Energy
Netizens Wonder Why Nigeria’s Energy Security Appear Comprised
Nigerian netizens have been left wondering why those in authority appear to be doing nothing to ensure the energy security of Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, and encouraging investments in the sector.
Following allegations that the quality of products being manufactured by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery Company do not meet the required standards for the domestic market, some netizens have been expressing concerns, wondering why someone would invest over $20 billion for the production of sub-standard products.
A media practitioner, Crusoe Osagie contributing to a conversation on the issue on Facebook wrote, “It’s all nonsense. Even illiterates in the creek of the Niger delta refine crude in the bush. The government is just plain silly. They make money for their private pockets by importing that is why they want to discourage local production.
“It is the same thing they do with power so their cronies can import generators, railway, so their cronies can keep their trucking business ….”.
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Recall that the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority, Farouk Ahmed recently asserted that the quality of imported diesel surpasses domestically refined products.
Specifically, Ahmed had alleged that Dangote refinery and other modular refineries like Waltersmith and Aradel produced diesel with sulphur content ranging from 650 to 1200 ppm.
Nigerians who appear take aback by the revelation have been venting their feeling on social media, with many alleging that President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has come under attack for daring to speak up on the mismanagement of the Nigerian economy.
One X user, @firstladeship wrote, “I should invest my hard-earned money in a country where the richest black man in the world, is being stifled & ridiculed like a nobody?
“The government of Nigeria has a PhD in demarketing Nigeria on television.
“While China, America & the rest of world are churning out $millionaires & $billionaires, Nigeria is producing poverty.
“I’ll be scared to invest my $1 million in country managed by Tinubu & his men.
“Dangote is not my ideal dollar billionaire for obvious reason. He enjoyed monopoly & patronage from successive governments, since 1999 at least.
“But on the issue of his refinery, there is more that meets the eye.
“The government of Nigeria demarketing the Dangote Refinery is not only sabotage, it’s a national security threat.
“Every nation takes its “energy security” seriously, but not Nigeria. The regulator made wild accusations on television, & we expect the Dangote Group to respond.
“For a government whose “gangsters” are suffocating Nigerians with “buy made-in-Nigeria,” the Bola Tinubu’s government has never been serious about FDIs.
“No serious investments can pour into the oil & gas sector with such a regulator.
“Aliko Dangote has become Aluta, & we know Alhaji to be a Conservative.
“There is no smoke without fire.
“Dangote complained about crude supply.
“He complained about 30% interest rate.
“He complained about CBN exchange rate.
“He complained about manipulations by IOCs.
“The NNPC did not go through with their 20% stake in the Dangote Refinery.
“When you add all of these, you’ll arrive at the conclusion that all is not well. There is Cold War between Dangote & Bola Tinubu, & it doesn’t help investments.
“I don’t care about the politics of “who gets what!?” I want the refinery to work for the interest of the public.
“Is the FG sabotaging the Dangote Refinery?”
Energy
Nigeria’s Gas Output Increases By 2.9%, Reaching 2.29 MSCF
Amid a slight increase in gas production, Nigeria’s oil output experienced a substantial rise in November 2024.
Gas production saw a 2.9% month-on-month (MoM) increase, reaching 2,292,951 million standard cubic feet (MSCF) from 2,292,471 MSCF in October.
However, on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, the growth was minimal, with a mere 0.02% increase in output for the first 11 months of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.
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The latest gas report from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) also revealed a 1.6% increase in domestic gas consumption.
A total of 606,658 MSCF was consumed locally, compared to 596,861 MSCF during the same period in 2023. Gas exports, meanwhile, rose by 6.9%, reaching 829,156 MSCF, up from 775,547 MSCF in the corresponding period of 2023.
This growth in exports continues to play a vital role in bolstering Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.
Despite these positive figures, sources close to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) noted that oil remains the dominant force in Nigeria’s energy sector, with gas taking a secondary role.
On the other hand, the NUPRC’s oil production report revealed a remarkable surge.
Nigeria’s oil output, including condensates, rose by 13.3% year-on-year in November 2024, reaching 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd), up from 1.5 million bpd in November 2023. Month-on-month, oil production also increased by 10%, from 1.5 million bpd in October 2024.
Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), discussed the broader structural dynamics within Nigeria’s economy, highlighting the dominance of the non-oil sector.
In his 2025 Outlook, Dr. Yusuf noted that the non-oil sector contributed 94.43% to Nigeria’s GDP in Q3 2024, while the oil sector accounted for just 5.57%.
