Business
Oil Sector’s Executive Orders: NCDMB Lauds President Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Orders aimed at incentivizing the Nigerian oil and gas industry, encouraging new investments in the sector, reducing contracting costs and timelines, and promoting cost efficiency in local content requirements have been applauded.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe has commended the President’s strategic intervention.
This was detailed in a statement by the Corporate Communication of the NCDMB, which was made available to the Biztellers.
According to the statement, the Executive Orders are the Oil and Gas Companies (Tax Incentives, Exemption, Remission, ETC) Order 2024; Presidential Directive on Local Content Compliance Requirements, 2024 (EO 41); and Presidential Directive on Reduction of Petroleum Sector Contracting Costs and Timelines, 2024 (EO 42).
The ES bared his mind in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where he opined that the policy directives had reinforced the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act and codified the Service Level Agreements (SLA), which the NCDMB first introduced in May 2017 to fast-track approvals for the Nigeria LNG Limited Train 7 project, before expanding it to the entire industry after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and five international oil-
producing companies in September 2023.
He maintained that the Presidential Executive Orders did not whittle down the powers of the NCDMB or abrogate the schedule of the NOGICD Act.
Instead, according to him, the Executive Order 41 mandates the Board to ensure the patronage of local companies with domiciled proven capacities and capabilities to achieve cost competitiveness and project delivery within schedule.
He equally pointed out that Executive Order 42 reemphasized NCDMB’s obligation to fast-track approval processes as required by the SLA and section 23 of the NOGICD Act, which mandates the Board to review projects’ documentation within 10 days and advise the concerned operating company.
He assured that the Board would comply with the terms of the Presidential Executive Orders, insisting that the Board had always been pragmatic with its implementation of the NOGICD Act and mindful of the cost competitiveness of projects and schedules.
The objectives of the Executive Orders and the SLAs, he observed were directed to shorten the oil industry’s contracting cycle to six months or less, engender speedy development of new projects, contribute to increased oil production, and improve the national economy, expressing delight that President Tinubu had put his stamp of authority on the noble objectives of the SLAs.
He commended Mr. President for acknowledging the giant strides recorded in Nigerian Content development, particularly the impressive capacities built by local oil and gas service companies in key areas of the industry and the substantial benefits that had accrued to the Nigerian economy and her citizens through local content implementation.
The NCDMB boss assured that the agency would continue to serve as a business enabler and maintain the recognition conferred by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), which awarded the Board the most efficient agency amongst all Federal Government’s MDAs in 2022 and the PLATINUM rating by the Bureau for Public Service Reforms in recognition of the self-imposed reforms of Board’s processes.
Business
Dangote Cement Shareholders Earn N3.3 Trillion Dividend in 15 Years
Shareholders of Dangote Cement Plc are set to receive a record dividend of N45 per share for the 2025 financial year, which represents a 50 percent increase over the previous year’s payout.
Biztellers reports that it also reinforces the company’s position as one of the most rewarding investments on the Nigerian capital market, as it has now distributed over N3.3 trillion in dividends to shareholders over the last 15 years, underscoring its unwavering commitment to creating sustainable value for investors.
The latest dividend announcement reflects the strength of Dangote Cement’s business model, its resilient financial performance, and its disciplined approach to balancing expansion with superior returns to shareholders. Over the years, investors have benefited not only from robust dividend payments but also from significant capital appreciation in the company’s stock.
Speaking on the company’s commitment to value creation, Chairman of Dangote Cement, Emmanuel Ikazoboh, reaffirmed the company’s determination to deliver consistent returns while maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance and operational excellence.
“Our commitment remains to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. We are proud of the confidence reposed in us by our shareholders over the years, and we will continue to pursue strategies that enhance profitability, strengthen corporate governance, and deliver superior returns on investment,” he said.
The company’s dividend history has become one of the most impressive on the Nigerian Exchange. Dangote Cement previously increased its dividend by 50 per cent from N20 per share to N30 per share, demonstrating a consistent track record of rewarding shareholders even in challenging economic conditions.
On his part, Dangote Cement’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Arvind Pathak, noted that the company’s growth strategy remains firmly anchored on expanding production capacity, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening its pan-African footprint.
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Commenting on the Board’s decision to increase the dividend payout to N45 per share, Pathak said: “The decision to increase our dividend by 50 percent to N45 per share demonstrates the strength of Dangote Cement’s earnings capacity and cash generation capability. As we continue to execute our pan-African growth strategy, we remain committed to creating lasting value for our shareholders, investing in the future of the business, and supporting Africa’s industrial development. Our shareholders have stood by us throughout our journey, and we are delighted to reward that trust with another significant increase in returns.”
According to him, Dangote Cement aims to expand installed capacity to 80 million tonnes per annum by 2030, supported by strategic investments across Africa. “In 2025, we marked a milestone with the successful commissioning of a 3Mta grinding plant in Cote d’Ivoire, strengthening our presence in West Africa. With this addition, Dangote Cement now operates fully commissioned assets in 11 African countries, with total installed capacity of 55Mta-comprising 33.5Mta in Nigeria and 19.7Mta across our pan-African operations”
Pathak emphasized that the company remains focused on its vision of making Africa self-sufficient in cement and clinker production while maintaining strong returns for shareholders.
