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PETROLEUM MINISTRY AND THREE AGENCIES UNDER ITS SUPERVISION PARTICIPATE IN IMF ARTICLE IV CONSULTATION

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The Ministry of Petroleum Resources (MPR), alongside three agencies under its supervision—the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), recently participated in the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation in Nigeria.

The IMF team was in the country at the invitation of the Federal Government to engage selected government institutions and gather insights on developments across various sectors of the economy.

Speaking during the meeting held in Abuja, the Chairman of the session and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, expressed appreciation to the IMF team for their continued efforts and commitment to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy, particularly the oil and gas sector.

Ambassador Ella encouraged representatives of NUPRC, NMDPRA, and NNPCL to engage fully in the consultation, stressing the importance of collaboration and innovation in achieving tangible economic outcomes.

During the meeting, the three agencies delivered comprehensive presentations, offering valuable insights into Nigeria’s crude oil production trends and projections. It was highlighted that despite prevailing challenges, the country achieved an average of 88% of its projected crude oil volume, attributed to reduced losses and increased output. Efforts are also underway to revive underperforming assets and improve output from flow stations to terminals.

Regarding gas production, the presentations underscored existing infrastructure developments and ongoing investments aimed at achieving production and distribution targets.

A significant part of the consultation examined the recent fuel subsidy removal by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the strategies being employed to ensure its long-term sustainability. Discussions reflected a shared commitment to market-driven reforms and enhanced fiscal responsibility within the petroleum sector.

Participants at the meeting agreed that strong inter-agency collaboration, along with support from development partners and financial institutions, is essential to stabilize global oil markets and strengthen Nigeria’s energy security.

The meeting was attended by Directors, Heads of Units, and staff from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Finance, and IMF consultants.

This successful engagement reaffirmed Nigeria’s strategic commitment to transparency, sustainable growth, and international cooperation in the petroleum industry.

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Anambra Industrialist Plans South-East’s Biggest Food Processing Factory.

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Anambra-born billionaire industrialist and renowned entrepreneur, Dr. Ikenna Ifejiofor, has announced strategic plans to establish what he described as the largest food processing factory in the entire South-East region of Nigeria.

Dr. Ifejiofor, who is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ike God Foods Industries Limited, made this known during an exclusive chat with journalists, where he unfolded his company’s expansion drive and his unrelenting vision to not only boost the Nigerian economy but also position Anambra State as the industrial hub of the South-East.

“Our goal is to make quality food products at affordable prices for everyone, and we’re committed to achieving this through the use of the latest technology and the best professionals in the industry,”

Ike God Foods Industries Limited is the proud producer of the popular Jolly-Jolly Noodles, a brand that has grown to become a household name in Nigeria’s instant noodles market. He also disclosed that plans are underway to incorporate other products into the company’s growing catalogue, including peanut-based snacks, flour, and other value-added food items. The company, headquartered in Anambra State just ventured into bread production

The plan to venture into other productions , he noted, will significantly increase their production capacity and create more job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in Anambra and beyond.

 

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NNPCL retail outlets, others reduce fuel price

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Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has reduced its premium motor spirit price.

Ekwutosblog correspondent who went round NNPCL retail outlets in Abuja on Tuesday gathered that state-owned firms have also slashed their petrol pump price to N895 per litre from N910.

This comes as NNPCL filling station along Kubwa Expressway, Wuse Zone 4, Wuse Zone 6 (Berger), and other locations in Abuja visibly adjusted their fuel pump price to reflect the new price.

 

The reduction represents an N15 downward petrol price review in NNPCL retail outlets.

NNPCL is not alone in the petrol reduction; Dangote Refinery’s retail partner, MRS filling stations in Abuja, also reduced their petrol price by N25 to N885 per litre from N910.

Similarly, other filling stations in Abuja, such as Ranoil and Empire Energy, also reduced their petrol pump prices to N910 and N915 per litre on Tuesday from the previous N920 and N935.

The development comes hours after Ekwutosblog exclusively reports that Nigerian Petroleum Products Marketers announced a plan to slash petrol prices to between N900 and N920 per litre in Abuja.

Recall that Dangote Refinery reduced its ex-depot petrol price twice this July so far.

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Private or public, let the refineries work – IPMAN to FG, NNPCL

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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Port Harcourt Depot Unit, has stressed that the Port Harcourt Refinery requires more than periodic rehabilitation, calling instead for a “consistent and experienced management focused on functionality and long-term sustainability”.

The position was made known in a statement signed on June 12, 2025, by the Chairman of IPMAN Port Harcourt Depot Unit, Tekena Thankgod Ikpaki.

The association was reacting to a recent statement by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, who hinted that the Federal Government may consider selling some of its refineries as a solution to persistent rehabilitation and efficiency challenges.

Ikpaki noted that as major stakeholders in the downstream oil sector, petroleum marketers fully understand the strategic importance of the Port Harcourt Refinery, not just for Rivers State and the Niger Delta region, but for the Nigerian economy as a whole.

He observed that the brief resumption of operations at the refinery in November 2024, followed by another shutdown in May 2025 for maintenance, once again underscored the lingering operational and technical issues affecting Nigeria’s refineries.

Ikpaki, however, stated that it is less concerned about who manages the facility and more focused on ensuring the refinery functions optimally.

He said, “Whether the facility remains under the direct control of the NNPCL or is eventually handed over to a private entity, the most critical issue for us at this point is ensuring the Port Harcourt Refinery operates at optimal capacity.

“We believe that a fully functional refinery will have far-reaching benefits, offering alternative sources of refined products, stabilizing the domestic market, creating jobs, boosting local content, and contributing to national energy security,” the statement added.

The association appealed to the Federal Government and NNPCL to ensure that any future sale or concession process prioritizes competence and technical proficiency.

IPMAN urged the authorities to “prioritize competence, technical expertise, and a proven track record in refinery operations in selecting any prospective buyer or management partner, should the company proceed with the sale or concessioning process.”

The association emphasized that privatization should not be pursued for its own sake but must lead to measurable improvements in output, performance, and national benefit.

Ikpaki concluded by reaffirming the association’s willingness to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure a successful transition.

“We are committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that the transition, if and when it happens, will be transparent, accountable, and ultimately beneficial to Nigerians, particularly those of us who operate directly within the value chain,” he said.

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