The UTM Offshore Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) Project has afforded Nigeria a once-in-a-generation opportunity of transforming her maritime economy, strengthening indigenous shipping, and capturing billions of naira in economic value that has historically flowed offshore.

These views were expressed by a shipping professional and Executive Director of Seamate Maritime Integrated Services Limited, Captain Ladi Olubowale, in a statement titled: “Beyond Gas: Why the UTM Offshore FLNG Project Should Launch Nigeria’s Maritime Industrial Revolution”.

He added that Nigeria has spoken for decades about unlocking the full value of its oil and gas resources.

“Yet one fundamental question has remained unanswered: Who captures the wealth created after the oil and gas leave our shores? This question is becoming even more important as Nigeria enters a new era of gas development under the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative.

“The UTM Offshore FLNG Project Nigeria’s first indigenous-led FLNG development is rightly celebrated as a landmark investment. It will monetise stranded gas resources, increase LNG exports, create jobs, strengthen government revenues, and reinforce Nigeria’s position in the global energy market.

“However, its greatest contribution may lie beyond gas production itself. The question before us is simple: Will Nigeria merely export LNG, or will we build an entire maritime economy around it? That decision will define whether this project becomes another successful energy investment or the catalyst for a new era of industrial development,” he pointed out.

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On the missing link in Nigeria’s energy economy, he said that every offshore energy project depends on ships, saying that before the first molecule of gas is exported, vessels are already at work transporting equipment, supporting offshore construction, delivering supplies, transferring personnel, protecting offshore assets, conducting inspections, responding to emergencies, and maintaining continuous operations.

Without ships, offshore energy production stops.

According to him, despite Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading oil and gas producer, much of this critical maritime support continues to be provided by foreign-owned fleets.

“This means that while Nigeria earns revenue from its natural resources, a significant share of the logistics, charter hire, marine services, technical management, and offshore transportation revenues leaves our economy. In economic terms, we continue to export commodities while importing capabilities. That model is no longer sustainable. The real opportunity is the value chain,” he added.

However, he said that the UTM FLNG Project should not simply be viewed as an LNG facility but it should become the anchor project for Nigeria’s maritime industrial transformation.

“Every successful maritime nation understands one principle: Natural resources create wealth only when nations own the value chain that supports them. Norway did not become a global maritime powerhouse simply because it discovered offshore oil. It deliberately built Norwegian-owned offshore service companies, engineering firms, maritime financial institutions, ship management expertise, and highly skilled seafarers”.

“Qatar did not become one of the world’s leading LNG exporters by producing gas “alone. It invested heavily in Nakilat, one of the world’s largest LNG shipping companies, ensuring that transport became an integral part of national value creation.

Singapore built one of the world’s strongest economies without significant natural resources by mastering shipping, ports, finance, and logistics. These countries understood that controlling maritime logistics is not merely about ships—it is about economic sovereignty,” he explained.

He added that Nigeria must embrace the same vision because it is very important as Nigeria possesses over 200 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves and one of Africa’s largest offshore energy industries.

“The federal government has rightly declared this the Decade of Gas. But gas alone will not transform our economy. Transformation comes from building industries around gas. The UTM FLNG Project creates precisely that opportunity.

Its development and long-term operation will require a broad range of offshore support vessels, marine logistics services, crew transfer operations, emergency response capabilities, security patrols, marine engineering, subsea support, and technical maintenance,” he said.

He warned that the UTM Offshore FLNG Project should not stand alone as an energy project, and it should become the foundation of Nigeria’s maritime industrial revolution.

“Every molecule of gas exported should generate Nigerian freight, Nigerian jobs, Nigerian financing, Nigerian ship management, Nigerian insurance, Nigerian seafarers, and Nigerian prosperity.

“The measure of our success will not be how much gas we export, but how much national wealth we retain. Nations become maritime powers not by owning cargo alone, but by owning the ships, the supply chains, the technology, and the institutions that move commerce. Nigeria now has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build that future.

“We must seize it, not simply to serve one FLNG project, but to establish a Strategic National Fleet that will carry Nigeria’s economic ambitions across Africa and the world,” he explained.

In a big boost to the development of Nigerian content in oil and gas operations, Shell Companies in Nigeria awarded contracts worth $518 million to indigenous companies in 2025.

Biztellers reports that in the same vein, some 123 indigenous companies were engaged across the value chain of Shell businesses in Nigeria in the same period.