The company’s remarkable dividend record highlights the success of its long-term growth strategy, which has seen it evolve into Africa’s largest cement producer with operations spanning ten African countries. Through continuous investments in capacity expansion, logistics, energy efficiency, and innovation, Dangote Cement has consistently strengthened its earnings profile and market leadership.
Market analysts say the increase in dividend payout to N45 per share sends a strong signal of confidence in the company’s future earnings prospects and underscores management’s commitment to shareholder wealth creation. The milestone dividend distribution further cements Dangote Cement’s reputation as a premier blue-chip stock and a benchmark for value creation on the Nigerian Exchange.
As the company continues to execute its expansion strategy across Africa, shareholders are expected to remain key beneficiaries of its sustained growth, operational excellence, and long-term commitment to delivering superior returns.
Business
Shell, Banks Launch $3bn Contractor Support Fund
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) has taken a major step towards empowering Nigerian contractors with the launch of a $3-billion Contract Finance Facility in partnership with nine leading Nigerian banks.
A company statement has it that the facility is designed to provide credit support for local contractors executing projects for SNEPCo operations and will be available in both Naira and US Dollars.
The participating banks are First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, United Bank for Africa, Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered Bank, First City Monument Bank and Fidelity Bank, it added.
Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lagos, the SNEPCo Managing Director, Ronald Adams said, “the initiative reflects the spirit of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, which is aimed at in-country value retention. Our partner banks offer capital and discipline. SNEPCo brings contracts and domiciliation of payments that de-risk lending. On their part, the contractors provide performance. Each is accountable to others, and the mutual accountability gives the arrangement its strength.”
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Also, at the signing ceremony, the Vice President Finance, Shell Nigeria, C. J. Akwaeze, said the scheme reflects Shell’s commitment to the growth of oil and gas operations in Nigeria.
The chairman of indigenous oil and gas contractor group PETAN, Wole Ogunsanya, represented by Dr Joan Faluyi, lauded the scheme as a “gateway to unlocking contractor financing issues which will also drive efficiency in contract execution.”
Representatives of the banks commended SNEPCo for the opportunity to partner on an initiative aimed at empowering contractors and assured the company of their continued support and cooperation.
Nigerian companies have continued to play key roles in supporting SNEPCo’s operation and project execution. Early this year, 43 wholly Nigerian companies took part in the turnaround maintenance exercise at the Bonga Floating Production and Offloading (FPSO) vessel out of the total of 53 companies involved.
The Contract Finance Facility is expected to further boost the capacity of Nigerian companies to deliver even more value in the operations of Nigeria’s premier deepwater producer.
Business
DPRP, Congo National Oil Consider Strategic Partnership
The national oil company of the Republic of Congo, the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) and Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals (DPRP) are discussing a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the Republic of the Congo’s supply of refined petroleum products.
The parties also have on the agenda, advancing regional energy cooperation and industrial integration across Africa, Biztellers can report.
SNPC Managing Director, Maixent Raoul Ominga, who led a delegation from his country on a visit to the DPRP, described the facility as a strategic asset for Africa and expressed the national oil company’s interest in developing a long-term partnership with Dangote.
“We have visited this remarkable refinery, which represents a major industrial achievement for Africa. The Republic of the Congo has refining capacity and we are keen to explore strategic cooperation that will help strengthen the supply of refined petroleum products while creating value for both organisations,” Ominga said.
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Discussions between both organisations, he said, focused on opportunities for collaboration in refining, petroleum products supply, energy security, industrial development, and knowledge sharing.
He praised the Dangote Group for demonstrating that Africa can successfully finance, build and operate world class industrial infrastructure, describing the refinery as an important milestone in the continent’s industrial transformation.
Ominga also commended the Group’s investments in the Republic of the Congo, particularly in the cement sector, noting that they have strengthened local industrial capacity, expanded production and improved access to construction materials.
On his part, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to Africa’s industrialisation through value addition, regional partnerships and investment across the continent.
“We are for Africa, not just Nigeria. Tell us what you need, and we will see how we can work together,” Dangote said.
He noted that the refinery has established a new benchmark for fuel quality in Africa by producing petroleum products that meet the highest international specifications, while improving access to cleaner fuels and reducing the continent’s dependence on imported refined products.
In the same vein, the Vice President, Oil and Gas, DIL, Devakumar Edwin, outlined the Group’s long term expansion strategy, which will increase its total refining capacity to 2.1 million barrels per day, comprising 1.4 million barrels per day in Nigeria and a planned 700,000 barrels per day refining complex in Kenya to serve East African markets.
He also disclosed plans by the Group to invest an additional US$46 billion between 2026 and 2028 across its refining, cement and fertiliser businesses as part of its drive to accelerate industrialisation across Africa.
The engagement underscores the shared commitment of SNPC and the DPRP to deepen African energy cooperation, strengthen regional value chains and promote greater self sufficiency in refined petroleum products as the continent advances towards enhanced energy security and increased intra African trade.
Also present at the meeting were Group Executive Director, Commercial, Oil and Gas, DIL, Fatima Aliko Dangote; Adviser to the President of the Republic of the Congo, Peggy Ndongo and advisers to the SNPC Managing Director, Aymar Ebiou and Norbert Mabiala.





