dangote Refinery Cuts Ex-Depot Rate
Nigeria’s petrol prices have begun to decline across several parts of the country after Dangote Refinery announced a fresh reduction in its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), raising hopes of further relief for motorists and businesses grappling with high fuel costs.
The 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery reduced its ex-depot petrol price from N1,275 per litre to N1,250 per litre, while also lowering the ex-depot price of diesel from N1,800 per litre to N1,700 per litre. The company attributed the latest adjustment to a decline in global crude oil prices and its commitment to making refined petroleum products more affordable for Nigerians.
The development has already triggered price reductions at several filling stations, particularly in Lagos and Ogun states, where some marketers are now selling petrol below N1,300 per litre.
Checks along the Mowe-Ibafo axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway showed that marketers moved swiftly to adjust pump prices following the refinery’s announcement. MRS stations reduced petrol prices to N1,286 per litre, while NIPCO and Heyden sold at N1,290 per litre. SGR outlets adjusted their pump price to N1,297 per litre.
The downward trend was also noticeable in the diesel market, where several stations reduced prices to around N1,800 per litre from previous levels of about N1,900 per litre.
However, not all retailers have fully reflected the latest reduction. Some outlets operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) were still selling petrol above the N1,300 mark. In Ibafo, NNPC stations dispensed fuel at N1,305 per litre, while Mobil and Asharami stations sold at N1,310 and N1,320 per litre respectively.
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Industry observers believe the latest move by Dangote Refinery could lead to additional price adjustments nationwide as marketers exhaust existing inventories and take delivery of products purchased at the new rate.
The reduction comes after months of sustained pressure on consumers following a sharp rise in fuel prices. Petrol prices had surged from around N830 per litre to over N1,300 per litre in many parts of the country as global crude oil prices climbed above $115 per barrel amid tensions involving the United States and Iran.
Energy analysts say increasing local refining capacity is beginning to reshape Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market. Since commencing large-scale operations, Dangote Refinery has emerged as the country’s dominant fuel supplier, significantly reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and introducing stronger competition among marketers.
The latest price cut is expected to provide some relief to households and businesses struggling with rising transportation, logistics and production costs. Many Nigerians are also hoping that continued declines in global crude prices and improved local supply will force further reductions in pump prices in the coming weeks.
Stakeholders, however, caution that future petrol price movements will continue to depend on global oil market trends, foreign exchange stability, transportation costs and overall supply conditions within the domestic market.
For now, motorists are beginning to enjoy modest savings at the pump, with the prospect of more competitive pricing as marketers respond to changing market realities.
Petrol Prices Fall Nationwide as Dangote Refinery Cuts Ex-Depot Rate
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