“The payments show a strong support for Nigerian service providers in our operations,” said Vice President Commercial Rohan D’Souza while commenting on the figures recently published in Shell’s 2025 Payments to Governments Report. “We see the development of Nigeria companies beyond compliance with laws. It is an integral part of a longstanding strategy to create a win-win relationship with indigenous companies and support them to create more value in the oil and gas industry within and outside the country.”

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Over the years, Nigerian companies have provided technical and logistics services among many others with Shell businesses supporting them to improve their expertise and processes.

About a fortnight ago, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) launched a $3-billion Contract Finance Facility with nine leading Nigerian banks to support indigenous contractors to execute contracts in its operations. The fund will be available in both Naira and USD to be utilised by the contractors.

Rohan pointed out: “When you consider the fact that Shell also paid some $2.016 billion through production entitlements, royalties, taxes, and statutory fees to the Nigerian Government in 2025 alone, you get an idea of the enduring partnership we have forged in the country since we set foot here more than 60 years ago.”

The Dangote Group has received the coveted Road Safety Corporate Excellence Award for its outstanding contributions to safer transportation and accident prevention initiatives from the Kogi State government, in Lokoja.

Similarly, the Pan-African conglomerate received the commendation of road transport industry operators for its sustained support for initiatives aimed at reducing traffic accidents and safeguarding lives.

According to the government which presented the award, it was to celebrate the Group’s outstanding contributions to promoting safer roads, supporting accident prevention initiatives and advancing collaborative efforts aimed at protecting lives along one of Nigeria’s most strategic transportation corridors.

The award was presented before a gathering of government officials, road safety regulators, transport operators, industry leaders and other stakeholders, where participants explored innovative solutions and partnerships required to reduce road crashes, improve traffic management, and strengthen safety standards across the state and beyond.

Kogi State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Atuluku Victor Levi, who presented the award said it underscored the company’s growing reputation as a champion of safe transportation practices and its commitment to partnering with government and regulatory agencies to improve road safety outcomes across Nigeria.

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According to him, the recognition highlights the company’s longstanding collaboration with the state government and road safety agencies to promote responsible road use, enhance driver safety awareness, and support initiatives that strengthen Nigeria’s transportation ecosystem.

“As one of Nigeria’s largest industrial conglomerates and a major user of the nation’s road network, the Group has continued to champion safety standards across its logistics and transport operations.

“Kogi State occupies a strategic position within Nigeria’s transportation ecosystem, serving as a vital transit corridor linking several states and geopolitical zones. The state’s road infrastructure facilitates the movement of people, goods and services across the country, making stakeholder collaboration critical to reducing road crashes, improving mobility and supporting economic growth”, he stated.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Company management, Abdullahi Aliyu, Assistant Divisional Director, Dangote Cement Transport (DCT), Obajana, thanked the Kogi State Government and road safety stakeholders for the recognition saying the recognition would only spur the Group to do more to support road safety initiatives.

“This award reflects Dangote Group’s unwavering commitment to safety as a core value across all our operations. We remain dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote safer roads, protect lives and contribute to sustainable economic development” Aliyu said, adding that road safety remains a shared responsibility requiring continuous partnership between government, corporate organizations and road users.

“At Dangote, we believe that every journey should end safely. We will continue to invest in safety awareness, driver training and responsible transport practices that help make our highways safer for all users,” he stated.

Reaffirming the company’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards within its transport operations, Aliyu pointed out “safety is not just a regulatory requirement; it is an integral part of our corporate culture. We are committed to strengthening collaborations that improve road safety outcomes and reduce preventable accidents across the communities where we operate.”

Furthermore, the Dangote Cement Transport Director said the recognition aligns with the Company’s broader sustainability agenda and supports the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as reinforcing the Group’s reputation as a responsible corporate citizen committed to promoting safer roads, protecting lives and contributing to sustainable development in Nigeria.

“At Dangote, Road safety is a collective responsibility, and partnerships such as these are crucial to saving lives and strengthening Nigeria’s transport system. Our goal extends beyond business operations; it is about creating safer communities and sustainable mobility for everyone.”

Meanwhile, Stakeholders at the conference commended private sector organizations that have consistently supported road safety campaigns, noting that meaningful partnerships between government and industry are essential to addressing transportation challenges and improving public safety.

It would be recalled that the Dangote Cement Transport recently launched an ultra modern drivers lounge at its Ibese plant in Ogun state, where its drivers could rest and refresh before and after every trip to promote their well being.

Murilo Silva, the Head of Dangote Cement Transport urged the drivers to make maximum use of the lounge to eliminate fatigue by resting well and be in sound mind always