NEWS
CNG Gets a Boost as FG Partners Portland Gas on $4m Project
Nigeria’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) push has received a boost as a partnership between a private firm and the Federal Government through the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), yielded about $4 million investment in the development of CNG infrastructure.
Making the disclosure, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Portland Gas Limited, Folajimi Muhammed, added that the investment was aimed at deepening gas utilisation and improving energy access across Nigeria.
During the commissioning of the company’s Mother Station in Ojota, Lagos, at the weekend, Muhammed said the project is structured as a joint venture in which Portland Gas holds a 60 percent equity stake while the Federal Government, through MDGIF, owns the remaining 40 percent.
He added that the initiative involves the construction of a Mother Station and Daughter Stations in Lagos and Abuja to facilitate the distribution of CNG through a virtual pipeline system.
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He explained that the facility commissioned represents the first phase of the project and would serve as the central hub for supplying gas to downstream stations.
“The project is a collaboration between Portland Gas and the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund. Portland Gas has contributed 60 per cent equity while the Federal Government has come in with 40 per cent. Our mandate is to build a mother station here and daughter stations in Lagos and Abuja. What we are commissioning today is the first part of that project, which is the mother station,” he said.
Muhammed noted that the facility currently has an above-ground storage capacity of 96,000 standard cubic metres per day (SCMD), while the full mother station is designed to handle about five million standard cubic feet of gas per day.
He said the station is presently supplied through a virtual pipeline arrangement whereby gas is sourced from a third-party facility and transported to the site, pending connection to the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline network.
“At the moment, we are sourcing gas from a third party, which is why we call it a virtual pipeline. In the future, we will tap directly into the AKK pipeline and become our own supplier. This will enable us to supply our daughter stations directly and also serve other gas consumers,” he added.
Addressing concerns over persistent queues at CNG stations across the country, Muhammed said increasing the number of refuelling outlets remains the most effective solution.
“The opening of more stations will naturally reduce waiting time and queues. The more stations we build and commission, the more available gas becomes to consumers,” he said.
He revealed that Portland Gas already operates stations in Ajah, Lagos, and Kubwa, Abuja, while additional facilities are planned for Otako and Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory.
On access to funding from the MDGIF, Muhammed described the application process as rigorous but necessary to ensure that only serious investors benefit from the intervention fund.
“It was a very rigorous process. We had to provide extensive documentation and demonstrate that we had already committed substantial resources to the project before accessing the fund. The fund managers needed evidence that we were capable of executing the project,” he explained.
While advocating a more flexible approach for proven investors, he cautioned against lowering standards to the extent that funds are disbursed to entities lacking the capacity to deliver.
“There is a delicate balance. The fund should not be given to people who may not perform simply because they apply. However, companies that have demonstrated commitment and capacity should enjoy a more streamlined process,” he said.
Muhammed also urged greater support for innovative gas distribution models, including mobile refilling units and daughter stations, to accelerate the penetration of CNG across the country.
According to him, such initiatives would complement the Federal Government’s gas expansion agenda and help position natural gas as a viable alternative fuel for transportation and industrial activities.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of MDGIF, Oluwole Adama, said the Fund remains committed to supporting projects that drive energy access, economic growth, and national development.
Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni was among 100 people honoured with the DTN@100 Award.
She joined a list of distinguished recipients recognised by the Daily Times newspapers. The contributions of the awardees to national development will be documented in a special publication, titled Nigerian Grand Book.
Daily Times which started publication in 1926 gave the awards as part of its centenary celebrations in Lagos. The centenary theme is: “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future.” Chairman, Folio Media Group and Publisher Daily Times of Nigeria Fidelis Anosike said: “We proudly celebrate Elohor Aiboni, Executive Vice President and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, for her well-deserved recognition at the Daily Times Heroes Award. As a visionary female leader, Elohor has shown that true leadership is defined by action. Her forward-thinking policies continue to drive real, positive change across our nation.”
In her response, Elohor said: “Although this award is presented to me, I do not regard it as mine alone. I share it with my colleagues across the Shell Companies in Nigeria, our partners, and the many people I have had the privilege of working with and learning from over the years.”