“However, the economy is characterized by a paradox of the oil sector contributing an estimated 90% of foreign exchange earnings, while the non-oil sector accounts for about 10%,” Dr. Yusuf said.
“This is a structural shortcoming in our economy which needs to be addressed, as sectors that contribute hugely to GDP have no corresponding contribution to foreign exchange earnings.”
He further emphasized the need to address the challenges faced by the non-oil sector, which include issues related to productivity, infrastructure, funding, and regulatory constraints.
“The policy implication is that more should be done to fix the challenges of productivity and competitiveness of the non-oil sector of the economy,” Dr. Yusuf added
Energy
JUST IN: NNPC Ltd Reopens Warri Refinery
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced that the 125,000-barrel-per-day Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company (WRPC) in Warri, Delta State, has become operational.
This is coming about a month after the commencement of operations at the 60,000-barrel-per-day-old Port Harcourt Refinery.
The Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari, made the disclosure during a tour of the facility on Monday.
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A video posted by Channels TV on Monday showed Kyari addressing a tour team, which included the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.
Before the tour commenced, Kyari explained that the inspection aimed to show Nigerians the level of work completed so far.
According to him, although the repairs on the facility are not yet 100 per cent complete, operations have commenced.
He said, “We are taking you through our plant. This plant is running. Although it is not 100 per cent complete, we are still in the process. Many people think these things are not real. They think real things are not possible in this country. We want you to see that this is real.”
Located in Ekpan, Uwvie, and Ubeji, Warri, the petrochemical plant produces 13,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTA) of polypropylene and 18,000 MTA of carbon black.
Commissioned in 1978 and managed by NNPC Ltd, the WRPC was built to supply markets in the southern and southwestern regions of Nigeria.
The mechanical completion of the facility was initially scheduled for the first quarter of 2024, according to the Spokesperson of the NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye.
“Warri should be done by Q1 (first quarter) 2024,” Soneye stated.
The WRPC is one of Nigeria’s four refineries. Others include the old and new Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company in Kaduna State.
Energy
Dangote Partnership: MRS Urges Nigerians To Insist On N935/Litre Petrol Price Nationwide
MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, a prominent player in the Nigerian downstream oil industry, has implemented a new petrol price of N935 per litre across all its retail service stations nationwide.
The company has also called on Nigerians to monitor and report any outlets that fail to adhere to the new price structure.
Biztellers reports that this is consequent upon an announcement by the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has partnered with MRS Oil and Gas to offer petrol at N935 per litre at retail outlets, following a reduction in the ex-depot price from N970 to N899.50 per litre.
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It was gathered that MRS Oil Nigeria Plc has instructed all its outlets to implement the new price immediately, setting up a digital platform and monitoring team to ensure full compliance.
In a statement on Monday night, the company declared, “Petrol is now being sold at N935 at MRS Filling Stations nationwide. If you find any station not following this price, please report it. Call 08009447853 or email: NG-FMKPMGWHISTLEBLOWING@NG.KPMG.COM”
Emphasising the eco-friendly nature of its products, MRS Oil added, “We call on all petrol station owners to join MRS Oil Nigeria Plc in improving the supply chain of our beloved country, ensuring product quality and availability in every corner of Nigeria for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
In Lagos, commuters were seen queuing at MRS filling stations to purchase petrol, with many expressing their gratitude to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and MRS Oil and Gas, urging other marketers to support the indigenous refinery rather than import off-spec products into the country.
A commuter at the MRS station at Alapere on the Lagos Ibadan Express way, Ibukun Phillips, could not hide her joy as her husband filled up their car.
“I am very happy today. This is a victory for Nigeria,” she said. “The price reduction is the best gift of the season. But beyond just the reduction, we are buying standard, eco-friendly petrol at a lower rate. My husband and I have decided we will only be using MRS from now on because we are confident in the quality of the product and supporting the economy.”
A commercial bus driver, Adio Ajibade described the price reduction as a great relief, especially during the festive season.
“The reduction is a great relief. It will reduce transportation costs and benefit Nigerians. God will continue to bless Alhaji Aliko Dangote,” he said.
A public affairs analyst and university lecturer, Dr. Tunde Akanni, said the collaboration between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and MRS Oil represents a significant step towards improving the affordability, quality, and sustainability of petroleum products in Nigeria.
According to Dr. Akanni, “this move will not only help ease the financial burden on Nigerians but also promote a more environmentally conscious approach to fuel consumption, benefitting both the economy and public health in the long term.”