Elohor was commended for her achievements in a career in the energy industry that started in Shell in 2002. In addition to serving in operational roles within and outside Nigeria, she has worked as asset manager for Bonga, leading up to her appointment as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) in 2021, the first female to hold the post. Early this year, she took up the role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, also the first female and Nigerian to hold both roles.
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In her acceptance speech, Elohor also called for concerted efforts towards educating the girl-child. She said: “If we are serious about shaping Nigeria’s future, we must be equally serious about educating and empowering the Nigerian girl child. Education provides not only knowledge, but also confidence, choice and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to her community and country.”
Photo Caption – L-R: Energy and Investment Solicitor, Sam Aiboni; Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni; actress Rita Dominic; and Daily Times Chairman, Fidelis Anosike, during the award presentation at Harbour Point, Lagos.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic qualification for the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The President commended the team for their impressive 3-1 victory over Brazil in Wednesday’s semi-final, describing their achievement as a remarkable milestone that has brought immense pride and joy to Nigerians at home and abroad.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu also praised the coaching crew and everyone whose hard work and support contributed to the team’s successful campaign.
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With the Flamingos set to face Japan in the final, the President urged the players to remain focused, confident and determined as they pursue the historic world title.
“I encourage you to approach the final with the same fighting spirit and belief that have brought you this far. I have confidence in your ability to make history by winning the coveted world title,” he said.
Tinubu also called on Nigerians to rally behind the young players, describing them as national ambassadors whose achievements continue to showcase the country’s sporting excellence.
He said the team’s performance would inspire a new generation of girls to pursue their dreams without limitations.
“Once again, Nigeria is proud of you. Go for the trophy, Flamingos!” the President added.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has disclosed its support for healthcare infrastructure in Sokoto State through the donation and subsequent handover of an Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) to the state government.
The development was contained in the company’s September 2026 Monthly Operations and Financial Report, which also highlighted its financial performance, oil and gas production, pipeline infrastructure and other operational activities.
According to the report, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health visited the NNPC Foundation and NNPC Limited on September 1, 2026, to present a letter of appreciation to the Foundation for donating the Infectious Diseases Hospital and handing it over to the Sokoto State Government.
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The engagement provided an opportunity for the state government to formally acknowledge the Foundation’s intervention and support towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Sokoto State.
The report identified the engagement as part of the NNPC Foundation’s public impact initiatives.
NNPC Records ₦509bn September Profit
On its financial performance, NNPC recorded a profit after tax of ₦509 billion in September 2026, representing an 18.1 per cent increase compared with the previous month.
The company’s revenue also rose to ₦4.608 trillion from ₦3.74 trillion recorded in August, representing an increase of approximately 23.2 per cent.
Cumulative statutory payments to the Federation increased by 17.4 per cent, rising from ₦9.49 trillion between January and August to ₦11.14 trillion between January and September 2026.
Crude Oil and Gas Production
The report showed that average crude oil and condensate production stood at 1.70 million barrels per day during the period.
Natural gas production increased to 7,789 million standard cubic feet per day, while total hydrocarbon production reached 3.04 million barrels of oil equivalent per day.
The monthly operational summary also presented production and sales trends for crude oil, condensate and natural gas.
Pipeline Infrastructure Records Progress
On infrastructure development, NNPC reported 100 per cent availability of its upstream pipelines.
The company also disclosed that the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline had reached 100 per cent completion, while the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline stood at 95 per cent completion.
According to the report, the OB3 River Niger Crossing pipeline had been commissioned and operationalised.
For the AKK pipeline, NNPC said sustained collaboration with stakeholders was helping to accelerate construction and pre-commissioning activities towards achieving early gas delivery to Abuja in 2026.
NNPC Reports 54% Retail Station Availability
The report also highlighted the availability of petrol at NNPC retail stations across the country, putting the nationwide Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) availability level at 54 per cent.
A geographical map showing retail station availability across different parts of Nigeria was included in the monthly operational summary.
NNPC Outlines Strategic Production Efforts
On efforts to sustain production growth, NNPC listed accelerated restoration of shut-in wells and facilities, production optimisation and well interventions among its priorities.
The company also highlighted efforts to strengthen facility reliability and preventive maintenance, address infrastructure and operational constraints, improve community engagement and resolve storage, tank-top and export infrastructure challenges.
These measures, according to the report, are aimed at sustaining production growth and improving operational efficiency across its oil and gas assets.
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